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Stories for 12 October 2000
Calne News
A swig of water costs driver £40
ACCOUNTS clerk Linda Smart, who defiantly refused to pay a £20 fixed penalty ticket after being stopped by police for swigging water from a bottle while driving, has been found guilty of not being in control of her car. more...
On the hunt for bargains
BARGAIN hunters can take their pick of other people's unwanted goods at Calne's second clearout day this month. more...
Councillors move on new skateboard park
COUNCILLORS have answered young people's wishes by pledging at least £40,000 for a new skate park and pushing ahead with a new drop-in centre. more...
Preparing for historic show
CALNE Silver Band is celebrating three quarters of a century of musical history this month. more...
Mining firm can rock on
A MINERALS extraction company has been given permission to carry on digging for the next 42 years. more...
Vicar to move parishes
ROBIN Cardwell is to leave Derry Hill after a decade as vicar to start a new job and get married. more...
See master's work
SCULPTURE enthusiasts have this week been taking advantage of the last chance to see the work of the late Sean Crampton at his home in Rookery Farmhouse. more...
Call for a hospital and more surgeries
A HOSPITAL, restaurants and improved leisure facilities are among the things the people of Calne would like to see in their town. more...
Chippenham News
Cheers to Bourbon Street
A CORNER of old-time New Orleans has opened up in Chippenham. more...
Mother's anger over vaccination blunder
HEALTH chiefs launched an inquiry after five-year-old Rose White was given a meningitis vaccination at school against her mother's wishes. more...
Dealer admits to supplying heroin
DRUG dealer William Douglas, who was arrested after a high speed car chase through the town, admitted supplying heroin to people in Chippenham regularly, a court heard. more...
Reward offer as 6ft rocket zooms away
A REWARD is being offered to anyone who spots a missing six foot rocket which shot thousands of feet into the air at Yatesbury and vanished. more...
Shadow minister visits town
SHADOW agriculture minister Tim Yeo will be talking to farmers at Chippenham Market tomorrow. more...
New plan to reduce speed on busy road
SPEEDING motorists in Hungerdown Lane, Chippenham, could soon face a barrage of traffic-calming measures expected to cost more than £200,000. more...
Mum to take a leap of faith
CHIPPENHAM mum Catherine Thatcher, 53, will be jumping off the top of Salisbury College to raise money for the Red Cross. more...
Talented pair in versed place
POETRY is a family affair in the Moore household, with sisters Beatrice and Rachel each scooping a top prize in the Wiltshire Libraries' Poetry Competition. more...
Town centre housing plan worries council
A BATTLE over plans for Chippenham town centre has broken out following the unveiling of new plans for the Flowers site. more...
Families driven out by cost of housing
A shortage of affordable housing could drive more than 500 families out of North Wiltshire, a new survey has discovered. more...
Cleaning up for charity
MALMESBURY'S skies were full of balloons on Friday October 6 when school children and workers at the Dyson vacuum cleaner factory took part in a fun day to raise funds for the Meningitis Research Foundation. more...
MPs support no tolerance on drugs
NORTH wiltshire MP James Gray and Tory party chairman, Devizes MP Michael Ancram both say they have never smoked cannabis. more...
New look at playing fields
PLAYING field campaigners in Chippenham are celebrating a victory in establishing the extent of the town's playing field shortfall. more...
Pub shells out for good eggs
FOUR intrepid men tackled a dish of pickled eggs down at their local pub in Chippenham at the weekend. more...
Devizes News
Headteacher job confirmed
JACQUI Monckton has been confirmed as the new headteacher at Dauntsey's Aided Primary School in West Lavington. more...
Prehistory inspires poem
DEVIZES School pupils were encouraged to think like people living in the area 5,000 years ago when they met poet Rose Flint at Wiltshire Heritage Museum in Long Street last week. more...
Inquest jury told of widow's heartache
SUICIDAL widow Gillian Sweet killed herself at Green Lane Hospital in Devizes, despite being placed under observations every five minutes, an inquest heard. more...
Twirling for England place
TEN members of the Devizes' Apollo Majorettes could be marching for England if they are successful in a national competition at the end of the month. more...
Family's grief over death of young mum
THE family of young mum Gill Barter have spoken of their sorrow after the 27-year-old was found dead at her Market Lavington. more...
