Category: Community (Warminster)

Topics about organisations and activities in Warminster.

Warminster Christmas Celebrations 2024 (Happening Tomorrow)

Friday 29th November 2024

From the Facebook page of Warminster Town Council and Civic Centre:

The biggest ever Warminster Christmas Celebrations 2024 is just ONE day away with the town set to unite with a record number of independent stalls, entertainment acts, as well as special guests turning on the Christmas lights this Saturday 30th November.

Start your day [tomorrow Saturday 30th November 2024] at 10am and enjoy a mix of the best makers, food producers and old favourites with the independent market open until 6pm, encouraging a full day of shopping and trading across the town.

𝐑𝐨𝐚𝐝𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐞 𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞 with stalls located across the High Street, Market Place and in Weymouth Street.

Shops across the town including in East Street, Chinns Court and George Street will also be open, giving visitors the opportunity to purchase a variety of gifts for all, ahead of Christmas Day.

The very popular Civic Centre market in Sambourne Road will run until 4.30pm, with more than 30 stalls, Santa’s Grotto (from 10.30am) and food and drink.

There will be a packed entertainment schedule featuring a mix of music including local schools, Christmas carols, solo artists, rock covers and local bands all performing at the top of the Market Place from 10am.

Izzy Wheeler, 18, and Seren Maskelyne, 17, are both talented solo performers, ready to take to the stage performing a mix of cover songs and original material. Popular local 5-piece band Brakelight have collated an eclectic mix of covers as well as festive picks for the celebration. The wonderful Rock Choir are also ready to entertain the crowds with their upbeat numbers, ahead of headline act One Vision of Freddie.

Special guests Ceawlin and Emma Thynn, Marquess and Marchioness of Bath will then switch on the Warminster Christmas Lights at 5.30pm concluding a huge day of festive celebrations for the town.

Lord Bath said: “We are very proud that Longleat is very much part of the Warminster community with many colleagues living in the town and nearby villages. Emma and I are very much looking forward to taking part in the 2024 lights switch-on.”

The High Street and Market Place will be closed until 8pm, with road closures in place; buses will be using temporary bus stops. Residents are encouraged to walk to the event if possible. Access to Chinn’s Court car park remains via Weymouth Street.

Public toilets will be available at the Civic Centre, Sambourne Road, Warminster BA12 8LB until 4.30pm as well as in Central Car Park. Parking will be available at Wiltshire Council car parks around Warminster.

Warminster Town Mayor, Cllr Stacie Allensby, said: “The Warminster Christmas Celebrations and lights switch-on is set to be the shopping highlight of the year. It is so exciting to have a record number of stalls attending as well as an exciting entertainment schedule.

“We are delighted once again to be working alongside the Warminster Business Network to put on this incredible event that involves even more of Warminster than ever before.”

𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐦𝐚𝐬 𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒 𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐬𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝟑𝟎𝐭𝐡 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫:

10am – 10.30am: Avenue School

10.30am – 11am: Sambourne School

11am – 11.30am: Heytesbury School

12pm – 12.35pm: Izzy Wheeler

12.40pm – 1.15pm: Seren Maskelyne

1.30pm – 3pm: Brakelight

3pm – 4pm: Rock Choir

4.10pm – 5.10pm: Freddie Mercury tribute – One Vision of Freddie

5.15pm: Guests welcomed on stage for Christmas lights build-up

5.30pm: Warminster Christmas Lights switched on

For more information contact Warminster Town Council, Tel: 01985 214847 or email: admin@warminster-tc.gov.uk

100 Years-Old Coin Unearthed In The Lake Pleasure Grounds, Warminster

Thursday 28th November 2024

Press release from Warminster Town Council:

Historic 100-Year-Old Coin Unearthed In Lake Pleasure Grounds

A 100-year-old halfpenny has been unearthed by the Warminster Town Council grounds team as they prepare the park for the winter months.

The historic coin dated 1924 was discovered by Tash and Ben, who were working as part of the team in the Warminster Lake Pleasure Grounds, replanting some of the hedges on Thursday 28th November.

Tash said: “It’s quite a significant find. This year we celebrated the 100th year of the Lake Pleasure Grounds and the coin is from 1924. It has been sat in the park for 100 years and we’ve just dug it up and discovered it. It’s quite coincidental and part of the history of the park.”

Ben explained: “Ivy had taken over, so we were removing some of the bushes affected by black-spot and bugs that were killing it, adding some cherry laurel and some golden privet. As we were reinstating some of the hedges, Tash found a halfpenny from 1924.”

Tash added: “Over the summer a lot of ivy has strangulated the growth of the hedges and plants, so we are just trying to remove as much ivy as we can and replace in places where needed with new plants.”

Warminster Town Council is incredibly proud of the area that includes a lake, tennis court, skate park and bandstand. The grounds are maintained and improved all-year round by a dedicated team.

The Lake Pleasure Grounds were officially opened on 26 July 1924 by the Marquis of Bath – owner of Longleat.

