Archive
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Proud day for couple after sacrifice years
FIFTY years ago Leon and Ercil Mings married in Barbados and made the hardest decision of their life to leave their children behind while they sought a better life in England. The couple, whose children include Chippenham Town Football Club coach Adie
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Brick sale builds up funds
AN innovative Buy A Brick scheme could help a primary school build an extension for a computer suite. The Friends of By Brook Valley School, Chippenham, have come up with the fundraising idea, to get people involved in the project. People can buy a brick
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Shake off the holiday blues
A SUMMER holiday dance workshop for children is to be staged in Chippenham in August. Run by Dancers of Chippenham, it will offer tuition in a range of social and party dances, with lots of games and competitions. "Dancing is great exercise for kids and
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Band looks ahead to tour
CHIPPENHAM Town Band member Harold Harding has quelled rumours that the band is finishing and not going on tour to Germany. "The band is not closing and we are going on tour," said Mr Harding. "A member of Chippenham Town Council said to one of our members
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The sweet way to aid charities
JUNE 3: PEOPLE are limbering up to take part in Swindon Cares week. And Zurich Financial Services, a supporter of Swindon Cares and a member of the fundraising committee, will rise to the occasion by baking cakes. The Swindon-based company, plans to host
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Neighbour from hell is let off with a fine
ELDERLY residents who claim their lives have been made a misery by a neighbour from hell were angry when a court let her off with just a fine. Rebecca Goodwin, 33, of Allington Way, Chippenham, appeared at the town's magistrates court last Thursday, charged
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A chance to show you care
JUNE 3: Swindon cares is a new campaign which aims to raise funds for three worthy causes in the town, and has the backing of major organisations locally. BHAVANI VADDE reports The launch of a new fundraising drive is set to give a further boost to the
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New award ceremony voted big success
PUPILS from Hardenhuish School, in Chippenham, were praised for outstanding effort and achievement in an awards evening held on Tuesday. The special ceremony was held in the school's newly erected Peter Thompson Hall and more than 150 students aged between
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Service for our senior citizens
JUNE 3: AGE Concern Swindon has been working to improve quality of life for older people for more than 50 years. The charity believes older people should be treated as equal citizens and is campaigning to make age discrimination illegal. Based in offices
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Industrial park's here to stay, owners tell forum
RETAILERS and business leaders have been told the Skelton Group has no plans to bulldoze the Langley Park industrial site in Chippenham. Daniel Chapman, of the Skelton Group, which owns the site off Langley Road, spoke at a Town Centre Forum luncheon
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Lyneham pins hopes on Army takeover
WHILE villagers and service personnel try to come to terms with the announcement that RAF Lyneham is to close, rumours are starting to circulate that the Army could move in. Andy Humm, manager of the village website Lyneham Village and Beyond, said: "
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Web equality for Swindon Cares
JULY 9: A new web-based Disability Awareness Training course was launched yesterday by local charity Working for Opportunities with support from Zurich. Between now and the end of the year Working For Opportunities are offering a £1 donation to Swindon
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Six for Lewis in Glos blitz
Derbyshire's desperate run in the Frizzell County Championship continued when they were routed for their lowest total in five years 89 against Gloucestershire. The home side were bowled out in 36 overs at Derby with Jonathan Lewis taking six wickets and
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Rod & Line by Roland Batten
Mixed bags keep anglers happy QUALITY roach, a big crucian carp and double figure barbel have been caught from rivers and lakes in the region over the last week. Roach to 2lb 6oz have been taken from Somerley Lakes at Ringwood and from the Avon at Fordingbridge
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Record crowds at Ladies' Evening
LADIES Evening at Salisbury races last Friday proved a winner with punters, with a bumper crowd of more than 6,000 turning out to support the six-race meeting. The crowd of 6,100 was a record attendance for an evening meeting at Salisbury racecourse and
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Victory for St Andrew's
THE fourth Salisbury District Primary Schools Basketball Festival took place at St Edmund's Girls' School and Sports College on Friday, writes Nikki Davies. Twelve teams from six local schools took part in the tournament, which was organised by Salisbury
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Book recounts couple's memories of war in Malta
Angela Turnbull meets Frank and Mary Rixon, who were living in Malta during World War II MARY Rixon still vividly remembers the Friday rations she would receive in Malta during the darkest days of World War II. "One sardine and a few butter beans," she
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James the first for City
SALISBURY City have completed their first major new signing of the summer. Stuart James, who plays wide on the right, agreed terms with the Old Sarum club last week despite fierce competition from Whites' Dr Martens League Eastern Division rivals Bashley
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Let death be a warning to avoid drugs
THE story of Kristian Andersen is a modern tragedy. It is also a powerful warning to anybody who today might be tempted to try heroin. Kristian, who killed himself by deliberately taking an overdose, left a note telling the world that he was not a junkie
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Composting lessons with bargain bins
RESIDENTS in north Wiltshire are being given the opportunity to buy compost bins at the price of £6 as part of a scheme to promote recycling and reduce rubbish in the area. Wiltshire Wildlife Trust invited complete beginners as well as keen gardeners
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Completely bouled over
TEAMS from across the UK and France will be throwing their boules in a bid to win the coveted Sherston Cup this Saturday in Sherston. The red, white and blue bunting is already up, and early on Saturday morning tonnes of sand will be brought in to transform
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Home funds fight hots up
THE building of much-needed affordable homes in North Wiltshire could face major cut-backs because of a new Government funding regime, says council leader Ruth Coleman. Currently North Wiltshire builds about 100 affordable homes for local people every
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Children go back in time
CHILDREN from schools in Malmesbsury and Oaksey went back to 1920 to stage a show called Vintage Murder last week. The 15 children of the Green Door Children's Drama School performed in front of proud mums and dads in Oaksey Hall. Lorraine Pickering,
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Cyclist is scared by speeding bikers
A CYCLIST was left frightened and shaken after being confronted by two quad bikes hurtling towards her on a byway at Somerford Common, near Malmesbury. Margo Giles of The Bothy, Minety, said she had to jump out of the way when the two large red quad bikes
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Boss spared driving ban
CATERING company boss Catriona Wrey escaped a driving ban after she was caught speeding. Wrey, 35, of Compton Bassett, pleaded guilty by post to driving at 89mph on the A4 at Yatesbury, which has a 60 mph limit. She appeared at Kennet Magistrates Court
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New chief now aims to build up festival
NORTH Wiltshire Festival 2004 could have big name stars and a better role for business, according to new festival project leader Steve Cox. Mr Cox, 52, has just started his new job co-ordinating the festival for North Wiltshire District Council - and
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Bluebirds facing tough early tests
CHIPPENHAM Town boss Tommy Saunders will have to pick from a depleted squad for his side's opening two pre-season friendlies against Calne Town tomorrow night and Yeovil Town on Monday. Saunders is expecting to have a squad of only around 14 players to
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Rawlins is up front about his ambitions
MATT RAWLINS is relishing getting his chance to lead the line for Chippenham Town this season and hopes to score the goals that could keep him in the striker's jersey. Rawlins started his career as a forward and spent five years at Arsenal as a schoolboy
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Brown on the way back
CHIPPENHAM Town winger Steve Brown could soon be off the injured list and back on the pitch to help boost the club's forthcoming league campaign. The 29-year-old left-winger suffered a broken leg last season in the early stages of a league clash with
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Dutch trialist missing after very little action
THE future of Dutch trialist Kevin Staffen has been thrown into doubt after he made an early return to Holland. The 19-year-old midfielder, who had most recently been turning out for German non-league outfit FC Oeding, had been getting his first real
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Children go back in time
CHILDREN from schools in Malmesbsury and Oaksey went back to 1920 to stage a show called Vintage Murder last week. The 15 children of the Green Door Children's Drama School performed in front of proud mums and dads in Oaksey Hall. Lorraine Pickering,
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Ex-soldier in racist attack
FORMER soldier Neil Barton carried out a racist attack on a Chinese man, a court heard. The 28-year-old, who has since left the Hullavington-based 9 Supply Regiment, also admitted two charges of racially aggravated threatening behaviour. The charges against
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Cyclist is scared by speeding bikers
A CYCLIST was left frightened and shaken after being confronted by two quad bikes hurtling towards her on a byway at Somerford Common, near Malmesbury. Margo Giles of The Bothy, Minety, said she had to jump out of the way when the two large red quad bikes
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Fight for pub set to go on
MALMESBURY'S Suffolk Arms Freedom fighters have vowed to fight Lord Suffolk's appeal to be allowed to build houses on the site of his Suffolk Arms pub. The freedom fighters group is made up of regulars who used the pub before it was closed in January.
