• Wiltshire Publications
  • White Horse News
  • Frome Times
Saturday, November 22, 2025
2 °c
Melksham
6 ° Sun
6 ° Mon
  • Login
  • Register
Melksham Independent News
Advertisement
  • Latest News
  • About Us
    • Mission Statement
    • Corrections
  • Digital Edition
  • Back Issues
  • Contact us
  • Advertise with us
  • Family Messages
  • Directory
  • More

    Search

    News

    • Latest News
    • Special Featured Stories
    • Featured Stories
    • Min News
    • Crime
    • Traffic News
    • Education
    • Health
    • Business
    • Politics

    Sport

    • Melksham FC
    • Football
    • Rugby
    • General Sport
    • Cricket
    • Golf
    • Bowls

    Best of Melksham

    • Melksham Community
    • Fundraising
    • Volunteering & Helping Out
    • Clubs Organisations

    What's on

    • Events Entertainment
    • Arts & Entertainment
    • Things to do

    Family Messages

    • Announcements
    • Death Notices
    • In Memoriam
    • Birthday
    • Engagement
    • Wedding Messages
    • Melksham Says Thank You
    • Awards

    Digital Editions

    • Digital Edition
    • Digital Archives

    Podcast Celebrate Melksham

    • Podcast
    • Subscribe to podcast
No Result
View All Result
  • Latest News
  • About Us
    • Mission Statement
    • Corrections
  • Digital Edition
  • Back Issues
  • Contact us
  • Advertise with us
  • Family Messages
  • Directory
  • More

    Search

    News

    • Latest News
    • Special Featured Stories
    • Featured Stories
    • Min News
    • Crime
    • Traffic News
    • Education
    • Health
    • Business
    • Politics

    Sport

    • Melksham FC
    • Football
    • Rugby
    • General Sport
    • Cricket
    • Golf
    • Bowls

    Best of Melksham

    • Melksham Community
    • Fundraising
    • Volunteering & Helping Out
    • Clubs Organisations

    What's on

    • Events Entertainment
    • Arts & Entertainment
    • Things to do

    Family Messages

    • Announcements
    • Death Notices
    • In Memoriam
    • Birthday
    • Engagement
    • Wedding Messages
    • Melksham Says Thank You
    • Awards

    Digital Editions

    • Digital Edition
    • Digital Archives

    Podcast Celebrate Melksham

    • Podcast
    • Subscribe to podcast
No Result
View All Result
Melksham Independent News
No Result
View All Result

Funeral held for ‘special and unique’ Melksham resident

November 21, 2025
in Latest news
Reading Time: 2 mins read
498 5
A A
0
Funeral held for ‘special and unique’ Melksham resident

The funeral of Melksham resident Cheryl Decarteret, who died following a collision in the town centre, was held on today, Friday 21st November, at St Michael’s Church.

The funeral procession paused on its way to the service at the former Cooper Avon site, where Cheryl worked for many years, briefly stopping to acknowledge her time there.

Residents, friends and family gathered at the church to pay their respects during the service.

Cheryl, 79, died after a collision outside Savers on Lowbourne on 27th September. Her friend, Margaret Shaw, sustained life-threatening injuries.

Cheryl was well known in the community, supporting friends with shopping, attending appointments and doing their weekly laundry. She was born in Bradford-on-Avon and lived in Holt before moving to Melksham. At age 18, she began working at Avon Rubber alongside Margaret.

In a moving tribute following Cheryl’s death, her grandchildren said, “Nan was a truly special and unique lady and we all loved her dearly.

“It was a blessing to be in Nan’s company, as she always made you smile with her bubbly personality. Nan’s kindness and wit were the reason that she was so loved by all who had the joy of meeting her; she was a ray of sunshine. We are all heartbroken by the void Nan will leave in our lives.”

“We were fortunate to be blessed with such an amazing and strong woman in our lives and we are all proud to call her our Nanny Cheryl.”

A 25-year-old man from Melksham was arrested as part of the police investigation and was released on bail.

The family has since been campaigning, with ‘Justice for Cheryl Decarteret’ banners displayed across the town.

Share279Tweet174Pin63

Related Stories

New head coach appointed at Melksham Town

New head coach appointed at Melksham Town

November 21, 2025
0

Melksham Town have appointed a new head coach as it looks to turn around its fortunes. The side, currently near...

Melksham Times Past

Melksham Times Past

November 19, 2025
0

A column about days gone by in Melksham by local historian Lisa Ellis A Fuller story from Neston Park The...

Top praise for primary school in latest inspection

Top praise for primary school in latest inspection

November 19, 2025
0

A local primary school has received top praise following a Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools (SIAMS). Shaw Church...

Community centre raises funds for toilet upgrade

Community centre raises funds for toilet upgrade

November 19, 2025
0

A community centre in Melksham is raising funds to pay for improvements to its toilet facilities. The Riverside Centre, a...

