Archive
-
Date
Plenty of space in the cemeteries
THE Government's plans to exhume coffins buried more than 100 years ago and lower them to allow new graves to be dug above them because of a critical shortage of space was sure to upset many families. The thought of ancestors being disinterred is not
-
Date
Will GWH's new beds be enough?
DEMAND for beds and operations are increasing at Great Western Hosp-ital a week after the Accident and Emerg-ency Department had to be closed for all but life-threatening cases. Grandmother Sheila Ladd is understandably upset as she has had her operation
-
Date
Music Alive
Music Alive . . . the £8,000 this charity is set to receive will be spent on music therapy for young children. Pictured are Joshua Wolfsohn and Lee Staples.
-
Date
Stepping Forward
Swindon Pregnancy Crisis Centre . . . £2,000 will be used to fund two training courses, a post-abortion course and a care course. The centre hopes to help more young women in need of counselling. Pictured is Centre leader Maggie Hartridge.
-
Date
Stepping Forward
Stepping Forward . . . set up by three mothers whose children had been excluded from school. It will get £3,000 for a garden and barbecue area. Pictured is project manager Pauline Barnes
-
Date
Asthma Relief
Asthma Relief . . . this Rodbourne-based charity will use the £2,250 tobuy more nebulisers for doctors to carry while on call. Pictured is the manager of Asthma Relief, David Penman
-
Date
Technology for the Disabled
Technology for the Disabled . . . the group is looking to buy new computers and equipment with the £6,000 they are due to receive. Pictured are treasurer Tony Pinnell (back), vice-chairman David Waterfall and chairman Jackie Cook
-
Date
The Green Hut
The Green Hut - the drop-in centre in Gorse Hill will receive £5,000 which will be used to launch a newsletter. Above, Alan Fletcher, chairman of the Green Hut (centre front) hosts a party at St Barnabas Church hall, in Cricklade Road, to celebrate the
-
Date
Wildlife display on visit to city
PARTNERS in the Salisbury Plain Life Project are bringing the wildlife of the plain to the heart of the city, in a series of displays that opened at Salisbury library on Saturday and runs for three weeks. As part of a European Union-funded project, the
-
Date
On-loan Saint plans a professional future
SOUTHAMPTON youngster Michael Green gave a man of the match performance on his home debut for Chippenham and then revealed his ambitions to forge a career in professional football. The 19-year-old first year professional can play in either defence or
-
Date
Walker eager for first team recall
DR MARTENS LEAGUE By Andy Cryer WHILE Chippenham Town continue to make steady progress under the rule of Steve White his arrival at Hardenhuish has not been good news for everyone. Since White was appointed manager, just over a month ago, Scott Walker
-
Date
It's a change of scenery for Robin Hood
Robin Hood has swapped Sherwood Forest for the information super highway thanks to the Dilton Players. Rehearsals are currently in full flow for Robin Hood in Cyberspace, which is on stage at Dilton Memorial Hall, in Dilton Marsh, on January 30 and 31
-
Date
Relief as girl is found safe
By Ed Mezzetti RELIEVED staff at a Westbury children's home have welcomed back a missing teenager who was found safe and well on Thursday. Police located 13-year-old Natisha Toole in Trowbridge town centre, just after 5pm, following a phone call from
-
Date
Cinema Club celebrates
WESTBURY area Cinema Club has something to celebrate after a rally of support from the media and volunteers has led to a dramatic revival of business. The Cinema Club, which was on the verge of closure due to poor turnouts, has recently sold all the tickets
-
Date
Shops bid gets the go-ahead
OPPONENTS of a long-awaited new development in Westbury were last night planning their next move, despite the project getting the green light. District councillors passed Marshgate Developments' bid to build four shops, 14 homes and 50 car parking spaces
-
Date
Players wear pink to honour Charlotte
Ref. 27778A FOOTBALL match held in memory of Trowbridge schoolgirl Charlotte Wakeham has raised over £300 for the charity set up in her name. Charlotte lost her battle against a rare form of cancer in September last year, aged eight. When she was first
-
Date
Probe after 12ft wall collapse
Ref. 14568Residents of Bratton woke on Sunday morning to find heaps of rubble strewn across their path after a 12-foot retaining wall collapsed into the road. Council experts are still trying to work out what caused the 9am collapse in Stradbrook, which
-
Date
Children move to their new school
TEACHERS and pupils have been finding their way around a new school in Westbury this week. Over 300 pupils began term on Monday at the new Westbury Leigh Primary School after making the move from the 170-year-old building just two miles away. The state-of-the-art
-
Date
Suspect faces trial by jury
A 49-year-old Chapmanslade man accused of raping a young girl is to face trial by jury. Ronald Keith is charged with a string of 13 sex offences on schoolgirls, including the rape of one of the youngsters. The rape is said to have taken place between
-
Date
Hi-tech registers
