Archive
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Care home is planned
Ref. 27978-29A PRIVATE nursing home, to be built in Stratton, has been welcomed as the way forward to care for the borough's elderly. Derby-based Methodist Homes For The Aged has been granted permission to build a new 60-bed care home on the site of an
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Rugby fan scoops signed shirt
THE director of a Melksham carpet shop is the lucky owner of a shirt signed by England players who lifted the rugby World Cup. Kim Chalmers, of the Carpet Barn in Bank Street, won the priceless shirt in a pub raffle draw held after Jonny Wilkinson's drop-goal
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No fine for quiz cheat
QUIZ show cheat Charles Ingram was let off without a fine or community sentence after being found guilty of two charges of deception relating to a home contents insurance policy. The Who Wants to be a Million-aire? contestant received a two year conditional
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They call this justice!
ROUGH sleeper Darren Netherton who admitted carrying out 43 burglaries is also guilty of the most outstanding cheek. His victims are likely to object strongly to the fact that he had his wish granted when he asked to be jailed so that he could save his
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Specials will compete for top award
A TEAM of five Wiltshire Special Constables will be competing for a top award next month. The officers, from the Melksham police division of west and north Wiltshire, are vying for the Arthur Ellis Memorial Trophy awarded annually to the team which has
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More rockers from the East
NOVEMBER 29, BATH: IT seems East Anglia is fast becoming an unlikely hotbed for hard-rocking musical creativity, as the second band to emerge from the area this year looks set for success. But while The Darkness have already conquered the world their
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Sex bigot in gay hate row
POLICE have criticised a Trowbridge councillor for whipping up a gay hate storm by branding homosexuals as perverts. In a letter to the Wiltshire Times headed 'gays and lesbians are perverts', Liberal Democrat Cllr Ben Biddulph says homosexuality is an
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It's Time To Go
ALAN YOUNG is severing his ties with Swindon Town but insists he feels no bitterness towards Andy King as he looks to kick-start his career elsewhere. The 20-year-old striker has found himself pushed down the pecking order following the acquisitions of
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Support for pet project
A NEW waste bin has been proving a hit with dog walkers at Shearwater lake near Warminster. The bin, which was donated to Wiltshire County Council by Frome Dog Training Club, has been in place since September. It is part of the club's campaign encouraging
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A special day out courtesy of John
TWO coach loads of pensioners will be leaving Swindon today for a Christmas party with a difference. The 98 elderly people will be departing from the Thistle Hotel for a trek to Northam-pton to the Turners entertainment centre. The trip has been organised
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Mystery over death of man, 42, in barge fire
THE body of a 42-year-old man was pulled from a burnt-out barge moored on the Kennet and Avon Canal near Hilperton. Robin Steele, who had been living on the boat for nine months, was pulled out shortly after 10.30am on Monday. Firefighters were called
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Kids' taste of culture
INDIAN food and culture gave added spice to a children's celebration of the Hindu new year at a Hilperton nursery. Pre-school children at the Just Learning nursery, Hackett Place, celebrated Diwali, the ancient Hindu festival of light on Wednesday. Children
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Scheme for high achievers
GIFTED students from state schools have the chance to pit their wits against more privileged pupils following an injection of Government cash. The Clarendon School, Trowbridge, has received £13,000 from the Independent/State School Partnership Scheme
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Pirate ship is launched
PIRATES have dropped anchor in a Trowbridge school playground after months of fundraising. Wingfield Primary School launched a pirate ship on Friday for pupils to use during playtimes. HMS Wingfield was funded by donations from local businesses after
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16-year-olds call for chance to vote
YOUNG people in Wiltshire are calling for the voting age to be reduced from 18 to 16. A mobile phone text debate and poll organised by Wiltshire County Council showed 56 per cent of secondary school youngsters felt they should be able to take part in
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Growing role of street wardens
JUNIOR street wardens will be planting an array of bulbs on public land across the Parks and Walcot areas of Swindon over the weekend. It is the latest community scheme undertaken by the junior wardens, whose mission is to improve the quality of life
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Pin-up pooches
PET store Pets at Home is urging dog owners in the Trowbridge area to take advantage of a free photo session this weekend designed to find the UK's Pick of the Pooches 2003. The winner from each of the company's 149 stores will go forward to the grand
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No case in porn inquiry
WILTSHIRE'S emergency planning chief Mark Kimberlin is returning to work almost a year after he was suspended during a police porn investigation. Mr Kimberlin, 47, was suspended by Wiltshire County Council following his arrest in January as part of Interpol's
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Pupils takes a look at Germany
CHECKPOINT Charlie was part of the itinerary during a recent visit by Year 10 and 11 pupils from Churchfields School. Some, pictured left, donned Russian army-style hats after visiting the historic former Cold War border checkpoint between the East and
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A special day out courtesy of John
TWO coach loads of pensioners will be leaving Swindon today for a Christmas party with a difference. The 98 elderly people will be departing from the Thistle Hotel for a trek to Northam-pton to the Turners entertainment centre. The trip has been organised
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About the National Lottery Good Causes Scheme
For every pound spent on Lottery tickets in the UK, 28p goes to good causes. When it comes to the distribution of Lottery money, the Department of Culture, Media and Sport is ultimately in control of where the money goes. Charities, community groups and
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MP's fear over fuel at works
FEARS that an application to burn recycled liquid fuel in Westbury is being mishandled were due to be raised in the House of Commons yesterday. The Environment Agency is expected to reveal a decision on the bid to use RLF at Lafarge cement works in January
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Town pests facing legal crackdown
COMMUNITY leaders are fighting back against a gang of teenagers causing havoc at schools and in Westbury town centre. Up to 10 teenagers from the Westbury area could be given anti-social behaviour orders banning them from parts of the town. The group,
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No case in porn inquiry
WILTSHIRE'S emergency planning chief Mark Kimberlin is returning to work almost a year after he was suspended during a police porn investigation. Mr Kimberlin, 47, was suspended by Wiltshire County Council following his arrest in January as part of Interpol's
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Celebration for five generations
Ref. 27610FIVE generations from the same family, spanning nearly 100 years, have celebrated the first birthday of the newest member. The Barber family from Westbury now ranges from a one-year-old James Walters to 99-year-old great-great-grandmother Unity
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Coins hoard is treasure trove
A HOARD of ancient Roman coins dug up by two Warminster treasure hunters has been declared treasure trove. Richard Boyd and Wayne Green, from Bishopstrow, discovered the coins in February when they were using metal detectors in a ploughed field in Longbridge
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Fisher's Faith
AFTER A 6-0 FA Vase loss at Gosport Borough last Saturday and a shock 1-0 defeat to local rivals Wootton Bassett in midweek, Highworth boss John Fisher admitted: "I've had better weeks." The mid-season blip is in stark contrast to the way in which the
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Pupils takes a look at Germany
CHECKPOINT Charlie was part of the itinerary during a recent visit by Year 10 and 11 pupils from Churchfields School. Some, pictured left, donned Russian army-style hats after visiting the historic former Cold War border checkpoint between the East and
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MEP raises poison fear
TOXIC chemicals could have poisoned youngsters growing up in Wiltshire during the 1960s and 1970s, a study has revealed. Publication of a bio monitoring survey this week gives evidence that unregulated chemicals used in rural areas have entered people's
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Teenage kicks
A TEEN gymnastics champion has been named alongside Britney Spears in a magazine's young heroes award. Sam Bayley, 14, is one of seven winners selected in the CosmoGIRL! National Hero Awards selected by a panel of judges. Hilperton schoolgirl Sam is the
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Four rape charges
A TROWBRIDGE man has appeared before magistrates charged with four counts of rape. Justin Phipps, 31, of Westfield Road, Trowbridge, has also been charged with five counts of ABH and one of harassment. He appeared at Chippenham Magistrates' Court on Wednesday
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New campaign
A CHARITY campaign to improve the public's aware- ness of eye health has been backed by west Wiltshire MP Andrew Murrison. Dr Murrison has joined forces with the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association and health provider HealthSure to launch the Healthy
