A child's right to roam

2:27pm Thursday 3rd July 2008

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Skipping in the road, playing in the fields and swimming in the river are among the memories evoked by a new exhibition in Calne this month.

Calne at Play has pictures, words and memorabilia to recall the days when children disappeared for hours... without parents worrying.

It also recalls the big, set piece events, like carnivals, street parties and Harris factory days.

In a world of greater deference, Queen Mary's visit to the Harris factory in 1941 brought out crowds of people, dressed in all their finery.

People enjoyed street parties to celebrate Coronation Day and Empire Day.

Sue Boddington , who is organising the exhibition at Calne Heritage Centre, believes support is coming back for the big events.

She said the town's carnival, and the Festival of Light, in which people get together to create a lantern display through the town, are evocative of the olden days.

"It's like it is going back a bit," she said.

"There was a bit in the middle where people didn't seem interested but community spirit seems to be livening up again."

However, she added: "When you look at pictures of the 1930s at big events the streets were full, but there was nothing else to do."

Harris' meat factory, which was Calne's biggest employer, used to play a big role in the town's leisure activities.

Staff put together a carnival float every year until the factory closed in 1985.

The management paid for the pavilion at the Recreation ground, which is still in place today.

The factory itself was open to the public who paid for tours of the slaughterhouse and meat processing department.

Isobel Avery, who has lived in Calne since 1952, said: "Children used to come in from school and out to the streets to play.

"They also went to groups like cadets or Brownies.

"There was a cinema down by Somerfield until 1969, which used to do Saturday matinees.

"Children used to go across to the fields and play for hours. You can't do that now, it's not safe.

"I can remember street parties and we had flags from house to house and everyone was out. People wouldn't go for that anymore.

"It was just much more simple, you'd be happy with a skipping rope in the road."

The exhibition, which is organised by the Friends of Calne Heritage Centre Committee, opens on July 9.

Although the deadline for display items has passed, the organisers are still keen to hear from anyone who can contribute to the play theme.

Call Calne Heritage Centre on (01249) 820066 or email sue.bodington@virgin.net Among the display items are costumes from Heddington Drama Group and memorabilia from Scout groups.