What’s inside this issue…
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Garden greats return to cathedral
SALISBURY Cathedral welcomed the return of the popular outdoor Easter Garden for its third year last week.
The space along the west front of the cathedral has been transformed into a stunning floral display based on the native plants of the Holy Land.
This includes droughtresistant aromatic trees and shrubs that burst into flower when there is sufficient rainfall early in the season as well as plants from other areas with a warm Mediterranean climate.
The display includes three crosses that have been mounted behind a symbolic tomb made of Chilmark stone (the stone used in the building of the cathedral) that stands amongst the array of Mediterranean plants – including rosemary, laurel, olive and santolina – all reminiscent of the landscape and story of Jesus.
On Easter Day the sealed
tomb will be opened to represent Jesus being raised from the dead, three days after he was buried.
The crosses and tomb were made by the cathedral’s works department.
This is the third year Hampshire-based awardwinning horticultural designer Andy McIndoe has returned to create the garden, working with
the cathedral’s works yard.
Andy is the winner of 25 consecutive gold medals at RHS Chelsea Flower Show, and received the prestigious Veitch Memorial Medal (one of the Royal Horticultural Society’s highest accolades) in 2017.
The Revd Dr Kenneth Padley, Canon Treasurer, who has oversight of the Easter Garden, said: “Our team have
been receiving enthusiastic compliments and encouragement from passers-by as they have constructed the garden this week.
“Like a crib at Christmas, the Easter Garden is a simple way of visualising what God does for us through the death and resurrection of Jesus, overcoming our faults and guilt with the hope and joy of eternal life.
“We offer this garden to worshippers and visitors as a sign of this holy and happy season.”
The Easter Garden will stay in place until Pentecost on June 8, the day when Christians recall how God’s Holy Spirit was given to the disciples after Jesus’ Ascension.
The cathedral is also hosting its ever-popular Flower Festival from May 13 to 18, with around 500 arrangers preparing for this year’s event.
Andy McIndoe and assistant Billy Moss working to get the garden ready Picture: Finnbarr Webster
PEOPLE
in need in Tidworth are being encouraged to make use of a new food bank in the town.
The Tidworth food bank officially opened its doors at the Tidworth Leisure Centre on April 3.
It is the ninth centre that has been set up by the Salisbury Foodbank, which operates centres across Downton, Durrington, Amesbury, Wilton and Salisbury.
Maria Stevenson, manager at Salisbury Foodbank, said the food bank was busy from the moment they opened the door, with some local agencies attending to see how they can refer people, alongside four families who came to collect food parcels.
“It’s quite encouraging that people came on the first day as it suggests we got the word out about the food bank, but it’s a sad situation that people need our services,” said Maria, pictured above inset.
“We’re so grateful that we are in a position to support people; however we wish that food banks didn’t have to exist and that everyone could be in a position to buy their own food.”
In an average month, the Salisbury Foodbank feeds 600 people three meals a day, the equivalent of 5,400 meals a month.
Of those receiving parcels, 38% of the 600 people are children.
The Tidworth food bank rose from the ashes of the Spurgeons Children Centre, which worked in partnership with Salisbury Foodbank before its closure.
Maria said since the closure, they noticed more people in Tidworth struggling to access the food bank centres in Salisbury and Amesbury.
Foodbank launches in Tidworth to support those in need
“At Salisbury Foodbank, we support a large area in south-west Wiltshire from SP1 to SP5 and SP9,” she said.
“We’re centric to Salisbury and Amesbury as that is where the demand is – but we were very conscious that lots of people live out in the extremities and actually there is less support in these areas.
“We used to work in partnership with Spurgeons Children’s Centres and they closed down their centre in Tidworth around 12 months ago.
"With this closure, we saw a decline in food parcels being used in that area.
“We’ve noticed over time that more people said they need a food bank in that area, as they can’t get into Salisbury and Amesbury easily to collect those emergency food parcels.
“Tidworth falls on the border of Ludgershall which is looked after by Andover food bank which initially picked up some of the demand for food parcels when the Spurgeons centre closed.
“Unfortunately, the Andover food bank struggled to meet the demand in Tidworth and so we looked for a good location to set up in the town.
“We spent time getting the logistics in place and trained up volunteers – and I’m very happy to say we have opened.”
Maria expressed the importance for people to not feel ashamed if they require the food bank services.
For some, admitting they need help is the hardest part. But Salisbury Foodbank centres offer a judgement-free space, Maria said.
“There’s always this fear that people
might judge you, but that is never the case with us,” she added.
“I’ve been at a point in my life where I’ve needed friends and family to buy food for me.
“I didn’t know about food banks at that time, and believe me, that’s a very scary and dark place when you know you need help but you don’t know where to turn.
“People that are reading this, please just talk to other people as that’s the easiest thing you can do.
“Reach out to GPs, to your children’s schools or even Wiltshire Council if you are a council housing tenant, as these organisations can refer you to the food bank.
“It takes a lot of bravery to admit that you need help.
“Our website lists the best avenues for people to pursue and there’s a free phone number that people can use (0808 2082138) to chat with trained advisors about problems and signpost the best support.
“If they deem that you need a food parcel, they would raise that voucher for you, which you could take to a food bank centre to redeem for three days worth of emergency food.”
Salisbury Foodbank also offers a fresh fruit and veg delivery to complement the emergency food parcels.
Volunteers are needed for the Tidworth food bank on Thursdays (3.15pm to 5.30pm) and helpers are needed in Salisbury at St Pauls on Wednesdays and Fridays (both 10.40am to 2.15pm) and at the Bemerton Foodbank Centre on Tuesday afternoon/early evenings.
QUICK NEWS
Works on key road this month
A KEY road connecting Amesbury and Bulford will see some daytime temporary closures later this month as Wiltshire Council carries out road improvement work.
The Salisbury Road in Bulford will be closed between 9.30am and 3pm from Monday, April 28 to Wednesday, April 30.
This will allow the council’s highways team to carry out surface dressing works, adjust ironworks and reinstate road marking and other associated work.
The council says the work on the road marking and ironworks could, however, be completed at a later date.
A diversion will be in place which will see motorists travel on the A345 Countess Road instead of Salisbury Road.
Pedestrian access will be retained, but some residents may experience a delay in accessing or leaving their property in a vehicle.
Boy, one, killed
A ONE-year-old boy has sadly died following a three-car crash in Amesbury last month.
A Skoda Karoq, a Peugeot 208 and a Volvo V70 were involved in a crash on the eastbound carriageway on the A303 at Amesbury at around 5.30pm on March 28, police said.
Others injured in the collision included a 20-yearold woman, a five-year-old boy and a 70-year-old man.
A Wiltshire Police spokesperson said: “Our thoughts are very much with the family of the child who has died at this difficult time.
“We would ask that their privacy is respected.”
Witnesses should to get in touch on 01225 694597 using reference 220 of March 28.
