100 Years Ago.

MALMESBURY: At a meeting of the Board of Guardians, the new regulations respecting the future dietary of casual paupers were discussed. It was recommended the Guardians provide a dietary for these individuals as set out in the Order, with the exception that where margarine was named, dripping should be substituted and shell cocoa for broth. The committee hoped that the Guardians and the public would note that these wayfarers were now generously treated, the old bread and water dietary had been discarded, and there was now no reason for begging.

PEWSEY: The accounts sub-committee considered the County Surveyor’s estimate of the annual expenditure that would have to be incurred in connection with the use of the Bouverie Hall for sittings of the Petty Sessional Court. The sub-committee recommended to revert to the original scheme of providing a court room at the police station. This was agreed to.

50 Years Ago.

MARLBOROUGH: Sweeping proposals to screen the High Street from through traffic have gained the full backing of the Chamber of Trade. A revolutionary bypass plan has been formulated by a special sub-committee. In short, the scheme envisages High Street as a shopping precinct with a large authorised parking space.

DEVIZES: Work is now making spectacular progress on building a new hall, or dojo, for the 70-strong Devizes Judo Club. The building is 60ft by 20ft and is a prefabricated structure purchased from the Army camp being demolished at Tilshead. Some 14 men at a time are working on the building.

25 Years Ago.

CHIPPENHAM: Chippenham children using Westcroft playing fields are playing on top of dumped chemicals that can cause cancer and brain damage. Recent tests at the fields, which were used as a tip for domestic and industrial waste for more than 20 years, showed unacceptably high levels of arsenic and selenium. Calls for the site to be sealed and for children to be barred from playing there have been made by the area’s district councillor.

BOX: A Post Office driver miraculously escaped serious injury after his van smashed through the parapet of Box Tunnel bridge and was left dangling over the edge. The driver managed to scramble out of his cab to safety. Rubble from the damaged bridge tumbled onto the railway line below and British Rail was unable to stop a high speed train from crashing through it. The packed train was undamaged and continued on its way.