Sophie Day

Residents’ feedback is influencing plans for a Southern Policing Hub at Mitre Way in Old Sarum, which will replace Wiltshire Police’s existing Bourne Hill facility. Concerns raised during more than a month of engagement included traffic, access, lighting, landscaping, environmental effects, neighbouring properties, community amenities and the absence of a custody suite. Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson said the feedback had been formally recorded and shared with the design, highways and environmental teams. Consultation will continue after the outline planning application is submitted.

Western Downland CE VA Primary School in Fordingbridge achieved Key Stage 2 SATs results well above national averages. Every pupil met the expected standard in reading and maths, while 96% reached the expected level in spelling, punctuation and grammar, and 92% did so in writing. The school credited its caring environment, high academic expectations, staff and families for the results.

Wiltshire Council’s Family and Community Learning service was rated as meeting the expected standard in all areas following an Ofsted inspection. Inspectors praised its support for disadvantaged learners and people facing barriers to education, including those with SEND, care-experienced learners and people learning English as a second language. Learners were found to feel welcome, valued and safe, while personalised support helped them overcome low confidence, anxiety and social isolation and develop greater independence.

Wiltshire’s police and crime commissioner recognised volunteers who independently oversee policing in Wiltshire and Swindon. Their work includes unannounced custody-suite visits, reviews of police powers and conduct, monitoring police-dog welfare, scrutiny of governance and risk, and support for misconduct hearings. Fifteen custody visitors checked on about 350 detainees during 96 visits, while other volunteers contributed dozens of visits and more than 100 hearing-day hours. Commissioner Philip Wilkinson said their independent challenge helps identify improvements, reassure the public and strengthen confidence in policing.

Five previously homeless young people and care leavers from Hampshire and Wiltshire spent 10 days in Gran Canaria through Alabaré, Eat That Frog CIC and the Government’s Turing Scheme. The cultural exchange included language practice, outdoor activities, visits and shared cooking, helping participants build confidence, independence and resilience. Each participant earned an Entry Level 3 personal development qualification, while reported wellbeing improved significantly, with 83% recording moderate to high wellbeing after the trip.

Residents of Wilton Place Care Home visited Monkey World in Dorset, travelling by the home’s minibus. After a picnic prepared by the in-house chef, they toured animal enclosures, attended a chimpanzee presentation, saw woolly monkeys and enjoyed ice cream. Care home manager Antoinette Roberts said the minibus enables residents with mobility difficulties to take local and occasional longer trips. The home, operated by Barchester Healthcare, provides residential, dementia, respite and long-term care for 66 residents.

Wilton Mayor Chris Harrison has chosen Salisbury Hospice’s Sponsor a Nurse campaign as the beneficiary of his Mayor’s Appeal during his mayoral year. Salisbury Hospice requires more than £3 million annually, with each registered nurse costing £119 per day. The campaign highlights that 78 Wilton residents used the hospice’s services last year, generating hundreds of in-person and telephone contacts, and hospice fundraiser Alex Brown welcomed the town’s support.

Wiltshire Council has begun its annual electoral canvass, contacting households across the county by email, letter or delivered form to confirm residents and maintain an accurate electoral register. Residents are legally required to respond, with online replies encouraged through householdresponse.com/wiltshire; one person per household can respond on behalf of everyone living at the address.

A Night of Music 4 will be held at St Thomas' Church in Salisbury on September 12 to raise funds for Orchestras For All and the church's restoration work. Organised by Polly Jacobs, the free concert will feature local music teachers and department heads, Royal College of Music junior performers, community musicians and Ukrainian opera singer Viktor Rud. Doors open at 6pm with jazz and a cash bar, and the event follows three earlier concerts that raised more than £12,000 for the charity, which helps young people overcome barriers to participating in ensemble music.

Allotment holders in Salisbury are being recognized for their crops, wildlife-friendly garden spaces and creative scarecrows despite challenging growing conditions. The Allotment and Gardens Association Salisbury will display the competition entries at its Summer Show at the United Reformed Church on Fisherton Street, where Mayor of Salisbury Jenny Bolwell will present the winners.

