A poor memory is a blessing when you see a classic whodunnit for the umpteenth time. It wasn't until halfway through the second half that I remembered the twist. A wonderful cast, which includes Gerald Harper, Denis Lill, Peter Byrne, Mark Wynter
The spirit of the Festival Hall came to Devizes Corn Exchange last Saturday. A sell out audience of 300 heard Mozart and Mahler performed by the chorus and orchestra of the White Horse Opera. Expertly conducted by Francis Griffin, the music started
Mirth, mischief and mayhem are the hallmarks of this pacey production at the Wharf. Director Mike Polack has driven it along with well-defined characters and bags of energy. The Dream is a multiple love story, with interference from the mischievous
Unless it was part of an examination syllabus and therefore compulsory reading, War and Peace is one of those novels we promise ourselves we'll get around to reading one day. Leo Tolstoy's masterpiece covers in considerable detail the political and social
EVERY once in a while, an exciting British talent emerges from nowhere. Two years ago Paul Andrew Williams did it in London To Brighton, an explosive thriller about a prostitute and an 11-year-old girl on the run from a gun-toting pimp. His follow-up
DIRECTOR Roland Emmerich has spent half his career trying to obliterate planet Earth and humankind with it in blockbusters such as Independence Day, Godzilla and The Day After Tomorrow, a film which imagined the return of the Ice Age. Emmerich's brain
BURMA war hero Brian Frank-Scott, who lived nearly all his life in Chippenham, has died at the age of 92. He went to Burma in 1942 where he served with the Royal Artillery for two years and was awarded the coveted Burma Star. He had previously been
Dawn Holbutt, of Arnolds Mead, Corsham died on January 8 aged 39 after losing her battle with spine cancer. She was born in Cyprus in 1968 where her father was serving with the RAF, but the family soon moved back to Wiltshire, settling in Corsham. On
Kathleen Turner, 87, who had lived in Chippenham for almost 50 years, died suddenly at home on January 27. Mrs Turner was born in Warrington, Lancashire, and grew up above the family greengrocer's which overlooked the Manchester Ship Canal and Chester
FARMER'S wife Gaynor Butler, who became a stalwart of the community in Wootton Rivers, has died in Combe End Court, Marlborough, after a long illness. Daphne Gaynor Butler was born on November 14, 1919 at Sharcott, near Pewsey. She grew up at Manor
Town council gardener Mick Plank, who died suddenly on Monday, lived in Salisbury Road in Marborough with his wife, June. He was born in the Pewsey Vale and went to local primary and secondary schools. He was one of ten children, five brothers and sisters
Former Potterne pub landlady Patsy Roberts, whose life was connected with horse racing in numerous ways, has died at her Pewsey home aged 79. She and her husband, former jump jockey Mick Roberts, ran the Bell public house at Potterne for ten years until
GRANDMOTHER Maureen Price, who spent much of her last 30 years in and out of hospitals, has died at the age of 78. Mrs Price who was born in Marlborough and lived her entire life in the town, died on March 1 at Savernake Hospital. She was one of eight
Due to a cheque donation from Westiea Housing of £200 I have now raised £550 for Doorway. Councillor Nina Phillips, Redland ward, Chippenham
It was amazing to read the letter in last week's Gazette from the Liberal Democrats complaining bitterly about the low council tax increase we have introduced. Is this the same Liberal Democrats that last year planned to close leisure centres across
The Government is looking to get Royal Assent to the hated European Union Bill in June or July. The Queen has received many thousands of appeals from ordinary people to try to save us from this Bill. She passed these on to Gordon Brown. If Parliament
Wiltshire Search and Rescue and Police Officers, were praised today, after playing a vital role in the location of a missing teenager. Teams of police officers were deployed within minutes of the 16 year-old boy from the Pewsey area being reported
TINO Pupilli, who has been making pizzas in Devizes for over 20 years, died today. Mr Pupilli had been battling cancer and he died at his home in Broadleas Park. Mr Pupilli, who was originally from Italy, first owned a pizza restaurant in Sidmouth Street
We have often wondered during our frequent walks in Savernake Forest south of the A4, why the area is almost devoid of wild flowers. Dog's Mercury and the odd euphorbia is the best it can do. Hens Wood, north of the A4, has large areas of wild daffodils
