Archive
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Building work gets underway on nursery
A brighter future beckons for children in Chippenham as work on a much-needed neighbourhood nursery gets underway. Building work has begun on the new nursery set up by children's charity Barnardo's at Redland Primary School. "This is an exciting development
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Shattered Craig is wide awake now
Craig North who normally sleeps for at least eight to ten hours a night took part in a TV show where he had to stay awake. On Tuesday night he was evicted from the show and gave LILY CANTER an insider's view. Sleep-starved TV star Craig North was kicked
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Baby left home alone
Robert IsaacALCOHOLIC Robert Isaac has begged forgiveness from a family for abandoning their baby and stealing their cash, before disappearing on a spending spree. Yesterday the unemployed 40-year-old told the Gazette he is racked with guilt by his crimes
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Pipes surprise for a wee lass
Ref. 11865YOUNG at heart Rosemary Lardner of Chippenham celebrated her 70th birthday by getting back to her roots with a wee highland fling on Sunday. Mrs Lardner, of Harden Mead, was set up for a surprise birthday bash at her home by her family. A proud
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Miracle escape
Sarah Bradford, 31, Manager of the Lysley ArmsSLOW IT DOWN: TEENAGER Dan Roberts watched in horror as a car went out of control on a notorious stretch of the A4 at Pewsham, and catapulted into a pub car park, bouncing in to several vehicles before colliding
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Turning into a nation fatties
IT is not wholly fair to blame Gary Lineker and his crisp ads or McDonalds and their burgers for the fact that we appear to be turning into a nation of fatties. For years we have been bombarded with information about healthy eating and the need to exercise
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Pool opening will not make a splash
TWO organisations that seem to do their best not to reply to any requests for information to legitimate questions are North Wiltshire District Council and North Wiltshire Leisure. On Monday Malmesbury's long awaited swimming pool is due to open but unfortunately
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Out of hours is out of mind
A NEW out-of-hours system for patients who need to see a doctor in the evenings or at weekends has been introduced by Kennet and North Wilthsire Health Trust. It involves a complicated process of ringing and waiting for a private company to make up its
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Fat is no friend of ours
At this time of year many people have the best of intentions of getting into shape with a new diet and TV programmes such as Fat Friends show the highs and lows of the nation's dieting mania, but one Corsham couple think they have come up with a new answer
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Banned driver is caught for sixth time
A man suffering alcohol problems was sent to prison for 22 weeks for driving while disqualified, after magistrates heard he had five previous convictions for the same offence. Michael Paul Brennan, 38, was driving in Corsham to collect medicine from his
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What a place to die
Ref. 28529-11A 16-YEAR-OLD Highworth girl reported missing by her parents at Christmas has been found dead in a filthy squat. Kate Walsh's body was discovered in a room above a vacant shop in Manchester Road, Swindon. Police believe the death of the former
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Engineers start tests on landslip gardens
Engineers began an urgent investigation on Monday to find out what is causing the gardens of homes in Calne to subside. Residents in Churchill Close have lost between five and ten feet from their gardens that back on to subsiding land owned by North Wiltshire
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Special delivery for a gold top milkman
Milkman Nigel Crocker has been made an MBE for his services to the community and his delighted customers say the honour couldn't have gone to a nicer person. The 61-year-old was nominated for the tireless way he helps everyone he comes into contact with
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Arresting start on wing for Constable
JAMES Constable had a home debut to remember on Saturday and now wants to become a regular in Steve White Bluebirds line-up. The 19-year-old striker, who lives in Malmesbury, had only figured on the periphery for Cirencester Town this season. But Chippenham
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Being boss on hold for Adie
STRIKER Adie Mings wants to go into management in the future but for now is just enjoying being able to concentrate on playing football. The 34-year-old former Gloucester City and Forest Green player became Tommy Saunders' assistant in the summer following
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Herring takes bait of regular football
YOUNGSTER Ian Herring has agreed an 18-month deal with Chippenham Town and has set his sights on helping them into the Conference Two. The 19-year-old former Swindon Town youngster joined permanently on New Year's Eve following two separate loan spells
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Student's adventure
Ref. 11869CRUDWELL rector's son Chris Raven talked about his adventures in the Belize jungle at a presentation in the town hall last night. The 24-year-old MA student visited the central American country on a Trekforce expedition for two months to help
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Picking up the pieces
ENGINEERING consultancy Halcrow is hoping to set up a permanent base in Iraq as it helps rebuild the country. The company, which employs 570 people at its joint headquarters in Burderop Park, near Wroughton, has been working in the devastated country
