Memorial bench for cricket-loving councillor

A COMMEMORATIVE bench has been placed at the Melksham Cricket Club in memory of councillor Roy While who died in 2019, and was a key part in setting up the community Campus.

Roy While was a member of Melksham Without Parish Council and West Wilts District Council and was also a member of Wiltshire Council, representing the Melksham Without South Ward. He was instrumental in creating the vision of the Campus.

Speaking about his involvement, Wiltshire cllr Mike Sankey said, “When the Melksham Campus was first considered, Roy became chair of the Shadow Community Operations Board (SCOB) on which served myself and many others from the community. Our role was to consider what should be included in the Campus, based on our visits to and observations of other facilities and consultations with our community. I knew Roy from my time serving on Melksham Without Parish Council also.

“Once the Campus was completed, I felt it was appropriate given his past involvement for him to be commemorated there. There are of course others no longer with us whom contributed also.”

Roy’s daughter, Jenny While said, “My dad would have felt a sense of overwhelming pleasure in seeing the Campus building being used. When I came to see my dad’s memorial bench at Melksham cricket ground I arrived early, to take the opportunity to look around the community Campus. On my approach, I was stunned to see the transformation of the area; how sympathetically the building and landscape fit in with the environment and just how busy it was. I’m incredibly proud of the part my father played in making the Campus a reality and if he were alive today, he would justifiably have a sense of pride each and every time he visited the Campus.

“As a family, we are delighted that he has been remembered for his contribution to the project. A bench at the cricket ground on the edge of the campus, is a fitting tribute. He devoted so much time and passion to his work as a councillor, that he only truly relaxed watching a game of cricket, sat comfortably on a similar bench to this, with his packed lunch by his side.

“He annually spent a few days at the Scarborough Cricket Festival watching his beloved Yorkshire, but he also supported several forms of the local game; attending Gloucestershire matches (he was a season ticket holder), the Cheltenham Cricket Festival, as well as local fixtures. Those that knew him would also remember him as a football supporter, he was a life-long Spurs fan, but those peaceful days outdoors watching cricket, those were days that he really valued.”

Jenny added, “We would like to thank his former colleagues who had the idea for the bench and made this happen. It is touching that he is still remembered for his work.”

Debbie from Melksham Cricket Club said, “We now have three benches at the Pavilion, we are really happy to be asked to be custodians of Roy’s bench.”