THE staggering hypocrisy of management at EMI really does take some beating. Three months ago, when this newspaper dared to point out the glaringly obvious that the firm's Swindon pressings plant faced an uncertain future we were castigated for being
We are not surprised that the residents of the David Murray John tower are somewhat angry about the state of their building. The fact that they were effectively locked out of their own homes because of a faulty lift ( the other one had broken down the
THE first of the Corsham footpath walks starts on Sunday, March 10. Each starts at 2.30pm and is around four miles long. Sunday's walk starts at Newlands Road car park. The next one is on March 24.
STREET lighting in Church Street in Corsham is set to be improved. The town council has asked North Wiltshire District Council to stump up just under £3,000 so more lights can be put in to make the approach to St Bartholomew's Church safer. Councillors
Plans for the first phase in a retirement village near Corsham were approved despite concerns the project might never be finished. Members of North Wiltshire District Council's area development control committee gave the scheme the green light last week
A TEENAGER has been expelled from Corsham School following allegations that he supplied drugs to a fellow pupil. The year 10 student was suspended by headteacher Martin Williams when the incident came to light and governors voted to exclude the boy permanently
ANDY KING is praying that Huddersfield's McAlpine stadium does not provide the backdrop to Swindon Town's footballing farewell. The manager admits he has never endured such a turbulent build-up to a football match but he remains optimistic that a 'great
Fundraisers Bob and Pauline Britton really got into the spirit of the Cancer Research Campaign's All Day Breakfast on Sunday, March 3. The couple served up a full English breakfast to 60 people, raising £350 for the charity. Mrs Britton said: "We did
A MOSIAC celebrating the youth of two different cultures has been unveiled in Westbury. Youngsters at the Westbury Youth Centre designed the mosaic at Coopers super-market with the help of artist Anita Andrews. It shows the link between the town and those
VOLUNTEERS are needed to be good neighbours in Westbury. The Westbury and District Link Scheme wants people who can give just a little of their time to lend a hand giving lifts to hospital, doing the shopping or just changing a light bulb. Peggy Gray,
Young entrepreneurs from Wiltshire secondary schools have been taking tips and advice from the experts at a masterclass to help improve their business skills. Working in teams the 120 youngsters, who have set up their own businesses to run from school
VILLAGERS in Neston will come together on March 16 to celebrate the achievements made in the village over the last two years. Individuals, families and community groups will be planting oak, walnut and silver birch trees donated by the International Tree
A stretch of cycle path between Melksham and Chippenham is all that is needed to complete a 20-mile long route. The North Wiltshire Rivers route runs from Avebury through Calne to Chippenham. The aim is to complete it by creating a link from Chippenham
THE future of two community buildings in Melksham could be linked to create a rival facility to Trowbridge Civic Hall. The Rachel Fowler Centre and Melksham Assembly Hall are both facing uncertainty unless committee members can be found to run them. The
Young entrepreneurs from Wiltshire secondary schools have been taking tips and advice from the experts at a masterclass to help improve their business skills. Working in teams the 120 youngsters, who have set up their own businesses to run from school
FEARS of a meningitis outbreak in Melksham have been dispelled despite three people dying from the disease within five months. Daniel Higgs, 10, is among the disease's latest victims, dying just two hours after showing symptoms. Dr Bharat Pankhania, of
A DESPERATE week for Bath Rugby. The resignation of Jon Callard has rocked the whole club. Yes, there had been some talk by supporters and in the press that JC's role was under threat but no one within the club seriously considered that we would lose
Imperial Tobacco has landed the world's fourth biggest cigarette maker in a deal that will see it take over the West and Davidoff brands. The Bristol-based company is paying £3.18 billion for a 90.01 per cent stake in German firm Reemtsma after seeing
ARRIVA Ford Swindon and Chippenham are celebrating a trio of successes. Its parent company has reported a nine per cent profits jump, despite problems with its rail division; the Swindon branch has received a major company award and it has renewed a sponsorship
TEENAGERS in Melksham will have to wait even longer for a promised youth caf to open, because its Town Hall home still needs building work done. Organisers had hoped to open the long-awaited caf this month, and have appealed for volunteers to help staff
FORMER soldiers who were in the Royal Berkshire Regiment, including those who carried out national service and have not seen each other for 50 years, have been invited to a reunion in July. Details are available from Stan Knipe on (01452) 728823. We have
MARY Dolman and Tim Faulkener, the licensees of the Tipsy Toad pub in Bulkington near Devizes, are on tenterhooks after being told they are in the last three for a national award. The free house, which the couple took over three years ago, has been shortlisted
A THIEVING secretary caught on camera by her boss was preparing to find out her punishment on Thursday, March 7. Claire Northeast, 23, stole up to £500 from her employer, Norbeck Data, over a period of several months. When suspicious bosses started noticing
A LORRY driver accused of killing four people by dangerous driving was due to appear in court on Thursday, March 7. Christopher Hannon, 34, from Tysign, Risca, Gwent, faced four charges of causing death by dangerous driving, relating to an accident on
POLICE have been ordered to re-open an inquiry into the death of a telephone engineer who was dragged off a telegraph pole when a lorry hit a cable. An inquest into the death of Tara Whelan, 32, heard that BT had twice been warned about the safety of
