Wiltshire news stories from the Wiltshire Times & Chippenham News - Updated news from Wiltshire

Arts trust gets £120k cash boost

10:00am Saturday 26th May 2012

The Pound Arts Trust, which runs The Pound, in Corsham, has received £120,000 from Arts Council England to help with its work in the community over the next three years.

Wiltshire towns fail in bid for Portas funding

8:51am Saturday 26th May 2012

Wiltshire towns have lost out in their bids to become Portas towns, it was revealed today. Trowbridge, Corsham, Chippenham and Calne were among 370 towns nationwide hoping to bag £100,000 each of government money to go towards regenerating their high streets in a project fronted by TV shops guru Mary Portas. The winning towns were: Bedford, Bedfordshire - offering mentoring support for High Street businesses and community use of empty properties. Croydon, Greater London - transforming the riot-stricken area's historic Old Town market into a thriving market, food and cultural quarter. Dartford, Kent - opening up central spaces for use by classes and clubs, from the Scouts to Slimming World and starting a 'school for shopkeepers'. Bedminster, Bristol - putting Bedminster on the map for Street Art and Street Theatre. A bicycle rickshaw service and a review of parking will also tackle the traffic environment. Liskeard, Cornwall - competing against the edge of town supermarket with a vibrant arts scene, guerrilla gardening and yarn bombing to inject fun back into the town centre. Margate, Kent - putting education and enjoyment at the heart of the town centre's transformation with courses, 'job club' services and pop up shops. Market Rasen, Lincolnshire - drawing customers in by restoring the market town look and feel, advertising free parking and mentoring new businesses. Nelson, Lancashire - attracting local students with a young persons café, sports activities, and a new art and vintage market. Newbiggin by the Sea, Northumberland - better branding of the town to draw people in, improving local transport and hosting pop up shops. Stockport, Greater Manchester - realising the character and potential of the Markets and Underbanks area with a creative arts complex, outdoor screenings, a new parking strategy and street champions. Stockton on Tees, Teeside - live entertainment at the Globe Theatre to boost the evening leisure economy alongside specialist High Street and evening markets. Wolverhampton, West Midlands - bringing the city will to life with modern day town criers and on-street performers and a 'dragon's den' style competition to support local entrepreneurs.

Volunteer at Wiltshire's Kennet canal

7:00pm Friday 25th May 2012

A Wiltshire waterway could be brought back to life more quickly if additional helpers are recruited during National Volunteer Week between June 1 and 7.

Planning for a sixth form site at Warminster

6:00pm Friday 25th May 2012

Kingdown School is seeking planning permission for a new sixth form centre, and improvements to the boys’ changing rooms. Permission was granted last week for more windows in the humanities block.

Online Wiltshire family help

5:00pm Friday 25th May 2012

A new Facebook group for parents of children with complex medical or emotional needs or those with health conditions has been established at www.facebook.com/West WiltsCarersParentsBrigade. The group is planning to organise face-to-face meeting

Yarn bombing craze to hit Corsham

4:37pm Friday 25th May 2012

Knitters from across the world and closer to home will be taking part in International Yarn Bombing Day on Saturday, June 9.

RSPCA warns of dangers of leaving pets in hot cars following recent spell of warm weather

4:48pm Friday 25th May 2012

Following the sudden rise in temperature over the last couple of days, the RSPCA is urging owners not to leave pets in cars, conservatories or caravans while they are enjoying the sunshine.