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Stories for 27 March 2003
Amesbury News
War adds significance to wives' get together
As soldiers from 32 Regiment, Royal Artillery based at Larkhill prepared to go into action in the Gulf last week, the regular Wednesday morning get together by wives and families for coffee and cakes at the Larkhill Community Centre took on a greater significance. more...
Objectors unite to resist new 120 home estate
BATTLING Laverstock residents - opposed to a bid to build 120 new homes in their village - blew a hole this week in the much-vaunted replacement Salisbury district local plan. more...
Marathon run for builder
A SHREWTON builder is running the London marathon next month to try and raise more than £3,000 for Children with Leukaemia. more...
Villagers support troops
Mr Gordon Flint of Salisbury Road in Bulford who is showing support for the British Troops, as are some of his neighbours by flying union jack flags. Mr Flint is an ex-serviceman who was involved with the paras. He said that he is fed up with peace protesters. He is not for the war but feels that someone ought to back our troops as they do a very hard job. more...
Carpet factory under pressure to relocate
A WILTON company with a worldwide reputation has had to consider moving from the site it has occupied for 300 years because there is no room to expand. more...
Ford Escort is 'fastest in the west'
A FIRSDOWN mechanic has described himself as the owner of the "fastest Ford Escort in the west", after receiving his ninth mistaken congestion charge from Transport for London. more...
Bath Leisure
Shaken but not stirred
THE name's Doyle, Desmond Doyle. more...
With all things being equal
SCI-FI thrillers are the genre of the moment. more...
Matter of life and death
THE Life Of David Gale has a novel premise a dedicated campaigner against the death penalty ends up on death row himself. more...
A tour de force
IT would be a great shame if the dependable Moore didn't win something for her efforts in her two current releases. more...
No Oscar for Jennifer
WITH Maid in Manhattan, the closest Jennifer Lopez is likely to come to holding an Academy Award is when she dusts down the one on the mantlepiece that hubby-to-be Ben Affleck won for co-writing Good Will Hunting. more...
More dirty washing from the Catholics
THE Catholic Church has come in for its fair share of criticism in recent times, and The Magdalene Sisters (15, 119mins) will not do it any favours. more...
Clooney gets himself lost in space
SOLARIS was a big disappointment when it opened in the US . . . and it's not hard to see why. more...
Ring of truth makes horror tale chilling
THERE is nothing more likely to stoke up fear and paranoia in a film than an urban legend. more...
Three wonderful actresses
THE Hours (12A) cuts back and forth between three different times and three women facing similar dilemmas. more...
Relax Spidey, there's nothing to see here
BEN Affleck squeezes into a suggestive red leather bodysuit as the latest superhero to leap from the pages of Marvel Comics to the big screen, but Spiderman can relax, Daredevil (15) is no threat to his crown as king of the crimefighters. more...
Spielberg catches up with another winner
STEVEN Spielberg films are a bit like buses. Nothing for donkeys' years and then three come along at once. more...
Holocaust drama hits right note
THE Pianist is director Roman Polanski's Schindler's List. It's a solid, uncompromising account of the Holocaust through the eyes of one man. more...
Wonderful Nicholson pitches it about right
JACK Nicholson has amassed a cupboard full of awards, including 11 Oscar nominations, in his career and the wonderful About Schmidt (15) looks certain to add to his collection. more...
A wonderful song and dance
IN Chicago (12A) Renee Zellweger is sent to jail for murdering her no-good lover and trying to frame her hapless husband for the crime. more...
Di Caprio can't win battle for New York
MARTIN Scorsese returns to the mean streets for Gangs of New York (18), a 19th century tale of gang warfare and doomed love, inspired by Herbert Asbury's book of the same name. more...
Business News
Poor toilets add up to lost business
Retail businesses in the South West could be facing a cheeky threat to their bottom line after new research suggests that customers regard high levels of cleanliness in customer toilet facilities as just as important as good customer service. more...
Seminars for success
Thring Townsend Solicitors and James & Cowper Accountants are holding two free seminars in Swindon for local entrepreneurs and business owners. more...
Hairdresser on a mission to crimp the cowboy's style
A HAIRDRESSER is on a mission to rescue the public from cowboy crimpers. more...
Garage goes extra mile
The Murco Petrol station in Oxford Road, Calne, added an extra string to its bow this week, by opening North Wiltshire's first forecourt off license. more...
Changing aisles
AFTER six months of work, the new Sainsbury's store in Chippenham opens today (Thursday) and puts the super into superstore. more...
Developer to boost flagging town centre
THE new chairman of Devizes Development Partnership is hoping to be able to use his experience with the regeneration of seaside resort Weston-super- Mare when it comes to reviving Devizes. more...
Legend takes a leap of faith
AUCTIONEERS David Harrison and Susan Owen believe that one of the lots going under the hammer in Pewsey on Wednesday has a legend attached to it. more...
Quiet room for stressed drivers
A RELAXATION zone is to be introduced at Leigh Delamere service station on the M4 near Chippenham to help drivers switch off. more...
Extra ribbon for birthday boys to undo
BIRTHDAY boys Jamie Wardel, Kieren Stagg and Haydn Amor had a pleasant surprise when they were invited to launch the new-look Co-op in Pewsey. more...
Calne News
Village to fight super circle plan for road
VILLAGERS are petitioning against a plan by Bowood Estate and a garden centre to install a £340,000 roundabout on the A4 at the Studley crossroads, because they say it is too big. more...
Families in fight to save allotment site
FURIOUS families campaigning against scores of homes being built on an old allotment site in Calne are to try for a judicial review to overturn the scheme. more...