TEACHERS at the George Ward School in Melksham are making the most of new technology to keep track of their students. All teachers at the school now have laptops that are used for electronic registration, replacing the old manual system. Headteacher Dr
-
Date
Pupils are flooding with ideas
CARS that turn into boats and sandbags down toilets are just some of the anti-flooding measures thought up by pupils at a Melksham school. The youngsters from Aloeric Primary School were chosen by the Environment Agency to produce pictures for a 2004
-
Date
Soldier gets an MBE
A SOLDIER from Broughton Gifford has been awarded an MBE in the Queen's New Year's Honours list. The parents of former George Ward School pupil Major Andrew Wright, 36, have just found out he is to be honoured. His mother, Kathy, said: "We are very proud
-
Date
Man Friday
Ref. 28615-107Roderick Bluh(pronounced Blue not Blahh) AGE: 48 EMPLOYER: Banks Chartered Accountants, Devizes Road, Old Town, Swindon. SO WHAT DO YOU ACTUALLY DO? I was formerly one of the founding partners of Banks & Partners but since we restructured
-
Date
WH Smith shakes-up its management team
Swindon company WH Smith has carried out a restructuring of its top management team The company has made the changes to its UK retail management team, under Kate Swann's leadership. It claims the restructuring will simplify and consolidate the leadership
-
Date
Service hits the right note
WILTSHIRE County Council's music service has received high praise following an inspectors' report from the Office for Standards in Education. Young musicians are making strong progress thanks to the quality of teaching on offer. The report has also praised
-
Date
Pollution warning
WILTSHIRE'S wildlife is under continuous threat as a direct result of climate change in Britain, according to a leading environmental charity. Dr Gary Mantle, director of Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, said: "A million land-based species could become extinct
-
Date
Pupils celebrate personal success
CLARENDON school's annual GCSE and A-level awards evenings were held at the end of last term. Over 100 students and their families attended the Year 11 evening which saw chairman of governors Linda Watts congratulate the students on their examination
-
Date
Learning about war first-hand
SCHOOL children can experience the harsh realities of life in wartime Britain under a new initiative launched on Monday. Youngsters from across west Wiltshire can learn first-hand from Second World War veterans in a project paid for by the New Opportunities
-
Date
Charity is saved as merger goes ahead
A DROP-IN centre for homeless people in west Wiltshire has been saved from the axe following months of financial uncertainty. Action on Homelessness, based in Duke Street, Trowbridge, has merged with Salisbury-based charity Alabare, to stave off a looming
-
Date
Schools welcome results
SCHOOLS across west and north Wiltshire celebrated mixed results following the publication of the GCSE league tables this week. Pupils from Stonar School in Atworth and St Augustine's Catholic College in Trowbridge achieved high marks across the board
-
Date
Council tax hike
HOUSEHOLDS will be forced to tighten their belts after Wiltshire County Council announced plans to demand more cash from taxpayers. A seven per cent council tax hike revealed in a draft budget this week is well above the national rate of inflation and
-
Date
Motorists ignore drink-drive advice
FOUR more drink-drivers caught in Wiltshire police's festive blitz are facing up to life without their licences. Chippenham magistrates handed out driving bans of up to three-years, fines and stern warnings on Monday as they dealt with the latest crop
-
Date
Bluebirds robbed of first home win
DR MARTENS LEAGUE By Andy Cryer Chippenham Town 1, Weston-super-Mare 1 CHIPPENHAM Town very nearly had their own Father Christmas on Boxing Day as in-form striker Charlie Griffin was a coat of paint away from delivering a much needed three points at Hardenhuish
-
Date
Colbourne signs off with penalty double
Shrewton United 1, Westbury United 2 TOBY Colbourne was the man on the spot for Westbury on Boxing Day as he fired home two penalties in his farewell appearance for the club. The striker is set to sign for Dr Martens League Western Division side Clevedon
-
Date
Melksham Town 3, Devizes Town 2
OWEN Bryan showed no mercy to his former team-mates on Boxing Day as he fired home a hat-trick, including a last minute winner, to secure three valuable points for the home side. Melksham went into the match fourth from bottom in the Screwfix Premier
-
Date
Justice is done as Virgin hit the top
CHIPPENHAM LEAGUE VIRGIN Mobile maintained their unbeaten home record in Division Four of the Vanitec Computers-sponsored Chippenham Sunday League with a 4-0 win over Rowde. All the goals came in the second half after Rowde were only stopped by some excellent
-
Date
Probe as river is polluted
AN investigation has started into how sewage poured unchecked into a river for nearly five hours last week. Waste overflowed into the Swan River in Warminster after a blockage in the sewers underneath nearby playing fields. Water bosses sent a team with
-
Date
Bricks hurled at cars from bridge of fear
By Matt Wilkinson THREE drivers narrowly escaped serious injury after youths threw bricks and stones at passing cars from a Warminster bridge. Police labelled the attacks on the A36 bypass late on Saturday night as reckless and claim the three drivers
