Weather
Stories for 21 February 2002
Amesbury News
Mother denies murder of her two babies
A MOTHER waited until she was alone with her babies then deliberately killed them and passed them off as cot deaths, it was alleged at Winchester Crown Court this week. more...
Amesbury mast plan toppled
A BID by a mobile phone company to erect a third telecommunication mast on the outskirts of Amesbury has failed. more...
Long-term relief for Boscombe Down
WORKERS at Boscombe Down received a boost this week when Defence Minister Lewis Moonie announced that the operators of the airbase were to be given a long-term contract. more...
Trapeze artist falls at circus
A TRAPEZE artist was fortunate to escape with nothing more than a broken wrist when she fell in front of hundreds of people at Zippos Circus in Salisbury on Thursday. more...
Bravery award for rowing hero
A FORMER pupil of Bishop Wordsworth's School, Salisbury, is to receive a top bravery award for the major role he played in saving 16 university rowers during a freak storm in Spain. more...
Bulldozer steals the final act
Demolition men moved in on Studio Theatre's dilapidated premises in Ashley Road, Salisbury, last week. more...
Motorists set for road chaos
MAJOR disruption faces south Wiltshire motorists in April, when the A36 at Plaitford will be closed to traffic for at least four weeks. more...
MP comes to resident's aid
Salisbury MP Robert Key has stepped in to help a woman who was given a ticket after parking her car in the same spot since 1993. more...
Journal to get new editor
THE Journal is to have a change of editor for the first time in more than 12 years. more...
Bath Leisure
Biopic strands don't add up
THE cast and crew of A Beautiful Mind (12) will be clearing mantelpieces and preparing acceptance speeches for the Oscars on March 24. more...
Desensitised version of novel
In Charlotte Gray (12) Aussie Cate Blanchett plays a young Scottish woman recruited into Britain's Second World War secret service for a mission in occupied France. more...
No knockout but a winner on points
TRYING to capture the larger than life spirit of Mohammed Ali in one film is like trying to describe the history of the world in a News in Brief paragraph. more...
Business News
C&W warns of IT revenue fall
Telecoms giant Cable & Wireless has warned that revenues in a key division serving business customers would fall 10 per cent in the current financial year. more...
A fair deal at the Co-op
Fairtrade mangos are now on sale at Co-op supermarkets around Swindon. more...
Reckitt blues vanish
Vanish-to-Harpic firm Reckitt Benckiser celebrated strong full-year figures after gaining market share in a number of key product areas. more...
Minister praises BMW and its mini
Trade and Industry Secretary Patricia Hewitt saw at first hand how BMW was gearing up for launch of its new Mini in North America and Japan. more...
A bit of movie magic at the local
THE Broadwalk pub on Bridge Street is tempting new customers with the promise of a film with their pint. more...
Sale is one to watch
A TRAGIC tale of a bride who lost her husband on the Titanic in 1912 has emerged as auctioneer Alan Aldridge prepares for his annual sale at Southampton. more...
Red letter day for town store
YOUNGSTERS had their faces painted with exotic designs for free at Calne's Somerfield store on Saturday February 16. more...
Investing in people
EMPLOYERS must be prepared to train, motivate and appreciate their staff if they are to build a successful business. more...
Hopback in business
DOWNTON'S Hopback Brewery has celebrated its 15th year in business with an increase in sales of more than ten per cent. more...
Bridging the safety gap
MAKING an emergency exit from a Salisbury pub would have involved swimming to safety until staff came up with an easier escape route. more...
Wilson to host Agrilaw seminar
SALISBURY solicitors Wilsons are hosting another Agrilaw seminar in Winchester on Tuesday for advisers to farms and estates. more...
Wishes granted
SO great has been the demand for business development grants from South Wiltshire Economic Partnership that funds for this year's allocation have already been exhausted. more...
Calne News
More cash for young savers
A NEW scheme to encourage children in Calne to save their pennies from an early age has benefited from a £750 donation. more...
Recycling protesterscall for a new survey
CAMPAIGNERS in Compton Bassett and Cherhill fighting against plans for a new recycling centre have written hundreds of letters urging the county council to carry out a traffic survey to assess the impact of the scheme. more...
Foreman had no insurance
FACTORY foreman Duncan McDougal drove an uninsured car he had bought for spare parts, so he could pick up his wife from work. more...
Fears come to a head over statue's safety
SCULPTOR Rick Kirby has been called in to make alterations to Calne's controversial head statue after health and safety experts said it could be a danger to members of the public. more...
Red letter day for town store
YOUNGSTERS had their faces painted with exotic designs for free at Calne's Somerfield store on Saturday February 16. more...
