Archive

  • NEW - Health & Beauty

    We've extended our Health section to include beauty topics and pampering advice. Read about skin rejuvenation, the latest beauty treatments, keeping fit and more. And you can still read about the key issues in Wiltshire, such as hospital closures, the

  • Owls of Delight!

    73130-401RORY Fallon popped up with Town's 'get out of jail' card last night before admitting that he and his teammates cannot keep putting fans through the emotional wringer. The New Zealander nodded in an 89th-minute winner as Town came back from the

  • Plenty of cheer to welcome baby

    GAZETTE & HERALD: MANAGERS of a Corsham pub held a beer festival to celebrate the birth of their first child. Mark Foster, 30, and his fiance Hayley Gill, 33, licensees of the Hare and Hounds pub in Pickwick, held the beer festival from Thursday until

  • Job fears at plastics firm

    GAZETTE & HERALD: CORSHAM plastics firm United Polymers has gone into administration, leaving 65 staff fearing for their jobs. The firm, on the Leafield Industrial Estate, together with the main factory at Maerdy, South Wales, which produces rubber

  • Animal welfare honour for MP

    PRO-HUNTING MP James Gray has provoked a storm of protest after accepting an honorary post with a national veterinary body. The North Wiltshire MP has become an honorary associate of the British Veterinary Association, which has its own animal welfare

  • Cross-party backing for maternity appeal

    MPs have joined forces in a bid to ensure the appeal against the closure of Devizes and Malmesbury maternity units is successful. Following the submission to Health Secretary Dr John Reid by Wiltshire County Council's health overview and scrutiny committee

  • MPs say expenses claims are justified

    WILTSHIRE MPs say the amount they claim in expenses and allowances is wholly justified. For the first time the amount that all MPs claimed was published. It showed that on average they claimed £118,437 on top of a salary of £57,485 for back bench MPs.

  • Jilted boyfriend says he is forced to live in a tent

    14492/1HOMELESS production worker Tony Andrew is angry after being refused accommodation by North Wiltshire District Council. Mr Andrew, 40, became homeless six weeks ago when his girlfriend of seven years asked him to leave after their relationship broke

  • Council info made clearer

    NORTH Wiltshire District Council has re-launched its website in a bid to make it easier to use, especially for those with visual impairments. The website is one of the major ways that people find out information about the range of services that North

  • Protest group gets ready for inquiry

    FAMILIES living in Wilcot Road in Pewsey are preparing to take on developers at a planning inquiry in the New Year. Bradgreen Properties is appealing against Kennet District Council's refusal to let it build 19 homes in Wilcot Road. The developers want

  • Salad producer is on the cress of a wave

    GREEN waste recycled by homes has helped a Pewsey Vale salad-growing industry pick up a top national award. Vitacress Salads, which runs a 50- acre farm at Manningford Bohune, has won one of the industry's top awards for its green growing practices. The

  • Three points were 'flukey'

    Midfielder Ellis Wilmot thinks that Aylesbury should count themselves lucky that they left Hardenhuish with three points on Saturday. Wilmot said that the Ducks did not deserve to score. He said: "Their goal was a total fluke and they did not create enough

  • Use power breakfast to expand marketing

    The power breakfast is back in fashion, but this time it's not just 'high-flying' business executives who are reaping the benefits of an early morning meeting businessmen and women from all walks of life are joining in the networking revolution. Networking

  • Awarded for top standard

    Leading South West finance brokers, Auto Business Solutions, is pleased to announce the company has been awarded the Investors In People standard. This is in recognition of its ongoing commitment to providing an outstanding level of customer service through

  • Licensing will switch from court to council

    NEW licensing legislation for pubs, clubs, liquor stores, hotels and event organisers is being introduced. The present system of publicans, hoteliers and off-licence owners having to apply to magistrates for their licences and any variations or extensions

  • Hospital plan is too vague

    Health chiefs at Kennet and North Wiltshire Primary Care Trust have been criticised for being too vague in their vision for the new Malmesbury community hospital. Councillor Charles Vernon said it would be better for the PCT to specify precisely what

  • Issues will be raised in person at surgery

    MALMESBURY town councillors are trying to improve the communication process between them and their constituents by holding face-to-face surgeries. The sessions start on November 6 in the town hall between 10am and 11.30am, with two councillors attending

  • Rainbow leads to a pot of gold

    14477/1Artistic Katie Luckett, aged six, has scooped first prize in a T-shirt design competition with her beautiful vision of Malmesbury. The youngster, who lives in Reeds Farm in Malmesbury, drew a view of the town under a rainbow with a pot of gold.

  • Town is backing market's return

    TRADERS and councillors have welcomed the possibility of restoring a market to Malmesbury but nobody can decide which day it should be on. The town council has established a working group to restore the market as a weekly event in the town. They believe

  • NEW - Health & Beauty

    We've extended our Health section to include beauty topics and pampering advice. Read about skin rejuvenation, the latest beauty treatments, keeping fit and more. And you can still read about the key issues in Wiltshire, such as hospital closures, the

  • NEW - Health & Beauty

    We've extended our Health section to include beauty topics and pampering advice. Read about skin rejuvenation, the latest beauty treatments, keeping fit and more. And you can still read about the key issues in Wiltshire, such as hospital closures, the

  • An amazing place

    Marks & Spencer will be taking on 80 customer assistants to cope with the Christmas rush in Swindon. Applications can be made either by calling 0845 300 3725 or, for roles in-store and in Caf Revive, by going online at www.marksandspencer.com. Richard

  • NEW - Health & Beauty

    We've extended our Health section to include beauty topics and pampering advice. Read about skin rejuvenation, the latest beauty treatments, keeping fit and more. And you can still read about the key issues in Wiltshire, such as hospital closures, the

  • Charity gives first aid tips

    Wiltshire St John Ambulance has issued some first aid advice to prevent injury on bonfire night. The organisation, based in Devizes, recommends that the organisers brush up on their first aid skills and make sure they have a fully stocked first aid kit

  • Home design through ages

    HOME improvement buffs will be able to find out more about traditional Wiltshire interiors at a one-day course. The Wiltshire Buildings Record is running the course on local furniture and interior styles as its showpiece event for this year. The course

  • Actor to help flight charity

    Only Fools and Horses star David Jason has agreed to launch a national appeal on behalf of the Royal International Air Tattoo Flying Scholarships for the Disabled (FSD) charity. The actor, who plays Del Boy in the hit BBC television comedy series, will

  • Six per cent drop in county crime figures

    WILTSHIRE shares in the national fall in crime figures which the Home Office has used to claim that the risk of being a victim of crime in Britain is the lowest since the British Crime Survey began in 1981. Quarterly figures published by the Home Office

  • Service to help people stay in own homes

    A NEW service aimed at helping disabled and older people to live independently in their own homes was launched on Tuesday. The £1.7 million a year Integrated Community Equipment Service provides a range of specialist equipment to meet the needs of people

  • Stonehenge free as birthday gift

    ENGLISH Heritage is celebrating the tenth anniversary of the National Lottery by opening the jewel in its crown, Stonehenge, free of charge over the weekend of November 6 and 7. The organisation is particularly grateful to the Lottery for making available

