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.
I found Abberd quite a difficult name to consider. I know that 'Aber' is used in Welsh and Cornish, but this doesn't seem to develop into 'Abberd' and both Wales and Cornwall are rather distant for the name to travel without dropping similar names along the way.
However when we consider that Stanley Abbey was in the vicinity and owned land in Calne, we can see that there may be a connection worth exploring.
Part of Abberd Brook running through the
underpass with Prince Charles Drive above.
We first find a mention of Abberd in 1227, when Philip de Culiston gifted a meadow to Stanley Abbey (1151-1536), at this time the area was called Abbreya[1][2].
Gover[3] thinks that the name originally comes from the Old English Abban rid, which is Abba's Stream or brook. If this is the case, then we would have a reasonably clear connection between Abberd Brook and Stanley Abbey.
Spitfire Road that runs almost parallel with Abberd Brook for some way, running past Abberd House Farm and Abberd Fields farm. In the 1840's Wiltshire Tithes, the plots along this track were mostly labelled 'Allotment in Abberd' or 'In Abberd'. These plots were part of Abberd mead, which was a commonable meadow, eventually divided into 168 plots.
Abberd Way
Calne borough council built housing on Abberd Way (which leads to Abberd Lane) in the 1940s[4]. This was due to the urgent need for housing that was identified in the early 1940s[5]. The construction of the roads, sewers, and surface water drains were completed by around 60 German prisoners-of-war[6] (probably from the POW camp in Yatesbury, which housed around 800 Germans)[7]. By 1949, 78 houses had been built, with another 24 under construction at that time[8]. The most recent development at Abberd Way was the completion of 12 new one and two bedroom houses, built for affordable rent, starting in October 2016 with the demolition of 4 vacant flats, this development was completed by September 2017[9].
The brook is the most physical reminder of the name for most residents of Calne as it runs through the east side of the town and includes a spring fed pond close to the River Marden. In the 1960s, with the building of Coleman's Farm Estate, the brook was greatly straightened between Prince Charles Drive and the River Marden. These days Abberd Brook is under the very capable care of the Friends of Abberd Brook.
References: [1] Internet Archive. 2019. Calendar of the Charter Rolls Preserved in
the Public Record Office : Great Britain Public Record Office, H. C .
Maxwell Lyte, Alfred Edward Stamp : Free Download, Borrow, and
Streaming : Internet Archive. [ONLINE] Available at: https://archive.org/details/calendarcharter00stamgoog/page/n59. [Accessed 23 January 2019]. [2] Brown, G., 2011. STANLEY ABBEY AND ITS ESTATES 1151 - c.1640. 1st ed. Leicester [3] Gover, J., Mawer, A. and Stenton, F. (1970). The place-names of Wiltshire. Cambridge: At the University Press. [4] Calne: The town in the 20th century | British History Online. 2019. Calne: The town in the 20th century | British History Online. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/wilts/vol17/pp44-51. [Accessed 23 January 2019]. [5] Report of the Medical Officer of Health for the year ending 31st December 1943. [6] Report of the Medical Officer of Health for the year ending 31st December 1945. [7] The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald. 2019. Calne children help in dig to
discover more about prisoner of war camp | The Wiltshire Gazette and
Herald. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.gazetteandherald.co.uk/news/9965786.calne-children-help-in-dig-to-discover-more-about-prisoner-of-war-camp/. [Accessed 24 July 2019]. [8] Report of the Medical Officer of Health for the year ending 31st December 1949. [9] GreenSquare Group:
GreenSquare celebrates completion of affordable homes in Calne. [ONLINE]
Available at: https://www.greensquaregroup.com/news/greensquare-celebrates-completion-of-affordable-homes-in-calne. [Accessed 24 July 2019].
For the last couple of years, I've been working on a new book: Calne Curiosities.
Here is a draft of the cover and synopsis:
Welcome, curious reader, to a journey through the hidden corners and perplexing tales of Calne. This book invites you to explore the lesser-known incidents, remarkable lives, and enigmatic events that lie beneath the familiar surface of our town’s history.
Prepare to delve into mysteries and unravel historical puzzles: deadly dramas, scandalous trials, and legends that still echo through local folklore.
From the fatal brew in Poison in the Pot to the unexpected twist in Beyond the Arsenic, each story reveals the fragile line between fact and speculation.
You’ll meet controversial figures like Dr Pownall: The Mayor that Murdered, and revisit the haunting legacy of The Morgan’s Hill Hanging.
Tales of deception and illusion unfold in The Heiress Who Never Was, while community resilience shines through in The Flooding of Mannings Hill and the curious Dart in the Tower.
Yet this collection is more than drama and intrigue: it’s a celebration of Calne’s character. Discover the lives of those connected to Calne’s story: The King of the Gypsies, Australia’s First Postmaster, and Thomas Large Henly, whose entrepreneurial spirit rose and fell with the tides of fortune.
