Salisbury & Avon ED 16

Older folks raise money for youth

MORE than £1,000 has been raised for a city youth charity - by older members of the community.

Residents and staff at a Salisbury care home held a number of events to raise money for The Bridge Youth Project, their chosen charity for 2022/23.

Colten Care’s Braemar Lodge collected the sum from activities such as a summer garden party, selling crafts handmade by residents, a Christmas market and produce and clothes-swap sales.

The year of fundraising was celebrated with a get-together and handover of £1,028 at the Stratford Road home, attended by charity representatives.

One of the founders of the Bridge Youth Project, back in 1994, Neville Jennings, lived at Braemar Lodge and suggested fellow residents consider it as a charity to support.

Another founder, Gaye Ridout, is the mother of Braemar Lodge gardener Sarah Ridout while Yvonne Ballard, wife of the home’s Companionship Team leader Graham Ballard, is a Bridge volunteer.

Gaye and Neville’s widow Daphne joined Bridge director Alex Ewing for the handover.

“We rely heavily on the kindness of supporters such as the wonderful residents at Braemar Lodge,” said Alex. “We have been blown away by their generosity and are simply thrilled with the amazing amount

of money they have raised in the past year.”

The Bridge is a Christian charity with a team of more than 30 staff and volunteers who work in around 25 primary and secondary schools in the Salisbury area.

The aim is to raise young people’s aspirations and resilience through mentoring, emotional literacy and courses in social skills and well-being.

Also addressing residents at the handover was Gladys Nyirongo, a Year 10 student from Sarum Academy School, who highlighted the benefits of mentoring and support for school pupils.

Braemar Lodge chose the project as its main charity for 2022/23 under a Colten Care policy of enabling residents at all 21 of its homes to support good causes in the community.

Resident, Catherine Brighty, said: “The Bridge does such great work and we are

pleased to support it.”

Home manager Jackie Cash, who presented the cheque, said: “Neville was a resident who was loved and respected by his peers and staff alike.

“When he suggested that the Bridge would be an ideal charity for us to support, we all agreed wholeheartedly.”

Braemar Lodge’s main nominated charity for 2023/24 is Dogs for the Blind.

Mel’s marathon effort raises £3k for Salvation Army

RUNNER Mel Davies raised a phenomenal £3,341 for Salisbury Salvation Army during the London Marathon.

Mel presented the cheque to the charity at their recent Sunday Church service on Salt Lane and gave an illustrated talk on her efforts and motivation behind tackling the event.

The funds raised will help the community hub located within the Salt Lane hall to flourish and continue to provide appropriate support to people who need help in the Salisbury neighbourhood.

“We are surprised and delighted by the kindness of so many people giving their support to us by sponsoring Mel’s run,” said captain Martin

Davison of Salisbury Salvation Army. “We knew that Mel would do well and her efforts clearly caught the imagination of people in our area.

“We are so grateful to Mel’s boss, Stephen Lake, The Bishop of Salisbury for backing Mel in her efforts, using his office to publicise the run.”

Mel Davies with captain Martin Davison and children from the church looking at the London marathon medal and ‘Sally Army Striders’ running vest. (Permission has been given by the parents for the publication of this picture)

Salisbury Salvation Army currently offers a ‘Drop-In’ facility for homeless people. This facility provides a space where they can get help and assistance. For example, facilities include an Employment Plus service for people facing barriers to gaining employment.

It also provides the Re-Cycles programme of finding homes for pre-loved bikes renovated by volunteers.

From left: Gladys Nyirongo, a student from Sarum Academy School; home manager Jackie Cash; Daphne Jennings, whose late husband Neville was a co-founder of The Bridge and a resident at Braemar Lodge; Bridge director Alex Ewing and co-founder, Gaye Ridout

Ancient stones witness historic gun salute to welcome the new King

PERSONNEL from Wiltshirebased 14 Regiment Royal Artillery’s (14 Regt RA) 34 Seringapatam Battery had the honour of firing a 21-gun salute at the historic site of Stonehenge to mark the Coronation of King Charles III on, Saturday, 6th May.

As well as being one of the most famous monuments in the world, Stonehenge stood at the heart of the world’s largest military training camp during the First World War. Around 1,000,000 men from across the Commonwealth trained for war there between 1914 and 1918.

Today, the British Army still trains on nearby Salisbury Plain and the home of The Royal Artillery sits only a stone’s throw from this world heritage site.

It is, therefore, only fitting that in recent years the location has been used, with kind invitation from English Heritage, for gun salutes to mark the nation’s most important occasions, including those of the passing of Her Majesty The Queen and His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh and the accession of His Majesty King Charles.

Gun salutes are customarily fired, both on land and at sea, as a sign of respect or welcome.

Today, gun salutes mark special occasions on certain days of the year, many of them with royal associations.

Lieutenant Colonel (Lt Col) Andrew McDermott, Commanding Officer of 14 Regt RA said: “14th Regiment Royal Artillery were delighted to have been asked by the team at English Heritage to fire a gun salute at Stonehenge on the occasion of His Majesty’s Coronation. To fire from this globally recognisable World Heritage Site is an

incredible privilege.”

He added: “I am incredibly proud of both those firing the salute and those who have worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make today happen. It has been, as with everything we do in the Army, a team effort; and today the team has been superb.”

Major (Maj) Glyn ForsterHaig, Battery Commander and Parade Officer, has led on several gun Salutes at the historic site and until recently, along with his Battery, has been training the Ukrainian Armed Forces, he said: “Whenever you are doing a salute, you are stepping a million miles away from what is your day job, which is being an artilleryman providing support for either training or in preparation for war fighting.

“I think it speaks volumes to the quality of my people, when you consider that a few short weeks ago we were in the field training Ukrainian men and women to become artillery gunners for the ongoing conflict.

“Here the Battery are now standing in ceremonial uniform and immensely proud to be celebrating this wonderful occasion, but next week they

will be back in the field to resume that training.”

Warrant Officer First (WO1) Class Gemma Begley has recently been promoted to Regimental Sergeant Major of 14 Regt RA and is a veteran of these occasions, but her role is slightly different now: “I was the parade Warrant Officer for the Queen’s death salute and the proclamation of the new King.

“This time, I am accompanying the Commanding Officer as he inspects the troops on parade. It has been amazing to participate in this historic event. It is a generational change for both the Army and the country, and I am so proud.”

Lance Bombardier (LBdr) Samuel Reed, who has been in the Army for five years, was loading one of the three L118 Light Guns involved in the event, he said:

“It was a bit nerve wracking with all eyes on you and I’m from a regiment that doesn’t do a lot of ceremonial duties, so it is a bit different, but we got it done.

“It was a once in a lifetime opportunity and I’m so proud, it will be something I can tell my grandchildren one day.”

‘Bin the barriers’, accessibility group urges

The recently formed City Council Accessibility & Inclusion Task Group [AITG], chaired by Cllr Lynne Blackwood, wants to ‘bin the barriers’ that obstruct paths and pavements across the city.

These the groups says, make life difficult for wheelchair users and people who use other disability equipment, as well as parents with buggies.

The aim is to have them either removed altogether, or, if they are deemed necessary for safety reasons, altered so that everyone can get through them while still preventing speeding bikes and skateboards from presenting a danger.

A meeting of the Accessibility and Inclusion Task group on 2 May agreed to ask individual councillors to compile a list of barriers in their wards that cause problems for residents and collate them into one request for action across the city.

The list will be submitted to Wiltshire Council for consideration and prioritisation by the local highway improvement group, with a request for action as and when finances allow.

Barriers in underpasses are outside the scope of this initiative and will be pushed forward by the SCC Underpasses Working Group.

Treat yourself to a new bra and help to change a life

WITHOUT wishing to be too personal, it could be a good time to think about treating yourself to a new bra.

There is a good way to recycle the used ones, so long as they are not too old. Once again, Salisbury Soroptimists are collecting gently used bras to send to Africa.

Can you help them beat last year’s record-breaking total of 2,527? Your donations were delivered to Afreebra, who sent them to the SMILE foundation in Ejura, Ghana.

In rural Africa, many women never dream of owning a bra – any disposable income is spent on food, children, husbands and lastly on women.

But with your help, this can change. Owning a bra can give a woman dignity and make her feel good.

Please drop your donations, before the end of June, at Five Rivers Leisure Centre, or contact our organiser Penny Joyce:

pennyre.joyce@gmail.com, or leave bras at 60 Endless Street: Salisbury: SP1 3UH or contact us at sarumsoropts@gmail.com

If you are able to collect bras from your local area, or

workplace, the Soroptimists might be able to collect from you. And people are being urged to spread the word and ask anyone if they have a few gently used bras to donate.

Out and about: jamboree on the trail day

ON SATURDAY, 13th May Scouts from the 3rd Salisbury Sea Scouts and 4th Salisbury (Harnham) Scouts took part in an eight-mile hike in the New Forest.

The purpose of the hike was for navigation and hiking training.

The scouts spotted ponies, foals, a woodpecker, a kestrel and heard a cuckoo calling. Several stream crossings were also required.

Departing from Godshill, the hike took place on Jamboree on the Trail day. This is an annual day for the World Scout Movement to hike together.

All scouts, whatever their age and wherever they may be in the world, are

invited to participate in whatever way they can.

For example, Beaver Scouts could visit a local park, walk the trails and play games.

Cub Scouts could visit a local nature trail as part of a weekend camp.

Scouts might check out a hiking trail while working on badge requirements.

Explorers might make a service project out of restoring or maintaining a hiking trail.

In their own way, everyone was hiking the same direction; towards a better future through scouting.

Further details are from the JOTT website: https://jott. org.uk/

Soroptimists with last year’s donations

Scouts on the trail in the New Forest, taking part in an event that links troops from around the world

This summer’s Pride festival called off after row over Progress Bar

THE 2023 Salisbury Pride Festival has been cancelled.

Organisers of the event, which last year took place in July, said an ongoing dispute over the city’s Progress Bar had rendered a ‘financial impact’ on the organisation.

The bar, pictured right, closed in February, just months after opening doors with a mission to ‘promote equality and diversity in our historic city’.

It was run by and home to the Salisbury Pride UK Community Interest Company (CIC), which also organised the festival.

“We regret to announce that we have had to made the tough decision to cancel Salisbury Pride Festival 2023,” organisers said.

“Unfortunately despite the efforts to save Progress Bar Salisbury, this has also had a financial impact on the CIC.

“We know this is incredibly disappointing and is not a decision we`ve been able to make easily, but our duty is to ensure that all our events are run safely.”

The decision came after 2022 was hailed as the ‘biggest Pride yet’ in Salisbury.

Protecting your home and assets with a Living Trust.

Everyone needs a will, but a will does not protect your assets. One of the most efficient additions to your will is a living trust. A living trust has many benefits and protects your hard-earned legacy. Let’s consider some of the benefits below...

Avoiding probate: By placing assets including your home into a living trust, those assets can pass directly to the beneficiaries named in the trust, bypassing probate.

Care Costs: Placing your main home into a living trust can help ring fence the property from any potential future care costs. Thus, protecting your inheritance.

Control: With a living trust, you can be both a trustee and beneficiary. You can maintain control over your assets even after you pass away. You can specify how and when your assets should be distributed to your beneficiaries.

Protects your bloodline: Your legacy is protected from remarriage and divorce, protecting both your surviving partner and children’s legacy. Asset protection: A living trust can protect your assets from creditors in the case of bankruptcy etc, divorce settlements, and other claims against beneficiaries and yourself.

In these days of uncertainty its best to plan wisely and protecting your legacy for family and loved ones. To discover more about living trusts, contact Oakwood Wills on 07832 331594

“This was thanks to the had work of an incredibly small group of dedicated volunteers and one massive support from our community,” a spokesperson added.

“We are now looking for proactive volunteers of the community to come forward to join the team to assist in many various roles throughout each year.”

Other Pride groups expressed their sadness and sympathy at the decision.

Swindon & Wiltshire Pride said: “Such sad news, sending our love.”

And Glastonbury Pride said: “So sorry to hear about this.”

Anyone interested in helping can find out more at www.salisburyprideuk.org/ joinpride.

News in brief

Police robbery appeal

FIVE people have been arrested after a robbery in Salisbury that left a man with a broken nose and other injuries.

The incident unfolded at around 2am on May 8, as a man made his way home along Fisherton Street.

The man, in his 20s, noticed a group of people down an alleyway.

“When he approached the group, a verbal altercation took place,” a Wiltshire Police spokesperson said. “The group assaulted him leaving him with a number of injuries including a fractured nose and bruising to his ribs and face.”

While he was being assaulted, the victim had his mobile phone, shoes and airpods stolen, they added.

One woman aged in her 30s, and four men aged between 30 and 51, have been arrested on suspicion of robbery and released under investigation.

Anyone with information should call 101 and quote reference 54230048017.

Opening night

EVERYMAN Cinemas will officially open the doors of its Salisbury venue on 2 June.

Tickets for the new venue and film schedule are now available at https://www. everymancinema.com/venueslist/g01qm-everyman-salisbury.

Salisbury mayor

MR ATIQUL HOQUE was officially elected as the 762nd The Right Worshipful the Mayor of the City of Salisbury on 13 May at an event attended by more than 200 guests.

Cllr Atiqul Hoque said, “The people of Salisbury have made history by choosing their first British Bangladeshi Muslim mayor which simply demonstrates how Salisbury has become more diverse and welcoming.

“I’m hopeful my mayorship will encourage others to come forward and engage with Salisbury City Council.”

Residents’ coronation celebrations fit for a King

STAFF and residents at Milford House Care Home in Salisbury enjoyed three days of celebrations ‘fit for a King’ over the bank holiday weekend.

The home held several coronation events each day, culminating in ‘The Big Coronation Cream Tea Party & Fête’ on Monday to draw the festivities to an end with a bang. The whole home came together to celebrate our new King and talk about the new era the country is entering.

Gemma Hicks, general manager at Milford House, said: “We’ve all had such a brilliant time celebrating the coronation which was such a momentous occasion for everyone. Our staff and residents were all so excited to take part.

“The weekend activities have been a real collaborative process and everyone has contributed to planning our activities, decorating the home, creating all the party food and organising the stalls and entertainment for our fête which raised money for River Bourne Community Farm here in Laverstock.

“It was so lovely to be able to invite our friends and family to come and join us for the celebrations too, which has added to the buzz around the home.”

Jane, a resident at Milford House, said: “We have just had the most wonderful weekend celebrating our new King. Saturday was magical as we watched the coronation together with a buffet meal in surroundings decorated so

Milford House residents enjoyed a full weekend of Royal activities

wonderfully – the whole day felt really special.

“It has also been lovely to have family and friends come for our Cream Team Party today and despite the rather drizzly weather nothing has dampened our celebrations.”

Preloved Fashion Event raises thousands for Appeal and will return next year

THE FIRST ‘PreLoved Fashion Event’ in aid of Salisbury District Hospital’s Stars Appeal Charity at Alderbury Village Hall was a huge success and plans are already taking shape for the next one.

Lynne Rose, organiser and Stars Appeal Trekker said: “We were absolutely thrilled with how many people came to support the event, we had almost 250 visitors.

The hard work and organisation was completely worth it and I can’t thank my fellow trekkers and our sustainable sellers enough for all of their support.

“The fashion show was a highlight, with three of our

boutique sellers, Made by SJP, Sisters Wardrobe and Sustainable Style Boutique showcasing a selection of their collections on the catwalk. It was a huge hit with the crowd.

“After such a successful first event we have another planned for November so will be sharing details soon.”

Each seller had paid for a pitch for the event that was held on 22 April. They also made a donation based on sales at the end of the event and together with entry fees, café sales, as well as the ‘Trekkers Boutique’, £2,271 was raised.

The amount will make a real difference and help The Stars Appeal continue to enhance care for patients across all wards and departments at Salisbury District Hospital and support the NHS staff who care for them.

You can find more details and information about the projects the Stars Appeal help fund on their website:

Radio Odstock’s 70th birthday celebrations set for Guildhall

RADIO Odstock is a hospital-based community radio station which broadcasts to Salisbury District Hospital patients and the wider Salisbury community.

