www.wiltshire.gov.uk
Wiltshire Magazine - Summer 2008 - Features
- One One Council: high road to the future
- Your Family Tree
- Our Healthy School
- Alcohol Action Plan
- A Better Quality of Life
- Children’s Centres
- Stepping out
- Take up the challenge
- Down your way: Warminster
One One Council: high road to the future
This time next year Wiltshire Council will have become a reality. You will have one telephone number to call and one website to access any services and information you may need. We will strip away confusion and make life easier for our customers.
The concept is simple but putting it into practice will require much hard work and commitment from officers and members alike in the coming months. We are all committed to meeting your needs.
I recently spent time on the county council’s stand at the Bath and West Show and met with many visitors from across Wiltshire to hear their thoughts about the move to one council. I was very pleased with the overwhelmingly positive comments and the support for the aims to which we are committed, namely:
- High quality, low cost, customer focused services
- Local, open, honest decision making
- Working together to support Wiltshire’s communities
We have a great starting position because we can combine best practice from the four district councils and the county council in our journey to become Wiltshire Council. Staff are working together, using expertise and skills from across the five councils to bring the very best services to our customers.
You will continue to receive uninterrupted and high standard services throughout the change to the new authority. After the change, services will remain local and residents will have more opportunity to be involved in decisions about their areas through newly created Area Boards. “In the longer term, with the inevitable financial savings and the benefits of working together, I am sure that you will see improvements to our services.
Jane Scott
Leader of Wiltshire County Council and Chairman
of the Implementation executive
Your questions answered...
Q. What will happen to Council Tax; will there be large increases?
Mr and Mrs Courtney, Marlborough
A.Council Tax in Wiltshire, as elsewhere, is likely to increase – reflecting inflation and fuel costs – as well as the growing demand for services such as those for the elderly. But we have said the increases will not be as great for One Council as for five. When we know how much grant we will receive from Government and have calculated the spending needs of the new authority we will be able to set the council tax rate for next year.
Q. Parish councils will be given more responsibilities but will we be given any extra resources? Charles Shea-Simonds, Chairman of Upavon Parish Council
A. Town and parish councils have been encouraged to consider taking over some services on behalf of the new council from 1 April, 2009. It is not obligatory. If some councils want to take on particular services, we would negotiate terms and conditions and draw up an agreement, initially for a term of two to three years. Any transfer of services would be accompanied by full funding.
Q. Will there be any impact on local services, in particular those provided for older people? Mrs Bence, Trowbridge
A. Yes, the move to one council will have an impact – a positive one. Firstly, by creating one council we aim to bring together all the good work, different skills and resources from our five councils. Secondly, the savings we make in administration can be used to directly improve local services in the future, including services for older people.
Q. Where will I go when the new unitary authority takes over? Most importantly, what will happen to the Bourne Hill offices and all the district council properties in Salisbury? Kathryn Furnell, Salisbury
A. Public-facing services will stay much as they are at your local council offices but with the added benefit of dealing with just one council. The Bourne Hill office scheme has now been approved by the district council and will be completed around 2010. The new council will have at least one year with current property in Salisbury. Bourne Hill alone will not replace all the existing offices in Salisbury, and we are considering what else will be needed.
One Council - Get involved!
There are plenty of opportunities to help shape the future of your county: roadshows, a website or even putting yourself forward as a candidate. Read on…
Become a councillor
Do you ever wish you could influence the way things are done in your area? Why not consider becoming a councillor? Elections for the new Wiltshire Council take place in May 2009.
What do councillors do?
Councillors play a very important role in society, giving a voice to their community and helping to shape future services for the benefit of local people. Local democracy in Wiltshire will be strengthened by attracting people from a broad range of backgrounds to stand as a candidate to represent their community as a councillor.
Do I need any qualifications to be a councillor?
No. You don’t need any previous experience, but an understanding of how a council works would be helpful. If elected, you will be offered training to help you carry out your duties.
Will I get paid?
You will not get a salary but you will be entitled to receive allowances. The council also provides other kinds of support such as full training, supplies of stationery and access to IT equipment.
Do I get time off work?
