ANaward-winning Fordingbridge eco store is celebrating a year in new premises - which has seen business soar.
The Green Gram moved to a new premises in the High Street last year, and said the move has led to an increase in turnover of around 40%, as well as greater awareness of the shop and new customers visiting each week.
Manager, Jo Anderson, said relocating was "definitely the right move for us".
"We have increased from four volunteers a day to up to eight on busy days and we’ve increased the number of
Staff and volunteers at The Green Gram, which has seen turnover rise since moving to larger premises
The Green Gram is on the rise after move
volunteers working in the shop overall to 50, with a couple more in training," she said.
"We also have young volunteers doing Duke of Edinburgh and school work experience, so we usually have two young people helping on a Saturday now too."
The shop is still working with local suppliers, which has increased since the move.
The Green Gram now supplies Jocasta’s Fudge, made in Fordingbridge, as well as working with Forest Edge Roasting Co (Lyndhurst) and Wimborne Coffee Roasters for its coffee beans, which can now
be ground to order.
The shop is also stocking rapeseed oil refills from The Magnificent Seed, in Shrewton, near Salisbury, and greetings cards by Fordingbridge-based artists Kathryn Coyle aka Little Red Boots and May Summers Perkins.
Meanwhile, members of Avon Valley Shed have produced wood turned items, which are displayed in the shop and are available in exchange for a donation to the charity.
As well as the shop, the organisation has expanded its outreach programme, working with local uniformed groups including The Boys’ Brigade, Scouts and Guides, and has run two holiday activities funded by Fordingbridge Rotary Club (hot cross buns at Easter and picnic
scones for the summer holiday).
Wendy Reid, The Green Gram’s outreach co-ordinator, recently visited Kings Court retirement home to tell them all about the shop.
"It’s been a busy and amazing year for us, and we are looking forward to what’s next," Jo added.
"We’ll be open for the Christmas lights switch on for those people who haven’t found us yet and for those who want to come and say hello.
"We are also offering extended opening hours on Saturdays, from 9am to 4pm, throughout November and December."
The Green Gram originally opened in May 2022, offering refills of foods, cleaning products and toiletries.
Refurb plan for village pub revealed
THE Stag in Charlton-AllSaints has new owners –and they are planning to renovate the building to bring it back to life.
The pub, near Downton, has sat vacant for nearly a decade.
Now, independent hospitality group, Select Country Inns, has announced it has purchased the property so it can be refurbished and redeveloped.
Barry Robbins, CEO of Larasian, the parent company of Select Country Inns, said the company is considering next steps for the site – which could see it have a mix of retail and hospitality options.
“We are always looking for sites that offer potential opportunities,” he said.
“Our plan for The Stag is to renovate the building to bring it back into a good condition.
“The site is in a great location, and we are currently looking at the potential for what it could offer, whether that is a pub/restaurant with rooms or a
mixture of retail and hospitality options.
“We are very open to ideas and offers from people who would be interested in
managing the site.”
Future plans for The Stag are being discussed by Larasian and the site is being cleared by PWH Building, one of
Larasian’s development partners. Anyone interested in speaking to the company about the development should call Larasian on 01425 651821.
Man handed suspended sentence after stalking Salisbury woman
BUMICHAEL
Chown has been handed a suspended prison sentence after admitting stalking a woman in Salisbury.
The 54-year-old, of New Town, Sixpenny Handley, was given a two-year suspended sentence at Salisbury Crown Court on November 1 after pleading guilty to stalking without fear or distress.
He was also ordered to pay a surcharge of £187, to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work, to participate in an Accredited Programme for 43 days, to participate in a Rehabilitation Activity Requirement for a maximum of five days and given a restraining order until further order.
Between September and November 2023, Chown made unwanted contact with his victim despite being given words of advice by officers not to contact her, the court was told.
He was seen around her address, following her through Salisbury and
contacting her by phone and letter.
In a statement read out in court his victim said: "When I first met Michael it was outside my house. I always assumed it was a coincidence that he was outside that day, and we just started chatting. But now I know I was wrong. He had been watching me.
"For someone who I only wanted to be friends with, he became obsessed with me, and I can't take it anymore, he has destroyed me."
Local Crime Investigator Humby said: "Chown subjected his victim to repeated and appalling psychological abuse.
"He made countless phone calls and sent unwanted texts to her, leaving her in constant fear and forcing her to change her daily routines.
"The harassment was relentless and has caused his victim a huge amount of distress and anxiety.
"We are grateful that she has shown tremendous courage in coming forward and helping us secure this important sentence.
"I would also like to remind people there is support on offer to anyone who is suffering this kind of abuse and if you report to Wiltshire Police we will take your report seriously."
Police said stalking is a pattern of unwanted, repeated behaviour that can leave victims feeling scared or distressed. They don’t have to be threatened with violence to be a victim. Any kind of persistent, unwanted contact that causes distress is still stalking.
n For more information, including how to report incidents to Wiltshire Police, visit www.wiltshire.police.uk/police-forces/ wiltshire-police/areas/campaigns/ campaigns/stalking.
The Stag, at Charlton-All-Saints, is set to be refurbished
AWEEK
of celebration saw Amesbury resident Margaret Thompson mark her 100th birthday.
Margaret, who lives at McCarthy Stone retirement development Queen Eleanor Court, was born in October 1924.
Her week of birthday bonhomie got underway with coffee and cake with fellow residents at Queen Eleanor Court, where she has lived since 2015.
This was followed by a family party held in the development’s lounge, a gathering with members of her local church, and lunch with the Lady Captain and other members of her local golf club, Highpost Golf Club in Salisbury.
"I’ve had a really busy and active life and am now enjoying a slower and more comfortable way of living," she said.
Margaret grew up in Luton and worked in the town during World War Two, admitting that it was “sometimes scary” but that it was her opportunity to play a role at the time.
She married husband, Geoffrey, who was enlisted in the Fleet Air Arm, and had two
children.
Together, they travelled across the UK and the Far East before settling in Wiltshire in 1968.
Once settled, Margaret and her husband joined the local golf club for exercise and enjoyment and Margaret remains an honorary life member, having been the Lady Captain in 1990.
Reflecting on changes she’s seen during her lifetime, Margaret rates the washing machine as the greatest invention for everyday living.
But she added how the "introduction of the NHS and the research and development of modern medicines to prevent childhood illnesses" were important.
Queen Eleanor Court house manager, Nigel Warne, said: "Margaret always supports events and took great interest in the recent Olympic Games as her father represented Great Britain in the 1924 Paris Olympics, achieving a silver medal in the 3000m despite having been wounded in the battle of the Somme in World War One."
When asked what advice she would give to the younger
'It's only a number':
Margaret turns 100 in style
"Am
BLACK
FRIDAY!!!
generation, Margaret said: "Take advantage of education and have something you believe in."
And her thoughts on reaching a century?
I really 100? It’s only a number."
Margaret Thompson with her card from the King and Queen
Tidworth restaurant to take on the big boys at national awards
ATIDWORTH
restaurant
will go up against some of the most renowned fine-dining restaurants in the country at a prestigious awards ceremony.
Himalayan Oasis, in Station Road, has been named as a finalist at the 2024 Asian Curry Awards – dubbed the ‘curry Oscars’ in the industry.
The eatery, which specialises in Nepalese cuisine, has made the final list from more than 200 restaurants and takeaways voted for by the spice-loving public.
Judges from the Asian Catering Federation (ACF) will now meet to discuss the list of finalists and determine the overall winners, who will be announced at a glittering gala dinner and presentation at Grosvenor House in London on November 17, hosted by BBC news anchor, Samantha Simmonds.
of London’s most renowned fine dining venues, including Amaya in Knightsbridge, Gymkhana and Benares in Mayfair, Kahani in Sloane Square, Cinnamon Club in Westminster, and Colonel Saab in Holborn.
They will be up against some
Awards up for grabs include
best restaurant in each region of the UK, as well as Takeaway of the Year, Event Caterer of the Year, Best Fine Dining Restaurant, Restaurant Group of the Year, Best International Restaurant, Best Casual Dining Restaurant of the Year,
Newcomer of the Year, Street Food of the Year, Asian Chef of the Year, and Lifetime Achievement.
Chair of the Asian Catering Federation, Yawar Khan, said: “We’re delighted by the number of people who have taken the time to vote for their favourite restaurant this year.
“The standard of finalists is exceptional and we also have some excellent newcomers on the list which is great news for the industry as it continues to flourish in today’s challenging economic climate.”
The 14th Asian Curry Awards and Asian Catering Federation Gala Dinner is sponsored by Cobra Beer, Kingfisher Beer and Work Permit Cloud Ltd. and organised by the Asian Catering Federation (ACF) which represents the nation’s 35,000 caterers in the UK and together generate over £60bn for the UK economy.
Alan stands down after 30 years
ALAN Lake - a familiar face at Salisbury Market for three decadeshas stood down from his role.
Having worked for Salisbury City Council at the city sale for 30 years, Alan is now looking forward to returning just as a customer.
Last month, the Mayor of Salisbury, Salisbury City Council staff and market traders gathered in Market Place to wish him well.
"Alan has been a true cornerstone of our community and will be deeply missed by all who have had the privilege to work with him," a council spokesperson said.
