Stories for 9 January 2004

Amesbury News

Wiltshire links helped during ordeal

THE father of British hostage Mark Henderson, who was held captive by Colombian rebels for 102 days, has spoken exclusively to the Journal about life in Amesbury and the news that his son would be home in time for Christmas.   more...

Joyce is stunned and overjoyed at award

JOYCE Smith was stunned and overjoyed to hear that she had received an MBE in the New Year Honours List, for her services to the Durrington community.   more...

Serious assaults mar festive period

THE festive season in Salisbury was marred by a series of vicious assaults, two of which left their victims needing surgery.   more...

Heroic sister rescues boy from fire

Ten-year-old Ashleigh Huxley at the family's fire-damaged home on Bemerton Heath. Picture: HERBIE FATHERLY DA4671P1A DISABLED ten-year-old is being hailed a hero after she rescued her little brother from her family's blazing home in a terrifying New Year drama.   more...

Bridge safety a high priority

THE chief executive of Network Rail has given his personal assurances that work to improve safety at the treacherous Broken Cross railway bridge will get under way "as quickly as possible".   more...

Badgers endanger sites

BURROWING badgers are causing havoc on Salisbury Plain as their tunnelling activities threaten to destroy hundreds of ancient burial sites.   more...

Postwoman hangs up her mailbag

A WELL-LOVED village postwoman has hung up her mailbag after four decades of deliveries.   more...

Intrepid duo add to Rachel's fund

TWO brave swimmers showed they had plenty of Christmas spirit when they leapt into the sea to raise money for paralysed Rachel Coxon's wheelchair appeal.   more...

US couple specially wed in cathedral

Russell Felber and Ellen Siebers who married in the cathedral after falling in love with it six years ago. DA4659P1WHEN visiting Americans Russell Felber and Ellen Siebers saw Salisbury Cathedral on their first trip to Britain, it was love at first sight.   more...

World Cup hero Hill is honoured

A perfect role model. Richard Hill MBE. Picture by Sarah Williams. SW26TRIBUTES have been paid to former Bishop Wordworth's School pupil Richard Hill, who was awarded an MBE in the New Year's honours list.   more...

Out with the old in with the new

NEW Year revellers were out in force in Salisbury on New Year's Eve and many chose to party the night away at two very different styles of celebration.   more...

Bradford On Avon News

Pledge to rescue school from debt

THE new headteacher at St Laurence School, Bradford on Avon, promised to try and get the school out of financial dire straits as he took over at the start of the new term this week.   more...

`My son did not deserve jail sentence'

THE mother of a 21-year-old banned from loitering around parts of west Wiltshire after a string of convictions for violent crimes has said her son is not a monster.   more...

Woman works as volunteer in India

A WOMAN from Avoncliff is jetting off to India today to work as a volunteer at a home for boys with polio.   more...

Supermarket staff praised

Staff and customers at Budgens supermarket, Bradford on Avon were part of a nationwide campaign which raised £100,000 for children's charity CLIC last year.   more...

Houses plan refused again

A SECOND set of plans to build five houses on land behind Elms Cross Drive, Bradford on Avon, has been recommended for refusal after neighbouring residents labelled them unsafe.   more...

Business News

Fewer firms going bust

The number of limited companies failing in 2003 fell by 9.4 per cent compared with 2002, according to the latest figures released by business solutions company, Experian.   more...

Mobile centre can help solve those recruitment problems

Businesses in Swindon were yesterday treated to a demonstration of cutting edge staff recruitment methods when a brand new, state of the art, mobile recruitment centre from local recruitment agency Blue Arrow pulled up in the town.   more...

Help your business grow by up to 42%

Measuring and benchmarking human resources practices can help businesses improve their performance by up to 42 per cent, says a report which looks into the management habits of high performing businesses.   more...

Honda stays quiet over car production fears

Honda has refused to comment on whether Britain's exclusion from the Euro would threaten car production in Swindon.   more...

Girl Friday

Name:Roz Golding   more...

Camping business into new territory

A CAMPING and leisure retailer which has connections with an explorer and a TV adventurer, has opened a new shop in Chippenham.   more...

Out-of-work figure near 10 per cent

THERE are more than 30,000 `ghost workers' in Wiltshire according to a new survey published this week.   more...