  • Record registrations

    NORTH WILTS YOUTH LEAGUE: THIS week saw the number of player registrations with the league reach a massive total of 3,484. Being half term, there was only a limited programme of matches, with games only scheduled in the older age groups. A number of these

  • Tales of pirates and battles

    A SWASHBUCKLING tale of how a Wiltshire naval officer battled pirates and fought Burmese insurgents who were rebelling against the British Empire has been revealed by new documents acquired by the Wiltshire and Swindon Record Office. Two notebooks and

  • Stratton victors on their own wet track

    HEAVY rain played havoc with the Premier Division programme, just three matches getting the go ahead. AFC Stratton were more than delighted that they braved the monsoon conditions, running out 8-2 winners over visitors Shrewton United Reserves. Stratton

  • Bradford end unbeaten run

    TROWBRIDGE LEAGUE: TWO goals from Alex Edwards ended Seend United's unbeaten top flight record as Bradford United, fielding six reserve players, hit back twice to win 3-2. A Mark Newman penalty gave Seend the lead, only for Paul Tunnell to level before

  • Youth 'want to set up on own'

    ALMOST 70 percent of Wiltshire sixth formers and undergraduates would consider starting their own business after finishing full-time education, a poll has revealed. The 2004 NatWest Money Matters Survey also indicates that nearly a fifth of sixth formers

  • Complacency major threat

    Calne Manager Kelvin Highmore has urged his players to avoid being complacent as he hopes to get back to winning ways against Minehead at home on Saturday. Minehead are bottom of the league but the manager doesn't want his team to be over confident. He

  • Backwell United 2, Corsham Town 1

    Corsham were knocked out of the FA Vase and manager Colin Bush insists his side need to be more ruthless. "We are playing some great football, we are just failing with the end product. We need to be more clinical in front of goal," he said. Corsham looked

  • Trick or treaters urged to behave

    WILTSHIRE Police are appealing to parents to make sure their children behave themselves during Hallowe'en. Each year the police are called to deal with incidents involving trick or treaters who leave householders frightened, or commit offences such as

  • Health chiefs lead way

    HEALTH officials are encouraging people at risk to get their free flu jabs. The local Primary Care Trusts are promoting a campaign to ensure those residents who are at risk from flu book an appointment for a vaccination at their GP surgery. Those at risk

  • Appeal for help to boost Poppy Appeal

    14478/2POPPY Appeal organisers across Wiltshire are appealing for people to help as volunteers to raise money for needy ex-servicemen and women. Peter Douglas, the Royal British Legion's county field officer stressed the appeal is as vital today, possibly

  • Highworth in winning form

    Highworth came from behind to trounce Wootton Bassett 4-1 in a one-sided Hellenic League derby. With just two minutes on the clock, Bassett's Rich Willis slotted a shot under stand-in keeper Paul Haines after collecting John Magani's deflected pass. But

  • Up, up and away

    14484/20EIGHT lucky winners of the Gazette and Herald's competition to win a flight in a hot air balloon enjoyed the sensation of floating over the Wiltshire countryside on Tuesday afternoon. Making the most of one of only a few dry days in an otherwise

  • Bicester Town 3, Pewsey Town 0

    Vale showed signs of improvement but failed to pick up any vital league points against Bicester Town on Saturday. Pewsey have now gone eight games without securing a point since they beat top of the league Slimbridge in September. Playing away, they were

  • A little can go a long way for needy group

    THE Gazette and Herald Community Fund may not make Lotto-sized grants but the money we give to local good causes goes a long way to helping them succeed in their aims. This year the fund, administered by the Wiltshire and Swindon Community Foundation,

  • Devizes Town 2, Willand Rovers 1

    TUESDAY night's chill didn't affect a hot Nick Mooney, who fired an inspirational double to send Devizes through to the second round of FA Vase. After Saturday's thrilling 4-4 draw forced this replay at Nursteed Road, right wing Mooney struck twice in

  • Stag party rips apart squad for Vase game

    Devizes will be well understrength in the next round of the FA Vase as six key players will be gallivanting around Manchester attending a stag weekend. Defender Andy Coombes planned his stag party four weeks ago as Devizes had no game on November 20.

  • NEW - Health & Beauty

    We've extended our Health section to include beauty topics and pampering advice. Read about skin rejuvenation, the latest beauty treatments, keeping fit and more. And you can still read about the key issues in Wiltshire, such as hospital closures, the

  • NEW - Health & Beauty

    We've extended our Health section to include beauty topics and pampering advice. Read about skin rejuvenation, the latest beauty treatments, keeping fit and more. And you can still read about the key issues in Wiltshire, such as hospital closures, the

  • Well done!

    Ref. 25154-45 Cheri Wright, anti social behaviour co-ordinatorSWINDON has been named as a beacon area for its fight against anti-social behaviour and will receive extra Government cash as a result. The Home Office has announced that the town is to become

  • Balcony fall girl is out of hospital

    TEENAGER Sarah Webster is finally back at her Cricklade home more than a month after setting off for her ill-fated holiday to Turkey. The showjumper suffered horrific injuries after falling 30ft from a hotel balcony in the resort of Marmaris. Staff at

  • Misery as toy thieves strike

    Ref. 73128-13 Sad faces The Lock family, from the left, Asa, Aisha, Joshua, James their mother Allison, Kayliegh and Hannah, in the empty garage raided by thievesFOUR children have been left devastated after thieves cleared out an entire garage filled

  • Fear cancer will increase

    A SWINDON dentist has warned oral cancer rates could rocket under plans to axe six-month check-ups. The Government has announced it intends to do away with the traditional check-ups for NHS patients and instead tailor their frequency to meet the needs

  • Four boys use their zooks to make final

    GAZETTE & HERALD: FOUR Heddington boys competed in CBBC's Bamzooki programme last week beating off two teams to qualify for the weekly final. The boys, called the Heddington Thrashers, unfortunately lost the final in the programme which is based on

  • Family tour police HQ

    GAZETTE & HERALD: A family from Calne was given a tour around Wiltshire Police Headquarters as part of an auction of promises held by Cherhill School. Jeremy and Teresa Harding took Shona, nine, and Marc, five, for the guided tour in Devizes. They

  • NEW - Health & Beauty

    We've extended our Health section to include beauty topics and pampering advice. Read about skin rejuvenation, the latest beauty treatments, keeping fit and more. And you can still read about the key issues in Wiltshire, such as hospital closures, the

  • Post office is runner up

    14453/1GAZETTE & HERALD: Quemerford Post Office has been named runner up in the Best Post Office Of The Year competition. The branch came second in the region, only narrowly losing out to the eventual regional winner. Mike Dalton, chairman of the

  • Rapper delights students with his poetry

    14410/01GAZETTE & HERALD: Children's poet John Foster celebrated National Poetry Day by performing several poems for the girls of St Mary's School, Calne. The girls, in years seven to nine, clicked along as John Foster performed a selection of his

  • Peace campaigner joined by six more

    MARKET Lavington peace campaigner Robin Brookes is one of seven protesters seeking a judicial review of their income tax being used to wage war by the British Government. The Peace Tax Seven are people from all over the country who, as pacifists, object