We’ll even journey back to Calne and St. Dunstan, where faith and power converged in Anglo-Saxon England.
Though these stories only scratch the surface of Calne’s rich heritage, they offer a glimpse into its enduring spirit—woven from resilience, eccentricity, and the quiet determination of its people. Whether you’re a lifelong resident or a
curious newcomer, this book invites you to see Calne anew, through the lens of its most captivating curiosities.
So settle in, open your mind to the unexpected, and prepare to be surprised by the local legends and true tales that continue to shape Calne’s legacy.
August is usually a quieter month for councillors, with only the Planning, Licensing and Highways Consultative Committee meeting. However, this year marked a solemn exception with events commemorating the 80th anniversary of Victory over Japan.
VJ Day Events
Councillors and staff assembling for the national two-minutes of silence to honour the 80th anniversary of VJ Day.
At 12pm on 15 August, I led a two-minute silence outside Town Hall, joined by fellow councillors and council staff. Beforehand, I shared these words:
“On this VJ Day, we pause to remember those who endured unimaginable hardship in the final chapter of World War II, and we honour their resilience and sacrifice.
May our work as councillors reflect the same spirit of service and dedication to a better future for our community.”
Later that afternoon, I attended a service at St. Mary’s Church, led by Craig Manley, Padre of the RAF Association Calne. I was honoured to lay a wreath alongside the wreath of the Calne Branch of the Royal British Legion, with thanks to Chair Janet Alexander for supplying it.
VJ Day Calne Church Service filmed by church warden, Jonathan Billings can be watched in the video below:
My sincere gratitude to the Calne RBL, Padre Craig Manley, the St. Mary’s wardens, and all who gave their time to mark this important day.
While at St. Mary’s, I was invited by the Calne RAF Association to represent our town at the VJ Day service at Yatesbury the following day. It was a privilege to attend this moving event, which underscored the deep ties between Calne and its wartime legacy.
Standard bearers at Yatesbury.
Just 19 years old, 'Jim' was among the youngest in this graveyard to fall during the Second World War.
RAF Yatesbury played a vital role in both World Wars, with Calne offering support through housing, services, and social connection. The commemoration reflected shared sacrifice and enduring respect. Notably, German POWs from Yatesbury contributed to Calne’s post-war recovery, helping build roads and drainage for the Abberd estate—leaving a lasting imprint on our town’s infrastructure and history.
I took the opportunity to commemorate the sacrifice of so many by placing a remembrance cross in the churchyard of All Saints.
The service, again led by Padre Manley, was attended by members of the RAF Yatesbury Association and Calne RAFA. Refreshments were kindly provided at the Wiltshire Bee Centre, formerly the Malcolm Club. Thank you to all involved.
Events such as these happened all over the country and acknowledged the immense human cost of the war in the Far East, where over 90,000 British troops were casualties — including 30,000 who died and 37,500 held as prisoners of war. I found it humbling to be part of a national collective act of gratitude, remembrance, and reconciliation.
New Mural
As a long-time supporter of the Calne Clean Up Crew murals, I was delighted to be invited by Green Square Accord to share a quote from me for their latest artwork, '𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙞𝙨 𝙣𝙤 𝙥𝙡𝙖𝙘𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙞𝙣 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙧𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙨'.
Huge thanks to Calne Clean Up Crew and their volunteers for keeping our town clean and cheerful.
Chain of Office Repair
The Deputy Mayor badge for Calne was presented to the council by T.W. Robinson on the completion of the demolition of the C&T Harris factory in May 1986.
T.W. Robinson being the company that performed the demolition of these buildings, as seen on the final image of the crane.
Initially, this was worn with a blue ribbon. The chain seen in use today was donated to Calne Town Council by 2004 Calne Mayor Carol O' Gorman.
As quoted at the time, O' Gorman stated: "We should be a professional organisation with professional standards at all times. The quality of the deputy mayor's ribbon does Calne's image a great disservice."
Over time, the adhesive securing the town pendant had deteriorated, causing the front to come loose.
I extend heartfelt thanks to Gary at G & S Jewellers who generously repaired the pendant for the town at no cost.
Gary visits Eco Creations, which stock a vast array of sustainable products, at Wood Street on Thursdays.
The name Sandy Ridge suggests that the land contains sandy soil. The bedrock in this area of Calne is limestone from the Stanford Formation.
Sandy Ridge.
Sandy Ridge was a field called Rack Close in the 1840s, an piece of land owned by the Marquis of Lansdowne, with the name suggesting the land contained cloth-stretching frames[1]. In more recent times it was used as a coal merchants by one branch of the Angell family.
Bob Angell retired around 1990, aften ensuring that all of his drivers and staff had jobs to go to[2]. In the late 1990s, a private cu-de-sac, called Sandy Ridge was built and in 1998 a management company formed to acquire other houses in Sandy Ridge and to maintain and repair the properties and the road.
References: [1] Cavill, P., 2018. A New Dictionary of English Field-Names. 1st ed. Great Britain: English Place-Name Society. [2] Conversation on Facebook.
