Archive
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Final good buy
Market veteran Alfred Brind watches the final sale with his five-month-old grandson Edward (15242/21/AS)GAZETTE & HERALD: AS the auctioneer's hammer came to rest for the final time on Thursday at Chippenham Livestock Market, it marked the end of an
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Nursery is at home again
15244/1GAZETTE & HERALD: CHILDREN at Forest Nursery School in Pewsham are back in their old home this week ten months after it was destroyed by fire. And the fire crew from Chippenham Fire Station who tackled the blaze in the early hours of March
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Mugged pub boss recovers
GAZETTE & HERALD: PREGNANT pub landlady Emma Green who was mugged in the car park where she works has said she wants to put it all behind her. The mother-to-be was shoved from behind and robbed of £3,000 as she was getting into her car at The Kingfisher
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That's my girl, 23 years on
75794/41GAZETTE & HERALD: MUM Karen Lissenden who has been reunited with her adopted daughter after 23 years, is upset that social services could not bring them back together sooner. Mrs Lissenden and daughter Kate Hookings have been talking to the
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Blow to whole community
PRAYERS: Siana from year 1 at St Peter's School in Chippenham 15297/03HERCULES TRAGEDY: SPECULATION was continuing yesterday into the cause of Sunday's Hercules tragedy in Iraq. Initial reports suggested the C130k, which is known for its reliability,
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Why change things?
ALAN REEVES points to two of Town's League One peers as a warning that change doesn't always trigger fantastic success. As the players headed for training awaiting news of Andy King's management proposals with Mick Harford's name still lingering in the
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Skateboard project struggles for funds
GAZETTE & HERALD: STRUGGLING skateboarders are frantically trying to raise £37,500 needed to start building the Corsham skate facility. Planning permission was given in August last year by North Wiltshire District Council but construction work on
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Arts centre plans go to the outlying areas
PLANS for the proposed Riverbank theatre, cinema and arts centre in Marlborough are to be shown in Pewsey. Director of the project Rosie Hill will be showing the plans and talking about the scheme at a public meeting in the Bouverie Hall on Monday from
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Team spirit is brilliant
TEAM spirit at Chippenham is at an all-time high after the 2-0 win over title rivals Merthyr Tydfil, according to winger Scott Walker. Walker thought the win was vital as the Bluebirds strive for promotion to the Conference South. He said: "Team spirit
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League or nothing says goal machine
TWO-goal hero James Constable admitted the Chippenham players will not be happy unless they win the Southern Premier League title this season. The hitman, whose brace against fellow title chasers Merthyr Tydfil on Saturday put the Bluebirds three points
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Sam has the desire to make the grade
STEVE WHITE COLUMN: IT is the time of year where football clubs start making decisions to offer their trainees a professional contract. I sympathise with our on-loan left back Sam Jones, who is awaiting a decision on his Youth Training Scheme from Bristol
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Young artists follow master
15258/2Creative children from Malmesbury Primary School have created a large outdoor canvas in the style of artist Laurence Stephen Lowry. A group of pupils aged between nine and 11 spent three weeks on the project, which is on display in the school playground
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Mum praises unit
15288/04Little Reisha Chesterman is the first baby to be born at Malmesbury Maternity Unit since it reopened on January 17. She was born at 12.17pm on January 23, weighing seven pounds, to parents Meena and Steve Chesterman. It marked a proud day for
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Minety gypsies may be offered other site
15277/5Minety villagers have heard Wiltshire County Council is negotiating to buy a two-acre site to resettle the gypsies who flouted planning permission in the village. It is thought an existing managed caravan site used by gypsies in Thingley, near
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Residents hold drug fears for skate park
Furious residents at White Lion Park in Malmesbury have clashed with town councillors over the siting of a proposed skate park. Malmesbury Town Council has proposed using the field at White Lion Park as the location for the skate park. But over 80 per
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Top marks for village school
15295/01EFFORTS by staff and governors to make Oare School a vibrant place in which to learn have paid off with a glowing report by OFSTED inspectors. Three inspectors spent three days at the 60 pupil village school in September and their findings were
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Drab Whites fail to keep run going
After a mini revival, Salisbury failed to make it three league wins in a row at the Raymond McEnhill Stadium. Staff picture by TOM GREGORY. DA7290P3IF ever there were an occasion when the phrase 'the good, bad and the ugly' could be used to describe Salisbury
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Emily's in the frame for Six Nations kick off
SALISBURY women's rugby star Emily Cooke is poised to make a return to Six Nations duty tomorrow evening when Eng-land take on Wales at Cardiff Arms Park. The 26-year-old winger, who now plays her club rugby with Clifton, said she is delighted to be in
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Judo star's visit
Olympic gold medal winner Kate Howey was the special guest instructor at Salisbury Judo Club's training session on Mon-day evening at Five Rivers Leisure Centre. Young Salisbury member Louise Davidson was among those given expert tuition from the sports
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Information Act comes at a price
