Traffic was delayed on the A361 at Caen Hill outside Devizes this afternoon when a sports car was involved in an accident. Police and ambulance were quickly on the scene after the crash just before 4pm. The accident caused delays in both directions
New lock gates have been hung on one of Britain's best-preserved and much-loved waterways, in Wiltshire. The handmade oak gates were installed at the Caen Hill Flight of Locks, near Devizes. The flight of 16 successive locks forms part
I am writing to register my utter disappointment at MP Claire Perry’s piece on page 44 of last week’s Gazette. The Forestry Commission manages its woodlands for conservation, timber production and public access. They are managed following Forest Design
The new houses being built between London Road and Quaker’s Walk in Devizes are coming along at a fair lick. While the site continues to take shape, the marketing suite’s ploy to attract new buyers has been to adorn the developers’ security fencing with
I write to express my anger at the announcement of large-scale cuts in public library services. My annoyance is not lessened when I remember very clearly my own excitement upon joining a library for the first time at the age of six: my first book (
I agree with the sentiments expressed by MP Claire Perry regarding long-term care for veterans (Gazette, February 3). The members of our armed forces do not have unions, cannot strike and ultimately rely on government ministers to protect their interests
I read the recent article regarding plans for the Town Hall in Marlborough with interest. Many tens of thousands of pounds has been spent on the Town Hall. For this outlay we have a building which continues to run at a loss, when taking into account
Two letters to the editor in last week’s paper accused Councillor Alan Hill of being incorrect regarding Wiltshire Council planning policy relating to affordable housing. I was at the meeting on Tuesday January 25 2011, at which Coun Hill made the
In the heart of rural Wilshire PC and racial equality bigotry has reached a new low. Oh joy, Mrs Carr has found something to complain about. Objection to the phrase “jungle drums” to describe gossip has cost me and other ratepayers financially and has
I was surprised to see that Claire Perry voted in support of the Secretary of State’s proposals to sell off Forestry Commission land. These proposals will eventually restrict access to thousands of hectares of countryside. Despite assurances that protection
I see that both both our local MPs (Mr Gray and Mr Hames) voted in favour of the government’s plans to sell off our forests. I am astonished. My family regularly enjoys Westonbirt and the Forest of Dean. They are ours and we don’t want them lost
A couple are hoping for an unusual gift for their diamond wedding anniversary today – the arrival of their fourth great-grandchild. Geoff Hince, 89, and his wife Mavis, of Morstone Road, Wootton Bassett, are hoping that Alison Hince, wife of
I popped into Marlborough at the weekend. I was walking up Five Stiles Road. I walked very cautiously across the grass to talk to my sister at the window. I have to say, it was like dodging land mines. I was disgusted at all the dogs’ mess outside her
Following the gathering of some 4,000 signatures in the recent petition on parking, I do hope that Wiltshire Council will be launching a counter petition in order that those who favour their proposed measures can have their say. I am copying this
I would like to respond to the article on tourist information centres in last week’s Gazette. Coun Brady’s comments on the TICs ignores the local economic contribution made by local visitor centres. Visitors using local visitor centres spend more in
I am delighted to be able to report on the tremendous support for the recent petition to retain the one-hour parking limit in the Market Place, Devizes. The petition, which was enthusiastically supported by many independent retailers, public houses,
Film director Lord Julian Fellowes dropped in to Malmesbury Town Hall last Friday for the launch of a mobile cinema which will tour rural communities. The pioneering scheme means people can see blockbusters on state-of-the-art digital equipment in
Police are keen to trace the owners of metal they believe to have been stolen in the Wootton Bassett area. Sergeant Simon Wright and his team of officers seized a number of scrap metal items from a white van at Porter Skip Hire, a metal recycling point
The Ministry of Defence has started to get tough with people who park in the road outside the newly opened Corsham base. People are parking on both sides of Westwells Road, in Neston, despite there being enough car parking spaces for the base’s 2,100
Artistic director Nicholas Keyworth is leaving The Pound arts centre in Corsham after landing a top job in London. Mr Keyworth, who is also a Corsham town councillor, has taken over as the Chief Examiner of Music for Trinity College London,
MALMESBURY light-welterweight Joe Hughes admits his second professional bout couldn’t have gone better after he ruthlessly disposed of Luton’s Gavin Putney in less than two minutes on Saturday. The 20 year-old, christened ‘The Gent’ by promoter
