The Wiltshire Music Awards 2026 entered an exciting new era when Stone Circle Music Events announced was as official sponsor and organiser. Backed by their Galway, Ireland office, the company continues to grow as a major force in event production in the South West of England.…
Joining them are the Kingston Group, bringing extensive industry experience within Wiltshire. Together the partnership will build on the success of 2025, and deliver an enhanced awards experience.
This year’s Wiltshire Music Award ceremony will feature upgraded audio-visual production, large screens, professional camera coverage, an experienced compère, and a headline star appearance. A new county-wide marketing campaign will ensure the entire region is engaged.
Committed to rotating locations, The Wiltshire Music Awards 2026 ceremony will be held at White Horse View Events Centre, beneath the iconic Westbury White Horse, hosting up to 400 guests seated at tables.
Nominations open on the 1st May, and close 1st June 2026, with the Awards Ceremony due to take place on Saturday 26th September 2026.
Seeking Volunteers
The Wiltshire Music Awards are seeking volunteers, and invite anyone who cares about local artists, live venues, grassroots music, and giving people a platform to shine, to contact them. Together we wish to deliver the county’s biggest celebration of live music and grassroots talent.
We would truly love to hear from you, whether you have experience in event planning or simply a passion and some time to give, your contribution could help make 2026 our most inclusive and inspiring year yet.
Please get in touch at: hello@wiltshiremusicevents.uk
Perform at the Wiltshire Music Awards Evening
We are now inviting talented artists from across Wiltshire to take the stage at our upcoming Awards Evening. This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase your music, celebrate the local scene, and perform in front of an engaged live audience.
If you perform anywhere in the county of Wiltshire and would like to be part of this special night, we’d love to hear from you.
To express your interest, please email: patrick@stonecirclemusicevents.uk
I confess my motivation to venture out this winter stagnated, like sludge in a drain. Akin to a hedgehog, I poked my twitching rhinarium out of my nest last Sunday, a mere pint down the Gate with Jon Amor. But what better way to cure my hibernation than a refreshing night at Trowbridge’s t’rrific grassroots venue, The Pump?
Chatting with Kieran online prior I hoped Melksham’s upcoming band Between The Lines were on his radar, cos they’re blooming amazing, to which he replied coincidently they were playing there on Saturday with The Sunnies headlining and Meg also in support. How I missed listing this gig, being I run an event guide, remains a mystery, but it didn’t mean I should miss it physically; viva Trow Vegas!
Okay, it’s labelled a “student night,” organised by small Trowbridge label Nova Sounds Records; I’m young at heart and Gen Z don’t age discriminate. They’re there to party, support local acts they adore, none too fussed if a codger hides in the background. Bands invigoratingly fresh and hopeful, supplying a new scene with zest, but also a timeless punk lore of affordable and friendly gigs, which makes The Pump function successfully, bucking a tragic proneness era of grassroots venue closures.
Nick Harper comes to The Pump this Friday, Jah Wobble did a DJ set at the beginning of the month. These events are bound to sell well. What is more amazing is The Pump will sell out staging three young local acts, and their ethos trends on this. While other music venues strive to host the big names of now and yesteryear, The Pump stages the future ones, with triumphant pride. It’s the most modest and humble place where dreams come true.
All three acts have presented their wares here before, and been subjects to Kieran’s Future Sound of Trowbridge project. Now they return in the present tense. I noticed in both Meg and Between The Lines, a vitalised sense of confidence in their breathtaking performances. One could rightfully mark this “practice makes perfect.” However, after congratulating them, I pondered if playing at The Pump, rather than the other places I last saw them, was also an element making them feel at ease. Describing The Pump like a sacred home, they unanimously agreed it did, and ultimately, how utterly fantastic is that in a largely rural area where most venues are pubs they cannot either play or invite their fanbase?!
As for The Sunnies headlining, I whisked into the end of their set at Bradford Roots Festival some years ago, but have never had the pleasure of witnessing them at full steam. And they were too, totally on fire. If you’re Devizes based it’s best to dub them Melkham’s answer to Nothing Rhymes With Orange, as both formed as school bands based around a similar time, and both caused a phenomenon in their respective towns. If you’re Melksham based, you’ll know, The Sunnies have a loyal teen fanbase, and frontman Jarret Brown loves nothing more than to leap offstage and join them! You’ll also be aware just why they rouse a crowd into a frenzy of joy.
They came out all guns firing, all fiery indie-punk pride, flavoured agreeably with soulful basslines breathing universally acceptable pop vibes. Yet initially it was when they chilled it with ballads of youthful desires I began to consider they were at their best. This is the opposite to the usual indie-punk band, which tends to thrive on the uptempo. Though I had to consider they like to warm up, because the finale saw them turning up the heat once more, sparks flew and encore demanded.
They played their breakthrough song of three years ago, Veridity, with equal gusto as some new tunes, which, returning to my point about these bands feeling comfy here with their fanbase, they pleaded for feedback and were welcomed rapturously.
It helps everyone greatly to be comfy, ergo, if you want to see these young bands at their best, here is where to do it. Between the Lines was the perfect example; loved their set at Swindon Shuffle, if they came across understandably nervy. Slightly younger than the Sunnies they live in their shadow across Melksham, but elusive manly dominance is filtered by the most wonderful female singer and bassist, Belle. It’s breezier, subtle grunge with an acceptable alt-rock tinge, progressing nicely, and a pleasure to hear, especially their originals. Man, they do a sublime version of Tears for Fears’ Mad World though, and in this and other covers project a timeless essence of classic rock in their performances.
And what a brilliant performance it was, tricky to rise after Chippenham’s soloist M3G, with her unique heavenly acoustic style, her songs so personal you can see the claw reaching out to clutch your heartstrings. We love M3G here at Devizine, and as she played through three new songs she has worked with Phil Cooper on, I became eager to review them. Again, she weaved the crowd with audience participation, something she may’ve shied away from previously.
It was a pleasure to see both these supporting acts honing their style and abilities, in such an apt and welcoming place,with the bonus of finally appreciating the might of the Sunnies. If they all cut their teeth at Neeld’s Take the Stage, they thrive here at The Pump. And you need to be there to witness them.
I’m not easy to please, grumpy old sausage that I am, yet twas a great night, but this was just another day at the office for them there lovelies at The Pump! I didn’t meet Simon from Sketchbook Records, which I had hoped to do. I was informed he had a blinder on Friday hosting an event there, and there’s the thing; from their acoustic nights relished in the Village Pump folk roots of yore, to the Bar-Stewards Sons of Val Doonican and the metal hardcore of Broken Lungs, Avicide and Dead Society next month, there’s something for you at The Pump, see here.
