Westbury Town Council

Latest News

09/02/2011 The Queen's Diamond Jubilee

Press Release

To develop ideas and plan for this significant event, a committee has been established with the support of Westbury Town Council. The committee will be chaired by Cllr Sue Ezra who will be supported by representatives from across the community.

Click here to view The Queen's Diamond Jubilee PR PDF for further details

12/01/2011 Westbury's Laverton Institute

Phase 2 Development to commence

2011 will see further substantial development of the Laverton building following recent success in winning grant funding of £90k from Plain Action which funds community development projects in the Salisbury Plain area.

Click here to view The Laverton Project PR PDF for further details

16/11/2010 Christmas in Westbury

Press Release

Feeling festive – ‘Christmas in Westbury’ 2010

As we rapidly approach this year’s Christmas Festivities, Westbury Town Council will once again promote and support an exciting programme of celebrations, events and activities throughout December.

Now in its fifth year, the ‘Christmas in Westbury’ programme will feature a range of major events together with the promotion of all local community events and activities - a festive programme with something for everyone.

Details of all events will be published in the ever popular ‘Christmas in Westbury’ booklet which is widely distributed to every home in the local area from mid-November.

"We all look forward to Christmas in Westbury – it’s a real opportunity for all the local community to get involved in our festive activities" comments Westbury Mayor Christine Mitchell, "there always seems to be a lot going on throughout the town and surrounding villages leading up to Christmas Day."

2010 Highlights include:

Friday 26th November (5 – 7.30 pm) High Street – ‘Lights Switch On Event’.
Compere – actor/comedian James Redmond plus Father Xmas, Choirs, Music, Mince Pies, Childrens’ Rides, Entertainments and much more....

Sat 4th December (2 - 4pm) Leighton Recreation Centre - ‘Children's Xmas Party’.
For children aged 5-12 yrs. Entertainments, Activities, Music, Refreshments with Dave Hickory ‘Balloon Magician’

Sat 4th December (7.30 – 10.00pm) Westbury Youth Development Centre – Youth Band Night/Gig
For young people aged 12-17 yrs

Friday 10th + Weekends 11/12th & 18/19th December All Saints Church – ‘Christmas Tree Festival’

Sat 11th December (10am – 4.30pm) High Street & Town Centre – ‘Street Event Day’
Skating Rink, Climbing Wall, Fairground Rides, Inflatables, Music, Entertainments, Hot Food

Sat 11th December (10am – 4pm) All Saints Church Yard – ‘Christmas Food & Craft Market’

Fri 17th December (6pm -7pm) Market Place – ‘Outdoor Carol Concert’
‘Carols plus seasonal music from Bratton Silver Band & ‘Sing Alive’ Choral Group

Click here for further details on our Christmas in Westbury page

For more information, please contact John Parker on: 07812 105721 or Di Mansell on: 01373
822232 or email westburytc@btconnect.com

17/07/2010 Summer Fun in Westbury

Westbury’s celebrated STREET FAYRE takes place on the 17th July and promises to be bigger and better than ever. The STREET FAYRE which is organised by Westbury Town Council together with Westbury Lions and other local organisations is a biennial event which takes place throughout the town centre.

During the daytime there is a mix of events, displays, activities and entertainments taking place throughout the town centre, culminating in an evening of musical entertainment in Westbury’s refurbished historic Market Place.

The celebrations kick off at 10.00am and the daytime events, entertainments and activities run until 4.00pm and will include:

Funfair Rides, Sideshows, Inflatables & Miniature Railway (High St)
Climbing Tower & Water Walker
(Edward Street by the Library)
Food Market & Hot Food (Maristow Street)
Charity & local organisations stalls
(Maristow Street)
Pony rides (All Saints churchyard)
Music, Dancing & Majorettes performances (Market Place)
Dog Show (Market Place)
Petting Zoo (High St)
Street Entertainers (Throughout the town centre)

From 6.00pm until Mid-Night the Street Fayre focuses on the Market Place with a lively programme of music and entertainments taking place on the main stage area. The evening event will be hosted and compered by well known comedian Geoff Whiting who will introduce local bands and performers plus ‘bluegrass’/country band ‘The Doubtful Guest’ and headline act ‘Sgt Pepper’s Only Dartboard Band’

‘The Street Fayre is a great opportunity for the local community to come onto the streets to celebrate summer in style’, commented Cllr Dave Windess who is coordinating this year’s event.’

