The High Sheriff of Wiltshire, William Wyldbore-Smith, has opened Wiltshire Probation’s new award-winning headquarters office building in Marshfield Road, Chippenham.

The plaque unveiling ceremony was performed by the High Sheriff alongside Probation chairman Paul Aviss and chief executive Liz Rijnenberg as well as staff and partner organisations.

Mr Wyldbore-Smith expressed heartfelt thanks to everyone at Wiltshire Probation for the work they do in keeping the community safe.

He said: "I was enormously impressed by the blending of a traditional old market town villa with new modern office space fit for use in the 21st century.

"For people to give of their best they need to come to an office space they feel proud of, that they enjoy working in and that is designed to enable all of you to work together.

"Your work is not just a means of earning a living: it is a professional vocation. I believe my role is to nurture, encourage, support and thank all of you who work with such dedication for the good of us all. I would like to express that thanks on behalf of the county to all of you who work here now.

"Your task involves some of the most difficult work in the field of offending. You work with some of the most challenging and challenged people in society, there because of circumstances they may have little control over and backgrounds they didn’t necessarily choose.

"You do what you can to make those you work with fit to rejoin the mainstream of society once their sentence is over."

Paul Aviss, chairman of Wiltshire Probation, spoke about the long journey of more than a decade from the initial plans to the opening of the new premises. "I’m delighted to be here today in such a fine building, a fitting place for all our team to work in, and one which fits in very well to Chippenham."

Liz Rijnenberg, chief executive of Wiltshire Probation, thanked everyone who had been involved in the project to create the new building, singling out estates manager Tony Ryan for special praise. "Tony worked from the start of the project to the end to ensure there has been a seamless transition," she said. She also thanked all the staff for their efforts in moving to the new building and helping to get it ready for its opening.

The building, designed by architects Stride Treglown of Bristol, won its Chippenham Civic Society award on the same day as the office opening. The building was chosen for its award because of its imaginative integration of old and new as well as the thoughtful landscaping including retention of existing trees along its frontage.