Army captain Jonathan Allen died when he fell off his bike into the path of an articulated lorry while trying to avoid a huge water-filled pothole, an inquest has heard. The hearing in Salisbury today heard that Captain Allen, 29, who lived in Burbage
Once again Chippenham is going to be grid-locked from August 2 for, we think, four weeks. This time surely could be reduced, either working 24 hours, seven days a week using floodlights, or employing a contractor that has more than four employees.
You often read in the media negative stories about the treatment given by our local health services, so I wanted to redress the balance by congratulating the staff of the Great Western Hospital. Both my wife, Ann and I have had cause to spend extended
Devizes viewers of the BBC Antiques Road Show on Sunday will have been moved by the Churchillian memorabilia concerning his funeral in 1965, brought in by the daughter of the Rev J E James, then Rector of Blaydon, Oxfordshire, who conducted his committal
On behalf of Devizes Kats and Kits in Care cat sanctuary, I wish to thank all those who have contributed at fund raising functions in support of John’s (the late John Leighton) appeal as Mayor of Devizes. We are extremely grateful for receiving a cheque
Saturday July 24 saw the invasion of Calne by over 4,000 gleaming motorcycles to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Rotary Club of Calne’s annual Motorcycle Meet. It was a fantastic event the highlight of which was a mass ride out to Bowood for
As a Marlborough shopkeeper, I should like to point out that our business are suffering as much from the perception of road chaos as from the roadworks themselves. Neither I nor any of my customers have experienced traffic problems today – and we
I was so irritated by the reported comment of Helen Haddrell the Highways Engineer, in the paper last week, that I have given instructions to our accounts department to withhold the payment of rates from our shop in Marlborough High Street (Susie Watson
While enjoying an afternoon stroll last Friday afternoon during a well deserved trip to my home town of Devizes I was shocked and saddened at the amount of litter strewn across the delightful green. What amazed me was the copious number of bins available
Something strange seems to have happened in Chippenham. Last evening I was checking the web site for the Chippenham Model Railway Exhibition which takes place at Sheldon Sports Centre on October 2. There is a helpful link to Google Maps to show visitors
The swimming concession for 50 plus and people with a disability has been discontinued. This facility without doubt has kept many patients out of surgeries and not burdening the NHS with ensuing expense. Would this not the opportunity for NHS Wiltshire
We have lived in Calne for 14 years and throughout that time improvements have been numerous and persistent; a newer, cleaner town has risen from the ashes of Harris. The lovely river Marden and the new library comple , all good stuff, new housing
I am acting on behalf of the authorities at the United Nations Memorial Cemetery in Busan, South Korea, where over 800 British servicemen are at rest. The authorities wish to obtain photographs of those servicemen interred there and also those who died
Over the past few weeks we have seen some changes to our High Street in Chippenham, firstly the market now coming down the High Street on a Saturday, the introduction of trees (even if at somewhat of a high price) and now the imminent arrival of yet
It’s still early days in the second half of the first century of my life, but I think things are looking up for us nifty fifties. Or, at least, I think that’s what I’m supposed to think. Thanks to model Kristen McMenamy, who has posed with her hair
Talented youngsters from The Corsham School donned the costumes of gangsters last week when they performed the musical Bugsy Malone to three packed audiences. Nearly 100 students were involved in the production, both on and off stage. Head of drama
A colourful song and dance show by 60 students from Wootton Bassett School of Dance raised over £728 for Arthritis Research UK. The performance was dedicated to the late David Magill, a former Mayor of Wootton Bassett and long-serving president of the
The first ever group of students to set foot in Abbeyfield School ten years ago returned to their former classrooms this week to catch up on a decade’s worth of news. This summer marks the tenth anniversary of the school, and staff invited the first
Youngsters from Corsham Regis Primary School put their brains to the test with the school’s first ever maths day. Mixed age teams solved problems as part of a focus oon maths. Head of maths Gareth Spicer said: “The aim of the event was to raise the
Children at St Nicholas School in Chippenham are looking forward to eating vegetables grown in their new garden. The garden at the special school was created with the help of volunteers from the Shaw Trust, which helps disabled people get into work.
