Stories for 12 May 2004

Amesbury News

£1m heirloom theft case ruling quashed

AN antiques dealer who handled more than £1m-worth of heirlooms stolen from a Salisbury peer has had his fine quashed after he claimed he needed money to pay for his wife's cancer treatment.   more...

New inquest into Porton

A LANDMARK inquest has heard of the final agonising moments of a young airman who died after being deliberately exposed to nerve gas at Porton Down more than 50 years ago.   more...

Moving tribute to nerve gas victim

FRIENDS and relatives of Ronald Maddison observed two minutes' silence on the second day of the new inquest into his death.   more...

Right-to-roam is breach of human rights, says singer

SINGER Madonna and her film director husband Guy Ritchie have begun a battle to keep ramblers from crossing their £9m estate at Ashcombe, near Tollard Royal.   more...

First woman mayor for town

JAN Swindlehurst has become the first woman mayor of Amesbury, after Allan Peach's term in office came to an end last week.   more...

WRVS meals service ends

THE Women's Royal Voluntary Service has reluctantly withdrawn its provision of staff and volunteers for the delivery of meals on wheels across Wiltshire, it was announced on Monday.   more...

There is more to life than the next fix

A FORMER heroin addict has told how his life has turned round in the past 12 months and paid tribute to the social service agencies and probation officers who helped him make it happen.   more...

'Aghast' residents say views ignored

A GROUP of Amesbury residents has criticised Salisbury district council for not revealing the true history of complaints it has received about the operation of a bed and breakfast establishment, as well as about plans to change it into a home for single mothers.   more...

Native American theme for fun day

TOM toms, teepees and beautiful head-dresses were in abundance at the Ashdown Family Centre in Tidworth last week, when the NSPCC held its annual children's day.   more...

Primary pupils 'achieving well'

SHREWTON Primary School is effective and improving, according to an Ofsted team that has recently completed its inspection of this village primary.   more...

Now to await the verdict

THE wrangling over the future of the roads near Stonehenge came to an end on Tuesday, after almost three months of hearings.   more...

101 ways to promote your firm's website

THERE are 101 ways to promote your website, according to south Wiltshire company director Chris Stanbury.   more...

Business awards seek entries

ENTRY forms are now available for the South Wilts Business of the Year Awards.   more...

Wilsons staff raise £1,500 in half marathon

EIGHT members of staff at Salisbury law firm Wilsons have taken part in the 2004 Helphire Bath half marathon to raise money for charity.   more...

Skills4Business gets £18m backing

THE Learning and Skills Council Wiltshire and Swindon and Business link Berkshire and Wiltshire have launched a new service.   more...

Scenery inspires workers

Alan Hayward, left, Salisbury Festival director Trevor Davies, centre, and James Hay staff admire the photographs. STAFF at Salisbury pensions company James Hay have been showing off the stunning photographs they have taken to brighten up their offices.   more...

Rural business club to hold annual meeting

THE Wiltshire Rural Business Club is holding its AGM next Tuesday.   more...

Business News

Agency pitches for job bonanza

The South West Regional Development Agency put its case for relocating up to 20,000 civil service jobs to the South West ­ and Swindon in particular ­ at an exhibition in London yesterday.   more...

Optician still looks good 25 years on

THE Wootton Bassett practice of local opticians Haine & Smith is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year.   more...

Profit plunges 80pc at JD Sports

JD Sports owner John David Group has said it is continuing to review all its options after revealing an 80 per cent drop in pre-tax profits to £2.1 million.   more...

Nobody's business

Now here's a load of rubbish an email I have just received from The Times Crème Executive Secretary and PA Event (a pithy title if ever there were one) claims nearly 85 per cent of staff "feel appreciated by their bosses".   more...

101 ways to promote your firm's website

THERE are 101 ways to promote your website, according to south Wiltshire company director Chris Stanbury.   more...

Business awards seek entries

ENTRY forms are now available for the South Wilts Business of the Year Awards. The competition is in its fifth year and recognises and celebrates business success.   more...

Wilsons staff raise £1,500 in half marathon

EIGHT members of staff at Salisbury law firm Wilsons have taken part in the 2004 Helphire Bath half marathon to raise money for charity.   more...

Skills4Business gets £18m backing

THE Learning and Skills Council Wiltshire and Swindon and Business link Berkshire and Wiltshire have launched a new service.   more...

Scenery inspires workers

STAFF at Salisbury pensions company James Hay have been showing off the stunning photographs they have taken to brighten up their offices.   more...

Rural business club to hold annual meeting

THE Wiltshire Rural Business Club is holding its AGM next Tuesday. The 6pm meeting will be at the offices of Cravenplan Computers, at Wilbury Barn, Swallowcliffe.   more...

