Archive
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Motorway miracle of luckiest dog alive
A LITTLE dog from Dursley has been dubbed the luckiest dog alive after surviving for almost two days on the central reservation of the M5. Nine-year-old Basil, the scruffy cairn/West Highland terrier cross, dodged speeding traffic for 36 hours last week
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Gray says goodbye
SLIMBRIDGE manager Doug Gray has resigned from his post as the ambitious club's title drive continues to slip. Gray handed in his notice immediately after Saturday's disastrous 3-0 defeat at Abingdon United, a match which saw three Slimbridge players
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Berkeley could get away with half planned houses
BERKELEY could possibly escape with half the number of houses suggested by the government planning inspector, the town council was told by their local MP on Monday. "There are always grounds for manoeuvre," Stroud MP David Drew told the council. "You
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Bird corpses dumped on MP
A SACK full of dead chickens and pheasants was left on the doorstep of the Labour Party's office in Stroud on Friday morning just hours after the anti-hunting ban came into effect. Staff arriving at MP David Drew's Stroud office were confronted by the
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Iraq is being plundered
LAST week's historic, if flawed, election in Iraq was a step forward, but only a tiny first step. It's no surprise that it hasn't put a stop to the violence. The resistance is being driven by the plunder of Iraq's economic resources and continued attempts
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Hunt supporters rally to cause
DEFIANT hunt supporters have shown no sign of giving up fighting the ban on hunting with hounds. On the first Saturday after the ban came into force more than 300 mounted followers and around 3,000 supporters on foot gathered for the Beaufort Hunt meet
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Area hit by spate of vehicle crimes
CAR thieves have struck seven times in less than two weeks. The incidents happened across the district starting on February 14. In most incidents the offenders were unable to steal a vehicle but took valuable items instead. Between Monday, February 14
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Events around the region
Berkeley, Cam, Dursley and Wotton-under-Edge Friday, February 25 8.45-10.30am Wotton, The Chipping, Club Room. Friday Market. 10-11.30am, Slimbridge, Village Hall. Slimbridge Toddler Club. 1.30-3.30pm, Cam, Memorial Hall. Tea dance 8pm, Wotton, Royal
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Ombudsmen's role examined
THE Local Government Ombudsman for Gloucestershire and South Gloucestershire, Jerry White, will be giving evidence to a government committee next month and written contributions from the people of the two counties are invited. The role and effectiveness
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Merger may have a cost
THE proposed merger of the Gloucestershire Wiltshire and Avon Ambulance services would not only damage services at great cost but would endanger patients, Cotswold MP Geoffrey Clifton-Brown has told the Commons. Speaking in a Commons debate Mr Clifton-Brown
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Kingswood back to winning ways in forgettable match
Kingswood 2 Mitcheldean 0 DESPITE the fact that plenty of effort was put into this game by both teams, the quality rarely rose above the mediocre. The soft uneven surface did not make good football easy, but with passes going astray and players constantly
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A snowy scene
Despite predictions of the hardest winter on record, the Cotswolds at least have got away with relatively mild conditions this year so far. It was, however, very cold this week as our picture of the Cotswold Way at Uley Bury yesterday morning shows. See
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Backward step at Burton
Burton Albion 4 Forest Green 1 SUNDAY roast or a Sunday roasting? It would surely have been the latter for the players of Forest Green Rovers, who were hauled in by Alan Lewer for extra training after he had watched his team take a backward step at Burton
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Travellers can buy Severn Bridge land
TRAVELLERS who have illegally occupied publicly owned land near the old Severn Bridge for more than 10 years could be offered the chance to buy it - by the government. Parish representatives are furious after Highways Agency chiefs admitted they are considering
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New date fixed
THE date for the Land Rover Gatcombe Horse Trials, which normally take place at the end of March on the Princess Royal's Gatcombe Park estate, has been changed because of the early Easter this year. The new date is Paril 9-10, 2005.
