Community volunteer is Melksham Person of the Year

MELKSHAM’s Person of the Year 2017 award has been won by ex-councillor and community volunteer Mike Mills.

Hundreds of votes were received in the competition, which was organised by Melksham News to find the person who has made a real contribution to the community in 2017.

Mike was a councillor for Melksham Without Parish Council for 28 years before retiring recently due to becoming terminally ill. He was also the council’s longest serving chairman at 12 years. He has also had a huge impact in the community outside of his councillor role by volunteering for various groups and organisations across the town including Bowerhill Village Hall, Melksham in Bloom, Bowerhill Youth Club, the Community Safety Group and Bowerhill Residents Action Group as well as helping to set up and run the canal picnic area between Bowerhill and Seend Cleeve.

Some of Mike’s supporters said, “I would like to vote for Mike Mills to be person of the year! His work as a councillor and community affairs over the past couple of decades has been a credit to him.”

“I would like to vote for Mike Mills.  He has done so much for Bowerhill and now he has left Melksham Without Parish Council and Bowerhill Residents Action Group due to ill health, it will be difficult to find someone to come close to replacing him.”

His wife Marilyn, on Mike’s behalf said,“Thank you to all who voted for Mike to become Melksham’s Person of the Year, especially at such a difficult time for us all. It’s lovely to know that his work over the past years has been recognised.”

Ian Drew, editor of Melksham News, presented the winner’s shield to Mike last week. Ian said, “Congratulations to Mike on winning Melksham’s Person of the Year 2017. Mike has made a huge contribution to Melksham over the years and truly deserves to win this award. The kind messages we received from voters shows the huge impact he has on the community.

“All this year’s nominees were worthy of the award and deserve praise for their efforts and contributions to the town. They can all feel proud to have been involved and to know they have made such a big impact on local people’s lives.”

Other nominees were Julie Cannings, Beth Dark, Galbindar Dhariwal, John Hamley, Ciaran Hanks, Andy Hinchcliffe, Alan Johnson, Gavin Owen, Stephen Rolfe and Gerald and Linda Salter.