Salisbury poisonings: Special service to mark fifth anniversary

Salisbury’s Annual Charter Service is taking place on Sunday, March 5 at 10.15am as part of Charter Sunday and residents are welcome to attend.

The service will celebrate the signing of the Salisbury Charter in 1227 and the links between Council, Church and the wider community and will take place at St Thomas and St Edmund’s, Church.

It is open to the public and Salisbury’s Mayor and City Councillors will also be attending.

This years’ service coincides with the fifth anniversary of the Salisbury incident.

Former Russian spy Sergei Skripal, his daughter Yulia and police officer Nick Bailey were poisoned with Novichok in Salisbury on March 4 2018.

Dawn Sturgess and Charlie Rowley fell ill at a flat in Muggleton Road in Amesbury in June. Ms Sturgess later died. 

The evidence sessions as part of the inquiry into Ms Sturgess's death are due to be held in Salisbury and London this year.

A preliminary hearing will be held at 10.30am on March 24 at the Royal Courts of Justice in London.

The city council said: "This will offer an opportunity for remembrance and reflection on those events that happened in 2018, while focusing on how the city has grown together, got stronger, and has progressed on from the many incidents it has encountered over the years."

As part of Charter Sunday, the Mayor and City Councillors will process from Salisbury Guildhall at 10am to St. Thomas’ Church for the annual service which will mark 796 years since the Charter was signed.

If you are unable to attend, the service will also be livestreamed and can be viewed here on the day: https://www.youtube.com/@stthomasschurchsalisbury8072/streams   

The council added: "The history of the Charter is a fascinating and ancient story; New Sarum was made a City by King Henry III in 1227 by a Charter confirming the relocation of the cathedral from Sarisberie and establishing the Charter Market and the annual Charter Fair – both of which remain an vibrant part of the City’s life."