By Joanne Kelly

A COMMUNITY gathered at the weekend to discuss its own future.

The Melksham 2000 and Beyond conference at George Ward School last weekend brought together many community groups and individuals to discuss the town's future in west Wiltshire.

Melksham has been chosen as a pilot project for the South West Market and Coastal Towns Initiative and has been given £25,000 to help organise events, promote best practice and draw up improvement plans.

Action has been spearheaded by community group Melksham First. The group was one of the leading players at the conference and its chairman, Melksham Town councillor Adrienne Westbrook, said she was delighted with the positive response at the conference.

"It was an excellent event that everyone felt very positive about. What was even more pleasing was the fact that ordinary people came along and had a chance to have their say. People are very keen to work together," said Cllr Westbrook.

Two main ideas for the future included the pedestrianisation of the town centre and the improvements to the traffic flow in and around Melksham.

"People were very keen to support the pedestrianisation of the town centre in order to make it an attractive place to be. Traffic was also a major concern," said Cllr Westbrook.

About 170 people attended the one-and-a half day conference, run by a partnership between Wiltshire County Council, Melksham District Council, Melksham Without Parish Council, West Wiltshire District Council and George Ward School.

Nikki Lewis, representing Wiltshire County Council, said: "The conference went very well and it generated lots of ideas and information. People are very enthusiastic about the future of their town."

She will now compile a report to be presented to Melksham First, which will spearhead any future action.

Cllr Westbrook said: "We want to strengthen Melksham First and its executive group and take the ideas forward."