Teens linked to vandalism
POLICE are linking a spate of vandalism to cars and property in Calne to a group of three youths in their late teens. more...
Leak sparks big chemical alert
FIREFIGHTERS and Environment Agency officials were called to Calne late on Sunday night after workmen came across a mystery brown chemical while digging up cables. more...
Chippenham News
Cattle market is set to reopen
CHIPPENHAM Livestock Market is set to re-open next Thursday after a year's closure following the outbreak of foot and mouth. more...
Drug user jailed for rooftop theft bid
HEROIN user Daryl Wicks has been sent to prison for three months after trying to steel copper flashing from a school roof to buy Christmas presents. more...
Auction helps light the way
AN auction of promises has raised £3,000 towards Malmesbury Lawn Tennis Club's £15,000 project to install nine floodlighting columns to its courts by the autumn. more...
Barefaced protest
FRIENDS of the Earth campaigners staged a peaceful protest outside Barclay's Bank in Chippenham on Saturday February 16. more...
It's super, Mayor
CHIPPENHAM hosted Weston-super-Mare Town Council last week. more...
Leak sparks big chemical alert
FIREFIGHTERS and Environment Agency officials were called to Calne late on Sunday night after workmen came across a mystery brown chemical while digging up cables. more...
Royal visit for village projects
PEOPLE living in three North Wiltshire villages are preparing for a royal visit. more...
Soldiers save man from car
QUICK-WITTED Territorial Army soldiers John McGookin and Lee Bampfield leapt into action to rescue a trapped man from his car, preventing a potentially fatal pile-up. more...
Soldier's four years AWOL
SOLDIER Nicholas Roberts went absent without leave from the Army after the death of friend in Northern Ireland and a confrontation with an armed Serb, a court martial heard. more...
It's super, Mayor
CHIPPENHAM hosted Weston-super-Mare Town Council last week. On February 14, 14 representatives of Weston- super-Mare, including the town mayor and the town clerk, met with members and officers of the town council for the day. more...
Concert to remember a choir's stalwart
CHOIR member Monica Swaffield will be remembered at a memorial concert in St Andrew's Church, Chippenham, next month, two years after her sudden death. more...
PC gets taste of Australia
ADVENTUROUS police officer Richard Jones is jetting off to Australia on Tuesday February 26 to see how law and order is upheld on the other side of the world. more...
Court ruling inspires skatepark protesters
RESIDENTS of Monkton Park, in Chippenham, could take North Wiltshire District Council to court in their campaign against noise from a nearby skatepark, following a landmark judgement last week. more...
Homes help first timers
A SCHEME to help people get their foot on the property ladder in Chippenham has proved a huge success for Westlea Housing Association. more...
Drink driver is given ban
DRIVER Bart Madgwick has been disqualified from driving for 16 months after admitting drink driving. more...
Firm reveals its vision for nightclub's future
BOSSES from the development company behind the planned rejuvenation of Chippenham's Goldiggers nightclub building have spoken for the first time of their vision for its future. more...
Corsham News
Royal visit for village projects
PEOPLE living in three North Wiltshire villages are preparing for a royal visit. more...
Ctfc Sport
Bluebirds sweat on injury for key clash
DR MARTENS LEAGUE: CHIPPENHAM Town are sweating on the fitness of three key players ahead of Saturday's crunch clash with Gresley Rovers at Hardenhuish Park. more...
Sutton Coldfield Town 1, Chippenham Town 2
TWO goals in two minutes midway through the second half put Chippenham Town's promotion charge back on track as they avoided a potential banana skin at seventh placed Sutton Coldfield on Saturday 16 February. more...
Devizes News
`Queen' to lead the jubilee fun
DEVIZES will celebrate the Queen's golden jubilee on June 3 with a day of fun in the town. more...
Bid to restrict street parking
WORKERS will not be able to park all day on central roads in Devizes if plans by Wiltshire County Council are approved. more...
Skaters to fight on for new park
DEVIZES Town Council has three weeks to remove the skate park from Hillworth Park after a judge ruled that the noise was a nuisance to nearby resident Bill Richardson. more...
Plans made on a grand scale
ROSIE Wintour, 18, of Sandridge Lane, Bromham, has scaled up support for her forthcoming trip to Bolivia, where she will be working on projects helping disadvantaged people in inner city areas. more...
Man back in court after he kicked TV
A BIG Issue seller broke a county court restraining order and went to his partner's home, kicked a television and broke it, magistrates in Devizes heard on Monday. more...
Man forgives horse for fatal kick to wife
MORE than 120 mourners attended the funeral of keen horserider Carol Stone, who died aged 45 after being kicked by her horse. more...
