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Stories for 27 October 2004
Amesbury News
An emotional return from Iraq for troops
THERE was a heroes' welcome for the soldiers of the 1st Battalion The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment when they returned home from Iraq on Monday. more...
Town's top policeman steps into retirement
Retiring Police Inspector Tim Richards. 28/10/04AFTER 30 years' service with Wiltshire Constabulary, Inspector Tim Richards is stepping down as section commander at Amesbury, to enjoy a well-deserved retirement. more...
Head-stamper's appeal rejected
A VIOLENT thug jailed for stamping on a man's head after a row outside a pub has failed in an appeal court bid to clear his name. more...
Councillorstrek up Snowdon for Chelsea
Chelsea with parents Nikki and Mike Bloomfield, brother Jordan and volunteer climbers. 28/10/04KIND-HEARTED parish councillors in Tidworth were heading north to Snowdonia last Friday, to help raise £3,700 for a little girl in desperate need of a new electric wheelchair. more...
Bridge over the Avon is reopened
TRAFFIC is once again able to cross the Avon at Figheldean, after a new £340,000 bridge over the river was officially opened on Thursday last week. more...
Office park heralds jobs boost for city
ABOUT 300 jobs will be created if a major office development and a 90-bedroom care home on land off London Road in Salisbury get planning approval. more...
Brothers' big swim raises funds in mother's memory
Jeremy (left) and Rory Burton, after their sponsored swim. 28/10/04TWO young Salisbury brothers are on target to raise more than £500 for a hospital ward in which their mother died nearly two years ago. more...
Teenager fell to his death in lift shaft
A BOWERCHALKE teenager plunged 150ft to his death down a lift shaft in a hotel in Argentina, an inquest heard. more...
Doctors deny `magic potions' misconduct
PATIENTS' lives were put at risk when two doctors at a private clinic in Downton advocated a vegan diet supplemented by `magic potions' as a treatment for breast cancer, the professional conduct committee of the General Medical Council was told on Tuesday. more...
Two dragged from car and attacked by youths
TWO young men were dragged from a car and attacked by a group of teenage youths and girls in the centre of Downton on Friday night. more...
War reporter wows the WI
Kate Adie with WI Federation chairman at Salisbury City Hall on Monday. 28/10/04THE redoubtable ladies of the Wiltshire Women's Institutes gathered in Salisbury this week to hear from another woman of substance - veteran war reporter Kate Adie. more...
More swans slaughtered
THE bodies of another eight swans have been discovered this week, after a spate of horrific shootings. more...
Pupils aid walkers' fund
The Mayor of Amebury, Steve Dayman and Steve Fear with pupils of Christ the King School. 28/10/04PUPILS at Christ the King School, in Amesbury, emptied their pockets of loose change on Wednesday last week, as charity walkers passed through the town raising funds for meningitis research. more...
Bradford On Avon News
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Business News
Asda fined for mango claims
73100-17SUPERMARKET giant Asda received a maximum £5,000 fine for claiming mangoes could help beat cancer. Asda Stores Limited, whose parent company is US firm Wal-Mart, pleaded guilty to breaching the Food Labelling Regulations 1996. more...
Hair today and hair tomorrow for new salon
A HAIR salon is celebrating moving into new premises. JJ's hair group has just opened a salon in Havelock Street, having moved from Crombey Street. more...
Case for image management
NATIONWIDE Building Society is among the satisfied clients of Britain's newest business picture provider. more...
Fresh approach for Uniq after two rejected offers
CONVENIENCE foods group Uniq today said it had received a fresh approach just days after rejecting two potential takeover bids. more...
Office equipment burns up batteries
IT would take 23,000 household batteries to run a basic office for one week costing the equivalent of £17,500. more...
Best cleaned office
NATIONWIDE House in Pipers Way has reached the shortlist of a competition to find the best-cleaned offices in Britain. more...
£1 million an hour
Oil giant BP said record fuel prices and better refining margins had helped it to bank nearly £1 million an hour in profits. more...
Calne News
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Chippenham News
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Corsham News
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Devizes News
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Health News
The long and the short of growing your hair
BEAUTY FEATURE - IN case you hadn't realised, in every survey ever done the old answer is always the same - men prefer longer hair on women and, funnily enough, so do most women. more...
