Archive

  • Mother in shop trolley nightmare

    CHIPPENHAM NEWS: MUM Joanne Simpkins, 32, has had to stop shopping at the new Morrisons store because it got rid of the trolleys she needs for her disabled daughter Danielle. Ms Simpkins, of Broomfield, Chippenham, whose seven-year-old daughter Danielle

  • Takings up after boycott on petrol

    GAZETTE & HERALD: VILLAGERS who boycotted their petrol station for 24 hours in a protest over fuel prices, have called it a success for democracy, but the garage boss claims takings were actually up on the day. Around 20 Lyneham villagers are believed

  • Swan left in river for eight days by experts

    CHIPPENHAM NEWS: ANIMAL protection groups and conservation teams left a dead swan floating in a river for more than a week while they worked out who was allowed to touch it. The dead swan was first seen by a passer-by in the River Avon at Gladstone Footbridge

  • Tots have fun at left-handers day

    CHIPPENHAM NEWS: CHILDREN gave up the use of their right hand for a day to raise awareness of difficulties and disabilities. Staff and youngsters celebrated National Left-Handers Day at Leapfrog Day Nursery in Chippenham on Friday. Over 20 children played

  • A weekend of song and dance at Lydiard Park

    LYDIARD Park will fill with people and their picnics relaxing to the sounds of the Proms and the sights of the firework spectacular. The Classical Picnic and Proms event will include music from the English National Symphony Orchestra conducted by Jae

  • Campaign ends in a quick win for doctor

    GAZETTE & HERALD: GP Barney Williams yesterday emerged triumphant from Gloucester Royal Infirmary having won an appeal over his suspension after just the first morning of a two-day hearing. Dr Williams, who was sacked for failing to provide out of

  • Dad dies in M25 hit and run

    CHIPPENHAM NEWS EXCLUSIVE: A MOTORWAY maintenance worker from Chippenham was killed when a truck crashed through roadworks in the early hours of Wednesday morning. Chris Lewis, 38, of Marshfield Road died in the hit-and-run crash on the M25 while working

  • Fixtures

    Crusader Wiltshire League Division One: Bath Civil Service v Great Bedwyn, Box v Calne, Collingbourne v Purton, Potterne v Nationwide House, Marshfield v Westinghouse. Division Two: Burbage & ER v Cooper-Avon Tyres, Beanacre v Buscot Park, Spye Park

  • SAME AGAIN FOR THE BADEN BOYS

    Swindon face an important game tomorrow when they entertain local rivals Wootton Bassett in a game that they need to win to stay top of the league with one game to go. Skipper John Baden relies on the same side that beat closest rivals Biddestone last

  • Matt's Mission

    MATT Hewlett is determined to pile more misery on to Brian Tinnion's managerial shoulders as Town look to end their Ashton Gate losing streak. The pair were once midfield colleagues but that will count for absolutely nothing come 3pm tomorrow afternoon

  • Nightclub in drugs tests swoop

    POLICE are determined to eradicate the scourge of drugs in west Wiltshire, using a sensitive new detection device. Corsham nightclub, Lilley's, in Westwells Road, Hawthorn is the latest in a string of venues to take part in the operation to crack down

  • Arsonists blamed for nursery blaze

    GAZETTE & HERALD: ARSONISTS are believed to be responsible for a fire that ravaged a Corsham play school on Tuesday afternoon, causing thousands of pounds worth of damage. The Honey Pot Nursery, based in the grounds of Corsham Regis primary school

  • Now we are in a financial hole

    HIGHWORTH Junior Football Club is struggling to meet costs of nearly £35,000 for last year's archaeological dig. Archaeologists were called in when Roman relics were found during the construction of the club's new pavilion. Excavations in June last year

  • Plan for market

    A WEEKLY market could be returning to Westbury for the first time in 10 years, town councillors have revealed. The council's Town Centre Viability Working Group is targeting two companies to put on a weekly event in the Market Place. Cllr Russell Hawker

  • Staff add some sauce to charity calendar

    28571/1 SUPERMARKET staff are creating a saucy new calendar to raise money for proteus syndrome, the condition suffered by the Elephant Man. John Overington, who runs the news and magazines department at Sainsbury's in Frome, thought up the idea. He said

  • Klondike gold rush is over

    THE Klondike, the American-style roadhouse restaurant at Froxfield, closed its doors last week. The Gazette was unable to locate the owners this week but it is understood the restaurant had been for sale for some time. The Klondike, named after the American

  • In line for prize

    FAST FOOD restaurant McDonald's in Trowbridge has been shortlisted for a top award in recognition of its efforts to help and support disabled employees. The firm is on the shortlist for the eighth annual Leading the Way Awards, organised by Remploy, and

  • Businesses snap up units at Leigh Park

    OVER half the new shops on a Westbury housing estate are already under offer four months before building work on them is due to finish. The largest unit at the Leigh Park Local Centre has been earmarked for Tesco Express since the plans were approved

  • Apprentices earn while they learn

    A TEENAGE bright spark from Trowbridge is among 78 youngsters who started an apprenticeship with Southern Electric Contracting this month. Samuel Groves, 16, of Magnolia Rise, Trowbridge, began his training with an induction course at the Holiday Inn

  • Royal will open dairy as it looks to future

    Princess Anne THE PRINCESS Royal is to officially open a Westbury dairy plant almost a year after it was saved from administration. Princess Anne will cut the ribbon at Westbury Dairies on September 6 after chairman Sir Ben Gill outlines the company's

  • Rape line plea for more help

    AN appeal published in the Wiltshire Times for volunteers to man a vital helpline service for rape victims has resulted in several people coming forward. Since the appeal was published earlier this month three people have come forward to offer their services

  • Share your table with rugby stars

    THE opportunity to share a table with a Bath rugby player is up for grabs at a charity meal and auction in September. Rob Deadman, 33, a former Wiltshire rugby captain, of Fleur de Lys Drive, Southwick, is organising the glamorous meal and auction to

  • Trotter trains will offer cheaper fares

    Commuter Rory Webster has set up his own train service to take passengers between Westbury and London Paddington. Mr Webster's Trotter Trains service is scheduled to begin on January 1 2005 and will rival operator First Great Western. The 56-year-old

  • Pair hope hitchhike will give charity a lift

    FITNESS fans Ricky Rogers and Shaun Takle are planning a charity hitchhike from Westbury to Land's End without food, water or money. The pair depart on their quest at 10am on Sept-ember 24 and have pledged to reach mainland UK's most southerly point no

  • Crowds flock to Somerford

    THERE was no shortage of entries for the horticultural and agricultural classes at the ever popular Somerford Show on Saturday. Visitors to the 109th traditional show at Brook Farm, were able to admire a large variety of entries as well as enjoying a

  • Family crafts at arboretum

    GREEN families threw themselves into traditional tree crafts at Westonbirt Arboretum last week. The hands-on session on Thursday afternoon gave participants a chance to make their own paper, try natural dyeing and hurdle making. Some 23 families and children

