Love Melksham Column

A resident’s love letters to her town

The Tourist Information Centre

This week’s love for Melksham comes from the hub of helpful happiness that is the Melksham Tourist Information Centre (TIC).

Although the name suggests it’s for visitors, the centre is a valuable resource for everyone in Melksham, with a surprising range of services, signposting and even souvenirs for sale.

The TIC is just opposite the Post Office on Church Street, and crammed with every possible leaflet, map, book and brochure about the area. It’s an excellent hub of community connection and advice. There are bus timetables and maps, tickets and tips for every type of transport and tourism, as well as a popular section of secondhand books and jigsaws for sale, locally made honey, cards and crafts and a gallery of local artwork. When I have friends visiting, I like to make sure we pop in to pick up some unique Melksham merch of magnets, mugs or tea towels to celebrate our lovely town. If the queue at the Post Office is too long, it’s great to remember the TIC also sell stamps!

With the vibrant social calendar of Melksham at their fingertips the volunteers are a source of wisdom on what to do in and around town – from theatre shows and Rock’n’Roll dances to Historical Society talks and comedy nights and you can get tickets for Melksham Open Gardens, the Choral Society, Melksham Music and Drama performances and the Garden and Produce Show.

Along with bus and train information, the knowledgeable team at the centre can sort out your National Express coach tickets and book your places on the huge range of travel options through Melksham Community Transport. This volunteer run fleet of green and yellow buses was set up to support elderly people getting around, and they provide the weekly shopper bus – in Melksham and beyond (free with a bus pass) – along with more adventurous monthly trips to destinations like Swanage and Weymouth. There are currently opportunities for drivers so if you’d like to join the lovely team, drop in and talk to John at the TIC or call 01225 707424.

The importance of this fantastic community resource is recognised by Melksham Town Council, Melksham Without Parish Council and Melksham Almshouses who all provide funding so that it can continue to help anyone living, working or stopping by in Melksham. It’s a safe space for a friendly chat, advice and information and is open 10am to 4pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 10am to 1pm on Wednesday and 10am to noon on Saturday.

You can call the lovely team on 01225 707424, email info@visit-melksham.com or find more information at visit-melksham.com and explore another brilliant reason to Love Melksham!

Miriam Zaccarelli

Pictured: John Ruderman and Andrea Whatley at the TIC with their canine companion