Deputy Mayor Update: March 2026 - Reflecting on our progress, from play area upgrades to parish updates

Hi all,

Welcome to my penultimate update as Calne's Deputy Mayor. From strengthening governance and international ties to enhancing our local play areas and safety infrastructure, it’s been a busy month of progress. Dive in to read my Annual Parish Meeting report, highlights from the River Marden Festival, and news on our new community bleed kits.

Meetings

During March, I attended meetings with the Calne Tennis Club regarding their renewal of the user agreement they have with the council for operating at Beversbrook Sports Facility, along with a twinning meeting to discuss the upcoming visit by a delegation from Eningen and explored ways to mark the America250 milestone alongside our friends in Caln Township, Pennsylvania.

A presentation was given to councillors regarding the Allison Homes planning application for land off Sandpit Road and was pleased to feel that our concerns as a council were being heard and look forward to updated plans in due course.

Annual Parish Meeting and Civic Awards

I was pleased to deliver my update as Chair of the Governance, Policy and Resources Committee to the attendees of the Annual Parish Meeting. For those unable to attend the meeting, here is the speech as read:

Thank you, Mayor. Good evening everyone, and thank you for being here. It’s a pleasure to speak with you tonight about the work we’ve been doing on your behalf.

As Chair of the Governance, Policy and Resources Committee, I want to reflect briefly on what we have achieved together over this term. It has been a period of steady, disciplined work — strengthening our governance, modernising our systems, and putting the council on firmer ground for the years ahead.

We began in June 2025 by resetting the foundations of how we work. We re‑adopted the Code of Conduct for the new council, endorsed the Civility and Respect Pledge, and encouraged councillors to sign the Positive Conduct Charter. These decisions set the tone for a respectful, accountable culture. We also filled key vacancies across our working groups and confirmed our representatives to the Wiltshire Association of Local Councils and the Calne Area Board, ensuring the council’s voice was strong and well‑placed.`

Safeguarding was an early priority. We initiated a full review of DBS checks for councillors, establishing a clear baseline of Basic checks for all members.

We strengthened our policy framework by approving the Annual Investment Strategy and adopting the LGPS Discretion Policy.

As we moved into the autumn, the committee focused on modernisation. We approved a revised deployment plan for My Council Services and allocated funding to ensure the staffing capacity to deliver it. We adopted a new Venues and Spaces Policy, and we strengthened our information governance with a new Document Retention Policy and Schedule.

One of the most significant pieces of work was the comprehensive review of our HR policies. We updated the full suite, from equality and flexible working to disciplinary procedures and data protection, which included a refreshed the Employee Handbook. Alongside this, we selected a new HR and payroll system and shaped the budget to support it.

By February this year, our focus had shifted to consolidation and long‑term resilience. We approved the updated Sickness Absence Policy and strengthened our grants framework with a set of new and revised policies. We also ratified a major 60‑month HR and Health & Safety support contract, including an Employee Assistance Programme, giving the council stability, professional guidance, and consistent support for staff in the years ahead.

 

Across the year, we have strengthened governance, modernised systems, improved safeguarding, refreshed our policies, and taken a more strategic approach to assets and long‑term contracts. It has been steady, principled work — the kind of work that makes a council stronger.

Thank you to every member of this committee, along with members of the working groups and the personnel sub-committee that support this committee with their specialist work. Also to our officers, for your commitment and your collaboration.

𝗡𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵 𝗘𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘆 𝗔𝗿𝗲𝗮: 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝘆𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗟𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗕𝗶𝗻𝘀 At the Outdoor Spaces Working Group last October, I raised the issue of the old slatted bins that were in place at the play area. These bins were leaning over, prone to losing their litter when windy, and were collecting water due to having no covering - which became an issue particularly when it came to emptying the bins.

One of two new bins at
North End Play Area

I suggested the new style bin that Rob, our Amenities, Conservation and Sustainability Manager, had begun installing in the town. These two-bay bins allow for general waste and recycling waste when people are unable to take their waste home with them.

This was agreed to at the working group and progressed through the Amenities and Facilities Committee.

I want to thank Rob and the grounds team for installing the new bins at the earliest opportunity, along with councillors for agreeing the funding for this latest upgrade to the play area.

Thanks to Valley View Fencing for the excellent job in replacing the damaged fencing at North End Play Area, along with weeding and cleaning the gutters.

Given its position next to the garage access, reinstating the full fence helps ensure a safer boundary for the play area and provides a chance to re-establish the hedging that was recently ripped out of the ground.

We are also looking at the feasibility and costs of removing the historic stile at the Lansdowne Close entrance, which would allow us to create a gentle slope down to the connecting pavement - further improving the accessibility of the play area.