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Employment law under microscope
Employment Law Essentials, a course designed by Paul Archer, Head of Employment Law at Swindon solicitors Lemon & Co, aims to give guidance to general managers and human resources managers on a whole range of employment law issues. The one-day course
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Wiltshire League
AFC STRATTON got the new year off to a good start with a comfortable 3-0 win over visitors Devizes Town Reserves, all three goals coming in the second half. Stratton had the better of the first 45 minutes but failed to find the net despite twice hitting
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Trowbridge League
BASEMENT side Lavington and Easterton celebrated the new year with a victory, but champions Frome Town continue to struggle after missing two penalties. The champagne finally flowed at Lavington who after nine defeats colleted their first spoils and even
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Swindon Sunday League
BEN Hollick struck four times as SKS Blyskawica demolished Jesters 8-2 to remain in second spot in Division One. Also on target were Darren Kyle and Fab Stec together with a Rich Wojewodka double. Kevin Priest and Michael O'Neill replied for Jesters,
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Danny double seals victory for Purton
PURTON moved into the quarter-finals of the Wiltshire under 15s Cup with a 3-1 win over Highworth. Danny Greenfield's brace and a late Tom Cadden strike handed the hosts victory over their Cirencester Youth League rivals at Red House. Greenfield went
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Sherston hit back to win dress rehearsal
SHERSTON Town came from two goals down to beat Westbury Rangers A 4-2 in the Premier Division of the Vanitec Computers-sponsored Chippenham League Premier Division. In a dress rehearsal for next week's PPL Presto Print sponsored Knockout Cup quarter final
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North Wilts Youth League
STRATTON Juniors under 14s lost their first game since October 2002 when they went down 2-1 at Fairford. The title favourites were looking to leapfrog Greenmeadow to take over top spot in the league. But a superb battling performance from Fairford, with
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Devizes Town 3 Torrington 0
DEVIZES ended their seven-match losing streak in style with a morale boosting victory against nine-man Torrington. The visitors have been in and around the top four all season while Devizes have been struggling at the wrong end of the table. Simon Drewitt
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Resolve to help young
Wiltshire people who want to make a difference in 2004 are invited to make a New Year's resolution to help children and young people in need. Wiltshire County Council is calling for people to think about the many ways they could help children and young
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Ilfracombe Town 4 Calne Town 3
CALNE lost out in a seven-goal thriller at bottom club Ilfracombe to return from North Devon empty-handed for the sixth consecutive season. Kelvin Highmore's side weathered an early storm and went two goals in front through Matt Pratley and James Lye
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Countryside is a click away
Stunning images of Wiltshire's landscape feature in a new on-line calendar available free from the county's heritage website. The calendar can be downloaded from www.wowheritage.org.uk, creating a guide to Wiltshire's countryside and built environment
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Melksham Town 1 Keynsham Town 2
MELKSHAM failed to make the most of their domination of the play in the second half and Keynsham made them pay by scoring a late winner. It was the visitors who took the lead in the first half but Nigel Tripp's side fought back and equalised through substitute
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Calne Town 5 Highworth Town 3
KELVIN Highmore had called for his players to show him a response to their weekend defeat at strugglers Ilfracombe and that's exactly what he got and more. Calne won through this second round clash against Hellenic League Highworth who are one division
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Pewsey Vale 4 Wootton Bassett 1
PEWSEY put their league troubles to one side as they comfortably beat Bassett. Although the home side's opener was cancelled out just after half-time Pewsey produced a superb team display and netted three more times in the second half. Vale manager Steve
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Pewsey Vale 1 Pegasus Juniors 2
IT was not a happy start to the year for Pewsey Vale as they lost their basement battle. Pegasus led 2-0 by the 49th minute. Barry Flippance did pull one back for Vale but it was too little too late. Manager Steve Wootton said: "We didn't play well at
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Bassett's defeat has positives for boss
WOOTTON Bassett turned in one of their better performances of the season at Bishops Cleeve according to manager Pete Yeardley but they still failed to halt the home side's winning run going down 2-0. Honours were fairly even in the first half the home
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Drink drive figures fall
WILTSHIRE police have welcomed a fall in the number of positive drink-drive tests over the festive period but say they still have some way to go to convince motorists that drinking and driving is not acceptable. Between 6am on December 16 and 6am on January
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Striker is stepping up a class at Town
YOUNG striker Chris Allen has impressed Swindon Town coaches so much the 15-year-old has been playing in the club's U18 team. The 15-year-old, from Wick Lane, Devizes, joined the Robins' youth academy four years ago and plays regularly with the U15s.
