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BOX BC’s Jean Collier claimed a title double at Chippenham Town’s second Open Tournament. Wiltshire county player and 2009 county president Collier teamed up with Box clubmate Alex Jacobs to win the ladies pairs event at the Hardenhuish Park club. The

WILTSHIRE men failed in their bid to reach Worthing in the last four of the Middleton Cup for the first time in eight years. They were beaten 117-104 by Berkshire in the quarter-finals of the inter-county championship on the neutral green at Oxford City

The Pear Tree Inn, Top Lane, Whitley, Melksham. (01225) 709131 The Pear Tree in Whitley was bought by celebrity chef and restaurater Marco Pierre White earlier this year. The renowned chef, who was the youngest person to be awarded three

While everyone in Devizes is hoping for a decent new hospital, I was surprised to read in the Gazette (July 21) that a man from Swindon was singing the praises of the NHS treatment centre at Green Lane, where he had a knee operation. What is wrong with

So once again we were trapped in Monkton Park on Friday due to a ‘police incident’. Luckily it was over fairly quickly. Again this brings into question what would happen if a major incident happens? Traffic was sent one way up and down Monkton Hill

I must personally thank Mr James Gray, Eddy Shah and their ‘Save Lyneham’ teams, for all the time, money and effort they have put into spearheading the survival and future for our local community. Sadly, we lose the Hercules fleet after the

In his letter last week Bill Douglas stated that there is talk of charging for car parking on Sundays in Chippenham. I can assure your readers that there is no plan to introduce Sunday charges and never has been. Bill also comments on

A gentle stroll through any English town provides evidence of widespread obesity and it is clear that action is needed to reverse this trend which, we are told, if left unchecked will lead to substantial health problems for many. However, mindless actions

PAULINE Burfitt admits she never expected to have the chance to represent England after earning her first international call-up. The 58-year-old, of Monkton Park, Chippenham is celebrating her selection as a reserve for the home nations match at the

I was troubled by the front page headline in last week’s Devizes edition of the Gazette and Herald, ‘Thief walks free’, because it implied that the thief is receiving no punishment at all. That is not true. Towards the end of the article, there is

Mr Lee, who complained last week about the price of a Comedy Show ticket in Devizes, need worry no more. The Devizes Carnival season is coming up soon with a programme of world class events and most of them are entirely free. Picnic in the Park has an

The comments in regard to the level of parking charges in Chippenham, and the rationale that they are the factor that’s driving shop closures and lack of shopping visits to town centre shops, is to miss the point as to why the town centre and high street

On the subject of last week’s letter in the Gazette & Herald from J Condon. If the jazz is too loud, why not go away during the Marlborough jazz weekend? Jenny Pascall, The Green, Marlborough.

Some Wiltshire councillors seem to be forgetting the purpose for which they were elected. Having forced through a hostile takeover of the former district councils against the wishes of the electorate (according to a MORI poll) and all the district councils

Laura Mayes has assured us that she is doing all she can about the air pollution problem in Devizes. That is the trouble, she is very limited in what she can do now because the problem is the result of the excessive housing developments forced on Devizes

The reason there are European Laws relating to pollution is to protect citizens from its harmful effects. There can be no argument that pollution causes ill health and premature death. The extent of this is debatable but according to the House of Commons

I have known the Ivy House Hotel in Marlborough for the past 20 years. In 1990 I was sent down here to do a feasibility study for a hotel by the golf course. At the time the owners of Ivy House, the Scotts, were considering opening a second hotel. I

DEVIZES para-dressage rider Belinda Cullen has the hunger for more international competition after representing Great Britain for the first time at last weekend’s CPEDI2* event at Bishop Burton in Yorkshire. The 45-year-old, of Green Lane, was fifth

THE Marlborough-based Tedworth Hunt Pony Club was the dominant force at the pony club team showjumping staged at Barbury Castle. Their team of Barney Symons, India Ryder, Freya Renwick and Daisy Oliver won the Novice title, with the Berkshire-based Craven

