Archive
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Tickets for big match go on sale
TICKETS are now on sale for Wiltshire's Cheltenham and Gloucester Trophy second round match against Nottinghamshire at Westbury on May 5. This is the first time that Wiltshire have entertained a first class county since 1993 when they played Durham. Nottinghamshire
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White says wind was only winner
STEVE White had mixed emotions after watching his Chippenham Town side draw a blank against Dover on Saturday. The match was turned into a lottery by the strong wind and the Chippenham boss admitted afterwards the weather ruined the game. He said: "There
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Safety call on winding village road
MORE than 80 per cent of villagers in Edington are calling for protection from speeding traffic, a survey has revealed. The study, organised by county councillor Trevor Carbin, shows many residents now feel they cannot walk or cycle through the village
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Appeal for witnesses
POLICE are looking for witnesses to an incident in Melksham on the evening of Tuesday March 16. Three 20-year-old men and a 15-year-old youth were arrested on suspicion of aggravated burglary. They have been released on police bail pending further inquiries
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Students experiment with new science lab
SCIENCE Week has been celebrated in style at Stonar School with the opening of two new state- of-the-art labs. The school, in Atworth, held a science open day to mark the completion of the new building, which was opened by science writer and television
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Toby snap happy after visit
WILBUR the Wiltshire Times alligator was on hand to help a Melksham youngster celebrate his birthday this week. The newspaper's mascot paid a surprise visit to Toby Southgate's class at Bowerhill School on Wednesday, for his sixth birthday. Toby's mother
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Bypass set to open to fanfare of celebrations
A LONG-awaited bypass near Melksham is to open today, nearly 40 years after it was first proposed. People living in Semington have planned a series of events culminating in a three-day party to celebrate getting rid of the traffic thundering through the
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Avebury group fears 'knock-on'
DECISIONS taken about the Stonehenge tunnel could have a knock-on effect at Avebury, the inquiry heard last week. Following on from archaeologists' concerns, expressed to the inquiry last week, that the proposed 2.1km tunnel, costing £200m, would be inadequate
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Residents celebrate £2.5m flood scheme
THE misery caused by flooding in Downton should be a thing of the past, after a £2.5m defence scheme was officially opened this week. The village has been badly flooded seven times since 1960, and 17 families were evacuated in 2000, when the River Avon
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Finding love the fast way
LONELY hearts will find looking for love a lot quicker when speed-dating comes to Salisbury. The concept, which is taking the dating game by storm, involves about 20 men and women spending three minutes together to see if Cupid's arrow will strike. When
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Trainers set up offices in Swindon
TRAINING consultancy QA has just opened a purpose-built centre in Swindon's Delta Office Park after transferring its operations from Cirencester. According to Denise Carmichael, operations director for the company: "QA is moving to be closer to our clients
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Life's a beach for cafe owner Dave
Ref. 29656-11Name: Dave Smith, Age: 40-plus So what do you actually do? As the joint owner of Woods, my role is to ensure the customer base we have built up at Woods Coffee Shop in Wood Street continues to enjoy what our team has created in Swindon. What
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Firms could lose in card revolution
A new payments system due to be introduced in 2005 to combat credit card fraud could also hit many local firms in the pocket, the South West division of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) has warned. The new system, dubbed Chip
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MP works to help vulnerable
WEST Wiltshire MP Andrew Murrison has been working to help the vulnerable and disadvantaged. Dr Murrison put on a pair of goggles to simulate sight problems to experience the difficulties faced by those who are visually impaired. He completed an obstacle
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Canal teamwork scoops an award
THE Kennet and Avon Canal Partnership, responsible for restoring the canal to its former glory, has been given an award for its strong teamwork. It was named a winner in the partnership category at the Waterways Renaissance Awards at Madame Tussaud's
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Joint plan to protect the Plain
ENVIRONMENTALISTS and military bosses have joined forces to help safeguard the future of Salisbury Plain. An environmental agreement on the Plain by the Army Training Estates Salisbury Plain, Defence Estates, English Nature and English Heritage was signed
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Manager wanted by band
TEENAGE rockers 4 Hour Drive played their biggest gig on Tuesday when they supported legendary punk band Stiff Little Fingers. Now the group, whose members hail from across west Wiltshire, are looking to recruit a manager. The five-piece comprising of
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Service still back on track
RAIL users have been reassured by their MP that a popular train service from west Wiltshire to London Waterloo is not back under threat after it failed to show up in the new summer timetable. West Wiltshire MP Dr Andrew Murrison has received several calls
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Gloucestershire 0, Wiltshire 4
