Archive
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Wilts League fixtures for tomorrow
Division One: Bath Civil Service v Westinghouse, Collingbourne v Beanacre, Biddestone v Nationwide House, Burbage & ER v Potterne, Purton v Calne. Division Two: Swindon Civil Service v Buscot Park, Lechlade v Cooper Avon Tyres, Cherhill v Minety,
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Three return for vital game
WILTSHIRE play Berkshire in a vital Western Division game at Westbury on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. The top of the Western Division is close. Cornwall have 65 points from five matches, Berkshire 64 from four, Shropshire 63 from five, Herefordshire 62
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Swindon hit by holidays
Swindon travel to Worcestershire this weekend to take on Colwall and will be hopeful of victory after a fine run of recent form. With the holiday season now in full swing, skipper Will Nichols is forced to make a number of changes with Paul Baden, Andy
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Fresh start for soap firm
RICE OIL and charcoal play a big part in Bradford on Avon woman's new business venture. And now Helen Blackburn wants local retailers to help her take her business to the next stage. Mrs Blackburn decided to set up her own e-commerce website to work from
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Full steam ahead for new business
Graham Peaple is steaming ahead with the launch of a new ironing business in Melksham. Singer and guitarist Mr Peaple, 50, is working flat out to shatter the age-old stereotype of bored housewives shackled to the ironing board. The musician, who makes
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Toymaker retires
A BRATTON toymaker has closed the doors to his workshop for the last time, after 12 years of making gifts for children around the world. Harry Cooper, 69, used to work up to 18 hours a day building toys totalling £5m for children's charities. Now he has
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Backing for pub's late night licence
DRUNKEN troublemakers will get a free trip home to stop them ruining local residents' lives, the latest landlord to seek a late night drinking licence in Westbury has promised. Earlier this month Westbury Town Council joined forces with local residents
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Damaged bus shelter removed
A bus shelter in Westbury that fell into disrepair after being hit by a bus has been removed. The shelter in Station Road was hit by a bus at Christmas. But after seven months of decay Wiltshire County Council took it away on Wednesday and are promising
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Words of wisdom
YOUNGSTERS were treated to some words of wisdom from the Australian outback at Westbury library on Tuesday. Aussie Mick Leigh held poetry classes for children as part of his countywide scheme called The Amaz-ing Bag of Words. Mr Leigh said: "It is an
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Goods stolen from school
Thieves broke in to a Westbury secondary school at the weekend stealing hundreds of pounds worth of hi-tech goods. A printer worth £200 and radio costing £50 were stolen after thieves smashed a window to get inside. The break-in happened between 6.30pm
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Toymaker retires
A BRATTON toymaker has closed the doors to his workshop for the last time, after 12 years of making gifts for children around the world. Harry Cooper, 69, used to work up to 18 hours a day building toys totalling £5m for children's charities. Now he has
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Smell solution
A trowbridge firm will be helping cut down bad smells in the UK and Ireland after signing a deal with an international company to be its UK representative. Aquator Group Ltd makes membranes lined with bacteria which clean up wastewater so it can be pumped
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Woman in custody
A young woman accused of assaulting a 90-year-old man has been remanded in custody. Victoria Watts, 23, appeared at Swindon crown court on Friday accused of causing grievous bodily harm and two counts of theft. During the brief hearing she spoke only
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Full steam ahead for new business
Graham Peaple is steaming ahead with the launch of a new ironing business in Melksham. Singer and guitarist Mr Peaple, 50, is working flat out to shatter the age-old stereotype of bored housewives shackled to the ironing board. The musician, who makes
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Final bell for five long-serving staff
TEACHERS with more than 100 years service between them have retired from a Melksham school. During a leaving ceremony at George Ward School last Wednesday, David Bouault, Andy McVernon, Angela Turner, Madge Shaw and Viv Kemp were praised for their hard
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Not guilty plea
A man has been remanded in custody after pleading not guilty to wounding with intent. Leroy Wynter, 29, had appeared at Swindon crown court accused of attacking Nicky Lyons on May 19 this year. Wynter, of Hampshire Place, Melksham, denied the charge and
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Nursery plan in cash crisis
AMBITIOUS plans to build a new nursery in Melksham could be scrapped because £700,000 worth of funding hangs in the balance. Unless the Regional Development Agency (RDA) has a change of heart, Queensway Chapel pre-school may not be able to open a purpose
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Happy workers keep the cash tills ringing
COMPANIES that retain their staff also retain their customers and make higher profits. This is the theme for the Employer of Choice Exhibition and Conference coming to Swindon, October 8-9, at the Hilton hotel, where industry will discuss how to motivate
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High street banks rapped
HIGH street banks in the region have come under fire for not properly promoting the Government's Small Firm Loan Guarantee (SFLG), which encourages banks and other financial institutions to lend money to businesses when they may not normally do so. The
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Room at inn to improve service
Ref. 21287-15Anyone visiting Swindon on business and staying in one of the town's many hotels should be among the first to benefit from a new initiative aimed at improving morale, and, as a result, levels of service within the local hotel industry. Devised
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Rain fails to dampen party in park
Ref. 27147SUMMER downpours failed to dampen spirits at the West Wilts Show with up to 80,000 people enjoying the entertainment on offer. Although the numbers were down on previous years due to the bad weather, organisers hailed the show as a success.
