Salisbury & Avon Gazette - Issue 34

Edition 34

FREE EVERY FORTNIGHT

January 29, 2024

Salisbury & Avon Gazette www.salisburyandavon.co.uk

BARBARA IS 103!

Birthday wishes flood in after appeal Page 3

CITY STATION

51,000 THANK YOUS TO SHOPPERS! Rockbourne Fair hands over £51,000 to Stars Appeal after 2023 event Page 3

‘No timeline’ for new police station Page 4

SHOOT PLANS

Boscombe Down bid for clay pigeon shoot Page 8

Sofas made in Hampshire, especially for you The Courtyard, The Guild Wiltshire, Wilton, SP2 0BH, Tel: 01722 433545 Hunts Farm, Rudd Lane, Upper Timsbury, Romsey, SO51 0NU, Tel: 01794 367898 www.sofasmith.co.uk

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Salisbury & Avon, January 29, 2024

What’s inside this issue…

Antiques

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40

Arts & Entertainment

28-31

Business

24-25

Church

38

Education

40

Farming

46-47

Food & Drink

41

Field & Stream

45

History

36-37

Home & Garden/Gardening

20-21

Local Services

34

Motoring

42

Policing

22-23

Politics

39

Property

26

Puzzles

32-33

Recruitment

26-27

Sport

35

Volunteering

40

Wanted

34

EDITORIAL We love hearing your news and views.

Get in touch with us by emailing newsdesk@salisburyandavon.co.uk Lloyd Armishaw Publisher newsdesk@blackmorevale.net 01963 400186 Kye Harman Sports Editor sports@blackmorevale.net 01963 400186 Lorraine Drake Distributor lorraine_drake@icloud.com 07850 529937 Online: www.salisburyandavon.co.uk

• Top: Bridge repair plans revealed after storm crash page 8 • Above: Driver jailed after city centre police pursuit page 12 • Left: New Natural England base plans revealed page 10

ADVERTISING Debi Thorne Sales Director Debi.thorne@blackmorevale.net 07714 289409 Jane Toomer Senior Account Manager Jane.toomer@blackmorevale.net 07714 289411 Mandy Bacchus Account Manager amanda.bacchus@blackmorevale.net 07714 289414

Dan Leney Account Manager 01963 400186

CLASSIFIED ADVERTS: adverts@salisburyandavon.co.uk - 01963 400186 Editorial deadlines are the Monday the week before publication.

Display ads must be booked by Wednesday the week before publication, with final copy submitted by the Friday.

Classified ads may be accepted after this, however these will be subject to space.

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Rockbourne Fair raised £50,000 for Saslisbury Hospital Stars Appeal

THE 2023 Rockbourne Fair Pembroke, added: “On behalf raised more than £50,000 for of the Stars Appeal, I want to the Salisbury Hospital Stars say a massive thank you to the Appeal.

Rockbourne Fair Committee.

Organisers of the event, “The fantastic amount of which ran at Salisbury money raised is a testament to Racecourse between October their hard work and 18 and 20 last year, have dedication, and to the brilliant presented £51,533 to Salisbury support and generosity of our District Hospital charity. local community.

Members of the “It will enable the Stars Rockbourne Fair Committee Appeal to do even more to handed the donation to the support our hospital and the Earl of Pembroke, charity local people it cares for by president, on Thursday funding state-of-the-art (January 18) at the hospital’s equipment, enhancing neonatal unit. facilities and providing Members of the Rockbourne Fair Committee present the donation to Stars ongoing projects to support the The cash takes the total Appeal President, the Earl of Pembroke, and Stars Appeal Hospital wellbeing of patients. raised over the last five events Ambassadors outside the Neonatal Unit at Salisbury District Hospital to £261,514.

“Thank you so much to Credit: Spencer Mulholland After the presentation Bev everyone involved for making Moulding and Sarah Ewen, of the stallholders, and the support from every Rockbourne Fair 2023 such a success.”

Rockbourne Fair Committee, and Lord visitor who walked through our doors.

Last year, donations and fundraising Pembroke were given a tour of the Stars “Every penny raised will make a enabled the Stars Appeal to fund projects Appeal parents’ accommodation at the unit. significant difference in enhancing patient totalling more than £1 million, including They were also able to listen to a Stars care and supporting our hardworking NHS Salisbury Hospital’s first 3D ultrasound, a Appeal musician playing lullabies on the staff. new plastic surgery theatre with state-ofharp and saw some of the advanced “This is a proud moment for all of us the-art equipment, and the latest baby heart equipment that donations to the charity involved in the fair, and it reinforces our monitors on the Labour Ward. have recently funded. commitment to continue to put on this fun Meanwhile, planning for the 2024 Bev, chair of the fair committee, said: and much-loved pre-Christmas shopping Rockbourne Fair is already underway, set to “We are absolutely delighted by the event.” take place from October 16 to 18. Visit incredible success of Rockbourne Fair The shopping event featured more than www.rockbournefair.org for more 2023. Raising over £51,000 for the Stars 100 handpicked stalls offering a wide information.

Appeal goes beyond our expectations variety of items for shoppers, ranging from especially in the current economic climate fashion, jewellery and luxury homeware, to To read more about the projects the Stars and speaks volumes about the dedication of gourmet food and toys.

Appeal, visit www.starsappeal.org/whatour volunteers, the quality of our President of the Stars Appeal, Lord were-fundraising-for.

Barbara celebrates 103rd birthday A RESIDENT at Hartford Care’s Ashley Grange home in Downton celebrated her 103rd birthday recently, surrounded by cards from around the world, thanks to a special social media campaign organised by the care home staff.

The campaign, launched on Facebook, reached out to people in the local community asking for birthday cards; the target was 103 to match ‘Barbara’s’ birthday.

It achieved a huge response and Barbara received an

Left: Barbara celebrates her 103rd birthday with her daughter Penny and a member of staff Above: Penny with the 366 cards sent in by well-wishers from as far away as the USA

incredible 366 cards in total.

These included cards sent in from many of the local school

children, scout and cub groups, other Hartford care homes, the parish council and churches – she even received a card all the way from Michigan, USA. Barbara enjoyed her birthday with a tea party at Ashley Grange with her friends and family.

Her daughter, Penny, said: “I’m overwhelmed with the number of birthday cards my mother received. It’s such a wonderful thing for the team at Ashley Grange to have organised and we’re all very grateful.”

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Salisbury & Avon, January 29, 2024

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Crime commissioner can’t give a timeline on Salisbury police station PCC Philip Wilkinson does not know when Salisbury will get its long-awaited police station.

Two sites are under consideration, including one at High Post which emerged as a front runner towards the end of 2023.

However, the priority is now thought to be a site near Old Sarum.

While the PCC cited problems with third parties and difficulties during purchase negotiations, he acknowledged that he had ‘underachieved’ on the plan. Biodiveristy planning rules were another source of delay.

The new police station was among the first of Mr Wilkinson’s priorities when elected in 2021.

Meanwhile, Chief Constable Catherine Roper, admitted: “We do need greater visibility in the south of the county.”

While, £30m is expected to be secured to enable the new station to be built, its initial incarnation will not have a custody suite.

Purchase negotiations include buying land that later can be used to add additional facilities, including those for custody.

Meanwhile, with the the Policing, Priorities and £s survey set to close today (January 29), which asks residents for their opinion on where policing budget should be spent, Wiltshire Police’s share of the

council tax is expected to rise by more than 5%, an extra £1.09 a month/£13 a year for a Band D property.

Even with these increases, residents will pay the lowest precept in the South West.

The only other funding for the force in the county comes from the national police funding formula, with Wiltshire receiving the second lowest funding in the country per head of capita.

Even with the increase, cost savings needed within the force are likely to be in the region of £2.5m to balance the books.

The savings will not affect police officer, PCSO and crime and communications centre staff numbers, which have been ring-fenced by the PCC and the Chief Constable.

Mr Wilkinson said: “Whilst key

improvements have been delivered over the past 12 months, there is still much to do to make Wiltshire safer as crime and policing demand becomes ever more complex.

“We need to continue to invest in key areas to maintain the improvements that we are now seeing across the board.

“Wiltshire Police is facing increased financial pressures as we strive to deliver the necessary service improvements required but I am acutely aware of the impact any increase could have on our communities at an already challenging time.

“Both the Chief Constable and I are committed to delivering a policing service which meets an ever-changing crime picture and is fit for the future. I am asking for the public to continue to use their voice and have their say.”

Last year, it appeared that a site in High Post had been chosen for the new Police Station, with plans drawn up for how it might look.

However, speaking to BBC Wiltshire, Mr Wilkinson confirmed that Old Sarum was his preferred location, primarily because unlike the High Post proposals, the site would allow for a custody suite to be built eventually.

Get set for The Salisbury Pancake Race in February DUE to popular demand, Salisbury Foodbank, and with the support of St. Thomas Church, has announced the return of the International Pancake Race on Tuesday, February 13.

This popular and fun community event helps raise awareness of food insecurity and poverty.

A statement from the organisers, explained why the race was raising money: “In 2024, people in our community

are going without essentials that many of us take for granted: Food on a plate; a warm coat; heating on; a secure roof over head.

“We have already received interest from a number of people and organisations, but those wanting to get in training to hone their ‘flippin’ skills should reserve their place in the competition without delay.”

The race is organised under the rules of the International Federation of Pancake Races, or

F.L.I.P. in gourmet French.

Competitors are asked to race with clear advertising for their shop or organisation.

Each competitor will race carrying a frying pan (provided by the organisers), containing a pancake (also provided) and, as last year, there will be official flipping points (OFPs) along the track.

Failure to flip your pancake will result in disqualification.

The winner will be the fastest

down the track, who will receive a ‘sumptuous’ prize and claim the prestigious Golden Frying pan for the year.

The event is due to take place in Salisbury High Street, starting at 11am. However, if the weather looks to be inclement, it will revert to Salisbury Cathedral Cloisters.

Entry is free, further details: https://salisbury.foodbank.org. uk/news/

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Quality care in Salisbury you can trust When a family is thinking about care for a loved one, they want the best - they want to know that the care home they choose will put their loved one’s safety, happiness and wellbeing first.

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Living at Salisbury Manor is all about quality of life. Every colleague in the home is passionate about enabling residents to enjoy

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a fulfilling lifestyle, tailored around their unique needs and preferences. The lifestyle team will organise a huge variety of group and one-to-one activities, with plenty going on each day.

With the extra support that our care home offers, new residents are often surprised at what they can do, whether that’s being able to continue with an activity they’ve enjoyed in the past, or even discovering new hobbies with our daily activities.

The purpose-built home is designed for

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enjoying a luxury lifestyle, with en-suite rooms and facilities including a cinema, café, hair and beauty salon, comfortable lounges, and dining rooms. The home also boasts lovely gardens with wheelchair friendly pathways – the perfect place to spend some time when the weather allows.

Whether your loved one enjoys a quiet cup of tea in bed before starting the day, loves going for strolls in the landscaped grounds, or enjoys a chat over a glass of wine, the team at Salisbury Manor will spend time to enable them to continue living life the way they want to.

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Complimentary refreshments from the home’s chef are included, and this is also a perfect chance for you to meet our friendly team and explore our different care types and the lifestyle that we have at our home.

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Police need help in tracing vandals

POLICE are keen to trace these people after Christmas decorations in Salisbury were damaged.

Officers are investigating an incident of criminal damage to the Christmas tree and Christmas star art display, in Market Square, at around 1.35am on December 10.

“We appreciate the images aren’t the greatest but hope someone recognises them,” a spokesperson said.

If you can help identify the people pictured, contact police on 101, quoting reference number 54230130941.

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Soroptimists learn valuable ‘safety after dark’ lessons WALKING home after dark makes every woman think twice; which route should I follow? Are there any particular dark spaces to avoid?

After attending a personal safety training session, sponsored and facilitated by Salisbury Soroptimists, one participant commented: “I shall walk home more confidently after dark now.”

The session was run by trainer Georgina Prior of Live Safely. She demonstrated simple but effective techniques for keeping safe, which attendees were able to try out during the workshop.

Eight women from the Friary took part at the Friary Centre.

This was the final part of the Salisbury Soroptimists’ 16 days of activism, following a UN campaign, ‘Orange the World’, designed to eliminate violence against women and girls and part of a wider project ‘Making our City Safer’.

Salisbury Soroptimists will be repeating its street light audit for

Georgina Prior of Live Safely demonstrated simple but effective techniques for keeping safe

the third year running, holding Wiltshire Council to account for actioning their findings. In previous years, the group identified dark areas of the city which needed urgent attention.

A report was commissioned, but although this was due last September, no outcome has so far been seen. Liz Batten, the project lead said: “ If you are

concerned about particular areas of the city which are not well lit, let us know.”

If you are a member of a community group that would like to attend similar training, Salisbury Soroptimists plan to offer more sessions this year: makingsalisburysafer@gmail. com

Helicopter and dogs involved in car chase SNIFFER dogs and a helicopter helped track two people after a stolen vehicle rammed a police car near Salisbury.

The incident unfolded at around 8.30pm on Thursday, January 11, when officers identified a Toyota Prius which had been stolen from London in August.

They tracked the vehicle on the A36 towards Wilton, however it made off after ramming a police vehicle.

The vehicle was then tracked to Adlam Way, where it was found abandoned.

The two suspects from the vehicle were tracked by Police Dog Skye before being located hiding in a garden by the National Police Air Service.

Two men, aged 20 and 19, from Salisbury, were arrested on

The men were apprehended after abandoning the car in Wilton

Credit: Wiltshire Police

suspicion of taking a vehicle without consent, failing to stop for police, and dangerous driving.

One of the men was further

arrested for drug driving after failing a drugs wipe.

They remained in custody for questioning the following day.

Salisbury & Avon, January 29, 2024

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Building society reaffirms commitment to remaining in Amesbury’s high street

AMESBURY’S last integral members of the remaining banking branch Amesbury community. has renewed its commitment “The decision to maintain to the town. our high street branch reflects Despite having a our dedication to local population of over 10,000, communities. after Lloyds closed two years “We remain steadfast in ago, Nationwide was left as continuing to provide a warm the last bank. and welcoming environment Britain’s biggest building where customers can receive society, however, has allayed personalised attention, any fears that it may follow guidance, and support for Lloyds and reaffirmed its their financial needs. commitment to the “High streets need as community by continuing to much support as possible at offer face-to-face services this time and we look until at least 2026. forward to welcoming more The decision bucks a high Amesbury residents to street that has seen most experience what face-to-face other banks close their doors.