This depends on your employer. Some employers are good at encouraging their employees to be councillors and do allow some time off. You should discuss this with your employer before standing.
Do I have to be a member of a political party?
No, you don’t although it is true that most councillors are. You do not have to stand as a member of a political party; you can stand as an independent candidate.
So how do I become a councillor?
To become a councillor, you must stand for – and win – an election in one of Wiltshire Council’s wards. If you wish to stand for election you must be:
- A British Citizen, a citizen of the Commonwealth, the Republic of Ireland or of another European Union State;
- At least 18 years of age; and
- Included on the Register of Electors for Wiltshire or be someone who has either lived, worked or owned property in Wiltshire for the 12 months preceding the election.
- To find out more contact John Quinton, Head of Democratic & Member Services at Wiltshire County Council. Call 01225 713054 or email johnquinton@wiltshire.gov.uk
Make sure you vote
On 1 April, 2009 a new unitary council will be created by bringing the existing county and district councils together. Elections for the new unitary councillors will take place in May 2009 and you choose the councillors who make it all happen. The councillors you elect will make decisions that affect you every day – decisions about local roads and footpaths, waste and recycling, youth and leisure facilities, social services, council housing, education services, looking after the streets, planning and promoting regeneration. It’s important that you vote and decide who should make these important decisions and represent your interests within the new Wiltshire Council.
Visit us at a One Council Roadshow
In November 2008 and February 2009 a One Council roadshow will be touring Wiltshire and visiting a town near you. You will be able to ask questions and find out more information about the journey to become Wiltshire Council.
Have a say in your community
Live in Trowbridge, Pewsey, Chippenham, Calne, Wootton Bassett, Amesbury, Salisbury, Malmesbury, Warminster, Tisbury, Tidworth or Corsham? You will be able to attend ‘pilot’ area board meetings and have a say on local issues. Look out for other opportunities to get involved!
Customer Focus
The foundations of Wiltshire’s bid to provide a unitary local government are to deliver:
- high quality, low cost, customer focused services
- local, open and honest decision making
- working together to support Wiltshire’s communities
The services we provide must also be sustainable in the long term. In addition, we need to ensure that all services are fairly provided, equitable and fully accessible to all members of society however they come into contact with the services we provide.
Transition in full swing
All of this can only be achieved through transformed service delivery and access to those services. With the transition to Wiltshire Council now in full swing, we want to ensure that we achieve completely reliable access to services at 1 April, 2009.
In addition, we want to put some foundations in place so we can deliver services in a radically different way with our partners and communities by 2012.
What will be different?
The transformed council will be proactive rather than reactive and will focus as much on the prevention of problems as on the cure of the symptoms. We will be able to do this by:
- understanding our communities and our customers
- engaging with our citizens and communities over our and their contributions
- re-designing our services entirely around the needs of our customers
- continuously improving our services using robust customer and performance information.
- There’s some work to do…
We realise we have some way to go before all our customers will feel satisfied with our services and the ease and convenience in which they can access them.
We are committed to sustaining service delivery through to and at 1 April, 2009, with the majority of the transformations being achieved in the three years following that.
Find out more…
Website
Let us know your views by taking part in polls and forums on the One Council website at www.onecouncilforwiltshire.co.uk or email us at onecouncil@wiltshire.gov.uk.
At the new, improved One Council website you can find details about:
- Who’s who
- Latest One Council decisions
- Meeting dates
- Frequently asked questions
Write to us at:
One Council
County Hall
Bythesea Road
Trowbridge
BA14
8JN
Or call us on 01225 713000
Your Family Tree
Do you have a pile of photographs and memorabilia lying in a box? Wiltshire’s new History Centre is a perfect opportunity to start preserving your family’s history. Here’s how…
The Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre has the dual role of both looking after the rich and varied artefacts from Wiltshire’s Heritage and being a venue for people to come and explore their family and local history.
Based in Cocklebury Road in Chippenham, the new archive meets the national standards for storage as well as having excellent access. There are large reading rooms, better internet facilities and an education room for schools that can also be used by groups for lectures and other events.
