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Stories for 4 November 2005
Angling
Carter leads the way on Kennet and Avon
THE Kennet and Avon canal continued its fine form at the weekend for the third round of the A T Winter League. more...
Football
Path clear for Aldbourne to take top spot
It could be all change again at the top of the Wiltshire Premier Division with leaders Down Ampney without a game and second-placed Melksham at Shrewton in the Corsham Print Senior Cup, writes RAY BURROUGHS. more...
No need to panic says Devizes boss Sheridan
IT IS never easy when you are at the bottom, but Nathan Sheridan is remaining positive that he can turn Devizes Town's fortunes around. more...
Devizes Town 0, Pewsey Vale 0
A TENSE derby finished goalless after extra-time at Nursteed Road on Saturday as both teams squandered good chances to book their place in the next round of the FA Vase. more...
Highmore wants to team up Mooney with Eyre
MELKSHAM Town manager Kelvin Highmore admitted he would love to add Nick Mooney to his side ahead of Saturday's game with Barnstaple Town. more...
Newton Abbot 1, Corsham Town 0
CORSHAM Town Colin Bush was philosophical in defeat despite a dodgy refereeing decision costing his side a place in the Second Round of the FA Vase. more...
Brislington 1, Corsham Town 1
CORSHAM Town manager Colin Bush refused to blame the referee after seeing two legitimate goals ruled out by the official at Brislington on Tuesday night. more...
Calne Town 0, Brislington 5
CALNE Town assistant manager Simon Hillier says the team will bounce back after their 5-0 home humiliation. more...
Biddestone 1, Minehead 2
BIDDESTONE boss Graham Learmonth rued his side's luck after losing 2-1 at home to Minehead on Saturday. more...
Five star Ampney power into pole position
WILTSHIRE LEAGUE: THE lead at the top of the Premier Division changed hands yet again as Down Ampney knocked in five goals against Westbury to take pole position on Saturday. more...
Dyer straight in
NATHAN Dyer completed an impressive treble on Tuesday night as he scored his first ever Football League goal. more...
Huntingdon FA under 18s 1, Wiltshire FA under 18s 2
MEL Gingell believes Trowbridge Town striker Matt Cooper could be the key to guiding Wiltshire to their first ever FA County Youth Cup championship. more...
Bush gets his man as Fitch opts for Town
CORSHAM Town have beaten off the interest of a host of clubs to clinch the signing of former Cirencester Town striker Ben Fitch. more...
Learmonth closing in on a leader
GRAHAM Learmonth is hoping to add a leader to his squad in the next week as he bids to end Biddestone's four match losing streak. more...
Westbury United 3, Saltash United 1
MATTY Bown has put his money where his mouth is after scoring his first goal of the season for Westbury on Saturday. more...
Bees cannot take the Michael
MIKE Little is set to sign Hellenic League forms for Trowbridge Town, but insists he is not about to jump ship at Toolstation League new boys Bradford Town. more...
Brickley closing in on new assistant
PAUL Brickley is expecting to appoint an assistant manager in time for Tuesday night's Toolstation League Division One clash at home to Larkhall Athletic. more...
Longwell Green 0, Bradford Town 4
STEVE Tweddle scored the perfect hat-trick on Saturday as Bradford bounced back from two consecutive Toolstation League Division One defeats. more...
Broughton win at last
BROUGHTON Gifford gained their first points of the season with a 3-2 away win at Bradford United. Their goals came from Chris Styles (2) and Tom Staddon, with Mark Williams and Will Taylor replying. more...
Trowbridge Town 1, Tytherington Rocks 3
LEWIS Porter is set to make his Trowbridge Town debut tomorrow after regular goalkeeper Adam Sheppard was forced to play through the pain barrier on Saturday. more...
Leisure
Film review - The Brothers Grimm (12A)
THE fantastic world of the master fairytale weaving Grimm brothers and the fevered imagination of film-maker Terry Gilliam was always going to be a fascinating combination. more...
News
Star Wars actor makes special appearance
CHIPPENHAM NEWS: STAR Wars fans will be queuing up in Chippenham tomorrow when a cult character comes to town. more...
Artists could help hospital
I AM one of those mean spirited people who quibble at the news that the Great Western Hospital spent £97,500 on art last year (Adver Comment, October 27) but I resent this name calling. more...