AN Alan Griffin hat-trick helped restore some pride into Wiltshire football at Almondsbury on Wednesday night and may have given the senior side a lifeline. Their future had been put in doubt after the county had struggled to field a team for the first
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Bristol Manor Farm 4, Westbury United 1
DEREK Graham pointed to three contentious decisions as the reasons for his side's eighth defeat in nine games on Tuesday night. The Westbury United manager claimed three of Bristol Manor Farm's goals should not have stood and that his side were harshly
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Record ends as Westbury keep up pressure at top
YOUTH FOOTBALL:WESTBURY Youth kept their championship hopes intact with a magnificent home win over previously unbeaten Trowbridge Town Youth in the under 15s Blue Division of the Wiltshire Times and Chippenham News Mid-Wilts Youth and Minor League. With
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Rivals poised for final showdown
WILTSHIRE JUNIOR CUP: WHEN Broughton Gifford and Rudloe step out at Corsham Town's Southbank ground on April 17 for an all-Trowbridge League Wiltshire Junior Cup final, the Division One rivals will be making history four times over. For Gifford, three
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Motoristescapes with fine
SPEEDING motorist Claire Warner has escaped a driving ban after being clocked at 88mph on the A36 between Crockerton and Heytesbury. Appearing before Salisbury magistrates last Tuesday, Warner, of The Folly, Bristol, claimed the detection equipment used
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Town not safe for disabled
WHEELCHAIR users fear the disabled and elderly are being driven out of Warminster because of cracked pavements and uneven roads. Warminster town centre has been criticised for failing to have safe access for wheelchairs and ignoring disabled and elderly
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Teenagers ask for first aid training
Ref. 14914/1THE rough and tumble of skateboarding in Warminster has prompted a group of teenagers to set up their own first aid course. A group of teenagers contacted the Warminster Youth Develop-ment Centre, in The Close, asking for help after a number
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Timber tips from Ground Force expert
TELEVISION garden and DIY expert Tommy Walsh has put green-fingered fans through their paces on the Longleat estate, near Warminster. The star of BBC show Ground Force was a special guest at an open day for Batsford Timber on Saturday. Over 200 amateur
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Developer appeals decision
DEVELOPERS planning to build houses next to war graves claim the project will have no detrimental effect despite the local MP labelling the move 'insensitive'. An appeal has been lodged against the decision by West Wiltshire District Council to stop nine
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Barrelling along for hospital
A BRADFORD ON AVON man is planning to roll a beer barrel from pub to pub around the town this summer, in memory of a friend who lost her battle against cancer. Town councillor Peter Leach's wife Jaqui's close friend Jenny Marsden died of cancer last month
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Bringing together twin town dwellers
PLANS are taking shape for a 300-mile pilgrimage to bring people from both sides of the English Channel closer together. Bradford on Avon & District French Twinning Association is planning the 10-day walk from its French twin town Sully-sur-Loire
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Easy option not always best
IN response to J Clift's comments in last week's Wiltshire Times regarding Trowbridge Town Football Club and the Woodmarsh Playing Field at North Bradley. I wholeheartedly agree with Mr Clift's comments regarding the need to find the appropriate location
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Council is working to find Tower Hill solution
IN answer to the question raised in relation to the Star letter in the Wiltshire Times dated March 5 from Mrs McGrath, Why did council transfer cash for improvements, I think it is worth considering the issues raised in the final paragraph of the letter
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Wiltshire force must stay local
Reference the recent stories in the Wiltshire Times that drew the readers' attention to the Government's consultation on police reform. I hope they will find it helpful to know that tucked away at the back of this consultation are the Government's plans
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Circus is forced to cut tour short
Ref. 29562-69A travelling circus has been destroyed by last weekend's gusty weather just days after its opening night in Swindon. Circus Fantazia had been pitched in Blunsdon on the A419 turnpike, behind The Little Chef, since March 10. But the 60mph
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Hollywood gloss that is just plain rubbish
Ref. 13129-36The Rt Rev Michael Doe, the Bishop of Swindon, gives his view on The Passion Of The Christ after seeing the film this week MEL Gibson's Passion is just a bad film. It tells the story of the last days of Jesus of Nazareth in a slow ponderous
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Intel chips in to fund
Ref. 29637-08SWINDON CANCER APPEAL: Celebratory balloons and a giant birthday cake adorned the Intel offices to mark the first birthday of the Swindon Cancer Appeal. The technology giant, in Pipers Way, decorated the birthday cake with a cheque for £35,000
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Couple's animals were 'left to rot'
Ref. 29227-31&36A PLAY group leader and her financial adviser husband have been banned for life from keeping animals after admitting leaving their pets to rot. Swindon magistrates were shown sickening photographs of Veronica and Polly a cat and dog
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Don't be a fool get your new licence now
IT is timely to remind all readers that the new Environment Agency rod licences are due on April 1 and you could run into problems if you are caught out without one. During February a total of 283 anglers were prosecuted by the Environment Agency for
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It's Elvis himselvis!
