Archive

  • A new look for less at Lindy Lou

    CHIPPENHAM NEWS: SHOPPERS can get their hair cut and buy a new outfit at the same time now a trendy new store has opened. Lyn Tarran, has opened Lindy Lou in The Causeway, Chippenham, where she cuts hair at the same time as selling clothes and accessories

  • Police officer at centre of tabloid sex scandal

    CHIPPENHAM NEWS: A MARRIED police officer is at the centre of a tabloid sex scandal after a convict claimed they had anaffair while she was a prison warden. Sarah Pulman, a police officer serving with Chippenham police, appeared in a national tabloid

  • Wilts turn to teenagers

    Wiltshire will rely on teenage spin talent when they open their Minor Counties Championship campaign with a three-day match against Oxfordshire at Banbury starting on Sunday. Wiltshire will be looking to improve on their 5th place in the Western Division

  • I'm this close to a new deal

    RHYS Evans admits he is inching ever closer to penning a new deal at the County Ground. A slightly revised offer is expected to be lodged with his agent in the next couple of days, although it should be stressed that it is far from a done deal. If the

  • Women with a reason to run

    Salisbury Race for Life steering committee, from left: Firefighter Ludo Macauley, Louise Carey and Andy Cole, of Salisbury district council, and Cancer Research UK national events executive Lorna Glanfield.With six weeks to go, 2,500 women are under starter's

  • Cruelty charge

    A MAN arrested after an armed incident in Westbury has appeared in court. Terence Heather, 47, was arrested after armed police were called to a house in the town on May 1. Heather, who is bailed to an address in Wessex Road, Salisbury, appeared at Chippenham

  • Reducing the hassle

    A RESIDENTIAL lettings service which offers a novel approach to property management has opened in Warminster. Northwood (West Wilts) Ltd, in Market Place, proposes to take the "hassle, stress and risk" away from landlords with the Platinum Guaranteed

  • Warning after cat is hurt in air gun attack

    CAT owners have been warned to take extra care after a "disgusting" attack on a pet in Bratton. Richard Moreton and Carol Worth's ginger tom was shot at point blank range with an air gun, shattering his back leg. Just a few days later another couple's

  • Hooded yobs threaten to kill assault victim

    YOB culture has reared its ugly head in Westbury after hooded thugs attacked and threatened to kill their terrified victim. Justin Milne, 30, from Trowbridge, says his confidence has been shattered since the attack. He was walking to his girlfriend's

  • Shoppers fight for quick save

    Kwik Save in MelkshamSHOPPERS who use a threatened Kwik Save store have vowed to fight its closure, which they say could affect hundreds of residents. People living in Melksham are vowing tom boycott the store's parent company Somerfield if bosses go

  • Shopper bus bid revealed

    From left, bus manager George Brown, Carolyn Beale and Philip Tissington (30541)A DOOR-TO-DOOR bus service could be launched in Melksham this summer to help more people get to the shops. Questionnaires are being distributed throughout Melksham and surrounding

  • Girl Friday

    NAME: Kay Kane vAGE: 47 EMPLOYER: Oxford, Swindon and Gloucester Co-op SO WHAT DO YOU ACTUALLY DO? I am the manager of the Imagine Co-operative Childcare Day Care nursery in Walcot, Swindon. We cater for children aged from three months up to school age

  • No jam problems for copier sellers

    PRINTING equipment firm Cats Solutions has reported a successful year, with sales rising 46 per cent to bring an £8 million turnover. Managing director Greg Smith said the company, in Rushey Platt, was ahead of its five-year plan, with net profits up

  • Cost of crimes crippling firms

    CRIME is costing Swindon businesses hundreds of thousands of pounds a year, according to Zurich Financial Services. The insurance giant, which employs almost 3,000 people in Swindon, has released details of the cost of crime to companies. In data for

  • Work starts on scanner extension

    WORK will begin this summer to extend the MRI and CT scanner suite in the radiology department at the Royal United Hospital, Bath. The new £850,000 magnetic resonance imaging scanner will be funded by the Government's New Opportunities Fund and should

