Salisbury Issue 17

Picture by Marianne Majerus

‘We’re walking for the ward that saved our son’s life’, says family

“THEY saved his life.”

And now a Fordingbridge family is taking part in the Stars Appeal’s Walk for Wards in a bid to thank staff at Salisbury Hospital who saved baby Taylor, who became ill at the age of just two weeks.

Shelley, pictured right with Taylor, and Chris Perkins’ son was brought into Salisbury District Hospital in October 2022 after he suddenly became very ill. When he arrived on the children’s ward, his condition worsened and the situation became critical as doctors had to resuscitate the baby, who was later found to have a heart defect that was restricting the blood flow.

“It was terrifying,” said mum Shelley. “Within five or 10 minutes there were over a dozen people working on him. They saved his life.”

Baby Taylor, who is now seven-months-old, had to go to Southampton for surgery but has since been admitted to the Sarum Ward at Salisbury Hospital several times when he was ill over winter and visits regularly for help with his feeding tube.

Shelley praised the “amazing” Salisbury Hospital

staff who treated Taylor and continue to care for him and says that “each time we have been looked after so well and are so grateful to everyone on the ward”.

Donations to the Stars Appeal fund enhancements to the furnishings, décor and artwork on the Sarum Ward along with multi-sensory toys and other play equipment, as

well as diagnostic, treatment and rehabilitation equipment.

The charity also provides free accommodation for families, including a dedicated parents’ flat and pull-down beds, so parents can stay by their child’s bedside in hospital.

“When we were there I was able to stay with him in the beds provided by the Stars Appeal,” Shelley added. “I don’t know what I would have done without that.”

Taylor is doing well but will have to have more operations in the future.

And Shelley said the efforts of staff to save their son were reason enough to take on the Walk for Wards, which takes place on July 9 at Wilton House.

“If they hadn’t have done what they did we wouldn’t be in the position to have Taylor with us anymore,” she said.

“We wanted to be able to do something to help other people that might be in our situation.”

To donate go to their JustGiving page visit www.justgiving.com/ fundraising/shelley-perkins1 To sign up for Walk for Wards, visit starsappeal.org/event/ walk-for-wards

Local care home residents head out onto the water

RESIDENTS from Milford House Care Home in Salisbury were plain sailing with a recent outing onto Southampton Water with the Solent Dolphin team.

The cruise on the MV Alison MacGregor set out from Hythe Marine and sailed out through the lock – which was an adventure in itself – onto Southampton Water, as well as taking the scenic route past houses and moored boats along the mouth of the River Hamble.

While taking in the sights, the residents also enjoyed tea on board provided by the volunteer crew of the Alison MacGregor.

Gemma Hicks, general manager of Milford House, said: “Our residents had a whale of a time on the cruise. Adventures

that take place outside of the home are a regular event for the residents, and we always ask for ideas on where they would best like to go and this has always been a firm favourite.

“The day was a lot of fun, residents were able to enjoy a simply gorgeous sunny afternoon on the water admiring the sights and sounds and everyone has been buzzing about the trip ever since.

“We are already looking forward to another trip later in the summer.”

A resident who enjoyed the afternoon commented: “We had an absolutely brilliant time and it was wonderful to be out on the water. The crew on board were also great, telling us all about the sights we were

cruising past, giving us tea and chatting with us throughout the afternoon – nothing was too much trouble.

“Thank you to everyone involved.”

Shelley Perkins with baby Taylor whose life was saved by doctors at Salisbury Hospital

Big ambitions for local parish unveiled for Laverstock & Ford

BIG ambitions for the local parish council, local wildlife and Wiltshire Police were heard at the Annual Parish Meeting of Laverstock & Ford Parish on 15 May, and at the Annual Parish Council Meeting that was held straight afterward.

Residents of Laverstock, Millford, Ford, Bishopdown Farm, Old Sarum and Longhedge attended the meeting that was held in the Big Barn at River Bourne Community Farm. Trudi Deane, the parish clerk for Laverstock and Ford Parish Council, said: “We saw a substantial increase in attendance which reflects an improvement of communication channels that the parish council now has with its five key communities.”

Residents enjoyed displays from local groups and partner agencies, including the Milford Area Preservation Group (MAPG), Wild About Laverstock and The Land Trust.

Nick Baker, chair of the Parish Council called and chaired the meeting. He introduced the Parish Councils Strategic Plan, capturing the councils’ big ambitions for the future in terms of: Community Resilience; Planning & Development; Sustainable transport; Climate Change & Environment; Public Amenity; and Accountability.

Nick included details of the operations officer’s report that discussed the important work of taking over assets from Wiltshire Council, including litter bins and play parks, and the work being done to tackle issues of speeding.

The council is waiting on the handover of five new play areas so that by the end of the year the parish will have 33 play areas in total.

Those present also heard from Josh Rogers, the Wiltshire Wildlife community

empowerment officer. Josh spoke about management of the Castlae Hill Country Park, the tension between being ‘dog friendly’ and protecting the ground nesting skylarks who thrive on the site, and the difference between a country park and a nature reserve.

He also mentioned the hibernaculum offering safe spaces for reptiles and other wildlife, and plans for a community garden. In closing, he also gave special thanks to Bishopdown Farm resident Jim Boardman for all the work he does, both as a volunteer at Castle Hill and in protecting the community orchard from damage by extreme weather last year.

The police and crime commissioner, Philip Wilkinson and Catherine Roper, the new chief constable of Wiltshire Police, joined the APM and took the time to chat informally to residents before they spoke officially and answered questions from councillors and residents at the Annual Parish Council Meeting.

Tom Maskell, vice-chair of the Parish Council who also attended both meetings said: “It was pleasing to see the number of residents who came, including representatives of our Footpath Warden volunteers, Parish Environmental Action Group and our Community Police team.

“We are grateful to the police and crime commissioner and the chief constable, for the healthy level of discussion and for giving detailed and re-assuring answers regarding issues of concern to our residents, such as staff levels and responses to reported crime and anti-social behaviour.

“To hear that Wiltshire Police is looking to improve ways in which the public can communicate with them is encouraging.

“We also heard from a resident who spoke as a recently retired member of Wiltshire Police about the many ways in which the police should be proud of their awareness, response and attitude towards domestic violence incidents.

“We know from Cllrs Lynn and Vanstone, who head the Neighbourhood Watch team in Longhedge, that residents are concerned about a rise in anti-social behaviour, but clearly Wiltshire Police is determinedly raising their game. We wish the chief constable success in their new role.”

Police and crime commissioner, Philip Wilkinson and Catherine Roper, the new chief constable of Wiltshire Police took time to answer questions

Far left: the Annual Parish Meeting in progress; Left: Police commissioner Philip Wilkinson with Cllr Jones

Family Fun Day raises over £26k for Salisbury Hospice Charity

THE RECENT 9th annual Fabulous Family Fun Day, sponsored by Ozweld International, raised more than £26,000 for Salisbury Hospice Charity.

The Fun Day, which has grown every year, is organised in memory of Lyn Futcher who was supported by the hospice in 2013. Taking place at Salisbury Rugby Club, 15 football and 11 touch rugby teams took part in this year’s tournaments, together with live music, children’s entertainment, a display by Phoenix Stars and a beer festival.

The raffle, with a chance to win a holiday at Beyas Villas in Turkey, proved very popular.

The sunny day exceeded all expectations with a record attendance and the most ever raised for Salisbury Hospice. The £26,000 raised on the day brings the total amount raised since its first year in 2013 to more than £100,000.

Chairman of the fundraising committee, Greig Futcher, said:

“When I was told how much we had raised there was a tear in my eye. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think we’d raise so much in one year. Thanks to all who attended, our sponsors and our committee.”

Tamsin Murley, community fundraiser for Salisbury Hospice Charity, added: “We are so grateful to everyone who supported us in putting on this wonderful event and all those who came along to enjoy their day in the sunshine.

“I would particularly like to thank Greig and his incredibly hardworking committee of Sarah, Spencer, Sam, Clare and Jason for continuing to work tirelessly to create such a valuable fundraising event in our calendar.

“To have raised £100,000 in total is a remarkable achievement; every penny they have raised will go towards funding the vital services that the hospice provides, free of charge, to members of the community.”

E-scooters will no longer be welcome at Salisbury station or on trains

E-SCOOTERS will be banned from all South Western Railway stations and trains from Thursday, 1st June. The ban will also cover e-unicycles, e-skateboards and hoverboards.

The new rule, which will follow similar bans at other train operators, has been introduced as e-scooters pose a fire risk due to the potential of their lithium-ion batteries overheating.

While the chances of a fire are small, there have been recent incidents of e-scooters catching fire on other forms of public transport.

In addition to the ban of e-scooters, SWR has confirmed that customers will not be permitted to charge the devices

at their stations or on their trains, and that they will not be accepted as lost property.

The ban also covers e-unicycles, e-skateboards and hoverboards.

Electric wheelchairs and e-bikes are exempt from the ban because they are subject to regulation, which e-scooters are not.

Mobility scooters for those with accessibility needs are also permitted. Customers are advised to check with staff if they are unsure.

Jane Lupson, SWR’s head of safety, said: “Reports of incidents involving e-scooters catching fire on National Rail services or infrastructure are increasing and the potential risk

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that they pose is not acceptable to our customers and colleagues.

“After some consideration, and in line with other partners in the rail industry, we will be banning e-scooters on our trains and at our stations from Thursday, 1st June.

“We understand that these devices are popular, but the safety of our customers and staff is our number one priority, so until greater regulation and testing can be brought in to ensure the safety of those travelling on trains, e-scooters will remain banned.”

On rare occasions e-scooters have been known to catch fire, creating af fire risk that SWR deems unnaceptable

All-female crew boat will attempt to break 2,000-mile world record

ON Sunday (June 4), an all-female rowing crew, known as Team Ithaca, set off on a rowing challenge to circumnavigate Great Britain. They were due to depart from Tower Bridge in London to begin their 2,000-mile journey.

Among the crew of six is Salisburybased Amy Wood. Four years ago, she rowed the Atlantic and has previously represented England at karate and competed internationally in gymnastics.

After months of training, the team’s challenge will be to row continuously and unsupported, with the ultimate aim of finishing the row within 50 days or less. If successful, they will break the world record, becoming the first team of six to have completed the feat.

While contending with fast-turning tides, unpredictable UK weather, a rocky coastline and busy shipping areas, the team will also be collecting samples for vital ocean conservation research by the University of Portsmouth and raising money for cancer charity, CanRehab Trust. The trust provides individualised exercise, nutritional and emotional support to people living with (and beyond) cancer in the UK, helping them become or stay active by matching them with a registered cancer exercise instructor.

Team Ithaca said: “We all come from active and adventurous backgrounds, but this race requires more than just strength, stamina and endurance.

“We’re excited to push ourselves mentally and physically, while helping some really worthwhile causes. By achieving this incredible feat, Team Ithaca would join the history books as the first British team of six to complete the challenge.”

The team has partnered with the University of Portsmouth and will be collecting data on microplastics, sound

pollution, salinity, temperature and even traces of marine biology through DNA samples. The data will be used to assess the environmental damage and long-term impact of pollutants in our seas and oceans, contributing to the largest dataset of its kind for UK seas.

Dr Fay Couceiro, lead scientist at the University of Portsmouth, said: “Data collected during the GB Row Challenge will significantly improve our

understanding of the changing numbers of microplastics in our waters.”

The team’s JustGiving page: https://www. justgiving.com/fundraising/teamithaca

The team’s Instagram and Facebook handle is @TeamIthaca. Their website is https:// www.teamithaca.com/.

For tracking – YB races / Marine Traffic (boat name GB Row Challenger).

Man killed in crash on A360 near Salisbury

A MAN has died after a crash near Salisbury. The incident happened at around 7.30pm last night (Thursday, May 25) on the A360 north of the city and involved two vehicles.

The driver of a van involved in the collision, a man in his 20s, was pronounced dead at the scene.

A passenger in the same vehicle, a man in his 50s, is being treated in hospital for serious

injuries.

“The next of kin of both men have been informed and our thoughts are with them at this incredibly difficult time,” said a Wiltshire Police spokesperson.

Anyone who may have witnessed the collision should contact the Serious Collision Investigation Team on 01225 694597, quoting incident number 54230054976.

Team Ithaca (L-R): Emma W, Amy, Maggie, Emma H, Sandra, Clair

Right: Salisburybased Amy Wood, who has already rowed the Atlantic

Inaugural charity ball event raises thousands for city hospice cause

THE very first FUSE event raised more than £7,000 for Salisbury Hospice Charity.

The event was held at The Stones Hotel and was organised by FUSE's corporate fundraiser, Louise Crompton, and Carol McGeary of McGeary Recruitment & Consultancy.

The event was sponsored by Ambassadors Business Breakfast Club.

And organisers said the evening surpassed all expectations, with more than 200 tickets sold in advance.

The event included a silent auction, balloon tombola, competitions, a magician, fun casino, grand Scalextrics, and live music from The Few to get people dancing.

Salisbury’s new mayor, Atiqul Hoque was the special guest of the evening.

Salisbury Hospice Charity is one of his chosen charities for the year.

Louise Compton said of the evening: “It was a pleasure to host such a fun evening of entertainment. I am very grateful to everyone who supported us in making this evening a night to remember.

“The evening would have not been possible without the generosity of everyone in the corporate community all working together.

“I would particularly like to mention Carol McGeary, Liz Beveridge and Deanna Dykes who have given up their time to help make the event special and to the team of volunteers from Nationwide Building Society.

“I am overwhelmed with

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the amount raised on the evening, every penny will be spent locally and go towards continuing to fund the vital services Salisbury Hospice provides to our community.”

Paula, head of fundraising for Salisbury Hospice Charity, added: “The evening was an overwhelming success, bringing together corporate supporters from across the region for a tremendous evening of fun.

“I’d like to thank everyone who generously supported the event and contributed towards its success.

“It was incredible to hear the evening raised over £7,000 for Salisbury Hospice.”

Tender opportunity for festive lighting and spring/summer bunting

EXPRESSIONS of interest are being sought by Salisbury City Council (SCC) from suitably qualified and experienced contractors to submit a tender for the installation of the city’s bunting and the testing, installation and support of festive lighting.

The Installation Festive Lighting and Bunting Contract is due to commence on the 1 October 2023 for a three year term –concluding on the 30 September 2026. Tenders must be delivered by 12 noon on Monday, 12th June 2023.

The work will consist of the installation and maintenance of the cities Christmas lights and bunting for Salisbury City Council as follows:

● Bunting: installation and removal of bunting at all the same areas as the festoon lighting, then placing it back at SCC depot. Notifying SCC of any lengths that are no longer adequate to be used.

● Lighting: maintain and install festive lighting around the city; maintain and install artificial Christmas trees and lighting around the city; supply and install two real Christmas trees with lighting.

Tenders must be returned in hard copy only and envelopes and packages must bear no reference to the tenderer by name, only the Tender Ref number (BUSN14).

They are to be returned to: Lol Wilde, The Guildhall, Market Place Salisbury SP1 1JH

Photos by Donald Capewell

Road safety improvements: Put your views forward on potential changes

WILTSHIRE Council is planning to apply for greater powers to help reduce moving traffic offences, using Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology for enforcement as part of its business plan commitment to improve road safety in the county.

Moving traffic offences are currently only enforceable by the police in Wiltshire, as is the case in other Local Authorities outside London.

They include driving offences such as going the wrong way down a one-way street; driving through a No Entry sign; ignoring a weight limit; or turning left or right where it is not permitted.

Local authorities are now able to apply for new powers to enforce moving traffic offences and will be able to issue fines to drivers for these offences.

In Wiltshire, the council has identified an initial six sites that would benefit from enforcement and is asking for people’s views on whether these sites are suitable.

Cllr Caroline Thomas, cabinet member for transport, said: “We are committed to

improving road safety in Wiltshire, and that is why we’re applying for these new powers to tackle moving traffic offences such as ignoring weight limits or No Entry signs.

“Moving traffic offences put all road users at risk, with pedestrians – particularly those with additional access requirements or limited mobility – especially vulnerable to the dangers when drivers ignore the rules of the road.

“This is not a money-making exercise for us; it’s about putting road safety first and our calculations show the technology will cost us money, rather than generate income.

“We’ve identified an initial

six sites, but we’d like to hear people’s views on them so that we can tap into local knowledge and opinion.