‘We have a lively programme of entertainments this year with something for everyone – all we need is some warm summer weather!’

29/03/2010 A FRENCH SPRING DAY FOR WESTBURY

Westbury’s historic Market Place will be home to a French themed event and market on Saturday 1st May.

Following last year’s very successful French themed event held to launch the newly refurbished Market Place, the Town Council in cooperation with Wiltshire Council has decided to mount another all-day French event in the Market Place on the May Bank Holiday weekend.

“Last year’s French Day proved very popular and made great use of the Market Place space”, commented Westbury’s Mayor, Cllr Sue Ezra, “we are keen to encourage events such as the French & Italian markets that can make the most of the venue along with other events such as the Street Fayre and Christmas Celebrations. The Market Place is now a great asset for the town and is an ideal location for public events.”

As well as housing up around 14 French Food stalls from last year’s ‘Marche de France’, the Market Place will also be home to the Town Council Gazebo, The Lions, Fairtraid, Westbury Police and Westbury’s Twinning Society.

In addition, it is hoped that businesses based in and around the Market Place will once again join in on the theme and there will also be hot food available, children’s rides and other attractions.

The event will be opened at 10am on the day by Cllr Sue Ezra the Mayor of Westbury together with David Jenkins, Chairman of Westbury Chamber of Commerce.

09/02/2010 NEW TOWN CLERK

Westbury Town Council is pleased to announce the appointment of a new Town Clerk, Keith Harvey,
who will take up his duties from February 15th.

Keith will take over the role from Westbury’s long serving Town Clerk, Les Fry, who has been in post for over 12 years and has now retired.

Keith is very much a local Westbury person, having been born in the town and educated in the town. He has remained a resident all of his life and has also been based in the town for much of his professional career. Keith is married with two children and two grandchildren. He has been very involved in the local community over the years, being an active sportsman, member of many local organisations and a retained fireman for thirty two years - eight of those as Station Commander.

“We are delighted to have appointed Keith”, comments Westbury’s Mayor Sue Ezra, “he brings to this important role a great deal of professional expertise and commitment plus the benefits of knowing the town and serving our community so well”.

Keith Harvey states, “Having already served our local community in many ways, I am now looking forward to this very challenging role that will bring together all the experience I have gained throughout my career with an aim to provide a good service to the people of Westbury.”

Keith Harvey's Profile

Education:
Attended local schools - three Infant schools, then Westbury C. of E. Junior School and finally Westbury Secondary Modern School, (Matravers)

Career:
On leaving school - worked for A E Farr Limited, Bridge House, Station Road, Westbury in the Finance Department for over 23 years until 1990.

In 1990 joined Hochtief (UK) Construction Limited. (Hochtief took over the Civil Engineering ‘arm’ of Rush and Tompkins, another Westbury firm).Keith worked with Hochtief for 19 years, at Westbury, Melksham and Swindon, in both Finance & HR - appointed Human Resources Manager for the UK branch.

Community involvement:
Former member of the Red Cross, St John’s Ambulance and Westbury Youth Club.

Active sportsman - played football for Westbury Youth and Westbury United for twenty years.

Served as a Retained Fire-fighter at Westbury Fire Station for 32 years, Leading Fire fighter for 10 years and Station Commander (Officer in Charge) for 8 years.

19/06/09 - WESTBURY COUNCILLORS PUT BEST FOOT FORWARD FOR CHARITY

Two Westbury Town Councillors, Mike Hawkins and Dave Windess recently undertook a sponsored 8 mile walk from St. Margarets Hall, Bradford on Avon to Westbury Library to raise funds for the Wiltshire Air Ambulance Appeal.
The walk was accomplished in 3 hours and the Mayor of Westbury Cllr Sue Ezra met the triumphant pair as the reached their goal.
Their efforts raised £328 for the appeal.

Cllr Mike Hawkins, Cllr Sue Ezra (Mayor) Cllr Dave Windess

Presentation of cheque to Westbury Air Ambulance Appeal Manager, Dot Whitehead

19/03/09 - WESTBURY GOES FRENCH FOR THE DAY

Saturday May 2nd is the set for Westbury’s first public event in the newly refurbished historic Market Place.

