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Stories for 23 September 2004
Business News
South Wilts Expo reflects vibrant business culture
TODAY the Journal includes a pull-out supplement all about South Wilts Expo the business exhibition taking place at the City Hall in Salisbury next Wednesday. more...
`Big fish' to help charity
Four of Swindon's biggest business fish have offered to help voluntary groups brush up on their management skills. more...
Stationery store tests products on ultimate judges
THESE two schoolchildren are among the youngest business consultants in the country. more...
Technology is at forefront of Vodafone's big Christmas push
MOTOROLA handsets will be at the forefront of Vodafone's push for the 3G mobile phone market. more...
Police on trail of sponsors
BUSINESSES in Wiltshire are being asked to help crime busting in the county and get some publicity for themselves by sponsoring a police dog. more...
Networking is the key to success
SOMEONE who knows all about the importance of promoting your business at events like Expo is George Trytsman. more...
Playhouse keen to build relationships
SALISBURY Playhouse can play a vital role in the development of businesses. That is the message from Fiona Markey, business development manager at the Playhouse, who will be at Expo. more...
Sign up for Cravenplan seminars
CRAVENPLAN Computers of Swallowcliffe is returning to Expo following the success of its visit last year. more...
Signage experts offer full service
SIGNS and display specialists Signs Express are exhibiting at Expo for the first time. more...
Get the most out of training
EMPLOYERS in Wiltshire wanting to improve business performance through staff training can talk to Phil Newton and his colleagues at the Skills4business stand. more...
Calne News
Visitors flock to visit new heritage centre
14108/2GAZETTE & HERALD: After ten years of waiting, Calne Heritage Centre opened for public viewing for the first time last Wednesday, September 15. more...
Widow campaigning after fatal accident
GAZETTE & HERALD: Eleven months after the death of her husband, widow Diana Hodgson is petitioning for a pedestrian crossing to be installed on Curzon Street. more...
Cheaper pint in time travel
GAZETTE & HERALD: CALNE hotellier Tony Calleya is launching a tenth anniversary celebration by going back in time. more...
Apology given for A4 traffic mayhem
GAZETTE & HERALD: Bowood Estate owner Lord Lansdowne has apologised for the traffic mayhem caused by Bowood's Forest Gate development. more...
Festival will be best ever
GAZETTE & HERALD: The Calne Music and Arts Festival is celebrating its 30th anniversary, and organisers hope it will be the best ever. more...
Rescue of landmark pub wins cheers
GAZETTE & HERALD: Councillors have said they are thrilled the Jolly Miller pub building in Quemerford is to be retained even though the site is being turned into housing. more...
Marathon run helps research on disease
GAZETTE & HERALD: Cartoon dog Scooby Doo will be accompanying novice runner Angela Bailey as she attempts her first marathon to raise money for research into motor neurone disease. more...
Festival celebrates 30 years of success
GAZETTE & HERALD: The Calne Music and Arts Festival 2004 will bring a spectacular array of performers and artists to the 30th anniversary event. more...
Public vote will choose the winner
GAZETTE & HERALD: The many talents of Wiltshire's visual artists will be on display at the Festival Art Exhibition from Friday, October 1 to Sunday, October 10. more...
There is so much talent in the town
GAZETTE & HERALD: The celebration of local talent is the key to the success of Calne Music and Arts Festival, according to chairman Tim Browne. more...
Chippenham News
Mother dies waiting for justice from NHS
GAZETTE & HERALD: MOTHER-OF-TWO Helen Cooper lost her fight against cancer on Tuesday, just three weeks before the High Court was due to rule on her compensation claim against Bath's Royal United Hospital. more...
Water company fined over oil spill
GAZETTE & HERALD: WESSEX Water, whose slogan is clear commitment, has been ordered to pay £7,800 in fines and costs after polluting the River Avon. more...
Top pupils win cash rewards for studies
GAZETTE & HERALD: THREE talented students are going on to higher education after winning prestigious scholarships from Westinghouse. more...