It began broadcasting on Monday, 27th July 1953 and will be celebrating its 70th year by holding a party at the Guildhall on Saturday, 29th July 2023.

It all begins at 7pm and it promises to be a 70s themed event right down to the food and drinks on offer. If you have anything from that era, fancy dress is strongly encouraged.

It costs £10, which includes a welcome drink. All money from this event will be going to the radio station and its running costs, as well as the Salisbury Hospice Charity, which is located near the studios.

Gilly, one of the station’s presenters said: “I came up with this idea with the help of a team called Three Oddies who are equally passionate about partying.

“We are really excited to be welcoming

all the community to celebrate this special event. I could not have done it without the team.”

The station has a wide variety of programmes specially made for Salisbury and the surrounding area by presenters passionate about music in addition to locally produced shows from our specially built studios on the site of the hospital.

All content is produced by volunteers who can also be seen collecting requests on the hospital wards and at the hospice.

The station has its own community news service which broadcasts local news across the schedule and is regularly updated by a team of volunteers who also look after the social media pages and the website.

The station recently launched a catch-up service on the Mixcloud platform to showcase its shows to wider audiences who can listen whenever they want to.

To find our mixcloud page all you need to do is search for Friends of Radio Odstock. If you follow this page you can get regular updates of when your favourite show’s latest edition is available.

To get tickets email friendsofradioodstock@outlook.com

www.radioodstock.org.uk

To celebrate the Coronation of King Charles III...

Salisbury Platinum Skies homeowners present £180 donation to STARS Appeal

Salisbury homeowners in an over 55s community have raised £180 for the Stars Appeal, the NHS charity for Salisbury District Hospital.

Homeowners at Chapters, the Platinum Skies community based off Wilton Road in Salisbury city centre, organised a fundraising quiz and placed a donation pot in their communal bistro for the Stars Appeal. It was chosen as the beneficiary of the homeowners’ donations as a thank you for the support that the Platinum Skies team, homeowners and their families have received from Salisbury District Hospital over the years.

Two homeowners from Chapters, Patricia Hayter and Patricia Dunford, were invited to visit Salisbury District Hospital’s new maternity entrance and reception to see how donations like the one from Chapters benefits hospital patients and staff. They also heard a talk from Dave Cates, Head of Fundraising for The Sparks Appeal, about the different ways that the charity supports all wards and departments in the hospital.

Jenny Abbott, Community Manager at Chapters, said: “We were absolutely thrilled to be invited to go and visit Salisbury District Hospital to see the incredible difference that donations like ours make to the good cause. Our homeowners got so much joy from hearing about how the charity has had a positive impact on the lives of people who live in Salisbury.”

Chapters comprises of a choice of apartments, houses and cottages. Prices start from £135,000 for a home with the Platinum Skies flexible shared ownership option.

The Salisbury-based community boasts onsite communal facilities including a bistro and bar, lounges, and an activity room, which plays host to a daily programme of activities for the homeowners to enjoy.

Chapters has two dedicated onsite Community Managers who help to organise fun activities such as wine tasting workshops, yoga, bowls, quizzes, and crafts, as well as providing practical and emotional support to the community’s homeowners.

Finch House Reservations Open Soon

Reservations are set to open shortly for Finch House, the final phase of work for the Chapters community. Finch House, a Grade-II listed 19th-century property, is being restored to its original grandeur while being converted into 21 one-of-a-kind, bespoke apartments, with access to the communal facilities in the wider community.

To register an interest in a Finch House apartment, or a home in the wider Chapters community, go to Platinumskies.co.uk or call the Platinum Skies team on 01722 626 373.

Could you make a difference to a child’s life? Call for foster carers

WILTSHIRE Council is sharing first-hand experiences of what it’s like to foster, as the campaign to recruit an additional 30 foster carers by summer 2024 ramps up.

May marked the start of Foster Care Fortnight and throughout the two weeks the council shared quotes from foster carers and provided online drop-ins and face-to-face events. The council has recently increased its rates of payment for foster carers and wants people to know they are supported to be a foster carer.

Kate has fostered for a number of years and more recently with Wiltshire Council as a carer receiving children into her care on an emergency basis.

She mostly fosters teenagers and recounts one incident where the 15-year-old she was caring for came back and looked flat after a difficult week at school. Despite the rain outside she lit the fire pit in her garden and asked him if he wanted to come down, listen to music and sit by the fire. They did that for three hours.

She said: “I sat back and thought ‘this is fostering.’ That was three hours of his life where I stopped him from feeling the way he was feeling. This is why I foster because it was enough to make that difference to that boy that day. It can be emotionally challenging but the rewards are there. Some of the really little things you do can be massive

achievements and you just know you’re helping in a small way.”

Kate has advice for people who want more information: “If you are thinking about it you’re already halfway there.

“There must be something in you that cares if you can help children in care. I would say make a list of every question you have as there are so many myths. Don’t think you can’t do it – speak to someone at Wiltshire Council.

“There is no pressure and you’ve got nothing to lose. If you’re caring, patient and resilient it could be the right move for you. You won’t be on your own and you’ll have support and training and make new friends with it.

“There is such a shortage of foster carers and so many children who have suffered

traumas who need caring homes and kind foster carers so please help if you can.”

Wiltshire Council will be holding online information drop-ins during Foster Care Fortnight which is a national campaign. The next events will take place on these dates:

● Monday 22 May, 10-11am

● Wednesday 24 May, 12-1pm

● Wednesday 31 May, 6 -7pm

Cllr Laura Mayes, cabinet member for Children’s Services, said: “The number of children coming into our care continues to rise which means we always need more foster carers. Back in 2020, we started a campaign to recruit 100 foster carers.

“We have recruited 70 new foster carers and need another 30 to come forward and make that amazing difference to a young life.

“People like Kate are providing inspiration and adding untold value to a young person who may have gone through terrible trauma and need a warm home, a safe place to stay and someone to listen to them.

“We have recently increased our fostering rates as we recognise times are hard and people need to be supported to foster.

“Pick up the phone or email us and we’ll give you more information without any commitment – we’d love to hear from you.”

Fostering for your local council means all money is spent on frontline services and the child is more likely to be able to stay close to their school, friends and family networks.

The council increased its fostering rates from April 2023 – they range from £380 to £710 a week per child, depending on people’s skills and experience.

Foster carers need to be over 21 years of age, have a spare bedroom, time to care for a child and a willingness to care and seek to understand young people who have experienced trauma and loss.

www.fosteringwiltshire.uk; fostering@wiltshire.gov.uk; 0800 169 6321 or text Foster to 60002.

You can join the online information session via https://bit.ly/3ISra7l

Five valleys motorcycle run raises money for homeless

About 120 bikes and riders turned out at the Penruddocke Arms, Dinton on Sunday, 16th April for the Five Valleys Charity Motorcycle Run and Salisbury Motorcycle & Light Car Club.

Altogether, the event raised over £1,000 for the Salisbury Trust for the Homeless.

The club has two more motorcycle runs in aid of the charity in June and July.

Sunday, 25th June – Horses & Henges Solstice Motorcycle Run: this charity

motorcycle run takes riders to several white horses and henges in the Wiltshire area.

Riders need to meet at the rest area lay-by on A36 between Steeple Langford and Stapleford for 10am start. This run is not being led and is open to non-members (donations to Salisbury Trust for the Homeless would be welcome). Route cards will be supplied.

Sunday, July 16th – Lightweight motorcycle run: this charity motorcycle

road run is open for motorcycles up to 350cc. It will involve a ride of about 50 miles, ending at a country pub for lunch. Open to non-members (again, donations to Salisbury Trust for the Homeless would be welcome), the ride will start at 10.30am from the public car park next to the Michael Herbert Hall, South Street, Wilton. Contact

Credit: Gabe Pierce/Unsplash

Council delight at Coronation weekend celebrations in Salisbury

SALISBURY City Council expressed delight at the crowds of people who chose to celebrate in the city over the Coronation weekend.

Crowds of people of all ages visited The Big Lunch, The Big Gig and The Big Help Out on Sunday, 8th and Monday, 9th May, which saw family activities played, dancing and donations as part of the historic weekend.

The Big Lunch on Sunday was the first event of the weekend. Queen Elizabeth Gardens was transformed into a traditional fête in the sunshine which featured picnics, live music, community stalls and food vendors.

Over 3,000 people turned up to the family event which was a huge success with many stall holders selling out on the day. It

was wonderful that so many community groups took part and raised funds for their own projects.

Those looking to celebrate in the evening enjoyed The Big Gig in Salisbury Market Place. There was dancing and singing galore with local bands lighting up the centre of Salisbury with fantastic music, which got everyone in the spirit of celebrating.

Approximately 5,000 people enjoyed the gig which ended with popular local band The Deloreons finishing the night in style with their lively renditions of hits from across the decades.

At The Big Help out on Monday the 8th, Salisbury City Council coordinated a food donations drive which brought together the food projects of the Salisbury Foodie Network and

50 volunteers to collect 63 crates of food to go to Salisbury Pantry, Salisbury Food Bank and the Bemerton Community Fridge.

Volunteers took great satisfaction in seeing van loads of food driving away from the Market Place and heading directly to projects supporting those who are most in need, in our community.

Emma, a volunteer at the event, said: “It has been great to do something positive today and to raise awareness of all this work, mainly by volunteering like me, that is usually going on behind closed doors. We are delighted that it didn’t rain and that so many people came out to help.

The event was a great moment to celebrate volunteering in a really active

way, by doing something which makes a direct impact and local organisations were able to get the word out about ways that people in Salisbury can continue to make a difference through volunteering.

Cllr Samuel Charleston: “Thank you to everyone involved in the events who went above and beyond to make them so successful.

“It was incredible to see so many people come together to celebrate the Coronation and give so generously to the Big Help Out event which will play such a big part in helping those in need.

“The City Council has received a lot of positive feedback and I look forward to seeing more fantastic events take place in the city later this year for Salisbury to enjoy.”

City to get 10 new police officers to help tackle anti-social behaviour

SALISBURY will have 10 new police officers in place by September, City Council Leaders have been told.

The news follows a meeting between city councillors and the Police and Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire, Philip Wilkinson, to raise concerns about antisocial behaviour.

The meeting was also attended by Chief Inspector Simon Cowdrey and Inspector Tina Osborn.

Among concerns raised were the recent incidents at Culver Street car park. However, it appeared unlikely that the police would seek a full closure order for the car park.

The councillors asked to be kept in the loop as the force plans its response to the problems at the site with Wiltshire Council.

While the councillors

welcomed the news that Wiltshire is now rated the top force in the country for disrupting county lines drug gangs, they will push for Wiltshire Council to reinstate a Public Space Protection Order around the city centre with the aim of reducing anti-social behaviour.

The City Council is currently working with the Salisbury

*PACKED LUNCH INCLUDED IN THESE TRIPS

*TOWER OF LONDON & AFTERNOON TEA RIVERCRUISE

Thursday 1st June - £145

HORSEDRAWN BARGE WITH A FISH & CHIP SUPPER

Sat 10th June - £83 pp

*RHS HAMPTON COURT FLOWER SHOW

Sat 8th July - £85 pp

JULY SECRET SUNDAY LUNCH

Sunday 23rd July - £55 pp

CUMBRIA TOUR

Mon 31st July - 4th August – from £620/£700 pp

*HORSE & BARGE LEISURELY CANAL RIDE & BRUNCH AT BICKLEIGH MILL

Tuesday 8th August - £88 pp

LOOE CORNWALL

Fri 11th - Mon 14th August - from £505/£605 pp

NOTTINGHAM

Wed 23rd August - Sun 27th August - from £475/£535 pp

*PAIGNTON & DARTMOUTH STEAM AND RIVER CRUISE

Wed 29th August - £79

HIGH TEA AT SPINNAKER TOWER & HIST DOCKYARD

Saturday 16th September 23 - £110 pp

CHATSWORTH HOUSE AT CHRISTMAS & XMAS MARKETS

Sat 4th November – Monday 6th November – From £319/£379 pp

TURKEY & TINSEL TORQUAY

Mon 13th – Fri 17th November – From £435 pp

SECRET 3 COURSE XMAS LUNCH & ENTERTAINMENT

Tuesday 5th December - £79

THURSFORD CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR

Sunday 10th December – Tuesday 12th December- From £375/£425pp

Book your getaway! 01963 363000

*Packed lunch included in these trips

* PACKED LUNCH INCLUDED IN THESE TRIPS

PLEASE RING: 01963 363000 or visit

Business Improvement District and other city partners to apply for Safer Streets funding when the next tranche of government money is released.

During the meeting, Mr Wilkinson explained the force’s new streamlined command structure, and confirmed that as well as the extra officers, he is about to start recruiting more PCSOs. Negotiations about police station sites are ongoing with no commitment being made to any particular location.

Cllr Annie Riddle, a member of the city administration

alongside Cllr Victoria Charleston and Cllr Ian Tomes, said: “We are delighted to hear about these extra officers. We take anti-social behaviour very seriously and are keen to play our part with partners in tackling it.

“This was a very constructive meeting. The city leaders have built a good understanding with the commissioner through regular meetings in person, and it was helpful to have senior officers present on this occasion, too.”

Crematorium chapel to close during July and August

SALISBURY City Council has announced that work will be undertaken during the summer to replace the roof at Salisbury Crematorium which is in need of essential repairs.

While this work is being carried out, the roof’s insulation will be improved to help lower the carbon footprint of the building.

This will require the Crematorium Chapel to close for services during July and August while works are carried out. Cremations will continue onsite as normal.

A council statement read: “While building works take place, we are delighted to be working in partnership with the Holy Redeemer Church, Fotherby Crescent, Salisbury, SP1 3EG to ensure that services are able take place as usual in this venue.”

The work is part of wider programme that forms part of the council’s response to the Climate Change Emergency it declared in 2019 and subsequent commitment to undertake a comprehensive programme of improvement of the insulation of all council-owned property.

Police commissioner, Philip Wilkinson (left) Culver Street car park (above)

Reminder over Voter ID for June polls

WITH a number of elections due to take place in the county in the coming months, Wiltshire Council is reminding residents that voter ID will now be required to vote.

The change came into effect earlier this month, requiring voters in England to show a valid form of photo ID if they wish to vote at polling stations.

For Wiltshire, this applies to:

● Wiltshire Council elections and by-elections

● City, Town and Parish elections and by-elections

Hospital parking spaces lost from ‘staff areas’

BOSSES at Salisbury District Hospital say the number of parking spaces available for patients and visitors is unchanged - despite building work taking place on the site. Work is underway on a new ward at the hospital, with parking spaces being reduced by 50.

However, NHS chiefs say the spaces have been removed from staff parking areas - not spaces used by patients and visitors.

A spokesperson said the following spaces were available:

14 Electric charging spaces

115 Blue badge spaces

396 Patient/visitor spaces

10 Drop-off/collection spaces

“As a result of some temporary disruption while we build a new ward there has been a reduction in staff car parking spaces by 50 but we have been very careful not to reduce the number of Blue Badge spaces or spaces for visitors and patients,” they added.

It came after one resident told your Gazette they had struggled to find a space while visiting a relative who had undergone an operation.

“It took me an hour and a half to find a space on one day this week,” the person, who did not wish to be named, said.

“I have no other way of getting here, so am forced to struggle to find a space every

day.”

They said the Salisbury park and ride service does not stop at the hospital.

“I have tried the park and ride but it wouldn’t get me close enough to get in,” the person said.

The problems come after parking charges at the site were suspended in February. Problems after the installation of a new number plate recognition system saw charges axed.

n Wiltshire Council has been approached about the potential for a park and ride link with the hospital but was unable to comment before publication.

Wedding ring found in Amesbury chippy waiting to be ‘re-plaiced’ on the right finger

TOWARDS the end of last year a couple who were dining in at the Amesbury Chippy Cafe in Flower Lane accidentally left one of their wedding rings at the restaurant.

Tracey who runs the business said: “We believe we know who the couple are and expected

them to return for another meal when we would have given them the ring.