All under one roof
The centre brings together the archaeology, archive, buildings record, conservation and museum advisory services, together with the county local studies library. And it is the ideal place to visit or contact if you want professional advice and guidance on heritage issues.
The centre is open to the public from Tuesday to Saturday from 9.30am to 5.30pm. Find out more about the History Centre at www.wiltshire.gov.uk/history-centre.htm or 01249 705500 or on email heritageadmin@wiltshire.gov.uk
How to… research your family tree
- Begin by deciding what you want to find out and on whom you’re going to concentrate.
- Start with the information you are certain of such as the dates and events concerning your immediate family members.
- Next, quiz older family members, making a separate note of what each person says.
- Just like an historian you can start collecting documents such as family photos, certificates, ‘family bibles’and so on. Always make a note of any information you find, as well as where you found it.• Now you can draw up your first family tree. It will show you what information is still missing.Plugging the gaps
- Your next sources are civil registration records of births, marriages and deaths and census returns. Brief registration details for the period 1837 to 1950 are at the History Centre where you can also access www.ancestry.co.uk for a lot of material, including census data. To go back before 1837 will involve sources not yet available on the internet, so visits to archives such as the History Centre will be vital.• Any information you get should be recorded clearly and logically. Even if you draw a blank, write it down.
- The internet has lots of material, although you should always double check any information. Your local library can help you to access many of the useful books on family history.• And how about joining your local family history society?
Where do I start?
Civil registration index
This is the gateway to a goldmine of information for people who want to find out about their families, particularly for the 20th century.
The index lists all births, deaths and marriages registered during each quarter. The actual certificates then have to be accessed through the register office that holds the record. The index is held at the History Centre and can be accessed at www.ancestry.co.uk
Information such as the names of parents (both married and maiden), their occupation and address may be detailed in the record. These are the best sources of information for tracing your family through the 20th and late 19th century.
Census returns
These give a fascinating insight into life between 1841 and 1901, house by house, town by town.
Armed with the knowledge of where an ancestor lived you can check who they were living with and what they did for a living.
The censuses are conducted every ten years but they remain closed to the public for the first 100 years so the next set of census data for 1911 will be made available in 2012.
A copy of the census for Wiltshire is held at the History Centre. It can be accessed at the History Centre’s website, above.
Parish registers
These are people’s best chance of tracing their family past the mid 19th century. They contain information about baptisms, funerals and marriages. They are not as detailed or complete as the civil register but do provide many useful leads. Parish registers are held at the History Centre and, in many cases, indices and transcriptions have been made of the documents to make them easier to use.
With luck you will be able to trace your family back to Elizabethan times through such records.
Other sources
For the 19th and 20th century there are a number of useful supplementary records that are held by the History Centre such as newspapers, school registers, tithe maps, estate records and employers’ records that may help you to add detail to your family history. Tracing your family further back than the 16th century – the start of parish records – becomes increasingly difficult. Not only is the information sparse but you may well need to be something of an expert in Latin or in deciphering difficult handwriting. But sources such as manorial and estate records may give you a fascinating glimpse of your family’s history prior to the 16th century. Good luck!
Our healthy school
From tasty lunches to walking buses, schools across Wiltshire are making sure children learn valuable lessons about staying healthy. The county council helps schools develop initiatives which are fun, popular and offer lasting benefits.
School travel plans
All schools should have a travel plan by 2010. The aim is to reduce the numbers of cars being driven to school and to promote safe and sustainable travel, such as walking and cycling. A travel plan needs consultation with pupils, parents and staff, but it can also involve the wider public. This helps set the objectives and develop an action plan. Groups, such as the county council’s road safety unit, passenger transport, school crossing patrol team, road engineers, together with the School Sports Partnership can all offer information and advice. Currently, funding is available once schools have an approved plan. The guaranteed capital grant is for school site use only. Primary schools get £3,750 plus £5 per pupil. Secondary schools get £5,000 plus £5 per pupil. There are restrictions on spending use and it is a one-off payment. The other grant is called Taking Action on School Journeys Challenge. This requires a school to go through a bidding process. It can be used on or off the school site, meaning that highway improvements could be undertaken.
