Westbury - White Horse News (2025)

25/08/2025

Westbury racer goes from strength to strength

A young motorcycle racer from Westbury hopes to speed to further success with a return to the track.

Jay Able, 20, narrowly missed out on third place in the recent Phoenix Open and then took second place in the National 600s at Cadwell Park.

His recent success comes after returning to racing following a break.

Mark, Jay’s dad, said, “With three more rounds to go, we’re hoping for even better results, especially as the bike isn’t set up yet.

“He has his sights on returning to British championship racing, hopefully by 2027, if he achieves some good results next year.”

Read more here: https://buff.ly/Qp8M4W2

24/08/2025

Young speakers to take the stage at literary festival

A youth public speaking competition is coming to this year’s Heywood Literary Festival, offering young people a platform to share their voices.

The Heywood Literary Festival, the Westbury Rotary, and Matravers School are joining forces to bring the esteemed Rotary Youth Speaks competition to this year’s festival.

The Youth Speaks competition, known for encouraging confidence and public speaking skills, will take place in the Jacobean Main Hall of Heywood House during the Heywood Literary Festival, which runs on 18th and 19th October.

Elizabeth Webbe, Chair of the Westbury Rotary, said, “The Rotary is delighted to again run the Youth Speaks competition, this time at the incredible Heywood House Jacobean Main Hall. We’re passionate about this competition and encouraging the next generation to have the confidence to speak publicly.”

Read more here: https://buff.ly/lCNXv0Q

24/08/2025

Warminster gears up for next round of markets

After a record-breaking Warminster Independent Summer Market, hundreds of stalls will be back for the Warminster Independent August Market on Sunday 31st August.

The Warminster Independent Christmas Celebrations will also be coming to the town on Saturday 29th November.

The two events are set to take over the Market Place and High Street as well as inside Warminster Civic Centre. Shops will also be open for the day and ready to welcome visitors.

Mayor of Warminster, Cllr Andrew Cooper, said, “We are very excited for the next two independent markets – as we look forward to once again inviting thousands of people to the town.

“It is more than just a market, it’s an opportunity for shops, stallholders, residents and visitors to enjoy a day in their town centre. The markets really shine a positive light on the town, and we hope people visiting Warminster on market day come back and visit our wonderful town again and again."

Read more here: https://buff.ly/InCZoxe

23/08/2025

New musical director ushers in new chapter for Westbury Choral

Westbury Choral is preparing to strike a new chord next month with the arrival of a new musical director.

The group is set to welcome Matthew Bale at the start of its new term on Wednesday 10th September at Westbury Methodist Church. The evening marks the beginning of rehearsals for Fauré’s Requiem, which will culminate in a relaxed “Come & Sing” performance in October.

“Matthew has had a long and varied musical career and has many new and exciting ideas to bring to Westbury Choral,” said committee member Jane Lever.

“He was a Bristol Cathedral Chorister and went on to the Royal Academy of Music. Since then he has worked as a professional musician, playing both piano and harpsichord and conducting choirs and orchestras, including a memorable 23 years as musical director of Bath Choral Society."

Read more here: https://buff.ly/e3UYPPi

23/08/2025

Video series charts journey of Matravers team at Soapbox Derby

A new series of videos is charting the success of a young team at this year’s White Horse Soapbox Derby.

The event, held on Saturday 17th May, featured 18 go-karts go head-to-head down a steep and winding course.

Students from Matravers School worked with Westbury Shed and local company WH Kemp to build their cart to enter. Ultimately, the team finished 5th in this year’s tightly-contested race.

Now, a new video series has launched that charts the Matravers team’s journey at the Soapbox Derby.

It follows their progress from the go-kart sketches to test runs and everything in between.

The videos can be viewed on the Soapbox Derby’s page: https://www.facebook.com/whitehorsesoapbox

Read more here: https://buff.ly/kC8Own6

22/08/2025

Dilton Marsh Flower and Handicraft show brings community together

This year’s Dilton Marsh Flower and Handicraft Show was a celebration of local talent, with flower arrangements, home-grown vegetables and home-baked goodies entries among the highlights on display.

The annual event, held on Saturday 26th July, drew visitors to the village’s Memorial Hall.

Angie Gibbs, chair and committee member, said, “The doors opened at 2pm and there were already people eagerly waiting to come inside. The hall was bustling with beautiful exhibits and villagers enjoying the show along with a refreshment. Lots of smiles were on the faces of those who exhibited and were awarded a certificate or two.

“It’s so nice to stand back and watch the show come alive with people enjoying what others have worked hard on.”

Pictured:
Show Chair, Angie Gibbs with Andrew Jones, winner of The John Irving Cup, awarded for the most points gained in the vegetable and fruit classes
People enjoying the show

Read more here: https://buff.ly/3rnpBPn

22/08/2025

Tense scenes as police speak with travellers at West Wilts Trading Estate

Tense scenes unfolded in Westbury today, Friday 22nd August, as police tried to move on members of the travelling community after they settled at the West Wilts Trading Estate.

