Archive
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Britain in four days
16147/6GAZETTE & HERALD: RUNNING enthusiast Anthony Kane was the first person to complete a rigorous challenge set by the Olympiad Leisure Centre. Participants had to exercise as if they were travelling the country in the 'Around Britain in 40 Days
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Concerns about traffic risk from homes plan
GAZETTE & HERALD: Chippenham residents could suffer traffic chaos because of an ambitious plan to provide environmentally friendly housing and jobs in Chippenham, according to district councillors. District council planners have devised a master plan
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Dynamo's huge haul
16182/3GAZETTE & HERALD: Mini dynamo Shaun Dunford has netted a bagful of medals in the Dwarf Athletic Association UK National Games. The 11-year-old Kington Langley lad, who attends Grittleton House Junior School, is just over three feet (one metre
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Girl praised for bravery
GAZETTE & HERALD: AN 11-year-old schoolgirl has been commended by police for fighting off a robber who tried to steal her backpack. The Sheldon School pupil was cutting through the sports ground on Bristol Road to get to school when the would-be thief
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Disabled girl's dreams come true at the double
16170/1GAZETTE & HERALD: LITTLE Danielle Jefferies' dream holiday swimming with dolphins promises to be even better following the arrival of her new specialist pushchair. The eight-year-old will travel to Florida on Monday with the Dreams Come True
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Family to fight for murdered man's son
Toby CharnaudGAZETTE & HERALD: THE Chippenham family of murdered Thai bar owner Toby Charnaud hope to gain custody of his five-year-old son Daniel. His father and sister flew to Thailand this week to help police with their investigations. Mr Charnaud
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Pupils facing expulsion over lunch break drugs
Gerard MacMahonGAZETTE & HERALD: TWO teenagers face expulsion from Sheldon School after it is believed they took drugs in their lunch break on Tuesday. Headteacher Gerard MacMahon held a special assembly yesterday to warn other pupils of the dangers
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Fall victim says thanks
16175/2GAZETTE & HERALD: FALL victim Terry Barnes has returned home and thanked the workman who helped him after he fell from a ladder as he cleaned his windows. The 65-year-old of King Alfred Street, Chippenham, spent a week in Bath's Royal United
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Town's United target
EXCLUSIVE: ANDY King is in talks to try and bring Manchester United's Paul Tierney to the County Ground. The Town boss has told the Evening Advertiser that the Old Trafford left-back, has already been sounded out about the move and that a former Wiltshire
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Hall in need of chairman
GAZETTE & HERALD: THE future of Neston village hall was hanging by a thread when key positions on the management committee could not be filled. A new treasurer and a booking clerk have been found, saving the hall from closure, but a chairman is still
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Burnt-out nursery celebrates its rebirth
GAZETTE & HERALD: A CORSHAM nursery that was targeted by arsonists last summer is celebrating with new owners. Kim Drew and Fiona Smith were in the process of buying the Honey Pot Pre-school, which is in the grounds of Corsham Regis Primary School
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Post Office reward of £5,000 to catch raiders
GAZETTE & HERALD: A reward of £5,000 has been offered in a desperate bid to catch the armed raiders who attacked 75-year-old Corsham postmaster Richard Tovell. Thousands of pounds have been stolen from a number of Wiltshire post offices in a spate
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Kebab shop wins right to stay despite protests
16197/02GAZETTE & HERALD: It's business as usual for a kebab and pizza shop in Corsham's conservation area despite a plea from Councillor Peter Davis to refuse permission for the takeaway in such a picturesque corner of the town. Members of North
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Youth festival success
16160/9GAZETTE & HERALD: MORE than 100 youngsters turned out for the first Corsham Youth Festival on Saturday to see what their town had to offer them. The action-packed day of fun activities was planned for Corsham's young people in a bid to tackle
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Illness allows Tories to grab chairmen's roles
THE Tories staged a dramatic coup of some of the most important jobs on North Wiltshire District Council on Tuesday evening. Illness among the ranks of the ruling Liberal Democrats allowed Christine Crisp to grab the job as council chairman from Dianne
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Walking to help school put Spring in its step
WHETHER it's a leisurely stroll or a vigorous hike, the Gazette is appealing to all it's readers to join a sponsored walk around the grounds of Bowood to raise money for the Springboard Appeal next month. The walk, on June 26, will be started by the Gazette's
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Skate park to share
Raw Meet a new mobile skatepark for North Wiltshire and Devizes will soon be hitting the streets. The facility for young people will be launched in Wootton Bassett on Saturday at Manor House to coincide with the carnival procession though they still haven't
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House plans deferred
Plans for a new house at 1 Seagry Road in Sutton Benger were deferred because members of North Wiltshire District Council's development control committee did not believe they had enough detail to make a good decision. The outline application had details
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A homecoming for king of sing
SINGER Simon Carrington, a founder of the Kings Singers who formerly lived in the Pewsey Vale, returned to the county at the weekend as director of one of the USA's top college choirs. Mr Carrington formerly lived at Rushall. In 25 years with the Kings
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Village to have a say on toilets
VILLAGERS are to have a say in whether their parish council takes over the only public toilets in Pewsey or lets them close. However, council chairman Alex Carder has warned that if the village wants to keep the toilets it would put £6 a year on every
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Playing with fire and coming out on top
16131/2HOT footing has taken on a whole new meaning for Pewsey osteopath and life coach Martin Preston after walking across a glowing bed of coals barefoot. Mr Preston, 43, was one of about 10,000 people who spent a weekend in London with American motivator
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Rescued racehorses in desperate need of homes
THE Greatwood racehorse rescue centre near Pewsey is desperate to find new homes for some of its rehabilitated former racers. It has a waiting list of horses that need to come in and be given new lives but not enough people are currently taking horses
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Ten out of ten for school stars
Above: Winterslow Primary School staff go back to the '50s for Summer Days, from Grease. DA7936P7TEN out of ten was the verdict of everyone who attended a Stars In Their Eyes show at Winterslow village hall on Saturday night. The talent show was organised
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Farmer takes over at the helm
Ted Draper, the new chairman of Salisbury district council.FARMER Ted Draper is the new chairman of Salisbury district council. The independent member for Chalke Valley was elected to the office at the council's annual meeting on Monday night. He succeeds
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Churchfields' future under the spotlight
Cramped and congested: Salisbury's Churchfields industrial estate.THE future of Salisbury's cramped and congested Churchfields industrial estate was thrown into focus this week, as the district council revealed it is to hold a major consultation exercise
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Exonerated for no comment
Hullavington parish councillor Maggie Bawden says she has been exonerated for not speaking up against a planning application in the village. Coun Bawden came under fire after declining to comment during a district council planning meeting last March on
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Decision on CCTV will be assisted by research
Community representatives have been researching CCTV as part of a fact-finding mission to decide if the cameras should be installed in Malmesbury. Councillor Martin Snell and town clerk Phil Rice visited a CCTV control room in Devizes last Wednesday night
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Parking issues for village hall
Corston villagers are seeking a solution to the hazardous parking problem at the village hall and reading room. The hall built more than 100 years ago lies on the busy A429. But because there is nowhere to park near the building, villager and ex-parish
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Anger over more homes
Contentious plans to build 176 two and three-storey houses on two sites in Malmesbury have been strongly opposed by town councillors and residents. Developers Persimmon Homes and Charles Church were granted outline planning permission to build houses
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Holy session for Monks
16188/9Malmesbury Monks basketball team are hoping divine intervention from a visiting Christian today will turn them into worldbeaters. The services of Dip Donaldson were secured due to the obvious holy connection, and the fact he is also captain of
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Report leak sparks fury at parking shake-up
Outraged traders and townspeople have reacted angrily to a report leaked to the Gazette which reveals a working group of district councillors has recommended a jump in car parking charges. They say their fierce opposition to the increases seems to have
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Tuesday treats with our grant
16167/1Members of the the Malmesbury Tuesday Club will benefit from nutritious cooked meals thanks to a £300 grant from the Gannett Foundation. The foundation - which is the charitable arm of the Gazette and Herald - will help the club buy cutlery and
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Goatacre 229-7, Redmarley 116
GOATACRE registered their first league win of the season with a crushing victory at home to Redmarley on Saturday. After winning the toss and batting Goatacre were given a good start by Steve Lines and Kevin Iles before Iles was bowled for 24 in the tenth
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Devizes 250-7, Warminster 233
DEVIZES cruised to a 17-run victory thanks to a solid middle order performance. Nearly all partnerships from the third wicket onwards made 40 or exceeded that total as Devizes reached 250-7 off their 50 overs. They then reduced Warminster to 233 courtesy
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Wiltshire 251, Hampshire II 271-8
WILTSHIRE'S final warm up match before the start of the Minor Counties Championship ended in defeat to a second-string Hampshire side. Hampshire won the toss and chose to bat in a high scoring game at Salisbury. The decision proved fruitful as contributions
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Chippenham 94, Downend 95-5
CHIPPENHAM captain Trevor Lloyd said their batting had helped Downend's Ksemal Waingankar single-handedly demolish the away side. Waingankar took six wickets, caught Paul Bates (21) and hit 30 runs as Downend cruised to a five-wicket victory at home.
