CHIPPENHAM NEWS: THE golden years of an amateur singing and dance troupe are being celebrated in a new book. The Starlettes performed to thousands of people at the Theatre Royal Bath and the Neeld Hall, Chippenham between 1954 and 1979. Hundreds of children
CHIPPENHAM NEWS: CHILDREN clowned around with a jester at a fun workshop on April Fool's Day. Up to 15 youngsters took part in the Acting The Fool workshop at Corsham's Pound Arts Centre on Friday. Visiting clown Jonathan the Jester ran the session, dressed
AN INVESTIGATION has been launched into claims of staff bullying and harassment by senior management at North Wiltshire District Council. Staff have complained to councillors and management that they are regularly subjected to verbal abuse which is causing
A HOST of vintage vehicles from as far away as South Wales and Devon will descend on Westbury later this month. Organisers of the 10th annual Westbury Transport Extravaganza are predicting a good turn out to mark the milestone on April 24 and are inviting
TEENAGER Jamie Davey was putting his feet up this week after pedalling 100 miles for charity. Jamie, 13, a pupil at Matravers School, Westbury, raised £1,225 for the Wiltshire-based Hope and Homes for Children charity. The charity is caring for youngsters
PLANS to ban drinking on the streets of Westbury appear to have hit the buffers. The town council's Licensing Working Group (LWG) has recommended a new alcohol bylaw to curb anti-social behaviour, but this needs to be issued by West Wiltshire District
A ROW over affordable housing has scuppered plans to build sheltered accommodation for more than 100 people in Westbury. Developer McCarthy and Stone had its bid to revamp Frogmore House in Frogmore Road turned down on Thursday after failing to resolve
16850/5ORGANISERS of Westbury's third bypass protest march on Saturday say their campaign is building momentum at a crucial time. Sixty-five protesters brought traffic to a halt in Warminster Road to support the Bypass Now campaign. Organiser Dorian Jones
24647-36RESTORED Chaddington Lock, near Wootton Bassett, is set to receive its first boat for 100 years on Wednesday when a topping off ceremony takes place. A blue and yellow ribbon will be cut at the lock and some of the last lock keeper's family will
ACTION is to be taken to tackle long post office queues that have formed since two branches shut down. Since the Bath Road and Woodrow post offices closed down in Melksham, town councillors claim the main Church Street branch has become swamped. Cllr
A DRINK-driver was caught by police after crashing his car into a garden. Steven Gibbons, 19, of Berryfield Park, Melksham, admitted driving while under the influence of alcohol when he appeared before magistrates in Chippenham on Thursday. Nicholas Dunne
A LONG list of concerns about a phone firm's bid to locate a mast near a housing area will be sent to planning authorities. Vodafone has applied to build a phone mast on a grass verge off Sandridge Road, Melksham. The plan has raised concern among nearby
30380/2RESIDENTS are urging police to take firmer action on problem youths who are making their lives a misery. Groups of teenagers have been hanging around the bus shelter on Mitchell Drive, Bowerhill. Robert Smith, 77, a retired Concorde pilot who has
A TOWN council has discussed whether it would be willing to fund more police community safety officers. Melksham Town Council has been asked whether it would fund the next round of PCSOs, which cost £21,000 a year. Some of Melksham's town councillors
A PUBLIC meeting will be held to discuss the future of a community hospital. Half the beds at Melksham Hospital closed on Thursday and residents are concerned for its future. Well over 1,000 people have already signed the Wiltshire Times' Save Our Hospital
MIGRANTS from Eastern Europe are reducing the skills shortage in the construction industry but it is less easy for Britons to work in their countries. Last year's EU enlargement made it easier for migrants from countries like Poland and the Czech Republic
A VISION for the future of a village has been taken on board by West Wiltshire District Council. A village design statement for Hilperton, funded by the parish council, and written by a group of residents following widespread consultation, has been adopted