  • Project hopes to pot an award

    A MAJOR project to conserve more than 100 Bronze Age pots could win a national award. Wiltshire's conservation service has been shortlisted for the Conservation Awards 2005, which are supported by music legend Sir Paul McCartney. Louisa Burden, Wiltshire

  • Stone me, it's Stonehenge as you've never seen it before

    AN AWARD-winning TV producer is hoping to give Wiltshire residents a glimpse of the past by rebuilding Stonehenge at a top-secret location. Darlow Smithson Productions, winners of the Outstanding British Film Award at the 2004 BAFTAs for Touching the

  • Cameras praised

    LATEST figures show the number of people killed or injured on Wiltshire's roads has fallen. From April 1 2004 to March 31 2005 there were 384 people killed or seriously injured in road crashes, a reduction of 21 per cent. This year's figure was compared

  • Cryer awards spark fans' outrage

    THEY say football is a game all about opinions and that has been proved true this week after Friday's 'Cryer' awards sparked a huge reaction from disgruntled fans. Just a few hours after the Wiltshire Times and Chippenham News went to press, posts on

  • Six goal Chippenham hold off Bromham's challenge

    UNDER 11s: Bromham and Chippenham Town Youth enjoyed being treated as cup finalists as they lined up before the presentation game, with Bromham playing in their second consecutive final. Chippenham finished the half 2-0 up thanks to two well taken goals

  • Son of war hero wins Lottery cash for poignant trip

    THE son of a Victoria Cross-decorated war hero will visit the famous battlefields his father fought in during the Second World War. Brigadier Iain Cameron, 62, of Chitterne Road, Codford, will visit Alta in Norway where his dad, Lieutenant Donald Cameron

  • Armstrong bemused by manager's resignation

    CALNE Town striker Glenn Armstrong admits he is bemused by Kelvin Highmore's decision to quit as boss of the club to fill the managerial hotseat at rivals Melksham Town. Highmore has just led Calne to promotion to the Screwfix Premier Division and a Les

  • Highmore says the time is right

    KELVIN Highmore said he had "a gut feeling" that now was the right time for a new challenge after accepting the post as Melksham Town's new manager. Highmore. pictured right, stunned Calne when he announced his resignation at Bremhill View, having led

  • Wildlife reserve in £15k grant boost

    Members of the supporters group, from left, Clive Thomas, Jennifer Chaundy, Penny Coles and Isabel Buckingham at Smallbrook Meadows (30548)ENDANGERED species of animals living in a wildlife reserve got a boost this week from a government grant. Water

  • USA beckons for England skipper

    ENGLAND schoolboys' captain Yan Klukowski is mulling over "a chance of a lifetime" after being offered two four-year football scholarships in the United States of America. The Chippenham schoolboy has attracted a host of interest from football league

  • Milk tanker in crash drama

    The A330 Warminster bypass at Cley Hill roundabout was blocked by the incident 30535A MILK tanker crashed near Warminster, forcing the 19,000 litres of milk to be transferred to another lorry. The tanker overturned on the A350 Warminster bypass at Cley

  • 'Fortunate' Biddy will learn from lessons of last season

    BIDDESTONE chairman Andy Short is already looking forward to next season after his side escaped relegation in their first campaign in the Western League. With former Malmesbury Victoria management duo Graham Learmouth and Paul Rose joining the coaching

  • Town celebrates consecration of St Aldhelm

    A WEST Wiltshire town is set to hold a colourful celebration to mark the 1,300th anniversary of the consecration of St Aldhelm as Bishop of Sherbourne. St Aldhelm was Abbot of Malmesbury Abbey and has close links throughout Wiltshire and Dorset, including

  • Teachers need our support not more criticism

    REGARDING J M Aldridge's letter on exclusion of pupils, another letter from the do-gooder brigade those who think that children should never be punished, no matter how ill-behaved they are. No wonder children are out of control these days. Having a foster

  • Cllr C Newbury

    A LETTER in last week's Wiltshire Times alleged that the attendance record for Councillor Christopher Newbury at council meetings was just 37 per cent. This is untrue. The record of attendance for April 1, 2004 to March 31, 2005 shows that he could have

