Wiltshire | Archive | 2002 | October

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Stories for 10 October 2002

Amesbury News

Trust calls for longer Stonehenge tunnel

THE National Trust has sent shock waves through the big Stonehenge debate by announcing it wants a longer, deeper and more expensive tunnel to take the A303 away from the stones.   more...

Pressure on for a second food store

PRESSURE is being put on Salisbury district council to agree that a second major food store is needed in Amesbury.   more...

'Your carriage awaits....'

IT is much bigger than your average wedding car but when you marry into a family haulage business you expect to be involved with big lorries.   more...

Problems caused by revellers

LATE-NIGHT revellers are using Amesbury streets and gardens as open-air toilets, town councillors heard last week.   more...

Taxi rank to help curb late-night rowdiness

AMESBURY is to get a new taxi rank - a part-time rank to help curb late-night rowdiness in the town centre.   more...

Two fatalities in A360 accident

TWO men died and three others were seriously injured in a horrific accident on the A360 north of Salisbury on Tuesday afternoon.   more...

Hi-tech system aims to ease traffic misery

A HI-TECH traffic system - the first of its kind in the country - is to give Salisbury long-awaited relief from city centre snarl-ups.   more...

Bath Leisure

Good humour and wholesome morals

THE Rookie (U) is classic Disney family entertainment, complete with a hero who battles against adversity.   more...

Hannibal bites back for a third helping

RED Dragon (15) is the bloodthirsty prequel to The Silence Of The Lambs, an exhilarating film that allows Anthony Hopkins to sink his teeth into the role of Hannibal Lecter for the third and final time.   more...

Business News

Zurich plans its recovery

INSURANCE giant Zurich says it is still recruiting in Swindon, despite recent losses.   more...

Bidding for charity

Employees at Nationwide's head office in Swindon raised in excess of £1,500 when invited to put their best bids forward in return for a variety of auction items offered during a lunchtime sale.   more...

Eat, drink and help

DINERS will be asked to tuck in to help the hungry at a fundraising evening at Revolutions restaurant in Chippenham.   more...

Pink day helps raise cancer awareness

STAFF at Abbey National in Chippenham dressed in pink on Saturday to raise money for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.   more...

Dyson settles with Hoover

DYSON, which ended production of its vacuum cleaners at its Malmsbury factory two weeks ago, has accepted a £4 million offer for damages from rival Hoover.   more...

Susan seeks equity partner

ONE of Britain's most enterprising rural women is looking for an equity partner to join her Fordingbridge-based cycle tourism business as it launches into franchising.   more...

Firms can seek advice

ONLY one fifth of new businesses seek professional advice from public sector agencies when they start up, according to Business Link Wessex.   more...

Law confuses small firms

SMALL businesses are confused by the government's position on employment law and its calls for possible enforced trade union membership, says the Forum of Private Business (FPB).   more...

Calne News

Judges hail cottage garden's wealth of wildlife

JUDGES gave Bridget Parke's green fingers the thumbs up, as she won through to the finals of the Wildlife Garden of the Year 2002 contest.   more...

Residents up in arms at site of skatepark

PEOPLE living near the proposed site of Calne's new skateboard park expressed their bitter opposition to the plans at a special meeting with the town council.   more...

Police to crack down on young tearaways

POLICE in Calne have promised to crackdown on youngsters causing trouble in the town centre if parents fail to take responsibility for their children.   more...

Care centre offers key to independent living

A centre to help adults with learning difficulties lead more independent lives is set to open in Calne next month.   more...

Riders rein in charity cash

TEACHER Jenny Lomas was spurred into organising a fundraising horse ride to say thank you to Wiltshire Air Ambulance for saving her mum's life.   more...

Morris men are major hit

THE striking performance of the stick dance by the Morris dancing Men of Calne Parish was a huge hit at the town's harvest supper.   more...

Pensioner's nude is too rude for church

A PENSIONER was shocked when her picture of a female nude, displayed in Marden House, in Calne, was moved after a complaint by a Christian group.   more...

New dimension to festival

THE curtain lifted on Calne Music and Arts Festival on Friday with the launch of the art exhibition, opened by the mayor.   more...

Meals on Wheels urgently needs help

MEALS on Wheels is appealing for new helpers in the Chippenham, Calne and Corsham areas.   more...

Chippenham News

Courageous mum to get top award

COURAGEOUS mother-of-three Oriel Tinson will receive a bravery award after she tackled four burglars single-handed.   more...

Road's ownership is under bitter dispute

RESIDENTS of a quiet residential lane in Chippenham are battling with Wiltshire County Council over the ownership of it.   more...