YOUTH FOOTBALL: THE Mid-Wilts under 15s' representative side are just one step away from a trip to Villa Park after a 5-1 success in their English Schools Wizard Trophy quarter final against Maidstone on Monday night. Two strikes apiece from Sheldon pupils
A SECOND half equaliser from Elliott Williams salvaged a point for Calne Town as they twice came from behind to draw with fellow strugglers Ilfracombe on Saturday 2 March. Calne were given an early boost when goalkeeper Brendan Dix kept out a Matt Deaken
WARMINSTER Town gave high-flying Torrington a scare before going down to the odd goal in five at Vicarage Field on Saturday 1 March. Justin Tugwell's second minute effort handed Andy Crabtree's men the lead and they might have grabbed a late point after
TROWBRIDGE LEAGUE: BROUGHTON Gifford have reached the final of the Knockout Cup (sponsored by DL Windows and Conservatories of Chippenham) for the sixth season running. Gifford were behind at the interval in the semi-final tie against The Deverills, Scott
SKURRAY'S WILTSHIRE LEAGUE: TROWBRIDGE moved back up to third in the Premier Division by defeating struggling Aldbourne. The early stages saw Trowbridge attacking but the forwards found it difficult to avoid the visitors' offside trap. Aldbourne took
WARMINSTER Town secretary Joy Bown is to leave the relegation-haunted Screwfix Direct League First Division outfit at the end of the season. Former Westbury stalwart Mrs Bown is unhappy at behind-the-scenes developments at the club. She will continue
THE new Cayenne is far from being the first seriously quick estate car. Not counting the more mundane examples such as the Reliant Scimitar and other specials, the most notable was the Aston Martin V8 Virage Shooting Brake, 12 examples of which were made
MG ROVER'S new MG TF has been named Cabrio of the Year at the Geneva Motor Show. The annual award, voted by a jury of 18 independent motoring journalists from 11 countries, is given to a new open-top car with outstanding design and appeal to a widespread
Possibly the star of the Geneva Motor Show is a new Porsche. Now there's a surprise. But hang about, what's this, an estate car with a Porsche badge on it, surely not? Well you'd never catch me in an estate car says the rugged sporty looking type looking
DOCTORS are more likely to make a claim on their motor insurance policy than any other professionals, according to a leading insurance group. Churchill Insurance said doctors had the worst claims record, closely followed by chefs, recruitment consultants
WITH the market debut of its ultra-luxury saloon now just six months away, Maybach has unveiled the newly developed Type 12 engine which will be used to power the £250,000 machine. The innovative 12-cylinder engine goes on show to the public for the first
THE state-of-the-art Civis transport system has received a second major bus and coach industry award. Late last year its Irisbus was voted Invention of the Coach of the Year Award, now it is the Irisbus Iveco New Maxim which has been named Coach of the
DRINK driving has led to a 40-hour community punishment order and a two-year driving ban for Douglas Alexander Robson, 19, of Midway Manor, Bradford on Avon. He admitted he had been drink-driving in Claverton Down Road, Bath, when he appeared at Bath
A PAIR of teenagers who bullied a Bradford on Avon girl are being reprimanded by police. The mother of the 13-year-old girl, who goes to St Laurence School, has spoken out over the attacks. Annette Trott, of Priory Close, said: "My daughter went to Christchurch
Young people from Bradford on Avon will be strutting down the catwalk next week to raise money for charity. Members of the town's Youth Council will be performing at a fashion show at the Leigh Park Hotel in Bradford on Avon on Wednesday night. All money
The daughter of World War II hero Ernest Alfred James Fishlock is looking for any siblings or their descendants. He was born at 4 Bloomfield Terrace, Rowde in 1914. This row of houses stood at the top of Caen Hill on the site of what is now Curry's Garage
THE letters regarding Clarence prompted me to relate my own experience concerning the Shires roundabout in Bythesea Road. Removal of the illuminated signs on the roundabout left an island bounded by brickwork of the same colour as the road. At night particularly
I AM sure we would all like to live in your correspondent Mr Hungerford's world of lower taxes, lower rates and lower bills all round and still retain present or improved services. Unfortunately, in County Hall, we have to live in the real world where
I WAS appalled at the article in last week's Wiltshire Times (about the town council's plan to employ a community development worker for the Studley Green Estate) that deemed Studley Green a deprived area. This estate is, in the main, brand new houses
Last June I was elected county councillor for the Trowbridge West division. Almost immediately, committee members of the various luncheon clubs and day centres in the town contacted me. They were most concerned Wiltshire County Council Social Services
Is it really a good idea to let the under-fives loose in a busy supermarket pushing miniature shopping trolleys? Of course it's a lot of fun for the kids and they might even put some extra 'must have' items in the trolley which the parents will have to
SWINDON: South Swindon MP Julia Drown has pledged to fight on for the right of women to breastfeed in the House of Commons. She spoke out after Speaker Michael Martin decided that the ban, which also applies to committee rooms and visitors galleries,
SWINDON: Two muggers, one female, rifled a 17-year-old student's rucksack after attacking him as he walked along Queen's Drive. One is described as a white male in his mid-teens, with short light coloured hair, wearing a multi coloured Hawaiian style
EMI is to close its Swindon manufacturing plant with the loss of 192 jobs, shocked workers learned this morning. The firm told staff at the factory near Stratton that it was starting a consultation process with a view to closing it. CD production will