  • Heads should appreciate PTAs

    I FEEL I must write in full support of the members of the PTA at St Michael's School concerning their cancelled fete. I can appreciate Mrs Martin's point that the staff have been working hard to unify the two schools, what she needs to remember is that

  • May the force be with councillors

    FIRSTLY, I am not the Liberal Democrat councillor, name and address supplied, who has written a long letter to the paper. I cannot see why the paper should print such a letter without giving the name of the correspondent. The councillor is as critical

  • Film review - Millions (12A)

    IT'S the not too distant future and Britain is about to go euro crazy. As the nation prepares for its new currency, special secure trains loaded with old money make journeys to incinerators across the country. As this is taking place, eight-year-old Damian

  • Pecking peacock poses a problem for motorists

    The peacock in Mill Lane Picture Ref: 77568-53A PEACOCK is not something you would expect to see strolling down a Swindon road. But as cars drove along Mill Lane in Old Town they were confronted with the bird. And, the bird's feathers must have been ruffled

  • Water cool treat for primary school youngsters

    Jamie Cullum who visited Lethbridge Primary School yesterday Picture Ref: 77633-62JAZZ musician Jamie Cullum was in town last night to promote his dad's business. The 25-year-old star from Hullavington helped launch a new water cooler specifically designed

  • Town runs rings around its rivals

    SWINDON ...AND PROUD OF IT: THE country may be holding its breath about whether London will be awarded the Olympic Games but Swindon has stolen a march on holding a sport events and will trouser £2 million into the bargain. It has been announced that

  • Tributes paid to beautiful Milly

    Floral tributes left at the scene of the accident Picture Ref: 77630-30A GIRL with a beautiful smile has been killed in a car crash on a dangerous country lane. Amelia Newton-Clare, 17, or Milly as she was also known, died after a two-car smash on the

  • Park revamp in pipeline

    SPORTS pitches, a campsite and a showground are among ideas put forward for a country park as part of a new development plan. West Wiltshire District Council has started work on an improvement plan for Southwick Country Park and is investigating a range

  • Grammy winner praises CD idea

    Leading Indian music star Vikku has given his seal of approval to the Turn on the Dreams album released by Trowbridge doctor and musician Joel Almeida to raise funds for the area devastated by the Asian tsunami. Vikku said: "Turn on the Dreams sounds

  • Rugby bid sparks rat run concerns

    FEARS that Devizes Road in Hilperton could become a rat run if Trowbridge Rugby Club moves to land on the edge of the village have prompted the parish council to object to their plans. Councillors who met last week are also worried about the size and

  • £1,000 for Dot House at tribute

    PERFORMERS young and old entertained and raised more than £1,000 for Dorothy House Hospice Care in a concert at St Thomas' Church, Trowbridge, on Saturday night. The concert was a tribute to church member Margaret Chatterton, of Trowbridge, a music teacher

  • Pupils' £1,000 effort makes sense

    Matt Henley and Stuart McGlinchey water the new turf (30528)PUPILS from the Clarendon School have raised £1,000 for the Trowbridge Community Sensory Garden. As part of the school's annual charity fundraiser, children were asked to take part in a swimathon

  • Divers hit after pool problems

    DISAPPOINTED divers in Trowbridge have had their lessons cancelled after faults were discovered on the steps leading up to the diving boards at Trowbridge Sports Centre. The pool's one-metre, three-metre and five-metre boards have all been closed, ending

  • School shake-up sees early finish

    CHANGES to school hours meaning youngsters will finish lessons earlier have prompted concerns from parents. From September, students at the John of Gaunt School and Clarendon College in Trowbridge will be finishing their school day as early as 2.35pm.

