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 [email protected]
• 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 [email protected]
• 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 [email protected]
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
Community notices
• Have your say on current consulations by Wiltshire Council. Parish and town councils also run consultations from time to time: see the appropriate website/s below under Council contacts.
• 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.
• Marlborough Community Fridge in the Community Room in the George/Figgins Lane Car Park (just behind the public loos) is free to all and a good way to use up surplus food from supermarkets and businesses that would otherwise go to waste. See their facebook page for details.
• 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.
• 1st Marlborough Rainbows is looking for volunteers. Please get in touch here if you are interested in helping four to seven year olds on their adventures.
• Wiltshire Connect buses now cover Marlborough For more information on the service and to download the Connecting Wiltshire booking app click here.
• Merlin’s Mound history and information can now be found at marlboroughmoundtrust.org.
• Reading Well book collection at Marlborough Library supports 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.
• Love Marlborough Kids makes sure all Marlborough children have access to free meals as required. No fuss, no forms, no referrals. Just meals for families who need them. See here for how to apply.
• Friends of the Victorian Cemetery are looking for more volunteers to join their existing group. Please email [email protected] or check out marlborough-tc.gov.uk/the-victorian-cemetery
• Wiltshire Household Recycling Centres (HRCs) locations and opening times.
• Marlborough Fire Station is looking for new on-call recruits, ideally those who live or work within 5 minutes of the station. Parttime, paid, only responding to emergencies when their alert goes off. Please see Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue to find out more and fill out and application.
• For the latest information on rail services between Bedwyn, Newbury and Paddington we strongly recommend following the Bedwyn Train Passenger Group.
Local events and activities
For more information on events and activities across the Penny Post area, see the website calendar.
• Dates for the Diary
• Sat 9 Dec Indoor Christmas Craft Gift Market Barge Inn Honey Street.
• Sat 9 Dec Marlborough Choral Society Christmas Concert St Mary’s Church Marlborough.
• Sun 10 Dec Phoenix Brass Band and Lynham Military Wives Choir Marlborough Town Hall.
• Thu 21 Dec Candlelit Winter Solstice Downgate Pub.
• Regular events
• Sustainable Marlborough’s monthly social meet-up on the third Thursday of the month.
• Kennet Vale Table Tennis Club at Kennet Valley Hall. Juniors meet on Fridays from 5.45 to 7 pm and they are always on the lookout for adults to play socially or competitively. Call Richard on 07568 648468 to book a space.
• Sing-a-long and Social 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.
• Walking Rugby at Marlborough Rugby Club. Email [email protected] for full details or call him on 07734 724139.
• St Mary’s Marlborough Bellringers welcome new members (no previous experience required). Contact [email protected] or phone Julie on 07392 768266.
• Marlborough Walking Football offers exercise and friendship. Ideal for the over 50s, meeting on Mondays at 6pm for more details see here.
• Carer Café at the Jubilee Centre, 28 Marlborough High Street on the fourth Tuesday of the month, from 10:30am to noon. No Booking required. Join in on a relaxed chat over a hot drink with other carers and support workers or volunteers from Carer Support Wiltshire.
• Sing A-Long and Social Group on Tuesdays 6pm to 7pm in St Mary’s Hall in Silverless Street, Marlborough.
• Rhyme Time for babies and toddlers, every Wednesday and Friday 11am 11.30am at Marlborough Library. If you don’t already have a library membership, please sign yourself and your child up before you attend.
• Great Bedwyn Stay And Play is on Mondays term time 1pm to 2.30pm at Great Bedwyn Village Hall. There are games and free play with lots of themed music to enjoy with your little one. All are welcome. Prices for sessions can be found on their Facebook page.
• Transition Marlborough Hub Group meets on the second Thursday of the month at 7.30pm currently by zoom. To get involved please email [email protected].
• Marlborough Park Run is a free, weekly, timed five km walk, jog or run at 9am every Saturday. Open to all ages and abilities. Organised entirely by volunteers. Click here to see their Facebook page.
• The Stroke Association monthly drop-in support sessions at The Jubilee Centre for stroke survivors, their families and carers on Monday mornings. See here for the next date. For more details contact Katie Fielding on 07908 952740 or [email protected]
• Marlborough Floral Club meets 2pm on the first Thursday of the month at the Mildenhall Village Hall. For details please see here or call Micky Graham on 01672 514301.
• The White Horse Bookshop is offering workshops until the end of the year, click here for the full list.
News from your local councils
Note: “the most recent meeting” refers to the most recent one for which minutes (in some cases draft) or some other summary is available. Other meetings may have taken place since. Some councils publish minutes more promptly than do others.
