Stories for 3 May 2001
Amesbury News
Bus strike brings a day of chaos
THE district's first bus strike for nearly 30 years brought major disruption this week. more...
Mayor's fond farewell
MAYOR of Amesbury Richard Crook carried out one of his last mayoral duties on Sunday with a civic service in the parish church of St Mary and St Melor. more...
£3m business boost for town
A WARM welcome has been given to plans for a business park near Tidworth which will create 1,000 civilian jobs. more...
Sting in air scare
ROCK star Sting had a lucky escape when his private jet skidded off the runway as the pilot attempted to land at Florence airport on Monday night. more...
MP will fight seat changes
A CLUTCH of electoral wards - including Durrington and Bulford - could disappear from the Salisbury parliamentary constituency under proposed boundary changes. more...
Action group formed over airbase plans
OPPONENTS of plans by Boscombe Down to become the home of the RAF's tanker aircraft fleet have formed a pressure group to challenge the bid. more...
Tigers are the toast of the town
MORE than 500 soldiers of the 1st Battalion The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment (1PWRR) took part in a special medals parade at Bhurtpore Barracks, Tidworth on Saturday in front of a large crowd of families and friends. more...
Wildlife benefits from close-down
THE cloud of foot-and-mouth disease, which continues to hang over farmers, may have a silver lining for wildlife. more...
Business News
MP does a mile for Cancer Relief
Julia Drown, MP for Swindon South, joined the workforce at Nationwide Building Society's head offices in Swindon in raising funds for UK cancer charity Macmillan Cancer Relief. more...
New man at helm of GWCE support
THE Great Western Commerce and Enterprise business support organisation has a new man at the helm. more...
Companies start using stickers to help them coin it in!
THIS is the latest way to advertise - on pound coins. more...
Superbike is put to the test!
A REVOLUTIONARY diesel-engined motorbike with world wide sales possibilities has been developed near Swindon. more...
Growing firm takes stock
A THRIVING Sherston company is pioneering a revolutionary new internet ordering system. more...
Fertiliser firm lays off staff
AGRICULTURAL fertiliser company Timac UK hopes it may be able to re-employ the 16 staff it was forced to make redundant this month as a direct result of the foot and mouth crisis. more...
Blowing up first new school of glass craft
THE first glass blowing school in Britain has been set up in west Wiltshire. more...
Company offers help
MILK recording company NMR has been doing its bit to help those worst affected by the crisis. more...
Balloon firm stops trading
Balloon firm Airborne, which took customers flying over the Wiltshire countryside, has ceased trading. more...
Royal chance to buy house
THE chance to rub shoulders with Prince Charles is up for grabs since Camilla Parker-Bowles' neighbour put her house on the market last week. more...
Calne News
Scooter crash boy on the road to recovery
INJURED ten-year-old Sam Edwards has started walking with crutches after being involved in a collision with a car while riding his micro scooter last month. more...
Snoopy will be grounded
HERCULES aircraft, which were affectionately nicknamed Snoopy, because their pronounced nose cones were likened to the cartoon character, have been disbanded after 25 years service at RAF Lyneham and Boscombe Down. more...
NHS dentist is selling up
A HUSBAND and wife team who have run a dentist surgery in Calne for nine years are leaving to start a new career in Germany. more...
Theft victim's ordeal
A YOUNG assistant gardener was left shaken after his face was slashed by a knife-wielding suspected poacher. more...
Young bugs taking flight
YOUNG entrepreneurs from John Bentley School have won their way through to the county final of a national competition. more...
Student wins award for bravery
STUDENT Amy Campbell-Golding is to receive an award for bravery after helping to resuscitate 14 victims of a sea disaster off the coast of India. more...
Cadets wanted for Air Training Corps
A Wiltshire Air Training Corps squadron wants more members. more...
Chippenham News
Teen's trauma after mugging
TRAUMATISED teenager David Pritchard says he cried himself to sleep after two men mugged him on the night of Saturday April 28. more...