Ref. 29697-13The Evening Advertiser can reveal the identity of Swindon's mysterious Roundabout Elvis. The jumpsuit-clad rocker is none other than GWR DJ Howard Taylor. For the past week suspicious minds have been working overtime trying to identify the
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Zurich to axe 450 jobs
MORE than 450 jobs will be lost at Zurich in the next nine months after the insurance firm confirmed an £81m cost reduction programme. According to a statement issued by the firm, the cost-cutting initiative is aimed at reducing worldwide costs by a third
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Ciren earn qualification
Cirencester Under 10s took their A and B teams to Spartans for the second round of the Gloucestershire County Festival. Ciren A opened with a 5-0 win over Cheltenham, Michael Kosylowicz scoring and then saw off Drybrook 10-5, Kosylowicz scoring again
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Vase success is Swindon's goal
SWINDON skipper Paul Wakefield is not about to turn his nose up at the chance of lifting the Dorset & Wilts 1st XV Vase even though he admits it was not top of the club's priority list at the start of the season. The Greenbridge Road club have their
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The power of dreams
HONDA in Swindon now employs around 4,300 staff and uses some of the world's most advanced production processes. But its beginnings were more humble. In 1985, the factory only comprised a pre-delivery centre which was tasked with checking the quality
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Race is a snip for Nigel
Hairdresser Nigel Evans is running in the London Marathon on April 18 to raise cash for charity. Mr Evans, who runs the Trowbridge gents hairdressers Nigel's, started running four years ago to get in shape and help him combat asthma. After losing five
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Skydive challenge
DEDICATED workers at a Trowbridge care home are proving how much they love their jobs by skydiving 12,000ft out of a plane. A trio of women from Shaftesbury Court care home, in Manor Close, will don parachutes on Easter Day to kick-off a £5,000 charity
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Occasion honours pride of the town
BALLGOWNS and black ties were the dress code as Trowbridge Town Council hosted its yearly civic dinner and dance in glamorous style. Pearl invitations and menus were printed for the event, held at Trowbridge Civic Hall on Friday, to mark the town council's
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School's fears for kids' safety
GOVERNORS at a Trowbridge primary school fear an increase in traffic will hurtle past their front gates if a multi-million pound business park is approved. Plans for a £7m business park off Bradford Road were turned down earlier this month, but governors
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Long wait for crossing
CAMPAIGNERS battling for a crossing outside a Trowbridge primary school have won their fight. But news it could take two-years for the crossing outside Newtown Primary School to be built has sparked a wave of criticism. A report set to go before Wiltshire
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Lottery cash for groups
THE Trowbridge Area Festival of Fun was the top beneficiary as five west Wiltshire groups scoop almost £17,000 of lottery cash. The summer event has picked up a £5,000 grant to support its work in teaching practical skills to youngsters aged 13 to 19
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The Salon star judges hair and beauty contest
REALITY TV hairdresser Gina Akers took along her trademark touch of style to help judge a hair and beauty contest held at the Arc Theatre. Gina, star of Channel 4's The Salon, was one of the judges at the competition, organised by Wiltshire College, Trowbridge
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Choir hits the right note for a second win
Ref. 28037/2A TALENTED primary school choir from Trowbridge are celebrating after retaining a coveted festival award for the second year running. Pupils at Hilperton Primary School beat off tough competition at the Mid Somerset Festival, held in Bath
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New pay deal nears conclusion
INTENSE pay negotiations at Airsprung are nearing a conclusion, according to union representatives. GMB representative Kevin Brandstatter met with bosses on Friday to thrash out a new deal for the company's workforce. Mr Brandstatter said negotiations
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Trowbridge by-election June date
A BY-ELECTION has been called for the College ward, Trowbridge with voters going to the polls in June. Liam Silcocks, who will stand as an independent candidate, has called the Trowbridge Town Council by-election after collecting the necessary 10 signatures
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Children are good sports for charity
Ref. 28026/1A HOST of sporting and leisure activities were laid on for students at a Trowbridge secondary school to raise money for charity on Friday. Clarendon School pupils threw themselves into a wealth of events, including a fun run, aerobics sessions
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Artist joins pupils for sculpture session
Ref. 28025CHILDREN at a Trowbridge primary school got the chance to work with a real artist and produce their own artwork. Wiltshire-based sculptor James Aldridge visited Studley Green School to work with youngsters to produce their own creations. Teacher
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Pigeons ruffle more feathers
A CLOTHES shop manager in Trowbridge was furious after pigeons caused a major disruption to her business by pecking out the phone wires. Ann Edney discovered the town's resident bird population were to blame for a day of chaos at her Fore Street store
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Students wait for response to petition
WORRIED students at The John of Gaunt School have handed teachers a 180-name petition calling for a locked gate to be opened so they can travel to lessons in safety. Sixth formers at the Wingfield Road school told the Wiltshire Times last week they were
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All the weekend's local football fixtures
SATURDAY MID-Wilts Youth & Minor League Under 11s Blue Division: Calne Tn Yth FC v AFC Corsham; Warminster Highbury v Trowbridge Tn Yth Red. Under 11s Green Division: Shaw & W v Trowbridge Tn Blue; Westbury v Devizes Tn Yth. Under 11s Red Division
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League secures new sponsor
GLS Football Limited will be the Hellenic League's new sponsor after signing a three-year deal. As of next season the league shall be known as the Gladwish Land Sales Hellenic Football League. The three cups will also incorporate the new sponsor's name
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Kuczynski's leaders preparing for a tough test at Corsham
Premier Division leaders AFC Stratton could face a tough fixture at Corsham this weekend, writes RAY BURROUGHS. The home side's strength fluctuates according to the first team's availability but no doubt they will field a strong squad against the leaders
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Hughes admits dream is over
CIRENCESTER manager Brian Hughes has conceded defeat in the race for the Western Division title. Back-to-back defeats in the past week ahead of the derby at Gloucester City tomorrow leaves the Centurions 13 points behind leaders Redditch. "I genuinely
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The boys are back in town