"We look forward to seeing Alan visit the market as a customer, so the traders can collect from him for a change.
"Thank you, Alan, we wish you all the best."
Himalayan Oasis is a finalist at the 2024 Asian Curry Awards
Parish hall secures £5,000
APARISH hall will soon get some "urgently-needed improvements" after securing a £5,000 grant.
The hall, in Langford, is described as a cultural hub in the Wylye Valley and won the money in a prestigious competition.
It was one of just six winners of the highly-prized Westmill Solar Co-operative grants, which help venues improve green energy measures.
"We are absolutely delighted to be selected," said Jo Broad, chair of the village hall’s trustees.
"This is the first step towards making the
hall energy efficient, helping us to reach our net-zero carbon emissions target."
The Westmill grant will kick-start urgently needed improvements to the building, she said, replacing draughty doors and installing cavity wall insulation.
The measures will significantly reduce heating bills and carbon emissions, said William Graham, the hall’s treasurer.
The Langford trustees have already started fundraising for the next big step in their plans: replacing the roof of the hall, which is over a hundred years old and has no insulation.
Beyond that, the hall hopes to insulate under the floor and add solar panels and an air-source heat pump in order to meet their net-zero carbon dioxide emissions target by 2035.
Langford Parish Hall is the home of literary group Wylye Valley Writers and the Acoustic Cafe, and hosts a range of social, cultural and sporting activities.
Westmill Solar Co-operative runs a large solar farm in Watchfield, north Wiltshire, and donates a portion of the surplus generated by the farm to specially selected energy-saving initiatives.
Jo Broad, and William Graham touside Langford Parish Hall, also left
Woman fly-tipped over fear of maggots in her car
BUSINESSES
in Salisbury and Amesbury and a resident from Hilperton – who said dumped her household waste on the way to the tip because she feared getting maggots in her car – have been fined for fly-tipping.
As part of a zero-tolerance approach to the problem, Wiltshire Council issued a total of £3,000 in fixed penalty notices (FPNs) to the trio, who cannot be named for legal reasons.
On August 1, council enforcement officers responded to an ongoing waste issue at St Paul’s roundabout in Salisbury.
During their visit, two black bags were discovered by the exit of the layby, directly under a sign warning against flytipping. Following an investigation, a business was issued with a £1,000 FPN.
In Amesbury, another business received a £1,000 FPN after it was found to be using public litter bins to dispose of its commercial waste, avoiding
the legitimate costs of waste disposal.
The council said business owners are required to take all reasonable steps to ensure that their waste is collected, stored and disposed of lawfully.
All waste should be collected by a registered waste carrier, authorised to collect commercial waste, and disposed of at an authorised site.
Businesses must also ensure they provide an accurate description of the waste when it is transferred to another person with a waste transfer note.
Meanwhile, on September 9, a Hilperton resident was fined £1,000 for fly-tipping after waste was discovered on Warminster Old Road, in Upton Scudamore.
The waste was traced back to the resident, who admitted to abandoning the waste in a ditch during her journey to the tip, following concerns about having maggots in her vehicle.
Cllr Nick Holder, cabinet member for highways, Street
Scene and flooding, said: “These three penalties demonstrate our Business Plan commitment to keeping Wiltshire clean and safe.
“Fly-tipping not only harms our environment but also places a costly burden on us as a council. We will continue to act against those who disregard their waste disposal responsibilities.
“Businesses must understand their duty of care in managing
waste. Proper waste storage and disposal not only supports community cleanliness but is also a legal requirement.
“We’re Targeting Fly-tippers in Wiltshire and failure to comply means we will take action and issue penalties against those who dump waste in our beautiful county.”
n To report fly-tipping in Wiltshire, visit www.wiltshire. gov.uk/fly-tipping.
Fly-tipping in Upton Scudamore, top, Amesbury, right, and Salisbury, above, has led to fines
Pictures: Wiltshire Council
Salisbury clothing store takes leap into the online marketplace
AN independent Salisbury clothing store has moved into the online marketplace.
DALIZ, in Winchester Street, has launched an online shop allowing customers around the country to access their limited-edition pieces.
The firm was founded in 2023 by husband-and-wife team Darren and Liz Brooks, based on their passion for fashion, music, and community.
Having proved popular with Salisbury shoppers, they said the launch of the online store - at www.dalizandson.com - would bring the same personalised shopping experience to customers beyond the city.
"This online launch marks a huge milestone for us," said Darren.
"While we’re rooted in Salisbury, we’ve had so many people from outside the area ask if they can get our products delivered.
"We’re proud to now be able to offer that and to share our love of unique,
high-quality clothing with customers across the UK."
The pair said DALIZ takes a "thoughtful, independent approach to fashion", with a focus on "slow fashion and sustainability", through special— fashion-forward pieces that aren’t found elsewhere, limited-edition designs, and a personalised shopping experience.
"The heart of DALIZ is still very much in our local shop, but we wanted to offer that same independent, community-driven spirit to everyone," Liz added.
"Whether you visit us in Salisbury or shop with us online, we want our customers to feel welcome, valued, and excited to find something truly unique."
THEDazzling display sees Wiltshire skies bathed in laser light!
Wiltshire countryside became the backdrop for a dazzling display of lasers at a special event.
On November 1, Cholderton Rare Breeds Farm hosted a laser light show - the first event of its kind at the venue.
The show captivated audiences of all ages, offering a unique and immersive experience, organisers said, with the farm’s iconic backdrop becoming the stage for a "breathtaking display of laser lights".
Aimee Edwards, marketing and communications manager at the farm, said: "We were thrilled to bring such a unique and exciting event to Cholderton Rare Breeds Farm.
"The laser light show was a huge success, and we were thrilled to see so many people enjoying the experience.
"It was a perfect way to celebrate the end of the Halloween half-term and welcome the winter months."
In addition to the laser light show, visitors were able to meet some of the farm’s animals, enjoy a selection of hot food items, treat themselves to something delicious from the hot chocolate station and there was even a sparkler area.
The event was part of Cholderton Rare Breeds Farm’s expanding calendar of events and experiences for visitors of all ages.
DECEMBER DEADLINE
Display Advertising
Monday 30th December
Booking Deadline - Mon 16th Dec - 4pm
Copy Deadline - Wed 18th Dec - Noon
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Booking Deadline - Wed 18th Dec - 4pm
Classified ads may be accepted after this, HOWEVER THESE ARE SUBJECT TO AVAILABLE SPACE
The event raised around £14,000 for the hospice charity Pictures: Spencer Mulholland
Salisbury Remembrance
THOUSANDS
of people turned out to pay their respects to The Fallen on Remembrance Sunday in Salisbury.
The Guildhall was the focal point for services on Sunday and Monday (November 10 and 11).
On Remembrance Sunday, Guildhall Square was busy with veterans and members of the public keen to pay tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
The service was led by the Salisbury Branch of the Royal British Legion, supported by Salisbury City Council and St Thomas’s Church.
The Remembrance Parade marched from Avon Approach to the square, with participants and the public gathering at the War
Memorial at 10.50am for a small ceremony, including the twominute silence at 11am, followed by prayers.
The parade then marched along New Canal, where Lord Lieutenant Sarah Troughton, accompanied by the High Sheriff of Wiltshire, Dr Olivia Chapple, and The Right Worshipful the Mayor of the City of Salisbury, Cllr Sven Hocking, took the salute.
It then processed to St Thomas’s Church for the Sunday Service, before the Civic Party moved back to Salisbury Guildhall via St Thomas’s Square.
On Monday, there was a small ceremony in the square at 11am to mark Armistice Day.
The Guildhall was the focal point of the event
Picture: Salisbury City Councl
Pictures by Michelle Rose Photography
35 firefighters tackle village blaze
DOZENS of firefighters battled a blaze at a house in a village high street.
Crews were called to reports of a fire at a property in Codford High Street at around 10.40pm on Thursday, October 31.
The route was closed as firefighters from Warminster, Wilton, Westbury, Salisbury and Amesbury arrived at the scene.
“When they arrived, firefighters found a house fully involved in fire,” a Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said.
“At the height of this incident, we had seven fire engines, a water carrier and the aerial ladder platform from Yeovil (Devon & Somerset Fire and Rescue) on the scene, approximately 35 firefighters.
“Crews wearing breathing apparatus used three hose reels and three main jets to bring the fire under control.”
The crews remained at the scene this morning, as joint fire investigation with Wiltshire Police git underway.
The High Street was closed until mid morning “to allow us to carry out further work at the scene”, the spokesperson added.
Fire crews at the scene in Codford High Street
Picture: Amesbury Fire Station
August Motors, based in the heart of Salisbury
Based in the heart of Salisbury, August Motors is a family run business that has been in the motor trade since 1971. Part of the Balmer Lawn Group covering Wiltshire, Dorset and Hampshire, they are committed to building long-term relationships with their customers and providing a high-quality product and service.
As a main dealer for KGM, they offer comprehensive care for your vehicle, with expert servicing, MOT testing, and a wide selection of genuine parts. KGM, formerly known as SsangYong, recently celebrated 70 years in vehicle manufacturing, and in that time have built a reputation for engineering vehicles that combine performance, safety, and style. From electric cars and comfortable SUVs to the ultimate 4x4 pickup truck, KGM caters to every driver’s needs.
