TEENAGE golfer Toby Crews has become the first player to achieve an albatross at the 300-yard 14th hole at Farrington. His first hole-in-one was a spectacular affair. The long, narrow green is guarded by a bunker across the approach. On this occasion
PAUL Benns, who was trying to kill himself when he blew up a room in a Chippenham hotel, is hoping to escape a prison term. Benns suffered 40 per cent burns in his failed suicide bid at The Pines Hotel on Marshfield Road in November last year. The hotel's
NEW independent travel agent Global West, which specialises in coach excursions, has opened its doors in Borough Parade, Chippenham. Global West is run by three partners - Pat Houston, Ron Howell and Janet Daws - who have a total of more than 65 years
VIOLIN maker Nick Nourse has just finished his first ever Norwegian fiddle. The Hardanger fiddle is used for playing traditional Scandinavian folk music and proved to be a challenge for the Chippenham craftsman. Mr Nourse, 41, of Chamberlain Road, took
NORTH Wiltshire District Council has failed again to resolve the battle raging over a new road name. Corsham Town Council has refused to back down over its choice of name for the new Maplecroft housing development in the town centre. But the developer
THE children of the North Wilts Holiday Club are looking forward to three weeks of great days out this summer, thanks to a £1,500 grant from the Gazette & Herald's parent company, Gannett. One of 64 local groups to have been awarded a total of £260,000
THE proud parents of Hullavington-bred jazz sensation Jamie Cullum held a 'Parky party' when their son appeared on the famous chat show last Saturday - but were too excited to open the champagne. The jazz musician was last week awarded a £1m contract
SKURRAYS Wiltshire Premier Division champions Shrewton United are a step nearer completing a famous treble after lifting the Corsham Print Wiltshire League Cup. Dean Foot scored a hat-trick in Saturday's 5-2 victory over Trowbridge Town. United now set
JULIA Roberts, Cameron Diaz and Madonna are all at it. Bette Davis apparently swore by it and it's rumoured that even macho Russell Crowe likes to do a line or two when he's feeling stressed. After years languishing as a pensioner's pastime, knitting,
Nothing is more galling than seeing somebody flout the rules, while everyone else follows them to the letter. That applies to designated disabled parking spaces at supermarkets, which all too often are used by able bodied people who cannot be bothered
STEFANI Miglioranzi has signed a one-year deal to extend his stay at the County Ground and promised the Town faithful 'you haven't seen the best of me yet'. The New Yorker feels his strong religious faith and fierce determination to succeed is a blend
VOLUNTEERS have stepped forward to work with youngsters after a successful appeal by the Gazette. Box Parish Council is trying to set up a youth forum in an attempt to stop teenagers from under-age drinking and hanging around on the streets. The council
CORSHAM town centre will benefit from extra street cleaning in an effort to spruce up its appearance during the summer. Corsham Town Council has set aside £2,000 to top up the street cleaning service already provided by North Wiltshire District Council
NORTH Wiltshire Citizens' Advice Bureau has been forced to cut its opening hours because of a shortage in volunteer advisers. Afternoon opening will be drastically curtailed and people face longer waits to get vital help and information. Now the CAB is
HORRIFIED residents at Foxham Lock were evacuated from their homes while bomb disposal experts dealt with a Second World War bomb which had been used as a football and then stashed away in a garden shed. Last Wednesday's drama began when Richard Monks
A PARTY of 65 visitors from La Flche, in France, will visit Chippenham this weekend to celebrate the 20th anniversary of twinning between the two towns. The guests will arrive today at Abbeyfield School at about 5pm, where they will be greeted by the
THE discovery of Stone Age flints and the remains of a huge Iron Age wall in Malmesbury mean the town dates back thousands of years, to the time when Stonehenge and Avebury were built. A new report, published by the Bristol and Region Archaeological Services
THE long awaited extra sports field in Wilcot Road in Pewsey should be in use by the autumn, the annual parish meeting heard. Coun Denis Sweasey presented a report on the Angela Yeates Memorial Ground that the council recently purchased. He referred to
A DIRECT appeal has been made to parents for their help in curbing boozing by teenagers in Pewsey. It was made at the annual parish meeting held in the Bouverie Hall last Tuesday by Coun Denis Sweasey who chairs the village's Police Liaison Committee.
WHILE some people in Pewsey are demanding extra street lighting one parish councillor says he has too much. Coun Terry Eyles who is the parish council's street lighting representative told the annual parish meeting last Tuesday that it was proving difficult
SHANE Andrews said an emotional farewell to the Chippenham Town faithful on Monday 28 April night after announcing he will leave the club after Saturday's trip to Halesowen. The long-serving defender, 28, has been dogged by back problems this season and
CHIPPENHAM boss Tommy Saunders is hoping loyal sidekick Colin Bush will reconsider his decision to take over the managerial reins at Screwfix Direct League neighbours Corsham Town. The most famous double act in Wiltshire non-league football is set to
CHIPPENHAM IT company Advanced Digital Technology has overcome an arson attack to become one of the first Sage Business Partners in the region. The Bumpers Farm company recently suffered a significant blow when premises were badly damaged by fire. Now
NEW independent travel agent Global West, which specialises in coach excursions, has opened its doors in Borough Parade, Chippenham. Global West is run by three partners - Pat Houston, Ron Howell and Janet Daws - who have a total of more than 65 years
THE Kennet and North Wiltshire Primary Care Trust has pledged to work with people in Malmesbury to agree on what services will be provided in the town's new health facility. Trust chief executive Barbara Smith was quizzed by Kennet and North Wiltshire
A PROPOSAL for free standing toilets to replace the public toilet block on Cross Hayes Lane was approved by Malmesbury Town Council's finance committee last Thursday. The current toilets were described as "bog standard" on a recent BBC TV programme and
MALMESBURY School will have to make up to six teachers redundant because of a substantial reduction in this year's budget. Despite increases in parts of the budget, the school's funding has suffered through lost grants, rising staff costs and reduced
THE Gazette & Herald has stepped in to help the cash-strapped Malmesbury Jazz Festival. Editor Gary Lawrence has announced the paper will be sponsoring the programme and posters for the event to be held in September. Festival secretary Sue Poole said
WILTSHIRE has its fair share of celebrities who decide to come to the county to escape the hustle and bustle of London but once they are here they prefer to keep themselves to themselves. So it is nice when a home-grown talent makes it big. Jazz player
WILTSHIRE O50s team will give a host of new players the chance to display their talents in two trial matches this month. Captain Peter Hagelthorn said: "This is a very encouraging development which will ensure the side can play effectively in this year's
GOATACRE were beaten by near neighbours Wootton Bassett in their first friendly fixture of the season. The hosts batted first after winning the toss and Steve Gee was comprehensively bowled by Lancaster second ball, bringing 12-year-old Max Delamain in
2003 CRICKET PREVIEW (Devizes/Swindon/Goatacre/Wootton Bassett): SKIPPER Mark Colyer believes Devizes can achieve a top three finish this season after escaping the drop by the skin of their teeth last year. They triumphed at Malmesbury on the final day