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Band plays on with new faces
MUSICIANS are making noise since a new youth band was re-launched. Southwick and North Bradley Scout and Guide Band have played at village fetes, displays and marches for over 20 years but suffered dwindling numbers in recent times. Sharon Aspinall, fundraising
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Pupils rewarded for their success
HIGH achieving youngsters from Westbury were rewarded for their academic success on Monday night. Over 60 pupils from the past and present were honoured at the Matravers School Presentation Evening. Parents, teachers and governors were treated to music
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The not-so- lucky lottery
Lottery cash has been a God-send for many community groups and charities in Swindon, but some of the unlucky ones are now facing closure after failing to secure funding when the initial grant was spent. EMMA-KATE LIDBURY reports. FOR MANY charities, Lottery
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Ciren host away day specialists
WITH several of the Western Division's leading sides embroiled in FA Trophy action, Cirencester can move into the top five with a favourable result at home to fellow promotion seekers Rugby United. Seven wins and a draw from their last eight games has
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Young chef cooks up a double win
TEENAGER James Baker conjured up the right recipe for success when he entered two competitions. James, 17, from Aldbourne, who works as a chef at the Joint Services Command and Staff College, in Shrivenham, has clinched two medals for his culinary skills
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Youngsters give four concerts
MORE than 500 young musicians will be showcasing their talents at a series of concerts in Bradford on Avon next week. The four performances at the Wiltshire Music Centre have been organised by the county council's music service and sponsored by Monahans
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Family show will go on
ORGANISERS of Wiltshire's largest free event have been reassured the show will go on after fears the popular extravaganza could be under threat. The future of the West Wilts Show looked in doubt after reports emerged that West Wiltshire District Council
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Warning to riders over moped gang
POLICE are warning riders in Melksham to lock up their vehicles after a spate of moped thefts in the town. Four scooters have been stolen in the last two weeks, and all have later been found dumped in rivers and on waste ground. Acting inspector Mike
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New GPs found
FROME Medical Practice will be providing services at Smallbrook Surgery, Warminster from Monday after its former doctor retired to rejoin the army. Dr Mark Thorpe is taking on military training after building the practice from scratch over 10 years. Robert
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Glamour is big boost for hospice
A NIGHT of glamour organised by amateur fashion designer Wayne Palmer raised £1,000 for the Dorothy House hospice. Wayne's World of Fashion, was held at Melksham Assembly Hall on November 14 and included a meal, catwalk show and party. Mr Palmer, who
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Cleaners raided by teenagers
THREE teenagers broke into a village-based cleaning firm and stole nearly £2,000-worth of laptops and mobile phones. Melksham 18-year-olds John Flower and Sean Harvey, along with a 15-year-old youth, looted Atworth-based West Wilts Cleaning Services in
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Mr Christmas appears on TV
Ref. 14433A HOME decked out with Christmas decorations every day of the year has benefited from the professional touch. TV interior decorators, Colin and Justin from TV show The Property Experiment, spent £15,000 on the home of Andy Park in Melksham.
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Bus pass offers a fare deal
STUDENTS living within the Melksham Without Parish Council area can benefit from cheap bus fares. The council set up a concessionary fare scheme last year and have decided to run it again for 2003/04. Teenagers between 16 and 19 can buy a card for £2
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On song for £10,000
TEENAGE karaoke sensation Kimberley Seviour is a step closer to a £10,000 prize after winning a regional singing competition. The 18-year-old, of Beanacre, near Melksham, beat hundreds of budding vocalists to make it through three rounds of a national
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Ushers bid faces another setback
A HOUSING and retail development for the former Ushers brewery bottling site faces more delays after the Government announced its decision to review the plans for itself. An application for retail outlets, a restaurant and housing on the Trowbridge site
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Anger and upset as playgroup is hit by vandals
VANDALS have smashed equipment belonging to a playgroup in Harnham, leaving children, parents and staff devastated. The attack happened at Puddleducks Community Playgroup, in the grounds of Harnham infants' and junior schools, at the weekend. Glass in
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Bid for broadband needs another 35 subscribers
A CAMPAIGN to bring broadband internet services to Wroughton is just 35 would-be subscribers from success. Campaigners have secured the pledges of 265 people that they would sign up for broadband service if it were made available by BT. BT says it will
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Have your tickets ready for drama
UNTIL DECEMBER 6, BATH: AFTER opening to ecstatic reviews, the thrilling new play by award-winning writer, David Hare, comes to the Theatre Royal Bath. Directed by Max Stafford-Clark, this compelling Out of Joint and National Theatre production tackles
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Pay up or go to jail, tax dodgers told
FOUR tax dodgers have avoided jail terms following a crackdown on unpaid council tax totalling thousands of pounds. Judges handed out suspended sentences to two men from Warminster and two women from Bradford and Melksham at Chippenham Magistrates Court
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Town's business community raises cash for charity
Ref. 27939-3SWINDON businesspeople have helped bring smiles to hundreds of Swindon children, after raising almost £7,000 for charity. Members of the Swindon Business Cares for Children group, which comprises firms from across Swindon including the Evening
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Tales of bosses behaving badly
COMPANY directors are more likely to misbehave on their last day than their staff, a survey has revealed. Although 89 per cent of the 4,000 people surveyed said it was important to leave on good terms, recruitment specialists Reed, which has a branch
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Survey shows discrimination against women
FINANCE professionals still believe sex discrimination to be rife in their offices, according to research. A quarter of those interviewed by Robert Half Finance & Accounting, which has an office on the Windmill business estate, say there is a culture
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Council bid for 500 affordable homes
A DESPERATE need for more affordable homes in west Wiltshire has prompted steps to approach the business world to help with the £20m building costs. The Government's Private Finance Initiative could be employed in the district to pay for 500 new homes
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Paraglider unveiled as new council boss
A NEW chief executive has been appointed to take over the running of West Wiltshire District Council. Andrew Pate, currently strategic director (community development) at South Somerset District Council, is expected to take up his new post in the spring
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Pay up or go to jail, tax dodgers told
FOUR tax dodgers have avoided jail terms following a crackdown on unpaid council tax totalling thousands of pounds. Judges handed out suspended sentences to two men from Warminster and two women from Bradford and Melksham at Chippenham Magistrates Court
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16-year-olds call for chance to vote
YOUNG people in Wiltshire are calling for the voting age to be reduced from 18 to 16. A mobile phone text debate and poll organised by Wiltshire County Council showed 56 per cent of secondary school youngsters felt they should be able to take part in
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Fun day out
IN his youthful innocence Andy Newman seems to think George Bush is the architect of US foreign policy. Of course, a vast number of agencies are involved. The advisers work out the best plan for the security of the US and the President simply rubber stamps
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Talk about hedgehogs
THE Wootton Bassett branch of Wiltshire Wildlife Trust will be holding a meeting at the Roman Catholic Church hall in the High Street on Tuesday, December 9 at 7.30pm. Yvonne Cox from the Hedgehog Preservation Society will talk about the perils facing
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Awards for care kids' progress
ALMOST 100 children and young people in the care of Wiltshire County Council attended an awards ceremony at Longleat House on Saturday to honour their achievements. All the young achievers were presented with certificates by Howard Taylor, of GWR FM,
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Lottery cash for the community
DEPRIVED youngsters, a new pre-school and a university for retired people are set to benefit from thousands of pounds invested in grass roots community groups. The cash has arrived from the National Lottery and been allocated to eight organisations in
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Challenging test
TWO star maths pupils have reached the finals of a national contest without any revision or preparation. Teachers at Chapsmanslade Infant School entered eight Year 6 pupils into the Primary Maths Challenge this month as part of the school's maths programme
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Specials will compete for top award