THE chairman of Devizes Boxing Club has been blown away by the fledgling club’s success. Devizes Mayor Pete Smith was on hand to open the town outfit’s new facilities on Monday night, which are based at Devizes Town football club. The young club, who
Firefighters tackled a blaze at a recycling firm in Wootton Bassett at the weekend and spent several hours putting out the blaze and damping down.. The fire broke out at Crapper & Sons on Brinkworth Road at approximately 8.40am on Saturday. Fire appliances
The Mayor of Wootton Bassett, Mary Champion, will get runners on their marks for the town’s second fun run next month. The event is in aid of her chosen charity, Wootton Bassett Age Concern. Fitness trainer Michelle Leighton will lead runners along
Some of Corsham’s youngest residents gave a helping hand at the opening of the new Co-operative store on Friday. The former Somerfield at the Martingate centre was unveiled after a £200,000 revamp which meant the shop was closed for a week. The 70
Police have arrested a woman on suspicion of carrying out a series of attacks on elderly men in Chippenham and Corsham. The woman, 47, who lives in Rudloe, is believed to have mental health problems. She was arrested after three pensioners were assaulted
CASTLE Combe race engineer Geraldine Duff got a very different view of the circuit when she was thrown upside down in a spectacular starting grid crash on Sunday. The 26-year-old, of Queens Crescent, Chippenham, works at the circuit as well as competing
Volunteers who run Chippenham Toy Library have appealed for help to find the service a new home. The library, which was set up in 1976, rents space at Parklands sheltered housing scheme on Malmesbury Road. But Westlea Housing Association is closing
Gypsies have been given six months to quit a field near Hullavington after their planning appeal failed. Wiltshire Council officers refused planning permission after the families moved onto the Rose Field site in April last year. The junction that connects
CHIPPENHAM Town are holding a prize draw to decide their sponsors for next season. The Bluebirds are offering businesses and fans the chance to buy tickets for £150, with the winners of the draw having their name or logo on next season’s away shirt.
Karma nightclub is to stay open, despite being blamed for much of the violent crime in Chippenham. Wiltshire Police called for a review of the licence agreement of the club in Station Hill, claiming unacceptable levels of crime and disorder are associated
The policeman leading the investigation into the murder of fitness instructor Donavan Van Lill says finding the body had now become personal. Four months after Mr Van Lill disappeared from his Chippenham home, police have a man awaiting trial for murder
The mother of missing Donavan van Lill has not given up hope of him being found alive. Robyn van Lill wept as she made an emotional appeal for information about her 29-year-old son, who disappeared from his home in Blackthorn Mews, Pewsham,
Trader Hamish Watson is to withhold his business rates until Wiltshire Council says how much compensation it is willing to give to Marlborough businesses suffering during the current road works. Shops say trade has dropped by up to 30 per cent since
Driver Claire White was astounded when she returned to her parked car to find it hemmed in by newly painted yellow lines – and a ticket on her windscreen. Ms White, 35, lives in London Road, Marlborough, where there is no parking for residents, so for
Royal Air Force officer Rachel Housby is flying high after graduating from a prestigious military college. Ms Housby, 24, graduated as a Flying Officer at RAF Cranwell, near Sleaford in Lincolnshire. Rachel, whose parents Stephen and
THE Gazette & Herald’s Rugby SkillsWeek was back for its 15th year last week, with an international flavour. Almost 70 boys and girls from the local area flocked to Chippenham Rugby Club to take part in training sessions and receive advice and coaching
Diamond wedding anniversary couple Vernon and Nella Gay are set to celebrate their 60 years together at a party in their lifelong home of Colerne. Mr Gay, 82, remembered the first time he saw Nella, 81. He said: “My friend and I looked in through the
Actor Tim Henley is finally seeing his dreams come true after appearing in his first feature film, which could hit UK cinemas later this year. Mr Henley, 48, of Quemerford, Calne, quit his job in IT five years ago in order to pursue a lifelong dream
Malmesbury kite festival received soaring acclaim as contestants from around the world lined up to take part on Sunday. High-flying teams from Kuwait, the Netherlands, Belgium and the UK went head to head in the event, with kites visible as far away
A music festival started by a teaching assistant has donated its profits to two charities. The Summer of Love and Music Festival (SOLAM), at the Lysley Arms, on the A4 between Chippenham and Calne last weekend, has so far raised more than £650 for
CHIPPENHAM sprinter Elaine O’Neill missed out on a place in the Great Britain 4x100 metre relay team, and missed an ear-bashing from the coach. The team flopped in qualifying in Barcelona on Saturday after a series if disastrous batton handovers and
The sun shone brightly on John Coles Park in Chippenham at the weekend as thousands gathered for the annual Family Fun Day. The event, organised by the Round Table, has been a huge success in the town for nearly 20 years, and this year was no exception
CHIPPENHAM swimmer Stephanie Millward is riding the crest of a wave in 2010 and she believes it will carry her all the way to IPC Swimming World Championship glory in Eindhoven next month. The 28-year-old has targeted the podium in six events in Holland
An action packed weekend with classic cars, close racing and incidents galore entertained a huge crowd at Castle Combe Circuit’s Diamond Anniversary meeting. A frightening incident when the karts of Malcolm Clarke and Louis Wall, of Ashton
A poster being used in a campaign to save the RAF base at Lyneham has been banned from Wootton Bassett for being insensitive. Traders who have got together to try to persuade the Army to move to the RAF base have used the poster for their campaign.