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Samant and Packer guide leaders to easy victory
WILTSHIRE YOUTH LEAGUE: U13 Red Division - BIDDESTONE were bowled out for 55 in just 21 overs at home to Red Division leaders Wootton Bassett. The wickets were shared by Sam Packer (3-5 off 4 overs), Ravi Samant (2-8 off 6 overs), Jack Paish (2-5 off
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Full house for Peters as he smashes unbeaten 221
WILTSHIRE LEAGUE: WESTINGHOUSE opener John Peters smashed an unbeaten 221 at Calne on Saturday to record the fifth highest individual score in the Wiltshire League's history. He inspired a massive total 293-3 which Calne fell well short of in reply, Malcolm
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Kiwi blasts his way to a double tonne
A MARATHON three-hour innings by New Zealander John Peters gave him the fifth highest score in Wiltshire Cricket League history on Saturday. Peters hit an unbeaten 221 as he almost single-handedly helped Westinghouse beat Calne in the Crusader Sport Wiltshire
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Anger at car parking snub
THE district council working group looking into a shake up of car parking charges in North Wiltshire has recommended ignoring most of the suggestions from Chippenham Chamber of Commerce and the town council. The chamber suggested putting off the rises
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Cashier's long shift rings up charity funds
Right: Sue Small at the till at Tesco, Southampton Road, during her marathon 17-hour shift to raise money for the Foundation for the Study of Infant Death. Mrs Small raised £1,253 for the charity.A CASHIER rang up an impressive donation for a cot death
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Hopes for latest park-and-ride
THE Britford park-and-ride is being opened on Tuesday, May 31. The Downton Road site is the third in Salisbury, and the Joint Transportation Team hopes that people living to the south and south-west of the city will choose to park and ride as a cheaper
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Ten out of ten for school stars
Above: Winterslow Primary School staff go back to the '50s for Summer Days, from Grease. DA7936P7TEN out of ten was the verdict of everyone who attended a Stars In Their Eyes show at Winterslow village hall on Saturday night. The talent show was organised
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Parking fine sparks anger
DELIVERY driver John Beasant is furious after picking up a parking summons in Salisbury timed at precisely the same time as his valid parking ticket. Mr Beasant, who lives in Swindon and works for a Bristol company, stopped his van in Fisherton Street
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Improvements satisfy more council tenants
A REVIEW of services provided by Salisbury district council has shown many improvements, although there are still some areas of concern. The council uses a mixture of national and local performance indicators to measure success and identify risks and
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Heat and dust greet Hussars
SOLDIERS of the Tidworth-based King's Royal Hussars arrived in Iraq in the middle of April and have been settling into a variety of buildings and tented accommodation in Basra and Maysan provinces. Over the next six months, about 400 soldiers of the Wiltshire
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Farmer takes over at the helm
Ted Draper, the new chairman of Salisbury district council.FARMER Ted Draper is the new chairman of Salisbury district council. The independent member for Chalke Valley was elected to the office at the council's annual meeting on Monday night. He succeeds
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Royal thank-you thrills young fan
NEWLYWEDS Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, have delighted a loyal young Salisbury fan by sending her a personal letter. Seven-year-old Gabrielle Peters, of Bishopdown Farm, sent the royal couple a special card she designed and drew for
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Maternity unit is set to close again
Malmesbury's Maternity Unit is being forced to close again after health bosses failed to recruit enough staff for the second time in six months. The unit is to temporarily close between June 1 and September 1 because a recruitment campaign by West Wiltshire
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Churchfields' future under the spotlight
Cramped and congested: Salisbury's Churchfields industrial estate.THE future of Salisbury's cramped and congested Churchfields industrial estate was thrown into focus this week, as the district council revealed it is to hold a major consultation exercise
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Grandmother praises out-of-hours GP
A GRANDMOTHER says she has nothing but praise for Swindon's out-of-hours doctor service. Yesterday new figures were released which showed 60 per cent of emergency calls are dealt with within the target time of 60 minutes. This means people are having
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Give your views on new centre
MENTAL health bosses want to know what you think of plans to build a £9m centre at Great Western Hospital. All mental health services for older people will switch from Victoria Hospital to Great Western Hospital under the proposals. The go-ahead has already
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Hard choices looming
WILTSHIRE residents will have to be prepared to lose their cottage hospitals if health services appropriate to the 21st century can be secured for the county. That was the message at the launch this week of Pathways for Change, a far-reaching consultation
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City's preparations rocked as FA moves the goalposts
UNCERTAINTY surrounds Salisbury City's preparations for next season after the Foot-ball Association unveiled a shock proposal to call a premature halt to the Whites' stay in the Ryman Premier League and return them to the Southern League. The promotion
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Crucial talks on future of town's beauty spot
Wootton Bassett Town Council will tonight decide whether to support development proposals for local beauty spot Brynard's Hill. The proposals, put forward by Wainhomes, is potentially one of the biggest developments to hit the town in recent years. In
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Carnival's procession will crown festivities
16159/1The sun shone once again for the Wootton Bassett Carnival Fte as residents and visitors enjoyed a fun-packed afternoon. Despite chilly winds the crowds came marching in for the fun of the fte at Noremarsh Junior School on Saturday. Coconuts were
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Plan to fight town spread
COMMUNITIES around Swindon have drawn up a plan to challenge the encroachment of the town. Residents of Wootton Bassett, Cricklade and the surrounding villages have been giving their views to the Northern Community Area Partnership on their concerns and
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Ill health a crying shame
A special presentation for newly-retired Wootton Bassett town crier Fred 'Boots' Deacon had to be postponed after he lost his breath. The vociferous and well-known 72-year-old was due to receive the presentation during the town's carnival fte on Saturday
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Anger as parking fee views ignored
16194/5The latest saga in the ongoing battle against controversial new parking charges has "signed the death warrant for Wootton Bassett", according to fuming town mayor Chris Wannell. The town's new mayor has said he is "disillusioned and disgusted"
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FC Chippenham complete league and cup double
FC Chippenham completed their league and cup double with a 6-1 derby victory over AFC Corsham at the league's cup finals day at Melksham Town on Saturday. Both U11s teams had their chances but Chippenham's more clinical finishing brought them the victory
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Skeates, Elliot and Parsons seal it for Hreod
HREOD Parkway School won the Swindon Schools Football Association Cup after beating Wootton Bassett School in the final. Hreod won through to the final, held at Swindon Supermarine last Wednesday, after their previous victories over Bradon Forest in the
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Hard choices looming
WILTSHIRE residents will have to be prepared to lose their cottage hospitals if health services appropriate to the 21st century can be secured for the county. That was the message at the launch this week of Pathways for Change, a far-reaching consultation
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Calne Town 1, Bridgwater 1 aet - Bridgwater win 5-4 on penalties
CALNE suffered penalty heartbreak again after dominating Tuesday night's cup final at Willand Rovers. Ryan Pratley missed the crucial spot kick to give Bridgwater's Rob Snook the chance to win the game after Justin Messenger for Calne and Dan Forward