Joy as work starts on new community centre
RESIDENTS are celebrating the start of work on a new, long-awaited community centre in Rudloe. more...
Kick off approaches for new playing fields
CHIPPENHAM mayor Sandy Webb's double dream of a royal visit in the autumn and the opening of long-awaited playing fields was set to move one step closer to reality last night. more...
Gardening enthusiasts are in fine petal
DOZENS of gardening enthusiasts gathered in Chippenham Market Place for a horticultural extravaganza. more...
Arson suspected as empty shop gutted
ARSON has not been ruled out as the cause of the fire in an empty building between the rear of Iceland and the Emery Gate service yard. more...
Flags to be unfurled for folk festival
Musicians, folk fans and Morris dancers will soon be heading for Chippenham as excitement mounts in the run-up to the town's 30th Folk Festival. more...
Adder bite girl spends three days in hospital
A CHIPPENHAM four-year-old spent three days in hospital after suffering an adder bite. more...
Fertiliser firm lays off staff
AGRICULTURAL fertiliser company Timac UK hopes it may be able to re-employ the 16 staff it was forced to make redundant this month as a direct result of the foot and mouth crisis. more...
Plea on youth drug problem
POLITICIAN Hugh Pym says communities need to ensure youngsters are kept off the streets and away from drugs by giving them plenty to do. more...
Town receives cash for paths
CORSHAM is to receive a share of £140,000 to improve cycleways and paths. more...
Plea on youth drug problem
POLITICIAN Hugh Pym says communities need to ensure youngsters are kept off the streets and away from drugs by giving them plenty to do. more...
Beer lovers say cheers to popular real ale fest
HUNDREDS of real ale fans from across the globe gathered in Chippenham for the 10th annual Chippenham Beer Festival at the weekend. more...
Campaign against litter is picking up
THE anti-litter message behind the Community Clean Up 2001 campaign has received strong support from North Wiltshire residents. more...
RAF base link in new claim on Nazi's death
A Hercules from RAF Lyneham played a key role in transporting the body of Adolf Hitler's deputy in one of the biggest cover-ups of the 20th century, claims a new television documentary. more...
Adder bite girl spends three days in hospital
A CHIPPENHAM four-year-old spent three days in hospital after suffering an adder bite. more...
Student wins award for bravery
STUDENT Amy Campbell-Golding is to receive an award for bravery after helping to resuscitate 14 victims of a sea disaster off the coast of India. more...
Festival has news of artists in wings
COMEDIENNE Linda Smith, BBC Young Musician of the Year Guy Johnston and virtuoso guitarist Gordon Giltrap are among the artists booked to appear at the Devizes Festival. more...
Plough team reap reward
AGRICULTURAL students have taken to the fields to plough money into a good cause under the watchful eyes of a TV camera crew. more...
Campaign against litter is picking up
THE anti-litter message behind the Community Clean Up 2001 campaign has received strong support from North Wiltshire residents. more...
Woman dies after collapse
FIRST aid administered by two police officers was not enough to save an elderly lady who collapsed outside Chippenham's Bridge Centre on Monday, April 30. more...
Tracing the Viking link
DOZENS of men queued at Chippenham Heritage Centre last week to discover if they carry Viking blood. more...
Club hopes expansion will take it to a different league
CHIPPENHAM Town football club have unveiled ambitious plans to build a new £300,000 clubhouse at their Hardenhuish Park ground. more...
Veteran biker on course to root out bad habits
VETERAN motorcyclist Ian Blunt went on a BikeSafe seminar and thoroughly enjoyed it. more...
Owners' anguish as shot cat put down
A BELOVED family pet cat had to be put down after being paralysed in an airgun attack. more...
Corsham News
Town receives cash for paths
CORSHAM is to receive a share of £140,000 to improve cycleways and paths. more...
Corsham pops the question to Britain
FOR 45 minutes the nation listened to Corsham as Radio Four's Any Questions programme came to the town. more...
Devizes News
Tinies brush with success
TALENTED youngsters at St Barnabas Pre-School, Market Lavington, have painted themselves a proud picture in an art competition. more...