“We’re also asking for people to identify other sites with current moving traffic restrictions in place around Wiltshire which they think may be suitable for ANPR-based enforcement in the future.

“I’d urge all residents and businesses in these areas to take the survey and let us know their views as we seek to improve safety on Wiltshire’s roads.”

The first six survey sites include two in the Gazette area:

● Hollows Close in Salisbury, prohibition of vehicles: Monday to Friday, 7.30am to 9.30am and 2pm to 6pm, except permit holders

● Saxon Road in Salisbury, prohibition of vehicles: Monday to Friday, except permit holders. The survey is open until Wednesday, 28th June.

To find out more and to take the survey, go to: www.wiltshire. gov.uk/highways-mte

To request a paper copy of the survey, people should call 01225 713497 or email highwaynetworkmanagement@ wiltshire.gov.uk

Guide dogs tea party proves a fundraising success

SALISBURY & District

Guide Dogs would like to thank everyone who attended its tea party event in Harnham Scout Hall on the 21st May, along with all the businesses who generously donated raffle prizes.

The group raised £264.73 which will help the charity train more life changing guide dogs.

Further information on the Salisbury group can be found on its Facebook page at

https://www.facebook.com/ GuideDogsSalisbury/ and donations can be made on its Just Giving page at https://www.justgiving.com/ fundraising/ queenietheguidedog

The charity is always looking for new volunteers. More details can be found on the webiste.

https://www.guidedogs.org.uk/ how-you-can-help/ volunteering-for-guide-dogs/

The entrance to Hollows Close and (below) Saxon Road, Salisbury

Credit: Google

Human rights activist to give talk in Salisbury

GARRY Ettle, a prominent human rights activist, will give a talk at the United Reformed Church in Salisbury on 13 June following an invitation from Amnesty International (AI) and Sarum Concern for Israel Palestine (SCIP).

The evening meeting is the latest in a long series of events designed to fulfil the request of the residents of Bethlehem to ‘Come and see, go and tell’. The Nakba 75 commemoration, in May, that included an address by the Dean of Salisbury, filled the Quaker Meeting House to capacity.

Garry Ettle, a committed and highly principled human rights activist has opposed the Israeli authorities’ system of apartheid for years.

Peter Curbishley, from the AI group based in Salisbury has said that the talk would be based on the Amnesty International report on the apartheid system in operation against the Palestinians in Israel. The Amnesty report is detailed and follows other reports by B’Tselem and Human Rights Watch on the same subject.

Starts 7:30pm – free with a parting collection. Zaytoun Fair Trade produce will be on sale.

Electric vehicles (EV) and charging points: update

Wiltshire Council has installed 26 new electric vehicle (EV) charging points in the county, with more to come as part of its county-wide installation programme.

The chargers, which are being installed by Joju Charging, are now being rolled out throughout the county, with most replacing the current BP Pulse chargers, along with some new chargers in both car parks and council hubs.

Once the programme is complete, there will be 70 new public chargers in place throughout the county. Depending on the power source available at each site, charging power will range from 7kW through to 44kW rapid chargers, with some 22kW fast chargers.

To use the chargers, which will cost 52p per kWh from Monday 22 May, people can download the Mer app on their smartphone, from either the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, or they can use the telephone number on the side of the charging units.

Cllr Caroline Thomas, cabinet member for transport, said: “We’re delighted that the rollout of our new EV chargers is progressing well. Once our rollout is complete, people will be able to use a range of different speed Wiltshire Council chargers in 27 locations throughout the county.

“As electric vehicle usage increases, we expect demand for these chargers to rise, but we have priced the unit rate competitively, so that we cover our operational and electricity costs.

“Our Business Plan sets out our commitment to becoming carbon neutral as an organisation by 2030, along with a pledge to support the decarbonisation of transport in the county, and these new EV chargers will help us on that journey.

“As well as these chargers, we are also offering a grant to town and parish councils to enable them

to install EV chargers at suitable locations, and we have also invested in 45 new fully electric fleet vehicles and 17 plug-in hybrid vans, with more to come.

“We look forward to all 70 of these charging points being installed throughout the county to make it easier for people to make the switch to an electric vehicle.”

Emma Blades, head of public sector sales at Joju Charging, said: “We are delighted to be working with the council to install these fast and rapid charge points across the county, making electric vehicle charging more accessible for residents and visitors.

“The infrastructure will help to encourage the transition to electric vehicles by supporting people with reliable places to charge.”

Rapid charger locations of working units 2023

South Wiltshire

● Amesbury: Central Car Park, Salisbury Road, SP4 7JE

● Tisbury: Tisbury Community Campus, Weaveland Road, SP3 6HJ

Salisbury:

● Five Rivers Health and Wellbeing Centre, Hustle Road, SP1 3NR

● Bourne Hill Car Park, Belle Vue Road, SP1 3UZ

● Petersfinger Park and Ride, SP5 3BZ

● London Road Park and Ride, SP1 3HP

● Beehive Park and Ride, SP4 6BT

● Britford Park and Ride, SP5 4DS

● Wilton Park and Ride, SP2 0AN

Wiltshire Council is investing heavily in electric vehicle infrastructure

70 volunteers have signed up to make a difference to young people’s lives

WILTSHIRE Council has matched its 70th Independent Visitor to help young people who are in care or have experienced care to have a positive influence in their lives.

The 70th Independent Visitor was Jane Smith who has said she wants to: “Help just one child to feel valued and special.”

The Independent Visitor Scheme encourages volunteers to spend time with a young person in care and be a trusted adult from outside the care system who can offer consistent, long-term support.

Young people are matched with Independent Visitors on the basis of their interests and needs.

Once they are appointed, they can be expected to visit and spend time with the young person with whom they are matched, approximately once every three to four weeks.

This support can continue for as long as a young person receives care or care leaver

support from Wiltshire Council. To celebrate the milestone, Independent Visitors were invited to attend a celebration event at County Hall in Trowbridge.

People who are part of the scheme have also shared their own experiences of giving their time and seeing what a difference it can make to a young person.

Jane Smith explained: “I have volunteered for various organisations throughout my adult life and have found that helping others has positively impacted and enriched my life.

“There were times when I considered but felt unable to foster and so when I heard about the Independent Visitor Scheme, I knew it was a way in which I could support a child in care.

“On my wall at home I have a postcard that says: ‘Be who you were created to be and you will set the World on Fire.’

“It reflects my passion to see children thrive and reach their full potential and so

my hope is that I can help just one child to feel valued and special.”

Cllr Laura Mayes, cabinet member for Children’s Services, said: “I am so pleased we have 70 Independent Visitors that are making an incredible difference to our young people’s lives.

“That’s 70 stories of adults taking time to be a reassuring and constant support for young people in care, or who have experienced care, and providing a positive impact in their lives.

“We always need more, so anyone who would like further information please get in contact and we’ll share details.

“For now I want to congratulate all our wonderful volunteers and say thank you for being there, for providing that safe, positive space and for all you will continue to do for our young people.”

People wishing to find out more details about the Independent Visitor scheme can contact: IVScheme@wiltshire.gov.uk.

Mobiles and more can be recycled in kerbside collections from this month

MOBILE phones, vapes, wireless earphones and more can be put out for kerbside recycling collections in Wiltshire from this month.

From June 5, Wiltshire Council has confirmed small, rechargable electricals can be collected as part of the Let’s Sort It! campaign.

The items can be left out as part of the usual fortnightly recycling collection.

Items that will be accepted include:

• MP3 players

• Electric toothbrushes

• Shavers/trimmers

• All vapes and e-cigarettes

• Smart watches

• Mobile phones

• Digital cameras

• Charging devices/power banks

• Wireless earphones

Residents can place the items in a carrier bag next to their blue-lidded bin - not inside it.

However, textiles and

shredded paper will no longer be collected for recycling via the kerbside scheme, the council said, as reusing textiles ‘has become increasingly difficult’.

Shredded paper can be composted at home, taken to a household recycling centre, or put in the general household waste bin for energy recovery.

Cllr Nick Holder, Wiltshire Council’s cabinet member for waste, said: “We are always

looking at ways we can help to achieve our aim of supporting residents to recycle as much as possible and protect the environment, as stated in our Business Plan – and kerbside collections of small rechargeable electricals will help with that.

“We live in a tech age and we’re sure many homes are littered with old and unused or broken rechargeable electrical items that are clogging up

drawers and cupboards.

“As long as they are no bigger than a typical shoe box, we’ll happily take those items away to safely recycle them into muchneeded brand new equipment.

“We hope people understand why we’ve had to remove the option of putting shredded paper and textiles into their recycling bins. These types of items were proving to be problematic to recycle so we feel we’ve made a choice that allows us to focus our efforts elsewhere.

“We thank everyone for their continued support and efforts to recycle, we’ve already had a tremendous response to our Let’s Sort It! campaign and our battery collection service. It demonstrates that people are committed to doing what they can to help us sort it.”

For more information on the council’s recycling service, log on to www.wiltshire.gov.uk/ recycling.

Model

railway exhibition attracts visitors of all ages to Wilton

THE SALISBURY and South Wilts Railway Society (SSWRS) held its annual Model Railway Exhibition on 20-21 May at the Michael Herbert Hall, Wilton.

Over 750 visitors of all ages, including many families, attended.

The exhibition offered a number of layouts in different gauges and was supported by local model traders from the south west and some excellent cuisine. Wilton’s mayor, Cllr

Horses killed in A36 crash

He was shown round by the society’s chairman, Kevin Babey and is shown in the photograph admiring the skills achieved by the Newton Heath Works model in O gauge, representing the once extensive clay railways in Purbeck, Dorset.

Salisbury and South Wilts Railway Society welcomes new members.

Activities can be found on facebook @SSWRailSoc and on its website at www.sandswrs. co.uk

THREE horses sadly died after being hit by a car.

The incident happened at around 11pm on Sunday night (May 28), when police were alerted to ‘reports of horses loose’ on the A36.

“We received reports of one road traffic collision involving three of the horses and a car,” a spokesperson said.

“Sadly, three of the animals died at the scene. The driver of the vehicle suffered minor injuries and was taken to hospital as a precaution.”

The road was closed for a number of hours between Stapleford and Steeple Langford.

Andrew Kinsey, visited on Saturday and took a keen interest in the layouts exhibited.

Wilton mayor, Cllr Andrew Kinsey with SSWRS Chairman Kevin Babey

Credit: Charles Ottowell

Mugs with a difference for Stratford sub Castle coronation bell-ringers

CORONATION Mugs with a difference have been presented to everyone who took part in ‘Ring For The King 2023’ at Stratford sub Castle.

Ringer Martin Birt arranged for the commemorative mugs to be made bearing the photograph of all the ringers who took part at the church of St Lawrence.

While most of the band have been ringing bells regularly for some years, even decades, others who are still learning to handle a bell safely were invited to ring under supervision for this special occasion.

Tower captain, Alison Clayton, called a sequence of changes put together for the coronation, including the change known as ‘Kings’.

On Thursday, 18th May, the ringers gathered again, this time at 7am, to coincide specifically with prayers for Ascension Day at Old Sarum nearby – but also the early morning cuckoo.

There is a regular bell-ringing practice on the six bells at Stratford sub Castle on Monday evenings.

Barford will show its ‘Chelsea’ side at village Open Gardens event

By Morag Walker

RESIDENTS of Barford St Martin are throwing open their garden gates to the public on Sunday, 11th June from 11am to 4.30pm to give visitors an opportunity to explore some of the fascinating private gardens, large and small across the village.

The beautiful village of Barford St Martin, which nestles on the River Nadder has a rich and ancient history, which is reflected by many of its gardens old and new. There is something for everyone and will no doubt intrigue and delight visitors.

Who does not like to have a good nose around someone else’s garden to compare notes?

Barford gardens vary from the large and wildlife-friendly to quirky and beautifully designed. The gardens highlight a huge range of different styles, highlighting gorgeous flower borders, raised beds, productive vegetable patches and water features.

Visitors will be able to pick up topical tips and hints on planting schemes or helpful ideas that will encourage those all-important pollinators that are so beneficial to many flowering plants. There is no doubt that the gardens opening their

gates on the day in various parts of the village will delight the senses and visitors will be guaranteed to have a warm welcome from garden owners.

Visitors will also be able to enjoy a cup of tea and a slice of home-made cake at the Alabare Development Centre in Dairy Road. Here visitors can relax and enjoy beautiful views, fresh vegetables, plants, and crafts all of which will be for sale from the charity.

Entry to all the gardens is £5 per family (cash only). Tickets and a village map of the gardens can be purchased from the Barford Inn car park on the day.

The event is being organised by the Barford St Martin Community Fund, which is raising funds to enhance amenities in the village for local residents.

For more information, please contact: Stephanie Wheatley on : 07840 617512 or email: stephanie.stephanian@hotmail. co.uk.

Pictured, a beautiful foxglove, illustrating one of the many plants on show at Barford St Martin’s Open Garden

Credit: Peter Thompson

City Hall could be set for entertaining future - with significant investment

WILTSHIRE Council is investigating different funding options that could see the existing City Hall in Salisbury completely redeveloped into a modern entertainment venue. This, it is hoped, would bring with it wider economic benefits to Salisbury and the surrounding areas, while complementing the city’s existing and emerging cultural offer.

Cllr Richard Clewer, leader of Wiltshire Council, made the announcement at his latest Ask the Leader session, which took place on 17 May at Bourne Hill. The council has been carrying out repair surveys on the existing City Hall building to find out how much it would cost to get it into a fit state to reopen.

However, the cost of simply making the building usable would be more than £2m. To then improve the overall quality of experience for a visitor to the venue, would cost far more and so the council has been looking into other options to do more.

Being able to make a significant investment would

also open up the intriguing option of moving the city’s library and Young Gallery into the redeveloped site.

The current library will need around £1m of repairs and it may be a sensible option to embed it as part of the new City Hall project, given it wouldn’t need to close while that site is being worked on.

The council has stated that it is committed to developing an innovative library service in the city in a building fit for the future.

However, no final decisions have been made regarding the library and all stakeholders will be kept up to date.

The council is still looking to work with a third party to help bring its City Hall vision to life and operate the venue, and will now continue to develop a comprehensive project plan.

Cllr Richard Clewer said: “The subject of the future of City Hall is regularly brought up in meetings I go to in the city or when I’m out and about,

and it’s abundantly clear people are passionate about it, as am I.

“We’ve always had ambitions to not simply reopen City Hall as it was but to do so much more with a venue that has such potential, which is why we bid for Levelling Up Funding.

“However, we are now looking at other funding sources to broaden the scope of what we can do. Our aim is a brand new venue the city can be proud of, which will add to the cultural offer and drive economic growth and regeneration.

“These plans are at a very early stage, but we are determined to bring a first-class entertainment venue to the city by reopening City Hall and delivering our commitment to a cultural quarter.

“We will comprehensively develop our vision and will keep people up-to-date on our plans, but the community can be assured this is a top priority for me and I’m determined to see it through.”

Any formal plans will be subject to relevant planning and development processes.

Wiltshire Council’s £1m for cycling and walking schemes

SALISBURY, Amesbury and Larkhill will benefit from new walking and cycling paths thanks to Wiltshire Council’s award of £978,000 from Active Travel England’s Active Travel Fund 4 (ATF4).

In Salisbury, a pedestrian footbridge will link the coach park to Central car park, and will be completed by April 2024 at a cost of £458,000.

A cycle route will also link Amesbury to Larkhill, with £200,000 put towards the development and design of a scheme along Countess Road.

When submitting the bid, Active Travel England had indicated a funding allocation

of £878,366 for Wiltshire, and so the council received around £100,000 more than the initial allocation.

The council had originally prioritised the Salisbury and Hilperton scheme as the first

and second priorities, while the Amesbury to Larkhill was identified as the sixth priority, but Active Travel England decided to award funding for these three projects.

It will now seek alternative funding sources for the other priority schemes.

Cllr Caroline Thomas, cabinet member for transport, said: “We’re delighted to receive more than our initial allocation from Active Travel England for these three projects that will offer safer walking and cycling opportunities in Wiltshire.

“Choosing to walk, wheel or cycle can help to save people money, improve health and also

reduce carbon emissions, and that’s why we’re committed to active travel as part of our Business Plan.