Rowdy man to keep the peace
LABOURER Kevin Cooper has agreed to be bound over to keep the peace for the next year after admitting swearing at police and acting in an aggressive manner. more...
Stand up and take notice
THE people of Devizes will have the opportunity to choose the design for a set of new `gateway' signs to the town when a touring exhibition is set up next month. more...
Man escapes jail sentence
ROY King, 37, who admitted indecently assaulting another man, has been spared a jail sentence by magistrates. more...
Swim and row for ambulance
YOUNG swimmers at Dauntsey's School, in West Lavington, crossed the English Channel 11 and a half times last week to raise cash for the Wiltshire Air Ambulance Appeal. more...
Diabetic farmer's pleas are ignored
FARMER Geoffrey Collins is in dispute with his landlord, Wiltshire County Council, over the provision of a shower at his farmhouse near Erlestoke. more...
Soldiers' fast action averts crash tragedy
QUICK-WITTED John McGookin and Lee Bampfield put their Army training to good use when they leapt into action to rescue a trapped man from his car, preventing a potentially fatal pile-up just outside Devizes. more...
New scheme's home and dry
A NEW scheme allowing people to bid on housing association homes for rent through adverts in the Gazette and Herald has been hailed a great success. more...
Senior police officer hurt
KENNET area police commander Chief Inspector Ian Hobbs has had to have time off work with a knee injury he received while helping officers make arrests after a car chase from Marlborough to Devizes. more...
Silbury survey goes full circle
A NEW survey of Silbury Hill, near Avebury, the largest prehistoric man-made mound in Europe, has revealed some secrets, but not enough to avoid disappointing researchers like Brian Edwards from Marlborough. more...
Sale is one to watch
A TRAGIC tale of a bride who lost her husband on the Titanic in 1912 has emerged as auctioneer Alan Aldridge prepares for his annual sale at Southampton. more...
Court bans man from pub after assault
PHILIP Bartholomew, who assaulted the landlord of the Mason's Arms in Aldbourne, has been banned from the pub for a year and given a community sentence by Kennet magistrates. more...
Nursing sister says farewell
HOSPITAL sister Peggy Mills hung up her uniform on Monday after more than 42 years in the NHS. more...
Romance in the air
TWO romantic men made the most of Valentine's Day last week when they surprised their girlfriends by popping the question. more...
Fallen soldier found
THE remains of a Wiltshire Regiment soldier, who died during the fateful 1944 Arnhem campaign in Holland during the Second World War, have been found during building work in a Dutch farmyard. more...
Business booms again
EXACTLY a year to the week when they were forced to shut themselves away because of the foot and mouth crisis, farmers Guy and Jane Sainsbury are looking forward to some cash coming in from their clay pigeon shooting centre near Marlborough. more...
Benefit cheat is sentenced
DRIVER Martin Stokes has been sentenced to 60 hours' community punishment after he admitted claiming unemployment benefit while he was working. more...
No zone for old fridges
OLD fridges are piling up in Wiltshire because the country has nowhere to recycle them in accordance with new EU laws. more...
Lottery bid for records office is on
PETER Chalke, the leader of Wiltshire County Council, has denied that the second Lottery bid to fund a new county records office at Devizes Wharf has been turned down. more...
Cancer referral worst in country
NEARLY one in five patients suspected of having cancer in Wiltshire has to wait more than two weeks to see a specialist. more...
Dad's hard to beat
DEVIZES police officer Andy Pullen is to run the London Marathon to raise money for Children with Leukaemia in gratitude for what the charity has done for his son Freddie, who was diagnosed with the disease two years ago. more...
Just caught on hop
A POPULATION explosion caused by two un-neutered rabbits housed together has resulted in a warning from the RSPCA to all would be bunny owners. more...
Hi-tech images let police put finger on criminals
A FINGERPRINT system, pioneered by Wiltshire Constabulary scientist Esther Neate, is being snapped up by other police forces. more...
Join Poirot on the case
THE little grey cells of Agatha Christie's renowned Belgian detective Monsieur Hercule Poirot have been brought to bear on Wiltshire Constabulary's greatest puzzle how to make the ordinary person give more help to bobby on the beat. more...
Corporal's a real life saver
A CORPORAL at RAF Lyneham has been presented with a certificate by the National Blood Service for making his 100th blood donation. more...
Little things mean a lot
MARLBOROUGH-based opticians Haine and Smith has bought £1,500 of equipment for multiple sclerosis sufferers more...
Devizes,Calne,Chippenham,Marlborough,Highworth,Corsham,Malmesbury,Wootton Bassett News
Please support our new appeal
TODAY the Gazette launches a £40,000 appeal to buy a new ambulance for the St John Ambulance in Wiltshire. more...