Wildlife expert rescues bat in the belfry
GAZETTE & HERALD: A CHIPPENHAM estate agent has found a new home for a rather unusual client a lonely Natterer's Bat. more...
Secure a date in extra quick time
GAZETTE & HERALD: Single people looking for love in four minutes could find their dream partner at Chippenham's first speed-dating function next Tuesday. more...
Family celebration
GAZETTE & HERALD: Members of Chippenham's Mothers' Union celebrated the Year of the Family at a diocesan family picnic in Bristol on Saturday. more...
Police bid to restrict speed off the circuit
POLICE will be setting up an elaborate system of cameras and traffic calming measures in a bid to curb the speed of riders attending next weekend's Superbike event at Castle Combe but more...
Crash closes section of M4
The Chippenham to Swindon section of the M4 was closed for an hour on Saturday after three cars travelling eastbound collided at 8pm. more...
Hunt Bill is stamping all over democracy
North Wiltshire MP James Gray was in the Commons chamber on Wednesday, when five pro-hunting campaigners breached security. He condemned the fighting with police, but said the hunters had a viable argument. more...
Raiders shopped
14163-01GAZETTE & HERALD: A BRAZEN gang of thieves, believed to be responsible for raids across the country, held up night staff at Sainsbury's with iron bars after asking directions to the superstore from a nearby kebab van. more...
Drowning baby is saved by postman
Steve LyonGAZETTE & HERALD: HEROIC postman Steve Lyon saved a child from drowning in a dramatic river rescue after the tot tumbled from a muddy bank into the River Avon yesterday. more...
Man left semi-naked wife bound to chair
Jackie JeromeGAZETTE & HERALD: HUSBAND Kenneth Jerome has been jailed for six years after he left his semi-naked wife alone in her flat tied to a rocking chair for eight hours. more...
Parents gamble on surgery in the States
GAZETTE & HERALD: DESPERATE parents of George Mitchell have told how surgery in the US may be the only option after their brave tot suffered an allergic reaction to his chemotherapy. more...
Call to curb speed
14164/1GAZETTE & HERALD: Councillors are angry that proposals to slow down the A4 between Derry Hill and Chippenham have not gone far enough. more...
Protesters win battle against new taxi rank
GAZETTE & HERALD: A controversial scheme to create a new night-time only taxi rank in Station Hill has been abandoned following complaints from nearby residents and businesses. more...
Bronze award for Nettleton
14053-01GAZETTE & HERALD: NETTLETON Post Office has scooped a bronze award in the regional section of the Best Post Office Awards 2004. more...
Friends pay tribute to overdose victim
Kevin WoodwardGAZETTE & HERALD: DEVASTATED friends of Kevin Woodward, who died of a suspected heroin overdose last week, have spoken of their anguish. more...
Traffic mayhem on way due to repair on arches
GAZETTE & HERALD: A month of traffic nightmares are on the way as parts of Chippenham town centre are sealed off for renovations to the western arches. more...
Back in the pink for glorious days of bop
14178/1GAZETTE & HERALD: ONE of the original team that organised Chippenham's first Eddie Cochran Rock 'n' Roll Weekend, Chrissy Beere, has returned and is getting ready to bop away to the biggest and best event ever this weekend. more...
Group seeks supporters
GAZETTE & HERALD: Goldiggers campaigners want local people to speak out in support of the former cinema and nightclub before it is swept away to make room for shops and sheltered housing. more...
Branch boss blamed for closure decision
GAZETTE & HERALD: SUB POSTMASTER Howard Greenman is being blamed for the closure of his own sub post office. more...
Corsham News
Town's future in spotlight
GAZETTE & HERALD: The future of Corsham is in the spotlight as local people are this week asked for their views on ways to improve the town. more...
Graveyard is short of space
GAZETTE & HERALD: Residents in Colerne are backing a campaign to extend their parish graveyard before space for burials runs out. more...
