Stories for 24 November 2005

Football

Devizes in positive mood after victories

DEVIZES Town manager Nathan Sheridan has called on his players to transfer their cup form to the league after two surprise victories in three days.   more...

News

Festival is a roaring success

GAZETTE & HERALD: Chippenham Arts Festival 2005 is storming into a triumphant second week with a sell-out rock concert, an innovative installation of angels and a lively poetry slam.   more...

Crowded school is no joke

I WRITE in response to the article on the front page of the Gazette entitled `Future of single site school now in doubt'.   more...

Proposals are daft

WHAT conclusion can the Think Tank of Kennet District Council come to resulting from a multi-choice questionnaire put to the public?   more...

We need the spaces

I FEEL I must put pen to paper and answer a few questions. I have no objections to large retail shops coming to Devizes, but not at the cost of losing 150 parking spaces. Surely if we have more shops then we need more parking.   more...

Doing nothing on car parks is just not an option

YOUR correspondents Griffin, Little and Rayner (Gazette 17 November ) are to be congratulated on their letters on the Devizes development consultation currently under way.   more...

Flats to be built on derelict site

GAZETTE & HERALD: PLANS to build 22 flats on a Chippenham site that has been derelict for 50 years have been given the go-ahead. The development, on land adjacent to 9 London Road, will also include underground parking for residents.   more...

Give to our appeal

RAY Roberts (an ex-school teacher) and Renate Roberts (an ex-district nursing sister) are collecting items for the Pakistan earthquake disaster relief.   more...

Support new club

THE Club Spotlight in last week's Gazette paints a picture of an active and very successful club, and every one of the hundred or so members would agree with that description.   more...

Homes with living green roofs get thumbs up

GAZETTE & HERALD: ARCHITECT Jack Konynenburg has won approval for two ultra modern, green roofed homes in a conservation area in Chippenham town centre.   more...

Wonderful play

MY husband and I went to see The Lonesome West at the Wharf Theatre last week. It is fair to say that I found the play rather tough for my delicate sensibilities (and I was warned by Devizes Bookshop) but the production, direction and presentation of the play were all outstanding.   more...

Check out tribunal

I WAS one of the two members of the public who took the opportunity to attend the Appeals Tribunal hearing on Tuesday November 1 which considered Coun Mrs Hannaford-Dobson's appeal against allegations that she had contravened the Local Government Code of Conduct at a Marlborough Town Council meeting in 2003.   more...

Neighbour from hell told to move on

GAZETTE & HERALD: A NEIGHBOURHOOD is rejoicing after a judge told nightmare tenant Anita Harris that she must move out before December 14.   more...

Time for resolution

AT a time when newspapers seem to devote most of their time printing bad news, it is refreshing to read in the Gazette and Herald some good news.   more...

Shopper wins £3,000 holiday

GAZETTE & HERALD: LOYAL Somerfield shopper Margaret Hutton was delighted to discover that, instead of being given a bill for her weekly shop, she was handed £3,000 worth of holiday vouchers.   more...

Manager stole from own shop

GAZETTE & HERALD: A woman abused her position at deputy manager of a Chippenham electrical store in order to steal from the firm, a court heard.   more...

Cut the speed

YOU recently published an article in which you stated that around 30 per cent of the vehicles passing through Axford in a recent survey were exceeding the speed limit.   more...

Thanks for helping

PERHAPS I might be allowed to use the letters page of the Gazette to thank the various people who came to my wife's aid when she fell in Marlborough High Street a few days ago and sustained a broken nose.   more...

Help with war book

I AM currently engaged in writing a book on The Great War. The subject is a battle which took place at Hebuterne/Gommecourt in Artois in France, which occurred on 1.7.1916, the first day of the Somme.   more...

Thanks for support

THANKS to our supporters and clients, Chippenham Link Transport raised £172.94 at our last afternoon tea. We are so grateful to everyone who helps us at these events and also a big thank you to all our volunteer drivers. Our next tea will be in St Peter's Hall on January 27 and we look forward to seeing everyone .   more...

