Archive
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Date
DJ launches advice service
Radio 1 DJ Colin Murray, of Saturday morning's Colin and Edith show, met students at Wiltshire College Lackham to launch a new youth advice service. Mr Murray chatted with young people from Wiltshire and Swindon at the official launch of the Connexions
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Hospital probe after child loses both feet
THE parents of Lydia Cross, the two-and-a-half-year-old who had both feet amputated after suffering from a rare bacterial infection, are considering taking legal action, after claiming Chippenham Hospital failed to recognise the seriousness of their daughter's
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Cut back on festive waste
A Green Christmas roadshow will be set up in Chippenham on Saturday with information on cutting back on Christmas rubbish. Over the festive season the amount of rubbish put out for the refuse collectors goes up by a 30 per cent, and much of it could be
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Hotel owner on court trial
KEWAL Rama, proprietor of the Pines Hotel in Marshfield Road, Chippenham, has denied three breaches of fire regulations and faces a trial before magistrates in the New Year. Rama appeared before Chippenham magistrates on Monday. He pleaded not guilty
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Foil recycling helps centre
A NEW recycling project involving tin foil is set to help adults with learning disabilities. The new aluminium recycling partnership is being launched between Chippenham's Middlefield Centre, Hills Waste and Alupro, the Aluminium Packaging Recycling Organisation
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Parents back in classroom
PARENTS and children brushed up their numeracy skills on a family learning course at Frogwell School this term. Six families took part in the innovative scheme to help parents and children to learn and achieve together. Parents went back to school and
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Twins thrilled to meet Santa
WITH less than a week to go until the big day, twins Gabriel and Oscar Buckland made sure they made time to pop in and see Santa and tell him what they want in their stockings this Christmas. The 23-month-old brothers from The Causeway, Chippenham, joined
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Residents say new patrols are working
RESIDENTS on the Redland estate in Chippenham say there has been a marked improvement in youngsters' behaviour since two community support officers were stationed there. The officers were introduced to Pewsham in April, as part of a nationwide pilot policing
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Safer recruitment to protect our children
THANKFULLY it is rare for killers like Ian Huntley, a school caretaker, to be put in a position of trust where he had the chance to get to know children. Parents need to know that when they send their sons and daughters into the care of others, such as
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Village life really is tops
A WILTSHIRE village chosen by a Japanese film crew for epitomising the British way of life has won a regional award. The prize of cash was presented by TV gardener Alan Titchmarsh at an awards ceremony in London last week. Colerne parish council clerk
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Green scheme likely for next year
KERBSIDE recycling could come to Malmesbury and Lyneham by next summer. The two towns are joined by Purton and Cricklade in a bid by North Wiltshire District Council to the government for £72,473 to start fortnightly collections of old glass, paper and
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It's victory for people power
SLOW IT DOWN: THE Gazette's campaign to improve safety on the notorious stretch of the A4 between Chippenham and Calne has taken a major step forward. In October, the Gazette was told that there was no chance of safety measures being implemented on the
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Museum friends tell council to hurry up
ANGRY campaigners have given North Wiltshire District Council a month to come up with plans to revamp Malmesbury Town Hall. The building at Cross Hayes desperately needs upgrading and a £1.2million renovation scheme was hatched by the town and district
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Funerals for victims of air tragedy
THE funerals of the three men killed in a helicopter crash are taking place this week. Captain Ian Shoobridge, of Durrington, and engineers James Gordon-Stables and Neville Moger died when the Twin Squirrel they were test-flying came down in a field at
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Road plan rejected as being too dangerous
A ROAD safety scheme proposed by Wiltshire County Council could put pedestrians in more danger, Pewsey parish councillors fear. The parish council has been demanding improvements for Wilcot Road for several years. The road carries all the traffic to Pewsey
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Cathedral names new chancellor
SALISBURY Cathedral has announced the appointment of the Reverend Edward Probert as canon chancellor. He will be formally installed in his role on April 4 next year, which is Palm Sunday. The appointment, made by Bishop of Salisbury, the Right Reverend
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Santa goes with the flow
WITH the absence of any snow so far this winter in Wiltshire, Santa Claus is having to resort to other forms of transport than his traditional sleigh. Father Christmas arrived at Pewsey Wharf by narrow boat on Saturday to take up his position in a grotto
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Jailed mum celebrates her freedom
Angela Cannings leaving the Court of Appeal in London with husband Terry (left). DA4560P08AFTER 20 months in prison away from her husband and daughter, Angela Cannings left the Court of Appeal a free woman last week. The Salisbury mother looked overwhelmed
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Parking 'Scrooges' under fire
Graham Addison, who found his parking fine had been paid twice. DA4571PARKING Scrooges have refused to acknowledge the generosity of a Good Samaritan who a shopper believes came to his aid after he was given a ticket. When Graham Addison returned to his
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Tree of Light shines out
The choir from Amesbury Junior School sing carols at the switch-on of Amesbury's Christmas lights. Picture: HERBIE FATHERLY DA4556P3THE generous people of Amesbury have donated more than £3,200 to this year's Tree of Light, organised by the town's Rotary
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Swimmer realises Olympic dream
Salisbury swimmer Dave Savage, who will be taking part in next year's Athens Olympics. Picture: DAVID SMITH DA1007P4THE Olympic dream is about to come true for a Salisbury swimmer when he lines up to put his tiny Pacific homeland firmly on the sporting
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Arsonists prompt a £1,000 reward
The charred remains of a Peugeot 306 in the compound belonging to Rangers Garage in Durrington. DA40602P1GARAGE proprietor Michael Ranger is offering a £1,000 reward after arsonists torched a car parked in a compound in Durrington in the early hours of
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Season of goodwill is tough for Town
THIS weekend marks the start of a hectic run of fixtures that could see Chippenham pull away from trouble or become firmly rooted at the bottom of the table. The Bluebirds start off a run of four league matches in two weeks with a trip to Chelmsford City
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O'Halloran is happy again
KEITH O'Halloran enjoyed a happy reunion with former Swindon Town teammate Ian Herring in the centre of the Bluebirds' midfield and provided a solid foundation for a much improved team performance. The 28-year-old moved to Hardenhuish Park club at the
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Constable aiming to nick first team spot
NEW Bluebirds recruit James Constable signed for the club on Monday and immediately set his sights on breaking into the first team. The 19-year-old striker, who lives in Malmesbury, has only figured on the periphery for Cirencester Town this season. But
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Brewery taps new beer markets
DOWNTON'S Hop Back Brewery was at this year's BBC Good Food Show, held at the NEC in Birmingham last month. The brewery was promoting its bottled beers. Greig Futcher, Hop Back's sales manager, said: "We were showing Summer Lightning, Crop Circle and
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Send Christmas hope to man facing jail hell
THE Gazette is urging readers to show jailed Nick Baker they are supporting him this Christmas by sending festive cards. His grandmother Iris believes these sort of messages will make all the difference to him as he faces his first Christmas in a Japanese