Eggstra stars are locked up
TWO tall, dark, rich Europeans were kept in careful isolation in St Mary's Independent School, in Calne, after a rigorous five-hour journey from Leeds. more...
Mum praises rescue hero
MUM Karen O'Hagan has hailed council worker Clive Halliday a hero for rescuing her two young daughters, after they accidentally shut themselves in a bedroom. more...
Mobile cinema project may soon be set to roll
PLANS to provide Calne with a regular cinema have moved a step closer after councillors agreed to back the cinemobile project. more...
Channel hop makes £1,300
BLACKLANDS Leisure Club presented a cheque for £1,320 to Wiltshire Air Ambulance after members rowed the English Channel without setting foot on a boat. more...
Link scheme needs helpers
THE Calne and District Community Link Scheme, which has provided a lifeline for elderly and vulnerable people for six years, needs more volunteers. more...
Garage goes extra mile
The Murco Petrol station in Oxford Road, Calne, added an extra string to its bow this week, by opening North Wiltshire's first forecourt off license. more...
Tractor made for two
SHEEP farmer Ruth Sparrow got more than she bargained for when she wanted a novel mode of transport to her wedding. more...
Chippenham News
Festival may take on whole new feel
NORTH Wiltshire Festival 2004 is set to have a whole new look as organisers learn lessons from the last event and draw up ideas for the next. more...
A century in just a wink
STAFF at the Wiltshire and Swindon Record Office have found documentary evidence to prove the tiny hamlet Tiddleywink dates back at least 120 years. more...
Quiet room for stressed drivers
A RELAXATION zone is to be introduced at Leigh Delamere service station on the M4 near Chippenham to help drivers switch off. more...
Hall hits soundproofing target
MORE than £24,000 has been raised to soundproof a village hall after it was banned from holding discos and parties there. more...
New face for the town police team
SERGEANT Deborah Ashley is the latest recruit to join the team at Corsham police station. more...
Police to act over gathering of youths
POLICE have vowed to keep an eye on a gang of youths who gather at the recreation ground in Box after complaints about their behaviour by families living nearby. more...
Tractor Ted to star at lambing weekend
CHILDREN'S video star Tractor Ted, created by Chippenham mum Alexandra Heard, will be a guest star at Lackham's Lambing Weekend. more...
Skatepark site dream moves one step closer
PLANS for a skatepark in Chippenham took another step forward when Borough Lands trustees gave their blessing for land the charity owns at Westmead to be used. more...
Wife is left not knowing
IRAQ CRISIS: NEXT month, Sophie Croft will celebrate her first birthday, but there will be someone very important missing from the celebrations - her father, Staff Sgt Andy Dutton. more...
Young anti-war protesters pack towns to air views
IRAQ CRISIS: STUDENTS at Chippenham schools walked out of their lessons on Thursday March 20 to protest against the war with Iraq. more...
Olympiad alert on pool pervert
LEISURE centre staff are on the alert after a pervert tried to take pictures of two girls in the changing rooms. more...
Tractor made for two
SHEEP farmer Ruth Sparrow got more than she bargained for when she wanted a novel mode of transport to her wedding. more...
Easy riders raise money
MORE than 80 toddlers put their feet down and pedalled hard to raise money for ChildLine last week. more...
Building society robber is sent to jail
A ROBBER has been jailed for three years after a court heard how he made off with £1,000 from a building society. more...
Teenager used baby as shield from police
TEENAGER Ricky Green threatened police with a metal bar and then used a baby as a shield to evade arrest, Chippenham Magistrates' Court heard last Monday. more...
Centenarian is still sparky
GREAT-grandmother Rose Mallows enjoyed her 100th birthday surrounded by her friends and family from across the country. more...
Farmers' dismay at market move
NORTH Wiltshire farmers and hauliers fear plans to move the Chippenham Livestock Market to Cribbs Causeway would make travelling a nightmare. more...
Tractor Ted to starat lambing weekend
CHILDREN'S video star Tractor Ted, created by Chippenham mum Alexandra Heard, will be a guest star at Lackham's Lambing Weekend. more...
Home sales team is best
BUYERS have snapped up new town centre homes on the site of Chippenham's old grammar school, behind the High Street. more...
Artists rally to support work of hospital friends
ARTIST from as far as Bristol and Somerset have responded to an appeal from the Mayor of Chippenham and artist Syrah Arnold for donations of original artwork to raise money for the Friends of Chippenham Hospital. more...
New plans for club site in the pipeline
THE developer of Chippenham's former Goldiggers nightclub says a detailed planning application will be handed over the week after next. more...
Pensioner in appeal over hedge damage
PENSIONER Rachel Wetzel said something must be done to stop children ruining householders' hedges by jumping into them and running along the tops. more...
Changing aisles
AFTER six months of work, the new Sainsbury's store in Chippenham opens today (March 27) and puts the super into superstore. more...
Blaze victim admits arson in hotel room
PAUL Benns, who nearly lost his life in a giant explosion at his room in The Pines Hotel, Chippenham, has been remanded in custody after admitting causing the blast. more...
Corsham News
Armed police in gun alert
ARMED police were on standby in Corsham after a 72-year-old man with mental health problems was seen parading around his house with an air rifle last Thursday evening. more...
New face for the town police team
SERGEANT Deborah Ashley is the latest recruit to join the team at Corsham police station. more...
Police to act over gathering of youths
POLICE have vowed to keep an eye on a gang of youths who gather at the recreation ground in Box after complaints about their behaviour by families living nearby. more...
