Marlborough Area Weekly News – 2023 Archive

Please note that this section is presented as an archive of past columns and is not updated. Some web links may no longer be active (usually indicated by a score-through), for instance when a consultation has closed. For reasons of space, the Events, Community Notices and News from Your Local Councils sections have been deleted from the archive posts.

To see the current Marlborough Area Weekly News section, please click here.

Other archives

Thursday 21 December 2023

Our usual round-up of local news includes: a fridge, a tent, a partner, a safe space and bad jokes – plus a look back at some of the main things we’ve covered in this column in 2023. See also below for community notices and news from your local council.

Upcoming Marlborough area events include: Morris Dancing and carol singing. See below for details, plus regular events and group activities.

• Marlborough Community Fridge is hoping for generous donations over Christmas – especially anything in date that would otherwise go to waste. Please see their opening times here over the Christmas period but check their facebook page first as opening times depend on donations.

• Kennet and Avon Medical Partnership are delighted to announce that Dr Stuart Daly will be joining the Partnership from 1 January 2024, working three days a week. Dr Robert Springthorpe will be leaving KAMP at the end of December. It is sad to see him go, and everyone wishes him all the best for his onward career. The majority of Dr Springthorpe’s patients will be moved to Dr Daly.

• Fletcher Legg, General Manager of The Parade Cinema Marlborough wants to extend an enormous thank you to all those that supported their recent campaign to ‘Keep Our Tent’. Wiltshire Council has granted permission to have the tent up for ten months a year, but it must be taken down for two concurrent months. They have chosen to remove the tent for January and February as they expect it will then be too cold for most customers.

• While Christmas can be a time of enormous joy for many, heightened emotions can also magnify loneliness and grief. If you find Christmas stressful or depressing, you are not alone. See here for advice and help that is available.

• At this time of year when all normal routines take a buffeting and emotions can be stretched, a little levity and lightheartedness doesn’t go amiss. With this in mind, we folks at Penny Post are challenging each other to come up with the best Christmas cracker joke – or should we saw the worst because there is a good psychological reason why cracker jokes are so bad. Perhaps you and yours could do the same? Here is one to get you started: What do frogs wear on their feet ? Open-toad sandals…

• From Thursday 11 January Marlborough will be part of the Happy Cafe Network courtesy of The Mustard Seed Book & Coffeeshop. The aim is to offer a safe space for those interested in wellbeing to chat and give mutual support. The Mustard Seed will offer this opportunity every Thursday from 10.30am to 12.30pm. For enquiries contact Emma on 07436 036843.

• For latest news from Aldbourne Deli, Store and Post Office, visit their facebook page for mouth-watering photos of Eddie’s amazing menus (take-away and eat-in) and the lovely Wiltshire 2024 calendars now in stock.

• A look back at 2023

Each week in 2023, with a couple of exceptions, we’ve provided an overview of what’s been going on in the area. The more important ones have merited their own sections. Some of these have been referred to time and time again as there are very few issues of any significance that can get resolved within seven days.

All the previous versions of this column are archived: follow the links at the foot of this post and then thereafter to locate them. You can use search (command + F on a Mac, control + F on a PC) to find a particular subject. Many of these appear very frequently. Here I’ve picked out a few stories in this area we’ve covered this year.

• Neighbourhood development plans are complicated, time-consuming and important projects that periodically disappear from public view for some months while background work goes on and then emerge back into the public gaze when engagement with residents is required. Marlborough’s was finally adopted in March 2023 and we covered the last stages of this (as well as a judicial review which delayed natters). This was followed only six months later by news that Wiltshire is considerably increasing the town’s housing allocation. We’ll be keeping an on this (as Marlborough News also is).

• There have over the last few years been concerns that Forestry England intends to make changes to access to the Savernake which was of concern to many local residents and parish councils. We provided coverage of this and links to the various official policy documents and statements.

• The train services between Bedwyn and Newbury has for several years been woefully short of what it once was and should be. Fortunately, there is a highly effective lobbying organisation, the Bedwyn Train Passenger Group, and we’ve been pleased to provide regular updates from them.

• Other matters that we’ve covered included planning applications and the disputes that sometimes attend these; the new on-demand bus services that link Marlborough to Hungerford, amongst other places; the continuing issue of roadworks in the town; ash-tree felling; nutrient neutrality issues, which affect some of the Marlborough area; and Marlborough TC’s attempts to get some improvements made to the town’s leisure centre. We also provide a link to the most recent town and parish council minutes and, for the first few weeks after they’re published, provide a summary of these.

Thursday 14 December 2023

Our usual round-up of local news includes: patching, a safe space, holiday activities, mouth-watering photos, trees and a look (in the company of Marlborough News) at a local campaigner who’s trying to save our juries. See also below for community notices and news from your local council.

Upcoming Marlborough area events include: Morris Dancing and carol singing. See below for details, plus regular events and group activities.

• The farmer-led Marlborough Downs: Space for Nature group is looking for volunteers to help plant trees for tree sparrows on the downs this Saturday 16 December. See here for details and how to book your place.

• The patching work along the B4192 approaching Aldbourne due to take place last week, has been rescheduled for Monday 18 December and will be completed by the morning of Wednesday 20 December between 7pm and 6am. See here for more details.

• Splat Messy Play Swindon & Marlborough still have spaces at their children’s Christmas art and craft party on Friday 22 December at Marlborough Bowls Club.The children will get the chance to be creative with some festive crafts that they will be able to take home at the end. This session is aimed for children 4 years and over but younger siblings are welcome. To book your space, please click here.

• Marlborough St Mary’s Primary School is looking for two governors who can spare four or five hours a month with finance, accountancy, HR, health and safety or general business skills, to sit their Finance and Resources committee. If you think you can help please email governors@marlboroughstmarys.wilts.sch.uk

• Wiltshire Council’s Holiday Activity and Food programme, FUEL, is back for the Christmas holidays to support eligible families, providing a range of activities during the holidays. Click here for all the details, including how to apply.

• Marlborough’s jurors

Marlborough News reports here that on 4 December “Marlborough resident Jo Ripley joined with others outside the Crown Court building in Reading to defend the historic role of the jury.” This has, the article explains, recently seemingly been undermined when, in September, “the Solicitor General announced the intention to prosecute a 68-year-old retired social worker, Trudi Warner, for contempt of court, for holding a similar sign outside Inner London Crown Court in March” at a trial involving climate protestors. Two women were also arrested in October for a similar offence.

The article also refers to the work of campaign group Defend our Juries. “Juries are widely accepted to be the safeguard we all have against the tyrannical abuse of power by politicians, ministers and those in positions of authority in our courts,” the home page on the group’s website reads. “But following a pattern of jury acquittals of those exposing Government dishonesty and corporate greed through direct action, Judges in UK courtrooms are denying both defendants and jurors their rights by restricting what defendants can say in their trials and by limiting what jurors are allowed to hear. People have been sent to prison just for using the words ‘climate change’ and ‘fuel poverty’ in court and banned from explaining their motivations to the jury.”

“Thankfully,” the article concludes, “Jo evaded arrest but were that to happen at any future protest we hope that she would be judged fairly.” Perhaps part of her was hoping that she would get arrested: there are certainly worse causes. As for whether she would get a fair trial, the jury is, as it were, still out on that one. Defend our Juries appears to doubt this, as do others. Where is Horace Rumpole now that we most need him?

Thursday 7 December 2023

Our usual round-up of local news includes: arts, holiday food, nature, lunch and mouse nests – plus a look at Marlborough’s provisional precept and an admonishment to absent members. See also below for community notices and news from your local council.

Upcoming Marlborough area events include: an orchestra, choral treats and festive markets. See below for details, plus regular events and group activities.

• There is an opportunity to enjoy a celebration of the Winter Solstice on Thursday 21 December from 6pm to 8pm in the Plume of Feathers Garden with a free cup of Mulled Apple Juice and the glow of 1000 candles.

• Marlborough Christmas Lunch at the Town Hall Call Vicky on 07717 107623. If you’d like to attend, please pick up a form from the Jubilee Centre

•Splat Messy Play Swindon & Marlborough still have spaces at their children’s Christmas art and craft party on Friday 22 December at Marlborough Bowls Club.The children will get the chance to be creative with some festive crafts that they will be able to take home at the end. This session is aimed for children 4 years and over but younger siblings are welcome. To book your space, please click here

• To mark the Battle of Marlborough 1642, The Merchant’s House will host Devereux’s Regiment on Saturday 9 December from 10am to 5pm. This spectacle will allow you to learn more about military and civilian roles in the past as they bring the whole House to life.Tickets avaialble here.

• The farmer-led Marlborough Downs: Space for Nature group is looking for volunteers to help plant trees for tree sparrows on the downs on Monday 11 December and possibly Saturday 16 December as well. See here for details and how to book your place.

• Every year the Marlborough Christmas Lunch finishes with a raffle where guests don’t pay for tickets and every single guest gets a prize. Many of the guests do not receive gifts at Christmas so the organisers like to make sure everyone goes home with a little something. If you are able to donate a small prize they would be so grateful – anything from toiletries sets, wrapped boxes with some treats, socks, chocolates and biscuits etc. Please contact 07717 107623 or email vellis@thomasmae.co.uk

• ARK – Action for the River Kennet need volunteers to help survey for harvest mouse nests. It is contributing to the Mammal Society‘s National Harvest Mouse Survey by carrying out their annual check for the nests of Britain’s smallest mouse in the water meadow at their Stonebridge Wild River Reserve on Wednesday 6 Decemberfrom 9.30am to 3pm. Advanced booking is essential, so email anna@riverkennet.org

• Marlborough’s precept

This is the budget-setting season for councils at all levels. The main interest will be focussed on the district and county councils which raise council tax. Here, the increases are except in a few special cases limited to 2.99% (plus an extra 2% if the authority has responsibility for adult social care). Given the pressure that all councils are under, it would very surprising is pretty much all of them didn’t go for the maximum.

Even that might not be enough to retain all the services the main council currently provides. Many things are in whole or in part discretionary and these will get shed if there’s a risk that otherwise the authority won’t be able to meet its statuary obligations such as social care, education and recycling. If matters like clearing gullies, emptying dog bins and cutting verges can’t be done regularly or at all, then the town or parish will need to take them over if the service is to be retained. Some of these may require those councils to raise their precept (the amount each requests from its parent authority). It’s therefore against this backdrop of uncertainty that the parochial budgets are being prepared.

Town and parish councils, however, are not limited in the amount by which their precept can go up by. Marlborough News reports that Marlborough Town Council recently held a meeting to discuss this and it seems that the “likely increase (against the current year) will be ‘less than 8%’.” There are still some details to be confirmed, such as the planned Civil War re-enactment planned for next summer. The figure will be confirmed at the Town Council meeting in January.

The article concludes with an admonishment of councillors – and one (unnamed) councillor in particular – who do not turn up to meetings and so risk making them inquorate. “Being a Town Councillor is a position of privilege,” the piece concludes. “Each represents their fellow residents and it is a position of responsibility. Any meeting failing to reach quorum places an additional strain on those fellow Councillors who do turn up.”

I presume the councillor in question knows who they are and will, hopefully, improve their attendance record so as not to incur the wrath of this local publication again. Well done to MN for highlighting this: exactly what such publications should be doing.

Thursday 30 November 2023

Our usual round-up of local news includes: roads, trees, a battle, mouse nests, raffles and menus. See also below for community notices and news from your local council.

Upcoming Marlborough area events include: an orchestra, choral treats and festive markets. See below for details, plus regular events and group activities.

• There is an urgent road closure to George Lane, starting on Thursday 30 November for 5 days from 7.30 am to 5.30pm. The urgent mains repair will occur from outside St Thomas Moore Church in a westerly direction for approximately 25 metres. Diversions will be clearly indicated by traffic signs. Access will be maintained for residents and businesses where possible, although delays are likely. For further information please contact Thames Water 07759 124010 or track progress here.

Thursday 23 November 2023

Our usual round-up of local news includes: a school governor appeal, harvest mice, a silent auction and a speeding issue – plus a closer look at Marlborough Town Council’s objections to Wiltshire’s surprising housing-number announcement and a consultation about traffic calming. See also below for community notices and news from your local council.

Upcoming Marlborough area events include: A brass band, festive lights and a choir. See below for details, plus regular events and group activities.

• Quick reminder that the High Street will be closed to traffic from 4pm to 8pm this Friday 24 November for Marlborough’s Christmas Lights Switch on and Festive Market.

• Packaging Not Included zero waste shop in Hughenden Yard is changing its late night shopping from Wednesday to Friday next week only to coincide with the Christmas Lights Switch On on Friday 24 November. For more details about the shop see their facebook page here.

• It’s time to register for St Michael’s School Christmas Fair and Silent Auction by clicking here and bid for some amazing prizes.

• ARK – Action for the River Kennet need volunteers to help survey for harvest mouse nests. They are contributing to the Mammal Society‘s National Harvest Mouse Survey by carrying out their annual check for the nests of Britain’s smallest mouse in the water meadow at their Stonebridge Wild River Reserve on Wednesday 6 December from 9.30am to 3pm. Advanced booking is essential, so email anna@riverkennet.org

• The Merchant’s House is raising money to repair its roof. Please help support this cost to safeguard this nationally significant historic building. Donations of any amount are very gratefully received, either by cheque in the post, visiting their website here or by visiting The Merchant’s House to donate by cash or card.

• ARK (Action for the River Kennet) welcomes all to its AGM on Wednesday 29 November with guest speaker Mark Lloyd, CEO of The Rivers Trust.

• Quick reminder that Girls Rugby is really taking off in Marlborough and there are lots of opportunities to get involved as players, sponsors or volunteers. See here for more details and how to sign up for the Monday evening training on the common.

• Anyone that shops at Tesco in Marlborough please note that from October (for three months) the token drop will be open to support the Aldbourne Scouts and Guides’ Big New Hut project. Help them get the maximum donation of £1500.

• Calming the traffic

For some time, both Marlborough Town Council and Wiltshire Council have been looking at possible traffic-calming measures in the Frees Avenue area on the western edge of the town. Currently the 60mph national speed limit comes into force just before the entrance to Marlborough Cemetery. Wiltshire Council has issued a proposed order to implement a 40mph limit between the Cemetery and Rockley.

Over the last few years residents have appealed for more safety measures to protect pedestrians along Frees Avenue adjacent to the Rugby Club, Marlborough Common, Cemetery and the Wessex Ridgeway footpath.Some measures, such as white posts to highlight regular crossing points, have already been implemented.

There’s now a consultation on the matter, the full title of which is “TRO Consultation for C18 Frees Avenue, Marlborough, Preshute and Ogbourne St Andrew – 40mph Speed Limit.” You can click here to see this and to take part. This closes on 11 December. (This seems to be rather shorter than the six weeks that I thought was required for such things, but that’s what it says.)

At its planning committee meeting on 13 November, Marlborough TC resolved that it “welcomes the proposed introduction of a 40MPH speed limit between Frees Avenue and Rockley.” On this matter, therefor the two councils are in agreement. The same cannot, however, be said for the issue that we mentioned last week, that of the proposed increased housing allocations…

• Marlborough’s numbers

Last week (see below), we referred to an article in Marlborough News which “in effect proposed a further 370 new homes to be built within the Marlborough town boundary area, an extra 305 beyond the number identified in the Marlborough Area Neighbourhood Plan.” NDPs take a long time to do. Many might wonder what the point of them is if the housing numbers are dramatically revised upwards within months of ratification.

Wiltshire Council has a long-standing problem of not being able to demonstrate a five-year housing-land supply. This, coupled with the fact that its local plan needs refreshing, makes it easier for developers to win approval for applications on appeal. These higher targets would seem to be an attempt to address this. Marlborough TC, however, has other ideas. Having just done its NDP it has a good sense of what the town needs and what it can support.

This matter was discussed at the meeting of the town’s planning committee on 13 November 2023 and the following points were noted:

Strong objections to the proposed housing site at Chopping Knife Lane, which had been removed from the draft Marlborough Area Neighbourhood Plan (MANP) following objections from residents. There were concerns about vehicle access, increased traffic on roads already at capacity, lack of safe walking or cycling routes, the setting within the AONB, building on a greenfield site and the threat to the nearby River Kennet, an internationally recognised important chalk stream
Water: the local plan recognises that Marlborough Treatment Plant’s capacity to treat sewage is already inadequate and a wastewater upgrade will be required
Action for the River Kennet had raised strong objections about the proximity of new homes to the River Kennet and the potential wastewater issues with sewage discharging into the river
The site at Barton Dean had received many objections from residents and Preshute Parish Council, resulting in the Parish withdrawing from the MANP.
The Marlborough Area Neighbourhood Plan, made in March 2023 after 6 years of consultation and approved by residents, identified an additional 65 homes in 3 locations plus an additional medical facility. The Local Plan increased this to 600 new homes, of which 230 were not already developed, under development or approved/within the planning process. This was an unacceptable number.
With few employment opportunities within the town, the increase in population would result in the majority of new residents needing to travel elsewhere for employment, impacting already congested roads
A strong preference to find locations on brownfield sites or to extend existing settlements rather than build on greenfield sites
The Town Council had recently declared a housing emergency, and the 40% allocation to affordable housing was welcomed.

In conclusion, it was resolved that Marlborough Town Council has strong objections as outlined above to the proposed number of homes and the two locations at Chopping Knife Lane and Barton Dean. It supports in principle 40% of new developments to be affordable homes. The Town Council would prefer to see plans focusing on brownfield sites or extending existing settlements where possible.

Thursday 16 November 2023

Our usual round-up of local news includes: a new-look football club, a musical request a restoration plea and volunteers – plus a look at some news from Wiltschure Council which has produced a “strong objection” in Marlborough. See also below for community notices and news from your local council.

Upcoming Marlborough area events include: live performances, dark skies, nearly new clothes and Christmas signposts. See below for details, plus regular events and group activities.

This week’s news

• There was a good turn-out for Marlborough’s Remembrance Parade on Sunday, congratulations to the organisers and particpants. If you missed it here is a video on Marlborough Notice Board facebook group.

• Marlborough Town Football Club (MTFC) and Marlborough Youth Football Club (MYFC) have come together to create a seamless ‘5 to 105’ football organisation in Marlborough. A ceremony to sign the agreement took place in the now-shared Elcot Lane clubhouse on Monday 13 November, marking the association and a formal way forward. For 5-18 years enquiries click here, 18 + years enquiries click here and for 50+ enquiries click here.

• Still time to have your say here on the Wiltshire Local Plan before the consulation closes on 22 November. The Local Plan sets out the vision and framework for housing, infrastructure and land for employment growth for the next 15 years. See detailed comments on the plan here from Action for the River Kennet.

• Any small school choirs or local choirs are invited to perform in the foyer at Tesco Marlborough to entertain customers with Christmas carols in the run up to Christmas. Ideally, it will need to be acapella/ acoustic as space is limited. You can also fundraise for charity too. Please contact Carol Harrison, Tesco’s Community Champion, in store, if you are interested.

• The Merchant’s House has a complicated puzzle of roof, guttering, gable ends and voids created by additions and modifications over the years and it now needs repair and significant maintenance. The roof project was split in half, and they are now seeking funds for Phase 2b, to complete the works on the west side of the building. The project budget is £60,000, and once complete the historic building will be in a secure condition ready for the next exciting stage of The Merchant’s House plans. Please help support this cost to safeguard this nationally significant historic building. Donations of any amount are very gratefully received, either by cheque in the post, visiting their website here or by visiting The Merchant’s House to donate by cash or card.

• Connecting Wiltshire’s new direct Marlborough-Devizes 100/100x bus service is now running on Monday to Friday’s. Pre-booking is not required unless you wish to travel to or from a location with P displayed on the timetable.

• 1st Marlborough Rainbows is still looking for volunteers. Please get in touch here if you are interested in helping four to seven year olds on their adventures.

• Wiltshire’s Bobby Van Trust provides free home security service and online safety service to vulnerable local people. To raise funds they are holding a pop-up pre-loved clothes sale on Friday 17 November in Marlborough Town Hall between 9.30am and 4pm. This year their Vice Patron, Lady Landsdowne and Marlborough Mayor, Cllr Nick Fogg will be opening the event. See details here.

• St Michael’s PTA invites you to their popular Festive Wreath Making Evening, which will be held in the school hall from 7pm on Thursday 7 December.Tickets are £30 and can be booked online, paying by card or bank transfer (booking fee charged) or by emailing aldbournepta@gmail.com. All materials and festive treats provided, just bring your secateurs. Bar serving mulled wine and prosecco too.

• ARK (Action for the River Kennet) welcomes all to its AGM on Wednesday 29 November with guest speaker Mark Lloyd, CEO of The Rivers Trust.

• St Michael’s School, Aldbourne is hosting a tour for parents who child will be starting school in September 2024. Contact the office on admin@stmichaelsaldbourne.co.uk or phone 01672 540434.

• Marlborough’s numbers

Marlborough’s local plan was only made (the technical term for being adopted by the planning authority) in March, but already Wiltshire Council seems to be ignoring it. It’s worth stressing that, once made, the NDP becomes part of the local plan and as much a part of it as if the local planning authority had drafted it itself. It’s therefore its own plan that Wiltshire Council is ignoring.

Marlborough News reports here that at the 13 November meeting of Marlborough TC’s Planning Committee , “councillors voted overwhelmingly to object to the section of the Wiltshire Council ‘Local Plan’ that in effect proposed a further 370 new homes to be built within the Marlborough town boundary area, an extra 305 beyond the number identified in the Marlborough Area Neighbourhood Plan.”

The article goes on to provide MTC’s response to the announcement: “Marlborough Town Council has strong objections as outlined above to the proposed number of homes and the two locations at Chopping Knife Lane and Barton Dean. It supports in principle 40% of new developments to be affordable homes. The Town Council would prefer to see plans focusing on brownfield sites or extending existing settlements where possible.”

One of the advantages of doing an NDP – which is a prodigious piece of work – was that the town or parish/s involved then had a lot more in common than previously as they were both working from a document which both of them had drafted. That theory seems to be about to be put to the test in Marlborough.

“Maybe,” the Marlborough News article concludes with understandable waspishness, “Wiltshire Council’s team were actually looking at Marlborough New Zealand, or even Marlborough Massachusetts. Looking to find space and supportive infrastructure for a further three hundred plus homes in this actual town, they might as well have been.” Ouch…

Thursday 9 November 2023

Our usual round-up of local news includes: a nomination plea, a consultation, wreaths, volunteers and rugby – plus a proposal to declare a housing emergency in Marlborough. See also below for community notices and news from your local council.

Upcoming Marlborough area events include:Crocheting, dark skies, nearly new clothes and Christmas signposts. See below for details, plus regular events and group activities.

This week’s news

• Last chance to have your say on what bus services you would like to see in Wiltshire. More information can be found here. Closing date is a minute to midnight on Friday 10 November.

• Quick reminder that all town centre roads will be closed this Sunday 12 November between 10am to 11.30am for the Remembrance Parade. See more details on Marlborough Town Council’s facebook page including a cello and piano recital in St Peter’s Church in the evening.

• 1st Marlborough Rainbows is still looking for volunteers. Please get in touch here if you are interested in helping four to seven year olds on their adventures.

• Marlborough Town Council are keen to remind residents that there is a Planning Committee meeting on Monday 13 November in the Town Hall, starting at 7pm with public question time. See agenda here. The meeting will take place in the Court Room on the ground floor of the Town Hall. Entry is via the side door opposite Costa Coffee.

• Local charity Greatwood is looking for your support to help it raise an extra £5,000 to continue to provide their great services to young people. The Benefact Group have created a Children & Young People Special Draw, during which over 5 days, 10 charities could benefit from a cash grant of £5,000 each. Nominations are now open for you to support the incredible work that so many charities do to support children and young people and Greatwood would like to ask you to nominate them for this wonderful opportunity. Remember that the draw is only open for 5 days so nominate your favourite youth charity today here asap.

• Love Marlborough Kids Meals are looking for Volunteer Cook & Kitchen Helpers on Fridays between 2.30 and 5pm. Training will be given. Send a message via facebook or email volunteer@lovemarlboroughkidsmeals.org

• ARK (Action for the River Kennet) welcomes all to its AGM on Wednesday 29 November with guest speaker Mark Lloyd, CEO of The Rivers Trust.

