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Stories for 6 February 2003
Amesbury News
Ex-Boscombe pilot lost on space shuttle
THE horror of the Columbia space shuttle disaster brought shock to Amesbury and Boscombe Down this week. more...
Family escapes blazing home
SIX children and their father escaped unhurt from their smoke-filled house in Amesbury, just before striking firemen returned to work last week. more...
Judgement offers hope in Cannings case
THE campaign to free Angela Cannings, the Salisbury mother convicted last April of murdering two of her babies, is gaining momentum, following the exoneration of Sally Clark. more...
Experts see precedent in Sally Clark's case
LEGAL experts saw wide-ranging implications for other women convicted of murdering their children as former Salisbury schoolgirl Sally Clark walked from the Court of Appeal a free woman last week, her conviction for murdering two of her babies quashed. more...
Floods hit village twice over
THE village of Pitton barely had time to dry out before it was hit again last week by floodwater surging up out of nowhere. more...
Cheaper parking welcomed
TRADERS in Salisbury have welcomed a decision by councillors to reduce the cost of pay-and-display parking on the streets of Salisbury. more...
Body discovered in Harnham garden
A HOUSE in a quiet cul de sac in Harnham was sealed off on Friday morning, following the discovery of a body in its back garden. more...
Bath News
Baroque music feast salutes composer
BATH Baroque will be presenting a feast of music by Handel at a concert in Bath on February 15. more...
Business News
Shown the door
Zurich Financial Services, which announced last December it was to cut more than 700 jobs from its Swindon and Cheltenham operations, has begun informing those staff whose jobs will be affected. more...
£90,000 payment for Blick chairman
THE former chairman of Swindon-based security and time management group Blick received a £90,000 compensation payment after retiring from his post, according to the group's newly published annual report. more...
CBI has another director for SW
A new woman is to speak on behalf of business in the South West. Amanda Wilkinson, 34, has become South West regional director for the Confederation of British Industry, taking over the post held for the last 10 years by Sue Turner. more...
Surveyors expand
PALMER Snell surveyors, which has been established for nearly 200 years and has branches in Salisbury and Ringwood, is expanding into Devon, Cornwall, Surrey and Berkshire and Hampshire. more...
Space firm's shock at shuttle disaster
A LOCAL company involved in the European Space Project expressed its shock at the crash of a US space shuttle last Saturday. more...
Asda Wal-Mart denies selling food past its sell-by date
SUPERMARKET giant Asda has appeared in Swindon Magistrates' Court charged with selling food which was past its sell-by date. A total of 20 charges relate to 41 food items on sale at Asda Wal-Mart in Haydon Wick in March 2002. more...
New homes `pave way for 400 new jobs'
THE owner of a key employment site in Chippenham has defended its plans to build homes on part of the land, after councillors warned that new jobs were more important. more...
Company success passed on to staff
CATERING company apetito has celebrated a record December with a bonus for staff at its Trowbridge-based firm. The final month of the year proved to be a great success for the company as weekly sales reached their highest ever average. more...
Trowbridge firm wins record-breaking sales
TROWBRIDGE firm Virgin Mobile has bucked the national trend to announce record-breaking sales. The company reported its largest best ever sales figures in the last quarter of 2002, including its most successful Christmas trading period. more...
Beds rumours denied
RUMOURS that one of the biggest employers in Trowbridge is to close have been denied by its managing director this week. Airsprung Beds has hit back at claims by the GMB union that the 750 jobs at the firm are under threat. more...
Rugby stars pop in
TOP rugby stars Tom Voyce and Andy Williams took time out from training this week to visit the Wiltshire Times. They were there to present prizes to the newspapers' best sales staff as part of a drive to bring in new clients. more...
Full marks for Bradford hotel
STAFF at the Leigh Park Hotel in Bradford on Avon have been celebrating after retaining the full 1,000 points available in a quality inspection for minimum international standards. more...
Performance in line
GOVERNMENT statistics show the performance of the South West of England Regional Development Agency is in line to with expectations. more...
Farmers' markets receive funding
A GROUP of Hampshire farmers has been awarded government funding to promote its network of markets. more...
Sotheby's gets regional valuer
THERE is a new face on the antiques scene in Salisbury. Angus Milner-Brown has been appointed as Sotheby's regional valuer, working from the firm's office in Castle Street. more...
Behind the spin - By Amanda Barry
How many emails do you receive a day? The average employee, according to US-based research, wades through a hefty 38. Some may get less; many get more. It seems everyone wants our attention according to research carried by advertising agency J Walter Thompson, the average person is exposed to a mind-boggling 350 posters, 150 radio ads, 250 TV ads and 400 magazine ads each week. more...
Newsletter for travel takes off
TRAVEL consultant Sam Peters has published her first newsletter. Ms Peters, who works from her home in Bishopdown, Salisbury and used to work for Lunn Poly and Bakers Dolphin, says she intends to produce a quarterly newsletter with updates on her business, travel news and special offers. more...
Biotech firm warns of cash crisis
PORTON Down biopharmaceutical company Enact Pharma has warned of a crisis looming in the biotech industry and how companies like Enact are finding it difficult to capture the market's attention. more...
Calne News
Mum to sue over house of horrors
MUM Sam Brown, 30, has not only had to face the trauma of seeing her four-year-old daughter through four major operations, but has had to battle with a catalogue of horrors in her new Calne house. more...
Racing fan killed by speed, inquest hears
AN inquest has recorded a verdict of accidental death on Calne driver Nick Walmsley, who was killed last September when his car smashed into a tree. more...
