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Double celebration for local couple

May 24, 2022
in Uncategorized
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THERE was cause for a double celebration recently for local couple, Allan and Edna Gullis. 

Shortly after Edna celebrated her 100th birthday, the pair marked their 78th wedding anniversary on 6th May. The couple married on 6th May 1944 at St Michael’s Church, Canon Square. The couple first met during World War II in 1941 at the Kings Arms in the Market Place. 

Days after they married, Allan left Melksham to serve in the war, driving supplies back and forth on the Mulberry harbour Normandy. Edna was one of the first members of the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF), and also worked as a telephonist with Winston Churchill’s daughter. 

Their granddaughter, Neisha Bentley said, “Congratulations from everyone that knows the lovely couple, but most of all, big love from their children, grandchildren, great- grandchildren, great-great-grand- children and their families.”

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  • Travellers’ camp enforcement order welcomed by council

By Local Democracy Reporter Peter Davison

A ruling that will see non-travellers evicted from an overcrowded camp in Semington has been welcomed by Wiltshire Council.

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Pictured: Greenacres Mobile Home Park in Semington
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Pictured: Kathy, Jayne and Matt
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In 2024 the council was also advised that hard-standing rubber matting would need to be removed, taking the total cost of the project to almost £40,000. 

The equipment was stored by the council before recently being sold in December for just £16.20 as scrap metal. 

Two years on, the site remains an open space for dog exercise, with no agility equipment in place. 

Melksham Town Council has been contacted for comment. 

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Rosier counterclaimed for £60, money he alleged he had paid to Smith-Keen in small increments for her to set aside for their wedding. 

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The developers have appealed both decisions, and public inquiries will take place, where a government planning inspector will make the final decision.

Melksham Without Parish Council has been working with Wiltshire Council to defend the refusals. MWPC clerk Teresa Strange said, “It’s very much felt that the decision on them will influence future decisions on speculative development in Melksham and the wider area.” 

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Over the decades the centre has expanded and modernised and it continues to be a popular destination for family days out, children’s parties and active play.

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The grant recipients include groups and charities working to improve wellbeing, reduce isolation, support families, enhance digital access and strengthen community resilience.

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Cllr Saffi Rabey said an application has now been submitted after Brant Storage did not realise planning permission was required.

The plans were discussed at Melksham Town Council’s Economic Development and Planning Committee meeting in December.

The land forms part of the former Cooper Tires site and is being leased from the current landowner, who purchased the whole site earlier this year. This section of land is not allocated for housing, and access is off Scotland Road. 

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To view the plans, visit Wiltshire Council’s planning portal and search reference PL/2025/09205.

Picture by Wiltshire Council
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