Salisbury & Avon Gazette - Issue 86

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PEOPLE are being invited to spend a night sleeping out in the historic cloisters of Salisbury Cathedral to help raise funds for people experiencing homelessness.

ALABARÉ, the city-based charity, is bringing back its iconic BIG Sleep event on Friday, March 13, calling on the community to take part in a night of solidarity with those who have nowhere safe to sleep.

Participants will spend the night outdoors at the cathedral, helping to highlight the reality faced by thousands of people every night.

Around 350,000 people across the UK are estimated to be homeless or at risk of homelessness, with figures showing rough sleeping in Wiltshire has doubled in recent months.

The BIG Sleep has been held

Salisbury Cathedral

at Salisbury Cathedral since 2007 and has become a key fundraising and awareness event for ALABARÉ.

This year’s event comes as the charity marks its 35th anniversary.

Those taking part can expect more than just a night under the stars, with live music, a calming sound bath, refreshments, a special talk from Salisbury Cathedral and personal stories from people supported by ALABARÉ. Funds raised will support the charity’s work providing safe accommodation, mental health support and pathways to independence for people across Salisbury and the south west.

ALABARÉ supported more than 3,000 vulnerable people last year, and just £175 can fund a week of supported accommodation and care.

EDITORIAL

Recent BIG Sleep events have attracted high-profile supporters, including Nick Butter, from the BBC’s Destination X, and Time Team’s Phil Harding.

Nick said: “For many years, people have gone and run marathons to raise money for charity because it’s hard.

Lloyd Armishaw Publisher newsdesk@blackmorevale.net 01963 400186

Kye Harman Sports Editor sports@blackmorevale.net 01963 400186

Lorraine Drake Distributor lorraine_drake@icloud.com 07850 529937

Sleeping outside in the cold, that’s hard.”

Phil reflected on ALABARÉ’s last BIG Sleep at Stonehenge, saying: “100 plus people come together, and you realise what an amazing family and collective it is.”

n Places can be booked at thebigsleep.org.uk.

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Debi.thorne@blackmorevale.net 07714 289409

Stars Appeal Christmas Raffle raised £20,000 for hospital improvements

THE Stars Appeal

Christmas Raffle raised more than £20,000 to support projects helping patients, their families and staff at Salisbury District Hospital.

Dinton winner Terry Smith scooped the £2,500 top prize, saying it was a brilliant start to the new year.

He added: “I’m very overwhelmed and speechless. I’m very pleased to have won.”

The Stars Appeal aims to raise £2 million each year for projects that offer direct, practical support to patients, their families and hospital staff.

Money raised in raffle ticket sales and donations help the charity, providing the latest diagnostic and treatment equipment and enhancements to buildings.

Fundraising also supports ongoing schemes including free wi-fi, support for people with cancer, a dedicated play assistant and specialist therapy

equipment for children, hospital chaplains and emergency patient clothing.

Helena Sinclair, of the Stars Appeal, said: “A massive thank you to everyone who supported our Christmas Raffle, and congratulations to our lucky winners.

“The amazing funds raised

will help support projects across Salisbury Hospital, benefiting patients, their families, and the dedicated staff who care for them.

“We are also incredibly grateful to our prize sponsors Wilsons Solicitors and FJ Chalke for their continued support.”

The raffle raised more than £20,000

The £2,500 first prize was sponsored by Wilsons Solicitors and the second prize of £500 was sponsored by FJ Chalke. A third prize of £250 was also up for grabs along with other cash prizes.

n To find out more about the Stars Appeal visit www. starsappeal.org.

New specialist centre for SEND children

A NEW specialist early years centre supporting children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) is set to open in Tidworth strengthening provision for families across Wiltshire.

Dingley’s Promise, a national provider of specialist SEND support and training, is working in partnership with Wiltshire Council to launch the centre, in Wylye Road.

It will become the fifth District Specialist Centre opened by the council for children under the age of five with additional needs.

Run by Dingley’s Promise, the Tidworth centre will offer around ten places per session, focusing on early identification of need and targeted intervention to support

children’s developmental progress.

The setting will provide an inclusive and adaptable curriculum, designed to respond to each child’s interests and motivations while encouraging independence, confidence and exploration.

Alongside its core provision, the centre will offer outreach support and signposting for families of children with SEND, helping parents and carers

access guidance and services at an early stage.

Services include one-to-one support, coffee mornings, stay and play sessions, information events and holiday playschemes, providing both practical support and respite for families.

The centre will be the 11th specialist setting run by Dingley’s Promise as the charity expands its SEND provision and family support outreach across England.

Chief operating officer at Dingley’s Promise, Lee Friend, said: “Where the right early intervention can be provided at the right time, it can be transformational for children’s long-term outcomes.

“We are very excited to be opening a Dingley’s Promise

specialist centre within Wiltshire, to offer local children with SEND and their families the support and guidance which is vital in the earliest months and years of their child’s life.”

Wiltshire Council’s cabinet member for education and skills, Cllr Jon Hubbard, said: “We are delighted to be opening Dingley’s Promise, which will provide a fifth District Specialist Centre in Tidworth.

“These centres play a vital role in giving children with SEND the best possible start in life.”

An open event will be held at the centre on Wednesday, January 28 for families and professionals interested in learning more. Families can also find out more via admin. tidworth@dingley.org.uk.

Appeal after leisure centre incident

OFFICERS are looking to identify a man following a ‘suspicious incident’ in Salisbury.

Police say the incident occurred at Five Rivers Leisure Centre on Tuesday, December 30.

A spokesperson said: “We understand that the image is indistinct but hope that anyone who knows this person will be able to recognise them.”

Contact PC Larkworthy by emailing 1755@wiltshire. police.uk quoting log number 54260001594 with info.

Theft attempt

POLICE are investigating criminal damage and attempted theft from a Salisbury off licence.

A man was seen breaking the front window of the Harnham Local store, in Harnham Road, and attempt to make off with bottles of alcohol in the early hours of Friday, January 9.

The man was confronted before running away.

Officers are appealing for witnesses or anyone who may have recorded what took place.

Email 70406@wiltshire. police.uk and quote crime reference number 54260002718.

New Wilton mayor picked to see out term after resignation

WILTON has a new mayor with expertise in retail, banking and technology, after Cllr Chris Harrison was elected to the role.

Outgoing mayor Cllr Alexandra Boyd announced she was stepping down due to health reasons last month and described the Full Council meeting as “a real milestone full of emotion, reflection and a good dose of Wilton pride”.