Brother's shock after vandals steal wreaths
FLORAL tributes to 31-year-old Peter Scarff, who is believed to have died in a car fire two weeks ago, have been stolen or torn apart by vandals. more...
Police on trail of Robo thieves
POLICE are seeking thieves who stole eight electronic Furby-like toys from under the gaze of security cameras at a Devizes store. more...
Double glazing salesman in assault on boy
A BOY of 15 told police he was beaten up after he threw water over a double glazing salesman. more...
Landlord determined to close village pub
THE village of Erlestoke is set to lose its only pub because landlord Ian Hutcheon wants to convert it to a house. more...
Residents' opposition to recycling centre plan
MORE than 150 residents of Hamilton Drive and Ferozeshah Road, Devizes, attended a public meeting on Monday to vent their fury over plans for a recycling centre near to their homes on Wiltshire County Council's Horton Road depot. more...
Drama treats for villages
VILLAGE organisations in Kennet have been invited to meetings at the Castle Hotel, Devizes next week to find out what visiting arts events are available. more...
Dynamic duo sing for kids
A YOUNG singing duo will headline a concert in aid of Children in Need at Devizes Town Hall next month. more...
Chiefs pay tribute to the fuel scale heroes
WILTSHIRE health chiefs have paid tribute to the stalwart band of business people, emergency services personnel and local authority officers who kept the NHS on the road during the recent fuel crisis. more...
Family's grief over death of young mum
THE family of young mum Gill Barter have spoken of their sorrow after the 27-year-old was found dead at her Market Lavington. more...
Jockey's baby joy aids injury fight
INJURED jockey Tim Sprake's fight back to fitness after a devastating head injury has been aided by the news his wife Debbie is expecting their third child in the New Year. more...
A swig of water costs driver £40
ACCOUNTS clerk Linda Smart, who defiantly refused to pay a £20 fixed penalty ticket after being stopped by police for swigging water from a bottle while driving, has been found guilty of not being in control of her car. more...
Crisis looms as more hospital beds blocked
WILTSHIRE'S Social Services director Ray Jones has hit back at claims that bed blocking in the county's hospitals is due to a cut in spending. more...
Lone lord of the dance a class act
A FICTIONAL Ballet dancer who is delighting filmgoers has a real-life counterpart in Devizes. more...
Children looking for a caring new home Adoption to fall into line
PEOPLE are needed by Wiltshire Social Services to adopt and provide new homes for 23 youngsters. more...
Problem schools inquiry ordered
AN inquiry has begun into why the number of Wiltshire schools with problems is increasing. more...
Engineer set for mission in Serbia
MILDENHALL parish councillor Nigel Thompson has received a top industry award for his work in helping plan the reconstruction of war-torn Kosovo. more...
Protesting fans plan to tune out
CAMPAIGNERS who are fighting to keep BBC local radio presenter Shirley Ludford on air have pledged to switch off their radios when her last show finishes. more...
Inquest jury told of widow's heartache
SUICIDAL widow Gillian Sweet killed herself at Green Lane Hospital in Devizes, despite being placed under observations every five minutes, an inquest heard. more...
Bus in running for Oscar
THE Wigglybus, the innovative Pewsey Vale bus service that is providing a vital link for villagers, has been nominated for a national award in the transport equivalent of the Oscars. more...
Year goes full circle
NEW calendar shows spectacular array of best crop formations more...
MPs support no tolerance on drugs
NORTH wiltshire MP James Gray and Tory party chairman, Devizes MP Michael Ancram both say they have never smoked cannabis. more...
Devizes,Calne,Chippenham,Corsham,Malmesbury,Wootton Bassett Leisure
Sassy mum legs it to top in fight for justice
VIDEO: FORGET Ally McBeal, if you want a sassy legal babe who doesn't look in need of a decent meal look no further than Erin Brockovich (15). more...
What's on
Thursday, October 12:Bromham: Bromham Pre-school AGM at Bromham Social Centre, 7.30pm. more...
On stage
ARC THEATRE, Trowbridge. Box office tel: (01225) 756376 more...
Yesterday is brought back to life
BOOKS: THE year's most anxiously awaited book doesn't fail to deliver. more...
