Archive
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Judge delays sentence on Chippenham drugs man
A judge has put off passing sentence on a man who shared some crack cocaine with a friend moments before a police raid. Denzil Stewart was also sitting on a sofa which had a ‘sophisticated drug dealer’s kit’ hidden underneath it when officers stormed
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Sex and gossip in a village garden
Preview: The School for Scandal Malford Players Sex, scandal, gossip, cash and conspiracy are the intriguing ingredients of Richard Brinsley Sheridan’s brilliant 18th century comedy. The School for Scandal contains the notorious ‘screen
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Soloist’s musical spark is rekindled by orchestra
Preview: North Wiltshire Orchestra, Summer Concert St Andrew’s Church, Chippenham. Smetana, Saint Saëns and Elgar are on the bill for NWO’s summer concert on Saturday at St Andrew’s Church, Chippenham. The soloist for Saint Saëns’ Concerto
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Your memories
Proud dad John Summers stands with six of his daughters, three brides and three bridesmaids, in this picture taken in 1939. Brides Aline, Mildred and Laura were married at St Paul’s Church, Chippenham and were attended by their sisters, Peggy, Ruby and
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Scouting skills for life
Former members of the Calne First Scouts Group have visited Norway – 50 years after their first visit there as teenagers. Five of the former Calne Scouts met up with old friends last week, reliving the two weeks they spent camping and hiking in Scandinavia
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Fitting tribute
The Red Paw is a tiny badge worn by dog handlers alongside their regimental badge when working as part of the Army Dog Unit, Northern Ireland. An association was formed last October and has been an overwhelming success. The main objective was to fund
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Calling comrades
Although the Ludgershall Medical Store, known over the years variously as AMED, DMED or MSA, closed in 2005, biennial reunions for former military (Regular, National Service or TA) and civilian staff continue to be held in the Andover area. Our next
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Men arrested at Bureau West site
Three men have been arrested on suspicion of theft at the former MOD Bureau West site in Devizes. The Wiltshire police helicopter was returning from a medical evacuation at around 1.30pm when the police observer noticed activity on the site, which has
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Unfair to MP
The letter from Mrs/Miss/Ms Coleman in the Gazette on June 11 might almost be deemed defamatory; it certainly displays two of the deadly sins – envy and malice. Michael Ancram, our local MP, has three houses – so what? One presumably is his home
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Great honour
The Mayoress and I were honoured to be invited to the British Limbless Ex Servicemen’s Association annual dinner and awards ceremony on Sunday June 14, held at the Hilton. BLESMA is a charity which helps ex-servicemen who have lost limbs in the service
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Votes of thanks
I wish to thank all the people of Devizes North ward who voted for me in the local election. At last some of the people are beginning to realise the true fact that the corrupt wasteful EU is taking control of our lives, yes even us in Wiltshire
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Wrong objection
I was absolutely furious to learn that Calne Town Council is raising a policy objection to the principle of residential development on the former Calne Service Station. I live opposite the site on London Road, which is a complete eyesore and needs urgent
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It’s time to act on speeding concerns
I am sure I’m not alone in getting increasingly worried about the speed at which people drive along some of our local roads. It has got so bad that I don’t always feel safe when I'm in a car – let alone as a pedestrian – particularly on our rural roads
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Sound as a pound
I read with interest in your paper that our local councillors have finally come to their senses and are to bring back our own money. Pensioners such as myself have never been happy with this new money, and everything was cheaper in good old pounds
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Take it home
Reference to the term “doggy bags” conjours up visions of over ordered food spirited away from a restaurant to feast upon later. Sadly it has another meaning on the margins of Windsor Drive, bags of doggy excrement left in the grass and in
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Name and shame
I would like to be able to name and shame the person who damaged my car in Sainsbury’s car park Friday 12 June between approximately noon and 12.30, but I can’t. The damage to my car was sufficient that the other person must have known they had done
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Not a hoot
It was nice to read of the return of the missing geranium to a shop in Malmesbury. However, would whoever stole our lucky mascot, a hooting model owl, on the afternoon of Wednesday June 10, please return him as he is greatly missed by us, the staff
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Back my swim
I am writing to seek sponsors for my ‘channel swim’ in aid of the Wiltshire Blind Association. The swim is 22 miles long, or 1,416 lengths of the local leisure pool. Since April 20 this year, I have been trying to swim at least half a mile (32 lengths
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Devizes pensioner burned in accident at home
An elderly Devizes man was airlifted to Frenchay Hospital in Bristol this morning after setting himself alight in a freak accident. Herbert Goodship, 85, from Elcombe Close, Devizes, was apparently making breakfast at around 9.45am when his shirt caught
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Great support
The Devizes Partnership of Churches, which includes Potterne, Worton and Marston, raised £6,462.83 for Christian Aid in this year’s house to house collection. The approximate amount added by the government for Gift Aid declarations should be £586.93
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Feline well fed
I would like to thank the person who left me a big bag of cat biscuits and a box of soft food. It was so kind of them as donations of food and litter always helps in these hard times. Thank you again. Miss M Simpson, 2nd Chance Animal Rescue, Page
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Fund yourself
With reference to your article of June 4 issue regarding the funding of West Lavington youth club and that the club may have to close for two nights a week. If this is to happen these poor youngsters will have nothing to do and nowhere to go. When
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Why do yobs spoil our wonderful town?