Cllr Harrison, who has served as a town councillor since January 2024 and deputy mayor since May 2025, will serve until the end of the mayoral term in May.

He has lived in Wilton for eight years and the town council

says he brings “a wealth of experience in project delivery and leadership across the retail, banking and technology sectors”.

Cllr Charlotte Blackman, who has served as a town councillor since 2002, was elected deputy mayor.

Now retired, she has a background in insurance and complaints handling and has led several community projects, including the outdoor gym at Castle Meadow.

A council spokesperson said: “Our new mayor and deputy mayor will be instrumental in leading our council during the remainder of this term, as we work towards some ambitious

plans to improve the town.”

Cllr Boyd was “deeply touched” to receive her former mayor of Wilton badge and continues as a town councillor, supporting events when health allows.

She said: “It has been the honour of my life to serve this town, and I remain as committed as ever to Wilton and its wonderful community.”

Wilton Town Council currently has a vacancy for a councillor, who will be appointed through co-option, and is asking residents to put themselves forward. Contact the council by emailing clerk@ wiltontowncouncil.gov.uk or calling 01722 742093.

Salisbury-born author returns to hit series

SALISBURY-BORN author Susan Howatch is revisiting one of her most celebrated novels with a fully revised edition of the second book in her acclaimed Starbridge series.

Originally published in 1988, the series is praised for its nuanced exploration of Christian faith and the history of the Church of England across the 20th century.

Glamorous Powers follows Jon Darrow, a former naval officer chaplain turned monk with psychic gifts.

When a powerful vision calls him to leave his monastery, Darrow embarks on a perilous journey

that tests his faith and courage.

Readers are invited to follow his struggle: should he embrace the complexities and moral chaos of the world, or retreat into solitude?

Susan, whose Starbridge novels are both critically acclaimed and commercially successful, revisited Glamorous Powers in 2017 and realised there was more to tell.

The extensively revised edition, five years in the making, adds new layers to Darrow’s journey.

Glamorous Powers will be published by Whitefox on January 29, priced at £25 for the hardback edition.

Parking charges set to rise under new plans

CHARGES at Wiltshire Council-owned car parks in Salisbury could be set to increase - and underused facilities closed, as part of new plans.

The authority's Cabinet has approved a Parking Plan 2026-2030, which includes a review of parking charges across the county, as well as an on-going assessment of current facilities, which could see underused car parks closed.

Wiltshire Council said the Plan "sets out a forwardthinking approach to managing parking" and "balances accessibility, sustainability, and economic growth".

"It aims to improve the parking experience for residents, businesses, and visitors, while ensuring the service is self-financing," a

spokesperson said.

The plan would see a reduction in "underused car parks" and explore "commercial opportunities", as well as introducing a biennial review of parking charges "to ensure fairness and consistency, and updating resident permits and event parking policies".

Technology will also be improved, including the introduction of cashless payments, better signage, and number plate-recognition enforcement.

Alongside the Parking Plan, the Cabinet also approved proposed changes to charges, which have remained unchanged since 2022.

A public consultation on the proposals will start in the spring.

The proposed tariffs include

increasing on-street and off-street parking tariffs across Wiltshire, extending chargeable hours to 7am to 7pm, aligning Sunday charges with weekday rates, adjusting permit fees in line with tariff changes, and reintroducing on-street Sunday charges in Salisbury.

"If changes are made to tariffs, they will be introduced later this year, with a second adjustment planned for 2028 following a statutory consultation," the spokesperson added.

Cllr Martin Smith, Cabinet member for highways, Streetscene and flooding, said: "Our Parking Plan 2026–2030 is a bold step forward in creating a modern, inclusive, and sustainable parking service for Wiltshire. It balances accessibility with environmental

and economic priorities, ensuring that parking supports residents, businesses, and visitors, while remaining financially viable.

"Parking tariffs haven’t changed in Wiltshire since 2022, despite significant inflation since then, so by introducing fair and consistent tariff reviews, improving technology, and enhancing facilities, we are future-proofing our service and making it easier for everyone to park responsibly.

"There will now be a public consultation on the proposed parking tariff changes in the spring. These proposed changes will also help fund vital transport services, including rural buses, ensuring we deliver a joined-up approach to travel across the county."

Beauty chain announces opening of new Salisbury store

LUXURY beauty and wellness brand

Rituals is set to open a new boutique in Salisbury this March.

The store will offer an immersive experience into Rituals’ signature range of sumptuous bath, body and home products, designed to inspire moments of mindfulness and self-care in everyday life.

The opening also marks another key step in Rituals’ UK expansion strategy, reinforcing the brand’s commitment to bringing luxury wellbeing to high footfall

destinations.

Rituals says it embraces the philosophy of transforming everyday routines into more meaningful moments.

Each product is inspired by an ancient tradition with a range of body care, home fragrances, natural skin care, men care and homeware available.

Founded in Amsterdam in 2000, Rituals

has since established itself in over 33 countries with more than 1,300 boutiques, 4,176 shop-in-shops, and the world’s first Mind Oasis. Rituals is committed to continuously improving its social and environmental impact, journeying to 90% natural origin formulas and packaging that is either refillable, recyclable or made of recycled material.

Excitement at new accessible park!

DISABILITY advocates in Salisbury were excited to unveil a revamped play area now complete with equipment wheelchair users can enjoy.

Among the new features at the Pinewood Way park, in Bemerton Heath, are a wheelchair-accessible roundabout, wheelchairaccessible seesaw and accessible play panels, as well as new, flat surfacing.

The improvements, designed by Caloo Ltd, cost just over £40,000 and were funded from the city council’s (SCC) 2025/26 accessibility budget.

Bemerton Heath ward councillors, SCC officers and members of the Disability

Interest Group of Salisbury (DIGS) collaborated on the project, with SCC parks officer Mark Annetts and DIGS CEO Kez Adey taking the lead.

On January 12, they came together for the official opening and to try out the new equipment.

Kez said: “I’m really happy with the park. We can’t wait to see it get used by everybody. It’s great that it is all inclusive and that everybody is able to play here.

“The work that SCC has done is fantastic and I can’t fault them…For us, it’s a massive achievement. We are excited and we’re proud of it. We love it.”

SCC invited residents to

provide feedback on proposed improvements in September 2025, with construction beginning last December and completed earlier this month.

The improvements come after a new tarmac path was installed at the Pinewood Way Open Space in July 2024, allowing wheelchair access to the green and play area.

