Stories for 31 July 2003

Amesbury News

MoD reveals who has £4b building contract

THE ministry of defence has named its preferred bidder for a £4bn contract to provide modern living accommodation for about 18,000 soldiers and their families, including those who live in the garrisons on Salisbury Plain.   more...

Squadron displays its skills

YOUNG cadets with the 1011 (Amesbury) Squadron Air Training Corps had the opportunity to display their skills in front of parents, friends and invited guests when the Squadron held its annual open evening on Friday last week.   more...

Inquest delayed over security fears

NATIONAL security concerns are standing in the way of progress in the fresh inquest into the death of Ronald Maddison, the 20-year-old `human guinea pig' used in nerve gas trials at Porton Down.   more...

Witnesses sought after assault on young girl

POLICE in Amesbury are appealing for witnesses to an assault on a 12-year-old girl, reported on Friday morning.   more...

Baby unit saved 1½lb Chloe's life

A PROUD couple have given heartfelt thanks to staff at Salisbury District Hospital, for saving the life of their precious bundle of joy, who was born 13 weeks premature.   more...

Plain's wildlife comes to city

SHOPPERS and tourists were treated to a rare spectacle on Saturday, when wildlife from Salisbury Plain visited the heart of the city.   more...

Half county's court fines outstanding

INITIATIVES are under way to ensure offenders pay for their offences, after figures revealed more than half the county's court fines are outstanding.   more...

Green fingers glow at country show

SOME of those taking part in the Salisbury Country and Garden Show at the weekend might have been green when it came to exhibiting but all had something in common - green fingers.   more...

Bath Leisure

Another angle on adultery

UNTIL AUGUST 9, BATH: Betrayal by Harold Pinter, Theatre Royal Bath - In an interesting, and I am sure not accidental, juxaposition of plays and casting, the same three actors who romped through Noel Coward's unorthodox threesome in Design for Living, earlier in the Peter Hall season, now play out another triangular relationship.   more...

Business News

Keep the faith in swindon

Swindon's manufacturers are being urged to hang in and not do anything rash, following disappointing figures released by the Chamber of Commerce.   more...

Email a wish-you-were-here holiday postcard

POSTCARDS arriving weeks after you return from your summer holiday could be a thing of the past, thanks to a revolutionary online system.   more...

Biggest concerns

ECONOMIC uncertainty is now the biggest concern for small businesses in Wiltshire, figures show.   more...

Advice available through internet

BUSINESS Link Berkshire and Wiltshire is enabling firms to access impartial advice on any business issue free of charge by registering on-line.   more...

Staff celebrating exam successes

TWO members of staff at Salisbury recruitment company Wisewalk Resources are celebrating exam success.   more...

Software reseller gains Sage accreditation

PARTNERS in Training (UK) Ltd, a specialist Sage reseller, has been accredited by Sage (UK) Ltd as one of the first Sage accredited resellers in the region.   more...

Extra jobs as production rises

THE south west recorded the third consecutive monthly expansion of business activity in June.   more...

Fast net access goal set

A PROJECT to make broadband internet access available to thousands more people, businesses and communities in Wiltshire was launched on Monday, August 4, at County Hall in Trowbridge.   more...

Concern at plan for 170 homes on site

DEVELOPER Barratt Bristol is ready to build about 170 houses on the site of the Flowers Scrapyard in Chippenham.   more...

Kitchen specialist shop expands

THE Kitchen and Bathroom Collection of Salisbury has expanded.   more...

Radical overhaul planned for dispute resolution procedure

PLANS for a radical overhaul of dispute resolution procedures have been published by employment relations minister Gerry Sutliffe.   more...

Top award for teen scientist

HELPING to develop a new system for detecting biological threats has won budding scientist Philip Jales a top industry award from the Engineering Employers' Federation.   more...

Calne News

Lottery could fund the town's festive fun

LUCKY winners can live a lotto this Christmas if they win a Santa-size sack full of cash courtesy of Calne Town Council.   more...

Boy must pay for damage

A CALNE fifteen year old who smashed the window of a hardware shop after drinking all evening with friends, has been ordered to pay more than £800 compensation by magistrates.   more...

Kids get crafty with unique exhibition

CHILDREN at St Dunstan's Primary School, in Calne, have spent a week creating their own exclusive collection of art.   more...

Dream of soccer site is hit by double blow

CALNE Football Club's dreams of relocating to a purpose-built stadium at a site north of Calne have been dealt a double blow.   more...