  • Bond takes plaudits in the Open

    Wilts Angling Open match at Rood Ashton on Thursday provided good sport with carp. Top spot went to Trowbridge's Paul Bond with a carp catch weighing 38lb 5oz taken alternating with pole fished sweetcorn and catmeat. Holt's Pete Neate snatched second

  • South west's full of rockers

    ROBBIE Williams has been voted Best Live Solo Artist of All Time, and U2 Best Live Band of All Time in The Carling Music Survey. The survey also found 96 per cent of people in the south west say rock is their favourite music. And Andy Pett, who runs one

  • Man injured in pub attack

    A 36-year-old man suffered severe lacerations to his face after being struck with a glass in a Wootton Bassett pub. The incident happened shortly after 8pm on Saturday in the Borough Arms in the town's High Street on carnival night. A 39-year-old man

  • Bikers revving up for ride-out

    THOUSANDS of bikers are expected to flood the roads in and around Swindon this Bank Holiday weekend. And warnings are going out to motorbike enthusiasts to make sure they stay safe. This comes after it has been revealed that there could be at least two

  • Toddlers grin and bear it

    Jack Stradling and Charncy White enjoy the picnic Picture Ref: 77606-31TODDLERS and their teddies celebrated their nursery's 10th birthday. Hillsborough Day Nursery in Bishopstone opened in May 1995 and looks after 20 to 30 children every day. Children

  • Decision is 'invitation' to gipsies

    NORTH Wiltshire MP James Gray has condemned John Prescott for granting gipsies temporary permission to stay on a site in Minety. Conservative Mr Gray said the deputy prime minister has sent a message to "gipsies across the world" that they are welcome

  • Speed limit cut on way for drivers

    CARS could soon be forced to slow down on their way into Old Town. The 40mph limit on Marlborough Road is set to be reduced to 30mph in the area around the Pipers Way roundabout. Currently drivers can step on the accelerator as soon as they pass the mini

  • Top jockey to launch fundraiser

    JOCKEY Willie Carson will fire the starting gun for this year's Swindon Cares fundraiser today. Mr Carson will launch the event, along with brewery-owner and chairman of Swindon Cares, James Arkell. Speaking to the Adver before the launch at Arkells Brewery

  • Gangs moved on by police

    NEW police powers allowing officers to split up gangs of rowdy troublemakers in Moredon appear to be working, residents say. Before Christmas police chiefs ordered a Dispersal Order in Moredon to be slimmed down to cover a smaller area. The move has allowed

  • Fred is proud to shout it loud

    Town crier Fred Ferris Picture Ref: 77626-85SWINDON...AND PROUD OF IT: SWINDON'S town crier wants to shout from the rooftops about how great the town is. Fred Ferris, 73, has given a big thumbs up to our Swindon And Proud of It campaign and has filled

  • Blair hits out at cowboy lawyers

    TONY Blair has declared war on ambulance-chasing law firms. The Prime Minister warns Britain is in danger of developing a disproportionate concern about risks, thanks to hard-sell tactics of compensation firms. His comments come a week after the Advertiser

  • Cycling views

    "CYCLE paths are too slow" (EA May 23) was a very interesting and well thought out letter which deserves some comments. Shouldn't motorists who have access to a main road like the A4312 Oxford Road be cautious when leaving their driveways and look for

  • Central site

    Reading the many letters on the subject it is clear Coate is not the place people want the university built. I agree with G Chambers (Advertiser May 21), it is not just the university but the 600 homes and business park which will make it a concrete jungle

  • Don't let Bath bully our town

    I HAVE noticed the few letters from Swindon's pseudo-intellectuals telling us all how wonderful and how badly needed the proposed new University of Bath is. I have lived in Swindon all my life. We have never had a university, we have never missed not

  • Balloon launch marks double celebration

    CHIPPENHAM NEWS: CHILDREN at Lordsmead Pre-School in Chippenham took part in a colourful balloon launch as part of a double celebration on Friday. The pre-school was celebrating being awarded a Quality Achievement Award from the Pre-School Alliance. Each

  • Schools brought together by music

    Cellist Anup Biswas performs at Kings Lodge School (17068/2)CHIPPENHAM NEWS: THE bond between two schools thousands of miles apart has been strengthened by a visit from an international cellist. Anup Biswas, director of a music school for orphaned children