Man jailed for 18 years over child sex offences
ANAMESBURY man has been sentenced to 18 years in jail after he was found guilty of committing multiple child sex offences – including rape.
Gabriel Philip Chirwa, pictured, was jailed after the victim bravely reported the abuse – which took place over a two-year period – to her mother.
On April 4, 38-year-old Chirwa, of Holders Road, was jailed for 18 years, plus four years on extended licence, for four counts of rape, two counts of sexual assault by penetration and one count of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity – all against a child under 13.
Chirwa will also be subject to a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) indefinitely, which will forbid him from any contact with the victim and from having any unsupervised contact with any person under the age of 16.
He initially denied the offences but was subsequently found guilty at trial by a jury at Winchester Crown Court in
December last year.
A personal statement from the victim said: “He had made me completely disgusted with myself, I was so young. I ask myself why me?
“Now, I’m not doing as bad, but my life is still a massive mess three years later.
“You [Chirwa] never cared. I hope you will care when I am free to live the life that you can’t.”
Speaking after the sentencing, DC Fiona Rawlings of the Child Abuse Investigation Team said: “Firstly, I want to pay tribute to the victim for her courage and bravery that she has shown.
“It must have been extremely difficult for her to report the abuse in the first place, and she has shown incredible bravery throughout the process, which has taken more than two years.
“I appreciate the toll that the abuse and the subsequent police investigation and court process has had on her and her mental health and I recognise that
impact of it will take a long time to heal.
“Hopefully today’s sentencing can bring an element of closure and she can look to move forward.
“Without her continued assistance, today’s outcome would not have been possible.
“I’d also like to thank the victim’s mother for her support throughout the process.
“Chirwa is an incredibly dangerous offender who has shown absolutely no remorse despite the horrendous abuse he inflicted on a young girl.
“His continuous denial of the offences forced the victim to relive the experiences through a trial, requiring her statement to be played to the court, adding to the trauma he had already inflicted.
“I’m pleased he will now spend a substantial amount of time behind bars.”
n Anyone who has been sexually abused should report it to police on 999.
New Wiltshire High Sheriff sworn in
WILTSHIRE’S new High Sheriff was officially sworn in at a ceremony on April 4.
Around 80 people attended the ceremony, which dates back to Saxon times, as Martin Nye made his declaration at St Martin’s Church, Bremhill, near Calne, taking over from Dr Olivia Chapple.
As ceremonial officials, High Sheriffs were originally tasked with maintaining law and order within a county as well as collecting and returning taxes to the Crown.
While the role has evolved over time to
provide support to crime prevention agencies, the emergency services and the volunteer sector, supporting the Crown and judiciary remains central to the role.
Martin has had a broad-ranging business career, including several chief executive roles in private and public companies, and now has a portfolio of non-executive and chair positions.
He is chair of the Soil Association and a council member of the National Trust.
Martin lives on a farm in Foxham near Chippenham with wife Victoria.
City Hall to re-open under new firm
SALISBURY’S City Hall will reopen later this year after the team behind the MECA in Swindon agreed a lease.
Music Entertainment Culture and Arts (MECA) will take over full operation of the venue on a 25-year lease in a deal that will see City Hall reopen as an entertainment venue later this summer.
The venue has boasted huge names since it opened in 1961, hosting the likes of David Bowie, Led Zeppelin, The Beatles and household names in the world of comedy.
From December 2020 to January 2023, City Hall was used as a Covid-19 mass vaccination centre, playing its part to keep thousands of people safer during the pandemic.
Wiltshire Council is currently carrying out repairs and maintenance to the external fabric of the site so it is in the best possible condition for when
it rejoins the city’s arts, cultural and entertainment scene.
The new operators will carry out their own works to improve the overall customer experience at the venue and it is planned these will take place concurrently with the council’s.
The team at MECA was
identified as the preferred operator after Wiltshire Council carried out a market engagement process, which established that after speaking to potential third-party providers, offering the venue on a long-term lease would be the preferred arrangement.
The MECA venue in Swindon has been a fixture in the town’s entertainment sector for almost 100 years.
It has been known as MECA since 2010, following a full refurbishment, where it has evolved into a commercial and community-based events venue catering to everyone and
continues to go from strength to strength.
The addition of City Hall to the group ensures both venues are in a position to bring bigger and better acts to the area.
The management of MECA, led by Justin Britchford, has confirmed the Salisbury venue will continue to be called City Hall.
Wiltshire Council corporate director for place, Parvis Khansari, said: “We want City Hall to have the best chance of long-term success. Justin and his team have the passion, experience and expertise to ensure City Hall will retain its
proud standing in the community and complement all the great things the city has to offer.
“Today marks the start of a new era for City Hall and when it re-opens its doors, I’m sure the city and wider area will come out and support it once again.”
Mr Britchford added: “Wiltshire Council has worked tirelessly with us to make sure the venue will be a roaring success.
“We have some great plans for the venue and have listened to people’s views on what they have missed the most while it has been closed.
“We are working closely with local people to tap into their wealth of knowledge about City Hall and the surrounding area and have recruited some local managers to run the venue that have years of experience in similar venues."
Drunk woman drove children
A WOMAN who drove into a hedge with four children on board while under the influence of alcohol has received a suspended sentence.
Louise Kimber, of Frampton Court, Wilton, was seen swerving across the centre line of the A345 and into a hedge while driving toward Salisbury just after 4.30pm on August 11, 2024.
An off-duty police officer reported they had seen children in the vehicle at the time and raised concerns with police about 43-year-old Kimber’s driving.
Officers found the reported vehicle parked up at a car park in Longhedge, close to where the offence was first reported, following a search of the area.
Four children were found inside the car and Kimber, who had left to visit a nearby shop, identified herself as the
driver when she returned.
She was found to have been more than three times over the legal alcohol limit for driving following a preliminary breath test and was arrested.
Kimber pleaded guilty to drink driving and careless driving at Salisbury Magistrates’ Court on April 7.
She was disqualified from driving for 60 months, ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work and committed to prison for 12 weeks, suspended for two years.
PC Munns, from Salisbury Team 1A Response, said: “Not only was Louise Kimber putting her own life in danger, but also the lives of the children in her vehicle and other road users. Drink driving is not tolerated and there is never an excuse to be behind a wheel of a vehicle after having alcohol.”
Dismay as plans
CAMPAIGNERS
have expressed their dismay that plans to build hundreds of homes at Old Sarum Airfield have been approved on appeal.
A government-appointed planning inspector gave the green light for the plans, which also include a flying hub and leisure facilities, following a drawn-out inquiry, with the final decision made on April 9.
This comes after Wiltshire Council initially refused the plans to build around 315 homes at the site in August 2024, with an appeal launched by the operator Old Sarum Airfield Ltd in October.
