Whats On In Melksham This December

Christmas time at the Hub

THE Melksham Hub Café is holding a Christmas Grotto on Saturday 10th December from 10am to 2pm. Organisers say, “Santa is taking time away from the North Pole and joining us on Saturday 10th December in our Christmas Grotto between 10.00am and 2.00pm. This is all part of our all-inclusive Christmas extravaganza. There will be stalls, entertainment, live music, mince pies and non-alcoholic mulled wine. “Each slot will be for individual families to meet with Santa. Children are £5 and adults free. Our elves will be on hand to help take piccies. All profits will be going towards our Glee Club.” Book now by calling the cafe during open hours or by email gemmaives@msn. com . For more details contact visit: www.facebook. com/ Melkshamhubcafe

Free Christmas concert for older people

OLDER people in and around Melksham are invited to a free Christmas concert organised by Celebrating Age Wiltshire. The concert is being held at the Riverside Club in Melksham on Thursday 15th December at 2pm. “A musical trio, led by the fabulous Bob Heath, will be playing a selection of festive tunes for all to enjoy,” says CAW. “Why not start your Christmas off with a singalong followed by tea and cake! We look forward to seeing you there!” Please call Sue Mortimer on 07719 935883 to book a place.

Lunchtime Recitals at the Rachel Fowler Centre

THE last lunchtime recital for this year at the Rachel Fowler Centre is going to be on Thursday the 8th of December and will feature Kathy Adams. Organisers said, “One of our favourite recitalists, Kathy is a soprano with a beautiful voice and a vast repertoire of songs. On this occasion she is being accompanied by Nicola Meecham, a lady new to the Rachel Fowler Centre and our fortnightly recitals.” The recitals all begin at 12.30pm and last about 45 minutes. There is no charge, but donations towards the expenses of the centre are always welcomed. Light refreshments are available from noon.

Free rugby event for teenagers

A PROJECT Rugby event will be held to engage 14-16 year-olds with the game, at Melksham’s Rugby Football Club on Wednesday 14th December at 6-7.30pm. Project Rugby is a schools project delivered by Bath Rugby Foundation, in partnership with Gallagher and Premiership Rugby. The event is free with players receiving a free training top and food after the session. Email Alex Randall at, alex.randall@ bathrugbyfoundation.com if you are interested in attending.

Get rockin’ with Melksham Rock & Roll Club!

MELKSHAM Rock ‘n’ Roll Club will be rocking the night away on Saturday 17th December with live music from The Rock-A-Toons at the Assembly Hall. The Rock-A-Toons are a rock ‘n’ roll band who perform a wide selection of ‘50s rock ‘n’ roll, jive, rockabilly and strollers. They are a lively band of experienced musicians made up of vocals, double bass, drums, guitar and saxophone. “The Rock-A-Toons will have you up dancing, singing along and tapping your feet – you can’t help but get carried away with the distinctive ‘50s sound,” says Melksham Rock ‘n’ Roll Club. “Their repertoire includes songs by Little Richard, Eddie Cochrane, Chuck Berry, Buddy Holly, Laverne Baker, Elvis, Duane Eddy and all the rock ‘n’ roll legends. They are a great band to celebrate Christmas with.” Join them at Melksham Assembly Hall from 7.30pm. Tickets cost £12, available on the door or from the Assembly Hall or Melksham Tourist information Centre in Church Street. For more information call Geoff on 01225 706463 or 07779 330042, or email: geoff@melkshamrockandroll.co.uk or visit www. melkshamrockandroll.co.uk The following dance is on January 28th featuring The Rads.

The Peaky Blinders will play at Somerset Arms

THE Peaky Blinders band, are set to rock the Somerset Arms in Semington! Playing on Saturday 10th December, the band say they are ‘a covers band with a rockability twist playing old songs and new.’ The band formed in early 2015 with the aim of playing a few songs at a festival that two of the members organise. “We set out to learn three songs, bearing in mind, that as much as we all loved live music, none of us could play a musical instrument or sing! The three songs turned into ten, and we played live to our first audience at the festival in August 2015. “The ten songs have gone onto 40 plus and the rest is history. “The Peaky’s were out playing the local pub/ festival scene and private functions and our love of music and performing has kept it rolling. A few years on we have a good few gigs under our belt and we continue to still just love it. For more information visit the https://www.somersetarms.co.uk/events

Family Christmas events at Melksham Library!

MELKSHAM library has a number of family Christmas events planned. Join Sidney and Tristan from the “Last Baguette” for a fun, relaxed theatre session on Friday 9th December at 10.30am. Tickets cost £5 for a family of up to four people. Organisers said, “Expect to play, move, watch and laugh!” Christmas playtime session runs for an hour and is designed for two to 5-year-olds and their grown-ups. Get in touch on thelastbaguette@gmail.com if you’d like to know more. The booking link for the session is: www.eventbrite. co.uk/e/playtime-christmas-theatre-session-for-ages-2-5-families-melksham-tickets-466301699937 There is also the Christmas Story Time, an event of festive stories and songs on Saturday 10th December, 11am to 11.30am. This is a free event and spaces are limited. Organisers said, “Please arrive in good time to avoid disappointment!”.

Christmas Services at West Wiltshire Crematorium.

West Wiltshire Crematorium will host its annual Christmas carol and memorial service this week, on Thursday 8th December. It will feature a mixture of readings and popular festive carols, with an organist, a soloist and the local Salvation Army band playing. Visitors to the free event can light candles and write messages for the memory tree. There will also a be photo slideshow on the screen during the service, showing images of loved ones. Site manager Louise Belsey said, “Christmas can be a particularly difficult time of year for families who are missing loved ones, and our annual Christmas carol and memorial service provides a fitting way for people to reflect and honour their loved ones during the festive season. “Our event provides a chance for people to not only pay tribute to their loved ones, but also be in the company of other people who are in a similar situation, which in itself can be a source of comfort.” Families who are not able to attend can view the Christmas carol and memorial service online at https://events.obitus.com/, using the watch again option and enter the username ‘westwiltshire’ and the password ‘snow’. The online service will be available to view for 28 days. The crematorium also hosted an informal drop-in evening which enabled local people to have quiet moments of reflection on Thursday 1st December. Non-religious Christmas music was played in the chapel, and visitors could write messages to their loved ones on tags, which were added to a Memory tree, as well as light memorial candles.

Have a go at short mat bowls at the Campus.

The short mat bowls team are inviting people to join them and play at their new location in the Melksham Campus. Treasurer of the team Marcia Cottle said, “Come and join us on Wednesdays at 2pm to 4pm to get a feel for what goes on! Flat shoes must be worn.” The team play at the Melksham Campus every Wednesday at 2pm-4pm and are offering new players two free trials, for anyone interested in giving the game a go. There will be no session on Wednesday 21st December due to a prior booking. For more information email Marcia Cottle via, marcia.cottle@yahoo.com.