Fill up on a clean conscience
ANIMAL Aid's dynamic youth branch, Youth4Animals, has joined forces with the marvellous veggie food company Redwood Foods to offer young readers the chance to win delicious hampers of cruelty-free Christmas food. more...
Full ban on smoking is basic right
I WOULD urge you in your columns not to support anything less than a full ban on smoking in all public buildings. more...
Tenant help
SWINDON Tenants Voice is an organisation which represents all tenants and leaseholders of Swindon Borough Council. We work in partnership with Swindon Borough Council to help make strategic decisions that affect all areas of council housing in the town. more...
Keep pets safe
REMEMBER that on November 5 tomorrow night, animals are in for a fright. Fireworks that fill the night skies with confusing explosions of colour and noise, terrify our feathered and furry friends. more...
Funeral outrage
I WOULD just like to know where people's respect has gone, on Friday Oct 28 at approximately 9am, my partner, his family along with myself and others were on our way to Kingsdown Crematorium for my partner's father's funeral. more...
Drivers urged to be careful
A POLICE officer has called on drivers to show more consideration at a roundabout that has seen numerous accidents. more...
Man makes child porn confession
A MAN who tried to kill himself ended up in court after confessing to the nursing staff who saved him that he had looked at child porn. more...
Computer repair hits wrong note
A GUITAR teacher seeking to join the computer revolution has been dealt a bum note after having the hard drive on his laptop wiped by a computer store. more...
Former MP features in book about Labour rebels
A FORMER Swindon MP features in a new book about rebel MPs. more...
Couple face cruelty charge
AN Eldene couple have appeared in court facing accusations of child abuse. more...
Police calls are poorly received
SENIOR police at Wiltshire Police have been told a "quantum leap forward" is needed in the way the force handles calls from the public. more...
Up in flames
A CAR caught fire on a busy roundabout during rush hour. more...
Man assaulted after night out
A WOOTTON Bassett man was assaulted after leaving a pub. more...
Sting operation hits off-licences
A BLITZ on underage drinking has resulted in five off-licences facing possible prosecution. more...
Refuge group is beacon of hope
Susan Whyte who has set up the Rainbow Ministries Group for Women at the Pilgrim Centre Picture Ref: 100067-75AFTER a life of domestic violence, torture and mental abuse, Swindon-born Susan Whyte is ready to tell her tale to help others. more...
Seeing Red
COLIN Pillinger was the man at the centre of one of the great scientific dramas of the new century. more...
Parking misery's hot topic
Wootton Bassett High Street faces delays due to sewerage works in January Picture Ref: 23989-29CHANGES to rules on parking in Wootton Bassett will be the subject of discussion at a meeting in the town next week. more...
Merger is needed to tackle growing yob culture
THE war on yobs and bad behaviour in Swindon will suffer unless Wiltshire Police merges with neighbouring forces, a Home Office minister said. more...
Pavinda starts new night for music fans
FRESH from a tour of Japan, Swindon singer Pavinda Sandhu has organised a night for local revellers. more...
Beth's tale is novel winner
Beth Wright Picture Ref: 100070-16BOOKWORM Beth Wright penned a novel and bagged herself a laptop computer. more...
Canadian veteran to visit Swindon
KOREAN veterans are to receive a visitor from Canada next week. more...
Elvis joins our appeal
Swindon Cancer AppealELVIS has been enlisted to help raise £1m for the Adver-backed Swindon Cancer Appeal. more...
Fans are banned
TWELVE Swindon Town fans accused of taking part in violent clashes with rival supporters have now been banned from matches. more...
Hundreds left without power
AROUND 300 homes were left without power after a blackout hit Old Town. more...
Ann's big day
TESCO'S new-look superstore on Ocotal Way will be officially re-launched on Monday. more...
Art set for exhibition
A YEAR-LONG programme of visual arts events in Swindon is set to get underway later this month. more...
Multi-faith service for Aids day
A SERVICE is to be held in Swindon to mark World Aids Day next month. more...
A419 users warned of possible closures
ROAD closures are planned on the A419 at Cricklade which will affect the surrounding area. more...
MP calls for pubs briefing
NORTH Swindon MP Michael Wills says he wants to see councillors clued-up about the new licensing laws. more...