While the operators will be celebrating the result, a campaign group opposed to the development says it will explore its options.
Save Old Sarum says they believe the historical significance of the site was not deemed as relevant as it should have been by the inspector.
Pets
A group statement reads: “We are deeply disappointed and dismayed by the planning inspector’s decision regarding Old Sarum airfield.
“This outcome represents a significant setback for local aviation enthusiasts, the community, historical preservation efforts and indeed, the heritage and significance of both the site itself and that of the setting of the Old Sarum Ancient Monument.
“We believe the inspector’s assessment failed to adequately consider the historical significance of the site, the impact on local amenities, the economic potential of the airfield, the environmental impact and the continuing degradation of Roman Road.
“This decision undermines the preservation of the unique aviation heritage, the sustainable development of the region and the needs of the local community.
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for 300 homes in Old Sarum allowed
“We will be exploring all available options to address this unjust outcome and if we are ultimately unsuccessful, we trust and hope that the developers will do the honourable thing and deliver all the promises and undertakings they assured the public they would.”
The site, which was designated a conservation area in 2007, dates back to World War One and has three listed hangars.
It is regarded as one of the best-preserved flying fields of that period and has heritage significance, as it is the only World War One airfield in the country that has retained its suite of hangars and technical buildings fronting onto an airfield relatively unaffected by later developments.
The newly-approved development would be split into three areas around the perimeter
of the airfield, with 160 on the north west side, 155 on the southern periphery, and the commercial elements with a new control tower to the south east of the hangars.
In the decision notice, the inspector came to the conclusion the heritage benefits
An artist impression of how the new development could look
would outweigh any potential harms arising from the development and that it would not “unduly affect” the setting of the Old Sarum scheduled monument or the Stratford-subCastle conservation area.
A condition of the approval is that Hangar 3, which is
currently being held up by scaffolding, must be restored after it suffered damage by Storm Isha in January 2024.
A separate planning application was also submitted to build a total of 294 homes on fields north east of Old Sarum, at The Portway.
Picture: Feilden + Mawson
'True local' is city pub of the year
APUB
described as a “true local” has been voted Salisbury City Pub of the Year.
The Wyndham Arms, birthplace of one of Wiltshire’s most famous breweries, Hop Back, was declared the winner following votes by members of the Salisbury & South Wiltshire branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA).
Manager of the Wyndham, Lisa Saberton, and the pub’s cellarman, Dave Barton, were presented with their City Pub of the Year certificate by Chris White, the local CAMRA chairman, and Keith Foster, the branch’s Pub of the Year voting co-ordinator.
“I would like to say thank you to CAMRA members for
voting for us and to all our many wonderful customers,” said Lisa.
“We don’t serve food; we are just a traditional pub serving beer.
“So, we make sure that the quality of our ales is up to scratch and our customers know that they can come in here and have a great time.”
The pub found on Escourt Road boasts a history stretching back to the 1880s and achieved international fame among beer lovers after it was bought by John Gilbert, founder of the Hop Back brewery, in 1986.
The following year, Gilbert and Roger McBride began brewing their award-winning beers, such as GFB (Gilbert’s First Brew) and Summer Lightning at the back of the pub.
Their growing reputation led to increasing demand and this meant that by 1991 brewing at the Wyndham Arms had reached full capacity.
To cope with the increase, Hop Back leased a factory unit
at Downton to become the new brewery.
The company is still there today, but the Wyndham remains one of its 10 pubs and is its spiritual home.
Keith Foster, who coordinates the Pub of the Year competition for the Salisbury & South Wiltshire branch of CAMRA, said: “The Wyndham Arms is a cosy, friendly city pub. A true ‘local’ serving the surrounding community, it is also popular with lovers of good beer being the birthplace of Hop Back beers.
“Whether you are a regular or an occasional visitor, you are assured a welcoming and enjoyable visit.”
The Wyndham has been a mainstay in the annual CAMRA Good Beer Guide for the past 36 years – and visitors are said to have come from the United States, Canada and even Australia to try its ales.
Elsewhere, the Horseshoe Inn was awarded the Wiltshire Rural Pub of the Year by CAMRA last month.
From left: Keith Foster (CAMRA), Dave Barton (pub cellarman), Lisa Saberton (pub manager) and Chris White (CAMRA) Picture: Salisbury CAMRA
Roger McBride (left) and John Gilbert brewing at the Wyndham Arms in 1987
Picture: Salisbury CAMRA
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Hall's new windows
NEW windows have been installed at Codford Village Hall as part of plans to future-proof the building.
Paid for through grants by the National Lottery and Warminster Area Board, the new windows are just a small part of a project to reduce running costs, protect the environment and make the hall more user friendly.
A total of £20,000 was awarded by the National Lottery, with £4,900 coming from the Warminster Area Board.
The trustees said the old windows had rotting wooden frames and poor standard of glazing which prompted the replacement with new, modern high-efficiency units.
The trustees for the hall said: “The project has many stages and will take some time and lots of money to complete but we have made a good start.
“Bids were made for Stage 1 funding both to the lottery and to the Warminster Area Board.
“Both responded well and made very generous and much appreciated donations.
“With a further boost from our own funds and generous donors we have been able to go ahead with a contract with New Windows, who are Warminster based firm.”
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Restaurant building could be set for flats conversion, if plans go ahead
ASALISBURY
restaurant
could be turned into flats under new proposals.
Nepalese and Indian cuisine restaurant Yetis Kitchen, found at 139 Fisherton Street, has been closed since a fire broke out in the kitchen in June last year.
The landlord says the previous occupier confirmed they will not reopen at the site and they have been struggling to secure an alternative commercial tenant to take it on.
Plans have now been submitted to turn the restaurant into two ground floor flats.
The applicant, TooGood’s Property Company Ltd, says the existing double doors would need to be replaced with wider doors to allow convenient access to the commercial area of Fisherton Street.
The first and second floors of the building are currently being used as four flats.
Agent Simpson Hilder, who submitted the plans on behalf of the applicant, said that if the
plans are not approved, the area could remain vacant permanently.
“The change of use of the ground floor to residential would result in significant investment by the owner that would secure the long-term prospects of the property as a whole,” they said.
“Without its conversion to residential, the ground floor level is likely to remain vacant for a significant period of time.”
They added: “Given the non-central location of the property and the availability of alternative space, there is no realistic prospect of there being any demand for the ground floor space to be used for restaurant purposes in the foreseeable future.”
Yeti Kitchen in Fisherton Street
Picture: Google
Stars machine helps thousands
Picture: Spencer Mulholland
ANEW
state-of-the-art machine has helped an extra 2,000 heart patients receive a quicker diagnosis in its first year of operation.
Paid for through the Stars Appeal at Salisbury District Hospital, the £142,000 echocardiogram machine uses ultrasound to show a detailed image of a patient’s heart, detecting any abnormalities or serious heart conditions.