  • Traditional dance revived

    The colourful tradition of morris dancing has been revived in Malmesbury by newcomer to the town, Rose Darlington. Mrs Darlington, who moved to Oxford Street, Malmesbury from Cheshire a year ago, has formed a new troupe of 14 dancers. She said she wanted

  • Cleverley leads win with bright bowling

    Potterne now seem doomed in Division One as they collapsed at Westinghouse to 46 all out. John Cleverley bowled 11.4 overs and took four for two. Westinghouse went on to win by 10 wickets. And the relegation battle took another twist on Saturday as Box

  • Corsham cricket

    The meeting of the top two in Division Six at Beehive Bradford ended with the home side gaining ground on leaders Nettleton. Beehive made 206 all out with Micky Spong (89), John Sheppard (26) and Andy Goddard (26) top scoring, whilst Ian Sandell took

  • WINSLEY CRICKET

    WINSLEY responded to the previous week's defeat at Portishead with an impressive seven-wicket win at home to Hanham on Saturday. With two matches of the season remaining, Winsley lie in sixth position in the Bristol and North Somerset League but have

  • Church marks 45 years

    MEDIUMS from across the south west joined Melksham Spiritualist Church for two days of 45th anniversary celebrations earlier this month. Events included workshops, private sittings, healing and a mediumship extravaganza with experts from Cornwall, Bristol

  • Teddy bears have their picnic at party in park

    15685/1TEDDY bear marionettes and a stunt motorbike wowed onlookers at Melksham's party in the park on Saturday. The sunny weather brought out the crowds, with an estimated 3,000 people attending throughout the day. Melksham mayor Terri Welch said: "It

  • Dog-owners fear curbs on Forest walks

    DOG-OWNERS in the New Forest fear they will be prevented from freely exercising their pets if a new code of conduct comes into force. Members of the New Forest Dog Owners Group believe the Forestry Commission and other groups are trying to attach the

  • Anger as hospital bans use of 'unsafe' quilts

    Mayor of Fordingbridge Jean Willis opens a quilt exhibition in the town hall earlier this year. DA5736P3HOSPITAL patients in Fordingbridge are being denied home comforts and day trips following decisions made by New Forest primary care trust. Members

  • Hospital plans at risk from cash cuts

    THE fate of the proposed new hospital for Devizes could be known in September. Campaigners fear that the long talked about plans to build a new hospital on land at Green Lane, Devizes, will be nothing more than a glorified health clinic. Kennet and North

  • Girl Friday: Ramona Derbyshire

    Ref. 71809-21Ramona Derbyshire, Age: 25 and three quarters. Employer: Thring Townsend SO WHAT DO YOU ACTUALLY DO?: That's what my boss keeps asking me. "Commercial litigation and dispute resolution" WHAT DO YOU HATE MOST ABOUT YOUR JOB AND WHY?: I actually

  • Entrepreneurs to get awards

    THE search is on for Wiltshire's most enterprising individuals, who are in with a chance of winning a new Queen's Award. The scheme will reward both enterprising individuals and those who encourage innovation in others by mentoring or networking. Up to

  • Council's recycling rate low

    WEST Wiltshire is failing to meet minimum recycling targets set by the Government, latest figures reveal. The Municipal Waste Management Survey, released last week, shows West Wiltshire District Council only achieved a five per cent recycling rate for

  • Loophole may halt Tesco bid

    A PLANNING loophole could delay Tesco's plans to close post offices in west Wiltshire, two councillors believe. Terry Chivers and Angie Barker have asked West Wiltshire District Council to investigate whether Tesco needs planning permission to convert

  • Sponsored walkabout

    A SPONSORED walkabout is being organised in Wiltshire to raise money to help combat one of the UK's biggest killers. Every week three people die prematurely from coronary heart disease in Wiltshire alone and members of the Trowbridge volunteer branch

  • Taking steps to keep footpaths clear

    28572AWARD-WINNING ramblers have been keeping footpaths clear for walkers in west Wiltshire. Together with Wiltshire County Council they have worked hard to repair and replace broken stiles, blocked footpaths and missing bridges. The group of volunteers

  • Staff add some sauce to charity calendar

    28571/1 SUPERMARKET staff are creating a saucy new calendar to raise money for proteus syndrome, the condition suffered by the Elephant Man. John Overington, who runs the news and magazines department at Sainsbury's in Frome, thought up the idea. He said

  • Backing for canal project

    Volunteers fighting to restore a Wiltshire canal are celebrating after water bosses decided to back their ambitious project. The former Wilts and Berks Canal has beaten competition from over 100 projects nationwide and been picked to appear on a British

  • Hospital services reviewed

    A MAJOR review of hospital services is now under way with two Wiltshire care trusts putting the services they provide under close scrutiny. Both West Wiltshire and Kennet and North Wiltshire Primary Care Trusts will officially launch the review at their

  • The eyes have it

    Analysis of the top ten reasons why candidates fail the UK practical driving test proves that learner drivers need to make far more effective use of their eyes, say driver training experts BSM. The Driving Standards Agency's national figures indicate

  • Wilmot's words of wisdom

    ELLIS Wilmot has hailed Team Bath's meteoric rise over the last few years but ahead of Monday's local derby the Bluebirds midfielder believes his former team-mates could struggle this season. Wilmot, 24, enjoyed a spell with the students a couple of seasons

  • Westbury United 1 Biddestone 0

    A FORK of lightning midway through the second half on Wednesday night proved the brightest moment as a Nick Beales free kick secured a win for the hosts in a dour match. Credit must go to Western League new boys Biddestone as, after a nervy first 10 minutes

  • Keeper ready for first team football

    FORMER Forest Green Rovers goalkeeper Chris Giannangelo is hoping a move to Chippenham will pave the way back into higher league football. The Australian shot stopper is currently in talks with Bluebird boss Steve White about his future after spending

  • Kirk seals future

    MIDFIELDER Ben Kirk admitted it was a huge relief to make his league debut for Chippenham on Saturday after red tape threatened to sabotage the switch. With the start of the season just two days away, Kirk's move from Bridgwater to Hardenhuish was still

  • Matthew magic in midfield

    CHIPPENHAM Town's Wizard of Oz has been casting his own brand of magic at the start of this season and he admits his performances have even surprised himself. Australian Matthew McEntegart moved to Hardenhuish from Cirencester Town in the summer, having

  • Last-minute goal blow for Bradford

    WILTSHIRE LEAGUE BRADFORD Town boss Mark Hodkinson admits he is still unsure as to why Steve Bryant's late effort was disallowed on Saturday. Trailing 2-1 with a few minutes to go in their Wiltshire League opener at Stratton, Bradford thought they had

  • FA sparks row over referees

    THE Trowbridge and District football league has called in legal advisors to check whether it could be sued if players are injured in matches without a qualified referee. Chairman Roly Hill and vice chairman Phil Senior, who have been running the league

