The Town's Origins
Calne is a town steeped in history. It was established by the Wessex Kings in the Dark Ages, when the landscape around was already ancient, studded with prehistoric burial mounds and the stone circle temple of Avebury, barely eight miles away.
The name "Calne" is said to be of Celtic origin - "Col-aun" meaning a "meeting of waters". The River Marden and Abberd Brook meet in the centre of town, but nothing appears to be known of any Celtic settlement on the site. The historical significance of the town is confirmed in early records of a meeting of the "Witan", the chiefs of the nation, in 978 AD, which is recorded in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. The Domesday Book entry for Calne uses the name "Cauna" to describe the town. So, although the origins of the name of Calne remain shrouded in mystery, it is verified that Calne is the site of a very old settlement.
Industrial History
The woollen industry played a major part in Calne's fortunes between the 14th and 19th centuries and the origins of many of the older buildings in the town can be traced back to this period of prosperity.
However, Calne fell on hard times in the 1800's with the decline of the clothing industry, but rescue came in the unlikely form of Irish pigs that were driven through the town on the way to the London market. An enterprising local family, the Harris's developed a revolutionary curing method for bacon (The Wiltshire Cure) and, as their success grew, the town developed.
This firm had a major impact on Calne which lasts to this day. Internationaly famous as bacon curers, pork pie and sausage manufacturers, Harris's was eventually recognised by Royal Appointment. The firm expanded during the early part of the 20th century, eventually dominating the town both physically and economically. Economic success and industrial dominance had some negative impacts, particularly on the built environment. Some of Calne's oldest and most beautiful buildings were demolished in the 1920's to make way for the enormous Harris factory buidlings.
Other firms developed within the town in the era when many quaint country towns had their own industries. Prominent amongst Calne's industries was the Maundrell foundry, which specialised in agricultural machinery and processing equipment for all of the Harris factories.
In 1983 the Harris Company closed the large factories which had dominated the town as employers and architecturally for over 200 years. This left a void in the town's physical fabric and its social heart, since Harris's, as the major employer, had also provided many social and recreational facilities.
This was a traumatic period in the history of the town, especially following the local government reorganisation, which led to most decision-making being moved to the nearby town of Chippenham. However, as its history shows, Calne has had to overcome major changes before and will do so again. The removal of the Harris factory has opened up new views of the old town, emphasising the chalk steam of the River Marden, and views of the church. Calne now has the unique opportunity to re-plan a large section of its centre. This is being achieved by local people, and the local councils being involved with developers to ensure an attractive new heart to this ancient town.
Calne People, Places & Events
On occasions this quiet town has been brought within the mainstream of national history, often through larger than life personalities. Such was St Edmund, Calne's rector who was declared Archbishop of Canterbury whilst in Calne. Another connection with wider social history is John Pym, who was a major figure in the events that led up to the Civil War; he was the town's MP for a time. At nearby Bowood House the Dutch physician Ingen Housz furthered his research into photosynthesis - an event of worldwide significance and Joseph Priestley, who discovered oxygen, carried out some of his experiments in Doctor's Pond near the centre of the town.
Calne achieved further prominence through personalities such as the Fifth Marquess of Lansdowne of nearby Bowood, a significant figure in national politics and, more unusually through Walter Goodall George, who held the world record for over 30 years for mile distance running.
Calne's large and beautiful church, St Mary's Church is a legacy of the medieval prosperity of the town. By the 12th century Calne was the focus of a significant woollen industry and some of the fine clothiers houses and evidence of factories remain around The Green.
As the pace of life quickened, Calne became more closely connected to the outside world, for instance through the building of a branch of the Wilts and Berks Canal. This branch of the canal was completed in 1802 and remained open until about 1900. The Wharf still remains and part of the canal has been recently cleaned out to create an attractive feature on the edge of town.
Calne's story is not a spectacular one, but is really the story of a typical Wiltshire or Downland town, with its agricultural market and services, early textile industry, later service and food processing industries and social life. It is a unique mix of activity, which has influenced how the town has developed and is reflected in the life of its community in the past and today.
