Minutes:
a) Armed Forces Day Celebrations
The Chairman explained that the Council was pleased to support the flying of the Armed Forces Day flag from our main Council office buildings last month for Armed Forces Week. Celebrations were held around the County over the weekend of 28 and 29 June.
The Chairman attended along with the Lord-Lieutenant of Wiltshire, Major General Abraham representing the Master Gunner St James Park, and other dignitaries, to witness the Mayor of Trowbridge grant the Freedom of the Town to the Royal Regiment of Artillery, which had historic links with the Town going back to the First World War. The Freedom Parade was led by the Band of the Royal Artillery, followed by a Section of the Kings Troop Royal Horse Artillery pulling a gun carriage, and a marching Contingent. He commented that all were immaculately turned out.
Armed Forces weekend provides us all with the opportunity to acknowledge the dedication of the Armed Services and to show our support for them, whether serving members, veterans or Cadets. The Chairman acknowledged that these events take many months of planning and thanked and congratulated all those who worked so hard to ensure their success.
b) Her Majesty The Queen’s Birthday Honours
The Chairman was delighted to announce that a number of Wiltshire residents had received national recognition in the recent Queen’s Birthday Honours’ list.
An OBE had been awarded to:
Mr. Martin Colclough from Amesbury for services to Disability Sport in the Armed Forces.
MBEs had been awarded to:
Mrs. Vivian Clarke from Pewsey, who is Chair of the Military Wives Choirs Foundation, for services to military families
Mr. Colin Coward from Devizes for services to Equality
Mr. Ralph Flower from Devizes for services to the British Engineering Industry and to the community in Devizes
Mr. Alan Nix from Swindon for services to the community in Swindon
Mr. Mark Romain from Salisbury for services to the Saddlery Industry and Saddlery Training in the United Kingdom and Overseas
Mr. Roger Upton for services to the Cultural Heritage of Falconry in the United Kingdom and Overseas
BEMs had been awarded to:
Mr. Peter Lemon for services to the communities in Grafton and Wilton
Mrs. Janet Marshall for voluntary service to the Warminster & Westbury Visually Handicapped Club
Mr. Edward Pomeroy for services to Young People through the Scouts and to the community in Southwick
The Council joined the Chairman in congratulating them all on receiving national recognition.
c) Town Criers’ Competition
The Chairman announced that he had attended a Town Criers’ Competition in Calne last month organised by the Town Council. Criers attended from across the country and the standard was very high. The winner came from Bromyard, Herefordshire. He was pleased to say that the Trowbridge Town Crier, Trevor Heeks and his wife had won the ‘Best Dressed Couple’ competition.
d) Miss Jean Horsfall
The Chairman wished to formally record the Council’s debt of gratitude to Miss Jean Horsfall, who died recently at the age of 90. She was a pivotal in promoting music in the County for over forty years. She was Director of the Wiltshire Rural Music School, founder of the Wiltshire Youth Orchestra and the County’s Music Advisor. She dedicated her life to nurturing young talent and encouraging musical participation at all levels and her legacy will live on in the County.
Nick Howdle, Head of the Wiltshire Music Service, the Chairman and his wife attended her Memorial Service in St. James’ Parish Church in June, which was a fitting tribute to her dedicated service.
e) Royal Visits
The Chairman advised that the County had been fortunate to have had two Royal visits in June.
His Royal Highness The Duke of Gloucester visited four venues in the County:
On the 23 June, Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall came to County Hall to officially open the refurbished buildings. The Chairman explained that it had been an honour for him and the Leader of the Council to welcome her, and to be able to show her how the Council was working with partners to change working practices to improve the delivery of services to Wiltshire residents. Local schoolchildren enthusiastically welcomed her and young families attending a rhyme time session in the Library were delighted to be joined by Her Royal Highness. Staff and members of the public gathered in the Atrium and around the balconies to witness her unveiling a plaque to commemorate her visit. Mrs. Mary Pearce, a resident of Salisbury and whose father was Managing Director of the firm who built the original County Hall building, presented Her Royal Highness with a hamper of Wiltshire produce to thank her for her visit.
f) The Big Walk 13 September
With the Chairman’s permission, Councillor Jon Hubbard informed members that he would be involved in The Big Walk on 13 September. The Walk was being organised to support two charities, Hope for Tomorrow, bringing cancer care closer to home and Melksham Extended Services, providing counselling support for young people. He encouraged participation by both members and officers for this very worthwhile cause.
g) Commonwealth Games winners
The Chairman congratulated all Wiltshire participants in the recent Commonwealth Games with special mention of those who had won medals.