Marlborough's Christmas Switch-on event has become a firm fixture in the town's calendar and we hope everyone who came had a wonderful time.
Our hardy market traders started the day with a Christmas smile despite the rain! The weather improved as the event warmed up, with Santa and the elves dropping into the Town Hall to read children a story, a mini fairground in the High Street after school and the Christmas Nutkins - giant red squirrels - charming everyone they met and leading the dancing near the stage as darkness fell and it was time for the entertainment to start.
BBC Wiltshire's James Thomas rushed over to Marlborough after presenting his afternoon show, and Roger Grant invited him to join our Mayor, Cllr. Mervyn Hall and his two special guests Ted and Genevieve to lead everyone in the traditional count-down to the switch on at 6.30.
By now it has become a tradition for the St John's Band to open the live entertainment and they got everyone in party mood followed by the ever popular Marlborough Academy of Dance and drama. The Marlborough Community Choir then took to the stage followed by a puppet show from Tom Foolery (sorry Tom, our photograper was called away so we didn't get a photo). After the switch-on acapella group The BlueBelles delivered some beautiful harmonies, then Wilding cranked up the volume (it wouldn't be Christmas without a bit of Slade!) and there was a bluesey finish from BarrelHouse who really got people jumping.
Our thanks to T H White for their help with the trees and the Matts from Wheelers of Wesbury for putting up the lights (and more). Thanks also to Jones Robinson, SLCA, Charles Winchcombe & Sons and Pino's Ristorante for powering it all!
Our thanks to everyone involved on the day - members of 4MI Battalion once again came over to Marlborough to join the Marlborough Rotary team, Town Councillors, staff and residents Emily and Chris who helped steward the event and keep everyone safe, with Five Star Security ensuring everyone was safe at the stage. Marlborough Lions not only helped out with the stewarding duties but also brought a VIP - Santa himself. Cedric and his team from Rotary co-ordinated all of this often unseen but vital work, and the event simply couldn't happen without them. Our thanks too go to the Showmen's Guild for the fairground rides and the very generous and appropriate donation of a polar bear for the Mayor's charity. Marlborough Police and Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue joined in the fun and our hard-working staff kept things running smoothly right through the day.
Many local shops joined in the festivities with late-night opening in many - we hope they and our market traders had a successful day.
The market
The stage
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Photo gallery of Marlborough's 2022 Remembrance commemorations
Armistice Day
On Friday, 11 November 2022 at 11:00h, Marlborough fell silent to commemorate Armistice Day.
The Mayor, the Lord Lieutanant of Wiltshire Mrs Sarah Troughton, 4MI Battalion, the Royal British Legion and students from St Johns laid wreaths at the 7th Wiltshire Regiment Memorial in London Road.
Shortly afterwards poppy posies were placed on Commonwealth War Graves in the two cemeteries at Marlborough Common.
On Sunday, 13 November 2022, Marlborough remembered the fallen with a very well attended parade which formed up in the High Street and marched to the War Memorial to take part in the 11:00 commemorations. After wreaths were laid there was a service at St Mary's church, with Deputy Lieutenant Mrs Nicky Alberry representing the Wiltshire Lieutenancy.
Wreaths were laid by or on behalf of the Wiltshire Lieutenancy, Town Council, Devizes Constituency MP, 4 Military Intelligence Battalion, Wiltshire Council, Royal British Legion, Royal Navy Association, the Armed Forces, Wiltshire Regiment, Marlborough College Army Cadet Force CCF, Army Cadets, Air Training Corps, Wiltshire Police, Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue, Southwestern Ambulance Service, Marlborough Churches Together, Marlborough Rotary Club, Marlborough Lions, Phoenix Brass Band, Marlborough Scouts, Cubs, Beavers, Guides, Brownies, Rainbows, Lodge of Loyalty and Funeral Directors.
If you would like high quality versions of any of these photos please contact us
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REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY
On Sunday, 10 November 2019, under clear blue skies, Marlborough residents young and old turned out in great number to take part in and observe the town's Remembrance Parade.