Recognising the local agriculture, August Motors is proud to offer a range of KGM vehicles that meet the needs of the community, from reliable pickups to versatile utility vehicles. Proudly selling the Musso, which won 2024 Best Value Pick-Up in “4x4 Magazine”. We understand the importance of durability and efficiency in the field, and our team is here to help agricultural customers find the right vehicles to enhance productivity and mobility. The Rexton, along with the Musso has a huge towing capacity of 3.5 tonnes. August Motors offer a “Tools
and Trade Discount” to businesses and individuals that purchase these models. Both vehicles can be seen in our advert opposite..
August Motors also offer an electric KGM vehicle, The Torres EVX provides an environmentally friendly option that don’t compromise on performance. For August Motors, providing electric vehicles, is about being a part of a more sustainable future.
August Motors is a premier KGM dealer that prioritises quality and customer satisfaction. If you’re in the market for a new vehicle, look no further than August Motors and Balmer Lawn Group —where your automotive journey begins and ends with a smile. Come to visit and experience the difference for yourself!
The Torres EVX, electric KGM vehicle ADVERTISING FEATURE
AFORMER Wiltshire police station could be set to be converted into a house.
APD, on behalf of Gainsborough Station Developments Ltd, has submitted a planning application for the development of the former Alderbury Police Station, in Grimstead Road.
If approved, the plans would see the building be converted into a fourbedroom house, with two bedrooms on the ground floor and two above, with a garage, and home office space also on the first floor.
“The site has been redundant as an active police station for some time,” the application said. “There has not been a staffed walk-up front counter service at the property for over 10 years, being utilised purely for administrative purposes in recent years, prior to cessation of use and disposal due to consolidation of police services in the county.
“The site has been extensively marketed through a closed tender process on behalf of the former owner, the only interested parties being those looking to change the building to residential use.”
It said the site “lends itself to
Home plan for former police station
residential use” as it is surrounded by residential development.
Access to the site would be unchanged, with a shared access with 3 Grimstead Road.
The scheme will now be considered by Wiltshire Council planners. For more details, and to comment, log on to wiltshire.gov.uk and search for application reference PL/2024/09427.
Silver Salisbury
Silver Salisbury is recruiting to reach more isolated
older people.
• Do you know Salisbury and its surrounds including Amesbury, Downton, Wilton and villages in between?
• Do you participate in community events and can get around easily by car or public transport?
• Are you able to engage with older people of all communities, face to face, individually and in groups?
• Do you have or are willing to get a DBS check?
• Are you able to lead a team of volunteers?
• Are you available from the beginning of January?
If you can answer yes to all the above you might be the right person to help Silver Salisbury to identify and reach vulnerable and isolated older people of all communities so that we can deliver afternoon tea to them. To achieve this, we want to contract someone to work flexibly for up to 15 hours per month at £15 an hour, initially until the end of November 2025.
We are also seeking volunteers who know their local area well, to be involved in this or other Silver Salisbury projects all aiming to enhance the lives of older people.
Further details from Irene Kohler silver.salisbury@outlook.com.
New Drop in Coffee morning at Wilton Library
Silver Salisbury provides opportunities for people aged sixty and over to try out new groups or activities to develop new interests and meet new people.
A new drop in coffee morning at Wilton library on Wednesday 20th November at 10.00. until 11.30. No need to book, just turn up. Tea, coffee and biscuits provided free of charge although donations welcome.
The drop in café will be every third Wednesday of the month so subsequent ones will 18th December. Starting back in the New Year on 15th January with occasional speakers.
Want to know more? Then drop into the library on Wednesday 20th November at 10.00 to be in at the start of this new group. Wilton Library 9 South Street, Wilton, Wiltshire. SP2 0JS.
Want to know more? please email Irene Kohler on silver.salisbury@outlook.com
Please note: the drop in coffee morning is outside of normal library opening hours.
Irene Kohler
Chair Silver Salisbury Group and Salisbury Older People’s Champion.
Plans have been submitted for the former police station. Below, how it could look
Penguin books became hugely successful in the 1950s, as paperbacks flourished
The impact of Penguin paperbacks the topic at Sarm u3a talk this week
THE early history of Penguin Books - and how the publisher changed the literary world - will be the topic of a talk in Salisbury this week.
On November 20, former teacher and book collector Barry Edwards will give a talk to the Sarum u3a explaining how the firm's paperbacks changed the reading world.
"A consideration of the huge social and cultural impact of the arrival in 1935 of quality paperbacks costing just 6d, some 14 times cheaper than hardbacks of the time," a spokesperson said of the talk.
"Penguins just about survived the war years and became a global and iconic phenomenon in the 1950s, leading up to the (in)famous Lady Chatterley trial of 1960.
"Barry provides examples of
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Penguin's output starting with Number 1, an extraordinary blue book that could have broken the company's viability at the first hurdle. But it didn't."
Mr Edwards enjoyed a 37-year teaching career, starting in Bristol where Allen Lanethe founder of Penguin Books - went to school, and ending as a head teacher in Bideford, close to where Lane is buried.
He has been collecting Penguin books published between 1935 and 1960 for more than 20 years and will divulge more during the presentation, with a mixture of embarrassment and pride, the actual number he now possesses.
Members and guests are welcome at St Francis Church, in Beatrice Road, starting at 10am with coffee.
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Thousands see Time light up Salisbury skyline
MOREthan 1,400 people were welcomed to Salisbury Cathedral on Bonfire Night (November 5) for the world premier of Sarum Lights: Time.
The light and sound spectacular, created by Luxmuralis and supported by CCLA, ran until November 9.
With light and sound installations on the west front, in the cloisters and throughout the interior of the cathedral, visitors traversed wormholes, ventured inside
the intricate workings of clocks, and experienced a dramatic narrative stretching from the present day back to the very beginning of time.
"There was also an interactive section called A Note to Myself, where visitors wrote notes to themselves (either former or future) which were be added to an ever-growing display throughout the week," a spokesperson said.
Across the week, the event drew more than 10,000 people to the cathedral.
Vehicle seized after anti-social driving at Culver Street car park
A CAR has been seized by police after it was found to have been involved in anti-social driving at the Culver Street car park in Salisbury.
Despite signs being in place warning drivers that anyone caught driving anti-socially in the car park would have their vehicle seized without warning, one driver failed to take notice last week (October 28).
Police caught up with the driver four days later and seized the car under section 59 of the Police Reform Act 2002 which
allows police to seize vehicles used in a manner which causes alarm, distress or annoyance to the public.
“While you might think it’s a good idea to hang out of your car window in an attempt to impress your mates, you’re the one who has to deal with the consequences,” said PSCO Jack Hammond from Salisbury’s Neighbourhood Policing Team.
“I would encourage you to think carefully about the repercussions of anti-social behaviour.”
Sarum Lights: Time wowed the crowds at the cathedral
Pictures: Finnbarr Webster
Rotary club fundraisers net more than £11,000 for Stars Appeal
WILTON
Rotary Club presented a cheque to the Stars Appeal at its recent monthly meeting.
The Mercure White Hart Hotel was the venue last Monday (November 4) for a presentation of funds raised for the Salisbury District Hospital charity over the summer.
Club president Andy RhindTutt started the evening by reading out a message of thanks to Wilton Rotary Club from Lord Pembroke for all it does in the community and then announced that from the Wilton Wake Up's and the club's annual Mammoth Car Boot Sale, a cheque for £11,224.15 was to be presented to Dave Cates, Stars Appeal head of fundraising, and patient ambassador, David Kunzer.
Mr Cates said donations from
the Wilton Rotary Club over many years had played a key role in supporting the charity’s work.
He also thanked the club for marshalling the Walk for Wards each year, which has raised around £1.25m since 2006.
A short video showed the guests some of the equipment now being purchased with some of the latest donation, such as 'by your side' sleeper chairs for relatives staying alongside their loved ones in hospital and an Omibeam projector, that projects dynamic images that respond to gesture and movement, used to enhance therapy for children being treated on the Children’s Ward.
Following Dave was an emotional and moving speech from Stars Appeal patient ambassador Mr Kunzer, who
recounted his journey through shock diagnosis to successful treatment of bowel cancer and his gratitude to the work Wilton Rotary does to support local charities.
After a three-course dinner, president Andy introduced guest speaker The Lord Lieutenant if Wiltshire, Sarah Troughton, who gave a fascinating account of the role throughout the centuries and her current role representing and supporting the Royal Family since being chosen in 2012.
Mrs Troughton brought many smiles from the audience when reflecting on her very first duty which was to accompany Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh on the Diamond Jubilee visit to Salisbury in May 2012, finishing up with: "Upon
leaving the Amesbury marquee, Her Majesty placed her hand on the 13th century Sanctus bell from St Mary and St Melor church, paused and with a smile asked "does it still ding, or does it dong?"
The final words were given by assistant Rotary district governor Geoff Philpot, of Andover Anton club, who implied that Wilton Rotary Club was an inspirational club, bucking all trends with nine new members and rediscovering itself and its purpose in the community. He congratulated everyone.
n The next club event will be giving mulled wine and children's treats at the switch on of the Wilton Christmas lights with Father Christmas on Friday, November 29.