It provides doctors with the best images possible to aid diagnosis.
Money was raised for the new machine through donations, fundraising and gifts left by those who remember the charity in their wills.
This means that the cardiac investigation unit is now
equipped with four echocardiogram machines in total.
David Richards, 85, used the machine when he was admitted to hospital after having a heart attack last year.
He said: “It was very good having the latest equipment. It is an incredible machine which was able to show that my heart was not seriously damaged.
“I had excellent care with remarkable, hi-tech equipment that was provided by the Stars Appeal, which I am very grateful for.
“Once again, the Stars Appeal revealed itself to be truly five star.”
The additional echocardiogram machine means all of the 6,000 heart patients
seen in the cardiac investigation unit each year are benefitting from faster access to scans.
The new machine is enabling staff to see 40 more patients a week, helping to reduce waiting times so patients can get a diagnosis more quickly.
Ian Hilton, who is in his 60s, was diagnosed with a heart valve problem and has had his condition monitored using echocardiogram machines.
He said: “I’m very grateful to the Stars Appeal and everyone who supports the charity who contributed towards this echocardiogram machine which has not only helped me but will help all the people using it in the future. Thank you very much.
“When you’re in my position
and have a problem with your heart you want your doctors to have this modern diagnostic technology.
“This machine increases their diagnostic capabilities and gives them the best tools to treat patients like me.”
Consultant cardiologist and Stars Appeal ambassador, Dr Susie Lewis, said: “Thank you to everyone who supports the Stars Appeal whose donations have helped fund this amazing equipment. It is helping us deliver the best cardiology care to our patients.
“Having this additional echocardiogram machine has given us extra capacity so we can see more patients, which is reducing the time people a re having to wait for a scan.”
New management at Hook and Glove in Farley
AN independent pub in a village near Salisbury has been saved from closure thanks to new management stepping in.
Owners of the Hook and Glove, at Farley, announced earlier this month that they were stepping away after spending 13 years at the helm.
Previous attempts to secure new management failed to materialise, and the pub was set to close.
However, the pub has now announced that
new management will now take over the helm and that the pub will reopen following a general refurbishment and restock.
They said: “We are very lucky to have a local couple with lots of ideas and bundles of enthusiasm to take over the helm of what will be very much a village independent one-off freehouse.
“On a personal note, can I say a big thank you to the hundreds of well-wishers who contacted me when we thought all was lost
and I am sorry there were too many to reply to individually.”
The new landlord and lady said they are thrilled to take up the reins.
“We are excited to share our vision for a vibrant and welcoming village pub,” they said. “We’re passionate about creating a traditional, family-friendly venue with quality food and drink, relaxing surroundings and various events throughout the year. We can’t wait to welcome you all to The Hook."
Cardiac investigation unit staff with Ian Hilton and the additional echocardiogram machine
90-bed Stonehenge Hotel plan could boost economy and jobs
PLANS
to build a new 90-bed hotel in Bulford – complete with a conference space, restaurant and rooftop bar – have been praised by some in the community.
The plans detail the demolition of the van sales dealer M A Vans Ltd and the Bulford Camp Hand Car Wash at Amesbury Road, to be replaced with a four-storey L-shaped hotel building – to be called The Stonehenge Hotel.
The proposed hotel would be used to primarily house those visiting friends and family living at the nearby Bulford Military Base, which has expanded considerably over the years.
According to the plans, a third of the British Army are now based in and around Bulford.
A conference space for 200 people has also been planned for businesses connected with the local science park as well as a restaurant, entertainment facilities and a ‘one-stop shop’.
An underground parking space for 44 vehicles would also be provided.
food, and the fourth floor would have a restaurant with 144 spaces, as well as a restaurant terrace with 44 spaces and a lounge terrace with 36 place settings.
The applicant said there is a shortfall in hotel accommodation in the area and that the plans have received support from nearby businesses.
social function for the surrounding area.”
One resident, Chloe Howard, described the plans as a “brilliant plan for the future of Bulford”.
She said: “A project such as this will only have a positive effect within the area itself, providing jobs to the local community.
Although the plans were initially put together in 2020, they were only validated by Wiltshire Council earlier this month.
Applicant, Duckquiff Ltd, said the new hotel would help to both attract new inward investment and provide new jobs.
The ground floor would include a foyer with 72 place settings for light bar-type
They said: “We have demonstrated that there will be considerable economic benefits of the proposal, with a large increase in employment and resultant broader economic benefits.
“The hotel is proposed to serve the existing barracks as well as local businesses and the tourist industry.
“The addition of a bar and restaurant, open to the public, will add an additional
“Also, looking at the plans, the building itself looks amazing, and with its amenities, such as a bar, would provide a great area in which people can meet and interact with each other over a drink or coffee.”
However, not everyone is on board with the scheme.
Another Bulford resident, Dan Hunt, raised concerns that the new hotel could exacerbate traffic problems in the area.
He said: “The site location is wholly unsuitable for a hotel.”
He added: “The local roads are not designed to take the extra volumes of tourist traffic, putting our children at higher risk of being involved in some sort of vehiclebased accident.”
n To view and comment on the plans, visit the planning section of Wiltshire Council’s website and search reference 20/03485/FUL.
How the proposed 90-bed Stonehenge Hotel, at Bulford, could look
Picture: Cutler Architects
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Games area to get major makeover if council plans are approved
AMULTI-use
games area
(MUGA) in Salisbury could see upgraded facilities if plans are approved.
Wiltshire Council has put together plans that would see the MUGA at Gainsborough Close turned into a ‘PlayZone’ with new fencing, LED floodlights and a spectator area complete with bins and benches.
The new surface will have markings for football, basketball and volleyball, with goals at each end and four basketball hoops along with a “basketball system”.
Agent MUGA UK Sports Pitch Consultants, who submitted the plans on behalf of Wiltshire Council, said the plans would provide new facilities that would encourage a wider range of participants and see more use in the winter months.
PlayZone facilities, according to the Football Foundation website, are safe, inclusive and accessible outdoor facilities that bring communities together through recreational forms of football and a range of other sports.
The MUGA at Gainsborough Close was chosen for the new PlayZone facility following a consultation, with the UK’s largest sports charity, the Football Foundation, providing funding through their PlayZone programme.
This programme has been developed to tackle inequalities in physical activity and access to high-quality facilities in areas “with the greatest need”.
The current MUGA is open until 9pm and there are no plans to extend these opening hours.
MUGA UK Sports Pitch
The games area is set to get a major makeover if Wiltshire Council plans are approved
Consultants said the proposals would provide an opportunity to arrange specialist coaching sessions when daylight is limited, which would further improve skills and performance standards of users.
They added: “The proposal would be of considerable
benefit to the local community groups through the provision of a new facility in a previously unused area.”
n For more details on the plans, log on to wiltshire.gov.uk and search for application reference PL/2025/02913
Tickets on sale for 2025 Summerfest
BEER
lovers across the south west will be able to try out a range of tipples old and new at this year’s Summerfest.
