Stories for 14 October 2005

Bath Leisure

Film review - Wallace & Gromit In The Curse Of The Were-Rabbit (U)

YOU can almost hear Wallace say it to his canine pal Gromit, can't you? "Ay lad, it's been a funny old week."   more...

Glorious - Theatre Royal Bath

OCTOBER 17 - 22 2005, BATH: MAUREEN LIPMAN stars as the tone-deaf diva Florence Foster Jenkins as Glorious! appears in Bath immediately prior to the West End   more...

Bath Film Festival 2005

The Curse Of The Were-RabbitOCTOBER 13 - 30 2005, BATH: THE 15th Bath Film Festival started with a gala preview of Aardman's first Wallace and Gromit feature ­ The Curse Of The Were-Rabbit ­ and there is plenty more outstanding cinema to look forward to over the next 18 days.   more...

Bradford On Avon News

Lorry spill causes rush hour chaos

The operation to remove the container begins (17718)A LORRY container carrying four tonnes of flat pack furniture tipped onto a pavement in Bradford on Avon yesterday morning.   more...

Mr Toad's festival bow

MR TOAD and his famous motorcar made an appearance in Bradford on Avon as part of the town's art festival.   more...

Rail attack charges

TWO Warminster men accused of attacking a pensioner at Bradford on Avon train station were due to appear at Chippenham magistrates' court yesterday.   more...

Cartoon boost for Dot House

A CARTOONIST whose work has appeared in Private Eye and Playboy has designed a calendar with a difference to raise money for Dorothy House Hospice.   more...

Women sign up for driving test

UP to 70 women have signed up for this year's Girls on Top driving challenge in aid of Winsley-based Dorothy House Hospice Care.   more...

Business News

Great minds think alike!

MOST people have come up with an idea and thought: "I could make a million from that."   more...

Kleeneze's catalogue of success

TWO firms have joined up to clean up on the household goods front.   more...

Calne News

Man jailed after bar stool attack

CHIPPENHAM NEWS: A man who smashed a bar stool on a pub landlord has been jailed for 18 months.   more...

Cars News

Speed plan

SPEEDING motorists on Wiltshire's roads are being targeted as part of a Europe-wide campaign. In the past three years there have been 15 fatal and 88 serious collisions in north and west Wiltshire where speed was a known factor.   more...

Final price event at Ottons Land Rover

Ottons Land Rover is running a Final Price Event with savings on approved used Freelanders, Discoverys, Defenders and Range Rovers.   more...

Chippenham News

Girl, 18, admits to biting Pc

CHIPPENHAM NEWS: A TEENAGER who bit a policewoman turned to drink after two close friends died within a year, a court heard.   more...

Family fun at library

CHIPPENHAM NEWS: CHILDREN had fun making models at a library workshop at the weekend.   more...

College at cutting edge

CHIPPENHAM NEWS: STUDENTS experimented with hair colour and movement at an event held at Wiltshire College Chippenham.   more...

Anger at plan for homes

PLANS to build 52 houses on business land on the outskirts of a north Wiltshire town have been condemned by town councillors.   more...

Government defends tactics

A PENSIONER who has campaigned against new homes being built on north Wiltshire's green fields has taken her fight to the top by writing to deputy Prime Minister John Prescott.   more...

Ditch plunge driver `lucky to be alive'

Jeremy Pike, who escaped the crash with just cuts and bruises, recovers at home with his wife Karen (31028/2)CHIPPENHAM NEWS EXCLUSIVE: A MAN trapped unconscious down a 20ft gully for six hours after his car flew through the air and hit a tree said he is lucky to be alive.   more...

The Full Montagu

Writer Tony Pratt with his new book The History of the Manor of Lackham, which delves into the lives of the Montagu family (17704/1)CHIPPENHAM NEWS: An extravagant cad got two sisters pregnant and sent them to the workhouse just years after his father eloped and was thrown out of the military for having too many affairs.   more...

Apple day is a matter of taste

Lackham museum curator Andrew Davis tucks in to a juicy apple (17690/1)CHIPPENHAM NEWS: APPLES were the flavour of the day for hundreds of people visiting an historic country park. Lackham Country Park, in Lacock, held its annual apple day and attracted about 400 people at the weekend.   more...