Cosy pub is just the place for romantics
EATING OUT: TO celebrate my mum's birthday the task was set to find a place to eat in Wootton Bassett that was both in walking distance from my parents' house and fairly reasonable in price. more...
Gig guide
Thursday, October 12:Local bands Nubium and Toi Machine: The Victoria, Victoria Road, Swindon. more...
Druids take to the stage
THEATREWHITE Horse Opera's latest production is Norma, Bellini's drama of druids in Roman Gaul. more...
Exhibitions
BATH more...
Baroque in Bath
GEMS of the baroque repertoire are on the programme this weekend, when Bath Baroque gives an autumn concert at the Guildhall, Bath. more...
Musical treat
THE Emerald Ensemble, which is made up of the country's finest young musicians will be performing at Wootton Bassett School on October 20 at 7.30pm. more...
Devizes,Calne,Chippenham,Marlborough,Highworth,Corsham,Malmesbury,Wootton Bassett News
Jargon hides a serious problem
BED blocking may not sound like a sexy subject when it comes to talking about the challenges facing our county's Social Services department but it is a very real problem. more...
A dreadful error
WILTSHIRE Health Authority must take urgent steps to avoid a repeat of the blunder that ended with five-year-old Rose White was given a meningitis vaccination against her mother's wishes. more...
Devizes,Calne,Marlborough,Highworth,Chippenham,Corsham,Malmesbury,Wootton Bassett News
Fuel crisis raises taxing questions
DURING the recent blockade of petrol refineries the fundamental question of why petrol taxes are so high was scarcely considered. more...
Please continue to aid RSPCA's vital work
I WOULD like to respond to the letter from Lyn Cooper (Gazette August 31). more...
Our Millennium wall deserved more words
I WAS deeply disappointed to see that the opening of Chippenham's Millennium Wall only merited half a page of last week's Gazette and Herald. more...
Truth about new area planning committes
WE would like the opportunity to correct the inaccurate information in Councillor Bennett's letter of October 5. more...
Wedded to politics
EVERY mainstream political party is, inevitably, itself a coalition. Although, as a Liberal and Liberal Democrat "activist" for 40 years, I'm constantly gratified to find how unified we are on nearly all the big issues, even with us there are exceptions. more...
Reunion success
ON behalf of the organising committee may I thank everyone who was in any way connected with or attended, the Marlborough Schools Reunion on September 30. more...
End witch hunt
AM I the only one to be disturbed by your weekly pillorying of a local tradesman because he cashed in on a trading opportunity during the petrol crisis? more...
Drains delight
FURTHER to the report in the Gazette on August 17, I was pleased to notice the drains in George Lane being cleared in the first week of October. more...
Rockin' good fun
A sincere thank you to everyone who contributed to the great success of the Eddie Cochran Rock `n' Roll festival in Chippenham. more...
Boatloads of cash
Boatloads of cash more...
Taste of sweet life
RE: Labour Pains letters page October 5. more...
A harvest of cash
THE Ivy Inn held its annual harvest festival on Sunday October 1 at 7.30pm. more...
Thanks for help
Can we thank a very kind gentleman who lives in London Road in Chippenham for taking my husband and myself over to St Mary's School for the Eddie Cochran Memorial Service as we were there for the weekend festival. more...
Italian lesson
I AM afraid that the letter headed "learn a lesson from car mad Europe" was not explicit enough as no reason was given why Italy, with the highest car ownershiop and the lowest car journeys was so. more...
Success flagged up
MAY I take this opportunity to thank everyone who supported the Flag Week in aid of the Friends of Savernake Hospital in September. more...
Political comedy
"IF you forget the Tory past you deserve the Tory future," an apt warning from Tony Blair. more...
Thanks for note
I WOULD just like to say thank you to the kind people who left a note in my car in Waitrose car park on Sunday about my open window and escaped dog. more...
Highworth News
Highworth
Council grants more...
Malmesbury News
Cleaning up for charity
MALMESBURY'S skies were full of balloons on Friday October 6 when school children and workers at the Dyson vacuum cleaner factory took part in a fun day to raise funds for the Meningitis Research Foundation. more...
Call for Internet cafe for bored youngsters
THE lack of youth facilities in Malmesbury was highlighted last week following reports that groups of bored teenagers hanging around the town were causing concern. more...
