Memorial postbox installed in Melksham

A memorial postbox has been installed in the Friends Garden for residents to write letters to loved ones who have died.

The Letters to Heaven postbox has been installed by Melksham Town Council in the garden, which is behind the former Spiritualist Church in King Street.

“The postbox provides residents with a dedicated space to write letters to loved ones who have passed away – whether to mark a birthday, anniversary or simply share a heartfelt message,” said Cllr Adrienne Westbrook.

“The Friends Garden is already a special place in our town. Introducing the memorial postbox here felt like a natural step. Sometimes putting words on paper can bring comfort in a way nothing else can. We hope this offers residents a gentle and meaningful way to remember loved ones, knowing their letters will be treated with dignity and care.”

The initiative is part of a broader national Letters to Heaven scheme, which began with nine-year-old Matilda Handy from Nottingham and has since spread to crematoria and remembrance gardens across the UK.

The Friends Garden itself is maintained by volunteers from Melksham Bloomers, with support from the town council as landowner, providing a peaceful and welcoming setting for reflection.

Residents and visitors are invited to visit the garden and use the postbox whenever they wish to send a message to a loved one.

“Letters are treated with care. They are never opened or read and, in partnership with West Wiltshire Crematorium, are eco-composted and placed in the crematorium’s Memorial Garden, allowing the words to symbolically live on,” said the town council.