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Thursday 12 January 2023
This week we cover a a forthcoming fayre, volunteers, bus fares, bikes and recycling centres. We also report on the last situation at the Easy Concrete site in Aldermaston and offer some advice about WBC’s local plan consultation – plus our usual round-up of other local news, local events and activities and local councils’ information.
This week’s news
• The Burghfield Residents Association is now accepting applications for this year’s May Fayre. If you would be interested in a stall, please send a brief overview of your wares or activities to the coordinator at burghfieldmayfayre@gmail.com.
• Burghfield Community Café B are looking for volunteers to help on Mondays and Wednesdays. There are multiple roles available including serving barista coffee, waiting on customers, operating the till or in the kitchen. Full training will be given. If that sounds interesting to you, get in touch at cafeb@togetherinmission.org.uk.
• Burghfield Football Club are looking for new players in their Under 10s youth squad (year 5 equivalent). Training takes place on Tuesday evenings, with matches on Saturday mornings. Head to their website for more information.
• Do you have any time on your hands? Volunteering is good for the soul (and the CV) and can be very flexible, fitting around other commitments. This Saturday 14 January sees the return of the big V365 2023 Volunteer Recruitment Day at Newbury Corn Exchange. Organised by Volunteer Centre West Berkshire, it is a brilliant opportunity to meet over 50 local charities, find out what they do and how you can get involved. They really need your help. See here for more details.
• Now that groundwater levels are rising (and rain is falling), concerns about flooding and sewage discharges of from overwhelmed sewers are back with us again. On the latter point, you can keep your eye on this map which has been produced by Thames Water. Traffic-light colours are used: red for discharging now; orange for discharges having happened in the last 48 hours; and green for not discharging now (but shows discharges since April 2022). The overall picture is, as one might expect, pretty awful.
• Quick reminder that single bus fares are capped at a maximum of £2 from January to March across the Reading Buses, Thames Valley Buses, Green Line 702/703 and Newbury & District networks. For more details about how the scheme will work, click here.
• The new cost of living support hub on West Berkshire Council website explains the different types of support available if you are struggling with rising living costs and are concerned about paying your household bills. You can also click here to read this article we’ve recently published about the Hub and what help and support you can expect from it.
• Aldermaston Parish Council is considering the options for spending the £53,000 CIL contribution from the Lidl development. All suggestions from parishioners are welcome: please contact the Parish Council office.
• Click here for information about the range of activities organised by the Burghfield Community Sports Association.
• The latest edition of the Englefield Parish Magazine is available to read here.
• Ditto here with the latest Padworth Village Newsletter.
• Holy Trinity Church has posted an updated list of necessities for the Foodbank which you can view here.
• For the latest news from the Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton which covers updates and events across Theale area please visit its website and click on Letters, Notices & Magazine.
Aldermaston’s concrete
The meeting of Aldermaston Parish Council on 10 January considered, as other meetings have done in the past, the situation regarding Easy Concrete’s activities at The Woodyard, Paices Hill.
The Chair explained that she had recently attended a site meeting with WBC Planning Enforcement and ur District Councillor, Dominic Boeck. Planning Enforcement confirmed that the engineering activities onsite necessitated a planning application, which has subsequently been submitted (but not yet validated). Aldermaston PC has also received an email from WBC Planning Enforcement “explaining why they thought the site had permission for Easy Concrete’s proposals.” Aldermaston PC “remains concerned with what is happening at this site, and will continue to keep a close watch on it.”
The local plan for West Berkshire
Thursday 12 January update: WBC has announced a further delay to the Regulation 19 Consultation and it now seems likely that this will not start before Friday 20 January. If so, this means that it will end on 3 March.
Friday 6 January update: WBC has announced that Regulation 19 Consultation on the local plan has been delayed due to unforeseen circumstances. It is hoped it will have started by Friday 13 January. It will still run for six weeks from its commencement date.
A district’s local plan is the ultimate source of reference (subject always to any changes in national legislation) for planning officers and planning committee members when making decisions about planning and development. These generally have a life cycle of 15 years. WBC’s current local plan runs until 2026 and work has been taking place on updating this since 2018.
The final draft was submitted to WBC’s Full Council on 1 December 2022 and was approved to go to public consultation. This stage, which is known as Regulation 19, starts on 6 January 2023 and will run until 17 February 2023. This is an opportunity for everyone in the district, individuals and organisations, to have their say.