Rewarded for their dedication

CHIPPENHAM NEWS: TIME Team star Phil Harding has presented Duke of Edinburgh's Awards to high-achieving young people.   more...

Museum costumes are a Big Draw for public

Jean Harvest, in costume, is sketched by Fine Art students from Wiltshire College Chippenham in Emery Gate shopping centre as part of The Big Draw (31029)CHIPPENHAM NEWS: STUDENTS dressed up in fancy costumes to inspire members of the public to draw.   more...

Corsham News

Medal honour for volunteer

Sonia Gittins will receive a Year of the Volunteer medal tonight for her work with Corsham Link (31030/1)CHIPPENHAM NEWS: A 79-YEAR-OLD volunteer is to be honoured for her work helping other elderly people.   more...

Halfmarathon News

Dial up cash for charity

Ian Neave, left, and Ross Pound dressed as 118 men to raise money for Prospect Hospice Ref: 99766-17OCTOBER 14: THE Prospect Hospice has benefited from some strange charity events in its 25 years.   more...

Come and cheer us all along the route

OCTOBER 14: Whether it's to cheer on the runners, help out with marshalling or hand out refreshments there is still a role for all non-runners at this year's Swindon Half Marathon.   more...

Melksham News

Stone attack leaves boy terrified to leave home

Louis Phillips with his mother Christine (17717)VIOLENT yobs stoned, kicked and punched a nine-year-old boy in an unprovoked attack. The mother of little Louis Phillips said the thugs responsible should be locked up and her son is now frightened to leave the house.   more...

Rhiannon spotted by top pop boss

Rhiannon Lambert who hopes to follow in the footsteps of Joss Stone and JameliaTHE bright lights of the West End could be looming for talented teenager Rhiannon Lambert after she caught the eye of a top pop manager.   more...

Man escapes jail after gun drama

AN ENGINEER who terrified passers-by when he fired an illegal semi-automatic pistol in a drunken suicide attempt has escaped jail.   more...

Healing power of art helps mum

ARTIST Marie Edwards is still putting her life back together after her daughter died in a hospital scandal more than 10 years ago.   more...

Open day success

THE George Ward School in Melksham came alive last Thursday with a host of activities at the annual open evening.   more...

Sport Cricket

Bedbrook given the Wiltshire captaincy

RICHARD Bedbrook is the new Wiltshire cricket captain. The 27-year-old all-rounder was elected unopposed this week to replace Russell Rowe, who has stepped down after two years in charge for business reasons.   more...

Sport Football

Blue Circle put block on Saints

TROWBRIDGE LEAGUE: REIGNING champions North Bradley Saints missed their chance of going to the top of Division One after drawing 3-3 with Blue Circle.   more...

Trowbridge Town 6, Amesbury Town 0

TROWBRIDGE eased their way through to the next round of the Wilts Senior Cup with an impressive performance against their Wessex League opponents.   more...

Matt adds shine for Westbury

BROMHAM and Westbury United Reserves shared the points in a 1-1 draw in their Premier Division derby.   more...

Bishop Sutton 1, Corsham Town 4

JOHN Woods made a low key return as Corsham continued their winning run with this comfortable away success on Tuesday night.   more...

Wiltshire Youth 2, Dorset Youth 0

MEL Gingell has seen thousands of goals in his 40-odd years in football, but none better, he says, than Aaron Billett's second half strike in Tuesday night's Mick Parry Trophy win at Melksham.   more...

Injury hit Calne still confident

CALNE Town assistant-manager Simon Hillier will be looking for three more points from tomorrow's Toolstation League Premier Division clash against Bishop Sutton at Bremhill View.   more...

Westbury United 1, Laverstock and Ford 0 (after extra-time)

AARON Billett added to his growing reputation by sparing Westbury's blushes in Saturday's Wiltshire Senior Cup first round tie at Westbury United.   more...

Swindon News

Sharon's tale is a help to us

LIKE Shirley Mathias, I am not Sharon Osbourne's biggest fan but I found her comments on The Sun's recent exclusive of Sharon's 35-year bulimia battle (in Wednesday's Advertiser, Sound Bites) poorly researched and extremely upsetting.   more...

