Marlborough Town Council
Flaming June!
Monday, 1st June. The month started with a Planning meeting with a difference as we were filmed and recorded. There were difficult decisions to be made about a road closure for the Jazz Festival. Sadly, there was no compromise this year.
Then followed the Amenities and Open Spaces Committee which has responsibilities for all Town Council-owned open spaces where we rely on Richard, our Grounds and Estates Manager, to keep us updated. This covers a wide spectrum from maintaining children’s play areas to planting beautiful flower troughs in the High St as well as the maintenance of Cooper’s and Stonebridge Meadows.
On Tuesday, 2nd June, I went to Lydiard House at the invitation of The Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire, Mrs Sarah Troughton. The event focused on ‘Cadets in the Community.’ This highlighted the important benefits that young cadets and their adult instructors bring to the community and employers. Speakers included Col Mark Nash, Commandant Wiltshire ACF who had formerly been attached to 4MI, the Battalion with which Marlborough is closely connected.
It was also a huge pleasure to send warmest congratulations to Col and Mrs Napier on their 70th Wedding Anniversary. I do hope that they had a wonderful celebration with family and friends and have many more years enjoyable marriage ahead.
Wednesday, 3rd June. Today, I chaired the Marlborough Christmas Lights Switch On meeting and it always staggers me how much has to be put in place to get an event like this off the ground so that everyone has a good time and feels safe.
Wednesday, 4th June. A Marlborough in Bloom meeting. What seems like a genteel group is actually packed with people of steely determination all striving to do well in this year’s competition. We are looking to everyone to support us in making Marlborough a winner.
Sunday, 7th June. Today was the Mencap Summer Party at Kennet Valley Hall with a rounders match with no known rules. This was played with great enthusiasm and gave great pleasure to all who played, the Mayor getting a cheer when she actually managed to hit the ball! Cllr Alec Light was a splendid bowler. As President, I gave the presentation to Mrs Jenny Smithers and Cllr Bryan Castle for their dedication to Mencap members over many years. I also presented a prize tankard to the winning team. Afterwards, we were served a delicious tea, partly sponsored by Tesco. Sarah Hart, Tesco’s Community Champion is taking over as Mencap’s Secretary was very hands on. Manager, Nick Helps, was also there and he had cycled from Chippenham to join us. The sun shone and the loving care that the minders gave to their charges all helped to make the day special for them and us. The memory of this happy day will stay with me.
This is a community working at its best - To labour and not to ask for any reward.
Summer Arrives
Sunday, 14th June. It was all go with the ongoing Victorian Cemetery tidy up. We are a small loyal group with Anne providing cakes for refreshment. I find the whole atmosphere very therapeutic and we all enjoy each other’s company and our achievements. Then it was back home as my own garden was open to the public to raise money for the Church. Next was a Civic Service in the beautiful Malmesbury Abbey where Wiltshire’s Mayors paraded in with the Deputy Lord Lieutenant, the High Sherriff, Lady Gooch and local MP, James Gray. The choir sang the Coronation Anthem ‘I was Glad.’ The sermon was given by a Lay Preacher - a local vet.
Monday, 15th June. Magna Carta – The Great Charter. This was Wiltshire Council celebrating the 800th anniversary of the sealing of this famously important document. Enormous Barons from towns all over the county descended on Salisbury. There was a splendid reception in the Guildhall and afterwards we were invited to join the parade. The Baron heads and costumes were mostly painted by Wiltshire’s schools and colleges and were magnificent with each town putting in their own personal artistic touch. As Mayor, I led our town group with painted banners depicting scenes from all around Marlborough. Our own Baron, influenced by Merlin, was designed and painted by students from St John’s Academy. How talented the young people of Marlborough are.
We listened to a dialogue, beautifully read, about what Magna Carta stood for and its importance even in our lives today. This Magna Carta document has never left Wiltshire and is in the prized possession of Salisbury Cathedral where it can be viewed by everyone.
The evening ended with a very large Baron lighting a fire work display - a spectacular flame of wild horses and other displays emerging from the fire.
This was an event I shall never forget. I was very proud to represent Marlborough as its Mayor and be part of this historic event. My congratulation go to Jane Scott, Leader of Wiltshire Council and her team together with Salisbury City Council for their hospitality.
On Saturday, 27th June, I had great pleasure attending The Marlborough Concert Orchestra’s Summer Concert where its enthusiastic conductor, Roselise Gentile, spurred the orchestra on to give of their best. The pieces of music played were varied and challenging.
On Sunday, 28th June, I went to Trowbridge to the Wiltshire Armed Forces and Veterans Celebrations. We were met at the car park and escorted around Trowbridge Park to view all the WW2 exhibits with each group presenting with pride. I watched the start up of the Spitfire and there was many a tear in the old RAF Veterans’ eyes. The hospitality was generous and we ended the day with The Rev Tony Gilbert, Wg Cdr, Ret’dtaking the service with the collection going to the RAF Benevolent Fund.