Skip to content

Wiltshire in pictures: Bird life and art hunt

Matt Prior A small bird being held in an outstretched hand - brown and green feathers with a sheen and a few black long, curly feathers coming off the back of it's head.Matt Prior
A conservation group has been ringing lapwings in Wiltshire

Wiltshire this week has once again had its fair share of animal-related news - whether it's keeping an eye on rare birds, or the less appealing rat infestation.

There has also been a £50,000 reward put out for paintings and the story of a "guardian angel".

Bird ringing: The Space for Nature group on the Marlborough Downs put rings on six lapwing birds this week as part of a conservation project to help the species that has been in decline.

Scott Barker A harnessed black shire horse pulling a Wadworth cart in front of The Crown pubScott Barker
Wadworth's shire horses will not be returning to Devizes as the brewery has said it is no longer financially viable to use them

A sad goodbye: Wadworth brewery in Devizes has confirmed that its famous shire horses will not be returning to deliver beer to pubs locally. They are well-known around the town, but despite receiving planning permission for new stables, the company has said keeping the horses is no longer financially viable.

Henry Orlik A grainy image of Henry Orlik when younger in a red shirt standing next to one of his surreal artworks, depicting a warped pair of sunglasses.Henry Orlik
Henry Orlik, 78, is desperate to get his missing artwork back

£50k reward: A reclusive artist from Swindon whose works made £1.6m just last year is offering a reward for the return off dozens - possibly hundreds - of his artworks. Henry Orlik, 78, was evicted from a social housing flat in London in 2022 while he was in hospital, which is when they went missing. He is now back at his childhood home in Swindon, where others were stored.

Woolley & Wallis A mask depicting a stylised version of a human face - there is a small smile, narrow eyes and dots pressed into surface which go in a horse-show shape where eyebrows would be and are all under the nose.Woolley & Wallis
This 20th Century mask went for more than 300 times its estimate at auction in Salisbury

Auction surprise: Salisbury auctioneers Woolley & Wallis sold a mid-20th Century Kwele mask from Gabon this week for more than 300 times its expected price. It was estimated at £300 - £500 but actually went for £107,100.

Ascend Learning Trust Close-up of a teenagers hand holding a gold medal saying 'The Great ALT 2025 Bake Off, Star Baker'Ascend Learning Trust
Pupils were tasked with a technical round of a coffee and walnut battenburg cake

Culinary Challenge: A Wiltshire learning trust has revealed its top cooks after a Bake Off style competition. The Ascend Learning Trust Bake Off involved several schools as pupils made their own signature dish and were tasked with a technical round of a coffee and walnut battenberg cake.

Four women standing together, all looking into the camera and smiling. All have long hair, two wearing hoodies, one a T-shirt, another a dress.
Michelle Minaides is returning to the ring to fight on the same card as her three daughters, Tilly, Belle and Flick

A family affair: This weekend a Chippenham woman and her three daughters are all competing in the same boxing ring in Swindon. Michelle Minaides, who has won six titles, is fighting on the same card as daughters Tilly, Belle and Flick.

Inez Szczepanska A large group of medical staff holding balloon letters spelling good, all looking at the camera, most wearing medical scrubs.Inez Szczepanska
Chief nursing officer Judy Dyos with the maternity team at Salisbury District Hospital

Hospital celebrations: The maternity services team at Salisbury District Hospital - which delivers more than 2,000 babies a year - has been celebrating after receiving a 'good' rating from the Care Quality Commission which is an improvement on their previous assessment.

Wiltshire Council A number of people stand in a large room that is undergoing construction work. They are all wearing hi-vis clothing and hard hats. Wiltshire Council
Wiltshire Council has been revealing the behind the scenes work on improvements to leisure centres

Leisure improvements: Wiltshire Council has said it will soon be confirming when it will be re-opening parts of leisure centres in Marlborough and Warminster which are both undergoing big changes to the fitness suites.

Follow BBC Wiltshire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.

More picture round-ups