Archive
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Name changed
A bath seat made by a Semington firm has proved to be so successful that the company has renamed itself from Dinotec Healthcare to Molly Bather Ltd, after its popular product. Designers of a number of successful healthcare products, the family-run firm
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Bands do battle
WESTBURY'S Battle of the Bands takes place on June 28 and 29 and July 6, 7 and 9 at the Laverton Hall. The first prize is a full day of professional recording along with 50 CDs of your band's performance and second prize is half a day's recording and
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Breakfasts business advice
BUSINESSES in Wiltshire will be able to catch up with the latest developments and talk to leaders in their field at workshops across the county. Breakfast meetings, which start in July, are open to small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) associated with
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Modest teenager helps the elderly
28404WESTBURY schoolboy Jonathan Bates has made a big impact in Wiltshire since his arrival 18 months ago, and he has now been recognised for his efforts. Jonathan, 15, of Oldfield Park, was presented with the youth award at the People of Wiltshire presentation
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Vote for your favourite chippy
FISH and chips are a national institution and the hunt is on to find the very best in the south west. The Portway Fish Bar in Westbury and the Farmhouse Caf in Melksham are just two local shops already entered for the contest by satisfied customers. Andy
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Malta deal for Bradford firm
A west Wiltshire firm has been handed a contract to help Malta wise up to waste following its accession to the EU in May. Environmental consultancy SLR, which has an office in Bradford-on-Avon, won an international tender to help Malta get their waste
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Praise for cement firm's approach
CAMPAIGNERS fighting the decision to allow Westbury's cement works to burn recycled liquid fuel in its kilns say they can see a light at the end of the tunnel. The Environment Agency gave Lafarge permission to burn the fuel for a six-month trial two weeks
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Ex-nurse set to be ordained
FORMER nurse Selina Deacon will be helping mark a special anniversary when she is ordained as priest at Westbury's All Saints Church this weekend. It has been 10 years since women were accepted into the priesthood and, while Mrs Deacon, 52, knows there
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Biddestone clinch win over rivals
BIDDESTONE 3rds retained their unbeaten status in Division Eight and extended their lead as they defeated second placed Chippenham 4ths by six wickets. Chippenham made 191 all out, with Majid Quereshi top scoring with an unbeaten 49 and Kris Beasley taking
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Laws in order as leaders impress
DIVISION Four leaders Bradford Town gained an impressive victory over struggling Mildenhall. In among the showers they raced to 263-7 declared in just 36.2 overs, thanks largely to Clive Warren (25) and James Edwards (75), who set them on their way with
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Kemp's blitz takes Trowbridge to the top
TROWBRIDGE A gained an emphatic eight wicket away win over Collingbourne 2nds as the top two sides met in Division Seven. Collingbourne 2nds were bowled out for 58 with Rob Stamp top scoring with 20 and Dave Kemp taking 8-28 in 10 overs. Dave Gibson (
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Beal steers Spye Park to vital win
SPYE PARK extended their lead at the top of Division Two as they gained a narrow one wicket victory at third placed Urchfont. Urchfont, thanks mainly to Paul Wiley (83 not out), scored 205-8. Andy Beal (51 not out) then top scored for Spye Park as their
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Corsham step up title bid
NORTH WILTS JUNIOR CRICKET LEAGUE: CORSHAM retained their leading position in the under 11s division with an eight run victory at Biddestone. Edward Wilson (15) was the leading Corsham batsman as the visitors made 74-5 in their 20 overs. Biddestone made
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Last ball defeat for Wiltshire veterans
WILTSHIRE over 50s' match against Somerset at Warminster produced a nail biting finish, with Somerset hitting the winning run off the last ball to win by three wickets. Wilts batted first and made 181 for nine,with skipper Colin Webb (26), Anthony Warley
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Battle Royal for Swindon
Swindon face one of their biggest games of the season this weekend when they entertain fellow high-fliers Hatherley & Reddings at the County Ground. Having lost only one game so far, both sides sit near the top of the Glos/Wilts 2 league and this
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Pupil's proud swimming success
28392Young swimmers from Melksham have become west Wiltshire champions. Youngsters from Aloeric Primary School beat competition to be named overall winners at the West Wiltshire Swimming Gala. Children from schools in Trowbridge, West-bury, Warminster
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Tributes to crash victim Michelle, 26
THE death of a young Melksham woman in a car crash has inspired people around the town to honour her memory. Michelle Phillips, 26, was killed in a three-car smash, in Devon, in April and her parents, John and Sandra and brothers Darren and Darrel, are
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Fine 'will not help keep truant in class'
A MOTHER fined for failing to send her children to school in Melksham wants more action taken against children themselves. The woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was fined £100 at Chippenham Magistrates Court for failing to ensure the two youngsters
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Teacher's lucky escape from horror bike crash
A TEACHER at a west Wiltshire school has escaped with his life following a horrific crash near Trowbridge in which his motorbike snapped in half. Jerome Faget, a science teacher at the George Ward School in Melksham, was thrown 40-metres into a ditch
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Footballers take on a whole new ball game
283433/1FOOTBALLERS will be taking to the cricket pitch to raise funds for a little Melksham girl at the weekend. The North Bradley Saints will be taking on Trowbridge's FC Northbridge in a charity match, followed by a barbecue, to raise funds for four-year-old
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Man Friday
Ref. 31056-45Ben Blackmore, Age: 22, Employer: Triumph International So what do you actually do? IT support engineer - installing PCs, servers, and networks What do you hate most about your job? Working at Triumph means that the walls are covered in posters