Cllr Caroline Corbin, for Bemerton Heath ward, said: “It is great to have this improvement because it means that people of all abilities can interact and play together.

“And it’s fun, even the adults that were here today from DIGS have had some great fun. It’s brilliant.”

Cllr Richard Johnson, fellow

member for the Bemerton Heath Ward and member of the environment committee, said: “As a parent of a nearly seven-year-old, I know how vital play parks are, but my work with DIGS has highlighted just how crucial it is all children have the chance to play.

“This fantastic refurbishment shows SCC is listening to the lived experiences of disabled residents and delivering what our community truly needs.

“It’s a perfect example of our vision for a more thoughtful, inclusive, and communityfocused Salisbury.”

On Monday, January 12, full council approved an increase to take the accessibility budget to £50,000 for 2026/27.

Gym will host foodbank collection for third year running

A GYM is once again stepping up to support some of the city’s most vulnerable residents, marking a third year of partnership with Salisbury Foodbank.

Parkwood Health & Fitness Salisbury has confirmed it will continue to act as an official food collection point, encouraging members and the wider community to donate essential items.

Salisbury Foodbank provides three days’ worth of nutritionally balanced emergency food, alongside practical support and advice, to individuals and families in urgent need.

Staff at Parkwood say the decision to

continue the partnership reflects the values of the club and its members, many of whom have already shown generosity in previous years by donating food, money and time.

Members are being asked to consider adding “one or two extra items” to their regular shop and donating them at the gym.

The foodbank has highlighted a number of items that are particularly needed at the moment, including long-life fruit juice, UHT milk, tinned meat or ready meals such as curry or chilli, tinned fruit, pasta sauce, packet and sponge puddings and chocolate.

The gym has also helped to spread awareness of what cannot be accepted,

including formula milk, medicines, homemade food, or items past their best-before date, ensuring donations can be distributed safely and effectively.

Residents are also being encouraged to donate money. Financial contributions help cover the costs of storing and distributing supplies, as well as enabling the foodbank to offer additional advice and support people struggling with rising living costs.

Parkwood Health & Fitness Salisbury said it was “proud” to support the foodbank.

Donations can be made directly at the gym or online via the Salisbury Foodbank’s JustGiving page.

Council tax rise coming amid Salisbury underspend

RESIDENTS are facing an increase in council tax bills after Ssalisbury City Council has approved its 2026/27 budget - promising to protect services and put finances on a firmer long-term footing.

The budget, put forth by the Liberal Democrat administration at a full council meeting on January 12, came as the council forecast a £400,000 underspend for the current year.

The authority said the underspend will allow general reserves to be rebuilt to a “responsible and sustainable level”.

Leader Cllr Sam Charleston, pictured, said the budget marked a turning point.

“This is a budget that does exactly what we set out to do,” he said. “It protects services, plans for the future, and puts this council back onto stable financial footing.

“Salisbury City Council is now finally in a genuinely

strong position, and this budget is the clearest evidence of that.”

Residents will see a 4.99% council tax rises increase for 2026/27 – equivalent to £19 a year for a Band D household – followed by a 3.99% rise in year two, with no increases planned for years three to five.

Long-term provisions in the budget include £700,000 spread across years three to five for future pressures and projects, £525,000 set aside for a replacement crematorium burner, and £400,000 to safeguard Poultry Cross.

Cultural and civic projects also feature, with £250,000 for Salisbury Playhouse refurbishment and £50,000 to support the city’s forthcoming Salisbury 800 celebrations.

The budget also includes repairs to The Guildhall ceiling,

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£40,000 a year for play park repairs – with Friary play park among the first to benefit – and an increased accessibility budget of £50,000 a year.

There is £280,000 allocated for refurbishment of the Market Place toilets, a project that has cross-party backing, alongside extra investment in cyber security, CCTV upgrades and additional staff to improve service delivery.

Several amendments were agreed at full council, including a new Christmas lights switchon event, a modernised HR system, batteries for the council’s solar panels to store energy and cut costs and a proof-of-concept trial of car-free days in the city centre.

Conservative Councillor Andrew Suddards for Hanham West said the budget was

inevitably shaped by Lib Dem numbers but argued his group had influenced the final outcome.

He said the Conservatives had produced an alternative budget showing the council could “retain high quality services” and include enhancements while keeping precept rises “lower than inflation”.

Cllr Suddards criticised the “inflation-busting” 4.99% rise but welcomed the administration’s willingness to accept some Conservative amendments, adding collaboration had improved the final budget and could help raise standards of efficiency and council management in the years ahead.

Cllr Annie Riddle, fellow member for Harnham West, said: “I was very pleased by the co-operative attitude and lack of political mud-slinging at this meeting. Long may it last.”

Fire service exercise at cathedral

FIREFIGHTERS have been carrying out a major training exercise at Salisbury Cathedral.

Crews have utilised the iconic building to practise complex rescue techniques.

The exercise brought together specialist rope rescue teams from Westlea and Poole, alongside crews from Salisbury Fire Station and its aerial ladder platform.

Working inside the cathedral, firefighters simulated the rescue of an injured casualty from height within the tower.

During the scenario, crews carefully lowered the casualty from level eight of the tower down to the roof space above the nave.

From there, the casualty was transferred onto a stretcher, manoeuvred through a window and safely brought down using the aerial ladder platform positioned outside.

Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said the exercise formed part of its ongoing training programme, designed to ensure crews are fully prepared to respond to real-life

emergencies.

Training in historic and complex buildings is considered especially important, as such locations present unique challenges that firefighters may not encounter in more modern structures.

The service added that practising in realistic environments helps crews refine specialist skills, improve coordination between teams and maintain the highest standards of safety – both for firefighters and for the public.

Fire chiefs also paid tribute

to Salisbury Cathedral staff for their cooperation and support in allowing access to the building.

They said opportunities to train in landmarks of this scale and significance are invaluable, enabling firefighters to test their techniques in demanding conditions while respecting the heritage of the site.

Exercises like this, the service said, play a crucial role in ensuring that if the worst were to happen, crews are ready to respond quickly, safely and effectively for incidents in the future.

Rise in drink and drug-drive arrests over Christmas

MORE than 100 motorists were arrested for drink or drug driving offences across Wiltshire last month as police stepped up patrols as part of a nationwide crackdown.

Wiltshire Police’s roads policing unit led the county’s response to Operation Limit, a National Police Chiefs’ Council campaign aimed at tackling impaired

driving during the festive period.

Between December 1 and 31, officers carried out additional, targeted patrols to identify offenders.

