Archive
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Con Club ready to open lounge
The official reopening of Westbury Conservative Club's lounge will take place tomorrow after its refit. The doors will open at the Alfred Street club at 7pm for drinks in the skittle alleys before the ceremony at 8pm. There will be live entertainment
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Recruits to legal team
SALISBURY solicitors Bonallack and Bishop have recruited two new lawyers. Neil Davies is a wills and probate specialist and will be based at the firm's Amesbury office. Ray Martin joins the Andover office and will undertake conveyancing, wills and probate
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Boosting overseas trade
BUSINESSES in Dorset can find out more about using foreign languages to boost international trade, thanks to the Regional Language Network South West. Dorset language teachers James Piriou and Philada Rogers have been appointed to run the Sub-Regional
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Brook Hall report
AN UPDATE on the state of historic Brook Hall near Westbury will be reported back to West Wiltshire District Council's cabinet in March. The birthplace of Baron Robert Willoughby de Broke, who played a pivotal part in bringing Henry VII to the throne,
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Hope to 'flush out answers'
MP Dr Andrew Murrison is demanding a full investigation into how Lafarge workers were able to falsify cement data for over two years. Dr Murrison hopes to "flush out answers" by writing to Lafarge, the Health and Safety Executive, the Environment Agency
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Cash boost for surgery
16496A SURGERY in Westbury can buy new equipment thanks to funding from patients and a local company. Eastleigh Surgery's patients' forum raised more than £300 in tea and coffee donations at flu and pneumonia jab sessions, but finished £220 short of its
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Sponsors needed
A MAN from Melksham is taking part in the Three Peaks Challenge if he can raise enough money. Marc Bolwell, 28, from Daisy Close, has always had an ambition to undertake the challenge, which involves climbing the highest peaks in England, Scotland and
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'Gunman' warned by police
ARMED officers were called to a street in Melksham after reports of a man brandishing a gun. The incident occurred at 7.36pm last Wednesday when a woman said a man had pointed a gun at her on Bank Street. Police searched a house in Bank Street and recovered
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Peter Pan's flying start
16473/2MELKSHAM Comedy Club drew the crowds on the opening night of its new pantomime. More than 100 people turned up to see Peter Pan, directed by Alison Clark, at Melksham Assembly Hall on Wednesday. Mrs Clark said: "It was excellent and went extremely
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Fill a shoebox and help survivors to rebuild their lives
TSUNAMI AID: A WOMAN from Melksham is joining forces with a charity in a bid to send aid to the worst affected areas of south east Asia. Tina Greedy, of Bowmans Court, is combining with a Northumberland-based firm to deliver more than 1,000 shoeboxes
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Man is fined for not providing accounts
Paul Harding, of Quarry Road, Old Town, Swindon, has been fined £300 and ordered to pay court costs of £50 by Cardiff Magistrates' Court for failing to deliver annual returns of accounts to the Registrar of Companies for Seventy 8 Ltd. The prosecution
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Firm aims to get connections right
A CABLE company has set its sights on hitting the heights for the second time. Fastlink Data Cables in Cheney Manor was established in Swindon in 1992, and quickly made a name for itself as a high-quality designer and manufacturer. It was taken over in
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Warning to firms over flooding
UP to 20,000 businesses in the south west could be at risk of flooding, according to the Environment Agency. The agency has launched an online advice service for small to medium-sized businesses to limit the flood threat. The Wiltshire Times first reported
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Roadshow to give farmers vital details on payments
FARMERS in Wiltshire can find out about the biggest change facing agriculture for 30 years when a roadshow visits the region next month. The event, organised by the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Rural Payments Agency,
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Lotto cash to aid tots' education
PRE-SCHOOL children with learning disabilities are to benefit from Lottery money. The West Wilts Portage Service, which helps children learn in their own homes, has received a grant for £2,400 as part of the National Lottery's Awards For All programme
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Book celebrates museum
A NEW book looking at the history of art in Wiltshire will be launched next week. Art In Wiltshire, written by Richard Hatchwell, will be unveiled at Wiltshire Heritage Museum in Devizes on Wednesday. The book focuses on exhibits held in the museum. Mr
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Report: 'Protect whistle-blowers'
STAFF at Wiltshire County Council may be deterred from exposing malpractice if the authority does not tighten up on procedures, according to a report. Problems with the council's 'whistle-blowing' policy were highlighted in the report, which criticised
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County is safest in country
WILTSHIRE is the safest county in the country, according to crime figures for the past six months. Performance figures for Wiltshire Police, presented to the county's police authority on Thursday, showed the number of crimes in the county have dropped
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New county unit to help witnesses
A NEW Witness Care Unit will be officially launched in Chippenham next month to provide support to witnesses in Wiltshire. The unit, made up of police and Crown Prosecution Service staff, will be launched on February 7 at the CPS offices in Chippenham
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Council top scores with the disabled
DISABILITY services in Wiltshire are among the best in England, a Department of Health survey has revealed. Wiltshire County Council surveyed 300 people who use its services for physical disabilities and sensory impairments and the results were added
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Lunch honour for patrons
THE WESSEX Association of Chambers of Commerce welcomed four new patrons on Friday. Ian Duffin from BT, Mark Allen from Best, Nick Davis from Gough's Solicitors and Peter Wordley from JPC Infonet all joined the chamber at a lunch held in Longleat House
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County town still most expensive for taxpayers