Tip argument is just illogical

DAVID Smith's letter (SA, November 6) proves his argument is contradictory and nonsensical.   more...

Is this a reason for the skill shortage?

WITH regards to the article in the Advertiser, headlined "Victims of our own success" concerning skill shortages, I am a time-served toolmaker with more than 20 years experience with CNC programming and welding, mechanical fitting etc.   more...

NHS cash is not much help to us

PETER Brown (SA, November 17) never ceases to amaze me with his wonderful use of statistics and an unswerving devotion to promoting the Labour Party as the modern day Don Quixote, righting wrongs and tilting at windmills.   more...

Take a trip to Eygpt's sites

SINCE my retirement I have organised reunion visits to the canal zone area in Egypt.   more...

It's a bother on the buses

people who are dependent on cars might have difficulty catching the number 13 bus to Eldene.   more...

Fraud figures

FOR the past 11 years no accountant has accepted the figures from the EU. This is not a blip, it is at best incompetence by Brussels and at worst, a major fraud.   more...

Light up a tribute

Josie Willis, Ell-mae Willis and Cloe Dunne at the Tree of ThoughtTHE Outlet Village was ablaze with light as the Swindon Cancer Appeal's Tree of Thought campaign got underway.   more...

All lit up

Vivian Wilks with his home lit up by a thousand Christmas lightsFATHER Christmas won't have any problem finding the home of Vivian Wilks and his wife Sandy this year.   more...

Help for victims and perpetrators

Jade Lowe, Lily Porter, Jon Pearce, Francesca Smith and Dominic HofferOn day four of Anti Bullying Week ­ a national project to help children, teachers and parents education reporter LYNDSAY SCANLAN spoke to pupils at Warneford School in Highworth   more...

Parents and kids have fun at creche

Carla Hitch and Nicole JonesAFTER being praised for their work, a Swindon crèche opened its doors to show everyone how good it is.   more...

Club hosts radio DJs

TWO Radio One DJs will be getting Swindon moving when they play at a nightclub.   more...

Traffic fear at school scheme

Dave Hopkins with the petition he has collectedRESIDENTS in Swindon's Raybrook Park say lives will be put at risk if their streets are used when Even Swindon Junior School is extended.   more...

Charity ball gets boost from rowers

Steve RedgraveTHE NSPCC's annual ball in Swindon has received an Olympic boost from the stars of the Great Britain rowing team.   more...

Police are hunting man after complaints

POLICE are hunting a man after two incidents of inappropriate behaviour ­ one involving a 12-year-old girl.   more...

Christmas bus service announced

BUS firm Thamesdown Transport has announced details of its services during the festive period.   more...

Plumber committed offences when father died

A PLUMBER who owned up to a string of offences has been given a community order.   more...

Pigeon's in a flap after getting trapped

MANY people want to feel free as a bird, but one winged creature got its feathers in a twist.   more...

Tree planted in a tribute to US firefighters

Cricklade firefighters Rob Milican, Helen Tooley, Jason Smith and Pete Price at the tree plantingA GIANT Redwood tree has been planted in Cricklade's Millennium Wood in memory of the firefighters who lost their lives in the Twin Towers.   more...

Nationwide to back disability sports group

A SWINDON firm is set to become the country's main sponsor of Disability Sport Events (DSE) in a deal worth £1m.   more...

Battery mountain threat

MEP Caroline Jackson has vote in the European Parliament to encourage people to recycle household batteries.   more...

Catch the final films from the festival

FILMS fans are in for a treat this weekend as the third Swindon Film Festival reaches its climax.   more...

A chance to spend Sundays as a family

FAMILIES are being urged to take part in workshops aimed to make them spend more time together.   more...

Support to defeat violence

WILTSHIRE'S Criminal Justice Board has thrown its support behind International White Ribbon day tomorrow.   more...

Bad weather stops fun run

FAMILIES limbering up to take part in this year's Santa Fun Run have been left disappointed after the event had to be cancelled.   more...