Hall hits soundproofing target
MORE than £24,000 has been raised to soundproof a village hall after it was banned from holding discos and parties there. more...
Asylum claims are rubbished
MANAGER Hamish Reed has rubbished rumours that asylum seekers are staying in his hotel after explaining they were trainee air traffic controllers from Algeria. more...
Ctfc Sport
Bluebirds set to gain in league reshuffle
CHIPPENHAM Town could be playing under the Nationwide Conference banner in 18 months time after the Football Association agreed to an overhaul of the current National Leagues System. more...
Badman hurt in city attack
MARK Badman has become the second Chippenham Town player in a month to fall victim to an attempted mugging in the centre of Bristol. more...
City visit will bring chance to end run
CHIPPENHAM will be aiming to bring an end to their worst sequence of results in more than two years when Cambridge City visit Hardenhuish Park on Saturday. more...
Fans can lift us out of the doldrums says Saunders
MANAGER Tommy Saunders wants Chippenham supporters to help lift his side out of the doldrums when relegation-haunted Cambridge City visit Hardenhuish Park on Saturday. more...
I'm going, says unhappy Mills
JP Mills has left Hardenhuish Park after becoming disillusioned with life of the Bluebirds bench. more...
Dropped Paul vows to fight for place
TOP scorer Martin Paul admitted he is still in the dark over why he was dropped for the clash at Moor Green but is happy to stay and fight for his place in the Bluebirds starting line-up. more...
`I can't wait to come back'
STEVE Tweddle is expecting a good reception from Bluebirds fans when he runs out in the black and white stripes of rivals Bath City at Hardenhuish Park next season. more...
Devizes News
Time for toothy pegs
ELEVEN-YEAR-OLD West Highland terrier Buttons knows what's good for him, and makes sure his teeth get brushed every day. more...
Town must unite in battle for hospital
DEVIZES people are being urged to stick together and fight the threat of closure hanging over the town's hospital. more...
Star turn after anorexia battle
TEENAGER Sarah Davies who has fought and beaten anorexia is now pursuing a dream of becoming a singer. more...
Villagers say no to land sale to fund new centre
A PUBLIC meeting at Market Lavington on Tuesday night firmly set its face against selling off any land in the village to fund the proposed community centre. more...
Developer to boost flagging town centre
THE new chairman of Devizes Development Partnership is hoping to be able to use his experience with the regeneration of seaside resort Weston-super- Mare when it comes to reviving Devizes. more...
Dealer is caught in police operation
DRUG dealer Christopher O'Donovan , who was caught during an undercover police operation in Devizes last year, has been remanded in custody after admitting selling heroin. more...
Policing area is to change
CHANGES to policing boundaries are taking place in the Devizes area. more...
Firm builds school links
CHILDREN at the recently opened Nursteed Community School, in Devizes, now have a new seat of learning thanks to one of the companies involved in the school's construction. more...
Fear voiced on shop shortage
COUNCILLORS claim the North Gate development in Devizes will have too many houses and not enough shops. more...
Drunk man abused police
A 19-YEAR-OLD Devizes man who admitted being drunk and disorderly in the town centre last week is given money by his father to buy beer, a court heard on Tuesday. more...
Harriers on marks for marathon
HEADTEACHER Barry Hickey will be watching from the sidelines as three members of the local running club he set up take part in the London Marathon on April 13. more...
Bored man killed bird
SEMI-PROFESSIONAL footballer Daniel Curran shot dead a goldfinch because he was bored, a court has been told. more...
Blaze victims thank rescuers
THE Barter family, who were burned out of their home in Commercial Road, Devizes, last week, have thanked members of the community for the support they have received. more...
Villagers reject plan for derelict farmyard
RESIDENTS of Urchfont, near Devizes, have united in opposition against plans to replace a derelict farmyard in the centre of the village with housing. more...
New drug treatment hope for Charlotte
CHARLOTTE Wakeham, the eight-year-old schoolgirl fighting the effects of an inoperable brain tumour, is likely to fly to the USA in the next two weeks to undergo treatment with the controversial drug Thalidomide. more...
Couple face eviction bid
SELF-SUFFICIENT couple Peter and Denise Martin, who are fighting Kennet District Council in order to establish an organic market garden business in Devizes, have received an eviction notice. more...
New strategy highlights Kennet's diverse culture
THE culture of Kennet will become an issue for new planning applications after the district council published its cultural strategy last week. more...
Audience figures win vicar new series
THE Reverend Jamie Allen, the star of TV show A Country Parish, has been signed up for a second series after the first drew audiences of more than three million. more...
Experiment with compost
WILTSHIRE Wildlife Trust is looking for people in the Devizes area to help with a new research project into home composting. more...
Talented pupils take West End by storm
PUPILS from Dauntsey's School, West Lavington, were given a five-minute standing ovation after they performed their version of Les Miserables in front of a packed theatre in London's West End. more...
Crumbs - a slice of country life
MAY 31, GREAT BEDWYN: WHAT is being billed as a unique event is taking place at Wiltshire's only working windmill in May when an attempt will be made to turn sheaves of wheat into bread in one day. more...
Two car families abound
WILTSHIRE has more than 25 per cent more two-car families than the national average. more...
The Tories' pledge of recruiting for police
TORIES have pledged to put an extra 341 police officers on the streets of Wiltshire by scrapping the government's asylum system. more...
Devizes,Calne,Chippenham,Marlborough,Highworth,Corsham,Malmesbury,Wootton Bassett News
Waste not wantnot in our town
PEOPLE in Malmesbury are understandably fed up that when in comes to recycling they are being left out in the cold. more...
