Archive

  • Cochran festival boss is declared bankrupt

    GAZETTE & HERALD: The organiser of the 10th anniversary Eddie Cochran Festival John Knight has announced he was declared bankrupt last Thursday, with debts of about £91,000. Mr Knight, head of the Eddie Cochran Appreciation Society (ECAS) 10th Anniversary

  • Traders are angered by call for CCTV cash

    GAZETTE & HERALD: Chippenham Town Council is appealing to retailers and businesses to produce some cash for the CCTV system or risk the consequences. Members of the town centre partnership sub committee want retailers and businesses to provide financial

  • T-shirt tribute grows

    15416/1GAZETTE & HERALD: UNPRECEDENTED demand for T-shirts in memory of a Foxham mum-of-two who died of cancer last year has led the designer to go to print early. Adam Lloyd, of Christian Malford, designed the Lions rugby shirts to raise money for

  • Tots get good eating habit

    15444/1GAZETTE & HERALD: AN APPLE a day keeps the doctor away, as youngsters at Tumble Tots nursery in Chippenham have been learning this week. It is part of a new Eat Fit Keep Fit campaign launched by the nursery, backed by Olympic gold medallist

  • Parking charges will drive shoppers away

    GAZETTE & HERALD: Increased car parking charges could drive businesses and shoppers out of Chippenham and put the brakes on the town's vitality and viability, according to the town's Chamber of Commerce. Members of the chamber delivered the hard-hitting

  • Woman is followed and then attacked

    GAZETTE & HERALD: A WOMAN was stalked, subjected to verbal abuse and then grabbed by a man as she walked in Corsham on Sunday morning. Police are now appealing for witnesses to the attack. The woman was walking along Arnold Avenue at about 9.40am

  • Proctor off to a dream start

    MICHAEL Proctor is in no mood to rest on his laurels despite a dream debut for Swindon Town. The 24-year-old striker bagged the only goal of the game as Andy King's men enjoyed a 1-0 victory over Port Vale at the County Ground last night. Proctor's loan

  • Pool needs vital repairs

    76209-18SWIMMERS in Highworth will have to look elsewhere for a dip this summer. The pool is likely to remain closed as its concrete floor is cracking and in need of £60,000 of repairs. Phil Baker, the chairman of the volunteers who run the pool, said

  • Course on art projects

    A COURSE to help community groups run arts projects is on offer from North Wiltshire District Council. Many groups realise they could benefit from running arts projects, but often don't know where to start or how to engage professional artists. The course

  • Campaign brings new speed limits

    The Gazette and Herald's Slow It Down campaign, which set out to make a dangerous stretch of the A4 a safer place to drive, has proved a success but there is still more work to be done. The A4 between Calne and Chippenham has been the scene of many accidents

  • Land grab fear

    VILLAGERS in Pewsey are accusing Kennet District Council of money grabbing over a land deal. They fear that a large part of the £1,000,000 which could be raised will end up going into district council coffers instead of into village schemes. Kennet owns

  • Why talking had to stop

    15412/1CHATTERBOXES Jessica Shields and Abigail Hughes have amazed their families and helped the Tsunami Appeal without saying so much as a single word. The two friends from Pewsey Primary School managed to stay silent for 24 hours and collected £200

  • Wilmott hits out at ruling

    Furious midfielder Ellis Wilmott believed the linesman's decision to award Bath's equalising goal robbed Chippenham of all three points on Tuesday. Wilmott was stood a few yards away from Mark Hervin and is certain the ball never crossed the line. He

  • Chippenham Town 1, King's Lynn 0

    WITH all their closest rivals picking up three points either in midweek or on Saturday, this proved to be an invaluable win for the Bluebirds. Chippenham were never at their best but their plans were affected after only quarter of an hour when Scott Walker

  • Bath City 1, Chippenham Town 1

    TEMPERS flared on Tuesday evening as confusion and controversy clouded an intense conflict at Twerton Park. Striker David Gilroy quietened the home fans by opening the scoring in the first half before Bath got a dubious equaliser when the ball did not

  • Shield match is a fantastic chance

    STEVE WHITE COLUMN: The season is getting on and injuries are starting to pile up for us, as I feared. We don't have an injury crisis but I am concerned that we do not have a full complement of players. We have done tremendously well and have only used

  • White's fury over goal that wasn't

    GOALKEEPER Mark Hervin and manager Steve White were left fuming at Twerton Park on Tuesday night after Chippenham and were robbed of three points by Bath City's controversial equaliser. Hervin easily caught a cross and took a step back when he was pushed

  • New factory to bring extra jobs

    CHIPPENHAM firm Fascia Graphics has bought a new £500,000 factory to support its expansion plans and create ten new jobs in the town. After ten years at Bumpers Farm the company decided to move to the Bath Road Industrial Estate. It wants to develop a

  • Dyson cleans up at number one in USA

    MALMESBURY-based manufacturer Dyson has cracked the American market after being named the country's number one manufacturer of vacuum cleaners. In just over two years Dyson has become the number one player in the United States, with a market share of

  • Traders up in arms as road works carry on

    BUSINESS people in Calne are dismayed by news that the Wood Street road works will not be completed until April. Originally it was suggested the road works could be finished by the end of February, however, that has been extended by a decision by Wiltshire

  • Mayoral ball raises £1,500

    MALMESBURY Mayor, Councillor Patrick Goldstone, has called this year's mayoral ball on Friday night a tremendous success after all tickets for the event were snapped up. Mayors from all over Wiltshire and Gloucestershire joined Coun Goldstone, James Arkell

  • Hot foot for the Sahara

    THREE friends will be tackling the Sahara Desert in a 15-year-old fire engine with one potentially making it into the record books. Martin Maisey, 47, from Little Somerford, thinks he could become the first man to finish the 10,000km-long Paris to Dakar

  • Alison celebrates

    ALISON Forster, has celebrated her first anniversary as managing director of First Great Western. The Swindon-based train operator is now bidding for the Greater Western rail franchise, which starts in March next year and will cover FGW, FGW Link, and

  • Recruitment consultant scoops £1,500 award

    LAURA Hayward, a consultant at Select Appointments in Regent Street, Swindon, has been given an award at the company's conference. Succeeding against stiff competition from more than 50 UK offices, Laura was awarded Top Temporaries Consultant Of The Year