Jockey attacks love rival in bed

JILTED jockey Benarie Antonio Gonzalez De Paiva attacked his love rival when he visited his former girlfriend's home in the middle of the night and found them in bed together.   more...

Caravan owners told be on guard

POLICE have warned caravan owners in the Cricklade and Purton area to be on their guard.   more...

Simply wizard day

Actors Jamie Yeates, Chris Rankin and Warwick Davis with Georgie Hunt, Jess Preston , Lauren smith and Cara Bowden in Marlborough HIgh Street (17907/6)ON the day the latest Harry Potter film was launched shoppers in Marlborough were able to meet three of the cast.   more...

Community transport plays a vital role

COMMUNITY transport schemes are the answer for people without access to a car.   more...

Advice for teachers published

TEACHERS in Swindon can now get their hands on vital information and advice to aid their professional development and promote confidence in all aspects of teaching.   more...

Support services

THE Swindon Well Woman Centre wants to remind women of the wide range of support services they offer.   more...

Cyber success is in the stars

ASTROLOGIST Teresa Sheridan is already having success match-making online.   more...

Marlborough misses out on top town title

MARLBOROUGH has been pipped to the post in being named the overall winner of the title England's Favourite Market Town.   more...

Accident sparks call for crossing to be improved

DOG handler Dee Messenger is calling for improvements to a zebra crossing after a labrador was struck by a car while using it.   more...

Question of charity

A SPORTS quiz in aid of Cancer Relief raised more than £1,000.   more...

Lighting up the spirit of town's Christmas

MARLBOROUGH'S Traditional Spirit of Christmas event on December 1 will be bathed in light thanks to the loan of six huge floodlighting stanchions.   more...

Herbs help the healing

TWIGS Craft Studio is holding its first exhibition at North Swindon Library all week from Monday.   more...

Authors pay visit pupils a visit for book week

Katherine and Britney from Chirton School (17892/12)CHILDREN from Avebury and Chirton primary schools got into character as part of National Book Week. Letters from nursery rhyme characters to their victims was one contribution by children at Chirton .   more...

Step back to Victorian Christmas

The spirit of a Victorian Christmas will be recreated at the Steam Museum in Swindon.   more...

Mum's anguish on drink driving

Jason RawlingsTHE family of Devizes man Jason Rawlings who was killed after his friend David Pearce lost control of his car after drinking, are urging people not to drink and drive.   more...

Army parachute team drops in on school

Cpl Billy Blanchard of the Red Devils parachute team with Thomas Gray and Peggy Feltham at St Peter's School, Marlborough (17888/3)THE world famous Army parachuting team the Red Devils dropped in at St Peter's Junior School in Marlborough on Friday.   more...

Actors open display

Timothy West and Prunella Scales at Wharfside 17920/28TWO of Kennet and Avon Canal Trust's most illustrious supporters, husband and wife actors Timothy West and Prunella Scales braved the roadworks in Devizes on Saturday to formally open the trust's new exhibition.   more...

Plea for witnesses as man is assaulted

A MAN was allegedly set upon by two others and punched and kicked.   more...

Town hall leaks after £250,000 facelift

LESS than 18 months after Marlborough Town Hall underwent a £250,000 exterior restoration it still has a leak.   more...

Inspectors give village pre-school top marks

Children at Urchfont Pre-school with staff Linda Weekes, Dianna Cooper and Rebecca Kinderman celebrate their good Ofsted report this week (17863/4)URCHFONT Pre-school has joined the village primary school with which it shares a site, in being graded as "good" by Ofsted inspectors.   more...

Plucky young rider back to winning ways after fall

PLUCKY junior show jumper Jessica Mendoza has bounced back to winning form less than two months after a fall put her into intensive care.   more...

