• Wiltshire Publications
  • White Horse News
  • Frome Times
Tuesday, February 10, 2026
10 °c
Melksham
9 ° Wed
7 ° Thu
  • Login
  • Register
Melksham Independent News
Advertisement
  • Latest News
  • About Us
    • Mission Statement
    • Corrections
  • Digital Edition
  • Back Issues
  • Contact us
  • Advertise with us
  • Family Messages
  • Directory
  • More

    Search

    News

    • Latest News
    • Special Featured Stories
    • Featured Stories
    • Min News
    • Crime
    • Traffic News
    • Education
    • Health
    • Business
    • Politics

    Sport

    • Melksham FC
    • Football
    • Rugby
    • General Sport
    • Cricket
    • Golf
    • Bowls

    Best of Melksham

    • Melksham Community
    • Fundraising
    • Volunteering & Helping Out
    • Clubs Organisations

    What's on

    • Events Entertainment
    • Arts & Entertainment
    • Things to do

    Family Messages

    • Announcements
    • Death Notices
    • In Memoriam
    • Birthday
    • Engagement
    • Wedding Messages
    • Melksham Says Thank You
    • Awards

    Digital Editions

    • Digital Edition
    • Digital Archives

    Podcast Celebrate Melksham

    • Podcast
    • Subscribe to podcast
No Result
View All Result
  • Latest News
  • About Us
    • Mission Statement
    • Corrections
  • Digital Edition
  • Back Issues
  • Contact us
  • Advertise with us
  • Family Messages
  • Directory
  • More

    Search

    News

    • Latest News
    • Special Featured Stories
    • Featured Stories
    • Min News
    • Crime
    • Traffic News
    • Education
    • Health
    • Business
    • Politics

    Sport

    • Melksham FC
    • Football
    • Rugby
    • General Sport
    • Cricket
    • Golf
    • Bowls

    Best of Melksham

    • Melksham Community
    • Fundraising
    • Volunteering & Helping Out
    • Clubs Organisations

    What's on

    • Events Entertainment
    • Arts & Entertainment
    • Things to do

    Family Messages

    • Announcements
    • Death Notices
    • In Memoriam
    • Birthday
    • Engagement
    • Wedding Messages
    • Melksham Says Thank You
    • Awards

    Digital Editions

    • Digital Edition
    • Digital Archives

    Podcast Celebrate Melksham

    • Podcast
    • Subscribe to podcast
No Result
View All Result
Melksham Independent News
No Result
View All Result

Melksham resident celebrates 100th birthday

January 28, 2026
in Latest news
Reading Time: 1 min read
406 22
A A
0
Melksham resident celebrates 100th birthday

A Melksham resident has celebrated his 100th birthday this month.

Ron Francis turned 100 on Wednesday 21st January and said he was ‘astonished’ to reach the milestone and receive a birthday card from King Charles III.

“I was very pleased to receive this, it’s just lovely,” said Ron, who has lived in Melksham for 30 years with his wife, Janet Francis.

During his 100 years, Ron fought in World War II as part of the Royal Air Force Association. He later recalled fond memories of working at Collins, the publishers in Pall Mall, where he met Agatha Christie.

“She was very nice person. She never talked down to you,” said Ron. “I used to make her a cup of tea and she always insisted on giving me some money, which I didn’t need. She always insisted on paying me something for the tea. She was a really lovely lady.”

Later, Ron worked for Kipling as an accounts manager and at Warburtons.

To celebrate his birthday, friends visited Ron throughout the day at his home in Melksham.

Pictured: Ron Francis on his 100th birthday with his birthday letter signed by King Charles and Queen Camilla

Support Local News

Help us keep your community connected and informed.

Local news is under pressure more than ever. For just £2 a month, you can support independent reporting that shares local stories, investigates the issues that affect you, and keeps residents up to date.

