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Free Football Friday returns

February 11, 2026
in Latest news, Things to do
Reading Time: 1 min read
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Free Football Friday returns

A free football session for children is back on Friday 20th February.

The Future of Football Free Football Fridays are open to girls and boys of all abilities aged six to 12 years old, and take place during school holidays. Free packed lunches are provided for every child attending.

There are 80 free spaces available for the session, running at Bowerhill Playing Fields from 10pm to 3pm.

Organisers say, “After a record-breaking attendance during the summer holidays last year and October half-term, we are proud to once again offer this brilliant community football programme for local families.

“This is all about keeping children active, building confidence and friendships, removing cost barriers and giving parents a safe, positive place for their children to play.

“Thanks to our amazing recruiters CMD Recruitment and Elevate Cloud.”

Booking is essential via the online form https://shorturl.at/l5ZNp

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Choose a monthly subscription or a one-off donation. All donations will be reinvested into producing local journalism for Melksham.

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  • Red bench unveiled for local girl with heart condition

A red bench has been unveiled in Broughton Gifford recognising a local girl who was born with two serious heart defects and underwent life-saving surgery as a newborn baby.

Six-year-old Amalie Roberts, who lives in the village, was diagnosed with transposition of the great arteries (TGA) and a ventricular septum defect (VSD) following her mum Sophie’s 20-week scan.

Amalie is one of dozens of people sharing their story as part of a new national campaign by the British Heart Foundation (BHF). To mark 65 years of lifesaving work, the charity is unveiling 65 red benches across the UK in tribute to those living with heart conditions and to raise awareness. 

Amalie’s bench was installed thanks to the work of Broughton Gifford Parish Council.

Amalie’s parents, Sophie and Matt, remember the shock of the diagnosis after specialists at Bristol Children’s Hospital confirmed that their daughter would need open-heart surgery soon after birth to survive. 

Read more on our website. The link is in our bio.
  • 91-year-old trampolinist wins gold

A Melksham man has won two gold medals at a trampolining competition at the age of 91, adding to a long and successful involvement in the sport spanning more than 70 years.

Peter Quinney, a founding member of the former Christie Miller Gymnastics Club, won an Individual Over 90 Gold Medal and a Spire Heights Team Gold Medal at the Portsmouth Gymnastics Adult Championships recently.

He also received a Special Wooden Spoon Award, which recognises his efforts in encouraging people to continue with gymnastics and trampolining.

Peter competed as part of a team from Spire Heights Trampoline Club in Salisbury, where he volunteers as a coach every Saturday.

Peter said, “We had a team of four at the competition. We went away and it was a fun weekend, which was great. I can’t understand all the fuss over it. I did a 10-bounce routine with no somersaults. I put the routine together. I have been doing that for 70 years.” 

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Tributes from across the local sporting world have been paid to footballing stalwart Mick Perrin, who died this week.

Mick devoted more than six decades to Melksham Town FC as a player, secretary, chairman and president. Last year, he received the British Empire Medal in the New Year’s Honours List in recognition of his outstanding dedication to grassroots football and the local community.

He began as a player for Melksham Town in his youth before going on to serve as club secretary for 15 years and chairman for a further 15 years. In recent years, he was joint president of the club alongside his close friend Dave Phillips.

Melksham Town FC paid tribute, saying, “It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Michael ‘Mick’ Perrin, BEM, a beloved stalwart of Melksham Town Football Club and a cherished figure throughout the Melksham community.

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  • Melksham Times Past - A column about days gone by in Melksham by local historian Lisa Ellis

Bicycles built for Melksham

The penny farthing is a bicycle with a very large front wheel.

This was a very difficult contraption to ride and it was quickly overtaken by cycles with two wheels the same size, connected by a chain. These ‘safety cycles’ were very similar to what is ridden now.

The original Rover Company, a British car manufacturer that began as a bicycle manufacturer in 1885, was famous for its innovative “Rover Safety Bicycle,” which set the standard for modern bicycles (rear-wheel drive, two similar-sized wheels, and a diamond frame).

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On the 19th of July 1889, Eustace Francis Hinder had only been riding his Rover “Universe No. 2” safety bicycle for three or four weeks when he lost control and ran into a cart driven by James Escott, a dealer from Bowerhill, who was moving at walking pace. Hinder was thrown off his seat onto the ground. 

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The history of spinning and weaving in the town was shared at a recent talk by the Melksham and District Historical Association.

Earlier this month, 80 people, including 24 visitors, turned out to see history group member Rachel Newman, committee member Glenn Cox and secretary Peter Maslen show how spinning and weaving developed in the town.

The talk was held at the Melksham Assembly Hall. Chairperson of the Melksham and District Historical Association Paul Carter said, “Seeing the spinning in action helped the audience visualise what was happening in houses throughout the town, including Glenn’s own property. Peter then discussed how industrialisation of the process affected the ‘cottage industry’, including a riot at the Matravers Mill, now the site of the former Avon Tyres entrance.”

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Pictured: Rachel Newman demonstrating spinning
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The sessions invite young people to design and decorate vibrant nature-themed bunting. All materials are provided and the flag group will be on hand to guide children of all abilities.

The workshops are inspired by Sir David Attenborough’s 100th birthday, to celebrate nature and the environment.

Wednesday 18th February

10am – Booking required – book here https://buff.ly/tlIJ2uZ

1:30pm – Walk-in session (no booking required; first come first served basis)

Thursday 19th February

10am – Booking required – book here https://buff.ly/mfOzSBv

1:30pm – Walk-in session (no booking required; first come first served basis). 

Read more on our website. The link is in our bio

Pictured: bunting in the Market Place
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Tony Fivash stepped down as president of Melksham and District Historical Association after 10 years in the role, having been involved with the association for 30 years.

During that time he was involved in various talks and exhibitions. He said, “I gave many lectures to the group in evenings. I took people on history trails around the town, pointing out points of historical interest. I also remember going to the family history group at Devizes to talk about family history. I had given a talk about Melksham people of some historical interest and someone picked it up and said they would love me to go and talk to them about it because we had done so much research on a particular family who originally lived in Gompels.

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Read more on our website. The link is in our bio

To report a pothole, visit https://buff.ly/4Nq0bGI

Pictured:  Bobcat filling potholes
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