A NEW era for school meals in Wiltshire begins on Monday just weeks after Jamie Oliver took his healthy eating campaign to Downing Street. Sodexho, which provides meals for 115 of the 260 schools run by Wiltshire County Council, is piloting a new menu
THE brother of leukaemia victim Julia Hember is running the London marathon to raise money for a charity. Marcus Hember, 27, from Codford St Peter, will run the 26 miles through the capital in April to raise money for the Anthony Nolan Trust. His sister
CHRIS Kirkland has taken the children of Wootton Bassett FC and on a football tour of Holland this week. Kirkland, 64, has been organising football tours to Holland for almost two decades and is on his 17th consecutive trip. The former deputy head of
LITTER, shopping and the decline of Warminster Hospital were under scrutiny at an annual meeting of the town council. The three subjects were all discussed at the parish meeting of Warminster Town Council at Dewey House on Monday. Burt Paul, 79, of Broxburn
LORD Bath's niece is getting married in a society wedding that will bring a touch of glamour to Warminster. Sophie Thynne, 36, will marry Tarquin Campbell, 37, at Warminster Register Office in September. They have known each other since Sophie's second
THE seven Black Watch soldiers killed in Iraq last year will be honoured by a memorial at the regiment's headquarters. The Warminster-based regiment served in Iraq for six months last year between June and December. A Celtic cross will be dedicated to
WILTSHIRE LEAGUE: PREMIER Division title outsiders New College and Cricklade both dropped points and have virtually blown their chances of finishing in pole position. Cricklade were held to a 1-1 draw by Melksham despite going in a goal up courtesy of
THERE is little doubt Pewsey will be relegated to the Hellenic First Division but confident manager Steve Wootton boldly declared this team will bounce back. The defeat on Saturday leaves Vale 14 points away from safety with just 15 more points up for
16838TWO ambulance drivers who pulled people from a burning house in Warminster have been honoured for their bravery. Anthony Guy and Clive Curtis from Warminster's paramedic crew were the first to arrive at the burning home and immediately sprang into
CALNE'S slim promotion hopes were given a lift on Tuesday night as the challengers regained their goal scoring form. The Bremhill View outfit were the top scorers in the Screwfix First Division until a recent drought saw them net just ten goals in the
PLANS to flatten a listed building for a TV show have been branded ridiculous by the grandson of the man who built it. The Lamb building in Bradford on Avon has been nominated for Channel 4 show Demolition. Dr Alex Moulton, whose grandfather John Moulton
Curiously the letter from Elizabeth Kennedy last week (Town is missing out on CCTV coverage) gave a wrong account of the issues surrounding CCTV in Chippenham. We are not awaiting the arrival of CCTV cameras in the town as she suggests, as they have been
As a Melksham Town and district councillor I would like to respond to the letter in your paper last week criticising my town for not having any facilities for the over 40s. Well I am now over 50 and together with many others of all ages I find plenty
A COUPLE who could not return to the house where their baby son died have been given the keys to a new home. Bella Smyth and partner Sean McLellam are now looking forward to moving into the house in East Walcot. The good news comes after a six-week wait
ENTREPRENEUR and stunt rider Andy Hobbs is planning to wow crowds with a new daredevil show in Swindon. But Mr Hobbs won't just be running the extravaganza he will be starring in it too as one of the lead riders in the Over The Top motorcycle stunt team
76842-05THEY have been a partnership for more than 30 years but Salt the tortoise is pining without her buddy Pepper. Salt is in a sulk and refusing to go into her house at night since her friend went missing. She won't move from the spot where Pepper
BRENDON Daniel insists Bath's minds are focussed only on Northampton this weekend despite the increasing spectre of next weekend's Powergen Cup final at Twickenham. The New Zealand-born winger is in line for his 100th Premiership appearance against the
30771-50Organisers of a protest rally against development in Swindon are concerned about it being used by politicians POLITICIANS have been warned not to hijack a protest march over develop-ment in Swindon tomorrow. The Swindon Together On Planning (STOP