The links between Longleat and Warminster remain to this day with Lord and Lady Bath set to turn on the Warminster Christmas Lights on Saturday 30th November.

For more information contact Warminster Town Council, Tel: 01985 214847 or email: admin@warminster-tc.gov.uk

Warminster Town Council Proposes 1% Increase In Council Tax

Tuesday 26th November 2024

From Warminster Town Council:

A 1% increase in their share of Council Tax for the 2025/2026 financial year has been proposed by Warminster Town councillors. Councillors agreed the proposals at a meeting of Full Council on Monday 25th November.

Warminster Town Council’s share of the Council Tax per Band D equivalent property would therefore rise from £216.50 to £218.67, representing an increase of £2.17 a year, or 4 pence a week.

As typical properties in Warminster are Band C or below and some households receive discounts, the actual increase for most households will be slightly less.

The exact figures will be confirmed when the final budget goes to Full Council for approval in January 2025, but it is expected to be the same as the draft budget.

Councillor Andrew Cooper, Chairman of the Finance and Audit Committee said:

“I am pleased that the town council has been able to recommend such a small rise at a time when we know peoples’ budgets have been under strain for several years in a row.”

“Thanks to good financial management, we have been able to combine a low increase while also protecting and enhancing services. This is a sustainable budget that puts the council in a strong position in uncertain and challenging times.”

The Town Council sets only a small part of Wiltshire’s Council Tax; the majority of the Council Tax charged goes to Wiltshire Council, with other sums going to the Police and Crime Commissioner, the Fire and Rescue Authority, and to support adult social care in the county.

For more information contact Warminster Town Council, Tel: 01985 214847 or email: admin@warminster-tc.gov.uk

Farm Break-Ins Happening In South Wiltshire

Sunday 24th November 2024

A Message About Farm Break-Ins

Lukasz Kolasinski writes:

I am writing to inform you about a concerning increase in farm break-ins which are recently taken place in the south Wiltshire. These incidents have involved the theft of valuable machinery, tools and livestock.

As your Police Community Support Officer, I want to reassure you and increase your awareness on this matter to avoid you of being a victim of this type of crime.

Therefore, I would like to remind you about some steps to undertake to decrease the likelihood of this to happen.

Please keep reporting suspicious activity by calling 101

Constantly improve your security measures- CCTV, motion-sensor lights, robust locks, and forensic marking on your high value equipment

Stay informed and keep spreading the word around your communities to let this message reach the mass audience.

Lastly, if you think there are specifically vulnerable individuals, please let me know so I can provide my visible presence and offer face to face safety advise.

Stay safe.

All the best,
Lukasz.

Lukasz Kolasinski 70901
Police Community Support Officer, Warminster Rural Beat.
Warminster Area Neighbourhood Policing Team (Warminster, Westbury, Tisbury, Mere). Police Station, The Avenue, Warminster, BA12 9AA.

Be Cautious In The Freezing Cold

Thursday 21st November 2024

A message from Our Wiltshire:

Freezing conditions overnight meant that our gritters were out again treating the A and B roads in the county.

Minor routes may not be salted, so please take extra care on the roads and drive to the conditions at all times. Make sure your car has fully defrosted before setting off on the school run or work commute.

If you’re heading out on foot or using a wheelchair, mobility scooter or bicycle, please be cautious and beware of slips, trips and falls.

LGBTQIA+ Badge & Collage Workshop

Wednesday 20th November 2024

LGBTQIA+ Badge & Collage Workshop
As part of the Queer in Wiltshire heritage project, Wiltshire Museum is hosting a FREE LGBTQIA+ badge and collage making workshop!
Join us for a fun morning of crafts, tea/coffee and cake & the chance to contribute to the queer heritage project!
Date: Saturday 30 November 2024
Time: 10:15 – 1 pm
Price: FREE entry, but please pre-book
Location: Wiltshire Museum. Limited, free, on-site parking.
Ages: Aimed at adults but family members are welcome
Booking: Pre-booking recommended, max. 20
Book Online

Ghost Walks For Christmas At Devizes

Friday 15th November 2024

GHOST WALKS FOR CHRISTMAS, led by John Girvan

Dates:
Friday 22 November 2024
Saturday 7 December 2024
Friday 20 December 2024

Start Time: 7.30 pm. The walk last approx. one and quarter hours, but allow extra time.
Tickets:  £8.00 Adults, £4 Children (suitable for ages 11+)
Book Online
Meet: Market Cross, Market Place, Devizes. 
Note:  These walks are organised and led by John Girvan, not Wiltshire Museum. 

Do You Recognise This Woman?

Wednesday 20th November 2024

From the Facebook page of Warminster Police:

We would like to identify this woman in connection with a shoplifting incident at Morrisons, Weymouth Street, Warminster.

An unknown suspect has stolen goods from the shop and we believe the woman in this photo can help with our ongoing investigation.

If you recognise her, please call 101 quoting reference 54240110924.

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