Rail workers remembered
A SPECIAL commemorative service to remember the railway workers who lost their lives fighting for their country is being held at Steam later this month. more...
A forest of cartridges help trees to flourish
CARTRIDGE World wants to say a big thank you to people in the town who helped plant trees in the company's year long campaign. more...
Children enjoy morning of farmyard fun
FRESH country air filled the lungs of youngsters after a fun-filled day at the farm. more...
Tesco plan to expand gets thumbs down
SUPERMARKET giant Tesco has been barred from extending the amount of non-grocery items it can sell as civic leaders try to protect town centre traders. more...
Grandad jailed over drugs haul
A GRANDFATHER caught with five kilograms of cannabis worth nearly £14,000 turned to drug dealing after losing his factory job. more...
Food firm fined after pollution
A FROZEN food firm has been ordered to pay £6,200 after polluting a river with lumps of fat the size of golf balls. more...
Tax hike to pay for town hall revamp
COUNCIL taxpayers could see their bills rise to help fund the revamp of Trowbridge Town Hall. more...
Work begins on Hope project
DIGGERS moved in on Monday to start work on a £250,000 nature centre project, which has been in the pipeline for five years. more...
Lead role for Joe's pumpkin
Young gardener Joe Wilkinson has been cultivatinga pumpkin in time for a panto production. more...
Cider, cheese and music combine at Wurzels night
VILLAGERS honoured west country band The Wurzels at a theme night on Saturday. Revellers in Semington were asked to wear straw hats, neck scarves and checked shirts in a tribute to the group. more...
Four facing Asa charge
FOUR men charged with assaulting Trowbridge man Asa Freeman will be in court on Monday. Paolo Rossi, 20, and 19-year-olds Shane Flexon, Lee Frisby and Joel Bailey, face a two-week trial at Swindon Crown Court. more...
Cancelled Tweenies show could be costly
A CANCELLED show that left children in tears will cost taxpayers at least £3,000. Learn To Dance With The Tweenies, due to be held at Trowbridge Civic Hall on Thursday was axed after organisers Mark Events failed to gain copyright permission from the BBC to use the TV characters. more...
Revenge attack
A TEENAGER beat an innocent man unconscious in a revenge attack over the death of two sweethearts killed in a road smash. more...
Attacker faces jail
A 21-YEAR-OLD Trowbridge man is facing a prison sentence after admitting a brutal assault. David Parker could even receive a life term after pleading guilty to a charge of causing grievous bodily harm with intent. more...
Skatepark plan stalls
SKATEBOARDERS could face a long wait for new facilities in the county town. more...
Schoolgirls' three day trek in pyjamas
TWO teenagers walked from Devizes to Bristol in their pyjamas to raise £150 for Children in Need. more...
CCTV plan to stop boy racers
BOY racers are back at a troubled retail park but there are hopes a new CCTV camera will finally solve the problem. more...
Residents' campaign for play area pays off
A CAMPAIGN for a £55,000 children's play area will come to a triumphant end next month when it is officially opened. more...
Bikers pay tribute to life of Lawrence
ABOUT 40 bikers took part in a motorcycle cavalcade to honour the life of a fellow enthusiast this week. more...
Benefits disaster on the cards
Coun Nick MartinSWINDON'S housing benefits and council tax service could be hit by strike action. more...
From the people of Pakistan to the Advertiser readers... Thank You
Azim Khan with two of the tents donated following an Adver appeal Picture Ref: 100037-58OUR appeal for tents to send to Pakistan is approaching the halfway mark less than a week after it was launched. more...
Police to get tough with Wyvern kids
THE police have moved up a gear in their bid to tackle gangs of youths hanging around the Wyvern Theatre. more...
Great feat on the Great Wall
Nicki Styles and her aunt Gillian Hoare, pictured on their Great Wall of China adventureIN SPITE of fighting back floods of tears Nicki Styles has successfully completed a gruelling trek across the Great Wall of China. more...
Warning over air pollution
SWINDON will see the highest increase in carbon dioxide levels in the south west in the next 20 years, according to an environmental organisation. more...
Get hot meals back on menu
ONE of Swindon's MPs is calling for the council to stop dragging its feet over hot school meals. more...