All five town councils in the district have now set their budgets for the next financial year. Ed Mezzetti takes a look at how what you pay depends on where you live TROWBRIDGE is once again the most expensive west Wiltshire town when it comes to council
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Patients group's ambulance plea
A PATIENTS' watchdog is calling for the public to be fully involved in debating any changes to the structure of Wiltshire's ambulance service. Poor performances and a zero star rating for the Wiltshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust has forced the Avon,
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Schools are in the dark over gay month lessons
A CAMPAIGN to teach schoolchildren about gay and lesbian historical figures has been launched but schools in west Wiltshire have been kept in the dark. Schools Out!, an association of gay and lesbian teachers, is encouraging children to discuss the rumoured
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Homeless hit by sale of council-run hostel
The Ethandune Hostel in TrowbridgeTHE closure of a west Wiltshire temporary housing hostel could make life even harder for homeless people. The Ethandune Hostel in Trowbridge is to be sold and accommodation in Warminster and Melksham may also shut down
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Alert over tsunami aid cheats
TRADING Standards officers are warning bogus charities may be using the tsunami disaster to con the public. Officers at Wiltshire County Council say the tragedy has provided an ideal opportunity for those with less than charitable intentions to 'jump
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Tony takes one of the top awards
A Swindon manager has scooped a top accolade in driver training experts BSM's annual awards to the company's best performing centres for the past year. Tony Oliver, who runs the BSM centre in Regent Circus, beat off tough competition to take his award
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Westbury United 0, Street 1
WESTBURY manager Paul Brickley has said he will be appealing against Wayne Wheeler's red card on Saturday after insisting his striker "did nothing wrong." Wheeler was dismissed along with Street's Dave Pople following a melee after Westbury had been awarded
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Lavington rely on brothers in arms
BROTHERS Myles and Oliver Hickton helped Lavington to a narrow win ahead of tomorrow's top of Division Three showdown leaders St Andrews. Their goals, in support of Lee Corbin's 32nd minute equaliser, made it seven straight league and cup wins for new
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Trowbridge Town 0, Almondsbury Town 0
INCONSISTENT, poor and disruptive and that just describes the referee's performance at Woodmarsh on Wednesday night. Kevin Barnett stole the show as his whistle-happy antics spoiled what promised to be an enthralling Floodlight Cup semi final first leg
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Full steam ahead for namesake
A LIFELONG dream has come true for a Longleat worker. John Hayton, 65, who celebrated his birthday this week, got a surprise gift as a gleaming new £75,000 steam train was named after him. Mr Hayton who lives in Keyford, Frome, has been in charge of the
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Still life art on display
A NEW art exhibition has opened in Bradford on Avon. The Art House Gallery, in Silver Street, is hosting a number of works by local artists as part of a still life display. Helen Drinkwater, 39, who works at the gallery and is also exhibiting work, said
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Race you to the pub and back
RUNNERS raised over £1,300 in a charity race from Trowbridge to Bradford on Avon at the weekend. A total of 88 people took part in the event, organised by Tesco and held on Sunday, to raise money for Dorothy House Hospice, Winsley. Julie Castle from Tesco
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Thanks for sympathy
THROUGH your paper may I offer my heartfelt thanks to my wonderful family, neighbours and friends on the tragic death of my beloved husband Richard. The press coverage was kind and sympathetic, especially your Morwenna Blake, and News Agency reporter
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Times' influence spreads to Antipodes
I WOULD just like to thank you for your great newspaper and all the info which it contains. I read it every Saturday morning (our time) to keep up with all that is happening in my home area. It is with great sadness that I read today about the Goldiggers
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CAB's fantastic work deserves council's money
I WAS devastated to learn of the plight of CAB's financial problem, having recently found myself a beneficiary of their knowledge. Before I contacted CAB I approached a solicitor who told me, even though I had a case, it may cost anything up to £2,500
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New PO office hours are a joke
HOW many other readers have been massively inconvenienced by the decision by Royal Mail to close the Trowbridge collection office between the hours of 11am and 4pm. To describe this as ridiculous is like describing lava as tepid! Apart from meaning that
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Film review - Meet the Fockers (12A)
THE original Meet The Parents was pretty much a one-joke movie. Here was a sensitive young man going to meet his girlfriend's folks for the first time. But the thing is, Dad was an uptight, emotionally retarded retired CIA operative, and he was not going
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Action stopped hospital bug in its tracks
TWO wards that were closed at the Great Western Hospital last week, after patients and staff caught a virulent stomach bug, have now re-opened. Viral gastroenteritis is so infectious that 24 patients from Saturn and Neptune wards were isolated to stop
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Driver had lucky escape
Ref. 75809-1THE driver of a Land Rover Discovery four-wheeldrive car had a lucky escape when the car tipped over. The motorist managed to clamber out the vehicle and walk away from the accident, which left the car on its side in the road. The accident
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Give mums a break - Mel
SWINDON'S most famous mother Melinda Messenger believes that mums are the best carers for youngsters and the Government should support this. The former model turned television star says that the Government should be providing financial aid to mothers,
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New phone service launched for rail passengers
National Rail Enquiries has launched a new automated telephone service for rail travellers to complement the existing 08457 484950 service. The new service, called TrainTrackerTM, will provide simple, real-time train arrival and departure information
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Have you no respect?
