Stories for 13 June 2003

Bath Leisure

A model role

UNTIL JUNE 21, BATH: Mrs Warren's Profession, Monday until June 21, Theatre Royal Bath. TWIGGY Lawson ­ the doe-eyed supermodel of the 60s and one of a clutch of stars who doesn't require the burden of a second name ­ is back with a vengeance.   more...

Bradford On Avon News

WILLIAMS TRIAL: `Sex and cash key to wife's murder'

A DEADLY combination of obsessive jealousy, infidelity and impending financial ruin pushed Randle Williams into murdering his wife and dumping her body in a river near their home, a court heard.   more...

WILLIAMS TRIAL: Wife's affair sparked rage

UNCONTROLLABLE jealousy over his wife's sexual affairs and flirtatious behaviour pushed hotheaded Randle Williams into a chain of violent rages, a court heard.   more...

WILLIAMS TRIAL: Natalie arrested for breach of peace

POLICE officers revealed how Natalie Williams was arrested for breach of the peace after attacking and threatening to kill her husband during a drink and drugs binge.   more...

WILLIAMS TRIAL: Threats made to married dentist

DENTIST Neil MacFarlane told the court how jealous Randle Williams repeatedly quizzed him about his sexual relationship with Natalie.   more...

WILLIAMS TRIAL: Web of lies to cover up debts

Randle Williams' mother Audrey and father Archibald, left leaving the crown court in BristolBROKE computer firm boss Randle Williams was facing financial meltdown on the day his wife was killed as his complex web of deception finally started to unravel, a court heard.   more...

WILLIAMS TRIAL: Soiled clothing found in lay-by

The stretch of the River Avon at Bradford where Natalie Williams' body was foundITEMS of soiled and muddy clothing linking Williams to the river water in which his wife's body was submerged, were discovered in a Warminster lay-by, a court heard.   more...

WILLIAMS TRIAL: Parents doubt randle's story

Natalie's parents Robert, left, and Muriel Hussey took the witness stand to describe how Williams told them about their daughter's disappearanceTHE parents of Natalie Williams revealed how her husband appeared "controlled and calm" when he told them about their daughter's disappearance 14 hours after he first reported her missing.   more...

WILLIAMS TRIAL: Natalie's fragile health

EATING disorders, drink binges and depression blighted the life of 33-year-old Natalie Williams, a court heard.   more...

Children enjoy a day out on the canal

CHILDREN from Chernobyl were treated to a ride on the Kennet and Avon Canal this week as part of a four-week visit to England to boost their health.   more...

Police get ready to move to town base

WORK has started on a £250,000 extension to Bradford on Avon fire station to enable the police to move in.   more...

No lead in hunt for missing girl

SEVEN YEARS after hospital clerical worker Melanie Hall disappeared police are still no closer to solving the mystery of what happened to her.   more...

Solution to congestion

COUNCILLORS in Bradford on Avon have come up with some new solutions to solve the congestion that clogs the town during rush hour each day.   more...

Party on at song event

RESIDENTS in Bradford on Avon are being invited to remember a special feast day and celebrate by `Singing round the Town' next Saturday.   more...

Business News

Retail giant set for sweeping changes

RETAIL giant Woolworths plans to introduce sweeping changes in working practices at its Dorcan Industrial Estate depot.   more...

FEATURE: Man Friday

Name:Edward Preece, 37   more...

Recognised for more outstanding work

JANETTE Collins ­ risk manager at Swindon Council ­ has been shortlisted for a prestigious national award in recognition of her work towards risk management.   more...

Reading workers' emails to be banned by law

THE monitoring of worker's emails by prying bosses is to be banned and enforced by law.   more...

Madonna's high heels for sale

A PAIR of shoes once belonging to pop icon Madonna are on sale in Swindon - for £2,500. The size five pair of silver Dolce and Gabbana high heels have just gone on sale at the Infinitely Better store on the first floor of the Brunel Centre.   more...

Shops set for Potter-mania

THE launch of the latest Harry Potter book is to be marked by bookshops across Swindon.   more...

Success for three pubs

THREE pubs in west Wiltshire were toasting success at an award ceremony last night.   more...

Calne News

School to ban filming

A North Wiltshire primary school has sparked an angry reaction among some parents by banning video cameras on sports day.   more...

