Archive
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Sweet love will endure
IT is Sweetlove by name and sweetlove by nature for Chippenham couple Ralph and Grace who celebrate their diamond wedding anniversary on Saturday. Mr Sweetlove, 80, of Ridings Mead, had a few tips for newly wed couples. "Never ever go to bed in a bad
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Lifetime wait to see family
Adopted by a British family 30 years ago, Mercita Collett travelled to her native Peru last month to meet her large biological family. She told DEBBIE WAITE about how the experience has enriched her family's life. Mother-of-two Mercita Collett, who was
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Rudolf missed by team mates
OLYMPIAD staff fear Rudolf the red-nosed reindeer may have been kidnapped from Santa's Grotto but as yet have received no ransom note. Rudolf went missing last Thursday after the Sport Centre's Winter Wonderland, in the Monkton Park centre's caf, closed
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Big footie fan at one year old
A YEAR after making her first appearance at Chippenham Hospital, tiny football fan Ellie Sheppard will be scoring a double, with her first Christmas and birthday in one. Born at 2.31pm on December 25 2002, Ellie was a week late, but her parents Katie,
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Help us to help brave tot Lydia
BRAVE tot Lydia Cross will be given a hero's welcome back home in Chippenham on Boxing Day as she and her family struggle to come to terms with her losing both her legs below the knee. Tony and Jody Cross have had to endure watching both their young daughters
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Christmas shopping: A Tale of Two Cities
Shopping for gifts on two continents and in two cities presented different challenges for Journal Woman's Lesley Bates and Jill Harding OF all the many things in life that mystify me, people who start their Christmas shopping in September have to come
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Toe-tapping carols are a 'perfect tonic'
MADDY Prior and the Carnival Band performing their own special blend of carols has become something of an annual event in Salisbury and indeed the packed house indicated that she certainly has a loyal following, and justly so. Her pure, clear voice is
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Festive revue with a Goon-like flavour from five-strong company
IT may be only 300 yards along the road from the Deacon's Alms to the Playhouse Theatre, yet Salisbury Umbrella Theatre Company seems to have come a long way. In September 2001 it was a pipe dream over a few pints in the pub. Two years later it is a fast-moving
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A time to remember loved ones
CHRISTMAS means different things for different people and there are many ways to chose to spend the festive period. But for most of us Christmas is a time to spend with loved ones. So it is heart-warming to see Ian and Debbie Robinson featured on our
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Training for artists given
NORTH Wiltshire artists are invited to join a skills training day run by North East Somerset Arts (NESA) on January 31. The Artists' Open Day, taking place from 11am to 3pm, will allow artists from across the Wessex area to view the new arts facilities
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Council in secret Goldiggers meeting
A secret meeting of North Wiltshire District Council's scrutiny committee agreed the future of Goldiggers was decided properly, despite complaints that members had made a judgement without enough information. Coun Philip Allnatt called in the decision
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Hamlet battles again to stop new homes
CAMPAIGNERS have won the first round of a battle to stop 23 homes being built in the pretty hamlet of Slaughterford, but the fight continues as villagers and conservationists prepare for another planning appeal. Members of North Wiltshire District Council's
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Pensioner in lorry drama
A COUNTRY stroll by a Pewsey pensioner left him unconscious at the roadside with a head injury. Police are not naming the 70-year-old who lives on the Broadfields estate. He was injured as he walked along Milton Road, Pewsey, on Thursday at about 3pm.