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Scouts bring festive cheer
MESSAGES of Christmas cheer will be delivered by hand to houses around Sherston by Cubs, Brownies and Scouts this weekend. The last post will be at 11am this Saturday at the boxes at the school, doctor's surgery and FS Tuck the butcher and greengrocer
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Public to have say on hospitals shake-up
HEALTH chiefs are planning two separate rounds of public consultation, starting in January, for proposed changes to maternity units and consultant outpatient clinics in Devizes and Malmesbury. The Kennet and North Wiltshire Primary Care Trust agreed at
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Sad Brownies forced to close
Crudwell Brownies has folded because no volunteers came forward to replace Brown Owl Meryl Walker who is standing down. Only two people turned up to a meeting held two weeks ago at the village hall aimed at finding a new leader. Mrs Walker, 54, has been
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Vicar's attack on abbey fund crisis
AN appeal by the Reverend Peter Yacomeni for more money to plug a deficit in Malmesbury Abbey's funding, has provoked anger and allegations of verbal abuse from members of the congregation. Last Sunday, the retired clergyman, who is standing in until
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First win for South Newton
SOUTH Newton's U13s won their first league game, 4-3 against Bromham in the Mid Wilts Youth & Minor League. Jamie Grey and Arron Blackmore pulled back a 2-0 deficit, and Josh Brown's 20-yarder and Tom Salmon's goal earned victory. Downton's U12s eased
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Codford seal three points
STOCKTON & Codford won 5-2 at home to Winterslow in Saturday Division One, but they were behind after just five minutes. Mark Pluess set up Minko McFerran for the equaliser and Shaun Cooper lobbed the keeper to put Codford ahead. The hosts added two
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Funerals for victims of air tragedy
THE funerals of the three men killed in a helicopter crash are taking place this week. Captain Ian Shoobridge, of Durrington, and engineers James Gordon-Stables and Neville Moger died when the Twin Squirrel they were test-flying came down in a field at
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Rare Broad goal sees Ringwood through
RINGWOOD safely negotiated a passage to the quarter-finals of the Trophyman Cup with a convincing victory over Hampshire League Division One side Fleet Spurs. Darren Broad opened the scoring just before the break when he finished Jon Spear's cross for
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Appeal presents handed over
Salisbury Newspapers publisher Bill Browne hands over a few of the many presents, donated to the Journal Christmas Appeal, to representatives of local organisations at the Journal offices in Rollestone Street. DA4597 WE say it every year, but we never
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Downton youngsters graduate with honours
DOWNTON'S reserve side contained plenty of teen spirit as they carved out a creditable goalless draw at home to Weymouth reserves on Saturday. Four of the Robins' under-15s were promoted to the second string, with two starting and three on the pitch at
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'Quins pleased with clean sheet
BEMERTON Heath Harlequins are highly satisfied with the extensive ground work completed during the summer. Once again a perfect playing surface enabled a game to go ahead after torrential rain during the week. The ground was used on Wednesday for a Wilts
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True Blue Max shines at home of Red Devils
BEMERTON'S Max Donohue followed in the footsteps of England captain David Beckham when he took part in the Manchester United Soccer Schools' Skills Final last month, writes Ryan Lovejoy. Beckham famously caught the attention of United scouts by winning
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Hill to captain England heroes
RICHARD Hill will captain England for the first time in Saturday's clash with the New Zealand Barbarians at Twickenham, following injury to Phil Vickery. The former Bishop Wordsworth's School pupil, a member of last month's World Cup winning team, will
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Unbeaten run goes on
Stamford became the first team to avoid league defeat against Salisbury since Burnham in October, when they battled to a 1-1 draw at Old Sarum on Tuesday night. Danny Steadman capitalised on defensive uncertainty to prod the visitors in front on 59 minutes
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Honda's cogs ad is acclaimed as the best
Ref. 24270Honda has come out tops in a list of this year's best TV commercials. Its innovative 'cog' advertisement, in which the myriad of car components which make up its Accord model are seen to interact with each other, was considered the best by ad
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Companies warned not to ignore corporate junkets
GUESTS who fail to show up to a corporate hospitality event could be seriously damaging their business, according to new research this week. Over a third of British business people reveal they are less keen to do business with anyone who has accepted
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Alfred truly the greatest
Local hero King Alfred the Great came top of the poll in a contest to find out who was the greatest political figure in the West Country. The showdown was organised by BBC West for the Politics Show and thousands of people voted in a phone-poll. King
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Transport groups fight to save Wigglybus
COMMUNITY transport groups are appealing to the Government not to let the innovative Wigglybus die from lack of funding. They have been forced to apply early for a new Rural Bus Challenge grant, less than two years since they received £850,000 from the
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Decomposing sheep left piled on trailer
SHEEP farmer Lance Beale left some of his sheep untreated after they had been savaged by dogs, a court heard this week. A vet and a trading standards inspector found severely injured sheep on Beale's land at Wyatt's Lake Farm at Westbrook near Bromham
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Toy joy for needy kids
PILED high with toys, the Salvation Army headquarters at the end of the Christmas Toy Appeal resembled Santa's Grotto. A team of volunteers spent Tuesday busy sorting mountains of games, cuddly toys, puzzles and other gifts, in a bid to bring needy families
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Street 2 Corsham Town 2
SCREWFIX DIVISION ONE: IN-form Corsham Town should have made it seven wins from seven games on Saturday but a resilient Street side battled back to salvage a draw from the game. Colin Bush's side twice took the lead and carved out a host of other chances
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Corsham Town 2, Bristol Manor Farm 2
SCREWFIX DIVISION ONE: CORSHAM missed the chance to take all three points against their fellow promotion chasers but still stretched their unbeaten run to eight games. Nobby Bush's side trailed 1-0 at half-time but rallied in the second half and should
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Highworth Town 1, Didcot 0
HIGHWORTH'S Hellenic League title hopes were reignited with a fine 1-0 win over Premier Division leaders Didcot last night. John Fisher's side had edged an open first half, with Matt Saye the main source of danger to the visitors. But the breakthrough
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Break is a chance to regroup for Vale
HELLENIC LEAGUE: PEWSEY Vale have had a rare weekend off and are now well rested ahead of Saturday's crunch basement battle with Gloucester United. Steve Wootton's side were without a fixture on Saturday because opponents Southall Town were playing in
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Seven scoop windfall
THE lives of members of seven community groups in the Gazette and Herald circulation area have been made easier with grants from the Community 2000 Fund. The fund, which was set up before the Millennium with donations from readers and local businesses
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Businesses losing out without Internet
In the run-up to Christmas, business experts are worried local enterprises could be losing out because they are not operating on the Internet. The £3.3 billion e-spending boom predicted for the Christmas period will bypass the vast majority of small and
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Send Christmas hope to man facing jail hell
THE Gazette is urging readers to show jailed Nick Baker they are supporting him this Christmas by sending festive cards. His grandmother Iris believes these sort of messages will make all the difference to him as he faces his first Christmas in a Japanese