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School hopes that car boot sale will help step up hall appeal
A CAR boot sale at Castle Combe racing circuit will be held on July 20 to raise money for Luckington School. The Friends of Luckington School hope the sale will provide a boost to their £250,000 campaign to construct a new school hall. The total stands
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Fire station appeals for flexible fighters
MALMESBURY Fire Station is once more appealing for new retained fire fighters. The Malmesbury crew is unique, as it is the only one in Wiltshire to have two women. One of them, firefighter Jo Evans, 36, said she would like to see more women join up. Mrs
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Plans unveiled for £2.5m school
MALMESBURY C of E Primary School is to have a new £2.5 million building on its current site at Tetbury Hill in plans revealed yesterday. The 14-classroom single-storey school will be built on land behind the present building and provide enough room to
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Lyneham pins hopes on Army takeover
WHILE villagers and service personnel try to come to terms with the announcement that RAF Lyneham is to close, rumours are starting to circulate that the Army could move in. Andy Humm, manager of the village website Lyneham Village and Beyond, said: "
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New Blondie is a brunette
SHERSTON singing sensation Mercia Clayton has caused a storm on the Internet. The 29-year-old's first single, You Said, is in the top ten of downloaded songs on major music websites such as HMV, Dot Music, MSN and Tiscali. The song has also been played
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Rodbourne keep up fine run with win over Bassett
Rodbourne Cheney made it 10 wins out of 10 with a four-shot victory over Wootton Bassett B in the latest round of matches in the Swindon and District Four-rink Bowls League. Unbeaten in Division Two last season, Bassett gave the leaders a very close match
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Redmarley v Box
PROMOTION candidates Redmarley were run close by visitors Box before recording a three wicket win with an over to spare in Saturday's Gloucestershire and Wiltshire Division Two game. David Kelly was promoted back to opener by stand in captain Richard
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Marlborough v Marshfield
AS the second half of the season kicked off, Marlborough approached the game against Marshfield with a new sense of urgency. Victory would assist both teams in improving their league position and it was Marlborough who did enough to seal victory by 58
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Goatacre v Hatherley and Reddings
YET another superb performance from Kevin Iles took Goatacre to another victory in Gloucestershire and Wiltshire Division One. He followed up his innings of 110 with a spell of four for 30 as Goatacre romped home by 25 runs. Goatacre batted first and
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Creed steers Marshfield to county victory
Ref. 10225-01MARSHFIELD lifted their first silverware of the season when they defeated holders Potterne in an entertaining final of the Wiltshire 20 overs Cup on Tuesday night. Home team Potterne batted first and chalked up 174 for seven, with Marshfield
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Corsham's batsmen seal local derby win
JUNIOR CRICKET: Under 11s - OPENER Tom Dally top scored with 18 for Malmesbury in their home match against Corsham but he had little support and Malmesbury could only reach 49 for eight in their 20 overs. For Corsham Wilson took three for four. In reply
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Winget v Devizes
AN INSPIRED bowling performance from James Ashford-Brown was overshadowed by several dubious umpiring decisions as Devizes crashed to defeat in their top of the table encounter with Winget. Bowling with good pace and accuracy, Ashford-Brown picked up
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Double joy as Bates leads victory charge
Ref. 10175-03RICHARD Bates enjoyed a profitable weekend as Chippenham wrapped up two victories in two days. Chippenham gained a comfortable eight wicket victory over Wiltshire rivals Warminster in the Stroud and Swindon West of England Premeir League
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South Wilts in brief
SOUTH Wilts 2nd XI remain in trouble towards the bottom of their division as they slipped to defeat at Paultons. Chris Steedon continued his return to form with an impressive 4-43 and James Hayward bowled a super spell of left arm spin as Paultons were
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Lee and Time tough act to follow
FIRST pair Lee Mahony and Tim Gadenne set an example their team mates were unable to follow as Salisbury's A men's team slipped to defeat in their last Hampshire League match at home to Avenue of Havant on Saturday. Lee and Tim won six sets out of six
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Students set to aid charity
TWO Wootton Bassett sixth form students, Charlotte Mercer and Kayleigh Stan-ley, both 17, are raising funds towards a two-week conservation trip which will benefit a children's charity. The girls, who plan to make the trip in July and August next year
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Students' dismay as bus to college is axed
THREE students were stunned to be told that the bus service which was to take them to college has been axed. Amelia Mahoney, Vikki Hall and Pearl Tillyer, all 16, are due to start on the same two-year BTEC art and design course at Wiltshire College in
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A musical extravaganza
OFFERING world-class music in captivating surroundings and fireworks fit for a queen, this weekend's Lacock Proms, sponsored by the Gazette and Herald, is going to be even bigger and better than before, says the man behind the show. "Work is now well
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Love of hares shared by farmers
SOME people might think that artist Joannah May is harebrained because she tends to concentrate on painting just one species. Ms May, who runs the Studio Gallery in Marlborough, previously worked as a wildlife illustrator and this is evident in her work
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County's leader steps down after promotion
PETER Chalke is standing down as Wiltshire County Council leader after 17 years. Mr Chalke, 58, will remain a Conservative county councillor and it is believed he will stay on the council's Cabinet, the key decision making committee. Mr Chalke is resigning
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College celebrates glowing report
WILTSHIRE College staff and students are celebrating their glowing Ofsted report, confirming the college is one of the best in the country. The quality of teaching and student achievement was judged as outstanding in visual, performing arts, media, work-based
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Mystery remains over heroin addict's death
WILTSHIRE'S deputy coroner William Bache described the inquest into the death of heroin addict Gary Willcox from a drugs overdose as a troublesome case riddled with curiosities. Twenty-year-old Willcox, a former pupil of Corsham School, was found dead
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New plea over son jailed in Japan
MUM Iris Baker is desperate to raise £25,000 to pay off a fine imposed on her son Nick for drugs trafficking in Japan. Mr Baker, 32, was sentenced to 14 years imprisonment, as well as the hefty fine, after a Japanese court found him guilty of attempting
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Record office gets support
A REPORT by National Archives into the Wiltshire and Swindon Record Office has applauded plans to build a new facility. Wiltshire County Council and Swindon Borough Council want to build a new record office on the cattle market site off Cocklebury Road
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Weekend is spot on
Ref. BL235-26YOUTH FOOTBALL: YOUNG rivals battled through more than 900 games for a host of trophies at the Trowbridge Wanderers six-a-side tournament but not a single red or yellow card was brandished. That was the single biggest thrill for organiser
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MP sets up task force to ease closure blow
