Archive
-
Date
Bike rider airlifted to hospital
17054/3CHIPPENHAM NEWS: A MOTORCYCLIST was airlifted to hospital after a crash on Tuesday morning. A collision between a Ducati 750cc motorbike and a silver Honda Civic, belonging to a Chippenham man, took place at 10.30am on Tuesday outside Chippenham
-
Date
Riddle over bus crash tragedy
CHIPPENHAM NEWS EXCLUSIVE: A MINIBUS accident that landed nine elderly people in hospital has turned to tragedy with the death of 88-year-old Francis Stickler. Former police sergeant Mr Stickler, of Westbrook Close, Chippenham, was one of the passengers
-
Date
Tough test for table-toppers
Having lost just one fixture at any level so far this season, Swindon will be full of confidence heading into this weekend's fixtures. John Baden's first team currently sit top of Glos/Wilts Division 1, but they will face their toughest test to date when
-
Date
'It's like losing your home'
CHIPPENHAM NEWS: A COUPLE are offering a £1,000 reward for the return of their beloved caravan that disappeared just before they were due to set off on holiday. Sonia Young, 47, and her lorry driver husband David, 46, of Hatton Way, Corsham, think they
-
Date
Bid to improve town life
Westbury Area Community Plan, which aims to improve life for local people, was launched last week. Alison Irving, vice-chairman of the Westbury Area Action Group, urged community members and groups to get involved in devising and delivering projects that
-
Date
Emotional reunion, 50 years on
A FATHER returned to the Falkland Islands for the first time in five decades to celebrate the 50th birthday of the baby son born to him out there. Don Smith, 72, of Leighton Green, Westbury, set out for the Falkland Islands in February 1951, yearning
-
Date
Brave mum in baby funds bid
A MOTHER whose son died just after birth is trying to raise the profile of the charity that gave her vital support. Anne Lennon, 30, of Bramble Drive, Westbury, suffered "every parent's worst nightmare" five years ago when her son suffered a neonatal
-
Date
Businesses silent over town crier competition
LOCAL firms have been criticised for their lack of interest in a competition to find Britain's best town crier, which is scheduled to take place in Swindon at the end of June. As reported in the Adver last month, the British Town Criers Championship is
-
Date
Lloyd stays calm after big defeat
CHIPPENHAM CRICKET: TREVOR Lloyd has insisted there is still a positive mood among his Chippenham side despite crashing to their second defeat of the season at Downend on Saturday. Downend's overseas all-rounder Kshemal Wainqankar took six wickets as
-
Date
Edwards makes a happy return
TROWBRIDGE CRICKET: TOM Edwards is predicting a bright future for Trowbridge after helping them to a five wicket win over Bredon on his return to the County Ground on Saturday. The middle order batsman rejoined his home town club this summer, four years
-
Date
Richie is a wizard after Oz
WARMINSTER CRICKET: MARK Coxon-Tenty believes Richie Underdown has returned from Australia a better player after impressing in Saturday's 17-run defeat at Devizes. The Warminster captain hailed the middle order batsman's knock and insisted there were
-
Date
Dwaine back in the groove
BIDDESTONE CRICKET: SOUTH African all-rounder Dwaine Perry believes surrendering the captaincy has given him a new lease of life at Biddestone. Perry has been replaced by Kris Boulton as captain this summer and he believes the switch has paid immediate
-
Date
Hickerton has eye on big time
PETER Hickerton has been given a taste of the big time and is now determined to put the work in to make sure it was not just a one-off. The Trowbridge all-rounder earned a trial with Warwickshire 2nds in a match against Hampshire's second string at the
-
Date
Joe makes his point with ton
JOE Breet enjoyed a dream debut for Wiltshire on Sunday and is hoping he will be eligible for competitive minor counties cricket by 2006. The South African-born opener hit 122 not out as Wiltshire slipped to a 20 run defeat in their final warm-up match
-
Date
Boots on other foot
A CHEMIST war has broken out, following Boots' poor results. As reported in the late edition of yesterday's Advertiser, the High Street chain has seen an 11 per cent drop in profits. Asda, which has stores in north and west Swindon, has announced a £7
-
Date
Bizarre excuses
Bizarre reasons for being late were revealed in a survey by Office Angels of 1,500 employees and managers today. They included claiming the bus ran out of fuel and dropping a jar of honey on the floor and taking ages to clean up the mess. Falling asleep
-
Date
Manual offers survival hints
A BUSINESS expert is lending entrepreneurs a helping hand by publishing a free web-based guide to success. Starting Your Own Business is a complementary book available from Mark Sofflet's new website. The book, which is sent out as a zipped email, contains
-
Date
Homebuyers name KingsOak best builder
A HOUSEBUILDER responsible for several new estates in north Swindon has been voted the best builder in the country. KingsOak Homes is building the Aspire development in Priory Vale at the moment and was named Best National Builder at this year's British
-
Date
Circus chance for local children
YOUNG entertainers from Wiltshire are being given a shot at performing in the Blackpool Circus. The country's oldest circus is looking for stars of the future from clowns to jugglers, to perform alongside seasoned entertainers at a show in the autumn.