Blockade protest over scheme for duck farm
VILLAGERS campaigning against an industrial plan at a farm blockaded a narrow road to highlight their fears over lorries using country roads. more...
Cab drivers start petition
DEVIZES MP Michael Ancram heard first hand on Friday how the changes in the Market Place are affecting businesses and residents. more...
Busty mystery for police
THE lost property office at Devizes Police Station has had some strange items handed in in the past, but nothing quite as unusual as its latest object. more...
Festival has news of artists in wings
COMEDIENNE Linda Smith, BBC Young Musician of the Year Guy Johnston and virtuoso guitarist Gordon Giltrap are among the artists booked to appear at the Devizes Festival. more...
Youngsters' drinking and drug use probed
YOUNG people in Devizes are to be quizzed on their use of drugs and alcohol. more...
Rider wins over virtual hurdles
THIS year's Badminton Horse trials may have been cancelled because of foot and mouth, but the winner of Fantasy Badminton has been announced. more...
Cash boost for forest centre
A NEW forest centre for special needs children that will open during the summer holidays at St Katharine's School in Savernake has been given a charity boost. more...
'Adopt calves and save them from slaughter'
FARMER'S wife Theresa Chandler wants This is Wiltshire readers to adopt her calves and save them from being slaughtered because of the foot and mouth crisis. more...
Museum is snubbed by Minister in grant bid
A £300,000 PLAN to improve access to the Wiltshire Heritage Museum in Devizes has been put on hold after a bid for a Government grant was turned down. more...
Churchyard plan boosted
PLANS to close the churchyard at St James' Church in Devizes and turn it into a garden of remembrance have moved a stage further following the discovery of a closure order dating back to 1876. more...
Four cats found poisoned
DEVIZES police are investigating the deaths of cats from anti-freeze poisoning in the Bricksteed Avenue area. more...
Dogs die as blaze guts farmhouse
FARMER Chris Rudler and his wife, Shirley, returned from holiday to find the home they have shared for more than 30 years, destroyed by fire. more...
Driver escapes as car plunges into canal after farm inferno
DRIVER Group Captain Ronald Wood had a lucky escape when his car plunged into the Kennet and Avon Canal at Horton on Sunday, April 29. more...
Meeting on health services postponed
HEALTH bosses say they will announce details on public consultation on improvements to health and care services in Devizes within a few weeks. more...
Frogs seek friends
SCULPTOR Judy Boyt has launched a campaign to raise funds for an art work that is to be placed beside the Kennet and Avon Canal in Devizes. more...
Driver is attacked
PEDESTRIAN David Coombs was so incensed when a car drove through a puddle and soaked him, he assaulted driver, Frederick Lumb and broke his nose, a court heard. more...
'Adopt calves and save them from slaughter'
FARMER'S wife Theresa Chandler wants This is Wiltshire readers to adopt her calves and save them from being slaughtered because of the foot and mouth crisis. more...
Mini driver is killed in crash
A 22-year-old man was killed near Hilmarton on Friday, April 27, when his Mini careered across the road and crashed into the front of a bus. more...
Brother pays tribute to popular sportsman
THE brother of 22-year-old Gavin Gillam, who died in a car crash on Friday April 27, said he was a popular, outgoing person who had played American football for Britain. more...
Motorcycle trainers aim to drive down deaths on road
MOTORCYCLISTS who try and emulate their racing heroes on Wiltshire's roads are dicing with death. more...
Veteran biker on course to root out bad habits
VETERAN motorcyclist Ian Blunt went on a BikeSafe seminar and thoroughly enjoyed it. more...
Corsham pops the question to Britain
FOR 45 minutes the nation listened to Corsham as Radio Four's Any Questions programme came to the town. more...
No promises on future of two maternity units
THE Chief Executive of North Wiltshire and Devizes Primary Care Group has said he cannot guarantee that maternity units at hospitals in Devizes and Malmesbury will not close. more...