We are currently researching the history of the parish of Ogbourne St Andrew, and would be interested in recording any information, stories that any readers might have. In particular we are searching for old photographs or paintings of the parish which
I attended the recent badger/TB meeting in Devizes and heard that 88 per cent of bovine tuberculosis infections to cattle are from cattle. We need to protect the environment and cull the cattle as they are the main contaminant. As badgers have lived
May we thank Nigel Kerton for the excellent coverage of the tragic death of our dear daughter, Sarah, and of the tributes paid to her life serving others over 30 years. We hope that the proposed Eating Disorders Unit at Savernake Hospital will go ahead
Allison Bucknall is quite right with her assertion that "mixed housing estates are here to stay", (Gazette, February 21). John Ireland (Gazette, February 28) has the right to dispute the premises. What he has not the right to do is make an uncalled
My thanks to Major Seed for his explanation of why Mr Gray was wearing brigadier's badges of rank without holding the Queen's commission, and I was aware he had been a member of the HAC. I am surprised, though, that it was on the instructions of the
Following the article regarding my battle with Wiltshire PCT (March 6) I would like to make the following points. Wiltshire PCT made me an offer of £18,000, which included a confidentiality clause, to abandon my claim to an employment tribunal. I refused
Further to Colin Duff's letter (March 6) it is a pity that with all Mr Duff's qualifications in civil engineering he has failed to recognise that the pavement has obviously been built up to enable passengers to get on and off the bus easily. The fact
Belinda Mead (letters, March 6) encourages us to complain to Kennet District Council, to shame them into doing their duty by picking up litter. Her letter implies that all fault lies with this organisation. Who does she think drops the litter? Litter
Colin Duff (letters, March 6) complains about the high kerb on the bus stop island in the Market Place in Devizes where he damaged his car whilst turning left. If he cut the corner so tightly that he clipped the kerb, then that's down to his lack of
I don't feel that Jeff Ody does himself nor his political cause any favours in his latest attack (letters, March 6) on the chairman of Kennet's planning policies executive. Thankfully a reporter from the Gazette & Herald was at the meeting so the public
Councillor Ody will, no doubt, be considering his own response to Councillor Connelly's robust rebuttal of the suggestion by Councillor Ody that the housing allocations should be more fairly spread across the district. However, in making that rebuttal
I write to express our sincere thanks to you and your staff for the amazing support you have given us during the past year. Your regular features and articles have done a great deal to raise our profile as a youth work provider but also to demonstrate
When it was first mooted that Wiltshire Ambulance Service would be combined with two others to create the Great Western Ambulance Service, I suspected that the large cities and towns would benefit, and those of us living in rural parts would experience
In response to your article Trust is giving up' (March 6) and BBC Points West news of February 27. I find that, like a lot of colleagues, I have lost confidence in the executive board of the Great Western Ambulance Service NHS Trust in fulfilling its
There is a simple answer to the moral mess Michael Ancram has got himself into over spending £22,000 from his parliamentary allowances on repainting his home in Pewsey. He should give it back, or alternatively, donate a similar sum to local charities
I am so pleased that a debate is taking place in your columns about our MP, Michael Ancram, for whom I too voted at the last election, though more because there was no other obvious talent on offer in a constituency which is such a safe Conservative
CONCERNED husband David Ville is beginning to dread this year's WOMAD festival in Charlton Park over fears for his wife's health. The 71-year-old Milbourne resident was so worried about emergency services not being able to access his roadhe appealed
THE people of Wootton Bassett turned out in force to honour a man who spent his life helping others. More than 150 people lined the streets of Wootton Bassett on Friday to honour Sgt Duane Baz' Barwood, the fallen RAF serviceman, who used to work as
A UNANIMOUS vote from Malmesbury town councillors has secured the go-ahead for the Reeds Farm Play Area. Councillors agreed at a meeting on Tuesday night to open a public consultation period so that residents can have a say about the type of play area