The month-long operation resulted in 120 arrests – a 35% increase compared with the number of drink or drug drivingrelated arrests made in December 2024.

Wiltshire Police figures show that 59.2% of those arrested were suspected of drink driving, while 40.8% were suspected of drug driving.

Inspector Neil Duffin, who leads the roads policing unit, said the increase reflected proactive enforcement rather than a rise in tolerance.

Work starts on new church - nine years after plan first revealed

WORSHIPPERS in Amesbury are rejoicing as construction of a new church has started - nearly nine years after campaigning began.

The Living Grace Ministry currently gathers each Sunday at Bulford Village Hall, but members have been working towards creating a permanent home of their own.

The ambitious project began eight-and-a-half years ago and has involved fundraising, designing the building and securing planning permission.

Now, the long-held vision is becoming reality, with

Shaftesbury-based builders Marshway Contracts starting work on the site earlier this month.

The new church – a large, modern steel-frame building – is being constructed on green space on Archers Way, next to the Bowman Centre.

Alongside the main worship space, it will include a nursery and additional community facilities.

Church leaders hope the building will serve not only as a place of worship, but also as a valuable space for the wider Amesbury community.

To mark the milestone,

church leaders, site contractors and architects Geoff Cole and Alex Spooner from Proctor Watts Cole Rutter (PWCR) recently gathered on site.

Among those attending were Living Grace Ministry pastor Natalee Stoner, her husband Marlon and church member Tobias Daka, all of whom have played a key role in pushing the project forward.

Natalee said: “I am so happy to see this site finally underway. It has been such a long process, and we are so thankful to God for getting us to this stage.

“We have lots of plans for how we will use the space. We

want to make sure it is a space for the people of the community as well as a place for us to gather on a Sunday morning.”

Marshway Contracts site manager Aubrey Dredge added: “We have a twelve-month plan to get this project done, so it should be finished within the year.

“It’s going to be a modern building and fit in nicely with the rest of the area.”

Living Grace Ministry is still seeking additional sponsorship and funding to support the project.

For more information on the church, or to donate, visit www.

MP backs Amesbury bid for Town of Culture status in the Commons

AMESBURY is aiming to raise its national profile by bidding for Town of Culture status - with its ambitions receiving support in Westminster.

Mayor of Amesbury Cllr Dr Monica Devendran and Cllr Andrew Lord met with MP Danny Kruger (Ref, East Wiltshire) last month to seek his backing for the town’s aspirations, particularly its desire to compete for the prestigious cultural designation.

Their discussions were followed by a speech from Mr Kruger in Westminster Hall on January 6, in which he highlighted Amesbury’s exceptional history and heritage, describing it as one of the oldest continuously settled communities in the British Isles.

Speaking during the debate, Mr Kruger pointed to evidence of settlement in Amesbury dating back to around 8820BC and referenced the discovery of the Amesbury Archer, a burial

containing a bow, arrow and valuable artefacts.

DNA testing has shown the man originated from the Swiss Alps, demonstrating early links between Britain and continental Europe.

Mr Kruger also underlined Amesbury’s close association with Stonehenge, describing it as “the greatest monument to a

now forgotten civilisation” and noting that the world-famous site lies within the town’s wider historic landscape.

He cited the presence of Roman and Saxon history, links to the legends of King Arthur and records showing King Alfred left the manor of Amesbury to his son.

He added that the remains of

the first church built in the town are still visible, and said it is believed that Queen Eleanor of Provence, wife of Henry III, who died in 1291, may be buried somewhere in the Amesbury area.

While much of his speech focused on history, Mr Kruger also emphasised Amesbury’s present-day strengths, describing it as a “vibrant, genuinely warm community” with significant potential.

He said Town of Culture status could help the town benefit more from the millions of visitors who travel to see Stonehenge each year.

Amesbury Town Council said it remains committed to working with elected representatives and key stakeholders to strengthen the town’s profile, celebrate its heritage and support opportunities that bring longterm cultural, social and economic benefits to the community.

Exhibition to shine light on 'uncommon' folk culture

THE rich and often-overlooked folk culture of Wessex will be celebrated in a major new exhibition opening at The Salisbury Museum next month.

Un/Common People: Folk Culture in Wessex opens on Saturday, February 7, and runs until Sunday, May 10, bringing together more than 100 objects that explore how folk art, seasonal customs and traditions have been shaped by communities across the region.

Drawing on collections from Wessex Museums – including Dorset, Poole, Salisbury, Swindon and Wiltshire – as well as the Museum of British Folklore and private lenders, the exhibition re-examines the idea of the “commoner”.

It highlights the extraordinary skill, imagination and creativity found in folk art made by self-taught artists and everyday makers.

Among the highlights is a handcrafted Wiltshire sweetheart pincushion made by a First World War veteran, a rare ship

painstakingly constructed entirely from straw that reflects Poole’s maritime heritage and a striking portrait by a Nigerian artist created while seeking asylum in Swindon.

The exhibition also looks beyond historic objects.

Newly commissioned films, photography and an interactive Folk Song and Story Map bring Wessex’s folk calendar to life, charting events from the Summer Solstice at Stonehenge to May Day celebrations in Cerne Abbas.

Together, the displays show how folk

traditions in Wessex have been passed down, adapted and reimagined over time, blending traditional crafts with contemporary voices and new interpretations.

Director of The Salisbury Museum Adrian Green said: “Un/Common People reveals the extraordinary creativity behind everyday folk traditions.

“It celebrates how Wessex’s communities – past and present – continue to shape a living, evolving folk culture.”

A programme of folk-themed events will run alongside the exhibition, including talks, guided walks, live music, a Spring Fayre and collaborative projects with schools and community groups.

The exhibition is supported by Wessex Museums, Arts Council England, the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Museum of British Folklore.

The Salisbury Museum, located in the medieval King’s House opposite Salisbury Cathedral, is open daily from 10am to 5pm.

Salisbury Charter Sunday details revealed

SALISBURY will step back through nearly eight centuries of history next month as the city comes together to mark Charter Sunday.

Celebrating 799 years since its Royal Charter was granted, the annual event takes place on Sunday, February 8, with a ceremonial procession led by the mayor, city councillors and invited guests.

At 10.10am, the procession will set off from Salisbury Guildhall, making its way to St Thomas’ Church for the Charter Service at 10.20am.

The service reflects the long-standing relationship between the council, the church and the wider community, and commemorates the Royal Charter granted in 1227 by King Henry III.