SWINDON SUPERMARINE welcome back two old favourites for the visit of Team Bath tomorrow as well as a face for the future. After a quiet start to life in the Hunts Copse hot-seat, new manager Mark Collier has had a busy week. The two Daves Gee and Slattery
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Call for deputy Prime Minister to veto houses plan
DEPUTY Prime Minister John Prescott will veto plans to build a housing development on Swindon's Front Garden, if a councillor has her way. Swindon Council wants to have land south of the town turned into a housing development. However, North Wiltshire
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A history of Swindon education
1871 King William Street Church of England School opens and is described as "very impressive". 1878 Holy Rood, Swindon's first Roman Catholic school opens in Regent Street. It was for fee-paying pupils, 1880 education for five to 14-year-olds becomes
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Education in the early days
BEFORE the Great Western Railway arrived in Swindon small private schools, known as dame schools because most of them were run by women, provided basic education for countless Swindon children whose parents could pay their fees. Victorian novelist and
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Street girl is let off fines
PROSTITUTE Carina Matysiak has been let off paying fines and court costs totalling £220 by town justices. The 23-year-old, one of many vice girls who have persistently plagued the Broad Street area of town, failed to pay the penalties imposed almost two
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Chance for youngsters to scoop toys
THE Brunel Centre, in Swindon, is giving one school or nursery the chance to win £1,000 worth of play equipment. Children are asked to draw the place or country that they would most like to visit. The winner will be awarded play equipment for their school
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Quality award for schools
Four Swindon schools have been awarded the Primary Quality Mark, in recognition of their commitment to improving basic skills. Ferndale Junior School, Peatmoor Community Prim-ary, Wroughton Infant and Lethbridge Primary School join 13 other Swindon schools
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Step out in walkathon to help young Brandon
Ref. 29254-87If you fancy taking a walk to help a little boy walk, take a trip to Trax gym on Monday. Trax, in Sheppard Street, is holding a walkathon to raise money for four-year-old Brandon Humphries, who has cerebral palsy. His parents Tracey, 38,
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Road set to reopen after major revamp
DRIVERS will be relieved to hear that the end of the road is in sight for the long-term repair works near Ashton Keynes. For two months the B4696 between Ashton Keynes and Leigh has been closed and drivers have had to follow diversions of up to three
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Store's year of trading
Ref. 29687-75BLUNSDON residents were at a loss when their local shop closed in 2002. But rather than dutifully mourning its passing they got together and set up their own village store. And on Monday, Blunsdon Village Shop celebrates its first anniversary
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Famous story gets a fresh twist at the school panto
Ref. 29686-26IT may only be the start of spring but children at a Blunsdon school are getting into panto mood. Around 60 pupils at St Andrew's Primary are busy putting the final touches to the classic tale of Jack And The Beanstalk, which they will perform
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Vulnerable old people tricked by evil thieves
BOGUS callers have been preying on elderly people in Lyneham and Wootton Bassett this week. Police in Wootton Bassett are now investigating two such incidents. The first occurred in Keats Close in Wootton Bassett on Wednesday at 8.30pm when money was
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Lottery windfall helps villagers save hall
BRADENSTOKE residents have reached the target to save their village hall with the help of a £5,000 lottery award. The much-needed money from the National Lottery's Awards for All programme brought to £15,000 the total raised. Spokesperson Shirley Lee
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Residents anxious over stadium plan
Ref. 29698-34AS plans unfold for a new Swindon Town stadium, local residents are becoming increasingly concerned about its impact and many are angry they could be denied green open space. Thousands of trees have already been planted on the proposed stadium
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Help for world poor called into question
SOUTH Swindon MP Julia Drown has called into doubt the Government's commitment to tackle world poverty. In the House of Commons this week, she highlighted the fact UK aid levels lag far behind international targets despite the Prime Minister promising
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VIPs impressed with children's art work
Ref. 29679-23TALENTED youngsters from Grange Junior School held an art exhibition this week. More than 430 different pieces were shown including paintings, weavings, collages and puppets. Every pupil in the school had produced a piece for display with
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Plan aims to put housing benefit payments on target
SWINDON Council has admitted its housing benefit performance is not good enough and says it is working to improve. The Advertiser reported on Wednesday that the council was taking 57 days to process new housing benefit claims. The national average is
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Store's plan may save post office
Ref. 29118-08TESCO has agreed to consider a plan that could save Shaw Post Office from closure. Last month the supermarket giant announced it was getting rid of the post office in the village centre's One Stop shop to make room for more products. But,
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The end of a two-tier service
I HAVE just received a letter from the Royal Mail proposing to combine first and second deliveries into a single daily delivery. Customers will now receive their mail by lunchtime. When the two-tier (first and second class) post was introduced, we were
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Have pride in your area
I WOULD like to respond to C Shrive's letter, Pick up your litter (EA, March 22). Firstly, my letter about dog mess was aimed at irresponsible dog walkers, not the responsible ones who do clean up after their dogs. Secondly, C Shrive seems to think that
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All hands on deck to protect this treasure
I write in reply to Julian A Leggett's letter (22/03/04), in which he implies that the people of Swindon are expecting a good fairy to come to the rescue of the Mechanics' Institute. In his letter Mr Leggett also suggests that the Evening Advertiser is
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Loyal Barry has sights set on trophy
BARRY Coombes has urged his team-mates to produce one more big performance tomorrow as he bids to lead Trowbridge Ruby Club to their first Dorset and Wilts Vase triumph for over five years. Trowbridge play Swindon in the final tomorrow at Devizes Rugby
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Club building for the future
AFTER months of fundraising Winsley cricket club have started to build a new all-purpose clubhouse ready for the new season. The club were thrown into turmoil in April last year when their old wooden pavilion was gutted by a fire. After the blaze, a suspected
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Howe's That?