-
Date
Permission given
Alterations to a listed building in Warminster were given retrospective planning permission on Monday night. Work including building a single garage and design changes to listed building had already been carried out before councillors had met to give
-
Date
Pensioner to raffle his presents for charity
A pensioner has donated all his birthday presents to charity and is appealing for others to join his fundraising campaign. Lyndon David Williams turned 85 on Saturday and asked friends and family not to bring any presents to his birthday lunch the following
-
Date
Donors honoured for their dedication
TWO blood donors from Bradford on Avon have been honoured this week for their dedication to helping others. Charlie Cox and Sheila Pearson received awards for 75 and 100 donations respectively at a presentation on Monday. Rachel Yandell, from the National
-
Date
New bid for views on Kingston Mill
PEOPLE in Bradford on Avon are being urged once again to have their say on the future of the Kingston Mill development. Bradford Town Council has prepared a leaflet, which will be available from the Tourist Information Centre, library, town council office
-
Date
Oxford joy for students
TWO Bradford on Avon pupils have been offered places at Oxford University in September Matthew Pryor and Philip Merchant, from St Laurence School, heard during the Christmas holidays that they had passed the university's entrance exams and have been granted
-
Date
Woman may escape prison sentence
A crown court judge has put off the case of a woman who burgled two houses in Bradford on Avon to see if she is suitable for a drug treatment and testing order. Maria Mularczyk could escape a prison sentence for the two break-ins if she is found suitable
-
Date
Dispute about humps just rumbles on
A SENIOR councillor has warned that Swindon Council could face a corporate manslaughter charge if there was a fatal accident on any road where safety measures had been removed against officers' advice. A motion to have the humps removed from roads in
-
Date
They'll be having a ball
Ref. 26188-15PREPARATIONS for this year's Marriott Charity Ball are well under way and the charities set to benefit have already been named. This year's ball, held at the Swindon Marriott Hotel, will take place on Saturday, May 8. The event a major social
-
Date
Swindon is not short of graves
Ref. 28642-10THERE will be no multi-storey graveyards in Swindon in spite of the Government considering the idea nationwide. With space in graveyards fast running out across Britain, especially in cities, the Home Office has launched a review of burial
-
Date
'We are watching' threat to council
THE Government has sent a 'we are watching you' threatening letter to the leader of Swindon Council. Minister of State for Local and Regional Government Nick Raynsford told Coun Mike Bawden (Con, Old Town and Lawns) that he was concerned to learn from
-
Date
We'll beat them
In the week after 16-year-old Kate Walsh was found dead in a squat from a suspected drug overdose, police say they are determined to convict Swindon's evil dealers. THIS week the Advertiser reported the death of Highworth teenager Kate Walsh from a suspected
-
Date
Bassett given a cup booster
WOOTTON Bassett have been handed an unexpected boost in the Dorset & Wilts 1st XV Vase after second round opponents Sherborne gave them a walkover. Graham Stickler's men were due to tackle the Dorset-based side in a much-delayed tie at Stoneover Lane
-
Date
Not guilty plea to arson
A 22-YEAR-OLD man has denied starting a blaze at a Hilperton farm which caused nearly £10,000 of damage. Christopher Hobgen, formerly of Marsh Road, Hilperton, entered a not guilty plea to arson when he appeared before magistrates in Chippenham on Monday
-
Date
Fears over Blunkett's new ideas
POLICE chiefs were given a grilling by a Trowbridge pensioner at a meeting organised to help bolster the Wiltshire force's case against merger threats. Ron Brewer took the chance to quiz top officers over figures suggesting the county is the second safest
-
Date
Romance in the air at Asda
LOVE is on the cards for staff at Asda in Trowbridge as the hunt begins to find Britain's most romantic couple. The search sees staff teaming up with television show Today With Des And Mel. Couples with a romantic story to share should head down to Asda
-
Date
High-ranking police settle in to new roles
THERE was a change at the top of both uniform and plain-clothed sections at Trowbridge police station as two bosses got to grips with their new jobs this week. Inspector Glynn Hookings took over from departing Trowbridge inspector Jon Tapper, while Det
-
Date
Museum may have to charge
ADMISSION charges could be launched at Trowbridge Museum to help subsidise booming costs. Town councillors were forced to make cuts to the museum budget at a meeting on Tuesday after costs shot-up by seven per cent on last year. Museum committee members
-
Date
TV presenter wins support
TWO Trowbridge women have leapt to the defence of suspended TV presenter Robert Kilroy-Silk. The 61-year-old's daytime talk show, Kilroy, has been taken off the air by the BBC after he described Arabs as 'suicide bombers, limb-amputators and women-repressers