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Government may step in
MORE direct Government intervention looms for Swindon Council if services do not improve dramatically during the next few months. When Swindon's LEA failed its Ofsted and was plunged into special measures, it was a stark warning of an impending way of
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Minister hopes to see improvement
LOCAL Government minister Nick Raynsford stressed that the Compre-hensive Performance Assessment was "not about scoring points for the sake of it". He explained: "We introduced the assessment to drive improvement in local government and that's exactly
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Vetting processes for others who work with children
Prospective coaches applying for a job with the Wiltshire County Football Association are put through the Criminal Records Bureau checking system. But the Wilts FA secretary Mike Benson said he feared the checks might not be as thorough as they should
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Past sex offenders in Swindon area
CHILDREN'S entertainer David Payne was jailed for 12 years for a string of sex offences on girls as young as four. Father-of-two Payne who advertised his party magic shows in Swindon Yellow Pages was found guilty three years ago of raping a nine-year-old
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Cellist makes stylish debut
Swiss cellist Orfeo Mandozzi made his British debut at Marden House in Calne last week. Mr Mandozzi, who is based in Vienna, is performing in the UK as part of a world tour including concerts in Spain, Germany USA, Italy and Switzerland. He was accompanied
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Disco paves way for club
A fancy dress disco at Calne Football Social Club has raised more than £100 to help start a club for children. The social club is hoping to start the Saturday morning group for children aged seven to ten. Club treasurer Ann Wright said the disco at the
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Tributes flood in for former shop owner
Family and friends have paid tribute to former newsagent Rod Richens, who died last week after losing his five-year battle with bowel cancer. Mr Richens, 60, of Rochdale Avenue, was born in Swindon but moved to Calne in 1966 to run Tich's newsagent with
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Heartbreak after workers are axed
THIRTY-EIGHT factory workers have suffered a shattering blow in the run up to Christmas, with news that a Calne firm is laying off almost half of its workforce. Workers at H&H Electronics' factory, on the Porte Marsh Trading Estate, were told at 4.45pm
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New spirit of co-operation
A NEW agreement aimed at helping improve the quality of life for people in Wiltshire was officially launched in Devizes last Friday. The Wiltshire Compact is designed to improve the way in which public bodies and voluntary and community sectors work together
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Visit town's French twin
ORGANISATIONS and groups interested in forging links with people from Mayenne in France are being sought. The Devizes and District Twinning Association is looking for community groups and clubs who want to visit Mayenne, Devizes' twin town, in June next
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Keeper course
WOODY'S Goalkeeping School is returning to Swindon for the Christmas holidays. The three-day course takes place from Monday, December 29 at Sutton Park, Blunsdon. The specialised sessions are run by FA licensed coach Paul Woodford and youngsters aged
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Watch out for bag snatchers
DEVIZES police are warning shoppers, especially women, to watch out for handbag thieves when doing their last-minute Christmas buying. In the last two weeks, several women have had their bags taken from shopping trolleys in town supermarkets. The police
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New league seeks teams
THE new Swindon 6-a-side football league is looking for new teams for the new season starting in February 2004. The league will be running on a brand new artificial pitch in Wootton Bassett between 8pm-9.30pm on Thursday evenings. The league will be professionally
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Kids shine at Swindon
The cream of the new North Wilts Youth League have been locking horns with Swindon Town's best youngsters in a series of games at the County Ground this week. The league's representative sides coached by Swindon legends Don Rogers and John Trollope have
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Timetable for new hospitals slips back
PLANS for a new hospital in Green Lane, Devizes, are expected to be published by next April. Peter Williams, manager of the Devizes Hospital redevelopment project, said this week that the overall timetable had slipped but was keen to stress that the project
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Santa drops in with £500
DEVIZES bank manager Nigel Holman got into the festive spirit by donning a Father Christmas costume to hand over a cheque for £500 to the Wiltshire and Swindon Community Foundation. The money was contributed from HSBC Bank's community fund. Mr Holman
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Off the cuff for Charlotte
FOUR teenage girls are being handcuffed together for the day to raise money for Hammer Out, the charity set up to raise funds for research into brain tumours. Stephanie Chandler, 15, her cousin Leah Chandler, 15, Jodie Brown, 16, and Sarah Mundy, 15,
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Light may be shed on hall
THE 100-year-old Town Hall in Marlborough could be floodlit in time for the town's 800th anniversary celebrations next year. In June the town will be celebrating the anniversary of receiving its royal charters from King John. The Marlborough Area Development
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Remorseful burglar leapt from car park
Burglar Luke Coleman was so remorseful after breaking into the home of his former girlfriend's parents, he took rat poison and threw himself off the roof of a multi-storey car park, magistrates heard this week. Coleman, 18, from Eastleigh Road, Devizes
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Police stop man plunging to death
POLICE negotiators have been praised for persuading a man not to throw himself off Wiltshire Fire Brigade's 75ft training tower at Hopton Industrial Estate in the early hours of Tuesday. For nearly four hours, the police reasoned with Ross Grant, 29,
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Vandals set light to Santa figure
SANTA vandals struck in Marlborough at the weekend setting alight a fabric Father Christmas put up at the St Margaret's Mead general stores. One of the Marlborough Town Council mace bearers, Eric Gay, and his wife Lin had put up the £50 figure beneath
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Lack of CCTV is lure for crooks
CROOKS are focusing their attention on towns like Marlborough because without CCTV cameras they are seen as easy pickings. Police admit that the lack of security cameras in Marlborough is an open invitation to crooks. Instead of running the risk of being
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Crossing is step closer, say families
THE fight to get a pedestrian crossing built on a busy Wroughton road is nearing victory. For 12 years villagers living in Swindon Road have been calling on Swindon Council to install a crossing. Now it looks as if one could be put in by June next year
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Chance collision led to a lasting love
Ref. 28330-46Margaret and Mick Rouse literally bumped into each other outside a cinema 60 years ago and have been together ever since. Today the couple, who live in who live in Berenger Close, Old Town, will be celebrating their diamond wedding anniversary
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Campaigners rally support
CAMPAIGNERS in Swindon have pledged to stop teenager Inna Haville being deported to the Ukraine. The Save Inna Campaign was launched this week, with a promise to blockade any attempt by officials to remove the 19-year-old from her home at Sevenhampton
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Volunteers are wanted
A GROUP whose members help to protect the rights of adults with learning difficulties is appealing for volunteers. The Swindon Advocacy Movement is based at the Health Hydro in Milton Road. Its members are asked to spare as little as an hour a week to
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Hunt on for missing cat
Swindon residents are being asked to look out for a missing cat. Willoughby went missing three weeks ago but his owners are hoping to have him home before Christmas. Philippa Wall, 33, of Hythe Road, last saw the 18-month-old black cat on November 28.
