Archive
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Unlucky seven is haunting Bluebirds
STEVE White's Chippenham Town travel south to face Havant and Waterlooville this weekend looking to end a run of six consecutive league defeats. The Hampshire club will provide the Bluebirds with a stern test as they are currently riding high in seventh
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Pensioner leads fight
Ref. 28198-04A villager has vowed to fight plans to open a new storage depot. Swindon Council has received an application to convert Winners Swindon Ltd go-karting, which is housed in a former aircraft hangar on Wroughton Airfield, into a storage and
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Corsham 18 Minety 25
MINETY ambushed Corsham on their own Lacock Road ground after a topsy-turvy Dorset & Wilts Division One match. The home side held the upper hand for much of this rousing league encounter, but two lapses in defence cost them dear as Minety capitalised
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Bletchley 26 Swindon 25
SWINDON slipped to their second Bucks, Berks & Oxon One defeat with a late penalty try. The visitors started well and a scrum on the Bletchley 22 saw Mark Scarrott pick up and drive and quick ruck ball saw Andy Morley on hand to touch the ball down
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Town ladies show they are fairer sex
CHIPPENHAM Ladies' record of four seasons without a red card has been recognised with an FA Fair Play Award. Dignitaries from the Wiltshire FA were on hand to make the presentations at the Christian Malford recreation ground before Sunday's game with
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Calne 11 Sherborne 38
FORMER Harlequin Richard Nias ran amok, scoring four tries for Sherborne who brought a full strength side on their long journey to Calne and showed the home side some powerful running and finishing. The first cam from Calne's kick off. The home team fiercely
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Praise of bill
It is good to see that kerbside recycling has started for some of us although I know that the black boxes are a problem for some people. Friends of the Earth wrote the Recycling Bill which calls for every local authority to provide a doorstep recycling
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Sadly missed
LIKE the rest of the local community I am slowly coming to terms with the sad loss of David Hemmings. I had got to know David a few years ago when he first moved here, as a member of a rival pub quiz team on a Sunday night. I found him to be very friendly
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Teacher in probe on drugs supply
A supply teacher at John Bentley School in Calne, who was warned about his friendships with his pupils in February, has been suspended following allegations he gave cannabis to teenage pupils. The 44-year-old is accused of taking pupils back to the room
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Same story
I read with interest about the sense of despair that has descended on Kennet District Council, because the council grant is to be cut. It's all very well for Councillor Humphries to blame the Government and then say that Kennet District Council have made
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Protest now
I read your report on the "part-time chief executive" for the Kennet & North Wilts PCT, in the Marlborough & Pewsey edition, with sadness as it implied the board of Kennet & North Wilts PCT wanted a part-time option. My understanding is that
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Money spent fighting developers well spent
WE were dismayed to see the unanimous refusal of all three planning applications for Spitalcroft reported as 'gearing up for an expensive public inquiry' implying irresponsibility on behalf of Kennet District Council in turning this down. This is a gross
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Robbed teenager terrified
A MOTHER wants security stepped up at the Link Centre after her teenage son was robbed there by a man believed to have been armed with a knife. Mandy Hartley's 15-year-old son left the West Swindon leisure centre in tears after the incident, and is so
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Interesting to see results of hall vote
THE members of the Market Lavington community hall committee have at last responded. Mr Furminger says the people that go to his meetings are unrepresentative. I think it's sour grapes because the people who attended their meeting in March voted against
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Gypsy van plan set for refusal
PLANS to keep a gypsy caravan on Orchard Paddock in Christian Malford, near Chippenham, are set to be thrown out. Planning officers at North Wiltshire District Council concluded the application for an unspecified number of caravans on the site should
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Festive start for play area
Christmas is coming early for the residents of Barrow Green in Chippenham, when a long-awaited play area is opened on Saturday, in time for the school holidays. Leader of North Wiltshire District Council, Coun Ruth Coleman, will be officially opening
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Road closure up for debate
Controversial plans to close Monkton Hill in Chippenham to through traffic will come before Wiltshire County Council's Regulatory Committee in January. Wiltshire County Council met a storm of protest when they proposed to close the road to make it a safer
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Floral theme for centenary
The Rotary Club of Chippenham is organising a flower arranging contest to begin celebrations for its Rotary Centenary Year. Entries are now invited for the event, which will take place over the weekend of July 17-19 2004. Flower arranging clubs in the
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MPs need to debate this state of affairs
IT is not often I object to immigrants being sent home, but I think Inna Haville is a special case. It shows how crass Blunkett's ideas on immigration are. If Inna was a one-armed, one-eyed, Islamic cleric or a convicted rapist like Joel Naitamu, Inna
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Wootton Bassett 19 Bournemouth 10
BASSETT boosted their hopes of pulling away from the foot of the table claimed with their second Southern Counties South victory of the season. With Swindon College having pulled out of the league, Bassett simply could not afford to lose more ground to
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Pupils learn from a poet
Poet and artist Rose Flint has been working with pupils at Hardenhuish School, Chippenham, bringing poetry to their English classes. Six year 8 English groups welcomed Ms Flint, who has recently been awarded a six-month poetry residency by the Poetry
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Charity urges victims of crime to seek aid
Victims of crime should not suffer in silence during the Christmas period, according to Victim Support Wiltshire. The charity helps people cope with the aftermath of crime and is urging people affected to get in touch. Deputy area manager Mary Platten
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New lease of life at last for Goldiggers?
DEVELOPERS Tribecka Land Ltd have been chosen to give the Goldiggers site in Chippenham a new lease of life. Tribecka Land Ltd, based in Olney, Buckinghamshire, which created the Chicago Rock Caf in Trowbridge, is now the first choice to develop the site
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New Scout hut comes a step closer
A NEW Scout hut is a step closer to becoming a reality for the 2nd Bulford St Leonard's Scout Group. The Beavers, Cubs and Scouts of the group have raised £2,300 towards the final sum needed, by taking part in a sponsored walk at Moors Valley and organising
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Mighty mouse or cheesy fan?
IT'S either the biggest mouse in the world or a thief who is very fond of his cheese, but Devizes police are now keen to interview this man about the theft of a £60 hunk of cheese from the Spar shop in Bath Road. They describe the suspect as white, about
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Costly phone scam a hoax
AN URGENT warning to all telephone users against a scam costing up to £500 has proved to be phoney. Wiltshire Police had issued a caution to phone users that a recorded message reporting the winning of an all expenses paid holiday added between £260-500
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Left out in the cold
ALISTAIR Carr's story is a stark reminder of the reality of homelessness. Just three years ago he was a bakery manager earning a salary of £43,000, and then, through no great fault of his own, he found himself homeless and penniless after a business disaster
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Hopkins to ignore relegation pressure
DEVIZES Town manager Dave Hopkins says he is not feeling the pressure despite watching his side lose five matches in a row. The Nursteed Road club's promising early season form has wilted and two defeats in four days this week has seen them drop into
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Drug dealer escapes jail
ROWDE dealer Simon Evans sold drugs to pay for his own habit, Salisbury Crown Court heard on Friday. Evans, 37, of Springfield Road, was appearing for sentence after admitting two offences in the magistrates' court of possessing cannabis with intent to
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Stand-in skipper's fighting pledge
BLUEBIRDS stand-in skipper Wayne Thorne has vowed the team will not give up the fight despite suffering another home defeat on Saturday. Chippenham rued yet more bad luck as they produced an improved performance only to concede two sloppy goals against
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The dodecahedron maths champion
Ref. 28190-32Wroughton schoolboy Robert Sullivan is a mathematical genius in the making and has the trophy to prove it. Robert, 12, was crowned the Dodecahedron champion after beating off competition from hundreds of other children in the South West.