THE final nail was hammered into RAF Lyneham's coffin on Friday, when the Ministry of Defence announced that the base is to close. The final date, 2012, may seem a long way off, but with the J fleet of Hercules set to be transferred to RAF Brize Norton
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New vicar's secret sex shame
PARISHIONERS are supporting disgraced vicar the Rev Geoff Hewitt, despite the revelation that he was forced to leave his former parish after admitting sexually harassing female colleagues. Mr Hewitt took up the reins as rector of the Benefice of Draycott
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Seaside trip will become so familiar
WILTSHIRE football supporters will be well used to the route to Bideford by the time the football season gets under way. Andy King's Swindon Town side visit Bideford for a pre-season friendly on July 21 but there will be rather more at stake when Swindon
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Bosses ready for the off
SCREWFIX LEAGUE: WITH players returning to pre-season training and this season's fixture lists being published the managers of the area's Screwfix League clubs are busy preparing for their new campaigns. Dave Hopkins' Devizes Town side will travel to
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Ambulances running late
Ref. 24670-31WILTSHIRE Ambulance Service is failing to meet targets for responding to life threatening emergency calls, having met the Department of Health levels just once in the last eight months. But the service is pinning its hopes on major investment
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Pupils' sums add up to top number
PUPILS at Devizes School certainly know how to do their sums. The school entered 120 pupils from its top maths sets in years seven and eight in a national competition and their performance was one of the best the school has had. The pupils, aged between
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Garage plan turned down
PLANS to put homes on the site of Reeder's Garage in the centre of Upavon have been refused by Kennet. Members of the council's regulatory committee agreed on Thursday to support their officers' recommendation and turn down the application by Mike and
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Cuddly toys help raise appeal cash
Ref. 25618-5SWINDON CANCER APPEAL: Adults and children alike cannot resist cuddly, bean-filled toys. Now the Swindon Cancer Appeal has two new bean cuddlies to add to the hundreds that have taken the world by storm over the last 10 years. Young Madeleine
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Beauty is her business
Ref. 25579-8-When teenager Jane Quirke was diagnosed with leukaemia she feared her dream of owning a beauty salon was over. But 18 months later Jane, from Moredon, is well on her way to becoming a top Swindon beautician. The 18-year-old, who is now in
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Flutters of a new paradise
Ref. 25596-81 & 33IN February, the Studley Grange Butterfly Farm was little more than a building site inside two large greenhouses. Now it's ready for visitors, featuring a tropical climate and resembles a distant paradise, of exotic plants and hundreds
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For crying out loud, the festival's launched!
Ref. 25605-21TOWN Crier, Fred Ferris was in the town centre yesterday to launch Swindon's Summer Festival, which begins next week. Fred was joined by Toby Rathbone, performing arts officer at Swindon Council and organiser of the festival, who enthused
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Timetable change in the school year
CHANGES have been agreed that will see a shake up to the school calendar. Last night's Cabinet meeting of Swindon Council rubber-stamped the Education Partnership Board's decision to move to a six term year. But headteachers have criticised the plans,
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Police support officer's work success wins praise
AMESBURY councillors have praised the work of their new police community support officer. Speaking at last week's town council meeting, Mayor of Amesbury Allan Peach said he was delighted with the work being done by the support officer and his progress
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Visit crowns school fun day
CHILDREN at Ogbourne St George village school had a royal visitor for their Victorian fun day. Queen Victoria herself, alias Swindon actress Mary Ratcliffe, turned up at the event organised by the Friends of Ogbourne School, which raised £1,850 towards
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Top guns have a blast
FLEXING their trigger fingers inches from their holsters, gunslingers Clem Smith and Deputy Dog gazed at each other through the clouds of acrid pistol smoke. Suddenly the gunmen saw red and they went for their six-shooters, blazing away at each other
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Cartoonist wins praise
YOUING cartoonist Jake South is one of ten finalists in a competition run by Child Line. Jake, 11, of Newbury Avenue, Calne, entered the competition to design a cartoon strip exploring and illustrating the concept of respect, using the Helping Kids Grow
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Pupils' DIY learning unit
FROM Changing Rooms to changing lives - the hard work of John Bentley School pupils paid off last week, when the new, eagerly-awaited Supported Learning Centre opened its doors. Provided by a joint partnership between the Calne school and Connexions,
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School staff win accolade
CHERHILL Primary School's hardworking staff have earned a cash prize from the Government as a reward for their pupils' outstanding SATs results. The school won a School Achievement Award, which was awarded by the Department for Education and Skills. The
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Purton looking for a manager
Purton under 10s urgently require a manager/coach for the forthcoming season. Anyone interested should contact Mark Carson on 01793 772320
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Eldene Colts joint boss hunt
Cirencester and District-based Eldene Colts FC desperately require a joint manager/coach to help a one-man band currently in place at the club. Experience would be an advantage but not necessary as training will be given. Anyone interested should call
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Teacher bids mums and children goodbye
THE latter part of teacher Jenny Osborn's 30-year career at St Mary's Infants' School in Marlborough has been spent teaching the children of her original pupils. In her class of 28 currently at the George Lane school she believes at least 12 are the children
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Burglar's reprieve from jail
DEVIZES burglar Nigel Stickley has narrowly escaped being sent to jail by a judge at Salisbury Crown Court. Stickley, 20, of Eastleigh Road, Devizes, was before the court on Thursday for sentence having earlier admitted stealing a £150 gold necklace from
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Royal line-up, old and new
THERE are some new faces and some familiar ones in this year's Devizes carnival royalty line-up. The carnival queen is 16-year-old Naomi McWilliams, of Worton. Naomi, a former Lavington School pupil was Carnival Queen two years ago. She said: "I really
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Teacher bids mums and children goodbye
THE latter part of teacher Jenny Osborn's 30-year career at St Mary's Infants' School in Marlborough has been spent teaching the children of her original pupils. In her class of 28 currently at the George Lane school she believes at least 12 are the children
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Para gets hero's welcome
PARATROOPER Anthony Porter, 22, has returned from Iraq to be reunited with his family in Devizes. Mr Porter, who has been serving with the 1st Battalion of the Parachute Regiment for 18 months, saw action in Basra and latterly Al Amara. His mother, Julie
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Objectors censure school for 'bullying'
MARLBOROUGH College headmaster Edward Gould and the school's council have been accused of using bullying tactics in their successful planning application for a new sports pavilion. Kennet District Council voted by a majority decision by last Thursday
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Queen has 'B' in her bonnet
IF you want to be the Aldbourne Carnival Queen it seems you have to be called Laura and have a surname beginning with B. The newly elected carnival queen is Laura Beattie, 16, who lives in the village. She takes over from Laura Brown who was the 2002