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Bittner sees red twice in six days
CHRISTMAS is traditionally a time for receiving cards but James Bittner was not feeling festive after being given a red one for the second time in six days. The 21-year-old former Swindon Town trainee and Chippenham Town goalkeeper had been sent off for
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Village gives green light for a new hall
VILLAGERS at Market Lavington have voted in favour of a new community hall next to St Mary's Church, even though land will have to be sold for new homes. The Market Lavington Village Hall Management Trust, which is trying to fund a new hall but has not
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Hospital forced to shut for 12 hours
Swindon's jam-packed Great Western Hospital closed its doors to all but life-threatening emergencies for 12 hours. Mounting problems with lack of space and beds came to a head yesterday as those with more minor conditions had to find other care. Ambulance
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Children use martial arts to kick out obesity
Ref. 28503-17MARTIAL arts expert Stuart Lambert has kick-started the year with his young sporty disciples. Stuart, 28, who runs Swindon's Kickin' Heights martial arts academy, in Cheney Manor Industrial Estate, started the Kids Kick Obesity club specifically
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Weighing up the fat factor
Obesity is a growing problem in Swindon with doctors having to deal with an increasing number of overweight people. ALEX EMERY reports. IT may be coincidental that fat and fatal lie side by side in the dictionary but judging by UK obesity statistics their
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Derek is on his bike
Ref. 26765MAYOR Derek Benfield will not be seeking re-election to Swindon Council. When Coun Benfield's year in civic office comes to an end in May, he will not be a candidate in the June local government elections. Coun Benfield, 71, who has represented
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Robber jumped through hatch to grab cash from post office
A ROBBER smashed his way through the serving hatch of a quiet post office and grabbed an unknown quantity of cash. The lone man struck at around 5.15pm on Tues-day at the post office in Oxford Road, Stratton. He smashed a window in the serving hatch,
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Youth who shot a swan is jailed
Ref. 28100-04DAMIEN Penrose the 18-year-old "drifter" who shot dead a male swan and threw it in a hedge at the Lawns Lake has been jailed for eight weeks. The sentence, half of which will be served in the special young offenders' wing of Reading Prison
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What a place to die
Ref. 28529-11A 16-YEAR-OLD Highworth girl reported missing by her parents at Christmas has been found dead in a filthy squat. Kate Walsh's body was discovered in a room above a vacant shop in Manchester Road, Swindon. Police believe the death of the former
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Players set to follow the yellow brick road
Calne Players will be staging a wizard pantomime next month to celebrate their ten-year anniversary. The amateur theatre group will be performing the Wizard of Oz for four nights in February. Dorothy will be taking her first steps along the Yellow Brick
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Oh yes, you're the winner...
Ref. 11837CALNE Players' panto dame JR Dawson stuck in his thumb and pulled out the winning ticket in the town's first Christmas draw. Mayor Tony Trotman then did the honours and presented the £1,000 prize to winner Emil Rubenheimer, of Melksham, who
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Saving a heavenly heritage
Churches everywhere are struggling to make ends meet and pay for essential repairs, but three parishes in Wiltshire are celebrating grants from the Historic Churches Preservation Trust as LEWIS COWEN reports THE community of Marden, near Devizes, has
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Men found in back of lorry
TWO suspected illegal immigrants were detained by Devizes police on New Year's Eve. Two police officers' attention was drawn to a box lorry parked outside an Indian restaurant in Sheep Street at about 5.30pm. The vehicle was parked with two wheels on
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Those on register get priority on new homes
PEOPLE on Kennet District Council's housing register will have priority for affordable homes being built as part of the redevelopment of the northern part of the former Roundway Hospital site. David Wilson Homes is redeveloping the remaining area of the
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Park Boys stay out in front with perfect record
THE Park Boys maintained their 100 per cent start to the Swindon Sunday Six-a-Side Leisure League campaign. They donned their scoring shoes once again to defeat basement side Valley Rockets 13-1, with Mills their man of the match on the night. SWT are
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Pigs and geese wow judges
Ref. 11894A COUPLE who took over a village pub in Worton, near Devizes, a year ago have been shortlisted for Village Pub of the Year 2004 by the Morning Advertiser, the newspaper of the Licensed Victuallers' Association. John Leiper and Ellie Preston-Gill
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Last of family's stores to close after 60 years
Ref. 11873BEALE'S of Bath, the St John's Street store that has been supplying women's fashion and foundation comfort for the last 60 years, is due to close at the end of the month. The shop's Grade II* listed premises have been on the market for two years
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Personal way to banking
A NEW face at the NatWest in Marlborough will be Helen Currie, who has been appointed business development manager. She will lead a team of managers who offer a package of services which has been specially designed for busy professional people who increasingly
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Members are not to blame for 'squalor'
YOUTH centre members are not necessarily to blame for broken glass and empty drink tins littered around the building, councillors have stressed. So much litter accumulates around the centre in St Margarets Mead, Marlborough, on occasions that one resident
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Caring gran's plea from her sick bed
DESPITE suffering several heart attacks over Christmas and New Year, Devizes grandma Wendy Bryant is more concerned about stitching pink armbands for a fundraising event this weekend. Doctors think stress over the illness and death of her eight-year-old
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Speed humps mystery solved
TOWN councillors in Marlborough believe they have unravelled a mystery over who proposed speed bumps on a road in the town's biggest housing development. For years people living on the St Margarets Mead estate have fruitlessly campaigned for traffic calming
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Off-beat walk for funds
Ref. 11857WALKERS who took part in the traditional Marlborough beating the bounds in October despite the cancellation of the official event, have donated their sponsor money to the Friends of Savernake Hospital. Lyn Gould and Angie Dickens, who organised
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Raiders flee with designer clothing
A MARLBOROUGH menswear shop selling designer clothing has been targeted by thieves for a sixth time. It's believed that the smash and grab raiders escaped with designer clothing valued at as much as £15,000 from E May Clothing in Hughenden Yard. The store's
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Marry me, Jonny
Ref. 11890/1LITTLE Elizabeth France is so hooked on England's Rugby World Cup hero Jonny Wilkinson that she must qualify as one of his youngest and most devoted fans. The five-year-old from Lower Fyfield gets such a kick from watching the fly half with
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Good day stealing at the office dear?
