Place Names of Calne: White Horse Way

White Horse Way is named for the white horse chalk figure up at Cherhill. This horse first carved in 1780, was famously designed by Dr. Christopher Alsop (also Allsup). He apparently gave instructions on the placement of small white flags via megaphone while standing at a distance. Originally the eye of the horse was created by placing wine bottle upside down into the ground. Apart from when the horse was camoflaged during WWII, the horse has been well maintained, originally by the owner of the Manor at Cherhill. However, these day it is a local committee plan maintenance, which included a massive restoration in 2002. Regular re-chalkings take place with Cherhill Scout Group re-chalking the horse in 2019.

Calne Leisure Centre, 2019.

White Horse Way leads to the Calne Leisure Centre (during the 1990s, called White Horse Leisure Centre), which was opened in 1976, upgraded in 1997-98, and is being turned into Calne Community Campus during 2019/2020 thanks to a £3 million investment by Wiltshire Council. The road also provides access for Kingsbury Green Academy.

Place Names of Calne: Buckeridge's Steps

Buckeridge's Steps

Between 1876 and 1988, three generations of the Buckeridge family ran a shop that began as a grocer's and wine and spirit merchants business, at the corner of Market Hill.

Kelly's Directory, 1915

The business started with Albert Wilkinson Buckeridge (1838-1923). After the First World War, his son, Launcelot John (1886-1977), took over the business. Following the Second World War, Launcelot's sons, David, Paul, and Ted went into partnership, running the business until they sold the business upon retirement in 1988.

This was a successful business, which had a bottling plant and warehouse at the back of the shop and up in Castle Street. All beers and wine would arrive in large containers, to be transferred to smaller bottles and labelled. This included Guinness, with the Buckeridge's being one of the few licensed to bottle this drink under their own name. Along with supplying the local clubs and pubs with drinks, they were also known for their cheeses.

Cheese is something they decided to specialise in, along with wine and beer, when the supermarkets began to appear in the 1960s.

After 1988, the shop became Unwins, followed by the New Wine Shop. Unfortunately the shop was left empty in 2019, and we await a new occupant in this prominent shop.

For 112 years, this family business, at a prominent location, was an important part of Calne's history. In addition to the shop, they had a . So, it seems only right that these steps are known for the family that would have used this route so often.

References:
Information from Calne Heritage Centre

𝗛𝗔𝗩𝗘 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗦𝗔𝗬 - 𝗨𝗦𝗘 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗩𝗢𝗧𝗘 ☑

Referendum on the Calne Community Neighbourhood Plan 2

for the Calne Town and Calne Without Parish has been announced by Wiltshire Council.

A referendum will be held on the following question:

Do you want Wiltshire Council to use the Neighbourhood Plan for Calne and Calne Without to help it decide planning applications in the neighbourhood area?

The poll will take place on Thursday 27 February 2025. Details on how to register to vote is shown on the notice.

Likely to be unable to vote in person? You can request a postal vote.

1. The poll will take place on Thursday 27 February 2025. 2. Applications to register to vote must reach the Electoral Registration Officer by 12 midnight on Tuesday 11 February 2025. Applications can be made online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote. 3. Applications for postal and postal proxy votes must reach the Electoral Registration Officer at Electoral Services, Wiltshire Council, County Hall, Bythesea Road, Trowbridge, Wiltshire, BA14 8JN by 5pm on Wednesday 12 February 2025. Applications can be made online at www.gov.uk/apply-postal-vote. 4. Amendments or cancellations to existing postal, postal proxy and proxy votes must reach the Electoral Registration Officer by 5pm on Wednesday 12 February 2025. 5. Applications for a Voter Authority Certificate or an Anonymous Elector's Document valid for this election must reach the Electoral Registration Officer by 5pm on Wednesday 19 February 2025. Applications can be made online at www.gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate. 6. Applications to vote by proxy must reach the Electoral Registration Officer by 5pm on Wednesday 19 February 2025. Applications can be made online at www.gov.uk/apply-proxy-vote. 7. A person can apply to vote by 'emergency' proxy if they learn they cannot go to the polling station because of their occupation, service or employment, or a medical condition, illness or disability arises, after 5pm on Wednesday 19 February 2025. Applications must reach the Electoral Registration Officer by 5pm on Thursday 27 February 2025. 8. Full details of upcoming polls including timetables, forms to register to vote and results can be found by scanning the code.

For more information, please visit: 
https://www.calnecommunityplan.com/

Two Recent MyWilts Reports

I greatly appreciate the efforts of Wiltshire Council officers in moving forward with the two significant matters I submitted on MyWilts.

These include the pruning of the hedge at Newbury Avenue green space. This was pruned a few years ago to help reduce antisocial behaviour in the area. After growing significantly, it has now been pruned again, making the area more welcoming.

Also, resolving a rocking manhole cover that was frustrating residents due to the loud noise generated when vehicles drove over it. While this job took longer than expected due to a backlog, it is good that it has been completed.

If you have an issue that you think Wiltshire Council can help with, head to MyWilts and raise an issue:

https://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/mywilts-online-reporting 

Councillor Training and Positive Democracy Charter

At the tail end of 2024, I spent some time taking the FILCA course and signing the Positive Conduct equals Positive Democracy charter.

The Financial Introduction to Local Council Administration (FILCA) course is an online, self-paced program designed to support new Responsible Financial Officers (RFOs) and other local council officers. It covers essential financial knowledge over five modules, including council finance basics, budgeting, and financial regulations.

On 27 November 2024, I signed the Positive Conduct equals Positive Democracy Charter which encourages local councillors and clerks to pledge high standards in public life. It aims to promote positive conduct, support good practice, and facilitate honest conversations for effective local democracy. More information can be found here: https://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/positive-conduct-democracy

I also took part in webinars on such topics as emergency planning, the climate emergency, and chairmanship training to keep up to date with topics that impact the council and can be used to inform actions going forward.

As always, please get in touch if there is anything you feel I can assist you with.

I wish you all a happy and healthy 2025.