Eat your way to good health
Path to health Judy Foster takes details from a patient Ref: 73091-21THE familiar saying you are what you eat could not be truer, says Judy Foster. The allergy specialist from Stroud has just opened another practice at the Bentley Centre, in Stratton. more...
Former casualty manager lauded
Jill Brewer 29752-31FORMER NHS manager Jill Brewer has won praise for slashing accident and emergency waiting times at Swindon's Great Western Hospital. more...
Widow wants to see justice done
73112-12A WIDOW whose husband died of asbestos related lung disease is appealing for his former workmates to come forward so she can sue for compensation. more...
Highworth News
Selling local art
ART fans are in for a treat in Highworth. more...
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Malmesbury News
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Marlborough News
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Melksham News
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Pewsey News
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Salisbury News
War reporter wows the WI
Kate Adie with WI Federation chairman at Salisbury City Hall on Monday. 28/10/04THE redoubtable ladies of the Wiltshire Women's Institutes gathered in Salisbury this week to hear from another woman of substance - veteran war reporter Kate Adie. more...
Office park heralds jobs boost for city
ABOUT 300 jobs will be created if a major office development and a 90-bedroom care home on land off London Road in Salisbury get planning approval. more...
Brothers' big swim raises funds in mother's memory
Jeremy (left) and Rory Burton, after their sponsored swim. 28/10/04TWO young Salisbury brothers are on target to raise more than £500 for a hospital ward in which their mother died nearly two years ago. more...
Teenager fell to his death in lift shaft
A BOWERCHALKE teenager plunged 150ft to his death down a lift shaft in a hotel in Argentina, an inquest heard. more...
Doctors deny `magic potions' misconduct
PATIENTS' lives were put at risk when two doctors at a private clinic in Downton advocated a vegan diet supplemented by `magic potions' as a treatment for breast cancer, the professional conduct committee of the General Medical Council was told on Tuesday. more...
Two dragged from car and attacked by youths
TWO young men were dragged from a car and attacked by a group of teenage youths and girls in the centre of Downton on Friday night. more...
More swans slaughtered
THE bodies of another eight swans have been discovered this week, after a spate of horrific shootings. more...
Cemetery decision is `common sense'
FORMER allotments and grazing land in Cow Lane, Laverstock, have been chosen as the site for a new cemetery for Salisbury, following intense pressure from Laverstock residents and a local football club. more...
Gardening guru comes to town
Oliver Burton with Alan Titchmarsh at Ottakar's. 28/10/04NATURAL history enthusiast Alan Titchmarsh was in Ottakar's, Salisbury, last Thursday, signing copies of the book that accompanies his latest TV series, The British Isles: A Natural History. more...
Relief road hopes dashed
AFTER decades of campaigning, hopes for a Wylye Valley relief road were effectively dashed this week, when the scheme was dropped from a crucial plan for future development. more...
Park-and-ride sites' future under review
THE future of two more park-and-ride sites will remain under review because the council is unsure if there is enough money to pay for them. more...
Leisure plans deferred
PLANS to hand over sports facilities and swimming pools to a leisure trust have been put on hold for 18 months, following a year of upheaval. more...
Sculptor victim of scam
AN angry sculptor is threatening to chain himself to the inside of HSBC in Salisbury, unless the bank hands back nearly £2,000 of his money. more...
Landowners hit back with military ban
A FARMER from Codford, angered by the imminent ban on hunting, has stopped soldiers from training on his land. more...
City's trick or treat tie
One-nil to the Whites. Craig Davis turns to celebrate after scoring what proved to be the winner against Billericay Town. 28/10/04ALTHOUGH Salisbury City will kick off Sunday's FA Cup tie at Slough Town knowing their destiny should they defeat their Ryman League colleagues, acting manager Barry Blankley will ensure they are fully focussed solely on one game. more...
Sport Angling
Neil beaming after league win
HEAVY rain caused the bream to show in a good North Wessex Winter League third-round match on the Kennet and Avon at Wolfhall, Farmers and Brimslade. more...
Sport Football
Draycott not off the Mark
MARK Draycott endured a losing start to his career as a Swindon Supermarine player last night. more...