That historic document elevated New Sarum to city status, confirmed the relocation of

the cathedral from Sarisberie and formally established the Charter Market and annual Charter Fair – traditions that continue to shape Salisbury’s civic life today.

This year’s celebrations also include new attractions aimed at making the day a family-friendly occasion for all ages.

For the first time, an additional market will be held in Market Place on Charter Sunday, running from 10am to 4pm.

Adding to the festive atmosphere, a Kids’ World Funfair will be set up in Guildhall Square across the weekend, opening on Saturday, February 7 from 11am to 6pm, and returning on Sunday, February 8 from 11am to 5pm.

With its blend of ceremony, history and entertainment, Charter Sunday offers residents and visitors alike a chance to celebrate Salisbury’s rich heritage while enjoying a lively weekend in the heart of the city.

Grant boosts city lipreading group

DEAF people in the city will continue being supported after Salisbury Lipreading Community Group (SLCG) was awarded £750.

SLCG chair Steve Miller and tutor Michelle were over the moon to pick up a cheque from Hall & Woodhouse, saying the group was “stunned”.

“The generosity of Hall & Woodhouse means that our lipreading students will be delighted that there is continuing support for their classes throughout 2026,” added Steve.

“Receiving the award from Tessa Woodhouse was both a pleasure and an honour.

“What a wonderful start to the New Year.”

SLCG say losing your hearing is disorienting and very frightening, and that deafness is the most isolating and invisible disability.

Learning the mechanics of how to lipread can significantly reduce the feeling of isolation, enable participation in social occasions and reduce stress in the workplace.

SLCG is one of many groups to receive an award from Hall & Woodhouse, which pledged in 2002 to donate £1 million from their Community Chest fund to groups across the south of England.

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n For information on how to join a local lipreading class email Michelle via tutor. wordofmouth@gmail.com.

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Scouts learning classic skills for life

SCOUTS in Amesbury have been getting hands-on with a classic skill-building activity as young members spent the week creating their own knot boards.

The traditional Scouting project brought together knot tying, basic carpentry and creativity, giving the group the chance to learn practical skills while producing something they can keep.

The Scouts began by cutting wooden boards to size before practising and securing a selection of well-known knots using paracord.

Leaders say the activity not only helps Scouts master essential knots, a core part of the movement’s heritage, but also builds confidence, patience and teamwork.

The project is set to continue next week, when the boards will be varnished to finish them off. While the varnish dries, the group will take part in additional activities as part of their weekly programme.

The knot boards are just one example of how Scouting continues to blend traditional outdoor skills with creativity and hands-on learning, helping young people develop skills they can use for life.

New Salisbury centre aims to speed up injury care

ANEW Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC) will open at Salisbury Hospital this year, speeding up care for people with injuries like breaks and sprains, cuts and infections.

Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust said the UTC - backed by £7 million of funding from NHS England - would give patients "more appropriate access to care for urgent but non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries".

From the autumn, the purpose-built facility will welcome patients to a centre designed to improve patient flow and access to urgent care

services.

"The UTC will treat patients with conditions such as minor injuries, breaks and sprains, cuts, infections and other health problems that need same day treatment but are not life threatening," a spokesperson said.

"By caring for these patients in a dedicated Urgent Treatment Centre, the hospital’s Emergency Department will be able to focus more fully on people with serious or lifethreatening conditions, helping them receive faster and more specialised care.

"For patients, this means

being seen in the right place by the right team, with a smoother and more efficient experience when attending hospital."

Nick Johnson, managing director of the Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust, added: "This new Urgent Treatment Centre is all about improving care for our patients.

"It will make it easier for people with urgent health needs to be seen quickly, while also allowing our Emergency Department teams to focus on those who are most unwell.

"It’s a really positive step forward for patients and for our staff."

Winter sunshine coming to care home!

STAFF and residents at Wilton Place care home

will bring some winter sunshine to Salisbury during a special event this month.

On January 30, the Barchester-run care home will host a Christmas jumper day alternativewith flip flops and flowers - raising money for the Salisbury Hospice Charity.

Family, friends and members of the community are invited to join the party, in their brightest floral outfit and flip flops, to bring a

splash of winter sun to the home.

The event will run from 2.30pm until 4.30pm and all are welcome.

A pilates class with Donna Marie will run at 3pm, with treats available from the home's chefs, as well as soft drinks, tea and coffee, all for a small donation.

Let the home know you are coming on 01722 656740, or email wiltonplace.reception@ barchester.com.

NEWSinBRIEF

Man charged over crash

A MAN has been charged with causing the death of a man by careless driving following a crash in Salisbury.

Stuart Withers, 71, pictured above, of Shrewton, passed away after an incident in Exeter Street at just before 6am on November 22, 2024.

Callan Howitt, 30, of South Street, Warminster, has been charged with causing death by careless driving. He is due to appear at Salisbury Magistrates Court on February 20.

Pool problems

FIVE Rivers Leisure Centre in Salisbury, pictured above, closed its beach pool and flume last week due to an 'ongoing temperature issue'.

In a statement, the centre said: “We are working to get the beach pool reopened as soon as possible and appreciate your patience with us on this.”

Other facilities at the centre were unaffected, with the main pool and teaching pool opening as scheduled.

Rev takes on canon chancellor role

SALISBURY Cathedral installed a new canon chancellor during a service of Evensong marking the start of a new chapter in its ministry and outreach work.

The Revd Canon Dr Kenneth Padley was formally installed in the role on January 13 by the Bishop of Salisbury, the Rt Revd Stephen Lake.

He takes on the position after serving as canon treasurer at the cathedral since 2022.

The role of canon chancellor, found in many English cathedrals, traditionally carries responsibility for theological learning, education and outreach, helping to connect the

cathedral with a wide range of communities both locally and further afield.

Ahead of the service, Canon Padley completed the formal requirements of the appointment, taking the Oath of Allegiance to The King and the Oath of Obedience to the Bishop of Salisbury.

He also made and signed the Declaration of Assent and a commitment to observe the cathedral statutes, which govern how the cathedral operates.

Reflecting on the transition, Canon Padley said: “It has been a huge privilege to have served for the last three and a half years as canon treasurer,

supporting our award-winning craftspeople in their care and development of the cathedral and Close, as we seek to welcome more worshippers and visitors.

“I am excited to begin a new phase of ministry as canon chancellor, working with our amazing visitor and volunteer teams and to discern fresh opportunities for faith exploration among all ages at the cathedral.”

Dean of Salisbury, the Very Revd Nicholas Papadopulos, welcomed the appointment, praising Canon Padley’s contribution to cathedral life so far.