The best carers are the parents

REGARDING the letter in the Swindon Advertiser of Friday October 7, headlined "Investigate where care is best."   more...

Hospital not so perfect...

AFTER the recent letter from P Brown, with the glowing report of the Labour-run NHS I'll give him two examples from our family as to why the GW Hospital is still a joke.   more...

...but thanks

I WOULD like to say a big thank you all the staff of Woodpecker Ward at GW Hospital for all the care and attention they gave me.   more...

Misquote fear

I'M WRITING in reference to Dr Owen Lister. If his experience was anything like mine, I feel sorry for him.   more...

Cesspit idea

WHY are we obsessed with ruining our countryside in the name of money?   more...

Headhunters

Matt and Jacob Holland on horseback in ParaguayNEXT year's Swindon Festival of Literature will have a Latin American feel.   more...

Firms join forces to take on the pirates

A SWINDON company has teamed up with software specialists to bring customers extra protection for their home movies in the fight against pirates.   more...

Dial up cash for charity

Ian Neave, left, and Ross Pound dressed as 118 men to raise money for Prospect Hospice Picture Ref: 99766-17THE Prospect Hospice has benefited from some strange charity events in its 25 years.   more...

The little darlings

Jerome Davies (Michael), Jonah Cook (John), Michael Moore (John) and Aaron Jenkins (Michael) star in Peter Pan Picture Ref: 99783/59 THEY might not be Peter Pan himself, but when four young actors grow up they will have some fantastic memories of starring in a play about the boy who never grew up.   more...

The driving force...

The new Honda Civic. Pictured left are Shigeru Takagi, Masaaki Kato, managing director of Honda in the UK Manufacturing, Koki Hirashima, senior managing and representative director, Honda Motor Company, and Ian Pearson. Picture Ref: 99776-31SWINDON... AND PROUD OF IT: Honda's latest Civic has started to roll off the Swindon production line and is set to take the Japanese firm a giant step forward. Business reporter TOM MORTON was at the factory for the visit of trade minister Ian Pearson   more...

Ale and hearty at beer festival

Geoffrey Brown has a brew at the Old Railway Museum Picture Ref: 99785-114THE musty smell of barrels and the boisterous roar of bearded men were the vital clues that real ale might be involved.   more...

Show of force

A parachutist frees himself from his canopy and prepares to get into the fightRAF Lyneham was given its chance to shine with the biggest event ever to be held at the Wiltshire base.   more...

Fears for future of field site

PLANS to build 200 houses on a former sports ground have angered residents.   more...

Wall hanging is highlight of school's anniversary celebrations

Amy Therrien and Oliver Buckton with the wall hanging at Meadowpark School Picture Ref: 99759-4A CRICKLADE school has started its 10th anniversary celebrations with the unveiling of a special wall hanging.   more...

`Fire move will cost us'

MP James GrayTHE Government faces having to fork out hundreds of thousands of pounds in penalty charges when it closes Wiltshire's fire control room, it has been warned.   more...

Drug dealer in custody

A DRUG dealer who came to Swindon from Birmingham to start a new life will be spending the next few weeks behind bars.   more...

Last chance for charities to apply

Past Beneficiaries Jackie Cook (chairwoman), David Waterfall (vice chairman) and Tony Pinnell (treasurer) of Technology For The Disabled received a £6,000 grant last year Picture Ref 28616-14CHARITIES have until close of play today to apply for a Gannett Foundation grant.   more...

Chance to see library plans

Librarian Rebekah Jefferies talks Bill Fox through the plans for a new Central Library Picture Ref: 99781-11FOR years the people of Swindon have been promised a new library and this weekend the dream finally looks set to start to become a reality.   more...

Masters of their art

Picture Ref:99772-70A BUMPER exhibition of paintings by local artists finished up at a prize ceremony at an art retailer's shop in Swindon.   more...

Support needed by quake appeal

SWINDONIANS are being urged to give generously when they see collection buckets around the town today to support survivors of the Pakistan earthquake.   more...