-
Date
It's hot stuff but are you up to it?
VOLUNTEERS who are willing to try something a little different are being asked to walk on fire to help children with special needs. Stepping Stones, the west Wiltshire opportunity group for children with special needs, is holding the world's shortest
-
Date
Former MP dies aged 72
THE funeral of Sir Charles Morrison who was MP for Devizes for 28 years took place on Tuesday near his south Wiltshire home where he spent his childhood and where he spent his final years. The ervice at Fovant was for family members only and there will
-
Date
It's a Dam good read
30524A HISTORIAN from west Wiltshire has marked the 50th anniversary of The Dam Busters by chronicling the making of the epic movie in a new book. Jonathan Falconer, of Downs View, Bradford on Avon, interviewed members of the cast and RAF pilots for Filming
-
Date
£5k reward
A £5,000 reward is up for grabs in a bid to solve a spate of violent Post Office robberies that have taken place over the past two years. Thieves have struck at about a dozen post offices in north and west Wiltshire, getting away with an estimated total
-
Date
'Disappointed' public send protest letters
MEMBERS of the public have condemned the way Cllr Tony Phillips was sacked as leader during last week's coup. Monitoring officer Simon Best has received a number of letters from the public expressing disappointment at the way Cllr Phillips was shown the
-
Date
Tories promise 'tough time'
THE LEADER of the ousted Conservative party said the district council's new cabinet was 'no better than Southern League standard'. Cllr Graham Payne, who was the authority's deputy leader, promised his 18 colleagues would give the ruling alliance of Lib
-
Date
Present better than past
TROWBRIDGE Town's young guns defeated their past masters on Saturday as many of the club's former stars returned to Woodmarsh. Neil Kirkpatrick's current side played against a former Town side managed by John Murphy, Bob Baird and Peter Higgins and included
-
Date
Town's young guns make it a hat-trick of cup triumphs
THIS year's Wiltshire Times and Chippenham News Mid-Wilts Youth and Minor League cup finals weekend was the best ever, says organiser Shirley Brigham. Nine age group finals were played over three days at Melksham Town's Conigre ground. League secretary
-
Date
Casey has the medals and the last laugh
A FEW eyebrows were raised earlier this season when Steve Casey decided to join Calne Town instead of several higher league clubs after leaving Paulton Rovers. There were those questioning his ambition and others wondering whether he had lost his marbles
-
Date
Play-off heartache was rough justice
Five of our local senior clubs finished runners-up in their respective leagues; bringing joy for four of them and heartbreak for one. ANDY CRYER reviews the 2004-2005 season. CHIPPENHAM Town fans will still be wondering how their heroes did not get promoted
-
Date
Safe end for bomb
A LANDSCAPE gardener had a lucky escape after his pickaxe hit a long-buried grenade. Gardeners were working on a 14-home development in Quentin Place, Codford, when they discovered the grenade, thought to be from the First World War. Last Wednesday they
-
Date
New ground is vital to Town's future success
A NEW ground has to be Trowbridge Town's priority for next season as they again proved they are capable of playing at a higher standard. In their first season in the Hellenic League Division One, the Bees took the title race to the final day before losing
-
Date
Air we go...