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

Donate Now
Share237Tweet148Pin53

Related Stories

91-year-old trampolinist wins gold

91-year-old trampolinist wins gold

February 10, 2026
0

A Melksham man has won two gold medals at a trampolining competition at the age of 91, adding to a...

Red bench unveiled for local girl with heart condition

Red bench unveiled for local girl with heart condition

February 10, 2026
0

A red bench has been unveiled in Broughton Gifford recognising a local girl who was born with two serious heart...

Residents invited to shape the future of Melksham parks

Residents invited to shape the future of Melksham parks

February 10, 2026
0

Residents are being asked for their views on the future of Melksham’s parks, play areas and open spaces as part...

Tributes paid to Melksham Town FC stalwart Mick Perrin

Tributes paid to Melksham Town FC stalwart Mick Perrin

February 10, 2026
0

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

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recommended

  • All
  • Latest news
  • Environment
  • Fundraising
  • Politics
  • Wiltshire Council
  • Clubs & Organisations
  • Volunteering and helping out
  • Whats on

Christmas Message from Cllr Richard Wood, Chair of Melksham Without Parish Council

December 17, 2020

Day trips with Melksham Community Bus

July 18, 2018

Follow Social Media

  • 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).

But like the penny farthing, it took some practice to learn to ride it.

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. 

Read more on our website. The link is in our bio
  • History group explores town’s spinning and weaving past

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.”

The next talk at Melksham Assembly Hall will be ‘Town Halls of Wiltshire’ on Thursday 19th February at 7.30pm. 

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

Pictured: Rachel Newman demonstrating spinning
  • Nature-themed bunting-making workshop

A free nature-themed bunting making workshop will be held at the town hall during February half-term, led by the Melksham Flag Group.

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
  • Local woman embarks on new career journey with Holidays & Cruises travel experts

Advertising Feature

A local woman has begun an exciting new chapter in her career after joining Holidays & Cruises Travel Experts in December.

Julie Palmer has taken on the role of Hostess and Office Manager, bringing with her a wealth of experience gained across a varied career.

Julie has previously worked in roles ranging from retail through to Head of Operations, with a consistent focus on delivering high standards of customer service.

The new position marks a career change for Julie, who says she is looking forward to working in the travel industry and helping customers enjoy memorable holidays. Her role will see her welcoming passengers on board as hostess, as well as supporting the business administratively to ensure trips run smoothly from start to finish. 

Read more on our website. The link is in our bio
  • History group’s president steps down after decade

A long-standing president of the town’s history association has stepped down after a decade in the role.

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.

“Whenever we had a photo display, I would always get nominated to do it because I was careful on how the displays look.” 

Read more on our website. The link is in our bio
  • Wiltshire’s roads “among best in England,” says government

By Local Democracy Reporter Peter Davison

Wiltshire’s roads are among the best-maintained in England, according to a new government report.

The Department for Transport has rated 154 local highways authorities across the country for fixing potholes and investing in preventative road maintenance.

Wiltshire is one of a handful of counties to be rated ‘green’. Most of the country is rated ‘amber’ with a few councils rated ‘red’.

Wiltshire Council says the green rating is recognition that the county “has been assessed as having good local road conditions, has provided additional investment into local highways maintenance, and has adopted best practice such as preventative maintenance and other innovative technologies.”

Cllr Martin Smith, Wiltshire Council’s cabinet member for highways, said: “We are delighted to receive this recognition from the Department for Transport, as it illustrates just how the hard work of our teams is paying off. 

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

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

Pictured:  Bobcat filling potholes
  • See the best of Britain and Europe with local coach company

Local coach company Chandlers Coach Travel is ready to hit the road again in 2026, offering another exciting year of holidays, day trips and tours across the UK and Europe.

Founded in 1991, the family-owned firm celebrates its 35th anniversary this year and has built a trusted reputation for comfort, reliability and a friendly personal touch.