WE WERE SOLDIERS (15, 138 mins) Mel Gibson, Madeleine Stowe, Sam Elliott. Now showing at UGC and Cineworld in Swindon In war, there are no winners, only losers. We Were Soldiers recounts a harrowing true story of courage and endurance during the Vietnam
'SERVICE Above Self' is the motto of Trowbridge Rotary Club, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. The club is part of a worldwide organisation made up of professional men who give their free time to work on projects helping people locally,
STUDENTS from Poland, Germany and France have travelled to west Wiltshire to learn about life and work in England. Trowbridge Town Youth Council organised a reception for the 12 students at Trowbridge Museum on Monday, March 4. The meeting gave the group
A HEROIN user who failed to appear in court to face a shoplifting charge said he was unable to turn up because he was committing another theft at the time. Daniel Henley, of Boreham Road, Warminster, told magistrates he was trying to raise the money for
THE future of two community buildings in Melksham could be linked to create a rival facility to Trowbridge Civic Hall. The Rachel Fowler Centre and Melksham Assembly Hall are both facing uncertainty unless committee members can be found to run them. The
THE great-great-great granddaughter of Thomas Usher, founder of Ushers Brewery, was in Trowbridge this week to follow up her family tree. Nina Graham, of Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, spent three days researching the family and visiting Trowbridge museum
THE FINALISTS in the Trowbridge Employee of the Year Competition have five days to wait for the title battle. The six finalists, who have been featured in the Wiltshire Times over the past three weeks, will be interviewed on stage at Trowbridge Civic
CHILDREN at Bratton Primary School can't complain about their new deputy head teacher because they helped to choose her. The eight youngsters, aged between seven and 11, on the school council each thought of a question to ask the candidates. Headteacher
A YOUNG cancer victim who spent his last weeks helping others has lost his fight for life. Wayne Taylor, 22, died at his home in Lynwood Drive, Trowbridge, on Monday, March 4, with his parents, Steve and Gillian at his side. In the last few weeks his
THE greatly anticipated opening of the Chicago Rock Caf in Trowbridge is due to go ahead on Friday, March 8, amid hopes it will bring new life to the town centre. The ticket-only grand opening, complete with stilt-walkers and fire-eaters, will be kicked
MARCH 2 - 10: THE eighth Bath Literature Festival will celebrate the connections between people, cultures, languages and religions. The event, set for March 2-10, will feature performances, cutting-edge debates, storytelling, literary readings and discussions
Swindon Supermarine boss John Murphy has set his side an ambitious target of six points from their next two Western Division outings. Murphy's troops entertain Shepshed Dynamo tomorrow, before playing host to beleaguered Bilston on Wednesday, and the
MARCH 3 ONWARDS: SOME of the most respected names in books, film and television are set to visit Bath in March for a nine-day literary extravaganza. Celebrities appearing at the eighth Bath Literary Festival include Planet of the Apes star Helena Bonham
BART GRIEMINK Dropped a bit of a clanger against Brentford on Tuesday night. Looking to bounce back. DAVID DUKE Did not disgrace himself at Griffin Park. Not certain of a start though. SOL DAVIS Seems to have calmed down of late. Thigh strain doubt. ANDY
A LEON KNIGHT goal seven minutes from time kept Huddersfield in the promotion hunt on Tuesday night. The Terriers trailed 1-0 against lowly Chesterfield at Saltergate until Knight struck to ensure a share of the spoils. The 1-1 draw left the West Yorkshire
ANDY KING is praying that Huddersfield's McAlpine stadium does not provide the backdrop to Swindon Town's footballing farewell. The manager admits he has never endured such a turbulent build-up to a football match but he remains optimistic that a 'great
Abroken fence, a slashed tyre, a damaged window. Vandals have been striking at the heart of our community for years. In the past, a stern ticking off by police officers was all these petty offenders received, but now it can be a hefty prison sentence
SHEARWATER once again produced the goods in the Avon Angling midweek open match, with bream and carp feeding well despite gale force winds making presentation difficult. Team Sillybait matchman Alex Murray won with a mixed bag of bream and carp weighing
EIGHTEEN months ago, when Citroen joined the mini-MPV race which had been started when its fellow countryman Renault created the Scenic, no one could have predicted that the newly arrived Picasso would become the biggest seller of them all. The lesson
PRICES of new cars rose faster in February, while used-car values fell for the first time since April 2001. The rate of rises in new car prices increased to 2.6 per cent, from 1.9 per cent in January. Cars in the Ford Focus sector, which topped the sales
IF you're buying a new car, you need to choose models with all the bells and whistles if they are to remain desirable to used-car buyers when you come to sell. The message is to beware of the cheaper low-spec models, because dealers may shun them when
IT STARTED with Volkswagen. The German maker tackled the problem of its lacklustre Passat . . . and came up with a new version which stunned the car world. Incredibly, that was all of five years ago. Quickly the new mid-range saloon become the choice
THE DEAL for a new pub in Taw Hill has been signed and sealed. Arkell's Brewery today announced that it has secured a 1.8 acre site just west of Westfield Way in Taw Hill, West Swindon, where it will build a new pub for the developing community. The pub
JAN Stubbings, the current deputy chief executive of Wiltshire Health Authority, has been appointed to head a new organization responsible for the health of 200,000 people in Swindon. She will become the chief executive of the new Swindon Primary Care
JUNIOR school pupils across Swindon are learning about how the body works thanks to the power of dance. Swindon Dance has teamed up with the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) for the initiative, as part of National Science