Nationwide remains the last bank with a presence in Amesbury banking at their local branch Credit: Google Amesbury is now one of 80 means.” communities in the UK served

by Nationwide alone. third-party experts and The Amesbury branch has helplines. been in town since 1981 and The team has had specialist remains busy with ATM usage training to help support those up by 9% in the last 12 months. experiencing abuse, including The Amesbury branch is part providing help to manage of the building society’s Safe finances and access to a Monday to Sunday Spaces initiative, which offers specialist support team among 9am to 9pm discreet support for anyone other resources. facing domestic abuse.

Sarah Warwick, branch 79 Catherine Street, Salisbury SP1 2DH And the initiative isn’t manager at Nationwide in www.cloudninehealth.uk Tel. 07949 00 2772 limited to Nationwide Amesbury, said: “We customers and provides a understand that our customers suitable environment for anyone are not just account holders – needing to make calls to they‘re neighbours, friends, and

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Plans for clay pigeon shooting school near Boscombe Down submitted PLANS for a clay pigeon shooting school near the Boscombe Down base have been submitted.

The scheme would see a school established at Beacon Hill Farm, near Amesbury, and has been submitted by Kernon Countryside Consultants on behalf of the farm owners.

A previous application for a shooting school on the site was refused in April 2022 on the grounds of the risk to MoD operations at Boscombe Down; the proximity of the shoot to residential properties; and the lack of an ecological impact assessment.

The new application retains the shooting school in woodland on the site, but introduces noise bunds to limit the impact on nearby properties, as well as changing the alignment of the “shooting position”.

It also states the MoD has withdrawn its objection to the previous plan.

“The proposed shooting school will be mostly contained within the woodland area, with a small number of positions shooting form the woodland out over the arable land to the north and north west,” the application said.

The plan includes noise bunds to limit the impact on nearby properties

Credit: Google

“The layout of the shooting position has been amended since the last application, and earth bunds have been constructed to contain noise in a number of locations.”

Car parking would be provided at a yard south of farm buildings, while a Portakabin would be installed on the site for visitors to “sign in and undergo a safety briefing”, the plans said.

“The site office will be portable, hence the application seeks a change of use of land to the stationing of a site office,” the application went on.

“The operators may install a larger unit in the future.”

It would act as an office and reception area, the plans said, as well as an area for talks, indoor activities and small prize givings.

“Near to the site office, and in a small clearing, ladies and gents portable toilet blocks will be provided,” the application added.

Movable traps, which fire the clay pigeon targets, would be installed on the site, including a “tall trap stand”, containing “remote-controlled traps at multiple different heights”.

The shooting school would be expected to operate six days a week, between 9am and dusk or 6pm, except Sundays.

“Most days, only one or two people will be under tuition at any one time, so traffic and footfall will be limited,” the plans added.

“Most days a maximum of 20 cars per day is expected. On Saturday, it is hoped that numbers will be about three times the weekly number. Obviously, this will be staggered over the day.”

Meanwhile, competitions could be staged at the site 24 times each year, the application said.

“These would, it is hoped, attract 100-120 guns (people) and would normally be run for charity,” it went on.

“Hence, there would be 90-12- cars over the length of the day for visiting guns.

“In addition, there would be 10 cars for staff, plus a catering van. The shoot competiition would operate within normal operating hours.”

For more details, and to comment on the scheme, log on to www.wiltshire.gov.uk and search for application reference PL/2023/11131.

Laverstock bridge closed for repair after being hit by bus A BRIDGE damaged after being hit by a bus during storms earlier this month is set to be closed for 15 days to allow repair work to be carried out.

The bridge, in Ford Lane, Laverstock, was hit on January 8, with warning signs informing drivers and pedestrians of the damage.

“The bridge has been inspected and temporary warning signs and steel barrier erected around the damaged area,” a Dorset Council spokesperson said.

“To complete the necessary repairs, works will include

The bus hit the bridge during storms earlier this month

removing debris from the watercourse, erecting a

temporary scaffold, and casting new concrete sections.”

The parapet will be rebuilt like for like, they said, and upon completion the site will be cleared and tidied and the road reopened.

“To all intents and purposes, the appearance of the bridge will remain unaltered,” they added.

“These activities will require a 15-day road closure to all traffic over the bridge.”

Subject to permission, the work will start on April 2, to coincide with the school holidays and therefore minimising any potential disruption for drivers.

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Christmas Tree Shield your home from Care Costs & Inheritance Tax with collection raises a Living Trust. £30k for Salisbury Hospice Charity

SALISBURY Hospice Charity has broken all previous records with this year’s Christmas Tree Collection & Recycling initiative raising £30,000.

In total, 1,500 trees were collected over a three day period, with 33 vehicles collecting across the region.

The initiative is a huge community effort involving the support of many volunteers, including those from local businesses. They have kindly dedicated their time, staff and resources in support of the Hospice; many of whom have been touched by the Hospice themselves.

The money raised from the collection supports Salisbury Hospice – allowing patients to have dignity and choice in their final days; providing support to families, carers and friends; and

ensuring that comfort and advice is given at every stage of the dying process.

Every year, Salisbury Hospice cares for up to 1,000 people living with life-limiting illnesses and its services are free of charge to everyone who uses them.

Annually, Salisbury Hospice Charity needs to raise £1.5 million of the £2.9 million required – to maintain its vital palliative care services.

This year, Salisbury Hospice Charity will be donating 10% of profits raised to The Salisbury & South Wilts Scouts. The collection also helps the environment; some of the collected trees are used as food for alpacas and goats; while others are chipped to for mulch or reinforcement of footpaths across local farms.

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3. Inheritance Tax Planning: A living trust can be part of an estate planning strategy to minimize inheritance tax liability.

By placing assets into a trust, they can be excluded from your taxable estate upon your passing, potentially reducing the amount of inheritance tax your beneficiaries would owe.

4. Revocable Nature: One of the advantages of a living trust is that it is revocable, meaning you can make changes to the trust or even revoke it entirely during your lifetime. This flexibility allows you to adapt to changing circumstances or wishes.

5. Trust Administration: When you establish a living trust, you typically designate yourself as the trustee, thus maintaining control over the assets and allowing you to continue using and managing them as you did before. Should you move home the trust stays in place and protects your new residence. The effectiveness of a living trust in achieving your specific goals will depend on your individual circumstances.

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In brief Defra commissions new base for Natural England at Paronage Down Handbag theft

POLICE are keen to trace the person in the phtoto below after a handbag was stolen in Salisbury.

The theft occurred near the Best One Store, in Winchester Street, on November 4 last year.

If you recognise this person, or if this is you, contact police on 101, quoting reference number 54230119218.

Crash closes road

A BUSY Salisbury road was closed after a “serious” crash.

The incident, on the A338 Downton Road, happened at around noon, January 15.

Police said the route was closed just past the M&S garage, with one person taken to hospital. It re-opened at around 1.20pm that afternoon.

PLANS for a new base for Natural England at the Parsonage Down National Nature Reserve (NNR) have been submitted.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and Natural England have commissioned the new site, at Cherry Lodge Farm, in Shrewton.

The Parsonage Down NNR is a working farm, owned and managed by Natural England.

Its operational base is at Cherry Lodge Farm and the new building would be builton the site of a current farm yard manure pit and hardstanding.

A hay barn would also be replaced as part of the plans.

“The proposals relate to the development of a new workbase and improved facilities for Natural England at their existing base,” the plan said.

“By improving their facilities at this location, Natural England will be able to continue to have immediate access to the reserve.

“The new building will provide more suitable office accommodation, as well as a multi-functional space for visiting groups.”

The new, “low-lying and timber-clad” office building would also offer space for

Visualisation of new buildings at Parsonage Down Nature Reserve

Credit: AI Stride Treglown Wiltshire Council

visiting educational groups and research teams, the plans said.

As well as the building, the plans detail proposals for parking and bin stores.

For more details, and to comment on the plans, log on to www.wiltshire.gov.uk and search for application reference PL/2023/11220.

Armed police carry out drug warrant in Bemerton Heath ARMED police were among officers who carried out a drugs warrant in Salisbury.

Wiltshire Police said suspected class A, B and C drugs were seized during a warrant in Bemerton Heath on Friday, January 17.

A spokesperson said the local Neighbourhood Policing Team was joined by response and specialist officers from the firearms and dog units, to carry

out a raid at a property in Pinewood Way, pictured.

PC Boon said: “We received

multiple reports from concerned members of the public about drug dealing and anti-social behaviour in this area.

“As a result of the positive warrant, the suspects are being investigated. I hope the community feel their voice is being heard and they are supported and valued.

“I’d like to thank the community for their continued

efforts in reporting suspicious incidents and criminal activity in their area. Wiltshire Police have removed drugs off the streets deterring further criminal activity.

“If you have any issues in your area, please don’t hesitate to contact Wiltshire Police.”

People can report suspicious activity online at ???, or by calling 101, or 999 in an emergency.

New Blackmore Vale, June 29, 23, 2024 2023 Salisbury & Avon, January salisburyandavon.co.uk

hampshirechronicle.co.uk/news/romsey/

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Friday, September 16, 2022 Romsey Advertiser

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Salisbury Reds names Stars Appeal as its ‘good cause’ for the year ahead THE Stars Appeal - the Salisbury The Stars Appeal works Distrct Hospital Charity – has hard to help local people rolled into 2024 with good news across all wards and from a city bus firm. departments, with a particular Salisbury Reds has named the focus on cancer, cardiac care organisation its official good and children. cause for 2024 and 2025.

Consultant cardiologist and The Stars Appeal raises money Stars Appeal ambassador, Dr to create the best possible Tom Jackson, said: “We are so experience for patients and their grateful that Salisbury Reds families by funding extra care continue to provide their and equipment over and above brilliant support for the Stars that provided by the NHS. Appeal.

Now, the bus company will “They have supported us spend the next two years raising for many years and now to be funds and awareness to help the their Charity of the Year is charity provide a wide range of fantastic. In my department the The travel company has planned a busy year of fundraising and will promote the charity on its buses services for patients and their Stars Appeal has made an families.

“Salisbury Reds has a busy calendar of incredible difference by funding a second “Our relationship with the charity spans fundraising planned, and will also be lab in our cardiac suite and other state-ofmore than 10 years - with many of our staff promoting the charity on-board and on the the-art equipment. The support of Salisbury benefiting directly from the support it rear of a bus.

Reds will help us do even more for patients provides,” a spokesperson said. Reds “We hope our messages will be seen by across the Hospital. Thank you so much.” colleagues voted, and we’re delighted we thousands traveling across the region – and will once again be raising as much money this will help increase awareness for this For more information about the Stars as possible for this vital resource. very worthy cause.”

Appeal, visit starsappeal.org.

Groups call for ceasefire in Gaza THE latest in a series of vigils for Israel-Palestine, supported

by Salisbury CND/Amnesty International and Sarum Concern, gathered quietly in Cheese Market in Salisbury recently, one of several such meets over the past months.

Lighting candles in the dusk, men and women, old and young meditated, prayed and reflected in silence on the need for humanitarian aid, negotiations, a just solution and the apparent failure of our politicians to support international law and human rights.

Meanwhile, ‘ceasefire now’ was the cry from a group of Salisbury folk who braved rail disruption to join a peace march in London on January 13.

The march took a route from Bank to Trafalgar Square, through Whitehall to Parliament Square.

Dangerous driver was on the run from prison A MAN who led police on a chase through Salisbury – running red lights and driving the wrong way round a roundabout – has been jailed.

Ricky Lee Langford, of Rotherham, was sentenced at Salisbury Magistrates Court on January 19 after pleading guilty to failing to stop for police, dangerous driving, failing to provide a specimen for analysis and driving without a licence and insurance.

He was jailed for six months and disqualified from driving for 49 months.

The 35-year-old, pictured, was arrested on August 24 last year after a Roads Policing officer spotted an Audi A3 believed to be on cloned plates being driven through Salisbury.

He attempted to stop the vehicle but the driver – Langford – reversed back and failed to stop for police, resulting in a pursuit.

Langford drove through red

lights, hit multiple kerbs and drove the wrong way round a roundabout, the court was told.

He eventually crashed his vehicle along a country lane and then attempted to run from officers but was detained.

PC Ben Greening, from Wiltshire Police’s Roads Policing Unit, said: “At one point during the pursuit, Langford went round a righthand bend on a national speed limit road contravening solid white lines, making this a high

risk pursuit.

“He showed absolutely no regard for other road users and only stopped the vehicle when he did because he lost control and crashed into a hedge. Further enquiries showed Langford was wanted in South Yorkshire on recall to prison – he was clearly intent on doing anything in his power to evade police.

“Langford committed multiple Fatal Five offences during this pursuit – these are the driving offences which are most likely to cause serious or fatal collisions on our roads.

“The risks he took were extremely dangerous and it is fortunate that nobody was injured or worse, killed, as a result of his mindless and selfish actions.

“I welcome the custodial sentence and four year disqualification. We do not want individuals like this on our roads and will do all that we can to target people like Langford.”

Salisbury & Avon, January 29, 2024

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Woman killed in A303 crash near Stonehenge A WOMAN was tragically killed in a crash on the A303.

Wiltshire Police said emergency services were called to the incident, on the eastbound carriageway of the road near Stonehenge, at around 10am on Tuesday, January 23.

The crash involved a car and an HGV, a spokesperson said.

“The female driver of the car, a woman in her 60s from Bath, sadly died at the scene,” they added.

“Her next of kin has been informed and are being supported by a specialist trained officer. Our thoughts are with them at this difficult time.

“The driver of the HGV was uninjured.”

A closure was put in place at Countess roundabout and Longbarrow roundabout and remained in place into the evening.

“Enquiries are currently ongoing,” the spokesperson added.

Anyone who witnessed the crash, or may have dash cam footage, should call 101 or email SCIT@ wiltshire.police.uk.

Diversions were put in place for drivers in the area, National Highways said.

Picture: Google

The crash clpsed the A303 near Stonehenge

Calls for action after Old Sarum WWI hanger damaged in Storm Isha STORM Isha badly damaged a First World War aircraft hangar near Salisbury.

The structure, at Old Sarum airfield, fell victim to high winds on Sunday, January 21.

As a Grade II* listed site, it is defined by Historic England as “particularly important”.

