It’s never been easier to discover Calne’s thriving past with the installation of six new maps around the town’s Heritage Quarter. Each of the six maps contains site-specific information and historical photographs, offering readers a glimpse into the past of each location
Produced in collaboration between Calne Heritage Centre, Calne Town Council and community tourism group Calne Our Place, the maps are designed to encourage both visitors and residents to step off the beaten track and explore Calne’s historic streets and parks.
Sue Boddington, curator of Calne Heritage Centre, describes “We hope these attractive and informative maps placed in strategic locations will help visitors and residents to understand and appreciate the town’s long and fascinating history and stimulate a desire to visit the Heritage Centre, with its wealth of photographs and information, to discover more.”
The maps can be found on interpretation boards outside Calne Heritage Centre and on The Green, as well as in bus stops on the High Street, The Pippin and either side of The Strand. Funded by grants from Wiltshire Council through Calne Area Board and Calne Chamber of Commerce, the maps also feature the location of Calne’s Blue Plaques and points of interest with the Heritage Quarter.
Calne Heritage Quarter was delineated 18 months ago by community tourism group Calne Our Place. The quarter is one of a number of the group’s initiatives to raise the town’s profile as a place to visit, as Claire Selman, Calne Town Council Publicity & Promotions Officer, describes. “Calne benefits from a huge amount of volunteer support in the promotion of the town, with Calne Our Place working on a number of exciting projects to attract people to the area such as the development of the A4 as a tourist trail. There are plenty of ways to get involved, like ‘Calne Our Place’ on Facebook to get in touch or contact myself at Calne Town Council on 01249 814000.”
Calne Heritage Centre is free to visit and open Wednesdays to Saturdays 10am to 4pm and Sundays 2pm to 4pm. Learn more about the town’s past with a programme of walks, talks and events during Calne Heritage Week from the 5th to 11th September.