In the wake of the new Freedom of Information Act Wiltshire County Council has received requests for information that would cost several thousand pounds to provide. The act came into force on January 1 and allows the public access to information held
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County reaches out to family in Albania
AN Albanian family who have been living in a shed covered by plastic sheeting will soon have a proper roof over their heads, thanks to Wiltshire people. Regional director of Patney-based International Community Assist Bashkim Bashllari has reported that
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Join the pioneers
TOWNS and villages are needed to take part in projects to cut greenhouse gas emissions. Wiltshire Wildlife Trust has received a grant of £90,000 over three years to encourage community action on climate change. The money, from Defra's environmental action
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Corsham Town 3, Saltash United 0
CORSHAM went through to the third round of the Les Philips Cup but were made to work for their victory by the struggling Screwfix First Division side on Saturday. Three second half goals saw the home side progress but manager Colin Bush was impressed
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Bristol Manor Farm 1, Melksham Town 1
IMPROVING Melksham pulled off another fine result against a title challenging team on Saturday. Manager Nigel Tripp now believes his side have turned the corner. After conceding a late equaliser, Tripp believes his side were hard done by. He feels the
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£20,000 helps to ease pain
More than £20,000 has been set aside by Wiltshire County Council to support adults and young people affected by domestic violence, thanks to extra Government funding. The county council will work with the four community safety partnerships in Wiltshire
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New youth chief arrives
Youth support organisation Connexions Wiltshire and Swindon, based in Chippenham, welcomes a new chief executive this week. Rabindra Shah, currently operations development director at Connexions in Greater Merseyside, took up his new post on February
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Melksham are short changed by the ref
A BIZARRE refereeing decision gifted Devizes Town three points in the 2-1 derby win over Melksham on Tuesday. Melksham boss Nigel Tripp was sent off for his protests after referee Ben Knight ordered the visitors' substitute Richard Butler off the field
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Blow to whole community
PRAYERS: Siana from year 1 at St Peter's School in Chippenham 15297/03SPECULATION was continuing yesterday into the cause of Sunday's Hercules tragedy in Iraq. Initial reports suggested the C130k, which is known for its reliability, crashed due to mechanical
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Crop circles help to sell the district
THE new look visitors guide for Kennet features a crop circle on the cover. The guide is produced by Kennet District Council and tourism development manager Kairen Kellard said featuring a crop circle on the front was good marketing. The picture, by Steve
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Auditors hail management
THE Audit Commission has praised Kennet District Council for its financial management, which it says remains a strength. However, the report also recognised that the council "faces a significant challenge in maintaining existing services and responding
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Problem of over-capacity with lack of facilities
WORRIED parents packed Swindon Council chamber to hear the latest plans for West Swindon schools. The council says that unless three schools in the area close there will be 800 spare places by 2009 and last night decided to go out to consultation on how
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Head wants his school to close
Ref. 29702-08A HEADTEACHER supports plans to close three West Swindon primary schools and says keeping his school open with so many empty spaces is a waste of taxpayer's money. Stephen Luke, of Freshbrook County Primary School is all in favour of Swindon
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Where new store might be located
Ref. 75888-07A LIKELY site for Ikea could be the Carfax Street area of Swindon. It has been confirmed that the Swedish superstore is one of the groups interested in land at the Old Post Office, currently owned by the New Swindon Company. The possible
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Girl hit by truck amazes dad with recovery
GAZETTE & HERALD: Peter Horne, father of schoolgirl from Calne who was hit by a pickup truck while crossing the road last week, says she is making a tremendous recovery. Ellie Horne, seven, from Abberd Way, was crossing the road outside her house
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Grub's up at Lansdowne
15291/01GAZETTE & HERALD: VILLAGERS in Derry Hill won't be going hungry as two new landlords take over at the Lansdowne Arms. Richard, 33, and Kate Bennett, 34, have arrived from fellow Wadsworth pub, The Pheasant, in Chippenham and will be offering
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A pocket of tranquility in community's centre
GAZETTE & HERALD: A LIFE enhancing pocket park in the middle of Calne has been given planning permission. North Wiltshire District Council, which owns the land at Castlefields, wants to create the so-called pocket park comprising new footpaths, landscaping
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Audition was like Pop Idol
GAZETTE & HERALD: AUDITIONS for a new theatre school in Calne were a resounding success according to organiser Levi Summers. Member of the Wessex Branch for Equity, Mr Summers, 42, from Quemerford, said he felt like he was on Pop Idol when he opened
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County's youthful readers are judges
PUPILS from Southbroom Junior School will be among those nominating their choices for Wiltshire's favourite books of the year at a special event at Devizes Library next Wednesday. The young critics are presently working their way through a pile of short-listed
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Empty taxi rank claim
REMOVALS firm owner Janet Louth claims a taxi rank in Marlborough is rarely used and takes up valuable parking space. Mrs Louth from Salisbury Road took advantage of public question time at Marlborough town Council meeting on Monday to make her point.
