DETAILS
December 1846 Quotes from Devizes and Wiltshire Gazette, 24 December 1846:
"A numerous and highly influential meeting of the inhabitants of the town and neighbourhood of Melksham, was held at the King's Arms Inn, on Monday last, for the purpose of considering the propriety of establishing a pitched market for cheese in connection with the present cattle market in that town."
"He (William Heald Ludlow Bruges) had no doubt that if suitable erections were made, a large proportion of dairy farmers who lived at a distance, who could not use the cattle market, would gladly avail themselves of the use of the cheese market; and that as in a short time the Wilts and Somerset Railway would be opened to the public, other districts would be opened, and it was most likely that farmers residing in the neighbourhood of Frome, would avail themselves of the use of this market."
"The decay of the Melksham market was ... to be attributed to the apathy and indifference of those who ought to have imitated (Chippenham's) example. 'Melksham market was formerly one of the best, (if not the very best) markets in the county. It was now one of the worst; and surely no human being could feel displeased if those who lived in the neighbourhood and were interested in its renovation, united together for that purpose.' -- Thomas Lavington"
September 1847 Quotes from Devizes and Wiltshire Gazette, 16 September 1847: Describing the Town Hall "The foundation-stone of the building, the whole of which is composed of Bath stone, and now forms so noble an ornament to the town, was laid in March last; and the satisfactory manner in which the undertaking has been conducted and completed reflects the greatest credit on the energy and talent of Messrs. D. and C. Jones of Bradford, who have been both the architects and contractors. The Hall (which occupies an area of 50 square feet) is in the Italian style, having pilastres, frieze and cornice in the centre compartment, surmounted with a pediment, and bell turret. The ground floor is to be devoted to the sale of poultry and eggs; and immediately over is the hall, a noble room 45 feet by 22, having an open ventilation in the centre of the ceiling. Attached to this, are two ante-rooms, each 22 feet by 16; one of which it is proposed to use for a reading room."
Describing the Cheese Market "The remaining portion of the ground, forming a quadrangle in the rear of the Hall is occupied with the covered market for cheese, extending 320 feet; over which are three tiers of store rooms. To this there are two entrances, on for ingress, the other for egress, and also four counting-house for the dispatch of business. Altogether, the building is in every way adapted not only to the commercial purposes for which it is more especially erected, but for any public occasion, either of amusement or business, for which it may be required. The cost of erection is between £3,000 and £4,000." (for both buildings, probably)
Quote from Reading Mercury, 18 September 1847:
"Tuesday last was a gay, a busy, and a proud day for Melksham. the labours of the Market company were brought to a successful issue, and the building, which only a few months ago was planned, and the mart which was projected, were then made available for the destined purposes."
August 1848 Quote from Devizes and Wiltshire Gazette, 31 August 1848:
"MELKSHAM GREAT CHEESE MARKET OPENING OF THE RAILWAY
August 1859 Quote from Swindon Advertiser and North Wilts Chronicle, 1 August 1859:
"From the interest taken by the landed proprietors, and the good feeling among the tenant farmers, and their determination to accomplish their object, there appears every prospect for a good cheese market being established. It has always been regretted that, with every accommodation, and situated within one of the finest dairy districts in the county, Melksham should not have a cheese market worthy of so rich and fertile a vale."
January 1860 May 1888 Quote from Devizes and Wiltshire Gazette, 31 May 1888:
"This being the first occasion on which the new Drill Hall (on Church Street) has been used for public purpose, the walls were effectively decorated in a martial style with stars composed of bayonets and ramrods, swords, rifles and other weapons of warfare, which with flags and shields of various colours, gave a pleasing appearance to what is now the largest public hall in the town." "
February 1891 Quote from Bristol Times and Mirror, 7 February 1891:
"... a crowded meeting of ratepayers was held at the Town Hall, Melksham, convened by notice, issued at the request of memorialist, by the chairman Mr. A. G. Smith to consider a proposition from the Local Board to purchase the Town Hall and Market Companys property, for public improvements, at the price of £2,500. It was shown that 1/2d rate would repay a loss to the amount in 50 years, principal and interest. The object of the purchase was to remove the calf and pig market from the open street to sheds in the hall yard. The meeting rejected the proposal by a large majority. Mr. C. Maggs, one of the directors of the Market company and a member of the Local Board, demanded a poll. The meeting was an exciting one."