Anger over spoiled post

STAMP collector Paul Evans is seeking a Royal Mail inquiry after a set of postcards with first edition stamps were returned to him incorrectly marked and damaged.   more...

Romola stops the traffic

THE PERFORMANCE of a young Wiltshire actress is stopping traffic in a multi-million dollar Hollywood blockbuster being shot in Bath.   more...

Chippenham News

Police appeal for witnesses

POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a woman was seriously assaulted in Chippenham last Wednesday.   more...

School to ban filming

A North Wiltshire primary school has sparked an angry reaction among some parents by banning video cameras on sports day.   more...

Devizes News

Children enjoy a day out on the canal

CHILDREN from Chernobyl were treated to a ride on the Kennet and Avon Canal this week as part of a four-week visit to England to boost their health.   more...

Highworth News

Wool run revisited

HIGHWORTH Canoe Club will re-enact the medieval wool run along the Thames from Lechlade to Oxford.   more...

Melksham News

Mourners say a final farewell to Julia, 33

TRIBUTES have been flooding in for a leukaemia sufferer who died after a 12-month battle against the disease.   more...

Crusade to keep care home open

STAFF and residents from a Melksham care home will take their battle against its closure straight to County Hall next week.   more...

Research cash

TWO summer fetes in Melksham helped raise over £6,000 for medical research charity Action Research.   more...

Sport Angling

Coarse fishing season gets under way at last

MONDAY marks the opening of the new coarse fishing season on rivers and drains.   more...

Sport Bowls

Swindon men eyeing trophy

THE Swindon and District Men's Bowls Association will be looking forward to meeting Swindon and District Ladies at Highworth this Sunday (3pm) hoping regain the Dave Tapliss Trophy.   more...

Sport Cricket

Hambrook v Westbury

WESTBURY suffered a disappointing defeat in their first ever league match at Hambrook.   more...

Bassett ring the changes

WOOTTON Bassett travel to Dumbleton tomorrow in need of a victory to kick start their season and lift them off the foot of Glos/Wilts Division One.   more...

Weekend cricket teams and fixtures

SATURDAY   more...

Sport Rugby

New team pack them in

Shoppers were greeted by a sea of blue and yellow at Asda WalMart last Saturday as 19 boys from Swindon Rugby Club's junior section offered to help pack their groceries.   more...

Christian joins Rec new-boys

Bath have completed the signing of former England under 21 captain Christian Balshen from Welsh side Swansea.   more...

Swindon News

Our future is looking bleak

Mary Cockbill, 68, of Stratton Road, is the wife of the late Trevor Cockbill, the printer, author and campaigner renowned for his encyclopaedic knowledge of the old Swindon. Here, she opens her heart about the Swindon of today.   more...

She was warned

So, the mother of well known prostitute Carina Matysiak fears for her daughter and believes that underneath she is a loving and caring girl?   more...

Nothing magic about mushrooms

The contrast between two stories in Tuesday's Evening Advertiser could not have been greater.   more...

Call this first class?

HAVING read the write up on the first class postal service (EA June 6) I wanted to tell you of my experience.   more...

Bristol is setting an example

The Mechanics' Institute would be an ideal centre for art and culture like the Watershed in Bristol.   more...

Make the vandals pay up

QUITE often we read about yet another major act of vandalism occurring in the town somewhere.   more...

Friends of addicts

The Evening Advertiser has joined forces with police to launch a telephone hotline enabling people to report suspected drug dealers. TAMASH LAL reports on the help given to by the Swindon and Wiltshire Drugs and Alcohol Service.   more...

Another amazing maze is taking shape for summer

Swindon's latest tourist attraction is springing up from the ground and into life. The Great Western Maze is slowly taking shape in a field just south of Junction 16 of the M4 motorway.   more...

Shops set for Potter-mania

THE launch of the latest Harry Potter book is to be marked by bookshops across Swindon.   more...

Police found the body of reclusive man in his bed

THE body of a reclusive Park South man lay undiscovered in his home for a week.   more...

MP awaits news

Michael Wills, MP for North Swindon, was today (Friday) due to find out whether he was to have a new ministerial role in Prime Minister Tony Blair's government.   more...

