Issuu

August 24, 2026

Edition 101

Salisbury & Avon Gazette www.salisburyandavon.co.uk

DON'T SPOIL THIS! FULL STORY: PAGE 5

Campaigners call on Lord Pembroke to reconsider plans for 310 new homes on farmland south of Harnham BIKER BRYAN

65-year-old ready for London-to-Brighton trek for charity

STORY: PAGE 3

CAT ATTACK

Police appeal after feline shot twice in village incident

STORY: PAGE 7

INN REOPENS

Diners and drinkers welcomed back to historic venue

STORY: PAGE 9

Salisbury & Avon, August 24, 2026

News

Parking costs increase date

RIVERS are being reminded parking charges will change from September 1. Charges at Wiltshire Councilrun car parks are set to rise to help pay for “increasing costs”, the first increase since 2022. The changes follow a public consultation which saw the council amend or withdraw several of its original proposals after considering 1,762 responses from residents, businesses and town and parish councils. Pay and display parking charges will increase by an average of 20%, rounded to the nearest 10p, with season ticket and permit charges also increasing in line with the revised tariffs. The council has also revised some parking arrangements to reflect the different roles played

by short-stay and long-stay car parks, while supporting “Wiltshire's wider transport objectives". Councillor Martin Smith, cabinet member for highways, said: "Parking charges haven’t risen in Wiltshire since 2022, and given significant inflation during that time, we had to raise them now to help pay for the increasing costs in providing the service and to reinvest in our wider transport infrastructure, including our rural bus network. "That said, we have listened to feedback we received during the consultation and made several changes to our original proposals as a result. "These changes strike a balance between supporting our town and city centres, managing parking effectively and ensuring we can continue to invest in transport and highways services

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across Wiltshire. "The changes also reflect our commitment in Our Wiltshire Plan to improve public transport options across the county." The main changes to Wiltshire Council car park charges and other arrangements are: n Sunday charging hours will remain as they currently are, from 10am rather than the proposal to extend charges to start at 7am. n There will be a 20% increase in pay and display parking charges, rounded to the nearest 10p. n Season ticket and permit charges will increase in line with the revised tariffs. n Parking charges are extended to 7am to 7pm in short-stay car parks only. Long stay car parks will retain the 8am to 6pm charging hours.

n Sunday on-street parking charges will not be introduced in Salisbury. n Sunday tariffs will be aligned with weekday tariffs in shortstay car parks only – long-stay car parks will retain a day-rate charging structure. n Long-stay car parks will keep the existing charging hours, with the exception of Dunns Lane car park in Castle Combe. n Existing charging hours will remain at The Maltings car park in Salisbury. Changes will come into effect on September 1.

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Salisbury & Avon, August 24, 2026

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Bryan gearing up for 60-mile effort

RYAN Simmans is preparing to take on a challenging cycle from London to Brighton – off-road – to raise funds for the British Heart Foundation (BHF) and raise awareness of accessible housing. The 65-year-old cyclist is passionate about accessible housing as it helped his mum stay safe and independent in her home for longer. He moved into his mum’s home in Wylye Lodge, Wilton, five years ago to support her when she was unwell. “For disabled and older people like my mother, having a home that’s designed to allow you to move about more freely, one you can get around, and use inside and out – not just live on the ground floor – is so important for a person’s independence, health and wellbeing,” Bryan said.

Bryan Simmans is preparing for his epic cycle

“I can honestly say that accessible homes can change lives for the better.” The Wilton development was designed for disabled and older people and contains 27 accessible and adaptable flats, 12 of which are wheelchair accessible, and is owned by accessible housing specialist,

Habinteg Housing Association. Having lived with a painful heart condition when he was younger, Bryan is also using his personal experience to fuel his support for BHF. “My heart condition, although not life threatening, was very painful,” he said. “Even though I haven’t

experienced it for years now, it was a very worrying time. “I want to raise money for BHF to help it fund lifesaving research into heart and circulatory diseases.” Now, he is preparing to embark on the London to Brighton off-road bike ride on September 19. It takes a challenging 61-mile, off-road route from Walton-on-Thames, across the South Downs on to the coast at Hove Lawns. Bryan has been training for the sporting challenge since the beginning of the year, cycling the 10-mile round trip from his home in Wilton to his gardencentre workplace and back each day. n For more information, and to back Bryan’s appeal, visit his Just Giving page at www. justgiving.com/page/bryansimmans-1.

Goosing around to raise thousands! CROWDS flocked to the Grimsdyke Goose Fair helping to raise thousands of pounds for charity. The traditional poultry auction and car boot sale saw people from across the south gather at Swaynes Firs Farm in Coombe Bissett on August 2 for a family-friendly day out accumulating more than £16,000 for the Salisbury Hospice Charity. Raising more money than ever before, the day, organised by Grimsdyke Poultry Auctions and the Butt family, the day also featured inflatables for the children to enjoy along with a tea garden, stocked by donated cakes and run by a team of volunteers supported by hospice charity staff. More than 800 lots of poultry and hatching eggs kept auctioneer Jim Butt busy, which he delivered with his trademark quick wit and warm humour.

Beyond the poultry, the ‘deadstock’ auction included everything from cars, to cages, to feeders and garden statues. Salisbury Hospice Charity gave their heartfelt thanks to everyone involved in organising and supporting the event, now in its third year. Thanks also went to the many visitors, stallholders, volunteers, and those who made the event possible, including food wholesalers, Bidfood Downton, for their donations and Netley Ukulele Group for the music. Andy Butt and Sara Ball, from Grimsdyke Poultry Auctions, said: “Cracking effort this year, best one to date. Worth every late night! We are so happy, it’s so great when the hard work from everyone pays off.” Alex Brown, community fundraiser for Salisbury Hospice Charity, said: “We are humbled

Hospice volunteers at the goose fair and inset, geese! Pictures: Keiron Yeo

by the incredible efforts of the Grimsdyke Goose Fair team – Andy, Sara, Jim and Pam – you are amazing. “Huge thanks too must go to Gemma, Catherine, Liam, and Helen for keeping the office running so smoothly. We also want to thank all the volunteers for their generosity and the wonderful support from our community.

“The fantastic sum of over £16k is truly reflective of how much effort goes into events like this, and how much support it receives from the community – thank you to everyone.” For more information on the Grimsdyke Goose Fair, upcoming events, or ways to get involved, visit Salisbury Hospice Charity’s website.

Salisbury & Avon, August 24, 2026

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Hosepipe ban in place as 'major incident declared

OST of Wiltshire is now under a hosepipe ban after record-breaking temperatures across the county - which have sparked a series of major wildfire. On August 13, Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service declared a major incident "due to the high number of incidents, the red wildfire alert, drought conditions and extreme heat". On August 17, a fire broke out on land near The Lamb Inn, at Nomansland, affecting around 25 hectares of standing crops, baled hay and machinery. "Multiple crews" were sent to tackle the blaze, the service said, with nearby residents warned to keep windows and doors closed as firefighters tackled the blaze. That came after a major fire closed the A31 in Hampshire as crews tackled a heathland blaze. Meanwhile, Wessex Water introduced a hosepipe ban on August 18, following Thames Water, meaning most of Wiltshire, including Salisbury, was covered. Announcing the ban, Wessex Water said demand is currently 30% higher than average, with

A fire damaged farmland and machinery at Nomansland

more hot weather to come and no significant rain forecast. Chief executive, Ruth Jefferson, said: "We understand this may be frustrating and appreciate the impact it may have on you. We would like to thank you for using water wisely throughout the summer and for your understanding, support and cooperation." Wessex Water covers most of Wiltshire, including Salisbury Plain and the majority of Dorset, Somerset and Bristol, including major population centres such as Bournemouth, Poole, Bath, and Weston-super-

Mare, in North Somerset. The last time water restrictions were issued in the region was 1976. The company was unable to confirm when restrictions would be lifted but said it would “continue to monitor reservoir levels, river flows, groundwater levels, and demand for water” and would lift the ban as soon as possible. Drought has also been declared in the region by the Environment Agency (EA) following the record-breaking dry spells in July and August. Helen Wakeham, director of

The Environment Agency has declared drought for Wessex, and right, a fire which closed the A31

Picture: Landford Parish Council

water at the EA and chair of the National Drought Group, said: "The hot and dry weather means we are currently using water faster than nature can replenish it. "A second consecutive summer drought is an exceptionally serious situation and one that will have longlasting impacts on our environment, wildlife, and the economy. "We want everyone to stay safe and hydrated during the hot weather but every drop we can save is a drop more for nature and agriculture."

Pictures: EA/Forestry England

Salisbury & Avon, August 24, 2026

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Campaigners' oppose 310-homes plan

COMMUNITY group is urging landowner Lord Pembroke to reconsider plans for housing on farmland south of Harnham. The Halt Harnham Housing (HHH) group has launched a petition calling on William Herbert, who lives at the Wilton House family seat, to pause proposals that could see around 310 homes built by developer, Wyatt Homes, who said it was meeting residents as it developed the plans. It calls instead for the developer to explore a “longterm vision that would protect the landscape while delivering environmental, community and public wellbeing benefits”. While recognising the need for new homes, the group said development should prioritise suitable brownfield sites before farmland and countryside are lost, while highlighting concerns over traffic, healthcare capacity and infrastructure.

