Just off Melksham's Market Place is one of the town's most famous houses - Melksham House.

The property was first known as The Grove and it was not until 1866 that the title Melksham House appeared.

The house today is as a sports and social club for employees of the Avon Rubber company and many will remember it for the functions held there.

Melksham House was built in 1608, or at least records have shown a buildiing on this site around that time.

Various replacements and extensions continued over the years, particularly under the Long family who bought it in 1699.

In the 1860s, the grounds of Melksham House extended over what is now the cricket field and the cemetery right down to the river bank.

Conversion of Melksham House for use as a sports and social club for the employees of the Avon Rubber company was carried out in 1920 and the formal opening of the club took place on Sunday, December, 11.

But just days later a fire broke out virtually destroying the house.

At 5.30am on Wednesday, December 15, a fire was spotted with flames soon taking hold and destroying much of the house.

All that could be salvaged was the facade of the house which has remained intact to this day.

The house was rebuilt on lines more suited for a sports and social club than the original building was.

Today with its main hall, and meeting rooms along with parking, Melksham House is an asset for the town.

It has managed to retain the image of a beautiful old mansion standing in delightful grounds.