EDDIE HOWE is determined to put two years of injury hell behind him and help Swindon Town to Second Division promotion glory. The 26-year-old Portsmouth defender (pictured, in blue shirt) feared his career could be in tatters after three knee operations
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Avebury group fears 'knock-on'
DECISIONS taken about the Stonehenge tunnel could have a knock-on effect at Avebury, the inquiry heard last week. Following on from archaeologists' concerns, expressed to the inquiry last week, that the proposed 2.1km tunnel, costing £200m, would be inadequate
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More young people forced away from local property ladder
YOUNG professionals have been contacting the Journal complaining about the high cost of buying property. Last week, we featured young couple Debbie Greenwood and Michael Winters, who are moving to Derbyshire in a desperate attempt to buy their first home
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Club physio continues family tradition with the Bluebirds
CHIPPENHAM-born Paul Watts is relishing the opportunity of helping his home town club in their push for a place in the Conference League Two next season. Watts, 45, was appointed Chippenham Town physiotherapist midway through last season after years of
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Green now ready to stay at Hardenhuish
MICHAEL Green is expecting to be at Hardenhuish for the remainder of the season after his last chance of playing league football this season seems to have fallen through. Green, who is currently on a month's loan from Southampton academy, has spent a
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Derby tickets on sale
TICKETS for Chippenham's crunch local derby at home to Bath City on April 3 will go back on sale next week. The match was made all ticket with attendance being limited to 1,500, of which 450 have been allocated to Bath. So far only 300 tickets have been
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White sets new points target
CHIPPENHAM Town manager Steve White is not putting too much emphasis on tomorrow's opponents as his side look to consolidate their play-off position. The Bluebirds travel to Dr Martens League high-flyers Weymouth desperate for points as they continue
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Thorne's ready for Claridge challenge
STEVE Claridge has spent his career putting fear up opposition defenders but ahead of Chippenham's trip to Weymouth tomorrow Wayne Thorne insists he will not be intimidated. Claridge is now the player-manager for the seasiders and his goals this season
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Constablearrests all the talk of moving on
CHIPPENHAM Town striker James Constable has laughed off any suggestions of a potential move away from Hardenhuish. The club turned down a £2,500 offer, plus sell-on clause, for the 19-year-old from Conference club Forest Green Rovers last week and Constable
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Taking a closer look at Mexico's colourful past
AN ANCIENT civilisation, renowned for its human sacrifices, has been brought to life by pupils at Bitham Brook Primary School. Youngsters in three classes have this term been learning about the Aztecs who ruled over modern day Mexico before the Spanish
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Pupils are all ears for hearing dog talk
Ref. 28035/1A TALENTED pooch called Budgie was the star attraction at Westbury Infants School on Monday as youngsters looked on with interest. Budgie is a hearing dog for the deaf and was brought in for assembly by his owner Tracy Lewis, who lives in
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Fast-acting pupil saves OAP's life
Jonathan BatesMODEST teenager Jonathan Bates has been hailed a hero after he dashed to the aid of an 89-year-old woman who had fallen at her home. Neighbours believe that without the 15-year-old the elderly woman may not be alive today. Jonathan's heroics
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New talent entertains
ROCK music filled a Melksham school on Friday as budding stars took to the stage to entertain fellow pupils. It was the ninth annual concert at The George Ward School and those taking part were determined to make it even better than previous years. Organiser
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Fears for summer of traffic chaos
TRAFFIC chaos is due to hit Melksham again as major road works lasting up to seven months start on three main routes into the town. Gas company Transco will begin digging up Sandridge Road, Forest Road, Orchard Gardens and King Street on April 5, with
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Mayor sees effects of Madrid bombings
THE Mayor of Melksham is glad to be back home after witnessing at close hand two recent disasters that shook the world. Terri Welch, 63, was in Spain when the train bombs that killed 200 people went off, two weeks after holidaying in Morocco when a massive
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Factory opening may be worthy of royal visitor
PRINCE ANDREW could open a rail firm's new multi-million pound factory once it is completed next year. A spokesman for Westinghouse Brakes confirmed the Duke of York would be approached to open the firm's building in Hampton Park East, Bowerhill, Melksham
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Hospital stay leads to love for golden couple
WHEN hospital patient Bert Vincent caught sight of a pretty young orderly called Elfrida in the next ward, he knew she was the girl for him - even though part of her face was hidden by a mask. "I used to work in the slaughterhouse at Stratford-sub-Castle
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More young people forced away from local property ladder
YOUNG professionals have been contacting the Journal complaining about the high cost of buying property in Salisbury. Last week, we featured young couple Debbie Greenwood and Michael Winters, who are moving to Derbyshire in a desperate attempt to buy
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Searching for Cora of Cockill Farm
I am looking for a lady named Cora who lived at Cockhill Farm, Bradford on Avon, during the Second World War (I believe the farm is no longer there). I was based at the aerodrome there, she worked in the camp. She would be about 74 now. Mr E Hoile 9 Rock
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Pay up or face jail
A CLAMP down on unpaid fines means defaulters could end up in prison. Police and bailiffs are working together as part of Operation Payback, a national initiative to recover unpaid court fines and compensation. More than £1.2m in fines remain unpaid in
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More officers on the streets
POLICE officers in Wiltshire are to be given more time to spend patrolling the county's streets. The force is one of 10 across the country to get a share of an extra £13m in Government funding to employ more civilian staff to do station-based jobs. Launching