Chatterboxes keep mum to help charity

Lydia Dunford and Lauren Lawson did not speak for over six and a half hours to raise money for cancer research 17890/3KEEPING quiet all day at school was not easy for Rowde 12-year-olds Lydia Dunford and Lauren Lawson, but they managed it for six and a half hours and raised money for a cancer charity in memory of a friend's mother.   more...

Ancient locker causes problem

An ancient locker in Marlborough Town Hall could end up costing the council more than £12,000 a year ­ because it's incompatible with the computer age.   more...

Karate teacher jailed for sex assaults on girls

A KARATE instructor who indecently touched two teenage girls as he helped them with their warm-up exercises at his club has been jailed for two years.   more...

Gas work brings traffic chaos to the town centre

THE replacement of a gas main in New Park Street, Devizes, brought chaos to the town over the weekend. Traffic jams built up backing up all the way along London Road to the north and Bath Road to the west.   more...

Lights go up in nick of time after red tape hitch

THE Christmas lights will be going up in Marlborough tomorrow evening after red tape nearly left the town without any.   more...

All for the kids

Members of Devizes Lions Club braved the weather to dress up in clown's costumes and stand around in The Brittox throughout Friday collecting money for Children in Need.   more...

Thieves leave horses in cold

HEARTLESS thieves are leaving horses in the cold by stealing their blankets. Police warn there have been a number of thefts of horse blankets in the Marlborough area.   more...

Sex shop application gets mixed reaction

A FLOORING business in Sidmouth Street, Devizes, may be forced to move if the premises next door gets approval to open as the town's first sex shop.   more...

Piano perfection

MUSIC teacher Pat Jones had a pleasant surprise on Sunday when her star pupil brought round the cup she had won for the best performance at this year's Devizes Junior Eisteddfod.   more...

Loss making carnival still gives money to charities

DESPITE suffering a loss of over £3,600 in staging this year's events, Devizes Carnival committee has handed over more than £3,300 to local good causes.   more...

Ribbon tree for cancer charity

THE Rotary Club will again be placing a Tree of Ribbons in the High Street at Marlborough at Christmas. This will be the third year that the club has observed this custom of providing a tree on which people can place cards recording deceased loved ones.   more...

Pervert took child porn images off the Internet

BURBAGE man Michael Brooks has pleaded guilty to 15 charges of downloading child pornography from the Internet.   more...

Snow for festive switch-on

THERE may be real snow forecast for tomorrow night's Devizes Christmas Festival, but it won't stop people from converging on the Market Place for a feast of entertainment.   more...

Pizza, pasta now Chinese

THE Elm Tree Inn, which once offered the best in pizza and pasta, will be making a bold move to the Orient in the New Year.   more...

Trader is fined for fly tipping

A DEVIZES businessman is counting the cost of fly tipping rubbish in the countryside after he was ordered to pay £1,644 in fines and costs by Kennet magistrates.   more...

Compost dump breaks the law

ROBERT Hitchins Homes, the company that wants to build houses on the former allotments at Spitalcroft, has been dealt another blow after the Environment Agency stopped it spreading compost at allotments.   more...

Lib Dem councillor defects to the Tories

ROUNDWAY'S Liberal Democrat district councillor Geoff Brewer has been told he should stand down and face a by-election after he defected to the Tory party last week.   more...

Schools free garden offer

DEVIZES Town Council is to write to people who are on its waiting list for an allotment to see if they want to have a plot at Windsor Drive.   more...

Mission to give orphans new hope for the future

GAZETTE & HERALD: A LIFELINE has been handed to 40 vulnerable Nepalese orphans thanks to the work of Valerie Parkinson. The children live in cramped conditions in a tiny three-bedroom house in Kathmandu, with no money and little future.   more...

Granddad dies after accident on danger road

GAZETTE & HERALD: LOVING grandfather Arnold Cook died in hospital after a tragic road accident on Friday morning. Mr Cook, 55, was travelling to work at Robin Butler Engineering in Calne when his vehicle left the A4 carriageway, went into a hedge and rolled onto its side.   more...