  • Finals berth

    WESTLECOT bowls players will have representation in the last 32 in all of the four major national indoor championship events. Players from the club have qualified for the latter stages in the singles, pairs, triples and fours to be staged at the EIBA

  • Directory for town planned

    Names and numbers of local suppliers are needed as work begins on producing Wootton Bassett's first free directory of home-grown products. The directory is part of a North Wiltshire District Council led initiative called 'Made in the Wootton Bassett area

  • Cadets show the right stuff

    Cadets from the Air Training Corps 2491 (Lyneham) Squadron took part in a high profile display in Wootton Bassett town centre on Saturday. The exercise was aimed at recruiting more cadets to the squadron. Tom Reynolds, 14, who joined only six months ago

  • Arts festival hoped to re-energise town

    15443/2Plans are afoot for Wootton Bassett to hold its very own six-week long arts festival this summer to celebrate local talent and bolster the town's tourism. At an open meeting being held today local councillors, traders and residents will discuss

  • Cornwall U18 4, Wiltshire U18 3

    WILTSHIRE manager Mel Gingell said he was close to having a heart attack last Saturday after being put through an emotional rollercoaster against Cornwall at St Blazey. The scores were tied 3-3 at half-time after an explosive opening. Then in the dying

  • Mid-Wilts Youth and Minor League

    MID-WILTS YOUTH AND MINOR LEAGUE: THE game between home side Chippenham Town Youth and Salisbury City Juniors stood level at 1-1 at the interval. Chippenham dominated play in the second half netting a further three to finish 4-1 winners. Luke Holborough

  • Bizarre red card in cup

    TROWBRIDGE LEAGUE: SEMINGTON Magpies, the Division Three side were giantkillers in the Knockout Cup with a 2-1 win over Division Two Castle Combe Reserves, who had goalscorer Marcus Young sent off in bizarre circumstances. Young, cautioned in the first

  • Pupils may lose school bus seats

    PUPILS who live outside the designated transport catchment area of a school will not be guaranteed a place on a school bus under plans by Wiltshire County Council. The council wants to adopt the policy as it is experiencing pressure on school buses taking

  • Judge has ordered redress on bypass cash

    WILTSHIRE County Council will have to find thousands of pounds to pay a developer who compensated residents in Cepen Park whose homes were blighted by the Chippenham western bypass, a High Court judge has ruled. Nearly £80,000 was paid out to residents

  • Fairford Town 5, Pewsey Vale 1

    BOSS Steve Wootton has called upon his players to toughen up and fight for their Hellenic Premier Division survival after three own goals kept them firmly in the relegation zone on Saturday. But disappointed Wootton still feels his team can turn a corner

  • Corsham Town 2, Exmouth Town 2

    FAMILY connections ensured Corsham came from two goals behind to jump up to fourth on Saturday. An inspired change of tactics and goals from Alan Griffin and manager's son Ryan Bush saw the home side battle back from what Colin Bush described as a first

  • On the scent of change

    15415Reporter ALEX LAWLESS joined the Avon Vale Hunt for its first meet after the ban to find why its supporters believe the law must be overturned "A 700-YEAR-OLD tradition which will not stop." This was the rallying call from hunters who gathered for

  • Small villages to lose their polling stations

    FEARS have been expressed that voters, particularly elderly people, living in rural areas may not vote in elections after a decision by Kennet District Council to remove a number of polling stations. However, Kennet's returning officer for elections Mark

  • New hope for brave Charlie

    76212-14FOR little Charlie Dawson every day brings severe bouts of pain but now a complex operation could stop the attacks and allow him to spend more time out of a wheelchair. The nine-year-old who lives at Moredon and who is a pupil at Robert Le Kyng

  • What do people think of another tier?

    THE SOUTH WEST REGIONAL ASSEMBLY: Terry King, chair of the Okus Area Residents' Association: "The first thing is that we don't really know enough about the regional assembly. People say what is it? Who is on it? What does it do? "But what we do know gives

  • Who does what in this unelected body

    THE SOUTH WEST REGIONAL ASSEMBLY: The assembly is currently chaired by Jackie Longworth (pictured), who is a trade union representative. The vice chair is Coun Gil Streets, of Dorset County Council (Lib Dem) and the deputy chairs are Coun Sir Simon Day

  • Supermarine's plucky defeat

    Supermarine Ladies' rugby side were beaten 40-12 at league leaders Plymouth Ablion on Sunday. Starting with only 13 players, Marine started with plenty of intesity and within 10 minutes Emily Taylor crossed the line to open the scoring with Rachel Popham

  • I'm still waiting for the answers

    76171-49MOTHER Joanna Stump says she is being kept in the dark over her son's death from a suspected heroin overdose. Nicholas Miles was found dead in a field in September. The 25-year-old had been in and out of prison, and was a regular heroin user.

  • Spotlight falls on Fairtrade

    GAZETTE & HERALD: RESIDENTS of Calne will be able to check out the latest range of Fairtrade chocolate, coffee and fashion during the first week of March. A Fairtrade fashion ahow will take place in Calne Town Hall on March 4 between 7pm and 9.30pm

  • Chip off old rock

    15424/2GAZETTE & HERALD: ELVIS Aaron Presley Jnr, son of the original king of rock 'n' roll, swapped the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas for Calne to open up a new nightclub. The White Hart Hotel in London Road officially opened its new function room

  • Top books with schools

    PUPILS from Southbroom Junior School in Devizes helped to nominate the best children's books for two prestigious awards. Each year librarians in Wiltshire nominate their favourite books and seek the views of youngsters. This year the views of pupils at

  • Clampers move in at car park

    THE clamping company employed by Tesco clamped a number of cars parked behind the One Stop Shop in the Market Place yesterday. Tesco, which owns the One Stop Shop, brought in a clamping firm earlier this month to control the parking in the 28-space car

  • Committee split on need for extra lights

    DEVIZES Town Council is to ask the police if there has been any crime committed on The Green to help decide if street lighting is needed there. The town council's community and civic resources committee was split on whether or not lampposts were needed

  • Man is sought for golf thefts

    Police have released a picture of a man they wish to speak to in connection with the theft of items from the Ogbourne and Tidworth golf clubs. The the thefts took place in November but police only released details this week. Police said the same man could

  • Village shop bucks trend

    VILLAGERS at Urchfont, near Devizes, have succeeded in turning the tide of village shop closures by opening a community shop and post office. Hundreds of local residents crammed into the car park outside the Lamb Inn on Saturday to see the official opening