CHIPPENHAM'S new captain Jason Searle plans to have the opposition in a spin this summer. Off spinner Searle and his spin partner Richard Bates took 72 wickets between them last summer as Chippenham fell agonisingly short of reclaiming their place in
2003 CRICKET PREVIEW: NOTHING short of winning the West of England championship title will satisfy Corsham skipper Craig Gibbens this season. Five years of careful planning and building work both on and off the pitch have turned Corsham into Wiltshire's
A MAN died after he was thrown from a dumper truck while working on a construction site on Salisbury's Churchfields industrial estate on Tuesday afternoon. The accident happened just after 5pm. The 62-year-old man was treated on the scene by paramedics
PLANS to build a 120-room hotel and a petrol filling station complex on the new £250m Solstice Park business estate on the outskirts of Amesbury have been delayed. Planners decided last week they needed to see more information from the developers, the
WILTSHIRE have selected a strong squad of 12 for their first match of the 2003 season - Sunday's Marlborough Cup fixture against Berkshire at Thatcham Cricket Club. All three new signings -Richard Illingworth, the former England and Worcestershire player
APRIL 30: THERE were tearful scenes at Colerne's Azimghur Barracks when 25 of the regiment's soldiers returned from the Gulf to a heroes' welcome from their wives and families. The returning men and women have been split between Kuwait and Basra, the
SALISBURY race ace Alan Blen-cowe will be looking to recreate the form that earned him a podium place at Mondello Park over Easter when he heads to Brands Hatch this weekend for rounds three and four of the British Touring Car Champ-ionship. Despite starting
A RALLY was held in Wroughton at the weekend to highlight the potential threat to the rural buffer between Swindon and its neighbouring towns and villages. About 50 people from Wootton Bassett, Lydiard Millicent and Wroughton took part. They called for
WOOTTON BASSETT mayor Peter Roberts finished his mayoral year in ludicrous style by falling fully dressed into a swimming pool. The 'game for a laugh mayor' was thrown into the pool at Eddy Shah's Wiltshire Golf and Country Club to mark its official opening
BOX Parish Council is seeking National Lottery funding to help raise money for the controversial multi-sports pavilion. Brian Nicholas resigned from the council a year ago because he felt the running costs would end up falling on the parish. But the council
TV soap EastEnders has turned the spotlight on the menace of bogus callers with Albert Square stalwart Dot falling victim to a conman. NIGEL KERTON reports that such crimes can lead to the early death of victims. ELDERLY people must do more to protect
THE British Red Cross says it needs more volunteer help in Wiltshire if it is to beat last year's fundraising total of £30,000. On the run-up to Red Cross Week, which starts on Sunday, fundraiser Mary Harrington says she wants to better last year's total
Members of Wiltshire police force and medics at Swindon's Great Western Hospital are helping to train each other's staff. Under the new system, the hospital is training a group of policemen in advanced first aid, and the police have reciprocated by offering
CORSHAM were unable to build on a promising Easter programme as they came unstuck on Chard's notorious sloping pitch. The visitors found themselves two behind at the break despite playing down the Zembard Lane slope, but pulled one back in the second
THE people of Wiltshire can air their views on two crucial issues facing the county's future. They can have their say on moves to increase recycling with the opening this week of a public inquiry into the Wiltshire and Swindon Local Plan, while a blueprint
SOME like it hot... and the Lansdowne Arms at Derry Hill will be finding out how hot as it launches its third curry competition this year. The pub is looking for people to enter their best curry creations in the free competition and the winner will see
SWINDON AND DISTRICT LEAGUE: SCORES of cup finals took place at the weekend, but few could match the George Thomas showpiece for entertainment value. A Tony Sardo hat-trick inspired The Regent to a 4-3 extra-time success but they were pushed all the way
The Wiltshire gun amnesty came to an end yesterday and the number of guns handed in across the county reached 304, including 13 illegal weapons. A total of 3,773 rounds of ammunition were also surrendered to the police. The month-long firearms amnesty
ADVER CUP: CUSTOM Homes beat all the odds to claim the Adver Cup and prevent a 147 maximum at the County Ground on Saturday 26 April. Kenny Scott's underdogs surprised treble-chasing 147 Club by dominating this final and a pair of clinical finishes either
THE 50th anniversary of the school crossing patrol will be marked this week. To celebrate the milestone, reporters JILL CROOKS and SARAH SINGLETON found out what makes the job so special LIFE as a lollipop lady has brought many rewards for mother-of-three
ALTHOUGH playing the more attractive football, there was no third time lucky for Box Rovers in the final of the PPL Presto-Print-sponsored Eric Hughes Memorial Cup. Rovers, who were runners-up in both 1995 and 1999, suffered defeat number three against
SCREWFIX PREMIER DIVISION: TEENAGE striker Justin Lisle grabbed a second half equaliser as ten-man Devizes secured only their second away point of 2003 at Crown Field. The bottom-of-the-table visitors had assistant manager Andy Coombes dismissed for foul
MALMESBURY School will have to make up to six teachers redundant because of a substantial reduction in this year's budget. Despite increases in parts of the budget, the school's funding has suffered through lost grants, rising staff costs and reduced
THERE is growing opposition to Network Rail's plan to install 100-ft radio masts beside the main London to Bristol railway line in Kennet, despite assurances that they are purely to increase rail safety. The parish councils in which the masts are to be
IN the wake of a decision to uphold Kennet District Council's plans for most new housing to be built in Devizes, JILL CROOKS looks at the Local Plan in detail and asks how it will affect the region's homebuyers A Government planning inspector has upheld
NIGHTCLUB doorman and agricultural contractor Andrew Stewart was spared a driving ban after he was caught speeding. Stewart, whose parents live in Devizes, could have been banned from driving by magistrates after he was clocked driving at 61mph in a 30mph
A DISABLED Swindon shopper is being driven spare by the parking situation in his local supermarket. Roger Hawkins, 48, of Hawker Road, Eldene, claims disabled parking has become a bigger problem at the Tesco Extra in Ocotal Way since the store stopped
The dawn chorus . . . Paul Saunders, otherwise known as Wynndebagge, heralds May Day and the launch of the Swindon Festival of Literature at the Lawn woods at first light today. MORE than 150 people dragged themselves out of bed to gather in Lawn Woods
Thousands of music fans look set to be disappointed as one of Wiltshire's most prestigious summer music events could be cancelled after the company that runs it went into liquidation. Heaven on Earth Promotions signed a deal last year to keep the summer
A MAN died after he was thrown from a dumper truck while working on a construction site on Salisbury's Churchfields industrial estate on Tuesday afternoon. The accident happened just after 5pm. The 62-year-old man was treated on the scene by paramedics
SALISBURY'S former 'flying doctor' retires from medicine today. Regarded as one of the most eminent names in his field of medicine in the country, Dr Alastair Lack has been consultant anaesthetist at Salisbury District Hospital for 27 years. He was the
THE new headteacher of St Mary's School in Calne is due to give birth to her first child at half term. Helen Wright, 32, who is the youngest headteacher in the Girls' School Association, has taken over from Carolyn Shaw who left to take charge of Roedean