It seems us workers are a dishonest lot thieving, lying and making up our expenses. Small-scale pilfering and expense fraud is costing UK plc £831 million per year according to a survey of UK office workers released today by the Advertiser's online recruiter
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One in ten homes are rented
ALMOST a tenth of all houses in Swindon are occupied by tenants renting from private landlords. The growth in Swindon's private rented sector has been revealed in a recent council survey. Coun Andy Albinson (Con, Dorcan), Swindon Council's lead member
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Santa's sack is full of cash
SANTA gave the Prospect Hospice a £1,575 boost this Christmas even though he suffered a bout of flu. John Flatt, who dressed as Santa and stood outside his home which was covered with Christmas lights, collecting cash, was confined to bed for a week just
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Fresh bid to reach children on street
THREE new youth workers will be working on the streets of Swindon. The outreach workers have been taken on by the Clivey Project youth information charity in Cricklade Road. The workers will be talking to groups of youngsters who hang around the streets
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Kind Samaritans
MAY I, sincerely thank those kind people who, on the Friday before Christmas, came to the aid of the poor old soul who tripped over a paving slab in Regent Street, breaking her left elbow and bruising her ribs. Thanks to their concern, covering me with
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Party a big hit
I would like to say a huge thank you to Nigel and all the staff at The Crown, Bishops Cannings, for helping and keeping secret my husband Steve's 40th birthday meal on the 16 December. The food and the service were excellent and the personal care they
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Many thanks
DEVIZES Fire Station wish to express their thanks and gratitude to the local community for their support in helping to make their annual Breakfast with Father Christmas and flag day collection a success. These two events raised £1,365 towards the Fire
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World Cup winner Grewcock warns Bath of Colomiers threat
BATH skipper Danny Grewcock admits 1999 Heineken Cup finalists Colomiers pose a real threat to his side in Sunday's Parker Pen Challenge Cup second round first leg tie in France (3pm). England World Cup ace Grewcock has labelled the French side, beaten
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Devizes 2nd 69 Combe Down10
DEVIZES maintained their 100 per cent record in the Bath and District Merit Table by thrashing strugglers Combe Down. The visitors were unable to cope with the finishing power of Fijians Sega and Manu who collected six tries between them. Mike McCrum
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Xmas cheer
FOR those responsible for the Christmas dinner held in the Jubilee Rooms on Christmas day, a big thank you. All present were impressed with the high qualify of the presentation. The tables with fresh flowers and candles, decorative place name cards, excellent
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Work begins
WHAT a wonderful occasion when last week Betty Yates dug the first sod to mark the start of the new build for Savernake Hospital. How many of us had times of doubt that this would ever come to fruition? Thanks are due in part to various groups, at the
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Outbursts do nothing to endear councillors
MANY of your readers may understand Coun Allen's reactions to the behaviour of his colleagues at town council and, if founded, would obviously give concern and offence to many, especially councillors who are able to conduct themselves in a proper manner
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Trip home for Karen, with a dozen friends
Maori Karen Groves will be going back to her roots when she helps to take a group of children in care to New Zealand to meet her tribe. The Chippenham shop owner is joining forces with charity Kandu Arts to take the children for the holiday of a lifetime
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Travel agents to visit liner
Chippenham travel agents Lynda and David Brown will get a taste of the high life when they visit the Queen Mary II before the huge ocean liner's maiden voyage. Mr and Mrs Brown were given a special invitation to join a tour of the QM2, in Southampton,
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Raid officer in AIDS scare
A police sergeant has undergone hospital tests after his hand was pricked with a used syringe during a drugs raid. The officer was part of a team of police carrying out a search warrant at a flat in Field View, Chippenham, on Tuesday afternoon, when the
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Kidney op dad enjoys life to full once again
Ref. 11874THIS year certainly looks happier and healthier for kidney patient Rob Vincent. The 31-year-old from Taunton Close, Chippenham, received a new kidney from his father Eddie in September and has been making the most of his new-found vitality,
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Hospital needs more resources
THE decision to temporarily close the GWH to all but life-threatening emergencies will renew concerns that the hospital does not have adequate capacity. Critics will again accuse the planners of failing to allow for the town's continued growth and for
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Stef's big doubt for Owls trip
STEFANI Miglioranzi is facing a race against time as a groin injury threatens to scupper his chances of facing Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday. The New Yorker picked up a groin injury in the win over Bournemouth and it is touch and go at this stage as