Communocop comes to town
THIS week saw the launch of a new community policing scheme in Wiltshire. more...
Devizes,Calne,Marlborough,Highworth,Chippenham,Corsham,Malmesbury,Wootton Bassett News
Continuous rises in our council taxes must stop
THOSE who continually increase our council tax, well above inflation, must be stopped from seeing this as an annual routine. more...
Why has firm waited so long to clean up?
OUT of their own mouths they condemn themselves. more...
Council's leaflet is just a waste of cash
When I received last year's council tax demand it was accompanied by a single sheet, partly paid for by advertising, setting out how my taxes were being spent. more...
Council is bound to fight on in responsible ways
WE can assure Jeff Ody, the chairman of the Trust For Devizes, that all local councillors in Devizes have been united and working constructively, in various capacities, to retain a community hospital in Devizes. more...
Disturbing waste
THE Gazette's article on the opening of the new hole at the Hills landfill site was clearly disturbing. more...
OAPs can't pay
THE rate demand from North Wiltshire District Council a bill that does, of course, include the county council precept has increased by more than ten per cent, while the cost of Wessex Water to householders is up by seven per cent. more...
Closure no joke
I have never given the impression that I think the closure of Malmesbury Hospital is a joke, as many people who know me are aware. more...
Hitting wrong note
YEARS ago there was a sound I used to hear that went up and down in a discernable pattern perhaps with words you could both hear and understand, that was good to listen to, or at least I used to find it so. I think it was called music. more...
Shifting views
IF, as Coun Scott claims, all the North Wiltshire-dominated county council cabinet did was to confirm the record office bid, then why did the county council send out a press release headed "record office bid approved by county council cabinet"? more...
We have acted
I WRITE in response to the letter of March 20 by Mr Ody, regarding what he sees as a lack of action into the local health care issues by the town council. more...
Gallipoli plea
I am writing a book about the Gallipoli campaign of the First World War. It will be a survey of the campaign, tied together with contemporary accounts about men who died, in an effort to clarify the human toll of the campaign. more...
Memories of club
I WAS very disappointed to read in the Gazette that Devizes Town Football Club was on the verge of finishing. more...
BNP is no shock
THE entry of the BNP into local politics in Wiltshire comes as no surprise to me. more...
Chance to share view
THANKS are due to the Mayor of Marlborough, Margaret Boulton, for arranging the excellent meeting with Kennet PCT on Monday evening. more...
Iraq News
That's our boy!
MARCH 27: A MOTHER who hasn't heard from her Royal Marine son since the outbreak of war found out he is alive and well when she saw his photo in the Evening Advertiser. more...
Mother's prayers for son in Gulf
MARCH 27: EVERY time news is released from Iraq of another allied casualty, Pewsey soldier's mum Maria Brennan says her heart is in her mouth. more...
The long, hard days
MARCH 27: PLUMES of smoke in the skies over Baghdad, hundreds of tanks advancing across the desert and missiles being launched from aircraft carriers. more...
A place to pray during wartime
MARCH 26: A CHURCH plans to open for extra prayers during the war in Iraq. more...
Malmesbury News
`Crass' bollards turn green to merge into background
THE bollards on Malmesbury's Tolsey footpath, labelled crass and insensitive by Janie Thomas, a Fellow of the Landscape Institute, have been painted green. more...
Town misses out on recycling plan
THE Gazette & Herald is launching a campaign to bring kerbside recycling to Malmesbury after the town was left out of a new £938,454 scheme. more...
Future of hospital set to be revealed
THE future of Malmesbury Hospital could be decided in a proposal document to be released to the press tomorrow. more...
Centre on alert after pervert stalks girl swimmers
LEISURE centre staff are on the alert after a pervert tried to take pictures of two girls who were changing following a Malmesbury Swimming Club event. more...
Nuns' path is clear for kids
THE Nuns' Walk between St Joseph's School at Holloway and St Aldhelms Roman Catholic Church at Cross Hayes, Malmesbury, was reopened to celebrate St Joseph's Day last week. more...
Complex could pool resources
A MULTI-SPORTS complex with pitches, changing rooms and a clubhouse is one of the proposals to be discussed at a meeting on sports provision in Malmesbury on Thursday, March 27. more...
Swimming pool set to open late in year
EXCITEMENT is mounting in Malmesbury as work on the new £2,359,670 indoor swimming pool adjoining the Activity Zone in Bremilham Road, reaches an advanced stage. more...
Gardens help charity bloom
ABBEY House Gardens in Malmesbury has started its new season by raising £1,200 for charity. more...
Name change on the cards
THE Walter Powell School in Great Somerford could have a name change. more...
Constable is on patrol for England tour of US
YOUNGSTER James Constable has been selected to play for England Colleges on a tour of the USA. more...
Families waiting at home for news
IRAQ CRISIS: SHIRLEY Collier, of Malmesbury, is showing her support for the troops in Iraq by displaying a controversial sticker in her car. more...
The long, hard days
IRAQ CRISIS: PLUMES of smoke in the skies over Baghdad, hundreds of tanks advancing across the desert and missiles being launched from aircraft carriers. more...
Marlborough News
Buyer is found for business park site
THE long battle to secure land for a business park in Marlborough could be over. more...
Mother's prayers for son in Gulf
EVERY time news is released from Iraq of another allied casualty, Pewsey soldier's mum Maria Brennan says her heart is in her mouth. more...
Trust reveals health plans
PEOPLE in Marlborough turned out in force this week to support Savernake Hospital, and the latest artist's impression of the proposed new hospital was unveiled. more...