A TEAM of five Wiltshire Special Constables will be competing for a top award next month. The officers, from the Melksham police division of west and north Wiltshire, are vying for the Arthur Ellis Memorial Trophy awarded annually to the team which has
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Armed cops said they'd shoot me
WILTSHIRE TIMES EXCLUSIVE: AN AID worker held captive at gunpoint by eastern European cops has spoken of his ordeal. Armed guards told Adrian Walker, of Hawkeridge Road, Westbury, they would shoot him if he tried to escape during five hours of questioning
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Churches could close due to lack of support
St Nicholas Church in North BradleyCHURCH leaders fear 'impending doom' due to a desperate cash crisis attributed to falling congregation numbers. Mounting debts in Southwick, Heywood and North Bradley have been blamed on changes in funding and communities
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Ushers bid faces another setback
A HOUSING and retail development for the former Ushers brewery bottling site faces more delays after the Government announced its decision to review the plans for itself. An application for retail outlets, a restaurant and housing on the Trowbridge site
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No fine for quiz cheat
QUIZ show cheat Charles Ingram was let off without a fine or community sentence after being found guilty of two charges of deception relating to a home contents insurance policy. The Who Wants to be a Million-aire? contestant received a two year conditional
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Pills packaging is 'excessive'
CONSUMERS in Wiltshire are being urged not to judge the value of vitamins, minerals and food supplements by the size of the packaging. A survey by trading standards officers found on average containers were twice the size needed for the contents. In the
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Extra help on school trip safety
DANGERS on school trips are being highlighted in a new safety website launched on Monday. Wiltshire County Council is one of the first local authorities to offer extra help and guidance to schoolchildren embarking on off-site activities. Safety procedures
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Less road traffic casualties
SPEED campaigners have heralded a dramatic decrease in the number of days hospital beds are tied up by road traffic casualties in Wiltshire. In the six months from April to September this year, there has been a 33 per cent reduction in hospital bed days
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Paperboy has his bike stolen
Thieves stole a paperboy's bike while he was preparing for his round in Warminster on Saturday morning. The Carrera blue and silver bike worth £385 was stolen from outside Silver Street Newsagents between 6.30am and 6.55am on November 22. Anyone with
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Family show will go on
ORGANISERS of Wiltshire's largest free event have been reassured the show will go on after fears the popular extravaganza could be under threat. The future of the West Wilts Show looked in doubt after reports emerged that West Wiltshire District Council
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Vintage bus raises £400
THE success of this year's vintage bus run in Warminster has seen almost £400 raised for Guide Dogs for the Blind from its proceeds. The 10th annual Warminster and West Wilts Bus Running Day on September 14 netted £381 for the charity, which was officially
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Surgery staff sick of young vandals
BOSSES at a doctors' surgery in Melksham admit feeling helpless to stop gangs of youths from vandalising the building. Giffords Practice in Spa Road is picking up the pieces after the latest wrecking spree caused £2,500 of damage. Most of the vandalism
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Pills packaging is 'excessive'
CONSUMERS in Wiltshire are being urged not to judge the value of vitamins, minerals and food supplements by the size of the packaging. A survey by trading standards officers found on average containers were twice the size needed for the contents. In the
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Landlords back town Pubwatch
LANDLORDS in Melksham offered overwhelming support for the town's Pubwatch scheme at a crisis meeting. Chairman Cameron Scott said about 20 members attended to help breathe new life into the group. It had been in danger of collapsing because landlords
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Pupils make run for cash
Ref. 27613KIND-HEARTED students put their fitness levels to the test in a bid to donate cash for a specialist school. Over 200 John of Gaunt pupils took part in a sponsored shuttle run raising £1,000 for disabled students at Larkrise School. But staff
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Recipe for success in cake-making contest
ARMY chef Elaine Morris tasted sweet success when her fruit cake won her a top catering prize. Mrs Morris works for defence catering company ESS Support Services Worldwide as second chef in the officers' mess at Battlesbury Barracks, Warminster. Her two-tier
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Council listens to concerns
FROM Thursday residents in Warminster will be able to convey their concerns to district council staff without leaving the town. West Wiltshire District Council has set up a new service in the town so residents can raise queries with staff face to face
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Head retires after 23 years
ONE of Wiltshire's longest serving headteachers is looking forward to a well-earned rest when he retires next month. Tony Sadler, 60, is to step down as head of St George's Primary School in Warminster after 23 years in the job. The father-of-three leaves
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Paperboy has his bike stolen
Thieves stole a paperboy's bike while he was preparing for his round in Warminster on Saturday morning. The Carrera blue and silver bike worth £385 was stolen from outside Silver Street Newsagents between 6.30am and 6.55am on November 22. Anyone with
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Coins hoard is treasure trove
A HOARD of ancient Roman coins dug up by two Warminster treasure hunters has been declared treasure trove. Richard Boyd and Wayne Green, from Bishopstrow, discovered the coins in February when they were using metal detectors in a ploughed field in Longbridge
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Agency will not sue over leaking lake
A COUNCIL has avoided prosecution despite being told it has been illegally taking water to top up a leaking lake. Falling levels at Warminster boating lake have resulted in water being taken from Swan River for the past 75 years. The Environment Agency
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Permanently the way . . .
DECEMBER 2-6, BATH: THE latest work by one of Britain's most acclaimed playwrights is coming to the Theatre Royal Bath for only five days. David Hare's The Permanent Way, staged by the National Theatre and the Out of Joint touring company, deals with
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Woman bares all for charity
VIRGIN worker Claire Tuersley has joined the ranks of Helen Mirren and the Women's Institute to pose naked for a charity calendar. Miss Tuersley, 33, a manager for Virgin Cosmetics, runs a team of eight party planners across north and west Wiltshire.
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Survey shows discrimination against women
FINANCE professionals still believe sex discrimination to be rife in their offices, according to research. A quarter of those interviewed by Robert Half Finance & Accounting, which has an office on the Windmill business estate, say there is a culture
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Silent prayers on World Aids Day
WORLD Aids Day on Mon-day, December 1, will be marked in Swindon with a special religious service. The Rev Phil Hoar will lead an hour of prayers and hymns at the Pilgrim Centre in Regent Circus, beginning at 7pm. World Aids Day promotes awareness of
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103rd birthday for 'grand lady'
FORMER Bradford on Avon resident Lillian Fishlock had a very special anniversary to celebrate this week her 103rd birthday. Friends joined her for tea at Waterhouse residential home, Limpley Stoke, on Thursday to mark the special day. Mrs Fishlock has
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Anger mounts at casualty closure
THE overnight closure of Warminster's casualty service has sparked fears it is part of a bigger plan to shut the town's hospital. The minor injuries unit at Warminster Hospital is due to close daily between midnight and 8am from Monday because health
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Take two for Stratton and Wroughton
RIVALS AFC Stratton and Wroughton, who had their match postponed last week, try again this weekend at the Crosslink Centre, writes RAY BURROUGHS. Following the postponement, Premier leaders Trowbridge Town pulled seven points clear of Stratton who will
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Pupils takes a look at Germany
CHECKPOINT Charlie was part of the itinerary during a recent visit by Year 10 and 11 pupils from Churchfields School. Some, pictured left, donned Russian army-style hats after visiting the historic former Cold War border checkpoint between the East and
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Sister act saves day
SISTERS Jenny and Alison Begley have stepped into the breach to save the Woolstore Theatre's latest production. The Merry Gentleman, which opens at the theatre in Codford on Wednesday, was hit by disaster when one of its leading ladies, Charlie Sides,
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Cleaners raided by teenagers
THREE teenagers broke into a village-based cleaning firm and stole nearly £2,000-worth of laptops and mobile phones. Melksham 18-year-olds John Flower and Sean Harvey, along with a 15-year-old youth, looted Atworth-based West Wilts Cleaning Services in
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Memorial vandalism disgrace
VANDALS have trashed a war memorial just weeks after villagers stood silent together to honour fallen heroes. Flowers, wreaths and plants laid for Remembrance Sunday were uprooted and thrown across the street at Church Street, Hilperton, on Friday night
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Soap star Ross is lighting up town!
