Archive
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Fresh challenge for 'tough' headteacher
HEADTEACHER Chris Dark says he does not expect to continue his policy of fining parents of truants when he arrives at Matravers School. Mr Dark, 50, has been appointed as successor to Nigel Gilhespy and will take over the reins at the Westbury school
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Company's strong sales across globe
GLOBAL cement giant Lafarge says it is confident of further financial growth in 2005 after reporting strong sales figures for the last six months. The group, which employs around 75,000 staff in 75 countries, saw its sales increase by 5.7 per cent to
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Jobs hotline
A JOBS hotline for Melksham could be installed in the library, following the closure of the town's JobCentre in December. The Church Street JobCentre was axed as part of a radical modernisation process and the launch of JobCentre Plus, leaving jobseekers
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News editor Craig is at your service
WILTSHIRE TIMES news editor Craig Evry will be up for auction at an event in Melksham to raise funds for the tsunami appeal. Mums of Melksham (MOM) are organising the 'man auction', for women over 18, which will take place on February 19 at the Assembly
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More time to see GEC estate plan
THE public have an extra two weeks to visit the plans for a 98-house development on the former GEC site in Melksham before they are discussed by the town council. Developer JS Bloor, which owns the 1.4-hectare site at Beanacre Park, has submitted an application
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Benches tribute to tragic couple
BENCHES in memory of Melksham couple Joan and Roy Clarke will be unveiled tomorrow. The two benches, at Melksham House, include plaques in memory of the couple, who were found dead in their Berryfield Park home on December 7. The town's line dancing club
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Joy as Pom back home with pups
Joy Joyce with four-year-old PippaAN elderly woman from Melksham breathed a sigh of relief after her missing £1,000 show dog was reunited with its puppies. Joy Joyce, 81, of New Lawns, believes her four-year-old Pomeranian bitch Pippa was stolen and then
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Regulars rally in memory of father and son
16512/1THE community of Melksham has pulled together to raise more than £1,000 for the unborn baby of a man who died in a tragic accident. Luke Wells, 19, of Melksham, and his father Mark, 40, of Seend Cleeve died when their tractor plunged into the Kennet
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Mum accuses school of excluding girl, 15
A MOTHER fighting for her daughter's education is demanding to know why Melksham's only secondary school is refusing to allow her to attend lessons. Rachel Smith, of Sangster Avenue, claims her daughter Jessica is being unfairly treated by the headteacher
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Man killed as car smashes into wall
16523/3A 21-YEAR-OLD man was killed after the car he was travelling in smashed into the front garden of a farm near Melksham. Jason Rawlings died after the Ford Mondeo left the road at Redstocks on the A365 at about 1am on Friday, ending up in the garden
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Water firm urges ID checks
A SPATE of distraction burglaries has led Wessex Water to warn people to always checking the identity of callers. A spokesman said: "The key message is that if you are ever in doubt of the identity of a caller, then don't let them in and call the police
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MP critical of drinking laws
A MOVE towards round-the-clock drinking in north Wiltshire have been attacked by MP James Gray. Speaking in the House of Commons this week, Mr Gray said he feared the Government's new laws on 24-hour drinking will lead to more violence and bad behaviour
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Art fun on offer over half term
FUN art sessions offering youngsters the chance to experiment with a variety of techniques are on offer over half term. The Artfull 2005 sessions for eight to 12-year-olds will be held at Dilton Marsh Memorial Hall on February 15, Paxcroft Mead Community
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Young people carriers
EIGHT new 'green machines' will make Wiltshire County Council's youth development service cheaper and more flexible. The council has replaced its ageing minibus fleet with the Toyota MPVs (Multi-Purpose Vehicle) people carriers to transport youngsters
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Appeal time is now doubled
PEOPLE refused planning permission now have longer to appeal. Applicants now have six months to appeal against a decision, twice as long as previously. The new legislation applies to all decisions made on or since October 14, 2004. Cllr Michael Mounde
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MP's backing for cancer care
WEST Wiltshire MP Andrew Murrison renewed his support for Macmillan Cancer Relief at the charity's drop-in surgery in the House of Commons. Dr Murrison gave his backing to the charity's Better Deal campaign, which exposes the huge problem of financial
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Cash will help more victims
PEOPLE affected by domestic violence in Wiltshire will be getting more support this year thanks to increased Government funding. Wiltshire County Council has been given an extra £21,000 to tackle violence in the home. Community safety manager Pippa McVeigh
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Grant to make going green easy
WILTSHIRE Wildlife Trust is to get £90,000 to cut greenhouse gases in the county. Environment minister Elliot Morley announced on Monday the trust will receive the money over three years, with the aim of reducing the emission of greenhouse gases by 20
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Festive designs
YOUNG people can enter a national competition to design Epilepsy Action's Christmas card for 2005. The competition is open to children under the age of 16. Anyone who wants to enter should submit their design on A5 paper to Epilepsy Action, Christmas
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Serve up a healthy treat for the kids
Fiona Dickens, community dietician for the Swindon and Marlborough NHS Trust and Swindon Primary Care Trust, will be giving weekly advice about how to eat healthy Childhood obesity continues to hit the headlines with Government statistics showing that
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Looking good for a day of romance
Darren Grace the Advertiser's very own Mr Motivator. Darren, leisure operations manager at the Swindon Marriott hotel, in Old Town, wants to help all our readers Get Fit For 05. So follow his weekly column and get active. With Valentine's Day just around
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Show gave 'a cut and paste' view