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New vicar
A CHURCH with no parishioners or congregation is getting a new vicar. The Rev Dr Graham Southgate will be new vicar of Bratton, Edington and Imber, Erlestoke and Coulston. St Giles Church, Imber, has had no congregation since 1943 when the army evacuated
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Skaters to get new park
YOUNGSTERS could soon be off the streets and out of trouble following a cash boost for a new skate park in Edington. Skateboarders demanded Edington Parish Council help them build a skate park after gatecrashing a council meeting three months ago. Now
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Cheating major quits the Army
DISGRACED TV quiz show cheat Charles Ingram has resigned from the Army after being asked to leave by military bosses. The £1m Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? cheat announced his resignation at a press conference in the garden of his Easterton home on Thursday
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Police's turn to be quizzed
MEMBERS of the public were given the chance to quiz police officers about the use of safety cameras on Wiltshire's roads. Officers from Wiltshire Constab-ulary's Safety Camera Unit joined Wiltshire County Council's senior road safety officer at the three-day
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Fear calls for bypass are being ignored
VILLAGERS in West Ashton and Yarnbrook fear their calls for a bypass and road improvements have been ignored. Wiltshire County Council gave the go-ahead for a Westbury bypass last week but failed to agree on plans for a better road scheme north of the
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Double success for Box pairing
BOX duo Sue Cooke and Alex Jacobs enjoyed a highly successful day at the Wiltshire women's county finals on Monday. The pair triumphed in both the fours and the pairs and can now look forward to representing Wiltshire at the county championships in Leamington
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Maternity care to be reviewed
MATERNITY services in west Wiltshire are under the spotlight in the latest healthcare review aimed at relieving financial pressure on the district's NHS. Healthworkers, mothers, and childcare representatives met in Trowbridge on Wednesday to give their
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Lafarge bosses fail to show at meeting
BOSSES at Lafarge refused to speak to residents at a public meeting on the controversial use of chemical burning at Westbury cement works. The meeting was set up by the Environment Agency to give people the chance to voice their opinions and find out
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Malmesbury Victoria 2, Westbury Utd 1
WESTBURY manager Derek Graham had to borrow two players off his opponents to complete Sunday's friendly. But they conceded a goal late in each half to close range finishes to lose on a beautiful summer afternoon on Sunday. Fielding a bare 11 players due
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Flat pack house has no home
AN embroidery designer's quest to build a DIY home is to be featured in a new BBC TV series. Annabel Claridge, 48, from Warminster, is now looking for a plot of land on which to erect the weatherboard home she has had built in the USA. Miss Claridge has
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MP lobbies for tariff timetable
THE BATTLE to get justice for the family of murdered nine-year-old Zoe Evans has been raised in the House of Commons for the second time. MP Andrew Murrison, who is a key supporter of the Wiltshire Times' Justice for Zoe campaign, used the last Parliamentary
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Vandals go on the rampage at school
VANDALS went on the rampage at a Warminster school causing hundreds of pounds of damage. Thugs targeted Avenue Primary School at the weekend only two days after the start of the summer holidays breaking a fence, snapping trees in two and daubing obscene
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Ex-England coach joins Trowbridge
NEW Trowbridge coach Adrian Goldstone has warned not to expect any instant magic, but believes that in time he can take the club as far as they are prepared to go. The 56-year-old has enjoyed a prestigious coaching career, including working with players
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High rating for officers
WILTSHIRE Constabulary has the highest public satisfaction rating of any English county force, according to a police survey. The Constabulary's Police Consultation Unit used palm top computers to conduct face-to-face interviews at last week's West Wilts
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Fresh start for soap firm
RICE OIL and charcoal play a big part in Bradford on Avon woman's new business venture. And now Helen Blackburn wants local retailers to help her take her business to the next stage. Mrs Blackburn decided to set up her own e-commerce website to work from
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Scheme to walk across Channel
AMBITIOUS plans are on the table for a 300-mile walk to bring people from both sides of the English Channel together. The Bradford on Avon & District French Twinning Association is planning a 10-day walk from its French twin town, Sully-Sur-Loire,
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In the saddle for canalside patrol
POLICE in Bradford on Avon are using pedal power as a new way of policing canals and riverbanks in their fight against crime. Bradford on Avon PC, Gary Jones will be getting a new bike so he can access areas where crime happens, but police cannot necessarily
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Support for St Laurence
PARENTS at St Laurence School, Bradford on Avon are being urged to go on-line and lobby for financial support for their school. One parent, Charlie Stratton, has set up a new website for the school at www.st-laurence.com Since the school's financial troubles
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Bonnet badges returned
POLICE in Bradford on Avon are trying to track down motorists' missing car bonnet badges after two mothers forced their sons to hand in their haul. The women took their teenage sons to the police station on Monday to hand in a bag of 10 car badges the
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Still in shock at loss of Shopmobility