A NEW programme of guided events on both the Thames Path and Ridgeway national trails is now available from the National Trails office. The walks are one of the best ways to enjoy the countryside around the paths during the spring and summer months. To
THE sounds of Robbie Williams, Top Loader and Jamiroquai have landed a Swindon pub landlord in trouble with one of the country's top judges. Antonio Mazzotta, owner of The Prince of Wales in Union Street, has been given a pay-up or shut-up ultimatum at
OUTSTANDING adult tutors from Swindon are required for a prestigious national awards scheme. Adult Tutor Awards, run by the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education, (NIACE) wants nominations for tutors in England who have given over and above
CRICKLADE Police Station has had a facelift. Building and refurbishment, which started 10 months ago, has brought modernity to what was a 1960s-style police station which even had a disused former 'police house' accommodation upstairs. Now the old open-plan
MOVES to make digital hearing aids available on the NHS have been backed by South Swindon MP Julia Drown. The MP visited a Royal National Institute for the Deaf reception at the House of Commons. Following an RNID campaign, the Government has made an
SWINDON'S soccer fans are being given the chance to say Sayonara to England's World Cup heroes in their last home friendly before the World Cup. Clever churchgoers at Christ Church in Old Town are raffling two tickets for the team's match against Paraguay
To all the staff at the Diabetic Clinic and the Ophthalmic Department, Princess Margaret Hospital: I would like to thank the doctors and staff of both the above departments for their helpfulness, efficiency, friendliness and all round good work. Yes,
We learn from the Evening Advertiser of February 22 that two of the three Conservative councillors for Highworth were absent from the annual budget meeting of the borough council on February 21, being on holiday! Clearly this is an appalling situation
W NEWSON (March 4) says he has no sympathy for the metric martyrs and that they are a "bunch of EU hating publicity seekers". What stupid bombastic rubbish. All those men wanted to do was to serve their customers in a system of measurements which they
One of the best ways to put pressure on the Government is to write through your constituency MP. On the subject of which I would like to add my voice to George Duncan. While the top knobs in the government may be in their own little spin, Julia Drown
In response to Mr Harrison's letter in the Adver regarding horseracing, I take it this is the same Mr Harrison and his little band of followers who wrote in not five months ago complaining about the cruelty of greyhound racing. Horseracing is now his
BATH'S millionaire backer Andrew Brownsword has been warned to get the chequebook out if the club are to challenge for rugby's top honours again. Team director Michael Foley believes the club has paid the price for a lack of strength in depth this season
ASSISTANT coach John Hall claims it will take Bath at least two years to return to the pinnacle of English club rugby. Former England flanker Hall believes the club must form a long-term plan to ensure they are once again challenging the likes of champions
MARCH 23 ONWARDS: TWO concerts at St Mary's church in Bathwick will complete a series of events to raise money for the restoration of the church's organ. The organ dates from 1878 and is one of the most notable instruments in the diocese. On March 23,
UNTIL APRIL 6: Roxana Halls, Beaux Arts, Bath: Roxana Halls' latest exhibition at Beaux Arts is an unsettling affair. Her superbly executed paintings depict, in the main, women... women whose scattering of 1940s female props (handbags, gloves) belies
MARCH 30: FOLLOWING last year's sell-out concert, the London Gala Orchestra returns to the Assembly Rooms, Bath, on Easter Saturday, March 30, to give its annual concert in romantic candlelight. The programme features many elements enjoyed so much by
STAFF from Chippenham firm Science Systems Ltd were wide awake at 1am on Friday, march 1, to watch the satellite they helped build go rocketing 500 miles into orbit. They watched as Envisat, the most advanced Earth observation satellite ever to be built
A GRANDMOTHER and her family were forced to flee as fire swept through her home. Margaret Butterfield was at home in Barons Mead, Chippenham, with her daughter and young grandchildren when she saw flames coming from a conservatory at the back of the house
Young entrepreneurs from Wiltshire secondary schools have been taking tips and advice from the experts at a masterclass to help improve their business skills. Working in teams the 120 youngsters, who have set up their own businesses to run from school
CHIPPENHAM is to host an "anything goes" martial arts competition, presented by a $10,000-a-night US announcer. Ultimate Combat will be the south west's biggest martial arts competition, featuring the growing sport of mixed martial arts, where fighters
SCHOOLchildren in Chippenham got the chance to play along with a real life rock star on Monday, March 4. Status Quo drummer, Jeff Rich, was at Redland Community School to talk to the children about his career and to teach them all about drums. Headteacher
The Citizen's Advice Bureau is one of those splendid organisations which has provided an excellent service to many people over the years. So it is with some concern that we hear there are problems in the Swindon branch due to a staff shortage. The bureau
VILLAGERS in Neston will come together on March 16 to celebrate the achievements made in the village over the last two years. Individuals, families and community groups will be planting oak, walnut and silver birch trees donated by the International Tree
GREEN volunteers faced a steep challenge on Sunday, March 3, as they turned out to tidy up common land in Box. A team of nine spent the day clearing undergrowth and brambles at Box Hill Lower Common. Most of the work had to be done using hand tools because
