Westbury - White Horse News

21/09/2024

Heron Rise reaches new heights.

Intrepid members of the local community scaled scaffolding to take part in a ‘topping out’ ceremony at Heron Rise in Westbury recently.

The ceremony, an age-old builders’ rite signifying the completion of the highest point of the last home, took place at the Heron Rise development on Station Road. Distinguished guests, including Westbury Mayor Cllr Jane Russ, the Westbury Shed and Westbury Yarn Bombers, joined the Newland Homes team to climb to the top of the scaffolding and sign their names on the wooden roof trusses.

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20/09/2024

All Saints’ Church opens tower for public tours.

Members of All Saints’ Church will be hosting tower tours at the church on Saturday 21st September.

Visitors will have the chance to climb 106 steps to the rooftop of All Saints’ Church and enjoy views over Westbury and the White Horse.

Read more here; https://buff.ly/3zlVSVF

19/09/2024

Chilli Fest returns this month.

There's not long to go until the return of the Wiltshire Chilli Fest, which promises to be ‘hotter than ever!’ Coming to Westbury’s High Street on Saturday 21st September, this festival has something for everyone.

There will be a return of popular festival favourites including the chilli eating competition, performances by the popular Jamma de Samba and circus workshops along with live music, street food and children’s entertainment.

Read more here; https://buff.ly/4gmJBkO

18/09/2024

Holy Trinity Church to welcome the Bishop of Salisbury for special service.

Holy Trinity Church in Dilton Marsh will be welcoming the Bishop of Salisbury, the Rt Revd Stephen Lake, for a special service as part of the church’s 180th anniversary.

The service will take place on Sunday 29th September at 9:30am and will be a service for all church communities that are part of the White Horse Team Ministry, so there will be no other services in the Westbury parish on that Sunday.

Read more here; https://buff.ly/3XCADIJ

17/09/2024

Final chance for residents to have their say on Bratton’s draft Neighbourhood Plan.

There is still time for residents to have their say on Bratton’s draft Neighbourhood Plan. The deadline for residents and stakeholders in the parish of Bratton to have their say on the drafted plan is 23rd September. A Neighbourhood Plan is a community-led document that guides future building and development in a local area, giving communities more control over the future of their area.

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16/09/2024

Council’s one-hour free parking scheme extended amid debate.

The town council has decided to continue offering one hour of free parking for another year at the High Street, Warminster Road and Westfield House car parks.

Councillors approved the proposal at a full council meeting on Monday 2nd September, at a cost of £31,333. However, there was significant debate about whether the council should continue to provide this benefit, with some councillors arguing that it supports local shops, while others questioned whether it aligns with the council’s environmental priorities.

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15/09/2024

Hundreds enjoy Lions’ first family fun day.

Hundreds of people turned out for the Lions’ first family fun day, a new event for the town that offered a wide range of entertainment, including live music, funfair rides and donkey rides.

Read more here; https://buff.ly/3Xjh0UA

15/09/2024

Local resident takes White Horse News to new heights!.

Westbury resident and Rotary Club member Jon Street recently took White Horse News on a memorable journey to the top of Snowdon, the highest peak in Wales.

“I zipped up to Snowdon for an impromptu day out and I took a copy of the WHN with me for a fun pic atop the summit,” said Jon.

Read more here; https://buff.ly/4d4EaUu

14/09/2024

First Heywood House Literary Festival a huge success.

The inaugural Heywood House Literary Festival captivated more than 350 attendees over the weekend, offering an eclectic mix of renowned authors, historians and comedy, along with gourmet lunches.

Held at the picturesque Heywood House near Westbury, the event marked a successful debut, combining intellectual discussions with moments of humour and insight.

Read more here; https://buff.ly/4gm9sJg

14/09/2024

Local pre-school celebrates opening of new baby unit

Local childcare provider Step Up Pre-School, located in Dilton Marsh, has expanded its services with the launch of a new baby unit and is now also welcoming babies.

An open day was held last month to mark the occasion and for prospective parents to see the final result of the Glow Worm Room, a space designed specifically for babies aged 6 to 23 months.

https://buff.ly/3AXmxIV

13/09/2024

Sewing day for period poverty returns to Dilton Marsh.

The Holy Trinity Eco Church will be holding its seventh sewing day this month, supporting the work of the Pachamama Project, a charity that makes reusable sanitary pads for refugees around the world who are dealing with period poverty.

The sewing day will take place at the Memorial Hall in Dilton Marsh on Saturday 14th September, from 10 am to 4 pm.