I AM so shocked at the loss of Shopmobility, such a wonderful service. Life is ruined for the 500 people who used it. I am suffering severe withdrawal symptoms now I am unable to shop in Trowbridge. Is it true the council is going to start it up again
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Welcome back village pub
I AM writing to congratulate the new owners of The Seven Stars public house at Winsley for returning it to village pub status instead of a barely open, naff restaurant. On two recent visits I was pleased to be greeted by a happy, sociable atmosphere and
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Autocracy flies into County Hall
IT would appear that democracy has flown out of the window at County Hall and autocracy flown in. I would remind Cllr Fleur de Rhe Philipe of the answer she gave me to a question that I put to her on June 27 in the council chamber regarding the Westbury
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No railings say traders
WITH regard to comments attributed to me in the Wiltshire Times last week I would like to make the following statement. We trade from Bank Street, Melksham, and a great deal of our trade comes from passing traffic. If railings of any type were to be installed
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It's history at the double for stonemason John
A Wiltshire craftsman who has carved a stone plaque to mark the completion of important canal restoration work is carrying on a family tradition. The plaque stonemason John Lloyd has carved will soon be on show at the Bruce Tunnel on the Kennet and Avon
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Romance is still alive after 51 years
Ref. 19495-20MARRIAGE FEATURE: Understanding and respect makes for a healthy marriage according to Ted and Ivy Poole. Happily wed for 51 years, the couple, from Penhill, have never let go of their independence. Ivy, 74, said: "We have always kept our
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Foe better or worse
Ref. 25963-76MARRIAGE FEATURE: Marriage has changed beyond recognition over the years. During the 1950s women were expected to stay at home and raise children while men went out to work. Today the role of husband and wife are less clearly defined. VICTORIA
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Help me bridge the gulf
Ref. 25969-143LONELY soldier Chris Cole is looking for a forces sweetheart from Swindon to write to him in the Gulf. The sold-ier, who is from Rodb-ourne is currently serving his country with the Royal Logistics Corps in Iraq. The Swindon Town fan contacted
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We'll help save steam
Ref. 25971-31SWINDON'S ailing Steam Museum could benefit from closer ties with another of the town's railway attractions, it was claimed today. And Jeff Austen, chairman of the Blunsdon-based Swindon and Cricklade Railway, which celebrates its 25th anniversary
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Celebrating 30 years of Village Pump Festival
It was all hands to the pump at the weekend as Wiltshire's biggest festival celebrated a milestone birthday. Music fans from all over the world flocked to picturesque Stowford to help celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Trowbridge Village Pump Festival
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Broadband offers life in the fast lane
PEOPLE in Wiltshire are being encouraged to sign up for broadband, the faster and more efficient way of connecting to the internet. A partnership of councils and businesses has launched a £7m campaign to introduce BT Broadband, and educate people about
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Driving instructor to travel new road
AFTER 33 years behind the wheel, Trowbridge driving instructor Noel DeCuhna has decided to hang up his 'L' plates. Mr DeCuhna began as a driving instructor in the RAF, spending two years in Germany where he taught HGV driving. He started Noel's Driving
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School children not poles apart
LINKS have been forged between young people in west Wiltshire and Poland with a three-day visit partly funded by the European Commission. A group of 28 student dancers, aged 13-19, from Elblag, arrived in west Wiltshire on Thursday and met pupils from
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Landlady opts for change of scenery
FORMER Black Swan landlady Kirsty Brown is settling into new surroundings after switching to a pub in Bradford on Avon. Miss Brown, 29, and her Australian partner Alan Toomey are hoping to make a splash at The Barge after 18 months in Trowbridge. Miss
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TRANSFORMING TROWBRIDGE: Five zones are focus of plans
Consultants believe five zones are the key to the town's future with potential civic and public buildings, entertainment centres, architectural landmarks and transport routes pencilled into initial designs: 1. BREWERY GATEWAY Covering the former Ushers
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TRANSFORMING TROWBRIDGE: Vision blueprints unveiled
BLUEPRINTS to transform Trowbridge into a 21st century town have been unveiled to the public for the first time. Consultants working on the Vision for Trowbridge scheme made public the draft of their urban framework design during the three-day West Wilts
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Hair-raising
A wig made from hair donated by four fundraisers is on its way across the Atlantic. Kate Lochiel, from Trowbridge, and Liz Galley and her two daughters Roxanne and Lucia from Melksham, all had their hair cut for charity. Together the group had enough
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Smell solution
A trowbridge firm will be helping cut down bad smells in the UK and Ireland after signing a deal with an international company to be its UK representative. Aquator Group Ltd makes membranes lined with bacteria which clean up wastewater so it can be pumped
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Works on major route
GAS pipeline operators Transco will begin a £100,000 project to replace ageing gas mains on one of the arterial routes into Trowbridge. Transco will start work on the eight-week project on Tuesday, replacing two gas mains in Cockhill the county town's
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Football team must play away
A FOOTBALL team from Trowbridge is being forced to play its home games eight miles away from the county town because of an ongoing furore over pitches. Trowbridge and District Football League side FC Northbridge will have to play their home games at Christie