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Benefit of bus service
THE new bus services for Thornbury that began on February 13 are to be welcomed, in particular the direct link Thornbury now has with a major railway station at Parkway. This has been needed for years and goes some way to creating an integrated transport
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Mindless vandals attack church hut
VANDALS who ransacked a church hut in Coalpit Heath left their "calling cards" behind by spraying graffiti tags across the walls and signing their names on a table. It is suspected that the hut - used by Guides and a children's holiday club - was destroyed
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Appeal to take part in the Great Daffodil Walk Home
I AM calling on local people to support Marie Curie Cancer Care's annual Great Daffodil Appeal in March, which is supported by Yellow Pages. The 2005 appeal hopes to be bigger and better than ever, with a staggering target of £3 million, and the charity
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With the Reds
Although Bristol City still remain an outside bet to finish in the top six this season (thus qualifying for the play-offs), the two results achieved by the Reds this week won't have done their chances any harm whatsoever. The style of Brian Tinnion's
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MP answers pupils' vandalism letters
NORTHAVON MP Steve Webb visited a Yate school this week in response to letters from Year Six pupils concerning recent incidents of vandalism at the school. He promised the children of St Mary's School to raise their concerns with police and community
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Bid to give nursery a facelift
PARENTS who fought to save a Chipping Sodbury nursery from closure last year have now embarked on a major improvement and publicity campaign. Mums and dads with youngsters at St John's Mead Nursery were distraught when their much-valued nursery was reviewed
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Hunt monitor's car tyre cut
A HUNT-MONITOR had the tyres of his car slashed during the Beaufort Hunt meet at Worcester Lodge, Badminton, on Saturday. Four people on a quad bikes approached the monitor and words were exchanged. The anti-hunt campaigner later discovered a tyre on
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Oldbury denies safety compromise
NUCLEAR energy bosses at Oldbury power station have rejected claims that safety could be compromised by a shortage of Government inspectors. Anti-nuclear campaigners have alleged that safety inspections at Oldbury and other UK nuclear power stations are
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All we hear is . . . Radio Thornbury
FANCY getting behind a microphone, spinning a CD or two, or perhaps trying your hand at chairing a discussion programme. These possibilities - and a whole lot more - could be become a reality this year if you get along to St Mary's Church Hall in Thornbury
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Bus to ease drive stress
A NEW council-subsided bus service could make it easier for Thornbury commuters to leave the car at home. Recently introduced changes in the bus network across South Gloucestershire include an important new daytime service from Thornbury to Bristol Parkway
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Events around the region
Friday, February 25 7.45pm, Marshfield Community Centre. Marshfield Players' production of Alice in Wonderland. Saturday, February 26 10am-noon, Chipping Sodbury Baptist Church Hall. Fairtrade exhibition. 10am-4pm, Horton, Free hedge laying Course. For
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Answers needed on plant
MALCOLM Lynden (Gazette, February 11) chooses not to answer my serious points on nuclear risks at Oldbury and instead makes personal remarks. It is unfortunate if this is the level he operates on, especially as a representative of the local liaison council
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Planners register vote against site
A MAJORITY vote against plans for a gypsy site on Yate's Road to Nowhere has been registered by South Gloucestershire's planners. At a joint meeting last week, between the council's planning select committee and the two development control committees,
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Yate let rivals off the hook
Yate Town 2 Bromsgrove Rovers 2 YATE were two goals to the good by half-time but they missed good chances and allowed fellow promotion seekers Bromsgrove back in to level the match. It's very disappointing for Rich Thompson's side who have taken only
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Academy tables new initiative
TABLE tennis enthusiasts from across the region received a major boost this week with the announcement that a top new academy is to open at Filton College. The English Table Tennis Association and the Bristol Academy of Sport, which is based at the college
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Tax increase decision delayed
THE increase in council tax for South Gloucestershire's residents remains a mystery this week, as cross-party councillors could not agree on a sum. Conservatives, Liberal Democrats and Labour councillors took six hours to decide that the budget-setting
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With the Pirates
FEW would have put Macclesfield Town as promotion contenders but Brian Horton's side have staggered everyone by their climb up the table, currently now in third automatic promotion place on goal difference. They held Rovers to a goalless draw at the Memorial
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Top of the table clash fails to trouble North
North Bristol 25 Avonmouth 3 THIS game was billed as a potential Gloucester Premier League title decider as North Bristol and Avonmouth both entered the tie with just one loss in the league, with North leading their visitors by a solitary point. However
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Council acts over dye scare
SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE Council has swung into action following shock revelations that certain foods sold in supermarkets have been contaminated with a life-threatening dye. The council's food and health team is contacting food retailers across the district
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Children have an art attack
CHILDREN from Thornbury's Crossways Junior School drew inspiration from the work of celebrated artist David Hockney this week when they took part in art and writing sessions at the town's Octagon gallery. The gallery at the Castle School is currently
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Need to fight for ward
THE last chance to speak up for Grace Ward in Thornbury Hospital is next Tuesday, March 1 from 7pm-9pm in the Armstrong Hall in Thornbury. This meeting has been arranged but not well advertised by the Mental Health Trust to discuss the proposed closure
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Planners reject farm home again
A YOUNG farming family desperate to build a home on their own land in Elberton have again had their hopes dashed by planners. For more than two years Shaun and Lisa Meachin and their five children have been forced to live in rented accommodation outside
