Marlborough - In-depth Local Info & News Around Wiltshire

Pewsey, Burbage Road, Wiltshire © Martin Bodman

Royal Wootton Bassett Town Hall, Wiltshire © Chris Downer

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Kingsbury Street, Marlborough. Marlborough sits in the Kennet valley on the old coaching route from London to the West. Kingsbury Street is one of two roads that lead up the hill out of Marlborough to the north. © Brian Robert Marshall

The Silver Curtain solution to the Russian illegal incursion into Ukraine

We have yet to hear of the ‘Silver Curtain’ two stage armistice solution to the Ukrainian conflict. It is very simple and non-violent and can be applied at any stage of any war.

Stage one:. When a violent incursion occurs a silver curtain of total predetermined economic, sporting and political sanctions drops down between the aggressor nation and the rest of the law abiding world.

Stage two: When the aggressor retreats to the previously defined border the curtain is raised. The lifting of the Silver curtain could also be subject to the full payment of reparations and any outstand war crime cases being heard in The Hague

Crucially the sanctions are applied unilaterally by the free world and would not be linked to any peace negotiations which may or may not be equitably to either party.

What is different from the present sanctions? Putin does not know that the Silver Curtain sanctions would continue into the peace and last until he retreats. Potentially this could go on decades or until the Russian people weary of him or them.

Surely war must never be allowed to pay. Aggressive expansionist nations such a Russia and China have to know that they cannot win a war in the long term.

Local BBC news for Wiltshire

Kids exposed to social media posts about violence and suicide

A BBC investigation sees 13-15-year-olds shown posts about knives, bullying and death.

'I thought the abuse was normal - he was my first proper boyfriend'

Lucy’s relationship was "like something out of a rom-com”, but quickly became abusive.

UK's 'first community foundation' celebrates 50 years

Wiltshire Community Foundation has raised more than £26.8m to help people in need.

Headlines: Burst pipes, roadworks and sinkholes

Our daily pick of stories from across local websites and interesting content from social media.

More Items

BBC Front Page News

Reeves says economy 'beginning to turn corner' as growth beats forecasts

The economy grew faster than expected between January and March, before UK and US tax rises were brought in during April.

Faisal Islam: The UK's surprisingly strong growth may not be temporary

These figures provide an opportune moment for some optimism and a hard sell of the UK to the rest of the world.

UK in talks to send failed asylum seekers abroad

Sir Keir Starmer wants to send asylum seekers overseas after their claims have been rejected in the UK.

British teen faces long jail wait for Georgia drug trial

Bella May Culley, 18, told a court hearing in Georgia that she is pregnant.

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AskTen - Nine things you may not have noticed last week

1. How to apply April Theory to reignite your goals. January isn’t always the best time to reset - April might be. April Theory, a trend that’s gained traction on TikTok, reframes spring as the real new year. It makes sense: the days are longer, energy is rising, and motivation starts to thaw. If you’re feeling ready to reorganise, recommit, or reimagine your goals, now’s the perfect moment. READ MORE

2. A legacy of compassion and courage. Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, passed away at the age of 88, leaving a lasting legacy of humility, compassion, and courageous leadership. Elected in 2013 as the first pope from the Americas and the first Jesuit pope, he brought a fresh, human touch to the papacy. Throughout his tenure, he championed the poor, promoted social justice, and made environmental stewardship a moral priority. His leadership, marked by simplicity and a focus on mercy over judgment, opened the Catholic Church to a more inclusive and compassionate future. Pope Francis urged dialogue across faiths and cultures and confronted global challenges with courage and grace. In a time of division and uncertainty, he remained a powerful voice for peace, dignity, and hope. His influence extended far beyond the Church and will continue to shape the world for generations to come. Editor

3. IMF slashes UK growth forecast. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has lowered its forecast for UK economic growth in 2025, cutting it from 1.6% to 1.1%. The downgrade comes amid growing concerns about a potential global trade war and rising inflation, which the IMF says pose serious threats to the UK economy. In addition to the UK revision, the IMF also reduced its global growth forecast by 0.5 percentage points to 2.8%, citing uncertainty over current U.S. trade policies. Despite the downgrade, Chancellor Rachel Reeves pointed out that the UK is still expected to be the fastest-growing G7 economy in Europe next year. Sky News

