100 Years Ago.

MALMESBURY: The Mayoress wishes to thank all those who have so generously and promptly requested to her appeal for the alleviation of the distress which is sure to ensue as the result of the war. Her committee will be glad to receive all finished socks and shirts for marching soldiers on Monday next. Hospital garments will be given out afterwards.

PEWSEY: Pewsey people have resigned themselves to the inevitable and declared the annual carnival in aid of the Savernake Cottage Hospital is off. It is a pity, but none will challenge the decision of the committee. To run the carnival means a tremendous amount of work, and no small expense.

50 Years Ago.

MARLBOROUGH: Motorists on the A4 through Marlborough were surprised on Tuesday night to see young people jiving on the pavement to a record-player, and even in the road. Some smiled, others sounded warning horns, but one couple shouted disapproval. The dancers were members of Marlborough Young Liberals and it was part of the Liberal agent Mr John Scott’s idea to launch the new Young Liberal record. It was to this that the young people – almost 20 of them – danced.

CALNE: Despite difficulties created by the possible diversion of the A4 road, the company interested in the development of land between Market Hill and Curzon Street as a shopping precinct will go ahead with its plans. The project is planned in three phases, the first entails demolishing Henly’s Stores and other properties and erecting ten shops and a supermarket together with a car park for 300 vehicles.

25 Years Ago.

CHIPPENHAM: Plans that will change the face of the shopping centre are to be unveiled. The scheme to redevelop the Borough Parade area has been kept tightly under wraps by North Wilts District Council but will be revealed later this month. The project will be the most important in Chippenham since the Emery Gate shopping mall was built.

PICKWICK: Angry residents have attacked plans for a new housing estate which they say will become “the slums of tomorrow”. They say the developers have gone back on their original proposal to build 90 houses and will destroy the character of Corsham if their 126-home plan goes ahead. “It seems to have moved from creating a spacious environmentally friendly development, into cramming in as many houses as can be got away with” said Pickwick West Residents’ Association.