Archive
-
Date
Pete Doherty is charged with drink driving
Marlborough singer Pete Doherty was tonight charged with being drunk at the wheel while in possession of Class A drugs following a gig last night, police said. The 30-year-old Babyshambles and ex-Libertines singer was stopped after midnight in Gloucester
-
Date
Devizes murder trial: Accused told policeman where he had hidden knife
Murder trial defendant Karl Quincey told a PC while under arrest that he had killed Barry Cooper and that he had hidden the knife he used in a back garden in Devizes, a court heard this afternoon. PC Tom Kinderman told Winchester Crown Court
-
Date
Help at hand for Marlborough smokers wanting to quit
Help is on the way for smokers in the Marlborough area wanting to kick the habit. NHS Wiltshire will be running a walk-in Stop Smoking Clinic every Wednesday between noon and 2pm in the council chamber on the ground floor of Marlborough Town
-
Date
Your memories
This charming family portrait shows Mr and Mrs John Reeves and their nine children, pictured around 1900. It was sent in by their granddaughter Betty Gummer of Southbroom Road, Devizes, who has previously sent in pictures of her grandparents. All the
-
Date
Music for the summer
What could sum up the vision of traditional Wiltshire rural life better than a village band playing in the village square or, in the case of Aldbourne, by the village pond. The 2009 season of Pond Concerts on the first Sunday evening of each
-
Date
Marlborough teenage biker fights for life
Teenage motocross rider Pat Stott is in a critical condition in hospital after breaking his neck in two places while taking part in a race in Hampshire on Sunday. His parents Andy and Sarah Stott, of Homefields, in Marlborough, who have three
-
Date
Calne family is so grateful
The family of accident victim of Daniel Winter, who was left fighting for his life after being hit by a car, thanked friends and family for their support. The 20-year-old, of Ridge-mead, Calne, has amazed his friends with a dramatic improvement
-
Date
Pete Doherty in custody on suspicion of drink driving
Marlborough indie rocker Pete Doherty is back in police custody on suspicion of drink driving and possession of drugs. The Babyshambles frontman was pulled over for driving erratically after he left a gig in Gloucester. Police said he
-
Date
Hunt is on for Pewsey class of 1974
Two Pewsey Vale School students are planning a reunion of those who attended the school from 1974 leaving in 1979. Debby Young (nee Lee) and Nicky Wiltshire will be holding the get together on July 4 at the Scout Hall in Goddard Road.
-
Date
Diamond days full of laughter for Devizes couple
Former Devizes couple Frank and Molly May put the success of their marriage down to having a sense of humour. The couple celebrate their diamond wedding today. They are both from Swindon originally and they met at a dance in the town through a mutual
-
Date
Generous town
Once again, the people of Marlborough have shown their generosity during Christian Aid Week by donating over £7,500 to help those in need. My thanks go especially to collectors and organisers, without whom nothing would happen. We do not cease our activities
-
Date
Uncaring owners
My son and I have started jogging on a Saturday morning around Pewsey Vale School field. Each time we take a bottle of water and jackets to wear before and after, which we leave in one corner of the field. On Saturday June 6, we witnessed a dog owner
-
Date
Housing needs
With reference to the letter in last week’s paper from Roger Harvey. It would be interesting to know why a resident of Ashton Keynes is taking such an interest in affordable housing provision in Calne; it seems an unusual hobby. However, Mr Harvey
-
Date
Great support
I would just like to say thank you on behalf of the Devizes & District Contact a family membership and committee for the ongoing support and kindness showed to our charity for fund raising events and moral support over the last year.