Wayne RosePOLICE want Adver readers to help clear beggar Wayne 'Crying Boy' Rose off our streets. As part of a campaign to clean up Swindon, officers want to ban the 25-year-old heroin addict from areas where he preys on Good Samaritans. In recent years
A CHANGE in the route of a carnival means some people may not get to see the event this year. For the first time Trowbridge carnival procession is to stop at Bythesea Road rather than continue through the Seymour estate back to its Canal Road starting
16842TRUCKER Trevor Todd got the send off he would have wanted when his family drafted in a vintage lorry for his funeral. Mr Todd, of Blair Road, Trowbridge, died on March 18 at the age of 66 and his family wanted to say goodbye in style. His wife, Pam
LEARNING a new language might not be at the top of every centenarian's to do list but for one woman turning 100 is no reason to stop learning. Former English teacher Freda Owen, of St Thomas's Road, Trowbridge, celebrated her birthday with a party attended
AN OPEN day at Cricklade's North Meadow will give visitors a chance to learn about the wildlife and history of the nature reserve. English Nature is inviting local residents and visitors to the open day on Saturday, April 16. The reserve is a flower-rich
SWINDON Folk Singers Club features Lynne Herauld and Pat Turner tonight at the Gorse Hill Club in Chapel Street.at 8.15 pm. Admission costs £4.50, and £3.50 for concessions. For more information telephone 01793 722335.
Labour's manifesto will commit the party to switching savings from unemployment benefit directly into the education budget, Chancellor Gordon Brown has said. Mr Brown confirmed any future Labour Government would introduce a more intense programme of job-seeking
Liberal Democrat MP Lembit Opik has postponed his wedding to TV weather girl Sian Lloyd because of the General Election. Mr Opik, MP for Montgomeryshire, said: "We were aiming to tie the knot on October 5. However, it's just become impossible for me to
A pledge to abolish student tuition and top-up fees was given by Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy when he launched his party's Education manifesto. He said that with up to 24 consti-tuencies having sizeable student populations the student vote
A TOOTHILL man was left shaken after being racially abused by two men with dogs. The incident happened at around 3.20pm on Wednesday in the Faringdon Road area of Swindon. Police said the incident was unprovoked. The 45-year-old man was driving home when
THE offer of a £900 grant was music to the ears of the Swindon Male Voice Choir. The cash, from the Co-op, will allow them to increase their repertoire, attract new members and raise more charity funds. The choir will use the award from Oxford Swindon
71506-84A PROSTITUTE who is banned from the town centre has admitted breaching her anti-social behaviour order after being spotted in Manchester Road. Drug addict Miaya Bryan, 26, admitted twice breaching the order as well as two charges of theft when
A DRUG addict with 71 previous convictions for theft has been sent to prison for eight months. Richard Lowe, 27, of Cranmore Avenue, Park South, pleaded guilty to four charges of theft at Swindon Magistrates' Court yesterday . The court heard that Lowe
76862-93YOUNGSTERS have been honing their football skills and making friends at a soccer fun week. Organiser Chris Kirkland, 64, says that the coaching sessions in Wootton Bassett are all about having fun and mixing with other kids. "The idea is to give
A drinker who smashed up his favourite boozer after a row with the landlady unwittingly landed himself a court appearance. The police had given up hope of catching Andrew Cooke, 37, of Rodbourne Road, when he walked into Swindon police station 14 months
CORONER'S staff in Gloucester who are trying to trace relatives of a 52 year old man who died at the end of March believe he may have sisters living in Swindon. So far all enquiries to try to locate the next of kin of Derek French of Parkend Road, Gloucester
76870-44FANS queued for up to eight hours to see cult film and TV star David Carradine when he visited Swindon. The actor made an appearance at the Infinitely Better store in the Brunel Arcade, where he signed autographs and posters. "I love the UK, I
76872-07IT'S not just residents who are having trouble getting to grips with the new refuse collection dates refuse collectors are also unsure. Many households do not know when they should put rubbish bags and recycling boxes out since the collection