  • More hate mail is sent to newsroom

    CHIPPENHAM NEWS: POISON pen writers with a grudge against the Duchess of Cornwall have struck again with another spate of vile letters. Police launched an investigation last month after the Chippenham News handed over a series of crude and insulting letters

  • Businessman's offer for Goldiggers memorabilia

    CHIPPENHAM NEWS: THE fan of a demolished nightclub has been offered £1,500 for memorabilia he rescued from its ruins. Colerne man Steve Peachey, 46, is the proud owner of a disco ball and Virgin sign from Goldiggers nightclub in Chippenham, which was

  • Ghost team spend the night at most haunted site

    Corsham Tourist Information Centre co-ordinator Vilma Chapman keeps a lookout for apparitions at Arnold House 30546/4CHIPPENHAM NEWS: GHOST hunters who investigated one of north Wiltshire's spookiest buildings claim they saw a small child who died in

  • 'Left in the dark' over Potley plans

    CHIPPENHAM NEWS: TWO couples who moved to a rural part of north Wiltshire are worried by plans to turn the area around their homes into business land. Gary, 44, and Melanie Bennett, 35, and Richard and Amanda Brown, both 35, who live in two isolated homes

  • Springboard patron to be in sponsored walk

    LADY Lansdowne this week appealed for Gazette readers to join her on a sponsored walk around the historic Bowood estate to raise much-needed pounds for the Springboard Appeal. Anyone can take part in the event, and there is the option of raising sponsorship

  • Proprietorsare put through their paces

    James Trimby was re-elected chairman of Business Club Western Wiltshire at its annual meeting. About 20 of the club's 60 members took part in a variety of outdoor activities before getting down to club business. Pursuits, a teambuilding and outdoor events

  • Plain sailing for family business

    CANOES and kayaks are a long way from frozen desserts and glasses but that did not stop one former Nestle worker and his wife from launching their own adventure business. Terry Sinclair, 40, and wife Jenny, 38, decided to start The Family Adventure Store

  • Pc attacker escapes jail

    A MENTALLY ill man who kicked a policeman unconscious and attacked two women has escaped jail. Josiah Buck, 24, was staying at the Brokerswood Country Park caravan site near Westbury when he downed a cocktail of medication and alcohol last April. Buck

  • Disabled mum hits out in gateway row

    Victoria Howells looks out on to the field she can no longer access from her homeDISABLED mother Victoria Howells believes she has become a prisoner in her own home after parish councillors blocked her access to a nearby field. Ms Howells, 52, of High

  • Rain takes its toll on fixtures

    BIDDESTONE crashed to a 54-run defeat at Bath Civil Service on Saturday in division seven of the Wiltshire League. In the only Wiltshire League match to survive the weather, Civil service batted first and finished on 253-5. Mark Thorne, 129 not out, and

  • Rowe confident of Wilts success

    RUSSELL Rowe believes Wiltshire have their best chance ever to be pushing for honours ahead of this week's opening Minor Counties Championship match against Oxfordshire. The Wiltshire captain has been encouraged by his side's early season form and insists

  • Debutant Boulton steers Biddestone boys to narrow win

    LIAM Boulton marked his call up for the under 12 Wiltshire squad with a match winning innings on Tuesday night as Biddestone defeated Corsham at Leafy Lane. Boulton top scored with 24 to lead Biddestone under 13s to a narrow victory with just two balls

  • Didn't we all do well?

    Pupils at St Michael's Primary School celebrate their achievement with headteacher Beverley Martin (17066)A PRIMARY school taken out of special measures nine months early has been celebrating its remarkable turnaround. St Michael's Primary School, Melksham

  • Putting the tea in history

    Andrew Johnson takes a break as he is served tea by Barbara Zaccarelli. 17083WHEN author Virginia Woolf paid a visit to her sister's house in a Wiltshire village it resulted in a fiery outburst and scathing comments. Now the house where Virginia exploded

  • Hospital meeting date set

    A PUBLIC meeting for people in Melksham to talk to health bosses has been organised for Thursday night. Carol Clarke, who is the joint chief executive for West Wilts and Kennet and North Wiltshire Primary Care Trusts, will be speaking at the town's Assembly