SHADOW health minister Dr Andrew Murrison called the Dispatches documentary a "cut and paste" version of life at the RUH. The west Wiltshire MP said he wanted hospital management to take action but raised concerns about what he called a one-sided account
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MP's warning
WEST Wiltshire MP Dr Andrew Murrison is calling for people to be on their guard after a spate of distraction burglaries in the area. He said: "Bogus callers are especially pernicious because they prey on the elderly and the vulnerable. However, they can
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Minehead Town 3, Westbury 3
WESTBURY United boss Paul Brickley believes he cost his side two points after a second half collapse on Saturday. Leading 3-0 at half-time, Westbury contrived to concede three goals in 17 second half minutes with Brickley accepting full responsibility
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Drunk fined for spoiling for a fight
A WARMINSTER man admitted his drunken behaviour had been out of order when he appeared before magistrates. Kevin Mills, 20, of Portway Lane, was fined £160 and ordered to pay £43 costs after admitting a public order offence when he appeared at Chippenham
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Offences lead to a day in jail
A WARMINSTER man was jailed for a day after admitting possessing drugs and a lock knife. Alan Hole, 35, of Cotton House Gardens, had the knife and 1.6g of cannabis resin confiscated when he was arrested on December 10. Hole admitted charges of possessing
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Kirky all set to go on the offensive
TROWBRIDGE Town manager Neil Kirkpatrick is poised to unleash his full strike force on struggling Adderbury Park in tomorrow's Hellenic League First Division home game. With wing back Gavin Eyre ruled out, Kirkpatrick is likely to change his team's formation
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FA gives the red card to long bans
WILTSHIRE TIMES EXCLUSIVE: SHORTER playing bans are to be introduced for Wiltshire footballers who pick up red and yellow cards. In a major overhaul of the discipline system, errant footballers at the grass roots level of the game are to be dealt with
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Joy as road to stay open
RESIDENTS in Warminster celebrated on Monday as plans to close a well used through road were scrapped. Town councillors had asked for a report into the possibility of closing one end of King Street, after people living there complained the road was too
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Grieving mum's binge drink plea
30174/2WILTSHIRE TIMES EXCLUSIVE: A GRIEVING mother has warned of the deadly effects of alcohol after an inquest heard that drink killed her daughter. Christine Linden, 56, said she would never forget her daughter Lita Willcox who died in Warminster in
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Hands on effort to raise cash
A MASSEUR from Bradford on Avon is organising a massage marathon to raise money for victims of the tsunami in south east Asia. Colette Lassalle, of Trowbridge Road, will be one of 15 masseurs providing free massages at the Swan Hotel on February 13. Any
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Fundraising music
Westwood-with-Iford School PTA would like to thank Prior Park Baroque for giving their time and energy to fund raise for a much needed school piano. The concert on Saturday made £421 profit. Thanks are due to Ann Monnington (one of our mums and one of
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An appeal for change
On behalf of the Friends of the Hilperton Gap (FOHG), I would like to thank the hundreds who supported our opposition to the road at last Friday's meeting. Widespread support from elected representatives and residents showed the overwhelming opposition
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Discussion was an open forum
I am writing in response to the letters in last week's Wiltshire Times about the Hilperton relief road meeting, in which concern was expressed that this council does not have open meetings that involve the public. The planning meeting held on Friday January
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Second thoughts bring good news for disabled
I AM writing to publicly thank Dr Ray Jones and his colleagues at County Hall for the prompt reinstatement of much of the day care service, which was so peremptorily cancelled two weeks ago. Would it be silly of me, therefore, to anticipate that this
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Film review - Ocean's Twelve (12A)
Three years after Danny Ocean (Clooney) and card shark Rusty Ryan (Pitt) masterminded the daring heist of $160 million from arrogant casino owner Terry Benedict (Garcia), the various members of the Ocean crew are struggling to turn legit. Danny's wife
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Cash available for adult learners
ORGANISERS of the UK's largest festival of adult learning are on the look out for nominations from Swindon for an awards evening. Every year the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education receives more than 1,000 nominations for its Adult Learners
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School touched by Iraq tragedy
LYNEHAM villagers are beginning to come to terms with the enormity of the Hercules crash. The village is still quiet and sombre, five days after the tragedy which killed eight airmen from the RAF base. But Cathy Stanford, the headteacher at Lyneham Infants
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Youngsters talk their way to raising cash for charity
CHILDREN at a Swindon nursery couldn't keep their tongues still when they took up the Chatterbox Challenge. The youngsters at the Jigsaw Day Nursery in Pipers Way are hoping they have raised £200 for charity by singing songs and telling stories. The cash
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Addict who breached bail sent for treatment
A DRUG addict has been sent to a special rehabilitation centre by magistrates. Terri-Lee Pearce, 22, of Westbury Road, Penhill, appeared before magistrates yesterday and admitted breaching her bail conditions. The prostitute and drug addict appeared before
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You can stick this rubbish!
Pensioner takes a sack of trash to Swindon council offices in protest over collection A PARKINSON'S disease sufferer kick-ed up a stink at Swindon Council offices by taking an uncollected rubbish sack to its door-step in his wheelchair. Pensioner Jim
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Labour joy over election victory
THE Labour Party has pegged back one seat on Swindon Council after a by-election victory. Peter Mallinson beat the Conservatives by 120 votes in the Walcot poll, sparked by the resignation of Tory Laura Holiday. The Lib Dems came third while there was
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Same again for Bassett
IN-FORM Wootton Bassett will stick to a winning formula for tomorrow's Southern Counties South home clash with Trowbridge. The joint leaders will aim to keep up the pressure on Frome, who currently occupy the summit on points difference, following their
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Not for us!