MP's son quizzed over pal's fatal jump

POLICE have questioned the son of North Wiltshire Conservative MP James Gray after a close friend plunged to his death in a packed nightclub.   more...

Parishioners given £5 to raise the roof

ST Mary's Church at Hullavington has taken a leaf out of the bible in a novel bid to raise £50,000 to repair the roof of the building.   more...

Dyson settles with Hoover

DYSON, which ended production of its vacuum cleaners at its Malmsbury factory two weeks ago, has accepted a £4 million offer for damages from rival Hoover.   more...

Battle for green land

NORTH Wiltshire is preparing for a battle to defend its green fields from the sprawl of Swindon's development.   more...

Big Weekend takes off for the villagers

DERRY Hill residents are planning a Big Weekend, a three-day festival including helicopter rides.   more...

Council happy on club plans

DEVELOPERS have met up with councillors and officers at North Wiltshire District Council to reveal their plans and aspirations for the former Chippenham nightclub Goldiggers.   more...

Going bonkers for conkers

ORGANISER Matthew Haynes was called in to make a tough decision when Westonbirt Arboretum's annual conker championships came down to a nailbiting finish.   more...

I've been lucky, says war hero

FEATURE: WHEN young jeweller Stuart McCloskey volunteered for the RAF in 1943, he had no idea what trials and adventures would subsequently come his way.   more...

Dad blames park closure for death

A FATHER of a skateboarder who was caught up in a mugging which ended in a murder has blamed the closure of the Chippenham's skatepark for his son's ordeal.   more...

Parents praise man who died saving son

THE parents of a 15-year-old Chippenham boy have paid tribute to the courage of a Bristol man who was stabbed to death on a Bristol street trying to protect their son.   more...

18-30 holiday turns to nightmare for clubber

JOINER Craig Pike was left in agony with serious eye injuries after celebrating at a foam party on a Club 18-30s holiday in Greece.   more...

Disabled OAP dies in accident

DISABLED pensioner, Margaret Francis,70, has died five days after her wheelchair was knocked over by a reversing van.   more...

Early journey spells danger

MUM Alma Kennedy fears for her teenage daughter Lisa's safety because the 14-year-old has to catch a bus from Chippenham to Melksham to go to school.   more...

Council calls time on market location

CHIPPENHAM Livestock Market will have to find a new home at the end of next year, says landowner North Wiltshire District Council.   more...

Businessman feared ruin over waste bags

BUSINESSMAN David Cleverley has been given an absolute discharge by magistrates after he admitted leaving commercial waste at a civic amenity recycling centre.   more...

Art fans put in the picture

ARTIST John Hammond has taken the world by storm with his latest prestigious exhibition.   more...

Movie magic comes closer

A NEW Corsham film society has taken on 120 members in its opening month with 30 more people on its waiting list.   more...

Town's picture past

HISTORY expert Mike Stone has written the story of Chippenham in a new book packed with fascinating photographs.   more...

Company is all set to axe 25 more jobs

JOBS are to go at Coda SciSys, formerly Science Systems, in Methuen Park, in Chippenham, it has been revealed.   more...

`Let down' council pulls out of contest

CHIPPENHAM Town Council is withdrawing from the South West in Bloom competition because of lack of support from the district and county council.   more...

Eat, drink and help

DINERS will be asked to tuck in to help the hungry at a fundraising evening at Revolutions restaurant in Chippenham.   more...

Meals on Wheels urgently needs help

MEALS on Wheels is appealing for new helpers in the Chippenham, Calne and Corsham areas.   more...

Pupils' IT skills set to raise thanks to the big sale

PUPILS at Bybrook Primary School in Yatton Keynell who are keen to get to grips with technology will benefit from a giant car boot sale on Sunday at the Castle Combe race circuit near Chippenham.   more...

Corsham News

Disabled OAP dies in accident

DISABLED pensioner, Margaret Francis,70, has died five days after her wheelchair was knocked over by a reversing van.   more...

Meals on Wheels urgently needs help

MEALS on Wheels is appealing for new helpers in the Chippenham, Calne and Corsham areas.   more...

Movie magic comes closer

A NEW Corsham film society has taken on 120 members in its opening month with 30 more people on its waiting list.   more...

Booking for sign language

PARENTS and their children will be taking part in a sign language lesson at Corsham Library on Saturday, October 12.   more...

Ctfc Sport

Thompson walks out after bust-up

GOALKEEPER Paul Thompson has left Chippenham Town less than three months after joining the club following a bust-up with manager Tommy Saunders.   more...

Tweddle may miss rest of the season

CHIPPENHAM Town have been rocked by the shattering news prolific striker Steve Tweddle could miss the rest of the season with knee ligament damage.   more...