The New Forest National Park Authority welcomed the UK Government’s temporary ban on disposable barbecue sales after a major wildfire in the area, although the latest blaze was caused by a vehicle rather than a barbecue. Existing rules prohibit fires and outdoor cooking in the open countryside, while Forestry England has temporarily banned all barbecues at its ten local campsites. The authority has asked independent campsites to adopt similar restrictions, with nearly 40 agreeing within 24 hours. The measures aim to protect people, wildlife, habitats and stored carbon from increasingly severe wildfire risks.

Philippa Oakley, clinic director of Acorn Health in Amesbury, has joined the board of trustees of the Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Alliance, a UK-wide organization representing the interests of around 20 million people living with musculoskeletal conditions. She will bring patient and practitioner perspectives to national discussions involving the government, NHS and other organizations. Oakley highlighted the effects of pain on sleep, work, family life, confidence and independence, while ARMA is seeking a national strategy and more consistent local support. Her appointment follows leadership roles with the British Chiropractic Association and other healthcare bodies, as well as recognition as its Chiropractor of the Year for 2022–2023.

Whitsbury Road in Fordingbridge, between Green Lane and Fryern Court Road, is expected to close for up to five days from Monday, August 24, while 4 Site Power & Fibre Networks carries out telecommunications work. The closure will operate around the clock under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, with traffic diverted via Green Lane, Salisbury Street, High Street, Shaftesbury Street, Station Road, Main Road, Rockbourne Road and Whipps Hill.

Wiltshire Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson has called for any police reform to be evidence-led, carefully planned and focused on delivering public benefits. He said reform could improve consistency, technology, data-sharing and collaboration, while warning that large-scale organizational change can be challenging. Wilkinson also emphasized leadership, professionalism, integrity and positive workplace cultures, and invited Wiltshire residents to contribute through a public survey.

Salisbury Cathedral will screen the 1965 musical film The Sound of Music on Saturday, September 5, as part of its year-long Joyful Noise theme. The event will feature the classic film, its well-known songs and a bar serving refreshments, with tickets available through the cathedral’s website.

Crimestoppers has launched a Wiltshire campaign encouraging residents to anonymously report organised rural crime affecting farms, wildlife and rural communities. The campaign highlights thefts of agricultural machinery and vehicles, illegal waste dumping and hare coursing, which can cause financial, environmental and emotional harm. Hare coursing reports rose almost 22% to 240 between September 2024 and August 2025, while Wiltshire Police arrested 40 people and charged 36 in related cases over the past two years. Crimestoppers’ anonymous reporting service operates around the clock and does not require callers to provide personal details.

Part of the B3092 in Maiden Bradley with Yarnfield, from The Old Vicarage for approximately 500 metres southward, is scheduled to close on weekdays from September 7 to September 18 for improvement works. A diversion will use the B3092, A361, A36, A350 and B3095. Access for residents and businesses will be maintained where possible, although delays are expected. Wiltshire Council said the closure order may last up to 18 months, despite the works being expected to finish within the stated 10-day period.

Salisbury-born professional wrestler Tristan Hayes is preparing for his final match after a 29-year international career. He will headline Ring Wrestling Stars’ Salisbury Slamdown at Salisbury City Hall on September 13, a venue that holds personal significance because his late father first took him there to see Giant Haystacks in 1992. Hayes began professional training in 1997, later touring the United States, Australia and Japan, and hopes his retirement will inspire others to pursue wrestling.

Fordingbridge Players are preparing Norman the Conqueror, a play about a 92-year-old man's memories as a 12-year-old evacuee in Southampton during the Second World War. The production connects those experiences with his life during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic and his ties to Fordingbridge through his marriage. Performances are scheduled from October 28 to 31 at Forres Sandle Manor School in Fordingbridge, with tickets costing £12.50 and admission for audiences aged 12 and over.

A new UK tour of Isobel McArthur’s musical comedy adaptation Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of) will visit Salisbury Playhouse from October 27 to 31. Directed by McArthur, the production stars Georgia Firth as Elizabeth Bennet alongside Eva Hope, Roxanne Morgan, Julia Murray and Phoebe Marshall, with additional cover performers. The show combines Jane Austen’s story with pop songs and will open in Chelmsford before touring venues including Cambridge, Edinburgh, Oxford and Cardiff. Producer David Pugh and Chelmsford Theatre director Rhys Thomas highlighted the production’s international success and previous audience reception.

