Archive
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No decision on closure of Hospital
REPORTS that Chippenham Hospital will close have been labelled as "scaremongering". Newspaper reports yesterday said the hospital was under threat. Health chief Carol Clarke said on Friday in a meeting with MP James Gray that she could give no assurances
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'When I grow up I want to be...'
IT was a bit earlier than most, but primary school youngsters in Chippenham have received some valuable career advice. Redland Primary School held a When I Grow Up I Want To Be week to give pupils a flavour of working life. Police, fire and ambulance
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Woman who stole from dead father escapes prison
A WOMAN who stole thousands of pounds from her dead father's bank account in a vendetta against her mother-in-law has escaped jail. Michelle Miles, 31, and her boyfriend Christopher Wilson, 23, stole nearly £6,000 from the bank accounts of dad Thomas
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Sat Nav directions are driving us to despair
SATELLITE navigation was supposed to take the stress out of driving but the system is causing a headache for some people in Colerne. The new technology pinpoints the best route for drivers, but it has sent lorries and other heavy vehicles along a single-track
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It's a right royal occasion
PRINCE Charles' stepdaughter will marry in Lacock this May bringing a host of royal faces to the village. Laura Parker Bowles, 26, will wed fiance Harry Lopes at St Cyriac's Church, the Chippenham News can reveal this week. Laura who is the youngest
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Morgan takes Melksham Town Youth into final
MORGAN Burton scored a hat-trick to take Melksham Town Youth into the final of the Wiltshire Times and Chippenham News Mid-Wilts Youth and Minor League under nines league cup. His three goals were enough to beat Westbury Youth in an exciting semi-final
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Losing Constable has cost us title
MANAGER Darren Perrin believes Chippenham Town would have been crowned Southern League champions this season if star striker James Constable had not signed for Walsall. Constable swapped Hardenhuish Park for the Bescott Stadium in November and the
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Red letter day for Corsham rugby club
CORSHAM Rugby Club celebrated a landmark victory on Sunday when the under 12s won the Wiltshire Cup at the County Championships in Wootton Bassett. It was the first time in the club's history that a team have been crowned champions in a Wiltshire Cup
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Allison fires title warning
SAM Allison has fired a warning shot to his strike rivals ahead of tomorrow's (Saturday) crucial Southern League clash with play-off dreamers Banbury United. Allison has netted three times in his last three matches for the Bluebirds and hopes his rich
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United and Northbridge to meet in final
BRADFORD United and FC Northbridge will meet in the final of this season's Trowbridge League Chantry Digital-sponsored Knockout Cup. The two teams will meet at Westbury United's ground on May 2. Northbridge needed extra time to defeat The Deverills
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Bluebirds planning ahead
CHIPPENHAM Town may have to make new signings, not on the field but off it, as the commercial side of the ambitious Southern League Premier Division club gathers momentum. "Chairman Sandie Webb and I have already spent hours either applying the finishing
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Double triumph for Woods
FOOTBALLER John Woods smashed his personal best time for the Bath half-marathon just nine weeks after a third operation in his battle against cancer. Woods and his running partner Phil Ramsey crossed the finish line in 1 hour, 40 minutes, two minutes
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Pay as you play at Lafarge
GOLF: THE Lafarge Golf Club is to open to non-members for the first time. The club, close to the cement works in Westbury has been closed to non-members, unless invited, for over 25 years. But thanks to the present committee the club is now open to
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OBITUARY: Mrs Joan Pike
MRS Joan Mary Pike, formerly of Pound Farm, Hilperton Marsh, died at the Wingfield Lodge nursing home in Trowbridge on March 16, aged 84. Her funeral service will be held on Tuesday at St Mary's Church, Hilperton Marsh, at 2.30pm.