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Stand-in skipper's fighting pledge
BLUEBIRDS stand-in skipper Wayne Thorne has vowed the team will not give up the fight despite suffering another home defeat on Saturday. Chippenham rued yet more bad luck as they produced an improved performance only to concede two sloppy goals against
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Fan-Tastic!
TOWN are on course for a five-figure attendance 'hat-trick' with another 10,000 crowd expected at the County Ground on Saturday. Three thousand Pilgrims from Plymouth are expected to help provide Town with a second successive bumper home gate. With Brighton
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Our generous readers
WE have always know that Gazette readers' generosity knows no bounds and that has been proven once again with the overwhelming response to our Christmas Toy Appeal. Hundreds of needy children will be receiving presents thanks to the mountain of toys that
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Blick announces hike in profits
BLICK plc has announced pre-tax profits for year ended September 30, 2003 of £8 million, compared to £7.8 million in 2002. The Swindon firm, which designs, installs and maintains security, communication and time management solutions for business, has,
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Export firm up for award
Corsham dairy company Coombe Castle International has been shortlisted for the Dairy Exporter of the Year award in this year's Food From Britain Export Awards. Coombe Castle, which has twice before won Food From Britain (FFB) Export Awards, has once again
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It snowed to order
CHILDREN from St Michael's School in Aldbourne sang carols around the memorial cross on The Green on Saturday as part of the village's Victorian Evening. The event was organised by the village's carnival committee and was a great success, said chairman
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Tributes to widow in M4 tragedy
The funeral of 72-year-old Joan Gover, who was killed when she drove the wrong way down the M4, will take place today. Mrs Gover died when her Ford Escort collided head-on with a van as she drove westbound down the eastbound carriageway near junction
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Captain carried out indecent acts, court martial told
AN army captain used his rank as an acting major to commit a variety of offences of a predatory sexual nature against several soldiers in his regiment while serving in Kosovo, a court martial heard. Captain Roderick Bryce-Stafford, 31, of The Royal Scots
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What threat does Inna pose?
Beverly Hughes, home office minister, says there are no good and compelling reasons for allowing Inna Haville to stay in the UK. Presumably then there must be good and compelling reasons for allowing Abu "hook" Hamza to stay here. Perhaps the minister
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Trio set sights on England places
YOUNG hopefuls Lawrence Hughes, Oliver Rose and James Thompson are this weekend bidding to take a step closer to their dreams of playing for England. Hughes, Rose and Thompson have been picked to go to trials for the England U18 rugby squad in Bristol
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Sixth formers step up for youth council
Pupils from John Bentley School have volunteered to join a youth council to represent young people at North Wiltshire District Council. The idea was put together by district councillor Carol O'Gorman who holds the youth portfolio. After the success of
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Homes plan sparks new fight
Protesters will be out in force to defend the picturesque village of Slaughterford from a new housing development. North Wiltshire District Council is due to consider two planning applications for two alternative housing schemes at the old Dowding Paper
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District council makes four officers redundant
FOUR key officers at North Wiltshire District Council will be made redundant in January to create a new management structure, saving nearly quarter of a million pounds. A management tier will be taken out, and the number of business managers reduced following
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More brass for Wiltshire band
The North Wiltshire Youth Band is going from strength to strength, giving children the chance to learn how to play brass instruments. The group is run by volunteers who give children lessons and train the band players. Now ten fledgling brass players
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Trowbridge 7 Devizes 15
DEVIZES came through a severe test at Trowbridge to win by three tries to one. Not surprisingly this was a tense and dramatic encounter heightened by end to end play and numerous penalties throughout the game. Trowbridge announced their intention early
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Offer of land is rejected
PARISH councillors at Pewsey have turned down an offer of two pieces of community land from Kennet District Council. The parish council agreed unanimously on Tuesday to tell Kennet that it does not want the two grass areas in Swan Meadow, which were offered
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Lock up tools left in vans
POLICE in Pewsey are advising builders and tradesmen not to leave any power tools in vans following a spate of thefts. Seven vans were broken into on one night, WPC Michelle Haley told the parish council on Tuesday. The hauls included drills, saws, generators
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Police presence hits crime
Amesbury and area Police Community Support Officer Geoff Paffett.FOR the second month running, levels of crime and antisocial behaviour in Amesbury have fallen. Speaking at a meeting of the town council last week, Inspector Tim Richards, of Amesbury police
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Youths to be pointed in right direction
CALLS have been made for the release of funds to pay for two youth outreach workers in Pewsey to help tackle the problem of delinquency in the village. The parish council has become concerned at the level of vandalism and damage being committed. Police
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Readers give record number of gifts
BIG-HEARTED Journal readers have done it yet again. Each year, when we launch our Christmas appeal, we ask them to help us ensure that every needy person in our community gets a spot of festive cheer by receiving at least one present. And each time, readers
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Two die as lorries collide
Police and post-collision examiners inspect the wrecked lorries involved in the double fatal accident on the A303 east of Mere on Saturday.EMERGENCY services were greeted with a scene of total devastation on Saturday morning, when they arrived at an accident
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City people rally to reach final target
Appeal committee chairman Lord Sharman, Sally Peaty (left) and marketing administrator Hannah Paye with the signed England rugby shirt that sold for 33000 at the appeal auction.A LIFESAVING heart unit for Salisbury is now in sight, after £100,000 was
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Tributes paid to crew killed in air tragedy
THE helicopter industry is in mourning, following a crash that killed a Durrington pilot and two engineers. Captain Ian Shoobridge (51) and his crew, James Gordon-Stables (37), from Ludgershall and Neville Moger (45), from Romsey, died when their Twin
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Angela Cannings freed after conviction is overturned
Angela Cannings' husband Tery arrives at court in LondonANGELA Cannings, the Salisbury mother jailed for the murder of her two baby sons, has been freed after a Court of Appeal ruled the conviction was unsafe. Mrs Cannings (40), of Waterloo Road, was
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Drunk claims he was hit
A MAN who was found drunk and incapable in Bath Road, Devizes, claimed that he had been attacked, Kennet magistrates heard on Tuesday. David Cook, 21, of Matilda Way, Devizes, admitted having had too much to drink on November 28 when he was found by police
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Road closure up for debate
Controversial plans to close Monkton Hill in Chippenham to through traffic will come before Wiltshire County Council's Regulatory Committee in January. Wiltshire County Council met a storm of protest when they proposed to close the road to make it a safer
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Youths to be pointed in right direction
CALLS have been made for the release of funds to pay for two youth outreach workers in Pewsey to help tackle the problem of delinquency in the village. The parish council has become concerned at the level of vandalism and damage being committed. Police
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Village wins award for its pioneering website
THE Aldbourne village website, which helped inspire a storyline in the world's long-running radio soap The Archers, has won a top regional award in the Village of the Year contest. Parish councillors Jane Palmer and Annette Jerram received the award from
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Fascinating centenarians
Ref. 28094-32BETWEEN them, these three women have lived for three hundred years. Annie New, Mary Collingborn and Dorothy Roberts all reached 100 years of age this year. When the youngest, Annie, celebrated her birthday last week, the Grove Hill Residential
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Unlucky seven is haunting Bluebirds
STEVE White's Chippenham Town travel south to face Havant and Waterlooville this weekend looking to end a run of six consecutive league defeats. The Hampshire club will provide the Bluebirds with a stern test as they are currently riding high in seventh
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Allison ready for anything
NEW signing Sam Allison says he'll play anywhere to stake his claim for a regular first team place. The pacy 23-year-old became Steve White's first signing last Wednesday and was named as a substitute on Saturday. He has spent this season floating between
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Stand-in skipper's fighting pledge
BLUEBIRDS stand-in skipper Wayne Thorne has vowed the team will not give up the fight despite suffering another home defeat on Saturday. Chippenham rued yet more bad luck as they produced an improved performance only to concede two sloppy goals against
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White in search for more new players
RELEGATION-haunted Chippenham Town boss Steve White has been boosted with the news that a number of his injured players are on the mend. Mark Badman (hernia) was due to feature on the bench against Newport in the league cup last night while Martin Paul
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A place to go in times of strife
Ref. 28204-13FAMILIES fleeing domestic violence have a safe haven at the Swindon Women's Refuge. The charity, which can house up to 22 families, is one of the 11 good causes the Evening Advertiser's Christmas Appeal is supporting. The Swindon Women's
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Badman aims for return
THE Bluebirds treatment room is finally beginning to empty and manager Steve White could be boosted by the return of midfielder Mark Badman this week. The former Bath City player has not started a game for the Bluebirds since August when he suffered a
