Melksham campaigners celebrate as community centre opens

TWENTY years’ hard work finally paid off for a local group as  Forest Community Centre opened its doors this week. 

Vic Oakman and his team have been campaigning for a community centre to be built in the Forest area for two decades. And now, after years of hard work, the centre has finally opened in a location near the allotments off Bowmans Court. The centre is to be used by community groups and has a bar, changing facilities, a skittle alley and a football pitch.

In a ceremony attended by the Mayor as well as many town councillors, Vic cut the ribbon to mark the opening of the centre. The ceremony was followed by a fun day that was well attended by the community.

Vic said, “It’s absolutely fantastic to be doing this today. After years of knockbacks by various people, we have finally achieved what we wanted for so long.

“I wanted a community centre as I feel we don’t have anything in the area. There is nothing to do, other then the pub and that is not suitable if you’re a family and many people just can’t afford that, so it’s great to have somewhere that is for everyone.

“Hopefully, this will bring everyone together and improve the community spirit. I have a great committee that has made this possible and from the bottom of my heart I have the best team I could hope for.”

The building and landscape around the community centre has been developed by locals in the community.

Roy Gibbons, a retired man from the area helped build the centre and the landscape around it. He said, “I helped with the construction side of it, but it has been a real community effort which has been built by the community for the community. It has been a struggle, but enjoyable at the same time.”

Treasurer of the committee, Stephen Wakefield said, “We want to play a major role in the community and in Melksham. We would like to get involved with things like the Carnival and offer the great facilities we have.”

To find our more about the community centre or to hire out the building, contact Tina Oakman on 01225 705378.