  • Dream kitchen 'is a nightmare'

    Les and Christine Vaughan in their kitchen (17030)HAVING spent 30 years in military quarters Les and Christine Vaughan were looking forward to finding a dream home in England. After moving into a £130,000 bungalow in Shelley Gardens, Melksham, last summer

  • Dolphin in the swim

    BREWIN Dolphin stockbrokers, which has offices in Wiltshire, have reported an increase in pre-tax profits in half-year results. Total income was £68 million, compared to £59 million last year, and profit was £12.4 million before tax compared to £8.9 million

  • Hospital meeting date set

    A PUBLIC meeting for people in Melksham to talk to health bosses has been organised for Thursday night. Carol Clarke, who is the joint chief executive for West Wilts and Kennet and North Wiltshire Primary Care Trusts, will be speaking at the town's Assembly

  • Sky's the limit for gliding day

    THE first gliding open day in Wiltshire is being held on Sunday. The Bath, Wilts and North Dorset Gliding Club is hoping for a big turnout at its airfield at Kingston Deverill, between Mere and Warminster. Visitors can sample flights in two-seater training

  • Mail service is not first class

    ROYAL Mail is failing to hit its target for the delivery of first class post. Figures released this week show 90.2 per cent of first class mail in the BA postcode area, which includes Trowbridge, Warminster, Westbury and Bradford on Avon is being delivered

  • Barnardo's celebrates 100 years of giving hope

    MARKING 100 years since the death of its founder, Barnado's is launching a new campaign to help children affected by abuse or neglect. Morwenna Blake takes a look at the New Life campaign and profiles people helped at the charity's family centre in west

  • Is the writing on the wall for motoristsin west Wiltshire?

    CAR parking chaos could be on the cards if major housing and retail developments are given the go-ahead. West Wiltshire District Council has drawn up a list of 18 sites in all five main towns that could be used for affordable housing in the future, including

  • Entry to war exhibition not rationed

    WOOTTON Bassett's World War Two exhibition has been bringing back memories for some senior citizens. Chris Wannell, 63, a former firefighter and Wootton Bassett's new mayor, has lent the museum his old fire service uniform and clothing ration book. The

  • Is the writing on the wall for motorists in west Wiltshire?

    CAR parking chaos could be on the cards if major housing and retail developments are given the go-ahead. West Wiltshire District Council has drawn up a list of 18 sites in all five main towns that could be used for affordable housing in the future, including

  • Solar power plans

    SOLAR power could be used to provide hot water to homes on the Longleat Estate if a trial proves successful. Paul Grugeon, of Horningsham, is the deputy agent of the estate and has applied to put solar panels on the roof of his home. If the planning application

  • Author books in

    LITERARY protgs were inspired to create their masterpieces when an award-winning author gave some tips on his trade. Youngsters at Princecroft School in Warminster took some advice from children's writer Jeremy Strong. He has written over 60 books for

  • Bradford boys go Dutch

    YOUNG footballers from Bradford on Avon Football Club will be going Dutch on Sunday for their annual under 11s trip abroad. The boys have raised thousands of pounds towards the trip by arranging various fundraising events, which included a 12-mile sponsored

  • Jetting off to Malta

    TROWBRIDGE Town under 14s are looking forward to a meeting with the Maltese president on Sunday during their close season tour. Seventeen players and nine parents were due to fly to Malta last night for a week-long football tournament against sides from

  • Walker worries over a players' walkout

    STEVE Walker fears history could be about to repeat itself after Calne Town manager Kelvin Highmore quit Bremhill View to take charge at rivals Melksham Town. The Calne chairman admitted he was disappointed at Highmore's decision and then compared the

  • Diamond date for happy couple

    Stanley and Phyllis Rix (30542)A COUPLE who are set to celebrate their diamond wedding anniversary this week say there is "no secret" to a successful marriage. Stanley Rix, 82 and his wife Phyllis, 80, of Boreham Road, Warminster, were married 60 years

  • Parking charges are 'strangling our town'

    CAR PARKING costs are forcing businesses in Warminster to fold and are "strangling" the town, traders said this week. Shop and business owners turned out in force at an extraordinary meeting of the town council to protest. In April charges for a day's

  • Plaque to the future...

