Archive
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Praise for actions of brave friend
IT is touching to hear of an old friend rushing to the rescue of shopkeeper Kathy McGuire when a would-be robber threatened her while alone in her newsagent's store. Mrs McGuire was frightened but determined not to let the intruder intimidate her into
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London Gala Orchestra puts on spectacular concert
CITY Hall's 2004 programme got under way in spectacular style on Saturday evening when a near-full house was transported to Vienna for an exhilarating concert by the London Gala Orchestra. Conductor Stephen Bell's seasonal anecdotes combined with his
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Join the new gold rush
Lord Of The Rings, The Return Of The KingSarah McQuillen takes a look at the would-be winners now showing. SO, how about 2003 then? While a fairly ropey 365 days in many respects, it did give us its fair share of movie magic - everything from racehorses
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Tax club to meet
THE next meeting of Smith & Williamson's Business Tax Club in Salisbury will be on January 15. The meeting, at the White Hart Hotel, starts at 7.30am. Breakfast will be served from 7.45am. The presentations will comprise stamp duty land tax update
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Technology feature wins award
QinetiQ'S in-house magazine, iQ, has for the second year running been successful in winning a regional award at the prestigious Communicators in Business South West Regional Awards ceremony, held at the Aztec Hotel, Bristol, last November. Karen Bright
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Contact management key
THE speaker at next week's meeting of the Salisbury business networking club, Ambassadors, will talk about contact management and the skill of never forgetting anything or anyone again. Carole Buksh, from Partners in Training, will speak at the club's
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Water supplier's plans get support from watchdog
WESSEX Water's draft plans for maintenance, improvements and prices during 2005-2010 have the support of watchdog WaterVoice Wessex. Sheila Reiter, WaterVoice Wessex chairman, said: "The company has presented a balanced package of maintenance and improvements
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Hidden risks in franchise deals
THINK long and hard about taking up a franchise, Stephen Whitmore, head of the corporate department at Salisbury law firm Wilsons, is advising the business community. He said the New Year was the time many people thought about starting a business and
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The man to get your body in trim for the summer
Ex-Swindon Town footballer star Mark Robinson has a new goal, having just opened a new fitness club in Oaksey, near Malmesbury. The one-time centre-half, who saw eight seasons at Swindon Town, is now running Runway One a purpose built gym based at Oaksey
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The £240 bulb
I think the reader should be aware of the price of replacing a xenon bulb for a car headlight. I own a Renault Espace which is 18 months old. One of my headlight bulbs needed to be replaced, and after checking with the manual this had to be done via the
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Murderer Razzell lodges court appeal
MURDERER Glyn Razzell has formally lodged an appeal against his life sentence for killing his estranged wife Linda. Razzell hopes to convince the Court of Appeal that directions made by trial judge Justice Christopher Pitchers were prejudicial to his
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Taw Hill: Cheers for the Tawny Owl pub
Ref. 28388-8CENTRAL to any community, of course, is the local pub. Louisa Britton and her husband Phil, 35, are the first managers of the Tawny Owl in Queen Elizabeth Drive, which opened on October 22. Mrs Britton, 32, said that starting a pub from scratch
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Come and have your say about the police
SENIOR police officers will be in the firing line at a special meeting designed to let communities have their say on the way their neighbourhoods are policed. People living across the borough will have a unique chance to fire a volley of questions at
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Lorry driver is charged with causing death of four
A SWINDON lorry driver has been charged with causing the deaths of a family of four in a motorway crash. William Ishani, 47, has been charged with four counts of causing death by dangerous driving after a crash on the M1 on June 5 last year. He will appear
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A tasty arrival to mark baby's birth
Ref. 28498-74SAM Ronayne wants everyone to savour the birth of her daughter Rosie so she has created a baguette in her name. The chicken, pineapple and mayonnaise sandwich, called the Rosie Special, will be sold at The Baguette Bar in Prospect Place,
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Murderer Razzell lodges court appeal
MURDERER Glyn Razzell has formally lodged an appeal against his life sentence for killing his estranged wife Linda. Razzell hopes to convince the Court of Appeal that directions made by trial judge Justice Christopher Pitchers were prejudicial to his
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You saved my bacon!