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Property profit picked
SAVILLS, the international property adviser, has published its trading update for the year ending December 31, 2003, prior to the announcement of its preliminary results in March next year. A spokesman for the company said that when it released results
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Nearly there, but just need a little more help
That is the message coming from the Ace of Hearts charity organisers, as they nudge closer to the target of £1m for a new cardiac suite in Salisbury. And with the total now standing at £755,000, the hospital charity Share is urging people to send in the
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City company cleans up in national awards
A COMPANY from Salisbury, that is in only its fourth year of trading, has scooped a top environmental award. Innotec Supplies (UK), which is about to move to new premises on Churchfields Industrial Estate, has been presented with a Green Apple Environment
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Heroes are rewarded for their bravery
FOUR men who stopped an axe-wielding robber from stealing £42,500-worth of jewellery from Carter & Son Jewellers in Salisbury, have been rewarded for their bravery. Eric Holmes, joint owner of the shop on Minster Street, received the Flavian Medal
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Chance to leapfrog relegation rivals
WITH a much-needed win under their belts Chippenham Town will be looking to repeat the feat at home to Weston-super-Mare on Boxing Day. On paper Chippenham have an excellent chance of winning the match and dragging themselves further away from the foot
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Wilmot happy to be right back where he started
BLUEBIRDS utility man Ellis Wilmot has been given the task of marshalling the right side of defence is enjoying the new challenge. The 23-year-old, who signed for Chippenham Town from Mangotsfield in the close season, missed the start of the campaign
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Tuck in too much and yule be sorry
CHIPPENHAM Town manager Steve White is warning his players to ease off on the festive beer and chocolate as he bids to use their first league win in three months as a springboard to escape relegation. The Bluebirds' 3-1 win at Chelmsford City on Saturday
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Property profit picked
SAVILLS, the international property adviser, has published its trading update for the year ending December 31, 2003, prior to the announcement of its preliminary results in March next year. A spokesman for the company said that when it released results
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Abbey must do more to stem cash crisis
CASH-strapped Malmesbury Abbey has been accused of not doing enough to raise money. Last Sunday the Rev Peter Yacomeni gave what honorary verger Bill Blake described as a verbal assault on the congregation, urging them to spend less on holidays and luxuries
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Property profit picked
SAVILLS, the international property adviser, has published its trading update for the year ending December 31, 2003, prior to the announcement of its preliminary results in March next year. A spokesman for the company said that when it released results
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Blues fight back to take derby honours in seven-goal thriller
AMESBURY Town's goalscoring form continued apace as they put four past Stockbridge, completing a league double over their local rivals with a 4-3 win on Saturday, writes Ryan Lovejoy and Tanya Tilbury. Steve Witt, on loan from Salisbury City, put the
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Wiltshire directory started
A BUSINESS networking organisation has started work on a Wiltshire directory, following its success at the Salisbury business exhibition, South Wilts Expo 2003. Business Adlink, which has its headquarters in Ringwood, began work on the bi-annual directory
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Holmes bemused by time-wasting antics
SALISBURY City's second 1-1 home draw in a week was beset by some all-too-familiar headline-making decisions, with Banbury player boss Kevin Brock red carded just over a minute after coming on, writes Ryan Lovejoy. Frustrated Whites manager Nick Holmes
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City company cleans up in national awards
A COMPANY from Salisbury, that is in only its fourth year of trading, has scooped a top environmental award. Innotec Supplies (UK), which is about to move to new premises on Churchfields Industrial Estate, has been presented with a Green Apple Environment
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Heroes are rewarded for their bravery
FOUR men who stopped an axe-wielding robber from stealing £42,500-worth of jewellery from Carter & Son Jewellers in Salisbury, have been rewarded for their bravery. Eric Holmes, joint owner of the shop on Minster Street, received the Flavian Medal
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'Seedy reputation'
In reply to RA Hill, it is certainly true that Catholic doctrine opposes all extramarital sexual activity, for the welfare of the people involved as much as anything else. However, I have been asked to comment on the specific area of homosexuality, due
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Still waiting for repairs to begin
REPAIRS on vandalised public toilets in Wootton Bassett have still not started. The women's and disabled loos on Station Road, were closed 18 months ago after vandals wrecked them. North Wilts District Council awarded the town £6,000 earlier this month
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New drive to help patients
PEOPLE who have suffered a stroke are sought by The Stroke Association for a trial into a new community-based support scheme. The trial will take place in Wiltshire and Bath and volunteers will have the chance to take part in physical exercise sessions
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New heights reached
Explorer David Hempleman-Adams set an airship speed record in the foothills of the Italian Alps last Wednesday on the 100th anniversary of powered flight. Mr Hempleman-Adams, from Box, said: "I am delighted to have been able to achieve the record on such
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Youngsters given awards
Young people completing an army preparation course were awarded their certificates at a prize-giving ceremony in Wiltshire College Lackham. Some 16 young people aged between 16 and 19, from all over the county, attended the course at Wiltshire College
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Plan to help older drivers
A course to help elderly people use their car safely has been launched in Wiltshire with the backing of local actor George Baker. Mr Baker, 72, who plays Chief Inspector Wexford in the TV series, believes the scheme will be helpful and popular in rural
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County gets good marks