SWINDON coach John Brown has dismissed talk of revenge ahead of his side's potential title-decider at home to Chipping Norton at Greenbridge Road tomorrow. Victory for the hosts would take them four points clear of the Oxfordshire outfit at the top of
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Estate vows to fight on over phone mast
PROTESTERS have vowed to carry on their fight to stop a 50ft mobile phone mast being put on their doorsteps, despite it being given the go-ahead. Mobile phone firm O2 plan to put the mast on land opposite Wiltshire College, to the dismay of people living
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Residents study choices for play area
30161/1PROPOSALS for a revamped play area on a Trowbridge estate went on show on Monday and attracted a lot of interest. People living on the College estate have been calling for the play area at Beech Grove to be given a facelift and were keen to see
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Violent teen jailed for bottle attack
A TROWBRIDGE teenager has been jailed for two years for a bottle attack in the town centre last year. Anthony Gibbings, 19, of Southway, was sentenced at Swindon Crown Court on Friday for committing assault with intent to rob. Gibbings attacked Matthew
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Police go back to school in bid to involve youth
30156/1POLICE are becoming a familiar sight in a Trowbridge school as part of a new initiative in the town. Police Community Support Officers are holding monthly drop-in sessions at the John of Gaunt School to try and build a better relationship with
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Victim still 'gravely ill' after attack
Asa FreemanAsa Freeman, a 32-year-old man injured in an incident in Silver Street, Trowbridge, on January 8 remains gravely ill in Bristol's Frenchay Hospital. Four teenagers from the town have appeared at Swindon Crown Court charged with causing grievous
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Ushers site owner hits back at rival's remarks
THE owner of the former Ushers bottling plant in Trowbridge has hit back after criticism that its redevelopment plans do not harmonise with the Vision for Trowbridge. Borric Properties Ltd has criticised developer and site owner Mystique and submitted
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70 years without a real argument
30153A COUPLE who were born and bred in Trowbridge celebrated 70 years of marriage yesterday. Ken Grist, 94, and his wife Gwendoline, 90, met at a fair in Trowbridge and married at St Thomas' Church. The couple had two children, Heather, who died in her
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An uphill battle for Purton against leaders
IT'S bottom versus top in the Wiltshire Premier Division this weekend when Purton Reserves take on leaders Corsham Town at the Red House, writes RAY BURROUGHS. Purton boss Gary Brown has kept his troops going despite some disappointing results and a defeat
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Test for understrength Calne
CALNE'S four-month unbeaten run in the Screwfix First Division will be tested at Ilfracombe. Kelvin Highmore is still without the quartet of Matt and Ryan Pratley, Eddy Drury and Danny Jones who are on a skiing trip. Darren Smart could make the trip though
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Fish has his Phil
HIGHWORTH look to have won the tug-of-war over Phil Corcoran. The striker has signed Hellenic League forms for John Fisher's side and seems set to complete a permanent switch from Southern League Cirencester. Supermarine and Witney were also chasing the
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Robot gets on well with MEP
SOUTH west MEP Graham Watson has shaken the hand of the most advanced advanced humanoid robot in the world. Mr Watson met ASIMO in Brussels and was impressed with the groundbreaking work. Honda engineers developed it as part of ongoing research into cognitive
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Housing future
THE draft South West Regional Housing Strategy has gone out for consultation. People can now have their say on future housing in Swindon. It is at southwesthousingbody.org.uk with guidance on how to respond by April 26.
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Residents out in force
RESIDENTS of Cricklade turned out in force to preserve the identity of the ancient Saxon town. About 100 people attended the meeting to voice their fears about possible urban development in the Swindon area which local people believe could compromise
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'Beagle 2 was a waste of space'
THE ill-fated Beagle 2 Mars probe should never have been given the go-ahead by the European Space Agency, an official report claims. Beagle 2 vanished without trace on Christmas Day 2003, while attempting to land on Mars to search for signs of life. A
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Developer won't alter 'eyesore' fence until May
HOUSING developer Wainhomes has said it will wait until May before it makes any alterations to a controversial steel fence at Vowley View, Wootton Bassett. Wainhomes had agreed to alter the fence, which was erected in December, after local residents campaigned
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Could you be a true friend to a young person?