CORSHAM sculptor Andrea Garrihy has added a touch of Wiltshire to an international snow-sculpting exhibition in Norway. Ms Garrihy joined sculptors from across Europe for a week-long icy adventure in Hovden in Southern Norway in January. The artist,
DETERMINED Ali Pearce has been named as the official photographer for the Police Unity Memorial Association, despite having Downs Syndrome. Miss Pearce, 22, of Black Cross, Chippenham, who is also wheelchair bound, will be the organisation's only official
A graffiti hotspot has been targeted by vandals - just weeks after it received a much-needed facelift. The pedestrian tunnel which runs underneath the railway in Bath Road, Chippenham, was given a new lick of paint on Valentine's Day as part of North
SAFETY fears in Curzon Street have risen to such an extent residents may put up their own bollards. Impatient drivers mount the pavement to get through the single lane road. Their frustration has increased since part of the road was blocked when work
Chopping down a cherished chestnut tree in Calne may land Westlea Housing Association with a £20,000 fine. North Wiltshire District Council could impose the penalty if it decides the tree was axed illegally. Residents in Curzon Park were dismayed when
STONAR schoolgirl Camilla Hempleman-Adams, 15, will leave Buckingham Palace today after being granted a private audience with the Duke of Edinburgh. Prince Philip decided to meet the young adventurer, whose father David has set countless adventuring
GARAGE worker Kumar Satheeswarn has relived the moment he watched a gang repeatedly hit his friend and colleague with an iron bar. The attack happened last Thursday just after 11pm when the gang circled the Total petrol station on Bath Road, taunting
FATHER-of-two Mick Plank, who worked as a groundsman and gardener for Marlborough Town Council, has died suddenly while at work. Mr Plank, 65, was about to start working part time for the council, where he had been employed since 1993. He had just returned
TWO Crufts rookies have surprised their owners by picking up prestigious awards at this year's competition. Both 20-month-old Burm-ese Baz and three-year- old miniature pinscher Lucy won very highly commended certificates in their separate categories
Sonya Hillier's briard Ditto was the second top dog in his breed at Crufts. Seven-year-old Ditto came second in the open dog class but the judge was so impressed with him that he was pitched against the winners of all the other briard classes and he
FARMERS demonstrated the skill of ploughing using vintage tractors at Poulshot on Sunday. More than 60 tractors were involved in the White Horse Ploughing Society match on land owned by farmer Jim Butler. Farmers came mainly from Wiltshire, Hampshire
Plans to build a block of flats in Corsham were given the go ahead last night. The proposal to build a block of six flats on Station Road was granted at the Development Control Meeting despite objections from nearby residents and Corsham Town Council
HISTORY researcher Kim Wakeham is appealing for any information about the disused cells under Marlborough Town Hall. Miss Wakeham, who lives in the town, has been helping the town council research some of its property. Now she is turning her attention
A chance to see locks and dry docks, lost in undergrowth for 100 years is being offered to families, youth and sports clubs ready to raise money for the region's canals. The Wilts & Berks Canal Trust is inviting people to take part in the annual sponsored
OUTLINE planning permission for a new 50,000 metre media park in Corsham was given the go ahead at a meeting last night. The decision was made after Corsham Town Council made a dramatic U-turn and pledged their support after previously asking for it
LUCKY hedgehog Blondie is recovering after nearly being burnt to death in a bonfire. The little survivor is a rare blonde hedgehog and was found badly burnt in the Lypiatt area of Corsham last week. He was rushed to the hedgehog sanctuary in Neston
A SOLDIER seriously wounded in Iraq is taking on the 125-mile challenge of the Devizes to Westminster Canoe Race. Major David Bradley was rescuing British troops near Basra in 2004 when he was hit by two rocket-propelled grenades. He was given a five
Pig farmers Cameron and Muriel Naughton, from Bishops Cannings, joined a Westminster protest of farmers fighting for their livelihoods. Mr and Mrs Naughton - who are losing almost £3,000 a week - were among 600 pig farmers from all over the country who
MOTORCYCLIST Darren Evans has criticised highways bosses for failing to fill in a pothole on a notorious stretch of road, which claimed the life of a biker last month. Darren, 30, who runs the Salutation Inn near Castle Combe, said he contacted Wiltshire