4. Europe’s workers are disengaged. UK workers are among the saddest and most disengaged in Europe, a new survey by Gallup finds. Northern Cyprus (35%) took the top spot for workers who reported daily feelings of sadness in the 2025 State of the Global Workplace report, followed by the UK (26%) in second and Portugal (23%) in third. Ireland (21%) and Italy (21%) rounded out the top five. Just 7% of Croatian employees said they felt engaged at work, while France (8%), Spain (9%), Ireland (9%) and the UK (10%) also featured towards the bottom of the rankings. Gallup

5. Does it still pay to work 9–5? For decades, the 9–5 workday was seen as the foundation of a stable, successful career. Hard work, overtime, and loyalty to an employer were often rewarded with promotions, security, and status. But times are changing. Many Gen Z employees are pushing back against traditional expectations, saying no to overtime, and embracing “quiet quitting” — doing their job well, but refusing to sacrifice their personal time. They prioritise balance, well-being, and flexibility over climbing the corporate ladder at all costs. In a world where technology enables remote work and new career paths, does the old 9–5 model still pay off? Or are new ways of working now the smarter path to success and happiness? We’d love to know what you think in this week’s poll. VOTE HERE

6. How are your New Year’s goals holding up? At TEN LTD, we believe leadership isn’t about how you start - it’s about how you finish. Back on 31 January, we shared 10 ways leaders stay on track with their goals. If your Q1 review shows you’re off course, don’t worry - this is the perfect time to reset and recommit. The ten leadership habits still apply, such as focus on systems, not just outcomes, reconnect with your purpose, celebrate small wins, adjust without drama, and more. Great leadership is built in moments like this - not when it’s easy, but when it’s necessary. We know first-hand: energy fades, distractions creep in, but the leaders who stick to the plan - and keep adapting - are the ones who win the long game. You can revisit the full article here: READ MORE

7. Word’s busiest international airports. London's Heathrow was the world's second busiest international airport in 2024, handling 79.2 million passengers, a 5.7% increase from the previous year, according to Airports Council International. Amsterdam's Schiphol ranked fifth, with 66.8 million passengers, followed by Paris, Charles de Gaulle on 64.5 million. Dubai International Airport maintained its position as the world's busiest for international travel in 2024, handling 92.3 million passengers. Including domestic travel, Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson in the US was the world's busiest, recording 108.1 million passengers. The report noted a strong global travel rebound, with total passenger traffic rising 9% to 9.5 billion, surpassing pre-pandemic levels by 3.8%. CBS

8. Cancellations up, prices up, spirits down. It’s been a rough ride for Britain’s rail passengers - or rather, a rough wait on the platform. New figures from the Office of Rail and Road reveal that train cancellations have jumped 13% year-on-year, with a staggering 384,000 services partly or fully cancelled in the 12 months to April. That’s over 1,000 trains a day that just didn’t fancy turning up. Adding insult to injury, March saw ticket prices rise by 4.6%, meaning commuters are now paying more for the privilege of going absolutely nowhere. Rail bosses assure us they’re working hard to improve the service - presumably by cancelling trains even faster. With figures like these, it’s starting to feel like the only thing arriving on time these days is passenger frustration. Editor

9. Britons still judging accents. Turns out, it’s not what you say - it’s how you say it. A new YouGov poll of almost 5,000 adults found that 68% of Britons believe a person’s accent impacts how they’re treated and the opportunities they get. One in five reckons it makes a “great deal” of difference, while a plucky 4% live in a fantasy land where accents don’t matter at all. As someone who once endured Royal Navy elocution lessons before being unleashed on the fleet flagship, I can confirm: the right vowels can open doors - or at least stop them being slammed in your face. One moment you’re shouting “Aye aye!” like a pirate, the next you’re suavely requesting “more vol-au-vents on the quarterdeck.” So if you ever wonder why life feels like an uphill struggle, it might just be your Rs, not your CV. Editor

10. The bottom line. Government borrowing for the year ending in March hit £151.9bn, the Office for National Statistics said, nearly £15bn above forecasts. It is an increase of £20.9bn from the year before. Borrowing for March also slightly overshot expectations. UK public debt now stands at 95.8% of GDP, levels not seen since the 1960s. BBC