Wishing you and yours a truly wonderful Christmas…

This is my last blog before the Christmas break, and just ahead of the festivities and some precious time with our loved ones, I wanted to reflect a little on the year we’ve experienced.

In many respects it has been a truly tough, challenging and totally unexpected 12 months.
The first weekend in March we were hit with the Beast from the East bringing heavy snowfall that brought the A303 to a grinding halt leaving hundreds stranded overnight in their cars and others unable to leave their homes due to such severe conditions. 

Then on that same weekend of such extreme weather the nerve agent incident in Salisbury occurred and we encountered the most surreal experience of seeing our usually quiet city become the lead news story all over the world.

Where once Salisbury was famous for its glorious cathedral, ancient lanes and quaint shopping quarters – now its name was synonymous with spies, nerve agent and diplomatic intrigue.

Then in June, just as we thought we were heading back towards normality in the city, the second incident in Amesbury hit.

This time we moved from spies and intrigue to the sad and tragic death of one of our community; Dawn Sturgess. 

What followed was a time when the cohesion of the local communities directly affected by these incidents was tested. And, how they stood up and responded.

They endured. They worked together. They got through it. They were stoic. 

The shared values of community, cooperation and caring for others emerged in their true colours.

At the end of another year, it’s always rewarding to reflect and to count your blessings.

We are lucky to live in Wiltshire. It is a peaceful, prosperous and pleasant part of the world – and its communities know how to manage a crisis – even one that’s the most unpredictable and surreal. 

For that we should be thankful, reassured and blessed.

As slowly normality returns and life rebuilds following the crisis and tragedy in South Wiltshire, we can rest in the knowledge that we have gained. In spirit, in our support for others, and in our determination to get our city and town back. 

And, most importantly in our focus and belief that there is a positive future.

May I wish you and your family a wonderful Christmas, and a more peaceful 2019!

A county that’s proud of its heritage

I have always advocated that we really do have so much to be proud of in Wiltshire. Whether that’s the outstanding countryside, the resilience and strength of our community spirit that is visible across the county, or our wealth of wonderful historic buildings and architecture that makes us not just unique, but a place that people seek to live and work in, and visit.

It’s vital therefore that we look after our history and our historic buildings and that we protect and enhance what makes Wiltshire the beautiful place that it is.

You may not be aware of an Irishman named Thomas Henry Wyatt. But you will almost certainly have seen his work as he was a hugely talented and industrious architect who made a greater mark on our county than just about any other architect in history.

In the 1800s he designed grand buildings, bridges and churches right across England, Wales and as far away as Portugal. In Wiltshire he designed 47 churches, two mansions and a hospital. But it was his first project in the county that served as his grandest statement – the Assize Court in Devizes.

This fine imposing building has fallen on hard times in recent years. For as long as most of us can remember the building has stood derelict, with weeds sprouting through steel security barriers, and its noble façade shuttered and neglected. The scene inside even more devastating and derelict – a sorry state for all to see.

But that changed recently.

Thanks to support from the Wiltshire Historic Buildings Trust and a generous cash benefactor, the recently established Devizes Assize Court Trust has taken over ownership.

I was delighted to support the trustees in announcing a rescue plan that will breathe new life into this landmark and hopefully restore it to its former glory. The plan of restoration will include galleries to host Wiltshire Museum’s displays and artifacts, a café, a lecture theatre and community space.

The Assize Court, with the support of the trust and the local community, will be restored and stand proud as an attraction for visitors far and wide to Devizes and Wiltshire.

It will be a glorious and historic adornment to the future regeneration of the Wharf area in the town. This worthwhile project demonstrates the tangible passion in the county to preserve and restore iconic and historic buildings and to keep Wiltshire a special place.

A place that we enjoy as residents and want to share and showcase to visitors from further afield.