100 Years Ago.

PEWSEY: At the meeting of the Pewsey Poor Law Board and Rural District council held at the Workhouse, time was spent discussing the new Local Government Board Order relative to the composition of meals for tramps. The clerk reported that it was recommended that the Guardians should raise their contribution to the County Vagrancy Fund from £2 10s to £4 10s, and adopt the way-ticket system of dealing with casuals.

CRUDWELL: The residents will rejoice to know that steps are to be taken to remedy the slippery state of the tar-sprayed road. At a Rural Council meeting, Mr Warner drew attention to its dangerous state. The chairman said a similar state existed all over the country. The surveyor said grit would be scattered in slippery weather, but it would be a great outlay. Mr Warner said, “and if a horse falls down and breaks his neck it is a great expense for someone”.

50 Years Ago.

DEVIZES: The parapet at the Prison Bridge on the main Bath Road is to be lowered by Devizes Town Council to improve visibility. The council, after receiving complaints that its height greatly interfered with visibility, asked the British Waterways Board if it was prepared to lower the parapet. The board had no objection to the council carrying it out.

CHIPPENHAM: The water is being cut off for 12 hours every night in an effort to save supplies which are becoming short as a result of the dry summer. The cuts started on Tuesday and will last from 8pm to 8am. Similar cuts have been imposed in the Devizes area for a fortnight. Certain pipes are being kept open to supply such premises as hospitals.

25 Years Ago.

URCHFONT: Villagers have been digging deep into their pockets to save their famous pond. Because of this year’s heatwave it has been almost dry for several months now and all the ducks have flown away. At a public meeting on Monday villagers formed their own action group. The villagers themselves may still have to put up £1,000. As the pond has no natural source of water apart from rainfall. It therefore needs completely relining to stop the water running away.

BERWICK BASSETT: A village telephone box is making British Telecom history. It is the first in the district to be lit by solar power. Until now, the box, by the main A4361 Devizes-Swindon road has not had an interior light because of the high cost of running a cable to it. So a solar panel has been fitted to the top of the new-style kiosk.