A WAREHOUSE boss who plundered six pallet loads of goods from work has walked free from court. Swindon Crown Court was told Geoffrey Moreton stole the books, CDs and other items valued at more than £13,000 from Veritis Fulfilment where he had worked for
READERS may be interested to know of another royal event that had to be postponed: The coronation of Edward V11 was planned for June 26, 1902. The king had been ill for some weeks and on June 22 the problem was identified as appendicitis and an operation
COACHES at Calne rugby club are hoping new members will flock into their junior sections after the success of an innovative youth development project. Youth coach Matt Snell led a team of instructors into four different primary schools last term to teach
HOME ground advantage counts for plenty in any sporting contest, but it meant even more to three Wiltshire lads on Saturday. Fraser Clilverd of Upper Seagry, Chippenham's Sam Alford and Karl Brant of Wootton Bassett returned to Bournemouth's Chapel Gate
Devizes protected their seven month unbeaten record in two physical and competitive matches against Trowbridge on Sunday. It was the second half before Trowbridge converted a period of heavy pressure to break through the fierce Devizes defence but the
SUPERMARINE, blighted by last-minute call-offs, gave champions Corsham a run before slipping to valiant defeat on Saturday. The late absences meant skipper and openside flanker Jamie Titcombe having to switch to scrum-half, but he certainly led by example
From the start of this cup final at Allington Field on Sunday, Chippenham were put under pressure but it took ten minutes before the visitors could find any space for the first of their five tries in the match. Chippenham made some good runs but Salisbury
BASSETT'S title chances are all but gone after this defeat to an unpredictable Devizes at Ballard's Ash on Saturday. Saddlebacks skipper Tom Reed said his side were keen to "put 20 points on Bassett" three weeks ago after a sound loss to now almost unbackable
MALMESBURY had hardly formed up when the home side scored their first try but Gavin Pratt failed to make good his extra two points by bouncing his conversion off the far upright. Malmesbury skipper Paul Hutton made up the score after eight minutes with
VICTORY for Chippenham was vital to maintain home ground advantage in the play offs for promotion to South West One, with Reading Abbey seemingly assured of the title and the only automatic progression. The return of centre and skipper Rupert Crockett
CHIPPENHAM NEWS: ARCHAEOLOGISTS have begun the search for King Alfred's legendary castle believed to be hidden underneath the former Goldiggers nightclub. The site is rumoured to harbour secrets of a mythical medieval castle, which existed more than 1,000
ANDY KING will not rush into choosing a new assistant manager after seeing his best friend snapped up by Rotherham United. The Town boss feels the Millers have appointed the right man for the job although his delight for Harford is tinged with regret
CHIPPENHAM NEWS: AN investigation has been launched into a fast food company after a customer claimed a sandwich caused a bout of sickness. Luke Livesey, 25, of Marshfield, claims he suffered food poisoning after eating a chicken, mayonnaise and lettuce
CHIPPENHAM NEWS: THE 60-YEAR-OLD pilot of a light aircraft that crashed into a field lost control after he flew too low. Robert Hitchin was flying his Mooney M20J single engine plane towards a private airstrip in Wadswick near Corsham in October when
BARGAIN hunters will be flocking to a car boot sale in aid of Highworth pool. The sale is being held at the Rec between 1.30pm and 4.30pm on Sunday. Work on a retractable roof is scheduled to start soon, but the pool looks likely to shut this summer for
A DEVELOPER has been denied permission to build industrial units in Westbury after refusing to contribute towards road safety improvements. Toogoods Development had its bid for 14 units in Cory Way, on West Wilts Trading Estate, turned down on Thursday
VIRTUOSO horn player Sheona White will join the Bratton Silver Band for a charity concert next Saturday. The former Young Musician of the Year will play with the Wiltshire group at the Corn Exchange in Devizes in aid of the Cancer Laryngectomee Trust.