  • Rats earmarked as popular pets

    15690/1A FAMILY of rare big-eared and docile rats have been given a new home at Longleat near Warminster. The Dumbo rats, who are named after Disney's famous elephant due to their unusually large ears, were originally rescued by the RSPCA. They are now

  • Black Watch soldier killed in Iraq

    FLORAL tributes have been laid at a Warminster church in memory of a young Black Watch soldier who was killed in Iraq on Thursday. Private Marc Ferns, 21, died in a roadside bomb blast while on a routine exercise protecting British troops in Basra. He

  • Treats up for grabs at classic night out

    THE biggest classical music concert in Wiltshire takes place this August Bank Holiday Weekend at Lydiard Park, Swindon and the Gazette and Herald promotional team will be there giving away family-sized treats. The evening starts at 7pm but you can come

  • Football League in jeopardy

    The Wiltshire Times can today reveal how one of the oldest and most popular football leagues in Wiltshire is under threat over a major row with the county FA. Bombshells were dropped by the resignation of a long serving top official and the withdrawal

  • Mayor slams venue decision

    A MAYOR has criticised a decision to reduce the number of polling stations for a September by-election. Bradford on Avon's mayor Vicky Landell Mills said West Wiltshire Housing Association refused permission for St Aldhelm's Court to be used, leaving

  • New equipment will help police

    28573/3NEW equipment being used by Bradford on Avon police will help make life easier for officers, PC Gary Jones told the Wiltshire Times. Kwick-cuffs, made of rigid plastic, have replaced old-style chained handcuffs and are easier to put on when somebody

  • Tennis courts in bad way

    COUNCILLORS are frustrated at a three-year delay to repairing Bradford on Avon's tennis courts. Bradford mayor Vicky Landell Mills said: "They are very popular and are in a bad state of repair. "We have been trying for years now to get them onto the district

  • One mucky winner

    A BABY from Bradford has a reason to smile as her mucky grin won her a prize in a national contest. Abby MaCracken Dunn, now 10 months old, from Farleigh Wick, won runner-up prize in a competition to find the UK's "muckiest pup". The contest, run by SMA

  • Residents terrorised by drunks

    LOUTS and drunks on a Bradford on Avon housing estate have been making life a misery for residents for over a year. Since residents moved to newly-built Bailey's Barn housing estate, off Moulton Drive, last July they have been constantly terrorised by

  • Canal pub gets music licence

    PUBLIC entertainment can go ahead at the Barge Inn at Honeystreet despite some strenuous opposition from neighbours wanting to preserve their rural idyll. After hearing from licensee Adrian Potts, his solicitor Nick Davis and from four objectors, Kennet

  • Villagers' views needed

    In the community section of your newspaper on August 13 there was a report of the Codford Parish Council meeting at which it appeared the consultation meetings held by the Warminster and Villages Community Partnership were criticised on the grounds of

  • Going off going green

    I Was so thrilled to get the latest on recycling in the shape of a Green newspaper included in the Wiltshire Times last week. Good news ! So now we are to get a green bin to be collected every other week and a black bin. But to save money on the whole

  • Question was raised

    SEVERAL writers have rightly expressed concern that whilst Wiltshire County Council has spent many years working on the highly suspect project, namely the Hilperton relief road, Staverton does not seem to figure in the reckoning. May I assure readers

  • What happened to Staverton of old?

    Can anyone help? I recall being born and bred in Staverton and that the original village is situated between two bridges where locals were sure of being hired or fired by Nestl. The original historic village lies near to the river Avon with its beautiful

  • The waiting is finally over

    Ref. 71832-68 Ridgeway students Sophie Palmer (left) and Gemma LeadleyA -LEVEL RESULTS: SIXTHFORMERS from Swindon have excelled in this year's A levels. Four of the six institutions catering for the town's students exceeded the national pass rate of 96

  • No place for my mum

    Ref. 71837-19A 93-YEAR-OLD great-grandmother has been waiting for six months to move from a hospital ward into a nursing home. But overstretched care bosses say there is a chronic lack of places and are unable to help even though it's costing £100 a day

  • One last chance thrown away by vice girl

    Ref. 71506-63PROSTITUTE Miaya Bryan was given a third last chance by Swindon magistrates when she appeared before them for breaking an anti-social behaviour order within four days but hours later she was in custody charged with breaking bail conditions

  • Jane's top of the class

    Ref. 71827-21A SCHOOL administrator has proved at age 55 that it's never too late to learn something new. Jane Norman has achieved 593 out of 600 possible marks in her A-level English exam, one of the highest scores in the country. When she went to her

  • Fun for everyone at event

    BIGGER and better is the aim for organisers of the 2004 Studley Green fun day being held in Trowbridge next week. A bumper crop of entertainment has been lined up for the event at Studley Green community centre on August 28, including singers, community

  • Businesses win award for food

    A HOLT pub and a Corsham bed and breakfast have scooped awards naming them the best in Wiltshire. The Tollgate Inn, Holt and Pickwick Lodge Farm bed and breakfast, Corsham, won gold in the Taste of the West Awards 2004. The panel of judges, which included

  • Two weeks of fun and games organised for youngsters

    28551/1 Special needs youngsters from around west Wiltshire enjoyed the fun and entertainment on offer at a two-week activity scheme in Trowbridge. The West Wiltshire Special Needs Activity Scheme took place at Walwayne Court Primary School from August

  • All change at the station

    POLICE in Trowbridge moved into their new station in Polebarn Road on Wednesday. The two-storey building features open-plan office space, a major incident facility, a gym and a rest room. Computers replace whiteboards, to prevent people seeing secret

  • Boy racers bring night time misery

    BOY racers are making life a nightmare for people living near a Trowbridge retail estate and the police have launched a crack-down to solve the problem. Residents living next to the Spitfire Retail Park in Bradley Road, home of outlets including McDonald's

  • Parents-to-be fight to move from mouldy flat

    28570/2A PREGNANT Trowbridge woman fears her unborn baby's health could be damaged if she cannot move out of a flat her midwife has said is unsuitable for a newborn baby. Karen Smith, 20, and her partner, John Bourne, 22, are expecting their first child

  • Norah's still looking rosy at 105

    28569/2A CEREMONY performed by an Indian holy man could be the reason for a Trowbridge woman living to the grand old age of 105. Norah Hassell, who celebrated her birthday with family, friends and local dignitaries on Monday, was born in India in 1899

  • Collection in aid of Boscastle

    THE plight of villagers and holidaymakers caught up in one of the worst floods of recent times has inspired a Trowbridge shopkeeper to start an aid collection. Ann Mason, manager of HB Pitt at Silver Street, went on holiday to the stricken village of

  • Security guard is tagged

    A DRUNK security guard who left a £24,000 trail of destruction in a Trowbridge shopping mall escaped a prison term. Matthew Holly was being paid to protect The Shires shopping centre when he kicked in the windows of Ottakar's bookstore and the Holland

  • Peaceful ending to two-hour siege

    A MAN police feared was armed barricaded himself in a Trowbridge house for two hours before being successfully coaxed out by officers. Twelve police officers, fire crews, three ambulances, armed response teams, police dogs and negotiators rushed to Manor