Cash flow is no issue

CHILDREN from Priestley Primary School in Calne raised so much cash for the Rotary Club's Aquabox Appeal that they had funds to spare.   more...

Success for CCTV trial

CALNE'S trial manned CCTV station claimed its first success when it alerted police to a brawl in the High Street on July 18.   more...

Rogue traders spark new market guidelines

CALNE Town Council has tightened up regulations for its Friday market after a row sparked by rogue traders who refused to leave the site.   more...

Babies learn sign language

NEXT time you see a baby with a finger stuck in its mouth it could be trying to tell you something.   more...

Chippenham News

Parishes support new rector after sex scandal

THE Rev Geoff Hewitt, the Christian Malford rector at the centre of a sex scandal, has said he just wants to be left to get on with his job.   more...

Patients may travel for ops

SOME patients in Kennet and North Wiltshire waiting for knee and hip replacements will be offered the chance of having their operation at an NHS hospital in London or Weston-super-Mare.   more...

Council wins backlog fight

NORTH Wiltshire District Council is successfully tackling its massive backlog of housing benefit claims.   more...

Families live in fear as gardens disappear

ANGRY residents claim North Wiltshire District Council is ignoring their pleas for help in saving their sinking homes.   more...

Car crash survivor fined forinsurance

DAD Darren Kitson, who had a lucky escape from a car crash in March, appeared in court on Tuesday charged with driving without insurance.   more...

Forces link up for high speed pursuit

POLICE chased a pair of theft suspects across three counties in a high speed pursuit that began in Chippenham and ended with a crash in Oxfordshire.   more...

Worried dad was speeding

DAD Justin Oliver told magistrates he broke the speed limit because he was rushing home to help his depressed wife cope with their hyperactive son.   more...

I owe my life to hospital's care

CHIPPENHAM patient Helen Axam, who came within inches of death after suffering a rare internal haemorrhage, has thanked Bath's Royal United Hospital for saving her life.   more...

Forum starts to plan for future of airbase

MORE groups have joined the special task force formed to discuss the future of the RAF Lyneham airbase.   more...

Opposition grows to plan for gypsy site

COUNCILLORS at a meeting last night were expected to refuse plans for a gypsy site in Chippenham.   more...

Warning over shop thefts

POLICE are urging shopkeepers to keep their belongings in a secure place after a spate of thefts in Corsham.   more...

Concern at plan for 170 homes on site

DEVELOPER Barratt Bristol is ready to build about 170 houses on the site of the Flowers Scrapyard in Chippenham.   more...

Family is stranded

MARK Miller was devastated when the car he had been building for six months was written off by novice driver.   more...

The kiss that says it's their diamond day

SIXTY happy years of marriage have proved a "snip" for retired hairdresser Vic Gatherum and his wife Barbara.   more...

Student wins place at theatre school

TALENTED young actor Ben Fensome, 16, will be joining the prestigious National Youth Theatre on Monday, after beating off competition from thousands of hopefuls across the country.   more...

Corsham News

Post office couple fight whopping rent increase

RICHARD and Olive Tovell are fighting an 87 per cent rent increase that may force them to close their post office.   more...

Warning over shop thefts

POLICE are urging shopkeepers to keep their belongings in a secure place after a spate of thefts in Corsham.   more...

Ctfc Sport

Town midfielder is aiming to go global

CHIPPENHAM Town midfielder Ellis Wilmot is hoping to play a starring role in next month's World Student Games after featuring in the Great Britain Universities first team in two warm-up games this week.   more...

Student offer

CHIPPENHAM are running a special season ticket offer for students who are over 16 years of age but still in full time education this season.   more...

Devizes News

Police officer attacked

POLICE officer Tom Kinderman was attacked as he gave directions to foreign tourists in Devizes Market Place on Monday evening.   more...

Guides given two acres for dream hut

DEVIZES Guides have come a step closer to their dream of a purpose-built Guiding centre for the area after a landowner offered them a two-acre site.   more...

Mystery as TV vicar walks out

PARISHIONERS in Seend, Poulshot and Bulkington were shocked on Sunday to be told their vicar, the Rev Jamie Allen, was taking a three-month leave of absence, starting immediately.   more...

Clinical trial starts on Charlotte's wonder drug

WENDY Bryant, the grandmother of terminally-ill Charlotte Wakeham, has welcomed the launch of a clinical trial to assess if a drug Charlotte has been taking could cure brain cancer.   more...