Ctfc Sport
Injured Badman could miss a month
INFLUENTIAL midfielder Mark Badman could be out for a month after failing to recover from an achilles injury. more...
Charity glad to be back
DEFENDER Simon Charity spoke of his relief at returning to action on Saturday after spending the first month of the season on the bench. more...
Astley waits in the wings
DEPUTY goalkeeper Chris Astley believes he is ready to step into Mark Hervin's shoes. more...
Thorne is using his head to trouble defenders
DEFENDER Gary Thorne's record is a match for most strikers after grabbing three goals in four games. more...
Will Beck have a bucket at the ready?
FORMER Cambridge United boss John Beck will be in the opposition dugout when Chippenham play host to Histon on Saturday . more...
Spirit revived by beer cheer
A COMFORTABLE win and a compulsory night out helped Chippenham put their poor performance at Bedford behind them, says winger Scott Walker. more...
It's all about goals for Sam
STRIKER Sam Allison has impressed on every appearance this season but he thinks Saturday's display was his best yet because he scored. more...
Devizes News
Mother hoarded fatal tablets
Sandalwood Court where Andrea Minshull was treated for psychiatric problemsTHE son of nursing assistant Andrea Minshull who took a fatal overdose while a patient in a psychiatric hospital has called for changes in the way patients are checked. more...
Save our green space
14162/1ROUNDWAY Parish Council is to take legal advice over the status of a piece of amenity land at Roundway Park which residents fear may be sold off for housing at the end of the month. more...
Paying tribute to an amazing young man
The funeral at St James Church in Devizes of young Sam WatersCLASSMATES of Wansdyke Primary School pupil Sam Waters were among the congregation at the ten-year-old's funeral service in St James Church last Thursday. more...
Eighty mile trip for mum in labour
14148/2CAMPAIGNERS fighting to save Devizes and Malmesbury maternity units fear if they are closed there will be untold pressure on maternity beds at other hospitals. more...
A key Kiwi crusade
CEREBRAL palsy sufferer Cameron MacKay walked a determined 4,400 metres to raise money for a holiday of a lifetime in New Zealand. more...
This message in a bottle will save lives
DEVIZES Lions Club has launched a campaign that could possibly save the lives of people with chronic medical conditions. more...
Children aid siege victims
14123/1FOUR children from Little Cheverell near Devizes were so affected by the fate of the children of Beslan, in southern Russia, held hostage by terrorists recently, that they have raised cash by washing cars in their village. more...
Post Office rapped for research failure
MAYOR of Devizes, Coun Margaret Taylor, has condemned the Post Office for its lack of research before announcing the permanent closure of the sub post office at the One Stop shop in Eastleigh Road. more...
Police wish to identify male
WILTSHIRE police have released an artist's impression of a man they wish to identify in connection with a burglary that took place at a house in The Orchard, Urchfont, near Devizes, on August 21. more...
New jobs offered to Uniq staff
DEVIZES Jobcentre is working closely with the district and county councils to find alternative employment for the workers who will lose their jobs when the Uniq sandwich factory at Hopton Industrial Estate closes before Christmas. more...
Conditional discharge for man who trashed car
A DEVIZES man who trashed his girlfriend's car after she tried to break off their relationship has been given a conditional discharge by magistrates. more...
Go-ahead for soil survey
DEVIZES Town Council is to pay for detailed analysis of the soil at its playing fields in Green Lane. more...
Attack at the Kebab House
DEVIZES police have appealed for witnesses to an alleged assault which left a man in hospital with multiple fractures to his jaw. more...
Passenger list draws a Titanic offering
THE new saleroom at Henry Aldridge and Son's Devizes headquarters was packed to capacity on Saturday for the latest sale of Titanic and marine memorabilia, some of which fetched record sums. more...
Work goes on despite danger of big freeze
THE parochial church council of St John's in Devizes has taken the brave decision to commission a new heating system for the medieval church, though it is still £30,000 short of its target. more...