“We look forward to the Salisbury and Hilperton schemes being constructed, while the Amesbury scheme can move forward to the detailed design stage thanks to this funding.”

All schemes in the council’s bid had to meet a minimum assessment threshold to ensure they promote and encourage walking and wheeling.

www.wiltshire.gov.uk/highwaysnew-active-travel-schemes

City Hall closed as an entertainment venue during Covid-19 to become a vaccination centre

Credit: Google

Countess Road North looking back towards Amesbury

Credit: Google

In brief

Voter ID required at upcoming Wiltshire elections in June

WITH a number of local elections due to take place on 8 June (if contested), Wiltshire Council is reminding residents that voter ID is now required to be able to vote.

The elections in the local area, are:

● Tisbury Unitary Division of Wiltshire Council

● Amesbury Town Council

– Amesbury South Ward

● Amesbury Town Council

– Amesbury West Ward Anyone who turns up to vote without an accepted photo ID, or Voter Authority Certificate, will not be able to vote, in-line with rule changes that took place before recent council elections.

Voters can check their poll cards to see the acceptable ID or go online for more information

at www.electoralcommission. org.uk/voterID.

Terence Herbert, returning officer for Wiltshire, said: “We don’t want a lack of ID to prevent people from casting their ballot. So I ask people to please remember their ID or certificate before they head out to vote.”

More information about upcoming Wiltshire elections can be found at www.wiltshire. gov.uk/elections.

Wood Bar finds new home at Five Rivers

THE Wood Bar, which until recently served drinks and cakes to Victoria Park’s visitors has re-opened as a pop-up cafe at Five Rivers Leisure Centre.

Drink driver banned for 20 months and fined £120

A DRINK driver from Bulford has been banned from the road.

Steven Parry, of Mesopotamia

Street, was arrested in Church Street on April 22 after being seen leaving a pub and driving off in a Range Rover.

A roadside breath test was conducted and the 35-year-old was arrested and later charged with drink driving.

He appeared in court on May 19 and was given a 20-month driving ban, fined £120 and ordered to pay costs of £133.

Salisbury Live at the Farm a success

THE organiser of Salisbury Live, which took place at River Bourne Community Farm on Sunday, 28th May, has hailed its success with an estimated 4,000 turning out to dance along to the live acts which included David Bowie tribute act, Aladdin Sane.

7,000 years of history at Harnham development site

ARCHAEOLOGISTS have

uncovered finds from the Saxon period back to early Neolithic while working ahead of building developemnt in Harnham.

Parking charges return at Salisbury District Hospital

PARKING charges will return at Salisbury District Hospital this week.

Charges will resume on Wednesday (June 7) after the introduction of a cameracontrolled system earlier this year suffered ‘difficulties’, leading to the suspension of parking costs at the site. Now, hospital bosses have instructed contrctor APCOA to install additional cameras to improve the accuracy of the registration number recognition. There will also be simpler, additional validation devices for disabled drivers, with maps to show where they are. Charges apply from 6am to 10pm.

FASHIONS & LINGERIE

Wiltshire Community Foundation sends out thanks to volunteers

WILTSHIRE Community Foundation is using Volunteers’ Week to praise the dedication and commitment of those who give up their time to help it make a difference to thousands of people across the county.

Joint chief executive Vicky Hickey, said that volunteers dedicate hundreds of hours of their time every year to the charity and without them it could not deliver its work effectively. Volunteers’ Week, which runs from June 1 to 7, highlights the contribution to society made by volunteers and encourages more people to try volunteering.

The community foundation’s grants panellists alone donate a total of almost 1,000 hours a year, while trustees and committee members put in hundreds more.

“They are absolutely vital to the way we operate as an organisation, both from a governance point of view and also because of the knowledge and experience they bring,” said Mrs Hickey.

“Thanks to the time our volunteer grants panel members give us we can be absolutely confident the money we distribute – £1.9 million in 2022/23 – has gone to where it can make the most impact.”

Each grant programme has its own panel, made up of volunteers drawn from all parts of our community. Some, like educational panellist Denis Twomey, are even former grant recipients who bring a different level of understanding of those who need our help.

“I was lucky enough to be awarded an education bursary in 2014 and it enabled me to go to university, which wasn’t something I could have done without it,” he says. “I found myself in a position that I was able to start giving back and when I joined the education

panel it felt the most circular moment to give back to the people that enabled me to do what I wanted to do.”

Fellow education panel member Rosemary Hopgood needed the help of a grant from another trust when her son, who is dyslexic, was young. She says: “He got a grant for some equipment and it was just like opening a door for him. That has doubly helped me understand how these grants help people.”

Before each panel meeting, panellists receive grant applications submitted by groups, charities or individuals and make their own judgement about which ones to support. Then at the panel meetings each application is discussed in detail, with panellists able to bring their particular expertise and experience to bear.

“I love reading about the organisations and it’s a really nice story to be reading about and listening to all this great stuff that is going on in Wiltshire and Swindon,” says panellist and trustee Damian Haasjes.

“You also have the opportunity to make decisions that will benefit those organisations. But you have to take your role

seriously because it’s unlikely there is going to be enough money to support everyone who applies, so you have to think carefully about your decisions.”

Adds Mr Twomey: “There are differences of opinions but it’s all done in a really nice respectful manner so anyone can actually voice a dissenting opinion and there’s no judgement around it. It’s nice to come together with a different group of people, a different demographic with different experiences and viewpoints for a good cause.”

Mr Haasjes said: “I like the fact that everyone in the panel is listened to and we work together to come to a consensus, which is a nice bit of teamwork.”

Being a member of a panel and being able to see the impact of the grants awarded is worth the commitment, says Mrs Hopgood, who has been volunteering with Wiltshire Community Foundation for 10 years. “I enjoy seeing the applications from the young people and knowing how much they will benefit from the grants,” she says.

“Sometimes it’s humbling when you see their circumstances, particularly with the young people applying for the bursary, and you see how much they have put into what they are doing.”

Mrs Hickey said the community foundation gains a huge amount from its volunteers. “Firstly there are all the hours they commit to, which is important,” she said. “But also they bring a vast range of experience and understanding of so many different sectors of society, which benefits us in our planning, decision-making, development and contact building – and our profile in Wiltshire and Swindon.

“They are part of our team and they make a real difference to us and to communities across Wiltshire and Swindon. On behalf of everyone at Wiltshire Community Foundation I want to thank them for their time and commitment, and for the difference they make.”

For information on becoming a trustee or panel member: www. wiltshirecf.org.uk/recruitment.

Volunteers who gave up their time for grants panels helped Wiltshire Community Foundation award more than £1.9 million in grants to groups like the Youth Adventure Trust in 2022/23

‘Is low turnout a sign of disaffected voters in Salisbury, I wonder...’

BEMUSED of Salisbury has concluded that nothing can be done about the Salisbury City Council rise in the precept. Nothing, that is, which will bind them to treat the residents with respect.

May we then conclude the low turnout reflects how hopeless people feel about voting for anything?

We are in a new age where we have lost trust in our institutions.

FRANCES HOWARD Salisbury

Lane frustration!

THERE seems to have been a proliferation in roadworks around Salisbury recently - and with it a rise in the amount of bad driving!

People in the city seem completely unable to understand a simple ‘merge in turn’ system. They’ll happily sit in a huge queue, in one lane, with a completely empty lane next to them!

That lane is supposed to be used, to spread the traffic, with people ‘merging in turn’ when the lanes become single file.

It’s not ‘pushing in’, it’s using the roads correctly - and helping traffic move more steadily. I’ve seen some really silly things, like people refusing to let others in, or even straddling both lanes to stop people passing.

It’s silly, and wrong. Please do it properly, we’ll all benefit.

FRUSTRATED DRIVER Salisbury

Volunteer thanks

TO celebrate Volunteers’ Week from June 1 to 7, here at Young Lives vs Cancer - formerly CLIC Sargent - we want to take the opportunity to say a huge thank you to all our incredible

Fact of the fortnight...

IT’S been hot recently and many of us were among the throngs throwing ice lollies into our baskets at the supermarket over the bank holiday.

But did you know, you probably wouldn’t be enjoying your refreshing lolly if it hadn’t been for an 11-yearold child called Frank Epperson and a mistake that probably earned him a telling off?

In 1905, little Frank left some soda powder and water outside in a cup, with a wooden stirrer.

The chilly San Francisco air meant when he returned to it, it was frozen solid.

He called it the Epsicle and sold it around his neighbourhood, at nearby amusement parks, and even patented the recipe.

Years later, he changed the name, to popsicle.

However, as with many a lolly, the ending wasn’t a happy one.

A broke Epperson sold his patent to the Joe Lowe Company in the 1920s, and regretted it as his invention became a huge, huge success.

volunteers who help us in Wiltshire.

We are lucky to have an amazing team of passionate volunteers who have created a real sense of community and champion the charity.

Volunteers are crucial to our work and mission to help families find the strength to face everything cancer throws at them.

We’ve been there before. We’ll face it all, together.

Volunteers make Young Live vs Cancer who we are.

The benefits of volunteering are felt by everyone from the volunteers themselves, to our staff teams and most

importantly, the children and young people we support.

Whether that’s volunteers in our shops, with office, warehouse or remote teams, volunteers with our social care teams, in our Home from Homes and our fundraising volunteers.

We wouldn’t be Young Lives vs Cancer without every single one of them stepping up and joining the team.

Often, a volunteer comes to us after a personal experience of cancer in their family, but many also give their time simply because they want to make a real difference.

A famous quote states: “We

make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”

We are always looking for more volunteers.

If any readers would like to find out more, they can do so by visiting our website.

Thank you to each and every one of our volunteers and to the people of Wiltshire for continuing to support Young Lives vs Cancer.

LIZ BLUNT Senior fundraising engagement managerSouth Central (Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Dorset, South Wiltshire and Channel Islands)

Drink driver was found passed out in van at Salisbury park and ride

A MAN found passed out in the driver’s seat of a car after driving erratically on the A303 before crashing into a fence in Salisbury, has been jailed.

Disqualified driver Steven Whatmore, of Ferndown Close, Basingstoke, appeared before Swindon Magistrates’ Court on Monday (May 29) after being arrested on Saturday afternoon (May 27).

The incident unfolded after police received reports of a Transit van being driven erratically on the A303 near Willoughby Hedge, with concerns the driver may be intoxicated.

Then, a short time later, a further report was received after the vehicle crashed into a fence on Ivy Place, Salisbury, where it suffered damage and a punctured tyre before making off from the scene.

Officers from Team 5 Amesbury and Salisbury immediately went to the area to search for the vehicle.

A further report was then received that the van had been seen on Phillips Lane,

weaving over the road and that the tyre was completely shredded and had come off. Officers finally located the van in Beehive Park and Ride, with 40-year-old Whatmore passed out in the driver’s seat. After failing a breath test, he was taken to custody where he provided a breath sample that was more three times the drink

drive limit.

Whatmore was charged with drink driving, driving while disqualified, driving without insurance, careless driving, and using a vehicle in a dangerous condition.

He pleaded guilty to all offences and was sentenced to 12 weeks in prison and banned from driving for four-and-a-half years.

New Guiding ambassador unveiled

AN influential content creator was in Salisbury recently after being named a Regional Ambassador for the Girlguiding South West England.

Brogan Tate, whose travel blogs boast 69,000 followers on Instagram and 104,000 YouTube subscribers, has been named as ambassador for the region as part of the voluntary scheme, which aims to raise awareness of the charity, as well as supporting volunteers and inspiring young people.

Brogan, 29, hails from Dorset, and currently volunteers as a Rainbow unit helper in her spare time.

Keen to further her involvement with the organisation, her new role will see her promoting Guiding wider on her social media channels, particularly showcasing what being a volunteer is like, while attending regional and more local events.

She is also keen to help girls work towards their vlogging badges and other relevant skill builders.

Girlguiding South West England officially unveiled Brogan as an ambassador in Salisbury on May 26.

More ambassadors are set to be revealed

over the next six months, including an ex-Olympian, professionals in STEM and a children’s author.

Brogan said: “I’m a proud Girlguiding

South West England Ambassador.

“I will be supporting volunteers and girls at Region events, meetings and workshops, making links in local communities and my professional network, and using my voice regularly to promote the aims of the charity.

“I’ll also promote local, national and international opportunities available within Guiding, and encourage members to engage in different development opportunities, particularly within my area of specialism across social media, vlogging, digital marketing and content creation.

“I’d love to encourage more people to volunteer and showcase what an incredible, inclusive, fun community Girlguiding is for all members.

“I’m so excited and honoured to be taking on this role, and I look forward to meeting everyone soon.”

Girlguiding is keen to hear from volunteers of all backgrounds, ages, cultures, faiths and abilities.

For more information on volunteering, visit www.girlguidingsouthwest.org.uk/ join-us.

Whatmore, 40, was found at the Beehive Park and Ride

Picture: Google

Outsourcing agency strengthens with appointment of regional director

AWARD-WINNING

outsourcing agency Get Ahead is delighted to welcome a new regional director for Wiltshire to strengthen its presence in the south.

Lisa Middleton will be helping small-to-medium-sized businesses in Salisbury and across Wiltshire to get ahead.

After graduating with a degree in Business and Finance, Lisa enjoyed a successful marketing career. Specialising in business-to-business marketing, she worked for major global companies, including Ernst & Young, Computacenter and PXP Financial.

Lisa said: “Marketing is such a dynamic industry which is constantly evolving. The corporate world suited me well for many years, and I am proud to have worked on some high-profile projects and campaigns.

“But an accident in 2021 caused me to reassess what I wanted from working life. The time was right to do something different.

“While researching flexible working opportunities, I watched a webinar with Get Ahead founder Rebecca Newenham and was impressed by her passion for her business and flexible working. Becoming a regional director with Get Ahead felt like the perfect opportunity to use my current marketing and business skills in a completely new and exciting way.”

Over the next few months, Lisa looks forward to meeting businesses in and around Salisbury. Lisa added: “I can’t wait to get out and connect with local businesses. Despite some of the current economic challenges,

“I know this area has many businesses with ambitious growth plans but not enough people or hours in the day to turn those plans into action. The Get Ahead team can help them to achieve their goals.”

Rebecca Newenham added: “From our first meeting, I could see that Lisa could be a great fit for our team. With significant B2B marketing experience, she

understands the challenges companies face and how to provide solutions.

Get Ahead offers nationwide marketing and business support services, enabling businesses of

all sizes and from all sectors to get ahead.

To learn more, contact Lisa on 07766111963 or visit https:// getaheadva.com/region/salisbury

Artisan Wine & Spirit Co can’t stop winning awards

SALISBURY’S Artisan Wine & Spirit Co has picked up another national award.

Announced as the Small Independent Merchant Wine Buyer of the Year at the annual Wine Buyer Awards in London recently, this comes after winning ‘Newcomer of the Year’ at the prestigious National Drinks Retailing Awards in 2022, and then coming second in the International Wine Challenge ‘South West Wine Merchant of the Year’ a few months later.

Having celebrated its second birthday only two weeks ago, owners Liz and Simon said they were over the moon to have been recognised as the best wine buyers in their category.

“We’re so proud of what we’ve achieved in such a short space of time and to win such a prestigious award is just incredible,” said Liz.

Simon added: “We always knew we had it in us but this has given us a huge vote of confidence to be recognised nationally and against such stiff competition.”

At the awards ceremony, held at London’s Kensington Olympia, the panel of judges commented that: “Our winner here did literally everything right – from getting the back office systems right to clever buying and imaginative ways of dealing with customers.”

One of the judges added: “They’ve invested in the right stuff since day one and are getting great figures as a result. They’ve been good at finding solutions to any issues and are clearly having fun with their customers and suppliers.”

Lisa Middleton

Liz and Simon with their Small Independent Merchant Wine Buyer of the Year award

Coveted Best in Show at Chelsea award for Horatio’s Garden

HORATIO’S Garden Chelsea, designed by Charlotte Harris and Hugo Bugg, has been awarded the coveted Best in Show title.

Horatio’s Garden Chelsea is an adaptive garden that puts the priorities of all those with different mobility needs at its heart.

The first garden on Chelsea’s famous main avenue that has mobility needs at its heart will be relocated to the Princess Royal Spinal Cord Injuries Centre in Sheffield in 2024. It will be eight times the size of the Chelsea show garden and become the eighth and latest of the charity’s gardens at NHS spinal centres.

