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Stories for 4 November 2004
Bath Leisure
Hoipolloi - Rondo Theatre
NOVEMBER 11 2004, BATH: Inspired by his illustrations, life and nonsense poems, My Uncle Arly, is an absurdly comic journey into the imagination of Edward Lear, writer of The Owl and the Pussycat, a host of limericks and other comic verse. more...
Business News
Train company rockets ahead
RAIL passenger committees have given a cautious welcome to the profits announced by train operator First Great Western's parent company. more...
Workshops designed for young entrepreneurs
BUSINESS Link Berkshire and Wiltshire is to hold a series of workshops to bring out the entrepreneurial spirit in young people. more...
Internet is a go-go for small companies
NEARLY a third of all businesses used the Internet to buy goods and services last year. more...
Designer scoops award
BROMHAM-based furniture designer Mark Wilkinson has been honoured with a lifetime achievement award in a prestigious design award ceremony in London. more...
Boost for business in early Lotto days
THE National Lottery was seen as a jackpot for retailers all over the country as Lotto fever was thought to make their fortunes. more...
Calne News
Help for parents feeling the strain
14510/1GAZETTE & HERALD: A COMPASSIONATE Calne mother is eager to set up a support group for people who are feeling the strains of parenthood. more...
Young artists put Halloween in the frame
14509/1GAZETTE & HERALD: Winners of a Halloween painting competition have been presented with a host of toys by Sainsbury's. more...
Drug addict died five days after leaving jail
GAZETTE & HERALD: HEROIN addict Christopher Burgess died of an overdose a few days after leaving prison an inquest heard. more...
Community officer on beat
14541-1GAZETTE & HERALD: CALNE'S new Police Community Support Officer has an alter ego as a retained firefighter in Marlborough. more...
Road work pause for Christmas shopping
GAZETTE & HERALD: PROGRESS on the traffic calming scheme in Calne town centre will be stopping for the Christmas period on November 27. more...
Working on river of light
GAZETTE & HERALD: THE group which has encouraged initiatives for an active community in Calne is running workshops for this year's lantern parade. more...
Tape delays court hearing
GAZETTE & HERALD: A 33-year-old Calne man allegedly hit a woman over the head with a curtain rail, a court was told. more...
Chippenham News
Bakery uses loaf
GAZETTE & HERALD: A husband and wife bakery has won a top accolade in a national in-house competition for creating a prize-winning small tin loaf. more...
Police swoop for gun scare
GAZETTE & HERALD: ARMED police swooped on Chippenham town centre yesterday after a man was seen loading a handgun. more...
Gun case man is remanded
GAZETTE & HERALD: CHIPPENHAM man John Coadwell has been remanded in custody after admitting two shotgun offences and possessing drugs. more...
Electrician who stored drugs is sent to jail
GAZETTE & HERALD: DRINK driver Russell Bond who stored and prepared drugs for a friend, has been jailed for nine months. more...
Future of the cattle market to be decided
GAZETTE & HERALD: THE redevelopment of Chippenham's livestock market site will be decided tonight by North Wiltshire District Council's executive committee, which has a shortlist of five housing developers who want to build there. more...
Show charts football story
GAZETTE & HERALD: THE opening of the new football fields at Stanley Park, Chippenham, coincided with the launch of an exhibition on the history of the game at the Heritage Centre. more...
Pensioner did not want to be burden
GAZETTE & HERALD: PENSIONER Marguerite Burton, 76, took an overdose in the bath because she was depressed about her failing health, an inquest heard. more...
Fraud funds terrorism
Fraud, terrorism and data security were hot topics at a business breakfast for members of Corsham, Chippenham and Calne Chambers of Commerce. more...
Halloween a night of terror for residents
HALLOWEEN proved to be a frightening night for many north Wiltshire residents as youngsters let rip in towns and villages across the district. more...
Your say on Local Plan
LOCAL people are invited to have their say on the future development of north Wiltshire's green and pleasant land. more...
CAB gets £1.25m in benefits
NORTH Wiltshire's Citizen's Advice Bureau raised around £1.25 million in benefits for local people in the last year. more...
Fill in form for chance to vote
NORTH Wiltshire District Council is reminding people they must return their electoral registration form by the end of November to make sure they are able to vote. more...
