Wiltshire Highlights: Royal Visit, Storm Impact, and Local Events

Prince William, the Prince of Wales, visited Salisbury Plain on Tuesday to observe the Welsh Guards’ readiness for operational deployment. Extensive flooding led to significant disruption throughout the county from Sunday through Monday. Additionally, the National Trust’s Mompesson House in Salisbury is offering a “fairytale” experience for young attendees. The following presents a collection of images from various locations in Wiltshire captured this week. Prince William, serving as Colonel of the Welsh Guards, toured the training facility, where he was presented with various armaments, including compact drones. According to the battalion’s senior operator, Prince William’s handling was deemed “good,” with the operator further remarking that the Prince “could be trained up.” Keeper Ian Turner photographed four rare Amur tiger cubs as they traversed a road in single file at the safari park under the winter sun. These cubs, born in May to mum Yana and dad Red, signify that Longleat now houses the largest population of tigers under human care in the United Kingdom. Storm Bert impacted Wiltshire this week, delivering over 80% of November’s typical monthly rainfall within a span of under 48 hours. Following the River Avon overflowing its banks, numerous communities, including Melksham, Chippenham, and Bradford-on-Avon, confronted significant clean-up efforts. Employees at Dible and Roy, carpet retailers in Bradford-on-Avon, anticipated an arduous night on Monday subsequent to the flooding. A Little Egret was observed in Swindon, Wiltshire, on Tuesday, seemingly undisturbed by the floodwaters. In Swindon, dozens of trees and shrubs were planted this week as part of the ongoing Bus Boulevard initiative. This £33m project intends to provide the town with a more environmentally friendly, aesthetically pleasing, and practical bus station, with completion now projected for summer 2025, 12 months behind its original schedule. At the National Trust’s Mompesson House within Salisbury’s Cathedral Close, young guests will experience a “fairytale” Victorian-era Christmas. The themed decorated rooms feature concepts such as Cinderella’s grand ball, the Snow Queen, and the Princess and the Pea. Lastly, Longleat visitors can anticipate enchanting decorations across the estate, offering a festive “journey through time.” For updates, follow BBC Wiltshire on Facebook, X, and Instagram. Story submissions can be sent via email or WhatsApp at 0800 313 4630. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content of external websites. Information regarding our approach to external linking is available.