This weekend I was very sorry to see two members of the Wiltshire Council Lib Dem group decide that they could no longer serve on Wiltshire Council as Liberal Democrats. Coun Chris Caswill has been a member of the Liberal Democrats (and previously
What has happened to the Crammer in Devizes? Will we ever see it full again? I know it has been a fairly dry summer and the water level always drops in the summer but we are in the middle of October now, and we have had quite a lot of rain lately
I am most surprised that Andy Newman, the Labour candidate for Chippenham, is only using the figures drawn up by one group of businesspeople rather than taking a broad study for and against our continued membership of the EU. There are now numerous
The next time you struggle to pay your council tax bill, or your car gets damaged as a result of the un repaired pothole in the road, or you can't get off of your estate or minor road in the snow because your road hasn't been gritted; to all those
’Cille Packer (Gazette letters, October 17) is concerned about solar parks causing the “industrialisation of the local rural environment”. Like all renewable energy proposals, solar parks should be sited appropriately and sensitively, and should
I wish to bring to your attention the planning application for Wadswick Farm, near Neston. The proposal to build a 35-acre solar park on prime agricultural land on a prominent and historic site is causing great consternation. Last week Box
Maxine Dyer was afforded a great deal of space in the Gazette dated October 17 to write an ambivalent letter about the BID (Business Improvement District) scheme. I have nothing to do with Cherish Chippenham, however, I have been co-opted, because
Tracing family links my name is Brenda Ambrosone (nee Goodman). I am interested in reaching out to Goodman families in Wiltshire. I would be prepared to pay for a DNA test should any Goodman people consent. My ancestor Thomas Goodman claimed to
This letter is order to express my humility, and our family’s gratitude, with regard to the sheer volume of cards, letters, and donations which we have received following the devastating loss of my darling Marilyn. The attendance at Marilyn’s service
Mr Chivers is perplexed by my comments about the Lay Wood Roman villa (letters, October 17). I am happy to explain. The discovery of the villa is indeed exciting, but anyone who has watched Time Team will know how geophysical surveys reveal much
As someone who’s been known to enjoy a small cigar every once in a blue moon, I can’t claim to be considered a proper smoker. But, as a former sports professional, I don’t go along with the criticism of sportsmen, particularly footballers, who chose
A PLEA has been made for new people to join the Market Lavington branch of the Royal British Legion otherwise it will close or merge. Writing in the village magazine Brian Hunt, the branch secretary, said: “Personally speaking, it will be a sad
Firefighters from Hungerford were called to Stag Hill, in Chilton Foliat, after a bonfire made by building contractors got out of control, with smoke from it making it difficult for traffic on the B4001.
Police have renewed their appeal for information following the theft of the Marlborough mayoral chains. They were taken from the mayor’s parlor in the town hall between 7.30pm on October 13 and 8am the following day but, despite a £5,000 reward
Farmer Guy Wentworth breathed a sigh of relief when he was fined almost £210,000 on Monday – substantially less than the £6m he was once told he might have to pay. The verdict brought an end to the latest stage in a two-year legal battle between
A primary school has been officially recognised for its three-year campaign to promote physical and mental wellbeing. Sherston Primary School now has its sights set on achieving silver status after picking up a ‘Healthy Schools Plus’ award under
Devizes town councillors Pete Smith, Ted East and Jeff Ody have agreed to be flood wardens following a request by Wiltshire Council.