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Come and hear top choir sing
ONE of Swindon's best-known choirs is to sing around the Christmas tree at the Roves Farm visitor centre, in Seven-hampton. About 30 members of the Kentwood Choir will perform favourite carols from 6.30pm on Monday. Farm owner Rupert Burr said: "There
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RAF family get best Christmas
Ref. 28289-15SERVICEMAN Craig Henderson is home from Iraq in time for what could be the best Christmas ever. His family were voted winners in the Greenbridge competition, which was run in association with the Advertiser, and won an £8,500 perfect Christmas
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Pupils cook up a feast for the community
Ref. 28338-36THE SPIRIT of good citizenship is alive at Ridgeway School. And to prove it, pupils cooked a mouth-watering lunch for members of the community who have supported their citizenship programmes. Businesses help the school by offering work experience
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School kitchens may face the chop
SEVERAL Swindon schools are considering closing their kitchens to end the in-house provision of meals. "Early indications show that a large number of schools may be considering either complete kitchen closures or the provision of sandwich meals to meet
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So why are our children so bad at English?
Ref. 28348-58Every time a report on the state of Swindon's education system is publicised, it seems pupils here just don't make the grade in one of the most important subjects POOR parental support, the increasing use of slang, and teacher recruitment
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Georgina takes a break from the gaze of the cameras
GEORGINA Akers, the receptionist in Channel Four's programme The Salon, will be taking a break from filming to return home for Christmas. The 24-year-old, known as Gina on the show, has had little contact with family or friends since appearing in the
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PC denies assault
POLICE officer Dean Hoskins has told a crown court he feared for his own safety when confronted by a very aggressive and threatening group. Hoskins, a 32-year-old constable with Swindon Police, is on trial at Truro Crown Court for assault. Hoskins, of
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Pub soccer team bares all for a kit
A PUB football team has bared all to appear in a nude calendar. The Liden Arms side was struggling to pay for training sessions and kit when landlady Debbie Sharpe suggested they strip off to raise cash. The lads, who play in the third division of the
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Probe over coffin mix-up
THE Co-operative Funeral Service has spoken out to reassure Swindon customers after a bungle which meant the wrong coffin was sent to a funeral. Although the mix-up happened in Cheltenham, the service has a branch in Commercial Road and has arranged funerals
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Are you in the swim yet to help appeal?
Ref. 28099-49Young swimmers are looking forward to making a big splash in the New Year thanks to the Evening Advertiser Christmas Appeal. The Otters Group is hoping to have a party in January and will use money from our appeal to make it extra special
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Skaters are out to impress
Ref. 28347-39SKATERS are demonstrating their boarding skills at Swindon's former Railway Museum this week. The Swindon Comm-unity Sk8 Park project is hoping the four-day open event will demonstrate the need for an indoor skate arena. Besides showing off
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Singers bring cheer to town centre
Ref. 28346-35Swindon town centre was filled with the sweet sounds of Christmas cheer. Shoppers in the Brunel Centre were delighted as scores of children from Ruskin Junior School performed a selection of Christmas songs. The 70-strong choir, comprising
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OAPs given hampers of festive food
CHRISTMAS hampers containing turkeys and puddings were handed over to 80 Swindon pensioners this week. The hampers were provided by Intel as part of its community involvement programme. Krystyna Nowicka, one of the organisers, along with Makayla Rudd
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Still time to book your Christmas train trips
TRAIN operator First Great Western says it's not too late to book places on Christmas period trains. While some of the services between London and the South West, Thames Valley, Cotswolds and South Wales are booked, seats on other trains have yet to be
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Review from a tolkien fan
Exciting. Tense. A masterpiece. This film gives an exciting end to Tolkien's classic and much-loved trilogy. The final instalment of the Lord of the Rings may prove to be the best yet. There is the element of the classic good versus evil in this movie
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Lessons move to the cinema
Ref. 28344-28AROUND 500 children from Highworth Warneford School were given the afternoon off yesterday to watch the latest Lord of the Rings blockbuster. The year nine, 10, and 11 pupils packed three screens at Cineworld at the Green-bridge Retail Park
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Mislaid information
ABOUT two years ago you were kind enough to print some letters about the Keene family. I had a number of enquiries and among them was a gentleman who is descended from Joseph Keene. He sent me some information which unfortunately I have mislaid. I would
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Students shouldn't have to face a lifetime of debt
I have a personal story to show how the Government's plans to fund university education are deeply flawed and unfair. I mucked about as a teenager and didn't do that well at school. My first job was as a hospital porter. After that I worked on Bristol
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Have a very merry secular Christmas
Interesting article by Reverend Derek Ormston. As an atheist I would like to clarify a few points: l I celebrate Christmas in a secular way. For me, it is a time to remember the past year and look forward to the next. l I am not offended by the Christ
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In praise of hospitals
I CANNOT speak too highly of the treatment my wife Jenny recently received from the NHS. On November 13 my wife tripped and fell in Devizes, suffering what appeared to be bruising of both legs. On November 17, we contacted Southbroom GP practice. Dr Williams
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Costly party?
A HUGE modern marquee was put up in Monkton Park, Chippenham, on Thursday, and carpeted, with a stage and seating for about 200 plus. It was a very upmarket job. I asked a worker what it was and he told me it was a party for North Wiltshire Leisure staff
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Wrong firm
MAY we point out an inaccuracy in your article "Flood leaves pair in cold" on page three of the Malmesbury edition of the Wiltshire Gazette and Herald of December 11. Bristol Water instituted our plumbing insurance, not Wessex Water. We would not wish
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Diary dates
The hunts in this area will be holding their traditional Boxing Day meet on December 26 at the following locations and times. Duke of Beaufort's Worcester Lodge, Didmarton at 10.45am. Vine & Craven Windsor House, Lambourn at 11.30am. Old Berks The
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Take lead from BBC and set up web site
Fred Moules wrote to the Gazette and Herald last week and commented on how wonderful it was that so many Malmesbury people had written to the papers recently expressing their views on the market issue. He also commented that if local councillors had read
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Way to tackle terrorism is to get rid of the cause
The statement by WG Blake (letters, December 11) that the result of the Second World War "was to free the whole of Europe from subservience to evil" is totally inaccurate. True, most of the western part of Europe was free of tyranny with the possible
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School kitchen team voted top of the pots
Queens Crescent School dinners received top marks in a special competition to find the kitchen team of the year. Sodexo, Wiltshire's main provider of school meals, organised the competition to recognise the hard work and achievements of school dinner
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DIY home in line for a national accolade
AFTER a year-and-a-half of hard graft, made all the more difficult by thieves, Jon and Sally Jeeves' converted dairy has been nominated for a national building accolade. The couple, who are both 39 and from Leigh Delamere, near Chippenham, are finalists
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Festive spirit shines through shop windows
Chippenham stores brought some Christmas magic into the town centre with a host of imaginative and decorative shop window designs. And the pick of the crop were celebrated in a festive competition organised by Chippenham Town Council and the Town Centre
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Time to see change for the better
