Marlborough Town Council
Tel: 01672 512487 E-mail us 5 High Street, Marlborough, SN8 1AA Weekdays 10am-4pm
There's a public meeting in the Town Hall on Wednesday, 14th October, at 6.30 pm. It's an opportunity to find out about why Fairtrade is important, hear the experience of others, and listen to what Joe Human, Co-ordinator of the Cumbria Fairtrade Network has to say about both working in Kenya, Papua New Guinea and setting up Cumbria Fairtrade Network back in 2006.
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.
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.
At its AGM on Wednesday evening, there were lots of plaudits for award-winning Marlborough in Bloom where its re-elected Chairman, Anne Crawley, sang the praises of those who had worked hard towards this year's South West in Bloom competition, all coming together to help regain a Silver Gilt award for the town. There were thanks too for MiB's many sponsors, the Town Council's Grounds Team and a special mention for photographer, Eric Gilbert.
Our Mayor, Councillor Margaret Rose, who also heads up the now SWiB award-winning Friends of the Old Victorian Cemetery, presented framed certificates to those volunteers who had entered the It's Your Neigbourhood competition. Receiving awards were Action for the River Kennet (ARK) for its work at Stonebridge Meadow, which also picked up the Monk Trophy for the best use of native plants, Manton in Bloom and Marlborough Waterfront Association. Two of these entries - Stonebridge Meadow and Marlborough Waterfront Association - were placed in the top ten of all 500 entries.
A special discretionary award was given by the SWiB judges to the Lamb Inn in the Parade, which won the title of third best pub in the whole of the South West for its floral displays.
To a soundtrack of birdsong, MiB committee member, Eric Gilbert, treated the audience to a delightful tour of Marlborough through the seasons. Many of these photographs were the basis of a presentation to the judges on their arrival in Marlborough in July, and some feature in the MiB 2016 calendar which was launched at the meeting and will be available over the next few weeks.
Anne Crawley, who herself was congratulated and applauded for her efforts in driving the town's entry said: "I am delighted with how the whole town has come together: businesses, our Town Council, pubs, shops and, most of all, volunteers. We're looking forward to what more we can achieve over the next year".
To order a copy of the Marlborough in Bloom calendar, contact the Town Council offices. Here are a few pictures from the night - there are more in our Marlborough in Bloom gallery.
| South West in Bloom 2015 Marlborough - Silver Gilt.It's Your Neighbourhood Awards: Stonebridge Wild River Reserve (Outstanding), Marlborough Waterfront Association (Outstanding), Friends of the Old Victorian Cemetery (Thriving) and Manton in Bloom (Thriving). Discretionary Awards: Action for the River Kennet for best use of native plants, indigenous to the area (Monk Trophy), and Best Floral Pub in the South West - The Lamb Inn (3rd Prize) |
7th March 2016
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
Sadly not an item about the best 'small room with a view' although it's one to consider...
We would like to draw your attention to a consultation on the future provision of public conveniences being carried out by Wiltshire Council. Wiltshire Council manages the block of loos in George Lane car park. If you believe this is an important service then please do take the time to complete this survey. The Town Council is interested in the outcome of the consultation too, as it runs the public conveniences in Chantry Lane and your views on the overall provision for Marlborough will be very useful to us. Click here to take the survey - there are only a few questions so it won't take up much of your time.
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!
Marlborough Town Council