SUPPORTERS of the ACT Parker Plan - an all-embracing road scheme aimed at tackling the traffic problems of Salisbury, Stonehenge, Wilton and the Wylye and Bourne valleys - have hailed a breakthrough in their long-running battle to get the project official
A Calne youth who was arrested for drink driving by police in the early hours of Easter Sunday, has been disqualified from driving for 18 months. The 17 year old, who only had a provisional driving licence, was in the car with his 19-year-old sister when
CALNE mum Pauline Crane is selling her nursery school business to educate her daughter from home, because she fears she will regress if she is sent to a mainstream secondary school. Wiltshire County Council, as the local education authority, told Mrs
TWO environmentalists have written a an A to Z recycling directory showing families which part of their household rubbish can be recycled and how. Items included in the ten-page directory range from aluminium cans to how people can recycle old editions
CALNE'S junior cricket teams were bowled over when they realised how much they raised packing customers bags in Somerfields Easter weekend. Dressed in their cricket whites, 18 boys from Calne Cricket Club's under 11s, 13s and 15s assisted customers at
STEPHEN Lyons, an engineer employed at a Devizes firm, is to face ten charges of indecent assault and gross indecency with young girls. Lyons, 35, of Ruskin Avenue, Melksham, was told he would be sent for trial at Crown Court after a further seven charges
A VERDICT of accidental death has been recorded on pensioner Leslie Hale who disappeared while walking home to Patney, near Devizes, on New Year's Eve. Mr Hale, 71, was last seen leaving the Wiltshire Yeoman pub in Chirton at 8.15pm but never arrived
DEVIZES MP Michael Ancram pledged to continue fighting for a new hospital in Devizes after meeting campaigners. Mr Ancram met with five campaigners in Devizes last Thursday. They were Judy Rose of Devizes Guardians and Devizes Action to Save our Hospital
MANY people are so frightened when they see their doctor that their blood pressure shoots up giving distorted high readings. The Marlborough medical practice in George Lane has just acquired a third portable blood pressure monitor which gets around the
THE legal team defending Major Charles Ingram against insurance fraud charges say they are considering making an application to have the case thrown out. They believe that Major Ingram, who was found guilty with his wife Diana of attempting to cheat on
AT its last full meeting before the local council elections, Marlborough Town Council has once again been urged to do something about the Dobson's Garage site at the junction of New Street and Barn Street, which has remained derelict for five years. During
NEW town gardens opened by Mayor Margaret Boulton on Thursday April 24 needed some rain, but not the torrential downpour that marred the opening ceremony. Coun Boulton was carrying out one of her last official duties as Mayor of Marlborough when the heavens
MARLBOROUGH police have warned they are going to clamp down on motorists who park on double yellow lines causing disruption and danger . The move comes after officers received numerous complaints from residents and town councillors about illegal parking
JOBLESS James Dunford, who stole a neighbour's motorcycle while he was repairing it, sold it out of panic to pay off debts a court heard. Dunford, formerly of Ham Close, Collingbourne Kingston, but now living in Winchester Road, Andover, pleaded guilty
MONDAY was the 350th anniversary of the Great Fire of Marlborough when the majority of the town was destroyed by an enormous blaze which engulfed the High Street and other streets in the town centre. Mayor Margaret Boulton marked the anniversary by opening
FIREFIGHTERS in Marlborough are suffering from stress and exhaustion because of a chronic shortage in recruiting more help, say fire chiefs. The complement of retained firefighters will be reduced to nine later this summer as two more men stand down.
SWINDON pop star Billie Piper and her DJ husband Chris Evans are just two of the stars who have pledged their support for the Abby Smith Cancer Fund. Now the list of supporters reads like a celebrity Who's Who. Stars including David and Victoria Beckham
SWINDON CANCER APPEAL: Patriotic locals at the Moonrakers pub turned St George's Day celebrations into a money-spinner for charity. About 70 regulars at the pub in Cricklade Road raised £209 for the Swindon Cancer Appeal. That has taken the total raised
SWINDON CANCER APPEAL: LITTLE Ben Spicer-Harvey calls his gran Nanny Sky. He only had a short time with her she died six months after he was born but she still looms large in his life. Janet Spicer was 63 when she died from ovarian cancer three years
MELINDA Messenger will be at Swindon bar The Apartment tonight to help promote a new night showcasing the best in live music. And Showcase, as the weekly night will be called, is being hailed as a rival of the renowned and world famous Ronnie Scott's
A NATIONAL report has revealed the number of accidents in the NHS has risen by 24 per cent since last year. But the Great Western Hospital is bucking the trend by actually improving its health and safety standards. The Trust's head of health and safety
A Swindon-based research council is leading the way to discover the make-up of the universe. Scientists working for the Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council in North Star Avenue are trying to discover the answer to one of the greatest scientific
PARKING at the Great Western Hospital is to be audited by council officers to ensure it meets Government targets for reduction in car use. They will try to discover the number of people driving to work alone. And if fewer than 20 per cent of the workers
TWO new appointments have been announced at Swindon Council's much-criticised social services department. Last year, the department was condemned in a Government report as one of the worst in the country. But since then new staff have been brought in
THANK you for reporting the concern felt by residents of Great Bedwyn at the prospect of a 33-metre mast in their midst. Not only will it dominate an estate of pensioner bungalows but the skyline of a conservation area. Surely there is a less obtrusive
GARDENERS at Fisherton farm allotments in Salisbury were left picking up the pieces of broken cold frames and ruined vegetables after a herd of cows got on to the land. About 20 cows broke loose recently and trampled everything in their path. A spokeswoman
YOUNG Swindon chess player Nicola Thomas earned herself an extra-special birthday reward when she added the West of England Chess Union Ladies' Championship to her collection of titles. Nicola produced the best result by a woman at this year's West of
Many of your readers will join me in mourning the decision of the Government's planning inspector to permit such extensive development in Devizes' Quakers Walk area. It is the existence of such open spaces which lends towns like Devizes their character
SALISBURY'S former 'flying doctor' retires from medicine today. Regarded as one of the most eminent names in his field of medicine in the country, Dr Alastair Lack has been consultant anaesthetist at Salisbury District Hospital for 27 years. He was the
I READ with interest Michael Gray's letter and concerns over the Portman site, in Marlborough. Obviously flat roofs are unattractive, but overall it is a prettier site than the Portman office. What surprises me is that little is said of the planning consent
THE recent proposal by Kennet and Wiltshire Primary Care Trust to close Devizes Community Hospital threatens to undermine health care provision throughout the area. The new health plan has been driven, not by the health needs of the local community, but