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New twist in plans for court
FUTURE plans for Trowbridge Magistrates' Court took a twist this week with the news that a proposed £1 takeover bid has been shelved. Trowbridge Town Council has backed away from plans to take over the court for the nominal £1 fee because of fears over
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Vision project under threat
CONCERNS over the future of the Vision for Trowbridge project intensified as strict new guidelines governing the sale of an ageing multi-storey car park were released. West Wiltshire District Council, one of the leading players in the Vision concept,
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Broken leg in Marine battle
A BAD-TEMPERED 'friendly' between Swindon Supermarine and Selectabook ended with Marine youngster Chris Oke suffering a suspected broken leg. The game finished 2-2, with hosts Marine taking a 2-0 second-half lead thanks to goals from Justin Miller and
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Come and join us
Wroughton Juniors under 14s welcome new players aged over 12 and under 14 on August 31 this year. The club will be running two teams this season. More details from manager/coach Bobby Moore on 01793 813720.
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No railings say traders
WITH regard to comments attributed to me in the Wiltshire Times last week I would like to make the following statement. We trade from Bank Street, Melksham, and a great deal of our trade comes from passing traffic. If railings of any type were to be installed
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Vigilantism to be stamped out
Vigilantism can never be accepted at any level, on any stage, for any reason. There is a proper and correct legal process designed to ensure justice is served. We must abide by it and accept this is the way things are done. If everyone began taking the
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Warminster net prize
There was a tight finish in the inter-club event between Warminster and Airsprung at Berkeley Lake with Warminster just winning with a weight of 76lb 7oz to the visitors' 76lb 3oz. Individual winner was Rob Trim, of Warminster, with an all-carp catch
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Payne's new record lasts just four days
RECORDS tumbled at Ivy House Lakes, near Chippenham, when the lake record was broken twice in less than a week. On Friday, Elick Payne broke the record with an-all carp catch weighing 116lb, taken on pole-fished pellets on a 14 hook. Runner-up was Ivy
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Now there's a parking ban
Ref. 28975_05SHOP owners in Gorse Hill fear the introduction of a temporary parking ban in Cricklade Road will do more damage to dwindling trade. Businesses in Cricklade Road face five months of parking restrictions while 30 flats are built on the site
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Treasure hunt ends on sovereign note
Ref. 25980_15THE Old Town Festival 2003 has officially ended with the presentation of a pure gold sovereign to the winner of the festival quiz and treasure hunt. Richard Deacon, owner of Deacons jewellers, presented the gold sovereign to Christine Hawkins
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Youngsters learn to deal with emergencies
Ref. 25974_05CHILDREN took a crash course in first aid, courtesy of Swindon St John Ambulance. The classes, which ran from Tuesday to Thursday, took place at Ferndale Junior School, as part of its after- school and holiday-club programme of activities
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What a load of rubbish
Ref. 25945_11RESIDENTS in a block of flats waited three weeks for their rubbish to be cleared away after fly- tippers dumped a bed, fridge, cooker and a motorbike in a space reserved for household waste. Swindon Council has now cleared the mess away,
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Shop worker retires after 45 years with company
Ref. 5966-25SHOP assistant Patricia Dennis will sign off of her till for the last time tomorrow. Patricia, 60 from Wroughton, has been working in the Wood Street branch of Boots the Chemist for 32 years, but first began working for Boots in London when
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Bats in the belfry
BATS in the belfry have delayed plans to modernise Cricklade's historic parish church. Work to install toilets and a kitchen at St Sampson's Church has been postponed until autumn because a colony of bats is breeding in the tower. The colony, which consists
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Young take their art to sea
Ref. 25927-01Around 30 students aged between 11 and 14-years-old from primary and secondary schools in West Swindon have been taking part in the art summer school at Peatmoor Community Primary School. During the week the students have been studying and
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Toddler refused glass of water
Ref. 25881-10A MUM says staff at a children's playcentre refused her a glass of water for her three-year-old daughter after she had spent about £20 on entry fees and soft drinks. Childminder Dawn Hurley, 37, from Wroughton, was with toddler Harriet, her
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NHS service cannot be beaten
THE turnaround for cataract patients at the eye clinic of Swindon's Great Western Hospital could not be bettered for time or success by any private sector group. As an OAP of 77, I am amazed at the speed and technical brilliance of our local team. Within
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Get them off streets
I am writing in response to all the publicity regarding the skate park. I would willingly help fund a park for these kids, if only to get some peace and quiet in the evenings. I live in a cul-de-sac and from early evening till dark all you can hear are
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He's the Best man for Bath
Bath have signed full-back Lee Best on a short-term contract from their West Country neighbours Bristol Shoguns,. Best, who made 63 Bristol appearances in four seasons, will have a role to play during the autumn Zurich Premiership games, with a handful
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Home advantage