Road chaos threat to Christmas trade
Evening traffic queueing in Station Hill, ChippenhamGAZETTE & HERALD: The closure of Brunel's western arches on Saturday has caused traffic gridlock at the start of the Christmas shopping season and retailers fear weeks of traffic chaos could damage crucial Christmas trade. more...
Brothers get to run a shop
14531/1GAZETTE & HERALD: THEY'RE not old enough to buy an alcoholic drink, get into the local nightclub, or even buy a lottery ticket, but brothers Dean and Luke May, aged just 15 and 14, are opening their own shop in Chippenham. more...
Library plan not likely to rescue Goldiggers
GAZETTE & HERALD: Ambitious plans to combine the redevelopment of Goldiggers with Chippenham Library have been dismissed by North Wiltshire District Council leader Ruth Coleman. more...
Lydia's model friends
GAZETTE & HERALD: IF you are looking for a Christmas present we've got just the thing, and you can help our Lydia Cross Appeal at the same time. more...
Crafty children create arty fun
14488/1GAZETTE & HERALD: YOUNGSTERS were kept busy during the half term break at events held in the Chippenham area. more...
Hairy surprise after 30 years
14499/2GAZETTE & HERALD: FOR his latest role with the Chippenham Light Opera Group, John Clark has to lose his prized beard. more...
Cafe is in the pink for a day
14503/2GAZETTE & HERALD: STAFF at Boswell coffee shop brightened up the day for customers when they all dressed in blushing pink to raise money for breast cancer research. more...
Night club tip-off traps ecstasy dealer
GAZETTE & HERALD: STAFF at a Chippenham nightclub caught an ecstasy dealer red-handed on Friday thanks to a tip-off from a customer. more...
New sixth form would give schools equal status
GAZETTE & HERALD: Abbeyfield School wants to set up a new sixth form in a bid to extend its lauded education to the post-16s. more...
Farm lands prestigious award for organic lamb
GAZETTE & HERALD: Sheep farmer Jane Kallaway has won a major accolade for her organic lamb for the second year running. more...
Corsham News
Engineer's death was suicide
GAZETTE & HERALD: AN INQUEST has heard 26-year-old Steven Mabbort, a software engineer from Corsham who had suffered with depression for a decade, took his own life. more...
Ctfc Sport
Striker's sympathy for one of own kind
Striker Sam Allison sympathises with Alan Griffin and can see why he turned down a move to Chippenham to continue playing Screwfix football at Corsham Town. more...
There's no I in team says shot stopper
GOALKEEPER Mark Hervin saluted his team-mates' performance despite pulling off a string of good saves and arguably saving the match for Chippenham at Kings Lynn. more...
Young gun is sick of bench
MIDFIELDER Lee Davidson said he may have to start looking for a new club if he can't break into the Chippenham starting line-up this season. more...
Tough ask first up in effort to lift Trophy
Chippenham face a tough encounter in the first round of the FA Trophy when they travel to Worcester on Saturday. more...
Devizes News
Newlyweds scoop £2.3m lotto win
Lottery millionaires Jason and Victoria Jones on their wedding dayNEWLYWEDS Victoria and Jason Jones have had the best possible start in life a £2.3 million win on the National Lottery. more...
Win means we no longer fear bills
The National Lottery celebrates its tenth anniversary this week. JILL CROOKS and LEWIS COWEN look at the impact the draw has made on the winners, the sellers and the groups vying for grants more...
Council deem traffic calming unnecessary
A COUNCIL U-turn over introducing a 20mph speed in Long Street, Devizes, has left the families who live there furious. more...
I am not desperate for a man says winner
Andrea HolmesLOTTERY winner Andrea Holmes says she is not desperate to find a boyfriend, despite being portrayed as a lonely millionairess longing for love. more...
Jack's not on track
14496/2TO all intents and purposes police dog Jack looks as if he is a top dog but handler Mick Ware says he is lacking in one fundamental instinct. more...
Licensees warned on need to up security
AN appeal to Devizes licensees to support CCTV coverage of the town centre to confront crime and anti-social behaviour got a cool reception on Monday afternoon. more...
Plea to locate toy's owner
14518/2STAFF at the Wiltshire Heritage Museum in Devizes want to reunite this cuddly character with its owner. more...
Pub chain wants to spend £1m on shop
Wetherspoons plan for Beales of Bath shopTHE national pub chain JD Wetherspoon is prepared to invest well over £1 million to convert the former Beales of Bath shop in St John's Street, Devizes, into a family pub. more...
