Community transport stalwart steps down after 25 years

A LONG-standing volunteer and driving force of the charity, Melksham Area Community Transport (MACT), is stepping down after 25 years.

George Brown joined the organisation in 1998, when it was known as Melksham Council of Community Service (MCCS). He went on to become the transport manager and he expanded the operation to its current level of five buses.

The vital local service provides transport for over 33,000 passengers a year including housebound disabled and elderly people to day centres, shopping outlets and social events; day trips for local residents to popular destinations and for children from outlying isolated villages to a local school.

Chairman of MACT, David Hogg explained, “George was at a meeting of the Friends of Melksham Hospital when an appeal for help was discussed. At the meeting, George decided to volunteer his knowledge and skill, as well as his ability to drive and enthuse people, to help the founders, and eventually take over management of the transport services. “Leading by example and encouragement, he not only rescued a service from decline, but expanded it into a thriving, professionally-run organisation. Most people are surprised when they learn that he is not paid for the enormous amount of time he contributes.”

In 2019, George received an award from the Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Wiltshire, for being an “inspirational” volunteer. Over the years, George also received a Melksham Town Council Civic Award (2009); Melksham Person of the Year Award (2011); and MCCS Community Transport awarded “Most Innovative Community Transport Group” by Community First (2013).

David Hogg added, “The group wish George a happy retirement, with a long time to reflect on the positive legacy he has left.” The Melksham Council of Community Service (MCCS) was set up by former mayor of Melksham Sheila Wilkinson, and her husband John, who established the non-profit charity in 1986, offering a variety of support services to local residents; most of which have now been taken up and enhanced by the Citizens Advice, Jobcentre Plus and Melksham Tourist Information Centre.

In 1993, MCCS acquired a 14-seater minibus, with wheelchair access, to assist the local disabled and people with poor mobility, to attend luncheon and social clubs in the Melksham area. However, in 1998, the founders were concerned about their ability to continue managing the service due to ill health, a lack of active committee members and a shortage of funding.

To meet an increasing demand from local social clubs, in 2007, aided by additional committee members and a grant of £50,000 from the Landfill Charity, a new 16-seater coach-built bus with entrance ramp and room for three wheelchairs, was introduced to replace the ageing 14-seater bus.

With ever increasing demand from Melksham and the surrounding parishes for a local community transport service, MCCS was rejuvenated.

Today, the charity transports over 33,000 passengers per year including, children from outlying isolated villages to a school in Corsham; housebound disabled and elderly to day centres, shopping outlets and social events; and day trips for local residents to popular destinations.

Several years ago, the group changed their name to Melksham Community Transport (MCT), to reflect more accurately what they are about but never forgetting the reason why they started and remaining loyal to the ethos of enhancing lives by relieving social isolation. In 2022, MCT merged with Holt Community Bus and rebranded the charity as Melksham Area Community Transport (MACT). MACT is funded by non-profit charging for their services and supported by Community Transport government and local authority grants: these grants being vital for the ongoing provision of services, particularly in these very difficult times.

In recent years, MCT has linked up with Melksham Tourist Information Centre, benefiting from office space and administrative support. As the number of buses increased, the challenge to find secure parking was very generously solved by Avon Protection, who provide space in their car park at Semington.

David Hogg said, “The group are optimistic about the future and look forward to many more years of service.” If you are interested in joining this very worthwhile and thriving charity, please contact chairman, David Hogg on: 01225 783092 for a friendly chat.