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Blunder spells yet more chaos
Traders, from left, Simon Hussey, Claire Thomas, Colin Gittins, Heather Derrick and Alan Williams are fed up that New Road is to close again for resurfacing 16199/4CHIPPENHAM faces further traffic chaos because a resurfacing blunder means New Road has
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Councillors urged to approve £70m hotel
THE biggest single leisure scheme proposed in Kennet, the £70 million golf hotel at Tottenham House in Savernake Forest, looks likely to be approved by councillors. The application by Golf Club Investments Ltd that was submitted to the district council
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Make this road safer
THE grieving family of grandfather John Braithwaite says safety must be improved on the road where he was killed. The 72-year-old pedestrian died after being in collision with a lorry on the notorious A346 at Ogbourne St George. Although his family accept
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MP's surprise at Coate planning application
Part of the area on which developers want to build university campus and 1,800 homesTHE developers who want to build at Coate have been accused of jumping the gun. North Swindon MP Michael Wills says he is baffled by the developers' decision to submit
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Taxi drivers fear for jobs
Concerned Taxi drivers like John Doyle are worried about the plans to bring in more drivers 77493-72TAXI drivers fear they could lose their livelihoods if council plans go ahead. At a meeting between the council's Private Hire and Hackney Carriage Sub-Committee
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Man quizzed by police over attack on cab driver
A police officer at the property in Middleleaze yesterdayPOLICE are still questioning a man after a thug slashed a taxi driver's face. As reported in later editions of yesterday's Adver, the cabbie was attacked after dropping off three men at Shaw Village
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Appeal hits £700,000 milestone
THE Macmillan Cancer Appeal has now hit the £700,000 mark. Swindonians have risen to the challenge bringing in £100,000 in two months after we announced the appeal had been extended. The Adver-backed appeal is well on our way to the new £1m target. Staff
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Favour costs builder £44,525 after friend loses his eye
Alan Butler outside his Wootton Bassett home which he says he will have to sell to raise the £44,525 compensationA FAVOUR turned sour when a man lost an eye after part of his conservatory fell on him as a neighbour helped him put it up. Now Raymond James
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Volunteers give facelift to house for homeless
GAZETTE & HERALD: Students at Wiltshire College have been undertaking a makeover at a house providing accommodation for homeless youngsters. The students, who are learning vocational skills, have been spending several days a month at Hope House in
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Neighbour sees future in doomed WI building
16165/1GAZETTE & HERALD: Builder Chris Stephens is leading a campaign against an application for the demolition of Hilmarton's Women's Institute Hall. Father-of-one Mr Stephens, 45, lives next door to the building on Compton Road and believes it should
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Pupils have lorry load of fun with pink truck
16100/1GAZETTE & HERALD: CHILDREN at Calne's Humpty Dumpty Pre-school got wheelie excited when a 7.5 tonne pink truck called Suzi visited on Thursday. The Chippenham-based driving recruitment specialists 24-7 Staffing arranged for Suzi to make a tour
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Top chance for student artists
ORGANISERS of the Oexmann art competition in Devizes are hoping for a big entry from schoolchildren in the area. They have contacted schools from all over Wiltshire to take part in the junior section of the competition held in memory of former resident
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Now black is the new grey
LAVINGTON School is to ditch the grey jumper in its school uniform after pupils gave it the thumbs down. The colour was so uninspiring some pupils at the Market Lavington secondary school did not even wear it in the winter. After consultation with pupils
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13th is unlucky day for drivers
FRIDAY the 13th meant bad news for drivers involved in three crashes in the Devizes area within three hours of each other. Emergency services were called to the first collision at the top of Dunkirk Hill at around 11am, when an Escort with two elderly
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Great sports coverage
AS part of local newspaper week, the Gazette and Herald invited schools to design their own sports pages. The quality of the work submitted was excellent but the eventual winner was Chirton Primary, near Devizes, with Even Juniors, Swindon the runners-up
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Homes plan retention disappoints objectors
DEVIZES residents have expressed disappointment that officers of Kennet District Council are recommending their councillors retain a plan to build 230 homes on land beside Quakers Walk in the local district plan. Officers in the council's planning department
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Boys suspended after fracas
FOUR boys have been excluded from Lavington School for the rest of the week after another boy was injured in an incident on Tuesday afternoon. Headmaster Martin Watson described the incident as silliness that got out of hand and he was quick to nip the
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DIY makeover brightens club
A NEW committee headed by Hugh Deacon has brought about a new look at the Marlborough Conservative Club. The club has never been flush with money so Mr Deacon and members of his committee have given the inside of the High Street building a DIY makeover
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Town's gala farewell to namesake Navy frigate
MAYOR Hilary Cripps and her team of helpers are planning a gala day for the very last visit by HMS Marlborough in July. Under Government defence cuts the Marlborough is one of a number of Royal Navy ships being decommissioned. The Marlborough entered
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Conference will look at childcare
A CHILDCARE conference will be held in Swindon in June. The Swindon Sure Start Partnership is organising the conference, at the DeVere Hotel in West Swindon, on Thursday, June 16. The conference is aimed at a range of people including childcare, early
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Comedy night
Comedian Graham Fellows will be performing as John Shuttleworth at the Arts Centre on Saturday, June 11 at 8pm. Tickets are priced £12.50 or £11.50 if purchased with a Swindon Card. Mr Fellows will appear in John Shuttleworth: Fawn Again, which tells
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Councillors urged to approve £70m hotel
THE biggest single leisure scheme proposed in Kennet, the £70 million golf hotel at Tottenham House in Savernake Forest, looks likely to be approved by councillors. The application by Golf Club Investments Ltd that was submitted to the district council
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Take steps for charity
A SPONSORED walk will be held next month as part of Motor Neurone Disease awareness week. The five-mile walk, being organised by the Swindon branch of the Motor Neurone Disease Association, will start at 10am on Sunday, June 12, from Coate Water Country
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Youngsters on the ball
YOUNG footballers and their families enjoyed a weekend trip to Butlin's. Eleven children members of the Mitchell McCarthy Soccer Centre made the trip to Minehead last week. The team was set up in memory of tragic Mitchell, 10, who was knocked down and
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Missing girl found safe
THE Wiltshire police helicopter and a dog search team from police headquarters were alerted on Sunday night after a 13-year-old girl went missing from near Devizes. The girl's parents rang the police after her father found the teenager's bike lying abandoned
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Jazz gala to be bigger and better this year
THE programme has been finalised for the 2005 Marlborough International Jazz Festival making it bigger and better than ever before, said director Nick Fogg. The festival is now in its 18th year and runs from July 8 to 10. Its claim to be international
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Fayre launch
MORE than 40 different crafts will be on display at the Ellendune Community Centre in Wroughton on Sunday. The fayre starts at 10am and finishes at 4pm. Admission costs 50p and children are free if accompanied by an adult.
