What is a “vision thing”?
To me, it’s an idea that you have. Ideally, its’ thrust should be move things forwards, to create something different, is coherent enough to be worthy of consideration, and perhaps to make things better (in my opinion, and hopefully in the opinion of others),
Then, perhaps, it’s about putting the idea in a framework (maybe actually putting it in a frameif it’s a painting or metaphorically if not), by shaping, expanding, organising and presenting it.
As with many “vision things” that most of us will conjure up from time to time, one could decide to keep it to oneself (which usually the case), or get it out there and see if anyone else likes it. Or agrees with it. Or could work with it.
These are the ones that I’ve decided to get out there and share (the one’s I have the confidence to share, and found the time to develop). I see anything published in this section as “works in progress”. – JC
The Re-Imagining and Resurgence of a Town and its’ Local Environs
Economically, Culturally and Naturally
Is it possible to have a “Win, Win, Win”?
A Work In Progress By Jeremy Cuff
I live in Warminster, a market townof circa 17,000 inhabitants in Western Wiltshire, located in the upper reaches of the Wylye Valley, and fringing the Western edge of Salisbury Plain.
It’s a pleasant town, though one in my view that is in much need of re-invigoration and re-invention on a number of levels – economically, culturally and naturally. It is my contention that these three tenets could be “tied together” in unison by a motivated local community and a willing and open-minded local government, aiming towards a better future for all.
Though (I accept) a big ask, I think huge benefits could be derived if the local community could come together and embrace such a set of ideas, voluntarily, and on the basis of beliefs and concerns that are widely shared whilst putting aside those that aren’t.
This town and many like it around the country could work towards something akin to what I set out below.It can’t be done overnight, but could be done by taking many small steps adding up to a big journey. I suppose you could say that you “move the mountain by carrying small stones”.
I’m a great believer in consent and the need for all voices to be given due respect and granted freedom of expression, and no such project or mission could or should be undertaken without that core premise among the participants.
Without this basic understanding, degeneration into “them and us” would prevent rather than accelerate true progress. No disagreement should result in any abuse and disrespect whatsoever in any form, and is wholly counter-productive. It should be bigger than political party standpoints; consider that the vast majority of people may broadly agree on most things, only differing on how they should be achieved. Participation must be voluntary, not mandatory, and those who choose not to participate or engage must not subjected to any form of intimidation, public shaming or coercion. This is very important.
Perhaps it’s possible for most to agree that the town of Warminster and its’ environs have declined economically, culturally and naturally? If we can, that would be a good place to start.
So, is it possible to have a “Win, Win, Win”?
I think it is.
Economically
Towns such as Warminster have been suffering steady declines to their economic fortunes for a number of years leading up to the Covid-19 pandemic, especially around the town centres. The reasons are complex and multi-faceted, though the biggest single contributory factor would be the digitalisation of the economy.
The huge increase in forms of “digital shopping” of whatever kind have had the tendency to kill-off all but the most resilient, necessary and well-funded retailers in the centres of market towns. The increasing centralisation of other functions such as policing, accident and emergency services and so on have also left market towns with less services “on site” that local people can visit (at least physically, as opposed to “virtually”).This results in less and less products and services that you can buyand access whilst visiting the town which in turn drives that downward spiralfurther, as there’s less of a reason to “go into town”. It’s a vicious circle.
Historic towns that are aesthetically pleasing, or have other attractions for both tourists and locals to visit may be less affected due to the daily influx of visitors keeping the economy more vibrant, but even these are not immune to this trend and the hard economics of the times.
For towns such as Warminster, and many like them around the country, this direction of travel has resulted in rather sad, depleted, less visited town centres, with those businesses and organisations that still remain finding it increasingly difficult to remain viable.
The Covid-19 pandemic has not been an instigator of this change,but has served as an accelerant and exacerbator of a trend that was already there. This decline in economic fortunes has had the knock-on effect ofdriving a cultural decline within towns, as there’s less attraction and reasons to visit. And the pandemic itself has made us accustomed to visiting town centres less frequently.
This is, I think, an accurate description and summary of what has happened to Warminster.
Culturally
Given that the economic and cultural fortunes of towns are inextricably linked, what could be done to rescue the situation, and make a town “come alive” again?
It’s not an easy answer to figure out, but could perhaps be found in the history and events of a town’s past and the presence in the wider local area of wildlife, and most importantly, the possibilityfor the return of wildlife that once inhabited the area, or could be newly attracted to the area.
To achieve this,there would need to be a shift to more favourable conditions, especiallyif the general area has become environmentally impoverished. For sure, some towns and their local environs have better overall scope for this than others, but it doesn’t mean that all towns should not pursue a path to something different and better. All places have “something”.
Warminster has, I think, a lot of potential to revitalise itself economically and culturally based on its’ historic past and the presence of local wildlife, especially when alliedto thepotential of its’ local environs in terms of improved conservation and re-wildingalongside some additional statutory protections in certain instances. I also believe that huge benefits could spring from exploring the town’s history, and voluntarily changingthe emphasis of land use. How could this be rationalised and mobilised for the economic and cultural renaissance of the area?
In terms of history, Warminster has both an ancient historic past and modern historic past. Both could be re-invigorated and re-communicated in inspiring ways to attract new visitors to the area.
Firstly, the ancient history. The downland, flood meadows and river valleys around Warminster have been inhabited for millennia. The evidence of this presence, of “people in the landscape”, are still there for people to see and to learn about. Little is made of this. For example, what do most people know about the lives of those who created the Iron Age hillforts of Battlesbury and Scratchbury? Most of us (even those of us who live in the area) know very little, but why don’t we find out more and tell the story?
Secondly, the recent history. For me, the most obvious areas of greatest inspiration are the parts that Salisbury Plain played in WWII, in planning for the pushback against the Nazi forces, and the more recent “fame” that Warminster gained as a hot-spot for UFO sightings in the 1960’s.
I accept that as WWII becomes a topic beyond the living memory of citizens, that it will lose its’ poignancy to some people, but for those who believe in the importance of being free from genuine oppressors (which none of us should take for granted), it is a story that should never be forgotten and erased from our national consciousness.
In terms of the UFO’s and the wonderment of “whether we are alone” in the universe, there are inspiring ways in which this could be presented to visitors. A look at the number of websites and programmes about UFO sightings and the probability (or not) of alien lifeforms actually existing, including the current efforts of NASA on Mars are indicative of the interest levels and importance of this topic to many people. UFO’s and what they represent are hugely exciting. Why couldn’t Warminster become a centre of this interest?
After all, Drumnadrochit in Scotland has benefited economically and culturally from the Loch Ness Monster, even though most people don’t believe that it exists. Or Lyme Regis has benefitted from its’ location on the Jurassic Coast, to become a base for interest in prehistoric life and fossil hunting. Or perhaps consider the town of Frome, only a few miles from Warminster, which has re-invented itself as an artistic and cultural hub, offering a popular venue for live music attracting musicians both well-known and upcoming, and a monthly artisan market which attracts visitors from far and wide.
You could argue that Warminster doesn’t have the same level of aesthetic appeal of any of the above towns, as one could say that Frome is more picturesque than Warminster (I would agree with this view), but that doesn’t mean that the town has “no way forward”. I think it does, and it can.
Naturally
Can the natural world also be a “mobiliser” of the economic and cultural revival of a town and its’ environs? I think that it can.
Warminster has many national rarities that it’s possible to see within easy reach of the town, despite the general impoverishment of the area due to current methods of land use, development, pollution and roads, which of course, are problems almost everywhere else across the country.
These rarities are under continual assault, and therefore threat, from the daily activities of us all, but what might happen if more effort was made not only to protect and preserve that which still remains, but that more is encouraged to return? The results could be spectacular, mind blowing, and comforting, and therefore attractive to others to visit the area and see for themselves what’s going on.
The area surrounding Warminster has a lot going for it in terms of the environment, and unrealised “environmental potential”. The River Wylye, originating in the downs above the Deverills is a rare chalk river, which is fed by other chalk stream tributaries. Also, the town borders the edge of Salisbury Plain, which is perhaps the most extensive tract of chalk downland and grassland to be found anywhere in Western Europe. Fringing this area are Cotley Hill, Scratchbury Hill, Battlesbury Hill, Arn Hill and Cley Hill (all accessible to the public), which are havens for rare wildlife and indicative of what is found within the off-limits military areas of Salisbury Plain itself.
Then there’s the damp wooded valleys and flood meadows within the Smallbrook Meadows Nature Reserve area (along the Wylye), the wider Wylye Valleyboth upstream and downstream from the town,and the surrounding (predominantly) woodland areas of the Longleat Estate.
All these areas (or sections of these areas) could, with the landowners “buy in” be managed or allowed to “re-wild” for the benefit of many species, and could help to drive the economic and cultural aspects of Warminster to renewed heights, as I will set out in the following ideas.
It could therefore be possible to improve the fortunes of the town “Economically, Culturally and Naturally”. What could be better?
Conservation & Re-Wilding in Warminster and Surrounds
“The Way Back To Nature”
Revive, Renew, Regenerate, Re-wild…
“What if we could take an area (where we live) – define and think differently about it – with life in mind, and not just human life… every place is different, every place is unique, every place has its’s own unique blend of equilibrium and species latent in the degraded land. Think about what could happen if we unleashed it…”
In making effort to track down various UK species that I’ve never seen in recent years (birds and butterflies mainly), these travels have shown me in sharp focus the sheer precariousness of many of the species that I sought out and subsequently managed to find. But for how much longer will these species survive in their embattled and isolated “enclaves” unless there is concerted change to reverse at least some of the damage caused by humankind.
Many nature reserves in the UK are like small oases in large expanses of biological desert, so the opportunities for outward re-colonisation for most species found in them are often slight. Though these reserve “oases” are better than none at all, what is needed are landscape-scale projects to create natural corridors for species to disperse into other suitable areas (joining the dots, so to speak), and the re-wilding of larger tracts of land such as that which has been facilitated by, for example, the owners of the Knepp Estate in Sussex.
The re-wilding project at the Knepp Estate has been astonishing, and is brilliantly described in Isabella Tree’s Wildingbook whereby, put simply (and it wasn’t simple), an unprofitable and intensively farmed estate was allowed to “go back” to nature. Anyone with any interest in what I’m saying here should read a copy.