Youths target town library
A group of youths who were ejected from Calne Library last week damaged a book and scattered rubbish on shelves and the floor. more...
Village thanks its big-hearted postman
VILLAGE postman Alan Beamish who helped the elderly by lighting their fires and even cutting grass, was given a rousing send-off by villagers when he retired after 28 years delivering mail in Heddington and Stockley. more...
Calne news in brief
Vandals climbed on to the roof of a building opposite the Kings Arms pub in Calne at 12.40pm on Saturday and threw stones at the front of the pub. more...
Broadband on horizon as BT gets message
BRITISH Telecom has announced it has cut Calne's Broadband registration trigger level by half. more...
Teaching dog who is boss
AN animal behaviourist is taking the lead with a new style of training for puppies which aims to show a dog's life can be fun. more...
Council agendas to be posted on new website
CALNE Town Council has launched a new website to help people find out more about what the council is doing and how it operates. more...
Cricket coach curries favour
CALNE'S John Bentley School will field an extra man in its PE department next winter. more...
Firm denies safety snub
A CALNE developer has hit back after parents accused it of blocking footpaths to a local school with building materials. more...
Yobs threaten club's repute
MEMBERS of a Calne social club fear its reputation is being tarnished by gangs of yobs congregating in an adventure playground opposite the club. more...
Father in marathon bid to help hospice
CALNE dad Alan Gordine is running a marathon as a thank you to the hospice that gives his family a break each year from caring for his desperately sick son. more...
Aviation fuel leak alert
A FUEL leak in a pipeline not far from the perimeter of RAF Lyneham last week left farmland contaminated. more...
Chippenham News
New homes `pave way for 400 new jobs'
THE owner of a key employment site in Chippenham has defended its plans to build homes on part of the land, after councillors warned that new jobs were more important. more...
The Street's Mr Nasty upsets financial men
AS Coronation Street's killer conman Richard Hillman continues to steal and murder his way through Weatherfield, spare a thought for real financial advisers, like John Boatman from Derry Hill he's even got a partner called Maxine. more...
LYNEHAM FEATURE: D-Day for Lyneham
Any day now the service personnel and civilian community will be told whether RAF Lyneham has a future. Reporter DEBBIE WAITE has been finding out just how many livelihoods depend on the base. more...
LYNEHAM FEATURE: Impact of closure would be felt far afield
THE Gazette's campaign to save RAF Lyneham started in Decemeber 2001 when MP James Gray was first told it could be under threat. more...
LYNEHAM FEATURE: Why base is so vital to county's economy
RAF Lyneham is a major operational base of the Royal Air Force which functions on a 24-hour/all year round basis. more...
LYNEHAM FEATURE: Why our base might miss out to Oxfordshire
Rising costs Lyneham sits within an area of Wiltshire where there are already a number of other significant defence installations. more...
LYNEHAM FEATURE: What closure could mean
Estimated armed service personnel job losses 2,500 more...
War bride's early date
IT may not be ideal to start married life with a six-month separation, but when Andy Dutton and Alex Croft say their vows on Saturday, they may have just days together before he is sent to a war zone. more...
Lambs on Mother's Day
LACOCK: Fluffy lambs will be frolicking for mums (and kids) at Lackham College's annual Lambing Weekend. more...
Council tax hope
People with homes which fall in Band D of council tax charges may not be as badly off as they thought from April. more...
Broadening line
North Wiltshire MP James Gray is campaigning for a Broadband connection for more people. more...
Monkey gets funky for kids
MORE than 70 children have been swinging to the beat of the Funky Monkey at Bradon Forest School in Purton. more...
Bomber flew 30 miles without a crew
FIFTY years ago on February 7 one of the world's largest aircraft crashed near Lacock, and the crash remains unexplained to this day. more...
On with the show
THE Royal International Air Tattoo will go ahead this year in spite of the prospect of war with Iraq. more...
`I just lurve you'
HEARTS, flowers, cards and chocolates might be what most adults associate with Valentine's Day, but the children of Key Day Nursery in the Causeway, Chippenham, have got other ideas. more...
Green Goddesses to rescue as car blazes
SOLDIERS and sailors manning Green Goddess fire engines were called into action for the first time in the Chippenham area on Monday. more...
Stop the war protest grows
MORE than 80 people turned out for a Stop The War meeting in Chippenham on Tuesday night, and a packed coach will be travelling to London for the national protest on February 15. more...
Runaway heifer is killed after chase
AN escaped heifer caused havoc in Chippenham last Thursday after it went on a 45-minute rampage through the town centre. more...
Reporter stretches her limbs for a challenge
PUPILS at Hardenhuish School in Chippenham will soon be climbing the walls quite literally when a state of the art climbing wall opens in their new sports hall. more...
Protest on lost play area
RESIDENTS are racing against time in a battle to get a play area at Barrow Green, Chippenham. more...
On marks for big clear out
A massive charity car boot sale is on the cards for Chippenham on Easter Bank Holiday Monday to support a campaign to eradicate polio. more...
Jailed for assault on policeman
A DRUNKEN man who head-butted a policeman causing him severe concussion, has been jailed for six months. more...
Little helpers jump to it
CHILDREN from New Causeway Nursery, in Chippenham, have been bouncing with fun all week as part of a sponsored trampoline jump. more...
Reward points theft alleged
A WORKER at Sainsbury's in Chippenham has been arrested for allegedly stealing points from customers' reward cards. more...
Probation looks at more sites
Wiltshire Probation Service has ruled out two potential sites for its new offices, but it is still considering the contentious Ivy Lane site in Chippenham. more...
