Archive
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Lift-off aids cancer charity
GAZETTE: BOROUGH Parade in Chippenham is taking to the skies in a charity balloon launch. The shopping centre is hosting the high-flying event in aid of Macmillan Cancer Relief and centre manager Lionel Dicks is appealing for the people of Chippenham
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New hope for Kandu trip to New Zealand
Actor Jerome Flynn, pictured middle back, with those involved in Kandu last yearGAZETTE: Ambitious plans to take troubled teenagers on a life-changing trip to New Zealand may yet be resurrected, despite two disappointing set-backs. Kandu Arts for Sustainable
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Year's jail for soldier in racist attack
GAZETTE: A soldier who launched a vicious racist attack on the boss of a Chinese takeaway has been jailed for a year. Neil Barton, who was in the Royal Logistics Corps, punched and kicked his victim after a night out drinking. And after knocking Steven
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Dylan Project for MS funds
GAZETTE: THE Multiple Sclerosis Society is holding its second annual fundraising event, in the hope of raising thousands of pounds for much needed medical equipment. The Dylan Project will be playing at the Olympiad Leisure Centre, performing tributes
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Having a ball after 50 years
GAZETTE: FRANK and Rosemary Weston celebrated their golden wedding anniversary last week, more than 60 years after falling madly in love on the netball court at school. The couple, of Yewstock Crescent West, Chippenham, celebrated with a family meal at
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Mum's meningitis alert
GAZETTE: CONCERNED mum Cara Mead is urging people to attend a meningitis awareness evening to help parents be better prepared to understand the symptons of the potentially deadly illness. Mrs Mead, 32, did not recognise the signs when her three year-old
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Man robbed as he lay helpless
GAZETTE: A VULNERABLE Chippenham man had his shopping bag stolen on Saturday, as he suffered an epileptic fit in the Market Place. The man, who would like to remain anonymous, came round from a seizure to find his shopping bag, containing biscuits for
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Duke receives Freedom of City for regiment
SOLDIERS, resplendent in dress uniform and with swords drawn, bayonets fixed and colours flying, brought pomp and pageantry to the rain-splashed streets of Salisbury on Saturday. Traffic came to a standstill and shopping stopped for a while, as thousands
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King wants defence to stay tight
GOALS flowed in 'phenomenal' fashion for Town last season but with the same supply by no means guaranteed manager Andy King is looking for his team to adopt a meaner approach. The men in red rattled in 76 league goals last year, conceding 58 in the process
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No jail for assault in pub brawl with cosh
GAZETTE: Tree surgeon Morry Jones has escaped a jail term after he hit a man over the head with a cosh outside a Box pub. The 28-year-old waded into the fight, which had spilled on to the A4 through the village, before viciously whacking his victim. Jones
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Fun library event has a serious message for families
FAMILIES across Swindon are being invited to a fun afternoon at Highworth Library as part of National Parents Week. The event, which has been organised in partnership with Swindon libraries and SureStart is taking place on Monday. The event , starting
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Wiltshire may lose only livestock market
North Wiltshire District Council is in a race against time to save Chippenham's livestock market, according to executive member for regeneration Coun Christine Reid. Unless a new site is found to replace the one in Cocklebury Road, Wiltshire could lose
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Mum's meningitis alert
CONCERNED mum Cara Mead is urging people to attend a meningitis awareness evening to help parents be better prepared to understand the symptons of the potentially deadly illness. Mrs Mead, 32, did not recognise the signs when her three year-old son, Oliver
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New offices cost council more to run
North Wiltshire District Council's flagship new offices in Monkton Park consume more power than the old ones despite a modern design and an environmental accolade. The district council acknowledged its important role in helping energy efficiency in North
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Mum and son set up bistro
DAVID Cowen, former executive chef at Marlborough's Polly Tea Rooms, has opened his own business in Pewsey. With his mother Christina, Mr Cowen, 29, has opened the Chequers Bistro in the Little Gallery in the High Street in Pewsey. The bistro, a blend
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Railway delegate needed in Pewsey
GORDON Nicholls, who had played a major part in getting improved service at Pewsey station, is looking for someone to take over his job as the local railway passenger association representative. For 20 years Mr Nicholls has voiced local opinion about
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Badgers may force site fencing
ANCIENT burial sites across Salisbury Plain could soon be fenced off to prevent badgers from tunnelling through the archaeology. English Heritage is developing a management strategy to restore Bronze Age burial mounds that have been damaged by burrowing
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Foxes kill two bustards - as expected, says group
TWO of the great bustards - the world's heaviest flying birds - released on Salisbury Plain last month have been killed by foxes. Only 18 now remain of the 22 originally released, as another two injured themselves so badly in the pre-release 'soft' pens
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Man suffers racist attack
A POLICE hunt has been mounted for four racist thugs who attacked an Asian man in Amesbury and robbed him of his mobile phone. The robbery, described by police as "particularly vicious", occurred at 9.30pm, shortly after the 36-year-old Asian had left
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Mighty Whites are close to repeating their cup dream
SALISBURY City are just 90 minutes away from reaching the First Round proper of the FA Cup for the second year running after a stunning victory at Weston Super Mare set up an all Ryman League Premier Division clash with Slough Town, writes Mike Turner
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Dad's there for Herring
DEFENDER Ian Herring is listening and learning from the Chippenham management but he says the biggest influence in him is his dad. Ray Herring, 53, has travelled around the country to see Herring play in every game this season. Herring, 20, said: "My
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Saturday's opponents
Chippenham will have a tough task of staying on top of the Southern Premier League when they entertain a motivated Aylesbury United on Saturday. The side from Buckinghamshire, nicked named the Ducks, will be visiting Hardenhuish with the aim of climbing
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Optician in alert on road safety
WARMINSTER drivers have been warned to take care on the roads as British Summer Time ends next week. Batemans Opticians in Market Place, Warminster, are warning motorists that the time change can be dangerous by making driving conditions darker. They
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Jones lands Dove planning role
FINANCE company Dove Financial Management has recruited a new team member to provide a more comprehensive service for clients. The company, which is a division of chartered accountancy firm Monahans and advises on pensions, investments, tax mitigation
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Developer questions golf hotel scheme
DEVELOPER Noel Shuttleworth, who has 30 years' experience in the conversion of old properties, is asking if the golf hotel scheme proposed for Tottenham House in Savernake Forest is necessary to guarantee the future of the Grade 1 listed building. Mr
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Future of Astoria is safe says its owner
Astoria cinema owner John Angel has rubbished the idea he will sell up the site to make way for housing but developers say the search for a new cinema site continues. The Gazette reported that Ashwood Homes wants to bulldoze the Astoria and replace it
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Developers trying to keep period features
The renaissance of Orwell House and the regeneration of Chippenham's New Road came one step closer this week with the submission of a planning application to revamp the historic building. The Grade II listed Victorian building, next to the Western Arches