Roving brief for warden
TRAFFIC warden John Bordiss will be spending less time in Marlborough when he starts a new roving brief on Tuesday. more...
Steps towards a safer town
ONE hundred families in Marlborough are to get free smoke alarms courtesy of the town's unique Fire Forum. more...
Police divisions refining changes
CHANGES to policing boundaries are taking place in the Pewsey, Marlborough and Devizes areas. more...
Hope for the rebirth of maternity service
SCORES of people who packed into Marlborough Town Hall on Monday were given a glimmer of hope that Savernake Hospital may once again have a maternity unit. more...
US kids look at best of west
NINE underprivileged American children were greeted in Marlborough by Mayor Margaret Boulton last Thursday. more...
Actors show cheeky side
NEWBURY Watermill's touring production of the comedy Gigolo comes to Marlborough Town Hall on April 10. more...
Friends for life
MEMBERS of Marlborough Brandt Group have been visiting Gunjur in Africa for celebrations to mark the 20th anniversary of links between the two communities. more...
Pewsey News
Mother's prayers for son in Gulf
EVERY time news is released from Iraq of another allied casualty, Pewsey soldier's mum Maria Brennan says her heart is in her mouth. more...
Legend takes a leap of faith
AUCTIONEERS David Harrison and Susan Owen believe that one of the lots going under the hammer in Pewsey on Wednesday has a legend attached to it. more...
Police divisions refining changes
CHANGES to policing boundaries are taking place in the Pewsey, Marlborough and Devizes areas. more...
Salisbury Features
Wow, Mum! Take a look at you now
MOTHERING Sunday is traditionally a time when children give flowers and cards to their mothers, in honour of all that they do to enrich their lives. more...
Shopwatch
TUCKED away in Roman Quay in Fordingbridge is a new eaterie that aims to bridge the gap between cafe and restaurant. more...
Salisbury News
Carpet factory under pressure to relocate
A WILTON company with a worldwide reputation has had to consider moving from the site it has occupied for 300 years because there is no room to expand. more...
Objectors unite to resist new 120 home estate
BATTLING Laverstock residents - opposed to a bid to build 120 new homes in their village - blew a hole this week in the much-vaunted replacement Salisbury district local plan. more...
Peace campaigners take to the streets
WITH cries of "Don't attack, don't attack Iraq" and the sound of beating drums and placards calling for an immediate end to the war, about 40 anti-war campaigners gathered in the Cheese Market, Salisbury, last Thursday. more...
Bishops urge churches to stay open for prayers
CHURCHES throughout the Salisbury diocese - especially those in military areas - were urged this week to keep their doors open for people wanting to pray for loved ones fighting in Iraq. more...
Shock greets mental health service cuts
SHOCK and disbelief greeted the announcement by Salisbury MP Robert Key on Saturday that mental health services in south Wiltshire are to be cut even more drastically than first thought. more...
Injured driver meets saviour
INJURED sports car driver Peter Mabey has met the woman who saved his life by helping to pull him out of the cockpit of his burning car. more...
Work to begin on £2.5m flood defence scheme
CONTRACTORS are set to move in at Downton to start work on the £2.5m flood defence scheme aimed at preventing villagers suffering a repeat of the floods of December 2000 and January this year. more...
Tannery facade awaits its future
RESEMBLING a film set waiting for the arrival of the cameras and actors, the last remaining section of the former Downton tannery stands forlornly awaiting its future. more...
Tears as post office closes
GWEN and Bill Marshall, the popular pair behind the counter of Devizes Road Post Office and Stores, in Salisbury, were overwhelmed on Saturday morning when a contingent of customers turned up to shower them with gifts and cards for their retirement. more...
Women well supported
SUPPORTERS of Salisbury's Well Woman Centre flocked to its annual fair in the Guildhall on Saturday to help it raise vital funds. more...
Salisbury Sport
Chalk inspires Bemerton's young guns to victory
Football: BEMERTON Heath Harle-quins had their young brigade to thank for this fine victory on a very hard, uneven surface at Alton. more...
Male double puts 'Stock on course
FOOTBALL: LAVERSTOCK & Ford know that victory on Saturday at Ludgershall Sports will almost certainly guarantee them the Division Two title. more...
Rangers toppled as Juniors close on a high
JUNIOR FOOTBALL: AMESBURY Juniors' under 14s completed their first season in the Mid Wilts League on a high with a 2-0 success against title rivals Chippenham Town Rangers. more...
Veterans register a debut to remember
TENNIS: NEW members Kath More and June Keen made winning debuts as Salisbury's Over 40 ladies launched their first year in the National Veterans Inter-Club Champ-ionships by knocking out The Hampshire Club on Sunday. more...
Maximum points haul
BOWLS: FIVE Rivers Indoor Bowls Club's ladies stormed their way to a resounding 36 shots-win over East Dorset in their final Riversmeet league game of the season. more...
Compliments won, but no points
FOOTBALL: HAMBLE ASSC manager Larry Clay described Down-ton as a team in a `false position,' who are `not far off being a good side,' after Saturday's 2-0 win at Wick Lane. more...
Final re-run for holders
FOOTBALL: HOLDERS George & Dragon will take on Premier Division rivals PFC Durrington next month in the final of the Morrison Cup after they beat Meadow Park 3-1 in Saturday's semi-final. more...
City book county final date with Supermarine
Football: SALISBURY City toppled high-flying Dr Martens Premier Divi-sion outfit Chippen-ham Town on Tuesday night to secure a place in the final of the Wilts Premier Shield, writes Mike Turner. more...