Wilton Rotary Club members with president Andy Rhind-Tutt presenting a cheque to the Stars Appeal, with guest speaker, Lord Lieutenant Mrs Sarah Troughton. Picture: Spencer Mulholland
Warning after £1,000 fine for using wrong bin
PEOPLEin Wiltshire are being warned not to dispose of household rubbish in public bins - after one resident was fined £1,000 for doing just that.
Wiltshire Council said residents found depositing their household waste in public litter bins could be issued fixed penalty notices or even prosecuted for fly-tipping.
It comes after one person, in Calne, was issued with a £1,000 fixed penalty notice (FPN) for fly-tipping domestic waste.
Environmental Enforcement Officers received a report of waste deposited on the pavement at The Green, Calne, and after an investigation, it was traced back to the resident, who denied placing it on the footpath.
The resident instead claimed to have placed it in the public litter bin.
Litter bins on The Green are provided by Calne Town
Council for park users to dispose of their general litter.
As the town council is not authorised to collect household waste, a fine would be applicable to anyone who puts household waste on the pavement or in the litter bin.
Cllr Nick Holder, cabinet member for highways, flooding
and Street Scene, said: "The misuse of litter bins in this way still constitutes fly-tipping, which is the illegal disposal of rubbish on public or private land.
"As this resident found out, our officers will take action and issue penalties for all forms of fly-tipping.
"Residents should only put
their bagged, non-recyclable waste into their designated wheelie bins to be taken as part of their normal roadside collection, both for the benefit of the environment and to reduce the cost.
"Alternatively, if any resident has excess household waste that they wish to dispose of, they can make use of our household
recycling centres."
Household waste is collected in Wiltshire every two weeks.
The household waste bin should only be used to dispose of any rubbish that cannot be recycled.
Excess waste, that does not fit in the bin, can be bagged and taken to any household recycling centre (HRC).
Pair fined over campsite licence breaches
A WILTSHIRE couple have been fined over their campsite near Stonehenge.
William and Susan Grant, licence holders of the Stonehenge Campsite & Glamping, in Berwick Road, Winterbourne Stoke, appeared before Salisbury Magistrates Court on October 11 after pleading guilty to multiple offences related to their site licence conditions.
Wiltshire Council said the charges stemmed from violations of their licence conditions in relation to the management and operation of the caravan touring site.
The specific charges were operating the site without a
valid Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) – to ensure the site electrical installation is safe for continued use - and permitting the use of the touring site for residential accommodation, which is contrary to its intended use as a caravan touring site.
• For charge 1, William Grant was fined £1,600, and Susan Grant received a fine of £600.
• For charge 2, William Grant was fined an additional £1,000. Additionally, William Grant has been ordered to pay costs of £5,000.
After the sentencing, Cllr Phil Alford, cabinet member for housing at the council, said: "We have a very important role
to play in ensuring the safety of campsites such as this, and this case highlights the importance of adhering to the legal requirements that govern the safe operation and proper usage of caravan sites.
"Failure to meet these obligations not only results in
significant financial penalties but can also jeopardise the safety and wellbeing of site occupants.
"We will continue to take strong action and use all means available to us to prosecute campsites that endanger the public."
Wiltshire Council has warned people not to put household waste in public bins
Horticultural approach to cut crime
Before, left and after trees were cut back in Harvard Park in a bid to cut anti-social behaviour
POLICE
have taken action to try and reduce incidents of anti-social behaviour in an Amesbury park - by working with authorities to cut back trees.
Harvard Park, described by police as a site of historic anti-social behaviour, has seen trees and bushed trimmed at one corner of the park which previously provided a shielded area that allowed people to take Class B drugs, drop litter and go to the toilet.
"PC Smith and PCSO Douse on the local Neighbourhood Policing Team have been working in conjunction with
Amesbury Town Council to address a site of historic anti-social behaviour at Harvard Park," an Amesbury Police spokesperson said.
"Following engagement with local residents, contractors working on behalf of the town council have now visited the site to crown raise the trees by four meters and removed all low-hanging branches.
"The exposure of locations such as this is proven to reduce the number of incidents of anti-social behaviour and remove the attraction of persons to congregate there."
Newly-dualled stretch of A303 led to historic findings...
Pictures: National Highways
DRIVERS
using the newlydualled stretch of the A303 through Somerset can expect 'smoother journeys', according to National Highways.
The upgrade of the A303 between Sparkford to Ilchester is nearing completion, with the dualled stretch now fully open to drivers.
The multi-million-pound scheme has seen a 3.5-mile section of single carriageway upgraded to dual carriageway, which the authority said "will help to promote economic growth, improve journey times, and increase safety by unlocking a major bottleneck in the county".
It also aims to cut congestion during the school holidays and for commuters.
The project has seen National Highways:
Upgrade 3.5 miles of existing single carriageway to dual carriageway
Build three new junctions at Camel Cross, Downhead and Hazlegrove
Build two new structures - a
bridge at Steart Hill and an underpass at Hazlegrove
Excavate and redistribute
900,000m3 of earth and soil to create cuttings up to 10m in depth and embankments up to 12m in height to provide a level route for the new road
Plant 89 individual native trees and create four hectares of woodland and linear belts of trees
Plant more than six miles of new hedgerow
Siân Hopkins, National Highways’ senior project manager, said: "The whole team has worked incredibly hard to move the scheme forward and achieve the opening of the new stretch of A303 this November, overcoming a number of challenges along the way.
"This will make a significant and positive difference to the journeys of visitors, local communities, and businesses – this year and into the future.
"I would like to thank everyone in Somerset for their patience and support since construction of the project
started back in 2021.
"It’s a terrific achievement for all involved, motorists and residents will benefit from shorter journey times and improved access.
"The scheme will unlock greater mobility and be a catalyst for growth throughout the region."
Glennan Blackmore, MD for Galliford Try Infrastructure, added: "The A303 has been a considerable undertaking for our team and our stakeholders, which has delivered not only a high-quality finished project, but also added significant social value to the local community along the way, and I commend all those involved for their success."
However, more work on the scheme is happening at night to finish the central reservation of the new road, local accesses, side roads and the surrounding landscape, with the project to be fully complete early in 2025.
National Highways said as well as aiming to improve
journeys in the area, the scheme would leaving a lasting legacy, including:
More than £55,000-worth of funding to local communities through the Social Value Fund
Secured new basketball hoops for Charlton playing fields, allotment equipment for Trent Young’s Primary School and camping equipment for Camelot Harriers Explorers
And on-site archaeologists have also helped chart the history of the area, including discovering a selection of artefacts, such as:
A copper alloy brooch, decorated with enamel-filled lozenges, dating back to between AD 60–150
Worked bone point which could have been used as a pin, skewer, weaving shuttle or pin beater for textile manufacture
Mesolithic chert and flint tools
Neolithic flint knives and charred plant remains from Neolithic pits
More than three miles of the A303 has been dualled just over border in Somerset
Phil named new chair of trustees at Wiltshire Wildlife Trust
ANEW
chair of Wiltshire Wildlife Trust's board of trustees has been appointed.
Phil Heads has taken on the role, bringing a wealth of experience in environmental research, policy, and governance to the position.
Dr Heads is seasoned ecologist and strategic advisor, holding a doctorate in ecology and a master’s in business administration.
He takes over from Mark Street, who served as chair for seven years.
With a distinguished career spanning academia and government, Phil has held positions with the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, and the Natural Environment Research Council (now part of the science funding body UK Research and Innovation) with responsibility for Strategy and Evidence.
Phil has been a member of Wiltshire Wildlife Trusts for more than two decades, and says his spiritual home is on the chalk downs with skylarks singing above.
Now retired from full-time work, he is eager to dedicate more time to improving the health of Wiltshire’s environment for the benefit of both nature and people, the
CCTV appeal after shop theft
POLICE are trying to identify these people after an incident at a Longhedge store.
charity said.
He joined WWT’s Conservation Policy Committee in 2021 and was elected as a Trustee in 2023.
"I’m excited and honoured to be elected as Chair of an organisation that works for and with everyone in Wiltshire and Swindon to promote nature recovery for people’s wellbeing while helping us live and do business more sustainably," he said. "We face complex and interlinked environmental, social and economic challenges such as: climate change; biodiversity loss; environmental
pollution and degradation; poor public health; low economic productivity and growth.
"Wiltshire Wildlife Trust is committed to working in partnership with local communities, public bodies and private interests to deliver nature-based solutions that work for everyone.
"I'd like to pay tribute to my predecessor, Mark Street, who wisely guided the Trust through a period of growth and development for seven years.
"Despite the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic and Avian Bird Flu, the Trust
delivered a whole series of major projects and successful outcomes for nature, people, and local economies under his chairmanship."
Jo Lewis, chief executive of the Trust, added: "We are thrilled to welcome Phil Heads as our new chair. His strategic vision and deep commitment to working through partnerships will be invaluable as we navigate the complex challenges facing Wiltshire's wildlife.
"We look forward to working with him to restore nature’s abundance and connect people with nature in our special county."
Officers are probing claims of theft and assault at Spar, on October 11.
“We believe these people can help with our ongoing enquiries,” a spokesperson said.
Anyone who recognises the people pictured should contact Wiltshire Police on 101, quoting reference 54240120246.
