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Blood Bikes need your support

February 28, 2023
in Fundraising
Reading Time: 1 min read
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MEMBERS of Blood Bikes, the emergency volunteer service that offers a vital free of charge courier service to the NHS, are appealing for more donations so they can continue their life-saving efforts.

The group is a registered charity that provides a free out-of-hours motorcycle courier service to hospitals in the South West of England. Members transport blood, pathology and microbiology specimens, patient notes, X-rays, breast milk and other medical supplies, plus deliver every night to two local Air Ambulance bases.

A spokesperson for the charity said, “In 2020, we celebrated our 30th year as a charity ‘Riding for Life’ – facilitated entirely by volunteers, we depend fully on public sponsorship and donations to maintain our service.

“During the Covid year 2020-21, we made over 7,792 deliveries, riding more than 225,000 miles.  Our slogan, Riding for Life, describes our operation perfectly. We ride to play our part in saving people’s lives, we ride to help the NHS divert money that would otherwise be spent on taxis or expensive couriers, but more than anything else we ride because we love it and wish to put something back into the community.”

The charity – officially called Freewheelers Emergency Voluntary Service – relies solely on donations and is made up of volunteers. If you would like to donate or volunteer yourself, visit their website at: www.freewheelers.org.uk

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  • Community transport funding saved after local concerns

Wiltshire Council has u-turned on plans to withdraw funding from community transport schemes following concerns over the impact to local residents.

In Wiltshire Council’s draft budget, it suggested funding for community transport schemes such as Link schemes could be axed.

Melksham and District Link, administered by Community First, supports elderly and disabled people who are unable to drive to and from medical appointments.

Last year, the scheme supported 530 residents with 46 volunteer drivers covering 73,722 miles and made 2,607 journeys to 107 destinations.

Trips ranged from local surgeries and community hospitals to district hospitals in Bath and Swindon, with a few journeys further afield to Bristol and Oxford. 

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

Pictured: Melksham Link volunteers celebrating 30 years in 2024
  • Local singing group to mark decade of community and music

A local singing group will mark its 10th anniversary this year after being started a decade ago by a local couple to bring people together through music and friendship.

The Singin’ Group was founded in 2016 by Jeanette and Mike Nash, who wanted to create a relaxed, inclusive space where residents could sing, socialise and enjoy each other’s company without the pressure of being a formal choir.

Since then, the group has met weekly at the Riverside Centre, growing from just five original members to more than 40 people, with demand to join remaining strong.

Jeanette said, “We’re not a choir and never pretend to be. We don’t sit in rows – we sit in a circle so we can all see each other and have a laugh.

“We have a full house at the moment, as 40 is our limit. Whenever we have a vacancy one of our members always has someone waiting in the wings.”

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

Pictured: Mike and Jeanette Nash who run the Singin’ Group
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Neil Stewart’s new title, The Book on UK Property: 7 Ways to Become a Successful Property Investor, sets out seven strategies for building a profitable portfolio, promising “honest advice” on navigating today’s challenging UK housing market.

“I’ve written the book at a time of big changes in legislation and shifting markets,” said Neil, a former British Army engineer. “It offers clear steps for anyone ready to start investing in UK property. New investors will find honest advice on buying, managing and growing a portfolio.

“The guide cuts through jargon and shows new investors what really works in 2026’s uncertain-interest, high-demand landscape.”

Read more on our website. The link is in our bio.
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Melksham Town Council has voted to spend over £26,000 on improving the efficiency of the Splash Pad following an ‘unreliable’ season last year.

Councillors at the Amenities and Facilities Committee meeting on 9th February agreed to spend £10,216 on commissioning a swimming pool specialist, Topline, to install a new chlorine dosing system at the facility to improve performance.

Councillors also voted to pay £16,000 to Splash, which installed the facility, for ongoing maintenance and a filter replacement.

The improvements will be funded from this year’s playgrounds budget. 

Read more on our website. The link is in our bio.
  • Carers’ charity set to close after 15 years

A charity supporting unpaid carers in Melksham is due to close at the end of March.

After 15 years, Carer Support Wiltshire is closing on 31st March due to ongoing and significant funding challenges.

The charity says that despite exploring all viable options, it is no longer able to operate in a financially sustainable way.

Charity Manager Victoria Williamson said, “It has been a privilege to support unpaid carers over the past 15 years. Our staff and volunteers have shown extraordinary dedication and compassion and our priority now is to support carers, staff and volunteers with care and honesty through this transition.” 

Read more on our website. The link is in our bio.
  • Memorial bench dedicated to Melksham woman

A bench on Spa Road has been dedicated to a popular Melksham woman who used it for over 50 years.

A special plaque has been added the bench in memory of Olive Hayton. It was officially unveiled on Saturday 14th February at a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by friends, family and town councillors.

Olive enjoyed walking into town and used the bench daily. Her daughter, Sue Mortimer, said, “Our mum was so kind and compassionate to all she met, be they family, friends or total strangers, and it is lovely to have a bench to remember her by.

“Lisa Pearce, who throughout her childhood thought of our mum as her ‘Auntie Olive’, did the honours and cut the ribbon on the day.

“The position of mum’s bench is ideal as I feel that bench on Spa Road has always been hers. Mum used the previous bench daily as she walked into town for over 50 years."

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Pictured: Steve, Steph, Bob, Sue, Mary, Keith, Amy and Lisa
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Cat owners in Melksham have been sharing concerns over their pets being mysteriously shaved.

Some residents have said their cats have returned home with parts of their fur shaved off.

One owner in Bowerhill contacted Melksham News recently, reporting incidents of her cat’s fur being shaved starting last March, with the issue still ongoing.

Another resident said their cat, Smokey, had come home with a shaven neck in the Hunters Wood Estate. Another resident reported on social media that their cat had come home with ‘what looks like shaver marks’ and is ‘very jumpy’.

This is not the first time residents in Melksham have shared reports of their cats being shaved, with similar reports made in 2022. 

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

Pictured: A cat from Bowerhill before and after she was shaved
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A disability-friendly swing has been installed in the play area in the King George V Park.

The swing, installed by Melksham Town Council’s amenities team, features an overhead plastic harness with a safety latch and is suitable for adults and children.

Councillor Adrienne Westbrook said, “I am pleased to see that once again our play area has an accessible swing. It is important that all children have access to our play equipment and I look forward to installing more in other areas of Melksham.”

A spokesperson for Melksham Town Council said, “It is hoped that the new equipment will be shared and enjoyed by families and visitors across the town. Inclusive swings encourage shared play experiences between children of all abilities, reducing social isolation, boosting confidence and removing barriers to public spaces.” 

Read more on our website. The link is in our bio.
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Residents are invited to drop off unwanted bras at Melksham Town Hall to generate funds for charity, give quality bras a new lease of life and reduce the number of textiles going to landfill.

Bra Banks offer an environmentally friendly way to raise money while reducing textile waste. Through the scheme, participating organisations receive 50p per kilogram of donated bras to put towards a charity of their choice.

Councillors approved the introduction of a Bra Bank at the town hall at a recent Full Council meeting.

Cllr Jennie Westbrook said, “I am really pleased that Melksham Town Council is supporting this simple but powerful initiative. The Bra Bank gives residents an easy way to reduce waste, support women in need and raise money for good causes at the same time. It is a small action that can make a meaningful difference, and I hope our community will get behind it.” 

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