THE FINALISTS in the Trowbridge Employee of the Year Competition have five days to wait for the title battle. The six finalists, who have been featured in the Wiltshire Times over the past three weeks, will be interviewed on stage at Trowbridge Civic
Young entrepreneurs from Wiltshire secondary schools have been taking tips and advice from the experts at a masterclass to help improve their business skills. Working in teams the 120 youngsters, who have set up their own businesses to run from school
THIS month the online version of the Wiltshire Times, This is Wiltshire, launches a major new section to the website Weird Wiltshire. Within Weird Wiltshire you will find all that is spooky, mysterious and mystical in our beautiful county. Wiltshire is
WESTBURY voters will elect a new town councillor next Thursday. The candidates are: David Brown (Ind), of Ashgrove, 38 Storemore, Dilton Marsh. Peter John Ezra (Lab), of 156 Eden Vale Road, Westbury. Russell Hawker (Con), of 64 Fell Road, Leigh Park,
THIS month the online version of the Wiltshire Times, This is Wiltshire, launches a major new section to the website Weird Wiltshire. Within Weird Wiltshire you will find all that is spooky, mysterious and mystical in our beautiful county. Wiltshire is
YOUNG farmers in Wiltshire are dreaming of more than a good harvest as they launch their county-wide hunt for an ideal date. Love letters and date proposals have been flooding in for the 16 studs since the competition was launched. Among the dream dates
A MELKSHAM motorist has been charged with dangerous driving. Victor Benham, 36, of Fairway, has not entered pleas to the charge of dangerous driving. The case was due to be heard at North West Wiltshire Magistrates Court in Trowbridge on Thursday, March
TEENAGERS in Melksham will have to wait even longer for a promised youth caf to open, because its Town Hall home still needs building work done. Organisers had hoped to open the long-awaited caf this month, and have appealed for volunteers to help staff
GREEN volunteers faced a steep challenge on Sunday, March 3, as they turned out to tidy up common land in Box. A team of nine spent the day clearing undergrowth and brambles at Box Hill Lower Common. Most of the work had to be done using hand tools because
IT HAS stood at the heart of Melksham's industrial landscape for nearly 100 years, but the old dye house chimney has now been given a 21st century role to play. After five weeks of building work, the chimney now embarks on the latest chapter in its fascinating
TWO teenagers who caused over £50,000 damage to the new divisional police headquarters in Melksham have each been jailed for nine months. David Canham and Richard Mitchell wreaked havoc at the building compound on Hampton Park West in October, daubing
A CLOUD of grief hangs over the classrooms of Lowbourne Junior School as the young friends of 10-year-old meningitis victim Daniel Higgs carefully write their heartfelt tributes. The funeral of tragic Daniel takes place in Melksham on Friday, March 8,
Strike-hit transport and train company Arriva, which has the Ford dealership in Swindon, has posted a nine per cent rise in underlying pre-tax profits and increased its annual payout to shareholders. The higher dividend comes as industrial action by conductors
Shipping group P&O chartered a course for calmer waters today as it forecast a significant improvement in the performance of its core business this year. Shares in the company soared 12 per cent despite a fall in operating profits, as P&O added
MOTHERS across the district are being invited to take part in a tea party on Sunday, March 10, to help support Fair Trade Fortnight. Staff at the Cottage Co-operative caf will be hosting the event. Gillian Bradley from the Cottage Co-op caf said: "We
A NEW awards scheme celebrating the achievements of people in Wiltshire will be launched on Monday, March 11. The People of Wiltshire Awards, managed by Wiltshire County Council, will be the first countywide awards scheme. Nominations will be invited
IT HAS stood at the heart of Melksham's industrial landscape for nearly 100 years, but the old dye house chimney has now been given a 21st century role to play. After five weeks of building work, the chimney now embarks on the latest chapter in its fascinating
YOUNG farmers in Wiltshire are dreaming of more than a good harvest as they launch their county-wide hunt for an ideal date. Love letters and date proposals have been flooding in for the 16 studs since the competition was launched. Among the dream dates
VANDALS have struck again in Codford, this time targeting a farm with an air rifle. The attackers shot pellets through five windows at Auckland Farm and destroyed some animal feed in the attack. Farmer Peter Crossman said: "We had five windows shot out
LAND owned by Wiltshire County Council can be offered to developers to build a road through the Hilperton Gap. The cabinet agreed the former nursery site could be handed over at a meeting on March 1. The transfer will only proceed if a public inquiry,
VILLAGERS in Steeple Ashton have moved one step closer to getting a community shop. Campaigners have been fighting to get a shop back in the village since the only one closed two years ago. West Wiltshire District Council has now given outline permission
WILTSHIRE police has issued advice on how people can protect themselves against car crime. This month it will be highlighting vehicle crime, which accounts for 20 per cent of all crime in the country, with a radio and poster advertising campaign. Taking
A HARD-HITTING campaign to find the hidden victims of child cruelty was stepped up this week by a leading children's charity. The NSPCC's FULL STOP drive will now focus on increasing awareness of child abuse through a shocking TV advert, screened for
THE PARENTS of a 20-year-old woman who died after taking a contraceptive pill have spoken of their anguish as they launch a lawsuit against the pill's makers. As Patricia and Harry Marsh, of Woodcock Park, Warminster, prepare to see how seven lead cases
Fundraisers Bob and Pauline Britton really got into the spirit of the Cancer Research Campaign's All Day Breakfast on Sunday, March 3. The couple served up a full English breakfast to 60 people, raising £350 for the charity. Mrs Britton said: "We did