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Pensioner loses fight for life after road accident
PENSIONER John Braithwaite, who was seriously injured when he was struck by a lorry near his Ogbourne St George home, has died. The 72-year-old was airlifted to Swindon's Great Western Hospital by the Wiltshire Air Ambulance after suffering serious head
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Workshops show active ethos under new status
16141/1DEVIZES School showed its calibre as a specialist sports college last week by holding a sports science day in which its sports and science departments worked together. The two departments held a series of interactive workshops for year nine students
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Cool heads in desert heat
LIEUTENANT Ed Hodges, from Potterne near Devizes, has arrived in southern Iraq with the Kings Royal Hussars and is leading border patrols against insurgents. Lt Hodges, 24, is one of the troop leaders responsible for carrying out patrols in stripped down
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Top cops rewarded for efficiency and bravery
TWO Marlborough police officers, Sgt Steve McGrath and PC Ben Braine received special awards yesterday. Both received certificates of merit from the Salisbury divisional police commander Ch Supt Jerry Wickham at Marlborough police station. Sgt McGrath
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Youth club to be guided by kids
Young people's charity Stepping Forward has received funding to open a youth group for people aged 13-15. The money has come from the Parks and East Walcot Neighbourhood Renewal Company. Qualified youth workers will run the groups and representatives
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Cyclists sought
CYCLISTS are needed for a 100-mile charity ride. Marie Curie Cancer Care has two rides in September. The Devon Coast to Coast is September 16 to 18. The South Wales Cycle Ride is September 23 to 25. Entry is £155 per person based on two people sharing
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Tech students' Warsaw workshop
A GROUP of Dorcan students were due to fly to Poland today to take part in a week of international workshops. Four 13-year-olds and teacher Brian Jackson, will meet up with youngsters from Spain, Romania, Italy, Finland and Poland. The teenagers, Stephanie
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Chance of cash
FUNDING is available for organisations in Swindon which work with children. The Dettol Foundation was set up to help community projects in the town. It provides funding for equipment and materials to local charities, schools and support groups. To find
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Menopause clinic
A MENOPAUSE specialist nurse is running a Menopause Support Clinic at the Well Woman Centre, Health Hydro, on the first Wednesday of each month. She will be able answer queries and give advice on all aspects of the menopause. For an appointment call the
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Procession is ready for the off
THE Purton Carnival Procession will be held on Saturday, June 25. The procession begins at Witts Lane at 1pm. The Cricklade Town Band and Purton's Solitaire Jazz Majorettes will lead the royal procession. From noon to 8pm there will be a carnival fete
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Leader elected
NORTH Wiltshire District Council has elected a new leader. Coun Carol O'Gorman (Liberal Democrat, Calne Abberd) was elected leader at the council's annual meeting. She takes over from Coun Ruth Coleman, who has been leader since 2003. Coun Christine Crisp
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Regeneration boost to shared ownership
PEOPLE who can't afford to buy a home are being given a chance under a scheme by Swindon Council. Shared Ownership gives people the opportunity to part buy, part rent a house in partnership with a housing association. Typically a 50 per cent share in
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Council jumpy at skate plans
THERE are fears that there will be new attempts to build a skateboard park on a playing field at Greenbridge. Back in 2001 Stratton Parish Council wanted to build a skateboard park on the field off Dorcan Way but were stopped by a covenant, which prevents
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Plan to fight town spread
COMMUNITIES around Swindon have drawn up a plan to challenge the encroachment of the town. Residents of Wootton Bassett, Cricklade and the surrounding villages have been giving their views to the Northern Community Area Partnership on their concerns and
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Fraser swaps his boots for a suit
A FORMER Swindon Town hero is making a successful career in business for himself after retiring from the game. Goalkeeping club legend Fraser Digby has joined a Swindon-based events management company. A BBC television documentary this week featured TV
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Battle fields
RESIDENTS are organising a battle plan to block any moves to sell off their allotments. At a public meeting about the future of Pickard's Field and five other allotment sites, angry residents and Labour councillors from Gorse Hill, Pinehurst and Western
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Lions jump to rescue of green project
77458-39A NEW lawn mower will be roaring into action in Purton thanks to the North Swindon branch of the Lions. The Lions raised £400 to buy the Jubilee Gardens Project the new petrol-powered mower. The group relies on such donations to buy new equipment
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A day at the adver
Philip ReesSWINDON Town fan Philip Rees spent an action-packed day at the Adver offices watching his story come to life. The 11-year-old, who won a competition to write a report for the paper for Local Newspaper Week and watch it come off the presses,
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Council sorry to be rubbish
77478-39AVID newspaper reader Leslie Matthews loves keeping up with the latest stories. Besides the Advertiser, he scours The Sun and Daily Star every day. So he was thrilled when Swindon's kerbside recycling scheme was launched last month, meaning he
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Now open wide ... this won't hurt one little bit
77479-25CHILDREN at an Abbey Meads nursery know exactly how to look after their teeth after a visit from the professionals. As part of National Smile Week, members of the oral health promotion team from Wiltshire community dental service visited the Leapfrog
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Nip it in bud
WITH reference to your headline on Saturday May 14 "Just what are we coming to?" Perhaps Judge John McNaught and his fellow judges should shoulder some of the blame for today's youth turning to a life of crime. If he and other judges were to give out
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Reform need
I AM very glad that my comments about the general election have sparked such a good debate in the Adver letters page. Personally I am glad that we have a Labour and not a Tory government, whatever I feel about Mr Blair. However in England the Conservatives
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We need sensible new laws
OUR country needs a thorough debunking and sensible laws passed for the 21st century. I fail to understand how anyone could have voted for years more ruin under Labour. Their policies deliberately keep everyone poor. The present system of council tax
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We must hold Government to its promises
I WOULD like to say thank you to the 192 South Swindon People who voted for me at the General Election last week. As a first time independent candidate it was a very illuminating experience, not least to learn how mighty the main party campaign machines
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Majority back ban
So the Master of Fox Hounds Association is urging hunts to carry on with the breeding of hounds for quarry hunting. The MFHA is irresponsibly advising hunts to carry on breeding hounds as normal, for their aggression, viciousness, and stamina rather than
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Vested interests?