Devizes is beautiful on a summer day with its wonderful architecture, flower displays and canalside walks. However, as soon as the supermarkets open, any bench is occupied by drunks and addicts. Last Thursday was a case in point. At 9.30am a small
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Robbie’s a wit
Please give us more of Robbie Hayter’s hilarious reminiscences. I couldn’t stop laughing when I read his story about the sausages because – and this is a real coincidence – I used to like sausages too. I’ve talked to Robbie a number of times and I
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Letter of the week - Clean up your acts
Chippenham Civic Society is concerned about the visual appearance of the historic town centre of Chippenham. Despite the sterling work of the majority, a minority of businesses and retailers have shown a distinct lack of urgency in replacing
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David Beech
A former director of airspace planning, David Beech, died of a heart attack while on holiday in Malaga in Spain, aged 67. Mr Beech was bornin Melbourne, Cambridgeshire to Charles and Alice Beech and grew up in the village with his twin brother Arthur
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Robert Hervin
A popular milkman who helped villagers in the small communities of South Wraxall and Avoncliff has died, aged 80. Great-grandfather Robert Lawrence Hervin died in hospital on June 1 from pneumonia. Born in Duke Street, Trowbridge, Mr Hervin later
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Robert Woodhouse
A large congregation at St Bartholomew’s Church, Wootton Bassett shared in celebrating the life of Robert Woodhouse, 37, who was a local Beaver Scout leader and junior football coach. Giles Woodhouse, his elder brother, described Robert as a very
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Ralph Lilley
Former gamekeeper Ralph Charles Lilley, of Tutton Hill, Colerne, died at the Royal United Hospital in Bath on June 4 after a short battle with cancer. He was born in 1931 in Effingham, Surrey and spent most of his childhood there until he left school
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David John Lawrence
David John Lawrence, who was known by friends and family as a ‘free-spirit’, died from a heart attack at the age of 64. A colourful funeral was held at West Wiltshire Crematorium in Semington in memory of the grandfather who died on the beach while
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Diamond day smiles at Marlborough
FORMER Ramsbury beat bobby Cyril Painter and his wife Pat are celebrating their diamond wedding today with a family party on Saturday. Their son, Timothy, daughters Pauline and Deborah and four grand daughters will be among the 34 guests at the party
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It’s money for jam at Malmesbury
Neil and Christine Hamilton are used to getting themselves out of sticky situations but they are happy to be part of their latest jam. The former Tory MP and his wife, who battled allegations of sleaze and scandal in Westminster, have put their
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Box open gardens
Box Open Gardens 2009 will be held this weekend on Saturday and Sunday from 2pm to 6pm. There will be a science adventure garden, cream teas on Saturday in the open gardens and at St Thomas a Becket church. Admission is £4 per adult and children have
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Popular Chippenham head will say her farewells
HEADTEACHER Lisa Tudor is preparing to say her goodbyes to staff, children, parents and governors at Monkton Park School this summer. Miss Tudor, 38, who has turned the school around since she arrived four years ago, has been offered a headship at a
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In-spiring workshop at Corsham
An art workshop for people who want to get creative and learn new skills will take place on June 20 in Church House, Corsham. The workshop will take place on Church Street from 10am to 3pm and participants will get support and guidance from an experienced
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Boy racers in Malmesbury ‘will deter tourists’
Malmesbury resident Arthur Robb fears boy racers in the town could have a negative impact on tourism. Mr Robb has become so frustrated with the noise he’s started making a record of the disruption. Station Yard car park is known as a
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Theatre is born in Malmesbury out of love for Greta
Actress Gabriella Bjork-Gabbitas has launched an outdoor theatre company in memory of her two year old daughter Greta. The Solstice Theatre Company came about following the death in November 2007 of Greta, who had cerebral palsy. A friend
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Chippenham victim of thugs
Builder David Sett has vowed never to go out in Chippenham again after he was savagely attacked by a group of youths wielding baseball bats, cricket bats and planks of wood. Mr Sett, 29, was walking back to his home in Bradbury Close, at 1.30am on Sunday
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Boss banned from every pub in Malmesbury