“However, time has passed by and we would love to re-unite the ring with its owner as it obviously must be important.

“Perhaps someone reading

this might be able to help?”

There is an inscription in the ring to verify its true owner.

If this ‘rings’ a bell… please give Tracey a ‘ring’ at the Amesbury Chippy on 01980 623388.

Let’s hope we can re-plaice the ring onto its rightful finger.

● Neighbourhood Planning Referendums

● Police and Crime Commissioner elections

● UK parliamentary byelections

● Recall petitions.

From October 2023 it will also apply to UK general elections.

Accepted forms of ID include a passport, driving licence, or travel passes, such as an older person’s bus pass or a disabled person’s bus pass.

If anyone doesn’t have an accepted photo ID, they can apply for a free voter ID document, which is known as a Voter Authority Certificate. It’s part of Wiltshire Council’s role to process Voter Authority Certificates applications.

There are a number of local elections scheduled to take place in Wiltshire throughout June and, if contested, these will be the first in the Wiltshire Council local authority area that will require Voter ID. They include:

● Tisbury Unitary Division of Wiltshire Council – June 8

● Amesbury Town Council

– Amesbury South – June 8

● Amesbury Town Council – Amesbury West – June 8

For those elections taking place on 8 June, the deadline to register to vote is May 22.

www.electoralcommission.org. uk/voterID for more information.

Five arrested after man robbed of phone and shoes in Salisbury street

FIVE people have been arrested after a robbery in Salisbury that left a man with a broken nose and other injuries.

The incident unfolded in the early hours of May 8 as a man made his way home along Fisherton Street.

The man, in his 20s, noticed a group of people down an alleyway.

“When he approached the group, a verbal altercation took place,” a Wiltshire Police spokesperson said.

“The group assaulted him leaving him with a number of injuries including a fractured nose and bruising to his ribs and face.”

While he was being assaulted, the victim had his mobile phone,

shoes and airpods stolen, they added.

Police are now urging anyone who was in the area at around 2am who have witnessed the incident to contact them, as well as anyone who may have been driving in the area with a dash cam fitted to their vehicle which may have captured relevant footage.

One woman aged in her 30s, and four men aged between 30 and 51, have been arrested on suspicion of robbery and released under investigation while enquiries continue.

Anyone with information should call 101 and quote crime reference number 54230048017, or call CrimeStoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Wilton Town Council re-elects mayor for another year

COUNCILLORS on Wilton Town Council have re-elected Cllr Andy Kinsey has the town’s mayor for 2023/24. Cllr Alan Crossley will be deputy mayor for the year.

Cllr Kinsey says ”I would like to thank my fellow Councillors for the honour of electing me as mayor of Wilton and delighted to be working with the deputy mayor, Cllr Alan Crossley, councillors, staff and fellow Wiltonians.

“I am committed to addressing the concerns of the people of Wilton and can be contacted anytime via the Town Council website.”

Cllr Kinsey’s consort will be Mrs Alexandra Kinsey and deputy mayor, Cllr Alan Crossley’s consort is Mrs Yvonne Crossley.

The council currently has a vacancy for a town councillor. Candidates must be at least 18-years-old and a British subject or citizen of the Commonwealth or European Union and must satisfy one of the following criteria.

They must:

● Be a local government elector for the Parish of Wilton

● Have, during the whole of the previous 12 months, occupied land or other property in the parish, either as owner of tenant

● Have, during the whole of the previous 12 months, had your principal or only place of work in the parish

● Have resided in the parish during the whole of the previous 12 months.

Candidates must complete the co-option

form which can be found on the council’s website and return it to the clerk by no later than 9am on Tuesday, 31st May.

Meetings are held on the first (full) and third (committee) Tuesday of every month. http://www.wiltontowncouncil.gov.uk/

The robbery happened in Fisherton Street

Deputy mayor Cllr Alan Crossley (left) with Wilton’s mayor, Cllr Andy Kinsey

NHS’ 75th anniversary to be marked with special service at cathedral

THE 75th anniversary of the NHS - and the 80th anniversary of the opening of a US Army hospital in Odstock - will be marked with a special service at Salisbury Cathedral next month.

Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust has joined forces with the cathedral for the event, which starts at 5.30pm on Monday, June 26.

The cathedral said the service offers a ‘wonderful opportunity for the community to come together and join health and care staff to celebrate this significant milestone of our National Health Service’.

The NHS was founded on July 5, 1948.

This ecumenical service is open to all communities in South Wiltshire, North and East Dorset and South West Hampshire and warm welcome will be given to all faiths and those with none.

It will celebrate a year of anniversaries as it is 80 years since the hospital on Odstock Road opened as a US military hospital supporting D-Day and the liberation of Europe, the closing of the city centre infirmary 30 years ago, as well as the

70th anniversary of Radio Odstock, the hospital’s radio station.

The service will be led by the Dean and Cathedral clergy, with members of the Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust Chaplaincy, and will include choir music and readings of specially commissioned poetry and prose, which will evoke the history of the NHS in the community, and the experiences of patients over the years.

Stacey Hunter, CEO of Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We are delighted to

be once again joining with Salisbury Cathedral to mark this important anniversary, 75 years of the NHS, the first universal health system to be available to all, free at the point of delivery.

“Today the NHS treats over a million people a day in England. It touches all of our lives.

“We welcome everyone in the community to come to the cathedral to celebrate with us at this ecumenical service.”

The Very Revd Nicholas Papadopulos, Dean of Salisbury, added: “We are delighted to be marking this important anniversary with our friends and colleagues from the NHS, celebrating their achievements over the last 75 years, and thanking them for their daily contribution to Salisbury and its community.

“We saw at first hand the dedication of their staff and volunteers during Covid, when they ran their vaccination sessions in this building, but their work is ever present in our daily lives, caring for friends, colleagues and loved ones - available to all, given to all.”

Bringing boat racing to Salisbury’s Big Lunch

SCOUTS from the 4th Salisbury (Harnham) Scout Troop ran a fête stall at the Salisbury Coronation Big Lunch at Queen Elizabeth Gardens on 7 May.

The Scouts’ stall featured a fun and ingenious boat race which involved blowing ping pong balls along lengths of guttering with a washing up liquid bottle.

Among the participants were the mayor of Salisbury, Cllr Tom Corbin and deputy lieutenant of Wiltshire Phil Harding (pictured)

The Scouts were raising funds for the Salisbury Campsite Quest as the Salisbury District Scouts are without a local campsite. https://sswscouts.org.uk/ campsite-quest/

Poet Martin Figura reading at the We Reflect service, held at Salisbury Cathedral in March 2022

New lingerie collections at Shirley Allum

WHEN shopping in Shaftesbury, take time to visit Shirley Allum Fashions and Lingerie, and discover an amazing range of brands. There is an enormous selection of Triumph bras in stock sizes A-K cups style. Look out for the Triumph Amourette series, with its delicate embroidery and fine details that really help to highlight your figure.

From Wednesday 24th through to Saturday 27th May you can take advantage of a special offer and receive 25% off when purchasing any two Triumph bras, while stocks last.

Shirley Allum fashions and Lingerie also stocks Sloggi pants, with their extra-soft seams and premium core-spun material mix, which provide maximum comfort and the perfect silhouette. Sloggi briefs retain their shape wonderfully after each wash. Buy three pairs and get a fourth free.

Discover a wonderful collection of women’s sports bras, offering high quality at affordable prices. If you are planning your summer holiday, the store stocks a great range of swimwear, now in sizes 10 to 24.

The store stocks Mey nightwear and vests, including the season’s new range which features spring soft blues and corals. Mey is a family-owned company, based in southern Germany, that has been manufacturing lingerie, bodywear and nightwear since 1928. The company’s balance of tradition and innovation means that they are able to produce high quality, sustainable garments.

The entire range is made in Europe and has various certifications for sustainability, which means the company meets strict compliance criteria – so when you buy a Mey garment, you can be confident it really is as sustainable as it says it is.

Philip is the main agent for Mey in the UK, he says: “Mey is a fabulous brand to work with. We stock lingerie boutiques and department stores throughout the UK and Ireland and are delighted that Shirley Allum has now been one of our valued customers for several years.

“We enjoy taking part in lingerie week to meet Shirley’s customers and explain more about the Mey brand. Shirley actually visited the factory with us a couple of years ago to see for herself how the product is made.

“Mey offers a great range of basic lingerie, bodywear and nightwear/loungewear all year round and also twice a year.”

In the footwear section, new for this season, Strive footwear offers orthotic shoes made using premium natural materials. Strive footwear has a built-in contoured footbed designed by leading UK podiatrists, called ‘Biomechanical Footbed Technology’ Premium Natural Materials.

New stock can either be viewed online, or by visiting the Shirley Allum fashions and Lingerie store on Shaftesbury High Street. Open Monday to Saturday 9am to 5pm.

www.shirleyallum.co.uk

We are still using an undemocratic and outdated voting system

I AM writing to express my frustration and anger at the continued failure of the Labour and Conservative leadership to support electoral reform in the UK.

It is outrageous that, in this day and age, we are still using an outdated and undemocratic first-past-the-post system that fails to accurately represent the diversity of our society.

The current system leads to millions of votes being wasted and allows parties to gain power with only a minority of the popular vote. This is not democratic, and it is time for a change. It is a disgrace that the Labour and Conservative parties continue to cling to this unfair system, despite the clear benefits of proportional representation.

As part of the ‘Sort The System’ Westminster lobby event on 24 May, I hope to meet with our MP for Salisbury, John Glen, to demand that they commit to supporting electoral reform and push for a fairer, more democratic system. It is time for the voices of all voters to be heard, not just those who happen to live in a cluster of marginal constituencies.

The Labour and Conservative leadership must wake up and recognise the need for proportional representation. Their failure to support reform is a clear indication that they are more interested in maintaining their own power than in truly representing the people they were elected to serve.

DARREN JAMES

Chair, Salisbury & District Trades Union Council; Salisbury Constituency

Labour Party – Trade Union Liaison Officer; Communication Workers Union (CWU) – South West Region Political Lead

Fact of the fortnight...

‘IF YOU throw those around, willy-nilly, you’ll never find anything…’

Parents everywhere will have uttered the phrase ‘willy nilly’ at one time or another, usually in relation to discarded toys or clothes, such as the Lego pictured.

But where does it come from?

Well, experts believe that ‘willynilly’ hails from a historic saying, ‘will I, nill I’ which means ‘I am willing, I am unwilling’.

Its original meaning was ‘whether one likes it or not’, but it has evolved over centuries to the ‘willy-nilly’ we currently know. Incarnations along the way include ‘nilly-willy’, ‘willing, nilling’ and ‘William nilliam’.

So the next time you find yourself telling someone off, turn it into a lesson in the evolution of language!

Parish poll politics

IT seems Westminster isn’t the only place where politics has gone crazy.

After all that fuss about the need for a parish poll, how the public needed to tell the City Council just what it thought of it’s council tax precept – only a scattering of people were angry enough to vote.

For a poll that was all about saving us residents money, it proved to be a huge waste of just that.

BEMUSED Salisbury

Coronation fun

I DON’T know about anyone else but I thoroughly enjoyed the coronation festivities that were on offer in the region

My husband and I watched the actual ceremony at home

and felt proud of our nation and its history.

We tried to get out to some of the festivities on offer over the rest of the weekend, dipping in and out really and I was so pleasantly surprised by the good will that everyone was showing to each other.

I heard so many people say just how well ‘we’ do this sort of thing and that pomp and pageantry really set us apart from our cousins and neighbours.

For me, that rings true, but I was also struck by how well, as a nation, we welcome in other cultures and how they become part of what makes us such a strong and resilient place.

The concert on Sunday wasn’t our cup of tea, but again, what a spectacle and well done to everyone involved.

NAME AND ADDRESS

CORRECTIONS

An eagle-eyed reader phoned in this week to tell us that we named the river incorrectly on page 28 of the last edition. It should be the Nadder not the Avon.

Thank you, dear reader.

In the Antiques column last week, we revisited some old stories to highlight what priceless heirlooms could be hiding in plain sight, or in a box in the attic.

However, we’ve been advised that the column made a number of errors:

The teapot sold in Salisbury in 2018, not 2016.

The vendor did not think the teapot was Isleworth.

The potter’s name was John Bartlam, not John Bertram.

We must also note the correct spelling of Woolley and Wallis.

World Bubble Tea Day at CUPP

Words and photo by Tristan Ovington

There was a festive spirit in the bubble tea shop, CUPP, recently. We caught up with one of the owners, Roberta Herridge, who explained more.

“National Boba Tea (bubble tea) Day on April 30th for CUPP Salisbury and other CUPP stores all around the country was an amazing, fun-filled day,” explains Roberta.

“People embraced the celebrations. We gave out 100 free bubble teas to the first 100 customers and had 25% off for the rest of the day, and we had games and surprises for customers all day.

“A massive queue of customers was waiting before we even opened our door, and we all had a great time.”

Roberta then reflected on the tourists that enjoyed her cafe. “Because we are centrally located, on the way to the beautiful cathedral, we see a lot of tourists from all over the world who travelled here to visit Salisbury and surrounding areas.

“We had customers from Spain, France, Portugal, Brazil, America, the Czech Republic, and Mexico. We enjoy making

them feel welcome in the city and talking to them about their home countries and travels to support tourism in Salisbury.

Regarding those who may feel bubble tea is a trend for young people, Roberta

says: “Our main customers are young people, although we have more and more regular customers who are adults (30-40%). Some people mistakenly believe that all drinks are ‘very sugary’ and ‘sickly sweet’, which is untrue.

“You can customise your drink and we have many sugar, tea, and dairy-free options. For example, a man in his 80s came in when we did a Chinese new year special called Tiger Milk Tea, and he tried bubble tea for the first time in his life because he was born in the year of the tiger and was curious to try it. He seemed to enjoy it”

So what does the future hold? “CUPP has very exciting plans for the future to add exciting new products and special edition drinks.

“We look forward to having new summer special drinks and welcoming back the Mo-tea-to series, which consists of refreshing lime juice, mint, and green jasmine tea, absolutely delicious and served with lychee-popping bubbles! Watch this space.”

Boost for residents as local broadband provider reduces full fibre costs

WESSEX Internet, the local provider of ultrafast full fibre connectivity, has updated its range of residential broadband packages to offer faster download speeds and enhanced services at new lower price points.

This comes against a background of national providers, such as BT and Sky, introducing high mid-contract prices in April.

Uswitch reported that the BT 2023 mid-contract price rise of almost 15% was the largest ever seen for broadband in the UK*.

Available to both new and existing residential customers, Wessex Internet’s refreshed suite of full fibre broadband services includes two new packages:

Full Fibre 250 – its lowest priced unlimited broadband package at £39.50 per month.

Full Fibre 250 provides customers with 250Mbps download speeds and 125Mbps upload speeds.

Full Fibre 500 provides lightning-fast downloads of 500Mbps and upload speeds of 250Mbps for £55 per month –with the added bonus of Wessex Internet’s WiFi Promise.

This WiFi Promise (which is ideal for customers living in older and larger properties that may struggle with the reach of WiFi signal), provides customers with up to two extra broadband hubs free of charge if they can’t get at least 15Mbps

in every room of their house.

In addition, Wessex Internet has reduced the price of its premium Full Fibre 900 package to £79 per month, saving customers £60 a year, while increasing their upload speeds to 450Mbps.

The company’s introductory package, Full Fibre Lite, remains at its current monthly cost of £29 per month.

Chief commercial officer, Jez Allman, said: “Wessex Internet

has always been committed to providing outstanding connectivity and service to our customers, at a fair price. We’re also committed to listening to our customers and recently completed the largest customer survey and market research we’ve ever undertaken.

“We know the local communities we serve are concerned about the cost of living. Therefore, we decided to buck the industry trend of raising prices for existing customers by introducing a range of new packages available to both new and existing residential customers.

“These new packages demonstrate our commitment to offering more value, quality and peace of mind.”