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Tributes paid to crew killed in air tragedy
THE helicopter industry is in mourning, following a crash that killed a Durrington pilot and two engineers. Captain Ian Shoobridge (51) and his crew, James Gordon-Stables (37), from Ludgershall and Neville Moger (45), from Romsey, died when their Twin
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Protest now
I read your report on the "part-time chief executive" for the Kennet & North Wilts PCT, in the Marlborough & Pewsey edition, with sadness as it implied the board of Kennet & North Wilts PCT wanted a part-time option. My understanding is that
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Head cautious on SAT result
BARRY Hickey, the headteacher of St Joseph's Primary School in Devizes, has cast doubt on the value of school league tables, despite his school having the best English results at Key Stage 2 in the whole county. Eighty-five per cent of last year's Year
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Teaching standards praised at new school
AN Ofsted report on Devizes' newest school has found some weaknesses in pupils' writing, but inspectors have praised good teaching methods. Nursteed Community Primary School, in Brickley Lane, only opened in September 2002 and it was an unusual step for
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Town puts on the festive fun
A TASTE of festive spirit was enjoyed by all on Friday as mince pies and mulled wine were served to people enjoying late night shopping in Malmesbury. The High Street was closed to traffic and decked out with Christmas lights, tinsel and a large Christmas
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Town puts on the festive fun
A TASTE of festive spirit was enjoyed by all on Friday as mince pies and mulled wine were served to people enjoying late night shopping in Malmesbury. The High Street was closed to traffic and decked out with Christmas lights, tinsel and a large Christmas
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Councillors move to heal rift over market
Malmesbury Town Council is attempting to heal the rift created in the town after its sudden closure of the Sunday market. But although councillor Martin Snell called for unity at a meeting held last Thursday, the disagreement between members was apparent
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Make your views count by writing to the trust
SAVE OUR MATERNITY UNIT: THE campaign to save Devizes and Malmesbury maternity units from closure is about to enter a crucial stage with the public consultation beginning in January for three months. The Gazette & Herald is joining forces with campaigners
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Swindon mums opt for midwife-led unit
SAVE OUR MATERNITY UNIT: MUMS in Swindon are urging pregnant women to use Malmesbury Maternity Unit to ensure its survival. The Kennet and North Wiltshire Primary Care Trust wants to close Malmesbury Maternity Unit and transfer women to Chippenham Maternity
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Corsham Town 3 Willand Rovers 0
THE Corsham bandwagon rolled on last weekend as they chalked up their sixth win on the spin. Nobby Bush's side rose to fifth in the Screwfix League First Division table thanks to goals from Dave Kilmurray, Alan Griffin and Frankie Coleman. Willand's prolific
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Tanker crash at blackspot
A MILK tanker careered across the busy A429 at Corston, near Malmesbury on Tuesday morning, hit a wall and a stone pillar before coming to rest in the flowerbed of a bungalow yards from the village hall. It was the second serious accident in the village
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Emergency call centre wins praise from top
THE Wiltshire Emergency Services Communications Centre in Devizes, opened last month by HRH The Duchess of Gloucester, has been highlighted as an example of good practice in the annual report by Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Constabulary. Under the
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Savernake spared axe as foreign trees get the chop
SAVERNAKE Forest will largely escape the chop as Forest Enterprise declares war on non-native species in ancient woodlands. Over the last three years ancient woodlands controlled by Forest Enterprise, part of the Forestry Commission, have been surveyed
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Calendar will help elderly foil thieves
A CALENDAR will give the elderly a new safety tip each month to help safeguard against bogus callers. The calendar has been produced by Wiltshire Age Concern, the police, the county council, Victim Support and other groups. It features messages of reassurance
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Flood leaves pair in cold
SHERSTON pensioners John and Margaret Smith have warned people to be wary of insurance cover for plumbing emergencies. Their kitchen in Gaston Lane flooded in May after a pipe blocked. But Home Service, the insurers for Wessex Water, refused to cover
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Shoppers wooed by special offers
SHOPS in Swindon are following the national trend of cutting prices and offering discount deals in the run-up to Christmas. The time to bargain hunt has traditionally been during the January sales when leftover stock is reduced. But a range of well-known
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Woman bit on a piece of glass in a pudding
A FORMER landlord has been fined £330 plus costs after one of his diners found a piece of glass in her dessert. Peter Collins, the former landlord of the Crown Inn in Broad Hinton, pleaded guilty to selling food that was not of the quality demanded when
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Chippenham Sunday League
ANTONY Vizard hit his 21st goal of the season as Sherston Town tightened their grip at the top of the Premier Division of the Vanitec Computers sponsored Chippenham Sunday League. Vizard was on target along with Lee Bevis, who scored with a 40 yard shot
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Cup triumph
CHIPPENHAM U14s this week celebrated retaining the Bristol Combination Cup following their convincing 27-7 triumph over Cleve. Chippenham came out on top despite playing with only 14 players for all but ten minutes of the match. In a pulsating contest
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Banned motorist is sent to prison
A DRIVER with 12 previous convictions for driving while disqualified was given a 22 week prison sentence after admitting a 13th offence. Shane Watson, 21, admitted the charge, along with having no insurance and obstructing a police officer. Marion Langford
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Fresh trains
We would like to congratulate South West Trains on putting staff and customer health and safety first. Trains on the London Waterloo line are from December 1 totally smoke-free. The only solution to keeping air clean in an enclosed space is to stop smoking
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Corsham 18 Minety 25
MINETY ambushed Corsham on their own Lacock Road ground after a topsy-turvy Dorset & Wilts Division One match. The home side held the upper hand for much of this rousing league encounter, but two lapses in defence cost them dear as Minety capitalised
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Trees help bereaved remember
RELATIVES preparing for their first Christmas since losing a loved one are being given a chance to remember them. Hillier Funeral Service has put up Christmas trees at its office in Victoria Road, Old Town, and at the Chapel of Rest, in Broadway, Swindon
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Back to school Victorian-style
PUPILS at Seend Primary School experienced extreme culture shock last week when they returned to Victorian times for a day. Following a visit to the Victorian school at Sevington, near Grittleton, staff arranged for the children to experience the teaching
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Readers give record number of gifts
BIG-HEARTED Journal readers have done it yet again. Each year, when we launch our Christmas appeal, we ask them to help us ensure that every needy person in our community gets a spot of festive cheer by receiving at least one present. And each time, readers
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Friendly ear for victims
Staff and volunteers at Victim Support Wiltshire will be on hand to help anyone who is a victim of crime over the Christmas period. The charity helps people cope with the effects of crime and is urging people to get in touch if they or somebody close
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Specialist in IT and maths
Hardenhuish School celebrated the official launch of its new maths and computing specialist status at a ceremony in the technology centre. School council members greeted guests including local primary school headteachers, Wiltshire County Council leader
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Make your views count by writing to the trust
SAVE OUR MATERNITY UNIT: THE campaign to save Devizes and Malmesbury maternity units from closure is about to enter a crucial stage with the public consultation beginning in January for three months. The Gazette & Herald is joining forces with campaigners
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Allison ready for anything
NEW signing Sam Allison says he'll play anywhere to stake his claim for a regular first team place. The pacy 23-year-old became Steve White's first signing last Wednesday and was named as a substitute on Saturday. He has spent this season floating between
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Pupils show progress
SCHOOLCHILDREN have shown steady progress in the league tables published this week - although their overall attainment remains slightly below the national average. The tables, based on test results in English, maths and science, show that 10- and 11-year-olds
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More than 100 attend celebration
Connie Perry at her party.MORE than 100 people from Winterslow gathered in the village hall on Saturday to celebrate the centenary of a woman who has given her life to serving and helping others. And that generosity of spirit continued at Connie Perry's
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City people rally to reach final target
Appeal committee chairman Lord Sharman, Sally Peaty (left) and marketing administrator Hannah Paye with the signed England rugby shirt that sold for 33000 at the appeal auction.A LIFESAVING heart unit for Salisbury is now in sight, after £100,000 was
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Tributes paid to crew killed in air tragedy
THE helicopter industry is in mourning, following a crash that killed a Durrington pilot and two engineers. Captain Ian Shoobridge (51) and his crew, James Gordon-Stables (37), from Ludgershall and Neville Moger (45), from Romsey, died when their Twin
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Make your views count by writing to the trust
SAVE OUR MATERNITY UNIT: THE campaign to save Devizes and Malmesbury maternity units from closure is about to enter a crucial stage with the public consultation beginning in January for three months. The Gazette & Herald is joining forces with campaigners
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Clamped!