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recommended

  • All
  • Latest news
  • Environment
  • Fundraising
  • Politics
  • Wiltshire Council
  • Clubs & Organisations
  • Volunteering and helping out
  • Whats on

Melksham Bypass consultation: Wiltshire Council justifies one option plan

June 22, 2021

Celebrate Pyjamarama at Melksham Library

June 5, 2019

Follow Social Media

  • New head coach appointed at Melksham Town

Melksham Town have appointed a new head coach as it looks to turn around its fortunes.

The side, currently near the foot of the Southern League Division One South, has brought in Stuart Fleetwood, the former Swindon Supermarine boss, following the departure of Mark Collier earlier this month.

“We are delighted to confirm the appointment of Stuart Fleetwood as new Head Coach and Dan Gillespie as part of his backroom team as we try and turn around our fortunes and climb the league table,” said Club Chair Adam Young.

“Stuart, aged 39, brings plenty of experience. As a player, he enjoyed a career in the Football League and non-league game, representing teams including Charlton Athletic, Luton Town, Hereford United, Exeter City, Forest Green Rovers and Sutton United. His most prolific spell came during his time at Forest Green Rovers, and he has also represented Wales at various youth levels."

Read more on our website. The link is in our bio.

Pictured: Town players mark Remembrance with a pre-match tribute before facing Brixham on 8th November. New boss Stuart Fleetwood
  • Nominations open for Melksham’s Person and Group of the Year

Melksham News’ Person and Group of the Year awards are back and it is time to get your nominations in!

The awards will recognise the person and group who have made a real contribution to the community in 2025.

For the Person of the Year award, any individual who lives or works in the Melksham area and has made a significant contribution to the local community can be nominated. This could include someone involved in a local charity, helping to run a sports club or volunteering their time to improve life in Melksham.

For the Group of the Year award, any group, organisation or committee whose work has benefited the area in 2025 can be nominated. The members do not all need to be from Melksham, as long as their efforts have had a positive effect on the local area.

Melksham News editor, Ian Drew, said, “We know there are so many people and groups in Melksham doing incredible things for the community. We encourage everyone to get involved and submit their nominations – it’s your chance to recognise those who make a real difference to our town.” 

Nominations can be made by emailing news@melkshamnews.co.uk or via Facebook Messenger, stating your name, address, and contact number, along with your nominee’s name and the reason for your nomination. (We won’t disclose who has made the nominations.)

If you have contact details for your nominee, please include these. Alternatively, you can write to Melksham News, 31 Market Place, Melksham, SN12 6ES.

Nominations must be received by 5pm on  30th November. The winner of each award will be chosen by a small panel of local representatives and announced in an upcoming issue. 

Read more on our website. The link is in our bio.

Pictured: Melksham News Editor, Ian Drew
  • The latest issue of the Melksham News is out now.

Read our digital edition on our website. The link is in our bio
  • Fundraising Christmas spectacle set to be bigger than ever

A fundraising Christmas spectacle on Sarum Avenue is set to be bigger than ever, and this year will feature the UK’s largest illuminated Father Christmas sculpture. 
Last year, the display raised £16,000 for the Wiltshire and Bath Air Ambulance Charity, and residents are hoping to raise even more for the charity again this year. Sarum Avenue residents decorate the street and houses with hundreds of Christmas lights and decorations, welcoming people from Melksham and surrounding areas to view the display and take part in the festivities, including a raffle and a bar offering refreshments. The lights will be switched on Sunday 30th November at 6pm, then be on every night from 5pm to 9pm, with Father Christmas and his elves out every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. 

Read more on our website. The link is in our bio
  • Melksham woman shaves head for cancer charity

A Melksham woman has raised nearly £2,000 for a cancer charity by shaving her head.

Maureen Woodruff, 84, completed a ‘Brave the Shave’ at Queensway Chapel last month to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support.

She said, “So many people I know have used the charity and it costs money for them to care for people who are very ill and survivors as well, but sadly some just don’t survive because it is a horrible disease.

“I have had a few friends who have had cancer. They need a nurse, they need support, which is why I have done it. It was a lovely morning at Queensway Chapel with family, friends and members of the congregation.”

Pleased with the outcome of the shave, Maureen added, “I don’t mind it at all. My head feels much colder now, but it is quite easy-going, definitely wash-and-go.” 

Read more on our website. The link is in our bio

To contribute to Maureen’s fundraiser, visit https://buff.ly/apl81GE
  • Help create new woodland at tree planting day

Hundreds of new trees will be planted in Melksham later this month as part of plans to create a new community woodland and nature trail.

The local community group Melksham Green Space is inviting residents to join its Community Tree Planting Day at Clackers Brook on Sunday 30th November, where around 400 native trees will be planted.

Families are encouraged to take part in the event, which marks the first stage of creating a new woodland which will stretch from Ruskin Avenue, near King George V Park, to the Eastern Bypass, transforming an area of open land into a thriving habitat for wildlife.

