• Wiltshire Publications
  • White Horse News
  • Frome Times
Thursday, July 10, 2025
18 °c
Melksham
24 ° Fri
24 ° Sat
  • 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

Blue Pool’s “price hike” stuns members 

October 1, 2021
in Latest news
Reading Time: 3 mins read
394 30
A A
0

MEMBERS of Melksham Blue Pool have been left “flabbergasted” by changes to the cost of their membership, with some being told by Wiltshire Council that it’s increasing by almost 25%. 

 Wiltshire Council confirmed in May this year that it would be bringing 10 of its leisure centres managed by Places Leisure, including the Blue Pool, back under its own management from October. 

Until this week, leisure centre members were unaware how this would impact their membership fees. But emails sent by Wiltshire Council to members days before the change of management, have revealed that some face “price hikes” of nearly 25%. 

 And parents of children that receive swimming lessons at Blue Pool have questioned why their child’s new Wiltshire Council swim school membership is more expensive than other leisure centres managed by the council. 

Wiltshire Council has responded to the uproar, explaining that the “odd hiccup” may have resulted in some members being moved to the “incorrect membership”. The council has urged those members unhappy with the cost of their new membership to speak to their admin team about “downgrading” or “upgrading” their membership. 

They have also said that swim school prices “should be consistent across the county”. 

“I have been paying £37 a month to use the gym at the Blue Pool,” explained one Blue Pool member. “So I was flabbergasted to get an email from Wiltshire Council telling me that my new membership will be £46 a month – and in the same email the council says the ‘good news’ is that I don’t have to worry about amending my direct debit! Thanks Wiltshire Council! 

“A 25% price hike is shocking – especially when there are no changes being made at the Blue Pool. And at a time when everyone is struggling financially, to add on over £100 a year on to someone’s membership, it’s not on! And I thought Wiltshire Council was meant to be encouraging everyone to be more active? Pricing people out of using their leisure centres is hardly encouraging.” 

In response to the concerns, Wiltshire Council’s cabinet member for leisure, cllr Ian Blair-Pilling told Melksham News, “We are in the process of writing individually to each Places Leisure member to notify them of which membership they have been transferred to. In this complex process we identified the membership type closest to that currently being held by each individual customer, and with the closest price match. Those on the top band for membership for Places Leisure have been transferred to our equivalent scheme. Some prices will vary from Places Leisure to Wiltshire Council. 

“As stated in the letter we have sent customers, the changes have been made automatically.  Anyone wishing to change the membership scheme that they have been allocated to, such as downgrading, upgrading, or changing membership completely, can easily do so, and we are happy and ready to help. For any changes, we ask that people contact our admin team via email at leisureadmin@wiltshire.gov.uk. 

 “Our teams have been working very hard to prepare for the transfer, but we’re bound to experience the odd hiccup, and, with the amount of customers being transferred, some may have been moved to the incorrect membership.  

“If that’s the case we will be in touch with them to rectify this shortly. No customer should receive a 25% increase on what they have been paying.  If that’s what they’ve been informed, this has been done in error, and they should get in touch with us.   

“Swim school prices should be consistent across the county, and if anyone feels the price they have been quoted is incorrect, they should let us know. We’re doing our best to keep any issues to a minimum and will rectify them as quickly as we can. 

“The transfer ensures membership offers are consistent across all 20 of the council’s leisure centres from 1st October. 

“When the transfer is complete there will be many benefits to customers in the future, including being able to offer a broader range of memberships and more concessionary rates.” 

Share235Tweet147Pin53

Related Stories

Triple podium for Higgins

Triple podium for Higgins

July 7, 2025
0

The weekend of the 28th-29th June saw the fourth round of the National Post Classic Grand Prix 250cc/350cc Championships held...

Former stationery shop up for auction

Former stationery shop up for auction

July 7, 2025
0

The building of a former independent stationery shop, Edwards, is due to go up for auction.  Edwards Stationery, which was...

Melksham Town FC stadium renamed in new partnership with local business

Melksham Town FC stadium renamed in new partnership with local business

July 7, 2025
0

Melksham Town Football Club has announced an exciting new partnership with Meads of Melksham, who will sponsor the club’s stadium...

Melksham’s canoeist wins  silver at world championships

Melksham’s canoeist wins silver at world championships

July 7, 2025
0

Local canoeist Alex Edwards has won a silver medal at the ICF Canoe Freestyle World Championships in Germany. Alex, representing...

Recommended

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

Melksham Oak cooks up a storm!

July 30, 2014

Folk duo music concert for older people

February 28, 2023

Follow Social Media

  • Triple podium for Higgins

The weekend of the 28th-29th June saw the fourth round of the National Post Classic Grand Prix 250cc/350cc Championships held at Anglesey with Broughton Gifford’s Darrell Higgins competing on his Dennis Trollope-backed Yamaha TZ 350cc machine. 
After qualifying, Darrell was fifth fastest but his first race on the Saturday saw two red flags with the second part after only five laps and Darrell crossed the line in third place. Darrell’s two races on the Sunday ran the full distance of nine laps each and he notched up another pair of third places which has saw him move up to fifth place in the 350cc Championship. Darrell said afterwards that these were his best results so far this season and was pleased that his bike kept going as racing bikes of this age can be challenging at times as they are over 40 years old. 