  • Man denies sex charge

    An Ogbourne St George man is to face trial by jury after pleading not guilty to a sex offence on a 14-year-old girl. Rodney Miles, 32, is charged with causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity. The offence is alleged to have taken place

  • New skills for young

    15440/01YOUNG unemployed men and women are being invited to go on a free personal development course in Devizes. The Prince's Trust is running the 12-week course starting on March 7. Nial Pearce, who has run similar courses before, said they help young

  • Banned driver is spared by court

    OFF duty police officers saw disqualified driver Brian Little driving a works van in Marlborough on three occasions, magistrates heard on Monday. Painter and decorator Little, 40, of Five Stiles Road, Marlborough, appeared before magistrates in Andover

  • Driver unhurt after his car somersaults

    15409/2A LOCAL driver escaped with minor injuries after a crash near Urchfont last Thursday. The silver grey Peugeot 306 left the road, hit an embankment and flew into a field beside the B3098 just outside the village at about 7.45am. It rolled over a

  • Chase leads to cash booty

    POLICE are investigating how two men arrested after a car chase near Marlborough were in possession of what officers described as a large sum of money. Around midnight on Saturday police chased a metallic blue Audi from Marlborough to Rockley. The driver

  • Final knell for college beagles

    15410/13THE hunting ban has brought about the end of the Marlborough College Beagles, one of only four school hunting packs in the country. Eton, Stow and Radley were the other three public schools running their own beagle hunts and they, too, have been

  • Bid to reform saves assault man from jail

    TRAINEE bricklayer Christopher Pike has been told the only thing that saved him from prison for assaulting police officers was his bid to go straight. The 22-year-old from Mildenhall appeared before Wiltshire magistrates sitting in Andover on Monday together

  • Wildlife rescue in the spotlight

    A SWINDON animal welfare ranger is giving a talk about her work rescuing and rehabilitating the town's wildlife. Sue Hulbert, who works with the Swindon Service ranger team, will be talking about the effects of pollutants and disease on our wildlife.

  • Exposing the abuse

    ELDERLY people suffering abuse could be helped by an awareness drive organised by Wiltshire County Council. The drive is linked to this year's Comic Relief campaign on the same subject. The council believe that elder abuse is a significant, but rarely

  • Retro rockers all set to hit the Oasis

    SOUTHERN retro rockers the Kings of Leon are coming to Swindon. The band are playing at the Oasis as part of a summer tour. They burst onto the scene in 2003 with their 70s tinged Youth And Young Manhood album. Their latest album Aha Shake Heartbreak

  • Pewsey are left in third

    THE first round of the Angling Times Super Cup, featuring club teams of ten, took place on a very cold and clear running river at Rushy on Sunday. Team Elgin proved to be a strong squad on the host team's chosen water and despite Haydon Street AC having

  • Take a leap of faith to raise money for charity

    ANYONE with a head for heights can help raise money to help the blind. Wiltshire Blind Association is looking for daring volunteers to help raise funds by abseiling from the WH Smith building in Greenbridge in April. The event is open to anyone and any

  • Tackle the game safely

    RUGBY may seem like a rough-and-tumble game for younger players, but older people can try a less dangerous alternative. Swindon council is preparing a tag rugby programme as part of their Masters programme. Aimed at both men and women the sport is a safe

  • Stan always dreamed of a best-seller

    FORMER Adver writer Stanley Hurwitz has died at the age of 84. Stanley had a varied career in journalism, and was the Adver's feature writer for nearly 15 years before retiring in 1985. Writing was his great passion, and he always dreamt of best-seller

  • Disabled anglers can reel in concessions

    DISABLED people in the Swindon area will be able to use their Blue Badge to gain concessions for fishing. The Environment Agency has said rules for applying for a concessionary licence on grounds of disability are to become clearer and fairer. In the

  • Council to grant freedom honour to regiment

    THE South Cerney-based 29 Regiment Royal Logistics Corps will be given the Freedom of Cotswold District on March 10. Coun Sue Jepson, chairman of Cotswold District Council, will present the prestigious military honour. To celebrate the freedom, the troops

  • Smart cleaner

    JAMES Dyson, pictured, has invented a vacuum cleaner that can order its own spare parts. The cleaner alerts the owner when it breaks down or needs a replacement part. The owner then dials the Dyson call centre and holds the phone receiver to the vacuum

  • Appeal for specialists

    AN URGENT appeal has been made for a physiotherapist to help multiple sclerosis sufferers. The Swindon Therapy Centre for Multiple Sclerosis on the Cheney Manor industrial estate wants to hear from a specialist who can help for two to three hours a week

  • Doubts over curbs on hellish neighbours

    LANDLORDS have expressed concerns over a crackdown on neighbours from hell. Private landlords fear they will be lumbered with housing yob families. Swindon received £25,000 as part of the drive to rid neighbourhoods of loutish tenants. While supporting

  • Hooligan texting scheme kicked off at Town match

    A PIONEERING scheme to stamp out football hooliganism was introduced at the County Ground last night. Town's match against Port Vale made history as for the first time fans could text a police officer if there was any trouble. The Blow the Whistle on

  • Carving out a new vocation

    SWINDON College is one step ahead of Government plans to introduce vocational diplomas for 14 to 19-year-olds. The college already teaches vocational skills to 570 14 to 16-year-olds many of whom take time off school every week to study at the college

  • Help for parents who hit children

    PARENTS in Swindon have welcomed a new scheme targeting stress-ed mums and dads who hit out at their babies and toddlers in anger. The NSPCC has launched a major drive to spread the anti-anger message across the country. Gary Holmes, manager of the North

  • It's a snarl up!

