Wiltshire | Archive | 2002 | December
A BORED tunnel has emerged this week as the government's preferred option for solving traffic problems on the A303 past Stonehenge. more...
AN Amesbury man was left with injuries to his head and body, including a fractured cheekbone, after he was attacked twice in the early hours of Saturday. more...
OUTRAGE has greeted the revelation that raw sewage is being dumped into the Wylye river running through one of Europe's most sensitive wildlife habitats. more...
MAYOR of Amesbury Neil Morrison has tried to reassure residents living on the new estates at Boscombe Down that the town council does have concerns over the proposed link road between the A345 and A303. more...
THE festive season came to life at Amesbury with the switch-on of the town's Christmas lights last Wednesday night. more...
THE first bride to walk down the aisle of Imber Church for almost 60 years is preparing for her wedding in the ghost village on December 21. more...
MOTORISTS who think it's safe to drive after a couple of drinks are the main target of the police's Christmas and new year drink-drive campaign. more...
PINT-SIZED pop star Lil' Bow Wow makes a solid acting debut in John Schultz's feelgood fairy-tale Like Mike (PG). more...
Loss-making security contracts and the digital TV market grinding to a halt has been blamed for turnover and profit cuts at Blick International. more...
More companies have gone bust in the South West so far this year than in other regions except Scotland and the south east. more...
TWO teams of budding cyber entrepreneurs from John Bentley School, Calne, have reached the national finals of the e-business challenge 2002. more...
CHIPPENHAM IT company CODAScisys has bought Harrogate-based company Squaresum in a £9.1m deal. more...
FORMER St John's, Marlborough student Matt Archibold has given up his humdrum job as an IT manager to import a new range of cutting edge mobile phone accessories. more...
CAMPAIGNERS in Lacock are celebrating after Showell Farm has finally been ruled out as a future employment site. more...
FOLLOWING the success of its family business conference held in Wiltshire last month, Business Link Berkshire and Wiltshire has paid tribute to a south Wiltshire enterprise. more...
A PUBLIC relations and media communications company has been set up by Mike Maber, the former head of Dorset Police's media operations. more...
RURAL advisers Strutt & Parker claim that the Countryside Agency's `you tell us if we've got it wrong' approach to drawing up maps for the Government's Right to Roam legislation is costing landowners money. more...
BUSINESSES can now apply for the Swindon Job Fair online with This is Wiltshire. more...
POLICE are appealing for witnesses after an eight-year-old girl said a man with a knife attacked her and dragged her into bushes 30 yards from her home in Calne. more...
FARMER Richard Hoddinott has become a dad after meeting his love while appearing in a magazine's dating feature. more...
MENTAL health nurse James Duncan has been struck off for sleeping on the job. more...
CALNE mother Pauline Crane has lost the first round in her battle to secure a better future for her severely autistic daughter. more...
TWO teams of budding cyber entrepreneurs from John Bentley School, Calne, have reached the national finals of the e-business challenge 2002. more...
CALNE Mayor Elizabeth Hitchens opened a garden of remembrance in Curzon Street cemetery on Thursday to mark the Queen's jubilee. more...
SCOUTS are helping to beat the Christmas mail rush in Calne by providing their own alternative postal service. more...
THE crime rate in Calne continued to fall last month, but problems with vandalism and theft from cars are still causing problems. more...
CHIPPENHAM IT company CODAScisys has bought Harrogate-based company Squaresum in a £9.1m deal. more...
A SON accidentally dropped his mother's £300 silver mobile phone in Abberd Brook in Calne on Monday evening when he answered a call. more...
THE Calne Chamber of Commerce has given drug rehabilitation agency Reachout £100, and pledged to support its bid to find a permanent base. more...
A MAJOR new housing estate in Calne will have 53 new affordable homes, following emergency talks with developers. more...
GUTHRIE Playgroup in Calne has struck it lucky with a substantial grant from the National Lottery, which will enable it to revamp its resources. more...
A NEW outlet in Calne centre could soon be selling shallow fried takeaway food. more...
NORTH Wiltshire District Council's development control committee has approved plans by developers George Wimpey to build 34 new homes on land at St Dunstan Close in Calne. more...
CALNE: FOUR horse chestnut trees and an oak tree at Blacklands Lodge in Calne will be protected by a new Tree Preservation Order according to North Wiltshire District Council. more...
THE social committee of the Bug And Spider pub in Calne has been extending its links with the community by making a donation to a local charity. more...
CHINA might have been dubbed a sleeping giant, but as the head teacher of Calne's John Bentley School has recently discovered, the giant is stirring. more...
ST Mary's Church in Calne is hosting the North Wiltshire District Council civic carol service at 6pm on Sunday 15 December. more...