*https://www.uswitch.com/ broadband/guides/bt-announceprice-hikes-what-canconsumers-do/

Roberta Herridge, one of CUPP’s owners

St Ives House Celebrates As Care South Is Rated One Of The Top Care Home Groups In The Uk For A Third Consecutive Year

Residents and their families and friends have rated not-for-profit charity and leading care provider, Care South as one of the ‘Top 20 Care Home Groups’ in the UK in the 2023 Care Home Awards for the third year in a row! Care South has been ranked higher than thousands of homes across the UK. The award is based on the provider’s care home reviews and is thanks to the high-quality of care consistently provided by team members across the group of care homes and care at home offices across the south of England.

St Ives House care home is one of the homes owned by Care South. It accommodates 60 residents in a home-from-home environment and

offers activities that provide new experiences, encourage social interaction and contribute to the overall wellbeing of residents, who are able to participate as little or as often as they wish. Simon Bird, Chief Executive, Care South, added: “We are delighted to have received the Top 20 Award for the third year running based on reviews from residents, their families and friends. I would like to thank everyone who has taken time to leave a review which is such a good endorsement of consistent consumer satisfaction. Your reviews mean so much to our wonderful team.

“It goes without saying that we would not have received the award without our fantastic frontline care staff in all our care homes who always go above and beyond to provide the very best for those in our care. We really appreciate all our staff and the great lengths they go to make our residents’ experiences in later life the best they can be.”

Excellent workmanship and customer service for more than 25 years... (formerly Hillier Landscapes)

We offer the following services to allow us to help you create an outdoor space you can really enjoy:

Garden design

Soft landscaping

Plant supply

Planting plans

Hard landscaping

We also offer a full maintenance service to help keep your garden looking it’s best all year round.

To find out more or for a free no obligation quotation please contact us on 01794 368855 or email us at info@kingsoaklandscapes.co.uk

Making your dream garden... come true

SAVE 5% ON PRODUCTION OF THIS ADVERT!

Quote: ‘SALISBURY’

Wiltshire Wildlife Trust appoints new CEO; joins mid-August

WILTSHIRE Wildlife Trust has announced the appointment of a new CEO. Jo Lewis joins the trust in mid-August from the Soil Association, where she has been policy and strategy director for the last eight years.

This follows the announcement that the current chief executive, Dr Gary Mantle MBE, will retire this year after 33 years of dedicated service and amazing achievement for the wildlife and people of Wiltshire.

Jo comes to the Trust with a wealth of experience and achievement in fields that will be key to the success of the trust’s new 2023-2030 strategy, which was launched last month – environmental policy, developing nature-based solutions, advancing naturefriendly, regenerative and organic farming that also produces healthy, affordable food and promoting sustainable behaviours, especially amongst young people.

Jo is a member of the Food, Farming and Countryside

Commission’s ‘Farming Leadership Group’ and of the Food Ethics Council, which she formerly chaired.

Before joining the Soil Association, she was convenor of Defra’s Sustainable Consumption Roundtable and head of policy at think tank Green Alliance, which acts as an umbrella voice for many environmental organisations.

Jo led the ‘Food for Life’ programme, aimed at giving every child the chance to grow and cook food and connect with farms, for nearly a decade.

As part of this programme, Jo founded the ‘Food for Life Served Here’ scheme which now certifies two million healthy and sustainable meals served every day in schools, hospitals and care settings.

Jo said: “I feel so privileged to be taking over the reins from Gary and the Trust, with its inspirational track record of innovation that makes a difference both to nature and to people’s lives.

“I can imagine no more important role right now than leading by example for nature’s recovery in Wiltshire, and proving how to unlock the pace and scale of change we need on the ground.”

The trust will ensure a smooth transition and handover to allow Jo to benefit from Gary’s tremendous knowledge and relationships with its many stakeholders.

www.wildlife.org

If you love wild and unusual spaces, volunteers needed

DO you have the energy and passion to help manage a historical city space for increased wildlife and diversity? A volunteering opportunity has opened up for those who like to get active outside and love unusual wild city spaces.

Additional volunteers with a passion for wildlife conservation and some free time on Saturday afternoons are needed to join the existing volunteer team at the St Clements wildlife haven in central Salisbury.

Tasks will include mowing paths around the site, keeping our pollinators’ bramble patch in check, creating wildflower spaces, and generally taking a sympathetic approach to managing the trees and understory, already present in the space.

The gated churchyard has had a community presence for a number of years, but closed due to the pandemic.

A new team of volunteers, in post since June 2022, has started work preparing the

space for visitors once again but need some additional help.

You will suit this voluntary role if you are interested in wildlife and plant interactions, and are happy to get hands-on and involved with carefully managing an untamed piece of land, to encourage and increase diversity.

A wildlife community project was originally proposed by Rebecca Twigg, from Kingdom of Sticks, in 2015.

“The site is utterly charming, with birds and other wildlife enjoying the peaceful sanctuary, but we do need more hands to help us get the site ready for visitors again,” Rebecca said.

“We don’t know when it’ll be ready to open the gate to visitors again, this will depend on the number of new and willing volunteers who can join us. But any updates will be advertised in due course.”

Please contact Rebecca Twigg via Kingdomofsticks.com for more information about this enjoyable but physical role.

Jo Lewis will join the Trust in the summer to replace outgoing CEO Gary Mantle MBE

Young nature enthusiast flies the flag for prestigious scholarship

A YOUNG nature ambassador from Wiltshire is encouraging other students with an interest in the environment to follow their passion and sign-up for a prestigious Young Darwin Scholarship.

Izzy Fry, who is currently studying for her A-Levels at South Wilts Grammar School in Salisbury, is a keen wildlife photographer and eventually hopes to go on to study for a degree in wildlife conservation and ecology.

Last year, she became a Young Darwin Scholar with the Field Studies Council – the UK’s leading outdoor education charity – and she says the experience helped to broaden her skills and focus her long-term efforts on achieving a career in the environmental sector.

“The Young Darwin Scholarship was so varied,” said the 17-year-old. “We learned so many new skills from wildflower identification to small mammal trapping and how to survey bats.

“Alongside learning these

new skills, I also met lots of professionals already working in the field which was just brilliant.

“I enjoyed it so much. It gave me so much insight into lots of different areas of conservation and if other young people are thinking about the same career path, I’d encourage them to go for it.”

The Field Studies Council recruits annually for the Young Darwin Scholarship and this year the charity is looking to take on 80 new scholars from across the UK to mark its 80th anniversary. Applications will close on 4 June.

Izzy, whose interest in nature was inspired at a young age by her grandparents, is already having a big impact in her local community having become a young ambassador for the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust helping to engage more young people with nature

She is also a trainee bird ringer with the British Trust for Ornithology, helped establish the Young Nature Watch in her

local area, is a very keen wildlife photographer and was also crowned winner of the National Biodiversity Network Young Person’s Award for wildlife recording in 2021.

She added: “There are very few people at my school interested in wildlife and the environment so the Young Darwin Scholarship was a really great way for me to meet new people my age with similar

interests. I still keep in touch with the other scholars and I’m sure our paths will cross again in future.”

For further details on scholarship dates, locations and information on how to apply visit www.field-studies-council. org/young-darwin-scholarshipapplications/

Environment grants for community or charitable projects

WILTSHIRE Community Foundation has once again teamed up with Wessex Water to offer grants of up to £2,000 for community or charitable projects working to protect or improve the environment.

The Wessex Water Environment Fund, which is now open for applications, will fund projects that involve communities in environmental activities that benefit the area, have a positive impact on the local environment or help communities understand the importance of supporting it.

“Priority will be given to initiatives that save water or improve sustainability and local biodiversity,” said Kirsty Scarlett, Wessex Water’s head of

community engagement. “The grants will be targeted at organisations where a small amount of money can make a significant difference,” she added.

“Groups eligible are those with charitable aims, registered charities and community interest companies with an annual income of less than £500,000. Schools and parish councils can apply if they can demonstrate community benefit to their project.”

Grants can go towards project costs, including equipment, salaries and overheads.

The fund is part of the company’s charitable foundation, which provides a dedicated stream of funding for the voluntary sector.

Last year, more than £19,000 from the fund was awarded to 15 projects. Salisbury-based youth charity, Rise:61, used a £1,500 grant to create a sensory garden and composting area at the community garden its volunteers reclaimed from bramble-strewn waste ground at

Bemerton Heath housing estate.

Applications are open until end of day on 22 May. Find out more about the fund, its criteria and how to apply at wiltshirecf. org.uk

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.

the

Izzy Fry is a young ambassador for the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust

Public urged to keep watch during greatest risk period for the tree pest

THE FORESTRY Commission has urged the public to report sightings of oak processionary moth caterpillars.

We are now entering the greatest risk period as the caterpillars emerge between June and August to feed before turning into adult moths.

Oak processionary moth, which is a tree pest, was first identified in London in 2006 and has since spread to some surrounding counties in the south of England (mainly south east). Its caterpillars and their nests contain hairs which can cause itchy rashes, eye and throat irritations, and should not be touched under any circumstances.

Oak processionary moth caterpillars also feed on the leaves of several species of oak trees. This can cause the trees to lose their leaves, negatively impacting their growth, and become more vulnerable to other stresses, like drought.

Andrew Hoppit, Oak Processionary Moth project manager, said: “As we enter the greatest risk period for Oak Processionary Moth, it’s important that those living in affected areas understand the health risks so that they can be vigilant when enjoying outdoor spaces.

The Forestry Commission has a whole host of information online that can be used to identify the moth, simply visit Managing Oak Processionary Moth in England. If you spot the pest, report the sighting via our TreeAlert portal. Alternatively, you can email opm@forestrycommission.gov. uk or call 0300 067 4442.

Professor Nicola Spence, UK chief plant health officer, said: “Our oak trees are an iconic part of our British landscape. Reporting any sightings of Oak Processionary Moth to the Forestry Commission will both

minimise the pest’s spread and reduce the damaging impact it poses to tree health.

“The caterpillars and their nests can also cause irritation when touched by members of the public.”

The areas most affected by the moth at present are London and the surrounding counties. However, parts of the Gazette area fall in the 10km from Pest Free Zone area, which forms a barrier between the areas considered pest free and the buffer zone that surrounds the areas known to be affected.

A government programme to manage OPM has been in place since 2012. Over the last five years, £10 million has been invested into oak health, including the management of oak processionary moths, as well as research to develop novel control techniques and new policy responses.

In March, The Forestry Commission announced an update to the operational zones and boundaries to manage the

spread of OPM. In response to government surveillance in 2022, the Established Area in which OPM is established, and the Buffer Zone in which an annual programme of OPM management led by the Forestry Commission takes place, were expanded.

Following these changes, there will also be new regulation coming into force on 24 May permitting the movement of large oak trees and trade within the Established area and Buffer zone, provided certain biosecurity requirements and movement restrictions are met.

Movement of trees from the buffer zone to the 10km from Pest Free area will be restricted.

How to identify the caterpillars

Nests are typically dome or teardrop-shaped, averaging the size of a tennis ball. They are white when fresh, but soon become discoloured and brown.

The caterpillars have black heads and bodies covered in long white hairs which contain

proteins which can cause itchy rashes, eye, and throat irritations.

They can also occasionally cause breathing difficulties in people and pets, so should not be touched under any circumstances. Following possible OPM contact, visit your pharmacist for relief from milder skin or eye irritations. Consult a GP or call NHS111 for more serious reactions. Contact a vet if animals are seriously affected. See

The caterpillars form a mass on oak trees that cause damage to leaves, affecting growth

Credit: Kleuske/wikipedia

The adult moth

Credit: Gyorgy Csoka, Hungary Forest Research Institute, Bugwood.org

Voters are “frustrated and angry”

IN the aftermath of a chastening performance by the Conservative Party in the recent local elections, cabinet minister Lucy Frazer told Sky News: “I know people are frustrated and angry...”

Frazer admitted “It’s really important to listen to people…”, but refused to accept the loss of 945 seats reflected on Rishi Sunak as prime minister.

Adamant the outcome of the poll would not prompt a change of strategy, the culture secretary claimed Sunak needed more time to deliver on the pledges he made at the start of the year.

This is, however, not a widely held view within the Conservative party.

Former cabinet minister John Redwood called for an immediate tax-cutting budget.

Back bencher Christopher Chote claimed “We (the government) need to change direction and make it clear to people what we stand for…”

Former Home Secretary Priti Patel directed her venom specifically at the party leadership. In her view, senior figures at Westminster had “…done a better job at damaging the party…” over the past year

than Labour.

Another former cabinet minister, Nadine Dorries, was equally scathing: “We are drifting and people know that,” she said. “They can sense it and they can smell it. We no longer have that inspirational leader and those visionary policies.

“What happened to levelling up? It’s been all but dumped… a U-turn on the promised bonfire of EU regulation, which in itself demonstrates a paucity of ambition.”

While the Tories suffered at the ballot box there were significant gains from the other parties.

There were 643 gains for Labour and 415 for the Liberal Democrats. The Green party’s strategy of targeting rural areas achieved 200 gains including their ‘first’ overall council control at Mid Suffolk.

Labour gains in Brexit-voting parts of the country will be of significant concern to the government.

An understandably upbeat shadow health secretary Wes Streeting told the BBC: “Labour has made gains in places that people didn’t expect us to four years ago.

“Whether it’s in the south of England, whether it’s in the north of England, right across England in places where we need to win to form a majority, Labour is winning back support.

“And we’re confident we can win a majority of the next election…”

‘People have had enough of lies’

THERE is a Venn diagram of people who are awake at 3am: those who can’t sleep due to age or ill health, those with small children who do not sleep, and those people with a fanatical interest in elections.

At 3am on Friday, May 5, I found myself in two of those groups as I avidly scrolled Twitter whilst feeding the baby, hooked on the local election results that were rolling in.

For the Liberal Democrats, it was a historic victory with our best result in decades.

Liberal Democrats gained majority control of 12 councils and held control of all 17 councils we were defending.

We gained 407 councillors net, with net gains in more than 100 councils. In total, we elected 1,628 councillors in these elections.

By the following morning, my Lib Dem WhatsApp groups were getting very excited and people were stopping me in the street to remark that ‘you’re having a good time, aren’t you’.

In the aftermath, The BBC’s projected national vote share put the Liberal Democrats on 20%.

This is the highest it has been since 2010 and just 6% behind the Conservatives’ current polling.

We did not have local elections in

Wiltshire.

Yet in recent by-elections across the county we have been winning more than 60% of the vote against Conservatives.

I am sure there are many Conservative councillors across Wiltshire who were grateful to not have had to fight for their seat on May 4 and I wonder at the confidence of our Conservative Wiltshire MPs facing a general election.

For no doubt, the message nationally and locally is that people are fed up with being let down and taken for granted by this Conservative Government - it is time for a change.

Knocking on doors recently, the anti-conservative vote is strong.

People are tired of the cost of living crisis, the NHS crisis, the policing crisis.

People are fed up with the strikes, the sewage, and the scandals.

They have had enough of the lies, the cover-ups and appalling mismanagement of the economy.

Next year’s general election is going to bring about change and I, for one, am looking forward to it.

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

Victoria Charleston Lib Dems Parliamentary spokesperson for Salisbury constituency

Letters calls for minister to retain parallel trade permits post-June

THE NFU has written to Mark Spencer MP, the cabinet minister for farming, to raise concerns over the loss of parallel trade permits, postBrexit.

NFU members are concerned that the loss of the permits will have a negative effect on the availability of plant protection products (PPPs) and want the minister to commit to retain them.

Parallel trade permits allow plant protection products to be imported into the UK for sale and use, because it has been authorised from the EU country it is being sourced from.

But then only if the UK regulator determined that the product was identical in composition to a reference product already authorised in the UK.

There are fears that the loss of parallel permits will lead to supply shortages and rising prices

Credit: Lite-Trac/wikipedia

The imported PPPs help to fill supply gaps when there are shortages, but also offer a wider variety of sources and prices. As the NFU points out, they effectively act as a price

regulator. However, from 30 June, all sales of parallel products are due to end, while the final use date for these products has been set for 30 June, 2024.

The reason for the cessation of practice comes down to information sharing.

The UK regulator would check whether the import was identical to a reference product by obtaining authorisation data from either country’s regulator (EU) or from the company that produced the product.