• The most recent full meeting of Marlborough Town Council for which minutes are available took place on 6 November and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: a report from the Police; the Mayor’s announcements; Marlborough’s housing emergency; a possible re-enactment event; the Salisbury Road Recreation Ground; the cemetery extension; and a reaction to Wiltshire Council’s Council Tax changes.
To see the dates, agendas and minutes for future Town Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. Click here for the latest on Marlborough’s neighbourhood development plan.
• The most recent meeting of Ramsbury & Axford Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 20 November and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: correspondence; matters arising;; correspondence; planning matters; financial matters; rights of way; play areas; environmental matters; a proposed bike jump; repairs and maintenance; the Parish Stewards; the Memorial Hall; the next Police Surgery (in the Lychgate Room at 7pm of Thursday 7 December); and the School.
To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas and minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Chiseldon Parish Council for which minutes are available, took place on 13 November and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: the Clerk’s report; rights of way; Police report; the proposed transfer of services from Swindon Council; the draft Parish Charter; financial matters; and planning matters.
To see the dates, agendas and minutes for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Bishopstone and Hinton Parva Parish Council, for which minutes are available took place on 6 November and you can download the minutes here. Items covered included: planning matters; 20mph consultation; footpaths and highways; the village halls; and repairs and maintenance.
To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Great Bedwyn Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 9 November and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: action points form the last meeting; the new on-demand service; the emergency plan; financial matters; Green Great Bedwyn; and planning matters.
To see the dates, agendas and minutes for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Ogbourne St Andrew Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 6 November and you can read the minutes here.
To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings and agendas, please click here. To see the minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Aldbourne Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 1 November and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: outstanding issues; beating the bounds; the Clerk’s report; repairs and maintenance; tree planting; the Aldbourne Resilience Plan; and a report from the Wiltshire Councillor.
To see the dates, agendas and minutes for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. Click here for more information on Aldbourne’s neighbourhood development plan (which has now been ratified).
• The most recent meeting of Wanborough Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 23 October and you can read the minutes here.
To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas and minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Ogbourne St George Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 5 October and you can read the minutes here.
To see the dates, agendas and minutes for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• Click here for a list of current consultations being run by Wiltshire Council.
• Marlborough area council contacts
Parishes: Marlborough Town Council, Aldbourne Parish Council, Ramsbury & Axford Parish Council, Great Bedwyn Parish Council, Savernake Parish Council, Chiseldon Parish Council, Ogbourne St George Parish Council, Wanborough Parish Council, Bishopstone and Hinton Parva Parish Council and Ogbourne St Andrew Parish Council.
Wiltshire Council: click here to visit the website.
News from other areas
Penny Post area – please see the following separate sections: Hungerford area; Lambourn Valley; Newbury area; Thatcham area; Compton & Downlands; Theale area; Wantage area.
News and views from across the area and beyond: please see the most recent Weekly News with Brian column.
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.
• 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 [email protected]
• 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 [email protected]
• 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 [email protected]
• 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.
• 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.
Community notices
• Have your say on current consulations by Wiltshire Council. Parish and town councils also run consultations from time to time: see the appropriate website/s below under Council contacts.
• 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.
• Marlborough Community Fridge in the Community Room in the George/Figgins Lane Car Park (just behind the public loos) is free to all and a good way to use up surplus food from supermarkets and businesses that would otherwise go to waste. See their facebook page for details.
• 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.
• 1st Marlborough Rainbows is looking for volunteers. Please get in touch here if you are interested in helping four to seven year olds on their adventures.
• Wiltshire Connect buses now cover Marlborough For more information on the service and to download the Connecting Wiltshire booking app click here.
• Merlin’s Mound history and information can now be found at marlboroughmoundtrust.org.
• Reading Well book collection at Marlborough Library supports 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.
• Love Marlborough Kids makes sure all Marlborough children have access to free meals as required. No fuss, no forms, no referrals. Just meals for families who need them. See here for how to apply.
• Friends of the Victorian Cemetery are looking for more volunteers to join their existing group. Please email [email protected] or check out marlborough-tc.gov.uk/the-victorian-cemetery
• Wiltshire Household Recycling Centres (HRCs) locations and opening times.
• Marlborough Fire Station is looking for new on-call recruits, ideally those who live or work within 5 minutes of the station. Parttime, paid, only responding to emergencies when their alert goes off. Please see Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue to find out more and fill out and application.
• For the latest information on rail services between Bedwyn, Newbury and Paddington we strongly recommend following the Bedwyn Train Passenger Group.
Local events and activities
For more information on events and activities across the Penny Post area, see the website calendar.
