Local News
Visit the Local News section of the PP website for this week’s news including the waste wars return, the River Lambourn also returns, tile rage in Marlborough, business rates, welcome news for families, glimmer of hope in Wash Common, good causes celebrated, traffic and fire-service news, police updates for February, school bus petitions, down with referendums, rival snowdrops, a semi-detached muscle, the M4 derby, CATs with strings and a hymn for coach travellers.
Local Events – see below
Local Activities
• book a free trial on a local Parent & Kids Martial Arts Class with Damien Harfields MF Martial Arts Contact 0800 0345 660 or [email protected] for more details.
• spring is in the air so why not enjoy a March Floristry Workshop 6.45pm Wed 8 Mar in Chilton Foliat with Kelly Louise
• Kelly Louise can also help you make your own Mother’s Day Floral Gift 6.30 – 8pm Fri 24 Mar The Craft Studio Marlborough
• if you like making & fixing things do check out the next Repair Cafe in Wantage on Sat 4 Mar. Volunteers will fix your household and electrical items and help with tool sharpening and basic bike repairs. I’m going to take my sewing machine and a couple of axes!
Mothers’ Day
• Mother’s Day Floristry Workshop & Sunday Lunch at The Wheatsheaf in Chilton Foliat
• Special Mother’s Day Lunch Blandy’s at Inglewood nr Kintbury. A marvellous chef, beautiful setting and gift for every mother dining! Book on 01488 687010
Recommendations
• for marquees & event equipment, Mrs O’Donohoe from Enborne recommends Redcrest Events nr Newbury ‘The marquee was stunning and we were so impressed with you and your staff..we hardly noticed you coming and going.’
• Louisa recommends The Pheasant Inn in Shefford Woodlands (nr Jnct 14 of M4) ‘A fantastic meal and really friendly, helpful and knowledgeable staff.’
Special Offers
• I’m not a girlie type into beauty products but I do love the award-winning Pink & Green Organic Skincare especially because the lovely lotions are handmade locally by Carol Aplin. Carol is offering free samples of her Organic Eye Serum (well, they cost 75p for postage).
• Free drum sticks & Evans drum skin !f you buy a snare drum or cymbal from Hogan Music in Newbury this month.
• £40 off classic teeth whitening when you book this month at Lambourn Valley Dental Practice. Call Rachel or Lucy to book on 01488 757 654
Items
Four large rubber plants are looking for a new home in exchange for a donation to the Injured Jockeys’ Fund.
Local Jobs
See the Penny Post website for local jobs including: Gardener, near Lambourn • Marketing Assistant, near Hungerford • Administrator, Newbury • Stable Manager, Upper Lambourn • After-school Childcare, near Newbury • Full- and Part-time Cooks, Newbury • Shop Assistants, Great Shefford • Car Mechanic, Newbury • Domestic Assistants, near Newbury • Occupational Therapist, West Berkshire • Massage Therapist, West Berkshire • Recreation Assistant, Hungerford • Cleaners, West Berkshire • Customer Services Assistants, Hungerford • Charity Shop Volunteers, Hungerford • Homecare Assistants, throughout West Berkshire
• Firefighters Have a Go Day 10am – 2pm Newbury Fire Station this Saturday (for 18 yrs & older). Appeal for more retained firefighters who are based within minutes of Hungerford or Lambourn fire stations – click link for what is involved with this paid position.
• Click here for apprenticeships at Newbury College. Current vacancies include chefs, nursery nurses, engineers and IT.
Local Businesses
Family Life • Food & Drink • Health, Beauty & Wellbeing • House, Garden & Pets • Legal & Professional • IT, Media & Web • Visual & Performing Arts • Retailers • Travel & Tourism • Tuition & Training
Please support the businesses which support Penny Post!
• Café business opportunity – Newbury Town Council is looking for an operator who will take on the lease of a new café currently being considered for construction in Victoria Park, Newbury.
Charity Plugs
• still time to enter Pancake Race Still time to enter Newbury’s Pancake Race next Tues 28 Feb (Shrove Tuesday) in aid of The Rosemary Appeal to build a cancer care unit at West Berkshire Community Hospital. Pancake Race is organised every year by Katy Hawthorne from the Newbury branch of Soroptomists International, a global group of women inspiring action.
• ARK (Action for River Kennet) has a great volunteering program for March which includes hedge planting, litter picking, plaque installations & faggot making!