However, Knepp has the benefit of “one ownership” in that if that ownership wishes to set in motion such a landscape scale project, it can. It is clearly more difficult to achieve if the various parcels of land have different ownerships as is mostly the case around Warminster. The exceptions to this would be the M.O.D. land on Salisbury Plain (usually off limits to the public, but which adjoins areas that are accessible) and the Longleat Estate (mostly accessible).
Therefore, in order to create a “wilder” environment in the Warminster area, it would require multiple landowners to make decisions about their land individually and/or collectively, and when it may suit them to do so. Not everyone will see it that way, of course; that is their right as the owner.
So, what areas might be good to set aside for “re-wilding”, what are some of the context issues, what ideas could be floated and what might the benefits be to the landowners themselves and the wider local economy of which they are a part? We will explore this in the upcoming sections
Defining The Areas To “Go Back To Nature”
See below maps & descriptions of areas that I consider suitable for re-wilding, or at least some re-wilding.
There’s no “black and white” or “right or wrong” about this, so this is based on what I personally think could work in terms of joining parcels of land together to create larger areas of wildlife friendly areas, and corridors linking them with other areas. It doesn’t, of course, take into account the views that will exist among the different landowners. As an example, let’s pick the Marsh Fritillary butterfly, a nationally threatened species which tends not to readily disperse outside of its’ “core habitat”. It could be significantly helped by the joining together of suitable sites which will create the circumstances for a “meta-population” to exist, thus strengthening the viability of the species in terms of distribution, numbers of individuals and genetic diversity.
Battlesbury, Middle Hill, Scratchbury Hill & Cotley Hill
We have to start somewhere, so let’s look at the hills of Battlesbury, Middle, Scratchburyand Cotley as the first areas of land to consider, which bordersthe Western fringe of Salisbury Plain.
Each of these hills has a “head start” in that they are already homes to abundant flora and fauna including national rarities.
It obviously makes sense that adequate protection is given to these locations (where that protection may be currently insufficient), but imagine if(in addition to improved protection)what would happen if they were “fully joined together” by allowing the intensively farmed areas immediately adjacent to them become part of a larger tract of landdedicated to the environmental cause, but accessible to people.
A lot of interesting things will surely happen, and the viability of existing species populations (such as the Marsh Fritillary) should improve as a result of them being able to use the entire landscape much more than they’re able to do currently. For the landowners themselves, there may be ways to monetarise their land in different ways that could be beneficial to them as an alternative to intensive farming.
Linking “The Hills”To The Wylye Valley
The River Wylye is a rare chalk river that has its’ source in the hills behind the Deverills, near Maiden Bradley. It meandersdownstream from there, past Warminster and down the Wylye Valley to Wilton, where it meets the River Nadder, which itself joins the River Avon at nearby Salisbury.
The hills of Battlesbury, Middle, Scratchbury and Cotley, and any re-wilded areas adjacent to them (currently farmed) could be “joined” in some places to the meadows of the River Wylye, itself environmentally impoverished mostly due to intensive farming in both the valley itself and on the hillsides surrounding it.
Areas of The Wylye Valley Around Warminster – From Monkton Deverill To Heytesbury
In Warminster, a small part of the area around the river valley is protected in the form of the Smallbrook Meadows Nature Reserve, and further downstream at the Langford Lakes Reserve (consisting of flooded former gravel pits and adjoining meadows), but overall, the river seems to enjoy inadequate protection. Recent statistics on the water quality, especially in its’ upper reaches appear to bear this out. The potential for its’ re-wilding would therefore be significant, and could result in some spectacular outcomes.
Due to its’ rarity, it would seem to me that as much of the River Wylye and its’ environs of meadows and woodland as possible should enjoy adequate levels of environmental protection and some joined up thinking, in conjunction with some willing landowners to embark on conservation and re-wilding efforts.
Linking The Wylye Valley To Southleigh/eastleigh Woods and The Longleat Estate
The Southleigh and Eastleigh wood complexes have, I believe, a number of different ownerships, with the Longleat Estate owning the largest tract. Outside of the Longleat ownership, it’s mostly mixed deciduous woodland, whereas the Longleat owned section is predominantly conifer plantations, though I understand plans are afoot to restore some diversity to it.
The River Wylye flows alongside part of this woodland complex near Crockerton and Longbridge Deverill, but further downstream, it’s “separated” from the Wylye by the A36 on the Warminster bypass.
Restoring the diversity of this woodland complex and linking this area with the both the Wylye Valley and the Longleat Estate would create some useful wildlife corridors, especially for more mobile species, the main barrier being the A350 Warminster to Shaftesbury Road.
The Longleat Estate
The large Longleat Estate has immense environmental potential, though for a long time the extensive wooded areas have been very much run and managed as a commercial forest, with large tracts of coniferous plantations and other activities having the tendency to drive out species that would have once been well-established there from when presumably the woodland was more “mixed”.
Therefore, the opportunity for change is tantalising if it were to be embraced, and if the economics of the estate were re-imagined to some degree to accommodate this shift.I would think some benefits to the estate could be derived from undertaking such a review (if this isn’t already happening), in terms of the potential for treehouse/shepherds hut/cabin stays at locations around the estate, and the attraction of new visitors to the estate for the purposes of wildlife interests/guided walks (safari park excepted) and so on. It would also generate good publicity for the activities of the entire estate.
Other Areas To The North and East of Longleat and Warminster
To the North and East of both the Longleat Estate and Warminster, there are other areas for the possibility of increased conservation effort and selective re-wilding, linking Longleat to Cley Hill and the damp valley between Corsley and Chapmanslade, and across to Upton Scudamore, Upton Cow Down, Arn Hill Cradle Hill and back to Battlesbury Hill.
The Overall Picture
Joining it all together, Warminster and its’ surrounds could over time be re-wilded to the extent as shown, with potential benefits to area as set out elsewhere in this plan.
What Is Currently Wrong With The Environment?
This is a huge topic and impossible to comprehensively cover here, but we are all surely aware of the consequences of human activity in terms of the impoverishment of the environment.
The areas around Warminster are no different than many other areas in terms of there being significant environmental degradation, at least some of which must be reversed for the benefit of all living things, including ourselves.
Here’s an excerpt from a feature I wrote about seeking out(rare) species of UK butterflies;
Anyone with even a passing interest in wildlife and the environment can’t fail to be aware of the plight of many species of animals and plants, and the entire ecosystems upon which they depend, both here in the UK and around the world.
Our “butterfly project” has certainly shown us in sharper focus the sheer precariousness of some of the species that we sought out and subsequently found, but for how much longer will these species survive in their “enclaves” unless there is concerted change to reverse at least some of the damage caused by humankind.
Many nature reserves in the UK are like small oases in large expanses of biological desert, so the opportunities for outward re-colonisation for most species found in them are often slight. Though these reserve “oases” are better than none at all, what is needed are landscape-scale projects to create natural corridors for species to disperse into other suitable areas (joining the dots, so to speak), and the re-wilding of larger tracts of land such as that which has been facilitated by the owners of the Knepp Estate in Sussex.
Another analogy I quite like is that of Swiss Cheese (bear with me for a minute please), whereby land use that is “predominantly people centric” is the cheese, whereas the land that is “predominantly wildlife centric”are the holes in the cheese. How about if we aim to reverse it to a fair degree – where the wildlife centric land becomes the cheese and the land used by people are the holes?
Environmental Designations& Protections In The Warminster Area
There are few actual nature reserves around Warminster and those that exist are small, such as Smallbrook Meadows and Dunscombe Bottom near Heytesbury, both managed by the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust.
There are a number of SSSI’s (Sites of Special Scientific Interest) in the Warminster area such as Cley Hill, Scratchbury Hill, Cotley Hill, Upton Cow Down, Tytherington Down and areas of the Longleat Woods complex.
Additional Designations & Protections Needed
In my consideration, these tiny nature reserves and the designation of SSSI’s are insufficient.
My view is that other, larger areas should enjoy protection, perhaps even to National Nature Reserve status in the case of Cotley, Scratchbury and Battlesbury Hills, and also larger areas of the Wylye Valley.
If isolated parcels of “wildlife friendly” land could be joined together, then these entire areas could perhaps enjoy greater protection in the longer term; at the very least they could become SSSI’s as they most certainly would be “of scientific interest” as they re-wild.
What Is Still Here?
I don’t possess and exhaustive list of species that live in Warminster and the surrounding areas described, nor do I have enough expertise to know all of what may be present, especially when it concerns plants and invertebrates.
From my own observations, and from trusted/credible sources obtained both in person and via online references, it’s safe to say the following species are present or at least visit the area at times, though be aware that their presence doesn’t mean that they’re not currently threatened here (they almost certainly are),and may not be present in the near future.
Also, there will probably be species that have remained undetected, or that visit sporadically for which there are no verified or reliable records. The listing I provide is a guide and no more;
Butterflies
- Duke of Burgundy Fritillary
- Marsh Fritillary
- Dark Green Fritillary
- Silver Washed Fritillary
- Green Hairstreak
- Dingy Skipper
- Grizzled Skipper
- Small Skipper
- Gatekeeper
- Essex Skipper
- Large Skipper
- Orange Tip
- Large White
- Small White
- Green Veined White
- Brimstone
- Peacock
- Red Admiral
- Small Tortoiseshell
- Comma
- Painted Lady
- Clouded Yellow
- Holly Blue
- Common Blue
- Adonis Blue
- Brown Argus
- Small Blue
- Chalkhill Blue
- Small Copper
- Speckled Wood
- Wall Brown
- Meadow Brown
- Marbled White
Grayling – Possibly still present in the M.O.D. area behind Battlesbury Hill, as I saw a single specimen circa 2010
Purple Emperor – Possibly present in small numbers in the Wylye Valley area from deciduous parts of Southleigh and Eastleigh Woods, in the deciduous areas of Longleat Woods and in the wooded river valleys from Hunters Moon to Bishopstrow
Former Species – Grayling (if now locally extinct), Small Pearl Bordered Fritillary
Moths
- Privet Hawkmoth
- Small Elephant Hawkmoth
- Hummingbird Hawkmoth
- Broad-Bordered Bee Hawkmoth
- Buff Tip
- Cinnabar Moth
- Drinker Moth
Other Insects & Arachnids
- Hornet
Birds
- Swallow
- House Martin
- Swift
- Yellowhammer
- Linnet
- Greenfinch
- Bulfinch
- Goldfinch
- Spotted Flycatcher
- Stonechat
- Whitethroat
- Blackcap
- Chiff Chaff
- Corn Bunting
- Wood Pigeon
- Collared Dove
- Goldcrest
- Tawny Owl
- House Sparrow
- Blue Tit
- Great Tit
- Long Tailed Tit
- Coal Tit
- Marsh/Willow Tit
- Dipper
- Lapwing
- Barn Owl
- Woodcock
- Pheasant
- Red-Legged Partridge
- Cuckoo
- Red Kite
- Buzzard
- Sparrowhawk
- Kestrel
Little Owl – Possibly present in areas around Warminster
Stone Curlew – Possibly present on Battlesbury, Scratchbury and Cotley Hills, and probably on the nearby M.O.D. land
Grey Partridge – Possibly present on the western fringes of the M.O.D. land on Salisbury Plain and other parcels of unimproved grassland.
