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Town squad taking shape for new season

July 19, 2017
in Sport
Reading Time: 3 mins read
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EXCITEMENT is building for the start of the new season with Melksham Town Football Club announcing its latest signings.

For the coming season the club have re-signed Michael Perrott, Ben Thomson, Dave Thompson, Lee Davidson, Gary Higdon and Jake Hiscocks.

New manager of the club, Kieran Baggs said, “These are the lads that you looked to get signed almost straight away, it signals the intent of what we are aiming to do this season, as any of these lads would walk in to most teams in our league, if not the league above.”

“I’m sure most of the boys have had offers to go other places for a lot more money but I’m glad they’ve all stayed at Melksham and now we can kick on and get preparations ready for the first game of the season.”

Melksham Town’s leading goal scorer Gary Higdon added, “After returning for pre-season under the new management, it is clear from the first few training sessions that there is certainly a good buzz amongst the staff and players.

“After managing to keep nearly the whole squad from last season, and with more very talented young lads coming up from the under 18s team and some new faces too, it looks like being a very promising and exciting year at Melksham Town. Everyone just wants to get back on the pitch and get going, including myself.”

Returning to the club after a brief spell playing for Town last season before ending the year at Cirencester Town is Dan Demkiv. “Dan is someone who can really add a different dimension to our game, he can play out wide or down the middle. He possesses real quality and I’m thrilled he’s joined us for a full campaign,” said manager Kieran Baggs.

“I think the chance of regular football and getting the enjoyment back will do him the world of good, he has the ability to play as high as he wants.

“So hopefully we can all benefit from him signing for the football club, he’s a great kid and we get on really well.”

Returning player Dan Demkiv said, “It’s a big decision to be signing for Melksham as I still have ambition to play at the highest standard as I can, but after a mixed few years since leaving Southampton I’ve found the club have been really good to me and I have really enjoyed my football here.

“The ground is second to none and the supporters have been amazing, I really hope to get a chance to team up with my brother Callum again as well, as soon as he’s back from injury.

“Since the end of last season, Baggsy has made it very clear to me how much he wanted me at the club and he has been very good with me and my brother, which is a massive factor in me joining.

“I’m hoping I can repay his faith in me by producing more games and goals like last season against Bristol Manor Farm and to help us with the push to promotion.”

Other signings for the new season include Alex Grimshaw, a versatile defender who has previously played for Bridgwater Town and Paulton Rovers.

Former regular for Melksham in 2002, Steve Casey is returning. His previous clubs include Yeovil Town, Chard Town, Calne Town, Chippenham Town and Larkhall Athletic.

Moving from Chippenham Park to the club is Ben Pring. Last season Ben scored 29 goals in 31 games for the team in Toolstation Western League Division 1.

Manager Kieran Baggs has also snapped up Jake Brown, who last season was the captain for Wells City.

“Jake can play on either wing or as an attacking midfielder and has a great bag of tricks which can unlock defences.”

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Follow Social Media

  • Memorial postbox installed in Melksham

A memorial postbox has been installed in the Friends Garden for residents to write letters to loved ones who have died.

The Letters to Heaven postbox has been installed by Melksham Town Council in the garden, which is behind the former Spiritualist Church in King Street.

“The postbox provides residents with a dedicated space to write letters to loved ones who have passed away – whether to mark a birthday, anniversary or simply share a heartfelt message,” said Cllr Adrienne Westbrook.

“The Friends Garden is already a special place in our town. Introducing the memorial postbox here felt like a natural step. Sometimes putting words on paper can bring comfort in a way nothing else can. We hope this offers residents a gentle and meaningful way to remember loved ones, knowing their letters will be treated with dignity and care.” 

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

Pictured: Ben Edward of West Wiltshire Crematorium, Ruth Watson from Melksham Bloomers and Cllr Adrienne Westbrook.
  • New Lidl supermarket planned for Melksham East

Plans for a new Lidl supermarket on land off Eastern Way have been shared, with a public consultation underway for residents to give their views.

Lidl GB has revealed the plans as part of a multi-million-pound investment, replacing the existing store on Bath Road, which has been open for nearly two decades.

The supermarket chain
says the new ‘high specification’ store will
‘enhance Lidl’s offering and facilities’ for Melk-sham residents and will be over a third larger than the current Bath Road store.

Customer parking would include 132 spaces, with six accessible spaces, nine parent-and-child spaces and two electric vehicle charging points.

Lidl GB says the development is expected to create 10 additional jobs, with existing employees at the Bath Road store able to transfer to the new store. 

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

Residents are encouraged to share their views on the proposal via a public consultation https://buff.ly/LxckWy3
  • Melksham man to take on 270km desert run for local hospice

A Melksham man will tackle a 270km run across the Sahara Desert in southern Morocco next month in aid of Dorothy House Hospice Care. 

Liam Ralph will compete in the gruelling Marathon Des Sables in April to support the hospice which provided palliative care to his uncle when he died of Motor Neurone Disease.

The event will see Liam run approximately 270km over just six days in the Moroccan Sahara Desert, with temperatures expected to reach 50 degrees.

