Inside Salisbury: The cost of SEND and John Major's visit to the city

Walking sports, the electoral roll and a real risk to dogs

By Annette J Beveridge

A free event celebrating inclusive, low-impact sport for all ages and abilities took place last week.

Participants could try out walking versions of sports including badminton, netball, football, rugby and tennis. There was also a chance to try an increasingly popular sport called Pickleball which combines table tennis, tennis and badminton plus the chance to get involved in Get Out Get Active (GOGA) sessions.

Derek, 76, attended the sports day and said: “An extremely well organised event offering a variety of walking sports so there was something for everyone to enjoy, whatever their ability. A very worthwhile and enjoyable day.”

The event was run by the Council’s Sports and Physical Activity team, with support from the Wiltshire FA, England Netball, the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), and Melksham RFC, who helped ensure the activities were engaging and accessible to everyone.

Cabinet Member for Communities, Engagement and Corporate Services, Councillor Mel Jacob, said: “I was really excited to go along to the event at Melksham. It was fantastic to see so many people getting involved, having fun, and discovering new ways to stay active. Walking sports are a brilliant way to stay fit, meet new people, and enjoy the benefits of sport in a supportive environment.

“We are keen to promote healthier lives and to support our residents to look after their mental and physical wellbeing. Our brilliant Sport and Physical Activity team helps to facilitate a growing number of walking sports and activities across Wiltshire every week – whether you are a seasoned player, recovering from an injury or just curious to try something new, please come and have a go! There is something for everyone.”

The event was open to disabled and non-disabled people of all ages, including those with long-term health conditions or mobility impairments, and anyone looking to try a new activity in a welcoming environment.

For further information about Walking Sports in Wiltshire, visit Wiltshire Council’s website.

Annual canvass to confirm the electoral register starts soon

The annual process of ensuring the electoral register is up to date is about to begin so that people in the county don’t lose their chance to vote.

This is a legal requirement for the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO), and the process runs from July to November. Data will be published on December 1, 2026.

Each household will receive at least one form of canvass communication (email, letter or form) seeking confirmation of who lives at the address, checking for eligibility to vote. Not all households will receive an email, letter or form at the same time but clear instructions will be included.

Wiltshire Electoral Registration Officer, Lucy Townsend, said: “The annual canvass is our way of making sure that the information on the electoral register for every address is accurate and up to date. As we’ve had two major elections in the past year, the register should be in a fairly good place, but this is a legal process we must follow, and I encourage people to respond as quickly as possible.

“People have a legal obligation to confirm their details, and when they receive an email or form, it’s a simple process. In addition, and separate to the canvass process, if anyone applied for a postal vote before 31 January 2024, then please do so again by 31 January 2026. Our records show that’s around fifty thousand postal voters, and it’s a quick and straightforward process for them to reapply for your postal vote online. Thanks to everyone for their support with this.”

People can apply for a postal vote by visiting https://www.gov.uk/apply-postal-vote.

Canvass emails will be sent from wiltshire.electoral.services@notifications.service.gov.uk

More details can be found by clicking here.

Blue-green algae risk to dogs

A bacteria found in lakes, ponds and rivers is highly toxic to dogs, and one pet charity is warning owners to be careful.

If a dog ingests even small amounts of blue-green algae, it can lead to dogs becoming ill or dying due to the toxic effects on the liver and neurological system.

Blue-green algae can increase, leading to dangerous algal blooms during periods of warm, sunny weather.

Senior Veterinary Surgeon at Dogs Trust, Charlie Matthias, said: “As temperatures continue to soar and water levels drop, there is a potential for an increase in blue-green algae, which poses a real threat to dogs. On hot days, it can be tempting to let your dog dip in your local lake or river to cool down, but blue-green algae can make your dog very sick, and in some cases, prove fatal if ingested even in small quantities.

“We’re urging all dog owners to avoid letting their dogs swim in or drink from lakes or rivers that look green, scummy, have surface foam or have warning signs nearby. Blue-green algae are not always easy to spot, so if in doubt, don’t let your dogs swim in or drink from the water. And, if you are walking your dog near water where blue algae have formed, keep them on a lead.”

Symptoms of blue-green algae poisoning can appear within minutes. Dogs may begin to vomit, or have diarrhoea, drooling, muscle tremors, seizures, breathing difficulties and may collapse.

If owners suspect their dog has been exposed, they should contact a vet immediately. Unfortunately, there is no antidote for the toxins produced by the blue-green algae, but if caught early enough, the vet may be able to flush the toxins out.

For more information and advice on keeping dogs safe this summer, visit the Dogs Trust website.

The rising cost of special educational needs and disabilities

New analysis reported that spending on home-to-school transport for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) is set to increase by approximately 200 per cent from the amount spent ten years ago.

The vast majority of expenditure was for pre-16 children and young people with SEND, with approximately £1.5 billion spent on home-to-school transport in 2023/24.