Town ready for lantern parade

GAZETTE & HERALD: UP to 10,000 people will deck the streets of Calne as the town is illuminated at the spectacular Christmas lights switch on.   more...

Holidaymaker's unhappy returns to damaged home

GAZETTE & HERALD: CALNE resident Mark Lewis was left stunned when he returned from holiday to find a recycling lorry had reversed into his house.   more...

Man broke his friend's jaw

GAZETTE & HERALD: MARK Clarke, 33, of Calne, was ordered to pay £500 compensation after he broke his friend's jaw in an argument, Chippenham Magistrates' Court heard on Friday.   more...

Councillor challenges colleagues to place bet

GAZETTE & HERALD: AN extraordinary wager on the appeal result for a guest home at Quemerford House has been offered to councillors who voted against the proposals by Coun Tom Briggs.   more...

Swindon fan needs cheering

GAZETTE & HERALD: THE son of Swindon Town fan Tony Collins has appealed to the football club to help raise his dad's spirits in hospital.   more...

Sharing a spliff leads to court

GAZETTE & HERALD: A Calne teenager who shared a cannabis cigarette with a 14-year-old youth has ended up in court.   more...

Chef is accused of rape attack

Kawan DeylanA CHEF has appeared in court charged with raping a woman who was stranded in Swindon town centre with no money to get home.   more...

Just allow us to enjoy our birds

Ron Denham, chairman of the Swindon Cage Bird SocietyGREAT-GRANDFATHER Ron Denham has told Tony Blair to stop picking on pensioners with canaries as fears mount over bird flu.   more...

Rising fuel prices could add to your council tax bill

RISING fuel costs could add an extra one per cent on to council tax bills unless Swindon council finds savings.   more...

Ready for 24 hour opening

BIG changes to the way off-licences, pubs and clubs are regulated come into effect today.   more...

Help put smile on their faces

Michael Oliver of Swindon Otters, pictured in 2003, which was one of the beneficiaries of our Christmas appealTHE Swindon Advertiser is hoping to bring a smile to the faces of children across the town with the launch of this year's Christmas Appeal.   more...

Driver may face prison for flouting driving ban

A 23-YEAR-OLD woman caught driving while disqualified for the third time faces jail.   more...

Xtreme Aggro!

George Pitt, Seam McLeod, Alan Barry and Adam Bidwell with MichelleI think Louis Walsh will be back in the show, former contestant Michelle tells our reporter Stephanie Tye   more...

No end to rough road for John

John Keeping with the lorries he has to move from his gardenTHEY are the last remnants of John Keeping's business empire.   more...

Racism rears its ugly head again

MORE racist graffiti has appeared in Swindon.   more...

School earns Ofsted praise

SCHOOL inspectors have praised teaching standards at Kennet Valley School but criticised its lack of resources for outdoor activities.   more...

Police issue street fines to curb bad behaviour

POLICE in Kennet are stepping up their campaign against anti-social behaviour by issuing fines on the street for the first time.   more...

Council staff learn three Rs

OVER 100 members of staff at Kennet District Council are to get special training on the three Rs. During working hours, everyone from refuse collectors to department managers will get lessons in reading, writing and mathematics under the Government's Skills for Life programme.   more...

Water companies blamed for dying river

Fish are being left to die in muddy puddles which are all that is left of parts of the River Kennet, one of the country's best chalk streams.   more...

New licensing act comes in

LICENSING officers at Kennet District Council are waiting to see the effects of the new licensing regime which comes into force today.   more...

Camilla backing Gazette's appeal

Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall with Julie and Beth Picter at Springboard on TuesdayGUSHING with pride, mum Julie Picter said the Duchess of Cornwall's visit to Springboard rivalled her wedding as the most memorable day of her life.   more...

Readers are urged to be generous this year

Superdrug staff Laura Whitehead and Pat Hook with toys for the Gazette's Christmas Toy Appeal, run with Superdrug and the Salvation Army (17947/04)The Christmas lights are shining, the shops are bustling and all over Wiltshire families are stocking up the larders for the festive season.   more...