Defender desperate to settle into role

COLIN Towler is looking forward to cementing his place at the heart of the Chippenham Town defence after returning to the side with a goal in Saturday's 1-1 home draw with Moor Green.   more...

Mings vows to keep battling

ADIE Mings wants the chance to forge a new striking partnership with Martin Paul after starting up front for the first time this season against lowly Moor Green on Saturday 5 October.   more...

Rawlins is glad to be back in the reckoning

FANS favourite Matt Rawlins is looking to kick-start his season after spending a frustrating September kick his heels on the substitutes' bench.   more...

Davies is two weeks away

SKIPPER Gareth Davies is still at least two weeks away from a first team return after tearing a groin muscle in the 2-1 away win over Folkestone Invicta on September 21.   more...

FA Trophy date

CHIPPENHAM will entertain Dorchester in the first round of the FA Trophy on November 2.   more...

Devizes News

Family's victory in war pension battle

THE son of a Second World War veteran has spoken of his family's vindication in fighting for his father's pension rights after a landmark victory at the High Court in London.   more...

Stalker's victim tells of anguish

SHOP owner Maddy Leighton has criticised the legal system that allowed the man who has stalked her for 18 months to walk free from court after constant breaches of a restraining order.   more...

Guardians aiming for election showdown

TONY Duck, chairman of the county's newest political party, the Devizes Guardians, has appealed to people to put themselves forward as candidates in local council elections.   more...

School logs on to funds

RESIDENTS of Rowde can now access all the goods and services available on the High Streets of large cities without leaving the village, and help raise funds for the local school while they are about it.   more...

Bush inspires outback poet

ROWDE is a fair dinkum place to lay down your tucker bag for a few months while you go walkabout in Wiltshire, according to Australian bush poet Mick Leigh.   more...

Addict is jailed for role in drug deal

DRUG addict Scott King, who was arrested as part of a dawn swoop by police, has been sentenced to six months' in jail.   more...

Church warns vicars may go in cash crisis

PARISHIONERS throughout the Devizes deanery of the Church of England are being told to dig deeper in their pockets or see fewer clergy managing more and more churches.   more...

Seating sealed off

DEVIZES Town Council has closed off two of its most pleasant seating areas in the centre of town because subsidence has made the surfaces dangerous for pedestrians.   more...

Wrecks could have to give up

DEVIZES' outrageous male majorettes, the Major Wrecks, will decide at their annual meeting on Sunday week whether they will continue operations in 2003.   more...

Lions join the fight to beat blindness

DEVIZES Lions Club is joining other members of Lions Clubs International in promoting World Sight Day, today.   more...

WI warns of threat to rural post offices

DEVIZES Evening Women's Institute has echoed the call of its national organisation and urged local people to support rural post offices or watch them be consigned to history.   more...

Pensioner disturbs intruder

POLICE believe a young man playing with fireworks in Coldharbour Lane in Marlborough last Wednesday evening could give them vital evidence about a break-in at the home of an 85-year-old woman.   more...

Boy's mother pays penalty

THE mother of a 15-year-old boy has been fined £25 for his failure to attend school regularly. The boy only went to 95 school sessions out of a possible 142.   more...

Boy's mother pays penalty

THE mother of a 15-year-old boy has been fined £25 for his failure to attend school regularly.   more...

Mum taken to court over child's truancy

A WILTSHIRE mother has been fined £25 by Kennet magistrates after her 11-year-old daughter failed to attend school regularly.   more...

Minister is confronted with transport issues

TRANSPORT campaigner Kate Freeman took on the responsible minister face to face at the Labour Party conference in Blackpool on Monday.   more...

Year's effort boosts appeal

STUDENTS at Dauntsey's School in West Lavington handed over a cheque for £13,240 to the Wiltshire Air Ambulance Appeal following another hard year's fundraising.   more...

Council plan for catering

DEVIZES Town Council has agreed to raise more income from its public buildings by charging for catering provided by nominated firms.   more...

MP's son quizzed over pal's fatal jump

POLICE have questioned the son of North Wiltshire Conservative MP James Gray after a close friend plunged to his death in a packed nightclub.   more...

Meals on Wheels urgently needs help

MEALS on Wheels is appealing for new helpers in the Chippenham, Calne and Corsham areas.   more...

Our first aid for shoppers

VOLUNTEERS from St John Ambulance raised £489 by packing shoppers' bags at Sainsbury's in Chippenham on Saturday, part of the Gazette's St John Ambulance appeal to buy a new Crusader ambulance for the Wiltshire branch.   more...