-
Date
Speedway query
Does anyone have a copy of the Cradley Heath Heathens v Swindon Robins Speedway match programmes at Dudley Wood on April 17 1965? Could they see if the second half heat details from that match are filled in and, if they are, could please they send me
-
Date
Not on the money
In case Gazette readers have been lead to believe otherwise by the report in last week’s edition the Devizes Town Council has only agreed to support in principle the introduction of a Devizes currency to stimulate local retail trade. This leaves the
-
Date
MP has no halo
How dare Mr Westerberg (Gazette letters, June 4) make out that Michael Ancram has a halo on his head and has done no wrong. I don’t think so, gardening, roof cleaning and a new boiler for his swimming pool, are these right? Of course he is not claiming
-
Date
Thanks from the winners and losers
It was good to note the turnout for last week’s local unitary council elections. I was delighted to get elected and now welcome the opportunity to represent the residents of my division Cepen Park and Derriads, as well as all the residents of Chippenham
-
Date
Devizes murder trial: Second witness tells of attack
Another witness to the attack on Barry Cooper in a passageway of a block of flats in Victoria Road, Devizes, gave evidence this morning at Winchester Crown Court. But the witness, Matthew Barnes, 20, of Devizes said he did not see Karl Quincey
-
Date
A killer about
In response to the letter in the Gazette (June 4) about the decline in the ducklings this year in the River Kennet in Marlborough, I believe there may be a predicator along the river that is killing ducks. My house backs onto the water meadow and
-
Date
Thanks for help
We would like to take this opportunity to highlight the welcome news that at last week’s meeting of the Eastern Area Planning Committee at Wiltshire Council in Devizes, a second application to develop land within St John’s Close in Marlborough was turned
-
Date
Sausage situation
Back in the early sixties, when I was manager of a wallpaper shop in the Corridor in Bath, if the finances would stretch to it I would sometimes have lunch at the nearby Joe Lyons Corner Shop. I’d always order the cheapest thing on the menu – bangers
-
Date
CD sales boom
To everyone who has purchased our Rustic Tales CDs and to all of our sales outlets, may I say a final thank you to you, one and all. You have enabled us to raise more than £4,500 for various groups and charities. We have this week sent our
-
Date
I feel let down too
After reading in last week’s Gazette and Herald the letter from Mrs A Carter about feeling let down by Wiltshire Council, I too was at the same planning committee meeting about a completely different planning application and also came out thinking
-
Date
Who will take up charity shop challenge?
What a great series Mary Queen of Charity Shops (BBC2, Tuesdays 9pm) is turning out to be – and here’s hoping the redoubtable Mary Portas can turn round the fortunes of the Save the Children shop in Orpington. But watching the first episode of the series
-
Date
Bard live marks 20th birthday
Shakespeare Live celebrate its 20th anniversary with a production of The Merchant of Venice at Hazelbury Manor, near Box. The production runs from Monday July 6 to Saturday July 11. Mixing high drama – perhaps even tragedy – with a romantic love story
-
Date
Corsham sandwich shop is raided by thieves
A sandwich shop in Corsham was targeted in a burglary last night, less than two weeks before it was due to close after 12 years in business. Carrington and Keane in the High Street is due to close on June 18 due to a drop in sales and rise in rent
-
Date
Lacock teenager's Paris trek for charity
Teenage fundraiser Will Sexton is taking part in a gruelling bike ride just weeks after knee surgery to raise more than £1,000 for a children’s hospital in Calcutta. The 15-year-old, of Lacock, is taking part in a cycle ride from Bath to Paris and back
-
Date
Wyn Fleet