BELLRINGERS at St Thomas's Church, Salisbury, are on target to raise £35,000 for refurbishing the bells of Salisbury. In December 2002, they had raised only £18,000 towards the project but, five months and several competitions later, the restoration group
SCRABBLE players raised £2,000 for the Prospect Hospice. The money was the proceeds of a tourna-ment in Swindon which was attended by almost 200 enthusiasts from around the country. They included six people who have qualified for the world championships
ONE of Wilton's biggest companies is having to consider moving from the site it has occupied since 1840 because there is no room for it to expand. E V Naish Group of Companies, of Crow Lane, which has been in business for more than 200 years and employs
I'm afraid I can't resist it... Councillor Dobson is reported as saying, "When the grammar school and the secondary modern school were built it should have been foreseen that comprehensive education was coming but they still went ahead and put them on
A REVOLUTIONARY treatment performed by a Salisbury surgeon is offering local people in pain with damaged knee cartilages the chance to lead normal, active lives again. Leading orthopaedic surgeon Gurd Shergill has already performed the first stage of
DOWNES Crediton assistant professional Chris Gill banked a cheque for £1,200 after finishing 49th in the Royal Challenge Indian Open at New Delhi. This followed rounds of 70, 74, 69 and 75, but he has finished 97th overall on the Asian PGA Tour rankings
I WAS interested reading the article on Kemble Aero Museum, especially the photo of a Bristol Brigand aircraft. This brought memories flooding back of my RAF service at Colerne, from 1955 until 1958. During this period I was based with the ground staff
Barry Austin (Teign Valley) beat Stuart Disney (Torquay) in a thrilling Devon PGA matchplay championship final at Exeter. Austin burst into a four-hole lead after seven holes, before Disney regained three with successive holes. The relentless Austin birdied
I travel to work via Lydiard Millicent, but once again a demonstration of the local authority's illogical car policy has appeared in the form of traffic calming measures which, from one direction, are hidden by a sharp bend, and from the other are close
BRIDGE and golf seem to go together so it was natural that a winter bridge competition be held among golf clubs. That was certainly the theory of international bridge player Kenneth Konstam. The Saltford golfer donated the Konstam Cup for competition
I WRITE to you as a local publican and secretary of the Wessex Region of the British Institute of Innkeep-ing with reference to your article on licensing. While we fully support the proposed licensing reform, it has to be said the majority of our 16,000
SCOTT Richards, assistant at The Kendleshire, won the better-ball at the first Titleist-Footjoy Assistants League at Exeter, helped by his amateur partner James Bath. The 11-handicapper, who received eight shots, came in on eight holes. Richards shot
JEREMY Tomlinson (Marlborough) and Ralph Robertson (Ogbourne Downs) have been presented with plaques in appreciation of their contributions to Wiltshire golf. The ceremony took place at the county's annual dinner at Salisbury and South Wilts and was made
POPULAR Mendip steward Eric Cashmore has retired at the age of 65 after 11 years behind the bar. The 13-handicapper was a publican before he took over in 1992. He has now moved to Bideford to be closer to his daughter and his family. He became a country
SOMERSET'S David Dixon achieved his highest-ever position in the Qatar Masters. The 25-year-old former Somerset and England amateur international finished in a tie for 14th in the desert and won £12,693. He said: "I've been working hard on my fitness
Bath's director of rugby Jack Rowell has voiced his concern about mounting speculation that the club could be set to merge with Bristol Shoguns. According to reports, negotiations are at an advanced stage between the two struggling west country sides.
YOUTH RUGBY: CHIPPENHAM U13s and U14s tasted Dorset and Wiltshire cup final glory at Supermarine RFC on Sunday afternoon. But the club's U12s team were unable to add the twin counties title to their already bulging trophy cabinet and went down to defeat
YOUTH RUGBY: THE combined Devizes and Melksham U15s team emerged from their tour of East Anglia with two comprehensive victories. In the first match against Lowestoft and Yarmouth, a large but raw team from England's most easterly rugby outpost, the tourists
DEVIZES warmed up for the end-of-season game on Saturday 26 April against local Army side the Rifles in unusual fashion as they attempted to win a tug-of-war with a tractor. Local firm Lister Wilder lent the club a caterpillar tractor in order to carry
CHIPPENHAM U13s and U14s tasted Dorset and Wiltshire cup final glory at Supermarine RFC on Sunday afternoon. But the club's U12s team were unable to add the twin counties title to their already bulging trophy cabinet and went down to defeat in their age
TRACY Loveys returned to the winner's rostrum again after claiming the Roehampton Golf Cup for the second time in three years. The 33-year-old Broadstone assistant beat a host leading amateur and professionals including members of the Women's European
WILTSHIRE juniors under-18 played a triangular match against Berks, Bucks and Oxon and Hampshire at Newbury and Crookham. They drew 5-5 with BB and O but lost 6.5-3.5 to Hampshire. John Haugh (Salisbury/South Wilts) and Ben Smith (Cumberwell Park) each
COTTRELL Park Golf Club is showing players of all ages and abilities that the secret behind the perfect drive is not to aim for the green, but being green. The club located in the Vale of Glamorgan is committed not only to a great golfing experience,
DERWYNNE Honan spent a week teaching and playing in Spain before returning to produce one of the rounds of his life to win the Bournemouth Alliance-Dorset PGA medal at Isle of Purbeck. The director of golf at The Dorset won by six shots to regain the
HALF-a-million pounds of development, scheduled for completion this spring, has been made to The Bristol's championship course as part of the club's plan to become one of the top clubs in the South West. Two impressive new lakes have been created bringing
MARK Plummer picked up another first place in the final Gloucester and Somerset PGA medal of the winter and said: "That was the hardest money I've ever earned." The touring professional from the Manor House at Castle Combe finished on six-over-par 77
SALTFORD assistant Darren Read hit the winning trail again in the Gloucester and Somerset PGA meeting at Knowle. He finished with a plus-six points total in a modified stableford scoring system that offers five points for eagles, two for birdies, none
JAMES Ruth, Devon's talented 18-year-old from Tavistock, remains one of the most exciting youngsters in the country. He has been chosen to play in the World Junior Golf Team Championship in Japan in June and will be joined by James Smith (Sundridge Park
CORNISHMAN John Yeo has become captain of the Professional Golfers' Association for the next two years. The 56-year-old club professional at Bude and North Cornwall says it will be the highlight of a lifetime in golf. He believes playing for England in
FERNDOWN veteran Mark Davies struck a blow for experience when he held off a challenge from Rob Thomas to win the Hillamsland Trophy at Dudsbury. The 42-year-old Canford Magna greenkeeper was also elated to beat other leading Dorset youngsters like Ben
PGA NEWS: GEORGE Ryall, the 43-year-old professional at Clevedon Driving Range, made a valiant attempt to win the West Region PGA Championship at The Players Club. He led after two rounds and only relinquished his lead with six holes of the last round
FOR the first time all four Oake Manor captains took part in the drive-in on a sunny Sunday, watched by a good crowd of golfers. The crowd was swelled to around 250 with visitors who had come for a Sunday carvery. Juniors captain Robin Trott, aged 16,