Road's ownership is under bitter dispute

RESIDENTS of a quiet residential lane in Chippenham are battling with Wiltshire County Council over the ownership of it.   more...

Pupils' IT skills set to raise thanks to the big sale

PUPILS at Bybrook Primary School in Yatton Keynell who are keen to get to grips with technology will benefit from a giant car boot sale on Sunday at the Castle Combe race circuit near Chippenham.   more...

Pupil to sue exam board for £100,000

STUDENT Tom Hill, who left Marlborough College in July, has taken the landmark step of suing an exam board over his A-level results.   more...

Good sport hosts quiz

TV SPORTS presenter David Vine hosted a charity quiz in Ramsbury on Friday which helped raise between £7,000 and £8,000 for the Jeans for Genes charity.   more...

Courageous mum to get top award

COURAGEOUS mother-of-three Oriel Tinson will receive a bravery award after she tackled four burglars single-handed.   more...

Reduce fears of crime, police told

WILTSHIRE police should do more to reduce the fear of crime in the county and work with local authorities to combat anti-social behaviour, according to an independent report published this week.   more...

Devizes,Calne,Chippenham,Marlborough,Highworth,Corsham,Malmesbury,Wootton Bassett News

Time to put an end to farce

WHEN North Wiltshire District Council was ordered by the Ombudsman to close its skateboard park in Monkton Park, Chippenham, there were warnings of what might happen to youngsters who have been deprived of their hobby.   more...

Victory for war veteran's battle

A LONG battle fought by a Devizes man to win pension rights for his war veteran father could pave the way for other families to receive much deserved cash.   more...

Devizes,Calne,Marlborough,Highworth,Chippenham,Corsham,Malmesbury,Wootton Bassett News

Phone mast is a risk to our maternity unit

FACED with the threat of a 60ft mobile telephone mast within yards of Malmesbury's community hospital, the town has responded as it always does in a crisis: Magnificently.   more...

Hunt debate is about politics, not cruelty

I agreed with J W Wright's letter in last week's Gazette regarding Blair's Government being a failure, although when it was elected I did not expect anything else.   more...

Council must wise-up

FOLLOWING on from county councillor Rugg's letter last week, our lovely town of Devizes has been changed completely, and recently has taken a nose dive beyond comprehension.   more...

Keep Green open space

I notice from the front page News In Brief item in the Devizes Gazette last week that the town council has inherited the district council planters used until recently to segregate the parking from the service road in the Market Place, and is considering their allocation to the Green.   more...

Transport plan must be well thought out

I am left a little confused after reading the letter last week from Conservative county councillor Pat Rugg criticising the Conservative-controlled Kennet District Council's record on parking in Devizes.   more...

Market Place work now has approval

A PROTESTER supporting the Devizes Guardians now admits (Gazette October 3) that "the new trees look okay, the Market Place is looking very clean and tidy now."   more...

Post office vote

We are now only a matter of days away from a vital vote in the House of Commons that may see the closure of 3,000 urban post offices across the UK.   more...

Ethos erroded

AS we are well aware the NHS was created by a Labour administration. The original prototype or blueprint made it clear the services provided throughout the NHS would be free at the point of use or service and would be funded entirely from taxation. To this we all contribute.   more...

Rocking good fun

A SINCERE thank you to everyone who contributed to the success of the 8th Eddie Cochran Rock `n' Roll Festival held in Chippenham last weekend.   more...

Voting query

AT the town council meeting last Monday night I answered a public question that the proposal to make charges for Sunday and Bank Holiday car parking was firmly rejected by all councillors on the Scrutiny Committee held on September 3.   more...

Malmesbury News

Anti-mast campaign goes high profile

CAMPAIGNERS in Malmesbury are due to step up their opposition to a proposed mobile phone mast on the edge of town by holding a petition day this Saturday (October 12) at the town's Market Cross.   more...

18-30 trip turns into nightmare

JOINER Craig Pike was left in agony and with serious eye injuries after celebrating at a foam party on a Club 18-30s holiday in Crete.   more...

Dealer is fined £2,000 after sheep found dying

A STOCK dealer was fined £2,000 for neglecting his animals after RSPCA inspectors found dead and dying sheep in a field near Minety.   more...

Pupils' twin town journey

PUPILS from Malmesbury School have became the first exchange group in 20 years to travel to the twin town of Niebull.   more...

Appeal to Beckham to help disabled kids

BURTON Hill House School in Malmesbury has launched an appeal to renovate the adjacent Abbey Leaze building, and football hero David Beckham has been asked to help.   more...

Avid readers get new club

MALMESBURY library is launching an after school group to open a world of adventure to children through novels, plays and poems.   more...