This annual event begins with groups lining up in the High Street ready for inspection, and this year that honour fell to our Town Mayor, Councillor Mervyn Hall, and Lieutenant Colonel Simon Puxley of 4MI Battalion. Phoenix Brass Band led the march to the war memorial where the commemorations took place, led by Revd. Chris Smith, Alec Light and Cllr. Stewart Dobson (Marlborough Branch, Royal British Legion).
A prayer The Last Post and The Exhortation Two Minute Silence Reveille and Kohima Epitaph Wreath laying National Anthem
After the commemorations at the war memorial a Service of Remembrance took place at St Mary's Church.
PARTICIPANTS
Those taking part in the parade and laying wreaths were (in alphabetical order):
On Monday, 11 November 2019 the tolling of the Marlborough Bell by Nigel Kerton was the signal for Marlborough to pause. After an air-raid siren, Cllr. Stewart Dobson, President of Marlborough RBL, read the Exhortation before Anthony Palmer sounded the last post. After the two-minute silence, Reveille, and the Kohima, the Mayoral party made its way to the 7th Wiltshire Regiment Memorial where wreaths were laid on behalf of 4MI Battalion, the Royal British Legion, the Wiltshire Regiment, St John's Academy and the Town Council. The commemorations were completed by a visit to both cemeteries to pay respects to the 11 men and women who are laid to rest in our Commonwealth War Graves - the youngest, Rifleman John Joseph West-Woods, was just 18 years old. (You can read more about these graves at https://www.marlborough-tc.gov.uk/war-memorials)
THANK YOU
Our thanks to everyone mentioned above for their participation and support, and to the people of Marlborough and beyond who came along to take part. Those who organised and supported the event deserve our gratitude too. We are proud of the town's relationship with 4MI Battalion and cannot speak highly enough of their strong association with our Remembrance events. The same is true for Marlborough Royal British Legion and David Watson and the wonderful Phoenix Brass Band. Laura at the Church Office, our staff and the police, volunteer marshalls and others form part of the unseen team who work so hard behind the scenes to ensure the safe and smooth running on the day.
Also many thanks to Macmillan for cake and refreshments and a special mention for the staff at Majestic Marlborough for opening early to hook up the power supply.
On Friday, 7 June, the rain couldn’t stop Marlborough from commemorating Eglantyne Jebb, co-founder of Save the Children, when our Town Mayor, the Chairman of Wiltshire Council, Cllr James Sheppard and Fidelma Meehan, representing the charity, unveiled a new blue plaque on the Library at 91, High Street.
This remarkable women taught in Marlborough at what was St Peter’s School, now the library, between 1899-1900 and went on to undertake many good works throughout her life. Anne Chamberlain, an actor and playwright, also performed as Eglantyne at the ceremony itself. This celebration also coincides with the 100th Anniversary of Save the Children.
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On Thursday, 6 June 2019 our Mayor and members of the Royal British Legion and Royal Naval Association placed wreaths at the commemorative stone on Marlborough Common which marks the place where the American army hospital - the 347th Station Hospital - was based from May 1944 to July 1945 where thousands upon thousands of service personnel were treated after D-Day.
After D-Day the hospital received air-evacuated casualties direct from the continent. The hospital, based here from May 1944 to July 1945, had 1,154 beds, 764 wooden buildings, 390 tents, 49 officers and 75 nurses all treating thousands upon thousands of military personnel. The people of Marlborough, all volunteers, are credited and remembered for working long hours helping doctors and nurses to treat injured service personnel.
The Mayor said: “This is our commemoration both to all those who played their part in D Day, one of the most remarkable of all Allied wartime operations, as well as to those in Marlborough who devoted their efforts helping at home. Another proud moment for the town.”
All generations of Marlborough residents came along to take part in this moving tribute on a special day. Veterans... Marlborough salutes you.
