OVER 50 people climbed the hillside of Lamb Down above Codford for the annual clean-up of the Australian Badge carved on the hillside. It is 100 years this year since the ANZAC Forces arrived in the Wylye Valley and their commanding officer, based in Stockton House decided that he wanted a chalk figure representing the Rising Sun of the Australian Badge on the south-facing slope.

During World War Two the intricate chalk figure was grassed over to ensure in did not act as a navigational aid for the Luftwaffe. When it was re-cut, it was in a much simplified form. Originally it was cut on what the soldiers termed Misery Hill, because they had to march up and down it while training for the Great War; this year the Australian soldiers were volunteers and they brought not just their wives but also their small children to help clean, re-cut and re-chalk what is a part of their military history. As always Codford villagers brought their wheelbarrows to work side by side to preserve an integral part of Codford history.

As always a buffet lunch was provided for the workers in the Codford Village Hall. Dominique Beagley has organised this for many years with a team of willing helpers, and salads and desserts are donated by villagers with Codford Parish Council funding other expenses.

Tom Thornton, chairman of the Badge Committee who organise this annual event, welcomed and thanked the Australian families for their contribution to the morning's efforts, stressing the enduring tradition of co-operation and friendship between the two countries on either side of the world.