-
Date
Town marks multi-racial heritage
DIVERSITY was the theme for Trowbridge Museum's most recent exhibition, which charted the history of the town's Polish and Moroccan communities. The exhibition, which was part of the South West's Lottery-funded Diversity Festival, sought to raise awareness
-
Date
Players wear pink to honour Charlotte
Ref. 27778A FOOTBALL match held in memory of Trowbridge schoolgirl Charlotte Wakeham has raised over £300 for the charity set up in her name. Charlotte lost her battle against a rare form of cancer in September last year, aged eight. When she was first
-
Date
Jackie-Danielle will never be forgotten
A GARDEN of remembrance is being planned at a Trowbridge school in memory of little Jackie-Danielle Velvick. The four-year-old died a week after tumbling 20ft out of her brother's first-floor window, leaving the Longfield community in mourning. Residents
-
Date
Learner in smash an hour before test
A LEARNER driver cheated death after a lorry ploughed into the back of her instructor's car just an hour before her test. The 21-year-old woman and her instructor Dave Millard were lucky to escape serious injuries after a 12-tonne lorry crashed into their
-
Date
Bush back to boost struggling Devizes
Devizes can move out of the Premier Division's bottom three if they beat fellow strugglers Bridport at Nursteed Road. Dave Hopkins' team could leapfrog their opponents, as well as local rivals Melksham and Keynsham if they collect maximum points at home
-
Date
Jones Jets To Far East
TOM JONES is bidding farewell to the rigours of life in the Hellenic League to become assistant manager at one of the top clubs in South Korea. The former Swindon Town midfielder is leaving Shrivenham after accepting a one-year deal to become Ian Porterfield's
-
Date
Prisoners may work 'outside'
THE new governor of Erlestoke Prison near Devizes hopes to reintroduce prisoners working in the local community. Clive Broom, who took over at the 426-inmate low risk prison in October, says the jail is conducting research to see if up to 12 prisoners
-
Date
Aldbourne eye upset
Aldbourne and AFC Stratton face some stiff opposition this weekend in the second round of the Wilts Senior Cup, writes RAY BURROUGHS. Aldbourne visit Screwfix side Corsham Town and face by far their hardest game of the season. Manager Pete Orsi has told
-
Date
Darren Denies Saunders Rift
SUPERMARINE star Darren McCluskey insists he will stay put at Hunts Copse, despite rumours that he had left the club in protest at the appointment of Tom Saunders as manager. There is 'history' between the pair following McCluskey's brief spell at Chippenham
-
Date
Councillors sent poison pen letters
A COUNCILLOR has been receiving hate mail because of his support for a games and skating area. The anonymous letters, sent to Coun David Renard (Con, Haydon Wick), say the multi-purpose area at Haydonleigh Primary School will become a haven for drug dealers
-
Date
Brush up on stage skills
AN arts group which recently won a National Lottery grant, is holding a workshop in Swindon. Textas Performing Arts, based in Dilton Marsh, near Trowbridge, won the £3,700 grant under the Awards For All programme, to help actors, singers, dancers and
-
Date
Festival is to bring a town alive
A YEAR-long celebration of life in Highworth has officially been launched. This year's festival, called Highworth Alive, will be a celebration of community spirit in the town. Among the events planned are a flower show, theatrical productions, a celebration
-
Date
Michelle all set to shape health care
Ref. 28546-27The new chairwoman of Swindon's Primary Care Trust is promising to adopt a hands-on approach to improving health care in the town. Retired solicitor and active voluntary worker Michelle Howard, 37, has a wealth of experience in various health
-
Date
Tireless worker will be missed
BERYL Williams one of Highworth's most popular and committed community stalwarts has died at the age of 73. From arranging flowers in the parish church to making costumes for the annual panto, Beryl was always at the centre of life in the town. Beryl,
-
Date
Huge cross brings out the crowds
EARLY risers in Swindon will have the chance to see a huge cross sent on a world tour by the Pope. The World Youth Day Cross is arriving in the town on Tuesday during the early hours and leaving at 8am to go to Clifton Cathedral for a special Mass. Now
-
Date
Book fans pick their favourite of the year
YOUNG Swindon bookworms have named their favourite novel of 2003 after a four-month voting process. And the winner is . . . Malorie Blackman's Noughts and Crosses, a tale about two friends living in a segregated society. It tackles the issues of racism
-
Date
Residents call for path to be closed
Ref. 28614-79BURGLARS are using a cycle path to get access to homes and gardens. Now residents are calling for the path, which runs between Shrivenham Road and Marlowe Avenue, to be closed. Householders say the situation has got so bad that they no longer
-
Date
African trip aims to make a splash
Ref. 28603-44A THAMES Water employee is going to Malawi to find out how his fundraising is helping people get access to clean drinking water. Steve Pagett, from Wroughton, leaves tomorrow for the impoverished African country with the charity WaterAid.