More play means more work

A COMPANY which has provided 68 new playgrounds in schools across Wiltshire has become so busy it has hired an operations manager.   more...

New offices for the NHS Trust

Offices in Court Mill House in Court Street, Trowbridge have been let by Brian Fitchett Commercial to the Avon and Wiltshire NHS Trust.   more...

Four years building work coming to an end

BUILDER Cedric Taylor will soon be looking for a new project when refurbishment of Rialto Restaurant, Bradford on Avon, comes to an end.   more...

Corsham News

Match to honour footy fan Charlotte

THE family of Trowbridge schoolgirl Charlotte Wakeham will be on the touchline at Westbury United's ground tomorrow for a fixture being played in her memory.   more...

Melksham News

Widow pleads for a bypass

WILTSHIRE TIMES EXCLUSIVE: GRIEVING widow Brenda Johnson has backed a campaign for a bypass to improve safety along the road which claimed her husband's life.   more...

Pensioner robbed by two bogus workmen

A PENSIONER in Seend is the latest victim of bogus callers after two men posing to be checking damp proofing in his home made off with cash and a gold watch.   more...

Flats fire at 4am

HOMES had to be evacuated in the early hours of yesterday morning after a fire broke out in a block of flats in Melksham.   more...

Harry makes sure he's part of New Year celebrations

Ref. 27739WHILE champagne corks popped and thousands of revellers welcomed in the New Year west Wiltshire's first baby of 2004 was born at the Royal United Hospital, Bath.   more...

Fears on road safety

PLANS to build a small estate at Bowerhill in Melksham were expected to be given the go-ahead last night, despite objections from local residents.   more...

Stabbing: soldier charged

A SOLDIER accused of stabbing a man at a house in Melksham on Christmas Eve will appear before a crown court judge on Monday.   more...

Ready to get their skates on

MELSKHAM'S £140,000 skatepark could be completed by the end of this month thanks to a mammoth cash grant.   more...

Young and old are keen to give blood

THE organiser of blood donor sessions in Melksham has praised volunteers for their support and is urging more people to come forward to boost stock levels.   more...

Music club expands to meet the demand

AN expanding pre-school music and singing club is moving to Melksham. Jo Jingles' classes will start at the Rachel Fowler Centre, Market Place, on Tuesday.   more...

Scooter thefts

POLICE are warning scooter owners in Melksham to keep their vehicles secure after a spate of thefts in the town.   more...

Pre-school saved

THE future of a pre-school in Melksham is more secure now vital repair work has been carried out.   more...

House appeal

AN appeal has been lodged after councillors refused permission to build a new house in Melksham. West Wiltshire District Council has rejected a plan for a new home on Woodrow Road in Melksham.   more...

Bicycle theft

A Raleigh Bandicoot bicycle worth £300 was stolen from outside Aqua Leisure in Market Place, Melksham at lunchtime on Saturday.   more...

All ready for panto

Melksham Comedy Club are busy preparing for their new year production of Pinocchio. The children's classic will be brought to life during live shows at the assembly hall between February 25-28.   more...

Taxing advice

AN Inland Revenue team visited Melksham to offer free help and advice with tax and National Insurance queries.   more...

Salisbury News

Heroic sister rescues boy from fire

Ten-year-old Ashleigh Huxley at the family's fire-damaged home on Bemerton Heath. Picture: HERBIE FATHERLY DA4671P1A DISABLED ten-year-old is being hailed a hero after she rescued her little brother from her family's blazing home in a terrifying New Year drama.   more...

Serious assaults mar festive period

THE festive season in Salisbury was marred by a series of vicious assaults, two of which left their victims needing surgery.   more...

Joyce is stunned and overjoyed at award

JOYCE Smith was stunned and overjoyed to hear that she had received an MBE in the New Year Honours List, for her services to the Durrington community.   more...

Bridge safety a high priority

THE chief executive of Network Rail has given his personal assurances that work to improve safety at the treacherous Broken Cross railway bridge will get under way "as quickly as possible".   more...

Wiltshire links helped during ordeal

THE father of British hostage Mark Henderson, who was held captive by Colombian rebels for 102 days, has spoken exclusively to the Journal about life in Amesbury and the news that his son would be home in time for Christmas.   more...