• Marlborough’s emergency

This refers not to a flood, or traffic gridlock, or a power cut or a heard of escaped cattle (though all these have had their time in the media spotlight in recent years) but to the matter of social housing, or rather the lack of it, in the town. This is not a problem unique to Marlborough – most places in the area we cover would with justification say the same – but what’s rare is the the suggestion that the Town Council declare a housing emergency.

The proposal comes from former Mayor Mark Cooper and he articulated it at a meeting of Marlborough Town Council on 6 November. “The Social Housing situation is really poor,” he said. “Housing is being ‘sold off’, and it’s really difficult to get, and anything that we can do as the Town Council, working with other groups in the community is vital.” You can read the full story in Marlborough News here.

It’s an interesting idea. Town and parish councils, being only consultees in the planning process, have little direct power or influence unless they happen to be landowners. They do, however, have a good deal of coercive and perhaps even pester power as they can press for change, lobby district councillors and MPs and mobilise public opinion. Marlborough and, just down the A4, Hungerford are two examples of towns with effective town councils that enable them to punch above their weight when it comes to getting things done for their communities. This could be one way of doing it. It will be interesting to see how this develops.

Marlborough news describes the proposed initiative as “in effect raising of a big red flag which says – ‘there is a problem’.” The colour of the flag is not, the author is quick to point out, a political statement. after all, Marlborough’s Council is, like Hungerford’s, apolitical.

Thursday 2 November 2023

Our usual round-up of local news includes: rugby, wreath making, wreaths, cooks and tokens – plus a look at Gigaclear’s planned work on the High Street in early November. See also below for community notices and news from your local council.

Upcoming Marlborough area events include: Classical and contemporary musicians. See below for details, plus regular events and group activities.

This week’s news

• BBC Children in Need has commended local Marlborough resident Thomas as one of their Young Fundraiser of the Year nominees. Thomas who has UPD41, a rare chromosome disorder which affects his mobility and speech, was inspired by the Rickshaw Challenge, and cycled 67 miles on a tricycle over 3 weeks to fundraise for Children in Need!

• ARK (Action for the River Kennet) welcomes all to its AGM on Wednesday 29 November with guest speaker Mark Lloyd, CEO of The Rivers Trust.

• Good news that The Wiltshire Connect service will be Connecting Wiltshire even further by extending the on-demand bus service to cover the rural area to the east of Marlborough to Hungerford. In addition, the service will be launching new timetabled/semi-flexible services from Monday 30 October as follows: 100 Marlborough-Devizes, 101 Pewsey-Devizes (Revised timetable) , 110 Marlborough-Great Bedwyn-Hungerford For more information and timetables please click here

• Have your say on what bus services you would like to see in Wiltshire. More information can be found here. Closing date is a minute to midnight on Friday 10 November.

• Spurgeons Wiltshire Children’s Centres are offering a free session at Marlborough Library for families of 0-5 year olds to have some real fun with a range of activities based around stories and whats more every child receives a free book. Book your space by calling 0800 970 4669.

• For those wondering what to do with their pumpkins after Halloween, here are some creative suggestions. Just please don’t leave them on the ground in your garden or in woodland, as they are dangerous to hedgehogs and attract rats – see more in this request by the Woodland Trust.

• Gigaclear is (or soon will be) here

Marlborough Town Council has received a statement from Avonline Networks working on behalf of Gigaclear regarding works which have recently started in Marlborough High Street (though there seems no physical evidence at the time of writing). This includes the assurance that excavation work (though perhaps other work) will not take place on market days. The result will be the provision of ultrafast full fibre broadband to business and properties on the High Street.

“During these works Avonline will be completing their excavation predominantly in the carriageway utilising a narrow workspace,” the statement explains. “This won’t affect traffic flow but will result in some parking bays closest to the shops on the south side of the High Street being suspended. However, this will be a rolling suspension as site moves and will be limited to five to six at a time. When the works are required to go into the footway an alternative walkway will be provided in the carriageway, but these works will be minimal. Access to shops will not be impeded and if works outside business is required it will be completed when these businesses are closed or only if access can be maintained to minimise disruption.”

The works should be completed within three weeks and will not affect the twice weekly markets or any planned town events, such as Remembrance Sunday or Christmas light switch on. Anything excavated will be reinstated same day and site will be cleared at the end of every day to minimise disruption. In addition, the contractors have promised that letter drops and door knocks in advance of works commencing will take place for business advising of the works.

We spoke to Marlborough Town Council on 2 November to see if there was any confirmation of how long the works might last for and we told that they’re expected to be finished by 10 November. Of course, such things have a habit of over-running. Despite the inevitable disruption, hopefully the results will be worth it. Hopefully also there will be no repeat of the connectivity and post-installation problems that recently affected several Gigaclear customers just down the A4 in Hungerford; and also not of the clear-up problems that followed its work in Burghfield and Mortimer.

Any enquiries should be directed to networkbuildqueries@gigaclear.com or phone 01865 591131.

Thursday 26 October 2023

Our usual round-up of local news includes: bus options, parents, a mural, a consultation and a big new hut – plus a look at the Marlborough part of the local plan’s housing allocation, a new on-demand bus service and a proposed bike jump in Ramsbury See also below for community notices and news from your local council.

Upcoming Marlborough area events include: dance night and Scouts fireworks night. See below for details, plus regular events and group activities.

This week’s news

• Quick reminder to put your clocks back this Saturday and enjoy an extra hour in bed…

• ARK – Action for the River Kennet are proud that the Stonebridge mural continues to grow. Spray paint artist Janey Louise Fletcher is back to continue showcasing the River Kennet and Stonebridge Wild River Reserve and the wider Kennet catchment too. The wall features lots of amazing chalk stream creatures and plants; and other species you might be lucky enough to see near by as well. Check out a video of the mural here Pop along this week to see what’s new or to find out more about the reserve visit www.riverkennet.org

• If you have been wondering why the water in the River Kennet recently turned cloudy brown, ARK provides the answer here.

• Have your say on what bus services you would like to see in Wiltshire. More information can be found here. Closing date is a minute to midnight on Friday 10 November.

• Anyone that shops at Tesco in Marlborough please note that from October (for 3 months) the token drop will be open to support the Aldbourne Scouts and Guides Big New Hut project. Help them get the maximum donation of £1500.

• Wiltshire’s local plan

Marlborough News has recently taken a look at this important but also dauntingly complex and technical document as it affects the Marlborough area. West Berkshire’s recently submitted one ran to about 10,000 pages so be prepared. MN reports that just the Strategy for the Swindon Housing Market Area is 376 pages on its own but it has helpfully extracted the eight pages that relate to Marlborough.

600 homes are due to be built in the 2020 to 2038 period, although some of these have already been built. All of these new dwellings, the author correctly points out, “raise the question of infrastructure.” As many settlements in the area we cover, Wantage and Thatcham in particular, will attest, it’s a lot easier to build homes than it is to get the developers to do the mitigation measures: of, if they’ve agreed to pay for these in kind through S106 agreements, to get them to find the money and then for the planning authority to get the work done.

See the section above for details of how you can take part in the consultation on the plan (you need to have done this by 22 November).

I shall now stand back from this discussion and let Marlborough News, which has looked into the matter in this area more carefully than I have, take up the story from here…

• On-demand travel

Wiltshire Council’s new Wiltshire Connect on-demand bus services in the Pewsey Vale area has, a recent statement says, had “a hugely successful start, with more than 5,000 passengers travelling on the service in the first two months.” The service, which launched at the start of August, initially covered the area west of Pewsey, from Pewsey to Devizes, but now two additional Wiltshire Connect vehicles will begin on Monday 30 October, covering the rural area to the east of Marlborough to Hungerford.

For more information, please see this post on Wiltshire Council’s website.

• Ramsbury’s jump

The following is taken verbatim from the minutes of Ramsbury PC’s meeting on 16 October 2023:

“Six members of the public attended the meeting in support of a young resident’s appeal for the PC’s permission and support in creating a bike jump somewhere in the village. Questions were asked about what form they thought this might take, what it would look like, and where it might be located bearing in mind the need to avoid potential disturbance to nearby residents. After some wide-ranging discussion a possible site was mooted on an area of grass owned by the PC close to the surgery and this might be considered. The question of public liability for this activity could be a problem and one of the appellants volunteered to investigate what councils may have done about that in creating similar facilities elsewhere.

“It was agreed this idea should be given further consideration at the next meeting.”

Thursday 19 October 2023

Our usual round-up of local news includes: bus preferences, stress management, bulb planting and Christmas lights – plus a “warmly welcomed” presentation to Marlborough Town Council. See also below for community notices and news from your local council.

Upcoming Marlborough area events include: dance night and Scouts fireworks night. See below for details, plus regular events and group activities.

This week’s news

• Quick reminder to have your say on the Wiltshire Local Plan, with 16 drop-in events & an online event being held across the county and on Our Wiltshire. The Local Plan sets out the vision & framework for housing, infrastructure and land for employment growth for the next 15 years.

• All welcome at the Community Planting Day this Saturday 21 October from 1pm to 4pm at St George’s Church Yard. Gardening tools and bulbs supplied as well as a cup of tea to keep you going.

• Emma Gibbs is offering affordable ways to improve employees’ and individuals’ wellbeing on zoom. Whether you are negotiating remote working or an office environment, her 15 minute Wellbeing Pop-Ups could help you relax and connect. First two sessions are free with a request to donate to The British Red Cross Israel and Occupied Palestinian Territory Appeal. See more details here or contact Emma on 07929 935448 or emma.gibbs@gmail.com

• Have your say on what bus services you would like to see in Wiltshire. More information can be found here. Closing date is a minute to midnight on Friday 10 November.

• ARK – Action for the River Kennet are having a bulb planting day at Stonebridge Wild River Reserve on Wednesday 18 October from 12.30 to 4pm. If you would like to help please email anna@riverkennet.org

• Marlborough police would like to encourage people to join one of the many watch groups available through Wiltshire and Swindon Community Messaging. Farm Watch is the most appropriate for farmers and those living in rural areas of our beautiful county to receive alerts and crime prevention advice in real time for the area you live. It is a free service and you can join here.

• Quick reminder to buskers if you want to play at the Christmas Switch-on Event please contact Clare Harris at Marlborough Town Council on charris@marlborough-tc.gov.uk.

• Packaging Not Included zero waste shop in Marlborough’s Hughenden Yard is pleased to announce their first giveaway and it’s of their new local and sustainable Bramley Bath, Body & Home refill brand and the chance to win the entire range worth over £100. See here for how to enter by 30 October.

• Elm Tree’s plans

An article in Marlborough News looks at the plans for the redevelopment of the Elm Tree Cars site at Pelhams Court, details of which were presented to the Town Council’s Planning Committee meeting on 17 October. You can read MN’s report on this by clicking here.

Elm Tree’s owner, Mark Lovelace, is quoted as saying, in answer to the question as to why this was happening, that the current site “is a large brownfield area much bigger than we need and is always requiring a significant investment. It is ideal for housing with a beautiful river frontage and we are incorporating a number of wildlife and environmentally beneficial features in to our application.” He added that the company has “no plans to cease trading” and is searching for a more suitable site elsewhere, presumably in or near the town.

The article also pointed out that this was’t an application but “an early presentation of the initial ideas and plans so that the Town Council could comment and advise before any formal submission.” It went on the say that the councillors “warmly welcomed” this approach.

I’d imagine they did. This kind of pre-presentation doesn’t always happen. It demonstrated a useful blend of prudence and courtesy which is often not seens. Town and parish councils do not get to decide planning applications, only to comment on them, but they can make a fair bit of trouble if they wish.

One of the reasons they might be miffed is if they feel the application has been sprung on them. Also – and here’s a point that some developers ignore, though perhaps less so ones who are based in the area – town and parish councils do tend to know a bit about the area, and the planning system, and thus may be able to offer useful advice. In any event, building anything is an expensive and fraught enough process as it is without needlessly making enemies. All in all, an auspicious first step for this proposal.

Thursday 12 October 2023

Our usual round-up of local news includes: mops, rugby, planting, packaging and schools. See also below for community notices and news from your local council.

Upcoming Marlborough area events include: Marlborough Mop, Lasso the Moon dance night and more. See below for details, plus regular events and group activities.

This week’s news

• We are sure you don’t need reminding that it will be the second Marlborough Mop this Saturday 14 October so the High Street will be closed for parking on Friday and Saturday. The fair will finish about 11pm on Saturday. See details here.

• Marlborough Rugby Club will be hosting ‘Rugby Royalty’ London Welsh this Saturday 14 October at 2pm on The Common. The Club will also be screening this weekend’s World Cup Quarter Final matches. All welcome.

• Congratulations to Marlborough Law for reaching their 700th client after just 7 years in business as a small, local firm. Director Karen Salmon says “this achievement is not just a number; it represents the trust and confidence that our clients have placed in us over the years. As we celebrate our 700th client, we also celebrate the stories, challenges, and successes that have shaped our journey.”

• If you would like to reduce your energy bills and carbon footprint, there is a great opportunity this weekend to find out about a range of sustainable options at Green Open Homes across the Bedwyn, Hungerford and Pewsey area. Book appointments to talk to homeowners and see a range of systems in action and take advice from those with experience (who aren’t trying to sell something).

• All welcome at the Community Planting Day on Saturday 21 October from 1pm to 4pm at St George’s Church Yard. Gardening tools and bulbs supplied as well as a cup of tea to keep you going.

• Quick reminder to buskers if you want to play at the Christmas Switch-on Event please contact Clare Harris at Marlborough Town Council on charris@marlborough-tc.gov.uk.

• Don’t forget to have your say on the Wiltshire Local Plan, with 16 drop-in events & an online event being held across the county and on Our Wiltshire. The Local Plan sets out the vision & framework for housing, infrastructure and land for employment growth for the next 15 years.

• For families living east of Marlborough, Hungerford’s John O’Gaunt School combines big school ambition with small school care and invites prospective students to their last Open Morning Tour on Monday 16 October. See here for details and book your place with the school office on 01488 682400 or jogoffice@excalibur.org.uk

• ARK – Action for the River Kennet would like to remind everyone that there is no permission is given for fishing at Stonebridge Wild River Reserve, Marlborough.

• St Michael’s School, Aldbourne are hosting a tour for parents who child will be starting school in September 2024. Contact the office on admin@stmichaelsaldbourne.co.uk or phone 01672 540434.

Thursday 5 October 2023

This week we cover dance, rugby, nature, literature, friends a mound and a local plan – plus our usual round-up of other local news, local events and activities and news from your local councils.

This week’s news

• Girls rugby is really taking off in Marlborough and there are lots of opportunities to get involved as players, sponsors or volunteers. See here for more details and how to sign up for the Monday evening training on the common.

•Marlborough Town Council is excited to support a new website explaining the history of the Marlborough Mound (better known as Merlin’s Mound to locals), with articles, images and more. Check it out here.

• On Tuesday 24 October, from 10am to noon, come to the reserve at Rockley, Marlborough SN8 1RT and see which animals leave our country for warmer climates and which animals build nests and sleep all winter? Come to the reserve and let’s see what is still around. There will be a craft activity included in this event and this family session is aimed at children aged 4-8 years. The event is free but please make sure you apply for a ticket for adults and children over here.

• If you don’t think dance nights should just be for festivals, bop along to the pop-up dance event at Bedwyn Village Hall on Saturday 28 October for one night of uplifting dance on the doorstep. The local organisers have lined up 2 amazing DJs who will be opening up their record boxes for us with tunes to lift the spirits and make you smile. Please come and support this new venture, Lasso the Moon which promises to be a fantastic event.

• Clare Harris is putting a shout out to any local buskers who would like to come along to the Christmas Switch-on Event on Friday 24 November from 5pm – 8pm. Spaces will be allocated along the length of the High Street to entertain the crowds. If this sounds like something you’d be interested in and would like to find out more, please contact Clare Harris – Marlborough Town Council charris@marlborough-tc.gov.uk

• Marlborough Literature Festival have a Children’s Litfest this year with free storytelling slots, craft activities and free author talks to local schoolchildren as well as a bumper crop of children’s authors on offer. This year an expanded children’s programme features more events than ever for all ages. Pick up a leaflet in The White Horse Bookshop , Marlborough Library or shops along Marlborough High Street, for all the details. More information here.

• Quick reminder that the Friends of the Victorian Cemetery are looking for more volunteers to join their existing group which has been going for over 8 years. They are mainly a retired group and their official working meeting morning is the second Monday in the month 10am to 12pm, and some established volunteers go on Fridays mornings as well. They support Marlborough Town Council in keeping this beautiful cemetery as a special place where people can walk through or just sit and reflect on life. If you’d like to know more email margaretrrose@hotmail.co.uk or check out marlborough-tc.gov.uk/the-victorian-cemetery

• Wiltshire Connect buses now cover Marlborough For more information on the service and to download the Connecting Wiltshire booking app click here.

• Packaging Not Included zero waste shop in Marlborough’s Hughenden Yard is pleased to announce their new opening hours and a new counter service where you can drop off your shopping list for the staff for fulfill for you.

• For families living east of Marlborough, Hungerford’s John O’Gaunt School combines big school ambition with small school care and invites prospective students to their Open Evening on Thursday 12 October and their Open Morning Tours on Friday 13 and Monday 16 October. See here for details and book your place with the school office on 01488 682400 or jogoffice@excalibur.org.uk

• ARK – Action for the River Kennet would like to remind everyone that there is no permission is given for fishing at Stonebridge Wild River Reserve, Marlborough.

• St Michael’s School, Aldbourne are hosting a tour for parents who child will be starting school in September 2024. Contact the office on admin@stmichaelsaldbourne.co.uk or phone 01672 540434

Thursday 21 September 2023

This week we cover steaming, the Litfest, scouting, a river watch, cemetery friends and recycling – plus our usual round-up of other local news, local events and activities and news from your local councils.

We’re taking a bit of time off so this post will next be updated on Thursday 5 October.

This week’s news

• It’s Crofton Steam Engines last Steaming weekend on Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 September at Crofton Beam Engines. Step back in time to when steam ruled all and explore this hidden gem in Wiltshire’s history. Learn of the station’s history, and its restoration. Speak with volunteers in and around the Engine House. Discover the engineering challenges and the people who overcame them to build the canal and make sure that it had a plentiful supply of water. Opening times 10am to 5pm Tickets here

• Scouting For Girls return to Marlborough for an exclusive outdoor performance at Marlborough College Memorial Hall on Friday 20 October at 8pm to celebrate the release of the much loved trio’s new album ‘The Place We Used To Meet’. Tickets and album bundles available here from 11am (please note- the ticket link will not be live until that time).

• Wiltshire Connect buses have arrived in Marlborough this week. For more information on the service and to download the Connecting Wiltshire booking app click here.

• Action for the River Kennet encourage everyone to join The Rivers Trust‘s first ever Big River Watch from Friday 22 to Monday 24 September. You just have to spend 15 minutes observing the wildlife, water colour, litter and pollution in your local river or stream to help gather vital data on the state of our rivers, to support the work being done to improve and protect them. Find out more here.

• ARK – Action for the River Kennet would like to remind everyone that there is no permission is given for fishing at Stonebridge Wild River Reserve, Marlborough.

Aldbourne

Thursday 14 September 2023

This week we cover a cemetery, a local plan, a councillor vacancy, singing and a school open day – plus our usual round-up of other local news, local events and activities and news from your local councils.

This week’s news

• The Friends of the Victorian Cemetery are looking for more volunteers to join their existing group which has been going for over 8 years. They are mainly a retired group and their official working meeting morning is the second Monday in the month 10am to 12pm, and some established volunteers go on Fridays mornings as well. They support Marlborough Town Council in keeping this beautiful cemetery as a special place where people can walk through or just sit and reflect on life. If you’d like to know more email margaretrrose@hotmail.co.uk or check out marlborough-tc.gov.uk/the-victorian-cemetery

• There’s an extra-ordinary meeting of the Full Marlborough Town Council on Monday 18 September in the Town Hall at 7pm. This meeting has been called for Councillors to co-opt a Councillor to fill the vacancy for Marlborough Town Councillor – East Ward following no residents requesting an election. It will, as usual, begin with Public Question Time for which the agenda is here.

• Wiltshire Connect buses have arrived in Marlborough this week. For more information on the service and to download the Connecting Wiltshire booking app click here.

• Bedwyn Music Society welcomes you to a world class Piano Recital by Yuanfan Yang, this Friday 15 September at St Mary’s Church Great Bedwyn. Tickets £15 on the door.

• If you love to sing why not join Marlborough Choral Society who meet on Monday evenings at 7.30pm at St Mary’s Church, starting next Monday 18 September. Check here for more details or call Sally on 07778 038963.

• ARK – Action for the River Kennet would like to remind everyone that there is no permission is given for fishing at Stonebridge Wild River Reserve, Marlborough.

Aldbourne

Friday 8 September 2023

This week we cover first aid, bridge, murals, rugby, support groups, a charity sale and a revised planning application in York Place – plus there’s our usual round-up of other local news, local events and activities and news from your local councils.

Apologies that this is a day late. As many of you will know, we were recently beset by IT problems severe enough to make us wonder if we’d ever get this out at all. Apologies on behalf of the gremlin or gremlins responsible.

This week’s news

• If you would like to increase your confidence to act appropriately in an emergency situation do or need to renew your accredited first aid certificate then you can join these first aid courses on Wednesday 13 September (click here) or Wednesday 1 November in Marlborough ( click here ) Each course has options for number of hours and level of accreditation.

• Claire Jolly wants to seek out other female motorbike riders who would like to join a club. The Fallen Maidens sisterhood are an all female club that meets up once a fortnight; at a child friendly pub, with lots of other meets also and regular ride outs to be organised. Why not go along to one of their meetings and see what they’re about. Message Claire Jolly on facebook.

• If you are aged between 16 and 24 and looking to take the next step towards a new career Greatwood have a free accredited course starting next month. For more information please phone 01672 514535 or email alex.shaw@greatwoodcharity.org

• The Parade Cinema Marlborough invites all local businesses to be part of their regular Networking Group, in partnership with Print Image and Mcfarlane Property Marlborough on Thursday 14 September at 5.30pm. It’s a great opportunity to meet with fellow local businesses, share news & ideas and make connections!

• ARK – Action for the River Kennet recommends a visit to the spray paint mural on Stonebridge Lane showcasing the fantastic wildlife found in and by the Kennet at Stonebridge Wild River Reserve, Marlborough and beyond.

• A Parents and Carers Support Group for people with neurodiverse children is starting from Monday 25 September at Great Bedwyn Village Hall on the third Monday of the month, from 6pm to 7.30pm. Contact Katie on 07958 369754 for more information.

• The Silks on the Downs in Ogbourne St Andrew is delighted to confirm its bridge group will meet on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month. If you would like to join the group please contact jonandruthfleming@gmail.com.

• The Friends of Savernake Hospital are always on the look-out for good quality paperbacks to sell in their shop in the foyer of the hospital, or via their ward trolley service. If you have any that you would be willing to donate, the shop volunteers would be delighted to receive them (Opening hours: 10-1 Monday to Friday).

• The Trussell Trust’s Step Up September Challenge is in aid of preventing the need for Foodbanks. Please click here if you would like to sponsor Penny doing the challenge.

• ARK – Action for the River Kennet is happy to announce that spray paint artist Janey Louise Fletcher is busy working on the second section of a mural, which features many of the species you might be lucky enough to spot when you visit Stonebridge Wild River Reserve in Marlborough. See here to find out more about the reserve and view the extraordinary mural.

• Don’t forget Marlborough Common’s Charity Car Boot Sale will be on Sunday 10 September. Gates open at 8am.

• Marlborough Rugby Club invites you to have a go at Walking Rugby. Email simon.barter1@btinternet.com for full details or call him on 07734 724139.

• Quick reminder that Wiltshire Council is consulting on its draft Air Quality Action Plan and Air Quality Supplementary Planning Document (SPD). Click here for more information and how to have your say.

• St Mary’s Marlborough Bellringers are recruiting. If you would like to have a go (no previous experience required) contact for more information by email marlborough.branch@outlook.com or phone Julie on 07392 768266

• ARK – Action for the River Kennet would like to remind everyone that there is no permission is given for fishing at Stonebridge Wild River Reserve, Marlborough.