Music makers on a high note

DYSON worker Richard Stoodley has sounded a high note for the future by opening Malmesbury's first music shop.   more...

Loyal villagers honoured for preservation efforts

LEA was presented with an award for the best kept medium size village in Wiltshire in a special ceremony held in the village on Sunday.   more...

The test of time

THE amazing Autumn weather provided perfect conditions for a vintage tractor ploughing match at Easton Royal on Sunday.   more...

Torch will light way for abbey fundraiser

A GIANT torch will be lit at Malmesbury Abbey to launch its £35,000 floodlighting appeal. The abbey wants to raise the cash to light up both sides of the church with white light that will also illuminate the adjacent cloister gardens.   more...

Marlborough News

Terrified mum fears criminal revenge

A MARLBOROUGH mother-of-two has given up a part-time job at a town opticians after a spate of break-ins and shoplifting that cost the business thousands of pounds.   more...

Thief is jailed after attack with iron bar

A MARLBOROUGH shop assistant was so traumatised when a thief snatched hundreds of pounds worth of spectacles and then attacked the police officer who tried to stop him, she gave up her job in fear.   more...

Mast debate delayed again

ANXIOUS families in Marlborough are waiting to hear when Kennet District Council will be debating the controversial plan for three mobile phone masts at the telephone exchange.   more...

Pensioner disturbs intruder

POLICE believe a young man playing with fireworks in Coldharbour Lane in Marlborough last Wednesday evening could give them vital evidence about a break-in at the home of an 85-year-old woman.   more...

New measures improve route's safety

A SERIES of minor improvements have brought about greatly increased road safety on the Marlborough to Salisbury road, a meeting will hear on Saturday.   more...

Golden days back to roots

SEMI-RETIRED Canadian mining equipment salesman Reg Manuel struck gold when he made his first return visit to his old home in Marlborough for 67 years.   more...

Praise for successful students

THE mayor of Marlborough, Margaret Boulton, visited the town's Resource Centre on Monday to present proficiency certificates in a variety of subjects to students with learning difficulties.   more...

Ancient beat trodden again

ONLY 30 people observed the ancient custom of beating the bounds to walk around the boundary of Marlborough on Sunday.   more...

Booking up for democracy

A PROPOSAL by Marlborough town councillors to hold regular surgeries has been beaten off the mark by the county library service.   more...

Crier given a bird's eye view

A DREAM came true for Marlborough Town Crier and Mop Fairs enthusiast Alfie Johnson on Saturday.   more...

Pupil to sue exam board for £100,000

STUDENT Tom Hill, who left Marlborough College in July, has taken the landmark step of suing an exam board over his A-level results.   more...

Pewsey News

Man took his life by lying on train track

BEFORE lying down in the path of a high speed train, schizophrenic Bruce Wicks wrote a note saying: `I would rather be dead than messed in my head.'   more...

Pupils learn inside story

LIFE behind bars is not as rosy as sometimes portrayed in TV, films or even former MPs' memoirs, Pewsey Vale School pupils learnt this week.   more...

Head celebrates huge cash boost

PEWSEY Vale School has overcome the first major hurdle in its going for language college status thanks to the generosity of local people and businesses.   more...

Salisbury Features

Stored-up memories come flooding back

MEMORIES came flooding back for more than 130 past and present staff of Marks & Spencer, in Salisbury.   more...

Salisbury News

Trust calls for longer Stonehenge tunnel

THE National Trust has sent shock waves through the big Stonehenge debate by announcing it wants a longer, deeper and more expensive tunnel to take the A303 away from the stones.   more...

Millionaire cleared of gun charge

SALISBURY businessman Peter Bialek spoke of his relief this week after being cleared of pulling a gun on his former escort girl fiancee.   more...

Hi-tech system aims to ease traffic misery

A HI-TECH traffic system - the first of its kind in the country - is to give Salisbury long-awaited relief from city centre snarl-ups.   more...

Russell proves a superstar in shining drama

QUIDHAMPTON teen-ager Russell Parsons took television viewers by storm in his guise as Robbie Williams to come runner-up in the Stars in Their Eyes Kids live final.   more...

Veteran war reporter pays flying visit

KATE Adie, known and loved for reporting from trouble spots across the globe, presided over a very civilised occasion last week when she dropped into Ottakar's bookshop in Salisbury to sign copies of her autobiography, The Kindness of Strangers.   more...

Bowerchalke Hoard is declared treasure

A REMARKABLE collection of silver Roman coins and two superb gold Roman rings, dating back to 380AD, found in a field in Bowerchalke have been declared treasure.   more...

