Timeline Calne: 8 February 1774, Death of Inverto Boswell, Gypsy King

The Tomb of Inverto Boswell.
Image adapted from Crowquill & Palmer, 1846.

The tale goes that Inverto Boswell, King of the Gypsies, is buried in the churchyard of St. Mary's church in Calne. His tomb, once elaborate, was eventually destroyed during church renovations.

Inverto, from a gypsy family in Uffington, Oxfordshire, was born to Henry Boswell (died 1760), the previous King, and Elizabeth Boswell. The story, from 'The wanderings of a pen and pencil,' recounts how Inverto's family, once poor, saw their fortunes improve when he won a farmer's daughter's hand by matching and surpassing the farmer's wealth. Tragically, the girl died soon after, and a heartbroken Inverto died of smallpox in early 1774.

Inverto, said to be named for his breech birth position, died on 8 February 1774 and was buried at St. Mary's churchyard two days later. His beautiful altar tomb was adorned with inscriptions and a stone depicting a horse within a wreath, connecting to his original home. For many years, gypsies assembled in Calne to care for the tomb and possibly hold rites.

In 1864, during St. Mary's church restoration, the tomb was dismantled. Vicar Rev. Duncan, who reportedly disliked gypsies, oversaw this. However, it's possible the tomb was preserved by incorporating its pieces into the South Porch wall.

Inverto's spirit is said to still visit the burial site, reminding visitors of a man who died of smallpox and a broken heart.

Timeline Calne: 9 November 1937, Calne's First Woman Mayor

Edith Spackman. Mayoral Portrait, 1937.
Calne Town Council Collection.

Mrs. Edith Mary Spackman (née Bridges) was born to farmer John and Mary Bridges of Calne and educated at St. Mary's School. 

Edith had a career as a nurse spanning around 25 years. This career included working under the Queen's Nursing Institute, and served under the role of County Superintendent for nursing in Derbyshire, before being appointed as Nursing Superintendent for England of Queen Victoria's Jubilee Institute for Nurses.

As a nurse with the Queen Alexandria Imperial Military Nursing Service Reserve and serving in France during the first World War, Edith received the 1914 Star in January 1918.

Edith married solicitor, Bertram John Spackman at St. Gabriel's Church, Warwick Square, London on 16 September 1922. Bertram passed just days after their 10th wedding anniversary in 1932.

It took Edith three attempts to gain a seat on the Council, becoming Calne's first woman councillor in 1929, on the third occasion beating another female candidate, a Miss Ferguson. 

It was Alderman Strange who said that the ancient Borough of Calne was about to open a new page in its book of history as he proposed Spackman as Mayor.

Strange noted that Mrs Spackman, a nurse and first female councillor for Calne, was said to have a wide experience of public service, along with a warm interest in the spiritual and material welfare of the town.

Image of Edith Spackman.

At the time Spackman was proposed as mayor, she had served on the council for eight years.

Mr. Stanley, who seconded her nomination, wanted it known that in the previous five year, Spackman had attended 200 meetings out of a possible 211. She sat on the Health and Housing Committee, the Gas and Electricity Committee, and the Rating Committee.

Previously, Mrs. Spackman and other women of the town had successfully raised a large sum to ensure the fire brigade received the necessary new uniforms.

Clearly a worthy person for the Mayoral Chair, Mrs. Spackman was unanimously elected as Mayor of Calne on 9 November 1937 in front of a large audience from St. Mary's school.

Edith also served on the County Council Public Assistance Committee and the Chippenham Joint Isolation Committee, along with being known for her active contributions to the Red Cross, the Boy Scouts, the YMCA, and other causes.

Minutes from Calne Town Council, 25 July 1938, noting Edith at Mayor.

Edith became ill in 1938 and did no seek re-election from this point. The North Wilts Herald reported on 14 October 1938 that Speckman had given a house in the town to the British Legion for the use of ex-Serviceman. While this sounds accurate considering Edith's career and life of public service, I have been unable to confirm this with other sources.

Edith Mary Spackman died in a Bath nursing home in May 1957. Her funeral was held in Calne.

International Women's Day 2025

Edith Spackman Portrait by Holly Webb,
commissioned by Town Mayor Cllr Jon Fisher.

During International Women's Day 2025, Calne Town Mayor Cllr Jon Fisher, unveiled artwork he had commissioned by digital artist, Holly Webb.

This artwork depicts Calne first female Councillor and first female Town Mayor, Edith Spackman, who served a term as the town mayor in 1937-1938.

Below is a video of the unveiling.

References:
'Calne's First Woman Mayor'  Wiltshire Times and Trowbridge Advertiser, Saturday 13 November 1937 [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001557/19371113/085/0005 [Accessed on 14 January 2020]

Britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk. (2025). Register | British Newspaper Archive. [online] Available at: https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001557/19291109/150/0007 [Accessed 3 Mar. 2025].