Ref. 75797-58As the town paid tribute to the million victims of Auschwitz one traffic warden had other ideas A PARKING warden who asked the Mayor of Swindon to shift his car during a Holocaust Memorial Day ceremony has been accused of insulting the memory
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Weekend rugby teams and fixtures
weekend TEAMS Devizes v Trowbridge (away, 2.30pm): Rob Edwards, Chris Billi, Ian Carter, Dan Leighfield, Tim Alchin, Mike Walsh, Tom Reed, James Gaiger, Matt Monckton, James Pople, Tom Collins, Paul Dyton, Darren Burbidge, Julian Taylor, Andy Webb, Charlie
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Silence at school
A VIP guest will join pupils at Studley Green Primary School in Trowbridge today for The Big Hush cancer fundraising day. Dr Andrew Murrison, West Wilts MP, will arrive at 1.30pm, when pupils are planning to stay silent for 10 minutes to raise money for
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Service open to parents of abuse victims
PARENTS of sex abuse victims are being encouraged to take advantage of a specialist support service in Trowbridge. The West Wiltshire Family Centre, in Fore Street, is offering a free course, organised by charity Barnardos, to help families rebuild their
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Twin town pupils due to arrive
CREAM teas, ten-pin bowling and a visit to Stonehenge are just some of the experiences planned for a group of exchange students due to visit Trowbridge next week. A group of about 20 youngsters from Trowbridge's twin town, Elblag, are coming to the town
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Entertainers raise £500 for mayor's appeal
TSUNAMI AID: PERFORMERS took to the stage in Trowbridge at the weekend and raised nearly £500 for survivors of the tsunami. Singers and dancers of all ages from the Starry Eyes group provided an afternoon of entertainment at Chicago Rock Caf as part of
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People pack in for town hall open day
AN open day at Trowbridge Town Hall on Saturday attracted 250 visitors. The event was the second of four open days designed to gauge people's views on the future of the building. Town development manager Daryl Saville-Brown said: "It is a good opportunity
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Vigilante fear over car vandal attacks
VANDALS went on a car crime spree in Trowbridge on Tuesday leaving a trail of destruction along nine different streets. At least 26 cars are thought to have had tyres slashed in the latest of a series of incidents in the Newtown area that have led to
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Pupils teach pals the peril of drugs
STUDENTS at a Trowbridge school are to help educate younger pupils about the dangers of drink and drugs. Seventeen youngsters at The Clarendon College have completed a three-day course on peer drug education training, learning about drug use and misuse
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Hospital staff's bright idea for appeal
STAFF at Trowbridge Hospital have added a dash of colour to their wards to raise money for the tsunami appeal. Workers at the Harriet Usher, Nelson Haden and Casualty wards have been wearing yellow to raise awareness of the fundraising. They have made
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It's a double mishap
16481VEHICLE recovery specialists were put to the test in Trowbridge on Saturday after two accidents within the space of an hour. Police were called by security workers at Airsprung, in Canal Road, just before 6am, after a car became wedged between a
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Spotters waxing lyrical on visitor
A rare waxwing spotted in Trowbridge this weekRARE visitors from Scandinavia have been causing a flutter among Wiltshire birdwatchers. Waxwings hardly ever visit Wiltshire, but spotters have seen several in Trowbridge Park. The uncommon bird switches
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Smokers barred
MORWENNA BLAKE visited the Sir Isaac Pitman pub, Trowbridge, to gauge drinkers' reactions to news of a national smoking ban in JD Wetherspoon pubs. The move met with a mixed reaction from smoking and non-smoking regulars at the Silver Street hostelry
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VIP in visit to mosque
THE Moroccan community in Trowbridge had a VIP visitor on Friday. Derek Conway, Conservative MP for Old Bexley and Sidcup was in west Wiltshire to learn more about the thriving Moroccan community in the area. He was shown around the Brown Street mosque
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Residents in fear after knife incident
Willow GroveARMED police officers were called to a Trowbridge estate at the weekend after reports of a man carrying with a knife. Twenty officers equipped with riot gear including CS gas and protective shields were involved in the incident at Willow Grove
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Estate named region's violent crime blackspot
Trowbridge deputy mayor Cllr Tom James, who lives on the Seymour estate (16491/2)AN estate in Trowbridge is the worst violent crime blackspot in west Wiltshire, according to new figures. The Wiltshire and Swindon Crime Drugs Audit show the town's Adcroft
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Fixtures and teams
SOUTHERN LEAGUE Premier Division: Aylesbury v Rugby Utd, Chippenham v Merthyr T, Cirencester v Hitchin, Halesowen v Stamford, Hednesford v Banbury, Hemel Hempstead v Grantham, Histon v Bedford, Kings Lynn v Bath C, Solihull Boro v Gloucester City, Team
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Mills in to face Mangotsfield
JP MILLS will make his Supermarine debut as the heavily depleted South Marston outfit travel to Southern League Division One West leaders Mangotsfield. The former Southampton, Chippenham and Weston midfielder, pictured, completed his switch from Highworth
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New-look Stratton on the up
AFC Stratton visit Pewsey Vale in the Wilts Premier this weekend and their manager Tony Dyer will be hoping for another good performance from his new line-up, writes RAY BURROUGHS. Forced to ring the changes after a spell of poor results, the Stratton
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Extra cash for Wiltshire police
IT WOULD be disappointing if Wiltshire had been penalised for being too safe, a police authority member said. The Home Office has announced the funding settlement for police forces across the country and Wiltshire is getting £62.9m for its fight against
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She's all at sea
P&O's ill-fated cruise liner Aurora is heading for Germany for repair work likely to take twice as long as first thought. Propulsion problems which caused the abandonment of the £200m Aurora's 103-day world cruise last week are being handled by Germany
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Increase in armed police incidents
POLICE officers in Wiltshire were issued with guns during 63 operations in 2003/04. This compares to 58 in 2002/03 and 45 in 2001/02. But the figures released by Home Office minister Caroline Flint show the force is still not having to send armed officers
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Learn how to surf net
SWINDON College is the first in the country to offer the pioneering E-Citizen qualification. The qualification, created by the British Computer Society, teaches people how to surf the internet and how to access the services offered online. John Nield
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Raising a smile and donations
A COMEDY night is to be held in Swindon to raise money for victims of the tsunami disaster. The event will be organised by Swindon Council and the Swindon Tsunami Appeal Fundraising Fortnight and takes place at the Arts Centre in Devizes Road, Old Town
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Bacterial meningitis teenager released from hospital
A TEENAGER who contracted meningitis has made a full recovery and is back at home after treatment at the Great Western Hospital. The former St Joseph's pupil had bacterial meningococcal the most serious strain of the bug. Wiltshire Health Protection Team
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Fans plan footy protest
SWINDON Town fans are hoping a day of protest tomorrow will help highlight clubs on the brink of financial ruin. Organisers hope the demo, at a match between Wrexham and Doncaster Rovers, will attract more than 10,000 protesters countrywide. The Clubs
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Tory MP scores a political pint
A SENIOR Tory MP has spoken out against 24-hour drinking during a visit to Swindon. David Willetts MP, shadow minister for work and pensions, said the move would not change the problems caused by drunken louts in town centres. He was speaking ahead of
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Tribute to a survivor
Gerty HollandA WOMAN who fled from Austria as Hitler prepared to annexe the country has died at her home in Purton at the age of 91. Gerty Holland's Jewish parents sent her to Britain in 1938 and she trained as a nurse at a London hospital, while her
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Swindon pays tribute to Holocaust victims...