Case study Road safety
The Road Safety Education Department promotes sustainable transport for children by providing schools with cycling and pedestrian training. School Travel Plans (see below) are an excellent way to develop this service. For more information on how to register your school for Bikeability, Cycling Proficiency or Walk Safe, email roadsafetyeducation@wiltshire.gov.uk
Hilperton Primary Schools
One of the objectives in Hilperton Primary School’s travel plan is to encourage sustainable travel. Their target is to increase the amount of pupils walking to school from 34% to 41% by Easter 2011.
To help do this they are making use of the School Sport Partnerships fun fitness activity programme, Huff and Puff. Headteacher, Ruth Farrell, said: “The partnership provides funding to train assistants to take Huff and Puff sessions in lunch hours.
“Additionally, to inspire exercise on the school journey, we plan to mark out a route of 100 steps for each class. Children will be able to walk the course and for each lap put a token in a box. Each token equates to 100 steps. The class with the highest total each week will get a prize for their class.”
Case study Devizes School Travel Plan
Devizes school is in the process of developing a travel plan. One of the ideas is to increase cycling opportunities as this option proved extremely popular with the pupils.
Matt Lloyd, partnership development manager, is looking at cycle routes and funding opportunities to make improvements. The school is also investigating bike sheds and racks. Matt said: “I want to encourage all students within a one-mile radius to walk to school or use sustainable travel as part of a fitness plan.”
Healthy eating
Sutton Veny Primary School is one of many which have looked at how it can encourage pupils to eat healthier
The school formed a partnership with ‘The Ginger Piggery’ at Boyton Farm near Warminster. Every Tuesday a delicious school lunch, made with locally sourced ingredients is delivered to the school. This initiative has had an enormously positive impact on the way pupils view and appreciate food and its production.
Schools can get help from the council’s school meals strategy co-ordinator who works with health services and other agencies.
The strategy is more than just about improving the health of children, it is also about raising awareness about the benefits of a healthy diet and how it improves their concentration levels.
Get in touch School Travel Advisors
Maria Wood – 01225 713471
Ruth Durrant – 01225 713483
Maureen Riddle – 01225 713808
Email - travelplanning@wiltshire.gov.uk
Road Safety Unit – 01225 701970/ 701976
Alcohol Action Plan
Wiltshire County Council is working with partners such as the police and health services to tackle alcohol misuse across the county. A joint action plan aims for a healthier, safer place for everyone.
Under the Influence: many victims of violence report that the offender had been drinking…
A new strategy aims to tackle concerns about alcohol harm with a range of initiatives. Like most public health issues there’s no one simple solution and no one organisation which can solve it. That is why Wiltshire County Council is working with a range of partners on a joint strategy.
An issue which concerns us allThere has been plenty in the media about binge drinking. Wiltshire’s approach is not driven by banner headlines – these are issues which should concern all of us because the effects of alcohol misuse are felt at all levels. Health Services have to deal with the direct effects of too much drink, such as liver disease, and the indirect effects, such as injuries from falling over. And, of course, you don’t have to drink alcohol yourself to suffer – many victims of violence report that the offender was under the influence of alcohol.Dealing with the consequencesDealing with the consequences of alcohol misuse is a huge cost to the public purse. For example, criminal incidents involve the police, probation and court system.Local authorities have to clear up the streets. And businesses suffer if employees are underperforming or absent because of their drinking.How do we tackle these issues?Wiltshire County Council and its partners are putting together a strategy which will have an impact on these different areas. This action plan requires joint effort and some realistic goals. But it’s positive action from which we should all benefit.
“ These are issues which should concern all of us because the effects are felt at all levels.”
What is sensible drinking?
- Men should not regularly drink more than three–four units a day
- Women should not regularly drink more than two–three units a day
- Consistently drinking four or more units for men, and three or more for women, carries progressive health risks
- After an episode of heavy drinking it is advisable to avoid drinking alcohol for 48 hours
- In some situations, such as pregnancy, it is better to avoid drinking alcohol altogether
What does a ‘unit’ look like?