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Mum and son set up bistro
DAVID Cowen, former executive chef at Marlborough's Polly Tea Rooms, has opened his own business in Pewsey. With his mother Christina, Mr Cowen, 29, has opened the Chequers Bistro in the Little Gallery in the High Street in Pewsey. The bistro, a blend
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Garden centre's charity pot flourishes
WHITEHALL Garden Centre, at Lacock, has raised nearly £2,000 for the Breast Cancer Breakthrough Charity. A Breast Awareness Month kicked off two weeks ago to raise money for cancer research and to encourage women to check their breasts for lumps. The
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Dream pub pursuit
NEARLY four months ago Leighton Davis gave up a successful job as a retail manager and pledged to revamp a rundown town centre pub. Two weeks ago the freshly painted doors of the Gladstone Arms in Gladstone Road, were opened. Formally the Borough Arms
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Market parking plan stokes fury
James Cockram, Paul Moorby and the Mayor, Margaret Taylor have differing views on whether parking charges would hit tradeDEVIZES traders have reacted angrily to a suggestion that Kennet District Council is considering charging for parking in the Market
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In control it's the Pestbuster
A Trowbridge man has set up a business to exterminate pests. David Seaman, 36, of Gloucester Road, has worked for eight years for national company Pest Control Techniques. Now he has set up Armour Pest Protection, and will tackle rats, mice, squirrels
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Open day for preschool
THE Walter Powell Preschool, on Dauntsey Road, Somerford held an open day recently to show prospective parents and their children what it had to offer. Sue Parsons from Wiltshire County Council's Early Years Education department was the guest speaker
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Pupil plan for better meals
Governors, councillors and children are working together to make school meals more healthy. Children at Sherston Primary School are being asked in a survey what they think of school meals. And members of the school council, which represents pupils, are
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Second chance for play area development
Malmesbury Town Council is celebrating the news that proposals for development of the Malmesbury Outdoor Pool site and Newton Grove Play Area scheme will be reviewed. Following extensive consultation with local residents and councillors in Malmesbury,
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Pantomime is back in Boots
Pantomime season returns from Wednesday, October 27 when the Sherston Drama Group performs Puss in Boots at the village hall. The group has been practicing since August and cannot wait to get started. Publicity officer Angela Adams said: "We have been
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Hundreds mourn popular rugby man
HUNDREDS of mourners gathered at the funeral on Monday to pay their respects to Minety Rugby Club player Philip Claxton, 38, from Pool Keynes, who died of a heart attack on October 5 while playing golf. The service at All Saint's Church, Kemble, had to
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Diving in for new minibus
Olympic swimmer Jaime King with Burton Hill School head Harry DicksOlympic swimmer Jaime King arrived at Malmesbury Swimming Pool on Saturday to help raise money for Burton Hill School in its swimathon for a new school minibus. The school is trying to
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Farewell from bobby who helped the stars
Policeman Martin Alvis, who was booking actor John Thaw when a fan ran into the star's car, has left Malmesbury to take up a temporary post in Chippenham. PC Martin Alvis, 40, has left Malmesbury Police after 12 years to return to his first station in
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Journal People Awards honour unsung heroes
Francis Watts, winner of the Hero award, and Dean of Salisbury the Very Rev June Osborne. 21-10-04. UNSUNG heroes from every walk of life were honoured at the first-ever Journal People Awards on Sunday. The event was part of the Journal's 275th birthday
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Birthday girl Linda hits winner
SALISBURY Hockey Club's ladies' first team returned to winning ways on Saturday, edging a 2-1 victory at home to near neighbours West Wilts. The hosts took the lead early on through Lisa Lovatt and looked the livelier side, playing confidently and causing
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New council meets
A NEW organisation aims to build bridges between researchers and the business community. People who hope to set up the South West Council for Science and Industry have met for the first time. The shadow council, which is chaired by Sir John Taylor and
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Construction firm tries to reduce falls
CONSTRUCTION firm Bluestone, which has offices in Ashworth Road, Swindon, has launched a campaign to try and reduce falls on building sites, the single biggest cause of workplace deaths. The campaign aims to give employees and subcontractors help and
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Vince setting his sights on TT ride
WINTERSLOW motorcycling ace Vince Prevett has one more goal to achieve after completing one of the most successful seasons in his career. The self-employed landscape gardener is still on a high after achieving one of his ambitions - riding in the challenging
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Masters make a splash at championships
Stingrays Swimming Club Masters. 21/10.04.SALISBURY Stingrays Swimming Club's Masters have been crowned 2004 county champions. It is an overdue honour for the senior swimmers, who were just pipped to the title last year. In the final, held at their home
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Mighty Whites are close to repeating their cup dream
SALISBURY City are just 90 minutes away from reaching the First Round proper of the FA Cup for the second year running after a stunning victory at Weston Super Mare set up an all Ryman League Premier Division clash with Slough Town, writes Mike Turner
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Exercise eases aches
PHYSIOTHERAPISTS are going back to basics with helpful information that eases back pain sufferers into gentle exercise. Calne, Corsham and Chippenham will soon reap the benefits of specialist classes, which aim to provide low back pain sufferers with
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Optician in alert on road safety
WARMINSTER drivers have been warned to take care on the roads as British Summer Time ends next week. Batemans Opticians in Market Place, Warminster, are warning motorists that the time change can be dangerous by making driving conditions darker. They
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Appeal dubs closure decision as unsound
THE appeal against the decision by the Kennet and North Wiltshire Primary Care Trust to close Devizes and Malmesbury maternity units has questioned the validity of the consultation process. Wiltshire County Council's health overview and scrutiny committee
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GPs would speed death
DOCTORS in Swindon would prescribe powerful drugs to dying patients knowing that it could shorten life. Dr Peter Swinyard, of Phoenix Surgery, in Toothill, said he would have no qualms injecting terminally-ill patients with morphine even though it could
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Athlete is offering a set of racing wheels
WHEELCHAIR user Mark Fox is looking for someone to make use of a specialised marathon wheelchair he was given seven years ago. Mr Fox, 42, of Broad Hinton, was paralysed from the waist down after a moto-cross accident at Biddestone in June 1987. Mr Fox
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Town crier waits for verdict on top awards
Wootton Bassett's deputy town crier Owen Collier has competed in his first national championships. Mr Collier, 45, of Blackthorn Close, travelled to Hastings at the weekend to take on 29 other criers from across the country. Mr Collier had to perform
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Court just keeps going
VETERAN goalkeeper Bernie Court is the longest serving player in the Chippenham Sunday League and is still diving between the posts at the age of 51. Court, who now plays for the Old Road Tavern, has been playing in the league since he was 16. He said
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Wiltshire League
PEWSEY Vale caused the biggest upset of the day in the section beating AFC Stratton 3-1 on their own ground. After a fairly even opening to the game a strike by Barry Flippance a minute before the break gave the Vale a goal advantage at the interval.