River Marden Festival

With Shirley and Tam of
River Warriors Calne

I attended the 2026 River Marden Festival at Beach Terrace, in which my own children got very involved. During the river dipping, my son donned waders and headed into the river to collect aquatic life, while my daughter spent time helping with the identification of the fish and invertebrates. The common fish we found was the European bullhead and the most interesting invertebrate, the cased caddis larva. This event held by Friends of the Marden Valley and River Warriors Calne, included a lovely river blessing in which shamanic practitioner, Kate Dineen, and the Reverend Caspar, of St. Mary's Church came together to highlight the history and benefits of the Marden, to pray and sing for the river, and to deliver a floral tribute to the river. To cap the event off, we took part in a litter pick with Calne Clean Up Crew of the wharf and around Castlefields.

Bleed Kits

As a response to the tragic death of Shayne Hambakachere in Chippenham from stab wounds, I emailed council officers to install bleed kits and suggested three sites. I'm sure other councillors made similar requests and after approving an urgent delegated decision to fund five kits, the first three have been installed at Beversbrook Sports Facility and the Recreation Ground, next to the AED units, and an enhanced kit that is available from within the entrance hall at the Town Hall. We are awaiting approval to install two additional kits in this first phase and are likely to consider additional sites in time.

Calne Town Council AED and Bleed Kit Finder

With these kits now installed, I have updated the AED map that can be found in the Town Council noticeboards around town. The kit finder map can also be downloaded here: https://bit.ly/CalneAED

Access the interactive community map, which includes Cherhill and Derry Hill among other areas within our wider community here:
https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/4/edit?mid=1T0lwXpd9Pbb_LsFRI28J8tJhh2VauvQ&usp=sharing

Thank you to Calne Town Council officers for acting so quickly on requests for these kits to be installed.

If you'd like to register an AED on the community map, please get in touch.

As always, thanks for reading this update and come back for the final Deputy Mayor update at the beginning of May.

Place names of Calne: Bodinnar House

Bodinnar House

Bodinnar House was built as part of the Coleman's Farm housing scheme c. late 1960s. Named for Sir John Bodinnar (1895-1958), who came to Calne to work for C & T Harris and in 1917 became the managing director[1]. This began a period of expansion and modernisation for the Harris company, including new sausage and small-goods factories. Bodinnar also set up a Works Council, a works magazine, welfare schemes, a pension scheme, and sports activities, along with flower shows and Christmas carnivals. He was mayor of Calne three times between 1925 and 1927.

Bodinnar was also a Govenor of St. Mary's School, Calne, providing guidance and making financial arrangements for building schemes there, for his services to the school a dormitory is named after him[2]. He had to resign during the War due to his national commitments, but rejoined the Governing body after the War.

Bodinnar would gain his knighthood for his services to the country during the second World War, as Commercial Secretary and Head of Supply Department, Ministry of Food, 1941-45. He was Commercial Adviser to the Ministry of Food in 1946, and President of the Food Manufacturers Federations between 1947-49[3].

By all accounts, Bodinnar seems to have been a man of great business ability and charm, who made himself a man of Calne. Calne reciprocated by presenting the Freedom of the Borough on 4 June 1953[4].

His death was widely reported with one paper using the headline "Wartime Food Chief Dead", two charities were set up in Boddinar's name:
Sir John Bodinnar Prize In Connection With Calne Sec Mod School, which was a prize to encourage all round qualities and basic prinicples which make for character, loyalty, smypathy, and complete development with the aim of producing the leaders of tomorrow, which was registered in 1962 and ran until all the funds were spent in 2012, and
The Sir John And Lady Bodinnar's Trust (The Boddinar Trust), which makes grants to individuals residing in Calne and Calne Without to relieve need, hardship, or distress.




References:
[1] Other industries | British History Online. 2019. Other industries | British History Online. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/wilts/vol4/pp220-253. [Accessed 25 October 2019].
[2] St Mary's Calne News Sheet - 44, October 1959.
[3] Cook, C., 1975. Sources in British Political History, 1900-1951, Volume 2. 1st ed. London: The Macmillan Press Ltd. 
[4]  Sir John Bodinnar,  Wiltshire Times and Trowbridge Advertiser, Saturday 14 March 1953 [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001671/19530314/280/0012 [Accessed on: 25 October 2019]

Calne Baptist Church - Rebuild Project

After 300+ years on Castle Street, there will be a pause in services there while the church is demolished and rebuilt. The final worship was 15 February 2026, while services will continue at Bremhill View Clubhouse during the rebuild.

I was fortunate to be given access to film the church and the manse on 6 February, just a couple of weeks before the keys were passed to the contractors. The video below shows a walk through of the entrance and main building - I will look to publish more footage as time allows.

Between the 16 and 22 February, the church was cleared, with some items given to the community and other items put in storage.

The keys were passed to contractors, Gaiger Brothers on Monday, 23 February to progress the demolition of the site.

27 February 2026, the site has been closed off from public access.

On 8 March, there is clear progress from my previous visits (photograph from 6 February for comparison), with the front porch removed revealing the original external wall of the building.