    A LORRY that broke down at a busy junction brought the town's traffic to a standstill. The breakdown, on the corner of Calcutt Street and High Street, in Cricklade happened yesterday morning at 10.30 am. It is the latest in a series of similar incidents

  • Bench Mark

    A BRAND new bench was officially unveiled yesterday in Old Town to let residents to sit back and have a rest. Swindon's three Rotary Clubs have clubbed together to provide the bench on the corner of Wood Street. The stainless steel bench marks the 100th

  • Gifted pupil bunked off from school

    A TALENTED young artist could flop her exams because her mum failed to make her go to school, a court heard. The 14-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was tipped to gain an A* grade in her art GCSE next summer. Now she faces an uphill struggle

  • Clampers hit youth volunteers

    76134-17A YOUTH football club say they need to find a new training ground after being fined nearly £700 for parking near their current place. Stratton Football Club, which runs teams for youngsters aged seven to 16, usually trains on council land near

  • Not good term

    REF: Advertiser comment Friday, February 18, on prostitution. Please would the writer define what "non-prostitutes" are? As a resident of the area in question, I am offended by this new title. I am not a prostitute, merely a council tax paying resident

  • Brilliant ban

    IT was brilliant news that the vile practice of hunting fox, deer, hare and mink with hounds is now outlawed . For too long these people on horseback were allowed to terrorise wildlife with impunity along with their hounds running riot out of control

  • We don't all want trees

    With reference to Saplings snapped by saps, (EA, February 16). While I do not condone the behaviour of whoever vandalised the trees, as a Rodbourne Cheney resident whose property is adjacent to the verge on which these five (not four as reported) trees

  • Warning over roof cowboys

    GAZETTE & HERALD: TWO cowboy builders thought to have been operating nationally have been spotted in Chippenham. Police on patrol in the Woodlands Road area on Thursday chased the tricksters who had been offering to carry out roof repairs. Officers

  • Aldbourne 10, Malmesbury 25

    ON a bright but cold, winter afternoon, Malmesbury Monks put on their winning habits again to take The Dabchicks unbeaten home record from them by a goal, a penalty goal and three tries, to two tries. The home side had a heavy, well organised pack, which

  • New bid for community

    GAZETTE & HERALD: LONG-awaited plans to convert the derelict Derriads Barn in Chippenham into a viable community facility moved one step closer to becoming a reality this week. The Grade II Listed barn, part of the former Derriads Farm, was set aside

  • Corsham 101, Hungerford 0

    NICK Denham led the way with a hat-trick as Corsham despatched Hungerford 101-0 in Saturday's Dorset & Wilts Division One North encounter. In a game reduced to uncontested scrums, the leaders profited from a wealth of possession and outside centre

  • Supermarine U9 0, Devizes U9 15

    DEVIZES took a worryingly long time to get into their stride. Tom Jaggs and Stuart Hartley, the dynamic duo from Devizes front row, volunteered to supplement the understrength Supermarine side. The bitter wind sapped the players' energy and their concentration

  • Melksham and Devizes Colts 10, Dorchester 3

    THE Combined team came away deserved victors in this tense Dorset & Wilts U18 Cup encounter against decent opponents from Dorchester. With a couple of absentees from their normal team and fielding no less than six of the U16 squad this was never going

  • Open street

    I would just like to thank the public who have battled their way into Calne town centre over the past three weeks. Speaking to other traders, we have all taken a serious knock in turnover. I think we all accept that the work has to be done, but just wish

  • Pop star to tell of his salvation

    GAZETTE & HERALD: FORMER Boyzone heartthrob Shane Lynch, who is now a committed Christian, is coming to Chippenham next month to tell his remarkable life story. Mr Lynch, who shot to fame as one fifth of Boyzone in the 1990s will be at the Neeld Hall

  • Park is for all

    WITH reference to the skate park in Chippenham, surely the solution is to get Skate in Safety to come up with proposals for reducing the noise from a skatepark since the only objections have been regarding this. Once SIS have done that there would be

  • Many thanks

    Following the accident on London Road, Marlborough last Friday, February 18, we would like to thank the emergency services and all the other people who were kind enough to stop and help us. It was much appreciated. C, A & M Mundy Marlborough

  • Make views count on area transport study

    Following my recent letter concerning our traffic warden, you managed to change my surname to 'Price'. I wish to make it clear to everyone that I have not married, I never use a pseudonym and there is no Val Price in Kennet Place. The jokes about the

  • Sad day for democracy as MP gets egg on face

    After watching the horrific pictures of the Labour MP for Wansdyke, Dan Norris, being pelted by eggs and marched out of the village of Badminton, (ITV1 West, Thursday, February 17) I think it's a very sad day for democracy here in Great Britain. Being

  • Window on world policing

    15427/01GAZETTE & HERALD: KENYAN police commander George Kinoti was helping to keep Chippenham's streets safe last Thursday as part of a international approach to tackling crime in the county. Mr Kinoti, 37, was one of eight police commanders from

  • Music makers

    15437/02GAZETTE & HERALD: LYNEHAM was one of four villages in Wiltshire selected for the Big Ideas Mini Operas community project which culminates in the Salisbury International Arts Festival. Organised by a partnership of arts organisations, the four

  • Public support takes air base by surprise

    15451/03GAZETTE & HERALD: DONATIONS have been pouring into RAF Lyneham in memory of the 10 servicemen killed in last month's Hercules tragedy in Iraq. This week the Gazette joined forces with the base to promote the fund, which has officially been

  • 'My boys were the very best'

    A painting of Hercules 179 which crashed in IraqGAZETTE & HERALD: "I COULDN'T put together a finer bunch of blokes. They were my most trusted and respected crew and will be almost impossible to replace." These were the words of Wing Commander Mike

  • Youth club is in jeopardy

    GAZETTE & HERALD: A LARGER youth club in Box will have to be put on hold because there are no co-ordinators to help make the scheme a reality. Margaret Carey, parish council clerk said: "There is a need for a youth club. "We've got lots of facilities

  • Jog memories of old school

    GAZETTE & HERALD: THE story of the old school at Pound Pill, Corsham is being researched by North Wiltshire District Council, but it has run into trouble because there are so few photographs of the building. The school has a number of buildings listed

  • Pupils put best foot forward for charity

    15426/1GAZETTE & HERALD: FOURTEEN young school friends pulled on their walking boots on Tuesday and embarked on a 28-mile trek to honour friends and family who had lost their battle with cancer. The students who are all working for their GCSEs at

  • Big guns join fight to reopen train station

    GAZETTE & HERALD: Corsham Station campaigners have acquired a new ally in their long-running battle to have the railway station re-opened. At a meeting of the Corsham Local Transport Plan working group at Corsham Town Hall on Monday, the Ministry

  • Eddy will ensure town gets a clean sweep

    15400/1GAZETTE & HERALD: CORSHAM litter buster Eddy Lodge will have her hours extended so she can continue to keep the streets spick and span. Mrs Lodge works 14 hours a week at present cleaning the town centre, but from April 1 she will be working

