Ale Tasting Duties!

On Tuesday, 12^th May, our Town Crier, Alfie Johnson led the way on a tour of all Marlborough’s public houses. Accompanying him for this were our Town Mayor, Cllr Marian Hannaford Dobson, her consort, Cllr Stewart Dobson, our Beadle, John Yates, and our Senior Mace Bearer, Bob Dobie. This is a special, traditional duty for our Town Crier who tastes the ale served and if it meets his exacting standards, a certificate is awarded. Only the best is expected in Marlborough and each pub was justifiably given that award. Well done Alfie and all those involved.

Print Email

CCTV in Marlborough's High Street

After years of campaigning, Marlborough's Town Mayor, Councillor Marian Hannaford-Dobson, is finishing her mayoral year as the first CCTV cameras are installed in the High Street.

Last year, alongside a public consultation which gave a thumbs up to the project, Councillors voted in favour of CCTV - not an easy decision to make and crime rates, costs, Protection of Freedom laws, etc. all had to be taken into account. A number of key stakeholders - the Town Council, the Neighbourhood Policing Team and Chamber of Commerce - met to identify the best system for the town as well as the optimum camera locations. The Press Release is below.

Pictured: The Mayor standing beneath one of the cameras on the Town Hall

Marlborough Town Council

PRESS RELEASE

14th May 2015

CCTV in Marlborough's High Street

After years of campaigning, Marlborough's Town Mayor, Councillor Margaret Hannaford-Dobson, is finishing her mayoral year as the first CCTV cameras are installed in the High Street.

Last year, alongside a public consultation which gave a thumbs up to the project, Councillors voted in favour of CCTV - not an easy decision to make and crime rates, costs, Protection of Freedom laws etc. all had to be taken into account. A number of key stakeholders - the Town Council, the Neighbourhood Policing Team and Chamber of Commerce met to identify the best system for the town as well as the optimum camera locations.

The system chosen, supplied by Alert Systems based in Trowbridge, is made up of the latest technology and its capabilities include facial and number plate recognition. There will be six cameras placed along the High Street and further cameras can be added as necessary.  Signage will be put in place and it is hoped that a sticker scheme will be introduced allowing retailers and businesses to advertise that the system is in operation right along the town’s famously wide High Street.

Councillor Hannaford-Dobson, said: “This is a real achievement and I am delighted that this has now come to fruition.  Local people have called for this for many years and our 2014 consultation sealed their approval.  It’s excellent value for money with equipment and installation costs at £25,000.  Even with some ongoing maintenance expenditure, it’s far less than most other local authorities are paying for their systems.  That said, it’s difficult to put a price on the safety of our community.”

Local Police Inspector, Matt Armstrong is a long time supporter of CCTV and is working closely with the Town Council on this.  He said: “This is great news for local policing.  Marlborough is a beautiful town to live in and visit and whilst CCTV is not an answer in itself to crime, it is a good tool to help deter criminals from coming and helps to ensure that crime here is kept at its low level.”

The President of the Chamber of Commerce, Alex Minoudis, has also been a major player in the project and actually applied to Wiltshire Council’s Area Board for £5,000 to help make it happen.  He commented:  “Retailers and businesses will be pleased that this is, at last, a reality.  Shoplifting is a real concern to retailers especially the small independent shops and with a couple of high profile thefts in the last 2 years, then this is very welcome.  It goes without saying that we are grateful to Wiltshire Council for awarding the additional funds.”

The remaining cameras will be installed over the next few weeks.

Print Email

VE Day 70: The Tribute

"Let us remember those who gave their lives at home and abroad,

whose sacrifice enables us to enjoy the peace we have today.

Let us remember those who came home wounded,
physically and mentally, and the friends and family who cared for them.

Let us remember the families that lost husbands, wives, sons, daughters and sweethearts.

Let us remember the servicemen and women of other nationalities and faiths – from Commonwealth and Allied countries – who fought, suffered and died during six years of war.

Let us remember those in reserved occupations and the brave people who kept us safe on the home front – the doctors and nurses who cared for the wounded, the men and women who toiled in the fields, those who worked in the factories and the air-raid wardens, police officers, firemen, ambulance drivers and the young people of the Scouts and Guides who all played such a vital role in the war effort at home."

- Royal British Legion

The Mayor was proud to celebrate VE day with everyone who took part in her Choral Concert last week. The Union Flag is flying above the Town Hall today to mark the occasion and people across town will be placing candles in their windows this evening.

Mary Ratcliffe, a Wren based with the Codebreakers at Bletchley Park in WWII, came in to see us to share her memories of celebrating VE day. She met a young man that day who became an important part of her life... click on the images to read her story.

Print Email

Annual Parish Meeting April 2015

At this year's Annual Parish Meeting in the Town Hall on Monday 27th April, the Town Mayor, Cllr. Marian Hannaford-Dobson, presented the Town Council's Annual Report and also summarised the main events, projects and issues from a busy year dealt with through Full Town Council and its 4 Commitees. Major Rosie Curling also gave a presentation about the role and structure of the 4th Military Intelligence Battalion with which the town already enjoys links which were further strengthened via a Community Covenant signed during the October visit of HRH The Duke of Kent to Marlborough where he unveiled a plaque at the War Memorial to commemorate World War I. Click here to read The Annual Report.

Print Email