The Wiltshire Music Awards 2026 entered an exciting new era when Stone Circle Music Events announced was as official sponsor and organiser. Backed by their…
It seems Shrove Tuesday celebrations in Devizes have fallen as flat as a….well, you get the gag… Traditionally organised by Age Concern Wiltshire, and often…
The mighty mighty Minety Music Festival announced The Bluetones as their Sunday headliner at their Eames Laurie Main Stage, and The Dub Pistols on the…
Rumours are swirling round that D-Town is about to launch a bid to be named the UK Town of Culture, and you have to think that we have to be in with a chance. Let’s face it – any competition that doesn’t use the state of the local roads as one of its yardsticks has to be worth entering….
And, as if by magic, up pops an event that, once again, proves that we’re punching above our weight. We’ve already highlighted here in Devizine some of the amazing stuff that’s coming up over the coming months that will put us in with a shout, but last night at the Corn Exchange just went to prove what we can do here in our little town if we put our mind to it.
Despite relatively little advertising of the event, over 400 people snapped up tickets to see the return of rock legend Rick Wakeman to the stage last night, in a one-off “warm-up” gig for his forthcoming US tour, this time accompanied by son Oliver. I guess it was a case of “If You Knew, You Knew”, and the event was a complete sell-out from weeks ago. The room was so packed that the sound guys had to set up shop in the hall’s kitchen area and to work their magic through the hatch. It was a bit tight in there, but we were all friends, so that didn’t matter one little bit.
The Wakemans are no strangers to this particular stage. Rick appeared here a couple of years back with his outfit KGB (another cracking night that was), and his other son Adam has twice appeared with his band Jazz Sabbath (also highly recommended). Looks like Longcroft Productions have got the inside track with the Wakeman family.
Rickman senior breezed onto the stage, belying his 76 years, and proceeded to wow the room with his first piece on the grand piano. He was shortly followed by elder son Oliver, and the two keyboard wizards then proceeded to deliver a two-hour plus show of absolutely stunning musicianship. Moving easily between the five different keyboards on stage, the two men played a wide range of pieces including both relatively recent compositions, as well a goodly smattering of block-busters from the huge back catalogue. And Rick told us that as a “warm-up” it was chance for them to experiment a little. “You’re getting more here than the Americans are going to get. You deserve it more than they do!” Cue rapturous applause.
Image: Oliver Wakeman
It wasn’t just the music though. Father and son are both born raconteurs, and interspersed the items on the set list with some wonderful anecdotes. We had stories of rescue dogs, marriages and weddings, of the Wakeman parents, of encounters with unwilling pub landlords, and even of previous encounters with our local Moonrakers. Some of which might help explain why “How Much Is That Doggy In The Window?” and “Sweet Georgia Brown” made short, yet unsurprising appearances in the set-list. There was a lovely running gag about the exact date of Oliver’s birth, and how old he was at various times in the stories. And it was great to see the obvious warmth and respect between the two men.
And of course there was plenty of time across the two hours (interrupted only by what Rick referred to as “the Bladder Break”) to explore themes from their musical pasts. Both men have featured at various times in the different line-ups of Prog superstars Yes, from the 1970s onwards. So there was a mash-up arrangement named “The Yes Suite”, followed by several of Rick’s solo ventures – “The Six Wives of Henry VIII”, “Myths & Legends of King Arthur”, and the stunning “Journey To The Centre Of The Earth”. We also journeyed round some older stuff from The Strawbs and David Bowie’s “Life On Mars”.
Musically it was an absolute master-class. To say that these guys know their way around a keyboard is to massively understate just how good they were. As a night’s entertainment it was engrossing. Of course there was plenty of whooping and cheering, and a standing ovation. And of course there was a two-hander encore. Can I give it more than ten out of ten? I would if I could.
And before the Wakemans finally disappear into the night, swirling cloaks and hair about their persons, just a word about the back-room boys. You don’t get fabulous nights out like this without an enormous amount of background work and logistics. So hats off to Paul Chandler of Longcroft Productions for even daring to bring this one off show to D-Town. And here’s also to the piano suppliers, to the piano-tuner, to the sound and light guys, to Wadworth for sponsoring, to the Corn Exchange staff and to the small army of volunteers. A true team effort to bring together a really amazingly good night. Bravo to all concerned.
The celebrated Shindig Festival at Malmesbury’s Charton Park announced their headline act for May bank holiday 2026, and being that it’s Bob Vylan, it is…
It could be bigger than Diggers! See what I did there? Okay, you youngsters might need Google, but while you’re researching Chippenham’s hedonistic past, a…
“Chicago” is a stand out example of the musical theatre genre – great songs, great characters, great murders… It’s the story of Roxie Hart, slayer of her lover, her perennial doormat husband Amos Hart, her fellow murderess prison sidekick/enemy Velma Kelly, and those in authority Mama Morton the prison governess and defence attorney Billy Flynn.
Stage Coach’s “Further Stages” group of teens present this teen edition of this blockbuster musical at the Wharf Theatre this week, under the direction of Rhea Burke and production of Freddie and Chris Underwood.
It’s a fast-paced show incorporating the full triple threat of acting, singing and dance and the cast do not disappoint – to the extent that it’s difficult to split any of those three as “best”. Whether complex harmonies and split timings from ensemble singing, excellent characterisation from the principals or the outstanding ensemble choreography the troupe should be proud of what they have created… for many of them it is their first foray onto a full theatre stage with tech.
Isla Brett plays Roxie Hart to a tee … demure, frustrated but ultimately ambitious, and Darcey Scully contrasts wonderfully as Velma Kelly, sassy, forward and driven. Freya Osborne sleazes her way as Mama Morton, and Leon Marshall smooths slickly as the slickly smooth Billy Flynn. Olivier Baran contrasts believably as the underdog and love-struck Amos Hart.
Isla and Leon work sublimely together as ventriloquist and dummy in the press conference scene – it’s a standard scene of course but the two pull it off perfectly, Isla especially superb as the frozen, shiny faced doll at Billy Flynn’s control in “We both reached for the gun”.
The rest of the cast – Antonia Harvey, Evelyn Brewer, Keri-Ann Bridgeman, Antonia Harvey, Evelyn Morris, Mollie Wright, Aimee Self and Safiya Reda – move from multiple characters while singing and dancing … the press, death row murderesses, public and minor principals Mary Sunshine, Fred Casely, Fogarty and clerk.