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An economic heavyweight
SWINDON'S position as one of Britain's economic heavyweights has been confirmed by figures released by the Government this week. Number-crunching by the Office of National Statistics has revealed that Swindon is punching well above its weight. The boffins
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Prince wishes troops luck for Iraq mission
SOLDIERS and their families received royal approval ahead of The Black Watch's deployment to war-torn Iraq. The Prince of Wales, the regiment's Commander in Chief, flew in by helicopter on Friday for a two-hour visit to Copehill Down training village
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Fair in aid of centre
The Friends of Wiltshire Music Centre's summer fair will kick off tomorrow with performances from top local musicians. St Augustine's young musician of the year, pianist Dominic Irving, will be joined by Jazz Factory and Bradford on Avon Baroque Band
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Patients treated faster
HEART attack sufferers arriving at a Bath hospital are getting clot-busting treatment faster than the national target, new figures show. Clot-busting drugs were given to 85 per cent of eligible patients within half an hour of arriving at the Royal United
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Boss heads for the hills
THE new chief executive of West Wiltshire District Council is to take part in a challenge to climb four of Britain's highest peaks in under 48 hours to raise money for disadvantaged children in the region. Mr Pate, who joined the council in March, is
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Shortlisted for award
A WILTSHIRE charity was pipped at the post at the 2004 Charity Awards. Wiltshire and Swindon Community Foundation were one of 30 charities across the UK nominated for the Best Grant-maker award. Jen Wildblood, programme director, said: "Even though we
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Unit still closed to patients
FEARS for the future of the stroke unit at Westbury Hospital are growing as health bosses continue to try to find the necessary medical cover. The unit, which cares for stroke victims from across west Wiltshire, closed temporarily on January 2 because
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Police launch web campaign
A QUESTIONNAIRE sent to thousands of 11 to 18-year-olds across Wiltshire revealed seven per cent had agreed to meet up with people through internet chatrooms. Up to 11 per cent of those quizzed felt "uncomfortable" by chats with other users. Wiltshire
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Decline in racist incidents
THE number of racist incidents in Wiltshire's schools has fallen by 10 per cent over the past year. Wiltshire County Council has reported a total of 269 racist incidents across all schools between April 2003 and March 2004, compared to 310 incidents in
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Sodexho costs to be probed
COMPLAINTS about value for money have prompted a review of school meals provided in Wiltshire by council contractor Sodexho. Wiltshire County Council's overview and scrutiny management committee has set up a task group to review the schools catering element
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Courts are doing fine
WILTSHIRE is setting a fine example to counties nationwide after a report was released praising their ability to collect payments imposed in court. Wiltshire is one of only 12 Magistrates' Court Committees in England and Wales that have collected 90 per
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Ambulance response times worst in country
AMBULANCE staff in Wiltshire are the worst in the country at responding to life-or-death calls, according to the latest batch of government statistics. Last year the service only reached 55 per cent of emergency calls where a life was at risk within the
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Short mat triumph
MELKSHAM and Shaw confirmed their dominance of Wiltshire's short mat bowling scene by picking up three top awards on Friday. The club collected trophies for the county fours, county singles and a fourth consecutive county under 18 title at the Wiltshire
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Wiltshire bounce back
WILTSHIRE bounced back in the Middleton Cup with a comprehensive 59-shot victory at Ross-on-Wye. They easily overcame the challenge of Herefordshire 162-103 in their latest inter-county championship match. Wiltshire took the honours on four of the six
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Villager takes on council in safety battle
A CODFORD man is urging neighbours to stop paying their council tax until something is done to improve the conditions of his street. John Gaines, 56, of Cherry Orchard, has been battling for the past six years to get the road outside his house re- surfaced
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Bluebirds open up to supporters
CHIPPENHAM Town fans are to get the chance to grill the club's directors and management about their plans for the future. The club have called an open forum session on July 14 in a bid to improve communication with supporters, who have often complained
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Essential volunteers have the job licked
28394ONE of the biggest events in Wiltshire Music Centre's calendar took place at the centre this week, but instead of making music volunteers were stuffing envelopes. Volunteers stuck labels, folded letters, franked envelopes and filed mail bags to send
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Club opts to help hospice
A CRICKET club will give half the money raised during a fundraising weekend to Dorothy House Hospice, even though it needs to pay for a new £70,000 pavilion after the old one burned down. Winsley Cricket Club's annual jazz night and lunch will take place
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Head slammed by pupils after study leave ban
A HEADMASTER under fire from GCSE students has defended his decision to cut pupils' study leave, saying tough leadership is needed at the school. Most of the Year 11 pupils at St Laurence School, Bradford on Avon, signed the petition against his decision
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Cassie on cue in pool contest
28410/2A delighted teen has potted second prize in a national pool competition. Cassie Powell, 13, from Bradford on Avon, showed her skill in the national under 14s championship in Manchester, organised by the National Assembly for Young People. She was
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Don't forget our cricketing stars
AT the time of writing the whole nation is at fever pitch, expectant, eager in anticipation, a few hours before Beckham and the Boys play their second match in Euro 2004. There has already been pages of copy produced prior to this match along with post-match
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Double standards from councillors?