Trowbridge have been drawn at home to Cleve in the first round of the Powergen Intermediate Cup. Other first round games, to be played on September 20, include: Devizes v Dorchester; Frome v Bristol Harlequins; Westbury v Wootton Bassett. Preliminary
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Kirby the star
Steve Kirby was the star of Yorkshire's attack against Gloucestershire as the hosts ended day two of the Frizzell County Championship Division Two match on 201-6. The medium-pacer claimed two wickets in four balls to leave Gloucestershire struggling at
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Chris deserves to find a friend
SPARE a thought for lonely lance corporal Chris Cole from Rodbourne. He is serving with the Royal Logistics Corps in Iraq. He has been there since June and doesn't expect to be home until Christmas. He keeps track of Swindon Town's progress through Saturday
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It's time to take a tip from the amateurs
THE excellent and successful Swindon and Cricklade Railway wants to forge closer links with the excellent but financially unsuccessful Steam museum. Steam general manager Tim Bryan and his staff are railway enthusiasts to the last man and woman, and their
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No Sanctuary
MARK DEVLIN insists the Town End will not be given up to Sheffield Wednesday fans as hopes rise of a 10,000 gate for the opening match of the new season at the County Ground. The club's chief executive is expecting the Owls to sell their 3,314 allocation
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It's a Trolley good idea to help Lifeline
A charity bringing hope to children suffering from the world's worst nuclear disaster is asking west Wiltshire people to help. Chernobyl Children Lifeline in Westbury is to host another 15 children from a radiation-hit region of Belarus. Westbury residents
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Landlady opts for change of scenery
FORMER Black Swan landlady Kirsty Brown is settling into new surroundings after switching to a pub in Bradford on Avon. Miss Brown, 29, and her Australian partner Alan Toomey are hoping to make a splash at The Barge after 18 months in Trowbridge. Miss
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Factory blamed for dust 'haze'
Industrial grime plaguing homes and businesses in Westbury is sparking public health fears. In the last eight weeks residents living near the industrial estates have found layers of dust sticking on their cars and windows. The fine dust in the air, described
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Wobbly walls could collapse
DANGEROUS walls could crush passers-by who ignore warnings, council bosses fear. Barricades stopping walkers using Snappersnipes in Westbury are regularly moved or ignored. One of the garden walls has already collapsed and two more are on the brink. Now
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Lafarge bosses fail to show at meeting
BOSSES at Lafarge refused to speak to residents at a public meeting on the controversial use of chemical burning at Westbury cement works. The meeting was set up by the Environment Agency to give people the chance to voice their opinions and find out
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Three Swindon area clubs represented in national championships
LOCAL Swindon clubs will be represented in three of the four major national championship finals in Worthing later this month. Wootton Bassett's Neil Smith will compete in the singles, clubmates Richard Buckland, Hedley Bowen and Bob Clews in the triples
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County finals day
WILTSHIRE'S county champions finals day will take place at Westlecot tomorrow. The fours, triples and pairs finals will commence at 10am while the blue riband singles final which Neil Smith will be attempting to win for a second time starts at 11.15am
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Former ECB chief fixes pavilion date
LORD MacLaurin, the former chairman of the English and Wales Cricket Board, will be in Box on August 10 to officially open the club's new cricket pavilion. This is part of a day of celebrations organised by Box Cricket Club to help mark the completion
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Rising from the Ashes
WILTSHIRE cricket is at last emerging from the doldrums, but according to the county's development officer there is still a long way to go. Speaking at the end of a week that saw two Wiltshire youngsters produce massive innings, Richard Gulliver, the
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Shop donates box of treats
SUPERMARKET giant Sainsbury's has presented a box full of goodies to Wiltshire Police's child protection unit After collecting various items from shelves in the Melksham branch, including sweets, toothpaste, toothbrushes and shower gel, personnel assistant
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Football team must play away
A FOOTBALL team from Trowbridge is being forced to play its home games eight miles away from the county town because of an ongoing furore over pitches. Trowbridge and District Football League side FC Northbridge will have to play their home games at Christie
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Works set to cause congestion
LENGTHY roadworks could cause congestion on Melksham housing estates. Two main routes out of the town centre, which have been congested for months while water and gas works were carried out, are only just beginning to return to normal. Now gas company
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Campaign continues
WEST Wiltshire MP Andrew Murrison is continuing his campaign against the relocation of the county record office. He has written to the chairman and chief executive of the Heritage Lottery Bid criticising Wiltshire County Council's application for funding
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It's a Trolley good idea to help Lifeline
A charity bringing hope to children suffering from the world's worst nuclear disaster is asking west Wiltshire people to help. Chernobyl Children Lifeline in Westbury is to host another 15 children from a radiation-hit region of Belarus. Westbury residents
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Clubs scoop a share of lottery cash
GROUPS in Wiltshire enjoyed a share of a £550,000 cash bonanza in the latest round of lottery grants. Nine groups, eight from west Wiltshire and one from north Wiltshire, received thousands of pounds worth of funding through the Awards for All scheme.