  • National call rate number is non profit

    A GP surgery in Devizes has changed its telephone number to a national call rate number (0870) but insists it is not making money from it. Southbroom Surgery has entered into an agreement so it gets a hi-tech telephone system for free. The surgery says

  • Possible crowning glory for village pub

    THE Rose and Crown pub in Worton, near Devizes, has been nominated for the title of Village Pub of Year for the second year in a row. Licensees Ellie Preston-Gill and John Leiper received a visit from one of the judges of the competition, organised by

  • Youth join club in droves

    POTTERNE Youth Club is back up and running. The club, in Silver Street, was closed for about 18 months due to a lack of volunteers. A new committee was formed earlier this year and, after several months of fund raising and refurbishment, the club has

  • No hope for post office

    BUSINESS transferred from the sub post office in Eastleigh Road, Devizes could help to save the main town post office in the long term, councillors were told at a town council meeting on Tuesday. Post Office representative Richard Smith said: "Securing

  • Lions walkers' charity boost

    14404/1GROUPS taking part in Devizes Lions Club's recent sponsored walk have raised an estimated £10,000 for charity. Representatives of 35 groups set off from Devizes Wharf on October 17 on the ten-mile trek along Quakers Walk, up Roundway Hill, around

  • New centre to boost learning

    14455/2WILTSHIRE College hopes to increase the number of students using its campus in Devizes with the opening of a new £400,000 centre off Southbroom Road on Friday. It has replaced temporary classrooms that have been on the site since 1966. The idea

  • Workshop for young actors

    WANNABEE young actors and actresses are being encouraged to hone their talents in preparation for a future theatre in Marlborough. Although the proposed new theatre, cinema and arts centre could still be years away, it's time for young people to prepare

  • Cross-party backing for maternity appeal

    MPs have joined forces in a bid to ensure the appeal against the closure of Devizes and Malmesbury maternity units is successful. Following the submission to Health Secretary Dr John Reid by Wiltshire County Council's health overview and scrutiny committee

  • School takes on a tough TV spelling challenge

    STUDENTS from a Marlborough school have been taking part in a nationwide competition to find the country's top young spelling wizard. Schools from the Shetlands in the north to Penzance in the South West have entered their students in the contest organised

  • Mum-in-law makes three in a marriage

    THERE was laughter galore at West Lavington village hall last week as Lavington Amateur Dramatic Society, affectionately known as LADS, performed their latest production. The Love Nest was a two-act comedy by Raymond Hopkins chronicling the marital difficulties

  • Election day

    VOTING takes place in two by elections in the Marlborough area today. The by election for the Ogbournes seat of Kennet District Council resulted from the death earlier this year of long serving councillor Patricia Courtman. Polling will take place at

  • Help is on hand to help with problems

    A COUNSELLING service is available at St Paul's Church, Covingham, open to anyone wishing to discuss problems with health, relationships, finances and employment. The service runs from the meeting room at St Pauls's Church centre in St Paul's Drive. It

  • Complaints over noise of traffic

    A DEVELOPER could be forced to carry out works on a block of flats after residents complained about noise. Residents in Linden Court, at the junction of Henry Street and Bridge Street in Swindon, say they cannot sleep and their health is suffering because

  • Dad's Cuba crusade for son with autism

    14451/02WHEN their son Ben was diagnosed with autism, Nick and Jane Bryan felt their world had fallen apart, but two years on the couple are positive about the future. To raise awareness of autism and to gather much needed funds for the National Autistic

  • Policeman hero saves pensionerfrom river

    MODEST beat bobby Ben Braine has played down the part he played in saving the life of an elderly woman in a fast flowing river. The Marlborough-based PC Braine plunged into the River Kennet at Chilton Foliat to rescue a drowning 78-year-old. Police are

  • Pub ghosts top of spooks

    14486/4SPIRITS in the cellar are no joke at the Black Swan Hotel in Devizes Market Place, which has been nominated as one of six contenders for the title of the UK's most haunted pub. Richard Jones, a recognised expert on Britain's haunted pubs, was in

  • Golfer's drive will be in good cause

    A golf captain will swim a distance equivalent to the length of a Wootton Bassett golf course to raise cash for Macmillan Cancer Relief. Tiny Spears, captain of the Wiltshire Golf and Country Club, will swim 3.7 miles tomorrow. His effort, which will

  • RAF fly in the Paras

    AIR crew at RAF Lyneham have had a busy fortnight flying to and from Scotland as part of a major exercise. The crews were involved in Exercise Eagles' Eye from October 13 to October 21 delivering troops to West Freugh in Dumfries and Galloway. More than

  • Marlburian through and through

    New Marlborough mace bearer Bob DobieNEW Marlborough mace bearer Bob Dobie is a great traditionalist right down to following in the footsteps of his late great uncle Fred. Fred Dobie was one of town's pair of mace bearers for years in the 1940s and 1950s

  • A fair for collectors

    Fans of stamps and postcards can increase their collections at a Stamp and Postcard Fair next month. The fair, at the Western Community Centre on Somerset Road, Rodbourne Cheney take place on November 6 from 9.30am to 4.30pm.

  • Invite to groups

    COUNCILLOR David Wren (Lab, Dorcan) is inviting representatives of local groups to contact him. Possible plans to form a community association to address the needs of residents are being discussed. With the area forum meetings no longer taking place,

  • Phone mast objectors backed by councillors

    FAMILIES living near Marlborough telephone exchange have been joined by councillors in sending out the strongest possible signals that mobile phone transmitters are not wanted on the building, now or ever. Plans have been received for two masts to go

  • GWH watchdog

    THE Great Western Hospital has set up its patients' watchdog, the patient and public involvement forum, which will meet on November 17, at 2.30pm. The meeting will be held at the Broad Green Centre in Salisbury Street. For more details on how the forum

  • Survivor's plea for memorial to his pals

    14468/1ARMY veteran Gordon Rendle is supporting a campaign to get a memorial erected to seven men who died when a gun blew up in their faces. Mr Rendle, now 76, from Kingsbury Street in Marlborough would have been among the casualties if he had not been

  • Call for danger bridges action

    A SHOWDOWN meeting of road, rail and canal chiefs is being called by MP Michael Ancram in a bid to avoid further tragedies at the notorious Burbage Wharf bridges. Mr Ancram admitted to the Gazette that he is haunted by the spectre of a lorry, or worse

  • Parents' course

    A free course for parents and carers of young children in the Penhill and Pinehurst areas is being run to show the importance of play for children. The course, run as a partnership between the NSPCC and the Pre-school Learning Alliance and supported by

  • Salon to donate cash to charity

    A HAIR salon will donate money from the first cut and blow dry of each month to the Abby Smith Cancer Fund. Caroline Collis, who runs her own business in Peatmoor, was disgusted when we told how thieves had stolen cash from the charity fund set up in

  • Rain gives good show of bream for league

    HEAVY rain caused the bream to show in a good North Wessex Winter League third-round match on the Kennet and Avon at Wolfhall, Farmers and Brimslade. Match organiser Neil Richards (Talisman Gold) drew the end peg half way down the Farmers stretch and

  • NEW - Health & Beauty

    We've extended our Health section to include beauty topics and pampering advice. Read about skin rejuvenation, the latest beauty treatments, keeping fit and more. And you can still read about the key issues in Wiltshire, such as hospital closures, the

  • School meals are dangerous

    Ministers are failing in their duty to protect primary school children from school meals high in fat, salt and sugar, nutrition campaigners are claiming. Amid rising fears over levels of childhood obesity in the UK, research warned of the dangers of eating

  • Rural POs soon extinct

    Britain's network of sub post offices is in serious danger of extinction, the Government has been warned. The National Federation of Subpostmasters said that urgent Government action was now needed to prevent the network sinking into terminal decline.