I was interested to read your article in the Gazette on May 12 about the frail 79-year-old man who had to be evicted from what he regarded his home. The reason quoted was: "Michael Rowan, prosecuting, said the local authority had a duty to uphold planning
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Virtuoso Irish performance
GAZETTE & HERALD: A concert of virtuoso Irish harp and guitar will take place at the Cause in Chippenham on Saturday. Chris Newman and Maire Ni Chathasaigh will play from 8pm. Maire was voted Traditional Musician of the Year in 2001, and her music
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Juniors hoping to score double
GAZETTE & HERALD: YOUNG footballers are hoping to score a double on Sunday at the next giant car boot sale at Castle Combe circuit near Chippenham. Castle Combe Colts Football Club, which has 300 members, will be out in force fundraising for a new
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Sex offence man has jail term cut by third
GAZETTE & HERALD: A man who made an indecent sexual suggestion to a 12-year-old girl has won a cut in his "manifestly excessive" jail term at London's Court of Appeal yesterday. But top judges declined to free Danny Paul Rogers, of Portway, Chippenham
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Keep events separate
I would like to take the opportunity to reply to the letters and the story in last week's Gazette in which concerns were expressed about the annual full town council meeting held on Monday May 9. Firstly, I would like to publicly apologise if anybody
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Plans for Ford site on hold
GAZETTE & HERALD: Plans to develop the site of the Hartwell Ford garage in Cocklebury Road were put on hold last Wednesday because members wanted to wait for a decision on the Cocklebury South master plan, which was made the following night. Hartwell
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Enter carnival spirit
While not wanting to demean in any way Mr Sherrat's fantastic work for the 800th Charter celebrations in Marlborough it came as a great surprise to discover that he had also organised and run the carnival (letters May 12). I am sure that if we and the
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Inconvenient bus station
GAZETTE & HERALD: The toilets and waiting room at Chippenham bus station will be swept away to make room for a safer entrance and exit for buses but passengers needing to spend a penny will find themselves inconvenienced. The toilets have been closed
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See sense on plans
IN your report of the redevelopment plan for Cocklebury Road (May 12) it was stated that the much needed second access to the Monkton Park area would be the last element, implemented perhaps in 15 years' time. Once again our planners are proposing a major
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Brightest and best head west
GAZETTE & HERALD: Chippenham Folk Festival 2005 promises to be one of the best yet, bringing together some of the brightest young stars of the folk scene with some of its most accomplished and best loved veterans. Gothic morris dancers, top concerts
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Twelve-year-old considers suicide to escape bullying
Holly ChapmanGAZETTE & HERALD: TWELVE-year-old Holly Chapman says she wants to die because she is being bullied so badly at school. Holly says she was knocked unconscious two weeks ago and has returned home from Chippenham's Abbeyfield School with
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Morris men jump at TV challenge down on farm
GAZETTE & HERALD: CHIPPENHAM morris dancers were able to get in the mood for next week's town folk festival when they were called in to teach the celebrities on TV's The Farm how to perform. They danced their way to television fame alongside former
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Business is fighting for those making Headway
16200/2GAZETTE & HERALD: B&Q staff in Chippenham are aiming to raise £10,000 for charity Headway after two people close to their hearts suffered head injuries following serious accidents. Cyclist Valerie Curtis suffered horrific injuries when
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Driver's lucky miss at fatal crash site
In the field, a car which just missed the tree at Sandy Lane, where a young couple died a few weeks agoGAZETTE & HERALD: A YOUNG motorist escaped with his life after narrowly missing the same tree that claimed the lives of childhood sweethearts Nicky
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Blunder spells yet more chaos
Traders, from left, Simon Hussey, Claire Thomas, Colin Gittins, Heather Derrick and Alan Williams are fed up that New Road is to close again for resurfacing 16199/4GAZETTE & HERALD: CHIPPENHAM faces further traffic chaos because a resurfacing blunder
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Explore and make friends
GAZETTE & HERALD: CORSHAM Civic Society is holding its second summer walk and supper evening in June. The walk from Somerfield car park, in Newlands Road is a way to forge new friendships and stroll the streets and fields of the town. It will finish
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All the fun of the village fair
GAZETTE & HERALD: The annual Colerne May Fair will take place on Saturday in Market Place. The afternoon will start at 1.30 pm with a fancy dress competition for children of all ages in the Manor House Garden. Stalls and sideshows open at 2pm, including
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School's double first
GAZETTE & HERALD: CORSHAM Primary is the only school in the country to have two prestigious Investors in People awards at the same time. At the end of April Corsham Primary, on Pound Pill, achieved the Investor in People Leadership and Management
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Mr Sunshine's lifetime of laughter
Sammy SunshineHe has performed with the great and the good on an international scale, attended charity events raising thousands of pounds and captivated audiences around the world. Yet for Ringwood-based clown Sammy Sunshine, the most important part of
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Bluebells bloom in spectacular woodland show
This year's damp spring might not have put a smile on everyone's face, but it has created a blooming good display of bluebells at Westonbirt Arboretum. Moist weather in recent months is said to be behind a spectacular display of the flowers in the ancient
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Traders claim views on parking were ignored
Carol O'Gorman, the new leader of North Wiltshire District Council, has defended the consultation process surrounding controversial new parking charges that could soon be implemented across North Wiltshire. Coun O'Gorman, who took over the council leadership
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Boss rounds on circles
The Golden Ball Hill circle with detailed inset 16191/6AFTER the first crop circle of the season appeared at Golden Ball Hill in the Pewsey Vale, farm manager Jack Torrens issued a warning that anyone caught making them on his land would be prosecuted
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Historic firm sets trend for switching sites
A SALISBURY company which has been a world leader in its field for 120 years is set to become one of the first to take up residence in the new 160-acre Solstice Park development in Amesbury. The Tintometer Ltd, which specialises in the manufacture and
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Heat and dust greet Hussars
SOLDIERS of the Tidworth-based King's Royal Hussars arrived in Iraq in the middle of April and have been settling into a variety of buildings and tented accommodation in Basra and Maysan provinces. Over the next six months, about 400 soldiers of the Wiltshire
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Pensioners struggle with no facilities
Upheaval caused by building work at sheltered accommodation.FRAIL pensioners are struggling to live in their own homes while builders carry out major refurbishment work. Some residents living in council-owned sheltered accommodation, at Addison Square
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Young officer found hanged
A 22-year-old troop commander has been found hanged in a room at Buckley Barracks in Hullavington where he was based. Second Lieutenant Martin Baker, who was serving with the 9th Supply Regiment of the Royal Logistic Corps, died on Saturday. His death
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Trader in market furore welcomes stalls' return