Gunner's on target once again for the Doc
Racing: INDIAN Gunner, the ten-year-old gelding, trained at Cleeve Stables, Shrewton, by Dr Jeremy Naylor picked up his second win in three weeks when he triumphed at Wincanton on Thursday. more...
Salisbury's cup dream is over
Rugby: SALISBURY crashed out of the Dorset & Wilts Cup at the quarter-final stage by just four points at Wimborne on Sunday. more...
Perfect start for Salisbury powerlifters
Powerlifting: A QUARTET of Salisbury powerlifters tasted success at the opening competition of the 2003 season, writes Mike Turner. more...
Laverstock & Shrewton close in on league titles
Football: THE first senior footballing silverware of the season could be secured this weekend when Laverstock & Ford make the short trip to Ludgershall Sports looking for the victory that would hand them the Hampshire League Division Two title. more...
Bowers header proves a point
Football:SALISBURY City maintained their promotion challenge by securing a hard-earned point at Histon on Saturday. more...
Cloud nine for United
Football: LEAGUE leaders Shrewton United hammered nine past visitors Purton Reserves without reply on Saturday to inch ever closer to the Skurrays Wiltshire Premier Division title. more...
Now the promotion race really hots up
Football: WITH less than six weeks of the season remaining, there is everything to play for at the top of the Dr Martens Eastern Division. more...
Rod & Line - by Roland Batten
Fishing: A NEW carp record is on the cards for Salisbury Angling Club following the capture of a giant 31lb 12oz specimen from the lower lake at Steeple Langford. more...
Sport Angling
Strange makes it a double success
WOOTTON Bassett's Terry Strange added the club's Committee Cup to his victory in the club's Senior Aggregate Cup with a 354-point total, in Sunday's match. more...
Rod & Line - by Roland Batten
Fishing: A NEW carp record is on the cards for Salisbury Angling Club following the capture of a giant 31lb 12oz specimen from the lower lake at Steeple Langford. more...
Sport Cricket
Cricketers see the light
DAUNTSEY'S School made a winning start to the season as they staged Wiltshire's first-ever floodlit cricket match on Tuesday evening. more...
Academy is showing fruits of its labours
CHIPPENHAM Cricket Club's junior cricket academy proved a success during the winter months. more...
Friendlies appeal
COLLINGBOURNE Cricket Club are looking to fill three blank Sundays in their fixture book ahead of the 2003 season. They have free dates on June 1 and August 17 and 31 and are prepared to play either home or away. Anyone interested can contact Karl Rogers on (01264) 850700. more...
Sport Football
Fight to the top
THE Adver Cup continues to descend into chaos, with one of the quarter-finalists threatening to take their case as far as the English Football Association. more...
Highworth wrap up United win
Highworth Town were comfortable winners at Gloucester United in the Hellenic Premier Division last night. more...
Chairman is set to quit
UNDER-fire Devizes Town chairman Chris Belcher is expected to walk away from Nursteed Road for good this evening after holding crisis talks with the club's board. more...
Club faces being booted out of cup for illegal players
Wiltshire Senior Cup: Devizes face expulsion from the Wiltshire Senior Cup after fielding two ineligible players in their quarter-final victory over Trowbridge on March 15. more...
Youth football round-up
CROFT Juniors are through to the final of the Wiltshire Times and Chippenham News Mid-Wilts Youth and Minor League under 17s league cup. more...
Griffiths and Edney score
Chippenham Town U12s 5 more...
Corsham Town 0, Larkhall Athletic 1
Screwfix First Division: A late winner from Rob Peters consigned Corsham Town to another dose of local derby misery as near neighbours Larkhall took the spoils in front of a bumper Southbank crowd on Monday night. more...
Devizes Town 1 Bridgwater Town 3
Screwfix Premier Division: Sorry Devizes suffered another setback in their battle to beat the drop as high-flying Bridgwater Town capitalised on some generous defending to take the points at Nursteed Road. more...
Street 2, Calne Town 0
Screwfix First Division: Calne co-manager Kelvin Highmore has threatened changes for Saturday's visit to Chard after seeing his men suffer a surprise reverse at lowly Street. more...
Street 1, Corsham Town 1
CORSHAM failed to cash in on a home game with their fellow strugglers after they wasted chance after chance in front of goal. more...
Brislington 5, Devizes Town 0
MANAGER Pete Tripp was angered by the decision of at least four of his players to play Sunday morning football at the weekend as troubled Devizes crashed to their biggest defeat of the season on Tuesday night. more...
Wiltshire U18s, 2 Devon U18s 1
MANAGER Mel Gingell is preparing to rebuild his successful Wiltshire U18s squad after seeing them finish the season on a high note with a home victory over Devon. more...
Constable is on patrol for England tour of US
YOUNGSTER James Constable has been selected to play for England Colleges on a tour of the USA. more...
Brackley Town 3, Pewsey Vale 0
Hellenic League: Two late goals gave the scoreline a flattering look as lowly Pewsey Vale came close to securing a surprise point at seventh placed Brackley Town. more...
Bassett can't stop leaders' progress
Hellenic League: Wootton Bassett Town failed to halt Carterton's challenge for a top two Premier Division finish as they went down 3-1 at Rylands Way on Tuesday night. more...
Chippenham Sunday League round-up
BOX Rovers have set up an all-Premier Division showdown in the final of PPL Presto Print sponsored Eric Hughes Knockout Cup. more...
Match of the week
WESTBURY Rangers B look a good bet to claim a top two finish in Division Four after their 4-0 home victory over All Cannings B moved them up to second spot behind Trowbridge Town Supporters' Club who are the only team to beat Rangers this term. more...
