I am often told I’m young by fellow Meltonians. Which is weird because I used to have teenagers call me a dinosaur. This weird middle void does mean I can remember certain things and pray that they come back in some form. I also happen to admin a FB group with thousands of Meltonians who remember the good old days. So this blog post is a homage to those things we all missed.

1. Student Nights

Once upon a time when I was a baby drinker, there were student nights. I know, student nights in Melton. Could you believe. Tradition would dictate a stroll to the Half Moon for fish bowls followed by a £1 on the door of the Lion and cheap booze all night.

One of a members of group that I put this question to, also told me that said Tuesdays were known as Scruffy Tuesdays by local squaddies. Tradition stated they would have £1 drinks at The Lion before going to Tubes. Which let’s be honest, the idea of Tubes being open on Tuesday is merely a legend now. I barely remember my college peers heading into Friday classes hungover because they went to Tubes on a Thursday.

Flash forward to 2023 qnd now Tuesdays in Melton are just… meh, unless you play darts. No shade to darts players, you guys play better than me.

The reality is that we are slap bang in the middle of 5 unis, have a college on our door step that combines post 16 and university course and a post-16 college full of students planning nights out when they turn 18. If any venue wants to team up with me to bring these back, I’d be totally down.

2. The waterslide at Waterfield.

Kids love slides. Kelly loves slides. To this day, I feel that the people of Melton were robbed when we lost that bloody waterslide. Oh and before you ask, no the inflatable that only comes out for select periods in holidays and is charged extra, does not count. BRING BACK THE SLIDE!

My group members also told me tales of the Asfordby road lesuire centre which was demolished due to the college expanding. It’s kinda sad that the only water slides in Melton, now belong to Twinlakes and are weather dependent.

3. Proper Melton Day

Question. Does anyone in Melton actually know:

1. If we’re having a Melton Day?
2. If we are, when’s it actually taking place?

I am told by my Meltonian peers that once upon a time, Melton Day was a big deal. There was a parade in town and a music tent. I personally remember as a child going to the park to see a giant ring where there would be performances. Both parks would also be full to the brim and you basically had to become a sardine.

Whilst the crowds were slightly bad for the old autism, there was a big positive. Town was busy. People wanted to go to the pubs, shops and cafes since they were in the area anyway.

Then some plonker decided to charge a fiver per person to enter a park that was free of cost the day before. I have said this for 4 years and I’ll put it in capitals to say it again. IF YOU ARE GOING TO CHARGE A FEE IN MELTON, YOU HAVE TO OFFER SOMETHING THAT PEOPLE CAN’T GET AT A FREE LOCATION/EVENT! Suddenly, the people partying in the park died off because no one could justify a fiver to merely enter the event. Let alone ride the rides, grab food, visit stalls, etc.

Now, some form of Melton Day has since become free entry once more but now there is more of a focus on the fair. As opposed to the whole entity. Who knows, maybe I might add organizing/assisting with organizing Melton Day on the list of stuff.

4. An independent toy shop

When I was a small girl I loved Arbon & Watts. The largish toy shop had everything a parent/carer could need for birthday presents, Christmas presents, bribes because they didn’t bite the nurse during their vacinations, etc. Then once they closed, Melton Toys took the helm for many years. Both stores offered a good variety of items that even adult Kelly enjoyed (looking at you Melton Toys’ Pokemon plushies). Now in 2023, there is an empty shop where Melton Toys once stood.

Now I’m not parent but I feel that “be good and we’ll visit Jeffery Bezos” doesn’t have the same ring. Not to mention Jeffery isn’t spending his billions of dollars in Melton. Also variety is the spice of life. So bring back the toy shops!

5. More public transport options

I was told by my fellow Meltonians that there was a time that last bus went until 11pm. That’s right, 11pm. Which in night out terms means a film at the Regal, a dinner out at a fancy resturant, the minimum of the first set of a live gig or just a safe way home when you had gone day drinking.

I also remember the days where it was very easy or at least easier to get a taxi home during the week. With the need to pre-book being a way to give you a way to avoid the drunken rush and not a way to make sure you actually got a car.

Due to bus cuts from certain political parties and more taxi drivers retiring than taking the wheel, the borough is on a downward spiral when it comes to transport at night. That is only a bad thing. I mean, what’s better a guaranteed bus load of people that are plonked right outside of your nightclub/bar/restaurant/cinema or a ghost town? If the new council could make this a priority, that would be great.

6. Multiple Youth Clubs

When I was in my late teens, I went to a weekly SEN youth club. I liked said youth club. I spent many hours playing on the PS2 and going to different outings in the area. I still speak to a couple of people I met at said youth club.

That youth club was at Venture House which… isn’t a youth centre anymore. Oh and before you ask, I have zero clue what they do in there now. In 2023, the only firm youth area is The Venue. None of the other places around town offer this.

Now, I know there was Yoof before that closed down. The key note is that it has closed down. Maybe I could look at a “what X could have done differently” series on this blog post.

What is promising, however, is that this issue is FINALLY being given the acknowledgement that it deserves.

What do you guys think should be on this list?

Drop your thoughts in the comments and remember to follow My Melton on all the relevant socials. Meanwhile I’m gonna start racking my brains for a new night in Melton.

Kelly