SMALL aeroplanes will hurtle at high speed towards Longleat House as a new type of racing comes to the skies of the stately home. The Red Bull Air Race World Championship will zoom into Warminster on August 7. The global competition pits nine of the best
-
Date
Promotion joy for Hodkinson
MARK Hodkinson believes the hard work is still to come after his Bradford Town side were given the green light for promotion to the Screwfix League. After finishing runners-up in the Wiltshire League, their place in the Screwfix League Division One next
-
Date
Bratton leave best to last
BRATTON School won the Westbury Cluster Schools' Football League after winning their last game of the season with what was probably their best performance of the season. Throughout the season, 15 boys and girls represented the school and all played a
-
Date
Lorry driver banned on his birthday
DRINK-DRIVER Anthony Hope was banned from driving for 20 months on Thursday his 51st birthday. Hope, of Queensway, Warminster, was stopped on April 22 when police spotted him leaving the Fox and Hounds pub in Deverill Road. He was breathalysed in East
-
Date
New town mayors named
WARMINSTER appointed its first independent mayor for more than 20 years on Monday. Cllr Les Rose took over from Martin Baker after serving just two years on Warminster Town Council. Cllr Rose, 69, of Freesia Close, chose Dorothy House, the Rose charity
-
Date
England place for Dyer
TEENAGER Nathan Dyer is set to fulfil his childhood dream after being selected to represent England Under 18s in a friendly against Norway next month. The Trowbridge youngster was called up by national chiefs after playing a starring role in Southampton's
-
Date
Drug driver jailed for causing death crash
A DRIVER who killed another motorist in a head on smash near Warminster was jailed for eight years on Thursday. Zachary Colliss, 33, of Brown Hill Road, Romsey, Hampshire, was sentenced for causing death by dangerous driving at Swindon Crown Court. The
-
Date
Burglar given last jail term warning
A BURGLAR who crept past a sleeping eight-year-old child to steal from a Bradford on Avon family avoided jail for a second time being told by the judge it was his last chance. Stuart Duggan was taken back to Swindon Crown Court for re-sentencing after
-
Date
Baby Neve rekindles love for sweethearts
Vanessa Lanham-CookTWO teenagers who married, then split up and spent 12 years apart, have put the seal on their rekindled romance with the birth of their third daughter. Vanessa Lanham-Cook and ex-husband Jonathan, of Coronation Avenue, Bradford on Avon
-
Date
It's a Dam good read
30524A HISTORIAN from west Wiltshire has marked the 50th anniversary of The Dam Busters by chronicling the making of the epic movie in a new book. Jonathan Falconer, of Downs View, Bradford on Avon, interviewed members of the cast and RAF pilots for Filming
-
Date
Good Samaritan
I would like to say thank you to the young man cycling in Westfield Road, Trowbridge. He stopped and helped my elderly mother when she had a fall in her garden. He managed to lift her on his own and see her safely indoors. Thank you very much. P. WHITING
-
Date
Exclusion is no way to help kids
WHY do schools find it so hard to deal with pupils with problems? If they can't deal they call a meeting of governors and exclude them from school. To me this is a ridiculous way of dealing with the problem. They are not solving the problem only moving
-
Date
No Win No Fee - not all claims are like this
LIKE many of my colleagues working in the field of personal injury law, I was intrigued by the BBC2 programme No Win, No Fee, a fly-on-the-wall documentary about Amelans Solicitors in Manchester. I feared that the manner in which these so-called rottweilers
-
Date
Crash highlights need to protect route for true Staverton bypass
TONIGHT (Thursday) proved yet again that a bypass for Staverton is long overdue. A two-vehicle collision (pictured right) closed the B3105 while emergency services attended the scene, at a time of the day when the village is relatively quiet. Had this
-
Date
Voicing disgust at council row
DISTASTEFUL, disgraceful, despicable your headline said it all. No better description could be given of the behaviour of some councillors at West Wiltshire District on May 11. The manner with which the council's business was handled that night was more
-
Date
Singer misses out
Ref 77325A SWINDON singer has narrowly missed out on a place in a national karaoke competition. Sarah Covey, 18, from Liden won the regional final of a competition organised by Yates's bars and secured a place in the semi-finals in Bournemouth. She reached
-
Date
Apology for dad's death
AN INQUEST jury has criticised the first aid skills of police in Swindon after a man died in custody. Wiltshire Constabulary has stepped up training in resuscitation techniques after the death of father-of-three Colin Hol-combe. Several changes have also
-
Date
For the love of 'little fighter' Jaidon
Pete Cleverly from George White Motors, left, with John Morgan and Steve ChinnockTHE family of a boy who died just before his first birthday are going on a 3,500-mile trip in memory of their 'little fighter'. Jaidon Vines-Morgan was born with a heart
-
Date
Disabled boy's Wonder Mum gets her reward
Sandra Young Ref: 77503-44A BOTTLE of bubbly, a bunch of flowers and a £50 gift voucher were the prizes handed to wonder mum Sandra Young. The 45-year-old received the gifts at Asda West Swindon yesterday after being singled out for the supermarket's
-
Date
A face for the future
Tiffany Church. Refs: 77481-99 TEENAGE model Tiffany Church dreams of becoming the next Melinda Messenger after attracting the attention of top agencies. The 14-year-old has the chance of strutting her stuff for Little Adults and Storm after impressing
-
Date
Lucky to be alive
A DRIVER was lucky to escape with minor injuries after his vehicle crashed into a stable which collapsed around him. Police officers were called to Nythe Farm, Stratton, shortly after 11am yesterday to find the Jaguar X-type saloon car embedded in the
-
Date
Girl, 15, attacked
POLICE are appealing for help in solving an unprovoked assault on a 15-year-old schoolgirl. The assault happened as three friends walked home from Clarendon School along Frome Road, Trowbridge, just before 4pm on May 6. A woman with a young child yelled
-
Date
Re-think on phone mast location
PEOPLE power has forced a mobile phone firm to think again on the siting of a 15-metre mast on a Trowbridge estate. O2 wanted to put the mast on land opposite Wiltshire College Trowbridge, but protestors said it would have been 10ft away from an 89-year-old
-
Date
Starry Eyes winner Amy wins recording contract
Amy GriggsTrowbridge schoolgirl Amy Griggs, 15, has won the 2005 Bristol Search for a Star competition. Amy, pictured right, of Slowgrove Close, Trowbridge, has won a cheque for £1,000 and a recording session at Access to Music. The teenager wowed judges
-
Date
Pc injured in scuffle near late-night bar
A POLICE officer was taken to hospital with a suspected broken hand after a violent scuffle outside a busy west Wiltshire bar. Pc Stuart Johnson was taken to the Royal United Hospital, Bath after struggling with a suspect outside the Chicago Rock Caf,
-
Date
Daredevil duo are getting to know the ropes...