Police flag bad Halloween behaviour
ANTI-social behaviour –including fires, assaults, fireworks and underage drinking – spiked in Tidworth during Halloween celebrations, police said, including one girl left unconscious through alcohol.
Police said incidents largely involved ‘young people’, including the teen who was left unconscious after drinking too much.
“Ongoing assaults were reported throughout the evening
to the Neighbourhood Team and PC Kinsey from Salisbury Response while on hotspot foot patrols,” a police spokesperson said.
“PC Kinsey would like to ask parents ‘do you know where your children are?’ Many of the young people we have spoken to openly admit that they have lied to their parents.”
Residents should call 101 to report anti-social behaviour – and 999 if a crime is ongoing.
Dr Phil Heads is the new chair of the board of trustees at the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust Picture: WWT
Salisbury set for 'Christmas fun for all' with a range of family events
CHRISTMAS
is comingand Salisbury attractions are unveiling their offerings for the festive season.
Among them is Salisbury City Council, which has revealed a busy line-up of events for 2024, promising to deliver "a Christmas to remember for all".
"Salisbury Market Place and Guildhall Square will come alive with a variety of familyfriendly activities, twinkling lights, and holiday cheer," a spokesperson said.
The list of events planned by Salisbury City Council for 2024 planned is:
n Christmas Begins: November 15
Kicking off the festive season, Salisbury Market Place will host Christmas Begins from 1pm to 8pm, with live music, entertainment, festive stalls, food and drink, and the opening of Christmas on the Square. Entry is free.
n Christmas on the Square, sponsored by Southern Western Railway:
November 15 to January 5
Christmas on the Square runs in the Guildhall Square, with a celebration created by Salisbury City Council, Charter 1227
Catering and Vizual Koncept to offer food, warming drinks, and live music evenings, as well as the popular Santa’s Grotto and the Gift Fayre.
n Santa’s Grotto, sponsored by Southern Western Railway: November 15 to December 24
Santa returns to Salisbury to meet children in the Guildhall Square. People can gather round to hear a Christmas story, enjoy festive activities and capture family memories with Santa. Each child will also receive a gift straight from Santa’s workshop. To book a slot, visit https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/ salisbury-city-council, with tickets priced at £8.
n Gift Fayre: November 22 to December 19
New for 2024, Salisbury City Council and Mynt image have revealed plans for a Gift Fayre, offering a "unique, enclosed,
covered outdoor shopping experience featuring over 20 local artisans and makers".
The event, in the Guildhall Square, is billed as the "ideal place to find handcrafted gifts and festive delights, making Christmas shopping a breeze".
n Sunday Festive Markets: December 1, 8, 15 and 22
The Sunday Festive Markets are back on the first four
Sundays of December, in Salisbury Market Place. A raft of traders offering seasonal treats and handmade gifts will be offering their wares, giving shoppers the chance to stock up on holiday essentials.
n For more information on all events, visit www. experiencesalisbury.co.uk/ whats-on.
Pre-loved bargains and fashion advice on offer at charity event
BARGAIN-hunting
fashionistas will be out in force for a charity event in Salisbury this week.
On Thursday (November 21), the Guildhall will host the Pre-loved Fashion and Sustainable Shopping Event, which runs from 7pm to 10.30pm.
Last year's event raised more than £4,750 for Salisbury District Hospital’s Stars Appeal, which enhances care for patients across the hospital.
And organisers Lynne Rose and Corinne Whillock are aiming even higher this year.
Every ticket sale, donation and purchase will directly benefit the Stars Appeal, supporting projects across all wards.
Last year’s sold-out sale
drew more than 200 guests and for 2024, Lynne, managing director at Personnel Placements, and Corinne, owner of Lulu & Boo Sustainable Jewellery, have expanded.
The Preloved Fashion Event offers a unique shopping experience, with a handpicked selection of high-quality pre-loved and vintage fashion boutique sellers, sustainable makers and homeware sellers, as well as a welcome glass of prosecco for visitors, live singers, the all-new ‘Expert Corner’ in the Oak Court Room, where guests can find styling and hair advice and tips, get ‘their colours done’ and an event bar.
Corinne and Lynne’s connection to the Stars Appeal is deeply personal, with
Christmas play tells the story of when reindeer go wrong!
ACHRISTMAS original is coming to the Woolstore Theatre in Codford.
Rudolph and the Jingle Tree tells the story of final preparations at Santa's workshop going wrong on Christmas Eve - as the reindeer cannot fly.
"They set about trying to solve their problems only to discover a very bad tempered and wicked elf is doing his level best to ruin Christmas this year," a spokesperson said.
"He always seems to be one step ahead of them, no matter what they do."
The musical mystery story will be performed on November 29 and 30, and December 1, 5, 6 and 7. Saturday performances are matinee and evening, and Sunday is a matinee only.
"This show has a large cast of familiar and not so well known characters and is one for all the family to enjoy," the spokesperson added.
Evening performances start at 7.30pm, while matinees start at 2.30pm. For more information, and to book tickets, visit wwwticketsource.co.uk/the-woolstore-theatre.
Corinne’s career as a midwife allowing her to witness firsthand the charity’s impact on patient care.
For Lynne, the charity holds significance due to her father’s journey with cancer and the exceptional care he received at Salisbury District Hospital and more recently the support for her husband from the Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) team after a rare and sudden condition left him completely deaf.
The pair will be joined on the night by fellow fundraisers and Stars Appeal Trekkers, who are fundraising ahead of the Stars Appeal Dalai Lama Mountain Trek in India in 2026.
Tickets cost £17.50 and include a glass of prosecco on arrival, with all proceeds donated to the Stars Appeal. For tickets and more information, visit https://www. prelovedfashioneventsalisbury. co.uk.
THEnights are drawing in - but one Salisbury venue is coming to life as the festive period approaches.
Fisherton Mill has unveiled a range of events and activities in the lead up to the Christmas season.
The programme starts with Woodland Haze, a winter exhibition celebrating the natural world through a multitude of original arts and crafts.
The display opens in the Main Gallery on Saturday, November 9, and runs throughout the festive season, offering plenty of unique Christmas present ideas in a wonderful 'woodland' setting.
Then, on November 22, visitors are being welcomed for a spot of relaxed night-time shopping between 6pm and 8.30pm, when the
annual Christmas Shopping Evening takes place.
Live music, mulled wine and Christmas nibbles will be on offer to sustain shoppers as they hunt the perfect present.
Organisers promise special offers on the night and staff on-hand to help find those unusual, handmade presents not available on the High Street.
In-keeping with Salisbury's 'City of Stars' theme, the Mill's giant signature star will be lighting up the courtyard.
And if you want to try your hand at making your own presents, people can sign up for one of Fisherton Mill's Christmas workshops.
Visitors will be able to learn how to make fused glass decorations, lino-cut greetings cards, Indian block printed table
runners, silver
jewellery, festive floral wreaths and lots more.
Meanwhile, more is on offer in the Mill's Gallery Shop, which the venue said is "looking bright and beautiful and full of lovely festive gifts for all ages and budgets".
Opening hours are set to be extended during December, with the Mill's awardwinning café also offering tasty treats.
Fisherton Mill owner, Deborah Fox, said she is looking forward to Christmas.
"We've gone 'all out' this year, filling the Mill with all things Christmassy to ensure our visitors have the very best time," she said. "Our team are ready and waiting to bring the cheer."
For more details of what is on offer at Fisherton Mill this festive season, log on to www.fishertonmill.co.uk/workshops.
The Woodfalls Inn, The Ridge, Woodfalls, Downton, SP5 2LN
Salisbury Eyewear is a family business run by Martyn Sales. Martyn is an experienced lens maker and has been manufacturing lenses for the trade and supplying glasses to the public at discount prices since the late 1970’s. Our showroom and factory are located on Ashfield Road Trading Estate, Salisbury. Some of our key services that we offer are:
• A friendly team only to happy to help, just bring in your latest prescription.
• We have a large selection of frames and sunglasses, which you can browse at your leisure.
• The lenses are made in our factory onsite enabling a quick turn around.
• Some repairs are done in-house, such as nose pads and screws.
• More complex repairs can be done, they are sent away.
• We will put your new prescription lenses into your existing frame (condition of the frame dependent).
• With Martyn’s experience, we are able to produce more complex prescriptions and requirements.
chain Boston Tea Party (BTP) has called on its rivals to follow their lead – and ban single-use cups.
BTP – which has a branch in Salisbury – has launched a Hey, Big Coffee Chain campaign, calling on major players in the hospitality industry to cut the cups.
It said its own ban, introduced in 2018, had seen one million cups saved from landfill and is urging others to take action.
CEO of BTP, Sam Roberts, said: “We’re not just patting ourselves on the back here—this campaign is about shaking up the industry. If we can do it, why can’t the big guys?
“The environmental impact of single-use
cups is something we can’t ignore any longer.
“The hospitality industry has immense power to drive real change, and we’re calling on everyone to step up and take responsibility.”
Back in 2018, BTP became the first UK café group to ban single-use cups, amid figures showing the UK was discarding 2.5 billion each year, with less than 0.25% being recycled.
“We knew this wouldn’t be an easy move for us, and it won’t be easy for the bigger chains either, but that’s no excuse,” Sam added.
“If we don’t act now, we’re just kicking
the can down the road.
