Here are some of the biggest news headlines from last spring. Do you remember them all?

In April a Texan couple were announced as the new owners of what is thought to be England’s oldest hotel, the Old Bell in Malmesbury.

Kim and Whit Hanks also agreed to buy the neighbouring Abbey House Gardens, once home to the Naked Gardeners and famed for its clothes optional days.

The founders of Whim Hospitality, Camp Lucy and Tillie’s Restaurant in Dripping Springs, Texas say they are “exceptionally thrilled” to take on the sites.

Families of residents in Furling Close, Devizes were celebrating after a judge criticised the charity running the complex for taking a unilateral decision to close it.

In his decision notice, Judge Cotter wrote: “It is arguably unlawful for the defendant to have taken the decision unilaterally to close, and / or to do so in conjunction with the council, because no such process has been followed.”

READ MORE: Review of the year: Covid pandemic dominated 2021

Pubs, shops and hairdressers enjoyed a busy reopening day on April 12 after a long closure. We hoped it was the last such disruption for local businesses.

In sadder news, the much-loved former Devizes reporter Terry Gaylard died at the age of 92.

Colleagues from his 45 year career with the Gazette and Herald paid tribute to his long career.

A petition was launched to get Bath council to work with Wiltshire over concerns of increased air pollution in the county as a result of the clean air zone.

Conservative councillor, Phil Alford, who represents Melksham Without North started the petition “stop polluting Wiltshire Roads with Bath CAZ traffic” - a battle still being fought.

The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald: Harlee's Fish and Chips thrilled about winHarlee's Fish and Chips thrilled about win

A Wiltshire fish and chip shop was named as one of the best 50 in the country.

The team at Harlees Fish & Chips, in Westbury, were overjoyed to hear they were a winner in the Fry Awards 2021’s takeaway category.

And the newly refurbished Warminster police station opened at the former Wiltshire College training campus at The Avenue.

Wiltshire paid tribute to Prince Philip when he passed away on April 9, aged 99 - highlighting his close links to the county.

A Devizes family had a “really lucky escape” after a fire ripped through their home.The fire service received 14, 999 calls, and had been told that the fire had started on the first floor and that flames were seen issuing from the window.

Once on scene, firefighters found the fire was significantly affecting the roof and upper floor of the house.

Station manager Dave Geddes, fire investigation officer at this incident, said: “The family inside the property had a really lucky escape. Unfortunately, smoke alarms inside the house did not activate, but they were all able to escape.”

A new campaign by the Ministry of Defence began to highlight the dangers of trespassing on land, particularly when military training is taking place, after a dog was recently killed by a military vehicle.

Towards the end of April a grenade was found during a house clearance in Devizes - sparking a major police response.

Marcus Taylor, who has a shop in the Shambles, was emptying a box from a house clearance when he discovered the grenade.

Mr Taylor had driven from Bristol with the grenade in the back of his van, and said he was “very nervous” once he realised what was in the box.

The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald: Guy Tadman Guy Tadman

Emotional tibutes were paid to Guy Tadman, an “experienced, professional and skilled” former watch manager in Wiltshire.

Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service’s chief fire officer Ben Ansell said: “Today, we have received the sad news that retired Watch Manager Guy Tadman, from Trowbridge fire station, has lost his fight against cancer.”

In early May the local elections faced controversy, first as Chippenham voters were given incorrect ballot papers or turned away at the polls.

The electoral commission said it had been made aware of problems and that steps were taken to bring back voters who were affected..

Then the county was outraged when Jonathon Seed confirmed he was forced to withdraw rom the race to become Wiltshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner.

He was disbarred from the position he was elected to due to a conviction for drink driving, which automatically disqualified him from the role.

Tributes were paid to heroic teenagers who helped to minimise the damage caused by an arson attack in King George V playing fields in Melksham.

A juvenile who set fire to a new PVC picnic table and bench near the new splashpad and faced discipline.

In June the family of a 100-year-old woman from Wilton who was left waiting for an ambulance for six hours called for answers.

Eddie Clarke said his mother fell while she was in the bathroom was found by her carers who called the ambulance service straight away at about 8.15am.

However, it wasn’t until 1.15pm that paramedics finally arrived. The elderly woman was left on her bathroom floor unable to move the entire time.

The ambulance service says patients who are most in need of emergency care, such as those who are unconscious, not breathing or bleeding heavily “must be prioritised”, meaning others could face a longer wait.

The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald: A badger got himself in trouble in an ammunition compoundA badger got himself in trouble in an ammunition compound

On a lighter note, a badger got into difficulty after digging into a high security ammunition compound and was rescued by Wiltshire Wildlife Hospital.

A post on the charity’s Facebook page said: “An adult badger managed to dig into a high security ammunition compound and couldn’t remember the place he penetrated to enter the sensitive area, so he couldn’t find his way out.”

The charity did not want to disclose the location of the rescue for security reasons.

In another animal-related mishap, MP for Devizes Danny Kruger was fined more than £100 after his dog “caused a stampede of 200 deer” in a London park.

Nothing but an empty shell was left behind at the site of Bromham Social Centre after a massive fire took hold on June 14.

Smoke could be seen for miles across the wider area, and residents were urged to close their windows. But the Bromham community really rallied around and were determined to rise from the ashes.

Station manager Adam Martin said: “We were very grateful to the local community for the support they showed us throughout this incident, especially the team from the Westbrook Inn, who kindly provided food and drinks for the crews.”

More than £9,000 was raised for the club steward Adam Dempsey who lived above and lost everything in the fire.

In Chippenham controversial new traffic lights began causing “complete chaos” for residents and workers alike.

The new lights on the corner of Station Hill and New Road caused tailbacks as far as the Olympiad.

Steve Hulbert who has worked in Station Hill for the last 10 years said that never before has he had to leave his work area because of diesel fumes from busses and lorries queuing up on the road.

A cutting-edge Innovation Centre at Marlborough College threw open its doors.

With more than 1,000 sq m of teaching and exhibition space, the state-of-the-art complex aims to inspire the next generation and place the school in the vanguard of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education nationwide.

The £3.5m two-storey multi-use centre features glazed facades, purpose-built laboratories, teaching rooms, breakout spaces, offices and workshops.

On summer solstice hundreds of revellers have near Avebury and spent the night partying.

Vans and cars parked all along the Ridgeway above East Kennett and drums could be heard for miles around.

Police blocked access to that section of the Ridgeway, but cars and vans kept parking along the A4 and in nearby villages and farm tracks.

Marlborough police said they have taken the difficult decision to prevent further access in order to maintain public safety and prevent potential damage to nearby farmland.

Organisers of the Womad festival confirmed it was cancelled and slammed the government’s lack of support and clarity.

Former Genesis vocalist Peter Gabriel, who co-founded the world music festival Womad in 1980, said: “It is with great regret that we are cancelling WOMAD ‘21 today. Without the simple support of a government insurance scheme or the guarantee of Test Event status, we cannot continue and put WOMAD’s long term future at risk.

“We feel that our audience, artists, staff, and contractors, who have been amazingly supportive throughout all this, will understand the need for us to act to guarantee our survival.”

More to follow.