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Snapshot of Wiltshire town's history displayed in 70m banner

BBC Reviewed Jun 30, 2026 ✓ Reviewed by citations.press editors
Citation-ready fact
Devizes Mayor Vanessa Tanner organised the event with 10 volunteers.
10 volunteers · event organizers
Vanessa Tanner, Devizes Mayor
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Citation-ready fact
Devizes Mayor Vanessa Tanner initially thought they would get approximately 50 organisations for the banner project.
about 50 organisations · participating organisations
Vanessa Tanner, Devizes Mayor
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Citation-ready fact
Devizes Mayor Vanessa Tanner stated that 177 groups are participating in the banner project.
177 groups · participating groups
Vanessa Tanner, Devizes Mayor
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More than 170 groups have come together to create a snapshot of their town's history.

A 70-metre banner has been created in Devizes, Wiltshire, after efforts from charities, community groups and independent businesses to create individual panels for it.

Devizes Mayor Vanessa Tanner organised the event with 10 volunteers, known as the banner buddies.

"I wanted a way of drawing the community together", Tanner told BBC Radio Wiltshire. "And making something that we could all look at, a snapshot of Devizes in 2026. I thought we'd get maybe 50 organisations, but it became a lot bigger."

Tanner said she had to keep buying more fabric to account for the number of groups taking part in the project, which stands at 177.

Groups featured on the banner include Devizes Netball Club, the Men's Shed, Devizes LGBT, Clean Up Devizes and the Muslim Community of Devizes.

Local companies such as Pins and Needles Gaigers and local schools are also featured.

At 70m (229ft), the banner is as long as the Bayeux Tapestry - an 11th Century embroidered cloth, which depicts the events leading up to the Norman Conquest.

Judy Rose was part of a group of Avon Road residents which created a submission for the panel. It included poppies, thistles and bumble bees, as the residents take care of a green space near their homes.

"We do have a lot in Devizes and this banner shows that," Rose said. "I went on Saturday and came back to see it again on Sunday with my camera to get another look.

"It's amazing what people have done, it's really impressive."

"I can't believe how inventive people have been, I've been overwhelmed. It's been absolutely amazing," Tanner said.

She was joined by the High Sheriff of Wiltshire and members of the community on Saturday for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Corn Exchange.

The banner will be relocated to the town's library for the remainder of the week and conversations are under way to find it a permanent home.

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