At the recent Mayor Making, I was honoured to be elected as the new Mayor of Calne. My thanks go to Cllr Fisher for nominating me and to Cllr Percy for seconding the proposal. I am genuinely grateful to my fellow councillors for their trust and support, and to the residents of Calne for the confidence they continue to place in us as a council. It is a privilege to serve our town, and I will approach the year ahead with a calm, steady focus on community and practical progress.
With that in mind, it’s been another busy and uplifting few weeks in Calne, with so many moments that show exactly what makes our town such a special place.
Rotary Classic Car and Bike Run
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The Rotary’s Annual Classic Car and Bike Run at the Calne Community Campus was a fantastic success, with nearly 100 classic cars and motorbikes — including one entrant who travelled all the way from Guernsey.
Thanks to the support of local businesses, the Calne Lions,
and the Marden Belles WI, the event raised just under £4,500 for
The RISE Trust and local Rotary charities. Over the years, this run has now
raised more than £34,000 since it began in 2016. A huge thank
you to The Rotary Club of Chippenham for having me.
Calne Lions Duck Race
I had the pleasure of judging the best dressed ducks at this year’s Calne Lions Duck Race. The imagination and care that went into every entry were wonderful to see. My children certainly had their own favourites, but I chose the designs that stood out to me on the day — and every entrant should feel proud of what they created.
What I love most about this event is how the Lions turn a
simple race into a whole‑town celebration. It brings families, schools,
businesses and community groups together, filling the town with a brilliant
buzz. My thanks go to the Calne Lions for organising such a joyful event and
for their continued dedication to our town.
Congratulations to the winners and runners‑up:
Best Dressed Duckling
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Cherhill CE Primary School
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Priestley Primary School
Best Dressed Duck
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Calne Crochet & Needlecraft Club
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Heddington Amateur Dramatic Society
Thank you to everyone who entered a duck or came along to
cheer them on.
Local Groups Supporting Local Groups
I was pleased to help facilitate the donation of a petrol strimmer from Castlefields CARP to a very appreciative River Warriors Calne. A simple act, but one that helps keep our town looking beautiful. Thank you to everyone involved.
Past Mayor’s Badge Presentation
I recently had the honour of presenting a Past Mayor’s Badge
to Miriam Trotman, recognising the commitment and contribution that Tony
Trotman made during his final term as Town Mayor in 2022–2023, before his sad
passing in November 2023.
At this year’s Mayor Making, we reinstated the tradition of
the Past Mayor’s Badge — a simple and dignified way to acknowledge the service
of those who have carried the role before us. I was pleased to present badges
to:
• Robert MacNaughton
• Jon Fisher
• Cllr Ian Thorn
It was especially meaningful to recognise Tony’s service. I
spent a great deal of time with him, particularly during our shared shifts at
Calne Heritage Centre. He was the first person to suggest I should stand as a
councillor — something I didn’t see in myself at the time, and something I
remain deeply grateful for. His decades of service and leadership have left a
lasting legacy on our town.
My thanks to everyone who supports and upholds our civic
traditions, and to all who continue to give their time and energy to Calne.
It was an honour to attend the Calne Methodist Church’s 150th anniversary service. The celebration was truly beautiful, and the vibrant sense of community within the church was evident throughout the afternoon. Milestones like this remind us how deeply rooted our local institutions are in the life of the town, and how much they contribute to Calne’s shared story.
The service, expertly led by Reverend Craig Manley and his team, included the blessing of a specially commissioned anniversary banner, a thoughtful drama performed by the Silver Street Players, and a closing piece of music written and played by Gerald Hird EDOA titled We Stand on Holy Ground. The choir was one of the finest I’ve heard, and the service concluded with an exceptional buffet that brought everyone together in true Methodist hospitality.
Emergency Map Update
I’ve updated the community map to include the three Emergency
Contact Hubs, now listed alongside the AEDs and bleed kits.
Newly added Emergency Contact Hubs:
• Beversbrook Sports and Community Facility
• Calne Community Campus
• Calne Town Hall
Bleed kits have also been added at:
• Calne Town Hall
• Bremhill View Clubhouse
• Beversbrook Sports & Community Facility
• Phelps Parade
• The Recreation Ground
You can explore the full interactive map here:
🔗 https://bit.ly/CalneEmergencyMap
Download the kit finder graphic:
🔗 https://bit.ly/CalneAEDs
Knowing where these resources are could make all the
difference in an emergency.
Calne Fairtrade AGM
It was a pleasure to attend the Calne Community Area
Fairtrade Group’s AGM and look back on a year of impressive community action.
Highlights included the visit from Kenyan Fairtrade tea farmer Patrick Kaberia
Muthaura, the brilliant Fairtrade float at the Calneval, and the group’s
ongoing presence across the town.
After nine years of dedicated leadership, Stan Woods is
stepping down as Chairman — though happily he will remain part of the group. To
ensure their achievements are preserved for future generations, I will be
adding the full presentation to the Calne Heritage Centre archives.
If you’d like to support global farmers and ethical
shopping, the group can be reached at: chairman@calnefairtrade.org.uk
Town Mayor’s Appeal
This year, my Mayor’s charities are Calne Heritage
Centre and Calne Men’s Shed - two volunteer‑led
organisations that reflect the very best of our town.
The Heritage Centre preserves our shared story and provides
a welcoming space for community events.
The Men’s Shed strengthens wellbeing, skills and friendships.
Both exist because the people of Calne care deeply about
their community.
If you’re able, please consider supporting the Mayor’s
Appeal by donating or sharing the fundraiser:
🔗 Support
the Annual Town Mayor’s Appeal