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Grant helps keep the show on wider road
MORE villages and rural communities across Wiltshire will experience live performances on their doorstep thanks to a £28,500 grant to Rural Arts Wiltshire, the county's rural touring scheme. The grant from Arts Council England, South West will enable
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Mum's meningitis alert
CONCERNED mum Cara Mead is urging people to attend a meningitis awareness evening to help parents be better prepared to understand the symptons of the potentially deadly illness. Mrs Mead, 32, did not recognise the signs when her three year-old son, Oliver
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Chippenham Sunday League
Premier Division - West Lavington (Sunday) still lead the way after a 8-2 victory over Trowbridge Harriers, who are still searching for their first win since gaining promotion. Lavington led 3-0 before Andy Cooper and Alistair Stokes scored to drag Harriers
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Housing 'must be a priority'
The provision of high quality affordable housing must be a priority for all the political parties in the run-up to the next general election, according to Westlea housing chief David Ashmore. Mr Ashmore, chief executive of North Wiltshire's leading housing
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Specialist considered for a teaching Oscar
Hilary EyleyTEACHER Hilary Eyley, who scooped a regional award, will be joining 145 other category winners from across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, all hoping to win one of the ten National Teaching Awards up for grabs. The special needs co-ordinator
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Welton Rover 1, Melksham Town 2
Screwfix Premier Division - Manager Nigel Tripp praised his players after they came from behind to snatch a win on Tuesday night. Melksham were behind after 15 minutes thanks to a superb run from striker Craig Blackmore. But two second half goals from
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Devizes Town 3, Bridgwater 1
Screwfix Premier Division - Bridgewater manager Trevor Senior heaped praise on Devizes after a convincing win on Saturday. Senior congratulated Devizes boss Mark Godley and him on a job well done after goals from defender Brian Kayll and strikers David
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Watchdog praises social services
SOCIAL Services for both adults and children are improving in Wiltshire, according to the latest report from a Government watchdog. The Commission for Social Care Inspection's annual review of performance found that the county council's performance against
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Bright prospects
SUNDAY lived up to its name as the rays beamed through on the bright prospects of Wiltshire junior hockey at the Devizes Leisure Centre. Devizes Hockey club played host to this season's second Wiltshire mini hockey tournament, and after a wet Saturday
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New exams welcomed
SOME of the biggest changes seen in school examinations in decades are about to hit students at Wiltshire schools. About the only exams that will survive the latest changes proposed in a 200 page report published on Monday will be A levels. Under the
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Gazette: Match of the Week
THE under 14s league cup preliminary round game between the top teams in the under 14s Blue and Green Division, Salisbury City Juniors and Castle Combe Colts Black respectively, lived up to expectations and was an excellent advert for the league. A superb
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Mid-Wilts Youth and Minor League
DEVIZES Town Youth under nines made a great start to this season's Wiltshire Times and Chippenham News Mid-Wilts Youth and Minor League Cup with an 8-0 win over Trowbridge Town Youth. Andrew Wilkins led the scoring with five goals and Bradley Hill (2)
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Manager's fury as FA pull rank over young players
ANGRY Corsham manager Colin Bush is furious over an FA ruling that two of his best young players must miss a vital FA Vase tie to play for Wiltshire U18s in the FA Youth Cup. Scott Lye and Jamie Lyons will miss Corsham's game at Backwell United to face
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Flu vaccine is now available
A DEVIZES GP surgery which had experienced problems securing a flu vaccine has now received it. Lansdowne Surgery in Waiblingen Way, Devizes, buys its vaccines from two different suppliers but hit problems when one of them, Chiron, had its manufacturing
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Athlete is offering a set of racing wheels
WHEELCHAIR user Mark Fox is looking for someone to make use of a specialised marathon wheelchair he was given seven years ago. Mr Fox, 42, of Broad Hinton, was paralysed from the waist down after a moto-cross accident at Biddestone in June 1987. Mr Fox
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Police seek lorry driver
TRAFFIC police are trying to trace a lorry they believe was being overtaken when two cars crashed on the Burbage-Salisbury road on Tuesday at about 7am. On the A338 between Collingbourne Ducis and Collingbourne Kingston a black Daewoo hatchback car was
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Residents jump to defend repairman
A CAR repairman has spoken of his gratitude to the residents of Market Lavington for their support after he was landed with a £5,000 bill of fines and costs at a court hearing he didn't even know about. Ian Wooller, 37, who has been running his car repair
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Vandals wreak havoc to vital forest habitat
VANDALS are unwittingly causing untold damage to wildlife habitat in Savernake Forest, says forester Fraser Bradbury. He said there are regular incidents of fires being started deliberately in old tree stumps. There is the risk, said Mr Bradbury, of a
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Haven on earth
A WILDLIFE area is taking shape in Haydon Wick. The parish's junior councillors are creating the haven near the Blundson Road allotments. Richard Hailstone, chairman of Haydon Wick Parish Council, said: "They have been planting seeds putting up nesting
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Can you tell it's our Mel?
Right, how the glamour girl looks after the make-up artists finished their work. Left, Melinda as her usual self.MELINDA Messenger's mum said she was flabbergasted when her 33-year-old daughter tricked her into thinking she was a wrinkly OAP for a TV
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Sean is the star
Wootton Bassett Veterans emerged as 27-0 victors from their first game of the season. Sean Millwaters was the star of the show scoring a couple of tries and converting. Meanwhile, the club's under 13s entertained Witney at home, but lost 3-0. Any boy
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Michael's nap hand
WINGER Michael Kosylowicz ran in five tries as Cirencester under 11s saw off Avon 45-0. Will Mason and James O'Leary also scored, Mason adding five conversions. The under 11s won 19-0, Gus Collyer-Bristow and Charlie George (2) crossing and George and
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A clear victor in public vote
A vote unique in the 30 year history of the Calne Music and Arts Festival's saw local artist Kevin Bowden victorious with his painting called Le Derriere. Almost 300 paintings made up an exhibition throughout the ten-day festival in Marden House and 442
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Poetic visitor for St Mary's
Children's performance poet John Foster made a popular visit St. Mary's School on Friday to celebrate National Poetry Day. Although the official National Poetry Day took place a week before, John Foster was then unable to visit and so the school postponed
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Public air views on huge store extension
HEATED debate but little progress occured at a meeting between residents of The Pippin and Sainsbury's over its Calne store extension plans last week. Residents are angry over the plans, which they claim will encroach on their back gardens. However, Sainsbury's
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Opening marked by school balloon race
St. Dunstan Church of England Primary School celebrated the opening and dedication of its new £300,000 building with a balloon race involving the children. The new building links the infants and the primary school together as well as providing a new entrance
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And robbie makes three
Imagine turning up to a first date and seeing Robbie Williams there. It happened to dancer Nikki Wheeler, who talks with VICTORIA TAGG. When Nikki Wheeler went on her first date with Jonathan Wilkes, she was stunned because Robbie Williams turned up.
