George Inn tenant found and care-home plans filed
Published Thursday 30 July 2026
A new George Inn tenant, Mill Street care-home plans, school-holiday ideas and Saturday night theatre at Bowood.
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Top Updates
New tenant found for the George Inn
Bowood has found a new tenant for the George Inn and hopes the pub will reopen in August. An opening date has not yet been announced; the update appears in the parish council's 13 July draft minutes.
Sandy Lane speed-limit changes approved
The northbound approach to Sandy Lane is set to drop from 50mph to 40mph, with a 50mph limit also approved on Mile Elm Road towards Calne. The parish council says the changes will now proceed to implementation, although no installation date has been given; read the July meeting update.
Free holiday activities return next week
Children aged five to 16 can join free coached skateboarding and scooter sessions at Calne Skate Bowl from 2.30pm to 5.30pm on Tuesday 4 August. A free petting farm follows at Calne Recreation Ground from 10am to 2pm on Wednesday 5 August, with no booking needed; see the Calne summer-holiday guide.
Dates For Your Diary
Tuesdays 4-25 August
Outdoor adventures for children at Bowood
Bowood's three-hour Summer Adventures sessions include den building, fire lighting, games and nature exploration for children aged six to 10. Morning sessions run from 9.30am to 12.30pm and afternoons from 1.30pm to 4.30pm; places cost £22.50 and include the child's day entry to Bowood House & Gardens. Spaces are limited, so advance booking is recommended.
Saturday 15 August, 10am-4pm
eat:Calne food festival
The free town-centre festival brings together local producers, street food, crafts, music and community groups. It is family-friendly, accessible and dog-friendly; the eat:Calne event page has the visitor information.
What's On
Thursday 30 July
Rhyme Time at Calne Library, 11-11.30am. Babies and toddlers can join a free session of songs, rhymes and movement. It is for library members, but adults and children can join the library free before attending; bring rattles or shakers if you have them. See the Rhyme Time listing.
Spanish Conversation Club pub night, 7.30-9.30pm. Practise Spanish in an informal social setting at the Lansdowne Hotel bar on The Strand. The venue is child-friendly and dog-friendly, and food is available from the bar menu; check the Spanish Conversation Club listing.
Friday 31 July
Pins & Needles at Calne Library, 2-4pm. The friendly weekly knitting group meets in the Harris Room and raises money for Wiltshire Air Ambulance. New members are welcome to drop in; the Pins & Needles listing has the current session details.
Saturday 1 August
The Great Gatsby in the open air at Bowood, Gates 6.30pm, show 7pm. This Is My Theatre brings a live-music adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's story to Bowood House & Gardens. Take a picnic, chair or blanket and dress for the weather; adult tickets are £20, concessions £16.50 and a family ticket for four is £60. Book through Bowood.
Sunday 2 August
Calne Recreation Ground junior parkrun, Arrive 8.50am for 9am. Children aged four to 14 can take part in the free weekly 2k event at the Recreation Ground on Anchor Road. Register before the first visit and take a scannable copy of the child's barcode; the junior parkrun listing has the current details.
Roadworks and Transport
Oxford Road closure continues through Thursday: Oxford Road in Calne remains scheduled to close through Thursday 30 July for Wessex Water work. Use an alternative route and allow extra time.
Heddington road closure runs through Friday: A Wessex Water closure in Heddington is recorded through Friday 31 July. Plan another route for journeys south-east of Calne.
Stanier Road closure now runs to 7 August: The Stanier Road closure in Calne is now recorded through 5pm on Friday 7 August. Continue to use an alternative route on the northern side of town.
Silver Street signals due next Thursday: Two-way temporary signals are scheduled on Silver Street in Calne from Thursday 6 to Friday 7 August for Wessex Water work. Allow extra time on town-centre journeys.
Planning Watch
Care home proposed for former Mill Street Co-op site: A full application proposes a 60-bed care home, seven assisted-living units, landscaping and parking on the former Co-op store site on Mill Street, Calne. The application was received on 27 July and is under consultation; read or comment on PL/2026/04365 in the Wiltshire Council register.