Archive

  • Scarecrow is snatched

    Gemma and Sammy Brunt want Angelina back (16920/3)GAZETTE & HERALD: Sisters Sammy and Gemma Brunt have issued a heartfelt appeal for the safe return of their scarecrow Angelina Ballerina after she was stolen from their front garden. Sammy, seven,

  • RAF man dies in crash

    The Renault Clio after the collision with a lorry on the road to Lyneham near Sutton Benger last ThursdayGAZETTE & HERALD: RAF Lyneham serviceman Neil Griffiths, who was killed in an horrific car crash last Thursday, was due to walk his sister down

  • Help for our little treasure

    Nina Moyes at home with her doting parents Andrew and Karen. They say Springboard has made a huge difference to her (16831/1MP)GAZETTE & HERALD: The Gazette is raising money for the Springboard Opportunity Group in Chippenham. ZO MILLS spoke to a

  • Dedicated reporter who loved his patch

    Bernal DaulmanGAZETTE & HERALD: THE family of one of the Gazette's longest serving reporters, Bernal Daulman, paid tribute to him this week after he died at the age of 74. Mr Daulman spent 40 years with the Gazette and Herald before he retired in

  • Pervert brings down the ceiling

    GAZETTE & HERALD: A PERVERT who was spying on naked tanning studio customer Louise Hudd was spotted after he almost fell through the ceiling. Now police are hunting for the man after the incident at the unstaffed, self-service Consol Suncenter in

  • That's all folks...

    ANDY KING is not anticipating further new arrivals ahead of the trip to Barnsley after being rebuffed in an approach for Lee Holmes. The manager spoke to Derby County counterpart Phil Brown about a loan deal for the winger (pictured) but the response

  • New recycling scheme starts

    GAZETTE & HERALD: BROWN bins were the order of the day in Corsham as a new recycling scheme began last Wednesday. The scheme, run by North Wiltshire District Council and Wiltshire Waste Partnership, is being trialled in selected areas including Corsham

  • Winning villages are cut above rest

    Bill Dyer keeps up the good work in Colerne (16890/5) GAZETTE & HERALD: HANDYMAN Bill Dyer is as pleased as punch that Colerne has been named the best kept large village in Wiltshire. The 69-year-old, of Forrester Green, has been sweeping the roads

  • School boy pleads with planners to stop traffic

    GAZETTE & HERALD: George Matcham, aged five, doesn't understand that the quiet cul-de-sac outside his home could become a rat run for careless drivers. So his brother Oscar, 13, stood up in front of a packed council chamber to plead with planners

  • New Euro post

    A PRESTIGIOUS international post has been won by North Wiltshire district councillor Ruth Coleman. She has been elected as chair of the Local Government Association's European and International Affairs Panel for two years. The panel co-ordinates LGA policy

  • Restaurant plan given backing by councillors

    PLANS for a new restaurant in Pewsey have been welcomed by the parish council. David Cowen, who opened the very popular Chequers Bistro in the High Street last autumn, is planning to open a restaurant as well. He is seeking planning permission for change

  • Literary catch of year

    Auctioneer David Harrison with the rare book (16928/5)A RARE first edition of one of the most famous books ever written in the English language has come to light in a Pewsey auction room. Auctioneer David Harrison could not believe his eyes when he came

  • Mayor's party boosts unity

    A HOUSE party held by Malmesbury mayor Jacky Martin to boost morale among town councillors and council staff has been deemed a success. About 35 councillors and staff attended the event at Coun Martin's house in Little Ingleburn two weeks ago. The mayor

  • Carnival float plan for hall

    Town councillors could soon be handing out cans of coke to the public while aboard a carnival float in the shape of Malmesbury Town Hall. It's the latest initiative from mayor Jacky Martin to raise people's awareness about the future of the hall. The

  • Recruiting for midwives

    HEALTH bosses who closed Malmesbury Maternity Unit because of a shortage of staff say they will re-advertise for midwives after the summer. The closure of the unit was extended until January 9 after West Wiltshire Primary Care Trust was unable to fill

  • Who's king of the castle?

    Retired engineer Mike Osborn had no idea he'd be king of the castle when he moved to Malmesbury from Devon. The 68-year-old from Avon House in Abbey Row, bought the Georgian Grade II listed building six months ago so that he and his wife could be nearer

  • Brave Benjamin takes arthritis in his stride

    Benjamin Anderson suffered great arthritic pain and found it difficult to walkARTHRITIS is usually associated with older people but it nearly crippled four-year-old Benjamin Anderson . Before, Benjamin, who attends King's Preschool in Malmesbury, loved

  • Secrecy on skate park is slammed

    Councillor John Thomson at the site of the new youth centre, which he hopes is a winning scheme (16905/6)RESIDENTS have slammed the secrecy surrounding the location of the new combined skateboard park and youth club in Malmesbury, and say they are fearful

  • Bedwyn lose ground in match turnround

    DIVISION ONE: GREAT Bedwyn lost ground at the top of the table as they suffered a 52 run defeat at Westinghouse. The home side, thanks to Paul Bailey's 65 not out made 200-9. John Cleverley then took 3-46 in 12 overs and Sam Dix 3-11 as Bedwyn were bowled

  • Norfolk is tough challenge

    WILTSHIRE coach Alan Crouch said the MCCA Knockout Trophy final against Norfolk would be a step into the unknown for his players as the team has never played Norfolk. He said:"It would have been an advantage to know their strengths and weaknesses but

  • Anger as umpires tell Malmesbury game is off

    MALMESBURY captain Ed Shellard blamed the umpires for calling off their game against Dumbleton claiming it could threaten their position in the West of England league. Shellard said the umpires were influenced by the Dumbleton players who had been happy