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OBITUARY: Mr Bernard Griffin
FARMER and sportsman Bernard Bunny' John Griffin died at the Great Western Hospital in Swindon on March 18, aged 81. Mr Griffin, who was passionate about football and used to own racehorses, was born on May 3 1924 at Southbank Farm in Corsham. The
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Gym'll fix it
A SUPER surgery including an on site gymnasium for patients could provide a brighter future for healthcare in west Wiltshire. Doctors in Trowbridge are offering the beleaguered West Wiltshire Primary Care Trust (PCT) a way forward in the county town
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OBITUARY: Mr Gerald Dicker
CATTLE breeder, Gerald Dicker, of Old Jockey near Box, died on February 21 aged 69. In 1994 Mr Dicker fulfilled a lifelong ambition to breed pedigree Hereford cattle when with his wife Irene he founded a small herd based at Crossroads Farm, which he
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OBITUARY: Mrs Freda Scott
THE death of Freda Scott has brought a chapter in the archive of the local entertainment scene to a close. Mrs Scott was a well-known singer, appearing with her late husband Frankie Scott and his band to entertain thousands of ballroom and sequence
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MARRIAGE: Katy Spirit & Gary Wilson
Trowbridge couple Katy Spirit, the daughter of James and Rachelle Spirit, of Bellefield Crescent, and Gary Wilson, the son of Steve and Julia Wilson, of Acacia Crescent, were married on March 3. The bridegroom is a stonemason at Farleigh Masonry and
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BIRTH: Liam Inman
BABY Liam decided to put in a fashionably late appearance when he was born two weeks past his due date at Trowbridge Hospital. Parents Rachel Clark, 35, and Jason Inman, a 35-year-old builder and plasterer, have been together for 18 months. Miss Clark
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BIRTH: Lily May Baldy
KELLY Baldy was in labour with her first child Lily for seven hours. Mrs Baldy said: "She was only 7lb 9.5oz, but boy did that last half a pound take a lot of extra effort." Mrs Baldy and her husband Kris, of Frome Road, Trowbridge met when they were
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SFTW: The British Empire and Commonwealth museum
PIRATES, puritans and Pocahontas are the stars of the latest exhibition at Bristol's British Empire and Commonwealth Museum, where you can follow in the footsteps of Sir Walter Raleigh and learn about the new world of the 17th century Americas. Visitors
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Nostalgia
AN old picture of The Black Swan darts team in British Row, Trowbridge has been brought into Wiltshire Times by reader Mrs P K Farr of Innox Road, Trowbridge. She believes other readers will be interested to see them outside the pub with their trophies
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Down memory lane
Wiltshire Times reader Mrs P Penouf, of Newleaze, Hilperton has sent in a picture of workers at Smith and King (Trowbridge) Ltd, who were pastrycooks, caterers and confectioners in Fore Street. Mrs Penouf recalls that the directors of the company
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Then & Now - Chippenham Station
Our archive picture of Chippenham station this week shows a steam engine arriving on the down line, with goods on the station waiting to be loaded at the rear of the train. Today that side of the station is not used, as the down line was slewed to
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Going walkabout
There are many different walking tours available in Bath, all offering something a little different. Ghost Walks of Bath: There are over 65 different ghost stories connected with Bath and if you take a ghost walk around the city you never know what you
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My Wiltshire Life - Stan Jones
Stan Jones, 71, of Horse Road, Hilperton, has lived in and around Trowbridge all his life. A keen amateur historian, Mr Jones has vivid memories of growing up during the Second World War. Married to Monica, 63, for almost 40 years, the couple have
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Getting around
Walking and cycling Walking and cycling are great ways to explore this compact city and further afield. The Bath Skyline Walk is a six-mile circular walk around the city which encompasses woodlands, meadows, an Iron Age hill-fort, Roman settlements
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Mosaic marks school's birthday
YOUNG artists have been hard at work this week creating a permanent visual monument to their school's fifth birthday. Children at The Mead Primary School in Trowbridge have created a mosaic representing the five branches of the arts: visual, poetry
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Traditional country pub
Under new ownership since February 2006 The Packhorse Inn is situated less than four miles to the south of Bath in the idyllic rural setting of South Stoke village. Stephen Peart, the new properietor of this traditional country pub, seeks to focus on
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Play tackles burglary menace
YOUNGSTERS and pensioners have been improving communication across the generations to help in the fight against crime. Pupils at the John of Gaunt School in Trowbridge welcomed more than 60 older people to their school on Wednesday to see a musical
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Eating out
Tilley's Bistro, North Parade Passage (01225) 484200 Cosy, informal restaurant serving French, Mediterranean and English cuisine. The restaurant offers a pre-theatre menu between 6pm and 7pm Monday to Friday and is set over three floors with disabled
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Gym members feed thise in crisis
FITNESS fans had the opportunity to offload excess baggage in aid of charity last week. Curves women's gym in Trowbridge held a week-long food drive in support of the Trussell Trust. The event saw new members bring along a bag of food instead of paying