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Baby left home alone
Robert IsaacALCOHOLIC Robert Isaac has begged forgiveness from a family for abandoning their baby and stealing their cash, before disappearing on a spending spree. Yesterday the unemployed 40-year-old told the Gazette he is racked with guilt by his crimes
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Party marks start of play
Ref. 11835Parents and children celebrated the opening of a long-awaited play area at Barrow Green, Chippenham, with a party. Coun Ruth Coleman, leader of North Wiltshire District Council, and Chippenham Mayor Desna Allen joined forces to cut a piece of
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Residents fear park could be built over
CAMPAIGNERS fear district councillors will give developers the go-ahead to build homes at Newton Grove playpark at a meeting tonight. North Wiltshire District Council has already declared its intention to build up to 16 affordable houses with Westlea
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MP's thesis on war wins award
North Wiltshire MP James Gray was awarded a prize by the Royal College of Defence Studies for his controversial thesis on going to war. Mr Gray attended the college for one day a week and put together an argument that the decision to go to war should
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Patients ring alarm bells
A new out-of-hours doctors' service brought in across north Wiltshire without consultation with patients has caused alarm among some families who complained of unacceptable delays. From December 1 patients seeking help outside normal surgery hours were
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Panto fun to help old hall
VILLAGERS in Easton Royal are hoping supporters will get right behind their panto to help boost fundraising for their old hall. The hall, a former First World War Army hut, has given sterling service to the community but is now showing signs of its age
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Police warn of danger as vandals fire at windows
POLICE fear it's only a matter of time before a spate of vandalism, where missiles have been fired through windows, ends with a tragedy. Officers have recovered several steel balls about the size of small marbles that have been fired through windows.
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Badman back to full fitness
SO far 2004 has been a happy New Year for Chippenham Town midfielder Mark Badman. The former Bath City player had not started a game for the Bluebirds since August after suffering a hernia problem. He had already been playing through an achilles injury
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Support for lower kerbs
Residents in Malmesbury have given overwhelming support for the introduction of dropped kerbs at Reeds Farm Malmesbury. Of the 175 people who responded to a survey conducted in November by county councillor John Thomson, only five objected. The plan would
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Residents fear park could be built over
CAMPAIGNERS fear district councillors will give developers the go-ahead to build homes at Newton Grove playpark at a meeting tonight. North Wiltshire District Council has already declared its intention to build up to 16 affordable houses with Westlea
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Advice bureau closes after row over access
MALMESBURY Citizens' Advice Bureau will close permanently next week after 16 years following a row over access to its base in the town hall. The town council decided in November to lock the front doors to the town hall at Cross Hayes because of troubles
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Saved by a calm voice
Ref. 11855A family of four was rescued from a smoke-filled house in Malmesbury thanks to the calm professionalism of Wiltshire fire brigade's controller Anne Croft. Mum Lucia Tripepi, 42, who was trapped in the house with her 13-year-old son Adam, her
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CS spray halts masked raider as he attempts a getaway
A masked raider was sprayed with CS gas as police foiled a bungled attempt to steal thousands of pounds worth of alcohol and cigarettes from Somerfield, in Malmesbury. Two thieves stacked crates of whiskey and vodka, DVD players and cartons of cigarettes
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Damp squib
MAYOR Charles Vernon says he had been kept in the dark on next week's opening of Malmesbury's new swimming pool. As a row broke out about publicity for the £2 million building he admitted he did not know the pool was opening its doors on Monday. North
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Exiting the rat race
Well, it's a new year and for many people a good time to remind themselves of their dreams and aspirations. One of the most common aspirations is to get out of the rat race and, indeed, if you own your own company you may be considering selling it. If
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Workers welcome MP's Bill on Christmas Day closing
CHRISTMAS 2004 could be the best yet for scores of Swindon shopworkers. This week saw the first reading of a Private Members' Bill which would ban stores larger than 3,000 square feet opening on Christmas Day. Current laws only ban larger stores from
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Time for the great escape
SCORES of Swindon workers are planning to quit their jobs and start new careers this month. According to research group i-to-i. one in ten Swindon workers used the Christmas period to think about handing in their notice to try their hand at something
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Mid-Wilts Youth and Minor League
PEWSEY Vale remain in charge of the under 14s Red Division of the Wiltshire Times and Chippenham News Mid-Wilts Youth and Minor League after a 4-0 home win over Trowbridge Town Youth 2nds. Top of the table Pewsey took the lead courtesy of an own goal