Council hit by lack of consideration
DEVIZES Town Council must be feeling very sheepish about the High Court ruling that will force it to close its skateboard park because of resident Bill Richardson's complaint. more...
Devizes,Calne,Marlborough,Highworth,Chippenham,Corsham,Malmesbury,Wootton Bassett News
No chance to vote against parish plan
DEVIZES Town Council has recently circulated leaflets within the town and the parish of Roundway setting out its reasons for wishing to amalgamate the two. more...
Council service is a wash-out over floods
FOR 13 years I lived in Potterne High Street and suffered or enjoyed the usual variations in English weather, but come rain, shine or even very heavy rain, there were no real problems. more...
Takeover poses questions
THE takeover proposal of Roundway parish by Devizes seems to have a lot of unanswered questions. more...
Which public services would you like to cut?
IN last week's letters page John Berry suggested that we all limit the extra amount of council tax we pay in 2002/03 to five per cent rather than the proposed 9.9 per cent. more...
Action needed
THE tragedy of the closure of the Dyson's factory is beyond belief and the reasons for it even harder to understand. more...
Praise for council
I WRITE to express my concern about the opinions of members of the Calne Allotment Association as reported on local television and press reports concerning the new site. more...
EU is a danger...
AFTER reading Richard Evans' letter in the Gazette last week I felt I had to put pen to paper. more...
...or maybe not
Just recently I presented a small Euro cheque from Southern Ireland to Lloyds TSB and was told there would be a minimum service charge of £5 to process this item, as this is the case with all foreign currency. more...
Protest over bank
On February 16 North Wiltshire Friends of the Earth protested outside Barclays Bank in Chippenham because the Barclays Group has financed rainforest destruction. more...
Invitation to all
I SHOULD like to invite everyone to the AGM of One World Week Calne, which will be held on February 28 in Marden House, Calne. more...
Runners wanted
SPRINGBOARD, North Wiltshire's Opportunity Group, which works with pre-school children with learning difficulties and their families, is looking for runners in the forthcoming London Marathon who would like to adopt Springboard as their chosen sponsor partner. more...
Review was fair
IN response to Michael Doherty's letter about my review of the George and Dragon in Potterne on February 7, I would like to point out I did not go there with any preconceived ideas. more...
Tea pours £153
Tea pours £153 more...
Drive News
Car of the Year!
IT'S the world's best-selling car, ever. And now it has been given the ultimate accolade Britain's Car of the Year. more...
We don't want to speed, say drivers
CARS are getting faster and more efficient by the minute, but drivers don't really want to speed, a new survey reveals. more...
More drivers prosecuted for speeding
SPEED cameras are spreading but most of them have nothing to do with road safety, claims a spokesman for drivers. more...
All torque
IF anyone seriously wants to know why diesel cars are becoming so popular, they should go down to their local VW showroom and ask to drive the new Polo in both versions. more...
A new start for the world's biggest seller
THE world's second largest car maker has pulled off a remarkable coup with a quite remarkable car. more...
Highworth News
Saturday star in full swing
IN true Pop Idol style, Swindon singer and guitarist Mark Kilminster beat off 20,000 hopefuls to scoop the lead in a resident band on TV's The Saturday Show. more...
'Happy birthday to us!'
IT WAS cake all round for staff and youngsters at Westgate Nursery, Highworth, which is celebrating its 10th birthday. more...
Malmesbury News
New school's doors open
WOOTTON Bassett School is settling into its new campus this week, after a frenetic fortnight in which staff, students and Pickfords completed the mammoth task of moving thousands of crates of books and equipment. more...
Minety monster savages sheep
A MYSTERY animal, dubbed the Minety monster, is savaging lambs and ewes on farms around the village, with 22 found dead in the past week. more...
Council dips into cash
MALMESBURY'S new indoor swimming pool should be built by autumn 2003, after North Wiltshire District Council agreed in principle to give £515,000 from next year's budget. more...
Café plan stirs up rivals
RESTAURATEUR Sally Marks has been accused of seeking to monopolise food outlets in Malmesbury after applying to extend her High Street café, having already opened restaurants in Malmesbury and Cirencester. more...
Pooled funds create tribute
A MURAL painted last week for the swimming pool at Burton Hill House School has been funded through donations from mourners at the funeral of stroke victim Auriole Oura. more...
Persistent offender given jail sentence
DRUG addict Stephen Saunders was sentenced to four months' imprisonment after appearing in court in Chippenham last Thursday. more...
Safety fears over garage
THE entrance to the only petrol station in Malmesbury is a disaster waiting to happen, according to the town's mayor, John Bowen. more...
