The key events of 2021 in Salisbury

January

• As the UK vaccination programme began, Salisbury Cathedral was transformed into a vaccination centre, marking the start of the vaccine rollout in the city. Patients turning up for their appointment at the GP-led site were treated to music from the Father Willis organ.
• Salisbury City Hall reopened as a large-scale vaccination site, operating seven days a week to administer Covid vaccines to thousands of patients. It is south Wiltshire's largest site and remains operational to this date to give out first, second and booster doses.
• A third lockdown was announced across the UK, meaning non-essential retail and hospitality venues had to close once again to curb the spread of coronavirus. Household mixing was also banned and pupils went back to home learning.

Vaccinations at Salisbury Cathedral. Picture by Spencer Mulholland  

February

• Judge Keith Cutler CBE retired after nearly 50 years. In his remarkable career, the Salisbury judge presided over murder trials, sat on the Court of Appeal and was even mistakenly called up for jury service. Following his retirement, Judge Angela Morris was appointed as Recorder of Winchester.
• Salisbury District Hospital reached a "sad and sobering" milestone in its fight against Covid-19 as the death toll since the start of the pandemic reached 200 people.
• Prime Minister Boris Johnson unveiled the government's roadmap out of lockdown, a four-stage plan detailing what businesses could reopen when. The plan set out a gradual return to normality.

March

• A dedicated healthcare worker came out of retirement to help her former colleagues at Salisbury District Hospital fight the coronavirus pandemic. Speech Therapist Kiereen Lock who started working at the hospital in 1969 said it was a "privilege" to return to the Speech and Language Department on a part-time basis after more than 50 years.
• Salisbury's miracle girl turned 18 years old. Chloe Evens was born at 27 weeks weighing only 1lb 6.5oz. At the time, her parents Paul and Sharon didn't even know if she was going to make it.
• Pagans who entered a restricted area at Stonehenge to "sing, charge crystals and touch the stones" to practise their religious beliefs lost a High Court bid to have their convictions overturned. 

Kiereen Lock

April

• Salisbury and the wider Wiltshire area paid tribute to Prince Philip after his death was announced by Buckingham Palace. The Duke of Edinburgh had last visited the city with Her Majesty the Queen on May 1, 2012 as part of their Diamond Jubilee celebrations. MP John Glen described Prince Philip as "a tireless servant to the nation".
• A sculpture named Turning Point was installed in the Guildhall Square. It was gifted to the city by artist John Maine. However, it cost the city council more than £13,000 to install.
• Shops, hairdressers, beer gardens and gyms reopened after the third lockdown. The city was buzzing as businesses reopened on April 12, with queues outside barber shops and beer gardens packed with punters. 

Turning Point. Picture by Spencer Mulholland

May 

• The Conservative Party lost overall control of Salisbury City Council at the local elections. The leaders of all four parties came together to lead the council. However, the Conservative leader, Cllr Charles McGrath, later pulled out claiming the council needed an Opposition.
• Jonathon Seed, the Conservative candidate for Wiltshire and Swindon Police and Crime Commissioner, was disqualified after winner the election due to a historic conviction for drink driving. The election was re-run in August and Conservative candidate Philip Wilkinson was elected.
• Salisbury councillor Richard Clewer became leader of Wiltshire Council, having previously served as deputy leader. It follows Cllr Philip Whitehead's decision to return to the backbenches. 

The election count at Five Rivers

June 

• Emergency services were called out to Winchester Street after a fire broke out in the toilets inside McDonald's. Police later confirmed it was arson but no arrest was ever made.
• MP for Devizes Danny Kruger was fined more than £100 after his dog caused a stampede of 200 deer in a London park. In a statement on his website, Mr Kruger said he apologised "profusely" to the park rangers after the incident, which took place on March 20.
• A family was left with nothing after a fire destroyed their home in Bishopstone. A fundraiser was set up to help Jamie Lodge, her husband Dom and their two children. The home of a neighbouring family was also damaged by the blaze.

Emergency services outside McDonald's. Picture by Spencer Mulholland

July 

• Hundreds flocked to Salisbury Rugby Club to witness the official unveiling of the new Secret Spitfire Memorial. The monument recognises the residents who engineered and constructed the fast fighter/interceptor MK-9 Spitfire aircraft in secret – in their homes, sheds, a bus depot and a hotel – to help defend Britain during the Second World War. 
• Football fans were in tears after England lost to Italy in the Euro 2020 final. Hundreds had taken to the streets to celebrate as England reached its first final since 1966. However, Gareth Southgate's men failed to lift the trophy after losing a penalty shoot-out. 
• A High Court judge ruled that the decision to approve the A303 Stonehenge tunnel was unlawful. It's the outcome of a judicial review into the dual carriageway and short tunnel through the World Heritage Site, which had been given the green light by Transport Secretary Grant Shapps in November last year.