75797-29They came from all different walks of life to gather in the cold and rain for one common reason to pay their respects to the millions of people who lost their lives during the Holocaust and subsequent human rights tragedies. The Mayor of Swindon
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Any work here folk?
ARCHIVIST Steve Hobbs, of the Wiltshire and Swindon Records Office, has been bowled over by requests to see one of his department's most recent acquisitions. A 40-year-old letter, which we featured in the paper on Wednesday, from world famous singer Paul
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Source of spill found
Ref. 75759-53THE Environment Agency says it has tracked down the firm responsible for a fuel leak which polluted a Swindon river. Up to 10,000 litres of red diesel poured into a tributary of the River Ray, by the Westlea Industrial Estate on Sunday. Emma
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Fans plan to hit back at fat cats
SWINDON Town fans are hoping a day of protest tomorrow will help highlight clubs on the brink of financial ruin. Organisers hope the demo, at a match between Wrexham and Doncaster Rovers, will attract more than 10,000 protesters countrywide. The Clubs
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Bus apology
I AM very sorry that Gary Leahy's daughter (Left Stranded, EA January 22) was inconvenienced by the bus service re-routing following the water main burst in Great Western Way. Notices were put on the bus stops affected on the Friday when the diversion
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He's no child
PETER Cook (Adver, Jan 20) is far too generous to Prince Harry. Like most kids growing up after the war, we all played English against the Germans, and German helmets were available at any junk shop. However, Prince Harry is not a kid. I had already served
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Thanks to all involved in appeal
WE would like to thank those who contributed to the Tsunami Appeal night at the Castle Inn, Prospect Place. In particular thanks go to Jean, Jane, Shannon, Jill and Norren. Sarah and her boys who were brave enough to perform the Full Monty! Tony and Ron
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Devizes 19, Bradford on Avon 7
A NEW look Bradford on Avon remain in the relegation mire after slipping to their tenth Southern Counties League defeat on Saturday. The result leaves them second from bottom in the table and with a home game against leaders Wootton Bassett tomorrow,
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No shame to switch sides
MAY I point out to D Smith (EA Letters Jan 22) that changing one's loyalties is the democratic right of every person in this country, it happens at every election from the parish councils through to the national. Yes, Peter Mallinson changed his beliefs
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Westbury 10, Cooper-Avon Tyres 10
MARK Simmons believes his CATs side will have to rely on winning promotion "through the back door" after drawing with rivals Westbury on Saturday. Despite recovering from a 10-0 deficit, CATs are now five points behind Dorset and Wilts Division One leaders
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Malone targets Wasps' success
CUP hero Chris Malone is determined to help Bath end their Wasps' hoodoo at the Causeway Stadium tomorrow (5.35pm). The reigning European and Premiership champions have won the last three encounters between the sides, including a 19-16 reverse at the
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Tindall to miss entireSix Nations
England are braced for yet another injury blow with World Cup-winning centre Mike Tindall set to miss the entire RBS Six Nations Championship. The Bath star has been told he needs surgery on his right foot, and he is unlikely to play again until April
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Pregnant landlady attacked
Emma GreenCHIPPENHAM NEWS: A MUM-TO-BE was shoved from behind and mugged for £3,000 in the car park of the Chippenham pub she manages. Emma Green, who runs The Kingfisher pub, in Hungerdown Lane, was getting into her car just before 5pm on Tuesday when
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Art classes open to all
CHIPPENHAM NEWS: THERE is a chance for people across north Wiltshire to get creative at evening art classes held at The Corsham School. Mazy Bartlett, an outreach artist, is running free evening art classes which are open to all. She said: "It's important
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Don't Turn On Us!