Godolphin School in Salisbury reported outstanding A-level results, with all students securing places at their chosen universities. Twenty-one per cent of grades were A*, 45 per cent were A* to A, and 71 per cent were A* to B, all exceeding national averages. School leaders praised the cohort’s hard work, resilience and ambition, while individual students celebrated high grades and varied university destinations. From September, Godolphin and Chafyn Grove will merge to form the co-educational Chafyn Godolphin School, serving pupils from nursery through sixth form.

Six Wiltshire Police officers and staff, including Assistant Chief Constable Deb Smith, completed a 185-mile, three-day Police Unity Tour from Devizes to the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire. The annual ride commemorates police officers who died in the line of duty and raises funds for Care of Police Survivors, which supports injured officers and bereaved families. Smith said the event honours 30 Wiltshire officers who have died since 1839 and highlights the risks faced by serving officers.

Swans Women’s Institute held its annual summer garden party at Stapleford Village Hall while its usual Wilton venue was closed for refurbishment. The gathering included the first Lin Wells Creative Memorial Competition prize-giving, with Jane receiving the winning plate, as well as routine business, reports, and a successful foodbank collection. Members will return to Wilton Community Centre the following month for a talk about diving and continue to meet on the first Thursday of each month.

RAF Flight Sergeant Harriet Hood has received SSAFA’s Sir James Gildea Global Volunteer Award for five years of dedicated volunteering with the Salisbury Plain Serving Community Team. Alongside her RAF career, she has helped provide confidential financial, practical and emotional support to serving personnel and their families, including through initiatives such as Brews, Bakes and Brushes. Originally from Ascot, Hood has served in the RAF for 22 years and has been deployed to the Falkland Islands, Afghanistan and the United Arab Emirates. She said SSAFA previously supported her own family and that volunteering allows her to give back to the charity.

The Railway Hotel in Fordingbridge has reopened after a two-year restoration by Larasian, with local publican Jason Schinkel taking over its management. The 19th-century building’s railway heritage has been incorporated into its design, including five themed en-suite rooms, a two-bedroom cottage and dining areas inspired by historic rail travel. The venue will initially focus on pub dining, with accommodation available for visitors, and will operate from Wednesday to Sunday.

A special Act of Remembrance for the 81st anniversary of Victory over Japan Day will be held at Salisbury’s War Memorial in Guildhall Square on Saturday, August 15, beginning at 10:45 a.m. Organized by the Royal British Legion with support from Salisbury City Council, the open ceremony will honor British, Commonwealth and Allied personnel who served and died in the Far East and Pacific campaigns, as well as veterans and families affected by the war and captivity. Deputy Lieutenant of Wiltshire Primrose Campbell and Salisbury Mayor Jenny Bolwell are expected to attend.

Around 200 candles were floated down the River Avon in Salisbury to commemorate victims of the 1945 atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and people affected by nuclear weapons. The event included the participation of Salisbury Mayor Jenny Bolwell and lanterns made by students at Hiroshima's Kyoso Junior High School, reflecting the cities' longstanding links. Salisbury CND used the ceremony to argue that nuclear weapons are unaffordable and divert funds from essential services, while a message from the Mayor of Hiroshima warned that global conflicts are driving military build-ups and weakening peace efforts.

The Berwick St John Country Fayre will return over two days in September, featuring steam engines, vintage tractors, a dog show, rural crafts, classic cars, heavy horses, a raffle, live music and an auction. Organized by volunteers and supported by the local community, the event will accept donations and direct all profits to the Stars Appeal, which aims to raise £2 million for projects at Salisbury Hospital, including a mammogram machine, building improvements, cancer support, a children’s unit play assistant and hospital Wi-Fi.

Hatch House’s annual Open Garden in Tisbury will return on August 30, raising funds for Salisbury Hospice Charity. Founded by Holly Rumbold and Elspeth Vernon, the event has raised more than £250,000 and now features garden tours, refreshments, and stalls selling second-hand furniture, books, jewellery, clothing, and other goods. Proceeds support local end-of-life and palliative care.