Ref. 27992-13Swindon town centre's lights were switched on to cheers, claps, fireworks - and boos for the baddie. This years' pantomime star, actor Ross Davidson, who will play the Ringmaster in Goldilocks and the Three Bears, urged the crowd to boo him
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The not-so- lucky lottery
Lottery cash has been a God-send for many community groups and charities in Swindon, but some of the unlucky ones are now facing closure after failing to secure funding when the initial grant was spent. EMMA-KATE LIDBURY reports. FOR MANY charities, Lottery
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Body of man found in pond at hospital
THE BODY of a man described as vulnerable by police was found in a pond outside the Great Western Hospital yesterday. The 51-year-old local man is believed to be Paul Holmes. He discharged himself from the hospital on Wednesday. Police were said to be
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Armed cops said they'd shoot me
WILTSHIRE TIMES EXCLUSIVE: AN AID worker held captive at gunpoint by eastern European cops has spoken of his ordeal. Armed guards told Adrian Walker, of Hawkeridge Road, Westbury, they would shoot him if he tried to escape during five hours of questioning
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Come on, give a big cheer for Santa
FATHER Christmases and elves will be running through Swindon town centre on Sunday. Swindon's Grand Santa Run starts at 10.30am at Regent Circus and follows a mile-long route around the town. The children's event is 400m and starts 30 minutes earlier.
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Weekend rugby teams and fixtures
FIXTURES Powergen South West 2 East: Chippenham v Oakmeadians; Frome v Wimborne; Maidenhead v Marlow; Reading Abbey v Swanage & Wareham; Salisbury v High Wycombe; Stow-on-the-Wold v Windsor. Southern Counties South: Bournemouth v Westbury; Devizes
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Back to basics
CHIPPENHAM coach Rob Alford has paid tribute to the efforts of his players and a simplified training programme that have turned around the Allington Field club's season. The South West Two East side appeared to be in turmoil in early October as a succession
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Top chef fined for hygiene breaches
A CHEF at an award- winning restaurant risked food contamination by failing to maintain hygiene standards. Jonathon Furby, licensee and chef at The Linnet at Great Hinton, stored ready-to-eat food with a dust-covered sack of potatoes and left meat defrosting
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Awards for care kids' progress
ALMOST 100 children and young people in the care of Wiltshire County Council attended an awards ceremony at Longleat House on Saturday to honour their achievements. All the young achievers were presented with certificates by Howard Taylor, of GWR FM,
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Band plays on with new faces
MUSICIANS are making noise since a new youth band was re-launched. Southwick and North Bradley Scout and Guide Band have played at village fetes, displays and marches for over 20 years but suffered dwindling numbers in recent times. Sharon Aspinall, fundraising
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Charity calls for musical entries
A CHARITY dedicated to keeping music alive in schools is holding a festival in Trowbridge for the first time. Music for Youth is holding one of its 56 regional music festivals at the John of Gaunt School on March 27 next year. The closing date for entries
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Cash stolen in robbery at newsagents
TRADERS in Trowbridge are beefing up security after a man burst into a newsagent with a baseball bat and demanded cash. A woman in her 40s, who was serving behind the counter at Stallard News in Stallard Street had to be taken home, suffering shock, after
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Sex bigot in gay hate row
POLICE have criticised a Trowbridge councillor for whipping up a gay hate storm by branding homosexuals as perverts. In a letter to the Wiltshire Times headed 'gays and lesbians are perverts', Liberal Democrat Cllr Ben Biddulph says homosexuality is an
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Woman bares all for charity
VIRGIN worker Claire Tuersley has joined the ranks of Helen Mirren and the Women's Institute to pose naked for a charity calendar. Miss Tuersley, 33, a manager for Virgin Cosmetics, runs a team of eight party planners across north and west Wiltshire.
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Pirate ship is launched
PIRATES have dropped anchor in a Trowbridge school playground after months of fundraising. Wingfield Primary School launched a pirate ship on Friday for pupils to use during playtimes. HMS Wingfield was funded by donations from local businesses after
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Celebration for five generations
Ref. 27610FIVE generations from the same family, spanning nearly 100 years, have celebrated the first birthday of the newest member. The Barber family from Westbury now ranges from a one-year-old James Walters to 99-year-old great-great-grandmother Unity
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Council bid for 500 affordable homes
A DESPERATE need for more affordable homes in west Wiltshire has prompted steps to approach the business world to help with the £20m building costs. The Government's Private Finance Initiative could be employed in the district to pay for 500 new homes
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Codes for town vision
DESIGN codes included in the Vision for Trowbridge project could be used to safeguard future development of the town centre for years to come. West Wiltshire District Council's cabinet is to discuss including the Vision's Urban Design Framework in the
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Pupils make run for cash
Ref. 27613KIND-HEARTED students put their fitness levels to the test in a bid to donate cash for a specialist school. Over 200 John of Gaunt pupils took part in a sponsored shuttle run raising £1,000 for disabled students at Larkrise School. But staff
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Kids' taste of culture
INDIAN food and culture gave added spice to a children's celebration of the Hindu new year at a Hilperton nursery. Pre-school children at the Just Learning nursery, Hackett Place, celebrated Diwali, the ancient Hindu festival of light on Wednesday. Children
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Memorial vandalism disgrace
VANDALS have trashed a war memorial just weeks after villagers stood silent together to honour fallen heroes. Flowers, wreaths and plants laid for Remembrance Sunday were uprooted and thrown across the street at Church Street, Hilperton, on Friday night
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Teenage kicks
A TEEN gymnastics champion has been named alongside Britney Spears in a magazine's young heroes award. Sam Bayley, 14, is one of seven winners selected in the CosmoGIRL! National Hero Awards selected by a panel of judges. Hilperton schoolgirl Sam is the
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Some of the local recipients...