All change at Bear in major refurbishment

ONE of Wiltshire's best known hotels, The Bear in Devizes Market Place, is to undergo a complete refurbishment, but new licensees Andrew and Angela MacLachlan have promised there will be no piped music.   more...

Parking fine mars orphans' boat trip

ALAN Penrose, who organised a visit to Devizes for a group of Romanian orphans, has condemned as mean-spirited Kennet District Council's decision not to cancel a parking ticket.   more...

Carnival to set off earlier

DEVIZES Carnival organisers are warning the public that this year's carnival procession is to start at the earlier time of 6pm.   more...

Doctor will be aiming for sky

COLLEAGUES and patients have expressed their gratitude to Dr David Twiner who has retired as a partner in the Lansdowne Surgery in Devizes after 30 years.   more...

Road to stay shut to cars

WILTSHIRE County Council has rejected a plea by driver Dale Wyatt to keep open Green Lane, Devizes, to cars.   more...

Dealer is let off jail sentence by court

A DEVIZES man said to be frightened of men after being a victim of child abuse narrowly escaped being sent to prison at Salisbury Crown Court on Friday.   more...

Agency is seeking feedback on fuel

PEOPLE in Devizes who have concerns about plans by Lafarge Cement works in Westbury to burn waste chemicals can meet with officials from the Environment Agency.   more...

Council forced to pay mum's charges

MOTHER-OF-TWO Annette Goddard has won her battle to get a refund from Kennet District Council after it wrongly withdrew her concession for reduced charges at Marlborough Leisure Centre.   more...

Car chase driver had antiques in the boot

SHANE Byrne, who had £3,000 of stolen antiques in his car boot, reached speeds of 90mph in a desperate attempt to evade police, a court heard.   more...

Pupils drive home message

THE message that drugs kill, or at the very least mess up lives, will be much more graphically depicted thanks to the efforts of pupils at Lavington School.   more...

Mystery after Porsche's windows are glued shut

POLICE are probing a mystery attack on a Porsche car in Ramsbury in which its windows were glued shut.   more...

Friends rally to aid church

A CAMPAIGN to raise £25,000 for essential repairs to the Norman parish church in Wilsford, near Pewsey, was launched on Sunday.   more...

Great plan, no plot

A DESIGNER hoping to build her dream home in the Devizes area has been stopped in her tracks by the lack of available building plots.   more...

Recruits sign up for new health care team

HEALTH bosses say they are on track to have its new community care team in place by October 1 but have not yet revealed how many staff they need.   more...

Patients may travel for ops

SOME patients in Kennet and North Wiltshire waiting for knee and hip replacements will be offered the chance of having their operation at an NHS hospital in London or Weston-super-Mare.   more...

Musicians given grant to expand

PARENTS of young musicians converged on Stitchcombe House, in Savernake Forest, on Sunday for a concert featuring their talented children.   more...

On the jobs market

THE long-suffering villagers of Easterton had to endure one more media invasion last Thursday morning as Charles Ingram announced his decision to resign from his £43,362 a year post in the Army.   more...

Broadband gets £7m head start

RURAL communities and businesses in Wiltshire are set to join the on-line revolution in a multi-million pound initiative announced this week.   more...

Widow's tragic warning

Every summer a growing number of motorcyclists are killed on the roads of Wiltshire, including some born again bikers who are re-living their youth. Now widow, Angela Harris, has joined the police road safety campaign. JILL CROOKS reports.   more...

Summer sizzles to sounds of music

MUSIC will brighten up the summer in the parks and on the streets of north Wiltshire.   more...

Publican is fined for selling inferior gin

FORMER publican Michael Burton sold inferior gin while claiming it was a superior brand.   more...

Recycling charity branches out

PEOPLE on low incomes can apply for free computers from a new charity in Wiltshire.   more...

Babies learn sign language

NEXT time you see a baby with a finger stuck in its mouth it could be trying to tell you something.   more...

Help at hand on benefits

SARSEN Housing Association has appointed Liz Starling as its first welfare benefits advisor.   more...

Prison battles to cope

ERLESTOKE Prison is striving to make improvements in the face of a major influx of prisoners.   more...

Progress is being made on transport

A new Wigglybus, subsidised bus services, new roads and more highway maintenance have been highlighted in a new report charting progress in Wiltshire's transport network.   more...