The Spitfire Memorial. Picture by Spencer Mulholland

August 

• A Shrewton cat who can sense when her owner is about to suffer a seizure was named the Most Caring Cat in a national cat award. Penelope Farthing, an eight-year-old moggy, was chosen as the winner in the caring cat category of the Cat Protection's National Cat Awards 2021.
• Fashion designer Dame Zandra Rhodes visited Salisbury Museum for the official opening of the new fashion gallery. The collection included a wide selection of fashion items ranging from a girl’s pretty red coat made from her father’s military tunic worn during the Boer War, to gentlemen’s silk waistcoats worn at court, and a skirt and bodice from Christian Dior’s 1950 Ligne Long collection.
• Street art mysteriously appeared in Salisbury, leaving residents wonder who was behind the pretty designs. A Banksy-inspired bird and fish design appeared along the Town Path and a few weeks later, a girl holding a camera was spotted on the wall of Framemakers in Butcher Row. It sparked a debate over whether graffiti should be allowed in the city.

Hendog's street art

September 

• The newly-elected Police and Crime Commissioner for Swindon and Wiltshire announced his plans to open a new police station in Salisbury. Conservative candidate Philip Wilkinson was elected after the PCC contest had to be rerun. 
• A conservation project started at Stonehenge to ensure the historic site can "stand the test of time". English Heritage said it is one of the most significant conservation projects on the 4500-year-old structure in more than 60 years. 
• A shortage of lorry drivers caused some petrol stations across Salisbury to run out of fuel – a problem worsened by a spate of panic buying. Issues with supply continued for a couple of weeks. In the midst of the crisis, some garages had to shut as they were completely out. 

Shell at Waitrose

October 

• Salisbury Cathedral hosted the 30th anniversary of the girls choir on October 9. More than 80 former and current girl choristers, along with adult singers and the South Bank Sinfonia, performed a Gala Concert to an audience of around 900 people. 
• A new nature centre built in memory of teenager Cameron Bespolka was opened. Cameron’s Cottage is based at the RSPB Franchises Lodge nature reserve near Nomansland.
• Two passenger trains crashed in Salisbury. A Great Western Railway service from Portsmouth Harbour to Bristol Temple Meads collided with a South Western Railway service from London Waterloo to Honiton. The incident happened at around 6.45pm on October 31 at a junction approaching the Fisherton Tunnel. The impact of the collision caused carriages to come off the tracks. 

The double train crash

November

• An investigation was launched after two passenger trains crashed near the Fisherton Tunnel. Thirteen passengers were taken to Salisbury District Hospital where they received treatment for minor injuries. The driver of the South Western Railway train was more seriously injured. The investigation so far suggests that the cause was almost certainly low adhesion.
• The beauty of the world and universe was explored at Salisbury Cathedral, with a light and music spectacle. 'Sarum Lights: Heaven and Earth' was created by artist Peter Walker and composer David Harper, of Luxmuralis. 
• Asda announced plans to develop land off Hampton Park in Salisbury, bringing a £20million store to the area if approved. The news was welcomed by some. However, there are concerns over traffic.

Sarum Lights at Salisbury Cathedral. Picture by Tom Gregory

December

• Fundraisers for Naomi House & Jacksplace turned out in force for Salisbury's first Santa Fun Run. The event started outside Salisbury Cathedral. More than 60 runners took part dressed in Santa outfits. Those taking part did a 5k walk, run or even skip which took them around the city before finishing back at the cathedral.
• Wiltshire Council announced that it is considering permanently closing Queen Street, the street next to Guildhall Square, to vehicles. Closing the street would allow pedestrians to walk safely along the road at all times, the council says.
• Nearly 10,000 vaccine doses were administered at Salisbury's Covid-19 vaccination centre in just seven days, following the launch of the booster rollout. Since December 13, the former City Hall site has ramped up its booster offering, as part of a countrywide effort to invite everyone eligible to a third jab by the end of the year.

Queen Street, Salisbury. Picture by Spencer Mulholland

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