ANDY KING bluntly accepts he is fighting a hopeless battle with his detractors but is urging supporters not to turn on his team. In an extremely frank pre-match interview, the manager has admitted that a minority of Town fans will never be satisfied with
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Loose women take over from WI
A PROVOCATIVELY-named new group has replaced the Women's Institute in a village near Westbury. The demise of the WI in Chapmanslade has given birth to Loose Women, but members insist there are no saucy goings on. Co-founder Sue Waterman said the WI had
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Strong showing at Sled Dog Rally
A FAMILY from Westbury put in a strong performance at the biggest event in the British husky calendar. Hazel Mead and her daughter Rhea were among hundreds of 'mushers' from throughout the UK who competed in the Aviemore Sled Dog Rally in Scotland on
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Outlook is bright
THE latest Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) report, the business survey data produced for The Royal Bank of Scotland by NTC Research, has shown a slight slowdown in growth in the south west. RBS senior economist Robert Gardner said: "This slowdown was
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Confidence still high
BUSINESS confidence remains high following a last minute surge in consumer spending over the Christmas and new year period, despite the warnings from firms in the retail sector. According to the latest BDO Business Trends report, short-term optimism has
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Firms speaking up for language
YOUNG people are to be given the chance to broaden their horizons in a major initiative to improve language skills, following the establishment of the Regional Language Network. By becoming a Business Language Champion, firms will show students how their
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Residents in fight to stop short-cut ban
PLANS to stop cars using a short cut to Westbury's Leigh Park estate have met with a series of objections from residents. Wiltshire County Council wants to impose the Prohibition of Driving Order on Black Horse Lane, which links the development to Westbury
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Firm could face action over defective cement
LAFARGE could face legal action after rogue workers at its Westbury plant deliberately signed off cement liable to cause 'concrete cancer' in buildings and roads as acceptable. The company has admitted staff misreported the contents of batches of Portland
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Caring trio lend a hand to friends in the Philippines
A carer from Westbury is raising money for a care home in The Philippines after a trip to see a former schoolfriend changed his life forever. Ed Mezzetti spoke to James Lewis about his close links with the islanders of Cebu and how two people in his care
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Ruck around the clock
16495All-day drinking laws will lead to increased crime as police resources are stretched to breaking point, according to officers in Westbury. PC Kevin Herman and PC Bill Brown, of Westbury traffic unit, said they are bracing themselves for what they
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Schools are in the dark over gay month lessons
A CAMPAIGN to teach schoolchildren about gay and lesbian historical figures has been launched but schools in west Wiltshire have been kept in the dark. Schools Out!, an association of gay and lesbian teachers, is encouraging children to discuss the rumoured
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Family in tribute to tragic Michelle
HUNDREDS of people turned up to a charity night to remember a popular Melksham woman who died in a car crash last year. Michelle Phillips, 26, was killed last April while travelling back from a holiday in Devon with her boyfriend. Her parents, John and
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Cheat convicted
A BENEFITS cheat from Melksham has been given an 18-month conditional discharge for falsely claiming more than £2,200. Jacqueline Marie Perry, 37, of Sangster Avenue, admitted two charges of making false representations to claim income support, and another
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Progress for homes at GEC
FULL plans have been unveiled for a housing development on the former GEC site in Melksham. Bloor Homes has submitted plans for 98 homes for the land on Beanacre Road, which has already been given permission for use as housing. Former owner Charlie Tull
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Store's fleet goes animal crackers
AN AGRICULTURAL firm in Melksham is causing a stir with its fleet of trucks after investing in a selection of farmyard number plates. Countrywide Farmers, on Bradford Road, has painted its flagship Scania truck with the image of a bull and mounted personalised
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Village post office opens at garage
16474THE OPENING of a post office in Atworth has been welcomed by residents and business owners. The Bear Garage opened to customers on Thursday only three months after the closure of the village's former branch, based at the White Hart pub. About 30
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Theatre group launches drama class
A THEATRE group from Melksham is hoping to convert pupils into cultured thespians after setting up a new drama school. Curtains Up, run by Holcombe couple Tristan and Sarah Carter, launched their drama classes at Stonar School in Atworth earlier this
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Trade union recognition
EMPLOYEES at an upholstery firm in Melksham are being balloted on trade union recognition, which could give them more say over pay and working conditions. Up to 240 workers at G Plan Upholstery Ltd, in Hampton Park West, will be voting between January
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Boy used as decoy in raid on elderly
A CON merchant tricked her way into an elderly couple's home in Melksham by using a boy with special needs as a decoy. Police believe children are being used more regularly by conmen wanting to target pensioners and condemned the rise in cases as "disturbing
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Student's child porn disgrace
Stuart PainterA UNIVERSITY student quizzed in connection with the deaths of a Melksham couple found stabbed to death in their home has admitted downloading child porn from the internet. Murder inquiry detectives investigating the deaths of Roy and Joan
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Good view from the conservatory
SWINDON conservatory firm Regal Homemaker, which is based in Churchward, has been accepted to the K2 approved installer scheme. The nationally-recognised scheme, backed by the Federation of Master Builders, aims to give a benchmark in the home improvement
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Finance leaves Brits confused
ONE in five Britons admits to being clueless about finance. With Monday's deadline for tax returns looming, many Britons admit all matters concerning financial figures leave them completely confused, and the tax form in particular is totally baffling.