Pub landlord Lee Newman has been banned from every licensed premises in Malmesbury except his own after being involved in a fight with his brother. Mr Newman, landlord of the Borough Arms in Oxford Street, was banned for three months by the
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Delight over Calne's special guest
ABBA-MANIA will hit Calne tomorrow when award-winning Mamma Mia director Phyllida Lloyd spends an afternoon at St Mary’s School. Miss Lloyd, who directed Mamma Mia in the West End and then on Broadway, will meet students before giving a speech sharing
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Create a pub mural at Chippenham
Creative kids in Chippenham are being given the chance to splash some colour on a pub wall this Father’s Day. The Kandu Arts group has organised a special event to coincide with the longest day of the year and are inviting families to the Old Road Tavern
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Homes plan flies into flak at Calne
Calne town councillors have strongly opposed plans to demolish the former petrol station on London Road and replace it with nine homes. Concerns were raised about the size of the three-storey block of homes proposed for the former Calne Service Station
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Gypsies leave Calne site
Gypsies who moved their 12 caravans onto a empty site in Calne over the weekend have now left. Residents living nearby were angered when they saw caravans being moved on to the field in Lansdowne Park, opposite Honeysuckle Close, on Saturday, but
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Dad from Littleton Drew threatened by raid thieves
Retired sandwich seller Andrew Clive has told how burglars threatened him with scissors after he caught them breaking into his home. The 63-year-old, who ran Doorstep Sandwiches in Chippenham ten years ago, disturbed the two thieves while they were rooting
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Cars wedged together causes chaos in Aldbourne
Firefighters were called to Aldbourne today when a car and a lorry became wedged together at the side of the village's picturesque green creating a rather unusual sort of traffic jam. A plumbing merchant's box van and a Renault estate owned
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Luckington pupils inspired by legends of dragons
Pupils at Luckington Primary School had a taste of the Middle Ages on Friday when they took part in a medieval banquet. The theme tied in with this term’s school topic, Castles and Dragons. Luckington headteacher, Julia Hind, said the
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Record numbers stream to Oare's show
Almost perfect conditions on Saturday and Sunday attracted one of the biggest crowds ever seen at the Wiltshire Steam and Vintage Rally held at Oare. Attractions at the rally held in the natural amphitheatre of Rainscombe Park ranged from Minis
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Malmesbury paramedic delivers his own baby
Paramedic Barrie Slade has delivered plenty of babies during his 14-year career, but admits the latest arrival caused him a few heart-stopping moments – as it was his own daughter. Although he and wife Sheryl had planned a home-birth for their
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All’s well that ends well in Marlborough woods
Pictures by Diane Vose Kidnapping and battles involving a princess were all part of a drama held deep in the woods near Marlborough last Thursday. But, as in all good fairy tales, good finally triumphed over evil in the annual interschools
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Driver has close call in combine crash
A driver escaped with a cut on his nose when his Ford Fiesta was in collision with a combine harvester outside Devizes on Wednesday evening. The man, who has not been named, was treated at the scene for the minor injury but emergency professionals
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Drowning not waving - The lighter side of family life
We’re standing on a quay on a small Greek island, listening earnestly while the boat hire man passes on his decades of knowledge and experience to us two complete beginners in the space of ten minutes. Even though we’re surrounded by white
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Cut – and it’s a wrap for Cranford
Villagers were disappointed to see the filming of the two-part Christmas special of BBC’s Cranford come to a close in Lacock at the weekend. Both extras and businesses are sad to see the film crew and cast leave the village aftera week of filming
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Best feet forward for Wootton Bassett's five-mile run
More than 200 people put their best feet forward for the 26th Broad Town 5 at the weekend. Competitors in the five-mile run, which is organised by Wootton Bassett Hounds Running Club, raised over £4,000. Money from the race, which was
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Liam Dawson's column: I need to prove my worth to the team
Calne's Hampshire all-rounder on life as a professional cricketer. I was obviously gutted to be left out of last week’s county championship game against Nottingham. These things happen in sport and in my opinion it’s how how you bounce back from these