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Age no object in top awards
OLDER employees fighting discrimination in the workplace and companies challenging stereotypical views on age are being lined up to scoop top awards. The Wiltshire Times has this week joined forces with the Age Positive scheme to endorse and promote the
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Grant boost for farmers
FARMERS in west Wiltshire received an unexpected boost this week with a Government grant of almost £1m to develop business skills and make farms more profitable. Seven colleges in the south west will split a £995,000 grant from the Department of Food
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Polish president sees west Wiltshire's best
CIVIC leaders in west Wiltshire entertained a Polish president during his first official visit to the district. President Slonina, of west Wiltshire's twin community Elblag, was greeted with a fanfare reception when he arrived in Trowbridge. However,
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Westbury United 1, Clevedon United 2
WESTBURY United manager Derek Graham has called for his side to be more clinical in front of goal as they crashed to their fourth straight defeat on Saturday. Steve Perkins' first half penalty was not enough to prevent United slipping to their seventh
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Trowbridge Town 4, Pewsey Vale 2
TROWBRIDGE Town reached their second successive Wiltshire Senior Cup final on Wednesday night with a convincing victory over their Hellenic Premier League opponents. Trowbridge went into the match as the underdogs, sitting two divisions lower than Pewsey
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Mark saves point after Bradford let lead slip
PLAISTER AUTOS WILTSHIRE LEAGUE: MARK Gerrish spared Bradford Town's blushes with a late equaliser at Cricklade after his side had thrown away an early two-goal lead in Saturday's Premier Division clash. The 4-4 draw in gale-like conditions maintained
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Centre hand over cup semi-final on a plate
CHIPPENHAM SUNDAY LEAGUE: CORSHAM Centre have pulled out of this Sunday's PPL Presto Print sponsored Knockout Cup semi-final, ending their challenge for glory on three fronts. The Centre have told the league they are unable to raise a team for Sunday's
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City are on the trail of Seend hot shot Luke
TROWBRIDGE LEAGUE: SEEND United's hot teenage property Luke Ballinger has become the latest tormentor of relegated Division One side Blue Circle. Ballinger, grandson of former Chippenham Town stalwart Brian and who is set to have trials with Bristol City
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Mane attraction
TWO lions are taking pride of place at Longleat Safari Park after being found at a nearby family-run garden centre. Acres Supply, Corsley, handed over two life-size sculptures of lions on Friday. The bronze statues are set to become an attraction on the
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Pensioner swims mile for charity
AN ELDERLY swimmer has raised over £100 for cancer sufferers by completing a mile in just under an hour. Keith Green, 77, swam 66 lengths of Warminster pool on Sunday in 55 minutes and 45 seconds. Now £120 raised through sponsorship and donations has
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Managers cleared by county FA
FIVE top Wiltshire football managers have been cleared of bringing the game into disrepute. The charges stemmed from the managers expressing their views in the Wiltshire Times and Chippenham News on whether Trowbridge Town's Woodmarsh Ground is up to
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New sights at Longleat
VISITORS at the opening of Longleat Safari Park this weekend will be able to take a trip to the beach despite being miles from the sea. The Sea Lion Beach, built on the Half Mile Lake, is the newest attraction at the park when it opens on Saturday. Other
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Worry over children's eye tests
OPTICIANS have labelled tests on children's eyesight a shambles, fearing poor school screening leaves many youngsters undiagnosed. Eye experts at Bateman's Opticians, Market Place, Warminster claim a fifth of all children in the town are suffering from
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Zoe's gran pleads for 50-year tariff
THE Trowbridge grandmother of murdered schoolgirl Zoe Evans has called for her killer to spend the next 50 years behind bars. Ann Hamilton, 58, has detailed her family's grief at losing nine-year-old Zoe, in a statement to be read by a judge at Miles
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Killer bug hits elderly patients
WILTSHIRE TIMES EXCLUSIVE: HOSPITAL superbug MRSA has struck down two elderly patients recovering from operations at Warminster Community Hospital. The patients have been confined to isolation while medical staff carry out stringent hygiene procedures
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Hospital's last ward faces axe
WILTSHIRE TIMES EXCLUSIVE: A WARD has been temporarily axed and beds closed sparking fears that it spells the end for Warminster Community Hospital. The decision to shut the last remaining ward at the hospital has been called a disaster for healthcare
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Hospital's last ward faces axe
WILTSHIRE TIMES EXCLUSIVE: A WARD has been temporarily axed and beds closed sparking fears that it spells the end for Warminster Community Hospital. The decision to shut the last remaining ward at the hospital has been called a disaster for healthcare
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Have fun with Lions
The Bradford on Avon Lions Club is taking bookings for its annual Family Fun Day on May 31. As well as stalls, sideshows and refreshments the club is planning a Grand Car Boot Sale to draw in the crowds at the bank holiday Monday event. Lions press officer
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Personal safety for teenagers
YOUNG people in Bradford on Avon are now well equipped to look after number one thanks to a training course at the town youth centre. Around 15 teenagers volunteered for the Suzy Lamplugh training last night a two-hour session on personal safety organised
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Morris helps drive school's fundraising plans forward
A CLASSIC car is going online as part of an internet auction to raise funds for a Bradford on Avon school. The left-hand drive Morris Minor, built in America for export in 1960, will be auctioned through the eBay website as part of a fundraising initiative
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Thank you for kind donation
COULD we please say thank you to the Family Members of the Church for their gift of £1,000. The gift has come at a most appropriate time. Even though we are still waiting for the planning department and the results of various consultations the planning
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Why was teen's car seized by officers a second time?