• Dates for the Diary
• until Sun 3 Dec ‘Passage’ Art ExhibitionWhitehorse Bookshop
• Sat 2 Dec Marlborough Concert Orchestra, St Mary’s Church, Marlborough
• Sat 2 Dec Baby and Children’s Nearly New Clothes sale St John’s School
• Sun 3 Dec Christmas Craft Fair Aldbourne Memorial Hall
• Wed 6 Dec Harvest Mouse Survey, Stonebridge Meadow
• Sat 9 Dec Indoor Christmas Craft Gift Market Barge Inn Honey Street
• Sat 9 Dec Marlborough Choral Society Christmas Concert St Mary’s Church Marlborough
• Sun 10 Dec Phoenix Brass Band and Lynham Military Wives Choir Marlborough Town Hall
• Regular events
• Sustainable Marlborough’s monthly social meet-up on the third Thursday of the month.
• Kennet Vale Table Tennis Club at Kennet Valley Hall. Juniors meet on Fridays from 5.45 to 7 pm and they are always on the lookout for adults to play socially or competitively. Call Richard on 07568 648468 to book a space.
• Sing-a-long and Social 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.
• Walking Rugby at Marlborough Rugby Club. Email [email protected] for full details or call him on 07734 724139.
• St Mary’s Marlborough Bellringers welcome new members (no previous experience required). Contact [email protected] or phone Julie on 07392 768266.
• Marlborough Walking Football offers exercise and friendship. Ideal for the over 50s, meeting on Mondays at 6pm for more details see here.
• Carer Café at the Jubilee Centre, 28 Marlborough High Street on the fourth Tuesday of the month, from 10:30am to noon. No Booking required. Join in on a relaxed chat over a hot drink with other carers and support workers or volunteers from Carer Support Wiltshire.
• Sing A-Long and Social Group on Tuesdays 6pm to 7pm in St Mary’s Hall in Silverless Street, Marlborough.
• Rhyme Time for babies and toddlers, every Wednesday and Friday 11am 11.30am at Marlborough Library. If you don’t already have a library membership, please sign yourself and your child up before you attend.
• Great Bedwyn Stay And Play is on Mondays term time 1pm to 2.30pm at Great Bedwyn Village Hall. There are games and free play with lots of themed music to enjoy with your little one. All are welcome. Prices for sessions can be found on their Facebook page.
• Transition Marlborough Hub Group meets on the second Thursday of the month at 7.30pm currently by zoom. To get involved please email [email protected].
• Marlborough Park Run is a free, weekly, timed five km walk, jog or run at 9am every Saturday. Open to all ages and abilities. Organised entirely by volunteers. Click here to see their Facebook page.
• The Stroke Association monthly drop-in support sessions at The Jubilee Centre for stroke survivors, their families and carers on Monday mornings. See here for the next date. For more details contact Katie Fielding on 07908 952740 or [email protected]
• Marlborough Floral Club meets 2pm on the first Thursday of the month at the Mildenhall Village Hall. For details please see here or call Micky Graham on 01672 514301.
• The White Horse Bookshop is offering workshops until the end of the year, click here for the full list.
News from your local councils
Note: “the most recent meeting” refers to the most recent one for which minutes (in some cases draft) or some other summary is available. Other meetings may have taken place since. Some councils publish minutes more promptly than do others.
• The most recent full meeting of Marlborough Town Council for which minutes are available took place on 6 November and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: a report from the Police; the Mayor’s announcements; Marlborough’s housing emergency; a possible re-enactment event; the Salisbury Road Recreation Ground; the cemetery extension; and a reaction to Wiltshire Council’s Council Tax changes.
To see the dates, agendas and minutes for future Town Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. Click here for the latest on Marlborough’s neighbourhood development plan.
• The most recent meeting of Ramsbury & Axford Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 20 November and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: correspondence; matters arising;; correspondence; planning matters; financial matters; rights of way; play areas; environmental matters; a proposed bike jump; repairs and maintenance; the Parish Stewards; the Memorial Hall; the next Police Surgery (in the Lychgate Room at 7pm of Thursday 7 December); and the School.
To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas and minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Chiseldon Parish Council for which minutes are available, took place on 13 November and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: the Clerk’s report; rights of way; Police report; the proposed transfer of services from Swindon Council; the draft Parish Charter; financial matters; and planning matters.
To see the dates, agendas and minutes for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Bishopstone and Hinton Parva Parish Council, for which minutes are available took place on 6 November and you can download the minutes here. Items covered included: planning matters; 20mph consultation; footpaths and highways; the village halls; and repairs and maintenance.
