Fashion Show

Despite the van of garments being stuck in a traffic jam and delaying its start, the Zoom fashion show provided an enjoyable evening at Wootton Bassett School hall last Wednesday.

Headteacher Hylton Thomas and his deputy Peter Sheppard kept the audience happy by providing free coffee and biscuits during the delay.

The show featured a wide range of clothing, mainly in sizes 10-20, but including some garments from sizes 6-26.

Tracey and Libbie from Zoom Fashions introduced the show, which was co-ordinated by Marilyn Marsh.

The models, all local volunteers, were: Carol Williams, Hazel Hamilton, Sue Lear, Michelle Williams, Joy Mailey, Kathy Fellows, Angela Roythorne and Maggie Butwell.

They did a great job, even adding a touch of comedy to the catwalk.

The event, which attracted a smaller audience than the organisers had hoped, yielded around £120 for the School Association.

Town council

Cables, cash and problems caused by cable laying companies were once again a talking point at Wootton Bassett Town Council on Thursday.

County Councillor Toby Sturgis, in his report to members, reiterated the concerns that have been expressed in recent months:

"It appalls me that we have no control over cable layers," he said. "We have more cable layers digging up our roads here in North Wiltshire than there are in any other county."

Coun Sturgis said that there were 280 companies that could dig up roads without the council being able to stop them.

He said that the work had a long-term effect on the area's highways. He added that cable installations caused problems such as raised manholes and the weakening of road shoulders.

Coun Sturgis has already taken up the matter at Government level, but has had no success.

"We have been told that we have got to accept progress," he said.

Speaking on funding for education, Coun Sturgis expressed the need to cut out bureaucracy.

He deplored the forthcoming planning inquiry over the park and ride proposals.

Swindon is appealing against North Wiltshire's refusal of planning permission for the facility to be sited on the Wootton Bassett side of the M4 Junction 16.

"Hundreds of thousands of pounds will be spent by neighbouring authorities in fighting this issue. Surely this money could be used for much better purposes?" he asked. There was a 'Hear, hear!' response from the public gallery.

Eight parish councils and two town councils expressed unanimous opposition to the plan. Swindon Borough Council has so far not responded to the strength of feeling.

The inquiry is due to open on December 5. Watch this window for full details nearer the time.

Emerald Ensemble concert

A concert by the Emerald Ensemble, which includes some of the country's most talented young professional musicians, delighted the audience at Wootton Bassett School hall on Friday.

The concert opened with Bach's Brandenburg Concerto No 3.

Next came a superb performance of Vivaldi's Sopranino Concerto in C major. The audience was told that the sopranino recorder, one of the highest instruments, is also one of the cheapest, at only around £11.

Soloist Imogen Triner thrilled listeners with her skill on the instrument, producing cascades of silvery sound.

The first half finale offered deeper contrasts, with Bach's Brandenburg Concerto No 5, which featured Lisanne Melchior and Alison Townley on violas.

Imogen Triner's skill was demonstrated further in Albinoni's Oboe Concerto Opus 9 No 2, which opened the second half.

Pachelbel's Canon and Bach's Air on a G String perennial favourites won warm applause, and the concert ended with a delightful performance of Autumn and Winter from Vivaldi's The Four Seasons.

The music was complemented by appropriate sonnets, written by the composer and read by Alison Morris.

This concert, the Emerald Ensemble's first performance in Wootton Bassett, received a great reception from the audience. The ensemble, directed by Roger Huckle, provided memorable musical treats.

Stella Taylor

Tel (01793) 852361