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Food for thought
Eating out in Bath and the surrounding area is a true pleasure with a range of restaurants offering international cuisine. Wife of Bath, 12 Pierrepont Street, Bath (01225) 461745 This highly recommended basement restaurant, close to the railway station
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Council opposes car park homes plan
MELKSHAM Town Council has refused to support a proposal to build seven new houses on Union Street car park in Lowbourne. A dozen residents, who live near the car park, attended a council meeting on Monday evening to speak out against the proposal,
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Unique collection
Just a few metres off The Circus in Central Bath is one of the most unique collections of East Asian Art in England. Situated in a Georgian house, this museum houses a fine collection of ceramics, jades, bronzes, and much more from China, Japan, Korea
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Love at first sight for this diamond duo
It was love at first sight when Alan Stubbs saw future wife Monica Broome across a crowded dance floor in 1942, there was just one thing in the way he couldn't dance. Mr and Mrs Stubbs got over this hurdle though, and the couple celebrated 60 years
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New ruling on inquest
WILTSHIRE police have won the backing of attorney general Lord Goldsmith to open a new inquest into the death of heroin addict Rachel Whitear in 2000. Ms Whitear, 21, originally from Ledbury, was found dead in her rented bed-sit in Exmouth, Devon in
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Festive fun for all
At Christmas-time people flock to Bath as the aromas of mince pies and mulled wine fill the air at the annual Christmas market. This year's Bath Christmas market will be running from Thursday, November 30 until Sunday, December 10. The market is open
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They all need your help
AS the 20th anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster approaches, two Westbury charities are appealing for people to remember the children who are still suffering from the effects of radiation. The accident happened on April 26 1986, when a nuclear plant
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Shop ‘til you drop
While you are in Bath it's worth checking out the shops as the city centre tends to offer something a little bit different. Bath is well known for its range of more unusual and specialist stores. While many city centres are virtually indistinguishable
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Callum wins with an electric performance
MUSICAL youngsters have been demonstrating their talents at an annual musical contest. St Augustine's Catholic College, in Trowbridge, held its 15th Young Musician of the Year competition, sponsored by HSBC, at the Wiltshire Music Centre in Bradford
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Underground sounds
Moles Club in Bath is one of the best live music venues in the south west. This is the place for live bands, gigs, dance music and top DJs, and everything to do with the local live music and partying scene. The club is located in an intimate cellar,
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£100 fee to name your home
PEOPLE who want to rename their home will have to pay a fee under new charges being introduced by West Wiltshire District Council. From April 1 householders will have to pay £100 to name their home and a charge of £250 will be made to change a street
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Best of British
THE great shot of the Spitfire in the March 10 edition celebrating its 70th anniversary leads me to suggest that this aircraft had far better credentials than Concorde, which won the Great British Design Quest in BBC 2's Culture Show. Most of what
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Town Hall views
A GREAT deal has been written in your column over the past two weeks on the town hall and I feel that we should all express our gratitude to Cllrs Payne and Osborn on performing their duties as town councillors and drawing attention of constituents to
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We need trains
I ATTENDED recently a meeting at the Department of Transport in London with the Minister Derek Twigg, MP Dr Andrew Murrison, together with representatives from the west Wiltshire towns, who will all be seriously disadvantaged if proposed plans to cut
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PO's are vital
IT would seem that Labour are about to rip the heart out of the rural communities by closing 10,500 of the remaining 14,000 sun post offices. Adam Crozier, chief executive of the Post Office, says he needs only 4,000 post offices to operate a successful
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Save our trees
I HAVE great sympathy with Brian Gordon and his wife over the loss of their hawthorn trees (Wiltshire Times March 10). A similar thing happened to us when we lived in Greenford, Middlesex, in the 1960s. All the trees along the railway line were cut
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Raise the alarm
I READ with alarm bells ringing about your article about the purposed new Rugby Club ground, how planning consent is not rapidly being approved. I can see another tragic loss for Trowbridge. I can see the Rugby Club losing their ground just like Trowbridge
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Fear for planet
FOR the first time in over a million years the carbon dioxide levels have reached 380 parts per million according to reputable international scientists. Plant life will be inhibited when we reach 500 parts per million and with the industrialisation
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Green message
MY 10-year-old daughter came home from school yesterday, wearing the biggest smile. She had returned from a school trip that had caused much jest amongst family members. I am afraid to say that all us adults are now embarrassed by our behaviour.