Dreams turn to real food
AS the competitors in the Global Challenge round-the-world yacht race get closer to the end of their first leg at Buenos Aires, Urchfont-based sailor Jon Duffield has been sending regular updates on conditions aboard BG Spirit, one of 12 yachts in the race. more...
Post office reprieve in Tesco U-turn
THE sub post office at Eastleigh Road has been given a reprieve after Tesco performed a dramatic U-turn last week and said it would not be converting the One Stop shop into a Tesco Express store. more...
Opening is put back
URCHFONT'S community shop and post office will not now open in time for Christmas, it has been announced. more...
Jubilation for pre-school
14502/2IT was a red letter day in Bromham on Friday when the village's new preschool building arrived on the back of three lorries. more...
Patients need patience
ANGRY Sheila Topp was left waiting for 23 minutes for her phone call to her GP surgery to be answered. more...
Proceeds from popular Fayre will be heartfelt
URCHFONT Sewing Group has selected the British Heart Foundation to benefit from the proceeds of its ever-popular Christmas Craft Fayre on Saturday, November 13. more...
Canal future is assured by grant
DEVIZES leads the way in Wiltshire for the amount of National Lottery grants that have been awarded over the last ten years. more...
TV chef to be at new store
TV CHEF Ross Burden comes to Devizes on Saturday to launch a new florists business in The Brittox. more...
Repairs on fountain's stonework are urgent
DEVIZES Town Council has managed to keep the rise in its precept down to the rate of inflation next year, despite urgent work being needed on the fountain and Market Cross in the Market Place. more...
Guide cost is just not on
DEVIZES Town Council has refused to pay towards a what's on guide. The council was approached by Devizes Development Partnership who has produced the guide which lists events happening in Devizes over three months. more...
Resolution is reached on The Green
REPAIR work is to start soon on The Green following weeks of negotiation between the landowner, Devizes Town Council, and Wessex Water. more...
Turn out for polls is low
FUNERAL director David Hunter is the newest member of Kennet District Council following a by election on Thursday. more...
Help make a child smile
THE Wiltshire Gazette and Herald is joining forces with the Salvation Army and Superdrug once again in a bid to make Christmas special for hundreds of needy children. more...
Car share drive takes to the web
WILTSHIRE County Council is attempting to overcome county motorists' reluctance to share their cars with strangers by offering them the opportunity to choose their partner on-line. more...
Parents to face fines for pupils' truancy
PARENTS will be fined if their children play truant from school or go on holiday during term time without permission, under proposals due to be rubber stamped by Wiltshire County Council. more...
Star backs recycling
Celebrity impressionist Alistair McGowan has launched a campaign urging householders to make a big impression by recycling their rubbish. more...
Rail shake-up is full of promises
COMMUTERS have greeted a radical restructuring of rail services with disappointment. Rail users from are being promised the new timetable will improve punctuality and lead to less overcrowding when it comes into operation on December 12. more...
Health chief quits £65,000 Trust job
PHIL Day, the health chief who oversaw the proposed closures of Devizes and Malmesbury maternity units, is leaving next Friday. more...
High price on kids in care
THE high cost of placing children into care has resulted in an overspend of £1.3million for Wiltshire County Council. more...
Colour lasts longer
14498/4THOUSANDS of visitors have been flocking to Westonbirt Arboretum to enjoy its dazzling display of autumn colour, which this year looks set to last longer than usual. more...
Immortal stones
ALTHOUGH Stonehenge is the most popular tourist destination in Britain outside London, in Wiltshire it comes a poor second to Avebury stone circle. more...
No trouble keeping a focus on Families
A PROJECT to help young people in Wiltshire stay on the straight and narrow is going from strength to strength. more...
Are you deserving?
CHARITABLE groups and good causes in the Gazette and Herald's circulation area have just one week to apply for grants in this year's Community Fund, which is offering funding of up to £250 for special projects. more...
Take care when filling your box
SCHOOLS, church groups and community volunteers from all over the county are now busy putting the finishing touches to the shoeboxes full of presents that they hope will bring joy to underprivileged children in eastern Europe this Christmas. more...
Sparkling show
WILTSHIRE police have reminded Guy Fawkes revellers that, following new regulations brought in in August, there is a midnight curfew on fireworks on November 5. more...