Swindon Sunday League
REIGNING Division One champions Greyhound destroyed cup semi-finalists and third-placed club Carriers Arms 13-0. more...
Swindon and District League
VICAIMA player-manager Colin Davis received his marching orders as his side slipped to a 1-0 defeat to Queensfield in their Division One encounter. more...
Skurray's Wiltshire League round-up
WANBOROUGH'S Paul Parsons scored all three goals to put his side 3-1 up against Dunbar Westside, but the Intermediate Division leaders fought back to nick a point. more...
Mid-Wiltshire Sunday League
Bar OC clinched a place in the final of the John Strickland Memorial Cup after a 5-1 away win over Kings Arms. more...
Striker Phillips opens his account for City
SALISBURY City's slender 1-0 win at Ashford Town was marred by some bizarre refereeing that resulted in four red cards being brandished, including one for opposition manager Tim Thorogood, writes Ryan Lovejoy. more...
Now the promotion race really hots up
WITH less than six weeks of the season remaining, there is everything to play for at the top of the Dr Martens Eastern Division. more...
Shane's double delight
DAVE Coleman AFC re-discovered some of their early season form to register a 4-1 victory in their final away game of the campaign at Queens Keep, Southampton. more...
City book county final date with Supermarine
SALISBURY City toppled high-flying Dr Martens Premier Divi-sion outfit Chippen-ham Town on Tuesday night to secure a place in the final of the Wilts Premier Shield, writes Mike Turner. more...
Cloud nine for United
LEAGUE leaders Shrewton United hammered nine past visitors Purton Reserves without reply on Saturday to inch ever closer to the Skurrays Wiltshire Premier Division title. more...
Tyronne's double keeps City in hunt
PROMOTION hopefuls Salisbury City will be looking to make it three away wins in a row when they travel to Histon on Saturday. more...
Bowers header proves a point
SALISBURY City maintained their promotion challenge by securing a hard-earned point at Histon on Saturday. more...
Laverstock stay three points clear
LAVERSTOCK & Ford kept their title bid on track with a gritty win against a determined young Aw-bridge side. more...
Sport Rugby
Wimborne U18s 3, Chippenham U18s 31
CHIPPENHAM U18s remain on course for a cup double after sweeping past Wimborne in the semi-finals of the Dorset and Wilts Cup. more...
Chippenham U15s 46, Wootton Bassett U15s 14
ASHLEY Hurcombe ran in four tries as Chippenham U15s continued their quest for the Wiltshire Cup. more...
Chippenham U13s 50, Trowbridge U13s 0
CHIPPENHAM U13s outplayed their visitors as they reached the final of the Wiltshire Cup. more...
Youngsters in third
CHIPPENHAM U11s finished third at the Wiltshire Festival at Salisbury on Sunday. more...
Devizes come from behind
Chippenham 2nd 15 Devizes 2nd 26 more...
Bracknell U15s 10, Devizes/Melksham U15s 40
DEVIZES and Melksham side shrugged off their injury woes to emerge comfortable victors. more...
Colerne 24, Chippenham 3rd 35
DAVE Burrows ran in two tries against Wilts Two side Colerne in a friendly on Saturday. more...
Tag bonanza
TAG RUGBY: THe popular Kennet Tag Rugby Festival for primary school children takes place at Devizes Sports Club on Wednesday. more...
Salisbury's cup dream is over
SALISBURY crashed out of the Dorset & Wilts Cup at the quarter-final stage by just four points at Wimborne on Sunday. more...
Emily heads to Hong Kong
WOMEN'S RUGBY: EMILY Cook's disappointment at missing out on the England women's rugby team's international debut at Twickenham last month has been tempered somewhat by her call up to the side that travels to Hong Kong for the forthcoming sevens competition. more...
Swindon News
War: what do we tell the children?
In the run-up to war over the past few weeks, here at Parentline Plus we have noticed an increase in calls made to our 24-hour helpline from parents who are worried about how to talk about the Iraqi conflict with their children if they ask questions. more...
The losers here are the innocents
OBSERVING the `precise targeting' of American missiles which once again is killing allied personnel, I doubt 100 per cent the reports that only Iraqi military and strategic government buildings are being demolished. more...
Great coverage, Adver
Bravo to the Evening Advertiser for continuing to allow both the pro and anti war argument to be covered. more...
Protest but don't break law
WHILE I do not agree with the thinking of the peace protesters at RAF Fairford, I do defend their right to demonstrate. This is what democracy is all about and what has been denied to the people of Iraq for years. more...
Tax query reply
I WISH to respond to a letter from D Smith (EA, March 11), who wrote concerning council tax and council housing rents. more...
Please act now
On Sunday there was yet another accident on Thamesdown Drive at the bend by Pembroke Park. Motorists come down the road too fast and lose control of their vehicles. more...
What a night
I WAS one of the lucky ones at the Mayor's Gala Night at the Wyvern. It was brilliant. We didn't have to go far for such a West End performance. more...
Swan sadness
HOW sad to read about one swan being shot and killed and another blinded. These people are sadistic and dangerous. It is frightening to think anyone could do such a thing to such a beautiful creature. more...
The facts - all you need to know about prostate cancer
SWINDON CANCER APPEAL: The prostate is a walnut sized gland near the bladder which produces one of the components of semen. more...
Making people aware of what has become the silent killer
SWINDON CANCER APPEAL: Prostate Cancer Awareness Week was launched on Monday to raise the profile of the condition, dubbed the silent killer. more...