Audrey GriffithsA 68-year-old great-grandmother is taking the plunge for charity by abseiling down a 90ft cliff. Audrey Griffiths, of Longfield Road, Trowbridge will be joined by close friend Fred Marriatt, 71, when they take part in the daredevil event
-
Date
Mum, 38, fights rare cancer for her kids
Nicola Norris, right, with her friend Angela Martin 17363/3A MOTHER-OF-TWO battling an incurable blood cancer has vowed to stay positive for her children. Nicola Norris, 38, has been diagnosed with the rare cancer myeloma, which attacks plasma cells in
-
Date
Gale gains runaway victory at Ivy House
THE Ivy House fishery midweek open match produced mixed results. Nick Gale, of Melksham AC, gained a runaway win with a carp catch weighing 59lb 12oz, taken on pole-fished sweetcorn and pellets. Runner-up prize went to Ivy House matchman Keith Barry with
-
Date
Power cut hits homes
RESIDENTS in north west Swindon were hit with a power cut this morning. At 8am the electricity was cut to 5,000 homes and the worst affected area was Penhill. But after engineers were called to sort out the problem the power was switched back on to all
-
Date
Market to bring a taste of Italy to Swindon
CANAL Walk will have an air of Venice about it for the next three days. There may not be any gondoliers and canals but there will be the tastes and smells of Italian cuisine. The Italian Market arrives today and will be here until Sunday. Specialist Italian
-
Date
Telly-phone plan
ORANGE is to show television programmes on its phones in the first project of its kind in the UK. The mobile phone giant's Orange TV will feature news, sport and entertainment. Customers will pay a £10 monthly subscription to view nine launch channels
-
Date
Pick up a special plant for charity
BUYERS at a charity sale on Saturday will have a chance to acquire prize winning plants endorsed by celebrity gardener Alan Titchmarsh. Former panel beater Phil Osman from Gorse Hill, designed a garden which is featured at the Malvern Spring Gardening
-
Date
Planning ahead for Christmas
CHRISTMAS may be a long way off but a festive lunch club is planning ahead and calling for help. The Christmas Care project, which organises meals for people who are on their own over the Christmas period, needs 100 new dinner plates and side plates,
-
Date
Money off a meal
Treat yourself to a meal at The Pattern Store and get a voucher for 25 per cent off a three course meal when you buy your Evening Advertiser on Saturday from 10am with our Street Sellers in the town centre. You can find Nikki near Debenhams in The Parade
-
Date
Emergency can always keep an eye on work
A SWINDON-based optician has come to the rescue of the emergency services by helping to ensure their eyes are always on 24-hour alert. Nina Barker, of Haine & Smith Opticians, is offering 40 emergency services workers a year's supply of the latest
-
Date
Cabinet named
Wiltshire County Council's new cabinet has been announced. The Tories kept their majority at the election and Jane Scott has been re-elected as leader. Coun Scott, pictured, has been in the post since July 2003 and is the first female leader of the council
-
Date
MP Anne aims to break ice
ANNE Snelgrove used her maiden speech as an MP to vow to break the deadlock over controversial plans to build a Swindon faculty of the University of Bath. The rookie MP for South Swindon, told the House of Commons yesterday it was vital to the town's
-
Date
Pupils have a nose for news
YOUNG newshounds from a Swindon secondary school have received recognition for their newspaper. The pupils from Common-weal School in Old Town, who were given some valuable tips from Advertiser editor Mark Waldron as part of the project, will now travel
-
Date
College to open doors for summer studying
77179-16A college is running a summer school for the first time this year. The week-long activities programme at New College offers a number of courses, ranging from single-day tasters to week-long intensive programmes. Paula Kinmel, who is co-ordinating
-
Date
Adver is given the thumbs-up
77422-19EVENING Advertiser readers old and young have praised the paper for the way we report the news. To celebrate Local Newspaper Week, which ends on Sunday, we asked people in the street what they thought of the paper. And there was a resounding thumbs-up
-
Date
Workshop to hit asbestos illness