To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Great Bedwyn Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 9 November and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: action points form the last meeting; the new on-demand service; the emergency plan; financial matters; Green Great Bedwyn; and planning matters.
To see the dates, agendas and minutes for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Ogbourne St Andrew Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 6 November and you can read the minutes here.
To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings and agendas, please click here. To see the minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Aldbourne Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 1 November and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: outstanding issues; beating the bounds; the Clerk’s report; repairs and maintenance; tree planting; the Aldbourne Resilience Plan; and a report from the Wiltshire Councillor.
To see the dates, agendas and minutes for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. Click here for more information on Aldbourne’s neighbourhood development plan (which has now been ratified).
• The most recent meeting of Wanborough Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 23 October and you can read the minutes here.
To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas and minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Ogbourne St George Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 5 October and you can read the minutes here.
To see the dates, agendas and minutes for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• Click here for a list of current consultations being run by Wiltshire Council.
• Marlborough area council contacts
Parishes: Marlborough Town Council, Aldbourne Parish Council, Ramsbury & Axford Parish Council, Great Bedwyn Parish Council, Savernake Parish Council, Chiseldon Parish Council, Ogbourne St George Parish Council, Wanborough Parish Council, Bishopstone and Hinton Parva Parish Council and Ogbourne St Andrew Parish Council.
Wiltshire Council: click here to visit the website.
News from other areas
Penny Post area – please see the following separate sections: Hungerford area; Lambourn Valley; Newbury area; Thatcham area; Compton & Downlands; Theale area; Wantage area.
News and views from across the area and beyond: please see the most recent Weekly News with Brian column.
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.
• 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 [email protected]
• 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 [email protected]
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
Community notices
• Have your say on current consulations by Wiltshire Council. Parish and town councils also run consultations from time to time: see the appropriate website/s below under Council contacts.
• 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.
• Marlborough Community Fridge in the Community Room in the George/Figgins Lane Car Park (just behind the public loos) is free to all and a good way to use up surplus food from supermarkets and businesses that would otherwise go to waste. See their facebook page for details.
• 1st Marlborough Rainbows is looking for volunteers. Please get in touch here if you are interested in helping four to seven year olds on their adventures.
• Wiltshire Connect buses now cover Marlborough For more information on the service and to download the Connecting Wiltshire booking app click here.
• Merlin’s Mound history and information can now be found at marlboroughmoundtrust.org.
• Reading Well book collection at Marlborough Library supports 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.
• Love Marlborough Kids makes sure all Marlborough children have access to free meals as required. No fuss, no forms, no referrals. Just meals for families who need them. See here for how to apply.
• Friends of the Victorian Cemetery are looking for more volunteers to join their existing group. Please email [email protected] or check out marlborough-tc.gov.uk/the-victorian-cemetery
• Wiltshire Household Recycling Centres (HRCs) locations and opening times.
• Marlborough Fire Station is looking for new on-call recruits, ideally those who live or work within 5 minutes of the station. Parttime, paid, only responding to emergencies when their alert goes off. Please see Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue to find out more and fill out and application.
• For the latest information on rail services between Bedwyn, Newbury and Paddington we strongly recommend following the Bedwyn Train Passenger Group.
Local events and activities
For more information on events and activities across the Penny Post area, see the website calendar.
• Dates for the Diary
• Fri 24 Nov Marlborough Christmas Lights Switch on and Festive Market Marlborough High Street
•Wed 6 Dec Harvest Mouse Survey, Stonebridge Meadow
• Fri 24 Nov Christmas Lights Switch On and market Marlborough High St.
• Sat 25 Nov Ramsbury Christmas Fair & Artisan Market Ramsbury Brewery
• Thur 30 Nov Clubhouse Christmas Market Ogbourne Downs Golf Club
• Sat 2 Dec Marlborough Concert Orchestra, St Mary’s Church, Marlborough
• Sat 2 Dec Baby and Children’s Nearly New Clothes sale St John’s School
• Sat 9 Dec Indoor Christmas Craft Gift Market Barge Inn Honey Street
• Sun 10 Dec Phoenix Brass Band and Lynham Military Wives Choir Marlborough Town Hall
• Regular events
• Sustainable Marlborough’s monthly social meet-up on the third Thursday of the month.
• Kennet Vale Table Tennis Club at Kennet Valley Hall. Juniors meet on Fridays from 5.45 to 7 pm and they are always on the lookout for adults to play socially or competitively. Call Richard on 07568 648468 to book a space.
• Sing-a-long and Social 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.
• Walking Rugby at Marlborough Rugby Club. Email [email protected] for full details or call him on 07734 724139.
• St Mary’s Marlborough Bellringers welcome new members (no previous experience required). Contact [email protected] or phone Julie on 07392 768266.
