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Swimming teacher shines for Great Britain in European Championships

July 17, 2024
in Special Featured Stories
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Swimming teacher shines for Great Britain in European Championships

Local swimming teacher, Rebecca Smith, has once again represented Great Britain, this time competing in the European Masters Swimming Championships in Belgrade, Serbia.

Rebecca competed in the 45 to 49-year-old age group at the end of last month and finished in second place in the 100m freestyle, third in the 50m freestyle, fourth in the 400m freestyle and sixth in the 1.5km Open Water race. 

“The event itself was good fun and well organised and in terms of my performance it was good,” explained Rebecca. “I damaged a nerve in my neck back in October so this has impacted training since and it’s not 100% recovered, so to go out and swim faster than I have done since I’ve been injured was encouraging.” 

Rebecca took part in the championship alongside her teammate from their swimming club, Swindon Tigersharks. 

“Both our partners came with us for support,” says Rebecca. “It was very hot in Serbia initially but it did cool down though, which was much better for racing!  

“There are some pretty parts of Belgrade and the people were all very friendly and welcoming. I had never been there before which was one of the reasons for wanting to go and compete, a great opportunity to experience another country. 

“Thank you to everyone who has encouraged me and supported me throughout my swimming journey (and still continues to do so), it means a lot!” 

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  • Mum’s running challenge boosts 3G pitch fundraiser

A local mum has completed a 150km running challenge, raising more than £600 towards Melksham Town Football Club’s campaign for a new 3G pitch.

Dominika Paget ran 10km every other day throughout July, often in temperatures of up to 32C, to support the club’s efforts to purchase and install the pitch.

Her son, Harry, plays for the under-10s Typhoons. Dominika said poor winter conditions mean the team is often unable to play, highlighting the need for a dedicated 3G pitch.

She said, “At the moment Melksham Town are using the 3G pitch at Melksham Oak School but it is flooded all the time. Our children don’t play throughout the winter. You might get some spots in Chippenham or Devizes but it costs money to hire those as well. It just makes sense for Melksham Town to have one so we don’t have to go anywhere else.” 

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  • WOMAD brings world music festival to new home near Atworth 

Thousands of music lovers gathered just outside Atworth over the weekend as WOMAD made its debut at its new home at Neston Park.

The World of Music, Arts and Dance festival, founded in 1980 by Box-based musician Peter Gabriel, brought together artists from across the globe for four days of live performances, workshops, talks, food and family activities from 23rd to 26th July.

The internationally renowned festival moved to Neston Park after leaving its previous home at Charlton Park, near Malmesbury, where it had been held since 2007. 

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  • Short film shares Melksham charity’s emotive story

A Melksham-based charity has launched a new short film raising awareness of the vital support it provides to families with critically ill babies and children.

Evie’s Gift was founded in 2018 by Bryan Clover in memory of his daughter, Evie, who was born and raised in Melksham, and died from a brain tumour at just 13 years old. 

The charity was established to ensure other families facing a child’s serious illness would receive practical support during some of the most challenging moments of their lives.

The new film was created to tell the story behind the charity and demonstrate the impact its support has on families. It features Bryan alongside Harriet, a mum whose family received support from Evie’s Gift. 

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A vibrant culture festival was held at a local primary school recently to celebrate diversity and showcase the rich heritage of its pupils.

Children from Aloeric Primary School created posters showcasing their faiths, cultures, languages, heritage and family backgrounds.

The posters were displayed by continent, giving pupils the opportunity to explore and learn about countries from around the world. Equipped with their own passports, children travelled through the displays, collecting stamps as they discovered more about each nation. 

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  • Local group has fun with themed session

A singing group in Melksham recently held a ‘Ladies’ Day at the Races’ themed session, giving members the chance to have fun and wear smart clothes.

Members of the Singin’ Group attended their weekly meeting at the Riverside Centre, where they sang horse-related songs, including The Blaydon Races and Delaney’s Donkey. They also took part in a raffle, with prizes and rosettes awarded to the winners.

Any funds raised on the day went back into the group.

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  • Melksham Times Past

A column about days gone by in Melksham by local historian Lisa Ellis
Battito di un Poliziotto

(Il Vello d’Oro is Italian for The Golden Fleece, the same “Fleece Inn” and located in Shaw on Folly Lane).

Oh those days when we had bobbies on patrol and they knew everyone in town.

I’m not sure I pine for the 19th century, other than being a fly on the wall but those were the days that defined community. Nowadays we rarely know our local police by name and complaints tend to be discussed on Facebook rather than directly dealt with.

Here is just one report of a drunken incident that happened at closing time outside the Fleece. 

Read more on our website, the link is in our bio.

Pictured: Illustrated Police News, 2nd February 1867.
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Fundraisers in Melk-sham have donated £1,500 to the Wiltshire and Bath Air Ambulance Charity.

The Melksham Lions Club presented a cheque to a member of the charity, Dave Martin, last month.

Funds were raised in the Lions’ annual Easter hamper raffle, where residents purchased raffle tickets at participating businesses to be in with the chance of winning a hamper of Easter treats and chocolate.

Director of the club, Paul Carter, said, “Thank you once again to all the sponsors, shops and of course you the public for taking part.” 

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Pictured: l-r Dave Martin with Lions President Simon White
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With Nicola’s beautiful, crocheted pieces and Sarah’s splendid sewing as staples of the market, this relatively small gathering of gazebos full of goodies has expanded over the years to become a regular monthly market of up to 25 stalls of knitted, painted, sculpted, welded, carved and baked goods. 

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Column by Miriam Zaccarelli
  • School community rally for Venezuela after earthquake

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St Mary’s Primary School in Broughton Gifford collected items to support parent Francisco Mora, who is Venezuelan and has an auntie and grandmother still living in the country.

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