Right at Home Salisbury & Andover is launching The Community Sofa, a podcast designed to connect families with local charities, healthcare professionals and community services. Co-hosted by director Dr Courtney Hillman and registered manager Debs Sheldon, the podcast will provide practical advice and information about available support, launching on August 14 through YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts, with additional resources on the provider’s website.

Wiltshire-based Archaeologist Guided Tours, founded by PhD archaeologists and led by professional archaeologists, has been shortlisted for the 2026 British Travel Awards. The company offers expert-led visits to historic sites including Stonehenge, combining site history with current archaeological research and debates. Founder Dr Edward Shepherd said the nomination recognized the company’s effort to provide deeper, research-based heritage experiences. Public voting is open, with voters entered into a prize draw offering more than £30,000 in travel prizes.

Nearly 100 people attended Wiltshire’s Walking Sports Festival at Springfield Community Campus, taking part in free sessions including walking football, hockey, rugby, netball and pickleball. The event promoted accessible physical activity, improved mental and physical wellbeing, and social connection, while free health checks were provided by the Living Well Team. Participants praised the friendly and inclusive atmosphere, and the festival concluded with walking football and netball tournaments. Wiltshire Council said regular walking sport sessions are available year-round through local clubs.

The Music Baa near Salisbury will host the family-friendly Flocksteady Bleats reggae festival from August 21 to 23. The lineup includes returning acts such as Captain Accident & The Disasters and Dub Princess & the Hotsteppas, alongside first-time performers including Winston McAnuff, his family, and French reggae group The Ligerians. The event will feature reggae, dub, ska, punk, soul, folk, and world music, with camping and other visitor facilities available.

Farming Minister Stephen Morgan visited the New Forest National Park Authority’s stand at the New Forest and Hampshire County Show in Brockenhurst. He discussed the authority’s nature-recovery, education and community projects, met youth board member Abi Tebb, and tried an adapted bicycle used by PEDALL to help people with additional needs access the forest. Morgan said sustainable farming and nature recovery can reinforce each other, citing the government’s £11.8 billion investment in English farming and its 25-year Farming Roadmap.

Salisbury saddler Mark Romain MBE has been installed as Prime Warden of the historic Worshipful Company of Saddlers at a ceremony in London. He will serve for a year as the organization's principal ambassador and leader, presiding over its Court and supporting its charitable and educational work. Romain began his saddlery career in 1973, later establishing the Saddlery Training Centre in Salisbury with his wife Dawn, serving as president of the Society of Master Saddlers, and receiving an MBE for services to the trade.

Wilton Place Care Home in Wilton held a summer fayre attended by residents, relatives, staff and local community members. The event featured food, refreshments and stalls from local businesses, raising £241.90 for Barchester’s Charitable Foundation. Residents and staff praised the event for creating a welcoming atmosphere and strengthening the care home’s community connections.

Retired Salisbury English teacher John Cox has published Memories for Rosemary, a poetry collection inspired by his life with his wife, Rosemary, who has dementia. All proceeds will support the Stars Appeal at Salisbury District Hospital. Rosemary, a former nurse who worked at several London and Salisbury medical institutions, now receives nursing care. The book costs £10 locally or £12 online, and Cox hopes it will share the power of poetry and memory while raising funds for hospital patients and families.

Tony Barfoot, who has coeliac disease and lives near Salisbury, has launched the free Salisbury Gluten Free Guide to help people find safer places to eat. The independent website lists 75 venues across Salisbury and surrounding areas, detailing practices such as dedicated fryers and separate food-preparation areas, with information verified directly by venues and dated. Some businesses have been praised for their transparency, while a café and a village pub asked to be removed because they could not guarantee or maintain accurate gluten-free information. The guide addresses a significant health need for people with coeliac disease, for whom avoiding gluten is medically necessary.

The High Corner Inn in Ringwood is turning its garden into an open-air cinema from August 5 to 9, with deck chairs, a large screen, food and drinks. Tickets cost £5 and include a choice of beverage, while screenings include Pretty Woman, The Devil Wears Prada, Dirty Dancing, Mrs Doubtfire and Zootropolis 2. Guests can book dinner before screenings and are advised to bring blankets or extra layers for the outdoor setting.