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Glowing report for service
WILTSHIRE'S home care service has been rated as 'good' in its first ever inspection. The Wiltshire County Council-run service received a positive report from the Commission for Social Care Inspectorate after an inspection at the end of last year. The
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Make a difference to someone's life
VOLUNTEERS are being asked to come forward to help make a difference in the lives of vulnerable young people in Wiltshire. Wiltshire County Council's independent visitor scheme is looking for people to befriend young people in local authority care. Sheila
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Pupils do best to beat the bullies
YOUNGSTERS from north and west Wiltshire stole the show in a countywide anti-bullying competition. Pupils demonstrated their creative skills by writing poems and designing poetry to mark Wiltshire's annual Walk Tall Week, which raises awareness of how
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Ruling due on hunt ban
A DECISION on whether a ban on hunting with dogs will be overturned was due to be made today by two senior judges. Hunt supporters in west and north Wiltshire were waiting to hear whether the High Court bid to overturn the ban had been successful. The
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House hunters risk losing place on list
COUNCIL officers are warning house hunters they could be axed from the housing register unless they confirm their details before the launch of a new housing allocation scheme. West Wiltshire District Council is warning people its choice-based lettings
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Cool swedish style
Skurrays has always been a name which is synonymous with good cars in Swindon. So it was not surprising that they were chosen by Saab to sell their cars a double first for quality. And Skurrays don't mess around. They built a brand new showroom costing
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Clare chooses Renault
A professional golfer is hoping her newly delivered sponsored Renault Mgane Hatch 1.4 16v from Bridges Renault will help drive her to success on the golf course when she tees off this year. Clare Lipscombe, 26, from Cirencester had a handicap of +1 before
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Biddestone 1, Saltash 1
GARY Skidmore is refusing to give up hope of staving off relegation by right, despite losing another chance to gain ground on their rivals on Saturday. The Biddestone manager said no-one was ready to hit the panic button just yet as his side continue
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Melksham Town 0, Exmouth Town 0
NIGEL Tripp has stepped up his search for an out and out goal scorer after watching his Melksham side earn a hard fought point on Saturday. Refusing to be downbeat following Wayne Wheeler's decision to stay at Westbury United, Tripp has now moved for
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Caines is fit and able for villagers
MATT Caines is looking forward to a fresh start at Biddestone after enduring a miserable few months at Premier Division Welton Rovers. The central defender signed for the Screwfix League new boys this week after a bust-up with his previous manager and
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United hit by keeper shortage
WESTBURY United boss Paul Brickley could be facing a goalkeeping crisis for his side's trip to Minehead tomorrow. First choice stopper Lewis Porter is unavailable because of work commitments while reserve goalkeeper Jamie McGuckian suffers from stomach
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Waylen is on his way back
AS Tim Waylen's 18 month injury nightmare finally draws to an end the Melksham Town midfielder admits there were times when he thought of quitting the game. Waylen, 29, has been out of action since breaking his leg in two places in August 2003 but after
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New manager steps in to save village club
STEVE 'Alfie' Bidgood has taken over as manager of Heytesbury Football Club, averting imminent closure and safeguarding the future of the century-old club. The imminent resignation of Steve Richardson both as manager and player after tomorrow's Trowbridge
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Kirky bids to keep Thorpe at club
NEIL Kirkpatrick is still hoping to sign Paul Thorpe permanently, despite the defender signing for Taunton Town last week. Thorpe, a former Trowbridge Town favourite, signed Hellenic League forms for the Bees two weeks ago but after just one game has
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Ref ruined a good cup tie
NEIL Kirkpatrick has branded referee Kevin Barnett "a joke" after his display in Wednesday night's Hellenic League Floodlight Cup semi-final first leg tie at Meadow Lane. The furious Trowbridge Town boss also blasted the "boring" tactics of opponents
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Race night success at The George
30108/1TSUNAMI AID: A LANDLORD who organised a race night at his pub near Warminster has raised over £9,000 for the tsunami appeal. David Deacon organised the night with pub manager Nikki Broady at the George Inn, Longbridge Deverill. Over 100 customers
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Pupil poets in the book
BUDDING bards in Warminster are to have their poems published after success in a national competition. Year five pupils at St George's School will see their work published in a Wiltshire volume of a poetry anthology. The poems, which all had an autumn
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Woman drives car into store window
STAFF and shoppers at Safeway in Warminster had a lucky escape after a motorist ploughed her car into the supermarket. The 67-year-old driver from Upton Scudamore smashed her Rover 6 Series into the Weymouth Street store on Friday afternoon. No-one was
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Husband's fight to save his wife
AN INQUEST into the death of a fashion designer who lived near Warminster ruled she died from natural causes. Monique Walker, 37, from Knook, died after she suffered an asthma attack last August. The inquest heard that Mrs Walker suffered from a wheat
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Frozen food firm set for expansion
A model of the new Lyons Seafoods factoryWORK on a £4m seafood factory in Warminster got under way this week. Lyons Seafood's multi-million pound project for its base in Fairfield Road will create up to 50 new jobs. The project was given the go-ahead
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Student's child porn disgrace
Stuart PainterA UNIVERSITY student quizzed in connection with the deaths of a Melksham couple found stabbed to death in their home has admitted downloading child porn from the internet. Murder inquiry detectives investigating the deaths of Roy and Joan
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Towns to go flipping mad on race day
COMPETITORS are gearing up for the race of the year in Bradford on Avon. The day of the hotly contested town pancake race is drawing close with the Wiltshire Air Ambulance to benefit from the sponsorship money raised. Yvonne Harris, of the town's chamber
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Council slated for following rules as members barred from Gap meeting
THE restriction on councillors' attendance at this Friday's public meeting at the Civic Hall (7pm), seems yet another extraordinary move in the Gap saga. RIP Rural Buffer- victim of stealth and double talk? P FOWLER Trowbridge WEST Wiltshire District
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Can we trust Lafarge's checks now?