Ref. 28494-27Newsagent is full of praise for brave butcher neighbour who rescued her from a terrifying ordeal at the hands of a thief. BRAVE butcher Phil McDonough saved Kathy McGuire's bacon when she was held hostage in her newsagents. Mr McDonough,
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It's Brant for England as ex-Bassett colt gets the call
FORMER Wootton Bassett Colt Karl Brant has been named as a reserve for the England 18 Group squad. Brant, now with the Bristol Shoguns Academy and Dorset & Wilts, and North Dorset's Peter Murchie, another Dorset & Wilts player, helped the South
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Purton facing a double blow
Hellenic League title hopefuls Purton will be without two key men for much of this month following the release of the Wilts FA's latest disciplinary report. The Division One West leaders will be without top scorer Eurshel Fearon for 21 days after a suspension
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Patients get good deal, says survey
Swindon has been hailed as one of the best place in the country when it comes to treating patients suffering from Alzheimer's disease. A new report, compiled by pharmaceuticals company Pfizer, highlights a significant geographical variation in prescribing
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New kit could save lives
Ref. 28502-26FIREFIGHTERS in Swindon are to start using new breathing equipment that will help to save lives. The apparatus, to be introduced across Wiltshire in March, can hold more compressed air than existing equipment. It will enable firefighters
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Call goes out for foster families
People looking for a rewarding challenge in 2004 could consider fostering children. Swindon Council needs foster carers for all kinds of children and for all kinds of reasons. The children need loving families to care for them for a few days, weeks or
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New group for adults with autism
A NEW group is being launched in Swindon to help adults with Asperger Syndrome, an autistic disorder. Organiser Freddie Bilimori said: "We are doing this so that we can give support to the people who really need it. "People with Asperger Syndrome find
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Great response
IN the summer the Royal British Legion declared its support for the IsItFair campaign for the reform of council tax. In their November Legion Letter, distributed to every branch in the country, they published a copy of the IsItFair petition. The response
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Can't all choose
AS regards to parents being fined £100 for taking their children out of school during term time, I would just like to say a couple of things. My partner is a bus driver and they don't get to choose when they take their holidays. They can be given any
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I'm willing to pay to keep homes open
I HAVE read so much lately of the pensioners' poll tax protests, especially from Mr Frank Avenell, and as I said in a previous letter, yes there are a lot of pensioners who need help. The latest pension credits scheme being one help for the poorer pensioners
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Home Zone aims to offer a better quality of life
AFTER reading in the Evening Advertiser how Swindon Council is struggling to make ends meet, I felt sure that some of your readers would be interested to hear about the Home Zone. This scheme is designed amongst other things to offer people a better place
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Long for the day the EU collapses
THE news that the EU summit on the new constitution collapsed was the best Christmas present I could have wished for or it would have locked us into a superstate and taken away all our rights and given unelected bureaucrats control over our lives and
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Concern over stolen tools
THE thought of young children getting their hands on claw hammers, axes and saws is a chilling one. Youngsters in Penhill have been seen with these tools designed to cut through wood after they were taken from a storage shed in an orchard. People in this
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Chance for talent of new age
David Bates, Katie Littlemore and Cordelia Williams, who all performed at the Children's Chance Majors and Minors Gala Concert. DA4667P2MUSIC spanned the generations last Friday night when stars of the world operatic stage shared the local platform with
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Matt's Goal!
MATT HEYWOOD is pushing for a first team recall at Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday and admits he would love to lead a scoring revival on behalf of Town's defenders. The 24-year-old yesterday came through his first full training session since suffering
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Learning partnership to include Kennet
A REVIEW of the Wiltshire and Swindon Learning Partnership has resulted in the Salisbury and South Wilts Learning Partnership including Kennet within its operational area. It will now be known as the South Wilts and Kennet Learning Partnership. The thinking
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Inching ahead in the race for promotion
So it's 2004 and nothing changes. . . the same old pointless research, with the same old pointless disclosures. In this case, findings from the Universities of Florida and North Carolina which claim that for every inch (2.54cm) of height, an employee
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Andrew proves that experience counts
Ref. 28507-25A new firm has started in Swin-don which aims only to utilise the services of retired or semi-retired tradespeople. Called, appropriately enough, Retired Trades Associates, the company hopes to clean up the market in an industry plagued by
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Singing Shakespeare
JANUARY 31, BATH: THE first of this year's series of Bath Recital Artists' Trust concerts at the Pump Room, Bath, on January 31, has a programme that ranges from a set of Shakespearian songs to that piece of stern advice from Noel Coward. Presenting all
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Taw Hill: Folk who live on the hill
Ref. 22938-65It is not every day an area is built from scratch, but residents in Taw Hill have slowly formulated their own community. Kevin Shoesmith went out to speak to the people helping to forge a welcoming place to live. LOOKING out of Taw Hill Surgery
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Stop them before there's a tragedy
Ref. 28505-20CHILDREN in Penhill have stolen axes, clawhammers and saws from a community orchard prompting fears there could be a serious accident. Residents are being urged to contact police if they see youngsters, aged about 10 or 11, with any of the
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Scottish MPs should keep out of English affairs
NORTH Wiltshire MP James Gray has criticised Scottish Westminster MPs for meddling in English affairs. In a Commons debate, Mr Gray has described as absurd and unsustainable that despite the formation of a Scottish parliament, MPs north of the border
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Pearce holds off Devizes rush to claim Open win
WHAT would we do without the prolific Kennet and Avon Canal? Every week over the winter period the canal is producing a never-ending string of weights. The Marlborough Open last Sunday attracted 60 anglers and produced some close results. Top was Cotswold's
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Cup defeat for Highworth
HIGHWORTH crashed out of the Wiltshire Senior Cup last night, losing a 5-3 thriller at Calne. The Swindon side cruised into an early 2-0 lead through Russ Byrne and Dave Webb. Matt Pratley and Ben Highmore then struck to sent the sides in level at the
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Webb warns against the Gould factor
FAIRFORD manager Mark Webb has told his troops not to expect an easy route to the Norman Matthews Cup Final. The Cinder Lane side entertain Hellenic League strugglers Gloucester United in the first leg of the semi-final tonight the team they thrashed
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Grand plan for old hall
Ref. 23985-18CAMPAIGNERS have launched an ambitious £200,000 scheme to reinstate the first floor of Cricklade parish hall, returning the historic building to its former glory. A campaign to revamp St Sampson's Parish Hall, Bath Road, started two years
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The letter of the law needs some repairs
'ELLO, 'ello, 'ello police officers are well known for dropping their Hs but now letters appear to be dropping from Westlea Police Station too. The sign outside the station in Mead Way, West Swindon, now reads Wiltshire Onstabulary and the "O" of police
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An awful lot more than an armful!