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Premium rate line for second surgery
PATIENT Ken Crisp is refusing to call his GP surgery after it changed its telephone number to a national call rate number. Mr Crisp, who is retired and lives in Longleys Close, Devizes, said he was appalled by the introduction of the 0870 number at St
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Sailor sets off on third leg
URCHFONT sailor Jon Duffield is preparing to set off on the third leg of the Global Challenge round-the-world yacht race, leaving Wellington, New Zealand, on Sunday. Mr Duffield, 36, a systems analyst for Westinghouse in Chippenham, has been relaxing
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Public urged to show support for allotments
TOWNSPEOPLE are being urged to attend next week's public inquiry into a plan to build 150 homes on the former allotment land at Spitalcroft, off London Road. Alan Padwick, chairman of the Save Our Spitalcroft community action group says that, even if
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Show stopper
SWINDON'S Leisure Five-a-side League was a happy hunting ground for strikers with only one side keeping a clean sheet. The hardest hitters in the Premier were L&R City, who beat Underdogs 9-3, while Warren Fox ensured a 6-6 draw for Bhavs Allstars
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Council asked to pay for police support officers
TOWN councillors in Marlborough have called for more information before they consider a request to help fund police community support officers. The request came from the police divisional commander Chief Supt Jerry Wickham in a letter to town clerk Graham
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Celebrations as school gets back on track
15215/1THE headteacher at Holy Trinity Primary School in Great Cheverell, near Devizes, has been praised for getting the school back on an even keel. A report from the school inspection service Ofsted praised headteacher John Bridges and his staff for
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Saviour Deane
Highworth Junior Girls under 10s drew 0-0 in their Wiltshire County League game at home to FC Chippenham. In the second half Alicia Webber and Shannon Pedder went close, while keeper Leanne Deane pulled off a fine save in the latter stages.
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Fear voiced over bid for up to 150 homes
BUILDING 150 homes on the site of the former Kverneland agricultural machinery factory would unbalance the Devizes community, Kennet District Council officers told a public inquiry this week. Strategic Land Partnerships, which acquired the site in November
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Tributes paid to victim of car crash
TRIBUTES have been paid to Jason Rawlings, the son of a former Marlborough publican, who died in a car crash on Friday. Mr Rawlings, who was 22, is thought to have been a passenger in a Ford Mondeo that left the A365 between Bowerhill and Redstocks, Melksham
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Boys swim for friend's fund
15249/1Friends of Sam Waters, the ten-year-old Devizes boy who lost his fight with cancer last September, have raised over £300 for a fund set up in his name. Willem Collins, ten, his sister Maddie, nine, and Danny Charity and William Fisher, both aged
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New patrols target yobs
VANDALS and yobs in Marlborough had better watch out because police are to start new anti-crime patrols in the town and surrounding villages. That was the promise made to the Town Council on Monday by the new area police commander Insp Jerry Dawson. Insp
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Next mayor to launch awards scheme for young
TOWN councillors in Marlborough have given their unanimous support to Coun Hilary Cripps becoming the town's next mayor. Coun Cripps, currently the deputy mayor, was selected on Monday by her colleagues to be the town's leading citizen for 2005-06. She
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Break a leg too literally
15292/1BUDDING thespian Holly Carlile has dispensed with her crutches after recovering from a broken leg to take the lead role of Sleeping Beauty for the Seend village pantomime. Holly, 15 of Seend, broke her left leg playing rugby for Melksham CATs under
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Pupils make huge appeal effort
CHILDREN at the Stepping Stones Nursery and Pre-Prep School at Froxfield have raised more than £5,400 by means of a sponsored push, toddle and ride and a sponsored swim. Stepping Stones was established in 1990 and has 99 two to four year olds attending
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Top marks for village school
15295/01EFFORTS by staff and governors to make Oare School a vibrant place in which to learn have paid off with a glowing report by OFSTED inspectors. Three inspectors spent three days at the 60 pupil village school in September and their findings were
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Lucky escape for crash man
A driver has escaped unhurt after his car crashed into the central reservation of the M4. The motorist, who was from London, was behind the wheel of a Volkswagen Golf travelling along the westbound carriageway when it smashed into the central barrier
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Learn the secrets from the ground
AMATEUR archaeologists can discover the secrets of professional counterparts at a talk next week. Dr Neil Linford from English Heritage show how archaeologists have learned to see through the ground using geophysic techniques, a system made famous by
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Sex offender may face a new prison sentence
A SEX offender could face a jail term after failing to do his community service. Mark Bates, 32, was originally jailed in May, 2001 after he admitted having sex with a 13-year-old girl. As well as a ten-month jail term, which he served, Bates was also
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They're putting all their weight behind hospice
Ref. 75890-95FAT friends have been given a tour around a hospice to see how cash raised from a sponsored slim will be used. John Donaldson and Tony Scull are hoping to shed some of their bulk in aid of Prospect Hospice in Wroughton. A month into their
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Help needed with driving
VOLUNTEERS are needed to help transport people with disabilities in Swindon. Shaplands, in Stratton St Margaret, is a development of purpose-built bungalows for adults with physical disabilities. Tenants live independently in their own homes but there
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Swindon to improve your TV viewing
NEW technology developed by scientists funded by a Swindon research council could spice up TV viewing. Live TV outside broadcasts that combine real action and computer-generated images could become possible for the first time, thanks to camera navigation
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Fuming!