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Caller may be up to no good
POLICE believe a man who gained admission to a pensioner's home by saying his car had broken down was looking to see what he could steal from the bungalow. An 80-year-old man who lives alone in the Fairfield area in Upavon answered his door around 12.30pm
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Better security leads to £5 allotment rent rise
ALLOTMENT holders at Quaker Walk will have their rents increased by over £5 to help pay for better security. Devizes Town Council's recreation and properties committee agreed to set aside £5,000 in next year's budget to install a security fence. A survey
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Court bans teen driver
DRIVER Tony Stickley was caught in a Ford Sierra that had two flat tyres and the front bumper hanging off, after police were called to a crash in Devizes, town magistrates heard on Tuesday. The 18-year-old from Brickley Lane, Devizes, pleaded guilty to
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Just nabbed
MOTORIST Stewart Goddard has been banned from driving for three years after being caught at the wheel of Nissan Bluebird with only four points over the legal limit of alcohol in his system. Kennet magistrates, sitting at Devizes on Tuesday, heard that
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Massive swim for Kenya trip
DEVIZES School pupil Katie Izzard is getting ready for a marathon ten-kilometre swim to raise money to send her to Kenya to teach English to children in village schools. Katie, 16, will have to swim 400 lengths of the pool at Devizes Leisure Centre. The
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Visible horrors of war
EASTERTON fundraiser Jack Curran has spoken of the horrors that can still be witnessed in Kosovo, in the former Yugoslavia, from where he has just returned after taking a lorry load of aid. Mr Curran and his colleague Frank Callanan from Faringdon left
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Close to a big upset
SWINDON Supermarine almost caused a major upset at Southern League West pacesetters Taunton last night. Mark Collier's men appeared to be heading for victory until a shambolic late goal saw them settle for a respectable 1-1 draw. Chris Copp volleyed Marine
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Conference on transport
A CONFERENCE on how local communities can set up their own transport schemes to cut down the traffic that is plaguing village life will take place in Devizes next month. Wiltshire's first Rural Community Transport Conference is being hosted by the Wiltshire
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Town says a farewell to Lord Lieutenant
THE Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire, Sir , who retires as the Queen's representative in Wiltshire next week after almost nine years, was the guest of honour at an official reception given by Devizes Town Council on Thursday. He was presented with a Letter
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Appeal dubs closure decision as unsound
THE appeal against the decision by the Kennet and North Wiltshire Primary Care Trust to close Devizes and Malmesbury maternity units has questioned the validity of the consultation process. Wiltshire County Council's health overview and scrutiny committee
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Fine and long ban
Jonathon Tyacke, 52, of The Thorns, Marlborough, pleaded guilty before Kennet magistrates in Devizes on Tuesday to driving with more than the legal limit of alcohol in his system. Anna Humphreys, prosecuting, told the court that police officers, acting
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Thieves steal car bonnet
POLICE believe the theft of a bonnet from an Astra van in Chilton Foliat was linked with a road accident the previous day in Ramsbury. To gain entry to the white Astra van the thieves first smashed the back window but found their way barred to the passenger
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Charity director honoured
THE woman responsible for making the Wiltshire and Swindon Community Foundation what it is today received her OBE from the Queen at Buckingham Palace last week. Anna Marsden, 55, from Manton, near Marlborough, retired earlier this year as director of
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PCs hailed for initiative
PCs John 'Geordie' Forster, left, and Ivor Noyce receive their Order of Merit awards ( Ref 14374/2/AS)Marlborough policemen Ivor Noyce and John 'Geordie' Forster have collected special awards from their divisional commander. The Order of Merit awards
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Tench and bream on menu at AT event
EXTRA colour and flow brought the bream and tench on the feed in the second round of the Angling Times Winter League (Upper Thames Division) match fished on Isis AC waters at Sutton Benger. A total of 739lb was taken by 120 anglers and the team points
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Appeal for help after an attack
A MAN was set upon by two attackers as he walked along Curtis Street. The victim fell to the ground after being approached from behind and punched on the side of his face. He was left with cuts, bruises and swelling following the attack at 6.30pm on Monday
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Reason to see Bridget
SWINDON is to host a charity premiere of the new Bridget Jones' film. Bridget Jones: The Edge Of Reason will get two screenings at Cineworld, Greenbridge, on Wednesday, November 10 two days before it goes on general release. Money raised from the event
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Hundreds ask for Halloween poster
MORE than 270 people have requested the Adver's Halloween posters in the run-up to the October 31. The posters are aimed at deterring Halloween tricksters, and are only a phone call away for anybody who wants one. They are produced in partnership with
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Police still search for two robbers
POLICE are examining CCTV footage in a bid to catch robbers who put a rope around a 17-year-old's neck and bound his hands in a knifepoint attack. Officers have renewed their appeal for witnesses following the incident in which two men approached the
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Switch on time
THIS year's Christmas lights switch-on will be on November 25 in Wood Street in Old Town and will feature the town's mayor, Coun Peter Stoddart and a yet unnamed special guest to turn on the lights. The event is being organised by Harry Bromley. For more
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Violent crime falls in town
SWINDON'S police chief has hit back at claims by a senior judge that the town is becoming more violent. Judge John McNaught Swindon's most senior judge said he felt nervous about walking through the town centre after dark. He said he shared concerns about
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Chance to bid for bargains
I AM writing to let you know about a celebrity auction for ChildLine that I am involved with. The auction will take place from October 18 31, 2004 as part of BT's special Big Listen Week, October 25 31, 2004. The Big Listen auction will feature lots of
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Legalities will stop nursery
AFTER my first letter in the paper (Evening Advertiser October 5) continuing the objections to a proposed nursery school at 87, Marlborough Road, I looked up my law book, and have now double-checked with my solicitor. The legal situation is as follows
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Canine query
AFTER reading your report on Mrs Johnson and her seven dogs (Gazette, October 14), it would be interesting to know where Sarsen was planning to rehouse her and her seven dogs, as me and my partner were born in Urchfont. Between Mrs Johnson and her nextdoor
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Coffee total
I would like to thank our many friends in Calne, and particularly members of Calne Flower Arrangers, who supported my coffee morning on Saturday in aid of our relief care service. We raised £544.60 for the branch. Earlier in the year we raised £180.11
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Chippenham U14 31, Clifton U14 12
YOUTH: THE Bristol Combination Cup game started well for Chippenham who had plenty of possession, gaining territorial advantage. They made many penetrating, probing runs at the Clifton line but were met with strong defence and were stopped short. From
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Bournemouth 25, Minety 8
Southern Counties South - A long and tedious coastal journey for Minety ended in their fourth successive league defeat, but although they are still to register a win at this level, the improved performance indicated they are moving in the right direction
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Corsham 2nds 13, Chippenham 2nd/3rd 20
With an ever increasing injury list, Chippenham combined their second and third team players for this fixture. Corsham kicked two penalties to give them a 6-0 advantage but after 20 minutes, Chippenham finally gained field position and slow ball from
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About turn
I would prefer not to get political over a matter as sensitive as the potential development of Brynard's Hill, Wootton Bassett. However, Coun Steve Walls sat on the North Wiltshire District Council panel which voted in favour of it, including the interface
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Many thanks
I FEEL I must thank all my friends and acquaintances for their warmth and kindness when my husband Dick died. It was such a comfort to us as a family to have all your letters and cards. In our 54 years in Marlborough we have made many friends and I never
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In protest
I AM writing to protest at your report of the death of Mr B Maloney. Have you no feelings? Mr Maloney's family has gone through a living hell these last few years. No matter if Mr Maloney did or did not commit the crime of which he was accused, his family
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Article was in poor taste
WITH regards to your leading article on the death of Bryan Maloney on the front page of the Devizes Gazette and Herald on October 14, we find this article in extremely bad taste. Mr Maloney was tried and found not guilty and now you are putting the family
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People should get behind school plan
I AM writing this having just watched the Channel Four programme in which the winner of the RIBA Stirling prize for architecture 2004 was revealed. One of the short-listed buildings featured was the Business Academy Bexley, a state comprehensive school
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Dream pub pursuit
GAZETTE: NEARLY four months ago Leighton Davis gave up a successful job as a retail manager and pledged to revamp a rundown town centre pub. Two weeks ago the freshly painted doors of the Gladstone Arms in Gladstone Road, were opened. Formally the Borough
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School family
GAZETTE: THIRTY-FIVE mums, dads, grannies and granddads went back to school last Monday as part of By Brook Valley's Bring Your Family to School Day. The primary school in Yatton Keynell invited loved ones to see what goes on in the classroom and to participate
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Future of Astoria is safe says its owner
CHIPPENHAM: Astoria cinema owner John Angel has rubbished the idea he will sell up the site to make way for housing but developers say the search for a new cinema site continues. The Gazette reported that Ashwood Homes wants to bulldoze the Astoria and
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Reaping the reward for great endeavour
GAZETTE: CHIPPENHAM'S Sheldon School almost burst with pride on Thursday night as talented students received rewards for high standards of work, commitment and citizenship. The Awards Evening is the most prestigious event in the school calendar and parents
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Farewell from bobby who helped the stars