DM Colcomb has shown the dangers from electromagnetic fields to record office staff and users if the proposed new record office is built next to the large electrical substation in Cocklebury Road. What he has not pointed out is the County Council's double
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Supermarket is taking over town
I am writing to suggest that we change the name of Trowbridge to 'Tescobridge'. The company came here some years ago and built a monstrosity on the edge of our beautiful park. They decided that was insufficient for their needs so were permitted to build
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Housing society on the move
Just how much bigger can West Wiltshire Housing Society HQ get? In the days before transfer they found a home in a small area of Bradley Road Council Offices. On transfer they moved to a area next door to West Wiltshire District Council. They then moved
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Records do keep track of all books
In response to Mr Silcocks' assertion Wiltshire Libraries' housekeeping is atrocious I would like to refute this. I work for the library service and can testify that records and history on every single book in the county is known, even down to being able
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Hell for Bea
JUL7 7 - 10 2004, BATH: Bea has been having a bit of a rough time. Her parents are getting divorced, Mum is acting like a teenager and to top it all they have to move house. This is how The House on Hellmouth Hill begins and it's coming to the Ustinov
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Rosemary says knickers to you!
UNTIL JULY 3 2004, BATH: Get to the bottom of your underwear drawer and book a theatre trip to Bath next month. Quintessential English lady Rosemary Hawthorne is coming to the Theatre Royal on July 1. Rosemary is an authority on underwear from pantaloons
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Support from English fans in Lisbon
EURO 2004: DEDICATED fan Terri Clarke was one of the army of English fans in Lisbon. The 44-year-old, from Abbey Meads, shared England's agony with her husband Neil, 38, and son Bradley, eight. She said: "We thought that if we put in another performance
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Portuguese party
EURO 2004: Meanwhile, in an unassuming shop in Manchester Road, the party was just starting. The shop was the Portugal-Brazil stores, and in the back room Portuguese fans followed every twist and turn of the nailbiting game. Fans celebrated with Super
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Sad fans pay the penalty
Ref. 31067-75Supporters suffer spot kick misery as England bow out of Euro 2004 SWINDON was heartbroken last night as England's dreams of Euro 2004 glory were left cruelly shattered. The feeling across town was summed up by one crestfallen fan 18-year-old
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Boy, 12, stops thief from stealing his money
A PLUCKY 12-year-old boy thwarted a robber's attempts to steal his sweet money. The youngster was waiting to pay for some chocolate bars at the Bus Station Kiosk in New Bridge Square when the thief struck. The man asked the boy for 70p he had in his hand
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Honour for a true hero
Ref. 30168-30A STORE security guard who stopped a suicidal man from jumping 60 feet to his death has been honoured. David Thompson, 23, received a Royal Humane Society award, known as a Testimonial on Parchment from Swindon mayor Derek Benfield at the
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Duped by the man I loved
Ref. 31050-54THE ex-wife of a rogue builder, who faces jail for cheating two of his customers, says she has been left deep in debt and on the breadline. Betty Bridges found herself being chased by creditors after Salvation Army member Brian Timbrell left
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Prop Payne ready to seize his big chance
England boss Sir Clive Woodward elevated Wasps prop Tim Payne to Test match status, and declared: "I have every confidence that he will step up to the mark." Payne, born in Swindon, will start against Australia in Saturday's World Cup final rematch at
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Band picked for festival
AN award-winning brass band from a Trowbridge school will perform at the world's largest youth festival held in London next month. The John of Gaunt brass band will perform at the National Festival of Music For Youth, hosted at three concert halls on
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New nursery boost for Studley Green
A plaque was unveiled and 100 balloons launched to mark the opening of Trowbridge's newest nursery. Mayor Grace Hill cut the ribbon at the official opening of Green Shoots Day Nursery on Friday. West Wiltshire MP Dr Andrew Murrison and Wiltshire County
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Meet the carnival queen hopefuls
NINE young women will battle it out tonight to be crowned this year's Trowbridge Carnival Queen. A panel of judges will pick one winner after a tough selection procedure at Trowbridge Snooker Club this evening, from 8pm. Friends and relatives of the finalists
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Turning back the clock for school drama
15270VICTORIAN values are returning to a Trowbridge school as pupils prepare to roll back the years in the name of entertainment. Up to 65 children, aged from 11 to 18, will be appearing in Clarendon School's production of Oliver, with many giving up
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Alcoholic jailed for assaults
A VIOLENT alcoholic from Trowbridge was jailed for three months on Tuesday after a court heard how he assaulted his wife. Stephen Mitchell, 39, was given the custodial sentence after Chippenham magistrates decided he was a danger to the public. He also
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Wedding nightmare as dress shop closes doors
15363/3DEVASTATED bride-to-be Jan Williams has lost her dream outfit and fears she may have to postpone her September wedding, after the owner of a Bath bridal shop fled the country because his business was failing. Ms Williams, 55, of Yeoman Way, Trowbridge
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Hacker escapes jail term
AN EX-RAF serviceman who hacked into a rival's website designed to reunite members of the armed forces has escaped a jail sentence. John Thornley hacked into Trowbridge businessman Dom-inic Hayhoe's website, Forces Reunited, under the codename Harry Potter
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Police raids find drugs
A SAWN-OFF shotgun, drugs and suspected stolen documents were found in raids on houses in Trowbridge. Police raided three homes following an attempted burglary at Chantry TV in Bradley Road in the early hours of Saturday morning. Up to 137 doses of LSD
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Project takes on natural theme
284062A HUGE frame of natural objects is hanging from the ceiling of Keevil Primary School, after pupils won a visit from a local artist. Pascale Barrett, a picture framer from Wingfield, visited the school for two days as part of its Big Arts Week. The
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Thank you picnic for pre-school children
15341/01MORE than 100 people turned out at Trowbridge Park last Wednesday for a teddy bears picnic in the sun. The picnic is an annual event organised by the West Wilts Pre-School Learning Alliance to thank everyone for their efforts during the year.
