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New Mayor And Deputy Mayor For Warminster
Wednesday 22nd May 2019:
New Mayor And Deputy Mayor For Warminster
At Warminster Town Council’s annual meeting on Monday 20th May 2019, following a unanimous vote in favour, Councillor Paul Macfarlane was appointed Mayor of Warminster for the ensuing municipal year. Councillor Chris Robbins was unanimously voted in as Deputy Mayor.
Speaking after his appointment, Councillor Macfarlane said "I thank my fellow councillors for their vote of confidence in me, and it is an honour to be representing the town again in the coming year."
Councillor Macfarlane previously served as Mayor of Warminster in 2016-2017. Paul has lived in the town since he was four and attended Minster Primary School before moving on to Kingdown School. Councillor Macfarlane lives in Highbury Park with his wife Michelle and two children.
According to the Wiltshire Council Register of Interests, Paul is a Member of the South Wiltshire Conservative Party and a Sales Director with Jaymart Rubber & Plastics, Crusader Park, Warminster.
The new Mayor will announce his chosen charity for the coming year at a future date.
Chris Robbins, a former employee of Lloyd’s Bank and now the long-standing (35 years) proprietor of C.J. Robbins Butchers, Market Place, Warminster, was very pleased to accept the office of Deputy Mayor. He was pleased to pledge his support for the new mayor and Warminster Town Council in general. Chris lives in Warminster, is married to Debra and has four children and so far, three grandchildren. He hopes to follow in the footsteps of his grandfather Frank Whitmarsh, twice a former Chairman of the Warminster Urban District Council (1952/1953 and 1963/1964). According to the Wiltshire Council Register of Interests, Chris is a Member of the South Wiltshire Conservative Association, a Trustee of Warminster Masonic Hall and the landlord of 1-6 Butcher's Court, Warminster.
New Mayor And Deputy Mayor For Warminster
The new Mayor of Warminster, Paul Macfarlane
(left) and the new Deputy Mayor Chris Robbins.
At Warminster Town Council’s annual meeting on Monday 20th May 2019, following a unanimous vote in favour, Councillor Paul Macfarlane was appointed Mayor of Warminster for the ensuing municipal year. Councillor Chris Robbins was unanimously voted in as Deputy Mayor.
Speaking after his appointment, Councillor Macfarlane said "I thank my fellow councillors for their vote of confidence in me, and it is an honour to be representing the town again in the coming year."
Councillor Macfarlane previously served as Mayor of Warminster in 2016-2017. Paul has lived in the town since he was four and attended Minster Primary School before moving on to Kingdown School. Councillor Macfarlane lives in Highbury Park with his wife Michelle and two children.
According to the Wiltshire Council Register of Interests, Paul is a Member of the South Wiltshire Conservative Party and a Sales Director with Jaymart Rubber & Plastics, Crusader Park, Warminster.
The Mayor of Warminster Paul Macfarlane
with his wife Michelle.
The new Mayor will announce his chosen charity for the coming year at a future date.
Chris Robbins, a former employee of Lloyd’s Bank and now the long-standing (35 years) proprietor of C.J. Robbins Butchers, Market Place, Warminster, was very pleased to accept the office of Deputy Mayor. He was pleased to pledge his support for the new mayor and Warminster Town Council in general. Chris lives in Warminster, is married to Debra and has four children and so far, three grandchildren. He hopes to follow in the footsteps of his grandfather Frank Whitmarsh, twice a former Chairman of the Warminster Urban District Council (1952/1953 and 1963/1964). According to the Wiltshire Council Register of Interests, Chris is a Member of the South Wiltshire Conservative Association, a Trustee of Warminster Masonic Hall and the landlord of 1-6 Butcher's Court, Warminster.
More Information About Heytesbury Inns
Thursday 16th May 2019:
Tony Maslen writes ~
Hi Danny,
I have references to three other pubs/beerhouses in Heytesbury, apart from the three you mention - The Red Lion, The Angel and The Unicorn. They are The Ship and The Crown and The Sun.
The Ship.
Details of The Ship are found at The Wilts and Swindon History Centre under the reference A1/345/202.
