Town council’s £150,000 pledge to major events and organisations

MELKSHAM Town Council has committed to giving up to £150,000 of grant funding over the next four years to major events and organisations in the town. 

Melksham Carnival, Melksham Christmas Lights Group, Wiltshire Citizens Advice, Melksham Food and River Festival, Melksham Tourist Information Centre, Young Melksham and Party in the Park, will all benefit from a share of £37,500 each financial year until 2024/2025. 

The largest grants have been awarded to Melksham Christmas Lights Group and Young Melksham, who will both receive £10,000 a year, totalling £40,000 each over the period of the grant agreement. 

The amount given each year may vary depending on the needs of the group – and if an event does not go ahead, as has happened in recent years because of the pandemic, the group may not receive their grant. 

For the 2021/22 financial year, a total of £32,000 has been awarded – Melksham Carnival and Party in the Park did not receive a grant as their events did not take place this year. 

At a town council meeting last month, it was agreed that each grant beneficiary should confirm every year that the grant is still required. It was also agreed that each beneficiary should also be invited to meet the town council, at least once over the four-year agreement, to explain how their money has been spent.