Badgers endanger sites

BURROWING badgers are causing havoc on Salisbury Plain as their tunnelling activities threaten to destroy hundreds of ancient burial sites.   more...

Postwoman hangs up her mailbag

A WELL-LOVED village postwoman has hung up her mailbag after four decades of deliveries.   more...

Fresh hope in hunt for Yvonne's killer

to "come clean" and bring the shooter to justice.   more...

Intrepid duo add to Rachel's fund

TWO brave swimmers showed they had plenty of Christmas spirit when they leapt into the sea to raise money for paralysed Rachel Coxon's wheelchair appeal.   more...

Out with the old in with the new

NEW Year revellers were out in force in Salisbury on New Year's Eve and many chose to party the night away at two very different styles of celebration.   more...

US couple specially wed in cathedral

Russell Felber and Ellen Siebers who married in the cathedral after falling in love with it six years ago. DA4659P1WHEN visiting Americans Russell Felber and Ellen Siebers saw Salisbury Cathedral on their first trip to Britain, it was love at first sight.   more...

World Cup hero Hill is honoured

A perfect role model. Richard Hill MBE. Picture by Sarah Williams. SW26TRIBUTES have been paid to former Bishop Wordworth's School pupil Richard Hill, who was awarded an MBE in the New Year's honours list.   more...

PM features in cancer charity appeal

PRIME Minister Tony Blair and wife Cherie joined the choristers of Salisbury Cathedral just before Christmas to help raise money for a cancer charity.   more...

An historic newspaper for today

Bill BrowneJournal publisher Bill Browne invites you to share in our 275th anniversary   more...

Entering the digital age

This is Salisbury: The Journal website.Website provides a pit-stop on the information super highway   more...

Paper of record is a community servant

Readers helped paralysed Rachel Coxon buy a specially-adapted wheelchair after the Journal publicised her cause. DA4199P1Jill Harding looks at the role played by today's Journal   more...

Message from city MP

December 20, 2003   more...

Material Occurrences both Foreign and Domestick

Lesley Bates charts the Journal story from founding father to present day   more...

City treasures its links with royalty

David Vallis reflects on a long tradition of visits by members of the Royal Family   more...

Teamwork is the key to success

Tanya Tilbury profiles the people maintaining the Journal tradition   more...

Traders help our city thrive

Rob Stainer checks a carpet as it comes off the loom at Wilton Carpet Factory, which is still going strong after more than 300 years. DA2646P3Katharine Lawley on the changing face of business   more...

Share your memories of the Journal

DURING its long history the success of the Journal has, in no small measure, relied on the people who have been connected with it over the years.   more...

Stars that do us proud

England women's rugby winger Emily Cook (née Feltham). K6478P9Mike Turner salutes the role of sport in our community   more...

Awards to honour unsung heroes

IN this special year of our 275th anniversary the Journal is launching an awards scheme to pay tribute to the unsung heroes and heroines of our circulation area.   more...

Sponsor a prize and share our special year

BUSINESSES are invited to play their part - along with the Journal and Spire FM - in helping to promote the Journal People Awards.   more...

Salisbury Sport

World Cup hero Hill is honoured

A perfect role model. Richard Hill MBE. Picture by Sarah Williams. SW26TRIBUTES have been paid to former Bishop Wordworth's School pupil Richard Hill, who was awarded an MBE in the New Year's honours list.   more...

Whites look to extend fine league run

SALISBURY City entertain Sittingbourne on Saturday looking to extend their unbeaten run in the league to 16 games.   more...

Super sub Tubbs' double earns City a vital point

SALISBURY City stretched their unbeaten run in the league to 15 games with a 2-2 draw away at fellow promotion-hopefuls Folkestone Invicta thanks to a second half double from substitute Matt Tubbs.   more...

Bumper crowd aids Islanders, but Whites win

NICK Holmes handed over a cheque for £900 to the organisation attempting to keep New Year's Day visitors Newport IoW in business, but his side were less generous when it came to the matter of three points.   more...

Unbeaten run continues

The under 13s managed a 3-6 win at Bradford on Avon in the Mid Wilts Youth and Minor League.   more...