We are residents occupying a property in one of the seven pollution hot spots of the town and are appalled at the cavalier behaviour of ambitious officers who feel free to apply EU legislation that suits them but ignore that which is inconvenient. Failure

Corsham Chamber of Commerce has launched a roaring new spot-the-lion window competition for the town’s children over the summer holidays. It is to celebrate the return of the black lion to the Martingate Centre. The scheme, launched on Saturday, will

Malmesbury's drama group is gearing up to start the town’s carnival season in style with a Showstoppers Carnival Revue Show next week. The Athelstan Players are putting the final touches to their performance, which will include singing, dancing, sketches

Corsham town councillors have thrown their weight behind a campaign to stop parents parking dangerously when dropping their children off at Corsham Primary School. Coun Michael Simpkins is a taxi driver in the town and often sees parents parking

Calne mayor Glenis Ansell was impressed when she spent an evening on patrol with the town’s police team. Councillor Ansell, whose husband Alfie was a police sergeant in Calne for 30 years before retiring, joined PC Emma Reed and PCSO Barry Mussard for

PA Oxley, a clock-maker based in Cherhill, has been given a Twitter endorsement by Dragon’s Den star Theo Paphitis. The 40-year-old company, which is based in the Old Rectory, was retweeted by Mr Paphitis, pictured, as part of his Small Business Sunday

Families in Calne now have more opportunities to access the free services offered by Barnardo’s Sure Start children’s centre. In addition to the Prince Charles Drive centre, it has family support sessions at Bremhill View Social Club. The stay-and-play

Campaigners in Corsham are delighted at the news that plans to build nine flats on the gardens of Corsham Almshouses were dropped last weekend. The proposal caused great upset in the town when it was announced two years ago, culminating with a planning

A police negotiator has told of his disgust after yobs encouraged a suicidal woman to jump from the top of a three-storey building in Chippenham. Sergeant Martin Alvis was called to the derelict Royal Mail sorting offices in Station Hill on

CHIPPENHAM Town boss Adie Mings insists he doesn’t have any concerns over his defence ahead of the new season, despite his two recognised left-backs facing six-week lay-offs with knee injuries. Greg Tindle went in for surgery on Monday while Shaun Lamb

Inspectors have written a damning report on a flagship care home in Marlborough. A team from the Care Quality Commission visited Coombe End House in London Road after families complained about the standard of care their elderly relatives were getting.

With the successes of We Will Rock You and Billy Elliot, director Stuart MacFarlane has well and truly put Devizes School’s annual productions on the musical map. The traditional myth surrounding school musicals is that they have tended to be endured

‘DRINK up thee cider’, will be the order of the evening as Bath racecourse holds its Cider Festival racenight tomorrow. One of the course’s highlights of the season, not only will racegoers be able to enjoy seven races but also sample a host of local

JUDO starlet Jemima Duxberry is celebrating after winning a silver medal at the European Junior Cup event in Cetniewo, Poland last weekend. The 16-year-old, who is in her first season as a junior (U20) and is already second in the British rankings,

LOREN Bleaken leapt to second in the 2011 UK U17 women’s rankings with a stunning performance over 800m on Tuesday, writes Kevin Fahey. The 15-year-old Hardenhuish School student slashed almost five seconds off her personal best with a time of 2mins

The weather influenced attendance at an event to celebrate the long history of All Cannings village hall. Previously a men’s reading room, established more than 40 years ago – it has been used by the village for many different social occasions. Nowadays

Chirton Primary School pupils wound up their busy academic year last Wednesday with a carnival parade around the village. The youngsters made their own costumes and banners for the procession, which drew in the whole community. Headteacher Kate Lloyd

The life and times of the Virgin Mary have been recreated by children at St Mary’s School, Chippenham. As part of an art week, pupils put on performances and made displays to illustrate the life of their school’s namesake. Foundation stage teacher and

The new headteacher of St Mary’s RC School, Chippenham, says she is looking forward to the start of the new term in September. Sarah Wembridge, who commutes from Gloucester-shire each morning, began as headteacher at the school in January. She replaced

