Wiltshire in Pictures: Sunshine, wonky roads and pigeons
270 year wait: Bowood House and Gardens, near Chippenham, has opened its walled garden to the public. The estate opened for the year on Tuesday, but for the first time is allowing access to its usually private garden.
Reach for the skies: Charity marathon runner Gary MacAlister is looking to break a Guinness World Record when doing Bristol Half Marathon dressed as a helicopter next month.The Trowbridge native will be running to raise money for the Wiltshire and Bath Air Ambulance while dressed in an outfit which has been dubbed the Garycopter.
Hope for the future: A mural created by young people in Swindon has been unveiled across two sites in the town.The artwork, which appears on both a new youth centre and on a children's hospital ward, features a drawing of a whale guided by butterflies towards a light bulb to show hope for a brighter future for all youngsters in Swindon.
Centre stage: Abbie Smith from Chippenham got a selfie with a 5,000-strong crowd at the Royal Albert Hall in London on Sunday. The 24-year-old, who was diagnosed with lymphoma in 2023, was at a fundraising concert featuring rock band The Who. The event raised money for the Teenage Cancer Trust.
It's a bird's life: Pam Welfare has been speaking to the BBC about her pet pigeon Pepper, who accompanies her everywhere she goes.Pepper travels with Pam, often on her shoulder and for journeys further afield, she even has her own car seat.
Back in business: Lyneham Banks road has opened this week after a three year closure. Dubbed Britain's wonkiest road after a landslip during Storm Eunice, the reopening of the B4069 reconnects Chippenham and Lyneham, saving commuters a lengthy diversion to the south.
Railway pioneer: A blue plaque has been unveiled in Swindon, celebrating the life of James Hurst, the first locomotive shunter for the Great Western Railway.The plaque has been placed above the front door of Hurst's final residence on Taunton Street.
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He deadpanned: 'This staircase isn't good enough to be in a movie.' 'It was one of the funniest things ever said to me on set. We did the shot and I promised it would make the cut.' Wright said he regaled the story at a Q&A attended by the pub's owners who decided to immortalise his remark on a brass plaque that you can see at the top of those basement steps. He added: 'The last time I saw Terence, he was in excellent spirits. He came to record ADR (Automated Dialogue Replacement) and perhaps because of his prolific Italian film career, his looping was flawless. Afterwards, over tea, he regaled me with stories of (directors) Fellini, Pasolini, Wyler and Ustinov. I hugged him goodbye, but never saw him again. 'You will be missed, Terry. But you are immortalised — in film, in song, in print and in the heart of the city where you were born.' In the comments, actor Sam Claflin, who was in the film, said: 'I'll never forget you gifting me the chance to meet him mate. 'What was supposed to be a quick coffee meet and greet, turned in to a four hour conversation about film and the meaning of life. A true gent. An absolute king.' Among Stamp's performances was a transgender woman in 1994's The Adventures Of Priscilla, Queen Of The Desert, which saw him nominated for a Bafta. Director of the film, Stephan Elliott, told the Guardian that Stamp 'was absolutely terrified to play Bernadette' as 'he was being voted one of the best-looking men on earth and suddenly in Priscilla he was, and this is a direct quote, 'dressed up as an old dog'.' Star of the film Guy Pearce wrote on X, formerly Twitter: 'Fairwell dear Tel. You were a true inspiration, both in & out of heels. We'll always have Kings Canyon, Kings road & F'ing ABBA. Wishing you well on your way 'Ralph'! xxxx' Bafta said: 'We're saddened to hear of the passing of Terence Stamp, aged 87. Well known for playing General Zod in the Superman films, Stamp was nominated for two Baftas in 1963 and 1995 for his work in Billy Budd and The Adventures Of Priscilla, Queen Of The Desert.' Born in the East End of London in 1938, Stamp rose to acting fame in the 1960s after he won a drama school scholarship. The Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art scholarship led him to the stage, where he acted in repertory theatre and met Michael Caine, who was five years older than him. The pair lived together in a flat in Harley Street while they were both looking for their big break, but they parted ways and lost touch, Stamp previously told The Guardian. He made his film debut in Peter Ustinov's 1962 film adaptation of Herman Melville's Billy Budd, and his portrayal of the title character brought an Oscar nomination. Known for his stylish clothes, Stamp famously dated actress Julie Christie, who he performed alongside in the 1967 film Far From The Madding Crowd and was also in a relationship with the model Jean Shrimpton. But, after missing out on the role of James Bond, he fell out of the limelight for a while. It was not until 1978 that he got his most famous role as General Zod and appeared in Superman's 1980 sequel as the same character. Stamp's Superman co-star, British actress Sarah Douglas – who played General Zod's accomplice Ursa, paid tribute to the actor, describing him as 'beyond gorgeous and talented' in a post on Instagram. Stamp was also widely praised for his lead in director Steven Soderbergh's 1999 crime drama The Limey. He began voice acting and writing books in the late 90s, but also continued acting in films, appearing alongside Tom Cruise in Valkyrie in 2008 and working on movies directed by Tim Burton. He married 29-year-old Elizabeth O'Rourke in 2002 at the age of 64, but the couple divorced six years later. He did not have any children. His film career spanning six decades ended with Wright's 2021 psychological thriller starring Anya Taylor-Joy. Stamp's death was confirmed in a death notice published online, the Associated Press said.