• Marlborough Town Council reminds residents that Household Recycling Centres (HRCs) have now reverted to their summer opening hours. They open at 9am (instead of 10am) on each day they’re open. Find your nearest HRC here.

Aldbourne

• It’s great news that Aldbourne Guides are set to reopen in September 2023. If you have a daughter rising 10 year old or under 14 who are interested, please contact Wendy Beattie on Wendybeattie19@hotmail.com

Same number, different plans

Marlborough News reports that “the housing association Aster, the owners of York Place in St Martins has now submitted a second (revised) Planning Application following the reaction to that originally submitted (PL/2023/03305). Same reference, now updated. However, at last night’s meeting (Monday 4 September) of the Marlborough Town Council Planning Committee this latest revised application was unanimously rejected by Councillors.”

If you want to read more, click here for the full article.

Thursday 31 August 2023

This week we cover parental support, bridge, walking rugby, pride, a mural and air quality – plus our usual round-up of other local news, local events and activities and news from your local councils.

Scroll down below “This weeks news” for a report on ash-tree felling, the chance to wander with a ranger in the West Woods and the possible demise of the nutrient neutrality regulations which affect planning decisions in some parts of this area.

This week’s news

• The Silks on the Downs in Ogbourne St Andrew is delighted to confirm their Bridge Group will meet on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month. If you would like to join the group please contact jonandruthfleming@gmail.com.

• The Trussell Trust’s Step Up September Challenge is an inspiration to walk 30 minutes each day of the month to raise funds to help build a future where nobody needs to use a food bank. If you would like to join our Penny Post Team, please search for ‘Penny’ when it asks you to find a team (thanks to Leo Sumner for setting this up). Or if you prefer to sponsor Penny, please do so here.

• Don’t forget Marlborough Common’s Charity Car Boot Sale will be on Sunday 10 September. Gates open at 8am.

• Marlborough Rugby Club invites you to have a go at Walking Rugby. Email simon.barter1@btinternet.com for full details or call him on 07734 724139.

• After the original date was ‘washed out, Pewsey Pride will take place on Saturday 2 September 2pm at the Cooper’s Field. Supported by Pewsey Carnival and open to all come and celebrate diversity.

• Join Menopause Morning at Space NK Marlborough on Wednesday 30 August to discover more about the menopause and feel like your best self. Click here to book your free place.

• ARK – Action for the River Kennet would like to remind everyone that there is no permission is given for fishing at Stonebridge Wild River Reserve, Marlborough.

Aldbourne

• Aldbourne Band is looking forward to the final summer series concert on the village green on Sunday 3 September at 6.45pm.Rounding off the 108th Aldbourne Carnival celebrations. The concert will follow a short service from Aldbourne Churches Together starting at 6pm, also held on the green. Featuring music from their newly released CD ‘Aldbourne Rejoicing’, in addition to fantastic solos and other toe-tapping tunes, this will be the last concert by the band before they head to Symphony Hall to compete at the British Open.

Felling the trees

Forestry England has announced that work has started along the edge of roads through the Savernake Forest to remove diseased ash trees. The mainly affects the road south of Marlborough towards Burbage’

“Earlier in the summer,’ a statement form Forestry England reads, “I wrote [to local councils] to let you know of the work that was about to happen on the A346. As I am sure you are aware, this work never started. This was due to the contractor being delayed at another site. I thank you for your patience whist we have been trying to reschedule works. ” This work has now started.

Traffic along the A346 will be managed by a single land closure with two-way traffic signals operating 9.30am to 4pm Monday to Friday between Postern Hill and Leigh hill. There may be occasions when traffic lights are double red for a short time to allow safe working. Road users should expect delays on the A346 during operating hours.

Why is this needed? “All the ash trees showing more than 50% crown dieback within a tree length of the public highway will be felled or otherwise made safe, ie pollarded and left standing” Forestry England explains. “At the same time, we are removing some additional trees because they are growing close to veteran trees. This ‘haloing’ gives the veterans more light and space to remain healthy. The understorey of smaller trees and shrubs within five metres of the road will be coppiced to improve visibility along the road.

The statement goes on to say that “felling trees is an important part of sustainable forest management and well managed forests support more wildlife. Before we start any forestry work, we carry out thorough ecological surveys to check for species such as birds, mammals, rodents, invertebrates, flora, and fungi. We consider our findings against complex factors including tree health, how the ground slopes, soil condition, and likely rainfall when planning forestry work. Where it is safe, we will leave some standing dead trees to provide insect habitat and perches for birds, and we will leave as much dead wood on site as possible to support Savernake’s important dead wood habitat. Our forestry team will keep all machinery at least five metres away from all veteran trees. While working, we continue to check for wildlife and adapt, pause or suspend work if necessary.”

There is more information about this work on the Forestry England website.

Wander with a ranger

And still with Forestry England, you can get closer to nature this autumn with a guided woodland wander during September. Forestry England will host two FREE guided walks through beautiful West Woods, 10 minutes from Marlborough, on 13 and 20 September. FE invites you to “join our friendly and knowledgeable ranger to learn what makes each of the nation’s forests unique and how they are cared for by Forestry England. Explore the trees of West Woods and find out how the forest provides a place for people to enjoy, space for wildlife to thrive, and sustainable timber for the UK economy.”

“Every forest is special in its own way and West Woods is no exception with so much to discover,” Community ranger and walk leader, Siân Brewer, explains. “These walks will set out along the historic Wansdyke to explore the many tree species in the forest and try spotting signs of wildlife. We’ll discuss some of West Woods’ other special archaeology, including the 40 metre Neolithic longbarrow, and look at some of the ways West Woods is managed and cared for to protect its special character while growing sustainable timber that becomes essential wood products.”

Walks will start from West Woods car park on Wednesday 13 September, 6.00 to7.15pm and Wednesday 20 September, 6.00 to 7.15pm. Places are limited so booking is essential.

Nutrient neutrality

In the last eighteen months we’ve heard a lot about these Natural England regulations which were introduced in several parts of the country including Lambourn catchment area (which includes a good chunk of West Berkshire and also extends into the Vale of White Horse and Wiltshire) last year. The intention was to reduce the amount of phosphates and nitrates which entered our waterways; and the number-one target was held to be new housing developments of any size. Trying to implement these new regulations caused local planning departments considerable headaches and certainly caused delay to decision-making. Now, just when officers seem to have got their heads round the issue, the government has said that it wants to do away with the whole thing. This will, Whitehall’s rationale runs, remove another EU-imposed shackle on national growth and help ensure that we get our house-building targets back on track.

In this separate post, we take a look at what the nutrient neutrality policies are (and are not), why they are in several ways misguided and what positive effects they have so far had. We also consider the political time and the legal implications of the announcement and wonder if the environment has, as campaigner and musician Feargal Sharkey suggested, “been left to fend for itself.”

Thursday 24 August 2023

This week we cover a mural, new packaging, play equipment, two campaign awards and two boot sales – plus our usual round-up of other local news, local events and activities and news from your local councils.

Scroll down below “This weeks news” for a report on Marlborough’s air and a reminder about a campaign by the Town Council.

This week’s news

• ARK – Action for the River Kennet is happy to announce that spray paint artist Janey Louise Fletcher is busy working on the second section of a mural, which features many of thespecies you might be lucky enough to spot when you visit Stonebridge Wild River Reserve in Marlborough. See here to find out more about the reserve and view the extraordinary mural.

• Sarah, the new owner of Packaging Not Included reports on her first month of running this lovely zero waste shop in Hughenden Yard just off Marlborough High Street.

• Marlborough Town Council is sorry that an item of play equipment at The Recreation Ground in Salisbury Road is temporarily out of action. The safety surface is damaged and awaiting repair so it has been closed it off for your protection.

• Postern Hill Campsite is very excited to have partnered with Explore the Great Outdoors to run some Woodland Activity Events on site every Monday until the 28 August, an amazing outdoor activity for all ages. Campers under the age of 18 will need adult supervision at all times.

• Don’t forget Marlborough Common’s Charity Car Boot Sale will be on Sunday 10 September. Gates open at 8am.

• Congratulations to the Bedwyn Train Passenger Group (which has been campaigning for improved rail services from Bedwyn, Hungerford, Kintbury and Newbury since 2006) which recently picked up two gongs at Railfuture’s annual awards. More information on this and the BTPG’s latest news on services, please click here.

• To honour the memory of beloved horse Ouzbeck, Greatwood have decided to launch a new fundraising campaign to keep his legacy alive. Currently Greatwood does not own a horse lorry but thanks to Ouzbeck’s incredible work at care homes and within the wider community, the need for external support has increased considerably to the point that they would now like to purchase their own vehicle. See more details and how to donate here.

• Marlborough and District Rotary Club invite you to their Bank Holiday Car Boot Sale on Monday 28 August at Marlborough Rugby Club. Sellers to turn up at 7am, buyers at 8am, closing at 12pm. For further information click here.

• Marlborough Rugby Club invites you to have a go at Walking Rugby. Email simon.barter1@btinternet.com for full details or call him on 07734 724139.

• Join Menopause Morning at Space NK Marlborough on Wednesday 30 August to discover more about the menopause and feel like your best self. Click here to book your free place.

• ARK – Action for the River Kennet would like to remind everyone that there is no permission is given for fishing at Stonebridge Wild River Reserve, Marlborough.

Aldbourne

• Don’t forget it’s Aldbourne Carnival at the Football Field on Saturday 26 August from 2pm to 8pm including live music, soap box race, car boot sale (from 1pm to 3pm), barbecue and bar.

The air that we breathe

The Gazette and Herald reports that “recent data from Wiltshire Council reveals Marlborough has dangerous levels of pollution – and traffic has been found to be one of the key culprits.” The town apparently has the third-worst air in Wiltshire: not one of the country’s most polluted counties, but even so. The article says that the levels have improved since 2012 but “are still too high to be deemed acceptable.”

Slow-moving traffic in the High Street (when is it ever at any other speed?) is certainly part of the problem and in July 2023 the Town Council introduced a “no idling” campaign which is still very much active. This urges people to turn off their engines when waiting for lights, traffic jams of whatever else is holding them up. It also suggest that people sometimes leave engines running while dropping something off. Having learned to drive and spent the best part of my life living in London, I would never do that: someone would have leaped in and driven off before I’d rung the door bell.

The Council also suggests that people often do this while parked to check their phones. This may be true but there’s another danger here. My understanding is that it’s an offence to use a mobile in a car unless you’re parked and the engine is switched off. So, checking that text with the engine running will not only release more particulates but could also cost you three points on your licence.

Thursday 17 August 2023

This week we cover a car boot sale, rugby, classic cars, road closures, a village fete and a walking festival – plus our usual round-up of other local news, local events and activities and news from your local councils.

This week’s news

• Enjoy a classic car event at Ogbourne Downs Golf Club this Saturday 19 August. Classics to arrive from 11am, open to visitors from 12pm to 3pm with bar, refreshments, music, charity stands. Children but must be accompanied by an adult.

• Quick reminder that the rescheduled Minal Village Fete is this Sunday 20 August on the Sports Field from 1pm to 4.30pm followed by live music. See here for details.

• There will be a temporary road closure from Friday 18 to Saturday 19 August in High Street, Manton. For further details check here.

• Marlborough Rugby Club invites you to have a go at Walking Rugby. Email simon.barter1@btinternet.com for full details or call him on 07734 724139.

• Join Menopause Morning at Space NK Marlborough on Wednesday 30 August to discover more about the menopause and feel like your best self. Click here to book your free place.

• ARK – Action for the River Kennet would like to remind everyone that there is no permission is given for fishing at Stonebridge Wild River Reserve, Marlborough.

Aldbourne

• Enjoy Two Complicated playing live at The Blue Boar in Aldbourne on Sunday 20 August from 5pm.

Thursday 10 August 2023

This week we cover camping, dark skies, rugby, air quality, recycling and a car boot sale – plus our usual round-up of other local news, local events and activities and news from your local councils.

This week’s news

• Marlborough Rugby Club invites you to have a go at Walking Rugby. Email simon.barter1@btinternet.com for full details or call him on 07734 724139. The club also invites you to an exciting pre-season game against the Welsh Championship side Brecon on Saturday 12 August. The fun begins at 11am, with a display of classic cars, games, and delicious food and refreshments available to purchase.

• Greatwood charity’s Summer Camp is for Year 5-7 students looking to boost their confidence with the horses, dogs and chickens. The course runs from Monday 21 to Friday 25 August and costs £120. Apply to education@greatwoodcharity.org

• Minal Village Fete has been rescheduled to Sunday 20 August on the Sports Field from 1pm to 4.30pm followed by live music. See here for detaiils.

• Join Menopause Morning at Space NK Marlborough on Wednesday 30 August to discover more about the menopause and feel like your best self. There will be a menopause / midlife hair expert, Angharad Beck, to discuss hair and a colour specialist will be demonstrating a makeup look for mature skin and other skin challenges. Click here to book your free place.

• There is a free ‘Marlborough Dark Skies’ children’s activity taking place in a mobile planetarium in the Town Hall on Saturday 12 August from 10am. will be in town. Please be aware, that the planetarium can only hold a limited number of people at a time, so admission will be on a first come, first served basis.

• This week, Housing Secretary Michael Gove is urging social housing tenants to complain about substandard housing. Residents are being encouraged to make their voices heard by complaining to their landlord in the first instance and then escalating to the Housing Ombudsman if they are unhappy with the landlord’s final response. For more information click here.

• ARK – Action for the River Kennet would like to remind everyone that there is no permission is given for fishing at Stonebridge Wild River Reserve, Marlborough.

Aldbourne

• There will be a funday fundraiser on Saturday 12 August at Aldbourne Football Field in aid of a memorial stone for WW2 servicemen and personnel who were stationed in Aldbourne. If you would like to donate a raffle prize or have a stall please contact Sharon the organiser on facebook.

Thursday 3 August 2023

This week we cover blue badges, dark skies, rugby ferrets, air quality, an offer for artisans and eco examples from other town and parish councils – plus our usual round-up of other local news, local events and activities and news from your local councils.

This week’s news

• Marlborough Town Council is pleased to report that Wiltshire Council has issued a press notice to confirm that an order came into operation on 1 August meaning that, once a valid parking ticket has been purchased, holders of a blue badge are entitled to an additional hour of parking free of charge in pay and display car parks across Wiltshire. Furthermore from 31 July an on-demand bus service is serving communities between Pewsey Vale to Devizes. For full details and to download timetables, click here.

• Marlborough Rugby Club are grateful for the support of sponsors and attendees alike for their ferret racing evening. They are open again this Friday 4 August, the final Friday opening before their season officially starts. They’ll be offering buy one get one free on all draught beverages and prosecco at £12.00 per bottle, as well as skittles and pub games to try for free.

• Congratulations to the pupils at Ramsbury Primary School who raised over £1,100 for the charity ARK, (Action for the River Kennet) in this year’s Schools Triathlon. See full story on marlborough.news

• There is a free ‘Marlborough Dark Skies’ children’s activity taking place in the Town Hall on Saturday 12 August from 10am. Thanks to the North Wessex Downs AONB, Marlborough Town Council and Bath Astronomers, a mobile planetarium will be in town. Please be aware, that the planetarium can only hold a limited number of people at a time, so admission will be on a first come, first served basis.

• Marlborough Rugby invites you to an exciting pre-season game against the Welsh Championship side Brecon on Saturday 12 August. The fun begins at 11am, with a display of classic cars, games, and delicious food and refreshments available to purchase. The match starts at 1.30pm, followed by the England v Wales game live on the big screen at 5:30pm. Feel free to bring your picnic tables and chairs for a delightful afternoon of rugby and entertainment.

• Our Wiltshire is working with 16 organisations to provide this year’s Summer FUEL programme, providing a range of fun activities throughout the county. All the details on how to book places can be found here.

• For ladies concerned about the cost of HRT, a new Prescription Pre-payment Certificate (PPC) is now available, where you can make a much lower one-off payment. Visit gov.uk for details. One lady paid just £19.40 for the year (yes a year), and that covers her for every HRT prescription she now gets – a saving to her of around £76. This scheme only came out in April this year, so please spread the word.

• ARK – Action for the River Kennet would like to remind everyone that there is no permission is given for fishing at Stonebridge Wild River Reserve, Marlborough.

Aldbourne

• Don’t miss out on everything that Aldbourne Music and Song Festival has planned from Friday 28 July to Sunday 6 August. There’s something for everyone.

• Aldbourne Band‘s annual ‘Proms on the Green’ concert will soon be upon us. Held on the village green on Sunday 6 August at 4pm, this concert concludes the Aldbourne Music and Song Festival. With a tea and cake stall and an exciting raffle organised by the Friends of Aldbourne Band, this event is one of the highlights in the band’s calendar. Pack a picnic, a flag and bring along your best singing voice for an afternoon of pomp and celebration. As ever, should the weather be inclement, the concert will move into St Michael’s Church.

An offer from the Show

After a three-year pause – two due to Covid and the third to a change of management – the Newbury Show is back on 16 and 17 September. The organisers have recently announced a special offer for any local artists, artisans and craftspeople who want to take a stall. A 3m x 3m stand will cost only £300 for anyone within 15 miles of the Showground, rather than the usual £500. The Show is expected to attract 50,000 people over the weekend, so one way of looking at this is having about one third of the population of West Berkshire coming to see your wares.

For more information on this offer, and the Show generally, click here.

Parish councils making the change

The minutes of the 17 July 2023 meeting of Ramsbury and Axford Parish Council include a report on a recent event that a councillor had recently attended. This was “Parish Councils Fighting Climate Change” organised by the National Association of Local Councils (NALC) and included presentations from three bodies (Swantage TC, Drafron PC and The Centre for Sustainable Energy) about what steps each has taken to introduce appropriate policies and initiatives. These include schemes relating to reducing plastic and pesticide use, energy reduction measures, encouraging cycling, support for sustainable-energy projects and home insulation. The CSE also offered advice about starting small, ensuring community engagement, light-touch education and the importance of local councils getting involved in any wind or solar farms from the outset.

Many organisations and individuals are striving to do more in these areas but it can be hard to know where to start. This kind of achievement sharing will help provide ideas, as well as points of contact from councils or or other bodies that have already started work on a particular initiative. It’s also encouraging to know that others elsewhere are doing similar things.

Thursday 27 July 2023

This week we cover idling, rugby, pink stumps, a run, a children’s book and summer fuel – plus our usual round-up of other local news, local events and activities and news from your local councils.

Scroll down below “This weeks news” for the coming of an on-demand bus service to connect Marlborough with the east and the west.

This week’s news

• On the back of Marlborough Town Council’s switch off when idling’ campaign launched last week, Wiltshire Council is consulting on its draft action plan about air quality. This is your chance to read and contribute comments.They’ve started a six-week consultation on our draft Air Quality Action Plan and Air Quality Supplementary Planning Document (SPD). Click here for more information.

• This Saturday 29 July, Marlborough Common 5k Your Way, Move Against Cancer will meet 8.50am at the blue flag. This is for anyone who has had a cancer diagnosis and their family to run or walk the 5k your own way (or any distance). Exercise helps in recovery. If nervous about attending please email on marlboroughgroup@5kyourway.org With 1 in 2 people receiving a cancer diagnosis, you are not alone. Meet afterwards at the Marlborough Golf Club for a coffee.

• Trail Break‘s Ride to Remember returns on Saturday 11 November, raising funds for the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal. The event will be returning to it’s original Marlborough Downs home, but based at a great new venue, where they’ll be working with a fantastic hosting partner – full details and event booking open very soon.

• Come and support Pink Stumps Day at Marlborough College on Monday 7 August at 11 am. Enjoy a great game of cricket whilst helping to raise funds for Breast Cancer Charities.

• Everyone who knew her was shocked and saddened to learn of the death of Kennet Valley School’s Headteacher Emma Russell in December 2022. Now, Kennet Valley School’s Bursar, Suzanne Parnell-Dunn, has written a children’s book in Emma’s memory which encapsulates the legacy Emma left behind. The books are available to buy from the White Horse Bookshop on the High Street in Marlborough and cost £12. Although the book is about and for Emma, it is also just a nice little picture book about kindness and self-confidence. Stocks are very limited, so if you would like a copy, please visit the White Horse Book Shop early to avoid disappointment.

• English and science tutoring is needed over the summer holidays for 11 year old boy in Little Bedywn. If you can help please call Jacina on 07879 470570.

• Please support Marlborough Community Orchard’s community pruning events on 25 and 29 July. Please see this post for more information.

• ARK – Action for the River Kennet would like to remind everyone that there is no permission is given for fishing at Stonebridge Wild River Reserve, Marlborough.

Aldbourne

• Don’t miss out on everything that Aldbourne Music and Song Festival has planned from Friday 28 July to Sunday 6 August. There’s something for everyone.

• It’s fantastic news that Aldbourne Guides are set to reopen in September 2023. If you have a daughter rising 10 year old or under 14 who are interested, please contact Wendy Beattie on Wendybeattie19@hotmail.com

Buses on demand

A recent article in Marlborough News confirms something which I first heard mooted at a meeting of Hungerford Town Council several months ago, the implementation of which has been slightly delayed. This concerns an on-demand bus service which will be launched in the Pewsey Vale area by Wiltshire Connect next week. As the article explains, the service “will operate on a pre-bookable, on-demand basis, allowing you to travel between any designated pick up and drop off point within each zone.”

The reason that Hungerford Town Council was discussing this is because later in the year the service will be extended to provide a “new off-peak timetabled service operating between Marlborough and Hungerford via Great Bedwyn.” On-demands are seen as a viable way of providing a bus service in rural areas although it may take time for people to get used to how they work.

I’ll try to chat to Wiltshire Connect in the next couple of weeks and will share any further information then.

Thursday 20 July 2023

This week we cover parking, the Savernake, bellringing, pruning and recycling– plus our usual round-up of other local news, local events and activities and news from your local councils.

Scroll down below “This weeks news” for a proposed letter to Thames Water, a no-idling campaign and concerns about Marlborough’s Leisure Centre.

This week’s news

• Good news that Marlborough Library is now re-opened as their building works are complete. Please see its facebook page for their opening times and a reminder of the activities you can enjoy at the library.

• Those who park in Marlborough and prefer to pay by cash or card will be gratified to learn that Wiltshire Council has no plans to replace these with meters that only use an app. “on the contrary,” Councillor Thomas reassured the Marlborough Town Council meeting on 26 June, “over the next 12 months Wiltshire Council will be replacing all its car parking meters with versions that have the facility for both card (contactless and inserting cards) and cash payments alongside the MI Permit app. This is a very costly exercise, but Wiltshire Council recognises the importance of this issue.” Some meters across the county will be removed completely but replacements will be relocated in more appropriate/more accessible locations where this is the case.

• At the same meeting, it was resolved that the Town Clerk writes to Forestry England once again, re-iterating the original invitation from the Town Council, as a primary stakeholder, to present at a Full Council meeting, with full and detailed information about their plans to manage Savernake Forest. As reported here and in Marlborough News, there has been much uncertainty about the proposals for some time.

• Marlborough Town Council have a Planning Committee meeting in the Town Hall, starting at 7pm on Monday 24 July with public question time. Have your say. See agenda here.

• Enjoy Shakespeare’s Comedy of Errors in the Garden on Wednesday 26 July in Ogbourne Maizey in aid of KHARPP (The Kharkiv & Przemysl Project) supports Ukrainian refugees. For full details see here or email contact@kharpp.com.

• Due to a substantial levy being imposed by Ramsbury Brewery on Marlborough Classics with only two weeks notice before their next event ‘Eleven 2 Seven’ on July 22, Marlborough Classics have no choice but to cancel this event and sadly will no longer hold any future classic car events at this venue.

• English and science tutoring is needed over the summer holidays for 11 year old boy in Little Bedywn. If you can help please call Jacina on 07879 470570.

• Please support Marlborough Community Orchard’s community pruning events on 25 and 29 July. Please see this post for more information.

• ARK – Action for the River Kennet would like to remind everyone that there is no permission is given for fishing at Stonebridge Wild River Reserve, Marlborough.

Aldbourne

• ALEC – Aldbourne Light Entertainment Club’s next production will be “When We Are Married”, a period farce by J.B. Priestly, to be performed on Thursday 26, Friday 27 and Saturday 28 October, directed by Debbie Page.Last opportunity to audition will be on Monday 24 July.