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TV vicar takes time off
VILLAGERS in the parish of TV vicar Jamie Allen arrived at church on Sunday to find the family vicar gone. Parishioners were told the vicar for Seend, Poulshot and Bulkington had taken a three month leave of absence, starting immediately. Mr Allen, who
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Winsley beaten by a single shot
WINSLEY Bowls club celebrated their centenary in fine style last Thursday as they played host to a representative side from the English Bowls Association. It was also 100 years ago this year that W G Grace formed the EBA and so the game provided the perfect
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Flat pack house has no home
AN embroidery designer's quest to build a DIY home is to be featured in a new BBC TV series. Annabel Claridge, 48, from Warminster, is now looking for a plot of land on which to erect the weatherboard home she has had built in the USA. Miss Claridge has
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Plaque for war veterans
WAR veteran Burt Williams is helping to ensure a permanent memorial is put in place to remember Wiltshire soldiers who died in Normandy. Mr Williams, 82, secretary of the Wiltshire branch of the Normandy Veterans Association, lost close friends during
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Guidance on weed control
A NEW code of practice has been introduced to stop the spread of a deadly weed in Wiltshire's fields and hedgerows. Rural Affairs Minister Alun Michael has brought in the code to stop the spread of ragwort, which causes incurable liver damage in horses
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Man fails to appear in court
WEST WILTS: A warrant has been issued for the arrest of a man accused of a string of sex attacks on young girls in west Wiltshire. Robin Flexon is accused of indecently assaulting three girls, the youngest aged just 10 years old, between mid 1984 and
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Andover 2, Westbury United 0
A FULL Andover team were just too strong for a United side missing four first choice players on Wednesday night. But Jamie Bradley and Ben Gardener did themselves proud having been given a chance to play. Justin Bennett, who had a trial with Premiership
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Top marks
YEAR 9 pupils at Kingdown Community School in Warminster have recorded the school's best ever SAT results. Pupils proved strongest in Maths where the average score was 79.4 per cent, comfortably exceeding their target of 73.8 per cent. This strong performance
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Novelist to appear at show
NOVELIST Joanna Trollope will be on hand to present the trophies at the annual Corsley Show on Bank Holiday Monday. Thousands of people are expected at the event on August 25, when the show will mark its 85th anniversary. Among the show's main attractions
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Perrin backs Melksham to pull through
DARREN Perrin believes Melksham Town face a tough test this season but is confident his former club will rise to the challenge. Perrin still has strong links to the club and is desperate for Melksham to have a good season. The Paulton Rovers manager said
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Holiday fun at library
OVER 70 children have signed up to a Warminster Library programme designed to promote reading during the summer holidays. The Reading Maze challenges children to read six books of their own choice and give library staff a verbal summary of each. If successful
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In Bloom winners revealed
JUDGES have deliberated and cogitated and revealed the winners of this year's Bradford in Bloom competition. A list of winners has now been drawn up in the commercial and domestic sections of the annual competition. Councillor Philip Sutton joined judge
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Landlady opts for change of scenery
FORMER Black Swan landlady Kirsty Brown is settling into new surroundings after switching to a pub in Bradford on Avon. Miss Brown, 29, and her Australian partner Alan Toomey are hoping to make a splash at The Barge after 18 months in Trowbridge. Miss
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Teacher may face further charges
PERVERTED teacher Peter Hamilton-Leggett could face more child abuse charges. Another former Old Ride School pupil has made a complaint, which police say could be a result of the press coverage given to the sentencing of the retired science teacher in
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Matt agrees a new contract
England U21 prop Matt Stevens has signed a new two-year contract with Bath. Stevens, 20, joined the club in September 2002, having enrolled at Bath University to study politics and economics, and made a massive impact in the closing stages of last season
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Residents in bid for traffic calming steps
I am writing with respect to road safety on The Down and Wyke Road. These linked roads are used as speed zones by many motorists. It is not unusual to see cars and motorcycles travelling at far above the speed limit (estimated at 60 mph) to the danger