RACHAEL Rowntree (The Bristol), who has been playing for ten years, but has yet to play in the county first team, was the shock winner of the Gloucestershire women's championship at Ross-on-Wye. The 31-year-old from Thornbury, who plays off 11, beat county
BARRY Austin, the reigning West Region order of merit winner, prepared for the biggest May schedule of his career by winning the region's PGA Championship for the first time at The Players Club, near Bristol. Martyn Thompson, who is also playing in the
THE 50th anniversary of the school crossing patrol will be marked this week. To celebrate the milestone, reporters JILL CROOKS and SARAH SINGLETON found out what makes the job so special. LIFE as a lollipop lady has brought many rewards for mother-of-three
BARGAIN hunters were queuing at the gates when Chippenham Rotary Club relaunched its charity car boot sale in Chippenham on Easter Bank Holiday Monday. More than 50 traders set up stalls at Wiltshire College Chippenham to raise money to help eradicate
CHIPPENHAM IT company Advanced Digital Technology has overcome an arson attack to become one of the first Sage Business Partners in the region. The Bumpers Farm company recently suffered a significant blow when premises were badly damaged by fire. Now
FORMER dog owner Jo Macleod has made a plea to villagers in Neston to clear up their dog's mess. Mrs Macleod, of Sheppards, is concerned that the excreta is becoming a dangerous hazard outside the primary school. "One of the worst places is right outside
EMBITTERED Westinghouse Rail Systems worker James Hooke, who lost his job at Christmas, stole £3,000 worth of copper coils from the firm, a court heard. Hooke, 27, of Rowden Hill, Chippenham, pleaded guilty to one charge of theft and four of obtaining
ART fans flocked to the Mayor of Chippenham's Silent Art Auction on Thursday, which raised an impressive £3,000 for the Friends of Chippenham Hospital. More than 50 local artists, amateurs and professionals, donated works of art worth hundreds of pounds
THE three sons of 67-year-old Chippenham Town FC fan Mike Opie, who collapsed and died of a heart attack at the team's home match with Welling on Monday night, have paid tribute to their "quiet mannered and caring" father. Mr Opie, of Stonelea Close in
A RECORDING deal worth £1million with a top record company is a long way from playing at Hullavington Village Hall, but it is a dream come true for Jamie Cullum. The 23-year-old jazz sensation has just been awarded a four-album deal with Universal, which
PATIENTS concerned about the future of Marshfield Road Surgery can quiz health chief Barbara Smith at a special meeting on May 28. Many patients at the surgery fear they could lose the services of GP Barney Williams after the Kennet and North Wiltshire
Durham's hopes of blasting out Gloucestershire were confounded by their own pitch at Chester-le-Street. The easy-paced surface at the Riverside, which stages its inaugural Test in June, was not to the liking of Steve Harmison, who was in his 19th over
Evening sessions provide best sport for anglers THE strong, gusty winds have made life difficult for trout fishermen both on stillwaters and rivers. Rivers are low and clear at the moment but bailiffs report evening hatches are best and persistence pays
TOBY Giles bagged the man of the match award after hitting a fine hat-trick to help Laverstock & Ford collect another trophy in what has proved a watershed season. The Hampshire Division Two champions simply proved too strong for Harnham in the final
POPULAR pub the Black Dog in Chilmark has had a makeover and now boasts a new dcor, new boss, new chef and new menus. Acting manager Ross Baxter threw a party at the historic inn for regulars and suppliers and they were treated to a mouth-watering buffet
WYVERN College student Frazer McArdell returned from his Scottish Exiles rugby tour with two unexpected accolades. He picked up the man of the match award in their 0-8 defeat against a Borders XV - played in front of a crowd of 1,500 which inc-luded Scottish
SALISBURY City are resigned to spending at least another season in the Eastern Division of the Dr Martens League despite taking maximum points from two games in the space of three days, writes Mike Turner. In-form Whites beat Ashford Town in spectacular
South Wilts skipper seeking confidence booster at teh Academy SATURDAY sees the start of the ECB Southern Electric Premier League Division One season and hopes are high that it will be one to remember for South Wilts, writes Mike Turner. The Lower Bemerton-based
The Wiltshire Festival is one of the major highlights in Swindon's entertainment calendar. So there is no question that the loss of such a prestigious event would represent a major blow to the town. The concert is a high profile event bringing some of
BOX Parish Council is seeking National Lottery funding to help raise money for the controversial multi-sports pavilion. Brian Nicholas resigned from the council a year ago because he felt the running costs would end up falling on the parish. But the council
NORTH Wiltshire District Council has failed again to resolve the battle raging over a new road name. Corsham Town Council has refused to back down over its choice of name for the new Maplecroft housing development in the town centre. But the developer
PARTNERS Theatre Company is running a free newcomers' workshop at Swindon's Wyvern Theatre next week in a bid to recruit new members. Partners works with professional artists to deliver theatre, as well as film, music, visual arts and dance. The group
COUNCILLORS across the county prepare to go to the polls on May 1 in parish, town, district and county elections. Among those standing is Sheila Parker, 49, in the Pickwick Ward of North Wiltshire District Council. In last week's Gazette election round-up
VOLUNTEERS have stepped forward to work with youngsters after a successful appeal by the Gazette. Box Parish Council is trying to set up a youth forum in an attempt to stop teenagers from under-age drinking and hanging around on the streets. The council
RAF Lyneham is the latest place to get the reality TV treatment but personnel at the base will have to wait until the end of the month to see themselves on the small screen. Viewers in Central TV area will see the episode on May 1 but HTV, which covers
REFUSE collection teams are making sure the recycling message is getting out loud and clear to the residents of North Wiltshire. The district council has adorned all 18 of its refuse vehicles with eye-catching signs encouraging householders to do their
THE Kennet and North Wiltshire Primary Care Trust has pledged to work with people in Malmesbury to agree on what services will be provided in the town's new health facility. Trust chief executive Barbara Smith was quizzed by Kennet and North Wiltshire
GOOD Samaritan Megan Grange comforted a driver trapped in the wreckage of his car after a multi-vehicle smash outside her home. She talked to the driver, a 38-year-old man from Calne, and kept him covered with a blanket until firefighters arrived at the
INTERNET surfers in Pewsey are being urged to register their interest in having a Broadband connection after being left out of the exchanges being considered for installation with the new equipment. Although 118 local people have registered with their
SIXTEEN boys and girls aged between ten and 12 have been taking advantage of a unique safe cycling scheme in Pewsey. It is believed to be the only cycling proficiency scheme in the country which is run by police officers during school holidays and on
THE three sons of 67-year-old Chippenham Town FC fan Mike Opie, who collapsed and died of a heart attack at the team's home match with Welling on Monday night, have paid tribute to their "quiet mannered and caring" father. Mr Opie, of Stonelea Close in
FANS' favourite Wayne Thorne celebrated signing a new one-year contract in style as he grabbed his first goal in Bluebirds colours on Monday night. Thorne scored twice against Chippenham for Clevedon last term, but was made to wait until four minutes