-
Date
Protester claims £2,500 from police
A WOMAN has launched a High Court action against police because they stopped her from going to an anti-war protest at RAF Fairford. Jane Laporte from London is spearheading a claim against Gloucestershire Police, which turned three coaches around at Lechlade
-
Date
Your chance to be wonderful
People wanting to give blood should pencil in the following dates in Swindon: Friday, December 16 between 9.45am and 12.25am and 2.30pm and 5pm at the John Moulton Hall in Penhill Drive, Penhill. Monday, January 19 between 1.15pm and 3.55pm and 5pm and
-
Date
Iron man puts run on hold
A SWINDON iron man forced to postpone a mammoth 100-mile charity run last year has vowed to give it another shot. Determined Brian Hall had hoped to complete the one-day run equivalent to nearly four marathons in the summer. But in May the plans were
-
Date
Solemn ceremony to mark Holocaust day
SWINDON is to mark Holo-caust Memorial Day with art, dance and solemn ceremony. The day is marked annually nationwide on January 27 the anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz death camp in 1945. It marks the Holocaust and other human rights tragedies
-
Date
Monster pothole damages 12 cars
Ref. 28612-16Motorists, who were left stranded after their cars struck a monster pothole, are demanding to know why the council did not issue warnings. About a dozen cars were damaged on Monday evening as they passed over the pothole, which was 18 inches
-
Date
Plea for pupils to have hot meals
COUNCILLORS of all political parties have united in an effort to ensure that as many children as possible in Swindon have the chance of a hot school meal. Liberal Democrat leader Coun Mike Evemy (Eastcott) won the backing of the Tory administration with
-
Date
Skatepark issue rages on
MY husband and I read your article this week concerning the proposed skateboard area. I visit the village of Grove near Wantage. They have such a place, which is covered in graffiti, but it is well away from houses and buildings. The youths go there to
-
Date
Generation of poor warblers
This generations fixation with warblers defies imagination. By warblers I refer to people who supposedly sing for a living. In my opinion very few of them can sing at all, and their voices have to be studio enhanced in most cases. But still the mania
-
Date
'Spirit is seeing us through'
TOWERING lock Rob Fidler believes the combination of fear of failure and raw ambition is keeping Bath's magnificent season on the right track. Fidler reckons the mix of experienced club campaigners and hungry new recruits has provided the perfect recipe
-
Date
Finish the job!
TOWN tackle Phil Parkinson's loan rangers tomorrow with Andy King calling for a unified push to successfully complete the play-off 'job' which started back in August. Victory against Colchester United tomorrow would strengthen Town's quest for a top six
-
Date
Friends of Young Carers
Friends of Young Carers . . . this charity is set to receive £7,400 from the proceeds of the charity ball, which will be spent on expanding the activities currently on offer to young carers across Swindon. Here, some youngsters who care for sick relatives
-
Date
Swindon Samaritans
Swindon Samaritans . . . the £5,000 award will be used to make changes to the Samaritans building, such as improving disabled access. Pictured are publicity officer Ian Price, director Barbara Kennedy and volunteer Paul Bentley
-
Date
Well Woman Centre
Well Woman Centre . . . the centre in Milton Road will benefit from a £6,000 grant, to buy blood analysis machines. Pictured are Elizabeth Foley and Lynette Coster
-
Date
They'll be ball
PREPARATIONS for this years Marriott Charity Ball are well under way and the charities set to benefit have already been named. This years ball, held at the Swindon Marriott Hotel, will take place onSaturday, May 8. The event a major social occasion in
-
Date
We should have taken the points says White
CHIPPENHAM Town manager Steve White believes his side did more than enough to take all three points against Weston-super-Mare on Boxing Day. The 1-1 draw means that Chippenham go into tomorrow's match against Nuneaton Borough without a home win all season
-
Date
Holiday hope for youngster
AN 11-year-old girl from Eastern Europe who suffers from a life-threatening condition wants to take holidays in Westbury but will only be able to if charity bosses can raise enough cash. Katya Shashkova, from a poverty-stricken village in Belarus, is
-
Date
Oh yes, they've got the answers
SISTERS Hannah and Gemma Sawyer were the stars of Westbury Library's Christmas panto competition after notching up a perfect set of answers. The girls, aged nine and six, teamed up to enter the contest. In the run up to Christmas library staff decorated
-
Date
Man owes £2,000 in tax debts
DILTON Marsh resident Joseph Farcombe-Smith faces jail if he fails to clear more than £2,000 of unpaid council tax bills. The 51-year-old was given a 42 day suspended prison sentence after being convicted of culpable neglect for not paying £2,334.39 to