Dr Olivia Chapple, founder and chair of trustees, Horatio’s Garden, said: “To be presented

with the Best in Show award feels incredible. We are so grateful to Project Giving Back for this wonderful opportunity and Harris Bugg Studio for pushing the boundaries and creating such a thoughtful, pioneering and exquisite garden.

“This will have such an important legacy in improving the lives of thousands of people in Sheffield and every donation helps us reach our target to make this garden a reality.”

Earlier in the day, the garden was presented with a Gold Medal. Speaking about the awards, Charlotte Harris and Hugo Bugg from Harris Bugg Studio, said: “We are so delighted to win both a gold medal and Best in Show for this garden.

“From the very start, the charity’s mission really spoke to us. Connecting people with nature is at the heart of everything we do at Harris Bugg Studio and this garden reflects all the stories and needs of the people we spent months listening to before even picking up a pencil to design.

“This garden is a story of people coming together to make something very special. From the inspiring individuals that make up the transformative community that is Horatio’s Garden to all the dedicated and talented people that worked with us to create the garden.

“From the contractors to the skilled British craftspeople to

the horticulturalists and planting team – the spirit of all of those people made this gold medal a reality.”

Planting is layered to accommodate different ways of seeing, a garden room provides welcome relief from the busy ward.

Smooth, cement-free terrazzo paths are patient-friendly, environmentally-friendly and aesthetically beautiful, with a 77% reduced carbon footprint compared to regular cement.

Dr Olivia Chapple, founder and chair of trustees, in Horatio’s Garden Chelsea 2023, and below, a visitor enjoying the garden

Credit: Marianne Majerus

Fox & Goose is named local rural pub of the year by CAMRA

THE FOX & Goose at Coombe Bissett, near Salisbury, has been voted local Rural Pub of the Year by members of the Salisbury & South Wilts Branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA).

It is the first time that the busy village freehouse, which sells real ales and traditional home-cooked food, has won the award.

Landlord Keith Smith also received the first-ever Derek Blackshaw Trophy, founded this year in memory of the late Derek Blackshaw, who was chairman of the local CAMRA branch. Both awards were presented to Keith by Derek’s widow Sue.

“Apparently we have been close to winning Rural Pub of the Year for a while now,” said Keith, who has run The Fox & Goose with his wife Sue for more than 20 years. “So we are very pleased and happy to have won it for the first time.”

Andrew Hesketh, the local CAMRA branch’s Pubs of the Year coordinator, said: “The Fox & Goose is not only a friendly local community pub but it also services a lot of passing custom along the nearby A354.

“It has two large bars and indoor dining areas as well as spacious gardens and an outside

covered area in which to eat. Keith and Sue have been at The Fox & Goose for many years; he runs the front of house, while she is the chef.

“The real ales are kept well, the food is excellent and the pub has become a key part of village life.”

The Derek Blackshaw Trophy was founded by the Salisbury & South Wilts Branch of CAMRA this year, in memory of Derek, who died from leukaemia in 2022.

Andrew Hesketh said: “It commemorates a great man and branch chairman whose interpersonal skills were exceptional. He felt passionately about the survival of rural pubs, many of which he saw disappear in this area over the past 40 years. The trophy, which will be presented to the Rural Pub of the Year annually alongside the traditional winner’s certificate, perpetuates the memory of a thoroughly decent man.

“We are immensely grateful to his widow Sue for agreeing to present it.”

Keith Smith said: “It is particularly nice to be awarded the first-ever Derek Blackshaw Trophy. I knew Derek as he used to come here to eat with his wife Sue. He was a lovely man.”

Come and visit one of the few remaining Butchers’ shops in and around the Salisbury area! We pride ourselves on our friendly service and local produce. We cater for all of your BBQ needs as well as everyday meals and Sunday roasts including fresh veg & salad from Central Fruits. We make our own pies, scotch eggs, quiche, sausage rolls & coleslaw and supply Tracklements jars, Chalke Stream Trout, Madhuban curry sauces and much more.

Whether you fancy indulging with a nice fillet steak or throwing a bbq for friends and family with our homemade sausages and burgers, come and see us today for some quality food.

Our beautiful shop is in Burcombe near Wilton. Check us out on our website (manorfarmbutchers.co.uk) or on social media. Call us on 01722 742724 if you’d like to discuss your culinary needs.

Use it or lose it, please support your local independent shops.

Keith Smith, landlord of The Fox & Goose, receives his awards from Derek Blackshaw’s widow Sue

The late Derek Blackshaw and the trophy founded this year in his memory

Salisbury Cathedral peregrine chicks ringed after public votes on names

THE THREE peregrine chicks that hatched on the tower of Salisbury Cathedral last month were named and ringed today by Nigel Jones from the British Trust for Ornithology, assisted by Phil Sheldrake, the cathedral’s nature conservation adviser.

The chicks, which were around three weeks old at the time, were weighed, measured and fitted with a small metal British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) ring on their right leg, used for tracking/record-keeping, and a larger orange plastic Darvic ring bearing a unique two-letter ID on their left leg.

The Darvic ring allows anyone with sharp eyes, binoculars or a telescope to identify the falcons so that they can let the BTO know where they saw them and how they were.

Ringing is an important part of the cathedral’s peregrine project because it provides the BTO and cathedral staff with clues as to the secret lives of these magnificent birds, such as where they go and what they do.

The peregrines were also named during the ringing procedure. An initial shortlist themed around the coronation was provided by cathedral volunteers and on 12 May the choice was opened up to a public vote.

Six hundred and fifty-three people participated. The names, weight and ID details for each chick are as follows:

● Top choice for the single male chick was Rex (196 votes). Rex (Orange ID ring VDR) weighed in at a modest 655g. The name Rex was put forward by the Tuesday Morning and Thursday

Afternoon Guiding teams. Latin for King, Rex seems a wholly appropriate

name for the fastest member of the animal kingdom.

● Rose was the top choice for the females. Put forward by the Cathedral Volunteer Gardeners, Rose received 115 votes. The royal connection? The Right Revd Rose Hudson-Wilkin, Bishop of Dover and Bishop in Canterbury presented Queen Camilla with The Queen Consort’s Rod during the coronation ceremony in Westminster Abbey. The largest of all the chicks, Rose (Orange ID ring VHR) weighed in at a hefty 930g – not far off a kilo.

● Finally, the third chick, Lily, (Orange ID ring VRR), weighed a more modest 840g. The name Lily was put forward by the Cathedral Flower Arrangers because it is a symbol of purity, joy, love and sincerity, and one of the favourite flowers grown at Buckingham Palace, a flower frequently used in Royal Bouquets. Now they have been ringed, the Salisbury

chicks will remain on the south tower balcony for a further three weeks during which time they will start moving up and down the balcony, flapping their wings to strengthen them and growing their juvenile plumage.

One of the advantages of their penthouse nest is that by the time the chicks manage to fly up onto the balcony parapet they are pretty much ready to go. Occasionally a fledgling gets grounded after its first flight and is carried back up the tower to have another try.

Once fledged, the juveniles will stay around the cathedral for at least a month, learning survival and hunting skills from their parents before striking out on their own.

When fledging starts in early June, the South Wilts Local Group provides a fabulous peregrine themed Date with Nature experience on the cathedral’s west lawn.

A team of South Wilts RSPB volunteers armed with telescopes and information set up by the cathedral’s cloister entrance, offering visitors the opportunity to watch the juveniles close up and sharing their expert knowledge about these amazing birds.

Date with Nature runs from 11am to 4pm from Tuesday, 6th June. The dates are:

● Tuesday 6 to Saturday 10 June

● Monday 13 to Friday 16 June

● Monday 19 to Friday 23 June,

● Monday 26 to Friday 30 June, except Wednesday.

Nigel Jones (l) with Lily, Ruth Churchill with Rex, and Phil Sheldrake with Rose; Below left: Rose being ringed Credit: Finnbarr Webster.jpg

The Wildlife Trusts’ big nature challenge, 30 Days Wild, is back

CAN YOU do one wild thing every day for a month?

Wiltshire Wildlife Trust is calling on everyone to take on the 30 Days Wild challenge by doing one simple, wild thing each day throughout the month of June.

30 Days Wild is the UK’s biggest nature challenge run by The Wildlife Trusts and kindly supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery.

The annual challenge invites people of all ages to connect with nature every single day for an entire month.

Over two million people have taken part over the last nine years, with more than 500,000 people taking on the challenge last year alone.

Popular activities include wildlife-watching, eating outdoors, planting wildflower seeds and listening to birdsong.

Other favourite pastimes included bug-hunting, fruitpicking, growing plants and flowers, exploring a nature reserve, creating a mini pond or going on a river walk.

This year, there’s a new twist: 30 Days Wild will take you on a week-by-week adventure moving through five different themes:

●Week 1 Tune into the senses

●Week 2 Movement and play

●Week 3 Learning and discovery

●Week 4 Helping nature

●Week 5 Emotional connection to nature.

Weekly inspiration on these themes will help guide you, your family and friends through the challenge so that you can meet that 30-day target.

Plus, everyone who signs up will receive a 30 Days Wild

activity pack, including a wild bee poster, along with seeds and other fun materials to inspire you to do something wild every single day.

Research has shown that spending time in nature can reduce stress, anxiety and depression, while also improving physical health. We all know how much happier and healthier we feel when connecting with nature.

Kirstine Bowen, marketing

and communications manager for Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, said: “We hope you will take part in our biggest nature challenge this year – a great excuse to get out and enjoy all

that the great outdoors has to offer.

“Whether tuning into the sound of bird life, taking a stroll through your local woods, discovering one of Wiltshire Wildlife Trust’s many nature reserves, making time to build a bug hotel or bird box, or even taking part in one of the trust’s volunteer group activities, whatever you choose to do, there are limitless opportunities to connect with nature, whatever your age.

Please get involved and tell all your family and friends to join in, too.”

When you sign up for 30 Days Wild, you can share your daily Acts of Wildness photos using the hashtag #30DaysWild on social media.

If you sign up, you will receive a free pack, either through the post or via email, as well as receiving fun activities from The Wildlife Trusts throughout the month to keep you inspired.

The 30 Days Wild free pack includes: Let’s Go 30 Days Wild calendar; Sensory Bingo; Wild bees poster; Seeds pack and more

Ideas for activities include: Identify a wildflower; Follow a bee; Build a bug hotel; Go pond dipping; Have a picnic; Do some wildlife photography; Plant some wildflower seeds; and much more.

wildlifetrusts.org/30dayswild

GUNS WANTED FOR CASH

ALSO GUNS FOR SALE

SOS to all air rifles and pistols, any make or model, any condition. We collect in any area. Top prices paid in cash.

Woodland poets wanted

THIS summer, Wiltshire Wildlife Trust is asking budding poets to put pen to paper to celebrate the county’s precious woodlands.

The inspiration came from the purchase of an ancient woodland in North Wiltshire called Great Wood. To celebrate, the Trust has launched its first ever Woodland Poetry Competition, designed to encourage poets across the county to get inspired by the wonderful fauna and flora of Wiltshire’s woodlands.

Can you capture the wonders of your local woodland nature reserve; or put into words the peaceful sounds of nature and birdsong. Draw inspiration from the rough bark of a tree or the scattering of summer flowers.

Woodlands support a stunning array of flora, insects, birds and mammals, from the colourful purple emperor butterfly to the sleepy hazel dormouse. These can definitely prompt a creative spark.

Terms for entry:

● Only one poem can be entered per person for each age range (15 and under, 16 and above)

● Entrants must reside in the UK

● Poems should be no longer than 50 lines in length

● No AI generated entries will be accepted

● Poems will be judged anonymously by a team of expert judges

● The judges’ decision is final

● Entries must be received by midnight on Friday, 30th June.

The winning poem will be announced on Thursday, 20th July 2023 and will be published in the trust’s Wiltshire Wildlife autumn/winter magazine in December.

It will also be framed and displayed at one of its Nature Centres.

Water company vows to do more to protect the region’s rivers and beaches

AS the water sector announces the biggest shake-up of the sewerage network since the Victorian era, Wessex Water has outlined plans to triple investment to tackle storm overflows.

Last year, Wessex Water invested £69 million to protect the region’s rivers and beaches. This involved multi-million pound schemes to deal with heavy deluges of rainwater to reduce storm overflows.

The water company currently invests around £3 million per month on improving storm overflows, which are licensed to operate automatically during or after heavy rainfall to protect properties from flooding.

The company has also invested in technology to remove phosphorus and other nutrients through advanced treatment at water recycling centres, work which is further helping to improve local river ecology.

From 2025, Wessex Water will triple how much it invests – spending £9 million a month on further improvements to storm overflows, subject to regulatory approval.

Matt Wheeldon, Wessex Water’s director of Infrastructure Development, said: “We know our customers care passionately about protecting watercourses, whether or not they use them for swimming or recreation, and we share their passion.

“That’s why we’re investing unprecedented amounts to help improve river and coastal water quality, including reducing how often storm overflows operate and minimising the environmental impact of our treatment processes.”

Water quality at beaches is assessed by the Environment Agency and most in the Wessex

Water region are classified as ‘Excellent’. Storm overflow discharges halved near designated bathing waters in 2022 due to a combination of prolonged dry weather and the company’s investment.

Mr Wheeldon said: “We would love to stop all storm overflow discharges immediately but unfortunately there is no quick fix – eliminating them completely would mean replumbing a sewerage system which has been built in this way for over 150 years.

“The solutions we’re rolling out include separating out rainwater to stop it entering sewers and constructing large storage tanks to contain the combined rain and sewage for later treatment.

“Beyond this, we have further plans for nature-based solutions such as natural wetlands and reed beds. It is vital that regulators support these schemes to help reduce carbon impacts, minimise bill rises for customers and greatly improve river water quality.”

Wessex Water has said that numerous other factors affect water quality, including wildlife and agricultural run-off, and has spearheaded collaboration with farmers on catchment partnerships to deliver cost-

effective solutions.

As water quality is affected by various sources and river users want to know more, Wessex Water has developed an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-led app which predicts bacteria levels using other parameters that can be continuously obtained from sensors within bathing or recreational waters.

Mr Wheeldon added: “We’ve already used AI to provide real-time water quality information at Warleigh Weir, near Bath, Baltic Wharf in Bristol and in Poole Harbour where we are providing water quality forecasts for the shellfishery and recreational businesses.

“We have identified over 50 other river locations across our region popular for recreation and we’re working with local authorities and community groups to provide better information on water quality, temperature and river flow.”

Wessex Water was the first UK company to publish data on overflow operations 365 days a year and provides information on bathing waters and other recreational areas to councils and Surfers Against Sewage.

The company has committed to reducing the number of hours storm overflows operate by approximately 25% by 2025.

Reed beds in Harnham along the River Nadder

Credit: Col.51 CC Wikimedia

‘Brexit failure casts a long shadow’

ONLY 9% of Britons now consider Brexit more of a success than a failure, with only 31% saying Britain was right to leave the EU (Sky News 22.05.23)

Arch-Brexiteer, Nigel Farage admitted that the country had “…not actually benefited from Brexit economically…” and blamed this on “useless” Tory politicians “mismanaging” the departure from the bloc. There is little evidence to contradict his stinging attack on the government.

Stellantis, the world’s fourth largest carmaker, owner of Peugeot and Citroen, which also makes Vauxhall vehicles and employs more than 5,000 people in the UK, has warned that a commitment to make electric vehicles in Britain is in jeopardy unless the government renegotiates its Brexit deal with the EU to maintain existing trade rules until 2027. Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has said much the same. So has Ford.

The government, typically in denial, responding to Mr Farage’s comments, pointed to freedoms being enjoyed in the British farming sector as an example of how the divorce from the EU was allowing the UK to take a more tailored approach to policies.

Cllr John Wells Labour Chair of Environment and Climate Committee (Salisbury City Council)

The harsh reality is exports of fruit fell from £248.5m in the year to March 2021 to £113.8m in the 12 months to March 2023, and the absence of a migrant harvest workforce has left produce rotting in the fields.

The Sky News poll revealed most people who consider Brexit to be a failure think it was doomed from the start, with 56% saying, “Brexit was always going to be a failure, and there was nothing any government could do to make it a success.”

Given the 2019 landslide election victory was built on Boris “getting Brexit done” confirms the conviction that the electorate were duped and we are now paying the price.