Quail – Possibly present on the western fringes of the M.O.D. land on Salisbury Plain and other parcels of unimproved grassland.
Will These Species Still Be Here In A Few Years’ Time?
Though many species remain present in the area, they would almost certainly be in reduced numbers from historical times in the majority of cases.How then can we be sure that if the “status quo” remains, that these populations will remain viable and be a feature of our landscapes and ecosystems in the future? We cannot be sure.
And consider that many species have already been lost from the area, or parts of the area. Therefore, could those surviving species eventually suffer the same fate unless action is taken? It’s very possible.
These are reasons to act.
What Could Be Encouraged To Return?
This is the “million-dollar question”, but reading about the events at Knepp may give a sense as to the kind of things that are possible, even if the species themselves will probably differ somewhat.
Firstly, more mobile species could “move-in” and populate newly suitable tracts of land, thus requiring no human interventions as such.
I also think that there could be considerable scope for the re-introductions of species known to have been formerly present, but were forced into local extinction by changes in land use/management. One example I could easily think of from my own experience as a boy was the presence of the Small Pearl Bordered Fritillary butterfly in Longleat Woods, where there was once a colony close where the entrance area of the Center Parcs Holiday Village is now located. I imagine other areas of the Longleat Woods complex also had this species present prior to the widespread planting of conifers.
I think this species alone could have the potential for re-introduction to newly suitable areas of the Southleigh/Eastleigh Woods complex, areas of the Longleat Woods complex, and perhaps even the wooded areas close to the Wylye between Hunters Moon and Bishopstrow and the smaller woodland area to the rear of the Home Farm and the Bishopstrow House Hotel.
In a wider sense, I think the various areas around Warminster, with some newly suitable re-wilded habitat couldpotentially take re-introductions of;
- Small Pearl Bordered Fritillary
- Silver Spotted Skipper
- Grayling (butterfly)
- Adder
Re-wilded areas around Warminster could be attractive to;
- Silver Washed Fritillary
- White Admiral
- Purple Emperor
- Brown Hairstreak
- Turtle Dove
- Stone Curlew
- Curlew
- Greenfinch
- Nightingale
- Grey Partridge
- Lesser Spotted Woodpecker
- Water/wading birds such as Snipe, Water Rail etc (if pools/flooding allowed)
Here’s A Letter That I Sent in Opposition to a Proposed Housing Scheme at Home Farm, Near Bishops trow on the Outskirts of Warminster From December 2016; It Describes The Species Present in the Area, And The Arguments Against This Development (it was subsequently rejected after a long period of discussion)
3rd December 2016
Dear Sir/Madam,
OBJECTION TO THE OUTLINE PLANNING APPLICATION (Ref – 16/10502/OUT) FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF HOME FARM IN WARMINSTER
I write in response to the receipt of a communication from Wiltshire Council giving notice of an outline planning application for a large-scale development of Home Farm on the outskirts of Warminster. I strongly believe that this proposed development to be both unnecessary and wholly unsuitable for the areas which it would affect, and hereby object to this application on the grounds I outline below.
Environmental
The Wildlife of Home Farm
Home Farm itself is host to a large number of species either all year round or seasonally, many of which are threatened by the kind of development that is proposed here. Should it go ahead, this development will almost certainly result in many of these species becoming a thing of the past in this area.
Birds – Of species that are known to be threatened or in decline, the Woodcock, a secretive wading bird of wet woodlands and margins has been sighted. Two species of owl, the Barn and Tawny Owl are both residents of Home Farm and will be very vulnerable to any large-scale development due to the loss of feeding habitat and the inevitable human disturbance it will bring. Local residents have also enjoyed the summer visitations of the now threatened Cuckoo that has made Home Farm its destination of choice for the last 3 summers.
The fields and barns of Home Farm have also been significant for House Martins, Swifts and Swallows. The farmhouse itself is used annually by nesting House Martins whereas the barns are used by nesting Swallows. One very interesting late summer phenomenon has been very large gatherings of Swallows and House Martins that have been seen feeding over the fields prior to migrating back to Africa, suggesting that the fields of Home Farm are significant for them.
Other species of birds sighted include, but are not limited to the following; Bullfinch, Spotted Flycatcher, Goldfinch, Coal Tit, Marsh/Willow Tit, Treecreeper, Nuthatch, Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Goldcrest, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Raven, Jay, Song Thrush, Fieldfare, Red Wing, Blackcap, Redstart and Whitethroat.
Reptiles & Amphibians – The secretive and threatened Grass Snake is known to be a resident of Home Farm and its margins. This species is especially sensitive to human disturbance and development. Common Newts and Frogs are also found in local water bodies and damp hedgerows.
Mammals – Home Farm is regularly visited by Roe Deer, Foxes and Badgers. The area is also used by at least 2 species of Bats (and probably more), including what I believe are Horseshoe Bats that can be seen flying over the fields in the summer months
Invertebrates – Insects are also a significant beneficiary of the Home Farm environs, with butterfly species (which are declining on a national scale) including Comma, Peacock, Speckled Wood, Dark Green Fritillary, Holly Blue, Red Admiral and Small Tortoiseshell. Moths species are numerous and include the Hummingbird Hawkmoth. Dragonflies and Damselflies are also resident.
The Wildlife of the Immediate and Near Surrounds of Home Farm
The immediate areas around Home Farm are very rich in flora and fauna, and contain national and even international rarities that are rightly subject to high levels of protection. The neighbouring habitats include mature hedgerows, chalk downland, wet woodlands, flood meadows and a chalk river (and tributary streams).
Any further pressure on these neighbouring habitats due to human encroachment and disturbance will have an adverse effect on the prospects of many of these species surviving into the future, and should not be underestimated. It is the duty of the local authority to ensure that these habitats and the species that are found within them are rigorously protected.
There are colonies of rare, declining and important species of butterfly in the areas surrounding Home Farm – Marsh Fritillary and the Duke of Burgundy Fritillary are the most significant. Other species include Adonis Blue, Dark Green Fritillary, Small Copper, Grizzled Skipper, Dingy Skipper, Small Blue, Wall Brown, Green Hairstreak and Common Blue.
In terms of birds in the near surrounds of Home Farm, there are Corn Bunting, Linnet, Kestrel, Snipe, Yellowhammer, Stonechat, Red Kite and Buzzard.
Other species of interest and worthy of consideration are Common Lizard, Voles and Otters.
The River Wylye
The River Wylye is a chalk stream/river (an internationally rare habitat) and is therefore worthy of special consideration and protection. It is home to Otters, Voles, Owls, Grass Snakes, Trout, Grayling and possibly Crayfish – each of which is very sensitive to pollution and disturbance. The proposed Home Farm development is very close to the Wylye and is likely to cause polluted run-off and disturbance that will be very detrimental to this fragile habitat (see also “Flooding” below).
Flooding
The fields of Home Farm are prone to flooding and pooling during periods of significant rainfall. The likely result of any development of these fields is that this water will be directed “downhill” and straight into the River Wylye, thus degrading the water quality as raised in the point above.
In recent years, the Wylye has flooded across the nearby “Bishopstrow Roundabout” and flooding regularly occurs at the entrance to Home Farm, where the lane joins the main road.
Local Infrastructure
Anyone living in the area of Home Farm and Warminster in general will be concerned about the effects of such a development on the local infrastructure.
Traffic – Traffic is already a significant and growing problem in Warminster and will become increasingly so given the housing developments already agreed at other more suitable sites elsewhere in Warminster. The traffic generated by another 135 homes will create more strain on a road infrastructure and area that isn’t conducive to that growth.
Access – The proposed access to the proposed Home Farm development is unsuitable for the area in terms of road safety and the character of the area. It will effectively create a poorly placed access roads and an impression of “overload” to an area that isn’t suited to it.
Local Public Services (Doctors, Schools, Dentists etc) – As Warminster will already receive a large number of new houses, this proposed development alone will create significant additional strain on local public services and is likely to be problematic to accommodate. Currently, the local schools are fully subscribed and it is difficult to obtain prompt doctors appointments. Therefore, the additional and unplanned addition of a further 135 homes will only add to that burden in an unsustainable and unhelpful way.
The Wiltshire Council Core Strategy & the Warminster Neighbourhood Plan
Warminster has been the subject of exhaustive studies in recent times by the local authorities in terms of housing and infrastructure needs, which has resulted in both the Wiltshire Council Core Strategy and the Warminster Neighbourhood Plan rejecting Home Farm as a suitable place for development. It would destroy the credibility of the process that has resulted those conclusions being reached if they are sidestepped, ignored and overturned simply due to the fact that there is a willing seller of the Home Farm land.
An Area Of Historical Significance
The area of Home Farm and its surrounds are part of rich history that includes the Iron Age hill fort of Battlesbury and nearby barrows. It is very likely that the inhabitants of these ancient lands travelled from their homes to the River Wylye across what is now Home Farm – who knows what might lie in the soils of these fields that will be lost forever underneath roads and concrete?