Winifred (Wyn) Fleet, 95, who taught at St Bartholomew’s Primary School, Wootton Bassett for 18 years prior to retirement, was remembered by a large congregation at St Bartholomew’s and All Saints’ Church, where she worshipped regularly until her health
-
Date
Pat White
Many friends and former colleagues of retired Wootton Bassett teacher Pat White, 67, filled Kingsdown Crematorium chapel to celebrate her life. Mrs White, who retired two years ago after teaching for 30 years at Wootton Bassett School, and had successfully
-
Date
Maria Hilliar
Maria Hilliar who had lived with husband Peter in Kingsbury Street in Marlborough since their wedding 35 years ago has died in the Prospect Hospice just four months after doctors told her she had cancer of the lung. Many people will recall Mrs Hilliar
-
Date
Fundraisers walk from Devizes for mum
More than 60 walkers set off from Devizes Wharf on Saturday to raise money for equipment for cancer patients at the Royal United Hospital in Bath. It is the second year the walk has been held in memory of Devizes mum Vanessa Kyte, who raised thousands
-
Date
Travelling back in time
Jon Cannon, St Mary’s and St John’s JON Cannon took 30 festival supporters time travelling on Sunday, taking them between the 12th and 15th centuries via the architecture and inscriptions of two of Devizes’ great churches, St Mary’s and
-
Date
Strings give it some zing
The Heath Quartet, Town Hall Devizes Festival was privileged to welcome the Heath String Quartet to give the first of its classical music concerts for the 2009 programme, continuing the policy of encouraging talented young musicians from around the
-
Date
All set for Corsham church's fete
Organisers are keeping their fingers crossed for good weather on Saturday for the St Bartholomew Summer Fete in Corsham. The summer fete which will be held at The Grove off Station Road on Saturday from 12pm to 4pm with a novelty dog show that
-
Date
Equestrian round up: Teenager McEwan crowned champion
Hodson 15 year old Ella McEwen is the new British Pony Event Champion, after claiming the title at a brand new venue in Shropshire. The Championship, contested by the country’s best young event riders aged 16 or under and sponsored by Charles Owen
-
Date
Late arrival’s win is delight for Devizes mum
Gran Wendy Waite is delighted her later-in-life baby has scooped the top spot in the Gazette’s Baby of the Year competition. Mrs Waite, 38, of Brickley Lane, Devizes, who has three older children, could hardly believe that baby Kyle not only
-
Date
Wiltshire Over 60s triumph on cricketing debut
Wiltshire CCC over 60 team played their inaugural match in the newly formed West of England County Championship which will link in with the countrywide competition which has been running for several years. This first match of 6 to be played
-
Date
Parents’ thanks for tributes at Wootton Bassett
The parents of a soldier who died in Afghanistan and was repatriated through RAF Lyneham have thanked the base and the people of Wootton Bassett. Robin and Helena Thatcher said they were unbelievably proud of 19-year-old Cyrus, who died doing what he
-
Date
Third time proves lucky for Lacock teenager
It was third time lucky for teenager Laura Sexton when she took part in a sky dive. Laura, 17, of The Rectory in Lacock, jumped 15,000 ft on May 29 to raise £400 for the Children’s Hospice South West. it was the third time she had attempted the jump
-
Date
Wiltshire young chefs showdown
Students hoping to win a 12-month scholarship to the von Essen hotel chain are sharpening their knives for a catering competition. Nine trainee chefs at Wiltshire college are designing a three course meal that can be prepared, cooked and presented in
-
Date
After bees comes bugs book in Marlborough
Former Marlborough schoolboy Bryan Pinchen has just published the fourth in a series of pocket guides to creepy crawlies with the latest featuring 46 different kinds of bugs. His previous books, all lavishly hand illustrated, featured ladybirds, bumblebees
-
Date
Pewsey pupils cheer news of victory
