Ernie Clark. Hilperton Division, Wiltshire Council.

Wiltshire Council news from Ernie Clark.

With the Wiltshire Council elections now only a couple of months away, are you registered to vote?

Unless your name appears on the current electoral register you will not be entitled to vote at the May election. You can check whether you are registered or not by contacting either myself, the clerk to the parish council or the Wiltshire Council electoral office.

Please note that if you have recently moved house you will not be automatically registered to vote. Some people presume that if they pay council tax then they will be registered as a voter - this is not the case. Unless you apply to be added to the register you will lose your right to vote.

In addition to the Wiltshire Council election, the parish council election will also be held. If you would like information about the role please contact me. Nominations have to be submitted by the 5th of April.

Hopefully, the worst of the weather is behind us now until next winter. By then there should be some good news about grit bins (or, more precisely, the lack of them) in Hilperton. There should be more information in my Hilperton Update which will, hopefully, be delivered to you in the next few weeks. More info here next month when a meeting of the area transport group should have taken place.

The new Trowbridge open air market is due to open later this month. The market will be open every Wednesday with a wide range of local produce, crafts and consumer goods. The 30 plus stalls will be set up in the heart of the town stretching across the whole of Fore Street. The spring launch comes after widespread consultation by Wiltshire Council with traders and locals on whether a market would be viable for the town. Traders at the Castle Place Indoor Market were fully supportive of the move. Local businesses hope hosting the stall in Fore Street, will bring some vibrant colour and increase interest in the area. The market will be open for the first time on March 27.