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County town is 'full of spirits'
28409/1ONE of the country's youngest spiritual ministers believes Trowbridge is a hotbed for mystical activity. The Rev Shane Adams, 28, said hundreds of ghosts haunt Wiltshire's county town making it more spiritually significant than renowned sites like
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More than skin deep
All too often, our skin is something we take for granted until something goes wrong. Skin Care Campaign's Gwen Banford reveals why it's time we all took skin disease more seriously Skin disease isn't something we talk about easily. We may find it embarrassing
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Author Jasper's booked in for a signing session
BOOKWORMS will have a chance to come face-to-face with Swindon writer Jasper Fforde next month. He will be signing copies of his latest novel, Something Rotten, at Borders store on the Orbital Retail Park from 1pm on Saturday, July 31. The book is Fforde's
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They're cropping up again
WILTSHIRE looks set to become a crop-circle hotspot again this year. In the past few days three of the mysterious circles have been pictured in fields around the ancient village of Avebury. And two of them are believed to have been made during last weekend's
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Hats off to our cancer appeal
SWINDON CANCER APPEAL: EMPLOYEES across Swindon are being urged to wear hats to work and raise money for Macmillian Cancer Relief. The Week Of Hats, from June 26 to July 4, is part of a national campaign and local people are being invited to take part
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Out with old in with new
Ref. 24716-07PETER Stoddart will today become the new mayor of Swindon. The Conservative councillor for Abbey Meads will take over the role and the robes from Derek Benfield at a ceremony in the Civic Offices this afternoon. At 65, Coun Stoddart is younger
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Well-loved Irene is a class act
Ref. 31055-22A TEACHER at a Swindon comprehensive school has been named top of her class. Irene Hunt, who has taught at Headlands School for 21 years, bagged the Lifetime Achievement Award in this year's West of England Regional Teaching Awards. The 55
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It's all taking shape
Ref. 31007-1THE new face of Swindon is emerging as three landmark buildings start to take shape in the town. BHAVANI VADDE and KEVIN SHOESMITH take a look at how the major projects are progressing. THIS is how the new headquarters of the National Trust
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Back on the rails
COMMUTERS have been spared travel misery after late yesterday afternoon the RMT union called off next week's national strike action. A nationwide rail strike by RMT members had been planned to begin at 6.30pm on Tuesday, June 29 finishing on Wednes-day
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Gruesome end for students
Ref. 31032-56THERE were some gruesome spectacles on show at Swindon College. Zombies and vengeful brides made up the showcase of student talent. The event was staged by Year 2 students on the Media Make-up course as part of their final assessment. The
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£650 fee for parking on yellow lines
Ref. 31041-39A £30 parking fine has turned into a £650 nightmare after Nicola Taylor parked on double yellow lines when there was nowhere to park in her street. Now Nicola is demanding to know why a bailiff charged her more than £400 to release a wheel
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Steam cleaner moves in to rid streets of gum
Chewing gum is being removed from Wootton Bassett's historic High Street. Wootton Bassett Town Council decided to take action after new York stone paving became covered with gum within months of it being laid. The council is working with North Wiltshire
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Wrestlers in rehearsals for first public shows
A NEW wrestling company is planning to put on its first shows in the next few weeks. Forefront Wrestling was formed after a group of people broke away from UCW Wrestling, which has previously put on shows in Swindon. The company, which has been running
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Government is paying lip service to public debate
THE decision on the Front Garden raises serious questions. National Government is encouraging public participation on as many aspects of planning as possible the 'bottom-up' not 'top-down' approach. Yet this decision, in pre-empting the examination in
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No way to treat animals
I AM writing in anger caused by the despicable action of one person who obviously has no regard for animals. I am referring to your story about snakes being dumped in a lake in Cheney Manor. Animals are usually better off left where they belong. However
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Decision time
TODAY is deadline day for Tommy Mooney with Andy King adamant that the striker's future will be resolved one way or another by close of play. The County Ground boss had not heard from the 32-year-old by the time yesterday's official contract response
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Bluebirds open up to supporters
CHIPPENHAM Town fans are to get the chance to grill the club's directors and management about their plans for the future. The club have called an open forum session on July 14 in a bid to improve communication with supporters, who have often complained
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Carer is humbled by award
15372A WESTBURY man was shocked and honoured after his efforts were recognised at the People of Wiltshire awards. Cllr Charlie Finbow, 42, of Oldfield Park, Westbury, received the Good Neighbour award. Mr Finbow is a full-time carer for his disabled wife
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Party for retiring president
MEMBERS of Warminster Chamber of Commerce held a surprise lunch for outgoing president John Agate to thank him for two year's outstanding service. The farewell, at the Farmer's Hotel, was in recognition of the hard work he put in leading the chamber.