ANOTHER day, another mauling for Swindon Council. A year ago independent inspectors of the Audit Commission branded the council's performance poor and placed it ignominiously in the bottom 10 of 150. One year on and it's still rated poor, though now it
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Viveash In Limbo
ADI VIVEASH admits to being frustrated at his lack of first team chances but has no desire to earn a recall on the back of a dream-shattering slump. He hopes his colleagues will keep the season 'alive' long enough for him to return and help the club to
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Thanks for helping us make a difference
LOTS of needy youngsters will this year be getting Christmas treats they would otherwise have missed out on thanks to your generosity towards our toy appeal. We joined forces with the Salvation Army to collect toys that could go to parents who otherwise
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Slow it appeal on fast track
JUST a few months ago we were told it could not be done. Wiltshire County Council announced that despite a huge number of accidents on the A4 between Calne and Chippenham it could not bring in any safety measures. But we were not prepared to take 'no'
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Switched on for charities
Grandparents Margaret and Norman Wootten have been lighting up the street to raise money for Wiltshire Air Ambulance. The couple have decorated their house and garden in Burn Road, Corsham, in thousands of lights to celebrate the Christmas season while
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All we want for Christmas
LAST Christmas, panicked parents risked life and limb to get their hands on their kids' number-one toy, a modern take on a yo-yo called a Beyblade. The tiny spinning toy cost just £4.99, but quickly became more precious than gold, selling out in stores
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Campaigners get MP's help
MP Michael Ancram has urged North Wiltshire District Council to take immediate action to stabilise subsiding land in Churchill Close, Calne. After visiting the site last week he has written to the chief executive of the council to demand urgent action
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Date
Binman's legacy will save lives of others
SIX months after his death, the memory of binman Chris Jefferies lives on and thanks to the generosity of his friends and colleagues, his legacy is now set to help thousands of others. Mr Jefferies, 37, died of a sudden brain haemorrhage in June, leaving
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Air base chief bows out on a high note
A CLEARER picture of how many of RAF Lyneham's 3,500 staff are expected to move over to Brize Norton could be known by February, said Group Captain Ray Lock. Gp Cpt Lock, who leaves his post as commander of the base tomorrow, said an early development
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Youth has say
NORTH Wiltshire district councillor Carol O'Gorman has ambitious plans to set up a young people's council to make representations at council meetings. She wants young people to be consulted on any issue to do with youth that comes out of North Wiltshire
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Instructors gallop to success
INSTRUCTORS at the Pewsey Vale Riding Centre are jumping for joy after gaining NVQ qualifications. Staff at the equestrian centre owned by Brian Read have always been offered the chance to take the British Horse Society (BHS) exams. This year they have
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Appeal presents handed over
Salisbury Newspapers publisher Bill Browne hands over a few of the many presents, donated to the Journal Christmas Appeal, to representatives of local organisations at the Journal offices in Rollestone Street. DA4597 WE say it every year, but we never
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Bus shelters get real time information
NEW bus shelters are being installed across Salisbury and other parts of Wiltshire to pave the way for the introduction of real-time passenger information. When it is launched in spring 2004, RTPI will enable bus passengers to see when their bus is due
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Date
500,000th passenger for park-and-ride scheme
Park-and-ride's 500,000th customer, Amy Gabbatiss, with Santa, park-and-ride's Mike Noake, Wilts & Dorset bus company's Gerald Good, Cllr Dennis Brown and Eric Teagle, head of forward planning and transportation at Salisbury district council. DA4604P1CHRISTMAS
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Soldiers rest before Iraq trip
Soldiers from 14 Equipment Support Company REME from 6 Battalion REME, based at Tidworth, were last week dispatching their heavy equipment to Iraq before they themselves took some well earned Christmas and new year leave. After spending three months in
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Buy a share of the Town
CHIPPENHAM Town have launched a share option scheme in a bid to bring in more funds to aid the team on and off the pitch. The club's board of directors announced the introduction of a new B-share last week. It will be known as the Bluebird share and is
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Bluebirds in bid for funds to build team
CHIPPENHAM Town have launched a share option scheme in a bid to bring in more funds to aid the team on and off the pitch. The club's board of directors announced the introduction of 100,000 new B-shares last week. It will be known as the Bluebird share
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Valentine's Day venues still available for weddings
A COMPANY in Salisbury that arranges weddings says there are still venues available for couples who want to get married on Valentine's Day next year. Jill Richards, director of Convenus and the UK's only Weddings Beautiful accredited co-ordinator, says
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Design advantages to be explored
JAMES Hewitt, a designer providing business-to-business marketing expertise, will be speaking at the next meeting of Ambassadors, the Salisbury business networking club. The event, at Grasmere House Hotel in Harnham, starts at 7.30am tomorrow. Mr Hewitt
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No drill needed, says dentist
A NEW dental practice has opened in Salisbury. Rob Jukes, who has 18 years' experience in the profession, has set up Gentle Dental at the Lavender Centre in Castle Street, offering healozone dentistry the first such practice to be set up in Wiltshire.
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Financial advisers expanding
INDEPENDENT financial advisers Andrew Snell and Ian Hunter have launched Quay Asset Management, replacing and expanding on their previous venture, Lighthouse. The new enterprise, which remains in Brown Street, Salisbury, will provide independent financial
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Creative efforts catch judge's eye
A MOSAIC tile mural that was created as a partnership between Salisbury Playhouse and Personal Pension Management has been short-listed for an Arts & Business award 2003. PPML's staff began working with Playhouse artist in residence Lindsey Keir in
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Charlton road set to re-open
THE county road crossing the dam at Braydon Pond, at Charlton, will be reopened to traffic after a three-year wait, it was decided last week. A £110,000 repair job was approved by Wiltshire County Council to shore up and repair the dam, which was closed
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Museum friends tell council to hurry up
ANGRY campaigners have given North Wiltshire District Council a month to come up with plans to revamp Malmesbury Town Hall. The building at Cross Hayes desperately needs upgrading and a £1.2million renovation scheme was hatched by the town and district
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Violent youth is first to be fitted with tag
A YOUTH charged with violent conduct has become the first juvenile in Malmesbury to have an electronic tag fitted. The youngster, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was involved in an incident with a ball bearing gun on the High Street and an alleged
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Dyson makes last 51 redundancies
WASHING machine manufacture at Dyson's Malmesbury plant will finally end in February with the loss of 51 jobs as the firm switches production to Malaysia. The firm has spent two months in consultation with affected workers. The job loss figure is lower
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No room at nativity for mum and baby
MUM Amanda Kettlety was left distraught and angry after she was barred from her seven-year-old son's nativity play at Hullavington Primary School. Miss Kettlety, 34, of Greens Close, Hullavington, arrived at the school on Tuesday evening only to be told
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Pensioners may lose their home
elderly residents are facing an uncertain future after the company running their stately home retirement accommodation in Pythouse, near Tisbury, went into liquidation and served notice on them. The 20 residents, who are all aged between 85 and 95, have
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Fears over cost of Shopmobility