AN Edington man has been cleared of assault causing actual bodily harm after the prosecution announced it had insufficient evidence to proceed. Peter Niemeyer, 33, of Banner Place, was alleged to have committed the assault on October 30 last year. But
TESCO has been given permission to install a cash machine and signs at its soon-to-own Westbury store despite opposition from an open space campaigner. West Wiltshire District Council's planning committee ignored claims from Chapmanslade resident Francis
SAILING instructor Tim Cross returned to his roots to train five new recruits in Westbury. Mr Cross, a former Dilton Marsh Junior and Matravers School pupil, learned to sail in Westbury 20 years ago. He was examiner as the West Wilts Youth Sailing Association
SHOPPERS looked on in shock as flames leapt from a pavement in Westbury town centre on Wednesday afternoon. The fire, which destroyed a manhole cover at the junction of Haynes Road and Warminster Road, was caused by an underground electrical fault. Firefighters
16847WEST Wiltshire MP Dr Andrew Murrison recalled his childhood on Saturday as he officially opened a new scout hut. The shadow health minister cut the ribbon on the £75,000 building in Meadow Lane, Westbury, to complete a project that began in October
16864KICK boxers fought tiredness and sparred with each other to raise more than £1,600 for new equipment on Sunday. Members of the Kousei Shin Kai club staged a three and a half hour spar-athon at Westbury Junior School, where it trains. The money will
A DAY of non-stop live music has been organised at a department store to raise money for the Samaritans. There will be a piano marathon at Leekes in Beanacre Road, Melksham, on May 14. Pianists from all over the area will take part and a few more players
RUGBY player Zak Feaunati will kick off new nursery sessions in a village hall later this month. Tumble Tots will open in Bowerhill Village Hall in Halifax Road, on Thursday with the Bath Rugby player attending as guest of honour. Bowerhill Pre-School
A DEVELOPER has come under fire for washing its hands of parking shortages at a housing estate. McCarthy & Stone built Giffords Court, Melksham, where residents are finding it impossible to park due to a lack of designated spaces. Melksham Town Council
16878A THIRTY-YEAR friendship has turned to war in a dispute over a garden shed. John and Norveen Wiltshire both 63, of Semington Road, Melksham, and next-door neighbour Beryl Chambers, 61, were best friends for three decades. But their friendship turned
Lynn Sorensen, 54A DAUGHTER has lodged a complaint against doctors she claims covered up the true reasons for her 81-year-old father's death. Mr Sorensen, of Spa Court, Melksham, died in the Royal United Hospital, Bath, in August 1999 after a fall at
EMPLOYEES are having to stay late in the office because of poor teamwork, says a new survey. The problem is fuelling the country's long-hours culture. A study of 2,200 workers by software firm Microsoft found poor communication and ineffective meetings
SALES of Mini cars were up more than 10 per cent in the first quarter of the year, says BMW. British-made Minis were up 10.3 per cent from 47,774 to 52,694. BMW said its total sales during the first quarter of 2005 rose 8.2 per cent from the same period
CHARITABLE donations have almost doubled in the past 18 months. New research from BACS Payment Scheme the company behind Direct Debit said that over the past year British people have donated a massive £6.2 billion, nearly double the £3.2 billion in previous
A MUSEUM which exhibits some of the greatest-ever technological advancements has joined the digital age. The Wroughton Science Museum home to the Science Museum's large objects collection is at Wroughton Airfield, a former World War Two airfield. Communications
PLANS to tackle pollution in two west Wiltshire towns have been submitted to the Government for feedback. West Wiltshire District Council has drawn up a draft air quality action plan for Bradford on Avon and Westbury because of their traffic pollution
THE decision on whether a brand of pork pies can continue to be produced at a west Wiltshire factory rests in the hands of European bureaucrats. Melton Mowbray pork pies have been made at Pork Farm Bowyers in Trowbridge for 100 years but now EU legislation
A QUARTER of Wiltshire's secondary schools will benefit from new composting facilities after the project received more than £90,000 in Government funding. Wiltshire Wildlife Trust will provide composting facilities to one in four state secondary schools