Devizes,Calne,Marlborough,Highworth,Chippenham,Corsham,Malmesbury,Wootton Bassett News
Working alarm is vital to save lives
Six people in Wiltshire nearly lost their lives in the last three weeks for the simple cost of a fire alarm battery. more...
Question should be why a 20mph limit?
I WRITE in response to the letter in last week's Gazette & Herald (`Speed restriction will preserve local area', October 28). more...
Play a part by helping to monitor the traffic
There are many sites in Devizes which developers wish to get their hands on and many groups trying to protect them. One of the most controversial is the Spitalcroft, situated across the canal from the Police headquarters. more...
Must leave room for buses
I'm writing of behalf of all those unfortunate drivers who regularly use Hillworth Road. On Thursday morning my mother caught the local bus from the Market Place to her home in Hartmoor Road, as she had a return ticket, but it never got there. more...
Get in touch
The Swindon Children's Scrapstore would like to make contact with people who have had past involvement with the project, as volunteers, employees, resource users or suppliers. more...
Many thanks
The committee of Chippenham Link Transport would like to thank all those who helped us to raise £123.43 at our autumn afternoon tea. more...
Hospice fund
WE would like to thank everyone who helped setting up our plant, cake and craft sale in October and for those who came on such a wet afternoon and supported us. We have raised £195 for the children's hospice and Marie Curie Nurses. more...
Parking idea
In recent weeks there have been a number of articles regarding plans for new shopping facilities in Chippenham, for example, talk of a new prime retailer, for the shops by the arches, and both shops and a social venue on the Goldiggers site. more...
Great honour
FOLLOWING the Kennet Distinct Council by-elections which took place in the Ogbourne ward on October 28, I would like to thank my election team for their very hard work and dedication. more...
Church facts
WITH regard to your item showing Marlborough from the top of St Peter's Church may I add that this is only one of the delights of St Peter's apart from its excellent coffee and homemade cakes. more...
I'll be back
I WOULD like to thank all those who supported me during the recent by-election for Marlborough Town Council and offer my congratulations to the successful candidate. more...
Hear, hear
I wish to commend to district councillors, Mr Lamb's idea of "charging Kennet staff to park in the council offices car park, (Gazette letters, October 28), in order that they can experience the same cost and inconvenience as others working or visiting the town." more...
Better records contender
Throwing the Livestock Market off the Cocklebury Road site just so that the ill-judged Record Office project can be put there, employing a few specialist workers, is the final straw in this whole mad escapade. more...
Health News
Fears as nurses are lured to US
The number of NHS nurses leaving to work in the United States has doubled in the past two years, according to reports. more...
Lighten burden of winter blues
GLOOMY winter days often leave us feeling low but for some they can spark bouts of severe depression. more...
Staff costs soar
THE cost of employing temporary NHS nursing staff has soared to more than £600 million, according to a new report by the Royal College Of Nursing. more...
Flu is on the way
A DEADLY flu panademic is set to grip the globe, warn experts. A panademic occurs roughly every 20 to 30 years. more...
Patients need patience
ANGRY Sheila Topp was left waiting for 23 minutes for her phone call to her GP surgery to be answered. more...
Air ambulance saves baby's life
14540/3PARENTS John and Melanie Tonge say the crew of the Wiltshire Air Ambulance saved the life of their nine-month-old son Louis. more...
Rejuvenate your skin
SKIN TREATMENTS FEATURE - our health reporter checks out methods for skin rejuvenation: I was surprised to learn that the discoloured skin on my neck had a name, poikiloderma of cervatte. more...
Malmesbury News
Air ambulance saves baby's life
14540/3PARENTS John and Melanie Tonge say the crew of the Wiltshire Air Ambulance saved the life of their nine-month-old son Louis. more...
Dairy farmer grew cannabis in a stable
14532-1WHEN drugs squad officers raided a Brinkworth farm they found a sophisticated operation producing cannabis with a street value of more than £1,800, Chippenham magistrates heard on Thursday. more...
Hamiltons poised to buy £1m manor
Bradfield ManorDISGRACED former MP Neil Hamilton and his wife Christine have told how they are looking forward to moving into a £1 million manor house near Malmesbury. more...
Plan to solve traffic chaos
COUNTY councillor John Thomson has launched a new traffic management plan for Bristol Street in Malmesbury. more...