New look hall clearly better
LEA Village Hall is to have double-glazed windows worth £3,500 installed by the end of March following a £2,000 grant from the Government's Awards For All scheme. more...
Auction set to be lots of fun
A FLIGHT on a Microlite aircraft and a visit to the Houses of Commons will be two of around 50 attractions going under the hammer at an auction of promises in Crudwell. more...
Auction helps light the way
AN auction of promises has raised £3,000 towards Malmesbury Lawn Tennis Club's £15,000 project to install nine floodlighting columns to its courts by the autumn. more...
Marlborough News
Nursing sister says farewell
HOSPITAL sister Peggy Mills hung up her uniform on Monday after more than 42 years in the NHS. more...
College banner flies into flak
TOWN councillors are unhappy at the prospect of a large banner advertising the Marlborough College Summer School fluttering on railings until the holiday activities start in July. more...
Fury at pay rise for councillors
KENNET councillors voted to nearly double their allowances only minutes after they approved a rise in council tax of almost ten per cent. more...
Polite conman strikes
A POLITE and well spoken conman talked his way into homes in the Marlborough area on Monday February 18, stealing money from three pensioners, one of them registered blind. more...
Hotel break-in shock
HOTELIER Vicky Hall has spoken of her shock after waking at 5am to find a burglar standing in the doorway of her bedroom. more...
Pupil plans to be chilled out
WHILE many of her school friends will be spending their holidays in the sun, 16-year-old Meg Barne will be spending this summer on a trek inside the Arctic Circle. more...
Court bans man from pub after assault
PHILIP Bartholomew, who assaulted the landlord of the Mason's Arms in Aldbourne, has been banned from the pub for a year and given a community sentence by Kennet magistrates. more...
Veteran to battle on for Suez recognition
ARMY veteran Gordon Rendle has vowed to continue his battle for a medal in honour of his Suez Canal service, despite a discouraging response from Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon. more...
Home pledge must be kept
THE mayor elect of Marlborough, Margaret Boulton, is going to County Hall today to ensure pledges made to keep Coombe End House old people's home in the town are honoured. more...
New arrival delights mums
MARLBOROUGH couple Juliette and Russell Plank have opened a specialist baby shop, called Arrival, in the town's High Street. more...
Plans made on a grand scale
ROSIE Wintour, 18, of Sandridge Lane, Bromham, has scaled up support for her forthcoming trip to Bolivia, where she will be working on projects helping disadvantaged people in inner city areas. more...
Senior police officer hurt
KENNET area police commander Chief Inspector Ian Hobbs has had to have time off work with a knee injury he received while helping officers make arrests after a car chase from Marlborough to Devizes. more...
Pewsey News
Dig up some old memories
PEWSEY Heritage Centre wants to find out as much as possible about the former mental hospital in Wilcot Road, sometimes referred to by its early 19th century name, The Colony. more...
Policing promises `broken'
PARISH councillors at Pewsey are writing to Wiltshire's Chief Constable Elizabeth Neville and to the Police Authority to ask why assurances given to the village about police manning levels have not been upheld. more...
Salisbury Features
First steps on a difficult road
JO'S stepfather whispered to her: "It's our little secret, and if you tell your mother you won't see her again." more...
Salisbury News
Mother denies murder of her two babies
A MOTHER waited until she was alone with her babies then deliberately killed them and passed them off as cot deaths, it was alleged at Winchester Crown Court this week. more...
Bravery award for rowing hero
A FORMER pupil of Bishop Wordsworth's School, Salisbury, is to receive a top bravery award for the major role he played in saving 16 university rowers during a freak storm in Spain. more...
Trapeze artist falls at circus
A TRAPEZE artist was fortunate to escape with nothing more than a broken wrist when she fell in front of hundreds of people at Zippos Circus in Salisbury on Thursday. more...
Hole lot of anger over 20ft hazard
A ROW has erupted over a gigantic pothole in Charlton All Saints. more...
Bulldozer steals the final act
Demolition men moved in on Studio Theatre's dilapidated premises in Ashley Road, Salisbury, last week. more...
Motorists set for road chaos
MAJOR disruption faces south Wiltshire motorists in April, when the A36 at Plaitford will be closed to traffic for at least four weeks. more...
MP comes to resident's aid
Salisbury MP Robert Key has stepped in to help a woman who was given a ticket after parking her car in the same spot since 1993. more...
Running for the love of Pat
LOVE and sympathy are the driving forces behind a south Wiltshire woman's bid to run the London Marathon for the first time. more...
Journal to get new editor
THE Journal is to have a change of editor for the first time in more than 12 years. more...
