Eight year old violinist Ciara Parker-Northeast has again won several trophies at the Devizes Eisteddfod, impressing the judges with the excellent performance of one so young.

Ciara won the William Dauncey Cup for the best
junior performer and the Michael Oliver Cup for
the best string solo for the under 18s, for
the third year in succession.

Ciara who attends Southfield School also plays the piano and recorder. Last November Ciara gained Grade 3 Violin with distinction and in December was accepted into the NCO (National Children’s Orchestra of Great Britain – a training orchestra).

The Christmas period was a very busy one for Ciara as she played with the Warneford School Orchestra at a concert, the Southfield School Carol Service and at Avebury Carol Service.
Ciara who is supervised by her mother, Marcia, an experienced musician, very much enjoys her music, and hopes to be a professional musician one day.

Mair Huband

After many years caring for Highworth gardens, well known local Eric Livall has decided to hang up his trusty shears and to retire from his gardening round.

Eric originally worked on the family farm at
Pentylands in partnership with his brother. However,
due to the unfortunate death of his first wife, and
with two small daughters to care for, working seven
days a week on the farm proved to be difficult.
Taking on local gardening work fitted around
bringing up the girls, and as they grew Eric was
able to establish himself in the local area.

Throughout his gardening years, Eric has tidied many Highworth garden beds, pruned trees and mowed lawns. But, if Eric is retiring who will look after your gardens?
Local gardener, John Nicholls, has known and worked with Eric since his teenage years, doing odd jobs over the summer months. Along with being a qualified tree surgeon, John’s business, Nicholls & Son, provides a variety of garden services. John says, “Eric contacted my parents, mentioned he was retiring and offered me the opportunity to take over his business.”

So to all “Eric’s Ladies”: you can be sure your gardens will be as beautifully cared for by John as they were by Eric. And, Eric isn’t really retiring because he has recently been presented with two grandchildren who will no doubt keep him busy, and he has his own beautiful garden to look after...