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Popular student dies in car crash
TRIBUTES have been pouring in to popular student, Oliver Davey, 17, who was killed when he was thrown from a car which crashed near Trowbridge at the weekend. Ollie, as he was known to his many friends, had just completed his AS level exams at St John's
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Mamma mia! Italians give us thumbs up
Italian students have met Swindon mayor Derek Benfield during their three-week stay in the town. The group from a college near Ancona, is in town as part of a biology course supporting the Great Western Community Forest Team in a range of environ-mental
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Councillors are cleared of misusing funds
WOOTTON Bassett councillors have been cleared of allegations they misused tax payers' money. A resident had lodged a complaint with the town council's auditors after the authority last year gave £500 to the Wootton Bassett War Memorial Committee and agreed
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The show will go on
WROUGHTON'S annual carnival procession will be winding its way through the village on Saturday. The festivities kick off with a parade of floats along the High Street from 2pm, along with the British Legion Royal Corps of Drums, the Bluebell Majorettes
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Wharf shows the way
I WAS interested to read the letter from Eric Vawser in the Gazette (July 3) in which he voiced his opinion on local theatres. May I suggest that he revises his fact sheet. The Wharf Theatre, at Devizes, is a voluntary organisation and has been running
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European job there for you
YOUNG people across Swindon are being urged to participate in the European Union's Leonardo da Vinci scheme, which funds a three-month work placement in a European country. The scheme is open to applications from young people aged between 18 and 25 who
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We had taste of paradise
THIS is what I won through reading the Wiltshire Gazette and Herald each week. Early in January I received a letter stating I was one of the 16 finalists in their competition and invited to attend the final on January 20 at the Bear Hotel in Devizes.
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Pupils get full marks for role-playing
PUPILS from two Swindon schools took part in a day of activities at the National Trust's Coleshill Estate. Sixty children from rural South Marston CE Primary and urban Colebrook Junior participated in role-playing exercises called, Whose Land Is It Anyway
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No more speed humps please!
Ref. 25531-20ROAD users in Covingham are lobbying Swindon Council to remove speed bumps after complaining of damaged cars and bad backs. Ten speed cushions, which cost the council almost £130,000, line about half-a-mile along Covingham Drive. Now the
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Town's youngsters deserve better help
CHIPPENHAM youngsters deserve better treatment than they have been getting over the past two years. They deserve good skatepark facilities and an apology for this unacceptable delay. Congratulations to the council, they had the right place and the right
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Cycleway and signs don't improve safety
I am at a complete loss to understand the reasoning behind the route of the new National Cycling Network No. 4 across Chippenham. I always thought pedal cycles were classed as "vehicles" and that the riders were subject to all the rules of the road and
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Every little helps in cardiac unit appeal
'EVERY little helps' is the message coming from the hospital charity Share as the Ace of Hearts Appeal organisers take the opportunity to thank people for the latest round of donations. In raising £370 for a new cardiac suite at Salisbury District Hospital
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Warning to town
Some time ago I warned of the problems that the Record Office project could bring to Chippenham. Because of that project, Devizes suffered the loss of the Northgate and Wharfside developments. The drawn- out process, ending in failure, had a negative
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Farmer into finals for top wildlife award
COLIN Coward, who runs Mere Down Farm, near Mere, is through to the final of the country's top farm conservation competition. He learned he was into the last six in the 2003 Farmcare FWAG Silver Lapwing Award when it was announced at the Royal Show at
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Madonna successful in privacy fight
POP icon Madonna has won the first stage of a privacy battle to stop people walking through the grounds of her Cranborne Chase home. The actress and singer has successfully appealed to the Countryside Agency to prevent the land being classified as open
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Historic church is featured on video
A HISTORIC church in Lydiard Tregoze is featured in a Channel Four video which features places of worship in England. St Mary's Church, located in the grounds of Lydiard Park, is included in a video called The English Church. The programme, available
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Solstice parking was nightmare for village
IN response to the letter from G Hancock regarding solstice parking at Avebury, yes the parking over the Solstice is horrendous, many residents have suggested that a farmer's field be opened up for extra parking. They were told that by doing that, and
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Drivers run gauntlet of road danger daily
ANYONE who approves of the philosophy of living each day as if it might be your last but finds it hard to do so, should try living in Fyfield or Lockeridge and running the gauntlet of the A4 every day. Many people who live in these villages feel they
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Vote to ban hunting sends shock waves
DEFIANT fox-hunters have vowed to carry on hunting, despite a vote by MPs to ban the ancient blood sport. Members of the Wilton Hunt say they would be tempted to ignore an outright ban amid police fears a change in the law would be unenforceable. But
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Segregated homes
TWO men died in a recent Lincoln neighbour dispute. Neighbour disputes are fairly commonplace and largely unreported unless they lead to tragedy. (They have that in common with school bullying.) They often involve boundary disagreements, loud music, football
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The best smell
Having just read the letter suggesting a working loco at Steam instantly rekindled my memories. Part of the whole experience is the sound and smell of the iron horse. I can think of nothing better than the times I spent on the platforms of Swindon station
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Need for HGVs
HAVING read the letter 'HGVS block our roads', I wonder if I may make a couple of points to Mr Combs and the rest of the anti-lorry brigade. Over the past 20 years, the number of HGVS on Britain's roads has actually decreased by some seven per cent while
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Players appeal
PLAYER recruitment was at the top of the agenda at Malmesbury Rugby Club's annual general meeting. Spokesman Alan Walker said: "Discussions centred on improvement in player recruitment, training and improving the club's general standard of play, so entry
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Stalwarts honoured for efforts
THREE members of Devizes Rugby Club have been recognised for their contribution to community rugby in the town. Ray Taylor, Nick Dark, and Mike Gaiger were guests of honour at the recent Dorset and Wilts County Rugby Committee annual dinner, held at the
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Have a say on council's work
CHIPPENHAM Town Council has enjoyed its best year so far, according to a new Best Value Performance Plan 2003/4. The publication outlines all the town council's services, with a breakdown of targets and a measurement of how far the town council has achieved
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Emery Gate road closes