Band puts dancers in mood for love
A fundraising Valentine's Day Dance will be held at the Neeld Hall in Chippenham featuring the Dave Southall Big Band, playing music of the 1940s and 1950s. more...
Space firm's shock at shuttle disaster
A LOCAL company involved in the European Space Project expressed its shock at the crash of a US space shuttle last Saturday. more...
Shoe boss puts heart and sole into racing
SHOE shop manager Mark Haynes is a secret tough man, who likes nothing better than running hell for leather in the roughest of conditions. more...
Record office scheme aims to regenerate town
PLANS for the Wiltshire and Swindon Record Office were unveiled at an exhibition in Chippenham Town Hall last Wednesday. more...
Patients hot foot it to new dental clinic
A NEW dental centre in Chippenham has been inundated with patients desperate for NHS treatment and it only opened four days ago. more...
Corsham News
War bride's early date
IT may not be ideal to start married life with a six-month separation, but when Andy Dutton and Alex Croft say their vows on Saturday, they may have just days together before he is sent to a war zone. more...
Iraq war call-ups force club to quit
COLERNE B have been forced to quit the Chippenham and District Sunday League after eight of their players were called up for RAF duty ahead of the impending conflict in Iraq. more...
Station campaigners vow to continue the battle
The turbulent campaign to re-open Corsham train station faces another set-back as £1.28 million funding has been lost. more...
Ctfc Sport
Crash can't stop Thorne
Chippenham Town defender Wayne Thorne collected sponsors' man of the match honours for the fourth time this season after shrugging off the shock of a car accident on his way to Saturday's home game against Crawley. more...
Harry will need op to heal ankle problems
MARK Harrington looks set to go under the surgeon's knife in a bid to kick-start a campaign blighted by the reoccurrence of an old ankle injury. more...
Bluebirds hoping to beat a bit of Bully
Forthcoming opponents: Chippenham will be aiming to pile on the misery for fast-fading Grantham Town when the Lincolnshire side visit Hardenhuish Park on Saturday. more...
Frustrated Matt vows to fight for spot
SUPER sub Matt Rawlins admitted his lack of first team opportunities have left him frustrated this term, but insists he is willing to stay and fight for his place at Hardenhuish Park. more...
Thorne leading the way
TOUGH tackling full back Wayne Thorne leads the way in the race to see which Bluebirds player will finish the campaign with the most sponsors' man of the match awards. more...
Solid Gould is on top form
MATCHWINNER Tom Gould is aiming for the Premier Division title after heading his third goal of an impressive season on Saturday. more...
Devizes News
House of Lords debates maternity units threat
THE threat to Devizes and Malmesbury maternity units has been discussed in the House of Lords. more...
Too busy to care
HEALTH bosses who will decide the fate of maternity units in Devizes and Malmesbury have snubbed protest organisers by refusing to be at the handover of a 6,000-name petition. more...
Drivers in the dark over new parking
CONFUSION reigned in the centre of Devizes when the town's new parking system came into force without any signs up to show how it would operate. more...
All clear lets family travel to Disney
ANDY and Sally Pullen from Devizes returned from their first holiday for four years this week after their son, Freddie, was given the all-clear by doctors. more...
Belarus kids revel in trip
THIRTEEN children from the Smilovichy orphanage in Belarus, all of them affected by fall-out from the nuclear accident at Chernobyl power station 17 years ago, have arrived in the Devizes area for a month-long stay. more...
Broadband is on the way
INTERNET surfers in Devizes should be able to get Broadband service within the next three months after BT dropped the required number of registrations. more...
School launches bid as sports specialist
THE whole community will benefit if Devizes School is successful in winning sports college status, says headteacher Malcolm Irons. more...
Ex-pupil's film in line for award at BAFTAs
A FILM produced by a former pupil of Devizes and Lavington schools has been nominated for a BAFTA award. more...
Police pick up men asleep in stolen car
Two men were remanded in custody by Chippenham magistrates last Thursday after being found asleep in a stolen car in Green Lane, Devizes. more...
Swift reaction catches thief
A SHARP-EYED member of the public spotted a horse-box trailer being hitched up to a pick-up truck in the Devizes area and quickly phoned the police, Kennet magistrates heard on Tuesday. more...
Farmer in fight for staff house on site
FARMER James Bodman this week urged a Government planning inspector to allow him to build a bungalow on his farm to house an employee. more...
Pupils learn to tell a yarn
SIX pupils at the tiny Chirton Primary School, near Devizes, have had their short stories published in the latest edition of Write On!, a collection of creative writing by eight to 11-year-olds from all over the West Country. more...
D-day for developer on homes that grew
A COUPLE'S complaints that a neighbouring housing development has ended up bigger than planned will finally be aired by councillors today. more...
Thief apologises
Convicted thief Scott King has been fined £50 for failing to turn up to one-to-one meetings with officers monitoring the drug treatment and testing order imposed on him for his conviction on four charges of theft. more...
Drinker stole from store
SHOPLIFTER Nicholas Gatty who admitted stealing two bottles of vodka from Sainsbury's has been given a conditional discharge after magistrates heard he was seeking help for his drink problem. more...
Family trees revealed
A course in researching family history is to take place at the Friends Meeting House at Sussex Wharf later this year, organised by the Workers Educational Association. more...
Man on child sex charges
ENGINEER Stephen Lyons, 35, is facing trial charged with indecent assault and gross indecency with a seven-year-old girl. more...
MP pledges to back battle for hospital
DEVIZES MP Michael Ancram has pledged his support to the Gazette's campaign to save Devizes Maternity Unit from closure. more...
