The special constable who witnessed a hellish inferno
As Wiltshire Police celebrate Volunteers Week, one volunteer recounts the moments he bore witness to the Groundwell Industrial Estate inferno
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“The van shook. A wall of heat hit the windscreen. Ahead, a fireball rose into the darkness.”
By Jamie Hill
Special Constable Calvin Caunter started volunteering with Wiltshire Police during the Covid period describing the work as “one of the most rewarding things” he has ever done.
Based at Gablecross Police Station, Calvin serves as Divisional Lead for the Swindon Special Constabulary, helping to support a team of around 30 Specials, a dedicated team committed to preventing crime, protecting open spaces and supporting operations across the town.
Alongside his role in policing, Calvin works in communications within the construction industry and is also a proud father to two children, 15 years apart in age.
Calvin was the first officer to attend the Groundwell Industrial Estate explosion last September, an incident that drew international attention and highlighted the importance of visible, committed policing in moments of crisis.
He describes what that was like: “It should have been a routine end to an evening patrol on 24 September 2025 but in an instant, it became something far more serious. I was nearing the close of my shift with another Special who was only on her 2nd shift as a volunteer. After dealing with a concern for safety involving a man on Blunsdon Bridge over the A419, we were making our way back into Swindon when we came across a vehicle that had gone into limp mode and started to escort it into the Groundwell Industrial Estate.
“Then the night changed. Driving ahead of the stricken vehicle with the police van’s rear lights on to shield it from passing traffic, I was approaching the traffic lights at the industrial estate when a violent explosion tore through the area.
“The van shook. A wall of heat hit the windscreen. Ahead, a fireball rose into the darkness.
“There was barely time to absorb what had happened before training took over. I reached for the radio and made an urgent call to the communications room, reporting an explosion at Groundwell Industrial Estate as I drove towards the scene.
“Within seconds, I had arrived to find the factory engulfed in flames, the roller shutter door twisted and buckled by the force of the blast. As fire tore through the building, a man emerged appearing dazed and confused, and I declared a major incident while urgently calling for fire and ambulance crews. For those first moments, the uncertainty was acute. With neighbouring businesses nearby and people often still at work late into the evening, there was an immediate fear that others might be trapped inside. The man told officers he had been the only person working in the unit, bringing some relief amid the confusion and urgency.
“The drive into the industrial estate was marked by a growing sense of dread, as I feared I could be heading towards an incident involving multiple casualties, but instinct and training quickly took over. As the scale of the emergency became clear, I relayed updates from the scene, called for road closures and extra support, and helped begin establishing a cordon around the area. Workers who had heard the blast were moved back as officers tried to protect the public and bring calm to a scene that had changed in seconds. Within minutes, the duty inspector and sergeants arrived to take control of the major incident, while I moved to the outer cordon to assist with shutting surrounding roads. The response was strengthened by the fact that around 10 Special Constables were on duty that night supporting.”
Passionate about supporting diverse communities, Calvin is keen to encourage people from all backgrounds to consider joining Wiltshire Police as Special Constables. For him, making volunteers feel valued, supported and properly trained is central to building a strong and effective team.
Calvin said: “I am proud of the work we do to prevent crime, protect our open spaces and support local partners, and I am especially passionate about making sure our volunteers feel valued, supported and are given the training they need to succeed.
“I also care deeply about supporting our diverse communities and showing that Wiltshire Police is a place where people from all backgrounds are welcome. For me, policing is about service, dedication and making a difference when it matters most.
“As long as I am fit and able, I will continue to serve — and I would encourage anyone thinking about volunteering with us to take that step, because the sense of purpose and achievement it brings is unlike anything else.”
If you feel you have what it takes to be a Special Constable, can give up at least 16 hours a month and would like to give back to your community doing one of the most rewarding volunteer roles there is, we want to hear from you.
Wiltshire Police are currently recruiting for Special Constables and would invite you to look at their website for more information: Special Constables | Wiltshire Police
The Ink News Briefing
Tribute to man who died in collision on A4361
By Amanda Wilkins
The family of a man who died following a collision in Wroughton have paid tribute to his kind nature, generosity and friendship which was treasured by many.
David Millard, 42, died on May 21 when his motorbike was in collision with a Jeep on the A4361 Salthrop.
His partner, Mum and brother paid tribute to David’s caring nature and love of life.
In a tribute, they said: “David was the most caring and generous person you could ever hope to meet. He was full of life — a true force of nature.