THE Calne town's silver band is holding a Christmas concert at 3pm on December 15 in the town hall. more...
CALNE police are appealing for witnesses after thieves made off with £200 of garden ornaments from a home in Springfield Drive over the weekend. more...
THIEVES climbed over a fence and stole £200 worth of garden ornaments at a house in Springfield Drive, Calne overnight on Sunday. more...
POLICE are looking for a man who threw a brick at a white Citroen van in Duncan Street, Calne on Saturday evening. more...
PUPILS, parents, and staff from seven schools attended a celebration of the achievements of young people at Springfields Special School in Calne. more...
FYNAMORE Primary School in Calne will host its first ever Christmas Fair tomorrow from 3.30pm to 5.30pm. more...
MILITARY personnel from RAF Lyneham and 9 Supply Regiment at Hullavington have given their time and support to two local primary schools. more...
BURGLAR Daniel Fernandez, 30, of Wessex Road, Chippenham, was jailed for three and a half years after Swindon Crown Court heard he raided 12 houses in the Chippenham area as his drug habit spiralled out of control. more...
NORTH Wiltshire MP James Gray visited Malmesbury C of E Primary School last Friday. more...
VILLAGERS have dipped into their pockets to buy four new Christmas trees after vandals smashed seasonal firs outside the Ellendune Hall in Wroughton. more...
A MAJOR new housing development is on the cards for the Allington School site after months of negotiations. more...
ALL health services in Kennet and North Wiltshire are to come under review as the trust that runs the hospitals battles to cut millions of pounds from its budget. more...
TAXI drivers say they could be forced to raise fares to cover the costs of a hike in licence fees imposed by North Wiltshire District Council. more...
RUBBISH is top of the agenda for North Wiltshire District Council at the beginning of a major drive to encourage everyone to think about how much they throw away. more...
PLANS to use redundant farm buildings near Crudwell for storage and distribution have been approved despite fears the move could lead to lorries blocking narrow country lanes. more...
A NEW footpath and cycleway is set to be created from Mortimore's Wood to Reybridge, as part of the national Sustrans cycle route which crosses north Wiltshire. more...
CAMPAIGNERS in Lacock are celebrating after Showell Farm has finally been ruled out as a future employment site. more...
CARER Josephine Harte stole money from the savings accounts of two mentally handicapped women she looked after, a court heard. more...
CHIPPENHAM Town have stepped up their bid to leave their home of 83 years and relocate to a brand new purpose-built stadium on the outskirts of the town. more...
CHIPPENHAM Town Football Club has taken an option on land at Pewsham to build a new stadium. more...
CARER Josephine Harte stole money from the savings accounts of two mentally handicapped women she looked after, a court heard. more...
THE Market Place in Chippenham will be transformed into a festive winter wonderland on December 21 when an ice rink will be set up from 9.30am to 4pm. more...
CHIPPENHAM Livestock Market hosted the first Christmas stock show and sale for two years, with a high quality of entries and an atmosphere of celebration. more...
CAMPAIGNERS who battled for months to protect The River Valley, a greenfield site off Rowden Lane in Chippenham from housing developers, now face a bitter defeat. more...
CHIPPENHAM mother-of-five Marylyn Restarick waited ten years to be diagnosed with Fibromyalgia Syndrome. more...
CHIPPENHAM mum Gwyneth Miller was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia Syndrome just nine months ago. more...
ABBEYFIELD School in Chippenham held its first Christmas Fair on Saturday, with a festival of games and stalls. more...
NUMBER 47 Squadron, at RAF Lyneham, jas been honoured by the Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators at a ceremony at the Guildhall. more...
TWO Chippenham men will be invested as members of the Order of St John at a special ceremony in London on Friday more...
TALENTED cricketer Wayne Button has escaped a custodial sentence after stealing a mobile snack bar's freezer. more...
CHIPPENHAM pet owners took their cats and dogs along to an RSPCA Chip for Christmas session on Saturday. more...
NEW legislation could end the programme of concerts and recitals held in St Andrew's Church, Chippenham. more...
THE future of RAF Lyneham hangs in the balance as the final report about the future of the air base makes its way to the Government. more...
MENTAL health nurse James Duncan has been struck off for sleeping on the job. more...
PEOPLE in Corsham have had the chance to learn more about plans to close day hospitals and cut beds for mentally ill patients. more...
A CHRISTMAS concert will be performed by the Kensington Gore Singers at Lacock Abbey tomorrow and Saturday at 7.30pm. more...
RESIDENTS are protesting at an application to use an office at the Old Brushworks in Corsham as a fitness clinic. more...
CAROL singers will be spreading festive cheer across the village on Monday. more...