Drink thief spent night in the cells

A HEAVY drinker who stole two bottles of strong cider from a Swindon supermarket was excused from paying his fine by magistrates after spending almost 24 hours in the cells.   more...

400 homes hit by power cut

MORE than 400 homes were left in without power yesterday afternoon after a power cut in the Old Town area.   more...

Euro force help target speeders

A SPEEDING campaign is being carried out on roads across North Wiltshire this week ­ spearheaded by Amsterdam Police .   more...

Sex charges against headteacher are dropped

Barry KnockALL charges have been dropped against Purton headteacher Barry Knock. The 51-year-old, who was facing eight charges against children, had been suspended from his post at St Mary's School.   more...

Sex offender found in tent near school

A CONVICTED sex offender set up home in a tent in a playing field near a Swindon school.   more...

`We're prepared for flu epidemic'

SWINDON'S flagship hospital is drawing up an action plan to deal with a potential outbreak of killer bird flu.   more...

The world is this school's oyster

Jonathan holds the International School Award trophy aloft Picture Ref: 99779-50A SWINDON school has received a special award for its links with schools around the world.   more...

Sentence appeal is rejected

Flowers from well wishers at the accident siteGARY Huckin, the man sent to prison for the death of 19-year-old Matthew Styles, has failed in a bid to have his sentence reduced.   more...

Teen pregnancy's a growing worry

PARENTS in Swindon need to open their eyes to sex and get clued-up.   more...

Swimmers can dive right in

THAMESDOWN Hydrotherapy Pool is seeking swimmers to take part in next month's annual Swimathon.   more...

Posters plan to catch lout

PC Lucy Ross with the posters created by the Advertiser Picture Ref: 99784-100THE Adver is helping police to catch a thug who beat up a pensioner on her doorstep.   more...

Rock star aids quake victims

Asian Earthquake Disaster: A ROCK star is giving people in the Swindon area the chance to do their bit for the Pakistan earthquake appeal while headbanging their way to a good time.   more...

Charities `humbled' as millions pour in to help the survivors

ASIAN EARTHQUAKE DISASTER: More than £5m has been pledged to an emergency appeal for the victims of the South East Asia earthquake.   more...

Tourism News

Tourism boost as centre opens

Leslie Rocker, mayor Les Rose, Digby Barker with staff Janet Stockley and manageress Janet Hollens (17711)THE former Tourist Information Centre in Warminster will reopen its doors on Monday.   more...

Trowbridge News

Gang's racist smear tactics exposed

Matthew WeeksGANG members plotted a racist smear campaign by reporting a fictitious robbery and blaming it on ethnic minorities, a court heard.   more...

Grandma chases after car vandals

Janet Harris shows where the stones smashed through her car window (17698)A GRANDMOTHER gave chase after young vandals smashed a window of her car as she was driving on a main road.   more...

Major push for cinema scheme

A CINEMA for Trowbridge is moving closer to becoming a reality after more than a decade of waiting.   more...

All hands to the Pump

Festival chairman John Alderslade with publican Rose Sloane at The Lamb Inn. (17696)A GROUP of friends will be travelling back in time to bring entertainment to the present.   more...

Young stars take centre stage

Some of the acts in the Starry Eyes final. From left, Asiya Kaplankiran, Lauren Medway, Rachel Medway, Kieran Bailey, Joe Medway, Sophie Medway, Evie Lucas and Asia Burke (31016)THE jailhouse rocked on Friday night when the stars of the future took to the stage.   more...

Quintas in court

A PORTUGUESE factory worker pleaded not guilty to murdering 23-year-old Trowbridge woman Hayley Richards at Bristol Crown Court yesterday.   more...

It's child's play for school pupils

PTA chairman Nicky Rolls with children at Walwayne School (31020)FITNESS could soon be showing an improvement as school children get to grips with new play equipment.   more...

Fireman charged over sex attacks

A FIREMAN charged with a string of sex offences in Bath appeared in court this week.   more...

New shop takes £3k

THE till of a new shop opened after a seven-year campaign by villagers has been ringing constantly. Steeple Ashton village shop was opened by west Wiltshire MP Dr Andrew Murrison at the beginning of the month.   more...