Read more on our website. The link is in our Bio.
  • Former stationery shop up for auction

The building of a former independent stationery shop, Edwards, is due to go up for auction. 
Edwards Stationery, which was based at 7 Bank Street, closed last September due to a rise in costs. Now, ten months later and the building is listed for auction on 10th July at a guide price of £90,000, with the estate and lettings agent Strakers saying the space would be an ‘ideal investment.’
Former owner of Edwards, Kamlesh Patel, had been running the shop for eight years before it closed and said that although the shop survived the Covid lockdowns, rising costs following the war in Ukraine made it no longer viable. The Grade II listed building has been a stationery shop in the town since the 1980s, stocking various supplies including pens, notebooks, envelopes and art materials. 

Read more on our website. The link is in our Bio.
  • Melksham Town FC stadium renamed in new partnership with local business

Melksham Town Football Club has announced an exciting new partnership with Meads of Melksham, who will sponsor the club’s stadium for the next three years. The local company, run by Adam and Georgee Meads, has secured naming rights to the ground in a move the club says is part of its ongoing commitment to building strong community ties. The sponsorship means the stadium will now proudly bear the Meads of Melksham name. 

Read more on our website. The link is in our Bio.
  • Melksham’s canoeist wins silver at world championships

Local canoeist Alex Edwards has won a silver medal at the ICF Canoe Freestyle World Championships in Germany. Alex, representing Great Britain, won silver in the men’s kayak squirt category at the championships in Plattling last month. He missed out on gold to GB teammate Sam Wilson who snatched victory in a thrilling all-British final with a world-record score. 

Read more on our website. The link is in our Bio.
  • It’s ‘party time’ as Melksham Carnival returns today!

MelkshamCarnival returns this Saturday with a lively procession full of music, dancing and surprises, set to bring the town’s streets to life. The colourful procession will start and finish at Church Street car park from 6pm on Saturday 5th July, and will feature large lorry floats, tractors, carnival royalty, dance groups and live music weaving through the streets of Melksham. With over 30 people and groups already signed up to take part – along with two large bands – the carnival committee says it’s an event ‘not to be missed’ and is encouraging residents to come out, spectate and join the celebrations. 

Read more on our website. The link is in our Bio.
  • Women and girls encouraged to play rugby with upcoming recruitment day

Melksham Rugby Club is gearing up for a summer of women’s rugby and encouraging local girls and women to try out the sport at an upcoming recruitment day. The recruitment day is due to take place on Saturday 12th July from 2pm to 6pm at Melksham Rugby Club, Oakfield Stadium, for the under-12s, under-14s, under-16s and ladies’ team. Melksham Rugby Club says it is making substantial moves to increase female participation in the sport, and most recently launched an under-16s team which already has eight players signed up.
“This summer is being branded as ‘the summer of women’s rugby’ due to the ever-exciting Women’s Rugby World Cup commencing at the end of August,” said club member Charlotte Holmes.
“Female participation in rugby has reached 2.7 million globally, with women now representing 25% of the playing population. 

Read more on our website. The link is in our Bio.
  • Melksham Goes to Glastonbury

Three Melksham performers brought their hometown pride to Glastonbury Festival last weekend, captivating audiences with very different sets. DJ James Threlfall took to the decks at The Village Inn on Friday 27th June, playing an energetic house set, while also presenting BBC Introducing live from the site over the weekend.
“It’s been such an experience to DJ at Glastonbury!” said James, who grew up in Melksham. “Not only presenting here but actually getting to play! Alongside all my other presenting duties, I definitely ticked a bucket-list item off!”
Meanwhile, singer‑songwriter Joseph Patrick Brown performed four acoustic sets in the Healing Fields, delivering his signature calm, guitar‑led sets across the weekend. 

Read more on our website. The link is in our Bio.
  • Over £2,000 raised for local scout group in annual road race

Over £2,000 was raised for the Broughton Gifford Scout Group at the recent Great Chalfield 10k road race, which saw around 200 runners take part. Starting at Broughton Gifford Common, the race took place on a warm summer’s evening and saw Melksham man Jason Reeves come in first in the MV60 age group. Finishing first overall was Jake Stephens of Chippenham Harriers, who clocked 34:49, just ahead of Jordan Carter from Melksham and John Reed of Warminster Running Club. 

Read more on our website. The link is in our Bio.
  • Food bank volunteers honoured with community award

Melksham Food Bank has been recognised for its tireless work supporting local people with a prestigious Asda Community Diamond Award. The award, which celebrates community groups and organisations making a real difference, was presented to thank the food bank for its vital service in the town — providing emergency food parcels to residents who are struggling to afford basic groceries. 
“We accepted this award on behalf of all of our amazing volunteers,” said a member of the food bank team, Kay Perry. The food bank operates out of Melksham Baptist Church on Broughton Gifford Road and is open on Mondays from 1.30pm to 3.30pm and on Thursdays from 10am to 12pm. 

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