“We always say the holiday starts the minute you step onto one of our coaches,” says owner Margaret I’Anson. “Our drivers and couriers look after everything from the minute you join us, so our customers can just sit back and enjoy themselves.”

This year’s itinerary features a blend of favourite destinations and new adventures, with trips across the UK and mainland Europe. Popular breaks include seaside escapes, Christmas and New Year breaks and scenic journeys. 

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

Pictured: Margaret, centre, with members of the Chandlers team
  • Almshouses charity invites grant applications

Local groups and organisations are being invited to apply for a grant through The Melksham Almshouses Charities.

The charity supports local charitable activities that benefit people in need across the town through small grants. To apply, groups must be based in or primarily serve Melksham and operate on a not-for-profit basis.

The Melksham alms-houses on Bath Road were built in 1862 and provide affordable housing for local people in need, particularly older residents or those on lower incomes.

The charity’s main purpose is to provide almshouse accommodation for people aged over 50 who are experiencing financial hardship and live in or around Melksham. It also supports local charitable activities through small grants.

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

Pictured: Melksham Almshouses
  • Community boxing gym urgently seeks new home

A community boxing gym in the heart of Melksham is urgently searching for a new home.

The Contender Gym Melksham is a Community Interest Gym based at Avonside. Coaches say the gym provides discipline, confidence and a safe space for its members.

The gym is currently housed in a building that is being renovated and is due to be taken over by new owners.

A hike in rent means the facility will no longer be able to afford to use the space.

“The rent for the building will increase by four times the current cost,” said boxing coach and secretary of the gym, Tracy Steel. 

Read more on our website. The link is in our bio
Podcast Celebrate Melksham Podcast Celebrate Melksham Podcast Celebrate Melksham
ADVERTISEMENT
Melksham Independent News

Get in touch

  • About Us
  • Advertising
  • Self Service Advertising
  • Issue Dates and Deadlines
  • Payment Information
  • Send Us Your News
  • Contact Us
  • Advertising Terms Conditions
  • Complaints
  • Placing a family message
  • Photos
  • Useful Information

More from Melksham News

  • Latest News
  • Sport
  • Digital Edition
  • Digital Archives
  • What's On
  • Corrections
  • Mission Statement
  • List Item

FOLLOW US

© 2023. Melksham Independent News | Wiltshire Publications Ltd, 31, Market Place, Melksham, Wiltshire, SN12 6ES Registered in England & Wales | 02627096

  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Legal Hub
  • Site Map
Melksham Independent News
Melksham Independent News
ADVERTISEMENT

Welcome Back!

OR

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

OR

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
×

Support local news

Help us keep your community connected and informed.

Local news is under pressure more than ever. For just £2 a month, you can support independent reporting that shares local stories, investigates the issues that affect you, and keeps residents up to date.

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

Donate Now
Melksham Independent News
Manage Cookie Consent
To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behaviour or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
  • Manage options
  • Manage services
  • Manage {vendor_count} vendors
  • Read more about these purposes
View preferences
  • {title}
  • {title}
  • {title}
No Result
View All Result
  • Latest News
    • Featured Stories
    • Min News
    • Crime
    • Education
    • Health
    • Business
    • Politics
  • About Us
  • Digital Edition
    • Digital Edition Archives
  • Contact us
  • Advertising with us
  • Family Messages
    • Announcements
    • Dealth Notices
    • In Memoriam
    • Birthday
    • Engagement
    • Wedding Messages
    • Melksham Says Thank You
    • Awards
  • More
    • Newsletters
    • Jobs
    • Local Listing
    • Book An Advert
    • Sports
    • Best of Melksham
      • Melksham Community
      • Fundraising
      • Volunteering & Helping Out
      • Clubs Organisations
    • What’s on
      • Events Entertainment
      • Arts and Culture
      • Things To Do

© 2023 Melksham Independent News | Web Design & SEO by YOW Internet.

-
00:00
00:00

Queue

Update Required Flash plugin
-
00:00
00:00