HIGHWORTH: The Highworth division of St John Ambulance is looking for a new leader to run its cadet group. There are 20 cadets in Highworth, aged 10 to 16, and the group meets every Monday evening at the Council Offices. Their leader is responsible for
DEVIZES Town hit the heady heights of fifth place in the Screwfix Direct Premier League after a Barry Flippance goal gave them victory over Barnstaple Town at Nursteed Road on Saturday 2 March. The triumph was Devizes' fourth on the trot and lifted them
WESTBURY United boss Derek Graham branded his side's display as their worst of the season as the threat of relegation continues to loom large for the Meadow Lane club. The defeat was Westbury's heaviest of a troubled campaign and leaves them four points
CORSHAM Town's miserable recent run continued on Saturday 2 March as they crashed to their fourth successive First Division defeat at home to Screwfix Direct League newcomers Willand Rovers. The Wiltshire side had triumphed 2-0 in the corresponding fixture
SCREWFIX DIRECT LEAGUE: MELKSHAM Town player-manager Robbie Lardner was an unhappy man after seeing his side crash to a shock Les Phillips Cup quarter final defeat at the hands of First Division Bitton on Saturday. The visitors were widely tipped to book
A HEROIN user who failed to appear in court to face a shoplifting charge said he was unable to turn up because he was committing another theft at the time. Daniel Henley, of Boreham Road, Warminster, told magistrates he was trying to raise the money for
THIS month the online version of the Wiltshire Times, This is Wiltshire, launches a major new section to the website Weird Wiltshire. Within Weird Wiltshire you will find all that is spooky, mysterious and mystical in our beautiful county. Wiltshire is
An Army captain based in Warminster, who gave evidence at the Bloody Sunday inquiry, has escaped jail after a vicious road rage attack. Former para Captain Ronald Henderson, 50, repeatedly punched another motorist and then drove into him before speeding
THE THIRD fire in a fortnight in Warminster left a man badly injured at his home in Cotton House Gardens on Sunday morning, March 3. The fire started at 5.15am on Sunday and the 28-year-old man was taken to the Royal United Hospital, Bath with burns to
A YOUNG cancer victim who spent his last weeks helping others has lost his fight for life. Wayne Taylor, 22, died at his home in Lynwood Drive, Trowbridge, on Monday, with his parents, Steve and Gillian at his side. In the last few weeks his efforts raised
The Morgan Aero is not for the fainthearted. In truth, it isn't really the ideal runabout for a plump old gentleman trying to relive memories of other wonderful Morgans in a increasingly dim past. For him it is a Sunday car only. With a 0 to 60 mph figure
Gary Dodsley, 41, of Poulton, Bradford on Avon, admitted driving without insurance when he appeared at Bath Magistrates' Court last week. He was fined £70 and banned from driving for three months.
PARENTS' questions about childhood diseases, including asthma, will be answered at a patient participation group meeting at Bradford Road Medical Centre in Trowbridge on Thursday, March 14. The meeting is being held at 7.30pm and parents will be able
THIS month the online version of the Wiltshire Times, This is Wiltshire, launches a major new section to the website Weird Wiltshire. Within Weird Wiltshire you will find all that is spooky, mysterious and mystical in our beautiful county. Wiltshire is
Young entrepreneurs from Wiltshire secondary schools have been taking tips and advice from the experts at a masterclass to help improve their business skills. Working in teams the 120 youngsters, who have set up their own businesses to run from school
I AM writing to support the Wiltshire Rural Music School. I understand there is some conflict at the moment over noise levels. This establishment has been in operation, I believe, for about 70 years, involving people of all ages, from little children,
PERHAPS your readers may like to know what West Wiltshire District Council gets up to. The Bradford on Avon station car park 'loo' was awarded a prestigious award. This toilet has been closed for several months whilst being presumably upgraded. It is
I SUSPECT many of your readers will be encouraged by the correspondence initiated by Ben Biddulph (Wiltshire Times, February 22) and endorsed by contributors to the letters page, two of whom described his letter as "refreshing". I too endorse his comments
SWINDON: A five car pile-up happened opposite EMI's Drake's Way headquarters at about 9.45am today. It is thought that there were two separate accidents, one involving a Ford Mondeo, an Alfa Romeo and a Rover, and another involving an Austin Metro and
DANIEL Sandler, make-up artist to the stars, usually charges up to £1,000 for a consultation. But would-be Swindon supermodel, Caroline Barber, was treated to a free make-over from him when he swapped London for the Brunel shopping centre. Daniel, 33,
CABINET lead member for Education and Community Garry Per-kins ruffled a few feathers when he suggested Swindon Citizen's Advice Bureau might not be getting a council grant this year. He suggested there were questions marks over how money at the centre
TOP DJs from across the country are getting together to support a charity money-spinner tomorrow. And among them is the resident DJ of Zu Bar in Shaw Ridge, Ron Travolta who is waiving his fee to support the first World DJ day, a global initiative to
RESIDENTS of Swindon's tallest tower were left out in the cold for more than an hour following a lift breakdown. About 20 people who live in the David Murray John tower, which dominates the Swindon skyline, returned home from work on Tuesday evening to
SWINDON Council will learn this month if its bid for £80 million of private money for new schools in North Swindon has been successful but it could be damned whichever way the decision goes. The Advertiser can today reveal that even if the Private Finance
CIRENCESTER Under 16s travel to take on Bristol side Cleve in the County Cup on Sunday. Both sides are have already qualifed for the quarter-finals, Ciren warming up for this weekend's match with a 19-14 defeat to Cheltenham. The under 15's entertain