Ref. 22355-31A MAN who has received a carer of the year award had his car clamped as he collected his severely disabled sister-in-law from a daycare centre. And he had to pay £95 to get the clamp removed. Now the site manager of the industrial estate
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North Wilts Youth League
EASTVILLE Boys under 13s suffered their first league defeat in over two years at the weekend. Highworth were the team that ended the unbeaten run with a 2-1 triumph over their title rivals at Warneford School. Highworth had the better of the opening exchanges
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Film will be shown as memorial to star actor
The former Calne Film Society has changed its name to Calne Cinema in a bid to attract more people. Members changed the name at the suggestion of Tabby Dawson, 16, from John Bentley School. She said: "It is not a society, it is a group that puts on films
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Bassett hit hard by discipline list
WOOTTON Bassett will be without a string of players for their Hellenic League trip to Pegasus on Saturday following the release of the latest Wilts FA disciplinary list. Rob Hopkins faces a 35-day ban after insulting an official, while Geoff Swatton,
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Calne 11 Sherborne 38
FORMER Harlequin Richard Nias ran amok, scoring four tries for Sherborne who brought a full strength side on their long journey to Calne and showed the home side some powerful running and finishing. The first cam from Calne's kick off. The home team fiercely
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Jazz giant chooses a family Christmas
JAZZ sensation Jamie Cullum has said he is looking forward to a few weeks off with his family for Christmas after a busy couple of months promoting his platinum selling album. Speaking exclusively to the Gazette while on a UK tour yesterday, the 24-year-old
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Tax switches
NEGATIVE financial support for the Marlborough TIC, insufficient funds for Wiltshire Primary Care Trust, closure of maternity units in Devizes and Malmesbury, appointment of a part-time chief executive. These are not the headlines for a successful local
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Company offers young opportunity of work
A PLASTICS company is working with young persons' charity, Amber, to help provide employment opportunities. Deceuninck is a global group with one of its largest bases in Calne, which produces plastic for windows, doors and external constructions. Deceuninck
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Putting old Advers to a good use for this festive season
Ref. 28210-76A MOTHER and daughter have created a 6ft by 6ft nativity scene made out of cardboard and Evening Advertisers. Janet Meardon and her daughter Sian, 19, created the papier mache nativity in their front garden. It took them two weeks to make
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Police presence hits crime
Amesbury and area Police Community Support Officer Geoff Paffett.FOR the second month running, levels of crime and antisocial behaviour in Amesbury have fallen. Speaking at a meeting of the town council last week, Inspector Tim Richards, of Amesbury police
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Judge set to rule on assault in takeaway
A Chinese takeaway boss who was subjected to a racist attack by a soldier will have to relive the incident in court for a second time. Steven Wong, manager of the New World in the Market Place, Chippenham, was subjected to a drunken attack by squaddie
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Be sensible while out celebrating
SLIPPING a date rape tablet into an un-suspecting person's drink is a hideous crime and the consequences are that the victim is rendered powerless to help themselves. Fortunately there are not many such incidents in Swindon, but it is a practice that
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Arson is ruled out in weekend school fire
FIRE chiefs do not believe arson was to blame for a blaze at Minety School at the weekend. Crews from Malmesbury and Cricklade were called to burning mobile building used as a staff room at the school, at Sawyers Hill at around 12.30pm on Saturday. Nobody
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White in search for more new players
RELEGATION-haunted Chippenham Town boss Steve White has been boosted with the news that a number of his injured players are on the mend. Mark Badman (hernia) was due to feature on the bench against Newport in the league cup last night while Martin Paul
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Costly phone scam a hoax
AN URGENT warning to all telephone users against a scam costing up to £500 has proved to be phoney. Wiltshire Police had issued a caution to phone users that a recorded message reporting the winning of an all expenses paid holiday added between £260-500
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Badman aims for return
THE Bluebirds treatment room is finally beginning to empty and manager Steve White could be boosted by the return of midfielder Mark Badman this week. The former Bath City player has not started a game for the Bluebirds since August when he suffered a
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Theft is hammer blow
VILLAGERS in Mildenhall have been upset this week at the loss of part of their heritage. In the early hours of Saturday morning thieves stole a centuries old anvil that stood outside The Horseshoe pub. Licensees John and Pam Desmond have been so devastated
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Youth get accolade
THE achievements of young people throughout the county was recognised by Youth Action Wiltshire, the charity responsible for supporting county youth clubs, at its annual meeting. The organisation's president, Lord Lansdowne, presented trophies to youth
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Town ladies show they are fairer sex
CHIPPENHAM Ladies' record of four seasons without a red card has been recognised with an FA Fair Play Award. Dignitaries from the Wiltshire FA were on hand to make the presentations at the Christian Malford recreation ground before Sunday's game with
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Allison ready for anything
NEW signing Sam Allison says he'll play anywhere to stake his claim for a regular first team place. The pacy 23-year-old became Steve White's first signing last Wednesday and was named as a substitute on Saturday. He has spent this season floating between
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Stand-in skipper's fighting pledge
BLUEBIRDS stand-in skipper Wayne Thorne has vowed the team will not give up the fight despite suffering another home defeat on Saturday. Chippenham rued yet more bad luck as they produced an improved performance only to concede two sloppy goals against
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Barnstaple Town 1 Melksham Town 1
DEPLETED Melksham put in a sterling performance at Barnstaple to pick up a valuable point. Barnstaple's youthful side looked dangerous and took the lead through teenager Rob Guppy. But Melksham hit back in the second half with a Steve Peglar goal to earn
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Lard of the ring
FARMERS from across all the South West gathered at Chippenham's livestock market on Thursday for the Christmas Fatstock Show. It was a hugely successful day for the Cheacker family, who live near Bristol. Darrell Cheacker, 48, who has been coming to the
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Corsham Town 3 Willand Rovers 0
THE Corsham bandwagon rolled on last weekend as they chalked up their sixth win on the spin. Nobby Bush's side rose to fifth in the Screwfix League First Division table thanks to goals from Dave Kilmurray, Alan Griffin and Frankie Coleman. Willand's prolific
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Barnstaple Town 1 Melksham Town 1
DEPLETED Melksham put in a sterling performance at Barnstaple to pick up a valuable point. Barnstaple's youthful side looked dangerous and took the lead through teenager Rob Guppy. But Melksham hit back in the second half with a Steve Peglar goal to earn
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Prestigious awards bash celebrates Wiltshire's finest
Ref. 28215-22A DRINKS reception for the finalists of the Wiltshire Business of The Year awards, was held at the Blunsdon House Hotel on Tuesday evening. More than 150 business people representing 40 companies from across the Wiltshire Business community
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More bins will ease dog mess problem
DOG mess has angered Stratton St Margaret residents so badly the parish council is increasing the number of dog bins by nearly 25 per cent. The 29 existing bins are all located in the council's recreation grounds, but there have been calls for more to
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Swindon mums opt for midwife-led unit
SAVE OUR MATERNITY UNIT: MUMS in Swindon are urging pregnant women to use Malmesbury Maternity Unit to ensure its survival. The Kennet and North Wiltshire Primary Care Trust wants to close Malmesbury Maternity Unit and transfer women to Chippenham Maternity