Defra and the HSE determined that this data exchange was an EU function and therefore could not continue following Brexit.

The NFU states that farmers have already begun to experience a loss of PPPs on the market, both the choice and availability, with fears that price rises may follow.

This, the NFU states, could have a significant impact with an estimated 10% of all PPPs used in the UK coming from parallel permits.

Outdated, inefficient, expensive: Defra’s IT systems

Local users of Defra systems are being let down by the department’s reliance on outdated, inefficient and poorly performing IT systems. That’s the view of a recent report by the Public Accounts Committee.

Defra systems are used by a wide range of customers and are critical to the country’s trade, disease prevention, flood protection, and air quality monitoring. But the recent report stated that, for its customers – from farmers to vets to scientists to traders and beyond – its legacy IT systems feel outdated and difficult to use. Defra and its organisations handle around 14 million transactions per year that still involve paper forms, making them inefficient and expensive.

Though it is embarking on a fundamental review and potential restructure of its organisation, Defra does not yet have a concurrent pro-active

strategy for the transformation of its digital services, or for challenges like reducing reliance on paper forms and making applications widely available on mobile phones.

Defra estimates that it needs to spend £726 million on modernising legacy services between 2021 and 2025, and that fully transforming its digital systems could save £20 million to £25 million every year.

But the Committee says the lack of overall vision means any changes made now to its digital systems may not be appropriate in the longer-term and could lead instead to wasted time and money.

80% of Defra’s IT applications remain either in extended support, possibly incurring additional charges for updates, or are completely unsupported by their supplier, and it hasn’t given enough attention to the impact of its

poor digital services on its users. Nor does it measure the cost to users of its unmodernised digital services, so it is not possible to assess the total burden they place on other organisations and the wider economy. For example, vets have previously had to buy old laptops to be able to run the programmes they needed to use.

Defra is also struggling to recruit the digital, data and technology staff it needs, and so it remains over-reliant on contractors which can cost up to twice as much. The committee called on Defra to explain what new approaches it will adopt to recruit staff and reduce its reliance on contractors and temporary staff to provide digital skills.

Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, deputy chair of the committee, said: “Defra’s IT systems are so outmoded and disconnected –where they exist at all, instead

of paper forms – that in some cases the professionals who keep our food, water and air safe have been forced to buy obsolete equipment just to fill in the forms to fulfil their regulatory responsibilities.

“We are facing down rapidly spreading animal diseases, maybe the next pandemic, with systems that may rely on moving paper forms around. This cannot continue.

“We on the PAC will also not accept a situation where Defra spends hundreds of millions of taxpayers’ money on a disjointed upgrade programme only to find that it no longer fits the structure of new systems of air quality monitoring, food and clean water supply in this country.

“ It’s time for a complete overhaul at Defra, with a concurrent, pro-active digital strategy that matches every step.”

New scheme will highlight venison

A NEW scheme aimed at boosting consumers’ confidence in the venison market - and support sustainable management of wild deer - has launched.

The UK’s deer population is believed to be at its highest level for 1,000 years, with some two million deer in our countryside and semi-urban areas.

A growing deer population with no natural predator puts more browsing pressure on woodland ground flora through their consumption of tree shoots, shrubs and woody

vegetation that sequester carbon.

Increased wild deer management is essential if we are to protect existing woodland and newly planted saplings, meet England’s tree planting targets, protect agricultural crops and biodiversity and increase carbon stocks in woodlands.

The wild venison quality assurance scheme, which will be open to applicants in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, will ensure a set of audited standards are met throughout the supply chain,

from forests, to the processing chain, to supermarket shelves.

Successful applicants –including venison producers and processors – will support the development of a wider, more robust marketplace for British wild venison, which is a sustainable and healthy food source.

Applicants must demonstrate they comply with the new scheme, ensuring carcasses are handled correctly, premises are registered as food businesses with the local authority, and that standards expected for producing food are met in line

with relevant regulations and best practice, ensuring that full traceability occurs. It is hoped the first quality-assured meat badged under this scheme will go on sale next year.

Forestry Minister, Trudy Harrison, said: “We must develop ways to manage deer more sustainably if we are to meet our tree planting targets and protect our precious woodlands and biodiversity.

“This announcement is an important step towards achieving that aim and creating a thriving market for British wild venison.”

‘We must value farming roles,’ says NFU president Minette Batters

UK workers need to be inspired to work in the farming industry, according to the president of the NFU, as she revealed £16m of fruit and vegetables were ‘wasted’ last year.

Minette Batters, a Wiltshire farmer, said the UK Government talking of jobs such as picking fruit as ‘low-skilled’ does not value the importance of the roles enough.

Her comments came after Home Secretary Suella Braverman, speaking at a conference of conservative activists on Monday, said Britons should be trained to drive trucks and gather crops rather than filling the vacancies with foreign workers.

She told the National Conservatism Conference: “We need to get overall immigration numbers down. And we mustn’t forget how to do things ourselves.

“There is no good reason why we can’t train up enough HGV drivers, butchers or fruit pickers.

“Brexit enables us to build a highskilled, high-wage economy that is less dependent on low-skilled foreign labour.”

But speaking on Sky News on May 16, Ms Batters, pictured, said the current situation was ‘challenging’ and the value of jobs such as fruit picking needed to be recognised.

“This has been a huge huge issue. When we were members of the EU we were the preferred country to work in out of all member states,” she said.

“People wanted to come here, most of all because it’s highly regulated, it’s well paid and of course, that freedom of movement has ended so now (we have) these visa schemes, where (we are) bringing people in from very challenging parts of the world in some cases.

“There’s a lot of cost attached to coming here and last year, as an example, with the crops - fruit, vegetables and flowers - we wasted £60m worth of high-quality fruit and vegetables.

“So it’s really important that we have a

seasonal workers scheme that runs for nine months of the year - the current runs for six months - we know whos coming here, we know when they go back again, but we can be under no illusions that this is challenging and this is costly.

“And government continues to talk about low-skilled work. Picking our fruit and vegetables is highly skilled and we need to, I think, recognise the value of these jobs if we’re going to inspire a UK workforce to want to do them.

“So we need to really focus, I think, on the skillsets that we need in this country.”

Under current rules, butchers are eligible to come to the UK as skilled workers, while fruit pickers are eligible for seasonal worker visas.

HGV drivers were eligible for special visas last year, but have since been dropped from the list.

Grant Shapps, energy secretary, said on Sunday that Brexit had brought the ability for more government control of visas.

“We have a migration advisory committee that says there’s a shortage in this area or that area,” he told Sky News.

“One of the advantages now, with Brexit, is we have control over our own rules and our policy.”

Save the date: popular Alderbury clothing exchange set to return

THE ALDERBURY Clothing Exchange is back by popular demand.

Having had huge success with their February event, their summer swap, sponsored by Mr Fencing Wiltshire, will take place just before Father’s Day on Saturday, 17th June at St Mary’s Hall, Whaddon. The event opens from 10am and closes at 3pm.

They’ll also be hosting a pop-up at Alderbury’s Picnic in the Park event on Saturday, 3rd June, with some rails for guests to browse, plus they’re joining the main stage for a secondhand fashion show.

Organised by five volunteers from the community, the Alderbury Clothing Exchange aims to provide local people with access to free, goodquality clothing, stopping items needlessly ending up in landfill, while having fun.

Their ‘Swap don’t Shop’ motto encourages people to prioritise second-hand clothing over buying fast fashion items.

Founder and organiser Jenna Lloyd said: “Manufacturing

clothes in the massive quantities that brands do is incredibly damaging to the environment and lots of it ends up in landfill.

“Me and the A.C.E Team are passionate about making sure that these amazing clothes don’t go to waste. We love seeing how happy people are after finding something special to wear at our events – without having to spend any money.”

Caroline from the A.C.E Team added: “The first exchange was hard work but it

SIXPENNY HANDLEY CRAFT FAIR & TEAS

Village Hall, Common Road SP5 5NJ

Saturday 27 May, 10am - 1pm, FREE entry

Crafts / Hot drinks / Homemade cakes

Information: 6dhandleyhall@gmail.com

Seeking help with your family tree?

Free entry and advice tracing your ancestors at Family History Day

Saturday 17th June 10am – 3pm

Michael Herbert Hall South Street, Wilton, SP2 0JS

Wiltshire, Somerset and Dorset, Oxfordshire and Dorset Family History Societies

Information Desks on getting started and using DNA tests.

More information: wiltshirefhs.co.uk

was really exciting to sort logistics, particularly finding an affordable village venue and sufficient clothes rails to display the clothes so it didn’t look like a jumble sale, designing and putting posters up/arranging word of mouth publicity and drop off points.

“But the village rose to the challenge and we packed the hall full of lots of fab items for all sizes, ages, genders and tastes.”

The team will be accepting donations of men’s, women’s

and children’s clothing and shoes in good condition during the week commencing Monday, 12th June, with drop-offs also being accepted at St Marys Hall, Whaddon on Friday, 16th June.

The team will also be collecting food and toiletries for Salisbury Foodbank again and will be sharing a list of their most-needed items ahead of the event.

The Alderbury Clothing Exchange is free to attend. You don’t need to bring anything in order to take a bag of items away.

However, there are running costs associated with the events, such as storage items and printing costs so donations towards these costs are greatly appreciated, if not essential.

To volunteer as a mode for the Alderbury Picnic in the Park fashion show on 3 June, please contact them the email or social media accounts below.

Facebook or Instagram at @alderburyclothingexchange, or email: alderburyclothingexchange@ gmail.com

Free event in aid of National Children’s Gardening Week

Salisbury City Council will once again be hosting a free event in Victoria Park on 31 May to mark National Children’s Gardening Week.

Following the success of last year’s event, the event will give families with children aged around 5 to 11-years-old the opportunity to have fun outdoors and enjoy a range of gardening themed workshops.

Activities will include a clay workshop and sunflower planting. Wiltshire Wildlife Trust will be on hand to talk about why insects are important with its “pollinating insect on a stick”.

There will also be face painting and Share Salisbury will be giving you access to a Library of Things to borrow either on a one-off basis or at a reduced cost with a membership plan.

And the fun won’t stop there – children will be able to take away free wildflower seeds so they can learn how to grow plants that are great for the environment at home.

The event runs from 11am until 3pm.

FARLEY MUSIC FESTIVAL RETURNS FOR ITS 22ND YEAR. RUNNING FROM 13TH to 18TH JUNE 2023

This year the music festival celebrates the life of Christopher Wren. Wren was instrumental in the design and building of All Saints Church Farley, he died 300 years ago.

Farley Music has a solid record of bringing some of the best young musicians from around Europe and this year is no exception with even more artists than ever playing over 5 nights. Musicians include, Garwyn Linnell (Cello), Beatrice Nicholas (Piano), Sally Stocks (Flute) and Paul Turner (Piano), Nicholas Walker (Piano), Luca Gliozzi (Piano), Katya Grabova (Piano), Ariel Lane (Piano).

On Saturday 17th June there will be an Opera Gala, including, Rachel Ridout (Soprano), Olympia Hetherington (Mezzo-Soprano) Xavier Hetherington (Tenor), Ambrose Connolly (Baritone) and Nicholas Walker (Piano) - Including: Delibes – Flower Duet from Lakmé, act 1 Verdi – Quartet, Bella figlia dell’amore, from Rigoletto, act 3.

On Sunday 18 June 2023 at 6pm there will be an Evensong and Revd Canon Anna Macham will be speaking about the importance of music in the cathedral and in her personal faith.

Last year’s Farley Music Event was a wonderful week. Over 850 people came and experienced some fabulous music. The feedback from performers and audiences was excellent; £4000 was raised for humanitarian relief in Ukraine, sufficient money to complete the restoration of the organ and begin to make repairs to the church roof.

All details and tickets can be found at www.farleymusic.co.uk

13th June – 18th June 2023

World-class performances of classical music in the intimate setting of an iconic church

Tickets and details only available

www.farleymusic.co.uk Kindly sponsored by:

A crisis of brilliance as mysticism meets futurism: the art of Paul Nash

THE ARTS Society Salisbury’s May lecture was given by Dr David Haycock on The Art and Life of Paul Nash.

Nash was one of the most important British artists of the 20th century. He united the pastoral and mystical tradition embodied by English artists such as William Blake and Samuel Palmer, with the modern European movements of Futurism, Surrealism and Abstraction.

Dr Haycock, an established freelance art historian and curator, is best known for his 2009 book, A Crisis of Brilliance: Five Young British Artists and the Great War, one of whom was Nash, and so was able to draw on a wealth of knowledge for what proved a very interesting talk.

Nash was born in London in 1889 to a middle-class family and educated at St Paul’s.

Like his mother, he suffered from depression and claimed to see visions. He was accepted into The Slade School of Art, which at that time had become a key art scene under the leadership of Henry Tonks.

However, Nash struggled with drawing the human form and felt landscapes were more interesting and mysterious.

He was drawn to the standing stones at Avebury and especially to trees. His contemporaries included Ben Nicholson, Christopher Nevinson, and Dora Carrington.

Nash was idealistic and romantic. In 1911, he met Margaret Odeh who was to become his wife.

Unusually, he was recruited by the government to provide a record of the impact of WW1 and later WW2, with one condition – he was not allowed to show any dead bodies.

Nash voluntarily enlisted in 1914 and by 1917 was on the western front.

As a second-lieutenant, he was permitted to paint in his spare time. He felt that censorship prevented him from showing the true horrors of the war and so tried to convey these as metaphors through landscapes which reflected his own bitterness at the war.

Having previously worked in watercolours, in 1918, he was commissioned to make an oil painting for the first time. The Menin Road. He was also a very successful wood engraver.

In 1924, he suffered a mental breakdown as memories of the war haunted him like it did to so many others. His health was poor thanks to asthma which had probably been aggravated by inhaling gas in the trenches.

Throughout the 1930s, his paintings became increasingly abstract and surrealist.

By 1939, he was again asked to be a war artist and was attached to the RAF to make accurate drawings of aircraft, but Nash saw them rather as slaying monsters with the result that the RAF did not really know what to make of his paintings.

In turn, he felt his images were wanted more as propaganda.

In one of his most famous paintings, Totes Meer (Dead

Sea) he went to Oxford and painted images of dismantled aircraft pieces that resembled waves.

After the war, flowers became an inspiration for him, a famous example being Flight of the Magnolia,which was drawn in his garden.

Another painting, Eclipse of Sunflower, perhaps foresaw his own death in 1946.

In the last months of his life, he returned to drawing trees, the best example of which were probably the Wittenham Clumps.

He left behind a legacy of posters, ceramics, engravings

for books, and thousands of watercolours.

The next Arts Society lecture is on June 13 and will be given by Jonathan Foyle on Lost Finishes in Historic Buildings. This talk will explore the fashions of previous centuries and includes a recent personal discovery of national importance within the c15th century Guildhall of Stratfordupon-Avon… Shakespeare’s schoolroom.

For more information, visit: www.theartssocietysalisbury. org.uk or search for The Arts Society Salisbury on Facebook.

Above left: a Nash wood engraving; right: Beeches in the wind; Left: Battle of Britain

Commission opportunity at River Park

STUDIO Response in partnership with the Environment Agency has announced a commission opportunity as part of the arts programme for the new River Park in Salisbury.

The River Park is a strategically important regeneration project for the city which will create a new green corridor of public open space along the river Avon while delivering essential flood risk mitigation.

“We seek to appoint an artist to creatively investigate the design and installation of large-scale street artworks to the Coach Park WC block in the city centre,” a statement read. “The work will enhance the building aesthetically and also make a statement about its adjacency to the River Park, and to signpost and welcome people accordingly.

“The commission, therefore, is for a local artist to create artworks on the building that draw inspiration from the wildlife and natural context of the River Park.”

To receive the brief and for details on how to apply please contact clare@studio-response.com.

The deadline for expressions of interest is noon on 22nd May 2023.

