Warminster News...
Peacocks Saved... Wednesday 22 February 2012 Warminster's Peacocks store has been saved from closure by Edinburgh Woollen Mill who have bought the majority of the stores, staff are very pleased confirming that their store is one of the lucky ones, 224 stores have closed. Philip Day, the Chairman and Chief Executive of the Edinburgh Woollen Mill Group said "We look forward to working with our new colleagues to rebuild the business in what is a very tough economic environment for High Street retailers in the UK,” and that they look to "excite the customers with great products.”.
____________________________________________________________________________________
Business Review - More Than £500 Saved On The Car... Wednesday 22 February 2012 Having a good deal on a full service we took our car to a national car service centre, hopefully they did a good job on the service (how do you tell if you aren't a mechanic yourself in which case you wouldn't leave it to someone else to do?). However having done that they said that we needed to spend over £900 on a new cam belt, three tyres, and brake repairs. Smelling a rat we declined their kind offer to do the work there and then, and came back to Warminster. Having happily used Checkpoint before I left the car with them this morning to check the brakes and tyres (they don't do cambelts). Given that one garage had already said all that work was needed it would have been easy for them to nod in agreement and undercut them a bit. Instead they checked the brakes and charged me £36 for checking and cleaning the drums, and fitted four new tyres for less than what xxxx would have charged for three. Next week we are having the cambelt replaced locally, saving more than £200, we'll let you know how that goes. Checkpoint Tyre & Auto, Woodcock Industrial Estate, Woodcock Rd, Warminster, Wiltshire, BA12 9DX. Telephone: 01985 215148
____________________________________________________________________________________
Indians At Trowbridge Overrule Cowboys At Warminster... Wednesday 22 February 2012 Wiltshire Council has overruled Warminster Town Council's objections to Waitrose having an internally illuminated totem sign at their entrance off Station Road. Warminster Town Council objected on the grounds that "internally lit signs are inconsistent with the character of the conservation area and that externally lit signs are preferred.", however this argument probably wasn't supported by the facts that the sign wouldn't actually be in a conservation area and that it would be consistent with the one that Lidl have had up for years.
____________________________________________________________________________________
Smallbrook Woodland Path Closed For Day... Wednesday 22 February 2012 In recent months Wiltshire Wildlife Trust has had a couple of willows down in the woods In Smallbrook Meadows through which the main path meanders. The WWT has surveyed the remaining trees alongside the path and 2 will have to come down. The date for the execution is tomorrow, Wednesday 23 February. Obviously the path will have to be closed for much of the day.
____________________________________________________________________________________
Kingdown Students Involved In Rescuing Coach Crash Victims... Tuesday 21 February 2012 Kingdown School's coach bringing pupils back to England from a skiing trip in Etroubles, Italy, became involved in the fatal crash in France that has hit the national news. The Kingdown school coach came across the accident before medics arrived and their drivers and teachers told pupils to close their curtains so that they wouldn't witness the carnage, then went to help, assisting the uninjured out of the smashed front windscreen of the crashed coach. The police later asked that the Kingdown coach ferry about 35 of the uninjured children to the local village hall which had been set up as a temporary shelter, which they did. Sara Edwards, Kingdown School's headteacher, has confirmed her teacher's and students involvement and said "our thoughts are with the families and the school".
____________________________________________________________________________________
Cycle Route Still Open Through Longleat... Tuesday 21 February 2012 Longleat have today confirmed to Warminster Web that despite the signs having come down the cycle route crossing in front of Longleat House is still open whilst it is reviewed. A public meeting to discuss access is still planned for March, though the date is yet to be decided.
____________________________________________________________________________________
Weekly Police Report From Inspector Lindsey Winter... Tuesday 21 February 2012
Semley Break-Ins... This weekend has seen reports of burglaries/ attempted burglaries to a number of work premises located on a small industrial estate at Semley over the weekend. Offenders have either tried to or gained entry to 4 premises on the same estate. 2 units have been entered and tools/equipment stolen from within. These incidents are all believed to have happened overnight Saturday 18th/Sunday 19th February. There is an appeal for witnesses or anyone with any information to assist Police with their continued enquiries. The duty Sgt at Warminster on 101 726815
Valuables Still Being Left In Vehicles... There has also been further reports of thefts from cars whilst they have been left parked and unattended by persons out walking this weekend. Yet more handbags have been targeted for cash/personal items of value. Offender/s are smashing windows of cars whilst they are left parked because handbags are being left hidden under seats/blankets or sometimes left on show. A further appeal to our public - please do not leave handbags, wallets,purses in cars whilst out walking!! There are signs at most of our local favoured locations - highlighting this particular problem, by leaving valuables in cars the temptation will always be there.