The set is a simple and delightful black box, dressed with silvery drapes to rear, stage blocks and two chairs. The side walls display mock Chicago newspaper front pages declaring the various inmates’ alleged murders… Full credit must be given to the costume team of Wacky Wardrobe and the Wharf in-house team… flapper dresses to the fore, sharp suit for Flynn and suitably dweeby looks for Amos to mention a few.
“Chicago” is a BIG show to put on with its physical demands especially, and iconic numbers, and Stage Coach delivers with aplomb here. It’s a show that gives its audience everything … passion, pathos, and prison… and “All That Jazz”.
No one knows why, apparently, but fish are dying in our canal; everyone says wait for the EA report, except for the fish. A town full of road works, burnt out buildings and roads which look like we’ve suffered a doodlebug air raid, but there’s glitch in the Matrix; it’s temporarily stopped chucking it down with a perpetual drizzle of ice rain, and I saw a cold early-rising hedgehog this morning. When I see my first hedgehog I assume spring might yet be on its way; chin up.
The Government (should you wish to call it that) has launched the first ever UK Town of Culture competition, and Devizes Town Council thinks we’re in for a chance here; best of luck with that! Town Councillors are looking to collaborate with local groups, organisations and individuals in putting together an Expression of Interest that showcases our amazing community spirit and the rich story we have to tell as a Town; there’s work to be done!
Councillors are holding an initial meeting on Thursday 26th February at 6pm in the Assembly Room at the Town Hall and it is open to everyone who is interested in collaborating on this project. A big yes to this, whatever we can do to help …..without having to attend a town council meeting, just ask!
Meanwhile, rather than fix their problems, other town councils, like Melksham’s, are making national news sellotaping pictures of the journalists they don’t like very much onto punchballs for embarrassingly pathetic potshots, namely Joe McCann of Melksham News.
We have a good relationship with Joe at Melksham News here at Devizine; the butt of a seriously pathetic joke at Melksham Town Council simply for doing his job has seriously backfired. Don’t mess with the press, we stand united. Could this become a trend? I wonder who’s face might get onto a punchball at Devizes Town Council?!
Moi? I’d be honoured, m’lord!!
No, look, honest guv, or .gov.uk, I’m here to help. I don’t want a medal, but think we can PROVE Devizes is actually a great place to live, and deserves to be a Town of Culture. There’s lots going on culturally. I’m only here to tell you what, don’t give me the third degree simply for doing it in a satirical way, because it only serves a purpose; making this an entertaining read rather than a list of events, which you can find anyway, on our event calendar. I’m nice, no, really!
So, last week of February: DOCA’s Festival of Winter Ales is at The Corn Exchange on Saturday 28th. We’ve previewed it, read further here and hope to see you there for a beer!
March
March is a bit dry, to be honest. Wiltshire Museum, though, begins the exhibit John Piper in the South Country which opens on Saturday 7th March and runs until the 7th June. I hope to be at the opening ceremony and will report my findings.
Sir Alan Ayckbourn’s How the Other Half Loves opens at The Wharf Theatre on Monday 16th March, running until the 21st. There’s a comedy night at the Corn Exchange on Friday 20th, and Jimmy Royal & the Regals play Long Street Blues Club on the 21st, so things are starting to look up.
The first “Big One” in Devizes is at the end of March, when Kingston Media host The Bands By The Green, on the Saturday 28th. In support of Julian’s House, they promise a family afternoon of live music from 1:30pm, featuring Charlie Greenwood, Kelly Dale, This Way Up, Simplicity, Crackerjack, and Foo Lizzy. Tickets HERE.
Devizes to Westminster Canoe Race starts at the wharf on Friday 3rd, and someone was recently complaining this doesn’t attract much attention, so we’re mentioning it here, don’t blame me!!
By the 5th it’s Easter, find lots going on from our updating events calendar, but behold, an Easter Egg Hunt at Hillworth Park.
Friday 10th sees Devizes Music Academy present Sister Act at The Corn Exchange, which runs until the 12th.
Tuesday night out, anyone? Long Street Blues Club were instrumental in helping establish King King in their early days and this superb band is now firmly established as one of the premier Blues Rock acts in the country. They return to the Devizes Corn Exchange on Tuesday 21st.
May
The annual Cancer Research Car Boot Sale at Stert Country House starts off May, on Saturday 16th, unless there’s anything I’ve missed? The event calendar updates, this will not, so please, bookmark it into your favourites and check in regularly, because the further we get into the year, the less events we currently know about. This is a teaser of what’s to come, do not, I repeat, do not, get your summer dresses and sun hats on just yet!
Saturday 23rd sees two new DOCA events, Out & About, where they look at acts in the Community, and the DOCA Festival of Discovery. More to follow on these, but save the date.
Friday 29th sees The Wharf Acting Co’s Who’s Play is it Anyway, the show they’re taking to the Edinburgh Fringe; this is an exclusive sneaky peak. More on this HERE, plus Lou Cox’s Having a Baby and the Sh!t They Don’t Tell You in Books, also appearing at the Edinburgh Fringe, of which you can also catch at the Wharf Theatre on Saturday 30th.
The Devizes Arts Festival kicks off the same weekend, and it is Rowdefest on Saturday 30th; we had a great time with this last year, and this year looks to be just as great if not more. Barrelhouse headline, with the sublime Ruby Darbyshire; handpicked by me personally!
June
Devizes Arts Festival, runs until June 14th; here’s everything we know so far, well nearly everything; there’s a surprise I’ve been told to button my lip about. They trust me too much! Monday 1st June Anthony Horowitz: A Life in Murder, Tuesday 2nd, Patrick Grant in Conversation, Thursday 4th, Hot Mess, and Friday 5th sees the Robert Vincent Band, and Milton Jones on Friday 12th June; that’s all we have for now, watch this space.
Saturday June 13th sees the Wiltshire Steam & Vintage Rally returning to Park Farm near Devizes. Sunday 14th is the Devizes Lions family funday and car show, Lions on The Green.
July
Ooh, got a big one here for you! July kicks off Saturday 4th with the awaited return of CrownFest at The Crown in Bishop’s Cannings, and this one looks unmissable, with more artists being added all the time. The current poster we’ve got needs updating, I believe Ruby is coming and a host of others. I’m looking forward to Ant Trouble, because I picked this one, Stand and Deliver, your ticket money or your life!!