Your county is simply the best

THE first Wiltshire Archaeological Festival was launched on Saturday and TV's Time Team expert Phil Harding praised the organisers for their foresight and effort.   more...

Devizes,Calne,Chippenham,Marlborough,Highworth,Corsham,Malmesbury,Wootton Bassett News

Prison sentenced to make changes

ERLESTOKE Prison, near Devizes, has been praised for much of its work in a recent inspection report.   more...

The yobbish few spoil it for rest

DEVIZES is a pleasant market town but, like so many places in Wiltshire, is being spoilt by a yobbish minority who insist on drinking all day and then making the lives of passersby difficult.   more...

Devizes,Calne,Marlborough,Highworth,Chippenham,Corsham,Malmesbury,Wootton Bassett News

Council overlooks needs of our town

WHAT a nerve Julian Kashdan-Brown has asking Wootton Bassett Town Council to pay for four new litter bins at £650 each and four tree grilles at £700 to £800 each.   more...

Inquiry needed on burning solvents

LAFARGE Cement has made an application to the Environment Agency to trial burn waste chemical solvents at the Westbury Cement Works and the Environment Agency is seeking the public's views on this application.   more...

Setting record straight on the election circular

I trust you will allow me to enlighten the electors of Hullavington about a recent circular that has been distributed to all houses in the village.   more...

The case for `straight' clergy

AN adequate case, I believe, can be made for a solidly heterosexual clergy, without recourse to Leviticus, especially in the light of how few level headed members of the Church of England can be said to be at all enamoured with the idea of the vicarage (let alone the Bishop's palace) being associated with a less than natural situation.   more...

Pensioners, a life of crime does pay

CALLING all old age pensioners. Sign up today and become members of the OAPSBU (The Old Age Pensioners Swag Bag Union) and set out on a life of crime with an abundance of rewards which will make your present pension look sick.   more...

Area suits walkers but not the tourists

As regular users of Barbury Castle, we were disappointed to read of the proposed eviction of Lynne and Brian Simpson from Ridgeway Farm.   more...

Our health trust has broken its promises

DASH 2 was horrified to hear that the Kennet and North Wiltshire Primary Care Trust has seen fit to close Elizabeth South Ward at Devizes Hospital a full three months before the proposed date in October.   more...

Town hospital is vital

I HAVE lived in Devizes all my life and now, at the age of 60, I'm very distressed to read we are having our local hospital taken from us and no other plans have been made for another one.   more...

Malmesbury News

Award for Jamie

Jazz musician Jamie Cullum, who lives at Hullavington, near Malmesbury, has won the prestigious Best Newcomer category at the annual BBC Jazz Awards.   more...

Council warned on delay on town hall

TOWN and district councillors have been strongly criticised on the delays in getting the £1.2m Malmesbury Town Hall regeneration project off the ground.   more...

Musician gets top accolade

YOUNG jazz sensation Jamie Cullum was honoured with the Rising Star Award at this year's BBC Jazz Awards.   more...

Youths frighten kids at play park

Ref.10452PARENTS are refusing to allow their children to go to St Aldhelm's Mead play park on their own because they say they fear they could be attacked by gangs of youths congregating there.   more...

Departing teachers at school are named

PARENTS have received a letter listing teachers who have left Malmesbury Comprehensive School due to a cash crisis.   more...

Residents protest atdevelopment plans

A ROW over the development of a new primary school and more than 170 houses on two sites in Malmesbury has divided the town.   more...

Council joins boundary row

WILTSHIRE County Council has joined the battle against merging Brokenborough with Malmesbury.   more...

Marlborough News

Police in high speed chase over counties

POLICE chased a pair of theft suspects along the A4 through Marlborough in a high-speed pursuit across three counties that ended in a two-car crash in Oxfordshire.   more...

Police learn rave lesson

POLICE are introducing changes in the way they handle any future raves, Wiltshire's Chief Constable Elizabeth Neville has told MP Michael Ancram.   more...

Shock over pub pair's drugs link

IT was business at usual at The Pelican at Froxfield yesterday although the pub has been confiscated by a Jersey court following the island's biggest drugs investigation.   more...

Warning cards help battle against bogus callers

ROTARIANS in Marlborough have launched a new warning card for the elderly in a bid to prevent them becoming victims of bogus callers.   more...

Pensioner in second theft blow

A PENSIONER who lost his £17,000 life savings to bogus callers last year has fallen foul of thieves again.   more...