Baby airlift drama

A ONE-YEAR-OLD baby from Trowbridge was airlifted to hospital on Monday night with serious breathing difficulties.   more...

Will protests be taken away?

POLICE objections to licence applications from two late night takeaways could be withdrawn before a hearing next week.   more...

Mick's back after Malta retirement

THE Maltese sun was not enough to tempt the new manager of a shopping centre to stay away from Trowbridge.   more...

Fury as Hewitt snubs hospital review plea

A HAMMER blow was delivered to two west Wiltshire hospitals when Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt refused to review the decision to close them.   more...

Shake-up for struggling Trust

THE cash-strapped trust that provides healthcare for patients in west Wiltshire is set to undergo a major cost-cutting shake-up.   more...

Surprise visitors at wedding fair

Bride Hannah Scott gets a fireman's lift after the alarm was raised. (17689)FIRE engines failed to dampen the spirits at the Wiltshire Times wedding fair on the weekend. The wedding fair is held twice a year and on Sunday it was held at Lackham College for the first time, from 10am to 4pm.   more...

Box clever to deliver festive cheer to poor

GOOD Samaritans are once again being sought to make this Christmas a happy one for thousands of poverty-stricken children.   more...

Quake aid effort

AN AID effort to help victims of the south Asian earthquake is gearing up in Wiltshire. Donations are being taken at Marlborough and Swindon fire stations from 9am to 4pm tomorrow and 10am to 4pm on Sunday.   more...

Axe falls on TV's The Farm

REALITY TV show The Farm, which brought celebrities to west Wiltshire, has been culled. Broadcasters Channel Five say the reality genre had "been and gone" and would not commission a third series of the show.   more...

£110,000 grants win

CHILDREN around the county have benefited from grants of more than £110,000 from two trust funds this year.   more...

Speed plan

SPEEDING motorists on Wiltshire's roads are being targeted as part of a Europe-wide campaign.   more...

Look out for our reader survey

WE are constantly looking at ways of improving the Wiltshire Times and Chippenham News and we want you, our readers, to get involved.   more...

Trowbridge,Bradford On Avon,Melksham,Warminster,Westbury News

What an insult

IN response to the article in the Wiltshire Times, October 7, I would like to openly applause and congratulate my colleague who was brave enough to send the copy of Cascade for you to report on.   more...

What saving?

IT IS interesting to note the latest news that the Primary Care Trusts in Wiltshire are likely to be amalgamated into one large body, but are we really going to benefit from these changes?   more...

Simple answer

WOULD you allow me to comment on the statement made by the chief executive of West Wiltshire Primary Care Trust to employees of the trust: "Staff have to understand that they cost money".   more...

Road safety plea

THE Road Safety Bill will shortly be entering the House of Commons. As a member of CTC, the national cyclists' organisation, I am concerned about the Government's proposal to lower the penalty for `marginally' exceeding the speed limit from three points to two points ­ the Government has suggested that `marginal' could mean driving at 39mph in a 30mph area.   more...

Proud of flag

AS A resident of Wiltshire and therefore a council tax payer, I find it extremely offensive that Eugene Johnson, Deputy Chief Fire Officer, is reported as removing a sticker of the Cross of St George from the back of a fire engine saying that people would consider it racist.   more...

Save our train

IT would seem that we only have a matter of days to save the Bath/ West Wiltshire/Waterloo train service. It is now fact that the service isn't included in the Great Western Franchise.   more...

Speak out now

SUNDAY is World Food Day. There is food enough for everyone yet one in seven people, mostly women and girls, are hungry ­ a staggering 850 million people.   more...

Thank you all

ON behalf of the Research Institute for the Care of the Elderly (RICE) could you please pass on my thanks to the people of Bradford on Avon for kindly supporting our collection on September 24. With the help of seven people who kindly donated their time we raised over £239 to help us in our research.   more...

Pay their way

IN response to the two recently published letters stating that travellers have a right to live their own lives as they please, I completely agree.   more...

Come and join in

A SERVICE is being held at St James's Church, Trowbridge, on Sunday October 23 at 3pm, to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar, a most important date in the naval history of this country.   more...

