Last week Chicago Rock, voted the premier entertainment venue in West Wiltshire, held its first birthday celebrations. Unfortunately being busy on council business I was unable to attend.

This I regretted, as it was this time last year that as Mayor of Trowbridge I officially opened Chicago Rock. Indeed, I can claim to have drunk the first pint as a customer in this establishment.

Reflecting on this caused me to consider just what we have achieved in Trowbridge over the past twelve months.

For a start, renovation work has commenced on Conigre Parsonage and associated buildings. This is after decades of shameful neglect, as has been well documented in the Wiltshire Times.

Decent pavements are being constructed in Silver Street and Roundstone Street, again after years of neglect. These will be followed by similar work in Market Street and down Castle Street.

CCTV has been installed and is successfully operating throughout much of the town and is to be followed by a second phase of cameras, incorporating the railway station. Improved lighting has been ordered for much of the town centre and also the park.

The Park Club has been made safe for our senior citizens. The MacCarthy and Stone apartments on Bythesea Road are nearing completion. Work will soon start on another apartment complex on the site of the old bus station on Broad Street.

As reported in the Wiltshire Times, new plans for a much needed retail and leisure development on the old Ushers' site are now under consideration and a decision will be made within the next couple of months.

There are obviously other developments that are of particular concern potential loss of the Record Office, imminent demolition of our attractive police station, to name two. And we are still plagued by pigeons. Nonetheless, I think the citizens of Trowbridge can look back on the past year with a sense of pride. They should also prepare themselves for further and more far-reaching achievements in the years ahead.

Jeff Osborn,

Town and District Councillor.