Surgery site plan deferred

PLANS to build three new homes on the doctors' surgery site in Ramsbury was deferred by Kennet's regulatory committee.   more...

Council turns down revised homes plan

A developer has lodged an appeal after a decision by Kennet councillors to turn down a plan for 12 flats in Marlborough against the advice of their own planning officers.   more...

Leader votes against tide

THE planning chairman of Marlborough Town Council, Marion Hannaford, has voted against her own committee at the district council.   more...

Opera strikes the right notes

REVIEW - Cosi Fan Tutte, Opera A La Carte, Marlborough College.   more...

Pewsey News

Friends rally to aid church

A CAMPAIGN to raise £25,000 for essential repairs to the Norman parish church in Wilsford, near Pewsey, was launched on Sunday.   more...

Salisbury Features

Destined for adventure

EVE Finlay has fought in the Battle of Hastings and the Wars of the Roses.   more...

Rental values likely to drop

LONDON office markets are likely to see rental values fall by more than a tenth this year, according to the latest forecast from the economic analysts Experian® Business Strategies.   more...

Salisbury News

Baby unit saved 1½lb Chloe's life

A PROUD couple have given heartfelt thanks to staff at Salisbury District Hospital, for saving the life of their precious bundle of joy, who was born 13 weeks premature.   more...

Asda bid taken out of council hands

THE controversial bid by supermarket giant Asda to open a new store on Bishopdown Farm has been taken out of the hands of local councillors and will be decided by a government planning inspector.   more...

Plain's wildlife comes to city

SHOPPERS and tourists were treated to a rare spectacle on Saturday, when wildlife from Salisbury Plain visited the heart of the city.   more...

Half county's court fines outstanding

INITIATIVES are under way to ensure offenders pay for their offences, after figures revealed more than half the county's court fines are outstanding.   more...

Wiltons unite for bicentenary celebrations

A WILTON councillor is jetting off to America today to take part in the 200th birthday celebrations of one of the ancient capital of Wessex's namesake towns in the States.   more...

End of era for vet practice

TODAY marks the end of an era at the Avon Lodge veterinary group, in Salisbury, as two of the firm's vets retire from the long-established practice.   more...

Maltings redesign moves on

THE redevelopment and modernisation of Salisbury's Maltings shopping precinct has taken a major step forward.   more...

Show of strength by Salisbury lifters

THERE was an awesome show of strength from Salisbury's legendary powerlifters at the weekend in Bournemouth when five of them turned in a performance to remember at the British Championships.   more...

Green fingers glow at country show

SOME of those taking part in the Salisbury Country and Garden Show at the weekend might have been green when it came to exhibiting but all had something in common - green fingers.   more...

Inquest delayed over security fears

NATIONAL security concerns are standing in the way of progress in the fresh inquest into the death of Ronald Maddison, the 20-year-old `human guinea pig' used in nerve gas trials at Porton Down.   more...

Salisbury Sport

Quartet help county clinch promotion

FOUR Salisbury club members played key roles in Wiltshire ladies' promotion as runners up in Division Seven at County Week.   more...

Promotion race on hold

THE vast majority of more than 150 matches in the Hampshire League were washed out on Saturday and with five weeks left to the end of the season, both Cranborne teams look ripe for promotion.   more...

Olsen to host course

YOUNG rugby enthusiasts will get their chance to train like the sporting elite, when the second annual summer course gets underway at Salisbury Rugby Club from August 12-15.   more...

Speedy Saints win thriller

SOUTHAMPTON'S teen-age French signing Leandre Griffit and club stalwart Francis Benali were among a useful-looking Saints reserve team which beat Salisbury City 5-3 in a thrilling friendly on Tuesday night, writes Ryan Lovejoy.   more...

Softley approach as Jeff returns

BEMERTON Heath Harlequins' pre-season campaign continues tomorrow when Hampshire Premier Division outfit Ringwood Town visit Western Way.   more...

Successful start for Town

BEMERTON Heath Harlequins' pre-season campaign continues tomorrow when Hampshire Premier Division outfit Ringwood Town visit Western Way.   more...

Tee off for city's

THE Salisbury Golf Centre on Wilton Road - the city's first public golf course - is to open next week.   more...

Amesbury kick off away from home

AMESBURY Town will kick off their new Hamp-shire Premier Division season with four away games on the trot due to the re-laying of their Recreation Ground pitch, writes Ryan Lovejoy.   more...

