Mayor declines records office invite (From Wiltshire Times)

Mayor declines records office invite

2:35pm Wednesday 17th January 2007 in Trowbridge By Helen Thomas

THE mayor of Trowbridge has said he was astounded to receive an invitation to the opening of the new Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre.

The town council was opposed to the decision to move the record office from Trowbridge to Chippenham and made its feelings clear to Wiltshire County Council.

Cllr Tom James has written back to heritage services manager Tom Craig declining the invitation to attend the official handover ceremony.

In the letter he writes: "I cannot imagine why the authorities would think that the mayor of Trowbridge would wish to be associated with this event in any shape or form.

"As you should know from the long, hard fought campaign against the loss of the County Record Office from the county town, we are certain that the new site in Chippenham can only result in a poorer service more difficult to access for those wishing to use it."

He goes on to say he believes the new location discriminates against those who use public transport and believes the people of Trowbridge would not wish him to be present at the ceremony on January 29.