Making people aware of what has become the silent killer
SWINDON CANCER APPEAL: SWINDON councillor Mike Bawden is living proof that early detection of cancer saves lives. more...
Windfall for town's parks
A NATIONAL Lottery windfall of more than a quarter of a million pounds will bring better parks and play areas to Swindon. more...
Pupils pleased to have trees again
A SWINDON builder has stepped in to help a special school hit by theft. more...
Equality on the buses at long last
New legislation will allow men to qualify for concessionary travel five years younger. more...
Jail term is increased for attack
A TAXI driver who smashed his car into the front of his ex-girlfriend's house in a suicide bid has had his jail term increased. more...
MP wants an end to motocross misery
NEW laws to stop motocross fans bringing misery to villagers in Wanborough have been demanded by MP Julia Drown. more...
Two car families abound
WILTSHIRE has more than 25 per cent more two-car families than the national average. more...
A waste of money says Tory leader
SWINDON'S multi-million pound cycle route network has been branded a waste of money by Conservative councillors. more...
Big jewellery haul
HAYDON WICK: A large quantity of jewellery was stolen when a house on the High Street was burgled. A ring, necklace and cufflinks, all gold, were among the items stolen. more...
Get work in tourism through JobCentre
MORE jobseekers are being encouraged to work in tourism. more...
Old Town festival to be bigger
This year's Old Town festival is rapidly taking shape, and is reverting to its popular Victorian theme. more...
Radio amateurs collect for the blind
AMATEUR radio enthusiasts have raised £660 for the British Wireless for the Blind charity. more...
Ready for the brolly parade
A GROUP of 14 students from Hreod Parkway have been learning new skills by building an enormous dragon. more...
Thieves target fencing company
HEAVY duty machinery worth £2,500 has been stolen from a Wootton Bassett fencing firm. more...
Hairdresser on a mission to crimp the cowboy's style
A HAIRDRESSER is on a mission to rescue the public from cowboy crimpers. more...
Have you a sweet tooth?
Children in Swindon have the chance to become sweet tasters. more...
Easter joy with eggs
RECRUITMENT firm Select Appointments is to spread some Easter joy to youngsters around Swindon. more...
The Tories' pledge of recruiting for police
TORIES have pledged to put an extra 341 police officers on the streets of Wiltshire by scrapping the government's asylum system. more...
Celebrate spring with a stroll in the garden
NATURE lovers are invited to take a stroll around the blooms and shoots in the Twigs Garden to celebrate the arrival of spring. more...
Over 75s win the battle for free leisure discount cards
SEPTUAGENARIAN leisure users in Swindon have won their fight to get a free discount card. more...
That's our boy!
A MOTHER who hasn't heard from her Royal Marine son since the outbreak of war found out he is alive and well when she saw his photo in the Evening Advertiser. more...
Man, 79, is found dead after fire at his home
AN ELDERLY man was found dead following a fire at his Rodbourne home. The man has not yet been named by police, but electoral records show the house was occupied by Ronald Ford. more...
One big, happy creepy crawly family
Mark Maskell collects tropical creatures, including spiders. But his partner Kelly Johnson is arachnophobic and has threatened to pack her bags or evict his eight-legged friends if they ever escape. more...
Hopes dashed of schools windfall
Swindon Council is ploughing extra cash into its schools but not as much as had been hoped will be used for raising standards. more...
Pick up the five a day eating habits
EATING five portions of fruit and vegetables a day sounds like straight-forward advice, but the practicalities of adhering to the government health advice can be fraught with pitfalls. more...
Pollyann is proud of her old star pupil
CATHERINE Zeta Jones may feel more at home in Hollywood but she learnt her dancing skills with Swindon star Pollyann Tanner. more...
Mum of the Year
TV star and former model Melinda Messenger was today named Celebrity Mum of the Year. Mother-of-two Melinda, 32, beat the likes of Victoria Beckham and Jamie Oliver's wife Jools to the coveted title. more...
Doctor goes missing
SWINDON Police are hunting for a missing Scottish doctor whose car was found abandoned on the A361 road to Highworth. more...
Life is still worth living
SWINDON CANCER APPEAL: When John Mills was first told he had prostate cancer he said he thought he was dying from the disease. more...
Take pride in where you live
IMPROVEMENTS to the environment of disadvantaged areas have often resulted in better behaviour by those who frequent them. more...
Keep cash coming in
THE donations and wonderful messages of support that have flooded in since this week's launch of our Swindon Cancer Appeal prove what we always knew. more...
Wiltshire News
Mum of the Year
TV star and former model Melinda Messenger was today named Celebrity Mum of the Year. Mother-of-two Melinda, 32, beat the likes of Victoria Beckham and Jamie Oliver's wife Jools to the coveted title. more...
The Tories' pledge of recruiting for police
TORIES have pledged to put an extra 341 police officers on the streets of Wiltshire by scrapping the government's asylum system. more...
Two car families abound
WILTSHIRE has more than 25 per cent more two-car families than the national average. more...
Wiltshire Sport
Chairman is set to quit
UNDER-fire Devizes Town chairman Chris Belcher is expected to walk away from Nursteed Road for good this evening after holding crisis talks with the club's board. more...
Wootton Bassett News
Mine expert plans for aftermath of war
MINE clearance specialist Mike Wilson is preparing to enter Iraq on a post-war humanitarian crusade. more...
Order is placed for town war memorial
WOOTTON Bassett is one step closer to having its own war memorial now that the final order for the monument has been placed. more...
A close shave for fun mayor
WOOTTON Bassett Mayor Peter Roberts is to shave his head and his legs, and pack shopping bags to raise money for charity. more...
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