A ‘Happy to Chat’ bench has been installed in the King George V Park (KGV) in memory of two local residents who played key roles in various community groups and initiatives in Melksham.
The bench was unveiled on Friday 25th October to commemorate Peter and Margaret Blackburn, who died in 2022.
Peter, a former Wiltshire councillor, had also served as president of the TransWilts Community Rail Partnership and the chair of the Melksham Railway Development Group. He played a key role in improving the railway in Melksham, helping to increase the number of passengers using the station.
Acting chair of the Melksham Transport User Group, Graham Ellis said, “Peter saw train services at Melksham move from two each way per day (too early and too late to be of much use) to nine each way, with a 25-fold increase in passenger numbers. That provided the background for a longer platform and longer trains.
“Such was the success that the group renamed from a development to a user group. When it was formed in 2010, Peter also became president of the TransWilts Community Rail Partnership. As well as his public transport support (you could always rely on Peter to be at and advocating our cause at events), he was president of Wiltshire Hockey, a key representative at the Federation of Small Businesses, and a Wiltshire Councillor who, although a member of a political grouping even to the extent of being an election agent, worked for and was respected by all.”
Peter’s wife Margaret was also well-known in the town and had a key role in the Melksham and Corsham Women’s Institute. She was integral in the running of Melksham’s Tourist Information Centre.
Graham said, “She would welcome and help direct visitors to the town, and the Tourist Information Centre became not only a tourist information centre but a town information centre too, where many a resident has been helped find out more about their town, a real welcome to newcomers, and a refresher and update for old hands.
“Peter and Margaret had three sons, who they spoke of proudly as they made their way in the world with international tales. Peter loved to chat about all sorts of things, and it is really fitting that this bench is designated as a ‘Happy to Chat’ bench.
“Although busy business people, two of his sons made it along to the dedication and they were telling me how proud they were of their dad and how delighted and tickled pink he would have been at the bench and how it would encourage positive dialogue.
“They also found it very fitting that the bench is in KGV, just a few hundred yards from where Peter and Margaret lived in later years.”
