Salisbury Civic Day

Shaftesbury-MarlboroughFriday 30th September 2016

The area in front of the Salisbury Guildhall was taken up by vintage and French markets as we arrived for a Civic Day at the invitation of Salisbury's Mayor, Councillor Derek Brown, OBE. After coffee and a welcome by the Mayor followed by a quick look at the impressive Maces, we travelled by coach with other Wiltshire Mayors as well as Mayors from Bath, Dorset and Hampshire, to the South Wiltshire University Technical College (UTC).

The UTC is housed in the former Salisbury Police Station and has been transformed into a modern, professional learning environment where the aim is to prepare 14-19 year olds to become scientists, engineers and computer technologists. The College works closely with employers in the region and the University of Southampton. We were all most impressed.

We were then given an illustrated talk by Steve Godwin of Salisbury Business Improvement District (BID) who explained the benefits felt by local traders from joining the scheme. This is something we have considered here in Marlborough.

Our next stop was The New Inn (roughly 700 years old) where we all enjoyed a splendid lunch before departing for a 'whistle stop' tour of Salisbury Cathedral. The Mayor, Derek Brown and his wife, Penny (herself a former Mayor) both make the time to be official guides for the Cathedral - 2 out of 600!

On return to the magnificent Guildhall, we enjoyed afternoon tea and marvellous entertainment by Elevate Dance Company which recreated the 'Roaring Twenties' with their dance routine, including the Charlestone.

Altogether, a varied and interesting day - one to remember.

Photo: Our Mayor and Mayoress (right) with The Mayor of Shaftesbury, Dr Richard Tippins with his Consort Susan. Behind them are the Salisbury Maces and the enormous silver basting spoon presenting by Queen Victoria on her visit to Salisbury.

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