3 p.m. - Great Bedwyn Village Hall.

Michael Ancram, who covers Melksham, Pewsey and Bedwyn stations will be attending a meeting, perhaps talking a bit, listening to representations.   really a "Bedwyn" meeting where they are threatened with a cut from a train every hour to London to a train every 2 hours, but also a public meeting and there is good scope for an overall input.  I'm going and  (provisionally) will be doing a few minutes "where did we get here" on Michael's three stations.

It's a Sunday, Nick, unless I got the date wrong ....

Note to all - I will be there and I WILL be talking Melksham.   I know it's the other end of the consituency but it's worth a group of us attending. Michael IS looking to get a meeting with a minister.  "About Bedwyn" his letter says, but I'm sure we cantry to get him to talk Melksham too.  And it IS a public meeting to we're allowed ... and expected as I've spoken with their organiser.

I had a reply from wilts county council adressed to me but which started 'Dear Mr Bretton' 
(The letter was from A Feist - Assistant Director Planning and Development)

A well packed meeting at  Bedwyn village hall and Michael Ancram there to listen.

The good news is that he's seeing Alastair Darling on TUESDAY - the bad news is that it's purely to discuss Kintbury and Bedwyn. "I've learn over the years that the best thing to do is to concentrate on one issue.  I have plans to deal with Melksham in another way" he said.

But it WAS good to get a chance to speak with Michael, to help put the plight of Melksham in front of him, and to clarify for him that Melksham Station is NOT on the main West of England main line, so it's not just a question of getting extra trains that are passing through anyway to stop here as it is at Bedwyn.

Another thing that came through loud and clear - how MUCH can be gained by a community that has an hourly, as opposed to a 2-hourly service .... really - Melksham should and could support an hourly train!