Archive
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Warminster residents unite to reject plans
There was an unprecedented turnout at Warminster Town Council’s planning meeting on Monday, as the town voiced its opposition to a plan for 60 homes near Dorothy Walk. The proposals, which include the development of 60 homes at land off Bath Road
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RUH action plan up for discussion at Chippenham
An action plan for the Royal United Hospital in Bath and updates on continuing health care and the public health annual report will be discussed at a meeting of Wiltshire Council’s Health Select Committee on Tuesday at the council offices in Monkton
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Robbie’s old guitarist gets girls rocking at Atworth
Students at Atworth’s Stonar School were rocking in the classroom on Tuesday when they were visited by Robbie Williams’ former guitarist Neil Taylor. Mr Taylor, who lives in Bradford on Avon, performed for the school’s senior girls, and spoke candidly
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Review: A Lady of Little Sense, Ustinov, Bath
What is love? This perennial question is explored with conviction in Lope de Vega’s play about a father desperate to marry off his two daughters. While one daughter is witty and clever, the other is particularly stupid. Suitors compete with their poetry
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ANGLING: Thatchers claim team prize
IT IS everything to play for after last week’s South West Winter League match fished on the Bristol Avon at Newbridge. Preston Innovation Thatchers took team honours on the day with 37 points followed by Amalgamation with 34 and Sensas Thyers with
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Revolution bids for West End
Revolution, the musical written by Nicholas Keyworth, former director of Pound Arts and ex-Wiltshire Times reporter Michael Wilkinson, is heading to the West End in December, bidding to catch the ear of top producers and directors. The pair hope
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FOOTBALL: Midweek thrashing not a five-star performance for boss Brian
BEN Wood blasted a midweek hat-trick to slay the Stags – but Robins boss Brian O’Donnell was not entirely satisfied despite his side’s thumping win. Rhys Baggridge and Brandon Mundy also netted as the rampant Robins made it five wins from seven
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Wiltshire ex-forces MP pays respects
Defence Minister and South West Wiltshire MP Andrew Murrison joined other politicians with previous service in the Armed Forces for an Act of Remembrance. Parliamentarians from across the political spectrum attended the ceremony at the Guards Chapel
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RUGBY: Wilson back on bench duty for England
BATH prop David Wilson has returned to the bench for England for Saturday's QBE International against New Zealand at Twickenham. Wilson, 28, started last weekend's 31-12 victory over Argentina, but swaps places with Leicester's Dan Cole at tighthead
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Bratton's vintage day for poppies
Vintage vehicle enthusiasts braved wet weather for their annual gathering at the Duke car park in Bratton last Saturday, with money raised going to the Poppy Appeal. The Vintage Classic Vehicle Gathering, now in its third year, sees owners of classic
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Wiltshire's Children in Need fundraising gets the wax factor
Westbury mayor David Windess and councillor Philip Wakeman will risk pain for gain on Saturday when they have their legs waxed to help Children in Need. The pair will undergo the challenge at Beauty Retreat in Maristow Street, where staff will
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Step up lorry patrol
The situation regarding HGVs exceeding the 18-tonne bridge limit in Bradford on Avon needs serious consideration by Wiltshire Council. Despite the best efforts of the Lorry Watch team, who do a sterling job reporting offenders, I gather the number
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Bring us sports site
We see around us the council spending vast amounts of public money on revamped council offices. After speaking with many people and families around the area, many ask why can’t some of that money be used to give the people of Trowbridge and the
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One child’s plea
Please put rubbish in the bin. If you drop it on the ground wildlife can die. Mice and small animals can get stuck in bottles or cans. Other animals might eat your rubbish and die. Babies and small children might eat the rubbish you drop. Rubbish does
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Bratton hosts Dickens talk
Bratton History Association meets on Sunday at The Church Institute from 4pm, with a talk from David Peet about Dickens and Christmas. Newcomers and non-members are welcome.
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Machine blocks calls
Mr Dewfall, of Trowbridge, asked in last week’s letters page, “there must be some way to block [unwanted] phone numbers.” Well, there is and it does not rely on ineffective notification to your provider or registration with TPS. I installed
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Now films sorted...
Interesting statement by someone a few weeks ago, that the last cinema closed on March 20, 1971, in Trowbridge. That was the day I was born and, sadly, I can remember my last film ever at Castle Place leisure centre and it was Burt Reynolds in
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Burns’ piper needed
St John’s Church, Upper Studley, is holding a Burns’ Night Supper in aid of charity on January 24, 2014, and is trying to find a piper for the occasion. Having tried emailing the Southern Jacobites, with no response, I am now appealing through
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Life here costs more
Wiltshire Council has suffered considerable cuts over the last few years, which residents experience as worse services. There is of course political debate about whether austerity is necessary, and I am unconvinced that the Coalition is on the right
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It’s about a good deal
I welcome the news that Wiltshire Council is to investigate a possible supermarket levy across the county. The council has decided that the council’s scrutiny committee should look at the levy, and report back next year. This is the best committee
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Levy: we’ll all suffer
A recent article regarding supermarket levys and car parking are just further proof of how cynical and far removed from reality our elected councillors have become. Firstly why should the supermarkets and other retailers be penalised. They offer
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‘Go figure’ on levy
The call to levy a local tax of 8.5 per cent on supermarkets and stores to subsidise and reduce council parking charges is outrageous. Councillors claim the move would reinvigorate the county’s High Streets yet the council has long been adamant
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Review: Save the Last Dance for Me. Until Saturday.
