Councillor Work: 𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐕𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐃𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐝 𝐊𝐞𝐫𝐛𝐬

In March 2022, I submitted a Highways Improvement Request to create accessible access to the Bremhill View green space.

At the time, the hedge was poorly maintained, meaning that there was no visibility for users coming out of the green space. Additionally, there was a bollard that made it difficult, if not impossible, for those with prams, pushchairs, or mobility scooters to access or leave the open space at this point. But, most importantly, there was no dropped kerb access to this open space at this entrance.

No dropped kerbs here meant that those wishing to access the green space need to either access via the Bremhill View Social Club car park, or cross Lickhill Road twice to access School Road and the green space.

My thanks go out to the councillors of Calne Town Council that agreed 30% funding for this project. Also, thanks to Wiltshire Council officers and councillors that continued to work on this project throughout a difficult period of staff shortages and the discovery of electrical cabling under the proposed site.

The maintenance of the hedge, removal of bollard and installation of dropped kerbs has made the entrance to this green space accessible and allows easier access to other locations from this entrance.

This work on the dropped kerbs and new pavement was completed on the 18 and 19 June.

𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐬 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐛𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐛𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐞, not just councillors - although we're always happy to help with sharing information and the process these requests progress through. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐛𝐞 𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐥𝐨𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞.

Honeymead's Wildflower Haven Unveiled

Mural team rom Left to Right: Sandi Sayer, Samantha Elliott, Tegan Godwin-Deveney, Tim Havenith, and Penny Erroll.

A vibrant new mural celebrating the beauty of wildflowers has been unveiled at Honeymead in Calne. The project, spearheaded by the Calne Clean Up Crew, is the latest addition to the town's growing collection of public art.

Local residents expressed a desire for a mural that would showcase the area's natural beauty. Artist Sam Elliott, known for her passion for wildflowers and their role in supporting pollinators, was commissioned to create the piece. The mural features a colourful array of wildflower species and stylized pollinators, making it a visual delight for passers-by.

Cath Crofts, a founder of the Calne Clean Up Crew, commented, "We were approached by residents of Honeymead who loved the town murals and wanted one of their own! After consultations with the residents and no objections, funding was secured, and a date was set!

We are so pleased to have been able to brighten up this area for the residents, thank you for asking us."

The Honeymead Wildflower Haven mural was created with the assistance of local artists Penny Errill and Sandi Sayer, as well as volunteers Tegan Godwin-Deveney and Tim Havenith. Funding for the project was gratefully received from housing association GreenSquareAccord (GSA) Melissa Shephard, a Housing Officer at GSA who supports their customers in Calne said “ This project originated as a request from GSA customers to brighten up their street. That has certainly been achieved.

“The mural looks fantastic, and it has been amazing to see how the community has been included in process of creating this piece of public. GSA were delighted to award £1000 from our Community Investment Fund to Calne-based artists to support this project.”

Passers-by who witnessed the mural's creation were enthusiastic about the progress and design, offering positive feedback and encouragement to the artists and volunteers involved. The mural joins other recent additions to Calne's public art scene, including two murals commemorating the 250th anniversary of Joseph Priestley's discovery of oxygen at Bowood House while living in Calne. These projects have helped to enhance the town's visual appeal and create a sense of community pride.

Cllr Havenith said: "It was an absolute pleasure to be part of the team that brought this beautiful mural to life at Honeymead, a project requested by our local residents.

A heartfelt thanks to the Calne Clean Up Crew and their passionate volunteers for all they do for our town, from routine litter picking, supporting local events, and creating stunning artwork such as this new mural."

The public art of Calne has been uploaded on an interactive map, available from Calne Heritage and Amenities Organisation at the following website: www.calneheritageandamenities.org.uk

This article has been republished by various media:
Calne News
BBC
Wiltshire Times
Wiltshire Gazette and Herald

Councillor Work: Introduction to Local Council Administration Course

I am pleased to share that I have recently completed the Introduction to Local Council Administration (ILCA) course, as part of my ongoing development as a town councillor. This qualification has provided me with valuable knowledge and skills to better serve our community.

The ILCA course covered important topics such as:
The roles and responsibilities of local councils
Key legislation and procedures
Community engagement and involvement
Financial planning and management

I am committed to applying this knowledge to enhance our council’s work and address the needs of our residents.

Many thanks to Ali Robinson, our Director of Council Services at Calne Town Council, for suggesting that I study this course as part of my ongoing professional development.

'Oxygen for Life' Collage Unveiled

Yesterday, I felt privileged in my role as a Calne Town Councillor, to stand in for the mayor to unveil ‘𝐎𝐱𝐲𝐠𝐞𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞’ a collage by Calne Reconnecting Group at Calne Pop-up Pocket Park as part of the Priestley250 project.

