Latest news with #SalisburyCathedral
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Tourism gets boost from industry body accreditation
Tourism in Wiltshire has been given a boost after the county become an accredited member of a scheme aimed at growing the sector. Wiltshire now has Local Visitor Economy Partnerships (LVEP) status, which gives it access to a range of resources to attract greater footfall. At the moment, Wiltshire's tourism is worth around £1.5bn annually, with sites such as Stonehenge, Avebury Stone Circle, Stourhead, Salisbury Cathedral and the Westbury White Horse among its attractions. It's new LVEP means it will be included marketing activity and public relations opportunities set up by British tourism authority VisitBritain, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service. More news stories for Wiltshire Listen to the latest news for Wiltshire VisitBritain will also provide VisitWiltshire, Wiltshire's tourism board, with support in applying for funding from the UK government. Wiltshire's tourism industry supports 28,000 jobs and contributes nine per cent of Wiltshire's total GDP. The application had to demonstrate funding support from the public sector, which was achieved via finances from Bradford on Avon, Chippenham, Corsham, Devizes, Malmesbury, Pewsey and Trowbridge town councils. It also had to give evidence of wider public sector support, which Wiltshire Council provided by confirming their strategic support for tourism growth and funding of a new countywide tourism strategy and destination plan. More than 400 private tourism businesses also backed the application. David Andrews, chief executive of VisitWiltshire said: "We are delighted that VisitWiltshire have secured national LVEP status. "This is a major achievement with the potential to unlock new investment, grow tourism spend throughout the year, extend our reach in domestic and international markets, and better support our tourism and hospitality businesses." Andrew Stokes, director at VisitEngland, said: "The Local Visitor Economy Partnerships programme is transforming the visitor economy in England, supporting its growth in a more inclusive, accessible and sustainable way and I am delighted to welcome VisitWiltshire as the accredited Wiltshire LVEP." Follow BBC Wiltshire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. More Wiltshire attractions are added to free app Tourists urged not to 'overwhelm' popular village Tourism app transports visitors to times gone by VisitWiltshire VisitBritain
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Wiltshire in Pictures: Stunning Salisbury blooms
Continued good weather has made for some good snaps this week - but a Wiltshire resident has also been in the presence of royalty and another has celebrated her 111th birthday. Salisbury Cathedral's Flower Festival has seen the ancient space filled with stunning and creative blooms and displays. Wrestling's return delighted a crowd in Swindon, and a new hotshot has signed for Chippenham Town. Floral bonanza: Salisbury Cathedral's Flower Festival is on this week, finishing on Sunday. This year the event is called The Spirit of Water. More than 500 arrangers put together more than 30,000 blossoms for the festival, which was expected to attract about 15,000 visitors. Returning hero. Having trained in the town many years ago at the renowned 4FW (Four Front Wrestling) training, Eddie Ryan returned last weekend as the reigning Kingdom Pro Wrestling Heavyweight Champion. Known as 'The English Lion', he was part of the line-up at the Deanery Theatre (below). Royal recognition: Steve Coles, 72 from Melksham, has been helping young people by volunteering for the Duke of Edinburgh Award for 55 years, partly through his work with the sea cadets too. This week, he got to meet His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh at a Buckingham Palace celebration. Time for tea: A group that helps tackle loneliness has just celebrated 50 years of monthly tea parties. The Royal Wootton Bassett group of Re-engage has so far held 600 tea parties, prepared more than 7,000 scones, eaten at least 10,000 egg sandwiches and sipped more than 12,000 cups of tea. Rising star: Year 10 pupil at Lawn Manor Academy in Swindon, Bubacarr, has signed for Chippenham Town. He spent five weeks on trial before being offered a contract - the fastest time any player has done this for the club's under-16s team. He currently plays as a striker for Swindon Town Football Club's Boys advanced team, recently scoring seven goals in a tournament in Barcelona. A contrasting scene; Weather watcher Katrina captured a brief moment of dark cloud over Salisbury's water meadows and cathedral in what was otherwise a sunny day. Very big birthday: Anne Baker has been celebrating her 111th birthday as the oldest woman in Wiltshire. Her son David told the BBC it is not as easy for her to converse anymore but she is still sharp, often solving crossword clues. Mental health week: Swindon & Gloucestershire Mind organised a number of events for the national awareness week, including an art activity at Gorse Hill, Swindon. Wonderful weeds: Considered a pest by some, the beauty of thistles was captured by weather watcher Thistledown with this photograph of a sea of purple flowers in Great Bedwyn. Evening strolls: As the days become longer, it has become a little easier to take moon pictures and warmer for a walk too, as weather watcher Nelly PS did in Froxfield. Follow BBC Wiltshire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. Wiltshire in Pictures: VE Day and bank holiday sun Wiltshire in Pictures: Sunshine and school success Wiltshire in Pictures: Flowers and Easter flames Wiltshire in pics: Magical murals and an Easter donkey Wiltshire in Pictures: Blossoms and celebrations Wiltshire in pictures: Sun, wonky roads and pigeons Wiltshire in Pictures: Let the music play Wiltshire in pics: Spring equinox and indoor moon Wiltshire in pics: cows, Crufts and challenges Wiltshire in pictures: Sunshine and Shrove Tuesday Wiltshire in pictures: Crocuses and a tiny newt Wiltshire in pictures: Bird life and art hunt Wiltshire in Pictures: Romance in the animal world Wiltshire in Pics: Football, floods and remembrance Wiltshire