FEARS that Shopmobility fees could treble in the new year to help plug a deficit in the council's budget have been dismissed as a rumour. The facility, which is located in Priory Square, Salisbury, loans out electric scooters, wheelchairs and other disability
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Bledisloe semi-finals for Laverstock
LAVERSTOCK & Ford started the better team in this clash for a place in the semi-finals of the Lord Bledisloe Cup. Laverstock put a lot of pressure on their opponents and the first goal came just before the end of the first half. Dom Male got a shot
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Shrewton bolster position
SHREWTON UNITED bolstered their league position with a 5-2 home win over Minehead at the weekend. The Shrews now sit comfortably in fifth place in division one of the Screwfix Direct. It was a safe victory in the end, but Minehead threatened to level
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Villagers protest against traffic
Adults protest. DA4572P6RUSH-HOUR traffic was brought to a standstill last week by Downton villagers protesting against heavy lorries and speeding motorists. On a misty Wednesday morning, more than 50 people turned out with banners to show road users
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Cathedral names new chancellor
SALISBURY Cathedral has announced the appointment of the Reverend Edward Probert as canon chancellor. He will be formally installed in his role on April 4 next year, which is Palm Sunday. The appointment, made by Bishop of Salisbury, the Right Reverend
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Bus shelters get real time information
NEW bus shelters are being installed across Salisbury and other parts of Wiltshire to pave the way for the introduction of real-time passenger information. When it is launched in spring 2004, RTPI will enable bus passengers to see when their bus is due
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Tubbs' red mars victory
Salisbury extended their winning run to seven league games on Saturday with an uninspiring victory over Fleet at Old Sarum. Refereeing decisions caused controversy again, with Matt Tubbs seeing red for two cautions, both for dissent to the assistant referee
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Father too close to stop for tanker
A SOUTH Wiltshire father watched his young son die after crashing his car into a tanker before spinning into the central reservation of a motorway, an inquest heard. Gary Collins was driving back from a visit to the Saints stadium with his eight-year-old
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500,000th passenger for park-and-ride scheme
Park-and-ride's 500,000th customer, Amy Gabbatiss, with Santa, park-and-ride's Mike Noake, Wilts & Dorset bus company's Gerald Good, Cllr Dennis Brown and Eric Teagle, head of forward planning and transportation at Salisbury district council. DA4604P1CHRISTMAS
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Swimmer realises Olympic dream
Salisbury swimmer Dave Savage, who will be taking part in next year's Athens Olympics. Picture: DAVID SMITH DA1007P4THE Olympic dream is about to come true for a Salisbury swimmer when he lines up to put his tiny Pacific homeland firmly on the sporting
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Arsonists prompt a £1,000 reward
The charred remains of a Peugeot 306 in the compound belonging to Rangers Garage in Durrington. DA40602P1GARAGE proprietor Michael Ranger is offering a £1,000 reward after arsonists torched a car parked in a compound in Durrington in the early hours of
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Jailed mum celebrates her freedom
Angela Cannings leaving the Court of Appeal in London with husband Terry (left). DA4560P08AFTER 20 months in prison away from her husband and daughter, Angela Cannings left the Court of Appeal a free woman last week. The Salisbury mother looked overwhelmed
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Parking 'Scrooges' under fire
Graham Addison, who found his parking fine had been paid twice. DA4571PARKING Scrooges have refused to acknowledge the generosity of a Good Samaritan who a shopper believes came to his aid after he was given a ticket. When Graham Addison returned to his
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Whites fans salute Salisbury three
Whites' manager Nick Holmes, far right, with Salisbury powerlifters, Bill West, Lee Steggles and Paul Newell and their 2003 World Championship trophies. The group were applauded by City fans before Tuesday night's game with Stamford. Picture: LARA BALL
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Swimmer realises Olympic dream
Salisbury swimmer Dave Savage, who will be taking part in next year's Athens Olympics. Picture: DAVID SMITH DA1007P4THE Olympic dream is about to come true for a Salisbury swimmer when he lines up to put his tiny Pacific homeland firmly on the sporting
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The mine sweeper
A weekly column focusing on the legal labyrinth of company law, employment law and property law. This week, Chris Kane of Withy King considers the issue of equal pay. Recent figures from the Office for National Statistics reveal that female employees
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Swindon Automobiles drives into former milk depot
Expanding and updating its facilities, Swindon Automobiles has taken over the former Central Midlands Co-op milk depot on Kelvin Road, Greenbridge for a new body repair and paint shop. The new premises, which provides 1,506 sq m of accommodation is close
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Battling Devizes test the leaders
BOTTOM of the table Devizes Town Youth gave a great team performance against top of the table Warminster Highbury in the under 16s Red Division of the Wiltshire Times and Chippenham News Mid-Wilts Youth and Minor League before going down to a narrow defeat
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Highworth gain revenge win
NORTH WILTS YOUTH LEAGUE: HIGHWORTH Juniors maintained their under 13 Division One title charge by avenging their only league defeat of the season, by thumping rivals Brunel Boys 5-1 at the Rec. Highworth went ahead when Craig Bowden's shot was deflected
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Rivals end Combe's hopes in goal spree
TROWBRIDGE LEAGUE: FORMER league giants Broughton Gifford go into the new year chasing four trophies and it will take an exceptional side to prevent them from fully restocking their display cabinet. For the second successive week Gifford hit seven without
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All Cannings book quarter-final place
CHIPPENHAM SUNDAY LEAGUE: HOLDERS All Cannings overcame a potential banana skin against Third Division Hare and Hounds, who had lost only one of their previous nine matches, to reach the quarter-finals of the PPL Presto Print sponsored Eric Hughes Memorial
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Morton is spot on as Aldbourne grab point
WILTSHIRE LEAGUE: SOGGY conditions played havoc with Saturday's programme with more than half of the scheduled fixtures postponed. One Premier Division game that did go ahead was at Cricklade where the home side were held to a 2-2 draw by visitors Aldbourne
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Town bid for win double
DEVIZES Town entertain midtable Exmouth Town on Saturday hoping to end a miserable run of five consecutive defeats. The Nursteed Road club's promising early season form has melted away and two defeats in four days last week saw them drop into the bottom
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Enforced rest gives injured a chance
SCREWFIX DIVISION ONE: CALNE Town boss Kelvin Highmore is worried he is going to be mistaken for a Bristol Manor Farm supporter after sitting through their last four matches. Highmore's side were without a game on Saturday so he took the chance to swot
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Village life really is tops
A WILTSHIRE village chosen by a Japanese film crew for epitomising the British way of life has won a regional award. The prize of cash was presented by TV gardener Alan Titchmarsh at an awards ceremony in London last week. Colerne parish council clerk
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Heads give full marks to staff and students
Wiltshire secondary schools have been celebrating as league tables for Key Stage 3 results show the county is doing better than the national average in science, maths and English. Bob Wolfson, Wiltshire County Council's director of education, said: "Wiltshire
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Win means Highworth still in hunt
HELLENIC LEAGUE: HIGHWORTH collected an overdue victory to keep their Hellenic Premier Division title dreams alive. Matt Saye climbed off the bench with half an hour to inspire John Fisher's men to a 2-0 home win over Tuffley the club's first success
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Striker turns down offer
SCREWFIX DIVISION ONE: CORSHAM Town's boss has been praising the loyalty of his players after striker Alan Griffin turned down a move to First Division Paulton Rovers. Darren Perrin offered Griffin a chance to step up a division but he has chosen to remain
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Club facing extinction after training price hike