WILTSHIRE'S Independent Visitor Scheme is looking to recruit people across the county to offer support to young people. The scheme is aimed at visiting, befriending and supporting young people who are 'looked after' by the local authority in foster, residential
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Branch out with your knowledge
VISITORS to Coate Water can learn about varieties of tree at a special event. Winter Tree Identification will take place on Sunday, February 13 from 2pm to 3.30pm. The event will aim to help to identify particular trees in winter. Without the help of
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Cash for climate projects
WILTSHIRE Wildlife Trust is one of 36 organisations benefiting from grants worth £6.75 million over three years. The money from the Department For Environment Food And Rural Affairs' environmental action fund will help support the projects, deliver sustainable
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Firefighter's friends safe after flats blaze horror
A SWINDON firefighter is relieved after discovering his friends were not involved in Wednesday morning's fatal fire in Stevenage. The Advertiser reported that Antony Bholah, 32, trained with the Hertfordshire Fire And Rescue Service and then worked as
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Small charities offered help
A CHARITY created in 1912 by Queen Alexandra is offering to help Swindon charities working with children and the elderly. The Alexandra Rose Day Charity aims to help to small charities working with children, especially those who are disabled. It helps
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Events give education advice
PARENTS and carers can find out all about provision for children with special educational needs in Swindon with a programme of events starting next week. The Swindon Parent Partnership Service is starting its annual Supporting Parents Information Network
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Fears over plans for regional fire control room
CONSERVATIVE Fire spokes-man Philip Hammond has attacked the Government for putting its political agenda ahead of public safety. The Government intends to announce the location of the eight new Regional Control Centres, which will replace the 45 existing
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A close encounter
THE government's very own X-Files have revealed a series of fascinating UFO sightings over Wiltshire and even one over Swindon. The documents, collected by the Ministry of Defence from military personnel and members of the public, have been revealed under
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It's just a scam
CANOODLING couples are being warned not to buy roses from flower-sellers claiming to be charity fundraisers. Police say hawkers can make a good profit from the scam, buying flowers for as little as 15p wholesale and selling them for between £2 and £3.
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Fresh plea for news of scooter
AMPUTEE Fred Cox has renewed his appeal for help to trace his stolen electric scooter. Mr Cox, 83 of Walcot, parked his £1,250 Shoprider Scooter while he went on a shopping trip. He left it outside Shopmobility, in the Wyvern car park, while he borrowed
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'I'm ready for the real thing'
A WOMAN who took part in Swindon's very own Big Brother has decided to apply for the real thing. Claire Hodge, 19, came fifth in the charity 'Big Bruvva' event run at the Swiss Chalet pub. There the aim was to stay in the 'house' for 24 hours but if she
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Bands get in tune to help Prospect
TOP talent will come together to raise cash for Prospect Hospice in Wroughton. Bands, including Penfold and Locomotion, will perform in the Winners' Lounge at Swindon Town Football Club on Wednes-day April 6, starting at 8pm. There will also be a performance
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Thanks a lot
TSUNAMI APPEAL: THE Advertiser's tsunami appeal has raised nearly £7,000. A cheque for £6,860 is now winging its way to the Disaster Emergency Committee, the umbrella organisation which co-ordinates the British response to major disasters around the world
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Forestry skills are preserved
GREEN-fingered volunteers are being urged to find out more about coppicing in an area of ancient woodland. The event, organised by Swindon Rangers, is looking for people to go along have a go at coppicing and managing ancient woodland in Peatmoor. The
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Our pupils buck truanting trend
SWINDON is bucking the national trend on truancy. New figures show a multi-million pound Government drive to reduce the number of schoolchildren playing hookey is failing. Since the campaign was launched in 2002, the truancy rate has remained steady at
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Chilling words
REGARDING the court martial in Germany of British soldiers charged with ill-treating Iraqi prisoners. I find their defence statements rather chilling: "I was just doing what I was told." This is what Adolf Eichmann said in his defence of the transportation
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Remembered
When the National Association of Schoolmasters and the Union of Women Teachers amalgamated to form NAT/UWT in the mid 70s, Christine Maslen, who died on January 22, this year, was one of several UWT members who immediately took an active part in the local
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Warden right
I disagree with your headline regarding the traffic warden and the mayor's car. The mayor was at fault, which he has admitted publicly, and not the traffic warden. However long or short the ceremony was, in this day and age there was no reason why the
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Mentors are waste of money
WHAT is happening to Swindon council? The present incumbents seem incapable of making a decision so the cabinet members are now to get a mentor. It means a man with over 30 years as a councillor needs a mentor, how demeaning! If he needs advice then surely
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Staff numbers don't affect bugs
IN response to the letter from BW Breakspear (January 25) I feel I must point out that there is absolutely no link between staffing numbers and outbreaks of diarrhoea and vomiting. The bugs which cause D&V are often brought in from the community by
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King in driving seat as Walsh makes a move
ANDY KING remains firmly in the County Ground driving seat although Mike Walsh, pictured, is no longer there to ride shotgun. The Town boss has also made it crystal clear that he is not interested in a director of football role and nor is he happy about
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Search your home for a bit of history
16525/1WESTBURY residents are being encouraged to dig their gardens and rummage through their attics in search of history. A What Have You Found? day is being organised by Westbury Visitor Centre for archaeologists to pass an expert eye over the finds
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Musical tribute to a much-loved man