-
Date
Family's despair at living in hostel
A HOMELESS family of six are pleading for help from housing bosses after waiting more than two-and-a-half years for accommodation. A married couple with four children below 16 have been forced to live in a homeless hostel in Warminster since being evicted
-
Date
New worries over stroke unit
NEW fears on the future of the Westbury specialist stroke unit surfaced after health bosses admitted the unit could be moved. The unit closed two weeks ago because of a staffing crisis and patients were been shifted to other less-specialised hospitals
-
Date
Hero pupils save man from blaze
FOUR teenagers have been hailed as heroes after they pulled a man from his blazing flat. Steve Chappell, 18, and Matravers School pupils Luke Ward, Matty Williams and Ben Brown, all 15, saved 52-year-old Allen Bailey's life in the courageous rescue. The
-
Date
Man to appear in court
A MELKSHAM man accused of possessing a gun and making death threats in an incident on Christmas Day is set to appear before a crown court judge today. Michael Robins, 35, was arrested after an incident in Queensway, on December 25, in which he is alleged
-
Date
New call to solve weighty problem
HEAVY goods vehicles look likely to continue causing a nuisance in Melksham High Street. Despite the pleas of town councillors, Wiltshire County Council has refused to consider imposing a weight limit in part of the town centre before plans for improvements
-
Date
Bypass campaign to step up a gear
THE campaign for a bypass for Beanacre is hotting up in the aftermath of an accident that claimed the life of a Trowbridge man. Brian Johnson, 62, died on December 23 after being involved in a three-car smash on the A350 near Melksham three weeks earlier
-
Date
Changes to rights of way sparks row
PROPOSALS to alter the rights of way across Salisbury Plain have sparked a row between the Ministry of Defence and neighbouring parish councils, who claim their access to the beauty spot is being further restricted. After negotiations with the military
-
Date
Wildlife display on visit to city
PARTNERS in the Salisbury Plain Life Project are bringing the wildlife of the plain to the heart of the city, in a series of displays that opened at Salisbury library on Saturday and runs for three weeks. As part of a European Union-funded project, the
-
Date
Big rise in business rates on the cards
A BUSINESS property agent is warning Swindon firms could find themselves facing a heavy hike in their business rates next year. Alan Morrish, a rating specialist and associate at Alder King, said: "With rising rental values in recent years, the prospect
-
Date
Hunt for violent pub customer
Police are looking a man who threw a wine bottle at a barmaid and an ashtray at the bar in the Beehive pub. The man arrived in the pub carrying a white poodle dog with another man who had a black Lurcher-type dog on December 30. Later in the evening he
-
Date
Help us to celebrate 150 years
THE Wiltshire Times is 150 years old this year and we are asking readers to come forward with old stories and photographs to help with the celebrations. Throughout 2004 we will be holding a number of events to mark the occasion. The newspaper has also
-
Date
Pastures new for PCT boss
THE chief executive of West Wiltshire Primary Care Trust is to leave her post at the end of April. Donna Stiles, who has worked within the NHS for the past 19 years, is planning to start a new life in Italy. She said: "Sometimes in life an opportunity
-
Date
Date set for speed deadline
WEST WILTSHIRE MP Andrew Murrison has been assured by the Government that it will announce draft guidance on safety speed limits in villages at the end of February. Concerns over a delay in providing county councils with government guidance on safety
-
Date
Caution urged on fuel issue
WEST Wiltshire MP Andrew Murrison fears public health concerns may be downplayed as environment bosses consider Lafarge's application to burn recycled liquid fuel. Dr Murrison is calling on the Environment Agency to take extra care when reaching its verdict
-
Date
We should have taken the points says White
CHIPPENHAM Town manager Steve White believes his side did more than enough to take all three points against Weston-super-Mare on Boxing Day. The 1-1 draw means that Chippenham go into tomorrow's match against Nuneaton Borough without a home win all season
-
Date
Highmore's the hero in derby clash
Calne Town 2, Corsham Town 0 BEN Highmore justified his manager's faith in him on Boxing Day as he scored one goal and made another to end Corsham Town's eight match unbeaten run in a match that was brought to a halt for 15 minutes due to a serious injury
-
Date
Magpies deserve better
TROWBRIDGE LEAGUE By Tim Penwell THE Premier Training International-sponsored Trowbridge League kicks off the second half of its 106th season tomorrow, with more cliff-hanging issues in prospect. Newcomers Semington Magpies, who host Hilperton United