EIGHT blood donors, who have each donated 75 units of blood, have been thanked by the National Blood Service. Charles Stuart of Mellow Ground, Haydon Wick, Raymond Kirk of Tees Close, Greenmeadow, Catherine Kearns of Drove Road, Keith Gubbins of Exmouth
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Charity is facing closure
A SWINDON charity which supports people with learning difficulties faces closure in less than three months unless more funding can be found. Swindon Advocacy Movement has been operating from Milton Road since it was founded with Lottery cash in 1995.
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Hooray for Bollywood
Ref. 28499-29DANCE lovers are to have a chance to say Hooray for Bollywood thanks to New College. The college's spring prospectus includes a course in the style of dance that used to be confined to Asian films but has now become part of wider British
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Friends pay tribute to singer Gary
FRIENDS of a Swindon singer described as having the voice of an angel are to hold a charity concert in his memory. Father-of-two Gary Beint, of Haydon Wick, died aged 42 in September following a heart attack. He was waiting for kidney treatment at Churchill's
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Parenting arts are available to dads
WILTSHIRE Youth Arts Partnership is looking for young fathers to take part in an arts weekend. Dads up to the age of 21 are invited to attend the workshop, which will be held on March 6 and 7. The weekend at Braeside Residential Centre, in Devizes, will
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Trio make it into top ranking guide
Ref. 26992-31THREE of Swindon's most prominent citizens have been selected to join the stars in the latest edition of Who's Who. The book has been printed for 150 years and features the biographies of those who have made the biggest impact on UK society
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Has anyone seen our banner?
A CHARITY is appealing for the return of its banner. Home-Start Swindon, a Milton Road-based charity, which provides advice and support for families, had their three feet by 15ft banner stolen sometime between Tuesday, Decem-ber 30, and Friday, January
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Student overcomes barriers to win place at Oxfordplace
Ref. 28513-47GETTING an offer to study at Oxford University is a major achievement for anyone. But for Jane Lovett it is an especially remarkable feat because she is visually-impaired, and can only make out light and dark and some colours. Months of hard
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Death marks the end of an era for village
ONE of Hannington's best-loved and most respected citizens has died. Mary Hussey-Freke of Hannington Hall, who could trace her ancestry in the village back to the 17th century, was 85. Her death comes just over seven months after she opened a new recreation
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He was the heart of the community
Hundreds of Swindonians are mourning the death of a man hailed as 'the heart of Swindon's Italian community.' Francesco Mazzotta lost his battle with bowel cancer last month at Swindon's Great Western Hospital. He was 87. Tributes for the former Swin-don
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Taw Hill: Good spirit among the residents
Teresa Turner is treasurer of the Taw Hill Residents Association. She moved in to her new house in Bryant Road two years ago with husband Neil and their two children Bethany, four, and James, six. She said: "Without a meeting point such as the pub, it
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Taw Hill: Teamwork is the key
Ref. 28388-8THE Rev Ruth Cram is a key figure in the development of the area. Not only will she lead the new congregation, which will use the St Francis School hall, in September, she will also be chairwoman of the governors. "The school is vital to this
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Taw Hill: Community is going places
CLIVE WESTALL, the newly appointed headteacher of St Francis, will notice a culture shock when he steps into St Francis Primary. Mr Westall's present school Gorsley Goffs in Ross-on-Wye has a rich history, dating back to 1830. But the headteacher is looking
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This is like Thatcher's poll tax
I WAS pleased to note that the Chancellor intends to increase the financial allocation from central government to local authorities. For Swindon Borough Council this will be too little too late. Swindon's social services department has been zero rated
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It is time to have some sensible debate
IN the remarks made by the council leader I could not fail to notice his contentment and vision. However, mention the Brunel Shopping Centre, the first thing which comes to mind is not the intended expansion, but the shop fronts boarded up and unoccupied
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Keep up the good work defending pensioners
I HAVE just read the report: We can't pay, we won't pay, I once again feel compelled to congratulate Frank Avenell for defending the rights of vulnerable pensioners. Mr Avenell an 82-year-old pensioner has demonstrated a remarkable insight into the workings
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Council should think green for recycling
Having read the article on recycling rubbish I would like to know where these people live that make the comments. First of all Swindon council make a half-hearted attempt to 'try' a waste paper collection scheme. Why try it? Schemes have been in operation