Graham MilesTHE life of one of Westbury's best-known sons will be celebrated with a concert marking what would have been his 70th birthday. Graham Miles died in June 2002, and was such a popular and well-known person that over 500 people turned up for
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Shockwaves from Lafarge scandal
A FORMER welder at Westbury Cement Works has spoken of his shock at the 'concrete cancer' scandal engulfing the Lafarge-owned plant. Albert Rowland, 86, of Oldfield Road, Westbury, worked at the factory for 20 years until 1983 and was a trade union shop
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Getting ready for summer
BIDDESTONE Cricket Club indoor nets commence on Sunday, from 9.30am to 11.30am at the Springfield Sports Centre, Corsham. Biddestone run four senior teams on a Saturday, the 1st and 2nd XI playing in the Glos/Wilts Division Two of the West of England
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Fined for swearing at police
A MAN from Melksham told a court he had given up boozing after his latest brush with the police. Todd McEntegart, 21, of Woodstock Gardens, had drunk 10 cans of lager when he was arrested after shouting and swearing at officers on January 7. He admitted
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Talks on future of care home
NEGOTIATIONS are taking place about the future of Waverley House in Melksham. The former care home was closed in June last year amid a flurry of protests. Now Wiltshire County Council, which owns the building, is in talks with West Wiltshire Housing Society
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Sympathy put drinker at the wheel
MOTORIST Lel Boulton claimed fears for her friend's safety prompted her to drive while over the alcohol limit. The 43-year-old Melksham woman said she drove her friend's car to help her escape her threatening ex-partner. Boulton, of Padfield Gardens,
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Pledge a promise for auction
THE FRIENDS of Melksham's Queensway Centre for autistic children will be holding an auction of promises to raise funds for children's activities. They are appealing for promises to be pledged for the event, to be held next month. West Wiltshire MP Dr
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Anger led to attack on home
POLICE found Mark Skuse hiding under a bush after he smashed a window at his pregnant ex-partner's house. Skuse, 29, went to his former partner's home in Melksham in the early hours of November 27 after he had been drinking, but she was not there. Michelle
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No to plan for gypsy caravan
A BID for a gypsy caravan site in Melksham has been turned down. The proposed site for a single caravan would have been north of Western Way, a few yards from the River Avon. The application aimed to raise the level of the land by one metre to provide
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Store is hit for the second time
A HAUL of cigarettes worth about £5,000 has been stolen from a Day and Night shop in Melksham. Thieves broke into the Jones Day and Night shop on Granville Road in the early hours of Tuesday morning. The break-in, which took place at about 3.15am, was
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Climber aiming high for charity
30157/1A TELECOMS engineer from Melksham plans to take on the gruelling challenge of scaling Britain's three highest peaks in just 36 hours. Marc Bolwell, 28, of Daisy Close, will tackle the Three Peaks Challenge in September, raising money for the Meningitis
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Novel ways to gain fund
TSUNAMI AID: CHILDREN and staff at a Melksham primary school used imaginative methods to raise more than £1,400 for the tsunami appeal. Each class at Lowbourne Junior School thought up a different way to raise sponsorship last week. Some classes spent
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Mostly Bros
MENSWEAR chain Moss Bros, which has a store in the Outlet Centre, announced sales up seven per cent over Christmas. The group said its Moss, Cecil Gee and Hugo Boss all delivered growth and it expects annual profits in line with market expectations. Sales
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Rachel runs it
FORMER county schools runner Rachel Hardaker was quick off the blocks to win a place with King Sturge's surveying team. Rachel, of Stroud, is in the professional and management department. She will look after a selection of properties in portfolios including
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Cards just for the memories
ALDBOURNE firm Catalus has launched a range of memory cards. Catalus has a deal to supply digital camera memory cards to Tesco, and now has launched cards to store pictures, text messages, ringtones and video clips for mobiles and MP3s. Manager Jon Blows
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Magazine racks out of hayracks
A B&B is celebrating being the first in the Swindon area to win the coveted five-diamond AA rating. Graham and Christine Saunders married in 1969 and spent the first year of their life together living and working at Bagbury Farm in Purton, which belonged
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Your house on TV
A TELEVISION company is looking for homeowners in Wiltshire to feature in a new documentary. Channel 4 documentary team Mentorn is looking for people who bought their council homes in the 1980s for the show to mark the 25th anniversary of the right-to-buy
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Exercise is a labour of love
GET FIT FOR 05: IT takes two to exercise at least that's true for Les and Brenda Craft. Les, 66, has persuaded his wife Brenda, 60, to join him on the quest to Get Fit For '05. So the couple, from Lower Stratton, are going to the gym together in a bid
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Army life today is explained
Business people and leaders of Wiltshire communities were given an insight into Today's Modern Army on Wednesday. More than 250 invited guests packed into the theatre at the Land Warfare Centre in Warminster to watch a multi- media presentation which
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Dramatic insight for councillors
BUDDING young actors are being sought to help teach newly elected councillors about the council following elections in May. Wiltshire County Council is looking for aspiring thespians, aged between 14 and 18 to work with the Big State Theatre Company and
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Duplicate boxes used in con trick
POLICE are searching for a woman who used a trick to steal cigarettes from supermarkets around west Wiltshire. The woman targeted the Tesco superstore, County Way, Trowbridge, at 3pm on December 16. Just 45 minutes later she committed a similar offence
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Hammers were broken in rail crash
PASSENGERS involved in the Berkshire rail smash which killed a grandfather from Warminster were unable to use safety hammers to escape the wreckage. A report into the crash that killed Leslie Matthews, 71, of Ludlow Close, along with six others, found
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RUH to face probe in wake of report
CLEANLINESS and nursing practises at the Royal United Hospital will come under greater scrutiny in the wake of a Channel 4 undercover documentary. Dispatches: Undercover Angels, screened on Monday night, has prompted a patient watchdog to take action