  • Crime initiative targeting thieves

    Ref. 73122-06THIEVES will travel for many miles to target cars in Swindon. They enjoy rich pickings along the M4 corridor, breaking into cars and shoplifting. And the man they should fear most is former police officer Brian Northcote. He coordinates the

  • Battlelab set to revolutionise way army fights

    A Battlelab which will give the Army access to cutting edge technology as it develops has been built at a Land Warfare Centre in Wiltshire as part of a £300m programme which could revolutionise the way a commander plans and fights a battle. The Battlelab

  • 'I feel I'm invisible'

    Ref. 73126-23A SWINDON man who left the country for ten years says he has returned to the town as the 'invisible man'. When Michael Forde, 46, first came back from America he discovered that his building society account had disappeared, he couldn't register

  • Help us catch the toilet wreckers

    FIREFIGHTERS had to don breathing apparatus to tackle a fire after vandals targeted a public toilet in Cricklade. The loos, behind the new Tesco Express shop in the town's High Street, will now need extensive repairs. The culprits used stone from a wall

  • Bush wins movie villain of year vote

    IT WAS not the vote he was waiting for but US President George Bush has been named Movie Villain of the Year. The US leader has been awarded the title for his part in Michael Moore's controversial documentary Fahrenheit 9/11. Bush's presidential rival

  • Lottery win has changed my life

    Ref. 30133-66CANNY Scot Sybil Lee helped celebrate the National Lottery's tenth birthday by pledging her continued support despite having already scooped £2.8 million. The lucky 58-year-old, who last week moved into a £290,000 three-bedroom bungalow near

  • Make difference

    If my life had turned out differently, I could have easily ended up being reliant on the goodwill of volunteers. That's why I'm urging your readers to register for CSV Make a Difference Day before time runs out. The day, which takes place on Saturday

  • Great care

    I AM writing this letter to the Advertiser as I felt I had to show my true gratitude to the doctors and nurses of the day surgery unit at the Great Western Hospital. I went in on Thursday, October 14 2004. Both before, during and after my operation I

  • MPs can enjoy plenty of perks

    the recent revelation of the significant sums that MPs are being paid for expenses to cover London accommodation, travel and repairs and maintenance to constituency homes is staggering. However, one significant item has been left out of the sums declared

  • Action needed now on road

    I am writing to express my concerns about the safety of the B3098, a busy stretch of road running from Westbury to West Lavington. In September, during my seventh month of pregnancy, I was forced from the road near Erlestoke by a lorry, resulting in £800

  • Clean-up in military style

    GAZETTE & HERALD: A TEAM of military and civilian staff has come to the rescue to cut nettles, brambles and long grass in a village churchyard. The team of 16 went to work to return the churchyard at West Kington near Chippenham to spick and span

  • Fact hunting

    I would very much like to know how many foxes are actually killed by hounds during the foxhunting season in England and Wales. If anyone has any information on the number or percentage please contact me at the address below. M Dodson Little Cross Coate

  • Witney 12, Wootton Bassett U15 54

    WOOTTON Bassett U15s team ran out easy winners at Witney on Sunday morning with tries from Liam Hindmarch, Keith Adams, David Webster, William Hooper and Liam Rowe (4). Elliott Read added 14 points from the boot. Team Manager Clive Lambdon said: "It was

  • Enthusiasts meet the boss

    More than 120 young rugby enthusiasts from Wootton Bassett enjoyed a dream day as they met new England rugby coach Andy Robinson. Bassett youth coach Mark Roshier took the children aged between six and 12 to a triangular competition between Bath and Cleve's

  • Trowbridge 3rd 5, Malmesbury 64

    Huw Jones scored his second hat-trick of the season in Saturday's windswept match at Trowbridge, helping Malmesbury to its sixth successive league win. The visiting back row had a field day, scoring four of the sides nine tries and Malmesbury's pack were

  • Old Reds Veterans 17, Chippenham Vets 22

    A GOOD few years of experience took to the field at the weekend as Old Reds Veterans hosted Chippenham Vets. For the visitors, it was the first game for their recently re-formed veterans team, and it proved a useful comeback as they ran out narrow winners

  • Wootton Bassett 34, Bradford on Avon 0

    BASSETT returned to winning ways on Saturday with a 34-0 thumping on home turf of visitors Bradford on Avon. In very wet and windy conditions Bassett kept the ball tight and used their superior forward power to out muscle their younger and lighter opponents

  • Sorry affairs

    I have written to Boris Johnson of The Spectator to suggest that while he is touring the country making visits of apology, he might like to add Devizes to his itinerary so that he can personally make some apologies here too for publishing that extraordinary

  • Carer who stole from a friend cheats jail

    GAZETTE & HERALD: CARER Jayne Knight stole a benefits book from the house of a holidaying friend and used it to claim the cash, Swindon Crown Court heard on Friday. The 40-year-old of Longfield Road, Chippenham, had been left a key so she could look

  • Protect birds

    Having followed the attempt to re-introduce the great bustard to Salisbury Plain, I now understand that 20 were released into the wild from a total of 28 chicks that arrived here from Russia during the summer. What concerns me is David Waters' statement

  • Speed restriction will preserve local area

    I am writing to support the letter regarding traffic calming in Long Street, Devizes and am wondering why there is a possibility that the 20mph scheme might be abandoned. Lorries thunder through at an alarming rate, certainly making the top floors of

  • Multi site plan for Goldiggers scheme

    GAZETTE & HERALD: NORTH Wiltshire district councillor, Philip Allnatt has proposed a new plan for the controversial Goldiggers site on Timber Road, Chippenham. The latest idea would cost well over £1 million but will create a community facility that

  • Tributes to fun-loving mum

    GAZETTE & HERALD: MOURNERS flocked to pay tribute to popular Sally Watson and share fond memories of her life on Friday. Family and friends packed in to St John the Baptist Church, Foxham, to bid farewell to her after she lost her battle with cancer

  • Daughters brave the dunes for dad

    14482/1GAZETTE & HERALD: Two plucky sisters got on their bikes to take part in a gruelling motorcycle race in support of their father, who suffers from heart disease. Their dad, Pete Taylor, who owns Taylor Racing in Station Hill, Chippenham, was

  • Pervert spied on girls at Olympiad

    GAZETTE & HERALD: THE Olympiad Leisure Centre has spent £20,000 on CCTV equipment after pervert Paul Wearing was caught peeping at two nine-year-old girls in the changing rooms. Wearing, of Homefield, Yate, was banned from every leisure centre in