CHIPPENHAM Town have stepped up their bid to leave their home of 83 years and relocate to a brand new purpose-built stadium on the outskirts of the town. more...
CHIPPENHAM Town were formed in 1873 and played at four different home grounds before making Hardenhuish Park their permanent headquarters on September 24 1919. more...
GOALKEEPER James Bittner has been awarded the Dr Martens Safe Hands award for November after keeping a string of clean sheets for the Bluebirds last month. more...
CHIPPENHAM Town players basking in the club's best ever league placing will not be allowed to rest on their laurels after manager Tommy Saunders strengthened his side with two new acquisitions. more...
FORTHCOMING OPPONENTS: A BUMPER crowd is expected at Hardenhuish Park on Saturday 14 December as Premier Division table toppers Worcester City make their first ever league visit to Chippenham. more...
MARTIN Paul is aiming to breach the meanest defence in the Dr Martens Premier Division when table toppers Worcester City visit Hardenhuish Park on Saturday 14 December. more...
PARKING officers from Kennet District Council showed no festive spirit when they booked a vintage car that was due to take Father Christmas around Devizes. more...
FORMER nurse Gwen Moller is bracing herself for a second miserable Christmas, separated from her husband Albert, thousands of miles away in Johannesburg, South Africa. more...
SHOPPERS stood in horror as two men fought in the Tesco supermarket in Maryport Street on Monday afternoon. more...
THREE people escaped serious injury after their car went out of control and smashed into a wall in Devizes High Street on Tuesday morning. more...
A VILLAGE is in mourning after 13-year-old schoolboy Matthew Pidduck collapsed after a school basketball session and died a few hours later. more...
RESIDENTS of Downlands Road which serves two local schools have enlisted the help of Michael Ancram MP in the battle to get a one-way traffic system. more...
DEVIZES police have warned people to take care of their credit cards and keep hold of their card receipts in the wake of a growing threat of cloned cards. more...
KENNET District Council is to hold an urgent meeting after it was pointed out the new "gateway" signs to Devizes can't be seen in the dark. more...
A SHEEP farmer facing trial on charges of causing unnecessary suffering to animals has failed in a High Court bid to block prosecution evidence from being used against him. more...
A PLAN for a ramp for disabled access to the town hall in Devizes has been recommended for refusal by Kennet District Council. more...
DEVIZES Town councillors will be out on the streets next Thursday, finding out people's views on the Christmas lights. more...
TWENTY-first century technology clashed with old-fashioned Christmas traditions in a play presented by the children of the Old School Nursery in Great Cheverell last week. more...
CAEN Hill's magnificent flight of 16 locks at Devizes will be floodlit for Christmas and New Year to celebrate the completion of the £29.24 million Heritage Lottery Fund-backed restoration of the Kennet and Avon Canal. more...
THE charity Care Rowde, which provides employment opportunities for people with learning disabilities, has had to pull out of its contract with Kennet District Council to operate the Lite Bite café at Devizes Leisure Centre. more...
DEC 21, BEECHINGSTOKE: Carol singing around the village will take place on December 21, starting from St Stephen's Church at 6.30pm, with mince pies and wine to fortify the carollers. more...
ST John Ambulance is holding its annual carol service in St John's Church, Devizes on Sunday, December 15, starting at 3pm. more...
ST John Ambulance volunteer Marion Grist is to be invested as a member of the Order of St John at a special ceremony in the Grand Priory Church, Clerkenwell, London, on December 13th. more...
PET food for the RSPCA cats and dogs home at Claverton Down, Bath, which has had an influx of unwanted animals in the last few weeks, can be left at McQueen's Veterinary Centre on Hopton Industrial Estate and Rangebourne Pet Care in New Park Street, Devizes. more...
THERE will be a retiring collection in aid of Matthew and Danny's Memorial Fund, set up in memory of pupils Daniel and Matthew Hughes who died in a fire at their home, at Tuesday's Devizes School carol evening at St John's Church at 7.30pm. more...
THE carnival dragon will be out in Devizes on Saturday 14 December looking for her lost babies. Shoppers are asked to help look for the young dragons, which were last seen in various shop windows around the town. more...
A PEWSEY youth was arrested and taken to Salisbury Police Station after confronting a police officer on the village recreation ground on the evening of November 29 after he had been caught underage drinking. more...
THE public will be able to gain access to the old part of Devizes Cemetery on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day. more...
PUPILS from Devizes School saw at first-hand how busy the Wiltshire Air Ambulance is when they visited the Air Support Unit last week. more...
GILL Pearce, the voice of the Devizes and District Link service for the last eight years, has retired because her multiple sclerosis has worsened. more...
POLICE investigating a theft from Cygnets in the Old Swan Yard in Devizes have released a CCTV picture of a woman they wish to speak to. more...