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Students discover the horrors of Auschwitz
16504/9On the 60th anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi concentration camps, do younger generations know enough about the atrocities that took place? Liz Richardson reports on how west and north Wiltshire schools marked the official Memorial Day
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Corsham Town 3, Odd Down 1
CORSHAM manager Colin Bush praised his players after a battling display gave the in-form side their ninth consecutive Screwfix League Division One win on Tuesday night. Bush also praised the guests at the Southbank who put up a brave performance and pushed
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Skidmore in double swoop
BIDDESTONE boss Gary Skidmore is planning a swoop for two of his former stars in a bid to save his side's Screwfix League status. Seven days' notice of approach have been made for Corsham Town's Jamie Lyons and Melksham Town's John O'Meara, players who
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Motorists speed trapped
TWO illegal drivers were each ordered to pay £635 in fines and costs after police snared their cars in a speed trap on the A36 Warminster bypass. Rebecca Holton, 32, was clocked at 83mph in her Volvo on the A36, which has a 60mph limit, at 12.45pm on
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Free IT course in Warminster
ASPIRING computer buffs have the chance to learn new skills with free IT lessons in Warminster. Wiltshire College are offering a free six-hour beginners' IT course, which begins on February 23. It covers basic word processing, using the internet and e-mail
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Pitch shortage sparks fixture switch
THE chronic shortage of football pitches in west Wiltshire has forced the Trowbridge League to take drastic action to compete this season's fixtures. Two of the three Division Three sides, Apetito and The Stiffs, who stage home matches at the John of
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Teenage hot-shot guns down Saints
DIVISION Three leaders St Andrews lost pole position for the first time this season after two referees arrived to take control of their crunch top of the table battle at Lavington. Trowbridge-based Richard Hatt was originally assigned to the Northbrook
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Bradford suffer surprise defeat
BRADFORD Town were knocked off the top of the Premier Division when they went down to a surprise 1-0 defeat at Westbury United Reserves. Gerry Spence scored the only goal of the game a couple of minutes from time. Corsham Town Reserves took over pole
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Andy's happy to be the underdog
TROWBRIDGE Town midfielder Andy Bloodworth is enjoying life as an underdog after knowing all about the pressures of high expectations. Ahead of a challenging next seven days that will see the Bees continue their assault on three fronts, Bloodworth insists
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WI appreciate Aussie culture
30164/1A VOICE from Australia could be heard booming across the Warminster Assembly Rooms on Monday. Australian poet Mick Leigh, of King Alfred Way, Winsley, spoke to members of the Women's Institute about his country and his work. Mr Leigh was speaking
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Crash driver may have dozed off
A FATAL crash on the A303 near Warminster in July was most likely caused by a driver dozing off at the wheel. At an inquest in Salisbury on Wednesday, Wiltshire Coroner David Masters heard 60-year-old Colin Summers died after the car in which he was travelling
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Loco tribute for rail worker
16526/09LONGLEAT rail worker John Hayton has been riding round the estate this week on the locomotive named after him. Mr Hayton, 65, of Keyford, Frome, was honoured for 30 years of work on the estate. Lord Bath, owner of Longleat, unveiled the £750,000
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Soldiers charged after clashes with civilians
POLICE are working with the military to stamp out violence in Warminster and Westbury after a weekend of fighting between soldiers and civilians. More than 10 soldiers were arrested during the "nightmare" weekend and police said they were working hard
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Still the same after all these years as schoolfriends reunite
16513/5OLD schoolfriends were reunited for the first time in 43 years in Bradford on Avon at the weekend. A group of 23 former pupils of Rodbourne College, Bathford, gathered at the Leigh Park Hotel to recall childhood tales on Saturday. Andy Frazer,
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Insight into Tory heights
30155/3ONE of Margaret Thatcher's former aides gave a revealing insight into life alongside the Iron Lady in a talk in Bradford on Avon on Friday. Sir Archie Hamilton, former MP for Epsom and Ewell, gave an enlightening talk on his time in politics at
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Warning to walkers to be safe, be seen
16519POLICE are warning pedestrians that walking along roads without reflective clothing could be dangerous. The move comes after a man was struck by an articulated lorry in Bradford on Avon on Monday morning. The road was closed for more than an hour
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Mother's thanks
I WOULD like to thank all those who attended my daughter Joan Clarke's funeral and her husband Roy Clarke, also those who came from Oldham to attend and my friends for their support in my grief. Thanks also to the Rev Derek Smith for his services at Wiltshire
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NHS Trust will welcome you to its meeting
READERS may like to know that on 9 February 9 the next monthly public trust board meeting of the Royal United Hospital will be taking place from 10.15am in the Council Chamber of Devizes Town Council. Our decision to hold the meeting in Devizes is part
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Government does not provide high level of protection
Lafarge can't get away with burning RLFs in France but our Government will not give us the same protection. The current issue of Lafarge supplying a potentially dangerous substandard product is dismissed by them as a 'minor technical issue. we are asked
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We can all be proud of our up-and-coming footballers
I AM writing this on the back of a breathtaking football match last Sunday between Trowbridge Wanderers Under 12s and Westbury Youth Under 12s, of the Red division. Both teams sit proudly at the summit of their division and battling hard to win their
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Hilperton Gap could end up as concrete jungle
HAVING taken the time to attend the planning meeting of West Wiltshire District Council on Friday last (January 28) please allow me to express my sorrow for the residents of Hill Street et al, in Hilperton, that have their lives blighted by the passage
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Car hired to use in drug deals
A FORMER town centre security guard who rented a car for drug dealers to use to peddle heroin across Swindon has been jailed for a year. Sean Neil was paid £100 a week to hire a Fiat Stilo in his name and allow it to be used as transport for people selling