Terry Farrell. Ref: 23993-67A MAN whose brother died of the notorious Swindon Disease, mesothelioma, has welcomed a workshop to help people cope with it. The meeting, organised by the Swindon and South West Asbestos Group, is to help those suffering with
-
Date
Last chance to stop salon
RESIDENTS in Gorse Hill could reignite a campaign to stop a tanning shop opening in the area. Consol Suncenter is opening a staffed beauty salon in Cricklade Road next month which will have sunbed facilities. Earlier this year, more than 100 people signed
-
Date
Luke hopes his Jedi will return
POLICE are following up leads after £20,000 of Star Wars toys and costumes were stolen from a fan. As reported in yesterday's late edition of the Adver, thieves broke padlocks and forced their way into a lock-up in Penhill used by shop owner Luke Skywalker
-
Date
Man was kicked in head in club fight
A PINEHURST man who kicked out at an unconscious reveller during a fracas outside a nightclub left court with a conditional discharge. Paul Stanners was ordered to pay £55 costs and warned to stay out of trouble for a year after he insisted he just tapped
-
Date
Wilts MP James Gray steps down
NORTH WILTSHIRE MP James Gray has resigned from his job of Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland after only a week. Mr Gray handed in his resignation to Tory leader Michael Howard yesterday after sparking a major rift with Conservative colleagues north
-
Date
A chance to show that you do care
Melinda Messenger Refs: 77418-40SWINDON'S most famous mum has urged people to become foster carers. And fostering might not be far off for Melinda Messenger, as she used Fostering Fortnight to find out more about how to become a carer herself. Melinda
-
Date
Youngsters jump to it
CHIPPENHAM NEWS: Energetic pupils have raised over £450 for the British Heart Foundation in a three-hour jumpathon. Youngsters at St Paul's Primary School took skipping lessons for several weeks to make sure they were fit enough for the jumpathon on March
-
Date
Racetrack's future still hangs in the balance
CHIPPENHAM NEWS: FORMULA 3 at Castle Combe is still in jeopardy after council bosses decided noise restrictions should be left in place. A noise abatement order was issued to Castle Combe Circuit in January. They are appealing against the order, which
-
Date
Help us to keep vital bus service running
CHIPPENHAM NEWS: ELDERLY and disabled people need a new minibus to help them get to clubs and activities after a devastating crash destroyed their vehicle. The Chippenham News launches its Help Us Buy A Bus campaign today to encourage community groups
-
Date
Thorpe on his way?
QUEENS Park Rangers striker Tony Thorpe has been sounded out about a move to the County Ground with fellow forward Jamie Cureton also high on Andy King's 'wanted' list. Both players were released by Loftus Road boss Ian Holloway earlier this month along
-
Date
Burrowing bunnies are wrecking cemetery
CHIPPENHAM NEWS: TROUBLESOME rabbits have been plaguing a cemetery by digging holes in freshly dug graves. Box Cemetery's three-acre burial ground, off Bath Road, is covered in large holes dug by the burrowing bunnies. One of the cheeky culprits was captured
-
Date
Proprietorsare put through their paces
James Trimby was re-elected chairman of Business Club Western Wiltshire at its annual meeting on Tuesday. About 20 of the club's 60 members took part in a variety of outdoor activities before getting down to club business. Pursuits, a teambuilding and
-
Date
Reducing the hassle
A RESIDENTIAL lettings service which offers a novel approach to property management opened in Warminster on Monday. Northwood (West Wilts) Ltd, in Market Place, proposes to take the "hassle, stress and risk" away from landlords with the Platinum Guaranteed
-
Date
Plain sailing for family business
CANOES and kayaks are a long way from frozen desserts and glasses but that did not stop one former Nestle worker and his wife from launching their own adventure business. Terry Sinclair, 40, and wife Jenny, 38, decided to start The Family Adventure Store
-
Date
Arsonist jailed for three years
Harvey CampARSONIST Harvey Camp has been jailed for three years after he dropped a burning cigarette through a footballer's door. Camp, 20, of Eden Vale Road, Westbury, was the prime suspect in a string of fires across the town in January 2003. In March
-
Date
No ifs or Butts for super Saqib