The popular festival, run by the Salisbury & South Wiltshire branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra), is returning to the city’s Guildhall on June 20 to 21.
Local ales will be at the heart of the festival, and drinks will be sold in half-pint and onethird of a pint measures.
Card-carrying Camra members will get half a pint free.
“Last year’s Summerfest and this January’s Winterfest both went very well and I am sure that our customers will once again enjoy the hospitality of the Guildhall,” said Andrew Hesketh, festivals co-ordinator for the Salisbury & South Wiltshire branch of CAMRA.
“We are bringing back a music session on the Friday
evening featuring the lovely Eve N Song, who gave us such a wonderful performance last year.”
The festivities will take place from 6.30pm to 11pm on the Friday and continue on from 11am to 3pm on the Saturday
and 5pm to 9pm on the Sunday. CAMRA say they’ve listened to feedback from last year’s event and have now decided to extend the closing time on Saturday evening to 9pm and split the day into two separate sessions.
Andrew added: “Summerfest will continue the tradition of a comfortable, conversation-led festival and, of course, an excellent range of real ales and ciders.
“Beers on sale will feature a variety of ales selected both locally and from further afield, but beers and ciders from Wiltshire and the surrounding counties will be at the heart of the festival.”
For those that purchase tickets before May 31, Friday and Saturday lunchtime sessions will be just £10, but tickets purchased after that will cost £12.
As an introductory offer for the Saturday evening session, Camra is charging just £8.
n The 2024 event sold out in advance, so anyone wishing to attend the 2025 festival is urged to book early via www. salisburycamra.org.uk/events.
Pub chain's fund hands over more than £20,000 to community groups
THEcompany behind the Pembroke Arms and the Market Tavern in Salisbury has contributed more than £20,000 to community groups across the south west.
The Chickpea Group runs a number of country pubs across the southwest as well as the Nole on the Square pizza shop in the city.
The company set up a Chickpea + Friends Fund in 2023 to provide support for groups instrumental in supporting disadvantaged young people, refugees, asylum seekers and various other initiatives, with a focus on helping those who need it most.
The fund has so far raised £20,000.
Ethan Davids, CEO of Chickpea Group said: “We’re really proud to hit the £20k milestone with the Chickpea + Friends Fund.
“Working with the Wiltshire Community Foundation to manage all of our charitable
giving means these funds are distributed across the county to organisations, projects, and groups local to our places who work tirelessly for the benefit of their own communities.”
Administered through Wiltshire Community Foundation, the fund has supported a wide range of communitydriven projects, including the Harbour Project, Salisbury Women’s Refuge, Escapeline and Muse CIC.
These organisations have benefitted from grants that help to provide vital services and support to those who are often underrepresented in the community.
Fiona Oliver, joint chief executive of Wiltshire Community Foundation, said: “The Chickpea + Friends Fund is a brilliant example of a local business connecting with and caring for its local community.
“It demonstrates strategic and smart charitable giving while also making the experience enjoyable for everyone involved.
“We are incredibly proud to work with the Chickpea team and to see how far their fund has come in such a short time.
“As the Chickpea business continues to grow and thrive so does their charitable giving.”
The Chickpea + Friends Fund is sustained through contributions from the business and fundraising events, including their highly successful and competitive Monday night quiz at the Pembroke Arms in Wilton.
The money raised goes directly to supporting organisations, charities, and individuals in need across Wiltshire, Dorset and Somerset.
As well as the Pembroke Arms, the Nole on the Square and The Market Tavern, Chickpea Group also runs The Dog and Gun in Netheravon, The Grosvenor Arms in Hindon, The Queen’s Head in Broad Chalke, The Silver Plough in Pitton.
High-end bakery plan unveiled for former Tiger shop
A NEW high-end bakery could fill an empty shop building in Salisbury if plans are approved.
The former Tiger shop at the Poultry Cross is subject to plans which would see it transformed into a Gail’s bakery – offering tasty treats, salads and sandwiches.
The unit has been empty since Danish retailer Tiger closed in December 2022. The latest plans have proposed to replace
the existing shopfront and fascia with a new glazed and timber framed shopfront and a new reconstituted stone shopfront fascia with retractable canopies.
The new shopfront will retain a recessed entrance to Poultry Cross and an additional recessed shopfront entrance and fixed seating to shopfront recess are proposed for the Ox Row side of the site.
The plans say the new Ox Row entrance
will alleviate pressure to the front of the site and improve customer experience and flow within the proposed bakery. Gail’s Ltd says the plans represent a “positive enhancement” to the site on prime shopping frontage and would result in no harm to the conservation area.
For more details, and to comment on the plans, visit wiltshire.gov.uk, reference PL/2025/03313.
Chickpea Group’s founders, Tommy Tullis, Ethan Davids, and Jordan Davids
Picture: Wiltshire Community Foundation
Fresh plans for 47 homes in village
REVISED
plans have been submitted which would see 47 houses built on a green space in Alderbury.
Formula Land (Alderbury) Ltd initially submitted outline plans to develop fields sandwiched between Southampton Road at the north of the village and the A36 in November of last year.
Feedback gathered from two public consultations has fed into the new plans, which have seen a slight increase in the number of bungalows and flats proposed.
Four two-bed houses have been replaced with four two-bed bungalows on the western edge of the site adjacent to Junction Lane, and two two-bed houses have been replaced with two one-bed flats.
There has also been a reduction in the scale of the houses, with one two-storey house replaced with one single-storey bungalow which would join the existing properties on Junction Lane.
Additional boundary planting has been proposed to protect the amenity of the neighbouring houses to Junction Road.
Alderbury Parish Council raised objections to the
previously submitted plans back in December.
They said the site lies outside the settlement boundary for the village as per the Local Plan and that they feel that Alderbury has fulfilled its contribution to help meet housing targets in the county thanks to previous developments.
Issues were also raised about the potential flood risk, with the council adding that “local knowledge says there are many underground springs in this area.”
Concerns over the increase of traffic were also brought to the developer’s attention, as well as the impact on Southampton Road, which would serve as access to the development.
The parish council said: “The village has expanded a great deal in the past few years with no improvement to the A36 capacity, particularly into Salisbury.
“Another 47 properties and, perhaps, double that number of cars, will have a significant impact.
“The expansion of the village in recent years is having a noticeable impact on the amount of traffic on Southampton Road and the A36.”
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How the scheme in Alderbury could look
Pickled eggs on forks and creme eggs between the knees - all in a day's walk
PICKLED eggs and cake
decorating don’t usually feature in a charity walk, but a fun-loving group of Amesbury fundraisers put their own spin on things to raise money for veterans’ mental health charity Combat Stress.