Local Opposition
Though not an argument in itself, there is and has been a very large and passionate opposition to the development of Home Farm with many well thought out, considered and justified arguments put forward by the local community. These views must be taken into account, as must the conclusions of the Wiltshire Council Core Strategy and the Warminster Neighbourhood Plan.
The Overall Suitability
It is widely accepted that there must be provision made for new housing. The question is about where is it most suitable for these developments to be allowed. The best solutions are to “in-fill” land that is already within the boundaries of the existing town such as “brownfield” sites and plots of land that are not being used or beneficial to the local residents.
If, as is the case in Warminster where it is necessary to pursue both approaches in order to fulfil future housing needs, it is critical that any additional land designated must be the most suitable and least impacting, fully taking into account the impact on the environment, the historical value, the character of an area and able to provide an easy way to include infrastructure and access (such as to the Warminster bypass).
The proposed development of Home Farm fails on all fronts as an area to be given over to housing.
It is my strong belief that these arguments must be fully taken into account, resulting in the local authority strongly and clearly rejecting this unnecessary, unsuitable and unwanted development.
Yours sincerely
Jeremy Cuff
How Much “Conservation Management” Would Be Needed?
This is a difficult question to answer, as much wildlife conservation currently is “goal directed” in that efforts are made to preserve certain species, which often requires managing a site in order to maintain conditions for that certain species to remain present.
The Knepp re-wilding project as a contrast, is “non-goal directed” in that when the former arable land was allowed to “go back to nature”, it was a case of “let’s see what happens”. The only “interventions” as such were the blocking of drainage ditches to allow flooding, removal of fences within the estate, and the creation of a perimeter fence around the entire area, and the introduction of large herbivores (cows, horses, pigs and deer) roaming the entire space as would likely have been happening further back in time.
I imagine the areas set aside for conservation/re-wilding around Warminster would benefit from both active conservation management in the areas where rare species or rare habitats are known to be present, thus helping to ensure they remain present, alongside other areas where “whatever will happen” is allowed to happen.
Some areas, such as where drainage ditches have been created or where streams have been straightened, some selective creation of pools and ponds and the flooding of some areas that won’t affect houses should be allowed, to restore diversity to the area. Flood meadows have been largely destroyed by human activity, and the Wylye Valley and the tiny tributaries that run into it should be awash with them. Let’s bring some of them back.
I indicate where ponds, pools and flooding could happen in the area around and beneath the hillsof Battlesbury, Middle, Scratchbury and Cotley hills if greater swathes of land were conserved.
Large Herbivores In The Environment?
At the Knepp Estate in Sussex (now often referred to as the Knepp Wildlands), the owners decided to go to the extent of removing the internal fences, investinginstead in a perimeter fence around the entire estateand then introducing large herbivores into the landscape so that they could roam, feed and breed largely as they wished and therefore creating something as akin to wild herds as it’s possible to be. The land would have been populated by these types of animals further back in time hence the decision to do this.
In order to ensure that these populations don’t become overpopulated, they selectively cull certain animals and have developed a business around the organic meat products this selective culling facilitates.
These are, of course, big decisions and is less likely to be viable in the multi-ownership areasof land parcels around Warminster, though it isn’timpossible. If it were to happen, it would probably be because large tracts of land have been “joined together” in terms of a single ownership or some long-term agreement among the various interested parties having been struck. Also, fencing large areas of land is expensive and anyone entering into it would be doing it “for the long haul”. It may be that this could be done by fundraising.
At Knepp, the livestock (especially the variety of the cows that were introduced) have been chosen for their docility, and should any individual be aggressive or unruly,it is removed to ensure safety for visitors walking within the wildlands.
“Where’s The Herbivore?” App – Were this ever to happen in areas around Warminster, each cow or horse roaming free within a large fenced area could carry a digital tag linked to an App that could alert visitors walking a trail as to the presence of an individual animal or a herd. This type of thing will become increasingly possible as the world further develops digital technology and tracking.
This technology can also assist in the rounding up of livestock for veterinary or management purposes.
How Can Something Like This Be of Benefit To The Local Economy & Culture?
This is a big question.
Though there are lots of variables, and nothing can be guaranteed, a ground-breaking and interesting journey being undertaken by a community can attract a lot of interest, thus creating benefits that are both economic and cultural. It could perhaps even improve on the existing economic model prevalent in the area.
Here are some ideas that could be developed as a result of an engaged community creating a wildlife rich environment in the areas surrounding the town, and even within the town, for the benefits of community cohesion and wellbeing, cultural aspects, the local economy and the environment itself;
A Digital Presence For The Local Wildlife and Re-Wilding
In the digital age, a comprehensive set of high-quality digital platforms are essential for communication and engagement.
A dedicated and engaging website and associated social media platforms communicating the work being undertaken, its’ progress, latest news, eventsand footage associated with the re-wilding projects would be the “hub” of all things associated with what is going on.
It could include, but not be limited to;
- A live list of known species present and when they are present (with information indicating to the best areas/times to look)
- Information about the species
- News updates on happenings and sightings within the conservation and wilding zones, and in the wider local area
- Galleries of photographs of sightings
- Sound files of bird song and dawn choruses
- Information on footpaths and trails for visitors
- Wildlife watching tips
- Tips on growing your own fruit and vegetables
- Tips on small-scale re-wilding (such as in gardens)
- Fundraising for perimeter fencing
- Fundraising to assist re-introductions/Adopt a species
- Fundraising to assist improved land management, planting/clearance and conservation management
- Fundraising for digital infrastructure
- Fundraising for the Visitor Centre
- Information on the designations of local sites and what this means
- Information about talks, events, exhibitions and presentations associated with the re-wilding
- Links to other useful resources and organisations
- A resource area for land-owners considering re-wilding their land, or becoming more “conservation friendly”
- Links, news and outreach to other re-wilding projects
- A directory of accommodation in the area – Hotels (it might re-invigorate some current hotels), Bed& Breakfasts, Self-catering, Cabins, Permanent Tents, Shepherds Huts, Treehouses, Camping etc
- Links to other Warminster websites
- Links to other sources of interest, bibliography etc
- Information about the Visitor Centre
- Transport connections
- Contact Information
Visitor Centre
If any extensive re-wilding is undertaken, then a Visitor Centre might at some stage be feasible in the town or close to one of the wildlife sites, ideally manned by local volunteers.
A Visitor Centre could be part of an existing facility, or shared with other subjects such as Warminster’s History and the UFO’s, or be dedicated to the environmental topic. Any shared facility would, of course, be less costly.
The visitor centre would benefitfrom being digitalised in harmony with the website content and “real-time” social media platforms, and also be linked to associated digital projects such as a network of Nest and WebCams and a “Where’s the Herbivore App” for example.
Linking Up The Warminster Area With Other Remaining Wildlife Rich Areas Nearby
Imagine if the community could come together and improve the local environment along the lines of the way described.
It could encourage and motivateother areas, both close by and further afield, to embark on something similar, thus joining things back together; that would be inspiring and seismic, representing a “turning of the tide”.
If adjacent areas go down similar paths, wildlife corridors could be joined to other places such as;
- Wider Areas of Salisbury Plain
- The Wylye Valley – Lower
- The Wylye Valley – Upper
- Great Ridge
- Grovelly Woods
- Black Dog Woods
- Westbury White Horse/Bratton Camp
- Mere Down/Whitesheet Hill
- Gare Hill
- Alfred’s Tower
- Stourhead& Adjoining Woodlands
Wild Only Zones
Though I think it’s important for land to be accessible to interested visitors wherever possible, there might be exceptions to this when important re-introductions are being undertaken, work is being carried out to save a species from local extinction, or land is being affected by visitor numbers.
For this, certain “Wild Only Zones” could be set up.
Though engagement and access are important, sometimes the importance of the conservation and regeneration would have to take precedent.
Those directly involved in this work could report progress through the digital platforms and via talks/presentations.
Small Scale “Re-Wilding”
As well as larger tracts of land being joined together for the purposes of conservation, it can also be done in smaller ways.
Parts of gardens and public spaces could have areas that are left “wild” adjacent to the more manicured and managed parts. If there’s lots of “uptake” on small scale re-wilding, the effect could still be quite significant.
Lots of small things add up to big things.
Practicing Centre-Out Mowing/Patchwork Mowing
For farmers mowing fields for hay and crops, the technique of mowing from the centre outwards (rather than from the outside inwards) could be adopted.
Ground-dwelling species will always try to remain in cover if threatened, so mowing from the centre will better ensure that a ground-dwelling mammal or bird will move outwards towards the hedgerow and to safety, hopefully reaching it before the outside of the field is mowed.This technique is used in Scotland in the efforts to conserve the Corncrake (a bird on the UK’s Red List of threatened species).
Also, some fields and expanses of grassland could be “patchwork mowed” creating a mosaic of grass and other foliage of different heights and therefore potentially attractive to a greater diversity of species.
Establish A “No Chemical Zone”
Making Warminster and its’ surrounds a “No Chemical Zone” would be great.
So much “chemical” in the form of fertilisers are put into the land, as well as inadvertent pollution through human activity.
The run-off from all of this, whether intentional or incidental, all end up in the environment for years and will be especially concentrated in any water courses and valleys, such as the River Wylye.
Wouldn’t it be great if Warminster and its’ surrounds became a “No Chemical Zone”?
A Litter Free Town
The levels of littering and fly tipping are appalling today.
There could be a regular series of “Litter PickingGroups” ensuring that Warminster and its’ surrounds remain a Litter Free Town (or as close to that as it’s possible to be).
The Litter Picking Groups’ activities and timings could be communicated via the digital platforms.
Widening Field Borders
Not all fields in the area could realistically be given over to conservation and re-wilding, but how about widening the borders around a field-edges and letting it grow wild, thus attracting more wildlife and creating more wildlife corridors.
There may be some Government incentives to do this in future.
Intermittent Flailing
In many cases, hedges are unnecessarily cut (flailed), but where possible they should be allowed to become “more unruly” provided they don’t overhang roads and obscure visibility/signage, thus attracting more species to use them.
Some hedges could be intermittently cut, thus creating a patchwork of hedge heights and a more diverse hedgerow.