POLICE are investigating an incident in which a parked car was damaged by a piece from a telephone kiosk. more...
ALL health services in Kennet and North Wiltshire are to come under review as the trust that runs the hospitals battles to cut millions of pounds from its budget. more...
STAFF at Mark Wilkinson Furniture in Bromham were treated to a day of acrobatic fun on Tuesday when performers came into the workshop and entertained the employees. more...
THE Chief Constable of Wiltshire, Elizabeth Neville, has spoken of her disappointment that the county force is to receive the minimum three per cent increase in its allocation of Government funds next year. more...
CHARLOTTE Wakeham, the little girl fighting an inoperable form of brain cancer, celebrated her eighth birthday on Sunday surrounded by school friends, relatives and others who helped raise money to send her to Disney World. more...
EIGHT good causes have benefitted from the Community 2000 Fund set up by the Gazette and Herald with help from Wiltshire and Swindon Community Fund. more...
SALVATION Army Captain Mary Wolfe collected a mountain of toys from the Gazette's Chippenham office on Monday for the Christmas Toy Appeal. more...
WEATHERMEN say it is too soon to predict of Christmas will be a continuation of the icily cold conditions Wiltshire has been experiencing this week. more...
RETAINED firefighters who provide cover for huge areas of Wiltshire face the prospect of having their pay cut. more...
FIREFIGHTERS in Marlborough say they are confident that talks to avert further strikes by their whole-time colleagues will not result in their own pay being cut. more...
COUNTY councillor Paul Sample has called on the Chief Constable of Wiltshire to join with local councils in the county to work together to stem the tide of Internet pornography. more...
CHRISTMAS revellers are being urged to be careful about the way they use candles during the festive period, especially when the party is getting merry. more...
THE Gazette's Fair Funding for Wiltshire campaign has paid off with the Government deciding to give the county an extra £18 million in real terms. more...
THE first independent assessment of how Wiltshire County Council performs has given it a verdict of fair. more...
WILTSHIRE County Council has launched a website with the latest news about recycling and waste management, at www.wasteinwiltshire.org. more...
MARK Outhwaite, the boss of the Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire Strategic Health Authority has stepped down. more...
WILTSHIRE residents thinking of making a will have been urged to think of leaving a bequest to the Wiltshire Air Ambulance appeal. more...
WILTSHIRE is to receive an extra £127,000 next year to fight drug abuse and help drug addicts overcome their addiction. This brings to £1,605,000 the amount the county has to fund community-based drug treatment. more...
FOUR RAF officers raised more than £2,000 for an Argentinian charity by cycling 1,500 miles over the South American Andes. more...
THE future of RAF Lyneham hangs in the balance as the final report about the future of the air base makes its way to the Government. more...
MILITARY personnel from RAF Lyneham and 9 Supply Regiment at Hullavington have given their time and support to two local primary schools. more...
WILTSHIRE County Council is looking for people to escort children with special needs to school. more...
STROKE victims need not miss out on the traditional Christmas Day lunch as long as they take care with salt and fat. more...
YOUNG disabled people are discouraged from taking GCSEs and other qualifications, and also routinely miss out on school trips and activities, according to a report from the Disability Rights Commission. more...
THERE are a host of household names appearing in local panto this Christmas, with stars from EastEnders and Coronation Street to cheeky characters Keith Chegwin and Jim Davidson topping the bill. more...
IT'S back home for Christmas at last for Swindon born dancer Stephen Butler. more...
I am writing to publicise the work of the Board of Visitors at Erlestoke Prison. more...
THERE are good reasons to be concerned about developing a civilian airport at Lyneham and not just at Lyneham. more...
JAMES Gray is not alone among politicians in having selective amnesia and I suspect that it is a prime asset in doing his job. more...
In my last letter headlined "People are not prepared for rise" I asked in reference to the old library the following question: Who will pay for the upkeep and general running costs of this building when it is open? more...
As good news sometimes doesn't travel quite as well as bad, I am writing to point out two announcements made this week by the Government, which will be welcome Christmas presents for schools in Wiltshire. more...
A SHORT time ago there was an excellent article in the Gazette by Lewis Cowen on the future of our post offices, especially rural ones, and the payment of pensions and benefits. more...
In our country if your vehicle is damaged due to bad road surfacing you can claim compensation from the maintenance people responsible the Highways Authority. more...
IN answer to Mrs Perkins, of Lacock, who complained that she could not find a car parking space in Chippenham, there is an underused car park in Spanbourne Avenue which is about five minutes walk away from the town centre and it will be even less when the county council has finished repairing the underpass. more...