in Pictures: Tunnels, murals and sunrises Wiltshire in Pictures: Toothbrushes, tigers and barges Wiltshire in pictures: animals enjoying the snow Wiltshire in pictures: Cold snap brings frosty scenes Wiltshire in pictures: Presents, bats and meerkats Wiltshire in Pictures: Star Wars and 'Fudgehenge' Wiltshire in Pics: Prince William and Storm Bert Wiltshire in pictures: Remembrance and light shows Wiltshire in pictures: Royal visit and mason's award Wiltshire in pictures: Halloween and sacred stones Wiltshire in pictures: Daleks, bats and pigs Wiltshire in pictures: Welcoming the troops home In pictures: Dragons, cows and Jane Austen Wiltshire in pictures: Culture and murals Wiltshire in pictures: Spinal tattoos to air tattoos Wiltshire in pictures: Exotic animals and Stonehenge Wiltshire in pictures: Silhouettes and bras Wiltshire in pictures: Reunions, sunflowers and maize Wiltshire in pictures: New sports hub and wartime cakes
Telegraph
16-05-2025
- General
- Telegraph
‘Pilgrim' cat travelled 150 miles to Canterbury
A missing kitten made a 150-mile journey to an historic pilgrimage site. Percy, a black British shorthair, disappeared in Salisbury, Wiltshire, and was found in Canterbury, Kent, almost a week later. The journey made by the five-month-old pet is reminiscent of the pilgrimage made by thousands of people in the Middle Ages to the shrine of St Thomas Becket in Canterbury. The kitten's journey has even been compared to Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales, about medieval pilgrims travelling to the site. Salisbury Cathedral, which had helped to appeal for information on Percy, said it believed the cat had crept on to a coach to make the journey. After the animal was reported missing on May 5, an appeal was posted on the cathedral's social media, which was shared by more than 30 people in the hope of the pet being found. The cat belongs to a member of staff at the cathedral. On May 12, the church said that 'Percy's pilgrimage' had come to an end when he was found in Canterbury and brought home. 'Must have hopped on a coach' It said: 'We are pleased to let you know Percy has returned home after a surprise trip to Canterbury! We assume he must have hopped on a coach and gone for a visit, before being found and taken to a vet's to have his chip scanned. 'He is back at home now, and we wanted to take a moment to thank everyone who helped us in locating him'. People took to social media to welcome the cat's return. Helen Mooring said on Facebook: 'His name should be Chaucer – bless him it's lovely to hear the intrepid pilgrim has returned home safe and sound.' Joanne Johnson added: 'Percy has been on a pilgrimage, perhaps thinking he should visit Canterbury Cathedral.' 'Glad he is safely back' Sue Ludbrook said: 'If only he could talk and tell you about his adventures. Glad he is safely back where he belongs.' Another reply from Jacqui Josephson said: 'I hope he had a very good excuse. Wonder if he has a girlfriend in Canterbury.' A regular pilgrimage from Salisbury to Canterbury can take several days to complete. Walkers may expect to pass four cathedrals on route: Salisbury, Winchester, Guildford and Rochester, before arriving at Canterbury.
BBC News
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
More than 30,000 flowers go on display at Salisbury Cathedral
More than 30,000 flowers have gone on display inside Salisbury cathedral invited about 500 flower arrangers to create the wide array of displays for the Spirit of Water Flower event is part of a series of art exhibitions exploring the power of water and its ability to hold memories and shape the identity of a of design and Royal Horticultural Society judge, Michael Bowyer MBE, said the flowers were creating a wonderful scent within the cathedral. "This year's theme is water," Mr Bowyer said. "We have the five rivers of Salisbury, a real working lock gate, rain, sleet, mist, all sorts of things where water is connected to it and 350 wicker raindrops hanging from the roof." Mr Bowyer said: "The flowers are now beginning to open up leaving a lovely scent in the cathedral." About 600 volunteers were involved in making paper fish for one of the displays."They were made in care homes, day centres, playgroups and workshops," Mr Bowyer added. In previous years, Salisbury Cathedral's art exhibitions have explored themes such as liberty and climate change. The Spirit of Water Flower Festival at Salisbury Cathedral runs until 18 May.
BBC News
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Medieval graffiti unveiled in new Salisbury Cathedral tour
A new tour has been launched at Salisbury Cathedral to showcase the building's medieval graffiti for the first cathedral, which dates back to the 13th Century, is home to hundreds of historic examples of images and words carved into the stone, with a particularly large cluster existing in the morning graffiti takes on many different forms including religious and heraldic symbols, gaming boards, design drawings and curses."You get graffiti made by priests. You get graffiti made by people who worship and by pilgrims," said Marjoleine Butler, who is a graffiti tour guide. The tour owes its creation to a dedicated team of researchers who have uncovered and documented the artworks over the past Butler said she was impressed by the sheer diversity of images that remain."There are hundreds, if not thousands, of examples of graffiti on surfaces here in the cathedral," she said. Certain images give an insight into late medieval fashion, including some rather eye-catching footwear called Butler said they were "really, really" fashionable in the 14th Century and 15th Century."The priests hated them because they got so ridiculously long that people couldn't kneel to pray," she drawings also reflect changes in society, dating back to an era when graffiti was tolerated."In the past, attitudes were very different, and it is obvious when you look around you, and the more you look around you, the more you see there is graffiti everywhere," Ms Butler added."It's done in plain sight, and people would have been aware of it, and it would not have been considered to be vandalism." The tours run on Thursdays and Saturdays and last approximately 75 minutes.