YOUND Aaron Spackman went on a hunt to find shops in Devizes which are displaying Fairtrade mark. His sister Lucy joined in the Fairtrade Town Trail, and now the pair, who live in Bayntun Close, Devizes, have been awarded prizes by town mayor, Julian
STUDENT Anna Lamp-ard is doing a parachute jump to celebrate her mother's recovery from eight brain tumours. Miss Lampard, 23, is a former St John's, Marlborough, student now studying for her BEd at the University of Gloucstershire and hopes to become
Teenagers Natalie Paddock and Elijah Spencer spent their half term holiday helping out at an orphanage in Burafaye, Senegal. Natalie, 14, and Elijah, 17, from Abbeyfield Secondary School in Chippenham, joined 15 other volunteers of all ages from Station
TEMPERS have been re-ignited over an osteopathy centre in Chippenham after the owner applied to have the opening hours extended. The centre, in Ashfield Road, was strongly opposed when plans to convert the old house were submitted last year. A residents
PENSIONER Billy Link was heartbroken when she lost her purse, which contained a love letter written by her husband just before he left to fight in the Second World War. Mrs Link, 86, of Horsebrook Farm, Calne, had kept the letter in her purse for more
A WILTSHIRE paramedic has written to the Gazette attacking ambulance trust bosses' policy of ignoring rural areas to concentrating on meeting response targets in town centres. The paramedic, who has asked his name be withheld to protect his job, wrote
RETIRED policeman Richard Marston killed himself with his wife's shotgun during a bout of depression, an inquest heard. Widow Elaine Marston wept as the details of her husband's death emerged and criticised Wiltshire Police for not informing her of how
THE two macebearers who attend the mayors of Marlborough on official occasions are to get smart new outfits to wear. Local benefactor, retired teacher David Sherratt, is footing the £2,000 bill for purpose made macebearers' livery. For the past 100
GRANTS of up to £50,000 are available to charitable organisations through the Gazette and Herald. The Gannett Foundation Fund, the charitable arm of the Gazette's parent company Gannett, is looking for charities which want extra funding. All applicants
JOHN and Pam Desmond could well be the only pub-restaurant owners in the country who hand out tips to their customers. The Mildenhall licensees own several greyhounds including one that is the talk of the village where they run the Horseshoe pub. All
Kennet District Council saw three successful benefit cheats fined at Devizes Magistrates Court on Monday 10th March 2008. Mrs Candy Palmer of Croft Corner, Burbage pleaded guilty to failing to notify changes in circumstance which resulted in an overpayment
Family and friends of a Corsham woman who lost her battle with cancer went ahead with her 40th birthday party in Spain to celebrate her life. Dawn Holbutt, 39, had organised a group trip to Benidorm to mark her 40th birthday on March 6. But Mrs Holbutt
POLICE raided a flat in Calne after a gang of heroin users terrorised their neighbours with death threats and abuse. Calne police broke into a flat in Pym House on the Colemans Farm Estate on Friday afternoon after residents complained of drug users
Residents and staff from Sarsen Housing Association have been praised by staff from Birmingham City Council. Community involvement officers from the city council visited the Sarsen estate at Forty Acres park in Devizes. The visit was prompted by the
A BLOOMING tough working life has come to an end for Marlborough brothers Derek and Gordon Smithers. They have taken early retirement from their floristry shop in Hilliers Yard, which closed 20 years to the day after it opened. Their decision to put
Desperate Swindon Town boss Maurice Malpas is hoping to add to his threadbare squad before the loan deadline to boost their flagging season. The Robins sit 14th in League One and host promotion chasing Carlisle on Saturday, after a demoralising 2-1 defeat
THE plight of freezing Bulgarian children has prompted Devizes man Pete Roberts to strip off and ski in sub zero temperatures. Mr Roberts, 55, agreed to ski down a mountain in Bulgaria wearing just a thong to raise money for an orphanage in Stoikite
THE Mill preparatory school in Potterne has become the latest school in the Devizes area to get a good report from Ofsted school inspectors. The school has been rated an overall good school, the second highest rating, with some aspects outstanding. But
MITCH Roberts has been appointed town centre manager for Devizes. He was appointed by Devizes Development Partnership and succeeds Daryl Saville-Brown, who left in December after 15 months to become deputy town clerk in Calne. Mr Roberts, who lives