HOLLY Rush believes her speed work is paying off after she notched up her third straight personal best at the British Milers Club Grand Prix in Brimingham earlier this month. The 33-year-old, who represented Great Britain at last year’s Commonwealth

A wedding and celebration shop in Devizes has closed due to dwindling customers and rising costs. Your Big Day, run by Jackie McCue and her partner Allan Clark, was based in a half-timbered building in Northgate Street. It had been there

Nearly 1,000 people turned out at The Worthey’s in Malmesbury at the weekend to see the skies filled with kites, marking the second annual Malmesbury Kite Festival. The free event was first held last year to mark 1,000 years since Eilmer the Monk launched

Overall crime in Wiltshire has dropped by three per cent, but so has the detection rate, according to latest figures. Leading the way in the fall in crime has been a 14 per cent reduction in violent offences (6,983 crimes), a 15 per cent drop in criminal

Devizes MP Claire Perry has opened her own office in Devizes where she can meet constituents. She and her team have taken over space at Renelec House in New Park Street and she held a drinks party for invited guests to inaugurate it last Thursday evening

Lacock Primary School unveiled its new £125,000 mezzanine at an assembly held on July 11. The Right Reverend Dr Lee Rayfield, Bishop of Swindon, took the school assembly before officially opening and blessing the new mezzanine. The bright modern teaching

The hottest chefs in Wiltshire competed with each other at the All Cannings chilli cook-off on Saturday. The King’s Arms pub once again hosted the event - the sixth - and contestants cooked up a dozen different chillies while 100 people came

OLYMPIC event rider Lucinda Fredericks made competitive appearances in Germany and Britain over the same weekend, writes KATE HEALEY. The Little Cheverell 43 year old, who with husband Clayton was part of the silver medal winning Australian team at the

Following a three-month refit, The Longs Arms in Upper South Wraxall, near Bradford on Avon, is open again under new management. The new publicans are Rob and Liz Allcock who have brought some fresh ideas to the establishment. The new menu is all

Long distance racing came to Castle Combe at the weekend as the Britcar British Endurance championship provided some thrilling entertainment, writes John Moon. But it was the circuit’s own championships for saloons, Sports & GTs and Formula Ford, enjoying

The 11th Calne Motorcycle Meet was a resounding hit once again – raising £5,000 for charity – but organisers were left facing rumours it could be the last. More than 4,000 people and 2,000 bikes attended Saturday’s rally, which was organised

Battles from ancient times up to modern day were played at Attack!, the annual show of Devizes and District Wargames Group. The show, in its 32nd year, has a good following, and attractis regulars and new visitors. Held at Devizes School over the

WILTSHIRE team boss Neil Shardlow rued the first-innings collapse that condemned his side to another Minor Counties Championship Western Division defeat at Corsham. The home side appeared to have title-chasing Devon under the cosh when a fine

IT’S been a pretty eventful week for me at Hampshire and there’s been a lot going on. Last week we had one of the most entertaining four-day games I’ve ever been involved in (a draw with Nottinghamshire at the Rose Bowl) and we got docked points afterwards

STRUGGLING Corsham suffered their eighth defeat of the season as they lost by five wickets to Bath. Visitors Bath won the toss and put Corsham into bat first, with Tom Bowler top-scoring with an unbeaten 54 late on. Ashur Morrison was

An alternative sports day in Rowde was enjoyed by youngsters and adults and raised money for jubilee celebrations. Youngsters showed off their skills on skateboards, scooters and bikes while people of all ages took part in sack races, wheelbarrow races

BIDDESTONE captain Dwaine Perry wants to see his side challenge for the Glos/Wilts Division title by going unbeaten in their final six games of the season. Second-placed Biddestone claimed a narrow victory over league leaders Goatacre last weekend and

Devizes Area Board is to concentrate its efforts to fight for health services in the town following an electronic poll at a public meeting. Each of the 51 people who turned up to Lavington School’s main hall last Monday were given a small voting computer

CHIPPENHAM had no answer to the all-round play of Ilminster’s Louis Kraucamp as they suffered an eight-wicket loss to the Premier Two title chasers. Chippenham opted to bat first and saw Uzi Qureshi make 52 while opener Tom Young hit 39. But they were