Diane Gooch came up with the overall idea for the collage. Members of the Reconnecting group each had a square that they then designed to fit with the concept. Gus Gooch, of Calne Men's Shed, designed the custom frame.

Check out the unveiling video here: https://youtu.be/gDr7WUmKPb4?si=5Ki69-ZxkGAp_Z1G

Thank you to all involved.

For more information on Priestley250, head to: https://www.calneheritage.co.uk/p/priestley250.html

Following this event, White Horse Samba Band performed at the Pocket Park before giving a well-attended workshop.

Myself, Cllr Tim Havenith with John Boaler, Chair of Calne Pocket Park
and with daughter, Ellie, cutting the celebratory cake. Both John and myself
are members of the Priestley250 Steering Group.

𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐧𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐩

Meets to provide support to Calne seniors to reduce social isolation and help with mental health and wellbeing. This project is mainly run by volunteers, including the Older Person and Carers Champion for Calne, Diane Gooch. If you'd like more information about this group, please email calne@calne.gov.uk

Place Names of Calne: Bryans Close Road

Bryans Close Road is built on land that was known as 'Bryant's Close & Theobald's Piece'. In the 1800s, it was owned by John Dommett Bishop (see Bishop Road), who used it for arable. Taylor Woodrow initially planned to call the road, Henley Road (1935), this was changed to Byran's Close Road by 1936, with Henley Road moved to a side road, now called Bishop Road. Then Henley/Henly family are an old Calne family of farmers and millers, often Guild Stewards and Calne Mayors.

It is likely that the road is named for an unknown Bryant, however in the 1851 census there were Bryant families living in Calne and working as farmer's labourers, so perhaps some of the Bryant's did still work the land.

The 'close' portion of the street name is a term used to denote an enclosed and usually quite small piece of land[1].

As to why the 't' was removed from Bryant, I am unsure. Even on the 1930s maps this choice had been made.

Portions of Bryans Close Road were built before WWII and there is a lovely photo in Calne at War by John Whiles that shows victory celebrations, with residents clustered around a long table in the middle of the road[2].

Of the 1930s housing, Taylor Woodrow built at least 92 of them as part of their c. 1936 'Henley Park Estate', which offered 'Modern - Soundly Constructed - and Beautifully Finished Houses' with the latest in labour-saving device, electric clock, wireless receiver, beautifuly equipped kitchens, gas water and electricity laid on, etc. Sites could be reserved for £2 and the freehold could be bought for as little as £395. Initially there were no terraced houses in the plan, but I think Taylor Woodrow realised that they could easily increase the density of houses per acre, so the 'Acme type' or 'A&B types' houses were added to the Marlborough and Windsor designs.  These houses are still beautiful today

Bryans Close Road, showing the terraces agreed in amended plans.

Today the road is home to the Calne squadron of the RAF Air Cadets. Walking down this road makes it clear to see that the road was built in various stages, with bungalows at the corner of North Street, which were built on the site of the Labour Exchange and National Service Office, 1930s houses, and 1960s housing. Some of the very first housing on this street were Reema prefab houses, while some planned sections had foundations laid, but could not be completed until after WWII[4].

See also, Post-war Housing Scheme.

References
[1] Cavill, P., 2018. A New Dictionary of English Field-Names. 1st ed. Great Britain: English Place-Name Society.
[2] Whiles, J., 1995. Calne at War. 1st ed. Chippenham: Antony Rowe.
[3] 'Plans'  Wiltshire Times and Trowbridge Advertiser, Saturday 19 December 1936  [ONLINE] Available at https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001557/19361219/274/0014 [Accessed on 25 September 2019]
[4] Many thanks to Andrew Charles Woodcock for this information. 

Place names of Calne: Quarrydale Close and The Quarry

Quarrydale Close

Both Quarrydale Close and The Quarry are built close to the site of an old stone quarry, the quarry seems to have existed from the mid-1800s[1] and were the main sources of stone for building.

Calne stone is a cross-bedded peloidal limestone, embedded with small shell fragments, known as shelly limestone. It was quarried around Lyneham as well as Calne and is part ofthe Corallian Group of the Upper Jurassic[2].

Quarrydale Close (built c. 1988) is a red brick development of semi-detached houses ranging from 1 to 4 bedroom houses, likely built by Wilcon Homes[3].

The Quarry is a cul de sac of large houses of 3 to 5 bedrooms.

References:
[1] Calne: Economic history | British History Online. 2019. Calne: Economic history | British History Online. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/wilts/vol17/pp79-94. [Accessed 24 September 2019].
[2] Historic England, 2011. Strategic Stone Study
[3] Planning Application N820077F