Teachers have gift of the drab
HEADTEACHERS say they are not worried about a survey which claims they and politicians, are the dullest dressers in the region. more...
Drugs service seeks to recruit new volunteers
THE Bath Area Drugs Advisory Service is appealing for volunteers in Wiltshire. more...
Health merger on the cards
WILTSHIRE Health Authority officers are to meet with neighbouring health authorities to discuss proposals for a merger. more...
Hopes for minority chairman are dashed
COUNCILLORS have lost their bid to ensure that the chairman of a new committee to scrutinise the work of Kennet District Council is from one of the minority parties. more...
Tenants get better choice
KENNET District Council is one of only 27 local authorities in the country to be awarded a Government grant to test new ways of letting housing association homes. more...
Overhanging trees are cut down in size
CONSERVATIONISTS were horrified to see mature horse chestnut trees cut down in Downlands Road, Devizes. more...
Moves to halt 'gagging' rule
TOWN councillors at Marlborough are to consider re-writing their rules of debate because some fear they are being stifled by red tape. more...
New snag for Market Cross
DEVIZES Town Council has called for an engineering survey on the town's Market Cross after additional problems were found with the stonework on the monument. more...
Village's Australian neighbours display
THE story of how an Australian suburb was named after a village in Wiltshire will be told as part of the annual museums and galleries month. more...
Cash boost for man's fledgling business
COMPUTER consultant Rob Copeland has won a £1,000 grant from the Prince's Trust to help him set up a computer training, troubleshooting and repairs business. more...
Cups of cheer
PASSENGERS waiting for a bus at the new traffic island in Devizes Market Place can get a warm cup of coffee or tea after a new takeaway outlet opened its doors last week. more...
Owners' anguish as shot cat put down
A BELOVED family pet cat had to be put down after being paralysed in an airgun attack. more...
Devizes,Calne,Chippenham,Marlborough,Highworth,Corsham,Malmesbury,Wootton Bassett News
Repairs should be done first
THANKS to an eagle-eyed Gazette reader in Marlborough the fiasco of the too-narrow car parking spaces in the centre of the High Street was stopped before the job was completed. more...
Club's rise is good for town
WE are running out of superlatives to describes the rise and rise of Chippenham Town. more...
Answers please
WILTSHIRE Health Authority must come clean about its plans for the future of maternity services in Wiltshire. more...
Devizes,Calne,Marlborough,Highworth,Chippenham,Corsham,Malmesbury,Wootton Bassett News
Our way of life must alter
THE fury directed at the speakers at the meeting at Devizes Town Hall on April 23 hosted by the Trust for Devizes, demonstrated people's complete failure to understand the huge changes in behaviour required of them for a sustainable future. more...
Boundaries vital
I am not surprised to see that the traditional beating of the parish bounds on the first bank holiday in May has been cancelled due to foot and mouth. more...
Boundary dispute
Re: Rowde Village Spotlight (April 26, page 17) more...
We should not be afraid of change
I HAVE always felt that the people of Devizes are essentially good natured, tolerant and proud to live here. more...
Learn from this
We have recently moved into the area. One of the pleasures has been the market in Devizes. But this charming market town has shown warning signs of dramatic changes. more...
Views were sought
After reading the articles and letters about Devizes Market Place in the Gazette over the last few weeks, perhaps I may be allowed to remind your readership of the background to the alterations now being instituted there. more...
Wonderful Wrecks
Having retired last year as the Major Wrecks choreographer and seamstress, I would like to send my best wishes to all the Major Wrecks, their new choreographers, Katie and Jackie, and to their new seamstress, Carol. more...
Act fast on plan
May I remind all residents in the Kennet District Council area that they only have a few days left to comment upon the list of approved changes to the Local Plan. more...
Are we let down?
Mr Duck, a member of the Conservative Management Committee of the Devizes Constituency, seemed unaware at the trust meeting I attended, that his political colleague Coun Pat Rugg is the chairman of Devizes Town Centre Regeneration Working Party (Gazette letters April 26). more...
