
MELKSHAM Without Parish Council’s clerk is to retire after serving the community for more then 30 years.
Mary Jarvis, will step down from her position in March having taken on the role as clerk in September 1983, making her currently Wiltshire’s longest-serving council clerk.
She said, “I’m not sure for definite what I’m going to do just yet, but I know I would like to stay involved in the Melksham community in some way and give something back and maybe do a little bit of travelling. I have thoroughly enjoyed my job and have to say I have worked with some fantastic and wonderful people who have served Melksham fantastically well such as Mike Mills and Richard Wood who were both a fantastic chairman and helped create this amazing community spirit we have here. It was a very sleepy, rural parish when I first became involved. When I was interviewed, they said it was a just a couple of meetings and a few letters a month. Now, the role has changed massively as the parish has grown and there is so much going on.
“I have had many highlights throughout and it’s difficult to name just a few but I was a co-ordinator on the Riverside Project in 2000 which was opened by Princess Anne, so that was very special and something I will never forget.
“I also recall there was a memorable event in 1995 to mark the 100th year of parish councils when we all dressed up in Victorian costume, had an exhibition in the Town Hall and a special Victorian Council Meeting with a Victorian agenda. Soon afterwards, quite by accident, a resident of Broughton Gifford found a press cutting of almost the first council meeting of Melksham Without in 1896 and we have it up on our council wall in Crown Chambers so that was special.
“Other highlights include securing the Bowerhill Village Hall and getting involved in a project to save the community hospital which sadly failed. However, the community spirit shown by Melksham for that was outstanding as we received 13,649 signatures on a petition and the passion shown by everyone reflected how great this place it is.
“I am a Christian and have used that faith to try and do my best for the town. I praise the Lord for the opportunities I have had the chance to be involved with and for the opportunity to work with such a great community.”
Mary’s retirement coincides with her husband Malcolm also retiring and the couple also celebrated their 40th ruby wedding anniversary this year.