MAYOR of Melksham, cllr Terri Welch, is standing down from the role after three years in the post.
“There are other councillors who deserve the chance to represent our town,” she told Melksham News. “I have done more than usual in doing three years. Yes I have enjoyed being mayor, but it is time for me to step aside.”
Terri was re-elected onto Melksham Town Council in this month’s elections but will be handing over to a new mayor who will be chosen by the new town council later this month.
“The mayor, of any town has a variety of roles to play,” continued Terri. “There is the political role, which is to lead the council, all mayors are elected by the serving councillors to lead for the coming year.
“The next role is to represent the town in the local area and play a leading part in town activities. In visiting other towns, the mayor is the visible representative of our town. Whilst many mayors of other local towns wear robes as well as the chain of office, we do not have robes in Melksham, a decision taken by the council.
“These past few years have been important for our town with the Wiltshire Air Ambulance coming to the area and recently we saw the first sod being cut at Semington Road. The train line through Melksham has been granted Community Rail status, this led to me travelling in a very clean train to Salisbury and back with the rail minister.
“It has been good to see the opening of the Oakfields Stadium in Melksham and to have been involved in the planning of the Market Place. These improvements will mark the town for the next generation and we will be judged by how well we have planned them.
“But for me, almost the best bit of being mayor, is to attend special days and join in with town celebrations. This could be something like a care home celebrating improvements, giving their residents something to look forward to; the Living Nativity organised by Brookside and the Mad Hatter Tea party at Blenheim House both were very enjoyable. It almost makes growing old something to look forward to.
“At the other end of the age spectrum, the Young Melksham Awards are a joy, with some very special young people doing some amazing things.
“I have enjoyed having celebration meals with local groups; Air Training Corps, Rotary and Lions to name a few.
”It goes without saying that the annual Christmas fayre and lights switch on is amazing. To see so many groups in the Assembly Hall and the Market Place and then the thousands of people packing the Market Place waiting for that magic moment when the lights go on. The Christmas Lights team always have some very special entertainment for us all.
“I also love going to the park when special events are taking place, the atmosphere there is great, with lots of local people chatting with friends and enjoying the entertainments like the chilli eating competition, the water activities and the fireworks at the Party in the Park.”
Cleaning up the town has been something of great importance to the mayor, who explained, “Over recent years we have been trying to brighten up the town centre making it a more attractive place to be and at the same time by entering the South West in Bloom Competition. The flowers, trees and shrubs have helped to brighten up the grey around town. For me this has been a joy, either litter picking with the Town Team or deadheading plants in the town containers, helping to tidy the church yards. All small jobs, but ones that put a smile on my face when I see plants flourishing and I know that I have done my little bit to brighten our town.
“Every March the town reception, which is my favourite, is held in the Assembly Hall when the Civic Awards are presented to deserving people from our town. Also invited are organisations from the town and mayors from local towns. This is a very social event when people have a chance to catch up and network with friends. Over the past few years I have enjoyed working with the staff to provide a special dinner with a theme. It always gave me pleasure to hear the congratulations from other town mayors for an excellent event all portrayed on a fantastic slide show.
“But it is the people of Melksham that have made the past three years memorable and it has been fun and a pleasure to have served as the Mayor of Melksham.”