Midwives' instincts saved daughter
SARAH McCann has no doubt that the vigilance of midwives at Devizes Maternity Unit saved the life of her newborn baby Lauren. more...
Chemists fight back at threat to business
The owners of Devizes' long-established family chemist have joined a campaign to fight new legislation which could drive them out of business. more...
Trader is forced to pull out of Pole walk
DEVIZES trader Alex Duffey has had to throw in the towel on his attempt to walk to the magnetic North Pole because he has not been able to raise enough sponsorship. more...
Stories to give kids in care a better deal
THE stories of vulnerable children in Wiltshire will be explored at a conference being held in Devizes. more...
Parents asked to spell out dangers
MALCOLM Irons, the headteacher of Devizes School, has asked parents to co-operate on explaining the dangers of aerosols and lighters. more...
Drunken barracks party ends in fight
PICKING up someone else's cigarettes by accident led to Army Lance Corporal Katie Morrison being threatened with a broken bottle, Kennet magistrates heard. more...
Crackdown on street drunks
DEVIZES police are to crackdown on boozing in public, especially by under-age drinkers. more...
Flood problem end in sight
WESSEX Water is to replace part of the sewers in Wick Lane and Green Lane, Devizes, in a bid to solve flooding problems. more...
Village halls face big bills
VILLAGE hall committees throughout Kennet could find themselves with hefty bills to make their premises accessible to disabled people. more...
Council axes senior staff
THREE managers and an engineer are being made redundant at Kennet District Council as part of its efforts to find savings of £1.2 million. more...
Bogus callers flee with £320
EAST GRAFTON: Conmen stole a wallet containing £320 after they knocked on the door of a house in Hungerford Road at 3.15pm on Friday and then claimed they were at the wrong address. more...
Vandalised goals may not be replaced
AVEBURY: Goalposts on the play area may be removed permanently if they keep getting vandalised the parish council has decided. more...
Bowood House gets a role in n ew drama
SCANTILY-clad men were seen swimming in Bowood House's lake on Monday but they had the permission of owner the Marquis of Lansdowne. more...
Bid to recruit more into local democracy
A BID to get more people interested in standing for local councils has been made by the Wiltshire Association of Local Councils. more...
University told it can build its own campus
Swindon is to have its own purpose-built university campus catering for 8,000 students. more...
Villagers enjoy TV's tale of the parish life
THE first episode of A Country Parish, the docusoap featuring Seend's new vicar the Rev Jamie Allen, went down a storm with villagers in a showing at Seend Social Centre on Tuesday night. more...
Wiltshire Relate is rescued at final hour
COUNSELLING service Wiltshire Relate has been given a last-minute reprieve thanks to funding from Trowbridge-based Virgin Mobile. more...
White-line removal cuts traffic accidents
REMOVING white lines from the centre of roads reduces accidents, a highway expert told county councillors. more...
Dumping of old cars will remain a problem
THE dumping of old cars is likely to continue until 2007 because Britain has failed to implement a European law, says South West MEP Dr Caroline Jackson. more...
Top savings on paper
WILTSHIRE County Council has agreed a contract with one stationery provider and it is estimated the decision could save £60,000. more...
Devizes,Calne,Chippenham,Marlborough,Highworth,Corsham,Malmesbury,Wootton Bassett News
No sign of care from the carers
SIX thousand people in Devizes and Malmesbury have signed our petition to save the maternity units in the two towns and many will be taking to the streets next Thursday to make their views known. more...
Driving us all mad
NEW parking restrictions were introduced in Devizes this week but few people if any seemed to understand what was going on. more...
Devizes,Calne,Marlborough,Highworth,Chippenham,Corsham,Malmesbury,Wootton Bassett News
Thanks for help
May I thank the kind lady and gentleman who helped my father after he fell down in Monday Market Street recently. more...
Band's thanks
Trowbridge Youth Band would like to thank everyone who supported our fundraising appeal while we were carol playing before Christmas. more...
CCTV backed
We who organised the petition requesting CCTV in Devizes Market Place were very gratified by the 1,300 signatures we received. more...
Pothole menace
RESIDENTS of the Devizes area will all have been aware of recent improvements to roads and pavements in the area. more...
View not spoiled
WHILE there is the need to consider the visual impact of wind turbines, a single turbine is unlikely to be much more intrusive than the existing mast at Membury and certainly far less noise polluting than the motorway. more...
Happy memories
SEVERAL years ago I wrote to your newspaper of my memories of my "convalescence" in the Manor House, Potterne, and there was an immediate response from some of your readers. more...
Football facts
Dumping will rise
LABOUR councillors have, over a long period, been regularly involved in the process of removing abandoned vehicles, dumped litter and rubbish and community clear-ups in general. more...
Judge students on their contribution
Our universities are amongst the world's best and a vital element of their superiority lies in their ability to select the brightest students, rich or poor. more...
New hospital could form road barrier
JEFFERY Morton (letters January 23) is quite right to be concerned about traffic being barred from travelling on the link road from Wick Lane to the proposed hospital site. more...
The real truth is that business is booming
WHO else in Devizes is getting tired of reading about the destruction of the Market Place and loss of parking spaces, especially now it is complete? more...
Link road highlights need for town bypass
The Roundway Hospital link road issue is is not going to go away. more...
Highworth News
Pub's ghostly visitor spooks the regulars
A Highworth ghost is alive and well, according to regulars at a 500-year-old pub. They say the ghoulish punter at the King And Queen manifests itself in many weird and wonderful ways. more...
Malmesbury News
House of Lords debates maternity units threat
THE threat to Devizes and Malmesbury maternity units has been discussed in the House of Lords. more...