Air show launched

Sunday's Kemble Classic Jets Airshow has been officially launched by comedian Dom Joly. The show's attractions will include the Red Arrows as well as jet aircraft ranging from a vintage Gloster Meteor to a modern day Tornado.   more...

Don't swallow us up say villagers

RESIDENTS in Purton fear their village could be swallowed up and swamped by poorly constructed houses.   more...

Creating a community that cares

Vice chairman Bill FishlockA NEW fundraising campaign has named three local dignitaries to head the initiative.   more...

Safety fears over crossing

A NUMBER of near misses on the new zebra crossing in Cricklade have prompted the town council to ask for a safety audit.   more...

Action day held for neighbourhood teams

RESIDENTS have got the chance to voice their concerns about their community to Swindon council and the police next week.   more...

Humour is the secret to a happy marriage

LEN and Doris Bowden met as teenagers at a youth club in Kilburn Lane in London and within three years they were happily married.   more...

Air show pays tribute to war

THE world's biggest military air show will stage its own special tribute to the thousands of people who served during the Gulf War.   more...

Anti-war campaigner drops his complaint drio

AN anti-war protester who lodged a formal complaint against the police when they refused to allow him access to a peace camp says the matter has now been resolved.   more...

MP to tour in his caravan

NORTH Wiltshire MP James Gray is to tour his constituency in his mobile surgery ­ a caravan.   more...

Teeing off for a golf marathon

SWINDON CANCER APPEAL: THREE golfing buddies will be teeing off for our Macmillan appeal next month.   more...

Teeing off for a golf marathon

SWINDON CANCER APPEAL: FUNDRAISERS are being urged to dust off their boots and help raise money for the Swindon Cancer Appeal.   more...

Be a carer men urged

IN SPITE of changing attitudes, which have seen women joining the clergy, the armed services and the fire service, child care still remains an area dominated by women.   more...

Fighting to prove son's innocence

Iris Baker has vowed to fight to prove the innocence of her son, who has been jailed for 14 years in Japan for drugs offences he claims he did not commit.   more...

Birthday for Watch

Next week is National Neighbourhood Watch week when 21 years of the scheme is being celebrated.   more...

School may lose out in bid for £20,000

A SECONDARY school could be set to miss out on almost £20,000 of extra funding after a row broke out over a planned new entrance.   more...

MP bids to help historic house

NORTH Swindon MP Michael Wills will learn later today about ambitious plans to restore Lydiard House when he visits the site.   more...

Road to close while bridge strengthening work is done

A ROAD in Brinkworth will be closed to allow a river crossing to be strengthened.   more...

Tributes paid to boxer who died aged 32

Family and friends have been paying tribute to former international schoolboy boxer Jason Wilson, who has died, aged 32.   more...

`He has got to stand on his own two feet'

A FATHER whose teenage son has been living rough after being thrown out of the family home has defended his actions.   more...

Support officers to help tackle vandals

SWINDON is to have about seven police community support officers.   more...

Judges are ready for some hot competition in curry contest

THE judges for the town's annual curry competition have been chosen. The lucky three are self-confessed curry experts Melvyn Blackman, Howard Taylor, the host of GWR's breakfast show, and Evening Advertiser reporter Bhavani Vadde.   more...

Exam chaos ahead

THOUSANDS of pupils could see their futures thrown into doubt after a warning that the exam system was close to breaking point.   more...

Council finance chief to lose job

IAN Thompson, Swindon Council's director of resources, is being made redundant.   more...

Madonna's high heels for sale

A PAIR of shoes once belonging to pop icon Madonna are on sale in Swindon - for £2,500. The size five pair of silver Dolce and Gabbana high heels have just gone on sale at the Infinitely Better store on the first floor of the Brunel Centre.   more...

Date for inquest

LYNEHAM: The inquest into a 29-year-old serviceman from RAF Lyneham, who died in a motorbike accident, opens on Monday in Chippenham.   more...

Empty shop is hit in wrecking spree

VANDALS have targeted the front of a disused showroom during a wrecking spree on the Mannington Retail Park.   more...

Becks has a treat up his sleeve

Henry Norridge's dream came true when he met football icon David Beckham. Henry, six, from Coleview, rubbed shoulders with the sporting star thanks to his granddad, John.   more...