  • Twenty20 streaks into the county with run fest

    TWENTY20 cricket arrived in Wiltshire, bringing with it colourful kits, red wickets and a streaker. South Wilts Cricket Club proved victorious in the inaugural Twenty20 revamp of the Jack Wilcox Trophy. The Salisbury-based side beat off competition from

  • Half marathon entries set to beat last year

    AUGUST 4: HUNDREDS of runners have signed up to take part in this year's Swindon half marathon. Organisers of the race, which is sponsored by the Advertiser and Nationwide building society, are confident that more runners will be taking part in this year's

  • Ringing out cheer for ales

    THE Five Bells pub will be hosting a beer festival to coincide with the town's High Street Festival on Sunday. The cheer starts at noon and will run until closing time at 10.30pm, giving locals and visitors plenty of time to taste the 15 guest ales and

  • Teacher who had affair with a pupil is sent to jail

    TEACHER Mark Medlicott has been jailed for 16 months for having an affair with a pupil. Swindon Crown Court heard on Friday how Medlicott, who taught at Wootton Bassett School, had been warned off by the youngster's father after a friend got wind of the

  • Sea cadets launch huge appeal for new building

    Wootton Bassett Sea Cadets celebrate the plan to replace their portable building , which is nearly 30 years old, with a £500,000 new headquarters (16912/03)Sea cadets in Wootton Bassett could soon be enjoying a new half a million pound, state-of-the-art

  • New DVD goes behind scenes of museum

    WILTSHIRE Heritage Museum has produced a DVD to show visitors what goes on behind the scenes there. The DVD looks at the day to day workings of the Devizes-based museum and gives a glimpse of parts of collections never seen before. The DVD is installed

  • New Wigglybus service boosts links to villages

    BUS links between Marlborough and its satellite villages will be improved by new services being launched by the Wiltshire Wigglybus. The service for the Kennet Valley was re-launched this week with a new hourly morning and early afternoon connection between

  • Help bring them to justice

    CATCH THE BAIL BANDITS: TODAY the Gazette and Herald continues its campaign alongside Wiltshire Constabulary to bring to justice some of the 130 or so criminals that have failed to turn up to court. Already, through the Gazette campaign, two people are

  • Youngsters show skill

    THE first of three soccer fun weeks was held at Gerrard Buxton Sports ground in Wootton Bassett last week. More thas 50 boys and girls, aged five to 13, took part in the FA Soccer Stars Programme which involved tests in shooting, dribbling, turns, speed

  • Jamie wows 7,000 strong home crowd

    Jamie CullumJAZZ maestro Jamie Cullum entertained a 7,000-strong crowd at a charity concert in aid of Bath Royal United Hospital's Forever Friend's Appeal. The 25-year-old, who was raised in Hullavington, and attended Grittleton House and Sheldon School

  • Music casts its magic

    Opera singer Janet Mooney in patriotic form (16898/7)FIREWORKS rocketing above the trees at Westonbirt Arboretum dazzled a 7,000-strong crowd on Saturday to mark the climax of an evening of classical music and opera. With the music of the can-can reaching

  • Rose searching for experience

    BIDDESTONE coach Paul Rose has said the club is looking for some experience to help their young guns through the season. Rose pointed to the example of Calne Town boss Rob Lardner who helped his side to promotion playing under Kelvin Highmore's managerial

  • Winning villages are cut above rest

    Bill Dyer keeps up the good work in Colerne (16890/5) HANDYMAN Bill Dyer is as pleased as punch that Colerne has been named the best kept large village in Wiltshire. The 69-year-old, of Forrester Green, has been sweeping the roads, cutting the grass and

  • Highmore in search of a new striker to finish off

    MELKSHAM manager Kelvin Highmore feels his squad need a "different striker'' as he puts the finishing touches to his squad. This is despite his team scoring four goals in an away win at Bradford Town on Saturday. "I think we need a couple more players

  • Coach set to give Sven a grilling

    DERRY Hill United coach Peter Weston will be quizzing England boss ven-Goran Eriksson on the tricky left side probelm when he spends a day with him and his coaching team next week. Weston, 45, was offered the opportunity after being entered into a competition

  • Corhsam Town 0, Carterton 2

    CORSHAM Town have linked up with Southern League Premier Division side Team Bath as they bid to strengthen the side. Corsham boss Colin Bush said he is in regular contact with his Team Bath counterpart, Paul Tisdale, about the partnership. The deal would

  • Calne Town 3, Shrivenham 0

    CALNE Town have strengthened their side before the new season with three signings this week. Top young prospects Matt Minis and Stuart Pearson have joined from Bath City while goalkeeper Chris Astley has signed from Chippenham Town. All three players

  • Young dad dies in Iraq bombing

    Andrew Holloway was one of 500 contractors working for a security firm in the southern part of war torn IraqTRIBUTES have been paid to Devizes man Andrew Holloway, 32, who was killed in a bomb blast while guarding a British Consulate convoy in southern

  • Recycling plan moves ahead

    ALTERNATE weekly collections of household waste in Kennet are to be introduced sooner than planned. The district council is bringing forward the introduction to help it meet its recycling target. Alternate collections will start in June 2006 and also

  • Garage firm gets leisure show on the road

    DEVIZES motor dealers Fussell Wadman are helping children all over Kennet to enjoy their summer holidays by sponsoring the Kennet District Council leisure roadshow. The leisure van has this year been supplied by Fussell Wadman and travels around ten villages

  • Carers walk for hospice

    Carers Dawn Stagg and Mary Colanis walk the towpath (16821/9) CARERS Mary Colanis and Dawn Stagg hope a sponsored walk along the Kennet and Avon Canal towpath will raise about £400 for the Prospect Hospice. The pair who work for the Mobile care Agency

  • Blitz looms on parking

    TIGHTER parking controls are on their way to Kennet. Decriminalised parking enforcement is to be introduced in September 2006. The change means that parking will be enforced by the district council rather than the police. Kennet District Council has signed