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Silk praises bowlers for wicket-heavy win
Cricket: Bemused Chippenham captain Steve Silk was grateful for his bowlers after a low-scoring victory on Saturday but said his batsmen were only slightly less incompetent than their visitors. Having won the toss the home side decided to bowl but the
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Mappers roll into Calne
Calne residents may soon be able to spot themselves on screen after a controversial Internet mapping service hit the town. Cameras for the Google Street View application have been seen in the Abberd Way area photographing hundreds of homes, people and
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Calne Scouts go back 50 years on
Fifty years after a camping trip in the mountains of Norway a group of former Calne Scouts returned to meet up with friends they made during their youth. Ten Rover and Senior Scouts spent two weeks camping in Norway in 1959, and 50 years on five of the
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Calne churches reflect on kind of hush
A range of activities is planned for this weekend as the Calne Partnership of Churches takes part in the national quiet weekend. From 7am tomorrow members of the public can light a candle of hope in St Mary’s Church, while on Saturday, for one day only
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Wiltshire's 999 show volunteers win award
Volunteers planning this year’s Emergency Services Show at Hullavington airfield have been given a boost after winning an Excellence Award from the Fire and Rescue Service. Last year’s show, the fourth, attracted 8,000 visitors from across the country
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Jubilee Stakes
Wiltshire based jockey Richard Hughes, featured recently in the Wilts Gazette, made a great start to Royal Ascot week riding three winners on Tuesday, the opening day of the meeting. The Collingbourne jockey won the Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes on Paco
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Devizes murder trial: Jury hears of previous conviction
Murder trial defendant Karl Quincey told a jury yesterday: “I didn’t kill Barry Cooper.” The 33-year-old, of Longcroft Avenue, Devizes, is charged with the murder of Mr Cooper, 28, of Eastleigh Road, Devizes, after Mr Cooper died of multiple
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O'Neill's shock win in Cardiff
Chippenham sprinter Elaine O’Neill says her upset victory in the inaugural Super 8 event is yet more proof of the rapid improvements she is making. The former Sheldon School pupil, 19, upset pre-race favourite Kadi Ann Thomas to claim the 100 metre prize
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Devizes homeless charity’s appeal
The organisation that helps homeless people in the Devizes area has appealed for volunteers to staff its drop-in centre in the town. The drop-in is at St James’s Church hall and is one of three projects for homeless in Devizes run by the Alabare
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Vince plays the innings of his life on Hampshire debut
Former Chippenham Cricket Club starlet James Vince says he played the innings of his life after top-scoring on his first class debut for Hampshire. The 18-year-old, who has also represented Wiltshire at minor county level, was a surprise call-up for
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Hutchinson earns World Cup call-up
Athletics: Devizes School star Joe Hutchinson has been selected as part of an elite group of English athletes to compete in the World Schools Cup. The talented multi-eventer, 16, is one of just six boys to have been picked to travel to Tallinn, Estonia
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Pals pay tribute to tragic Chippenham BT worker
Tributes have been paid to Chippenham worker David Lowe whose body was discovered in the Bristol Channel almost a month after he went missing. Mr Lowe, 52, husband of Prince Charles’ personal florist Sarah Champier-Lowe, was last seen leaving
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Ex-Bath rugby star Crockett to face RFU panel
Four former Bath players will face a Rugby Football Union (RFU) disciplinary panel charged with conduct prejudicial to the interests of the game. Michael Lipman, Yatton Keynell's Alex Crockett, Andrew Higgins and Justin Harrison will face the panel
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Teas in Devizes stir up charity cash
The proceeds from the sale of tea and coffee at BOB’s (Business over Breakfast) first trade fair in Devizes has been donated to support the work of the Air Operations Unit and the Wiltshire Air Ambulance Appeal. BOB spokesman Noel Woolrych said: ‘We
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Pilot gives Lyneham's 10k race new life
Pilot Seb Cole has resurrected the popular RAF Lyneham 10k charity run after it fell by the wayside six years ago while he was posted elsewhere. The run was organised by Flt Lt Cole for two years but since 2003 no-one came forward to organise
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Marlborough support group in help plea