Three people were taken to hospital after a crash involving three vehicles near Seend on Monday morning. Police closed Bollands Hill after a Volkswagen van, travelling towards the A365, collided with a Renault Megane and a Citroen van coming in the
A CASE of mistaken identity couldn’t spoil Sam Allison’s Chippen-ham Town testimonial as the Bluebirds drew 1-1 with Forest Green Rovers on Saturday. The 29-year-old came off the bench in the second-half and set up Lewis Powell’s equaliser but it was
Urchfont Primary School has long had strong links with the surrounding community. The headteacher, Alun Richards, who took over last September, is keen to continue the long tradition, especially as Urchfont is renowned as being particularly eco-friendly
I'VE told the players in no uncertain terms that if they think they can just switch on a good performance when they feel like it, then they’ll got found out. We didn’t perform against Highworth on Tuesday night, they were better than us on the day and
FC Chippenham Youth is sending out an appeal for new players after seeing some of their talent snapped up by academies. U12 manager Mark Vickers said the club is looking for new blood at all levels for boys and girls this season. “There’s no particular
Thousands of horse chestnut trees across Wiltshire could be at risk of dying because of a disease that is spreading throughout the county. The trees, which usually produce a dark green leaf, are being attacked by the leaf miner moth which burrows
Experts from the Ridgeway private hospital in Wroughton teamed up with Boots in Marlborough on Friday to give sun screen advice and to check moles. Around 30 people had their moles examined between 1pm and 4pm. Free free sun cream samples for adults
TOBY Davies had a debut to remember on Saturday as he took four wickets and hit his side’s second-highest total, in Corsham’s five-wicket win over Glastonbury. Saturday’s victory was the 17-year-old’s first appearance for the first-team after a handful
CHIPPENHAM suffered their sixth defeat of the season as they went down by two wickets at Warminster on Saturday. Paul Bates’ side won the toss and chose to take to the crease first, with Tom Young hitting 66. Richard Bates wasn’t far behind as he made
BIDDESTONE stayed top with a comfortable five-wicket win over Swindon on Saturday. The visitors won the toss, with Dean Williamson hitting an unbeaten 84. Asanka Vithanage made 39 but Biddestone’s Naeem Khan took four wickets for 30 runs as Swindon
A LATE brace of wickets from Imraj Heer rescued a draw for Marshfield against fellow strugglers Hatherley & Reddings. James Williams’ side batted first, with Mike Atkins hitting 53 and Daniel Watson making 47. Skipper Williams added 42 before he bacame
SKIPPER Craig Gibbens says the arrival of all-rounder Jif Wilkins’ new son is just the omen his side needs before their title decider at Lechlade. Gibbens feared his side would have to play without him as the baby was due next weekend. But 6lb 10oz son
DEVIZES picked up their third win in four games on Saturday as they claimed an 86-run victory over bottom side Purton. Jon Couch’s side won the toss and chose to bat first, with opener James Langan hitting 62. Alex Penny hit an unbeaten 52 while Tom
STRUGGLING Calne almost caused an upset on Saturday as they were narrowly beaten by title-chasers Lechlade. The hosts won the toss and chose to bowl first, with Darren Holcombe taking three wickets. Lechlade’s Ross Jeffels top-scored with just 22 while
MARLBOROUGH suffered a crushing eight-wicket defeat at the hands of Winsley on Saturday. The loss was the fifth of the season for Ben Head’s side, who lost the toss and were put in to bat. Opener Nick Crabbe top-scored with 41 while George Lane made
THIS week has been pretty quiet for me because I haven’t been involved with the Hampshire first-team that much. I wasn’t involved in the weekend’s pretty boring draw against Lancashire and I also wasn’t in the team for this week’s game against Durham
MALMESBURY’S poor form continuted as they suffered their fifth defeat in a row on Saturday, losing by six wickets to Great Bedwyn. Phil Jordan’s side won the toss and chose to bat with Sam Thomas top-scoring with 69. Toby Horton made 44 for the visitors
Devizes landlord Iain Quigley has clocked up £400 of parking fines in four months. It is not a record Mr Quigley, who runs the Four Seasons in High Street, relishes. He is furious that parking attendants do not cut him and other business people more
