Issue 505 – Future of Pubwatch in the balance as support wanes

Melksham’s pubwatch is urging community-spirited people to help support it, or else it may have to cease operating in the town.

The organisation, formally known as Melksham & District Licensed Premises Association, is made up of local volunteers and aims to achieve a safer social drinking environment in Melksham’s licensed premises.
Now though, unless enough support can be found, the scheme may have to come to an end.
Melksham PC Kevin Harmsworth said that the scheme is “vital to community safety”. He said, “Pubwatch has been instrumental over the years in reducing drink-related violence in the Melksham community area, I estimate up to 90% over the last 10 years.
“Hence nowadays Melksham is a very safe place whilst the late night economy is operating, compared to times gone by when there were fights in the street.”
The current chair, Diane Tandy, is due to step down in September after several years of voluntary support and the secretary Jan Porter is also due to step down after many years of service to the group.
Diane Tandy said, “We are keen to hear from people willing to consider volunteering to provide administrative support such as typing up and distributing minutes, and typing letters.
“Meetings are normally held once every two months, and could be switched to a different date and time if it made it easier for a volunteer to attend.
“Everyone is very friendly, and we all get a great deal of satisfaction from knowing that we help to make Melksham a safer and more pleasant place. There is a lot of positive things happening with Pubwatch at the moment and it is a great time to get involved.”
For information on supporting Melksham Pubwatch, call Jan Porter on 01225 709887 or email assemblyhall@melkshamtown.co.uk