But the month is jam-packed; Town of Culture, box ticked! Saturday 11th and it is the most unique festival around these parts; FullTone. If a sixty piece orchestra playing out of their new location on Park Farm doesn’t quite tempt you enough, The Wurzels and Jason Donovan might! Preview HERE; gorgeous, darling!
Friday 17th sees the Classic Ibiza thang at Bowood House. Saturday 18th and you’ll find Devizes Vegan Market, aptly in the Market Place. Sunday 19th and abracadabra; DOCA will transform Hillworth Park into a Magic Garden.
But, hey, this one is going to be big and needs your attention! Park Farm Festival returns for it’s second year on Saturday 18th. Lovely as this was last time, it needs you. More universal and family appeal than last year, Jon Amor Trio is playing, with well, look at the poster, look, and read our preview!
Friday 24th, and it’s the legendary Devizes Scooter Rally– all weekend! A fantastic event, you don’t need a scooter, but some dancing shoes are essential footwear. You will love All That Soul’s sublime Motown makeovers, and there’s a Blondie tribute, a separate venue for those talc dusters and lots of good time reggae and ska.
August
As I said earlier, we’ve lots more to add and lots more to find out about, so keep this frequency clear, and love Devizine. You can go to a meeting to etch out a plan to make Devizes a town of culture, but it’s me here, on me tod, typing this out for your attention; don’t you forget about us!
So, let’s rush through what little we know about the later months; Saturday 29th August is Confetti Battle & Colour Rush. Monday 31st will, of course, be Black Rat Monday at The British Lion in which you are duty-bound to attend!
September
Saturday 5th is Devizes Carnival.
Devizes Food and Drink Festival is on from Saturday September 19th to Sunday Sept 27th. The festival is run and managed locally, entirely by volunteers and will offer 20+ original food and drink experiences, kicking off with an Artisan Producer Market in the Market Place on the 19th and finishing with the World Food Tasting Experience on Sunday 27th in the Corn Exchange.
The rest of our event calendar is looking blank. Help me fill them in as we go, and here’s looking to a fantastic 2026, town of culture award, or not, we strive on, we know Devizes is great!
After much deliberation, Devizine is to pull out of any further organisation of the Wiltshire Music Awards…..
It has not been an easy decision, and I remain super-proud of what Ed and I achieved last year, getting this special occasion off the ground. The Wiltshire Music Awards takes complex organisation. Therefore, I feel I cannot commit to the workload involved this year effectively enough for what the event deserves whilst continuing to run Devizine too.
Obviously, I’m still dedicated to supporting and promoting the Wiltshire Music Awards through Devizine for this and subsequent years. I also still believe it’s a very worthy cause, highlighting what a fantastic live music scene we have in Wiltshire and rewarding those who continue to contribute to it.
Eddie Prestidge of Stone Circle Music Events said, “we want to publicly thank Darren for the time, effort, and genuine passion he has poured into the awards and into the wider Wiltshire music scene. The spirit of collaboration and encouragement he’s brought has helped shape what this event stands for; celebrating local talent, lifting one another up, and strengthening our creative community.”
Nominations for this year’s Wiltshire Music Awards will open on 1st May. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Eddie, who has been a pleasure and an inspiration to work with, as I am certain we will maintain the same good working relationship for the future awards and many other events. And to wish all the best for the future of the Wiltshire Music Awards.
It seems Shrove Tuesday celebrations in Devizes have fallen as flat as a….well, you get the gag…
Traditionally organised by Age Concern Wiltshire, and often supported by local partners like the Black Swan Hotel, which provided the pancakes, and the Devizes Rotary Club, pancake races in Devizes were an annual occasion, aptly on Pancake Day.
Originally held in the Market Place and shifted over to Hillworth Park in later years, you may have fond memories of trying to win a running race, giggling whilst tossing pancakes in frying pans, but these days it all seems to be lost; correct me if I’m wrong, you usually do!
What happened to pancake races in Devizes? Was it stopped during the lockdown? Seems not, the last one I can find evidence of was in 2015, and appeared on a now archived blog called Devizes Days.
Was it stopped because of health and safety reasons? Sounds possible, but other towns, such as Bradford-on-Avon, continue the tradition. Why not Devizes?
I mean, hey, if you want to get technical, the indulgence of Pancake Day is that final day of feasting before fasting for Lent, and being everyone stuffs pancakes but no one actually fasts, maybe the powers that be got a bit over zealous with punishment for our sins?!
Or, perhaps, and most likely, it’s just because everyone has too much to do in their daily rat race to organise a pancake race, which is a sad sign of the times. You know, kids don’t know how to play conkers anymore? Could pancake races be just as obsolete? Or could we revive it? I’d be happy to help, provided there’s sugar and lemon juice.
I feel sorry for the kids today; “No, you can’t have social media!”
“Can we run around tossing pancakes then?”
“Absolutely no chance!!”
I mean, we’d probably have to have frying pans made from foam and a soft landing surface. Pancakes would probably need to be dairy free, and disclaimers would need parent signatures, and failing to find a location to do this might result in the whole thing being played out in Minecraft, but still, it’s a thought. Do let me know yours…..who stopped pancake races, and why?!
The mighty mighty Minety Music Festival announced The Bluetones as their Sunday headliner at their Eames Laurie Main Stage, and The Dub Pistols on the Saturday…..
It’s not unspoken, weLOVE Minety Music Festival here at Devizine and don’t care who knows! It never fails to attract with some superb renowned names, and then throws in a plethora of local acts either established or upcoming, and in doing so creates a marvellous atmosphere where local music is supported via the followings of international headliners.
Formed in London in 1996 by Barry Ashworth, the Dub Pistols are a renowned British collective fusing dub, reggae, ska, hip-hop, and electronic music, and the party rockers will be headlining the Saturday.
“We’re super excited and have wanted to bring The Dub Pistols to Minety for around three years,” chief organiser Rich Swatton tells us, “and this time, the stars have finally aligned. If you know, you know, and if you don’t know… speak to someone who knows. You’re going to love this!”
The Bluetones first came to prominence in 1995, when their debut release ‘Are You Blue Or Are You Blind?’ broke into the top 40. The single proved to be the launching pad for a run that saw 14 hit singles and 6 albums follow on from it. They headline Sunday.
The Bluetones, formed in Hounslow, are made up of brothers Mark & Scott Morriss, alongside Adam Devlin and Eds Chesters, enjoyed considerable UK and Ireland successes, extending out across into Europe and Japan, before taking a hiatus in 2011 that lasted for 4 years. Since then they have re-established themselves as one of the UK’s most consistently entertaining live acts, regularly touring their extensive catalogue to their army of devoted fans.
