While still hectic with meetings, it has been a quiet month with regard to civic events, which has given me time to begin conversations regarding IT-related policies and take part in drafting policies that will come to Council in the near future.
Sue Peskett describing the community quilt project.
Priestley250 Community Quilt A standout moment of the month was introducing Sue Peskett before her inspiring presentation on the Priestley250 community quilt—a stunning testament to intergenerational collaboration. Crafted by more than 100 community members, the quilt beautifully weaves together stories, ages (from 11 to 91), and artistry from across Calne.
In support of Priestley250, I’ve gathered the project’s highlights on a dedicated page at the Calne Heritage Centre website. It includes reflections, resources, and a commemorative brochure that captures the heart of this community-led celebration.
You can visit the page and download the brochure here:
In exciting news, the Council achieved the necessary planning permission to enable the construction of the ninja trail that I originally suggested back in April 2025.
This was in reaction to the devastating response and lack of support from the water company regarding the splash pad that was desperately wanted by the community. The idea was received well at the Outdoor Spaces Working Group, which I have chaired since 2021 and progressed relatively quickly with a couple of different design concepts considered before we went to tender and the subsequent processes involved.
Thanks and much appreciation goes to the councillors, past and present, who supported the vision for a ‘destination’ play area in Calne, and who dedicated long hours in meetings to help shape the design, along with the staff and officers that worked tirelessly behind the scenes to bring this project to the point of construction. It will be exciting to see the development of this play area as it progresses through construction to opening.
Information Board outside of Calne Heritage Centre.
Calne's Heritage Quarter is a tourism project by the volunteer-led tourism group, Calne Our Place. The project celebrates Calne's historic character and charm.
A series of six information boards have been installed around the town that outline site specific information, historical photographs, and a map that shows the area of the Heritage Quarter, the blue plaques, and other key places.
Map locations are: Calne Heritage Centre, The Green, within bus shelters at, High Street, The Pippin, and both sides of The Strand.
It is well worth walking around the town and reading the information on these boards.
Fynamore Gardens, Fynamore Place, and Fynamore Primary School are all named for Walter Fynamore/Fynemore (d.1557), lord of Whetham manor. He gave a rent charge from the Crown Inn (which was on the East side of the High Street)[1] of £2 to provide a teacher for 10 poor children[2]. In the 16th and early 17th centuries, schoolmasters taught at Calne within a free school, which received income from a small endowment and Fynemore's £2.
In the 18th and 19th centuries, Fynemore's representatives appointed schoolmasters. When, in 1828, a boys National School superceded the charity schools, it received the income from the endowments left by Fynemore and Woodroffe. After this, the money was used to provide a scholarship at Calne county school, and from 1977 was used along with the endowment from John Bentley.
Fynamore Gardens
Fynamore Gardens is a modern collection of red brick detached housing built c. 1998 - 2000 by Alfred McApine Homes and seems to have been the reason for the roundabout at the entrance to the estate.
Preceding the current Fynamore primary school was Fynemore school, a comprehensive school built off Silver Street. It was called Fynemore school from 1964 until it merged with the John Bentley comprehensive school in 1974, later John Bentley school. Known as north wing, this site was in use as a school until 1998, after which it was demolished as the land was sold to fund extensions at John Bentley school south wing and Fynamore Gardens was constructed.
Fynamore Place
Fynamore Place
Fynamore Place is a series of buildings built off Bryans Close Road as social housing and managed by GreenSquare.
Fynamore Community Primary School
This school was built by Persimmon Homes as part of a 1400 housing development called Lansdowne Park. The school was named after Walter Fynemore by the school governors and opened in September 2001.
References: [1] Marsh, A., 1903. A HISTORY OF THE BOROUGH AND TOWN OF CALNE. 1st ed. London: HAZELL, WATSON AND VINEY, LTD. [2] Calne: Education | British History Online. 2019. Calne: Education | British History Online. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/wilts/vol17/pp111-114. [Accessed 08 October 2019].
September kicked off with Governance, Policy and Resources Committee, followed by the Calne Area Board and the raising of the RAF Ensign for Battle of Britain day, followed by the RBL Poppy Awards and Full Council.
Governance, Policy and Resources Committee
As the Deputy Town Mayor, chairing this committee is part of my duties. The highlights from this meeting were:
My Council Services Project priorities have been adjusted to focus on:
Updating the asset register
Administering allotments and processing allotment rent payments
Managing Town Hall bookings
A note on My Council Services:
Calne Town Council has introduced My Council Services, a platform designed to improve how we manage and deliver local services.