Blake is upbeat despite Robins hitting bottom but Blake remains

DOWNTON crashed to the foot of the table due to another win for fellow strugglers Whitchurch United, but the Robins were buoyed by an impressive display at Wick Lane against third-placed Gosport Borough, writes Ryan Lovejoy.   more...

Winning return for the Town

RINGWOOD Town return-ed to league action after two successive postponements and Darren Broad scored twice to help them record a 3-0 victory over Locks Heath at Long Lane.   more...

Leaders prove too good for Amesbury

AMESBURY Town suffered only their second defeat in 11 games on Saturday, going down 4-1 at Hampshire League Prem-ier Division leaders VTFC.   more...

No final repeat for Nick's boys

SALISBURY City suffered their second defeat by a Nationwide Division Two outfit of the campaign when they went down by the odd goal in five at Swindon Town.   more...

'Stock undone by North End

LAVERSTOCK & Ford lost ground on the Division One pacesetters when they slumped to another disappointing defeat at Farnbor-ough North End.   more...

Victorious Park stay top of the Premier pile

MEADOW Park remain four points clear at the top of the Premier Division following their 3-2 victory over South Newton & Wishford.   more...

Friends' Fair Play awards launched

FRIENDS Provident reconfirmed their support of grass roots football, renewing their sponsorship of the Fair Play Awards in a ceremony held before the kick-off of last week's Southampton-Arsenal game.   more...

Time to vote for your sporting heroes of 2003

THE waiting is finally over. This week we can reveal who is in the running for the annual Journal Sports awards.   more...

Sport Football

Baverstock's final farewell

SWINDON SUPERMARINE are managerless again after Ray Baverstock tendered his resignation for the second time in three months.   more...

Porter loaned in at Devizes

Devizes will be looking to build on their 3-0 win over Torrington last weekend when they travel to Backwell in the Screwfix Direct Premier Division.   more...

Hughes plays down chances

DESPITE a record-breaking 13-game unbeaten league run, Cirencester manager Brian Hughes refuses to entertain thoughts of a title charge.   more...

Saturday's local football fixtures

DR MARTENS LEAGUE   more...

Fuming Fisher

JOHN FISHER seems to have left his festive spirit in 2003 after launching a double attack on officials and `Mickey Mouse' cup competitions.   more...

All eyes on the Swindon derby

Top match in the Premier Division this weekend is the clash between AFC Stratton and Purton, writes RAY BURROUGHS.   more...

Sunday's local football fixtures

SWINDON SUNDAY LEAGUE   more...

Sport Rugby

Simon savours new role

SIMON Danielli admits he is taking on "a huge challenge'' as he prepares to make his first appearance at full-back for Bath against French dangermen Colomiers on Sunday.   more...

Catt will not be rushed

BATH coach John Connolly has insisted that Mike Catt will not be rushed back to help ease Bath's backs crisis.   more...

Derby win can boost Bassett

WOOTTON Bassett can blow the battle to avoid the drop from Southern Counties South wide open this weekend ­ if they can win a crunch Wiltshire derby against Devizes.   more...

Scarrott is in for Swindon

NOTHING less than victory will do for Swindon tomorrow as they travel to Berks, Berks & Oxon One basement boys Thatcham.   more...

Weekend teams and fixtures

TEAMS   more...

Swindon News

A glass monstrosity

I have seen the artist's images of how the redundant Mechanics Institute may look when it is restored, and I feel there is a lot more to this than meets the eye.   more...

The Ridgeway was not designed for scrambling

YOU recently published a letter from a person who claimed to have a hobby of riding a motorcycle on the `unsealed roads of Wiltshire'.   more...

Will the planners get this one right?

The sad thing about the plan for the Mechanics' is that there will be no problem in getting it passed.   more...

Only two options

There are only two options for the new 21st century hotel planned next to the Mechanics' Institute:   more...

Picklers challenged to show they know their onions

Ref. 28543-17THE search is on for the tastiest pickled onion in Wootton Bassett.   more...

Kevin blazes trail to Bosnia

Ref. 28523-47Firefighter Kevin Bridg-man is off to Bosnia next week to share his expertise.   more...

Course offers tips on dealing with teenagers

ADVICE for parents and carers coping with teenagers will be given in a course run by the Swindon Children's Infor-mation Service.   more...

This should be our playground

Ref. 28510-28POP queen Madonna should throw open the gates of her Wiltshire country estate to allow walkers to enjoy the countryside, according to keen local rambler Jon Gambles.   more...

