Last school days, Ibiza nights and Ivy shares
Published Thursday 16 July 2026
Plan Derry Hill's final school week, book Bowood's weekend concert and see how Heddington's community pub is moving forward.
Preview email
Top Updates
Last school week brings an early Wednesday finish
Derry Hill CofE Primary's final diary includes the Rock Steady concert at 2.30pm on Thursday 16 July for parents of participating children, reports going home on Friday, and move-up days on Monday 20 and Tuesday 21 July. The leavers' service is at Christ Church at 9.15am on Wednesday 22 July for Owl families, before term ends at 2.15pm; the school newsletter has the full diary.
Families joining Reception in September have a stay-and-play session on Monday 20 July and a drop-and-go session on Tuesday 21 July. The school admissions page has the induction timetable.
The Ivy opens a second community share offer
The community that bought Heddington's Ivy Inn has opened a second share offer to help pay for renovation and reopening. It runs until Wednesday 12 August; shares cost £1, with a minimum investment of £100 and a maximum of £20,000. Their value does not rise and money cannot be withdrawn for at least three years, so read the Phase II share prospectus information before deciding.
Wiltshire revises its parking-charge proposals
Wiltshire Council has changed parts of its plan after receiving 1,762 consultation responses, but an average 20% rise in pay-and-display charges is still proposed. Sunday charging would continue to start at 10am, and 7am-7pm charging would apply only to short-stay car parks. The proposals still need a final decision and, if approved, would start on Tuesday 1 September; read the current parking-plan update.
Dates For Your Diary
Saturday 25 July, 8am-6pm
Calne Bike Meet
Calne town centre fills with motorcycles, trade and community stalls, food and live music for the free annual Bike Meet. Bands start at 10am and the ride-out leaves Tesco at 4.45pm, passing through town at about 5pm. High Street and Church Street will be closed to through traffic and there is no town-centre car parking; use the official Bike Meet guide to plan the day.
Saturday 1 August, gates 6.30pm
The Great Gatsby in the open air at Bowood
This Is My Theatre brings its live-music adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's story to Bowood House & Gardens. The performance starts at 7pm and ends at 8.50pm; adult tickets are £20, concessions £16.50 and a family ticket for four is £60. Pack a picnic, chair or blanket and dress for the weather; Bowood has tickets and access details.
Saturday 15 August, 10am-4pm
eat:Calne food festival
The free town-centre festival brings together local food and drink producers, street food, crafts, music and community groups. It is family-friendly, accessible and dog-friendly; see the eat:Calne visitor information.
What's On
Thursday 16 July
Coffee and Chat at Christ Church, 10.30am-noon. Drop into Christ Church, Derry Hill for its informal weekly coffee morning. Everyone is welcome and no booking is needed; see the Christ Church events page.
Spanish Conversation Club pub night, 7.30-9.30pm. Practise Spanish in an informal social session at the Lansdowne Hotel bar on The Strand, Calne. Spanish speakers and people from Spanish backgrounds are welcome, and the venue is child-friendly and dog-friendly with a bar menu; see the current pub-night listing.
Friday 17 and Saturday 18 July
Classic Ibiza at Bowood, Gates 5pm, ends 11pm. A 45-piece orchestra, DJ sets and vocals from the London Community Gospel Choir bring dance anthems to Bowood on both evenings. General admission is £57.50, tickets for ages 5 to 12 are £30 and under-5s go free; prices are subject to a 10% booking fee. Bowood has the ticket link and event rules.
Saturday 18 July
Saturday Toddler Time at Calne Library, 11-11.30am. The free session mixes songs, movement and a story for young children. No booking is needed, but places are limited and families should sign in at the counter; it is for library members, and adults and children can join at the library. See the current Toddler Time listing.
Sunday 19 July
Park Yoga at Calne Recreation Ground, 9.30-10.30am. The free outdoor session meets by the large Park Yoga flag at the Recreation Ground on Anchor Road. On-site parking is limited, so walking, cycling or using a town-centre car park is encouraged; the official Calne Park Yoga page has directions and facilities.
Tuesday 21 July
Try handbell ringing in Derry Hill, 2.30-4.30pm. Christ Church's weekly handbell practice welcomes newcomers and needs no previous experience. It costs £2 per person to cover costs; see the Christ Church events page.
Roadworks and Transport
Church Road and Studley Lane closures reach their final day: The current closure records for Church Road in Derry Hill and Studley Lane run through Thursday 16 July. Treat Thursday's school-run and evening journeys as affected, and continue to follow diversion signs until the roads reopen.
Heddington rural road remains closed on Thursday: The road north from Stockley Road towards the C247 and C251 junctions is recorded closed for Wessex Water work through Thursday 16 July. Allow extra time for journeys between Heddington, Stockley and the A4.
Calne approach works continue into Monday: Multi-way signals on New Road are recorded through Friday 17 July. The longer-running Beversbrook Road signals and Stanier Road closure are due to continue until 5pm on Monday 20 July, so delays remain likely on the northern approach to Calne.
Bowden Hill has daytime signals: Two-way temporary signals are recorded on Bowden Hill from 9.30am to 3pm on Thursday 16 July. Allow a little extra time for Lacock and Chippenham-side journeys.