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MP blasts council for whingeing
NORTH Swindon MP Michael Wills has told the town's councillors to stop whingeing and to start delivering. After the Government announced a huge extra financial injection for councils, Mr Wills said: "The council have got to recognise the huge increase
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City people rally to reach final target
Appeal committee chairman Lord Sharman, Sally Peaty (left) and marketing administrator Hannah Paye with the signed England rugby shirt that sold for 33000 at the appeal auction.A LIFESAVING heart unit for Salisbury is now in sight, after £100,000 was
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Same story
I read with interest about the sense of despair that has descended on Kennet District Council, because the council grant is to be cut. It's all very well for Councillor Humphries to blame the Government and then say that Kennet District Council have made
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Wizard tenth anniversary
Calne Players are rehearsing hard for their forthcoming pantomime The Wizard of Oz, which will be performed as part of their tenth anniversary celebrations. Each year the amateur theatre group puts on a performance in John Bentley School hall and any
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CHRISTMAS TOY APPEAL: Still time to bring in presents for children
IN the countdown to Christmas, kind-hearted people are digging deep to buy hundreds of presents for needy children in the Gazette's Christmas Toy Appeal. The Gazette has joined forces with Superdrug to help out the Salvation Army in its annual present
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Woman bit on a piece of glass in a pudding
A FORMER landlord has been fined £330 plus costs after one of his diners found a piece of glass in her dessert. Peter Collins, the former landlord of the Crown Inn in Broad Hinton, pleaded guilty to selling food that was not of the quality demanded when
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Illuminating walk
THE trees at Westonbirt Arboretum have been cast in a magical light in the run-up to Christmas. The Enchanted Wood is an illuminated one-mile trail through the Old Arboretums that is on show every Friday, Saturday and Sunday night until December 21. More
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Disabled adults left in cold by county
RELATIVES of adults with learning disabilities who have been left without essential day care and training, have hit out at what they see as bureaucratic bungling at County Hall. Devizes Activity Centre, which provides activities for adults with both physical
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Date
Sister Carol calls it a day after 30 years
RETIRED Sister Carol Jenkins has said farewell to 30 years of nursing after treating thousands of patients across the world, including Britain's royals. Sister Jenkins treated seven-year-old Lady Helen Windsor when she fell off the swings at Bowood House
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Back to school Victorian-style
PUPILS at Seend Primary School experienced extreme culture shock last week when they returned to Victorian times for a day. Following a visit to the Victorian school at Sevington, near Grittleton, staff arranged for the children to experience the teaching
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Witney United 5 Pewsey Vale 3 (aet)
BATTLING Pewsey team bowed out of the cup at the hands of Division One side Witney in extra time. Vale, who were missing 14 players through injury and unavailability, had recovered from a 2-0 deficit to level the scores at the final whistle. But Witney
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Left out in the cold
Between 20 and 25 people will spend this Christmas night sleeping on the streets of Swindon. And this figure could rise in the next few years. Victoria Tagg reports. AN ESTIMATED 20 to 25 people sleep rough in Swindon every night. Phil Smith, resources
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Captain carried out indecent acts, court martial told
AN army captain used his rank as an acting major to commit a variety of offences of a predatory sexual nature against several soldiers in his regiment while serving in Kosovo, a court martial heard. Captain Roderick Bryce-Stafford, 31, of The Royal Scots
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MP blasts council for whingeing
NORTH Swindon MP Michael Wills has told the town's councillors to stop whingeing and to start delivering. After the Government announced a huge extra financial injection for councils, Mr Wills said: "The council have got to recognise the huge increase
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Beware
Ref. 28214-109Police warn of the perils of date rape drugs in the run up to Christmas. CHARLOTTE Harker believes the date rape drug GHB was used to spike her drink during a night out in Swindon. Although she had only been drinking in moderation, Charlotte
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Bristol Manor Farm 2 Calne Town 1
TEN-MAN Calne produced a brave performance but lost out to deflected goal midway through the second half. Skipper Darren Smart and Ben Highmore withdrew with illness prior to kick-off and Glenn Armstrong was not fully fit. To make matters worse centre-half
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Wizard tenth anniversary
Calne Players are rehearsing hard for their forthcoming pantomime The Wizard of Oz, which will be performed as part of their tenth anniversary celebrations. Each year the amateur theatre group puts on a performance in John Bentley School hall and any
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Date
Four top jobs to go in council shake-up
FOUR key officers at North Wiltshire District Council will be made redundant in January to create a new management structure, saving nearly quarter of a million pounds. A management tier will be taken out, and the number of business managers reduced following
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Wigglybus route change
Changes are being made to the flexible Wigglybus service in the Calne area following feedback from passengers. The main changes will be to the Calne town service, which has been altered to meet passenger demand. The other services will continue to operate
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Teacher in probe on drugs supply
A supply teacher at John Bentley School in Calne, who was warned about his friendships with his pupils in February, has been suspended following allegations he gave cannabis to teenage pupils. The 44-year-old is accused of taking pupils back to the room
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Angela Cannings freed after conviction is overturned
Angela Cannings' husband Tery arrives at court in LondonANGELA Cannings, the Salisbury mother jailed for the murder of her two baby sons, has been freed after a Court of Appeal ruled the conviction was unsafe. Mrs Cannings (40), of Waterloo Road, was
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Left out in the cold
Between 20 and 25 people will spend this Christmas night sleeping on the streets of Swindon. And this figure could rise in the next few years. Victoria Tagg reports. AN ESTIMATED 20 to 25 people sleep rough in Swindon every night. Phil Smith, resources
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Police warn on con men
POLICE are warning that conmen who pretend to be council workmen or water board officials are becoming increasingly insistent, and it is imperative they are kept out of the homes of elderly people. This follows the latest incident in Urchfont where an
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Drug dealer escapes jail
ROWDE dealer Simon Evans sold drugs to pay for his own habit, Salisbury Crown Court heard on Friday. Evans, 37, of Springfield Road, was appearing for sentence after admitting two offences in the magistrates' court of possessing cannabis with intent to
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New look for festive float
AFTER many years of touring the area asking for donations for good causes, Devizes Lions Club has upgraded and redecorated its Christmas carol float. Members helped to revamp the trailer on which Father Christmas tours the town and surrounding villages
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More brass for Wiltshire band
The North Wiltshire Youth Band is going from strength to strength, giving children the chance to learn how to play brass instruments. The group is run by volunteers who give children lessons and train the band players. Now ten fledgling brass players
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Farmer faces 19 charges
THE trial of Bromham farmer Lance Beale, who faces 19 charges under animal health legislation, is expected to start on Monday. Mr Beale, of Wyatts Lake Farm, Westbrook, has pleaded not guilty to all the charges at a previous court hearing. Eight of the
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Mighty mouse or cheesy fan?