Fred's funny faces

Many people would do anything to deflect attention from their facial features. But regulars at the Beehive pub in Old Town have had all their quirky traits exaggerated and put on public display.   more...

Steaming in with advice

THE MAN in charge of the largest collection of railway icons in the world says Swindon's Steam museum will only prosper if the town markets itself as a desirable tourist destination.   more...

Questions over a boy's ordeal

PARENTS Patrick and Treena Tovey claim that their son had to endure an agonising experience because of a communication error between hospital staff.   more...

Do not let our students down again

AFTER last summer's appalling exams chaos, which meant serious delays and the need to re-mark countless papers, it is outrageous that we are now being warned the system is close to breaking point.   more...

Hopefully Vinny will come home

THROWING your 19-year-old offspring out of the house because he refuses to get out of bed in the mornings is a harsh punishment.   more...

Swindoncares News

Creating a community that cares

Vice chairman Bill FishlockA NEW fundraising campaign has named three local dignitaries to head the initiative.   more...

Trowbridge News

Mobility scheme comes to a halt

DISABLED shoppers in Trowbridge are having their wheelchairs and scooters taken away because of a lack of cash.   more...

Campaign pays off over roads

CAMPAIGNERS in Westbury and Hilperton are celebrating after a planning inspector told civic leaders to reconsider the routes of the Westbury Bypass and Hilperton Gap road.   more...

He's my pop idol

RISING singing star Chris Underwood, winner of last year's Starry Eyes talent contest in Trowbridge, has had his hopes for super stardom crushed by the infamously nasty judging panel from TV's Pop Idol.   more...

Larkrise celebrates award

PUPILS and staff at Larkrise Special School in Trowbridge has something to celebrate after being given a School Achieve-ment Award by the Govern-ment.   more...

Pupils' own Vision

STUDENTS from three west Wiltshire secondary schools are helping shape the future of the county town with their contribution to the ongoing Vision for Trowbridge project.   more...

Pre-schoolers picnic in park

PRE-SCHOOL children and their parents shared a teddy bears' picnic at Trowbridge Park on Wednesday.   more...

Plea to car drivers after chaos

A parked car caused a traffic jam which stopped drivers getting into the centre of Trowbridge on Thursday.   more...

Best ever hip Holt festival

THE biggest ever annual Holt Music Festival hit the right note on Saturday with dancing, music, food and drink.   more...

Oversight scuppers court case

Lawyers were forced to drop an assault case against a Trowbridge man because police failed to charge him within a six-month time limit.   more...

Court campaigners lose fight

COURTHOUSE campaigners have lost the fight to keep Trowbridge Magistrates' Court open following an announcement on Monday.   more...

Town plan lined up for September

DEVELOPERS with their eyes on key sites in Trowbridge are being asked to co-operate with the team putting together a framework for its future.   more...

Crash is a mystery

POLICE are appealing for information about a crash on a notorious stretch of a busy main road near Trowbridge.   more...

Outbuilding break-ins on increase

POLICE in Trowbridge are warning people to be on their guard after a 140 per cent increase in the number of break-ins into sheds and garages.   more...

Model T is star of show

A MODEL T Ford will be one of the main attractions for enthusiasts at an open weekend hosted by Ford main dealer Reed of Trowbridge this weekend.   more...

Business stalwart dies, 89

THE funeral of well-known Trowbridge businessman Philip Harris was held last week.   more...

New filling for Bowyers

A FACTORY famous for its tasty pies is set to get a fresh new filling itself.   more...

Groom in stag party punch-up

A BRIDEGROOM who beat up his brother during his stag party was released from a prison cell just hours before the wedding.   more...

Public order case delayed

FIREMAN Denver Walton was due to appear before Trowbridge magistrates yesterday to face a public order charge in connection with a disturbance outside the town's Chicago Rock Café.   more...

Death of Airsprung stalwart

FORMER Airsprung chairman and life president John Yates died on Sunday aged 87.   more...

Award goes to town company

A TROWBRIDGE firm that provides 3D images of conservatories for customers has been named regional installer of the year.   more...

In charge of council services

COUNCILLORS at the heart of decision-making at West Wiltshire District Council have revealed the service areas they are to head.   more...

Go-ahead for school extension

A VILLAGE school is to get a new extension despite fears it would be too big and out of character with the existing listed building.   more...