Two fatalities in A360 accident

TWO men died and three others were seriously injured in a horrific accident on the A360 north of Salisbury on Tuesday afternoon.   more...

Man punched in robbery

A ROBBERY in Exeter Street, Salisbury, on Tuesday night left a 20-year-old Salisbury man with facial injuries after he was punched twice.   more...

Salisbury Sport

Jamie profits from Fallon's upset tummy

CHAMPION jockey Kieren Fallon was forced to give up two winning rides at Salisbury on Wednesday at the course's final meeting of the 2002 season because of an upset stomach.   more...

Trophy win lands City an Erith double date

Football: SALISBURY City secured their first knockout competition success under manager Nick Holmes when they beat Dartford in the FA Trophy.   more...

A league win at last

Salisbury 13 Amersham & Chiltern 3   more...

Rod and Line

with Roland Batten   more...

Sport Football

New Marine boss swoops to sign Hunt

NEW Supermarine boss Tom Jones has made former Swindon Town striker Paul Hunt his first signing.   more...

Thompson moves to Mangotsfield

OUT-OF-FAVOUR Chippenham Town keeper Paul Thompson has completed a move to Mangotsfield United ­ fuelling rumours that the Wiltshire club are about to snap up Bath City's Mark Hervin.   more...

England hero may open hall

FORMER West Ham and England midfielder Trevor Brooking is set to visit Chippenham on November 15 to officially open Hardenhuish School's new sports hall.   more...

Youth football round-up

TOP of the table Cricklade Youth have continued their winning streak in the under 17s-18s Division of the Wiltshire Times and Chippenham News Mid-Wilts Youth and Minor League.   more...

Devizes Town 0, Dawlish Town 2

DEVIZES Town slipped into the bottom half of the Screwfix Direct Premier Division table after unbeaten Dawlish Town inflicted their second home defeat in a week at Nursteed Road on Saturday 5 October.   more...

Corsham Town 0, Shepton Mallet 0

SCREWFIX DIVISION ONE: CORSHAM Town stretched their unbeaten run under caretaker managers John Freegard and Dave King to four matches following Saturday's stalemate at home to high-flying Shepton Mallet.   more...

Hook Norton 2, Pewsey Vale 0

A GOAL in each half consigned ten-man Pewsey Vale to their third straight Hellenic League Premier Division defeat at old foes Hook Norton.   more...

Bassett in eight-goal nightmare thrashing

HELLENIC LEAGUE: WOOTTON Bassett suffered their heaviest defeat for several seasons when they were beaten 8-0 at Bishops Cleeve.   more...

Melksham feeling low after being barred

SCREWFIX ROUND-UP: MELKSHAM Town were left with a blank Saturday (5 October) when their Premier Division clash at Keynsham Town was called off after the crossbars on each of the goal frames at Crown Field were deemed too low by match referee Steve Creighton.   more...

Pewsey are out

NORMAN MATTHEWS FLOODLIGHT CUP: INJURY-HIT Pewsey Vale crashed out of the Norman Matthews Floodlight Cup after a 5-1 defeat at Hellenic League Premier Division rivals Abingdon United on Tuesday night.   more...

Adams signs first contract

FORMER Swindon Town schoolboy Ross Adams made history at Highworth Town on Saturday 5 October when fhe became the first player to be put on contract by the Hellenic Premier side.   more...

Vics forced to axe manager after poor start

FORMER Calne Town chief Graham Learmonth has taken over the managerial reins at Hellenic League Malmesbury Vics following the sacking of John Norris on the night of Monday 7 October.   more...

Boss looking to Armstrong

SCREWFIX DIVISION ONE: CALNE Town will be looking for red-hot striker Glenn Armstrong to fire them to victory when they return to First Division action at Ilfracombe on Saturday 12 October.   more...

Clevedon Town Ladies Reserves A 2, Chippenham Town Ladies 1

CHIPPENHAM Town Ladies' 100 per cent league record ended at the hands of Clevedon Town Ladies Reserves at the Hand Stadium on Sunday 13 October.   more...

Champions setting a hot pace in title race

MID-WILTSHIRE SUNDAY LEAGUE: REIGNING champions Selectabook continue to set the pace after running out 11-4 winners at the New Inn.   more...

Combe suffer shock defeat

TROWBRIDGE LEAGUE: CHAMPIONS Castle Combe crashed to a surprise 1-0 home against Heytesbury defeat.   more...

Manager welcomes change of fortune

SKURRAYS WILTSHIRE LEAGUE: CHISELDON Castrol had a welcome change of luck when they defeated visitors Corsham Town Reserves 2-0 to record their second win of the season in the Premier Division.   more...

