Melksham Seniors Christmas Party and New Year events

Preparations are well in hand for another super Christmas Party for Melksham Seniors on the 19th December at Melksham Assembly Hall.

“This year, thanks to very kind donations from Melksham Rotary Club and Medvivo Care Services,  we are able to have two hours of excellent entertainment provided by the Daisy-Chain Productions from Bristol,” said Brian Warwick, chair of Melksham Seniors

“We are also delighted to be welcoming the infant choir from the Aloeric School who are going to entertain us with their renderings of lovely carols. I believe Father Christmas who is very busy at this time of the year is also going to take time out from his appointments at Leekes to also visit us.”

“A limited number of tickets for the party are now available from the Assembly Hall or the Tourist Information Centre in Church Street at the concessionary price of £5 for over 55’s (normally £15) until the 7th December after which the full price will have to be paid. Tickets are sold on a first come basis and as there are only a limited number so don’t leave it too late to buy your own ticket.

New Year programme

“We have a busy programme arranged for the new year for as well as our Activity Club on Monday 2nd January and the Film Club on the 16th January,” continued Brian. “We are also hosting a very special and important public meeting on Wednesday afternoon the 25th January at Melksham Town Hall on older people issues around Care and Health.

“We will hear more in the coming months about service changes that will eventually affect every older person. To understand the reasoning behind these changes we have invited key experts on these changes to come along and tell you more about the local plans and for you to have the opportunity to express your views and get answers to your questions so do make a special note of the time and day.

Cuts to adult care

“One of the issues that came up at the meeting of our discussion group was the concerns around the deep financial cuts in Adult Services Care provisions and the NHS. That led to questions being asked how it will impact on older people in Wiltshire and even our own range of activities and the continuous struggle to overcome loneliness in an ageing society.

“Hopefully, we will have the opportunity at the public meeting on the 25th to learn more about the impact of cuts in funding and what it really means to each one of us.

“What really did concern the group was the deep cuts that have already taken place and how they are affecting community events? More pressure is building up for communities to do more for themselves and to find different ways of identifying funding.  The recent highly publicised “Children in Need” appeal supported so well by the BBC, demonstrated the generosity of the British public and what can be achieved. However, when it comes down to a local level are we doing enough for our own community?

“That question was heatedly debated with a general consensus from the group that more could be achieved if those who benefit from the local economy were far more generous in their support towards key events such as the Christmas Lights, the Party in the Park and Melksham Carnival (as one event).

“Our Local Chamber of Trade support was much appreciated, but there was severe criticism of those retailers and businesses that do very little, some do not even dress their frontage for such special occasions, nor even bother to provide decorations or lights on their property at Christmas.

“The banks and financial services and national chemists came in for considerable criticism. As did the lack of giving from the likes of professional businesses such as estate agents and solicitors.

“I am not sure if that criticism is applicable to all however, there was certainly a strong feeling that they don’t do as much as they could and should for the community they serve.”