Bid to give the town hall and museum a new look
MAJOR changes could be in the pipeline for Malmesbury's town council offices and tourist information centre if North Wiltshire District Council agrees a plan to re-vamp the town hall. more...
Just bonkers for conkers
THERE was fierce competition but also plenty of laughter when Seagry Primary School held a village conker championship on Saturday. more...
Logo could boost local produce
TRADERS in Malmesbury and the surrounding villages are to be canvassed for their views on proposals to boost trade with a logo for local produce. more...
Improved services for home for the elderly
THE Order of St John Trust has promised to provide better services and brighter surroundings for elderly residents at Malmesbury's Burnham House. more...
Rotary forges African link
MEMBERS of Malmesbury and Tetbury Rotary Club are flying out today to present football strips to youngsters in South Africa. more...
Clean-up operation brings back river life
TROUT are once again flourishing in the Sherston Avon thanks to a £20,000 partnership between the Environment Agency, an Easton Gray landowner and local anglers. more...
Cash to help restore forest
LANDOWNERS in Braydon Forest have been invited by Wiltshire Wildlife Trust to apply for financial aid to help restore the ancient woodland. more...
Mayor sports pink T-shirt
MAYOR Catherine Doody launched Breast Cancer Awareness Month in Malmesbury on Friday. more...
Bid to give toddler a better chance of life
A DAUNTSEY mother is hoping to raise thousands of pounds to fund medical research which could cure her two-year-old daughter of a potentially deadly genetic disorder. more...
Dancing in the spotlight
DANCERS of all ages performed to packed audiences at the weekend in the biggest music and dance concert ever staged in Minety. more...
Marlborough News
New cancer forum set up
A CANCER forum is being launched in Marlborough to help sufferers, those who care for them, or people who just want to know more about the disease. more...
Portrait is taken in raid
AN oil painting of an ancestor, together with silver and porcelain were taken by burglars from a house in Scholards Lane, Ramsbury, last week. more...
The Millennium Mop is celebrated in top style
ALL the fun of the fair at Marlborough's spectacular Millennium Mop on Saturday pulled in the crowds, including MP Michael Ancram. more...
Bonkers day is a smash hit
REGULARS at the Golden Swan in Wilcot took part in the pub's Conker Bonkers contest and raised £100 for the Wiltshire Air Ambulance. more...
Bus in running for Oscar
THE Wigglybus, the innovative Pewsey Vale bus service that is providing a vital link for villagers, has been nominated for a national award in the transport equivalent of the Oscars. more...
Cup hero a candidate to turn club round
DON Rogers, the man who led Swindon Town to glory in the 1969 League Cup final, is being tipped as a successor for Pewsey soccer club manager Steve Wootton, who is standing down. more...
Hostages held in armed siege
GARDEN centre boss Dick Andrews gave up the chance to walk free from a gun siege to stay with a fellow hostage. more...
Bus service can take bow
THE Wigglybus, the innovative Pewsey Vale bus service that provides a vital link for villagers, has been nominated for a national award in the transport equivalent of the Oscars. more...
Past glories
BUDDING historians in the Marlborough area will have the opportunity of getting expert help at a Let's Find Out session being held in the Library. more...
Village unites in fight to get compensation
HUNDREDS of families in Aldbourne are being urged to join a mass lobby to persuade British Gas to pay out compensation to those who were left without power for three days during one of last winter's coldest periods. more...
Boy attacked homes in anger
A TEENAGER who was frustrated at constantly having to move home because of his father's Army service vented his feelings by smashing windows in empty MoD houses in Tidworth. more...
Firefighters scale heights
FOUR Pewsey and Marlborough fire fighters have scaled the three highest peaks in Britain and raised more than £2,600 in sponsorship for meningitis research. more...
Salisbury News
Natasha's £1m key to a brighter future
A SALISBURY woman, who suffered brain damage in a car crash when she was ten years old, has hailed a £1m court settlement as the key to a new life of independence. more...
Sacking leaves cleaner with a serious headache
A SALISBURY man has been sacked from his cleaning job at a New Forest holiday centre after helping himself to headache tablets to ease a blinding migraine. more...
Open access for everyone
A NEW neighbourhood centre for the people of Bemerton Heath has been unveiled more...