2024 saw the release of the first new Bluetones material in 14 years; a renaissance that saw the four original band members take in the summer festivals, before a full UK tour in the autumn/winter of 2024.
The release of ‘London Weekend Television’ in 2025 saw them reaffirm themselves as indie-pop royalty, and 2026 sees the band celebrate the 30th anniversary of Platinum selling album ‘Expecting To Fly’, famed for hit singles, such as ‘Bluetonic’, ‘Slight Return’ and Cut Some Rug’.
“We can’t wait to welcome them to Minety Music Festival, for the very first time,” Rich said, “you’re in for a real treat!”
Minety is near Malmesbury, Wiltshire, and is happening from 2nd-5th July 2026. Tickets only available from: www.minetyfestival.co.uk/buy-tickets
The celebrated Shindig Festival at Malmesbury’s Charton Park announced their headline act for May bank holiday 2026, and being that it’s Bob Vylan, it is bound to open debate….
London based grime rappers Bob Vylan are no strangers to controversy through their criticisms of the establishment and calling out inequalities. Whilst they were one of many acts at last year’s Glastonbury to make statements condemning the genocide in Palestine, they seemed to take the brunt of the rightwing media assault.
Online opinions from Shindig’s announcement are already strongly divided, but mostly positive from the devoted regular attendees of this marvellous festival. Some suggest it will be great to see them live and away from media exposure, others state otherwise. One said it’s an “embarrassing choice. He’ll make it political and a hate filled performance.’ But hey, who wants to party with those in support of such barbarism?
Another suggests there’s plenty of other things they could be doing at the festival, and they need not attend this particular performance if they disagree with the social statements the band make; now there’s an idea!
The Shindig team said they are “very excited to announce one of the most vital, fearless and electrifying live acts in the UK right now. Expect high-energy, sharp lyricism and a reputation for using music as a force for conversation and change. We believe art should challenge as well as unite.”
I find myself wondering what would become of punk if it suddenly stopped campaigning for righteousness, or what these triggered objectors would say if it was the seventies and John Lennon or Bob Marley was booked, for music has always had political or social motivations, and to censor it for the purposes of propaganda or ignorance would be sacrilegious. Well done, Shindig pose, it’s a seriously important booking.
Now, you know when you see a fundraising advert and think, I’d like to raise some wonga for this or that cause, but further reading reveals you’re expected to take on an extreme mission like trekking the Great Wall on a unicycle made from coat hangers, or scaling Everest in just clogs and your wife’s undercrackers? Well, this one is a smidgen easier, and it’s something Devizions take great pride in accomplishing…..
Yes, the end of February is nigh, when Devizes Outdoor Celebratory Arts asks the good folk of Devizes to raise some needed funds, which they inevitably pump back into a system supplying said good folk with a year of free events such as carnival and the Winter Festival, so it’s for their own benefit. And all they need to do to help is drink fine ale and enjoy some quality entertainment. Throw down the gauntlet, why don’t you DOCA, and roll out the barrel, for this is a challenge I’m confident both you and I can really get behind!
This happens annually at The Corn Exchange, and this year’s is on Saturday 28th February. I’m told a fair amount of tickets are still up for grabs, so after reading this don’t vegetate playing Royal Match on your phone, put it to good use and buy yourself a pass to The Festival of Winter Ales. And here’s seven darn good (or at least reasonable) reasons why I think you should:
As usual the event is divided into two sessions, one of quieter reflection for the true ale connoisseur in the afternoon, and the evening more lively session, for the party people; how amicable and considerate.
Equifinal, though, is pies, and the extensive range of booze, from the dark ales experts of The Southgate and Stealth Brew Co, to IPAs, American pale ales, ciders, perry, and, if you don’t mind handing your hard-earned cash to TV’s tax-avoiding billionaire gammon, Clarkson, the Pour House brings Hawkstone Lager!
Also predetermined whatever session you rock up to, is a raffle, and Social Club Cabaret starring puppeteer and self-acclaimed all-round nutter Dik Downey, some aerial‐fusion salsa with Amy G, and The Amazing Malcolm, who may or may not be the same amazing Malcolm who runs Stealth Brewery, but if it is, I want at least half of my money back; bless him!
Everyone’s favourites, and who certainly gets my seal of approval, Talk in Code are headlining the evening session, with their unique take on indie-pop originals, although I’m informed they recently took vow of beverage abstinence and said I could drink all their beer.
Those immortalised in Lego lads, Talk in Code are supported by The Wholesome Soul Trio, regulars at The Southgate, and though I’ve yet to tick them off my must-see list, I’ve heard nothing but good things about their classic playlist of soul and funk with improvised solos.
Even the afternoon session looks intriguing, as I’ve not heard of either act, but singer Amy Irvine is accompanied by local legend John E. Wright, so must be doing something Wright! And A Call from Tomorrow are a young indie covers duo from Wiltshire we wish the very best of luck.
And the last good reason is that physical tickets are available to purchase at Devizes Books; so you could treat yourself to a copy of my outrageous murder-mystery whodunnit-whocares novel while you’re there!!
A gameshow unlike any other is set to take local actors to the world stage. The Wharf Theatre is proud to present the debut of a brand-new show, “Whose Play is it Anyway?”
Set to enjoy a week-long run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2026 from August 17th to the 22nd, this innovative original production offers a fresh perspective on contemporary storytelling, using a gameshow format to explore a range of devised, scripted and improvised pieces, many created by the talented cast themselves. As part of the game, each performance order will be left to chance, creating a unique experience every time.
Join your host, Barry Ruffles and his glamorous assistant, Jenny Flannel as they present 18 pieces of theatre in 50 minutes; all you have to do is guess the genre, playwright or year to win a speedboat, cuddly toy or a holiday for two on the Isle of Fernando!
Prior to the Fringe, the show will preview at the Wharf Theatre, Devizes, running from 29th to the 30th May, Bristol’s Alma Tavern and the Shaftesbury Art Centre; giving West Country audiences an opportunity to experience the production ahead of its official festival run.
Whether you’re a seasoned Fringe attendee or a first-time visitor, Whose Play Is It Anyway promises to entertain. The show will be performed at the SpaceUK, located at the heart of Edinburgh’s bustling festival district. Tickets are available from [Ticket Provider] and can be purchased online or at the venue box office.
