A Year of Much Excitement
Looking back on 2024 as chair of the Melton Mowbray Town Estate, I can safely say that it’s been an exciting year with some big changes. The work of the Town Estate has continued apace, with continuous improvements to the parks and plantings, extensions made to the Disc and FootGolf courses at Sysonby Acres, and a comprehensive tree survey across all our parks and sports facilities.
We are proud to be the guardians of our beautiful town parks. They provide both joy and a peaceful haven for so many people and families of Melton. That is why we are continuing to plant more trees and shrubs for future generations to enjoy.
And we are also keen for people to enjoy more markets and special events in such beautiful settings.
We have created a new monthly artisan market, to bring new visitors and traders to Melton Mowbray, struck up partnerships with more businesses in the region, and built an even greater calendar of events and attractions in our parks.
This year, we launched a season of free open-air cinema events, and we were delighted that so many people from Melton Mowbray came to Play Close Park and helped us create a brilliant family atmosphere on those warm summer evenings. We’ll be bringing Cinema in The Park back for next year, and we’re busy putting the season’s film choices together now!
We reopened the Play Close Park kiosk, with The Melton Ice Cream Co. at the helm, giving people in the park a place to meet and grab a coffee or a snack. Next year, we will also be opening the New Pavilion Cafe, complete with a full kitchen and giving everyone a wider choice of food and drink in the park.
England’s amazing performances in the European Cup inspired us to have free public viewing in the park on giant display screens, and Meltonians came together in their hundreds to follow every nailbiting match. Despite falling at the last hurdle, every afternoon watching football in the park really brought people together.
Melton Borough Market came to town for the first time in September, bringing artisan food makers and producers to Melton Mowbray on the third Friday of every month, and even garnering an appearance on the television news. Our new market received great support from Melton Mowbray, and will return on Friday March the 21st next year.
As the nights began drawing in, we planned the Melton Mowbray Fireworks Festival and Concert, with the ambition to create a special night to remember for the whole town. The Town Estate team, led from the front by our CEO Dean Rees, organised it perfectly, coordinating stage, set, lighting and sound, two live bands, a DJ, the pyrotechnics operator, plus all our support services and suppliers.
Thousands of people flocked to the park that night, creating an incredible atmosphere and making it one of the biggest fireworks events I can remember. With MB Bars & Events providing a professional licensed bar, Melton Ice Cream Co. selling hot drinks and snacks, Belvoir Care providing medical services, and Crowdsafe UK providing security, it felt good to know that all our visitors were safe and well looked after too.
We’re all looking forward to 2025 and a busy schedule of events and improvements. The job of the Town Estate is to work for the benefit of the people of Melton Mowbray, and we’re planning to bring you free cinema, music, entertainment and recreation, as well as new attractions, music festivals, speciality markets, car shows and much more. Keep an eye on our website for details about these events as we announce them, and we’ll see you all in the new year!
Wishing you a happy and peaceful Christmas,
Graham Bett, Chair, Melton Mowbray Town Estate