A spokesperson for HHH said: “We understand that Salisbury needs new homes, but we also believe some places are too important to lose when there are alternatives available.” Rather than housing, campaigners say the site presents a rare opportunity to create something distinctive for Salisbury. Located close to Salisbury District Hospital, they say the land could become a “lasting community landscape” where nature recovery, sustainable farming and public access work together to improve biodiversity, health and wellbeing. The group spokesperson added: “This landscape already provides enormous benefits for wildlife, farming and recreation. We hope this petition encourages a wider conversation about how this exceptional area could become a lasting legacy for Salisbury rather than simply another housing development.”

The campaign said views like this are under threat south of Harnham

The petition calls on Lord Pembroke, whose estate owns the land, to work with Wiltshire Council, Salisbury District Hospital, conservation organisations and the community to explore this alternative vision “before irreversible decisions are made”. Campaigners hope the petition will demonstrate the strength of support for protecting the countryside south of Harnham and ensuring all realistic options for its future are properly considered. In response to the petition, developer Wyatt Homes said

they have already met with residents to “understand their concerns”. A spokesperson said: “This site has previously been identified by Wiltshire Council as suitable for housing development. We met with hundreds of residents at the public consultation and separately with many of the neighbours to understand their concerns. “The proposals will deliver a high quality and lasting legacy including much needed affordable homes that make use of renewable energy and locally sourced materials, alongside an increase in bio-diversity, new public footpaths and an early years nursery, brought forward by Wyatt Homes, who have been delivering award-winning homes across the South-West for over 35 years.” The full petition can be viewed at the Change.org website.

Spend the Summer bank holiday at the Summer Brocante ADVERTISING FEATURE

njoy the last days of summer with The Dorset Brocante at Moyles Court on Bank Holiday Monday 31st August - 10 - 3pm.

The perfect way to relax and enjoy the day out vintage shopping at a French Brocante in the English Countryside. With over 40 stands set out on the lawns at Moyles Court, offering decorative antiques, vintage finds, French Brocante, small furniture, rugs, slow fashion and interiors, alongside artisan makers, stationery and soft furnishings. Local artisan food stands will offer fresh coffee, light refreshments, crepes, ice cream, wood fired pizzas and burgers all day in the courtyard in the heart of the Brocante. Bring your friends to this sublime setting located between Ringwood and Salisbury to enjoy a little taste of France in the New Forest. All tickets £8 on the gate, or buy in advance £7. Children are free. Well behaved dogs on leads are welcome at the fair. Free parking on site. The Summer Brocante Moyles Court, nr Ringwood, New Forest BH24 3NF Please look at www.thedorsetbrocante.co.uk for more details and to buy advance tickets. We look forward to seeing you on 31st August at the Brocante.

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Salisbury & Avon, August 24, 2026

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Wessex plan moves a step closer...

ESSEX leaders welcomed the Government’s invitation to express an interest in establishing Mayoral Strategic Authority for the region. Councils in Somerset, Wiltshire, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, and Dorset united to create the Wessex group ni a bid to secure a new authority - but failed in the first round. The new invitation is the next step in ongoing discussions about securing a devolution agreement, which, if successful, could bring additional powers, responsibilities and investment to Wessex, enabling more decisions on areas such as transport, skills, housing, infrastructure and economic growth to be made locally. However, any proposal for a Wessex Mayoral Strategic Authority would not involve a merger of councils.

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Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council, Dorset Council, Somerset Council and Wiltshire Council would all remain separate unitary authorities, with responsibility for delivering local services in their respective areas. In a joint statement, the council leaders said: “We have been clear Wessex is ready and uniquely placed to move forward with a Mayoral Strategic Authority, and we welcome the Government’s invitation to express an interest as the next step in securing devolution for our region. “This is an exciting and once-in-a-generation opportunity to bring decisions closer to local people, unlock investment and drive long-term prosperity to every postcode across Bournemouth, Christchurch, Poole, Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire.

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“As the only fully unitary area in England without a devolution arrangement, we already operate at the scale required and, with no need for local government reorganisation, we are ready to realise the benefits of devolution from day one. “A Mayoral Strategic Authority has always been our aim as it would give Wessex the powers and funding that local leaders need to improve

transport, housing, skills, infrastructure and lasting economic growth, while strengthening our contribution to the national economy. “The case for Wessex is clear. We are united in our ambition and ready to seize this opportunity. We are committed to working with Government to secure a devolution agreement that matches the scale and ambition of our potential.” The statement was signed off by Cllr Ian Thorn, Leader of Wiltshire Council, Cllr Millie Earl, Leader of BCP Council, Cllr Nick Ireland, Leader of Dorset Council, and Cllr Bill Revans, Leader of Somerset Council.

Fun for all the family at Fordingbridge! ADVERTISING FEATURE

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Salisbury & Avon, August 24, 2026

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Police probe after cat shot

“DEFENCELESS” cat has been shot in Stapleford, police have said. Salisbury Police has launched an appeal to find the culprits after what they described as an “awful offence”, which left a feline seriously injured. Sharing a photograph of the 11-monthold half-Maine Coon, Dougal, with his owner Claire, a Wiltshire Police spokesperson said: "Some time between July 24 and 26, Dougal was sadly shot twice by what is thought to be an air rifle or BB gun in Stapleford, north west of Salisbury. "The incident has left Dougal with a bullet lodged just below his spine, which the vet is unable to remove. "This is an awful offence against a defenceless animal and we are really keen to identify those responsible." Officers have been carrying out enquiries in the area, they added, and are keen to hear from anyone who may be able to assist them with their investigation. n Anyone who witnessed the incident or has any information should contact Wiltshire Police by email to 71526@ wiltshire.police.uk, quoting reference number 54260090371.

You goat-ta be kidding? POLICE issued an appeal to find the owner of a number of goats which “may have escaped”. Amesbury Police said around 20 of the clovenhoofed animals were found in Tidworth on Sunday (August 16). There were no visible tags so they had been unable to locate the owner. A spokesperson said anyone who knows who they belong to should call 101 quoting log number 170 of August 16. While goats can be kept as pets, they are classed as livestock, so owners have a legal responsibility to register the property they are kept as an agricultural holding, and comply with strict animal welfare and identification laws. They require two visible or approved identifiers such as ear tags and pastern bands.

Dougal is recovering after his ordeal

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Salisbury & Avon, August 24, 2026

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Police worker Hollie jumps to success

WILTSHIRE Police staff member has triumphed at the Police Sport UK (PSUK) Southern Championships Blue Lights Horse Show. Financial investigator Hollie Clark took home multiple titles while proudly representing the county force. Hollie and her horse, Figgy, competed at the annual event in Chard, Somerset, on August 8. Despite coming back after a six-week break due to poor weather, ground conditions and a busy schedule balancing work and family life, Hollie still managed to secure first place in the 90cm category, second place in the 1m category and first place in the 1.10m category. She also walked away the PSUK Show Jumping Champion and Overall Show Champion. Colleague Jasmine Swatton-

Andrews was also due to appear at the show but due to significant traffic delays caused by a diversion on the M5, was unfortunately unable to reach the venue in time for her classes. Hollie said: "The day certainly had its challenges before we even arrived, but once we got there, Figgy was fantastic. I hadn’t competed for more than six weeks, so I was delighted with how he performed. "To come away with the Show Jumping Champion and Overall Show Champion titles was a brilliant achievement, and it was great to be part of a winning mixed services team too." During the competition, Hollie also joined competitors from Devon & Cornwall Police and the Royal Navy to form a

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Hollie Clark scooped several titles at the event, in Chard

Pictures: Wiltshire Police

mixed services team, which went on to win the Team Show Jumping competition. In memory of PC Andrew Harper and acknowledging recent events affecting officers across the country, Hollie displayed a Thin Blue Line flag as a mark of respect and solidarity with the wider policing family. PC Harper was killed in the line of duty in Berkshire in 2019 when he and a colleague were responding to a report of a burglary. During the call, Harper was dragged behind a

car for a mile suffering catastrophic injuries. A spokesperson for Wiltshire Police said: “Hollie’s success highlights the dedication and commitment of Wiltshire Police officers and staff outside of their day-to-day roles, while showcasing the opportunities provided through Police Sport UK competitions.” The spokesperson added: “Congratulations on these excellent achievements and for representing Wiltshire Police with such pride and professionalism.”

Salisbury & Avon, August 24, 2026

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10% OFF Jason Schinkel, inset, has taken on The Railway Hotel

Railway reopens!