Lou Cox, director of The Wharf Acting Company, who perform & devised this show, is also taking her solo show, Having a Baby and The Sh!t They Don’t Tell You in Books, for a week at the Edinburgh Fringe. Inspired by the loss of her baby girl, Lou described the play as a “comedic and brutally honest one-woman show which gifts audiences an emotional, and at times highly entertaining, whirlwind of witty anecdotes and graphic storytelling, with an ending no mother could ever imagine.” And this one too will be performed at The Wharf Theatre, also running from 29th to the 30th May, of which the previous run was reviewed by Helen, HERE.
We don’t like many thieves here at Devizine, but we do love Thieves the band! Well, those Thieves have an interesting next gig it’s worthwhile mentioning…..
The first time I saw these Thieves it was a paradox of coincidences. I was hiding in the back of the Wild & Wooley room of Bradford Roots Festival at The Wiltshire Music Centre, and I was suitably wowed by their Americana/UK folk harmonies. I likened them to The Lost Trades at the time, and told the person next to me, only to realise it was Phil Cooper, one third of the Lost Trades! I then proceeded to vocalise my observation that the guy on the banjo looked uncannily like soloist Adam Woodhouse, only for Phil to sigh, “it is Adam Woodhouse!” Should have gone to Specsavers.
Since, the collective of Adam with Rory Coleman-Smith, Jo Deacon and Matt Hughes have gone from strength to strength, regularly gigging, you might have seen them; consider yourself lucky. They gained me enormous kudos when they played so beautifully at Rowdefest last year, it was uplifting and toe-tapping goodness. Oh, and, we fondly reviewed their debut EP.
They’re excited to announce a headline appearance at Brokerswood’s Tin Church, near Westbury, on the 28th February, with support from the amazing Feral Beryl. Though the Thieves explained, “we were lucky enough to perform in this wonderful venue last year as a supporting act,” it’s the first I’ve heard of a gig there, ‘cos no one tells me nuthin’, but I do recall sitting with the kids on the miniature train!
As an outdoor pursuit area, Brokerswood has been a popular attraction for families and campers since 1968, now in an effort to preserve the land, it’s converted into a holiday park.
With no electricity, The Tin Church is a beautifully unique venue where the musicians are lit solely by candlelight and the original paraffin lamps and perform completely unplugged, taking advantage of the wonderful acoustics of the space. The band say, “it’s an experience like no other and an evening of music not to be missed!”
Sounds good to me; who needs electricity when you’ve got beautiful music?! Priced at £18, it gets even better because it includes canapés, with tickets available from The Cheese & Gain website. But, if you happen to miss this, as it’s a busy weekend what with The Festival of Winter Ales in Devizes and much more, Thieves will be playing this spring festival in March at Trowbridge Town Hall.
Drizzly Sunday…again. I’ve just finished designing the poster, so allow me to reveal the lineup for Rowdefest this coming May, might cheer us up a bit!
It was a hugely successful Rowdefest last year, and was lots of fun for all the family. We cordially invite you to do it all again this year! The wonderful committee is still hard at work, planning the day, and some work needs doing. But, we’ve set a date, Saturday 30th May, and kept the same times, from 1pm until 7pm.
It’s free, and it’s at the same location, the Small Playing Field in Rowde. There will be food and drink, lots of side stalls, tea, coffee and cakes in St Matthews Church. Our village’s famous ice cream parlour, The Rowdey Cow will be there, and you are welcome to bring deckchairs but the haystacks will be back too.
We really crammed in some fantastic music acts last year; this time we want you to explore the side stalls and have some fun before getting comfy around the main stage, but we will be opening the day with some music. A bit of a disco I reckon, some loved pop classics for all. I’m thinking eighties, the committee might knock me back a couple of decades, we’ll have to wait and see! I want to see some dancers though, and maybe there will be best dancers prizes, so get up and shake your thang!
The Devizes Jubilee Morris Dancers were brilliant last year, so we’ve invited them back again. Interactive by the end, more dancing required!
I’m delighted to say we have the sublime Ruby Darbyshire playing for us, who many of you will already know, and, I promise, will leave you in awe.
Headliner this year is Barrelhouse, Marlborough’s finest purveyors of vintage blues with a groove. You are going to love these guys, and you will be up dancing, again!
Mantonfest 2023
That’s all I’ve got, less is more. Just pop it in your diary and I hope to see you there!
Are you sitting down, as this may come as a shock? Residents of the Springfield Road estate in Rowde should be feeling rather privileged at the moment, as bucking the countywide trend of having roads which look like Mars has suffered a doodlebug air-raid, it’s actually been resurfaced!
Not all of them seem satisfied they’ve the only road in the county which is, comparatively, as smooth as a baby’s botty though, and have taken to their local Facebook group, Rowde all About it, to whinge about the inconvenience of waiting an extra day before work could commence due to poor weather, as they probably would’ve whinged about the state of the road beforehand! Awl, that’s Facebook for you; an adult’s playground for venting Karen’s petty fury.
The operation has run just as smooth, with jolly-faced roadworkers jumping at the opportunity to move some cones and allow residents access; it breaks up the monotonous teabreaks. One resident lightened the mood on the Facebook group by suggesting offering them tea and chocolate digestives was key to their friendly attitude, though we’ve no proof of this because I’m keeping all my biscuits for myself.
It is, though, quite a delight to drive on a road in Wiltshire without worrying for your wheel alignment and suspension, if a smidgen eerie. And, of course, once you’ve got to the main road it’s back to the usual sensation of cycling a penny-farthing over a lunar landscape, but hey, for a moment there it’s driving heaven.
Okay, so a few motorist residents didn’t read the social media posts nor see the cones and massive signs stating no parking for the duration of the repair, leaving sweeping gaps untreated, but they finally caught on, moved them, and the roadworkers are rubbing their hands together for a Sunday bonus; all is well.
Residents are advised to drive slowly across the new tarmac, to delay in its inevitable dilapidation. It’s a flipping housing estate, for crying out loud! An estate with the rare blessing in modern times, whereby children can still play relatively safely outside, so it’s in everyone’s best interests to drive through it with caution in the first bloody place!
Bearing in mind this is a busy estate, where some residents are in the habit of parking wherever the hell they fancy, despite the inconvenience it may cause for other residents, and those headless chicken non-residents swerving through, using it as a short cut to avoid Marsh Lane.
There’s an ever- increasing population using Springfield Road, accumulating by the questionable requirements of gradually extending the estate with further Lego houses, when it would’ve been far better to accept the expansion was inevitable years ago, and build it a new access road from the other side of the school; but planning is for other counties.
Not forgoing the colossal construction traffic used to bring these part-built monstrosities past the school gates and playpark without pavements, and through the already busy estate, leaving people wondering how the area obtained such dilapidated roads in the first place!