WINSLEY CRICKET: AN unbeaten century by Pak Bristolians' opener Saqib Butt condemned Winsley to their second successive Bristol and North Somerset League defeat. After a 102 run opening day defeat to Conglesbury, Winsley restored some pride with a defiant
-
Date
Westbury set a hot pace at the top
WESTBURY CRICKET: WESTBURY captain Joe Breet believes his side's hard work over the last couple of months is paying off after maintaining their 100 percent start to the season on Saturday. They followed up their opening day win at Nailsea with a comprehensive
-
Date
Foley puts club before county
CORSHAM CRICKET: RICHARD Foley is putting all his efforts into helping Corsham this season after ruling himself out of playing for Wiltshire again. The all rounder's 72 not out was the one bright light in Saturday's four-wicket defeat at Keynsham but
-
Date
Jobs axed as feed mill closes down
The mill in Bradford Road, Melksham has closedFORTY-NINE jobs have been axed at a farming supplies firm with bosses blaming the agricultural climate for the losses. Countrywide Farmers, in Bradford Road, Melksham, announced it was closing its animal feed
-
Date
Blind man claims unfair treatment
17057/2A BLIND man is lodging an official complaint after he claims two restaurants discriminated against him. Justin Conboy, 31, of The Lye, Seend, is registered blind and uses a guide dog to get around. He spent Saturday morning in Calne with his wife
-
Date
Headteacher infuriates parents after fete ban
Headteacher Beverley MartinA SCHOOL fete has caused a rift at a town primary school as a headteacher ruled the event was 'not in the children's best interest'. The Parent Teacher Association at St Michael's Primary School, Melksham, was furious after
-
Date
Protest march plan over hospital fears
HUNDREDS of hospital supporters will march through the streets in a bid to save a 24-bed ward from the axe. Union officials are organising a rally through the streets of Melksham after holding a meeting with hospital staff who fear for their future. News
-
Date
Last chance to stop salon
RESIDENTS in Gorse Hill could reignite a campaign to stop a tanning shop opening in the area. Consol Suncenter is opening a staffed beauty salon in Cricklade Road next month which will have sunbed facilities. Earlier this year, more than 100 people signed
-
Date
Ray of sunshine on high streets
THE gloom over the UK high street has been lifted by official figures showing retail sales rising unexpectedly in April. Catalogue retailers, food stores and clothing chains saw trade pick up as retail sales volumes rose 0.5 per cent in April, according
-
Date
Protest march plan over hospital fears
HUNDREDS of hospital supporters will march through the streets in a bid to save a 24-bed ward from the axe. Union officials are organising a rally through the streets of Melksham after holding a meeting with hospital staff who fear for their future. News
-
Date
GP launches surgery site
77475-16PATIENTS will soon be able to see how their local surgery fares, thanks to an enterprising Swindon GP. Dr Gavin Jamie reckons it is about time people had easy access to performance data relating to surgies in the area. Since April 2004, surgeries
-
Date
Council's call to landlords
LANDLORDS are being urged to hurry through new licence applications with council officers fearing many will leave it to the last minute. Out of 650 licensed clubs and bars in west Wiltshire only six have applied for an alcohol licence under new laws.
-
Date
Eye on The Farm
TANTRUMS, bickering and two blondes in one shower overshadowed the first eviction on The Farm. The show moved into its second week of filming on Richard Guy's East Hill farm in Heytesbury and Farmer Giles' columnn will keep you up to date with all the
-
Date
Looking back on Bassett in the war years
LIFE on the Wootton Bassett home front is subject of an exhibition to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. The town's Museum and History Group has researched the names of the people on the town's new war memorial and come
-
Date
New mayor Chris put in the hot seat
THE NEW mayor of Wootton Bassett was rescued from a vehicle in front of around 70 people. Fortunately Chris Wannell's, ordeal was staged as part of an open evening at the town's fire station. The evening also included a fire fighting display and advice
-
Date
Slow show that's quick on the draw
Thousands of visitors took a look at life in the slow lane when Castle Combe race circuit played host to a two-day steam and vintage rally. Instead of cars hurtling around the Wiltshire track at speeds of up to 160mph, steam vehicles travelling at walking