This year’s Wiltshire Poppy Appeal launch was held today in the poignant location of St Giles Church in the lost village of Imber. Guests were taken to the uninhabited village on the training grounds of Salisbury Plain in a Routemaster bus, driven
BOWOOD’S Sam Matton will continue utilising his secret weapon as he chases a dream place on the European Tour. The 25-year-old, a regular on the Europro Tour and Jamega Tour, made it through to the second stage of qualifying for Europe’s elite
Devizes funeral directors John Stuart plans to open an office in the town centre. The firm is based at Castle Farm, Hillworth Road, but wants to have a presence in the town centre and is planning to open in the former Ethnique Trading shop near
Prosecutors have been granted a week to decide whether to seek a retrial on a builder accused of raping an 11-year-old girl. David Mullis, who is known as Martin, was accused of repeatedly sexually abusing the child in the 1980s. But after
Two Wiltshire councillors have resigned as Liberal Democrats to become independent. Coun Simon Killane resigned from the party a week after he narrowly missed out on being selected as its parliamentary candidate for North Wiltshire. Coun Chris
More delays affecting a decision on the future of the Compton Bassett landfill site has brought an apology from a Wiltshire councillor. Coun Andrew Davis, who chairs Wiltshire’s strategic planning committee, said the application by Hills Waste
PETE Kibble clinched a medal at the Welsh Circuit Championships for the third time but admits that he was frustrated at coming agonisingly close to earning his first national gold. The 14-year-old, from New Zealand, near Calne, pushed British Cycling
Gazette reporter Anna Mauremootoo is running the Dublin Marathon on Monday in memory of her uncle. Miss Mauremootoo, 24, who lives in Devizes and covers the Marlborough area for the Gazette, will be paying tribute to Tony Moroney, 68, who died
Prison authorities at Erlestoke Prison are investigating a small fire yesterday, thought to have been caused by a discarded cigarette. Governor Andy Rogers confirmed the incident, saying: “There was a small fire in one of the workshops of the prison
DEVIZES captain Tom Collins believes Saturday’s 24-13 victory at Maidenhead could be a watershed moment in the Saddlebacks’ first season in South West One East. Luke Rapson, Chris Barter and Moses Navunisaravi scored the tries as Collins’ men secured
Gleeson has lost its High Court bid for compensation from the government over its handling of plans for homes in Malmesbury. It means that, after months of controversy, the planning application for 180 homes and space for a school will come back
JOE Hughes has wrapped himself in cotton wool this week as he prepares to return to the ring after more than a year out of action. The 23-year-old, from Malmesbury, will be stepping up to welterweight at the Trowbridge Civic Centre on Saturday
STEVE Winter was pleased to see his side avoid an upset against Chertsey Town as they progressed through to the second qualifying round of the FA Trophy. The Bluebirds boss went into the game with a problem in the heart of his defence, with Greg
TENANTS of Raglan homes are being urged to have their say on the social housing provider’s plans to merge with Jephson Housing. The firm has said the plan would create one of the UK’s largest housing associations, with nearly 11,000 homes in the
WOOTTON Bassett celebrated a glittering weekend as they maintained top spot in the Davis Wood League East Central One division and made progress in the Hockey Association Vase. Bassett entered Saturday’s league match with Chippenham B having scored
MARLBOROUGH triathlete Richard Cooper was delighted to tick the World Ironman Championships off his bucket list after he battled through the pain in Hawaii. The 55-year-old, who is chairman of Marlborough and District Junior Athletics Club (MADJA
Residents in Malmesbury are seeking damages against Wiltshire Council for alleged ‘maladministration’ over the development of Waitrose. Home owners living in Avon Mills are preparing to make an official complaint to the Local Government Ombudsmen
As football fans across England start making plans for next year’s World Cup, Corsham osteopath Carl Todd knows he has his seat on the plane sorted. Mr Todd, 43, will be joining the England squad for the competition, where he will provide muscular
TOMMY Bridewell is hoping the trials and tribulations of a testing campaign have helped to set him up for a shot at the British Superbikes Championship (BSB) title next season. The 25-year-old rider, from Etchilhampton, brought the curtain down
A man who took part in a raid on a house in Royal Wootton Bassett where jewellery worth thousands of pounds was taken has been jailed for 34 months. Fred Newdick, 31, was caught on CCTV knocking on the front door of the house in Station Road moments
FIRST-TEAM boss Stuart Haddon saluted the Saddlebacks as they broke their away duck this season against a side that were two divisions higher last term Luke Rapson, Chris Barter and Moses Navunisaravi touched down for the promoted visitors, who went
DETERMINED Chelsey Lewis’ ambition of becoming a dancer is back on track after she discovered an exercise routine that stopped her from needing major surgery on her spine. Chelsey, 11, of London Road, Devizes, was diagnosed with scoliosis, a curvature
THE man who has been producing the Devizes Talking Newspaper for the past 17 years has been recognised nationally for his dedication and skills. Wiltshire Blind Association volunteer Alan Hollick received the Volunteer of the Year award in the
Schoolgirl Maia Tagholm has been likened to Little Miss Chatterbox but on Monday she was quiet as a mouse. Maia and her best friend Georgia Millar, who both live in Chippenham, fulfilled every teacher’s dream by managing to keep quiet for the entire
The sons of late multi-millionaire Robert Sangster want to create a public country park in his memory in Marlborough – in exchange for land to build 50 homes. They are proposing to develop homes on 1.7 hectares of open space north of Rabley Wood