He will carry 10kg of equipment in a rucksack including food, cooking equipment, water, hygiene items, first aid and clothes. At the end of each leg, Liam will stay in provided tents in the desert before heading out early the next day to complete the next phase.

Liam will tackle six stages, including 32km, 40km, 32.5km, a 100km stage, a marathon-length stage and a half marathon, covering 270km in total. The terrain is described as brutally diverse, ranging from endless sand dunes and rocky jebels (mountains) to salt flats and dried riverbeds. 

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

Pictured: Liam training in Tenerife, Liam Ralph completing the 110km Pilgrims Race
  • Melksham powerlifter achieves second place in British championships

A powerlifter from Melksham has achieved second place in the British Open Classic Bench Press Championships.

Annabel Moloney competed in the championships in Maidstone on 1st March, where she lifted a personal best of 100 kg, competing against six other powerlifters from the British Isles.

The result means Annabel may now be selected to compete for Great Britain in the World Bench Press Championships in Warsaw in May; the team is yet to be announced.

She is also preparing for the English Bench Press Championships in early April, which could put her in contention to compete for the Commonwealth title.

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

Pictured: Annabel (left) on the podium,  Annabel Moloney competing at the British Open Classic Bench Press Championships
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A housing provider has awarded a £1,000 grant to a women’s netball team in Melksham, helping keep subscription fees affordable.

GreenSquare Accord (GSA) awarded the grant to St Barnabas Ladies’ Netball Club, which trains at Melksham Oak Community School.

The club was created to give women an inclusive and casual environment to enjoy exercise without the pressure of competitive league play.

The donation will fund weekly coached sessions throughout 2026, helping keep subscription fees affordable for local women, including GSA customers who benefit from discounted rates.

Read more on our website. The link is in our bio.
  • Students help local wildlife in Big Schools’ Birdwatch

Students at Melksham Oak Community School have been helping local wildlife by taking part in the RSPB’s Big Schools’ Birdwatch.

The birdwatch involves students watching and counting the birds that visit their school grounds or outdoor space before submitting their results to the RSPB.

It takes place during the first half of the spring term and gives young people the chance to participate in a UK-wide citizen science project.

In preparation, students transformed the school’s Outdoor Education Area into a bird-friendly space.

They made bird feeders from recycled materials, created habitats for birds to hunt for invertebrates, cleared litter from the area, and became more familiar with the birds that visit the site. The most commonly sighted birds included robins and blue tits, while some of the more exciting visitors were a trio of mallard ducks, a buzzard, and a very elusive green woodpecker. 

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A popular clothes swap is returning to Melksham on 29th March at Avonside.

The event will be hosted by Swap Society at Doubles and will feature pre-loved clothing being swapped, as well as the opportunity to enjoy coffee and pizza and listen to records.

Organisers Gracie and Meagan said, “Having hosted two successful swaps previously at Doubles, we are back for another slice of the pizza, much anticipated by our swap community. Think coffee, pizza, groovy tunes and new-to-you fashion.

“Two million tonnes of textiles are wasted every year, so clothing swaps are just another way of keeping clothing circular. In 2025, Swap Society saved over 2,000 garments from landfill and is looking to do even better in 2026 with your help.

“Pre-loved fashion is not only more cost-effective but much gentler on our planet; more and more people are choosing to shop or swap second-hand in 2026. Less waste, more you.” 

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  • Schoolchildren perform at county dance festival

Pupils at a local primary school took part in the West Wiltshire Dance Festival in Bath recently, alongside other schools from across the area.

A group from St Mary’s School Broughton Gifford took part in the event at The Forum in Bath on Tuesday 10th February.

A member of the Friends of the school Charlotte Godsiffe said, “Oak Class gave an absolutely phenomenal performance of their routine which comprised a mash-up of rock and roll and street dance to Rockin’ Robin and Uptown Funk. They showcased amazing moves with musicality and team spirit.

“They represented St Mary’s amazingly. We are lucky to have a secret weapon; their class teacher, Mr Macdonald, is a former professional dancer with the English National Ballet and coached them to deliver such an outstanding performance.”

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

Pictured: St Mary
  • Melksham Times Past

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

Melksham History Repeats Itself? 

Looking at the peaceful town now, you wouldn’t know that Melksham was actually a rather rambunctious town — either from an incident at The Bear/Wetherspoons just a month ago or going back more than a hundred.

Several incidents even made national news: the weavers’ riots and the time that a group turned over the famous Gurney steam engine while it was attempting to break a speed record from London to Bath.

Then there were “The Bear Riots”.

The entire event can be best told in the words given in testimony by policeman Isaac Luffman in court about the day that Sir George Jenkinson and his Committee attended the polling at Melksham, much to the annoyance of the Liberals.

Tuesday, 3rd November, 1868 – Polling Booth (No 2) opposite The Bear

“About 5 o’clock in the evening a large crowd assembled in front of The Bear, the house patronised by Sir George Jenkinson, one of the candidates. There was great shouting, and soon after I heard the smash of one of the windows. I got among the crowd and requested them not to break the windows; but from that time until nearly 8 o’clock stones were thrown, occasionally, and in several cases the windows were struck. The stones were thrown from under a dark wall. When a carriage passed, the crowd opened and the people shouted.

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

Pictured: The Bear c1890
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