He said: “Kenneth has already established himself as a valued colleague, and in his new role as chancellor of Salisbury Cathedral he will draw upon his theological acumen and gift for personal engagement to reimagine our vocation to be a place where the faith is nurtured, inspired, and discovered.”

Canon Padley’s move from the financial stewardship of the cathedral to a role focused on learning, faith and engagement reflects a renewed emphasis on outreach as Salisbury Cathedral continues to develop its mission for worshippers, visitors and the wider community.

Man passes away after three-car crash

A MAN seriously injured in a crash in Verwood just before Christmas has passed away.

At around 5.40pm on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, a crash involving a black Mini Cooper, a black Vauxhall Corsa and a BMW X3 occurred on Ringwood Road, near the junction with St Stephen’s Lane.

The Vauxhall driver, a female aged in her 50s, sustained minor injuries, and the BMW driver

was uninjured.

The driver of the Mini – a local man in his 70s – was taken to hospital with serious injuries and sadly died in hospital on Monday (January 19).

His family has been informed.

Police Sergeant Paul Hind of the roads policing team said:

“Our thoughts are very much with the family and loved ones of the man who sadly died

following this collision.

“We owe it to them to conduct a thorough investigation to establish the

full circumstances of this incident, and I would urge any witnesses, or anyone with relevant dashcam footage, who has not already spoken to police to please make contact with us.”

Anyone with information about the crash should contact police by email to scit@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting reference 55250188141.

New approach to road safety coming to county based on European model

ROAD safety partners from across the county have renewed their commitment to a long-term strategy aimed at eliminating deaths and serious injuries.

The Wiltshire and Swindon Road Safety Partnership (WSRSP) said Vision Zero represents a “bold and transformative approach” to road safety, based on the principle that no loss of life or serious injury on the roads is acceptable.

Originating in Sweden and the Netherlands, the approach accepts that human error is inevitable and instead focuses on designing transport systems that reduce the risk of fatal or life-changing harm when collisions occur.

Central to the strategy is the Safe System methodology, which is built around five pillars: safe roads, safe speeds, safe vehicles, safe road users

and post-collision response.

Different organisations within the partnership lead on each area, working together to reduce collisions and limit their impact.

Planned measures include improvements to road design and maintenance, upgrades to roadside infrastructure, safer routes for pedestrians and cyclists, better speed management through highway planning, appropriate speed limits and driver education.

The partnership is also focusing on education, tackling dangerous driving behaviour and promoting the responsible use of vehicle safety technology.

Cabinet member for highways at Wiltshire Council, Cllr Martin Smith, said: ““These changes won’t happen overnight, but by combining our efforts across all partners, we can make a real difference.

“We know that we can’t

eliminate collisions completely, but we can minimise the harm they cause, and that’s what all partners are working towards.”

Perry Payne, of the Wiltshire and Swindon Road Safety Partnership, welcomed the government’s new road safety strategy, noting that “they have set goals to reduce road death and serious injury by 65% by 2035 (70% in children under 16), and the strategy aligns with the five key principles which form Vision Zero.”

Police and emergency services are also backing the approach.

Wiltshire and Swindon Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson said: “Vision Zero has one simple and clear goal, to reduce fatal accidents and serious injuries on our roads, and that requires collaboration, innovation and commitment from national and local government bodies and our communities.”

Wiltshire Police Inspector for road policing and safety unit Neil Duffin added: “Our unit will continue to work closely with partners to target the behaviours that cause the most harm, including speeding, drink and drug driving, and mobile phone use at the wheel.

“Every collision has a devastating impact on families and communities, and in many cases, they are avoidable.”

National Highways and Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service have also pledged their support, with partners highlighting enforcement, engineering, education and new technologies as key tools in making roads safer. The partnership says achieving Vision Zero will take time but believes sustained collaboration can create safer journeys and communities across Wiltshire and Swindon.

Care home efforts raise £1,600 for Parkinson's charity

RESIDENTS

and staff at a Ringwood care home have raised more than £1,600 for a charity supporting people living with Parkinson’s.

Over the past year, residents and the team at St Ives House care home, on Horton Road in Ashley Heath, have hosted several events for their families, loved ones and the community to attend in aid of Parkinson’s UK.

The events, including the home’s summer fayre and Christmas fayres, featured a range of stalls, crafts, games, raffle and live music.

In total, £1,610.50 was raised, which was presented to Ruth Wright, community fundraiser for the south west at Parkinson’s UK, by Emma Cotton, home manager at St Ives House, along with some of the home’s residents.

Emma said: “We are incredibly proud of the fantastic amount of money raised by our residents, staff and the wider community for Parkinson’s UK.

“Some of our respite residents are personally affected by the condition, so this charity is a cause close to our hearts.

“The events were a great opportunity to bring people together, have some fun, and raise vital funds for Parkinson’s

UK.

“We are proud to support our residents and the community, and these events are a perfect example of how getting together can make a positive impact.”

Parkinson’s is a progressive neurological condition which affects around 166,000 people living in the UK.

According to Parkinson’s UK, someone is diagnosed with the condition every 20 minutes

in Britain.

Community fundraiser for the south west at Parkinson’s UK Ruth Wright said: “We are extremely grateful to everyone at St Ives House for their fantastic fundraising efforts.

“This donation will make a huge difference to people living with Parkinson’s and their loved ones to receive vital support and information.

“Support like this makes a real difference, and we cannot thank St Ives House enough for choosing to support Parkinson’s UK.”

St Ives House is run by not-for-profit Care South which provides high-quality residential care homes across Dorset, north Devon and Somerset, and care at home offices covering Dorset and Somerset.

For more, visit www. care-south.co.uk.

Country House Moves

Trial Road Closures: Funding for Mega Markets and Epic Events

BUDGET setting is always a marathon, and while we Conservative councillors were not holding the pen this year, we did manage to write a few important lines.

Most notably, we secured agreement from the Full Council to fund up to three trial days where we can close specific roads to host 'mega markets' and 'epic events'.

Not a War on Motorists

Let’s be clear about what this is — and what it isn’t. Some have wrongly seen this as "a volley in the war on motorists" or a "sneaky attempt to revive failed cycle lanes". While some councillors may be evangelical about banning cars, we are not.

The conversation was strictly about supporting our city’s vibrancy. As a driver and a cyclist myself, I am adamant that transportation

improvements must work for both active travel and essential road transport.