IF anyone is interested in the proposed ban of the sale of fireworks to the general public, they should write to the National Campaign for Firework Safety, 118 Long Acre, Covent Garden, London WC2 9PA. more...
ISN'T it a disgrace, an eyesore and a pity that the cost of the new signs that are to welcome people to Devizes were not put to better use. more...
Does anyone care any more for the less well off? more...
It's always the same, isn't it? Following the recent autumn statement by the Chancellor, county treasurers, local councillors and MPs up and down the country are complaining that their settlement is totally inadequate and that council tax will have to rise by at least ten per cent in order to balance the books. more...
ON behalf of Devizes Rugby Club and chairman Charles Lucas, I would like to thank all those who helped to raise more than £1,000 for the Mayor's Appeal Fund which, this year, is dedicated to the Devizes Branch of Multiple Sclerosis. more...
MALMESBURY'S popular Jazz Festival will be cancelled next year if more money is not found in the next two months to support it. more...
BRIGHT spark Paul Bailey of Crudwell had a trip to Elstree Studios in London after being selected as one of Britain's brainiest children. more...
NORTH Wiltshire MP James Gray visited Malmesbury C of E Primary School last Friday. more...
THE Knoll House Hotel in Malemsbury could be turned into 14 houses if planning permission is granted by North Wiltshire District Council. more...
RECYCLE Your Rubbish, an AZ directory of what and where refuse can be recycled in the Malmesbury area, will be launched this Saturday 14 December. more...
RESULTS from the tests on the 75 medieval skeletons found on the cinema site beside Malmesbury Abbey will not be available until spring. more...
MEDICAL equipment worth thousands of pounds is to be transported from Malmesbury to Bangladesh, thanks to the efforts of businessman Badrul Amin. more...
GABLE House Surgery in Malmesbury is extending its out-of-hours emergency cover to fall in line with other doctors' practices in the area. more...
PLANS for 12 new homes on the site of a petrol filling station and car workshop in Gloucester Road, Malmesbury are set to get the go-ahead next week. more...
PLANS to extend the opening hours of a dance studio in the Old Band Hall, Silver Street, Malmesbury have raised objections from residents who are worried about noise and disturbance, and a shortage of parking space. more...
NEW plans to build a house at Saw Mill in Pink Lane, Charlton are set to be thrown out because the house would be too big and would not fit in with its surroundings. more...
A DOCTORS' surgery in Malmesbury was presented with a piece of state of the art technology last week which will speed the diagnosis and treatment of people with heart problems. more...
RICHARD Outlaw, 39, told magistrates to "forget it" after being fined £200 for driving without insurance and failing to stop after an accident. more...
VANDALS used a sharp instrument to pierce the fuel tank of a Peugeot 406 parked in the area of Backhill, Malmesbury allowing the fuel to drain away and causing £200 damage. more...
THE first meeting of the Bristol Street working group will be held at the town hall in Malmesbury tonight (Dec 12) at 6.30pm to discuss road-calming options. more...
CHRISTMAS shoppers enjoyed a festive bonanza last Friday with the late night opening in Malmesbury. more...
THE long-awaited and much talked of theatre/cinema project in Marlborough took a step nearer reality at the weekend. more...
FORMER St John's, Marlborough student Matt Archibold has given up his humdrum job as an IT manager to import a new range of cutting edge mobile phone accessories. more...
A TODDLER is recovering from minor injuries sustained when he was knocked down by a pensioner driving a mobility scooter. more...
MEMBERS of Burbage Good Companions and guests sat down to a free Christmas lunch in the village hall yesterday. more...
THE last patients in the stroke unit at Marlborough's Savernake Hospital were moved across to the new Great Western Hospital in Swindon on Wednesday 11 December. more...
ON December 19, St John's School in Marlborough is to receive a £500 grant from the High Sheriff of Wiltshire's Crime Beat project towards its mentoring scheme. more...
THE Christmas spirit has dissolved for Ray and Marie Pope after thieves raided their lighting display within minutes of it being put up. more...
THIEVES who forced a double-glazed window at the Stag Hill home in Chilton Foliat of a 95-year-old woman, searched rooms before taking a quantity of cash. more...
THE debate over where Marlborough's proposed jubilee clock is to be sited continued last week. more...
FIREFIGHTERS in Marlborough say they are confident that talks to avert further strikes by their whole-time colleagues will not result in their own pay being cut. more...
A SUZUKI Vitara received severe damage when it was struck by a white or silver van which failed to stop when it emerged on to The Parade Marlborough from Parade Mews at about 4.30pm on December 5. more...
THOUSANDS of people crowded into Marlborough for the town's late night shopping extravaganza on Thursday. more...
A RED Mitsubishi Colt car, A223 TBW, was stolen from Free's Avenue in Marlborough between 7.15am and 5.45pm last Thursday. more...