CHIPPENHAM Town will ask the Dr Martens League to take no action against Kent side Welling United following the vandalism of the officials' dressing room door at Hardenhuish Park. The two sides served up a bad-tempered encounter on Monday night and the
SOME like it hot... and the Lansdowne Arms at Derry Hill will be finding out how hot as it launches its third curry competition this year. The pub is looking for people to enter their best curry creations in the free competition and the winner will see
THE discovery of Stone Age flints and the remains of a huge Iron Age wall in Malmesbury mean the town dates back thousands of years, to the time when Stonehenge and Avebury were built. A new report, published by the Bristol and Region Archaeological Services
A TEENAGE schoolgirl from Malmesbury attacked her 13-year-old friend after drinking more than a litre of cider, a court heard on Tuesday April 29. The defendant, who is 15 and cannot be named for legal reasons, was drinking with friends in the cloister
CROSSES made from the nails and wood of Little Somerford Church's ancient roof are being sold to raise money for the roof's replacement. Blacksmith Hector Cole, of Great Somerford, who constructed Prince Charles's gate at Highgrove, made the seven-inch
AN attempted arson attack at Minety Primary School and a break-in at the tennis club have shocked people in the small village near Malmesbury. The attack on the tennis club comes just a few weeks after an attempt was made to torch a primary school classroom
WILTSHIRE County Council has said that it is prepared to do a U-turn after residents in Eastcourt expressed outrage at the loss of their bus service. Last week, the Gazette reported that villagers had been furious when the council suddenly stopped the
MALMESBURY Abbey's new floodlights were turned on at a special ceremony on Sunday night. The abbey is now illuminated by eight ground-mounted floodlights to the north and south, together with a further 14 smaller floodlights on the flying buttresses.
THE proud parents of Hullavington-bred jazz sensation Jamie Cullum held a 'Parky party' when their son appeared on the famous chat show last Saturday - but were too excited to open the champagne. The jazz musician was last week awarded a £1m contract
COMMUNITY groups have expressed concern that they will have nowhere to go if the proposed £1.2 million renovation of Malmesbury Town Hall cuts public space in half. The review of the layout of the hall reduces community space from 500 square metres to
NEXT week is British Red Cross week and the Wiltshire branch of the charity is hoping lots of people will volunteer to help with its collection. The charity does a huge amount of good work across the county but many people are under the mistaken impression
DAUNTSEY'S School start their season this morning with a match against the MCC at West Lavington, start 11.30am. The squad have recently returned from a very successful trip to Malta during which they won two and lost one of their matches. Games were
DEVIZES go into the new cricket season on the back of three successive friendly wins following a close victory over Warminster on Saturday 26 April. Winning the toss, Devizes skipper Mark Colyer had no hesitation in putting Warminster in on a wicket that
2003 CRICKET PREVIEW (Marlborough/Malmesbury/Box): MALMESBURY will be boosted by the return of popular Indian all-rounder BK Majumder as they begin their bid to bounce back into Division One of the Gloucester and Wiltshire League at the first attempt.
NATIONWIDE'S latest survey on house prices reveals the price of a typical UK property remained unchanged in April. However, the Swindon-based building society is predicting that the number of first-time buyers looks set to fall to a record low this year
PEOPLE wanting to start their own business in Swindon have been given a boost with the arrival of InBiz - a company dedicated to helping people set up a business. InBiz Business Support has won a contract with the Job-Centre to help and advise unemployed
A NUMBER of golfers from the area will be hoping for continued success in this year's Lombard Trophy when they compete in the South West Regional Final on Wednesday, May 7. Saunton Golf Club is the setting for the first of 16 regional finals where pairs
THE Tedworth Hunt hold their annual point-to-point meeting at Barbury Castle on Sunday. More than 100 horses have been entered for the six race card which starts at 2pm. The meeting opens with the Hunt race in which Chaucers Miller is the likely favourite
ORGANISERS of a fund-raising dinner and auction at Salisbury Guild Hall were delighted the event raised more than £3,000 for the Regain charity. "It was an excellent evening," said Trish Cowie who runs the Guilder Centre in Guilder Lane. "We can't thank
AFTER years of campaigning, the Salisbury branch of the Multiple Sclerosis Society is celebrating its success in getting the go-ahead for a specialist nurse for south Wiltshire. An MS specialist post has been agreed as a new development for the community
Robert Wade (captain) Joined club in 1992 after moving to Salisbury. Leading club run scorer on two occasions. Played for Wiltshire since 1995. Right hand bat, useful right arm medium bowler. Russell Rowe Prolific batsman who has played for the club all
WOMEN'S rugby star Emily Cook was delighted this week to learn she had been selected for England for the forthcoming Churchill Cup contest in Canada. The women's rugby team will accompany their male counterparts for the tournament in June involving Canada
A QUINTET of players from Salisbury Rugby Club have been named in the Dorset & Wiltshire side that travels to Marlow on Saturday for the Tetley's County Shield clash with Buckingham-shire. Peter Upton, Richard Lang, John Penry, Tim Shipsey and Don
THERE has been considerable interest in cricketers wishing to play for the Wiltshire 50+ team this year. A total of 19 players have put themselves forward of which 14 are available to play in the trial matches to be played shortly Peter Hagelthorn, captain
South Wilts 209-9 off 50 overs v Chippenham 28-1 off six overs (friendly) ALL of South Wilts' batsman got in and made a useful start but none went on to make a significant contribution in their friendly at home to Chippenham on Saturday. Jamie Glasson
DANNY Dunne was in fine form at therecent Bicton Show in Devon over the Easter weekend. Riding his new pony Quayside Caution, Danny dominated the junior sections by winning the main class on Good Friday, finishing second on Saturday before winning in
LOUISA Lockwood enjoyed a successful couple of days at Tweseldown Horse Trials when Freddie Lee followed up his Novice win at Larkhill with another success. The venue's sandy soil was clearly to the liking of the horse and Louisa was able to push on over
Prize money will top £1 million this summer at award-winning track AS SOON as the curtains closed on its highly successful 2002 season, work commenced behind the scenes at Salisbury Race-course to ensure racegoers visiting during 2003 enjoyed the experience
VILLAGERS in Ogbourne St George will attempt to row across the Channel, run a marathon and cycle a time trial in the Tour de France, on gym equipment in the car park of the Old Crown pub on Sunday. The static triathlon will raise money for church funds
WILTSHIRE LEAGUE CUP: CHIPPENHAM were unable to cash in on a dream start as their hopes of League Cup glory were shattered by Clevedon at Nursteed Road on Sunday 27 April. The Bluebirds started well when Jo Ashurst played a long through ball for Harriet
PURTON have been kept busy over the last couple of weeks and their 3-0 away win over Cheltenham Saracens put them in line to finish third in the table. Alan Clarke's side are five points adrift of Winterbourne United who are in third spot but have two