Malmesbury News
Residents' anger over graffiti on houses
A VANDAL calling himself Casper is proving to be a lot less friendly than the movie ghost of the same name. more...
Residents' anger over graffiti on houses
A VANDAL calling himself Casper is proving to be a lot less friendly than the movie ghost of the same name. more...
A Gallic note of bonhomie
THE Gien Choir brought a Gallic flavour to an evening of music at Malmesbury Town Hall. more...
Government cash for old town walls
MALMESBURY is to receive £100,000 to complete work on its town walls and improve historic buildings. more...
Fines for pollution
WESSEX Water has been ordered to pay nearly £2,500 in fines and costs following a discharge of sewage into the River Avon in Malmesbury last October. more...
New homes confusion
THERE is confusion in Malmesbury over the size of Lord Morton's proposed development at Backbridge Farm. more...
Unofficial signs point way to end of wrangle
COUNCIL signs to the site of the new multi-million pound Malmesbury School have gone up in place of the unofficial signs put up by district councillor John Thomson. more...
Fears over care home expansion
A DECISION on an application to expand a residential home in Little Somerford has been deferred after North Wiltshire district councillors decided they needed to view the site. more...
Mayoral show blessed by sun
THE music may have been South American, but luckily Abbey House Gardens were not turned into a rainforest for the mayor of Malmesbury's South American Evening. more...
Pollution time bomb fears on quarry plan
VILLAGERS are in for a long hard fight to stop the expansion of Knockdown Quarry turning into an Armageddon in Sherston, a packed public meeting was told. more...
Money-saving labour of love
A HOMEMADE extension which saved Seagry School £15,000, opened last week. more...
Growing firm takes stock
A THRIVING Sherston company is pioneering a revolutionary new internet ordering system. more...
Villagers voice health concerns on `eyesore' phone mast
SHERSTON residents are hoping to stop mobile phone company One2One putting a phone mast 150m from homes on Sandpits Lane. more...
Royal chance to buy house
THE chance to rub shoulders with Prince Charles is up for grabs since Camilla Parker-Bowles' neighbour put her house on the market last week. more...
Marlborough News
Keeping the flags flying
FLAGS to mark virtually every public occasion can now be flown from the new flagpole at St Peter's Church in Marlborough, thanks to the generosity of benefactors and to the needlework skills of retired schoolmaster David Sherratt. more...
Covert plan fears over policing for village
POLICE chief Kevin Maidment has said a review of Pewsey police station, described by the parish council as a covert plan, is, in fact, no more than an internal consultation on policing services in the village. more...
Prayers and pints to order at village pub
REGULARS heading for the village pub in Everleigh on Sunday, April 29, could well be in search of a prayer rather than a pint because one of the rooms in the historic inn is being used for monthly church services. more...
Turning the gift of light
THE Rector of Marlborough, Henry Pearson, knew just who to approach when St Mary's Church needed some new candle holders. more...
Music to help the lifeboats
THE Bouverie Hall in Pewsey was packed with music lovers on Saturday evening for the 12th annual Lifeboat Concert. more...
Moves to halt 'gagging' rule
TOWN councillors at Marlborough are to consider re-writing their rules of debate because some fear they are being stifled by red tape. more...
Cash boost for man's fledgling business
COMPUTER consultant Rob Copeland has won a £1,000 grant from the Prince's Trust to help him set up a computer training, troubleshooting and repairs business. more...
Cruise boss on crest of a wave
ALDBOURNE may be about as far from the sea as you can get, but it is always on the mind of cruise ship director Alastair Greener when he is away from his home in the village. more...
Foot and mouth: Shepherd's anguish as 1,300 sheep culled
THE sudden death of a lamb on Lord Lansdowne's Bowood estate triggered the latest foot and mouth scare in Wiltshire only hours after the county had been given the all clear. more...
Blow for villagers as postmistress resigns
VILLAGERS in West Overton say the resignation of their sub-postmistress could result in the closure of one of their last remaining community facilities. more...