A CHRISTMAS variety concert in the Marlborough town hall on December 19 will raise much needed funds for the League of Friends of Savernake Hospital. more...
THIEVES who broke into the site office of builders QPC at the St Martin's development in the High Street in Marlborough between 5pm last Wednesday and 7.30am the next day. more...
THIEVES who forced their way into the new college pavilion in Hyde Lane Marlborough overnight on December 4 caused £1,000 to the doors and stole a £600 Honda generator belonging to contractor Gaiger Bros. more...
THERE was not an objector in sight when Pewsey pub landlord Jerry Kunkler opened his doors on Thursday for the village's first ever pole dancing display. more...
THE Choral Society's annual Christmas Cracker concert takes place in St Mary's Church, Marlborough on December 14 at 7.30pm, with tickets costing £5. more...
CHARLOTTE Wakeham, the little girl fighting an inoperable form of brain cancer, celebrated her eighth birthday on Sunday surrounded by school friends, relatives and others who helped raise money to send her to Disney World. more...
PEWSEY Vale School has failed in its first bid to get Government cash to become a specialist language college. more...
TWO mums have had a brainwave on how to make money for the Pewsey Vale School library. more...
THE Christmas spirit has dissolved for Ray and Marie Pope after thieves raided their lighting display within minutes of it being put up. more...
PEWSEY Parish councillors have objected for a second time to plans submitted by F Dewey Ltd, which wants to build nine homes at Swan Meadow. more...
PEWSEY resident Pauline Vallis will hear next week whether she is to face trial for an alleged assault more than a year after the incident took place. more...
A BLUEPRINT for the future development of Pewsey has emphasised the need for affordable homes to prevent an exodus of young people from the village. more...
THE hall at Pewsey Vale School was packed for the annual speech night and prizegiving last week. more...
A SEVEN-and-a-half tonne builder's lorry owned by Blanchards was stolen from the firm's yard at Mount Pleasant Farm between 5pm and 5.30-pm last Thursday after a padlock securing a gate was cut-off and the vehicle was forced open. more...
THERE was not an objector in sight when Pewsey pub landlord Jerry Kunkler opened his doors on Thursday for the village's first ever pole dancing display. more...
THE problem of teenage drinkers in Pewsey has resurfaced this week after a 13-year-old was found too drunk to stand. more...
PEWSEY's poet laureate, Ron Sawyer, has penned a poem in honour of the area's brand new Wigglybus. more...
MORE than 4,000 houses and businesses were without electricity on Sunday evening when a power cut brought darkness to the whole of the Pewsham estate. more...
IT was the calm before the storm. Ladies in uniform green smock-tops manned their positions behind tables laden with holly, mistletoe, chutneys, jams, Christmas cakes and cosy knits. more...
WINTER became spring at Salisbury Cathedral last week when a BBC team arrived to rehearse and record two Songs of Praise programmes - one for Christmas and another for Lent. more...
OUTRAGE has greeted the revelation that raw sewage is being dumped into the Wylye river running through one of Europe's most sensitive wildlife habitats. more...
A BORED tunnel has emerged this week as the government's preferred option for solving traffic problems on the A303 past Stonehenge. more...
EXCITING archaeological finds dating back 200,000 years, including the remains of a small horse, have been uncovered along the route of the proposed Harnham relief road. more...
MOTORISTS who think it's safe to drive after a couple of drinks are the main target of the police's Christmas and new year drink-drive campaign. more...
ROAD accident casualties have fallen by nearly 50 per cent in the three years since the introduction of a 20mph speed limit zone in the centre of Salisbury. more...
A DEVELOPMENT of 70 homes and a business centre on land beside the railway line in Tisbury has been rejected, despite the support of two parish councils and dozens of villagers. more...
THE search is on to find Wilton youth club a home of its own after an appeal to town councillors by youth workers. more...
FORMER Salisbury City Football Club manager Geoff Butler took his old club to court this week. more...
THOSE hardy football followers who braved the cold on Saturday to watch their team in action were certainly rewarded with some sharp shooting to savour, writes Mike Turner. more...
DURRINGTON motorbike ace Daryl Bolter's team strategy paid huge dividends at Sun-day's Southern Counties three hour Enduro contest at Dorchester. more...
IT'S time to cast your mind back over the area's sporting highlights of 2002 as the Journal once again prepares to launch its annual sports awards. more...
Salisbury 36 Grove 31. Powergen South West Division Two (East). Salisbury dragged themselves off the foot of the table thanks to a 36-31 win over fellow strugglers Grove. more...
LANDFORD Primary School were crowned champions at the Salisbury District Primary Schools High 5 Netball Festival, but only after a dramatic twist to the day's proceedings. more...