The document is important but also long and complex, to an extent that might make large parts of it unintelligible to anyone but a planning expert. In this separate post, we’ve suggested some local people or organisations whose advice you might want to get before making your comments. The good news is that these are all completely free…
Community notices
• West Berkshire Library Service is appealing for local volunteers at Mortimer and Burghfield Common libraries. Please see this post on Facebook, call 01635 519533 or email volunteerinyourlibrary@westberks.gov.uk for further information.
• The Mortimer and Burghfield toy library is a service run by volunteers providing toys to local families. It runs on the fourth Saturday of the month at Mortimer Methodist church 9.30am to 11am. Toys can be hired through a yearly membership or individually for a months hire and toys can be renewed on payment of another months hire. For more information, visit their Facebook page.
• Theale Parish Council is often looking for volunteers to help run fun community events. Please check out their website to find out more and register your interest.
• Theale Parish Council has urged residents to take part in the Patient Participation Group which aims to support and improve the way services are delivered by your GP Practice. See more here on the goals and how to join.
• Holy Trinity Church is seeking donations for the Foodbank that is open on Sundays and Wednesdays from 9am to 6pm. With another rise in people’s need for foodbank support, you can find out what has been requested each week by clicking here.
• If you own a bike Neighbourhood Watch strongly recommends registering it on the bikeregister.com database as every police force in the country uses it to search for stolen and recovered bikes.
• The mini re-cycling centre at the end of Theale High Street has banks for plastic pots, tubs, trays cans, small electricals, cardboard and paper.
• More local hosts are needed for people escaping the war in Ukraine. If you could consider hosting a Ukrainian refugee or family, please get in contact with the local support group or visit westberks.gov.uk/homesforukraine.
• For how to avoid scams and what to do if you unluckily get caught, please see important advice here from Citizen’s Advice.
Local events and activities
For more information on events and activities across the Penny Post area, see the website calendar.
• Dates for the diary
• Thurs 12 Jan Britain’s Railways in WW1 Talk, Reading Central Library.
• Sat 14 Jan Games Evening, St Mary’s Church Burghfield.
• Sun 5 Feb Repair Café, Spencer Wood Village Hall.
• Regular events
• Burghfield WI (The Woman’s Institute) meets at 7.30pm on the second Tuesday of the month at Burghfield Village Hall. See their facebook page for details.
• Theale Library hosts in-person events for people of all ages. To find out more information on future clubs and events click here to visit the West Berkshire Library Facebook page or email Theale Library at thealelibrary@westberks.gov.uk.
• Mortimer Library also host regular events, such as their Rhymetime group who meet every Tuesday (during school term time) at 2.30pm.
• Walking for Health meet every Tuesday at the community centre car park opposite the Horse & Groom, Mortimer, between April and October. There are three walk lengths to chose from as mentioned on mortimervillage.org.uk,
• All cyclists are welcome to join the On Your Bike Burghfield facebook group“which doesn’t take itself too seriously.”
• Beenham Art Group every Tuesday from 10am to noon at Victory Hall, Beenham. More details in The Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton Magazine (September edition, p 17).
• Aldermaston Coffee Club meet at the café at Rosebourne, Aldermaston between 10am to 11.30am on the first and third Tuesday of each month. Further details in The Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton Magazine (September edition, p 11).
• Holy Trinity Church, Theale free choir group rehearses on Thursdays between 7pm to 8pm and performs at Sunday services from 10.30am. All are welcome to join. Send enquiries to office@holytrinitytheale.org.uk.
News from your local council
Note: “the most recent meeting” refers to the most recent one for which minutes (in some cases draft) or some other summary is available. Other meetings may have taken place since. Some councils publish minutes more promptly than do others.
• The most recent meeting of Aldermaston Parish Council for was on 10 January and the minutes will be available here in due course. Items covered included: Easy Concrete’s activities at The Woodyard, Paices Hill (see separate section above); a review of the 2023-24 budget (it was decided to keep the precept at £13,500 which is “ower than many other Parish Councils of equivalent size, and we will continue our efforts to ensure you get good value for your money”; planning matters (including “disappointment” that APC’s request for an extension had not been granted to the consultation on proposals for additional Light Industrial Units at Young’s Industrial Estate on Paices Hill; the Victorian Jubilee Water Fountain on the Loosey, which is deteriorating, “partly due to the heavy traffic on the nearby A340”; power outages following SSE workmen Raghill; and the possibility of producing a neighbourhood development plan.
