This week has been quite eventful – with Royal visits, turmoil at the city council and fresh calls for support for our struggling high street, there has been plenty to report on.
In case you missed any of it, we’ve put together a round-up of the top 10 stories in Salisbury and Wiltshire this week.
1) Queen’s visit to Dstl Porton Down
The Queen at Porton Down. Picture by PA
Her Majesty The Queen carried out her first public engagement outside royal residence since lockdown on Thursday, to visit staff at Dstl Porton Down involved in the Covid-19 response.
Accompanied by Prince William, the Queen also met staff who took part in the local response to the Novichok poisonings of March 2018.
You can see pictures from the Queen’s visit here.
2) DS Nick Bailey leaves Wiltshire Police over impact of Novichok
DS Nick Bailey announced yesterday that he has left Wiltshire Police after 18 years because “he can no longer do the job”.
The former officer was poisoned with Novichok after coming into contact with the nerve agent while investigating the attack on former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in March 2018.
3) Salisbury City Council leader steps down
The leader of Salisbury City Council, Cllr Jeremy Nettle is to resign after losing a vote of no confidence.
Speaking to the Journal, Cllr Nettle said he has been “unable to heal the long standing rift within the Conservative Group”, which came to a head after the People Friendly Salisbury (PFS) project was announced.
He will be standing down at the next full council meeting in November.
4) First Covid death since June
This week it was confirmed that Salisbury District Hospital recorded its first coronavirus-related death since June.
A woman in her 80s died on Sunday, October 11, bringing the total number of patients in the city who have died after testing positive for coronavirus since the start of the pandemic to 57.
5) ‘Save our shops before it’s too late’
Businesses and civic leaders are calling on residents and landlords to support Salisbury High Street and help it recover from the impact of the pandemic.
6) The launch of Salisbury’s very own Monopoly
The official Salisbury Monopoly has finally been launched.
The official game hit the shops at 10am on Wednesday – timed nicely for Christmas.
7) Permits now available for People Friendly Streets
Free permits that will allow some vehicles to enter People Friendly Salisbury’s Low Traffic Zone (LTZ) are now available.
The scheme starts on Wednesday October 21, and any residents, businesses and Blue Badge holders that wish to access the LTZ in a motor vehicle on that date will need to apply for a free permit before then.
8) Man jailed after horrific attack on police officer
A man who bit a police officer on the arm, resulting in a deep wound and hospital treatment, has been jailed for four years.
Mark Archibald, aged 38, from Salisbury, pleaded guilty to assault by beating, wounding with intent and assault on an emergency worker.
He was sentenced at Bristol Crown Court last week.
9) Wiltshire goes into Tier 1
Coronavirus restrictions in Wiltshire have remained the same as the area has been placed within the lowest alert level.
On Monday, PM Boris Johnson set out a new three-tier alert system which dictates what restrictions are imposed in areas across England.
Wiltshire, like the majority of areas in the country, is in Tier 1 meaning no further restrictions apply apart from the 10pm curfew and rule of six.
10) Covid-19 shuts pub
A Netheravon pub has temporarily closed after a member of staff tested positive for Covid-19.
The Dog and Gun Inn made the announcement today. It will be closed for 14 days.