Town's diamond couple
A couple who have devoted their married life to serving Wilton and its residents celebrated their diamond wedding on Monday, surrounded by people who have been closely connected with them over the years. more...
Long-term relief for Boscombe Down
WORKERS at Boscombe Down received a boost this week when Defence Minister Lewis Moonie announced that the operators of the airbase were to be given a long-term contract. more...
Sport Cricket
Indoor nets date
CRICKET: Minety cricket club begin pre-season practice net sessions at Malmesbury Sports Centre on Sunday at 6pm. more...
Sport Football
Devizes seal county shock
Devizes Town under 18s shocked their Chippenham counterparts in the County Youth Cup. more...
Boss is to face FA disrepute charge
SCREWFIX DIRECT LEAGUE: DEVIZES Town manager Brian Newlands will request a personal hearing with the Wiltshire FA after being asked to answer a charge of bringing the game into disrepute. more...
Knight makes it Town's day
YOUTH FOOTBALL: CHIPPENHAM Town entertained Trowbridge Town in the under 11s division of the Wiltshire Times and News Mid-Wilts Youth and Minor League and in a hard fought battle between two evenly matched sides the result was always in doubt. more...
From the dugout by Brian Newlands, Devizes Town Manager
TAUNTON bowed out of the FA Vase on Saturday 16 February after a late goal dashed their hopes of taking a quarter final spot. more...
Bridgwater Town 1 Devizes Town 3
SCREWFIX DIRECT LEAGUE: DEVIZES Town returned to Screwfix Direct League Premier Division action with an impressive away win at improving Bridgwater Town on Saturday 16 February. more...
Computer problem hits fixture list
CHIPPENHAM SUNDAY LEAGUE: DUE to computer problems and work commitments, the league are unable to issue the fixtures for March before next week. more...
Calne Town 1 Shepton Mallet 1
TEENAGE substitute Peter Temple salvaged a valuable point for Calne Town in their struggle against relegation as they held in-form Shepton Mallet at Bremhill View on Saturday 16 February. more...
Corsham Town 2, Clyst Rovers 4
CORSHAM Town remain in sixth position in the First Division table despite a disappointing defeat at the hands of Clyst Rovers at The Southbank on Saturday 16 February. more...
Keynsham Town Ladies Res 3, Chippenham Town Ladies 6
WOMEN'S FOOTBALL: WILTSHIRE representative Seb Everson blasted a hat-trick as Chippenham ladies triumphed in a nine-goal thriller at Keynsham on Sunday 17 February. more...
Back to their best
YOUTH FOOTBALL: CHIPPENHAM Town youth team made up for their Wiltshire County Youth Cup defeat against Devizes with an 8-2 victory over Amesbury at Hardenhuish Park on Monday night. more...
Sutton Coldfield Town 1, Chippenham Town 2
DR MARTENS LEAGUE: TWO goals in two minutes midway through the second half put Chippenham Town's promotion charge back on track as they avoided a potential banana skin at seventh placed Sutton Coldfield on Saturday 16 February. more...
Wroughton claim cup place with shock win
SKURRAY'S WILTSHIRE LEAGUE: WROUGHTON reached the semi final of the Wiltshire Senior cup with a 3-2 win over Shrewton United in a cracking tie at the Weir Field. more...
Selectabook cruise through to the final
MID-WILTSHIRE SUNDAY LEAGUE: SELECTABOOK took their place in the final of the John Strickland Memorial Cup with a 5-0 home win over Fox and Hounds in a very scrappy game on Sunday. more...
Shrivenham 0, Pewsey Vale 4
HOT-SHOT Craig Wall blasted a superb hat-trick as Pewsey Vale moved to within a point of top spot in the Hellenic League Division One West. more...
Vaughan is both hero and villain for Bassett
CHERRY RECORDS HELLENIC LEAGUE: WOOTTON Bassett striker Mark Vaughan scored both goals and was then sent off as they overcame local rivals Cirencester Academy 2-0 in a bad-tempered match at Rylands Way. more...
Chippenham Sunday league round-up
CORSHAM Park Rangers soaked up early pressure against leaders Chippenham Black Horse before finally succumbing 5-3 in Division Three of the Vanitec Computers sponsored Chippenham Sunday League. more...
Forget friday night football
SO it's goodbye to Thursday night football and hello to Friday night football. more...
Time to sort this mess out
IT seems the two warring parties are so close yet still so far. more...
Reeves' off year
I KNOW Reevesy's dismissal against Reading divided many of you. more...
New kids on the block
REFRESHING to hear that Kingy will give the kids a chance once we are mathematically safe from the drop. more...