Yobs test village tolerance
YOUNG vandals have been striking with alarming regularity in Alderbury. more...
New era for a family firm
LEISURE facilities are to replace a 100-year-old Bishopstone watercress business. more...
Who said walkies, Bingo
BINGO, the Cairn terrier whose number was nearly up in a road accident, has bounced back to health and earned £100 on a sponsored walk - by mistake. more...
Diamond days for city parish
ST FRANCIS Church celebrated a birthday double with events to mark the 60th anniversary of one of Salisbury's most distinctive buildings and 70 years since the parish was established. more...
Pups left to starve and die
TWO ten-week-old Jack Russell puppies starved to death in an empty house in Bishopdown Road, Salisbury. more...
Sport Angling
A record-breaking session
Some excellent fish have come to landing nets over the last few days including carp, chub, roach and a superb 3lb-plus perch. more...
Sport Football
New league of five-a-side to be set up at Pinehurst
A NEW league of five-a-side football is starting soon in the Swindon area on Sunday evenings. more...
Fairford march on
Fairford Town registered their sixth win in nine games when they defeated Yate Town 2-1 at Cinder Lane last night (Wednesday, October 11). Two goals from Gareth Davies put the home side in the driving seat, Yate replying with a goal two minutes from the end. The rest of the Hellenic programme was postponed due to waterlogged pitches. more...
Crowds flock to see Harry's Hammers turn out for Geoff
The rain failed to spoil Geoff Butler's parade as more than 2,000 people defied the Monday night deluge to show their support for the long-serving Salisbury City boss. more...
Sport Rugby
NPI Cup 2nd Round - Salisbury bow out
BRIDGEWATER 46, SALISBURY 5: The score, plus the fact that Bridgwater are two leagues higher, gives the impression of a pre-determined rout. more...
Stfc Sport
Not enough
COLIN Todd does not believe Swindon are good enough to win promotion this season. more...
Robertson impresses in striking a new role
MARK Robertson fired his first goal for Town yesterday (Wednesday, October 11) to earn the reserves a 1-1 draw at Colchester. more...
Bottler Kev has let his country down
I WAS so disgusted with England's performance against Germany that I turned off the TV before the final whistle and decided to avoid the news highlights all evening. more...
Colin is in good company as he misses out on the World Cup
SWINDON boss Colin Todd has been included among a team of the greatest ever players never to have played in a World Cup. more...
Swindon Leisure
Dance
Thursday, October 12:Boyd School of Dancing Advanced 6pm to 8pm. 91a Morris Street, Rodbourne. (017930 487500. more...
Theatre
Arts Centre, Devizes Road, Old Town, Swindon: Thursday, October 12 Can't Pay Won't Pay by Dario Fo is presented by OTTC (Old Town Theatre Company) at 7.30pm. Tickets: £5. Ends Saturday, October 14. more...
Events
Friday, October 13:Howard Godfrey will talk on energy and dreams to the Pegasus Foundation. more...
Bingo
Thursday, October 12:Bingo is at the Catholic church hall, Wootton Bassett, from 7.15pm. more...
Musicians get upfront and personal
The feel-good factor is high on the list of priorities for Swindon band Mary Stares. more...
Take a trip down the melody lane
A Swindon theatre is throwing open its the door to one of the more popular musicals and it is guaranteed to have the crowd dancing in the aisles. more...
Gigs
Thursday, October 12:Mary Stares plays at The Mail Coach, Swindon. Free. more...
DJ nights
Thursday, October 12:DJ Shaun plays at Jacksons, Shaw Ridge, from 5-1am. Free. more...
Disco and karaoke
Thursday, October 12:OTT Karaoke is at The Havana Bar/ Cafe, Fleming Way, Swindon. Free. more...
Clubs
Thursday, October 12:Pinehurst Neighbourhood Thrift Shop is open from 10am to 2pm (01793) 537230. more...
Sport and hobbies
Thursday, October 12:50+ Young At Heart gentle exercise to music is at the Hydro, Milton road, 10am to 11am, 11am to noon. (01793) 465630. more...
Band get noticed by some top names
A Swindon trio has grabbed the attention of some of the top people in the music business. more...
More TV slots for town pop group
Since their appearance on HTV Swindon band Anish have been invited back for an update on camera. more...