THE access road by the Wilkinson store leading to the Emery Gate car park in Chippenham will be closed next week. North Wiltshire District Council is working with the store to warn people who regularly use the car park. Although the car park will remain
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A shoulder to lean on
JUNE 3: JOHN Mills says he wouldn't be here now if it wasn't for Macmillan nurses. The 63-year-old was diagnosed with terminal prostate cancer last year. Macmillan nurses helped him come to terms with the disease immediately after the diagnosis and they
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Big pedal for little cyclist
NINE-YEAR-OLD Luke Johnson is all set to cycle 27 miles to raise money for the British Heart Foundation. Luke is a Year Four pupil at St Mary's Primary School, in Chippenham. His mother Rose said he wanted to follow in the footsteps of his father, who
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Child gives hope to addict's mum
HEARTBROKEN mother Janet Willcox, whose heroin addict son died of an overdose, says his memory will live on through his daughter. Three-year-old Tiffany was adopted by Mrs Willcox and her husband Terry and is giving them comfort after the death of their
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Rally cry for clean up gang
AN army of youngsters is being recruited to take part in a massive clean-up of Chippenham town centre. Keep Chippenham Tidy, the first event of its kind, will take place on August 7, and young volunteers are being sought to grab a bag and do their bit
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Crash victim cut out of car
A 55-year-old driver is recovering in hospital after she punctured a lung and broke her ankle in a head on collision on the A4 on Saturday evening. Police are still investigating how her Honda Civic, which was heading towards Chippenham, ended up on the
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Exiles go so close
PURTON Exile Ladies lost a nail-biting South East Division 3 encounter by one wicket at home to Guildford. Purton lost the toss and were put in to bat. Opener Radford (6) fell lbw, which brought Cath Amore to join Michelle Jackson with the score on 21
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Pro-Am event is back on course
AFTER an absence of three years, Salisbury & South Wilts Golf Club have announced the return of its Pro-Am tournament. The event, which will take place on Friday, August 8, had proved a popular one with both amateurs and professionals for more than
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Salisbury trio all at home
SALISBURY City, Bemerton Heath Harlequins and Downton have all been drawn at home in the Preliminary Round of the 2003/4 FA Cup. Salisbury City entertain Odd Down, while Bemerton Heath Harlequins face Torrington. Their Jewson Wessex League neighbours
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Golden duo are honoured
TWO of the most influential characters on the local football scene were honoured at the recent Wilt-shire County FA AGM. George Parker, who re-tired as Bemerton Heath Harlequins chairman at the end of last season, and Salisbury & District League chairman
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Race for Life a true labour of love
SISTERS are doing it for themselves, sang Annie Lennox over the speakers, as the last of the 650 women who had lined up for the first Salisbury Race For Life left Salisbury athletics track to pound their way around Hudsons Field. And, indeed, they were
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Home honour for Russell
SOUTH Wilts Cricket Club plays host to the Minor Counties Championship clash between Wiltshire and Oxfordshire this week. The three-day match gets under way on Sunday, with Wiltshire looking to bounce back from their recent six-wicket defeat against Western
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Alan sets sights on Croft glory
TISBURY race ace Alan Blencowe travels to one of his favourite circuits this weekend quietly confident he can boost his placings in the British Touring Car Championships. The Croft circuit in North Yorkshire is one he likes and, encouraged by a podium
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Indifference to school changes
IT sounds quite radical to split the school timetable from three terms a year to six. But headteachers say the change is hardly worth bothering with and they would have liked to have seen a far more dramatic shake-up. Parents it seems are also not worried
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Give us the nod
THE phrase 'subject to Football League approval' binds all of Andy King's summer signings, but Town chief executive Mark Devlin is hopeful that the club will get the nod in each case - even if it takes a while. Andrew Nicholas, Jon Stevenson, Sammy Igoe
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Chemical cocktail fears on weapons site
NORTH Wiltshire district councillors were due to decide last night on controversial plans to remove contaminated soil from a housing development site. The council received two planning applications for the clean-up of land at Pockeredge Farm and Peel
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Thieving cab driver walks free from court
TAXI driver John Wolf who pocketed hundreds of pounds from his boss's takings has walked free from court. John Wolf came up with spurious stories after pinching the money over a weekend in January, a court heard. Kate Brown, prosecuting, said the 25-year-old
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Still making sweet music
RON Guyon may have just celebrated his 90th birthday, but he has the body and mind of a man far younger. And his fingers are still quite nimble too. Ron, of Lechlade Road, Highworth, has been a church organist for more than 50 years. Ron started his organ-playing
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Rally letting off steam
THERE was plenty for motor enthusiasts to get hot under the collar about as this year's Heddington And Stockley Steam Rally went full steam ahead. Black clouds hung over the event, but there was no danger of rain - the only thing in the air was jets of
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Chemical cocktail fears on weapons site
NORTH Wiltshire district councillors were due to decide last night on controversial plans to remove contaminated soil from a housing development site. The council received two planning applications for the clean-up of land at Pockeredge Farm and Peel
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Needlework comes home
A BEAUTIFUL Victorian sampler made in Castle Combe, which was rescued from a rubbish tip in New Zealand, is to be given to the village museum later this year. The embroidered sampler was picked out from a load of refuse that was just about to be compacted
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Top guns have a blast
FLEXING their trigger fingers inches from their holsters, gunslingers Clem Smith and Deputy Dog gazed at each other through the clouds of acrid pistol smoke. Suddenly the gunmen saw red and they went for their six-shooters, blazing away at each other
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Ex-soldier in racist attack
FORMER soldier Neil Barton carried out a racist attack on a Chinese man, a court heard. The 28-year-old, who has since left the Hullavington-based 9 Supply Regiment, also admitted two charges of racially aggravated threatening behaviour. The charges against
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Minister to seek ideas
GOVERNMENT Planning Minister Keith Hill hopes to pick up some tips from North Wiltshire District Council planners. Mr Hill has invited representatives from the district council to a meeting to find out how the local authority boosted its planning service
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Cycling sisters round up funds
CYCLING sisters Georgina and Hannah Devenish have raised almost £3,250 for Age Concern by getting friends and relatives to sponsor them on a bike ride. Georgina, 18, and Hannah, 21, of Suddene Park Farm, Burbage, spent Saturday cycling around the villages
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Mountain of berries is ready to disappear
CRUDWELL is all set for its 16th Strawberry Fair this weekend on the village green. Strawberries with cream, ice-cream or biscuits will be savoured by an expected 2,000 people who will descend on the village from 11am for this unique event. More than
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On the air from cupboard HQ