WILTSHIRE County Council made improvements in some services last year and is planning effectively for the future, says the Audit Commission. The report by the commission a year after its original comprehensive performance assessment gives the county full
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Pubs set to get tough
TROUBLEMAKERS banned from a single town centre pub could find themselves blacklisted from them all, under a tough new initiative between publicans and Wiltshire Police. Timed to coincide with the busy Christmas and New Year period, Pub Watch is an updated
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Devizes Town 1, Exmouth Town 4
DEVIZES Town will rightly feel aggrieved at the harshness of the score-line but it is results that matter and this was their sixth consecutive defeat. Dave Hopkins' side completely dominated the first half hour and took a deserved lead through Steve Campbell
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Youths called up
THE future of rugby in Melksham and Devizes is looking bright following the selection of a group of players for representational teams. Six of the Melksham and Devizes Under-16 team have played their way into being selected for their county sides this
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Judge says our report was a fair description
A JUDGE defended the Gazette & Herald's coverage of the trial of farmer Lance Beale who has been charged with 19 animal welfare offences after it was attacked by Beal's solicitor. Barrister Jonathan Rich said the report of the trial in last week's
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Lovers warm up windmill
IT may not show when the latest Bollywood movie Kuch Din Kuch Pal hits the cinema but steamy scenes shot in Wiltshire last Friday were recorded in almost freezing conditions. There are few places more typically British than the rolling Marlborough Downs
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Speed campaigners gain more support
RESIDENTS of Market Lavington are hopeful that Wiltshire County Council will take action to improve safety on Spin Hill. Following the death of resident Sharon Oliver in April villagers have campaigned for the 60 mph speed limit to be reduced to 30 mph
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Top health trust will take on Kennet PCT
SWINDON Primary Care Trust is to run the Kennet and North Wiltshire Primary Care Trust. The Swindon trust, headed by chief executive Jan Stubbings, a former deputy chief executive of Wiltshire Health Authority, was one of nine PCTs in the region invited
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Shoppers asked to consider the turkey
THE RSPCA has urged people to spare a thought for battery-bred turkeys, which are now so grotesquely large the males are physically incapable of getting amorous with female turkeys. The charity revealed that modern turkeys are now bred to such a size
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New measure does not go far enough
At Wiltshire County Council's regulatory committee a big step was taken forward in improving the safety for our young people in and around schools in Wiltshire this week. The fact that the council has agreed to introduce 20mph limits within zones rather
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Festive cheer to a charity box thief
A cloud has appeared over Charles Street, Trowbridge, the day after two houses in our street won prizes in the annual Light Up Your Town competition, someone stole a collecting tin from outside number 72. The chosen charity was The Vine Project, an organisation
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Bring back Hunting Bill
Outlawing the cruel 'sport' of hunting wild animals with dogs has long enjoyed high levels of public support; a recent MORI poll shows 69per cent want fox hunting to be illegal. Yet around 100,000 wild animals are still cruelly hounded to death annually
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Taxing business
WE are a wealthy country. Hence the gap between the Government supplement to the council tax and what the district council can reasonably ask for from its citizens. Wealth is controlled by business of all sorts, both large and small. But the creation
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Why doesn't the council ever learn?
Several months ago I wrote to Readers' Letters about the dangers to schoolchildren when a new pedestrian crossing was formed in Bradley Road, Trowbridge, near the junction with College Road, when a bus stop was left operating within the crossing zig-zag
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Couple's love is a real diamond
Ref. 28422-1IT may not have been snowing but it was certainly a white Christmas for one Swindon couple who tied the knot 60 years ago. Ted and Betty Brewer celebrate their diamond wedding anniversary tomorrow. And Ted, of Kingsdown Road, still remembers
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Special tree produces a great crop of gifts
Ref. 28416-63ALMOST 100 Christmas gifts have been shared among local charities, thanks to the generosity of shoppers. The Brunel Centre invited visitors to buy gifts for its Giving Tree appeal and was delighted with the result. Those gifts have now been
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Someone's got to do it
On duty for the police, Acting Sergeant Corin DennisonChristmas is traditionally the time to celebrate at home. Kevin Shoesmith looks at what the emergency servicemen and women are doing tomorrow and how non-Christians spend their holiday time WHILE you
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US style voting comes to town
Ref. 28419-3THE latest cutting-edge technology, imported from the United States, will be used in Swindon next month for two by-elections. All Government eyes will be on Swindon as it becomes the guinea pig for yet more experimental voting. For the first
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The gift of love
Ian and Debbie Robinson are looking forward to Christmas dinner with each other in IraqIan and Debbie Robinson did not think they would be spending Christmas together. But the couple from Stratton, who are serving with the RAF in Iraq, will see each other
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Call for urgent land slip work
District councillor Simon Coy said he believes money must be found to carry out urgent remedial work on a row of houses in Calne standing on subsiding land. A private meeting was held with residents and members of North Wiltshire District Council last
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O'Halloran is Dublin bound
FORMER Swindon Town midfielder Keith O'Halloran is to return to his native Ireland on a permanent basis. The injury-plagued 28-year-old had been plying his trade at non-league Chippenham Town as he bids to fully recover from a shattered right leg that
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Test for Calne
CALNE boss Kelvin Highmore admits his side start as underdogs when neighbours Corsham visit Bremhill View on Boxing Day. Nobby Bush's in-form team are unbeaten in eight, climbing from the lower reaches of the First Division standings to the top five.
