Latest news with #WiltshireCouncil
The Independent
2 days ago
- General
- The Independent
The ‘prettiest village in England' launches war on drones
Residents of Castle Combe in the Cotswolds, known as 'the prettiest village in England,' are calling for a ban on tourist drones after incidents of privacy invasion, including one report of a resident being filmed while taking a bath. 'No drone zone' signs have been posted across the village, including on homes, the local church, and the public car park, due to constant drone flights over gardens and streets. A retired police officer, Hilary Baker, reported that some visitors have lost their moral compass, recounting incidents of drones hovering over gardens and near bathroom windows, leading to verbal abuse when residents ask pilots to stop. Police were called last month on a drone pilot who verbally abused locals and allegedly filmed children playing in a back garden; Wiltshire Council has since put up signs warning drone pilots about violating privacy guidelines. A survey by the parish council chairman, Fred Winup, revealed that over half of tourists visit Castle Combe after seeing it online, with many influenced by social media posts on platforms like Instagram and TikTok, leading to increased drone usage and privacy concerns.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Warning to check microchip details or face fine
Cat and dog owners have been warned to microchip their pets, and make sure the details are correct, or risk facing a fine worth hundreds of pounds. It comes after Violet Cooper, from Dilton Marsh in Westbury, Wiltshire, was fined nearly £850 for failing to update the details on the database of her dog's microchip. Juliet, her chow chow-type dog, was found by a member of the public in August 2024. Considered a stray, it was taken to a local vets to await collection by Wiltshire Council's Dog Warden team. Ms Cooper, 38, soon arrived in search of her dog and was issued with a notice requiring her to update the microchip details within 21 days, but she failed to do so. Last week she was found guilty at Salisbury Magistrates Court of failing to comply with the notice and was fined £220, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said. Costs of £539.59 awarded to Wiltshire Council, along with a victim surcharge of £88, brought the total in fines to £847.59. It became compulsory for all dogs to be microchipped in April 2016, and for cats in 2023. Councillor Paul Sample of Wiltshire Council said: "Microchipping a cat or dog is a permanent way of identifying your pet if they get lost or stolen. "If your pet goes missing, our officers can scan the microchip and get them home safely. "Hopefully, this outcome will act as a costly reminder to all dog or cat owners to ensure that their pet is microchipped and that details on the chip are up-to-date. "We will not hesitate to prosecute those who fail to comply." Follow BBC Wiltshire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. Local Democracy Reporting Service Wiltshire Council Pet database still plagued with problems, say users Pets detached from owners in database 'cock-up' Dog microchip date set for England
BBC News
3 days ago
- Health
- BBC News
Warning to check pet microchip details or face fine
Cat and dog owners have been warned to microchip their pets, and make sure the details are correct, or risk facing a fine worth hundreds of pounds. It comes after Violet Cooper, from Dilton Marsh in Westbury, Wiltshire, was fined nearly £850 for failing to update the details on the database of her dog's her chow chow-type dog, was found by a member of the public in August 2024. Considered a stray, it was taken to a local vets to await collection by Wiltshire Council's Dog Warden Cooper, 38, soon arrived in search of her dog and was issued with a notice requiring her to update the microchip details within 21 days, but she failed to do so. 'Costly reminder' Last week she was found guilty at Salisbury Magistrates Court of failing to comply with the notice and was fined £220, the Local Democracy Reporting Service of £539.59 awarded to Wiltshire Council, along with a victim surcharge of £88, brought the total in fines to £ became compulsory for all dogs to be microchipped in April 2016, and for cats in Paul Sample of Wiltshire Council said: "Microchipping a cat or dog is a permanent way of identifying your pet if they get lost or stolen. "If your pet goes missing, our officers can scan the microchip and get them home safely."Hopefully, this outcome will act as a costly reminder to all dog or cat owners to ensure that their pet is microchipped and that details on the chip are up-to-date. "We will not hesitate to prosecute those who fail to comply."
BBC News
27-05-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
Disruption warning as Bradford-on-Avon crossing works begin
Motorists are being warned about disruption as work to improve a pedestrian crossing work by Wiltshire Council on the existing pedestrian crossing on St Margaret's Street, near Town Bridge in Bradford-on-Avon, will begin later and is expected to take three council said multi-way temporary traffic light signals and a temporary signalised pedestrian crossing will be in place for the duration of the Howell, director of highways and transport, said: "People should expect delays in the area during the course of the work, and we apologise for any inconvenience caused." Ms Howell said they have tried to minimise disruption by starting the work during half-term and they will be monitoring the traffic in the area to minimise any delays as much as they can. "We thank all road users for their patience while the upgrades are carried out," she with money from the Department for Transport, the work includes improving the crossing areas by excavating and replacing existing paving slabs and the installation of new traffic signals equipment."The St Margaret's Street crossing is reaching the end of its design lifespan. "This improvement is vital to ensure the crossing continues to operate safely and reliably for both pedestrians and motorists," added Ms Howell.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Yahoo
Nature reserve bridleway connects two villages
Two villages have been connected by foot for the first time via a bridleway through a nature reserve. The 2km (1.24-mile) route between Firsdown and Pitton, east of Salisbury, will be enjoyed by walkers, horse riders and cyclists, said Wiltshire Council. It runs through Roundbarrow Nature Reserve, land that is being transformed from an intensive dairy farm to chalk grassland by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB). Councillor Paul Sample said: "This bridleway will give residents and visitors a front row view to see landscape restoration in action – and will encourage people to get out and about to enjoy nature and all its benefits." More news stories for Wiltshire Listen to the latest news for Wiltshire The reserve is being created on 120 hectares of former farmland being leased to the RSPB by the council. It is hoped the reserve will attract ground-nesting birds such as the rare stone curlew and lapwing. The idea for the bridleway came after the council sought local opinions on ways to enhance the area. Mr Sample said: "We look forward to welcoming people to this very picturesque part of the county and for them to enjoy the resurgence of wildlife in the adjacent fields." Patrick Cashman, RSPB site manager for Wiltshire's nature reserves, said the charity was "delighted" to be working with the council to "achieve something meaningful at scale for wildlife". He added: "This is a rare opportunity to create a new downland nature reserve from scratch. "Users of the new permissive bridleway will be able to witness the changing view over the coming years from species-poor grasslands and crops towards a more colourful vista as a haven for the characteristic birds, bees, butterflies, and blooms of the Wiltshire chalk." Follow BBC Wiltshire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. Ex-dairy farm to be turned into RSPB reserve Group given £50k to turn land into nature reserve Bid to transform former farm into nature reserve Wiltshire Council RSPB
