Town’s champions honoured with Civic Awards

STORM Emma may have forced the Mayor’s reception to be cancelled, but nothing could stand in the way of recognising the people and groups in the community who have gone the extra mile for Melksham.

The Melksham Civic Awards were due to be officially presented by Mayor cllr Adrienne Westbrook at the annual event earlier this month. Because of safety fears, the event was cancelled, but the award winners will officially be presented with their Civic Awards at the Annual Town Meeting on 30th April at the Town Hall.

Eight awards across the two categories of ‘Community Service’ and ‘Enhancing Melksham’ are to be presented to individuals and groups who have made a ‘significant contribution to the local community during the previous year.’

Four Community Service Awards will be given to Melksham Foodbank, Dr Rob Matthews, Young Melksham and Crazy About Knitting.

Waitrose employee Jo Bayliss, Primrose Drive Action Group, Tracy Haslam and Southwest in Bloom Melksham earned the Enhancing Melksham Award.

Melksham Foodbank received their award in recognition of their efforts and hard work in providing a vital service for those who find themselves in hardship.

Their nomination read, “The Melksham Foodbank is a well established and used sector of our community.  Since its start, volunteers have co-ordinated the collection and distribution of food. The Foodbank has relied on volunteers in order to provide the service and it is this that I feel should be recognised.”

Dr Rob Matthews received his award in recognition of his hard work within the community with regards to the provision of health care.

His nomination read, “Rob has worked at the Spa Medical Centre for more than 25 years. Rob has been a passionate champion for improving access to quality local health services.  In addition to his work with the Spa Medical Centre, Rob has played important roles in the commissioning of health services through his work with the Wiltshire Clinical Commissioning Group and its predecessor.”

Young Melksham received their award in recognition of their efforts in providing a safe place for young people to meet. Their nomination read, “Various youth club sessions are held at the Canberra Youth Centre. In 2017 they had 7,627 young people through the doors during the year, with 225 youth sessions.

“The trustees and staff work so hard for the young people of Melksham and compared to the other towns in the area, Melksham is lucky to have such a dedicated group who are supporting the youth of Melksham. They provide a safe place for young people from the age of 8 up until 16, with a special session on Mondays for young people with additional needs. The numbers continue to increase and they are seen as a centre of excellence for the delivery of youth services.”

Crazy About Knitting received their award in recognition of their efforts in providing thousands of knitted items to different charities both nationally and internationally.

Their nomination read, “The Crazy About Knitting Group started just over three years ago to knit for charity. During that time, the membership has grown to over 80 and the group has provided the ladies with a friendly supportive learning atmosphere, whilst at the same time, providing thousands of small items to various charities, which include the RUH and many other groups all over the world like countries such as Syria, Nepal and Romania, to name but a few.

“They are an excellent example of a local group who not only help their members, but in doing so, help assist others all over the world.  Not only that, they are through the smallest subscription able to support themselves financially and attract a lot of local support, which enables them to keep going.  They are an excellent example to us all.”

Jo Bayliss received her award in recognition of her horticultural talent in bringing to life previously unloved areas around Waitrose for everyone to enjoy.

Her nomination read, “Jo is the plant and flower expert at Waitrose store in Melksham.  Since Waitrose started selling garden centre goods, Jo has transformed the area around the store.

“She spends her own time growing plants and planting them into the Littlebrook Centre courtyard area.  She has encouraged wildlife into the area with bug houses and hog houses.  The ambiance of the area has changed dramatically and it just shows what can be achieved in a built-up area.”

Primrose Drive Action Group received their award in appreciation of their efforts in transforming  the nature area near Primrose Drive for everyone to enjoy.

Their nomination read, “This Action Group has developed the area of land by Dorset Crescent and Primrose Drive into a wonderful wildlife haven for everyone to enjoy.

“Various flowers, shrubs and trees have been planted and bird feeders hung in the trees.  Seats have been installed made out of railway sleepers throughout the area, allowing people to sit relax and appreciate a lovely nature reserve within a residential area.”

Tracy Haslam received her award in recognition of the hard work and dedication in organising various community days to develop and improve the Brunswick Park play area.

Her nomination read, “Tracy has worked extensively with local residents to protect, develop and improve the facilities at the park. She has set up and now chairs a Friends of Brunswick Park Group.  Tracey works tirelessly to arrange litter picks and general maintenance of the park area.

“This year, Tracey secured funding from Carling to reinstate the footpaths on the park.  This was an extensive task that required teams of people to dig out the old paths, put in a new base layer and path top.  This work took over eight weeks to complete, and Tracy managed the process including bringing in community feedback teams, local volunteers and Wiltshire Council’s contractor Idverde.”

Southwest in Bloom Melksham received their award in recognition of their hard work and achievement in obtaining Gold in South West in Bloom in 2017.

Their nomination read, “Last year was a difficult year for the South West in Bloom Team, given the works taking place in the Market Place. However, the group decided to go ahead anyway and enter despite the constraints.

“The town was looking its blooming best, despite a huge building site in the middle of it.  The days were hot and long and the team were seen out at all times of the day and night putting the finishing touches to their work.

“Despite various set-backs, judges arrived on a boiling hot day in July and were taken on a tour of the town, as well as various sites on the outskirts of the town. Hopes weren’t too high when the results were announced in October last year, at the annual prize giving ceremony, however, the team were delighted to win Gold in their category.

“The team deserve this award for their efforts, despite a difficult year.”