UNDERSTRENGTH Pewsey were left sweating on the results of others as they blew their final chance to escape the Premier Division's bottom four on Saturday 26 April. The home side needed to win their last game of the season in order to move out of the relegation
EMOTIONAL support charity the Samaritans is challenging people across Wiltshire to get on their bikes and cycle through Egypt to help celebrate its 50th birthday. Volunteers from the Samaritans will be tackling a 400km route in five days, taking in Aswan
SWINDON SUNDAY LEAGUE: DIVISION Seven leaders Duckhams Q completed the first part of what could be a memorable double when they lifted the Chairman's Trophy with a tremendous 5-1 victory over Motorola from Division Four. After an evenly contested start
A PIRATE galleon, moored many miles from the sea at Bowood House, has been made shipshape once again by the man who built the vessel more than 20 years ago. The refurbishment of the replica ship and other parts of the Bowood Adventure Playground, used
SKURRAY'S WILTSHIRE LEAGUE: CRICKLADE Town Reserves goalkeeper Andrew Robins lifted the Fountain Trophy Junior Cup after delaying his honeymoon to make Saturday's final. Robins, who was married last weekend, postponed his honeymoon to Florida until later
The Meningitis Trust has launched Wash Your Hands Week to warn people how to reduce the risk of catching the lesser known viral meningitis. Nick Riddle, 36, from Kington Langley, contracted the disease two years ago in America and spent more than four
POLICE are already preparing to act on information coming into the Shop a Pusher hotline, just two weeks after its re-launch. DS Alan Strike of the Wiltshire Police intelligence unit has revealed that seven callers have already contacted the Gazette &
SKURRAY'S WILTSHIRE LEAGUE: STRATTON Crosslink left it late to make sure of the runners-up spot in the Wiltshire League Premier Division. Two goals inside the last 10 minutes helped Crosslink bounce back from a goal down to beat Bradford Town 2-1. After
WILTSHIRE County Council has welcomed the Government's ban on Yo balls. Bans on imports of the toys have been imposed by the Department of Trade and Industry as a number of children have had the balls around their necks, almost strangling them. In one
THERE were tearful scenes at Colerne's Azimghur Barracks when 25 of the regiment's soldiers returned from the Gulf to a heroes' welcome from their wives and families. The returning men and women have been split between Kuwait and Basra, the scene of the
YOUTH FOOTBALL: SECOND and third place Devizes Town Youth and Trowbridge Town Youth shared the points in a 2-2 draw in the under 16s Red Division of the Wiltshire Times and Chippenham News Mid-Wilts Youth and Minor League. After a goal-less first Devizes
RETIRED auctioneer Harold Loveday has been allowed to keep his licence, despite admitting causing an accident in which a woman motorcyclist was seriously injured. Loveday, 81, of River Park, Marlborough, had originally pleaded guilty by letter to a charge
IN the wake of a decision to uphold Kennet District Council's plans for most new housing to be built in Devizes, JILL CROOKS looks at the Local Plan in detail and asks how it will affect the region's homebuyers. A Government planning inspector has upheld
IT was an incredible coincidence when two senior golfers eyed each other up before they teed off in a seniors match. They both thought the other looked familiar as Saltford took on Chipping Sodbury last month. It transpired that the pair had been close
Swindon is set to come alive with festivals, concerts and exhibitions as Swindon Artscape has a host of events lined up for the summer. Artscape, which was formed in September 2000 and is run by Swindon Borough Council, aims to open up the world of art
Rodbourne is one of Swindon's proudest and most historic communities. DOMINIC PONSFORD looks at a project that aims to preserve that history for posterity A UNIQUE project is being launched this weekend to create a multi-media historic archive of Rodbourne
RAF Lyneham's main runway is closed to aircraft after the landing gear of a cargo plane sheered out of position. The DC-8 cargo aircraft operated by MK Airlines was turning onto the runway on Tuesday afternoon as it prepared for take off. As it made the
BUILDER Chris Spearing sparked a police chase after hauling a suspected thief from the back of his works van. Mr Spearing, 34, was working on a house in Evelyn Street, Old Town, Swindon, when he heard the alarm go off in his van. In the ensuing struggle
A PIONEERING community resource centre was today celebrating after opening its second drop-in facility. The Shop in Cavendish Square a one-stop resource, advice and drop-in centre for the people of Parks and Walcot has become the focal point of the community
Asda Wal-Mart in the Orbital Shopping Park recently launched Baywatch Patrol a scheme to stop able-bodied drivers parking in bays intended for people with disabilities. Armed with a pair of binoculars and a platform ladder, the Baywatch car park custodians
AFTER years of campaigning, the Salisbury branch of the Multiple Sclerosis Society is celebrating its success in getting the go-ahead for a specialist nurse for south Wiltshire. An MS specialist post has been agreed as a new development for the community
ONE of Wilton's biggest companies is having to consider moving from the site it has occupied since 1840 because there is no room for it to expand. E V Naish Group of Companies, of Crow Lane, which has been in business for more than 200 years and employs
A REVOLUTIONARY treatment performed by a Salisbury surgeon is offering local people in pain with damaged knee cartilages the chance to lead normal, active lives again. Leading orthopaedic surgeon Gurd Shergill has already performed the first stage of
GOOD Samaritan Megan Grange comforted a driver trapped in the wreckage of his car after a multi-vehicle smash outside her home. She talked to the driver, a 38-year-old man from Calne, and kept him covered with a blanket until firefighters arrived at the
A TIDWORTH-BASED army bomb disposal expert has been awarded the George Medal, the highest peacetime bravery award. He is Staff Sergeant Mark Doyle (33), serving with 741 Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Squadron, Royal Logistic Corps, who spent more
COMMUNITY-minded youngsters set to work clearing up litter around the new Stokes Croft estate in Calne. Westlea Housing Association joined forces with Barnardo's community worker Sarah Elliott to organise the clean-up session, on Thursday. The children
CALNE Rotary Club has attracted three major sponsors for the third of its popular motorcycle meets, which will take place on July 19. This year the event, in aid of Naomi House Children's Hospice, is expected to attract 1,500 motorcycles, including three
CALNE schools have flooded the town's Rotary Club with items to pack in special boxes, which double as water purifiers for disaster-hit areas across the globe. The Aquabox is a compact plastic box containing water purification tablets and a filter, which
A SPECIAL coffee morning is being held in Bremhill to help fund holiday activities for disabled children. Money from the fundraiser, which will be held in the village hall between 10.30am and 12.30pm, will be donated to the North Wiltshire Holiday Club
AN appeal has been launched to attract more patrons for Calne's annual music and arts festival to help secure the future of the popular annual event. The eight-day festival, which is held in October, offers a wide variety of top-class musical acts originating
THE 50th anniversary of the school crossing patrol will be marked this week. To celebrate the milestone, reporters JILL CROOKS and SARAH SINGLETON found out what makes the job so special. LIFE as a lollipop lady has brought many rewards for mother-of-three
SUPERMARINE have laid on a coach and are hoping for a significant number of travelling fans to cheer the team on at Bromsgrove Rovers on Saturday. Victory for the Hunts Copse side should secure their Dr Martens Western Division status for next season.
