Come in and find out about places to go in your local area say information centre

With the population of the town increasing rapidly due to due to recent housing developments it is possible many residents who read Melksham News are unaware that the town has a flourishing Information Centre and know even less about what is on offer.

Melksham Tourist Information Centre (based opposite the Post Office in Church Street) has been established in the town for more than 30 years. It is open six days a week – hours vary – provides both residents and visitors alike with a wide selection of brochures, maps, leaflets, stamps, gifts, together with the opportunity to book tickets on National Express Coaches, tickets for presentations at the Assembly Hall, as well as for events both locally and outside the area, such as the Bath and West Show and, later in the year the very popular Frome Cheese Show.

Attention is particularly drawn to our well-supported Community Bus shopping and day trips which can be booked through the centre.

The shopping trips principally allow the less able resident to take advantage of the door-to-door service, be taken alternately to Trowbridge, Devizes or Chippenham for a couple of hours and then returned home with the hassle of DIY removed! Travel is free for those with bus passes.

Throughout the spring and summer, the Days Out trips give people a chance to visit other parts of the country such as Weymouth, Swanage, Abergavenny, Gloucester, and many more. Regular travellers come back saying how much they have enjoyed themselves and where can they go next. These outings are not free, of course, but think of what can be saved by leaving the car at home!  Not to mention the enjoyment of someone else doing the driving!

So, if you have recently arrived in Melksham and your family and friends visit to discover why you moved to Wiltshire, book a day out and show them what a beautiful part of the country you have chosen to live in.

Next time you are in town, pop in to the TIC where the friendly and knowledgeable volunteer staff, headed by team leader John Ruderman (who, incidentally, also drives one of the buses) will give you details of the trips, as well as forthcoming events.

And of course, if you are interested in becoming a volunteer at the centre, have a few hours to spare, can cope with a computer and deal patiently with the many and varied requirements of the general public, either telephone 01225 707424 to arrange an interview or call in and speak to a member of staff. You can be assured of a warm welcome.