Pupils at Easton Royal School have joined in celebrations this week at the news that the chairman of their school governors Shelley Whitehead has been chosen as the best in the West. The winners of the West of England Teaching Awards were a closely guarded
-
Date
Stalwart of Chippenham school wins lifetime award
Teacher Diane Riley, who retires in July after almost 40 years in the profession, has received a lifetime achievement award. Mrs Riley, 57, a teacher at St Mary’s School in Chippenham for 24 years, won The Ted Wragg Award for Lifetime Achievement at
-
Date
Line up grows at music and real ale festival near Pewsey
A three day festival of music and real ale will be held at the Woodbridge Inn at North Newnton starting tomorrow. Publican Margo Adams said she was determined that this year’s festival would be even bigger and better than last year’s. “We have got over
-
Date
40th bash in Marlborough raises cash
Nurse Del Davies has forsaken the usual birthday drinks at her 40th bash and asked friends and relatives instead for cash for Macmillan Cancer Support. Mr Davies, of Salisbury Road, Marlborough, was a nurse at Savernake Hospital but now works at Merlin
-
Date
Marlborough club tries to grow its history
Gardening club show secretary Tracey Barnett is appealing to former members to help compile a history of the Marlborough Gardening Association. Mrs Barnett, of Barrow Close, Marlborough, has been involved in the association since its early
-
Date
Couple show their in tent after Marlborough ceremony
A wedding reception held at the side of the Kennet and Avon Canal on Saturday was a blend of Bollywood and the Wild West with the couple wearing traditional Indian costume but spending their honeymoon night in a Red Indian Tepee. It was the way that
-
Date
Chippenham school’s gateway to an arty look at the wild
Children at Charter School in Chippenham showcased their finest art skills as part of the school’s Creative Arts Week. The children paraded their work around the playground after spending last week creating art based on the book Where The Wild Things
-
Date
Outside fun is way to learn at Chippenham
Lessons at Charter School in Chippenham are moving outdoors this term as new headteacher Sarah Flack puts her mark on learning. Mrs Flack, who has been at the school for three and a half years, became head in February, and is hoping to encourage
-
Date
New career on the land at Seend
Former IT project manager Jo McManus decided she wanted a career change to lead a more relaxed life, running her own alpaca farm. Mrs McManus of Seend is on the verge of completing a two-year foundation degree in animal science and management at Wiltshire
-
Date
Festival showcases Wootton Bassett's finest talent
Delighted organisers of Wootton Bassett’s Art Festival have vowed to hold the event again next year after a successful weekend. The four-day festival, which kicked off on Thursday, showcased the town’s finest talent in categories including music, speech
-
Date
Man of 71 bailed after Box drug raid
A 71-year-old man was arrested and bailed on Monday following a drugs warrant at Chapel Lane, in Box. The pensioner’s home was searched by several police officers and a PCSO at 9am and a substantial amount of what was believed to be cannabis was found
-
Date
Drugs factory found in Chippenham
Police in Chippenham masterminded another drugs raid in a quiet area of the town yesterday morning. Six police officers and three support staff raided the privately owned, three bedroom, semi-detached home in Monkton Park at 8.45am on Wednesday, under
-
Date
Whisky a day secret for Chippenham's 102 -year-old
A whisky a day keeps the doctor away, according to Fred Cain who celebrated his 102nd birthday in style last week. Mr Cain, who lives at Seymour House in Monkton Park, Chippenham, was presented with a bottle of his favourite tipple by staff at the home
-
Date
Sherston's music of the 40s with spam