  • Del boy fans are no fools

    14485/1GAZETTE & HERALD: ONLY Fools and Horses fan Neil Burgess is to watch every single episode back to back to raise money for Children in Need. Mr Burgess, 20, of East Yewstock Crescent, Chippenham, and colleague Kevin Foster, 23, from Westbury

  • London lass takes to Eliza

    14450/2GAZETTE & HERALD: CLOGS, Chippenham Light Opera Group, will be treading the boards of the Olympiad in their latest production, My Fair Lady and playing the title role of Eliza Doolittle is Sally Laurence. She actually has had to do little for

  • Jilted boyfriend says he is forced to live in a tent

    14492/1GAZETTE & HERALD: HOMELESS production worker Tony Andrew is angry after being refused accommodation by North Wiltshire District Council. Mr Andrew, 40, became homeless six weeks ago when his girlfriend of seven years asked him to leave after

  • 'Our son was let down' say family

    Clifford SaundersGAZETTE & HERALD: THE family of 18-year-old Clifford Saunders, whose body was found near Junction 17 of the M4 on Friday, said they feel let down by mental health and social care professionals. Mr Saunders, of Hungerdown Lane, Chippenham

  • NEW - Health & Beauty

    We've extended our Health section to include beauty topics and pampering advice. Read about skin rejuvenation, the latest beauty treatments, keeping fit and more. And you can still read about the key issues in Wiltshire, such as hospital closures, the

  • NEW - Health & Beauty

    We've extended our Health section to include beauty topics and pampering advice. Read about skin rejuvenation, the latest beauty treatments, keeping fit and more. And you can still read about the key issues in Wiltshire, such as hospital closures, the

  • Products to help disabled

    THE office is set to become more disabled-friendly, as MP for North Wiltshire James Gray discovered after seeing advanced technology to help deaf and blind people in the workplace. At the Conservative Party Conference in Bournemouth Mr Gray saw the latest

  • Call to get tough on village vandals

    PARISH councillor Bert Shorter has asked police to get tougher with the village's vandals. Coun Shorter, chairman of Pewsey Parish Council environment committee, made his request at last week's parish council meeting attended by PC John Fairbairn. The

  • Pewsey partnership will assist children overseas

    THE Methodist Church at Pewsey is again working with Pewsey Vale School to provide some Christmas happiness for children in need overseas. The school and church combine to collect boxes for Operation Christmas Child. Shoe boxes packed with small gifts

  • NEW - Health & Beauty

    We've extended our Health section to include beauty topics and pampering advice. Read about skin rejuvenation, the latest beauty treatments, keeping fit and more. And you can still read about the key issues in Wiltshire, such as hospital closures, the

  • Bluebird opponents the Kings of turmoil

    Chippenham face a team in turmoil on Saturday as they make the long journey to manager less Kings Lynn. Lynn boss Darren Booth left the club seven weeks ago and reserve manager Robert Taylor took charge of the first team. Taylor has now decided to drop

  • Consistency at home key to title push

    Defender Simon Charity insists that his team must not be inconsistent if Chippenham want to push for the title. Charity, 28, was disappointed after his side put in a lacklustre performance against Aylesbury. He said: "We had a great result in the week

  • Debut may be prelude to starting regularly

    REPLACEMENT goalkeeper Chris Astley aims to keep Mark Hervin out of the Chippenham side ahead of his debut in three weeks time. Astley is due to play in goal for the home game against Hitchin Town on November 13 and the important away game against fellow

  • Manager vies for cult status

    Chippenham Town manager Steve White has been nominated for the BBC's Football Cult Heroes feature. White went to London on Wednesday to be interviewed by TV pundit Garth Crooks and is due to appear on next week's Football Focus. The Cult Heroes feature

  • White is snubbed in striker search

    Prolific goalscorer Alan Griffin has snubbed an offer from Chippenham Town and pledged his future to Corsham. But the 21-year-old striker may have missed his chance to play for the Bluebirds according to Chippenham manager Steve White, who continues to

  • NEW - Health & Beauty

    We've extended our Health section to include beauty topics and pampering advice. Read about skin rejuvenation, the latest beauty treatments, keeping fit and more. And you can still read about the key issues in Wiltshire, such as hospital closures, the

  • Monahans shift focus by moving personnel

    Monahans, the chartered accountant and business advisory group, is considerably strengthening its Chippenham office through a transfer arrangement. Simon Cooper moves from the company's Trowbridge office to develop the forensic business in the Chippenham

  • Tax break for a sports club

    Wortheys Sports Association has achieved official charity status in its quest to provide better sporting facilities in Malmesbury. The move, which means the organisation can benefit from tax breaks and concessions, follows several months of lobbying the

  • Comedian could bring a dramatic change

    TOWN councillors in Malmesbury were so impressed with a theatre production that they intend to invite more acting companies to perform at the town hall in the future. The award-winning Watermill Theatre entertained a 120-strong audience with a production

  • School takes on a tough TV spelling challenge

    STUDENTS from a Marlborough school have been taking part in a nationwide competition to find the country's top young spelling wizard. Schools from the Shetlands in the north to Penzance in the South West have entered their students in the contest organised

  • Young support officer working into new role

    Community support officer Gemma Bloomfield said she is really enjoying her new role with Malmesbury Police. Miss Bloomfield, from Chippenham, has now spent two weeks under the guidance of police officers. While she has no powers of arrest, she can detain

  • Cross-party backing for maternity appeal

    MPs have joined forces in a bid to ensure the appeal against the closure of Devizes and Malmesbury maternity units is successful. Following the submission to Health Secretary Dr John Reid by Wiltshire County Council's health overview and scrutiny committee

  • Residents fear kebab trade will be too noisy

    RESIDENTS in The Triangle in Malmesbury say a former pizza shop which has been turned into a kebab takeaway is keeping them awake because of more late customers. They also fear the new King's Kebabs may encourage drunken yobs to congregate at night and

  • Corston bridge once more gets in the way

    14470/1Slow down is the message being given to hauliers after an articulated Mercedes lorry collided with the Kingway Bridge making it the seventh to do so this year. A London lorry driver from the Forest Freight Company in Essex struck the bridge on

  • Town Hall facelift rockets to £920,000

    The cost of refurbishing Malmesbury Town Hall has rocketed to around £920,000 in order to bring it into line with new disability discrimination law. Councillor Charles Vernon released the figure after the Town Hall Action Group met on Monday. He admitted

  • Pink power raises £2,500

    14480/2Customers and even a dog looked pretty in pink during a charity dinner that raised approximately £2,500 for breast cancer research last Tuesday night. The evening was called a pink soiree and organised by owners of the Vine Tree pub in Norton,

  • Booming time for recruiter

    A RECRUITMENT firm says business is booming after opening a training suite. SJC Recruitment and Training has started IT and soft skills training courses, and say more and more companies are applying. Managing director Sara Child said: "Our aim is to establish

  • Bank seeks to open premises

    THE reason behind the Waterstone's bookshop closing in Swindon town centre can be revealed it is because of the Disability Discrimination Act. But it is not the bookshop that did not comply with the new legislation, but Barclays Bank next door in Regent