FOUR art schemes have secured funding of £36,000 for the next financial year. West Wiltshire District Council cabinet has agreed to continue to support the Arc Theatre, in Trowbridge and Wiltshire Music Centre in Bradford on Avon. Funding will also go
COMMUNITY projects in west Wiltshire will receive more than £180,000 in district council grants over the next year. The donations, which were confirmed last week, saw the Citizens' Advice Bureau, Voluntary Action West Wilts (VAWW) and Action on Homelessness
HOUSEHUNTERS will have greater choice when looking for new homes, under a new district council scheme. Homes 4 West Wilts aims to offer more options to people on the housing register looking for properties. The system will be up and running next Wednesday
FOUR candidates will contest each of the two constituencies covering west Wiltshire at the general election on May 5. Sitting Conservative MPs Andrew Murrison (Westbury) and Michael Ancram (Devizes) will be challenged by rivals from the same three political
16862/5CATHOLICS across west and north Wiltshire are in mourning after the death of Pope John Paul II on Saturday. Tributes have been pouring in to one of the longest serving and most highly regarded pontiffs in history in the run-up to his funeral today
A PUBLIC meeting will be held to discuss the future of a community hospital. Half the beds at Melksham Hospital closed on Thursday and residents are concerned for its future. Well over 1,000 people have already signed the Wiltshire Times' Save Our Hospital
A HOMEOWNER should be prosecuted for illegally removing and burning a staircase from her unique 17th century farmhouse, say councillors. Members of West Wiltshire District Council's planning committee said Carol Thelwell had abused the system to refurbish
MID WILTS YOUTH LEAGUE: CRICKLADE edged out hosts Cosham by a single goal to win their U17 League Cup clash at Leafy Lane on Sunday. The visitors opened the brighter in the first ten minutes with throughballs by James Palmer and Tommy Johnson putting
TROWBRIDGE LEAGUE: THE first side to crack will concede the Division One title as the league is hit by 12 postponements in the first round of mid-week matches. After recent victories over rivals North Bradley Saints and Rudloe, and after Saints were left
16874ARTISTIC brownies presented a collage to a cancer support service at Warminster library on Monday. The 7th Warminster Brownie Pack made the presentation to the Cancer Information and Support Service, and was the first to take part in the Wiltshire
CHIPPENHAM SNDAY LEAGUE: WEST Lavington's hopes of claiming a first ever Premier Division title looks to be slipping away after they dropped another vital point on Sunday. A dire 0-0 stalemate with Dog and Fox Ashley has left them with a mountain to climb
THERE was no upset in the Hellenic League derby at Malmesbury as high-flying visitors Shrivenham won 3-0. But they were made to work hard for their reward and the relegation-threatened hosts held the Division One West title chasers at the break. Shrivvy
EXCLUSIVE: Special summer train service plans to link Warminster with Cornwall's No. 1 attraction. A LUXURY train service is offering to whisk west Wiltshire science and nature fans away to the "eighth wonder of the world". The Eden Belle, a 508-seater
CALNE'S promotion hopes took a serious knock on Saturday after angry boss Kelvin Highmore accused Elmore of cheating his side out of a result. The manager feels Tom Barrow dived to earn his side the crucial winning penalty. "No one touched him," he said
ECSTATIC manager Gary Skidmore praised his players' performance after they picked up their first victory since October. A brace from top scorer Luke Gullick and a goal from winger Paul Poiner gave Biddestone only their third win of the season on Saturday
COLIN Bush is still shaking his head at his side's outstanding season after watching them return to winning ways on Saturday. Goals from midfielder Jack Cullis and striker Alan Griffin gave the hosts their 24th win of what the boss called an unbelievable
DEVIZES battled their way to three vital points against Screwfix high flyers Exmouth days after manager Mark Godley held a crisis meeting with his players. Godley spoke at length with his team at training on Thursday and laid down his expectations for
Annette Collins, 45A MOTHER-OF-SIX broke down in tears after a finance company worker accidentally left a message on her mobile phone branding her ugly. Annette Collins, 45, was left humiliated after hearing an employee from Trowbridge-based Welcome Financial