“The reality is that this needs to become standard across the board. There’s no reason why bigger players with more resources can’t match or exceed what we’ve done.”
The Hey, Big Coffee Chain campaign aims to build a movement around eliminating single-use cups, with members of the public being urged to sign a petition to help drive a nationwide ban on single-use coffee cups.
Customers at BTP are given three options when ordering:
• Bring Your Own: Customers are encouraged to bring any reusable cup or mug.
• Borrow a Cup: BTP’s Loan Cup scheme allows customers to borrow a reusable cup for £2, which is refunded when it is returned.
• Buy a Cup: Ecoffee Cups are available in small, medium, and large, starting from £4.25.
Meanwhile, the café group donates 10p from every takeaway hot drink to the Boston Foundation, providing workplace opportunities and hands-on experience to young people local to our cafes, ensuring that even small efforts have a big impact in the communities they serve.
n For more information about the BTP Hey, Big Coffee Chain campaign, visit https://bostonteaparty.co.uk/our-story/ cups-campaign.
Boston Tea Party in Salisbury
Picture: Google
Chas Kimber, pictured with foodbank manager Maria Stevenson receiving a cheque, says volunteering as a trustee for Salisbury Foodbank helps him utilise his years of business experience and keeps him active
'Becoming a charity trustee has helped keep me active'
Wessex Community Action is the council for voluntary services in Wiltshire and provides practical support for community organisations on funding, governance, planning, policy development, recruiting and leadership. This monthly volunteering column looks at all aspects of volunteering and how people can give up their time for the benefit of their communities.
TRUSTEES
are such a fundamental and integral part of every charity it’s easy to forget their contribution is voluntary.
This week (November 4 to 8) is Trustees’ Week and it celebrates the contributions of nearly one million trustees across the UK.
This year’s theme focuses on the importance of diverse perspectives in trustee boards, highlighting how a variety of backgrounds, skills and experiences help organisations be more resilient.
Trustees play a crucial role in steering charities along the right path, helping set goals and ensuring they run tightly, legally and in service of their communities. They help charities overcome challenges and seize opportunities, provide leadership and strategic thinking – and help manage risks. Diversity in a trustee board can also prevent ‘groupthink’ by ensuring a wider range of views are considered when making key decisions.
Chas Kember first became involved with Salisbury Foodbank as a volunteer after retiring from his job heading the European division of an American engineering company.
In 2020, when it became independent of
the Trussell Trust, he was asked to become a trustee.
“I was enjoying working with the team and I thought this is a worthwhile thing and I thought I could contribute to setting up the organisation but then help with the running of it,” he says.
Four years on he is now chairman and treasurer and still relishing the chance to shape the foodbank’s future. “I like it because it's something where I can utilise my 40 years’ experience in management but also I have found it very rewarding in itself,” he says. “Once you've retired it's very important to keep utilising the skills that you have.”
He believes that although trustees bring a lot to the charities and groups they support, they also get a lot back. “It's very worthwhile from a personal point of view because it gives one a reason to get up in the morning sometimes,” he says. “There is a satisfaction in bringing your experience to bear in helping guide or shape the charity as well.”
Whenever he is asked about why anyone should become a trustee he has the same answer. He says: “The key thing that I've
learned as a trustee is yes, there's all the statutory stuff that needs to be taken care of, but I've very much found that the important thing is that you're helping to identify good volunteers and staff members and helping them to be really, really good.”
Wessex Community Action works with charities and groups to help support their trustees, we provide training to help them understand their volunteer roles and responsibilities to help them help lead their organisations.
An ideal place to look for trustee opportunities is Wiltshire Together, a digital community platform hosted by Wessex Community Action. It’s free to use and allows users to browse and pledge interest for the opportunities listed. Users can also set up a member profile that allows them to log their volunteer hours, which can help with CVs and employability prospects.
The site now has a new Volunteering in Wiltshire page at wiltshiretogether.org.uk wiltshire-volunteering. To find out more about trustee training and support or more about the volunteering support WCA can offer, contact Abby Lynch at info@ wessexcommunityaction.org.uk.
'UK Chancellor facing US challenges'
ONLYtwo days after Rachel Reeves announced her Budget, the Chancellor was presented immediately with a new, if not entirely unexpected, challenge in the form of victory for Donald Trump in the US election.
Trump’s success is very concerning to say the least not only terms of the economic impact on world trade, but also in terms of how he will engage with world leaders in conflict in The Middle East and Ukraine.
We did not have long wait long for Trump to make his intentions clear, and it not good news for world peace, the environment or our economic growth. Hearing the president elect boasting of his country’s vast reserves of ‘liquid gold’ heralds the inevitable decline in investment in renewable energy and an increase the devastating impact on climate change of burning fossil fuel.
“Tariffs,” he crooned, “is a beautiful word”, referring to his declared promised intention to place high tariffs on all imports
‘Unlikely
THEOld Guard are being swept away and it’s not just in America and Germany, nor is it purely a recent phenomenon. Since the fall of the Berlin wall and the Soviet Union, populist politic has been the order of the day.
No longer can our politicians take us the people for granted as they have done in the past.
When the people have ‘had enough’ they are only too ready to let the politicians know, as Margaret Thatcher found out here in the UK when she tried to introduce the so called ‘poll tax’.
You may not agree with the likes of Donald Trump. Boris Johnson, or Nigel Farage, and you may well think that they would be great to talk to, or
into the US.
Already lined up as US trade representative, is Robert Lighthizer, author of No Free Trade, a book which Trump describes as “a masterpiece that describes how my administration stood up to China and fought back against the globalists and communists that have been ripping off American workers for decades”. Shortly before last week’s presidential election, Lighthizer blamed free trade for the loss of domestic manufacturing and linked this to criticism of America’s huge trade deficit.
Cllr John Wells Labour chair of Environment and Climate Committee (Salisbury City Council)
The outcome of the US election was always in doubt, but I am certain our chancellor would have been weighing up the potential impact of a Trump victory on our economy before the outcome was announced on Thursday.
For Reeves, with her Budget primarily intended to address the long-term underinvestment in public services and infrastructure of recent years and promote long-term stronger growth, Trumps tariffs presents her first huge challenge.
Last Wednesday, Goldman Sachs cut its UK economic
growth forecast for 2025 to 1.4% from 1.6%, citing potential higher US tariffs. The National Institute of Economic and Social Research said a trade war over tariffs would lower already sluggish UK growth by 0.7% and 0.5% in the first two years of Trump’s second term in office.
There is speculation the Chancellor will be on the front foot, taking the fight to Washington in defence of free trade.
Trump may use the threat of tariffs to bargain. The EU will almost certainly retaliate; and the UK will face a difficult decision. Do we match EU retaliatory tariffs? Or do we seek a bilateral deal, like a free trade agreement? In 2017, the US demand was for unrestricted access to the UK market for the low-cost products of the US agricultural sector, hormonetreated beef and chlorinewashed chicken included. In which case the stark choice would be: side with the EU or sacrifice our agriculture?
today, certain tomorrow’
debate with down the pub, but you wouldn’t want them to run your country.
They have however, and for that very reason, each in their own way, inspired the people.
That is because we could all relate to them.
They seem approachable,
King Arthur Pendragon Former and proposed Independent Parliamentary candidate for Salisbury
unlike the mainstream politicians of whichever party, and more importantly they seem to speak our language and tell it like it is.
Not talking down to us or giving off the impression only they know best because only they are in a unique position to
interpret the facts at their disposal. That we could not possibly understand without their interceding on our behalf.
There is much to be learnt from the populist no-nonsense approach and the so-called ‘serious’ politicians should ignore them at their peril.
You really never know who your next leader is going to be, or how they are going to behave in office.
You only have to look to Ukraine and Argentina to see how today's unlikely can just as easily become tomorrow’s racing certainty.
Who knows, maybe there’s hope for the Druid King Arthur from Salisbury yet?
Until next time...
Tidworth residents' chance to quiz council leader at special event
PEOPLE in Tidworth will have the chance to raise issues at an Ask the Leader event this month.
On Tuesday, November 19, Wiltshire Council leader Richard Clewer will be at Tidworth Civic Centre to meet residents and answer their questions.
People are encouraged to ask any questions about the council, its objectives and priorities, and the challenges ahead.
The events are an opportunity to put questions directly to Cllr Clewer, and hear his thoughts and plans for the future.
Previous events have taken place in Chippenham, Devizes, Westbury, Trowbridge, Salisbury, Southern Wiltshire, Calne, Melksham, Warminster, South West Wiltshire, Malmesbury, Corsham, Bradford on Avon, Marlborough and Royal Wootton Bassett and Cricklade.
The event at Tidworth Civic Centre runs from 6pm to 7.30pm.
Cllr Clewer said: "Thank you to everyone who came along to the last event in RWB&C earlier this month. It was great to discuss issues of local concern and how we can work together to resolve them.
"I have now visited most of Wiltshire's community areas and it's been such a valuable
experience to discuss our approach and hear your ideas. The next event takes place in Tidworth on November 19 and I would encourage residents to come along and ask me any questions and find out more about the work we are doing.
"These events have been a great opportunity to tackle
issues that are unique to each community area and ensure our priorities reflect those of local communities."
n Those who can't make the event can ask a question by email in advance to communications@wiltshire.gov. uk.