Thunderbirds Are GO! An Exclusive Evening with Dee Anderson will take place at The Barn in Ringwood at 7:30 p.m. on November 12, 2027. Dee Anderson, daughter of series creators Gerry and Sylvia Anderson, will share behind-the-scenes stories and memories of the internationally popular television series. Tickets are available through The Barn's website, with strong demand anticipated.

Milford House care home in Salisbury marked its 20th anniversary with a barbecue, live music and a gathering of staff, residents, families and guests. General manager Abhishek Bagchi praised the staff and thanked residents and their relatives for helping create a caring community. Operated by Barchester Healthcare, the home provides residential and nursing care for 63 residents and regularly hosts events for residents, families and local neighbours.

Wiltshire Council has awarded £200,000 to VisitWiltshire to promote the county as a year-round tourism destination, attract more visitors and increase spending in local communities. The funding will support marketing campaigns, improved digital content, website upgrades, tourism-business networking and advice, trade engagement, and compliance with VisitEngland’s accreditation requirements. Council cabinet member Helen Belcher and VisitWiltshire chief executive David Andrews said the investment would strengthen the visitor economy, support jobs and businesses, and encourage longer stays across Wiltshire.

Faith leaders, councillors and community partners renewed their commitment to the Wiltshire Faith Communities Network at a gathering in Salisbury. Established by Wiltshire Council in 2020 to coordinate the Covid-19 response, the network now addresses the cost of living, social isolation, support for children and young people, refugee assistance and climate change. Future work will focus on vulnerable residents, loneliness, family opportunities and cooperation based on mutual trust, respect and openness.

Music producer Trevor Horn will bring his Adventures In Modern Recordings show to The Barn in Ringwood on Friday, November 13. The event will feature stories from his career, with tickets and meet-and-greet options available. Horn is known for his work with artists including Seal, Frankie Goes to Hollywood and ABC, as well as for his early success with The Buggles and Yes; his accolades include four BRIT Awards, a Grammy and a CBE.

Damerham & District Horticultural Society held its summer show during the Damerham Fair, attracting a record number of exhibitors despite difficult growing conditions. The event featured flowers, vegetables and handicrafts. Mary Ford won both the Allenford Cup and Banksian Medal, while Helen Mullens and Jean Carr won awards in the flower and novice classes respectively. Society president Jane Hall presented the prizes.

Folk singer-songwriter Seth Lakeman will perform at Salisbury City Hall on October 8 as part of a tour marking the 20th anniversary of his 2006 album Freedom Fields. He will perform the album in full alongside other fan favorites. Freedom Fields became his first of six UK Top 40 albums and won Album of the Year at the 2007 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, while Lakeman was named Folk Singer of the Year. His latest studio album, The Granite Way, was released in February 2025 on his own Honour Oak Records label.

Six winners of the 2026 New Forest Awards were recognised at the New Forest and Hampshire County Show for contributions to farming, conservation, sustainability and rural business. Elycia Farnish won Young Farmer, The Farmers Butcher received Best Supporter of Local Produce, Hockey’s Farm Shop was named Sustainability Champion, Gemma Hobbs won Young Environmental Champion, Richard Chanell received Farming and Nature Champion, and Richard Deakin was named Commoning Champion. The awards are organised by the New Forest National Park Authority and the Country Land and Business Association.

Stonehenge School in Amesbury has been selected as one of 15 UK schools participating in The Learning Partnership’s STEM challenge programme. Supported by Stannah and the Joseph Stannah Foundation, the programme gives pupils practical experience in engineering through activities involving model rocket cars, robotics and drones. Organizers say the initiative develops creativity, teamwork and critical thinking while showing students how classroom learning connects to careers.

Alabaré is encouraging people aged 16 and over in Wiltshire to use its Riverside Sanctuary in Churchfields, Salisbury, a confidential, non-clinical mental health drop-in service open every evening from 4pm to 11pm. The service can support up to 15 people daily during the summer, offers advice from staff with lived experience, and provides activities including cooking, creative writing, games and crafts. Demand often increases during warmer months, while Wiltshire Police reported a 9.1% annual rise in 999 calls in June. Police and ambulance crews can refer people to the Sanctuary as an alternative to lengthy A&E waits.