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Stop off for a pint
After all that sightseeing you might just be in need of some liquid refreshment and luckily in Bath there is no shortage of pubs. The Boater, Argyle Street, Bath (01225) 464211 Situated right next to the river, with a gorgeous beer garden, this pub
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Centre stage
The Theatre Royal in Bath is one of the oldest working theatres in the country and many stars have graced its stage over the years... There are some great shows on stage over the coming months at the Theatre Royal, Bath. One of Britain's oldest and
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Not just an agricultural show
Say the words "Bath and West" and most people conjure up a vision of a four-day spectacular with plenty to see and do a great fun day out, especially if the weather is right! But the Bath & West is not just about the Royal Bath & West Show events
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Gardener’s World
The annual Bath Spring Flower Show celebrates its 20th anniversary this year and will be taking place in the Royal Victoria Park, Bath, from Saturday, April 29 until Monday, May 1 (bank holiday Monday). The show is one of the highlights of Bath's events
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It’s festival time
Bath is known as a festival city. The most famous of these is the Bath Music Festival when thousands of people flock to the city to hear music from around the world. This year's event takes place from Friday, May 19 until Sunday, June 4. This year's
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Park life
Bath takes great pride in its parks and gardens, with colourful flowers on display all year round and never a blade of grass out of place. Whatever time of year you visit Bath the parks and gardens always look spectacular and there is nowhere better
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A work of art
Many great artists have been inspired by the city of Bath and the surrounding countryside and there are plenty of art galleries and museums to reflect this. Holburne Museum of Art, Great Pulteney Street Tel: (01225) 466669 At the bottom of Great Pulteney
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A spa town again
The Roman Baths are at the heart of the World Heritage Site and when the new Thermae Spa opens this year the city's naturally hot springs will once again be available to the public. In Roman times Bath was called Acqua Sulis and the Romans decided to
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American experience
Get a taste of America without even boarding a plane at this fascinating museum. The American Museum in Britain is situated at Claverton Manor overlooking the Avon valley just outside Bath. Since 1961, it has been the only dedicated museum of Americana
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Fancy dress
If you have a passion for fashion then a visit to the Museum of Costume is a must. The Museum of Costume has an outstanding Collection of more than 30,000 objects of fashionable dress for women, men and children, dating from the late 16th century to
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Hugh's pride after winning Civic Award
THE winner of this year's Civic Award in Trowbridge is someone who has devoted much of his life to helping the children of the town. Hugh Solomon, secretary of the town's Lions Club, was presented with the award at the annual Trowbridge civic dinner
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Center parcs deal agreed
HOLIDAY company, Center Parcs, which owns a site in Warminster, has agreed to a takeover bid from private equity group Blackstone, valuing it at £205.4m. Center Parcs said it had "a number of material and financial operational constraints" which made
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Grand designs
Bath is well-known for its classical Georgian architecture. Highlights include the Royal Crescent and the magnificent Bath Abbey. Pulteney Bridge Pulteney Bridge is one of the most admired structures in the city. Built in 1773, it was designed by Robert
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Shirley shows age is no barrier to race success
A 70-year-old supergran from Warminster was the oldest female runner at the 2006 Nationwide Bath Half Marathon on Sunday. Shirley March, of Damask Way, managed to outrun much younger competitors to finish in 3hrs 5mins. Mrs March was running for the
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Disabled boost at centre
DISABLED people will find leading a fit and healthy life easier after a sports centre was revamped with the help of an £18,000 grant.
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On camera
Many film makers come to Bath to take advantage of the beautifully preserved Georgian buildings and streets. Many great artists, writers, actors and musicians have lived, worked or been inspired by the city of Bath Charles Dickens stayed in St James's
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Helicopter lands at school
THE Royal Navy paid a flying visit to The George Ward School in Melksham on Monday. A Lynx helicopter from type 22 frigate HMS Cambeltown landed on the school field, giving pupils the chance to explore the aircraft and find out more about life in the
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Shock as dental practice shuts
A DENTAL practice in Bradford on Avon has closed, leaving hundreds of NHS patients unable to get treatment. Jo Wilkins' surgery in Station Approach shut down last Friday without giving patients prior notice. Jo Coles, who is registered at the practice
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The historic abbey
Standing at the heart of the city of Bath is the historic abbey which was founded in 1499. Three different churches have stood on the site over the last 12 centuries but the abbey is now an active parish church which celebrated its 500th birthday in
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Rally and demo to voice hospital fury
A RALLY and demonstration to mark the closure of a community hospital will be held on Monday. Campaigners will show their disapproval at the demise of Bradford on Avon hospital, which will close its doors for the last time next Saturday. The protest