PUPILS at Malmesbury School went on the air waves last Tuesday with the launch of their own radio station. Broadcasting from speakers on The Street, the school's main thoroughfare every lunchtime, the station mixes chat with rock and pop music. Run by
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School confirms teachers will be lost from cuts
A LETTER including the names of teachers who will be leaving Malmesbury School due to a cash crisis is to be sent to parents next week. But headteacher Malcolm Trobe has refused to say how many would be leaving as a result of the cuts and said the letter
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Police plans suffer delays
A DISAGREEMENT between the police and Wiltshire County Council has delayed the introduction of Antisocial Behaviour Orders in Malmesbury by seven months. Police said the delay has hampered their battle with youth crime, which has risen recently. A three-tier
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Keep flying flag for Lyneham
SO RAF Lyneham has been torpedoed. The base, which has seen so many historic moments in its 63 year history, is to be run down over the next decade and will finally close. When the news finally came last week it was hardly a surprise to anyone concerned
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Corsham v Weston-super-Mare
Ref. 10207-02CORSHAM suffered another huge blow to their title ambitions as they went down to a 76 run home defeat in Stroud and Swindon Premier Division One on Saturday. Skipper Craig Gibbens' decision to switch tactics from the early part of the season
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Avebury crumble to surprise first defeat
Ref. 27074-5WILTSHIRE CRICKET LEAGUE: ON a day of surprises, the last two undefeated records went, with Avebury losing at Coates in Division Four and Bradford Town 2nds going down at home to Potterne 2nds in Division Seven. There was also the biggest
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Going to all measures to get drivers
Ref. 25590-9A local recruitment agency is going 'ape' in its attempts to recruit lorry drivers and in particular, Class 1 lorry drivers. Martyn Ellis, operations manager for Recruitment Employment Services, a specialist driving agency based in Commercial
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A holiday in the country
A stint on a farm could be the solution for thousands of office workers fed up with the stresses and strains of city life. At least, that is what the National Farmers' Union is claiming. In response to what the NFU says is a flood of calls every summer
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Hampshire Cricket League
Regional Divisions Three and Four A CENTURY stand in each innings were the features of Bransgore's 29 run victory over BAE Christchurch in the Hampshire League Regional Division Three South West. Chay Fox, 68 not out, and Mark Shutler, 76 not out, shared
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Alderholt's Lamb takes Lyndhurst to slaughter
Hampshire League - Regional Division 2 ALDERHOLT had to thank Alan Lamb for his inspired bowling as they recorded their first win of the season and it was Regional Division Two West leaders Lyndhurst who were the victims, losing for the first time in
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Eleventh man forces draw
South Wilts 236-9 drew with Hampshire Academy 193-9 ECB Southern League Premier Division One AFTER scraping a draw with BAT Sports last week, South Wilts were disappointed not to turn a day of domination into an outright win against Hampshire Academy.
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Firefighters give out hot advice on safety
FIREFIGHTERS had no sooner left the scene of a house fire in Devizes than they were back this time offering safety advice to neighbours. The blaze in Broadleas Crescent had broken out about midnight on June 22 in the bedroom of a house that had been fitted
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Bobbies set to be kept on the beat
NEWLY-appointed Deputy Chief Constable Stephen Long is looking to introduce new technology to keep more bobbies on the beat. Mr Long, 48, arrived in Wiltshire in January 2000 as acting Assistant Chief Constable, but his appointment has now been formalised
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Spec wearers in the frame
THE hunt is on for Chippenham's sexiest specs wearer and for one lucky winner this could mean a luxury summer holiday as well as a chance to become a catwalk model. Next Thursday Specsavers Opticians on Borough Parade, Chippenham, will be hosting its
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Veteran firefighter bows out after 31 years
AFTER 31 years of fighting fires in Marlborough, including some of the town's biggest blazes, Dave Smith has hung up his uniform for the last time. But the 55-year-old grandfather will continue wearing a uniform for his job as a paramedic with the Wiltshire
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News knocks families for six
THE announcement of the closure of RAF Lyneham couldn't come at a worse time for Becky Lockley. Stationed at Lyneham with her husband, who is a member of the 47AD Army unit, 32-year-old Mrs Lockley has found the Lyneham community invaluable in providing
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Heartbreak over decision that touches so many lives
THE closure of RAF Lyneham will mean the end of a personal era for Babs Taylor, verger of the village church, St Michael and All Angels. Mrs Taylor, 42, came to Lyneham 35 years ago and went on to work as a stewardess in the Officers' Mess. "I love this
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We will adapt and survive villagers
CHRIS Scott, manager of Lyneham Computers on the Calne Road, said the news of the closure had been what most people had been expected, but that nevertheless, it was a huge blow. "Around 60 per cent of our business is done with base personnel and that
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Penalties do for English chances yet again
A DODGY refereeing decision was enough to break English hearts as the brave team from Westinghouse Brakes were knocked out of a mini World Cup tournament in Germany last weekend. The Chippehmam firm's workers only lost one game in five matches, but were
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Teams head to Malmesbury
MALMESBURY will be going football crazy this weekend when 192 teams take part in the town's annual six-a-side tournament. Budding footballers aged between eight and 15-years-old will be competing for prizes at the Red Bull pitches, off Sherston Road,
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Marina plans for canal farm
PLANS for a new canal marina on the Kennet and Avon Canal just across the Wiltshire border into Berkshire are being opposed by some local residents. Farmer Alan Holland of Highclose Farm between Froxfield and Hungerford already has outline planning consent
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Cycling sisters round up funds
CYCLING sisters Georgina and Hannah Devenish have raised almost £3,250 for Age Concern by getting friends and relatives to sponsor them on a bike ride. Georgina, 18, and Hannah, 21, of Suddene Park Farm, Burbage, spent Saturday cycling around the villages
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Top marks for target-busting fundraisers
GENEROUS villagers have dug deep to ensure that St Nicholas' Primary School's new accommodation will be built. The Bromham primary's Parent Teacher Association was tasked with raising £30,000 towards the total cost of £340,000. The association surpassed
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Life for barbaric killer
REMORSELESS killer Richard Markham, who murdered his friend Tristian Lovelock, 25, formerly of Burbage, will never leave prison if a judge's recommendation is followed. Markham, 28, a furniture dealer, dismembered the body of Mr Lovelock at his home in
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Gun terror on doorstep
A JURY heard of the terrifying moments when a gun wielding man confronted 62-year-old Alma Scammell on her doorstep and drove away her car. Mrs Scammell, a home carer, gave evidence at Salisbury Crown Court on Monday in the trial of Luke Coleman. Coleman
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Through rose coloured glasses
Ref. 25617-18He used to read at a rate of just 12 words a minute. Now, with the help of tinted glasses, 10-year-old Josh Ward can read 80 words a minute. ANDY TATE reports A Swindon boy who could barely read has seen his life transformed by a pair of