The first reference is 1773 when the owner was Lord Charles Spencer and Harcourt Smith then it was recorded as empty, rates payable 4/6d.
In 1780 the owner was Wm a’ Court Ashe - no occupier.
In 1783 the same owner who was also the occupier.
In 1789 the same owner, occupied by John Wickham.
Occupation continued in the Wickham family until 1831 when the entries end.
I have no information on where this pub was situated - Little London is a possibility as that was the main road into Heytesbury until the early 19c. There is a detached house there with a cellar and a date mark. With the closure of the Greenland mill and Little London no longer experiencing through traffic, the loss of trade may have accounted for it disappearing from the radar round about the same time.
The Crown Inn.
The only reference I have found for this establishment is from the Salisbury and Winchester Journal of 17th February 1840 when a dinner was held to celebrate the marriage of Queen Victoria. The meal consisted of "‘good old English fayre." The national anthem was sung and the "health of the Queen and her illustrious husband, the Royal Family, the Army and Navy etc., were drunk amidst the greatest applause. Several glees and appropriate songs were sung and the evening was spent in the greatest order and harmony.”
The Sun Inn.
The Salisbury and Winchester Journal, 14th March 1836:
Marriage at Bath of John Stevens of The Sun Inn Heytesbury to Mrs Stevens widow of John Stevens of The Castle Inn Warminster. (This notice also appeared in the Bath Chronicle).
The Unicorn.
Re the Unicorn Inn correspondence from Kathy Tompkins:
The W&SHC at Chippenham ref A1/345/202 Unicorn
1773 Thomas Flower owner rate 5/9d.
1780 - - occupier Thomas Snelgrove rate 7/8d.
1781 - - - Obadiah Flower rate 7/8d.
1789,1790,1792 Owner Isaac Flower occupier Obadiah Flower rate 7/8d.
1810 - - - John Davis rate 7/8d.
1831 - - - - - - - -
There is an advert in the Salisbury & Winchester Journal of 15 November 1830 stating that Isaac Fleming had taken over the ‘old established inn.’ (Unicorn) This contradicts the details for 1831 in the previous paragraph!
An advert in the same paper for 17th June 1848 advertising the sale on the Unicorn premises furniture and brewing equipment etc, property of Mrs Lockyer (leaving in consequence of the house being about to be pulled down). This was a two day sale on 26/27 June.
Tony Maslen writes ~
Hi Danny,
I have references to three other pubs/beerhouses in Heytesbury, apart from the three you mention - The Red Lion, The Angel and The Unicorn. They are The Ship and The Crown and The Sun.
The Ship.
Details of The Ship are found at The Wilts and Swindon History Centre under the reference A1/345/202.
The first reference is 1773 when the owner was Lord Charles Spencer and Harcourt Smith then it was recorded as empty, rates payable 4/6d.
In 1780 the owner was Wm a’ Court Ashe - no occupier.
In 1783 the same owner who was also the occupier.
In 1789 the same owner, occupied by John Wickham.
Occupation continued in the Wickham family until 1831 when the entries end.
I have no information on where this pub was situated - Little London is a possibility as that was the main road into Heytesbury until the early 19c. There is a detached house there with a cellar and a date mark. With the closure of the Greenland mill and Little London no longer experiencing through traffic, the loss of trade may have accounted for it disappearing from the radar round about the same time.
The Crown Inn.
The only reference I have found for this establishment is from the Salisbury and Winchester Journal of 17th February 1840 when a dinner was held to celebrate the marriage of Queen Victoria. The meal consisted of "‘good old English fayre." The national anthem was sung and the "health of the Queen and her illustrious husband, the Royal Family, the Army and Navy etc., were drunk amidst the greatest applause. Several glees and appropriate songs were sung and the evening was spent in the greatest order and harmony.”
The Sun Inn.
The Salisbury and Winchester Journal, 14th March 1836:
Marriage at Bath of John Stevens of The Sun Inn Heytesbury to Mrs Stevens widow of John Stevens of The Castle Inn Warminster. (This notice also appeared in the Bath Chronicle).