To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here. To see the minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Theale Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 9 January and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: the Chair’s report; the Clerk’s report; the report from ward member Alan Macro; planning matters; the play project; CCTV; the council’s response to the local plan; plans for Christmas 2023; the war memorial; the annual parish meeting; financial matters; and correspondence.
To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas and minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Bradfield Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 6 December and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: a proposed telephone mast; the Village Hall; a huge and ownerless oak tree; footways; tree replacement; planning matters; planning enforcement issues; a report from the ward member; highways; affordable homes; the 2023-24 budget; defibrillators; and financial matters.
To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here for 2021 and here for 2022. To see the minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Beenham Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 5 December and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: hedges; the grit bin; a councillor vacancy; planning matters; highways; parking at Mallard Way; the Community Room and School Hall; speeding; and financial matters.To see the dates, agendas and minutes for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. Click here for details of Beenham’s Community Plan.
• The most recent meeting of Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 10 November and you can read the minutes here.
To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the minutes, please click here. See this page on Stratfield Mortimer PC’s website for more information on the refresh of its neighbourhood development plan.
• The most recent meeting of Padworth Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 7 November and you can read the minutes here.
To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Burghfield Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 6 October and you can read the minutes here.
To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Englefield Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 3 October and you can read the minutes here.
To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas and minutes, please click here.
• Burghfield area council contacts
Parishes: Theale Parish Council, Aldermaston Parish Council, Padworth Parish Council, Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council, Englefield Parish Council, Beenham Parish Council, Bradfield Parish Council and Burghfield Parish Council.
West Berkshire Council: click here to visit the website.
News from other areas
Penny Post area – please see the following separate sections: Hungerford area; Lambourn Valley; Newbury area; Thatcham area; Compton & Downlands; Wantage area; Marlborougharea; Swindon area.
News and views from across the area and beyond: please see the most recent Weekly News with Brian column.
Thursday 5 January 2023
This week we cover a repair café, congratulate the Santas, take a look at a mini recycling centre and admire a huge and ownerless oak tree in Bradfield. We also offer some advice about WBC’s local plan consultation and take a look at the latest news concerning Windmill Court – plus our usual round-up of other local news, local events and activities and local councils’ information.
This week’s news
• Many congratulations to the Burghfield Santas, who throughout the course of 2022 raised an incredible £30,000 for Thames Valley Air Ambulance. The Burghfield Santas have been long-term supporters of the charity through events like their pop-up pub events and Burghfest. Their total fundraising over the years have contributed over £300,000 to the Air Ambulance service. If you would like to make a donation to the Thames Valley Air Ambulance to help save lives, you can do so through their website.
• The Spencer’s Wood Repair Café is back this weekend on Sunday 8 January at the Spencer Wood Village Hall. Bring along your broken household items, such as bikes, electrical items, sewing machines, phones, laptops, garden tools, tool sharpening, mechanical items, small furniture and broken zips, bags and clothes and the wonderful volunteers will try to fix them. There is also a book and CD exchange, as well as a café with snacks and beverages. New volunteers are always welcome especially seamstresses. Click here for further details.
• A new mini recycling centre has opened in Tilehurst at Cotswold Sports Centre, Downs Way, RG31 6SL. Click here for details.
• Village halls that need finishing funds for well-developed projects can apply to the Platinum Jubilee Village Hall Fund by 20 January.
• The national government initiative to cap single bus fares at a maximum of £2 from January to March 2023 applies to all single journeys across the Reading Buses, Thames Valley Buses, Green Line 702/703 and Newbury & District networks. The only exceptions will be on football buses and buses allocated for school travel. The scheme is designed to help families, commuters and other passengers save money this winter, as well as help to increase the number of bus commuters, thereby reducing emissions and congestion. For more details about how the scheme will work, click here.
• The new cost of living support hub on West Berkshire Council website explains the different types of support available if you are struggling with rising living costs and are concerned about paying your household bills. You can also click here to read this article we’ve recently published about the Hub and what help and support you can expect from it.
• Newbury Samaritans is looking for more volunteers to join its team based at West Street in central Newbury. For more information about what is involved (and a link to Penny’s recent interview with Director of Newbury Samaritans, Andrew Melsom) please see here.