Why We Need This Salisbury is a visitor city. We have a good market and good events, but we are heavily constrained by the size of the

Andrew Suddards is a Conservative Salisbury City Councillor for Harnham West

Planning Carefully

Naturally, closing streets like Blue Boar Row, Silver Street, or Winchester Street requires rigorous planning. We aren't doing this blindly; we will be assessing traffic flow, bus re-routing, and crucially, ensuring disabled parking is maintained.

Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained

This funding supports the development of the city council’s Market and Events Strategy. We need to 'try small, learn from past failures, and iterate on our successes'.

Market and Guildhall squares. We do 'good', but we can do 'better'.

These trials allow us to test expanding popular events — like the classic car show — into adjoining streets to create a true 'Mega Market' atmosphere.

Hopefully, in this way, we can make Salisbury an even more vibrant and attractive place for residents and visitors alike. After all, the only thing worse that a road closure is progress in the city grinding to a halt.

'The more independents, the better to get actual answers for the people'

WOULDN'T it be refreshing to find a politician who actually answered a question directly when asked, and who didn’t try to mislead the public by deflection?

Of course, it’s very unlikely to happen under the present ‘party’ system, as each and every one of them from the top (Westminster) down to the local town hall is, and always will be, not only answering on their behalf but must always keep a wary eye on his or her response, as it reflects on the rest of the party and of course the party line.

That’s where an Independent has the edge, not only are they not tied to a party line, but can pick and choose what to support and what to oppose whoever

and from whatever side of the political spectrum it originates.

As a fellow Druid once told me, a good idea is a good idea

King Arthur Pendragon is a former and proposed Independent Parliamentary candidate for Salisbury

Prime Minister don’t exactly brim with confidence and ooze charismatic quality do they?

In fact, I would go as far to say they make the grey man who ran away from the circus to become an accountant (John Major) look positively interesting.

So if, like me, you have had enough of all of them, why not either stand and do it yourself or vote for someone like me who’s prepared to do it for you?

I would always advise everyone who has the vote to use it and given a choice, to vote Independent at local, regional and national levels.

wherever it originates, and the same may be said for a bad one.

The current leaders of the opposition parties and our

The more Independent politicians we have, the more common sense coalition policies we’ll get.

Until next time...

Police tout rural crime group plan

POLICE are stepping up efforts to tackle rural crime and keep Salisbury safe, according to Wiltshire Police superintendent and county hub commander James Brain.

In an open letter to residents, Supt Brain said 2025 had been a “pivotal year” for neighbourhood policing, with a renewed focus on rural communities and the city of Salisbury.

He said the force wanted to “continue working closely with communities to prevent and solve crime” after a year of both challenges and successes.

Salisbury is already seeing new initiatives focusing on practical measures to deter offences affecting shops, staff and visitors.

Last November, the city’s first Business Crime Reduction Partnership (BCRP) was launched, bringing together businesses, police and the

council aiming to cut crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour through intelligence sharing, training and closer collaboration.

But rural crime remains a major concern with Supt Brain, who leads on the issue, warning it has “a lasting impact on victims and places significant financial strain on businesses”.

He highlighted Operation Ragwort, launched earlier this year, which targets organised rural crime across the south west, including the theft of agricultural machinery and plant.

“Between September 2024 and August 2025, hare coursing and poaching offences rose by 21.8%,” he added. “Since January 2025, 30 individuals have been arrested for these offences – a 500% increase compared to the previous year.”

Police are using a wide range of tactics including neighbourhood officers, drones,

Supt Brain said: “This sends a clear message: rural crime is treated with the seriousness it deserves, and we will not tolerate incursions on our countryside.”

He added public engagement is improving with reports of rural crime up by 8.9% on last year, which police see as a sign of growing confidence.

Plans are also being explored to create a rural crime independent advisory group

made up of farmers, landowners, rural residents, businesses and wildlife groups. The group would help set priorities around issues such as livestock and machinery theft, wildlife crime, fly-tipping and anti-social behaviour, while also scrutinising police performance.

Supt Brain also praised officers, staff and volunteers, pointing to ten active watch schemes across the county, including Farm, Dog, Horse, Heritage and Canal Watch.

by Synergy Farm Vet Sioned Owen

RECENT weather has created ideal conditions for respiratory disease, and we’ve seen an increase in pneumonia outbreaks. Here are some key factors that can reduce the risk:

n Colostrum: Calves should receive high-quality colostrum amounting to at least 10% of their body weight within the first 4–6 hours. This provides essential antibodies that boost immunity.

n Stocking Density: High stocking densities increase humidity and allow pathogens to spread more quickly. Grouping calves by age limits transmission and makes management easier.

n Ventilation: Buildings should remove stale, humid air while supplying fresh air without creating draughts at animal level. For advice on calf housing and ventilation, our youngstock team is happy to help.

n Stress: Stress reduces immunity, so it’s important to minimise it during transport and handling. Mixing groups is also a major stressor. Many farms use our knockdown disbud and castrate service, which reduces handling stress.

n Vaccination: There are several options, and it’s best to discuss the most appropriate plan with your vet. Remember, vaccination is just one tool - it can help reduce disease but won’t solve the whole problem on its own.

n Early Detection: Watch for early signs of disease, such as reduced feed intake, dullness, nasal discharge, and increased respiratory effort. Prompt detection and treatment greatly improve outcomes.

Starting a new vegetable patch

by Sally Gregson

AT this seemingly ‘dead’ time of year, while all spring is still asleep, gardeners’ thoughts are already turning to the new season. In the part of the garden designated for vegetables, the areas already treated by laying cardboard in autumn and early winter should soon be ready for an initial planting. A first row of early salads, initially sown and raised on a sunny windowsill, will be desperate for the space. Traditionally, the first vegetables to be grown in new land are potatoes. These ‘clean’ the ground of weeds, mostly by turning over the soil, but also from the competition of all those spuds growing and using up the nutrients, making them unavailable to the weeds.

A row of ‘first early’ potatoes should be ready to plant at the beginning of February, and harvested by the end of June, depending on the local weather

conditions. It will be still early enough to sow a row of carrots to harvest in autumn. Yet it will be too late for the dreaded carrot root fly to be on the wing as they come up.

January is not too early to browse the catalogues for different potato varieties and decide whether or not to start with ‘first earlies’, ‘earlies’ or a maincrop variety. The earliest date for planting the ‘first earlies’ is late February to early March, depending on the weather. As soon as the weeds start growing, the soil has warmed up enough to get things moving. In theory, the soil temperature needs to be 10 degrees centigrade before growth can start.