Chart-topping band Texas have announced they will be performing at Westonbirt Arboretum in the summer. The band, fronted by singer-songwriter Sharleen Spiteri and best known for a hits including Black Eyed Boy, will be performing at Westonbirt, near
A former teacher from Derry Hill School, Calne, was on Friday charged with making and possessing indecent images of children and voyeurism. Richard Michael Watkins, 28, from Calne, was charged in relation to an allegation he had indecent images. A
Calne Tennis Club is thriving just a year after it was almost forced to close – but it is now looking for new funding and a new home. It now has 78 members, a qualified coach and a prospective wants to Beversbrook Sports Facility . It is now planning
Businesses and residents are concerned about sections of Church Street and High Street closing for six weeks for work on gas mains. Wales and West Utilities are replacing 140 metres of plastic pipes in High Street from next Monday and 200 metres at
Just days before the new Tesco supermarket is due to open in Marlborough the town’s only other store Waitrose has announced it will close for up to five days for a major refit. Waitrose manager Andy Davies said: “We were going to do this anyway. We have
SHELLEY Rudman believes she has taken significant strides forward on her journey to the next Winter Olympics despite seeing illness rob her of a golden shot at a first World Cup title. The weakened Pewsey slider, laid low by a chest infection
HEAD coach Jason Forster has reminded his faltering Chippenham side that the Tribute South West One West title race remains in their hands after back-to-back defeats halted the Allington Field juggernaut. Wiltshire’s highest-ranked team appeared
Villagers in Aldbourne are to lose their recycling centre thanks to thoughtless people who have been leaving heaps of rubbish around the recycling bins. The recycling centre in the Square has bins for cans, paper and glass, which can be put out for the
Broad New York accents have been heard at Hardenhuish School in Chippenham this week as it came alive with the sounds of 1940s Broadway in its production of Guys & Dolls. The show, a culmination of weeks of rehearsals, finishes tomorrow. It has been
I thought we were quite comfortable and in control (against Taunton) but, like against any team that you play against, they’re always going to create chances and I thought we defended very well. Snodds (Chris Snoddy) has pulled off a couple of good saves
CHIPPENHAM Town will host half-term football coaching sessions later this month. The Town Council’s Football in the Community programme, which is based at Stanley Park and headed by Town’s goalkeeping coach Pete Hussey will team up with Coerver
MELKSHAM Town manager Adam Young has praised Adie Mings for coming to him directly to discuss the signing of striker Nick Ridout. The 22-year-old has been dual registered at Hardenhuish Park and could make his debut before the end of the season
NATHAN Rudge is hoping he and his Bluebirds teammates can start turning draws into wins as they look to climb the Zamaretto League Premier Division table. The Chippenham centre-back was rested for Tuesday night’s Red Insure Cup quarter-final
Street lights on 400 major roads in Wiltshire will be switched off at night to save money. Wiltshire Council said turning off the lights will save more than £9,400 a year. The lights will be switched off between midnight and 6am when traffic flows
The voice at the end of the phone is my sister’s, telling me that my mother has fallen on the steps outside her house and hit her head and the paramedics are with her as we speak. Immediately my few remaining brain cells organise themselves into various
Andy Goves, Wiltshire’s chief fire officer for seven years, is retiring after 37 years in the service. Mr Goves, who announced his retirement last week, leaves at the end of March. Wiltshire and Swindon Fire Authority will discuss the appointment of
The organisers of last year’s Bowood Dog Show and Summer Fair have handed over more than £20,000 to local groups and charities. More than £8,000 was given to Macmillan Cancer Support, while £2,800 each was presented to the Wiltshire Bobby Van
The teenage son of Calne mayor Helen Plenty has had an order banning him from working with children removed. Scott Plenty, of Wessington Avenue, Calne, was told he would be barred from ever working with minors following a conviction for downloading
Calne Town Council says it is determined phase two of the Beversbrook Sports Facility development will not cost tax payers a penny. At a town council meeting on Tuesday, town clerk Linda Roberts said: “We need to make sure we are in a position to go
NEWBURY takes centre stage this weekend with their feature race the Grade 3 £120,000 Totesport Trophy, Britain’s most valuable handicap hurdle. Barbury Castle trainer Alan King, who had two high-profile winners in Medermit and Blazing Bailey last weekend