-
Date
Fund for heart monitor
A FUND for vital medical equipment has been launched in Warminster aiming to help patients with heart conditions. This year's Mayor's Charity is aiming to buy a new ECG heart-monitoring unit costing £3,500 for The Avenue surgery. Mayor Joan Main, whose
-
Date
Wait may soon be over for Zoe's family
THE FAMILY of murdered schoolgirl Zoe Evans could know by spring how long her killer will remain behind bars. They were given new hope in a letter from Home Office minister Paul Goggins which said the backlog of cases will be dealt with in order of conviction
-
Date
Bells ring out for sprightly centenarian
Ref. 27768A PEAL of 100 bells began a day to remember for Constance Plummer on Friday as she celebrated her 100th birthday. The sprightly centenarian, who has lived at Long-bridge Deverill House, near Warminster for 10 years, had an action-packed day
-
Date
Motorists ignore drink-drive advice
FOUR more drink-drivers caught in Wiltshire police's festive blitz are facing up to life without their licences. Chippenham magistrates handed out driving bans of up to three-years, fines and stern warnings on Monday as they dealt with the latest crop
-
Date
Villagers campaign to keep post office
VILLAGERS in Limpley Stoke are joining together in a bid to save the village post office and shop from closure. A Save our Shop campaign has been launched to try and keep the store open when the sub-postmaster, David Dudding and his wife, Agnes, retire
-
Date
Relax and unwind with Osho Leela
A DANCE meditation session is being held in Bradford on Avon for people who need to release their post-Christmas blues. It is being led by members of the Osho Leela community from Dorset that specialises in Aum meditation. It aims to get people to shake
-
Date
Teenager's accolade for cheerleading work
A CHEERLEADING ex-pupil of St Laurence School, Bradford on Avon, has been given an award for her services to the community by the town's Women's Institute group. Annette-Gabriele Purshouse, 18, was presented with the silver salver for the WI Diamond Jubilee
-
Date
Widow's fury at £1 'insult'
Ref. 27767A pensioner left counting the cost after her car was broken into outside her home is fuming after receiving just £1 in compensation. Sarah Breakspear, 78, believes the two youths responsible for breaking in to her Nissan Micra are laughing at
-
Date
Right turn will be banned at junction
A RIGHT turn at the dangerous junction of Drove Road and Cumberland Road in Swindon is to be banned, the council's cabinet has confirmed. Cabinet members were informed in an officer's report that "the proposed restrictions will facilitate safer movements
-
Date
Please help us find this man say police
POLICE have renewed their appeal for help to trace a man who has indecently exposed himself to teenage girls three times in as many months. Most recently a man, who police describe as white, around 5ft 8in tall and in his early 20s, exposed himself to
-
Date
Operation put off for a fourth time
Ref. 28641-12GRANDMOTHER Sheila Ladd has had four operations cancelled in two months because of an increase in more urgent cases at Great Western Hospital. This comes at a time when medics at the hospital claim morale is at an all-time low through bed
-
Date
Teenager fled in terror after sex attack by man, 59
A TEENAGE girl was so terrified after being sexually assaulted in a Purton flat that she hid outside in bushes until police arrived. The 14-year-old ran from the flat in the middle of the night after begging attacker Peter Franklin to let her go. Franklin
-
Date
Weekend rugby fixtures
TEAMS Swindon 1st (meet 12.15pm): N Brooks, S Chapman, S Davis, N Warren, A Morley, J Parker, P Daniels, M Scarrott, J Courtney, S Cock, J Whatcott, P Wakefield, J Turney,N Warren, R Haxton, I Reynolds, M Seyneave, P Atkinson. Swindon 2nd (meet 1pm):
-
Date
Chippenham try again at Wycombe
CHIPPENHAM travel to High Wycombe for a rearranged South West Two East clash tomorrow. The original meeting between the two sides was postponed on January 3 and the rearrangement means Chippenham's Dorset & Wilts Cup semi-final against Swanage &
-
Date
Mechanic jailed for cashing in on error
CAR mechanic Dennis Clark has been jailed for 10 months after spending almost £40,000 deposited in his bank account by mistake. Bankers at Citibank International Plc accidentally credited the five-figure sum into the Trowbridge mechanic's bank account
-
Date
'Shop is key' to boosting community
PEOPLE in Steeple Ashton are hoping strong support for a community shop will be the starting point for a turnaround in the village's future. There are fears the community could be starting a downward spiral. A decision on whether the 100-year-old village
-
Date
Stereos stolen
Thieves stole stereo equipment worth over £1,000 from two cars in New Hurst Park, Hilperton on Monday night. A Panasonic CD player valued at £100 was stolen from a parked car between 5pm on January 12 and 7.45am the next morning. Over £950 worth of music