The home of Country House opera in South West England featuring renowned soloists, a full orchestra and a large chorus of emerging young artists

Marquee bar | Picnics | Formal Dining

Jules Massenet LE ROI DE LAHORE

Sung in French with English surtitles 26, 27 July at 19.00 | Matinée: 29 July at 14.00

Wolfgang

Sung in Italian with English surtitles 25, 28, 29 July at 19.00 | Matinée: 27 July at 14.00

Coade Theatre, Bryanston, Blandford Forum

Box Office: dorsetopera.com

07570 366 186

ARTS IN BRIEF

ON Saturday, 27th May, Sarum Consort: The Queen of Heaven takes place at St Thomas’ Church in Salisbury. From 7.30pm, the joys and sorrows of the Virgin Mary are represented in music in this gorgeous programme of motets, magnificats and votive antiphons. stthomassalisbury.co.uk

On Sunday, 28th May at River Bourne Community Farm: Live @ TheFarm 2023 features Aladdin Sane, Absolutely Elton, Davey Jones Locker, Rockport Blues, and many more. From 2.30pm, there will licenced bars, food stands and children’s entertainment. . As a fundraiser for the farm, and for the safety of the animals please do not take your own food and drink onto the site. www.riverbournecommunityfarm.org.uk

On 13 July, Baroness Shami Chakrabarti will be giving a talk entitled To Be Free: Art and Liberty at 7pm in the cathedral, and a limited series of curator-led tours will also be available during the exhibition. Admission to the exhibition is free with Cathedral entry.

Original design by Augusto Ferri for the first Italian production of Le roi de Lahore in 1878 | Archivio Storico Ricordi

Arrow words

Wordsearch

Words of Japanese Origin

Across 1 Wheat, eg (5)

4 Functioning (6)

10 Depot (9)

11 Medical help, as in ‘first ___’ (3)

12 Personality, colloquially (5)

13 Tall, cylindrical headwear (3,3)

14 Constraint (11)

18 Noble (6)

20 A cook’s protective garment (5)

23 Floor covering (3)

24 Misleading statement (4-5)

25 Want (6)

26 Sources of wood (5)

Crossword Sudoku

Down

2 In the countryside (5)

3 Repress (7)

5 Expensive (5)

6 Bluster (7)

7 Circular movement of water (4)

again (5)

8 Once and then again (5)

9 Post-performance appearance (7,4)

9 Post-performance appearance (7,4)

15 Appears (7)

15 Appears (7)

16 Farm vehicle (7)

16 Farm vehicle (7)

17 Egyptian crosses (5)

17 Egyptian crosses (5)

19 Second (5)

19 Second (5)

21 Path (5)

21 Path (5)

22 Stepped (4)

22 Stepped (4)

5 8 7 7 8 6 2 1 8 2 3

3 4 1 7 9 7 6

Brain chain

Jumbo sudoku

Cryptic crossword

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 Part of wicket past umpire in part (5)

4 Very drunk bachelor taken with bingo game (6)

Killer sudoku

Across

1 Part of wicket past umpire in part (5)

Down

4 Very drunk bachelor taken with bingo game (6)

2 All in bars show mild disapproval over restricted gratuity (5)

10 Popular Swiss hero caught in film showing power of thought (9)

10 Popular Swiss hero caught in film showing power of thought (9)

11 Coin, one from the UK, not rupee (3)

3 Science graduate taking in old pair of lines refined snail, say (7)

11 Coin, one from the UK, not rupee (3)

12 Female BBC reporter for all to see making farewell (5)

12 Female BBC reporter for all to see making farewell (5)

5 State of agitation with husband moving afterwards (5)

13 Pen right to be included by manufacturer (6)

14 Stop edict union’s churned out (11)

13 Pen right to be included by manufacturer (6)

14 Stop edict union’s churned out (11)

18 Retreat quickly – or act foolishly! (4,2)

6 Board with a university making vivid impression (7)

18 Retreat quickly – or act foolishly! (4,2)

7 Extraordinary round for German (4)

20 What a literate person can do for bout of time (5)

8 Six around rector – and priest (5)

23 Wise figure in hood missing top (3)

20 What a literate person can do for bout of time (5)

23 Wise figure in hood missing top (3)

24 Bring before court writing about English economy (9)

25 British PM on border in chaos (6)

26 Rum left by yard in a strange fashion (5)

Across

1 Part of wicket past umpire in part (5)

4 Very drunk bachelor taken with bingo game (6)

10 Popular Swiss hero caught in film showing power of thought (9)

11 Coin, one from the UK, not rupee (3)

12 Female BBC reporter for all to see making farewell (5)

13 Pen right to be included by manufacturer (6)

14 Stop edict union’s churned out (11)

18 Retreat quickly – or act foolishly! (4,2)

20 What a literate person can do for bout of time (5)

23 Wise figure in hood missing top (3)

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

24 Bring before court writing about English economy (9)

25 British PM on border in chaos (6)

26 Rum left by yard in a strange fashion (5)

9 Expression shown by first person over race ending (11)

24 Bring before court writing about English economy (9)

15 Fish taken by friend in a perfect state (7)

25 British PM on border in chaos (6)

16 It’s Dane that’s crashed alternatively (7)

26 Rum left by yard in a strange fashion (5)

17 Invention in a new sci-fi horror film (5)

19 Time taken with item for fencing – and tent

21 Some fine qualities in peer (5)

22 Order school class (4)

Down

2 All in bars show mild disapproval over restricted gratuity (5)

3 Science graduate taking in old pair of lines on refined snail, say (7)

5 State of agitation with husband moving out afterwards (5)

6 Board with a university making vivid impression (7)

7 Extraordinary round for German (4)

8 Six around rector – and priest (5)

9 Expression shown by first person over race ending (11)

15 Fish taken by friend in a perfect state (7)

16 It’s Dane that’s crashed alternatively (7)

17 Invention in a new sci-fi horror film (5)

19 Time taken with item for fencing – and tent (5)

21 Some fine qualities in peer (5)

22 Order school class (4)

Exploring our rights and freedoms: ‘to be free’ at the Cathedral

WITH conflict around the world dominating the news and the unsettling debate around immigration, a timely contemporary art exhibition is currently showing in Salisbury Cathedral.

Curated by the cathedral’s visual arts curator, Beth Hughes, To Be Free not only showcases work by leading contemporary artists like Ai Weiwei, Yinka Shonibare, Mona Hatoum and Cornelia Parker, but also explores what freedom is, what it means to be free, how it feels to be free, and the plight of those who are not free.

In some cases, the artists themselves have seen freedom challenged at first hand.

One of the exhibition’s centrepieces is Cornelia Parker’s Magna Carta (An Embroidery), a 13-metre-long embroidery installation depicting the Magna Carta Wikipedia pages. This huge piece is the perfect complement to Salisbury Cathedral’s rare 1215 Magna Carta, which is on display in a newly updated exhibition in the Chapter House.

Magna Carta (An Embroidery) was an act of democracy in its making, with over 200 hand-stitch portions sewn by civil rights campaigners, MPs, lawyers,

barons, artists and prison inmates. Thirty-six prisoners from 13 different prisons in England contributed to the piece under the supervision of the social enterprise Fine Cell Work.

Still images from the pages were sewn by members of the Embroiderers Guild, Royal School of Needlework and Hand and Lock. The youngest contributors came from La Retraite Roman Catholic Girls School in London.

Another astonishing work on show is Yinka Shonibare’s Justice For All. The sculpture was exhibited for the first time in the UK during the summer of 2020 in response to the tragic killing of George Floyd.

This towering figure is a reimagining of F.W. Pomeroy’s Lady Justice, a statue which stands above the dome of The Old Bailey. Shonibare has replaced Lady Justice’s head with that of a globe, to ask us to consider justice for citizens across the world. The scales of justice hang from her left hand and a swift sword of authority is in her right hand.

Justice for All faces Gabriel Loire’s Prisoners of Conscience window at the east end of the cathedral, which is dedicated to those who suffer or have been imprisoned for their personal, religious or political beliefs.

A smaller but equally compelling work is Ai Weiwei’s porcelain Free Speech Puzzle 2015. The interlocking ceramic pieces, laid out to resemble a map of China, are each decorated with two hand-painted Chinese characters which translate to ‘free speech’.

Each piece represents a distinct geographic and ethnic region of China; the artist is asserting that everyone, wherever they are, has the right to free speech.

In the south transept, Mona Hatoum’s Map (mobile) 2019, challenges ideas of ownership and freedom. All around the world there are contested borders

and lines drawn on a map often take a political stance.

In Mona Hatoum’s huge glass mobile of the world, the countries of the world change formation with the air flow in the cathedral. Places that were once far away from one another are now next to each other, a reflection on how close we may be culturally to other countries despite being geographically distant.

Other artists featured in the exhibition are Lucy Jones, who explores the challenges of gender, age and disability and Jeffrey Gibson, whose textile work They Want to be Free 2021 reflects his Choctaw-Cherokee heritage.

While not wanting to be defined as a disabled artist, Lucy Jones’ cerebral palsy does inform her style. She often works on the floor, her physicality influencing how she makes her marks on the canvas.

Gibson, on the other hand, incorporates his questions into his piece. Phrases like ‘they want to be free’, and ‘if I ruled the world’ are colourfully stitched into his quilt, a natural part of its colourful geometric patterning, repurposing an everyday object to make a political statement.

Speaking about the exhibition, Beth Hughes, said: “Salisbury Cathedral in 2023 is exactly the right time and place to be thinking about what liberty means in contemporary Britain.

“As the home of a Magna Carta and as the cathedral that moved to gain its own freedom, the fight for justice is built into the foundations of the building and as world events of the last few years have seen our freedoms curbed, exposing societal differences, we want to continue this story, conveying hope for the future.

“Each artwork brings a fresh perspective of what freedom means to us.”

To Be Free runs until September.

Jeffrey Gibson’s They Want to be Free 2021

Credit: Finbarr Webster

Cornelia Parker’s Magna Carta (An Embroidery)

Credit: Finbarr Webster

SUMMER FAIR AT BRYANSTON

The Wessex Event Company are delighted to be holding our 2nd Summer Fair in the beautiful house and grounds at Bryanston School on Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th May this year. Bring the whole family for a fabulous day out, there is something for everyone.

After being inspired by the host of artisan foods, crafts, plants and garden accessories, why not chill out in our two Street Food Areas, where you can enjoy mid-morning snacks, lunches and afternoon treats, including Thai, Bratwurst, Falafels, Dorset Lamb burgers, Hot

Potatoes, and Ice Cream all washed down with coffee, tea, soft drinks or something slightly stronger from the fairs Bar. While you sit and eat and relax you will be entertained by fabulous local artists including Emma Hardy, Max Elmore, Matt Griffiths, and Phil Smith.

NEW THIS YEAR

Falconry, Classic Cars, Flower Demonstrations and a live Fire Show

There will also be the ever popular blacksmithing demonstrations. Where you can see experts moulding and shaping wonderful garden designs. Our children’s entertainments will include a bouncy castle, rides, games and face painting. We also have a Circus Skills Workshop on both days for children to participate in and learn some of magic of the circus.,

The cost of entry is just £4 for Adults, £3.50 for concessions, with children under 16 free, making this one of the most affordable, family friendly, value for money days out you will find in the area this summer.

So come early, stay late and enjoy a wonderful day out in the most beautiful of settings.

We would like to thank our sponsors The Hendy Group, Meyers Estate Agents Blandford, The Highbrow Group of Dorchester, The Dorset Shutter Company and Holt Recruitment for their support of our events.

Young contemporary artists offer a meeting of minds in the le jardin

by Katrina ffiske

MEET Me in The Garden/ Rendez-Vous Dans Le Jardin is a collaborative exhibition with two young contemporary artists, David Shillinglaw and Lily Mixe.

The artists, based in Margate, have come to the Vanner Gallery in Salisbury through a local connection: artist and writer June Cluett, based in Hanging Langford, is David’s godmother.

“I love David and Lily’s work,” said gallery director, David Christie. “And I was very excited to discover that June knew them both. June introduced us and I was thrilled when David and Lily agreed to do a collaborative exhibition here in Salisbury. They came to see the space at the end of 2021 not long after we opened and felt it would suit their work well.”

The preview evening was on Thursday, 4th May, where it was inspiring to meet the artists behind these bright, explosive, graphic artworks. The show is a mixture of individual pieces and collaborative work made exclusively for the show in Salisbury.

Lily is a French artist and met David 10 years ago in London. They started sharing ideas and working together almost immediately. “We now share a home in Margate, as well as a studio, tools and techniques. It can be quite intense.

“David is energetic, quick and expressive with his work, whereas I am slower, more

thoughtful and enjoy looking at the detail. David uses paint, while I enjoy drawing.

“Our different ways of working were challenging but we somehow managed to meet in the middle to create our pieces. We have learnt so much about each other and our work over the past years.”

At the centre of Lily’s work is the natural world. The subjects are otherworldly, aliens from our own planet.

Lily labours over each detail, glorifying their forms, patterns and structures, capturing their majesty by meditating upon their beauty and evolution.

Her solo show Butterfly Effect ran at Saatchi Gallery in London in late 2022 and she has produced solo and collaborative murals in London, Barcelona, New York, Paris and Hamburg.

It was initially hard to pin David down as he was conscientious in talking to each guest at the preview.

Towards the end we chatted and, like Lily, he was an inspiration. He has packed so much into his life already –

exhibiting and producing murals worldwide, including in New York, London, Lisbon, Vienna and Hamburg.

“I do find it hard to say no,” David admitted. “I like to be spontaneous and yet positive about everything.”

He shows me pictures of mattresses in a book he has published. They had been left on the street to rot, but to turn things around he paints a positive message on them.

Both artists seem to be experts in extremes. Painting a bright, bold flower one moment and the next strapping themselves to a cherry picker to cover large buildings with bold blocks of colour.

Meet Me in the Garden is the meeting of the artistic minds of David and Lily, but most importantly it invites us to come and join them in their magical world.

Meet Me in the Garden runs until 24 June.

Above: A view of the exhibition (credit: Ash MIlls) Left: Meeting the artists

Special menu and activities as Tops Day Nurseries celebrates coronation

THE STAFF and children at Tops Day Nurseries, with a nursery onsite at the Salisbury District Hospital, celebrated the King’s coronation through a variety of exciting activities and a special menu designed by the Tops catering team.

Nurseries throughout the group took part in a variety of activities, including creating their own crowns and sceptres, a royal parade, and a special storytelling session where the children learnt all about the history of the coronation.

The Tops catering team also put together a special menu to honour the King, for the children to enjoy.

The main dish on the menu was a delicious Duchy cheddar and tomato quiche.

The quiche featured fresh ingredients produced from the

Duchy estates, the foundations and sustainable ethos of which was created by King Charles, a great tribute to the King. Ahead of the festivities, Pete Ttofis, catering manager at Tops said: “We’re thrilled to be celebrating the King’s coronation with our children and staff.

“It’s important to us that our children learn about our country’s history and traditions, and what better way to do that than through fun activities and a special menu?”

The celebrations were not only a fun way to celebrate the King’s coronation, they also provided an opportunity for the children to learn about the importance of history, culture, and tradition.

There’s a new steak house in town

Words and photo by Tristan Ovington

WE are becoming spoiled for choice when it comes to places to eat in Salisbury.

This is especially the case now that the Hixon steak house has taken over the space left by the recently closed Wilding restaurant on Salisbury High Street, at the entrance to the Old George Mall.

Hixon is owned by The Immersive Group, which also owns Caboose, Deacons and Tinga, and we caught up with one of the managing directors, Aimee Hancock.

We asked Aimee, what made The Immersive Group successful: “Our philosophy is to deliver an immersive, exciting and awe-inspiring experience for everyone. While the theming, décor, and offering of each of our brands is different, our core ethos never changes. We work on family values, with corporate processes to aim for the very best experience.”

When asked to explains what makes Hixon special, Aimee suggests this is largely due to its use of quality, local produce.

“First, our meat is all sourced from Pritchett’s butchers, who take an incredible amount of care in delivering the very best. This care and attention is also true of our

seafood and vegetable suppliers. Second, would be our staff.

