Sharing Local Knowledge About Warminster And District
Thursday 19th March 2026
Today, while out walking on the Southern Range Road (Battlesbury Spur) I met Huw Jessop with Simon. They have known each other since their schooldays in Cardiff. I took their photograph in the sunshine.
Simon (left) and Huw.
A few moments later, Huw’s wife Sarah and Simon’s wife came along, and I took their photograph as well.
Sarah (left) and Simon’s wife.
Thursday 19th March 2026
The third book in my Mortal Visible series of books featuring photographs of Warminster taken by myself is now available. The title is Exercise Care When Emerging. Published by Bedeguar Books. ISBN 978-1-872818-62-7. The book is hardback, measures 218mm x 218mm approx., and has 100 pages plus illustrated endpapers. It features 116 colour photographs of people, places and things in Warminster, taken between 2013 and 2025. Photographs have succinct captions and there is an index. Supplied brand new and shrink-wrapped.
The price is £20 per book. Free delivery locally (Warminster and surrounding villages). If you live further away I can post (postage and packing will be extra). The book will not be available in shops. Limited edition. Only available while stocks last – first come, first served. If you would like to purchase a copy or copies, please let me know – DM me on my Facebook page or email me dannyhowellnet@gmail.com Remember to include your home address or where you want your book(s) delivered to. Thank you.
Thursday 19th March 2026
It’s been glorious, weatherwise, in Warminster today. Someone has remarked this photo of mine, taken in the Lake Pleasure Grounds (Town Park) this afternoon, would make a teaser of a jigsaw?
Friday 13th March 2026
Hearts Of Fire is a film (musical drama) starring Bob Dylan, playing the part of a faded rock star called Billy Parker. The film also stars Rupert Everett.
IMDb describes the storyline as “A reclusive musician, once a huge rock star, takes a young female protegee. While on a tour she meets a younger, more popular rocker and switches her loyalties.”
Hearts Of Fire was announced in August 1986. The film was released in the UK on 9th October 1987 but only shown in cinemas for two weeks. It was later released on video cassette. The film was panned by the critics. Dylan never seemed too interested in it and later distanced himself from it.
Wikipedia states that the concert scenes in the film were shot at the Copps Coliseum in Hamilton, Ontario; Colston Hall in Bristol; and Camden, North London.
But people have told me some of the minor concert scenes were shot at the Athenaeum in Warminster, the Ath being privately booked for filming. And that students from Warminster School were among those invited to be the audience.
Can anyone confirm this? Were you working at the Ath at the time? Were you a student at Warminster School and in the audience? Is there any reference in the Athenaeum Archives?
If you have information about Hearts Of Fire and an Athenaeum connection, please email: dannyhowellnet@gmail.com
Thursday 12th March 2026
While out on an afternoon stroll with a friend the other day, we stumbled across an iron object hidden among the ivy beneath our feet in Primrose Wood (see photo above). It is about 15 inches across and resembles a lid. Whatever it was meant for or part of, someone went to the trouble of adding a decoration of leaves and berries to the ironwork. Has anyone ever seen one of these before? Does anyone know what it was used for? If you know, please email: dannyhowellnet@gmail.com
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