Led by Army veteran Dale Garner, 51, the 13-strong team walked 10 miles on March 29 to raise vital funds – but with a twist.
At each mile point a task was added to make the challenge even trickier, from eating pickled eggs off a fork blindfolded to walking with a creme egg between the knees.
The walk was part of Combat Stress’ annual fundraising event, March in March, where participants are tasked with completing 10 miles on any given day during the month.
Now in its eighth year, the challenge has raised more than £1m for the charity in total, helping to provide specialist mental health treatment to veterans across the UK with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Dale, who was diagnosed with PTSD due to his experiences in the Army, was treated by Combat Stress in 2022.
He and his friends were
driven to take part in March in March to give back to the charity that helped him. Their efforts saw them raise over £1,600.
Dale said: “We wanted to raise money for Combat Stress after they helped me get my life back, and March in March seemed a good way to do it.
“We wanted to have some fun while we were on the walk, so added in some unusual tasks.
“It was definitely interesting, and we’ll be talking about it for some time, but the main thing is that we have raised money so Combat Stress can be there to help more veterans who need their specialist treatment.”
At the finish line, the team were congratulated and presented with their March in March medals by Amesbury Mayor, councillor Alan Hagger.
Dale was also recently
The egg-cited Amesbury Team!
awarded Combat Stress’ Veteran Storyteller of the Year award for bravely sharing his story to raise awareness of the impact of military trauma.
n Read more about Dale's journey at https://combatstress. org.uk/dales-story.
To find out more about Combat Stress’ March in March challenge, visit marchinmarch. co.uk.
How you should sow seed outdoors
by Sally Gregson
AT last, the time has come for the ‘singing of birds’ and ‘flowers to appear on the earth’ as King Solomon once noted. There is a definite warmth to the daytime temperatures. Not only are the birds singing and our woolly jumpers shed, but the soil has warmed to above 10 degrees centigrade. It is a critical temperature below which seed will just rot off and not germinate.
In the vegetable garden, if the soil is not already weed-free and raked, it is time to prepare the beds for sowing. Remove every visible weed, and if the ground suffers from docks, dandelions or worse, insert a fork deep down and hoick them out. It is more easily done now than when giant dandelions are surrounded by struggling seedling lettuces.
Rake over the soil to a ‘fine tilth’, that is, the texture of breadcrumbs, if possible. And
then mark out rows with the corner of an inverted rake. The old fashioned method is still the best. Broadcasting seeds all over the ground sounds like a good idea to use the available space, but you will need to be able to identify weed seedlings from their cotyledons – seed leaves – and tweak them out. It’s so much easier to spot a uniform row of seedling cabbages among all the weedy
chaos.
Sow the vegetable seeds thinly in the indented rows then cover them with earth, turn the rake over and tamp down the soil with the back of the tines, label the row and give it all a good watering. Most vegetable seedlings will be
up within a fortnight. Unless, that is, we get a few very cold, frosty nights. Often the newly germinated seeds are burned off
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by a late frost. If this happens, there’s still plenty of time to sow another row alongside.
Once you are confident there is a row of vegetable seedlings coming up, you can take care of them – weeding and watering. After a few weeks, the growing plants will probably need thinning down to the required distance apart. This is usually noted on the seed packet.
Half-hardy vegetables such as courgettes, French beans and cucumbers should be started off under protection by the end of March.
And by summer you will be picking fresh cabbages, lettuces and young vegetables.
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Spring is here and the soil has warmed, allowing seed to germinate
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Warm
Peter Dunn
Range shop workers stole thousands
TWO former employees of The Range in Salisbury worked together to con the store out of thousands of poundsworth of goods over a ninemonth period.
Liam Snook, 34, of Blackfriars Way in Salisbury, and Sarah Brooks, 34, of Coronation Road, Durrington, carried out a total of 74 thefts between May 2023 and January 2024.
The partners in crime carried out most of the thefts together, with Snook occasionally stealing stock on his own, a court was told.
It wasn’t until a new employee noticed sales manager Snook entering the shop by himself that alarm bells were raised.
Brooks, a shop assistant, and Snook would lift-share on days
they worked together.
After being arrested, Brooks explained that during one fateful drive, they had a conversation about how easy it would be to steal from the shop.
From then, Brooks would habitually steal every Monday and Thursday throughout her shift and just before Snook had closed the shop.
They’d both go back inside the shop once the other employees had left in order to steal.
Staff initially became suspicious after a diligent new employee discovered the pair’s criminality, as Snook would let all the staff leave then re-enter the shop alone without reason, which breached the company’s policy against locking up the store alone.
The same situation occurred
if Brooks was working, except they’d both re-enter the shop, or Brooks would wait for Snook outside.
Local crime investigator Ange Dowsett said: “This was a calculated, high-value series of thefts during which Snook and Brooks abused their trusted positions as employees to steal thousands of pounds worth of goods. Their criminality was motivated, lengthy and without remorse and the CCTV footage
shows a jubilant, planned mood when the pair were carrying out the theft."
Snook and Brooks’ employment was suspended on January 30, 2024, the day after they were caught in the act by The Range’s area loss prevention manager.
Some of the losses were recovered through deductions in their final paychecks.
Snook was sentenced to nine months imprisonment, suspended for two years, in addition to 150 hours of unpaid work.
Brooks received a community order which requires her to complete 167 hours of unpaid work within the next 12 months.
Both defendants must pay compensation of £2,866 each.
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How to vote - and who's up - on May 1
LOCAL
elections on May 1
include both Salisbury City Council and Wiltshire Council. The city is divided into eight Wards (also known as Divisions when considering Wiltshire Council).
In each Ward we need to elect three city councillors – but in each Division we can choose only one Wiltshire Councillor.
The names of all the candidates are now available online at www.wiltshire.gov.uk/ local-elections.
Running for local government is not for everyone and all the parties have struggled to field as many candidates as they would have liked.
This has led to some wards having more choice than others.
Since each ward supports three councillors, we can all vote for three on the city council list – although you can vote for fewer than three.
There is no direct link between who we vote for as a
Cllr Chris Taylor Conservative councillor for Salisbury St Paul’s Ward on Salisbury City Council
city councillor and who we choose for Wiltshire Council.
However, in most divisions, the Wiltshire candidate will also be standing as a city councillor – they might find themselves elected for one or the other or both.
Unlike in the general election, there is no connection between local election results and Number 10.
Voting for non-Labour candidates will not, in any way, diminish Labour’s majority in the House of Commons.
Some commentators see the local elections as an indication of a Government’s popularity and, from my recent conversations on doorsteps, I am painfully aware that some residents will
cast their vote for their local candidate entirely along national lines.
However, I would urge you to consider how your chosen candidate will directly affect you – where you live.
Please chat to them, if they visit, and read their leaflets carefully.
Check out their activity on social media and search articles about them in the local newspapers.
