Welcome to Wilton

All things Wilton,
in one place.

“Wilton Town Council is dedicated to honouring our rich past, while actively looking to the future to ensure a vibrant and prosperous community for everyone.”
From the Mayor

Quick links

News and Events

What's on in Wilton

View All Events

Latest from our Instagram

🧵 Tuesday Trivia 🧵

We all know Wilton is famous for its carpets, but do you know how it all began?

Weaving at Wilton was originally a cottage industry in a wool-producing area of the country.

In 1699, William III granted a charter to The Clothiers and Weavers of Wilton, decreeing that only those who had served a seven year apprenticeship could trade within four miles of the town. At least 37 Wilton weavers and 25 weavers from the surrounding neighbourhood entered the fellowship in 1699, with the Rays, the Glides, and the Tarrants amongst the more important of these weaving families.

In 1741, Henry, 9th Earl of Pembroke, brought two French carpet weavers to Wilton to teach local weavers their craft.

By 1810, there were 69 weavers living within the Parish of Wilton, plus a number of supporting trades. The leading clothiers of the town were the Townsends, the Haywards and the Randalls.

The industry survived the revival of French competition after 1815, and in 1825 bought out the rival Axminster line. The failure of the private carpet manufacturers in 1904 was followed by the founding of the Wilton Royal Carpet Factory with the assistance of Lord Pembroke, so that Wilton retained its pre-eminence in the 20th century, and its name is still a byword in the carpet industry. Wilton carpets feature in palaces, cruise liners and luxury hotels all over the world.

But, do you know how those French carpet weavers were smuggled into Wilton in 1741?

0 0
Open post by wiltontowncouncil with ID 18135287197719549
🧵 Tuesday Trivia 🧵 We all know Wilton is famous for its carpets, but do you know how it all began? Weaving at Wilton was originally a cottage industry in a wool-producing area of the country. In 1699, William III granted a charter to The Clothiers and Weavers of Wilton, decreeing that only those who had served a seven year apprenticeship could trade within four miles of the town. At least 37 Wilton weavers and 25 weavers from the surrounding neighbourhood entered the fellowship in 1699, with the Rays, the Glides, and the Tarrants amongst the more important of these weaving families. In 1741, Henry, 9th Earl of Pembroke, brought two French carpet weavers to Wilton to teach local weavers their craft. By 1810, there were 69 weavers living within the Parish of Wilton, plus a number of supporting trades. The leading clothiers of the town were the Townsends, the Haywards and the Randalls. The industry survived the revival of French competition after 1815, and in 1825 bought out the rival Axminster line. The failure of the private carpet manufacturers in 1904 was followed by the founding of the Wilton Royal Carpet Factory with the assistance of Lord Pembroke, so that Wilton retained its pre-eminence in the 20th century, and its name is still a byword in the carpet industry. Wilton carpets feature in palaces, cruise liners and luxury hotels all over the world. But, do you know how those French carpet weavers were smuggled into Wilton in 1741?

🪦 Cemetery Improvements Underway 👷‍♂️

The first stage of our planned improvements to the Cemetery on Shaftesbury Road are well underway.

Our contractor is levelling the ground in the Garden of Remembrance using soil from the spoil heap, and has uncovered the old boundary wall from the cemetery. Work will continue to clear and level the garden before a new boundary fence is installed.

The next stages will include installing drainage in the Garden of Remembrance, to help prevent subsidence along the southern perimeter, renewing the iron railings and entrance to the garden and refreshing the planting.

The works will then move on to improving the pathways across the rest of the Cemetery.

We apologise for the increase in noise during the works. The Cemetery remains open to visitors, but please take care around the site as equipment is moved, and follow any instructions and signage for your own safety.

#YourCouncil #WorkingforWilton

1 0
Open post by wiltontowncouncil with ID 18403465252089044
🪦 Cemetery Improvements Underway 👷‍♂️ The first stage of our planned improvements to the Cemetery on Shaftesbury Road are well underway. Our contractor is levelling the ground in the Garden of Remembrance using soil from the spoil heap, and has uncovered the old boundary wall from the cemetery. Work will continue to clear and level the garden before a new boundary fence is installed. The next stages will include installing drainage in the Garden of Remembrance, to help prevent subsidence along the southern perimeter, renewing the iron railings and entrance to the garden and refreshing the planting. The works will then move on to improving the pathways across the rest of the Cemetery. We apologise for the increase in noise during the works. The Cemetery remains open to visitors, but please take care around the site as equipment is moved, and follow any instructions and signage for your own safety. #YourCouncil #WorkingforWilton

🚶 Join the Mayor for the Midnight Walk 🚶‍♀️

On Saturday September 19th, the Mayor of Wilton, Cllr Chris Harrison, will be taking part in the Midnight Walk for Salisbury Hospice.