Highworth News

Stage is set for a theatre at farm

ROVES FARM near Highworth is offering a new type of theatre this summer for performing arts groups.   more...

Salisbury Features

There is more to life than the next fix

Former heroin addict Rob Witt. DA5470P1Lesley Bates talks to former heroin addict Rob Witt about making a fresh start.   more...

Elizabeth's marathon walks across the Plain

Elizabeth Stewart with her Sarsen Trail medals. DA5477P1ON Monday last, Elizabeth Stewart confessed that she was feeling "a bit stiff".   more...

Group still offers support to cancer patients ten years on

A SUPPORT group set up by cancer patients to help other sufferers come to terms with their diagnosis and learn to live with the disease celebrates its tenth anniversary this month.   more...

Drop-in centre for feeding advice

MOTHER Knows Breast is the message - and name - of a new group for Tidworth and Ludgershall, which runs a drop-in centre for breastfeeding mums every Thursday.   more...

Salisbury News

£1m heirloom theft case ruling quashed

AN antiques dealer who handled more than £1m-worth of heirlooms stolen from a Salisbury peer has had his fine quashed after he claimed he needed money to pay for his wife's cancer treatment.   more...

New inquest into Porton

A LANDMARK inquest has heard of the final agonising moments of a young airman who died after being deliberately exposed to nerve gas at Porton Down more than 50 years ago.   more...

Moving tribute to nerve gas victim

FRIENDS and relatives of Ronald Maddison observed two minutes' silence on the second day of the new inquest into his death.   more...

Right-to-roam is breach of human rights, says singer

SINGER Madonna and her film director husband Guy Ritchie have begun a battle to keep ramblers from crossing their £9m estate at Ashcombe, near Tollard Royal.   more...

Supermum always smiling

APRIL Supermum Suzie Edwards always has a smile for everyone.   more...

There is more to life than the next fix

A FORMER heroin addict has told how his life has turned round in the past 12 months and paid tribute to the social service agencies and probation officers who helped him make it happen.   more...

Pool woes continue

DESPITE promises by the district council that customers using Salisbury's swimming pool would see immediate improvements following their takeover last month, one swimmer has told the Journal that it continued to be plagued by problems.   more...

Parking measures increased

MORE than 600 new parking measures are to be brought into force in Salisbury from May 24.   more...

World stars to visit for benefit match

SOME of the world's greatest cricketers are heading to Salisbury for a benefit match that promises to be one of the local sporting highlights of the summer, writes Mike Turner.   more...

Now to await the verdict

THE wrangling over the future of the roads near Stonehenge came to an end on Tuesday, after almost three months of hearings.   more...

101 ways to promote your firm's website

THERE are 101 ways to promote your website, according to south Wiltshire company director Chris Stanbury.   more...

Business awards seek entries

ENTRY forms are now available for the South Wilts Business of the Year Awards.   more...

Wilsons staff raise £1,500 in half marathon

EIGHT members of staff at Salisbury law firm Wilsons have taken part in the 2004 Helphire Bath half marathon to raise money for charity.   more...

Skills4Business gets £18m backing

THE Learning and Skills Council Wiltshire and Swindon and Business link Berkshire and Wiltshire have launched a new service.   more...

Scenery inspires workers

Alan Hayward, left, Salisbury Festival director Trevor Davies, centre, and James Hay staff admire the photographs. STAFF at Salisbury pensions company James Hay have been showing off the stunning photographs they have taken to brighten up their offices.   more...

Rural business club to hold annual meeting

THE Wiltshire Rural Business Club is holding its AGM next Tuesday.   more...

Salisbury Sport

Another day at the races

Action from the venue's opening meeting earlier this month. DA5438P14SALISBURY racecourse's 2004 season continues today with a busy six-race card.   more...

World stars to visit for benefit match

SOME of the world's greatest cricketers are heading to Salisbury for a benefit match that promises to be one of the local sporting highlights of the summer, writes Mike Turner.   more...

Silverstone joy for top rookie Ross

Salisbury teenager Ross Curnow again proved why he's rated one of the best young racing prospects in the country when he notched up yet another victory in the rookie class of the Formula BMW Championship at Silverstone.   more...

Fisheries report trout successes

TROUT fishing is beginning to take off now with the better weather conditions and favourable reports coming in from the area's trout fisheries.   more...

Street-wise Andover too strong for 'Stock

ANY hopes that Laver-stock & Ford ladies had of repairing the damage inflicted by Andover New Street's 4-1 win in the first leg of the Women's Challenge Cup Final, were dashed when they conceded two goals in seven minutes just before half-time of the return clash at Church Road, writes Mike Turner.   more...