Ref. 75865-52A move to Swindon was ruined for a family when a badly-fitted gas fire filled the living room with fumes. Phil Jefferies and family had been in their home in Oakhurst, north Swindon, less than a week when he tried out the fire. His wife Vanessa
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A great day
WE would like to congratulate and thank the rangers at Swindon Borough Council for organising a very successful and enjoyable apple tree planting day at Stanton Park on Sunday. Well done! Jayne and Tim Keen Ensor Close, Swindon
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Hygiene horror
SO Ruth Lockwood, the joint director of infection prevention and control for GWH says "people need to be reassured that fighting infection is a real priority for us." Has she spent any time visiting any ward? Seeing a patient with tears in their eyes
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War time tale
IN reply to Mr Philip Beaven's remarks (letters, EA, Jan 28) He's No Child. Like many other young men in Swindon and throughout the country in 1914 and during the war, my father, Reg Cook, aged 16, and a well known character in Swindon, joined the Royal
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Devizes U9 15, Melksham U9 10
A depleted Devizes squad travelled to Melksham to play a triangulation fixture between Melksham and Warminster on Sunday morning. With Tom Jaggs and Stuart Hartley, both injured, Devizes had to play a number of players out of position to cover for the
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Wootton Bassett U15 22, Devizes U15 0
This was a deeply disappointing result for the Devizes squad who matched their opposition in almost all aspects of the game other than their ability to convert pressure into points. For long periods of the game Devizes camped in the Wootton Bassett quarter
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Stick to shopping baskets
According to newspaper reports, the wheelie bin to be given to each household in the district, is for residual waste that cannot be recycled. It is therefore difficult to understand how this will increase the amount of waste able to be recycled. There
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Coaching better for expansion of the mind
COACHES are blamed for almost everything in sport, but one thing you can't accuse England's rugby management of is being narrow minded. Rugby union has borrowed much from other sports over the last decade, namely rugby league, with England head coach
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A Cymru catalyst
Representing England U21s against Wales in Newport tomorrow marks a major watershed in Simon Whatling's career. STUART WALMSLEY explains what it could mean for the Wiltshire born centre, and how omission has allowed Bassett's Mike Baxter to focus on a
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Waste of box
I REPLY to Coun John Reed's comment on recycling boxes in the January 19 edition of Devizes News. When we had our black box delivered, I rang Kennet Council and asked if we could put in bottles, tins and rags like Devizes people. Their reply was no, so
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Bradford on Avon 9, Wootton Bassett 37
Wootton Bassett continued their title charge with this emphatic victory at Bradford on Avon. In the first 10 minutes Bassett incurred the wrath of the referee and it was the home side that put the first scores on the board with two penalties to put them
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Cricklade 23, Marlborough 7
Cricklade overcame a half-time deficit to ease their own relegation fears and almost certainly condemn Marlborough to the drop. The home side made an awful start, when poor defending allowed 14-man Marlborough a converted try. A good break by Mark Adams
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Calne 77, Hungerford 0
After the 72-3 mauling of Marlborough the previous week, Calne inflicted similar punishment on Saturday against Hungerford, the other side in the league without a win. Last week Neil Young collected his first hat-trick of the season whilst South African
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Devizes U16 5, Chippenham U16 23
This encounter between traditional rivals was the deciding game between the two remaining unbeaten sides in this year's county cup competition, and as champions, Chippenham were also defending their five year unbeaten run in the competition. It was the
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No to 0870
RECENTLY the Gazette published an article on the use of the 0870 prefix for the telephone number used by one of the Devizes doctors' surgeries. It highlighted the higher charges which can result when callers are forced into using such numbers, i.e. when
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Trust meets
On Wednesday, the next monthly public trust board meeting of the Royal United Hospital will take place from 10.15am in the council chamber of Devizes Town Council. The trust plans to occasionally hold its public board meetings in venues outside Bath to
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Reel life romance
15221/4GAZETTE & HERALD: The demolition of the former Goldiggers nightclub and Gaumont cinema building has brought back poignant memories for one couple who went on their first date to the cinema in 1946. Cyril and Iris Cooper, who now live in Calne
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Parents say tutor has been unfairly treated
GAZETTE & HERALD: PARENTS of children who attend Peter Bull's karate lessons have rallied around the martial arts tutor. Supporters have sent cards and visited his home to beg him not to stop teaching. Mr Bull said his career has been destroyed since
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Homes for the future generation are no loss
OVER the last few years I have read about the ongoing dispute over the former Spitalcroft allotments. One of the facts I find interesting is that a number of people against development are residents of London Road and Jump Farm. For anyone who is unfamiliar
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Doctors waiting for news on GP surgery
GAZETTE & HERALD: Plans for a £3 million state of the art GP surgery in Chippenham could give a major boost to primary health care in the town but doctors behind the plan are refusing to comment on the project. Doctors at the Hathaway Surgery in New
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Triplet calves a fun surprise
15276/1GAZETTE & HERALD: TRIPLET calves have been named after their young owners at a farm in Chippenham. Beryl the cow surprised the Garraway family when she gave birth to the triplets last Thursday evening. Richard, 49 and Landine, 41, of Melbourne
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CCTV may continue on skeleton budget
GAZETTE & HERALD: Hopes for extra funding from North Wiltshire District Council to run Chippenham's cash-strapped CCTV system are likely to be dashed. Chippenham's 30-camera CCTV system will be left unmanned from September because Chippenham Town
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No frills single
15256/01GAZETTE & HERALD: IN took Chippenham musician Ben Slater just one day in the studio to record a moving ballad he wrote in the aftermath of Boxing Day's devastating tsunami. The 25-year-old will be releasing the single under the auspices of
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History of the Hercules and the base are intertwined
HERCULES TRAGEDY: RAF Lyneham has been involved in some of the world's major conflicts, its history entwined with that of the Hercules aircraft based there. It is currently home to around 50 Hercules transport aircraft and 2,500 personnel. The station
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Farewell to the finest
HERCULES TRAGEDY: THE airmen killed when their Hercules crashed in Iraq will be remembered as one of RAF Lyneham's finest teams, their section commander said this week. Investigations are continuing into why the C130k, an aircraft renowned for its reliability
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Villagers seek church support