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Landlord fined for 'house of squalor'
A LANDLORD has been fined by magistrates for letting his tenants live in squalor with filthy toilets, water leaks and cables trailing dangerously across stairways. David Gibney lives in a large detached house with two cars in the drive in Okus Road while
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DANGER ZONE: Getting in this ambulance could seriously damage your health
THE boss of Wiltshire Ambulance Trust has admitted that cleaning standards are not up to scratch and could pose a health risk. His admission follows claims from a paramedic that dirty ambulances are putting patients' health at risk. The medic fears efforts
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The Pillowman - Theatre Royal
FEBRUARY 8 - 12 2005, BATH: One of the stars of award-winning The Pillowman is promising twists and surprises in the gripping new thriller which opens at the Theatre Royal, Bath next week. Victoria Pembroke, pictured right, who lives in Lyneham, plays
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Police hunt for joyriding motorcylist
POLICE are hunting for a joyrider who took a motorbike for a spin on a Trowbridge recreation ground. The £1,500 red Yamaha Neos was taken from a garage in Bradford Road, Trowbridge, between 7am on Monday and 7.30am on Tuesday. The joyrider hotwired the
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Christmas run raises £1,000
WHILE most people were opening Christmas presents one Trowbridge man was pounding the streets and this week handed over nearly £1,000 to charity. Chris Stickland, of Cockhill, raised £987 for Dorothy House after running from Bath to Trowbridge on December
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'The scene resembled a surrealist painting'
TSUNAMI AID: DR Joel Almeida, Trowbridge medical doctor and musician, spent two weeks in India following the tsunami disaster in Asia on Boxing Day. His first-person account of his experiences will be serialised in the Wiltshire Times over the next few
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Students could be young entrepreneurs of future
16508YOUNG businessmen and women were getting a taste of the retail market in Trowbridge at the weekend. Teams of students taking part in this year's Young Enterprise competition were in The Shires shopping centre on Saturday to unveil their products
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Hunt for missing woman
Rachael O'ConnorPOLICE are appealing for a woman missing from her Trowbridge home for seven days to get in touch. Rachael O'Connor, 37, of Dovecote Close, has not been seen since February 28. Miss O'Connor is described as 5ft 7in tall, of slim build,
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Voice for teenagers aims to help charity
YOUNG people at the three Trowbridge secondary schools are banding together to help cancer sufferers. Trowbridge Town Youth Council has launched a project to collect copper coins from pupils at St Augustine's Catholic College, the Clarendon College and
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Estate to clear up its image
PEOPLE living on a troubled Trowbridge estate are pulling together to try and make things better. Recent figures issued by The Wiltshire and Swindon Drugs Audit showed the town's Adcroft ward, including the Seymour estate, has more crime per 1,000 people
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Youths wait for news on skatepark scheme
YOUNGSTERS in Trowbridge will have a wait a little longer to find out if they are going to get a new skatepark. A planning application to build new facilities at Stallards Park was deferred for further information by Trowbridge Town Council on Tuesday
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Workers facing lean time as hours axed
WORKERS at a bed factory in Trowbridge are facing an uncertain future as their working week is scaled back for the second time in a year. Employees at Airsprung, in Canal Road, will revert to a shorter week from Monday as the firm tries to reduce the
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School takes the long view on history
30159CHILDREN at a Trowbridge primary school are planning to be around when history is uncovered there. Pupils at Paxcroft School buried a time capsule on Monday to mark the opening of a new building. Headteacher Liz Bannister said: "They were quite excited
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Shoeboxes full of supplies
16520TSUNAMI AID: CHILDREN at a Trowbridge nursery have been filling shoeboxes to help with the aid effort. More than 100 boxes have been brought in to Just Learning nursery, Paxcroft Mead, full of supplies. Deputy manager Karina Benison said: "We put
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Mayor opens home for charity sale
16507THE mayor of Trowbridge opened up her home in aid of charity at the weekend. Cllr Grace Hill held a second-hand clothes sale on Saturday to raise money for her chosen mayoral charities, The Hope Nature Centre and Stepping Stones. She said: "We had
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War veteran recalls days of Great Escape
16535/1A TROWBRIDGE man who was a prisoner of war at the camp immortalised in the classic film The Great Escape has retraced his steps to freedom. Ivor Harris, 84, a former Flight Lieutenant with the RAF, returned to Stalag Luft III in Sagan, Poland last
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Schools join forces to organise sale
16490/3TSUNAMI AID: Youngsters from the Studley Green and Larkrise schools got together to come up with fundraising ideas to help the clean-up operation after the Boxing Day disaster in Asia. Annie Nankivell, assistant head at Studley Green School, said
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Gap decision stalled as councillors delay vote
30158/5A CRUNCH meeting to decide the fate of the Hilperton Gap ended in a stalemate on Friday. Over 300 people turned up to a special meeting of West Wiltshire District Council's planning committee at the Civic Hall, Trowbridge. Councillors decided to
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Grieving mum's binge drink plea
30174/2WILTSHIRE TIMES EXCLUSIVE: A GRIEVING mother has warned of the deadly effects of alcohol after an inquest heard that drink killed her daughter. Christine Linden, 56, said she would never forget her daughter Lita Willcox who died in Warminster in
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Fixtures and teams
SOUTHERN LEAGUE Premier Division: Bedford v Solihull B, Chesham v Bath City, Grantham v Chippenham, Hitchin v Tiverton, Kings Lynn v Cirenceste, Merthyr v Dunstable, Rugby v Halesowen. Division One West: Bedworth v Taunton, Bromsgrove v Burnham, Cinderford
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Collier misses out again ahead
ANOTHER week, another knock-back for Mark Collier. Enraged by a sloppy midweek defeat at Bracknell, the mood of the Supermarine boss was hardly lightened by top target Phil Corcoran's apparent decision to join Highworth. That comes a fortnight after Calne
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Help steer rail firm's future
Customers who regularly use First Great Western and First Great Western Link trains are being asked their views on the company's future direction. The company is inviting customers to become members of a special customer panel. Members will meet regularly