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Many happy returns Ray?
THERE is more than local bragging rights at stake as Supermarine travel to Cirencester for the eagerly awaited Boxing Day derby. The sparks usually fly when Marine boss Ray Baverstock and his band of former Ciren players tackle their previous employer
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Snooker club faces the end of the road
THE death warrant for Devizes Snooker Club was signed by councillors last week when they granted owner Brian Foster planning permission to demolish the building and replace it with five town houses. Though Mr Foster has said he has no immediate plans
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Prison inmate took in drugs
Drug dealer Richard Funnell was caught smuggling hundreds of pounds worth of cannabis into Erlestoke prison after he returned from weekend leave. Funnell was a few months away from being released after serving half of his sentence for possessing cocaine
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School 'gem' bids farewell
Ref. 11832/3CATERING assistant Margaret Hayward has retired after 25 years of serving up lunch to pupils at Holy Trinity Primary School, in Great Cheverell. Mrs Hayward, 69, said a sad farewell to the pupils and staff just before Christmas. "It was a
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Error proves huge success
THANKS to a misunderstanding by town councillor Peggy Dow, Marlborough was given a memorable evening of music on Thursday. Coun Dow, for a second year, organised a Christmas concert for the Friends of Savernake Hospital. It featured the Bedwyn Handbell
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Villagers bring their local history to book
THE past and present of the villages of Great Bedwyn and Little Bedwyn unfolds in a new history book called The Book of The Bedwyns. The team of authors includes founder members of the history societies of both villages that were founded in the early
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Sunday parking fees thrown out
CAMPAIGNERS are celebrating after Wiltshire County Council threw out controversial plans to introduce Sunday parking charges in Marlborough. The decision is a snub to Kennet District Council, which wanted to press ahead with the charges despite widespread
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Keep a close watch on the festive drinks
Sadly, drug assisted rape is a growing problem. Drinks are an easy target for sex offenders because people forget about potential dangers when they are out having a good time. Police have launched a campaign to raise awareness about the problem and information
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What your card says about you
THE mayor of Swindon commissioned a painting of a scene from his childhood to use on official Christmas cards. Derek Benfield (Lab, Covingham and Nythe) paid local artist Gary Samuel to create the winter image of the Midland and South West Junction Railway
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Fayre was a great success
May I please give thanks from PACT (Pewsey Area Community Trust) members and directors to all those who contributed with time, donations and gifts towards the Christmas Fayre and Community Open Day on December 6 with the switch-on of the new Christmas
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Invite to all
Following last week's letter inviting the public to see the reality of fox hunting, we would like to extend the same invitation. Come along with us any Saturday and see the real truth of hunting, not the spectacle and propaganda of a Boxing Day meet.
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No nickname
Referring to "Views sought" in the Gazette & Herald (letters, 18/12/03), I would like to comment as follows a nickname, never. If one studied the history of days gone by, they would discover that the Malmesbury town clock and bell tower is all that
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Cooper Avon Tyres 32 Calne 0
CALNE'S young side, consisting of four under 20's, were given a lesson in controlled, patient rugby by CAT. Mike Benson and Mike Smith made their league debuts after good performances in recent friendlies. They were accompanied by fellow debutant Graham
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Minchinhampton 26 Malmesbury 19
PRE-CHRISTMAS festivities meant neither side could field a full team for the match, with both relying on 12 stalwart representatives. The result, three goals and a try to two goals and a try, was a fair comment on the final strengths and weaknesses of
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Minety 60 Weymouth 0
MINETY ended the first half of the season with an emphatic home win against a courageous but ineffective Weymouth side. The seasiders competed vigorously and tackled with conviction but could not match their hosts up front. Minety for their part looked
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Good chuckle
Firstly may I congratulate you on the excellent local sports coverage your newspaper provides. I did, however, chuckle to myself when I read the Wiltshire League football round-up on page 33 of last week's edition which stated that I had scored a hat-trick
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Well worth it
On Saturday, December 13 four of us set out to the Kennet Valley Hall to watch the Kennet Valley Singers in their Christmas show. What an excellent £3.50 worth of entertainment. There was fun and laughter and the singing by the individuals and as a group
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Snooker facilities not lost
On behalf of the Trust for Devizes, I should like to say how pleased we were to be able to support the Guardians' effort to have the planning application, granted by Kennet last week, for five town houses on the Snooker Club site in Station Road. The
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Will it take court case to improve our roads?