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Family firm rises from the ashes
A FAMILY farming business devastated by the foot and mouth disaster has finally risen from the ashes. It is now almost four years since the Staley family of Kington near Thornbury were forced to stand by helplessly as soldiers shot their herd of 4,600
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Hunt supporters rally to cause
DEFIANT hunt supporters have shown no sign of giving up fighting the ban on hunting with hounds. On the first Saturday after the ban came into force more than 300 mounted followers and around 3,000 supporters on foot gathered for the Beaufort Hunt meet
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Popular dance that brings folk together
SQUARE dancing is a very social activity - its motto is "fun and friendship set to music". Indeed Sue Elliott, who launched Thornbury Squares 13 years ago, has found love not once but twice through the dance. Gazette feature writer Kirsty Ramsden met
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Pool to be run by new group
WINTERBOURNE'S public swimming pool is to be handed over to The Ridings High School after a long struggle to keep the facility afloat. The pool has always been jointly run by the school and Winterbourne Parish Council, which has had to make significant
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Council stand up to Rail over tree issue
DEFIANT councillors have made a united stand against Network Rail in the fight over a group of much-loved trees along an embankment in Coalpit Heath. A committee of South Gloucestershire Council's planners last week refused to defer the rail company's
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Bomb almost destroyed couple's wedding plans
A DURSLEY couple celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary last week. Ron and Edna Skinner, of Fort Lane, celebrated 60 years of marriage on Thursday, February 17. The couple marked the occasion together on the day followed by a family party in Luckington
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A bit of good news
I REALLY feel it would be a good idea if your readers contacted you about good news for a change! The spring is just around the corner, the nights are getting lighter and things are generally looking up! Today I received a letter giving me details of
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Contaminated food off shelves
STROUD District Council has swung into action following shock revelations that certain foods sold in supermarkets have been contaminated with a potentially life-threatening dye. The council's food safety team has been working with Gloucestershire Trading
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Slimbridge fall apart at Abingdon
Abingdon United 3 Slimbridge 0 LATE arriving players, three red carded, the manager resigning and another star player likely to be off to big spending Mangotsfield United. Oh, and a 3-0 hiding to boot. All of these events will probably ensure that Saturday's
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Vow to enforce hunt ban
AN ANTI-HUNT group in South Gloucestershire has vowed to set up a Crimewatch-style campaign to ensure hunts comply with the new ban. The Cotswold Support Group for the Abolition of Hunting made the announcement after the ban on hunting with dogs came
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They know their business
A BUSINESS park with specific expertise in the energy industry could shape the future for Berkeley's nuclear site. The recommendation for the site, after nuclear activity is scaled down, is one of four being finalised for submission to the Nuclear Decommissioning
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Staff get retirement fillip
LISTER Petter employees due to retire in three years could be among 15,000 people who receive 80 percent of their pension via the Government's Financial Assistance Scheme. Last year hundreds of past and present staff feared they would receive as little
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Farmer fined for BSE risk
A DURSLEY farmer who tried to put three over-aged cattle into the human food chain, causing a potential BSE risk, has been ordered to pay almost £6,000 in fines and costs. At Gloucester Crown Court on Wednesday, Judge Jamie Tabor QC said he accepted that
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Woman's fury at MOD letter
THE MINISTRY of Defence has denied any wrongdoing following a Wotton-under-Edge woman's complaint of low flying. Fiona Wright, of Durand Court, complained to the MoD following the incident on Monday, March 2 2004. Miss Wright said that when she was driving
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Students pick the winners in awards initiative
STUDENTS from Rednock School in Dursley have been chosen as judges for an awards initiative for young people. Seven students, all of whom have gained the Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Award, were asked to act as a judging panel for the South West regional
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New date fixed
THE date for the Land Rover Gatcombe Horse Trials, which normally take place at the end of March on the Princess Royal's Gatcombe Park estate, has been changed because of the early Easter this year. The new date is Paril 9-10, 2005.
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Severnside's own 'tsunami'
A DRAMATIC account of a tsunami-style tidal wave which devastated huge swathes of Severnside almost 400 years ago have been found by a Gazette reader. Joy Kempster, from Shepperdine, was leafing through the pages of the Gentleman's Magazine of 1762 when
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Academy tables new initiative
TABLE tennis enthusiasts from across the region received a major boost this week with the announcement that a top new academy is to open at Filton College. The English Table Tennis Association and the Bristol Academy of Sport, which is based at the college
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Martin's legacy will not be forgotten
DURSLEY Rugby Club's first team lined up for a minute's silence on Saturday as a mark of respect for one of the club's founder members, Ron Martin, who sadly passed away last week. The minute's silence occurred before Saturday's league game against Cotham
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A child's plea for good manners
MY name is Eliza Gamm and I'm 11 years old. I am fed up of grown ups that are rude to children. I hold doors open for you and you just walk by, don't say thank you or even smile. You are forever telling children to say thank you but you don't say it yourselves
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Charities eligible for Gannett grants
CHARITIES in the Gazette circulation area again are invited to apply for a cash grant of up to £5,000 from the Gannett Foundation to help with a specific local cause or project. The US parent company of Newsquest Media Group, owners of the Gazette, is
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Question over planning legality
IN response to Jill McFarland's letter about the woodland on the Listers site (Gazette, February 18), she may be interested to know that a question mark appears to hang over the legality of the planning approval for the present contract on the Littlecombe