IT'S either the biggest mouse in the world or a thief who is very fond of his cheese, but Devizes police are now keen to interview this man about the theft of a £60 hunk of cheese from the Spar shop in Bath Road. They describe the suspect as white, about
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Tetbury 17 Brendan's Old Boys 5
THE final score does not reflects Tetbury's dominance in this game. Tetbury scored after only five minutes when hooker Grayling powered over the line. Tries followed from Piers Dixon and Brian Goldstone, with Pete Roberts superbly converting the last
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Chatterboxes take lead from Babe author
DICK King-Smith, the creator of Babe, and writer of many popular children's books, came to Devizes last week to launch a new book club for children. Chatterbooks reading club is designed for children between the age of eight and 11, and has been set up
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Council agrees to fund town manager
DEVIZES Town Council has agreed to part-fund the salary of a town centre manager. A full meeting of the town council agreed by 11 votes to four to pay £15,000 next year towards a town centre manager who would be employed by Devizes Development Partnership
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Specially commissioned panto promises lots of village fun
THERE will be lots of local references and innuendo in a pantomime that has been written specially for the village of Easton Royal by local resident Michael Whittaker. There will be two performance of A Right Royal Carry On Full of Easton Promise at the
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New skatepark may be open by spring
DEVIZES' long-waited new skatepark could be open by early next year after councillors agreed a site and set aside £20,000 to pay for it. The town has been without a skatepark since February 2002 when the town council was ordered to remove the equipment
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Disabled adults left in cold by county
RELATIVES of adults with learning disabilities who have been left without essential day care and training, have hit out at what they see as bureaucratic bungling at County Hall. Devizes Activity Centre, which provides activities for adults with both physical
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Snooker club owner thwarted on club homes plan
LANDLORD Brian Foster says he is determined to pursue plans to redevelop the snooker club in Station Road for housing, despite strong opposition from the town council. His application to demolish the former bus garage and club building and build five
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Driver is sued after rail crash
PARISH council chairman Roger Wilshire is facing a £500,000 law suit following a crash in which his lorry was hit by a train on an unmanned level crossing near Tisbury more than two years ago. London's High Court has just released details of South West
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Royal boost for charity
THE Countess of Wessex has agreed to be the new patron of the Brendoncare care homes charity, which has one of its residential homes at Froxfield. This week Brendoncare said it was proud to announce that Prince Edward's wife Sophie had agreed to become
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A flight come true... but century too late
A MARLBOROUGH-based aircraft designer has enabled a Victorian design for the first heavier-than-air flying machine to take off more than 100 years after its creator met his demise. Dr Bill Brooks of Pegasus Aviation of Manton, was at the head of a team
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4x4 gang in new swoop on county
MODERN day highwaymen driving high powered four-by-four vehicles are targeting remote homes and farm buildings in the Marlborough area. In the latest attack, which happened on Friday, a remote house near Buttermere on the Wiltshire-Hampshire border near
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Children's gifts taken by thieves
Ref. 28235-70A SWINDON family has been left devastated after all their Christmas presents were stolen during a burglary. Thieves broke into into Wendy Middleton's Freshbrook home on Tuesday evening and escaped with £500 worth of presents all of which
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Youngsters in spotlight
Wiltshire and Swindon Youth Orchestra will be playing at the Wiltshire Music Centre, in Bradford on Avon, on January 3, at 7.30pm and January 4, at 3pm. The programme features British composers, including Benjamin Britten, Ralph Vaughan Williams, Thomas
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Music group gets a boost
MUSIC Alive in Purton is set to receive a £3,000 donation from the Lloyds TSB Founda-tion. The charity, which is based at Bentham House, helps people with disabilities communicate through music. A spokesman said: "We are extremely pleased to have gained
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Trees help bereaved remember
RELATIVES preparing for their first Christmas since losing a loved one are being given a chance to remember them. Hillier Funeral Service has put up Christmas trees at its office in Victoria Road, Old Town, and at the Chapel of Rest, in Broadway, Swindon
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Putting old Advers to a good use for this festive season
Ref. 28210-76A MOTHER and daughter have created a 6ft by 6ft nativity scene made out of cardboard and Evening Advertisers. Janet Meardon and her daughter Sian, 19, created the papier mache nativity in their front garden. It took them two weeks to make
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It's time for a pantomime
It's panto time at the Phoenix Theatre in New College, Park South, until tomorrow. Audiences can expect dames and dastardly villains, princesses and ogres, mixed with dance routines and show-stopping tunes from the pen of New College's own Chris Scott
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Charity urges victims of crime to seek aid
Victims of crime should not suffer in silence during the Christmas period, according to Victim Support Wiltshire. The charity helps people cope with the aftermath of crime and is urging people affected to get in touch. Deputy area manager Mary Platten
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Delight as work starts on new medical centre
Ref. 28221-04A medical practice, hailed as one of the most innovative in the country, is a step closer to a new centre. Doctors and staff at Taw Hill Medical Practice, in North Swindon, celebrated as work started on the new surgery with the traditional
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Our generous readers
WE have always know that Gazette readers' generosity knows no bounds and that has been proven once again with the overwhelming response to our Christmas Toy Appeal. Hundreds of needy children will be receiving presents thanks to the mountain of toys that
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Farmer faces 19 charges
THE trial of Bromham farmer Lance Beale, who faces 19 charges under animal health legislation, is expected to start on Monday. Mr Beale, of Wyatts Lake Farm, Westbrook, has pleaded not guilty to all the charges at a previous court hearing. Eight of the
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Hospital blooms on show
Swindon's Great Western Hospital is filled with beautiful, exotic blooms to cheer up any winter gloom. The flowers are the creation of photographer Boo Beau-mont, who has compiled a pictorial exhibition of flowers in both colour print and X-ray. The display
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Robbed teenager terrified
A MOTHER wants security stepped up at the Link Centre after her teenage son was robbed there by a man believed to have been armed with a knife. Mandy Hartley's 15-year-old son left the West Swindon leisure centre in tears after the incident, and is so
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A place to go in times of strife
Ref. 28204-13FAMILIES fleeing domestic violence have a safe haven at the Swindon Women's Refuge. The charity, which can house up to 22 families, is one of the 11 good causes the Evening Advertiser's Christmas Appeal is supporting. The Swindon Women's
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Grant beats his phobia
Ref. 28209-30A BOY, who has been terrified of dogs ever since he was bitten in the face as a toddler, has decided to confront his fears. Eleven-year-old Grant Jefferies of Abbey Meads, whose phobia made him frightened to leave home, wants to meet friendly
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In search of former pupils for a reunion
PUPILS and staff who left a Swindon school during the era of the Beatles are travelling from as far afield as Australia for a reunion. All were at Penhill Secondary School, leaving between 1962 and 1966. Over the years, they have fanned out across the
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Kind strangers
My elderly mother fell and fractured her hip while walking with me in Princes Street on Thursday. I would like to thank the four men who came to our assistance and offered their support until the ambulance arrived. I am sure they will be pleased to know
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Thanks, Frank
HATS off to Frank Avenell for spearheading the campaign for Fairness for Pensioners with regard to threatened council tax increases. He asks two questions which have been asked many times before but no answer has been forthcoming from any of our present
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Police warn on con men
POLICE are warning that conmen who pretend to be council workmen or water board officials are becoming increasingly insistent, and it is imperative they are kept out of the homes of elderly people. This follows the latest incident in Urchfont where an
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MPs need to debate this state of affairs
IT is not often I object to immigrants being sent home, but I think Inna Haville is a special case. It shows how crass Blunkett's ideas on immigration are. If Inna was a one-armed, one-eyed, Islamic cleric or a convicted rapist like Joel Naitamu, Inna
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A rapist can stay but a student must leave
How strange the workings of the Home Office. I refer to 'Inna loses battle to stay in England' (EA Dec 2). Several weeks ago an asylum-seeker was sent down for 12 years for rape with a recommendation that he be deported immediately after serving his sentence
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What threat does Inna pose?