THE future of Malmesbury Youth Football Club is under threat after the owner of Malmesbury School's sports hall tripled hire costs. The club, which has 250 youngsters on its books, has been using the hall three evenings a week for training over the winter
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Members not told secrets
KENNET District Council does not trust its members to keep confidential minutes secret, it was revealed at its full council meeting on Tuesday. Coun Bill Cavill had asked that all councillors should be sent confidential minutes of the council's human
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Pack up festive waste to help environment
KENNET District Council is urging council tax payers to help the environment by reducing the amount of waste put in black bags. It said at Christmas, residents produce some 1,500 tonnes of waste, which is sent to landfill sites. A council spokesman said
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There's still a lot to be done
Ref. 24477-6LABOUR group leader Kevin Small (Western) extended a big thank you to all council staff for their hard work over the last few months in the effort for progress. "We must now build on this and continue to develop to ensure that the council
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Council has hit rock bottom
Ref. 28334-8Swindon Borough Council is continuing to perform badly according the latest inspection by the Audit Commission. MICHAEL LITCHFIELD looks at why things are still going wrong and what can be done. NAMED, blamed and shamed yet again! Govern-ment
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Gran struck down by a rare illness
Ref. 28329-15A Swindon grandmother almost died after being struck down by an illness that has affected only a couple of hundred people in the world. Housewife Janet Connor, 56, is believed to be the only woman in Swindon, and possibly England, to have
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Sexual predators won't slip through our net
Ref. 25430-77SOCIAL workers in Swindon network to such an extent that they are confident that any sexual predator on children, such as Ian Huntley, would not slip through the net. Keith Skerman, the head of Social Services, said that it was important
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Call for more checks
As Ian Huntley begins two life sentences for the murders of Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman, questions arise over checks into school staff. By Tina clarke. HEAD teachers in Swindon are shocked that murderer Ian Huntley could get a job in a school and
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Campaigners get MP's help
MP Michael Ancram has urged North Wiltshire District Council to take immediate action to stabilise subsiding land in Churchill Close, Calne. After visiting the site last week he has written to the chief executive of the council to demand urgent action
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Dad calls for builders to grit path to school
PARENTS are furious that no-one is taking responsibility for the gritting of a path leading to Fynamore Primary School in Calne. Justin Oliver, who sends his children Liam, Luke and Sophie to the school said one of the paths leading up to the school car
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Police are top of the cops for detection
Calne police have the highest detection rate in the North division, according to the latest crime figures. The figures for the first ten months of 2003 show that recorded crime fell by seven per cent compared with the same period last year. Out of the
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It's victory for people power
SLOW IT DOWN: THE Gazette's campaign to improve safety on the notorious stretch of the A4 between Chippenham and Calne has taken a major step forward. In October, the Gazette was told that there was no chance of safety measures being implemented on the
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Actor's friends in final tribute
Family and friends mourned the loss of actor David Hemmings at a quiet funeral service in St Mary's Church, Calne, yesterday. Among those who travelled to the town to say farewell to the 1960s' film icon was actor Robert Powell, star of the Thirty-Nine
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Festive fundraisers see red for good cause
Pupils at St Margaret's School in Calne dressed in festive red and green clothes last week to raise money this Christmas. The pupils went to school in their own clothes and paid £1 for the privilege. The own clothes day launched the school's annual charity
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Soccer club's really on ball
IMPROVEMENTS are on the way at Devizes Town Football Club after nearly £4,000 was raised at the recent Christmas ball. On December 6 the gymnasium at the Nursteed Road ground was transformed by an indoor marquee donated by Wallace Marquees. Organiser
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Drink man sent to jail
DEVIZES troublemaker Darren Waldie has been sent to prison for five months after breaching his anti-social behaviour order for the second time. Waldie, 33, of Waiblingen Way, is the second person in Devizes to be given an anti-social behaviour order following
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Quiet toast to Charlotte
THE mother and grandmother of Charlotte Wakeham, who died in September after a 17-month battle against cancer, marked her ninth birthday last week quietly and sadly. Wendy Bryant, from Victoria Road, Devizes, and her daughter Alison, Charlotte's mum,
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Road petition handed over
CAMPAIGNERS calling for a reduction in the speed limit at Spin Hill, Market Lavington, won support from county councillors at a meeting yesterday. Sharon Charity of Market Lavington presented a petition signed by 220 people calling for the speed limit
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Council is told to be flexible on hospital
KENNET District Council should not insist that health services in Devizes are delivered through a community hospital, a committee was told on Thursday. Coun Ann Hayhoe told Kennet's health strategy overview and scrutiny sub-committee that pushing Kennet
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Nurses ill with stress over move
SOME long-term residential patients at Savernake Hospital have had to be found new accommodation because of unprecedented levels of staff sickness. The Kennet and North Wiltshire NHS Primary Care Trust said the need to relocate patients from the Marlborough
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New law gets tough with louts in town
POLICE will have greater powers in the New Year to combat the problems of drinking and anti-social behaviour on the streets of Devizes. On Tuesday, Kennet district councillors unanimously approved a new order under the Criminal Justice and Police Act
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Car hire pair face charges
HUSBAND and wife Phil and Ann Barber who set up a chauffeur car business near Marlborough, and then moved into private car hire, have both been charged with offences relating to their company CarTours. It is understood the couple, who live at The Severalls
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Consultation on threatened hospital clinics
FEARS about the threat to outpatient clinics at Devizes Community Hospital have been further fuelled this week. Devizes GP Dr John Heaton-Renshaw said he was stunned to be told by a consultant at the Great Western Hospital, Swindon, that consultant clinics
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Festive play's a real cracker
A self-help group of Marlborough adults with special needs staged its own Christmas production at the town's Resource Centre on Saturday. Open Minds is a self advocacy group for adults with learning difficulties and it meets once a month at the Conservative
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Sports author gives prizes
RICK Kibby, whose book on sport in Devizes was launched last month to great acclaim, was the guest speaker at Devizes School's sixth form presentation evening on Monday. Mr Kibby is not a former pupil of the secondary school, studying at Colston's School
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Founder member of trust resigns
A SENIOR member of the Marlborough Area Development Trust, David Manley, has quit claiming it has become little other than a talking shop. Mr Manley, from Mildenhall, was a founder member of the non-elected trust that was set up two years ago. Similar
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Crooks target OAPs' Christmas gift cash
BOGUS callers posing as water board officials are targeting pensioners for their Christmas savings, police believe. Officers suspect the same team of crooks was behind four attempts to con elderly people in the Marlborough area last Wednesday. The tricksters
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Thief walks off with sculpture
A WALK-in thief has stolen a valuable bronze sculpture from a Marlborough art gallery. The 18in tall sculpture Horse and Jockey was taken from the Bowmoore Gallery in London Road. Gallery owner Gerry Denning said the sculpture was displayed in a conservatory
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Flak flies over plan for airfield wind turbines