“He was always ready to help anyone, he would go out of his way to support people, no matter how well he knew them.
“David had a gift for friendship. He became friends with everyone he met in life and built friendships with people all across the country. Since his passing, the love and support from those friends has been overwhelming, a testament to the impact he had on so many.
“David was a talented painter and decorator who spent most of his life in Swindon, where he became well known and well loved.
“David loved being outdoors, especially when he could watch the sunset from his favourite places like Avebury and Barbury Castle and enjoyed walking and running.
“David loved life deeply, and he was the kindest soul you could ever meet.
“We will miss him more than words can ever say.”
University archaeologists uncover ancient Celtic sacred site
Archaeologists working near Cirencester in the Cotswolds have discovered coins and iron spear heads, as well as miniature bronze shields and spearheads, at a major ‘votive’ site dating back to the late Iron Age (c.100BC- 43AD). The site was first discovered by a metal detectorist in 2020 when a hoard of more than 150 silver and bronze coins and metalwork, which has now been acquired by the Corinium Museum in Cirencester, was uncovered.
This further archaeological work, conducted by the Royal Agricultural University (RAU) as part of a training excavation for the university’s MSc students, has now revealed the scale and national importance of the site. Working with the original finder, and in collaboration with the land owner, archaeologists were able to relocate the original hoard pit and place it in its historic context.
Professor Mark Horton, the RAU’s Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research who is also Director of the University’s Cultural Heritage Institute which offers MSc programmes in Archaeology, Cultural Heritage, and Historic Building Conservation, ran the excavations.
He said: “Our archaeologists found that the hoard had been inserted into a sacred precinct marked out by a large area of cobbled pavement. These stones were worn flat by extensive wear which suggests that some form of mass processional activity took place around the central area of the sacred site.
“During our excavations we also discovered multiple spears which had been inserted - often vertically - into the soil to ‘protect’ this central area. Some were iron but others were miniature spears, sometimes less than an inch in length, made of bronze.
“Model swords and scabbards, daggers, and shields, also made of bronze, were found scattered around this central deposit. These would have been used as ritual offerings, known as ‘votives’, and many of these had been deliberately broken into pieces, to signify that they were offerings to the gods and were not to be recovered and reused.” Full story here
Local artist donates artwork to GWH
Local artist and patient Levon Biss has donated a remarkable selection of photographic works, The Hidden Beauty of Seeds and Fruits, via the Brighter Futures Charity at Great Western Hospital, Swindon.
These works form part of his internationally touring collection, The Hidden Beauty of Seeds & Fruits. The specimens featured are from the carpology collection at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, where Levon spent a year creating this body of work.
In 2025, Levon was unexpectedly diagnosed with a genetic heart condition that required life-saving surgery. Living locally to GWH, he spent time on the cardiac ward and often found himself wandering the corridors in the early hours, seeking a change of scenery. During this time, Levon realised how beneficial it would be to have uplifting and engaging artwork on the walls to help take his mind off the sudden medical situation he had found himself in.
Levon was keen to give something back and said: “If the donated artworks help entertain more patients during a difficult time, then it would be the best way I could say thank you to GWH. I sincerely hope that patients, staff, and visitors enjoy the artworks for years to come. I will always be grateful for the wonderful care I received.”
Catherine Weaver, Associate Director of Charitable Funds at Brighter Futures, said: “We are incredibly grateful to Levon for this generous and thoughtful donation. His work not only transforms our hospital spaces but also plays an important role in supporting the wellbeing of our patients, their families, and our staff.
“Contributions like this help us to create a more welcoming and compassionate environment, and we are proud to share Levon’s inspiring story alongside his remarkable photography.”
Receiving a donation of this kind significantly enhances the experience of patients, staff, and visitors, contributing to overall wellbeing. The artwork provides a valuable talking point, encouraging connection and conversation, and in some instances may help reduce patient stress.
Several of the specimens featured in the collection have historically been used in medicinal treatments, including Amazonian remedies and anti-inflammatory applications in Ayurvedic medicine. As well as highlighting the power of nature, they serve as a reminder of the deep connection between the natural world and clinical medicine.
The artwork is located on the first floor of the main hospital building at Great Western Hospital, where it has been installed near the Cardiac Ward where Levon received treatment.
More details about the collection can be found on Levon’s website: https://www.levonbiss.com/seeds-and-fruit
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