On a more sombre note, laws to ensure the government is transparent about how it plans to reduce harmful air pollution are among those to be scrapped in the EU retained law bill. The regulations being taken out of UK law impose a duty on the government to publish a pathway to meet emissions targets by 2030 for five noxious pollutants.

The rules also enforce the need to publicly consult on the plans to cut emissions. But these regulations will be removed from UK law by the end of the year if the bill, which is going through the House of Lords, is approved. The pathway to reduce emissions had to be revised under the regulations this year because it was in breach of emission reduction targets for fine particulate matter, known as PM2.5, which is classified as a cause of cancer. It is also not on track to meet emissions reduction targets by 2030 for four out of the five air pollutants from transport, agriculture and industry.

Katie Nield, a clean air lawyer for Client Earth, said: “The fact that government will no longer have to publish its plan, revise and consult on it, in the context of their current plan not being on track, is really concerning.”

‘Feeding family should not be a worry’

FOR many families with young children, one of the hardest parts of the day is meal times. There are the exertions of independence with cutlery; the amount of food that ends up on the floor, and the UN-style negotiations over pudding.

All this is made harder and more stressful at the moment due to rising food prices.

Food prices have become the main indicator of spiralling inflation, and this is having a devastating impact on households across Salisbury and South Wiltshire who are battling to keep the weekly shops at a manageable level.

A poll commissioned by the Liberal Democrats has revealed parents with children under the age of 18 have been hardest hit by rising food prices, with a staggering one in six parents saying they have gone hungry over the past year in order to feed their children.

The cost of the weekly shop has soared over the last 12 months, now costing families an extra £600 a year. The price of essential foods that we all use every day has gone through the roof. Cheese is up by 50%; milk by 40%; and eggs by 30%.

People are really struggling just to afford the basics.

This is a damning indictment of this Conservative Government’s record on the cost of living crisis. The Chancellor seems to be doing little to help, while food prices spiral out of control, forcing parents to make heartbreaking decisions.

The Liberal Democrats are looking at tackling this issue with a five-point plan:

Firstly, we would invest an extra billion pounds in British farms and support our farmers to boost the UK’s environmentallyfriendly and sustainable food supply, bringing down food prices in the long-term.

Secondly, Liberal Democrats would cut

energy bills for farms and businesses. Last month, the Government cut energy support for businesses by 85%, forcing farmers and shops to raise their prices. We’d put the support back up, to cut costs for producers and retailers.

Liberal Democrats would let our farmers and fishers recruit the staff they need. The Government’s ridiculous visa rules have left our farmers and fishers producing less food because they can’t recruit enough workers. Tonnes of fruit and veg went to waste last year as a result.

In addition, we have led the way in calling for an investigation by the Competition and Markets Authority into potential profiteering by supermarkets and food multinationals.

And finally, the Liberal Democrats are looking to support families by extending Free School Meal eligibility to every child living in poverty, and increasing the daily rates of funding that schools receive for providing free meals.

The baby throwing half a plate of pasta on the floor should not be a cause of financial worry; it is unacceptable and needs to change.

Victoria Charleston Lib Dems Parliamentary spokesperson for Salisbury constituency

GB milk production sees a subdued spring peak with possible further falls

ACCORDING to the latest research from ADHB (Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board), there was a downturn in GB daily milk deliveries in the week ending 13 May, suggesting that peak deliveries have been reached.

According to the latest data, the highest daily figure was 37.46m litres on 5 May* alongside the 7-day rolling average which appears to have peaked at 37.18m litres*.

The ADHB reported that: “The ‘spring flush’ saw volumes at a similar level to last year with the peak day only 0.2% above the highest individual day in 2022.

“This is down 0.9% from our March forecast as cooler and wetter weather limited grazing opportunities due to the saturated ground.

“This meant farmers could not fully capitalise on good grass growth in April and May.

“While the height of the peak is one factor, how long these higher volumes last for also impacts the availability of milk.

“In 2022 we saw a rapid fall from the peak which reduced summer volumes, however higher milk prices, teamed with favourable autumn weather conditions, encouraged production growth in the autumn and winter.”

The ADHB also warned that with farm milk prices easing and costs remaining high, along with high prices for cull cows, lower milk production could be the result and cause for concern.

https://ahdb.org.uk/about-ahdb

Care home residents continue their support for community farm

RESIDENTS from Milford House Care Home in Salisbury recently visited River Bourne Community Farm in Laverstock to hand over a cheque for £367.

The residents have made the farm their chosen charity for 2023 and so far this year have raised a grand total of £607, with

many more fundraising events to come.

As the cheque was handed over to Sara-Jane Hancock, education and marketing manager, accompanied by her two lovely rescue dogs, Gemma Hicks, general manager at Milford House, said: “Residents

love visiting the farm regularly and so to be raising money for all the fantastic work that they do seemed perfect.

“This latest donation was from our recent ‘Big Coronation Cream Tea Party & Fete’ and we felt it supported the King’s wish for more people to get involved in their local communities.

“We may not be able to volunteer on the farm but raising money for them is the next best thing. Our residents are always made to feel so welcome when they visit and we are so lucky to have the farm right on our doorstep.”

One of the residents commented: “I love going to the farm and seeing the

animals and all the people who come to visit them and get such pleasure from it. The coffee and cakes are good too.”

Residents amd Gemma Hicks, present a cheque to Sara-Jane Hancock

BRAMSHAW HILL ABERDEEN ANGUS BULLS FOR SALE

Tenant farmers are at the heart of our rural economy, says government

THE government has published its response to the Rock Review.

On the government’s offer

“Tenant farmers continue to help shape our offer through pilots, tests and trials, co-design and stakeholder groups. For example, we designed Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) agreements to be three years in duration, making it easier for them to take part.

“We also allow farmers with only two years remaining on their tenancy agreement to enter the scheme and leave without penalty after two years, along with those on rolling one-year tenancies, or licences that operate like tenancies.

“We’re adding twice as much scope into the scheme as planned in 2023, making a wider range of options accessible to tenants without landlord consent and on shorter agreement lengths than have historically been available.

“We also invited tenant farmers to take part in project bids during the first round of Landscape Recovery as long as they could show they had management control of the land, or the consent of those with management control, for the duration of the project development and implementation agreements.

“We asked landlord applicants within Landscape Recovery projects to confirm that they had the support of tenants before submitting their applications. We also asked them to confirm that the support of tenants extended into the development phase.

“We’ve made sure that our grants are accessible to tenant farmers, including the £168 million of investment we will make available throughout 2023.

“We lowered the minimum Farming Equipment and

Technology Fund grant to £1,000. The Farming Equipment and Technology Fund now allows local authorities to be the applicant.

“Larger value grants under the Farming Investment Fund are available to both landlords and tenants.

“Countryside Stewardship capital grants are available to both landlords and tenants.

“We continue to work with tenant and landlord organisations to find practical and achievable ways to enable more tenant farmers to take part in tree planting schemes and contribute to the government’s tree planting ambitions in England.

On improving accessibility and flexibility

The government has pledged to:

● Offer further options on SFI terms and conditions in 2024 so that tenants can access them straightforwardly and on flexible terms that work for them

● Bring together all schemes that support tree and woodland planting into a central service by bringing the England Woodland Creation Offer into enhanced Countryside Stewardship in 2025

● Work with tenant farmers to explore how we can simplify and bring more flexibility

into Countryside Stewardship options

● Work with tenant and landlord organisations to find practical and achievable ways to enable more tenant farmers to contribute to England’s tree-planting ambitions.

On strengthening landlordtenant relationships

The government has pledged to:

● Improving our engagement with the tenanted farming sector through the establishment of the new Farm Tenancy Forum.

● Launching a call for evidence this summer to explore the benefits and impacts of how a Tenant Farmer Commissioner might work in practice and how such a role might fit within existing procedures and regulations. The response also shared that the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) will lead the development of a code of practice on expected standards of socially responsible behaviour for all parties involved in agricultural tenancy agreements.

On encouraging new entrants

The government responded:

“We are designing all our farming schemes to be as accessible as possible to tenant farmers and will continue to

build on this as we deliver our schemes.

“Through our New Entrant Support Scheme pilot, we’re testing approaches to building entrepreneurial capacity and increasing opportunities to access land and finance.

“We will commit to assessing how the pilot supports farmers to gain new tenancies and we will present emerging findings to the new Farm Tenancy Forum, to ensure that the views of the tenanted sector are embedded into the scheme.

“By supporting tenant farmers and making our offer work for them, government can encourage new people into the sector.”

Tax incentives

The review included recommendations on how tax incentives could encourage longer-term tenancies.

The government launched a consultation to explore the extension of inheritance tax relief to include land in environmental land management schemes and ecosystems service markets. It has pledged to:

● Open a call for evidence on the taxation of ecosystems service markets to understand the commercial operations and the areas of uncertainty around taxation

● Update the HMRC Inheritance Tax Manual to help clarify the tax treatment of agrienvironment schemes.

Next steps

The government pledged to:

● Work closely with the new Farm Tenancy Forum (FTF) to progress and implement many of the commitments outlined in our response

● Share details of the FTF membership here on the blog later this year

● Report on progress.

Wiltshire’s critical species identified and mapped for the first time

WHAT are the most important wildlife species in Wiltshire and where are they? To answer these questions, Wiltshire and Swindon Biological Records Centre (WSBRC) has just completed a major project to look at which threatened species had been recorded in Wiltshire.

In collaboration with county species recorders, a list of species that are critically important in Wiltshire – Wiltshire’s Critical Species – has been produced. Perhaps even more excitingly, interactive maps showing where these species have been recorded are now available on the web for all to see.

The Wiltshire’s Critical Species Project was a pilot funded by Natural England through the Species Recovery Programme. Jon Isherwood, manager of Wiltshire & Swindon Biological Record Centre, says: “We are very grateful to Natural England for supporting this project, which has enabled us to carry out some deep analysis of data on our priority and threatened species in Wiltshire and Swindon.

“Our staff, county recorders and workshop participants worked hard in reviewing and analysing the data; out of an initial long list of 268 species that were considered, 133 species were identified as critically important in a Wiltshire context.

“These ranged from still common, but much declined species, such as hedgehogs and toads, to much scarcer species such as curlew, the Duke of Burgundy butterfly and the reintroduced Great Bustard.

“This work will provide valuable information for a variety of future

Events Guide

conservation strategies and efforts, including community level Neighbourhood Plans and landscape-scale Local Nature Recovery Strategies.

“We hope this work will also help target and encourage more recording effort, which can provide more information to us in the future and add to the county’s environmental evidence base”.

Charles Routh, Natural England, nature recovery senior adviser for Wiltshire, says:

“The government has set some really ambitious targets for nature recovery, including reducing the number of species at threat of extinction. The idea of this project was to understand which of England’s 2,000+ threatened species Wiltshire has a particular responsibility to conserve and enhance.

“Now, for the first time ever, conservation professionals, amateur wildlife recorders, and the wider public can see on an interactive map where the most important species for nature conservation are in the county.

“I hope these resources will inspire and inform species conservation work across Wiltshire, and also encourage people to send in more wildlife records. If you come across any interesting wildlife, using something like the iRecord app on your mobile makes it really easy to submit a record. Submit a photo if you’re not sure.”

A report and the interactive species distribution map are available here: https:// www.wsbrc.org/projects/wiltshires-criticalspecies/

If you come across any of these species, please send in your records through the easy-to-use app at: https://irecord.org.uk/

Duke of Burgundy

Credit: Steve Smailes

Salisbury Musical Society to bring coronation anthems to the Cathedral

THE SALISBURY Musical Society will perform songs from the coronation at a special concert in Salisbury Cathedral on 24 June.

The concert was originally planned to celebrate the 70th anniversary of our late Queen Elizabeth’s coronation in June 1953.

Handel’s four Coronation Anthems were composed for the coronation of King George II in 1727. Probably the best-known of them is the first, Zadok the Priest, setting a Biblical text used at every coronation since that of King Edgar in 973 to music.

The final anthem in Handel’s set was used at the point in the service when George II’s queen, Caroline, was crowned.

Parry’s well-known anthem, I was glad, was written for the coronation of King Edward VII in 1902. It provides a link to Salisbury Musical Society in that the organist at its first performance was Sir Walter Alcock, who went on to become the organist in Salisbury and founder of the choir.

Parry’s ode, Blest Pair of Sirens, was written to celebrate the golden jubilee of Queen Victoria in 1887. This anthem has a

text by the 17th century poet John Milton, unlike all the other pieces in the concert which are settings of texts from the Bible.

Elgar’s setting of Psalm 48, Great is the Lord, was not specifically composed for a royal occasion but rather for the “foundation or commemoration of a church,

Enjoy an evening of sea shanties while raising funds for our local life boat

THE SALISBURY, Wilton & District Branch of the RNLI is holding a fundraising concert in June featuring two local sea shanty choirs, The Navy Larks and All At Sea.

The choirs are managed by Kate Edgar, the Salisbury-based composer and musical director who has been involved in many projects at the Salisbury Playhouse.

The Navy Larks is a male choir who perform at many charity events around the south of England, while All at Sea is Kate’s new female sea shanty choir.

Most of the funds raised will be used to support the lifesaving activities of the Mudeford lifeboat, the branch’s nearest lifeboat station.

The concert is taking place on Wednesday, 21st June at 7:30pm at St Mary & St Nicholas Parish Church in West Street, Wilton. Tickets cost £20, which includes an interval drink.

Tickets from Eventbrite at https://tinyurl.com/4d257yvw or by cash at the door.

or for general use” and thus takes its place in this celebratory concert.

All of the music in the concert was first performed in Westminster Abbey with the exception of Parry’s Blest Pair of Sirens. £10-£25; www.salisburymusicalsociety.org.uk

The Salisbury Musical Society choir

Top, All At Sea; bottom, Navy Larks

Talented artists portray a connected worldview for evoking memories

FISHERTON Mill welcomes four talented artists to its main gallery this summer. All four share a flair for colour and an eclectic mix of landscape, portraiture, still life and abstract work. Art is essentially about connection. The artist connects with the subject: the viewer connects with the painting, and thus with the artist. Memories or associations may be evoked.

The last few years have shown the need for art as a way to escape our physical separation. And these four artists, with their different styles and genres, offer a wide world with which to connect.

Inspired by an early life spent among the gritstone crags and rugged moorland of Yorkshire, Amanda Fowler combines a lifelong passion for wild landscapes with a love of colour to produce paintings that are vibrant interpretations of the countryside around her.

Helen Menges has been painting portraits for more than 40 years, embracing this way of combining her love of oil paint

and people. The sittings allow her to look further than skin deep and unearth qualities that are then brought out in the painting.

Jenny Monds creates many-layered works on wooden panels, using acrylic and mixed media. She enjoys using a wide variety of tools to create a richly textured surface to her paintings. Some of her paintings are purely abstract, others have an element of realism – a

flower, a bowl, a beaker – but the interest for her is as much with what lies around, behind and beneath the objects as with the objects themselves.

Lesley Walker is a Scottish painter working in Hampshire. Elements from a previous career in music education are integral to her practice: her oil paintings

have a strong underlying rhythm; serendipity and ambiguity drive their narrative.

Connected runs from Saturday, 1st July until Saturday, 29th July 2023. The gallery is open Monday to Friday, 10am to 5pm; Saturday, 9.30am to 5.30pm. Admission is free.

Clockwise from top left, art works by Lesley Walker; Amanda Fowler; Jenny Monds; Helen Menges

Magical outdoor Tempest filled with “sounds and sweet airs”

Review by Brian MacReamoinn

In a spectacular curtain-raiser to the Salisbury International Arts Festival, this promenade production of Shakespeare’s The Tempest enthralled the audience in Churchill Gardens.

The park, one of the largest green spaces in the city, was transformed into the magical island setting of the play, with various locations being used for the play’s different scenes.

We arrive armed with rugs, blankets and fold-up chairs, as well as picnics. Ushered into a wide, open area of grassland, we gather in a semi-circle in front of a magnificent ship, built using all kinds of recycled materials (design by Dan Potra).

Before the storm that opens the drama, cast members in full costume treat us to a string of sea shanties to get everyone warmed up (though the weather was still very pleasant at seven o’clock).

