100 Years Ago.

CALNE: The patriotism of Calne is well known – few towns of its size sent a larger contingent to the South African War. The mobilisation affects not only Calne but all surrounding villages. There was a patriotic display in the Strand on Tuesday when the Commandant of the local company of the National Reserve paraded his men, of whom 12 stepped forward and gave their names for foreign service. Yesterday morning there were stirring scenes on the railway platform when between 40 and 50 left to join their regiments.

PEWSEY: There was a touch of grim reality about the parade of the National Reservists at Pewsey on Saturday afternoon. With the war cloud hanging low and big with ill-omen, with members of the auxiliary forces already served with mobilisation orders, martial music and flutter of flags only served to emphasise that there was something more attaching to the parade of the “old guard” than is usually the case. Some men were there in the thin ranks who had not long left the colours, and who it was not unlikely would be called upon to present themselves again.

50 Years Ago.

MARLBOROUGH: Having finished her shopping, a woman returned to her pick-up van only to find it moving away. She held onto the rear of the vehicle to try to stop it, but she was unsuccessful. With the driver running behind, it gathered momentum, careered across the up side of the High Street, grazed a parked vehicle and crashed into another parked car. She pleaded guilty to leaving the vehicle without setting the brake and was fined £5.

ALLINGTON: A chicken house near an ancient stone barn at Manor Farm Allington, near Chippenham, was destroyed by fire on Friday. Quite close to the barn, which was stacked with hay, is the Allington Church, once used as a stable for oxen. Farm hands helped quell the fire. No chickens were involved.

25 Years Ago.

ALDBOURNE: Roads in Wiltshire have been melting in the heat, the county highway authority was told. At Aldbourne it was so hot that the surface became liquid and was running away. Machines normally seen only in snow and ice were out gritting and sanding.

DEVIZES: Devizes has an unwelcoming face for tourists as well as a welcoming one, said the president of the Chamber of Commerce: “We have a severe litter problem that will not be solved by providing more bins. Our pavements are broken and dangerous because heavy vehicles are allowed to park and manoeuvre on them.”