Timeline Calne: 2 May 1945 - Calne's Welcome Home Fund

Victory Celebrations at Bryans Close Road
(Calne Heritage Centre Collection)

On 2 May 1945, the Mayor of Calne, Cllr Cyril Thomas, proposed the application for a Calne 'Welcome Home Fund'. This fund was registered with Wiltshire County Council under the War Charities Act, 1940, which was repealed in 1992.[1]

Rita Rickell writes in John Whiles Calne at War book that the origins of Calne's Welcome Home fund began in late 1944, when it looked as if the Second World War would finally come to an end.

Rita continues "Collecting boxes were mustered, labels for them were printed, and appeals went forth for folk to have fund raising events. According to hand written records in reference to this,a Mrs. Mlnnis made £7. 6s. 2d.by playing on"

All returing servicemen and women were given an initially wallet and a signed certificate. On 6 June 1945, the ex-prisoners of war were given a dinner at the Lansdowne Hotel.[2]

Thanks to Sharon Beaven for uploading a copy of the certificate to the Calne in Photographs Facebook group. The handsigned certificate to her father reads:

"To Frederick William Beaven

The inhabitants of Calne, Wiltshire, desire to extend a very warm welcome to you on your return to Civilian Life at the termination of your period of service in His Majesty's Forces.

The also wish to record their sincere appreciation of the loyal service you have rednered to your King and Country and o extend to you this formal expression of their gratitude together with a small gift.

On behalf of the Townspeople of Calne Borough

Cyril H. Thomas

Mayor of Calne" 

In total around 320 individuals were supported with the Calne Welcome Home Fund. Other local Welcome Homes funds included those for Lacock and Bowden Hill.

Around this time, Lance-Corporal Jack Stevens of the Somerset Light Infantry, from Calne, was awarded the Military Medal for gallant and distinguished service in North-West Europe[3].


Thankfully, on 8 May 1945, Germany surrended. After six years of war and the loss of millions of lives, the Allies had won the war and formally accepted Nazi Germany's unconditional surrender. This year, while in lockdown due to the Coronavirus, Wiltshire Council is encouraging us to celebrate the 75th anniversary of VE Day at home. Click here to see their advice and the VE Day pack.

References:
[1]  'War Charities Act, 1940'  Wiltshire Times and Trowbridge Advertiser, Saturday 05 May 1945 [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001557/19450505/114/0006 [Accessed on 1 May 2020].
[2] Whiles, J., 1995. Calne at War. 1st ed. Chippenham: Antony Rowe.
[3]  'Awards for Service'  Western Gazette, Friday 11 May 1945 [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000407/19450511/060/0008 [Accessed on 1 May 2020]
Note: For more information on military history, please visit Calne Heritage Centre.

Timeline Calne: 1340/1341, Calne's Great Fire (with notes on subsequent fires)

Calne Fire Station, Station Road.

Depending on the source, we can see that 1340 or 1341 saw a serious fire within Calne. One that destroyed the greater part of the best houses of Calne, which were likely to have been wooden structures.[1]

Marsh tells us that the Church Registers detail the frequent occurrence of fires within Calne after this event.


Some of the major fires that have happened in Calne have occurred in and around the mills. Such as the fire next to Kew Lane mill (now Anchor Road). A fire in 1815, saw a warehouse or factory likely destroyed by fire as the Salisbury Journal reported "the engines were immediately procured, but from want of practice they did little service".

In 1884, it was the mill that experienced the destruction of fire. By this time, the road was called Cow Lane, and the mill was occupied by Mr. Robertson. The fire was discovered around one o'clock on 29 February 1884. Luckily Mr. Robertson, who occupied the house next to the mill, escaped without harm, however the mill and house were completely gutted, with only a cottage attached to the south west of the mill surviving. The mill was owned by Lord Lansdowne, who may have repaired the mill.[2] However, by 1899, the buildings had been demolished. The likely home for the mill was on the island near Brewers Lane.

Horsebrook Mill was another that faced a series of fires, and in 1962, Moss' mill was destroyed by fires. In 1967, Castle House was partially destroyed by fire.

We are fortunate to have a fantastic on-call crew that operate from Calne Fire Station on Station Road.

Let's hope Calne never has to experience such devastation again.