After the ship is dramatically wrecked (sound design by Mike Beer), we file through a pop-up tunnel into the sea where we are greeted by an array of marine creatures, including large jellyfish, among others. It is an amazingly imaginative display of craft-making (again using recycled materials) by some of the community groups who play key roles in the whole show.

We are then shepherded along the park’s walkways to the next location, where we meet the exiled Prospero (Robert Bowman) and his daughter Miranda (Emma Lau). This is also the first appearance of Ariel, here personified by a 30-strong band of figures clad in black costumes with a lightning bolt on the front.

The transformation of the spirit into a running, swooping swarm-like presence (Khiley Williams is the movement director) proves a bold but

highly effective stroke. This many-voiced Ariel also sings and chants, the sweet harmonies filling the night air (musical supervision by Kate Edgar).

In another change, some characters have switched genders. Alonso (Lloyd Notice) remains a king and Sebastian

(Robert Macpherson) his brother, but Antonio becomes Antonia (Elizabeth Crarer) and Gonzalo is renamed Gonzala (Georgina Sutton). The knockabout clowning of Stephana (Heather Phoenix) and Trinculo (Matt Crosby) is very engaging. Throughout, Gareth

Machin’s brisk direction keeps the action flowing freely.

The verse is delivered clearly and naturally, and not in that overly pronounced way occasionally encountered when actors, in attempting to emphasise the sacredness of the text, end up sounding stilted and portentous.

The odd modern interjection gets laughs too, as when

Clockwise from top left: Matt Crosby as Trinculo; Samuel Tracey as Fedinand; Georgina Sutton as Gonazala; Lloyd Notice as Alonso; Elizabeth Crarer as Antonia with Robert Macpherson as Sebastian

Credit: Ash Mills

Ferdinand (Samuel Tracy), celebrating his success with Miranda, exclaims, “Get in!” like an excited football fan whose team has just scored.

The walkabout takes us on a wonderful journey all around Churchill Gardens and its facilities.

One scene takes place in the skateboarding area, while, in another, Caliban (David Partridge) enters on a slide and exits on a zip-wire.

At one point during a crucial speech a dog barks loudly, demonstrating one of the hazards of outdoor theatre in a public space.

This thoroughly entertaining evening is a tribute to the lasting quality of Shakespeare’s work, its timelessness and relevance to the modern world.

The allegorical and symbolic drama can be read in so many

different ways, keeping it fresh and original and thus always capable of attracting new audiences.

This interpretation with sustainability at the heart of its design, highlighting the current state of the planet and bringing into focus the extent of plastic pollution globally, is on trend at the moment.

The RSC (Royal Shakespeare Company) put on a similarly themed, though stage-bound, version at Stratford-upon-Avon recently.

However, the Salisbury show takes things to another level. The scale of the production, the complex logistics of multiple locations, the collaboration of different acting, dance and music groups, plus all the community volunteers involved – it is quite an achievement.

With our revels now ended,

we troop out of the park with the sun having just set, and as we make our way across the still-busy ring road, we reflect on what a trip it has been to such a magical island.

Award-winning one act plays come home to Ashley Road studio

SALISBURY audiences are in for a treat at the beginning of June as Studio Theatre in Ashley Road puts on a number of its award-winning plays

Each play consists of one-act and were all entered in the Totton Festival of Drama, which was held last month.

Fresh from their performances in Hampshire, cast and crew now bring the successful plays back to Salisbury to their home theatre.

Murder! In Little Grimley by David Tristram, which scooped a Best Supporting Player award for Emilia Fletcher at the festival held in March, will be staged on 2 June at 8pm –tickets £8.

The play follows an amateur drama company that decides to stage a murder mystery only to find themselves at the centre of what might be the real thing.

The following week, the festival runner-up production English for Pony Lovers, taken

from the radio series Double Acts by John Finnemore, will be performed on 8-9 June at 7.30pm.

German Elke takes English lessons from Lorna, who might not be the language tutor she’s cracked up to be.

The production, for which Rachel Fletcher took home the Best Actress award, will share the stage with The 39 Steps Even More Abridged by Patrick Barlow – a fast and furious one-act version of the smash hit comedy.

Tickets are £12 on 8 June and £20 to include supper and backstage tours on 9 June from Salisbury Information Centre (tel 01722 342860) or online at www.ticketsource.co.uk/ studiotheatresalisbury

Top: English for Pony Lovers, featuring (l to r) Sue Tranter, Aine Tiernan and Rachel Fletcher

Left: Murder in Little Grimley, featuring Kris Hamilton-Brain and Emilia Fletcher

Top: Tempest Community Company

Right: Emma Lau as Miranda Credit: Ash Mills

Arrow words

Crossword

Wordsearch

Brain chain

Place 1 to 9 once into every black-bordered 3x3 area as well as each of the 54 rows indicated by the coloured lines. Rows don’t cross the thick black lines.

Killer sudoku

Brain chain (hard version)

Cryptic crossword

Across

1 Get a group of singers for audition (7)

5 Top card game book ignored (5)

Across

1 Get a group of singers for audition (7)

Down

5 Top card game book ignored (5)

2 Firm given approval that is for biscuit (6)

9 Man in black say entertaining complete house gets to make unqualified commitment (2,3,5,3)

9 Man in black say entertaining complete house gets to make unqualified commitment (2,3,5,3)

3 A French man with unusual pull around France is disobliging (9)

4 Argument over a new tree (5)

6 Anger seen in diaries regularly (3)

10 Fault about lone criminal showing unjustifiable force (8)

10 Fault about lone criminal showing unjustifiable force (8)

11 Stick container close to plate (4)

7 Sufficient reason for foundation (6)

12 PM not for a largely new reform (9)

11 Stick container close to plate (4)

12 PM not for a largely new reform (9)

16 Draw advantage (4)

19 A ruling agenda moved devoted assistant (8,5)

16 Draw advantage (4)

8 Up-to-date way of operating by service sea (6)

17 Emotional outbreak? Heart is broken infused with yen (8)

11 Ink spilled in cupboard that’s joined together (5-4)

17 Emotional outbreak? Heart is broken infused with yen (8)

19 A ruling agenda moved devoted assistant (8,5)

13 Moral outlook binding Norway regarding race (6)

21 Disreputable group nearly always detaining Frenchman (5)

14 Fine stitching son removed in time to come

22 Agitate monarch with routine upset in lead (7)

21 Disreputable group nearly always detaining Frenchman (5)

22 Agitate monarch with routine upset in lead (7)

Across

1 Get a group of singers for audition (7)

5 Top card game book ignored (5)

9 Man in black say entertaining complete house gets to make unqualified commitment (2,3,5,3)

10 Fault about lone criminal showing unjustifiable force (8)

11 Stick container close to plate (4)

12 PM not for a largely new reform (9)

16 Draw advantage (4)

17 Emotional outbreak? Heart is broken infused with yen (8)

19 A ruling agenda moved devoted assistant (8,5)

Place 1 to 9 once each into every row, column and boldlined 3x3 box. No digit maybe repeated in any dashed-lined cage, and each dash-lined cage must result in the given value when the stated operation is applied between all of the digits in that cage. For subtraction and division operations, start with the highest number in the cage and then subtract or divide by the other numbers in that cage

21 Disreputable group nearly always detaining Frenchman (5)

22 Agitate monarch with routine upset in lead (7)

15 Policy followed by a Republican in an unbroken sequence (6)

18 Grasp plain matter of fact (5)

20 Border that’s neat needing no introduction

Down

2 Firm given approval that is for biscuit (6)

3 A French man with unusual pull around France is disobliging (9)

4 Argument over a new tree (5)

6 Anger seen in diaries regularly (3)

7 Sufficient reason for foundation (6)

8 Up-to-date way of operating by service at sea (6)

11 Ink spilled in cupboard that’s joined together (5-4)

13 Moral outlook binding Norway regarding race (6)

14 Fine stitching son removed in time to come (6)

15 Policy followed by a Republican in an unbroken sequence (6)

18 Grasp plain matter of fact (5)

20 Border that’s neat needing no introduction (3)

For the solutions, turn to page 55

Enlightening: Trinity Church members perform the Mark Drama

By Katrina ffiske

THE MARK Drama is a 90-minute performance, performed by 15 actors telling the complete Gospel of Mark. It was performed by Trinity Church Salisbury at the South Wilts Grammar School on Saturday, 13th May and Sunday, 14th May.

Trinity Church Salisbury relocated to Salisbury in September 2022, and is led by Pete Bentley-Taylor. “We were honoured and thrilled to have the director, Andrew Page, directing the performance of the Mark Drama,” Pete said.

“This is the first time we’ve performed it. There are no props, costumes or professionals, and all 15 members of the cast were from the Trinity Church. They rehearsed for a very short time on Thursday and Friday evening and Saturday all day.”

Deanna, who played the disciple James, said: “Prior to the performance we had six weeks to memorise the order of Mark’s Gospel. Once memorised it is easier to act out the Gospel. The rehearsals were intense but Andrew was so good at putting us at ease. He suggested lines that we could all say throughout the evening and we would improvise during the performance.”

Chairs were set up in a circle with aisles leading into the centre. The actors, dressed in jeans, trainers and t-shirts, used the space expertly with characters exiting and entering the circle as they played out a series of events, from Jesus meeting his future disciples to the many miracles and parables written in the Gospel.

The actors take the audience on an emotional rollercoaster. There is terror on the faces of the disciples as Jesus approaches them walking on water, it is moving each time a child is saved

from death. The audience is asked to participate as we accept loaves from enthusiastic disciples, the meagre four loaves miraculously turning into five thousand.

There is laughter as we watch the woman losing her seven husbands – actors tripping up over each other as they fall to their early death. The disciples are like naughty school children, jokes being cracked with mutterings behind Jesus’ back: “I love Jerusalem, I hear they have a good sandal shop.”

“It is important to laugh,” said Andrew, the director. “It helps the audience relax and they are then more receptive to the message the Gospel is making.”

Andrew told how he came up with the concept of the Mark Drama. “I was giving some talks on Mark’s Gospel in Austria, where I used to live, and recognised a discernable structure to Mark. I realised how easy it would be to memorise and how it would work well as a play. The play is almost word for word Mark’s Gospel.”

Andrew has directed over 180 Mark Dramas over the world. He trains directors and they in turn will train directors.

“Mark Drama has been performed since 2004 in numerous countries, across three continents (Europe, Oceania and South America).”

It really was a very impressive performance by the unprofessional cast and hard to imagine that they had only rehearsed for three days. Ed, who played various characters, said how it was a completely new experience for him to act and how it united the 15 of them as a close team.

James who played Jesus was outstanding, never faltering on his lines and confidently guiding the disciples from scene to scene.

Pete Bentley-Taylor encourages people to join an upcoming Christianity Explored course at Trinity Church Salisbury, starting on June 5th.

“We have a mix of ordinary people of different ages and stages, seeking to know Jesus better and live for him together. Whether you’re already a Christian, or just curious to look into questions of faith, we’d love you to come and be part of our community.”

Organists to pedal 96 miles in 48 hours to raise money for choirs

THE ROYAL School of Church Music (RSCM) director and assistant director will be riding a tandem bike 96 miles in 48 hours, from Croydon to Salisbury, starting on the 10th June to raise money for the RSCM on its 96th birthday.

The RSCM is a church music charity that has supported music in worship for nearly 100 years.

Encouraging and resourcing churches, musicians and church communities, with a network of thousands of affiliated churches, schools and other institutions, as well as individual members, the RSCM provides vital work for the flourishing of church music.

By cycling 96 miles in 48 hours, director Hugh Morris and assistant director Paul Hedley are aiming to raise £9,600 to kick-start the RSCM Centenary Fund.

The money raised will pay for projects, such as providing congregations with resources and training to encourage children and young people to join their choirs. It will enable churches to start new choirs and reinvigorate ones that shrank during COVID.

Hugh Morris, director of the RSCM, said: “The RSCM

wanted to launch its centenary appeal in style so when I realised that it was 96 miles from Addington Palace in Croydon where we were based for over 40 years to our current offices in Salisbury, I had an idea.

“Paul is a keen cyclist, so I suggested that we launch our centenary appeal in our 96th year with a 96-mile sponsored tandem ride.”

During the ride, the pair will stop off at member churches to meet choir and congregation members and lead them in

singing two anthems, a hymn and a psalm.

The ride takes place over the weekend which the RSCM encourages churches across the country to mark as Music Sunday, celebrating the role of music and musicians in the life of churches.

Paul Hedley, assistant director, explained: “For generations the hymn ’And can it be’ has been known by choristers as ‘The Cyclists Hymn’ because it includes the line ‘My chains fell off’. I hope we won’t have that problem, but

I know Hugh and I will be encouraged to continue pedalling when we hear our supporters singing it.

“Other choirs may choose to sing Psalm 96. It begins, ‘Sing to the Lord a new song’ words that fit well with the aims of the Centenary Fund. Many children today never get the chance to sing in a choir. How will our churches sing a new song in the future if there are no young people singing?”

Hugh Morris concluded:

“The RSCM has a vital role to play in encouraging and enabling music in churches. Many people may not think of this as important, but most would miss the lead of the choir and organ at a carol service, or the beauty of the singing at a wedding. These things will be lost if we don’t act now.”

The tandem ride will take place from 10 to 12 June; supporters of church music can sponsor Hugh and Paul by donating through the RSCM website (www.rscm.org.uk) or by sending a cheque (clearly marked Director’s Challenge and payable to the RSCM) to the Development Team at RSCM, 19 The Close, Salisbury SP1 2EB.

Archbishop of Canterbury to hold a service in Diocese

THE ARCHBISHOP of Canterbury, Justin Welby, will visit the Diocese of Salisbury from 9 to 11 June. His aim is to encourage and support people, including volunteers and community groups. He especially wants to meet and listen to people who do not attend church very often.

There will be a celebratory service in the Cathedral Close on Sunday, 11th June from 3.30to 5pm, all are welcome to attend.

Alongside Archbishop Justin will be a number of College of Evangelists who will partake in events across the diocese. They will lead services and training events in support of the Archbishop’s mission.

For those unable to attend the service in person, they are invited to join via the Diocese’s YouTube channel – simply search for the Diocese and you will find the live stream on the day.

Credit: Jaqui J Sze

Paul Hedley and Hugh Morris will cycle from Addington Palace to Salisbury

Griffons, Merlin’s, Spitfires and a daring underwater rescue mission

THE PROBUS Club of Sarum welcomed back Kevin Patience to its recent meeting to give a talk on how he found, dug up and identified a spitfire in Malta.

Kevin grew up in Kenia and joined as a Boy Entry in the RAF in 1961. In addition to flying, training and navigation school, he was trained as a diver and diving instructor.

Diving became very much his passion in addition to his enthusiasm for Spitfires.

In 1967 he was posted to Malta. In addition to his RAF engineering duties he engaged in seabed searches for sunk spitfires.

As Kevin explored the underwater world off Gozo, he came across the remains of a World War II-era aircraft.

The unmistakable shape and distinct features left no doubt in his mind: after extensive search he had found the Spitfire. Kevin and his team had known there must be a spitfire wreck in the bay. However, drifting sand and

prolific seaweed turned it into a very difficult find.

Kevin carefully examined the wreckage, noting the aircraft’s (partial) serial number and taking photographs from various angles. He wanted to document his find and share it with the world.

Over the following days, Kevin and his team meticulously researched the aircraft’s history. They learned that this particular Spitfire had crashed during a mission in 1942, when it was shot down by enemy fire. The pilot had managed to eject safely, but the plane had sunk into the depths.

Driven by his passion, Kevin collaborated with local authorities and historical organisations to protect and preserve the site.

Together, they eventually arranged a comprehensive survey and recovery mission to document and salvage at least parts of the Spitfire.

As word spread about Kevin’s discovery, it caught the

attention of historians, aviation enthusiasts, and the media.

He also engaged with the locals who recalled that they had cut up and salvaged the pilot’s parachute in July 1942 while they filled the pilot with wine.

From this information and the partial serial number, Kevin and his helpers were able to identify this plane and his pilot, Saunders.

The pilot eventually became a test pilot at Castle Bromwich

and sadly died in a flying accident there.

The recovered spitfire is now on display in the Malta War Museum.

Probus Club of Sarum meets every second and fourth Friday of the month at the White Hart Hotel.

Its members are retirees who value intellectual stimulation as well as a sociable atmosphere. Guests and new members are always welcome.