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Virgin Mobile staff's £6,000 charity boost
BALLOONS launched by workers at Trowbridge-based Virgin Mobile reached the continent as the company raised thousands of pounds for charity. Biodegradable balloons were launched from the firm's base on White Horse Business Park, reaching mid Europe. Money
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Unit still closed to patients
FEARS for the future of the stroke unit at Westbury Hospital are growing as health bosses continue to try to find the necessary medical cover. The unit, which cares for stroke victims from across west Wiltshire, closed temporarily on January 2 because
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Chippenham ease their way to win
CHIPPENHAM under 15s reached the county final of the Portman National Club Championship with a nine wicket victory at Corsham. Sam Collier (47 off 60 balls) and Jamie Wales (33 off 44 balls) gave Corsham a fine start with an opening partnership of 90
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Priestley School finish second in county final
PRIESTLEY School had to be content with second place in the Wiltshire Kwik Cricket Championships on Friday, despite an impressive showing in the group stage. The Calne school was one of eight area winners competing in the event at Devizes Cricket Club
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Shardlow's luck holds as Wiltshire go through
A TIMELY downpour helped Wiltshire secure an unlikely victory over Herefordshire in the Minor Counties Knockout Trophy on Sunday night. Stand-in captain Neil Shardlow admitted his side were lucky to get through after benefiting from the Duckworth/Lewis
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County's young guns could be the best ever
A FIVE-WICKET haul from Calne youngster Courtney Earl helped Wiltshire's under 13 side to a comprehensive win over Gwent at Warminster on Thursday. Earl, who along with captain James Vince is a member of the West of England squad for the age group, recorded
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It's 100 not out for county star Perrin
QUICK-FIRE batsman Steve Perrin has taken 15 years to complete his latest century and he is determined to savour the occasion. Perrin makes his 100th Minor Counties Championship appearance for Wiltshire on Sunday in a career that has also seen him reach
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Blades blunted by Trowbridge
BATH YOUTH CRICKET LEAGUE: TROWBRIDGE under 11s beat Bath Blades by an enormous 89 runs on Monday night. Trowbridge won the toss and batted for the entire 16 overs without giving a wicket away. Dan Clarkson and Michael Reynolds shared an unbroken 133
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Openers can put Goatacre on road to victory
Goatacre captain Pete Turner takes an unchanged team to Dumbleton, one place below the Wiltshire side in Division 1 of the Stroud and Swindon Wilts/Glos League, and will be looking to post successive league victories for the first time this season. Openers
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A washout for England
Duncan Fletcher expressed his frustration after bad weather again washed out England's plans to give fringe players an opportunity to impress. Heavy rain throughout the day forced the opening match of the NatWest Triangular Series against New Zealand
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Gloucestershire fight back to take command
Mushtaq Ahmed produced his second successive five-wicket haul for Sussex, but Gloucestershire remained in charge of their Frizzell County Championship clash at Arundel. The Pakistani leg-spinner claimed 5-58 as the visitors were bowled out for 300 but
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Family's fight to raise awareness of condition
THE family of a young man who died two years ago this week are determined to raise awareness of the little-known condition they believe killed him. An inquest into the death of 29-year-old Justin Strong from Melksham blamed Sudden Adult Death Syndrome
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Nursery is named
A NAME has been chosen for a new nursery school opening in Melksham. The Little Fir Tree Nursery at Lowbourne Infants School, due to open in September, will cater for children aged between three months and five years old. The name has been chosen because
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Town's new gas pipes
GAS company Transco is to begin essential safety work to pipes in three busy Melksham streets on July 19 but will stop work so the town's carnival procession can go ahead in August. The 15-week project is designed to improve the safety and security of
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Firm's donation
The lives of 10,000 disabled people could be changed with the help of Melksham firm Avon Rubber. The company has manufactured and donated 30 specialist armrest pads for prototype wheelchairs to Bristol-based international charity, Motivation.