Pensioners to get help

PENSIONERS claiming tax and housing benefits are getting help under the new pension tax credit scheme.   more...

Workers urged to bike it in

COUNCIL staff are ditching their cars next week in a bid to encourage people to get on their bikes.   more...

Charity taste test tonight

THE founder of a national charity is visiting west Wiltshire this week to lend his support to a vodka tasting event.   more...

Success for care homes

CARE HOMES in west Wiltshire have been praised for successfully meeting government standards.   more...

WILLIAMS TRIAL: `Sex and cash key to wife's murder'

A DEADLY combination of obsessive jealousy, infidelity and impending financial ruin pushed Randle Williams into murdering his wife and dumping her body in a river near their home, a court heard.   more...

WILLIAMS TRIAL: Wife's affair sparked rage

UNCONTROLLABLE jealousy over his wife's sexual affairs and flirtatious behaviour pushed hotheaded Randle Williams into a chain of violent rages, a court heard.   more...

WILLIAMS TRIAL: Natalie arrested for breach of peace

POLICE officers revealed how Natalie Williams was arrested for breach of the peace after attacking and threatening to kill her husband during a drink and drugs binge.   more...

WILLIAMS TRIAL: Threats made to married dentist

DENTIST Neil MacFarlane told the court how jealous Randle Williams repeatedly quizzed him about his sexual relationship with Natalie.   more...

WILLIAMS TRIAL: Web of lies to cover up debts

Randle Williams' mother Audrey and father Archibald, left leaving the crown court in BristolBROKE computer firm boss Randle Williams was facing financial meltdown on the day his wife was killed as his complex web of deception finally started to unravel, a court heard.   more...

WILLIAMS TRIAL: Soiled clothing found in lay-by

The stretch of the River Avon at Bradford where Natalie Williams' body was foundITEMS of soiled and muddy clothing linking Williams to the river water in which his wife's body was submerged, were discovered in a Warminster lay-by, a court heard.   more...

WILLIAMS TRIAL: Parents doubt randle's story

Natalie's parents Robert, left, and Muriel Hussey took the witness stand to describe how Williams told them about their daughter's disappearanceTHE parents of Natalie Williams revealed how her husband appeared "controlled and calm" when he told them about their daughter's disappearance 14 hours after he first reported her missing.   more...

WILLIAMS TRIAL: Natalie's fragile health

EATING disorders, drink binges and depression blighted the life of 33-year-old Natalie Williams, a court heard.   more...

Success for three pubs

THREE pubs in west Wiltshire were toasting success at an award ceremony last night.   more...

Iford celebrates its 10th birthday

THE 10th summer season of opera at Iford will feature some of the country's most exciting and innovative young companies.   more...

Trowbridge,Bradford On Avon,Melksham,Warminster,Westbury News

Independence is priceless

Most things seem to come down to money in the end. Disabled shoppers who use the Lifestyles and Shopmobility service in Trowbridge are sadly facing the loss of the service because the charity which runs it cannot find the £20,000 a year to fund it.   more...

Town is champion

Gymnasts from all over the country were in Melksham last weekend for the English Championships, where some incredibly talented sportsmen and women were put through their paces by the judges.   more...

An attempt to jog driver's conscience

MAY I, though the Wiltshire Times' readers' column, express my surprise and disgust at the behaviour of a particular car driver.   more...

Questions on A36 scheme

In Mrs Wyeth's letter (Wiltshire Times, May 30) she mentions the County Council's scheme for the A36 Codford-Heytesbury Improvement addresses all the accident black spots, as indeed it does, at great cost both to the environment and the public purse.   more...

Who are loo-sers?

MICHAELA Vardy's letter in the Wiltshire Times dated May 30 is unjust; The Shires and Castle Place toilets are supplied to the public free of charge.   more...

Come join the party

WINGFIELD Women's Institute will be having a party on Sunday July 13 at Stable House, Church Lane, Wingfield, at 7pm to celebrate their 50 years.   more...

Samaritan thanks

MAY I thank through the courtesy of your columns the person who called the ambulance when my husband fell over at the top of Bradford Road last Thursday evening.   more...

Music Centre praised

SOMETHING which may have passed unnoticed in a recent concert at Wiltshire Music Centre (May 17) is the performance, for the first time in the west of England, of Wiltshire composer James Patten's Stabat Mater.   more...