Creating Water Sources
The creation of water sources could be increased, whether in gardens, parks, in the corners of fields or by creating areas where someflooding of meadows can occur.
Wherever there is water (actually, clean and chemical free water), there is life.
Trails
A network of trails using permissive access and footpaths could be created, with either printed or digital assets to inform the trail walker as to points of interest, and what it may be possible to see.
This information would be available on the digital platforms.
Engagement With The Local Community & Visitors To The Area
This is a very important, and there are many ways this could potentially be achieved. Here’s a few ideas;
Moth Trapping Evenings
During the Spring, Summer and Autumn months, Moth Trapping Events could be held at select locations within the conservation/re-wilded areas. It could also be important in establishing what moths are present in the area, thus assisting future conservation efforts.
Let’s challenge ourselves; can we return to the “Moth Snowstorms” of a bygone age?
These events would be promoted on the digital platforms.
Guided Birding Walks
Throughout the year, guided Bird Walks could be arranged at various sites around the town and the surrounding areas, and the sightings reported.It could also be important in establishing what birds are present in the area, thus assisting future conservation efforts.
In the Spring, Dawn Chorus walks could be a popular offshoot of the “normal” birding walks.
These events would be promoted on the digital platforms.
Guided Butterfly Walks
In the Spring and Summer, guided Butterfly Walks could be arranged at various sites such as at Battlesbury, Middle, Scratchbury and Cotley Hills, and in some of the woodland areas such as the Southleigh/Eastleigh complex, and perhaps areas of Longleat. The area can offer some national rarities.
These events would be promoted on the digital platforms.
Guided Botany& Fungi Walks
Guided Botany Walks could be arranged, visiting the chalk downland for example, or a flood meadow in the Spring and Summer. Fungi Walks would best be conducted in the Autumn and Winter months.
It could also be important in establishing what plants and fungi are present in the area, thus assisting future conservation efforts.
These events would be promoted on the digital platforms.
A Network of Nest Cams
A network of nest cams could be set up and linked in real-time to the digital platforms.
Footage could also be beamed into the Visitor Centre, local post offices, schools and colleges, businesses and civic offices.
A Network of Web Cams
Similar to the nest cams, a network of strategically placed web cams could be set up and linked in real-time to the digital platforms. It could, for example, be set up overlooking a section of river where Otters are known to be present.
Some night vision cameras would also be interesting to locate and track nocturnal species such as Foxes and Woodcock.
Footage could also be beamed into the visitor centre, local post offices, schools and colleges, businesses and civic offices.
Photography Competitions
Regular/seasonal photography competitions focusing on the wildlife and landscapes around the town would be good for engagement.
For example, the Warminster Camera Club could be involved with this.
The best images could be published on the digital platforms.
Talks& Presentations
Regular talks and presentations by knowledgeable locals, as well as by conservation bodies, conservation orientated presenters and scientists would add a “depth” to the activities around the town.
Dates could be published on the digital platforms.
Films
Wildlife films and footage (including locally filmed material) in conjunction with talks and presentations would add extra dimension to the activities.
Dates could be published on the digital platforms.
Exhibitions
Exhibitions of various kinds (such as photography)could be regularly staged.
Dates could be published on the digital platforms.
Create “Good News”
The news media has a tendency to concentrate on “bad news”. There’s probably far too much bad news that we’re all consuming on a daily basis, as opposed to good news.
Let’s create some good news, and tell everyone about it.
Local, Regional & National Media
If we create good news, it could be released to local,regional and national media outlets. It could be in the form of;
- The work being undertaken
- The returning species
- Human stories connected to the project
- News on re-introductions
Going Onto TV
I’ve thought for a long time that there’s enough going on at Battlesbury Hill in the Spring and early Summer for the Springwatch team to make a program there.
There could also be interest from popular programs such as Countryfile.
Perhaps a long-term conservation and re-wilding project could generate enough material for a regular TV program of its’ own. If so, the presenters could also give talks in the town.
The Benefit of Visitors To The Town
If the town becomes revitalised and more attractive to visitors, the existing hotels, pubs, cabins, self-catering properties, bed & breakfasts, glamping and campsites should become more successful and could create a need for a few more.
The same could be said of the shops, cafes and restaurants in the town, all of which might enjoy more custom. This could lead to others looking to “set up shop” in the town.
Growing Your Own
Those with gardens could be encouraged to “grow their own”.
Whether vegetables, herbs, fruit, or other planting, aim to share some of it with some of the local wildlife.
Advice on this could be published on the digital platforms.
Community Orchards & Vegetable Patches
Some areas in and around the town could be suitable for community orchards and even vegetable patches, where anyone could go there to (for example) pick apples.
New Builds & Development
All towns including Warminster will have more housing in the future, it’s inevitable. In Wiltshire, for example, the local authorities are tasked by central Government to deliver on certain amounts of new housing.
Inevitable though new development is, effort in terms of campaigning must ensure that any new housing development is built on the least environmentally sensitive land.
The recent development of Spurt Mead (now called Boreham Mead) on the banks of the River Wylye near Bishopstrow is a case of a development that should never have been given planning permission in my opinion. If we know that the River Wylye is a rare chalk river, is home to rare species, and is sensitive to disturbance and pollution, why on earth are we building a complex of new houses on its’ banks, despite whatever mitigation schemes may have been mandated?
In terms of new builds in the Warminster area, perhaps the engaged communitycould campaign for the inclusion “bird bricks” (for nesting), a native fruit tree as part of the garden or “common land” included within in a larger development, a complimentary bird table/bird box/bat box/insect home, and hedgehog and amphibian friendly fences.
Engagement of Local Schools & Colleges
The progress of the conservation and re-wilding projects should be a subject of study and engagement involving local schools and colleges, creating “ownership”, responsibility and understanding among younger members of the community.
Engagement of Universities
The conservation and re-wilding does not, of course, only need to be studied by locals. Further flung colleges and universities could be invited to study the progress of the projects in motion.
Involvement of Conservation Groups
The conservation and re-wilding projects could invite the involvement of conservation bodies such as the RSPB, Butterfly Conservation etc, to contribute knowledge and expertise.
Stay & Survey – “Who’s There?”
The digital platforms could promote a “Stay & Survey” scheme for interested individuals and researchers.
Their work could determine what is there in terms of species and abundance, and assist in future conservation efforts.
Invite Volunteers
The digital platforms could do “shout outs” for volunteers to assist with work associated with the conservation and re-wilding projects, for example with clearance of scrub or planting.
Business Opportunities – Accommodation, Food, Arts & Retail
A successful re-wilding/conservation project combined with other town activities (see elsewhere in this content) could create some new (or renewed) business opportunities for the local community to benefit from, such as;
- Hotels (long term opportunities for new hotels &re-invigoration of some existing hotels)
- B & B’s(long term opportunities for new B & B’s &re-invigoration of some existingB & B’s)
- Self catering(long term opportunities for new Self Catering &re-invigoration of some existingSelf Catering properties)
- Cabins (an opportunity for some cabins in the area)
- Permanent tents (an opportunity for some permanent tents in the area)
- Shepherds Huts (an opportunity for some Shepherd’s Huts in the area)
- Treehouses (an opportunity for some Treehouses in the area)
- Camping (an opportunity for new or existing campsites in the area)
- Picnic ground (an opportunity for the designation of a picnic area, perhaps adjacent to one of the conservation areas)
There might also be longer term opportunities in terms of themedHotels, Accommodation, Cafes and Restaurants in and around the town.
Less “Ownerships” of the Land in the Future?
The re-wilding and conservation effort could attract wealthy donors to become involved, which could result in land parcels being purchased from willing sellers, joined with other land parcels and given over to conservation and re-wilding.
Fundraising could also assist with this, perhaps in partnership with wealthy donors.
Government Grants?
Some Government grants might be available to help with some of the conservation management and re-wilding.
A Regular Street Fayre
Frome has a very successful and well attended Artisan Market each month.
Perhaps in the future, Warminster could have a combined “Nature, local history and UFO” street fayre along the lines of “Terrestrials on one side of the street, Aliens on the other”.
Specialist Bookshops
If the town could re-establish itself, opportunities could exist for specialist book shops in the future, though it is likely they would need to be good at “online” in order to be viable.
Other Thoughts
These are my thoughts. I may add to these as new ideas occur. Others will contribute their own ideas.
Warminster’s History
“Bringing Alive The Past”
An Overview
Everywhere has its’ history, and our fair isles are steeped in it. That said, its’ wider appeal and “accessibility” will vary considerably from one place to another.
Warminster and the surrounding area has no shortage of history, and it is I think, interesting to a level that could be inspiring to the wider world and thus be potentially attractive to visitors if it’s presented in an interesting way, rather than be the preserve of a tiny minority of local historians.
Though isn’t at the dizzy levels of the Ancient Egyptians Pyramid building activities at Giza, or centred around the former presence or birthplace of a historical figure such as William Shakespeare, it’s interesting enough.
Though you can argue that this is an oversimplification, for the purposes of this set of ideas it can best be divided into three main sections; first the ancient Iron Age history of the local area, secondly the importance of the area during WWII, and thirdly the more recent history of UFO sightings from the 1960’s. Here’s some ideas as to how this historical legacy can be gathered together, mobilised and re-presented, alongside the natural regeneration of the area already discussed for the economic and cultural benefit of the town and the surrounding areas.
The Ancient History of Warminster – The Lives of The Bronze & Iron Age Inhabitants
It is of wide public interest as to how the ancients lived in the landscape, and is especially interesting when they leave behind signs of their activities, either in terms of evidence literally unearthed through farming, development or by interested individuals conducting research, or by evidence of their activities still being visible in the landscape today.
Around Warminster, evidence of this ancient presence is still highly visible in the landscape, mostly in the form of the hill forts of Battlesbury and Scratchbury, and also Cley Hill close to Corsley and the Longleat Estate.
So far as I can tell, little about the lives of our ancestors has been communicated widely, but it could be. So, how could this historical richness be gathered together and mobilised for the economic and cultural renaissance of the area?
How Can Something Like This Be of Benefit To The Local Economy & Culture?
As already stated, this is a big question.