Nick Baker, chair of Laverstock & Ford Parish Council, said Old Sarum is “a living monument to those who served our countries in two world wars, as well as an important part of our The hanger was damaged during high winds on January 21 historical and architectural Picture: Simon Peter Millard heritage”.

He added: “The current directors of the England to take urgent action to assess the authority about the implications of these Airfield have submitted a planning damage and if necessary enforce the proposals, which we hope will inform their application to develop the airfield, including obligations law places on the owners.” assessment of the application.” the building of houses. We know that the A spokesperson for Historic England Cllr Nick Botterill, cabinet member for outcome of the planning application on this said they were “concerned”, adding: “A strategic planning at Wiltshire Council, site is unlikely to be finalised this year, and plan has been put forward to rebuild the saidthe condition of the building has been it is clear that action cannot wait until then. hangars using some of the original material. raised with the owner “on several We call on Wiltshire Council and Historic “We’ve given advice to the local occasions”.

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Salisbury & Avon, January 29, 2024

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Fordingbridge man, 31, ‘prolonged agony’ of murdered woman’s family A FORDINGBRIDGE man has been jailed for life for the murder of Stephanie Hodgkinson in Bournemouth.

Alberto Fioletti, 31, was found guilty of the murder on December 8 last year following a four-week trial at Bournemouth Crown Court. He was sentenced on January 15 to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 15 years.

At around noon on Friday, May 12 last year, the defendant and the victim – 34-year-old Stephanie from Bournemouth – arranged to meet at the victim’s home address in Rosemount Road to discuss their seven-month relationship that had ended the week before.

Fioletti became angry and brutally attacked Stephanie in her own home.

The ambulance service received an emergency call at 12.17pm from the defendant stating, “I killed my girlfriend” and the police were notified.

Officers forced entry to the address and sadly, Stephanie was found dead inside the property having sustained a number of stab wounds to the chest.

Fioletti was arrested at the scene and following a detailed investigation, detectives from the Major Crime Investigation

Team (MCIT) were able to gather evidence to prove he was responsible for the death and could not diminish his responsibility.

Following the sentencing, Stephanie’s family paid tribute to her.

“As a family, being without Stephanie, is unimaginable and unbearable,” they said.

“Our hearts are forever broken and life will never be the same without her. We will never get over this.

“We cling to the fact that we are so blessed to have had Stephanie in our lives, and to know that she will be with us always, in spirit and in our hearts.

“Stephanie, the most beautiful and remarkable young woman, so full of life and so full of love. She intended to make every second count.

“Stephanie lit up a room with her very presence and touched the hearts of everyone she met.

She had her whole life in front of her and had such plans for herself and her beautiful boys.

“In the short time they had together, their lives were full of love and laughter, fun and adventure.

“Together they created such wonderful memories, and her boys will always feel and know

Stephanie ‘lit up a room with her very presence and touched the hearts of everyone she met’

how much their mummy loves them.

“In their future lives, we will continue to follow in her footsteps to fulfil all her plans and wishes for her boys.

“In choosing to plead not guilty to murder the defendant has prolonged our agony and put us all through anguish, heartache and to have to face and hear the unimaginable.

“The sentencing today only brings us consolation that the defendant cannot do this to another woman, but it must serve as a lesson to him and others who think that they can take a women’s life from her, because justice will prevail.

“We would like to thank Dorset Police and the Crown Prosecution Service for all their detailed and hard work.

“We would also like to thank Holly Tree Lodge and their staff, and also thank Victim Support for their ongoing support.”

Detective Inspector Mark Jenkins, of MCIT, said: “The thoughts of myself, the investigation team and colleagues across the force remain with Stephanie’s loved ones.

“The brutal and violent actions of Fioletti has sadly left two young children without their mother and Stephanie’s family and friends devastated by her loss.

“The investigation and prosecution team worked tirelessly to ensure Fioletti was brought to justice for murder and was not able to use his narcissistic personality to reduce responsibility for his actions.

“I pay tribute to Stephanie’s family and friends who attended throughout the ordeal of a four-week trial.

“I hope that the sentencing today provides some comfort to Stephanie’s loved ones and they can close this particular chapter in their grief.”

Traffic cop sacked for sending offensive messages to colleagues A WILTSHIRE traffic cop has been sacked after sending “unwanted, inappropriate and offensive” messages to colleagues.

PC Frank Katus, a Roads Policing Officer, was dismissed without notice following a three-day hearing at Wiltshire Police Headquarters.

The independently-chaired hearing concluded PC Katus breached the Standards of Professional Behaviour for police officers of authority, respect and courtesy, equality

and diversity and discreditable conduct.

In January and February last year, PC Katus “sent unwanted, inappropriate and offensive messages to two police staff colleagues”, it found.

Deputy Chief Constable Craig Dibdin said: “PC Katus’ actions fell well below the high standards of professionalism that we, and the public, expect from all police officers, staff and volunteers.

“When details of his behaviour were reported to us,

he was immediately suspended from his role and an investigation commenced.

“There is no place within our organisation for anyone who conducts themselves in this inappropriate manner and PC Katus will now be placed on the national barred list which means he will not be able to work in policing in the future.

“I’d like to to thank the complainants who have supported the investigation.We encourage all members of our organisation to use an anonymous

reporting tool if they have concerns regarding a colleagues behaviour to help ensure we have a positive, supportive and inclusive culture for the benefit of our colleagues, and ultimately our communities we serve.”

In December, Wiltshire Police launched a new Safe2Say Anonymous Reporting System, an internal reporting system giving officers, staff and volunteers the confidence to report any wrongdoing, concerns they have, or intelligence surrounding the workforce.

Salisbury & Avon, January 29, 2024

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Mobile solution could soften the blow when Porton Post Office closes CUSTOMERS coming to terms with the news that Porton’s Post Office is to close on February 8, might find a suitable alternative a mile away in Winterbourne Dauntsey.

Although there is no longer a permanent Post Office in the Winterbourne’s, a mobile post office stops twice a week in the recreation ground car park next to the Winterbourne Arms.

The facility offers most Post Office services, including banking, bill payments and car tax renewals, and is available on Tuesdays, from 1.45pm to 3.45pm, and Fridays, from 11.30am to 1.30pm.

The service also offers weekly stope in Downton and Newton Toney.

Porton Post Office, which is situated in the Budgens store on

Winterslow Road, was initially set for a temporary closure from February 8 following the resignation of the postmaster.

At the time, a statement from the Post Office’s national consultation team, read: “We are writing to inform you that, regrettably, following the resignation of the postmaster the above branch will be closing

temporarily on Thursday 8 February 2024 at 17:00.

“I would like to assure you that we are working hard to keep any period of closure to a minimum and we are currently investigating the options available which will enable us to reinstate a Post Office service to the local community. In exploring this, it is important

that any future service is sustainable for the person operating the service, and for Post Office Limited.”

The consultation recommended customers visit branches in Bishopsdown, Salisbury, or the one in Amesbury.

The post office branch had been a physical presence in the shop for more than 40 years. A notice, written by the Hobbs family, owners of the Budgen store, reassured customers that the shop would remain, but that ‘it is with regret’ that the post office branch, ‘no longer viable’, mentioning the rise of online transactions and alternative courier firms.

The shop will still be accepting Amazon and UPS parcels after February 8.

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Salisbury & Avon, January 29, 2024

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Budget proposals would see Wiltshire residents pay an £1.65 a week in tax HOUSEHOLDS will pay an extra £1.65 per week in council tax to Wiltshire Council from April, it has been proposed.

The authority has outlined budget proposals for the coming year, which included a 2.99% rise in council tax, as well as an additional 2% to be spent solely on adult social care.

Leader, Cllr Richard Clewer (Con, Downton & Ebble Valley), said the latest budget was balanced as part of a three-year plan.

Fees for leisure, some planning, and garden waste services would also rise, the council said, with reductions in agency costs and not replacing some vacant roles planned to cut costs.

However, the budget also outlines planned investments for the coming years, including an extra £10 million going on filling potholes and resurfacing roads over the next two years; an extra £1m to imprve drainage; and £650,000 to boost planning and other enforcement.

Cllr Clewer said: “As a council, our ethos is driven by prevention and early help, and favouring the long-term approach, not quick fixes.

“This is all underpinned by the strong foundation and clear direction our Business Plan provides.

“That approach is paying dividends, as demonstrated by our recent Outstanding Ofsted grade and consistently balanced budgets.

Council Leader, Cllr Richard Clewer said the latest budget was balanced as part of a three-year plan

“Our prudent and preventative way of working doesn’t just ensure we simply maintain services; it means we can invest in our county and communities – from children’s and adult services through to highways and infrastructure.

“We are acutely aware there are still challenges to overcome and savings to be made. Like councils across the country, we receive limited government funding and are impacted by high inflation and energy prices.

“However, we never assume that central government will provide funding, or that grants will be maintained, so that

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means we haven’t been left with any unexpected issues or massive funding gaps unlike many other local authorities.

“However, we know things can quickly change and are always on alert, with our robust financial management putting us in good stead to mitigate such risks.

“Like households, we too are experiencing higher costs but we’re confident our budget proposals will allow us to continue to support residents as much as possible and provide the services they rely on.

“Proposals such as increasing council tax, although not easy decisions, are necessary in order for us to continue to tackle inflation and deliver quality services.

“This is a budget that supports residents, communities and businesses and I look forward to talking more about it over the coming weeks ahead of Full Council in February.”

Overall, the budget stands at £486m, an increase of some £36m. Significant spending

proposed is broken down as: ● Adult services: £179.4m ● Families and children: £70.8m ● Environment: £49.5m ● Highways and transport: £43m ● Education and skills: £35.1m.

The plans say the council does not intend to use reserves to balance the books, with the fund increased to £34m, covering assessed risks.

Other projects funded in the budget proposals include: ● Building and refurbishing council houses: £45m ● Structural maintenance and bridges: £21m ● A350 Chippenham & Melksham bypass work: £18m ● Trowbridge and Salisbury Future High Streets: £11m ● Highways investment plan: £7m ● Property carbon reduction programme: £5m ● Investment in lesure centres: £3m ● Trowbrdge Leisure Centre: £800,000.

The budget will be debated at the Full Council meeting on February 20.

Salisbury & Avon, January 29, 2024 salisburyandavon.co.uk

Motorcyclists raise thousands for Salisbury homeless charity SALISBURY area motorcyclists have raised £2,300 for the city’s local charity for the homeless.

Ian Standen, chairman of Salisbury Motorcycle & Light Car Club, handed over a giant cheque to Gordon Pardy, head of fundraising for Salisbury Trust for the Homeless (STFH), at the monthly club night at Salisbury Rugby Club.

“Every year, we ask club members to nominate several local charities and we have a vote with the winner becoming our charity of the year,” said Ian, following the presentation.

“Our members felt that homelessness is such an important issue that they wanted to support a Salisbury-based organisation which is tackling it.

“We have charity bike rides, where people pay an entrance fee, and this is where most of the

Gordon Pardy, head of fundraising for Salisbury Trust for the Homeless (left), receives the donation from Ian Standen, chairman, and committee members of Salisbury Motorcycle & Light Car Club

Photograph: Paul Robinson

money for Salisbury Trust for the Homeless has come from,” Ian added.

The club, which was formed in 1921 and has 130 members, holds road runs open to all motorcyclists who’ ride in the spirit of the classics’, as well as

its monthly meetings at the Rugby Club.

Gordon Pardy, said: “We are very grateful to Salisbury Motorcycle & Light Car Club for making us its charity of the year. It reflects the widespread public concern about the

17

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problem of homelessness.

“STFH is a local charity which receives no funding from either central or local government and so we are very much dependent on the support of organisations and individuals in Salisbury and south Wiltshire.”

STFH has helped hundreds of people turn their lives around in recent years.

Founded in 1987, the charity helps clients regain confidence and self-esteem, learn life skills, find education, training and employment opportunities, and access permanent accommodation to return to independent living.

Support needs include mental health, learning disability, emotional, drug and alcohol misuse, anti-social behaviour, budgeting, benefits claims and tenancy support.

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Salisbury & Avon, January 29, 2024

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Care homes makes 2024 its ‘Year of the Garden’and appoints head gardener A CARE home in Laverstock has decided to make 2024 its ‘Year of the Garden’, following its appointment of a gardener at the end of last year. Milford House Care Home, which has extensive gardens surrounding its buildings, welcomed gardener Caroline Butcher to the team, back in December and since then she has been doing her level best, despite the truly awful weather, to get the gardens ready for spring.

In addition to tending the gardens, Caroline helped residents to make lovely Christmas wreaths and table decorations that were sold at the home’s Christmas Market.

Over the next few months, she will be running regular activity sessions with the residents to involve everyone in shaping the garden going forward and so that they can enjoy getting out when the weather allows.

Caroline (right) discussing the garden with a resident

General manager, Gemma Hicks, said: “Our gardens are such an integral part of life at Milford House and we are thrilled to welcome Caroline to the Milford family where she has already become a firm favourite with our residents.

“Being able to be outside and enjoy nature in all its forms can make a big contribution to overall well-being. With Caroline’s help, we want to develop the garden even further over the course of this year because it is such a wonderful

resource for residents, family, friends and staff.

“We have already kicked off with some brainstorming sessions with residents to find out exactly how they would like to see the gardens develop – so watch this space.”

Talking about her gardening journey, Caroline said: “My interest in gardening started about eight years ago when we re-designed our garden at home.

Since then, my interest has turned into a passion and now my career.

“I love all aspects of gardening, from the wildlife, to shrubs and vegetables, and I love flowers and enjoy growing them for cuttings for the house or for friends.

“There is a great garden structure already at Milford House and I’m looking forward to discovering all its joys over the coming year and working with the residents to make it even more special going forward.”

Guided cycling tours include Stonehenge and the Historic Three NEW Forest Cycling Tours has expanded its operating area by offering three new guided cycle rides that will encompass the beautiful Wiltshire countryside.

Each ride takes in some of Wiltshire’s beautiful landscape, with two of the three tours heading into the Stonehenge & Avebury World Heritage Site.

The three new tours on offer are: ● The Historic Three: Salisbury, Sarum and Stonehenge (30-mile circular tour) ● The Ancient Ridgeway and Avebury Cycle Tour (27-mile circular tour) ● Green Man of Wiltshire and the Kennet & Avon Canal Tour (27-mile circular tour).

Steve Edmed, owner of New Forest Cycling Tours said: “Wiltshire is a hidden gem, yet is home to some of the UK’s most iconic sites such as Stonehenge and

Avebury. Beyond this, there are some amazing places that often people haven’t explored on bike.

