 Introduction from
Mitch de Faria,
Melton First Founder
 It took a while to realise that the Melton, Rutland & Harborough Primary Care Trust was going to sell the War Memorial Hospital. No-one had taken much notice of press comments until the PCT called a meeting for a small number of near-by residents in September 2003.
At the meeting and at the Public Meeting that followed, it became clear that although protesting a desire to receive bids for the site from the community, the PCT would follow the NHS Estatecode and sell for open market value to the highest bidder. In today's climate, the highest bidder means housing.
The Hospital had been bequeathed to the town and it didn't seem right that the NHS could sell it off when they hadn't paid for it and have clearly failed to maintain it; the Grade II listed building is falling seriously into disrepair.
So Melton First was formed, to keep the War Memorial Hospital and grounds in the hands of the community.
 Next came the challenge of rebuilding the property and running it as a financially viable concern. Melton First's proposal would have to attract public funding to assist with the purchase and redevelopment, but we wanted to be self-financing in as short a period as possible.
To build an attractive and viable proposal, Melton First considered;
the condition of the property and grounds
activities best suited to the site
resources and facilities of benefit to the community
activities likely to enthuse partner organisations
types of business capable of attracting grant funding
projects capable of long-term independent financial viability
Our research showed that arts, hotel and events facilities were needed by the town and could also attract funding if packaged correctly. So based on the organisation and 'dare to dream' philosophy of the Eden Project, Melton First developed the proposed fully sustainable regional design arts centre, Hill House Project.
 Some excellent partner organisations are involved in and supporting the project, primary among them, Melton Mowbray Building Society, which has been at the heart of Melton's community for almost 130 years, and the Leicester-based environmental charity, Environ, designers of Leicester's EcoHouse.
As our research progressed, it also became known that Leicestershire County Council was to sell off the historic Craven Lodge, home to Edward, Prince of Wales, in the years leading to the abdication, and the site of much of his relationship with Mrs Wallis Simpson.
Craven Lodge would undoubtedly make an extraordinary 'living' museum and conference centre and is Melton First's second 'project'.
 We're under no illusion. Community projects have difficulty competing with the deeper pockets of housing developers, which is why this website is so important in the battle to win hearts and minds. With your support and help we believe what we're setting out to achieve may just be feasible.
But we have to be able to demonstrate that the public is behind us. So, if you can help by sending a message of support or by making a contribution to the Melton First Fighting Fund, our support pages are clearly signposted or click here.
Thanks for logging on and putting Melton First.
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