After hearing concerns from local residents about the state of Conscience Lane in Rowde, and the lack of a safe pavement.

FOCUS editor Alan Rankin has raised the issue at Rowde Parish Council. Various agencies are now discussing appropriate solutions and hopefully a safe pathway will eventually appear.

FOCUS editor Alan Rankin's campaign for a safer crossing of the A360 by the George and Dragon in Potterne has moved a step forward.

"I was delighted to hear at Potterne Parish Council's meeting in September that they've recognised the dangerous nature of crossing the A360," said local campaigner Alan Rankin.

What are your experiences of crossing the A360 to and from the Blounts Court side of the road to the George and Dragon side of the road? Have you experienced a 'near miss' moment and how do you feel when you need to cross the road? Your views are important and need to be known by the Parish Council, the Devizes Area Board and eventually Wiltshire Council if any improvements are to be made. Please discuss the issue with your neighbours.

Potterne resident and local campaigner Alan Rankin spoke out in support of the campaign to save Oxenwood and Braeside at the full Council meeting of Wiltshire Council on 22 May 2018. To view Alan's speech visit this link, or a transcript is avaliable below.

A recent National Audit Office report on the financial sustainability of Local Authorities describes the financial background in which Wiltshire Council is making difficult decisions. A background of a real-terms reduction of government funding and increasing statutory service demands and inflationary pressures.

The strength of community campaigning was once again demonstrated with the protest against the decision to close Braeside and Oxenwood at today's full Council meeting. The Conservative administration accepted a Lib Dem amendment that in referring the decision back to cabinet that it should be open and transparent and use every "best effort" to ensure these two sites remain in use for outdoor education.