MONDAY was the 350th anniversary of the Great Fire of Marlborough when the majority of the town was destroyed by an enormous blaze which engulfed the High Street and other streets in the town centre.
Mayor Margaret Boulton marked the anniversary by opening a modest exhibition in a room at the Merchant's House in High Street, which itself was rebuilt following the disastrous conflagration on April 28 1653.
The exhibition includes items like a leather fire bucket from the 17th century, though it is not known whether it would have been used to douse the Marlborough flames. A contemporary description of the fire, entitled Take Heed In Time, has been reprinted and copies are available from the Merchant's House.
Mrs Boulton is also chairman of the Marlborough Fire Forum, which is giving away smoke alarms free of charge to the first 100 Marlborough residents who present the coupon below at the town council offices at 5 High Street by 5pm on Friday May 16.
The Marlborough Fire Forum was set up following a serious blaze in the High Street in June 1998. It is a partnership between Wiltshire County Council, Kennet District Council and Marlborough Town Council and is supported by the three emergency services.
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