“I want to show my customers just how amazing the landscape is and to encourage visitors to experience the county in a green and sustainable way.

“I am very much looking forward to showcasing just how fantastic this county is with the launch of my new tours and would encourage anyone with two wheels who fancies giving it a try to book on.”

VisitWiltshire’s Fiona Errington, added: “Cycling in Wiltshire is not just about keeping fit it’s also a sustainable mode of transport; and a great way to uncover the essence of the county.

“With almost half of Wiltshire dedicated to National Landscapes, cycling provides an unparalleled opportunity to explore the picturesque countryside.

“In the peace of Wiltshire’s timeless landscapes, cyclists can truly experience rural England at its very best, creating lasting memories of natural beauty and scenic wonders.” https://newforestcyclingtours.com/tours/; t: 07976 688437.

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Furniture firm lend vans and staff to Trussell Trust in times of need

By Faith Eckersall

DELIVERING Christmas cheer is usually the work of Santa but a Salisbury furniture firm has revealed how they’ve been giving him a helping hand for the past 11 years.

Mark Hotson, MD of A World Of Furniture, which he runs with his wife, Lucy, started helping the Salisbury-based foodbank charity, The Trussell Trust, after he learned that the organisation’s food van had broken down, placing that year’s food parcel service in jeopardy.

“It was Christmas Eve, around 12 years ago and I was literally driving home for Christmas when I heard this story on Spire FM, about how the charity’s van had broken down,” says Mark.

Unable to help on that occasion, he visited the charity in late January, to see how his company could assist in the future, and agreed to keep in touch with the Trussell Trust’s logistics manager.

From April 2022 to March 2023, the Trussell Trust nationally delivered close to three million food parcels to people who

couldn’t afford to eat.

“We have a fleet of delivery vans for our furniture and agreed that once a year, on the 23rd or 24th of December, we’d put it, and a pair of staff, at the Trussell Trust’s disposal, to help deliver Christmas food parcels,” says Mark.

A few weeks ago, the company’s special service was deployed again, using 20 staff, with a skeleton crew in the stores, to deliver in Salisbury and the surrounding areas.

“We keep the parcels in our own warehouse and take the responsibility for delivering to our catchment area,” says Mark.

He believes his staff enjoy having the chance to help less fortunate people in the area where they live and work. “The two million or so people in our area are our customers and they look after us by coming to shop here so it’s nice to put something back,” says Mark.

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Salisbury & Avon, January 29, 2024

Home & Garden/Gardening

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Top tips for bringing colour and harmony to your winter garden

By Morag Walker

AS we head into February, the days are getting longer and because it is the shortest month of the year, the feeling that spring is round the corner is an exciting prospect.

February is also the month when we can start to see the early signs of life in the garden when snowdrops, crocuses, hellebores, and primroses all start to bring delicate colour into our lives.

We might even catch a glimpse of busy bumblebee queens, fresh out of hibernation, as they seek out nourishment among those early blossoms.

I must admit that the recent bitter and wet weather does not encourage much effort in the garden. Instead, useful time can be spent indoors checking through old seed packets and throwing out those past their sell-buy date.

In addition, it is a good use of time to peruse seed catalogues to get some inspiration on the latest varieties of veg and flowers that will grace our gardens this year.

Something that has given me food for thought is the art of using the ‘colour wheel’ in

by selecting plants in colours that are across from one another on the colour wheel to create a striking combination.

For example, red is across from green, orange is across from blue and yellow is across from purple.

Alternatively, harmonious colours sit next to each other on the colour wheel. This is a good way to create colour harmony.

In this scheme, hues that are next to each other on the colour wheel, such as yellow and green or red, yellow and orange, will create bold planting schemes.

Using the colour wheel to inspire your garden design is a fun and effective way to select hues that complement or contrast beautifully.

It could also help you to change the feel of your garden and could lead to some really exciting results.

The Colour Wheel is a useful method for creating exciting colour schemes in the garden February is a good time to put up nesting boxes for wild birds; Robins prefer off-beat nesting places

Credit: Pete Thompson

planting schemes to create perfect harmonious colour within our borders and beds.

It is a useful technique, developed by the scientist Sir Isaac Newton, but mainly adopted by artists when

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combining colours in their paintings.

The colour wheel is a useful starting point for those wishing to experiment with mixing different colours in their garden plants to create that special WOW factor.

Understanding colour and where to deploy it for best effect could transform your garden into a wonderfully designed palette.

A simple way to do this is to choose complementary colours

Making cosy places for wildlife Although it is currently cold and frosty, we need to think about the needs of our wonderful wild birds later in the season and February is a great month for putting up nesting boxes.

If possible, try to face the entrance to the box towards the east. This direction catches the early morning sun for warmth but does not allow westerly winds to blow rain into the nest box.

Our local robins, however, prefer more off-beat nesting places and will favour an old teapot (spout downwards and lid off) or similar sized container with a hole drilled in the bottom for drainage.

These can be placed in ivy, thick hedges or even an outside shed with open access.

Robins do not usually nest very high from the ground, so place your potential nesting container below head height and hidden from predators.

Salisbury & Avon, January 29, 2024

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Home & Garden/Gardening

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Salisbury & Avon, January 29, 2024

Policing

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Changes made to improve local policing services within Wiltshire THE first phase of a series of changes to improve the visibility, consistency and resilience of local policing services within Wiltshire has taken place. This follows commitments made at the end of November 2023, t Since joining Wiltshire Police in February 2023, Chief Constable Catherine Roper has received consistent feedback from local communities and teams within the Force of the need to provide a stronger focus on visible neighbourhood policing.

Based on this feedback, Wiltshire Police has announced that it is evolving its local policing approach to make best use of resources and to provide a more consistent service across the county.

This includes: ● Moving Response Teams on to a new shift pattern that will ensure better alignment of resources to demand, to give a higher quality of service to victims of crime and wider communities.

As part of this, Response Teams now start and end their shifts from four hubs instead of five, strengthening their communications and ability to respond to demand while continuing to provide a highly visible presence in their existing geographical areas.

The number of police stations the public can access has not changed and Neighbourhood Policing Teams continue to work from existing stations. ● Wiltshire Police has published a set of Community Commitments – clearly outlining what engagement communities can expect to receive from Neighbourhood Policing Teams. This is intended to improve the consistency of service provided and allows communities to hold the Force accountable for the service they receive.

In addition to the improvements made so far, Wiltshire Police will also be: ● Increasing the number of dedicated neighbourhood engagement vehicles in its fleet. These have been funded by the Police

and Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire and Swindon and will be used by Neighbourhood Policing Teams to improve visibility and engagement across communities (particularly in rural areas). ● Looking at the operational model for investigative and specialist teams to ensure they are able to provide consistently high-quality services to victims of crime.

Chief Constable Catherine Roper said: “I am really excited by the opportunities these changes present to fundamentally improve the local policing service we provide and address the consistent feedback I have received from our communities since joining the Force that they want to see much more emphasis on providing visible, neighbourhoodfocused policing.

“The changes we have made within our Response Teams will help to free up our Neighbourhood Policing Teams to carry out proactive and visible policing within their communities which I truly believe will enhance the service our communities receive.

“This has been carried out alongside a programme of improvement within our Crime and Communications Centre to provide a better quality service to people who call for our assistance.

“Although it is still early into our adoption of the new operating model, already I have been receiving positive feedback from officers about the impact it is having on their ability to respond to demand and provide greater support to

victims of crime.

“I am hopeful that we will continue to see further benefits arising from these changes as we embed it further over the coming weeks and months.

“In addition to the resourcing changes, we have also launched our Community Commitments – this is a contract between us and the public, outlining what engagement they can expect from their Neighbourhood Policing Teams.

“The Community Commitments will ensure greater consistency in the level of service provided across the entire county and allows for the public to hold us to account for the level of service they are receiving in their local communities.

“We are also increasing the number of dedicated neighbourhood engagement vehicles in our fleet and we’ll be actively promoting these across our social media, website and Community Messaging channels so our communities will be able to clearly see where there are opportunities to engage with their “Neighbourhood Policing Teams. This will enhance our reach across communities and in particular will ensure our rural communities have an increased policing presence and more opportunities to engage with us.

“These changes are part of a much wider plan of improving policing within Wiltshire and give our communities the best and most consistent service possible.

Wiltshire Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson said: “Delivering a police service which meets the needs of its communities has never been more important – or challenging.

“Both the Chief Constable and I know residents want greater public engagement with officers, more public access to officers and an increased officer presence at community level.

“Wiltshire Police is tackling these issues and the introduction of a new operating model and recent improvement programme to provide a better-quality service 999 and 101 callers.

Alongside its Community Commitment, this will mean it is consistently providing communities with improved local policing – and that is a real benefit to our communities.”

Salisbury & Avon, January 29, 2024

23

Policing

salisburyandavon.co.uk

Precept increase will mean we will invest more in improving the police service you receive

Advertising feature

As your Police and Crime Commissioner, it is my job to ensure Wiltshire Police have the necessary resources to fight and prevent crime, improve visibility and improve the service you receive – answering 101 and 999 when you call, responding when you need help, protecting vulnerable people and Making Wiltshire Safer.

It has been clear from residents’ feedback – heard by both myself and the Chief Constable throughout our varying public engagements throughout year – that you are still not seeing improvements in police service delivery as quickly as you would like and that clear picture forms the backdrop to my budget planning this year.

This week, so I could engage with as many residents and stakeholders as possible, before I report to the Police and Crime Panel on the budget, I opened my Policing, Priorities and £££s survey.

As I set the budget for policing, and

“I want to know what you think about Wiltshire Police, the service being delivered and where the focus on policing needs to be...

Philip Wilkinson, Wiltshire PCC

commissioned services, for Wiltshire and Swindon for the financial year 2024-25, I want to know what you think and urging you to Use Your Voice. You will have seen my Use Your Voice survey for the last few years. Last year, one criticism was the lack of space for your voice to be heard on several aspects of policing. I have listened and broadened my survey as a result.

Our communities, and the residents within – both young and old - know first-hand what makes them feel safe, which crimes are most important to them and which

priorities they want their police service to focus upon, outside of the national policing issues and policing issues like serious violence and counter terrorism.

I want to know what you think about Wiltshire Police, the service being delivered and where the focus on policing needs to be now, and in the future.

I want to know what services commissioned by my office we should be focusing on and, perhaps most importantly, I want to know where you think our budget should be spent.

Whatever your opinion, I would encourage you to fill out the survey.

It is only by using your voice that we can truly understand the views of local people.

www.wiltshire-pcc.gov.uk

24

Salisbury & Avon, January 29, 2024

Business Miles of Value in Fordinbgbridge closes its door for the final time

A FORDINGBRIDGE shop has closed for the final time – after 30 years of providing shoppers with what they need.

Miles of Value, which sold everything from toys and games to stationery and cards, has shut up shop.

Helga Whatley paid tribute to customers when posting about the closure of the High Street store.

“Well it really is an end of an era,” she said. “The staff of Miles of Value would like to say thank you for your support over the last 30 years.

“We have enjoyed watching all the children literally grow up in front of our eyes, and then coming with children of their own, and hope we have given the people of Fordingbridge happy memories of us too.”

And shoppers responded in kind.

Mervyn Webb said: “Thank you all, Fordingbridge is going to miss this go-to shop.”

“Will so miss the shop and all you lovely ladies who are so kind and helpful. A great loss to Fordingbridge,” said Janet Welch.

“Thank you for the last 30 years.”

Sophie Hall said she was “sad to see this shop go”.

“It’s always good to have a shop like this in a small town, what a shame,” she said.

Pete White added: “A huge loss and thanks to you all for all the years of service to the town.”

salisburyandavon.co.uk

Oxfam shop applies for a dumb waiter to move books

A SALISBURY charity bookshop could soon get a lift to help staff move items around.

A planning application has been submitted to Wiltshire Council for a ‘dumb waiter’– style lift to move books around the Oxfam Bookshop, in Catherine Street. “(The) reason for wanting to make the proposed internal alterations is to improve the manual handling for the Oxfam staff/volunteers when moving

books/music/stock between the various floors of the Oxfam bookshop,” the application said.

It also detailed how a lift would mean the stairs would be safer as staff would not be carrying stock while moving between floors. On the first floor, a partition would be installed, with a kitchen and sink unit being relocated.

“Internally, the proposed works will also involve renewing the internal shop

fittings to suit the revised layout; new floor coverings and paint decoration; minor alterations to the floor/ceilings in order to form lift shaft openings between floors; a new concrete pad on the ground floor may be required to ensure the lift is suitably supported,” it added.

For more details on the plan, log on to wiltshire.gov.uk and search for application reference PL/2023/07283.

Forest council offers free advice to new business owners NEW business owners and people thinking of becoming self-employed can receive free business advice from New Forest District Council.

The ‘Start a Business’ support scheme is being delivered by IncuHive, which gives advice to New Forest businesses about topics such as marketing, legal considerations, grants and finances.

The scheme received funding from the government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, which means the service can be delivered completely free to New Forest residents or businesses.

Councillor Derek Tipp, New

Forest District Council portfolio holder for economy and planning, said: “70 individuals and businesses benefitted from our pilot scheme in 2023, and this showed there is a huge appetite for entrepreneurship in the district.

“We also know that getting the right advice in the early stages of starting a business or becoming self-employed can dramatically increase the chances of success.

“I encourage any New Forest resident who is thinking of becoming self-employed or starting a business to contact IncuHive.”

New business owner Helen

Wallbridge, benefitted from support during the pilot scheme in 2023: “I started Hampshire Community Heritage in January 2023 and it is going well.

“With the advice I received from Andy at IncuHive, I have been able to set up as a sole trader, register with HMRC, and record all my financial information.

Andy has passed on some useful contacts and has provided great support.”

To find out more, contact Andy Pringle, IncuHive’s Business Support Manager on 07817 065694 or emailing andy. pringle@incuhive.co.uk

Salisbury & Avon, January 29, 2024

25

Business

salisburyandavon.co.uk

Five jobs to be created following Downton beauty salon refurbishment PLANS have been submitted to refurbish and extend a Downton shop ready for a beauty salon – creating five new jobs.

RAW Planning, on behalf of Andell Developments, has applied to Wiltshire Council for permission to demolish a former school toilet block to the rear of 23 High Street, and replace it with a two-storey extension to the shop premises.