-
Date
Asda oriental
January 22 is Chinese New Year and staff at Asda in Trowbridge are set to join in the celebrations. Thursday will be the first of 15 days of festivities to celebrate the Year of the Monkey and will see the supermarket decorated with Chinese dragons and
-
Date
Dogs mix with the stars on TV show
TO their owners they are already stars, but two Trowbridge pooches are set to make their pawprints on a national scale by starring in a top BBC drama series. Foxy-Jayne and Jessie were handpicked by BBC producers for a role in the latest series of Down
-
Date
Panto stars offer top tips to youngsters
PUPILS at a Trowbridge primary school were given a treat when stars from the Theatre Royal Bath's panto paid a visit. Cast members from Jack And The Beanstalk descended on Newtown Community School on Wednesday. James McCourt, who plays Simple Simon, Kate
-
Date
Paramedic fails to win back job
A ROOKIE paramedic from Trowbridge cleared of killing a teacher as he sped through a red light on a 999 call has failed to win back his job. Bosses at the Royal Berkshire Ambulance Trust dismissed trainee Ian Fitzgerald for gross misconduct and bringing
-
Date
'Rude' email row over pigeon plans
DIE-HARD pigeon campaigners claim they have been deluged with rude and insulting e-mails from people supporting a cull in Trowbridge. Katherine Green, of Pigeon Campaign UK, said she had received many sarcastic e-mails from pro-cull supporters and town
-
Date
Last appeal to save embryos
A WOMAN fighting a desperate battle to have a child of her own will today make a last-ditch attempt to save frozen embryos that are her only chance of motherhood. Natallie Evans, from Trowbridge, will learn today if she can appeal against a High Court
-
Date
All the weekend's local football fixtures
Swindon & District League Premier Division: Windmill v Ridgeway; Westwood v County Ground; Zurich v Queensfield. Division One: South Marston v Woolworths; Westlecott v Deers Leap; Spectrum v Barron Heating; C Ground Res v Blyskawica; Trailers v Southbrook
-
Date
Town chase the leaders
With many of the Premier Division's top dogs in cup action, Cricklade Town can stay in touch with the leaders with a home win against Devizes Town Reserves. Chiseldon Castrol are at home to Melksham Town in the bottom-of-the-table clash. Wroughton play
-
Date
White invites offers for Edwards and Mountain
CHIPPENHAM TOWN manager Steve White is set to trim his squad as the Bluebirds look to cut costs at Hardenhuish Park. The Premier Division's bottom club have terminated the contract of commercial manager Sue Evans this week and two members of the playing
-
Date
Charity's a winner in Christmas open event
ANGLING By Colin Scull THE Bath open Christmas match fished on the Avon between Freshford and Grosvenor, and sponsored by Broadlands Fruit Farm, produced some reasonable sport for the sell out field and also raised £135 for children's charity CLIC. Martin
-
Date
Injured man misses court
A MAN accused of assault failed to turn up to his crown court hearing in Gloucester on Tuesday after falling off a ladder. Judge Jamie Tabor QC was told that John Webb, 45, could not make it to court from his home in Bourne Lake Park, Cricklade, because
-
Date
Bike path to be extended
AS PART of a £350,000 council project an illuminated cycle track and bus shelter are to be built along Queens Drive. A mile-long streetlit cycle track will be built to link two existing paths from Eastern Avenue to Buckingham Road. A new bus shelter will
-
Date
Runners slow the pace to welcome beginners
Ref. 28600-10IF you aim to get fit in 2004, Swindon Striders has the answer. The running club is launching a special group for beginners. Club chairman Andy Smith, 49, from West Swindon, said: "I have been flooded with calls from people wanting to come
-
Date
Man burgled his mother's house
A HEROIN addict who burgled his own mother's house to feed his drug habit gave himself up after a heart-to-heart with her. Keith O'Neill, 26, admitted one charge of burglary at his mother's home in Mulberry Grove, Pinehurst, at Swindon Magistrates Court
-
Date
Pensioner power is growing
PENSIONERS demanding lower council tax rates have stepped up their campaign with the launch of a petition. Some 200 forms have already dropped through the letterboxes of community groups and residents' associations. And Frank Avenell, secretary of the
-
Date
Stop moaning, start working together
i have been an avid reader of what the Conservative councillors are saying about what has been spent in the latter years by the former council and what must be done to get things on an even course: what services must be cut, what elderly homes must be
-
Date
Sadourny in Cup warning
COLOMIERS coach Jean-Luc Sadourny has warned Bath that his side are in the mood for a Parker Pen Challenge Cup upset at the Rec. Bath are strong favourites to land a quarter-final place after their 32-25 victory in France last weekend handed them the