GAZETTE: Policeman Martin Alvis, who was booking actor John Thaw when a fan ran into the star's car, has left Malmesbury to take up a temporary post in Chippenham. PC Martin Alvis, 40, has left Malmesbury Police after 12 years to return to his first station
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Art is big draw
Tessa Goodfellow, Carly Hillier and Cara Maim at Emery GateGAZETTE: Historic figure Maud Heath and a bevy of art students from Wiltshire College Chippenham persuaded shoppers to exercise their artistic skills for the Big Draw. A national initiative, the
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Sports week success
GAZETTE: ACTIVE pupils at Redlands Primary School, Chippenham, stepped up awareness for keeping fit last week, with a sports project. Instead of sitting in lessons the fitness fanatics spent the week dancing, playing golf, doing kung fu, enjoying acrobatics
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Suspended precinct manager quits job
GAZETTE: THE manager of Chippenham's Emery Gate Shopping Centre, Brian Poole, has finally resigned from his post. He was suspended in June amid allegations of financial irregularities but the shopping centre's management company DTZ refused at the time
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Developers trying to keep period features
GAZETTE: The renaissance of Orwell House and the regeneration of Chippenham's New Road came one step closer this week with the submission of a planning application to revamp the historic building. The Grade II listed Victorian building, next to the Western
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Darren delivers as Swindon cruise to indoor win
Hostilities resumed this week in The Indoor Cricket League and it was business as usual for Swindon 1 as they brushed aside Shrivenham with an easy four-wicket win with four of their 10 overs remaining. Shrivenham could muster only 62 all out and Swindon
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Life and loves of a feminist author
Katharine Lawley spoke to Fay Weldon about her life and career before the best-selling writer's In Conversation appearance at Mere Literary Festival STYLE gurus would have you believe that a woman can be defined by her handbag. But novelist Fay Weldon
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Light Brigade remembered
ON an October morning exactly 150 years ago on Monday, Lord Cardigan led the most famous cavalry charge in history, as 673 men of the Light Brigade thundered into the valley of Death. Among the ranks of those who braved the volley and thunder of the Russian
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Village wins right to extend graveyard
GAZETTE: Villagers in Colerne can look forward to an interment in their own village graveyard now a controversial planning application to extend the burial ground has been approved, despite a recommendation for refusal by planning officers. Dennis Coles
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New homes to meet need
GAZETTE: Eight garages will be swept away to make space for new affordable homes in Martins Croft, Colerne. North Wiltshire District Council's development control committee approved the plans at a meeting last week despite letters of objection from local
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Specialist considered for a teaching Oscar
Hilary EyleyGAZETTE: TEACHER Hilary Eyley, who scooped a regional award, will be joining 145 other category winners from across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, all hoping to win one of the ten National Teaching Awards up for grabs. The special needs
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Pilot in fight for life after air crash
GAZETTE: A farmworker has told how he helped keep a pilot and his passenger calm after their plane plummeted into a field near where he was working. Businessman Bob Hitchin from Bath is still in intensive care, a week after the plane he was piloting crashed
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Youth issues at conference
YOUNG people took part in a special North Wiltshire Youth Conference as part of this week's Local Democracy Week. The event is hosted by North Wiltshire District Council to encourage young people to be more involved in the democratic process with local
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Garden centre's charity pot flourishes
WHITEHALL Garden Centre, at Lacock, has raised nearly £2,000 for the Breast Cancer Breakthrough Charity. A Breast Awareness Month kicked off two weeks ago to raise money for cancer research and to encourage women to check their breasts for lumps. The
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Mast plan rejected as health fears aired
DISTRICT councillors recognised that fear of radiation from mobile phone masts could have as big an impact on communities as actual physical danger when they threw out a planning application for antennae at Pewsey Vale Football Club. More than 30 residents
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Stonehenge: have your say
SALISBURY district council is urging people to comment on the Stonehenge visitor centre planning application before the public consultation comes to an end next Wednesday. Already, more than 250 people have written to the council with their views on English
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A happy return for the Ciren old boys
FOMER Cirencester players Matthew Mcentegart and James Constable enjoyed their return to their old club on Tuesday night. Mcentegart, who left Cirencester in the summer, said: "It was great to come back here and see everyone again. It was even better
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Being pretty doesn't win
MIDFIELDER Gary Horgan says pretty sides don't always win and was delighted with the way Chippenham ground out Tuesday's win. The midfielder, 28, was happy to get three points no matter how were achieved. He said: "Obviously we prefer to play decent football
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Best brickie in the country
BRYAN Kyte is the best apprentice bricklayer in the country and that's official. The 19-year-old from Tilshead, who has worked for Gaiger Brothers in Devizes since leaving Lavington School three years ago, was in competition with ten other brickies from
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Store granted right to build
Plans for a massive extension to Chippenham's Morrisons store received the green light from members of North Wiltshire District Council's development control committee. The application was for a 2,498 sq m extension, which would make the former Safeway
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Lift-off aids cancer charity
BOROUGH Parade in Chippenham is taking to the skies in a charity balloon launch. The shopping centre is hosting the high-flying event in aid of Macmillan Cancer Relief and centre manager Lionel Dicks is appealing for the people of Chippenham to help raise
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Residents jump to defend repairman
A CAR repairman has spoken of his gratitude to the residents of Market Lavington for their support after he was landed with a £5,000 bill of fines and costs at a court hearing he didn't even know about. Ian Wooller, 37, who has been running his car repair
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Helen launching new care service company
A STAVERTON woman has set up a new business to provide a care service for people living in west and north Wiltshire. Helen Cass, 39, will be launching her new venture, Safe Care, on November 1. She said: "I have been in care work for over 20 years. I
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Business booming at the Beef & Barge
A PUB landlord has praised his new chef for helping to transform his business. Paul Davies, 34, took the helm at the Beef & Barge in Trowbridge Road, Bradford on Avon Marina, in May. Two months later he appointed a new chef, Tom Davis and since then
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Councillor in car park stand
DISTRICT councillor John Thomson has forked out £220 of his own money for an application to grant Malmesbury a temporary overflow car park, which he hopes will be in place before next spring. Coun Thomson said he was so fed up with no answers coming from
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Groups in plea for better use of old site
MALMESBURY does not want another development of hundreds of new homes on the former Lucent Technology site, but wants to see a more varied and imaginative use of the area, representatives of local groups told the architect designing the future scheme
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Appeal dubs closure decision as unsound
THE appeal against the decision by the Kennet and North Wiltshire Primary Care Trust to close Devizes and Malmesbury maternity units has questioned the validity of the consultation process. Wiltshire County Council's health overview and scrutiny committee
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Jailed man not allowed to see son on video
Devoted mother Iris Baker has said she will continue to support her son and battle on to clear his name, two and a half years after he was accused of drug smuggling. Iris Baker told the Gazette of her son Nick's innocence and said he is being treated
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CCTV step closer for town centre
Malmesbury Town Council has announced it is progressing in its quest for CCTV in the town centre and at the Station Yard car park. It is envisaged that there will be between five and seven cameras in the town to combat anti-social behaviour. Town clerk
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Captain for a third season
SOUTH Wilts batsman Russell Rowe has been handed the Wiltshire captaincy for the third consecutive season. Rowe, 29, has played for the county since 1994 and is the team's opening batsman and leading run scorer for the past two seasons. He said: "I am
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Newlyweds' fury at internet gift fiasco
Jon and Melanie Sweeney, who lost wedding gifts when an internet gift company went into administration. 21/10/04.NEWLYWEDS Melanie and Jon Sweeney have been left devastated after the collapse of an internet gift company robbed them of half their wedding
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Greyhound make it nine in a row
SALISBURY Super Pool League's presentation night at Fisherton Working Men's Club saw awards go to first-time winners and long-time champions. The team of Eddie Sanderson, Dave Penny and Mark Randall from The Greyhound, Wilton were crowned Premiership
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Judo quartet among the medals
YOUNGSTERS from Moonrakers Judo Club picked up a handful of medals at the Samurai Junior Boys Mini-mon Championships in Kidderminster. The first Salisbury competitor was eight-year-old Oliver Pearce, who needed just five seconds to win his debut competitive
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Get ahead, get a horse
A SWINDON recruitment firm has taken on a new client a horse that has been saved from being put down. SJC's managing director Sara Child was shocked when she learned that six-year-old Biscuit, who lived at the Tunley Equestrian Centre in Dunkerton, was
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Under nines lead the way
THE future of rugby came to Salisbury at the weekend in the shape of hundreds of young sporting enthusiasts from across the region. Teams of players aged six to 12 plus their adult supporters took over Hudson's field for Salisbury Rugby Club's annual
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Bosses get sued
MORE than 39,000 owners of small or medium-sized businesses in the south have been sued or threatened with legal action because of management decisions. But research by Zurich's UK commercial business department has found that more than one in 10 small
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Cook's coaching helps serve up a football feast
FOOTBALL was the winner as young pupils from ten schools competed in the Salisbury District Primary Schools' Football Festival on Monday at Westwood St Thomas. The festival was the culmination of weeks of hard work which has seen specialist coaches visit
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Fairer sex is the new money ...