The Crown Centre in Devizes will reopen fully on August 8. The meeting place for adults in St John’s Street has been partially open for several months since a water leak in the cellar caused walls to collapse. Repairs to the collapsed basement retaining

POTTERNE finally got back to winning ways with a four-wicket victory over Swindon. Graham Gaiger’s side had gone nine games without a win, with three matches cancelled and one abandoned, including last week’s clash with Goatacre. Potterne won the toss

MARSHFIELD are out of the bottom two in the Glos/Wilts Division after this victory. Rupert Crockett made 32 while James Williams hit 26. Stroud’s Ben Morgan took four wickets but Wayne Pascall was on target in reply, taking 3-20. Beaten Stroud were

HARVEY Cummins starred with the bat as Wootton Bassett romped to an eight-wicket victory over Great Bedwyn. Bedwyn won the toss and chose to bat first, with captain Dan Swatton leading with a knock of 70. Richard Bosson added 30 while Carl Lay made

MARLBOROUGH'S run of three straight victories was brought to an end by title-chasers Lechlade as they suffered a 61-run defeat. The hosts chose to bat first after winning the toss and Matt Stringfellow smashed a hefty 117 off 123 balls. Alastair Killham

RAMSBURY rower Michael Evans won a bronze medal for the Great British Rowing Team at the Under 23 World Championships in Amsterdam. Evans was part of the men’s eight which overcame the weather and the Germans in a tight, exciting finish to claim third

Doctor Who’s arch-enemies the Daleks showed their lighter side on Sunday when they turned up to help the Devizes branch of the British Heart Foundation raise money. The branch had organised the event in the grounds of Brook House in Bromham, the home

MALMESBURY skipper Tom Pickering hopes his side are on course for a top four finish after their five-wicket victory over Devizes. Pickering was originally standing in for injured captain Jack Ward but now looks set to skipper the side for the remainder

SPYE Park were torn to shreds by Josh Rurawhe as they were skittled for just 66 by title-chasers Winsley. The hosts won the toss and opted to bat first, with Neil Harris making 47. Kevin Hendy hit an unbeaten 37 while opener Clyde Williams was just

TOM Richards’ four wickets weren’t enough to prevent struggling Calne slipping to their fifth straight defeat last weekend. Dan Knight’s side batted first, with opener Courtney Earl top-scoring for the hosts with 60. Sean Adams and Glen Robinson made

Heddington Primary School is offering businesses and well-wishers the unique opportunity to buy a piece of history. To help with funding towards the building of their new classroom, the school is selling bricks for the new pathway leading up to the school

A Devizes couple had to store their rubbish in their kitchen because it took Wiltshire Council more than a month to deliver their bins. Mark Beaumont, 28, and 25-year-old Eleanor Potter, who are expecting their first child in December, moved into their

The inaugural Calnefest takes place this weekend, with organisers keen to show the youth of the town a good time. The festival, the first of its kind in Calne, features sets by a host of local bands, including the Porn Issue and the Street

RAF and Army officers from MoD Corsham successfully completed their Trailwalker challenge. MoD Corsham entered two teams into the Oxfam event, which saw participants cover 100km from Petersfield, Hants, beginning on July 16, and finishing at Brighton

LOCAL rider Georgie Spence scored a Novice section win at the Dauntsey Park Horse Trials, that again attracted a world-class field to Great Somerford, writes KATE HEALEY. The trials which made a welcome return to the British Eventing (BE) calendar in

Classics 40s and 50s Austin cars rolled into town on Saturday as the Atwell-Wilson Motor Museum hosted the Austin Counties annual rally. More than 60 cars were on display, including Austin Hampshires, Herefords and a number of rare A40 Sports

Revellers at WOMAD will get a chance to enter the Guinness World Records when they attempt to be part of the largest number of people playing air guitar at the same time. The record stands at 1,883 people and, with up to 30,000 descending on

WOMAD returns this weekend to Charlton Park near Malmesbury for a bonanza of world music, exotic food and quirky stalls. Headline acts, who have come from around the world to perform, include Baaba Maal, Alpha Blondy, Gogol Bordello and Rodrigo y Gabriela