-
Date
Website award
THE website of the Wiltshire Times and Chippenham News has won top honours at the 2005 Newspaper Awards. This is Wiltshire was jointly awarded the Best Weekly Newspaper on the World Wide Web award, alongside the Ham & High in London. Judges praised
-
Date
'I don't take these things to heart but it was a Mad Hatter's Tea Party'
THE DUST is beginning to settle after a cold-blooded coup ousted West Wiltshire District Council's cabinet and sacked a leader on the night he marked half a century of service. Cllr Tony Phillips (Ind) was shown the door just hours after being presented
-
Date
New-look cabinet braces itself for political backlash
THE people appointed to the new-look district council cabinet are bracing themselves for a tough time ahead, but have vowed to stand firm in the face of a wounded opposition. The extent of the Lib Dem, Labour and Independent alliance was clear to see
-
Date
Football's a game for the girls as well as the boys
WITH the women's European Championships in England looming just round the corner, girls football in the county is set to attract more interest than ever. The championships will result in a number of high profile games being screened to households nationwide
-
Date
Brave mum in baby funds bid
A MOTHER whose son died just after birth is trying to raise the profile of the charity that gave her vital support. Anne Lennon, 30, of Bramble Drive, Westbury, suffered "every parent's worst nightmare" five years ago when her son suffered a neonatal
-
Date
Towler tops the list of Cryer's award winners
The 2004-2005 football season came to a close this week and Wiltshire Times and Chippenham News sports writer ANDY CRYER reviews local clubs' fortunes. He hands out his equivalent of the Oscars it's time for THE CRYERS Player of the season: Colin Towler
-
Date
Lucky 13 as Rudloe win title
RUDLOE Reserves clinched the Division Three title in flamboyant style, with home and away victories over Bradford United Reserves and the demolition of promotion rivals Rowde Sports 13-1 on Thursday. It is in this Division where the goals have poured
-
Date
New jobs created at store
EXPANSION at a Warminster supermarket has created 17 new full and part-time jobs jobs. The jobs at Safeway, in Weymouth Street, include a butcher, fishmonger, checkout and warehouse staff. The store is currently converting to the Morrisons brand and will
-
Date
Crash horror on eve of wedding
17031TEARS of joy were in the eyes of two mothers as they watched their children marry on Saturday. But it was a moment that they admit they were lucky to be alive to see. An horrific car crash in Staverton less than 48 hours earlier, could easily have
-
Date
Lions' classic
CLASSIC CARS and motorbikes will be on show at an annual fun day at Victory Field, Bradford on Avon on May 30. The day, organised by the Lions Club, will be opened by explorer David Hempleman-Adams at 11am.
-
Date
Office plans opposed amid homes furore
AN OFFICE development plan that could bring 50 new jobs has been opposed by a west Wiltshire town council. Members of Bradford on Avon's planning committee have recommended refusal for a proposal for offices and 22 homes on land currently occupied by
-
Date
Simply the nest!
30515HUNDREDS of enthusiasts flocked to the grounds of one of west Wiltshire's most decorated landscapes to help boost the bird population. More than 250 people turned out at Iford Manor, near Bradford on Avon, to help build bird boxes for the orchard
-
Date
Raiders force school to close for day
A PRIMARY school was forced to close for a day on Monday after burglars stole more than £600 of computer equipment. Teachers and pupils were left shocked after the weekend break-in at Westwood Primary School. Thieves broke in through the back of the building
-
Date
Can you help?
GERMAN reader Hans Schacht has contacted the Wiltshire Times asking for help in tracing an old friend, Jimmy Chivers, of Palmer Road, Trowbridge, after a birthday card sent to him was returned marked 'moved away'. Herr Schacht can be contacted at: Liegnitzer
-
Date
The Unexpected Man - Theatre Royal
MAY 23 - 28 2005, BATH: PETER BOWLES and Sin Phillips star in the first UK tour of The Unexpected Man written by Yasmina Reza, award-winning author of Art . On board a train travelling between Paris and Frankfurt two strangers sit opposite each other.