HIGH-FLYING businesswomen are settling in and around Swindon in their droves. Coutts and Co, the banker of the royal, rich, successful and famous, analyses the home postcode of its clients to see where "high net worth" people live. It has found that the
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Striker Stuart nets the winner
Sydenhams Wessex League Division One Andover 0 Bemerton HH 1 STUART Findlay's 85th minute goal proved enough to land Bemerton Heath Harlequins all three points in this entertaining match at Andover. Bemerton attacked from the start and had the ball in
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Sports week success
ACTIVE pupils at Redlands Primary School, Chippenham, stepped up awareness for keeping fit last week, with a sports project. Instead of sitting in lessons the fitness fanatics spent the week dancing, playing golf, doing kung fu, enjoying acrobatics and
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Walk to combat a killer
Steve Fear, Peter Higgs, John Parr and Steve Dayman pass through Wootton Bassett. Ref: 72993-143A FATHER who lost his son to meningitis walked through Wootton Bassett on his 770-mile fundraising charity trek. Spencer Dayman died from the disease in 1982
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Swindon Sunday League
Division One - Roger Mundy and Shane Davis scored for Penhill United as they moved into third after a 2-0 home win against Tran Staff. Greyhound were held to a 1-1 home draw with SKS Blyskawica, Justin Miller netting for Greyhound and Ben Hollick replying
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Bassett held to dire draw
WOOTTON Bassett Town continued their poor run of form as they were held to a 0-0 draw at home to lowly Milton United. Bassett had the better of their opponents early on but Milton had the first shot of the game when Andy Chilvers shot over from 20 yards
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Pewsey Vale 0, Fairford Town 2
Pewsey's seventh defeat in row kept them firmly planted to the bottom of the Hellenic League. A goal in each half gave Fairford the points as Pewsey failed to create many chances up front. A frustrated Pewsey manager Steve Wootton thinks that some of
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Milton United 3, Pewsey Vale 2
Hellenic League - A lack of first team players cost Pewsey in this bottom of the table clash on Tuesday night. Three first team players were missing due to work commitments. Pewsey took a lead into the break but collapsed in the second half to gift Milton
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Wiltshire pair hopeful of run
FA Vase - The first round of the FA Vase kicks off on Saturday with two local teams bidding to put a run together. Corsham start their campaign with an away tie to fellow Screwfix Premier Division side Backwell and Devizes Town travel to Willand Rovers
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Charity director honoured
THE woman responsible for making the Wiltshire and Swindon Community Foundation what it is today received her OBE from the Queen at Buckingham Palace last week. Anna Marsden, 55, from Manton, near Marlborough, retired earlier this year as director of
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Biddestone 2, Shepton Mallet 0
Screwfix First Division - A showdown with his players was the key to struggling Biddestone's second victory of the season said manager Gary Skidmore. Skidmore called the crisis meeting last week after his team, already bottom of the Screwfix First Division
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Calne Town 2, Radstock Town 3
Screwfix First Division - Calne boss Kelvin Highmore is searching for a new goalkeeper after a horrendous error from Darryl Simms gifted Radstock the points and allowed them to leapfrog the home side at the top of the table on Saturday. Calne had dominated
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Living with arthritis is a daily challenge
VOLUNTEERS from Arthritis Care have met MPs in a bid to raise awareness about the disability, as part of a global campaign. Arthritis sufferer Sue York met Swindon South MP Julia Drown as part of a global campaign to raise awareness of the condition.
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North Wilts Youth and Minor League
U9 North - WOOTTON Bassett Town went top after a comprehensive 9-3 victory over Greenmeadow. Tyler Amos led the way with a hat-trick, with a brace for Jake Matthews and Sam Lowkis, one for Jack Peake and an own goal. Lydiard Youth went joint second after
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Specialist considered for a teaching Oscar
Hilary EyleyTEACHER Hilary Eyley, who scooped a regional award, will be joining 145 other category winners from across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, all hoping to win one of the ten National Teaching Awards up for grabs. The special needs co-ordinator
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Loud noise pollution essential says Army
LOW flying exercises by helicopters over Savernake Forest are an essential part of warfare training say the Army. Families with homes in the forest in the Leigh Hill area near Burbage say they are regularly disturbed by low flying helicopters from the
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Developer questions golf hotel scheme
DEVELOPER Noel Shuttleworth, who has 30 years' experience in the conversion of old properties, is asking if the golf hotel scheme proposed for Tottenham House in Savernake Forest is necessary to guarantee the future of the Grade 1 listed building. Mr
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Students are in fine voice for Christmas
Pupils at Broad Hinton Primary School have recorded their very own Christmas CD to help raise funds to buy gymnastics equipment for their new school hall. Nearly 100 sweet singing four to 11 year old pupils from the Church of England school spent yesterday
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First Responders up and running
A FIRST Responder team has been launched in Ramsbury to provide a back-up to the Wiltshire Ambulance Service. The scheme was officially launched on October 2 and covers the area of Ramsbury, Aldbourne, Axford and Baydon. Volunteers, organised and trained
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Families receive key to the door
LONG-awaited affordable homes have been built in Bromham providing people on low incomes the chance to stay in the village. The official opening of an eight house development in Breach Close took place on Monday. The homes were built by the Wiltshire
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GPs would speed death
DOCTORS in Swindon would prescribe powerful drugs to dying patients knowing that it could shorten life. Dr Peter Swinyard, of Phoenix Surgery, in Toothill, said he would have no qualms injecting terminally-ill patients with morphine even though it could
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Good result at the dog track
YOUNGSTERS in Wiltshire will benefit from £3,000 raised by a charity night at Blundson dog track. More than 100 people attended the fundraising evening earlier this month in aid of Youth Action Wiltshire. Brandan Whyte, of the Devizes-based charity, said
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Willow chair is a a perfect dream
Staff Nurse Michelle Smith, left, Heather Lilley and Tina Cunningham with the willow chair. Ref: 73018-9A WILLOW chair is to become the centrepiece of a new tranquillity zone at the Prospect Hospice. The maple leaf-shaped chair, nicknamed the Day-Dreaming
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Cuts could mean fewer police jobs
A FUNDING shortfall could mean a cut in the number of police in Swindon, it is feared. The Police Federation of England and Wales which represents frontline officers fears jobs could be axed if there is a budget deficit next year. The concerns were aired
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Blame dished out over plan
LOCAL people have been overruled yet again on an issue concerning Swindon's future, it has been claimed. Coun Ian Dobie, the deputy leader at Swindon Council, has accused the Government of ignoring residents' views over plans for Coate. His comments come
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Boy caught riding stolen bike
A BOY of 14 caught riding a stolen motorbike in the early hours of the morning told magistrates he would probably have spent the night out in the open if he had not been stopped by police. The youngster claimed to have found the 125cc Honda propped up
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Are they worth it?