A man who hacked at furniture with a machete in a Chippenham pub was told he would be sentenced at crown court when he appeared before magistrates in the town on Tuesday. Matthew Harris, 27, of Clover Dean, Chippenham pleaded guilty to criminal damage
Children enjoyed making music during the week-long Devizes summer school. The event attracted 50 primary pupils, aged between seven and 11, of varying musical experience, including novices. One of the highlights was the chance to play different instruments
People are being encouraged to express their views on the Wiltshire Community Plan, which outlines Wiltshire council’s policies on matters such as affordable housing and climate change for the next 15 years. The plan is being drawn up by the Wiltshire
The fate of plans to build on the site of the historic almshouses in Corsham could now lie in the hands of the government after planning officers recommended that councillors should not make the decision. Officers say the Secretary of State should decide
A 73-year-old man has pleaded guilty to causing the death of Devizes resident Brenda Hookings in a car crash in Seend. Michael Cleveland, of Wessex Close, Semington, had been driving from Seend when the crash occurred. At Salisbury Crown
Villagers in Hilmarton are gearing up for their second scarecrow festival next month. After a hugely successful first festival last year in which more than 40 scarecrows were displayed around the village to raise money for the parish church of St Laurence
Readers are asked to select their favourite design for a new Christmas card for the Wiltshire Air Ambulance Appeal. To mark the air ambulance’s 20th anniversary the appeal asked local school children aged under 12 to submit a design for a Christmas
Visitors to Chippenham might be baffled if they try to find their way around the town via an internet mapping system. Eagle-eyed Geoff Endacott, of Beaven Close, spotted several glaring errors on the Google map for Chippenham, which could leave people
Stand-up comic Wil Hodgson, of Chippenham, is preparing to take to the stage at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival today for the ninth year in a row. The 31-year-old has been known in the past for shows which heavily feature anecdotes about his home town
Pewsey Carnival’s wacky Wheelbeero and Wine races have been saved following discussions between the organisers and the licensing authorities. There was a fear that the famous races around the village in the run-up to carnival night would have to go teetotal
Supporters of the Wadworth Brewery shire horses who go to see them parade through Poulshot at the start of their annual holiday will be viewing the stars of this year’s New Forest Show. Max and Monty’s haul started with a first in the pairs turnout class
Road safety campaigners in North Wiltshire are upset by the decision to axe the cameras. Calne town councillor Mercy Baggs said: “This is completely the wrong decision. We desperately need a camera up at Quemerford, especially when the children are coming
Bride-to-be Becky Oatley is making final preparations this week for the big day she thought she may never see. Two years after being diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, hairdresser Miss Oatley, 20, of Philips Close, Chippenham, will walk down the aisle
Councils around Marlborough are concerned about the impact of the loss of the camera partnership. Alex Carder, chairman of Pewsey Parish Council, fears speeders are going to get away with it. He said: “We’ve gone into this Community Speed Watch but
Speed cameras in Wiltshire are to be switched off because of a funding shortfall. All 19 fixed cameras and the eight mobile vans will be mothballed later this year. The speed cameras are administered by the Wiltshire and Swindon Safety Camera Partnership
Parish councillors have called for a speed limit to be imposed on a stretch of road at Winterbourne Monkton where a woman motorcyclist was killed on Saturday. The collision between the Yamaha Fazer and a Vauxhall Astra happened on the tight bends of
Saturday August 7, Farmfest at Abbottswood Farm, Bromham. Music from 2pm. Tickets £20 including camping. Saturday August 7, 4pm, music festival at The Owl, Little Cheverell. Entry is free but there will be a collection for Help for Heroes and some