Bad behaviour sees man evicted from site
RICHARD Willett has been evicted from a Gypsy and Traveller site in Downton due to anti-social behaviour.
Willett, of 9 Lode Hill Caravan Site, had been the subject of a long-running case for Wiltshire Council, which owns the site. He was accused of repeatedly dumping and burning rubbish on the site, causing a nuisance to other residents and damage to the nearby environment.
Rubbish burned included general waste in sacks and bin bags, fridges, freezers, plastic, wood, PVC doors and frames, carpet, cardboard, plastic boxes and fibreglass loft insulation.
The issues began when Willett was advised by the council to clear up the significant waste next to his pitch, in a communal parking and turning area, and stop burning the rubbish.
"However, this did not resolve the issue, and the council has issued several verbal
and written warnings to Mr Willett to stop his behaviour, but he refused to do so," a spokesperson said.
"Since then, the council has issued Mr Willett with several legally enforceable warnings and notices, but he did not comply, and so Mr Willett and his family were served a notice of eviction."
Following a trial hearing on August 9, the council was granted outright possession of the plot and the family was given until September 23 to leave.
"This did not happen, and so Mr Willett and family were evicted by bailiffs on Thursday, November 7," the spokesperson added.
Cllr Phil Alford, the council's cabinet member for housing, said: "Evicting someone from one of our sites is always a last resort, and we would always look to resolve the situation with the tenant where we can.
"However, we have given Mr Willett every opportunity to stop dumping and burning significant volumes of toxic rubbish, but he has continued to do so, causing both a nuisance to other residents and significant environmental harm.
"This gave us no choice but to evict Mr Willett and his family from the site to ensure the wellbeing of other residents and also help protect the local environment.
"Since this case was reported to us, we have done all we can to encourage and then require Mr Willett to change his ways and stop his anti-social behaviour, but he refused to do so at every stage and was uncooperative with our officers.
"As this case shows, we continue to take all actions available to us to prevent and end anti-social behaviour on council property and we hope the residents adversely affected are reassured by how seriously we take such matters."
Cllr Richard Clewer, leader of Wiltshire Council, is set to be in Tidworth tomorrow Picture: Wiltshire Council
Watches & Jewellery; Coins, Medals & Silver; and 20th Century Pictures & Decorative Objects
Saturday 7th December
For free verbal valuations please contact
Head Office & Salesrooms: Station Road, Semley, Shaftesbury SP7 9AN 01747 855122 www.semleyauctioneers.com
Offices in Semley, Wiltshire; Wimborne, Dorset; and South Kensington, London
Turing portrait
APORTRAIT
of maths
pioneer Alan Turing painted by a robot artist has sold for more than $1 million at auction.
The digital picture, pictured right, by AI robot Ai-Da and entitled A.I. God: Portrait of Alan Turing, received 27 bids and its sale price exceeded expectations at Sotheby's.
Initially, it was expected to fetch between $120,000 and $180,000, but the hammer came down at $1,084,800.
Ai-Da, below, is the world’s first lifelike humanoid robot artist, and it's creation was the first to be sold at auction, with Sotheby's saying it launched "a new frontier in the global art market, establishing the auction benchmark for an artwork by a humanoid robot".
Ai-Da was created by Aidan Meller in 2019 and can draw
and paint, thanks to high-tech cameras in her eyes, complex AI algorithms and a speciallydesigned robotic arm.
Her pieces have been exhibited at venues such as the Venice Biennale, Oxford's Ashmolean Museum and London's Design Museum.
The works are created without human involvement, 'inspired' by an initial conversation using her AI language model.
For this piece, she suggested Alan Turing for a portrait and after being shown a photo of the computer science pioneer, produced a series of preliminary sketches and paintings on A3 canvases, which were then combined to create the final artwork.
Sotheby's said: "AI God serves as a tribute to Alan Turing, the pioneering
A small slipware plate, Staffordshire, c. 1690-1730, 22cm diameter.
by robot artist sells for $1m
mathematician whose work laid the foundation for modern computing and artificial intelligence.
of
Clarke’s Auctions are busy preparing for their last sale of 2024. They have historically held their December sale between Christmas and New Year and have found that this is one of their most successful sales due to people relaxing after all the Christmas preparations and having the time and space to study the catalogue and perhaps treat thems elves to something. Their December sale specialises in jewellery, gold and silver pieces, antique collectable items and objets de virtu.
"Ai-Da’s portrayal of Turing not only honours his legacy but also explores the broader, transformative impact of
technology on human identity, creativity, and agency, making her work a significant milestone in both art and AI."
n For more details on the Turing portrait, description, and the auction itself, log on to sothebys.com.
earlier seals, an 18th century onion shaped green glass wine bottle, snuff boxes, fine ceramics including a fabulous Palais Royale agate and gilt ormolu casket, silver candlesticks, Tunbridge ware boxes, Limoges enamel pieces, Venetian latticino glass and interesting ephemera and War medals.
They are expecting to offer over 1,000 interesting lots so if you have anything delicate, beautiful or unusual stored at the backs of cupboards and drawers please give them a call to make an appointment to have them appraised.
Consigned so far are approximately 300 lots of interesting items including an impressive private collection of cut glass silver topped dressing table jars to include ruby flashed examples, beautifully painted portrait miniatures, Victorian and
They are taking entries for all future sales and enquiries for consignment into their 2025 sales or for any Probate or Insurance Valuations, Part and Full House clearances or home visits please phone either Richard Clarke or Karen Marshall on 01747 685592 or 01747 855109 at their salerooms at The Old Glove Factory, Buckingham Road, Gillingham, SP8 4QF.
Auctioneers & Valuers
Antiques & Collectibles Sale Friday 9th & Saturday 10th August
Antiques & Collectibles Sale Friday 27th & Saturday 28th December
Clarke’s offer free verbal valuations and home visits A Russian painted wooden icon. Sold for £9,500.
An original Fry & Sons 'Fry's Pure Concentrated Cocoa' enamel sign. Sold for £1,600. Clarke’s Auctions o er free home visits and verbal valuations. Now accepting items for this and future sales
The Old Glove Factory, Buckingham Road Gillingham, SP8 4QF 01747 685592 enquiries@clarkesauctions.co.uk
e Old Glove Factory, Buckingham Road Gillingham, SP8 4QF 01747 685592 enquiries@clarkesauctions.co.uk
Units 1 & 2 Kingsettle Business Park, 01747 855109 enquiries@clarkesauctions.co.uk
Ebony bust of an African ManEstimate £300 - £500
£50k to make reserve a reality
ASALISBURY
project has been awarded £50,000 to buy land for a public nature reserve.
Salisbury City Council has awarded the money to Broken Bridges Nature Reserve Limited (BBNR) to help enable the completion of the purchase of 35 acres of Fitzgerald Farm.
The not-for-profit Community Interest Company (CIC) has been awarded the money from the council’s Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) fund.
The grant was unanimously supported by councillors at the Full Council meeting on Monday, November 4.
BBNR aims to purchase land at Fitzgerald Farm, in the area commonly known as Broken Bridges, between Harnham and Lower Bemerton, to create a nature reserve for the community.
The project’s goals include enhancing the meadow's biodiversity, providing access to green space for community health and wellbeing, and improving accessibility along the public footpath, a link between Harnham and Bemerton.
Cllr Jeremy Nettle, chair of BBNR, said: "This is a tremendous step forward and we wish to thank both the Council and all the people and groups in the community that have made donations.
"This is a huge demonstration of the public support for bringing this much-loved area into community ownership.
"It is a green lung, giving people access to nature while working to improve the much-needed access between
Churchfields, the railway station and the new housing developments on Netherhampton Road.
"The city’s donation comes from a much larger contribution to community infrastructure by developers of the new housing estates along Netherhampton Road.
"This funding, known as CIL, cannot be spent on day-to-day running costs of the council so does not impact service levels or council tax.
"Once the land has been
formerly acquired the work begins in implementing our plans, but for now, we just want to say a huge thank you to everyone who has supported us."
Pam Rouquette, founder director of BBNR, added: "Creating a Nature Reserve at Broken Bridges has been our dream for so many years, it is fantastic that the dream can now become a reality."
For more information, and to donate to BBNR, visit www. mybrokenbridges.org.uk.
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.
Across
1 Small change for policeman (6)
4 Woollen blanket from a fine African country largely (6)
8 Popular new hostel (3)
9 Doctor with man in reserve showing lack of poise (9)
11 Former partner in morning takes test (4)
12 Loyal recording of female 60s British singer (8)
KILLER Sudoku Pro
Down
1 Herbs caught by places with a buzz? (6)
2 Tree by tech giant producing fruit (9)
3 Fine old monarch in charge (4)
5 Complete fool defending new driver at high speed (4,4)
6 Natural layer in the neighbourhood (3)
7 Dislike obelisk (6)
10 Have eventual success – as an orchard does? (4,5)
15 Fellow amid poor toil working to get collection of papers (9)
18 Good general driver, maybe, for US choir (4,4)
19 Painful separation without companion, serving woman (4)
Place numbers 1 to 9 once each into every row, column and bold-lined 3x3 box.