Julia Drown and Michael WillsSWINDON'S two MPs, Michael Wills and Julia Drown, are each claiming more than £100,000 a year in expenses the Adver can reveal. Official figures set to be published for the first time today show taxpayers funded their activities
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Gordano tester awaits Swindon
SWINDON have been handed a tricky home tie in the third round of rugby's Powergen Junior Vase. The Berks, Bucks & Oxon Premier Division side will host Bristol side Gordano at Greenbridge Road on November 6. Swindon walloped Poole by more than 100
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NSPCC campaign launch
THE NSPCC has launched the new Someone To Turn To campaign and the NSPCC Calne Family Centre is already leading the way. A parent advice drop-in centre is run at St. Dunstan School in Calne from 3pm to 4.30pm on schooldays with both parents and children
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Shedding for wedding
Calne's Alison Johnson represented the south west at the Slimming World district finals after losing a phenomenal five and a half stone. After dropping four dress sizes, Mrs Johnson, 37, from Lansdowne Park, married her fianc Ray Johnson, 40, on a secluded
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Plea as buses trashed
THE future of Devizes Physical Handicapped and Able Bodied (PHAB) Club's fleet of minibuses for disabled people is in jeopardy after a spate of vandalism. On Saturday night a stone was thrown through a window of a 15-seater Mercedes minibus parked at
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New 40mph campaign after dad's fatal crash
DEVIZES father-of-four David Harrison, 41, was killed on Friday afternoon when his car hit a railway bridge at the bottom of Spin Hill, Market Lavington. Campaigners have been pushing for a 40mph limit on the road since the death of Sharon Oliver from
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Best brickie in the country
BRYAN Kyte is the best apprentice bricklayer in the country and that's official. The 19-year-old from Tilshead, who has worked for Gaiger Brothers in Devizes since leaving Lavington School three years ago, was in competition with ten other brickies from
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Farmer's son to have home
Farmer Charles Butcher has been granted permission to build a home for his son, but has been told he must tie his own house to the farm. Mr Butcher, of Sleight Farm had applied for outline planning permission for the house for his son Fred, who helps
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Burglar is spared jail sentence by judge
Teenager Jason Cooper has escaped a jail term after he broke into a house while on bail for shoplifting and assaulting a police officer. The 19-year-old was put on a one-year probation order although the judge had warned him that he could go to prison
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Heritage group hits out at planners
THE chairman of the heritage group, Trust for Devizes, has branded the findings of town planning consultants Gillespies as "nave and ill-informed". The company is carrying out a consultation process for Kennet District Council on the future of the centre
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Support us, says group
PEOPLE who live near Salisbury Street, Devizes, are being urged to attend a meeting of the residents' association or risk losing the organisation. Salisbury Street and District Residents' Association was set up to counter Sarsen Housing Association's
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More Jolie celebration
DAUNTSEY'S School's own yacht, the Jolie Brise, is no stranger to winning and was able to chalk up an overwhelming victory in the recent Round the Island race, beating the nearest competition by three quarters of an hour. Crewed by five boys and three
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Out of Doldrums
URCHFONT round-the-world sailor Jon Duffield is sweltering with the rest of the crew aboard the BG Spirit, the yacht taking part in the Global Challenge race which has now reached the Doldrums in the south Atlantic on the first leg to Buenos Aires in
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Former gym pays up members' refunds
FORMER Devizes gym club owner Bill Montgomery, who closed the facility eight months ago, has finally refunded £330 in membership fees thanks to intervention from the Gazette. Mr Montgomery said he was sorry it had taken him so long to return outstanding
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Bakery faces bill of £10,000 for accident
THE parent company of Hayden Bakeries, Devizes, has been ordered to pay more than £10,000 after admitting that a pastry rolling machine on which a worker crushed her hand was poorly maintained. Kelly Chowney's hand was trapped in the machine for 20 minutes
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Goose stepped
A RARE visitor, hardly ever seen in Wiltshire, turned up on The Crammer pond in Devizes this week. The Barnacle goose, more a resident of the Arctic tundra than the centre of a busy market town, was seen among a flock of more than 100 Canada geese that
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Vandals wreak havoc to vital forest habitat
VANDALS are unwittingly causing untold damage to wildlife habitat in Savernake Forest, says forester Fraser Bradbury. He said there are regular incidents of fires being started deliberately in old tree stumps. There is the risk, said Mr Bradbury, of a
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Closure may cause Post Office gridlock
THE closure of a sub post office could have a disastrous impact on services at the main post office at Sainsbury's in the centre of Devizes, a postal watchdog has warned. David Hide, chairman of the Wiltshire branch of Postwatch, visited the Eastleigh
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Market parking plan stokes fury
James Cockram, Paul Moorby and the Mayor, Margaret Taylor have differing views on whether parking charges would hit tradeDEVIZES traders have reacted angrily to a suggestion that Kennet District Council is considering charging for parking in the Market
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Three fight for district seat
ALL three major political parties have fielded candidates for the forthcoming by-election for the Ogbourne ward of Kennet District Council. The vacancy resulted from the death of long-serving independent councillor Patricia Courtman. The by-election will
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Thieves strike at school and housing society
THIEVES have taken computer equipment valued at almost £2,000 after breaking into St Peter's Junior School in Marlborough. The theft occurred between 6pm on Thursday and 7am the next day. The same night £2,500 of computer equipment was stolen from the
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New 40mph campaign after dad's fatal crash
DEVIZES father-of-four David Harrison, 41, was killed on Friday afternoon when his car hit a railway bridge at the bottom of Spin Hill, Market Lavington. Campaigners have been pushing for a 40mph limit on the road since the death of Sharon Oliver from
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Court places curfew on young tearaways
Darren Frost, left, and Scott WatersTEARAWAY teenagers Scott Waters and Darren Frost have been warned they face prison if they breach anti-social behaviour orders. The orders on Waters, 16, of Rabley Wood View, Marlborough, and Frost, 14, of Francklyn
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Anger over bed blocking miserySTUCK:
Eileen Chandler in hospital, with daughter-in-law BarbaraELDERLY pensioner Eileen Chandler has been taking up a hospital bed for the past five weeks when she could have been in her own home in Marlborough. The 80-year-old has been occupying a hospital
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Man dies in a tragic accident
A man who had beaten his heroin addiction fell to his death in a pub garden after performing a party trick which went tragically wrong. Roland Fisher, 27, who was born in Swindon, had spent years battling his drug problem and had lived through some grim
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Books spring to life
DENNIS the Menace caused chaos at Holy Family primary school in Swindon, yesterday. Teaching assistants Ann Hatherall and Dee Shelford joined in the fun at a fancy dressing-up by coming as the young scallywag. Children had dressed up as their favourite
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One-stop for users