A total of 315 grants have been awarded to groups, clubs and charities across the borough. Together these grants total more than £28 million. Listed below are just some of the recipients: The Walcot Family Centre received almost £40,000 last month. The
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Fashion show out of Africa
Ref. 27616A FASHION show inspired by wild African animals proved to be a roaring success in Trowbridge on Tuesday. Pupils from Longmeadow Primary School designed and modelled the clothes for a catwalk with an audience of parents, governors and fellow
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Man faces kidnap charges
A 40-YEAR-OLD man accused of carrying out an armed robbery at a Trowbridge convenience store before kidnapping three people just minutes later is due to appear before a Swindon judge today. Robert Smith, of Hampton Gardens, Aylesbury, is due to make his
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Saturday's non league football fixtures
FA Trophy Second Round (selected): Bath City v Gloucester City; Chippenham Tn v Basingstoke Tn; Cinderford Tn v Lewes; Dorchester Tn v Harrow Borough; Marine v Worcester City; Marlow v Tiverton Tn; Swindon Supermarine v Maidenhead Utd; Taunton Tn v Yeading
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Mystery over death of man, 42, in barge fire
THE body of a 42-year-old man was pulled from a burnt-out barge moored on the Kennet and Avon Canal near Hilperton. Robin Steele, who had been living on the boat for nine months, was pulled out shortly after 10.30am on Monday. Firefighters were called
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Take two for Stratton and Wroughton
RIVALS AFC Stratton and Wroughton, who had their match postponed last week, try again this weekend at the Crosslink Centre, writes RAY BURROUGHS. Following the postponement, Premier leaders Trowbridge Town pulled seven points clear of Stratton who will
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Fisher's Faith
AFTER A 6-0 FA Vase loss at Gosport Borough last Saturday and a shock 1-0 defeat to local rivals Wootton Bassett in midweek, Highworth boss John Fisher admitted: "I've had better weeks." The mid-season blip is in stark contrast to the way in which the
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Corsham on the charge
CORSHAM boss Nobby Bush is targeting a fifth straight win when his side travel to First Division basement dwellers Ilfracombe tomorrow. A fine run of form has seen the Southbank side rise to seventh in the table and another three points could move them
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Agency will not sue over leaking lake
A COUNCIL has avoided prosecution despite being told it has been illegally taking water to top up a leaking lake. Falling levels at Warminster boating lake have resulted in water being taken from Swan River for the past 75 years. The Environment Agency
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Ciren host away day specialists
WITH several of the Western Division's leading sides embroiled in FA Trophy action, Cirencester can move into the top five with a favourable result at home to fellow promotion seekers Rugby United. Seven wins and a draw from their last eight games has
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Corsham on the charge
CORSHAM boss Nobby Bush is targeting a fifth straight win when his side travel to First Division basement dwellers Ilfracombe tomorrow. A fine run of form has seen the Southbank side rise to seventh in the table and another three points could move them
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White of expectation at Chippenham
EXPECTATIONS are high as Steve White takes the Chippenham Town hotseat tomorrow, but the new Bluebirds boss has warned fans there will be no 'quick fix'. The bottom club in th Dr Martens Premier Division take a break from their league woes when they entertain
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Residents' shock over knife attack
RESIDENTS in Bradford on Avon have been shocked by a knife fight which left three people seriously injured. Violence erupted in Southville Road at about 2am on Sunday when seven men were involved in a fight near Aldhelm Court sheltered home. Neighbours
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A special day out courtesy of John
TWO coach loads of pensioners will be leaving Swindon today for a Christmas party with a difference. The 98 elderly people will be departing from the Thistle Hotel for a trek to Northam-pton to the Turners entertainment centre. The trip has been organised
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Rises in council tax likely
TAXPAYERS in Wiltshire look set to face the prospect of council tax hikes again next year after councillors have been left with a choice of cutting services or increasing the amount residents pay. The Government announced this week how much authorities
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Recipe for success in cake-making contest
ARMY chef Elaine Morris tasted sweet success when her fruit cake won her a top catering prize. Mrs Morris works for defence catering company ESS Support Services Worldwide as second chef in the officers' mess at Battlesbury Barracks, Warminster. Her two-tier
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A special day out courtesy of John
TWO coach loads of pensioners will be leaving Swindon today for a Christmas party with a difference. The 98 elderly people will be departing from the Thistle Hotel for a trek to Northam-pton to the Turners entertainment centre. The trip has been organised
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Inn wins accolade
Ref. 27990-62THE Sun Inn, in Lydiard Millicent, is celebrating its inclusion in one of the most prestigious good eating guides for the second year running. In the Les Routiers Guide 2004, the inn rubs shoulders with venues such as London's Murano and
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Care home is planned
Ref. 27978-29A PRIVATE nursing home, to be built in Stratton, has been welcomed as the way forward to care for the borough's elderly. Derby-based Methodist Homes For The Aged has been granted permission to build a new 60-bed care home on the site of an
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Talk about hedgehogs
THE Wootton Bassett branch of Wiltshire Wildlife Trust will be holding a meeting at the Roman Catholic Church hall in the High Street on Tuesday, December 9 at 7.30pm. Yvonne Cox from the Hedgehog Preservation Society will talk about the perils facing
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Jefferies is in the spotlight
The friendship between Victorian writer and journalist Richard Jefferies and the painter JW North will be the topic of discussion when the Jefferies Society meets at the Arts Centre in Devizes Road on Monday. Steve Milton, who is a direct descendant of
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The Arctic? It's easier than going on the bus!
INTREPID Swindon-born explorer David Hempleman-Adams has admitted that travelling on the train is tougher than any of his gruelling arctic expeditions. David, 46, who earlier this year became the first British person to fly a hot air balloon across the
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Celebration of multiculturalism
A TV actress will be among the guests at a multi-cultural evening to be hosted by the Swindon Race Coalition on Saturday, December 6. Donna Croll has appeared in Family Affairs, Holby City, Silent Witness, The Bill and Casualty. The evening will be held
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Special guests at next Tattoo
TWO survivors of the Great Escape, immortalised in the war film of the same name, are to be star guests of next year's Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford. Former Sqdn Ldr Jimmy James from Shropshire and former Sqdn Ldr Dick Churchill from
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Churches could close due to lack of support
St Nicholas Church in North BradleyCHURCH leaders fear 'impending doom' due to a desperate cash crisis attributed to falling congregation numbers. Mounting debts in Southwick, Heywood and North Bradley have been blamed on changes in funding and communities
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Who will it be?
It's down to the final six one of these women will win prizes worth £8,000 towards their wedding day. One of these six women will be crowned the Evening Advertiser Bride of the Year 2004. The six finalists in our annual competition are Jodie Barton, Leanne
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Growing role of street wardens
JUNIOR street wardens will be planting an array of bulbs on public land across the Parks and Walcot areas of Swindon over the weekend. It is the latest community scheme undertaken by the junior wardens, whose mission is to improve the quality of life
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Three stores open in Swindon in space of a week
RODBOURNE CHENEY'S new look Co-op store opened yesterday. The store, in Cheney Manor Road, now offers improved customer service thanks to new check-outs and an increased range of fresh foods. This includes more fresh fruit and vegetables and a wider range
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Wardens strike a note of sympathy
Ref. 27980-06TRAFFIC wardens in Swindon have had to show their compassionate side by not penalising motorists caught out by the recent postal strike. Swindon Council has revealed that during the strike, it allowed a four-day period of grace after the
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Two firms sued over asbestosis
THE widow of a former Swindon railway worker has become one of the first people to successfully sue two companies in a mesothelioma compensation case. Audrey Chapman, who used to live in Pinehurst Road, has received £100,000 nearly three years after her
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Anger and upset as playgroup is hit by vandals
VANDALS have smashed equipment belonging to a playgroup in Harnham, leaving children, parents and staff devastated. The attack happened at Puddleducks Community Playgroup, in the grounds of Harnham infants' and junior schools, at the weekend. Glass in
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Come on, give a big cheer for Santa
FATHER Christmases and elves will be running through Swindon town centre on Sunday. Swindon's Grand Santa Run starts at 10.30am at Regent Circus and follows a mile-long route around the town. The children's event is 400m and starts 30 minutes earlier.
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Charity calls for musical entries
A CHARITY dedicated to keeping music alive in schools is holding a festival in Trowbridge for the first time. Music for Youth is holding one of its 56 regional music festivals at the John of Gaunt School on March 27 next year. The closing date for entries
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New deputy boss chosen
WILTSHIRE County Council has appointed a new deputy chief executive as part of its drive to improve services. Janet Relfe moves to the council in March from her current job as a strategic manager with Buckinghamshire County Council. She will lead the
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Celebration of multiculturalism
A TV actress will be among the guests at a multi-cultural evening to be hosted by the Swindon Race Coalition on Saturday, December 6. Donna Croll has appeared in Family Affairs, Holby City, Silent Witness, The Bill and Casualty. The evening will be held
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Ready for flu season
Ref. 27973-19TRADITIONAL cold and flu remedies are being sold in Swindon more than anywhere else in the country. A survey has revealed that Swindonians are stockpiling packet remedies and cough mixtures to beat the winter chill. And this could prevent
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White of expectation at Chippenham
EXPECTATIONS are high as Steve White takes the Chippenham Town hotseat tomorrow, but the new Bluebirds boss has warned fans there will be no 'quick fix'. The bottom club in th Dr Martens Premier Division take a break from their league woes when they entertain
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Bookworms saddened by closure
I AM saddened to hear that the bookshop in Wood Street is to close next year. I remember being taken there by my parents at a very young age and finding the spiralling maze of hardbacks and the cellar with its beautifully worn steps complemented with
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Armed cops said they'd shoot me
WILTSHIRE TIMES EXCLUSIVE: AN AID worker held captive at gunpoint by eastern European cops has spoken of his ordeal. Armed guards told Adrian Walker, of Hawkeridge Road, Westbury, they would shoot him if he tried to escape during five hours of questioning
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Head retires after 23 years
ONE of Wiltshire's longest serving headteachers is looking forward to a well-earned rest when he retires next month. Tony Sadler, 60, is to step down as head of St George's Primary School in Warminster after 23 years in the job. The father-of-three leaves
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Instant aging at birthday party
Massages, exercise sessions and instant ageing will be on offer to celebrate Swindon Intermediate Care Centre's first birthday. SwICC opened last December to cater for patients with complex rehabilitation needs. One of the unusual activities on offer
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Council outvoted
WARMINSTER Town Council has voted not to support a postal ballot for future elections as members were unconvinced of its potential benefits. Although some councillors support the idea it was defeated by a single vote. Despite this the scheme is still
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Man faces kidnap charges
A 40-YEAR-OLD man accused of carrying out an armed robbery at a Trowbridge convenience store before kidnapping three people just minutes later is due to appear before a Swindon judge today. Robert Smith, of Hampton Gardens, Aylesbury, is due to make his
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They call this justice!