  • Lock my husband up for longer

    THE sentencing of a Trowbridge child abuser has been labelled "completely inadequate" by his wife. Caroline Keith said ram raiders, thieves and burglars were handed longer sentences than her husband Ronald, whose five-year jail term for sexually abusing

  • Death crash a mystery

    THE cause of a crash that claimed the lives of devoted couple Graham and Nicola Smith and John Selway will remain a mystery, coroner Richard van Oppen said at the inquest into their deaths. Families of both Mr and Mrs Smith, who lived in Blackberry Lane

  • New boys look to build on Stratton success

    NEW College are hoping to continue their promising start in the Premier Division when they take on Corsham Town this weekend, writes RAY BURROUGHS. Despite losing their first game at Warminster after being two goals to the good, College bounced back in

  • White 'not getting carried away' after flying start

    STEVE WHITE is making no excuses for trotting out the usual cliches following Chippenham's fine start to the season. The Bluebirds are perched at the top of the Premier Division after the 6-0 mauling of Dunstable and a 2-1 win over Solihull which was

  • Bush targets more derby delight against defensive Devizes

    CORSHAM manager Nobby Bush is eyeing a derby double when Devizes visit Southbank tomorrow. Bush led his side to their first ever Screwfix Premier Division win on Tuesday night, with a 2-1 win over neighbours Melksham. And Corsham can help themselves to

  • WELCOME BACK!

    THE Hellenic League season doesn't start until tomorrow but John Fisher is already in a bad mood. The league's officials are the target of the Highworth manager's rage following the decision to kick off a week later than everyone else. As is the tradition

  • Dance display changes views

    SARSEN Housing Association isn't all about renting out houses to local people as visitors to a special dance performance in St Peter's Primary School hall in Devizes discovered last week. Sarsen had joined forces with the Participatory Arts Workshop Scheme

  • Armed police in hunt for patient

    ARMED police raided the quiet hamlet of Seend Cleeve to arrest an escaped mental patient with a history of violence who was hiding in a house in the High Street. Officers equipped with baton guns surrounded the house on Thursday afternoon and the police

  • Warm-hearted readers change little boy's life

    MUM Amanda Taylor has spoken of her gratitude after Gazette readers donated money to help her two-year-old son Sam, who was diagnosed with autism last year. Sam, of Century Close, Devizes, has made remarkable progress since the money raised by the Give

  • School will not change its plan

    PLANS for the new St John's School in Marlborough will remain unchanged despite an 11th hour bid to get buildings moved further away from homes. Head teacher Patrick Hazlewood and the team of consultants behind the development were grim faced after town

  • All-roach catch wins Gumm top honours

    The Trowbridge match fished on the Bristol Avon at Staverton on Wednesday produced some fine nets of roach. Trowbridge matchman Cliff Gumm gained a fine win with an all-roach catch weighing 15lb 4oz taken on pole-fished hemp and tares. Runner up prize

  • Town has designs on award

    Ref. 26240-8aSWINDON could be in line for major Civic Trust Awards. The search is on for suitable entries to be put forward for the Trust's 2005 architecture and design awards covering the countryside and towns across the United Kingdom. Civic Trust Awards

  • How you can help the environment

    A NEW leaflet produced by Wiltshire Wildlife Trust shows how energy wasted at home affects the climate. The leaflet, called Save Energy, Save Wildlife, highlights 12 actions which should be taken to save energy and cut fuel bills, and make Wiltshire a

  • Young get in step with fun

    Ref. 71818-31A VARIETY of dance styles taught by Swindon's own home-grown talents have proved extremely popular with 11 to 16-year-old dancers throughout Swindon. Dance Fusion has been taking place at Swindon's Town Hall every day this week. Top industry

  • It's the big bubble test

    ASPIRING bubble blowers are being urged to come forward and put their talents to the test in Britain's first bubble blowing contest. More than 200 heats are being held throughout the country so that the nation's best bubble blowers can be found. Heats

  • Flashing signs to slow down cars

    COVINGHAM residents will soon see new traffic calming measures on their roads after campaigning for more than 18 months. Two interactive signs, which flash to warn drivers they are speeding, will be installed in Covingham Drive next week. Two pedestrian

  • THE MISSION: To get mercy crews on target

    A SPECIAL task group has been set up to improve ambulance response times. Bosses at Wiltshire Ambulance Trust are desperate to turn things around following its zero-star rating by the Healthcare Commission in July. Currently, around one in three crews

  • 100 per cent success for St Joseph's

    Ref. 71832-84 Karl Reynolds jumps for joyA-LEVEL RESULTS: ST JOSEPH'S School had a 100 per cent A level pass rate this year. Not one of the 55 students failed an exam, with 62 per cent of passes being grades A to C. Louise Bucknell, 18, of Grange Park

  • Students prepare for an exodus to Cardiff

    A-LEVEL RESULTS: A GROUP of three close friends at the Ridgeway School in Wroughton have all gained places on the same course after gaining top grades. The three 18-year-olds all gained three A's in their A levels and are going to study medicine in Cardiff

  • Tears and joy for students

    Ref. 71826-26 lucy BrettA-LEVEL RESULTS: LUCY Brett cried tears of joy when she realised she could fulfil her childhood dream of becoming a vet. She was one of the first students in the town to receive her A level results at Swindon College which opened

  • Stop whingeing

    I AGREE with Kevin Lagg regarding the development of Swindon. I don't understand why people keep moaning about something which has to be built, be it the stadium or anything else. Every other person has had something built near them and they don't start

  • Is bug new one?

    MRSA infection in hospitals has been big news for the last few years. Where was it hiding previously? Or is it a recent discovery? It has been suggested that patients should ask doctors if they have washed their hands. I would have thought the "class

  • A waste of time

    I RECENTLY made my first visit to the new council waste disposal site in Cheney Manor. On the many frustrating times I spent queuing at the old site, I consoled myself with the fact that the new site would be designed with best practice in mind, much

  • We should call for clean-up of TV morality

    WE need a real clean-up campaign, starting with the BBC. Surely there must be people who can write interesting plays about decent people with no foul language and immorality. I would not give TV house room but this evil is being fed to children every

  • My son would be in care without school

    I WOULD like to thank Elspeth Woollen for her comments regarding the on-going fight to save the Chalet School. I shudder to think of a life without the support that the Chalet School has offered myself and my autistic son Allen. I am sure that without

  • Bath set to face the Sharks

    Bath head coach John Connolly has named his side for tomorrow's pre-season match with the Natal Sharks at the ABSA Stadium (kick off noon local time). It is a strong starting 15 for the game, which will be a curtain raiser for the crunch Tri-Nations game

  • Shoppers get first impressions

    GAZETTE & HERALD: HUNDREDS of supermarket shoppers flocked to the opening of Morrisons in Chippenham last Thursday to see the new-look store. The public watched as staff from all departments counted down from five and cheered as cashier Margaret Diment

  • Children are welcome to join the club

    GAZETTE & HERALD: YOUNGSTERS will have a rare chance to study small creatures at close quarters at a new Wiltshire Wildlife club in Chippenham. Children aged eight to 11 with an interest in wildlife and nature are invited to join the new Watch club

  • Lydia fund is blossoming

    GAZETTE & HERALD: GARDENERS Doreen and Terry Soule invited plucky toddler Lydia Cross to their wonderful garden this week, to present her with the proceeds of their annual open garden weekend. Mr and Mrs Soule, of Ingram Street, Malmesbury, are renowned

  • Group will help restore order on estate

    CHIPPENHAM NEWS: A COMMUNITY is joining ranks in a bid to tackle the rising tide of crime and harassment on their streets. Households and residents in Redland, Chippenham, have been plagued by youth crime, vandalism and disorder for more than a year.

