Trowbridge chief unveils bold vision for town's future

Cllr Stewart Palmen told the annual town meeting on Tuesday (April 30) that the Liberal Democrat-run council was trying to make Trowbridge more vibrant, active and greener with a focus on local delivery of services.

“This town can’t turn the clock back. We won’t see a Bowyers or an Ushers again. But that doesn’t mean we can’t have a great future. It’s just a different kind of future.

“It’s a future with many more people living in the town centre as well as our neighbourhoods.

“It’s a future with a diversity of venues, shops, cafes, restaurants, bars and other businesses.

“It’s a future as a smart, contemporary, attractive and environmentally sustainable town.

“It’s a future where our wonderful volunteers and community groups thrive, where people enjoy a wide range of sports, recreation and entertainment.

“It’s a future that we can all be proud of. And it’s a future we can achieve if we work together.”

Cllr Palmen said the council’s three-pronged strategy to improve the town was working, despite the failure to deliver the “much-needed” 3G football pitch at Doric Park.

“The decision to not go ahead with our plans was a hard one but with rising costs and interest rates during the excessive time it took for the loan to be approved the town council had no choice but to reconsider the project.

“But the ambition to create an all-weather floodlit pitch is still very much alive and we are now exploring ways of providing this facility for our town in future.”

Cllr Palmen also said the council had experienced “some hiccups” in getting up to speed with town maintenance and grass-cutting after taking over those services from Wiltshire Council last year.

“To cut a long story short, there were some hiccups getting up to speed but now the team is properly resourced and well equipped to do a great job for the town.

“And this April, the council took over management of the Down Cemetery as well.

“We needed to do these things in order to make sure they are done well at a time when Wiltshire Council’s finances are under massive pressure, largely with the demands of social care.”

Cllr Palmen said the increase in Trowbridge’s share of Wiltshire’s council tax was “more than we would have wished” but was necessary to deliver the services residents expect to see.

“No-one likes raising taxes but you get what you pay for and I hope people feel they get value for their money and want us to continue with the variety of services, activities and events we provide.”

At the annual town gathering that followed, Trowbridge mayor, Cllr Stephen Cooper, presented civic awards to individuals and groups who have contributed significantly to the town over the past year.

Playing his cards right: magician Oliver Clark was awarded Spirit of Youth (Under13) Award at the Trowbridge Town Gathering. Image: Trevor Porter 77017-1 (Image: Trevor Porter)

Mark Marshall was named Community Champion for his work with Trowbridge Service User Group supporting people with mental ill health.

Robin Dallimore – known locally as the ‘Bard of Trowbridge’ - was named Charity Fundraiser of the Year having raised over £2,500 for Bath Cancer Unit Support Group by selling 500 copies of his collections of poems and limericks, which he dedicated to his late wife.

Trowbridge Basketball Club was named Sports Club of the Year, while young magician Oliver Clark was named U13 Spirit of Youth award winner.

Charlie Cadwgan, of Trowbridge Sea Cadets, and Emmy Jones, of 2196 Squadron Trowbridge Air Cadets, were joint winners of the Spirit of Youth Awards for young people aged 13-18.