Too busy to care
HEALTH bosses who will decide the fate of maternity units in Devizes and Malmesbury have snubbed protest organisers by refusing to be at the handover of a 6,000-name petition. more...
Parents rap plans for new school
A PLAN to move Malmesbury C of E Primary School to a new £2 million building at Filands has come under fire from parents. more...
Death in prison
A man from the Malmesbury, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has been found dead in Bristol Prison while awaiting trial on charges of rape and gross indecency. more...
Taxi service to fill the gap
MALMESBURY commuters are set to benefit from a £169,440 payout from the Government to improve transport in the villages. more...
Homes bid for pub is thrown out by council
A PLAN to turn the Suffolk Arms in Malmesbury into a house, and build ten houses on the car park, has been unanimously rejected by North Wiltshire District Council planners. more...
Wife chooses a whicker coffin
THe funeral of Violet O' Leary, 67, was held at the Old Bell Hotel last Friday and it was the first time a wicker coffin has been used in Malmesbury. more...
Mum's last wish for village comes true
The last wish of Crudwell mother-of-two Rebecca Thomson, to build a sports complex in the village, is set to come true. more...
Abbey's vicar is bowing out
THE vicar of Malmesbury Abbey, The Rev David Littlefair is retiring after nine years. more...
Malmesbury new in brief
Dancers will be able to enjoy three bands at the the Mayoral Charity Ball at 9pm on February 21 at the town hall. more...
New hotel recruits
The new luxury hotel, Whatley Manor, at Easton Grey, is holding a recruitment day for full and part-time staff to work in all areas of the hotel and spa. more...
Marlborough News
United school is one step closer
THE 35-year battle to get the two halves of St John's School united on one site has successfully cleared one of its last hurdles. more...
Drug addict is jailed after bungled thefts
Drug addict Nigel Perrin has been jailed after he went out shoplifting using a bag lined with tin foil in a bid to thwart stores' alarm systems. more...
Cab firms wage war on chauffeur service
MUM-OF-THREE Ann Willcocks, who has set up a chauffeur car service for the Marlborough area, has upset local taxi firms. more...
Replacement hospital may now be at risk
THERE are fears the long-promised replacement hospital at Savernake, in Marlborough, could be a victim of the financial crisis faced by Kennet and North Wiltshire Primary Care Trust. more...
Appeal to artists
Artists who would like to be included in the Open Studios event in July when local artists and craftspeople open their studios to the public are asked to contact Louise Andrew (01672) 521210 or attend a meeting at Mildenhall Village Hall on Thursday March 13 at 7pm. more...
Police and councillors join forces
POLICE and councillors are to work closer together in a bid to make Marlborough even safer. more...
Ward has a brighter outlook
WHEN Maureen Synott, 70, was diagnosed with cancer, instead of giving up her regular charity work, she raised money for the oncology ward at the Great Western Hospital. more...
Thief with a taste for the high life
A THIEF with a taste for high living struck at the Waitrose supermarket in Marlborough and wheeled out a dozen bottles of bubbly. more...
Busy year ahead for the next mayor
TOWN councillors in Marlborough believe retired quantity surveyor Bill Cavill has the measure of the town and have chosen him to be the next mayor. more...
Pavement closed
The pavement in front of Ailesbury Court had to be closed off on Sunday and Monday after chunks of plaster fell from the ceiling of the colonnade in front of the former hotel. more...
Landlord has thirst to race
On April 13 pub landlord Mike Shaw will probably be wishing he was standing at his bar serving pints. Instead, he will be pounding the streets of the capital in the 2003 Flora London Marathon. more...
Pedestrians get a soaking
DISTRICT councillor Tony Skittrall told the town council on Monday that pedestrians including children on their way to school get drenched by rainwater that gathers in the gutter in George Lane. more...
Trust workshop for kids
The Riverbank cinema/theatre project trust is running a workshop for children aged from six to 11 in St Mary's Church Hall on Saturday February 15 from 10am to 1pm. more...
Stone circle lecture
Archaeologist Mike Pitts who lives in Marlborough and is an authority on Avebury will be giving a lecture on archaeologist Maud Cunnington and Alexander Keiller who restored much of the stone circle in the Thirties at the Bradleian Hall at Marlborough College on February 21, 8pm. more...
Pewsey News
Bets are off as bookies shuts
DISTRICT and parish councillor Jerry Kunkler, who hopes he has backed a winner with his new lap dancing bar in Pewsey, has closed the only betting shop in the village. more...
Fair bargain sells for £8,000
A CHURCH is counting its blessings after an old blue and white dish bought for £5 at a Christmas bazaar sold at auction for £8,000. more...
School plans to raise £37,500 for upgrade
TEACHERS and parents at Easton Royal School have pledged to raise £37,500 towards £150,000 worth of improvements for the Victorian school. more...
Appeal for crafty cuppa
PEWSEY village's craft and tearoom which is run for the community, and has given more than £15,000 to charities since it opened, is looking for more volunteers to help run it. more...
New monthly bookstall
There will be a Christian market stall on the third Tuesday each month in Pewsey Methodist Church from 10am to 11.30am. more...
Salisbury Features
Dip your toe into cleansing waters
HERE I am in the middle of a working day, relaxing in an extremely comfortable chair with my feet in a footbath filled with lukewarm water. more...
Wizard sale of books
HARRY Potter is likely to steal the limelight at the book sale at Woolley & Wallis in Salisbury on Wednesday, when three first editions of the young wizard's adventures are sold for charity, but there is also plenty to interest the collector who is not a Hogwarts fan. more...