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Shrewton United 1 Corsham Town 3
CORSHAM bounced back from their Boxing Day derby defeat to Calne with a solid victory in an all-Wiltshire clash at Shrewton. Although Dave Kilmurray's opener was cancelled out just before half-time, Corsham had the better of the second half and took the
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Plight of ghost workers
More than 30,000 'ghost workers' in Wiltshire do not show up in unemployment figures but want to go to work, according to a new survey. The Government's official unemployment statistics claim 3.5 per cent of people of working age in the region are out
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Policing forum
POLICE chiefs want to hear the views of residents about future Government reforms which could see Wiltshire Police merged with another force. Wiltshire Police Authority is holding a number of public meetings next week and wants to hear peoples' views
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Badgers safe from cull on the Plain
ENGLISH Heritage and the Ministry of Defence have assured badger lovers in Wiltshire that they have no intention of culling badgers on Salisbury Plain to preserve archaeological sites. Speculation that the two Government bodies wanted to get rid of badgers
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Youth boss in plea to fans
WILTSHIRE U18 manager Mel Gingell is calling on fans to turn out in force and support his talented young side for an important championship clash on Saturday. The county side take on Guernsey at Melksham Town on Saturday in what could be a title decider
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Good day stealing at the office dear?
It seems us workers are a dishonest lot thieving, lying and making up our expenses. Small-scale pilfering and expense fraud is costing UK plc £831 million per year according to a survey of UK office workers released today by This is Wiltshire's online
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Pupils to get TB jabs again
TB VACCINATIONS are due to resume across Wiltshire. The tuberculosis jabs have not been administered since the 2001/02 school year. Nationwide supply problems developed in 2002 when the then manufacturer, pharmaceutical firm Evans, withdrew its stock
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Housing boss hailed
Father-of-two Andrew Williamson who is managing director of the Hastoe Housing Association was awarded the OBE in the New Year Honours. Mr Williamson, 59, and his wife Jan have lived in Avebury for eight years and have sons aged 28 and 30. He was awarded
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Good day stealing at the office dear?
It seems us workers are a dishonest lot thieving, lying and making up our expenses. Small-scale pilfering and expense fraud is costing UK plc £831 million per year according to a survey of UK office workers released today by the Advertiser's online recruiter
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Tackling the nation's growing waistline
What is obesity? Obesity is most commonly defined in terms of body mass index (BMI). The BMI is calculated as follows: weight in kilograms divided by height in metres squared. A desirable BMI is considered to be in the region of 20 to 25. Above this is
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Man stopped and robbed by bogus police officers
A MAN was robbed by two men posing as police officers. The victim was approached by the men last night as he walked home in an alleyway next to a Chinese takeaway in the Cricklade Road and May Close area of Gorse Hill. The men, who got out of a dark Vauxhall
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Mum's water wish granted
MUM Lucy Newcombe has praised Devizes Maternity Unit and its staff in enabling her to have a water birth. Mrs Newcombe, of Alma Terrace, Calne, was left high and dry when the birthing pool at Chippenham Maternity Unit was closed due to a leak. She found
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Party boosts club venture
Youngsters celebrated the end of the Christmas season with a festive party at Calne Football Social Club on Sunday. Children aged between one and nine crowded into the club to enjoy party games and food while helping to raise money. The social club hopes
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Alert after thefts spree
Police are warning residents to secure their property after a spate of burglaries on outbuildings, in which tools and equipment have been stolen. Properties in the villages of Cherhill, Compton Bassett, Goatacre, Hilmarton and East Tytherton have been
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Football club wins pitch for the young
Calne Town Football Club has secured a football pitch for its youth teams to help build an identity among the players. Club chairman Steve Walker asked Calne Town Council if it could use land behind the club pavilion to train three youth teams. At present
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New Scout group marks year of success
Ref. 11838FRIENDS and family of the 1st Cherhill Scout group, which was started less than a year ago, held a special jamboree to thank members for their fundraising work. It was also an opportunity to award group leaders Steve Munn and Tony German, who
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Engineers start tests on landslip gardens
Engineers began an urgent investigation on Monday to find out what is causing the gardens of homes in Calne to subside. Residents in Churchill Close have lost between five and ten feet from their gardens that back on to subsiding land owned by North Wiltshire
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Festival needs reserve despite record year
DEVIZES Festival had a record year in 2003, attracting larger audiences than ever before and selling out 17 of its 28 events. Festival committee chairman, Stephen Brazier, in a summary report published this week, said that the free festival fringe events