Time to rock for lifesaver
14512/2GUITARIST Steve Hoare has organised a sell-out rock concert for the Wiltshire Air Ambulance in gratitude for saving the life of his wife, Claire, four years ago. more...
Death came 18 years after father's suicide
BRICKLAYER James Mason gassed himself 18 years after his father had also committed suicide. more...
Boost to link with African Malmesbury
MALMESBURY councillor Glynn Davies is aiming to forge new links between the town and its South African counterpart. more...
Tall order for lorry drivers
Malmesbury trucker Tony Hewitt says British lorry drivers keep hitting the Kingway Bridge, near Corston, because they are under pressure to use the shortest possible route. more...
It's crunch time for town hall decision
THE town hall could be forced to close unless North Wiltshire District Council pays out £770,000 for repairs and renovation, a local councillor has warned. more...
Badge for veterans to wear with pride
Malmesbury ex-service men and women who served during World War Two are being encouraged to receive a free veteran's label to recognise their heroic work. more...
Piecing together a world interest in jigsaws
A JIGSAW company threw open its doors in order to meet up with enthusiastic collectors on Saturday. more...
Marlborough News
Chips are down for stowaways
Four suspected illegal immigrants had almost had their chips when they were discovered half frozen in the back of a refrigerated lorry in Marlborough. more...
Jack's not on track
14496/2TO all intents and purposes police dog Jack looks as if he is a top dog but handler Mick Ware says he is lacking in one fundamental instinct. more...
Fair switch a big success
14506/2MOVING the annual Marlborough Dolls House Fair to a new venue on Sunday was a great success, the organisers said. more...
Terror of teen girls in kidnap bid ordeal
POLICE say two girls who were subjected to a suspected attempted abduction in Marlborough on Saturday were too shocked to shout for help. more...
Residents want action on town's trail of fear
POLICE have promised extra patrols in an area of Marlborough where residents are afraid to walk, town councillors were told on Monday. more...
20th century music concert
KOKORO, the contemporary music ensemble of the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, will be giving a concert at St John's School in Marlborough on Monday. more...
Wave of farewell
HMS Marlborough's latest voyage marks the end of an era for the Royal Navy frigate, which will be decommissioned on her return. NIGEL KERTON joined the crew as they set sail for the final time more...
Anger at advice to suffocate injured deer
MEDICAL practice manager Denise Foy was horrified when she phoned police to report an injured deer at the roadside and was advised to put a bag over its head to suffocate it. more...
Turn out for polls is low
FUNERAL director David Hunter is the newest member of Kennet District Council following a by election on Thursday. more...
Clerk's sick leave piles on pressure
TOWN councillors in Marlborough are to consider employing a temporary town clerk in the absence of their own Graham Gittins. more...
Pewsey News
Long march for research
PEWSEY mother and daughter, Tiggy and Charlotte Holmes, have raised over £5,000 for the Meningitis Research Foundation by taking part in a trek to the Great Wall of China. more...
Bell rings out for new era
ONE of the few old things that Collingbourne Ducis School took with it to its new premises this week was the bell from the 143-year-old school building it had outgrown. more...
Salisbury News
Online venture's the last word on Africa
Richard Bartlett and Luzette Straus, of the African Review of Books. DA6621P1A NEW business has been set up devoted exclusively to African books. more...
CGA appoints director of commercial finance
THE Country Gentleman's Association, of Station Road, Codford, has appointed Neil Hewitt as director of commercial finance. more...
Salisbury Sport
Heartache as late goal ends City's cup run
End of a dream. City's Steve Strong at the final whistle Picture by Sarah Williams.SAW21.Defeat means Salisbury miss out on Walsall visit more...
Georgia here we come
Atlanta bound. Sal-isbury powerlifters Bill West, Paul New-ell and Lee Steggles head Stateside this week in readiness for the World Powerlift-ing Championships in Atlanta, Georgia. Full preview: page 91. Staff picture by LARA BALL. DA6652P2. more...
Sport Football
Players warned to mind their language
SUNDAY footballers are being warned to cut out bad language or face having their teams banned from using pitches. more...
Godley lures a blast from past
Ex-Corsham striker Jonathan Scott has been reunited with his old boss Mark Godley after he signed for Devizes Town late Tuesday night. more...
Talented girls will be kicking goals for Wiltshire
Talented girls from Chippenham Town Ladies FC are being taught how to bend it like Beckham at a FA centre of excellence course every Monday at Devizes Leisure Centre. more...