While I shall endeavour to provide updates on the progress of this project, the best place to visit for updates and locations of services and activities is the Calne Baptist Church website.

Deputy Mayor Update: February 2026 - Council Decisions and Local Highlights

Hello all,

Another meeting-heavy month, which began with chairing an item in Full Council on the motion of no confidence in the mayor. After providing all members with the opportunity to speak, the vote saw the motion fail.

During the month, I also chaired the Outdoor Spaces Working Group, Governance, Policy and Resources Committee, and stand in as chair for a Personnel Sub-Committee meeting.

At the Outdoor Spaces Working Group we decided on the action of replacing the trampoline at the Beversbrook play area, due to repeated flooding, asking our officer to continue exploring lighting and access improvement at the North End Play Area, and to recommend that the Amenities and Facilities Committee consider a report regarding pest control at the Beversbrook Allotment.

We received updates on the Joseph Priestley Monument for The Green, the St. Mary’s Church path project, and planned access improvements to the Beversbrook dog‑walking area.

During the meeting we also considered equipment for the BoxUp sports equipment locker that will be installed at The Recreation Ground in the near future.

Along with other items, the Governance, Policy and Resources Committee updated the Sickness Absence Policy and the Annual Grants policies. A policy gap was discovered regarding grants, which has led to an ongoing grants policy being created and approved. We also reviewed suppliers for a new HR and Health & Safety Support Contract, importantly we ensured the continuation of the Employee Assistance Programme to provide support to our staff.

Twinning

I also met with the Town Mayor, the ACS Manager, and Jon Fisher, the project manager for the Eningen visit (9–12 May), to review the developing itinerary, which is coming together well. Alongside a number of local stops, we have now confirmed visits to the Calne Heritage Centre and Calne Men’s Shed, as well as the group’s attendance at Mayor Making. As part of the visit, we are also looking to create opportunities for anyone interested to meet the delegation from Eningen.

Prioritisation Session

To finish the month, many councillors attended a prioritisation session on Saturday 28 February. The session gave us an overview of the wide range of projects the council is currently undertaking, how each one sits within our committee structure, and which officer is leading it. Crucially, we also gained a clearer picture of which projects are already in progress, their funding position, and their expected completion year. More detail on these projects will follow as they move forward.

On a personal note, my family and I had a fantastic time watching the Calne Players perform the family pantomime The Wizard of Calne, written by Kirsten Kerr and brought to life by a wonderfully engaging cast - this is despite, or perhaps because of, the digs at the town council!

Please head to their Facebook page to keep updated with their future plans.

Finally, with the 140th anniversary of the opening of Calne Town Hall quickly approaching, I am close to completion on my next book, The Mayors of Calne: A History (1836 – 1886), which will include an illustrated history of the town hall. The town hall was paid for at the time by the wonderful past residents of Calne, which included members of the Harris family and the Lansdowne family of Bowood.

Thanks for reading!

Keep updated with my councillor and community projects.

Place names of Calne: Westerham Walk Area

Westerham Walk

The streets of and around Westerham Walk were built c. late 1980s to 1990s. It is a mixed development of mainly semi and detached housing. It is an area that had some interesting field names in the past, such a Little Hill, Great Hill, Old Orchard, and the evocatively named 'Adjoining Low Lane'.

Highgrove Close

The roads include:

Highgrove Close, which runs across Prince Charles Drive and refers to the home of Prince Charles, who bought Highgrove House, Gloucestershire in 1980.
Mallard Close, see Bird entry.
Mallard Close was created when, 26 flats and houses were added to Prince Charles Drive c. 1985, designed by Kendall Kingscott Partnership for Jephson Second Housing Association.
Cotswold Close, which refers to the Cotswold building stone.
Park Close, which was originally called  Sandstone Grove until c. 1997. I imagine it was changed because 'grove' refers to a small group of trees, rather than stone. Originally the word 'park' would have referred to a piece of land that was used for beasts of the chase. However, paddock, which meant a small grass enclosure, changed to 'park' when it was borrowed into Cornish[1]. Today park tends to mean an area of land used for a specific purpose, such as a business park, or an area for recreation. However, this land was actually an orchard of some antiquity, as in the 1840s, it was called 'Old Orchard'. So, I'm guessing it was felt that Park Close was a better name for the street than Sandstone Grove.
Perbeck Place, which refers to the Perbeck Building stone.
Portland Way, which refers to the Portland building stone.

Westerham Walk, Westerham would originally have meant a westerly homestead. As this street is/was on the east of Calne, I think it refers to Westerham, the place. Chartwell Manor, the home of Winston Churchill (See Churchill Close), lies on the outskirts of Westerham and is now managed by the National Trust.

Purbeck Place

References:
[1] Cavill, P., 2018. A New Dictionary of English Field-Names. 1st ed. Great Britain: English Place-Name Society.