PLANS to extend an 18th century listed cottage have been put on hold while councillors visit the site. The application for 117 Bradford Road, Winsley is recommended for refusal because planning officers said it would ruin the special character of the
30374/2A NEW artists' co-operative is showing its work at an expanding venue in Bradford on Avon. Twelve local artists are displaying a vast selection of items at The Art House, in Silver Street. They took over the gallery, which opened on Tuesday, and
30386A WHEELCHAIR-BOUND pensioner will no longer be able to get medical care at his town hospital after services were cut. Nelson Penny, 82, of Highfield Road, Bradford on Avon, has been attending the day hospital at the Drinkwater Unit, attached to Bradford
THE county council's determination to push ahead with the relocation of the record office at any cost appears to be part of a long-term strategy aimed at systematically asset-stripping the county town. First, the county council deliberately torpedoed
I AM pleased to be perhaps one of the first owners of a copy of the book Wiltshire Life and Times that I purchased yesterday and would like to thank all the persons concerned for such a well compiled item. I particularly like the Then and Now section
May I say a big thank you through your paper, to the kind people who stopped to help me when I fell down the steps of the pedestrian fly-over in Trowbridge by the Tesco's garage, on Tuesday March 22. Special thanks must go to the young lady who called
Your 'Opinion' article last week focused on the very real problems of safe staffing levels in local hospitals. However, I would say, it led to an inappropriate conclusion. West Wiltshire PPCT has not concealed the difficulty it has had in recruiting and
26360-62THE Home Office has invited Swindon's award winning junior wardens to take part in a national conference. Three youngsters, Callum Batford, 14, Jessica Jefferies, 12 and Dion Lee, 13, will share their experiences of being juniors wardens and promoting
RESURFACING work will start next week on the M5 motorway between junctions 11a and 11 near Gloucester. Junction 11a leads to the A417/A419 link to the M4 passing through Swindon. The work will start on Monday and end by July 1. The works and contraflow
76874-12TWO motorists had a lucky escape when a car transporter smashed into the central reservation and overturned on the M4. The crash happened at 6.30am today as a car attempted to overtake the HGV on the eastbound carriageway between junction 16 and
WOOTTON Bassett coach Graham Stickler admits his side simply must beat Southern Counties South leaders Bournemouth tomorrow if they are to claim a surprise promotion. The division's top two meet at Stoneover Lane, but anything less than a home win will
Annette Collins, 45A TEARFUL mum was devastated to discover a message branding her 'ugly' on her mobile phone. Annette Collins, 45, was left humiliated when she received the message from an employee at Welcome Financial Services, which has a branch in
A LIVE 60s and 70s music event is to raise money for people suffering from Alzheimer's disease. Entertainment will be provided by Spectrum. Fancy dress is optional but there will be a £50 prize for the best dressed 60s/70s babe or dude. Tickets for the
A NEW hair salon offers clients the chance to be pampered while getting a new look for summer at the same time. Richard Gardner Hair Design opened his new salon, in Manor Road, Trowbridge, on Monday. Owner Richard Gardener has been working in the town
A 71-YEAR-OLD tennis fan died while playing the sport he loved. David Clark, of Greenhill Gardens, Hilperton was playing tennis, one of his favourite sports, at Melksham House tennis courts on Thursday when he died. His sister Marian Wilton, 68, of Mendip
30375A THREE-YEAR-OLD boy who is allergic to wheat, dairy and gluten suffered an instant reaction after eating at McDonald's, despite a manager assuring his mother his meal would be safe. Katrina Regan, 22, and her mum, Elizabeth Dennison, took young
A PARANOID schizophrenic who preyed on young schoolgirls is to be locked up indefinitely at a secure mental health hospital. Kevin Dopson, 26, pictured right, was found guilty of sexually assaulting two Trowbridge women and assaulting a third after a
Annette Collins, 45A MOTHER-OF-SIX broke down in tears after a finance company worker accidentally left a message on her mobile phone branding her ugly. Annette Collins, 45, was left humiliated after hearing an employee from Trowbridge-based Welcome Financial
ALL drivers may soon be able to use bus lanes, if Swindon Council goes ahead with plans. The move would see some lanes, including the town centre area of Fleming Way, open to traffic from 7pm to 7am. Exceptions would include County Road, Princes Street