Beverly Hughes, home office minister, says there are no good and compelling reasons for allowing Inna Haville to stay in the UK. Presumably then there must be good and compelling reasons for allowing Abu "hook" Hamza to stay here. Perhaps the minister
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Here's one I made, Santa
PUPILS at Rushall School invited their parents and grandparents to help them design and make their Christmas stockings. All 60 children in the school, were involved in the workshop. Infants head Michelle Dance said mums and dads and grandparents were
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Cold turkey at Christmas
PUPILS at Lawn Junior School, who have gone without hot school meals for most of the term, are to be served cold sandwiches for their Christmas dinner. Hot dinners were originally suspended in September after a gas leak forced the school kitchen to close
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Interesting to see results of hall vote
THE members of the Market Lavington community hall committee have at last responded. Mr Furminger says the people that go to his meetings are unrepresentative. I think it's sour grapes because the people who attended their meeting in March voted against
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Dolls house helps carers
CARER Alan Stork has built a miniature Tudor house to raise money for the Chippenham Alzheimer's Society. The dolls house is going to auction and can be viewed in Humberts estate agents in the Market Place, Chippenham. Mr Stork, of Kington Langley, whose
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Specialist in IT and maths
Hardenhuish School celebrated the official launch of its new maths and computing specialist status at a ceremony in the technology centre. School council members greeted guests including local primary school headteachers, Wiltshire County Council leader
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Judge set to rule on assault in takeaway
A Chinese takeaway boss who was subjected to a racist attack by a soldier will have to relive the incident in court for a second time. Steven Wong, manager of the New World in the Market Place, Chippenham, was subjected to a drunken attack by squaddie
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Date
Wigglybus route change
Changes are being made to the flexible Wigglybus service in the Calne area following feedback from passengers. The main changes will be to the Calne town service, which has been altered to meet passenger demand. The other services will continue to operate
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Date
Sister Carol calls it a day after 30 years
RETIRED Sister Carol Jenkins has said farewell to 30 years of nursing after treating thousands of patients across the world, including Britain's royals. Sister Jenkins treated seven-year-old Lady Helen Windsor when she fell off the swings at Bowood House
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Two die as lorries collide
Police and post-collision examiners inspect the wrecked lorries involved in the double fatal accident on the A303 east of Mere on Saturday.EMERGENCY services were greeted with a scene of total devastation on Saturday morning, when they arrived at an accident
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Praise of bill
It is good to see that kerbside recycling has started for some of us although I know that the black boxes are a problem for some people. Friends of the Earth wrote the Recycling Bill which calls for every local authority to provide a doorstep recycling
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Sixth formers step up for youth council
Pupils from John Bentley School have volunteered to join a youth council to represent young people at North Wiltshire District Council. The idea was put together by district councillor Carol O'Gorman who holds the youth portfolio. After the success of
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Neighbourescapes jail after car attack
A 21-YEAR-OLD Calne man with 91 previous convictions, who caused £900 damage to a neighbour's car, has been given a conditional discharge by a Crown Court judge. Nathan Law, of Bishop Road, scratched the side and roof of a Rover belonging to Brian Broom
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Drop in voting age won't help
SWINDONIANS have given a lukewarm response to the idea of lowering the voting age to 16. The Government is considering the plan as a way of getting young people more involved in politics. This week the Lord Chancellor raised the prospect of changing the
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Tributes paid to crew killed in air tragedy
THE helicopter industry is in mourning, following a crash that killed a Durrington pilot and two engineers. Captain Ian Shoobridge (51) and his crew, James Gordon-Stables (37), from Ludgershall and Neville Moger (45), from Romsey, died when their Twin
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Council agrees to fund town manager
DEVIZES Town Council has agreed to part-fund the salary of a town centre manager. A full meeting of the town council agreed by 11 votes to four to pay £15,000 next year towards a town centre manager who would be employed by Devizes Development Partnership
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Lard of the ring
FARMERS from across all the South West gathered at Chippenham's livestock market on Thursday for the Christmas Fatstock Show. It was a hugely successful day for the Cheacker family, who live near Bristol. Darrell Cheacker, 48, who has been coming to the
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Pupils show progress
SCHOOLCHILDREN have shown steady progress in the league tables published this week - although their overall attainment remains slightly below the national average. The tables, based on test results in English, maths and science, show that 10- and 11-year-olds
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Swindon mums opt for midwife-led unit
SAVE OUR MATERNITY UNIT: MUMS in Swindon are urging pregnant women to use Malmesbury Maternity Unit to ensure its survival. The Kennet and North Wiltshire Primary Care Trust wants to close Malmesbury Maternity Unit and transfer women to Chippenham Maternity
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Date
Left out in the cold
ALISTAIR Carr's story is a stark reminder of the reality of homelessness. Just three years ago he was a bakery manager earning a salary of £43,000, and then, through no great fault of his own, he found himself homeless and penniless after a business disaster
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Be sensible while out celebrating
SLIPPING a date rape tablet into an un-suspecting person's drink is a hideous crime and the consequences are that the victim is rendered powerless to help themselves. Fortunately there are not many such incidents in Swindon, but it is a practice that
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Lock up tools left in vans
POLICE in Pewsey are advising builders and tradesmen not to leave any power tools in vans following a spate of thefts. Seven vans were broken into on one night, WPC Michelle Haley told the parish council on Tuesday. The hauls included drills, saws, generators
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Royal boost for charity
THE Countess of Wessex has agreed to be the new patron of the Brendoncare care homes charity, which has one of its residential homes at Froxfield. This week Brendoncare said it was proud to announce that Prince Edward's wife Sophie had agreed to become
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Date
Jail hell for man's family
AT this time of year it is difficult for any of us to concentrate on much other than buying presents, organising family visits and filling our fridges with food. But amid the hectic rush to get ready for Christmas spare a thought for the family of Nick
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Illuminating walk
THE trees at Westonbirt Arboretum have been cast in a magical light in the run-up to Christmas. The Enchanted Wood is an illuminated one-mile trail through the Old Arboretums that is on show every Friday, Saturday and Sunday night until December 21. More
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Six of the best for Zurich
ZURICH maintained their unbaten record in the Premier Division, beating Ridgeway 6-1. Ridgeway's scorer was Chris Smith. In Division 1 Barron Heating beat Blyskawica 6-1, Blysckawica's goal coming from Dave Hex. Westlecott battled hard when they came
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Girl is attacked on her doorstep
A boy aged 15 carried out a sex attack on a teenage girl as she struggled to open her front door, a court heard. And, after the 16-year-old managed to escape his clutches and get in her house, he stole her handbag and its contents. The boy, from the Moredon
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CHRISTMAS CHILD: Christmas boxes break all records
THE last of three lorries filled with shoeboxes of toys and gifts for under-privileged children in Eastern Europe set out from a warehouse in Melksham on Saturday. There were nearly 10,000 boxes on board the lorry, bringing to over 32,000 sent out by
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Cathedral denies crisis over dean
SALISBURY Cathedral has dismissed reports that the lengthy wait to appoint a permanent dean has sparked concern among senior clerics and affected the running of the historic building. The latest figures reveal that seven of Britain's most prestigious
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Sadly missed
LIKE the rest of the local community I am slowly coming to terms with the sad loss of David Hemmings. I had got to know David a few years ago when he first moved here, as a member of a rival pub quiz team on a Sunday night. I found him to be very friendly
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Village mixes a fundraising festive recipe
PARISHIONERS from Castle Combe pray their cookbook will rise to the occasion and help them earn enough cash to buy their church a special Christmas present. The 96-page cookbook compiled by four cooking enthusiasts consists of more than 50 recipes for
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Homes plan sparks new fight
Protesters will be out in force to defend the picturesque village of Slaughterford from a new housing development. North Wiltshire District Council is due to consider two planning applications for two alternative housing schemes at the old Dowding Paper