No idling, please

After receiving a plea from a resident about air quality in Marlborough after noticing the number of drivers who leave engines running in stationary vehicles next to the pavement in the High Street and at sport clubs while waiting to collect children, Marlborough Town Council’s Planning Committee agreed to spread the word about the harmful effects of toxic exhaust emissions.

“Marlborough is a busy town with A-roads meeting in the town centre,” a statement on MTC’s website reads. ” School and club entrances are close to houses and many people live or work next to busy roads and shopping or other commercial areas. Leaving your engine running, or idling, wastes fuel and money and increases the amount of exhaust fumes in the air. Every minute, an idling car produces enough toxic exhaust emissions to fill 150 balloons. Reducing emissions from idling vehicles can significantly contribute to a better environment for everyone – saving money and reducing noise, smells and toxic emissions.

The statement also cites several medical sources which claim that air pollution is responsible for between 29,000 and 40,000 deaths in the UK.

Leisure displeasure

We recently wrote about the public dissatisfaction that exists about the state of the Leisure Centre in Wantage. At it most recent Town Council meeting on 26 June, it was the turn of Marlborough’s Leisure Centre. The matter was raisednin public forum by a member of the public but was on the agenda anyway. Here’s a verbatim account from the minutes:

“Councillor Davies opened discussions confirming that she has had concerns for some time over the declining condition of Marlborough Leisure Centre and has been actively lobbying Wiltshire Council for action. Some remedial repairs have been carried out, but considerable investment is required going forward. The following other comments were made:

The Leisure Centre is vital to the community not just for physical health reasons but mental wellbeing also.
Its location is more accessible than St John’s and more available than Marlborough College facilities which are always booked up.
We need guarantees that this facility, which is such a valuable community asset, is retained.
Has usage dropped since the building fell into a poor state of repair?
Wiltshire Council leisure facilities are back up to 83% usage post Covid.
The closure of the café and creche had a massive impact on usage. Small level local investors could re-instate these facilities which would immediately enhance the current offer.
Lots of residents chose to travel to Pewsey Leisure Centre, which has undergone massive investment, however many do not have the means to get there.
Very little information is available in town or online about Marlborough Leisure Centre. The facility needs a relaunch and more publicity around the activities being offered.
It is hoped that the appointment of a new manager, currently being advertised will bring a new lease of life to the centre.

“Councillor Thomas confirmed that there are no plans within Wiltshire Council to close any of its leisure centres or libraries. They are actively investing in these facilities and work is underway.

“It was suggested that the Town Council write to Wiltshire Council strongly supporting future investment in Marlborough Leisure Centre, which is a valuable community asset and vital to the needs, interests and health and wellbeing of the town.

“Resolved: That the Town Clerk will draft and send a letter to Wiltshire Council as outlined above.”

A dirty-water letter

The patience of Aldbourne Parish Council finally snapped at its meeting on 5 July. There was a discussion about a planning application that was proposed to be called in to committee. This Wiltshire Council had refused as “the poor sewer network in the village…is not a material consideration in terms of planning.”

“It was resolved unanimously,” the minutes continue, “that the Clerk, in consultation with Cllr Muirhead and Cllr Josephy, is delegated to write a press release about the failure of Thames Water to supply a sewer system that can cope with the capacity of the village as it currently stands (let alone in the future) and the consequences of this failure, which includes public health. This article will hopefully be the first of several that will be written to highlight the problems suffered across Aldbourne for very many years, and not just the further capacity issues that will be caused by any new housing. The articles will be aimed at raising awareness of the failure of Thames Water to provide an adequate system for Aldbourne with a view to putting further pressure on them to take action.”

It Aldbourne PC would like to send us a copy of this and any future ones we shall be happy to publish them.

Thursday 13 July 2023

This week we cover sheep, stamps, cats, golf, fishing, the bard and recycling– plus our usual round-up of other local news, local events and activities and news from your local councils.

Scroll down below “This weeks news” for a pair of bovine Maisies and two community pruning events that are coming up.

This week’s news

• Marlborough Town Council is pleased to announce that nine Wiltshire horn sheep were welcomed this week to continue conservation grazing in Cooper’s Meadow, Marlborough. Volunteer Sheep Lookers will be checking on them everyday. Thanks are extended to the local sheep owner for workingto enable this long-term project to continue and the volunteers for their commitment too.The east section of water meadow in still accessible to everyone but a reminder that all dogs are to be on leads at this site.

• A reminder that time is running out to use regular stamps without a barcode. After 31 July anyone using non-barcoded 1st and 2nd class stamps with the Queen’s profile risks a surcharge being added to their post. So here’s how the changeover is set to work: special stamps, printed to commemorate a person or special event are not going to be barcoded, and these will remain valid for postage and while Christmas stamps are soon to get their own barcode, previous non-barcoded Christmas stamps will also remain valid after the deadline so there is no need to rush to use them up or swap them out. See here for more details.

• Cats Protection is offering financial assistance to eligible residents for neutering and microchipping your cat.

• On Sunday 16 July from 5pm to 7pm there’s an old St. John’s School Sixth Form band reunion from 1990 when Gothic Acoustic Matinee: Chapter III perform at The Blue Boar.

• Due to the bad weather forecast this Saturday 15 July the organisers of Minal (Mildenhall) Village Fete have reluctantly decided to postpone the event. The probable new date of Minal Village Fete will be Saturday 19 August

• Marlborough Golf Club is calling all junior golfers. Come and enjoy a fabulous golf course and play in our Junior Open on 27 July. Book Here

• KHARPP (The Kharkiv & Przemysl Project) supports Ukrainian refugees arriving into Poland and those who stayed behind in the frontline eastern city of Kharkiv. Please support their latest fundraiser, Shakespeare’s Comedy of Errors in the Garden on Wednesday 26 July in Ogbourne Maizey. For full details see here or email contact@kharpp.com.

• See below for details of community pruning events on §5 and 29 July.

• This year’s Summer Reading Challenge will launch on Saturday 15 July from 10am to 12 noon at Marlborough Leisure Centre. Library staff will be at the leisure centre to sign 4 to 11 year olds up to the challenge. Once the Marlborough Library re-opens, you’ll also be able to sign up for the challenge by visiting the library at anytime throughout the summer.

• ARK – Action for the River Kennet would like to remind everyone that there is no permission is given for fishing at Stonebridge Wild River Reserve, Marlborough.

Aldbourne

• The Annual ALEC – Aldbourne Light Entertainment Club Summer Barbecue will take place on Saturday 15 July at 6pm . Debbie Page has very kindly offered her garden as a venue (Castle Street, Aldbourne). Just bring your own food for cooking on the barbie and drinks – salad and bread will be provided. All ALEC members, family and friends are welcome.

• Rehearsals for ALEC’s October production take place on Monday 17 and Wednesday 19 July at 7.30pm in the Memorial Hall. More details to follow but please save the date.

• Plots are available at the beautiful allotments in Aldbourne, including one with ready made raised beds (even including some plants to get you started). If you are interested contact Valerie hoodvalerie@gmail.com.The allotments are on Marlborough Road (by Valley View) and the rates are very reasonable.

• Aldbourne’s Royal Family for Aldbourne Carnival 2023 will be: King and Attendant – Elliot Gosden and Simon Bartholomew, Junior Attendant – Daisy May Lewis, Carnival Prince & Princesses – Harriet Brazier, Molly Gibbs, Sebastian Whiting and Keira Heary.

• Aldbourne Nursing Home is grateful for visits from pupils at St Michaels School who read to the residents as well as a four-legged visitor from Greatwood.

Community pruning

Transition Marlborough (TM) and Marlborough Community Orchard (MCO) invite you to the upcoming pruning events at the community orchard sites.The first will take place on Saturday 15 July starting at the Diamond Jubilee Plantation, on the common, just below the rugby club, moving on to Roger’s Meadow. The second will take place on Saturday 29 July starting in Wye House Garden, then moving on to the trees in Waitrose car park as well as those in Priory Gardens, St Mary’s and St Peter’s churchyards.If you are unable to attend at the start you are most welcome to call Philippa Davenport on 07963 313 822 to find out where we are.

The group is also looking for people to help manage the website, run socials and organise events.

Please see this post for more information on both these matters.

The case of the two Maisies

Marlborough News reports that “this year’s cattle have been released into the conservation grazing areas within the 15-acre water meadow which is part of Stonebridge Wild River Reserve.” Over the next few months the two heifers will peacefully graze their way through the dominating vegetation thus helping to improve the biodiversity of the water meadow.

Anna Forbes from ARK (Action for the River Kennet) which manages the site commented that “we are beginning to see a wider range of native wild grasses and flowers in the water meadow, because of the way we manage the area.” Cattle are, she points out, more environmentally friendly than mowing machines. Dog owners are advised that their pets must be kept on a lead in the Reserve. Given the fact that there are two sturdy heifers at work on the mowing and numerous ground-nesting birds in the area until the end of August, it’s probably better not take dogs in at all during this time (that’s my suggestion, not ARK’s).

All this seems perfectly clear and, with one exception, this is very lucid report. There is one omission, however, mentioned in the first paragraph but not explained. The question still rings in my head any may well keep me awake tonight. It is this – why are both of the heifers called Maisie? I think we should be told…

Thursday 6 July 2023

This week we cover a nature walk, golfers, a festival, a raffle and a comedy of errors– plus our usual round-up of other local news, local events and activities and news from your local councils.

Scroll down below “This weeks news” for news of something nasty in the Savernake.

This week’s news

• The Marlborough Downs: A Space for Nature are hosting a free sketching nature walk on Saturday 8 July near Marlborough to their tree sparrow village. Jo Beal – Artist will be guiding us on a journaling workshop ramble of about a mile. No experience necessary. Just bring a sketch book, pencils, picnic and your good selves to exerience nature off the beaten track.This walk is aimed at adults and older children and sorry but no dogs permitted on this occasion.Bookings here

• Marlborough Golf Club is calling all junior golfers. Come and enjoy a fabulous golf course and play in our Junior Open on 27 July. Book Here

• On Saturday 8 July The Parade Cinema Marlborough host their annual Parade Family Festival, with a line up of artists performing. Kick off from 12noon. www.tarteinabox.co.uk will be there too with slices of savoury, sweet & chocolate Tarte, handmade traditional and vegetarian sausage rolls & fresh scrumptious doughnuts. If you would like to pre-order (especially the doughnuts) please drop a message or call 07808 152218

• Friends of Marlborough St Mary’s Summer Raffle is nearly upon us. The raffle draw will take place on Friday 14 July at 7pm. Tickets are still available to buy from students, staff and also from Nationwide & The New Lamb inn Marlborough £1 per ticket £5 per book. Don’t miss out, only a limited number of tickets available and so many chances to win some fantastic prizes

• Transition Marlborough (TM) and Marlborough Community Orchard (MCO) invite you to the upcoming pruning events at the community orchard sites.The first will take place on Saturday 15 July starting at the Diamond Jubilee Plantation, on the common, just below the rugby club, moving on to Roger’s Meadow. The second will take place on Saturday 29 July starting in Wye House Garden, then moving on to the trees in Waitrose car park as well as those in Priory Gardens, St Mary’s and St Peter’s churchyards. If you are unable to attend at the start you are most welcome to call Philippa Davenport on 07963 313822 to find out where we are.

• If you are a LitFest member you can now buy your tickets for Marlborough Literature Festival from from 28 September to 1 October with over 40 events covering a range of genres for all ages, including an exciting mix of fiction, non-fiction, poetry, children’s authors and free schools events, workshops, a translation duel as well as LitFest’s annual Big Town Read. The festival programme is available to view online here or festival brochures are available from The White Horse Bookshop and local libraries.General booking opens 13 July.

• If you have reported anti-social behaviour but no-one seems to be doing anything and the anti-social behaviour is continuing, the ASB Case Review has been designed for you. If you (or others with your consent) have reported 3 incidents (or more) within a 6 month period you can activate the ASB Case Review through your Local Authority. This has been designed to give you, the victim, the right to demand that agencies deal with persistent anti-social behaviour.

• Tickets are selling fast for the amazing 2023 St John’s School musical Les Misérables on stage from 10 to 14 July. Bookings can be made here.

• Marlborough News reports that a recent meeting of Marlborough Town Council has decided that, following formal requests from Wiltshire Council and the Boundary Commission to examine the matter, there will be little to be gained (and a lot of time and money to be lost0 in merging the two neighbouring parishes of Preshute and Savarnake with Marlborough.

• There will be lots of traditional fete games and attractions, dog show followed by live music from 6 – 9pm at Minal (Mildenhall) Village Fete on Saturday 15 July.

• Marlborough Library is temporarily closed for building repair works but is offering an order and collect service throughout the closure, with Rhyme Times being held at Marlborough Leisure Centre whilst the library is closed. Find out more from their facebook page here.

• Join The Parade Cinema Marlborough on Saturday 8 July for The Family Festival filled with incredible music, refreshing drinks, and boundless family fun. The perfect lineup for an unforgettable day includes Ann Liu Cannon, The Zoots ,Crystal Tides, The Vooz Hip Route and Nothing Rhymes With Orange.

• Marlborough Town Council is supporting Wiltshire Police with the setting up of Community Speed Watch schemes for each of these areas but we need willing volunteers to help get this initiative off the ground.All volunteers will be trained up by Wiltshire Police and will be given all the equipment needed to do the job. Please contact Clare Harris at Marlborough Town Council via email charris@marlborough-tc.gov.uk or give her a call on 01672 512487.

• ARK – Action for the River Kennet would like to remind everyone that there is no permission is given for fishing at Stonebridge Wild River Reserve, Marlborough.

• Marlborough Literature Festival is excited to announce new sponsors and authors for the 2023 line-up. Included in the itinerary are Frank Cottrell Boyce Charlotte Mendelson Mike Brearley and Sebastian Barry. For more details see here.

• Worsley Training is running First Aid Courses in St Mary’s Church Hall, Marlborough: Adult First Aid on Thursday 15 June; Paediatric First Aid on Friday 9 July.

• Friends of Marlborough St Mary’s are having a Summer Fayre on Friday 14 July from 4.30pm to 7.30pm with a variety of crafts, raffle and sports. Free to enter.

• Marlborough Town Council in collaboration with Wiltshire Centre for Independent Living are holding Wiltshire Vision events to see how people want social care delivered in Wiltshire. Please click here to have your say.

• The charity Home-Start North Wiltshire (formerly Kennet) is looking for volunteers to offer practical and emotional support, working with each parent on what they need most. Find out more about things they can help with, or how to become a volunteer Here.

Aldbourne

• Rehearsals for ALEC’s October production take place on Monday 17 and Wednesday 19 July at 7.30pm in the Memorial Hall. More details to follow but please save the date.

• There are currently a wide range of Toys and Games for all ages at the Aldbourne Community Junction Charity Shop. A great place to get the most from your pocket money!

• Aldbourne Nursing Home is grateful for visits from pupils at St Michaels School who read to the residents as well as a four-legged visitor from Greatwood.

Found in the forest

The Forestry Commission’s website claims that “the history of the forest goes back for a thousand years or more.” (Wikipedia adds that “the first mention of a woodland “Safernoc“ was made in AD 934.”) “This long history,” The Commission continues, “has left us with an outstanding legacy of old trees, rich landscapes and diverse habitats.” The habitat has recently become a bit more diverse for, as Marlborough News reported on 6 July, someone has dumped about two tonnes of asbestos there.

Wiltshire Councillor Caroline Thomas said that “we suspect that the person who had the work done on their property would have expected the waste to be removed legally, as most of the asbestos is wrapped in plastic, so there has been some care to remove it safely from the property.” The problem is that homeowners are frequently reminded that they can be in the firing line if stuff they give to someone else is not disposed of properly. The incentive of a £200 high-street shopping voucher may not be enough to make the home- or business-owner come forward.

If you think you know where this came from – and there can’t be that many places which have recently shed two tonnes of asbestos – then see the foot of the MN article for details of how to report it.

Thursday 29 June 2023

This week we cover summer music, dogs, a library closure, no takeover of two local parishes, a family festival and further problems on the trains– plus our usual round-up of other local news, local events and activities and news from your local councils.

This week’s news

• The Bedwyn Music Society’s Summer Concert is this Friday 30 June at St Mary’s Church in Great Bedwyn. This year’s performers are the Chloe Piano Trio and their programme will feature works by Shostakovish, Rebecca Clarke and Brahms. Tickets on the door. See more details here.

• The Macmillan Committee stall on Marlborough High Street will be selling plants this Saturday 1 July with all proceeds go to MacMillan Cancer Support.

• St Katharine’s Church in the Savernake welcomes you to their Summer Fete this Saturday 1 July.

• Tickets are selling fast for the amazing 2023 St John’s School musical Les Misérables on stage from 10 to 14 July. Bookings can be made here.

• Marlborough Town Football Club are organising a charity summer evening walk on Wednesday 5 July from 6pm to 8pm, in aid of Hope and Homes for Children, an international charity working in eastern Europe, including Ukraine, and Africa. Donation of £5 per person, or more if you are feeling generous. Please contact: Sally and Trevor at trevhbrown@gmail.com or just turn up on the day.

• There will be lots of traditional fete games and attractions, dog show followed by live music from 6 – 9pm at Minal (Mildenhall) Village Fete on Saturday 15 July.

• ARK – Action for the River Kennet would like to remind everyone that there is no permission is given for fishing at Stonebridge Wild River Reserve, Marlborough.

• Worsley Training is running First Aid Courses in St Mary’s Church Hall, Marlborough: Adult First Aid on Thursday 15 June; Paediatric First Aid on Friday 9 July.

• Friends of Marlborough St Mary’s are having a Summer Fayre on Friday 14 July from 4.30pm to 7.30pm with a variety of crafts, raffle and sports. Free to enter.

Aldbourne

• Aldbourne Doggy Day and Classic Car Show are looking for help to set up the children’s area, tombola’s etc. on Saturday 1 July andalso need help on Show Day Sunday 2 July.

• Aldbourne Nursing Home is grateful for visits from pupils at St Michaels School who read to the residents as well as a four-legged visitor from Greatwood.

On the trains

Strikes dominate the latest update from the Bedwyn Train Passengers Group (BTPG), which you can read here. ASLEF has announced an overtime ban from Monday 3 to Saturday 8 July which might cause short-notice alterations or cancellations. The RMT union has also announced strike action that will affect rail services on Thursday 20, Saturday 22 and Saturday 29 July.

Other items include a cracked crossing at Theale this week (now hopefully sorted), short-formation trains and bus services from Bedwyn to Marlborough.

The BTPG has been campaigning for improved rail services from Bedwyn, Hungerford, Kintbury and Newbury since 2006. If you use these stations, we recommend subscribing to BTPG newsletters by emailing info@bedwyntrains.org.uk.

Thursday 22 June 2023

This week we cover a relocation, a fridge, drama, music, gardens and a family festival – plus our usual round-up of other local news, local events and activities and news from your local councils.

Scroll down below “This week’s news” for a look (in conjunction with Marlborough News) and proposals for the re-development of York Place in Marlborough and why two school’s river days were scuppered by a sewage alert.

This week’s news

• The Merchant’s House Open Gardens is happening this Sunday 25 June from 1pm – 5pm. Advance tickets cost£8.00 from the Merchant’s House website Here. Tickets on the day £10.00 from the front of the Merchant’s House.

• If you’re thinking about having a clear out please support Marlborough St Mary’s with their Bags2School initiative. Please drop off seed bags via the school car park on Sunday 25 June before 8am. Email friends.msm@yahoo.com for further details.

• Great news that the future of Packaging Not Included zero waste shop in Hughenden Yard is secured as founder Hayley Lambert is selling the business to regular customers Sarah and George. The handover will take place in July and Hayley thanks all her customers for shopping in PNI over the past 4 and a half years. She says “it has been brilliant and I have been inspired and motivated by you all.” In the meantime the shop will close a bit early this Monday 26 June as Hayley needs to leave to view a house. See more details here.

• Marlborough Community Fridge recently celebrated their second birthday and wants to thank all their volunteers for their past and continuing support. New volunteers always welcome. They are usually open at 9am on Thursdays and Saturdays, and 1pm on Fridays but this is dependent on sufficient donations, so please keep an eye on their Facebook page the evening before.

• The Bedwyn Music Society’s Summer Concert is on Friday 30 June at St Mary’s Church in Great Bedwyn. This year’s performers are the Chloe Piano Trio and their programme will feature works by Shostakovish, Rebecca Clarke and Brahms. See more details here.

• Many people enjoy this kind of heat but fewer animals do. There is lots of advice for pet owners and wildlife lovers during a heatwave. Some people think it’s okay to leave their dog in the car if they’re parked in the shade or the windows are open, but a car can become as hot as an oven even when the weather doesn’t feel that warm. If you see a dog in a car on a warm day, this is what the RSPCA recommends that you do.

• Are you involved with a community gardening group? BBC 1’s The One Show in partnership with the RHS are recognising new growers who have transformed a green space in their area in their Growing Together Award 2023 for Community Gardening. They are particularly keen to hear about projects that involve a diverse range of people who are traditionally under-represented in gardening and have really benefited from starting to garden or having a new outdoor space to use. The winners will receive National Garden Gift Vouchers, a plaque and certificate. Apply here by Tuesday 11 July.

• ARK – Action for the River Kennet would like to remind everyone that there is no permission is given for fishing at Stonebridge Wild River Reserve, Marlborough.

• Worsley Training is running First Aid Courses in St Mary’s Church Hall, Marlborough: Adult First Aid on Thursday 15 June; Paediatric First Aid on Friday 9 July.

• Friends of Marlborough St Mary’s are having a Summer Fayre on Friday 14 July from 4.30pm to 7.30pm with a variety of crafts, raffle and sports. Free to enter.

Aldbourne

• Aldbourne Doggy Day and Classic Car Show are looking for help to set up the children’s area, tombola’s etc. on Saturday 1 July and also need help on Show Day Sunday 2 July.

• Roves Farm Visitor Centre have donated a wonderful Silent Auction prize to raise money for St Michael’s School, Aldbourne.Have a browse and see if there is a Day Out that you would like to bid for.

• Aldbourne Nursing Home is grateful for visits from pupils at St Michaels School who read to the residents as well as a four-legged visitor from Greatwood.

No play today

Pollution from untreated sewage in the River Kennet kept school children out of the water for their safety on 20 June 2023. Action for the River Kennet (ARK) had planned to run a day of river-school activities for pupils from Preshute and Great Bedwyn Primary Schools, but woke to find untreated sewage pouring into the river at three points in Marlborough and were forced tell children they should not enter the river downstream.

“Class 4 at Great Bedwyn School were not only sad to miss out on thir filed trip to investigate the invertebrate in our local, rare, chalk river but also shocked and appalled that is not illegal for Thames Water to spill raw, untreated sewage into them,” Class Teacher Kathryn Bengtsson commented. “We have written letters to our local MP Danny Kruger and are working with ARK (Action for the River Kennet) to build a rain garden in our school to help alleviate our flooded sewer system. Many Bedwyn villagers are also building rain gardens and we hope that more will get involved to help save our rivers.”

Click here for the full story, including a link to Thames Water’s sewage discharges map which shows that the problem is by no means restricted to this stretch of the Kennet.

Redeveloping York Place

This article in Marlborough News described the “redevelopment plan by Housing Association Aster. The former elderly residents have been moved out into other accommodation, not necessarily nearby and close to friends, family and their community, so at best, disruptive, in many cases.” The article goes on to point out that the economics of the re-development will considerably reduce the number of dwellings designed for elderly residents. It adds that “the recent Planning Meeting of the Marlborough Town Council the committee agreed to object to the application ‘on the grounds that it does not contain social housing to meet the needs of the community as specified in the Marlborough Area Neighbourhood Plan; insufficient car parking provision, and inaccuracies and omissions in the Arboricultural Report.” The next stop is Wiltshire Council’s Eastern Planning Committee in July.

All of this has echoes of what happened, or nearly happened, in Stratfield Mortimer in the east of West Berkshire last year. For York Place, read Windmill Court; for Aster, read Sovereign; otherwise, the details seem quite similar. I don’t know if Aster’s announcement was performed as clumsily as was Sovereign’s but both seem to have caused a similar amount of upset and distress. At Windmill Court, a better solution has now been arrived at, thanks in part to the way the parish council asserted itself when it finally found out what was planned. Time will tell what happens here.