The prospective tenant at the site would be Ellure, currently in Catherine Street, Salisbury, with the listed building’s shopfront improved and additional floor space created in a rear courtyard.

“The existing property has previously been used as a shop (newsagents), but the building has been vacant for several years while it was marketed for sale,” the application said.

Clockwise from top left: 23 High Street; a former toilet block and shed will be demolished; architect plans for the new build

Creidt: RAW Planning/Wiltshire Council

“The applicant purchased the property and plot in order to invest and establish a new commercial use (beauty salon) in the property. The prospective tenant (Ellure) has an established

client base and requires some additional floor area over and above what the existing shop unit is capable of accommodating.

“As such, a replacement building is proposed in the rear courtyard to accommodation additional floorspace for the business.”

A former toilet block and shed to the rear of the property

would be demolished as part of the plan.

“Internally, the building would accommodate a staff room with kitchenette, along with a stock room and laundry at the ground floor,” it added.

“The first floor would comprise a laser treatment room (to serve growing demand), an office and a small shower room.

These spaces would support the Ellure business.”

Car parking space would be available at the rear of the shop, although the plan said most clients would park on the High Street, or the nearby Moot Car Park. The plans will now be considered by Wiltshire Council.

For more details, and to comment on the proposals, log on to www.wiltshire.gov.uk and search for application reference PL/2024/00545.

Menkind to close its Salisbury Old George Mall store A GIFT store in Salisbury is closing at the end of the month.

Posters at Menkind, in the Old George Mall, have been put up informing shoppers the store will close on January 31.

The firm, which has more than 50 stores across the country, said the city store performed “below our

expectations”.

“We are always looking for opportunities to open new Menkind stores, unfortunately the store in Salisbury performed below our expectations, hence we have taken the difficult decision to close the store,” a spokesperson said.

“For Salisbury customers the

nearest Menkind store is at West Quay Shopping Centre, Southampton.”

Menkind also has a shop at the Clarks Village development, in Street. Shoppers reacted to the news on social media.

Natalie Romano wrote: “My 11 year old really enjoyed looking round there and I got a

few bits for my boys in there for Christmas.

“Such a shame as I’m opting to buy in town rather than get it delivered where I can. Luckily, I think there’s one in Southampton or Basingstoke.”

And Victoria Kirk added: “Gutted. Love Menkind, one of my favourite shops.”

26

Salisbury & Avon, January 29, 2024

Property

Recruitment

salisburyandavon.co.uk

TELESALES OPERATOR

Market Comment The post-Covid frenzy for buying in the country was a phenomenon that spanned a good eighteen months, showing a marked inflation over that period of some 15% - 20% in Wiltshire, Dorset and Somerset (Land Registry Index), although many of the properties we sold demonstrated an improvement even on this figure.

By the middle of 2022, however, mounting energy costs together with inflation and rising interest rates led to a calming of what had been a frenetic market, with some of the ‘froth’ coming off the top. It remained busy over the summer months until the infamous ‘mini budget’ at the end of September 2022 led to an unsettled period with trading levels slowing down drastically and prices falling back some 5% - 10% from their previous highs.

During the early months of 2023 a long, wet winter held back the traditional spring market but it eventually budded. In comparison to other regions, this part of the country was cushioned by continuing demand for character homes in the best locations and, with an ongoing lack of supply, prices were underpinned for those top properties. The economy showed early signs of recovery during the second half of the year and confidence in the rest of the housing sector gradually returned, with activity levels improving over the autumn and early winter months. Stock levels were certainly down throughout 2023, but we found that there were still plenty of serious buyers. Looking forward to the twelve months ahead, the crystal ball is somewhat cloudy. At the time of writing, mortgage rates are falling and the hope is that the base rate will come down as well. We are already seeing improved sentiment in the buyers that we are speaking to, which fills us with confidence, and our thinking is that 2024 will be a much less volatile market with prices remaining stable.

We expect our region to continue being an attractive destination for buyers drawn to its beautiful countryside, excellent schools and quality of life, and we hope to see a gradual upturn in overall market conditions as the year progresses.

Mark Matthews 01747 442500 mark@ruralview.co.uk

The Blackmore Vale Ltd are recruiting for Telesales Operators to join our busy team in Wincanton. We are a friendly professional business with a fantastic team that have gone from strength to strength and have ambitious plans for the next 12 months!

This position is a full time, permanent position. The role is office based only, so you must be within easy commute of Wincanton.

It’s a great opportunity for someone that is target driven and ambitious. If you’ve got previous experience in B2C, B2B, networking, communication and negotiation we’d love to receive your application.

Responsibilities: • Incoming sales calls to understand and book from the public and businesses • Contacting past and new enquiries by telephone • Build rapport and understand the customer’s requirements • Outline the solution we offer and overcome any concerns • Book an appointment for our team to quote

Experience required: • Previous sales experience/customer service background • The ability to convince us why you’d be a great fit for the role!

• Excellent communication skills • Highly self-motivated and resilient • Team incentives and bonuses

Salary £22k Full time position Monday to Friday – choose from 8:30 – 5pm or 9am – 5:30pm If you’ve got what it takes to be part of this fantastic team, please send your application to:

debi.thorne@blackmorevale.net

Salisbury & Avon, January 29, 2024

27

Recruitment

salisburyandavon.co.uk

Silver Salisbury’s Spring Newsletter Do you run a club or activity where

reminiscence and intergenerational work.

older people get a warm welcome in the

The answer is now yes! Thanks to a grant

No need to book. We are on the first

Salisbury, Wilton, Amesbury/Durrington

from the Salisbury Area Board, we are

floor of Salisbury library and there is a lift

and Downton areas? Would you like to

pleased to invite you to take part.

at front and the back of the building.

promote a service for older people?

The project will involve meeting up

current exhibition.

Silver Salisbury’s Spring Newsletter

with Ruth Hill our facilitator to explore

promotes events and activities that are

and define the project. The project will

Can you help Silver Salisbury reach more isolated older people

opening for the spring, haven’t

include visiting a group of primary

Silver Salisbury wants to reach more

previously been featured in our Autumn

school children, reading from the book

older people by engaging someone to

Programme or just need an extra bit of

and together, contrasting and comparing

lead and support our volunteer

promotion. We’ll share paper copies with

your childhood stories and experiences.

programme. We are seeking someone

local older people and feature items on

If you are aged sixty or over and

who can work flexibly and knows

our website and Facebook pages. It’s all

would like to be involved, then please

Amesbury, Durrington, and Wilton

about helping people get out and about

email your expression of interest to

including the villages in between as

and try new things as the weather starts

silver.salisbury@outlook.com and put

well as Salisbury. For further details

to warm up and the days become longer.

“reminiscence” in the subject line.

or to arrange an informal telephone call,

The paper newsletter is 8 pages so

We’d be delighted if people involved

please email Irene Kohler with

we don’t have the same capacity as our

in the original project want to be part of

“volunteer” in the subject line, to

Autumn brochure but if you do have a

this project. Only if you don’t have email,

silver.salisbury@outlook.com.

special promotional event or activity,

phone 01722 323812

you think we should be aware of please

and leave a message

get in touch.

giving your name and

The paper newsletters will be

telephone number.

distributed early to mid-April so we’re

May. If you have any queries about

Silver Salisbury Drop In coffee mornings

potential entries, please get in touch

Our monthly

interested in hearing about things happening between 22 April and 31 nd

st

by Thursday 15th February. The absolute

Friday drop in coffee

deadline for final copy is Wednesday 21

morning at Salisbury

st

February but it will really help us if you

Library has started

send entries as soon as you can.

again. It starts at

Silver Salisbury Intergenerational Project

11.00 with tea, coffee, biscuits and opportunity to

We had some great feedback from

chat and meet

people involved in our Jubilee

new people.

intergenerational project in 2022: they

We are trialling

really enjoyed the sessions and the book

the idea of a short

created from their memories, entitled

input and on

“From King to Queen” was published.

February 9th will

A number of people asked whether we would be doing some more

have the art curator to tell us about the

Silver Salisbury Silver Salisbury is recrui�ng to reach more older people.

• Do you know Amesbury, Downton, Wilton and the villages surrounding Salisbury?

• Do you participate in community events and can get around easily by car or public transport?

• Are you able to engage with older people of all communities, face to face, individually and in groups?

If you can answer yes to all the above you might be the right person to help Silver Salisbury support their volunteers and reach vulnerable and isolated older people of all communites living in Salisbury and its surrounds. We want to contract someone for up to 25 hours per month at £15 an hour, initally until the end of Sepember 2024.

Further details from Irene kohler silver.salisbury@outlook.com.

Expression of interest with CV to reach us by Monday 12th February, 2024.

Irene Kohler - Chair Silver Salisbury Group

28

Salisbury & Avon, January 29, 2024

Arts & Entertainment

Comedy club returns to Qudos

FOLLOW Comedy Club has returned to Qudos, in Salisbury.

Its aim is to host ‘the best up-and-coming and circuit comedians from around the UK’, every Thursday night.

Follow Comedy ‘prides itself’ on delivering a raucous and eclectic night of laughs for a wide and varied audience, offering a community atmosphere.

“Our audience is made up of all ages, backgrounds and walks of life (we even had a dog at one show),” Joe, from the club said. “There’s no other night like it in Salisbury.”

Entry is free, with audience members invited to ‘pay what you want’, should they wish.

The night’s have a habit of selling fast, so reserving a table is recommended. You can do this by searching for Follow Comedy Club on Eventbrite.

salisburyandavon.co.uk

Four hands and one piano, for a candlelit Cathedral fundraiser

ON Friday, February 16, David Halls, director of music at Salisbury Cathedral and Alistair Watson, concert pianist and member of the cathedral choir, will be performing a series of piano duets by candlelight in the atmospheric North Transept – all in aid of the cathedral’s Choral Foundation At the heart of the evening’s entertainment will be Schubert’s Fantasie in F minor, one of his most important piano works.

Composed in 1828, and finished shortly before Schubert died, the duet is dedicated to his pupil, the Hungarian countess, Caroline Esterházy, who was both a friend and his muse.

Other late nineteenth and early twentieth century masterworks on the programme include Debussy’s Petite Suite and York Bowen’s Suite in Three Movements, providing many contrasting moments of virtuosity and tranquillity.

Bowen’s Suite was voted the ‘best pianoforte duet by a British composer’ in a competition organised by the

At the heart of the evening’s entertainment will be Schubert’s Fantasie in F minor, one of his most important piano works

Credit: Dominic Parkes

Musical Opinion magazine in 1919. A rare treat indeed.

Also included in the programme are two famous dances by Brahms and Dvorak, and lighter pieces, such as Thomas Johnson’s engaging rumba and works by William

Walton.

Tickets are available on the Cathedral website, £15 for adults and £7 for children – and drinks will be served in the refectory ahead of the concert, from 7pm onwards. Doors open at 8pm for an 8.30pm start.

Talented young musicians compete in Rotary club competition GODOLPHIN School was the venue for the annual Rotary Young Musicians Competition, sponsored by Salisbury Rotary Club.

The competition was organised by Rotarian Alan Corkill and featured pupils from The Godolphin, South Wilts Grammar, Bishop Wordsworth and Wyvern St Edmunds.

Five vocalists and 12 instrumentalists performed for 13 minutes each in front of an audience and the two judges, Kate Edgar and Graham Coatman.

With only the winner of each category going through to the Rotary District Final to be held on Sunday, March 10 at Godolphin School, the tension was palpable as the judges debated before delivering their decision: Vocalists 1st Gianpiero Greatorex, Bishop Wordsworths

(L-r) Kate Edgar, Gianpiero Greatorex, Olivia Kerr, Elara Jacobs, Elly Howell, Emily Price, Graham Coatman

2nd Olivia Kerr, Bishop Wordsworths 3rd Emily Price, Godolphin Instrumentalists 1st Elara Jacobs, Tenor Horn, South Wilts Grammar

2nd Emily Price, Cello, Godolphin 3rd Elly Howell, Flute, Godolphin There were some fantastic performances on the night, with Gianpiero and Elara progressing to the district finals. The Young Musicians Competition is open to all young people between the ages of 12 and 16 years.

They may be individuals, or come from a group, such as schools, or any young people’s organisation. It is for amateur musicians and is not open to full-time students of music or the performing arts.

Salisbury Rotary Club expressed its gratitude to Godolphin School for hosting the compeition and to William Ings (director of music), Rob Taylor, Kathy Chalmers, the backstage team from the Godolphin Music Department, and to the judges. www.salisburyrotary.org.uk Facebook: www.facebook.com/Salisburyrotaryclub

29

Salisbury & Avon, January 29, 2024

Arts & Entertainment

salisburyandavon.co.uk

Salisbury Arts Society learn the secret language of country house portraits THE ARTS Society Salisbury met on January 9 to hear Amy Lim make sense of portraits in country houses.

Visitors in the 17th century would have immediately known how to ‘read’ the portraits and understand their visual clues.

These communicated status, networks and identities.

Country houses are often full of historic portraits but, for today’s visitor, it is not always clear who the sitters are, why they are there, or why they mattered.

From the artists’ point of view they paid well and were more in demand than historical pictures.

Portraits were painted for different reasons, many were of peers and nobles, who were permitted to wear robes of State – coronation or parliamentary – and this was one of the most popular ways of showing status.

Coronation robes have been worn only 13 times in the last 300 years. Our present King, Charles III wanted a less formal ceremony and initially said that he did not want these to be worn but, after a considerable backlash, this decision was changed.

In the end, very few were worn. The edging to these robes is of ermine and these are embellished with varying rows of dots which give a further clue to the noble: Duke, viscount, etc.

Portraits of nobles usually included a coronet and, again, the detail is important.

For example, a duke is entitled to a gold coronet with leaves and strawberries.

The ladies of the nobility may also be distinguished by the length of their train and any edging of ermine.

Parliamentary robes, while edged with ermine and dot rows, have a leaf pattern with gold lace.

Anyone made a Knight of the Garter would certainly call for a new portrait. The appointment may be identified by the

Salisbury & Avon Gazette

wearer having a blue velvet cloak, over a red velvet short coat. A collar of knots and, of course, the garter worn on the left knee and clearly visible.

The hat with its flamboyant ostrich feathers is rarely shown worn, just held.

These portraits will often show the subject attended by a black child who underlines the status of the sitter.

Any portrait of the holder of the four great offices may easily be identified: The Lord Chamberlain has a key and a white staff; The Lord Steward has a white staff, the Groom of the Stool just a key.