Swindon News
Plans in place to avoid fines
I REFER to the article in the Advertiser on October 18, with regard to the European Union's targets for the landfill of biodegradable municipal waste headlined "Council faces fine of £28 million." more...
Safe for the judge
MY wife Diane, complete with her ferocious guard dog, Poppy, right, assures Swindon's senior judge, John McNaught, that he has nothing to fear after arriving at Swindon rail station. more...
No need to panic over laws
NEW laws on how disabled people are treated at work and when they apply for a job come into force this month and 1.1 million small businesses will be affected. more...
Baffled by our council's view
I am baffled by Coun Dobie's letter saying his and other councillors' views are not being taken into account over the development of 1,800 houses and the university at Coate. more...
Names derided
SHOULD the development at Coate go ahead, will some Swindon councillors (and our North Swindon MP) think that their names will be held in great esteem by future generations for bringing a University to Swindon? more...
Mum's thanks
I WOULD like to say many thanks to the wonderful staff of Space Adventure who took such great care of my son on Saturday. more...
Britain blamed
IN Britain during the last 12 months there has been a huge increase in gun crime and violent crime. more...
Widow wants to see justice done
73112-12A WIDOW whose husband died of asbestos related lung disease is appealing for his former workmates to come forward so she can sue for compensation. more...
Keep on rockin'
73102-12THE Rockin' Emporium will live on after a customer stepped into the breach at the 11th hour. more...
Top finance councillor says no to a casino
SWINDON Council's top finance councillor has said he would not back a casino. Nick Martin (Con, Shaw and Nine Elms) said: "They methodically take money off anyone who visits. more...
Ex-pats get the election fever
73050-12EX-PAT Americans in Swindon are awaiting next week's presidential elections. Some will be favouring Bush, the others Kerry, while some even feel the whole poll is a sham. more...
The appeal of Mr Peel
THE MUSIC industry is today reeling from the sudden death of broadcasting legend John Peel. more...
Asda fined for mango claims
73100-17SUPERMARKET giant Asda received a maximum £5,000 fine for claiming mangoes could help beat cancer. more...
The warning signs go up......
73101-66OUR campaign to beat smash- and-grab car crooks swings into action today. Dozens of hard-hitting Keep Your Car Clear posters will be going up in car parks across town. more...
I'm no longer shocked
Car park warden Peter Alldiss is no longer shocked by the carefree attitude of drivers. "When I started two years ago I was amazed, he said. more...
`Our wildlife needs to be protected'
A SWINDON pressure group fighting the uni-versity campus plan at Coate Water says a recent government recom-mendation is not clear cut. more...
Fundraisers set to call it a day
73107-13A LONG-STANDING branch of the Royal British Legion is on the verge of disbanding unless it can find new members. more...
Former casualty manager lauded
Jill Brewer 29752-31FORMER NHS manager Jill Brewer has won praise for slashing accident and emergency waiting times at Swindon's Great Western Hospital. more...
MP gets wind up over five-turbine farm plans
WIND turbines are like giant alien machines from a sci-fi horror story, North Wiltshire MP James Gray has claimed. more...
Disabled taxi driver gets specially adapted cab
A SPECIALLY-ADAPTED taxi is helping to keep disabled cabbie Allan Wells in the driving seat after more than a quarter of a century at the wheel. more...
Post Office lifts for elders hope
POLITICIANS from across the board are being urged to call for a public show of disapproval at the decision to axe three post offices in Swindon. more...
Sarnie bar man's bite at Big Apple run
73093-23THE manager of a Swindon sandwich bar is hoping to complete a trio of feats for charity when he does the New York Marathon. more...
NSPCC thanks to cops
THE NSPCC has praised Swindon police for uncovering a haul of child porn. Officers discovered more than 93,000 depraved images when they raided the home of Lee Adams. more...
Major review of night life
NIGHT-TIME entertainment and leisure facilities in Swindon are about to be reviewed in a major new study that could have significant implications for the way people enjoy themselves in town during the evenings. more...
Drivers ready to drive on right to celebrate new Beaujolais
FIVE drivers who work for BP Castrol in Swindon are getting ready to navigate some of France's hidden routes with their car boots packed with red wines and champagne. more...
Irresponsible tablet taking
UP to half of people on prescribed medication fail to follow instructions for taking their medicine. more...