  • Terror sparks tension

    THERE have been 35 race or religious incidents reported in Swindon since the London terrorist attacks in July. The figures represent a 59 per cent increase on the same period last year. Across Wiltshire racially aggravated crimes have gone up by almost

  • Couple face anxious wait

    Emma Churchill with her daughter Skye Picture Ref: 76555-27A COUPLE faces a nightmare wait to see if their unborn baby will develop a potentially deadly heart condition. Emma Churchill, 34, and partner Gary Franklin, 44, from Toothill, will not know if

  • Wear your wristband with pride and help the Prospect

    Reeva Kumar, Tom Silberberg and Holly Rostill with their wristbands Picture Ref: 78325-23SWINDON AND PROUD: The Advertiser recently launched its Swindon and Proud Of It wristband. Each red band costs £2 each and £1 is donated to Prospect Hospice. The

  • 'I'm a target for drunks'

    John Kirkup who is the victim of abuse Picture Ref: 78693-78A WHEELCHAIR user says he is unable to enjoy a night out in the town because drunks see him as an easy target for abuse. Former bouncer John Kirkup, 43, used to lead an active life and worked

  • I looked at jurors and said 'thanks'

    Colin Lewin and daughter Tyra Picture Ref: 16929-01COLIN Lewin says he feels deeply sorry for the family of the man he has been cleared of murdering. On Friday Mr Lewin, 35, of Broad Street, Swindon walked out of Bristol Crown Court a free man after a

  • The end of innocence

    Flashback - how we reported the rise in teenage abortion last weekTWELVE-YEAR-OLD girls can now pick up the morning after pill free from their local chemist. Health chiefs have defended the scheme that cuts out parents. Under the deal, youngsters aged

  • Minety training

    Rugby training restarts for Minety juniors at 10.30am on Sunday, September 4, at the Playing Fields. Boys and girls from the ages of 5 to 16 years of age are invited. For more details contact Cliff Garland (coaching and under 13-14s) 01666 860907, Steve

  • 'I just want to get on with my life'

    Colin Lewin at home with his daughter Tyra after being acquitted of murder (16929/3)CLEARED murder suspect Colin Lewin said his heart goes out to the family of stabbing victim Mick Love but he now just wants to return to his normal life. Father-of-two

  • Play scheme gets into gear

    GAZETTE & HERALD: CHILDREN in Calne are being kept entertained over the holidays at the Summer Fun in Calne play scheme. Every weekday for four weeks, 70 to 80 children aged five to 13 take part in various activities. The scheme, which is in its ninth

  • Wartime is recalled at heritage exhibition

    GAZETTE & HERALD: A HISTORY of Calne during the Second World War will soon be on display at the Heritage Centre to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the end of the conflict. The exhibition will feature various memories of people who were involved

  • Police move is up for review

    GAZETTE & HERALD: AN extraordinary meeting of Calne town councillors will take place on Wednesday to review plans to share their Bank House offices with Calne police. The police have wanted to move from their base on Silver Street to a more central

  • Joy as plan for cement works is thrown out

    Residents from Oxford Road, near the Porte Marsh Industrial Estate, are celebrating the refusal of plans to build a concrete plant on the site (16925/2)GAZETTE & HERALD: ECSTATIC protesters are celebrating after plans for a controversial concrete

  • Summer fun day in new park

    YOUNGSTERS in the Forty Acres and Eastleigh Road area are invited to a fun day. The day is being held on Tuesday August 23 at the new play area in Owen Close, off Eastleigh Road, from 3pm to 7pm. It is open for young people aged seven and over and is

  • MP is backing vitamin battle

    DEVIZES MP Michael Ancram says he will continue to fight plans by the European Union to ban certain health supplements. Mr Ancram dropped in at the Holland & Barrett health store in The Brittox, Devizes, on Thursday. Holland & Barrett is among

  • Village shop's festive target

    THE return of a village shop to All Cannings is likely to happen by Christmas. The All Cannings Community Store Association has raised about a third of the amount needed to open a store. The association's fund-raising target is £37,500 and is awaiting

  • £25 holiday vase fetches 100 times as much

    A DEVIZES woman who bought a vase for £25 has seen it sold for almost £2,500 at auction. The woman bought the Troika pillar vase in the early 1970s when she was on holiday in Cornwall. It was bought with money she got for selling her spin dryer. The woman

  • Rally drivers' scare on M4

    DEVIZES friends James Higgs and Damien Bottle suffered a scare just hours before they were due to set off on an 8,000 mile charity car rally to Mongolia when their vehicle broke down on the M4. The pair were on their way to London for the start of the

  • Mills is an Ice-man!

    SWINDON-based youngster Joseph Mills has enjoyed a dream start to international football in Iceland. He came off the bench in Reykjavik and scored with his first touch as England Under 17s saw off Finland 3-2 in the Nordic Tournament. His reward was a

  • Young teens taste life on Home Front

    AIR raid sirens will sound again in Wiltshire this summer as young people study life on the Home Front in the Second World War. The project to mark the 60th anniversary of the end of the war will take place over ten days this month at Oxenwood Outdoor

  • Motorists startled by mysterious black cloud

    MOTORISTS travelling near Devizes on Monday evening were astonished to see what looked like a tornado in the skies above them. In fact the phenomenon was a funnel cloud, a long thin cloud extending from the sky towards the ground. The fact that the cloud

  • Lad attacked for his pizza

    A TEENAGER was attacked and needed treatment in hospital after he refused to hand over his pizza to a gang of youths in Marlborough. The attack occurred in Angel Yard, the road connecting the High Street with Kennet Place, at about 10.30pm on Wednesday

  • Horsey hols on the hoof

    Drayman Adrian Noakes gives his charge a drink (16887/08)MORE than 100 people gathered to watch the four Wadworth Brewery dray horses go off on their summer holiday. The shire horses, Buscot, Royal, Tom and Barron, are enjoying a well earned break from