THE new High Sheriff of Wiltshire says he has enjoyed his first week in the role. David Margesson was officially sworn in at a ceremony at Swindon Magistrates Court last Friday. Mr Margesson said: "It's been a busy first week with five or six appointments
A 21-year-old man has been remanded in custody after pleading guilty to a number of motoring offences. Darren Jones, of Cleverton Court, Penhill, pleaded guilty to six charges at Swindon Magistrates Court yesterday. He admitted dangerous driving, driving
THE Wroughton Silver Band will give a charity concert for the tsunami appeal. The band will perform at the Ellendune Centre, Barrett Way, Wroughton, at 7.30pm on April 16. Tickets, priced £5, are available from the centre 9am to noon. Call 01793 813307
POLICE are warning elderly people to be on guard against rogue builders in Wroughton. Sgt Max Sharman, pictured, says the police are investigating after being contacted by several residents recently. His advice is: "Be wary of odd job builders. "Householders
THE election campaign has today been put on hold as a mark of respect to the Pope. All three main party leaders were this morning in Rome for the Pontiff's funeral. It marked the start of a 48-hour lull in the campaign, with tomorrow's royal wedding extending
Labour has denied Prime Minister Tony Blair was being "hidden away" after a report that his face would not feature on the cover of the party's election manifesto. A party spokesman said the Prime Minister's face featured prominently on a poster launched
The mother of an autistic son fighting to stop the closure of special schools took her fight back to the Prime Minister having recently tackled him on live television. Maria Hutchings, 43, told Tony Blair in February, that he reverse his policy of phasing
A CEREMONIAL torch from the 1948 London Olympics has sold for £2,000 in Swindon. The 18in aluminium piece, adorned with cut-out Olympic rings was from the estate of Alick Pirie whose son Gordon, from Leeds, won a silver medal in the 5,000m at the 1956
76868-02SCHOOLCHILDREN have been getting stuck into montage with a musical theme as part of a week of creativity. The Creative Arts Week workshop at the University of Bath's Oakfield campus in Swindon is designed to get youngsters thinking about their
Ref: The front page Tuesday, March 29. May I express my gratitude in reading of lead member of transport admitting mistakes over parking at Great Western Hospital and they are going to put this right. At last we have people in posts who will listen to
YOU have reported about the confusion regarding the new arrangements for the collection of refuse and recycled materials. The confusion was compounded when areas of Swindon were notified of one date but no one arrived to collect the waste. This was bad
I NOTE with interest the comments by prospective MPs regarding the Swindon Together On Planning STOP campaign and the march tomorrow. While some of the groups who support STOP may have political party members, the alliance itself is not party political
I SEE the Conservatives on Swindon Council have nothing better to do than fiddle while Rome burns. I refer to their idea to cause chaos and confusion in people's minds about where, when and if drivers of cars can use bus lanes. If their suggestion is
CHIPPENHAM'S mini section is £250 richer thanks to the tireless voluntary efforts of one of the players mums. NatWest Bank employee Helen Aitkin, whose husband Sean coaches at U11 level, won the company's Community Cashback Award Scheme after her tremendous
CORSHAM'S second string got back to winning ways as they defeated their Melksham counterparts 33-15 in their latest outing. Liam Healy touched down after just two minutes for the visitors, but Coooper Avon cut the deficit with a penalty and then went
Unable to mount a sustained threat to the visitors' line, Minety nevertheless worked hard and long to contain a Sherborne side that had put 70 points on them earlier in the season. Solid and persistent tackling from the home side instead restricted the
Alan Henley's first half try was the deciding score in this tense but open derby, followed by three immaculate penalty attempts from captain Andrew Donegan and a mighty fight back from Westbury, earning them two tries, but not the win. First team call
Swindon put one hand on the title on Saturday as they swept Gosford All Blacks aside at Greenbridge Road. One further win from the remaining two games will confirm Swindon as champions and mathematically it is almost impossible for them to be caught now