Warminster News

Mum hit as she cradled her baby

Adrian WilliamsA TEENAGER punched his ex-girlfriend in the face while she cradled their nine-month-old baby in her arms, a court heard.   more...

Stores hit as power fails

Bewise supervisor Mandy Blood with the power cut notice (17713)LIGHTNING could be responsible for a power failure that left 2,000 customers without electricity on Wednesday.   more...

Pupils tidy boy's neglected grave

Pupils Sophie, Zoe, Courtney, Emilea and Tom with Albert Falconer at the graveside (31017)PRIMARY school children have restored the grave of a Jewish boy who died in a tragic accident in Crockerton during the Second World War.   more...

Village in spotlight for new book

Romy WyethA NEW book has been published charting the colourful history of Codford. The Book of Codford: From the Bronze Age to the By-pass, offers an insight into the ancient Warminster village, which provided a base for ANZAC soldiers during the First World War.   more...

Axe falls on TV's The Farm

REALITY TV show The Farm, which brought celebrities to west Wiltshire, has been culled. Broadcasters Channel Five say the reality genre had "been and gone" and would not commission a third series of the show.   more...

Tourism boost as centre opens

Leslie Rocker, mayor Les Rose, Digby Barker with staff Janet Stockley and manageress Janet Hollens (17711)THE former Tourist Information Centre in Warminster will reopen its doors on Monday.   more...

Flames engulf car after collision

A CAR burst into flames when it collided with a tractor on a bridge over the River Wylye on Saturday. The accident happened on the B3095, near Brixton Deverill, at around 3pm.   more...

Man could face jail for assault on girlfriend

A MAN who kicked and punched his girlfriend in a drunken assault has been warned he could face jail.   more...

Rail attack charges

TWO Warminster men accused of attacking a pensioner at Bradford on Avon train station were due to appear at Chippenham magistrates' court yesterday.   more...

Charity's boost for disabled

A LEADING charity has promised to provide purpose-built flats for disabled people living in residential homes throughout the south west.   more...

School goes back in time for awards

STAFF and students at Kingdown School rolled back the years for their annual celebration evening last Thursday with a stylish 1940s theme night.   more...

Westbury News

PCT has `broken promise'

WESTBURY councillors accused the health trust responsible for closing the town's hospital of bending rules and breaking promises at a meeting on Monday.   more...

TV Judge delivers fantastic verdict

Award-winning television cameraman Stephen Roach (31024)A CAMERAMAN from Westbury has won a prestigious industry award for his work on TV crime drama Judge John Deed.   more...

Drink driver was three times over legal limit

A DRINK driver caught while more than three times over the limit has been banned for two-and-a-half years.   more...

Racist escapes jail term

A RACIST who verbally abused a policeman after being arrested outside a Westbury nightclub has escaped a jail sentence.   more...

Drugs blitz leads to pub arrest

A WOMAN was arrested on suspicion of possessing cocaine at the weekend after random testing at a pub.   more...

Town's link to Trafalgar

A FORMER army colonel has discovered how 14 men from Westbury were in the thick of the action at the Battle of Trafalgar and all of them survived.   more...

Towns remember Nelson victory

A BEACON on Westbury White Horse will be one of hundreds lit across the country next Friday to mark the 200th anniversary of Admiral Nelson's victory at the Battle of Trafalgar.   more...

Union concern for future of takeover firm

MORE than 100 jobs are under threat at Fiege Merlin in Westbury after the international haulage company went into administration last week.   more...

Charities at the double

TWO children's charities will join forces next month to hold a vodka tasting evening to raise money for children affected by the Chernobyl disaster.   more...

Starring show role for Icon the stallion

A STUNNING palomino stallion reared in Westbury will be one of the star attractions at this year's Westcountry Equine Fair.   more...

Wiltshire News

Gang's racist smear tactics exposed

Matthew WeeksGANG members plotted a racist smear campaign by reporting a fictitious robbery and blaming it on ethnic minorities, a court heard.   more...

Wiltshire Sport

Can't hide!

THERE really was no hiding place for Tom Heaton last Saturday. The on-loan Manchester United goalkeeper wanted the ground to swallow him up after his blooper handed Port Vale three points on a plate.   more...

  
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