ROUGH sleeper Darren Netherton who admitted carrying out 43 burglaries is also guilty of the most outstanding cheek. His victims are likely to object strongly to the fact that he had his wish granted when he asked to be jailed so that he could save his
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All should be treated the same
IF education minister Charles Clarke thinks he knows more than our struggling head teachers about how to run Swindon's schools we have news for him. We hope that when he keeps his promise to meet them face to face they will paint a stark picture of how
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Date
Wardens strike a note of sympathy
Ref. 27980-06TRAFFIC wardens in Swindon have had to show their compassionate side by not penalising motorists caught out by the recent postal strike. Swindon Council has revealed that during the strike, it allowed a four-day period of grace after the
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Tales of bosses behaving badly
COMPANY directors are more likely to misbehave on their last day than their staff, a survey has revealed. Although 89 per cent of the 4,000 people surveyed said it was important to leave on good terms, recruitment specialists Reed, which has a branch
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Refusenik poet will be appearing in town
THE poet who has refused to accept an OBE is to appear in Swindon on the first day of 2004 literature festival. Benjamin Zephaniah has provoked both outrage and admiration for declining the award, which he dismisses as an outdated legacy of Britain's
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Art workshop for youngsters
YOUNG visitors to Trowbridge museum tomorrow will be enjoying plenty of festive fun with a glittery Christmas art workshop. The free workshops for five to 16-year-olds were fully booked weeks in advance. Artist David Birks will be showing the youngsters
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MP's fear over fuel at works
FEARS that an application to burn recycled liquid fuel in Westbury is being mishandled were due to be raised in the House of Commons yesterday. The Environment Agency is expected to reveal a decision on the bid to use RLF at Lafarge cement works in January
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Frustrated by lack of effort
IT IS quite a long time ago, almost a year, since I wrote to Swindon Council and to the Adver asking what was happening to Groundwell Farm, an historic Georgian farmhouse with Jacobean fireplaces in North Swindon which was my home for some 15 happy years
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Jefferies is in the spotlight
The friendship between Victorian writer and journalist Richard Jefferies and the painter JW North will be the topic of discussion when the Jefferies Society meets at the Arts Centre in Devizes Road on Monday. Steve Milton, who is a direct descendant of
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Date
Saturday's non league football fixtures
FA Trophy Second Round (selected): Bath City v Gloucester City; Chippenham Tn v Basingstoke Tn; Cinderford Tn v Lewes; Dorchester Tn v Harrow Borough; Marine v Worcester City; Marlow v Tiverton Tn; Swindon Supermarine v Maidenhead Utd; Taunton Tn v Yeading
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103rd birthday for 'grand lady'
FORMER Bradford on Avon resident Lillian Fishlock had a very special anniversary to celebrate this week her 103rd birthday. Friends joined her for tea at Waterhouse residential home, Limpley Stoke, on Thursday to mark the special day. Mrs Fishlock has
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Boost for wetlands scheme
A CAMPAIGN to revitalise a wetland area near Warminster received a boost this week with a £500 grant from Wessex Water. Residents in the village of Sherrington want to regenerate its sterile cressbeds and hope to attract species of water vole, brown trout
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Back to basics
CHIPPENHAM coach Rob Alford has paid tribute to the efforts of his players and a simplified training programme that have turned around the Allington Field club's season. The South West Two East side appeared to be in turmoil in early October as a succession
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Extra help on school trip safety
DANGERS on school trips are being highlighted in a new safety website launched on Monday. Wiltshire County Council is one of the first local authorities to offer extra help and guidance to schoolchildren embarking on off-site activities. Safety procedures
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Glamour is big boost for hospice
A NIGHT of glamour organised by amateur fashion designer Wayne Palmer raised £1,000 for the Dorothy House hospice. Wayne's World of Fashion, was held at Melksham Assembly Hall on November 14 and included a meal, catwalk show and party. Mr Palmer, who
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Pupils' robot challenge
CHILDREN will be on a mission to Mars today in the regional finals of a competition. Swindon Town's study centre is hosting the finals of the Lego Mars competition which will see 12 schools from the south west, including Dorcan Technology College, Coving-ham
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That's your lot
In an exclusive interview, education minister Charles Clarke has issued strong words about two of the most controversial topics affecting Swindon today. GILES SHELDRICK reports. CABINET minister Charles Clarke has blasted the fact Swindon Council has
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Three stores open in Swindon in space of a week
RODBOURNE CHENEY'S new look Co-op store opened yesterday (Thursday). The store, in Cheney Manor Road, now offers improved customer service thanks to new check-outs and an increased range of fresh foods. This includes more fresh fruit and vegetables and
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David's greatest achievements
1981: David achieved one of the fastest ascents of Mount McKinley in Alaska 1984: He became the first person successfully to complete a solo expedition to the Magnetic North Pole unaided 1986: He became the first Briton to walk solo and unsupported to
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Family events
Special events for the Westbury Family Learning Day are being held in the library, The Laverton, Matravers School and the newly opened Wiltshire College Westbury on the High Street tomorrow. Events include snowman making for children, recording a CD,
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Jury to consider its verdict today
The jury in the trial of three Swindon men alleged to be part of a conspiracy to supply cocaine in the town, is to consider its verdict today. Judge David Ticehurst began his summing up at Bristol Crown Court yesterday in the case against Mark Kirwan,
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Supergrass wanted
VICTIMS suffering thefts of petrol lawnmowers are being urged to come forward with information to police. Following a number of burglaries in the area Westbury police arrested two youths aged 16 and 17 in Bratton on Monday on suspicion of theft of a petrol
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Pupils rewarded for their success
HIGH achieving youngsters from Westbury were rewarded for their academic success on Monday night. Over 60 pupils from the past and present were honoured at the Matravers School Presentation Evening. Parents, teachers and governors were treated to music
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Armed cops said they'd shoot me
WILTSHIRE TIMES EXCLUSIVE: AN AID worker held captive at gunpoint by eastern European cops has spoken of his ordeal. Armed guards told Adrian Walker, of Hawkeridge Road, Westbury, they would shoot him if he tried to escape during five hours of questioning
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Family events
Special events for the Westbury Family Learning Day are being held in the library, The Laverton, Matravers School and the newly opened Wiltshire College Westbury on the High Street tomorrow. Events include snowman making for children, recording a CD,
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Inn wins accolade
Ref. 27990-62THE Sun Inn, in Lydiard Millicent, is celebrating its inclusion in one of the most prestigious good eating guides for the second year running. In the Les Routiers Guide 2004, the inn rubs shoulders with venues such as London's Murano and
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Victim hits out at light sentence
A WOMAN who smashed a serial burglar over the head with a glass when he broke into her home has criticised a court's decision not to jail him. Heroin addict Benjamin Quarmby was given an 18-month drug treatment and testing order at Swindon Crown Court