The system enables digital workflows and mobile access, allowing staff to handle tasks more efficiently and reduce reliance on paper-based processes. Routine operations—such as allotment administration, venue bookings, and asset tracking—are now automated, helping us save time and improve accuracy.
While we are at the discovery and internal implementation phases, in time, residents will be able to access services through online portals and mobile apps, making it easier to report issues and submit requests. The platform also supports GDPR compliance and secure DBS checks for councillors.
Its flexibility allows us to tailor processes to Calne’s specific needs, ensuring that our services remain efficient, transparent, and responsive.
Venue Hire Terms and Conditions Updates approved to ensure clarity and consistency.
Councillor DBS Checks
All Councillors are now requested to undergo basic Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks.
Document Retention Policy
Policy updated to reflect best practices and ensure legal compliance.
Calne Area Board
At the Calne Area Board I highlighted the completion of the tennis court renovation at The Recreation Ground and the new goal posts at Wessington Play Area, thanking all involved in these improvements.
𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐧𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐬 𝐁𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐃𝐚𝐲
On the morning of 15 September, Deputy Town Mayor Cllr Tim Havenith and Cllr Celia Stevens joined members of the RAFA in Town Gardens to raise the RAF Ensign in remembrance of the Battle of Britain.
The ceremony was a moment of quiet reflection and gratitude—honouring the courage of those who defended our skies and shaped the freedoms we hold dear. Calne Town Council extends heartfelt thanks to the RAFA and all who have served, past and present, for their dedication and sacrifice.
Thanks also go to our wonderful grounds team, whose care and preparation ensured the gardens were a fitting setting for this act of remembrance.
𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗻𝗲 𝗕𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗵 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗕𝗕𝗤 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗼𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀
On Sunday 21 September, I was pleased to be invited to a BBQ at Marden House hosted by the Calne Branch of the Royal British Legion. This event served as a belated, but well-deserved celebration of their 100th anniversary last year.
As part of the festivities, I was given the honour of presenting the Poppy Awards to long serving volunteers of the RBL, ranging from 5 years to 50 years of volunteering!
A special mention goes to Mercy Baggs for 50 years of volunteering with the RBL and Mike Wiggins, who celebrated his 97th birthday with us and has been a member of the RBL since 1954.
Full Council During Full Council of 29 September, we discussed the budget situation for the ongoing transfer of the playgrounds from Wiltshire Council. Calne's Town Mayor, Cllr Ian Thorn, is also the Leader of Wiltshire Council and made the commendable decision to step away from chairing this item leaving me to manage the discussion.
The outcome of this discussion was that we resolved to note the progress with the transfer and to
allocate a budget of £25,000. This budget is made up of: £5,000 from Wiltshire Council £12,250 funded
from S106, and 7,750 funded from CIL to enable the refurbishment and
re-opening of the five play areas. We also requested a detailed report to come to the
Amenities and Facilities Committee on the works proposed.
This budget option means that no money is required from the precept for the refurbishment and re-opening of the five play areas, which are made up of the two parks at Colemans Farm, Duncan Street, Fynamore Gardens, and Lake View.
Today marks a milestone I’ve been quietly working toward for the past couple of years: Calne Curiosities is officially out in the world. As Deputy Town Mayor and a heritage author, I’m thrilled to share this new publication alongside the second edition of Calne Place Names, which launched earlier this year. Together, these books offer fresh perspectives on our town’s rich and layered past—blending historical research with storytelling that invites curiosity, conversation, and community pride.
Calne Curiosities is a journey through the overlooked corners and forgotten tales of our town. From the dramatic escape of Violet Charlesworth to the windswept mystery of Morgan’s Hill, each entry opens a window into the lives, legends, and landscapes that shaped Calne. It’s designed to be read in any order—dip in, wander through time, and let memory spark as you go.
The updated Calne Place Names builds on its original research, offering deeper insight into the origins and meanings behind our streets and neighbourhoods. It’s a book for anyone who’s ever wondered why a road is named the way it is, or what stories lie beneath the surface of everyday places.
Both titles are now available via Amazon or in person at the Calne Heritage Centre. If you choose to buy locally, all profits go directly to support the Centre’s vital work preserving and sharing Calne’s history—a cause close to my heart.
These books are, at their core, a celebration of Calne’s character. From railway remnants to street name origins, they invite us to rediscover the familiar with fresh eyes. I hope they spark joy, reflection, and a renewed sense of connection to the place we call home.
Thank you to everyone who’s supported this journey. If you pick up a copy, I’d love to hear what stories resonate most with you.