  • 'Gone away' gardener ordered to pay £5,000

    GARDENER Darren Hughes faces a bill of more than £5,000 after a County Court judgement was issued against him for work he did not finish at the home of Etchilhampton couple Jodie and James Fulford-Talbot. Trowbridge County Court has ordered Mr Hughes

  • Youngsters make music for a summer's day

    Pupils from Southbroom Junior School go through their paces at the Devizes primary music summer school (16891/13)YOUNGSTERS enjoyed making music during the Devizes Music Summer School. About 50 year five and six primary school children attended the week's

  • Police cars on display at annual exhibition

    AN INTERNATIONAL police conference is being held at the De Vere Hotel in West Swindon this month. The National Association of Police Fleet Managers' conference and exhibition is on Tuesday, August 16 and Wednesday, August 17. As well as the conference

  • 'M4 good but M6 highway to hell'

    DAYS after the London to South Wales part of the M4 including the Swindon stretch was named the country's second favourite motorway, a survey has discovered the nation's most hated highway. The title has gone to the M6, with more than half the people

  • Continental market is a hit with customers

    ALTHOUGH 98 per cent of people surveyed praised the continental market in Marlborough High Street on Jluy 21 and 22, by no means everyone was happy with the Gallic invasion. Monday night's meeting of the town council was asked how much the visiting traders

  • Carers walk for hospice

    Carers Dawn Stagg and Mary Colanis walk the towpath (16821/9) CARERS Mary Colanis and Dawn Stagg hope a sponsored walk along the Kennet and Avon Canal towpath will raise about £400 for the Prospect Hospice. The pair who work for the Mobile care Agency

  • Trust plants an idea for growth

    WILTSHIRE Wildlife Trust is replanting the banks of the River Ray with plants form the nearby meadows. Jo Sayers from the trust has asked for volunteers who would like to get involved with seed collection from the Rivermead meadow to contact her. They

  • Newspaper man hangs up bag after 50 years

    POSSIBLY the West's longest serving paperboy Tony Coles of Marlborough, is hanging up his delivery bag after more than half a century of early morning starts. Most paperboys and girls get up before they go to school and do their rounds for a year or two

  • College expects big demand for course

    NEW College is offering courses over the summer which will allow licence holders to get a licence under new regulations. The Licensing Act, which was introduced earlier this year, stipulates that all alcohol-serving premises need at least one personal

  • Age of steam returning to make you chuffed

    Working steam engines will return to Swindon's Steam museum next month. The museum of the Great Western Railway will run the engines on a specially-laid 180m line over the weekend of September 17 and 18. The demonstration will be part of the 2005 Swindon

  • Art in the frame for a major boost

    SWINDON'S art scene is set for a major overhaul to help it reach more people in the town. Swindon Borough Council's Arts At The Centre project is part of a three-year plan to develop arts activities in the town. Coun Justin Tomlinson, the cabinet member

  • Clare faces the big challenge

    A SWINDON adventurer is appealing for sponsorship cash to help her take part in a fundraising challenge. Clare Telling will spend a week marooned on a deserted island off the coast of Dorset along with 14 others to raise money for the Anthony Nolan Trust

  • £400,000 bid to fund restoration

    THE trustees of the Merchant's House in Marlborough High Street are appealing for the support of the local community as they prepare to launch a massive £400,000 fundraising campaign. The board hopes to create a centre of national historic importance

  • Thieves steal cricket kits

    SOMEWHERE not too far from Wootton Bassett there could be a cricket pitch with 22 players ready to play up and play the game, but no equipment to play with. On Tuesday morning a blue holdall was found near the Tinkers Lane surgery, containing a bat, two

  • Dig the dinosaurs

    YOUNGSTERS who want to find out more about dinosaurs have been invited to Swindon Museum and Art Gallery. The museum, in Bath Road, is holding a special Discovering Dinosaurs event on Friday, August 12. Dr Dinosaur will be showing how scientists can gather

  • Reporter Bernal Daulman dies at 74

    THE family of one of the Wiltshire's longest serving reporters, Swindon-born Bernal Daulman, paid tribute this week after he died at the age of 74. Mr Daulman spent 40 years with the Gazette and Herald before he retired in 1992. The dedicated hack, who

  • Interest in collapsed computer company

    ADMINISTRATORS of Granville Technology say they have received some 300 inquiries about buying chunks of the collapsed computer company, which makes the Time and Tiny brands. Last week the firm, which owes more than £30 million, went into administration

  • Banned dye still found in curries

    ENVIRONMENTAL health officers have found three shops in Swindon that were selling curry powders containing a cancerous dye. They carried out inspections of shops across Swindon after it was revealed that Rajah Premium hot and mild curry powders with a

  • Town moved by Niger suffering

    SWINDON residents have shown their generosity by donating generously to the Niger Crisis Appeal. Since the appeal, which is backed by the town's own Melinda Messenger, was launched on Tuesday night more than £5m has been raised. As reported in later editions

  • Playing the game in safety

    Picture Refs: 78711-33/32A PLAYGROUP leader thinks there is "too much danger" to let children play unsupervised. It comes after National Play Day encouraged children to get off the sofa and get stuck in with supervised outdoor activities at the Ridgeway

  • Just a gateway

    HAS anyone else noticed the irony of how Swindon used to have a Front Garden and now we have just a Gateway? J ALLEN Broad Blunsdon

  • An all rounder

    DOYEN of the footballing cricketers was C B Fry who played both sports for England in the Victorian and Edwardian eras. In the 40s and 50s the immortal Leslie and Denis Compton followed suit. Up until the 1980s low wages meant combining football and cricket