An unwelcome battle over sign
A WELCOME sign has caused unwelcome disagreement between two councils. more...
Protest cost £7m
POLICING anti-war protests at RAF Fairford during the Iraq war cost the taxpayer more than £7 million, it has emerged. more...
14 and counting
David Hempleman-Adams, right, has gone to Canada for another adventure. more...
Selling local art
ART fans are in for a treat in Highworth. more...
Help the Brigade
COVINGHAM Boys Brigade is seeking support from people who might be able to help with future projects. more...
Landing strip plan at airfield
WROUGHTON Parish Council will meet tonight to discuss village planning applications. more...
Switch on time
WROUGHTON will be illuminated on November 29 when the village's Christmas lights are switched on. There will be live music outside the Ellendune Shopping Centre prior to the switch-on at 7pm. more...
Biker is injured
A BIKER was taken to hospital with minor injuries following a collision in Westcott Place. more...
Getting it right with First Great Western
FIRST Great Western trains has been named the second best performing long distance operator in the UK. more...
Surgeries help police crack crime
CRIME fighting initiatives in Gorse Hill have been boosted by the introduction of monthly surgeries with police community support officers. more...
Pub in line for prize for being a haunted hotspot
A VILLAGE pub has been short listed in a competition to find the country's most haunted drinking spots. more...
Olympic vest sold for charity
A CHARITY auction held to raise cash for Christmas celebrations is expected to raise about £200. more...
Brrr! Wrap up for cold winter
IT'S enough to make the bookies freeze with fear Britain has more chance than ever of a thick cover of snow this Christmas, scientists have said. more...
Striking right note
A NEW £50,000 award dubbed the Turner Prize for Music has been launched. To qualify, artists must create an imaginative and original piece of new British music to be performed in public. more...
Hotel triumphs
A FOUR luxury star hotel in Swindon has won a prestigious award. The Best Western Blunsdon House Hotel in Blunsdon has won the Best Western Premier award after a complete refurbishment of the hotel. more...
Funerals could be hit by strike
Hundreds of funeral workers across the UK will mount picket lines outside Co-operative Funeralcare offices today when they stage a 24-hour strike in a dispute over hours and pay. more...
Time to brush up
Nythe's Painting Group meets every Thursday at the Nythe Centre from 7pm until 9pm. The group welcomes newcomers to join them. more...
Treats for bonfires
CONFECTIONERS have revealed some of the top tasty treats that Swindonians will be able to enjoy this coming Bonfire Night. more...
Sewage revamp wins top award
A £17 million project to revamp Swindon's Sewage Treatment Works has received an award from the Institution of Chemical Engineers. more...
Routine visits to the dentist now outdated
ROUTINE six-monthly or annual visits to the friendly dentist could become a thing of the past. more...
A chance to put something back
IF you take an interest in the environment you live in you may like to consider becoming a parish councillor. more...
Black day for Cilla
CILLA Black's plans to open a nightclub in the West End have been scuppered. The TV presenter had found a venue for the club in a street close to Oxford Circus. more...
Music and mince pies at festive event
The Wootton Bassett branch of the North Wiltshire Conservative Association is holding an evening of Christmas carols, mince pies and mulled wine on November 26 at Manor Farm, Clyffe Pypard. more...
Sack attack crime
THE RAC is backing our campaign by donating free car security bags for 500 readers. more...
Battler Battersby
CORONATION Street's Les Battersby has told "corporate fat cats" to keep their hands off the Cream of Manchester in the fight to save the city's Boddington's brewery. more...
Where you can donate blood
THERE will be blood donor sessions across the area in November. In Cricklade there will be donor sessions at the Town Hall in High Street from 1.15pm until 3.55pm and 5pm until 7.15pm on November 2. more...
Beauty on show
THE De Vere Hotel, West Swindon, will play host to a health and beauty show on October 31. more...
Talent on display
NYTHE will be showing off its creative talents at an art exhibition next month. Members of the Nythe Painting Club are currently putting the finishing touches to their work, which will be displayed on November 27-28. more...
Plea for drivers to help stroke victims
DRIVERS are needed to transport stroke victims to a support group. Swindon Stroke Support Group has two mini-buses, but needs more people to drive them. more...