1 unit = half a pint of low strength beer/lager/cider at 3.5% abv
= one small (125ml) glass of wine at 9% abv
= one pub measure (23ml )of spirits at 40% abv
1.5 units = one small (125ml) glass of wine at 12% abv
= an average (330ml) ‘Alco pop’
Heavy Drinking: exceeding recommended levels of alcohol carries progressive health risks.
Consequences: criminal incidents involve police, probation and courts systems – at a cost to the public purse.
Be safe
When you are out drinking:
- Stay with your mates
- Stay with your drink
- Stay within your limits
- Stay protected
- Get advice and support from Drinkline by calling0800 9178 282
The plan’s priorities
The alcohol strategy and a three-year implementation plan should be agreed by this autumn. Partner agencies will lead on different areas of work.
For instance, Wiltshire County Council will be looking at informing young people through the education and youth service about alcohol issues.
Its community safety staff will be working with the police and health service to help people seen as at risk either as victims or perpetrators of crime fuelled by alcohol.
The enforcement role of both district council licensing departments and County Trading Standards is to ensure that Licensing conditions are complied with and that underage sales of alcohol do not take place.
The police, health service and other agencies, particularly in the voluntary sector, will also contribute to achieving the three priorities for the strategy. These three priorities are:
- To prevent young people and adults from harming themselves and others
- To intervene by providing better services to help those people who have problems
- To take enforcement action against those who are committing alcohol related crimes
- Aims & objectives
- To reduce alcohol-related crime
- To reduce the percentage of people who perceive drunk and rowdy people as a problem in their area
- To improve the management of the night-time economy
- To raise awareness of sensible drinking
- To reduce levels of chronic and acute ill health caused by alcohol
- To reduce the level of alcohol related harm to children and young people
A better quality of life
Negotiations have recently been concluded between Wiltshire authorities and central government to set targets for a new Local Agreement for Wiltshire. What will this agreement mean? It means that organisations throughout the county will be taking action to improve the quality of life for us all. Here’s how…
Q. How will the Local Agreement improve life in Wiltshire?
A. The aim of the agreement is to help organisations in Wiltshire to work together to support communities and develop services for Wiltshire people. It includes organisations from the public, voluntary and business sectors, such as the county and district councils, the Primary Care Trust, Police, Fire, and many voluntary and community sector organisations such as Community First and Wiltshire Wildlife Trust.
Q. What is included in the agreement?
A. A wide range of activities, services and projects that are planned to make a significant impact on achieving the big ambitions for Wiltshire. There is more information about those ambitions below. By including things in the agreement, partners in Wiltshire are signing up to make a difference.
Q. How will the change to One Council for Wiltshire affect the Local Agreement?
A. The Local Agreement starts before the change to One Council for Wiltshire and continues until 2011. Its aims are closely aligned to the vision and values of the new council.
Q. What will happen in my area?
A. Different things will happen in different areas based on the needs of local communities. The ambitions were based on Wiltshire’s Sustainable Community Strategy, which reflects the priorities in local community plans.
Q. Where can I get involved and find out more?
A. The latest information is on www.wiltshire.gov.uk. Use the contact list on the website if you want to get involved. Or you can ring the Performance and Risk Team at the county council on 01225 713094.
Stronger, resilient communities
- Support communities to help themselves
- Encourage local people to be more involved in local decision making,
- Work together to build a vibrant, strong and influential voluntary sector
- Improve educational attainment and activities for young people
Lives not services
Support more people to have independent and fulfilling lives as part of their local community, including appropriate health and social care services
Support individuals, families and communities to improve outcomes for children and young people
Enable individuals to make informed choices to improve their long-term health and wellbeing
Environment
- Tackle climate change by reducing carbon emissions through efficient energy use, transport, and reducing, re-using and recycling waste
- Encourage action by individuals, communities and organisations to adapt to climate change
- Promote a high quality, natural environment that enriches the lives of people. This will happen by managing Wiltshire’s countryside to look after bio-diversity and by ensuring new developments are designed for greater community cohesion, greater physical and mental health, reduced crime and improved wildlife
A positive and sustainable environment for economic growth
- Improve business productivity through innovation
- Tackle worklessness by raising skills and working with hard-to-reach groups
- Work with the military to assess the impact of the military changes on Wiltshire
- Broaden the employment base for the county, work with the private sector to develop work spaces
- Improve journey time reliability on strategic routes
Communities that are and feel safer
- Work with communities to provide re-assurance, improve neighbourhoods, and increase feeling of community safety
- Reduce re-offending by joining up services such as housing, education and health, and reduce alcohol related crime
- Tackle domestic violence
- Reduce the number of road traffic accidents in Wiltshire
Affordable housing
- Significantly increase the number of affordable homes
- Reduce the number of homeless people by offering genuine housing alternatives
- Develop homes that are environmentally friendly and can support independent living
Getting Stuck In: over 1,700 school students – including from Stonehenge School in Amesbury – attended the Wiltshire Skills Festival in March at Wiltshire College, Lackham, to try a range of hands-on activities and have fun into the bargain…
Deciding your future by… Making Connexions
Finding it hard to decide what to do once school’s out? A council-run service for young people could help get you on track to the future.