A DRUG treatment over-haul is planned. Swindon's Drug and Alcohol Action Team hopes to open a multi-purpose rehab centre to slash the time addicts wait for help. The facility would centralise the services currently provided by Druglink and Kingshill House
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Road closed after car fire
FIREFIGHTERS arrived just in time to put out a car fire before it spread to the diesel tank. One crew from Swindon was called to Princes Street, near the Job Centre, to put out an engine fire in a blue VW Golf at around 12.30pm on Tuesday. A Wiltshire
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Watching brief
THE SWINDON branch of a union which represents teachers has said it will keep a close eye on proposals to scrap GCSEs and A levels. The Association of Teachers and Lecturers fears that chaos could erupt if the four-level diploma proposed by former chief
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A cut above
A SELL-OUT crowd rocked to the tunes of the group Scissor Sisters at the Oasis last night. Some 3,000 people gathered at the town's famous domed leisure centre to enjoy the hot new band, which were passing through the town as part of their 11-date UK
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Vice patrols to stay later
A group which monitors prostitutes in Swindon is planning a shake-up, fearing hookers and pimps are wising up to its tactics. Street Watch says reports of increased activity in parts of the town could mean some prostitutes are slipping through the net
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Hurricane boy's link visit
LESTHER Figueroa was just 14 when Hurricane Mitch ravaged his home in Ocotal, Nicaragua. And now the 19-year-old youth worker is spending seven weeks in Swindon to boost links between the twin towns. Lesther was born and grew up in Ocotal and this is
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The good, the bad, the ugly
Reese Witherspoon in Vanity FairSOME of cinema's most memorable villains are coming to Swindon as part of the second annual film festival. Last year's event was restricted to short films, but this year's week-long programme is a mixture of big screen
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No concrete jungle please
Recently I walked with my dogs from Chiseldon along the cycle track to Coate Water. Going around the lake I observed crested grebes, coots, moorhens, ducks, swans and herons. I stood and watched as a heron dived, caught a fish, flew back to the bank and
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Include us all
Re: Affordable heating is promised (Thursday, October 14). On reading this letter I was surprised to note that only pensioners receiving pensions credit would be able to take advantage. Surely those pensioners have had the said pension made up to say,
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Young man may change views
JAMES Sandy (All change Evening Advertiser letters) tells us that his grandfather's generation fought in, presumably World War Two. This implies that Mr Sandy is young and I would suggest that when he, like me, is in his 50s and sees the value of his
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Cameras should be put here
I'VE noticed the police with these mobile speed camera vans, which I am totally in favour of. But why don't they site them on the roads which are meant to be 20mph? I've seen them on Merlin Way, in Covingham, and also on the Great Western Way, near the
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Air your views on issues of parking
ON the whole our parking arrangements in Devizes work well, at low cost and with simplicity. More spaces would be appreciated, but that is to be expected and by comparison with some other towns, there is little aggression between motorists and parking
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Reverse 20mph decision
WE have recently been informed that at a recent meeting of the Devizes Town Centre joint member working party, it was resolved to abandon the scheme for a 20mph zone in Long Street and the Market Place, Devizes. However, the scheme will still go ahead
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Ref calls off youth game over violence
DEVIZES and Melksham U17s match against Swindon U17 was abandoned on Saturday after just 20 minutes when it erupted in violence. Several players from the combined team were stamped on and kicked during a series of violent challenges. The referee called
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Loo let-down
Following the hasty removal of all cleaning equipment in the Hughenden Yard toilet when the local reporter was spotted, I noticed this weekend that most of it in once again being stored as before. What does this cynical disregard of people with disabilities
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Devizes battle to the plate final at festival
The Salisbury Festival was a tough, physical, affair for the Devizes U9 rugby squad. They were placed in a very strong group which contained the eventual finalists and winners in Corsham and Salisbury A. The first match of the festival against Corsham
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Banking woe
I enjoyed reading Sue Pycroft's column in the Gazette & Herald of October 7. I am left wondering if she had the privilege of speaking to her bank manager as whenever I have occasion to ring my bank I am always put through a call centre. I hope she
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Witney U14 32, Wootton Bassett U14 26
Bassett travelled to Witney to avenge their 45-0 defeat of last season and came very close to achieving this. In the first half Witney used the full width of the pitch to run in three tries close to the corner flags before Bassett were able to respond
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Poole 0, Swindon 105
Powergen Junior Vase - Swindon roared into the third round of the Powergen Junior Vase as they rattled up a century of points at hapless Poole. Having seen original opponents Cooper Avon thrown out of the tournament for fielding an ineligible player in
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Henley Wanderers 27, Devizes 7
Powergen Intermediate Cup - On paper this looks just another defeat for Devizes, but in truth the Saddlebacks showed signs they may be turning the corner. After losing their first five league games, three of them by eight points or less, Devizes secured
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Pewsey Vale 22, Cricklade 0
County Vase - An under strength Cricklade team were no match for Pewsey at their Memorial Ground on Saturday. In ideal rugby conditions Pewsey stretched the Cricklade defence straight from the start and the visitors did well to hold the home side to only
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Reading Abbey 19, Chippenham 3
South West Division Two East - After an injury to the referee earlier in the season caused this league replay, perhaps a lightning striking the match official was the only thing that could have saved the visitors in the sodden conditions as the match
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Calne 10, Swindon College 22
Dorset and Wilts Vase - Swindon College Old Boys progressed in this first round encounter by dismissing Calne at their Anchor Road ground. A dominant 25 minute spell at the end of the first half, when College scored three tries, left the home side shell
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All is silent
SEVERAL weeks ago I wrote a letter saying "surely if the county council are certain of the superiority of the Cocklebury Road site they have no reason for not publishing in full the objective, independent evidence supporting this". The deafening wall
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Hurt caused
I AM really amazed that your local newspaper could be so insensitive as to publish on its front page the article referring to the death of Bryan Maloney (Gazette, October 14). It is understandable that Kevin Chandler still bears strong feelings of resentment
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Questions on council tax need answering
THE council tax is fast becoming as unpopular as the poll tax. As many of us brace ourselves for the effects of the next round of council budget increases we can be certain that little or no notice will be taken of the going rate of inflation or the plight
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More details wanted on hotel development
IT was helpful to be given the opportunity to visit Tottenham House, view the plans for its development and question members of the team responsible. The restoration and maintenance of the building is to be welcomed, but the impact on the local community