A Grand Tour of the 17th and 18th centuries might last for two to three years and often presented an opportunity for the wealthy to be painted in, say, Rome – or, for the cheaper version, in England. Pompeo Batoni was the most sought after artist in Italy, for such a purpose.

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Anthony van Dyck revolutionised portraits. He came to London in 1620 and stayed for 11 years. His portraits were less formal than contemporaries, with a sense of movement. He also paid great attention to fabrics which the sitter might touch. The sitter was likely to pose with a projecting elbow.

Joshua Reynolds followed suit and tended to put his sitters in a costume which would not date.

Thomas Gainsborough liked his sitters to be placed in a natural setting and was very keen to show both a good likeness and their personality. The two artists had a friendly rivalry over the years: Reynolds’ ideal versus Gainsborough’s realism.

With the social mobility of the 18th century and the huge financial rewards earned through the East India Company, those from ‘new money’ were able to afford portraits. Angelica Kauffman was a a highly regarded and successful founding member of the Royal Academy and one of the first to paint portraits of children.

Very few clothes from this period still exist. While the V & A and the Metropolitan Museum in New York have some jewellery, over time, the bigger pieces were broken up to make smaller items or precious stones sold.

The next meeting is on Tuesday, February 13 when our lecturer is Jamie Hayes. Four humble Liverpool lads conquered the pop world and their legacy remains here, there and everywhere.

A fully illustrated talk with musical examples and excerpts of the exceptional moments of The Beatles’ extraordinary career. Some pop groups are not just of their time; some are for all time.

All lectures are held at St Francis Church, Beatrice Road, Salisbury and start at 1.50pm. www.theartssocietysalisbury.org.uk; F: The Arts Society Salisbury; T: 01722 331216. st 14, Augu

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Salisbury & Avon, January 29, 2024

Arts & Entertainment Choir leader’s book nominated for outstanding music education award

salisburyandavon.co.uk

Russian artist explores the space between the ‘seen and imagined’ at Messums

By Brian MacReamoinn

Olivia Sparkhall

LOCAL choir leader, Olivia Sparkhall, who runs Fordingbridge Musical Theatre Choir is up for an award.

Olivia Sparkhall’s book, A Young Person’s Guide to Vocal Health, on everything young people need to know in order to look after their voices, has been shortlisted as a finalist for the Music & Drama Education Awards 2024 in the category ‘Outstanding Music Education Print Resource’.

The awards citation reads: “This achievement speaks volumes about the outstanding quality and innovative endeavours of your work.”

The prestigious awards ceremony takes place at the London Marriott Grosvenor Square on February 22, 2024, where the winners and highly commended entries will be revealed.

Speaking about her nomination, Olivia said: “It is an incredible honour to have been shortlisted for this award alongside some phenomenal colleagues.

“My heartfelt thanks goes to the judges for selecting A Young Person’s Guide to Vocal Health as being worthy of this accolade.”

Messums West in Tisbury held a private view on Friday, January 12 of the gallery’s new exhibition, a series of paintings

by Eugenie Vronskaya.

Johnny Messum, the gallery’s director, welcomed everyone to the launch. He introduced the artist, saying he was, “thrilled to be displaying her work”, and noted that “the paintings have a free-flowing, expressive quality”.

The title of the show, Between the Seen and Imagined, certainly suggests a metaphysical dimension.

Eugenie explained it was originally going to be called Look, Stranger, referencing the poem of the same name by WH Auden, which is about experiencing the sensory and emotional aspects of a moment.

She said her inspiration is often literary, citing as an example the striking triptych which is the centrepiece of the exhibition. This is based on the Greek myth of the sorceress Circe, which has been recently reimagined for a contemporary audience by the novelist Madeline Miller.

Eugenie Vronskaya was born and grew up in Russia. She

Above: Eugenie Vronskaya (left) with Johnny Messum; two artworks from the exhibition

recounted how, as a young schoolgirl in Moscow, she would dash off to the Pushkin Museum to see her favourite painting there, Van Gogh’s Wheat Fields After the Rain.

Artworks such as this provided the inspiration to become an artist. After studying

in the capital, in 1989 she came to the UK. By 1991, she had achieved an MA at the Royal College of Art, the first Russian student to do so.

Eugenie is currently based in London. As well as painting, she also teaches art and said she gets as much back from her students who are all ‘thirsty to learn’.

Between the Seen and Imagined runs until February 26 at Messums West, Tisbury. www.messums.org

Salisbury & Avon, January 29, 2024

salisburyandavon.co.uk

31

Arts & Entertainment

The future of art: Vanner Gallery hosts prestigious Graduate Show

By Brian MacReamoinn

THE VANNER Gallery in Salisbury is once again hosting the prestigious Graduate Art Show, an opportunity to see new and exciting artworks created by the UK’s most talented students.

Many of the best known art schools in the country have alumni in the exhibition, including UAL Central Saint Martins, Goldsmiths, Glasgow School of Art and the Royal College of Art. The South West is well represented by Arts University Bournemouth and Bath Spa University.

The Graduate Art Show is an independent national programme which invites new BA and MA graduates to enter work for consideration. An Open Call goes out for those finishing up their degrees or in the final year of their courses.

This exhibition marks the second production of the show in Salisbury. Having joined the selection panel for the 2023 London exhibitions, Vanner Gallery director David Christie, working again with Salisbury artist and curator Dina Bulavina, is offering a selection of work by more than 20 new graduates.

Disciplines on show include painting, sculpture, ceramics and photography.

David commented: “We are thrilled to bring the Graduate Art Show back to Salisbury. It’s a really exciting group of artists and the body of work on show is wonderfully diverse and dynamic.

“It can be a great time to buy into an artist’s work when they are newly graduated as the pricing is often quite accessible.

We hope visitors will enjoy the exhibition just as much as they did last year.”

Three BA Fine Art graduates from Arts University Bournemouth were among

those selected.

Richard Waring, the degree course leader, attended the private view of the exhibition on January 11.

“I’m so pleased for our three Arts University Bournemouth BA Fine Art graduates being exhibited at such a high quality

Clockwise from top right: David Christie launches the show; Micro-space by Yasmin Watts; Bessie Kirkham with Blue Joke; Joseph Rolph with 3 images from Batteries Not Included; Pillow Talk by Sarah Wall; One of the Cool Water Company series by Grace McNerney

event,” he said.

“It was exciting to view their work in a mixed group exhibition, as the curation created new dialogues between

the pieces, which combine a dynamic balance and mixture of high level technical skills with investigative concepts. These artworks represent the

culmination of three thorough years of study.”

The Graduate Art Show is on until February 17 at The Vanner Gallery, 45 High Street, Salisbury SP1 2PB. www.vannergallery.com

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Salisbury & Avon, January 29, 2024

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salisburyandavon.co.uk

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Salisbury & Avon, January 29, 2024 salisburyandavon.co.uk

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34

Salisbury & Avon, January 29, 2024

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35

Sport salisburyandavon.co.uk

What do Elvis, Bear Grylls and Wesley Snipes all have in common? Karate

LOOKING to learn something new in 2024? Has your New Year fitness resolution already hit the rocks and need help? Or perhaps you’re just looking for a fresh challenge? Well the answer could lie in Shotokan Karate.

With over 30 years experience, Salisbury Shotokan Karate Club is currently welcoming new members of all ages, whether you’re a newbie who’s never set foot in a dojo, or an experienced karate devotee, looking to return to the sport (you can pick up from the grade you left), Shotokan could be the way forward.

The friendly club believes in creating an atmosphere to help build confidence in a fun and nurturing environment.

Classes are suited to for all ages with current club members spanning the age gap, the youngest being just seven and the eldest a very spritely ’70 plus’.

Karate is not only a sport, it’s a skill that all members of the family, of any age or fitness

Self-defence; fitness; discipline; confidence; and flexibility.

Beginners’ classes are being held every Sunday at Five Rivers Leisure Centre Hulse Road, Salisbury, between 3.30pm and 4.30pm.

Anyone looking for more details can contact the club at sska595@gmail.com or just turn up on the day – just wear loose clothing.

level, can enjoy. It’s a skill that you never forget; always learning, pushing your own abilities.

The club’s senior instructor Stuart Cole is an eighth Dan who is happy to promote the core disciplines and benefits:

Interesting Shotokan facts Shotokan was first invented and taught by master Gichin Funakoshi. He actually gave his name to a system. The dojo where he first taught was named ‘Shoto’, meaning the waves created by pine needles in the wind, and ‘kan’, Japanese for house or hall.

Famous folk to have trained in Shotokan Karate include: Elvis; Bear Grylls; and actor Wesley Snipes, who all hold black belts.

Another advocate is pop star Anne-Marie who won gold medals in the 2002 and 2007 world championships.

Bemerton Heath Harlequin Ladies reach cup semi-finals BEMERTON Heath Harlequins Ladies FC are in the semi-finals of the Wiltshire FA County Cup after being Calne Town Ladies FC 6-1 on Sunday, January 21.

The game kicked off in chilly conditions on a soft pitch, but this didn’t affect Bemerton in the slightest as home advantage helped them dominate the visitors.

Just one minute had passed when Leanne Griffiths-Lower received a ball from Rio Goodings on the edge of the 18-yard box. A great first touch, a cut back and a perfect lob saw Bemerton take a lead they never looked like relinquishing.

However, they were only able to add one more goal before half-time, with 43 minutes played, Griffiths-Lower

added a second from the edge of the box after good work on the wing from Amy Sanger.

The second half mirrored the first with Bemerton dominating possession and Calne doing their best to get back into the

game. However, on the hour mark, Sanger again provided the assist, with substitute Leanne Harvey scoring on her debut.

By now, Bemerton’s midfield were in control and dictating the

tempo of the match. A wonderful run and shot by Rachel Lang provided the assist as Brady pounced on the keeper’s save for the fourth.

Straight from the restart, Bemerton had their fifth.

Harvey broke free near the half way line and beat the keeper for an incredible solo goal.

Calne pulled one back with an excellent chip from 25 yards before with seconds left, Lang added a sixth for the home side, turning her defender brilliantly in the box and smashing the ball into the roof of the net.

The team are now the only Tier 7 side left in the competition.

Player of the match went to debutant and development vice-captain Leanne Harvey.

36

Salisbury & Avon, January 29, 2024

History

salisburyandavon.co.uk

Salisbury Rotary Club hears stories about the ‘huts of Antarctica’

MEMBERS of Salisbury Rotary British Southern Cross Antarctic Club gave a warm welcome to Expedition led by the the mayor of Salisbury, Cllr Norwegian, Carson Atiqul Hoque, and members of Borchengrevink, and was the Wilton Rotary Club, to its most first British venture of the recent club evening.

‘Heroic Age’ of Antarctic The guest speaker for the Exploration, and the forerunner evening was Colonel Charles of the more celebrated journeys Ackroyd TD RD DL, Vice of Robert Falcon Scott and Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire, Ernest Shackleton. who gave a talk on his trip to the This was a fairly small hut, Antarctic continent and, in but was used to overwinter the particular, on some of the ‘The expeditioners.

Historic Huts of Antarctica’.

Ross Island was discovered Antarctica is the fifth largest

by Sir James Ross in 1841 and continent, 40% larger than the hut on Ross Island was first An expedition outside of Scott’s Hut at Cape Evans used by Captain Robert Falcon Europe. The focus of Colonel Credit: By Eli Duke - Flickr: Antarctica: Delta Trip to Cape Evans /CC BY-SA 2.0 Ackroyd’s talk, which was Scott on the Discovery for his wonderfully illustrated by slides, British National Antarctic was on the huts, which were built for Expedition from 1901-04 – although the south pole expeditions from 1899 used primarily for storage. onwards.

Cape Royds Hut is also on Ross Of the 22 original sites, only seven Island and was the base for the British huts remain intact, with the remainder Antarctic Nimrod Expedition led by in ruins or having disappeared Ernest Shackleton. completely. During his trip, Colonel This expedition got within 97 miles Ackroyd visited four of these. of the South Pole and also featured the The huts were originally first ascent of the volcano on Ross constructed as short-term structures Island, Mount Erabus. Gas lighting was designed to protect the continent’s used in the hut, where the outside explorers from the Antarctic weather, temperature was as low as minus 42 and to provide accommodation. degrees C. While the buildings were only The final hut visited was Captain needed for two to three years at most, Colonel Charles Ackroyd, Mayor of Salisbury,Atiqul Scott’s Hut on Cape Evans, on the west Hoque, and Michael Bell, President of Salisbury Rotary side of Ross Island – the base for the they had to be very strong and sturdily Club placed to withstand the relentless and British Antarctic Terranova Expedition fierce onslaught of the Antarctic winter maintaining the seven remaining huts and and was the last led by Captain Robert elements. some of the ruins.

Falcon Scott.

The New Zealand Heritage Trust is one This was a month-long trip, which started This one got to within 52 miles of the of the forerunners in conserving and from the port of Invercargill near the southern South Pole and was the largest with 25 men tip of New Zealand’s and 17 ponies, seven mules and 23 dogs – south island. From all of the animals being housed in stables there it was 10 days attached to the Hut. sailing across the There was so much that Captain Ackroyd Southern ocean via the covered and explained, with each of the Auckland and huts containing many artefacts, and the McQuarrie Islands to story of the problems the expeditions had to Cape Adare and the overcome.

US base at McMurdo Indeed, rescue missions were on Sound. occasion required for those who had been The first hut at stranded, including, for example, a group of Cape Adare stems six men (all of whom survived) who had to from 1899-1900 and walk 200 miles from Hut Point to was the base for the Inexpressible Island, a small, rocky island in Terra Nova Bay. The inside of Scott’s This was simply an evening not to be Hut at Cape Evans missed – full of history and a world so far Credit: lin padgham/ CC-BY-2.0 removed from even a chilly Salisbury night.

Salisbury & Avon, January 29, 2024

37

History

salisburyandavon.co.uk

New name and look for this year’s Chalke Valley History Festival THE CHALKE History Festival is the biggest history festival in the world. This year’s event marks the start of a new chapter following last year’s news that the Daily Mail was stepping down as title sponsor.

The festival, which will run from June 24-30 will have a new name and a new look, with the website and all branding being given a makeover thanks to leading brand agency BLOOM and digital media agency Konekt.

The festival has also seen a change behind the scenes to usher in the new era. Tom Wright has joined as managing director and Roz Skellorn is now marketing director.