The Unicorn.
Re the Unicorn Inn correspondence from Kathy Tompkins:
The W&SHC at Chippenham ref A1/345/202 Unicorn
1773 Thomas Flower owner rate 5/9d.
1780 - - occupier Thomas Snelgrove rate 7/8d.
1781 - - - Obadiah Flower rate 7/8d.
1789,1790,1792 Owner Isaac Flower occupier Obadiah Flower rate 7/8d.
1810 - - - John Davis rate 7/8d.
1831 - - - - - - - -
There is an advert in the Salisbury & Winchester Journal of 15 November 1830 stating that Isaac Fleming had taken over the ‘old established inn.’ (Unicorn) This contradicts the details for 1831 in the previous paragraph!
An advert in the same paper for 17th June 1848 advertising the sale on the Unicorn premises furniture and brewing equipment etc, property of Mrs Lockyer (leaving in consequence of the house being about to be pulled down). This was a two day sale on 26/27 June.
Warminster Town Council Objects To Change Of Use Of The Snooty Fox Pub To A Residential Dwelling
Wednesday 15th May 2019:
Warminster Town Council Objects To Change Of Use Of The Snooty Fox Pub To A Residential Dwelling
Warminster Town Council’s Planning Advisory Committee has objected to a planning application to change the use of The Snooty Fox, Brook Street, Warminster, from a public house to a dwelling.
Town Councillors are concerned that approval for this application would result in the loss of a community asset. Change of use of a public house to a residential dwelling has to be justified and is a complicated area of planning law. Councillors felt that more clarity was required as to whether the case had been made that the pub was no longer viable.
Town Councillor Tony Nicklin proposed that Warminster Town Council were unable to support the application until it had been shown that the pub was not a viable community asset and that the guidance for community assets under the National Planning Policy Framework [NPPF] was being taken into account. This proposal was seconded by Town Councillor Sue Fraser, and the committee voted unanimously in favour of the motion.
The Town Council is only a consultee, so has no power to reject the planning application, it can only offer its opinion. Town Councillors have also asked that the planning application be ‘called in’ at Wiltshire Council by the Unitary Member for this part of Warminster, Councillor Tony Jackson, so that the relevant planning laws can be properly assessed. This could mean that the application might be discussed by Wiltshire Councillors before a decision is made on whether to grant planning permission or not.
Warminster Town Council Objects To Change Of Use Of The Snooty Fox Pub To A Residential Dwelling
Warminster Town Council’s Planning Advisory Committee has objected to a planning application to change the use of The Snooty Fox, Brook Street, Warminster, from a public house to a dwelling.
Town Councillors are concerned that approval for this application would result in the loss of a community asset. Change of use of a public house to a residential dwelling has to be justified and is a complicated area of planning law. Councillors felt that more clarity was required as to whether the case had been made that the pub was no longer viable.
Town Councillor Tony Nicklin proposed that Warminster Town Council were unable to support the application until it had been shown that the pub was not a viable community asset and that the guidance for community assets under the National Planning Policy Framework [NPPF] was being taken into account. This proposal was seconded by Town Councillor Sue Fraser, and the committee voted unanimously in favour of the motion.
The Town Council is only a consultee, so has no power to reject the planning application, it can only offer its opinion. Town Councillors have also asked that the planning application be ‘called in’ at Wiltshire Council by the Unitary Member for this part of Warminster, Councillor Tony Jackson, so that the relevant planning laws can be properly assessed. This could mean that the application might be discussed by Wiltshire Councillors before a decision is made on whether to grant planning permission or not.
Chocolate Tombola For CLIC At Morrisons, Warminster
Thursday 18th April 2019:
Chocolate Tombola
in
Morrison's,
Weymouth Street, Warminster
on
Easter Saturday, 20th April 2019
10.30 a.m.
All proceeds to CLIC.