Many young people find it hard to decide on a future course or career, or need help choosing options. That’s where the Connexions service comes in. What is Connexions? Personal Advisers (PAs) from Connexions Wiltshire are fully qualified professionals working in all schools and colleges throughout the county. As well as helping young people to sort out their problems or to get their lives back on track, much of their day-to-day work is concerned with helping young people find out about courses and careers. Where are they based? Young people can also talk to PAs at the Connexions drop-in centres in Trowbridge, Chippenham or Salisbury, or arrange to meet them at one of the many youth centres or outreach premises visited by PAs every week.
As well as one-to-one help, young people can get help through Connexions Direct, an online and telephone service that operates from 8am to 2am, seven days a week.
How can they help? Summer’s a busy time at Connexions as young people get help to deal with exam results, CVs and job applications. PAs can also help with the many queries about gap years, holiday jobs or EMAs (Education Maintenance Allowances). As well as help with job vacancies, information on local courses, careers, qualifications and transport, Connexions Wiltshire has information about events, volunteering and activities. See above for details.
Who can get connected? Part of Wiltshire County Council’s integrated services for young people, Connexions welcomes any young people aged 13-19 (or up to 25 for some young people with learning disabilities), to support them with advice and guidance about their future.
Connexions Wiltshire - Useful contacts
Job vacancies – www.connexionsws.org.uk/vacancies
Events, news and activities – www.sparksite.co.uk
Wiltshire courses and qualifications – http://swinwilts.futures4me.co.uk/
Connexions Direct
Available seven days a week, 8am–2am.
Telephone: 080 800 13 2 19
Website: www.connexions-direct.com
Text: 07766 4 13 2 19
Connexions drop-in centres
Chippenham: 1 Avon Reach, Monkton Hill, Chippenham. 01249 449900
email: CNX_chippenham@wiltshire.gov.uk
Salisbury: Milford House, 43-55 Milford Street, Salisbury. 01722 424400
email: CNX_Salisbury@wiltshire.gov.uk
Trowbridge: 1 Wicker Hill, Trowbridge. 01225 716450
email: CNX_Trowbridge@wiltshire.gov.uk
Children’s Centres
Need good childcare during the holidays? Feel in need of advice on parenting skills? Wiltshire’s Children’s Centres could offer the lifeline you need.
Child’s Play
Wiltshire County Council has reached the Government’s target of providing 20 Sure Start Children’s Centres for young children and their families – now a further ten are planned by 2010.
Three out of four families need some help with their parenting at some time. The centres offer advice and support to parents and carers of children under five, as well as early years provision in the centre or nearby.
Families do not have to use the childcare to make use of the other services the centre provides and outreach services will be provided in rural areas.
On top of this, health visitors provide services such as antenatal and postnatal support and baby clinics while Jobcentre Plus gives advice to parents about work and training. To find out what your local children’s centre has to offer just drop by or call 01225 785676 for more information.
Where’s your nearest Children’s Centre?