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Footway hope
Children at Shaw School, Melksham may not have to wait as long as first thought for a safe footpath to school. Worried residents were told by Wiltshire County Council they would have to wait until 2011 for a new footway, linking Dunch Lane and Bath Road
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Schools merger worries
PARENTS worried about a proposed school merger in Melksham are being consulted on the plans. Wiltshire County Council has proposed a shake-up of education in the east of the town, with three schools set to become two. Consultation documents sent to parents
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Chance for store
A SUPERMARKET in Melksham is in line for the food equivalent of an Oscar. Somerfield has won through to the regional final of the SuperMeat awards, with a chance to go on to be named the UK's top meat and seafood supermarket of the year. Judge Fred A'Court
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School's out after 35 years
George Ward School, Melksham is saying goodbye to one of its most dedicated members of staff. Desmond Hartley, 62, is retiring after 35 years as site manager. Mr Hartley and his wife Rosemary, who have seven children between them, hope they will be able
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Man suffers serious head injuries in fall
15352/1A WORKER was seriously injured on Friday after falling 30ft from scaffolding outside a house in Melksham. The 48-year-old, from Shipton Bellinger, Hamp-shire, who has not been named, was airlifted to the Royal United Hospital in Bath after the
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'Disgusting' thieves bring boy, 9, misery
THIEVES have brought misery to a sick little boy by stealing his 'lifeline' trampoline. The trampoline, which belonged to a nine-year-old Ringwood boy who suffers from cystic fibrosis, formed an essential part of the physiotherapy treatment for his illness
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Time play area was sorted out
May I endorse the comments expressed by Cllr Carbin in his letter regarding the Wyke Road play area. What he omits to mention, however, is the fact that for the first three years of this problem he was our sole elected representative on the district council
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A company fit for a queen
TOP-PERFORMING companies have been invited to apply for the Queen's Awards for Enterprise 2005. There are three categories international trade, innovation, and sustainable development. The last winner from the Swindon area was Motorola in 2000 in the
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Thanks to all those who help charities
THANK you to past and present employees of Nestle, who contributed to the Staverton Nestle Trust Community Fund. The Trust has kindly donated £200 towards the cost of the computers used for training. The computers allow access to training for job opportunities
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Hospital staff set a good example
Hospital staff were rewarded for cycling to work with a free breakfast as part of Green Transport Week. Staff at the Royal United Hospital, Bath, took part in a cycle to work day that was organised to encourage healthier ways of getting to work. Physiotherapist
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Walk of hope
Five hundred people marched through Warminster on Saturday to protest against closures at the town's community hospital. The hospital's casualty service, also known as the minor injuries unit, was closed in March 2003 because health bosses at the West
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Keeping conmen at bay
A TRAVELLING theatre group is helping to raise awareness of distraction burglars through a series of free shows in Wiltshire. Wiltshire County Council is working with Wiltshire Constabulary and Age Concern to co-ordinate the performances, which contain
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Villages make the shortlist
THE best kept villages in the district have been revealed and are now in with a chance of representing Wiltshire in the regional finals. The contest, sponsored by Calor and organised by the Wilt-shire Council for the Protection of Rural England (CPRE)
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this vw isn't bor-ing
Ref. 30765-9Reading your favourite book undisturbed in the library is a similar experience to driving the VW Bora, silent and comfortable. ANDY TATE takes it for a drive about town It is tempting to dismiss the VW Bora as boring and not just because of
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Officers get to grips with a digital pen
WILTSHIRE police have become the first in the world to put digital pen to paper. They took part in trials on new digital pens made by Hewlett-Packard. The pens recognise handwriting when police fill in forms, meaning the information can be downloaded
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Summer solstice without a hitch
REVELLERS visited to Stonehenge to mark the summer solstice at the weekend. More than 20,000 people braved chilly temperatures to catch a glimpse of the sun rising around the ancient stones on Monday morning. Druids and others who went along for the experience
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Wiltshire Times staff scoop media awards
15367/3WILTSHIRE Times editorial staff scooped two top awards at the second annual Wiltshire Media Awards on Thursday. Trevor Porter was named photographer of the year and Craig Evry won reporter of the year at the event, organised by the National Union
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People are at the heart of great county
15373/2WILTSHIRE'S unsung heroes enjoyed their moment in the limelight on Wednesday at a glittering awards ceremony in Trowbridge. The third annual People of Wiltshire Awards, sponsored by firms including the Wiltshire Times, recognised the huge contribution
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Children's stories come to life
HEROES from children's stories were brought to life at Sutton Veny Primary School last week. Pupils and teachers dressed as characters from books including Harry Potter and The Witches on Friday for the culmination of the school's arts week. Youngsters
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Walk of hope
Five hundred people marched through Warminster on Saturday to protest against closures at the town's community hospital. The hospital's casualty service, also known as the minor injuries unit, was closed in March 2003 because health bosses at the West
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Feast of fun at Westbury 2004
YOUTH FOOTBALL: MORE than a thousand youngsters descended on Matravers School, Westbury, for a feast of football to rival events in Portugal. Westbury Youth FC's annual six-a-side tournament saw over 190 teams battle it out on Friday, Saturday and Sunday
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Tripp set for staff shake-up
NIGEL Tripp has bolstered his backroom staff with two new faces as Melksham Town bid to improve on last season's disappointing league position. Tripp is confident new youth and reserve team managers Chris Ballinger and Alan Roberts will improve communication
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Horse lovers score victory in campaign over exports
NORTH Wiltshire MP James Gray has welcomed a Government pledge to oppose the live export of horses for human consumption. The Shadow Countryside Minister, who rode into Parliament on horseback in March to highlight his campaign, said: "The news that the
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Mel's plea to hubby Wayne: Will you be quiet!