Fears aired on centre's costs
THE town council in Marlborough should be discussing ways it might contribute to the projected annual loss on the town's proposed Riverbank arts centre as well as how much it might give towards its building costs, said Coun Audrey Peck on Monday, April 30. more...
Chamber calls off Victorian evening
THE popular Victorian Evening, which has helped get Marlborough in the Christmas spirit for the past eight years, will not be taking place this year because of a lack of sponsorship and support from the town's bigger shops. more...
Headteacher quits school
HEADTEACHER Jan Chambers has resigned from Pewsey primary school to take up a job as a primary school advisor with the Wiltshire Education Authority, which she had been seconded to for this term. more...
Circle of hope
THE Avebury stone circles could be opened up to tourists by the weekend after more than two months if the Ministry of Agriculture gives the all clear over the foot and mouth situation. more...
Legion upset over memorial's tree screen
TOWN councillors gave the go ahead for a tree screen at the controversial Marlborough war memorial site this week, despite objections by the Royal British Legion. more...
Salisbury Features
Pioneering work tackles isolation
JENNY Turner is a pioneer. Salisbury District Well Woman Centre's new rural development co-ordinator is breaking new ground as the centre spreads its wings beyond the city. more...
Women's friend in need
KATE Gregory is far removed from the average person's idea of a medical expert. more...
Salisbury News
Bus strike brings a day of chaos
SALISBURY'S first bus strike for nearly 30 years brought major disruption to the area this week. more...
Landmark badges are left to fade away
FOUR emblems cut into chalk downland at Fovant are to go the way of old soldiers and fade away. more...
Wildlife benefits from close-down
THE cloud of foot-and-mouth disease, which continues to hang over farmers, may have a silver lining for wildlife. more...
MP will fight seat changes
A CLUTCH of electoral wards - including Durrington and Bulford in the north and Chalke Valley and Tisbury in the west - could disappear from the Salisbury parliamentary constituency under proposed boundary changes. more...
Cathedral cleared in stonemason job row
JUST months after being chosen to talk about his work with the Prince of Wales during a royal visit to Salisbury Cathedral, stonemason Roger Stephens had his job taken away. more...
Angry scenes at town debate
A DEBATE on crime and vandalism in Mere was saved from descending into a slanging match by the swift intervention of the town's vicar. more...
Flying fish rain down on golfers
ON the golf course you would expect to hear talk of birdies and eagles, even the occasional Tiger - but rarely, if ever, fish. But at Salisbury & South Wilts Golf Club the clubhouse was abuzz with the subject after a shoal of goldfish and Koi carp landed at the second hole during a torrential downpour. more...
Hospital beds crisis worsens
A CHRONIC bed shortage is forcing Salisbury District Hospital to cancel massive numbers of operations. more...
Action group formed over airbase plans
OPPONENTS of plans by Boscombe Down to become the home of the RAF's tanker aircraft fleet have formed a pressure group to challenge the bid. more...
Sting in air scare
ROCK star Sting had a lucky escape when his private jet skidded off the runway as the pilot attempted to land at Florence airport on Monday night. more...
Salisbury Sport
Rangers ruin City's run-in
STAFFORD Rangers 4 Salisbury City 2. Some woeful finishing ruined Salisbury City's hopes of doing the double over a Stafford Rangers side they hammered 4-1 at Old Sarum earlier this year. more...
Countdown to the city's final clash
SALISBURY'S most intriguing local cup tie in recent years takes place at the Raymond McEnhill Stadium on Tuesday when the area's top two sides meet in the final of the Wiltshire Premier Shield. more...
Sport Angling
Quality bags on offer
A SLIGHT increase in temperature and the appearance of the sun brought a welcome boost to angling fortunes at virtually all of the region's fisheries, writes Roland Batten. more...
Sport Football
Supermarine one point away from title
SWINDON Supermarine gained a 4-0 success over Tuffley Rovers to leave them needing just one point to clinch the Hellenic Premier Division championship. Richard Hadgkiss chalked up a hat-trick and Michael Silvanus added a fourth. more...