  • Trespass a problem at railway

    CHIPPENHAM NEWS: CHILDREN are risking their lives playing on railway lines in Chippenham despite warnings, a report has revealed. The railway station, currently under refurbishment, has seen a rise in the number of trespassers on the track in the past

  • Troupe not backward in wedding surprise

    GAZETTE & HERALD: ZENA Castell had a guard of honour with a difference at her wedding on Saturday a troupe of her very own dancers. Ms Castell, 31, who is owner of the Chippenham Dance and Drama Academy, married her sweetheart Scott Lines, 33, at

  • A-level exam delight

    15707/2CHIPPENHAM NEWS: FOR one talented Chippenham A level student the taste of success was tinged with a degree of sadness. Sheldon Secondary School student Jonathan Piper, 18, was delighted to be named one of the country's top performers, achieving

  • Wheel women

    RACHEL WILLIAMS joined 160 women eager to get behind the wheel of some of the biggest vehicles on the road, and raise thousands of pounds for charity HUNDREDS of women were encouraged to put their foot down at the weekend, and not because the dreaded

  • Businesses snap up units at Leigh Park

    OVER half the new shops on a Westbury housing estate are already under offer four months before building work on them is due to finish. The largest unit at the Leigh Park Local Centre has been earmarked for Tesco Express since the plans were approved

  • Appeal for more helpers

    A WESTBURY good neighbour scheme hopes to recruit more volunteer drivers to help provide vital transport for pensioners. Westbury and District Link, which covers the town and surrounding villages, is often a lifeline for senior citizens needing to get

  • Men cycle 1,500 miles for charity

    CYCLING from John O'Groats to Land's End didn't seem enough of a test for James Brabner and Richard Perkins. The pair set off from mainland UK's most northerly point on Wednesday, but will cycle back to west Wiltshire once they hit the Cornish landmark

  • Mum's ambition comes to fruition

    A MOTHER-OF-TWO is about to complete her project to bring a new arts venue to Bradford on Avon. When Fiona Haser's gallery Ale and Porter Arts opens in Silver Street on September 25, there will be film showings, a children's club, life drawing classes

  • Parking issue for scheme

    A SHELTERED housing scheme for more than 100 pensioners in Westbury hit a setback this week amid concerns it did not include enough car parking. Developer McCarthy and Stone Ltd hopes to convert Frogmore House into 50 apartments and build a further eight

  • Couple have vintage reason to celebrate

    PIESPORTER, Sauternes, Frascati and Littleton Panell? A new vintage, which has been grown, pressed and bottled in a village near Devizes has just been launched on the wine market. The launch of the new wine is a landmark for Paul and Lynn Langham, who

  • Young rider follows in mum's footsteps

    FOUR-YEAR-OLD Jessica Merritt is already following in her mum's footsteps by winning her first horse riding competition. Jessica, who lives in Orchard Way, Westbury, rode her pony Minky to victory at the Bromham Horse Show on Sunday. But her success is

  • Councillors cringe over email slurs

    TORY district councillors have been left with egg on their faces this week after accidentally sending emails branding fellow councillors buffoons and deserving of contempt to the people they were attacking. The comments, published on the Conservative

  • Designs are fit for stars

    WORKING for fashion gurus like Vivienne Westwood, Corsley designer Freddie Zerafa has made clothes for celebrities ranging from Jonathan Ross to Cherie Blair. But now the father-of-three is putting this expertise to good use by dressing people with his

  • Patrols catch out 93 drivers

    A TWO-DAY police clampdown on west Wiltshire's most dangerous roads saw 93 drivers clock up criminal offences. Patrols on the A36, A350 and A303 on Tuesday and Wednes-day found 40 drivers not wearing seatbelts and saw 14 served with prosecutions. The

  • Lydia fund is blossoming

    GARDENERS Doreen and Terry Soule invited plucky toddler Lydia Cross to their wonderful garden this week, to present her with the proceeds of their annual open garden weekend. Mr and Mrs Soule, of Ingram Street, Malmesbury, are renowned for their beautiful

  • Corsham cricket

    CORSHAM captain Neil Shardlow insists his side have enjoyed a successful season after Saturday's 77 run victory over Taunton moved them up to fifth place in the Premier Division. After losing five key players during the winter, Shardlow admits survival

  • Chippenham Cricket

    A HALF-century by Richard Bates helped Chippenham to their fifth consecutive victory as they secured a four-run win at home to newly crowned champions Glastonbury on Saturday. Bates was also the pick of Chippenham bowlers, taking three wickets for 49

  • WARMINSTER CRICKET

    WARMINSTER moved a step nearer promotion on Saturday with an 83-run win over close rivals Redmarley. With two matches remaining, the Wiltshire side now have a cushion at the top of the Gloucester and Wilts division one and one more win could be enough

  • WESTBURY CRICKET

    JOE Breet hit his first league century for Westbury on Saturday as they breezed to an eight-wicket win at home to Timsbury. The Westbury captain ended a catalogue of near misses by scoring 109 and helping his side to a comfortable victory. He said: "I

  • BIDDESTONE CRICKET

    BIDDESTONE captain Dwaine Perry has challenged his players to show their mental strength ahead of tomorrow's crunch match at home to promotion rivals Hatherley and Reddings. The Wiltshire side slipped to third place in the Gloucester and Wilts division

  • Prayer for Lord's goes unheard

    WILTSHIRE'S dream turned into a nightmare on Sunday as hopes of reaching their first Lord's final for 10 years were crushed with an eight-wicket defeat to Northumberland. Perhaps the Wiltshire players' thoughts were already on a potential appearance at

  • Man injures police officer

    SOUTHWICK: A woman police officer had to be taken to hospital in the early hours of yesterday morning after being assaulted by a man she was trying to arrest. The incident happened after officers were called to an address in Fleur de Lys Drive at 12.30am

  • Free spoil to benefit farmers

    A GAS pipeline company is to team up with farmers and landowners in the Melksham area to recycle and reuse spoil produced by its work on the highways. Transco is offering free uncontaminated spoil suitable for making up farm tracks. Each load of around