The Hospice`s Sponsor a Nurse campaign was selected as the Mayor`s Charity of the Year for this Mayoral year.

As darkness falls, the streets of Salisbury will be lit up in memory, in honour and in celebration of loved ones, all while raising vital funds for Salisbury Hospice.

If you would like to walk with the Mayor, and other Town Councillors, you can choose from a 6 or 10 mile route, starting and finishing at Five Rivers Leisure Centre. The walk is open to everyone aged 12 and over and even your four-legged friends are welcome to join!

This year’s theme is wings and sparkles; choose your outfit and glowing accessories and walk side by side with friends, family and Wilton Town Councillors in an atmosphere filled with light, laughter and reflection.

Start your evening at the glitter stations, add a heartfelt message to a memory star, and enjoy the warm-up party under the night sky before setting off. This meaningful and uplifting sponsored walk helps make a real difference to the many families cared for by Salisbury Hospice.

Cllr Harrison says "I`m stepping out under the stars to help ensure everyone in our community has access to the exceptional care the Hospice provides. Every step I take and every donation you give, makes a difference. Your support helps ensure that no one has to face the end of life alone".

You can sponsor the Mayor, or sign-up to walk with him, by visiting
https://salisburyhospicecharity.enthuse.com/pf/chris-harrison

0 0
Open post by wiltontowncouncil with ID 18146682049544056
🚶 Join the Mayor for the Midnight Walk 🚶‍♀️ On Saturday September 19th, the Mayor of Wilton, Cllr Chris Harrison, will be taking part in the Midnight Walk for Salisbury Hospice. The Hospice's Sponsor a Nurse campaign was selected as the Mayor's Charity of the Year for this Mayoral year. As darkness falls, the streets of Salisbury will be lit up in memory, in honour and in celebration of loved ones, all while raising vital funds for Salisbury Hospice. If you would like to walk with the Mayor, and other Town Councillors, you can choose from a 6 or 10 mile route, starting and finishing at Five Rivers Leisure Centre. The walk is open to everyone aged 12 and over and even your four-legged friends are welcome to join! This year’s theme is wings and sparkles; choose your outfit and glowing accessories and walk side by side with friends, family and Wilton Town Councillors in an atmosphere filled with light, laughter and reflection. Start your evening at the glitter stations, add a heartfelt message to a memory star, and enjoy the warm-up party under the night sky before setting off. This meaningful and uplifting sponsored walk helps make a real difference to the many families cared for by Salisbury Hospice. Cllr Harrison says "I'm stepping out under the stars to help ensure everyone in our community has access to the exceptional care the Hospice provides. Every step I take and every donation you give, makes a difference. Your support helps ensure that no one has to face the end of life alone". You can sponsor the Mayor, or sign-up to walk with him, by visiting https://salisburyhospicecharity.enthuse.com/pf/chris-harrison

🔋 Have the Weeks of Heat Drained your Battery? 🔋

🔌 Recharge yourself at the Health & Wellness Event at Wilton Village this weekend.

Hosted By Wilton Village & Our Local Market

Featuring:
👩‍⚕️ Health, wellbeing and lifestyle traders
🧘‍♀️ Fitness, yoga and holistic therapy providers
🥗 Healthy food and drink vendors
🧼 Handmade, natural and sustainable products
🎤 Acoustic musicians and relaxed live entertainment to create the perfect atmosphere

Pop down to Wilton Village between 10am & 4pm on Sunday 23rd August to unwind.

1 0
Open post by wiltontowncouncil with ID 17944019592294609
🔋 Have the Weeks of Heat Drained your Battery? 🔋 🔌 Recharge yourself at the Health & Wellness Event at Wilton Village this weekend. Hosted By Wilton Village & Our Local Market Featuring: 👩‍⚕️ Health, wellbeing and lifestyle traders 🧘‍♀️ Fitness, yoga and holistic therapy providers 🥗 Healthy food and drink vendors 🧼 Handmade, natural and sustainable products 🎤 Acoustic musicians and relaxed live entertainment to create the perfect atmosphere Pop down to Wilton Village between 10am & 4pm on Sunday 23rd August to unwind.