Dementia group in drive to raise funds
ALZHEIMER'S Support, a charity helping people in Kennet and West Wiltshire, has launched a fund-raising drive to raise money to maintain vital services. more...
Four in five cases never leave home
ABOUT 25,000 incidents of domestic violence take place in Wiltshire and Swindon every year, but only a fifth of them are reported to the police, a seminar in Devizes was told last week. more...
Man admits being drunk
FACTORY worker Stephen Westley was fined £40 with £34 costs by Kennet magistrates in Devizes on Tuesday after he pleaded guilty to being drunk and disorderly in the town earlier in the month. more...
New policy backs midwife-led units
CAMPAIGNERS have welcomed a Government policy document which supports midwife led units. more...
Top quality, speedy response promised
The future of out-of-hours urgent medical care lies in the hands of three local GPs, who have set up a new company called Wiltshire Medical Services to look after the needs of the entire Kennet and North Wiltshire community. more...
The battle rages on
The contentious issue of hunting with dogs exploded into chaos last Wednesday when five hunt supporters stormed the inner chamber of the House of Commons. more...
Market's vital addition
AN idea brought back to Wiltshire by classic car enthusiast Adrian Boyes has turned into a business with close to a million pound turnover 15 years later. more...
Health boss takes on tough challenge
Balancing the books and promoting a healthy lifestyle are the main aims for new health chief, Trevor Jones. more...
Ambulance forum debate
Changes to the out-of-hours service and the possible closure of maternity units at Malmesbury and Devizes will be discussed at a meeting of the Wiltshire Ambulance Patient and Public Involvement Forum on Thursday September 30. more...
Free as a bird
THE Great Bustard is flying free over Salisbury Plain for the first time in two centuries. more...
New police chief moves across the border
WILTSHIRE'S new Chief Constable, Martin Richards, took up his new role on Monday, succeeding Dame Elizabeth Neville, who has left the Force after seven years in the top job. more...
College girl is Face of 2004
The winner of the Gazette's Young Face if 2004 was announced on Friday night at the Hallmark Studios in Calne, and she received an early birthday present. more...
Offer of funding help to charities
CHARITIES across the county have the chance to fill their coffers in time for Christmas courtesy of the Gazette's parent company. more...
Police on trail of sponsors
BUSINESSES in Wiltshire are being asked to help crime busting in the county and get some publicity for themselves by sponsoring a police dog. more...
Devizes,Calne,Marlborough,Highworth,Chippenham,Corsham,Malmesbury,Wootton Bassett News
Issue of disabled access a dilemma
Councillor Richard Allen is unaware of the debates that have taken place in the council chamber about possible solutions to providing wheelchair access to Marlborough Town Hall (letters, September 16). more...
Last barbaric practice should be allowed to die
THERE seems to be a curious ignorance afflicting those who fight against the democratic rights of the majority of people who elect representatives to Parliament. more...
Mast matters need to be publicised better
I WAS staggered to read that Marlborough Town Council had been surprised that no members of the public had turned up for a debate on the mobile phone masts proposed for the town's telephone exchange. more...
Council should plan ahead
I WOULD like to raise matters arising from the article on the A360 road closure(s) and the comments made by Graeme Hay (September 9). Mr Hay said they knew they "couldn't do the whole road in one year". more...
Busy drivers
I am writing in response to Lawrie Taylor (Gazette letters, September 16). more...
Many thanks
I WOULD like to thank the people of Devizes and Marlborough who made donations to the sum of £678.61 to Devizes branch RAFA Wings Appeal 2004 on September 11. more...
Seats needed
WILL someone in authority please replace the two seats close to Tesco Express in north Chippenham damaged by vandals? more...
All for plans
AS a resident of Duck's Meadow I and most of my neighbours are totally in favour of the integration of the upper and lower secondary schools in Marlborough, despite the allegations made by Dr Hazelwood to the contrary. more...