  • Cross-party backing for maternity appeal

    MPs have joined forces in a bid to ensure the appeal against the closure of Devizes and Malmesbury maternity units is successful. Following the submission to Health Secretary Dr John Reid by Wiltshire County Council's health overview and scrutiny committee

  • Health chiefs lead way

    HEALTH officials are encouraging people at risk to get their free flu jabs. The local Primary Care Trusts are promoting a campaign to ensure those residents who are at risk from flu book an appointment for a vaccination at their GP surgery. Those at risk

  • NEW - Health & Beauty

    We've extended our Health section to include beauty topics and pampering advice. Read about skin rejuvenation, the latest beauty treatments, keeping fit and more. And you can still read about the key issues in Wiltshire, such as hospital closures, the

  • Set your star on rapid rise

    IF you've dreamed of seeing your name in lights and filming top Hollywood stars, get the camera's rolling. Preloader is the Wiltshire and Swindon short film festival, giving budding filmmakers the chance to get their work seen on the big screen. Local

  • Traders fleeced by new credit card scam

    TRADERS are being warned by Wiltshire police of a scam currently operating involving credit card purchases. There have been several cases across the country, including Wiltshire, where criminals have obtained details of credit cards and used them to order

  • Kiwi teachers make return schools visit

    TEACHERS from New Zealand visited Wiltshire recently to learn about creativity and thinking skills and about teaching gifted and talented pupils. During the two-week visit the four teachers visited secondary and primary schools across the county. The

  • Go on and be a Devil

    THE Wiltshire Blind Association has thrown down two challenges to the fit and adventurous of the county to help them fill a gap in funding. The charity is offering the opportunity for its supporters to undertake a tandem free-fall parachute jump with

  • Old school bell marks the end of an era

    AFTER 143 years service as the village school in Collingbourne Ducis, the Victorian building has been given a fitting send-off. Next Monday the 99 children and staff led by head teacher Jeff Mason move into a plush £1.5 million new school across the fields

  • Children christen facility at festival

    Wednesday saw the start of the Stanley Park Festival of Football to commemorate the official opening of the new facility in Chippenham. The opening sees the end of a six-year project that has cost more than £2 million. The project started when complaints

  • Operation underway to give gifts to needy

    OPERATION Christmas Child, the collection of shoeboxes full of goodies for underprivileged children in eastern Europe, is now under way after a hiccup over warehousing. The county collection of shoeboxes, organised by the Christian charity Samaritan's

  • Late flurry prevents Classic trophy upset

    CHIPPENHAM SUNDAY LEAGUE: TROWBRIDGE Harriers had to come from three behind to beat Classic FC 6-4. John Hubbard (4), Andy Cooper and Paul Edwards scored for the Harriers and this was after Harry Coates (3) and Dayle Townsend had threatened to cause a

  • Major's anger at judge's censure

    CONVICTED TV quiz show cheat Charles Ingram has hit back at a Crown Court judge who reduced his defence costs by half at the same time as criticising him and his wife, Diana, for spending money that should have gone to the court. Mr Ingram said they are

  • Versatile goal sneak is pleased to back up

    REFORMED Biddestone centre back Ollie Mcanich is having one of his best seasons even though he his not playing in his favoured position up front. Mcanich, 25, has been switched from centre back to striker constantly but prefers slotting in the goals as

  • Worcester U18 4 Wiltshire U18 5

    THE boys from Wiltshire went through to the last 16 of the FA Youth Cup on Saturday in what manager Mel Gingell described as the most nerve wrecking game he has ever watched. Wiltshire took the lead at Kidderminster Harriers' Aggborough Stadium on ten

  • Hotshots strive for three Lions

    Six hotshot football prospects have been selected to represent Wiltshire at the South West round of the England Schoolboy trials this Sunday. Biddestone defender Jack Nicholas Corsham players Scott Lye, Jamie Lyons and Richard Humphries, Bath City player

  • Willand Rovers 4, Devizes Town 4

    WHAT a game! Eight goals, a missed penalty, a controversial goal after a foul on the keeper, a man sent off and a last minute equaliser made the FA Vase first round clash on Saturday a thriller. And fans had it all to look forward to again after the draw

  • Keeper lured by Highmore

    MELKSHAM Town manager Nigel Tripp returned from holiday on Tuesday to find goalkeeper Gareth Evans on the verge of signing for Calne. The 21-year-old shot stopper attended Calne training last night and was to sign for the Screwfix team. Tripp said: "I'm

  • 'Our son was let down' say family

    Clifford SaundersGAZETTE & HERALD: THE family of 18-year-old Clifford Saunders, whose body was found near Junction 17 of the M4 on Friday, said they feel let down by mental health and social care professionals. Mr Saunders, of Hungerdown Lane, Chippenham

  • NEW - Health & Beauty

    We've extended our Health section to include beauty topics and pampering advice. Read about skin rejuvenation, the latest beauty treatments, keeping fit and more. And you can still read about the key issues in Wiltshire, such as hospital closures, the

  • Star lots boost rural sports plan by £41,000

    AN auction of promises has brought in a stupendous £41,000 for the Ramsbury recreation centre Project 2005 appeal. It will enable the trustees to go ahead with the purchase of a further two and a half acres of land adjacent to the sports centre in Hilldrop

  • MPs say expenses claims are justified

    WILTSHIRE MPs say the amount they claim in expenses and allowances is wholly justified. For the first time the amount that all MPs claimed was published. It showed that on average they claimed £118,437 on top of a salary of £57,485 for back bench MPs.

  • NEW - Health & Beauty

    We've extended our Health section to include beauty topics and pampering advice. Read about skin rejuvenation, the latest beauty treatments, keeping fit and more. And you can still read about the key issues in Wiltshire, such as hospital closures, the

  • Adviser faces jail sentence

    A SWINDON-based financial advisor who plundered £1m from a Welsh miners' pension fund is facing a jail sentence. The coal workers had employed Colin Stanton to set up a fund after they clubbed together to buy the last remaining deep mine in Wales. It

  • Will Christmas be cancelled?

    Ref. 73127-06CHRISTMAS may be cancelled for residents of a Swindon nursing home because of a transport mix-up. Pensioners at Fairhaven in Old Town have been looking forward to their party for months. But manager Lynn Plumstead says she may be forced to

  • Janet to make emotional trek

    Ref. 73124-34 Janet Coombe, right, and Rena Cottis who are trekking across PeruA SWINDON social worker will be taking an emotional trek up the mountainous Inca trail in Peru for charity next year in memory of her dead father, who died of Alzheimer's disease

  • Vandals hurl yoghurt at home

    YOUTHS armed with yoghurts are making life hell for villagers. Wendy Humphreys and her family, who live in Coronation Road, Wroughton, were woken at 2am yesterday by the vandals. She later found several yoghurt pots had exploded on her front windows.