• Latest news from Healthwatch West Berkshire includes what to do if you are worried your child has scarlet fever or Strep A and new Urgent Treatment Centre at Great Western Hospital. Click here for full details.
• Aldermaston Parish Council is considering the options for spending the £53,000 CIL contribution from the Lidl development. All suggestions from parishioners are welcome: please contact the Parish Council office.
• Click here for information about the range of activities organised by the Burghfield Community Sports Association.
• The latest edition of the Englefield Parish Magazine is available to read here.
• Ditto here with the latest Padworth Village Newsletter.
• Holy Trinity Church has posted an updated list of necessities for the Foodbank which you can view here.
• For the latest news from the Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton which covers updates and events across Theale area please visit its website and click on Letters, Notices & Magazine.
The local plan
Friday 6 January 2023 update: WBC has announced that Regulation 19 Consultation on the local plan has been delayed due to unforeseen circumstances. It is hoped it will have started by Friday 13 January. It will still run for six weeks from its commencement date.
A district’s local plan is the ultimate source of reference (subject always to any changes in national legislation) for planning officers and planning committee members when making decisions about planning and development. These generally have a life cycle of 15 years. WBC’s current local plan runs until 2026 and work has been taking place on updating this since 2018.
The final draft was submitted to WBC’s Full Council on 1 December 2022 and was approved to go to public consultation. This stage, which is known as Regulation 19, stars on 6 January 2023 and will run until 17 February 2023. This is an opportunity for everyone in the district, individuals and organisations, to have their say.
The document is important but also long and complex, to an extent that might make large parts of it unintelligible to anyone but a planning expert. In this separate post, we’ve suggested some local people or organisations whose advice you might want to get before making your comments. The good news is that these are all completely free…
Windmill Court
We’ve covered throughout 2022 the story of Sovereign Housing’s somewhat clumsy attempt to close the housing at Windmill Court in Mortimer. Discussions between Sovereign and WBC have been ongoing for some time, though with no public results. One thing I would like to see come from these is an understanding as to who is calling the shots in the relationship (it should surely be WBC) when it comes to deciding what facilities should be closed or renovated. As matters stand, this could happen again and cause a similar amount of confusion and upset.
In his latest newsletter published just before Christmas, WBC Councillor Graham Bridgman made the f0ollowing comment:
“Discussions with Sovereign have continued and as soon as there is something we are able to report we will do so. As I said in a recent Facebook post: ‘We have had meetings, both physical and virtual with Sovereign. The nature of the discussions have been necessarily confidential. As and when: (a) the request from Sovereign to WBC is discussed by WBC; and/or (b) the petition presented to the WBC Executive is discussed; and/or (c) any planning application by Sovereign comes forward; and/or (d) Sovereign agrees that the discussions can be made public; and/or (e) Sovereign make any announcements, I will be able to say more.'”
Community notices
• West Berkshire Library Service is appealing for local volunteers at Mortimer and Burghfield Common libraries. Please see this post on Facebook, call 01635 519533 or email volunteerinyourlibrary@westberks.gov.uk for further information.
• The Mortimer and Burghfield toy library is a service run by volunteers providing toys to local families. It runs on the fourth Saturday of the month at Mortimer Methodist church 9.30am to 11am. Toys can be hired through a yearly membership or individually for a months hire and toys can be renewed on payment of another months hire. For more information, visit their Facebook page.
• Theale Parish Council is often looking for volunteers to help run fun community events. Please check out their website to find out more and register your interest.
• Theale Parish Council has urged residents to take part in the Patient Participation Group which aims to support and improve the way services are delivered by your GP Practice. See more here on the goals and how to join.
• Holy Trinity Church is seeking donations for the Foodbank that is open on Sundays and Wednesdays from 9am to 6pm. With another rise in people’s need for foodbank support, you can find out what has been requested each week by clicking here.
• If you own a bike Neighbourhood Watch strongly recommends registering it on the bikeregister.com database as every police force in the country uses it to search for stolen and recovered bikes.
• The mini re-cycling centre at the end of Theale High Street has banks for plastic pots, tubs, trays cans, small electricals, cardboard and paper.
• More local hosts are needed for people escaping the war in Ukraine. If you could consider hosting a Ukrainian refugee or family, please get in contact with the local support group or visit westberks.gov.uk/homesforukraine.