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Police plan another series of raids
SWINDON DRUGS HOTLINE: DRUG squad officers have more dealers in their sights thanks to information provided by the Swindon Drugs Hotline. Officers are planning to target the homes of seven suspected heroin and crack cocaine dealers in the Swin-don area
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Friend also dies of drug overdose
BY a sad coincidence, an inquest was held into the death of one of Kristian Andersen's friends yesterday. He also died of a drug overdose. Wayne Fairs, who lived in Winsley Close, Penhill, was 21 when he was found dead in the foyer of a unit of flats
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The scourge
Main picture: Kristian as an adult. Inset: Kristian just three years old.This is Kristian Andersen, aged three. Just 17 years later he was dead from a heroin overdose. Drugs turned this child into a man dogged by his habit and sick of his life. What happened
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Every little helps in cardiac unit appeal
'EVERY little helps' is the message coming from the hospital charity Share as the Ace of Hearts Appeal organisers take the opportunity to thank people for the latest round of donations. In raising £370 for a new cardiac suite at Salisbury District Hospital
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Day centre celebrates members' 100 years
TWO members of Winterslow Friendship day centre were the stars of the show on Tuesday last week, when they were presented with baskets of flowers to mark their hundredth years. Hylda Knight will be 100 on July 23 and Connie Perry on December 4, and organisers
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No prosecution for scientists
MINISTRY of Defence scientists accused of testing deadly chemicals on human guinea pigs at Porton Down are not to be prosecuted, it was announced on Tuesday. The Crown Prosecution Service said there was insufficient evidence to bring the scientists, who
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St John service honoured
WILTSHIRE'S oldest St John Ambulance member has been presented with an award for his impressive 64 years' service. Since joining the organis ation in 1939, Eric Fisher (83) has been on duty at the Queen's coronation, Winston Churchill's funeral and hundreds
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Guest with a sting in its tail
A DEADLY guest with a sting in its tail gave the proprietors of an Amesbury bed and breakfast the fright of their life. The owners of the rural guest house, just outside Amesbury, received a rude awakening after discovering a venomous scorpion lurking
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School bids for sports college status
BRITAIN'S top woman javelin thrower, Kelly Morgan, returned to her old school at Durrington last week to help launch its bid for specialist sports college status. Upper Avon School, where Kelly was a pupil between 1991 and 1998, is planning to submit
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Police hunt for arsonists
POLICE are hunting the arsonists who caused £10,000-worth of damage to the offices of a firm of solicitors in Amesbury last Thursday night. Five or six youths are suspected of having set light to a number of cardboard boxes in an alleyway off Salisbury
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Vote to ban hunting sends shock waves
DEFIANT fox-hunters have vowed to carry on hunting, despite a vote by MPs to ban the ancient blood sport. Members of the Wilton Hunt say they would be tempted to ignore an outright ban amid police fears a change in the law would be unenforceable. But
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Chaos fears on roadwork
MAJOR roadworks on Old Derry Hill are likely to cause disruption to traffic between Chippenham and Devizes, and to businesses in the village. The work will start on Monday. It will begin at the Pewsham junction on the A4 and continue up the A342 Devizes
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Parents call off school road block protest
CAMPAIGNING parents have called off plans to block the road outside Fynamore School, Calne, saying it would endanger the children they are trying to protect. The parents had planned to block Isis Road on Wednesday morning, to show the effects that closing
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Clubhouse targeted by young arsonists
MEMBERS of Calne Bowls Club fear vandals deliberately tried to destroy their clubhouse when they torched a stolen car inches from the wooden walls. The Vauxhall Astra was stolen from Penn Hill Road in the early hours of Friday morning and driven between
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Relocation of police station is approved
CALNE Town Council has approved plans to relocate the police station in the council's offices in Bank House. Councillors said the move from Silver Street to The Strand would help to combat petty crime, vandalism and anti-social behaviour in the town centre
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Bring back our kiosks, plea to BT by council
DEVIZES town councillors have demanded the return of public phones removed by BT because, they claim, they are not used enough. But councillors claim that the removal of the phones could put lives in jeopardy. BT informed the town council earlier this
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Rolling out the barrels
THIS year's Devizes Beer Festival was the best ever, according to the organisers. The festival, held at Devizes Wharf on Saturday, has grown each year. This was the fifth festival and the organisers, the Devizes branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA
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Burglars used key to get in as owners slept
GEORGE Preston who burgled a house in Devizes is to be sentenced at Salisbury Crown Court. Magistrates sitting in Devizes on Tuesday last week said their powers of sentence were not sufficient and have referred the case to the Crown Court. They heard
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Driver campaigns to slow traffic on estate
CONCERNED Devizes driver Rebecca Lindgren is campaigning to slow down traffic on a busy estate road regularly used as a rat-run. Ms Lindgren, 23, who was involved in a collision in Eastleigh Road, has started collecting signatures for a petition at the
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Firecrew called to gas drama
STAFF and customers at Tesco, in Devizes, were evacuated yesterday morning when there was a suspected gas leak. Staff acted quickly when gas was seen coming out of one of the supermarket's refrigeration units at about 10.40am. An announcement over the
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Playscheme gets funds
A HOLIDAY playscheme in Devizes, which offers children days out, has received national funding. YoungValues, which runs activities for children aged four to 12, was awarded £15,000 for the next three years by the New Opportunities Fund. It provides activities
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Patients' group raises £1,500
PATIENTS have helped to raise £1,500 which has bought new equipment for St James' Surgery in Devizes. The surgery's patients' participation group raised the money through a Christmas raffle, social supper and annual fete. The group raises a similar amount
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School and church clash as rumours fly
SCHOOL governor John Kirk is at the centre of a row between St Peter's C of E Primary School and St Peter's Church in Devizes, after a rumour was printed in the church newsletter that one of the school's buildings could be sold off for housing. School
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Major could face Army discharge after millionaire quiz fraud
WHO Wants To Be A Millionaire fraudster Charles Ingram is still waiting to hear if he has a future in the Army although he has admitted this is unlikely. The major, who serves with the Royal Engineers at Upavon and lives at Easterton, will have to face
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Popular student dies in car crash
TRIBUTES have been pouring in to popular student, Oliver Davey, 17, who was killed when he was thrown from a car which crashed near Trowbridge at the weekend. Ollie, as he was known to his many friends, who had just completed his AS-level exams at St
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Mum wants gunman to be jailed