Salisbury News
Ex-Boscombe pilot lost on space shuttle
THE horror of the Columbia space shuttle disaster brought shock to Amesbury and Boscombe Down this week. more...
Judgement offers hope in Cannings case
THE campaign to free Angela Cannings, the Salisbury mother convicted last April of murdering two of her babies, is gaining momentum, following the exoneration of Sally Clark. more...
Experts see precedent in Sally Clark's case
LEGAL experts saw wide-ranging implications for other women convicted of murdering their children as former Salisbury schoolgirl Sally Clark walked from the Court of Appeal a free woman last week, her conviction for murdering two of her babies quashed. more...
Floods hit village twice over
THE village of Pitton barely had time to dry out before it was hit again last week by floodwater surging up out of nowhere. more...
Body discovered in Harnham garden
A HOUSE in a quiet cul de sac in Harnham was sealed off on Friday morning, following the discovery of a body in its back garden. more...
Teenager dies in Park Wall collision
A TEENAGER died on Monday evening when his car left the A3094 Netherhampton Road, west of Salisbury, and struck the Park Wall of Wilton Estate. more...
Cheaper parking welcomed
TRADERS in Salisbury have welcomed a decision by councillors to reduce the cost of pay-and-display parking on the streets of Salisbury. more...
Family home struck by car
A MOTHER and her two small children had a lucky escape when a car went out of control and smashed into their house at Britford. more...
Spare other mothers this hell of injustice
Devizes-born solicitor Sally Clark was finally freed from prison last week after being cleared of murdering her two baby sons. LEWIS COWEN talks to her father about the family's nightmare ordeal and fight for justice. more...
Salisbury Sport
Win lifts E&R into third position
Ellingham & Ringwood 15 Alresford 3 more...
'Bridge slip into relegation mire
Lytchett Minster 27 Fordingbridge 5 more...
Emily silences critics with Spanish hat trick
EMILY Cooke made a strong case for her swift return to the full England squad by turning in an inspired performance for the women's A team in Barcelona on Saturday. more...
Daryl all set for beach challenge
DURRINGTON motorcycle ace Daryl Bolter crosses the English Channel this weekend to compete in the largest off-road race in the world. more...
Town denied chance to catch leaders off guard
AMESBURY Town's match at home to table toppers Winchester City was one of five Premier Division fixtures to fall foul of the weather on Saturday. more...
Trio miss Borough test
SALISBURY City will be without three key players for Saturday's visit of fellow promotion hopefuls Eastbourne Borough. more...
Own goal forces the issue for Heath
BEMERTON Heath Harlequins gained a precious victory over in-form AFC Newbury thanks to an 83rd minute own goal. more...
Salisbury surrender to Fleet attack
ONCE again Salisbury men's first team's inability to score goals despite enjoying the majority of possession consigned them to another defeat. more...
High noon for votes
FRIDAY is D-Day for votes in the 2002 Journal Sports Awards. more...
Seconds shine again as firsts are frozen out
WITH Salisbury's first team suffering a cancellation for the second week running because of a frozen pitch, the club's other sides turned up the heat registering two wins and a draw. more...
Rod and Line
with Roland Batten more...
Sport Angling
Aingail's party at All Cannings
THE second semi-final of the North Wessex Winter League was a hard-fought affair, but as usual on the canal it was the better teams that came out on top. more...
Diary Dates
Sunday, February 9 more...
Sport Cricket
Back in the nets
MALMESBURY Cricket Club have begun their preparations for the 2003 campaign on Sunday with net practice at The Activity Zone. more...
Sport Football
Iraq war call-ups force club to quit
COLERNE B have been forced to quit the Chippenham and District Sunday League after eight of their players were called up for RAF duty ahead of the impending conflict in Iraq. more...
Town hope to go one better in Vase tie
FA VASE: DEVIZES Town will be looking to succeed where Chippenham Town failed two seasons ago when they travel north for an FA Vase last 16 clash at Clitheroe on Saturday. more...
Youth football round-up
PEWSEY Vale remain unbeaten in the under 12s Red Division of the Wiltshire Times and Chippenham News Mid-Wilts Youth and Minor League. more...
Devizes Town 1, Elmore 3
Screwfix Premier Division: Devizes Town slipped further into the relegation mire as three first half strikes consigned them to their seventh straight Premier Division defeat. more...
Clyst Rovers 1, Calne Town 4
Screwfix Division One: Calne Town produced a Jekyll and Hyde performance as they recovered from a slow start to record their seventh away win on the trot. more...
League scraps loan deal plan
SCREWFIX Direct League officials have shelved plans to introduce a loan system following a lack of support from its member clubs. more...
Devizes Town 2, Frome Town 2
Screwfix Premier Division: Gareth Davies headed an injury time equaliser as Devizes ended their miserable seven-game losing run at Nursteed Road on Tuesday night. more...
Cadbury Heath 4, Corsham Town 4
Screwfix Division One: Corsham Town staged their own version of The Great Escape as they battled back from 4-1 down at half-time to rescue a point in an eight-goal thriller at Cadbury Heath. more...
Screwfix Round-up
MELKSHAM Town suffered a second half collapse as they were hammered 4-1 at home by Keynsham Town. more...
Hellenic League Round-up
PREMIER Division leaders North Leigh proved a shade too strong for Highworth, beating the home side 2-1 to avenge their early season defeat by the Wiltshire side. more...
Pewsey Vale 1, Hook Norton 3
Hellenic League: Pewswy were undone by two second half goals as they slipped to another home defeat at the hands of old adversaries Hook Norton on Saturday. more...
Pewsey Vale 0, Shortwood United 3
Hellenic League: Steve Wootton is still searching for his first point as Pewsey manager after his side suffered yet another home defeat on Tuesday night. more...