Digby's return
Fraser Digby is returning to the County Ground for a goalkeeping clinic run by the Swindon Town community office. The former Town keeper, who won the player of the year trophy three times, will be back on Sunday, May 27, from 10.30 to 2.30. more...
Rangers ruin City's run-in
STAFFORD Rangers 4 Salisbury City 2. Some woeful finishing ruined Salisbury City's hopes of doing the double over a Stafford Rangers side they hammered 4-1 at Old Sarum earlier this year. more...
Countdown to the city's final clash
SALISBURY'S most intriguing local cup tie in recent years takes place at the Raymond McEnhill Stadium on Tuesday when the area's top two sides meet in the final of the Wiltshire Premier Shield. more...
Sport Rugby
Swindon's away-day rugby boys celebrate a successful season
SWINDON'S Under-12 rugby side have enjoyed another successful season with only one defeat in the county cup final to Chippenham. more...
Stfc Sport
Celebrations as Town's second division survival is secured
Bristol Rovers 2 - 1 home defeat against Wycombe Wanderers yesterday (Wed 2nd May) has guaranteed Swindon Town's place in division two next season. more...
It must never happen again
ANDY KING has warned that Swindon Town's brush with relegation should serve as a warning to those in control at the County Ground. more...
Deliverance
TOWN skipper Alan Reeves is glad the `nightmare' is over and he and his family can look forward to the return to relative normality. more...
King hailed as saviour
CLIFF PUFFETT hailed Andy King for his guts and determination in helping to preserve Swindon Town's Second Division status. more...
Last rites
THE final Saturday of the season always ends in tears, whether they are ones of joy, despair or relief. more...
Leeds set to welcome Matt
I AM sure that Town fans will join me in wishing my boss a fond farewell, despite his miserable record covering Swindon Town. more...
Swindon News
`Try to recycle in off-peak hours'
I NOTE with interest and concern the comments of your correspondent Mr Wilson, of Langford Grove, regarding the need to queue at the disposal point at Barnfield Road. more...
RSPCA has hands-on role
AS there appears to be interest in the RSPCA's involvement in the foot and mouth crisis, it might be useful to outline some of the main work our inspectors have been doing around the country. more...
Toeing the line of no respect
In response to Mr Bates' letter (April 27) with regard to the euro issue, I should like to point out that the Labour Party has quite clearly suggested that several criteria concerning the economy have to be fulfilled before even thinking of going ahead with a referendum for the ruro. more...
Fair exchange
I WAS rather surprised and disappointed at the lack of interest shown following a recent advertisement placed in your newspaper. more...
Racist attack
IN the lead-up to the forthcoming election, the word "racist" has been passed around like a hot potato. more...
Why not taxis?
ON April 1 this year, I was issued with travel vouchers, which included vouchers for a companion. I was told that I could use them on taxis. Then, on April 20, I received a letter stating that the companion vouchers could not be used on taxis. That made the vouchers worthless. more...
Get to the pinnacle of fitness in army style
ARMY style fitness classes are being held at Lydiard Park every Tuesday and Thursday. more...
Race your yellow duck for charity
WROUGHTON'S fourth annual duck race is being held this Bank Holiday Monday, with the aim of raising at least £2,000 for local charities. more...
Postcode change is not Severn heaven
RESIDENTS of Greenmeadow are complaining that their insurance premiums have increased because of a change of postcode. more...
Companies start using stickers to help them coin it in!
THIS is the latest way to advertise - on pound coins. more...
Parent's bid to slow cars outside school
A SCHOOL governor wants to launch a campaign to encourage all drivers to slow down to 20mph as they pass school gates. more...
New trains will be late
PLANS to introduce a revolutionary new fleet of trains serving Swindon have had to be put back. more...
Having a ball!
THE final touches are being put in place at Swindon's Marriott Hotel for what it hopes will be its most successful charity ball ever. more...
Pupils in a spin to celebrate May Day tradition
INSTEAD of simply learning about British traditions in the classroom, children in Blunsdon were given a chance to try out an age-old dance themselves. more...