References:
[1] Marsh, A., 1903. A HISTORY OF THE BOROUGH AND TOWN OF CALNE. 1st ed. London: HAZELL, WATSON AND VINEY, LTD.
[2] "Fire at Calne" Devizes and Wiltshire Gazette, Thursday 06 March 1884  [ONLINE] Available at https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000360/18840306/069/0004 [Accessed on 19 April 2020]

Timeline Calne: 1920 - C. &. T. Harris' St. Dunstan factory built

St. Dunstan Factory and Bank House, C. & T. Harris. Photo Credit: Don Lovelock Collection, Calne Heritage Centre

The massive factory, originally known as St. Dunstan's, had four storeys plus a basement level. The factory was of brick-clad steel construction, but the design of Hall Williams and Company.

The basement was used as cellars and chill rooms, with the ground floor for pie making. The first floor was used for offices (with Bank House, also offices and a laboratory), with the second floor was used for the manufacture of sausages. The third floor saw the canning operations, with the fourth floor having a kitchen. The building had many lifts, with one managing a load of up to 3.5 Tons.

Rooftop view.
Photo Credit: Don Lovelock Collection, Calne Heritage Centre

This factory was built on the site of Grade II listed, St. Dunstan's House, which was taken down and then rebuilt at Lickhill Road. This site, which is now home to Carnegie Mews and the Heritage Quarter car park, is the reputed site of the infamous witan. This witan, held in 978 on the first floor of the building used for the meeting, was discussing the matters of Benidictine Rule of the church, including the celibacy of priests, which St. Dunstan was in favour of. At some point, the floor collapsed, with Dunstan alone managing to escape injury by supporting himself on a beam[2].

Demolition of the factory.
Photo Credit: Don Lovelock Collection, Calne Heritage Centre

Between 1984-85, this factory was demolished, as the people of Calne said goodbye to the bacon industry that had been the main employer for so many years.


References:
[1] Bromham, J., 1985. C and T Harris (Calne) Limited - a Brief History -. 1st ed. Self publication
[2] Calne, Past and Present: Timeline Calne: 978, Archbishop Dunstan and the Calne witan. [ONLINE] Available at: https://calnepastandpresent.blogspot.com/2019/02/timeline-calne-978-archbishop-dunstan.html. [Accessed 28 March 2020].

Notes:
To see more of the Don Lovelock Collection, visit Calne Heritage Centre. For more information see: calneheritage.co.uk

Timeline Calne: 997 Witan at Calne

Ethelred the Unready.

After the disatrous Witan of 978, which led to many deaths, the witan of 997, during the reign of Aethelred the Unready (see below) is said to have occured in the hall of the palace at Calne[1]. The hall, of course, being on the ground floor.

After a few days, the witan transferred to Wantage, with the result being a code of laws being drawn up, along with the standard confirmation of the King's grants of lands and privileges.

These laws deal with the administration of justice and the preservation of leace. The whole witan including an entire group of bishops, abbots leaders and noblemen and noblemen[2].



The relevant section of the passage:
"collecta haud minima sapientium multitudine, in aula villae regiae quae nuncupative a poppulis Et Calnea vocitatur"

General translation:
"the multitude of the wise is by no means the least be a solemn assembly, in the royal court of the people called the Calnea"

While nothing dreadful happened at Calne, 997 did see the return of the Danes, starting that year in Cornwall, Devon, western Somerset, and south Wales. Following years saw attacks on Hampshire, Sussex, and Kent, before leaving for Normanby, the English, this time, successful in denying the Danes.

However, the Danes returned and in 1002, the English bought a truce for the sum of £24,000. Aethelred continued to make frequent payments to the Danes and while payments such as these had been made for at least the previous Century, Aethelred's frequent payments are seen as illistrative of incompetant governance. At times, it must have felt that these payments were the only way to keep his people and their way of lives safe. By 1016, Cnut became king of the whole of England, with Ethelred's being buried in Old St. Paul's Cathedral in London, his tomb and monument destroyed along with the cathedral during 1666's Great Fire of London[3].



Interestingly, the above passage states that the Witan was held as the "Royal court", which may refer to the castle at Calne. An archeological dig in 2010 found evidence of a substantial fortified tower, which may have been part of a larger structure or attached to a manor house near the site of present day Castle House. Findings included a well lined with cut and shaped stone within one of the walls, to a depth of at least 7.3 metres. This hints that the tower, which was an estimated 13 metres tall, was defensive, to ensure water supply during a siege. The building, most likely here in the Middle Ages, was a crenelated semi-fortified tower house, which was a type of castle built for defense and habitation up until the 17th century.


References:
[1] Kemble, J., 1876. texts The Saxons in England : A history of the English commonwealth till the period of the Norman conquest. 1st ed. London: B. Quaritch.
[2]  Freeman, E A.,  The History of the Norman Conquest of England: Its Causes and Its Results. !st ed. 
[3]  Wikipedia. 2020. Æthelred the Unready - Wikipedia. [ONLINE] Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%86thelred_the_Unready. [Accessed 12 January 2020].