Though there are lots of variablesand nothing can be guaranteed, a ground-breaking and interesting journey being undertaken by a community can attract a lot of interest, thus creating benefits that are both economic and cultural. It could perhaps even improve on the existing economic model prevalent in the area.
Here are some ideas that could be developed as a result of an engaged community creating a wildlife rich environment in the areas surrounding the town, alongside new and different presentations of both its’ ancient and recent history, for the benefits of community cohesion and wellbeing, cultural aspects, the local economy and the environment itself;
Visitor Centre/Museum
In the previous section concentrating on the “natural aspects” of Warminster and its’ surrounds, I proposed the idea of some kind of Visitor Centre, perhaps combined with some kind of museum. Obviously, any facility that is “shared” will reduce overall costs, but to make it worthwhile at all, it would need to be presented in an inspiring and forward-thinking way, or else it will fail to attract, or maintain the interest of its’ visitors.
Like the conservation and re-wilding activities of the town, it would need to operate in conjunction with a comprehensive set of high-quality digital platforms that are essential for communication and engagement.
Digital Platforms – Digital Reconstructions &Visualisation
A dedicated and engaging website and associated social media platforms communicating the lives of our forebears and any new findings and studies associated with them would assist greatly.
It could include, but not be limited to;
- Digital reconstructions and visualisations of what our ancestral communities looked like
- Information about everything we know about them
- News updates on happenings and new findings
- Galleries of photographs of the sites
- Information on footpaths and trails for visitors to the sites
- Fundraising for site management and regeneration (perhaps combined with the wildlife areas as they often “overlap”)
- Fundraising for digital infrastructure
- Fundraising for the Visitor Centre/Museum
- Information about talks, events, exhibitions and presentations associated with the ancestral communities
- Links to other useful resources and organisations
- A resource area for land-owners with ancient sites contained within their land
- Links, news and outreach to similar subjects, and groups that study them
- A directory of accommodation in the area – Hotels (it might re-invigorate some current hotels), Bed& Breakfasts, Self-catering, Cabins, Permanent Tents, Shepherds Huts, Treehouses, Camping etc
- Links to other Warminster websites
- Links to other sources of interest, bibliography etc
- Information about the Visitor Centre
- Transport connections
- Contact Information
Engagement With The Local Community & Visitors To The Area
This is a very important, and there are many ways this could potentially be achieved. Here’s a few ideas;
Metal Detecting Walks
Subject to landowner permission (if required), local individuals could lead metal detecting walks and “expeditions”.
The dates and findings of these could be published on the digital platforms.
Guided Walks
Guided walks to the ancient sites could be offered, led by a local historian conversant in the sites.
The dates of these could be published on the digital platforms.
“Ancient” Trails
A network of trails using permissive access and footpaths could be created, with either printed or digital assets to inform the trail walker as to points of interest, and what it may be possible to see.
This information would be available on the digital platforms.
Re-enactments of Historical Peoples’ Lives
Though not carried out on the ancient sites themselves due to the environmental sensitivity, the local community could carry out re-enactments of their lives, perhaps as part of a regular street fayre (see below), or in the annual carnival.
Photography Competitions
Regular/seasonal photography competitions focusing on the ancient sites and landscapes around them would be good for engagement.
For example, the Warminster Camera Club could be involved with this.
The best images could be published on the digital platforms.
Talks& Presentations
Regular talks and presentations by knowledgeable locals and historians, and history orientated presenters would add a “depth” to the activities around the town.
Dates could be published on the digital platforms.
Films
Films and footage in conjunction with talks and presentations would add extra dimension to the activities.
Dates could be published on the digital platforms.
Exhibitions
Exhibitions of various kinds (such as photography)could be regularly staged.
Dates could be published on the digital platforms.
Engagement of Local Schools & Colleges
The local history and any news of new findings should be a subject of study and engagement involving local schools and colleges, creating “ownership”, responsibility and understanding among younger members of the community.
Engagement of Universities
The local history need not, of course, only be studied by locals. Further flung colleges and universities could be invited to study the Iron Age communities’ sites.
Stay & Survey
The digital platforms could promote a “Stay & Survey” scheme for interested individuals and researchers.
Their work could help determine new information on the lives and perhaps the number of sites used by the ancestral community.
Invite Volunteers
The digital platforms could do “shout outs” for volunteers to assist with work associated with the management and improvement of the ancient sites (often combined with the conservation areas).
The Media & Going Onto TV
Programs such as “Time Team” have been popular.
Why not seek coverage of the ancient sites around Warminster?
Additionally, any new evidence or findings relating to the ancient sites should be made available to the media as good news and “human interest” stories.
The Benefit of Visitors To The Town
If the town becomes revitalised and more attractive to visitors, the existing hotels, pubs, cabins, self-catering properties, bed & breakfasts, glamping and campsites should become more successful and could create a need for a few more.
The same could be said of the shops, cafes and restaurants in the town, all of which might enjoy more custom. This could lead to others looking to “set up shop” in the town.
Business Opportunities – Accommodation, Food, Arts & Retail
A successful presentation of the local history and the re-wilding/conservation project, combined with other town activities (see elsewhere in this content) could create some new (or renewed) business opportunities for the local community, such as;
- Hotels (long term opportunities for new hotels &re-invigoration of some existing hotels)
- B & B’s(long term opportunities for new B & B’s &re-invigoration of some existingB & B’s)
- Self catering(long term opportunities for new Self Catering &re-invigoration of some existingSelf Catering properties)
- Cabins (an opportunity for some cabins in the area)
- Permanent tents (an opportunity for some permanent tents in the area)
- Shepherds Huts (an opportunity for some Shepherd’s Huts in the area)
- Treehouses (an opportunity for some Treehouses in the area)
- Camping (an opportunity for new or existing campsites in the area)
- Picnic ground (an opportunity for the designation of a picnic area, perhaps adjacent to one of the conservation areas)
There might also be longer term opportunities in terms of themed Hotels, Accommodation, Cafes and Restaurants in and around the town.
A Regular Street Fayre
Frome has a very successful and well attended Artisan Market each month.
Perhaps in the future, Warminster could have a combined “Nature, local history and UFO” street fayre along the lines of “Terrestrials on one side of the street, Aliens on the other”.
Specialist Bookshops
If the town could re-establish itself, opportunities could exist for specialist book shops, though it is likely they would need to be good at “online” in order to be viable.
Proximity To Stonehenge
If Warminster had more reasons to attract visitors, it could become a more appealing “base” for visitors to wider places of interest within the area, such as Stonehenge, which is only an easy 15 miles away.
Amesbury is the nearest town to Stonehenge, but seems not to derive a huge benefit considering this “world famous” World Heritage site being only 2 miles away.
If Amesbury doesn’t manage to fully grasp the opportunity on its’ immediate doorstep and go on a similar journey of its’ own, why shouldn’t Warminster derive a benefit instead, when combined with other items contained within this set of ideas.
Proximity To Longleat
Again, if Warminster had more reasons to attract visitors, it could become a more appealing “base” for visitors to other places of interest within the area, such as the Longleat Estate (the safari park, the stately home and other attractions).
Warminster is the nearest town to Longleat (closely followed by Frome), but probably doesn’tbenefit enough from this close association.
Other Thoughts
These are my thoughts. I may add to these as new ideas occur. Others will contribute their own ideas.
The Recent History of Warminster – WWII
There is also Warminster and surrounding areas’ recent history.
For me, the most obvious areas of greatest inspiration are the parts that Salisbury Plain played in WWII, in planning for the pushback against the Nazi forces, and the more recent “fame” that Warminster gained as a hot-spot for UFO sightings in the 1960’s.
I accept that as WWII becomes a topic beyond the living memory of citizens, that it will lose its’ poignancy to some people, but for those who believe in the importance of being free from genuine oppressors (which none of us should take for granted), it is a story that should never be forgotten and erased from our national consciousness.
Warminster is also a “garrison town” so this linkage to the military will be stronger than areas where such a presence does not exist.
In the wider world some WWII sites remain highly poignant and relevant such as the Normandy landing sites and cemeteries in France, the Jersey Tunnels in the Channel Islands, the Nazi concentration camps (such as Auschwitz) in Poland, and even shipwreck sites such as Scapa Flow in Scotland. Why shouldn’t Warminster and Salisbury Plain become better known as a crucial part of this story?
How Can Something Like This Be of Benefit To The Local Economy & Culture?
As already stated in sections above, this is a big question.
Though there are lots of variables, and nothing can be guaranteed, a ground-breaking and interesting journey being undertaken by a community can attract a lot of interest, thus creating benefits that are both economic and cultural. It could perhaps even improve on the existing economic model prevalent in the area.
Here are some ideas that could be developed as a result of an engaged community creating a wildlife rich environment in the areas surrounding the town, alongside new and different presentations of both its’ ancient and recent history, for the benefits of community cohesion and wellbeing, cultural aspects, the local economy and the environment itself;
Visitor Centre/Museum
In the previous sections concentrating on the “natural aspects” of Warminster and its’ surrounds, and its’ ancient history, I proposed the idea of some kind of Visitor Centre, perhaps combined with some kind of museum. Obviously, any facility that is “shared” will reduce overall costs, but to make it worthwhile at all, it would need to be presented in an inspiring and forward-thinking way, or else it will fail to attract, or maintain the interest of its’ visitors.
Like the conservation and re-wilding activities of the town, it would need to operate in conjunction with a comprehensive set of high-quality digital platforms that essential for communication and engagement.
Digital Platforms – Digital Reconstructions & Visualisation
A dedicated and engaging website and associated social media platforms communicating the lives and activities of those in WWII, either those directly involved in the conflict, as well as those affected by the deprivations of the war, and by eviction to other areas, such as the former inhabitants of nearby Imber.
