Letters To The Editor

Eco loos were never going to work

Dear Editor

(Responding to the letter ‘Time to make things right and not pass the buck” issue 867)

The minutes of the Asset and Amenities Committee Meeting of 14th February 2022 state: ‘UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED to use the £50,000 Earmarked Reserves, already allocated by Council, to: · purchase two Eco Loos at a cost of £15,000 each……….’ Extract from the minutes of Asset and Amenities Committee Meeting of 11th April 2023 (which I was unable to attend due to Covid) state:

‘UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that Healthmatic procure on the Council’s behalf two-time lock units, at cost no more than £600.00 per unit.’ Neither of the agendas for the full council meetings in May ‘23 included anything about the Eco loos.

My original article was not intended to criticise the Asset and Amenities Committee decision that they made in good faith. But more to raise the fact that the Healthmatic website was and still is showcasing the joint project with Melksham as a success – despite its obvious failings and that Melksham Town Council ought to possibly be recompensed for this. I think with hind sight all the Asset and Amenities Committee who made the decision in February 2022 to purchase the Eco loos would now also agree that it was never going to work.

Sue Mortimer

Former councillor for Forest Ward

Lucky to have this community service

Dear Editor

I would like to thank Melksham & District Link Scheme for a wonderful service.

Today I needed to attend the eye clinic at RUH Bath. Having been informed that I would need eye drops inserted, that would mean I would be unable to drive myself home, I contacted Melksham Link. From my first phone call to arriving home, the service was first class and I offer them my grateful thanks, especially the driver, Bridget, who was so kind and friendly.

To the people of Melksham, we are so lucky to have this service in our community. To keep it, give it your support, they rely on donations and volunteers.

Wendy Clayton

Bowerhill

A welcome new trend in the library

Dear Editor

Moving forward in Melksham. Over the past few years our town scene has changed. The new Campus is well established and even if Melksham House is not yet in use, we all appreciate its lovely new revamp.

Now work is taking place in the demolition of the old library, but the new library within the Campus building is a roaring success. For the past few years I have helped with The Summer Reading Challenge; this encourages primary aged children to continue reading during their summer break. It is a national scheme and has shown to be of great benefit. This year over 540 children have registered in Melksham and a good proportion of them have completed.

But for me, as somebody who has spent hours sitting in the children’s library, it has been a pleasure to see so many fathers coming with their children, sitting reading to them, waiting patiently until their offspring choose their next books. Perhaps this has happened because of the leisure facilities nearby. But for whatever reason it is a definite trend. Well, may it continue.

Terri Welch

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