• Marlborough Walking Football offers exercise and friendship. Ideal for the over 50s, meeting on Mondays at 6pm for more details see here.
• Carer Café at the Jubilee Centre, 28 Marlborough High Street on the fourth Tuesday of the month, from 10:30am to noon. No Booking required. Join in on a relaxed chat over a hot drink with other carers and support workers or volunteers from Carer Support Wiltshire.
• Sing A-Long and Social Group on Tuesdays 6pm to 7pm in St Mary’s Hall in Silverless Street, Marlborough.
• Rhyme Time for babies and toddlers, every Wednesday and Friday 11am 11.30am at Marlborough Library. If you don’t already have a library membership, please sign yourself and your child up before you attend.
• Great Bedwyn Stay And Play is on Mondays term time 1pm to 2.30pm at Great Bedwyn Village Hall. There are games and free play with lots of themed music to enjoy with your little one. All are welcome. Prices for sessions can be found on their Facebook page.
• Transition Marlborough Hub Group meets on the second Thursday of the month at 7.30pm currently by zoom. To get involved please email [email protected].
• Marlborough Park Run is a free, weekly, timed five km walk, jog or run at 9am every Saturday. Open to all ages and abilities. Organised entirely by volunteers. Click here to see their Facebook page.
• The Stroke Association monthly drop-in support sessions at The Jubilee Centre for stroke survivors, their families and carers on Monday mornings. See here for the next date. For more details contact Katie Fielding on 07908 952740 or [email protected]
• Marlborough Floral Club meets 2pm on the first Thursday of the month at the Mildenhall Village Hall. For details please see here or call Micky Graham on 01672 514301.
• The White Horse Bookshop is offering workshops until the end of the year, click here for the full list.
News from your local councils
Note: “the most recent meeting” refers to the most recent one for which minutes (in some cases draft) or some other summary is available. Other meetings may have taken place since. Some councils publish minutes more promptly than do others.
• The most recent full meeting of Marlborough Town Council for which minutes are available took place on 6 November and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: a report from the Police; the Mayor’s announcements; Marlborough’s housing emergency; a possible re-enactment event; the Salisbury Road Recreation Ground; the cemetery extension; and a reaction to Wiltshire Council’s Council Tax changes.
To see the dates, agendas and minutes for future Town Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. Click here for the latest on Marlborough’s neighbourhood development plan.
• The most recent meeting of Ogbourne St Andrew Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 6 November and you can read the minutes here.
To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings and agendas, please click here. To see the minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Aldbourne Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 1 November and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: outstanding issues; beating the bounds; the Clerk’s report; repairs and maintenance; tree planting; the Aldbourne Resilience Plan; and a report from the Wiltshire Councillor.
To see the dates, agendas and minutes for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. Click here for more information on Aldbourne’s neighbourhood development plan (which has now been ratified).
• The most recent meeting of Ramsbury & Axford Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 16 October and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: matters arising;; correspondence; planning matters; financial matters; rights of way; play areas; environmental matters; a proposed bile jump (see separate section above); repairs and maintenance; the Parish Stewards; the Memorial Hall; the next Police Surgery (in the Lychgate Room at 7pm of Thursday 7 December); and the School.
To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas and minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Chiseldon Parish Council for which minutes are available, took place on 9 October and you can read the minutes here.
To see the dates, agendas and minutes for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Ogbourne St George Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 5 October and you can read the minutes here.
To see the dates, agendas and minutes for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Bishopstone and Hinton Parva Parish Council, for which minutes are available took place on 2 October and you can download the minutes here. Items covered included: public questions; planning matters; a report from the ward member; the 20mph consultation; and community safety.
To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Great Bedwyn Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 14 September and you can read the minutes here.
To see the dates, agendas and minutes for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Wanborough Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 4 September and you can read the minutes here.
To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas and minutes, please click here.
• Click here for a list of current consultations being run by Wiltshire Council.
• Marlborough area council contacts
Parishes: Marlborough Town Council, Aldbourne Parish Council, Ramsbury & Axford Parish Council, Great Bedwyn Parish Council, Savernake Parish Council, Chiseldon Parish Council, Ogbourne St George Parish Council, Wanborough Parish Council, Bishopstone and Hinton Parva Parish Council and Ogbourne St Andrew Parish Council.
Wiltshire Council: click here to visit the website.
News from other areas
Penny Post area – please see the following separate sections: Hungerford area; Lambourn Valley; Newbury area; Thatcham area; Compton & Downlands; Theale area; Wantage area.
News and views from across the area and beyond: please see the most recent Weekly News with Brian column.