Skateboarders on roof create havoc
WROUGHTON Parish Council staff arrived for work after torrential rain to find their office carpet afloat and a skateboard on the roof of the building. more...
Sam is on the bowl at the festive launch
Samuel Groom Picture Ref: 100059SAMUEL Groom, 7, is pictured rolling with joy as he downs the pins at Megabowl's Christmas launch. more...
Comic makes a watery arrival
Comedian Tim Fitzhigham arrives in Swindon Picture Ref: 100061-9WACKY comedian Tim Fitzhigham added Coate Water to his list of conquered waterways when he received an honorary title from the Mayor of Swindon. more...
More of your views on the PCT's plans to close local hospitals
THE loss of the magnificent Westbury Community Hospital with all its expertise, modern equipment and fine buildings is surely unthinkable. The march through Westbury and more recently, the candle-lit vigil, together with a petition bulging with names, may yet fail to move the West Wiltshire Primary Care Trust. more...
Have a go
I WOULD like to invite your readers to join the team who will be taking part in the Great Wall of China Trek in October 2006. I'm so proud to work as a community Marie Curie Nurse and I am looking for people who would like to support the work I do with terminally ill cancer patients. more...
Fight GM now
THE European Commission, with the active consent of the UK Government at Westminster, has begun to licence the growing of genetically modified crops in Europe. This means that unless we, the public, say that this is unacceptable both farming and food grown in Wiltshire will soon be containing genetically modified material. more...
Well done to all
IT was great to read in the Wiltshire Times that the district is doing so well in recycling. In our household we've challenged ourselves to see how little we can put in the grey bin. more...
Traffic plea after shop crash drama
A WOMAN woke to find her home shaking after a Land Rover and trailer jackknifed and smashed into the shop underneath. more...
£345 bill for hedge complaint
NEIGHBOURS in a dispute over a 40ft hedge which blocks out light to their gardens have had to pay £345 each to complain. more...
That's the spirit...
GHOSTLY sightings and ghoulish tales from across west Wiltshire are chronicled in a new book published this week. more...
Buy a piece of town history
A WOMAN who spent 10 years creating a giant wall hanging of Bradford on Avon is auctioning it to raise money for the British Heart Foundation. more...
Workshop hits right note
Teenagers pooled their musical talents during the half-term holiday for a week-long creative workshop. Fifty 12-18-year-olds from across the south west gathered in Bradford on Avon for Creative Factory, Bath Festivals' musical project for young people. more...
A Force for good, so why change it?
HANDS OFF OUR FORCE: CHIEF Constable Martin Richards believes it is too early to tell whether Wiltshire Constabulary will be amalgamated into a larger regional force. more...
3D art hits the streets
ARTISTS from a west Wiltshire media firm have returned from a promotional tour of Spain where they helped launch the country's first home-grown whisky. more...
Crowds turn out for parade
FAMILIES flocked to Warminster on Saturday night as the annual carnival procession came to town. more...
Woman's fall brings carnival to a halt
THE Warminster Carnival procession came to a grinding halt when a woman fainted and fell off a float, banging her head on the pavement. more...
Black Watch set to leave Warminster
WARMINSTER Garrison is gearing up for a change in infantry personnel as the 1st Battalion The Black Watch prepares to leave the town after a two-year stay. more...
Recycling roadshows
RESIDENTS in Warminster will get their chance to debate the new green waste recycling scheme at three information roadshows this week. more...
The healthy option
A MERGER between two doctors' surgeries could mean thousands more people in Melksham have better access to medical care. more...
A Force for good, so why change it?
HANDS OFF OUR FORCE: CHIEF Constable Martin Richards believes it is too early to tell whether Wiltshire Constabulary will be amalgamated into a larger regional force. more...
Fish shops pepper chips with too much salt
FISH and chip lovers in Wiltshire are being urged to keep an eye on the amount of salt they eat after a survey revealed some portions contained more than half the recommended daily amount. more...
River icebergs, 20ft snowdrifts and a frozen bird in a tree. Are we ready for another winter like 19
ICEBERGS in the River Avon, hazardous snowdrifts 20ft deep and a blackbird frozen upside down on a tree branch. more...
Campaigners join poverty protest
CAMPAIGNERS from west Wiltshire joined the thousands of Make Poverty History supporters who gathered to lobby MPs on Wednesday. more...
That's the spirit...