Swindon News
Don't build on priceless land
I wish the gentleman from Covingham (Letters, September 28) had joined us on the Front Garden picnic last month. more...
Join us in our fight against the euro
The people of Denmark have said "no" to the euro. This is not only good for Denmark but, as many of your readers will agree, a shot in the arm for all those in the UK and Europe who oppose the surrender of their own independence and democracy. more...
Let us play
Young Christians took part in a day of work and worship at the third Swindolympic Challenge. more...
End of the line for bakery
Workers at cake company R&K Wise remained tight lipped yesterday, following the announcement that 540 of them would lose their jobs. more...
Welcome for change in cancer services
Plans to improve cancer services over the next ten years have welcomed by health bosses in Wilts-hire. more...
New blood for football team
Budding Beckhams have been queuing up to join a Swindon five-a-side football team following appeals for players in the Evening Advertiser. more...
Staff who adopt will get extra paid leave
Extra paid leave is to be provided for county council staff in Wiltshire if they decide to adopt a child. more...
Award means TWIGS can branch out
Twigs, the Swindon horticultural therapy project, was today due to celebrate the building of a new wildlife pond and wetland area. more...
Backing his skills to reduce sickness
Self-employed builder Ray Butler faced the bleak prospect of giving up work when the back pain that had been troubling him for years grew steadily worse. more...
Be happy and get better more quickly
Theatre sister Kate Hiscock, 54, is one of the longest serving nurses at Princess Margaret Hospital. more...
Christmas Carnival will be best so far
Community groups will have the chance to share the limelight with professional performers at this year's Christmas Parade, which has been renamed the Christmas Carnival. more...
Vision for the future
This is the £350 million vision intended to transform Swindon into a world-class European city. more...
Sad catalogue of road chaos
Accidents, congestion, queueing and a community cut off have been highlighted in a survey of an infamous road. more...
Garage puts hospice on more successful road
The Prospect Hospice has taken delivery of a new van which will help boost returns from its five charity shops. more...
Doctor is a scapegoat, says cancer patient
A patient who was misdiagnosed by Dr James Elwood told an inquiry into serious medical errors made by the doctor at Princess Margaret Hospital that he was being made a scapegoat. more...
Silence is golden for bottle bank neighbours
The sound of smashing glass should no longer rob Wroughton residents of a good night's sleep. more...
Drive for new workers
Honda today launched a major recruitment drive for 500 production operators. more...
Man dies in train accident
A man died under the wheels of a train as it headed for Swindon. more...
Aeroplane was badly loaded
An inquest jury has returned a verdict of accidental death after a Swindon co-pilot and his colleague were killed attempting to land their badly loaded cargo plane. more...
It's chips with everything as pets go hi-tec
Animal lovers were able to convert Tiddles and Rex into cyber-pets in a microchipping day organised by the Swindon and District Support Group of the RSPCA. more...
Wiltshire News
Family's grief over death of young mum
THE family of young mum Gill Barter have spoken of their sorrow after the 27-year-old was found dead at her home in Market Lavington. more...
Wiltshire Sport
Not enough
COLIN Todd does not believe Swindon are good enough to win promotion this season. more...
Wootton Bassett News
Trousers wear charity begins
HEAD teacher Anne Glenton and many of her pupils wore jeans for an unusual harvest festival celebration at Longleaze School, Wootton Bassett, to mark Jeans for Genes Day. more...
Exhibition will reveal plans for hospital
PLANS for the redevelopment of the former Princess Alexandra Hospital go on display this week. more...
Festival idea for twinning
A SERIES of festivals is to be organised by Wootton Bassett Town Council to boost the town's image and to foster economic prosperity. more...
Beginners find the key to computer mysteries
A COMPUTER course for beginners is proving hugely popular with students across the age ranges only weeks after being launched in Wootton Bassett. more...
Smashing time comes to end
THE sound of smashing glass should no longer rob Wroughton residents of their peace and quiet. more...
Car spurs 20p grand spree
WOOTTON Bassett School assembly hall buzzed with excitement last week when a Formula One racing car parked up for the day. more...
Gardeners rewarded
THE gardeners who took part in Wootton Bassett in Bloom 2000 were congratulated at an awards evening in the Woodshaw Inn last week. more...
Window on Wootton Bassett
Camera Club more...
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