Carterton 3 Pewsey 0
PEWSEY boss Steve Wootton says his side are suffering because of an injury crisis that means he can't pick his best 11 players. more...
High quality quarter hour yields triple
A STUNNING opening quarter hour saw Highworth Town kill off shell-shocked Tytherington 3-0. more...
Calne 0, Minehead 0
CALNE should count themselves extremely unlucky as two penalty decisions did not go their way in a game where they had countless chances. more...
Signing to bolster Melksham left flank
Talented Biddestone left back Jack Nicholas is due to step up a division and sign for Melksham Town tonight. more...
Bitton 0, Corsham Town 2
Corsham jumped out of the relegation zone with what manager Colin Bush described as a battling performance. more...
Biddestone 1, Shrewton United 1
Biddestone had victory in their sights but were denied three points after Shrewton levelled with a dramatic 92nd minute equaliser on Saturday. more...
Frome 2, Devizes 2
UNDERDOGS Devizes were just five minutes away from taking the points against title contenders Frome on Saturday. more...
Backwell 2, Melksham Town 2
HOTSHOT striker John O'Mera fired a sensational double as Melksham took a well deserved point away at Backwell on Saturday. more...
Leaders pushed all the way by Stratton
AFC Stratton made Premier Division leaders Corsham Town pull out all the stops before a late strike in the second half gave the home side a 2-1 victory. more...
Withdrawal causes reshuffle of league
CHIPPENHAM SUNDAY LEAGUE: A LACK of commitment from a number of players have forced Terry's FC to withdraw from the League. The Trowbridge based side gained promotion to the top flight in 2003 after just a few seasons in the League. more...
Rudloe lose out in thriller
TROWBRIDGE LEAGUE: TROWBRIDGE United sneaked the points with a last minute penalty at Rudloe in a nine-goal thriller containing a missed first half spot-kick by Rudloe's Simon Young. more...
Missed chances are costly for Corsham
MID WILTS YOUTH AND MINOR LEAGUE: TROWBRIDGE Town Youth 2nds mounted pressure from the kick-off of their game against AFC Corsham in the under 16s Red Division of the Wiltshire Times and Chippenham News Mid-Wilts Youth and Minor League and took the lead early in the first half. more...
Stanley Park solves footballing problem
The new £2 million football complex at Stanley Park was officially opened by Chippenham Mayor Ross Henning and Swindon Town goalkeeper Rhys Evans last Thursday. more...
Sport Rugby
Salisbury under 15 36, Devizes under 15 12
Salisbury under 15s claimed a flatteringly comfortable victory over an unlucky Devizes side in Sunday's Wiltshire Cup clash. more...
Clifton Under 12s 12, Chippenham Under 12s 0
Chippenham's under 12s were knocked out of this season's Bristol Combination Cup by their Clifton counter-parts at Clifton in a thrilling and exciting match. more...
Chippenham 5, Windsor 23
BEFORE the start of this match Windsor only had a draw to their credit but by the end they had tripled their league points, secured their first win and seen off a side tipped for promotion. more...
Bradford on Avon 12, Devizes 36
WHILE Devizes have suffered defeats to intercounty opposition this season, they at least have some bragging rights within Wiltshire. more...
Minety 22, Tadley 8
Minety finally broke their duck on Saturday with an emphatic three-try win over mid-table opponents Tadley. more...
Corsham 5, Cooper Avon Tyres 22
LEAGUE leaders Corsham lost their 100 per cent record to neighbours Cooper-Avon Tyres in Saturday's hard-fought derby at Lacock Road. more...
Pewsey Vale 7, Calne 31
A good sized crowd at Pewsey Vale saw a physical but well tempered contest, although there was little for the home fans to cheer. more...
Bath defiant as as probe starts
Bath Rugby Club continued to stand by a number of their players yesterday as Irish police launched a criminal investigation into allegations of assault levelled by former England footballer Stan Collymore. more...
Old Boys loseunbeaten tag
Swindon College Old Boys lost their unbeaten record going down 25-17 to Chinnor 3rd. Despite the defeat they remained second in the table above Chinnor on points scored. more...
Swindon News
It's time to get priorities right
TWO recent reports raise serious questions about the way in which public resources have been prioritised and spent by Swindon Borough Council. more...