Tom is a board member of both the National Museum of the Royal Navy and Leeds Castle and is also chair of The Imperial War Museum Development Trust.

Roz was formerly marketing communications manager at The Tank Museum in Dorset, where she worked for a decade, and was part of the team behind the hugely popular TANKFEST events.

Joint programme directors Charlotte Casella and Laura Bailey have been promoted to the executive board, with James Holland overseeing the festival team as co-founder and creative director.

History has rarely been more important than now. The Chalke History Festival programme for 2024 promises to reflect this, dealing with themes and concerns that dominate our current lives.

The festival planning team will also be mixing the timings up a little this year, so as to avoid a wall of events all running concurrently, and there will be an increase in the number of panels and discussions.

The aim is to provoke more conversation and debate about

day,throughout the week – from light-hearted yarns through to expert traditional crafts people, and from the Iron Age through to the Second World War. In addition, there will be five main venues for talks and discussions, so there will be a huge amount on offer.

The layout of the site will be slightly different too as the team has given thought to the whole experience of how visitors can view the many events on offer.

The main tent will be setdressed on the stage, the second venue will be a vaudeville-style Spiegel tent and the outdoor stage will be a honeycomb dome design and closer to the hub of the main activities.

There will also be more live music, including an ABBA tribute act on the Friday night and a D-Day Dance on the Saturday evening. Each night there will be a different live music act, as well as on the Sunday a five-course lunchtime historical banquet.

More news of programme developments will be announced over the coming months and those interested in attending are encouraged to keep checking on the new website and the festival social media channels for all the latest announcements.

Tickets will go on general release to the public in April.

Credit: Martin Cook

Credit: Martin Cook

Credit: Mark Warner

how the past guides us to the present and helps us prepare for the future.

The line-up will show the threads and patterns of history and help those who visit to think about our history in different ways, and also help people to contextualise and make sense of the current rather tumultuous world we live in.

A number of big household names, including James May, The Rest Is History duo Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook,

Max Hastings, Bettany Hughes, musician and record producer Jakko Jakszyk, and Sathnam Sanghera, have already been signed up as well as a greater number of international speakers and experts.

There also promises to be more performances this year, with no less than eight different acts and performers speaking around the site, every

www.chalkefestival.com; n X @ Chalke Festival; Instagram at @chalkehistoryfestival and on Facebook.

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Salisbury & Avon, January 29, 2024

Church

salisburyandavon.co.uk

Cathedral unveils two new alters after a decade of planning SALISBURY Cathedral formally unveiled two new altars created by sculptor William Pye on Sunday, January 14, after more than 10 years of planning, selecting and commissioning designs.

The altars were consecrated by the Right Revd Stephen Lake, Bishop of Salisbury, on the same day during Eucharist.

This is the first time in 500 years that a new altar has been consecrated in the cathedral nave and at least 20 years since the decision was taken to re-order the cathedral.

The altars are a unique collaboration between sculptor William Pye and furniture maker Luke Hughes, a former Cathedral School pupil. They will be placed in the spire crossing and Trinity Chapel respectively.

The commissioning process began in response to a Liturgical Plan drafted in 2014 and updated in 2016. Design competition entries were invited in August 2018 and presentations made to The Very Revd Nicholas Papadopulos, Dean of Salisbury, and the Cathedral Chapter (or governing body) in December of that year.

Luke Hughes, who won the design competition, agreed with the Dean and Chapter that the new altars should be linked in form and material to the William Pye font, installed in 2008, making good use of the cathedral’s magnificent end-toend vista, and from this proposition grew the artistic collaboration that resulted in these two exceptional pieces.

William Pye and Luke Hughes met for the first time in February 2020 and agreed a division of labour. Pye was to concentrate on the detailed design of the altars, while Hughes took on the task of space-planning and designing the daises.

Hughes also took responsibility for the clergy seating, movable choir music

Top: The Trinity Chapel altar is incensed by the Bishop of Salisbury Above: The Bishop of Salisbury sprinkles the nave altar with holy water

Credit: Finnbarr Webster

desks and supporting furniture for the Trinity Chapel. Some of this additional work has yet to be commissioned.

Sculptor William Pye, who designed and made the altars said: “The collaboration with Luke has been a very fruitful one – and his instinct to mirror the materials, architecture and magnificence of the space is very much in line with my own thinking, particularly in relation to the original font – but I also wanted the altars to feel intimate, using the words and symbols that have been inscribed around the base to capture the inner, individual experience of faith as well as the shared experience.

“The lettering that forms the texts and the way they are deployed aim to arrive at something akin to a Roman tablet, avoiding the suggestion of contemporary design or gothic pastiche. The icons that accompany the texts all make reference to features that can be seen within the cathedral.

“It is deliberate that the altars strongly echo the vernacular of the font and the cathedral architecture. I wanted the altars to belong to the space, while making a statement.

“And just as the font has become part of the visitor experience and worship, I hope these two new altars will also

form part of that experience.”

Furniture maker Luke Hughes, who was responsible for planning the space and building the daises for the altars, said: “My passion lies in creating and crafting ‘furniture’ that enhances ancient spaces like Salisbury Cathedral.

“In this case I not only had to respond to the building, but also to William Pye’s design. And there were practical considerations too. The platforms had to be easy for the vergers to dismantle and move, and sturdy enough to withstand being regularly taken apart and reassembled. So, the challenge was practical as well as aesthetic.”

Hughes’ daises, made in oak and shaped to mirror each altar, have been designed and constructed in such a way that what looks like a solid structure is in fact made up of a series of interlocking parts that sit on wheels.

“The elegance of the design is breathtakingly simple and like the cathedral itself, a feat of engineering, as well as being beautiful to look at.

Celebrating the official installation of the new altars, The Very Revd Nicholas Papadopulos, Dean of Salisbury said: “We are delighted with the work of these two exceptional artists and craftsmen, which so beautifully and simply complements the aesthetic and design of the Cathedral.

“By mirroring the shape and materials used in the font – Purbeck stone and inscribed bronze – William Pye has created a sense of permanence and simplicity.

“And just as the font’s still water reflects the cathedral’s vaulting and the stained-glass windows, the darkened glass surface on each altar also echoes both vaulting above and stained glass, so that this lofty space and the altars become one.”

Salisbury & Avon, January 29, 2024 salisburyandavon.co.uk

39

Politics

British Gas boss pocketed £4.49m in 2022 WHEN you look at this month’s gas bill it will probably not make you feel any better to know British Gas CEO Chris O’Shea received payments totalling £4.5m in 2022.

On top of an annual salary of £790,000, the Centrica boss also received bonuses totalling £3.7m. By his own admission he stated these astronomical payments were: “Impossible to justify…” and therefore by implication, so is the huge hike in the prices of our household energy.

It is also “impossible to justify” the record profits of £3.2bn by Centrica in 2022.

To rub salt into the wound, the excessive charges which generate those profits are in part, paid by the taxpayer through the entirely justified winter fuel payments to vulnerable people who simply have insufficient income from their state pension to cover the cost of heating their homes, and the excessive daily standing charges.

O’Shea said the £3.7m bonus was: “The first bonus I’ve taken in my time at Centrica; for a number of years, I’ve given

customer service…”

Andrew Speke, a spokesperson for the High Pay Centre, a thinktank focused on pay, corporate Cllr John Wells governance and responsible Labour business, said O’Shea’s chair of Environment inability to justify his own and Climate Committee income was a clear sign that executive pay across the (Salisbury City Council) country was out of control.

“It’s rare for a CEO to admit their pay is too high, particularly when many FTSE CEOs are complaining that their pay is too low.” up bonuses because of hardships that Speke added: “Nevertheless, one would customers were facing.” expect someone paid such a huge sum to He went on to admit: “You’ve got to show greater leadership and responsibility recognise that when you’ve got people who and actively challenge the pay-setting are struggling, and I look at my mum who’s process, rather than saying he doesn’t on the basic state pension, it’s just deserve it, before shrugging and accepting impossible to justify, so there’s no point in it anyway. trying to do that.”

“This is just one example of an executive Presumably he had a few quid to spare pay model across corporate Britain, where to help her out with her gas bill this year how much an executive is paid is rarely if her winter fuel allowance didn’t quite aligned with how well their company has cover it… The bonus is even harder to served its customers and wider society. justify considering this month, the “Mandating workers on boards would be consumer group Which named British Gas one step towards ending this culture of as “…the worst energy supplier for rewarding failure.”

‘NHS behind people leaving Tories’ LAST Saturday I spent my day knocking on doors in Laverstock, speaking to residents about their concerns, their thoughts on politics, and the issues that most impact them.

I heard from lifelong Conservative voters, people who have voted Conservative for 70 years, that they will not vote Conservative when the Prime Minister calls the General Election.

This is not something that is unique to Laverstock, I hear it all across South Wiltshire, over and over again. And the principal reason they give for this, is the state of the NHS. I have heard from people who say they struggle to get an appointment with their GP, people who are on endless waiting lists for procedures, people who have been left lying on their floor for hours after a fall because no help is available.

The frustration is palpable and recurring.

I recognise the frustrations myself when I am number 40 in the queue to get a GP appointment, or am being asked to self-

health service that delivers high quality care when they need it.

Victoria One year on from when Rishi Sunak promised that waiting lists Charleston would fall, thousands of people in Lib Dems our community are still stuck with Parliamentary their lives put on hold or unable to spokesperson work.

On top of these horrendous for Salisbury numbers, this government is set to do constituency the unthinkable and slash NHS funding even further.

The Autumn Statement last year diagnose a child’s injury as a phone revealed that the NHS budget has been cut consultation is far more achievable then a by £3.5 billion in real terms this year, and is face-to-face appointment. set to fall by another £1.3 billion next year.

In January 2023, Rishi Sunak pledged to Local health services are in crisis but cut NHS waiting lists. And yet, in the last Conservative ministers either don’t get it or 12 months, NHS waiting lists in Salisbury don’t care. have hit 28,494, a 13% rise against last Along with Liberal Democrat colleagues, year.

I am calling on the Conservative These shocking figures show far too government to reverse the NHS spending many people in Salisbury and South cuts and invest in fixing local hospitals, Wiltshire are being left waiting endlessly, in hiring more staff and ensuring patients get pain, for treatment. People deserve a local the treatment they deserve.

40

Salisbury & Avon, January 29, 2024

Education

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A roaring start to the New Year for Wellington Lions Primary School WELLINGTON Lions Primary began the new year with newly founded vision and values.

Lions’ pupils started the week with a day dedicated to their PRIDE values and visions.

Jake Bailey, headteacher, gave pupils an input into some very exciting changes to come.

The values of perseverance, respect, independence, daring and their motto of ‘everybody working together to be the best they can be’, were carefully selected by Jake and his team to meet the vision and mission for the school.

The school is looking at a house system that will work alongside this.

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The Lions are dedicated to their PRIDE values: perseverance, respect, independence, daring and their motto of ‘everybody working together to be the best they can be

Pupils will also be welcoming their very own mascot, but before he can start at Wellington Lions, the children were tasked with the important job of designing a t-shirt for him to match his fellow classmates.

Alongside a new t-shirt, Lions’ mascot will need a name, with pupils entrusted to give him a name that would get a roar of approval.

Mr Bailey said: “Our new vision, which is now up on the school’s website, encompasses what we want for our children here at Wellington Lions.

“We want to hear our children roar and to do this we

aim to provide an educational experience that fosters perseverance, respect, independence and courage, through being daring, which will set our pupils on a path to a bright and promising future to be the best they can be.

“We started the day with an assembly where the children were given time to think about each of the new values and what they mean to them.

The message that the school is a family similar to that of a lion’s pride was also expressed.

Every child that passes through our school will always be a Lion.”

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Quidhampton pub nominated for community asset status

41

Food & Drink

 SUNDAY ROASTS  Seasonal Specials - Pool Table - Local Ales Large function room with bar, dance floor and courtyard 9 guest rooms and a 3 bedroom family suite

CAR PARK AT REAR OF THE PUB

A VILLAGE pub near Salisbury is being recommended for ‘community asset’ status.

The White Horse Inn, in Lower Road, Quidhampton, has been nominated for the status, along with the car park, outbuildings and garden.

Quidhampton Parish Council has submitted the application to Wiltshire Council for the designation.

Community assets, under government rules, should be offered to registered community groups first in the event of a sale, giving them a chance to retain the asset.

The system is most often used for pubs, where a community feels the venue is under threat of sale or development which would remove the ‘community asset’, for example closing a pub.

Recommending the inn for the status, the council said: “The White Horse is the only public house in the village of Quidhampton and sited at its centre.

“It was previously registered in 2013 and 2018. The village has no church, no school and no

shops. There is a small village hall opening on to Lower Road and a recreation ground.

“The White Horse and the village hall are the only public buildings where the community can meet together.”

It said the pub and the garden host community events throughout the year, as well as storing the parish-owned marquee.

“The garden is the only suitable site for the village marquee,” it went on. “The pub is at the centre of the annual fireworks display and other events take place around it.

“Some village groups hold their meetings in the White Horse.

“Each year, a carol service and harvest festival are held in the White Horse, as well as more secular seasonal entertainment, such as the sloe gin competition.”

Wiltshire Council will now consider the recommendation.

For more details: www. wiltshire.gov.uk, planning application reference ACV/2024/00002.

Check our website for opening times, menus, offers and events

www.thewoodfallsinn.co.uk

Tel. 01725 513222 The Woodfalls Inn, The Ridge, Woodfalls, Downton, SP5 2LN

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Chicken feeds etc available.

Open Wednesday to Saturday 10am-5.30pm.

01258 450050

42

Salisbury & Avon, January 29, 2024

Motoring

salisburyandavon.co.uk

More than a day wasted on the road DRIVERS waste an average of 38 hours being delayed on the road each year in England, according to new figures.

The study, by Go.Compare, used Department for Transport (DfT) figures to calculate delays faced by drivers totalled more than 2,200 minutes stuck behind the wheel.

Overall, each driver loses an average of 31 hours to delays on local authority motorways and A-roads each year, the survey showed.

Meanwhile, an average of more than six hours are wasted by each motorist on the strategic road network of motorways and A-roads managed by National Highways, equivalent to just

under 400 minutes.

In total, this means each driver lost a day and a half due to delays in 2022.

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Alice Simpson, breakdown spokesperson at the RAC, said breakdowns were behind most delays.

“While we’re pleased National Highways has removed the majority of roadworks from high-speed roads, which are often the

busiest routes, the sheer number of drivers means there’s an increased risk of breakdowns which can, in turn, lead to delays,” she said.