YOUNGSTERS at a village Brownie group marked the end of a community project by handing over a cheque for £200. The 1st Worton and Marston Brownies received a grant from Worton Parish Council towards equipment and activities and as a thank you the group
ALLOTMENT holders have won the latest round in their bid to stop houses being built on their former plots at Spitalcroft in Devizes. A Government planning inspector ruled this week that the site cannot be developed until allotment land of comparable quality
RETIRED auctioneer Harold Loveday has been allowed to keep his licence, despite admitting causing an accident in which a woman motorcyclist was seriously injured. Loveday, 81, of River Park, Marlborough, had originally pleaded guilty by letter to a charge
FORMER pupils of Southbroom Secondary Modern School in Devizes, now Devizes School, are appealing to former classmates to attend a reunion. A number of pupils from the 1963/4 year are planning the reunion and have traced about 40 former pals but would
DRIVER Michael Carpenter, who led police on a high-speed night-time chase through narrow country lanes, has been given 200 hours' community punishment and banned from driving for 18 months. Carpenter, 30, who gave his address as Alma Place, Marlborough
THE Royal Mail sorting office in Sheep Street, Devizes, was evacuated on Monday morning when staff found a suspicious package. The office was cordoned off just after 5.30am for almost two hours while an Army bomb disposal unit was sent out. Concern was
NOW that St John's School has cleared a major hurdle in its plans for a single-site school, headteacher Patrick Hazlewood has been working with consultants on the logistics of moving the two schools together. Last week St John's heard that its lower school
MEMBERS of the public who responded to a survey on the location for a new skateboard park in Devizes have rejected The Green as a possible site. The Green was recommended by independent consultants who believed it was a good site. The consultants were
RESIDENTS of Spin Hill, Market Lavington, are calling for action to reduce speed on the road following the death of car passenger Sharon Oliver. Mrs Oliver, 34, was travelling in her husband's silver Renault 19 when it was in collision with a blue Peugeot
A NEWLY established youth club in Ludgershall is desperate to find an affordable meeting place. Leader Paul Gladwin said there has been a dearth of facilities for teenagers in the village. Efforts to launch a youth club have been hampered by a lack of
THERE is growing opposition to Network Rail's plan to install 100-ft radio masts beside the main London to Bristol railway line in Kennet, despite assurances that they are purely to increase rail safety. The parish councils in which the masts are to be
DIAMOND wedding pair George and Dorothy Devey are on the way to matching the achievement of her parents who achieved their 73rd wedding anniversary. Mr and Mrs Devey, both 81, have lived in Whitley Road, Aldbourne, for four years after moving from Bournemouth
THE legal team defending Major Charles Ingram against insurance fraud charges say they are considering making an application to have the case thrown out. They believe that Major Ingram, who was found guilty with his wife Diana of attempting to cheat on
POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a break-in at Woolworth's in Marlborough High Street when £12,000 of computer games were stolen. The two thieves, wearing balaclavas and white gloves, struck shortly after 4am on Tuesday morning. They broke the
VAL Hillier was on top form in the Wednesday Club match at Bourton on the Water. She netted a personal best catch when she took 108lb of carp, using a short pole and catmeat as bait. Mick Robins was next with 84lb on the pole and pellet. Third was Colin
THE SUN will not be shining on Swindon over the Bank Holiday weekend. Sancha Tetlow, of the Met Office, said: "Swindon will have a mixture of sun and showers and will be breezy, with temperatures of around 14 to 15 degrees Celsius." Saturday and Sunday
A HAYDON Wick community group offering friendship and a new lease of life to disabled people, will be forced to close unless it gets help with funding. Tech4D installs computers in the homes of disabled people and then sends a helper round to teach them
A CHARITY that helps disabled people communicate using computer technology is in urgent need of volunteers. The Swindon Communication Project Trust SCAMP loans computers and provides IT training for people who are physically disabled or have a sensory
POLICE are investigating claims of a con man operating from a Swindon hotel. The man was a guest at a town centre hotel at the end of March and beginning of April. While he was there, it is claimed that he conned Romford business analyst Simon Brown out
JUGGLING balls and novelty cushions have given an award- winning start to a company run by Swindon pupils. Red Nova was set up by a group of 15 Year Ten students, aged 14 and 15, at Kingsdown School in Stratton St Margaret, as part of the Young Enterprise
TRANSPORT Secretary Alistair Darling has been accused of keeping villagers in the dark over a dramatic "near miss" of two jumbo jets over Lyneham. The transatlantic planes came so close to colliding that avoidance systems in the cockpits sounded a warning
I THOUGHT you and your readers would like to know that the silent art auction held on April 24 in aid of my Mayoral charity the League of Friends of Chippenham Hospital raised the wonderful sum of £3,000. But these things don't just happen and a lot of
TODAY is the day that Swindon goes to the polls and the early signs indicate that alternative voting methods have banished voter apathy. Traditionalists have been able to visit polling stations across the borough to mark an "X" beside their preferred
A TOTAL of 96 guns and 1,129 rounds of ammunition have been handed over to Swindon police station during a month-long gun amnesty. The collection was part of a national firearms amnesty, which ended yesterday, aimed at encouraging members of the public
A WILTSHIRE town can now lay claim to the title of the oldest town in Britain. The discovery of Stone Age flints dating from 2,500BC means that people have lived in Malmesbury for 4,500 years. Archaeologists believe that the town sprung up from a Neolithic
How wonderful it would be if the suggestion of Robin Taylor (Gazette, April 24) could be carried out within our system of local government. As he says, it would be only logical to hold to ransom the 87 per cent of Kennet's housing allocation dumped on
CAMPAIGNERS fighting to save a redundant factory on the outskirts of Salisbury from becoming a housing estate have had to admit defeat. Salisbury district councillors approved last week an outline planning application by developer Taylor Woodrow to demolish
DANCE styles from around the world are on offer in a new season of classes run by Swindon Dance. Some of the more exotic courses on offer range from Egyptian dance, flamenco and bharatanatyam a classical Indian dance. All the regular classes including