Chippenham Sunday league round-up

MAUD Heath Sports hit back from two goals down to beat Colerne 4-3 in Division One of the Vanitec Computers sponsored Chippenham Sunday League.   more...

Sport Rugby

Crockett still in hospital

FORMER Chippenham rugby club centre Tom Crockett has been taken back into hospital for treatment to a head injury.   more...

Home search for players

THREE South African teenagers will add to the international flavour at Devizes Rugby Club when they arrive from Cape Town in November.   more...

Juniors take runners-up

JUNIOR RUGBY: AN understrength Devizes U7s side were celebrating after finishing runners-up at the Mini Rugby Festival in Salisbury.   more...

Bournemouth 29, Devizes 20

A DEPLETED Devizes side saw their impressive recent run come to a halt as Bournemouth overturned a half-time deficit to take the points on Saturday 5 October.   more...

Bournemouth 2nds 10, Devizes 2nds 15

DEVIZES 2nds produced a fine performance to clinch victory over a strong Bournemouth second string.   more...

Devizes 3rds 57, Malmesbury 5

MALMESBURY were well beaten by a keen and co-ordinated Devizes side on Saturday 5 October.   more...

Cricklade 3, Minety 35

MINETY extended their unbeaten run to six matches as they eased into the second round of the Dorset and Wilts first XV Vase at the expense of neighbours Cricklade on Saturday 5 October.   more...

Perry ready to make his long-awaited Bath comeback

MATT Perry is set to end eight months of injury misery when Bath kick off the Parker Pen Challenge Cup competition in Italy on Friday night.   more...

Swindon College Old Boys 2nds 78, Minety 2nd 12

SWINDON College's experienced forwards proved far too strong for Minety's makeshift pack in the first round of the Dorset and Wilts 2nd XV Cup.   more...

Oakmedians 10, Wootton Bassett 10

WOOTTON Bassett earned their first Southern Counties South point.   more...

Maidenhead 22, Chippenham 19

CHIPPENHAM were left to rue missed opportunities as Maidenhead came from behind to inflict the Wiltshire side's second defeat of the South West Two East campaign at Braywick Park on Saturday 5 October.   more...

Chippenham 2nds 22, Clifton 2nd 15

CHIPPENHAM 2nds passed their sternest test of the season as they maintained their winning start to the campaign with victory in a friendly.   more...

Chippenham 3rds 19, Clifton Rats 48

CHIPPENHAM 3rds went down to their second defeat in a row.   more...

Calne 10, Ivel Barbarians 11

CALNE'S disappointing start to their first ever Southern Counties South campaign continued as they were edged out by visitors Ivel Barbarians at Anchor Road on Saturday 5 October.   more...

Oakmedians 10, Wootton Bassett 10

WOOTTON Bassett earned their first Southern Counties South point of the season as they shared a 10-10 draw at Bournemouth side Oakmedians.   more...

Swindon News

Park and ride key to future

ONE or two letters recently have questioned the concept and affordability of park and ride.   more...

Kitten-killer deserves a hiding

I was appalled and sick to my stomach to read about the story of the boy who beat a kitten to death (EA, October 5). This young man showed no remorse and found what he had done funny.   more...

Let's name these youths

IF ever a law needed to be repealed, it is surely is the one which forbids identification of a juvenile convicted of a criminal offence.   more...

The stuff of farce

SO the programme at Swindon Arts Centre has been scrapped after rotten floorboards have caused a two-month delay to the revamp. We were told that Swindon Services started work on the £665,000 revamp in May, ie five months ago.   more...

Arts Centre not the only place where rot has set in

IT never ceases to amaze me how Swindon Council can shoot itself in the foot with very little assistance from external influences.   more...

Rallying for older voices to be heard

ON Monday, November 11 at noon the National Pensioners Convention will be organising a rally at Central Hall Westminster and a lobby of Parliament. A number of older people from Swindon have attended previous rallies and we want to make sure Swindon is represented again.   more...

Asylum-seeker headline was inflammatory

I AM writing to protest at your headline on Wednesday, October 2, in which you described the probability that Swindon may soon receive an allocation of asylum seekers as a threat. I was deeply disturbed to read this highly provocative statement, especially from someone who should be in full knowledge of the facts and of the misconceptions regarding people who are seeking to make their homes in this country.   more...

Right turn is a turn-off

YET another vehicle has smashed into the junction island on Cumberland/Drove Road, where a motorist has ignored that the right hand lane is a right only turn, either unable to read or generally `naffed off' with the traffic jams which seem to be a continual problem due to inept planning by our Highway Department.   more...

Restoring humanity

ANYTHING which can help to restore confidence in our common humanity with other nations must be good news.   more...