Superbike is put to the test!
A REVOLUTIONARY diesel-engined motorbike with world wide sales possibilities has been developed near Swindon. more...
Good ethos for learning established
TWO primary schools and a playgroup are celebrating successful Government inspections. more...
Shoplifter caught by off-duty policeman
SHOPLIFTER Robin Brown was caught after a passing off-duty policeman recognised his getaway vehicle in a supermarket car park. more...
Cadets wanted for Air Training Corps
A Wiltshire Air Training Corps squadron wants more members. more...
Attacked as he slept for saying girl was `pretty'
PLASTERER John Close attacked a man as he slept because his victim had made an innocent comment that his 10-year-old daughter was pretty, a court heard. more...
Tribute cover to our Mr Concorde
A SPECIAL commemorative cover has been produced as a tribute to Concorde chief test pilot Brian Trubshaw, who died recently. more...
Finding inner peace
AN oasis from the hustle and bustle of daily life is being offered by a group of Swindon volunteers. more...
Damning
DR JAMES Elwood, the consultant who misdiagnosed more than 200 tissue samples, was forced to work with outdated equipment and under an intolerable workload at Princess Margaret Hospital in Swindon. more...
Whipcrackaway
A CHILD star who appeared in a BBC drama has gone back to his roots by appearing in his school play. more...
Planning for the day Swindon hopes will never come
A MAJOR accident with numerous casualties is something that all hospitals have to plan for. more...
Introduction to tennis will be served up
PLENTY of Swindon people have already caught the tennis bug and plenty more could soon be hooked. more...
Standing room only as Judge Jules sets up court in Swindon
CLUB and radio DJ of the moment, Judge Jules, is set to take Swindon by storm this weekend. more...
Sir Terence Conran to open Brunel exhibition at Steam
SIR Terence Conran, the distinguished British designer and restaurateur, will open a major new exhibition at the Steam Museum. more...
Cash boost to recruit midwives
A £100 MILLION cash injection for maternity services was today welcomed by midwives in Swindon. more...
Robin Cook, his ex-wife and the book lovers
BEFORE the summer of 1997, Margaret Cook was a doctor and political Trivial Pursuit question name the wife of Foreign Secretary Robin Cook. more...
More top literary greats to see today
POETRY-lovers were today preparing for a festival treat with the writer of one of Britain's favourite poems. more...
Errors must never be made again
Today's report into the Dr James Elwood affair gives a damning account of facilities and support at Princess Margaret Hospital. more...
Check the area
WE appreciate why insurance companies regard post codes as a handy way of assessing the risk of car crime and break-ins. more...
Warminster News
Balloon firm stops trading
Balloon firm Airborne, which took customers flying over the Wiltshire countryside, has ceased trading. more...
Wiltshire News
Kidney patient in donor plea
A 21-year-old Chippenham man whose one working kidney has almost given out has issued a desperate plea for a donor to come forward. more...
Wiltshire Sport
It must never happen again
ANDY KING has warned that Swindon Town's brush with relegation should serve as a warning to those in control at the County Ground. more...
Wootton Bassett News
Dismay over `shabby' hall
THE shabby appearance of Wootton Bassett's historic town hall was deplored by speakers at the annual town meeting on Thursday April 26. more...
Dancers in the spotlight
STUDENTS from Ryman School of Dance are all set to entertain audiences at Wootton Bassett School hall, off Lime Kiln, on Friday and Saturday April 28. more...
Yachtswoman battles way through the snow
YACHTSWOMAN Jennie Jackson cannot wait to return home to Bushton, near Wootton Bassett. more...
Views on halls are requested
WOOTTON BASSETT people are being urged to give their views on public halls in the town. more...
Campaign against litter is picking up
THE anti-litter message behind the Community Clean Up 2001 campaign has received strong support from North Wiltshire residents. more...
Veteran biker on course to root out bad habits
VETERAN motorcyclist Ian Blunt went on a BikeSafe seminar and thoroughly enjoyed it. more...
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