“We are diligent in training and standards, which is a huge factor in customers’ enjoyment and experience when dining and drinking. Third, would have to be our ambience and décor.”

And the effort seems to be paying off. “We have had quite the run of awards so far this year. In March, I (Aimee Hancock) placed second in the Wiltshire Life Awards for Young Entrepreneur of the Year.

“More recently, the group won the following awards at the Salisbury Business Excellence Awards; Tourism and Hospitality Business of the Year, runner up for Large Business of the Year, runner up for Service Excellence Business of the Year.

“We take what we do very seriously, not only as our livelihood but also as our passion.”

Children and staff celebrated with fun and games, and a menu fit for a king

Hixon can be found on the site vacated by Wilding

Taking a walk through history

by Katrina ffiske

SALISBURY on Camera: 50 years of the Salisbury Journal Archive is an exhibition of photographs taken through the decades by the Journal.

The preview, at the Salisbury Museum, was on Thursday May 4, where many gathered to take a trip down memory lane.

It was in 2015 that Salisbury Museum acquired the Salisbury Journal photo archive.

“The collection contains in excess of 450,000 images –stored as negatives, prints and digital files,” said Lucy Bridal, chief operating officer at the museum. “Over the past seven years a dedicated team of museum volunteers have been digitising the negative collection. More than 200,000 images have been scanned to date.

“The director, Adrian Green, and I, decided to invite museum volunteer Ken Smith, to go through and whittle down the images for an exhibition. We were thrilled when he agreed. The collection provides a unique record of the city and surrounding area so we were keen to share it with the public.”

The exhibition is clear and simply laid out with photographs mounted on board and placed in simple bands of colour. The photographs do all the talking, no captions to clutter the mind. If you want to know more there are guides in each room with mini-images of the photographs with short explanations.

Volunteer Ken Smith was at the preview to take questions. This was quite a big project to take on – how did he cut down 200,000 images to the 244 that are in the exhibition?

“It seemed daunting at first, but after chatting with Adrian and Lucy,” Ken said. “We simplified it by picking themes and I would pick a photograph that fell within each theme: major events, fashion, sport, music, environment, buildings, famous visitors and everyday life. I actually chose the main bulk of

the photographs and Adrian did the final curating of the images.”

It was interesting seeing the evolution of Salisbury through looking at the photographs. Many evocative black and white images of the past.

Can you remember the city before the one-way system was built or the days when we could wander through and touch the stones at Stonehenge?

Ken commented on the 1950s images. “Fashions then were more conservative. Young girls dressed like their mums. In the 1970s, it was particularly sad to see an iconic medieval house being demolished to make way for the ring-road. Today a building of that age and quality would be protected.

“As the years went on, there was a greater diversity of people being photographed.

“After the coronation in 1953 there were crownings for every occasion. Whether it was a shopping week launch or village fête, a young woman was crowned and carried off in a horse-drawn carriage. These images are of Salisbury, but they reflect what was happening throughout the country.”

Ken was the ideal person to go through the photographs. A native of Salisbury, he has always had a passion for history, borne out in his 35 years as a history teacher.

One of the photographs from the 1980s shows him with a collection of horseshoes, dating from medieval times, which he found locally and donated to the museum. Since retiring he has been a volunteer at Salisbury Museum.

Salisbury and south Wiltshire MP, John Glen, was thrilled with the exhibition. “It’s a wonderful visual collection of the city’s past,” John said. “The years go by so quickly that one can forget things so the photographs bring back so many memories for me.”

Tom Corbin, the ex-mayor of Salisbury, was also there. “It is very nostalgic seeing all these

images. I think each person who visits will take something different away with them. It is particularly interesting seeing how many famous people have visited our city.”

It is fun to go through each decade to spot the visiting stars

including:

Salisbury on Camera: 50 years of the Salisbury Journal Archive runs until October 29. www.salisburymuseum.co.uk

the then Prince Charles, David Essex, Wilko Johnson, Alan Rickman and Bob Geldof.

From top: Princess Diana greets the crowds; the Beatles on Salisbury Plain; a medieval building demolished ahead of road improvements

Volunteer numbers soar at Centre

As part of the national Big Help Out, Amesbury History Centre hosted its first volunteer open day. After what was described as a fantastic turnout, the centre signed up 40 people to become volunteers.

“Volunteers are needed to make Amesbury History Centre a success, so seeing such a level of public support and interest was humbling,” said Mark Verbinnen.

“We also hosted a networking breakfast in collaboration with the Stonehenge Chamber of Trade. We were pleased that many in the local business community

are excited to support the new History Centre moving forward.

“We are still calling for volunteers, and if anyone is interested in getting in touch, then please do so via volunteer@ amesburyhistorycentre.org.uk

“Of course, work continues as we race towards a soon-tobe-announced open date, with lots of work going on in the background and on-site activity.”

admin@amesburyhistorycentre. org.uk or 01980753016

A tour of the new building is available on request.

Chiropractic clinic expands to new central Amesbury town centre site

ACORN Health, Amesbury’s award-winning chiropractic clinic has recently expanded to a new central location on Stonehenge Walk.

Owned and run by chiropractor Philippa Oakley, the new Acorn Health premises gives increased availability for appointments and more space to provide a wider range of services to the local community.

Philippa said of the expansion: “2022 was a busy and exciting year for me, from opening my new clinic in Amesbury in the spring to then being awarded the British Chiropractic Association’s ‘Chiropractor of the Year’ award in the autumn.

“The clinic has gone from strength to strength in the past year and I am excited to show everyone what we have planned for our new space in

Stonehenge Walk and how we can support the local community. It’s such a fantastic location in central Amesbury and I’m very grateful to everyone who has supported us in this new venture.”

“The local community has been so supportive of our business and the new premises gives us an opportunity to deliver a wider range of services including health coaching, health workshops, rehabilitation classes and more.”

Philippa continues:

“Chiropractors are best known for treating lower back pain, and we are trained to provide care for a range of conditions – neck pain, headaches, migraines, sciatica, and much more.

“Chiropractic is a profession, not a treatment, which gives me a wide skillset to choose from

with my patients, from adjustments of the joints, soft tissue work, dry needling, kinesiology taping, rehabilitation programmes, it all depends on the person in front of me. Part of the joy of being a Chiropractor is

Surgery AGM: GP patients seen ‘within

A SURGERY AGM heard how GPs are aiming to see patients for appointments ‘within two weeks’.

The recent Friends of Fordingbridge Surgery (FOFS) AGM heard feedback from doctors and voluntters during the gathering.

GP and Partner Dr Toby Wallis, told the meeting: “I am pleased to report that the Fordingbridge Surgery team is now aiming to see everyone for (non-urgent) appointments within two weeks.

“We think we are doing well, but of course we always strive to improve our services.”

The Friends of Fordingbridge Surgery was established as a registered charity in 2001, primarily to manage donations to the practice to improve the experience of patients.

Proceeds are used to fund equipment or to improve

facilities in areas that may not be adequately met by NHS funding, including blood pressure equipment, ECG software, marquee hire for blood testing during the pandemic and a bereavement counselling service.

During the meeting, thanks were expressed by the FOFS team to former chair Ian Newman, who has supported the charity for many years and now retired from his duties.

At this year’s AGM, Rev Kate Wilson, was voted as the charity’s new chair.

building a relationship with my patients and helping them with bespoke support that’s designed for their needs.”

acornhealth.org.uk

two-weeks’

her considerable contribution to FOFS and the health service over many years. New treasurer, Beryl Wright, as well as four new committee membersMargaret Bellingham, Carol Ann Carmichael, Stephen Darke and John Whitmell - were also welcomed.

“Fordingbridge Surgery is now seeing more people in person than before Covid,” she said. “We have received exceptional feedback from patients and the majority state that the service provided by the team cannot be faulted.”

Tributes were also paid at the meeting to Ann Biddlecombe, who recently passed away, for

Key priorities highlighted during the meeting included post-Covid staffing and the working environment, improving call waiting times, as well as the importance of encouraging the use of online consultation and booking services to help free up the phone for those who really need it. Among other positives reported were the successful introduction of the online patient consultation system, as well as a new queuing system for the pharmacy.

For more details visit www. fordingbridgegps.co.uk/fofs.

Philippa in the new premises

Cancer Support Salisbury has a successful day at The Big Help Out

VOLUNTEERS from local charity Cancer Support

Salisbury spent the day on Bank Holiday Monday (8 May) involved in the Big Help Out, which was held in the Market Square.

This initiative provided local charities and community groups a chance to promote volunteering opportunities in Salisbury, as part of the Coronation celebrations.

Cancer Support Salisbury offers practical and emotional support to all those affected by cancer, their services include a social drop-in, counselling, complementary therapies, befriending and yoga.

Mayor of Salisbury, Tim Corbin, and charismatic archaeologist and deputy lieutenant of Wiltshire, Phil

Harding visited the stand to talk to chairperson Rachel Salter and treasurer Robert Wells, to find out more about the charity and

learn about the services it makes available to the local community.

Cancer Support

Salisbury is always happy to hear from anyone who would like to offer their time to volunteer for the group. Volunteering opportunities can include providing

refreshments at our social drop-in events, befriending (offering practical and emotional support to people who attend drop-in), joining the fundraising team or becoming a trustee.

Any spare time that you may have to offer is greatly appreciated.

info@cancersupportsalisbury. com

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.

Phil Harding and Salisbury’s mayor, Tom Corbin, vistited the stand

Victory in inaugural Longparish race for young CoSARC runner

ART MITCHELL came home first in the inaugural running of the Longparish series of races around the village. The event, which raises money for the Friends of Longparish School, was run over three distances – 3K, 5K and 10K – and attracted nearly 180 entrants.

The 5k and 10k races started together, with Art overtaking several men in the first kilometre, to then lead from the front.

The overtaken men were full of encouragement for Art, right through to the finish line. To make it more interesting, the runners had to negotiate a series of gates, which made maintaining a consistent pace difficult.

Art won the difficult 5K, over a mixture of road and boggy trails, which made the ground underfoot very slippery.

Cameron Jacobs continued his reign as the faster U18 with victory in the 13th Leatherhead Rotary Bluebell 10K in Headley Heath, Surrey. The Polly family were instrumental in setting up this event as a fundraiser for the British Heart Foundation, Surrey Air Ambulance and other charities.

Following the recent rains, the course had some extremely muddy sections, giving it the feel of a cross country race. The bluebells, however, were stunning and helped distract the runners from the tough hill sections.

Cameron finished in 45:41, while his sister Elara, who was running the race for the first

time, finished with a time of 50:05 and won a prize as the 5th fastest female overall.

Freddie Bosworth enjoyed an excellent Parkrun weekend, bagging a double personal best at Salisbury Parkrun and Churchill Gardens Junior Parkrun in weather conditions that contrasted heavily in the 24 hours that separated the two events. The icing on the cake for Freddie was finishing first at Junior Parkrun.

City of Salisbury Athletics and Running Club (CoSARC) continues to go from strength to strength, as the members enter all manner of races around the county.

Reports will follow here of how they got on.

Paralympian Ben represents GB sitting volleyball team

BEN Hall from Salisbury was selected for the Great Britain sitting volleyball team as they prepared for the first international tournament to take place in the UK since London 2012 Paralympics.

Hall, who began playing sitting volleyball after suffering from knee instability when playing rugby, had been working towards GB team selection for the ParaVolley Silver Nations League which took place in Nottingham from 19-21 May 2023.

The event will see nine teams from across Europe come together in what is a crucial tournament for Great Britain as it aims to try and secure qualification for the 2024 Paralympics in Paris.

On his selection, Hall said: “I am delighted to have been selected for my country in sitting volleyball once again. Having been a part of that incredible group in London 2012, it’s a great feeling to come back and represent Team GB.

“I’ve only just returned to training with GB at the beginning of this year, so it’s been an amazing journey getting back into it. As a commercial pilot for 13 years, and living in the Middle East for nine years, and now to be back in the UK training militaries and NATO, playing sitting volleyball for

both my club Salisbury Spitfires and my country is a great release for me, both mentally and physically.”

He continues: “Growing up I never considered a career as a pilot, and the same can be said with sitting volleyball. But with rugby causing me knee instability, I got into sitting volleyball over 10 years ago and haven’t looked back since.

“It is such an incredible sport no matter your ability, everyone should come along and give it a go.

“I’m looking forward to joining up with the team for the Silver Nations League in Nottingham later this month and getting some wins to qualify for Paris 2024.”

Sitting volleyball is a fast and exciting sport, played sitting on the floor by men and women of all ages. It is a perfect team sport for amputees and individuals with limb difference. It is played without a prosthetic which makes the game a great leveller for people with different types and levels of impairment.

British Volleyball is always looking for new sitting volleyball players, both with and without a disability, to join local clubs and compete in the national domestic league.

Art Mitchell on his way to victory in the Longparish 5K race

Credit: Nina Farooqi

Photographer takes second place in Young Kennel Club competition

THE YOUNG Kennel Club (YKC) has announced the winners of its annual Artist of the Year competition, with a young dog lover from Salisbury scooping second place.

The popular art competition invited YKC members to express their creativity and showcase their dog photography skills, with all entries required to feature a dog and to fit one of three themes: “Your everyday dog”; “Your competing dog”; or “Your working dog”.

The creativity and originality of all the entries impressed the judges, but coming in a close second was Harris Dickenson, aged 24, from Salisbury, with his image of his three-year-old intermediate Xoloitzcuintli, titled “Flying Xolo”.

Speaking of his achievement, Harris said: “I’m overjoyed, it’s really helped my selfconfidence. To not only get

acknowledgement but to be awarded second place really makes me feel validated.”

Vanessa McAlpine, Kennel Club events and youth development executive added: “Very well done to Harris, his picture was fun and dynamic, and he is clearly very talented at photography.

“We would like to congratulate not only Harris, but all of our members who entered. The standard was incredibly high this year and we are so proud to have such creative young members.”

Young Kennel Club membership is for anyone aged 6-24 years (with or without a dog, pedigree or crossbreed).

It aims to educate young people in the care and training of dogs, and encourage young adults to enjoy participation in, and management of, all activities connected with dogs.

The YKC provides and promotes activities that enable members to train, compete and socialise with like-minded youngsters.

The winner and runners up of the Young Kennel Club Artist of the Year competition were as follows:

1st place: 15-year-old Emily Moores from Horsham, West Sussex, for “Autumn Magic”

2nd place: 24-year-old Harris Dickenson from Salisbury, Wiltshire, for “Flying Xolo”

3rd place: 24-year-old Rachel Dutton from Pontefract, West Yorkshire, for “A Pixie in the Woods”

Special mentions were also given to 13-year-old Ella Wakerly for “Two Golden Retrievers

Staring into the Camera” and 21-year-old Elise Finney for “The Path to Happiness.”

All five photographs will be displayed in The Kennel Club Art Gallery in Mayfair, London, as part of the organisation’s 150th anniversary celebrations.

For young dog lovers interested in joining the Young Kennel Club, visit www.ykc.org.uk.

For more information on the winning photogrpahers, visit thekennelclub.org.uk/ ykcartistoftheyear.

Flying Xolo (above), Harris Dickenson’s wonderful photo of his his three-year-old intermediate Xoloitzcuintli placed second in the competition

Credit: Harris Dickenson

Local coronation champion celebrates in style at Windsor Castle

Salisbury’s Juliet Mosney was invited to the coronation concert because of her work as an NHS volunteer responder. Here, she recalls her volunteering journey and shares her experience of the big day.

MY volunteering journey started when I was still at school, Blandford Upper School, where I would help younger years with after school sports clubs.

I also regularly visited a lady in a nursing home. I remember winning an award from the Lions Club for volunteering.

At the start of the pandemic, Matt Hancock MP, requested an ‘army of volunteers’ to come forward to support people in our communities and I signed up straight away with the NHS Volunteer Responder Scheme.

I received alerts via the GoodSAM App and was able to do shopping and collect prescriptions for the vulnerable and those who were shielding.

Volunteering certainly helped me as well, as I live on my own and don’t have a garden. So I was able to get out and about during the strict lockdown rules. People were overwhelmed to have their vital supplies delivered to them and most loved a, socially distanced, chat on the doorstep.