“NEW ERA” has dawned at a heritage hotel in Fordingbridge after a well-known pub landlord took the reins. Experienced local publican Jason Schinkel took over at The Railway Hotel on August 5 after previously running The Three Lions in the town and the popular Horse and Groom in Woodgreen. One of Fordingbridge’s most recognisable landmarks and steeped in history and character, The Railway Hotel has stood for more than 160 years. With Jason’s expertise behind the bar and in the kitchen, it is hoped the venue will become a destination for locals and visitors alike. Jason said: "We will be serving a selection of tasty meals and lighter bites to suit all appetites. We are focusing on the pub and dining initially, but accommodation will be available to book if people are looking for a place to stay in the Fordingbridge area." Behind the building’s new chapter lies an extensive refurbishment and a significant investment. Larasian’s of The Railway Hotel was a labour of love, taking around two years to bring the building back to its full glory. Built in the 1860s by Dorchester brewer Eldridge Pope, it was originally

established to serve passengers using Fordingbridge Railway Station, once a stop on the Salisbury and Dorset Railway. The line itself closed back in 1964, but the building has stood ever since as a proud reminder of the town’s railway heritage. That heritage was at the heart of every decision made during the refurbishment which includes five individually designed en-suite guest rooms, each named after legendary trains including the Orient Express, Bournemouth Belle and Flying Scotsman, with interiors capturing the romance and glamour of their famous namesakes. There’s also a self-contained two-bedroom cottage, accessible guest facilities and dining spaces designed to transport guests back to the golden age of railway travel. Barry Robbins, CEO at Larasian, said: “We are delighted that Jason and his team are in place at The Railway Hotel. We wish them all the very best with their next venture.” The Railway Hotel will be open Wednesday to Friday from noon, with the kitchen being open from noon to 3pm and 5pm to 9pm, and on Saturdays and Sundays, from noon to 9pm. To book a table or find out more about the menus, call The Railway Hotel on 01425 653388.

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Salisbury & Avon, August 24, 2026

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Huge turn out for Harnham fun day!

UNDREDS of people turned out to enjoy the sunshine and fun activities during the 2026 Harnham Fun Day and Parish Fete. Held in and around Harnham Parish and Scout Halls, in Lower Street, on July 25, around 800 people turned out to enjoy a host of family-friendly activities. Among the popular installations was the climbing wall provided by Wiltshire Outdoor Learning Team and funded by a grant from Salisbury City Council, Jodie the Face Painter, generously provided by Wiltshire Council Housing, cream teas from the

parish team and ice cream cones to help quench thirsts in the heat, while hot dogs served by the Scouts helped quell the hunger. Elsewhere, the Harnham Community Network held its first sharing Harvest Table for the summer, to be followed each Saturday morning until October. "We were delighted to welcome PCSO Charlotte King and her colleague from the Neighbourhood Policing Team, and there was a constant stream of youngsters in and out of their patrol car," said a spokesperson. "We were also greatly honoured that the Mayor of Salisbury, Councillor Jenny Bolwell, with her consort Tom Corbin, opened the event, drew the winning raffle

tickets, and stayed for most of the afternoon visiting stalls and talking to the volunteers. "Of course, an event like this would never happen without the huge efforts of so The mayor addresses the crowds and below left, Scouts many volunteers, at their stall Pictures: Mark Warner involved, as acknowledged by hard in preparing and running our Vicar, Rev Becky, in their stalls and café. 'planning, organising, collecting, "The skittles, pick a stick, arranging, donating, setting up/ sweet tombola and café, which taking down, being involved on included hot dogs, snacks and the day and supporting it in any drinks, all went down well with way, performing, joining the the public, with a queue fun, etc'." throughout the event for the The parish stalls and café." activities raised over £2,700 to Planning will soon get support the work of the parish, underway for next year's event while the Scouts and Guides - including lessons learned. raised over £400 of vital funds. Helpful comments should be Mark Warner, team lead of passed to the fun day cothe Harnham Scout Troop, said: ordinator, Charles Woodd, or "The Scouts, parents, helpers parish co-ordinator, Monica and leaders all worked very Wilson.

Salisbury & Avon, August 24, 2026

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Open Morning

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Furlong

Ringwood Halfords

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Salisbury & Avon, August 24, 2026

News

salisburyandavon.co.uk

Hatch House fundraiser returns!

HE popular annual Hatch House Open Garden event returns for 2026 on Sunday, August 30, in support of the Salisbury Hospice Charity. Garden lovers will be welcomed to the estate from 11am until 4.30pm, able to take in the walled garden, while enjoying a host of other attractions. The day began as a simple idea between friends – a walk through the walled garden to raise money for charity – and has since blossomed into a much-loved tradition. From tea and cakes to stalls of second-hand treasures, the Hatch House Open Garden is a gathering that supports the community in a meaningful way. Lady Holly Rumbold, for whom Hatch House is home, created the event alongside her friend, Elspeth Vernon.

“When our children were little, my friend and business partner Elspeth and I spent our summers at Hatch House,” she said. “Those days were filled with pony rides, visits to Longleat, endless walks, and the bustle of cooking and laundry for six lively children. “It was busy, it was joyful, and it became the backdrop to an idea that has since grown into something very special. “One summer, we decided to open the gates of Hatch’s beautiful 17th-century Dutchstyle walled garden to raise a little money for charity. “At first, all we offered was a gentle walk among the flowers. The takings were modest, but the seed had been planted. “The following year, we added tea, cakes, and clothes: a mix of surplus from our own wardrobes, our London shop,

and glamorous cast-offs from my mother-in-law, strung up on a ladder by our gardener, Cyril Eldridge. “This simple gesture became a treasured tradition that raised far more than we ever imagined.” Since those early days, the event has flourished. Now supported by Virginia Fairhurst, Joanna Jacobs, and the Tisbury Fundraising Committee, the event welcomes visitors to browse second-hand treasures that tell stories of their own.

Furniture, books, bric-a-brac, jewellery, and of course, the fabulous fashion which has become synonymous with the event. Most importantly, as guests step into this enchanting garden, they gain the opportunity to give something back. Every ticket sold on the gate, every purchase made, supports compassionate end-of-life and palliative care for local people – upholding the ethos at the heart of the enterprise. To date, the Hatch House Open Garden has raised more than £250,000 for Salisbury Hospice. The event runs from 11am to 4.30pm on Sunday, August 30 at Hatch House, Newtown, Tisbury. Entry costs £5 for adults, £2 for children.

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Salisbury & Avon, August 24, 2026

News

salisburyandavon.co.uk

new tiled roof

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Salisbury & Avon, August 24, 2026

Education/Spotlight

salisburyandavon.co.uk

Sunshine results signal bright futures!

ALISBURY students were celebrating their A Level results after an "exceptional" year for the city. South Wilts Grammar School saw 218 students – their largest-ever cohort – completing their examinations this summer with 31% of all grades awarded at A or A*. Among them were 31 students who achieved a clean sweep of A*/A grades across at least three subjects. The school said the results have enabled the vast majority of students to secure places at their first-choice universities, pursuing a diverse range of academic and professional pathways. Headteacher, Dr Amanda Smith, said: "We are immensely proud of every student’s hard work and determination. Achieving these results with our largest-ever cohort is a remarkable accomplishment. "It is a testament to the dedication of our staff and students, whose collective efforts have created a supportive, inclusive and academically ambitious environment where all learners can succeed." Students will be progressing to highly prestigious institutions and courses, including Medicine, Mathematics, and Professional Dance and Musical Theatre at the renowned Bird College Conservatoire. Meanwhile, students and staff at the Wiltshire College &

Lauren Bueno de Mesquita has secured a role with the NHS

University Centre in Salisbury celebrated bright futures in the sunshine as they collected their results. The educational site saw a 96% pass rate in vocational technical Level 3 qualifications – with many courses seeing a 100% pass rate, including Animal Management, Equine, Travel and Tourism, Motorsport and Art and Design. At T Level, which combines classroom and practical study with 315 hours of industry placement, the college saw 94% of students passing at the end of their two year course, with 100% in Digital, Business, Land-Based Engineering and Midwifery. At the Salisbury campus, T Level Health student Lauren Bueno de Mesquita, 18, from Warminster, was celebrating not

Brooke Higgs and Elizabeth Love at Wiltshire College & University Centre

only a Distinction but a new job. “The result is amazing. I really, really wasn’t expecting it at all. I’ve had to put a lot of hard work in over the past two years,” she said. “The course was challenging because there was so much to learn and the placements at Salisbury District Hospital were tough at times, but so worth it.” She starts back at the hospital next week as a pharmacy support worker. "While on my placement I decided I wanted to do laboratory work and I saw the job on the NHS website," she said. "I mentioned the placement at the interview and they were really happy I had that experience." T Level Management and

Administration students Brook Higgs and Elizabeth Love, both 18, were delighted with Merits. "I’m really pleased, it’s what we need for a lot of jobs and apprenticeships that we want so I’m excited," said Brooke, from Gillingham. Elizabeth, from Bourton, added: "I’ve been applying for a lot of different roles likes sales representative or administration work, anything that looks nice. The course has helped because we’ve researched a lot of different companies and now I can use all of that knowledge and put it into a real-life situation." Jo Grenfell, deputy principal curriculum & quality, said the results reflect the hard work the college has seen from students over the past two years. "These excellent results are a testament to the hard work of our students and the expertise and commitment of our teaching and support teams. "Achieving a 94% pass rate in T Levels and a 96% pass rate in vocational and technical qualifications highlights our high-quality education and training. Our students leave us equipped with the knowledge, professional behaviours and technical expertise that employers and universities are looking for. We are delighted to see so many learners progressing to ambitious destinations and contributing to the future workforce of Wiltshire and beyond."