Businessman Stan Malpass who once booted out former mayor Charles Vernon from his shop in protest at the controversial Malmesbury market, has welcomed its return. Mr Malpass was such an opponent of the market the he kicked out Coun Vernon from his shop
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Maternity unit is set to close again
Malmesbury's Maternity Unit is being forced to close again after health bosses failed to recruit enough staff for the second time in six months. The unit is to temporarily close between June 1 and September 1 because a recruitment campaign by West Wiltshire
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Marlborough 137-2, Woodmancote 135
MARLBOROUGH recorded their first league victory of the season with a comfortable seven-wicket win over Woodmancote. The visitors chose to bat and were soon in trouble as George Fox (3-24) dismissed both openers for ducks. Ben Head (4-34) was quickly introduced
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Keynsham 200-6, Corsham 197-5
CORSHAM captain Neil Shardlow is worried that an injury crisis could ruin their season before it has got off the ground. Paul Clifford and Steve Silk were already out with knee injuries before Rob Murphy put out his shoulder diving for a catch during
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Malmesbury 155, Biddestone158-6
TWO all-round performances by South Africans Michael Lodder and Dwaine Perry set up a derby victory for Biddestone. Perry took 4-14 and hit 69 not out wile Lodder took 2-39 and hit 29 as Biddestone cruised to a four-wicket victory. For the first 20 overs
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Uzi shines with both bat and ball
JUST 18 runs seperated the two sides as Chippenham U13s overcame the resistance of Keynsham. Chippenham won the toss and elected to bat before reaching 94-6 off their 20 overs. Uzi Qureshi top scored with 28 off 40 balls (four fours) and Rob Gillespie
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Historic firm sets trend for switching sites
A SALISBURY company which has been a world leader in its field for 120 years is set to become one of the first to take up residence in the new 160-acre Solstice Park development in Amesbury. The Tintometer Ltd, which specialises in the manufacture and
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Bad drivers made to stand on one leg
DRIVERS stopped by Wiltshire police for erratic driving might soon be seen standing on one leg at local roadsides. Or they could even be spotted trying to touch their noses or attempting to walk in a straight line. It all sounds bizarre enough to be out
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Hotel group expands
FORESTDALE Hotels, which owns the Goddard Arms in Old Town has acquired the 75-bed Winchester Royal Hotel in Winchester for £3 million. It brings the group's number of hotels to 19 in the UK and one in France. Forestdale also owns the Stratton House Hotel
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Property profits soar
PROPERTY consultancy King Sturge, which has an office in Milton Road, Swindon, announced it ended the financial year with a record turnover of more than £110 million, an increase of 15 per cent since 2004. The company employs 1,225 staff in 17 offices
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It all adds up to a promotion for Vijay
CHARTERED accountants Bentley Jennison has announced the appointment of Vijay Tanna as a partner in its Swindon office. David Starbuck, Bentley Jennison's Swindon managing partner, said: "Vijay has a talent for identifying businesses with potential for
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Unemployment rises in region in spite of national fall
THE south west has bucked a trend for unemployment to drop in the first three months of the year. Total unemployment including those not eligible for Job Seekers' Allowance, fell by 15,000 to 1.4m in the three months to March, the lowest since last autumn
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New boys fall to champs
AFTER last week's disappointing start to the season, South Wilts bounced back to winning ways at the expense of newly promoted Hursley Park. Their 60-run winning margin was a comfortable one, but the result hung in the balance for a long time. Invited
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Award-winning firm moves in
A new business will be opening in Wootton Bassett at the end of the month. Building merchants Travis Perkins will open for business on May 31 from their new base at units 1 and 2 at the Coped Hall roundabout site opposite the Prince of Wales pub. Tony
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Three part transport scheme is crucial link
16186/1A new £30,000 local transport scheme, including the first subsidised taxi scheme in Wiltshire, will be launched in Wootton Bassett on Saturday. The Countryside Agency funded initiative, called Transport4U, is a three-part project aimed at helping
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Camera bosses' crashes claim
CONTROVERSIAL speed traps on the M4 are being cautiously hailed a success after it was revealed the number of accidents on the stretch had been significantly cut. But bosses are refusing to say how many people have been caught speeding there, or how much
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Bustards will learn to outfox their predators
Great Bustard chicks are finding it hard surviving on their once native Salisbury Plain so SAUL COWEN and the team headed east for inspiration WHILE only six of the 28 Great Bustard chicks that arrived on Salisbury Plain last year remain in the wild,
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Tenants are welcoming of initiative by Sarsen
SARSEN Housing Association has launched a major community survey to find out what tenants think about their neighbourhoods and how Sarsen can improve them. Over the next few weeks postcards will be dropping on residents' doormats in neighbourhoods around
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Nuns join protest rally in bid to end world poverty
Two Wiltshire nuns were today joining 1,000 members of other religious orders for a protest in London which will call on MPs to Make Poverty History. Sister Concepta from St Teresa's Convent in Corsham and Sister Mary from St Michael's Convent in Swindon
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Top award for Gazette website at ceremony
THE Gazette and Herald's website has won top honours at the prestigious 2005 Newspaper Awards. This is Wiltshire was jointly awarded the Best Weekly Newspaper on the World Wide Web award, alongside the Ham and High in London. Judges praised the Newsquest
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Charlie hits the bullseye to relief of manager
WORTON and Cheverell U11s won the South Wilts Youth and Badger League Cup final at the Ray McEnhill Stadium in Salisbury on Sunday. The only goal of a tight game was scored early in the first half by man of the match Charlie Waylen. Opponents Amesbury
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Ben's late strike secures classic victory
BEN Copeland's goal in extra time sealed the Wiltshire U13 Cup for Chippenham at the County Ground last weekend. They became the first team to defeat opponents Amesbury in two seasons after a nail-biting final had ended 3-3 at the end of nornal time.
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Fans flock to the end of saga
Tonight sees the opening of the sixth and final Star Wars film. Gazette reporters looked at the impact of the saga on fans across the county DON'T even think about strolling along to the cinema this evening unless you want to be surrounded by grown men
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Derry Hill celebrate call-ups
DERRY Hill United girls side has continued its successful season as four players were selected to the Wiltshire Girls School of Excellence. After a successful season competing in the Wiltshire Women's and Girls League the girls of Derry Hill United took
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Biddestone assistant Fulker retires
BIDDESTONE assistant manager Barrie Fulker has retired from football after two seasons alongside boss Gary Skidmore. The former Chippenham Town director of football and U18s manager returned to the game after a three-year break when Skidmore invited him
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Budget cuts sent Godley packing
DEVIZES Town boss Mark Godley has walked out on the club, after blaming the club's committee for their lack of support. Godley, 40, said he was prepared to work for Devizes for free but found the financial constraints too tight to be able to continue.