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Protests as top match tickets go in 36 hours
TICKETS for all the 16 qualifying matches in the Fish O'Mania competition were all sold within 36 hours of going on sale, but there was some criticism by local anglers of the system used. Application forms were issued through fishery owners, Angling Times
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Carers to be rewarded
THE search is on for the best childcare professionals of 2005 in Swindon for this year's Childcare Stars Awards. Organised by childcare charity 4Children and sponsored by the Government's Sure Start Unit, the national awards are presented to outstanding
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It's party time for kids
A children's party group has organised a marathon day of fun for youngsters to raise money for charity. The Little Maestro's Music Group will be hosting parties throughout the day on Saturday February 19 at the Old School Room, in Aldbourne. The organiser
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Business lounge is first class for rail travellers
Swindon-based train operator First Great Western has opened a new business lounge at London Paddington. The £300,000 development on platform one provides a free walk-in facility for first class customers. It offers a meeting room, Internet facilities
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More help for assault victims
VIOLENT sex attacks against women are still going unreported. Now the Home Office has launched a new handbook to encourage more victims to go to the police. The guide is designed to make women aware of how sexually violent crimes are investigated and
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Out of the frying pan into the fire
CHEF soldier Private Antonio Brunetti is hard at work tossing pancakes and is passing on his tips for Shrove Tuesday next week. But his career as a pancake chef will be only temporary his job will see him cooking for heads of state, soldiers and Army
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Risk the drop to save lives
DAREDEVIL philanthropists could help save lives with a charity abseil in Swindon in June. Adventurers are being urged to book early for the chance to abseil 100ft down the WH Smith building in Greenbridge Road on June 12. The event will raise money for
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School is in the mood to party
It was party time at a Swindon school as staff and students celebrated a successful Ofsted report. Churchfields School has been transformed from a failing school to a good one in the past five years. And headteacher Steve Flavin invited more than 100
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Get a first taste of festival's fun
OLD Town Festival organisers have given a taster of what to expect at this year's summer spectacular. Historic re-enactments, jazz music, continental markets and the now familiar procession will be among the highlights of the event, which will take place
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Germans set to enjoy Victorian author's work
SWINDON-BORN author Richard Jefferies has had two of his books translated into German for the first time since they were published in the 19th century. One of the books, The Story of My Heart, an autobiography, describes in the opening pages how the walk
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Appeal to help heart charity
HEART Research is on the lookout for residents in Swindon who are interested in promoting healthy lifestyles and are willing to volunteer to give talks to schools and community groups in their area. Anyone who can communicate with adults and children,
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How dirty is your neighbour's home?
A TV production company is appealing for people to appear on their makeover show. Ricochet South, who are behind Channel Five's How Not to Decorate, wants to hear from anyone interested in appearing on new show Extreme Spring Clean. The programme is being
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Fair trade businesses are wanted
SWINDON Fairtrade Coalition is about to submit its bid for Fairtrade status to the Fairtrade Foundation, in London. And it wants to make sure all supporters are included. Any businesses which support fair trade by selling or serving two or more Fairtrade
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Caring hotel staff play Santa to good causes
STAFF and management at a Swindon hotel have been busy raising money for a couple of good causes. Staff at the Blunsdon House Hotel gave £2,000 from their Christmas tips towards the Tsunami appeal and now the hotel has donated £3,500 to the Prospect Hospice
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Gyms under fire for small print
CAMPAIGNERS are warning people in Swindon to beware of gyms using unscrupulous sales tactics to sign-up new members. The Citizens Advice Bureau has received a number of complaints from people who agreed to join clubs, only to find themselves trapped if
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Library users call the tune
WILTSHIRE'S library users are now able to pick up DVDs of top chart performers in concert. The ever-increasing range of DVDs is available to order at all of Wiltshire's libraries including Wootton Bassett, Calne and Chippenham. There are DVDs of classic
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Pay levels on the up for county
A NEW survey reveals that pay in southern England is among the best in the UK. Only those employees who are working in London can expect to earn more. Recruitment and human resources company Kelly Services, which carried out the research, says this reflects
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Volunteers are needed to help with Mela
AN OPEN meeting for the 2005 Swindon Mela is being held next Tuesday. The meeting, at the Civic Offices, is open to all sections of the Swindon community interested in being involved in the spectacular community festival. Those who want to get involved
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Hard to stomach
I SYMPATHISE with P West (Letters, January 31) who is disgusted to find the contents of so many mouths fouling our streets. Many times I've had the misfortune to encounter the products of antisocial behaviour in the town centre's public telephone boxes
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Good for mum
I WOULD like to thank Melinda Messenger for talking such sense in the Advertiser when she said mothers should be helped by the government to stay at home to raise their children. I've always believed children are happier and more secure having a parent
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Swindon 2nds 18, Westbury 0
WESTBURY travelled to Swindon with a weakened side. With almost half the first team regulars unavailable, team manager Paul Cussons had to draw heavily from the seconds and the services of Ed Tout and veterans' captain Max Bignall. From the kick-off Westbury
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Close down a third of pubs
BINGE drinking is a major problem but it could be more serious in Swindon because the council has greatly increased the number of public houses and night clubs in order to increase revenue. This is not joined up thinking as there are increased costs of
