It’s time to banish the blues and look ahead…

A new year brings resolutions and a sense of a fresh start and new beginnings. I’m sure like me you may have resolved to achieve a new and better you and to make changes to improve your general health and wellbeing.

This week saw what’s nationally known as “Blue Monday”.  Apparently evidence shows that it’s the day when we realise just how much we spent, or more often overspent, over the Christmas period. It’s also the day that most of us give up on those well-intentioned new year resolutions and, perhaps most disturbingly, it’s the day when many people feel most lonely, whatever their age and life situation.

The Samaritans, via the media, are encouraging us all to view Blue Monday as a day to be in the company of others and to have tea and a chat. Across the country independent cafes and coffee shops opened their doors to welcome customers to pop in and do just that. What a simple, yet effective idea.

It prompted me to think that while Wiltshire is blessed with local communities that include others, and offer support to those who are vulnerable - there is no doubt that we can all do more.

Loneliness can affect anyone, at any stage in their life, at school, college, work, or at home, or all of these. I’m sure like me, you’ve had occasion when you’ve just needed someone to talk to, and to listen, and just be there with that unconditional and non-judgemental support.

So this year (2019), I am resolving to try and do that bit extra for others - to offer support when I can see that it could help. After all it’s not really asking much is it? To give some time and have a cup of tea and a chat with someone who just needs some kindness and human interaction.

After all if we all resolved to do a little more for others it would go a long way to rekindling those core values that help communities to become strong and self-sufficient.

And, surely if by a small act – such as tea and a chat - we could reduce loneliness, which is known to be the biggest cause of mental ill-health and many other ill-health conditions, then that’s a great resolution for a new year!

May be if we all did this Blue Mondays or other blue days wouldn’t exist, or have a label. I’m sure Wiltshire will embrace “tea and a chat” and, do you know what - I feel better already having this chat via my first blog of 2019 – so here’s to a bright year ahead for all of us!

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.

Countdown to Christmas – remembering what matters

December is almost here and signs of the festive season remind us that it’s only a few weeks until the big day. All around us we’re seduced by the twinkling Christmas lights and music that is reserved for this time of the year.

This week saw Salisbury transform into a winter wonderland with the opening of the artisan Christmas market and for the first time an ice rink encouraging Christmas shoppers and visitors to enjoy the seasonal experience. High streets across the county are decorated and ready to welcome us to purchase those gifts and stocking fillers that are part of a long-established tradition.

The story of the first Christmas 2,000 years ago says so much about age-old human values which never date.

It is a parable about the pull of home; our craving for companionship; and the life-changing capacity of the kindness of strangers.

It is about a man and a woman in search of warmth and shelter; the instinct of travellers to gather at the birthplace of a child; and about a caring innkeeper who offers the family a safe haven.

It is rich in what it means to care for our neighbours – and that instinct to look after those in need and vulnerable is never more apparent than now – this time of the year.

That is why it gives me so much pleasure to extend the annual invitation for people to join us at County Hall where a community lunch is hosted on Christmas Day.

For those who would otherwise be lonely on this special day we can promise a delicious dinner, a warm welcome, plenty of entertainment and a friendly afternoon spent in the company of people who care.

County Hall is a place for the people, it is a public building, and it is totally appropriate that we use this space to offer support to those who need it most on Christmas Day of all days.

If you – or anyone you know – would like to join us please email christmaslunch@dwfire.org.uk or phone 07734 483881.

No-one should be alone on Christmas Day.

• The eighth annual Christmas lunch will be organised by volunteers from Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service and Wiltshire Council
• Last year 250 guests and volunteers enjoyed a special day together in the Atrium
• Thanks to Apetito who donate all the meals, and Elior, who provide the dining facilities

We will remember them…

Armistice Day honoured the memory of the millions of men and women who gave their lives in the Great War of 1914-18.

Almost a million across the country.

More than 10,000 in Wiltshire.

Last week was dedicated to acts of remembrance across the county and the country. I was honoured to be invited to attend the moving and emotional projection of falling poppies at Salisbury Cathedral on Thursday evening and attend Remembrance services at both Imber village and Salisbury on Sunday (11 November).

On Sunday evening I  joined the local community at Westbury. Like many other communities across the country they gathered to light a beacon as part of the thousand points of light illuminating the awesome sacrifice of those years.

The flame was bright but not as bright as the courage, self-sacrifice and fortitude of those who gave up their lives in France, Flanders and further afield. In Wiltshire the 10,000 men and women are named on the Wall of Remembrance, which has been throughout the county for the past four years, and is currently proudly displayed at County Hall.

Each cross on the wall is in memory of those who gave their lives for us. In their names, across the county, communities are planting 10,000 trees as a living tribute to them – a legacy to the fallen.

We, their grateful descendants, owe our freedom and our own lives to their service and sacrifice.

We are among the few counties without a Thankful Village, the name given to those rare communities which did not endure a single fatality.

Every hamlet, village and town in Wiltshire lost sons and daughters in the conflict.

Grief came to every corner, no matter how remote.

Yet today, every village and town in the county is thankful.

Thankful for the selfless devotion of our brave ancestors.

Next year we will host National Armed Forces Day in Salisbury and it will be a fitting tribute and thank you to the military personnel and emergency services who protect and keep us safe - particularly this year in Salisbury and Amesbury.

More than ever we will show our gratitude.

We owe them so much.

We will recognise and remember them.

Caring for our care leavers

This week I’d like to recognise and commend a very special group of young men and women.

They are our care leavers who recently visited County Hall to discuss and find out more about a new package of support that has been designed to meet their needs.

All of us who are parents know that when children grow into maturity and adulthood it can often be a challenging and tough time. It’s a time of uncertainty when young people are still finding their feet, making their way in the world, and starting to test their independence for the first time.

It usually means a new job, new life and new challenges.

It is a hard enough time for young adults who have a family support network to fall back on. 

Consider then what it must be like for those who have spent their early years in care, and are venturing into the adult world without that wrap around family to fall back on.

They deserve and need all the support that we - as their corporate parent - can provide.

That is why I am so pleased that the new Care Leaver Promise is now in place. It offers all our care leavers a personal advisor to assist with all those practical matters including help with their finances, the benefits that they are entitled to, where they will live and where they will work, including apprenticeships and job opportunities.

Our care leavers are an inspiration to us all and a reminder of how determined young people are, and while we can’t take the place of a family, we can offer the care and support that they need and give them the best start into adulthood and beyond.

No care leaver should ever feel abandoned, forgotten or neglected.

That’s our Promise, and it’s one that I’m so proud to support and uphold.

A living memorial to remember them…

Inscribed on war memorials across Wiltshire are the names of the fallen from WW1.

For each of those names there were families, just like our own, who were stricken with grief.

You only have to reflect on the same suffering in every village and town across Wiltshire to understand why the memory of 1914-18 still provokes so many emotions of sadness, regret and respect.

This week, Wiltshire Council once again displayed the giant poppy at the front of County Hall, and additionally to mark the centenary, four haunting Tommy Silhouettes were unveiled and stand proud at the entrance to the building.

It’s important that all of us commemorate and remember the centenary of the Armistice.

I was invited to Tidworth Garrison last week to plant a beech tree to mark the start of a countywide community project that will see 10,000 trees planted as a dedication to honour those who sacrificed their lives in WW1.

Like the 10,000 crosses that form the Wall of Remembrance, created by Wiltshire school children in 2014, each tree represents a native of Wiltshire who set out for France, Flanders or further afield to serve their country, and never returned.

Through our communities their legacy will live on and we will remember them.