HERCULES TRAGEDY: DEVASTATED villagers have been seeking comfort and support at St Michael and All Angels Church in Lyneham in the wake of the tragedy. The Rev Anthony Fletcher, who served for 22 years in the RAF, including as year at Lyneham, said: "
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Our darkest day
HERCULES TRAGEDY: CANDLES were lit at St Peter's School in Chippenham yesterday as children remembered the father of one their classmates who was among those killed in the Lyneham Hercules tragedy. The eldest child of Corporal David Williams, who was
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Capability's roots sought
GAZETTE & HERALD: A SCOTTISH woman has turned to the people of Corsham to help her complete her family tree. Elizabeth Fraser and her husband took up the challenge as a retirement hobby, but they need some assistance in locating a distant relative
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Youth festival with X factor
GAZETTE & HERALD: Pupils at St Patrick's RC School, in Corsham, had a tasty treat this week when the Waitrose cooking bus rolled up for a visit. The bus boasts a full size cooking classroom, complete with four workstations, two microwaves and five
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Youth festival with X factor
GAZETTE & HERALD: YOUNG people in Corsham will have the opportunity to see what their town has to offer them at a youth festival scheduled for May 14. The one-day event is still on the drawing board but, in a first for Corsham, it will show youngsters
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Toy sword reduces trucker to tears
GAZETTE & HERALD: MOTORIST Steven Davies reduced a lorry driver to tears after he wielded a Mighty Morphin Power Rangers' sword at him, a court has heard. Bristol Crown Court was told the drama unfolded when Davies, 47, of Tupman Road, Corsham, attempted
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Student on mission to teach in Africa
15271/2GAZETTE & HERALD: GAP year student Crispin Northey will fulfill his dream of travelling to Africa next month when he leaves on a charity mission to teach in a small poverty stricken country. The 20-year-old from Box has taken time out after
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Teacher honoured in new learning centre
Pewsey Vale SchoolTHE new learning resource centre at Pewsey Vale School has been dedicated to the late deputy head John Acres. His wife Steph attended the official opening and dedication that was carried out by their daughter Natalia before Thursday
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Sam waits on pro contract
DEFENDER Sam Jones is going through the most nerve-wracking time in his football career as he awaits to find out if he has earned a professional contract at Bristol Rovers. The left back started his Youth Training Scheme three years ago along with six
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Glover has turned Grantham around
CHIPPENHAM will have their work cut out when they travel to a revitalised Grantham on Saturday. When ex-Nottingham Forest star Lee Glover took over the Gingerbreads in October, Grantham were facing a relegation battle. But an impressive run of results
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Charity rejects move back to Rovers
VETERAN Simon Charity has pledged his future to the Bluebirds after rejecting a move to his old club Paulton Rovers. Charity, 29, moved from Paulton to Hardenhuish in 1998 and was close to agreeing a switch to the Southern West Division side this week
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Chippenham Town 2, Merthyr Tydfil 0
A SENSATIONAL double from hot-shot striker James Constable ensured the Bluebirds stormed three points clear at the top of the Southern Premier Division. With the Martyrs in third place before Saturday's game, the stakes were high and Chippenham took a
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Pigs on film
American scriptwriter Byron Rourkacha says he is a step closer to producing a film about the pigs dubbed the Tamworth Two who made a daring escape from a Malmesbury abattoir six years ago. Mr Rourkacha will meet with executives from Pixar Studios today
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Entrance concerns don't halt home plan
Outline plans for five houses at the former Wilson's Coal Yard in Hullavington have been given the go-ahead. The move came after a plea to refuse the application from residents of Watts Lane who were concerned about access to the site. North Wiltshire
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Book stance has its critics
Corston resident Joanna Watchman says parish councillors should stop wasting time complaining about the British Telecom phonebook when speeding is the real problem in the village. St Paul Malmesbury Without Parish Council has written a letter of complaint
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Michelin star for head chef
15269/2Whatley Manor chef Martin Burge is ecstatic at being awarded a Michelin star for the quality of his cuisine. Mr Burge, 33, learnt his craft under top chefs Raymond Blanc and John Burton-Race in Oxfordshire, Reading and London. And it has been his
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Phillip just misses out on the medals
Phillip Cheverall. DA2737P01.SALISBURY swimmer Phillip Cheverall suffered disappointment at the Deaflympic Games in Australia when a bout of food poisoning put paid to his medal hopes, writes Jonathan Reeve. The 25-year-old from Clarendon, along with
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Ben's double strike secures the points
HAVING pushed league leaders Haslemere all the way last week, Salisbury struggled to put in a similar performance against lowly Aldershot at Skew Bridge on Saturday. The home side started terribly and before long 'keeper Tim Green was helpless as for
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Care costs rise
PEOPLE who receive home care and meals on wheels are to face a rise in what they pay by two per cent. Wiltshire County Council's Cabinet agreed the increases which will come into effect in April. For a person who pays for home care provided by the county
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Tax bill goes up
WILTSHIRE County Council's Cabinet is recommending a rise of 3.9 per cent in next year's council tax bill. This would increase the bill for a Band D property by £33 to £885. A final decision on the council tax and next year's budget will be made by the
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Tennager runs riot
TROWBRIDGE LEAGUE: DIVISION Three leaders St Andrews lost pole position for the first time this season after their crunch top of the table battle at Lavington. Lavington's 17-year-old hot-shot Myles Hickton notched goals 30 and 31 of the season in the
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Drewitt holds his nerve from the spot
CHIPPENHAM SUNDAY LEAGUE: PACESETTERS West Lavington were delighted to come away with a point from fellow title hopefuls Box Rovers on Sunday. Lavington lost the reverse fixture 3-1 and looked on course for a second defeat after trailing twice, but they
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College suffer last minute set-back
WILTSHIRE LEAGUE: WILTSHIRE PREMIER Division title hopefuls New College received a set-back when they were held to a 2-2 draw by visitors Warminster Town. After a defeat at Cricklade last week Pete Horwat's side needed to get a victory under their belts
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Young actors will influence council
Budding young actors are needed to take part in an innovative piece of theatre and help teach new Wiltshire County Councillors what's what. The county council is looking for 15 young thespians aged between 14 and 18 years old, so they can put together
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Ilfracombe 4, Biddestone 2
BIDDESTONE'S problems went from bad to worse as they squandered three clear cut chances to get a draw on Saturday. Manager Gary Skidmore was frustrated after a hat-trick of one-on-one situations were missed by each of his three-pronged strike force. He
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They're worth their weight, but in gold?