____________________________________________________________________________________
Wiltshire Libraries Get Ebooks!... Tuesday 21 February 2012
The Wiltshire Libraries eBook service is now available to library members, with over 1500 titles to choose from including a huge range of adult and children’s fiction as well as popular non fiction genres such as travel, gardening and history. Members, using their library card number and PIN, can download eBooks by visiting http://wiltshire.lib.overdrive.com. The downloaded eBooks can be read on a PC, laptop, some mobile devices and dedicated eReaders, and are in the industry standard EPUB or PDF formats.
Cabinet member for libraries, Stuart Wheeler said, “We have listened to what our library users want and are delighted to offer this new service. We now live in an age where some people like to access information through a variety of different ways. This service will really complement and enhance the traditional library service we provide”.
How does the service work?...
Borrow up to 3 eBooks at a time for free.
Choose a loan period of 7, 14 or 21 days. eBooks can be returned early so another can be checked out.
eBooks will automatically expire at the end of the loan period so no need to worry about overdue charges.
Reserve up to 3 eBooks at a time for free.
Read your eBooks on a wide range of devices such as Kobo, Sony and Nook eReaders as well as the iPhone, iPad, Android and Blackberry devices.
Unfortunately this service will not be available on the Amazon Kindle.
The text in eBooks can be enlarged on most devices so all title can be read in large print.
____________________________________________________________________________________
Wiltshire Chief Constable Made Head Of Border Security... Monday 20 February 2012 Wiltshire Chief Constable Brian Moore has been appointed the head of the new UK Border Force. The government clearly appreciates Brian's unblemished record in border security, Wiltshire having neither borders with any other country, ports, or international airports,
____________________________________________________________________________________
Imber Opening Dates And Salisbury Plain Newsletter... Sunday 19 February 2012 The new and revised dates for access through Imber and across Salisbury Plain have been announced in the March issue of the 'SALISBURY PLAIN TRAINING AREA (SPTA) NEWSLETTER'. It is planned to open roads through Imber as follows: 06 April to 09 April (Easter Bank Holiday); 01 June to 05 June (Bank Holiday, new dates); 10 November from 10 am to 12 noon for Remembrance Day Church Service only. Even when the roads are open the village remains out of bounds to the public. These dates may change if operational training needs dictate. Click here to read the newsletter.
____________________________________________________________________________________
Another 303 Death... Sunday 19 February 2012 Another motorist has been killed on the A303, this time a female back seat passenger sadly died at the scene of the accident near Winterbourne Stoke on Saturday night. The 303 was closed in both directions for several hours.
____________________________________________________________________________________
Were Your School Meals Like This? Mine Weren't... Sunday 19 February 2012 Kingdown School has a somewhat improved menu compared with what us older folk were used to, see it here.
____________________________________________________________________________________
Winning Streak Broken For Warminster RFC... Saturday 18 February 2012 North Dorset II broke Warminster RFC's winning streak 12 v 7 today, but Warminster remain clear of third place team Swanage.
____________________________________________________________________________________
Warminster Town FC Draw... Saturday 18 February 2012
Fleet Spurs were the opposition visiting Weymouth Street to face the Minsters today. Town still without Top Scorer Matt Guy, and also missing Goalkeeper Scott Lewis and Defensive midfielder Nick Bunyard. There was return to squad for Goalkeeper Adam Collington however. It was an action packed first half but with no real clear chances on goal. Warminster were looking on the front foot, and were certainly dominant!
In the second half, Warminster were still certainly the dominant side. The dominance paid off just ten minutes into the second half as James Vincent slotted home past the advancing keeper. Town doubled their advantage 20 minutes from time. Louis Sparey this time hitting the back of the net to make it 2-0. Town started to sit back though a bit, and a rather freak goal from Spurs brought the score to 2-1. Town then had the chance to settle the game, but Sparey missed a sitter, hitting the ball to lightly, and Defender was able to block on the line! It was down hill then on from Warminster, conceding a Penalty in stoppage time. Fleet Spurs made no mistake, and buried the ball in the back of the net, sending Collington the wrong way.
2-2 the final score, and another draw and 9 games without a win!
Man of the match: Lee Davidson
Report by Jamie House
____________________________________________________________________________________
27 New Homes Off Damask Way/Smallbrook Meadows?... Saturday 18 February 2012 The unconfirmed Warminster grapevine has it that a planning application will be going in "soon" for 27 new homes in a field off Damask Way, which overlooks Smallbrook Meadows nature reserve from the south. A larger scheme than this was first mentioned in the Wiltshire Council consultation on development in Warminster back in November 2009. At that time the problems of either directly or indirectly putting more traffic onto the narrow Smallbrook Road, and that the site would be right next to the sensitive nature reserve, were pointed out to the council. Apparently the proposed developer has bought a bungalow in Damask Way which is currently let out but which would be demolished to give access. Wiltshire Council has previously said that it generally favours development in the west of Warminster, rather than the east, if this latest piece of grapevine news proves correct local residents will be hoping that they stick to that in this case. To see the field where this development is suggested click here. Warminster Web will keep an eye out for news on this.