If applicable, investigate how they have spent their time as a
councillor and whether they have done what they said they would do.
Where available, read their party’s local manifesto. At the time of writing this includes – www.conservativewiltshire. com and www.
salisburylabourparty.org.uk and www.swwiltshirelibdems.org. uk.
Personally I find negative campaigning extremely unhelpful and would not resort to it myself.
Leaflets that criticise without making it clear how a candidate would do things any better fail to add value.
Promises to fix more potholes, for example, without a fully funded explanation are meaningless.
Typically only one in three of us votes in such elections which can give unexpected results. I would urge you to vote and I would suggest you consider whether the candidate you put a cross against is someone you believe will respond to your local
'Better to make the effort - and vote'
ISEE
Kemi Badenoch, the illustrious leader of the Conservatives, was here in town recently. No doubt hoping to drum up support for the local elections, she expressed her regret at the government’s u-turn on the Stonehenge tunnel project, which kind of shows us where we are under any future Tory government.
Despite endless public consultations and public inquiries all coming up with the same outcome not to go ahead, they have absolutely no intention of taking ‘no’ for an answer and will keep coming back (likened to spoilt children) in the hope they will get the answer they require, and as they demonstrated when in power, if that fails they will go ahead anyway flying in the face of their own inspectorate and
public opinion.
Like I have oft’ times said to the press, when discussing this and similar issues: “We may win now, just as we won in the 80s and 90s, but it is not going to stop our children and our children’s children having to fight the same fight over and over again.”
King Arthur Pendragon Former and proposed Independent Parliamentary candidate for Salisbury
Well, it’s not long now to the local elections, many of us don’t bother to vote at a local level, so it’s often a shoe-in for the most active councillors, and very little changes no matter the colour of overall control, but like the parliamentary elections you have to be in it to win it, and if you don’t take part you
really can’t complain about what you get can you?
No, better I think to make the effort, if it’s only to spoil your ballot. At least you can say you took part and therefore have every right to complain about the outcome and what our councillors do in the future.
One public toilet block remaining open in a city centre, while two more are closed. Have you ever heard of such stupidity?
Whatever happens, you are about to get the party men/ women knocking on your door before the first of May, giving it the large one. Though in truth they wouldn’t know a real party if it hit them in the face. Beltaine, the night before the election, is where and when we Pagan folk will be partying. Until Next time...
ANUPCOMING walking weekend promises to deliver excellent views of Salisbury.
Families, visitors to the city, and those that just love a good walk, are being invited to take part in South Wiltshire Ramblers Group’s first public walking weekend.
Taking place from Friday May 16 to Sunday May 18, the event welcomes walkers who would like to explore the locality on foot.
Organisers said: “With an area rich in scenery and history, criss-crossed by droves and footpaths, South Wiltshire is a fantastic area for walkers.
“Throughout the weekend a variety of walks will be offered to explore some of the area’s many attractive features, including the medieval
cathedral city of Salisbury and the villages and downland of the Cranborne Chase National Landscape.”
Many of the walks on offer will be selected from the Rambler’s series of published local walking guides and will include routes to appeal to all ages and abilities.
There will be walks of differing lengths and fitness levels to choose from. Every walk will be free and will be led by an experienced Ramblers walk leader, with walks advertised on the Ramblers’ website as well as being promoted through the Salisbury Tourist Information Centre.
n Further details will also be available at www. wiltsswindonramblers.org.uk/ index.php/south-wiltshireramblers.
Mela event will celebrate cultures of Salisbury
A NEW event celebrating the wide variety of different cultures in the city is taking place this summer.
Salisbury City Council’s first Mela event is scheduled for Sunday, July 13 from 10am to 4pm in the Market Place. It will see the city’s cultural groups come together to celebrate diversity and will feature a range of stalls sharing traditions, food, entertainment and more.
A council spokesperson said: “Enjoy cultural performances, delicious food, arts and crafts, and entertainment for all ages.”
They added: “Be sure to mark the date in your diary so you don’t miss this exciting new event.”
The council is now looking for groups to take part in the event and showcase their culture.
This could range from performances and sharing traditions to having a stand selling authentic clothing or food.
Applications close on Friday, May 30.
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Wiltshire farmer Minette takes on role
WILTSHIRE farmer – and former NFU president
– Baroness Minette Batters is leading a new government review of farm profitability.
Baroness Batters has been handed the role by Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Steve Reed.
The brief will see her provide recommendations on farm profitability both to Mr Reed
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It will see Baroness Batters meet with farmers and growers across all land areas and sectors, as well as engaging with other government departments whose work impacts farmers.
She said: “I will leave no stone unturned in trying to find solutions to boost farm
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profitability. But we should be under no illusions how difficult this work will be.
"There will not be one ‘silver bullet’ to fire but I’m hopeful this review can make a difference to a sector that produces the nation’s food, underpins the rural economy and delivers so much for the environment."
She will provide short, medium and long term recommendations and propose actions for government and
industry that will support farming profitability as part of the government’s New Deal for Farmers, supported by the new Profitability Unit within Defra.
Baroness Batters’ review will also help the development of the food strategy, farming roadmap and the Land Use Framework.
She runs – a tenanted family farm in Wiltshire, a mixed business including a 100-cow continental cross suckler herd, as well as sheep and arable.
Early Fly Prevention by Meghan Vellam, K-SQP (RAMA) Synergy Dispensary Team
As the weather begins to warm up and spring takes hold, in the Synergy Farm Health dispensary our team of ‘Registered Animal Medicines Advisors’ (RAMAs) are preparing themselves for discussions about fly control on farm. The flies caught us all by surprise last year, with a mass hatch occurring in the middle of March resulting in cases of fly strike, and early treatments being required.
Implementing measures early in the season before flies are readily visible will make control easier and more effective. Once you start seeing flies, the population has already exploded making it harder to manage them. The most effective control method is to use a topical application (or long-acting fly control ear tags in cattle), alongside environmental management to control fly breeding sites.
Topical applications must be applied correctly and at the right dosage for specific animals. All applicators should be calibrated and serviced before use enabling the product to be applied effectively.
We are happy to discuss product choice with you and we can advise what control methods are most appropriate for your stock, taking into account specific farm factors including timings around shearing, for example. Our RAMAs are here to support and assist with this discussion.
Baroness Minette Batters with Defra Secretary Steve Reed Picture: Gov UK
Success at two-day Gillingham sale
CLARKE'S Auctions in Gillingham saw some strong results at their two-day auction last weekend, with a locally-consigned single-owner collection of Bassett-Lowke boardroom models of steam, paddle and clockwork pre WWII ships including RNLI steamships, yachts and other nautical related items all selling extremely well, and a singleowner collection of Minichamps 1:12th scale Grand Prix British superbike motorcycle models, mostly boxed and in pristine condition, all finding new homes across the country and selling to approximately six individual collectors.