-
Date
Store staff threatened by knifeman
JAILBIRD Michael Buchanan has been sentenced to three months behind bars for arming himself with a knife and threatening staff after going shoplifting. But the 45-year-old who has spent most of his adult life behind bars was released immediately because
-
Date
Labour Wren to go independent
A COUNCILLOR has resigned from the Labour group less than two weeks after a new group leader was elected. Coun David Wren told group leader Kevin Small that he is resigning from the group but will stay on as an independent. Speculation is likely to mount
-
Date
'Attackers will not put me off'
Taxi driver Keith Strange. Ref: 77496-06TAXI driver Keith Strange has spoken for the first time about a terrifying attack. Mr Strange was held at knifepoint by three hoodie-clad thugs after picking them up in his Nissan Primera. But the 51-year-old is
-
Date
The show goes on
IT was a case of on with the show for building society staff left disappointed by the cancellation of a star guest. Staff at Halifax in The Shires, Trowbridge, raised nearly £100 for the NSPCC on Friday, despite TV personality Howard Brown being forced
-
Date
Kids go bananas for healthy food message
BELINDA the Banana has been helping teach children about the benefits of healthy eating. The giant yellow fruit, also known as Janet Brown from Trowbridge fruit and veg supply firm George Brown and Sons, gave a talk to children at Wells Cathedral School
-
Date
Crash horror on eve of wedding
17031TEARS of joy were in the eyes of two mothers as they watched their children marry on Saturday. But it was a moment that they admit they were lucky to be alive to see. An horrific car crash in Staverton less than 48 hours earlier, could easily have
-
Date
Apology for dad's death
AN INQUEST jury has criticised the first aid skills of police in Swindon after a man died in custody. Wiltshire Constabulary has stepped up training in resuscitation techniques after the death of father-of-three Colin Holcombe. Several changes have also
-
Date
Floppy ears cost shoe firm £4,000
IT was handbags at dawn during a court showdown between a multi-million pound company and Swindon Council over fake designer gear. And at the centre of the furore was the floppiness of the Playboy bunny's ears. Priceless Shoes in West Swindon was fined
-
Date
Experts return for a fresh dig
ARCHAEOLOGISTS are dusting off their trowels and cleaning their brushes in preparation for a new dig at the Groundwell Ridge Roman site. Experts from English Heritage hope to return to Groundwell Ridge next month to discover more about the site, which
-
Date
Children get snap happy
FOR children at Shrivenham Primary School having their class photographs taken was a lot more exciting than usual. This year they have been snapped in front of a helicopter that landed in a field next to the school after taking aerial photographs. The
-
Date
Gardening gear taken from centre
THIEVES broke into a garden centre near Purton and stole equipment worth than £3,500. Although triggering an alarm and being spotted by a member of the public, they still managed to take six chainsaws, a pressure washer, a Honda blower and two generators
-
Date
Crews called to M4 accidents
FIREfighter were called out twice in 20 minutes to deal with separate incidents on the M4. Just after midday there was a collision between a car and a lorry on the eastbound carriageway between junction 15 at Swindon East and Membury services. Minutes
-
Date
A little piece of history is buried
77494-03THE businessmen and women of the future have buried a time capsule at a new conference centre. Pupils from Wroughton Junior School joined Swindon mayor Peter Stoddart to bury the capsule at the Hayley Conference Centre, which opened in Wroughton
-
Date
Make it snappy
FOR children at Shrivenham Primary School having their class photographs taken was a lot more exciting than usual. This year they have been snapped in front of a helicopter that landed in a field next to the school after taking aerial photographs. The
-
Date
Swimathon off to flying start
A SWINDON company has kicked off a charity swimathon for the Children's Scrapstore by donating £200. The organisation, which provides community groups with material scraps, is holding the swimathon to raise funds to keep the shop going. And paint suppliers
-
Date
Front Garden all set to go
WORK on Swindon's Front Garden could start within months after legal agreements were signed. As part of the deal, £40m will be spent on public facilities in the development and improvements in Swindon and Wroughton. Developers and planners hope the £1bn
-
Date
GP launches surgery site
77475-16PATIENTS will soon be able to see how their local surgery fares, thanks to an enterprising Swindon GP. Dr Gavin Jamie reckons it is about time people had easy access to performance data relating to surgies in the area. Since April 2004, surgeries
-
Date
'What can I do to save my house?'
Alan ButlerA BUILDER'S only hope of keeping his home is to reach an agreement with the man who lost an eye because of his work. As reported in yesterday's Adver, a court has ordered father-of-three Alan Butler to pay Raymond James £44,525 after part of
-
Date
Raising funds
FUNDRAISERS from the Swindon branch of Motor Neurone Disease Association are organising a sponsored walk for MND awareness week under the banner D'Feet Motor Neurone Disease. The five mile circular walk will commence at 10am on Sunday, June 12 from the
-
Date
Thank you all
I WAS admitted to the GWH for major surgery to remove a cancer of my colon, after which I had to have a stoma bag fitted. Now these procedures really worried me and the family as we didn't know what to expect or how it may affect me. Well, I had my surgery
-
Date
Now's time to pull the plug
IT is good to see the letters re Save Coate. Unfortunately the institutionalised planning process we have in place makes it highly likely that the University Campus will be built around Coate Water in spite of the objections of a sizeable number of the
-
Date
We're not leading, we are helping
JUST a brief correction to your article in Friday's Advertiser. Swindon TUC has not "offered to lead the campaign" to keep the school open. The staff and parents whose lives are directly affected by the proposed closure are the ones who will lead the
-
Date
Violet is looking for Violet
I WAS interested to read about Violet Harvey in your supplement paper dated May 7. I was also a WAAF at Lulsgate Bottom at that time, my name was also Violet and my husband-to-be was also in the Royal Navy. We were married in July 1946 but sadly he died
-
Date
Menace of the scooter users
THEY whizz round town at top speed with scant regard for pedestrians and are a silent menace and danger to everyone doing their shopping. Teenagers on their cycles you might think, yobs on their BMX's? No, I'm talking about the sudden explosion of people