Following the formal opening of this much improved open space on Friday 20th March; Westbury Town Council has decided to mount an all-day French themed event in the Market Place on the May Bank Holiday weekend. The weekend of May 2/3rd coincides with the annual French Twinning celebrations and the town will welcome guests from Westbury’s twin town of Chateau du Loir who with their Westbury hosts will be taking part in a variety of activities and visits.

"The opportunity to pick up on this ‘Gallic’ theme seemed too good to miss", commented Project Officer John Parker," and it was decided to run a real French Market on the Saturday 2nd May which also offers a great opportunity to test the Market Place as a potential venue for a regular Westbury Market as well as other events such as the Street Fayre and Christmas Celebrations."

As well as housing up around 12 French Food stalls, the Market Place will also be home to the Town Council marquee which will feature a display about the Twining Society and Chateau du Loir in particular with an opportunity to sample some of their local produce.

In addition, it is hoped that businesses based in and around the Market Place will join in on the theme and there will also be hot food available, children’s’ rides and other attractions. As an added bonus, All Saints Church will be opening the Church Tower to the public during part of the day, which will offer a ‘bird’ s eye’ view of all the activity.

The event will be opened at 10.00am on the day by Mike Hawkins, the Mayor of Westbury together with David Jenkins, Chairman of Westbury Chamber of Commerce and Madame Nadeige Hébert, representing the Maire of Chateau du Loir.

For further details please contact: Barbara Mantle, Westbury Town Council, 01373 822232 or John Parker 07812 105721

28/08/08 - WESTBURY TOWN COUNCIL HAVE WON THE 'ACTION FOR MARKET TOWNS (SOUTH WEST REGION)' AWARD FOR 'CHRISTMAS IN WESTBURY' IN THE ENVIRONMENT & CULTURE CATEGORY.

The award will be presented at AMT's Southwest Regional Conference in Ivybridge, Devon in the Autumn.

7/08/08 - IMPERIAL CHARITY - VARIETY SHOW

Starring:
Fred Wedlock
Roy Charles
Lauren Medway

Afternoon Sunday 17th Aug
Paragon Hall

Tickets on the door or from:
IMPERIAL CHARITY SHOP,
Warminster Road,
Westbury
01373 826826

3/07/08 - Westbury is gearing up for its popular STREET FAYRE

The Street Fayre event which will take place in the town centre throughout the day and evening of Saturday 12th July.

The Fayre is organised by Westbury Town Council working together with Westbury LIONS. Funds raised go to support charitable activities with an emphasis this year on Cancer Research. Read more... Or view the Street Fayre poster.

29/04/08 - Art Exhibition Westbury through the seasons.

After the successful Exhibition in July 2006 Westbury Town Council is again sponsoring a one-day Art Exhibition to take place in Westbury Market place on 12th July 2008. Read the full article as a .PDF

21/12/07 - Westbury Market Place Improvement - Progress Update

Following completion of the final Stage 3 Consultation during the summer, final design modifications were then undertaken by the Urban Designers, Mouchel Parkman to create a single practical design taking into account all the views and ideas expressed through the consultation process.

This detailed concept was presented to and approved by Westbury Town Council in early December.

Click here to view/download a copy of the finalised concept.

The adopted design concept will be subject to some minor modifications in the early part of 2008 and final very detailed plans will be available by the summer of 2008. It is hoped that construction work on this important project to transform the historic market place will commence in the Autumn 2008.

For further information, please contact Adam Nardell, Regeneration Manager, WWDC 01225 776655 x 148

11/12/07 - Entertainment Day - Saturday 15th December

This coming Saturday will see another action packed seasonal entertainment day taking place throughout Westbury’s town centre as part of the ‘Christmas in Westbury’ programme.

From 10.00 am until 4.30 pm both the High Street and Marketplace areas of the town will be closed to traffic creating pedestrian friendly areas for festive fun. Download full article.

22/11/07 - Westbury Christmas event booklet is here

Once again its time for Westbury to celebrate Christmas in style! Following on from the success of last year’s Christmas in Westbury programme of events, the Town Council is once again working in partnership with Churches, Schools, youth groups and many other local organisations to promote a series of seasonal events and activities throughout December. Download xmas events booklet.

19/11/07 - Christmas in Westbury 2007 – Final programme in place

With December approaching the Christmas in Westbury programme is now in place and Westbury can look forward to an exciting and lively festive season.

Download Christmas the full article.

17/11/07 - Laverton Hall Institute hall meeting

At the recent extraordinary town council meeting on the 12th November. Download full article.