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New chair goes to great lengths
THE new chairman of Kennet District Council has pledged to swim several lengths in each of the leisure centre swimming pools in the district to raise money for the children of battered wives. Coun Peter Richardson, who was confirmed as the new chairman
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Plodding along the Promenade
POLICE cells could soon be replaced by cinema screens, a library or even an arts college in Swindon town centre. The site of the central police station, on Fleming Way, will be at the heart of the town's new cultural quarter. The South West of England
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Drinking game killed teenager
A FATHER whose son drank himself to death at a New Year's Eve party has warned other young people about the dangers of binge drinking. His son, Matthew Loveday, 19, collapsed after drinking games at a party last December 31 at his rented house, an inquest
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Residents turn their noses up at KFC proposal
Rhys Evan and councillor Justin Tomlinson at a meeting to protest about KFC 77413-127SWINDON Town goal keeper Rhys Evans joined around 100 residents at a public meeting about how to stop KFC from building a restaurant in Ash Brake. The fast food chain
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New career for nurse blossoms
GAZETTE & HERALD: FRIENDS and neighbours Emily Pieroux and Alison Taylor officially opened their new florist shop in Calne on Wednesday. Mrs Taylor, a former nurse, and Miss Pieroux, who is completing a course on floristry, both live at Wessington
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Country band to say goodbye
GAZETTE & HERALD: This year's Calne Country Music Festival is set to be bigger than ever as ten bands descend on the town for a weekend of foot-stomping fun. The weekend will see an emotional farewell performance by popular country music band Fever
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Votes snapped up by winners
A PARTY calling for better school meals, no uniforms and longer playtimes comfortably won the mock election at All Cannings Primary School near Devizes last week. SNAP took 30 votes compared to its nearest rival, Naughty Teachers, with just 15. Other
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Father of three is laid to rest
THE funeral took place yesterday of Richard Horney, 44, a father of three from the Devizes area who is thought to have taken his own life. Mr Horney's body was found hanging from a tree in Salisbury Hollow, Edington, by a 17-year-old girl horse rider
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Bromham gun for top evening
FORMER Arsenal and England goalkeeper Bob Wilson is the guest of honour at Bromham Football Club's presentation evening at Devizes Corn Exchange on Thursday, May 26. Mr Wilson, who was also the anchor man for BBC TV sports programmes for many years, will
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Real sound of the Caribbean
The sound of the Caribbean will come to Marlborough later this month when reggae MC Knati P takes centre stage at The Sun. Knati P and his Skanga Sound System will present the gig on May 28. "I think the town could do with some real Jamaican reggae,"
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Prison term as offender shuns order a fifth time
REPEAT offender Scott King has been jailed for three months after breaching his Anti-Social Behaviour Order for the fifth time. The 33-year old, who was kicked out of his home in Eastleigh Road, Devizes by his mother, pleaded guilty to being drunk and
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Nun joins crusade against poverty
A SWINDON nun is making a stand against poverty. Sister Mary, from St Michael's Convent, joined 1,000 members of other religious orders in a Make Poverty History protest in London yesterday. The rally was organised by the Catholic Agency for Overseas
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Teachers bare soles for a good cause
Staff at Rowde Primary School are preparing to walk over hot coals to raise money for a swimming pool at the replacement primary school. The school has organised a firewalk to be held on the evening of July 2. Headteacher David Ball took part in a firewalk
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Fete's bird's eye view
THIS year's Tockenham fete will be held on Saturday June 11 at 2pm. The fete takes place at Greenway Farm, which will be signposted from the main A3102 Lyneham to Wootton Bassett road. One of the highlights this year will be helicopter rides, costing
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Pupils get a big lift from release of balloons
16140/3CHILDREN at Holy Trinity Primary School in Great Cheverell celebrated the ancient festival of Pentecost by releasing red balloons at the school last week. Class teacher Mercedes Henning said the balloon release was symbolic of the work of the disciples
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Owen at Cannes
Actor Clive Owen was at Cannes for the launch of his ultra-violent new film Sin City. The British heart-throb, who starred in Chancer, appears alongside Mickey Rourke, Benicio Del Toro and Michael Madsen in the film adaptation of Frank Miller's cult comic
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Village's holy effort
16164/3SCAFFOLDING went up at St Peter's Church in Little Cheverell, near Devizes, this week after a remarkable fundraising campaign brought in the £15,000 needed to start work on the roof of the medieval building. The roof of the chancel and the vestry
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Children skip to it to help raise charity cash
SWINDON youngsters are preparing to take part in two events to raise cash for the British Heart Foundation. The first takes place at Loughborough University in Leicestershire on Sunday. Children from Lethbridge Primary School in Old Town will join 500
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Future of village store hangs on hot summer
16183/1UNLESS there is a hot, dry summer this year, Seend might not have its post office stores this time next year. That is the warning from sub postmaster Richard Walker, who, despite his normally upbeat character, does not see a rosy future for the
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Seasonal tradition
16185/1THE ancient art of maypole dancing and the more modern one of samba will join this Saturday at a May fair being organised by Dauntsey's Aided Primary School in West Lavington. The class of top infants will be performing at the school's third annual
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Big band sound comes to Wyvern
THE Syd Lawrence Orchestra will be recreating the hits of the Glenn Miller Band when it appears in Swindon tonight. It will be bringing the big band sound to the Wyvern Theatre. The band has been performing around Europe for the last 35 years. The performance
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Birds on display
BIRD of prey expert Geoff Dalton will be giving demonstrations on Saturday, May 28, at the Cotswold Wildlife Park. Admission costs £8.50 for adults and £6 for children. The park exhibits 260 species of animals in 160 acres of landscaped parkland.
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Victory remake
FOOTBALL legend Pele is planning a sequel to Escape to Victory. The Brazilian star, is in talks to make a follow-up to the 1981 film about a group of Allied POWs who take on their Nazi captors. The original starred Michael Caine, Sylvester Stallone, former
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Head to get tough on school uniform
16192/4PUPILS at Devizes School will be sent home to change or put in isolation if they turn up for lessons not in the correct school uniform. That is the message that has gone home with pupils this week as the school tightens up on the wearing of uniform
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Support group to be launched
THE newly-formed Swindon branch of The Alzheimer's Society will be holding a launch party next month. The group is planning a ceremony on June 17 at the De Vere Hotel, in Shaw. Suzanne Sarensen, the research director at the society's national headquarters
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£7k for ace letter
A LETTER by a First World War British flying ace the day before he was shot down by the Red Baron sold in Swindon for nearly £7,000. Captain Albert Hall, 20, shot down 43 German planes before being killed on May 7, 1917, at Annoeullin, France. The day
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All that glitters was plastic rubbish in river
16144/1A TEAM of volunteers from Marlborough College took advantage of the abnormally low levels in the River Kennet to give a stretch in the town centre a spring clean on Wednesday last week. Members of the college's Conservation Group donned waders
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Burglars turning up the heat
SWINDON police are warning homeowners to be extra vigilant against burglars this summer. Warm weather means that people leave windows and doors open but police warn this also attracts opportunist thieves. Police are urging homeowners to lock all doors
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Romanians fly in for advice
A TEAM of Romanian pilots have been visiting organisers of the Royal International Air Tattoo. The fact-finding delegation from the Romanian Air Force visited the show's headquarters at Fairford for advice for an airshow it plans to stage near Bucharest
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Quick wit plays
THE world's fastest joke teller is in Swindon tonight. Tim Vine, who recently earned a world record for the highest number of gags in one hour, is appearing at the Arts Centre in Devizes Road. His performance begins at 8pm. Tickets cost £12, or £11.50
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Soldier dies after vehicle flips over
POLICE are investigating whether a phenomena dreaded by caravanners known as "the tail wagging the dog" was to blame for the death of Marine Commando William Priddy on the Burbage bypass on Monday. The 21-year-old lance bombardier, a member of the Royal
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'Firebomb' charge
A TEENAGER will face a charge of arson at Swindon Crown Court next month. The 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is alleged to have used an aerosol can to spray 'firebombs' under the doors of three rooms at a Swindon hostel on May 14.
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Lydiard Park set for restoration work
PLANS for a programme of restoration at Lydiard Park will be considered by Swindon council on Tuesday. Plans include restoration of the lake and dam and the creation of a new play area. Stables are to be converted to house an education room, offices and
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Did you see car accident?
