From : Michael Bromley Gardner (PC Clerk)

The online booking system pilot is now live at six Household Recycling Centres (HRCs), for pre-booked visits from 14 September.

As residents can book up to one week in advance, availability will build gradually as the booking window rolls forward, with new booking slots becoming available each day.

The pilot operates at the following sites: •    Devizes
•    Lower Compton (near Calne)
•    Melksham
•    Purton
•    Salisbury
•    Stanton St Quintin (Chippenham)

Residents using these sites will initially be able to book a 30-minute time slot up to one week in advance, with some same-day appointments also available. We will regularly review slot durations throughout the pilot to ensure sufficient site capacity is available.

The pilot is for data gathering purposes and has been introduced to:

•    Reduce queuing at Household Recycling Centres
•    Improve the overall customer experience
•    Minimise disruption for nearby residents, communities and businesses

It’s important to note that existing opening hours, vehicle permit requirements and the types of waste accepted at each site will remain unchanged.

Malmesbury Garden Cafe are looking for a full time cook/chef. 

Job Summary
We are seeking a passionate and skilled Cook/Chef to join our Garden Centre Cafe. The successful candidate will be responsible for preparing and cooking a variety of dishes, ensuring high standards of food quality, presentation, and safety.

Responsibilities
Prepare, cook, and present a wide range of dishes according to established recipes and standards
Ensure all food is prepared in accordance with food safety and hygiene regulations
Maintain cleanliness and organisation of the kitchen area at all times
Collaborate with team members to ensure smooth kitchen operations during service periods
Serve food efficiently and courteously to guests when required
Adhere to health and safety policies at all times, including proper handling of kitchen equipment and ingredients

Skills
Proven experience in food preparation and cooking within a professional kitchen environment
Strong knowledge of food safety standards and hygiene practices
Excellent organisational skills with the ability to work efficiently under pressure
Experience working in a restaurant or hospitality setting is desirable
Ability to work as part of a team, demonstrating flexibility and professionalism
Effective communication skills to coordinate with colleagues and serve guests courteously

Job Type
Full-time
Pay: £14.00-£16.00 per hour
Work Location: in person

Email: malmesburygarden@nurden.ac with your CV. 

…Again !

Apologies for the delay, I’m currently in France….

But as I understand it from our Hankerton Roadworks Reporter (thanks Jane) the Wessex Water work completed on time yesterday. Good news.

However, Michael has passed on a note from Wiltshire Council to do with a different set of roadworks ! :
Another road closure – this is to replace the ditch-to-ditch pipe under the lane outside The Holt – which is very good news as we’ve been waiting for this for 2 years (2 years since Highways agreed to do it – many more years since the problem started). Road closed 2/3/4 Sep, 0800-1600 hrs.

Full details are here :

Latest update from Dan :

We are coming towards the end of the scheme where we will be finishing our work very soon and we will then be clearing up and leaving Hankerton.

Our final pieces of work are still scheduled to finish on time so assuming there are no issues, we will be completing work as planned.

I’m away at the moment so can’t check myself but sounds like good news !

From : Elizabeth Threlfall

Are you interested in some worthwhile and fairly flexible part-time work locally? 

Lea, Garsdon & Cleverton Parish Council is seeking a new Parish Clerk & Responsible Financial Officer from November 2026. The role takes approximately 8 hrs per week working from home with formal Parish Council meetings every two months and occasional interim meetings as required at Lea Village Hall. 

 Salary will be in line with current National Joint Council for Local Government Services pay scales and dependent on experience and qualifications.   Knowledge of the role of a Parish Clerk would be an advantage (but is not essential) as would familiarity with accounting software and basic website management. 

 Ours is a small predominantly rural Parish with one village (Lea) and two hamlets (Garsdon and Cleverton) and a population of some 850 parishioners.

 Our annual Parish Precept is modest at approximately £18k and our full complement is for 9 councillors representing 3 wards within the parish.

 If you are interested in the role, which could be attractive to either a newcomer to Parish work or to an existing Parish Clerk who wishes to take on another role for additional salary, then please apply with a CV and covering letter to Cllr Stuart Suter, Chair Parish Council, or by email at stuart.suter@cllr.leagarsdoncleverton-pc.gov.uk

If you would like more background to our Parish and the Parish Council please view our website leagarsdoncleverton-pc.gov.uk or contact Stuart Suter at the above email address or on 07840 753953 to discuss the role.

I’ve had a reply from Dan who’s been away on holiday.

We are currently on track to finish on time in accordance with our schedule which will be the end of August. However, as usual, if any changes are to occur which may result in a later finish date, I will inform you so you can make that information know to the residents. 
Following on from your email, you would be correct regarding the processes that are upcoming to be completed.

The “Following on from your email” refers to me suggesting that what remained was :
– Connect it all up
– Test for leaks
– Test for water quality
– Finish off any surface issues

So hopefully Good News !

From : Michael Bromley Gardner

There’s more information here :

Unfortunately Dan hasn’t updated us again this week so this is just my opinion !

There’s a large hole at the turning to Eastcourt and it looks like they’re building a set of pipe junctions to connect to the existing pipework. No way through at the moment by road.

At the other end (junction with Cloatley Rd) there’s another hole with fittings as well. It looks to me as if they’re getting ready to connect the two ends up to replace the existing pipework.

After that I’d guess there will be testing and snagging… no idea how long that would take I’m afraid !

So my guess is that the last section including the final connections would take a little longer than the other sections so the plan would look like this :

But remember, this was always my guess at the plan not their plan !

From : Valerie Durnford & Philip Carter