GHOSTLY sightings and ghoulish tales from across west Wiltshire are chronicled in a new book published this week. more...
`Anti-social' figures rise
POLICE admitted they were disappointed after more than 100 acts of anti-social behaviour were reported in Wiltshire over Halloween. more...
Mixed views on pub smoking ban
THE Government's bid to ban smoking in all pubs serving food has been met with a mixed reaction in west and north Wiltshire. more...
MP switches leadership allegiance
WEST Wilts MP Dr Andrew Murrison has jumped ship and pledged his support for David Cameron, above, as the race for the Conservative party leadership nears the finish post. more...
Regiments to merge
TWO historic army regiments from the south west are set to merge under a new name, The Rifles. The Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire Light Infantry (RGBW) and the Devonshire and Dorset Light Infantry will merge to create a single fighting force. more...
It's a fair crop of top circles
THEIR mysterious appear- ance has been blamed on visitors from outer space and farmers with too much time on their hands. more...
Teleworkers on the rise
MORE and more businesses are now taking the plunge and urging employees to work from home. more...
Students get a chance to be engineers for the day
St John's School pupils have a chance to learn about the world of engineeringA-LEVEL students have been getting some hands-on experience at one of Swindon's biggest engineering firms. more...
Workers urged to do proper hours
THE TUC has announced the date for the next Work Your Proper Hours Day. The day, which urges people who do unpaid overtime to take a proper lunch, and arrive and leave work on time will take place on Friday, February 24. more...
They're the business
NEARLY two-thirds of Wiltshire sixth formers and university students would consider setting up their own businesses. more...
Heart scare for con raid victim, 87
A DETECTIVE has called for more police on the streets to combat distraction burglars after an 87-year-old woman ended up in hospital. more...
Praise for `dispersal' campaign
POLICE have extended their powers to stop gangs of yobs terrorising residents on a Melksham estate after a successful three-month campaign. more...
The healthy option
A MERGER between two doctors' surgeries could mean thousands more people in Melksham have better access to medical care. more...
Teenager mugged
POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a teenager was mugged in Melksham. The 17-year-old was walking from the direction of the Market Place towards High Street at about 2.15am on October 14 when two men ran towards her. more...
Centre of attention
PLANS to rejuvenate Melksham town centre have gone on show to the public this week. The exhibition in the town hall, which finishes tomorrow, is giving the public an opportunity to debate proposals to revamp Market Place and the surrounding area. more...
Parking misery's hot topic
Wootton Bassett High Street faces delays due to sewerage works in January Picture Ref: 23989-29CHANGES to rules on parking in Wootton Bassett will be the subject of discussion at a meeting in the town next week. more...
Man assaulted after night out
A WOOTTON Bassett man was assaulted after leaving a pub. more...
Hospital fight shines on
BAD weather did not put off the crowds who turned up to demonstrate their support for Westbury Hospital on Friday night. more...
Children make stand against vandals
CHILDREN at Westbury Junior School are standing up to the vandals who broke into their PE sheds and stole sports equipment. more...
Still alive and smithing...
Helen Thomas meets two tradesmen who are determined to continue their traditional skills in the modern world. more...
Updating clergy discipline rules
JAMES Humphery, a partner of Trethowans solicitors in Salisbury, has been involved in a project to update clergy disciplinary procedures, which was launched at a national conference last month. more...
Companies are unaware of RDA
REGIONAL Development Agencies need to do more to encourage enterprise and communicate better with businesses, according to a survey. more...
South-west businesses remain optimistic
THE south west is the only English region outside London to remain optimistic about the economy, according to the ICAEW/Orange UK Business Confidence Monitor. more...
Sample joins Link
PAUL Sample, who runs a public relations and marketing company in Salisbury, has joined the national Business Link consultants' register. more...
Bank supports growing firm
NATWEST commercial banking in Salisbury has lent its financial support to telecommunications provider 4com to enable a management team restructure and continuing expansion to take place. more...
Hundreds of pensioners still missing out on cash
PENSIONERS in north Wiltshire are missing out on money that is rightfully theirs, new figures have revealed. Across the district 1,400 elderly people who are entitled to pension credit are not claiming it. more...
A better service on buses
Bus users across north Wiltshire are set to benefit from an improved service thanks to a government funding scheme. more...
