On Saturday afternoon, 7 March, Marlborough revived the age-old tradition of Ale tasting.
The Town Mayor Cllr Emily Trow accompanied by Town Crier Emma Kimber, Town Beadle Linda Illsley and Mace Bearers Barry Mercer and Dave Blacklock visited Marlborough’s public houses to assess the quality of the ale served.
When the ale served met the Town Crier’s exacting standards a certificate was awarded.
This tradition dates back to the 1300s and was an important task in the past when it was safer to drink beer than to drink water. Read about the important role of the ‘Ale Conner’ or ‘Gustator Cervisiae’ at Beer & Brewing
Marlborough Common was given to the borough by King John (reigned 1196 to 1216) as pasture for livestock. Marlborough Town Council is the custodian of the Common and is responsible for managing its interests. Byelaws enacted since King John’s time have changed some of the rules about what can and can’t take place at the Common.
Who owns the land at Hawthorn Meadow?
GreenSquare Homes currently owns Hawthorn Meadow. Hawthorn Meadow will be handed to the Town Council once Wiltshire Council signs off the development. We are proceeding with the consultation before that happens on the assumption that it will go ahead, so as not to delay our plans to extend Marlborough Cemetery.
What if you do nothing, or the outcome of the vote is ‘no’?
We will continue to offer burials until Marlborough Cemetery is full. If alternative land cannot be found, once the cemetery is closed it will no longer be possible to offer new burial plots within the parish of Marlborough.
What happens if the outcome of the vote is ‘yes’?
We will begin our project to extend Marlborough Cemetery.
I want to vote but can’t make 16 April. Is there an alternative?
Yes. You will be able to vote in person (with photo ID) at the Town Council office 9am-4pm on Monday 13, Tuesday 14 and Wednesday 15 April. We’re sorry, but there is no postal vote option.
Who is being consulted, and who can vote?
We would like everyone in Marlborough to know about this consultation.
People registered as electors in the parish are able to vote.
We are also consulting interested parties such as North Wessex Downs National Landscape, Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, Action for the River Kennet, Marlborough Rugby Football Club, Marlborough Youth Football Club, parkrun, Marlborough Golf Club, Friends of the Victorian Cemetery & Arboretum and the Model Flying Club
What is Common land, and how is it different from public open space?
Public open space can be used by members of the public if the landowner gives permission, and the landowner is entitled to remove that right or add conditions at any time.
Common land is owned, for example by a local council, privately or by the National Trust. You usually have the right to roam on it. This means you can use it for certain activities like walking and climbing. Some common land has different rights and byelaws so it can be used for other activities, for example horse-riding.
You cannot: camp on common land without the owner’s permission; light a fire or have a barbecue; hold a festival or other event without permission or drive across it without permission unless you have the right to access your property.
The management of common land must take into account the interests of both the owner and the ‘commoners’ (people who have rights over the land but do not own it).
Why extend at all? Can’t you reuse the old cemetery for new burials, or plots more than 100 years old in the current cemetery?
Before 1977 grave spaces were sold in perpetuity. It is only since the Local Authorities Cemeteries order 1977 that burial or ashes plots can be purchased for a period no longer than 100 years. This means all grave spaces in the Victorian cemetery were sold in perpetuity.
For the current cemetery which opened in 1924 (excluding children’s graves) 37% plots were sold in perpetuity.
After a stormy night the sun came out at 12 o'clock and the Mayor joined Charles Farrell of the Western Section of the Showmen's Guild of Great Britain to open the mop fair. By tradition, the Mayor took to the rides and any children who accompanied her rode for free.
More detailed reports are available on request: they are considered at Planning Committee meetings and included in the agendas. Please contact us if you would like a copy of a more detailed report. They aren't published here because the file size is very large.
On Monday, 2 June, at a formal robing ceremony retiring Mayor, Councillor Kym-Marie Cleasby handed over the chain of office to the Town Mayor for 2025-26, Councillor Emily Trow, and Councillor Mark Luson was confirmed as Deputy Mayor at this event.
We were honoured to welcome Ninna Gibson DL back to Marlborough to join Councillors and their guests, former Mayors and representatives from the town's many groups and charities to witness the event and to join the new Mayor at a reception in the Assembly Room after the formalities.