Loss no joke
HUGH Burn (letters, September 16) believes the Rendell float of pretend airship R-102 would have been entered for the 1931 Devizes Carnival the year after the R-101 disaster. more...
Town rivalry
AS a participant in Marlborough Carnival, may I thank the Carnival Committee for all their hard work in organising it. more...
Act with care
The petition from St John's School pupils reported last week was apparently based on a letter sent by the headteacher to parents on September 8. more...
Act with care
AT a time when so much criticism is levelled against the NHS and adverse reports heard about the Royal United Hospital, Bath, may we say how much we have reason to be grateful to both. more...
Times change
AFTER reading the article on Wiltshire's retiring Chief Constable Dame Elizabeth Neville (Gazette, September 16), now there are several women Chief Constables in the UK. more...
Paramedics came up trumps
PEOPLE are quick to condemn the ambulance service for not reaching their arrival time targets but not very forthcoming when the oppostite happens. more...
Halfmarathon News
Three elect to take part
Coun Stan PajakSeptember 23 2004: ENERGETIC Swindon councillors will be sweating it out with hundreds of runners at next month's half marathon. more...
Olympic hero is in the running
September 23 2004: OLYMPIC runner Matt O'Dowd is urging people to help keep runners' spirits up by manning the route of the Swindon Half Marathon. more...
Health News
New policy backs midwife-led units
CAMPAIGNERS have welcomed a Government policy document which supports midwife led units. more...
Eighty mile trip for mum in labour
14148/2CAMPAIGNERS fighting to save Devizes and Malmesbury maternity units fear if they are closed there will be untold pressure on maternity beds at other hospitals. more...
Malmesbury News
Mystery lump is a pane in the leg
14168/5When cookery teacher Alex Maggs saw swelling the size of a golf ball in her leg, she thought she was giving birth to an alien. more...
Villagers worried over homes plan
Toby SturgisWorried Great Somerford villagers fear councillor and landowner Toby Sturgis has not considered the environmental risks of his proposal to build 30 new houses in the area. more...
Priest meets hotel's ghostly Grey Lady
14143/2A psychic Roman Catholic priest was startled to see a mourning 17th century woman ghost twice appearing in his room while spending a weekend at the Old Bell Hotel, Malmesbury. more...
It's all go for tae kwon do
14139/2Tae kwon do mum Abby Lees-Smith certainly knows how to kick and punch her way out of trouble. more...
Juggling pays off as mum graduates
MUM Jackie Morris has realised her dream of graduating from university, despite the demands of running her own business and caring for her family. more...
Doctors told to find cheaper X-ray service
Bosses at Kennet and North Wiltshire Primary Care Trust have told doctors at Malmesbury Hospital to find a cheap X-ray provider if they are to keep the service. more...
Town Hall plan is still short of funds
The group which wants to develop Malmesbury Town Hall has blamed English Heritage officers for sending costs for the project soaring. more...
Homecoming for organist
Organist Matthew Burt entertained Brinkworth concertgoers with music ranging from the 17th century to the modern times on Sunday night. more...
Firm shows it's hot stuff
A Sherston company's strong English mustard has been crowned best speciality from the South West in the Great Taste Awards. more...
Marlborough News
Shock at demand for charter audit
Coun Graham FrancisTOWN councillor Richard Allen has demanded an independent audit of Marlborough's 800th charter celebrations to check for `potential financial irregularities'. more...
Great outdoors
CATERERS Della and Steve Moran have just had the time of their life they said at the expense of a TV company making a relocation programme. more...
Sporting friends pay tribute to all-rounder
Gary GilesA TREE has been planted by cricket club colleagues at Mildenhall in memory of sports all rounder Gary Giles who died while taking part in a charity run in June. more...
Suicide verdict on freed killer
Roland WhiteMECHANIC Roland White hanged himself months after serving 31 years in prison for murder because he feared he would be sent back to jail, an inquest has heard. more...