Villagers in Sherston celebrated D-Day anniversary with a concert and wartime supper of spam fritters and cabbage. The parish council funded event included a performance by the Avon Fire and Rescue Service Band which played music from the 1940s and was
-
Date
Wiltshire veterans relive the drama of D-Day
Wiltshire war veterans have return from France this week after the 65th anniversary of the D-Day landings, but it was a trip that so nearly didn’t happen. The Wiltshire branch of the Normandy Veterans Association took 41 members on a six-day trip to
-
Date
Donations for honeymoon cancer trek to Corsham
Newlyeds Aaron and Amber Bewley have returned from honeymoon having not only dined with explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes but also raised more than £3,000 for a cancer charity after climbing to Mount Everest base camp. The couple who returned from Kathmandu
-
Date
Woman airlifted after road crash
A woman driver was airlifted to hospital following a crash on the road between Devizes and All Cannings yesterday evening. The road near the hamlet of Allington was closed for over three hours following the crash between a blue Citroen C1 and
-
Date
One more empty shop in Chippenham's centre
Another Chippenham High Street shop is set to be left empty as the national closure of Cheltenham and Gloucester branches impacts on the town. Four jobs will be lost when the branch in Borough Parade closes on November 6. Chippenham Chamber of Commerce
-
Date
Modeling in Oaksey in aid of hospice
Widow Maggie Ball has helped raise money for the hospice that looked after her terminally ill husband. Mrs Ball featured as a model at a charity fashion show in Oaksey, organised by her friend Angela Roberts, which raised £850. Mrs Ball said she was
-
Date
Legend to be at Oaksey launch
Oaksey Golf Club will host rugby union legend Jason Leonard OBE when he helps launch the Wooden Spoon charity group for Wiltshire. The 38-year-old former England prop forward will attend the launch of the Wiltshire group at Oaksey Golf Club, between
-
Date
Fun games at Corsham help maths
Pupils got their thinking caps on during a Maths Games Day at Corsham Regis School last Wednesday as part of an initiative to encourage children to enjoy learning. Corsham Maths Games Day was supported by the Numeracy team at Wiltshire Council
-
Date
Indian food at Chippenham pub
The King Alfred inn in Chippenham is to be reopened as an Indian restaurant and a bar. The pub in Malmesbury Road has been closed for several months. But now Abdul Nasir, award-winning owner of Bombay Nights restaurant in Bath, has taken on the licence
-
Date
Help to train your hound from Malmesbury author
Malmesbury dog trainer Ann Douglas thinks her new book will stop owners who are driven barking mad by their canine pets. Just Bark Back, which has been published by the author, provides useful tips and tricks to keep a man’s best friend under control
-
Date
Chippenham's quick thinking mum is praised
Young mum Nicola Reid has been praised by firefighters after she and her two children escaped from their burning home. Miss Reid, 26, of Ashe Crescent in Chippenham called 999 after she noticed black smoke coming from her front room at 10pm
-
Date
Chippenham's music beats power cut
Chippenham's first Namfest rock concert proved the old adage that the show must go on – as not even a power cut could stop the music. More than 400 people were evacuated from the charity “supergig” at The Olympiad following the grid failure. Organiser
-
Date
Chippenham - Look mum, I’ve got a bomb here
Mum Monica Kiss was given a fright when she found her son Sebastian playing with an old ornamental hand grenade in her garden in Burton, near Chippenham. The adventurous three-year-old had picked up the wartime weapon after his father Greg
-
Date
Car smashes into Pewsham pub’s front porch
Publicans Geoff and Paul Windle should have been enjoying their first week in charge of the Lysley Arms, in Pewsham, Chippenham, but instead they have been clearing rubble after a car smashed through the front porch on Saturday evening.