Blame government for pension crisis
WHY is there a pension crisis, and why are so many companies closing down their final salary pension schemes? more...
Lock up monsters like this
WERE the evil children who tortured the kitten and killed the rest of the litter caught? If so, were they punished? more...
Well served
I AM not sure what point Keith Ratcliffe is trying to make (`Taking notice', Letters Oct 29). But if he is insinuating that we do not get value for money from our local MPs, then I believe he is doing them a grave injustice. more...
Winning move
CONGRATULATIONS to Justin Tomlinson and Trust STFC for breaking the deadlock between the council and Swindon Town over a new stadium. more...
Missing book
I RECENTLY tried to buy a book on the band leader Glenn Miller. more...
Car crime?
WHILE I admire the work done by Honda and its associates in producing high quality cars, why is it that the price charged in the UK for a Swindon built CRV is approximately twice that charged in the USA? more...
Residents give views
RESIDENTS in Pinehurst turned out to voice their views on a road safety scheme planned for a notorious accident blackspot. more...
Swindon artist finishes Battle of Trafalgar mural
DRINKERS at a London pub can now re-live one of Britain's most famous naval battles over a dram of rum, thanks to a famous Swindon artist. more...
Star golfer to tee off Christmas
GOLFING star David Howell will be teeing off Old Town's Christ-mas lights this year. more...
Yuletide festivities to officially start today in the town centre
CHRISTMAS in the town centre will come much earlier today in fact. more...
Health chiefs say few problems with service
HEALTH bosses report no major problems in the wake of major changes to out-of-hours services. more...
Cabbies set up children's curry
Ref. 73227-27Youngsters from a Swindon school were treated to a free curry thanks to a group of Swindon cab drivers. more...
Mouth cancer from drinking is on increase
ONLY one in three people are aware that alcohol is a major cause of mouth cancer, according to a new study for the UK. more...
Hope for Thailand animals charity
GENEROUS Adver readers helped an animal rescue centre to get set up on a Thai island. more...
No nose offender
A FOUR pack of lager set David Jones back more than £60 when he was caught stealing on consecutive days. more...
Great idea but who's paying?
EDUCATION Secretary Charles Clarke has been taken to task over the future of Swindon schools. more...
Drink-driver banned
A MOTORIST who drove when he was more than twice the legal alcohol limit was banned for two years by Swindon magistrates. more...
Staff spruce up day centre
Ref. 73204-19NATIONWIDE building society workers joined people with learning disabilities to decorate a day centre. more...
Top lay Methodist praises town as `beacon' to UK
Ref. 73194-12A RELIGIOUS leader visited Swindon to view work on current and future projects in the town. more...
LibDem yob law cave in
The Liberal Democrats have performed a U-turn over moves to tackle anti-social behaviour. more...
Mystery solved in space
A TEAM of British astronomers funded by a Swindon research council have helped to solve a 100-year-old mystery. more...
Brushes take place of desks
A GROUP of businessmen and women are swapping their desks for paintbrushes and trowels. Ten people from Business Network International, a Swindon networking group, will be volunteering at Drove Primary School on Saturday. more...
Two hurt in crash
TWO people were taken to hospital after their car collided with a lorry in Lyneham. more...
Warning to bikers
BIKERS are being warned to be on their guard as thieves warm up for the winter. more...
Pool celebrates 25th anniversary
A SWIMATHON is being organised to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Thamesdown Hydrotherapy Pool. more...
Pickle in a pickle
A PONY called Pickle lived up to its name when it got stuck in a hole in the ground in South Marston. more...
Reg gets a run for his record
Ref. 25513-64A RIVAL is challenging Swindon's Reg Hill (pictured) for the spot of oldest employee at DIY giant B&Q. more...
Have your say on school sites issue
THE people of West Swindon are invited to have their say about the future of schools in the area at a meeting on Monday. more...
Walking problem
THE danger caused by pedestrians and cyclists using the same pavement was one of the hot topics discussed by a new group in Gorse Hill. more...
Caribbean fun
CARIBBEAN culture is coming to Swindon in an event organised by the Swindon Black History Group. more...
Man was above alcohol limit
A MAN caught driving his BMW car in Granville Street when he was over the legal alcohol limit received a 13-month ban from Swindon magistrates. more...
Celebrate with a Stonehenge visit
STONEHENGE is opening for free this weekend to mark the 10th birthday of the National Lottery. more...