Cats will lap up all your help
SWINDON Cats Protection will be at Asda Wal-Mart in the Orbital Shopping Park on Sunday raising funds for its activities promoting cat welfare. more...
Treasure trove of adventure
YOUNGSTERS in the Wootton Bassett area can find out all about the life of a pirate today. more...
Fishlock's award
Bill Fishlock has been awarded for his charity work. Bill, has received the Paul Harris award from the Rotary Club of Swindon. more...
Offer tops the lot for charity
Do you have a use for four bin liners full of milk bottle tops? Maslin's Funeral Service helped in a charity event to fill a skip with bottle tops for a wheelchair for a boy in Cardiff. more...
Alley reopens and customers return
AN OLD Town lane has reopened ahead of schedule after repair work. Wood Street alleyway, closed since October 4, reopened days after we reported traders were suffering a drop in revenue because of the closure. more...
Elvis's income still much alive
ELVIS Presley, right, has come top of a list of the highest-earning dead celebrities, with an annual income of £22m. more...
Under 10s wanted
Penhill Knights Football Club is building teams for the under nines and 10s. Vince Bown said: "We have a successful under-11s, so we wanted to get other ages involved. more...
New northwilts
North Wiltshire District Councillor David Evans (LibDem, Hilmarton) has helped relaunch its website. more...
Orchestrating cheerful time
WOOTTON Bassett Orchestra has its Christmas concert with mince pies and candles, on Saturday, December 11 at Wootton Bassett Memorial Hall at 7.30pm. more...
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These yobs could have killed us
The damaged windscreen of the car in which Margaret Goodman was travellingMOTORISTS have become moving targets for a gang of stone-throwing yobs in Swindon. more...
Lib Dems support County Ground revamp
SWINDON'S Liberal Democrat group has voiced its support for the redevelopment of the County Ground. more...
Crunch time for hapless bus driver
Ref. 73095-513PASSENGERS on the bus above got closer to their stop than expected when it collided with a bus shelter in Old Town. more...
Crackdown on soccer thugs
BOSSES at Swindon Town Football Club have vowed to crackdown on yobs by attempting to shut down websites promoting extreme violence. more...
Town fans among the worst
Ref. 29600-27According to a Home Office report, 38 Town fans were arrested last season, including 19 at away games. more...
Don't miss those appointments
SOUTH Swindon MP Julia Drown is urging women to keep their breast screening appoint-ments. more...
`My son built this hospital'
Ref. 73105-52 Madge Millman, INSET: Robert Millman who built the hospital in NepalADVER reader Madge Millman is keen to help Claire Lawton achieve her goal of spending two months in Nepal helping the people of Kathmandu. more...
The day life was such a drag at the supermarket checkout
Mike Hamm, 63A CHECKOUT operator from Stratton dressed up as Mrs Doubtfire to raise money for the hospital that saved his grandson's life. more...
Man had sex with girl, 15
A FATHER has been sentenced to six months jail for having sex with a 15-year-old girl. David Ransom, 38, of Cricklade Road, Swindon, had already pleaded guilty to two charges of unlawful sex with the girl when he appeared before a judge at Swindon Crown Court on September 24. more...
Tourism News
Visit Stonehenge free of charge
NOVEMBER 6 - 7 2004, STONEHENGE: The iconic monument of Stonehenge will be opening free of charge from November 6-7, to mark the National Lottery's 10th birthday. more...
Trowbridge News
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Warminster News
Black Watch poised to relieve US troops
The deployment of British troops called in to support US forces in central Iraq is under way, the Ministry of Defence said. Soldiers from the Black Watch are moving northwards from their base in Basra to near Baghdad. more...
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Westbury News
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Wiltshire News
Black Watch poised to relieve US troops
The deployment of British troops called in to support US forces in central Iraq is under way, the Ministry of Defence said. Soldiers from the Black Watch are moving northwards from their base in Basra to near Baghdad. more...
Town fans among the worst
Ref. 29600-27According to a Home Office report, 38 Town fans were arrested last season, including 19 at away games. Offences included violent disorder, throwing missiles, racist chanting, pitch invasions and breach of banning orders. more...
Wiltshire Sport
Smith Granted his chance?
GRANT SMITH has spotted a vacancy that interests him and is out to convince his manager that he's the best man for the job. more...
Wootton Bassett News
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