    Members of the Warminster Trust with Blue Plaque committee members at the launch at Dewey House. (17069)TOURISM got a much-needed boost in Warminster last week when the town's blue plaque trail was officially unveiled. The joint venture between Warminster

  • Kirky gets players' backing

    TROWBRIDGE Town manager Neil Kirkpatrick is looking ahead to next season after his young side vowed they would all stay together. Uncertainty over a new ground had sparked fears their successful side could break up this summer but at a players' meeting

  • Woods is winning his cancer battle

    FORMER Trowbridge Town midfielder John Woods is planning a return to football next season after revealing he has almost won his five-month fight against cancer. The Corsham Town player assistant manager shocked the Wiltshire football world when he announced

  • Highmore quits Calne and heads for Melksham

    THREE men with close links to Melksham Town are early contenders to fill the vacant managerial position at Calne Town. After Calne boss Kelvin Highmore's shock resignation to move to the Conigre, a number of names have already been lined up to fill the

  • Banker faces US fraud trial

    BANKER Giles Darby will face a fraud trial in the US in connection with the Enron energy scandal, after a Home Office ruling. Mr Darby, 42, of South Wraxall could face up to 35 years in jail if convicted. US prosecutors have accused three men of seven

  • Piggeries bid leads to protest

    PEOPLE affected by unpleasant smells coming from a pig farm have been given a chance to voice their protests. Nicholas Compton, the owner of Fairfield Piggeries, Bradford Leigh, has applied for a permit under new legislation to carry on treating animal

  • Thank you all

    A house-to-house collection in the Trowbridge and district area during Save the Children week raised £1,381.08 and a collection at the Tesco store on May 21 £313.43. Thank you to all who donated and all the collectors who gave their time to make these

  • Parking fees are unfair to carers

    WHILST I realise the council will do anything for money and appears to have no concerns that the cost of parking is losing custom to the town, eg if one must pay, naturally people prefer to go to a town where it is possible to have a choice of shops there

  • Shops should be the key to a thriving town centre

    I HAVE lived in Granville Road for 45 years. When I first moved here we had everything in Melksham, now we have nothing, only houses and fish and chips. We could have had a very nice shopping centre which would help all of Melksham and the centre of town

  • 'Nurse put in claims for shifts not done'

    NURSE Leah Webb is to face trial by jury after denying handing in timesheets for work she didn't do. The 28-year-old pleaded not guilty to false accounting before a judge at Swindon Crown Court. The offences are said to have taken place in a six-month

  • 'You don't have to pay'

    RESIDENTS who were fined for parking in spaces they thought they could use have been told they do not have to pay. Many residents in Beech Avenue in Pinehurst have parked on the grass verge on the road for two years without any problems. So they were

  • Pupils pick up chopsticks

    Becky Shinwell, five, and Lauren Woodham, six, get to grips with the worlds most popular utensils Picture Ref: 77621-03PUPILS took part in a sponsored Chopstick Challenge to celebrate World Awareness Week. The challenge to Lethbridge School pupils was

  • Addict robbed dying parents

    A HOMELESS man stole money and DVDs from his seriously-ill parents to feed his drug addiction. Simon Cain, 31, of no fixed abode, admitted stealing possessions from his family, who live in West Swindon, at Swindon Magistrates Court. Cain stole various

  • Ready for take off

    Elton John on stage at Reading last night. Picture Ref: 77638-34ELTON John dazzled a crowd of 24,000 last night with a performance that showed the people of Swindon are in for a treat. The music maestro was playing a gig in Reading's Madejski Stadium

  • Charity band's rehearsal appeal

    A JAZZ and blues group is looking for a place to rehearse ahead of a one-night charity concert. The five-piece band, from Trowbridge, will be taking to the stage at the Arc Theatre in July to raise money for the St Philips and St James HIV/AIDS project