TABLE toppers Salisbury City turned up the heat on a bleak winter's afternoon in Northamptonshire with three goals in the opening 26 minutes, writes Mike Turner. more...
with Roland Batten more...
Cirencester Town crashed out of the Dr Martens Cup in a thriller at Tiverton last night. more...
FA VASE: SIMON Drewitt scored twice in the last two minutes to send Devizes Town through to the last 32 of the FA Vase at the expense of First Division Bitton. more...
PROLIFIC marksman Glenn Armstrong moved to the top of the Screwfix Direct League scoring charts as Calne Town rocked title contenders Torrington on Saturday 7 December. more...
PETER Tripp was denied a winning start to his managerial career at Nursteed Road as Bitton struck four minutes from the end of normal time to force an FA Vase third round replay. more...
FORMER Corsham Town skipper Nigel Curtis registered his first goal in Brislington colours as his new club romped to a 5-1 home win over Melksham Town. more...
OWEN Bryan notched his fourth goal in three outings as Corsham Town were forced to settle for yet another draw at home to struggling Ilfracombe. more...
PEWSEY Vale missed the chance to move further away from the Hellenic League Premier Division relegation zone when their home game against Fairford Town on Tuesday was called off due to an unfit Recreation Ground pitch. more...
HELLENIC LEAGUE: PURTON were hit for six by Division One West title contenders Adderbury Park, eventually going down 6-4. more...
PEWSEY Vale manager Don Rogers has hit out at goalkeeper Elliott Jackson, who moved to Swindon Supermarine, but has been quick to recruit former number one John Haines to fill the void. more...
ROSS Anderson bagged a last minute winner as Pewsey Vale bounced back from two defeats on the trot to defeat relegation-haunted Wantage Town. more...
YOUTH FOOTBALL: CALNE Town Youth earned their first three points of the season in the under 17s-18s Division of the Wiltshire Times and Chippenham News Mid-Wilts Youth and Minor League. more...
A HOME quarter final tie against Liverpool or Norfolk is the incentive for Wiltshire under 18s as they embark on the long trip to Yorkshire to face North Riding in the last 16 of the FA County Youth Cup. more...
WOMENS FOOTBALL: HOT-SHOT Seb Everson scored four as Chippenham Town Ladies returned to action after an enforced three-week break with an emphatic win at Frome. more...
SWINDON & DISTRICT LEAGUE: SPECTRUM XI had the best result of the season so far in Division One when they gained a 4-2 victory over leaders Queensfield. more...
SWINDON MINORS LEAGUE: THE best home win of the weekend in was Shaw under 14s' 11-0 defeat of Wootton Bassett Town. more...
SKURRAYS WILTSHIRE LEAGUE: PREMIER Division leaders Stratton Crosslink were back to their best scoring five goals without reply at Biddestone, Rick Casey leading the way with a hat-trick. more...
MID-WILTSHIRE SUNDAY LEAGUE: JULIAN Alexander scored ten times as Selectabook continued their march to the Mid Wiltshire Football League title with a 14-0 trouncing of Netheravon. more...
SWINDON SUNDAY LEAGUE: NINE-MAN Athletico put up a tremendous performance to overcome Pewsey Saints 3-2 at Penhill. more...
SECOND Division Biddestone Social Club produced the upset of the day as they sent Premier Division Pack Horse crashing out of the PPL Presto Print sponsored Eric Hughes Memorial Knockout Cup. more...
YOUNGSTERS Charlie Rowe and Dominic Gregorace have been selected to represent the Brazilian Soccer Schools National Squad. more...
BROTHERS Simon and Paul Howse both score tries as Cricklade kept themselves in the thick of the Dorset and Wilts Two North title hunt. more...
SUPERMARINE kept their Dorset and Wilts Two North bid on course with a confident disposal of basement boys Colerne. more...
DEVIZES lost ground in the Southern Counties South title race as league leaders Oakmedians helped themselves to maximum points at London Road. more...
A RICH blend of international rugby influences saw Devizes sweep to a five tries to nil victory over their tough opponents from Bournemouth. more...
CHIPPENHAM stayed in touch with the South West Two East pace-setters following a hard-fought victory over Wimborne at Allington Field. more...
CHIPPENHAM took a break from their Merit Table commitments with victory over Walcot in a friendly match. more...
AN experienced Melksham 2nds side took the honours in this friendly. more...
TRIES from Alun Jones, Jay Whitaker and Ben Chamberlain clinched victory for an experienced Chippenham side at Allington Field. more...
MINETY extended their winning streak to four wins by overpowering a spirited Tetbury second string. more...
CORSHAM overturned a 16-point deficit to pip Sherborne at the post in their Dorset and Wilts Division One encounter. more...