• Lambourn Valley Dementia Friendly Community Forum invites local businesses and residents to a Working to Become Dementia Friendly Coffee Morning on 10am Tues 28 March to discuss how
Four (& two) Legged Friends
• our poor hens were so freaked out by the flapping tarpaulin over their run in today’s wind that they did a runner. I’m not sure how they got out. I do hope the bird flu sanctions are lifted on 28 Feb…
• working in our conservatory today I thought the wind was going to take the roof off. Nimbus decided he’d better look after me
• filming the rise of the River Lambourn this week with our neighbour Eddie, I spotted this intrepid honey bee feeding on the snowdrops. It seems early but apparently once temperatures reach about 12 degrees the bees will start feeding.
• if you’ve ever wondered what happens when a pack of tigers chase a drone (yes, you did read that correctly), click here.
Seasonal Snippets
• Newbury in Bloom has received a £2,000 grant from Tesco to support Community Projects who wish to take part this year. Click here to apply by 30 June. The categories are: Primary School Garden, Place of Worship Garden, Public House/Restaurant/Small Business, Allotment, Almshouses and Community Projects
• February gardeninig inspiration from Hungerford allotmenteers Belinda & Jamie
• I am impressed that I have managed to achieve Damp February – I have only drunk twice since New Year’s Eve…
• this week’s recipe is Rabbit & Prune Stew with Mashed Potato comfort food recipe from Romilla Arber, author of Whats for Dinner? and founder of Honesty Group & Cookery School
• see this week’s Local News for the usual mix including good news for families in Wantage and Newbury, Wash Common Library, the return of the waste wars and some thoughts about referendums.
• please watch this video & support Thames Valley Police’s #TVPRural campaign on the importance of reporting crime in our countryside
• many energy suppliers are putting their standard tariffs up so now is a good time to sign up for the Collective Energy Switch – deadline for West Berks residents is Mon 20 Mar
• good news – a new Dyslexia Tuition Centre is opening in Newbury
• with GCSE revision looming on the horizon, any history students may want to have a look at a slightly different version of Willie, Willie, Harry Stee…
Penny
Local Events
Highlights from the Penny Post Calendar
Fri 24 Feb
On PP Calendar: Cappucino Connections ladies networking in Newbury, online banking tuition & Word Play Club at Hungerford Library, Dare to Dance at Park House School, Newbury
Sat 25 Feb
Discover Your Voice 2.30 – 5pm Newbury’s Wellbeing Centre. Become aware of and enjoy the healing power of your voice.
Hungerford Town v Maidenhead 3pm kick-off – support our local sporting heroes just 2 tiers away from professional Football League. Entry only £12 but they need all the funds they can get for stadium refurb to stay in their league
On PP Calendar: Piglets Antiques & Collectibles Market Hungerford, Woolton Hill Village Market, 6 Nations Rugby at Hungerford RFC, Wantage Music Festival Concert
Sun 26 Feb
Wantage Farmers Market 8.30 – 1pm Wantage Market Place
The Party & Wedding Showcase 11.30am – 3pm, The Queens Arms, East Garston. Great chance to meet local marquee suppliers, caterers, bars, dance floor to disco, wedding dresses to carriages, florist & furniture, photographers. Free entry.
Mon 27 Feb
Tues 28 Feb
Pancake Races 12 – 2pm Newbury Market Place. Pancake lunch available in St Nicolas Church Hall from 12.15pm. Still time to enter a team!
Sat 4 Mar
Cocktail & Casino Night 8pm John O’Gaunt School, Hungerford
A Night at the Opera 7.30pm Hungerford Town Hall. A night of opera classics and a 3 course meal. In aid of Hungerford Rotary.
Peter Knight’s Gigspanner 7.30pm Croft Hall, Hungerford. Folk music icons.
Sun 5 Mar
HEAT Monthly Walk leaves 10am from Hungerford Town Hall. Approx 5 miles with coffee stop at Audley Inglewood. Return at 1pm.
Compton Art Exhibition 3-7pm Compton Swan, RG20 6NJ. Free entry. Raffle in aid of Help for Heroes.Originals and Prints by local artists. Enquiries: Brenda 01635 247 295 or 07802 748 123
Coming Soon
Clover Stroud Author Talk The Wild One 29 March Hungerford Bookshop