Hats off as Margaret sets her needles flying

MARGARET Clarke really is a little purler.   more...

Death of poppies veteran

EMILY Harris, Highworth's veteran Poppy Appeal collector, has died at the age of 98.   more...

Drugs get the blame

BURGLARIES are on the rise in Swindon ­ with the town's chronic drugs problems the main catalyst.   more...

Trust's challenge to youngsters

SWINDON Civic Trust is planning a new project to find out what young people think of the town.   more...

Any good with plasticine?

VOLUNTEERS happy to spend time playing with plasticine or colouring pictures are being sought by the Home Start Family Group in Walcot.   more...

Taking a big cut for our charity

Ref. 28530-27SWINDON CANCER APPEAL: Bad hair days will soon be a thing of the past for student nurse Ruth Yates ­ in fact it will be a long time before she has hair days of any type.   more...

Sporting chance for all at college

Ref. 28525-43ADMISSIONS have rocketed at New College since the move to its £13 million building a year ago.   more...

Cash grant brings new pavilion for youngsters

A pavilion for 200 budding Beckhams in Highworth is on course to be completed next month.   more...

Jobcentre helps 800 find work

SWINDON Jobcentre helped nearly 800 people into work in the final quarter of past year ­ a 60 per cent increase on the previous year.   more...

Comment on Coate plans

MONDAY is the deadline for comments on plans to develop on Coate Water.   more...

Curious success of a Swindon tale

A BOOK set in Swindon has won the Whitbread Novel Prize.   more...

Last hope for addict

A SWINDON drug addict, who left a trail of destruction during a shoplifting spree, has escaped a prison sentence.   more...

A great lift for school

Ref. 28511-42BALLOONS dotted the skyline when a Swindon hotel set them free for a fundraising event to benefit a local school   more...

Courses from yoga to the internet

THE spring programme of the Swindon Women's branch of the Workers' educational Association includes courses in every- thing from yoga to preparing for paid employment.   more...

Project for offenders may close

TIME may be running out for a successful mentoring scheme which helps young offenders avoid falling into a life of crime.   more...

How could it happen?

This is Kate Walsh - the 16-year-old girl found dead in a squat from a suspected drug overdose. Today, we ask why no one was able to avert the tragedy, in spite of her parents' pleas for help.   more...

CCTV to be fitted to school transport

PUPILS' behaviour is to be monitored by CCTV cameras on buses ferrying them to and from school.   more...

`First' birthday joy for sweet William

Ref. 28538-16Baby William Hartley-Smyth is already 15 weeks old even though he was only supposed to have been born this week.   more...

Man stole mobile phone to fuel heroin habit

A SWINDON man who stole a phone to pay off a drug debt has been ordered to undergo drug assessment.   more...

Cutting school cash is illegal

Ref. 25258-45ONE of the choices on offer in the Swindon public consultation over council tax would be illegal if enacted.   more...

The life-savers

Ref. 28391-24They don't know the names of the people who are given their bone marrow, but volunteers do know they are giving someone, somewhere a chance to live. BHAVANI VADDE reports.   more...

Trust set up to honour her son

SHIRLEY Nolan died in 2002, 28 years after setting up a trust in honour of her son Anthony.   more...

How you can register

JOINING the register involves taking a routine blood sample which is analysed and the results recorded confidentially.   more...

Couples hit by New Year itch

SWINDON'S relationship counselling service has seen the number of calls for help rise by eightfold since the New Year.   more...

Dealers are not to be tolerated

THERE are no easy answers to explain how the death of teenager Kate Walsh from a suspected drug overdose could have been prevented.   more...

Seek help for your troubles

IN January each year thousands of people vow to quit smoking, drink less, exercise more and work harder.   more...

Trowbridge News

Police probe Jackie benefit theft

WILTSHIRE TIMES EXCLUSIVE: POLICE in Trowbridge are investigating claims a child benefits book was stolen from a mother while her four-year-old daughter lay dying in hospital.   more...

Pupils sign tribute book

Ref. 14557/1SPECIAL memories written in a simple tribute book prove how much little Jackie-Danielle Velvick was loved by school friends and teachers alike.   more...

