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New head coach appointed at Melksham Town

November 21, 2025
in Latest news, Sport
Reading Time: 2 mins read
416 31
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New head coach appointed at Melksham Town

Town players mark Remembrance with a pre-match tribute before facing Brixham on 8th November

Melksham Town have appointed a new head coach as it looks to turn around its fortunes.

The side, currently near the foot of the Southern League Division One South, has brought in Stuart Fleetwood, the former Swindon Supermarine boss, following the departure of Mark Collier earlier this month.

“We are delighted to confirm the appointment of Stuart Fleetwood as new Head Coach and Dan Gillespie as part of his backroom team as we try and turn around our fortunes and climb the league table,” said Club Chair Adam Young.

“Stuart, aged 39, brings plenty of experience. As a player, he enjoyed a career in the Football League and non-league game, representing teams including Charlton Athletic, Luton Town, Hereford United, Exeter City, Forest Green Rovers and Sutton United. His most prolific spell came during his time at Forest Green Rovers, and he has also represented Wales at various youth levels.

“Following his playing days, he transitioned into coaching and management. He previously served as Head Coach at Swindon Supermarine where he turned around their fortunes in the 23/24 season.

“Melksham Town FC would like to place on record their thanks to Thomo and Bally for taking on the side during a very tricky period in the club’s season. Unfortunately the fixtures and results haven’t been kind and we wish the best for both chaps in their football careers in the future.

“Our next two games are both home games with next up, Bideford on Saturday with a 3pm kick off back at the Meads of Melksham Community Football Stadium, followed by a Wiltshire Shield quarter-final vs Highworth Town on Tuesday 25th November.

“We would like to welcome all of our fans back to the stadium to support the new management team and get behind the players.”

On Saturday evening, following the game, there will be a silent disco at the club; everyone is welcome, tickets can be purchased online: https://melkshamtownyouthfc.square.site/s/shop

On the pitch, Town have struggled and have gone 10 games without a win with their most recent result, a 4-0 away defeat to high-flying Frome Town on Saturday. This followed reverses away at Bishops Cleeve and Brixham and a home defeat to Supermarine.

Pictures: Starsphinx Photography

Melksham Town head coach Stuart Fleetwood

Melksham recent run of results:

Tuesday 4th November

Bishops Cleeve 3 – Melksham Town 1

Saturday 8th November

Brixham 4 – Melksham Town 1

Monday 10th November

Melksham Town 0 – Supermarine 2

Saturday 15th November

Frome Town 4 – Melksham Town 0

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A column about days gone by in Melksham by local historian Lisa Ellis

One’s scandal to another’s philanthropy

In the last issue, I mentioned a bequest made in the will of Mrs Ludlow Bruges that enabled the purchase of land and construction of a state-of-the-art hospital on Spa Road. 

These funds came primarily through US stocks, investments and interest totalling around £198,000; today worth around £17.3M.

Although delighted, people were confused by her generosity. She’d moved to the Channel Islands from Seend and had never had any known links to Melksham Cottage Hospital nor any other Melksham charities. If you were to refer to the plaque pictured in the last issue, you would note a contribution of £100 in 1923 by Mr W Bruges. This was a bequest by William Bruges of Semington with no close tie to the Ludlow Bruges of Seend.

Perhaps her contribution may have had something to do with a notorious scandal in 1881. The hospital benefactor in question, Lisette Henrietta (Hamilton) Ludlow Bruges, was the wife of Richard Ludlow Bruges, Magistrate and Justice of the Peace. He was charged with writing, sending and publishing false, scandalous and defamatory libel about Lady Constance Gladys (Herbert), Countess of Lonsdale. 

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A local centre has upgraded its kitchen to professional catering standard following a £15,000 grant from Wiltshire Council.

Seend Centre held a small ceremony last month with villagers and members of the centre’s committee. The chair of the parish council, Debbie Savage, cut the ribbon and declared the kitchen officially open.

Chair of the committee, Karen Cubberley, said, “We are pleased and proud to have used local businesses on this project.”

Local companies that helped with the renovation included Roundstone Catering from Bowerhill and T&S Lux from Berryfield, which carried out the electrical work.

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I bring with me over 17 years of policing experience, all of which has been dedicated to frontline uniformed roles across Swindon, Warminster and most recently Trowbridge.

During this time, I have worked within both Response and Neighbourhood Policing teams.

I was promoted to Sergeant in 2020 and was fortunate to return to a Neighbourhood Policing role the following year in Trowbridge. Alongside my core role, I am also a Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) officer and a Police Liaison Officer (PLO), supporting engagement at public protests.

Following a period of maternity leave, I am pleased to have returned and taken up this post, serving the communities of Melksham and Bradford on Avon. 

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  • Don’t put England flags on lamp posts during World Cup, council warns

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People’s Emergency Briefing

My love for Melksham this week is for the dedication and drive of the Melksham Environment Group.

Most of the good things in Melksham are kept together by a small handful of people who make things happen and this little group of eco-enthusiasts are no exception.

One impactful project of MEG this week was the screening in Melksham Assembly Hall of the ‘People’s Emergency Briefing’ film led by Chris Packham.

After watching the punchy, powerful summary of the climate concerns facing our country and feeling a little overwhelmed with the scale of it all – I was surprisingly encouraged by the positive optimism of the discussions afterwards. The round tables around the hall came alive with ideas and inspiration and you could feel the energy and possibility that can make things happen with the combined experience, skills and connections of passionate people in Melksham. 

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Over 100 members of Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Explorer Scouts from Melksham, Bowerhill, Broughton Gifford and Holt took part in the weekend in Liddington.

Highlights included the zip wire, giant swing and raft building, a crate challenge, survivor orienteering and archery. There was also a campfire with storytelling and quiz challenges.

District Lead Volunteer Chris Broom said, “There were seven activity zones to take part in over the weekend. It encouraged everyone to work as a team and gave them the opportunity to try new things.

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Seven-year-old Moses Clayton-Badat won the British Open and 16-year-old Rico Manos won the British Championship title in the juvenile blue belt division (ages 16–17).

Moses, who lives in Sandridge and attends Bowerhill Primary School, trains at Gracie Barra Melksham, and has quickly developed a strong reputation in the sport, with his latest win adding to a growing medal collection that also includes back-to-back English Championship titles in 2024 and 2025, a gold and three silvers at the British Championships in 2024 and 2025 and a bronze at the London IBJJF Open last year.

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Pictured: Rico Manos, Moses Clayton-Badat
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“While I welcome this outcome, it is our duty to hold contractors to account when they fail to meet the standards we expect on behalf of our residents. I look forward to seeing the splash pad reopened and enjoyed by the community once more. 

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