• For how to avoid scams and what to do if you unluckily get caught, please see important advice here from Citizen’s Advice.
Local events and activities
For more information on events and activities across the Penny Post area, see the website calendar.
• Dates for the diary
• Sun 8 Jan Repair Café, Spencer Wood Village Hall.
• Thurs 12 Jan Britain’s Railways in WW1 Talk, Reading Central Library.
• Sun 5 Feb Repair Café, Spencer Wood Village Hall.
• Regular events
• Burghfield WI (The Woman’s Institute) meets at 7.30pm on the second Tuesday of the month at Burghfield Village Hall. See their facebook page for details.
• Theale Library hosts in-person events for people of all ages. To find out more information on future clubs and events click here to visit the West Berkshire Library Facebook page or email Theale Library at thealelibrary@westberks.gov.uk.
• Mortimer Library also host regular events, such as their Rhymetime group who meet every Tuesday (during school term time) at 2.30pm.
• Walking for Health meet every Tuesday at the community centre car park opposite the Horse & Groom, Mortimer, between April and October. There are three walk lengths to chose from as mentioned on mortimervillage.org.uk,
• All cyclists are welcome to join the On Your Bike Burghfield facebook group“which doesn’t take itself too seriously.”
• Beenham Art Group every Tuesday from 10am to noon at Victory Hall, Beenham. More details in The Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton Magazine (September edition, p 17).
• Aldermaston Coffee Club meet at the café at Rosebourne, Aldermaston between 10am to 11.30am on the first and third Tuesday of each month. Further details in The Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton Magazine (September edition, p 11).
• Holy Trinity Church, Theale free choir group rehearses on Thursdays between 7pm to 8pm and performs at Sunday services from 10.30am. All are welcome to join. Send enquiries to office@holytrinitytheale.org.uk.
News from your local council
Note: “the most recent meeting” refers to the most recent one for which minutes (in some cases draft) or some other summary is available. Other meetings may have taken place since. Some councils publish minutes more promptly than do others.
• The most recent meeting of Aldermaston Parish Council for was on 13 December and the minutes will be available here in due course. Items covered included: a presentation by Jon Winstanley of WBC “who attended to respond to the petition organised by Shelley Fraser to express the views of Villagers concerned about a repeat of the 2007 floods”; a presentation by Mitro Homes (“although they described, at considerable length, the green credentials of the new builds, we explained that the new homes were unlikely to gain Planning Approval from WBC as they were within the AWE DEPZ. We were also concerned that they would be outside the settlement boundary, were on agricultural land, and could set a dangerous precedent”); a comment from a resident about the large heaps of soil that had appeared alongside The Woodyard, Paices Hill. The Chair said the she was “in regular contact with the developer, Easy Concrete, and WBC Planning Enforcement Team. APC had major concerns about developments on the site, and were keeping a close watch on it”; other planning matters; The Loose; the budget; and bin emptying.
To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here. To see the minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Bradfield Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 6 December and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: a proposed telephone mast; the Village Hall; a huge and ownerless oak tree; footways; tree replacement; planning matters; planning enforcement issues; a report from the ward member; highways; affordable homes; the 2023-24 budget; defibrillators; and financial matters.
To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here for 2021 and here for 2022. To see the minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Theale Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 5 December and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: drains; wildflowers; the Village Hall; Roundhead Road; a report from the ward member Alan Macro; planning matters; committees and working groups; the play project; financial matters; £2,842 donated to the WBC Library Service; and financial matters.
To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas and minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Beenham Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 5 December and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: hedges; the grit bin; a councillor vacancy; planning matters; highways; parking at Mallard Way; the Community Room and School Hall; speeding; and financial matters.To see the dates, agendas and minutes for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. Click here for details of Beenham’s Community Plan.
• The most recent meeting of Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 10 November and you can read the minutes here.
To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the minutes, please click here. See this page on Stratfield Mortimer PC’s website for more information on the refresh of its neighbourhood development plan.
• The most recent meeting of Padworth Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 7 November and you can read the minutes here.
To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Burghfield Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 6 October and you can read the minutes here.
To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Englefield Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 3 October and you can read the minutes here.
To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas and minutes, please click here.
• Burghfield area council contacts
Parishes: Theale Parish Council, Aldermaston Parish Council, Padworth Parish Council, Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council, Englefield Parish Council, Beenham Parish Council, Bradfield Parish Council and Burghfield Parish Council.