  • Concern over cuts to adult learning at colleges

    WITH reference to your recent article which highlighted government cuts to adult learning, in May, the Learning and Skills Council notified colleges of cuts of around £140m to adult learning budgets, forcing colleges across the country to cut up to 200,000

  • Resist these charges

    THE car parking charges that are due to be introduced in the Station Road car park in September are likely to have a serious long term effect on the future of Malmesbury as we know it. Towns the size of Malmesbury all over the country are having their

  • Family seek roots

    AS secretary of Marlborough Local History Group, I have received an enquiry from the descendants of William and Edith (nee Crowe) Smith, who were married about 1900 and lived at 24 The Parade, Marlborough. William was a professional cricketer and played

  • Sale paves the way

    WE would like to thank everyone who helped make the fundraising barbecue on July 16 such a great success. It raised a substantial amount of the £2,500 needed for us to take part in the Hope and Aid charity convoy to Kosovo in September. We would also

  • Spare us translators

    ONE of the many things one enjoyed in the course of visiting in-laws and friends in Sweden was watching the world news on television. It was so refreshing to be spared the intrusion of translators and to hear celebrities from different countries speak

  • Fat lady's still silent

    IN reply to C Haynes' letter (Gazette, July 28) I would like to point out that the hunting with dogs issue is not over until the fat lady sings. She hasn't sung yet, and it could well be that when we British people tire of warmonger Blair and his loony

  • Car building challenge

    GAZETTE & HERALD: SPACES are still available for the first Chippenham Gravity Race which is due to take place on August 28. The gravity race gives budding Formula One drivers and car designers the chance to put their skills to the test. Businesses

  • Need for credit union

    GAZETTE & HERALD: PLANS to open a credit union in Chippenham have been welcomed by the town council. Credit unions allow people to save together and borrow at a low interest. The interest from the savings pays the expenses and any surplus is paid

  • Tell me, why Derek?

    BIG Brother 6 (Channel 4) draws to a close on August 12 and the winner of £100,000, fame and fortune will emerge. I am expecting the Gazette and Herald to feature an advertisement from Neil and Christine Hamilton, which encourages us to vote for their

  • Fun day is set to be the largest ever staged

    GAZETTE & HERALD: ORGANISERS of the annual children's fun day in John Coles Park in Chippenham are hoping for fine weather as the big event approaches. On Sunday the park will be taken over by families for the hugely popular occasion, which last year

  • Six-day solstice camp is unsustainable in long term

    ON behalf of all the members of Avebury Parish Council, we would like to put the record straight on comments in the press and on television regarding camping in the southern car park and visitors to the stone circle. Firstly, there is no suggestion at

  • Tradition wins day on councillors' robes

    GAZETTE & HERALD: THE 150-year-old tradition of Chippenham councillors wearing ceremonial robes will continue after months of debate over whether to scrap them. Town councillors voted to keep the robes and preserve their civic identity last Wednesday

  • Jamie wows 7,000 strong home crowd

    Jamie CullumGAZETTE & HERALD: JAZZ maestro Jamie Cullum entertained a 7,000-strong crowd at a charity concert in aid of Bath Royal United Hospital's Forever Friend's Appeal. The 25-year-old, who was raised in Hullavington, and attended Grittleton

  • Readers dig deep to save children's special day out

    GAZETTE & HERALD: CHARITY worker Lyn Chisholm has expressed her gratitude after generous readers helped raise enough money to take needy children on a day out to remember. As reported in last week's Gazette, the Wiltshire, Avon, Gloucestershire and

  • Poorly children's plight inspires charity trekker

    Gill Heard is gathering kit for her charity walk in Ethiopia's Simien Mountains (16896/3/DC)GAZETTE & HERALD: DYSON worker Gill Heard is to take part in a trip of a lifetime when she climbs The Simien Mountains in Ethiopia to raise money for the children's

  • Bassett pad up in Gareth's memory

    Wootton Bassett Cricket Club has organised a memorial match on August 14, to commemorate former player Gareth Anslow, who died, aged 34, on January 5. Popular Gareth (pictured right), died following a seizure as he drove to work at Honda. The club have

  • Driver in head-on crash is disqualified for six months

    GAZETTE & HERALD: DRIVER Matthew Brock, who was involved in a serious accident in March, has been fined £150 and disqualified from driving for six months. The 20-year-old pleaded guilty to careless driving at Chippenham Magistrates' Court on Monday

  • Police plea over dead man's car

    GAZETTE & HERALD: POLICE are appealing for help after the family of a Corsham man who died last month reported his car had disappeared. Stephen Raubenheimer, 63, of Poynder Road, passed away on July 4. Weeks later, his next of kin told police they

  • Workshops for young movers

    GAZETTE & HERALD: IT'S lights, camera, action for eight to 14 year olds in Corsham over the summer holidays. Youngsters have been invited to music, film, theatre and dance workshops at the Pound Arts Centre. The young movers and shakers can take part

  • New call for witnesses after night club attack

    GAZETTE & HERALD: POLICE are issuing a second appeal for witnesses to an unprovoked attack in a nightclub in Corsham. More than two months after the attack, the victim still has blurred vision, is wary of strangers and fears going out alone. The 21

  • Armed raid haul revealed

    Diamond earringsGAZETTE & HERALD: POLICE have released pictures of a selection of the items, totalling about £400,000, stolen during the armed raid at an auctioneer in Corsham last month. The robbery happened at 8am on Tuesday July 19 at Gardiner

  • Pub wins gold award for using local produce

    Award winners Jerry Edwards and Nathalie Bellamy who won a gold award for using local produce at their pub (16889)GAZETTE & HERALD: LANDLORDS of the Flemish Weaver pub Jerry Edwards and Nathalie Bellamy have been invited to meet Prince Charles after

