The Rising Sun Memorial

The Rising Sun Memorial Community Interest Company have been granted the chance to purchase the site of the old pub from Wiltshire Council.

The campaign to keep the site open for all to visit was launched late last year when over a thousand (1,085) residents and well wishers signed the Change.org petition to keep the site open as a place of rest and reflection, as well as a memorial, to the events of December 4th 1957.

That night the Rising Sun public house was destroyed in a gas explosion, and the landlord and landlady, William and Joyce Griffin, were killed, along with their son Andrew, while their baby daughter Joyce survived. "All those that have been involved, either by joining and supporting the crowd funding campaign or in signing the petition should be congratulated for their efforts. This peaceful place can now remain open to the public for the future," said Dr Mathew, who went on to suggest that all those would like to offer their time to the various works that will be needed to repair and maintain the site - mowing the grass for example - should get in touch with the Rising Sun Memorial Community Interest Group via by Parish Cllr Marilyn Tye - marilynannetye@gmail.com.