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It's All White on the Night
CHIPPENHAM Town finally got it right at both ends of the pitch last night, thumping Newport County 4-0 on their own patch in the Dr Martens Cup. The Bluebirds had not previously kept a clean sheet since Steve White assumed control at the end of November
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Mum's water wish granted
MUM Lucy Newcombe has praised Devizes Maternity Unit and its staff in enabling her to have a water birth. Mrs Newcombe, of Alma Terrace, Calne, was left high and dry when the birthing pool at Chippenham Maternity Unit was closed due to a leak. She found
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It's the dawning of a second caf dream
Ref. 11858SERIOUS setbacks have not deterred Dawn Phillips from following her dream to run local cafs. Just four months after she took over the running of the caf at Devizes Leisure Centre, she has accepted the franchise of the caf at Upavon Golf Club
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Violence sees in New Year
FOUR people, three women and a man, are helping police with their inquiries after violence broke out at the New Year's Eve disco at the Corn Exchange in Devizes. At about 1.15am on New Year's Day a 42-year-old woman was leaving a toilet cubicle when the
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Lights out to save energy
Ref. 11895MAYOR of Devizes, Coun Paula Winchcombe, yesterday officially switched off the town's Christmas illuminations to highlight the need to conserve energy as global warming becomes an increasingly serious problem. Mrs Winchcombe used the occasion
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Don't let crime go unnoticed, urge police
DEVIZES police are urging people to call them immediately they see an act of lawlessness in the town, rather than assume that someone else will ring 999. They issued their appeal after thieves who raided Devizes Motor Panels in Sidmouth Street at 11.25pm
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Major is top of the coughs
THE TV programme which claimed to expose how Major Charles Ingram cheated to win the top prize in the TV quiz Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? attracted over 16 million viewers to put it well up the top ten shows of 2003. Figures published this week by
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Second skate ramp scheme
A SKATEBOARD ramp is under consideration for the Rabley Wood View play area in Marlborough. Town councillors have given their tentative support to the idea put forward by Bob Dobie, chairman of the Rabley Wood View Residents' Association. Mr Dobie said
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Mother, 34 loses her battle with cancer
TRIBUTES have been paid to young mother of two Julie Dunford, formerly of Potterne, who has died of cancer at the age of 34. Mrs Dunford lost her battle with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma on January 3 at her home in Yeoman Way, Trowbridge, a year after she was
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All our frozen food is safe, store assures shopper
SAFEWAY supermarket in Devizes has said it is confident that environmental health officers will give a clean bill of health to its freezer units following complaints from a customer. Dave Stout, from Devizes, a regular customer at the store, phoned the
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Roundheads get go-ahead
TOWN councillors in Marlborough have given their consent for a tent and caravan camp on The Common during a Civil War reconstruction. The 2004 committee is planning the celebrations in June for the 800th anniversary of King John granting Marlborough its
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Nurse cuts first turf for the new hospital
Ref. 11856NURSE Betty Yates became a celebrity on Friday when she was asked to cut the first turf to mark the start of work on the new £9.8 million Savernake Hospital. Grandmother Mrs Yates, an auxiliary nurse, is one of the longest serving employees
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Patient power forces rethink
DOCTORS in Marlborough have withdrawn from a nationwide out-of-hours call out system after patients complained of unacceptable delays. The Marlborough Medical Practice signed up to the new system a month ago. It meant that when the George Lane surgery
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Good day stealing at the office dear?
It seems us workers are a dishonest lot thieving, lying and making up our expenses. Small-scale pilfering and expense fraud is costing UK plc £831 million per year according to a survey of UK office workers released today by This is Wiltshire's online
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Golden rules to stop you from ruining job hopes
Many job seekers are failing at job interviews because of poor preparation and appearance. The most common blunders include being late for the interview, dirty finger nails, slouching in the seat and having a wet, limp handshake. More than half (52 per
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Lights go out on another display
Ref. 28515-06Twelfth night has come and gone and so have thousands of Christmas illuminations and decorations in Swindon's best-lit home. Alan and Edith Stoddard, of Nythe, festooned their house in Chalford Avenue, with a plethora of festive decorations
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Give us all your ideas
IDEAS from residents are being sought as plans are made for the next three years of projects to revive the Parks and Walcot areas. The plan, which is being organised by the Neighbour-hood Renewal Company with the help of local residents and groups, aims
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Watchdogs on guard!