  • Half county's licensees risk missing the deadline

    North Wiltshire District Council is still yet to receive applications from around 200 of the 500 licensed businesses in the area. Paul Langcaster, spokesman for the council, said although more and more were arriving every day, just 259 premises and 39

  • Circuit looking into an appeal

    CASTLE Combe Racing Circuit's management is this week weighing up whether to appeal against the decision to uphold a noise abatement order. The circuit had appealed against the notice, served by North Wiltshire District Council in January, after complaints

  • Crisis talks on future of the mobile skate park

    A CRISIS meeting to discuss the future of north Wiltshire's mobile skate park was held yesterday. Officers of North Wiltshire District Council met the partners in the project to discuss how to keep the scheme going and improve the number of people using

  • Carnival revellers are hit by ban on throwing

    THROWING objects of any kind either at or from the floats in Pewsey's famous carnival has been banned. It means watching crowds won't be able to throw cash on to floats for charity collections. Carnival chairman Richard Giles said the decision of the

  • Delight as councillors protest at phone mast

    THERE were smiles on the faces of people who packed out the small hall at the Bouverie Hall last Wednesday when Pewsey Parish Council objected to plans for a controversial mobile phone mast. More than 40 villagers crowded into the hall, some of them having

  • Carers walk for hospice

    Carers Dawn Stagg and Mary Colanis walk the towpath (16821/9) CARERS Mary Colanis and Dawn Stagg hope a sponsored walk along the Kennet and Avon Canal towpath will raise about £400 for the Prospect Hospice. The pair who work for the Mobile care Agency

  • Sculpture for churchwarden

    RODBOURNE villagers are arranging for a gravestone to commemorate the life of popular churchwarden Cynthia Atherton-Brown. Miss Brown, who lived at Trinity Farm, died aged 72 in February 1998. She had been a churchwarden at Holy Rood Church for more than

  • Plan for homes on old pool site held up

    WESTLEA Housing Association has been forced to go back to the drawing board over housing plans for the old Malmesbury swimming pool site. The association had proposed building four low-cost homes on land in Old Alexander Road, three three- bedroom and

  • Viking legend thrills children

    Jacob and John and friends with their longboats 16854/23VIKING myths have gripped the imagination of Malmesbury children at a library session to encourage them to keep reading over the summer holidays. About 27 children aged between six and nine listened

  • Design for new school takes on spiral mode

    PLANS for a new £2.5 million primary school in Malmesbury are at an advanced stage, according to county councillor John Thomson. The design for the school was unveiled to parents last week and a planning application for the new building at Tetbury Hill

  • South Wilts hold sway after win over Calne

    WILTSHIRE YOUTH CRICKET LEAGUE: U11 Red - SOUTH Wilts continue to lead the way following a 40 run victory at home to Calne. Luke Philpotts (23), James Haggaty 49 not out and Ben Ringrose saw South Wilts reach an imposing 130-2 in their 20 overs. Ali Javed

  • Design for new school takes on spiral mode

    PLANS for a new £2.5 million primary school in Malmesbury are at an advanced stage, according to county councillor John Thomson. The design for the school was unveiled to parents last week and a planning application for the new building at Tetbury Hill

  • 'We like work but not our company'

    MOST people like their job, but feel indifferent to the success of their firm, research showed today. A survey of 15,000 adults showed that almost nine out of 10 enjoyed their work and got on with colleagues. Three out of four believed their job made

  • Allen and Harris top after sting

    Picture Ref: 78722-23A SWINDON estate agent is celebrating after being named the best in the area. The Regent Circus branch of Allen and Harris was one of six offices tested by Sold Out magazine's mystery shopper. The 'shopper' went into each branch pretending

  • New stress on asking for help

    A SWINDON solicitors has urged staff to be upfront about stress. Recent court rulings in cases brought around workplace stress have shown that the onus is on staff to prove bosses knew they were struggling but did nothing. Lemon and Co solicitors say

  • Launch of directory 'Made in Bassett'

    SUNDAY'S High Street Festival will see the launch of Wootton Bassett's first free directory of home-grown products. The directory, called 'Made in the Wootton Bassett area', is a North Wiltshire District Council led initiative which aims to raise awareness

  • Blooming good despite rain

    FLOWER borders were cossetted and lawns perfected in readiness for last week's judging in the Bassett in Bloom competition. Competitors now eagerly await the results. Judging took place on a rainy day last week with the judges inspecting more than 30

  • Festival fun and frolics puts town on the map

    THOUSANDS of visitors are expected to pour into Wootton Bassett on Sunday to enjoy the town's spectacular High Street Festival. Excitement in the town is mounting as the final preparations are put into place for what promises to be an even bigger and

  • Recruiting for midwives

    HEALTH bosses who closed Malmesbury Maternity Unit because of a shortage of staff say they will re-advertise for midwives after the summer. The closure of the unit was extended until January 9 after West Wiltshire Primary Care Trust was unable to fill

  • Harry is Formula One Champion at Platinum Renault

    From left, Keren Byrne and son Harry receive the prizes at Platinum Renault's Evening of Motorsport, from General Sales Manager David Smart.Young racer Harry Byrne is the latest local Formula One superstar after winning a Grand Prix tournament hosted

  • Bishop to quit

    THE Bishop of Ramsbury, the Rt Rev Peter Hullah, is to return to teaching and give up his post in the Salisbury diocese at the end of November it has been announced. Bishop Peter, who has won the hearts of both children and adults all over the county,

  • Dedicated reporter who loved his patch

    Bernal DaulmanTHE family of one of the Gazette's longest serving reporters, Bernal Daulman, paid tribute to him this week after he died at the age of 74. Mr Daulman spent 40 years with the Gazette and Herald before he retired in 1992. The dedicated hack

  • Firecrews will respond to medical emergencies

    A CONTROVERSIAL scheme that will see firecrews responding to medical emergencies if they are nearer to the scene than paramedics was officially launched on Monday. The co-responder system, which means firefighters could answer 999 calls to situations