West Berkshire Council: click here to visit the website.
News from other areas
Penny Post area – please see the following separate sections: Hungerford area; Lambourn Valley; Newbury area; Thatcham area; Compton & Downlands; Wantage area; Marlborougharea; Swindon area.
News and views from across the area and beyond: please see the most recent Weekly News with Brian column.
Thursday 22 December 2022
We’re taking a couple of weeks off: normal service will be resumed on Thursday 5 January 2023.
Thursday 15 December 2022
This week we cover a mobility, tree-cycling, local newsletters, toys and a tea dance. We also take a look back at some of the stories we’ve covered in the area over the last 12 months (many of which are unfinished business) – plus our usual round-up of other local news, local events and activities and local councils’ information.
This week’s news
• The Burghfield and Mortimer Mobility Store received an early Christmas surprise. They have received a generous donation of £500 from the Burghfield Residents Association (B.R.A) who give out grants from the proceeds of their Annual May Fayre. Now the Mobility Store, which is free to use and volunteer-run, can replace its ageing stock as well as buy two new ‘all terrain’ wheelchairs, so that residents can access the local woodland with their families. You can read more about this story here.
• Did you know you can ‘treecycle’ your old real Christmas tree through the Sue Ryder charity? Register with them by Wednesday 4 January to get your real Christmas tree collected and recycled, in exchange for a donation. They’ll be collected them between the 9 and 12 January. Click here for further details.
• Don’t forget there’s still time to nominate someone you know for the Berkshire Community Champion Awards. This year the categories are: Community Group of the Year, Lifetime Achievement Award, the Pat Eastop Junior Citizen of the Year Award and Volunteer of the Year. If you know someone deserving of the award, make sure you have your nomination in by Monday 2 January. Click here for more information and click here to fill out a nomination form.
• Over at Spencers Wood there’s a Charity Christmas Trail taking place. Check out some lovely light display and be in for a chance to win some fabulous prizes. Trail maps can be picked up at the Spencer’s Wood OneStop or Dobbies.
• Quick reminder that Burghfield Parish Council has exciting new opportunity for a new café facility and is inviting expression of interest from local caterers, both experienced and those just starting out. For more information or to request a copy of the Information Package and Expression of Interest Form, please call 0118 983 1748 or email clerk@burghfieldparishcouncil.gov.uk. Expressions of interest forms must be submitted by Tuesday 3 January 2023.
• The new cost of living support hub on West Berkshire Council website explains the different types of support available if you are struggling with rising living costs and are concerned about paying your household bills. You can also click here to read this article we’ve recently published about the Hub and what help and support you can expect from it.
• Newbury Samaritans are looking for more volunteers to join their team based at West Street in central Newbury. For more information about what is involved (and a link to Penny’s recent interview with Director of Newbury Samaritans, Andrew Melsom) please see here.
• Latest news from Healthwatch West Berkshire includes what to do if you are worried your child has scarlet fever or Strep A and new Urgent Treatment Centre at Great Western Hospital. Click here for full details.
• The West Berkshire Toy Appeal 2022, needs your help! The appeal organised by the Swift Group involves donating a new unwrap gift to a local underprivileged child, as which there are several possible drop off point around Newbury and other places in West Berkshire. The Swift Group are suggesting local offices consider donating to the appeal in place of a Secret Santa this year. Click here to see a full list of drop-off points and click here for more details about how you can get involved.
• Aldermaston Parish Council is considering the options for spending the £53,000 CIL contribution from the Lidl development. Ideally this will be on facilities accessible to the south of the parish. All suggestions from parishioners are welcome: please contact the Parish Council office.
• Click here for information about the range of activities organised by the Burghfield Community Sports Association.
• The latest edition of the Englefield Parish Magazine is available to read here.
• Ditto here with the latest Padworth Village Newsletter.
• Holy Trinity Church has posted an updated list of necessities for the Foodbank which you can view here.
• For the latest news from the Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton which covers updates and events across Theale area please visit its website and click on Letters, Notices & Magazine.
Christmas
• With the cost-of-living crisis affecting so many, Cafe B – Together in Mission (Burghfield Common’s first community cafe) would like to help to make Christmas a little better for the children of Burghfield by providing a gift for a child who may not receive one on Christmas Day. The Burghfield schools estimate that 130 children aged between four and 16 years old in Burghfield are unlikely to receive a gift this Christmas. Please help put a smile on these children’s faces by donating what you can.