Mum's fond memories of a beautiful daughter

CLUTCHING photos and keepsakes of her precious four-year-old girl, Trowbridge mum Cher Velvick vowed this week never to return to the house where her daughter died.   more...

Young mother loses year-long cancer battle

A YOUNG mum of two from Trowbridge has lost her battle against cancer. Julie Dunford, 34, died at her Yeoman Way home on Saturday, a year after she was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma.   more...

Widow pleads for a bypass

WILTSHIRE TIMES EXCLUSIVE: GRIEVING widow Brenda Johnson has backed a campaign for a bypass to improve safety along the road which claimed her husband's life.   more...

Pigeon cull `cruel and inhumane'

ANIMAL liberation websites are urging bird lovers nationwide to bombard Trowbridge town councillors with e-mails and letters to protest against a pigeon cull.   more...

New pre-school will ease pressure on mums

Ref. 27749A MUCH needed pre-school opened in North Bradley this week due to the hard work of a group of mums in the village.   more...

Party time for Studley estate

CHILDREN and adults took to the dance floor as Studley Green residents celebrated the start of the New Year in style.   more...

Match to honour footy fan Charlotte

THE family of Trowbridge schoolgirl Charlotte Wakeham will be on the touchline at Westbury United's ground tomorrow for a fixture being played in her memory.   more...

Pantomime fun is a real family affair

Trowbridge Players' family pantomime, Sing A Song Of Sixpence, is set to take to the stage later this month.   more...

Nightclub planning relaunch

LAPDANCING nights have been stopped at a Trowbridge nightclub as managers try to clean up their image.   more...

Council may be on move

TOWN council offices in Trowbridge could be on the move in a bid to save money. Clerk Doug Ross has been asked to look into the possibility of switching the offices from Fore Street to County Hall.   more...

Festivities don't go down well for Corey

A SEVEN-YEAR-OLD boy bit off more than he could chew after he took a liking to Christmas tree decorations.   more...

Looking into paper's past

AN insight into the history of the Wiltshire Times can be seen as part of Trowbridge Museum's latest exhibition.   more...

Pensioners enjoy lunchtime treat

FIFTY pensioners were wined and dined in style on Wednesday thanks to an increasingly popular village tradition.   more...

Royal thank you to Duchy steward

A MAN from Southwick has been given a personal thank you from Prince Charles for his work for the Duchy of Cornwall estate in the New Year's Honours list.   more...

Outspoken councillor faces probe

AN investigation has been launched into a Trowbridge councillor who caused uproar with his outspoken views on homosexuality.   more...

Cadet is nominated for award

A St John Ambulance cadet from Trowbridge has been nominated for a national award. Rebecca Gray, 16, a pupil at St Augustine's Catholic College, will find out this weekend if she has been awarded the title of cadet of the year.   more...

Humps in road row rages on

A dispute between irate residents and lorry drivers on Trowbridge street is rumbling on despite desperate pleas for all trucks to be banned.   more...

Inspector leaves for pastures new

THE man who brought community policing back to Trowbridge leaves today after securing promotion.   more...

Driver retires

A Southwick man who made his living from driving has finally handed in his licence after 69 years behind the wheel.   more...

Numbers sleeping rough on increase

A BOOM in the number of rough sleepers in Trowbridge has forced charity officials to make an urgent appeal for more sleeping bags.   more...

Lights go off in style to boost campaign

IT is traditional to switch a town's Christmas lights on with a huge fanfare, but this year Trowbridge made a song and dance about switching them off.   more...

Cat's-eye view of life in the rainforest

A TROWBRIDGE woman is campaigning to raise funds for an animal sanctuary in Bolivia after spending a month there last year.   more...

Maps give an insight into town's heritage

VISITOR maps pinpointing the historical and cultural hot spots of Trowbridge are going up in car parks across the town.   more...

Just two drinks earns drivers a ban

TWO drivers who risked lives to drink-drive in Wiltshire over Christmas and New Year were facing the consequences of their actions this week.   more...

More arrested over festive drink-driving

DRINK-DRIVERS are continuing to plague Wiltshire's roads, with a worrying rise in the number of arrests in this year's festive blitz.   more...

Top events planned for 150th birthday

THIS year is the 150th birthday of the Wiltshire Times and we are asking readers to celebrate with us at a series of special events.   more...