Pupils from Malmesbury schools will open the WOMAD festival again when they perform tonight with the Dhol Foundation. Children from schools in Malmesbury, Minety, Crudwell and Lea and Garsdon have been working hard to get ready for their curtain-raising

Children at the Little Angels nursery, in Calne, donned mortarboards to take part in a mini graduation ceremony. The procedure devised for students picking up a university degree brought gravitas to the event, in the grounds of Spring-fields School on

Celebrations have marked the end of Devizes School’s first year in a new house system. A whole of year of competition around the house system resulted in the presentation of several trophies. Overall winners in the house points system

Hundreds of people are set to welcome the Wadworth Brewery shire horses in Poulshot at the start of their summer holiday. Prince, Max and Monty will arrive at the Raven Inn, Poulshot, at noon on Friday, August 5, and be offered a pint of Wadworth

Work has started to convert The Old School building in Sherston into a community hub and new home for the village’s Post Office Stores. A multi-year scheme, raising money to buy the building and secure planning permission to transform its interior, will

After a successful and well-supported boules evening on the village green on Friday evening, villagers in Froxfield have agreed they want to make it a regular event – but they want a less humpy and bumpy playing area. It was agreed, after an evening

The Kennet Valley Arts Trust, originally set up to pursue the idea of a theatre and arts centre in Marlbor-ough, has donated £7,000 for the purchase of a cinema projector for the town hall. The town council together with KVAT and St John’s School has

KAREN Funnell missed out on her bid to win three Wiltshire county titles on ladies finals day at Amesbury. A member of the highly successful ladies section at the Box Club she won the final event of the day, ladies two-wood singles, but was beaten in

Famous names from the world of cricket will be coming to Devizes next month to play a charity match. Former England bowlers John Lever, Phil Defreitas and Devon Malcolm, Pakistani internationals Mohammad Akram and Saqlain Mushtaq and Australian all-rounder

Devizes police have appealed for information about an incident in the Market Place that resulted in a young woman suffering from concussion. Officers were called to the incident at about 3.15am on Sunday July 10 in which the 20-year-old woman from the

Devizes Area Board is to concentrate its efforts to fight for health services in the town following an electronic straw poll at its meeting last week. Each of the 51 local people who turned up to Lavington School’s main hall were given a small voting

A Devizes police officer is likely to be off work for some weeks after his arm was broken during an incident in the early hours of Friday. Officers were called to an address in Victoria Road at 2.45am on Friday on reports of an assault. The suspect had

My husband and I are looking at each other over the dining table, both trying to keep our eyes open and feign interest in what the other might be about to say. But the plates of fish and chips, and the discarded greasy wrapping paper, say it all really

While I spoke at the re-called session of Parliament to press for News International to be held to account for what went on at the News of the World, I didn’t let the phone-hacking scandal stop me raising issu es that more directly affect my constituents

Former fire station commander Tony Hilliar, who was involved in fighting some of the Marlborough’s major blazes over a period of more than 30 years, has died in hospital just days after his 68th birthday. He had contracted pneumonia.

Former Marlborough shopkeeper and leading Rotarian Dennis Wakefield lost his fight with cancer and died at the Royal United Hospital in Bath. He had run a newsagents and confectionery shop since moving to Batheaston in 1981. Mr Wakefield

Every week, MPs receive a slew of letters from Ministers. Known as “Dear Colleague” letters they cover a huge range of topics and highlight under-reported but nevertheless valuable changes, developments or shifts in policy. Several that caught my eye

Walter Gordon Hacker, 86, known as Gordon, lived in the Wootton Bassett area most of his life. He was born in 1925, the youngest of Ellen and Albert Hacker’s four children. The family lived in Church Street, Wootton Bassett, and Gordon attended

Supply teacher David Armstrong has been given a suspended jail sentence after admitting possessing over 4,500 indecent images of children. Armstrong, 63, of Teasel Close, Devizes, was working at the Little Heath School at Tilehurst, near Reading