I was nominated by the NHS Volunteer Responder Scheme for a Coronation Champion Award and, rather underwhelmingly, discovered I was a winner when I stumbled across an email in my Junk Folder!

As well as being an NHS Volunteer Responder, I also moderated the largest unofficial Facebook group which had more than 10,000 volunteers as members. This led to an invitation to become the Volunteer Representative on the Advisory Board. Meetings included representatives from

NHSEngland, the Royal Voluntary Service, GoodSAM and many other volunteering organisations.

I am also in the National Design Group for the planning of the future of the NHS Volunteer Responder Scheme as we transition from a pandemic response to a sustainable scheme with even more volunteering opportunities. I would encourage you to have a look at their website at nhsvolunteerresponders.org.uk

There are 500 Coronation Champions nationally, all awarded for volunteering. I had to keep it secret for a few days until the big social media launch and you can then be assured that I shared my joyful news with

anyone that would listen.

A few days later, I received a stunning presentation box in the post that contained the most beautiful certificate, signed by Their Majesties, and a coronation pin badge. I was also invited to attend the coronation concert at Windsor Castle on Sunday, 7th May, and took my 15-year-old nephew as my escort.

You will no doubt have seen coverage on the television and we were blessed with a glorious, sunny evening in the company of the Royal Family, whom I could clearly see from my seat.

I was most struck by the strong theme running through the concert of a King who has already given so much and who

is so talented. He is a kind, compassionate King.

The performances were all fantastic and it would be impossible to pick a favourite.

I was very moved watching the coronation service at home with my parents, with such a strong theme of service and inclusion throughout. Over the past few years,

I have also supported Encircles charity for the homeless and the wonderful Horatio’s Garden charity which provides beautiful gardens in spinal centres around the country and was founded at Salisbury Hospital.

I have my own health issues, which is why I am no longer able to teach, but I have many transferable skills which can be used to support others.

Volunteering was very much key to the whole coronation weekend of celebrations and I will continue to do my bit to serve my community and those in need.

Recruitment

More than 2.5 million people on long-term sick leave: ONS figures

MORE than 2.5 million people are off work due to ill health, according to new figures.

The latest employment figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that 1 in 13 people currently working was on long-term sick leave.

Darren Morgan, director of economic statistics at the ONS, told the BBC Today programme the number of people on long-term sick leave had risen by ‘well over 400,000’ since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Long Covid could be a factor, he said, as well as common conditions such as mental health problems and back and neck pain.

Meanwhile the new data, covering the first three months of the year, showed wage increases continuing to lag behind inflation.

With price rises taken into account, the ONS numbers showed regular pay fell by 2%.

The employment rate edged higher, to 75.9%, while the unemployment rate also rose, to 3.9%.

And the number of vacancies fell once

again, although around a million roles remain unfilled, according to the data.

Economic performance was also hindred

The Blackmore Vale Ltd continues to enjoy great success and we are looking for an experienced Account Manager

You will be managing a regular client base as well as generating new business selling into various magazines. Previous sales experience is required and you should be hungry for success. The role is a hybrid of working from home/office and out and about within the Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire areas. You must own your own vehicle – a mileage allowance is paid.

Previous sales experience Hungry for success

Hours are Monday to Friday 9am – 5.30pm. Salary is dependent on experience.

If you’ve got what it takes to be part of this fantastic team, please send your application to debi.thorne@blackmorevale.net

Closing date for applications is Friday 26th May 2023.

by strike action, the report said, with the number of working days lost due to industrial action reaching 556,000 in March.

It came as that month saw walkouts in industries including rail, the NHS and education.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt said: “It’s encouraging the unemployment rate remains historically low, but difficulty in finding staff and rising prices are a worry for many families and business.”

The shadow work and pensions secretary, Jonathan Ashworth, said family finances were ‘being squeezed to breaking point by a further fall in real wages’, with fewer people in employment than before the pandemic an indication of the Government being a ‘drag’ on the economy.

n To see the ONS data, log on to www. ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/ peopleinwork/ employmentandemployeetypes/bulletins/ uklabourmarket/previousReleases

ENTREPRENEURS have lower levels of burnout compared to employees, according to new reaearch.

The study, conducted by Professor Ewald Kibler of Aalto University School of Business, looked at the common beliefs about entrepreneurship and found entrepreneurial work produces significantly fewer daily work stressors than employed work.

It also offers higher levels of beneficial job autonomy, since entrepreneurs enjoy more freedom to design and execute the work the way they want.

“Entrepreneurs may be better protected from burnout because they experience fewer demands, such as administrative tasks, that are linked to burnout. This contradicts previous research that states entrepreneurs

experience stressful work demands,” said Professor Kibler.

He said employees have no opportunity to turn strong work engagement in into protection from burnout.

Prof Kibler advised organisations to consider more entrepreneurial arrangements for jobs to reduce high burnout risks and stress spirals.

The research also revealed serial entrepreneurs are not necessarily better equipped to cope with stress than entrepreneurs who are running a business for the first time.

“There are several explanations for this. Every business venture comes with its unique set of challenges and obstacles, regardless of whether the entrepreneur is a novice or a serial entrepreneur,” he added.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt said rising prices were a ‘worry’ Picture: UK Parliament

‘Employees burnout more than entrepreneurs’, new business research shows

Bryan G Paulley Ltd

PLUMBING, HEATING

FRENCH CLASSES

For Sale & Wanted

OLD BOOKS BOUGHT

Also

House prices crept up as busy spring gets underway, says property site

SPRING is traditionally the busiest season of the year for the property market - but house prices have risen more slowly than normal, according to property site, Rightmove.

The market sees an increase in homes being put up for sale in the spring, with more people also looking to move than during the rest of the year.

So, the firm said, it often sees average asking prices rise because sellers putting their homes on the market are doing so when there’s more competition from buyers.

However in April, it said the average house price in Great Britain edged up by 0.2%, to £366,247 - below the average rise in spring.

Rightmove property expert, Tim Bannister, said: “Estate agents are reporting that while sellers in recent years might have

seen multiple bids on their home, many understand the need to tempt spring buyers with a competitive price in the current housing market.

“The unexpectedly stable conditions we’re seeing now may attract more sellers who had been considering a move in the last few years, but had been put off by the market’s frenetic pace.”

He said currently it was a ‘more settled property market than the extremely busy pandemic years’, but people who are keen to find a new home pressing on with their moves.

“Those who have now decided to make a move should not wait around too long to make an enquiry if they see the right home for sale, as not only is the number of sales agreed is now back to pre-pandemic levels, but homes are also on average selling 12 days more quickly than at this time in 2019,” said Tim.

Changes to code for housebuilders

CHANGES to a code for homebuilders - aimed at protecting homebuyers - are set to be implemented.

The Consumer Code for Home Builders is set to be strengthened in a bid to provide more comprehensive protection for people purchasing newbuild homes.

An independent review has been led by John Bridgeman CBE, former director general of the Office of Fair Trading (OFT).

Recommendations from the review will result in the most significant enhancements since the Consumer Code for Home Builders was launched in 2010, the code’s committee said. Changes include broadening the scope to include customer pre-inspections, how ‘snagging’ issues are dealt with, and raising the maximum claim limit for complaints.

Commissioned by the code’s Management Board as part of its triennial refresh, the review

involved extensive liaison with industry and consumer stakeholders, as well as an online survey which was open to all interested parties, including homebuyers.

Mr Bridgeman’s report concluded the code is doing a good job of protecting consumers and driving improvements in customer service standards, with highlights including:

• The Government-approved Independent Dispute Resolution Scheme which is free for consumers to access.

• Full accreditation through the independent Consumer Codes Approval Scheme.

• The sanction regime, including the ability to exclude companies from warranty schemes for failure to comply.

• Its informative website and government-approved contact centre to aid consumers.

However, the report also highlighted the need to address gaps and recommends several

enhancements to improve the protection offered. These include:

• Aligning different code schemes and simplifying access to complaint advice for consumers (supported by 95% of respondents to the Code Review stakeholder questionnaire).

• Raising the maximum financial compensation threshold, as well as the individual amount that can be awarded for distress and inconvenience.

• Incorporating new requirements for home builders to improve how snagging issues (non-structural defects identified in the first two years post occupation) are dealt with, tackling some of the most common causes of complaint from new build home buyers.

• Broadening the scope of the Code to include shared ownership and strengthening requirements to support vulnerable customers.

• Outlawing financial incentives to complete on properties that haven’t yet met warranty standards and requiring any commissions for recommending products and services to be declared.

It also makes recommendations for the wider industry and policymakers to consider, including a cash retention scheme to give consumers extra leverage, as well as an industry compensation fund to underwrite awards made to consumers.

Mr Bridgeman said: “Buying a new home is one of the most significant purchases we can make which is why proper protection of consumers is essential.

“My recommendations are designed to deliver enhanced protection, greater levels of financial recompense and a more cohesive approach to customer service and support across the industry.”

Keep your eye on illusive goshawks thanks to new camera setup

TWITCHERS can get a bird’s eye view of an elusive inhabitant of the New Forest thanks to a new initiative.

Experts have installed a ‘nest cam’ to allow people to follow the fortunes of a pair of goshawks, above, as they seek to successfully raise and care for their young at the top of one of the forest’s tall trees.

The return of goshawks to the New Forest is a conservation success story, Forestry England said.

Absent for over 120 years, the first pair returned in 2002 and since then, a team at Forestry England have been working hard to help ensure that

they are able to breed successfully.

Today, there are around 45 pairs.

Despite living in the New Forest all year round, goshawk are notoriously difficult to spot, earning them the nickname of ‘phantoms of the forest’.

Extremely agile fliers, they silently weave between trees and shrubs in pursuit of prey.

The nest cam, sponsored by Tropic Skincare, provides a unique view on the hidden world of the goshawk from the canopy of a 60ft Douglas fir tree.

Viewers will be able to watch as the pair attempt to

successfully hatch, protect, feed and fledge their young.

Each year, Forestry England’s wildlife team closely monitor the fortunes of the birds and this year they will also study the nest cam footage for breeding and nesting behaviours.

Before chicks fledge, the team ring, measure and weigh them to assess how they are developing and whether the forest offers the right conditions to sustain the population.

Rings recovered from these birds helps the team understand where the birds disperse to and, as their population spreads beyond the Forest across

Hampshire and neighbouring counties, the factors behind their continuing success.

Andy Page, head of wildlife, for Forestry England in the South District, said: “The return of goshawks to the New Forest is a real conservation success story and it’s great to see them thriving here.

“We spend many hours each year monitoring these fascinating birds to help ensure that our forest management activities support them.

“Our nest monitoring of this top predator’s gives us a good indication of the overall health of our woodland as a place to support a diversity of species.”

Police officer made inappropriate comments

A FORMER sergeant at Wiltshire Police made ‘sexualised comments’ to a female colleague, a gross misconduct hearing found.

Had former Police Sergeant John Brixey not resigned, he would have been sacked from the force, a hearing on Wednesday (May 10) concluded.

It found that between June and August 2022, Mr Brixey made comments on multiple occasions to a police officer who was under his direct supervision.

He resigned in November 2022.

The gross misconduct hearing was held at Wiltshire Police Headquarters, overseen by a legally qualified chair.

The allegations were upheld and concluded that had Mr Brixey not already resigned, he would be dismissed without notice.

He will now be entered onto the national barred list which will prevent him from working within any police force in England and Wales, therefore providing important protection to the public, the force said.

‘Point of no return’ as litter piles up on side of motorways, says RAC

LITTERING on motorways

across the UK has become a serious issue for drivers and locals – and the problem is apparently getting worse.

It is got to the point where motoring group the RAC Foundation fears the nation is approaching a ‘point of no return’ due to uncollected litter piling up on the side of the roads, and becoming embedded in the landscape.

Steve Gooding, director of the foundation, said: “In 1,000 years, we risk archaeologists digging up the past and identifying the 21st-century road network not by the buried tarmac but by the lines of litter that bordered it.”

Responsibility for maintaining the motorways and keeping them free of litter falls on National Highways.

Freda Rashdi, of National Highways, said: “Littering is a social problem and we’re working hard to tackle it on our roads.

“It includes using CCTV in A-road lay-bys to gather evidence to provide to local authorities, who can carry out enforcement.

“We’re also carrying out a trial to understand how message signs resonate with drivers to reduce motorway littering.”

Drivers can report littering on the roads to National

Highways.

With the issue escalating, in March this year, 25 MPs signed a motion to raise awareness of littering on the motorways.

The motion stated: “That this House deplores the huge amount of litter on motorways, access road, junctions and verges; notes that there is a crystal clear legal obligation on National Highways to ensure roads are kept clear of litter; and calls on National Highways to act on this obligation, use motorway gantries to promote anti-littering messaging, ensure staff and contractors remove signs, sandbags and cones following roadworks in a timely

manner and ensure contracts include financial penalties for not doing so.”

Conservative MP for Hemel Hempstead, Sir Mike Penning, branded current levels of littering on the motorways a ‘national disgrace’ and is urging the Government to issue stronger penalties for those caught and for National Highways to clean up the mess.

Penning also believes that National Highways are failing in their duty to keep roads free of rubbish.

He said: “Some of our motorways go through the most beautiful parts of the country. It is like driving through a rubbish tip. We have the technology to prosecute and we’re not doing it.”

Earlier this year, anti-litter campaign group Clean Up

Britain launched an action plan calling for the introduction of £1,000 littering fines (up from £150) and for six penalty points on the driver’s licence.

John Read, the group’s founder, said: “We go around the country, and we film motorways and major A roads just to show the public because this is the important thing - the British public need to see what a disgusting, filthy, rancid country they live in.

“It’s really sad to say that but it’s true. And we seem to lost our pride and respect in Britain. We need desperately to get it back because at the moment the country looks like an open cast tip. It really does, it looks like a rubbish bin. We can do so much better than that, but we need to start really understanding it’s a major problem.”

Motoring

Petrol prices hit lowest in 18 months

THE average price of petrol has fallen below 145p a litre for the first time in 18 months, according to the latest data from RAC Fuel Watch.

The price of a litre of unleaded dropped to 144.95p on Sunday, May 14 – its lowest price since November 2021.

Diesel also dipped below 155p a litre, hitting 154.31p on Sunday, taking it to its lowest since February 2022. This means the cost of a filling a 55-litre family car with petrol is now under £80 (£79.72) while a tank of diesel has reduced to below £85 (£84.87).

Since peaking at 191.5p on July 3, 2022, petrol has fallen by 47p a litre (46.55p) saving drivers £25.60 every time they fill up (£105.32 to £79.72).

Diesel, which reached an all-time high of 199.09p on 25 June, has fallen 45p (4 4.78p) saving drivers £24.62 a tank.

RAC fuel spokesperson, Simon Williams, said: “Seeing the price of unleaded fall back under 145p a litre for the first time in 18 months is good news for the country’s 19m petrol car drivers.

“ This means it’s now nearly £26 cheaper to fill up a family-sized petrol car this summer compared to last year when a litre hit the record price of 191.5p.

“While it’s good news diesel has also dropped below 155p a litre for this first time since the end of February last year, drivers of the UK’s 12m diesel cars and countless businesses who rely it to fuel their vehicles, should be paying 20p a litre less as its

wholesale price is now 4p lower than petrol’s.

“This is being demonstrated very powerfully by one independent retailer in Shropshire who is currently charging 131.9p – more than 22p below the UK average.

“We hope this finally embarrasses the country’s biggest retailers to cut their pump prices significantly.

“As petrol is down 47p a litre since early July last year, it is now only a few pence a litre above the long-standing record high of 142.48p which was set in April 2012 and only surpassed in late October 2021.

“And if diesel were being priced fairly by major retailers it would actually be well under its long-standing 2012 high of 147.93p.

“With the delivered wholesale prices of both petrol and diesel at 110p and 105p respectively, drivers should be paying no more than 142p and 137p, and that’s factoring in an above-average 10p-a-litre retailer margin.”

Puzzle solutions (from pages 36-37)

Edition 16

Brain chain (hard)