Relaxation room is haven for parents
LEAPFROG Day Nursery in Abbey Meads opens a relaxation room today to coincide with National Stress Awareness Day. more...
When you can donate blood
THE NATIONAL Blood service has announced its mid-November blood donor sessions. more...
Door damaged
MAGISTRATES conditionally discharged a 22-year-old woman after she admitted causing criminal damage to another woman's front door. more...
Must for owl fans
AN owl expert will be giving a talk about his feathered friends at the Even Swindon Community Centre in Jennings Street, Swindon. more...
Training tokens are up for grabs
A website which has helped hundreds of community and voluntary organisations across the South West access government grants, is giving away £1,500 worth of training vouchers to people who register before the end of the year. more...
Eating disorder help group
A recovery group for people with eating disorders could be set up in Swindon. more...
Candle lit vigil protest
Swindon Stop the War Coalition are planning a candle lit vigil by the war memorial in Regent Circus at 6pm on the day that any attack on Fallujah starts. more...
Residents back school building
PEOPLE who live near St John's School in Marlborough have signed a petition to demonstrate they are behind the new building project proposed on the school's grounds. more...
Be a good neighbour
CHISELDON good neighbours' scheme is holding its annual general meeting on Tuesday November 23. more...
Christmas in the past
CHILDREN who visit a Swindon museum can have a wartime Christmas celebration. more...
How could we know when mum would die?
Ref. 73238-17 Ben and Joan Shrubsall who are upset after they received a bill from the Badbury Court Care Centre INSET: Ben Shrubsall's mother Emily A SWINDON care home charged a mourning family almost £1,000 for failing to give a fortnight's notice that their mother would die. more...
Band is on its way to the top
British BeefBRITISH Beef is the flavour of the month for a top record company after it agreed a deal with one of Swindon's hottest bands. more...
Sorry you were let down
KEY chances to stop a Swindon man who fathered six children with his daughter were missed by professionals, a serious case review has revealed. more...
Scratch blamed on ex-girlfriend
THE MAN accused of attempting to rape a young girl in Queens Park scratched his face while burgling a house the previous night, a jury heard. more...
Trees cut down in order to let hedgerows grow
Ref. 73231-32WILTSHIRE Wildlife Trust is cutting down a series of trees in Swindon to help promote the growth and restoration of hedgerows. more...
Mixed feelings from traders
Ref. 73230-15IT MAY have been branded a kick in the teeth for town centre development in Swindon by business leaders, but some shopkeepers are pleased that the Brunel Centre is up for sale. more...
Crooner sings at Irish dance school
Irish crooner Brendan Shine followed his father, Paddy Shine, into the music business, and today he is one of Ireland's best loved singers. more...
No beating about the bush
Ref. 73050-15 Lisa HawkesSWINDON anti-war campaigners reacted with disappointment to George Bush winning a second term in the US presidential elections. more...
It was close right to the end
George Bush and John KerrySwindon student Alex Ogle has been in the US throughout the election campaign. He reports on reaction to Bush's triumph more...
Wiltshire News
Air ambulance saves baby's life
14540/3PARENTS John and Melanie Tonge say the crew of the Wiltshire Air Ambulance saved the life of their nine-month-old son Louis. more...
Wiltshire Sport
When the going gets tough...
ANDY KING hopes Town's testing programme in the coming weeks will hopefully bring the best out of a team which seems to thrive on the so-called tougher challenge. more...
Wootton Bassett News
Grant puts transport lifeline on right road
73187-11A GOVERNMENT grant of £30,000 is set to transform the lives of people without cars living in Wootton Bassett, Brinkworth and Tockenham. more...
Councils at war over new town sign
Wootton Bassett town councillors have ended up rowing with Lydiard Tregoze parish councillors after a new sign advertising the town was put up over the parish border. more...
Thieves take only sweets
INTRUDERS who broke into an industrial unit in Wootton Bassett only had time to take some sweets after activating an alarm. more...
Post box at an animal sanctuary is blown up
VANDALS have targeted an animal haven by blowing up its post box with a powerful firework. more...
Music proves great success
A SELL out concert in Wootton Bassett raised £1,150 for Prospect Hospice. The Swindon Concert Band played music by Glen Miller, Gershwin, Johann Strauss and Andrew Lloyd Webber at the town's memorial hall. more...
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