Congratulations on the progress of the Gazette's A4 campaign. As you say in your leader (18/12/03) "Action is what is needed, sooner rather than later, if even more lives are not to be lost". We will all trust the politicians to allocate the due funds
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Think positive in order to support the church
After reading the Malmesbury Gazette and Herald dated Thursday, December 18, I wish to respond to the headline "Vicar's attack on abbey fund crisis". Having liaised with the Church of England throughout my professional capacity for over 14 years, I was
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Stressed drivers find oasis of calm
A contemplation room at Leigh Delamere service station is proving popular with motorists who want a quiet moment to themselves or to pray. It was set up in the Moto service station on the M4 near Chippenham earlier this year to allow people to have somewhere
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Jerome is Tommy just like that
Soldier, Soldier star Jerome Flynn brought the genius of legendary comedian Tommy Cooper to life on Sunday in front of a packed audience at Chippenham's Neeld Hall. A full house of 340 people watched Jus' Like This, Mr Flynn's hit West End variety show
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Christmas power fears
HUNDREDS of homes were plunged into darkness and dozens of Christmas partygoers were left without a dinner following a power cut in Chippenham on Thursday night. The power cut began at 7.10pm and 4,000 customers were affected. Derry Hill, Pewsham and
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Burglar in high speed chase is sent to jail
A PROLIFIC burglar who was caught after a 110mph chase which ended in Chippenham town centre, has been jailed for nearly four years. Christopher Maggs broke into 26 houses over a three-month period this summer, stealing tens of thousands of pounds worth
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Anxious wait for Mars news
Chippenham computer experts will be anxiously awaiting news of the Beagle 2 mission to Mars on Christmas Day when the lander is due to touch down on the red planet. Experts at SciSys, based at Methuen Park, supplied software to control the lander, instruct
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Striking gems
SAM PARKIN and Rushden's Onandi Lowe have caused untold misery for defenders over the last two seasons and for that they can blame Andy King. The Town boss, who has hinted his Boxing Day line-up at Nene Park may differ slightly from the side that won
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Help Lydia to live life to full
PARENTS Jody and Tony Cross want answers. They have watched their brave two-year-old Lydia first suffer beyond belief as her body was racked with meningitis and then the terrible ordeal of losing both her legs below the knee. They can not believe that
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New heights reached
Explorer David Hempleman-Adams set an airship speed record in the foothills of the Italian Alps last Wednesday - on the 100th anniversary of powered flight. Mr Hempleman-Adams, from Box, said: "I am delighted to have been able to achieve the record on
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Wiltshire directory started
A BUSINESS networking organisation has started work on a Wiltshire directory, following its success at the Salisbury business exhibition, South Wilts Expo 2003. Business Adlink, which has its headquarters in Ringwood, began work on the bi-annual directory
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City company cleans up in national awards
A COMPANY from Salisbury, that is in only its fourth year of trading, has scooped a top environmental award. Innotec Supplies (UK), which is about to move to new premises on Churchfields Industrial Estate, has been presented with a Green Apple Environment
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Many missing out on spending boom
THE £3.3 billion e-spending boom predicted for the Christmas period will bypass most small and medium sized enterprises in the south west, according to a report from Business Link Berkshire and Wiltshire. The results of more than 3,000 interviews with
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Carpet project builds arts links
The Wilton Carpet Factory managing director Peter Le Count and Aladdin (Victoria Lugg) take the magic carpet for a spin. DA4570P3A LUCKY little boy has taken home a special prize, thanks to a partnership project between Salisbury Playhouse and the Wilton
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Vicar voices concerns over planning application
The Reverend David Scrace, of St George's & All Saints Church, Harnham. DA4616P1A SALISBURY vicar believes an historic opportunity to enhance the area around his 12th Century church is being missed and possibly lost forever. Plans to knock down the
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Schools beating national average
SECONDARY school children are continuing to pull ahead of the national average, according to the latest performance tables. Despite lagging slightly behind in primary school tests, pupils make rapid progress and, by the time they are 13 and 14-years-old
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Valuer plans expansion
CHARTERHOUSE Auctioneers & Valuers, which has salerooms in Sherborne, has appointed David Greatwood as business development manager and valuer for the Salisbury, Newbury and Bournemouth areas. "It is a natural expansion of our business, which covers
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Carpet project builds arts links
A LUCKY little boy has taken home a special prize, thanks to a partnership project between Salisbury Playhouse and the Wilton Carpet Factory. The theatre and company got together to run a children's competition to design a magic carpet for Aladdin, star
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Wiltshire directory started
A BUSINESS networking organisation has started work on a Wiltshire directory, following its success at the Salisbury business exhibition, South Wilts Expo 2003. Business Adlink, which has its headquarters in Ringwood, began work on the bi-annual directory
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Date
City company cleans up in national awards
A COMPANY from Salisbury, that is in only its fourth year of trading, has scooped a top environmental award. Innotec Supplies (UK), which is about to move to new premises on Churchfields Industrial Estate, has been presented with a Green Apple Environment