  • Little angel needs you

    In the second week of the Gazette's appeal for the Springboard Nursery Zoe Mills looks at the help it has given one little girl who could now lose her place HOLLY Williams is an angel. The blonde haired, blue eyed three-year-old has a rare condition called

  • Search is on for eyesore

    PEOPLE in North Wiltshire are being urged to nominate their most hated buildings for a new Channel Four show called Demolition. The makers of the show, which will air in the autumn, hope it will kick-start a nationwide debate about the value of architecture

  • Town gets notification of royal wedding

    JUST days before the announcement that the Queen is to stay away from the marriage ceremony of Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles a notice appeared on the board at Chippenham Register Office to announce the wedding. Between dozens of other names

  • OAP hit by cycling councillor on path

    PENSIONER Joyce Goddard is counting the cost of cyclists riding on footpaths in Pewsey. Mrs Goddard, 80, of Coronation Close, Pewsey, said she was bowled over while walking along the footpath that leads from the end of her cul de sac to the Best One shop

  • Parking charges shock villagers

    15450/02TWO Pewsey parish councillors are threatening to resign in protest over a bid by Kennet District Council to introduce parking charges in the village. The news also came out of the blue for district councillors Anne Hayhoe and Jerry Kunkler. They

  • Fans are delighted at council funding

    FOOTBALL fans in Chippenham are celebrating after the club was awarded £6,327 for the installation of new safety barriers at Hardenhuish Park. North Wiltshire District Councillors voted against their officers' recommendation to give the club just half

  • Striker has a rare chance

    Last night Biddestone striker Luke Gullick capped off an amazing two weeks by being asked to sit on the substitutes bench for Chippenham Town. The forward was amazed he was asked to take part in the much anticipated derby clash between the Bluebirds and

  • Wingers are the key for Ciren boss

    CHIPPENHAM face their second local derby in a week when Cirencester visit Hardenhuish Park on Saturday. After their draw with Bath on Tuesday night Chippenham face another promotion chasing team. Cirencester are lying in ninth position but are just three

  • Mobility firm forms service

    A CHIPPENHAM mobility firm is hiring out wheelchairs and scooters to people who need a break from walking around town. With parking in the town centre increasingly difficult Claire Byron and Colin Gordon, who own CC Mobility in Market Place, decided to

  • Silbury housing group expands

    SILBURY, the parent company of Sarsen Housing Association, is to be renamed Aster. The change is being proposed in April when Testway Housing Association joins Silbury. A Silbury spokesman said Aster is the Latin word for star and the name would reflect

  • Creativity pays off for IT business

    MALMESBURY firm Real Creative Solutions is celebrating after its innovative wireless digital media screens were unveiled at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. The huge screens show a mix of adverts, corporate messages and up-to-date public information

  • Residents fear it's no go for 999 vehicles

    RESIDENTS and councillors are concerned about cars blocking up Cliff Road and Silver Street in Sherston. Both residential roads are narrow, but with cars parking on either side access has become even more difficult. Following complaints to the county

  • Motorcyclist thrown into oncoming traffic

    A TOP polo player pal of Prince Charles, and his sons Princes William and Harry, has told of his horror as a motorcyclist crashed into his horsebox and then was thrown into the path of an oncoming car. Former public schoolboy, Guy Verdon, 32, from Malmesbury

  • Dyson denies silt pollution

    VACUUM cleaner tycoon James Dyson has been charged with polluting a river which runs through his £15 million estate in South Gloucestershire. The inventor is accused of allowing silt from ornamental lakes at his Dodington Estate, near Chipping Sodbury

  • Quarry is declared a reserve

    CORSTON quarry and pond has been formally declared a Local Nature Reserve by the St Paul Malmesbury Without Parish Council. It means the 0.5-hectare site will be afforded special protection and the parish council will be able to apply for grants for its

  • Homes plan for pool site angers residents

    RESIDENTS are not impressed by the new application that has been submitted for 22 homes at the old Malmesbury outdoor pool site. They say too many houses are being built on the site and object to many of the buildings being three-storey. Objectors say

  • Two reasons to celebrate

    15452/1As children return from their half term break Luckington Community Primary School is celebrating two pieces of good news. First, it is one of only four schools in Wiltshire at the moment to renew its Basic Skills Quality Mark. The award demonstrates

  • Historic day for school

    15441/6CHILDREN in Sherston celebrated being part of village history this week when they moved into their new £1.6million school. As part of the celebrations they were joined on Tuesday by the Bishop of Bristol, the Rt Rev Mike Hill, and Dorothy Dyson

  • Biotech teams meet

    THE development of the south west's fast-growing biotech industry has been discussed at a meeting this week. Leading figures from within the industry and training providers gathered in Ilminster. The event was organised by BioApproaches South West, a

  • New faces join unit

    SCOTT Wilson's railways operations and planning unit has taken on three new members Graham Hewett, Ian Lake and George Bryden. The team, which works across the country, including Swindon, is working on a diverse range of projects such as operational modelling

  • Accountants can sample software

    A MICROSOFT partner company is holding a new product roadshow at the De Vere Hotel in Shaw Ridge, Swindon, next month. Devon-based Digita, the only UK accountancy software developer with gold-certified partner Microsoft accreditation will be meeting accountancy

  • Get connected with great job

    ALISTAIR Cove never fails to greet customers with a smile and he loves his job. There's many people who are fortunate enough to be in that position, but it took a while to find Alistair employment because he has learning difficulties and juvenile arthritis

  • Jungle day is aimed at helping children read

    Wootton Bassett library will become a bit of a jungle next week when children and adults go bananas at a special chimp's tea party. The event, to mark World Book Day, will run from 4pm to 5.30pm on Thursday and is part of the day's events to encourage

  • Farmers give service a lift

    A SUCCESSFUL Wiltshire Farmers' Ball raised £1,000 for Wiltshire Air Ambulance earlier this month. The fourth annual ball, held at the White Horse Leisure Centre in Calne, attracted 340 farmers and friends from around the county as tickets sold out quickly

  • Police trophy run is arrested by Fascia

    CHIPPENHAM SUNDAY LEAGUE: FIRST Division Chippenham Police had their dreams of cup glory dashed for another season when they were dumped out by fourth division underdogs Fascia Graphics. Graphics just need one goal to settle the contest which was scored