In the meantime, ‘chit’ the potatoes. Place each one with three buds on top – rub out the other, lower green buds – in empty egg-box trays on a sunny, frost-free windowsill. The buds

will start to push after a week or so when you could plant out each tuber in the warming soil, providing there are no frosts about. Potatoes come from South America. They dislike frost.

EX-DISPLAY SHEDS, Stables/field shelters, summerhouses, offices, workshops, agricultural 01935 891195

Cover each tuber well with loose soil and label each row. And wait. Once the soil is warm enough, they will catch up with any that have been put out earlier. It’s as if they know that spring is just around the corner.

Sudoku 3D puzzle

Cryptic crossword

Place 1 to 9 once into every black-bordered 3x3 area as well as each of the 54 rows indicated by the coloured lines. Rows don’t cross the thick black lines.

Sudoku Pro

Across

1 Genuine father embracing northern Anglican church (7)

5 Foundation needing no introduction unchanged (2,2)

10 Clubs playing well comply (7)

11 Treat with care shark (5)

12 Carried from Asian island nothing less (5)

13 Plant laid out around a hotel (6)

15 Destroy a front of vehicle in anger (6)

17 On back of ship when followed by seabird (6)

Down

2 Part of a board taking meal first off (5)

3 Tiresome job with hop Gary bungled? Arranging hops required (12)

4 Rectify network around eastern Mediterranean (6)

6 Last short exam certainly accepted (7)

7 Look for Asian religious follower, we hear

8 Reserve shown by Austrian composer, undemonstrative figure (7)

19 Reach a dry area by Indiana (6)

20 Sales rep in French city with temperature (5)

23 Duck with a lack of speed and vitality? (5)

24 Month in the past, November, for a figure (7)

25 Rubbish in sleeping-berth (4)

26 Lead singer happy to entertain copper (7)

Killer Sudoku Pro Place numbers 1 to 9 once each into every row, column and bold-lined 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.

9 Impassioned review is authentic about soprano (12)

14 Moment worker goes below institute (7)

16 Food component? Find it with a Frenchman Bordeaux, say (7)

18 Revenue pocketed by main comedian (6)

21 Energy with a German that’s keen (5)

22 Place for bodies partly closed by doctor (4)

Numberlink

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

Word Chain

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.

Killer Sudoku Pro

Place numbers 1 to 9 once each into every row, column and bold-lined 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

Domino

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.

Wordsearch 2

APOCALYPSE NOW CASABLANCA CITY OF GOD FIGHT CLUB GOODFELLAS LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL PSYCHO PULP FICTION

REAR WINDOW SCHINDLER’S LIST SEVEN SAMURAI SUNSET BOULEVARD THE DARK KNIGHT THE GODFATHER THE PIANIST THE SHINING

Word Square Puzzles

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 E L A S S O C E C D E N W E

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)

Part of the NCC Approved Workshop

Scheme

Gas Safe Registered

Wildlife and winter scenes caught on camera

Local authorities set to receive new powers to ban parking on pavements

RULES to ban parking on pavements - causing problems for disabled people, those with pushchairs and more - are to become easier to implement, the Government has announced.

Disability groups have long campaigned on the issue of blocked pavements, which can create serious barriers for parents with pushchairs, wheelchair users, blind and partially-sighted people and the elderly.

Now, following a public consultation, the Department for Transport (DfT) has confirmed local leaders will be given new legal powers to make it easier to restrict pavement parking.

The changes will mean councils will be able to introduce bans across wider areas - rather than the previous approach of taking action on a street-by-street basis - while retaining flexibility in some spaces.

Announcing the move, Local Transport Minister, Lilian Greenwood MP (Lab, Nottingham South), said: "Clear

pavements are essential for people to move around safely and independently, whether that’s a parent with a pushchair, someone using a wheelchair, or a blind or partially sighted person.

"That’s why we’re giving local authorities the power to crack down on problem pavement parking, allowing more people to travel easily and safely and get to where they need to go."

The move has been welcomed by campaign groups, including Guide Dogs, whose chief executive, Andrew Lennox, said: "After years of campaigning, we welcome the announcement to give councils greater powers to tackle problem pavement parking.

"Cars blocking pavements are a nuisance for everyone, but especially dangerous for people with sight loss, who can be forced into the road with traffic they can’t see.

"Pavement parking is also a barrier that shuts people out of everyday life. When pavements are blocked, people with sight

loss lose confidence, independence and the freedom to travel safely. This stops people accessing work, education and social opportunities.

"We look forward to working with the government and local authorities to ensure these changes are introduced quickly and consistently enforced so pavement parking becomes a thing of the past."

And RAC senior policy officer, Rod Dennis, said: "Our research shows a clear majority of drivers agree that no pavement user should be made to walk or wheel into the road because of someone else’s inconsiderate parking.

"These proposals should clear the way for councils to

prevent pavement parking where it causes problems, but permit drivers to partially park on pavements where doing so helps keep traffic flowing and doesn’t inconvenience other people."

Guidance for local authorities - such as Wiltshire Council - on the new powers will come later in the year.

Crossword

Arrow

Word Square (left)

CARD ALE, ALES, ALSO, COAL, COALESCE, COALESCES, COALS, ELSE, LESS

Word Square (right)

DEN, NEE, NET, SEE, SET, SWEET, SWEETEN, SWEETENED, TEE, TEN, WEE, WEED

Revving up for grand prix items...

year on Friday and Saturday, February 13 and 14.

The collection is made up of more than 500 books and represents a significant offering for collectors and specialists in the field.

Single owner collections are particularly desirable at auction as they tend to attract strong interest due to their consistency and provenance, often achieving higher prices as a result.

Clarke’s Auctions has extensive experience in handling such collections and has successfully sold many notable single owner consignments.

Previous collections have included gold coin collections, railway memorabilia made up

of locomotives and rolling stock, an extensive Royal Crown Derby paperweight collection, an unusual collection of taxidermy and a highly regarded single owner collection of scratch-built steam engine models, including a miniature Showman’s traction engine.

Clarke’s Auctions welcomes enquiries from anyone considering selling an interesting collection or individual items.

Home visits can be arranged – or prospective vendors can visit the salerooms in Gillingham.

Enquiries about consignment into any of Clarke’s upcoming sales, probate or insurance valuations, or full or part house clearances can be made to Richard Clarke or Karen Marshall on 01747 685592 at the salerooms at The Old Glove Factory, Buckingham Road, Gillingham SP8 4QF.