I AM writing concerning the seizure, twice, of a car owned by an 18-year-old at Bradford on Avon by the police. Surely if he had committed any offence he should have been reported and taken to court but to seize the car and make him pay the fee of £105
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Postal changes fail to get stamp of approval
I READ with interest your article written by Ed Mezzetti on postal changes (Wiltshire Times, March 12) and I sympathise with Mr McLellan as I have the same problem and I am sure there are many other Royal Mail customers in the same situation. It appears
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PCT should be taken to task
I note with interest the recent flurry of letters with regard to Mr Gray MP and Mr Fox PPC. I was especially amused by Mr Fox's request for a public debate on Marshfield Road Surgery. This is, in theory, a fantastic idea but it shows that Mr Fox doesn't
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Defence Force reunion
CALLING all former members of the RAuxAF Defence Force which was based at RAF Lyneham from 1986-1994. This year marks the 10th anniversary of our disbandment and I am keen to hear from members interested in attending a reunion in October this year. The
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Contracts to keep GPs have to be renewed
MAY I draw your attention to a potentially serious state of affairs which relates to NHS patients in Warminster. This not only concerns some of those affected by the decision of the West Wiltshire Primary Care Trust, reported by the Wiltshire Times on
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A crime of passion?
Ref. 29666-32One of the most controversial films in cinema history hits the screens of Swindon's cinemas today. The Passion Of The Christ is the latest offering from the movie world's interpretation of historical events. Directed by Mel Gibson, and starring
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Susie the wonder dog sniffs out flood
Ref. 29694-46SUSIE the German shepherd dog stepped into the breach and saved Beechcroft Infants School from serious flooding. Susie, who lives with her owner, school caretaker Dave Stratton, on the school site in Beechcroft Road, Upper Stratton, was awoken
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Rape case:Pair cleared
TWO friends have been found not guilty of raping a woman after meeting her at a nightclub. Michael Gibbs, 27, wept uncontrollably in the dock of Swindon Crown Court after a jury took just 52 minutes to clear him and Daniel Ward, 25. They had been accused
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Chippenham to host cup
THE Rugby World Cup Trophy will stop in Chippenham after it has been displayed in Swindon on Saturday, April 10, it has been confirmed. The Webb Ellis Trophy will be on display at Chippenham Town Hall from 2pm where it will be on display for public viewing
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Attacker jailed for six months
A female pub bouncer who punched and stamped on a man in a town centre attack has walked free from court. Cindy Morgan, 31, had been thrown out of the Chicago Rock Caf in Trowbridge where she worked as one of the venue's security staff before she lashed
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New science lab moves school's plans forward
SCIENCE facilities at a Trowbridge secondary school have been bolstered with the opening of a purpose-built laboratory. The new LEA-funded building, named the Franklin laboratory, was unveiled at the John of Gaunt School last Wednesday by acting headteacher
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Pool event tribute to stab victim
THE family and friends of stabbing victim Paul Rodgers are preparing to host the second annual pool tournament in his memory. Pool players from across west Wiltshire will join together to enter the two-day tournament, due to be held at Terry's Nitespot
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Virgin is praised for policy
MINISTERS have praised a Trowbridge phone company after it pledged to restrict access to adult content on phones to over-18s only. Virgin Mobile has adopted a new opt-in policy meaning customers must prove they are over 18 to access age-restricted experiences
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Talented pupils perform for title
Musicians at a Trowbridge secondary school battled it out for a coveted title at the 13th Young Musician of the Year event. Ten finalists from St Augustine's Catholic College played and sang for the school's title at the Wiltshire Music Centre in Bradford
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Honda's great green machines
A HONDA car has been named the UK's greenest motor. The Insight does 67 miles to the gallon in town that's way ahead of its nearest rival, the Toyota Prius, which does 57. At the opposite end of the spectrum, the country's biggest polluter is the Ferrari
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Station site is on schedule
POLICE officers and detectives in Trowbridge are on track to move into their new £2m station this summer. Building at the Polebarn Road site is on schedule, with engineers expecting to be finished by mid-summer. Trowbridge Inspector Glynn Hookings told
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Bosses blasted for being too greedy
BOSSES at Nestl have been accused of acting on greedy motives with their decision to axe 155 jobs. Union representatives from the Transport and General Workers Union (T&G) angrily blasted management at the Staverton factory for being motivated "solely
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Alcoholic died in flat
A YOUNG Trowbridge man drank himself to death an inquest heard on Wednesday. Brian Simmonds, 28, was found dead at his Newtown home in November after battling to overcome his alcoholism. Mr Simmonds was a former pupil at the John of Gaunt School and studied
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Woman hit by vehicle
SAFETY fears have been raised after a mother was knocked down as she walked her child home from a Trowbridge school. The woman was hit by a Ford Sierra on the junction of Dursley Road and New Road, at about 4.20pm on Tuesday, as she walked her child home
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Embryo decision delayed
THE Trowbridge woman fighting to save the frozen embryos that are her last chance to have a baby faces a nail-biting wait to find out if she has succeeded. Natallie Evans put her case before the Court of Appeal this week but judgement on the case has
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Zoe's gran pleads for 50-year tariff