Retiring Mayor, Councillor Kym-Marie Cleasby thanked everyone for their support, encouragement and kindness during her Mayoral year. She said "For me public service is not just a civic duty, it’s a calling." A highlight of her year was the 80th anniversary of VE Day at Marlborough Common, and she had been proud to support Love Marlborough Kids Meals in 2024-25. She gave her reasons for proposing Cllr Emily Trow as Mayor:
"Emily is not only a capable and experienced councillor, she is a person of great compassion, wisdom and clarity of vision. She listens deeply, speaks thoughtfully and leads with purpose, she brings her strong background in governance and is a calm presence in challenging conversations; Emily believes in collaboration and she understands that good leadership brings people with it rather than pulling ahead alone. She also has a real heart for young people, and for those who often feel unheard"
Town Mayor Cllr Emily Trow thanked Cllr Cleasby for being a true friend and preparing her throughout her mayoral year, noting that she had some very big shoes to fill. It was bittersweet for her to be accepting the role without her dear husband, Chris, by her side. He had been present last year when she became Deputy Mayor but sadly passed away in October. Describing the difficulty in find a hospice bed for Chris in his final days, she named Prospect Hospice as one of her two charities for this year. The other is the Marlborough Area Youth Forum, which does so much to support young people.
A few photos of the event follow. These are low resolutions images. Please ask us before you use any of our images. Copyright rules apply to digital images on the internet. Read more here
On 8 May 2025 we joined the nation to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day.
The proclamation as shouted by our Town Crier, Emma Kimber, sums it up better than we could:
Oyez, Oyez, Oyez
Eighty years ago today the United Kingdom and its allies from around the globe celebrated VE Day – the end of the war in Europe.
Today as we come together to commemorate what came to be known as VE Day our thoughts turn to thanksgiving and remembrance of those millions that gave so much to achieve the freedom we all enjoy today.
We remember those we lost, those who were wounded or scarred, those whose lives were forever changed by war. Nobody was immune from the impact of that terrible conflict.
Let us pause to remember their sacrifice.
We reflect too upon the words of our late and glorious Queen Elizabeth – “Never Give UP, Never Despair”.
And so we offer thanksgiving for the selflessness of those who gave up so much in order that future generations should enjoy the blessings of freedom, democracy and peace.
God Save the King
Councillors thanks go to a long list: to the folk from Marlborough Royal British Legion, the Rugby Club and T H White and Town Council staff for planning, setting up and running the event; to the folk from Swindon Classic Car Club, Marlborough Model Flying Club, Daniel Claridge and others for bringing along their precious vintage vehicles and planes; to all the performers - Ramsbury Brass Band, Phoenix Brass, SING, Preshute Primary School and the Piper and Bugler; to Marlborough College and Marlborough Army Cadets, to Charles Bartholomew DL and the General and to ALL OF YOU for sharing these celebrations with us.
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. Open Thursday-Sunday
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 steaming weekends and events
Jamie Cochrane – PianoPraised for playing of “delicacy and vigour” with “great clarity,” Jamie Cochrane is equally at home as a concerto soloist, song accompanist, and chamber musician
Join Head Gardener Garry Munford for a guided tour of the beautiful Avebury Manor Garden. Garry will share his knowledge of the garden's long history and explain how his team is working to adapt this fully organic garden to the changing climate
You are invited to an evening of stunning a cappella harmonies and laugh out loud fun with these two fine groups of men. Be prepared to sing, laugh and maybe shed a tear or two as they present a tuneful celebration of the 21st Century bloke.
Join Head Gardener Garry Munford who will share his knowledge of the garden's long history and explain the exciting new developments as his team work to adapt this fully organic garden to the changing climate
Join Head Gardener Garry Munford who will share his knowledge of the garden's long history and explain the exciting new developments as his team work to adapt this fully organic garden to the changing climate
Join Head Gardener Garry Munford who will share his knowledge of the garden's long history and explain the exciting new developments as his team work to adapt this fully organic garden to the changing climate
The Three Inch Fools return to Avebury this summer for another epic night of mayhem as they perform their new, fast-paced, musically driven, medieval adventure
Join Head Gardener Garry Munford who will share his knowledge of the garden's long history and explain the exciting new developments as his team work to adapt this fully organic garden to the changing climate
Marlborough Town Council