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Many missing out on spending boom
THE £3.3 billion e-spending boom predicted for the Christmas period will bypass most small and medium sized enterprises in the south west, according to a report from Business Link Berkshire and Wiltshire. The results of more than 3,000 interviews with
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Opera to abbey cash challenge
NEILL Archer, the newly appointed vicar of Malmesbury Abbey, is a former opera singer who has performed at world famous venues such as the Sydney Opera House and the Royal Opera House at Covent Garden, London. But Rev Archer, 42, is now more accustomed
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Mum's lights just bedazzle
SUE Evans created such a spectacular Christmas lights display at her home in Green Lane, Sherston, she put other villagers in the shade . She ended up as the only entrant in a competition organised by the charity Sherston 1016 to raise funds for food
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Festive joy of tiny miracles
LITTLE miracles Jacob and Alex, who were born 15 weeks early, will be enjoying their first Christmas at home in Little Somerford this week. The twins were given only a slim chance of survival when they were born weighing just two pounds, less than a bag
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Bemerton so close to causing an upset
BEMERTON Heath Harle-quins turned in a sterling display at high fliers Wim-borne despite losing 3-2. The home side got off to a very good start, scoring after only three minutes. Marcus Oldbury received a pass from Mark Smith with the 'Quins defence all
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City company cleans up in national awards
A COMPANY from Salisbury, that is in only its fourth year of trading, has scooped a top environmental award. Innotec Supplies (UK), which is about to move to new premises on Churchfields Industrial Estate, has been presented with a Green Apple Environment
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Whites' Christmas spirit ensures game goes ahead
SALISBURY City have rushed to the aid of cash-strapped Dr Martens League Eastern Division colleagues Newport IoW to ensure their next home game can go ahead as planned. The Islanders are due to visit Old Sarum on New Year's Day. But with the club in the
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Many missing out on spending boom
THE £3.3 billion e-spending boom predicted for the Christmas period will bypass most small and medium sized enterprises in the south west, according to a report from Business Link Berkshire and Wiltshire. The results of more than 3,000 interviews with
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Salisbury's own Richard the Lionheart helps bring England even more glory
FORMER Bishop Wordsworth's School pupil Richard Hill produced a typically gutsy performance on Saturday when he captained England for the first time. Hill, who began his playing career with Salisbury RFC, led the World Cup winners out at Twicken-ham where
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Nearly there, but just need a little more help
That is the message coming from the Ace of Hearts charity organisers, as they nudge closer to the target of £1m for a new cardiac suite in Salisbury. And with the total now standing at £755,000, the hospital charity Share is urging people to send in the
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Date
Carpet project builds arts links
The Wilton Carpet Factory managing director Peter Le Count and Aladdin (Victoria Lugg) take the magic carpet for a spin. DA4570P3A LUCKY little boy has taken home a special prize, thanks to a partnership project between Salisbury Playhouse and the Wilton
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Date
Vicar voices concerns over planning application
The Reverend David Scrace, of St George's & All Saints Church, Harnham. DA4616P1A SALISBURY vicar believes an historic opportunity to enhance the area around his 12th Century church is being missed and possibly lost forever. Plans to knock down the
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Schools beating national average
SECONDARY school children are continuing to pull ahead of the national average, according to the latest performance tables. Despite lagging slightly behind in primary school tests, pupils make rapid progress and, by the time they are 13 and 14-years-old
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Appeal follows crash
POLICE are appealing for witnesses to a two car collision on the A3102 Bromham to Melksham road near Westbrook. It happened on Wednesday December 17 at about 3.30pm and involved a red VW Polo car and a blue Vauxhall Astra, which were travelling in opposite
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New chief has a feast of fun
WILTSHIRE'S new fire chief, Andy Goves, saw at first hand on Saturday the close relationship his retained firefighters enjoy with members of the local community. He attended Breakfast with Santa, the annual event the crews at Devizes Fire Station hold
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Cricklade new boy Kevin is instant hit
CRICKLADE Town's new signing Kevin Theobold made a dream debut for his new club, completing a hat-trick in his side's 6-2 win over Malmesbury Vics in the Premier Division. Leading 3-0 at the break, with two goals from Theobold and one from Matt Charlton
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Yeo, ho, ho - Chris is festive scoring hero
CHIPPENHAM SUNDAY LEAGUE: SOMERFORD edged home 2-1 against their Division Two rivals Spencer Sports in a thrilling Rainbow Launderette sponsored WG Parr Trophy tie, with Chris Yeo volleying home Somerford's winner minutes from time. Royston Aust gave
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Larkhall Athletic 1, Calne Town 1
STEVE Hale was the Calne hero as he answered their goalkeeping distress call and made some good saves despite playing with a hernia problem. Regular Darryl Simms was unavailable because of work commitments and reserve Julian Crouch was out with a broken
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Bush hopes to stay unbeaten
AFTER seeing his side go eight games unbeaten Corsham Town boss Nobby Bush says a Boxing Day derby win over Calne Town will be the icing on the cake. Corsham, who were without a game last weekend, have won six and drawn two of their last eight games.