Community support officers have proved their worth to the Wiltshire police force but now the constabulary wants others to help pay their wages. LEWIS COWEN reports IF police community support officers had been designed specifically for Wiltshire, they
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Highworth pay the penalty in shoot-out
HIGHWORTH paid the penalty for their inaccuracy from the spot. John Fisher's men battled back from two goals down to level in their League Cup tie at Almondsbury. But Shaun Terry missed a last-minute spot-kick to win the game and the Swindon side succumbed
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Building a better future
Hugo Tilney with a survivor at Telawatta where 800 train passengers lost their livesGazette reporter HUGO TILNEY travelled to Sri Lanka to find out how Wiltshire aid is helping people to rebuild their lives and he returned optimistic that, despite the
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Bassett chalk up another victory
REVITALISED Wootton Bassett were victorious for the second weekend in succession enjoying a derby victory and booking their place in round two of the Supplementary Cup in the process. On the back of their first league success since September last weekend
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Calne Town 0, Dawlish Town 0
CALNE'S four-month unbeaten run could hit the skids this weekend when four key players swap their football boots for skis. With a Calne quartet away on a skiiing trip and another player absent for their clash at Ilfracombe, Highmore was hoping for three
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Corsham Town 3, Odd Down 1
CORSHAM manager Colin Bush hailed his players after a battling display gave the in-form side their ninth consecutive win on Tuesday night. Bush also praised the guests at the Southbank who put up a brave performance and pushed the home side for the entire
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Art stays in the dark for a lack of funding
15289/01WORKS of art at Wiltshire Heritage Museum have to be kept under wraps because there is no funding to create display space for them, the national director of an art fund said yesterday. David Barrie, director of the National Art Collections Fund
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Bishops Sutton 1, Devizes 0
A STRING of bizarre refereeing decisions condemned Devizes to their sixth straight defeat according to manager Mark Godley. The visitors conceded when Godley thought his side should have been awarded a free kick for a foul on Dave Lloyd. "The boss was
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Wiltshire Cup quarter finals
CORSHAM'S quest for Wiltshire Senior Cup glory pits them at home to Screwfix First Division side Westbury in the quarter finals. Colin Bush's men lost out in the final on penalties to Trowbridge last year and the manager is hoping to do one better this
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Rise of five per cent in council tax proposed
KENNET District Council is proposing a Council Tax rise of five per cent. A five per cent rise would be an extra £5.72 a year on a band D bill. The current bill is £112.23. The five per cent rise was recommended by a majority of councillors at a special
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Council staff urged to rethink strike
UNION officials at Swindon Council have been urged to avert a strike by settling a pension row over the negotiating table. Unison convenors have met Swindon's two MPs to voice their anger about Government proposals to change the pension scheme. The union's
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Mum is told to deliver the mail
Ref. 75996-113-A mum whose son discovered a postbag containing letters and parcels left on the street claims she called a Royal Mail helpline and was told to deliver them herself. Jackie Roberts, 37, a childminder who is five months pregnant was walking
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Three per cent is final figure
Ref. 75897-24MORE cuts could be on the way after Swindon Council decided to go back on a plan to charge staff for parking at work. The move, along with changing plans to increase burial and cremation charges by seven per cent, leaves the council looking
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'No' to 400 homes on PMH site
THE developer hoping to build on the Princess Margaret Hospital site will appeal against a decision to refuse its plans. Swindon Council's planning committee rejected Bloor Homes' plan to build 400 homes on the site, to the delight of protesters in the
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Now I'm sitting comfortably
Ref. 75837-96I DON'T think I really came to appreciate Ikea fully until I had to make one of the most important purchases of my adult life to date. Having found the perfect flat to rent, the only thing missing was the sofa with my name on it. The nearest
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Ikea sets its sights on Swindon
The journey to furniture superstore Ikea could soon be a lot shorter for Swindonians if the firm is successful in its search for a site for a new store in the town. TOM MORTON reports FLATPACK furniture giant Ikea says it is looking for a site in Swindon
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Minety are elbowed out
A dislocated elbow for influential No 8 Mark Holdsworth proved to be the turning point for Minety in their 21-6 defeat to Berkshire side Redingensians in Southern Counties South. Following Holdsworth's withdrawal 10 minutes before the end, Redingensians
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Musicians are ones to watch
GAZETTE & HERALD: UP and coming internationally recognised duo Pei-Chun Liao and Sergio Alvarez will be performing on Sunday at Marden House in Calne as part of its seventh recital series. Pianist Ms Liao from Taiwan and oboist Mr Alvarez from Spain
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Roadwork threatens future of retailers
GAZETTE & HERALD: CALNE Town Council has defended its plans to install a traffic-calming scheme in the town centre fafter criticism from traders. But the town's Chamber of Commerce is still unhappy with the road works because of their effect on trade
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Family fights to give brave Ellie new look
15260/1GAZETTE & HERALD: SCHOOLGIRL Ellie Brown has undergone the first stage of a life-changing procedure this week, which her parents hope will remove part of a huge birthmark on her face. Six-year-old Ellie, of Severn Close, Calne, was born with
