Wiltshire in Pictures: Red Roses and perfect pups

Two adult female rugby players hold rugby tackling equipment at Melksham RFC as two young players run into them during a training sessionImage source, PA Media
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England rugby stars met young players at Melksham RFC this week

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The skies above Wiltshire have been spectacular this week with halo moons and harvest moons making an appearance.

Elsewhere, the county's oldest working dog has been praised and the birth of a rare pony has been celebrated.

And some of England's Red Roses made a visit to Melksham, fresh from winning the Women's Rugby World Cup.

Dozens of young female rugby players group together and cheer as they look at the camera. Lined up sitting down in front of them are England players Zoe Aldcroft and Alex MatthewsImage source, PA Media

Heroes in town: Red Roses players Zoe Aldcroft and Alex Matthews met young players at Melksham RFC this week as part of a RugbyFest event.

Abbie, a brown labradoodle lurcher cross with white markings on her face, wears a collar with a bone-shaped tag and 'smiles' with skateboards, T-shirts and shop items behind her.
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Abbie, a labradoodle lurcher cross, 'works' at Swindon's ATB skate shop

Sales are through the woof: Abbie "the oldest working dog in the UK" has been showing off her skills at the ATB skate shop in Swindon. The 18-year-old labradoodle lurcher cross greets customers, tears up cardboard boxes for recycling and accepts deliveries. According to owner Diana, the rescue dog "loves to work".

Linda wearing a blue blouse with Gio who is a small black dog with the other award winners stood on grass holding certificates. Image source, Hearing Dogs for Deaf People
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Linda (front left, blue blouse) and Gio with the other award winners at the Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials.

Top dog: A caring cockapoo has been awarded the title of 'Best Assistance Dog' in the Top Dog Awards 2025, run by The Field magazine. Gio, who lives with Linda Buckland from Purton, was recognised for his exceptional service in providing vital support for Linda's hearing loss, as well as life-changing companionship.

Lego trees are displayed in front of a historic locomotive in a museum. The locomotive is dark green.Image source, Swindon Borough Council

Lego trains: The Great Western Brick Show opened at the Steam museum in Swindon on Saturday.

There will be more than 100 Lego models and displays, from detailed railway layouts and bustling cities to spaceships, castles, vehicles and beyond.

A row of houses with a bright illuminated moon with a 'halo effect' around it.Image source, Weather Watchers/Beety
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Beety caught this picture of the moon above Trowbridge on October 6

Moon magic: Across Wiltshire, people looked to the skies on Monday as a halo moon emerged from the clouds. An "atmospheric optical illusion," the phenomenon causes an impressive large bright ring to surround the moon.

Lisa Edwards in black holding walking poles, surrounded by women in blue nurse-style blouses. They are stood outside a brown-brick building and all smiling.Image source, Edgehill Care Home
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Lisa Edwards has been cheered on by colleagues as she takes on training walks

Care home boot camp: Residents and staff at Edgehill Care Home in Swindon have swapped armchairs for action by joining manager, Lisa Edwards, on training walks as she gears up for a five-day trek along China's Great Wall to raise funds for Prospect Hospice in Wroughton. Lisa is tackling the trek in memory of her sister Lynsey and to raise funds , externalfor Prospect Hospice in Wroughton.

Halo moon,  a moon with a circle around it and a 'halo' style semi circle around the moon. It is a dark sky with the silhouette of trees Image source, WeatherWatchers/Tired Tim
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Tim caught this photo of a halo moon above Corsham

Eyecatching: Weatherwatcher 'Tired Tim' was another person who spotted a halo around the moon this week.

A group of people stand and smile at the camera. The group includes a man dressed entirely in purple, a woman in a mayoral chain and a police officer in high-vis. A sign behind the group reads 'Chippenham Town Council'Image source, Wiltshire PCC
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A purple man was spotted in Chippenham this week for a very good reason

Purple power: Chippenham Town Council and its local Neighbourhood Police Team has celebrated being re-awarded Purple Flag status at a specially held breakfast event. It scheme recognises towns and cities which provide a safe and well-managed evening and night-time economy and is designed to highlight places that offer a wide range of leisure and cultural experiences.

Skydivers Rosie, Laura, Jules holding a large cheque with the words 'Wessex MS Therapy Center' and '13,385'Image source, Wessex Multiple Sclerosis Centre
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Skydivers Rosie, Laura, Jules presented a cheque for £13,385 to charity fundraiser Amanda

Sky high success: A group of fearless fundraisers have celebrated raising £13,385 for the Warminster-based Wessex Multiple Sclerosis Centre. Skydivers Rosie, Laura, Jules presented a cheque this week to the charity's fundraiser co-ordinator Amanda. The skydive, at Old Sarum in Salisbury, saw the group plummet 15,000ft through the skies.

Longleat, an imposing large building with a door, pillars and lots of windows. There are two Union Jacks flying from the building and a view of autumnal trees in the background.Image source, Longleat
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Channel 5 has re-commissioned 'Inside Longleat' to explore inside the Wiltshire estate

Time to tune in again: Channel 5 will return to Longleat in Wiltshire to offer viewers a unique insight into one of Britain's oldest and vast estates. The second series, coming soon, follows Lord and Lady Bath and their team of specialists as they navigate spring, summer, autumn and winter.

South Swindon in Bloom members smile by a car park behind a yellow flag which says 'Britain in Bloom South West Gold 2025'Image source, South Swindon in Bloom
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South Swindon in Bloom members with their gold flag

Green thumbs lead to gold cups: South Swindon has won gold for the third consecutive year and won 'best in group' Tesco Cup at the RHS South West in Bloom Awards on 8 October. The team also received the Urban Community Award for its creativity in bringing colour and nature to busy urban spaces.

Small brown pony, Solly the Eriskay pony, with thin legs and her ears pricked up. A large white horse stands behind her.Image source, Cholderton Rare Breeds Farm
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Solly will help preserve the future of the Eriskay breed

Horseing around: The birth of Solly the Eriskay pony has been celebrated as "really important" for the future of the rare breed. The two-week old lives at the Cholderton Rare Breeds Farm near Salisbury in Wiltshire.

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