100 Years Ago.

GREAT SOMERFORD: The school children of Great Somerford, who are all members of the League of Young Patriots have, through their small weekly donations of half-pennies and pennies, been able to forward as a first instalment the sum of 10s to HRH, the Princess Mary, towards the fund for providing the sailors and soldiers with Christmas presents.

DEVIZES: Most people are familiar with the saying “bull in the china shop”. This was varied in Devizes on Thursday, when those passing the Co-operative Stores in Northgate Street saw a bull in the confectionary department of that establishment. This masculine member of the farmyard was parading down Northgate Street with some of his sisters which had been to market and, judging by the rope which hung from the ring in its nose, it had broken loose from its attendant. The cows came down the street at a trot which drove practically all the women to shelter, and when the less agile but more avoirdupoisy bull came along it made even some of the men realise what mortals they were.

50 Years Ago.

DEVIZES: A widespread rumour that the Palace Cinema – the town’s only cinema – is to close has been strongly denied by the manager. “It is totally without foundation,” he said, adding that at the moment the management is considering the possible installation of a new central heating system next spring.

COMPTON BASSETT: The 100-bed hospital at the former RAF Station at Compton Bassett was sold for £340 on Wednesday. The sale followed the turning down of requests by Calne Town Council to the Ministry of Health, the South-West Regional Hospital Management Board and Wiltshire County Council asking that the hospital be used for civilian needs.

25 Years Ago.

CORSHAM: Keen gardeners are fearful they will lose their allotments at Pickwick Manor – after five colleagues lost theirs to make way for a new development. Now the remaining allotment holders have appealed to Corsham Parish Council to get a promise from the Manor owners that they will not have to lose out.

CHIPPENHAM: Plans are in for a huge Great Mills DIY superstore to be built opposite the new Sainsbury’s complex in Bath Road. The plans show two buildings – one a DIY store and the other a garden centre – which would be built on just over 16 acres on the A4. The site lies just past the Herman Miller complex and would be directly opposite the massive Sainsbury’s superstore now being built.