According to Wikipedia Phil McMullen “spends his time rearing chickens and vegetables, writing about psychedelic, improvised and experimental rock & folk music.”

He was founding editor of Terrascope magazine from 1989 to 2005, and runs semi-annual rock festivals in North America.”

Now in his 50s, Phil is better known in Wiltshire as the long-serving chairman of Beanacre Cricket Club and Melksham Allotments Association.

He has also been a presiding officer at elections for more than 20 years. He attended the George Ward School from 1969 to 1975 (but “left with no qualifications”), married a girl he spotted on the tills at Woolworths in the High Street (Heather McMullen, nee Ball), and 27 years later they are still together, happier than ever.

Why did you move to Wiltshire?

My family moved from Somerset during the late 1960s looking for work. The real question really is why did I never move away.

You are King of Wiltshire for the day. What would be the first law you would introduce?

We have a perfectly good railway line linking Salisbury to Swindon at either end of the county, with stations in between at Trowbridge, Chippenham, Melksham and Warminster. It must be possible to run more than one train between them at dawn and another at dusk?

What is the best Wiltshire view?

Looking towards Heddington Hill from St Edith’s Marsh up near Bromham. There’s something about the quality of the light up there.

What is your favourite restaurant?

I’m rather fond of dining out at The George at Sandy Lane, although I wish they’d push the local angle a bit more, with local ham, and vegetables from along the road at Bromham.

What is your favourite pub?

Probably The Bell on the Common in Broughton Gifford. It still clings on – just – to having a traditional pub atmosphere, and being able to wander outside and watch cricket on the Common is a joy.

What do you do for fun?

I spend as much time as I can pottering around on my allotment – my wife and I have tended the same one for well over 25 years now What is your favourite local shop?

I’m really impressed by Neston Park Farm Shop whose butchers take time to get to know you, which takes me right back to my childhood in Somerset – and being able to see the animals is an outing in itself.