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A big thank you to those who supported
ON Saturday July 19 my wife and myself, along with many others, had the most enjoyable experience of attending the coffee morning and plant sale at the home of John and Mary Harris at Leigh Road, Westbury. This annual social occasion, the profits of which
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No railings say traders
WITH regard to comments attributed to me in the Wiltshire Times last week I would like to make the following statement. We trade from Bank Street, Melksham, and a great deal of our trade comes from passing traffic. If railings of any type were to be installed
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Kind people have restored my faith
Ref. 25900-05THE Cricklade Disabled and Pensioners' fund which was raided by thieves has doubled its money after kind-hearted people jumped to donate towards the stolen cash. Around £50 was stolen when thieves broke into the Vale Hotel in Cricklade High
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Paul is happy to do his share of chores
Ref. 25943-187MARRIAGE FEATURE: Claire and Paul Collins think they share 'wearing the trousers' in their relationship and both agree the image of the housewife doing all the work is ridiculous. The couple, from Abbey Meads, tied the knot on July 12 the
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Judge overturns Earl's motoring ban
THE Earl of Cardigan has had a 28-day driving ban lifted by a Swindon Crown Court judge. The ban was imposed on the earl David Michael Cardigan, 50 by North Wiltshire magistrates in Chippenham in April, after he admitted driving without a valid licence
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Demand for traffic calming after fatal accident
POLICE are warning motorists to slow down on country roads after a woman was killed in an accident near Brinkworth. A 30-year-old woman from Malmesbury, who has not yet been named, was pronounced dead at the scene after suffering fatal injuries in the
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Champagne super riders
Ref. 13860 HORSES and riders were put through their paces at a dressage competition in Southwick on Saturday. Riders from all over west Wiltshire took part in the Champagne Challenge. Each year, the Saxon Dressage Group holds a more lighthearted contest
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Posters to challenge stereotypes
POSTERS targeting the problems of homophobia and gay hate crimes will go up across west Wiltshire this week. The three posters, designed by Trowbridge residents, aim to break down social barriers by challenging stereotypes surrounding gay and lesbian
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Scouts have green fingers
Ref. 13846GREEN-fingered Scouts have been adding a touch of colour to a Trowbridge nursing home. For the past year teams of four from the 1st Trowbridge Scouts have been working on a raised garden at Trowbridge Oaks in West Ashton Road. The project began
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TRANSFORMING TROWBRIDGE: Twenty-strong design team
TWENTY consultants from seven companies are responsible for drawing up the long-awaited Vision for Trowbridge framework. A third of the 60-acre town centre is open for redevelopment with a final design due in a month's time. Urban planners Gillespies
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Lack of funds means theatre could close
DIRECTORS at the Arc Theatre face a bleak financial future as a £25,000 annual deficit is threatening to bring down the curtain. One job at the Trowbridge theatre will be axed next week as bosses try to juggle a budget slashed by a fifth. Problems erupted
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Head hits back at cover up claims
Colin KayA HEADTEACHER under fire over an abduction scandal at his Trowbridge secondary school has hit back at claims he tried to sweep the incident under the carpet. Clarendon School headteacher Colin Kay said news 26-year-old history teacher Matthew
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Sex case farmer's barn burns down
VIGILANTES could be to blame for setting fire to a barn belonging to a dairy farmer accused of sexually assaulting seven boys. Up to 100 tons of hay bales were engulfed in flames as a blaze ripped through a barn on the Hilperton farm of 43-year-old Gordon
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New players sought
SWINDON Sunday League side UKL are looking for new players. Anyone interested can contact Darren King on 07717 570921.
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Jones earns draw
WEST Swindon drew 1-1 with Bromham in a pre-season friendly. Bromham took the lead in the first half, but Jones equalised for the Swindon side midway through the second period.
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Course for goalkeepers
Budding shot-stoppers have the chance to take their place in a national goalkeeping academy next week. Woody's Goalkeeping School is currently touring the country and stops off in Swindon for a four-day stint on Monday. The course is run by FA qualified
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Why no local bar?