Wootton Bassett Ladies 1, Chippenham Town Ladies 4
SEB Everson hit her 30th goal of a prolific campaign as Chippenham Town Ladies completed the double at Ballards Ash. more...
Chippenham Sunday League Round-up
ROWDE'S new-look side went down to a heavy defeat against Somerford as they returned to action in Division One of the Vanitec Computers ponsored Chippenham League. more...
Skurray's Wiltshire League Round-up
WROUGHTON sharp-shooter Sean Clarke was in goal-hungry mood against local rivals Aldbourne, scoring four times in his side's 7-0 win. more...
Mid-Wiltshire Sunday League Round-up
THE Kings Arms made their way into the next round of the John Strickland Memorial Cup, sponsored by Selectabook, with a 3-1 win over Devizes Snooker Club. more...
Referees trained to spot child abuse
WILTSHIRE FA has become the first in the country to give its referees training to spot signs of child abuse. more...
Cirencester Town 3, Swindson Supermarine 3
Dr Martens Western Division: Honours were even at the Corinium Stadium derby, but it was Swindon Supermarine who scored the moral victory in an epic 3-3 draw. more...
Sport Rugby
Westbury 5, Wootton Bassett 10
WOOTTON Bassett once again got the better of a tight game as they edged out their Southern Counties South neighbours. more...
Swanage and Wareham 2nd 46, Wootton Bassett 2nd 7
WOOTTON Bassett's second string were given a lesson in attacking rugby as they lost 46-7 to hosts Swanage and Wareham in the Dorset and Wilts 2nd XV Merit Table. more...
Cooper-Avon under 15s 7, Wootton Bassett under 15s 12
YOUTH RUGBY: WOOTTON Bassett under 15s triumphed 12-7 at Melksham-based Cooper-Avon in the Wiltshire Cup. more...
Ciren survive late scare
YOUTH RUGBY: CIRENCESTER Under 15s survived a late scare before securing a 12-7 win over Worcester at the Whiteway. more...
Under nines gain revenge
YOUTH RUGBY: CORSHAM under nines gained revenge for an earlier season defeat when they travelled to Wootton Bassett on Sunday. more...
Salisbury U13s 5, Chippenham U13s 38
YOUTH RUGBY: MATT Tara's brilliant long distance try was the highlight as Chippenham U13s defeated a strong Salisbury side in the group phase of the Wiltshire Cup. more...
Minis play well
YOUTH RUGBY: CHIPPENHAM'S mini playing section travelled to play age group matches against Midsomer Norton at the weekend and came away satisfied with their respective performances. more...
Bath blast at Welsh chiefs
BATH coach Brian Smith has branded as "ridiculous'' Wales' decision to stop Gareth Cooper and Gavin Thomas from taking any part in Saturday's crucial Zurich Premiership derby at Gloucester (3pm). more...
Supermarine Veterans 15, Minety Veterans 7
SUPERMARINE Veterans overcome their counterparts from Minety by three tries to one in an enjoyable encounter staged to celebrate Supermarine stalwart Martin Kerr's 40th birthday. more...
Chippenham, 18 Maidenhead 10
CHIPPENHAM protected their unbeaten home record as they returned to winning ways with a fine victory over second placed Maidenhead in South West Two East. more...
Chippenham 10, Keynsham 0
THIS Bristol Combination Cup match between may never be regarded as a classic but it will be remembered for a superb performance from the club's up-and-coming young talent. more...
Talented trio move closer to international honours
THREE members of Chippenham's junior playing section moved a step closer to their first international caps after taking part in selection trials. more...
Chippenham 3rd 104, Old Sulians 14
CHIPPENHAM 3rd returned to Merit Table action is style as they racked up a century of points against a beleaguered Old Sulians side. more...
Devizes 40, Ivel Barbarians 10
THERE were try doubles for skipper James Gaiger, Fijian back row Mosese `Nav' Navunisaravi and Ian Carter as Devizes ran out 40-10 winners over Ivel Barbarians in Southern Counties South. more...
Devizes 2nd 8, Midsomer Norton 2nd 5
DEVIZES 2nd overcame a physical Midsomer Norton side to emerge with two valuable league points. more...
Marine on course
LADIES RUGBY: SUPERMARINE Ladies are four wins away from Midlands One glory after another comprehensive victory, this time over Sudbury. more...
Sharp's revenge
NATIONWIDE exacted revenge for a defeat earlier in the season with an 8-6 win over Aldbourne Dabchicks. more...
Swindon News
Front Garden will suffer from floods
IN answer to the letter from Henry Smith concerning my letter about flooding on the Front Garden the work that Milton Keynes Development did on the danger of flooding as a result of large scale building is relevant to any future developments. more...
This condition needs more attention
IN reference to Linda Gale's January 20 article on the condition fibromyalgia, I take my hat off to her for helping others and creating a website on this little recognised ailment. more...
Age Concern's bid to end pensioner poverty
MESSRS Selway and Avenell have suggested recent comments in the Adver from Age Concern Swindon have either been off the mark or an insult to the intelligence of your readers. more...
Trolley is not as good as a bed
IN RESPONSE to Sonia Mills (View point 31/01/03) may I say yes she is right when she said I had no problem with the fine nursing and medical care I was given at the new GWH, by our obviously under valued and under paid staff, but she is very wrong saying a trolley is as good as a bed. more...
