01/04/2021
Place Names of Calne: Page Close
Page close is a collection of 2, 3 and 4 bedroom terraced houses off Prince Charles Drive built in the late 1960s to around 1970. They are named for Dr. George Page (1784-1858), 6-time mayor of Calne.
Not only was Page a 6-time mayor, but he was the first mayor of Calne, when in 1835 the guild steward system of borough government was abolished, he was also appointed as an alderman at this time[1].
He was re-elected 4 times without opposition[2] before returning as mayor in 1841and finally 1844. In 1840, after completing 4 terms as mayor of Calne, Page was presented with '"a service of plate", which consisted of a "teapot, coffee-pot, milk ewer, and basin". It was manufactured at a cost of 60 guineas, in London and presented to Page by Mr. Sergeant Merewether[3].
During his stay in Calne from 1814 to 1816, Coleridge rented a property in Church Street from George Page who may have also attempted to treat Coleridge for his laudanum addiction[4].
Page, who was clearly very dedicated to Calne and its' people, died on 17 April 1858 and is buried at Trinity Church, along with his wife, Ann, who passed on 11 December 1866.
References:
[1] Marsh, A., 1903. A HISTORY OF THE BOROUGH AND TOWN OF CALNE. 1st ed. London: HAZELL, WATSON AND VINEY, LTD.
[2] 1847. Calne. Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard, 16 November 1847. p.3.
[3] 1840. Calne. Dorset County Chronicle, 22 October 1840. p.3.
[4] Beale, N., 1998. Is that the Doctor?. 1st ed. Trowbridge: Cromwell Press.