  • Pensioners reach for the skies

    28575/1THE trip of a lifetime is waiting for five Melksham pensioners next week. Kate Naismith, Pat Britton, Jean Clark, Don Taylor and Ruth Halliberton, who are all residents at Wharf Court and range in age from 70 to 77, are taking to the skies in a

  • Film contract for memory loss mum

    15686/4 A WOMAN who lost her memory after a devastating car crash has been invited to star in a documentary film. Just four days after Sue Baker's story appeared in the Wiltshire Times, on July 23, she was approached by the BBC and October Films, to make

  • Village shocked as police hunt suspect

    ARMED police descended on a normally sleepy village near Melksham on Thursday on the tail of an escaped mental patient thought to be armed with a bayonet. About a dozen police officers, including a firearms response team, swooped on Seend Cleeve, staking

  • Record crowds flock to village show

    A WILD west show, dog teams and magic wowed the crowds at Seend's annual village fete on Saturday. In a record year up to 2,000 people enjoyed the fun, raising over £5,000 for the upkeep of the Lye recreation field and the village pavilion. The Westerners

  • Record crowd attends show

    Handler Trevor Yate with Les Walbrin's Holmsley Amerella, which won the heavy horse mare or gelding class at the Ellingham and Ringwood Agricultural Society's 56th annual show held at Somerley Park. DA6173P10A RECORD number of country-loving folk attended

  • Tall challenge for teen

    A BURGATE teenager has returned buoyant from a trip of a lifetime, having won the Tall Ships Challenge. Bradley Thompson (17) set sail with the Jubilee Sailing Trust's ship, Tenacious, last month, on the final leg of the race, from Boston to Nova Scotia

  • 10,000pc price hike mooted for parking

    A CHARGE hike of 10,000 per cent is one option being considered by New Forest district council in a bid to solve Ringwood's long-stay parking crisis. A proposed priority system for local traders could mean their paying up to £500 a year for the better

  • Trotter trains will offer cheaper fares

    Commuter Rory Webster has set up his own train service to take passengers between Westbury and London Paddington. Mr Webster's Trotter Trains service is scheduled to begin on January 1 2005 and will rival operator First Great Western. The 56-year-old

  • No place for my mum

    Ref. 71837-19A 93-YEAR-OLD great-grandmother has been waiting for six months to move from a hospital ward into a nursing home. But overstretched care bosses say there is a chronic lack of places and are unable to help even though it's costing £100 a day

  • Chef at launch of florist chain

    TV chef Ross Burden will be talking flowers, champagne and food at the launch of a chain of florists in Wiltshire. Mr Burden, a client of Fleurtation, will be visiting Westbury, Warminster and Bradford on Avon for the launch of the firm's newest outlets

  • Designs are fit for stars

    WORKING for fashion gurus like Vivienne Westwood, Corsley designer Freddie Zerafa has made clothes for celebrities ranging from Jonathan Ross to Cherie Blair. But now the father-of-three is putting this expertise to good use by dressing people with his

  • Councillor is going back to the Stone Age

    Concerning Terry Chivers' letter (July 30) about the use of email, my comments were directed at him not residents. He is asking council members to return to the Stone Age by not receiving emails at his council address. At rate payers' expense, Cllr Chivers

  • No parking trend

    WE are always being exhorted to use public transport and from time to time I use the excellent train from Trowbridge to Waterloo. Rural transport being what it is this does involve getting a car from home to the station. It is easy enough to drop someone

  • Terminated by red tape

    SWINDON businesses are losing 10 working weeks a year to red tape. The problem is such that many business owners are actively recommending to friends and contacts that they do not start up their own company because of the demands of bureaucracy and form-filling

  • Teens relish army camp tasks

    MORE than 300 Wiltshire Army cadets spent an action-packed fortnight honing their skills in the heart of a Sussex forest. Youngsters from the Wiltshire Army Cadet Force (ACF) took part in activities ranging from night exercises to quad biking at their

  • Calls with bite

    BABIES getting their teeth into mobile phones are causing havoc for police. Steve Coxhead, west Wiltshire police spokesman, said it is very common for silent calls to ring through on the emergency 999 number, and often the sound of a young child or baby

  • Have say on 999 services

    A TASK group set up to monitor improvements to Wiltshire's ambulance service has appealed for members of the public to come forward with their views. Concerns about ambulance response times, the service's capacity to reach rural areas and performance

  • Bells ring out in Imber

    VISITORS have been flocking to hear church bells ring in the ghost village of Imber for the first time in 60 years. The bells at St Giles' Church were taken away when the village on Salisbury Plain, was evacuated for Army training in 1943. But thanks

  • Chef at launch of florist chain

    TV chef Ross Burden will be talking flowers, champagne and food at the launch of a chain of florists in Wiltshire. Mr Burden, a client of Fleurtation, will be visiting Westbury, Warminster and Bradford on Avon for the launch of the firm's newest outlets

  • Councillors cringe over email slurs

    TORY district councillors have been left with egg on their faces this week after accidentally sending emails branding fellow councillors buffoons and deserving of contempt to the people they were attacking. The comments, published on the Conservative

  • Death crash car on wrong side of road

    A DRIVER from Steeple Ashton who died in a triple death road crash in March was on the wrong side of the road, an inquest has heard. John Selway, 33, died in the Royal United Hospital, Bath after the accident, which happened on the A361 between Caen Hill

  • Charity auction with a difference

    THE Wiltshire Times is appealing for businesses to come forward with out of the ordinary prizes for a charity auction to be held in aid of the 150 Fund. The event will be an auction of unusual items that let people experience something different or special

  • A-level exam delight

    THE sound of champagne corks popping could be heard across west Wiltshire as A- level students celebrated a bumper set of results. Stonar School, Atworth, boasted the district's star performer with Heidi Wan securing five A grade passes. St Augustine's

  • Football League in jeopardy

    The Wiltshire Times can today reveal how one of the oldest and most popular football leagues in Wiltshire is under threat over a major row with the county FA. Bombshells were dropped by the resignation of a long serving top official and the withdrawal

  • Taking steps to keep footpaths clear

    28572AWARD-WINNING ramblers have been keeping footpaths clear for walkers in west Wiltshire. Together with Wiltshire County Council they have worked hard to repair and replace broken stiles, blocked footpaths and missing bridges. The group of volunteers

  • Westbury United 3 Ilfracombe Town 3

    DEFENDER Lee Burns fired home a late equaliser on Saturday and then admitted lessons would have to be learnt after a six-minute defensive horror show cost them victory. A Toby Colbourne brace saw the hosts cruising at 2-0 with just over half an hour remaining

  • Boss with high hopes

    STEVE White is greedy for more success after his Chippenham Town side enjoyed a winning start to the season. Wins at Dunstable and at home to Solihull have left the Bluebirds at the top of the Southern League and the Town boss is calling for more of the

  • Who knows what the future holds?