The group, around 20 people including young children, had spent the night at the former Cooper Tires factory site in Melksham before being moved on by officers earlier in the day.

Seven police cars and three vans, supported by numerous officers and a police dog unit, surrounded the site.

White Horse News was on the scene and described a tense atmosphere as officers spoke at length with members of the travelling community, attempting to persuade them to move.

One of the group, Martin Ward, said, “We’re happy here, but is there any need for all this? These are all kids,”

“There’s about 15, maybe 20 of us, three kids and two adults at every caravan. Some of the kids have autism, some people aren’t well, and my missus, she’s pregnant – two weeks from going to hospital. There’s no consideration for her, no concern about her being in alarm and distress.

“They just turned around and said we’re not allowed to stay here. We asked for reasonable time, and they’re giving us none. This isn’t right. Honestly, it feels like we’re not welcome in Wiltshire.”

Police have given the group until 6.15pm tonight to move on from the site, a deadline which the travellers have agreed to.

Wiltshire Police have been contacted for comment.

22/08/2025

Police respond as travellers move to trading estate

Police vehicles are in attendance at West Wilts Industrial Estate today, Friday 22nd August, after a group of travellers arrived at the site.

The group had spent the previous night at the former Cooper Tires factory site in Melksham before being moved on this morning.

Sgt Gemma Rutter said, “We are aware that members of the travelling community have resettled from Melksham to a site on West Wiltshire Industrial Estate. We are currently working on a resolution to the situation.”

22/08/2025

Edington Arts to host choral workshop

A day of inspirational choral singing is coming to Edington Priory Church on Saturday 13th September, as Edington Arts hosts its annual Choral Workshop from 10am to 4pm.

Applications are now open those who would like to learn how to sing a ca****la (unaccompanied) in different styles.

The workshop is ideal for those who can read music and have some choral experience.

The day will be led by The King’s Singers’ first baritone, Chris Bruerton, who has chosen the music: four pieces which range from polyphony by the 16th-century composer Orlando di Lassus, to an arrangement of the traditional air Greensleeves by former King’s Singer Bob Chilcott, via Ralph Vaughan Williams and Eric Whitacre.

Read more here: https://buff.ly/SAeYBPx

21/08/2025

CCTV helps tackle crime and fly-tipping in Westbury

A new report has given an insight to the impact of Westbury’s CCTV coverage.

The Town Council’s Policy and Resources Committee were provided the report ahead of a recent meeting.

It highlighted several successes in recent months.

One section read, “One of the waste bins in Penleigh Park was set on fire some months back. The footage from the camera in the park was clear enough for officers to identify the offenders and they have been dealt with.”

CCTV footage has also assisted enquiries in relation to an assault at Penleigh Skate Park, anti-social behaviour outside Tesco and shoplifting in the High Street.

The report continues, “In the last 12 months we have been working closely with Andy Mullings from the Wiltshire Council enforcement team. This has been due to the large increase in fly tipping in Warminster Road car park and outside charity shops in the town. In the car park, the charity clothes bin has been a magnet for rubbish.

Read more here: https://buff.ly/tHU7aet

21/08/2025

Matravers achieves best-ever GCSE results

Students from Matravers School collected their GCSE results this morning, Thursday 21st August.

Caroline Chesters, Progress Leader for Year 11, said, “I have worked with the year group since they joined us as year 7s, so it’s been great to watch them grow and to see them do brilliantly today. They are our best set of results, the highest attainment. We’re really pleased with that; they’ve worked really hard to get there, and it's been an absolute pleasure.”

A full story and photo spread will feature in the next issue of the White Horse News.

21/08/2025

Glove-making memories captured in new book

A new book celebrating the memories of people who worked for the globally known glove factories of Westbury, Westbury Leigh and Warminster has just been released.

“With Skills At Their Fingers” is full of stories from glove-makers plus memories from children and grandchildren of factory workers or ‘outworkers’ (mostly women making gloves at home). It also contains updated histories of the individual firms plus insights into how gloves are made.

“There was a thriving glove industry in mid-Wiltshire from the 1860s to the 2010s with many of the firms being household names and their gloves sold in the most luxurious shops both in the UK and overseas.” said Rachael Holtom who produced the book.

“In Warminster, Westbury and Westbury Leigh were Boulton Bros, V.C. Boulton, A.L. Jefferies, Chester Jefferies Gloves, The “Westbury Glove Company, Kerns, Dents, Frank Bryan Gloves and Reynolds & Kent. They made gloves for everyone and every occasion, from specialist trade gloves (including beekeepers and the Household Cavalry) to glitzy evening gloves, gloves worn by champion golfers, celebrities and royalty. Many thousands of pairs were exported globally.

“I used to be archivist for Dents, the only glover still in Wiltshire and was inspired by chats with the glove makers to record valuable memories. This happened thanks to a grant from Arts Council England, and this book is free to collect from a variety of local libraries and museums.”

Read more here: https://buff.ly/MavGVCS

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