Historic England Say There Is No Acceptable Layout For 100 Houses At Home Farm, Boreham, Warminster
Sunday 14th April 2019:
Historic England say there is no layout acceptable for development of 100 houses on land east of the Dene (Home Farm) Boreham, Warminster, due to historic assets in and around the area. These assets include a neolithic flint factory.
https://www.wiltshiretimes.co.uk/news/17572116.historic-england-object-to-housing-plan/?ref=rss
Historic England say there is no layout acceptable for development of 100 houses on land east of the Dene (Home Farm) Boreham, Warminster, due to historic assets in and around the area. These assets include a neolithic flint factory.
https://www.wiltshiretimes.co.uk/news/17572116.historic-england-object-to-housing-plan/?ref=rss
Land east of The Dene, Warminster
(part of Home Farm), which is proposed
for a development of 100 houses
but is unacceptable say Historic England.
17th Century Wall Between Boreham And Bishopstrow Hotel Would Be Affected By Development At Home Farm
Sunday 14th April 2019:
A 17th Century wall that runs all the way from Boreham to Bishopstrow Hotel would be affected by proposed development of 100 houses at Home Farm (land east of The Dene), Warminster.
https://www.wiltshiretimes.co.uk/news/17572116.historic-england-object-to-housing-plan/?ref=rss
A 17th Century wall that runs all the way from Boreham to Bishopstrow Hotel would be affected by proposed development of 100 houses at Home Farm (land east of The Dene), Warminster.
https://www.wiltshiretimes.co.uk/news/17572116.historic-england-object-to-housing-plan/?ref=rss
Boreham Road, Boreham, Warminster.
On the left is part of the 17th century wall
near the entrance to Home Farm.
On the left: part of the 17th century wall
between Walnut Tree Cottage (No.195)
and The Cotes (No.211), Boreham Road.
Warminster Town Centre Will Be Closed To Motor Traffic For A St. George's Day Parade On Sunday 28th April 2019
Sunday 14th April 2019:
Warminster Town Centre
will be closed to motor traffic
on Sunday 28th April 2019
from 12.30 p.m. to 3.30 p.m.
for a St. George's Day Parade.
Coffee Beans No Longer On The Cup At Costa Coffee, Warminster
Saturday 16th February 2019:
The coffee beans which were glued to the
top of the cup on the exterior of the window
at Costa Coffee, Three Horseshoes Walk,
Warminster, have been removed.
Photographs taken by Danny Howell
on Saturday 16th February 2019.
Warminster Town Council Seeks The Public's Views For The Future Use Of The Putting Green In The Lake Pleasure Grounds (Town Park)
Warminster Town Council Seeks The Public's Views For The Future Use Of The Putting Green In The Lake Pleasure Grounds (Town Park)
Warminster Town Councillors are asking the public to give them their views on the future use of the putting green area in the Lake Pleasure Grounds (Town Park).
At a recent meeting of the Devolved Services and Assets Committee, Councillors unanimously agreed that the council would review the future of the putting green area in conjunction with other facilities such as picnic areas, boules and planting, and in due course come forward with a proposal to enhance the area.
Councillors want the public to come forward with their ideas and suggestions as to the future use of the area currently known as the putting green. They are particularly keen for anyone with a leaning towards landscape gardening to come forward for discussions.
Councillors also agreed, that in the meantime, that the bin blocking the gate into the putting green be relocated and that two picnic benches and three other benches would be purchased and located just inside the gate.
Warminster Town Councillors are asking the public to give them their views on the future use of the putting green area in the Lake Pleasure Grounds (Town Park).
At a recent meeting of the Devolved Services and Assets Committee, Councillors unanimously agreed that the council would review the future of the putting green area in conjunction with other facilities such as picnic areas, boules and planting, and in due course come forward with a proposal to enhance the area.
Councillors want the public to come forward with their ideas and suggestions as to the future use of the area currently known as the putting green. They are particularly keen for anyone with a leaning towards landscape gardening to come forward for discussions.
Councillors also agreed, that in the meantime, that the bin blocking the gate into the putting green be relocated and that two picnic benches and three other benches would be purchased and located just inside the gate.
Heytesbury Imber & Knook Parish Council Sets Its Budget
Friday 1st February 2019:
Heytesbury Imber & Knook Parish Council Sets Its Budget.