But not only is the road smooth, for a moment in time, there’s the additional Facebook group story of a rogue “carer” who apparently “drives like a maniac,” revealing their misdoings by apparently telling the road workers to “f-off,” which kind of makes it all worthwhile being in the group, and should remain as a stern message to all roadworkers not to piss off carers, because they’ve got caring to do, god dammit, and if anyone gets in their way of caring, well….
It could be bigger than Diggers! See what I did there? Okay, you youngsters might need Google, but while you’re researching Chippenham’s hedonistic past, a new music venue and studio is preparing to open its doors at the end of February…..
The Ruze on Union Road opens on Friday, 27th February. It’s a daring era to be opening a new venue, but this looks rather special. I believe it’s captured a gap in the market, and we wish them the very best of luck.
James Humphrys, Mac Lloyd, and Beth Thornton kick off the proceedings on Friday night, while Saturday the 27th sees The Showhawk Duo perform their unique take on club classics, acoustically.
These guys remain toppermost on my must-see list. I should’ve known better to question festival organiser and Boot Hill All Star Flounder Murray when he spoke of “acoustic rave” some years ago. “Acoustic rave?” I responded, “how does that work then?”
“Very well,” was his reply, with a mindblowing Showhawk Duo video attached; I’m still at odds comprehending how these guys manage to pull off such a stunt, to recreate those floorfillers with just two guitars.
Supporting the duo are Lucca Mae, John Fairhurst, Kane Pollastrone, and Seren. Other than the brilliant Mac Lloyd, these are all new names to me; looks like The Ruze has a quality vetting process with an ethos lending to supporting upcoming local acts, and I like that in a venue!
If daytime clubbing is a thing now, Sunday March 1st from 3-8pm, The Ruze turns into Club Kudo, with some dance anthems and Ibiza classics, finalising their grand opening weekend.
Tickets for all nights are limited, and go on sale at 6pm today, Friday 6th Feb. HERE.
Yay! We made it to Feb, in one piece, just! I might even be persuaded to break out of hibernation. If you’ve been hibernating too, maybe it’s time to throw caution to the wind, poke your twitching snout from your cubbyhole and have a nose about. If you do, here’s some special recommendations of things to engage you, shake you up, and possibly warm you up for spring, but there will be much more on our ever-updating event calendar, so keep it on your browser, you lovely little hedgehogs…..
Get your shoes on, because as we speak, Sunday 1st, it’s the Jon Amor Trio monthly residency at the Southgate, with guest Gary Cain.
Monday 2nd has the regular Book Club from 7pm at The Pour House; great books, great chat, great people!
Wednesday 4th and it’s Acoustic Jam night at The Southgate.
Thursday 5th, please note the Supporting Men’s Mental Health group now meet in Sidmouth Street. Devizes Film Club is at The Wharf Theatre, presenting Limbo, a stirring drama, laced with deadpan humour, about Syrian refugees, stuck on a remote Scottish island while they await the results of their asylum claims.
The Mayor’s Charity Ball is at The Corn Exchange, with a delicious three-course meal, dancing to live entertainment, raffle, and your formal photograph taken by a professional photographer to remember the evening, supporting three wonderful local charities: Devizes Opendoors, Devizes Foodbank, and the Devizes & District MS Society. Oh, and there’s a Bingo and Adult Cabaret in Potterne.
Oooh, Friday 13th and everyone over the age of 55 can dance the day away at a Wiltshire Age UK Daytime Disco at the Devizes Corn Exchange, a fun, friendly afternoon filled with classic hits from the 50s, 60s, 70s & 80s, Or choc-out with The Rocher Experience at Hollychocs in Poulshot!
Find the wonderful voice of Kate at the Pelican, of whom I’ve likened to Alison Moyet in the past.
Saturday 14th, find a Half Term Chocolate Experience for one adult & child or teenat Hollychocs in Poulshot. Menopause Cafe at The Pour House from 10.30am – coffee & chat about all things menopause.
Funked Up are getting, well, funked up for Valentines at The Three Crowns, and Doctor Doctor plays The Southgate. Del-Boy sings his heart out for a Valentines special at the Pelican. Aaron Garrett as seen on The Voice comes to Devizes Conservative Club for a night of Soul in Motion, and they’ll be Painting Get Together in Urchfont.
Sunday 15th finds Will Edmunds from 5pm at The Southgate.
Tuesday 17th and Potterne Pantomime opens Sleeping Beauty at Potterne Village Hall, which runs up to Saturday 21st.
Wednesday 18th and it’s Acoustic Jam night at The Southgate.
The Wharf Theatre has Chicago – Teen Edition, a dazzling adaptation of the iconic Broadway musical tailored for teenage performers, which runs a matinee and evening performance on Saturday too.
Roll over Beethoven, because the greatest tribute to Jeff Lynne’s Electric Light Orchestra is at Devizes Corn Exchange; Blue Sky Tour present ELO Encounter.
Oh, and please find the amazing Vince Bell at the Crown, Bishop’s Cannings.
Saturday 21st sees Sad Dad Club making their debut at The Three Crowns, should be good, Last Train Smokin’ plays The Southgate and John E Wright is at the Pelican.
For the first time ever, Rick Wakeman will tour with his son, Oliver, in their brand-new WAKEMAN & SON show! Although the pair have shared the stage on special occasions—including the unforgettable Myths And Legends of King Arthur performance at London’s O2—they have never toured together… until now……
Saturday 28th and what a finale to the month; DOCA’s Devizes Festival of Winter Ales is at the C0rn Exchange. In collaboration with The Pourhouse, The Southgate Inn and Stealth Brewery, expect a huge selection of wintery ales, craft beer and ciders from the country’s best independent breweries. DOCA adds great music and cabaret into the mix, with ‘A Call from Tomorrow’, ‘Wholesome Trio’ and ‘Talk in Code’ already confirmed. With a quieter session in the afternoon and something a little more upbeat in the evening, you can choose either a relaxed or more lively experience.
Festival of Winter Ales is a key fundraising event, supporting DOCA’s free programme of events. Come along and support us, snap up a fantastic raffle prize and have some quality time with friends.
The event will run in two sessions across the day: Early (11am-5pm) and Late (5:30-11pm), with a tasty selection of hot pies and savouries provided by local suppliers. Physical tickets available to purchase at Devizes Books.