Government cash will pay bill for new school

COUNTY education bosses have to choose which school in Wiltshire is to be given a £20 million rebuild after getting a Government cash windfall.   more...

Tackling the school bullies

Students at Hardenhuish School act out bullying storylines to help their understanding 17950/05In Anti Bullying Week SARAH SINGLETON finds out how schools tackle the cause of so much misery. The misery endured by the victims of school bullying has come sharply into focus because this week is Anti Bullying Week.   more...

Factory to burn waste for cement

WILTSHIRE County Council is launching a campaign to persuade people living downwind of a cement works that its new strategy for burning waste is good news.   more...

Day promotes anti-violence

It is International Day Against Violence Against Women Day tomorrow, November 25, and agencies across Wiltshire will be highlighting the crucial work underway to put a stop to attacks on women.   more...

Christmas boxes of love

LORRY loads of shoeboxes filled with Christmas cheer for underprivileged children in the former Soviet Union have started leaving the Wiltshire depot of Operation Christmas Child.   more...

Match holder clue to haul of stolen gems

Police are hoping a silver matchbox holder in the shape of a female body might spark someone's memory and help them re-unite an owner with a stash of jewellery.   more...

Free barbecue and local food

Local producers are hoping for long queues on the first weekend in December when people will get the chance to taste the finest flavours of Wootton Bassett.   more...

Stilt walkers and all that jazz as lights switched on

Festive fever is mounting in Wootton Bassett as the town braces itself for an estimated 8,000 visitors when the Christmas lights are switched on next week.   more...

Lake project pushes up tax

Council tax in Wootton Bassett looks set to rise by around 4.5 per cent next year to help cover the costs of the town council's new projects.   more...

Residents concerned over chemist service

PENSIONERS without transport in Wootton Bassett have raised concerns after the town's three chemists have withdrawn their Sunday rota service.   more...

Tackling the film pirates

WOOTTON Bassett firm, Dolby Laboratories is taking on Internet film pirates.   more...

Siggy has the Domino's effect

PIZZA franchisee Siggy Wilberg is celebrating this week after receiving an international achievement award.   more...

Lodgers aren't worth all the hassle - study

LODGERS who come in to help pay the bills often damage property or are late with the rent, says a survey of 3,000 householders by Zurich.   more...

Drugs operation to scan town's pub customers

Leader of Special Constables in Wootton Bassett Derek Flexer analyses the results of a drugs scan taken at a town pub 17932/3SIGNIFICANT inroads have been made into breaking the supply chain of Class A drugs in Wootton Bassett after a successful operation to scan pub-goers for illegal substances.   more...

Camilla backing Gazette's appeal

Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall with Julie and Beth Picter at Springboard on TuesdayGUSHING with pride, mum Julie Picter said the Duchess of Cornwall's visit to Springboard rivalled her wedding as the most memorable day of her life.   more...

New jobs plan for town

More than 200 jobs could be created in Malmesbury if permission is granted for a multi-million pound development on the edge of the town.   more...

Doctor's plane crashed in emergency landing bid

MALMESBURY GP Chris Townsend died after his microlight stalled, nose-dived out of control and crashed in a field, an inquest heard.   more...

Festive glow for town

More than 40 children and parents bathed Malmesbury in a festive glow during a lantern walk around the town.   more...

Postman avoids jail over mail hoarding

SACKED Malmesbury postman Mathew Vines was spared a jail sentence by magistrates on Monday. The 25-year-old said he hoarded letters because he was bored with his job and wanted get home to see his young son.   more...

All for the kids

People of all ages in Malmesbury had a terrific time getting into the spirit to raise money for BBC's Children in Need.   more...

Lights switch on announced

Malmesbury mayor Jackie Martin will officially switch Malmesbury's Christmas lights on December 2. She will turn them on in the Market Cross, at 5pm, bathing Malmesbury in a festive glow.   more...

