The Conservatives came out on top in Wiltshire when the results of European Elections were announced tonight. The Wiltshire results was announced at Christie Miller Sports Centre and will go towards the overall total for the six available South
Here we go again. Another threatened, unwanted development pushing Chippenham out into its vital green surroundings. Five hundred houses to be dumped north of Barrow Farm, elbowing Bird’s Marsh, destroying Dog Kennel Plantation as a haven for wildlife
In reply to Val Compton (letters, May 15), there may well be the odd sighting of a swift or a water vole, and there may be plenty of river fly larvae, but this is not what the vast majority of people want to see in the River Kennet. They want to see
Wiltshire Council’s decision to review parking was always going to invite controversy. Indeed, few subjects can match parking when it comes to the heat generated in local debate. In last week’s edition you highlighted the views of two of our town
As a Bromham resident I read with interest your ‘Use it or lose it’ article last week. The village store is vital to the life and health of the community and we are fortunate to still have the Post Office after Mr and Mrs Price retired. I would
Thank you to the Chippenham Town Council leader for highlighting to readers one of my recent surveys in Chippenham (letters, May 15). I would like to correct him on a number of points. I am carrying out an extensive survey around John Coles
It was interesting to see your piece on Chippenham felon John Parker’s skull (Chippenham Gazette & Herald, May 15). You state that there is no title or date to the newspaper cutting reporting the execution in Gloucester. This was possibly the
As chairman of the Friends of Doorway fundraising committee, I would like to thank all the people of Chippenham and beyond who supported our recent spring fair and raffle which raised over £3,000. In particular we are very grateful to St Andrew
Toastmasters are looking for new members to join their expanding group, based in Marlborough. The Toastmasters, an international organisation that teaches public speaking and leadership skills, launched its town group last October. The group
In my earlier letter, Disabled denied access to hall (May 8), I sought only to offer support to your correspondent, Mrs J Hide, with her hearing impairment difficulties. Against the backdrop of a rapidly ageing population many more will share similar
There has been a lot of publicity in the national press recently about ‘carers’ attitude to their charges. I would like to share my experience of people of Wiltshire who care for the adult disabled and those with learning difficulties. I am
One can only sympathise, yet again, with Mr Jim Andress last week regarding expressed views on proposed 20mph speed zones. From the many ‘metro strip counts’ observed in the Wiltshire area, it has to be acknowledged by the local authority that
I usually drive to Swindon on Sundays to see my family. However, following all the publicity in local papers, plus an information sheet and guide to trains running through Melksham to Swindon on Sundays, as from May 18, I decided to leave the car on
Many thanks for publishing my letter last week. I attended the public consultation event in relation to the Barrow Farm development last Friday. I came away feeling quite sad for the people of Chippenham who I feel deserve a greater say about
They backed Ian Dury on hits such as Sex and Drugs and Rock’n’Roll, Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick and Reasons to be Cheerful Part Two. But on Friday, June 6, the Blockheads will be coming to the Corn Exchange to perform in their own right at Devizes
The organisers try hard – using wide sponsorship – to keep festival entry fees to a minimum. But anyone on a tight budget can visit the fringe, where it costs nothing to attend, due to sponsorship of venues. The fringe spans the festival, but
Driving instructor Joel Wreford waved goodbye to his dreadlocks to raise money for his grandmother’s care home. Mr Wreford’s 91-year-old grandmother, Mary Keepence, recently moved into Coombe End Court in Marlborough so the 34-year-old decided
Fans of the Rocky Horror Picture Show can turn up in costume for the screening of the cult film at the Palace Cinema on Tuesday, June 10. The original stage show was a parody of 1930s horror films, so the return to celluloid of the format was a
A six-week art course held in Calne for people with dementia ended with an exhibition this week to celebrate their creative talents. The exhibition, attended by Calne mayor Heather Canfer, was held on Monday at the Lansdowne Strand Hotel to coincide
Gambian Sainey Camara received a hero’s welcome when he returned to his home country with a charity boss from his adopted town of Devizes. Mr Camara, known as Charlie at The Bear Hotel, Devizes, where he works, joined forces with Bag4Sport Foundation
Art lovers enjoyed a stroll around sunny Pewsey last weekend for the village’s Art Walk. Pubs, shops and homes joined the gallery and the Heritage Centre in displaying artwork. Shop premises were themed, with Boots showing off GP Simon Ralfe
Devizes Festival 2014 will welcome the first orchestra in its programme for many years. The Orchestra of the Swan, based in Stratford-upon-Avon, has achieved national recognition under the baton of musical director David Curtis. With soloist
Devizes Festival 2014 gets under way on June 4, with two-and-a-half weeks of first class entertainment and arts events. Among the famous names taking part this year are comedian Jenny Eclair, who is at the Corn Exchange on Wednesday, June 4, in
Waking up on a windy morning last weekend Richard and I decided that a trip to the south coast would be a good idea. I know this took us out of Wiltshire, but we live in a land-locked county, although we must not forget it is part of the south
Teenage cancer survivor Florence Corr, originally from the Devizes area, is performing with her sister to raise money for the Teenage Cancer Trust. Florence, 17, and her sister, Eleanor, 21, are both accomplished musicians and want to give something
Like me, I’m sure that most of you get to the newsagent as early as you can on a Thursday to get your copy of the Gazette before the print run sells out. This week I would imagine it’s been a bit of a struggle as you’ll have had to fight your way
A committed Corsham knitter who put her needlework skills to good use has raised more than £1,000 for Wiltshire Air Ambulance. June Witt, who lives at Jargeau Court sheltered accommodation in Grove Road, held a cake sale for fellow residents last
A new website, designed to lure more businesses into Devizes, has been launched. Devizes Means Business, commissioned by the town’s Community Area Partner-ship, has information on what the town has to offer to firms and their workers. It also