And that’s all we’ve found for February in Devizes, so far. But updates will happen on our event calendar, so keep your best eye on that. And if you’re not in Devizes, our event calendar covers all Wiltshire from Bath to Marlborough and Swindon to Salisbury, so check in with us too, but I’m sorry I can’t do all this for every town; Don’t cha wish your gig guide was hot like ours? Don’t cha wish your gig guide was a freak like ours?! Don’t cha? Don’t cha?!
Do you live in Devizes? Are you sure? Sure sure? Sure sure sure?! You could actually be living under the oppressive regime of Bishop’s Cannings Parish Council and not even know about it! But fear not blinkered comrades, an elite task force from Devizes Town Council is coming to liberate you!
The border between Devizes and Bishop’s Cannings extends the Cannings side into the parts of the north-east of the town. Other than historic squabbles over who owns the Moonrakers fable, it has been pretty much alright and no one really gave a toss about it since it was first established around 1080, when Osmund, Bishop of Salisbury, built the castle.
Suddenly, nine hundred and forty-six years later, it’s not, apparently. Devizes Town councillors are so furious about redirecting emails sent to them from folk unaware they come under Bishop’s Cannings Parish Council, like copy and paste was never invented, they’re plotting to invade and conquer the Devizes area of Bishop’s Cannings’ parish, best guess, for national security! If, bizarrely, it sounds textbook Trump, perhaps it is, perhaps it’s not, and that all depends on who you talk to; sort it out, Osmund!
Needless to suggest, Bishop’s Cannings Parish Council are unhappy, and say no, you can take our ScrewFix but you’ll never take our Lidl! So, if you live in North Fields, Cannings Hill, Corn Croft, Laywood, Wellington Drive or Marlborough Close, you could be moving to either North Fields, Cannings Hill, Corn Croft, Laywood, Wellington Drive or Marlborough Close soon whilst remaining exactly where you currently are, whether you like it or not; breaking news!
It may seem like a storm in a teacup, a petty spaff between councils, but what does it really mean for the residents of those areas? Again, this largely depends on who you speak to about it.
Community Governance Review, happens every five years or so, apparently, whereby a town or parish council can whimper like Oliver Twist to Wiltshire Council, requesting they shift a border to better financially aid themselves, and I’m sorry to Devizes Town Council, for the want to remain impartial, but it does look this way from where I’m standing. Even the trusty Gazelle and Herod reported it as an “unsolicited and brazen land grab.”
Those residents on Facebook are being told by the Devizes Town Council task force, that it’s nothing to worry about, it happens all the time. But hang on a cotton-picking minute, the moving of this particular boundary has not happened before, has it? Not since 1080! And, if you’re not in a certain Facebook group with a bad habit of banning folk, you’ve probably been left totally in the dark about the whole shebang.
Even the Bishop’s Cannings Parish Council themselves were NOT informed, until one councillor happened to stumble across it on Facebook, apparently. A spokesperson for the parish council told me, “we saw this agenda on Facebook at Thursday lunchtime. Thank the lord I looked otherwise we still wouldn’t know. Devizes Town Council met with Wiltshire Council on the 10th December. They’ve had plenty of time to chat to us about their intentions. They formed their task group on the 8th January, releasing a four page report on Thursday.”
You’d have thought it would be basic etiquette and good manners to have at least dropped them a line, though a spokesperson from Devizes Town Council, not involved with the task force, was surprised to hear they had not been informed. They assured me no malice is intended and they’d support a good working relationship, but Devizes Town Council voted to ask Wiltshire Council to redraw the boundaries on Tuesday, an emergency meeting of Bishop’s Cannings Parish Council was held Thursday; it’s all up in the air and reactions appear quite understandably handbags raised at dawn.
Wiltshire Times reporting the issue, at least I think this was the right post!!
The task force, we are told, consists of two Conservative councillors; Iain Wallis, who as he is desperately holding onto a Devizes North seat, would benefit from the extra residencies, especially being geographically the further the border is moved outward from town the more affluent residents tend to be, and more likely to vote Conservative. And Richard Oliver, no stranger to landgrabs; taking over Roundway in the 2017 Community Governance Review, where Roundway civil parish was abolished and became a ward of Devizes parish. There’s a third councillor on the task force, Guardian, Andy Geddes, maybe just there to even up the parties, who knows?!
“It makes sense for this urbanised part of the parish of Bishops Cannings to be in Devizes,” Iain is reported to have said, and there’s reasoning in this, I believe, I mean, these aforementioned areas are in Devizes town, after all, just. He continued to say “they also access services in the town centre, such as the Leisure Centre, which is subsidised by Devizes Town Council rate payers.” And, whamo! There it is!
These areas have been fortunate enough to pay a lower council tax rate, but still have access to the services of the town. Yet, for the Leisure Centre, for example, we’re all paying customers, aren’t we? And able to access this facility even if we live under a parish council outside of town, or are those from Potterne, Rowde, Chirton or the many other villages surrounding Devizes going to be taken over, otherwise they cannot dip a little toe in the Devizes pool?! Living on the outskirts of town, in these areas mentioned, you’re not much closer to town then if you live in Rowde or Poulshot.
“You cannot use the increase in council tax as a reason not to move the boundary. It all has to be around governance and how being with Devizes Town Council will improve the lives of the residents,” my Bishop’s Cannings Parish Council spokesperson laughed, exampling a Band D rate under Devizes Town Council would be £228, whereas the same band under Bishop’s Cannings would only be £67. “I’d want to see a ton of improvements for that increase!”
They pointed out playparks, telling me Bishop’s Cannings Parish Council has invested over £50K in Le Marchant Park, but Devizes Town Council, “closed Brickley Park for over a year.” There’s also been much discussion over catchment areas for schools, and that residents in those areas could find it more difficult to obtain places at schools such as Lavington. Our spokesperson for Devizes Town Council deflected this as false; again, “depending on who you talk to” is the running theme throughout the early stages of this proposal, but we are certain their council tax will be upped considerably, for questionably the same services.
“Bishops Cannings Parish Council would strongly oppose such an attempt,” they told the Gazette. “In our view, this would be a retrograde step, with adverse implications for all residents living within those areas.”
So, the jury is out on the implications for the residents, and while I’m trying to piece this together impartially, I cannot help think it was irresponsible for the village council not to be informed, and the lack of communication between these two councils. But the bottom line is, if the implications for the residents of these areas are to be as adverse as the parish council suggest they will, surely those residents should have their say by the way of a referendum? Or are Devizes Town Council going to storm militarily into Bishop’s Cannings with a Devizes ICE, “De-Ice” squad, and kidnap the parish clerk?! Then we really have a story!!
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