Show of strength by Salisbury lifters

THERE was an awesome show of strength from Salisbury's legendary powerlifters at the weekend in Bournemouth when five of them turned in a performance to remember at the British Championships.   more...

Alderbury en route to finals

A QUARTET of Alderbury bowlers have booked their place in the National Championships after recording a convincing win in the semi-finals of the County Fours Championship.   more...

Lottery boost for tennis club

RIVERSIDE Tennis Club members are jubilant at the club's award of a grant of £4,837 from the National Lottery's Awards for All programme.   more...

Blue skies against all odds at racecourse

SALISBURY Racecourse's uncanny knack of attracting blue skies to its meetings was very much in evidence on Friday evening.   more...

Rod & Line by Roland Batten

Crucian haul may rewrite record books   more...

Sport Bowls

Hutchens through to national showdown

THE Wiltshire Bowls Association semi-finals were played at Chippenham Town on Sunday.   more...

County book their place at Worthing

WILTSHIRE have reached the Middleton Cup semi-finals for only the third time in their history.   more...

Westlecot through to final of new event

WESTLECOT continue to march on in the EBA Top Club competition. They won the regional final at Cheltenham on Sunday to book a place at Worthing on August 17 in the semi-finals of this new competition to celebrate the English Bowling Association's centenary.   more...

Bassett bowlers in party mood for 75th anniversary

MEMBERS of Wootton Bassett Bowling Club enjoyed taking part in a prestigious match to celebrate the club's 75th anniversary.   more...

Struggling Swindon are no match for leaders Rodbourne

Division One leaders Rodbourne Cheney brushed aside bottom club Swindon 91-65 in the latest round of matches in the Swindon & District 4-Rink bowls league.   more...

Sport Cricket

Top duo return for county showdown

WILTSHIRE will be boosted by the return of their two leading players when they continue their quest for the Minor Counties Championship title at Westbury this weekend.   more...

North Wilts Junior League

Under 11s: CORSHAM batted first in their home match against Wootton Bassett and thanks to a fine innings of 31 not out from Will Collier reached 80 for six in their 20 overs.   more...

Young starlet hits first ton in derby win

A REMARKABLE under 11s friendly game was played at Devizes where the home side were hosts to Chippenham. Chippenham batted first and 10-year-old opener Uzi Qureshi initially found batting difficult on a bouncy artificial pitch.   more...

Shortage of players forces Minety to pull out of league

MINETY have been forced to drop out of the league due to a shortage of players. The Division Two club have been going since 1987 but after months of struggling to field a team they decided it was time to call it a day.   more...

Below-par Swindon beaten in showdown

SWINDON, sponsored by The Ridgeway Hospital, met Chippenham in the county final of the Portman Building Society Under 15s National Club Championship.   more...

Zurich boost chances of beating drop

ZURICH pulled off the shock result of the week as gave themselves a lifeline in the Division One relegation battle by defeating Nationwide.   more...

Youth week opens

MALMESBURY cricket club's youth cricket week at The Worthies opens on Sunday morning with an under 11s 20 overs a side match against Wootton Bassett.   more...

Damp start for Glos

Gloucestershire's Frizzell County Championship Division Two home game with Yorkshire barely got into the 12th over before a downpour brought a third and final hold-up at Cheltenham yesterday.   more...

Sport Football

Bassett crush the new boys

WOOTTON Bassett Town found their pre-season form in emphatic fashion last night, thrashing Nationwide League new boys Yeovil Town 5-1.   more...

It's Sunday best for Supermarine in friendly outing

SUPERMARINE continue their pre-season preparations tonight against a Sunday League side that should not be taken lightly, writes CRAIG LYUS.   more...

North Wilts dilemma is on the cards

The new North Wilts Youth League is urgently looking for referees to officiate this season.   more...

Here's six of the best

A GOOD-natured six-a-side competition at Malmesbury Victoria Football Club on Saturday had the shine taken off it by a freak injury suffered by first-team player Will Halliwell.   more...

Devizes fight for survival

DEVIZES Town boss Dave Hopkins is preparing his squad with the appeal against their league suspension on August 11 looming large.   more...

Melksham Town 1, Forest Green Rovers 6

ANY thoughts of a giant killing act at the Conigre on Wednesday night were quickly dispelled as Forest Green Rovers demolished Melksham with an impressive first half performance.   more...