  • Family at graveside as police dig up body of dad of 3

    FAMILY members watched the harrowing spectacle of seeing a loved one's coffin exhumed from its grave. The coffin of Stephen Smith, of Haydon Wick, Swindon, was lifted from the ground as part of a police investigation into his unexplained death. The decision

  • Sainsbury is filthy, says shopper

    GAZETTE & HERALD: A FORMER director of J Lyons, which used to own the corner tea houses, has made a complaint to the environmental health department after walking into Sainsbury in Calne. Michael Murphy, 66, from London Road in Marlborough, was on

  • Ice cream firm raises £1.5m on flotation

    GAZETTE & HERALD: Calne-based ice cream makers Hill Station has announced it will be extending its premises and creating more jobs due to a successful stock market flotation. The company, on the Porte Marsh industrial estate, floated on the stock

  • Waddling way to playground

    GAZETTE & HERALD: The Cherhill Playgroup raised over £200 for the Meningitis Trust in a Toddle Waddle event. Children from the playgroup dressed up as ducks and quacked all the way to the local playground, went around a trial set up around swings

  • Gardeners still have allotment concerns

    GAZETTE & HERALD: Allotment holders and councillors celebrated the opening of the Newcroft allotment site after years of fighting to save it. The new one-acre site, off North Street in Calne, has 26 allotments and will be overlooked by housing that

  • Quack team move in to rescue duck

    14473/1GAZETTE & HERALD: ANIMAL lover Tom Baker made a unique device to rescue a duck which had been injured for two weeks. Numerous people had tried to rescue the duck from Doctor's Pond in Calne but without success. The duck had a plastic ring stuck

  • Fun plot for village plan

    THE group with the task of developing a parish plan for Great Cheverell has a secret weapon to ensure the co-operation of local residents fun. Having succeeded in gaining a grant of just under £3,000 from the Countryside Agency to finance the administration

  • Music of the silver screen

    LEE Ingram, who last appeared in Devizes in Eklypse Music Theatre's production of Salad Days at the Wharf Theatre, is coming to town next month with a selection of Music from the Movies. Along with another local favourite, Bruce Walcroft, and other guests

  • Views sought on cameras

    DEVIZES Development Partnership has invited people to a public consultation meeting on introducing a CCTV system into the town centre. The meeting at the town hall on November 25 at 7pm, has been called in association with Devizes Town Council, Kennet

  • Cleaning hitch holds up wedding reception

    BRIDE Emma Manston and her new husband Charles were left without their glad rags less than two hours before their wedding reception. Ms Manston, now Mrs Morton, is furious that West County Cleaners, with a branch in The Brittox, Devizes, refuse to cough

  • Christmas sparkle of lanterns and choirs

    A SPARKLING lantern procession ushering in the Christmas spirit in Devizes could involve more than 250 people after organisers succeeded in getting a grant for workshops. The Devizes Christmas Festival on the evening of November 26, will be a complete

  • Anger at delays to cut speed after fatal

    ANGRY families have spoken of their increasing frustration over delays in introducing a 40mph speed limit on Spin Hill, Market Lavington following a recent fatal accident. Brian Minter, who has spearheaded a campaign to cut the speed of traffic on the

  • Pupils pay a visit to past

    14439/1Pupils at Potterne Primary School enjoyed visiting their former pre-school last week. It was the first time the village primary had joined forces with the Bright Sparks Pre-school and the Baby and Toddler Group to offer villagers and prospective

  • Burglar with hammer threatens pub family

    BURGLAR Paul McDonagh has been jailed for six years after a court heard how he threatened pub landlord Paul Wright and his wife with a claw hammer. Swindon Crown Court was told on Monday that McDonagh was disturbed as he crept around the bedroom where

  • Hospital's future held over for eight months

    PROPOSALS on the future of Devizes Hospital will not be published until next June. The results of a strategic review by Kennet and North Wiltshire Primary Care Trust and West Wiltshire Primary Care Trust were expected to be revealed in December followed

  • Horseplay and flying fish

    URCHFONT sailor Jon Duffield has reported that, despite a determined fightback in the Global Challenge round-the-world yacht race, the crew of BG Spirit is not taking life too seriously. Crossing the Equator on the way to Buenos Aires, the first stop

  • Man charged after boy hit in drive-by shooting

    DAVID Johnson, 20, of West View Crescent, Devizes, has denied possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life after a 13-year-old boy was seriously injured in a drive-by shooting. Craig Claridge was shot in the hip with .410 side by side shotgun in

  • Star lots boost rural sports plan by £41,000

    AN auction of promises has brought in a stupendous £41,000 for the Ramsbury recreation centre Project 2005 appeal. It will enable the trustees to go ahead with the purchase of a further two and a half acres of land adjacent to the sports centre in Hilldrop

  • It's a toytime treat for all

    14411/1YOUNGSTERS are hoping people will snap up toys at an auction to raise money for their Scout group. The 6th Devizes (St James) Scout group is raising money for camping equipment, outings and a Christmas party, and is holding a toy auction on November

  • Owner consults on Quakers Walk

    THE owners of land at Quakers Walk in Devizes say they will consult with all neighbours and interested parties before a planning application for up to 230 homes is submitted to Kennet District Council. Rumours had been rife in the town that the charity

  • Police need dog

    Wiltshire Police are looking for a boisterous German Shepherd for police dog duties. The dog must be between 10 and 18 months old, confident, healthy and boisterous. The police are appealing to the public to find a new dog for PC Mick Ware, based at Wiltshire

  • Children try Bollywood-style dancing

    14442/3THE multi-national children at College Fields Nursery in Marlborough have enjoyed a day of Bollywood style dancing and learning about the Hindu culture. The nursery school currently has pupils of several nationalities including Chinese, Indian,

  • Homes plan set to be approved

    TEN houses and eight flats could be built off Shrivenham Road in Swindon, in spite of objections from neighbours. Residents are worried that the development, behind 38-48 Shrivenham Road, would be out of character for the area and would lead to a loss

  • Crash on the M4

    COMMUTERS faced queues last night following two accidents on the M4 between junctions 15 and 16. The first occurred shortly after 3pm when three cars, a Vauxhall Astra, a Mitsubishi Charisma and a Nissan Micra were in collision. There were only minor

  • Ex-chairman gets step up

    14471/2RETIRED council chairman Steve Pascall has taken steps to insure visitors to Marlborough get a bird's eye view of the town. The steps in question are those leading to the viewing platform on top of St Peter's Church. Mr Pascall, who moved to live

  • RAC backs our campaign with Safe Sacks

    THE RAC is backing our campaign by donating free car security bags for 500 readers. Earlier this year, RAC Auto Windscreen the division which repairs broken windows ran its own Nothing on Display initiative, which saw the launch of the Safe Sack (pictured

  • Get connected for a top offer

    COMMUNITY groups are coming forward every day to take part in our NTL Broadband computer giveaway. But we want to hear from more, and if your group hasn't yet come forward, there's still time. The Evening Advertiser has teamed up with the cable giant

  • My snapshot of the US election

    Alex Ogle, 21, went to Greendown School and Swindon College, before spending a gap year travelling the world and starting a BA in American Studies at the University of Sussex in Brighton. As part of his course he is spending a year in the US. He is in