Libby Feest and Joel Finch collecting their results at South Wilts Grammar School

Salisbury & Avon, August 24, 2026

News

salisburyandavon.co.uk

High quality care in Wiltshire A

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t Salisbury Manor care home our highly trained teams are experts in providing high-quality care from residential and dementia care to short term care. Our home offers luxurious facilities, including a coffee shop, hair salon and beautiful lounges with a passionate wellbeing team that means your loved one’s day will never be the same. A lifestyle tailored to you At Salisbury Manor we’ll support you to continue living your life the way you choose. We’ll learn all about your interests and preferences so we can create a fully personalised lifestyle plan that you’ll enjoy whether it’s gardening, cheese and wine socials or playing chess. Luxury living At our ‘good’ CQC rated home we have beautiful luxurious facilities, including a coffee shop, hair salon and beautiful landscaped gardens. Our Chef-led kitchen teams are passionate about providing highquality food and there’s always a choice of nutritious and delicious dishes at every meal. Trust us to care Salisbury Manor is part of Care UK, the country’s most awarded large care provider. We’ve been delivering high-quality, person-centred care for over 40 years. That’s why over 16,000 families trust us to care for their older loved ones. To find out more call 01722 638 420 Salisbury Manor care home Shapland Close, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP2 7EJ careuk.com/salisbury-manor

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Salisbury & Avon, August 24, 2026

Politics

salisburyandavon.co.uk

Roundabouts and traffic lights

AD it not been for a change from Conservative to Labour government in 1997, Salisbury would have had a bypass in place for two decades and many of the local transport problems we currently face could be much more easily dealt with. Instead we are ‘blessed’ by an ‘inner ring-road’ - the A36 arterial trunk road which pours 33,500 vehicles a day, including maximum weight HGVs, through our lovely city from the south coast container ports enroute to the north and west. Unlike the vast majority of our local road network, this road, including Southampton Road, Churchill Way and Wilton Road, is ‘owned’ by National Highways rather than Wiltshire Council. This leaves local councillors like me feeling powerless to intervene in decisions made by NH that lack common sense. We are currently midway through a traffic signal upgrade

maximize road capacity. Personally I am not holding my breath! However motorists have seen these threesignalled roundabouts operating smoothly for many months now without traffic signals at all. With few exceptions, we have greatly enjoyed travelling around the city with these lights off as there have been minimal queues and traffic has flowed smoothly and quickly. I have repeatedly challenged National Highways to consider leaving them switched off permanently (or at least only use them for brief periods) but they refuse on the grounds of ‘safety’. But if the roundabouts currently were unsafe NH would have had to install temporary lights. They haven’t. Why will they not consider conducting a holistic

review of traffic flow around the A36? The latest shambles relates to the road markings. Anyone who has learnt to drive or take their test in Salisbury knows that the roundabout road markings often clash with the guidance in the Highway Code. Given that the roundabouts are being resurfaced I have asked for a review of the lane markings, the position and size of the yellow boxes, and the bonkers bus lane on Castle Road Roundabout never used by buses, but that request has also been refused. I have written to the Wiltshire Council cabinet member for Highways and heard nothing. So I will be bringing a motion to Full Council at County Hall in October hoping to push Wiltshire Council into pressing National Highways to sort out the debacle that we local residents will be stuck with if we don’t make our voices heard now.

firstly that it was a pay to park policy and that any assurances given were, as the head of Stonehenge claimed, 'before my time'. As I am only too fully aware from previous cases I have taken against a Secretary of State, that it is not incumbent on the present secretary of state to honour the promises made by a previous occupant of the role. What chance arguing that against a mere head of Stonehenge? The authorities' priorities and specifically those of English Heretics could not be more clearly demonstrated as they have just been. What better way to demonstrate how much they care about the fiscal side of things, and how little they think

about the Spiritual side, than to cancel one of the only four annual meetings of the so-called Round Table where the Heretics meet with the Spiritual and Druid leaders to discuss the gathering at Solstices and Equinox’s at short notice 5.30pm the night before, in favour of a budgetary meeting? Attendance at these Round Table meetings, of which I am a co-founder, are down and debate stifled as a result. Something I seek to address before the authorities deem them a waste of time. There are those who sit in on such meetings who wait on any crumbs that may fall from the master's table, and are glad of any such concessions and are a feared that as long as they keep them sweet they shan’t loose what little we already have. Then there’s me. Until next time...

Chris Taylor is a Conservative Salisbury City Councillor for St Paul’s and a Wiltshire Councillor programme. Analogue systems that have been unfit for purpose since their introduction 40 years ago are being replaced by digital systems which experts have personally briefed me on to convince me they will work more efficiently. The Microprocessor Optimised Vehicle Actuation (MOVA) system is an advanced traffic signal control system used to manage traffic lights at isolated junctions and roundabouts. MOVA uses road sensors to attempt to measure vehicle speeds and queue sizes, in order to calculate the best green-light times to reduce delay and

Let's talk about the 'chuggers'...

ET'S Talk about 'chuggers' at Stonehenge. Chuggers, for those of you unfamiliar with the term, are the aggressive charities that all but mug you in the street. English Heritage are one such 'chugger' at the Sacred Temple of Stonehenge, the biggest 'earner' in their arsenal. For years now I have been opposing and warning about ‘mission creep’ and the monetization of our gatherings, at Stonehenge and beyond, starting with my opposition to ‘the mobile gift shop’ - a marquee set up in what we refer to as the Temple and English Heritage (heretics as I refer to them) refer to as the Monument Field - at the Summer Solstice, selling their merchandise. You know the sort of tat; Stonehenge Rocks! T-shirts, mugs and the like. Well on that occasion I took

King Arthur Pendragon is a former and proposed Independent Parliamentary candidate for Salisbury a leaf out of the Christians' playbook and threatened to turn the tables of the money changers over on the proverbial Temple steps. Later came what I believe is a ‘pay-to-pray’ policy when, despite assurances that they never would when we opposed the Drove closures at public inquiry, they introduced parking charges at the Solstice gatherings. I sought a Judicial review of this decision and lost as English Heretics claimed,

Salisbury & Avon, August 24, 2026

Arts & Entertainment

salisburyandavon.co.uk

Enjoy an Austen classic - sort of!

RESH from an award-winning run in the West End, an alternative take on a literary classic is heading to Salisbury later this year. Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of) is heading to the Playhouse from Tuesday, October 27 to Saturday, October 31. Billed as a "unique and audacious retelling of Jane Austen's most iconic love story", the production won the Laurence Olivier Award for best comedy for its run in the capital. "Men, money and microphones will be fought over in this irreverent but affectionate adaptation, where the stakes couldn’t be higher when it comes to romance," a spokesperson said. "This 'smart, laugh out loud funny' (Daily Telegraph) show features a string of pop classics, including Young Hearts Run Free, Will You Love Me Tomorrow and You’re So Vain." Tickets for Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of) are available now, costing from £21 to £49. For more information and to book, visit https://www. wiltshirecreative.co.uk/events/prideand-prejudice-sort-of, or contact the Playhouse box office on 01722 320333.

Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of) comes to Salisbury in October

Astronaut's show is out of this world! BRITISH astronaut Tim Peake is heading to Salisbury to take his audience on a ‘quest to explore space’ this autumn. Tim made history in 2015 when he became the first British astronaut to visit the International Space Station (ISS) – spending six months living and working in space, completing a spacewalk and even running a marathon. Astronauts: The Quest To Explore Space debuted in autumn 2024, following Tim’s debut tour My Journey To Space in 2021-2023, where he shared his personal story of space flight. In the follow-up, Tim looks back on the wider history of space exploration – with the upcoming shows at 16 new venues set to feature new content following the recent

Artemis II flight around the moon. Describing his UK-wide tour, the 54-year-old said: “It’s like the greatest hits of space exploration, with amazing footage and behind the scenes stories of what it’s really like to leave our planet.” Touted as “fast-paced, fun and entertaining”, Tim says the tour will showcase “the extraordinary endeavour of human spaceflight; the excitement, the drama, the highs and lows, right from the early days of the 1950s, through to the current Artemis program to return to the Moon, and beyond that to the first human mission to Mars.” He added: “With the Artemis 2 mission having taken its latest steps this year, I’m looking forward to some new elements

in the tour, talking about what’s happening right now and how that’s all going. And I suspect the Q&A – which is always a favourite part of the night for me – will be quite different this time out too. “I love being able to go on tour because I can interact with people from a variety of backgrounds. I do a lot of talks all year round, but they are often with people linked to the

space sector in some way. The tour is a chance to meet the wider public, and it does still surprise me how interested people are in my story – and I am always grateful for that. “I have to remind myself that going to space is still something that is very hard to do. Only 600 people have reached Earth’s orbit, and fewer than half of those have done a spacewalk. The fact that I am one of them will never not be incredibly special to me, and it’s an honour to share the experience.” Tim Peake Astronauts: The Quest to Explore Space is coming to Salisbury City Hall on October 2. For more information and to purchase tickets visit the No Third Entertainments website or book direct at the Salisbury City Hall website.

Salisbury & Avon, August 24, 2026

Your Pictures

salisburyandavon.co.uk

Taken on a walk from Hare warren to Wilton, by Tom Hackforth

Walkabouts, wildlife, and wow! A Small Copper Butterfly perched on a grass stem at Limekiln Meadow Salisbury, by Mark Warner

A welcome visitor, by Colin Newbury

Salisbury & Avon, August 24, 2026

Your Pictures

salisburyandavon.co.uk

Swans in a row, by Sophie Cox

A picturesque walk, by Alex Köntzle

Speedy at the Gurston Down Speed Hillclimb, by Scott Blackmore

Sunset colours over Salisbury, by Rich Safe

Salisbury & Avon, August 24, 2026

Business

salisburyandavon.co.uk

Food brands' sweet taste of success!

