Category: Around And About Warminster

Friday 16th December 1921:

An article titled Town Improvements, published on Friday 16th December 1921, made the following references to the Nun’s Path, Warminster ~

When some couple of years ago the Marquis of Bath presented to the town a portion of the Downs [Arn Hill] facing the Westbury Road, Mr. Harraway, who was chairman of the Urban Council [Warminster UDC] at the time, suggested that a great improvement would be effected if the site was laid out so as to make it more attractive and accessible to the general public. Circumstances did not favour the carrying out of the work at that time, but the desire a few months ago to find work for some of the unemployed led to the suggestion being revived, and, as it is generally known, the Arn Hill Improvement Scheme was adopted by the Council and application was made for a grant from the Government’s relief works funds for the carrying out of the work.

Although at the last meeting of the Council it was reported that the necessary sanction to the grant had not yet been received, the work has, nevertheless, been proceeding, under the direction of Mr. Lawton, and is now nearing completion; and everyone who has seen what is being done is, we believe, of the opinion that it will effect a real town improvement.

The approach to the “Nun’s Path” from Westbury Road has been made into a good hard pathway, whilst for a considerable distance the “Nun’s Path” has been widened and made good. Before the steep ascent of the path is reached a convenient shelter has been erected, whilst from that point, in an easterly direction, a new pathway has been made on a terrace some way up the slope, crossing along under “The Firs” and joining the existing pathway (now considerably widened) across the steep incline formerly known as “Smokey Hole” to the old limekiln road. The pathway from thence along under the south side of the Downs to the top of Elm Hill, has, by the consent of the Golf Club, been also cleared and widened, and when completed there will be a firm footpath of a good width from the top of Elm Hill right across to the “Nun’s Path.”

. . . . . Altogether the alterations being carried out have not only found work for a number of those who would otherwise have been unemployed, but the improvements effected will be a valuable addition to the amenities of our ancient town.