THE Trowbridge grandmother of murdered schoolgirl Zoe Evans has called for her killer to spend the next 50 years behind bars. Ann Hamilton, 58, has detailed her family's grief at losing nine-year-old Zoe, in a statement to be read by a judge at Miles
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Events cook up cash for charity
Ref. 28000MONEY is starting to roll in for the Wiltshire Times 150 Fund raising money to donate to west Wiltshire groups and organisations in need of support. Wiltshire Times staff have started running a monthly Big Breakfast and their first event this
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Man knocked out in street robbery
MUGGING victim Graham Britten has blamed the spiralling drug culture for an increase in street robberies in Trowbridge. Father-of-two Mr Britten, 44, was knocked unconscious and robbed in a vicious attack near Trowbridge Park. The Bowyers worker, who
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Hopkins hops off
DEVIZES travel to Odd Down without a manager tomorrow following the resignation of player-boss Dave Hopkins. The 31-year-old stood down this week citing mass apathy from the club's board, players and fans as the reason for his departure. "Some of the
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Claridge and White collide
ONE wily old pro with aspirations of managing in the Football League meets another when Chippenham travel to Dr Martens League money-bags Weymouth tomorrow. Bluebirds boss Steve White will cross swords with Terras counterpart Steve Claridge as Chippenham
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Musical promises to be a heavenly treat
Ref. 29681-17Singers are taking to the stage tonight in aid of the Swindon Cancer Appeal. Swindon and Marlbor-ough Methodist Circuit's performance of the musical God In Us, by Don Moen, promises to be a treat, judging by the final dress rehearsal held
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Villagers given land ultimatum
Ref. 29680-10RESIDENTS in Winterbourne Bassett are facing an ultimatum over the future of the village's cricket ground. For more than 20 years, the Piggery field in the village near Avebury has been used as a recreational area by villagers and as a pitch
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Some brightness looms out of a period of gloom
FOR generations, Swindon's educators basked in the warmth of a good reputation. But dark clouds gathered. In recent years, Churchfields, Hreod Parkway and Headlands secondary schools have been placed under special measures after a caning by the Ofsted
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Comings and goings
IN the world of education nothing stands still, especially in a town with an expanding population. In the 18 years after the 1939-45 war, 27 new schools opened in Swindon to cater for the children of thousands of families who had moved here. But as new
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When school was a luxury
Ref. 28985-05SHIRLEY MATHIAS charts the progress of schooling in Swindon in the 150 years since the Evening Advertiser was first published WHEN William Morris published the first Swindon Advertiser and Monthly Record on February 6, 1854, probably only
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Air show tickets up for grabs
TICKETS for this year's spectacular Kemble Air Day will go on sale on Thursday. The show will pay homage to the RAF's world- famous Red Arrows, which were based at Kemble during their early years. The show will be held at the former RAF station on June
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Writer waits for film call
Ref. 29675-4A PURTON author is waiting to see whether his wartime memories will be transferred to the small screen. Sid Walker, 79, of Hooks Hill, at various times helped his family look after wartime child refugees from London and was a member of the
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Arts group work to be recognised at theatre
The Wyvern Theatre is marking the achievements of Swindon Arts by renaming one of its performance spaces. Swindon Arts, the organisation that put together various Swindon festivals including the Swindon jazz, film and think art festivals, will be shutting
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Chances to put on the style
A fashion show revealing the latest in ethical clothes is to be held at Toothill Church on Saturday. A range of fairly traded garments produced in the Third World will be on show and on sale at the Toothill event where volunteers will model new designs
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Memorial is nearing completion
THE long-awaited war memorial in Wootton Bassett will be in place in time for Remembrance Day this year. The stone plinth, inscribed Lest We Forget, has been in position for the past three Remembrance ceremonies in the High Street waiting for the statue
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Town's council tax is below national average
SWINDON'S council tax is slightly below the national average. Figures released by the Government yesterday show that on average a Band D home will pay £1,143. In Swindon, the average figure for a Band D home is £1,130.52. It changes in different areas
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We want your memories
I AM one of a group of volunteers researching the history of Even Swindon from when the area was three farms to today. The project is run by the National Monuments Record Centre and co-ordinated by Jane Golding. We have collated a lot of information from
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Old 'uns and young 'uns join forces
AFTER a successful revamp at the start of this season, Trowbridge Odd Sods are flourishing and looking forward to exciting times. The Odd Sods officially Trowbridge third team can pick from a larger squad than ever before as the club continues to move
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'Giant strides but be patient'
TROWBRIDGE Rugby Club have made giant steps forward in the past three years says their director of rugby, Chris Watts. As the first team prepare for tomorrow's Dorset and Wilts Vase final against Swindon, Watts has reflected on the past and insists the
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Stand-in skipper Humphreys signs extension to Bath contract
Former Wales skipper Jonathan Humphreys has become the latest player to agree fresh terms with Bath after signing a one-year contract extension with the Zurich Premiership leaders. The veteran hooker, 34, has been in superb form this season and has proved