WITNESSES are needed to a crash which left a pensioner fighting for his life. The man, in his 70s, is in intensive care at Great Western Hospital following the accident in Lydiard Millicent on Monday. He suffered spinal injuries in the accident at 3pm
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School's open day
GORSE Hill Nursery is holding an open day next week. Anyone interested in finding out more about the nursery, which is based at Gorse Hill Infants' School, Avening Street, can go along between 1.30 and 3pm on Friday, May 27. For more information ring
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Fete heads west
THE Tregoze Primary School fete has a Wild West theme this year. The fete is organised by the friends of the school to raise money for projects at the school. Among the attractions at the event on Saturday, June 25, is a barbecue and barn dancing into
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Soccer stars sign on to boost charity
A FOOTBALL signed by Swindon Town football players is up for grabs at a fete this weekend. Diane Smith and Mandy Slocombe have organised the fundraiser at the Meadowcroft Community Centre in Upper Stratton from noon to 2pm on Saturday. As well as the
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Support service is getting better
SUPPORT services for young people excluded from mainstream schools in Wiltshire are improving. Ofsted inspectors found the county's Young People's Support Service had made significant progress since the last inspection uncovered serious weaknesses. The
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Twin set for visit
A group from Swindon's twin town of Salzgitter will arrive for a week-long stay from June 1. A host of activities have been arranged by the Swindon-Salzgitter Twinning Association, which is celebrating its 30th year. John Hamilton, pictured, spokesman
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Melinda adopts Fostering Fortnight cause
MELINDA Messenger is backing Fostering Fortnight in Swindon. The model-turned-TV presenter, will meet foster carers and members of the family placement team at Swindon Council today. Last week Melinda, who has three children of her own and lives near
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Give your views on new centre
MENTAL health bosses want to know what you think of plans to build a £9m centre at Great Western Hospital. All mental health services for older people will switch from Victoria Hospital to Great Western Hospital under the proposals. The go-ahead has already
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Residents in fear of gang
RESIDENTS say drug taking, intimidation and vandalism have made an alleyway a no-go area. Gangs of louts are plaguing an alleyway in Ruskin Avenue, Upper Stratton, leaving residents too afraid to go out at night they claim. Graffiti has been sprayed on
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Grandmother praises out-of-hours GP
A GRANDMOTHER says she has nothing but praise for Swindon's out-of-hours doctor service. Yesterday new figures were released which showed 60 per cent of emergency calls are dealt with within the target time of 60 minutes. This means people are having
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Murder attempt charge dropped
Vincent MacNameeA MAN accused of trying to murder Swindon man Vincent MacNamee has had the case against him dropped. Bristol Crown Court heard there was not enough evidence to prove Anthony Walsh was at the flat where Mr MacNamee was stabbed and bottled
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Superhead over moon
Clare Barham, Sophie Gilder, Charlotte Fox, Jan Shadick, Amber Fiocca, Danielle Cremin and Kelly BoddyTHE "inspirational" headteacher of a once failing secondary school which has passed an inspection with flying colours says she is over the moon. The
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A thank you
Attending a grave at Whitworth Road cemetery, I cut my hand. A young lad (worker) cleaned the wound thoroughly and stitches weren't needed. Thank you for your help, much appreciated. M Santon Pinehurst Swindon
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Are you proud?
I WOULD like to direct this letter to the low life that on Friday May 13, in Sainsbury's car park, Stratton, smashed into and made a huge dent on the passenger door of our car, thus causing us to have to pay out for the door to be repaired. I hope this
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Too much lost
Can I ask the council, as they refuse to reply to correspondence, why is Southern Avenue playing field allowed to grow long, when endless generations have enjoyed sporting activities there? We have enough green areas lost already, I want to enjoy recreation
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High praise for young actors
I HAVE to thank Swindon Young Actors for one of the most rumbustious, hilarious and entertaining evenings I have ever spent in a theatre. The setting seemed to be a Mediterranean Night Club, complete with well-stocked bar, an abundance of coloured lighting
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One possible answer
The traffic jam at Wood Street and Curzon Street in Calne could be solved. Why not let the vehicles flow one way from Wood Street into High Street, say at a 10mph limit and not allow them to pass up Curzon Street? The traffic would constantly flow in
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Centre to offer holiday fun
GAZETTE & HERALD: There will be plenty of activities to entertain children at Whitehall Garden Centre, near Lacock, during the summer. Some of the activities offered over the May Bank Holiday will include a flower hunt, train rides and a traditional
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Roadworks disaster
Regarding the Calne traffic situation, after many weeks of disruption due to the extensive (and expensive) roadworks, whatever the planners were hoping for, it's not working, is it? In fact, it's a complete disaster. The town has effectively been split
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Living history of manned flight takes wing
GAZETTE & HERALD: MORE than 600 vintage and classic planes will be taking over the one-time training aerodrome at RAF Hullavington from tomorrow for the ninth annual Great Vintage Flying Weekend. Organiser Terry Booker said it was the enthusiasm and
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Facts are incorrect
I refer to a letter in your edition of May 12 headed 'Quite hypocritical'. Sadly Mr Pearce has failed to research the basis of his accusations against Yatton Keynell Parish Council as not one comment is correct. Had he researched his accusation regarding
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Leave him in peace
I feel compelled to write and question why Mr Pardue cannot be left alone to live in his old van until his natural end. He seems to be happy and is not hurting anyone by being there. After 40 years living this way how long does anyone in 'authority' think
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Art exhibition off to fine start
GAZETTE & HERALD: Hundreds of visitors attended an exhibition of pictures by the Chippenham and District Artists on Friday and Saturday. People packed the preview evening on Thursday to enjoy a glass of wine, view the 197 paintings on show and listen
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Singing star tells of journey to faith
GAZETTE & HERALD: PAUL Jones, the original frontman with 60s and 70s band Manfred Mann, will be giving a talk in Chippenham next month. He will sing and share his life story along with his wife, actress Fiona Hendley-Jones, at the Neeld Hall on June
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A garden feast over weekend
GAZETTE & HERALD: FROM a glorious English-style garden to blooms on a rooftop green fingered onlookers were treated to a feast at the annual West Kington open weekend. The owners of nine village gardens threw open their gates to raise in excess of
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Unprovoked attack in park
GAZETTE & HERALD: A 19-YEAR-OLD Chippenham man was the victim of an unprovoked attack on Thursday, when two men punched him in the face. He was walking in John Cole's Park on Malmesbury Road at 8.30pm when, a police spokesman said, for no apparent
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Somerset 23, Dorset & Wilts 6
IS playing at Twickenham worth leaving your best mates in Dublin to celebrate your stag weekend without you? That's the question Devizes prop Dan Masters has been asking himself all week after he and his Somerset teammates defeated Dorset and Wilts on
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Another win for Wales as Devizes hold largest annual dinner in club's history
IT'S been a good season for the Welsh, and there was also a strong celtic impact at Devizes RFC's 39th annual end of season dinner on Friday night. Hooker Chris Billi scooped the player of the year honours in first grade, countryman Taff Bayliss was most
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Signage too much
I must heartily agree with Colin Johns' report with regards to the state of Devizes conservation area (Gazette, May 12). His acknowledgement that the County Council is guilty of gross sign pollution, not only in Devizes but all over the county, was music
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Spoil the moment
IN answer to the letter from Mr Chandler on May 12, I want your readers to know the truth. Hilary Cripps was unanimously elected mayor elect in February. I cannot understand why Councillors Hannaford, Dobson and Allen waited until Mayor making to try
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Help would be nice
With reference to Mrs Young's letter last week she wrote that the councillors of Marlborough organised the town's carnival. I would like to point out that in fact it was a small number of townspeople who put the carnival on last year. If we had more help
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Time to speak up
Articles which have recently appeared relating to Devizes School and Lavington School give rise to grave concern about both establishments. Some weeks ago Mrs Greed made reference to her experience of pupils using horse tranquilliser as a stimulant and
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Clean-up a pleasure to behold
It was a real pleasure to look at a sparkling clean river between George Lane car park and Priory Gardens in Marlborough this week. Students and staff of Marlborough College, in conjunction with Action for the River Kennet and co-operation from Kennet
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Traffic will put shoppers off
MAY I join the swelling ranks of people saying "who on earth dreamed this up?" As a resident of Calne I use Wood Street and Curzon Street daily and I am appalled at the recent changes. First I would like to apologise to all those poor hapless drivers
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Young soldier is found dead
GAZETTE & HERALD: A 22-year-old troop commander has been found hanged in a room at Buckley Barracks in Hullavington where he was based. Second Lieutenant Martin Baker, who was serving with the 9th Supply Regiment of the Royal Logistic Corps, died