25 February 1891 Quote from Bristol Mercury, 25 February 1891:
"The poll demanded by Mr. Stratton on the question of the buying of the Market Hall has been decided in favour of buying by a majority of 25. About 500 papers were distributed, and of these 87 were spoilt."
February 1898 Quote from Wiltshire Times, 12 February 1898:
"A special meeting of the Urban Council considered the offer by the Melksham Market Company to sell the Town Hall, Police Station and premises adjoining for £2,500. After considerable discussion in Committee, it was decided to leave the question until after the April ellections, and to ask the Company to reduce the price asked to a more reasonable figure."
April 1906 Quote from the Wiltshire Times, 28 April 1906:
"He (Captain Tayler) invited suggestions from those present, remarking that he and his subalterns had done all they could to secure a site for a hall, but had not yet been successful. As a last resource he thought they might go back to the Town Hall, but he hoped that would not be necessary. There should be patriotism enough in the town to provide a drill hall."
November 1907 Quote from the Wiltshire Times, 23 November 1907:
"As a result, the Company have now to be congratulated on the possession of one of the best drill halls, if not the best, in the county; a rifle range with four targets being also included in the building. The length of the hall is 118 feet and the width 50 feet. It is admirably adapted to the purpose for which it is required and has been erected at a moderate cost. Although not quite completed and furnished, the hall has been in use for some time, and on Tuesday evening the formal opening took place. The outlay incurred up to the present has been about £620 and some £627 has been ocntributed, so that there is a small balance to hand. But another £120 or so is calculated to be required for completing the furnishing, thus leaving a sum of something over £100 to be raised... The contract for the building was taken by Messrs. Bigwood and Co., and the ironwork by Messrs. Lysaght, of Bristol."
May 1914 From Wiltshire Times 16 May 1914, and quoting the sales catalogue:
"The Drill Hall is said to be built of corrugated iron, with floor, partly cement, extending to 114ft by 50ft; two large store rooms, armoury, lecture room, orderly room, clothing store, etc."
July 1914 Quote from Wiltshire Times 18 July 1914
July 1939 Quote from Wiltshire Times 12 July 1939
"Persons storing material or equipment in the Drill Hall or adjoining premises are to be requested to remove it, in view of the demand for space to store ARP equipment."
1942 November 1946 "...throughout the war the building was in the occupation of the Army authorities and that when it was re-requisitioned and handed over it was understandably in a very deplorable state of decoration. The money received from the War Department to cover the agreed cost of dilapidation has, therefore, been applied to renovate and recondition the Hall to make it usable by the Melksham public, who for many years have urgently needed such an amenity."
"Only 1/4 of work is done, but we wanted something for the people by winter 1946."
"Every Sunday night" , said Ward, "thousands of young people tramp the streets of Melksham because they have nothing to do and nowhere to go. It is up to you to take them in hand.""
October 1947 June 1949 Quote from Wiltshire times 25 June 1949
"Melksham's Assembly Hall, considering its open metal roof and thin walls, is remarkably free from echoes when filled with people. But the other day I was in the hall when it was empty, and was talking to the caretaker, Mr. A. F. Baker, at one side of the hall. I remarked on the very noticeable echo, and he told me a strange thing about it. His old dog is losing her sight and can only see him very close. If he calls her from one side of the hall, she immediately goes over to the opposite wall, showing that the echo of his voice is louder than the original sound." -- The Gleaner
August 1954 Quote from Wiltshire Times 14 August 1954:
"A fine job has been made of the new flooring in the Assembly Hall, which has now re-opened. The old concrete surround to the dance floor has been replaced with a completely new floor of beechwood blocks. It is interesting to hear that the area of the surround is greater than that of the original floor of oak blocks in the centre of the hall... Appreciative comments have been made about the new amplification system for music, and the new catering arrangements by a Trowbridge firm.
October 1955 Quote from Wiltshire Times 1 October 1955:
"The surveyor (Mr N H Cooper) told members of the Urban Council on Monday that good progress has been maintained on the Assembly Hall. The roof, the new block floor and the bar and kitchen alterations have been completed. New stage curtain and hangings have been hung and the decorations to the main hall are nearly finished. The new extension to the front has also been completed, apart from some decoration, pointing and provision of fittings."
1978 25 Jan 1980 September 2021
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