____________________________________________________________________________________
Dominos Fall... Saturday 18 February 2012 Wiltshire Council's Development Control Engineer this week reviewed the service yard access, which is between Blockbuster Video and Creme De La Cod in George Street, for the proposed Dominos Pizza in the High St, Warminster. He has reaffirmed his earlier objections on the grounds of safety to pedestrians and traffic. Safety concerns usually scupper planning applications. Maybe it would still be more sensible for Dominos to move into the old YMCA shop, alongside the chapel, and for the old army supplies store to become wholly flats, as little demand for shops exists at that end of town. However Dominos apparently pulled out of leasing the old YMCA shop over concerns about the condition of the building, which is now, hopefully, being addressed. Interestingly Dominos planning application for the old YMCA shop, at 3 High Street, is still pending as well, it was not withdrawn. Wherever Dominos goes we are likely to suffer even more discarded pizza boxes littering Warminster streets, maybe that's a price worth paying for getting one of these buildings refurbished?
____________________________________________________________________________________
Rung Out... Saturday 18 February 2012 Warminster snooker club owner Stephen Lee, ranked 15th in the world, was yesterday narrowly beaten in the quarter final of the Welsh Open by China's Ding Junhui, ranked 10th, 5 frames to 4. Stephen was seemingly put off a simple but crucial green in the deciding frame when a spectator's mobile phone rang. Stephen Lee's improving form has already seen him rise 3 places in the world rankings this year.
____________________________________________________________________________________
Don't Miss It... Friday 17 February 2012 Especially if you have never been to it before don't miss the spectacular Warminster Model Railway Exhibition at Kingdown Sports Centre on Saturday, join hundreds of people, some of whom drive hundreds of miles to go to it.
____________________________________________________________________________________
How About Doing A Better, More Open, And Democratic Job?... Friday 17 February 2012
Warminster Town Council's Communications Committee met on 06 February to discuss "counteracting negative publicity". They've just published the minutes of that meeting and it's interesting to note:
1) that they didn't think that they might have learned something if they had invited to the meeting any of the public or press who have commented negatively about them;
2) that they felt negative reports regarding the town council reflected badly on the town, they don't, they reflect badly on the town council (which, thankfully, despite what they may think, is not one and the same). Continuing to do a bad job, such as leaving the Old Town Hall in such a sorry state because they have blown our money on dumb projects, is what really reflects badly on the town; and
3) that they didn't feel it even relevant to discuss that the best counteraction for negative publicity is to do a better job. It seems way beyond this town council to even consider that they might have got something wrong, it's just the rest of us, seemingly, that do that, not these god-like figures who count themselves as beyond the failings of mere mortals.
It is interesting that the town council immediately went from that meeting to just inviting the members of the press - that they could rely on not to criticise them - to that most obvious, and even town council dividing of their gaffs, the Civic Centre official opening.
Instead of getting to the root of the problem the committee decided to manage their press releases now so that they have more of a "wow factor" full of "positive publicity", i.e. spin. No mention of themselves admitting when they get things wrong then? I guess it will have to remain with the public, Warminster Web, and others, to point out their failings.
P.S. Some might ask why Warminster Web, and others, bang on about what has already been done, it's simple, we don't want this sort of incompetence (or any sort of incompetence!) to continue, we either want the town council to shape up, or ship out. We also don't want their self-serving press releases, and that propaganda machine 'Engage' to be go unquestioned, so respond to them. Emails like this one, received just yesterday from one of Warminster Web's thousands of readers, reinforce the need to keep going when it would be easier to stop - "I am concerned that it is only the W Web which seems to have picked up on the cost for WCR. None of the other local press seem on the ball at all." [Warminster Town Council committed £61,000 of council tax payers money to Warminster Community Radio without even asking how many (few) people listen to it]. New readers are coming on board all the time, so please forgive WW, and skip it, if you've read all this before.
____________________________________________________________________________________
Mobile library route review... Friday 17 February 2012 Wiltshire Council are reviewing routes used by the Mobile Library, if you use this service,or would like to please click here.
____________________________________________________________________________________
Longleat Issue Second Access Statement... Friday 17 February 2012 Longleat have issued a second access statement for walkers/cyclists, which can be seen here, basically it reiterates the security/insurance/dog issues, and proposes public consultations at meeting yet to be arranged.
____________________________________________________________________________________
Free Swimming For Under 16's, Half Price Leisure Card For Others... Friday 17 February 2012 South West Wiltshire Liberal Democrats have announced that Wiltshire Council are to offer free swimming for under 16 year-olds during the Easter and summer school holidays. There is also a Leisure Card available that offers half-price access, click here for more information on that one.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Neither Warminster Web nor its editor is responsible for the content of external websites to which Warminster Web links, including news feeds.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________