Read more here; https://buff.ly/3MDNa8f

13/09/2024

Westbury stun league leaders – Charlie Austin and all – with historic cup upset.

What an upset at Meadow Lane with Southern League Premier leaders Totton, who included former professionals Charlie Austin and Scott Rendell in their line-up, well beaten by a young, determined Westbury! To a man, starting 11 and substitutes, in every position, the whole home squad put in a great shift and outplayed their vastly more experienced opponents for large parts of the match.

Read more here; https://buff.ly/3AZbBdS

12/09/2024

Westbury United launches youth section.

Westbury United FC celebrated a fantastic day of football and community spirit on Saturday, August 31st, with the official launch of the club’s youth section.

The event coincided with a thrilling FA Cup First Qualifying Round game, where Westbury’s first team secured an impressive 3-1 victory over AFC Totton whose side included ex-Premier League player Charlie Austin.

Read more here; https://buff.ly/4dZUvLI

12/09/2024

Government reaffirms support for waste incineration: Westbury’s hopes dashed.

Westbury’s hopes for a halt to the controversial waste incinerator have been dashed, as the new government confirmed it would not be reversing its stance on waste incineration.

In recent communications to Westbury Town Council and White Horse News, the government made it clear that there are no plans to block or review the development of waste incinerators, including those with planning permission, such as the one planned for Westbury.

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11/09/2024

Westbury to hit the big screen in new feature film.

A feature film is being filmed in various locations in Westbury, with actors Martin Clunes and James Buckley coming to the town to shoot scenes at the White Horse and other sites around the area.

The film, Mother’s Pride, is a comedy-drama about a failing pub, a divided community, and a grieving family whose lives are changed by brewing real ale and entering the Great British Beer Awards.

Residents were thrilled when the actors were recently spotted filming in the town, with more scenes expected to be shot in the coming months.

Read more here; https://buff.ly/47sQVY0

11/09/2024

Local hero raises another £100,000 for cancer charities with metal detecting rally.

Westbury fundraiser Gary Cook has raised over £100,000 for local cancer charities from this year’s Rodney Cook Memorial (RCM) Rally, held from Friday 30th August to Sunday 1st September.

Gary and his team of volunteers, who give their time freely, have been recognised for their tremendous efforts by being nominated for the Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Awards, making it to the final four in the southern region. “If we win that we will have to go to London for the final live on ITV,” revealed Gary. “ITV West were filming us throughout the weekend.

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10/09/2024

Children’s brass band shortlisted for Classic FM Award.

A children's brass band established last year to promote the local banding tradition among young people has been shortlisted for a prestigious Classic FM Award.

Bratton Brass Roots has been shortlisted for the ‘Best Music Learning Initiative’ award, a national award which recognises efforts to bring music to children and equip them with the skills to become the talented musicians of tomorrow.

Voting for the award closes on Wednesday 18th September, you can vote for Bratton Brass Roots at https://win.classicfm.com/teacher-of-the-year-2024/.

Read more here: https://buff.ly/3MBFvHP

08/09/2024

Westbury train passengers journey back in time with station film.

Passengers at Westbury Railway Station can watch a short film exploring a post-war school day in the town, as part of a project bringing local histories to life at railway stations across the region.

Each film explores local life as it used to be at 24 stations across the region, allowing customers to travel into the past via a QR code link on posters displayed at stations, which can be scanned with phones while waiting for the train.

Read more here; https://buff.ly/4712Dc1

07/09/2024

A new term for Choral Society.

A new term is starting for Westbury and District Choral Society on Wednesday 11th September at the Methodist Church, Station Road. Rehearsals are on Wednesdays at 7.30pm.

Read more here; https://buff.ly/4fYvce9

06/09/2024

White Horse News is looking for a deliverer for a fortnightly newspaper round in Dilton Marsh.

Deliverers must be aged 13 or over.

For more information please email [email protected] or call 01225 704761.

06/09/2024

Zardoz Books opens new unit in Westbury.

A book dealership specialising in vintage paperbacks and rare books has opened a new unit in Westbury.

To celebrate, it is holding a Vintage Bookfair at the new unit on Sunday 8th September, 11am-4pm, offering thousands of £1 sci-fi and mystery books along with a vast stock of thousands of used and new books, plus music on vinyl and CDs.

Read more here; https://buff.ly/3YXuIis

05/09/2024

Gooding Accounts shortlisted for Accounting Excellence Award.

Local accountancy firm Gooding Accounts is celebrating after being chosen as a finalist in the Employer of the Year category for this year’s Accounting Excellence Awards. The awards cover the entire UK, and the practice reports they are delighted to have made the final six, part of an ‘incredible’ group of forward-thinking accountancy firms.