Congratulations to all those involved with this year's West Wilts Show, but was it really necessary to hire caterers from Hereford to provide bar facilities and at extortionate prices? I noticed several customers voting with their feet and going elsewhere
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Fantastic festivals
Everyone who organised and attended the West Wilts Show and Village Pump Festival last weekend should be proud of themselves. Both shows were hailed as a success and despite the wet weather people turned out in droves to lend their support. Thousands
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We should fight for a better RUH
The victims of the under-achieving RUH must not despair! They must fight for their rights by contacting our excellent MP, Dr Murrison, and writing to our very compassionate and caring Wiltshire Times. The elderly who are most likely to suffer neglect
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Swindon check on 'grey goo'
A REPORT hopes to shed light on a controversial branch of science whose opponents include leading writers and Prince Charles. The Swindon-based Economic and Social Research Council has commissioned the study on nanotechnology, an emerging technology in
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Special needs children show they're top
DELIGHTED young footballers have been given awards, yet a year ago these children in Swindon Down's Syndrome Group had no concept of teamwork, or the principles of the sport. The transformation is due to the dedication of Swindon Town FC community coach
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Patients not told of drug side-effects
NHS patients in Swindon have complained of not being told about the side effects of medication by Accident and Emergency (A&E) staff, according to a survey of the health service. Although the overall rating of Swindon and Marlborough NHS Trust as
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Boy among 80 chosen for dog training course
A BOY from Lechlade is among more than 80 others preparing to take their dogs to a special training camp run by the Young Kennel Club. Anthony Clarke, who lives in Hambridge Lane, will go with his five dogs, ranging from a Jack Russell Terrier to a Belgian
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High-risk op went wrong
MEDICS attempting to save the life of Swindon builder Thomas Deacon, accidentally pierced his heart during a high risk procedure, an inquest heard. Thomas William Deacon, 43, of Cranmore Avenue, Park South, was admitted to the former Princess Margaret
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Carers brave tub of baked beans
STAFF at Moormead Nursing Home braved sitting in a bath full of beaked beans to raise money for their residents' fund. Brave carers at the Moormead Road home in Wroughton held a fun day, which included the sponsored bath, wet sponge throwing, cake stall
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Enjoy Coate from the saddle
Make the most of summer by cycling at Coate Water. Bikes can now be hired out at the country park for £3.50 an hour and groups of 10 people or more will receive a 10 per cent discount. Schools or youth organisations have the added bonus of an adult cycling
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Newspaper recycling scheme is a big hit
THE majority of sheltered housing schemes across the borough are enthusiastically participating in a new newspaper recycling service. Some 27 out of 33 across the borough have signed up to the service, which is a partnership between Swindon Council and
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ID card for young is judged a success
CHANGES to the borough CitizenCard have made the proof of age card more secure than ever, officials have claimed. The cards, which are used by thousands of young people across Swindon, now carry a new Home Office approved PASS (Proof of Age Standards
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Wine is a good tonic ...
Ref. 25530_14FAMILY doctors in Swindon are advising patients to turn to drink - in moderation. Seeking solace in alcohol at the end of a hard day, far from being the road to ruin, is just what the doctor ordered. Dr Peter Crouch, of Taw Hill Surgery,
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Enjoying summer in the saddle
PARENTS who want to entertain their children during the summer holiday and keep them fit to boot should go to Coate Water, according to one Swindon councillor. Fionuala Foley (Con, Old Town and Lawns) has thrown her weight behind a new cycle hire scheme
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'Give us more cash and less red tape'
TOWN LEADERS have hit out at endless red tape and have urged the Government for more funding before the care home crisis deepens. Jemima Milton, (Wroughton and Chiseldon, Con) lead member for Social Services said she believed that the department was not
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Road disruption as work starts
GAS company Transco will start work on a £122,000 project to replace gas mains in the Kellesborough Road area of Wroughton. During the work, starting on August 5, Maunsell Way, Summerhouse Road, Victoria Cross Road, Ellington Road, Wharf Road and Kellesbor-ough
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On the road to recovery
THE recovery of Swindon Council is well under way, according to its chief executive Simon Birch. Mr Birch, who took temporary control of the authority during a difficult time following the resignation of Paul Doherty last year before being appointed on
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Teddies nursery is to hold an open day
Parents of young children have been invited to a nursery school for a day. Swindon's Teddies Nurs-ery, in The Hub, Church Place, is holding an open day on Saturday, August 9, from noon to 4pm. Staff at the nursery, which opened on June 30, will be on
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Her smile lit up my day
WHAT a lovely smile captured in the Evening Advertiser (July 24), of kidney patient Rachael Bowden. I'm sure Rachael's life must be very difficult at times yet her parents say she never complains. I wish her every good wish for the future and thank you
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An evil 'innovation'
What a wicked generation exists today, calling evil good and good evil. Women are to be offered drug induced abortions at home rather at a clinic by the British Pregnancy Advisory Service. Ann Furedi, its chief executive, enthuses: "The time is ripe to
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Money is all ours
THE Evening Advertiser (Monday, July 28) reveals the discovery of a 'forgotten bank account' holding £2.5 million of Swindon Borough Council money. Exciting almost reckless but I suspect this is not a bank account, merely a fund held within the council's
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Shield campaign
Dorset and Wiltshire will travel to Kent on April 24 in an RFU County Shield match. The Twin Counties will then entertain Bucks at home on May 1 before playing host to the Eastern Counties on May 8.