HOME carer Alma Scammell who was terrorised by a man with a gun in her driveway, said she hopes he will be sent to prison. Mrs Scammell, 62, of Longcroft Road, Devizes, was confronted by Ricky Wilson-Rose when she was unpacking shopping from her car on
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Traffic chaos seizes town
TWO days of traffic chaos in Marlborough were caused by the highway authority, it has emerged. Traffic built up in on both sides of the town, towards Hungerford and towards Beckhampton, on Saturday and Sunday, because contractors had dug a trench across
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Council approves single site for school
ANOTHER major hurdle for the proposed new single site St John's School in Marlborough was cleared when Kennet planners granted outline consent on Thursday. The only reservation expressed by councillors was over the proposed new access road from the Pewsey
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Ahead in the clouds
"A PINT and a bungee jump please." That was the order of the day at the Royal Oak in Marlborough on Saturday. Customers queued at the popular High Street pub not only for drinks and food but also for the opportunity to jump from a 250ft high crane. It
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Crowning glory runs in the family
ONLY three girls entered in the carnival queen selection in Marlborough on Saturday. But for one entrant it was a family affair as she followed in her grandmother's footsteps. Sadie Farrell, 15, of St Margarets Mead, who was butterfly queen when she was
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Star drops out of jazz festival yet again
WILTSHIRE'S own jazz giant, the singer and pianist Jamie Cullum, who was to star in the Marlborough International Jazz Festival, has had the plug pulled on him by his record producers. The singer-pianist from Hullavington made national headlines earlier
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Young anglers battle for cup
CROOKWOOD Lake was bustling with activity on Saturday as 16 juniors anglers competed in the Gazette Cup. The three-hour match got under way at 9.45am and all the anglers fished well, with plenty of small fish showing on all pegs. Devizes' Archie Webster
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Who owns this photographic labour of love?
Ref. 25598-41STAFF at the Swindon branch of Debenhams are keen to find the romantic soul who created a photograph montage for his sweetheart. The series of joined photographs, in a cardboard frame, bear the hand written message: "To the most amazing woman
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Party thrown for returning nurses
HOSPITAL bosses threw a party to welcome back dozens of nurses who have returned to the wards. Great Western Hospital first launched its part-time Return to Practice course in 1995 five years before it became compulsory for returning nurses in a drive
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Taking the plunge
A nursery worker has parachuted out of a plane at 12,000 feet for charity. Morag Puffett, 28, who runs the baby room at the Leapfrog Day Nursery in Highdown Way, Swindon, completed a tandem skydive to raise more than £1,000 for I CAN, which provides specialist
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We must be sure oftyre-burning safety
Hopefully most readers are aware the management of the Lafarge cement works in Westbury is currently pursuing an application to trial burning of recycled liquid fuels in its kilns. This application is now open to public scrutiny with a deadline for comments
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'I miss her dreadfully every day...'
Ref. 25586-75RETURN TO THE BEACH FEATURE: Although he is a Cockney through and through Bill is proud of his acquired Wiltshire roots and lives in Wroughton. He has two children, Steven, a retired police officer, and daughter Frances who is a health visitor
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End bin battles
As you walk along the picturesque Marlborough High Street, as a caring visitor you put some litter into a somewhat battered looking bin and perhaps wonder why they look so tatty. The answer comes later in the evening when spirits get high, these unassuming
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Ambulances running late
Ref. 24670-31WILTSHIRE Ambulance Service is failing to meet targets for responding to life threatening emergency calls, having met the Department of Health levels just once in the last eight months. But the service is pinning its hopes on major investment
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Force has new deputy chief
WILTSHIRE has a new deputy chief constable. Stephen Long moves up from the rank of Assistant Chief Constable following the departure of Alistair McWhirter to lead the Suffolk force. Police spokeswoman Alvina Kumar said ACC Long was appointed following
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Taste of paradise
THIS is what I won through reading the Wiltshire Gazette and Herald each week. Early in January I received a letter stating I was one of the 16 finalists in their competition and invited to attend the final on January 20 at the Bear Hotel in Devizes.
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Still making sweet music
RON Guyon may have just celebrated his 90th birthday, but he has the body and mind of a man far younger. And his fingers are still quite nimble too. Ron, of Lechlade Road, Highworth, has been a church organist for more than 50 years. Ron started his organ-playing
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Pest will remain
I WONDER how many of your readers remember the old family game of Consequences? It is a pity it has gone out of fashion as it might have helped some of our political leaders when making decisions on our behalf. I am not referring to Mr Blair's war, but
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Day centre celebrates members' 100 years
TWO members of Winterslow Friendship day centre were the stars of the show on Tuesday last week, when they were presented with baskets of flowers to mark their hundredth years. Hylda Knight will be 100 on July 23 and Connie Perry on December 4, and organisers
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Homeowner's flooding drain nightmare
A WOMAN has told the Journal she is at her "wits end", after enduring four years of regular flooding at her Woodfalls home. Barbara Carter, of Kingsford Close, has to rush home from work every time there is a torrential downpour to remove all the furniture
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Shell-shocked by the egg throwers
Ref. 25610-17RESIDENTS claim gangs of egg-throwing youths are still making their lives a misery, in spite of promises from traders not to sell them to youngsters. As reported in the Advertiser three months ago, supermarket stores Co-op in Wroughton High
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Riders face the same risks at A4 junctions
I write in response to the letter published last week from Annie Richards. Not only do I wish to reiterate her views, but also to highlight another problem caused by this stretch of the A4. Most of the junctions she refers to also act as crossing points
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Heroic hound Sam recovers stolen loot
A DOG that turned detective has recovered a 92-year-old's stolen jewellery after he took the plunge and sniffed out her precious possessions. Keen-eyed Sam was enjoying his evening walk along the River Ebble at Odstock last Friday when he spied a handbag
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No prosecution for scientists
MINISTRY of Defence scientists accused of testing deadly chemicals on human guinea pigs at Porton Down are not to be prosecuted, it was announced on Tuesday. The Crown Prosecution Service said there was insufficient evidence to bring the scientists, who
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Obesity and smoking are not the same
I READ with interest Dr Conway's view on government proposals to penalise people who smoke and are overweight. I felt Dr Conway sought to be too clear and definite in a very grey area. There are many kinds of organisation producing noxious substances,
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Good riddance to bad rubbish
HAVING been made redundant by Lucent Technologies two years ago, after 16 years service, I can sympathise with Cellular Operations employees who now find themselves facing an uncertain future. In my situation, Lucent was and still is a quality company