Other lots selling well included a very rare vintage enamel advertising sign for Strange’s A1 Motor Spirits selling for £2,600 including premium, an 18ct gold Italian design necklace selling for £1,736 including premium and a
charming miniature 9ct gold hip flask selling for £1,300 including premium, reflecting the strong prices for gold and silver at the moment.
Having gained a reputation locally for auctioning single owner collections of antiques and collectables they would be
A fine lateVictorian model of a James Peake design RNLI lifeboat sold for £7,300 at the Clarke's sale
happy to take a look at any collection you might be thinking of moving on, whether part of or the whole collection, so please give them a call on the number below.
They are taking entries for their May Antiques & Collectables sale and for
enquiries for consignment, or for any Probate or Insurance Valuations or Full or Part House Clearances, please phone either Richard Clarke or Karen Marshall on 01747 685592 at their salerooms at The Old Glove Factory, Buckingham Road, Gillingham, SP8 4QF.
Spire Motorhomes and Caravan
Motoring with David Young
Foolish to ignore new Audi A6 Avant
THERE'S no point beating around the bush. Yes, there is a brand-new Audi A6 Avant on the horizon that you could be slightly foolish to ignore.
A stylish premium-brand car with all the bells and whistles, an appropriately generous helping of power, an incredibly comfortable and well-designed interior, and all the added practicality of a spacious estate.
Powered by a choice of modern petrol and diesel engines and featuring intuitive operating and infotainment concepts, new digital lighting technology, and intelligent driver assistance systems, the new Audi A6 Avant sets the standard for premium design, quality, and comfort.
With its long wheelbase, large wheels, and sculpted body, the new Audi A6 Avant is perfectly proportioned and elegantly styled.
The front is characterized by the raised Audi rings set in the distinctive, low-positioned grille which extends to the lower edge of the front apron.
Sleek LED lights at the front and rear feature seven digital light signatures, giving the new A6 Avant considerable potential for personalisation. UK-spec models also include digital LED daytime running lights made up of 48 individual LED segments per headlight, and Matrix LED headlights featuring a hexagonperforated stainless-steel screen that conceals the running lights.
There is also a palette of 10 solid and metallic colours for the new A6 - including a new colour option called Midnight Green - and a wide selection of alloy wheel designs ranging in size from 18 to 21 inches.
In addition to exclusive exterior colours, various exclusive Audi options including new interior and
leather colours allow you to personalise the interior too. And as is usually the case with Audi, the spacious interior of the new A6 Avant is impeccably stylish and refined.
Built around the MMI panoramic display and optional passenger display, it also reflects Audi’s focus on a digital approach in its new models. The thin free-standing OLED panoramic display has a curved design that consists of the Audi virtual cockpit with an 11.9-inch display and the 14.5-inch MMI touch display.
As part of the optional Sound & Vision pack, the new Audi A6 Avant can even be equipped with a configurable head-up display (HUD) that shows speed, active assistance systems, navigation instructions, and media information, as well as - for the first time – giving you the ability to control vehicle and infotainment functions via the head-up display.
As a contrast to the digital future, the new interior of the Audi A6 Avant also boasts a variety of different trim materials to create a comfortable and refined ambiance. The contoured lighting along the dashboard and in the doors accentuates the
width of the interior, while the indirect light below the panoramic display creates a visual effect of floating.
At launch, the new Audi A6 Avant will be available with two different engines in the UK –one petrol and one diesel. The diesel option features mild hybrid technology, so it gets some efficiency benefits from being partially electrified.
The MHEV plus system supports the 2.0-litre diesel engine to improve performance and efficiency, as well as reducing emissions and maximising fuel efficiency. The MHEV system can also run solely on the powertrain generator, which does allow for electric-only driving when parking and manoeuvring, or when you’re sat in slow-moving traffic.
Overall, the A6 Avant 2.0 TDI delivers around 200bhp and a maximum torque of 400Nm. It is also fitted with a dual-clutch transmission and quattro all-wheel drive.
The A6 Avant 2.0 TFSI is the entry-level petrol variant with a 2.0-litre turbocharged fourcylinder engine and front-wheel drive. Like the diesel option, it delivers around 200bhp and is coupled to the seven-speed transmission via a dual-clutch system.
Neither of the initial engine choices are going to stand out among similar offerings from the A6’s rivals. They’ve both
got enough power to be suitable for a premium car, but the focus is more on efficiency and refinement than outright performance. No doubt other powertrain options will be added to the list once the launch is out of the way, and if one of them happens to be a new RS6 then that will be more than capable of dealing with the performance side of things.
Regardless of your powertrain choice, you'll be looking at one of three trim-levels for the new Audi A6 Avant.
The entry-level ‘Sport’ trim includes 18-inch alloy wheels, Sport exterior (bumpers, grille, inlets, spoiler, and diffuser), front and rear LED Matrix lights, rear and side windows with heat-insulating glazing, standard front seats in twin leather, 4-zone deluxe automatic air conditioning, MMI navigation plus with 11.9-inch Audi Virtual Cockpit plus and 14.5-inch OLED touch display, wireless phone charging, USB ports with charging function, Audi assistant, and surround view cameras.
If you prefer the A6 Avant S-line you can add a few extras to that list, including upgrading to 19-inch platinum grey wheels and the sport suspension with a 20mm lower ride height. The mid-range ‘S-line’ also adds privacy glass, front sport seats in leather, and sporty stainlesssteel pedals and footrest.
The range-topping A6 Avant ‘Edition 1’ trim features even more specification and a few extra little touches. The wheels are upgraded to 20-inch 5-arm alloys finished in Graphite grey with contrasting red brake callipers.
The new Audi A6 Avant hit UK showrooms on April 1 priced from £52,510 (OTR). It’s a premium price tag, but it’s pretty much where you’d expect it to be for a premium car. First deliveries are due to begin in mid-June.
AVANT GARDE
- Four - Wheel Laser Alignment - ADAS Calibrations - BrakesAir Conditioning - Diagnostics - Welding - ExhaustsBatteries - Suspension - Clutches
Four-Wheel Laser Alignment
Four- Wheel Laser Alignment
We use the latest specialist equipment to accurately check the front and rear wheels of your vehicle. If the alignment is not set correctly it was cause excessive wear to your tyres, steering and suspension components. To prevent high repair costs, or tyre replacement from misaligned wheels you could poten�ally save yourself money by checking the alignment.
We use the latest specialist equipment to accurately check the front and rear wheels of your vehicle. If the alignment is not set correctly it will cause excessive wear to your tyres, steering and suspension componenents. To prevent high repair costs, or tyre replacement from misaligned wheels you could potentially save yourself money by checking the alignment.
ADAS Alignment Checks and Recalibrations. Ask for more details.
CLASS 4 & 7 MOT’S ONLY £45. All MOT’s done on site so no extra fees to pay. Dscounts available for Traders- just ask!
