Minutes:
The Chairman made the following announcements:
a) Carol Services
Councillors will be aware that various carol services were held in December.
The County of Wiltshire Service was held in the Minster Church of St Denys in Warminster in December. The service was conducted by the Right Reverend the Bishop of Ramsbury and Revered Jacque Desrosiers, with delightful musical contributions from the choir of Minster C.E Primary School.
Three staff Christmas celebrations were held at County Hall, Monkton Park and Bourne Hill. At the County Hall celebration, the newly formed Wiltshire Council Singers performed the ‘Lion of Judah’, which had sounded wonderful in the Atrium.
All services were successful occasions and the Chairman thanked all councillors who supported them.
b) Remembrance Day Services and Parades
The Chairman thanked Wiltshire Councillors for their willingness to be involved in and attend Remembrance Day services last November, which he said, was particularly important in this WW1 commemoration year. Councillors laid wreaths at war memorials in towns and villages across the County on behalf of the council.
The Council has also supported the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal by selling poppies at its offices.
c) Royal Visits
The County had been fortunate to have received two further Royal Visits.
In October His Royal Highness the Duke of Kent visited Marlborough to attend the rededication of the Town’s war memorial as part of their World War I Centenary commemorations, and he also presented medals to members of 4MI Battalion. His Royal Highness then went on to visit Swindon Radio 105.5 to present them with their Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, and Swindon Dance, an organisation with a national reputation for providing high-quality dance training not only for students throughout Wiltshire but also the South-West.
In December Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal visited Tedworth House in Tidworth in her capacity as President of the City and Guilds of London Institute. Her Royal Highness toured the Help for Heroes Centre, opened a new greenhouse facility in the grounds and presented certificates to those who had recently completed City and Guild Qualifications.
d) Wiltshire and Swindon Youth Orchestra Concerts
The Wiltshire and Swindon Youth Orchestra held New Year concerts in Bradford-on-Avon and Salisbury in January, which both the Chairman and Vice-Chairman had the privilege to attend.
The Chairman encouraged councillors to attend these concerts to support the orchestra. The young people were exceptionally talented and the quality of their performances was always outstanding, providing everyone with a truly wonderful and uplifting experience. Nick Howdle, Head of the Wiltshire Music Service, is to be congratulated for encouraging and nurturing these young people to perform such inspiring concerts.
e) ‘Bite the Ballot’ Voter Registration
The Chairman drew Councillors’ attention to the ‘Bite the Ballot’ Campaign, which is a party neutral initiative to empower young voters and increase voter registration, especially among the young. We have worked with the campaign to inform and register 16-24 years olds in Wiltshire with activities being held in schools and colleges across the County. The Chairman hoped that Councillors would also be able to support the initiative in their own communities to encourage voter registration, especially among the young.