Let traffic flow
Now that common sense has prevailed with the returning of the roundabout at the junction of Newport Street and Devizes Road for a trial period, how about removing of the island on Cumberland Road. This will allow the original two lines of traffic to flow to the Magic Roundabout, and also refusing a right hand turn at this junction into Old Walcot making those who live on the estate to use Upham Road. Or are we asking too much from our Highways Department? more...
Police training
RELATIVES of Special Branch officer Stephen Oake, murdered by a suspected terrorist residing in this country on benefits provided by brainwashed taxpayers, are also entitled to ask for an explanation. more...
Who said maths can't be fun?
Maths week may not sound like everyone's idea of fun, but these schoolchildren were in their element. more...
On with the show
THE Royal International Air Tattoo will go ahead this year in spite of the prospect of war with Iraq. more...
Lily celebrates reaching a hundred
A WANBOROUGH nursing home is celebrating the birthday of its oldest resident today with four generations of her family. more...
Plans changing for Front Garden
BRYANT Homes is proposing to confine parts of Pipers Way and Croft Road in Old Town to one-way traffic as part of the development of Swindon's Front Garden. more...
Six are set for going up to Oxford or Cambridge
SIX New College students have been offered places at Britain's most prestigious universities. more...
Pub raises small fortune for the Samaritans
A pub in Cricklade has raised £1,000 for the Samari-tans by raffling off joints of meat. more...
Children enjoy some animal magic
ANIMALS were welcomed with open arms and excited screams at a Swindon playgroup. more...
Thief smashed way into church
A burglar broke into a church and stole money to fund his drink habit, a court heard. more...
Floods wrecked honeymoon for golden couple
CHARLES and Barbara Burgin, who started dating in 1947 when he was 17 and she was just 15, celebrate their Golden Wedding anniversary tomorrow. more...
The russians are coming
AT THE height of the Cold War it wasn't just Cuban missiles the Soviet Union was interested in the Russians also wanted to get their hands on Swindon. more...
Lyneham morale `is high'
MORALE at RAF Lyneham is high despite the future of the base hanging in the balance, according to a senior officer. more...
Claims were not proven
A MAN accused of giving cancer sufferers false hope by advertising unproven treatments on the internet has been prosecuted by Swindon trading standards officers. more...
Asda Wal-Mart denies selling food past its sell-by date
SUPERMARKET giant Asda has appeared in Swindon Magistrates' Court charged with selling food which was past its sell-by date. more...
Spotlight on the nursing director who finds beds for patients
Elaine Strachan-Hall is responsible for making sure there are enough beds for the patients admitted to Great Western Hospital. more...
Victory
Swindon's bid for a giant university campus will now go ahead after a top Government minister gave an instant decision at a meeting in Whitehall with Vice Chancellor Glynis Breakwell. more...
UNIVERSITY: Simply great news
WITHOUT question, this is the most important development in education in Swindon since the creation of the Mechanics' Institute in the 19th century. more...
`People say I have got my life but what have I got?'
For the past three years, Paddington rail crash survivor Janette Orr has been living a nightmare. more...
Safety upgrade is not due until 2030
Janette Orr's hopes of swift action to address the findings of the Cullen report are dashed today with news that safety improvements to prevent a repeat of the crash will not be in place until at least 2015 five years later than recommended. more...
A market town, but for how much longer?
WOOTTON Bassett's market town status is under threat, according to town clerk Johnathan Bourne. more...
Reg is branching out in a small way
THE ancient art of bonsai tree cultivation is branching out in Swindon. more...
An art with its roots in China
ALTHOUGH bonsai cultivation originated in China the art was developed and refined to a greater extent in Japan during the Kamakura period between 1185 and 1333. It was then that the art became not just confined to the Buddhist monks and their monasteries, but later introduced to be representative of the aristocracy as a symbol of prestige and honour. more...
Bishop urges tighter controls on arms trade
THE BISHOP of Swindon has called on the government to tighten controls on the British arms trade. more...
Mums in punch-up after youth match
AN under-16s Sunday football match descended into chaos when two mothers supporting opposing teams ended up trading blows. more...
It's parents who need to grow up
THE unseemly sight of two mums scrapping after a junior football match while their sons looked on is almost beyond belief. more...
Would you believe it...
POLITICIANS never cease to amaze, do they? more...
Wiltshire News
Too busy to care
HEALTH bosses who will decide the fate of maternity units in Devizes and Malmesbury have snubbed protest organisers by refusing to be at the handover of a 6,000-name petition. more...
Wiltshire Sport
Tight-lipped
DANNY INVINCIBLE has angrily dismissed cynics who suggest his current blistering form has been sparked by a desire to land a deal with a bigger club. more...
Wootton Bassett News
A market town, but for how much longer?
WOOTTON Bassett's market town status is under threat, according to town clerk Johnathan Bourne. more...
Grant set to boost canal restoration
A SECTION of canal in Wootton Basset is to be restored, thanks to a grant of nearly £100,000. more...
Last 140 workers go at St Ivel site
The remaining 141 workers at the St Ivel site, Wootton Bassett, will clock off for the last time on Friday, February 7, after production at the factory ceased last week. more...
Ball set to boost school
A CHARITY ball in aid of a school for children with special needs is to be hosted by the Mayor and Mayoress of Wootton Bassett. more...
Gift plea for stalwart
The Rev John Hopkins, who has left Wootton Bassett after many years' service as an honorary assistant in St Bartholomew's parish, is to receive a farewell cheque at a reception on February 23, after the 10am service. more...
Treat for canal buffs
The Avon and Wiltshire branch of the Inland Waterways Association will host a meeting at the Civic Centre on February 20 at 7.30pm, when Phil Hughes will talk on the Monmouthshire/Brecon and Abergavenny Canal. more...
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