Upcoming Book: Calne Curiosities

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.

Deputy Mayor Update: August 2025 - Local VJ Day Commemorations, New Mural, and Chain of Office Repair

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'.

You can read my thoughts within the news article from Green Square Accord: https://greensquareaccord.co.uk/news/community/weve-awarded-2-000-to-calne-clean-up-crew-in-wiltshire

Explore all of Calne’s public art via this interactive map:
https://www.calneheritageandamenities.org.uk/p/calne-public-art-trail.html

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.

Place names of Calne: Sandy Ridge

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.

Deputy Mayor Update: July 2025 - Civic and Community Highlights

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.

🎉 Events

Girlguiding Wiltshire’s 50-year anniversary

What a joy to celebrate Girlguiding Wiltshire’s 50-year anniversary at St Mary the Virgin Church, Calne on the 12 July.

The move, in 1975, to Wiltshire North and South reflects the practical need for more local administration, yet linked by deep continuing friendships.

Thank you to the Presidents, County Commissioners, and the incredible volunteers and Guides who’ve given so much.

Also thanks to Rev Caspar Bush for leading the service.

Find out more at Girlguiding Wiltshire North and Calne District Girlguiding

𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗵𝗮𝗺 𝗖𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗰 𝗦𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆

The following day was another scorcher, another wonderful public event.

I was pleased to attend 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗵𝗮𝗺'𝘀 𝗖𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗰 𝗦𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆, hosted by Chippenham Mayor, Cllr Kathryn Macdermid Chippenham mayor 2025/2026

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:

https://springboardchippenham.co.uk/

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

design and creation

Now mercifully, beautifully preserved for

OUR proud, well mannered Nation

Long live the White Horses of Alsop’s Cherhill

and those beyond

God save the King

Calne Curiosities: Beyond the Arsenic: The True Cause of the Shepherd's Demise

An illustration of the huts at the Yatesbury aviation camp

On July 19, 1929, John Maunders, a 48-year-old shepherd from Yatesbury, near Calne, died after a four-day illness marked by severe stomach pains. He lived with his wife and family in a hut that was formerly part of an aviation camp at Yatesbury. Sadly, his sheepdog also died a few hours before him. The Wiltshire Coroner described the case as very mysterious.

The Mysterious Illness and Initial Investigation

Maunders, who was employed by the Co-operative Wholesale Society, suddenly became ill with vomiting on a Sunday night and continued in that state until his death on Thursday evening. The local doctor who attended him was unable to certify the cause of death, and his body was taken 10 miles to Chippenham Hospital for a post-mortem by Professor Walker Hall, a pathologist from Bristol University. Following this, the body was taken back to Cherhill for the inquest.

During the initial inquest, Maunders' widow testified that her husband turned purple in patches towards the end of his illness. An 18-year-old son stated that although sheep were dipped a month or six weeks before his father's death, great care was taken to avoid touching the dip by hand. The son also denied any knowledge of sheep dip or weed killer being kept in the house. The widow and an 18-year-old son also said that five other members of the family partook of the same food as Maunders on Sunday and "suffered no ill effects". The inquest was adjourned multiple times to allow for further examination of Maunders' organs. Maunders' sheepdog, which was tied up outside the hut, died three hours before him.

Resolution and Aftermath

Ultimately, the mystery was resolved when the inquest returned a verdict of "Death from food poisoning." Professor Walker Hall testified that while Maunders' organs contained a quantity of arsenic, from sheep-dipping three weeks prior, it was less than a poisonous dose. He found food poisoning bacillus, which was determined to be the cause of death. The same bacillus was present in the sheepdog, though no arsenic was found in its organs. The infection likely originated from beef eaten the Sunday before Maunders' death, and arsenic was concluded not to have played a part in his death. The Coroner suggested that regulations might be implemented to reduce the chance of absorbing dangerous arsenical compounds, and the jury added a rider recommending more stringent regulations regarding the distribution and use of arsenical compounds.

While unlikely to be a direct consequence of this death, the Pharmacy and Poisons Act was introduced in 1933. This included tighter regulations and introduced a Poisons List. Arsenic, with its various uses including agricultural ones, would have been classified under this system, thereby introducing more structured control over its distribution.

Deputy Mayor Update: June 2025 - A Focus on Governance, Community, and Advocacy

June began with the first Governance, Policy and Resources Committee of the new term, which as Deputy Mayor, I chair for the year. During this meeting, I welcomed Cllr Pearce-Kearney, who was elected as Vice Chair. 