T: 01722 392 043

Local societies join together for family history day

CHILDREN baptised Faintnot, Twitty or Anonymous, a boy who has been given a girl’s name by mistake, a woman recorded as having died on a dung heap – it’s easy to see why tracing family trees has become popular.

Surprise discoveries help make up for frustrations such as several generations using the same first names, the sudden end of a tree line, or a gap in old records which might include your ancestor.

Wiltshire, Somerset & Dorset, Oxfordshire, Bristol & Avon, and Dorset Family History Societies are joining together to help people solve problems in their research for a

family history day at the Michael Herbert Hall, Wilton on Saturday, 17th June. There will be information desks for help with getting started and using DNA testing, plus specialist help from The

Rifles (Berkshire and Wiltshire) Museum, Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre and South Wilts Industrial Archaeological Society.

Society which is organising the free event, said: “There is a huge amount of information available on the internet which can make searching historic records much more accessible.

“But there’s nothing better than face-to-face help on how to check you’re on the right track, where to go next or what to do if you get stuck.

“Our Family History Day, with its line-up of societies and other organisations, is just the place to pick the brains of people only too happy to share their own experiences and help you find that elusive ancestor you’re looking for.”

David

Weaver, chairman of Wiltshire Family History

More information at: Wiltshire fhs.co.uk/news

Antiques & Collectibles

Dessau up for grabs

THERE’S a chance to bid on a piece of Salisbury history in the Woolley & Wallis auction on 7 June.

Among the lots is an oil painting by the celebrated artist Paul Lucien Dessau.

The piece, above, features a Mr Edwards, the former owner of the Rose & Crown, Harnham, in the 1950s. Famed for his wartime paintings and portraits, Dessau’s works are highly collectable and have been offered at Sotherbys and numerous other major auction houses. The auction house estimates the painting at between £200 and £300.

For more details, visit www.woolleyandwallis.co.uk.

adverts@salisburyandavon.co.uk

Next Sale

Jewellery & Watches, Coins & Silver, Toys & Dolls, and 20th Century Pictures & Decorative Arts

Saturday 10th June

For a full list of our specialist sales please see our website

An 18th century Chinese celadon ground vase, 42 cm. SOLD FOR £15,000

For free verbal valuations please contact

Station Road, Semley, Shaftesbury SP7 9AN 01747 855122 www.semleyauctioneers.com

and South Kensington, London

WANTED

Coins and Coin Collections Call Nick on 07754058850

WANTED

OLD BOOKS BOUGHT

Also old photographs and postcards.

We have been buying in Wiltshire for 50 years. We are happy to call by appointment entirely without obligation.

Bristow & Garland 01747 855666 or 07392 602014.

Council’s reablement service celebrates its five-year anniversary

WILTSHIRE Council’s Reablement Service celebrated five years of providing innovative services on 22 May.

The service supports people to achieve what is important to them and that allows them to live at home independently.

Reablement is a short-term intensive support service provided by specially trained social care staff, including occupational therapists and reablement workers, who work with adults in their own homes, to enable them to do things themselves and re-learn skills they may have lost.

The service is available to adults who normally live independently at home, but who might have lost physical ability or confidence in carrying out their day-to-day living tasks.

The team aims to work with people in the community to identify their strengths and assets and live the best life they can.

In the first year, the service had 1,000 referrals – which has since tripled with 3,340 referrals

in the last year 2022/2023.

When the service launched in 2018 it started with just 24 therapy staff and eight reablement provider staff.

In 2023 this is a very different picture, with 51 therapy staff and 130 reablement provider staff.

Cllr Jane Davies, cabinet member for adult social care, said: “I’m really proud that our reablement team has achieved some incredible results, and in the last year 2022/2023, 78% of people were still in their home three months after having had reablement support, showing the great long-term results for the people they work with.

“Our reablement service has also retained its Good CQC rating in April 2023, and it is a testament to our incredible and dedicated staff who continue to provide this empowering support.

“The team continues to grow and we want to offer the service to even more people – we are always looking for more staff to join us. I’d encourage anyone interested to contact our recruitment team and help to

be a part of this inspirational service.”

One gentleman who received support from the West Reablement Team in March, said: “Reablement involvement has had a big impact on me, I’m pretty much independent with my morning routine.

“Workers have been fantastic, encouraging at the right times, but letting me do things myself when I could.

“My quality of life is much improved. I feel so much better at being more independent in the mornings and not having to rely on other people so much, which has helped with my dignity and helped me feel more positive.”

Information about the services available to help people remain independent can be found at: https://adults.wiltshire.gov.uk/

PM says promoting vapes to children is ‘ridiculous’

SPEAKING to ITV’s this morning, prime minister Rishi Sunak promised to look at ways to strengthen the marketing rules around vapes.

Although it is illegal to sell vapes, also known as e-cigarettes, to children younger than 18, NHS figures released last year revealed a rise in usage among children aged 11 to 15-years-old. With the biggest rise among 15-year-old girls.

A more recent BBC investigation found that vapes confiscated from school pupils contained high levels of lead, a metal that can affect healthy brain development.

While corner shops are the main source of purchase, market traders are also in the spotlight. A market trader from Salisbury pleaded guilty to selling an e-cigarette to a child after an operation by Trading Standards.

The prime minister told ITV that he didn’t want his daughters to be “seduced by these things”. His government has launched a consultation to find out more about how

the promotion and appearance of vapes make them attractive to children.

He said: “It looks like they are targeted at kids which is ridiculous.”

The government has also committed £3 million of funding to strengthen trading standards operations against shops and stallholders who sell the products illegally to children.

He has stopped short of pledging to ban their sale completely, like 40 other countries have done.

Labour has pledged to ban advertising and branding that make them appeal to children and to work with NHS and councils to ensure they are not used solely as an alternative form of smoking.

https://www.gov.uk/government/ consultations/youth-vaping-call-forevidence/youth-vaping-call-for-evidence

Reablement services help people become more independent in their own homes

Salisbury’s Ray Mac Stadium plays host to annual youth tournament

SALISBURY FC Youth’s annual 6-a-side tournament saw 109 teams, ranging from Under 7 to Under 14, from all over the south descend upon the Ray Mac Stadium recently.

For many young players this will have been their first experience of playing in a proper football stadium.

Nearly 1,000 players over the course of the weekend were cheered on by their coaches and families in the stands, making this an occasion the children will remember for a very long time. With the high quality of football on display, the audience never had a dull moment – watching 700 goals in over 350 games.

The mini soccer teams also experienced entering the pitch from the player’s tunnel, down the steps onto the pitch, with their team being announced over the tannoy. The 7 to 9-year-olds behaved just like little professionals – and some did milk it a little!

It was the Under 7’s and 12’s that kicked the weekend off and it was the youngest group of them

all that set the bar extremely high for the rest to follow. The final of the Under 7’s between Salisbury FC and Boscombe Polonia FAB7 was the game of the weekend for many.

In the 12-minute final, at 2-2 with possibly a minute or two to go, Newbury for the Whites

thought he had got the winner with a left footed free kick into the far corner, but very quickly, after a deliberate lob of the goalkeeper from the inside of his own half, a FAB player

sailed the ball into the roof of the net to make it level.

Golden goal followed, but Newbury was to have the last word with another glorious set piece from all of 20 metres (that’s a long way when you’re seven).

Again, top corner and joy for the Whites and heartbreak for the FAB players, but it had every adult in the ground captivated, it was such a great game.

In the U12 section on Saturday morning, a very good Clarendon side were very unlucky to lose 1-0 in the final to Holt United. Saturday was concluded with the U9’s and U13’s.

A very hot Ray Mac again witnessed some top entertainment on the pitch over the afternoon and the finals were no exception.

Millbrook Hurricanes beat BRS Whites in the U9’s and Trowbridge Wanderers Tigers became the second Trowbridge side to win at the Ray Mac in

Success fior Salisbury Youth on the first day of the tournament

Credit: Michael Berkeley

Salisbury Youth U14 were also victorious, beating Calne 1-0 in the final Credit: Michael Berkeley

three weeks when they overcame Littleton Juniors 3-1 to lift the trophy.

By the time the ground was cleared, tidied and restocked for the following day and the volunteers could head home to get some rest it was near 8pm. They were back at the ground at 7am on Sunday to do it all again.

By 8:15am over 200 cars had been parked and by 9.00am, the familiar 5-4-3-2-1 countdown to kick off from compere Chris Dunn-Veale resounded around the Ray Mac and we were off with the U8’s and U11’s.

More fantastic football was witnessed by hundreds in the stands and terraces. It was AFC Stoneham Jaguars and a very good Poole Town that made the U8’s final which the Jaguars eventually won 1-0. In a very tight U11’s final, Ringwood Town overcame AFC Totton 1-0 to be the 2023 champions.

200-plus cars out and 200-plus cars in during a crazy hour for the car park team heralded the last session of the weekend on Sunday afternoon.

This time it was U10’s and U14’s taking centre stage.

The Under 10’s was a very tight affair all afternoon and it was Bournemouth Sports and fellow Dorset side Dorset RTC that battled out the final, with Sports taking the bragging rights back down south with a 1-0 win.

The last final of the day saw the second home side, Salisbury FC U14’s, have the chance to emulate the Under 7’s feat from the opening final of the weekend. In their way, an FC Calne side that made it through the group stage and semi-final winning all seven matches without conceding a single goal.

A competitive match saw the Whites eventually winning 1-0 to conclude the weekend with the second trophy for the host club.

Michaela Winter, secretary, Salisbury FC Youth, said:

“Overall, the tournament was a massive success from the off with places selling out in a matter of days and with the positive feedback the club has received since the tournament

we can’t wait until next year when we will be spreading the tournament over two weekends to include girls teams from multiple age groups.”

“Salisbury Youth FC would like to say a massive thank you to everyone that made this very special weekend happen. Starting with Salisbury FC for the use of their facilities; to the Salisbury FC Supporters Club who helped to raise money; to our tournament sponsors ‘Salisbury Cathedral School’

and ‘Rysie’s patios’; to pitch markers, car parkers, enthusiastic announcers, from referees to coaches and committee members and parents.

“Finally, a very special thank you to all the teams that played with endless exuberance, who were managed impeccably and supported superbly. Without you all there would be no tournament. We look forward to seeing everyone again next year.”

Salisbury

FC Women to

hold player trials in July ahead of new season

THE TIME has arrived. With exciting things coming for next season – an unbelievable home ground at the Ray Mac, great sponsors and the goal of promotion – Salisbury FC Women are happy to announce dates for their next player trials.

The team finished third in the Wiltshire Women’s League last season with 15 wins from 20 games.

The team also narrowly lost to runaway league winners Purton in the League Cup final.

Trials will take place at The Livestock Market, Netherhampton Rd, on Wednesday, 19th July from 7.30pm onwards, and Sunday, 23rd July from 2pm onwards.

If you’re interested in joining the squad, email sfcwomen@ salisburyfc.co.uk.

Salisbury FC active in the transfer market

The season may only just have finished but The Whites have already been busy bringing in a number of players ahead of pre-season training.

James Harding makes the switch from Swindon Supermarine after netting 17 league goals last season.

Also making the move from Supermarine is former Swansea City keeper Josh Gould.

Former City midfielder, Theo Lewis has re-signed.

While Noah Coppin makes the move from Weston-superMare to Salisbury.

Former Wales U19 player, and Southampton and Aston Villa academy player, Tom Leggett arrives from Hartley Wintney.

Another new arrival is 21-year-old Charlie Gunson from Dorchester Town.

The Ray Mac resplendent in the May sunshine; Credit: Michael Berkeley

World class Harvey wins his weight in beer at Coninental tour meet

THE NIGHT of the 10,000m PBs, part of the London World Athletics Continental Tour provides a unique opportunity for high level club runners to race against a talented mix of world class marathon runners, middle distance runners, steeple chasers, 10k, 5k and road runners.

CoSARC’s Harry Smith gave a masterclass in tactical running as he sat back in the first half, then bided his time in third place for much of the second half.

He went second two laps out, and hit the front at the bell as he flew past the leader to finish in a PB time of 30:52:01.

The icing on the cake was Harry winning his weight in beer!

CoSARC sent a mixed group of seniors, juniors and Quadkids to the Wiltshire Track & Field County Championships last weekend, with the Quadkids competing on Sunday.

They all enjoyed competing and encouraged one another, showing team spirit at its best. The squad won a number of hard earned medals and PBs between them.

The Alton 10 Mile was a tough race with some long hills. Dave Gervais finished in 66:33, Andy Budgell 73:31 and Heather Hitchens 1:25:35.

The Houghton Trail Event 11K was Freddie Bosworth’s longest competitive race to date.

He finished 2nd overall and was first of the junior finishers. Finishing times were Freddie

Harry Smith

Bosworth 45:56, Alice Snow

52:27, Art Mitchell 53:18, Andy Makin 1:11:3, Petra Oyston

1:23:50, Janine Eve Kemm

1:36:10 and Amanda Ansell

1:43:03.

In the first SAL match of the

season in Basingstoke, Katie Clements set seven new PBs in her 10 events. There were wins for Harriet Legg in the Triple Jump A String, Lucy Wilkinson in the Javelin A string and Jaymee Domoney in the 800mtr A String.

In the Netley 10K, CoSARC finishers were Will Pannell 34:39, Matthew Gervais 36:45, Dave Gervais 39:09, Charlotte Ingram 39:54 (PB by 37 seconds) and Heather Hitchens 50:46.

In the North Downs Way 50, Mike White ran 52.6 miles in a magnificent time of 11 hours 26 minutes.

On a very hot day, in the Great Manchester Run, Carol Chlebowski went up against 25,000 other runners to finish in 57:21.

Bemerton Heath Harlequins FC launches women’s team and confirms dates for players trials

AFTER a successful season of promotions and cup wins, Bemerton Heath Harlequins FC are expanding into women’s football with the formation of Bemerton Heath Harlequins Ladies FC.

The team will join the growing Wiltshire County Women’s & Girl’s League, playing on Sunday’s with Moon Park as their home.

With the Women’s World Cup coming up and the success of the Lionesses at the Euro’s, there is no better time to be part of growing the women’s game.

The team at Bemerton Heath Harlequins hope to create a happy, supportive and successful environment, with the club continuing to be a fantastic community asset.

Director of football, Ian Saunders, said: “I am absolutely over the moon that our club has another piece of the true community club jigsaw. We restarted our youth section and our ambition was to cater for ‘everyone’ in and around our community.

“The ladies team coming on board has now provided that platform. We look forward to working closely with our new

team, during this exciting time for our club.”

The ladies team trials take place at Hudson’s Field on July 12th (7pm-9pm),

July 16th (10am-12pm) and July 19th (7pm-9pm).

Individuals may register their interest by emailing BHHLFC@Gmail.com.

The team is looking forward to meeting those that wish to participate and have already received significant interest.

BHHLFC will be announcing friendlies, management and sponsors over the coming days and weeks. The first pre-season friendly will see the team travel to Southampton to face another newly formed team, Eling Ladies FC, on August 13th in what will be a great challenge for two brand new sides.

Later in the summer, the management team and players will be attending this year’s Salisbury Summer Fair, at Wilton House, with a Bemerton Heath Harlequins stall and Beat-The-Keeper challenge to raise money for both the team and Salisbury Hospice Charity.

Twitter: @BHHLFC

Instagram: @BHHLFC

Facebook: Bemerton Heath Harlequins

Ladies FC

The newly formed women’s team will play home games at Moon Park

Pets

Can you help home these dogs in need?

NALA

Nala is a four-year-old bulldog, looking for a loving family where she can get some care and attention, but also quiet time. She could live with children aged five and above and can have doggy friends out and about, but would like a home to herself.

She has previously had contact with cats and if introduced correctly to a dog-savvy cat, could potentially live with one. Any time she is left alone will need to be built up gradually due to her not being used to being left before.

EDDIE

Eddie is an 18-month-old Pomeranian cross.

He’s a very lively boy with a sensitive side and would be happy living with sensible children aged 12 and above who are dog savvy. He needs to be the only dog in the home and cannot live with cats. He loves the company of his human friends so he would benefit from owners who are at home for most of the day.

When out and about, Eddie can be reactive to other dogs, so

FLOYD

Fabulous Floyd is a handsome eight-yearold pointer.