Calne Town 1, Melksham Town 0

CALNE Town followed up their 10-0 mauling of Clanfield last week with a solid performance against Screwfix Premier Division side Melksham on Saturday.   more...

Selectabook 2, Pewsey Vale 1

PEWSEY put up a strong second half performance against Devizes-based Selectabook at Nursteed Road on Thursday but they could not find an equaliser.   more...

Selectabook 2, Bemerton Heath Harlequins 0

THE Devizes-based Selectabook side followed up their win over Pewsey Vale with an impressive display against Jewson Wessex League Bemerton on Monday night.   more...

Vics planning to get lit up

MALMESBURY Victoria entertained Westbury United in a pre-season friendly on Sunday.   more...

Coaches join soccer school

Ramsbury Football Club is running a pre-season soccer school for both boys and girls between the ages of nine and 16.   more...

Sport Rugby

Starlet faces race against time

WOMEN'S rugby starlet Kimberley Oliver is hoping to bounce back from knee surgery next month by forcing her way into the England reckoning in time for the 2006 World Cup.   more...

Olsen appeals for players to scrum on down to coaching

Marcus Olsen, the ex-Bath and Saracens scrum-half, is baffled by the lack of entries from the Swindon and North Wilts area for his forthcoming Summer Rugby Course being held in Salisbury.   more...

Swindon News

Bring care homes into public sector

I was saddened to read in the Adver on July 17 that yet another elderly care home is to shut.   more...

Stop these new concrete jungles

THREE cheers for councillors Fanning and Lister for speaking out against high-density development ­ Area accused of being too dense (Evening Advertiser, July 28).   more...

New campus would be better at Burmah

I am somewhat dismayed by the University of Bath's apparent insistence that its new campus should be located at Commonhead which will undoubtedly lead to additional traffic congestion and many needless journeys.   more...

Treatment meted out to the Simpsons is disgusting

CAN I, through your pages, state how appalled I am at the disgusting treatment Lynne and Brian Simpson have received at the hands of Swindon Council.   more...

A sick society

What sort of people have we become? After not giving immediate humane treatment to the wounded children in Iraq and not being prepared to pay for special expensive new treatment for those of our fellow citizens who could be cured if we only made the money available, we can now add to the list.   more...

It's a nightmare

I agree with Roy Cleverly's comments on the present situation in Gorse Hill, the installation of traffic lights and the loss of our local shops.   more...

Support for MP

I must respond to Andy Newman's criticism of Michael Wills MP.   more...

Sincere thanks

WE wish to thank the ambulance paramedic team, also the staff of the Accident and Emergency department of the Great Western Hospital for the caring and dedicated treatment of our mother Lena Cook on Thursday, July 10.   more...

Message is loud and clear ­ practice safe sex

HEALTH workers in Swindon are working with nightclubs, shops and sport centres to help promote a safe sex message.   more...

Pregnant women feel let down by NHS, says MP

PREGNANT women are being let down by the NHS despite health chiefs being told to change their ways a decade ago, says a Swindon MP Julia Drown.   more...

Old GWR children's fete makes a return

A FETE last held in 1939 is being revived by the New Mechanics' Institution Preservation Trust.   more...

Assault on woman

PENHILL: An elderly woman was assaulted in daylight as she walked though an area of parkland between Penhill and Whitworth Road.   more...

Chris' support role in the desert is hot work

A SWINDON soldier is providing support to British troops as they help the people of war-torn Iraq rebuild their lives.   more...

Drugs are found in speeding car

DRUGS ON OUR STREETS: A JAMAICAN drug trafficker stopped at 107mph on the motorway near Swindon was found to have more than £72,000-worth of crack cocaine in his car.   more...

Police renew plea in indecent assault case

POLICE have released an artist's impression of a man they want to interview following an indecent assaulted an 18-year-old Swindon woman.   more...

Detector van is proving its worth

MORE than two dozen television licence evaders and non-payers were dealt with in a single session at Swindon Magistrates' Court.   more...

Games for disabled

Applicants are needed from people aged 16 and over with disabilities to compete in the Swindon Games to be held on Sunday, August 31 from 11am ­ 3pm.   more...

Victim did not activate crossing

INQUEST: AN inquest heard how a 53-year-old woman died after being struck by a car as she crossed a busy dual carriageway in Swindon.   more...

Dancers tap into success

SWINDON dancers are flying high, having swept the board at a national competition.   more...