Mum's jewellery designs stars of new shop venture

A MALMESBURY mother-of-three has turned her dream of running a business into reality. Sue Franklin, from Pool Gastons Road, opened up a gift shop called Sugar and Spice, in the High Street on Monday.   more...

Auction of 300 wedding gowns

TELEVISION companies are expected to flock to an auction of 300 wedding dresses and evening gowns in Malmesbury this weekend.   more...

Absence of signs delays drink ban enforcement

Thirty eight signs enforcing an alcohol exclusion zone should have been erected in Malmesbury by now, according to town councillor Martin Snell.   more...

Sandwich bar wins go-ahead

Plans for a controversial sandwich bar in Malmesbury have been approved by district councillors. The decision was made at a meeting in Chippenham last Wednesday night.   more...

Parents and kids have fun at creche

AFTER being praised for their work, a Swindon crèche opened its doors to show everyone how good it is.   more...

Mum's jewellery designs stars of new shop venture

A MALMESBURY mother-of-three has turned her dream of running a business into reality. Sue Franklin, from Pool Gastons Road, opened up a gift shop called Sugar and Spice, in the High Street on Monday.   more...

Trader is fined for fly tipping

A DEVIZES businessman is counting the cost of fly tipping rubbish in the countryside after he was ordered to pay £1,644 in fines and costs by Kennet magistrates.   more...

New shops bring boost to trade in town centre

TWO new shops and a coffee bar have brought a welcome boost to trade at the east end of the High Street in Marlborough.   more...

Fire service sets an example to all the world

REPRESENTATIVES of fire services from all over the world are beating a path to Wiltshire to look at the good practice of the Wiltshire Fire Brigade.   more...

Electrical goods fail in safety check

Consumer watchdogs are warning people to take care when buying second hand electrical goods after a survey by local trading standards officers found most goods bought from traders or private sales failed a simple safety check.   more...

Rock`n'roll brings back memories of special days

THEY say that if you can remember the 1960s you never lived through them. So a new service being offered by Urchfont-based rock journalist Johnny Black might be of use to baby boomers whose memories of their youth are slightly hazy.   more...

Talent on show

PETER Blundell, headmaster at St Francis School in Pewsey was absolutely delighted his pupils swept the board at the Devizes Eisteddfod, taking top places in 13 out of the 17 categories in the junior school section.   more...

Difficulties hit skatepark

A mobile skatepark set up just six months ago by North Wiltshire District Council has been mothballed. A series of problems, including lack of sites, staff and funding, have stalled the programme, which was launched in May.   more...

County to trial green biodiesel vehicle fuel

Smells of a greasy spoon could waft over north Wiltshire this winter as the council trial a new green fuel. The environmentally friendly vegetable based product is being used in county council vehicles, including gritting lorries, vans and mobile library.   more...

Flood warden's fears allayed

PARISH councillor Jill Bromley who has been appointed Pewsey's flood warden has told colleagues she needed help in case the village should ever flood.   more...

Parents claim dyslexic son has been `let down'

Christopher Moss with mum Simone (17933/1)GAZETTE & HERALD: PARENTS Steve and Simone Moss have re-mortgaged their home to fund the £10,000 a year specialist education for their son who is dyslexic.   more...

Youngsters capture the moment for pupils of the future

GAZETTE & HERALD: PUPILS at Regis Primary School, Corsham, have captured the year 2005 by burying a time capsule. The capsule, with mobile phone, school jumper, lesson plans, menus and photographs, was placed deep under the town's Katherine Park development.   more...

Children meet a celebrity chef

GAZETTE & HERALD: CELEBRITY chef Paul Rankin was at Corsham Regis Primary School this week talking to children about healthy eating and exercise.   more...

Royal Mail considering the future of buildings

GAZETTE & HERALD: The future of Corsham's sorting office is once again in doubt, for the second time in 12 months.   more...

Comedy takes a cue from Lost

GAZETTE & HERALD: ACTORS from Pickwick Theatre Company will tread the boards in Corsham with their latest production ­ Tim Firth's Neville's Island.   more...

