From the Files

CORSHAM: Corsham, an ancient royal manor that is now a thriving country town, is jealous of its history. A fact that was amply demonstrated at the fourth annual trades exhibition when many of the traders delved into the past to provide a contrast with the more sophisticated goods of the 20th century. On one stall a sturdy pair of cotton stockings dating from 1895 had pride of place among the flimsy bits of nonsense that the ladies wear today. Another display of the colourful and luxurious manmade fabric of today featured a spinning wheel on which great grandmama would have spun thread for her home woven tweeds. The Corsham Film Theatre, so modern that it has the distinction of being the first ‘twin’ cinema built on a single level in this country, advertised its attractions with a projector first used in the era of the ‘silents’. And a fruiterer, who serves the town and surrounding villages with up-to-date travelling shops, displayed his wares on an old hand cart which was trundled through the streets of Corsham at the beginning of the century.

September 29, 1989.

BRADFORD ON AVON: If people divided up their weekly rubbish into special sacks, a lot of material that could be recycled would be saved. Mr Richard Ackroyd, a member of the West Wilts branch of Friends of the Earth, told Bradford Town Council that environmental issues had been of concern for many years. Only lately had the public become more environmentally aware, and the word ‘green’ taken on a new and politically fashionable meaning. It is common practice in continental countries for waste to be divided up so anything with recycling value can be collected. Britain is lagging behind and Mr Ackroyd said FoE would like to see local authorities employing a recycling officer to be responsible for setting up and running schemes. By far the biggest topic of interest in Bradford on Avon is transport. “There is no doubt heavy traffic ruins what is otherwise a splendid town,” Mr Ackroyd said.

October 1, 2004.

STAVERTON: It is the end of an era in Staverton this week as the Nestle factory officially closes. Despite a brave campaign to save the factory, which makes chilled desserts, all but one machine will close down today, with production due to stop completely on October 15. Most of the 155 employees have left since its intended closure was announced in February. Steve Silcocks of the TGWU said: “Everyone that has left so far has found a job.” The firm set up a mini job centre on site to help employees find new work.