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Waterloo fight still on track
THE next step was taken in the fight to save the threatened Waterloo-west Wiltshire train when campaigners met the trains minister last week. A delegation including councillors from Westbury, Warminster and Bradford on Avon and members of the West
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Cousins jailed for revenge attack
TWO cousins of crash victim Nicky Gough have been jailed for a revenge attack on the family of a driver they blame for the accident. Mr Gough, 21, was killed, along with his fiance Colette Holbrook, 20, on the A342 near Derry Hill last March. Martin
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Village youngsters welcome Countess
THE COUNTESS of Wessex visited a youth group, a primary school and opened a new St John Ambulance headquarters in Wiltshire this week. Lady Wessex arrived by helicopter just before 1pm yesterday to visit the Codford Youth Group Network (Cygnets) and
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Family's tribute to centenarian Freda
A WOMAN whose niece placed a bet that she would reach her 105th birthday has died at 100. Freda Owen died at her home in St Thomas Road, Trowbridge, last Wednesday, just a few weeks before she would have celebrated her 101st birthday. It was on her
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Rows in run up to tragedy
HAYLEY MURDER TRIAL: IN the days between the assault on Hayley Richards and her death the couple continued to argue. Hugo Quintas told Bristol Crown Court that on Tuesday June 7 the pair had met unexpectedly and he had apologised to Miss Richards for
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Defendant told: 'Hide yourself'
HAYLEY MURDER TRIAL: HOURS after killing his girlfriend Hugo Quintas hid his bloodstained clothes and the knife used to slit her throat and caught a plane to Portugal. Joaquim Da Cunha, known as Sergio, travelled with him to Bristol airport on June
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STD claims
HAYLEY MUDER TRIAL: HUGO Quintas told Bristol Crown Court his girlfriend had infected him with two sexually transmitted diseases. He said two days after sleeping with Hayley Richards he had to go to hospital to get treatment for the infections, which
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How argument led to assault
HAYLEY MURDER TRIAL: IN the witness box on Tuesday Hugo Quintas said it was Hayley Richards who started an argument that led to him trying to strangle her. He admitted assaulting his pregnant girlfriend and causing her actual bodily harm on June 5,
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Quintas feared Hayley was cheating on him
HAYLEY MURDER TRAIL: ACCUSED murderer Hugo Quintas told a court his relationship with his girlfriend had been volatile and he believed she was cheating on him. Quintas, 24, of Seymour Court, Trowbridge, denies murdering pregnant Hayley Richards on
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Firefighter jailed fot string of sex attacks
A FIREFIGHTER dubbed the Beast of Bath has been jailed for nine years after a string of sexual assaults on women. Adrian Warburton, 38, of The Halve, Trowbridge, carried out the attacks in Bath between October 2004 and July 2005, sparking months of
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Shoppers left short
A SURVEY has revealed that shoppers in Wiltshire are sometimes being short-changed when buying canned or bottled food. Trading standards officers from across the South West carried out the survey, and found that in Wiltshire seven out of 55 purchases
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Baby Joy for cancer widower
A WIDOWER left to raise three children alone after losing his wife to cancer has spoken of his new lease of life. Rob Deadman, 35, was heartbroken when his wife, 28-year-old Rachel, lost her three-year battle with cervical cancer in May 2004. Now
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Tax breakdown causes confusion
TAXPAYERS in Trowbridge have been left confused and angered by the bills dropping through their doors this week. The figure appearing on the bills as the percentage rise for the town council precept part of the tax is 73.8 per cent, despite councillors
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Placard protest at civic dinner
VISITING dignitaries were faced with angry protestors at a black tie dinner and dance on Friday. Trowbridge residents were outside the town's civic hall to protest at a massive hike in their council tax bills as town councillors and invited guests
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Clocks forward
DON'T forget that British Summer Time officially begins on Sunday so your clocks need to be put forward by one hour before you go to bed on Saturday night.
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Giles set to trek miles across Sahara desert
A COMPUTER sales director from west Wiltshire is preparing to tackle one of the toughest endurance races on earth. Giles Greenslade, 32, of Haygrove Close, Warminster, will be taking part in the Marathon Des Sables, a 150-mile run across the Sahara
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Council staff to go on strike
A STRIKE by council workers to protest at proposed changes to their pension scheme will go ahead on Tuesday. The Government is planning to alter local government pension entitlements, and the unions are concerned this could mean a deterioration in
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Murder case awards
Police officers working on the case of murdered Bradford on Avon woman Natalie Williams received awards last week after commendation from the judge in the case. After Randle Williams, husband of Natalie, had been sentenced to life imprisonment, the
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Child porn man escapes jail term
A PAEDOPHILE who collected over 4,500 perverted images of children being abused has walked free from court. Christopher Smith, 23, of Broadley Park, North Bradley, admitted downloading the pictures for his own sexual gratification. Guidelines state