Station is open ­ even when shut

GAZETTE & HERALD: POLICE sergeant Mel Rolph has assured townsfolk that Corsham station is manned 24 hours a day ­ even though it might appear to be closed.   more...

Camilla backing Gazette's appeal

Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall with Julie and Beth Picter at Springboard on TuesdayGAZETTE & HERALD: GUSHING with pride, mum Julie Picter said the Duchess of Cornwall's visit to Springboard rivalled her wedding as the most memorable day of her life.   more...

Veteran firefighter calls it a day after 26 years

Firefighter Ady Francis with his colleagues at Chippenham Fire Station. He has been with the brigade since 1979 and in Chippenham since 1980GAZETTE & HERALD: AFTER 26 years of service, Chippenham firefighter Ady Frances brought his career in the Wiltshire Fire Brigade to an end this week.   more...

Duchess has tea with Springboard children

GAZETTE & HERALD: THE Duchess of Cornwall showed her caring nature when she joined families at Chippenham's Springboard nursery for tea and biscuits on Monday.   more...

Santa stages surprise

Santa abseils into town 17898/8GAZETTE & HERALD: JOLLY Santa Claus dropped in quite literally to surprise hundreds of Chippenham youngsters on Friday.   more...

Hands off our police force

GAZETTE & HERALD: PEOPLE at a public meeting in Chippenham last Thursday opposed the proposed merger of Wiltshire Police with neighbouring forces.   more...

Widow's war outcry

GAZETTE & HERALD: WIDOW Kellie Merritt, whose husband was one of ten Lyneham crew members to die in the Hercules crash in Iraq, has spoken out for the first time, controversially saying he died for a cause he didn't believe in.   more...

Glimmer of hope for base

GAZETTE & HERALD: HINTS that RAF Lyneham could still be used as a military base after 2012 have been given a cautious welcome by North Wiltshire MP James Gray.   more...

All for the kids

GAZETTE & HERALD: FITNESS fanatics at the Olympiad took it in turns to row continuously for 12 hours and hope to have raised a fantastic sum for Children in Need.   more...

Hit and run driver was twice over drink limit

GAZETTE & HERALD: A woman has been told to expect a prison term after admitting causing the death of cyclist Michael Reynolds in a hit and run accident.   more...

Rugby

Club lose out over bid to have game replayed

CHIPPENHAM Rugby Club are to replay their South West One league match against Clevedon this weekend after facing the prospect of the match on Christmas Eve.   more...

Sport

Mik moves in

SWINDON Town boss Iffy Onuora this morning added West Ham United striker Petr Mikolanda to his squad and was working on making at least one further addition before the 5pm loan deadline.   more...

Salisbury Football

Cheshunt trip re-arranged

SALISBURY City's Southern League Premier Division match at Cheshunt, postponed due to a frozen pitch last weekend, has been rearranged for Tuesday, January 10 (7.45pm)  more...

Tubbs of talent - exclusive interview with City's scoring sensation Matt Tubbs

MATT Tubbs is currently having the kind of season all strikers dream of.  more...

Holmes confirms new signing

NICK Holmes has confirmed that Salisbury City have this evening completed the signing of Forest Green Rovers midfielder Jonathan Beswetherick.  more...

Salisbury News

Record year of gifts on the cards

AS always, big-hearted Journal readers are responding magnificently to our Christmas Appeal.  more...

Trophy tie set to test City's credentials

SALISBURY City face their toughest test of the season so far when they host Conference South outfit Newport County in the final qualifying round of the FA Trophy on Saturday, writes Mike Turner.  more...

Brave young duo praised for chasing bag-snatcher

TWO teenagers have been praised for their bravery after they chased a knife-wielding robber seconds after he had snatched more than £1,500 from a woman walking along McKie Road, in Amesbury.  more...

Fundraisers rally to Pudsey's cause

FUNDRAISING fever hit south Wiltshire on Friday, with a host of charity capers to raise money for Children in Need.  more...

  
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