Swindon return to Southern Counties North action at Milton Keynes tomorrow. The Greenbridge Road side ran out 48-0 when the two sides met earlier this season. Despite a few forced changes, Swindon will be looking for their ninth league win of the season
I MUST admit that I have had better weeks than the last seven days. On Monday I sustained a blow to my back going into contact during training for England A resulting in one prolapsed disk and one bulging disk in my spine. This could not have come at
HEARTS IN ATLANTIS (12, 100 mins) Starring Anthony Hopkins, Anton Yelchin: THIS adaptation of a Stephen King story is set in New England in the summer of 1960, when the mysterious Ted Brautigan (Hopkins) arrives to lodge with single mother Liz (Hope Davis
THIS month the online version of the Wiltshire Times, This is Wiltshire, launches a major new section to the website Weird Wiltshire. Within Weird Wiltshire you will find all that is spooky, mysterious and mystical in our beautiful county. Wiltshire is
THE SIZE of the CCTV camera masts being installed in Trowbridge have surprised many, including councillors. The 20ft-high surveillance masts going up are a lot bigger then most people imagined they would be. Town mayor and district councillor, Jeff Osborn
A CELEBRATION of the art of photography will be held at the Civic Hall in Trowbridge on Thursday, March 14, in honour of the diamond jubilee of the Trowbridge Camera Club. From 2-5pm there will be print displays and professional and local trade displays
A TEENAGE dog owner from Trowbridge is facing trial charged with allowing his pet to attack a seven-year-old boy. The victim, a Trowbridge primary school pupil, was attacked while in a pushchair outside Andrew Wicks' home in Navigator Close, Trowbridge
A support service for Alzheimer's sufferers in west Wiltshire has been saved from possible closure by Lottery money. Trowbridge-based Alzheimers Support West Wilts has even been able to extend the service it offers after receiving a £112,444 grant from
A 25-YEAR-OLD Trowbridge man who took a bladed instrument into a public place was due in court on Thursday, March 7. James Brewer, 25, of Sherman Street, admitted charges of possessing cannabis and having the bladed instrument in public without authority
A PUBLIC inquiry into plans to develop a wildlife study centre near Trowbridge begins on Tuesday, March 12. Businessman Thomas Rothschild wants to create the centre on a 35-acre site between the river Avon, the Kennet and Avon canal and the railway line
A 100-YEAR-OLD wedding dress has gone on display at Trowbridge Museum. The dress dates from 1903 when local doctor Frank Bond married Blanche Rowland from Bletchley. It is made of silk with lace and bead decoration. The skirt and bodice are separate garments
FITNESS fans in Trowbridge will soon get the chance to compare their form with others around the world. Castle Place Leisure Centre in Trowbridge is taking part in the Smile Buster Indoor Triathlon Challenge. The event, launched on March 16, allows competitors
A FORMER pub licensee threw his partner around the kitchen 'like a rag doll' after she asked him to sleep on the sofa. Trowbridge magistrates heard how James Kennon, 34, picked up his girlfriend by the neck and threw her across the room as his temper
HUMPTY Dumpty really did fall off the wall in Staverton. Trowbridge town crier, Trevor Heeks, was practising for his part in the Staverton Players pantomime, The Lost Sheep, when he lost his balance and toppled over. Luckily no permanent damage was done
A BRASS band concert given by Trowbridge school children could be the last ever heard at the Wiltshire Rural Music School. After more than 35 years in the town the school has been served with a noise abatement order and must stop all brass playing by
NEARLY 40 travellers' caravans have converged on a Trowbridge car park. The caravans arrived at the car park next to the Civic Hall on Tuesday evening, March 5, and it may take legal action to evict them. The car park is part of the old Tesco site bought
Young entrepreneurs from Wiltshire secondary schools have been taking tips and advice from the experts at a masterclass to help improve their business skills. Working in teams the 120 youngsters, who have set up their own businesses to run from school
SKURRAYS WILTSHIRE LEAGUE (kick-off 3pm) Premier Division: Aldbourne v Marlborough Tn; Biddestone v Bradford Tn; Corsham Tn Res v Cricklade Tn; Melksham Tn Res v Malmesbury Vics Res; Pewsey Vale Res v Shrewton Utd; Trowbridge Tn v Purton Res; Westbury
TOP match in the local soccer programme this weekend is likely to be at Devizes Town's ground, where Wilts Premier side Wroughton take on the leaders of the Hellenic Division One West, Pewsey Vale, in the semi-final of the Wilts Senior Cup. Wroughton,
Highlight of the action in the Wiltshire League this weekend is the Fountain Trophies Junior Cup semi final between Bromham and Marlborough Town Reserves. The tie looks to be a fairly even contest although the young Marlborough side have won 12 of their
Melksham Town face their stiffest test of the season when they travel to Premier Division favourites Bideford tomorrow. Player manager Robbie Lardner is doubtful through illness. Nigel Tripp and Jason Lunt will also miss out, but Nick Tiley returns to
MARTYN MARGETSON Town's strikers will be hoping for better luck after his display at the County Ground. STEVE JENKINS Versatile defender able to play in either full back role. Joined the Terriers from Swansea. NATHAN CLARKE A successful product of the
ALAN YOUNG has already tasted the pleasure and the pain that football can bring and he is looking for a big dose of the former at the McAlpine Stadium. The 18 year-old striker made his full debut on a sunny afternoon at the County Ground against Port
MATT HEWLETT has called for the same resolve that has seen Town bounce back from numerous set backs this season. Tuesday's defeat at Brentford hurt the midfielder but he believes Town's record this year shows there is a strength of character in Andy King's
DAVID DUKE has assured fans that the players will temporarily put aside off the field concerns when they face Huddersfield Town at the McAlpine stadium tomorrow. The Scotsman said it was impossible to ignore the growing crisis surrounding the club but