Babcock International Group has been confirmed as the key sponsor of the inaugural Hampshire Air Festival, taking place at Thruxton Aerodrome on September 12–13. The company will promote its aviation, defence, air ambulance and Royal Air Force flight-training work, support the RAF Tutor Display Team, and run aviation and STEM activities. The festival will include the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, Spitfires, a Dakota and a rare Polish MiG-17.

English Heritage is offering one visitor and their guests private access to Stonehenge every day in August through a prize draw. Anyone booking an August visit at least 72 hours in advance will be entered automatically, with winners granted exclusive access to the stone circle from 9:00 to 9:30am, followed by breakfast and the wider visitor experience. The initiative is intended to give ordinary visitors an opportunity usually reserved for heads of state, celebrities, astronauts, or premium-tour customers.

Probus Club of Gillingham members John Owen and Phil Butler completed the Stars Appeal Walk for Wards in support of Salisbury Hospital. Owen, 76, completed a rugged 10-kilometre route after recovering from a heart attack, while Butler, 79, walked 15 kilometres while living with prostate cancer and macular degeneration. Together they raised more than £1,000 for the hospital, including its cardiac unit.

Wiltshire Council is encouraging schools to install solar panels and battery storage through the Wiltshire Solar Schools programme. Maintained schools can access low-interest loans and fully managed installations, while non-maintained schools are encouraged to work with community energy groups or other providers. A pilot at Lea and Garsdon Primary School installed 218 panels and an 85kWh battery, reportedly reducing power costs and freeing resources for teaching.

Moors Valley Country Park’s Halloween light trail will return from October 23 to November 1, 2026. Hosted by Forestry England, the after-dark experience will feature illuminated displays, giant skeletons, a carnivorous garden, the Demon Barber and eerie forest-themed scenes. Entry will be timed with limited capacity; tickets start at £15 for adults and £9 for children, with early booking recommended.

Swindon & Wiltshire Pride is launching We Were Always Here: Wiltshire’s Hidden LGBTQIA+ Social History, a National Lottery Heritage Fund-backed project documenting LGBTQIA+ experiences from the early 19th century through the legalisation of same-sex marriage in 2014. The project seeks personal stories, photographs, documents and local knowledge, with early research covering 1990s Swindon and a gay Second World War pilot who later became a Chippenham MP. Public talks and outreach events will encourage residents to contribute their memories and help preserve these histories.

Salisbury Reds will offer free bus travel throughout August to children aged five to 15 under a government-funded summer holiday scheme. Children aged five to 11 must travel with an adult, while those aged 11 to 15 may travel alone, subject to destination and proof-of-age requirements for older children. Some services, including the Stonehenge Tour, are excluded, and adults are advised to use capped Dayrider fares when making multiple journeys.

Ringwood teacher Tony Finlay, 62, completed the 630-mile South West Coast Path in about 50 days, despite broken ribs, heatwaves, thunderstorms and more than 115,000 feet of ascent and descent. He undertook the challenge to raise money for summer adventure camps for students at UKG Language & Learning, who face disrupted schooling, mental health difficulties or complex home circumstances. More than £2,600 has been raised toward a £3,000 target, with further fundraising planned.

Ellis Jones Solicitors has been recognised in the 2026 Chambers & Partners High Net Worth Guide, with its Private Wealth Disputes and Private Wealth Law teams ranked in bands two and three. Managing partner Lauren Day received a band two individual ranking in the South West, while wills, trusts and probate partner Carla Brown was ranked in band one for Southampton and the surrounding area. The guide praised the firm's legal expertise, practical approach, client service and ability to explain complex estate-planning and tax issues. The firm has also received recognition in the Chambers & Partners UK Legal Guide and The Legal 500.

Timber, a new forestry-themed play zone at Moors Valley Country Park and Forest, has opened to the public. The attraction includes a timber lorry, tunnels, a wooden harvesting machine, an interactive forester’s cabin and accessible features, aiming to teach children about sustainable timber production through play. Forestry England said parking revenue helps fund new and improved play structures; Timber is the tenth giant structure on the park’s Play Trail.