A year in the life of Westbury: Local photographers plan ‘Westbury in the Year 2025’ book

A small group of local photographers are set to capture a unique snapshot of Westbury’s life and history by taking one photograph every day throughout 2025. 

The project aims to record a year in the life of the town with the photographs being combined in a book.

“The aim is to reflect life and people in the town,” said one of the photographers, Julian Sandoe, who will be supported by other keen local photographers Jon Street, Barry Hill and Emyr Roberts.

The initiative was inspired by Westbury in the Year 2000, a similar book produced 25 years ago. “The idea is to record Westbury as it is in 2025 so that, years from now, people can look back and see how it has changed,” Julian explained.

The 2000 book captured the town at the turn of the millennium and serves as a fascinating piece of social history.

“Looking at it now, you can see how much the town has changed,” Julian said. “The cement works’ chimney has gone; the Cooper supermarket is now Morrisons and, of course, the hospital has gone. Shops like Raines the bakers, Linham’s butchers, Madcap Music, Barnes the bike repair shop, Kevin’s Menswear and Jane and Robin Wilson’s bookshop have all closed. Significant landmarks like the garage in Fore Street, the old Post Office at the back of the high street, Rickard’s filling station in Station Road and the Oak Inn are no longer here.”

Julian hopes the project will serve as a similar time capsule, documenting the buildings and places that might change and the local people who make up the town’s character.

“It was so interesting to look at the 2000 book and see how much the town had changed,” Julian added. “I hope this book, recording what Westbury is like now, will be of interest to people in 10, 20 and 25 years’ time. Perhaps in another 25 years, someone will create a follow-up, and we can see how the town has continued to evolve.”

A few copies of ‘Westbury in the Year 2000’ are available from Sandoes in Edward Street, priced £7.

Pictured: Julian Sandoe with Westbury in the Year 2000