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Man back in jail for ASBO
Scott King, who was the first person in Wiltshire to receive an anti social behaviour order, is back in prison this week after breaching an order for the fourth time. King, 32, of Eastleigh Road, Devizes, was apprehended in the Chequers courtyard, outside
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Inquest on fall victim
SECOND World War veteran Douglas Donald, who died in hospital after suffering serious burns falling against a radiator in his flat, died accidentally, an inquest has found. Mr Donald, known as Dougie, received ten per cent burns after falling in the bathroom
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Stars of the silent era aid fund for new cinema
THE days of silent movies are set to return to Marlborough with a double showing to raise funds for the Riverbank theatre/cinema project. Classic slapstick humour set to live piano, just as it was in the olden days of cinema, will be the order of the
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Volunteers descend to prepare for reopening
A TASK force of willing volunteers will descend on St John's Church, Devizes, on Saturday to clean it from top to bottom following emergency work to replace the heating system. Engineers are this week checking out the new system and hope to be able to
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New helping hand at helm
Jan Barlow has taken over as the organiser of Home-Start Kennet from Beverly Sharman who headed-up the organisation for a number of years. The organisation that offers friendship and informal support to parents with children under five has its main offices
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Dismay as fight over betting office is lost
DEVIZES Mayor Margaret Taylor expressed the dismay of many when she heard that turf accountants William Hill had been granted permission to open a betting office in The Brittox. The bookmaker had its appeal against refusal of planning permission for a
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Man drove car into ex-wife's house
JEALOUS Simon Sherman rammed his car into the front of his ex-wife's house after catching her with another man, a court heard. Sherman, of Mallard Close, Devizes, admitted causing £15,000 worth of criminal damage and actual bodily harm when he appeared
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Son of Clint to hit town
THE son of Hollywood superstar Clint Eastward is to perform at this year's Marlborough International Jazz Festival. Kyle Eastward will be appearing during the three-day event in June with his band West Quintet, in the town hall. Eastwood worked as a studio
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New game gives tips on how to be healthy
TWO community nurses based in Marlborough have invented a board game to help people with learning disabilities produce health action plans. Health action plans contain information about who to go to for help to keep healthy such as GPs, nurses, opticians
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Parishioners face new bill
15290/1A VILLAGE church that has served its community for over 1,000 years is in desperate need of renovation and £15,000 needs to be found urgently. The congregation of St Peter's Church in Little Cheverell, near Devizes, only recently spent £11,600
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Tributes flow for car crash victim
Jason, right, with Daniel, left and MatthewTRIBUTES have been paid to Devizes man Jason Rawlings who died in a car crash last Friday. Mr Rawlings, who was 22 and of Bath Road, is thought to have been a passenger in a Ford Mondeo car which left the A365
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Couple evict sitting snake
15282/1WHEN John and Shirley Holdsworth moved in to their new house in Baydon they didn't imagine anything was still living there. But the removal men opened the garden shed at the house in Downsmead to put away the lawnmower, only to discover a 4ft long
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£70 million hotel on four year schedule
15246/1DEVELOPERS behind a £70 million hotel and golf resort scheme are confident it will be open within four years at the latest. The group has been working closely with statutory consultees including English Heritage and local councils to meet any objections
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Traffic warden is sick of abuse
Robin AdamsTRAFFIC warden Robin Adams is facing such a daily barrage of abuse that police have warned they will come down hard on anyone who threatens or swears at him. Mr Adams has revealed this week that he is subjected on an almost daily basis to a
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New Scout group set for takeoff
A NEW Scouts group is meeting in Chiseldon in the spring. The Air Explorer Scouts will be open to all youngsters aged 14 to 18 years old. The group will meet weekly to take part in a programme of scouting activities. These will include outdoor skills,
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Kimberley shows how she cares
DETERMINED Kimberley Brewer could not sit back and do nothing when a support group for bereaved youngsters was plunged into a major cash crisis. So the 14-year-old sent an urgent SOS message to Swindon-ians. Her dad Sheridan died in July 1998 of a rare
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Hop along to Easter sale
A GRAND Easter sale will take place in Highworth in March. The Easter bunny will be making an appearance and there will be a tombola, raffle, bric-a-brac, nearly new sale, jumble, books and refreshments. The sale, being held in aid of the Greyhounds-R-Us
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Notes for church work
THE Swindon Concert Band will be performing to raise funds for Christ Church's Skyline appeal on Saturday. The band will be performing at the Church Hall on Devizes Road on at 7.30pm. The appeal is to the stone work and spire of the church. Tickets are
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Grants for people to go green
TOWNS and villages across Wiltshire will get thousands of pounds to help them be more environmentally friendly. The Wiltshire Wildlife Trust has been awarded a Government grant worth £90,000 over three years to help 12 communities to cut their greenhouse
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Your bright idea could win you £1,000 in competition
BUDDING entrepreneurs in Wootton Bassett can win £1,000 in a competition run by the town's Chamber of Commerce. The competition involves submitting a business plan for starting a new business within Wootton Bassett. Chosen finalists will then be invited