“Everyone is welcome to come along, bring the family and get involved – it’s a great way to make a real difference in our town,” said Nigel Benham, Chair of Melksham Green Space.

Pictured: Mia, Annie and Nigel from Melksham Green Space 

Read more on our website, the link is in our bio
  • Helicopter enthusiast remembered with lifetime achievement award

A helicopter enthusiast from Bowerhill was presented with an aviation lifetime achievement award for rebuilding a vintage helicopter shortly before he died this week aged 81.

John Phillips recently received the award from Aviation Heritage UK after Wight Aviation Museum nominated him for his long-standing membership and his work restoring a vintage Saunders-Roe Skeeter helicopter, which he donated to the museum in 2023. John died peacefully at home on 16th November.

Due to ill health, he was unable to travel to receive the award at a gathering held at Rolls-Royce in Derby, but a small delegation from Wight Aviation Museum presented it to him at his home in Bowerhill instead.

Sandra Phillips, John’s wife, said, “It was just wonderful for John to receive the award. It was happy tears all round. We didn’t know anything about it. The helicopter is now on a stand in the museum and it has his name on a plaque, along with his nephew Adrian, who helped him restore the helicopter.” 

Read more on our website, the link is in our bio.

Pictured: John Phillips with the Saunders-Roe Skeeter helicopter
  • Police share Melksham crime statistics

Anti-social behaviour has decreased in Melksham over the past year, while shoplifting and violent and sexual offences have increased, police have reported.

At the full town council meeting on 20th October, Sergeant Gemma Rutter said that anti-social behaviour reports had fallen by 65 over the year.

She said, “Compared to other surrounding towns, specifically Trowbridge – I can say that because I work there as well – there is not nearly anywhere near the antisocial behaviour here that we’ve had elsewhere, in numbers and by nature.”

There are certain pockets within the town the police are looking into. One area of anti-social behaviour that Sgt Rutter said the team is dealing with ‘quite quickly’ involves customers leaving a pub in the town centre late at night and causing disruption. 

Read more on our website, the link is in our bio
  • Green electricity tariff referred to council watchdog

By Local Democracy Reporter Peter Davison 

An attempt by Reform UK councillors to scrap the green tariff the council pays on its electricity has resulted in the matter passed to a Wiltshire Council finance watchdog for consideration.

Back in September it emerged that Wiltshire Council was spending an extra £230,000 a year on top of its £6.35 million energy bill to support renewable energy production.

The tariff means the council can report that its electricity is generated by renewables, which puts it on track to achieve its net zero target by 2030.

Without paying the tariff and supporting renewable energy production the target would be derailed.

At a meeting of the full council on Tuesday 21st October, Reform councillor Mike Sankey tabled a motion to scrap the green energy tariff. 

Read more on our website, the link is in our bio
Podcast Celebrate Melksham Podcast Celebrate Melksham Podcast Celebrate Melksham
ADVERTISEMENT
Melksham Independent News

Get in touch

  • About Us
  • Advertising
  • Self Service Advertising
  • Issue Dates and Deadlines
  • Payment Information
  • Send Us Your News
  • Contact Us
  • Advertising Terms Conditions
  • Complaints
  • Placing a family message
  • Photos
  • Useful Information

More from Melksham News

  • Latest News
  • Sport
  • Digital Edition
  • Digital Archives
  • What's On
  • Corrections
  • Mission Statement
  • List Item

FOLLOW US

© 2023. Melksham Independent News | Wiltshire Publications Ltd, 31, Market Place, Melksham, Wiltshire, SN12 6ES Registered in England & Wales | 02627096

  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Legal Hub
  • Site Map
Melksham Independent News
Melksham Independent News
ADVERTISEMENT

Welcome Back!

OR

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

OR

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
Melksham Independent News
Manage Cookie Consent
To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behaviour or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
  • Manage options
  • Manage services
  • Manage {vendor_count} vendors
  • Read more about these purposes
View preferences
  • {title}
  • {title}
  • {title}
No Result
View All Result
  • Latest News
    • Featured Stories
    • Min News
    • Crime
    • Education
    • Health
    • Business
    • Politics
  • About Us
  • Digital Edition
    • Digital Edition Archives
  • Contact us
  • Advertising with us
  • Family Messages
    • Announcements
    • Dealth Notices
    • In Memoriam
    • Birthday
    • Engagement
    • Wedding Messages
    • Melksham Says Thank You
    • Awards
  • More
    • Newsletters
    • Jobs
    • Local Listing
    • Book An Advert
    • Sports
    • Best of Melksham
      • Melksham Community
      • Fundraising
      • Volunteering & Helping Out
      • Clubs Organisations
    • What’s on
      • Events Entertainment
      • Arts and Culture
      • Things To Do

© 2023 Melksham Independent News | Web Design & SEO by YOW Internet.

-
00:00
00:00

Queue

Update Required Flash plugin
-
00:00
00:00