Time to hit the right note
THE question of County Ground music continues to cause some debate. more...
Town's own Oasis lyrics
MANCUNIAN chart-toppers Oasis seem keen for Town to hang on to their young talent. more...
No joking matter for Akinbiyi
HAD to laugh this week as I read Trevor Francis' method of boosting Ade Akinbiyi's confidence. more...
Sport Rugby
England debut fuels Crockett's ambition
ROOKIE centre Alex Crockett made a blistering start to life in an England under 21 shirt on Friday night, scoring two tries as his side edged past Ireland 28-25 at Coventry. more...
Chippenham 35, Windsor 7
DESPITE a difficult start Chippenham ran out easy winners in this rearranged South West Division Two East game at Allington Field. more...
Wootton Bassett 2nds 36, Old Richians 24
WOOTTON Bassett lost out to a high class Old Richians side in a friendly. more...
Swindon College Old Boys 37, Minety 18
SHOWING impressive pace and power, Swindon College Old Boys ran in seven tries to put Minety out of this year's Dorset and Wilts Vase. more...
Salisbury 46, Wootton Bassett 5
WOOTTON Bassett got little change out of their Dorset and Wilts Cup semi-final at Salisbury. more...
Marlborough 20, Gosford All Blacks 42
OXFORDSHIRE visitors Gosford turned in a rampant second half display to brush aside Marlborough in Saturday 16 February friendly. more...
Injury rules Catt out for the season
MIKE Catt has admitted he has no option but to undergo surgery on the shoulder injury that will rule him out of rugby until next season. more...
Stfc Sport
Not wanted
JUAN COBIAN will not grace the Swindon Town first team again while Andy King is manager. more...
Edwards set for comeback
PAUL EDWARDS looks set for a first team recall at Tranmere tomorrow after his first run-out for almost two months. more...
Corsham give Town a scare
Swindon Town booked their place in the semi- final of the Wiltshire Premier Shield last night, but were given quite a scare by Screwfix minnows Corsham. more...
Swindon News
Dishonouring our war dead
IN response to your request for views about names being carved on the cenotaph, I feel it needs to be pointed out that cenotaphs are there to represent the dead of all conflicts and to my knowledge were never intended to have names on them. more...
He gave his life for us
CAN I add my support for the family of the man on the front page of Monday's Evening Advertiser. more...
Find a bargain
MUCH has been made of the merger of the "Imperial Cancer Research" and "Cancer Research Campaign" into the one charity, "Cancer Research UK." more...
In the business of protecting the public
I would like to reply to the letters from readers R Townsend of Alfred Street, James Meadowcroft of Drove Road and P I Gunter of Gooch Street, about our plans to establish a bail and probation hostel in Swindon. more...
Resolve stronger
WE attended a very successful evening hosted by Anne Robinson at the Bingham Hall, Cirencester, last Saturday evening. Proceeds went to The VWH Hunt and the New Home Day Care Centre. more...
Shame on Anne
I AM really disgusted with Anne Robinson supporting blood sports. That's one more show I won't be watching! more...
Residents win backing
VILLAGERS, who claim their quality of life has been blighted by rush hour traffic, have won backing for an experimental scheme to put the brakes on rat-runners. more...
Firm in the dock
A firm is due before magistrates accused of supplying fake Tommy Hilfiger boxer shorts to a Swindon shop. more...
`Strong teaching' is helping students
STRATTON Education Centre Pupil Referral Unit has been given a glowing report from Ofsted. more...
It's getting worse
The death of Inderjeet Bharaj on Tuesday has thrown the issue of childhood asthma into sharp focus. Ben Fitzgerald investigates the issues involved. more...
Asbestos killed GWR union man
GWR worker Arnold Woolford strived for safety in Swindon Railway Works but still fell victim to the Swindon disease mesothelioma an inquest heard. more...
Brigade fights rising tide
WILTSHIRE Fire Brigade is working with the police to mount a major fight against the rising number of fires on the county's farms started by arsonists. more...
Schools celebrate good Ofsted reports
CHILDREN at two Swindon schools have got something to shout about. more...
Fancy being a warden?
PIONEERING street wardens are being recruited to patrol Parks and Walcot. more...
All change at school
FEATURE: At last, pupils have begun settling into the new Wootton Bassett School premises. more...
Bring rail to life
Take your pencils to Steam Museum on Saturday and join professional and amateur artists from the Guild of Railway Artists as they sketch locomotives and railway scenes. more...
Missing Darren makes contact
A MAN with learning difficulties who left his house a month ago has contacted police to say he is alive and well. more...
The hill with the hole
SILBURY Hill, the largest prehistoric man-made mound in Europe, is not on the verge of collapse. more...