  • Bromham put spoke in College title bid

    WILTSHIRE LEAGUE: NEW College's 2-1 defeat at Bromham could have ruined the Premier Division title chances of the Swindon side. In a tight first 45 minutes a header from Bromham skipper Tom Paget was all that separated the sides at the break. Bromham

  • Speeding charges 'unjust'

    SPEEDING charges against a number of motorists were dropped after doubts that the Wiltshire and Swindon Safety Camera Partnership had warning signs in place. Driver Clair Allison, of Amesbury, was caught on camera exceeding a temporary 40mph limit for

  • Bassett hold on for point

    WOOTTON Bassett sneaked a credible point at North Leigh though it would have been all three but for a last-minute penalty. A 2-2 draw extends the Premier Division strugglers' unbeaten run to four matches. Chris Jones' men battled back from a goal down

  • More cash for health trust

    CASH strapped Kennet and North Wiltshire Primary Care Trust is to receive increased funding from the Government. The funding allocations, announced by Health Secretary John Reid, relate to the years 2006/7 when it will receive an extra £17.6million and

  • Final aid for appeal is to leave Wroughton

    AS the Wiltshire Mercy Appeal moves towards an end, joint chairman Alex Duffy says it will always be ready and willing to launch another aid effort whenever required. And he said he believes it would be even quicker and slicker thanks to its experiences

  • Melksham Town 2, Welton Rovers 3

    LEE Burns' debut as player manager of Melksham was ruined by a last minute winner on Saturday. Burns was appearing as boss for the first time since Nigel Tripp walked away from the Conigre after the 10-0 humiliation against Bideford. He will have to wait

  • Devizes Town 2, Clyst Rovers 6

    Assistant manager John Freegard apologies to the fans after after relegation strugglers Clyst dismantled his side on Saturday. He said after the threashing: "On behalf of the management team however I would like to apologise to the supporters and committee

  • Shepton Mallet 0, Biddestone 0

    UNDER-PRESSURE manager Gary Skidmore has stopped looking at the league table and set his struggling side a target of five wins after Biddestone battled to their first away point of the season on Saturday. After this Saturday's game against Elmore they

  • Calne Town 3, Chard Town 0

    TOWN boss Kelvin Highmore has his sights set on knocking Radstock out of the title race by winning their top of the table clash on Tuedsay night. A goal from Ben Moore and two from striker Glenn Armstrong, who was making his 100th appearance for the club

  • Players quit Melksham

    MELKSHAM Town have been hit by a walkout after captain Carl Halfield and striker Owen Bryan quit the club. Harfield signed for rivals Westbury, saying "I just thought the time was right to move on, I needed a change." Bryan said he left because he did

  • Ashamed Devizes turn down their pay

    DEVIZES Town players were so ashamed of their performance in Saturday's 6-2 drubbing at home by bottom side Clyst Rover, they decided they did not deserve their wages. After the humiliating defeat assistant manager John Freegard told his players to collect

  • 'My boys were the very best'

    A painting of Hercules 179 which crashed in IraqGAZETTE & HERALD: "I COULDN'T put together a finer bunch of blokes. They were my most trusted and respected crew and will be almost impossible to replace." These were the words of Wing Commander Mike

  • Get a taste of fair trade

    A FORTNIGHT of events promoting Fairtrade food is taking place in Kennet. Fairtrade goods will be on sale and free tastings available at various events. To kick off the fortnight in Devizes, which is bidding to become a Fairtrade town, a Traidcraft market

  • Council tax set to go up by5 per cent

    COUNCIL tax payers in the Kennet district face an increase in their bills of five per cent. Kennet District Council set its budget and council tax on Tuesday and it will come into force in April. The five per cent rise is the equivalent of £5.72 a year

  • Novice farmers get support for mobile

    KENNET district councillors have backed a couple undertaking their dream of running a stock farm at Great Cheverell, by granting planning permission for a mobile home. Kevin and Fiona Gover sold their house near Calne and moved into rented accommodation

  • Presenting the case for the defence

    THE SOUTH WEST REGIONAL ASSEMBLY: WE ARE not a faceless quango that is the message from the regional assembly itself. Bryony Houlden, chief executive of the assembly, is keen to point out the benefits of the body. "I think the key point to make is that

  • Who sits on the Regional Assembly?

    THE SOUTH WEST REGIONAL ASSEMBLY: There are 117 members who sit on the regional assembly. Each of the 51 councils within the south west region has one representative. Swindon's representative is council leader Coun Mike Bawden. But another 28 councillors

  • QUANGO set to stuff us

    SWINDON'S future could be decided by an unaccountable talking shop which ignores the town, according to local politicians. The South West Regional Assembly is currently looking at whether Swindon will have to find space for an extra 24,000 homes between

  • Stripped, bound and blindfolded

    76213-65FEW of us would volunteer to be bound, blindfolded, stripped naked and interrogated for a television programme but that just what one Swindon man has done. Pete Dewhirst and six others were selected to take part in a Channel 4 TV programme which

  • Such penny pinchers

    76210-43This week the council agreed savings of £10m. But to prove they do look after their cash they've sent Louise Hall a tax bill for... you guessed it... 1p. LOUISE Hill could not believe it when she opened her council tax bill and found she had been

  • Snooker hall being redone

    GAZETTE & HERALD: SNOOKER giant, Stephen Lee, will be attending the official opening Calne's new snooker club tonight. Trowbridge-based Mr Lee, who was ranked number 12 in the world before the UK Masters tournament last week, will be opening the centre

  • Surveys of traffic speeds on the way

    GAZETTE & HERALD: MEMBERS of Calne Town Council are campaigning for safer roads following a number of accidents and near misses in the town. The town council has proposed a traffic survey be carried out at Abberd Way, Lickhill Road and North Street

  • County agrees to shift signs for car sharing

    GAZETTE & HERALD: WILTSHIRE County Council is moving car sharing signs along a busy road after complaints from Calne Town Council. Signs were put up without consultation in November to encourage people to share cars and cut down on pollution and congestion

  • Mums' guide on how to keep your cool

    15434/1GAZETTE & HERALD: CALNE mothers have been helping the NSPCC develop its new book Keeping Your Cool as part of its latest national campaign. One in six parents of babies and toddlers lose their temper with their child almost every other day,