Pensioners fight to let light into homes
ELDERLY residents at the Town Mill retirement homes in Marlborough have called on the town council to have a change of heart over trees that are keeping them in the dark. more...
Chiming clock to ring out as a timely reminder
TOWN councillors have lost their bid to get their hands on £2,000 donated towards Marlborough's 800th charter anniversary celebrations. more...
Tickle your taste buds in aid of cancer charity
WHET your appetites some of the best food in the West is coming Marlborough way next month. more...
Anger over bollard delay
FORMER Marlborough mayor Derek Smithers says he is disgusted at the time it is taking to get bollards replaced at a busy junction. more...
Twinning notion is kicked out
THE idea of Marlborough becoming officially twinned with an overseas community has been kicked out by Marlborough councillors. more...
Plea after raid on post office
POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a burglary in the early hours of Tuesday at Great Bedwyn Post Office. more...
Buyers tap in to memories
MORE than 200 copies have been sold of the £7.50 compact disc containing the recorded memories of local people recorded as part of the Marlborough's charter anniversary celebrations. more...
Jazzing up journey costs man his licence
A VISITOR to Marlborough Jazz Festival lost his driving licence after he and his partner had a tiff, Kennet magistrates heard this week. more...
Pewsey News
Barrow load of laughs
14117/15IF you did not see it for yourself there is probably no way you can get your head around the concept of more than 170 decorated wheelbarrows all together at one time. more...
Flog It crew draw crowds
14138/3PAUL Martin, the host of the popular TV antiques show Flog It, was at the Pewsey auction rooms with his film crew last Wednesday. more...
A clear winner
14129/03ALL eyes were on the sky over Pewsey on Saturday as rain poured down just hours before the annual carnival parade was due to start. more...
Bride is true fair maiden
CARNIVAL stalwarts Janet Saunders and Pete Amor epitomised the spirit of the event in Pewsey when they chose Saturday, the day of the annual procession, to get married. more...
Police in blitz on speeders
MOTORISTS are being advised to watch their speed when driving through the Pewsey Vale villages. more...
Salisbury News
South Wilts Expo reflects vibrant business culture
TODAY the Journal includes a pull-out supplement all about South Wilts Expo the business exhibition taking place at the City Hall in Salisbury next Wednesday. more...
Sport Angling
Thames cup is a success
THE newly-revived Thames Team Championship attracted 25 teams of six to the banks of the River Thames between Kelmscot and Tadpole. more...
Sport Bowls
Roll along to open days
Swindon North End Bowls Club are holding an open day on Saturday. more...
Sport Football
Bassett see off league newcomers
Wootton Bassett Town Ladies defeated Bradford on Avon 5-0 at Rylands Way in what was the visitors' first competitive game at senior level, in the Wiltshire County Women's & Girls Football League. more...
Cup glory day for Corsham
CORSHAM Town are preparing for one of the biggest games in their history next Saturday after drawing Welsh outfit Newport County in the FA Cup third qualifying round. more...
Chipping Norton 3, Pewsey Vale 1
PEWSEY Vale went down at Chipping Norton in Divison One despite the inclusion of new signings Luke Sharp and Carl Marsh. more...
Clyst Rovers 1, Melksham Town 1
MANAGER Nigel Tripp was left disappointed after his team failed to finish Clyst off and conceded a sloppy equaliser on Saturday. more...
Swindon Supermarine 0, Corsham Town 1
A GOAL from Frankie Coleman and a superb defensive display earned upset Supermarine and earned Corsham a plum home tie with Nationwide Conference side Newport County in the second qualifying round. more...
Devizes Town 1, Bitton 2
Devizes' six match unbeaten run came to an end after they failed to recover from a poor first half at Nursteed Road on Tuesday night. more...
Odd Down 0, Devizes 1
IT'S fortunate goalkeepers wear gloves, because Odd Down didn't put a single shot on target and Devizes only managed one effective strike in Saturday's league contest. more...