Professor's set for celebrity status

A CHEMISTRY professor is set to follow in the footsteps of Simon Schama and become Britain's next celebrity academic, thanks to a Swindon organisation.   more...

Take time to pen a rhyme

POETS were today being challenged to put pen to paper in defence of Swindon.   more...

Road closure could jeopardise market

THE permanent closure of Lady Lane could jeopardise the future of Blunsdon market, according to its manager.   more...

A travel charter for dogs

GUIDE dog owners from London, Reading and Gloucester converged in Swindon by train to launch The Guide Dog Travel Charter.   more...

Just the pub for a hen night

WHEN Roger Waite and Sally Easton applied to Arkell's Brewery to run one of their pubs, they didn't expect to take on a small menagerie as well.   more...

Water park to get £1m visitor centre

THE award-winning Cotswold Water Park is set to take the lead again in energy conservation with a new £1m visitor centre.   more...

Grace is a real diamond says Jack

THE MARRIAGE of Grace and Jack Jones has outlasted the church in which they said their vows.   more...

Villagers lose access battle

PEOPLE living in Hodson have lost their fight to ban outsiders from driving through their hamlet ­ for now.   more...

Beechcroft rises like a phoenix from the ashes

A PRIMARY school that was hit by fire in June has risen from the ashes to pick up a major teaching award.   more...

`Bye bye dear, make sure you take your gas mask with you'

SWINDON'S Steam museum is set to turn the clock back later this month when around 1,300 school children visit to find out about life during the Second World War.   more...

Young stars aim to shine

THE NEXT generation of wannabe superstars lined up at Swindon's Wyvern Theatre to audition for this year's Christmas pantomime, Dick Whittington.   more...

Entente cordiale is given a hammering

SHOPKEEPERS in Wootton Bassett have called for a vote of no confidence in the town council after a row erupted over a weekend festival that brought thousands of people into the town.   more...

Jamie proves nostalgia is anything but pointless

UP and coming jazz star Jamie Cullum wowed an audience of 400 at London's Cafe De Paris at the launch of his CD, entitled Pointless Nostalgic.   more...

Honest cleaner gives cash back

A CLEANER handed back more than £27,000 he had stolen from Swindon's Nationwide Building Society after his conscience got the better of him.   more...

Open safe led to the theft of £23,000

THIS is not the first time a cleaner has found himself in hot water only to redeem himself later.   more...

Something fishy going on at the chip shop

IF you fancy something different with your chips tomorrow, The Trawlerman fish and chip shop is cooking up some tasty alternatives.   more...

Thieves steal £300,000 worth of goods

A GANG of professional criminals have stolen more than £300,000 worth of goods from two Swindon companies.   more...

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE: `If it wasn't for the refuge I'd probably be dead'

ONE woman who knows what it means to be caught in the web of domestic violence is Jane, 46.   more...

Hospital site still awaits developer

THE FUTURE of the Princess Margaret Hospital site remains on hold, waiting for a developer to buy the 24-acre plot.   more...

Equipment appeal reaches £1.5m

THE campaign to equip the GWH with a vast range of hi-tech medical equipment has reached £1.5 million.   more...

What am I bid for this fine fish?

A fish caught in the Swindon area nearly 100 years ago is set to take centre stage at one of the country's most prestigious auctioneers.   more...

Couple tell of syringe shock

A RETIRED couple have found a syringe discarded in the gateway to their home.   more...

Two kinds of jab

I HAVE just returned from the surgery, where I had my annual flu jab. To my dismay there was no free lollipop on offer.   more...

Wrong priorities

I REFER to the your September 30 report on the town centre plans.   more...

Staff need to tighten up security

PICTURE the scene. A cleaner, minding his own business, comes across a box that happens to be stuffed full of bank notes.   more...

Give us Gareth in the flesh!

SO Gareth Gates won't be coming to Swindon after all.   more...

Wiltshire News

It's all off!

A SPECTACULAR open-air concert planned for Wiltshire as part of next month's BBC Children in Need fundraising extravaganza has been scrapped. Council officers had held talks with top BBC producers about staging the live concert in the car park of Asda Wal-Mart on Friday, November 15.   more...

Wiltshire Sport

It's Make or Break

THE future of Swindon Town is in the hands of the High Court this morning as the club battles to lift the `Sword of Damocles' hanging over its head.   more...

Wootton Bassett News

Tributes pour in for nurse

Fourteen district nurses, in uniform, lined the pathway to Wootton Bassett parish church in tribute to the late Ann Martin, 60, a retired colleague who was formerly known as Sister Taylor.   more...

  
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