It could include, but not be limited to;
- Digital reconstructions and visualisations of what our WWII communities looked like
- Information about the stories, difficulties and triumphs of the times, especially the WWII pushback and eventual victory and how the Warminster/Salisbury Plain area played a significant part
- News updates on happenings and new findings
- Galleries of photographs of the sites
- Information on footpaths and trails for visitors to the sites
- Fundraising for site management and regeneration (perhaps combined with the wildlife areas as they often “overlap”)
- Fundraising for digital infrastructure
- Fundraising for the Visitor Centre/Museum
- Information about talks, events, exhibitions and presentations associated with the military and WWII
- Links to other useful resources and organisations
- Links, news and outreach to similar subjects
- A directory of accommodation in the area – Hotels (it might re-invigorate some current hotels), Bed& Breakfasts, Self-catering, Cabins, Permanent Tents, Shepherds Huts, Treehouses, Camping etc
- Links to other Warminster websites
- Links to other sources of interest, bibliography etc
- Information about the Visitor Centre
- Transport connections
- Contact Information
Engagement With The Local Community & Visitors To The Area
This is a very important, and there are many ways this could potentially be achieved. Here’s a few ideas;
Imber & Salisbury Plain
Access to Imber village and other areas of Salisbury Plain are usually granted at Christmas and Easter.
This information could be published on the digital platforms.
Salisbury Plain Safaris
It could be possible that assuming the necessary permissions are obtained, the running of Salisbury Plain safaris may be possible from Warminster – I’m aware that one operator offers this from Rollestone Camp near Larkhill on the southern fringe of the plain.
This would be attractive to those interested in WWII history, and also those with an interest in wildlife. Perhaps safaris could be tailored to those interests.
Re-enactments of WWII Peoples’ Lives
Though not carried out on within the military areas themselves, the local community could carry out re-enactments of their lives, perhaps as part of a regular street fayre (see below), or in the annual carnival.
Photography Competitions
Photography competitions focusing on the military areasand landscapes would be good for engagement. This competition could be timed with the access times.
For example, the Warminster Camera Club could be involved with this.
The best images could be published on the digital platforms.
Talks& Presentations
Regular talks and presentations by knowledgeable locals, representatives from the military, WWII historians, and history orientated presenters would add a “depth” to the activities around the town.
Dates could be published on the digital platforms.
Films
Films and footage in conjunction with talks and presentations would add extra dimension to the activities.
Dates could be published on the digital platforms.
Exhibitions
Exhibitions of various kinds (such as photography)could be regularly staged.
Dates could be published on the digital platforms.
Engagement of Local Schools & Colleges
The local history and any news of new findings should be a subject of study and engagement involving local schools and colleges, creating “ownership”, responsibility and understanding among younger members of the community.
The Media & Going Onto TV
Programs telling human interest stories are popular.
Why not seek coverage of the WWII sites around Warminster and Salisbury Plain?
Additionally, any new stories emerging should be made available to the media as “human interest” stories.
The Benefit of Visitors To The Town
If the town becomes revitalised and more attractive to visitors, the existing hotels, pubs, cabins, self-catering houses, bed & breakfasts, glamping and campsites should become more successful and could create a need for a few more.
The same could be said of the shops, cafes and restaurants in the town, all of which might enjoy more custom. This could lead to others looking to “set up shop” in the town.
Business Opportunities – Accommodation, Food, Arts & Retail
A successful presentation of the local history and the re-wilding/conservation project, combined with other town activities (see elsewhere in this content) could create some new (or renewed) business opportunities for the local community, such as;
- Hotels (long term opportunities for new hotels &re-invigoration of some existing hotels)
- B & B’s(long term opportunities for new B & B’s &re-invigoration of some existingB & B’s)
- Self catering(long term opportunities for new Self Catering &re-invigoration of some existingSelf Catering properties)
- Cabins (an opportunity for some cabins in the area)
- Permanent tents (an opportunity for some permanent tents in the area)
- Shepherds Huts (an opportunity for some Shepherd’s Huts in the area)
- Treehouses (an opportunity for some Treehouses in the area)
- Camping (an opportunity for new or existing campsites in the area)
- Picnic ground (an opportunity for the designation of a picnic area, perhaps adjacent to one of the conservation areas)
There might also be longer term opportunities in terms of themed Hotels, Accommodation, Cafes and Restaurants in and around the town.
A Regular Street Fayre
Frome has a very successful and well attended Artisan Market each month.
Perhaps in the future, Warminster could have a combined “Nature, local history and UFO” street fayre along the lines of “Terrestrials on one side of the street, Aliens on the other”.
Specialist Bookshops
If the town could re-establish itself, opportunities could exist for specialist book shops, though it is likely they would need to be good at “online” in order to be viable.
Proximity To Stonehenge
If Warminster had more reasons to attract visitors, it could become a more appealing “base” for visitors to wider places of interest within the area, such as Stonehenge, which is only an easy 15 miles away.
Amesbury is the nearest town to Stonehenge, but seems not to derive a huge benefit considering this “world famous” World Heritage site being only 2 miles away.
If Amesbury doesn’t manage to grasp the opportunity on its’ immediate doorstep and go on a similar journey of its’ own, why shouldn’t Warminster derive a benefit instead, when combined with other items contained within this set of ideas.
Proximity To Longleat
Again, if Warminster had more reasons to attract visitors, it could become a more appealing “base” for visitors to other places of interest within the area, such as the Longleat Estate (the safari park, the stately home and other attractions).
Warminster is the nearest town to Longleat (closely followed by Frome), but probably doesn’tenough benefit from this close association.
Other Thoughts
These are my thoughts. I may add to these as new ideas occur. Others will contribute their own ideas.
The Recent History of Warminster – UFO’S (& Space)
Of the three “categories” of Warminster’s history, for me, the UFO’s offer the greatest potential for the town.
In terms of the UFO’s and the wonderment of “whether we are alone” in the universe, there are surely some inspiring ways in which this could be presented to visitors.
A look at the number of websites and programmes about UFO sightings and the probability (or not, depending on your point of view) of alien lifeforms actually existing, including the current efforts of NASA on Mars are indicative of the interest levels and importance of this topic to many people. UFO’s and what they represent are hugely exciting.
Why can’t Warminster become a centre of this interest? Perhaps it can.
How Can Something Like This Be of Benefit To The Local Economy & Culture?
As already stated in all the sections above, this is a big question.
Though there are lots of variables, and nothing can be guaranteed, a ground-breaking and interesting journey being undertaken by a community can attract a lot of interest, thus creating benefits that are both economic and cultural. It could perhaps even improve on the existing economic model prevalent in the area.
Here are some ideas that could be developed as a result of an engaged community creating a wildlife rich environment in the areas surrounding the town, alongside new and different presentations of both its’ ancient and recent history including the towns’ association with UFOs, for the benefits of community cohesion and wellbeing, cultural aspects, the local economy and the environment itself;
Visitor Centre/Museum
In the previous sections, concentrating on the “natural aspects” of Warminster and its’ surrounds, I proposed the idea of some kind of Visitor Centre, perhaps combined with some kind of museum. Obviously, any facility that is “shared” will reduce overall costs, but to make it worthwhile at all, it would need to be presented in an inspiring and forward-thinking way, or else it will fail to attract, or maintain the interest of its’ visitors.
Like the conservation and re-wilding activities of the town, and also the ancient and WWII history, any presentations about UFOs would need to operate in conjunction with a comprehensive set of high-quality digital platforms that essential for communication and engagement.
Digital Platforms – Actual Stories, PlusDigital Representations& Visualisations
A dedicated and engaging website and associated social media platforms communicating the stories of the Warminster UFO sightingsalongside any recent sightings associated with them, and reportings of wider sightings from around the planet would surely be inspiring to many.
It could include, but not be limited to;
- Actual stories and photographs of the Warminster UFOs
- Digital representations and visualisations of the Warminster UFOs
- Digital representations and visualisations of what UFOs could look like
- Information about everything we know, and the various theories about the pros and cons of the possibilities of alien lifeforms and what they might be capable of
- News updates on happenings and sightings
- Galleries of photographs
- Information on prime UFO spotting sites, such as Cley Hill
- Fundraising for site management and regeneration (perhaps combined with the wildlife areas as they often “overlap”)
- Fundraising for digital infrastructure
- Fundraising for the Visitor Centre/Museum
- Information about talks, events, exhibitions and presentations associated with UFOs and astronomy
- Links to other useful resources and organisations
- Links, news and outreach to other groups that study them (or debunk them)
- A directory of accommodation in the area – Hotels (it might re-invigorate some current hotels), Bed& Breakfasts, Self-catering, Cabins, Permanent Tents, Shepherds Huts, Treehouses, Camping etc
- Links to other Warminster websites
- Links to other sources of interest, bibliography etc
- Information about the Visitor Centre
- Transport connections
- Contact Information
Engagement With The Local Community & Visitors To The Area
This is a very important, and there are many ways this could potentially be achieved. Here’s a few ideas;
UFO Spotting & Stargazing Guided Walks
UFO spotting & Stargazing walks to sites such as Cley Hill could be organised, though it will always be subject to weather (cloud coverage).
The dates of these could be published on the digital platforms.
Dark Sky Zones
A number of designated “Dark Sky Zones” could be identified in the area and communicated for the purposes of stargazing and UFO spotting.
Interpretations of Alien Lifeforms’ Lives
The local community could carry out interpretations of imagined alien lifeform’s lives, perhaps as part of a regular street fayre (see below), or in the annual carnival.
Children in particular would find this very enjoyable.
Talks& Presentations
Regular talks and presentations by UFO enthusiasts, and also by astronomers could be hosted in the town.
Dates could be published on the digital platforms.
Films
Films and footage in conjunction with talks and presentations would add extra dimension to the activities.
Dates could be published on the digital platforms.
Exhibitions
Exhibitions of various kinds (such as photography)could be regularly staged.
Dates could be published on the digital platforms.
Engagement of Local Schools & Colleges
The local UFO history and any news of new findings/sightings, or the wider topic of spacecould be a subject of study and engagement involving local schools and colleges, creating “ownership”, responsibility and understanding among younger members of the community.
The Media & Going Onto TV
Programs and filmsabout space and UFOs are popular.
Why not seek new coverage of the Warminster UFOs?
Additionally, any new sightings of UFOscould be made available to the media, though it could attract the activities of hoaxers. No news is bad news, perhaps?
The phenomenon of Crop Circles could also be included within these activities.
The Benefit of Visitors To The Town
If the town becomes revitalised and more attractive to visitors, the existing hotels, pubs, cabins, self-catering houses, bed & breakfasts, glamping and campsites should become more successful and could create a need for a few more.