Click any image to enlarge it.
In 2016 local man and master painter Mark Nash renovated the stone. Read more
On Monday 13 May 2019 the Annual Town Council - more commonly known as 'Mayor Making' - was held in the Town Hall.
Retiring Mayor Cllr. Lisa Farrell presided over the beginning of the meeting where Cllr. Mervyn Hall was proposed as the new Town Mayor and duly swore his oath of office, with Cllr. Mark Cooper as his Deputy Mayor for 2019/20. Cllr. Farrell had supported 7 charities during her year, and each were represented at the meeting to receive cheques in the value of just over £600 each. Town Mayor Cllr. Mervyn Hall will be supporting the Jubilee Centre and 2nd Marlborough Scouts during his year. Read his speech here.
Afterwards invited guests including Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire Dr David Hemery, High Sherriff of Wiltshire Mr David Scott & Mrs Letitia Scott, The Mayor of Swindon Councillor Junab Ali, The Bishop of Ramsbury Dr Andrew Rumsey & Mrs Rebecca Rumsey posed for the traditional group photograph on the steps of the Town Hall before attending a reception in the Assembly Room.
The White Horse Festival is a classical and cross-genre Festival for the South West, bringing world-class artists and innovative programming to the beautiful countryside of Wiltshire and the surrounds.
This autumn, the garden at Avebury Manor becomes an outdoor gallery, hosting a range of beautiful sculptures and artwork set against the backdrop of colourful seasonal planting
Crofton Pumping Station is one of the most significant industrial heritage sites in the United Kingdom. Built in 1807-9 to supply water to the highest point of the Kennet & Avon Canal which links London and Bristol.Open to visitors every Tuesday between 10:00-14:00 on 'work days'. Check the website for more steaming weekends and events
At the Town Hall, presented by Marlborough Folk Roots.Chris While and Julie Matthews are the longest-lasting female duo in Britain and have played more than 2,500 gigs, appeared on over 100 albums, written hundreds of original songs and reached millions of people around the world. Their vocals and harmonies are sublime as are their concert performances. Now, 30 years after their debut, they sound as fresh and vital as ever.
St Peters tower tours every Saturday and Bank Holiday Monday through to the Big Mop Fair in October. Inside there's the Cardinal Cafe and regular exhibitions and events too. Cafe open Wednesday to Saturday
The only operating windmill in WessexThere's free entry to visit the site at any time.Guided tours available on Sundays from Easter to the end of September
The Marlborough College Concert Series is now in its 85th season. Enjoy favourite Brass Band Classics from the World’s Most Famous Colliery Band at the Memorial Hall.
As Halloween approaches, and the veil between this world and the next thins, step into a world where magic and religion existed side by side, and maleficium (harmful magic) was feared. Explore the history of maleficium and discover how spells, curses, charms and the fear of the devil were woven into everyday life.
Through a fascinating evening talk followed by a candlelight tour of The Merchant’s House, uncover the fears, beliefs and superstitions of the people who have left their mark and consider why some of those beliefs still linger today.
Follow the trail, discover fascinating wildlife facts, and see how many creatures you can find. Then get creative and make your very own wildlife mask to take home. What autumn animals can you spot at Avebury Manor Gardens?
Ten mischievous black cats are hiding throughout The Merchant’s House – and they each have a secret to reveal.
Become a Cat Detective and explore this remarkable 17th-century house on a self-guided family adventure. As you make your way through its historic rooms, hunt down the cats’ portraits and uncover ten hidden clues. Solve them all to discover the magic word that will lead you to the mysterious Witch’s Cat.
Following their critically acclaimed show at Reading's Shinfield Theatre, Pocket Floyd perform an evening of Pink Floyd at the Kennet Valley Hall, Marlborough. The set features The Dark Side of the Moon, backed by striking visual effects. This event is supporting the SMS FOUNDATION UK (Smith-Magenis syndrome) and the Kennet Valley Hall.
Marlborough Town Council