This month I was fortunate to attend four very different events, which showcase the wonderful diversity of interests and achievements in our local area, however to begin, let's look at the highlights of July's Full Council meeting:
➡️We received a comprehensive update from PSCO Mark Cook.
➡️Cllr Sankey brought a motion to the council to discuss the wearing of robes. After a passionate, but respectful, discussion the resolution was to continue to have a personal choice of whether to wear civic robes at events. While this is a continuation of the status quo, as far as I'm aware, this is the first time that it has been resolved as a decision of the council. I seconded this motion, which the Town Mayor, Cllr Thorn proposed. This was a recorded vote, which saw all councillors in favour apart from Cllr Rounds, who would have preferred a resolution that meant we would be expected to wear the robes.
➡️I also proposed the following multi-part motion regarding :
- Create a £200 CIL reserve for Defib Awareness Training — a legacy initiative from Calne Without Parish Council.
- Allocate £16,378 in top-up CIL funds to support Phase 1 (Ninja trail play equipment) of the Recreation Ground project.
- Ensure remaining CIL funds are considered after the 15 July prioritisation session, with options brought back to Full Council for approval.
The motion was seconded by Cllr Wright and unanimously approved.
➡️ Anchor Road Lease - It was agreed to lease the entire building at Anchor Road to the Calne Men's Shed, an inclusive group open to all in the community. As the Town Council representative, I was glad that my fellow councillors agreed to allow the Men's Shed to expand to take on the whole building. This will ensure that this group can continue expanding their provision, which recently has included the addition of an Alzheimer's morning to support those living with dementia in partnership with Alzheimers Support.
The amazing work the Chippenham civic award winners undertake is fantastic (only surpassed by the volunteers in Calne, of course!). Information about the 2025 winners can be found at Chippenham Hospital Radio.
Springboard Chippenham, a charity that provides support for pre-school children (aged 0-5) with special needs and their families - 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗻𝗲, are the Chippenham Mayor's charity for the year.
Please do contact them if you may benefit from their support:
I wish Kathryn all the best for the rest of her mayoral year.
Calne Town Crier Competition
On Saturday 19 July, Calne Town Crier Competition hosted 11 Town Criers from the UK and Bermuda. The results for this competition are as follows:
🥇 First Place was awarded to Jeremy Holland of Cinderford.
🥈 Second Place went to Paul Gough from the Borough of Nuneaton and Bedworth.
🥉 Third Place was claimed by Nigel Kenneison of Newton Abbot.
🎩 Best Dressed Crier was Nigel Kenneison.
🎩 Best Dressed Consort was Yvonne Recardo of Yeovil.
🎩 Best Dressed Couple was Jane and Jonathan Smith from Bognor Regis.
🗣️ Best Content Award was presented to David Green of Torpoint by Deputy Town Mayor, Cllr Tim Havenith. Read the full cry below ⬇️
Thank you to everyone who took part and supported the event, including the captivating Chippenham Morris Dancers.
I am thankful to Mark Wylie, Calne Town Crier, and his wonderful family for bringing such an amazing event to our town.
A Piece of Blue 20th Anniversary
I was also attended the 20th anniversary party at The Talos Art Gallery for Calne Catering and The Farmhouse Cafe. These businesses are run by former Cllr Bolton-Merrick, two-time Calne Town Mayor and are a familiar favourite among locals.
Guests included representatives from Love Calne, Friends of Calne Bike Meet, Dr Brian Mathew MP and Wiltshire Councillors.
A fond farewell
I will take this opportunity to wish Pat Frediani all the best for the future. Pat was one of our very capable Information Officers for close to two years and is taking the opportunity to travel. All the best, Pat!
Looking Ahead
The summer holidays are now upon us and meetings will slow down during this period of time. I, for one, am looking forward to spending time with my family and I hope you all have a fantastic summer!
Best Content Award on the theme 'White Horse' awarded to David Green of Torpoint:
'Calne......White Horses Cry.'
Oyez, Oyez, Oyez!
Attend the tale of a historic, chalky place
And its famous White Horse, a carved-out figure that nearby
Cherhill’s slopes doth grace
The White Horse, but for ONE letter, The White House
MAGA White House MADNESS prevails
The Star Spangled Banner therein sung, and hung
By trumped up thugs and bounders
Who’ve greedily pocketed a sweaty dollared bung
A different kind of madness, far milder, more genteel than that
Befuddled a man who
From this space lived a mere skip and a hop
A Doctor, no less, Christopher Alsop
Alsop, 18th Century Guild Steward of the Borough of Calne
Who, had he been a Town Crier and a little more wiley (Wylie)
Might have modulated his voice
While he (Wylie) instead shouted from afar and at that through a
megaphone
Instructing chalky labourers from Labour-In-Vain-Hill and around
that zone
Who nonetheless triumphed with Alsop’s splendid equestrian