People who got on their bikes raised more than £11,000 for the Gazette’s appeal. RAF officer Mark Baker of Poulshot clocked up more than £6,600 by completing a 350-mile ride. Group Captain Baker, 47, was among 300 riders in the Big Battlefield Bike
A Chippenham golf course was ‘sabotaged’ at the weekend in an act of revenge – but also for a good cause, the Gazette’s Help for Heroes appeal. More than 130 members of Chippenham Golf Club were joined by guests from Buckley Barracks in Hullavington
Four fearless Pewsey villagers are planning to leap out of an aircraft at 12,000 feet over Salisbury Plain as the next money-raising venture for the charity that helps injured servicemen. Sky diving with them will be Martin Preston an osteopath with
St James Church in Devizes is expected to be full to bursting this afternoon for the funeral of local builder Paul Whitbread. Mr Whitbread, 48, was found dead at a house in Urchfont on July 24. It is believed he took his own life. Mr Whitbread was hugely
Devizes couple Ian and Sarah Wixon have fallen foul of Wiltshire Council’s planning rules by painting their house blue. They chose the colour Lunar Landscape Blue for their Grade II listed townhouse in the Long Street conservation area but Wiltshire
Elderly residents at Offers Court sheltered housing flats in Devizes have spoken of their shock and anger that the scheme is to close. The news was a bombshell to the residents who had expected to live out their days at the flats in Southbroom Road.
Little Tilly Weisskopf slept through a massive police hunt for her. The four-year-old lay curled tightly inside the duvet on her parents’ bed, oblivious to the noise of the police helicopter overhead and officers searching yards away.
The musical Dick Whittington and Superpuss at Easton Royal School had the audience in tears of both joy and sadness. The end-of-term show was put on by Years 2 to 6. Donations from the show, and from the leavers’ service, raised £96 for Help For Heroes
Pupils at All Cannings Primary Schools have been awarded trophies in recognition of their sporting achievements. Millie Cann and Daniel Butcher won the under nines categories while Nadia Ashbridge and Alfie Kerr won the under elevens.
Pat Lavery who started as a pot washer at Anzac House, a care home for people with dementia, has retired after working her way up to be manager. Mrs Lavery, 61, joined the care home, in Moonrakers, Devizes, in 1984 when her three children were
Residents at the Bupa care home in Market Lavington recently enjoyed the delights of a Caribbean tour without the hassle of actually going on a ship. The “cruise” is held annually to give residents a taste of foreign countries. Staff decorate
An African theme was given to a summer fair held at St Mary’s Infant School, Marlborough. Young people attending the fair on June 25 were invited to join in the drumming with The Kaya musicians. The theme was chosen for the event because
Descendants of George Horatio Sealy, who was born in Kington St Michael in the late 19th century, have met together to celebrate his life. George was born in Kington St Michael in 1846 to William and Elizabeth Sealy. He and his wife
A fete organised by the elderly residents of Lawrence Acre sheltered homes in Marlborough raised more than £650. The money will be shared between Wiltshire Air Ambulance and Canons House respite home for children in Devizes, with some going
Bibles going back to the 1700s were brought out into the light last week – and in turn threw light on family history. Evidence of a family rift; roses preserved from wedding bouquets; confirmation cards and names of 16 children born over a
Family and friends will gather at 1.45pm today to pay tribute to popular Grace Selwood. Mrs Selwood, who was the former landlady of The Rising Sun in Christian Malford, died at the home she shared with husband Jack in Severn Bridge, on July 23 at the
The former deputy headteacher of St John’s School in Marlborough, Melvyn Lillywhite, has died of cancer at the age of 70. Mr Lillywhite was born in 1940 in Gosport, Hampshire, and was the eldest of three boys. After attending the local primary
Ellen May ‘Nellie’ Hyde, who lived in North Wiltshire all her life, died on July 23, aged 90. She was born in Swindon on January 11 1920, and attended primary and secondary school in the town. Before marriage, Mrs Hyde worked at Harris’s sausage factory