Calne Town 3, Elmore 0
MANAGER Kelvin Highmore faces losing Tim Tasker to Biddestone, before the centre back has played a game for the club. more...
Biddestone 1, Chard 4
MANAGER Gary Skidmore has warned his players they need to improve quickly if they want to survive in the Screwfix League. more...
College make it tough for leaders
WILTSHIRE LEAGUE: NEW College failed to halt the good run of Premier leaders Westbury United but made the home side pull out all the stops in their 2-0 victory. more...
Bar OC serve up cup shock for King Alf
WITH the season just three weeks old, teams took a break from league action to put all their efforts into making it into the second round of the cup. more...
Coles sees red in defeat for champs
HAT-TRICK hero of last week Matt Coles saw red as champions Broughton Gifford crashed at home to old rivals Bradford United. more...
Leaders keep on scoring
YOUTH FOOTBALL: U17 - STRATTON Juniors B were 5-0 winners at Wootton Bassett Town B, Shaw had a 5-1 home success over Sherbourne Harriers, and Liden Community, also at home, beat Westbrook 5-3. more...
Tom's double stuns the mighty Arsenal
MID-WILTS YOUTH & MINOR LEAGUE: DEVIZES Town hit back from a goal down to beat Bath Arsenal 4-1 in the under 16s Blue Division of the Wiltshire Times and Chippenham News Mid-Wilts Youth and Minor League. more...
Sport Rugby
Marlborough 34, Pewsey Vale 7
MARLBOROUGH gained revenge for last week's league defeat with this emphatic victory in the Vase competition. more...
Dorchester 37 Wootton Bassett 0
WOOTTON Bassett dropped out of the NPI cup on Saturday with a heavy first round defeat in a game that was marred by send offs. more...
Melksham/Devizes Colts 3, Salisbury Colts 38
THE combined home side were forced to play several players out of position in their first ever merit table encounter and were soundly beaten. more...
Minety 11, Devizes 19
RAIN late in the week made the ground soft for the two teams, but the players were to blame for the heavy going spectators endured throughout the 80 minutes of this Powergen Cup encounter. more...
Avonvale 13, Corsham 48
CORSHAM made it two wins from two competitive outings as they progressed to the second round of the Powergen Junior Vase in comfortable fashion on Saturday. more...
Calne 19, Swindon College Old Boys 5
Despite being without the services of six regular first team players Calne managed to put one over their old rivals Swindon College Old Boys. more...
Swindon 2nd turn tables
Swindon's second string edged to a 15-13 victory over Cheltenham North 3rd in their latest outing. more...
Swindon News
We used to be rich in community spirit
I AM writing in response to the Advertiser's article headlined "we're the richest and poorest." more...
Animal circuses are not allowed in town
I WISH to respond to the letter by Marilyn Harrison concerning the use of animals in circus acts. more...
Prime Minister should now be willing to make apology
WELL now we have it from the Prime Minister himself comes the admission that the war in Iraq is not quite over in the way George Bush suggested with his `mission accomplished' statement. more...
Author signs up
THE Save Coate petition has now been signed by 11,000 people. The latest recruit is the famous British writer John Fowles. more...
Join TV battle
SINCE my last letter about ITV changing us from ITV West to ITV Central, which is in the Birmingham area, I have received several phone calls from other people upset about this crazy situation. more...
We want HTV
I WOULD like to add my support to Paul Izquierdo on the subject of Swindon having Central instead of HTV. more...
What a waste
I have received a new Vehicle Registration Certificate for my car and was told it replaces the old one. more...
Sane remark
THE letter by Kevan Wildy (EA Sep 14) re: `There is no such thing as a dangerous road' is the only sane remark I've ever read in your paper. more...
Olympic hero is in the running
SWINDON HALF MARATHON: OLYMPIC runner Matt O'Dowd is urging people to help keep runners' spirits up by manning the route of the Swindon Half Marathon. more...