New Year spoilt by drunk antics

PRISON cells in Wiltshire were full to bursting over New Year as high-spirited celebrations marking the start of 2004 turned ugly.   more...

Cash cut could mean bypass delay

TWO multi-million pound road schemes in west Wiltshire could be delayed for up to a year as Government money has run out.   more...

Fears for future of Ushers site

A DATE for a public inquiry into plans for the former Ushers bottling plant will be set within days.   more...

It's official: 2003 was a scorcher

STATISTICS prove 2003 was one of the driest and warmest years on record in west Wiltshire leading experts to point the finger firmly at global warming.   more...

`My son did not deserve jail sentence'

THE mother of a 21-year-old banned from loitering around parts of west Wiltshire after a string of convictions for violent crimes has said her son is not a monster.   more...

Ingram pulls in viewers

CHEATING Devizes Army major Charles Ingram pulled in one of the highest TV audience viewing figures of 2003.   more...

Harry makes sure he's part of New Year celebrations

Ref. 27739WHILE champagne corks popped and thousands of revellers welcomed in the New Year west Wiltshire's first baby of 2004 was born at the Royal United Hospital, Bath.   more...

Schemes face more setbacks

TWO multi-million pound road schemes in west Wiltshire could be delayed for up to a year if Government money dries up.   more...

Air views on health matters

A HEALTH forum run by members of the public has been launched, aiming to serve communities across west Wiltshire.   more...

New arts scheme

YOUNG artists in north and west Wiltshire will be among the first to take part in a new awards programme aimed at generating greater interest in the arts.   more...

Children take to the floor

CHILDREN in Wiltshire are being given the chance to design a new floor for their classroom in a nationwide competition.   more...

Badgers to stay on Plain

BADGER lovers have been assured there is no intention of culling the animals on Salisbury Plain to preserve archaeological sites.   more...

Campaign to cut farm deaths

Safety chiefs have launched a campaign to cut deaths on smaller rural farms. Over the past 15 years the number of fatal injuries at self-employed farms has doubled and last year 39 people died on small farms across the country.   more...

Bobby Van charity hopes to expand

A POLICE charity in Wiltshire is hoping to expand to help more vulnerable people who have been the victim of petty crime.   more...

Officer sent out to Basra

A WILTSHIRE policeman is being deployed to war-torn Basra later this month to help train Iraqi officers.   more...

Visitors flock to service at ghost church

MORE than 300 people braved the winter weather to attend a special commemorative service in Wiltshire's ghost village on Saturday.   more...

Friends vow to fight on

A GROUP bidding to preserve Imber's religious sites is increasingly hopeful that St Giles' Church will be saved.   more...

New online calendar

IMAGES of Wiltshire's heritage are available free on a new online calendar.   more...

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

Is the long wait really necessary?

Three years ago the Wiltshire Times published a story about a Beanacre man campaigning for a village bypass.   more...

Help us celebrate

The 150th anniversary of the Wiltshire Times is a landmark of which our paper is proud but we hope it will be much more than a pat on the back for ourselves.   more...

Stroke unit's closure would be a tragedy

IN March 2003 my 85-year-old father, George Barrow, who lives in Westbury, suffered a stroke.   more...

Toy appeal success

THE Salvation Army, along with Superdrug, thank the people of Trowbridge for their generosity in the Pass the Parcel Toy Appeal.   more...

`We should be consulted'

The Laverton: The last word. Councillor Hawker is at it again.   more...

Plea for more blood donors

IN 2003 the number of donors who attended the blood sessions in Melksham was just under 2,000.   more...

Safeguard by calling in the plans

CAN I make clear the situation with regard to the Foinavon development and the regional government `call-in' of their plans.   more...

Newspaper's high praise

PLEASE accept our congratulations on a superb newspaper which you edit.   more...

Thanks to all

MAY I offer my thanks to all our customers for the generous support they gave to our Christmas raffle either by purchasing tickets or by donating to our collection tin.   more...

Chicago Rock staff helped man hurt in town centre incident

In response to misleading headline ­ Man Slashed in Face Outside Chicago Rock Café.   more...

Residents are happy

I AM writing in response to a news article which appeared in the Wiltshire Times on November 21 regarding the closure of Waverley House, Melksham.   more...