At a meeting of the Heytesbury Imber & Knook Parish Council held on the 15th January 2019, members considered the budget for the next financial year. The figures were carefully reviewed, and it was agreed unanimously to set a figure of £11,817 for 2019/20. This translates to the sum of £33.84 for every Band D equivalent property, paid to the Parish Council for the year. This is a 30% increase on last year, £7.81 for the year or 65p per week.
Members of the council made the difficult decision to agree this increase after recognising that there had been no rise in the Parish budget for over ten years. Reserves have been used in previous years to balance the figures, but these have now been exhausted and to continue carrying out the statutory duties and preferred services in the Parish, an increase has become inevitable. Part of local governance regulations require the council to keep a total of three months operating expenditure retained for the financial year and this could not be met without an increase.
Councillor Anne Perry, Chairman of the Parish Council, said: “There have been some real pressures on the budget as the costs of maintaining the parish are rising all the time. The council has made this difficult decision as it needs to raise funds to put towards the cost of necessary repairs to the village play equipment, repairs to the War Memorial and maintenance of the footpaths and street furniture. In addition, since last year, to comply with General Data Protection Regulations, some software and the website require updating. The Parish Council will be able to continue the additional grass cutting, cleaning of bus shelters and repairs or replacement to litter bins that has been carried out in the last few years, to keep the Parish looking at its best, which we know is appreciated by our residents.”
Heytesbury Imber & Knook Parish Council Sets Its Budget.
At a meeting of the Heytesbury Imber & Knook Parish Council held on the 15th January 2019, members considered the budget for the next financial year. The figures were carefully reviewed, and it was agreed unanimously to set a figure of £11,817 for 2019/20. This translates to the sum of £33.84 for every Band D equivalent property, paid to the Parish Council for the year. This is a 30% increase on last year, £7.81 for the year or 65p per week.
Members of the council made the difficult decision to agree this increase after recognising that there had been no rise in the Parish budget for over ten years. Reserves have been used in previous years to balance the figures, but these have now been exhausted and to continue carrying out the statutory duties and preferred services in the Parish, an increase has become inevitable. Part of local governance regulations require the council to keep a total of three months operating expenditure retained for the financial year and this could not be met without an increase.
Councillor Anne Perry, Chairman of the Parish Council, said: “There have been some real pressures on the budget as the costs of maintaining the parish are rising all the time. The council has made this difficult decision as it needs to raise funds to put towards the cost of necessary repairs to the village play equipment, repairs to the War Memorial and maintenance of the footpaths and street furniture. In addition, since last year, to comply with General Data Protection Regulations, some software and the website require updating. The Parish Council will be able to continue the additional grass cutting, cleaning of bus shelters and repairs or replacement to litter bins that has been carried out in the last few years, to keep the Parish looking at its best, which we know is appreciated by our residents.”
New Blue Plaques For Warminster's Heritage Trail
Thursday 31st January 2019:
New Blue Plaques For The Heritage Trail In Warminster.
Twenty new blue plaques have been put up in Warminster to highlight the town’s heritage. The plaques are mainly on historic buildings, and include the Chapel of Saint Lawrence (founded in the early 1200’s), and The Old Bell, Warminster’s oldest surviving inn, recorded as The Bell as long ago as 1483.
The public can download a copy of the trail map, which also includes brief notes on the historic significance of each site.
http://warminster-tc.gov.uk/documents/BluePlaqueTrailv2.pdf
Warminster Town Council has taken over responsibility for the heritage blue plaques, many of which were originally installed by Warminster Civic Trust. Over the years the condition of many of the plaques became quite poor and so it was agreed to audit the condition of the plaques with a view to replacing those that were in the poorest condition.
The new plaques have already brought much praise from those who have seen them, for the clarity of the wording and the quality of the signs. The wording on some of the plaques was changed with the assistance of former members of Warminster Civic Trust and members of Warminster History Society, to make sure that they were as accurate and up to date as possible.
New Blue Plaques For The Heritage Trail In Warminster.
Twenty new blue plaques have been put up in Warminster to highlight the town’s heritage. The plaques are mainly on historic buildings, and include the Chapel of Saint Lawrence (founded in the early 1200’s), and The Old Bell, Warminster’s oldest surviving inn, recorded as The Bell as long ago as 1483.
The public can download a copy of the trail map, which also includes brief notes on the historic significance of each site.
http://warminster-tc.gov.uk/documents/BluePlaqueTrailv2.pdf
Warminster Town Council has taken over responsibility for the heritage blue plaques, many of which were originally installed by Warminster Civic Trust. Over the years the condition of many of the plaques became quite poor and so it was agreed to audit the condition of the plaques with a view to replacing those that were in the poorest condition.
The new plaques have already brought much praise from those who have seen them, for the clarity of the wording and the quality of the signs. The wording on some of the plaques was changed with the assistance of former members of Warminster Civic Trust and members of Warminster History Society, to make sure that they were as accurate and up to date as possible.
The old blue plaque at Chinn's Court, Warminster.
The new blue plaque at Chinn's Court.
The Warminster Sky At Dusk
Wednesday 30th January 2018:
The Warminster sky at dusk.
Photograph taken by Danny Howell
on Wednesday 30th January 2019.
Talk & Tour And Open Day At Kingdown School, Warminster
Monday 28th January 2019:
Kingdown School
Talk & Tour
Tuesday 5th February 2019
9.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m.
Open Day
Tuesday 2nd July 2019
9.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m.
and
5.00 p.m. to 6.30 p.m.
Headteacher talks at
10.00 a.m. and 6.00 p.m.
Woodcock Road, Warminster, BA12 9DR
Telephone 01985 215551
email: admin@kingdown.wilts.sch.uk
Warminster Town Councillors Determined To Nip Anti-Social Behaviour In The Bud
Monday 28th January 2019:
Warminster Town Councillors Aim To Nip Anti-Social Behaviour In The Bud
Warminster Town Councillors say they are determined to nip anti-social behaviour in the bud. They are concerned after a spike in the number of incidences of anti-social behaviour around the town and particularly in the Lake Pleasure Grounds (the Town Park), where there has been, for example, the safety fencing round the paddling pool has been attacked, benches outside the Pavilion Café have been overturned, and toilet paper set on fire in one of the public toilets.
It seems that a very small number of young people are responsible for several incidents of anti-social behaviour. Councillors are clear that this is a very tiny number of young people who are not representative of the overwhelming majority of young people in Warminster.
Warminster Town Council is working with the Police, PCSOs and the CCTV operators to catch and deter the culprits. Councillors urge the public to be vigilant and report any anti-social behaviour they see to the Police by phoning 101.
Town Councillor Steve Jeffries said: “We installed a new door to the toilets in the Lake Pleasure Grounds and within 24 hours it needed repairs to the lock. Vandalism is not a victimless crime. It carries a cost to everyone, be it in damaged facilities or higher council tax. We need to work as a community to tackle this issue.”
Warminster Town Councillors Aim To Nip Anti-Social Behaviour In The Bud
Warminster Town Councillors say they are determined to nip anti-social behaviour in the bud. They are concerned after a spike in the number of incidences of anti-social behaviour around the town and particularly in the Lake Pleasure Grounds (the Town Park), where there has been, for example, the safety fencing round the paddling pool has been attacked, benches outside the Pavilion Café have been overturned, and toilet paper set on fire in one of the public toilets.
It seems that a very small number of young people are responsible for several incidents of anti-social behaviour. Councillors are clear that this is a very tiny number of young people who are not representative of the overwhelming majority of young people in Warminster.
Warminster Town Council is working with the Police, PCSOs and the CCTV operators to catch and deter the culprits. Councillors urge the public to be vigilant and report any anti-social behaviour they see to the Police by phoning 101.
Warminster Town Councillor Steve Jeffries.
Town Councillor Steve Jeffries said: “We installed a new door to the toilets in the Lake Pleasure Grounds and within 24 hours it needed repairs to the lock. Vandalism is not a victimless crime. It carries a cost to everyone, be it in damaged facilities or higher council tax. We need to work as a community to tackle this issue.”