Three elect to take part
Coun Stan PajakSWINDON HALF MARATHON: ENERGETIC Swindon councillors will be sweating it out with hundreds of runners at next month's half marathon. more...
Sitting tenants
72323-2The owner of a Swindon house had a shock when the property was put up for sale and the estate agents called him out to open up the property so they could show a potential buyer around. more...
Birth of advice group aids mums
Hannah PerkinsA RENEWED appeal has been made for Swindon mums to take advantage of a new National Childbirth Trust Advice Scheme. more...
Whistle led to lifetime's love
72325-08When Arthur Trinder used a wolf-whistle catch the attention of a pretty girl in the street, he wasn't sure where it would lead. more...
Protest groups to link up for battle
20529-32GROUPS of protesters from across Swindon have joined forces to try to change the decision to develop the Mechanics' Institute. more...
Pensioner scares off conman
A PENSIONER thwarted an attempted distraction burglary by asking the caller for identification. more...
Town's churches may have to shut
18307-82THE Rev Canon Michael Johnson is spending less time than usual in the pulpit of the church of St John the Baptist and St Helen, in Wroughton. more...
Hotel's expansion plans rejected
A SCHEME to extend Chiseldon House Hotel has been turned down by borough planners who went against their officers' recommendation. more...
Girls get the habit
Worryingly high numbers of teenagers are smoking, with twice as many girls as boys taking up the habit, researchers have discovered. more...
Schools' sport boost
FIVE schools in Swindon are to share more than £500,000 of lottery funding. The money has come from the New Opportunities for PE and Sport programme and will see several new multi-game areas built. more...
Star Wars characters to descend on bookshop
THE Force is coming to Borders bookshop on Saturday. The shop at the Orbital Shopping Park in North Swindon is hosting a Star Wars Extravaganza. more...
Arsonist faces custody wait
GARY Fisher, who appeared before Swindon magistrates, pleaded guilty to a charge of arson and criminal damage to a door belonging to the borough council. more...
Taxi driver jailed for sickening sex attack
CABBIE Derek Prince has been jailed for six years after he carried out a sex attack on a teenage girl. He picked up his 18-year-old victim as a fare before driving her to a secluded spot at Coate Water country park in the middle of the night. more...
Vicar in plea to yobs as church is vandalised again
72331-03A VICAR is appealing to a gang of teenage yobs to stop vandalising his church. more...
Benefit cheat is given another chance
Louise Crook 72333-17A WOMAN who claimed almost £4,000 in benefit for her children when they were living with someone else has been given a chance to rid herself of her drug problem and win them back. more...
Workers vote for union
Jim D'AvilaWORKERS at one of Honda's suppliers, South Marston Distribution Centre, have won a battle to get union recognition. more...
Where should the town's university be built?
Prof Glynis Breakwell when she went to London to lobby education minister Margaret HodgeTHE BATTLE to mould the future face of Swindon has taken an unexpected twist with the University of Bath asking to see rival plans. more...
Soccer physio is remembered
Kevin's daughter Sarah MorrisFRIENDS of the late Swindon Town physio Kevin Morris gathered at the club for the presentation of a special clock in the club's treatment room. more...
Jet flies man out of court
This is where Kevin Crowther should have been at Swindon Crown CourtA MAN who hasn't done his community service and owes thousands of pounds in unpaid fines failed to turn up in court because he has gone abroad on holiday. more...
Statistics make police look good
WILTSHIRE police are getting better at investigating and reducing crime but have seen a dramatic drop in the number of people punished for supplying Class A drugs. more...
Wiltshire News
Mystery lump is a pane in the leg
14168/5When cookery teacher Alex Maggs saw swelling the size of a golf ball in her leg, she thought she was giving birth to an alien. more...
Wiltshire Sport
PARTY CAN WAIT
SWINDON'S Ryder Cup star David Howell will be hoping to catch up with a few friends when he competes in The Heritage tournament at Woburn over the next few days. more...
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