  • Cinderella gets new look

    GAZETTE & HERALD: THE panto Cinderella Revisited by amateur dramatics company Calne Players proved to be one of their most successful to date. As the amateur dramatic company's tenth pantomime, they decided to reprise their first pantomime, Cinderella

  • Traders up in arms as road works carry on

    GAZETTE & HERALD: BUSINESS people in Calne are dismayed by news that the Wood Street road works will not be completed until April. Originally it was suggested the road works could be finished by the end of February, however, that has been extended

  • Church organ fund wins £10,000 boost

    15435/01GAZETTE & HERALD: FRIENDS of St Mary's Church in Calne are celebrating following a £10,000 grant from North Wiltshire District Council for the restoration of its 97-year-old organ. It was another piece of good news for the ambitious £200,000

  • Traders kick up a stink about town pong

    RESIDENTS and workers in the Market Place and Station Road, Devizes, were met with a mysterious foul stench yesterday morning. People said there have been unpleasant smells seemingly coming from the drains on occasions but said the smell yesterday was

  • Speed limit battle is won

    NEW speed limits on Spin Hill in Market Lavington are due to be implemented by the end of this week. The changes are the result of a long campaign by residents and Market Lavington Parish Council. Villagers relaunched a campaign to reduce the 60mph limit

  • Youth group's 24-hour fast

    BURGERS, chips and all other food will be off the menu for members of the Christchurch Methodist Youth Group in Marlborough when they take part in a 24-hour fast at the weekend in aid of Aids orphans. It will be the third successive year that the youth

  • Children praised for raising the alarm

    POLICE liaison with schools in the Devizes area is paying dividends and pupils are now more aware without being alarmed at the prospect of stranger danger. Recently children at one school in the town reported to their teachers that a man had been taking

  • Society to fold

    AFTER more than 35 years of helping shape the face of Marlborough and prevent major planning disasters, the town's Civic Society could fold. Unless new members come forward at the annual meeting at the Merchant's House at 7.30pm on March 17, the society

  • St John in campaign to pay for HQ move

    Explorer David Hempleman-Adams has thrown his weight behind Wiltshire St John Ambulance's campaign to raise funds for a new headquarters on the Hopton Industrial Estate in Devizes. The charity, which has operated out of a listed building in Devizes High

  • Store is revamped minus its post office

    CUSTOMERS spoke of their sadness at the closure of the Post Office at the One Stop stores in Eastleigh Road, Devizes , after more than 40 years trading. Despite a campaign by customers , backed by the Gazette & Herald and a 1,000 signature petition

  • Fire threatens future of old Assize courts

    Assize Courts building in DevizesTHE listed Assize Courts building in Devizes is under even greater threat following a fire last week that needed eight fire engines to tackle. Firefighters from Devizes were called to the building in Northgate Street shortly

  • Friends mourn a true campaigner

    Roma Draper, who died suddenlyTRIBUTES have been paid to Devizes woman Roma Draper who campaigned tirelessly for Devizes Maternity Unit. Miss Draper, who was 58, died of a brain haemorrhage as she was preparing to travel to Gatwick Airport for a holiday

  • Students fundraise for rainforest adventure

    15284/1A GROUP of 16 students from St John's School, Marlborough, is getting ready for a trip of a lifetime to observe and preserve the rainforest in Central America. This summer, just after their A level exams finish, the geography, biology and environmental

  • Butcher picks his cut off day

    15411/1Butcher Francis May will be hanging up his cleaver and filleting knife for good in March after 40 years of serving Aldbourne villagers with their Sunday joints and cuts of meat. In the 1960s when he moved to the butcher's shop, W Humphries, Aldbourne

  • Health and safety inspects schools

    A TEAM of Health and Safety inspectors will visit 21 Swindon schools today. They will be looking at several issues, including on-site transport and pedestrian safety outside school gates. Helen Sherwood, who will be leading the team, said: "We are really

  • Paths set to get a facelift

    FIVE footways around Swindon are to be resurfaced. The footways on Islandsmead in Dorcan, Penhill Drive in Penhill, Woodside Avenue, Swallowfield Avenue and Caversham Close in Walcot are to be sealed with bituminous slurry to give an even surface. The

  • Fraudster stole from GPs

    A WOMAN has been ordered to pay compensation to the NHS after conning GP surgeries out of more than 5,000 pills. Health bosses say Ruth King, 43, of Shaftesbury Avenue, effectively stole from the mouths of the sick after visiting a number of Swindon surgeries

  • The net is cast

    THE net is being tightened by Swindon Council on benefit fraudsters. The authority's benefit fraud team works closely with employment agencies, and also relies on tip-offs from members of the public. Coun Nick Martin, pictured, the council's cabinet member

  • Drivers warned

    POLICE are cracking down on off-road drivers who churn up the Ridgeway. A temporary road order bans vehicles from the ancient track between October and April. Sgt Max Sharman, of Wiltshire Constabulary said: "The track is being resurfaced, but there is

  • Film makers' hidden talent shines at award ceremony

    PUPILS from Commonweal School are back in reality this morning after attending a glitzy award ceremony in London. The students went to a star-studded gala UK film festival ceremony and rubbed shoulders with Shakespearan actor Sir Ian McKellan (pictured

  • Get bidding to give Chernobyl kids treat

    FROM signed footballs to a glider flight, there are a host of exciting gifts up for grabs at a charity auction. The sale is being held on Friday, March 4 in aid of the Zaslowya Project. The charity brings children affected by the Chernobyl disaster to

  • Paperwork call for swordsman

    A PENHILL man will be sentenced next month for possessing two samurai swords in a public place. Jamie-Paul Withers, 23, of Grafton Road, appeared before Swindon magistrates yesterday. At a previous hearing he pleaded guilty to the offence, which happened

  • Announcement due on Skerman

    NEWS on the future of Swindon social services director Keith Skerman, pictured, is expected in the next few days. It is believed the 51-year-old, who has been off for five weeks, will be leaving. Swindon Council chiefs have refused to confirm whether

  • We all think it's a good idea

    Nicky Northam, 38, of Abbey Meads, has ten-month-old twins Elissa and Talia and a nine-year-old son William. She said: "The new leaflets are a very good idea. "I think parents need as much information and advice on dealing with challenging behaviour as

  • Food warning came too late

    A SWINDON shopkeeper is demanding to know why she is still waiting for a list of food containing a cancerous dye five days after the health scare was announced. Rosemary Earle of MI Earle in Newport Street, Old Town, still hasn't had a letter stating

  • Support for our girls...