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Film star who loved life in community
DAVID Hemmings was famous for his lavish lifestyle and glamorous career but he was also a generous man who got involved in his local community and was always ready to support a good cause. Tributes have been pouring in to his family in memory of all that
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New Scout hut comes a step closer
A NEW Scout hut is a step closer to becoming a reality for the 2nd Bulford St Leonard's Scout Group. The Beavers, Cubs and Scouts of the group have raised £2,300 towards the final sum needed, by taking part in a sponsored walk at Moors Valley and organising
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Council opposes extra time at pub
TWO late nights a week at a popular pub in the centre of Pewsey are enough, according to members of the parish council. They agreed on Tuesday to object to a proposal from one of their former council colleagues, Jerry Kunkler, to extend the opening hours
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New head to build on school's strengths
THE new head of Pewsey Vale School, Richard Butler, who officially arrives in January, paid a visit this week to meet the staff. Mr Butler, 40, has been deputy head of the Rossmore Community College in Poole for the past three years. He was a member of
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Festive displays light up the town
Special Constable David Kimber and Amesbury community beat officer WPC Sian Alward meet some colourful characters at the Amesbury Christmas lights switch-on last week.CHRISTMAS in Amesbury is brighter than ever this year - thanks to £20,000-worth of new
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Young choir is in demand
THERE is nothing so pleasing, especially at Christmas, than the sound of young voices raised in song. So the choir of Bishops Cannings Primary School has been in great demand as the festive season unfolds. They began their Christmas programme by entertaining
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Cathedral denies crisis over dean
SALISBURY Cathedral has dismissed reports that the lengthy wait to appoint a permanent dean has sparked concern among senior clerics and affected the running of the historic building. The latest figures reveal that seven of Britain's most prestigious
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More than 100 attend celebration
Connie Perry at her party.MORE than 100 people from Winterslow gathered in the village hall on Saturday to celebrate the centenary of a woman who has given her life to serving and helping others. And that generosity of spirit continued at Connie Perry's
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Youth get accolade
THE achievements of young people throughout the county was recognised by Youth Action Wiltshire, the charity responsible for supporting county youth clubs, at its annual meeting. The organisation's president, Lord Lansdowne, presented trophies to youth
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Playwright spooks and killers on website
LEGENDARY writer and actor Noel Coward used to serve behind the bar at the Northey Arms in Box. This extraordinary snippet of local history is part of a treasure trove of fascinating stories on the Wiltshire Community History website. The website, run
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Illuminating walk
THE trees at Westonbirt Arboretum have been cast in a magical light in the run-up to Christmas. The Enchanted Wood is an illuminated one-mile trail through the Old Arboretums that is on show every Friday, Saturday and Sunday night until December 21. More
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Ref scuppers Highworth
SOME contentious refereeing dashed Highworth's hopes of putting real pressure on the Premier Division's top dogs on Saturday. John Fisher's side were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Hook Norton as two players were given their marching orders and the hosts
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Council tax precept to rise dramatically
DEVIZES Town Council is to increase its council tax precept by five and a half per cent, the first significant rise in recent years. For the past eight years the precept has not risen by more than 2.5 per cent. The latest hike will result in the precept
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Festive start for play area
Christmas is coming early for the residents of Barrow Green in Chippenham, when a long-awaited play area is opened on Saturday, in time for the school holidays. Leader of North Wiltshire District Council, Coun Ruth Coleman, will be officially opening
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Brass bands, bells and Santa set scene
SCOTTISH dancing was just one of the many attractions that brought out large crowds for the Marlborough Spirit of Christmas evening on Thursday. The late night shopping evening and switch-on of the town's Christmas lights was organised by the Marlborough
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Beware
Ref. 28214-109Police warn of the perils of date rape drugs in the run up to Christmas. CHARLOTTE Harker believes the date rape drug GHB was used to spike her drink during a night out in Swindon. Although she had only been drinking in moderation, Charlotte
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School hall to benefit all village
A NEW school hall in Brink-worth, is to become a facility for the whole village, with the help of a £20,000 grant from the Countryside Agency. The hall, which is being built at Earl Danby's Lower School is being funded jointly by Wiltshire County Council
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Riches to rags in three years
Ref. 28173-04LEFT OUT IN THE COLD: Alistair Carr is looking forward to Christmas despite being homeless. Before Alistair, 40, arrived at Culvery Court last week, he was sleeping rough in Swindon car parks. He said: "Bed was a sleeping bag somewhere in
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Mid-Wilts Youth and Minor League
CHIPPENHAM Town Rangers gave leaders Trowbridge Wanderers a run for their money before going down to a 5-1 defeat in the under 16s Blue Division of the Wiltshire Times and Chippenham News Mid-Wilts Youth and Minor League. Rangers took the lead through
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District council makes four officers redundant
FOUR key officers at North Wiltshire District Council will be made redundant in January to create a new management structure, saving nearly quarter of a million pounds. A management tier will be taken out, and the number of business managers reduced following
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Four top jobs to go in council shake-up
FOUR key officers at North Wiltshire District Council will be made redundant in January to create a new management structure, saving nearly quarter of a million pounds. A management tier will be taken out, and the number of business managers reduced following
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Could you help?
I AM writing in praise of Thamesdown Dial A Ride. It gives people a means to do things they thought they would not be able to do again. My wife and I are both suffers of multiple sclerosis and are in powered wheelchairs. Four months ago when we joined
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Bletchley 26 Swindon 25
SWINDON slipped to their second Bucks, Berks & Oxon One defeat with a late penalty try. The visitors started well and a scrum on the Bletchley 22 saw Mark Scarrott pick up and drive and quick ruck ball saw Andy Morley on hand to touch the ball down
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Ice show to feature best of musicals
THIS year's ice show at the Link Centre promises a rollercoaster ride through musicals from down the years. The programme, which features more than 80 skaters of all ages, showcases songs from Grease, The King and I, Oklahoma, South Pacific and Chorus
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Snooker club owner thwarted on club homes plan
LANDLORD Brian Foster says he is determined to pursue plans to redevelop the snooker club in Station Road for housing, despite strong opposition from the town council. His application to demolish the former bus garage and club building and build five
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Youngsters in spotlight
Wiltshire and Swindon Youth Orchestra will be playing at the Wiltshire Music Centre, in Bradford on Avon, on January 3, at 7.30pm and January 4, at 3pm. The programme features British composers, including Benjamin Britten, Ralph Vaughan Williams, Thomas
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City people rally to reach final target
Appeal committee chairman Lord Sharman, Sally Peaty (left) and marketing administrator Hannah Paye with the signed England rugby shirt that sold for 33000 at the appeal auction.A LIFESAVING heart unit for Salisbury is now in sight, after £100,000 was
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Floral theme for centenary
The Rotary Club of Chippenham is organising a flower arranging contest to begin celebrations for its Rotary Centenary Year. Entries are now invited for the event, which will take place over the weekend of July 17-19 2004. Flower arranging clubs in the
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Title joy as Devizes miss clean sweep
DEVIZES Angling Club were unable to make it five wins out of five, but still clinched the Angling Times League title (Upper Thames Division) after the last round on the canal at Bedwyn. They missed making it a whitewash by just one point when they were
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New hospital at Burton Hill site
MALMESBURY'S new flagship hospital will be built on the present site at Burton Hill the project board has decided. Filands, and the former Lucent site at Swindon Road were both rejected by the group which is made up of GPs, councillors, representatives
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New head to build on school's strengths
THE new head of Pewsey Vale School, Richard Butler, who officially arrives in January, paid a visit this week to meet the staff. Mr Butler, 40, has been deputy head of the Rossmore Community College in Poole for the past three years. He was a member of