South Wiltshire
- Amesbury at Amesbury Primary School, Kitchener Road, Amesbury
- Downton at The Trafalgar School, Breamore Road, Downton
- Salisbury Woodlands at Woodlands Primary School, Winding Way, Salisbury
- Salisbury Friary based in the city at 24 St Edmund’s Church Street, Salisbury
West Wiltshire
- Bradford on Avon at Fitzmaurice Primary School, Frome Road, Bradford-on-Avon
- Melksham at King’s Park Primary School, Lowbourne, Melksham
- Melksham Queensway Chapel Pre-school and Children’s Centre, Queensway, Melksham
- Trowbridge Greenshoots at Studley Green Primary School, Westfield Road, Trowbridge
- Trowbridge Bellefield at Windermere Road, Trowbridge
- Warminster at The Avenue School and Children’s Centre, The Avenue, Warminster
- Westbury at Westbury Infants School, Eden Vale Road, Westbury
North Wiltshire
- Calne Priestley Primary School, Prince Charles Drive, Calne (linked site at St Dunstan Church of England Primary School, William Street, Calne)
- Chippenham at Redland Community Primary School, Brook Street, Chippenham
- Corsham, linked sites at:
- Corsham Regis Primary School,Kings Avenue, Corsham;
- Corsham Primary School, Pound Pill, Corsham
- Lypiatt Primary School, Lypiatt, Neston, Corsham
- Chippenham at St Paul’s Primary School, The Oaks, Chippenham
- Malmesbury at Malmesbury Primary School, Tetbury Hill, Malmesbury
- Wootton Bassett at Manor House, Lime Kiln, Wootton Bassett (linked site at St Sampson’s Junior School, Bath Road, Cricklade)
Kennet
- Devizes at Southbroom Infants School, The Green, Devizes
- Marlborough at The Corner House, George Lane Car Park, Marlborough
- Tidworth at The Community Centre, Wylye Road, Tidworth
- Pewsey Children’s Centre, Office D, 12 River Street, Pewsey
Stepping out
It's a walkover: pathways across the county are being refurbished so that you can get out and walk it!
The County Council has listened to concerns about the condition of urban rights of way. A programme of improvements will ensure that everyone from ramblers to mothers with children can safely enjoy these historic footpaths.
While Wiltshire is famed for its rural walks there are also historic paths right through its urban heartlands. Keeping these in good condition presents many challenges.
The council is listening
In Salisbury, the Town Path offers wonderful views across the water meadows. It is a busy route used by walkers of all types. The county council had received concerns about the quality of the surface and the lack of lighting, so this year has re-surfaced the entire length of path, renewed some fencing and put in new lighting columns and benches. It is hoped such improvements will deter anti-social behaviour and reduce the fear of crime.Opening an ancient routeMeanwhile, in Bradford on Avon an ancient route has re-opened after refurbishment by the county council. The Well Path runs up the hillside between the Tories and Newtown and is thought to have been part of a pilgrims’ trail to Glastonbury.
The route goes over a 19th century viaduct but, in 2004, concerns about crumbling masonry led the path to be closed. Following negotiations between landowners, the county council undertook a 17-week repair programme. Finding informationRambling fans will find plenty of information about walks in Wiltshire in the new rights of way newsletter. Called Wiltshire Wayfarer, this quarterly publication is distributed to parish councils, rights of way user groups, tourist information centres and libraries. The Wayfarer has information about the work of countryside wardens, suggested walks and some of the rules and regulations surrounding our rights of way.
The newsletter was established following a consultation with the public about the management of rights of way. One issue identified was the need to get more information out to people.And finally…There are 3,782 miles of footpaths, bridleways and byways in Wiltshire and the county council is keen that people should take the opportunity to enjoy them.
- For a copy of the Wiltshire Wayfarer ring Mary Noyce on 01225 756183 or email marynoyce@wiltshire.gov.uk
Take up the challenge
How has reading changed your life? The Read That Changed My Life celebrates the influence of reading and seeks to encourage everyone to read more. We hear from two people about books that inspired them and altered their lives…
THE BIBLE: for Mary, there is no other book that can compare.
MEMORIES: a chance discovery led to a lifelong passion.
IT MIGHT HAVE been a newspaper article, an official document, text message or a poem but most of us have read something that changed our lives.