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People get chance to pay own tribute
PUPILS from Lyneham infants and junior schools were among those who have been signing a book of condolence to remember the men killed in the Hercules crash in Iraq on Sunday. And for the next week, any worried youngsters at the schools can talk to a counsellor
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Results query
I EXPECT many 50-something men will recognise this route. First Lethbridge Road, then Sanford Street and finally Commonweal, the history of my schooling in the 1960s, just standard, nothing remarkable. Yet I would have placed any one of my classmates
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Asylum seekers are evading immigration rules
SO Robin Tingey (EA January 28) finds Michael Howard's announcement that his party would introduce maximum quotas for asylum seekers and that Howard cares little for the most vulnerable horrifying. To me asylum seeking is just another way around immigration
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Councillors shunned volunteers
I WRITE concerning the correspondence about council cuts to the voluntary sector of the town. I hope you will forgive me for a somewhat cynical view. Last week a public event was held in the town for three days at which 51 voluntary groups displayed their
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Advice centres save us money
THE views expressed by Councillor Dickinson (Monday's Advertiser) about the work of the town's Advice Centres are immoderate and ill-informed. These groups have been supported by the local authority for years because they offer an excellent service at
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Operation English rugby
On the eve of travelling north to reconvene with their respective England squads, STUART WALMSLEY analyses three Wiltshire lads at Bath academy hand picked from the age group who will decide our rugby fate next decade. ENGLAND have more than twice as
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Bands mix-up
WE are writing in reply to the article regarding the wearing of white wristbands at Dauntsey's School, published on January 20. Dauntsey's School retains a unique sense of community and we feel that this article does not reflect the attitude of the school
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Corsham U14 7, Wootton Bassett U14 5
Bassett contained Corsham for much of the first half but it was the home side that scored first after they charged down an attempted clearance kick just outside the opposition 22. Bassett continued to fight back through a series of penetrating runs by
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Trowbridge 15, Devizes 5
IF Devizes approached this contest with the same enthusiasm as they did their cheese and wine day on Sunday, Trowbridge perhaps wouldn't have achieved their first victory over the Saddlebacks in many years. The home side were willing to do anything it
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Malmesbury 62, Trowbridge 3rd 0
AFTER the home side scored their first two tries in five minutes without a tackle being made, there wasn't much doubt as to the end result at The Worthies. Skipper Paul Hutton scored the first try of the afternoon from the first scrum. The ball passed
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Thieves target fruit machines
GAZETTE & HERALD: Offenders smashed their way into the Mill House Inn, on Methuen Park Road, Chippenham, on Sunday night, stealing the cash in the fruit machines. Between midnight and 6.40am the thieves smashed a pane of glass in the side door to
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Minety 6, Redingensians 21
A dislocated elbow for influential number eight Mark Holdsworth proved to be the turning point for Minety in Saturday's game against Berkshire side Redingensians. Following Holdsworth's withdrawal 10 minutes before the end of the game, Redingensians scored
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Pewsey 0, Corsham 111
CORSHAM set a club league record as they amassed a 17-try victory over Pewsey Vale in Saturday's encounter. The league leaders travelled to a Pewsey side shorn of their Fijiian contingent, out of action now due to an impending posting to Iraq, but they
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Hard work?
THE news that Kennet District councillors have awarded themselves a substantial increase in expense allowances prompted some very interesting letters from your correspondents. Some of the councillors, for example, who almost always describe themselves
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60 years on
This year marks the 60th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. On May 8 it will be 60 years since hostilities ceased across Europe (VE Day). Events held over the weekend of May 68 offer the opportunity for hotels, community groups, councils
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Slack attitude costs district council dear
GAZETTE & HERALD: A neighbour of Whitehall Garden Centre could be due thousands of pounds in compensation from North Wiltshire District Council after a Local Government Ombudsman found evidence of maladministration causing injustice. Mike Newbury,
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Many thanks
I would like to express my gratitude to two women and a gentleman who called the emergency services for me, as I had crashed my car on January 25. Thankfully, I was not seriously hurt, but did make a mess of my car and the road. These kind people stayed
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Caught in Catch 22 situation
It has come to my attention that this Government has delivered a double whammy to local people in its 24-hour drinking legislation, the introduction of which now has to be administered by a hard pressed local government. The Government is hitting Kennet
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Traffic gridlock will be down to councils
THE details of the proposed housing development at Quakers Walk must make most people even more aware that some of their worst fears for the future of the town will be realised. One point needs to be made clear; the massive house building in Devizes has
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Show support at Spitalcroft inquiry
Next week, on February 811, there will be yet another inquiry into an appeal by developers against rulings that prevent them from building on the former allotments at the Spitalcroft, in north east Devizes. It is being held in the Town Hall, Devizes,
