THE Calne Civic Awards 2025 took place on Friday evening in the Town Hall where it was standing room only for one of the best attended events to date.
The awards aim to recognise and celebrate groups and individuals who make our town so special and to shine a spotlight on our younger residents who have contributed to the community.
Nominees for the 2025 Civic Award were:
John Boaler for his work with the Pocket Park
Alison Owens who is a 'pillar of the Calne Lions' and 'tireless advocate' for Calne Community transport
Dawn Perkins and Carol Lavery who continue to fight to bring Marden Community Hub back to the town
Wiltshire BJJ Academy - Kev, for his work in instilling confidence in young people
Michael Hudston for his work in securing the Banking Hub for the town
Lee Whitcome for providing health and activity sessions for children
Kelly Rudol for her community support page
Pat Collier who has a 60-year legacy of dedication to Calne Town Football Club
Wilts Community Support and Outreach Service for their work with adults with learning difficulties.
And the well-deserved winner was Diane Gooch for her tireless efforts to improve the lives of our older residents.
This year's Young Citizen Award was given to Finn who volunteered for the summer reading challenge and at Marden Community Hub. Finn also participates in Calne Players and Chippenham Youth Theatre and volunteers at an archaeology club and The Story Museum.
The Sports Awards were given to Callum and Charlie. Callum demonstrated dedication to football and fitness and exhibits sportsmanship and teamwork. Charlie is a regular Junior parkrun participant and achieved first overall boys place in the Wiltshire Junior running league. Both were awarded £250 towards sports equipment.
Those honoured included: Bowood House & Gardens for donating the town's Christmas tree and Haines Construction for collecting and installing the tree. John Jennings Funfair, Shadeseekers Ltd, Riverview Portfolio and Valley View Fencing and Landscaping for sponsoring various town events.
Deceuninck Ltd were thanked for providing the use of their car parks for the summer carnival and fireworks event parking alongside Calne Community Transport for providing low cost transportation to residents.
Calne Bike Meet for the annual ever popular Bike Meet and Calne Music & Arts Festival who celebrated their 50th anniversary last year.
Calne News (yes us!) for providing the town with its own news source and Eartunes Radio for covering events and keeping the town up to date.
Calne Town Charity trustees were thanked for raising monies and distributing the Hardship Fund for residents in need.
Calne Springs Forward Love Calne for the monthly markets and pop up shops at the Tesco showroom and also the team of volunteers at St Mary's Church who brought us the Christmas Tree Festival.
The Original Shout Out Calne - Noticeboard and The Real Shout Out Calne Facebook pages were noted for sharing updates and queries from the townsfolk on their community pages.
Calne and District Community Link Scheme, who provide transport to and from medical appointments.
Calne Branch of the Royal British Legion for supporting our local veterans and spearheading remembrance events.
The volunteer operators of Calne CCTV were thanked for their work to keep the community feeling safe.
Calne Clean Up Crew were applauded for their continuing efforts to keep our community clean and providing colour to the town, alongside River Warriors for their commitment to keeping the river Marden and surrounding areas at its best and Castlefields CARP for their work in the Castlefields area.
Calne Community Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group for providing a plan to improve our town and Calne Fairtrade Group for encouraging fairness in consumersism, Calne Food Bank and Paws for Pets - Pet Foodbank for their vital work supporting residents struggling financially.
Sporting groups included Calne Short Mat Bowls Club, Calne Tennis Club, Calne Town Walking Football Club and Calne Junior Park Run.
Calne Heritage Centre were noted for ensuring the history of Calne is preserved and accessible for anyone who wants to learn more about our town. Calne in Bloom for supporting the Garden and Allotment competitions. Calne Lions for their incredible work fundraising with the Duck Race and Santa's Sleigh. Calne Pocket Park for providing a tranquil area for all that hosts community events too.
Calne Men's Shed (It's not just for men) and Calne Reconnecting Group both providing a vital space for residents to come together with a sense of camaraderie.
Calne Community Spaces which includes the Methodist Church, Baptist Church, Free Church, Heart of the Community and Marden Hub - all of which provide an opportunity for lonely residents to have a warm space to meet others and have a hot meal.
Sustainable Calne for their work in providing information to help residents reduce their carbon footprint and cut energy bills and Wiltshire Community Support & Outreach - Mill Race for their support for adults with learning disabilities, mental health and autism.
Calne Town Council said: "We were thrilled to honour the amazing groups and individuals who make our community so special"
Reflecting on the evening, Chairman of Calne Labour Party, John Boaler reiteratated his objections to Calne Town Council's description of Calne as 'modest'.
He told us: “One of my gripes about Calne Town Council is that on their website they still describe Calne as a ‘modest town with a big heart’.
"Anyone who was there on Friday evening would reject that adjective ‘modest’. With the biggest annual free bike meet in Europe, a music and arts festival now in its 51st year; a monthly Jazz Club; last summer’s fantastic Pig Parade and 20 plus ‘Priestley250’ activities and events; the 2 running clubs; its many sports clubs; the huge variety of community groups; perhaps the best library in the county; the many families who hosted Ukrainians 3 years ago; the phenomenal fundraising of the Lions; the programme of town events; our outstanding floral displays; and the commitment of so many volunteers to helping make Calne a good place to live etc etc Calne is anything but ‘modest’.