THE Swindon Town Supporters Trust is calling on fans to do more than voice concern about the future of the club. With the financial picture looking rather grim, TrustSTFC members believe now is the time for fans to back the organisation like never before
Defence solicitor Paul Orton's comments in court this week that Wiltshire is awash with drugs is, to say the least, a damning indictment on our county, the police and moreover those peoplewho live here. Cheap heroin and cocaine has been flooding into
POSH car-maker BMW has decided it can no longer ignore the buyer who prefers a small car. Here's the German company's new 1 Series, officially known as the CS1 Concept Car, which has just been unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show. BMW is being cagey about
POLISHED wood, that traditonal mark of quality in many a middle-range car, is making a comeback. But this time it's often not acres of polished veneer, but as our Page One pictures show more subtle strips of wood to highlight the fascia or door cappings
WORK on New College's new campus is progressing well, say the builders. CH Pearce Construction is in charge of putting up the new building next to the current one off Queen's Drive. The foundations for the £11 million campus were laid in December and
MORE men are following in the ever-lightening footsteps of slimmer Peter Kidd. It's now a year since Peter became Slimming World's first male consultant in Swindon. The classes he runs at Haydon Wick attract up to 80 people and around 13 of them are men
THOUSANDS of pounds worth of damage was caused to several properties in Wroughton after the reservoir flooded. One home was submerged to a depth of two feet and at least two other properties on Bakers Road were affected. Strangely, the flooding came on
YEAR 11 students at Warneford School, Highworth, concluded their coursework with an open evening for parents. The Design and Technology, Art and Child Development students displayed their work prior to it being sent off to the examining boards. The purpose
THE farmers' market is back in Swindon following last year's foot and mouth epidemic. It was scaled down following the outbreak of the disease, which closed thousands of farms across the country. But the market has returned to its location outside the
SWINDON Town's players have been spreading the word by turning up at school and helping pupils learn to read. Bertie Brayley and James Williams visited Holy Family Primary in Park North as part of the school's Reading Week. Cynics might suggest that the
BEEFEATER restaurants and pubs all over Swindon have teamed up with Olympic Rower Sir Steven Redgrave to raise money for the Gold medallist's charity. To start the fund-raising campaign, on March 20, The Grove, The Lydiard Inn and The Running Horse are
AN aeronautical legend is taking to the skies to star at this year's Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford. A preserved example of the Lancaster, probably the most famous British war plane after the Spitfire, is flying as part of the air tattoo's
TWO villages are on a collision course over whether drivers from one have the right to drive through the other. Residents from Chiseldon, total population 3,000, and picturesque Hodson, which boasts just 26 homes, are locked in battle over whether Chiseldon
A 25-year-old heroin addict attacked a store detective who caught him shoplifting the day after being freed on bail by magistrates. Paul Dobson was released on February 11 after appearing in court charged with driving while disqualified and without insurance
SWINDON Film Society has rescheduled a movie that fell victim to a projector breakdown last year. Members left the Arts Centre disappointed after the technical problem arose when the Hong Kong film In The Mood For Love was playing in October. Now the
THE Swindon man killed in a rush-hour accident on the M4 has been named as 30-year-old Constindine Papadakis. He lived alone in Southampton Street, off Drove Road. Members of his London-based family were too upset to speak as they arrived at his home
FURNITURE shop owner Stuart Mycroft has collected a £1,000 bill for ignoring a planning enforcement notice. Yesterday, the owner of Supershop in Fleet Street and a retail warehouse on Station industrial estate, admitted to Swindon magistrates he had not
I READ with interest, one man crime wave admits to 59 burglaries in Swindon (Evening Advertiser, February 27). I am sure the chief constable will be delighted with this. One or two like this would keep Mr Blunkett off her back! When the crime statistics
Why is it that with all the questions that your readers ask, such as what happened to the millions raised from the sale of the Brunel Centre, why are our streets in such an appalling state of disrepair, why have our rates gone up to an over inflation
UNTIL APRIL 2: THE organisers of the Royal Bath and West Show have sent out an SOS after they received only one entry in the competition for country crafts and home produce. The village hall competitions usually among the most popular of the many challenges
CHIPPENHAM saw their South West East Division Two title hopes take a blow on Saturday 2 March with defeat at third placed Abbey. Chippenham, beaten twice by league leaders Marlow already this season, slipped to their third reverse of the campaign against
A cocky teenager caught snatching a pensioner's bag to fuel his heroin habit taunted his captors by telling them he would be freed within hours to steal again. The Chippenham 17-year-old, who was already on bail for a string of burglaries from old people
A stretch of cycle path between Melksham and Chippenham is all that is needed to complete a 20-mile long route. The North Wiltshire Rivers route runs from Avebury through Calne to Chippenham. The aim is to complete it by creating a link from Chippenham
PLANS for Chippenham's newest office development are being drawn up following a deal to sell a prime five-acre site to a local developer. Devizes-based Prospect Land will build 100,000 sq ft of offices on the land at Methuen Park South behind the former
