melton mowbray is home to a rare example of early town government. the melton mowbray town estate was founded at the time of the reformation, in 1549, when two townsfolk sold silver and plate sequestered from the church and bought land to be held in trust for all inhabitants. the town estate provided early forms of education, the first street lighting, and today owns and operates the town's parks and sports grounds, and the town's market.