Read more here; https://buff.ly/4g5TT8v

04/09/2024

Parkinson’s fundraiser a ‘resounding success’.

A fundraiser organised by a local woman has raised over £1,000 for Parkinson’s disease research after her husband was diagnosed with the disease 13 years ago.

The event was organised by local residents Heather Woodall, whose husband Woody was diagnosed with Parkinson’s, and Sally Callaway. Held at Heywood and Hawkeridge Village Hall earlier this month, the event featured stalls, a clothing sale, a photography competition, and refreshments. The funds raised will go to Parkinson’s UK to support research.

Read more here; https://buff.ly/472QPpE

03/09/2024

Local historians seek wartime memories for Westbury history project.

Westbury residents are being asked to share their wartime memories and contribute to preserving the town’s history.

Local historians David Jenkins and Julie Davis will host a special event on 7th September aimed at collecting stories, photographs, postcards, and any other memorabilia related to Westbury during the war years.

Read more here; https://buff.ly/4g5KaiO

02/09/2024

Lawnmower donation to help pollen corridor.

Funds from this year’s Dilton Dash have been used to donate a lawnmower to maintain the environment at the Dilton Marsh pollen corridor.

The pollen corridor, a pathway for insects and bees to pollinate plants and crops, is now in its second year in the village and continues to develop. The work to maintain it is carried out by residents of the village committed to improving the environment.

Read more here; https://buff.ly/4dDnSTS

02/09/2024

Reverend leaves on a high note after 12 years.

Members of the West End Baptist Church gathered for a special thanksgiving service and tea last month to say farewell to their minister Reverend Ian McManus who concluded his ministry after 12 years. Ian is taking up the post of musical director and organist for All Saints’ Church in Westbury and will be supporting his wife, Esther, as she becomes the full-time minister of Bratton Baptist Church.

Read more here; https://buff.ly/3T6T1Xj

01/09/2024

Dilton Marsh Flower and Handicraft Show blossoms with success.

Over 60 entrants took part in this year’s Dilton Marsh Flower and Handicraft Show, showcasing more than 170 exhibits including flowers, vegetables, handicrafts, cookery and photography.

Read more here; https://buff.ly/4dIa2zu

01/09/2024

On today - Lions Club ‘roarsome’ family fun day!

Featuring donkey rides, circus acts, food stalls, live music, and a tug-o’-war competition, all organised jointly by the Westbury and Trowbridge Lions Clubs.

At the White Horse Country Park today, Sunday 1st September, from 11:30am to 4:00pm.

Lions Club launch ‘roarsome’ family fun day.

A new family fun day is coming to Westbury next month, featuring donkey rides, circus acts, food stalls, live music, and a tug-o’-war competition, all organised jointly by the Westbury and Trowbridge Lions Clubs.

The event will be held at the White Horse Country Park on Sunday 1st September from 11:30am to 4:00pm.

Read more here; https://buff.ly/3ApCW8T

01/09/2024

Foodbank expresses concern over winter fuel allowance cuts.

The town’s foodbank has expressed concern about the potential impact of the recent cuts to the winter fuel allowance, particularly as the service faces growing pressure from increased referrals.

This winter, pensioners who are not in receipt of pension credit or other benefits will no longer receive the fuel allowance, which has led to concerns from the foodbank.

“Unfortunately, for those who are already on very low incomes, we fear this cut will impact them,” said Janet Gray, a volunteer with Westbury Area Network, who runs Westbury’s foodbank. “These are worrying times for so many people. The foodbank may need to support more people within the community.”

The typical cost of the average food parcel at the foodbank is £26. In 2023, they prepared 1,450 food parcels; however, the number of food parcels prepared in the first six months of 2024 has increased by 36%.

“They rely so much on generous donations, but due to the pressures on people’s finances in the current climate, they are seeing 25% to 30% less in food donations per month,” said Janet.

Local supermarkets Morrisons and Aldi have collection points for those wishing to donate any items of food, and Morrisons continues to have the food bags already prepared that can be purchased.

Read more here; https://buff.ly/4fYu6z3

31/08/2024

Missions rise by 25% for Wiltshire Air Ambulance.

Wiltshire Air Ambulance has experienced its busiest start to a year ever, with a 25% increase in missions in the first half of 2024.

The charity, which has its airbase in Semington, was tasked to 682 incidents between January and June this year, up from 543 for the same period in 2023. This represents a rise of 25.6% in the need for the crew’s critical care and expertise.

Read more here; https://buff.ly/4dHD5Da