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Three stores open in Swindon in space of a week
RODBOURNE CHENEY'S new look Co-op store opened yesterday (Thursday). The store, in Cheney Manor Road, now offers improved customer service thanks to new check-outs and an increased range of fresh foods. This includes more fresh fruit and vegetables and
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Bus pass offers a fare deal
STUDENTS living within the Melksham Without Parish Council area can benefit from cheap bus fares. The council set up a concessionary fare scheme last year and have decided to run it again for 2003/04. Teenagers between 16 and 19 can buy a card for £2
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Jail me so I can save some cash
A PERSISTENT thief, who admitted carrying out 43 burglaries, asked a Swindon judge to jail him so that he could save up enough money for a deposit on a bedsit. And rough sleeper Darren Netherton got what he asked for. He was sent to prison for four years
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Dream job for a lone female
Name: Sharon Perrin Age: 33 Employer: SP Computers Swindon So what do you actually do? I am company director. I do everything from making teas for everyone to making executive decisions. What do you hate most about your job and be honest? The thing that
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Paraglider unveiled as new council boss
A NEW chief executive has been appointed to take over the running of West Wiltshire District Council. Andrew Pate, currently strategic director (community development) at South Somerset District Council, is expected to take up his new post in the spring
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Date
Drivers needed to help elderly
THAMESDOWN Dial A Ride and Community Transport are looking for volunteer drivers for two of their services. Every Tuesday and Friday, drivers are needed from 8.30am to 4pm to transport elderly people to and from the Thamesdown Stroke Centre in Pinehurst
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Campaigners say road scheme will save lives
A PROPOSED improvement scheme for a stretch of road known as Death Valley offers good value for money, according to safety campaigners. Wiltshire County Council's £8m plan for the Heytesbury to Codford section of the A36 is currently being considered
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Supergrass wanted
VICTIMS suffering thefts of petrol lawnmowers are being urged to come forward with information to police. Following a number of burglaries in the area Westbury police arrested two youths aged 16 and 17 in Bratton on Monday on suspicion of theft of a petrol
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Date
Jury to consider its verdict today
The jury in the trial of three Swindon men alleged to be part of a conspiracy to supply cocaine in the town, is to consider its verdict today. Judge David Ticehurst began his summing up at Bristol Crown Court yesterday in the case against Mark Kirwan,
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Date
Council listens to concerns
FROM Thursday residents in Warminster will be able to convey their concerns to district council staff without leaving the town. West Wiltshire District Council has set up a new service in the town so residents can raise queries with staff face to face
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'I cannot wait'
WORLD Cup winner Mike Tindall insists he cannot wait to pull on a Bath shirt again just seven days after reaching rugby heaven with England. Tindall, along with fellow national heroes Iain Balshaw and Mike Catt, is expected to return as his club takes
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Landlords back town Pubwatch
LANDLORDS in Melksham offered overwhelming support for the town's Pubwatch scheme at a crisis meeting. Chairman Cameron Scott said about 20 members attended to help breathe new life into the group. It had been in danger of collapsing because landlords
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Mr Christmas appears on TV
Ref. 14433A HOME decked out with Christmas decorations every day of the year has benefited from the professional touch. TV interior decorators, Colin and Justin from TV show The Property Experiment, spent £15,000 on the home of Andy Park in Melksham.
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Rugby fan scoops signed shirt
THE director of a Melksham carpet shop is the lucky owner of a shirt signed by England players who lifted the rugby World Cup. Kim Chalmers, of the Carpet Barn in Bank Street, won the priceless shirt in a pub raffle draw held after Jonny Wilkinson's drop-goal
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Surgery staff sick of young vandals
BOSSES at a doctors' surgery in Melksham admit feeling helpless to stop gangs of youths from vandalising the building. Giffords Practice in Spa Road is picking up the pieces after the latest wrecking spree caused £2,500 of damage. Most of the vandalism
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Warning to riders over moped gang
POLICE are warning riders in Melksham to lock up their vehicles after a spate of moped thefts in the town. Four scooters have been stolen in the last two weeks, and all have later been found dumped in rivers and on waste ground. Acting inspector Mike
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Window contest
Imaginative shop window displays will be rewarded during the festive season. Trowbridge and District Chamber of Commerce is hoping businesses will take part in the Best Dressed Window Competition in a bid to make the town a vibrant and inviting place
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Challenging test
TWO star maths pupils have reached the finals of a national contest without any revision or preparation. Teachers at Chapsmanslade Infant School entered eight Year 6 pupils into the Primary Maths Challenge this month as part of the school's maths programme
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Cash stolen in robbery at newsagents
TRADERS in Trowbridge are beefing up security after a man burst into a newsagent with a baseball bat and demanded cash. A woman in her 40s, who was serving behind the counter at Stallard News in Stallard Street had to be taken home, suffering shock, after
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It's Time To Go
ALAN YOUNG is severing his ties with Swindon Town but insists he feels no bitterness towards Andy King as he looks to kick-start his career elsewhere. The 20-year-old striker has found himself pushed down the pecking order following the acquisitions of
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Town's business community raises cash for charity
Ref. 27939-3SWINDON businesspeople have helped bring smiles to hundreds of Swindon children, after raising almost £7,000 for charity. Members of the Swindon Business Cares for Children group, which comprises firms from across Swindon including the Evening
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Special guests at next Tattoo
TWO survivors of the Great Escape, immortalised in the war film of the same name, are to be star guests of next year's Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford. Former Sqdn Ldr Jimmy James from Shropshire and former Sqdn Ldr Dick Churchill from
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Date
Dream job for a lone female
Name: Sharon Perrin Age: 33 Employer: SP Computers Swindon So what do you actually do? I am company director. I do everything from making teas for everyone to making executive decisions. What do you hate most about your job and be honest? The thing that
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Date
Body of man found in pond at hospital
THE BODY of a man described as vulnerable by police was found in a pond outside the Great Western Hospital yesterday. The 51-year-old local man is believed to be Paul Holmes. He discharged himself from the hospital on Wednesday. Police were said to be
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A fairy tale of feathered friends
Visitors to Great Chalfield Manor had a surprise in store this week. Instead of the usual sights of magpies and blackbirds, the feathered friends they were watching turned out to be the colourful Trowbridge Operatic getting into the swing of a photocall
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New deputy boss chosen
WILTSHIRE County Council has appointed a new deputy chief executive as part of its drive to improve services. Janet Relfe moves to the council in March from her current job as a strategic manager with Buckinghamshire County Council. She will lead the
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Date
Moore wants More!