ELEBRATING the most delicious food and drink from the South West, the results for this year’s Great Taste Awards have been announced - featuring eight businesses from in and around Salisbury. Of 520 award-winning entries, the Guild of Fine Food has revealed a total of 336 one-star awards, deeming them ‘simply delicious’, 157 two-star awards, which means the judges felt they were ‘outstanding’, and 27 of the highly coveted ‘exquisite and extraordinary’ three-star awards. This year, more than 15,000 products entered, from 3,919 companies, in 116 countries, all vying for the opportunity to display the distinctive, black and gold logo. Over 105 days, across the Guild’s judging rooms in London, Dorset, Ireland and Italy, over 800 industry experts took part in the unique judging process. The panel included chefs, critics, product developers, retailers, writers, and other specialists from the world of food and drink. Taste is considered first and foremost, followed by appearance, aroma, texture, and mouthfeel. Each entry is judged

The Golden Fork award ceremony will take place at Battersea Arts Centre in London on 15 September, when the Great Taste 2026 Supreme Champion will also be announced. Great Taste Awards 2026: Salisbury and surrounds winning products

Litter picks and community clean-ups are a good way for families to volunteer

on its own merit and not compared to others in the same class. John Farrand, managing director, Guild of Fine Food, said: “Food security is becoming an increasingly pressing issue across the globe, so it feels more pertinent now than at any other time in our thirty-year history to be supporting and promoting independent producers and retailers. “Our directory of award recipients is a rich source of data, guiding people from all walks of life to make informed decisions about their food &

drink choices. Great Taste is all about celebrating craftmanship and dedication to well-sourced local ingredients and traditional, often simple production methods which is more important now than ever.” All 306 products that were accredited with a Great Taste 2026 three-star award were invited to take part in a further round of judging to identify which of them was worthy of a Golden Fork nomination. Winners of the Golden Forks, known affectionately as the ‘Oscars of food and drink’, are considered to be the most highly rated products in the world.

Lyburn Farmhouse Cheesemakers (PD Smales & Son), Salisbury: Old Winchester Stoney Cross Lyburn Lighly Oak Smoked Clarence Court Eggs Ltd, Lacock Clarence Court Burford Buff Downton Distillery, Salisbury Great Bustard Autumnal Gin Premierfish Ltd, Salisbury Smoked chalk stream trout Stone Daisy Brewery, Salisbury Snail Creep Hanging The Chilli Oil Company, Tisbury Carolina Reaper Chilli OIl Nunton Farm Dairy, Salisbury Milk Utta Nutta, Salisbury Utta Nutta Cashew Nut Butter Utta Nutta Crunchy Peanut Butter Utta Nutta Original Peanut Butter

National role for Amesbury chiropractor AMESBURY chiropractor Philippa Oakley has been appointed to a top national role. The chiropractor, clinic director at Acorn Health, has joined the board of the Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Alliance (ARMA), which campaigns on care issues for those living with conditions affecting joints, bones and muscles, and more. "I'm delighted to be appointed to ARMA's board of trustees because it allows me to bring what patients tell us every day into wider conversations about healthcare," said Ms Oakley, pictured right. "Almost 20% of adults in Wiltshire are living with a long-term back, joint or muscle problem. "Our patients often tell my colleagues

and I that their pain affects far more than movement. It can disrupt their sleep, work, family life, confidence and independence, yet these conditions are not always given the attention they deserve." Ms Oakley said being appointed to the board means she will be part of national discussions with organisations such as the NHS. "For patients, this is about helping to create a future in which these problems are

taken seriously, care is easier to access and more people receive the support they need to remain active, independent and able to do the things that matter to them," she added. The Amesbury practitioner is already well known in national circles, as a board member of the British Chiropractic Association, chairing its Continuing Professional Development Committee. In 2022-23, she was named British Chiropractic Association Chiropractor of the Year.

Salisbury & Avon, August 24, 2026 salisburyandavon.co.uk

Home & Garden

Help plant 800 trees in Salisbury

HISTORIC milestone is set to be marked with the planting of 800 new trees in Salisbury. Celebrating the 800th anniversary of Salisbury receiving its Royal Charter, Salisbury City Council is launching a landmark Living Legacy Project which will see saplings planted throughout the city, The initiative, which will see community groups, schools, businesses and residents getting their hands dirty, will be the first in a year-long programme of council-organised events celebrating the milestone. Creating a living legacy that will enhance the city’s natural environment for years to come, the project aims to support local biodiversity, provide valuable habitats for wildlife and contribute to the health and wellbeing of residents by increasing access to nature. Residents, organisations and community groups are invited to apply for a tree or native hedge to plant on private land, with the permission of the landowner. Available options include rowan, bird cherry and oak saplings, as well as native hedging. Successful applicants will be able to collect their trees on Charter Sunday – January 31 2027 – from Salisbury Market Place. Full planting and aftercare guidance will be provided to ensure the trees have the best possible start. Cllr Jenny Bolwell, Mayor of Salisbury and chair of the Environment Committee, said: "Every tree planted represents a commitment to our environment. "This is a wonderful opportunity to commemorate Salisbury 800 and be part of something that will benefit the city for generations to come."

Each tree planted as part of the Salisbury 800 Living Legacy Project will be recorded on a digital map, capturing its location alongside details of the project and the individuals and groups involved. The interactive map will be available online, allowing residents and visitors to follow the growth of this city-wide legacy. The final tree of the 800 will be planted in one of Salisbury’s parks as a symbolic celebration of the project and the enduring connection between the city, its residents and its natural environment. Those wishing to take part can apply now by completing the form on Salisbury City Council’s Salisbury 800 webpage. Paper copies of the form are available to collect from Salisbury Information Centre. The closing date for applications is October 1. n For more information about the Salisbury 800 Living Legacy Project, visit the Salisbury City Council website at salisbury.gov.uk, or email parks@salisburycitycouncil. gov.uk.

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Salisbury & Avon, August 24, 2026

SALISBURY & AVONPER

M BU

GAZETTE

Z 10

Arrow words Fabric square worn around the neck

Not out (2,4)

Egyptian cross

Goldfish relative

Z 10

Crossword 1

Sovereignty, in India

Standards of behaviour

Supports

salisburyandavon.co.uk

L1 2

E1 3

ISSUE 101 ISSUE 35

A very long time

The younger (abbr)

10 10

Deadly snake

Terrible fate

11 11

Taxi

12 12 13 13

Target

Type of mint

Automobile

14 14

Put on

Christmas month (abbr)

Spacewalk (abbr)

19 19

18 18

Hilltop

Japanese bamboosword fencing

16 16

17 17

World Steakhouse superpower order (1-4) (inits)

Spree

15 15

Misplace

20 20

Leatherpiercing tool

21 21

Slime

Jive

Across Across 7 Social setting (6) (6) 7 Social setting 8 Likenesses (6) (6) 8 Likenesses 9 Wagers (4) (4) 9 Wagers 10 10 Gluing (8) (8) Gluing 11 11 Lettuce andand anchovies dishdish (6,5)(6,5) Lettuce anchovies 14 14 Handsome (4-7) Handsome (4-7) 18 18 Bending (8) (8) Bending 19 19 Wave for a (4) (4) Wave fortaxi a taxi 20 20 Fertilized ovum (6) (6) Fertilized ovum 21 21 Hours of darkness (6) (6) Hours of darkness

Goes in

Notice

Wordsearch Potatoes

M N A D I N E O M U N T E N E

I C D A R A A P B A S W I S R Y A R M O R E Y N R M S T T N

O H A N R O N I T E T O K O A

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T A A L O A D N N I S M E Y S

M T K R O F D N B N O R A D N

Y S N R L C R N A E O A M R D

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E O S R O C F T R N O B S D R

H X R A O E O O E N R A E E R

MARFONA MARIS BARD NADINE NICOLA ROMANO ROOSTER SANTE SAXON

R A R A D M A R E A A C C G K

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F S K L E A N N E N U E N I F

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Easy sudoku

7 7 2 6 8 3

9 2 8 4 8 3 1

1 3 9 7 2 4 6

5 7 1 2 9 6 7

Brain chain 34

RESULT

÷2

+62

-49

×3

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Salisbury & Avon, August 24, 2026 salisburyandavon.co.uk SALISBURY & AVONPER