    SWINDON based Triumph International has won an award for being way out in front with its range of sports bras. The Sports Brandleaders' Council voted the company, which makes bras for sports-women and Olympic athletes such as British triple jumper Ashia

  • Pickpockets on the prowl

    ELDERLY women have fallen prey to pickpockets while out shopping in the town centre. Police are warning shoppers to be on their guard following at least five incidents in Regent Street and The Parade in broad daylight when purses were taken from zipped

  • Pool needs vital repairs

    76209-18SWIMMERS in Highworth will have to look elsewhere for a dip this summer. The pool is likely to remain closed as its concrete floor is cracking and in need of £60,000 of repairs. Phil Baker, the chairman of the volunteers who run the pool, said

  • Special awards for the hard working volunteers

    BARNARDO'S are to recognise the hard work of their volunteers in the Swindon area with special awards. The charity is looking for nominations for teams or individuals who have demonstrated an exceptional level of support of commitment. The awards are

  • From racing ducks to golf

    Rotarians organise many events for charity to raise money for charity. Here are some of them. An annual duck race is organised by the Rotary Club of Old Town on the River Rae at Wotton Bassett to raise money for Macmillan nurses. A charity golf day is

  • No opposition

    THERE are a number of countries that have applied to join the European Union including Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Turkey and Morocco. We have a three party system and all three parties support continued expansion of the EU. Even though the EU has recently

  • What a joke

    I HAD a good laugh when I read (EA Feb 17) that Superintendent Wee Tek Hoong of the Singapore police was visiting Swindon to find out more about British policing. Surely the boot should be on the other foot. Residents of Singapore are free to walk the

  • Do not humiliate town again

    IN his column of February 11, Tom Morton expressed the irritation he feels when outsiders insult Swindon. However, I would suggest that there are also insiders who devalue and humiliate the town and not least among them is Swindon's council. Thirty years

  • This may not be work of vandals

    RE: The article about vandalism to trees in Thames Ave. There were five saplings planted by the council and two, as you say, were vandalised. I would like you to know that there are no vandals in this particular area of Greenmeadow. I do not know if the

  • Get a grip on countryside

    AS a person who grew up in a town and was then fortunate enough to live and work in the countryside, I am often surprised and disappointed at the attitude of some people whose relative affluence has allowed them the same privilege. I am referring here

  • Take action

    I write to inform you about the dangerous situation which is occurring at Bedwyn station. After departing the train you have to walk up a steep path to the road above, but there is a problem because the path is a like a river, caused by a burst water

  • Rally on GM

    Local Friends of the Earth members attended a national rally and lobby of Parliament, calling on the Government for the right to have GM-free crops and food. Former Environment Minister Michael Meacher addressed the rally, detailing the need for strict

  • No respect

    WE have been Kennet/Sarsen tenants for more than 25 years and are desperate to move away from an area that's become rundown and overrun with anti-social behaviour. We have a beautiful three bedroom house but under Homes@Kennet rules we are classed as

  • Hypnotist due to make TV debut

    GAZETTE & HERALD: KEEP an eye out for a gold tooth when Chippenham's answer to David Blaine comedy hypnotist Rod Scarth makes his television debut later this year. Mr Scarth, 42, spent last week filming for Sky 1's popular show Brainiacs, and said

  • Youth gangs target cars

    GAZETTE & HERALD: Police are working with residents to tackle vandalism and anti-social behaviour in the Woodlands Road and Downing Street area of Chippenham. Woodlands Stores proprietor Phyllis Knaggs said residents had complained of attacks on cars

  • Devizes U15 74, Supermarine U15 3

    THE exertions of the previous day's fund raising 22 mile swim did nothing to reduce the effectiveness of a Devizes side that scored 12 unanswered tries. With key team members still away on half-term ski trips the Devizes side was experimental and gave

  • North Dorset 12, Devizes 15

    WITH another resolute display Devizes gained two more valuable league points winning a close encounter with North Dorset at the Slaughtergate venue. In spite of vociferous home supporters the Saddlebacks held on to a three point lead for the last 15 minutes

  • Chippenham 56, Ivel Barbarians 21

    CHIPPENHAM proved that last week's friendly nine try rout was no fluke and repeated the try count against bottom of the league Ivel Barbarians. Another nine tries saw them record their second successive 50 plus point victory in two weeks. The Chippenham

  • Battle over

    I HAVE always campaigned for more retail provision on the Northgate site in Devizes to be included in a mixed development. I am disappointed with the present proposals and have contested them at every opportunity. The fate of the site was sealed at a

  • Arches lit for bicentenary

    GAZETTE & HERALD: CHIPPENHAM'S historic Western Arches are one step closer to being lit up this week after the town council agreed to pay for the maintenance costs. It is now hoped Brunel's arches could be illuminated by the end of the year. Chippenham

  • Big response

    I am astonished at the remarkable response I have already received to a questionnaire I have only recently delivered to houses in the Audley area. I took this action because of the number to inquiries I have received as a result of my work as district

  • Paper bank panic

    GAZETTE & HERALD: ENTHUSIASTIC young recyclers were left red faced when they dumped project work along with scrap paper in their school paper bank. Children at the Stanton St Quintin primary school were so keen on recycling that they did not realise

  • School never been off track

    WHILE I was pleased that the article regarding our Ofsted inspection (Gazette, February 3) was generally positive and complementary (reflecting a good inspection report) I was dismayed to read your headline that referred to us being 'back on track'. This

  • Glass attacker faces jail term

    GAZETTE & HERALD: Former barber Thomas Tume roared like the Incredible Hulk before hurling a glass across a pub following a bar room brawl, a court heard. Tume had downed ten or eleven pints of cider before throwing the empty half pint glass, which

  • Concerns on arts centre decision

    I have just learned of the resolution passed at the meeting of Marlborough Town Council planning committee on February 14. This has come as a shock as I understand that the town council has supported the Riverbank project since its inception and has acknowledged

  • Yachtsman puts love before race ambition

    GAZETTE & HERALD: Round the world sailor Jon Duffield, is putting love for his new wife before his personal goal of finishing the Global Challenge round the world yacht race. Mr Duffield, 37, announced his decision to leave the first placed yacht