Key Decisions and Committee Outcomes

Other outcomes from the agenda included:

➡️ Cllrs Fisher, Pearce-Kearney, and Percy were recommended for the Personnel Sub-Committee.
➡️ Standards: Members recommended re-adopting the Code of Conduct to Full Council, emphasising expected councillor behaviour.
➡️ Civility: The committee endorsed re-signing the Civility and Respect Pledge, committing to respectful interactions with all. A training session on the Code of Conduct also took place after the meeting.
➡️ Finances: The Annual Investment Strategy for 2025–2026 was approved, with the 2024–2025 report showing £77,624.30 interest was received which contributes towards the annual budget.
➡️  Working Groups: Membership of working groups was agreed to recommend to Full Council.
➡️ Commitment: Councillors signed the "Positive Conduct equals Positive Democracy Charter," pledging high standards in public life.

Building Bridges and Supporting Growth

Along with other meetings, I also attended meetings on exploring opportunities for economic growth in the town with Wiltshire Council, after a transition meeting with previous Town Mayor, Jon Fisher. In addition, I chaired public participation for Town and Community Matters, which was extremely busy, being the first meeting of the term and many wonderful organisations and groups explaining their requests for funding. Cllr Green took over on his election to chair of that committee. The Deputy Mayor is also the Town Council representative to the Calne Area Board, and as such I attended their meeting on 24 June to deliver an update. This included updates on the progress for the phase 1 improvements at The Rec, which include a Ninja Trail (currently going through the planning process), requests for volunteers at Calneval, and welcoming Cllr Celia Stevens as the new co-opted member on the Town Council for Calne South ward.

Strengthening Community Connections and Understanding Local Needs

I had the pleasure of being invited to the Reconnecting Group. This is a community initiative focused on combating social isolation among older adults. It provides weekly activities and a supportive environment for individuals aged 65 and over, helping them to make new friends and build connections. The group is coordinated by Calne's Older People and Carers Champion, Diane Gooch, with funding from Calne Area Board and Calne Town Council. During this session, I was able to hear from residents and feedback to Diane regarding some issues raised. We also enjoyed HerStories with Louise Jordan, a concert of songs written by Louise about extraordinary women from smugglers to suffragettes and nurses to political campaigners.

Calne Good Bank pig

Attending this event, led to an invitation by Kevin Wells to visit Calne Food Bank. My wife and I were glad to spend time with Kevin and some of the team and learn about how the food bank works. Up to May 2025, they have have issued 1,150 parcels to families, couples, and single individuals. We heard how simple it is to sign up to receive food parcels, which removes any barriers for service users to get the food they need. It's important to note that donations can be given as food or as monetary donations. Please see their website for more information on how make a financial contribution. 

Honouring Tradition and Armed Forces Day Reflections

Tidworth Brass Band Ensemble

My wife, a treasurer of Calne Town Football Club, and I were honoured to be invited by Lieutenant Colonel Mick Green to attend the Beating Retreat at REME Lyneham, ais a traditional military ceremony held at the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers' base in Lyneham, Wiltshire. This impressive spectacle showcases a military band and precision drill, symbolically marking the end of the day and honouring long-standing British Army traditions.. Our sincere thanks to everyone involved in organizing this wonderful event.

I was also glad to document on film the raising of the flag for Armed Forces Day, and I just want to take a moment to say thank you—to all those who serve, have served, and to the families who stand alongside them. Your courage, commitment, and sacrifices don’t go unnoticed.

I’m proud to live in Calne, a town that honours this commitment not just in words but in action. 

By signing the Armed Forces Covenant, we’ve pledged as a town to stand up for those who’ve stood up for us—making sure they're treated fairly and supported in civilian life.

For more information or support head to the Calne Royal British Legion group.

Championing Calne in Parliament

Former cllr, Jon Fisher
(Calne Town Mayor 2024-25) and myself

I also took the opportunity to head to London with previous Calne Mayor, Jon Fisher visit to Parliament to watch Prime Ministers Questions and to meet MP Sarah Gibson's office and return a paper mache pig from the 2024 Calne Music and Arts Festival home to Calne. Sadly, Sarah is undergoing treatment for an autoimmune condition and I wish her all the best. While Sarah wasn't able to meet with us, we spent the day with her team and took the opportunity to raise the profile of Calne, discussing the town's need for additional healthcare provision and build a personal connection to facilitate further communication and collaboration. As part of this engagement, the team are looking to produce detailed town summaries for the constituency, which should assist in understanding priorities.

Entrance to The Recreation Ground with Pride Flags

Celebrating Inclusion

Finally, I attended Calne Pride in a personal capacity, along with my family and want to take this opportunity to thank the Calne Pride committee for their hard work, not just at putting the event together, but handling the terrible weather in a professional manner! I was also heartened to hear from a local teenager that he attended the event as an ally, to learn more about ongoing struggles for the community, so he could support his friends.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭𝐬𝐚𝐩𝐩 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐥

As a trial, I have created a Whatsapp Channel as another medium of connecting with residents and providing updates.

You can follow the channel by scanning the QR Code with your camera or Google Lens, alternatively here is the link: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb641llAjPXHqqy1LO2Y

It would be great if you could share, particularly with those that don't use Facebook, but do use Whatsapp.