YOUNG rugby players from across the region contested the prizes as Devizes School hosted its fourth annual year seven tournament on Saturday 7 December. more...
YOUTH RUGBY: SIX different try scorers were on the mark as Chippenham romped to victory over Bristol. more...
YOUTH RUGBY: A YOUTHFUL Chippenham side made a winning start to their Bristol Colts League campaign at Cleeve. more...
YOUTH RUGBY: THE combined Devizes and Melksham team withstood a fightback from the home side to register their first ever win at Swindon. more...
IN the eight years during which I have been involved in the campaign to preserve the Mechanics' Institute, many Swindonians have written letters of concern about the building. more...
I AM writing to publicise the work of the Board of Visitors at Erlestoke Prison. more...
The story about the first A&E patient at the Great Western Hospital shocked me. It would appear the first patient seen was a lady who had suffered neckache through the night and at 7.20am arrived at the A&E department after driving herself there. more...
STEEL strengthened fencing has been ordered for the Swindon Disease memorial garden following the recent attack by vandals. more...
INVESTIGATIONS are underway into the cause of a fire which broke out at the Honda UK car plant in South Marston. more...
GREAT Western Hospital is offering an unusual gift idea to families this Christmas. more...
The Rotary Club of North Swindon is supporting our Call a Friend campaign to protect pensioners from doorstep conmen. more...
STAR cadet Stacey Mannings was beaming all over as she received a top award for her charity work. more...
A TODDLER is recovering from minor injuries sustained when he was knocked down by a pensioner driving a mobility scooter. more...
Amid the smears of gravy and stray peas rolling across the floor, a canteen full of school pupils tucked into their hearty Christmas dinners and bowls of dessert. DEBBIE WAITE reports more...
BAD weather is stalling efforts to dredge out a Swindon lake. more...
OUR ambitious goal to raise £5,000 is at last in sight. The Advertiser Christmas Appeal cash total is now touching the wonderful sum of £3,805. more...
THE plight of Swindon families with a child suffering from ADHD (Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder) and ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) is being eased by a £1,000 grant. more...
NORTH Wiltshire District Council has ordered a house in Purton High Street should be rebuilt in natural stone. more...
MORE than 10,000 seat reservations have been made in just a week for First Great Western's Christmas train services to London, south Wales and the west of England. more...
The magical story of Peter Pan and his adventures in Neverland are being performed by children from a Cricklade School. more...
IT'S home for Christmas at last for Swindon born dancer Stephen Butler. more...
A SHEEP farmer facing trial on charges of causing unnecessary suffering to animals has failed in a High Court bid to block prosecution evidence from being used against him. more...
AN annual open-air summer party for families that used to attract as many as 38,000 revellers looks like being revived in Swindon. more...
Guides and Scouts handed over their hard-earned cash to two of the borough's most worthy causes. more...
POOR communication between departments and political parties and failure in education and social services have all helped Swindon Council to its place among the 13 worst local authorities in England and Wales. more...
SWINDON council tax payers face an increase of at least almost 11 per cent next year to support one of the 13 worst councils nationwide. more...
Swindon is in the bottom 13 of 150 councils, according to to figures released by the Audit Commission. BEN FITZGERALD looks at the background to the findings. more...
FORMER Royal Marine Martin Walker attacked his girlfriend in a drunken rage after she stopped him driving home following a row. more...
STREET wardens are patrolling Swindon to make Christmas hard for thieves. more...
A TEA party with a difference is on the cards for residents of George Gay Gardens in Swindon. more...
YOUNG performers are working hard to ensure a polished performance for their Christmas nativity play. more...
THIS could be the shape of things to come a new congestion-busting flyover at the Commonhead roundabout which could be up and running by 2007. more...
A TEAM from Swindon has destroyed the competition in a national Robot Wars style tournament for schools. more...
IT is all very well to say that we should never kick a man when he is down. But that does not apply to local authorities which spend a great deal of our money and control much of our lives. more...
CHARLOTTE Wakeham, the little girl fighting an inoperable form of brain cancer, celebrated her eighth birthday on Sunday surrounded by school friends, relatives and others who helped raise money to send her to Disney World. more...
CARER Josephine Harte stole money from the savings accounts of two mentally handicapped women she looked after, a court heard. more...
NEIL RUDDOCK'S turbulent spell with Swindon Town has come to an end with the veteran defender finally agreeing a settlement deal to quit the County Ground. more...
VILLAGERS have dipped into their pockets to buy four new Christmas trees after vandals smashed seasonal firs outside the Ellendune Hall in Wroughton. more...
A BOY who went missing from his Wootton Bassett home last Thursday has returned safe and well. more...
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