YOUNG footballers ran 100km last week to raise money for a European tour in May. The Worton and Cheverell under-14s took to the treadmill as part of a sponsored run in the Devizes Leisure Centre foyer on February 15. From 8am, 14 team members
There are still a couple of months to go until the General Election, and more than a month before the campaign even starts. Yet my colleagues are getting restless already. It was good to see the Green candidate out and about both in Royal Wootton
In a week in which the Warwick Commission and the BBC’s ‘Get Creative’ campaign have highlighted the scandalous collapse of arts education in state schools, Wiltshire Council’s move to close down its music service (‘Fears for music in schools’, February
On Thursday, February 12 I was stupid enough to walk through The Shambles in Devizes with a considerable amount of cash in an unzipped pocket. The cash fell out and was later picked up by a member of the public (a lady) and handed in to one of the
Has the recent violence against media cartoonists and others really been an attack on free speech? Or have certain sections of the European press really not acted respectfully enough and actually been unnecessarily provocative? The terrorists are
Last week I brought William Hague to Chippenham to hear my plans for boosting our town centres. I want to help rejuvenate the high streets in Chippenham, Melksham, Corsham and Bradford on Avon. Empty shops are viewed negatively by residents and
The description in your February 19 edition of the original School Hill railway bridge at Brinkworth, recently replaced by Network Rail, as “a brick Brunel structure” is incorrect; Brunel, who was responsible for the structures on the original Bristol
Oh no! Not another retirement home application on the old builders’ yard in London Road in Marlborough. Nobody objects to housing developments on brownfield sites like this, and at Granham Hill, but Marlborough does not need more luxury retirement
In his letter last week (‘Tax’ is a slap in face) Coun Hubbard lambasted the council for introducing a charge for collecting garden waste. In doing so he both misrepresented the facts and failed to tell us how his party would have cut costs, something
May I draw your readers’ attention to a gathering of people to collect signatures for a petition protesting at attempts to privatise the health service. The collection will take place in the Brittox in Devizes this Saturday, from 10am. This is
I would like to highlight an incident that occurred in Devizes town centre this week that is a perfect illustration of the decency and honesty that are still prevalent in our community – despite all the usual doom and gloom. After a rushed shopping
I am grateful for the article by Nel Staveley highlighting the need for men to be vigilant regarding prostate cancer (February 19). As one who has had the condition for seven years and knowing that the cancer is held in remission by hormonal therapy
I would like to say thank you again to the lovely Candi Russell who stayed and waited with my mum on Saturday evening at 9pm, when their National Express bus arrived a few minutes early in town. She wanted to make sure she was safe until I collected
With nearly 200 participants enjoying the ice skating in Pewsey on what was a lovely Saturday afternoon, the Local Youth Network are happy to say the event was a huge success. The feedback and ideas from the local youth recorded on the day will
Your columns seem to be the only way to communicate with the anonymous backers of ‘Keep Marlborough Special’ who are opposed to the building of some 200 houses on the Crown Estate field opposite Tesco. Many people would prefer there to be no more building
The proposed withdrawal of the RUH taxibus has thrown up misapprehensions about patient transport that I would like to clarify. Patient Transport Services (PTS) is part of an integrated programme of non-emergency care provided by the NHS. The main
Corsham Area Heritage has dug into its archives and created two displays at Springfield Community Campus showcasing historic photographs. They include black and white images of the Corsham Library being built in Pickwick Road in 1965, as well as
Dedicated members of Calne Scout Group were presented with their Chief Scout Gold and Silver awards by the High Sheriff of Wiltshire on Friday. The Chief Scout awards – gold for Scouts and silver for Cubs – are the highest awards available and
First Stages youth musical theatre group in Devizes has been granted the first amateur licence to perform a shortened musical version of Roald Dahl classic Matilda. The 20-minute musical will be performed at St Mary’s in Devizes on November 7 and
Ivy Lane School in Chippenham is unravelling the mystery of nature for its tech-savvy youngsters. The primary school is near to the Bridge Roundabout, but, despite its central location, it is keen to give its children real outdoor experiences.
Lavington School’s recent drama performance has been hailed a success after both shows were a sellout. The school’s production of the moving and poignant story Private Peaceful took place on February 11 and 12 in front of a packed audience.
Oliver Twist and the Minions from the film Despicable Me were seen at Trinity School in Devizes recently as part of a charity fancy dress day. The day was organised by pupils on the school council to raise money for Water Aid, in the hope of funding
Superheroes were seen around Devizes last Thursday as Southbroom St James Academy students took part in a litter pick. The 25 Year 3 children, along with teachers and Devizes mayor Sarah Bridewell, collected 10 bags of litter from various different
Sutton Benger Primary School had an inspirational visit from Paralympic athlete Ben Rushgrove. The sprinter from Bath, who has cerebral palsy, set a world record for the T36 200m in 2007 and became the first athlete to break 25 seconds in the event
MARK Collier was caught unawares by Chippenham Town’s flimsy display against Hitchin Town on Saturday. The Bluebirds slipped to defeat at home for the first time this year as they were beaten 3-2 by Hitchin Town, with their usual defensive solidarity
HUNDREDS of families are expected at this year’s popular lambing weekends at Wiltshire College Lackham. Children will be able to get up close and personal with the lambs and have their photographs taken on the weekends of March 14 and 21, both
A new knitting and sewing group at the Salvation Army in Chippenham is asking for assistance in helping two charitable causes. Members of the group are preparing to donate knitted scarves, hats and mittens to the Christmas shoebox toys appeal,
A DJ with learning disabilities has been invited to BBC Radio 2’s Folk Awards after spending at day at their studio in Salford. Sebastian Beaman, 34, who lives in Chippenham, hosts Gentle Folk on Chippenham FM and dreams of working for the BBC.
Light frosts have been the dominant feature for most mornings and the line drawn on our barograph has been travelling in a gentle waving motion, giving us days of sunshine interspersed with dull and sometimes wet weather. This year, our Wiltshire
Appearing in Devizes’ most exciting new arts space, St Mary’s Church, the UK’s finest virtuoso guitarist is on a huge UK tour which will see the town rubbing shoulders with some of the UK’s biggest cities, best venues and hottest music scenes – straight
On the subject of seeds and their germination (or lack of it) – do not hit yourself if you get poor results. It may be the seeds were given less than ideal conditions or it may be the actual viability of the seeds was less than it should have been
A landmark Chippenham building by the Little George roundabout is to be given a new lease of life. A new restaurant is to open on the ground floor of the Bridge Brasserie, and the two upstairs floors will be turned into six apartments. The
At the end of January two separate, but also related, important items of local news were highlighted to me in the same week. Jane Scott, leader of Wiltshire Council, announced that whilst savings of around £30 million needed to be made in the budget
