The Melksham Area Board has teamed up with local partners and activity providers to organise a two-week programme of free activities and events to inspire a love of learning in family life. The fortnight of activities from 14 – 29 October will provide a great opportunity for families to get out and have fun in their local community. There will be a wide variety of events and activities for families to take part in which are as follows:
Saturday 14 October 10:30 – 11:00am Melksham Library
Story Time (recommended ages 4 – 10 years) Books Galore!! Come along and celebrate the Family Learning Festival and enjoy stories read by the Library staff. The theme of the story time will be how much fun books can be.
Tuesday 17 and 24 October 10:30 – 11:00am Melksham Library
Rhyme Time (Under 5’s only) Join us for our regular free Rhyme time, suitable for babies, toddlers and all pre-school children. Parents, grandparents and other carers are all welcome to come to this friendly activity. Join in with your favourites or maybe learn some new songs and rhymes!
Saturday 21 October 10:00 – 12:30pm Caenhill Countryside Centre SN10 5TF
Farm and Field time* (recommended ages 8 – 12 years) An activity for family groups to explore the fields and see how the animals are fed and live out in the countryside. Meet the animals and explore natural food. *Please book onto this activity: call 01380 723698 or email: helie@caenhillcc.org.uk.
Saturday 21 October 10:30 – 12:30pm Melksham Library
‘Time Machine’: A Mobile Medieval Museum (recommended ages 4 – 11 years) A chance for children to travel back to Medieval times, learn to swordfight like a Man at Arms, dress up as a Knight or Princess, and hold genuine medieval artefacts like bones, pottery and silver coins. You can also make your own Magna Cartas and learn how to seal them with wax. Plus, we’ll be joined by a knight in full armour!
Saturday 21 October 3:00 – 4:45pm Oakfields Stadium SN12 7GU
Free family admission to Melksham Town Football Club match* (for all ages) Come along and watch Melksham Town in their home fixture on Saturday 21st October. This leaflet allows one family admission of 2 adults and up to 3 children. *Please bring this leaflet with you to the match.
Monday 23 October 10:00 – 11.30am Canberra Children’s Centre SN12 7NY
Awesome Autumn * (under 5’s only) Book onto this fun workshop with your children. Explore lots of fun autumnal crafts and find out about free Wiltshire Family Learning courses starting at Canberra Children’s Centre in November. *Please book onto this activity: Tel: 01225 705225.
Monday 23 October 11:00 – 1:00pm Melksham Town Hall SN12 6ES
Circus skills (recommended ages 7 – 14 years) Come along and try your hand at a variety of circus skills, including juggling with balls, clubs and scarves, devil sticks and various types of poi. There will be support and tuition for children and adults alike. This could be the day you learn to spin a plate or juggle!
Monday 23 October 1:30 – 2:30pm Melksham Town Hall
Baby Gym taster session (ages 8 weeks to walking) Come along to our Baby Gym taster session! Our sessions improve motor skills by developing strengthening babies muscles by exercising to music.
Monday 23 October 5:30 – 7:00pm Melksham Library
Behind the Scenes: Mobile Medieval Museum (recommended ages 8 – 16 years) A chance for adults and older Children to explore the gritty realities behind Medieval England. We’ll reveal our rarer artefacts for you to handle, talk about Medieval life, the Plague, why war with France was a national hobby, and what we can learn about board games from the vicious Vikings. Plus, we’ll be joined by a knight in full armour!
Wednesday 25 October 10:00 – 2:00pm Melksham Fire Station SN12 6DD
Fire Station open day (suitable for all ages) Find out more about being a firefighter and learn how to stay safe at home! Take a look around Melksham fire station, see the equipment on the fire engine, chat with the crew and even try on some fire kit. Try out our electrical safety calculator and for the under eights, there will be mini fire kits to try on and games such as fire safety giant Jenga and fire safety skittles. Family fun for everyone!
Wednesday 25 October 10:30 – 12:30pm Melksham Fire Station
Wiltshire Scrapstore arts and crafts workshop (recommended ages 12 years and under) Prepare to enter an imaginative world… Explore, create, and get messy, in the family workshop where everything is an adventure!
Wednesday 25 October 10:00 – 12noon Starts at Melksham Library SN12 7DZ ends at Melksham Fire Station SN12 6DD
Family Adventure Trail (recommended ages 4 – 11 years) Opportunities for reading are all around us. Our specially tailored adventure trail gives you the opportunity to support your child’s reading whilst having fun searching for clues.
Wednesday 25 October 5:00 – 6:00pm Canberra Youth Centre SN12 7NY
Visit from Professional Skateboarder James Threlfall (recommended ages 11 – 13 years) Interested in learning about the life of a professional skateboarder and TV presenter? Hear how local lad James Threlfall turned professional and learn some of his top tips.
Thursday 26 October 10:30 – 11:30am Melksham Library
Create your own family adventure (suitable for all ages) A fun and creative story-writing session for the whole family. Come along and be inspired!
Friday 27 October 11:00 – 1:00pm Conigre Mead Nature Reserve SN12 6UL
Bug house building* (suitable for all ages) Come along and build bug houses to help insects survive the cold season. You will be able to take your bug house home to use in your own garden. *Please book onto this activity: contact Richard Callow at RCallow@wiltshirewildlife.org or call 01380 829055
Saturday 14 – Sunday 29 October Bookasaurus SN12 6LS
Bookasaurus Bookasaurus in Melksham has a fantastic offer during the Family Learning Festival. Any book available at half price when you present this leaflet in store. One book per leaflet.
See pool programme for full details Melksham Blue Pool SN12 6ES
Under 16’s swimming Free swimming during school holidays for under 16’s. Terms and conditions apply. Check pool programme for full details: 01225 703525: https://www.placesforpeopleleisure.org/centres/melksham-blue-pool/
KEEVIL VILLAGE 