13 Stump place with a note and diagram of layout (5,4)
14 Brother with old cricket club given exotic for vegetable (8)
21 Improperly obtained tent I log roaming round lake (3-6)
23 Illuminated set of items with sun gone (3)
24 Salesperson gets to publicize resort (6)
25 Disclose writer engaged by publishing company (4,2)
No digit may be repeated in any dash-lined cage, and all the digits in any cage must add up to the value shown in that cage.
16 Posh Greek concealing falsehood is more disquieting (6)
17 Part of a shoe conforming with others?
20 Crack crisp biscuit (4)
22 Insolence overturning a lot of lager (3)
Motoring with David Young
TOURING
is obviously big business at the moment.
Anyone who endured endless hours of online purgatory in an ultimately futile attempt to purchase tickets for Oasis or Taylor Swift will know the feeling.
You can’t help but wonder if it would actually be easier to predict the icons of the future and catch them on their way up instead.
In which case, I may have some good news for you because the new Hyundai Inster is a potential star that’s also about to head out on tour.
The Inster, Hyundai’s brand-new, all-electric city car is currently on a showroom roadshow, visiting 86 dealer locations around the country between October and
December, ahead of the first European deliveries, due to begin in January.
Hyundai has given the new Inster a robust SUV profile, an elevated ride height, and flush, clean surfaces for a rugged and contemporary feel. It boasts a high-tech, circuit board-style bumper and a chunky skid plate that sit nicely alongside the bold wheelarches and distinctive circular LED projection headlights. It also boasts pixellated rear LED lights that add a very futuristic touch. You can further specify your car’s appearance with a two-tone exterior featuring a contrasting black roof.
By offering equipment typically found in highersegment cars, the new Hyundai Inster also sets a new
Hyundai getting Inster the touring groove
benchmark for the levels of specification you can expect from city cars of the future. If you’re going to assume that an entry-level car will come with basic equipment, you’re in for a surprise.
In terms of trim levels, the new Hyundai Inster will be offered in a choice of three specifications: Inster 01, Inster 02, and Inster Cross.
Entry-level Inster 01 models boast a comprehensive technology package that includes advanced infotainment and connectivity features offering seamless access to navigation, media, and vehicle settings, all controlled via the 10.25-inch digital cluster and 10.25-inch touchscreen. You also get 15-inch alloy wheels, cruise control, climate control, keyless entry, rear view monitor and parking sensors, a couple of USB-C sockets, and a battery heating system to maximise the charge in colder weather.
Inster 02 versions build on this base, adding larger 17-inch alloys, the upgraded LED front and rear lights, roof rails, privacy glass, heated front seats and steering wheel, and an extra USB-C socket for rear passengers. The Inster Cross is due to
follow at a later date, but when it does arrive it will add an Inster Cross Design package, upgraded 17-inch alloy wheels, an electric sunroof, and a few extra safety systems such as blind spot monitoring and a surround view monitor to make manoeuvring even more straightforward.
Hyundai has also built versatility and spaciousness into the interior of the new Inster. In Inster 02 trim and above all of the seats can be folded flat – including the driver’s seat – for increased flexibility and maximum capacity. In the second row the seats can also recline and slide, offering more comfort, extra legroom, and more cargo space. This level of interior versatility is uncommon in a city car, making the Inster a surprisingly practical choice despite its relatively small size. The front row of the cabin even features a walk-through design between the driver’s seat and the passenger side so you can easily slide across if you find yourself having to squeeze into a particular tight parking spot.
The practical benefits of the new Hyundai Inster continue under the proverbial bonnet too.
Offering both 42kWh (Inster 01 models) and Long Range 49kWh (Inster 02 and Cross variants) battery options, powering either a 71.1kW
salisburyandavon.co.uk
(97bhp) or 84.5kW (115bhp) electric motor, the Hyundai Inster can deliver a segmentleading driving range of almost 230 miles on a single charge. Neither option is going to be quick in terms of acceleration or top speed – 0-62mph will take around 11 seconds and flat out you’ll still only be doing a little over 90mph – but that’s not really the point of an EV designed for urban use so nobody is likely to care too much about performance.
alongside the in-built navigation system it can tell you when and where to charge during your trip and even precondition the battery automatically.
The all-electric powertrain also includes a heat pump to combat low temperatures that can negatively impact battery efficiency. The heating system guarantees optimal battery performance regardless of weather conditions, and
When using a high-power charging station, the battery can charge from 10-80% in around 30 minutes. It also comes equipped with an 11-kW on-board charger as standard so charging at home should be a relatively painless experience
too, taking around 4 hours – or 4.5 hours if you opt for the long-range battery and motor combination.
By utilising the practical and technological features usually found in higher segment models, Hyundai is clearly intent on
redefining what you should expect from a city car.
The upcoming roadshow tour is the first opportunity for UK customers to see the brand-new Hyundai Inster compact SUV in the flesh ahead of the order
books opening at the end of the year.
Prices for the Hyundai Inster will start from just under £23,500 for the Inster 01. The Inster 02 is likely to prove more popular though, and why not when you can get the extra specification and flexible interior seating and still pay less than £27k.
Pre-production versions of Hyundai’s newest EV will visit a host of dealers across the UK, from Inverness to Taunton and Aberystwyth to Norwich. So, if you fancy grabbing yourself one you’ve got the perfect chance to take a good look at this astonishing little car before you decide which version to opt for.
We use the latest specialist equipment to accurately check the front and rear wheels of your vehicle. If the alignment is not set correctly it was cause excessive wear to your tyres, steering and suspension components. To prevent high repair costs, or tyre replacement from misaligned wheels you could poten�ally save yourself money by checking the alignment.
We use the latest specialist equipment to accurately check the front and rear wheels of your vehicle. If the alignment is not set correctly it will cause excessive wear to your tyres, steering and suspension componenents. To prevent high repair costs, or tyre replacement from misaligned wheels you could potentially save yourself money by checking the alignment.
ADAS Alignment Checks and Recalibrations. Ask for more details.
4 & 7 MOT’S ONLY £45. All MOT’s done on site so no extra fees to pay. Dscounts available for Traders- just ask!
Tax experts enter row over inheritance tax changes announced in Budget
THE impact of changes to the tax system for farmers announced in the recent Budget have been a hot topic in rural communities ever since.
In the October speech, Chancellor Rachel Reeves revealed the removal of both Agricultural Property Relief and the designation for active farmers which allowed active working farms to be transferred as a business, in a bid to bring in much-needed funds for public services.
The moves have faced a strong backlash, including from farm investors such as Jeremy Clarkson and Sir James Dyson.
In Parliament, MP John Glen (Conservative, Salisbury) was among those to speak when an urgent question was asked of Defra Secretary of State, Daniel Zeichner.
Mr Glen compared the Budget measures to the 'pasty tax', a change introduced by then-Chancellor George Osborne in 2012 in an attempt to simplify taxes on hot takeaway food. After an outcry among the public, the government performed a u-turn.
Mr Glen, a former First Secretary to the Treasury, told the Commons: "I spent most of the last six years looking at Treasury figures and I have a great deal of sympathy for the Honorary Gentleman.
"I fear he is the victim of a hit and run exercise by the Treasury on the Defra Budget.
"I think he would do well to think about the lessons learned from the pasty tax because if he's not careful, this is going to be of a similar dimension for this government."
The NFU has been among those opposing the changes, which would see farmers pay inheritance tax on farms worth more than £1 million.
And farmers and growers will meet MPs in Parliament on November 19, urging them to
call on the Chancellor to make changes to the announcements on inheritance tax.
Tom Bradshaw, NFU president, said: "There's still time for the government to accept they've got this wrong, and my message to ministers is they should do the right thing and reverse this awful 'family farm tax'."
However, a number of tax experts have defended the move - or the statistics.
The Country Land and Business Association has claimed the change to agricultural inheritance tax could affect "70,000 farms".
But Tax Policy Associates founder, Dan Neidle, said that
number was among many being used as "hyperbolic fake stats".
He said: "What does the actual data show?
"Less than 500 farms will pay more tax as a result of this change every year. Possibly as few as 100.
"Why 500? Because only 500 farm estates claimed agricultural property relief (APR) of more than £1m in 2022.
"But that overstates the issue. Married couples can easily claim the £1m cap twice. Small farmer without other assets can use their nil rate band.
"So, for a married couple running a farm, it could be worth £2.65m before the restriction on the relief costs
them a penny.
"That could mean as few as 100 farms per years are affected. And the 20% tax is only on the excess over the threshold, so for most of the 100, the additional tax will be reasonably small.
"Insure against is when you're young(ish). Give some/ all to your kids when you get older."
He added: "And the data shows that most of the cost of the tax increase will be borne by a few very large estates.
"In 2022, 2% of agricultural estates - just 37 - claimed an average of £6m.
"This is what this is really about, not 70,000 farms. So let's drop the hyperbolic fake stats."
The Government gave an example of a couple who jointly own a farm, who will be able to pass on property valued up to £3m to a child or grandchild "tax free".
"That is made up of £1m, where they combine their standard £500,000 tax-free allowances (£225,000 for nil-band rate + £175,000 for residential nil-rate band), and on top of that, an additional £1m tax-free allowance each for agricultural property inheritance."
Salisbury MP John Glen spoke on the changes to farming taxes during a Commons session, and below, NFU president, Tom Bradshaw