Company sets sails for next date

ON behalf of Trowbridge Amateur Operatic Society I would like to thank all those who came and supported our recent production of Anything Goes at the Arc Theatre.   more...

Councillors' allowances and sherry glasses...

I READ with great interest the comments from Horace Prickett regarding the pay of portfolio holders within West Wiltshire District Council's new cabinet.   more...

Help needed on Melksham Platoon

I am hoping that through the pages of your newspaper I might be able to obtain information or contact with members of the former `Melksham Platoon' of the 4th Battalion Wiltshire Regiment.   more...

Bitter anger at decision to close Shopmobility

I HOPE you will allow me to use your respected newspaper to say how absolutely disgusted I am with our district council, which has embraced the spending of £600,000 to employ some "experts" to tell us how our town could be improved, and yet see fit to refuse a mere £20,000 grant to ensure the future of a vital service called Trowbridge Lifestyles and Shopmobility.   more...

Warminster News

Police funeral for popular DC

SENIOR officers from across the county joined family and friends to pay tribute to a popular detective at his funeral on Monday.   more...

Flat above store is evacuated

THREE people were evacuated from a first floor flat after a fire broke out in the shop below on Monday.   more...

Young poets to get in print

PUPILS at Heytesbury Primary School are celebrating after getting every single entry into a poetry competition included in a published collection.   more...

Mast protest earns delay

CAMPAIGNING residents have won a two-week delay in their bid to stop a phone mast being erected in the centre of Warminster.   more...

On-site shop for vineyard

A SUCCESSFUL Wiltshire vineyard hopes to expand by selling its own wines in an on-site shop.   more...

Syme to take key position

A DISTRICT councillor has stepped down from the council's Independent group in order to chair an important internal committee.   more...

Veteran died of natural causes

KOREAN war veteran John Baxter died from natural causes at his home in Warminster, an inquest at Salisbury decided on Tuesday.   more...

Westbury News

Licence row rages on

THE row over pub opening times in Westbury has escalated after a residents' association vowed to oppose the renewal of late licences in the town.   more...

He's my pop idol

RISING singing star Chris Underwood, winner of last year's Starry Eyes talent contest in Trowbridge, has had his hopes for super stardom crushed by the infamously nasty judging panel from TV's Pop Idol.   more...

Rapist's appeal is ruled out

A rapist who preyed on elderly women has lost an appeal to have his life sentence overturned.   more...

Campaign pays off over roads

CAMPAIGNERS in Westbury and Hilperton are celebrating after a planning inspector told civic leaders to reconsider the routes of the Westbury Bypass and Hilperton Gap road.   more...

Recycle your rubbish and help good causes

A NEW directory is being put together for the people of Westbury that means they can now recycle everything from aerosols to zips.   more...

Lafarge battle goes on

AN environmental campaign-er who is fighting to stop Lafarge Cement burning tyres at its Westbury works goes to the court of appeal this week.   more...

Diabetic gran overdosed on tranquillisers

A 17-STONE Westbury woman had five times the maximum dosage of a prescribed tranquilliser in her blood when she died, an inquest heard.   more...

Exploring cultures

TEACHERS and pupils helped turn a Dilton Marsh school into a living multi-cultural art show this week.   more...

Fire causes £10,000 damage

A SELF employed man who had just launched his own business is now back to square one after a fire wiped out £10,000 of his machinery.   more...

Water award for factory

AN ENVIRONMENTALLY-friendly milk factory in Westbury has been praised for its careful use of water.   more...

Wiltshire News

'Sex and cash key to wife's murder'

A DEADLY combination of obsessive jealousy, infidelity and impending financial ruin pushed Randle Williams into murdering his wife and dumping her body in a river near their home, a court heard.   more...

Wiltshire Sport

Agogo Again?

JUNIOR AGOGO'S failure to sign for Peterborough United will only re-ignite a possible switch to the County Ground if Barnet accept the club's original bid.   more...

Wootton Bassett News

John Wesley memorial for Methodist faithful

Methodists from Wootton Bassett are planning to spread the message that `Jesus loves You!' in order to remember the work of the evangelist John Wesley, who was born 300 years ago this year.   more...

  
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