VILLAGERS and countryside campaigners are fighting plans to put four 30-metre high wind turbines on Ramsbury's former Second World War airfield. Protesters say the turbines would be twice the height of Swindon's new Great Western Hospital and would spoil
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In the spirit of Christmas
IN the true spirit of the season pupils at Ogbourne St George School thought of others when they had their Christmas lunch yesterday. They took along gifts for children less fortunate than themselves and donated them to the Salvation Army and Gazette
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MP backs parent's fight to shut park
RESIDENTS fighting to get a playground shut now have the backing of Michael Wills, MP for north Swindon. People living in Jefferies Avenue, in Gorse Hill, say the playground, which backs on to their houses, has become a haven for unruly youths. And, as
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Artists felt work goes on display at library exhibition
An exhibition of the messy but fun art of felt making has gone on display at West Swin-don library. Janet Theobald, of Kings-hill in Swindon, began experimenting with fibres and dyeing after attending workshops in Cirencester and Marlborough. She has
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Streets are littered with dumped cars
Ref. 28285-59FIFTY abandoned cars are littering the streets and car parks of Wootton Bassett. Now civic leaders have called for a crackdown on the rising tide of dumped vehicles. Conservative town councillor John Allen has counted 50 abandoned cars and
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Honda worker on sex register
CAR plant worker Daniel Faulkner, who admitted downloading child porn, has walked free from Swindon Magistrates court. Faulkner, 30, of Kimbolton Close, Freshbrook, was charged earlier this month following a global crackdown on internet child sex. Stacey
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Help needed
The charity Christmas Cares, which will provide food and shelter to those who need it this Christmas, needs volunteers to help staff the hall at the Methodist Church in Queens Drive in Swindon on Saturday for a couple of hours between 9.30am and 4.30pm
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Giving Tree will bring joy to 100
CHRISTMAS gifts, collected from shoppers and retail staff, have been donated to children's community projects. More than 100 presents have been gifted to the Giving Tree initiative organised by the Brunel Shopping Centre. People chose a tag attached to
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Insp Wexford helps elderly drivers
Veteran actor George Baker who played television sleuth Inspector Wexford has helped launch a new course for elderly drivers. Mr Baker, 72, best known for his role as the detective in the popular Ruth Rendell mysteries, said he has taken the course for
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Youngsters Cr8 a Postman Tap
Ref. 28337-8Postman Pat is an icon from many a person's childhoon. And, thanks to a talented group of Swindon youngsters, he is being resurrected to hammer home a very important message about dyslexia with a film called Postman Tap. The seven young people
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Huntley trial highlights concerns over staff vetting
THE Soham murder trial featured in last night's Swindon Council cabinet meeting in connection with obtaining police clearance for new staff in sensitive roles. Members heard that it was taking up to 50 days for police clearance in many cases and yet the
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Next year's jazz festival is at risk
SWINDON Arts is being disbanded next month, putting at risk the town's famous annual jazz festival. Also in jeopardy will be the popular Think Art Festival. News of the shock decision was given to Swindon Council's ruling cabinet last night by Coun Maurice
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Fat cat jobs advertised
LESS than a week after announcing a freeze on recruitment to help minimise any tax rise burden, Swindon Borough Council has advertised three fat cat jobs. With a fanfare of frugality designed to demonstrate camaraderie with the long-suffering Swindon
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See the world in miniature
Fans of all things miniature will enjoy visiting the Xanadu Model Village tucked away in a Gorse Hill garden. The downscaled world is home to everything from houses and a railway station to a yacht club and a safari park. There is even a beach and a farm
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Make a world record
I AM writing to ask all local schools in your area to join me in setting a world record and raise funds for Marie Curie Cancer Care. The charity has joined forces with the Wordsworth Trust to celebrate 200 years of Wordsworth's famous daffodils poem "
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Another rise in tax is imminent
So we could see a council tax rise of 13.1 per cent in Swindon next year, to boost the ailing Social Services funds. What on earth has the council done with last year's 15 per cent? I think we all know the answer to that question. The headlines on page
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Views sought
I hope that your readers know that the Lucent and Malmesbury Hospital sites are in the Malmesbury Parish Council area, often nicknamed St Paul Without; and that our parish council, already being in liaison with the developers, will be giving full consideration
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Date
Time of peace
WITH reference to W Blake's letter of December 11, very few of us would think it wrong to fight for one's country and liberty when necessary, but do you really believe Tony Blair is infallible? Many thousands of innocent people have been killed as a result
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Robbie Signing for Saracens
BATH head coach John Connolly has expressed his disappointment after seeing salary cap restrictions force promising young three-quarter Robbie Kydd into the clutches of Premiership rivals Saracens. Connolly confirmed yesterday that Kiwi Kydd will sit
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Chippenham 2nd 19 Trowbridge 2nd 7
CHIPPENHAM'S second string stormed into the semi-finals of the Dorset & Wilts Cup after a great performance in dreadful conditions. Chippenham started the match the stronger of the two teams and had their first points on the board in five minutes,
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Cainscross 14 Tetbury 41
TETBURY scored seven tries as they proved too strong for Cainscross in a local derby friendly. Tetbury took the game to the home side from the whistle and were rewarded after ten minutes when winger Dan Webber was put free by Ben Porter to score beneath
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Chippenham stroll into semi-final after no show
CHIPPENHAM strolled into the semi-finals of the Dorset & Wilts Cup without touching a ball but their route to the final has got a lot tougher. The Allington Field side were handed a walkover into the last four of the county competition when scheduled
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Malmesbury 6 Calne 22.
CALNE ventured on to Malmesbury's sloping, rolling pitch to try out a new centre partnership and to give their other new recruits some more game time. While Calne adjusted their pack with the versatile Mike Palfrey moving from hooker to the flank, and
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Junior squad set to launch
CALNE Rugby Club are looking to launch their junior section at John Bentley School on January 10. Premiership leaders Bath will be sending senior squad members, academy players and coaching staff to the launch. The club aims to recruit students to form
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No rail route
With reference to the article that appeared on December 11 entitled "Tunnel is planned under M4 motorway", this £4m, 70-metre tunnel will take the road out of Swindon rather than linking the Front Garden with Swindon. It would allow more traffic to enter
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Parking woe
A FEW months ago the Chippenham town clerk was praised for his work in redeveloping the centre of the town. Quite rightly so. However, what a pity he and his council colleagues did not improve the car parking situation. In the weeks leading up to Christmas
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Refuges are hazard in dark
THE reflective roundels on the southbound island pedestrian refuges opposite the Devizes Corn Exchange have been removed, possibly by vandals. In these dark evenings they present an accident waiting to happen. For the last three weeks at least, the roundels
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Thanks from Lions Club
I would like to express my thanks to the people of Chippenham. We have just completed our tour of the town with our Father Christmas float and have been delighted and extremely grateful for the level of support. We were made to feel that we were seen
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Does town need any more homes?
MORE than three years ago my letter about Chippenham's old Gaumont Cinema (Goldiggers) was printed in your paper. A little later, the people of Chippenham were invited to fill in a questionnaire on the future of the Gaumont and the majority who managed