M BU

GAZETTE

Z 10

Sudoku 3D puzzle 8

5 8 2

4 9 4

2 9 6 2 7

5 3 3 8 8 1

6 4

6 9

1 3 4

2 1 5 9

7 9 3 7 5

1 8

6 1

5 4

7 9 2 9

2 9

8 1

19 2

4 8

21 10

6 8

ISSUE ISSUE101 35

Cryptic crossword 1

Z 10

20 6

9 22

D Across Down Across 1 (8 D in Italyand for stations (7) 13in Italy for stations (7)14 7 Expression 1 Direct narrow15 passage, we’re told 712Expression 2E 9 Find fault 2with bachelor, rowdysupport male (5)around recto Elder, say, getting 9 Find fault with bachelor, rowdy male (5) Place 1 to 9 once into every black-bordered 3x3 area as well as each 3S 10 Excellent 3feature in court? (3) Son with hint merely (6) 10 Excellent feature in court? (3) 4S 11 Claim university after aon deadline? (9) of the 54 rows indicated by the coloured lines. Rows don’t Sailor in Marseilles back of billboard 11 Claim job with university after a deadline? (9) job4with r 12 Fool within walls of grocery given to vapid ridiculous (6) 1216Fool within walls of grocery given to vapid 18 17 5 talk (5) 5 Frenchman with a vehicle on island gettF talk (5) p Robot in human pastaform (8) manoeuvred in road 14 Robot in human form manoeuvred in14road 6G close to land (7) up source in hearing (4) 6 Give close to land (7) instruments in main pitwith Libya? (11)8 U 8 Unsteadiness, isn’t it, 16 Percussive instruments in main pit 16 Percussive 19 20 13 C damaged 13(7)Coils by ground around medium? That’s damaged (7) c 18 Waste strip characteristic of wood for lighting candle of a sign (8) (5) × Waste strip of wood for lighting candle (5) 18× 48× 3÷ 12+ 818 Vain lot I15 fancy after securing Oscaruniform getting(8) 15 C Conveyance of French 19 Vain lot I fancy after securing Oscar 19 getting 17 I abuse (9)17 Indifference apparently at hospital close abuse (9) i 20 Priest, informally, concerned with verse (3) 22 irresponsibility (6) 2021Priest,Place informally, concerned with verse (3) numbers 1 to 9 9+ 0 8+ 21× 18 L 21 Sound of18bay, in eightperson harbours (5) crimina Likemaybe, a misguided among 21 Sound of bay, maybe, in eight harbours (5) once each into every F 22 Less advanced Canadian musician with Fulham (6) 22 Less advanced Canadian musician with Queen (7) 19 Doctor penning note for opening (4) 19 D Queenrow, (7) column and 20 F 21× 72× 6+ 3 3 20 Fury with shooting venue denied name

cross

the thick black lines.

Killer Sudoku Pro

12+

14+

180×

36×

28×

13+

Killer Sudoku Pro

54×

84×

4×

13+

14 Robot in human form manoeuvred in road close to + (7) 13land 16 Percussive instruments in main pit damaged (7) 18 Waste strip of wood for lighting candle (5) 19 Vain lot I fancy after securing Oscar getting abuse (9) 20 Priest, informally, concerned with verse (3) 21 Sound 2of bay, maybe, in eight harbours (5) 22 Less advanced Canadian musician with Queen (7)

cage.

7÷

bold-lined 3x3 box. No digit may be Across 7 Expression in Italyrepeated for stations in (7) any dash8+ 9 Find fault with bachelor, rowdyand male lined cage, all(5) 10 Excellent feature in court? (3) the digits cage (9) 11 Claim job with university afterina any deadline? + within walls of must addgiven up totothe 1215Fool grocery vapid talk (5) value shown in that

16+

Brain chain (hard version) 145

RESULT

-55

×1/2

×2

+131

Down 1 Direct and narrow passage, we’re told (8) 2 Elder, say, getting support around rector (4) 3 Son with hint merely (6) 4 Sailor in Marseilles on back of billboard is ridiculous (6) 5 Frenchman with a vehicle on island getting pasta (8) 6 Give up source in hearing (4) 8 Unsteadiness, isn’t it, with Libya? (11) 13 Coils by ground around medium? That’s characteristic of a sign (8) 15 Conveyance of French uniform (8) 17 Indifference apparently at hospital close to irresponsibility (6) 18 Like a misguided person among criminals in Fulham (6) 19 Doctor penning note for opening (4) 20 Fury with shooting venue denied name (4)

For the solutions, turn to page 30

Salisbury & Avon, August 24, 2026

SALISBURY & AVONPER

M BU

GAZETTE

Z 10

Codeword 15

A B C D E F

26 10

14 17

18 19

13 13

22 25

4 25

9 7 9 9 7 6

1 5

+32

V W

5 9

X Y

7 4

Numberlink The primary goal is to link all the pairs without the lines crossing or overlapping

Word Chain

PAWN

BENT

DOZE

EARS

Word Chain Can you climb the word ladder? At each step a new word must be formed by changing one and only one letter, and without rearranging the order of the letters.

Brain Chain (Hard) 2

RESULT

÷9

4 5 6 3 7

×3

Brain Chain (Easy) 2 21

1 7 4

6 1 9 3 4

1 4 6

ISSUE ISSUE101 35

Q 26

23 13

22 19

26 26

Moderate Sudoku

3 2

4 22

3 10

25 3

24 21

23 6

L M

J K

H I

Z 10

Numberlink 21

3 13

salisburyandavon.co.uk

×1/3

-4

161

RESULT

-73

+50%

-106

+351

×5/13

Salisbury & Avon, August 24, 2026 salisburyandavon.co.uk SALISBURY & AVONPER

M BU

GAZETTE

Z 10

240×

Wordsearch 2

Killer Sudoku Pro 23+

Z 10

ISSUE ISSUE101 35

Ballets

N L E S M A S Q U E S N L L G 0

20+

21×

13+

A 2

A A S

36×

11+

56×

R L G A

L E

A E R O L P

A T S D D T E D E E Q U A Q O

252×

8×

E R N L N H T E R

R E E E

B A K N R G G L A

T P S R

B R S G

L E E R E A T U 63×

L S V A E D T P F F N G O N H

21+

D U A A R R H O 7+

A A

O S U Y P H A E U

N H A L D T F S L S E 140×

U A A L R A G E A L S R T C S H K L R A

10+

F R P G O G R L H B E N U

L E D E A N N E

8×

19+

14+

A N

R C N N U L

H D L D E H A L O G E E E T

T A L E S O F H O F F M A N N

Killer Sudoku Pro

Place numbers 1 to 9 once each into every row, column and boldlined 3x3 box. No digit may be repeated in any dash-lined cage, and all the digits in any cage must add up to the value shown in that cage.

Domino Puzzle

2 3 3 2 0 5 4 Domino

4 2 0 3 6 2 0

5 6 0 3 6 1 4

5 1 4 2 4 3 1

1 6 4 0 6 6 6

0 1 1 5 3 3 0

5 0 5 2 2 3 5

4 4 1 6 5 1 2

Dominoes is a classic game, but in this puzzle version the aim is to divide the grid into a full set of dominoes (with 0 as a blank). A tick-off chart of dominoes is usually provided alongside the puzzle to help the solver, and although these samples use standard 0-6 dominoes the set can be varied, as can the layout and shape of the grid.

BALUSTRADE CAIN AND ABEL CINDERELLA DARK ELEGIES LA LUNA LA VALSE LES MASQUES LES SYLPHIDES

ONEGIN ORPHEUS PARADE PETRUSHKA SONG OF THE EARTH TALES OF HOFFMANN THE FIREBIRD THE RITE OF SPRING

Word Square Puzzles

I N E L N S M A S

T N A R L L Y A G

Word Square Puzzles How many words of three or more letters can you find by tracing out a path from letter to touching letter, without visiting any letter more than once in any given word? In these puzzles diagonal moves can be or can not be allowed, as you choose - allowing diagonal moves typically means that many more words can be found

For the solutions, turn to page 30

Salisbury & Avon, August 24, 2026 salisburyandavon.co.uk

LOCAL SERVICES SALISBURY & SURROUNDING AREAS

AUTO REPAIRS

SOLICITORS

Spire Motorhomes and Caravan Services Mobile servicing, repair and installation work undertaken at your home, campsite, storage facility - wherever is convenient for you. 23 years experience gained from working at one of the south’s leading caravan suppliers. Annual services Appliance repair or replacement External washing Alde fluid changes Gas, water and electrical system repairs Pre purchase inspections Additional equipment installation (motor movers, TVs, WiFi, solar panels etc)

Scheme Gas Safe Registered

Tim Humphrey

07470311394

Part of the NCC Approved Workshop

spiremotorhomeandcaravanservices@outlook.com Spire Motorhome and Caravan Services, 19 Mayfair Road, Laverstock, Salisbury, SP1 1PQ

Call us on 01963 400186

or email adverts@salisburyandavon.co.uk

Middletons Solicitors have a reputation for excellence with more than 60 years’ experience delivering comprehensive legal services including: • Residential and commercial property • Wills • Trusts • Probate • Dispute resolution • Mediation 01980 883100 enquiries@middletonslegal.com www.middletonslegal.com

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sales@armishaws.com | www.armishaws.com

*Based on our fortnightly rate for a 6x2 advert (Not including VAT)

Foxmore Point, Netherhampton Road, Salisbury, SP2 8RA

Salisbury & Avon, August 24, 2026

Recruitment

Run out of Space? We’ve got you covered. Perfect for De-Cluttering

25 Square Foot

Support Worker - Full and part time East Knoyle, Wiltshire

Make a difference in people’s lives. We’re looking for caring, reliable individuals to support clients recovering from addiction at our residential treatment centre.

Per Week

You’ll help promote wellbeing within a safe, structured environment. Full training provided - medication management and administration experience helpful but not essential.

