Once again we are getting to the end of another year, I’m sure, like me, no-one can quite understand how quickly the year passes by.
It certainly doesn’t seem to be a year since I was writing the last message.
It’s been great to see the town’s green spaces and play parks looking so much better this year. Our caretaking team are doing a great job and I have been proud to see the Melksham Town vans with their hi-viz branding scurrying around the town and seeing the team working so hard to make Melksham a great place to work and play.
The hi-light of our horticultural year was the award of the Gold for the Bloom Team, a collaboration between volunteers and the Town Council. I look forward to helping you achieve the hatrick.
The major events in Melksham continue to be very well attended and supported.
I love seeing the crowds coming into Party in the Park , the Carnival and the Food and River Festival. The Town Council supports all these organisations through grant funding to enable the events to be run by their amazing dedicated teams of volunteers.
By the time you read this, the Christmas lights will have been switched on.
Again another collaboration between the lights team and the Town Council. We are delighted to pay for the tree, and to give a large grant to help with the work the volunteers do.
I’ve met so many people and groups this year in my role as Mayor and it has been a great honour to represent my town at events around Wiltshire.
2018 has been a difficult year for many in Melksham; the announcement that Cooper Tires was cutting 300 jobs was certainly a body blow for the town and those employees who work there. We can only hope that no-one will be in a forced redundancy situation, but that employers will find alternative jobs or new directions for themselves and their families.
The GP situation in Melksham is again something that is concerning our residents. When a GP surgery closes, it is a worrying time for vulnerable members of our families to make sure that they can access the care they need.
Again we hope that all patients will find new GPs to look after themselves and their families.
Whilst we cannot be sure what 2019 will bring for Melksham, I will promise to keep working to make sure that the voice of Melksham is heard around Wiltshire and beyond.
I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