Thursday 15 June 2023

This week we cover volunteers, a festival, speedwatch, recycling, and a summer fayre – plus our usual round-up of other local news, local events and activities and news from your local councils.

Scroll down below “This week’s news” for information about the new Wiltshire Chief Constable’s first 107 days in the hot seat.

This week’s news

• Marlborough Town Council wants to thank the town’s incredible volunteers who make so many things happen and often go unnoticed, helping out with youth activities, event preparation, planning and marshalling, first aid, litter picking, fundraising, community fridge, helping the vulnerable, bulb and tree planting and so much more…

• St Katharine’s Primary School in Savernake is looking for your support on Saturday 17 June from 3pm to 8pm at their Family Festival. With pony rides, a barbeque, live bar and much more tickets are £7 pp with children under 11 free.

• The Merchant’s House Marlborough Open Gardens is on Sunday 25 June from 1pm to 5pm. Enjoy an array of beautiful gardens all within easy walking distance of Marlborough High Street. Tickets and full details can be found here.

• On Sunday 18 June Bedwyn Footpaths Group will meet at Bedwyn Memorial Village Hall for a Health, Fitness and Wellbeing Walk starting at 10am.

• Action for the River Kennet reports on another successful River School with Year 4 at Great Bedwyn Primary, last week, in preparation for this week’s river visit. Covering a range of topics, including pollution of our local rivers. The students saw the images of sewage pollution on the River Og last September and learnt how they can help their rivers by not using wet wipes, or if they do use them, to NOT flush them down the loo.

• ARK – Action for the River Kennet would like to remind everyone that there is no permission is given for fishing at Stonebridge Wild River Reserve, Marlborough.

• Worsley Training is running First Aid Courses in St Mary’s Church Hall, Marlborough: Adult First Aid on Thursday 15 June; Paediatric First Aid on Friday 9 July.

• Friends of Marlborough St Mary’s are having a Summer Fayre on Friday 14 July from 4.30pm to 7.30pm with a variety of crafts, raffle and sports. Free to enter.

•The Ignite Film Festival returns this summer to The Parade Cinema Marlborough with 5 nights of incredible independent films running from Monday 19 to Friday 23 June 2023. Grab your tickets here

Aldbourne

• Aldbourne Doggy Day and Classic Car Show are looking for help to set up the children’s area, tombola’s etc. on Saturday 1 July and also need help on Show Day Sunday 2 July.

• Aldbourne Nursing Home is grateful for visits from pupils at St Michaels School who read to the residents as well as a four-legged visitor from Greatwood.

• The Watermill Theatre‘s Mansfield Park on Tour will be at The Old Manor, Aldbourne on Friday 23 June. More details here.

107 days

Marlborough News reports here that on 13 June the Marlborough Area Board and members of the public were introduced to Wiltshire Police new Chief Constable, Catherine Roper, as she said, “on her 107th day in the role.” If nothing else, therefore, the meeting proved that the new supremo is serious about keeping records and getting figures right.

As the article goers on to explain, there is much work for the Wiltshire force to do. In 2022 it was “rated as ‘Inadequate’ in a PEEL (Police Efficiency, Effectiveness and Legitimacy) report and placed in ‘Special Measures’ as a result. Part of the negative findings of that report related to dealing with the public and Catherine Roper and Philip Wilkinson’s presence at the Area Board meeting was part of addressing that.” The next PEEL inspection will be in March 2024 – in about 300 days – and should “hopefully yield significant improvements.”

This work will take place against a familiar backdrop of funding shortages and recruitment challenges. In April, Sky News reported in April that the Home Office had recently hit a target of recruiting 20,000 more officers since 2019, although this only appears to return the situation to where it was before austerity started to bite in 2010.

Thursday 8 June 2023

This week we cover a fun run, speeding, a festival, gardens and authors – plus our usual round-up of other local news, local events and activities and news from your local councils.

Scroll down below “This week’s news” for information about a Wiltshire Council webinar and a link to Marlborough News’ explanation of when a pothole isn’t a pothole.

This week’s news

• St Katharine’s Primary School in Savernake is looking for your support on Saturday 17 June from 3pm to 8pm at their Family Festival. With pony rides a barbecue, live bar and much more tickets are £7 pp with children under 11 free.

•It’s time for the Great Bedwyn fun runs Still time to enter and join, with distances to suit everyone plus bouncy castle, face painting, tombola, children’s games, a range of stalls, beer tent. Open to everyone, bring your friends & family. Enter here or just turn up on the day from 9am

• Wiltshire Council are pleased to announce that from Monday 5 June, they can collect small rechargeable electrical items as part of their blue-lidded recycling collection. So if you have unused items like shavers or mobile phones pop them in a carrier bag and put them out next to your blue-lidded bin. For more details see here.

• ARK – Action for the River Kennet would like to remind everyone that there is no permission is given for fishing at Stonebridge Wild River Reserve, Marlborough.

• There will be a Collection of Aid for Ukraine on Tuesday 13 June at Marlborough Town Football Club. Please see details here or contact hungerfordukraineaid@gmail.com if you have any questions about items on the list or are unable to get there on the day to make alternative arrangements. The next collection is planned for the north-side of Newbury in September.

• Local children’s author Larry Hayes is on a mission to get local primary school kids loving writing and loving books. To celebrate the publication of his new book How to be a Kid Boss, he’s taking his hugely popular Creative Writing Workshop for kids on tour to primary schools in West Berkshire, Oxfordshire, Reading and Wiltshire. Any primary school can book Larry for one of 50 free workshops suitable for Years 3 to 6. The workshop is for 30 to 60 children at a time. For more details contact laurencechayes@gmail.com

• On Sunday 11 June from 9am to 2pm Great Bedwyn School Association is running a fun run and family morning. If you would like to bring a stall along please get in contact with Jenny Macneil. There are limited spaces which will cost £15 a slot.

• Don’t forget that Marlborough Community Fridge is usually open at 9am on Thursdays and Saturdays, and 1pm on Fridays but this is dependent on sufficient donations, so please keep an eye on their Facebook page the evening before. For instance this week they received 100 boxes of eggs from Fowle Play and frozen meals from Cook, Marlborough.

• There’s a new drop-in for teenagers in Marlborough. After school, in term time on Mondays from 3pm to 5pm, join Wiltshire YFC Youth Worker Steve Dewar at Church Cottage on Silverless Street. Enjoy a safe lounge space to relax, chat with others, enjoy a range of activities and be encouraged.

• Worsley Training is running First Aid Courses in St Mary’s Church Hall, Marlborough: Adult First Aid on Thursday 15 June; Paediatric First Aid on Friday 9 July.

• Friends of Marlborough St Mary’s are having a Summer Fayre on Friday 14 July from 4.30pm to 7.30pm with a variety of crafts, raffle and sports. Free to enter.

•The Ignite Film Festival returns this summer to The Parade Cinema Marlborough with 5 nights of incredible independent films running from Monday 19 to Friday 23 June 2023. Grab your tickets here

Aldbourne

• There is an opportunity to experience relaxation, breathwork and meditation at the Methodist Hall in Aldbourne on Monday 12 June from 7pm to 8.15pm. Book via eventbrite here or contact Kate Digman on 07824810629. No commitment just pay £5 for each session you attend. Come and give it a try.

• St Michael’s Aldbourne School Summer Fair is on Friday 16 June from 4.30pm to 7pm. There will be a barbecue, family fun activities and games, children’s crafts, stalls full of treats and a licensed bar with some fantastic prizes in their Silent Auction, See more here.

• Aldbourne Nursing Home is grateful for visits from pupils at St Michaels School who read to the residents as well as a four-legged visitor from Greatwood.

• Aldbourne Doggy Day and Classic Car Show is happening on Sunday 2 July from 10.30amto 4pm at Farm Lane, raising funds for animal rescues and village groups. Check out aldbournedoggyday.com for full details.

• The Watermill Theatre‘s Mansfield Park on Tour will be at The Old Manor, Aldbourne on Friday 23 June. More details here.

Digital potholes

You can always tell when a council has realised that local matter has reached a critical level of public concern: it organises a webinar about it.

This accolade has been accorded by Wiltshire Council to the county’s pothole population which has experienced a period of rapid growth in the last year thanks to near perfect breeding conditions of a hot summer followed by a wet and cold winter. We received a record number of 3,623 pothole reports through our MyWilts reporting system this January”, Caroline Thomas, Cabinet Member for Transport, said in February. “This compares with 924 reports in December and 677 reports in November, which illustrates the scale of the problem we’re dealing with across over 2,500 miles of roads in Wiltshire.

As for the webinar that will, as Marlborough News reports, take place from 6pm to 7pm on Monday 19 June and you can book your place here. The aim is to explain to people “how potholes are inspected, prioritised and filled throughout the county, as well as information on long-term maintenance schedules and resurfacing. There will also be the opportunity for people to ask questions to the panel, and people can also submit written questions beforehand – though questions should be focused on the general issue of potholes and highways maintenance, rather than specific potholes…”: otherwise, presumably, the webinar would last a lot longer than an hour.

The article concludes with an explanation of why the pothole in the photograph (which isn’t technically a pothole) hasn’t been filled in, even though it’s probably more than three inches deep. That could be one of the specific potholes that Wiltshire Council doesn’t want mentioned at its pothole webinar: on the other hand, perhaps this can be mentioned, because it isn’t a pothole, and it’s only real potholes that can’t be mentioned, not fake ones. All will be revealed on 19 June.

Thursday 1 June 2023

This week we cover gardens, aid, a festival, teenagers, recycling, no fishing and reading – plus our usual round-up of other local news, local events and activities and news from your local councils.

Scroll down below “This week’s news” for the latest on the problems with the Bedwyn to Newbury train line and Mansfield Park comes to Aldbourne.

This week’s news

• ARK – Action for the River Kennet would like to remind everyone that there is no permission is given for fishing at Stonebridge Wild River Reserve, Marlborough.

• Elcot Festival – Live Down the Lane is back as promised this Saturday 3 June from 2pm to 11pm at Marlborough Town Football Club. Bring a blanket and set yourselves up for the day but no glass – bag checks will be carried out. Kids are free (under 18’s) but do have to leave the site by 8pm. This year it’s a ticketed event – see facebook event for more details.

• Worsley Training is running First Aid Courses in St Mary’s Church Hall, Marlborough: Adult First Aid on Thursday 15 June; Paediatric First Aid on Friday 9 July.

• Friends of Marlborough St Mary’s are having a Summer Fayre on Friday 14 July from 4.30pm to 7.30pm with a variety of crafts, raffle and sports. Free to enter.

•The Ignite Film Festival returns this summer to The Parade Cinema Marlborough with 5 nights of incredible independent films running from Monday 19 to Friday 23 June 2023. Grab your tickets here

• ARK – Action for the River Kennet invites residents for a led Nature Trail. Discover the nature on your doorstep on Saturday 3 June, taking you to a variety of the town’s green and blue spaces. This event is part of North Wessex Downs AONB‘s Walking Festival, to book you places and find out more please see here.

Aldbourne

• St Michael’s School, Aldbourne are thrilled with their new Outdoor Play and Learning area and grateful to the wider community for helping resource it.

• Deadlight Dance will be appearing at The Blue Boar in Aldbourne on Sunday 4 June from 5pm to 7pm with an acoustic set and some goth-ing up of some 80s classics

• Aldbourne Nursing Home is grateful for visits from pupils at St Michaels School who read to the residents as well as a four-legged visitor from Greatwood.

• Aldbourne Doggy Day and Classic Car Show is happening on Sunday 2 July from 10.30am to 4pm at Farm Lane, raising funds for animal rescues and village groups. Check out aldbournedoggyday.com for full details.

• The Watermill Theatre‘s Mansfield Park on Tour will be at The Old Manor, Aldbourne on Friday 23 June. Tickets will be on sale at Aldbourne Post Office from 2 June.

• For the latest news from the Time Team dig on the Aldbourne site linked to the United States Army’s most famous regiment of the Second World War, the legendary Band of Brothers, see their facebook page which features Sir Tony Robinson visiting the dig with Richard Osgood of Operation Nightingale and Tim Taylor of Time Team.

• Aldbourne Community Junction Charity Shop is open 10am to 3pm Monday to Friday and 10am to 1pm on a Saturday, and currently has a selection of cushions, throws, curtains and accessories to brighten up rooms throughout your house and refresh your home for Spring.

Off the rails

We’ve written many times about the pretty terrible rail service between Bedwyn and Newbury and highlighted the excellent work done by the Bedwyn Train Passenger Group (BTPG) to lobby GWR into doing something to improve this.

Local MP Laura Farris has recently issued a statement on this matter in which she says that she has asked for government time to debate “the adequacy of GWR’s performance” through West Berkshire. This, she explains, “follows changes to timetables that have seen capacity on the busy morning commuter service from Newbury to Reading slashed, resulting in overcrowding, in a move that Ms Farris has called “short-sighted”. Ms Farris says she was told by GWR that the decision to reduce capacity on this service was a result of a network-wide need to reduce fleet size due to financial constraints.”

The statement adds that “this intervention by the Newbury MP follows a continued campaign to improve local rail services. Last year, Ms Farris and her constituency neighbour Danny Kruger MP (Devizes) successfully campaigned for service improvements which resulted in the reinstatement of one direct evening service between Hungerford and Paddington.” This also includes a comment from the BTPG that the shuttle service “is causing missed connections, extending journey times and making passengers having to run at Newbury. The three stations have had the majority of their direct trains allocated elsewhere with no consultation.”

I contacted the BTPG about this and the group confirmed that it had recently had a Zoom meeting with Laura Farris’ office. “It’s good that she is highlighting this,” a spokesperson told me. “This is likely to form part of a wider campaign over the rest of this year to try to get our through services reinstated.”

I also asked to what extent the group had been involved in the restoration of the service to which Laura Farris referred. “The two MPs have made efforts to improve matters,” I was told, “and the evening service mentioned was one success. We did specifically ask for this train to be reinstated. Just to get this back took a considerable effort.”

We’re all being exhorted to use trains although there’s little in the either the simplicity or the prices of the tickets to encourage this. Having a perfectly simple journey to Reading or London split in two with an unreliable connection doesn’t make it stack up on timing or convenience either.

To some extent, this is down to the failure to electrify the line west of Newbury (the whole network could be been electrified for the cost of HS2) but I was more surprised by the reference to the “financial constraints” placed on GWR. This is, of course, a trump card for any organisation to play – don’t blame us, guv, it’s the government’s fault. However, I thought these companies were privatised, so enabling them to invest what they wanted in order to attract customers. Could it be the the Department for Transport is micro-managing their spending?

A bit of research suggested that this is exactly what’s happening. It’s less clear why. Perhaps the government doesn’t trust the rail companies. Certainly, several of them have been placed on the naughty step over the years. It also seems pointless privatising something if you’re then going to try to do everything yourself. Rail privatisation only created an artificial market in any case: if I want to go from Hungerford to London, I don’t have a choice of operators in the way that I do with telecoms or utilities. In this respect the rail firms are like those that provide our water.

It thus seems even odder that whereas GWR would perhaps like to improve the service, the DfT is preventing it from doing so and telling it how to spent its money: whereas with the water companies, which have only recently woken up to the fact that they need to improve their services, the government and its agencies seem disinclined to force them to do so. Just remind me – why did we privatise these industries in the first place?

Mansfield Park on the road

As part of its remit, the excellent Watermill Theatre in Newbury produces a summer show which goes on tour round the area before coming back to HQ for a short run. This year, the touring performance is a dramatisation of Jane Austen’s Mansfield Park. The Watermill’s website describes this as “an inventive and intelligent outdoor production (which) reveals a fresh perspective on Jane Austen’s classic romance.”

There are 15 touring venues in all. Seven of these are in the area covered by Penny Post and these are listed below. For more information on the production and details of other venues, please click here. All except East Garston’s are for one performance only.

7 and 8 June: East Garston Village Hall – Book online
9 June: Shrivenham Memorial Hall – Book online
14 June: Cold Ash Acland Memorial Hall – Tickets available from Cold Ash Post Office (cash only)
16 June: Kintbury The Old Vicarage – Book online
19 June: Bradfield Village Hall – Book online
23 June: Aldbourne The Old Manor – On sale soon: visit the Watermill website for further details.
24 June: Brimpton Village Hall – Book online

Thursday 25 May 2023

This week we cover a fridge, first aid, Operation Sceptre, a wildlife corridor and a fayre – plus our usual round-up of other local news, local events and activities and news from your local councils.

Scroll down below “This week’s news” for the latest on the Bedwyn to Newbury train line, including standing room only on some services.

This week’s news

• Marlborough and District Rotary Club are having a Bank Holiday Car Boot Sale on Monday 29 May from 7am to 12pm, at Marlborough Rugby Club. Cars £10, large vans and trailers £15.

• Marlborough Literature Festival is happy to announce their 2023 national LoveBooks competition is now open – to all ages. Tell them why you love your favourite book, poem or play in 750 words or less. Age categories: 13-15 years, 16-19 years, 20+ years, with prizes of £300 for winners or £100 for runners-up in each age category. The deadline is Friday 30 June and full competition rules and how to enter can be found here.

• Wiltshire Police announced the beginning of Operation Sceptre, last week -a national initiative to tackle knife crime through a period of intensified action. Across two weeks, Wiltshire Police will coordinate activity which targets knife crime from the root cause right through to enforcement. Whether it’s engaging with local communities, working with young people to dispel myths around knives or carrying out test purchases with retailers, Op Sceptre showcases the many varied and impactful ways in which Wiltshire Police is working to reduce knife crime and tackle violence. You can contact them on 101, through our website or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555111. Location of knife surrender bins can be found here.

• Worsley Training is running First Aid Courses in St Mary’s Church Hall, Marlborough: Adult First Aid on Thursday 15 June; Paediatric First Aid on Friday 9 July.

• Friends of Marlborough St Mary’s are having a Summer Fayre on Friday 14 July from 4.30pm to 7.30pm with a variety of crafts, raffle and sports. Free to enter.

•The Ignite Film Festival returns this summer to The Parade Cinema Marlborough with 5 nights of incredible independent films running from Monday 19 to Friday 23 June 2023. Grab your tickets here

• Go along to a free family day at Bay Meadows on Saturday 27 May, 10am to 1pm. Bay Meadows is a strategically important wildlife corridor between Ogbourne Maisey and Marlborough.

• As part of the North Wessex Downs AONB Festival WALX Wessex – Nordic Walking are hosting a guided walk through the bluebells woods and out onto Pewsey Downs for amazing views on Tuesday 6 June at 10am . Book here

• Kirsty Lonsdale has two working horses in the process of training to use in the woods for timber extraction and wonders if there is anyone around the Marlborough areas with small private woodlands that would like any timber extraction (with no charge) so she can work her horses and give them some experience on different sites. She is fully qualified, insured and holds chainsaw cross cut and felling tickets so would be happy to cut and extract some wood for the landowners personal use. Please PM her on Facebook for more details.

• Rainscombe Country Show will be celebrating 25 years of Land Rover at Rainscombe Park, Marlborough on Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 June from 9am to 5pm. Admission is £5pp, with under 16s free. Hosted by the Wilts Vehicle and Machinery Club there is everything from vehicles to snacks to enjoy.

Aldbourne

• Aldbourne Doggy Day and Classic Car Show is happening on Sunday 2 July from 10.30am to 4pm at Farm Lane, raising funds for animal rescues and village groups. Check out aldbournedoggyday.com for full details.

• The Watermill Theatre‘s Mansfield Park on Tour will be at The Old Manor, Aldbourne on Friday 23 June. Tickets will be on sale at Aldbourne Post Office from 2 June.

All aboard…but don’t expect a seat

The latest news from Bedwyn Train Passenger Group is not great but they are persistent in their lobbying GWR and local MPs. They are, for example, demanding late-night staffing at Newbury station to manage the changes of train now required for Kintbury, Hungerford and Bedwyn passengers.

New timetable changes came in on Monday 22 May. The 0803 no longer calls at Bedwyn: instead you can catch it at Newbury by getting the 0749 shuttle from Bedwyn. On the upside there is a new 0823 service from Bedwyn, direct to Paddington.

But what is affecting most commuters is the 0729 Bedwyn departure has been downgraded from two five-car units to just one. This leads to standing room only from Hungerford and often all the way to Paddington. BTPG reports that GWR has done this to free up an IET (Intercity Express Train) to use elsewhere. The group has protested to GWR that “our line has been looted of enough IETs already.”

Please report to BTPG all occurrences of not being able to get a seat on the 0729. They will then petition GWR with this. Please contact them on info@bedwyntrains.org.uk and we also strongly recommend signing up to their newsletters.

Thursday 18 May 2023

This week we cover plants, teenagers, a wildlife corridor, hot meals, horses and creative tenders – plus our usual round-up of other local news, local events and activities and news from your local councils.

Scroll down below “This week’s news” for Mansfield Park in Aldbourne.

This week’s news

• Lavender Row Plants will be back at Mildenhall Village Hall on Saturday 20 May from 9pm to 3pm with a big selection of hardy perennials, hostas, climbers, locally grown bedding plants and locally crafted metal obelisks and plant supports also some ornaments.

• Anxiety is a normal emotion in us all, but sometimes it can get out of control and become a mental health problem. Lots of things can lead to feelings of anxiety, including exam pressures, relationships, starting a new job (or losing one) or other big life events. We can also get anxious when it comes to things to do with money and not being able to meet our basic needs, like heating our home or buying food. But anxiety can be made easier to manage. If you or a loved one id facing these issues, check out Mental Health Awareness Week 2023 which runs from Monday 15 May to Monday 21 May, with events and opportunities to find support with mental health issues.

• Sightings of the hairy caterpillar of the oak processionary moth, that can make humans and pets very unwell, must be reported this summer but people are being urged not to touch them. The moth is classified as a tree pest and was first identified in London in 2006, but has since spread in much larger numbers to surrounding counties, particularly in the South East of England. As well as making people – and sometimes pets – feel very unwell if they come into contact with them, the caterpillars also feed on the leaves of several species of oak trees which causes them to lose their leaves, affect their growth and become more vulnerable to other stresses like drought. Reporting any sightings of oak processionary moth to the Forestry Commission will both minimise the pest’s spread and reduce the damaging impact it poses to tree health.

• Go along to a Free family day at Bay Meadows on Saturday 27 May, 10am – 1pm. Bay Meadows is a strategically important wildlife corridor between Ogbourne Maisey and Marlborough.

• Marlborough Tennis Club is one of the few clubs selected to take part in the Prime Video tennis promotion programme. Starting on Thursday 17 May, there are six weeks of coaching ,a racket, set of balls, wristbands and a t-shirt for £35. A great opportunity for girls to give tennis a go. Sign up now Here.

• Kirsty Lonsdale has two working horses in the process of training to use in the woods for timber extraction and wonders if there is anyone around the Marlborough areas with small private woodlands that would like any timber extraction (with no charge) so she can work my horses and give them some experience on different sites. She is fully qualified, insured and holds my chainsaw cross cut and felling tickets so would be happy to cut and extract some wood for the landowners personal use. Please PM her on Facebook for more details.

• All are welcome at Marlborough Town Council’s Planning Committee meeting in the Town Hall on Monday 22 May at 7pm. Read the agenda here

• Did you know that you can get an HRT prescription prepayment certificate (HRT PPC) from the NHS if you’ve been prescribed an eligible hormone replacement therapy (HRT) medicine from your local surgery? For full details go to the government website here.

• Love Marlborough Kids Meals thanks Lisa Farrell, who chose Kids Meals as one of her Town Mayor’s charities. The generous donation will help continue support with hot meals for local families who are finding things tricky. Find out more about their work here www.lovemarlboroughkidsmeals.org

• Creative tenders are invited Marlborough Town Council to refresh the play area at Wye House Gardens in Marlborough. They are looking for something a bit different to the usual play equipment, which has maximum effect with minimum impact. Providers should provide a fully costed design with a budget circa £25,000. Once received the Council will select its preferred tenders and will carry out a targeted community consultation to ascertain best value and relevance, and as such tenders should allow a 3-month window of validity. On acceptance of the tender a scheme of works will be required. Tender closing date is 31 May 2023 contact Richard Spencer-Williams, Town Clerk by email townclerk@marlborough-tc.gov.uk or phone 01672 512487.

