Mel Austin, who was the deputy head at George Ward School in Melksham until 2000, and probably best known for encouraging local youngsters who showed some ability in songwriting, performing and recording through his company Melodious Music, has decided to clear out his collection of instruments, equipment and memorabilia.
He started the annual rock concerts at the school, which were featured in a double-page spread in the NME, organised gigs at many local venues for the young performers, and helped write and record singles and albums for them, which were sent to publishers and agencies.
Several youngsters had publishing deals, reached national finals and many of those he encouraged went on to have success locally and internationally in the music industry, including bands Hell Death Fury, Thought Forms and Port Erin, producers Dom Bailey and his own son Dan Austin.
Mel has a range of instruments and equipment he intends to put on Reverb and Ebay, but would be very happy to let items go at knock-down prices to any local musicians who are at the start of their adventure but need a helping hand; or to anybody at any age (including schools and clubs) who would benefit.
The range includes instruments (electric guitars, piano, drum kits), amplifiers for guitar, some vintage, including a Marshall, and bass, as well as a range of recording and PA equipment, including almost brand new active speakers and a sub, mics, cables and stands, as well as some lighting.
If you are interested in finding out more about what is available and about how you can view and bid for items, please email Mel – melaustin100@gmail.com. Give your name, contact number and briefly say what your interests and needs are and Mel will get back to you with info and pics of the items for sale.
In addition he has CDs and DVDs of all of the George Ward Rock Concerts, and many of the charity concerts he organised, together with copies of demos, singles and albums he made with a whole host of local youngsters. If you were one of those superstars and would like to see what is available, please also get in touch with your name, contact and which year(s) you were involved.
![Melksham Times Past
A column about days gone by in Melksham by local historian Lisa Ellis
The Independent Chapel and Women’s Rights in the 1840s
A document I recently transcribed lists the baptisms performed at the Independent Chapel. This record is especially helpful in that, along with baptisms, a lot of them include birth dates - one of the ways I discover which day someone was born.
The following is taken from a Wiltshire Times article published on 9th November 1878 which reports a speech given during the 100-year services and to celebrate their renovations (what we now know to be the Rachel Fowler Centre).
One speaker, Rev. T. Mann, minister in Trowbridge, talked about the Chapel’s origins when he related how Rev. Honywill came to Melksham and how he’d gone on to remain as the minister for the Independent Chapel for almost 60 years. [Honywill and his family lived on King Street in what we now call “Legion House”.]
Read more on our website, the link is in our bio.](https://scontent-lhr6-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.75761-15/505444438_18038424887647822_3264519508333556874_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=18de74&_nc_ohc=gXZQJoHTNiEQ7kNvwHezuPI&_nc_oc=AdlrJvMDapuork_EjycPOcegNeMnCA37GEIudkxkTeCfTgvB5iijE05ojpwlYCd5gN8&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-lhr6-1.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=QNvAO5SMZpVXmVytNQqVSQ&oh=00_AfPCRkqHgOSMvuudIx2c3c6tPfxG8yxgXENMsL7kQCav3g&oe=685475CA "Melksham Times Past
A column about days gone by in Melksham by local historian Lisa Ellis
The Independent Chapel and Women’s Rights in the 1840s
A document I recently transcribed lists the baptisms performed at the Independent Chapel. This record is especially helpful in that, along with baptisms, a lot of them include birth dates - one of the ways I discover which day someone was born.
The following is taken from a Wiltshire Times article published on 9th November 1878 which reports a speech given during the 100-year services and to celebrate their renovations (what we now know to be the Rachel Fowler Centre).
One speaker, Rev. T. Mann, minister in Trowbridge, talked about the Chapel’s origins when he related how Rev. Honywill came to Melksham and how he’d gone on to remain as the minister for the Independent Chapel for almost 60 years. [Honywill and his family lived on King Street in what we now call “Legion House”.]
Read more on our website, the link is in our bio.")