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Flexible shifts (days/nights/weekends) Salary £28,479 Training, pension & wellbeing benefits Apply now: www.forwardtrust.org.uk/recruitment We welcome applications from all backgrounds

1st Floor: Ground Floor:

Join Our Team at Clouds House

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Items for Sale

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1st Floor:

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THE LEONARDO COLLECTION White winter jasmine faerie by Christine Haworth.Ltd edition. £25 phone 01264 398128

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BERGSTROM 4G PHONE, brand new, in box, unwanted gift. £45 o.n.o. Tel: 07712-238371

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Stores 3 Bedroom House

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BRAND NEW JAYOOL RGBW FLOOD LIGHT multi colour or white aluminumand glass still in box on e-bay £22 to £25 our price £7 Tel: 017223389600r simonf4@btinternet.com (after 5pm)

Per Week

or email adverts@salisburyandavon.co.uk

SELL IT - FREE - SIMPLE Got something worth under £50 you don’t need anymore?

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Our Free Ads cover items up to the value of £50. One ad per contact number. Please limit to 15 words or less. - Household items only -

www.salisburyselfstore.co.uk Netherhampton Road, Salisbury, SP2 8RA Mon-Fri 07:30 to 17:30 Saturday 09:00 to 16:30 Sundays: Closed

01963 400186

adverts@salisburyandavon.co.uk

salisburyandavon.co.uk

Salisbury & Avon, August 24, 2026

Farming

salisburyandavon.co.uk

Impacts of the hot summer of 2026!

UMMER 2026 will be remembered for being very hot and very dry – and we have been seeing the expected associated problems. Animals, farmers and vets all suffer from heat stress and providing enough water and shade, while not perfect, can be helpful in mitigating the worst of it. In this sort of climate, animals, especially youngsters, are often short of food and will go in search of things they wouldn’t normally eat. We have seen a number of plant poisonings the last few weeks and they can be quite severe. Please check fencing and make sure animals, especially youngsters, can’t get at anything they shouldn’t! Hot weather can also expose underlying infectious disease issues. If performance isn’t where it should be, don’t assume the weather is solely to blame. Regular vaccination and

SUMMER VET DIARIES by Sam Cottam Veterinary Surgeon Synergy Farm Health

parasite monitoring remains essential for maintaining herd health and performance throughout the summer. As expected, we are starting to see the fertility effects from the heat waves with lots of disappointing pregnancy results. Farms which have invested in heat abatement equipment, such as fans, have certainly coped better with the repeated hot spells. The return on investment by the milk loss alone stacks up. With the government’s Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF) grants now approved, many farms will be starting to see new equipment arriving on site. As you plan installations, remember that our veterinary team is always happy to be involved in discussions with

Synergy Farm Health Vets Experienced quality vet and vet tech services from an independent practice Based at Lower Woodford and Salisbury Livestock Market

Call us today for a no-obligation chat - we are in your locality

01722 447411 office@SynergyFarmHealth.com

www.SynergyFarmHealth.com

clients around fan placement, feeding systems and shed design. A little planning can help ensure you get the maximum benefit from your investment, while supporting both animal health and productivity. Most farms have produced more forage than they had done this time last year, however the feeling would be that winter stocks are going to be tight given grass growth has stopped and maize crops are a mixed bag, along with precious little carry over from last year’s! During the summer heatwaves, Synergy Farm Health vet Josh Swain joined BBC Radio 4 Farming Today presenter Caz Graham to discuss the challenges hot weather can present for cattle,

and the steps farmers can take to help keep heat stress to a minimum on their farms. We are so proud one of our team has featured on such a high profile radio programme make sure you have a listen on our podcast page by scanning the QR code printed here:

PM's farming action THE Prime Minister has announced a package of support for farmers to help them manage the impacts of this summer's record-breaking low rainfall and high temperatures, saying they should not carry the burden of a changing climate alone. Andy Burnham and farming minister, Stephen Morgan, made the announcements during a visit to a farm in Cornwall over the weekend. On August 12, the PM chaired the government’s emergency response committee (COBR) on extreme heat, wildfires and drought and has unveiled measures to "help farmers manage drought pressures, protect crops and strengthen resilience for the future". The Prime Minister said: "I am meeting with farmers here in the South West who brought in the earliest harvest of their

working lives and watched the yield come in well down on what it should be. Lower income, higher costs, and no rain in the forecast. "I understand the worry that comes with that." New measures include: n Temporary adjustments to Environmental Land Management (ELM) agreements, so farmers affected by drought can continue to receive payments n An extra £50 million for Sustainable Farming Incentive 2026 Window 2 n Action to make it easier to build reservoirs n Funding up to £15 million to build on-farm reservoirs, helping farmers store water and become more resilient to future droughts. n Improved access to water during droughts through the Environment Agency

Salisbury & Avon, August 24, 2026 salisburyandavon.co.uk

Antiques & Collectibles

Gearing up for Clarke's September sale

Free valuations every Friday at our Wimborne office

ITH their summer sales now behind them, Clarke’s Auctions is taking entries for its September 11 and 12 sale. If you have anything you are thinking of selling, now is a good time to get in touch. They are looking for furniture, silver, gold and jewellery, ceramics and glass, modern and traditional art, rugs, watches and more and are happy to advise on anything you may be considering putting into auction. Their August sale produced some excellent results, including a charming original watercolour by Louis Wain which sold for £11,000 hammer. The painting came from the deceased estate of a wellrespected London antiques dealer and attracted strong bidding online and on the telephone before being bought by a leading London gallery. Born in London in 1860, Louis Wain became a full-time

illustrator and is best known for his drawings of cats dressed and behaving like people. In the jewellery section, a Georgian yellow metal necklace sold for £4,000 hammer, while a fine 17th/18th-century Flemish tapestry achieved £4,900 hammer. Measuring 10ft by 6ft and depicting a classical scene, the tapestry would likely originally have been used to help insulate the stone walls of stately homes and palaces.

Next Sale

European Ceramics & Glass; Clocks & Instruments; and Antique Furniture & Objects Saturday 12th September 2026

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

With some very good results from the August sale, the

September auction is already taking shape. If you have items you would like valued or are considering selling, the auction house would be pleased to hear from you and for enquiries for consignment into any of their upcoming sales, or for any Probate or Insurance Valuations or Full or Part House Clearances, please phone either Richard Clarke or Karen Marshall on 01747 685592 at their salerooms at The Old Glove Factory, Buckingham Road, Gillingham, SP8 4QF.

Places Leisure - Fleming Park Passfield Avenue, Eastleigh. SO50 9NL

B/H Mon 31 Aug

NYD Monday 1 January Admission £3 (Trade early entry 8.30am £4.00) | Open 9.30am - 4pm On site parking & refreshments | AA signposted | Over 300 stalls For bookings or enquiries call 01202 779564 or 07960 502508

www.grandmasatticfairs.co.uk

Clarke’s Auctions

Auctioneers & Valuers

Antiques && Collectibles Sale Antiques Collectables Friday 9th & & Saturday Saturday12th 10th August Friday 11th September Viewing Wednesday 9th, Thursday 10th and Friday 11th from 9.00am to 4.30pm

An Omega De Ville gentleman’s wristwatch Sold for £750 An Arts & Crafts copper & brass fire fender attributed to W.A.S. Benson.

SOLD FOR £6,000 For free verbal valuations please contact Head Office & Salesrooms: Station Road, Semley, Shaftesbury SP7 9AN 01202 842 900 www.semleyauctioneers.com Offices in Semley, Wiltshire; Wimborne, Dorset; and South Kensington, London

An original Fry & Sons 'Fry's Pure Concentrated Cocoa' enamel sign. Sold for £1,600. Clarke’s Auctions offerFactory, free home visits and verbal valuations. The Old Glove Buckingham Road Now accepting items for this and 4QF future sales Gillingham, SP8 Units 1 & 2Factory, KingsettleBuckingham Business Park,Road The Old Glove Gillingham, SP8 4QF enquiries@clarkesauctions.co.uk 01747 685592 01747 855109 enquiries@clarkesauctions.co.uk www.clarkesauctions.co.uk enquiries@clarkesauctions.co.uk

01747 685592

Salisbury & Avon, August 24, 2026

Puzzle solutions Edition 101

M BU

Easy sudoko 8 9 4 3 7 2 6 5 1

5 7 2 6 1 8 9 3 4

3 1 6 5 9 4 8 7 2

7 2 8 1 5 6 3 4 9

4 6 3 9 2 7 5 1 8

9 5 1 8 4 3 7 2 6

2 4 9 7 6 5 1 8 3

6 3 7 2 8 1 4 9 5

1 8 5 4 3 9 2 6 7

2 9

21×

7 3

12+

48×

72×

1 9

28×

13+

84×

8 5

21×

14+

5 7 2 36×

4 9 6 1

3÷

8 6

4 2

7÷

2 7 13+

1 3 4

8 5

16+

8 5

54×

4 2

4 7 2

3 13+

8 5

9 7

Brain chain 34

Brain chain (hard) 145

225

Cryptic crossword

4 3 7 8 6 2 1 8 2 2 6 9 6 9 3 7 1 5 4 7 1 1 5 7 1 4 8 5 9 2 7 2 3 1 6 5 3 3 6 9 9 6 5 8 9 8 9 8 4 8 1 3 5 8 4 4 4 5 4 2 6 2 4 9 7 6 7 2 6 2 3 7 1 9 55 8 3 8 3 81 3 9 1 4 9 7 1 4 6 7 2 3 8 7 3 7 4 9 6 5 2 5 3 7 6 9 1 4 2 7 6 1 5 2 8 8 3 9 8 1 2 1 2 6 5 6 7 5 4 9 4 9 5 8 2 4 3 5 2 6 5 6 2 7 6 4 1 7 3 8 1 3 8 1 5 4 9 3 7 7 9 4 1 9 3 6 7 6 9 2 8 7 2 3 4 1 3 8 4 9 3 7 1 5 4 8 3 9 6 2 7 9 5 8 1 6 4 5 6 2 7 4 6 2 5 8 17 3 8 2 5 36 5 4 8 9 1 2 5 6 2 8 3 1 4 1 1 9 9 8 9 7 7 3 2 5 6 4