WE HAVE just seen Lafarge Cement making an admission that for the past two years "certain rogue employees" have deliberately falsified certification as supplied to their customers concerning the alkali content of cement shipped from its Westbury plant
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Police get extra cash
IT WOULD be disappointing if Wiltshire had been penalised for being too safe, a police authority member said. The Home Office has announced the funding settlement for police forces across the country and Wiltshire is getting £62.9m for its fight against
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Students' chance to gain wizard film skills
A NUMBER of workshops are taking place in Swindon for the film makers and animators of the future. The workshops are at the Cre8 Studios in Regents Circus, Swindon, where future Harry Potter film director David Yates made his first movie. David will direct
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Schools are safe say town heads
SWINDON'S headteachers say there is no need to increase security in schools following a report into the murder of a schoolboy who was stabbed by a classmate. Luke Walmsley, 14, was stabbed through the heart by fellow pupil Alan Pennell, in the corridor
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Prescott delays decision on new Fire Brigade HQ
A government announcement on the location of a new regional fire centre in the South West has been delayed. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister had been expected to reveal the site of the centre before the end of February. But now the government has
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Moment of truth
MARLBOROUGH team boss Mike Banfield accepts that his side's Dorset & Wilts One North trip to Cricklade tomorrow will decide their future in the division. Banfield's men are stranded with Hungerford at the foot of the table with just one win to their
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Noisy neighbour faces music
A TROWBRIDGE woman appeared in court after ignoring orders to stop blasting neighbours with loud music. Lorraine Gardener, of Westfield Road, admitted three charges of failing to comply with noise abatement notices served by West Wiltshire District Council
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Look Back In Anger - Theatre Royal
FEBRUARY 14 - 19 2005, BATH: If you fancy a night of tempestuous passion, take a trip to Bath next month. John Osborne's sexually charged play Look Back In Anger comes to the Theatre Royal on February 14. So if you're looking for something to spice up
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Children organise their own events
TSUNAMI AID: CHILDREN at a Trowbridge primary school have raised hundreds of pounds to help the victims of the tsunami. Pupils at The Mead Primary School worked together to come up with money-making ideas and have managed to raise £690 so far. Headteacher
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Drowning On Dry Land - Theatre Royal
JANUARY 31 - FEBRUARY 5 2005, BATH: Stephen Beckett used to work for the Old Bill but now he's back treading the boards. And you can catch him in Alan Ayckbourn's Drowning On Dry Land at the Theatre Royal Bath next week. Stephen, who used to play PC Jarvis
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Bucketfuls of money
TSUNAMI AID: BUCKET loads of help for the victims of the tsunami disaster has been provided by children at a Trowbridge primary school. Pupils at Grove School were so moved by the plight of children left without adequate food or drinking water they came
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Marathon charity bid
WITH the London marathon just 11 weeks away a Trowbridge man is training hard to run for a local charity. Wayne Palmer, 33, of Boundary Walk, hopes to raise at least £3,000 for Dorothy House Hospice, Winsley. He said: "I am training hard and enjoying
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Thieves steal OAP's treasured antiques
BURGLARS stole more than £1,000 worth of antiques and ornaments from two Trowbridge pensioners. The offenders targeted two bungalows, just 300 yards apart, between Thursday night and Friday morning. Police said the two elderly women were both out at the
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Consortium aim to double trade
A DISTRIBUTION firm in Trowbridge has announced an ambitious plan to double its annual turnover in the next five years. Hammond Way firm, The Consortium, hopes to take its annual turnover from £40m in 2004 to £100m by the end of 2009. To oversee the plan
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Parents find car stolen
THIEVES stole a car from a hospital car park in Trowbridge while the owners were at their seriously ill baby's bedside. The mother gave birth at Trowbridge Hospital in November and the baby was rushed to Birmingham Children's Hospital with a heart problem
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Seeing double on road sign
PEOPLE in Semington, near Trowbridge have been surprised to find its name changed. Diversion signs put around Semington by Wessex Water have been spelt incorrectly, renaming it Semmington. A spokesman for Wessex Water said: "We are getting some new signs
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New recruit for charity challenge
ANOTHER volunteer has signed up to take part in the Anthony Nolan Trust survival fundraiser. James O'Doherty, 53, of Drynham Road, Trowbridge will pit his wits against nature in June as part of the I'm Not A Celebrity And I Have To Stay There! challenge
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All change at pub firm
THE majority of staff at Trowbridge-based firm InnSpired will have a new employer today when its parent company completes a sell off deal. Owner Punch is selling 545 InnSpired pubs because a strategic review showed they did not generate enough profit.
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Bulldozers move in at Tesco site
WORK has started on a multi-million pound development set to rejuvenate Trowbridge town centre. Preliminary work to clear the former Tesco site in St Stephen's Place began on Tuesday and bulldozers are due to move in shortly to begin demolition of the
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School adds £2,000 to relief fund
30090/1TSUNAMI AID: PUPILS at the John of Gaunt School in Trowbridge have raised over £2,000 for the relief fund. Students and staff dressed casually for a non-uniform day, paying at least £1 for the privilege. Senior students took collecting buckets
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Precinct shop to close doors
A FLOWER and hardware store in Trowbridge is closing after a decade of trading in the town. CBC Hardware and Gardening and Dories Flowers, in the Castle Place precinct, will close in August. The two businesses have been sharing the premises for the past
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Dropping Anchor as landlords quit
16492WELL-known landlords will call last orders for the final time this weekend. Clive Cater, 61, and wife Janet, 57, licensees at the Anchor and Hope, are leaving the Frome Road pub on Sunday. Mr and Mrs Cater have been in the trade for 30 years and
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Rival masterplan for Ushers bottling plant
Architects behind the redevelopment of the former Tesco site in Trowbridge have come up with an ambitious plan for a rival site in the town. Osel Architects submitted a plan to West Wiltshire District Council on behalf of developers Borric Properties
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Protesters expected at Gap crunch meeting
A LONG-awaited decision on a hotly debated relief road in Trowbridge is due to be made by planners tonight. Protesters are expected to turn up in force at a special planning meeting to be held at the Civic Hall to decide if a road should be built through
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Racers rally at new spot
BOY racers stopped from meeting at a Trowbridge car park have moved to another spot just down the road. A police crackdown on youngsters congregating at the Spitfire Retail Park, Bradley Road, has shifted the problem to the neighbouring B&Q car park
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Detectives seek attack witnesses
Asa FreemanPOLICE have released CCTV images of two men they believe could hold vital information in the Asa Freeman assault inquiry. Mr Freeman, 32, was this week described by police as 'gravely ill' in Frenchay Hospital, Bristol, following the incident
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Fisher back in for Corcoran
JOHN Fisher has made an audacious attempt to prise Phil Corcoran from Cirencester. The Highworth boss is looking to boost his firepower after losing JP Mills to Supermarine and long-term target Corcoran fits the bill. Fisher tried to snatch him from Fairford
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This is not a wind-up
DEVIZES Town fans have been assured they will still have a club to support for the rest of the season. As was the case at Swindon Town earlier this week, a winding-up order has been issued for unpaid income tax, this time in the name of Devizes Town AFC
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Have your say on the future of our sport
THE Environment Agency is asking the world of angling for its views on how to play a role in developing and promoting the sport over the next decade. 'Angling 2015 first consultation report' was published last week and is the first step towards a strategy
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How do Trust's gardens grow?