MELINDA Messenger is being driven crazy by her husband Wayne's non-stop singing. Wayne Roberts, 28, is the lead singer of Swindon jazz funk band ZeroT, which will be playing at the Old Town Bowl tomorrow night as part of the Old Town Festival. And Melinda
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Blackbud treat
A BAND chosen to play at the Glastonbury Festival this weekend will form part of a packed music line up at a Bradford on Avon street party. Bradford band Blackbud will play at the Woolley Street Party on July 10, which is free, with donations going to
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GP's view on drugs testing
People at risk of diabetes could benefit from a drug to treat high blood pressure, says a Bradford on Avon doctor involved in an international medical trial. Dr Nigel Gough, who practises at the Health Centre, Bradford, said 46 patients from the town
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Neighbours protest at new homes
Angry neighbours have protested against a proposed eight-house development in Bradford on Avon, which has also been criticised by the town council. Plans by developer Beswick Homes would see a bungalow at 49 Woolley Street knocked down and replaced with
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School's delight at donation
A SECONDARY school has had a surprise £1,000 donation towards an appeal raising money for its 25th birthday. The anonymous donation meant a big step forward for St Laurence School, Bradford on Avon, which is aiming to raise £50,000 for a new restaurant
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Mill plans are 'step backward'
KEY representatives in Bradford on Avon have slated the latest plans to develop the Kingston Mill site in the heart of the town. Town councillors and community representatives are among those to say they are 'seriously disappointed' by plans proposed
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Election error
I would just like to comment on the articles in the local newspapers this week, about the mix up of the address of the polling station in Trowbridge College Ward for the recent town by-election. In these days of low turnouts on voting days, this kind
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Unconvinced by factory's report
On Monday I sat in and spoke on the County Council's scrutiny committee when they discussed Sodexho and that infamous Fit to Eat program. I said how, in 2001, the older people's day care centres and luncheon clubs were pressed to take the Sodexho factory
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Humps make no difference
I am writing regarding the speed humps that were put in place on Lambrok Road in April. All I can say is what a waste of time and effort the council have gone to. Is this why our council tax increased so much? The speed humps are only halfway across the
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Government undermined by EU rules
Our MP Dr Andrew Murrison is so right to condemn the nonsense from the EU about Melton Mowbray pies. It is one example of a stream of nonsense from the same source, e.g. fishing rights for landlocked countries, removing hundreds of acres of forest in
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Horse lovers score victory in campaign over exports
NORTH Wiltshire MP James Gray has welcomed a Government pledge to oppose the live export of horses for human consumption. The Shadow Countryside Minister, who rode into Parliament on horseback in March to highlight his campaign, said: "The news that the
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Mel's plea to hubby Wayne: Will you be quiet!
MELINDA Messenger is being driven crazy by her husband Wayne's non-stop singing. Wayne Roberts, 28, is the lead singer of Swindon jazz funk band ZeroT, which will be playing at the Old Town Bowl tomorrow night as part of the Old Town Festival. And Melinda
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Zurich announces who will go in first wave of cuts
ZURICH has announced the first wave of posts that will go as part of its cost-cutting plan. The insurance firm said at the end of March that 450 jobs would go by the end of the year. At the time Zurich could not say which departments would be losing staff
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Bowyers takes action over risk to factory
ANIMAL liberation activists and bomb threats are among reasons given by bosses at a Trowbridge pie factory for wanting to shift a public footpath that splits its site in two. Bowyers has submitted plans to divert the footpath dissecting its Stallard Street
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Purse robbery
TROWBRIDGE police are appealing for witnesses to a theft of an elderly lady's purse on June 18. The purse, containing £100, was stolen at about 12.40pm while the woman was in the Dorothy House charity shop. Police are keen to speak to a man wearing a
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Guides look forward to world centre trip
28387/1GIRL Guides have been busy preparing for their trip to one of four Guide centres in the world. The group of 36 includes leaders, Guides and senior section members, mainly from the 1st Studley Guides and 3rd Trowbridge Guides. They will head off
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Pub bid goes to appeal
TROWBRIDGE businessman Thomas Rothschild has appeared before a judge in the latest stage of an appeal to win a liquor licence for his restaurant and pub. West Wiltshire District Council and Wiltshire Police Authority objected to Mr Rothschild's licence
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Nigel's marathon effort for charity
15342/6A TROWBRIDGE hairdresser swapped his scissors for spikes to raise more than £2,000 for a Wiltshire charity. Nigel Evans, of Nigel's Hair Designs in Duke Street, collected £2,350 off his customers for Shaw Trust Palmer Gardens, in Trow-bridge, after
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School's Robin Hood is a roaring success
15359/4THERE was not a spare seat as pupils from a Trowbridge school entertained the audience with a spectacular musical. St John's Catholic Primary School produced a humorous take on the classic legends surrounding Robin Hood and his Merry Men on Wednesday
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Pre-school celebrates
A TROWBRIDGE pre-school celebrating its 35th birthday next month is calling on past pupils, teachers and committee members to join the party. St Thomas' Pre-school, based in the church hall off Timbrell Street, is planning a huge party next month to mark
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Doubts over plan for shops on estate
FRUSTRATED residents on a Trowbridge estate were preparing to barrack councillors for help last night to end a long-running row over their community centre. Members of Paxcroft Mead Community Centre's management committee were calling on councillors to
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Residents get together for first fun day
28396/1THE promise of fun and entertainment brought more than 200 people out for a barbecue and get together at Longfield Community Centre on Sunday. Wrestling star Jake the Snake Roberts and Mayor Grace Hill joined in the fun at the first big event organised
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Leaflet drop aims to curb Seymour arson attacks
THE Wiltshire Times has joined forces with the fire brigade and police in Trowbridge to help curb the spate of arsons plaguing the Seymour estate. Up to 500 leaflets will be distributed to houses on the estate this weekend to help reduce the number of