The Duchess of Cornwall was put on the spot about her credentials as a Queen in waiting when she visited King’s Rise Children’s Centre in Chippenham on Monday. She was asked by an eight-year-old: “Are you going to be Queen one day?” Looking a little
The Gazette’s campaign to raise money for Help for Heroes received a huge boost this week after the Co-op handed over a cheque for £2,000. Eddie Jenkinson, fuels manager for the Co-op Group, said the money came from an awards dinner in September given
The third successive picnic musical to be held at Patney this summer will raise money for Help for Heroes. Organised by local singer Bruce Hopkins, the musical will take place on June 25 at Andrew Snook’s farm, a bigger venue than previously. Mr Hopkins
DEVIZES Town could go second in the table this weekend with victory over Oldland Abbotonians and assistant manager James Dore said promotion may not be such an unlikely scenario for the Nursteed Road club. James Lewis and Darren Smart scored as Devizes
PEWSEY Vale boss Adi Holcombe said his side have already surpassed his expectations for the season after they picked up their 12th win of the season on Saturday. Pewsey claimed a comfortable triumph over Fleet Spurs, keeping the pressure on the top sides
ASSISTANT boss Graham Learmonth thinks Corsham’s form has suffered due to a lack of consistent games. Town have only been in action three times since the start of the year and were beaten by their local rivals and league leaders at Southbank on Saturday
SHAUN Carter’s late goal helped Wootton Bassett Town bounce back from their weekend trouncing at the hands of Shortwood United, as they beat Carterton on Tuesday night. On Saturday, Dave Turner’s side were beaten 5-1, with James Turner grabbing the consolation
MALMESBURY Victoria assistant manager Ian Restell has slammed the commitment of his players after the Vics could only field ten men at the league leaders on Saturday. Despite their man disadvantage, they kept the game goalless for around 35 minutes,
ADAM Young challenged his Melksham Town players to push for a top four place after they extended their unbeaten run to 12 games with an extraordinary draw on Saturday. Goals from Dave Thompson, Gary Higdon and Nick Ridout put Melksham 3-2 up at half-time
Applause rang out at St Nicholas Church in Bromham in tribute to popular mother-of-two Julie Kember. More than 350 people attended the funeral service of the hairdresser who lost her brave battle against cancer on January 28, aged 44.
A girl who touched the hearts of everyone who met her, that was how seven-year-old Chloe Smith was described at her funeral service. Despite her severe disabilities, Chloe, of Hodge Close, Devizes, brought joy to the lives of her family, friends
Members of the public have been invited along on Saturday to watch new lock gates being craned into position on the Caen Hill flight of locks at Devizes. The work is part of a £1 million winter maintenance programme being undertaken by British Waterways
When firefighters get a 999 call to deal with a thatch roof fire they don’t usually have a ghost of a chance of saving it. But after using new techniques taught by a master thatcher they managed to confine a roof blaze at the famously haunted
MARLBOROUGH international eventer Laura Collett claimed triple success at the latest round of British Eventing Jumping and Style (‘JAS’) series in Solihull. The national series, judged on the rider’s style and ability over a combined show jumping and
Mystery still surrounds why happy-go-lucky Devizes builder Paul Whitbread killed himself at a friend’s home in Urchfont in July. The body of the 48-year-old father of two was found hanging from the bannister at Anvil House on The Green by his
Shoplifters who see Marlborough as an easy target because it has no town centre CCTV, hit a High Street chemist’s shop on two successive days. Thieves who took an estimated £1,000 worth of cosmetics were seen by a member of the public putting
We have more information on Wordleys Engineering this week, thanks to Market Lavington Museum curator Rog Frost. The museum has several photographs of Wordleys and their successors, Wiltshire Agricultural Engineering, which had premises in
Westinghouse has been at the heart of Chippenham for more than 100 years, with many people in the town either working at the engineering company or knowing someone who did. A new book, Westinghouse Brake & Signal in Chippenham, tells the story
Former High Sheriff of Wiltshire David Margesson, a former president of the Prospect Hospice, chairman of Swindon Magistrates and a life-time supporter of Marlborough Hockey Club, died on Sunday, aged 74. Mr Margesson, who lived and farmed
Jacquie Crews, 62, was an inspirational maths teacher with a passion for her subject who taught at Wootton Bassett School for ten years. She died in Portugal, where she was a staff member at the International school in Lisbon until two years
Police have been told to put all samples from suspected drink drivers on ice after forensic scientists withdrew testing services. A leaked memo to all chief constables revealed staff at the Forensic Science Service have stopped processing motoring