Overall, the total amount of time lost to delays by all drivers during a year was calculated to be 55 million days.

(from pages 32-33)

Edition 34

Jumbo sudoku

Cryptic crossword

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Crossword

Arrow words

Wordsearch

M A X I M U M S T E M I N N P M R A D E N O T E S I C I N G E U E E T G E A B L E R T H O U G H L R S C E R L A Y O U T C H A R G E Y U P R O R RESULT C L O T H E N E R V E A E I M D E A N Y L O N A G R O U N D T O G I I S S RESULT S I G N I N V A D E D

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Salisbury & Avon, January 29, 2024

News extra

MP vows to cut civil service costs

CABINET Secretary John Glen (Con, Salisbury) has outlined plans to create a “lean, keen and productive” civil service, with workers doing “more with less”.

The Civil Service is made up of non-political government staff at departments, public bodies and agencies, who implement the policies of elected representatives.

And in a speech to the Institute for Government in London on Tuesday (January 23) Mr Glen, the MP for Salisbury and Paymaster General, said he wished to create a productive service amid “tight” public finances.

“We must improve to keep pace with innovation in the private sector,” he said.

“For too long, productivity in the public sector has not been a high-enough priority, we have thrown more people at our biggest challenges, but have more to do to embrace the potential of technology and innovative ways of working.”

He said the Civil Service was costing more to manage - but standards did not have to slip.

“It is clear we have to do more with less, but I don’t think it’s about cutting corners,” said Mr Glen, pictured above.

“It’s about being more productive. It’s about encouraging the best possible performance. It’s about bringing our people with us, to embrace the possibilities that modernisation brings.”

He said he would focus on three areas of modernisation; embedding technology, embracing simplicity and enabling people’s potential.

salisburyandavon.co.uk salisburyandavon.co.uk

SCORE reflects on the projects it helped last year

IN 2023, Salisbury Abroad, a project in Catholic Churches Cape Town received (SCORE) contributed funding to help supply over £32,000 to meals to homeless charitable projects people during the locally and overseas.

Christmas period.

Organisations and CRESS (Christian charities receiving Relief and Education grants included for South Sudanese) is Salisbury Pantry, a charity based in which focuses on Broad Chalke. A grant providing donated and will be used to redistributed food to purchase medicines for low income Pantry its health clinic which members in Salisbury.

Maternity work in the CRESS clinic serves refugees.

Many are struggling EdUKaid, based in with the rising cost of living. One Pantry member Downton, received a grant for its work improving said: “I mostly come towards the end of the the educational prospects of the poorest children month because it doesn’t matter how careful I am, in Tanzania. there just isn’t enough to cover everything .The Altogether 12 projects received grants during Pantry means we all eat in that last week.”

2023. SCORE chair, Peter Pelly, said: “One of the Supplying the Pantry with fresh fruit and prime objectives of SCORE is the relief of vegetables is an allotment scheme, F3 Project, poverty both locally and elsewhere in the world. which SCORE also supported with a grant “Through the generosity of church members towards tools, equipment and manure. we are able to have a positive impact on the lives Projects supporting homeless people were also of individuals and families. awarded grants. In Salisbury, this included the “This is achieved by supporting the work of ‘Somewhere to go’ initiative, a drop-in support many wonderful charities.’ and advice centre based in Alabaré Place, serving Salisburycatholics.org (Find SCORE under local and transient rough sleepers.

Parish Life)

Care home residents have a blooming good time on International Flower Day RESIDENTS at a St Leonards care home had a blooming marvellous time on International Flower Day. The occasion, on Friday, January 19, was marked at Moors Manor with flower-based activities throughout the day, including arranging and sharing knowledge.

International Flower Day promotes the psychological boost that flowers can give to people.

Gemma Chalkley, general manager at Moors Manor, said: “Our garden is a much-loved space, residents really enjoy looking after the plants and flowers and watching them grow and change through the seasons.

“We don’t have many flowers at the moment so our

residents very much enjoying the escapism of virtually visiting some of the most famous gardens in the world.”

Moors Manor Care Home is run by Barchester Healthcare and provides residential care, dementia care and respite care.

Salisbury & Avon, January 29, 2024

salisburyandavon.co.uk

45

Field & Stream

The falconers are leaving farm: TWO Birds heading for a new adventure

by Emily Ryland-Langley, director, TWO Bird Experiences

After receiving news that our local falconry company, TWO Bird Experiences, will be moving to a new location, we asked director Emily to give us an insight into the history of the company and an update on the upcoming move.

“TWO Bird Experiences is a company built on friendship, dedication and a passion for birds.

“Me and James started building the foundations of the business back in September 2018 and, soon after, moved to River Bourne Community Farm in Laverstock with a small handful of birds and big dreams to share our passion for animals with the community, and reconnect people with nature.

“I met James in 2012 at the Hawk Conservancy Trust – a special place for both of us. It was here that James had his first owl encounter and here that I held my first hawk and fell in love with birds of prey.

“After our first meeting, one as a research student and the other a falconer’s apprentice, James went on to become a head of section, looking after larger vultures and eagles, while I built up my confidence working at the International Centre for Birds of Prey.

“Over the following few years we bumped into each other time and time again and eventually ended up on the same team at Birdworld, which saw us swap Kestrels for Kookaburras and Falcons for Flamingos.

“We realised at this point we made a great team and so, before fate or chance bumped us into each other again, we decided we would make it permanent; we combined my love of education with James’

Top: Emily flying Bengal eagle owl ‘Mango’ in the Laverstock water meadows Above: James talking everything falcon with peregrine ‘Gethin’ by the bird of prey aviaries Left: Founder of the farm, Ben, being a fantastic perch for visitor favourite ‘Squidge’ the burrowing owl! Thank you Ben!

Credit: TWO Bird Experiences

passion for conservation and the company was born.

“Now, five years on, we run experience days, talks, workshops, events, after school clubs, and are showcasing our beautiful birds at a second site at Finkley Down Farm in Andover.

“We are also privileged to be working partners of Project Lugger and ambassadors for the Vulture Conservation Foundation (VCF).

“One of the reasons we love our jobs is because each day holds new and exciting opportunities and challenges, and 2024 will be no different.

“From Mid-March the business and the birds will be moving to a new home.

“While this was very hard for us to process initially, as we have put our hearts and souls into the project so far, we are now very excited to turn the page and see

what the next chapter has in store for us.

“Our plan is to give the two sites very different goals and identities, and, as soon as we are ready to open the doors to our homebase once again we will, of course, provide full details across the website and social media.

“In the meantime, we hope you all have time to come and see the birds before they pack their bags (open on Fridays and selected weekend dates) and thank you to all who have visited, supported us, shared in our joy, and grown to love these beautiful creatures.

“Finally, we wish to say thank you to Benjamin A Parker MBE (founder of the farm) for believing in us and allowing us to ‘build the dream’.

“We consider it job done if even a small handful of you have a newfound knowledge and appreciation for the huge spectrum of raptors that fill the skies of our planet.” www.twobirdexperiences.co.uk; sm: @birdsatthefarm; t: 07376032589

46

Salisbury & Avon, January 29, 2024

Farming

salisburyandavon.co.uk salisburyandavon.co.uk

Owners face fines of £1,000 if their pets worry or hurt livestock on farms DOG owners are being warned they could face fines of up to £1,000 if their pets worry livestock.

Wiltshire Police say, on average, they receive two reports each month of dogs chasing, injuring or killing sheep and other livestock.

The force said it believes this to be under-reported – and national figures show attacks are on the increase.

A survey by the NFU Mutual with 1,100 dog owners showed 66% allow their pets to roam freely off-lead in the countryside, yet 39% admit their dogs do not come back to them when called, and 64% admit their pets chase livestock.

Police have now moved to remind people who may be out and about with dogs that it is a sensible precaution to keep them on a lead when livestock are nearby.

Almost half (46%) of dog owners in the survey think that their dog would not attack or chase livestock until it happens, and by then it is too late.

Livestock worrying is when a

dog attacks or chases livestock on agricultural land or is at large in a field with sheep or other livestock and can result in significant injury or suffering and, in the worst cases, death of the animals involved, having devastating consequences for livestock keepers and causing personal distress as well as significant financial costs.

It is a criminal offence and can mean the dog owner could

face prosecution and a fine of up to £1,000, in the most serious case.

The NFU Mutual survey puts the south west region as having the second highest cost to livestock owners in England at an estimated £273,000 in 2022.

Chief Constable Catherine Roper said: “I am asking dog owners to please be considerate of those farming the land and make sure they keep their pets

securely on a lead when they are walking anywhere near farm animals.

“As we move towards the main lambing and calving periods, we are supporting our farming communities with increased social media and public engagement focus to highlight the problem; the risk to animals and our farming communities; to encourage reporting and ask dog walkers to respect the Countryside Code.”

Find out more about livestock worrying and how to report it on the Wiltshire Police website: Livestock Worrying If you see a dog worrying or attacking livestock please call 999 or report online at Report a Rural Crime or call 101 after an incident. https://www.wiltshire.police.uk/ police-forces/wiltshire-police/ areas/campaigns/campaigns/ livestock-worrying/livestockworrying/ https://www.wiltshire.police.uk/ ro/report/rwc/rural/reportrural-crime/

Half of farms sold to non-farmers: Report MORE than half of all farms sold in 2023 were bought by non-farmers, according to a new report.

The report from Strutt & Parker revealed that only 44% of all open market sales went to farmers, much lower than for more years where the figure would be 50-60% of purchases.

Non-farmers in this context includes those choosing a new lifestyle, as well as investors, both private and institutional.

According to Strutt & Parker’s report, these buyers tend to buy the larger farms on the market and therefore more land than traditional farmers.

“The growing role of non-farmers has proved to be a defining feature of the farmland market in recent years,” said Matthew Sudlow, head of estates at Strutt & Parker.

“What we have seen over the past 12

months is that farmers have understandably become more cautious because of a combination of higher interest rates, falling support payments, cost pressures and the impact of some horrendous weather conditions.

“Meanwhile, investors and lifestyle buyers continue to see farmland as an attractive and safe long-term investment.”

However, the sale of farms and farmland to non-farmers does not mean they are being taken out of the sector, the report added.

Many of those buying farms are doing so with a sense of purpose, such as improving biodiversity and exploring regenerative farming, something being actively encouraged by the government.

However, despite grants being available for tree planting, Mr Sudlow suggested the amount of farmland used for food

production will not be under threat.

He said: “Context is everything when it comes to looking at trends.

“The total amount of land bought and sold each year typically represents less than 1% of the total agricultural land area.

“The reality is that most agricultural land continues to be in the hands of farmers despite what looks to be a significant shift in buyer types.”

The report highlights one of the many changes occurring in the rural landscape.

Recent government figures show that with the number of farm tenancy agreements falling, only informal agreements showed a small rise, with rental value of those agreement increasing by 33% in contract to other agreements falling in value.

Dairy Farms showed the largest increase in such agreements.

Salisbury & Avon, January 29, 2024

47

Farming salisburyandavon.co.uk

Fly tipping figures ‘barely scratch the surface’ says Association ACCORDING to the Country Land and Business Association (CLA), the government’s newly released figures on flytipping reveal that many local authorities across the South West have recorded substantial increases in the number of reported incidents.

Overall, local authorities in England dealt with 1.08 million fly-tipping incidents, down marginally from 1.09 million during the previous 12 months.

Yet according to the CLA the latest figures for ‘barely scratch the surface’.

Despite a decrease in the national picture, many rural areas in the South West saw a marked increase in the number of fly-tipping incidents, which the CLA calls a ‘rural crime that blots the landscape’.

This contributed to a small overall increase across the region, with 49,954 incidents reported in 2022/23 compared to 49,833 for the year 2021/22.

The highest number of incidents reported in the region was in South Somerset which saw total incidents increase from 478 in 2021/22 to 801 in 2022/23 – an increase of 67.5%.

Meanwhile, incidents in North Somerset increased by 41.7%.

Other rural local authorities recording increases were: ●West Devon – 22.4% ●Forest of Dean – 19.4% ●South Hams – 14.4% ●Cotswold – 8.4% ●Sedgemoor – 6.7% ●Dorset – 5.3% ●South Gloucestershire – 3.6% ●Mendip – 1% However, Defra’s fly-tipping figures exclude incidents on private land, with the CLA South West – which represents the interest of farmers, landowners and rural businesses in Wiltshire, Cornwall, Devon,

Dorset, Gloucestershire and Somerset – believing the true scale of the issue is even bigger as increasing amounts of unwanted waste is being dumped on private property.

It says that two-thirds of all farmers and landowners have at some stage been a victim of fly-tipping, resulting in thousands of offences going unrecorded, as farmers often have so little faith in the ability of the police or council to deal with fly-tipping that they simply bear the cost of removing rubbish themselves.

CLA South West regional director, Ann Maidment, said “Fly-tipping is a crime that’s blighting rural communities, with incidents on private land going unrecorded on a mass scale.

“Many councils across the region may be cracking down on it but these latest figures do not reflect the true scale of the issue.

“Far too often farmers and landowners bear the cost of removing rubbish, and on average they pay £1,000 to remove the waste.

“Fly-tipping is not a victimless crime – in some cases they have paid up to £100,000 to clear up other people’s mess or risk facing

prosecution themselves.

“It’s not just litter blotting the landscape, but tonnes of household and commercial waste which can often be hazardous – even including asbestos and chemicals – endangering farmers, wildlife, livestock, crops and the environment.”

In 2022, the government introduced measures to crack down on fly-tipping, including more funding for local authorities.

CLA president Victoria Vyvyan said: “While courts can sentence offenders to prison or unlimited fines, prosecutions are

rare and criminals clearly do not fear the system.

“We are calling for local authorities to help clear flytipping incidents on private as well as public land, while the various enforcement agencies must be properly trained and resourced. Without more progress farmers, not the criminals, will continue to pay the price.”

The CLA has spent many years campaigning on the issue and introduced a five-point action plan to tackle fly-tipping.

It calls on local authorities, the Environment Agency and police forces to commit to stronger action against the increase of flytipping on private land and to remove the landowners’ liability to remove waste dumped on their property.

The organisation also welcomed the ban on DIY waste charges at recycling centres which came into effect on January 1 2024, saying that by making it easier for people to get rid of their waste they would be less likely to dump it illegally. www.cla.org.uk/in-your-area/ south-west/

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