  • Chairman's praise for duo despite another loss

    DEVIZES chairman Phil Rossiter has praised management duo Nathan Sheridan and Jamie Gale despite another pres-eason defeat. A scratch first team side including many reserve players, who had played already that day, went down 3-0 to Shrivenham at Nursteed

  • Blitz on binge boozers

    Chief Inspector Simon Dicks, health official Nicola Cretney and Lyn Gaskin, of the county council, launch the Know Your Limits campaign (16909/4)Wiltshire police are so concerned by the effects of binge drinking among young adults that they have launched

  • Heroes of Wembley are playing again for Woodsy

    CANCER-battler John Woods is to kick off a charity football match in his honour on Sunday. The match to raise money for Dorothy House Hospice was originally postponed when Woods went back into hospital as he battles against cancer. Woods, 34, was diagnosed

  • In name of Lettice

    THE parishes of West Overton and Fyfield will this weekend celebrate the life of a woman who died 200 years ago and is remembered only for her beautiful name. Lettice Sweetapple was a spinster of West Overton who was buried at the village church on August

  • Benefits cheat took more than £6,000

    BENEFITS cheat Martin Myers who fiddled Kennet District Council out of more than £6,000 housing and council tax benefits has been ordered by magistrates to carry out 50 hours' community service. Myers, formerly of Ludgershall, appeared before Devizes

  • Couple save girl, 14, in M4 drama

    A RUNAWAY girl who was knocked over by a vehicle on the M4 could have died if two good Samaritans had not stopped to help her. The 14-year-old from Wroughton lay crying for help with her head on the hard shoulder and her legs partly on the inside lane

  • Ben reveals his vital statistics

    Trainee accountant Ben Michael is launching into a modelling career Picture Ref: 78716-77SWINDON AND PROUD: TRAINEE accountant Ben Michael has been modelling in his underpants in a bid for a career in the steps of Melinda Messenger. By day Ben, 21, is

  • REVIEW: Jamie Cullum - Bath Recreation Ground

    Jamie CullumJAZZ maestro Jamie Cullum entertained a 7,000-strong crowd at a charity concert in aid of Bath Royal United Hospital's Forever Friend's Appeal. The 25-year-old, who was raised in Hullavington, and attended Grittleton House and Sheldon School

  • We will walk down the aisle

    Michael McCann and his fiancee Diana TearallDEATH crash survivor Michael McCann is to wed girlfriend Diana Tearall later this month. And the pair are determined to walk hand in hand down the aisle of St Mary's RC Church in Tovey Road, Pinehurst, on August

  • Students rise to 'pocket garden' design challenge

    GAZETTE & HERALD: STUDENTS from John Bentley School in Calne have been delivering their ideas for redesigning a section of the town's Castlefields Park. The sixth-formers made presentations at the annual general meeting of CARP, the Castlefields Canal

  • Church needs cash for roof

    ST Peter's Church in Bath Road, Devizes, is appealing for people to make donations to its building fund. Over the next three to five years the church faces having to pay out up to £50,000 for repairs. The chancel apse roof and the nave north facing roof

  • Bid to turn assizes into centre for heritage

    DEVIZES resident Peter Little has started a petition to try and get the dilapidated former Assize Courts turned into a heritage centre. Mr Little, who has lived in Devizes all his life, is dismayed that the Grade II*-listed building in Northgate Street

  • Spitalcroft group disbands

    THE Spitalcroft Allotment Association, which fought a long and ultimately unsuccessful campaign to stop developers building housing on the allotment site in Devizes, has been disbanded. The association has taken the decision after a Government planning

  • New weapon in crime fight

    SHOPLIFTERS and other trouble makers could find themselves banned from shops in the centre of Marlborough if a new security system takes off in the town. Local businesspeople attended a presentation at the Ivy House Hotel on Monday by former Wiltshire

  • Family repeat peaks challenge for Africa

    FOUR members of the same Marlborough family are following in the footsteps of their illustrious forebear in climbing the three highest peaks in Britain in 24 hours. James Deuchar, Annabel Deuchar, her husband Steven Hargreaves and Robin Morris, who is

  • Camping yobs leave damage

    POLICE are investigating a trail of damage at the Postern Hill picnic site in Savernake Forest. They believe a group of youths who camped there in a tent on Tuesday night last week were responsible. Burbage and Savernake beat officer PC Mark Fiander-Lewis

  • New Wigglybus service boosts links to villages

    BUS links between Marlborough and its satellite villages will be improved by new services being launched by the Wiltshire Wigglybus. The service for the Kennet Valley was re-launched this week with a new hourly morning and early afternoon connection between

  • Love on the beat stays strong for police pair

    Police husband and wife Ian and Maria Miller, who have served 30 years in the Wiltshire Constabulary 28 of them as man and wifeLOVE blossomed between police rookies Ian and Maria Miller and now the couple, who have been married 28 years, are retiring

  • Outrage over path diversion

    MARLBOROUGH town councillors failed to attend a public inquiry into rerouting a public footpath at Elcot Lane because they didn't know it was on, even though it took place at their own town hall. Residents of Elcot Lane and Barrow Close are furious about

  • Young dad dies in Iraq bombing

    Andrew Holloway was one of 500 contractors working for a security firm in the southern part of war torn IraqTRIBUTES have been paid to Devizes man Andrew Holloway, 32, who was killed in a bomb blast while guarding a British Consulate convoy in southern

  • Fire chief calms fears over lack of day cove

    Station officer David WardFears that the Marlborough fire station has not been able to turn out during daytime recently because of a lack of drivers have been allayed by a senior officer. A source within the brigade told the Gazette that on several days

  • Artists will put their work in the picture

    LAWN Community Association is holding an arts and crafts exhibition on Saturday, August 13. Artists from the town will be displaying their work, which will include art by Lawn Primary School pupils. Children are also invited to take part in a painting