    MARTIN Paul admits every game Chippenham Town play at the moment is like taking another step into the unknown. The Bluebird striker has played a key role in his side's winning start to the season but he believes it is hard to know the strength of their

  • Hodkinson hungers for Pang

    MARK Hodkinson is searching for a goal scorer after his Bradford Town side continued their disappointing start to the season with a 0-0 draw at home to Warminster. The draw follows a 2-1 defeat at AFC Stratton and the Bradford boss believes his side,

  • Town ready for action

    JOHN Fitchen will be a proud man when Trowbridge Town take to the pitch in Saturday's Hellenic League first division opener against Hook Norton. The Trowbridge chairman has spent the last few years trying to restore the club to its former glories and

  • PCSO introduced to tackle town's anti-social behaviour

    28540/3A NEW community officer has joined the ranks at Warminster Police Station to support the fight against anti-social behaviour. Police Community Support Officer Caroline Wright will assist regular officers by getting to know people in the town and

  • Thousands flock to fete

    THOUSANDS of visitors enjoyed Seend Fete and the money raised seems set to beat last year's total. The village fete and flower show was held on Saturday; the fete on the Lye Recreation Field and the flower show in the Social Club next to the field. Last

  • Spooky goings-on at summer workshop

    READING took on a spooky theme at Warminster Library on Wednesday when 13 youngsters got their creative juices flowing. The group of six to nine-year-olds managed to pack stories, craft and poems into the hour-long session. Library supervisor Nicola Harris

  • Anger as club is broken into again

    CHAIRMAN Marion Barrie has spoken of her frustration after Warminster's Combined Services Club was broken into for the fifth time this year. Burglars got into the Imber Road venue through a roof light in the early hours of Monday morning and escaped with

  • History's top 12 greats

    WILTSHIRE County Council is considering putting up a trophy for the winner of a poll to find the county's favourite heritage site after a suggestion by the Gazette. The Window on Wiltshire website heritage project has narrowed down to a short list of

  • Treats up for grabs at classic night out

    THE biggest classical music concert in Wiltshire takes place this August Bank Holiday Weekend at Lydiard Park, Swindon and the Gazette and Herald promotional team will be there giving away family-sized treats. The evening starts at 7pm but you can come

  • Girl's letter gets results

    A bright youngster has written to a town council asking for a statue to be lit up at night. Rebecca Cross, of Fitzmaurice Close, Bradford on Avon, eight, decided to write to Bradford Town Council to make her request. She wrote: "I would like to ask you

  • Smokers inflict their addiction on all

    SMOKING is not "a drug just like alcohol" (Phil Reynolds' letter of August 13). Nicotine is a drug like alcohol, but smoking is a habit that smokers impose on everyone around them. Pub-goers can choose between beer and lemonade, but when people are smoking

  • County town loses out again in new brochure

    Responding to AS Mason's complaint that Wiltshire Tourism has only included one sentence about Trowbridge in its 2004 tourist brochure, and did not include the town at all in 2003, is a symptom. The attempted relocation of the record office to Chippenham

  • Perhaps Tesco is not the 'bad boy'

    I refer to the letter by Diana Griggs last week asking for a boycott of Tesco because of its intention to turn the Brook Road shop into a Tesco Express. I have lived on this estate for 18 years and it is only in recent years we have had a post office.

  • Vital information missing

    THE Government has spent vast sums of money on a Preparing For Emergencies handbook and has assured us this is not just a reaction to terrorism. The specific emergencies mentioned are fire prevention and safety, bombs, and chemical, biological or radiological

  • Prime target for pushers

    THE council is proposing to install nine skateboard ramps to be situated at Linden Place, Trowbridge, which is at the bottom end of the original Stallard Street flower show field. The residents of Bradford Road have already had to accept a drug rehabilitation

  • Pay what you can at Ustinov Studio

    SEPTEMBER 17 2004, BATH: For the forthcoming autumn and winter season, the Ustinov Studio is pleased to announce the launch of Pay What You Can Fridays. Each Friday night in the new season, the Ustinov is allowing the audience to Pay What You Can. At

  • All that hard work pays off

    Ref. 71831-7A-LEVEL RESULTS: ALMOST 400 students from the Swindon area go to Cirencester College, and about 200 of them were opening their results yesterday. Stephanie Mears, 18, of Stratton, used to go to Kingsdown School. Yesterday she gained four A

  • Celebrating A-level successes

    Ref. 71827-02 Sam Alrey and Jenny BoydA-LEVEL RESULTS: Students at Wootton Bassett School were preparing for an evening out in Swindon last night to celebrate their impressive A level results. Of the 92 candidates sitting exams, more than 99 per cent

  • Actor's life is praised

    Ref. 71811-20A LIFELONG Richard Burton fan will today pay her own tribute to the legendary actor when she presents a poem to a commemorative exhibition. Mary Ratcliffe, 80, is set to give the poem, entitled Richard, son of Pontrhydyfen, to the curator

  • John Prescott will decide on gipsy site

    THE fate of a controversial Wiltshire gipsy site now lies with Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott. Travellers moved into the site in Sambourne Road, Minety, about 18 months ago. The gipsies submitted two planning applications, both of which have been

  • Publican pleads guilty to assaulting his wife

    Ref. 6542-11The landlord of the Red Lion, Cricklade, Mark Whittam, pleaded guilty to two charges of beating his wife, Chippenham Magistrates court heard. Rhys Davies, prosecuting, told the court how Whittam, punched his wife, Tracy Whittam, 37, in the

  • Warning to go-ped riders

    POLICE are warning go-ped riders not to fall foul of the law after a Trowbridge man received a 12-month driving ban for drinking and riding. Despite their size, the petrol-powered scooters are legally classified as motor vehicles requiring a driving licence

  • Allotments open day

    AN allotment association is holding an open day in Trowbridge to show friends, family and the public what goes on there. The Gloucester Road Allotment Association will welcome visitors from 1.30pm on September 4. There will be a show for plot holders

  • Sentencing adjourned

    BOWYER'S night shift worker David Francis had his sentencing for affray postponed after he slept through an appointment with the probation service. Francis, 25, of Charles Street, Trowbridge, works at the factory between 10pm and 6am. On Tuesday his defence

  • Supermarket helps hospital appeal

    15677A CHEQUE for more than £400 was handed over to the Royal United Hospital's Forever Friends Appeal this week by staff at Asda. The Trowbridge store came third in a national competition held by Muller to find the Asda store that best promoted their

  • Rogue Felix is real Garfield

    GARFIELD may be making his big screen debut this month, but a cat answering to his description has been entertaining his neighbours in Trowbridge for years. Nine-year-old Felix has become a celebrity in the area surrounding his Halfway Close home and

  • Dad spat at police officer

    FATHER-OF-FOUR Brian Reilly was given 60 hours community service after spitting twice at police and threatening two youths outside a Trowbridge pub. The 35-year-old was arrested outside the John Bull pub, Studley Green, at 10.55pm on June 18. Reilly,

  • Council rejects Tesco's money for party

    AN offer by Tesco to put what could be thousands of pounds into a street party in Trowbridge has been branded hypocritical and rejected by town councillors. Trowbridge Town Council says the firm should instead put the money towards saving the threatened