Ref. 28506-13Revolutionary forums designed to keep tabs on Swindon's health matters have got off to a good start but organisers still need more volunteers to sign up. The health forums are being hailed as a voice for the people and will give residents
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Picking up the pieces
ENGINEERING consultancy Halcrow is hoping to set up a permanent base in Iraq as it helps rebuild the country. The company, which employs 570 people at its joint headquarters in Burderop Park, near Wroughton, has been working in the devastated country
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Pupils to get TB jabs again
TB VACCINATIONS are due to resume in Swindon and across Wiltshire. The tuberculosis jabs have not been administered since the 2001/02 school year. Nationwide supply problems developed in 2002 when the then manufacturer, pharmaceutical firm Evans, withdrew
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Pay deal 'not fair'
The Job Centre could be shut down for two days at the end of the month over a pay dispute. Swindon members of the Public and Commercial Services Union are voting on strike action after receiving what they consider to be a derisory pay rise. Ballot papers
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Grant aid to boost heating efficiency
Landlords in Swindon can take advantage of grants to improve the energy efficiency of their properties. WarmLet is an initiative being piloted by Swindon Council that makes grants available to private landlords with properties in the Swindon Borough and
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My two years of heartache
Ref. 28512-09WHEN Barbara Carley's youngest son, Darren, walked out of their Park North home nearly two years ago, she thought he would be back within hours. But she has not seen her son since and now she is desperately pleading for him to make contact
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A time for charity
RE: Peter Heaton-Jones' column (EA Dec 9) Does he give pleasure to hundreds and donate to charity? For the past nine years we have been decorating our home with Christmas lights for the pleasure of our grandchildren and four years ago we decided to open
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Congratulations on investigation
CONGRATULATIONS and best wishes to Mike Bawden for the investigation and exposure of the spendthrift attitude having been employed by Swindon Town Council during the last 25 years. Small wonder that we citizens are now being called upon year after year
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How has Sir Mick served the realm?
THERE has recently been controversy regarding the awarding of honours. In the past knighthoods were granted to people for selected acts in the service of the realm. In contemporary times our Queen must surely cringe at times, having to perform this task
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Proposal will turn the Mechanics' into a joke
As John McEnroe was noted for saying, "you cannot be serious", and I must ask if Mathew Singh and council leader Mike Bawden are taking the mickey out of the people of Swindon, with the planning proposal for the Mechanics' Institute. It is quite frankly
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Stamp a out cruel practice
I WISH to draw attention to a growing trend for restaurants, caterers and chefs to promote the consumption of foie gras. This food is steeped in appalling animal suffering and exploitation. Readers have the power to change this if there is no demand,
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Fair success
ON behalf of the Lions Club of Devizes, I would like to thank all the people of Devizes and the surrounding areas who supported our Christmas Fair which was held in the Corn Exchange on December 6. The event was a great success and raised over £5,500
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Snookered
DEVIZES Town Council objected to the plan to demolish the Snooker Club in Station Road as it would be the loss of an amenity. An amenity for the people, especially the young people, of Devizes. Planning officers at Kennet agreed. Nigel Carter of the Devizes
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Calne building for future
CALNE Rugby Club are looking to build for the future by launching their new junior section at John Bentley School on Saturday. Premiership leaders Bath will be sending senior squad members, academy players and coaching staff down to Calne to help with
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Shock report
I WAS shocked to read in your edition of January 1 that 63 persons had been charged with offences of drunkenness and various forms of anti-social behaviour in the Marlborough area over the Christmas period! It seems to me that such goings on indicate
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Seeing sense
CONGRATULATIONS to everyone in Marlborough who helped Kennet District Council see common sense over Sunday parking charges in the town. Thank goodness Wiltshire County Council will now deal with the matter in a proper and democratic way, perhaps KDC could
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Thanks to supporting cast
Please allow me through your paper to extend my sincere thanks to everyone who has supported Phoenix Brass band throughout the past year. This includes the tireless work of members of the 'Friends of Phoenix', assisting behind the scenes and carrying
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Questions should be asked
I wonder if other residents of Marlborough felt as acutely depressed as I did by Michael Gray's letter (Gazette & Herald, 1 January) concerning the behaviour of our elected members of the town council. It is outrageous that time is being spent in
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Nativities show it's not just about test scores
THANK you very much for including photographs of our Key Stage One Christmas production in your new seasonal nativity supplement. Seeing your picture of our little dolls, clowns and stars brought back many happy memories of a fantastic show. Equally fantastic
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Changes to health care a real concern
I AM writing to express my concern at a recent change in health care practices in the UK. Last night I faced the simple problem of trying to get some advice on how best to treat my four-year-old son with an ear infection that was clearly distressing him
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Carol event for twinners
A Christmas carol concert at the Cause arts centre raised £140 for the Chippenham Twinning Association. More than 70 members of the public and members of the twinning association attended. The programme included solos by Karin Meek, with John Iles playing