• ARK – Action for the River Kennet is keen to remind everyone that the beautiful and fragrant wild garlic is in bloom at the moment along the riverbanks of the Kennet at various spots, including Cooper’s Meadow, Marlborough.

• We’ve lost nearly 97% of flower rich meadows since the 1970’s and with them gone are vital food needed by pollinators, like bees and butterflies. A healthy lawn with some long grass and wildflowers benefits wildlife, tackles pollution and can even lock away carbon below ground – and best of all, to reap these benefits all you have to do is not mow your lawn in May. For more information on No Mow May, click here.

• Worsley Training is running the following First Aid Courses in St Mary’s Church Hall, Marlborough: Adult First Aid on Thursday 15 June; Paediatric First Aid on Friday 9 July.

Aldbourne

Mansfield Park on the road

“When young Fanny Price is sent to live with her wealthy cousins,” the summary continues, “she quickly grows from a timid child into a clever, witty young woman with a fine moral compass. At Mansfield Park, Fanny meets the frivolous Crawfords. They introduce her to a world of reckless flirtation, unrequited love, and decadence. As their antics escalate, Fanny is led further astray until her uncle’s departure to visit his plantation in Antigua. Forced to confront the source of her family’s wealth and its true cost, Fanny must ask some difficult questions. Where does she belong? Will she ever find love? And what does it take to be the heroine of your own life?

“In collaboration with Two Gents Productions, the Watermill’s Mansfield Park fuses European regency with a Trans-Atlantic chorus for a fresh take on Jane Austen’s classic and an honest look at our colonial past.”

7 and 8 June: East Garston Village Hall – Book online
9 June: Shrivenham Memorial Hall – Book online
14 June: Cold Ash Acland Memorial Hall – Tickets available from Cold Ash Post Office (cash only)
16 June: Kintbury The Old Vicarage – Book online
19 June: Bradfield Village Hall – Book online
23 June: Aldbourne The Old Manor – On sale soon: visit the Watermill website for further details.
24 June: Brimpton Village Hall – Book online

Thursday 11 May 2023

This week we cover a big lunch, bowls recruits, hot meals, garlic, first aid and recycling. We also take a look at the latest plans that might change parking, access and forestry management in the Savernake – plus our usual round-up of other local news, local events and activities and news from your local councils.

This week’s news

• Councillor Jane Davies reports an absolutely brilliant time was had at the Big Lunch celebrating the Coronation. Jubilee VIPs popped joined in the fun including the ever popular Pru Leith.

• Marlborough Bowls Club is looking for recruits. Come along to two Open Days at Salisbury Road Recreation Ground on Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 May and book 1 hour slots between 1pm and 5pm. Call or text Clive on 07825 835789 for more information.

• It was International Dawn Chorus Day this week but because of the Bank Holiday it was decided by The Marlborough Downs: A Space for Nature to do their annual walk on Sunday 14 May from 5.30am to 8.30am starting from Manor Farm, Berwick Bassett. To book (it’s free, funded by FiPL) follow this link here.

• On Sunday 14 May Phoenix Brass will be celebrating their 30th anniversary with a concert at Marlborough Town Hall. Entry is free, but a collection will be taken on behalf of the Ukrainian Humanitarian Appeal Fund and the Turkey/Syria Earthquake Fund. Tickets from band members or phone 01672 841315. See more on facebook here.

• Gurt Wings are back at Burbage and Easton Royal CC on Friday 12 May from 5pm to 8pm. Bar open, all welcome.

• Worsley Training is running the following First Aid Courses in St Mary’s Church Hall, Marlborough: Adult First Aid on Thursday 15 June; Paediatric First Aid on Friday 9 July.

Aldbourne

The Savernake

For some time now there have been concerns in Marlborough and the neighbouring areas about proposed changes to access to the Savernake Forest; and also plans by Forestry England (FE) to create car parks there. The matter was last considered in detail by Marlborough Town Council at its meeting in April 2022, which featured a long debate on the subject and a strongly worded letter of objection.

More recently, FE published the final version of its Land Management Plan for Savernake Forest, titled Our Shared Forest. A spokesperson told Penny Post on 11 May that “the document outlines Forestry England’s long-term vision for management and conservation of Savernake Forest, based on considered research, community feedback, and input from expert stakeholders.” The full plan can be read here.

“We will,” the spokesperson continued, “use our Shared Forest land management plan to create a more detailed, shorter-term Forest Plan that will direct our operational activity decade by decade. The documents that are published here and this is where the Savernake Forest Plan will appear when it is finalised. We will invite stakeholders and local communities to share their feedback on the draft forest plan in due course.”

I also understand that FE will will shortly be inviting the town council and parish councils to join them in Savernake Forest for a site walk and chat with FE’s forestry team about its sustainable management of the forest. There may also be events which the public can attend. The matter has proved of great interest when it’s been discussed at Marlborough TC meetings, over 50 people attending in April 2022.

The matter will next be discussed at the MTC meeting on Monday 26 June 2023 which members of the public are welcome to attend. The agenda will be published here in due course.

Reflecting on the coronation

On 10 May, Penny visited Educafé in Newbury, as she usually dies, on this occasion with Newbury College student Max Taucher who’s been doing some work experience with us this week. They started chatting to people about the recent coronation and they soon realised that the many and varied comment merited a separate article – so here it is…

Thursday 4 May 2023

This week we cover a parade, tenders, bowls, recycling, a brass band and swifts – plus our usual round-up of other local news, local events and activities and news from your local councils.

This week’s news

• Marlborough St Mary’s and Preshute Primary Schools are all geared up to take part in the Children’s Crowns and Capes Parade at the Coronation High St Party on Sunday 7 May but also welcoming siblings, family or friends, who haven’t had the opportunity to make a crown or cape to join in too. The more the merrier. Marlborough Town Council will be running a free Crown Making Workshop at the Town Hall from noon on the day and will also have a Crown Repair Station for ‘injured’ crowns to make sure they are fit for the parade, which will leave the Town Hall at 12.45pm and will head down the High Street, turning round at the Jubilee Centre where the children can say hello to the Coronation Guests. The Parade will head back up the High Street to the Town Hall where it will finish. there will be a group photo on the Town Hall steps before the parade begins.

• Creative tenders are invited Marlborough Town Council to refresh the play area at Wye House Gardens in Marlborough. They are looking for something a bit different to the usual play equipment, which has maximum effect with minimum impact. Providers should provide a fully costed design with a budget circa £25,000. Once received the Council will select its preferred tenders and will carry out a targeted community consultation to ascertain best value and relevance, and as such tenders should allow a 3-month window of validity. On acceptance of the tender a scheme of works will be required.Tender closing date is 31st May 2023 contact Richard Spencer-Williams, Town Clerk by email townclerk@marlborough-tc.gov.uk or phone 01672 512487.

• Rainscombe Country Show will be celebrating 25 years of Land Rover at Rainscombe Park, Marlborough on Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 June from 9am to 5pm Admission is £5pp, with under 16s free. Hosted by the Wilts Vehicle and Machinery Club there is everything from vehicles to snacks to enjoy.

• Hely Cameron is offering her Spring Bank Holiday Yoga on Monday 8 May from 12.30pm – 13.45pm at the wonderful YogaWolf Studio, Elcot Park Marlborough. Explore gentle, nature-inspired movement & come home to your body. All levels welcome .For booking, more info & a whole host of other wonderful yoga and wellness offerings go here.

• Dinky Ponies are delighted to have been nominated for ‘The Best Children’s Business’ in Wiltshire and now go forward to the #MuddyAwards2023 where you have until 8th May to nominate them.

• Gurt Wings are back at Burbage and Easton Royal CC on Friday 12 May from 5pm to 8pm. Bar open, all welcome.

• Aldbourne Community Junction Shop invites you to the Green on Sunday 7 May from 11am to 3pm. Take the children and enjoy a funfair ride. Lots of stalls offering great local produce. Local cider will be on sale along with plants, crafts, food products. Plenty to eat too from a fabulous BBQ, plus teas and cakes.

• Marlborough Town Council is looking foward to the High Street CoronationParty on Sunday 7 May from 12pm to 3pm. Bunting is going up on the Town Hall and the Town Council would like to remind residents that if they normally park in the High Street could they move their vehicle before 8am on the Sunday morning so the road can be set up for the party. Set-up time for tables, whether you’ve pre-booked one with the council or are bringing your own is from 11am to 12pm. See more details here.

• Enjoy a Coronation Open House at Emmanuel Church Marlborough on Sunday 7 May from 2.30pm to 4pm. Refreshments, crafts and music as well as a free gift.

• If you have a DIY or gardening job that you could use a helping hand with on Monday 8 May, the volunteers at Emmanuel Church would love to help. Contact reuben@emmanuelmarlborough.org.

• Ogbourne St George Primary School is celebrating the Coronation with a Family Fun Day on Sunday 7 May from noon to 4pm. With a bouncy castle, face painting, as well as colouring and fancy dress competitions, and over 30 craft stalls, it is free to enter.

• Enjoy a Fun Dog Show at Coombe End Court Care Home on Monday 1 May from 10am to 12noon. Prizes for Best Puppy, Prettiest Bitch, Most Handsome Dog, Best Trick and Dog most like its owner. £2 entry per class. People are requested to pick up after their dogs and not to bring a bitch in season.

• Worsley Training is running the following First Aid Courses in St Mary’s Church Hall, Marlborough: Adult First Aid on Thursday 15 June; Paediatric First Aid on Friday 9 July.

• On Friday 12 May Ramsbury’s Party Band Premium Banana are performing live at the Memorial Hall in Ramsbury from 7.30pm to midnight to raise funds for The Prospect Hospice charity. Tickets £15 per person available from the Post Office in Ramsbury or phone Victoria Compton on 07973 613009.

Aldbourne

• Time Team is going to be working with Operation Nightingale on a site in Aldbourne linked to the United States Army’s most famous regiment of the Second World War – the legendary Band of Brothers. As the 80th anniversary of D-Day approaches, Time Team will drop into Aldbourne, once home to the iconic Easy Company of the US 101st Airborne Division. The dig takes place from May 2 to May 9, with daily updates from Matt Williams as the action unfolds on Time Team’s Patreon channel.

• Aldbourne Community Junction Charity Shop is open 10am-3pm Monday-Friday and 10am-1pm on a Saturday, and currently has a selection of cushions, throws, curtains and accessories to brighten up rooms throughout your house and refresh your home for Spring.

Swift watch

Swifts are the last migrant birds to arrive in the UK and these amazing birds need our help as their traditional nesting places in building nooks and crannies are disappearing as is their food source of insects. Swifts are black boomerangs, scything and flickering through the air, often in squadrons of ‘screaming parties’. These small birds spend the first three or four years of their life totally on the wing, only landing when they are ready to breed, and they are the fastest birds in level flight. Here is a guide to distinguish them from swallows and house martins.

Swifts mate for life and meet their mates at the same nest every year. If you can identify where swifts are nesting or even see them flying low please log them on the RSPB’s Swift Mapper or let us know so that new swift boxes might be able to be installed close to where the birds might see them (see RSPB advice on how to attract swifts to new boxes).

Thursday 27 April 2023

This week we cover artists, recycling, a brass band, DIY help and a banana. We also take a look at the latest news from Sustainable Marlborough – plus our usual round-up of other local news, local events and activities and news from your local councils.

This week’s news

• Marlborough Artists are putting on their Annual Exhibition on Friday 28 April from 1.30 to 4pm and on Saturday 29, Sunday 30 and Monday May 1 from 10am to 4pm at St Peter’s Church in Marlborough High St. Paintings, prints, ceramics, glass, cards and gifts will all be on show. Free to enter.

• Enjoy a Coronation Open House at Emmanuel Church Marlborough on Sunday 7 May from 2.30pm to 4pm. Refreshments, crafts and music as well as a free gift.

• If you have a DIY or gardening job that you could use a helping hand with on Monday 8 May, the volunteers at Emmanuel Church would love to help. Contact reuben@emmanuelmarlborough.org.

• Worsley Training is running the following First Aid Courses in St Mary’s Church Hall, Marlborough: Adult First Aid on Thursday 15 June; Paediatric First Aid on Friday 9 July.

Aldbourne

Sustainable Marlborough

A message here from Hayley Lamber of the above-mentioned group:

“On 20 April 2023 we met in the Friends Meeting House for a chat about the future of Sustainable Marlborough. The current organisers and administrators are moving away, so it was lovely to have a group of people who are keen to see the socials and other events continue. As always there was lively discussion, laughs and plenty of ideas shared. The future of the group seems safe, with a community of people who want to make the town a greener place and link up with other local organisations who are concerned about the climate and environmental crises.

“If you would like to get involved, please contact Sustainable Marlborough here.”

Thursday 20 April 2023

This week we cover funds, sustainability, a sing-a-long, a brass band and art. We also take a look at an imminent community event in Great Bedwyn – plus our usual round-up of other local news, local events and activities and news from your local councils.

This week’s news

• Marlborough Town Council in collaboration with Wiltshire Centre for Independent Living are holding Wiltshire Vision events to see how people want social care delivered in Wiltshire. Please click here to have your say.

• Local resident Elisabeth Gates is about to run the London Marathon to raise funds for Riding For the Disabled (Marlborough) and is looking for donations. To support her endeavours go to her Just Giving page here.

• Don’t forget that the Government’s Emergency Alert trial will be carried out this weekend. The test alert will take place at 3pm on Sunday 23 April, will be received on mobile phones, along with sound and vibration for up to 10 seconds. You will receive a message on the home screen which will say” This is a test of Emergency Alerts, a new UK government service that will warn you if there’s a life-threatening emergency nearby”. If you live with an abusive partner and have a secret or secondary phone, here is advice on how to switch off the alerts so they don’t reveal the existence of your phone.

• Sustainable Marlborough organises events and socials, shares resources and runs carbon-literacy training. It can also connect you with other local sustainability groups and useful organisations. You can find more information by scrolling through the tabs at the top of the group’s website. You can also click here to see a summary of their events and activities since the start of 2023.

• Quick reminder that Sing-a-long and Social is back at St Mary’s Church Hall every Tuesday from 6pm to 7pm. No need to be alone/lonely come and have some relaxed fun with tea and biscuits. Call Anna on 07852 191378 for information.

• Ogbourne St George Primary School is celebrating the Coronation with a Family Fun Day on Sunday 7 May from 12pm to 4pm. With a bouncy castle, face painting, as well as colouring and fancy dress competitions, and over 30 craft stalls, it is free to enter.

• Marlborough Artists are putting on their Annual Exhibition on Friday 28 April from 1.30 – 4pm and on Saturday 29, Sunday 30 and Monday May 1 from 10am – 4pm at St Peter’s Church in Marlborough High St. Paintings, prints, ceramics, glass, cards and gifts will all be on show. Free to enter.

• Marlborough Town Council is very happy to confirm they will be throwing a High Street party on Sunday 7 May from noon to 3pm to celebrate the Coronation. So bring your ‘Big Lunch’ with you and join the fun, you’ll be able to book a table or bring your own table and chairs if you prefer – there will be plenty of room for both. Register on eventbrite here

• Worsley Training is running the following First Aid Courses in St Mary’s Church Hall, Marlborough: Adult First Aid on Wednesday 26 April and Thursday 15 June; Paediatric First Aid on Friday 9 July.

• If you have a project about nature restoration, nature connectedness and pro-environmental behaviours or community cohesion and connection, the RSPB are excited to announce the launch of the Save Our Wild Isles Community fund, supporting communities around the UK that are helping to bring nature back to life. Only 5% of UK land is protected for nature, and communities across the UK play a crucial part in helping to restore nature, whether it’s creating community gardens, or protecting local wildlife. Find out how to apply here.

• On Sunday 23 April at 2.30pm Marlborough Town Council will be conducting The Savernake Explosion Memorial Ceremony commemorating the 1946 Savernake Explosion. For more info check here If you know any family members linked to the people who will be commemorated on this memorial please email: 1946semp@gmail.com to get in touch with the organisers. Please note there will be a temporary road closure between 2-3.30pm to ensure the safety of attendees at this event.

Aldbourne

Turning the cogs

Between 1pm and 4pm this Saturday 22 April, you can come and meet the Clubs, Organisations, Groups and Societies (COGS) that make up Great Bedwyn. This will take place at Great Bedwyn Village Hall (Frog Lane. SN8 3PB), The following will have staffed tables where you can come along and chat:

Bedwyn Cinema; Bedwyn Coronation Celebrations; Bedwyn Golfing Society; Bedwyn History Society; Bedwyn Trains Passenger Group; Bell Ringers; Bruce’s Trust; Church (Parochial Church Council); Cricket Club; Crofton Pumping Station; Footpaths Group; Friends of Great Bedwyn Church Trust; Friendship & Mobility; Great Bedwyn School (Governors); Great Green Bedwyn; Link Scheme; Memorial Hall & Playing Fields Charity; Millennium Choir; Music Society; North Wessex Downs Landscape Trust; Pantomime Society; Parish Council & Allotments; Parish News; Pewsey Community Area Partnership; Pewsey Vale Tourism Partnership; Royal Observer Corps Heritage Group; Stay and Play (toddler group); Surgery Patient Participation Group; Tennis Club; Thursday Club; Wilton Windmill; Wiltshire Health Walks; and the Women’s Institute.

Thursday 13 April 2023

This week we cover art, support, first aid, a peaks challenge and allotment help. We also take a look at biochar in the company of Sustainable Marlborough – plus our usual round-up of other local news, local events and activities and news from your local councils.

This week’s news

• Avebury National Trust‘s Easter Trail at Avebury Manor Garden, with a chocolate prize at the end of it, continues every day from 10am -to4pm until Sunday 16 April (normal admission applies plus £3 per trail). You can choose from either a chocolate egg or a vegan and Free From chocolate egg. Both eggs are made using Rainforest Alliance Certified cocoa.

• Take on the Wiltshire 3 Peaks Challenge on Saturday 17 June. Run, jog or walk either a 10km or a half Marathon trail route to raise funds for local young people. To find out more, click here: or emailcharlotte@youthadventuretrust.org.uk

• Worsley Training is running the following First Aid Courses in St Mary’s Church Hall, Marlborough:Adult First Aid on Wednesday 26 April and Thursday 15 June; Paediatric First Aid on Friday 9 July.

• The Head Gardener at The Merchant’s House will give a talk on Wednesday 19 April about how global warming and climate change is affecting our gardening year. Find out about what plantings are best in our changing seasons, how to handle our warmer summers and wetter winters. Tickets and full details on the website here.

Aldbourne

• All welcome to help at Aldbourne Community Garden on Saturday 15 April to help make 2023 the biggest harvest yet. They will be building new raised beds, making a strawberry planter, prepping last year’s beds and generally getting the garden ready for the 2023 growing season…see facebook event for more details.

• The next Aldbourne Curry Club is on Tuesday 18 April at The Burj Indian restaurant in Foxhill near Wanborough. Book your place here. £5 of every £15 payment received by Aldbourne Curry Club goes directly to Aldbourne Youth Council which operates the Community Junction.

Sustainable Marlborough’s biochar

Sustainable Marlborough organises events and socials, shares resources and runs carbon-literacy training. It can also connect you with other local sustainability groups and useful organisations. You can find more information by scrolling through the tabs at the top of the group’s website.

You can also click here to see a summary of their events and activities since the start of 2023. The main event in March was a talk from a local sustainable charcoal producer about biochar. What, you might ask, is biochar? As the article explains, “it is “very small pieces of charcoal: but it doesn’t have to be made from wood. Any biological matter can be made into charcoal including garden waste, animal bones and sewage sludge, but the carbon content will vary from 30-90%. 1g of biochar has a surface area of 300m2, so it’s incredibly porous and absorbs nutrients and toxins.” Its uses include adding it to animal feed to reduce methane, absorbing ammonia from manures, remediating soil pollution, water and air filtration, adding to tarmac to sequester carbon and strengthening concrete.

The above-,mentioned post has more information on this and the group’s other activities.

Thursday 6 April 2023

This week we have a thank-you, walking, an explosion, scam calls and first aid. We also take a look at how a new Wiltshire Council policy might affect the future off the Community and Youth Centre in Marlborough – plus our usual round-up of other local news, local events and activities and news from your local councils.

This week’s news

• Quick reminder about Marlborough Town Council’s small grant scheme for local community or charity projects. Applications are considered by the Council at their Finance & Policy Committee Meetings which happen every few months. For more information about how to apply for the grant, visit the Town Council’s website. Next application deadline is 10 April for the 24 April meeting.

•Marlborough Town Council are offering two new walk leaflets, available at the George Lane tourist information point (between the loos and the community fridge) or from their High Street office during office hours. More detailed download versions are available on their website here.

•Marlborough Town Council want to say a big thank you to Val, the two Janes, Sue & Paul, Marvellous Margaret and Councillor Kelvyn Shantry who joined Clare, Nigel and the Grounds Team and their office team Andrea and Dawn on Saturday’s rainy Coronation Clean Up at the weekend in George Lane, including riverside walks, Coopers Meadow, George Lane and nearby footpaths through to Town Mill.

• Following on from a well-received talk at their AGM by Senior Project Officer Anna, Action for the River Kennet were delighted to receive a cheque for £150 and a certificate of recognition for their outstanding work for wildlife and people from Marlborough Gardening Association (MGA). Director Charlotte and Project Officer Mia collected these from MGA’s Chair Miranda Gilmour.

• The Head Gardener at The Merchant’s House will give a talk on Wednesday 19 April about how Global Warming and Climate Change is affecting our gardening year. Find out about what plantings are best in our changing seasons, how to handle our warmer summers and wetter winters. Tickets and full details on the website here.

• The Summer Community River Schools at Stonebridge Wild River Reserve, Marlborough run by ARK – Action for the River Kennet are back in August. They will run from 10am to 3.30pm on Saturday 12, Tuesday 15, and Sunday 20 August. Check here for further details www.riverkennet.org or email anna@riverkennet.org

• Do you know a vulnerable person who receives scam or nuisance calls and would like to be able to protect them from such calls? If so you can apply to have a call blocker fitted for free from the Trading Standards team. To qualify for a call blocker, residents need to live in West Berks, regularly receive scam & nuisance calls and have care or support needs due to factors such as age, mobility or mental health. Contact Public Protection Partnership now to ask for more information on 01635 519930 for Trading Standards or email tsadvice@westberks.gov.uk

• Local rail news from Bedwyn Passenger Train Group on rail strike action, how to claim refunds and the campaign to pressure GWR to return more direct IETs (Intercity Express Trains) from Bedwyn, Hungerford and Kintbury to Paddington.

• Love Marlborough Kids Meals remind those who are struggling today, or any day, to reach out to them through messenger or by email freemeals@lovemarlboroughkidsmeals.org for help. All new families are given a slow-cooker, low-energy consuming and perfect for easy budget family meals. Also a hot chicken dinner, enough for everyone to eat together – with ingredients for another meal in the week is delivered to your door every Friday, enough for everyone to eat together – with ingredients for another meal in the week. Privacy guaranteed. No questions asked – no agencies involved. See more on their facebook page here.

• Walkers, horse-riders, off road cyclists please be mindful of your impact on ground-nesting birds this spring and summer. Of course dogs love to romp but skylarks and nightjars are endangered species and if an adult is disturbed they will not return to their nest, leaving their chicks to die. Please see more details here about national requirements for dog walkers between 1 March and 31 July.

• Marlborough Library has a Reading Well book collection to help support children and teens’ positive mental health. Chosen by children and teens themselves with health experts these books are free to reserve and borrow from any Wiltshire library.

Aldbourne

• All welcome to help at Aldbourne Community Garden on Saturday 15 April to help make 2023 the biggest harvest yet.

They will be building new raised beds, making a strawberry planter, prepping last year’s beds and generally getting the garden ready for the 2023 growing season…see facebook event for more details.

• Easter Musical Madness at Aldbourne Memorial Hall on Wednesday 12, Thursday 13 and Friday 14 April for Dance/Drama/Singing Camp. Three days for £135 per child. Contact Kelly by email smart.ksutton@gmail.com. Places are going fast.

Marlborough’s CAT

Marlborough Town Council devoted a good deal of time at its meeting on 27 March 2023 to discussing the Community and Youth Centre. You can see more in the agenda pack here (item 12) and you can click here to read a summary of the discussion (item 307/22).

