Melksham pays its respects to Duke of Edinburgh

MELKSHAM’S two councils have been leading the tributes in the town following the death of Prince Philip.

Melksham Town’s Mayor, Councillor Pat Aves said, “The people of Melksham send their deepest condolences to Her Majesty The Queen and all members of the Royal Family on this saddest of days.  His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, was an inspiration to us all, and his was a life well lived.  We join the nation in mourning his death.”

Chair of Melksham Without Parish Council, cllr Richard Wood, said, “On behalf of Melksham Without Parish Council and all our parishioners I would like to express deep sympathy to HRH Queen Elizabeth on the death of Prince Philip. 

“He was a remarkable public servant for 73 years, being a great support to the Queen as Monarch while also playing a major part in the modernisation of the Royal family and its role in all our lives. 

“I know from first-hand experience that his far-sighted Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme played a major role for many pupils at George Ward School, and latterly at Melksham Oak, opening up many new experiences for them. Our thoughts and sympathies go out to all members of the Royal family at this sad time.”

As a mark of respect, during the period of Royal mourning, the Union Flag will fly at half-mast over the Town Hall. 

The town council has set up a station at the front of the Town Hall where residents may take an insert from their physical condolence book home with them to complete and return.  Responses will later be bound together.  The station will be available 10am to 4pm between Monday and Friday.

Wiltshire Council has an online book of condolence which will remain open until the day after the funeral; you can sign it by visiting www. wiltshire.gov. uk/registration-service/royal-memorial-events/hrh-prince-philip/book-of-condolence-for-hrh-prince-philip

Duke’s Melksham visit remembered

A spokesperson for the town council continues, “Here in Melksham, we welcomed the Duke to the town on 14 April 1961, on the occasion of his visit to the, then Avon Rubber Company, now Cooper Tires.  Arriving by helicopter, the Duke commented on a most enjoyable visit and his amazement at the complicated processes. With inclement weather forecast, special umbrellas were acquired for the day, even though the weather for the visit stayed fine and they were not used.  If you still have one, kept as a souvenir, we’d love a photograph! 

“In his visit to our town, the Duke was following in the  footsteps of his grandparents, King George V and Queen Mary, who visited Melksham in 1917.  His mother, Princess Alice, visited Melksham too, during the Second World War.

“Much has been said about the impact the Duke had on young people through the Duke of Edinburgh Awards Scheme – a programme he founded, that is thriving today, here in Melksham, at the town’s Melksham Oak Community School. 

“Through the programme, young people have fun, make friends, improve their self-esteem and build confidence. They gain essential skills and attributes for work and life such as resilience, problem-solving, team-working, communication and drive, all of which enhance their CVs, further and higher education and job applications.

“The strength of character that was gained by thousands of participants, locally and internationally, is a proud legacy for a man who believed wholeheartedly in the importance of developing self-reliance and courage in our young people.  After all, they are our future.

“Older generations will remember him as the dashing young prince – while the younger generations may remember him more as a symbolic grandfather, from a different time and with a twinkle of mischief in his eye.

“The Duke’s passing, leaves an immense void that will be felt by Her Majesty The Queen and other members of the Royal family.  Their grief is the nation’s grief.”

“The news of HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh’s death on Friday was not entirely unexpected.  However, for many, the news still came as a jolt.  

“Just weeks from his centennial, and after a lengthy stay in hospital earlier this year, The Duke passed away peacefully at Windsor Castle, with his beloved wife, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by his side.

“Prince Philip was a mass of contradictions.  Born in Corfu and raised under a number of different influences, the young Prince lived an unusual and nomadic life-style, yet it is hard to think of anyone who defined ‘Britishness’ quite so quintessentially.  Full of energy, intellect and humour,  the Duke is said to have completed roughly 300 solo engagements per year, until his 90s.