The public opening of the ‘The Friends Garden’ – a new community space located behind the former spiritualist church on King Street, has been delayed.
The space was recently transformed by a team of volunteers from the Melksham South West in Bloom team and foundation students from Lackham College. It was hoped that it would be open to the public from Saturday 6th July – but legal proceedings surrounding the transfer of ownership from the trustees of the former spiritualist church to Melksham Town Council has caused a delay.
Chair of the Melksham South West in Bloom team, Kathy Iles says, “In a recent edition of the Melksham Independent News, the Melksham South West in Bloom team with other funders had a private opening of The Friend’s Garden in King Street. This project is in its 7th year and the Bloom team had hoped that legal matters surrounding the transfer to Melksham Town Council were almost complete.
“The garden belongs to the trustees of the old Spiritualist Church who at one point owned the church on King Street. It is their wish that Melksham Town Council take ownership of the garden and open it as a tranquil space for the people of Melksham to enjoy, but legal matters unfortunately work really slowly, so the public opening has had to be delayed.
“We would like to apologise to the many people who have already expressed a desire to use this beautiful space. Melksham Town Council are working with the trustees and if all goes well, it is hoped that the garden will be fully open to all by our 800th Market Charter celebrations at the end of September.”