THE care of National Trust country gardens in the Cotswolds and West Country will be the subject of a lecture. Bill Malecki, Gardens and Parks Adviser for the National Trust will look at the how the climate of the region has affected the style of some
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Barbara's back
BARBARA Windsor, right, will return to EastEnders this summer. The actress said she was "over the moon" to be rejoining the cast two years after a debilitating illness forced her to quit. EastEnders bosses have promised her some dramatic storylines when
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Calls for change in homes stamp duty
Halifax research has found that the residential stamp duty tax has increased more than nine-fold since 1993-4, from £465m to an estimated £4,300m in the current tax year. A survey conducted for Halifax by NOP found that 81 per cent of people in the UK
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Run marathon to aid the blind
THE Royal National Institute for the Blind has made a plea to people running in this year's London Marathon. The organisation is the UK's largest charity for the blind and aims to provide help and support. It is asking those running the 26-mile race To
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Win prizes at Prospect Hospice's 25th anniversary
PROSPECT Hospice is holding a Silver Launch Celebration tomorrow to mark its 25th anniversary at St Aldhelms Church Hall, Edgeware Road (behind Next in the town centre). The Prospect Silver Launch Grand Draw will be held with the chance to win one of
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Uniforms are left at home
STAFF and students at Headlands School have raised £1,090 for the tsunami appeal in just one day. The Headlands School Council organised an Own Clothes Day to raise the cash. In addition, pupils brought in blankets, sheets, clothing and toiletries, which
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Campaign to protect shop staff
RODBOURNE shopkeeper Azim Khan has thrown his support behind a new campaign by the Home Office and retail union Usdaw to protect shop workers from crime. This follows Usdaw revealing the results of a national survey of its members, which found more than
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Councils blamed for increase in illegal sites for travellers
THE problem of illegal traveller encampments has been blamed on councils and the Government has called on them to find more space for authorised sites. In a written statement to MPs, Housing Minister Yvette Cooper said local authorities had not done enough
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Students all fail our history test
SOME Swindon teenagers don't know their Winston Churchills from their Oliver Cromwells, it would seem. The Tories say many youngsters don't know enough about Britain's past and are calling for history lessons to be made compulsory up to the age of 16.
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Big Brother is watching you
75804-33SEX is encouraged in the hit reality TV show Big Brother but there will be strictly no nookie in a Swindon pub's own version of the show. Tonight, ten contestants will be locked into the Swiss Chalet pub, Chapel Street, Gorse Hill, for 24 hours
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Man denies sex assault on woman
A WROUGHTON man has denied sexually assaulting a 71-year-old woman, exposing himself in front of others and performing an indecent act in front of a 12-year-old and 15-year-old child. Wayne Underwood, 46, of Thorney Park, Wroughton, pleaded not guilty
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Guide dog Sassy's ready to take on a leading role
75801-42A FIVE-month-old puppy is being trained as a guide dog after staff and customers at a veterinary surgery raised £5,000 to sponsor her. Sassy, a yellow Labrador, is living up to her name at the home of romantic novelist Nicola Cornick and her husband
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Fundraising drive is a success
75789-18 THE headteacher of a Swindon special school was left speechless when it was offered a £5,000 donation. Bob Walker said the Brimble Hill School would be able to do things he had never dreamed of after receiving the donation from local firm Arval
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GP fears Shipman red tape backlash
DOCTORS must not be tied up in bureaucracy because of mass murderer Harold Shipman, according to a Swindon GP. Dr Peter Swinyard, of the Phoenix Surgery in Toothill, said that any legislation based on the idea that all doctors were potential murderers
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It's just a con
MICHAEL Howard's announcement that his party would have maximum quotas for asylum seekers horrifies me. Asylum seekers are people running for their lives. On the other hand immigrants are people who move to this country because they want to. While we
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Double dealing
MR WILLS is quick to say figures on government council grants are propaganda, and he goes on to say how wonderful the New Deal is and how well it is working. A report issued by the Department for Work and Pensions in the first week of January showed there
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A drop of sympathy for council
WHILE I have sympathy for the family who had no water for six days while six council tradesmen attempted a repair, I feel the council were criticized unfairly. There were so many details to ascertain. For example was it a tap or a faucet? This would have
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Bath under 17s 13, D and W under 17s 10
DORSET and Wilts suffered last gasp heartache when the last kick of the match condemned them to defeat. Playing with the wind at their backs, the Twin Counties team started tentatively, but a nice break by Chris Hale resulted in a penalty by Adam Jones
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Frome 18, Trowbridge 3
SIMON Leat believes there are signs of better things to come after Trowbridge's Southern Counties South League defeat to high flyers Frome on Saturday. The Trowbridge director of rugby reckoned the scoreline was flattering to the hosts and said his side
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Ashton will take charge
Brian Ashton has been named as England coach for next month's A international against France in Bath. Ashton, a member of the senior England coaching set-up during Sir Clive Woodward's reign, will be assisted by Leicester boss John Wells and Leeds coach