  • Vandals target children's indoor play area

    Ref. 73106-42PARENTS and children who pay regular visits to the Jolly Roger Adventure were not quite so jolly when they learn that an act of vandalism has caused £500 worth of damage to the children's indoor play area. Vandals smashed two 6ft by 4ft panels

  • Residents back new court plan

    MORE than 95 per cent of Swindonians are in favour of new Home Office plans to reveal convictions to juries in child sex abuse cases. But Greg Worrall, the boyfriend of Linda Razzell, of Highworth, who was murdered by her husband, Glyn, says Tony Blair

  • Disaster squad to back rebuild

    Ref. 30384-58DISASTER specialists who helped victims of the Boscastle floods in Cornwall will oversee repairs to a Swindon home ripped apart in a gas explosion. Paul Hebden, 40, could be back in his semi-detached house next spring a year after the explosion

  • Day dawns to dirty diapers, dog mess and drug needles

    Ref. 72984-29IT'S not every day I want to join the Communist Party. But having spent a morning with a couple of street sweepers in Pinehurst and Penhill I'm almost ready to sign up. These guys earn less than £6 an hour to clean up our vomit, nappies and

  • Spooky tales from Wiltshire

    SOME of Wiltshire's spookiest tales of ghosts and ghouls will be revealed at a talk on Wednesday. Author Katy Jordan, who was born in Pewsey Vale, will be telling some of the stories she has included in her two books on Wiltshire folklore. Katy said:

  • Retired dentist gets teeth into walk

    A RETIRED Swindon dentist has completed an 500 mile walk along a historic pilgrimage route in France and Spain. John Le Coyte, who celebrates his 73rd birthday tomorrow, walked from Somport in France to Santiago De Compostela, where the apostle St James

  • Club does not need big ground

    I NOTE Swindon Town Football Club wishes to develop the County Ground in an effort to defuse the issue, of where to move to. I would dearly love to find out if STFC have paid off the debt they owed the council. Eighteen months back, that debt amounted

  • Pull troops out

    IT seems that if you don't support the war in Iraq then you are called unpatriotic by the mass media because you would be considered to be undermining British soldiers in a battle zone. But I was one of those people who believed that the million people

  • Listen to mum

    I suggest to Mr Halden (Evening Advertiser, October 25) that he believes his mum when she told him that gambling was the way to ruin. In the same week that we are told by the Government that we will be working until we drop due to the pensions crisis

  • This is the price of democracy

    How sensational a headline which describes the overall amounts of money which the two Swindon MPs draw to run their services to the local electorate. It is unfortunate that the wrong impression is given by rash criticism of people in high places who,

  • Who will pay?

    Do we really need an extra 15 traffic wardens in North Wiltshire? Will this extra expenditure come from the expected revenue from parking meters and the proposed new charges in car parks, or will it mean a further hike in the council tax? Mrs E Morris

  • Face truth

    When much of the rural economy of northern Wiltshire is put at risk by a half-baked project as extremely controversial as the Chippenham Record Office relocation, alarm bells have to ring in earnest. With the farming economy still slowly recovering from

  • Staff finally see the light after 13 years

    GAZETTE & HERALD: STAFF at Octavian, a wine services company in Gastard near Corsham, are working above ground for the first time in 13 years. The 100 staff had worked 100 feet under ground in offices next to the company's wine cellars. But the company

  • Maidenhead U11 B 10, Chippenham U11 15

    Chippenham's U11 squad took 16 players to Maidenhead on Sunday. The morning opened with a joint training session that was taken by Maidenhead and then Chippenham played three matches two against Maidenhead and one against a team from Aylesbury. Those

  • Waste of cash

    Thank you for covering some of the issues that I raised in relation to Kennet Council's proposal to charge for parking in Devizes Market Place (Gazette, October 21). There are further considerations: It would be an unjustified waste of money to alter

  • Fury at village hall stance on deposit

    GAZETTE & HERALD: A REPRESENTATIVE of Sutton Benger's Cricket Club said he will not stand for the Village Hall committee again after a row over a £100 deposit. The row started because the Village Hall committee refused to give Sutton Benger Cricket

  • Witches party on Halloween night

    GAZETTE & HERALD: Chippenham magic circle is holding a Halloween Festival at Chippenham Town Hall on Sunday to celebrate the Celtic New Year. The festival is hosted by Charmed and will allow local witches to come together and also any member of the

  • Chippenham 2nd 17, Clifton 2nds 0

    Given the dreadful playing conditions, high winds and driving rain, the opening exchanges in this practice match were fast and furious. Chippenham spent considerable period camped in the Clifton half of the pitch, but the very wet conditions made the

  • Devizes 24, Trowbridge 16

    O'SULLIVAN is a name synonymous with the history of Trowbridge rugby, but on Saturday, men of that name conspired to cause its downfall. At the start of season 2000/01, Trowbridge old boy Dave O'Sullivan was lured to a coaching role at Devizes, and the

  • Redingensians 22, Minety 5

    YELLOW cards and torrential rain dominated this ill-tempered affair. Minety put together some good rugby in difficult conditions but undermined their chances of winning by repeatedly showing poor discipline in crucial phases of the game. Redingensians

  • Calne 57, Marlborough 5

    Calne skipper and scrum half Andrew Donegan bagged 32 points including a first half despite sustaining two broken ribs in the opening play of the match. Donegan's first half haul of 22 points was set up by the most impressive forward performance of the

  • Pewsey Vale 21, Hungerford 5

    A FIRST half blitz from Pewsey Vale took care of Hungerford on Saturday in a match played under difficult conditions. Hungerford struggled to contain Vale's pace and attacking play, but regrouped for a solid defensive performance in the second period

  • Awful crime

    Last week's Gazette carried a report about a chap in Market Lavington who is having to find £5,000 to pay fines and court costs. This dastardly super-villain had committed the heinous crime of running his car repair business outside permitted hours. Perhaps

  • Who are they?

    I recently attended a meeting organised by Kennet District Council concerning new arrangements designed to ensure community involvement in future planning issues. These arrangements are necessary as a result of the new Planning and Compulsory Purchase

  • Pay to park

    Before any further consideration to introducing parking charges is given, parking charges in Kennet District Council's office car park should be introduced. There is no reason why the members, officers and staff of Kennet District Council should not experience

  • Make road safe urgently

    Many people in Market Lavington are wondering, as another life is lost in the Spin Hill/Ledge Hill area, and as the winter evenings start to draw in, what has happened to the new speed limits that Wiltshire County Council first agreed to last December

  • Market's future is still in the balance

    GAZETTE & HERALD: CAMPAIGNERS fighting to save Chippenham's livestock market may only have six months left to find a new site. The market will have to leave its base in Cocklebury Road in April to make way for the proposed £11.6m Wiltshire and Swindon

  • Parking compromise meets with approval

    Congratulations on the Gazette's coverage last week of the latest car parking developments in Devizes. This issue has some way to run yet, and the next milestone date is January 18, when it will come before Kennet's community development committee. You

  • People rallied to help for decades

    I have the scrapbook of Coun Herbert Sainsbury, Mayor of Devizes 1913 1915, containing cuttings and memorabilia. Of particular interest at this time, with the Audit Commission due at the end of October to carry out a further audit of the troubled affairs