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Bishop Sutton 3, Melksham Town 1
NIGEL Tripp has promised to ring the changes after watching his side slump to their third consecutive defeat with a lacklustre performance. Melksham were never really in the game and after the break went three goals down before they netted a consolation
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Bassett grind out a point
WOOTTON Bassett managed to grind out a useful point in their Premier Division derby against Fairford. Pete Yeardley's side could have taken all three after taking the lead in a gruelling encounter littered with bookings. Simon Gregory's equaliser saw
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Vale fear a New Year fixtures pile-up
PEWSEY Vale manager Steve Wootton hopes his players will be refreshed and not rusty when they return to action after an enforced two-week break. Last Saturday's trip to fellow strugglers Gloucester United was called off at 12.30pm because of a waterlogged
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Someone's got to do it
On duty for the police, Acting Sergeant Corin DennisonChristmas is traditionally the time to celebrate at home. Kevin Shoesmith looks at what the emergency servicemen and women are doing tomorrow and how non-Christians spend their holiday time WHILE you
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Sunday parking fees thrown out
CAMPAIGNERS are celebrating after Wiltshire County Council threw out controversial plans to introduce Sunday parking charges in Marlborough. The decision is a snub to Kennet District Council, which wanted to press ahead with the charges despite widespread
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Brave Lydia is our miracle
Today the Gazette is launching an appeal to raise money for two-year-old Lydia Cross who lost both her legs following complications from meningitis. DEBBIE WAITE talked to Lydia's parents about the family's ordeal. Despite all she's been through, tiny
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Give youngsters the vote
So Cllr Biddulph of Trowbridge has been forced to resign from the Lib Dem Party for his homophobic comments to the effect all homosexuals are perverted and the only way homosexuality differs from bestiality and incest is that it "happens to be fashionable
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All is not lost
It seems ironic that one long-standing firm G Brown & Sons ("TV show boosts family-run firm") took the show's recommendations to heart and is thriving again, while another next door has to give up the ghost. Sleightholmes has been appreciated by many
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Leave the pigeons alone
The controversy about the pigeons has got out of control. To exterminate them is wrong. When I frequently go into Trowbridge they don't bother me. I think they have as much right there as I have. As for calling them flying rats and vermin, well. I consider
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Discarded food will attract the vermin to village centre
SINCE October/November 2002 Silver Street, Dilton Marsh, is regularly littered with part-eaten sandwiches, rolls and chips and this coincides with the arrival of builders and workmen constructing Dilton Green. Previously this site was a home to a variety
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Nativity is good news for us all
The Bishop of Swindon, the Rt Rev Michael Doe, gives his special Christmas message: THIS is my tenth Christmas in Swindon and it will be my last, as I move on after Easter. It has been a decade in which we have grown in numbers, in confidence, and in
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Abigail's dream is still alive
FOR teenage cancer sufferer Abigail Taylor-Silk, it was the best Christmas present she could hope for. After months of gruelling treatment, doctors have discovered that the courageous 13-year-old is winning her battle against the disease. A scan at the
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One little boy for whom Christmas is so special
TODDLER Callum Barrett, three, who has become known as the boy who is allergic to life due to problems with his immune system, is so excited about the festive season his mum Michelle says it is wearing her out. Michelle, 24, said: "He is fascinated by
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Still waiting for repairs to begin
REPAIRS on vandalised public toilets in Wootton Bassett have still not started. The women's and disabled loos on Station Road, were closed 18 months ago after vandals wrecked them. North Wilts District Council awarded the town £6,000 earlier this month
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Grants are here to help
MORE than 50 people from local organisations in and around Calne attended an advisory meeting to discuss grants available from the district council last week. Martin West, chairman of North Wiltshire District Council's Area Five Committee, said the meeting
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White seeks home triumph
THE clouds of doom are beginning to lift at Hardenhuish Park as Steve White leads Chippenham from the foot of the Premier Division table. The Bluebirds have moved off the bottom and are within striking distance of a play-off place for the new Conference
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Police called in to curb pupils' festive pranks
POLICE were called to Downland special school in Devizes twice in the past fortnight after the pre-Christmas activities caused some pupils to get too excited. Last Tuesday they were called after one pupil grabbed a 13-year-old boy by the collar and punched
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Resident ordered to tear down bungalow