Runners brave rain for charity dash
CHIPPENHAM NEWS: NEARLY 100 runners braved the wet weekend weather to pound north Wiltshire's hilly terrain and raise money for charity. more...
Basil's brush with '51 FA Cup glory
CHIPPENHAM NEWS: BASIL Marchant believes Chippenham Town's last appearance in the FA Cup first round should never have gone ahead due to torrential rain in the lead up to the tie. more...
Halloween horror as vandals wreak havoc
CHIPPENHAM NEWS: ARSONISTS wreaked Halloween night havoc on Monday, causing thousands of pounds of damage and putting lives at risk. more...
Godfrey's simply fan-tastic
CHIPPENHAM NEWS: MOST Chippenham Town fans would have been a twinkle in their parents' eyes the last time the Bluebirds reached the first round of the FA Cup. more...
The year of Nat, Winston and Uruguay
CHIPPENHAM NEWS: URUGUAY were the World Cup holders, Winston Churchill was prime minister and Nat King Cole was one of the top selling artists the last time Chippenham Town reached the first round proper of the FA Cup. more...
Will Len be lucky?
CHIPPENHAM NEWS: CHIPPENHAM Town fan Len Poulter is hoping he can still bring some luck to the Bluebirds tomorrow, 54 years after being their `luckiest ever mascot'. more...
Rugby
Colerne 3, Calne 36
A LATE rally of tries helped Calne save face and produce a reasonable scoreline after dominating proceedings at Colerne. more...
Chippenham 17, Oxford Harlequins 0
CHIPPENHAM coach Rob Alford spoke of his delight after his side romped to their third win on the bounce. more...
Chippenham U15 27, Wootton Bassett U15 6
KEVIN Ingram, coach of Chippenham's Under 15s continued to have selection problems for the Wiltshire County Cup match against Wootton Bassett on Sunday. more...
Ivel Barbarians Colts 19, Devizes and Melksham Colts 5
THE proud unbeaten league record of the Melksham & Devizes Colts was finally ended at a difficult away fixture in Yeovil. more...
League is desperate for more referees
DORSET and Wilts Referee Society are facing a refereeing crisis and are searching for new ones. more...
Tadley 75, Corsham 0
CORSHAM slumped to one of their heaviest league defeats as they went down 75-0 at Tadley in Saturday's Southern Counties South encounter. more...
Marlborough 47, Trowbridge 2nd 0
MARLBOROUGH set their benchmark for the rest of the season with their most complete performance. more...
Minety 41, Swindon 2nd 18
MINETY maintained their promotion challenge with a win over Swindon's second string. Minety put seven tries past their hosts, while poor concentration saw them concede two second-half scores. more...
Devizes 34, Blandford 3
DORSET and Wilts president Arthur Bowden was one of many spectators who witnessed a comfortable Devizes win. more...
Wootton Bassett 10, Dorchester 5
WOOTTON Bassett continued their improvement in form with a hard-earned victory over Dorchester in Saturday's encounter at Stoneover Lane. more...
Whistling up new recruits
DORSET and Wilts Referees' Society are facing a recruitment crisis and are searching for new officials. more...
Frome 66, Trowbridge 0
TROWBRIDGE skipper Barry Coombes has called for a "major shake-up" across the whole club after enduring a "humiliating" weekend. more...
Swindon's step further
THE Dorset & Wilts 1st XV Vase gets underway this weekend with Swindon desperately hoping it will be third time lucky. more...
Crozier taking home comfort
CALNE coach John Crozier believes home advantage could play a key role in their Powergen Junior Vase clash with Bath visitors Combe Down tomorrow. more...
Sport
Sweet FA for cup tie?
On the sidelines: Christian RobertsA STRIKING crisis is brewing at the County Ground with Iffy Onuora facing the prospect of being without Rory Fallon, Hameur Bouazza and Christian Roberts for tomorrow's FA Cup clash with Boston United. more...
Salisbury Football
Yate Town preview
SALISBURY City head to Yate Town on Saturday looking to extend their lead at the top of the Southern League Premier Division. more...
Errea Cup draw
SALISBURY City have been drawn at home to Aylesbury United in the third round of the Errea Cup (Southern League Cup). more...
Yate Town preview
Yate Town preview by Mike Turner more...
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