SUPERMARINE chairman Steve Moore has issued a rallying cry for local football fans to descend on Hunts Copse and cheer his club through to the third round of the FA Trophy. Marine entertain Ryman League Maidenhead tomorrow, and with Swindon Town making
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Date
New campaign
A CHARITY campaign to improve the public's aware- ness of eye health has been backed by west Wiltshire MP Andrew Murrison. Dr Murrison has joined forces with the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association and health provider HealthSure to launch the Healthy
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Date
Soldier regrets training session pickaxe attack
A young soldier who embedded a pickaxe into the head of a Lance Corporal after a bust-up during army training told a court he could not believe what he had done and wished he could turn the clock back. The axe struck L/Cpl Konrad Bisping, 26, with such
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Scheme for high achievers
GIFTED students from state schools have the chance to pit their wits against more privileged pupils following an injection of Government cash. The Clarendon School, Trowbridge, has received £13,000 from the Independent/State School Partnership Scheme
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Date
MEP raises poison fear
TOXIC chemicals could have poisoned youngsters growing up in Wiltshire during the 1960s and 1970s, a study has revealed. Publication of a bio monitoring survey this week gives evidence that unregulated chemicals used in rural areas have entered people's
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Date
Rises in council tax likely
TAXPAYERS in Wiltshire look set to face the prospect of council tax hikes again next year after councillors have been left with a choice of cutting services or increasing the amount residents pay. The Government announced this week how much authorities
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Date
Jury to consider its verdict today
The jury in the trial of three Swindon men alleged to be part of a conspiracy to supply cocaine in the town, is to consider its verdict today. Judge David Ticehurst began his summing up at Bristol Crown Court yesterday in the case against Mark Kirwan,
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Date
Weekend rugby teams and fixtures
FIXTURES Powergen South West 2 East: Chippenham v Oakmeadians; Frome v Wimborne; Maidenhead v Marlow; Reading Abbey v Swanage & Wareham; Salisbury v High Wycombe; Stow-on-the-Wold v Windsor. Southern Counties South: Bournemouth v Westbury; Devizes
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Date
All should be treated the same
IF education minister Charles Clarke thinks he knows more than our struggling head teachers about how to run Swindon's schools we have news for him. We hope that when he keeps his promise to meet them face to face they will paint a stark picture of how
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Date
New GPs found
FROME Medical Practice will be providing services at Smallbrook Surgery, Warminster from Monday after its former doctor retired to rejoin the army. Dr Mark Thorpe is taking on military training after building the practice from scratch over 10 years. Robert
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Date
Council outvoted
WARMINSTER Town Council has voted not to support a postal ballot for future elections as members were unconvinced of its potential benefits. Although some councillors support the idea it was defeated by a single vote. Despite this the scheme is still
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Date
Vintage bus raises £400
THE success of this year's vintage bus run in Warminster has seen almost £400 raised for Guide Dogs for the Blind from its proceeds. The 10th annual Warminster and West Wilts Bus Running Day on September 14 netted £381 for the charity, which was officially
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Date
Boost for wetlands scheme
A CAMPAIGN to revitalise a wetland area near Warminster received a boost this week with a £500 grant from Wessex Water. Residents in the village of Sherrington want to regenerate its sterile cressbeds and hope to attract species of water vole, brown trout
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Date
Sister act saves day
SISTERS Jenny and Alison Begley have stepped into the breach to save the Woolstore Theatre's latest production. The Merry Gentleman, which opens at the theatre in Codford on Wednesday, was hit by disaster when one of its leading ladies, Charlie Sides,
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Soldier regrets training session pickaxe attack
A young soldier who embedded a pickaxe into the head of a Lance Corporal after a bust-up during army training told a court he could not believe what he had done and wished he could turn the clock back. The axe struck L/Cpl Konrad Bisping, 26, with such
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Two firms sued over asbestosis
THE widow of a former Swindon railway worker has become one of the first people to successfully sue two companies in a mesothelioma compensation case. Audrey Chapman, who used to live in Pinehurst Road, has received £100,000 nearly three years after her
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Longleat plans for summer
A LIVE super beast show is coming to Longleat next year, but staff are tight-lipped about a new mystery attraction. The interactive summer show will see visitors come face to face with some of the planet's most amazing animals as part of Longleat's 2004
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Support for pet project
A NEW waste bin has been proving a hit with dog walkers at Shearwater lake near Warminster. The bin, which was donated to Wiltshire County Council by Frome Dog Training Club, has been in place since September. It is part of the club's campaign encouraging
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Anger mounts at casualty closure
THE overnight closure of Warminster's casualty service has sparked fears it is part of a bigger plan to shut the town's hospital. The minor injuries unit at Warminster Hospital is due to close daily between midnight and 8am from Monday because health
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Campaigners say road scheme will save lives
A PROPOSED improvement scheme for a stretch of road known as Death Valley offers good value for money, according to safety campaigners. Wiltshire County Council's £8m plan for the Heytesbury to Codford section of the A36 is currently being considered
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Armed cops said they'd shoot me
WILTSHIRE TIMES EXCLUSIVE: AN AID worker held captive at gunpoint by eastern European cops has spoken of his ordeal. Armed guards told Adrian Walker, of Hawkeridge Road, Westbury, they would shoot him if he tried to escape during five hours of questioning
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Who will it be?
It's down to the final six one of these women will win prizes worth £8,000 towards their wedding day. One of these six women will be crowned the Evening Advertiser Bride of the Year 2004. The six finalists in our annual competition are Jodie Barton, Leanne
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'Be grateful for what you get'
THE CHARLES CLARKE INTERVIEW: CHARLES Clarke has told Swindon's schools to be grateful for the cash they have got and that he is happy to meet education leaders face to face. The education minister poured cold water on hopes of extra handouts for the
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Village plan to celebrate road relief
RESIDENTS in Semington hope to raise thousands of pounds to celebrate the closure of parts of the busy A350 next year. About £1,100 has already been raised though a series of events held over the last 13 months. An auction held in the village hall on
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Town pests facing legal crackdown
COMMUNITY leaders are fighting back against a gang of teenagers causing havoc at schools and in Westbury town centre. Up to 10 teenagers from the Westbury area could be given anti-social behaviour orders banning them from parts of the town. The group,
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Soap star Ross is lighting up town!
Ref. 27992-13Swindon town centre's lights were switched on to cheers, claps, fireworks - and boos for the baddie. This years' pantomime star, actor Ross Davidson, who will play the Ringmaster in Goldilocks and the Three Bears, urged the crowd to boo him
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Youngsters give four concerts
MORE than 500 young musicians will be showcasing their talents at a series of concerts in Bradford on Avon next week. The four performances at the Wiltshire Music Centre have been organised by the county council's music service and sponsored by Monahans
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Hold-ups in town centre
FINISHING touches being made to a town centre face-lift in Bradford on Avon caused traffic chaos this week. Motorists were forced to sit in tailbacks as work was carried out to complete renovations at the Bull Pit, Town Bridge. The site, which has undergone
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Victim hits out at light sentence
A WOMAN who smashed a serial burglar over the head with a glass when he broke into her home has criticised a court's decision not to jail him. Heroin addict Benjamin Quarmby was given an 18-month drug treatment and testing order at Swindon Crown Court
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Residents' shock over knife attack
RESIDENTS in Bradford on Avon have been shocked by a knife fight which left three people seriously injured. Violence erupted in Southville Road at about 2am on Sunday when seven men were involved in a fight near Aldhelm Court sheltered home. Neighbours
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Hold-ups in town centre
FINISHING touches being made to a town centre face-lift in Bradford on Avon caused traffic chaos this week. Motorists were forced to sit in tailbacks as work was carried out to complete renovations at the Bull Pit, Town Bridge. The site, which has undergone
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Have your tickets ready for drama
UNTIL DECEMBER 6, BATH: AFTER opening to ecstatic reviews, the thrilling new play by award-winning writer, David Hare, comes to the Theatre Royal Bath. Directed by Max Stafford-Clark, this compelling Out of Joint and National Theatre production tackles
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More rockers from the East
NOVEMBER 29, BATH: IT seems East Anglia is fast becoming an unlikely hotbed for hard-rocking musical creativity, as the second band to emerge from the area this year looks set for success. But while The Darkness have already conquered the world their
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Permanently the way . . .
DECEMBER 2-6, BATH: THE latest work by one of Britain's most acclaimed playwrights is coming to the Theatre Royal Bath for only five days. David Hare's The Permanent Way, staged by the National Theatre and the Out of Joint touring company, deals with
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Less road traffic casualties
SPEED campaigners have heralded a dramatic decrease in the number of days hospital beds are tied up by road traffic casualties in Wiltshire. In the six months from April to September this year, there has been a 33 per cent reduction in hospital bed days
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About the National Lottery Good Causes Scheme
For every pound spent on Lottery tickets in the UK, 28p goes to good causes. When it comes to the distribution of Lottery money, the Department of Culture, Media and Sport is ultimately in control of where the money goes. Charities, community groups and
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Some of the local recipients...
A total of 315 grants have been awarded to groups, clubs and charities across the borough. Together these grants total more than £28 million. Listed below are just some of the recipients: The Walcot Family Centre received almost £40,000 last month. The