Help veterans visit their old battlefields
A big prize draw is being organised to raise money to help pay for old Swindon soldiers to visit World War Two battle sites. more...
Residents fail in bid to close road
A BID by residents to close Swindon's Mill Lane was last night turned down by councillors for the time being. more...
Contractor comes under more fire
LEADING councillors last night slammed under-fire contractor, WS Atkins, despite being told it is improving its benefits and council tax collection service. more...
Banned from pub
A man who assaulted the landlord of the Mason's Arms in Aldbourne has been legally excluded from the pub for a year and given a community sentence by Kennet magistrates. more...
Mission to Mecca
Air crews from RAF Lyneham have been helping pilgrims from Afghanistan get to Mecca. more...
Award for service
SWINDON council's governor support service is to receive the national Charter Mark Award, given to public services able to demonstrate excellent customer service. more...
A day for women
International Women's Day on Friday, March 8 is to be celebrated with events organised by the Swindon Women's Coalition at the Broad Green Centre, Salisbury Street, from 11am to 3pm. more...
Youth club gets a bit of a boost
A YOUTH club is being launched in Pinehurst to solve the perennial problem of getting teenagers off the streets. more...
Saturday star in full swing
IN true Pop Idol style, Swindon singer and guitarist Mark Kilminster beat off 20,000 hopefuls to scoop the lead in a resident band on TV's The Saturday Show. more...
A bit of movie magic at the local
THE Broadwalk pub on Bridge Street is tempting new customers with the promise of a film with their pint. more...
New hospital is on target
FIXTURES and fittings are being added to Swindon's new hospital. more...
Family's second tragedy
THE family of a 15-year-old girl who died from a freak asthma attack has told of the anguish of losing her just four years after her father died of cancer. more...
Charities face cash threat
WELL-KNOWN voluntary groups such as the Citizens' Advice Bureau and Age Concern have been claiming Swindon Council grants without meeting the necessary criteria, it has been alleged. more...
Theatre company makes its point
MORE than 80 people turned out to a special open evening organised by the Sixth Sense Theatre Company to show how it uses its money. more...
Car parking fines claim under attack
LABOUR councillor John Taylor was last night forced to defend his attack on Swindon Council's residents' parking scheme. more...
Opening date is set for new school
SWINDON'S new primary school in Haydon Wick is set to open in September 2003, earlier than originally planned. more...
Our daughter must not be a statistic
Kellie Marie Oakes was a bright schoolgirl with an ambition to become a vet. But drugs led her into a dangerous descent that ended with her lonely death in a toilet cubicle at Swindon's railway station. BARRIE HUDSON reports. more...
Young chess talent coming to town
YOUNG chess players from all parts of the country will be converging on Swindon this weekend when the town plays host to one of the top junior events in the British chess calendar. more...
Work starts on special school
WORK is finally getting underway on a new special school for Swindon. The Chalet School is moving to a new site next to Liden Primary School at a cost of £1.3 million. more...
Tesco abandons its plans for a funfair
A SUPERMARKET has abandoned plans to stage a funfair in its grounds after people living nearby protested. more...
Council must now get its act together
WE should perhaps not be too surprised when bombshells are dropped on the day Swindon Council meets to set its budget. more...
Store is the big attraction
IT SEEMS that sense has prevailed in Tesco's bid to site a funfair at its Ocotal Way store. more...
Wiltshire News
Fury at pay rise
KENNET councillors voted to nearly double their allowances only minutes after they approved a rise in council tax of almost ten per cent. more...
Wiltshire Sport
Not wanted
JUAN COBIAN will not grace the Swindon Town first team again while Andy King is manager. more...
Wootton Bassett News
All change at school
FEATURE: At last, pupils have begun settling into the new Wootton Bassett School premises. more...
Pub's reward to catch pensioner's mugger
THE Town Local in Wootton Bassett has put up a £200 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of a mugger who left a 77-year-old woman with a broken hip. more...
Passing look ends in 60 years' marriage
OLGA and Jack Hayward were both in uniform when they met 62 years ago. more...
Building plan for meadows is rejected
SIX ACRES of ancient meadows in Highworth have been saved from the bulldozers after council planners threw out plans for a new housing development. more...
Watch out for the pier
LANDlocked Wootton Bassett is not famous for having a pier but that has not stopped a theatre group from launching a campaign under the title Help Us Save Our Pier. more...
OAPs' home evacuated
WORKMEN started a fire that spread through the roof of an old people's home in Wroughton causing thousands of pounds worth of damage. more...
Local Advertisers
Local Information
Enter your postcode, town or place name