The same could be said of the shops, cafes and restaurants in the town, all of which might enjoy more custom. This could lead to others looking to “set up shop” in the town.
Business Opportunities – Accommodation, Food, Arts & Retail
A successful presentation of the UFOs local history and the re-wilding/conservation project, combined with other town activities (see elsewhere in this content) could create some new (or renewed) business opportunities for the local community, such as;
- Hotels (long term opportunities for new hotels &re-invigoration of some existing hotels)
- B & B’s(long term opportunities for new B & B’s &re-invigoration of some existingB & B’s)
- Self catering(long term opportunities for new Self Catering &re-invigoration of some existingSelf Catering properties)
- Cabins (an opportunity for some cabins in the area)
- Permanent tents (an opportunity for some permanent tents in the area)
- Shepherds Huts (an opportunity for some Shepherd’s Huts in the area)
- Treehouses (an opportunity for some Treehouses in the area)
- Camping (an opportunity for new or existing campsites in the area)
- Picnic ground (an opportunity for the designation of a picnic area, perhaps adjacent to one of the conservation areas)
There might also be longer term opportunities in terms of themed Hotels, Accommodation, Cafes and Restaurants in and around the town.
The UFO topic has perhaps the best potential for themed shops, accommodation and eateries.
There could, for example, be a UFO themed Café &Restaurant on the “town side” slope of the town park – a café during the day, and a restaurant in the evening.
A Regular Street Fayre
Frome has a very successful and well attended Artisan Market each month.
Perhaps in the future, Warminster could have a combined “Nature, local history and UFO” street fayre along the lines of “Terrestrials on one side of the street, Aliens on the other”.
Specialist Bookshops
If the town could re-establish itself, opportunities could exist for specialist book shops, though it is likely they would need to be good at “online” in order to be viable.
Proximity To Stonehenge
If Warminster had more reasons to attract visitors, it could become a more appealing “base” for visitors to wider places of interest within the area, such as Stonehenge, which is only an easy 15 miles away.
Amesbury is the nearest town to Stonehenge, but seems not to derive a huge benefit considering this “world famous” World Heritage site being only 2 miles away.
If Amesbury doesn’t manage to grasp the opportunity on its’ immediate doorstep and go on a similar journey of its’ own, why shouldn’t Warminster derive a benefit instead, when combined with other items contained within this set of ideas.
Proximity To Longleat
Again, if Warminster had more reasons to attract visitors, it could become a more appealing “base” for visitors to other places of interest within the area, such as the Longleat Estate (the safari park, the stately home and other attractions).
Warminster is the nearest town to Longleat (closely followed by Frome), but probably doesn’tenough benefit from this close association.
Other Thoughts
These are my thoughts. I may add to these as new ideas occur. Others will contribute their own ideas.
Making History In Warminster
We’ve discussed Warminster’s natural heritage and what could be possible in the future in terms of its’ re-establishment, we’ve discussed the human history both ancient and more recent that forms the story of the area, and we’ve discussed forays into the unknowns and wonderment of whether UFO’s and their possible passengers have previously visited the town, and whether they continue to do so.
This is a lot of material with which to work, if the interest and the will is there to work with it, to make a better future for the town, its’ inhabitants, and the threatened wildlife and ecosystems that still survives in the surrounding areas.
If the town was to embrace such a set of ideas, and come together to improve the economic, cultural and natural aspects of area in new ways, a new and proud history will be created.
Can we make it happen?
Going forwards, a town and area plan embracing these ideas could include, but not be limited to;
Embracing The Digital World
“You can’t ignore the digital world, let’s use it in a positive way.”
A Revamped & Reimagined Visitor Centre/Museum
Containing the Natural World in and around Warminster and associated Conservation projects, the Ancient History (Iron/Bronze Age), Assorted History (Rises and Falls of the Town’s Fortunes, Longleat etc), WWII History (including Military Presence, Imber, Salisbury Plain), and UFO’s (1960’s plus recent sightings).
Re-Purposing Buildings
There’s plenty of empty and under-utilised buildings in and around Warminster.
Can they be re-purposed and re-imagined for the future?
A Concerted Effort To Establish An Arts& Creative Scene
An arts and creative scene will always have the effect of“bringing up an area”.
In association with the ideas in the document, can a vibrant creative scene beset in motion, using these as the impetus?
A Regular Themed Market/Events Within The Town Centre Area
This is covered throughout this document, and will be necessary in re-invigorating and re-establishing the town.
Civic Spruce Up Day/Week/Month
Perhaps a “Civic Spruce Up” Day/Week/Month could be created, whereby shabby buildings could be enlivened by a “spruce up”?
Imagine…
“Welcome to the UFO capital of the UK”
“Welcome to the home of a ground-breaking community Conservation and Re-Wilding Project”
Marketing & Communication – Current & Envisaged
Current Warminster Online Resources
www.warminstercommunityhub.co.uk/
www.facebook.com/heartofwarminster/
Potential Online Resources To Promote Warminster, It’s History, UFO’S, , Wildlife And Surrounds
Warminster Alive
(Site map to be created)
Iron Age Warminster
(Site map to be created)
Re-Wilding Warminster
(Site map to be created)
UFO Warminster or UFO Town
(Site map to be created)
Historic Warminster
(Site map to be created)
Re-Wilding The Wylye (an associated project)
(Site map to be created)
Business Ideas & Opportunities
Potential Names, Themes & Ideas For Businesses/Events In Warminster
- Mysterious Travellers – perhaps a campsite, or some kind of accommodation
- Space Time – A retailer selling clocks and timepieces with space theme
- Space Craft – A craft shop or event that centres around the theme of space
- Iron Man – An ironwork artists’studio/premises/gallery
- The Iron Age Iron Man – An “Iron Man” event that takes in some areas of former Iron Age habitation
- The Iron Age Triathlon – A triathlon event taking in Iron Age sites
- Iron Age To Space Age Marathon – A marathon event that takes in Iron Age and Space Age sites around Warminster
- The Art of Space – An art gallery that specialises in space related art and photography
- Making Space – A space themed place where people can make and purchase art
- Flying Saucers – A themed tea/coffee shop
- Saucerful of Secrets – A themed tea/coffee shop
- Alienation – A meditation studio with a spacey theme
- Long Distance Travellers – A campsite for motorhomes
Towns Worth Looking at For What They’ve Done & The Journey’s That They’re On
Whitby
A coastal town in North Yorkshire that had mobilised its’ connections to Captain Cook and Dracula, and have created popular events such as the Whitby Goth Festival. They’ve encapsulated all these activities on a website.
Frome
Though always picturesque and benefitting from an extensive old town, Frome managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory for many years, but has turned things around. In more recent times, it has transformed itself into an aspirational town with a vibrant music and arts scene.
Drumnadrochit
A village located along the side of Loch Ness that’s benefitted from the legend of the Loch Ness Monster. They’ve made the most of it.
www.visitscotland.com/info/towns-villages/drumnadrochit-p236681
Lyme Regis
A town on the Jurassic Coast of Dorset, firmly established as the epicentre of interest in dinosaurs and other prehistoric life, and related fossil hunting.
Totnes
A town in Devon with a picturesque high street and a cultural scene centred around alternative thought and ideas.
Penzance
Penzance in Cornwall is at the end of the railway, and the gateway for reaching the Scilly Isles. It doesn’t have the quaint attraction of other Cornish coastal towns such as St.Ives and Mevagissey, but is definitely on the road to something better. It’s a work in progress.
Bradford-on-Avon
The eventual re-development of the former Avon Rubber factory on the banks of River Avon have had a lasting positive effect on this picturesque Wiltshire town.
Stroud
Formerly a rather run-down industrial town nestled in the Cotswold Hills. In recent years, much work has been done transforming it to a cultural hub of independent shops and the arts. It’s gone up in the world.
www.cotswolds.com/plan-your-trip/towns-and-villages/stroud-p670813
In Summary and What Now?
“We can build upon all we’ve learned. We can start today.”
I believe that this “ideas and discussion document” offers a genuine, constructive and professional vision of a possible way forward,attempting to inspire a partnership between engaged locals, landowners, business owners and investors, and civic functions working towards something better.
The effort must be apolitical (i.e. devoid of party politics). I’ve been lucky enough to travel widely, and have seen for example that regardless of the prevalent/current political ideology of a country, wherever there’s people, there’s environmental degradation and ruin unless a special effort is made to conserve it.
This is about people working together on mutually beneficial and agreed common ground. It may be a surprise to many as to how much of this actually does exist across the party-political divide.And from what I’ve been able to see, no political persuasion has the monopoly or the moral high-ground in terms of the environment, culture and the economy.
What is there to lose?“By consent, by respect, by volunteering, by discussion, by investing and by bringing together, we can achieve a whole lot more.”
References, Inspirations and Footnotes
Be inspired by something. This “Vision Thing” was inspired by;
- My childhood in the village of Corsley
- My friend Simon Russell
- Wilding– A book by Isabella Tree
- The Knepp Estate in West Sussex
- Elmley Nature Reserve in Kent
- Curlew Moon– A book by Mary Colwell
- David Attenborough
- Gerald Durrell
- Alfred Wallace
- F.W. Frohawk
- The Butterfly Isles– A book by Patrick Barkham
- In Pursuit of Butterflies and His Imperial Majesty – Two books by Matthew Oates
- The Moth Snowstorm– A book by Peter Marren
- The Aurelian Legacy – A book byMichael A. Salmon with contributions by Peter Marren & Basil Harley
- My conservation minded near-neighbour Michael Groves
Content updated; 5th February 2022
Additional Ideas To Work on (Not In Current/live Document)
- Stay in rusted old tank
- Wild Things/Wild Thingies – A shop offering wildlife
- Naturally
- Warminster, Naturally
- Alien Landings
- For Contrarians And Conventionals
- Lifeforms
- Terrestrial Aliens
Actions By Me
- Photograph areas
- Buy/Read – Warminster UFO Book
- Michael Groves – approach for list of known species
- WILTS WILDLIFE TRUST – Look at Smallbrook & Dunscombe for local species
- Contact BC Wiltshire – Moths
- Contact Wiltshire Birds
- Research Other Local Wildlife Groups