Latest news with #Devizes
BBC News
16 hours ago
- General
- BBC News
'Vital' Wiltshire village community shop marks 20 years
A volunteer-run village shop which locals have called a "vital part of the community" is celebrating its 20th Community Shop was opened in 2005 by people in the village, near Devizes in Wiltshire, following the closure of the local butchers and Post shop is holding a tea party on Sunday 29 June where around 100 villagers will come together to mark 20 years since it opened."We do laugh because we could almost write a book about the things people talk about in the shop," said manager Steph Czakalo. "People come in and really love to have a chat". The shop was a product of "years of hard work" by a small group of villagers who rallied together when the Post Office closed in 2002."The first thing we did was try to establish whether the village actually wanted a shop then we recruited around 54 volunteers that we trained up," resident Paul Bancroft told BBC Radio Wiltshire."I think it's absolutely magnificent, and the shop has matured hugely."Ms Czakalo started volunteering at the shop after she moved to the area around 10 years ago."I think it was one of the reasons why I wanted to move to Urchfont, because there's not many villages where you can find a pub and a lovely shop and a great community," she said."We've tried to make it something special for all the villagers. They can pop in and buy things or we'll deliver to them."If somebody's stuck at home and they can't get out, we can pop their supplies round." The shop holds regular coffee mornings which villagers say gives them a chance to connect."We've been coming here a long time, I love the coffee hub," said resident Alison Taylor."I've been coming I think practically since it started. You can walk up here on your own and meet loads of friends."It's a vital part of the community."
BBC News
3 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Wiltshire Museum move a step closer with £350k funding boost
A museum's bid to relocate to a new site has moved a step closer, following the allocation of a further £350,000 in council funding towards the Museum has received the money from Wiltshire Council's Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) fund to move from its current home on Long Street in Devizes, to the Assize Court building on Northgate project aims to bring one of the town's "most significant heritage buildings" back into use, as part of a centrepiece for the wider regeneration of the Helen Belcher said: "We are proud to support this ambitious and visionary project." The Grade II* Listed Assize Court, which is owned by the Devizes Assize Courts Trust (DACT), is currently on the Historic England Heritage at Risk museum has already secured £300,748 in development funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) to prepare a detailed project plan. It intends to submit a major funding bid to NLHF in the summer, seeking a further £8m towards the total estimated £14m project cost. The money allocated from the CIL fund will be used to strengthen the museum's business case to secure that further Council has already committed to support the project with up to £2m, but only if the fundraising falls short. 'A fantastic opportunity' Ms Belcher, the cabinet member for economic development, regeneration and assets, said that move is "a fantastic opportunity to create a first-rate museum in the heart of the town, while saving a landmark building of national importance."Caroline Kay, chair of trustees at Wiltshire Museum, called the investment a "timely and generous commitment", adding that it would provide "a real boost for the future heritage of our county and the museum's continuing and growing work."
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Man's body found in canal
The body of a man has been found. Emergency services were called to the scene at the canal near Horton Avenue in Devizes shortly before 7pm on Thursday, May 30. The man was pronounced dead at the scene. Wiltshire Police said the man's family have been informed. A spokesperson for the force said: 'While formal identification has not yet taken place, our thoughts are with his family at this incredibly difficult time.' Officers said there are not believed to be any suspicious circumstances surrounding the death. READ MORE: Concern grows for man who has been missing for a week READ MORE: Wales breaking news plus weather and traffic updates (Saturday, May 31) Get daily breaking news updates on your phone by joining our WhatsApp community here. We occasionally treat members to special offers, promotions and ads from us and our partners. See our Privacy Notice
The Guardian
29-05-2025
- General
- The Guardian
Second Lib Dem MP withdraws support for England and Wales assisted dying bill
A second Liberal Democrat MP has said they have changed their mind over the assisted dying bill and will vote against it at the next Commons stage, in another sign of a wider, if so far slight, ebbing away of support for the measure. In an email to constituents, Brian Mathew, the Melksham and Devizes MP, said that while he had backed the bill at its second reading vote, in April, scrutiny of the plans had left 'several concerns I feel have been inadequately answered'. His announcement follows comments last week by Steve Darling, the Torbay MP who is also the Lib Democrat work and pensions spokesperson. Darling said that while he had backed the bill in April he was now 'marginally against' it, but had not yet decided whether he would vote against it or abstain. About eight other MPs who either supported the private member's bill, led by Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, at its second reading or did not vote have said they will now oppose it. However, at least two who abstained in April are now supporters, while the Runcorn and Helsby byelection earlier in May resulted in a Labour MP who opposed the plan replaced by a Reform UK one who backs it. Given the second reading of the bill was passed with a majority of 55, the numbers thus far indicate it should also get through the third reading, scheduled for 20 June. A week before, on 13 June, MPs will debate amendments to the bill for a second day. The first day of debates on amendments drawn up during a lengthy committee stage resulted in some changes being agreed, including an opt-out for all healthcare workers from being involved in assisted dying, extending the exemption from just doctors. That debate also featured angry complaints from some MPs opposed to assisted dying after the prominent campaigner Esther Rantzen argued many in their camp were fighting against the changes to the law because of secret religious views. In his message to constituents, Mathew said he had heard 'eloquent and challenging viewpoints' from all sides, and he changed his stance over the bill following the recent weeks of debates. 'I share the concerns of many constituents that individuals facing terminal illness will take the decision based on concerns that they have become a burden upon their family,' he wrote. 'This is a serious concern for me; I worry that in someone's final days, this question will loom heavy when it does not need to.' This was all the more the case, Mathew said, when the palliative care system as it stood was so bad. Speaking ahead of the first day of debates about amendments, Leadbeater warned that if MPs voted down her bill at third reading then 'the conversation ends' on the subject, with dreadful consequences for many terminally ill people. She dismissed the idea that if the bill was defeated, the subject could return as government legislation or a royal commission, noting the long gap between the last time assisted dying was debated in the Commons, in 2015, and her efforts. 'What worries me is, if the bill doesn't pass, the conversation ends, and that would be really dreadful for so many people, for so many reasons,' she said.
BBC News
24-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Devizes community rallies against pub being turned into homes
The only pub in a village could be converted into houses, despite plans by the community to rescue owner of 17th Century Grade II listed pub, the George and Dragon in Erlestoke, near Devizes, has submitted plans to turn it into five inn, which previously closed in 2015, was bought by Chaffinch Pub Company in 2020 but attempts to turn the business around have been unsuccessful. It was listed by Wiltshire Council as an Asset of Community Value (ACV) in Lewcock, chairman of community group Erlestoke Hub Ltd, said there was a lot of support throughout the village of Erlestoke "to see the pub retained as a pub". Wiltshire Parish Council said plans by Chaffinch Pub Company to build a pub garden were turned down over fears visitors would cause congestion by parking on the road by the inn and they said the listed status of the building, challenging market conditions and construction costs were also a its ACV status, the pub was put back on the market in 2023 and offered to community group Erlestoke Hub the group told planners the price was "too high", as reported by the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS).They also said the failure of the business was due to "poor management, high rental costs and a failure to use the four roomed stable block as tourist accommodation".Hub chairman Keith Lewcock said: "The Erlestoke Hub, a community benefit society, objects, very strongly, to the change of use of the George and Dragon public house to dwelling houses."However, the applicants said the conversion would not affect the outside appearance of the property and would protect the listed building from falling into disrepair, while addressing the housing needs want to create two one-bed and one two-bed homes from the main building, and create two one-bedroom units in the pub's stable block.A previous planning application was turned down in 2015 when Wiltshire Council planners said the closure of the village's only pub would be a loss to the community.