-
Date
Car smash is a farewell bash for Chippenham pub landlords
Publicans Geoff and Paul Windle have had to close The Lysley Arms in Chippenham after a driver lost control of his car and ploughed through the entrance of the pub on Saturday night, just a day before they took over the lease. It is thought
-
Date
Bromham youngsters line up to be royals
Bromham Carnival organisers were pleased with the turnout of youngsters wishing to become royalty in this year’s event. The royalty were chosen on Friday. This year’s carnival queen is 17-year-old Megan Bull and her attendant is Jessica Watts, 16. The
-
Date
Rally at Oare steams on, despite missing hoardings
Wiltshire Steam and Vintage Rally comes to Rainscombe Park, home of Robert and Lady Julia Hiscox, this weekend. The rally, organised by the Wiltshire Agricultural Preservation Group, takes place on both Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 5pm in the natural
-
Date
Devizes' refurbished pub set to re-open next week
The Southgate Inn in Devizes could re-open next week after a recent refurbishment. The Hop Back Brewery, based at Downton, near Salisbury, confirmed this week the pub would open to the public again soon, hopefully on Friday June 19. It closed after
-
Date
Light shines in Marlborough on charity founder
An exhibition is taking place in Marlborough highlighting the work of Eglantyne Jebb, the founder of the Save the Children charity who taught in the town for more than two years in the late 19th century. The exhibition organised by the Marlborough and
-
Date
Branch closure to cost five jobs in Devizes
There is concern about the future of the Old Town Hall in Devizes after the Cheltenham and Gloucester Building Society closes its branch there in November with the loss of five jobs. The upstairs is already empty after the Wine Street Gallery
-
Date
Parents’ thanks at Erlestoke crash funeral
The mother of teenager Sam Young, who died in a car crash near Erlestoke earlier this month, has said seeing so many people turn out for his funeral made her feel very proud. Mourners packed out St Leonard’s Church, in Keevil, for the funeral of the
-
Date
Top poet casts a spell at Market Lavington School
Children's Laureate Michael Rosen had pupils and staff spellbound when he went through his paces at Dauntsey’s Aided Primary School last week. Pupils from St Barnabas in Market Lavington, Holy Trinity in Great Cheverell, Chirton, Five Lanes
-
Date
Good wishes flood in for injured Marlborough biker
Teenage motocross racer Pat Stott, who broke his neck when he fell during a race on Sunday, is one of a group of friends in Marlborough who have been competing on two wheels since they were old enough to ride. His best friend and racing
-
Date
Devizes murder trial: Witness tells of knife attack
Dad Steven Stiles told a jury yesterday of the horrifying moment he saw Karl Quincey cut Barry Cooper’s throat. Mr Stiles, 44, was giving evidence at Winchester Crown Court. Quincey, 33, of Longcroft Avenue, Devizes, has pleaded not guilty
-
Date
Alsop's pro chance at Middlesex
Rowde cricket starlet Owen Alsop is set to join county side Middlesex’s academy and has been tipped to make it to the top of the professional game. The 16-year-old all-rounder spent time training with the North London side last winter and will earn
-
Date
Jockey Hughes savours successful weekend
Horse racing: Richard Hughes says he couldn’t have asked for more from the weekend after enjoying success in tw of the biggest races of the flat season. The Collingbourne jockey came third in Sarurday’s Epsom Derby on 16/1 shot Masterofthehorse and followed
-
Date
Crockett inquiry is delayed
Rugby Union: Yatton Keynell rugby star Alex Crockett must wait a further week before discovering the findings of an RFU investigation into his behaviour. The former Bath joint captain resigned from the club last Monday, along with England international
-
Date
Coles fails to fire after Corsham cold shoulder
Cricket: Plotting Corsham skipper Pete Dennett revealed how a hard-faced strategy helped account for an old teammate on Saturday as his side returned to winning ways in comfortable fashion. The visit of Bridgwater saw the return of Michael Coles, Dennett
-
Date
Biddestone's record breakers
Cricket: Biddestone coach Ron Needham hailed the club’s new captaincy duo after they inspired a record-breaking victory on Saturday. South African-born skipper Dwaine Perry, along with his second-in-command Jamie Mitchell, put on 217 for the second wicket
-
Date
Liam Dawson's column: Durham gave us a bowling lesson
Calne's Hampshire all-rounder on life as a professional cricketer It’s never nice to lose an important game of cricket in three days but Durham out-classed us in all departments last week. They are county champions for a reason and beat
-
Date
Remedios ready to conquer the world
Chippenham mixed martial artist Leigh Remedios is out to prove he is still one of the best in the world after becoming British champion in his first fight in a new weight class. The Westinghouse employee, 33, defeated Steve McCombe, previously ranked
-
Date
Gaiger's understudies continue winning streak
Cricket: Rejuvenated Potterne cruised to their fourth win in a row on Saturday and captain Graham Gaiger says it was their most important of the season thus far. The first team are now on a six-match unbeaten streak, uncluding progression in the National