Finals day proves a thriller

YOUNG footballing stars of the future graced Salisbury City's Raymond McEnhill Stadium on Sunday when the venue hosted the annual South Wilts Youth & Minor League Cup finals, writes Ryan Lovejoy.   more...

Promotion for Salisbury official

Roger East as a Football League assistant referee after being promoted to the Panel League.   more...

All change as Whites are moved to Isthmian League

AS expected, Salisbury City have been shunted into the Premier Division of the Isthmian League following their recent promotion from the Dr Martens Eastern Division.   more...

Ellie and Kirsty are riding high

SALISBURY eventers Ellie Osmond and Kirsty Johns-ton were part of a team of young riders who helped England to be named the best overall team at a recent international competition in Northern Ireland.   more...

Heath's event comes of age

MORE than 60 teams took part in last weekend's six-a-side tournament at Bemerton Heath Harle-quins' Western Way ground.   more...

Wade's horror show as South Wilts fall for 62

A GLANCE at the scores from Saturday's opening Southern Electric Premier League fixture would suggest that the teams got caught on a bad wicket where bowlers had the upper hand completely.   more...

Captain's failed hook signals team collapse

ELLINGHAM looked to be heading for certain victory at Fawley, until skipper Ali Redfern got out trying to hook a short ball and soon afterwards the innings folded with the visitors just five runs short of their target.   more...

Batchelor on losing side despite his ton

DESPITE smashing an unbeaten century, Denis Batchelor finished up on the losing side as Ellingham III lost to Alderholt II in a high scoring encounter at Poulner School.   more...

Sport Angling

Rover win for Nigel

NIGEL Sawyer easily won the third of the Coleview Rover matches, held at Stockton Reservoir near Northampton.   more...

Sport Cricket

Windows in the frame

Matt Windows was expected to return to the Gloucestershire side for the Frizzell County Championship match at home to Northamptonshire, starting at the County Ground today.   more...

WEATHER WOE HITS LEAGUE

Another wet and miserable Saturday resulted in threequarters of the Wiltshire Cricket League's programme being cancelled or abandoned.   more...

Undefeated stand earnsBiddestoneeasy victory

The only game played in the North Wilts Junior Cricket League under 15 division saw Biddestone entertain Cannings.   more...

Devizes tumbleout of KO cup

Devizes' challenge for the National Knockout Cup was ended by Falkland at Devizes Sports Club.   more...

Wilcot slide toChris hat-trick

GOATACRE, at home to Wilcot, dismiised their visitors for 115, with a hat-trick by Chris Chapman the highlight.   more...

Swindon News

What is wrong with the County Ground?

AS a supporter of Swindon Town Football Club since 1946, a season ticket holder and a modest shareholder, I am concerned at the proposals to move to a new stadium.   more...

Politicians must avoid hypocrisy

I REFER to the letter from Labour Coun Jim D'Avila, on April 29, headlined "Councillors have duty to put aside their personal agendas, stadium plans would betray the residents".   more...

Protesters' homes are built on fields

DO the people from Sparcells and the surrounding area, who are complaining about the plans for the new football stadium, realise that they have taken up residence on what was green fields with hedges and trees?   more...

Islam fails to see our cultural differences

I feel David Rowlands missed the point about Mr Kavanagh's letter. He was hardly portraying the West as a place where supreme tolerance reigns and religious ignorance has no place.   more...

Graffiti has not helped protest

WHILE out on my regular jogging route I came across mindless vandalism sprayed on the walls of the Sparcells underpass.   more...

Buses play vital role in town's future

I am sorry Martyn Dickinson (EA, May 4) misses the point about park-and-ride and similar measures.   more...

Taxi ban will lead to reveller's death

THE mayhem that has been caused by the council and its accomplices, the police, by prohibiting hackney carriage drivers from "ranking up" on Friday and Saturday nights in John Street, now has to be seen to be believed.   more...

Parish's past

WHAT a dreadful article the Advertiser printed about Rodbourne Cheney as it must be one of Swindon's oldest parishes.   more...

Treat for town

Once again, Swindon was in the right place at the right time.   more...

Pubs should face on-the-spot fines

BAR owners who allow loutish behaviour on their premises should be issued with fixed penalty notices, says the man in charge of licensing them.   more...

Warning that stadium would be disaster for wildlife

WILDLIFE will take a severe battering if plans for Swindon Town's new 23,000-seater stadium goes ahead, warn environmentalists.   more...

Fishing club fraud lands man in jail

A TRUSTED member of a Swindon angling club, who systematically plundered £13,000 from funds he was supposed to look after, has been jailed for six months.   more...