PARTY gatecrasher Nathan Eyres punched the air in celebration after a court allowed him to walk free with a conditional discharge. He was one of three teenagers who appeared before Chippenham magistrates on Tuesday charged with abusive behaviour at a
'I'm playing for you' is the message from new Chippenham Town loanee Gary Funnell to generous Bluebirds fans. The versatile midfielder scored nine minutes into his debut in the 3-1 win over Merthyr Tydfil on Saturday after signing on a initial month's
Train operator First Great Western is highlighting service alterations to train services due to Network Rail engineering works over the Easter holiday 21- 24 March 2008. As a result of the need for essential track engineering work, some First Great
Matt Groves is hoping that helping Chippenham Town's play-off bid will propel him into the limelight at Bristol Rovers. Just 24 hours after making his debut in the 3-1 win over Merthyr on Saturday, the Pirate loanee watched as his club bowed out of
VULNERABLE village schools in Great Somerford and Seagry could become one in an attempt to secure their future. Proposals to merge Seagry Primary and Walter Powell School in Great Somerford have been outlined by the schools' governors, who are trying
IN an amazing coincidence, former Marlborough classmates Emma Gagen and Jenny Webb have both given birth to triplets within weeks of each other. And the similarities don't stop there. Both of the former St John's School pupils have gone on to become
TRIBUTES have been paid to police firearms officer Dick Fuller, who is believed to have killed himself with a shotgun. Sgt Fuller, 55, who for many years lived at Little Horton, near Bishops Cannings, was found dead at his home at Bremhill, near Calne
New British champion Joe Hughes is hoping his masterful NACYP title win caught the eye of the promoters, but is in no rush to make the professional jump. The Malmesbury ABC boxer beat Tommy Langford on points in the NACYP championship at Chelsea's
A MAN accused of planning the hammer attack on Henry Webster spoke to the school's headteacher about bullying. Roubel Meah, 20, said he had visited Ridgeway School on two occasions before the attack last year to complain about Henry bullying a young
IF you are black or Asian you are six times more likely to be stopped and searched by police than a white person in Swindon. That was the astonishing statistic revealed at a question and answer meeting at the social hall in Drove Road's people campus
X-FACTOR winner Shayne Ward is coming to Swindon. The 2005 series winner topped the charts at Christmas 2005 with debut single That's My Goal. The single sold 313,000 copies on the first day of its release making it the fourth fastest selling single
Paul Thompson says he resigned as Devizes Town manager because the job was ruining his life. The 35-year-old, who took over in 2006, left Nursteed Road after Devizes' 4-2 defeat at home to Chard on Saturday. Assistant Steve Hale takes caretaker charge
An inquest into the death of Sgt Robert Fuller revealed that he shot himself with a rifle. The inquest at Salisbury yesterday found that Sergeant Fuller died from head injuries due to rifle discharge. The hearing was told that his wife Jill, 45, had
POLICE have confirmed the identity of a teenage girl found dead in Liden. Annike Diane Lawrence, 18, was from Eastmere, Liden and was found dead at a house in Botley Copse, Roughmoor on Saturday. Police are not treating the death as suspicious and
IT is quite a coo for bird lovers, but contractors on the new central library have had their feathers ruffled over a delay that could stretch to more than a month. Work on the £10m building has been halted after a collared dove, one of the most common
POLICE are appealing for help to catch a man who attempted to burgle a church in Corsham. CCTV evidence is being examined after a man broke into three collection boxes that were fitted to the church wall of St Patrick's Church in Park Lane on Monday
DEVIZES Running Club chairman John Burns says he was astonished at the speed of the front- runners in the Devizes 10k on Sunday. Woodford Green's Simon Plummer's time of 31 minutes and nine seconds was a new course record with second placed Martin
Barbury Castle trainer Alan King saw his horse Katchit beat the odds for a stunning win on Cheltenham Festival's opening day and beamed: "It's unbelievable." The diminutive 10-1 outsider put in a determined showing to storm to victory in Tuesday's feature
In the latest issue of The Messenger, the Town Council has included a questionnaire about lights on the Green. This absurd scheme has long been championed by one particular Town & District Councillor. The idea has, quite rightly, been laughed out