The situation seems to be as follows. In 2017, Wiltshire Council (WC) and Marlborough Town Council (MTC) agreed that the former would grant the latter a seven-year lease, which expires on 6 June 2024, on this building. MTC would bear all the costs and the expectation was (though this was never enshrined in any agreement) that by the expiry the building would be the subject of a community asset transfer – hence the CAT in the heading.

It’s recently transpired, however, that since then WC has changed its Delegation & Asset Transfer Policy and this, coupled with WC’s urgent desire for income following a rather bleak financial period, has put the arrangement in doubt. At the meeting, MTC councillors expressed “dismay and disappointment” at the news.

CATs have been a thing for some time. They almost invariably travel downwards, towards town and parish level, and appear to rely on an inexhaustible well of local goodwill and volunteers to continue to run services or buildings which previously had been the responsibility of the higher authority. WC seems to be in the fast lane on this trend, shedding as much as it can. One perverse result of this may well be higher charges to residents. Towns and parishes are not limited in the amount by which they can raise their precept (top-tier councils do have such limits on council tax). Whether towns and parishes will be able to manage matters more responsively is one thing: many feel that they can. If, however, the devolved services start to include things like refuse collection, it’s perhaps unlikely that they can apply the same economies of scale as can a larger council. Also, more services means more staff to manage them, even if they are out-sourced: which means a higher precept. This will appear on the council tax bills, but the senior authority will say that any increases are down to the parish. The next result might be more parish and town councils becoming political (which seems worth avoiding at all costs).

Anyway, moving back to the actual situation in Marlborough, one of the main concerns MTC had was whether or not it would be expected to pay full market price for a building which was only in use – and habitable – because MTC had spent over £193,000 on it during the lifetime of the lease (about £38,000 of which was recovered in revenue). It appears that WC is prepared to make an exception and consider this matter outside its new policy (perhaps in recognition that there was an understanding in place). Surely, in any decisions, the amount MTC has spent should be taken into account in any consideration? When West Berkshire Council (WBC) transferred Hungerford Library to a charity sent up by Hungerford Town Council (HTC), HTC insisted that WBC do a good deal of work on the building before it could shed itself of the responsibility. MTC could surely say the same thing here, the difference being that it has done the work and paid for it, and maintained a valuable community service into the bargain. All in all, a consideration of £1 would seem to be in order.

There are two other aspects (well, probably a lot more than two). One is that the Marlborough Area Board recently awarded funding for the provision of a youth worker there, something that WC’s current stance seems rather to undermine. The second is there is a restrictive covenant on the building which restricts its use to youth work. As WC clearly has no desire to discharge this function itself and as it can’t re-develop the site, one would imagine it would welcome getting shot of it. There’s surely a social benefit in the current situation, though that can’t be expressed on a balance sheet. If MTC found another venue in town and vacated the building, WC would be stuck with it, including all the costs that would rack up even if it were left empty.

I wonder also if this is the first example WC has found of its new policy running against previous agreements, morality or common sense. The final point is to remind ourselves again about Sam Goldwyn’s famous piece of mangled wisdom – “a verbal contract isn’t worth the paper it’s written on.”

Thursday 30 March 2023

This week we have clean-ups, small grants, workshops, cafés and a merchant’s house. We also take a look at two neighbourhood development plans and learn that fewer can sometimes mean more – plus our usual round-up of other local news, local events and activities and news from your local councils.

This week’s news

• Marlborough Town Council will be running several Coronation Clean-Ups at various dates and locations. Please scroll through their facebook page for details.

• If you have been wondering what the man has been doing inside the cage on the New Road pavement just before Marlborough Town Hall, it was Rod Millar constructing the Savernake Explosion Memorial in time for the commemoration of the men who lost their lives in the explosion of 200 tonnes of munitions in 1946. The ceremony will be on Sunday 23 April and there will be a temporary road closure between 2pm and 3.30pm to ensure the safety of attendees at this event. If you know any family members linked to the people who will be commemorated on this memorial please email: 1946semp@gmail.com to get in touch with the organisers or visit the project’s facebook page.

• The Merchant’s House has two volunteer vacancies for the right people who want to join this treasured Marlborough institution: a Trustee for The Merchant’s House Trust and a Shop Director with retail experience for The Merchant’s House Trading Ltd. Application deadline for both positions is 28 April.

• Marlborough Town Council is keen to remind residents that the UK Government now have an Emergency Alert system to warn people when lives are in danger and a test will take place UK wide on Sunday 23 April which will see us receive a welcome message on our mobile phones. You do not need to do anything when you receive the message – this is just a test. The service is more effective if it has been tested before use. More here

• Marquee Square Heroes meticulously recreate the atmosphere and the sounds of Marillion’s glory days. Featuring established musicians from touring ‘prog rock’ bands on Friday 28 April at 7.30 at Marlborough Town Football Club. Ticket information here.

• Marlborough Academy of Dance and Drama have Frozen workshops for 5-8 year olds on Tuesday 4 April from 10-11 am at Ramsbury Memorial Hall at a cost of £8 per child.

• On Sunday 23 April at 2.30pm Marlborough Town Council will be conducting The Savernake Explosion Memorial Ceremony commemorating the 1946 Savernake Explosion. For more info check here If you know any family members linked to the people who will be commemorated on this memorial please email: 1946semp@gmail.com to get in touch with the organisers. Please note there will be a temporary road closure between 2pm and 3.30pm to ensure the safety of attendees at this event.

• On Saturday 13 May at Broad Hinton Village Hall there is a Travelling Trends Fashion Event. See a selection of the clothes modelled on the cat-walk. Come with friends and have a glass of something. For tickets or if you’d like to model for the event please contact Juanita Poulton on 01793 731158 or email brian.poulton@btopenworld.com

Aldbourne

• If you’re hungry at lunchtime or need a take-away for later, pop into the Aldbourne Cafe, Deli (and Post Office) for Eddie’s daily spread. Or if you don’t want to be tempted, just don’t look at the recent photos on their facebook page…

• Children in Reception, 1 and 2 at St Michael’s School, Aldbourne would love some donations of interesting or unusual items to enhance their play including old suitcases, keyboards, remote controls, metal pots and jugs etc. They also have a constant need for small items of recycling such as yoghurt pots, interesting packaging and small boxes for junk modelling. If you have anything you can donate, please pop them into the school.

• A reminder that Aldbourne Curry Club meets on the third Tuesday of the month at The Burj, Indian restaurant in Foxhill near Wanborough. Meeting in the bar for pre-dinner drinks (not inclusive), meal starts at approximately 8pm. A selection of main courses with rice and a side order, all for the fabulous price of just £15. £5 of every £15 payment received by Aldbourne Curry Club goes directly to Aldbourne Youth Council which operates the Community Junction.

• See the following section for news of Aldbourne’s recently-made neighbourhood development plan.

Making the plans

I mentioned last week (see below) about the recent success of Marlborough’s neighbourhood development plan at its referendum. I congratulated all those responsible and outlined one of the delays which it experience, but also wondered why the turnout, of about 16%, was so low when the average for these things is about 32%.

On 30 march I spoke to a Dawn Whitehall, Marlborough Town Council’s Corporate Services Officer who has been much involved in the NDP, and also someone from Wiltshire Council’s democratic services team. They told me something that I hadn’t considered but which makes perfect sense now I come to think about it: the smaller the settlement, the higher the turnout is likely to be. 16% is, it seems quite good for an electorate of the Marlborough area’s size (6,940). One of the reasons is doubtless that any development issues in a small community are likely to affect more or less everyone whereas something that might get built on the south side of a town might be of little concern for someone in the north. Smaller communities are probably also better connected with more information likely to be spread by word of mouth. You can see details of Marlborough’s referendum by clicking here.

This proposition is certainly supported by the results of the NDP referendum in Aldbourne, which took place on the same day, the details of which you can see here. In Aldbourne, which has an electorate of 1,435, the turnout was 29.7%, nearly double that of Marlborough. This, like Marlborough’s, was passed and is now in the slightly strange parlance of the planners, regarded as having been “made.”

I spoke to Anne Deuchar who had led the Aldbourne project. “We’re absolutely delighted with the result,” she told me. “I’d add that we wouldn’t have been able to do it without the amazing help from our consultants, Place Studio in Bristol.” This NDP, like all of them, needs to be refreshed within the next five years so this might not be the last that Place Studios and the Aldbourne community will have seen of each other.

Thursday 23 March 2023

This week we have a memorial ceremony, a market, a concert, art and bingo. We also have news of the Marlborough Area neighbourhood development plan having recently passed its final hurdle and therefore now being “made” – plus our usual round-up of other local news, local events and activities and news from your local councils.

This week’s news

• Marlborough Common 5k Your Way, Move Against Cancer will be occurring on Saturday 25 March. Meet at 8.50am at the blue flag, for anyone who has had a cancer diagnosis (and their family) to run or walk the 5k your own way (or any distance). Exercise helps in recovery. If nervous about attending please email marlboroughgroup@5kyourway.org . All welcome to meet after at the Marlborough Golf Club for a coffee.

• If you’ve forgotten to pack a poo bag at Stonebridge Wild River Reserve, Marlborough you can now help yourself to one and then put it in one of ARK – Action for the River Kennet‘s site bins. The biodegradable bags are in a recycled plastic bottle dispenser attached to the notice board. There are also new notices reminding everyone that dogs are to be kept on leads at the reserve. We are now into bird nesting season and water voles will be spending much more time out of their burrows.

• Marlborough Concert Orchestra will be performing on Saturday 25 March at 7.30pm with solo Flautist Sally Stocks at St Mary’s Church, Marlborough. Entry costs £12 per person, £2 for students.

• Marlborough Town Council reports that because no candidates were nominated for Marlborough (East Ward) a new election will be held within 35 working days of Thursday 13 April 2023 on a date to be decided by the Returning Officer. There will be further information when the new date and application window has been arranged. Friday, 17 March at 4pm is the deadline to submit application papers for co-option for the Marlborough (West Ward) councillor vacancy here.

• Marlborough Choral Society’s Spring Concert will be on Saturday 1 April at 7.30 pm at St Mary’s Church. Tickets cost £12 per person, £2 students ( refreshments included).

• Ramsbury Easter Food & Artisan Market is on Saturday 25 March from 10am to 3pm at Ramsbury Brewery . A wide selection of local food & Artisan businesses will be there and it is free to enter.

• In the lead up to the Coronation of King Charles III, quick reminder about Marlborough Town Council‘s ‘Coronation Clean Up’ campaign, co-ordinating 5 litter picking/graffiti removing/tidy town events in different locations around the town. All equipment will be supplied, and participants will be rewarded with refreshments All we ask is that you wear appropriate clothing and shoes. See this webpage for dates and details – suggestions also welcome.

• To provide vital help to pet owners who are struggling to feed their animals as everyday living costs continue to rise, The Blue Cross charity shop in Marlborough is appealing for donations of all kinds of pet food (for dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, birds) to be distributed to needy residents via Marlborough Community Fridge.

•The White Horse Bookshop in Marlborough has a new exhibition until 2 April, ‘Wood Engravings, Paintings, Oil Pastels, Drawings’ – a collection of artworks by renowned local artists, Simon Brett & Juliet Wood. Full details here.

• Marlborough Town Football Club is hosting “Boozy bingo” on Friday 7 April from 6pm to midnight. Pre – booked tables of 6 costing £21 per table including a bottle of bubbly and nibbles for the table. To book a table you will need to visit the website www.marlboroughtownfc.co.uk Bingo will begin at 7:30

Aldbourne

Marlborough’s plan is made

On Thursday, 23 March 2023, nine years of work by volunteer members of the community were put to the test as the Marlborough area’s neighbourhood development plan passed the final threshold of a public referendum. The question put was: “Do you want Wiltshire Council to use the Neighbourhood Plan for Marlborough to help it decide planning applications in the neighbourhood area?” In essence, this means that the part of Wiltshire Council’s local plan which relates to the area covered by the NDP will have been written in partnership with the local community. The NDP will now become as much part of district’s local plan as if the Wiltshire Council had written it itself.

There were 939 votes for “yes’” 163 votes for “no” and five rejected papers. The electorate was 6,940 with 1,107 ballot papers issued. The turnout was 15.95%. The plan was thus deemed to have been “made”, the technical terms used to describe its formal adoption (not, of course, to be confused with someone being “made” by the Mafia, meaning that they’re a fully initiated member.)

The Chair of the Steering Group, Councillor Mervyn Hall, who has been on the long journey right through from inception to realisation of the Plan, was accompanied by Marlborough Town Councillor and Wiltshire Councillor for Marlborough East, Caroline Thomas and Town Clerk Richard Spencer-Williams to observe the count in the Town Hall after the polls closed at 10pm. Councillor Hall was delighted by the result. “The adoption of the Marlborough Area Neighbourhood Plan is a very important step forward in ensuring that the views of our community are taken into account when decisions are taken on planning applications, ” he said. “The Plan will provide for developments to meet the needs of the community and provide vital protections to our environment and heritage. It has taken a long time to produce and I would like to thank the members of the MANP Steering Group, past and present, for their many hours of work and dedication that has made this possible.”

“Town councillors and steering-group members are entirely voluntary roles and are not paid,” the Town Clerk Richard Spencer-Williams added. “While everyone deserves a rest from the hard work and time to celebrate, the work doesn’t stop here – current legislation means that NDPs must be reviewed and updated every two years. Marlborough Town Councillors are enormously grateful to Mervyn and all Steering Group Members, past and present, for their dedicated hard work on behalf of the community. I took over the role of Secretary to the group when Shelley Parker, the former Town Clerk, moved on from Marlborough in 2021, and we owe Shelley a special mention, too.”

The only thing about thin vote that seems slightly unusual is the low turnout. In 2016, Planning magazine suggested that the average turnout was 32.4% and only last year the referendum at Benenden in Kent achieved 56%. This could perhaps be something to do with the length of time this one took to do. The plan for Hungerford – a nearby town of comparable size – started in 2018 was at the time expected to take three years. It’s now predicted to go to referendum in early 2024. Covid has clearly delayed both Hungerford’s and Marlborough’s. Eight years, however, is a long time. Perhaps some residents switched off from the process. It’s certainly hard to maintain public engagement when, of necessity, there are long periods in the work when nothing appears to be happening, tighter because of evaluation work being done behind the scenes or because of the need to wait for responses from consultants or consultees or information from the parent authority or site promoters. It’s also worth pointing out that the Marlborough Area NDP would have been made about nine months ago were it not for a last-minute judicial review (which did not succeed).

Delays for these and other reasons can, as well as reducing public interest, also prove exceedingly irksome for those involved in running the project. It is, I understand, rare for a steering group to have the same composition at the end as it did when the work started. They are, however, worthwhile exercises and we offer our congratulations to all those who have made this one happen. As Richard Spencer-Williams pointed out above, however, this is just the start…

Thursday 16 March 2023

This week we have first aid, sustainable news, train changes, small grants and local art – plus our usual round-up of other local news, local events and activities and news from your local councils.

This week’s news

• Sustainable Marlborough‘s social this month on Thursday 23 March will be in Marlborough Quaker Meeting House. There will be a special session with Luke from Slate Hill Charcoal about biochar and how we can use it to ‘supercharge’ our compost and improve soil quality, as well as capturing carbon and also a discussion about making Amazonian Dark Earth too. All welcome. For more about the group, visit facebook.com/sustainablemarlborough. You can also read more about the group’s recent activities and initiatives by clicking here.

• Marlborough Town Council wants to thank the 2nd Marlborough Cubs for an amazing amount of litter collected from areas between the Scout Hut and Recreation Ground on a very chilly evening. If you’d like to join an organised litter pick or even run your own event they can provide all the kit check here.

• Worsley Training is running a Paediatric First Aid Course in St Mary’s Church Hall on Wednesday 22 March. The course is suitable for anyone who cares for babies and children, as there are options for 4, 6 or 12 hours of content, depending on your level of interest and required qualification. Click here for more details and to book.

• The New Lamb Inn Marlborough are having a party to celebrate the new landlords with live music, The Vooz and the amazing band Pants on Saturday 25 March at 7pm.

• A heads up for all cat owners that a law is to be introduced that they must microchip their pets or face a fine. Owners are being given until June 10, 2024, to microchip their cat or face a fine of up to £500 under the Government’s new animal law.The compulsory microchipping of felines will make it easier, say animal charities, for lost or stray animals to be reunited with their owners and returned home safely. There are over nine million pet cats in England, with as many as 2.3 million estimated to currently be unchipped.

• Councillor Jane Davies is keen to remind residents that Wiltshire Libraries, including Marlborough, continue to be available as warm spaces for anyone who might need help, support, advice and comfort during the cost-of-living crisis.

• Marlborough Town Council has two Town Councillor vacancies, one each in the East and West Wards. After a number of electors wrote to the Returning Officer to request an election, the vacancy in East ward will be filled by election. There were no requests for an election for the vacancy in West ward and so that vacancy will be filled by co-option. Dates, more information, application processes and downloadable documents here.

• In the lead up to the Coronation of King Charles III, Marlborough Town Council has launched its own ‘Coronation Clean Up’ campaign, co-ordinating 5 litter picking/graffiti removing/tidy town events in different locations around the town. All equipment will be supplied, and participants will be rewarded with refreshments All we ask is that you wear appropriate clothing and shoes. See this webpage for dates and details – suggestions also welcome.

Aldbourne

• Aldbourne Parish Council want you to know more about what it is you are voting for on the 23 March. All information about the Neighbourhood Plan is available on the website here.

• Congratulations to Aldbourne Band for placing third at the WEBBA Regional Championships. They have qualified again for the National Finals at the Royal Albert Hall.

Thursday 9 March 2023

This week we have a bingo, kids’ meals, councillor vacancies, reading and small grants – plus our usual round-up of other local news, local events and activities and news from your local councils.

This week’s news

• This Sunday 12 March from 10am to 2pm The Marlborough Downs: A Space for Nature group of farmers and friends working to protect nature on the Marlborough Downs invites you to meet at Hackpen Hill at the Ridgeway carpak for a fun tidying up session as part of The Great British Spring Clean on the Ridgeway. See Facebook event here. Free tickets can be pre-booked here.

• A reminder that Sustainable Marlborough are organising more pruning this Saturday 11 March. This session starts at Wye House Gardens at 9.30am before moving to Waitrose car park, Priory Gardens and the two church yards, St Mary’s and St Peter’s. Bring loppers, secateurs, kneeling pads etc. if you have them. Marlborough Community Orchard also have some new trees available and are looking for sponsors. There are nine Wiltshire Variety apple trees available to sponsor. You can sponsor a tree for £100, which includes the tree, stake, tie and help with planting and ongoing support whilst your tree gets established. Contact MCO for more information on communityorchard2023@gmail.com

• Spurgeons Wiltshire Children’s Centres remind residents that bookings for their Make and Create session on Thursday 16 March at Marlborough Library with Wiltshire Scrapstore & Resource Centre close this week so give them a call on 0800 970 4669 to make sure you don’t miss out.

• Aldbourne Parish Council want you to know more about what it is you are voting for on the 23 March. All information about the Neighbourhood Plan is available on the website here.

• Click here for the latest news from the Bedwyn Train Passenger Group about the continuing threat to direct rail services from Bedwyn, Hungerford and Kintbury to London. The struggle is far from over.

Thursday 2 March 2023

This week we have a spring clean, dog walkers, walking football, prescriptions and a bunch of amateurs – plus our usual round-up of other local news, local events and activities and news from your local councils.

This week’s news

• Now we are officially in spring, dog walkers need to be mindful of their impact on ground-nesting birds. Of course dogs love to romp but skylarks and nightjars are endangered species and if an adult is disturbed they will not return to their nest, leaving their chicks to die. Dog walkers are requested to keep dogs on leads less than 2 metres long when walking in potential bird nesting areas. Please see more details here about national requirements for dog walkers between 1 March and 31 July.

• Thanks to Sam, Scott, and Alan at The Lamb, Marlborough there is finally a new home for Open Mic nights starting on Monday 6 March at 8pm. Come along and listen, or better still, bring your guitar (or other weapon of choice) and play a song or two.

• Wiltshire Wildlife Hospital is keen to remind everyone who is tempted to start clearing their gardens ready for Spring to be aware of hedgehogs in winter hibernation, under hedgerows, borders and untidy corners. Check as much as you can before accidently unearthing a prickly friend. This also applies to council verge clearing with an array of damaging tools. Always be mindful and careful of disturbing wild animals in their habitats, especially hedgehogs. We are due to experience a chilly spell in March, so it may well be after that they will start to emerge. If you accidently uncover a hedgehog in its winter nest, please call 07850 778752 for help and advice.

• Sustainable Marlborough has some community pruning dates coming up on Saturday 4 and 11 March helping to look after the community orchard and learn how to prune fruit trees correctly and get other top tips . For full details please visit sustainablemarlborough.community

• Marlborough Walking Football is a great way to get some exercise and meet up with other folks. Ideal for the over 50s, meeting on Mondays at 6pm for more details see here.

• Join the Great British Spring Clean 2023. Back for its eighth year, the Great British Spring Clean is the nation’s biggest mass-action environmental campaign. The Great British Spring Clean and Great Big School Clean will take place from 17 March to 2 April.Join the Great British Spring Clean on Sunday 12 March from 10am to 12 noon on the Ridgeway. A great opportunity for all the family to do their part in keeping our environment flourishing. For more info : https://www.keepbritaintidy.org/get-involved/support-our-campaigns/great-british-spring-clean

• In recent weeks the repeat prescription box outside Marlborough surgery, Kennet and Avon Medical Partnership, has been overflowing by the end of the weekend. They would be very grateful if you could either use the NHS App to request repeat prescriptions or pop requests in the box during the week when the box is emptied hourly. Using the NHS App is quick and secure. If your medication review is overdue, please write the names of the medications you require in the comments box.

• Come along to chat with others about support for the local Parkinson’s community. Join an informal morning of refreshments, cake & chat at St Peters Community Hub in the High Street Marlborough from 10.30-12.30 on Friday 10 March. For more details call Jane on 0344 225 3694 or email jhenderson@parkinsons.org.uk Complementary event, no booking necessary, just pop in.

• Marlborough Library has a ReadingWell book collection to help support children and teens’ positive mental health. Chosen by children and teens themselves with health experts these books are free to reserve and borrow from any Wiltshire library.

• The Marlborough Players second audition for A Bunch Of Amateurs, the hilarious comedy by Ian Hislop & Nick Newman, will take place at Mildenhall Village Hall on Sunday 5 March from 2-4pm for a production from 8-10 June. If you would like further information, or if you are interested but can’t make these dates, please contact our Producer, Barry Mercer, on 01672 514144.

• Action for the River Kennet (ARK) has new volunteering opportunities in Marchin Marlborough, Grafton, Crofton, and Shalbourne. See their website here for details.

• Marlborough Classics are heading back to Ramsbury Brewery on Saturday 1 April for their first Classic Car meet of 2023 with more hard standing car parking available. Food available and drinks too with a few special offers from the Brewery. It’s free to attend and everyone is welcome. Come along in your Classic car or on your Classic Bike.

• On Saturday March 11, from 9.30am to 12.30pm all are invited to join Tree Care for Marlborough’s Community Orchard to winter prune and care for the fruit trees. Share a morning of fun and learning, helping prune and give TLC to the orchard trees – vital tasks to encourage a healthy harvest and care for this wonderful community asset. Instruction on pruning will be given by a skilled horticulturist starting at Wye House Gardens, then moving on to manage the trees at St Mary’s Watrose and St Peter’s. If you have them, bring clean and sharp secatuers, loppers and gloves.

Thursday 23 February 2023

This week we have a reading well, HRT, a hilarious comedy, a look at the sky, ARK’s volunteers and classic cars – plus our usual round-up of other local news, local events and activities and news from your local councils.

This week’s news

• Marlborough Library has a ReadingWell book collection to help support children and teens’ positive mental health. Chosen by children and teens themselves with health experts these books are free to reserve and borrow from any Wiltshire library.

• “The Axe Man’ Winters will be playing ‘Rock, Pop and Country’ on Friday 24 February at the Wellington Arms in Marlborough call 07885 221408 for availability.

• RSPCA Shop – Marlborough have been donated some fabulous adult ski wear- including the base layers -so why not pop in and kit out.