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

Crossword

Arrow words

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

B A R A T A A N K H J D O O M A I M P N E C A R T O U B K E N D O V E N T D A N C E

15+

9 4×

8×

180×

12+

Sudoku 3D puzzle 5

Killer sudoku pro 18×

Codeword

Killer Sudoku Pro

G R A M M A R M O J O S E A B O O W A V E D A T T A C K S O E E C H E R E A P Q U A R T E R S D L H S O M F I N A L S W A P S N I C S H R R I G O R O U S R A R E D D R S S I S Y M B O L S T R I C K L O O E Z I F L A X F R O W N E D

23+

9 7 2

13+

240×

1 5 4

3 4

5 8

36×

3 6

63×

21×

4 5 7 8 2 1 9

1 9

19+

9 3

6 1

56×

8×

8 1 4

5 6 4

5 7

14+

4 2 7 1 3 6 8 9 5

9 1 6 8 5 4 2 7 3

3 5 1 2 8 7 9 6 4

7 4 2 3 6 9 5 8 1

8 6 9 4 1 5 7 3 2

6 8 3 5 9 1 4 2 7

2 9 5 7 4 3 6 1 8

1 7 4 6 2 8 3 5 9

3 21+

F R P G O G R L H B E N U

L E D E A N N E H K L R A

I R L G A

DAZE

BARS

DOZE

EARS

N L E S M A S Q U E S N L L G A I F R P G O G R L H B E N U

U A A L R A G E A L S R T C S H K L R A I O S U Y P H A E U N H A L D T F S L S E I

L E

L S V A E D T P F F N G O N H D U A A R R H O I A E R O L P I R L G A I E R N L N H T E R A T S D D T E D E E Q U A Q O

5 9

R E E E I B A K N R G G L A I L

I A N

I H D L D E H A L O G E E E T

RESULT

T A L E S O F H O F F M A N N

Brain Chain (Hard) 2 161

132

A N

Word Square (right) alga, all, allay, ant, gal, gall, gallant, gallantry, gay, lag, lay, try

Domino 8

7 4

4 5 6 3 7

L E D E A N N E I A A S I A A

ass, inn, inns, line, lines, man, manliness, mans, manse, mas, mass, nil, sans, senna

Wordsearch 2

I B A K N R G G L A

Word Square (left)

BANS

A E R O L P

E R N L N H T E R

I H D L D E H A L O G E E E T

DARE

L E

T A L E S O F H O F F M A N N

BAND

L E E R E A T U I R C N N U L

DARN

T P S R I B R S G I

8 2

A T S D D T E D E E Q U A Q O R E E E

BEND

4 252×

A A

I O S U Y P H A E U

D U A A R R H O I

DAWN

L S V A E D T P F F N G O N H

A A S

N H A L D T F S L S E

BENT

U A A L R A G E A L S R T C S

PAWN

L E E R E A T U I R C N N U L

N L E S M A S Q U E S N L L G

Numberlink

T P S R I B R S G I

Brain Chain (Easy) 2

7 8

Wordsearch M E O N N R C A B O L O U S A R A W L G O O E R S S E E

Word Chain

10+

140×

11+

20+

2 8

Moderate Sudoko 5 3 8 9 7 2 1 4 6

(from pages 22-25) salisburyandavon.co.uk

377

145

2 3 3 2 0 5 4

RESULT

4 2 0 3 6 2 0

5 6 0 3 6 1 4

5 1 4 2 4 3 1

1 6 4 0 6 6 6

0 1 1 5 3 3 0

5 0 5 2 2 3 5

4 4 1 6 5 1 2

Salisbury & Avon, August 24, 2026 salisburyandavon.co.uk

with David Young Motoring

The electric SUV that actually wants to go outside!

HERE'S a moment every British family recognises. You’ve packed the bags, wrestled the dog into the boot, shouted “has anyone seen the charger?” three times, and finally set off for a weekend away. But 10 minutes later you’re stuck behind a tractor, the dog’s panting like a steam engine, and a voice from the back is already asking if you’re nearly there yet. It’s at this point you realise that the car you’re driving matters more than you think. Toyota seems to have realised it too, because the new bZ4X Touring isn’t just another electric SUV for the school run. It’s been designed for families who actually leave the house — the ones who head for the coast, the campsite, or the countryside and occasionally find themselves on a road that’s more “brown squiggle on the map” than “Tarmac”. In other words, it’s an EV that doesn’t panic at the sight of mud. The Touring is essentially the bZ4X that’s spent some time in the gym. It’s longer, roomier, more practical, and a bit more rugged than the standard version. Toyota has stretched the body by around 140mm, boosted the boot to a cavernous 669 litres, and added a more purposeful stance with extra ground clearance. It’s still recognisably a bZ4X, but it looks like it’s been told to stand up straight and stop slouching. Inside, the Touring keeps the clean, modern layout of the regular bZ4X, but everything feels a little more geared towards real life. The big 14.3-inch touchscreen dominates the dashboard, the materials feel solid and sensible, and the cabin has that “wipeclean practicality” that parents quietly appreciate. There’s a power tailgate for when your hands are full of shopping bags or sandy beach gear, and roof rails for bikes, boxes, or the inevitable roof-

mounted storage pod that every family eventually buys. Toyota is offering two versions of the new bZ4X Touring, Design and Excel, priced from £45,995 and £51,695 respectively. The Design is front-wheel drive and perfectly adequate for everyday use. It comes with heated seats, wireless phone charging, a panoramic parking camera, and all the tech you’d expect from a modern EV. It’s the sensible choice, the one you buy if your idea of adventure is a National Trust car park and a nice cup of tea. The Excel, however, is where things get interesting. This is the version Toyota wants you to imagine on a gravel track somewhere in the Lake District, with a couple of mountain bikes strapped to the roof and a boot full of waterproofs. It gets all-wheel drive, a more powerful 22kW onboard charger, and a set of 20-inch alloys that look like they’ve been borrowed from something much more expensive. There’s also a Skyview panoramic roof, ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and a digital rearview mirror that makes you feel like you’re driving a concept car. The AWD system is tuned for genuine off-road ability too, not the “we put it on a grassy slope for the photoshoot” kind, but the sort that actually helps when the campsite track turns into a puddle-filled obstacle course. Toyota has leaned heavily on its heritage here. This is the company that gave us the RAV4, the Land Cruiser, and the indestructible Hilux pickup

after all, and while the bZ4X Touring isn’t pretending to be a battery-powered mud monster, it does feel reassuringly planted when the road gets a bit less road-like. In terms of performance, you should be thinking respectable rather than

dramatic. The AWD version produces 280kW (about 375bhp in old money) and will get from 0–62mph in around 4.5 seconds, which is more than enough to surprise anyone who still thinks electric SUVs are slow. The front-wheel-drive Touring offers 224hp and a range of up to 367 miles, making it the longestlegged bZ4X you can buy. Charging is quick too: up to 150kW DC, meaning a 10–80% top-up in roughly 28 minutes if you find a suitably beefy charger. Practicality is where the Touring really earns its name though. The boot is enormous, the rear seats fold flat to give you 1,718 litres of space, and the AWD version can tow 1,500kg, which is enough for a small caravan or a trailer full of camping gear. Even the FWD version can manage to haul up to 750kg, which is still perfectly respectable for an EV. Toyota has also thrown in a generous helping of safety tech. The Excel gets an expanded Toyota Safety Sense package including Front Cross Traffic Alert, Lane Change Assist, Advanced Parking Assist, and Downhill Assist Control, which might be handy if your weekend adventures involve hills steeper than the one outside your local

Tesco. There’s even a JBL premium audio system available, presumably for blasting out road-trip playlists while the dog tries to climb into the front. But impressive performance and specification aside, what’s truly refreshing about the bZ4X Touring is that it doesn’t feel like an EV designed purely for commuting. A lot of electric SUVs are brilliant Monday to Friday but slightly out of their depth when you ask them to tackle anything more demanding than a dualcarriageway. The Touring feels different. It’s not pretending to be a Land Cruiser, but it does give you the confidence to explore a bit further without worrying that the car will throw a tantrum at the first sign of uneven ground. It’s also a reminder that Toyota knows exactly what it’s doing when it comes to electrification. This is a brand with decades of hybrid experience, and while the bZ4X Touring is fully electric rather than a hybrid, it still feels like the product of a company that understands how families actually use their cars. So, is the new Toyota bZ4X Touring the perfect electric SUV for family adventures? Possibly, but that’s not my decision to make. What I can say, is that It’s practical, comfortable, reassuring, and capable enough to handle the sort of mild chaos that British weekends tend to involve. It won’t climb a mountain, but it will get you to the foot of one without complaint. And if nothing else, it’s nice to see an electric SUV that looks like it actually wants to go and play outside.

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