Why home is taking over from the House

Ref. 25820-14The heartache of long separations from her children led Swindon MP Julia Drown to quit the pressure cooker of Westminster politics.   more...

`We are sorry you are going'

TRIBUTES have been paid to Julia Drown's service as South Swindon MP.   more...

Stage is set for a theatre at farm

ROVES FARM near High-worth is offering a new type of theatre this summer for performing arts groups.   more...

Get active in good cause

JJB Health club in Swindon is celebrating its first birthday this month and helping charity at the same time.   more...

Bazaar boost for charities

A bazaar will be held at St Andrew's Methodist Church in Moredon Road tomorrow from 2pm until 3.30pm.   more...

GUILTY! Deer are culprits of a grave `crime'

STAFF on a parish council near Swindon are scratching their heads to solve a problem at the village's cemetery.   more...

Parkland will take the spotlight

A NEW group is being launched with the aim of protecting and increasing awareness of one of Swindon's parkland gems.   more...

School gets deal of the century

Ref. 30379-24NYLAND Special School pupils' elderly minibus was finally pensioned off yesterday when a brand new Variety Club coach was handed over by television celebrity Nicholas Parsons.   more...

We need more NHS dentists

Swindon NHS dentists are in short supply, according to new health research.   more...

Cost of living in an area is a big factor

Ref. 19983-68Patrick Holmes, spokesman for the British Dental Association for the North Wiltshire area, said that private dentists were able to use more advanced technology and spend longer with each patient.   more...

Spotlight on value of volunteers

CAR crash victims and violent crowds will be featured in an exercise to show the work of the volunteer emergency services.   more...

School may close down

A PRIMARY school faces closure just months after being placed in special measures.   more...

Fears over asbestos at tower block

Residents in a Swindon tower block fear the council could be exposing them to deadly asbestos particles.   more...

Festival set to be biggest yet

SWINDON LITERATURE FESTIVAL: THIS year's Swindon Festival of Literature looks set to be a record-breaker.   more...

Inside a spiky personality

SWINDON LITERATURE FESTIVAL: Spike Milligan was a one-off, an enigma. A brilliant talent, manic depressive, and, possibly, not a very nice person.   more...

Coming up: The Swindon Literature Festival

MAY 12: Pauline Perry, author of The Womb in which I Lay, talks about life's most important relationships at the Arts Centre in Devizes Road at 12.30pm.   more...

Lots of people told Bert and Freda it wouldn't work ... but here they both are after 70 years!

Ref. 30399-5THE world was a rapidly changing place when Bert and Freda Turner tied the knot in Cricklade 70 years ago.   more...

Bogus caller gang preying on elderly

HOME owners have been warned to be on their guard after police linked three distraction burglaries to the same gang.   more...

Twenty years' loyal service earns Ann a top award

Ref. 30386-1Partially-sighted factory worker Ann Stratford has scooped a top award from a national charity.   more...

I nearly died just like dad

Ref. 30390-37A SPEEDING driver who cheated death in a horrific collision has made a desperate plea for Swindon motorists to slow down.   more...

`It was a horrendous time'

Ref. 30390-55JASON'S mother Pam George will never forget the moment she had to tell her three children that their father was dead.   more...

Why Susan is our supermum

Ref. 30400-1SUSAN Trowbridge's children already think she is a mum in a million.   more...

Thames Water denies plan to cut jobs

THAMES Water has dispelled rumours that it is about to axe jobs in Swindon.   more...

The answer to our traffic problems?

SWINDON could become home to the first full-scale trial of a futuristic electric-powered taxi system.   more...

Countdown to the big day

Ref. 30396-33 Pubs are preparing for a busy Sunday afternoon as they screen Swindon's play-off clash against Brighton while two former Town favourites are hoping the Robins can win. KEVIN SHOESMITH reports   more...

Pubs showing the match

Phil KingCOUNTDOWN TO BRIGHTON: The Castle Hotel, Prospect Place (01793) 523410   more...

Build up to the crucial Brighton game

COUNTDOWN TO BRIGHTON: The Evening Advertiser will be bringing you the best coverage of Swindon Town in the run-up to the big game against Brighton on Sunday.   more...

An unread book

EACH month the Highway Code is listed in the top ten best selling books.   more...

Hospital praise

WE hear so much bad criticism about our hospital.   more...

Wiltshire News

Why Susan is our supermum

Ref. 30400-1SUSAN Trowbridge's children already think she is a mum in a million.   more...

Wiltshire Sport

Enjoy The Ride

ANDY KING is anxious for Town to establish a first- leg lead against Brighton on Sunday, but refuses to see anything less than a victory as a dream-ending disaster.   more...

  
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