He is an active boy who loves being out and about whatever the weather and is looking for a forever home with a family who will enjoy plenty of outdoor adventures.

Floyd needs to be exercised in quieter areas away from busy dog walks.

He loves human interaction and struggles when left alone so needs a home with someone around most of the time. Floyd can live with children 14 and over but can’t live with cats.

RUBY

Ruby is a seven-year-old Collie who is now ready to start looking for her forever home. She can live with any children aged 14 and above who are calm and respectful of dogs. She would need to be the only pet in the home, however Ruby does like to say hello to some dogs when out walking, due to having to stay on lead due to her lack of recall when worried. She is a sensitive girl to noises and would like to live and be walked in a quiet location.

Chris Packham is new RSPCA president

WILDLIFE expert and campaigner Chris Packham has been named president of the RSPCA.

The TV presenter, pictured, who is currently working on BBC Springwatch from Dorset, said he was ‘immensely proud’ to take on the role.

And he said it comes at a ‘critical time’ for animals.

“This honour comes at a historic moment as the charity counts down to its 200th birthday next year in 2024,” he said.

“200 years of driving forward amazing change for animals, but, arguably, I am taking up my position at one of the most critical times for animals in the charity’s history.

“The challenge facing those distant founders was very different, the notion of protecting animals from cruelty was a new one, with the first animal welfare act, protecting

cattle from abuse, only being passed two years earlier in 1822.

“They had a huge job to do in changing both social attitudes and legislation.

“Fast forward two centuries and protection of animals is woven into the fabric of our society and our laws - the British people care deeply about animals and recoil in outrage at abuse and cruelty.

“But, despite the immense leaps forward we have made, the modern world comes with its own challenges for animals.

“We’re living through uncertain times with seismic shocks that have undermined our own sense of security and wellbeing - a pandemic, a cost of living crisis, a war in Europe, the repercussions of all of which are still being felt and will be for years to come.

“During times of social and economic stability, that is when

animals can suffer and when charities like the RSPCA are needed more than ever.”

He highlighted a number of challenges faced by the charity, including the cost-of-living crisis, but urged people to work together to tackle the issues facing animals and people alike.

“We have a big job ahead of us. But we know we don’t have to do it alone,” he added.

“Since we became the world’s first animal charity, we not only spawned other SPCAs

all around the world, but we are now part of a huge network of charities and organisations working together in this country and abroad to improve the lives of animals.

“We need to work in partnership, not just with other charities, but with businesses and government, to bring about the change we need to see.

“Running throughout everything we do is prevention - it’s in our name - and we all have a part to play.

“We need to work with you, animal lovers, to ensure we can truly be there for all animals who need us.

“We need you to lend us your voice to campaign with us, your time to volunteer for us, your power as a consumer to make the right choices for animals, and, most of all, your compassion to make sure we create a world which is better for animals.”

UK workers spend the most time at home, according to new study

UK workers spend less time in the office than any other country - and want to further reduce it, according to a new report.

A new study by global workplace creation firm Unispace shows unhappiness in the office environment is growing in the UK.

Returning for Good, a Unispace Global Workplace Insights report – which combined the results of an in-depth survey of 9,500 employees and 6,650 business leaders from 17 countries worldwide – found just 34% of employees in the UK are in the office four or more days a week, less time than workers in any other country.

Despite the comparatively low attendance levels, employees want to reduce the number of days spent in the workplace even further, with just 21% of workers in the UK currently happy to spend four or more days per week in the office.

Hot-desking is prominent in the UK, with 56% of employees

indicating their office is set up to work in this way, above the global average of 48%, according to the data.

Of those who do hot-desk, 76% would be more inclined to head into the office on a regular basis if they had an assigned desk.

The data did highlight a misalignment between employers and employees that suggests a lack of communication.

Only 53% of UK workers

expect to eventually be in the office at least four days a week, but employers are more likely to perceive that a return is on the cards, with 74% expecting this to happen in the near future.

While 75% of employers highlighted career progression including pay rises, promotions and bonuses will be negatively impacted for hybrid workers, employees are less aware of this risk, with only 59% stating that they believe this to be the case.

Workers in the UK also

recorded the lowest level of company loyalty (68% versus the global average of 77%), though this was also underestimated by employers, with 74% believing their employees were devoted to their organisation.

Lawrence Mohiuddine, CEO, EMEA at Unispace, said:

“Results from the UK highlight that employees are now in the driver’s seat and are better able to make demands of their employers more than ever before over where and how they choose to work.

“However, there is a clear lack of communication between employees and businesses, with views around future office returns and the impact of hybrid working on career progression differing between the two groups.

“Businesses need to find a way to strike the right balance to encourage people to form new habits and head into the office but, equally, employees need to be given a compelling reason to do so.”

1-in-10 firms expecting redundancies in 2023

MORE than one in 10 employers are likely to make staff redundant this year, according to a new survey.

Research by YouGov, commissioned by the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas) showed 13% of firms were likely to let people go in the next 12 months.

Acas chief executive, Susan Clews, said: “Some businesses are facing tough challenges and our poll reveals that one in ten employers in the South West are considering redundancies in the year ahead.

“Acas advice for bosses in the South West is to exhaust all possible alternatives to redundancies first but if employers feel like they have no choice then they must follow the law in this area or they could be subject to a costly legal process.”

If an employer finds there are no other choices than to make redundancies, then there are strict rules on consulting staff that

they must follow.

An employer must discuss any planned changes and consult with each employee who could be affected. This includes staff who may not be losing their jobs but will be impacted.

The minimum consultation period varies depending on the number of employees that an employer wishes to make redundant.

By law, employers who wish to make 20 or more staff redundant over any threemonth (90 day) period must also consult a recognised trade union or elected employee representatives about the proposed changes.

For 20 to 99 redundancies, consultation must start at least 30 days before the first dismissal can take effect, and for 100 or more redundancies, it must start at least 45 days before.

For less than 20 redundancies, there is no set time period, but the length of consultation must be reasonable.

If an employer does not meet consultation requirements, employees can take their employer to an employment tribunal. If successful, the employer may have to pay up to 90 days’ full pay for each affected employee.

Someone can also make a claim of unfair dismissal to an employment tribunal on the grounds that they were not consulted, or the consultation was not meaningful.

Employers should consider all possible options before considering redundancies as other solutions to their situation could be found through consultation with their staff, employee representatives and unions.

Acas said advisers had seen many examples of this joint working that’s produced creative alternatives to job losses, such as part-time working, cuts to overtime, finding alternative roles and retraining.

Acas advice for staff and employers is available at www.acas.org.uk/redundancy.

FUNERAL DIRECTORS

FRENCH CLASSES

Say bonjour, to new French classes at Fisherton Mill

Advertisement feature

THIS JUNE sees the start of weekly French classes at Fisherton Mill, right in the heart of Salisbury.

Fantastique French Tuition (FFT) has been providing French tuition and classes across Dorset, Hampshire and Wiltshire since 2013; and for owner Tim Robins the move to Fisherton Mill is the next stage in its development: “With its award-winning gallery and on-site artists and craftspeople, Fisherton Mill is one of Salisbury’s premier cultural venues.

“As learning a language is all about discovering another culture, we are really excited about this new partnership. And we are delighted to be teaching in the centre of Salisbury, enabling even more people to come and discover -– or re-discover – the joy of speaking French.”

FFT is offering courses (on Thursdays) for both new and existing students at four different levels – from absolute beginners right through to advanced learners. Classes are strictly limited to a maximum of eight students to enable everyone to participate fully. The emphasis is very much on having fun, promoting confidence in real-life situations and focusing on the French you already know

(thanks to its similarities with English). Memorising pages of verb tables? Non merci!

So if you fancy a new challenge, or want to re-connect with the language as you prepare to cross the Channel again, please don’t hesitate to get in contact. And to celebrate our move, readers just need to quote ‘Salisbury & Avon Gazette’ and they’ll receive their first lesson 100% free!

For more détails and to réserver your place, visiter fantastiquefrenchtuition.co.uk or téléphoner 07944 340563. Merci et à bientôt!

That’s not knotweed: the great south west property market cover up

THE LATEST research, commissioned by Japanese Knotweed Specialists, part of the Grounds Care Group, has revealed that the majority of homeowners in the south west would consider concealing the presence of Japanese knotweed when selling their property.

A national survey of 3,000 homeowners, the largest of its kind in the UK, uncovered that only 42% of homeowners in the region would disclose the presence of knotweed on their property when selling, compared with a national average of 49%.

Japanese knotweed is the most invasive plant in Britain and one that can cause significant damage to buildings and infrastructure. If left untreated it can significantly decrease property values and make it difficult to sell or insure a home.

In some instances, properties with Japanese knotweed can be down-valued by up to 30% compared to properties without it. With an average property value of £329,691 across the south west, this represents a potential loss of £98,907.

Commenting on the research, managing director of Japanese Knotweed Specialists, Adam

Brindle, said: “Given that knotweed can be complicated and costly to remove, it is understandable that some people would be nervous about it when trying to sell their home. However, property owners should be transparent early on about the presence of Japanese knotweed, or any other invasive species like bamboo, and take steps to eradicate it before selling.

“With tougher lending conditions and a softening housing market, it’s essential that you put your house on the

market in the best possible light. A buyer and mortgage lender would much prefer a property that has had the knotweed professionally treated or excavated with a PCA-approved guarantee in place.

“Not only will this course of action prevent potentially expensive legal cases and delays, but it will also maximise the value of your property.”

Buyers and sellers should also be aware of the potential financial and legal consequences of failing to address this issue.

David Harvey of House Partnership, explains: “There are numerous examples of where the sale of a property has been significantly delayed due to the presence of Japanese knotweed, attracting further unnecessary cost and stress during the home buying process.

“However, the real cost of deliberately concealing knotweed when selling a property, lies in the potential legal ramifications of doing so. This was highlighted in a recent case where a homeowner faced legal bills in excess of £200,000 after being successfully sued by their buyer for not disclosing the presence of knotweed.

“Our advice would be to have a plan for the eradication, to be presented to the buyer, ideally before placing your property on the market.”

To avoid these issues, property owners should seek advice from professionals on how to properly disclose and address Japanese knotweed when selling a property. It is always recommended to have a professional survey and treatment plan in place before selling a property with Japanese knotweed to avoid any future problems.

Faster-than-expected rise in house prices

HOUSE prices have risen at a faster-thanexpected rate in May, according to property website Rightmove.

Spring into summer is the busiest season for the housing market, the firm said, as lots of people kick start their moves when the days get longer and the weather warms up.

Rightmove said it expected prices to rise by around 1% at this time of year, but has actually seen prices rise by almost double that in May. The average asking price for a home in Great Britain has increased by 1.8% in May, pushing prices to a record high of £372,894.

The rise comes amid speculation about what might happen in the housing market this year. There remains uncertainty around what could happen to mortgage rates as a result of what’s happening in the wider economy, including changes to the Bank of England’s Base Rate, and how this might affect house prices.

But in May, Rightmove saw demand from potential home-buyers continue to exceed the levels during the same period before the pandemic, with 3% more people enquiring to view properties for sale.

The firm’s property expert, Tim

Bannister, said: “This month’s jump in new seller asking prices looks like a belated reaction and a sign of increasing confidence from sellers, as we’d usually see such a big monthly increase earlier in the spring season. One reason for this increased confidence may be that the gloomy start-ofthe-year predictions for the housing market are looking increasingly unlikely.

“What’s much more likely is that the market will continue to transition to a more normal activity level this year following the exceptional home-moving activity of the pandemic years.”

A hedegrow containing roses that has been taken over by Japense Knotweed

Credit: Its snowing in East Asia at en.wikipedia, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Great Wishford celebrates ancient Oak Apple Day in the May sunshine

OAK APPLE Day was celebratd at Great Wishford on May 29th. On this day, the villagers proclaim their right to collect wood from Grovely forest. The festival dates back to to the Elizabethan Charters. In the morning their was a short service at Salisbury Cathedral. Following a parade around the village, the village came together to enjoy the fete.

All photos: Steven Kemp

One in 10 passes should have failed MOT, new research shows

MORE than one in 10 cars that passed their MOT in 2021/22 should have failed, according to new research.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s (DVSA) latest MOT Compliance Survey has revealed 10.1% of cars that passed the test should have failed the annual check-upwhile 2.1% of cars that officially failed, should have been issued a pass certificate.

MOT (Ministry of Transport) is a legal requirement for car owners, where a garage assesses whether a vehicle is safe to drive on the public road.

The survey showed nearly

1.3 million vehicles are now potentially unsafe and potentially being illegally driven on roads across the country.

According to the official documentation, the DVSA retests a random number of vehicles to double check if the MOT has been correctly carried out and given the right verdict.

In 2022, 1,732 MOT tested cars were re-examined by mechanics at the DVSA.

Shockingly, out of the vehicles retested, 65.9% of the vehicles were found to have at least one defect which the MOT test station had either incorrectly examined, missed, or recorded

under something else.

Further analysis showed 51.6% had three or more defects missed or issues that the DVSA’s team of examiners disagreed with from the original assessment.

A recent study from the RAC found that around 7.3 million vehicles on the road fail their MOT each year.

“The vast majority of MOT testers carry out testing to the highest standards,” a DVSA spokesperson said.

“Our survey targets a random selection of vehicles and is designed to identify any problems with MOT testing so that we can put them right.

“We are delighted to see that standards have improved since the last report. This underlines the importance of DVSA taking

action on the survey results and supporting testers with new digital tools, as well as demonstrating the hard work of MOT testers.”

The most common defect areas where DVSA examiners disagreed with MOT test stations were:

1. Tyres: 734

2. Brakes: 660

3. Suspension: 642

4. Lights, reflectors and electrics: 422

5. Noise, emissions and leaks: 171

6. Body, chassis and structure: 164

7. Visibility: 142

8. Steering: 92

9. Vehicle identification: 46

10. Seatbelts: 45

Motoring

EV charger target ‘set to be missed’

A TARGET to have six or more electric vehicle charging points at every motorway service station in England by the end of 2023 is set to be missed.

The RAC says the Government is unlikely to hit its own target, with less than a quarter (27 - 23%) of 119 motorway services reviewed by the RAC on Zapmap currently having the target number of chargers.

There are around 400 high-powered charging units situated at motorway services capable of charging 682 electric cars at one time, the RAC research said, an average of just over three (3.4) rapid or ultra-rapid chargers at motorway services.

When looking at the number of connectors these devices have, there is an average of nearly four (3.8) of the most commonly used CCS (Combined Charging System) connectors and just under two (1.8) CHadeMO connectors, used by drivers of the popular Nissan Leaf.

Some six motorway services in England don’t have any high-powered chargers, according to the RAC; Leicester Forest on both sides of the M1, Tebay South on the

M6, Carlisle Northbound on the M1, Strensham Southbound on the M5 and Barton Park on the A1(M).

The Government’s ‘Taking charge: the electric vehicle infrastructure strategy’, published in March last year, laid out plans to accelerate the roll-out of high-powered chargers on the strategic road network through the £950m Rapid Charging Fund, so EV drivers have confidence in the ability to undertake longer journeys.

Mirroring a Government policy paper from May 2020, the document said: “We will ensure that every motorway service area has at least six rapid chargers by the end of 2023, with some having more than 12.”

Currently, there are only six services in England which have more than 12 devices; Exeter on the M5, Rugby on the M6, Reading East and West on the M4, Thurrock on the M25 and Wetherby on the A1(M).

The document also says rapid charge points, which can add around 100 miles of range in 35 minutes, are already widely available along England’s motorways and

major A roads and that drivers are never more than 25 miles away from a rapid charge point.

It added: “Many operators of motorway service areas have embraced the ambition to install six high powered chargers by the end of 2023.

“Over 70% of England’s motorway service areas now have a plan to deliver this, and we will continue to work with site operators to ensure that every site is reached.”

Latest charging statistics from Zapmap show the UK has 42,566 charging devices of which a fifth (19% or 7,928) are rapid or ultra-rapid.

Looking at this figure against the RAC’s research reveals that only 5% of all these high-powered chargers are at motorways services.

The Government says it expects there will be around 300,000 public chargers of all speeds as a minimum by 2030 and more than 6,000 high powered chargers along strategic roads by 2035 and that significant steps have been taken to address any installation issues.

Puzzle solutions (from pages 38-39)

Edition 17

Brain chain (hard)