  • CONSISTENCY IS KEY

    MARK COLLIER says his Swindon Supermarine side are already showing signs of inconsistency just two games into the new season. Marine opened with a fine 3-2 win at Bedworth before losing 2-0 at home to Evesham on Tuesday. Phases in both performances ranged

  • Strugglers Hemel are next up for Cirencester

    CIRENCESTER'S dream start in the Southern Premier Division has every chance of continuing tomorrow when the Centurions visit the league's early whipping boys Hemel Hempstead. The former Ryman League club lost their opening fixture 5-0 at Solihull and

  • Fixtures

    Southern League Premier Division: Aylesbury v Solihull Boro; Banbury v Team Bath; Chippenham v Rugby Utd; Gloucester C v Dunstable; Grantham v Bath City; Hednesford v Bedford; Hemel Hempstead v Cirencester; Histon v Halesowen; Kings Lynn v Hitchin; Merthyr

  • Players will make a racket over closure

    SQUASH players who use the facilities at Devizes Leisure Centre say it will be the end for their competitive league if one of the courts closes as part of the proposed refurbishment of the building. Up to 70 players take part in the league and they say

  • Friday 13th is lucky for Les

    IF Les Halsey woke up feeling apprehensive about Friday 13th, by the end of the day he was convinced it does not necessarily herald disaster. For not only did he learn that his daughter Karen had passed her nursing exams, he also marked 40 years' service

  • Soldiers visit Amber group

    ONE of the country's top soldiers Lieutenant General Anthony Palmer visited the Amber Foundation in Savernake Forest this week and praised the work it does. Amber has two Wiltshire centres, one at Tottenham House in Savernake and one in Trowbridge, where

  • Councillors join post office fight

    SAVE OUR POST OFFICES: BATTLE plans to force the Post Office to re-think proposals to shut three Swindon branches are hotting up. Last week the Advertiser launched a campaign to save branches in Oxford Road, Ferndale Road and Clifton Street. Posters,

  • Reports on Mars mission failure out on Monday

    TWO reports into the failure of a Mars probe partially funded from Swindon are scheduled to out on Monday. All went well for Beagle 2 until last Christmas when the probe entered the Martian atmosphere and touched down. No communication from the machine

  • Plans to carry on karting!

    A KARTING centre has applied for permission to operate permanently in a hangar at Wroughton airfield. Steve Coen, racing driver and managing director of Winners, had temporary permission for indoor leisure karting, but this ran out last year. Last year

  • Plight of the hidden poor gets worse

    THE plight of Britain's growing hidden poor, including people from North Wiltshire and Swindon, who end up below the poverty line, is highlighted in a new report. A staggering 3.8m Britons from solid career backgrounds people such as teachers, nurses

  • 6ft 1in Derry grabs a pizza the action

    Ref. 71822-89OUT of 220 entrants for an Adver competition, Derry Craven was the lucky winner of a stack of pizzas to equal his height of 6ft 1in a massive grand total of 42 pizzas. Derry said: "It's like an account that's been set up and I can order free

  • Row leads to assault on officers

    A DRUNKEN man assaulted two special constables when they intervened in a row in the town centre, Swindon magistrates heard. Paul Burry was seen shouting into a woman's face when the specials, who were on patrol in the early hours, decided to calm the

  • Gran looks for old pals

    Ref. 71828-02A GRANDMOTHER whose girlhood emigration to Australia stalled in Swindon is trying to track down her old friends. Pat Lewis was nearly 14 when her parents, Harry and Joan Sharpe, said they were planning a new life in Australia. They planned

  • Angela's pizza grin not quite enough

    BEAMING Angela Rew almost grinned her way to becoming the new face of a pizza company. The mother-of-two was hoping her smirking face would win the regional heats of a competition for a model for Goodfella's new advertising campaign. If successful, her

  • Paving the way

    Swindon Council is starting a programme of pavements repairs next week. Work will be carried out at Beech Avenue, Bowood Road Devon Road, Westmorland Road, Burford Avenue, Milton Road and Wheeler Avenue. Swindon Services says each site will take between

  • Join the Lions with pride

    SWINDON Lions Club is looking for more members as the group has found a new home at the De Vere Hotel. During the last year, club members have raised £10,000 through collections for Marie Curie, Children in Need, quiz or race nights, a stall at the Old

  • Now we are in a financial hole

    HIGHWORTH Junior Football Club is struggling to meet costs of nearly £35,000 for last year's archaeological dig. Archaeologists were called in when Roman relics were found during the construction of the club's new pavilion. Excavations in June last year

  • Making the grade

    Ref. 71829-10 Rajinder Singh SangharaA-LEVEL RESULTS: EXCITED chatter filled the dining hall of New College as students queued up to find out whether they had made the grade or not. And many of them were overjoyed to be heading to some of the country's

  • Review did not do wonderful restaurant justice

    I felt I had to write after reading that appalling article written by Gareth Bethell about my favourite restaurant, Inglesham Forge. It was clear Mr Bethell did not sample the full menu or the excellent stock of wines and to describe the warm and welcoming

  • Recycling efforts are best in the county

    GAZETTE & HERALD: COUNCILLOR Sylvia Doubell wants to congratulate the district on its recycling efforts and say 'keep up the good work.' Pewsham residents get an extra pat on the back because they have the highest level of recycling in Wiltshire.

  • Classic night at the Proms

    GAZETTE & HERALD: CLASSICAL music fans packed their picnic baskets and rolled out their rugs on Sunday for the annual Bowood Proms. Flags waved and the rain held as thousands of people enjoyed the concert and fireworks in front of the lake and grandeur

  • Exhaust used for tool theft

    GAZETTE & HERALD: THIEF Michael Hayward used an old exhaust pipe to smash his way into Kwik Fit and steal tools worth £600, a court heard. Hayward, 34, of Greenway Lane, Chippenham, admitted the theft when he appeared before North Wiltshire magistrates

  • Boy stole wine

    GAZETTE & HERALD: A CHIPPENHAM youth pleaded guilty at the town's magistrates court on Thursday to stealing a bottle of wine worth £3.99 from Threshers on July 19. Michelle Hewitt, prosecuting, told how the youth, 17, and a friend ran into the shop

  • Centre fights to save racehorse

    GAZETTE & HERALD: STAFF at the Greatwood racehorse rehabilitation centre at Clench Common are fighting for the life of badly neglected steeple chaser Driven by Desire. Helen Yeadon who runs the rescue and rehabilitation centre with her husband, Michael

  • Surprise win for well-kept village

    GAZETTE & HERALD: CASTLE Combe villagers have got something to celebrate after being declared the winners of the Laurence Kitching Best Kept Village winner of winners award. Castle Combe went head to head with previous winners from the past four years

  • Mum-of-three off scot-free

    GAZETTE & HERALD: A 29-year-old Chippenham woman who pushed over her elderly landlord during a row has walked free from court without punishment. Mum-of-three Lorraine Mitchell admitted assaulting David Buckeridge causing actual bodily harm. The attack