Wrong priority

THE council refused to grant shopmobility £20,000 to keep a brilliant service going for the disabled but the council will spend money on a 14-foot pavement outside of The Pitmans, and £100,000 on digging a big hole and filling it with water at the back of the town hall.   more...

Give the Trust your support

If any readers are looking for some motivation to get fit in 2004, may I suggest getting involved in the Meningitis Trust's Thai Cycle Challenge.   more...

Clean up `mess'

I AGREE that something must be done about the pigeons in Trowbridge. As for the animal activists who object to the cull, perhaps they should be asked to clean the mess on our buildings if they are so keen to preserve the pigeon population!   more...

Warminster News

School praised for its high standards

Ref. 14563CHRISTMAS came a day early for staff and students at Kingdown School with the arrival of a glowing inspection report.   more...

Tax rise to be decided

COUNCIL tax payers in Warminster are likely to be charged an extra £2.89 each to cover town council expenditure in the next financial year.   more...

Couple don't want sex shop to offend

Ref. 14554A MARRIED couple behind plans for a sex shop in Warminster have defended claims they are out to offend.   more...

Money to help MS sufferers

BOSSES at a centre for MS sufferers hope a cash presentation from a Chippenham charity marks the start of a new partnership.   more...

Licence to fly model planes

MODEL aircraft enthusiasts were expected to be given permission to continue flying planes near Brixton Deverill last night.   more...

Reveller stops the traffic

TRAFFIC in a Warminster street was brought to a standstill when an overindulgent Christmas reveller refused to move out of the road.   more...

Cancer sufferer inspires appeal

FRIENDS and relatives of a woman battling cancer are planning a season of fundraising to raise money for research into the disease.   more...

£10,000 for road safety

CONCERNS over speeding motorists have prompted Warminster Town Council to earmark £10,000 for traffic calming measures.   more...

Mobile stolen

An alert thief stole a mobile phone while its owner placed an order at Kings takeaway in the Market Place, Warminster.   more...

Thieves target car parks

POLICE hope the thieves who stole a Bible from a car at a Warminster beauty spot on Saturday will see the error of their ways.   more...

College's big plans

ADULT education in Warminster is getting a boost with the news that Wiltshire College plans to build a permanent base in the town.   more...

Meeting on traffic problems

PEOPLE power has secured a public meeting to discuss plans to turn a Warminster street into a cul-de-sac.   more...

Extra tuition

A company offering after school classes for children aged five to 14 is launching in the Warminster area with an open day at the Athenaeum theatre.   more...

Westbury News

Patients shocked at stroke unit closure

PATIENTS given life saving treatment at the Westbury Stroke Unit have hit out at a decision made by health bosses to shut the unit.   more...

Retail complex plan set to get green light

MULTI-million pound plans to provide a retail and housing complex in Westbury Leigh were expected to be given the go-ahead by district councillors last night.   more...

Classrooms now ready

CHILDREN are getting ready to have their lessons in a new state-of-the-art school from Monday. Over 300 pupils and teachers from the Westbury Leigh Primary School have made the move to a new site in Leigh Park.   more...

Pub to appeal

A town centre pub in Westbury is launching a legal appeal against a decision to stop them serving late night drinks.   more...

Helpers attacked by gangs

VOLUNTEER pensioners are reviewing security after coming under attack from gangs of youths during a charity street procession.   more...

Laverton pushes up council tax

TAXPAYERS in Westbury are paying for the town council's decision to take over The Laverton, this year's budget has revealed.   more...

Match to honour footy fan Charlotte

THE family of Trowbridge schoolgirl Charlotte Wakeham will be on the touchline at Westbury United's ground tomorrow for a fixture being played in her memory.   more...

Villagers disagree with plans

A BID to return a listed building back to a community is in danger of collapsing because of a contract wrangle between villagers and the county council.   more...

Wiltshire News

This should be our playground

Ref. 28510-28POP queen Madonna should throw open the gates of her Wiltshire country estate to allow walkers to enjoy the countryside, according to keen local rambler Jon Gambles.   more...

Wiltshire Sport

Do You Want It?

ANDY KING has asked his players `how much do you want promotion?' ahead of tomorrow's trip to Sheffield Wednesday.   more...

  
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