• The Ramsbury Gang Show is at Ramsbury Memorial Hall on Friday 3 March at 6.30pm, and on Saturday 4 March at 1.30pm and 6.30pm. Tickets from Ramsbury Post Office cost £10 per adult, £5 child and £25 for a family of four.

• You may have seen media reports of the continued problems in the supply of HRT. As a result Kennet and Avon Medical Partnership are having to ration the quantity they can prescribe at any one time – it is better for 6 women to get a one month supply each than for one woman to receive 6 months. Unfortunately a minority are not happy with this and are being less than kind to staff – please bear in mind that their wonderful staff are doing the best they can in a situation that is not their fault.

• Join The Marlborough Downs: A Space for Nature “Wild” on Sunday 26 February at Uffcott for an informal family session where you will be making, creating, observing and exploring what happens in the sky around us. From bird feeders to sky baths and the trees above us. Aimed at children 6+ years.

• The Marlborough Players second audition for ‘A Bunch Of Amateurs’, the hilarious comedy by Ian Hislop & Nick Newman, will take place at Mildenhall Village Hall on Sunday 5 March from 2-4pm for a production from 8-10 June. If you would like further information, or if you are interested but can’t make these dates, please contact our Producer, Barry Mercer, on 01672 514144.

• Fifteen of ARK’s (Action for the River Kennet), fantastic volunteers removed canes and plastic spirals from the now mature hedge for wildlife at Stonebridge Wild River Reserve. The spirals and canes are still in good repair and will be used to protect the 700 trees recently planted near the River Og wetland in Ogbourne Maizey. The rest will be taken to be recycled. By removing the spirals when they are no longer required prevents them from breaking down in the environment and polluting the water meadow and river.

• ARK has new volunteering opportunities coming up in Grafton, Crofton, and Shalbourne. See their website here for details.

• Are you 12 years old and in year 8 or older and want to find our more about the Royal Air Force Air Cadets? Then go along to Marlborough Squadron’s open evening on Tuesday 28 February, 7.15pm to 9.30pm at the Cadet Centre, London Road, Marlborough. Please confirm your open evening attendance by emailing: adj.2293@rafac.mod.gov.uk

• On Sunday 5 March from 11am to 5pm there is a Tranquility Pamper Charity Day raising money for life saving treatment for Maddy in Mexico to halt the progression of MS at The Farm at Avebury A Perfect late Valentines gift or early Mother’s Day treat.

• Who is striking and when? Find out about the strikes this month and how they will affect you with the UK Strike Action Calendar which lists all currently planned regional and country-wide strikes.

• Quick reminder that St Peter’s Church in Marlborough is open for all as a warm space until Tuesday 28 February. The slightly revised opening hours are 10am to 3.30pm Monday to Saturday. Do join them for a hot drink with biscuits and cake – a warm welcome awaits you.

• Local charities and local community groups need to apply for Tesco’s Community Grants scheme. It’s really important that the sums of £1500, £1000 & £500 go to local charities and organisations as they currently only have national charities in the pipeline. Please check here and keep it local.

Everyday activism

This month’s theme is “everyday activism” and looks at “the actions that we can and do take every day, which play a part in shaping the world.” This can include anything from taking the bus rather than the car to switching your bank account and from planting trees to donating to environmental and social-justice organisations. Individually, these gestures may not seem much: but, if they’re normalised and done by many, things will start to improve. Many will also save you money and improve your health and wellbeing. Could be a big win-win…

Click here for more information on the group’s activities.

Thursday 16 February 2023

This week we have pampering, archery, panda songs, a winter grant and armchair exercises. We also announce the end of the delay to Marlborough’s neighbourhood development plan, the judicial challenge having been seen off – plus our usual round-up of other local news, local events and activities and news from your local councils.

This week’s news

• At The Jubilee Centre on Tuesday 21 February, at the Scout Hut in Marlborough, Angela from Wiltshire Age UK will be demonstrating armchair exercises at the Fitness and Friendship group.

• Kennet and Avon Medical Partnership donates medical equipment to Ukraine to help those suffering from the effects of the war. The Partners at KAMP have donated nebuliser pumps, phlebotomy and diabetes monitoring equipment and first aid supplies to The Ukrainian Medical Association of the UK (UMA-UK). UMA-UK ambulances will transport the much needed equipment to relief centres on the Polish/Ukraine borders and directly into Ukraine. Tim Owen, paramedic at KAMP who organised the donations said, “I am delighted that KAMP has contributed so generously to help those in need in Ukraine”.

• Wild Edge Adventure have another fantastic archery master class, with balloons to be popped and awards to be won on Sunday 5 March from 1.30 pm to 3.30pm, at St Francis School in Pewsey for 10-13 year olds. for further information email events@wildedge.co.uk

• Marlborough Town Council are keen to highlight the Surviving Winter Grant which was introduced by Wiltshire Community Foundation 10 years ago and has helped 1000’s of vulnerable households in Wiltshire living in fuel poverty. This year they are working with Age UK Wiltshire, Wiltshire Citizens Advice, Swindon Citizens Advice and Wiltshire Warm & Safe to help people who are experiencing fuel poverty by providing grants towards fuel or other heating related costs.This year the one-off grant available through Age UK Wiltshire is £200. The scheme will run until April 2023. More details here.

• The good news is that Sustainable Marlborough’s monthly social meet-up on the third Thursday of the month will this month be at Marlborough Quaker Meeting House on Thursday 16 February 7.30-9.30pm. Drinks available from The Parade Cinema bar.

• Trash Panda will be playing a blend of your favourite pub songs at The Bear, Marlborough, Friday 17 February from 8.30pm.

• Would you like to sponsor a local variety apple tree, either in memory of a loved one or just to help support Marlborough’s Community Orchard? These are potted trees of around 2 years old. All funds will of course be going to future maintenance of the orchard as well as materials required to plant the trees. Contact Gerald at communityorchard2023@gmail.com if you are interested in sponsoring a tree.

• Every Tuesday at St Mary’s Church Hall in Silverless Street, Marlborough from 6 to 7pm there is a sing-a-long and social. Relaxed fun with tea and biscuits. Contact Anna on 07852 191378.

• On Saturday March 11, from 9.30am ro 12.30pm all are invited to join Tree Care for Marlborough’s Community Orchard to winter prune and care for the fruit trees. Share a morning of fun and learning, helping prune and give TLC to the orchard trees – vital tasks to encourage a healthy harvest and care for this wonderful community asset. Instruction on pruning will be given by a skilled horticulturist starting at Wye House Gardens, then moving on to manage the trees at St Mary’s Watrose and St Peter’s. If you have them, bring clean and sharp secatuers, loppers and gloves.

• If you are struggling to meet the financial demands of living then please do get in touch with the charity PCA. PCA’s mission is all about helping to keep the community fed, with Foodshare (when there’s surplus food), the Community Meals team delivering home cooked meals in and around Pewsey, and BURP (Basic Universal Resource Plan) supplying food and household goods (packed and delivered) to households who are otherwise strugglingto get food on their tables.They also run a community market on Saturdays where you can pick up fresh fruit and veg for a donation if you can. Please do get in touch on 01672 487022

• Come and share your skills with others, on the first Monday of the month act The Barge Inn on Honey Street from 7.30 pm. Bring your knowledge from computer skills to gardening and embroidery and share with others.

Marlborough’s question

Last week, we referred to an article in Marlborough News (see below) which referred to the continued delay to the town’s neighbourhood development plan which was paused in August, just before its final stage off a referendum as a result of a judicial challenge. This turned on one of the many maps which turned out to have been wrong and which was spotted as part of the normal checking process. The applicant, however, believed that the inadvertent map should be retained and felt sufficiently strongly about the matter to launch their action. The judge has since determined that the case is without foundation and that the correct map could be used. The whole matter was clearly due to an entirely understandable oversight (which was spotted) rather than any more sinister motive. Fortunately the the MNDP team, the delay did not mean that any parts of the plan had become overtaken by events and so in need of re-drafting.

As if the judge had been reading Marlborough News and penny Post (and who’s to say that they weren’t?) this announcement was made very shortly after these two articles had been written. The referendum can now go ahead and will take place of Thursday 23 March 2023. The question being asked is “Do you want Wiltshire Council to use the Neighbourhood Plan for Marlborough Neighbourhood Area to help it decide planning applications in the neighbourhood area?”

Please see this post on Marlborough Town Council’s website for more information.

Thursday 9 February 2023

This week we have football, repairs, Aladdin, native trees and warm spaces. We also take a quick look at two local neighbourhood development plans, one of which hs slightly unexpectedly overtaken the other – plus our usual round-up of other local news, local events and activities and news from your local councils.

This week’s news

• Marlborough Town Council are keen to highlight The Surviving Winter Grant which was introduced by Wiltshire Community Foundation 10 years ago and has helped 1000’s of vulnerable households in Wiltshire living in fuel poverty. This year they are working with Age UK Wiltshire, Wiltshire Citizens Advice, Swindon Citizens Advice and Wiltshire Warm & Safe to help people who are experiencing fuel poverty by providing grants towards fuel or other heating related costs.This year the one-off grant available through Age UK Wiltshire is £200. The scheme will run until April 2023. More details here.

• Sustainable Marlborough is saddened to announce that the Repair Café scheduled for Sunday 12 February from 10.30am to 1pm at Marlborough Town Hall has been cancelled. If you can repair electricals or if If you’re interested in volunteering in the future, please email sustainablemarlborough@gmail.com.

• Marlborough Town Council committed to plant 70 native trees in Marlborough’s open spaces as part of the Town Council’s plans for HM Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee year. On Wednesday, 1 February a brass plaque was installed to commemorate a donated Oak in Priory Gardens, and on Thursday, 2 February their team planted the last of the Queen’s Green Canopy trees. They are therefore pleased to announce that all 70 trees have now been planted.

• Trash Panda will be playing a blend of your favourite pub songs at The Bear, Marlborough, Friday 17 February from 8.30pm.

• Every Tuesday at St Mary’s Church Hall in Silverless Street, Marlborough from 6 to 7pm there is a sing-a-long and social. Relaxed fun with tea and biscuits. Contact Anna on 07852 191378.

• The ALEC production of the classic pantomime Aladdin takes place on Thursday 9, Friday 10 at 7.30pm and Saturday 11 February in Aldbourne’s Memorial Hall. With love stories, a plethora of jokes and plenty of singing and dancing along the way . Tickets are available from the Aldbourne Post Office Café & Deli.

Preshute overtakes Marlborough

We referred in August of last year to an article in Marlborough News about how the final stage of the Marlborough neighbourhood development plan, the public referendum, had been paused due a a judicial review. It appears from a place at the MNDP web page that the situation has not moved on since then. This must be a worry and an irritation to the people who have worked for so many tears on creating it as it’s always possible that, by the time matters are resolved, there may be aspects that need changing.

A much more recent Marlborough News article has pointed out that the NDP being conducted by Preshute Parish Council has as a result overtaken Marlborough’s and on 2 February passed its local referendum with an 88% vote in favour of adoption. Preshute was originally going to part of the Marlborough plan but decided to go it alone a few years ago. It must now be glad it did.

Meanwhile, the wait for Marlborough goes on. I’ll make a couple of calls and hopefully will be able to let you know next week where matters now stand.

Thursday 2 February 2023

This week we have new opening times for community fridge, carbon savings, skill-sharing, community grants, and a message from a local surgery – plus our usual round-up of other local news, local events and activities and news from your local councils.

This week’s news

• It has been upsetting and frustrating to see the anti-social behaviour that has resulted in criminal damage, carried out this week at Stonebridge Wild River Reserve, Marlborough. ARK – Action for the River Kennet, together with joint owners of the site Marlborough Town Council and their extremely hard working and dedicated volunteers will continue to manage this important wildlife site and community space; and will get the fencing repaired and the throwline fixed. However, the willow bird watching panels are sadly beyond repair and will be removed and recycled in the coming weeks. The vandalism has been reported. You can also click here for a rather more positive story about the reserve from Marlborough News.

• There will be a free women’s circle on Saturday 4 February at 2.15pm upstairs at Bunces Cafe on Marlborough High Street. It’s an opportunity to relax, drink tea and coffee, be in the present and foster great connections. If you are interested see this link for more details.

• Every Tuesday at St Mary’s Church Hall in Silverless Street, Marlborough from 6 to 7pm there is a sing-a-long and social. Relaxed fun with tea and biscuits. Contact Anna on 07852 191378.

Back on the beat

A funding plan to put thirty two extra police officers on Wiltshire’s streets was unanimously approved at a meeting of the Wiltshire Police and Crime Panel today on Thursday 2 February). A proposal was put forward by Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson to increase the policing part of the council tax by 6.2% following an extensive consultation process. Previously, residents paid £241.27 a year towards the police precept for a Band D property. Under the approved proposal, residents will now pay, on average, an extra £15 a year when the new charges are introduced in April.

Mr Wilkinson told the panel that whilst he understood the financial pressures people are facing, the rise was supported by the public, with the majority of respondents to his recent “Use Your Voice” survey saying they were behind the 6.2% increase.

Click here for the full story.

Thursday 26 January 2023

This week’s news

• In response to community feedback, Marlborough Community Fridge is now open from 1pn to 2.30pm on Fridays.

• Do small carbon saving changes in your home really make a difference? Hayley Lambert from Sustainable Marlborough explains all here.

• Contact Soccer Excellence Coaching Academy to book in and start the half term break with some football fun at Marlborough Youth Centre. The day costs £25 per child and runsfrom 8.45am to 2.30 pm Get in tough by email mattcossnett@soccerexcellence.co.uk or call 07846 204174.

• Marlborough St Mary’s CEPrimary School are looking for any toys related to space, planets etc that may no longer be of interest to your children and you would be willing to donate to their Reception classes.

A message from the medicos

Kennet and Avon Medical Partnership says that it recognises the almost daily reports in the media of the NHS struggling to meet the ever-increasing demand for healthcare. General practice is no exception, particularly as the number of GPs working in the NHS has declined significantly over the last 10 years. K

AMP provided over 100 000 appointments in the last year (about six appointments for every person registered with them), but they still cannot keep up with demand. The concern is that the practice is being overwhelmed by the numbers of people seeking help and that patient safety will be put at risk. The partners of KAMP wish to reassure all those registered with their practice that they are constantly looking at ways to provide patient care in a safe and efficient manner, ever more so during the current challenging period.

You can help by visiting NHS 111 online, which advises people where best to seek help for health concerns, before you call your GP. You can dial 111 for the same service if you do not have access to the internet.

Thursday 19 January 2023

This week we have all things roads, spacey toys, carbon-saving, warm spaces and a museum upgrade. We also take a look at a recent communication from the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Office about measures being taken to improve (or restore) our confidence in the Police – plus our usual round-up of other local news, local events and activities and news from your local councils.

This week’s news

• The Marlborough Area Board is hosting a meeting on Thursday 23 February at 6.30pm at Marlborough Town Hall to discuss ’all things roads’. They are asking for questions ahead to ensure they can respond to area issues and topics in detail. Please submit questions by 5pm Friday 17 February to areaboards@wiltshire.gov.uk

• 8 year old Cassie has been growing her hair so that she can donate it to The Princess Trust to be made into a wig for a child or young person going through cancer treatment. The Castle and Ball Hotel in Marlborough will be holding a raffle to support both Cassie and MacMillan Cancer Support on Saturday 11 February at 3pm and hope as many as possible will turn up to support this great cause. For donations or any questions please contact Claire Barett on 01672 215201

• If you want to exercise more but don’t like the gym. try the friendly WALX group based in Marlborough and turn your walk into a workout. They meet 6 times a week for a walk or exercise session, using nordic poles and other equipment to turn walks into great total body workout. Free tasters sessions are running next week, on Thursday 26 January at 9.45 am, for full details visit here

• Sustainable Marlborough is launching their community Carbon Saving Spree for ’23, making small (and big) changes to be more sustainable. Do Nation‘s brilliant platform will help them to measure the carbon saved from all of our efforts this year and will track the collective carbon that we save throughout the year. You’ll be able to see just how much small actions add up. Anyone, anywhere can join the challenge, by visiting the Do Nation page Here and make some pledges. You can make as many pledges as you like.

• If you run a village hall or community building and need help with funding, you can get support from Community First and also sign up for CCB’s useful webinar on Wednesday 25 January on Fundraising for Village Halls & Community Buildings, including information on the new Platinum Jubilee Village Halls fund, managed by ACRE.

• Marlborough St Mary’s CE Primary School are looking for any toys related to space, planets etc that may no longer be of interest to your children and you would be willing to donate to their Reception classes.

• Now that groundwater levels are rising (and rain is falling), concerns about flooding and sewage discharges of from overwhelmed sewers are back with us again. On the latter point, you can keep your eye on this map which has been produced by Thames Water. Traffic-light colours are used: red for discharging now; orange for discharges having happened in the last 48 hours; and green for not discharging now (but shows discharges since April 2022). The overall picture is, as one might expect, pretty awful.

• Marlborough Museum will soon be updating/revamping and are asking what the people of Marlborough would like to see in the displays, providing they have it in their collection. So far suggestions have included audio visual display of events or people of Marlborough including video of the fires of Marlborough. Any ideas are always welcome as are volunteers to run it or help in the house. It is only £1 per person to enter the Museum (the house is an extra charge).

• Rick Stein restaurant in Marlborough is offering a series of Charity Lunches from January 16 to January 29 from 12 to 3pm. A 3 course lunch will cost £19.95, plus a £2.50 donation in support of Love Marlborough Kids Meals. See here for booking, menu and full details.

Restoring confidence

Following the latest shocking revelations about malpractices in the Met, other police forces have been demonstrating how they are, if not already squeaky clean, doing their best to address any concerns. This newsletter, received on 19 January, from the Office of the Wiltshire and Swindon Police and Crime Commissioner, lists a number of initiatives being conducted, including:

Checking existing Officers and Staff against police databases
Strengthening vetting standards
PCC and Chief to review all existing misconduct cases to ensure each is managed effectively and thoroughly
PCC and Chief reviewing local standards and vetting policies to ensure fit-for-purpose
New course for frontline supervisors to further embed standards and behaviours
Internal communications campaign to reiterate standards and behaviours and to advise of reporting mechanisms

If you have any concerns about anything that should be added to this list, contact details can be found at the foot of the newsletter.

Thursday 12 January 2023

This week we have a grants scheme, a clothes swap, a revamped museum, a local award, charity lunches and flooding. We also take a look, in the company of Marlborough News, at some of the grants that were confirmed by the recent meeting of the Marlborough Area Board – plus our usual round-up of other local news, local events and activities and news from your local councils.

This week’s news

• St Peter’s Church in Marlborough is open for all as a warm space until Tuesday 28 February. The slightly revised opening hours are 10am to 3.30pm Monday to Saturday. Do join them for a hot drink with biscuits and cake – a warm welcome awaits you.

• There is a new Bookstart course starting soon at Marlborough Library for children aged 0 – 5 years, on Wednesday 18 January, from 9.45 am to 10.45 am. You will receive a free goody bag and storybooks. Book your space now by calling 0800 9704669.

• Marlborough St Mary’s CE Primary School are looking for any toys related to Space/planets etc that may no longer be of interest to your children and you would be willing to donate to their Reception classes.

• Marlborough Museum will soon be updating/revamping and are asking what the people of Marlborough would like to see in the displays,providing they have it in their collection. So far suggestions have included audio visual display of events or people of Marlborough including video of the fires of Marlborough. Any ideas are always welcome as are volunteers to run it or help in the house. It is only £1 per person to enter the Museum (the house is an extra charge).

• On Wednesday 18 January, Sustainable Marlborough are hosting a Clothes Swap at The Town Hall. Drop any clothes you want to offer between 6.45 and and 7.15 pm, and the swap occurs from 7.15pm until 8.15pm. There will also be a pop-up bar offering refreshments.

• Congratulations to Greatwood Charity’s Managing Director and Co-Founder, Helen Yeadon who has been awarded an MBE in 2023 New Years’ Honour’s List in recognition of her services to disadvantaged young people and to former racehorses. Greatwood was founded by Helen and her husband Michael 25 years ago and over that time the charity has helped hundreds of former racehorses find a new career after retirement from racing whilst supporting thousands of children, young people and adults with additional needs through Animal Assisted Intervention. For more information on Animal Assisted Intervention and the work that they do, contact 01672 514535 or info@greatwoodcharity.org

Splashing the cash

Marlborough News reports here on the recent (10 January) meeting of the Marlborough Area Board, “one of eighteen such Boards across the Wiltshire Council area which are designed as ‘a way of working to bring local decision making into the heart of the community’. Each Board has the control over devolved budget to facilitate community action at a local level.”

The article explains more about how the process works, lists several of the recent recipients of the grants and the purposes to which the funds will be put and provides a link for how your organisation can benefit from such funding opportunities in the future.

Thursday 5 January 2023

This week we have a museum, a clothes swap, recycled Christmas trees, water leaks and some skating. We also take a look in the company of Marlborough News at a current consultation to raise more money to support local police services – plus our usual round-up of other local news, local events and activities and news from your local councils.

This week’s news

• Marlborough Museum will soon be updating/revamping and are asking what the people of Marlborough would like to see in the displays,providing they have it in their collection. So far suggestions have included audio visual display of events or people of Marlborough including video of the fires of Marlborough. Any ideas are always welcome as are volunteers to run it or help in the house. It is only £1 per person to enter the Museum (the house is an extra charge).

• Julia’s House Children’s Hospice will take care of your Christmas tree by collecting trees between 8 and 10 January, sign up here.

• Come join a family fun skate every Saturday afternoon from 2pm to 3pm at Marlborough Leisure Centre at a cost of £6 per person, including skate hire if required.

• Thames Water are carrying out urgent water leak repairs and associated works at Hyde Lane (part), Marlborough; from its junction with St Johns Close to its junction with Cross Lane. Alternative route: via St Johns Close – Cross Lane and vice versa. For further information regarding these works please contact Thames Water on 08003 169800.

• Aldbourne Curry Club is a monthly fundraising event for Aldbourne Youth Council, which runs the Community Junction. It meets on the third Tuesday of January to November at The Burj, a fantastic Indian restaurant in Foxhill near Wanborough.Meeting in the bar for pre-dinner drinks (not inclusive), we take our seats at approximately 8.15, when we are treated to a set menu meal consisting of poppadoms and pickles, a starter, a selection of main courses with rice and a side order, all for the fabulous price of just £15. £5 of every £15 payment received by Aldbourne Curry Club goes directly to our charity, Aldbourne Youth Council (1169711), which operates Community Junction.

• If you are feeling lonely and fancy a sing song to meet local people in a similar situation join the Sing A-Long and Social Group, to have a bit of fun exercising those vocals or have a chat over a cuppa and biscuits. Starting from Tuesday 10 January 2023, this group will be meeting weekly, from 6.00 – 7.00 pm in St Mary’s Hall in Silverless Street, Marlborough.

• A new yoga studio YogaWolf is opening in Marlborough from Wednesday 4 January. They look forward to your presence on the mat for the New Year.

• Wiltshire Council is cracking down on fly tipping because it spoils the countryside and costs taxpayers money to clean up dumped rubbish.If you need to get some stuff moved you can check on the Environment agency link on the post below to see if the operator is legal.There are big fines for illegal operators and the people who pay them. For more information please click here.

• Wiltshire libraries have officially become warm spaces for people this winter, providing a warm and friendly welcome to support anyone who needs help through the cost of living crisis.which includes Marlborough Library. Hot drinks, where possible will be available and warm packs for anyone who would benefit from some free essentials.For more details, contact your local library, email libraryenquiries@wiltshire.gov.uk or click here.

• St Peter’s Church in Marlborough is now open to the public as a warm space 10am to 4pm Monday to Saturday. Do please join them for a hot drink with biscuits and cake – a warm welcome awaits you.

Raising the precept

Marlborough News reports on a survey launched by the Wiltshire Police & Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson to consider “a proposal which could see the average police precept rise by up to £15 a year. This survey is open to all residents of the Wiltshire force area (including Swindon) until the end of January.”

He is quoted as saying that “Wiltshire is currently one of the lowest-funded police forces in the UK and the county’s residents pay one of the lowest police precepts out of all the south west police forces – even with the proposed increases, this will remain.” He also adds that “I understand any proposed increase, no matter how small, will be felt keenly.”

Click here to read the full story which includes a link to the survey.

To see the current Marlborough Area Weekly News section, please click here.