100 Years Ago.

Chippenham: The mayor has made a good move in arranging for instruction in drill and the use of the rifle for those men of the community who cannot leave for duty with the forces. Such instruction is given several evenings and afternoons in the week and, to facilitate it, tradesmen are asked to close their businesses punctually, in which the public can co-operate by shopping early.

CRUDWELL: Mr John H Large, of the Manor Farm, entertained his employees, with their wives and children, numbering altogether over 60, to a harvest home on Friday night. A pleasant time was spent, the loyal toasts were heartily drunk, and the health of Mr Large was honoured on the initiative Mr A E Russell. Mr Large, in response, announced that he would raise the wages of everyone employed on the farm as and from the 29th inst.

50 Years Ago.

DEVIZES: About 125 tons of rubbish has been removed during recent cleaning operations at The Crammer, the picturesque pond, reports the Devizes Borough Surveyor. Cleaning took place when the dry weather lowered the usual water level. Now prolonged rainfall is awaited to restore it to its high level again.

CALNE: Calne Town Council decided on Monday to go ahead with its plans to attract overspill population from London even though the Wiltshire County Council is against it. The County Council feels a new town with a 30,000 population should be built to accommodate people moving into the area from London. It says that existing towns should develop naturally without losing their character.

25 Years Ago.

CORSHAM: Corsham Brownies and Guides could be left without a home after it was discovered their hut is a fire hazard. For years the Guides, Brownies and Rangers have used the upstairs room in the Guide Hut behind Arnold House for meetings. On many occasions the garden has been turned into a Guide camp with the youngsters singing songs around a campfire. But all that has to end. The fire officer has ruled the upstairs meeting room out of bounds and fires are banned in the garden.

DEVIZES: A team of Wiltshire detectives are hunting an arsonist believed to have started the fire that caused thousands of pounds worth of damage to a car breaker’s yard at Caen Hill. A young lad passing in a car saw the fire and raised the alarm. Although a bungalow was saved by strenuous efforts of firemen from seven towns, it was severely smokelogged.