A new organiser is needed for a Marlborough group that provides a monthly get together, support and entertainment for Alzheimer’s sufferers and their carers. The Alzheimer’s Support Group is currently run by Anne Tincknell whose husband John, who formerly
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Sunshine break at Lackham, near Chippenham
Children from Chernobyl had a day trip to Lackham Country Park on Saturday as part of their summer trip to the UK. The 12 children ranging from four to 11 in age visited the park with the families who they are staying with for a month as part of the
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My beautiful bride says Devizes ex-army officer
Old soldier Major General Corran Purdon, who survived Colditz and won the Military Cross, has found it is never too late for love. The sun shone on Tuesday as the 88-year-old Second World War hero was married at St John’s Church in Devizes
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Actors give tips of trade to Pewsey school
Two TV soap actors dropped in on drama students at Pewsey Vale School on Thursday to talk about their work and give tips on how the teenagers could build their careers. Aimee-Ffion Edwards from the BBC Skins series and Jessica Bardon who has appeared
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Invitation to a moth count
The RSPB is holding a moth counting evening at Cholderton near Salisbury on Saturday June 27 where you might be able to come face to face with beautiful elephant-hawk and tiger moths in their natural environment. The event is organised in partnership
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Smile please at Marlborough
The Williams Dental Practice in the High Street, Marlborough, run by brothers Gareth and Vernon Williams, has been bringing a smile to customers with a display for National Smile Month.
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Dip in to Marlborough's action-packed Bookfest
The Oxfam Bookshop in Marlborough will be joining the charity’s nationwide two-week Bookfest. Events in the High Street shop include a Fairtrade food tasting on July 4; a talk on Oxfam’s work in Africa on July 6 at 7.30pm; Read and Relax sessions on
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Son visits Marlborough to follow dad’s wartime steps
Canadian Dick File has spent a week in Marlborough retracing the footsteps of his father, who was based in the town in the Second World War. The Americans came en masse in preparation for D-Day in 1944 but four years earlier, there were Canadian soldiers
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MP wades in to show support for Marlborough
Unlike his Tory party colleague Boris Johnson, who is Mayor of London, MP Michael Ancram waded into a river on Monday without falling into the water. Mr Ancram donned his Wellington boots to join campaigners in the River Kennet in Marlborough who want
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Voters in Devizes lose way and lose out
Wiltshire Council has apologised and promised a review after some Devizes electors may have been disenfranchised because they couldn’t find their polling station, local activists say. A spokesman for Wiltshire Council said: “Despite our best
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Bromham villagers say fond farewell to club stalwarts
Villagers in Bromham this week said farewell to Lionel Munroe, who is retiring as steward at the social club after 14 years. On Friday they saluted Mr Munroe and his wife Lin for their long service and unfailing good humour. Former club chairman Peter
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Moral discussion of modern science
Should women over 60 be artificially impregnated with donor eggs? Is it morally right to reject umpteen embryos so one, free of a tendency to colon cancer, can be brought to term? What are the ethics of selecting a baby brother or sister to be a 'saviour
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Urchfont church fete grows bigger
The village of Urchfont, near Devizes, is upgrading its annual church fete into a full-blown Midsummer Fair. The event will get under way on Saturday at 2pm when fair princess, 11-year-old Annabel Lee, and her attendants, sisters Tamar and Holly Reavenall-Cashmore
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Devizes swimmer’s great lengths
charity worker Carie Evans is undertaking a marathon swim but is doing it in bite-size pieces. Mrs Evans, 54, of Windsor Drive, Devizes, is a caseworker for the Devizes and Melksham area of the Wiltshire Blind Association and is hoping to raise
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Battle of the pizzas hots up in Devizes
Pizza delivery company Sammy Jo’s has said they do not fear competition from the new Domino’s Pizza restaurant opening in Devizes on Monday. The national chain is due to open a new takeaway in the former Rising Sun pub in Southbroom Road. It will inevitably
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Motorbiker from Chippenham area fights for life after crash
A 46-year-old motorcyclist from the Chippenham area is fighting for his life in hospital following a four vehicle crash on the Devizes to Rushall Road on Tuesday shortly before 4.30pm. Police have not named the male rider of the black Suzuki 1200 who