Councillors have insisted that a bungalow in Chapel Lane, Ramsbury, should be torn down because they felt the owner was making a mockery of the planning system. Resident Gwynne Davies had applied for planning permission to build a replacement home in
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Town hall to get a new look for anniversary
Marlborough Town Hall is to get a makeover costing more than £200,000 in time for the town's 800th anniversary celebrations next year. On Monday councillors were persuaded to accept a tender for the external repair and development without delay. They
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Time for all the talking to stop
Surely it is for the people of Trowbridge to decide how to deal with the pigeon problem in the town and not animal activists from across the south west. Armed with placards, drums, horns and petitions, protesters descended on the town at the weekend in
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Grand celebration of community life in Highworth
A FLOWER festival, theatrical productions and a carnival are just a few of the events planned for next year's Highworth Festival. The festival will be officially launched on Saturday, January 10 at the town council offices. Residents are invited to enjoy
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Battling to get his life back on track
GREG Worrall, the boyfriend of murdered mother-of-four Linda Razzell, says he has tried his best to forget about the run-up to Christmas. The 44-year-old of Windrush in Highworth is battling to get his life back on track after watching Linda's estranged
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Rose reaches 104 and is blooming
Ref. 27984-10A WOMAN whose life has spanned three centuries celebrates her 104th birthday today. Rose Saunders, who was born in South East London in 1899, lives at the Fairhaven senior citizens' home in Bath Road, Old Town. She has lived long enough to
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Watch out for bogus callers, warns water firm
A WARNING about bogus doorstep callers has been issued by Thames Water. The company, which supplies the Swindon area, acted following a report by a customer in Aldbourne about a person trying to get into a house by pretending to work for the firm. It
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George, Donald and the WMD mystery ...
With reference to the letter from Mr Utting about George Galloway, I don't wish to defend him but at least he went there and tried to do something about the war. Mr Utting should reflect on the fact that Mr Galloway has been photographed twice with the
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Stop point scoring and work together for the good of all
I FEEL I must reply to the comments of Councillors Bawden and Martin, regarding the Government's insufficient funding and a possible council tax rate of more than 13 per cent.. As a senior citizen I seem to remember that the last Conservative Government
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A complete waste of time and money
I read an article on the proposed M4 tunnel and the Southern Relief Road. I am dismayed by such proposals. The already controversial Front Garden development cannot possibly gain any credence by such a scheme. All this proposal will do is create "rat
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We need referendum over council tax rise
MICHAEL Wills has the only democratic solution to settle the mounting unease among the voters in Swindon a referendum. Mike Bawden cites financial ineptitude in another town as a reason for not having one here. Surely the answer would be to put out a
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Keys found
May I through your letters page thank the person who found my keys in Devizes last Saturday morning and dropped them into a mail box as indicated on the tag. First thing on Monday morning I received a telephone call from HSBC telling me where I could
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On vacation
I read with interest the article in this week's Gazette & Herald entitled "Vicar's attack on abbey fund crisis". Quote "he urged parishioners in his sermon to give up some of their luxuries like holidays to help the abbey". While trying to organise
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Chippenham 0 Marlow 3
SANTA Claus did not call early at Allington Field on Saturday as Chippenham team lost their unbeaten record to Marlow. This was the second meeting between the two in less than a month - Chippenham were the winners on the previous occasion. The match was
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Many thanks
I would like to thank everyone who donated money to the Breast Care Unit at the Royal United Hospital, Bath. The amount collected was £129.80. The care that my daughter Sharon has received during and after her treatment at the hospital has been brilliant
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Charity focus
Recently a collection was made at the Focus store in Chippenham and on behalf of the local committee I would like to extend my very grateful thanks to Focus for granting us permission to collect at its premises. Its support is greatly appreciated. I should
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In need of a meeting place
With regards to the Goldiggers plan, I am writing this at 5pm on a wet Sunday afternoon. I agree that this is the biggest chance that Chippenham has had to do something right for ages. Question: What are all your children doing at the moment? Wouldn't
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Keep county free from eyesore bins
In August 2002 I wrote to North Wiltshire District Council and expressed my concern about wheelie bins being supplied to terraced houses and flats and houses with steps and the eyesore that the bins would bring to many streets if they had to be left at