The Read That Changed My Life is part of the National Year of Reading which aims to encourage people to get the most out of reading. Now Wiltshire County Council’s libraries are asking people for their experiences.Hywel Jones, chef These days, Hywel is the head chef at the Michelin starred Lucknam Park Hotel in Colerne. He said: “When I completed my catering college training in Cardiff I took on a full-time job as a chef in a small French restaurant called ‘Le Cassoulet’. During the afternoons myself and the owner used to take a break in his flat above the restaurant. It was here that I discovered one of his books by a chef named Pierre Koffman called ‘Memories of Gascony.’“I was so inspired that once I discovered the restaurant was in London I decided I should move there to continue my training. I spent 14 years in London where I carved out a succesful career. But had I not read Pierre Koffman’s book I might never have gone!
Mary Douglas, cabinet member for culture Mary says: “The book that changed my life was the Bible. I have read it since childhood but it was in my teenage years that it really made an impact. Through reading and conversations with other people, I came to know the God who is responsible for my very existence.
“It motivated me to enter politics because politics affects, for better (South Africa) or worse (Zimbabwe), the lives of people whom God so loves.
“It is a book you can read over and over and always find something new. It can be read critically, analytically, reflectively but is best read with the aim of understanding what God is like. There really is no other book like it.”
Now it’s Your turn!
We’d like to hear from you about a read that changed your life. Tell us, in 50 words, what it was and include the author and title (if you can). Remember to tell us how it changed your life, as well as your name, town, and age if you’re under 16.
Send entries to:email lifechangingread@wiltshire.gov.uk
By post
Read That Changed My Life
Communications Unit
Wiltshire
County Council
Bythesea Road
Trowbridge
Wiltshire
BA14
8JN
We will publish a selection of entries on the council’s website, as well as in future editions of this magazine.
“The book inspired me to leave my job and move to London.”
Down your way: Warminster
WARMINSTER IS a very nice town: everything belonging to it is solid and good.” So wrote the writer and journalist, William Cobbett, whose ‘Rural Rides’ took him to Warminster in 1826.
A town of six hills
Rome may have its seven hills but Warminster also has its six: Cley, Arn, Copheap, Battlesbury, Middle and Scratchbury. These provide the shelter and security which made the location attractive to Wiltshire’s earliest settlers. It also means the area surrounding Warminster is rich in archaeological remains.
When Cobbett arrived, Warminster was nearing the peak of its prosperity thanks to the clothing and malting trade as well as its huge market.
The arrival of the railway in 1851 changed its fortunes as economic forces drove its core businesses elsewhere.
Two factors have contributed to Warminster’s resurgence. The first is the presence of the Army which has strengthened its contribution steadily since the First World War. More recently, the leisure industry has offered job opportunities both nearby on Lord Bath’s estate and within the market town as a centre for tourismToday, Warminster is a bustling community of around 20,000 people whose central position and good transport links serve to place it at the strategic heart of the county.
“ Warminster is a very nice town: everything belonging to it is solid and good.”
Local fact file
A major three-year highways improvement is taking place in the centre – expected to be completed in 2009.
Warminster library on Three Horseshoes Walk is open six days a week. Ring 01985 216022 for more information.
There are seven primary schools, one secondary school in Warminster and a Sure Start Children’s Centre at The Avenue.
Warminster Tourist Information Centre is in the central car park at Three Horseshoes Mall and can be reached on 01985 218548.
Warminster youth centre, The Hub, has been given a £90,000 makeover. It now offers a huge range of activities as well as hosting other organisations including a facility for adults with learning difficulties. The Hub is in The Close and can be reached on 01985 218561.
The Wylye Community Bus links villages along the valley with Warminster and Salisbury. A bookable taxi service for the Royal United Hospital in Bath covers Warminster. Both can be booked by ringing 08456 525255.
Contact Details
By Post
Corporate Communications
Wiltshire County Council
County
Hall
Bythesea Road
Trowbridge
Wiltshire
BA14
8JN
By Email
communications@wiltshire.gov.uk
By Telephone
01225 713110 / 713003
By Hand
County Hall, Trowbridge
Opening Hours
Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm
