Marlborough Town Council
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News
Introducing Marlborough's new Town Cryer!
We have a fabulous new Town Cryer! Let us introduce you to Mr Michael Tupman, MBE. He’s Marlborough’s well-loved and much respected former Special Constable. At a short ceremony on Monday, 7th March, he was welcomed as a member of our Civic Team by the Town Mayor, Councillor Margaret Rose. Alfie Johnson, who held the post for 21 years until he retired in 2015 officially relinquished the role and handed over the bell to his successor. We are delighted to have appointed someone who is perfect for the role - a wonderful voice, real authority and a bit of a performer who will fit in perfectly with our Macebearers, Bob Dobie, Barry Mercer and Geoffrey Snelgrove. Read more.
Youth Council Clean for the Queen
Big well done to members of Marlborough Youth Council who turned out on a cold Saturday morning to litter pick as part of the Clean for the Queen campaign. Led by Cllr Lisa Farrell and supported by the Mayor, they worked up and down the High Street, the Rec at Salisbury Road and right up to Tesco collecting loads of rubbish. Lots of good feedback and appreciation from the public too. Your Majesty - Marlborough’s young people are among the very best.
Marlborough wins Fairtrade status
Marlborough has been awarded Fairtrade status. The Town Council's decision to support this campaign was key to meeting criteria for the status. It's very timely too as it falls within Fairtrade Fortnight – 29th February – 13th March.
More about Fairtrade at: http://www.fairtrade.org.uk/, and you can read the full Press Release here.
Greatwood Charity
Our Mayor and Councillors recently visited the amazing Greatwood at Clench Common to hand over a cheque for £928 to its Founder and Managing Director, Helen Yeadon. This was Town Council grant funding for this inspiring charity which looks after retired racehorses and runs courses to help disadvantaged children build up their confidence through working with these beautiful animals. It's a really happy environment and easy to see why young people look forward to coming here and progress so well. Councillors were given a guided tour by fundraiser, Mrs Sasha Thorbek-Hooper, and were thoroughly impressed by the breadth of work going on.Read more. More pictures in our Gallery.
If you know of a community group or voluntary organisation which might benefit from a grant, please contact the Town Council. Final call for applications - deadline is Friday 11th March 2016. Application form and more information here.
Allotments
Daffodils are popping up everywhere reminding gardeners that it's time to scan the seed catalogues and plan this year's harvest. If you'd like to grow your own this year but don't have the space, you might like to know that we have a number of allotments available.
There are three sites in Marlborough, and as well as full size plots we have smaller options as well. See our Allotments page for more details and an application form.
Town Cryer Press Release
MARLBOROUGH TOWN COUNCIL
PRESS RELEASE
7th March 2016
Introducing Marlborough's New Town Cryer!
We have a fabulous new Town Cryer! Let us introduce you to Mr Michael Tupman, MBE. He's Marlborough's well-loved and much respected former Special Constable. At a short ceremony on Monday, 7th March, he was welcomed as a member of our Civic Team by the Town Mayor, Councillor Margaret Rose. Alfie Johnson, who held the post for 21 years until he retired in 2015 officially relinquished the role and handed over the bell to his successor. We are delighted to have appointed someone who is perfect for the role - a wonderful voice, real authority and a bit of a performer who will fit in perfectly with our Macebearers, Bob Dobie, Barry Mercer and Geoffrey Snelgrove.
Michael, known affectionately as 'Tuppers,' enjoyed a successful career as a Sales Manager with Cadbury/Schwepps and, when he retired, worked for Royal Wootton Bassett Town Council to help set up and run the CCTV centre there. On top of this, he joined Wiltshire Police as a Special Constable over thirty years ago and has only stepped down from this position in the last few months.
The Mayor who made the appointment with the Mayor-Elect, Councillor Noel Barrett-Morton, said: "We are delighted to have appointed someone of such high calibre and we are sure that the whole town will embrace such a well-liked character as a fine representative for Marlborough."
The Town Cryer will also have the role of Beadle and lead ceremonial processions to civic events, Remembrance Sunday Parades and more. Marlborough has had a Town Cryer for hundreds of years. In 1913 Marlborough's Mr Angliss, was champion Town Cryer of Great Britain and the following year, the national competition took place in Marlborough Town Hall featuring candidates for the title from all over the country.
Another important role for the Town Cryer is that of Official Ale Taster, where he can tour the town visiting all its public houses where it will be his duty to taste each publican's ale to judge its quality. This is an old tradition dating back to when the Borough Council granted Inn Keepers a licence to serve ale and one well worth keeping!
For more information, please contact the Town Clerk, Mrs Shelley Parker, at
Marlborough Town Council, 5 High Street, Marlborough, SN8 1AA
Telephone: 01672 512487 - E-mail: townclerk@marlboroughtowncouncil.gov.uk
www.marlboroughtowncouncil.gov.uk
Town Cryer Competition Cancelled
We have had to cancel our Town Cryer's competition on Saturday 27th, February. However we do have a fabulous new Town Cryer. The Mayor and Mayor-Elect are delighted to have now appointed someone who is perfect for the role - a wonderful voice, real authority, a bit of a performer and universally liked. We're sure that everyone will be extremely pleased to have this person representing Marlborough. We are keeping it secret for just a bit longer so that we can get ourselves geared up for a launch!
Shopmobility Press Release
Volunteers needed - Shopmobility coming soon
It will soon be easier for residents and visitors to get around town thanks to the combined efforts of the Town Council and the Area Board working alongside The Mobility Store to launch Shopmobility Marlborough.
Funding is in place and organisers are hoping the scheme can be run with help from volunteers and be ready to open in April. We are looking for volunteers who can give some time to the scheme, learn new skills and help those less able. There will be roles too for those already using wheelchairs and electric scooters. Roles are likely to include helping to take bookings, a bit of maintenance and even showing some visitors around town - so a real ambassador's role as well as a fabulous contribution to the community. An office is ready for you and training will be available.
If you are interested in volunteering for the scheme, please contact either Andrew Jack at the Area Board on 01225 713109 or Shelley Parker at Marlborough Town Council on 01672 512487.
Click here for Role Descripton and Application Form
More Background
Marlborough Town Council and the Area Board are working alongside local businesses to develop this community-led scheme which will be based out of the Mobility Store in George Lane Car Park.
Shopmobility is a service available across the country that helps people with mobility problems (whether through disability, illness or injury) to continue to get around independently and without having rely on family or friends.
For those wishing to join the scheme, a small membership fee is charged centrally each year with a low usage charge each time the service is used. Those with temporary needs, perhaps because of injury, can still make use of the scheme as non-registered users (temporary) with a fee for temporary registration plus a usage charge. Equipment to hire usually includes mobility scooters, power chairs and manual wheelchairs.
Marlborough is joining up with Shopmobility Wessex, meaning members benefit from membership rates in all participating schemes. This includes Salisbury, Andover, Winchester and more.
More information at the National Federation of Shopmobility http://nfsuk.org/ and Shopmobility Wessex http://www.shopmobilitybasingstoke.org/how-it-works/shopmobility-wessex/.
More information about The Mobility Store at http://thehearingandmobilitystore.co.uk/
Clean for the Queen
There's a river litter pick taking place on Friday, 4th March, to clean up the River Og and surrounding area.
If you'd like to help, volunteers are meeting at Bay Bridges lay-by at 1 pm. For more information, see ARK's website.