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Last chance for Natallie
A WOMAN from Trowbridge will find out today whether frozen embryos which offer her last chance to have a child of her own must be destroyed. Natallie Evans, 32, has taken her battle to save the embryos, created with a former partner, to the Court of Appeal
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Mum beats her fear as 50 bats move in
28400/2A COLONY of bats caused a stir at a Trowbridge home as a mother-of-three was forced to overcome her fear of the winged mammals or face prosecution. Caroline Lincoln, 44, was stunned when up to 50 bats flew out of her roof during a family barbecue
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Comedian presents minibus to college
28405/1COMEDIAN Eddie Large was in Trowbridge on Tuesday to present a Variety Club minibus to Wiltshire College. Mr Large, one half of the classic comic double act Little and Large, made the presentation at the Trowbridge campus. The £25,000 minibus will
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Expert flies in to help solve pigeon problem
A PIGEON expert will be visiting Trowbridge following a month-long operation to help an Australian city deal with its expanding bird population. Guy Merchant, of the Pigeon Control Advisory Service (PICAS), has his sights set on Wiltshire's county town
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Teacher's lucky escape from horror bike crash
A TEACHER at a west Wiltshire school has escaped with his life following a horrific crash near Trowbridge in which his motorbike snapped in half. Jerome Faget, a science teacher at the George Ward School in Melksham, was thrown 40-metres into a ditch
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Crash closes major route
15356/8TWO cars were involved in a head-on smash which closed a major Trowbridge road on Sunday evening. A Volvo and a Nissan Micra collided on County Way, between the Longfield roundabout and Bradley Road, leaving two people with minor injuries. The
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Steve nets open first prize after tight finish
THERE was good competition for the prizes in the Wilts Angling open match at Witherington Farm on Sunday. Steve Gardner, of Chippenham, won with a carp catch weighing 87lb 9oz, taken on pole-fished luncheon meat on a 12 hook. Ian Willetts, of Bradford
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One sufferer's 10 years of torment
Suzanne Johns, 24, of Liden, first developed eczema ten years ago. "At its worst it has veered from the torment of trying to ignore a terrible, deep-rooted itch to scratching and then the resulting pain, inflammation and bleeding from the damage caused
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Hi-tech scanner speeds up treatment for patients
Ref. 31059-1IT'S not just doctors and nurses who keep the Great Western Hospital ticking. There is also an army of medical staff who work behind the scenes to help make diagnoses and treat illnesses Superintendent radiographer Amanda Cox is just one of
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Festival ends on a high and goes out with a duck race
THIS year's Cricklade Town Festival is coming to an end with the final events taking place this weekend. Tonight, Bradon Forest School pupils will perform two plays they devised themselves at the Red Lion pub. The performance starts at 7.30pm and admission
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Low-carb diets are a danger to health, warns expert
SLIMMERS should be weary of popular low-carbohydrate diets, warns a Swindon expert. Sara Young, area manager for Slimming World, believes trendy diets such as the Atkins diet are not sustainable and has urged those wanting to shed the pounds to re-evaluate
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Youngsters set to make a racquet
YOUNG visitors to the Old Town Festival can get into the Wimbledon spirit with free tennis coaching. The coaching, at the courts in Quarry Road on Sunday July 4, will run from 10am to 2pm in two groups. Junior School pupils will be coached from 10am to
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Callous thieves prey on elderly with water con
Two thieves pretending to be from the Water Board have carried out a string of distraction burglaries in Wootton Bassett. The two men knocked on doors in The Lawns, Longleaze, Dryden Place and Brooke Place. While one kept the owner talking, the other
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Sssssso happy to be back home
Ref. 31039-19THE original Houdini may be long gone but his serpent namesake is very much alive and slithering in Swindon. The escapee snake has been reunited with owner Michael Beale two months after it slithered to freedom. Warehouse operative Michael
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Vision of change on target
THE SHAPE OF SWINDON: DEMOLITION work to transform a disused town centre building into luxury apartments should be complete by mid-July. Builders moved onto the former Nationwide site at the junction of Princes Street and Beckhampton Street in March.
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New police station is an arresting site
THE SHAPE OF SWINDON: PROGRESS is being made at the new headquarters for Swindon police. The £25m building is being constructed on a site opposite Sains-bury's supermarket off the A420 Oxford Road. The headquarters are scheduled to be finished in the
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Biggles flies out of town
A GROUP of photographs taken by one of the most famous children's authors who ever lived has sold for £6,400 in Swindon. Lewis Carroll took the photo-graphs of the family of Pre-Raphaelite artist Dante Gabriel Rosetti. The Alice in Wonderland author was
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Expert shares advice on diabetes
AVOIDING the kidney problems associated with diabetes will be the subject of next meeting of the Swindon group of the Diabetes UK charity. Group secretary Matthew Spencer has invited Great Western Hospital specialist Dr Sahid Ahmed to give a talk. Mr
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Tots take big steps to help
Ref. 31066-42TOTS at a Wroughton nursery were cheering on two Georges yesterday as they took part in a charity toddle. Some of the 40 children from Asquith Nursery donned Crosses of St George for the half-mile challenge to raise cash for the charity Barnardos
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Crash figures are shocking
NEW road accident figures will make Swindon drivers think twice before stepping on the accelerator. According to the Department for Transport statistics, Wiltshire's roads claim one life every week. The figure is drawn from a report which shows that over
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Oo la la! Traders want a Euro feel
Ref.31061-45TRADERS in Old Town's Wood Street are to meet with councillors and residents associations to discuss the establishment of a caf culture. Owners of the Wood Street cafs Panache and Woods, along with the King's Hotel, are urging the council
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Goodbye Matt, you'll be missed
Matt McCue joined the board of Voluntary Action Swindon in October 2003 and it is with shock and sadness that we learned of his death. Matt's activities within the voluntary sector had a positive impact on the lives of many people. He will be much missed