  • Holiday fun for the kids

    CHILDREN will have no excuse to be bored this summer if their parents take them to the McArthurglen Designer Outlet centre. A host of colourful characters will be entertaining youngsters at the centre throughout the school summer holidays. On Friday Chirpy

  • Big'uns are biting at the Benger match

    THE Isis AC match at Sutton Benger again produced some big fish. Match winner from the 21 entrants was Glyn Loveday who took a tench and two nice bream for 17lb 6oz. Vince Grillo had a mixed 13lb 13oz bag of bream, tench and a big perch for second and

  • Free swim bus a big hit with families

    Picture Ref: 78727-40A FREE bus service taking Penhill residents to the Oasis leisure centre is proving popular. The scheme part of the Active Swindon Campaign has been organised by Swindon Primary Care Trust and Swindon Council to encourage people to

  • Go on, tell us what you think of us

    Swindon Advertiser's resident reptile, Alfie the AlligatorYOUR Swindon Advertiser is getting ready to go on tour. We are visiting the towns and villages around Swindon to meet our readers in their communities. The Advertiser is read each day by around

  • Museums secrets set to be revealed

    VISITORS to the Wroughton Science Museum this weekend will be in for a treat as it opens up two of its hangars which are usually out of bounds to the public. Hangar L4 will open its doors to reveal some of the museum's larger items dedicated to the mechanisation

  • Wildlife is better for the farm

    Helen Browning says her methods aare best when it comes to wildlife Picture Ref: 78721-14SWINDON'S organic farmers provide a better home for wildlife than conventional ones according to new research. A survey carried out by scientists shows that fields

  • Half marathon entries set to beat last year

    HUNDREDS of runners have signed up to take part in this year's Swindon half marathon. Organisers of the race, which is sponsored by the Advertiser and Nationwide building society, are confident that more runners will be taking part in this year's marathon

  • More band together to zap cancer

    Picture Ref: 78715-3A CANCER charity has launched a new wristband to help raise funds. The green wristbands are on sale in Nationwide branches across the country, and also in various shops in the Outlet Village. Those on sale in Nationwide, including

  • Death mystery still not solved

    THE post-mortem on a Swindon man whose body was exhumed has not provided any clues into his death. Stephen Smith, a 44-year-old electrical engineer from Haydon Wick died suddenly at home last June. At first he was thought to have died from natural causes

  • Stop this now

    I WAS raised in Highworth and went to Warneford School. My sister who lives in the USA phoned me and asked if I had seen the article about people using the cemetery as a public pleasure area. I was appalled at what I read. Parents these days cannot control

  • Plane spotters 'disrespectful'

    Ban spectators from the cemetery: I was appalled at your article about people gathering at the cemetery in Highworth to watch the Fairford Air Show. I was born in Highworth, and I have lived in the United States for about 12 years. I have, until now,

  • New fares policy is just a 'con'

    THE Thamesdown Transport con. How to increase revenue without increasing fares. Introduce a no change policy and change bus routes. The justification of Health and Safety and speeding up the buses is just a smoke screen. The fares are conveniently set

  • Buses quicker with no change

    I AM writing in support of the 'fastfare' system that is being launched in Swindon by Thamesdown Transport. I am the chair of the Transport and General Workers Union at Reading Buses. Our company introduced a similar system in October 2002 called 'readifare

  • Thanks for support

    THE Residents of Gables Close, Devizes, would like to thank all the people who came out in the unsettled weather to buy from our garage sale that we held in the close last Saturday. We are very pleased to announce that £178, which was a percentage of

  • Check attic before TV antiques auction comes to town

    GAZETTE & HERALD: THE BBC's antiques auction programme, Flog It, is coming to Chippenham later this month. The show's valuation day will be held at the Neeld Hall on August 14 from 9.30am to 4pm. People are invited to bring along any antiques and

  • Jobs better than homes

    GAZETTE & HERALD: DEVELOPER Barratt Homes has been told to go back to the drawing board after contentious proposals for 102 homes off Spanbourne Avenue, Chippenham, were turned down. Barratt wanted to redevelop the 1.6 hectare site with a mix of homes

  • Shed light on link

    I SEE the musical director of the Devizes Samba Band is seeking to distance them from the unfortunate events connected to a different band reported in this paper at the Drews Pond Wiltshire Wildlife Trust day. They are very quick to take the moral high-ground

  • Scar on countryside

    I DO not believe the main thrust of Ken Ivens' criticism (Gazette letters, July 28) was of the obelisks, as your heading in last week's newspaper suggested, but of the whole ethic and stomach-churning reality of the site in Salisbury Road, Marlborough

  • Fitting donation

    Following the discontinued use of The Spitalcroft allotment site in Devizes resulting from the proposed use for housing development, the committee of the allotment association has decided to disband, close the present financial account with Lloyd's Bank

  • Questions remain

    Having read Mr Pascall's letter in last week's Gazette regarding the French Market, I totally agree with everything he says. I put forward these questions about economics at Monday's full town council meeting to our district councillors, but all I could

  • Town was buzzing

    WITH reference to the letter of the week (Gazette, July 28) I thought Marlborough was a market town. How delighted I was to walk down the High Street and find the French market. The stalls were beautifully presented and many of the items are not usually

  • Feast of excitement

    WHAT a poor sad soul is Steve Pascall who is unable to enjoy a stroll through Marlborough's French market (Letter of the week, July 28). The Marlborough Area Development Trust sought to bring a little brightness into Marlborough's High Street by inviting

  • Council supported residents

    IN the clich riddled and ill-informed editorial, Circuit has been let down (Gazette & Herald July 28), you accuse North Wiltshire District Council of allowing itself to be swayed by a few complaints in serving a noise abatement order on the Castle