  • TV man opens Lodge wing

    A £1.6m care home extension is being officially opened by a television personality today. Bob Crampton, from HTV West, was invited to open Wingfield Lodge, a new wing at the Wingfield Care Home, Trowbridge. The extension to the home, run by Barchester

  • Theft charges case delayed

    A HEARING to commit a man charged with multiple theft charges to crown court was adjourned at Chippenham magistrates' court on Thursday. Edward Cox, 27, of Towpath Road, Trowbridge is facing six charges of theft dating between August 2003 and April 2004

  • Four men on Asa charges

    THE four men accused of assaulting 32-year-old Asa Freeman will stand trial in November. Lee Frisby, Paolo Rossi, Joel Bailey and Shane Flexon face a 10-12 day trial starting on November 7 at Swindon Crown Court. Mr Freeman, 32, was injured on a night

  • GCSE comes early for Rosanna

    A TALENTED young artist is on course for an A grade in her GCSE art exam two years ahead of schedule. Rosanna Hood, 14, from The John of Gaunt School, in Trowbridge, is just one of a group of artists who presented their work at the school's art exhibition

  • Memorial garden due to open

    A MEMORIAL garden designed by the schoolfriends of a little girl who died after falling from a window while playing hide-and-seek is being opened today. Four-year-old Jackie-Danielle Velvick died in December 2003 after plunging 20ft from a first-floor

  • Thieves escape with 17 rare motorbikes

    Martin Chappell with a mini motorbike similar to the 17 stolen (30547)RARE imported motorbikes worth nearly £7,000 were stolen at the weekend. Thieves took 17 motorbikes from a unit at the Dunkirk Business Park, Southwick. 16 are the only imports in the

  • ASBO call to stop pigeon feeders

    ANTI-SOCIAL behaviour orders could be slapped on two elderly women if they don't stop feeding pigeons. Town councillors in Trowbridge have asked West Wiltshire District Council to confirm they will take action if the women continue to feed the birds even

  • Youth group ready to provide a listening ear

    YOUTH workers want to hear from 16 to 18-year-olds who need a helping hand in life. Flex is a project that helps young people in Swindon and Wiltshire beat life's problems. In January it received a nine-month funding package from the Learning and Skills

  • Give disabled more control

    THE welfare system should be turned on its head to give disabled people control over how they live, according to charity Scope. It says that the Government should put the concept of independent living at the heart of its reforms of the system. Tony Manwaring

  • Jasper's twist on Swindon

    Jasper Fforde Picture Ref: 23791-40SWINDON...AND PROUD OF IT: FANS of the novels of Jasper Fforde are in for a week-long treat. The author will be coming to Swindon for the Fforde Festival in September. And he says he is right behind the Adver's Swindon

  • Job dilemma

    AS a totally confused 51 year old man I hope one of the Advertiser's many readers can enlighten me. If I try for a new job most firms tell me I'm too old. The Government is telling me that I have to work on another 19 years to qualify for a pension at

  • Insensitive

    I FOUND some of Roger Lack's remarks in a recent Advertiser extremely insensitive, particularly his query as to whether large numbers of Swindonians have lost the use of their limbs simultaneously and worst of all was there a secret club you can join?

  • Help is at hand if you need advice

    HAVING recently been involved in a dispute with Swindon Borough Council benefits department over a so called benefits overpayment I would like to let people in a similar position in Swindon know that there are agencies in Swindon that do a fantastic job

  • Barrie raises serious issues

    I MUST congratulate Barrie Hudson on his unique style of writing. He has the ability to raise serious issues in a poignant yet humorous way. On May 14 he questioned the complacency of Vodafone which want s to site a mobile phone transmission mast opposite

  • Youngsters honoured at mini-club's presentation ceremony

    Trowbridge rugby club held its annual mini section awards. This year has been a great success with the club having over 140 children registered from 4-12 years of age. The club is only one of a few in the country running a section for the 4-6 years of

  • Rugby stalwarts are honoured at club dinners

    CHIPPENHAM Rugby Club celebrated another successful season of rugby on Friday night when their annual dinner and presentation Evening was held at their ALlington Field clubhouse. More than 260 club members, their guests and invited guests sat down to