Galloway to talk on the Iraq wolves

A LEADING anti-war MP will address a meeting in Swindon in October.   more...

Test rejection lead to prison

A HOMELESS man who refused to take a breath test after being suspected of drink driving has been jailed for six months.   more...

On target for summer sport

SCHOOL is the last place most children want to go once they have broken up for the summer.   more...

Council street warden praise

SWINDON Council has become the first authority in the country to be accredited by the Security Industry Training Organisation ­ the training body for the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.   more...

Little litter pickers rid the Rec of 10 bags of rubbish

BUCKHURST recreation ground is looking much smarter thanks to a hard working team of young litter busters.   more...

`This is no way to treat a 97-year-old'

THE son and daughter of a 97-year-old forced to move after her care home shut have spoken of the heartache the care crisis in Swindon is having on its victims.   more...

Couples have higher quality of life, according to report

HEALTHY senior citizens living together as couples report the highest quality of life and single ones in residential homes the lowest according to a study funded from Swindon.   more...

Nurses do so much

SWINDON CANCER APPEAL: THE Evening Advertiser is trying to raise £600,000 for Macmillan Cancer Relief to improve the lives of people with cancer in Swindon. Anyone whose life has been touched by the condition is aware of the work of Macmillan and this money will go to pay for two Macmillan nurses and a cancer care consultant over a three year period.   more...

Nerve centre for all rail operations

IT may be good to talk ­ but it is even more important to talk face-to-face.   more...

A lovely lady, and she's 100

CENTENARIAN Ethel Spackman puts her old age down to a careful blend of moderation and God.   more...

A walk around the boundary led to wedded bliss

TONY Bradfield says he has never fallen out with his wife, Rose ­ despite being married for 50 years tomorrow (Friday).   more...

Drugs hell

FORMER heroin addict Miaya Bryan is hoping to start a new life after four years of drug abuse and crime.   more...

Lewis draws lots of praise

A NEW cartoon character will join comic legends Dennis the Menace and Desperate Dan on the pages of Beano and Dandy if nine-year-old Lewis Rogers has his way.   more...

Saved from blaze

A woman was rescued by the fire brigade after a blaze broke out in her town centre flat.   more...

Carousels of colour

FEATURE: Swindon is basking in a sea of colour, as the town flowerbeds come out in bloom for the summer. But the annual display only happens thanks to the efforts of Swindon Council's team of gardeners. ANTHONY OSBORNE reports.   more...

Cadet's funeral

MOURNERS were gathering today for the funeral of skydiver Stephen Hilder, who died after his parachute was sabotaged.   more...

Man attacked and robbed

A MAN had to spend the night in hospital after being injured in an unprovoked assault.   more...

School must show rapid improvement

HEADLANDS School has to improve, and improve fast. That is the message from Coun Nick Martin (Con, Shaw and Nine Elms), who has come out in support of the controversial changes put in place at the school by Swindon's local education authority.   more...

Hopes rest on bid for grants

THE restoration of Christ Church could begin as early as next year. That is the claim being made by the Skyline Appeal which was set up around 18 months ago to raise the £1 million required for essential maintenance work on the building.   more...

Glimmer of hope for historic park

THE restoration of Lydiard Park hangs in the balance after Swindon Council's decision-making cabinet decided to defer its decision on whether to pull out of the project altogether.   more...

Do the drugs and end up doing the time

MIAYA Bryan knows only to well the real cost of turning to a life of drug abuse and crime. She started smoking heroin four years ago and within a year she was injecting the drug and had an expensive habit to support, which she did by turning to shoplifting.   more...

Going down a fete-ful road

THE saying goes that nostalgia isn't what it used to be, but it's good to see a once popular event brought back to life with Faringdon Road Park Children's Fete returning after a gap of 64 years.   more...

Wiltshire News

Cadet's funeral

MOURNERS were gathering today for the funeral of skydiver Stephen Hilder, who died after his parachute was sabotaged.   more...

Wiltshire Sport

Centre Stage!

BEN MARTIN has made a towering leap but not the sort you immediately associate with a footballer who stands six feet seven inches in his bare feet.   more...

Wootton Bassett News

Town goes medieval

WOOTTON BASSETT is to have its first summer ice-skating rink right in the High Street outside the Iceland store.   more...

Email a wish-you-were-here holiday postcard

POSTCARDS arriving weeks after you return from your summer holiday could be a thing of the past, thanks to a revolutionary online system.   more...

  
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