This is a ‘jukebox musical’, featuring many of the feel-good hits written by songwriters Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman in the early 60s. Their names might not be instantly familiar, but their creations were sung by the likes of Elvis Presley, Ben E
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Demolition of Wiltshire Council's Trowbridge office block begins
The demolition of Wiltshire Council’s former Bradley Road offices has began in preparation for the land going on sale in 2014. The council closed the premises last year as part of their cost-cutting project which will see them close 95 of their
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Melksham firm helps process emergency Philippines donations
As people across Wiltshire dig deep into their pockets to support the people of the Philippines after last week’s devastating typhoon, one Melksham company is preparing to process thousands of pounds of donations. Valldata, based on Halifax Road
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Health and Safety Executive order training changes following Trowbridge soldier's death
THE Health and Safety Executive has ordered the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to revise their training exercises following the death a Trowbridge reservist soldier during a hike in the Brecon Beacons. Corporal James Dunsby, 31, of the Royal Yeomanry
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Roadshow to tackle signs of cancer
A roadshow will visit Trowbridge this week to highlight the key symptoms of bladder and kidney cancers. Figures from Public Health England show that 153 people were diagnosed with kidney or bladder cancer in 2010, with 71 dying of the disease.
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Zion teens from Trowbridge lead Remembrance
Four teenagers led an Act of Remembrance at Zion Baptist Church as part of the commemorations there. The church in Union Street, Trowbridge has regular Sunday afternoon youth clubs and they held a joint event which all were invited to come.
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Westbury constable’s special recognition
The ability to listen and communicate is what makes a special constable according to Alan Petrie, who has received a medal for spending 20 years in the role. Mr Petrie, 50, of Bratton, received the long service medal bar at the Chief Constable
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North Bradley festive fayre gifts cash to Forever Friends cause
Nnorth Bradley Christmas Fayre raised £755.40 for The Forever Friends Appeal on Saturday. The event, at North Bradley Memorial Hall, had stalls selling festive gifts while there was also a raffle and tasty treats on sale. The appeal aims to
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Long service for Wiltshire man so ap-pealing
In 1942, Eric Hitchins, along with his brother Laurie and two other youngsters, Fred Slatford and Donald Lee, were taught to ring at St Nicholas Church, North Bradley by Percy Harding, a very experienced ringer. This was at a time when bell ringing
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Warminster's Athenaeum Singers give choral start to Christmas
Preparations are well in hand for Warminster’s Athenaeum Singers performance of Messiah by G F Handel on November 30. The work will be conducted by director of music Jessi Pywell, who took the singers through an all day workshop in October, pictured
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Pooch lends a helping paw to Trowbridge dementia sufferers
Trowbridge-based charity Alzheimer’s Support has a brand new four-legged recruit to help support dementia sufferers in the town. Higby, a whippet cross rescued from Ireland, has been selected as the charity’s latest ‘dementia dog’, providing a
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Freshford children light the way with lantern party
Children lit up the skies of Freshford on Saturday with the Hollyhocks Kindergarten and Seedlings annual Lantern Festival. The Festival of Light, past of the tradition of Martinmas, saw the children carrying paper lanterns they had decorated around
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Iron giant proves a Big Draw in Warminster
Pupils from Warminster School, in years 3, 5 and 6 in the Prep School and Years 8-13 in the Senior School, took part in the Big Draw – an art event designed to bring children of all ages together to work on a single art project, which this year was
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Santa’s on track at Melksham to provide festive cheer
Children will be chuffed to meet Santa next month, as he takes the train from Melksham to Swindon. He will be on the 5.30pm train on December 8, and will be presenting gifts and mince pies to all the children who join him. Tickets are available
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Model fun for all ages
Excited children and model train enthusiasts were in their element at West Wilts Gauge 0 Group’s 14th annual model railway show on Saturday, at the Paragon Hall in Westbury. As well as a range of layouts and demonstrations, the show offered visitors
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Centenary prompts first novel for Melksham man
The impact of the First World War on Britain’s quietest communities is the inspiration for a romance novel by Melksham-based author Garry Cann. ‘Smallbrook’, Mr Cann’s first novel, has been released online as an e-book, with plans underway for
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Stonar pupils’ Spanish visit more than just a olé-day
A group of 30 Stonar pupils from Year 9-13 spent five days in the south of Spain this half term, exploring language and culture including architecture, flamenco dancing and food. A highlight of the trip was a visit to the Alhambra palace in Granada
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Police appeal for help following attempted burglary in Warminster
Police are investigating an attempted burglary at a house in Rectory Close, Warminster, on November 5. A man, aged between 20-23 years old, wearing a grey jacket was seen trying to break into the rear of the property at about 10am, but ran off
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Trowbridge exhibition showing terrible toll taken by war
A first World War exhibition showing the damaging effect it had on Trowbridge was displayed in County Hall this week. Historian Richard Broadhead put together the interactive presentation which includes artefacts and details of 600 soldiers from
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Heavy traffic's on the rise, say Bradford Lorry Watch group
The Lorry Watch group in Bradford on Avon is seeing a spiralling increase in trucks through the town, despite a successful two-year campaign of prosecutions. The news comes in the week an seven-axle transporter lorry tried to cross the Town Bridge
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Lecturer examines Warminster war poet at home
A new book looks at the life of soldier and Great War poet Siegfried Sassoon, including his years at Heytesbury House, near Warminster. Siegfried Sassoon: Soldier, Poet, Lover, Friend, by English lecturer Jean Moorcroft Wilson, encompasses the