- Friday 16 December
Baby & Toddler Group Christmas Party – Burghfield Common Village Hall – 10am-12pm ( Ticketed Event!) - Saturday 17 December
Christmas Carols Sing Along – Burghfield Village Hall 6pm – 8pm
Silent Disco – The Six Bells – Burghfield Village – 8pm - Friday 23 December
Rock & Roll Bingo – The Six Bells - Saturday 24 December
Christingle Services – Burghfield St Mary’s Church – 2pm & 4pm
A look back…
This will be the last news update of 2022: normal service will be resumed on 5 January 2023.
Over the last year we’ve published a large number of stories about this area. Some have been referred to many, many times: that’s not because we feel the need to re-cycle copy or go over old ground but because the issues themselves have not gone away, have re-surfaced or have, like a mutating virus, acquired new features which need considering.
At the foot of this post you’ll see a link to our archive section (which may in turn link to another one). Searching for any or part of the phrases mentioned in bold below will take you to the often multiple references to these issues. Many of these still have a lot of life left in them and so expect further coverage in 2023.
The two main things that tend to crop up are planning and flooding and/or sewage. These are the kind of things that normally we don’t think about at all: when they’re directly affecting us, however, it’s almost impossible to think about anything else. We’ve lost count of the number of times these have cropped up in our coverage (a few of the major ones are referred to below). Whenever we cover them, and indeed other stories, we try to present as many points of view as possible, explain the issues and provide links for further information.
Matters such as speeding, rights of way, dog mess,, jubilee and coronation festivities and defibrillators are, amongst a host of other things, dealt with by town and parish councils. We provide information on their activities and link to the most recently available minutes, and provide a summary of these if they are reasonably recent.
We’ll be continuing to cover as many aspects of life in this area as we can in 2023 and beyond, seeking always to inform, explain, comment and (where appropriate) entertain. If there’s anything you’d like to see covered, or if you have anything to say about anything we’ve covered already, please email brian@pennypost.org.uk.
Here’s a brief summary, in no particular order, of some of the recurring stories in this area in 2022. It by no means refers to all the issues we’ve written about.
- The Village Hall renovation in Burghfield. Earlier this year there was a certain amount of criticism about how the parish council had handled this matter. We looked into it and found that, possible communication problems aside, there was little wrong with what had happened.
- The temporary café in Burghfield. An almost identical story here: similar comments; similar investigation by us; similar conclusion.
- Windmill Court. Sovereign Housing’s decision to close this facility in Mortimer attracted – with a lot more justification than with the two issues above in Burghfield – a good deal of criticism. The situation now seems to have resolved itself although it still leaves open the question as to which of WBC and Sovereign calls the shots in this important relationship.
- The solar farm at Bloomfield Hatch near Mortimer. This is a big project and one that seems to us to be a good (and not permanent) use of the land and of WBC’s money. Others disagree. This was discussed in detail at a planning committee meeting in the summer and we looked at some of the issues, about renewable energy and the planning system, that this exposed.
- Burghfest is always a popular event and we were delighted to help support and promote it in 2022.
Community notices
• West Berkshire Library Service is appealing for local volunteers at Mortimer and Burghfield Common libraries. Please see this post on Facebook, call 01635 519533 or email volunteerinyourlibrary@westberks.gov.uk for further information.
• The Mortimer and Burghfield toy library is a service run by volunteers providing toys to local families. It runs on the fourth Saturday of the month at Mortimer Methodist church 9.30am to 11am. Toys can be hired through a yearly membership or individually for a months hire and toys can be renewed on payment of another months hire. For more information, visit their Facebook page.
• Theale Parish Council is often looking for volunteers to help run fun community events. Please check out their website to find out more and register your interest.
• Theale Parish Council has urged residents to take part in the Patient Participation Group which aims to support and improve the way services are delivered by your GP Practice. See more here on the goals and how to join.
• Holy Trinity Church is seeking donations for the Foodbank that is open on Sundays and Wednesdays from 9am to 6pm. With another rise in people’s need for foodbank support, you can find out what has been requested each week by clicking here.
• If you own a bike Neighbourhood Watch strongly recommends registering it on the bikeregister.com database as every police force in the country uses it to search for stolen and recovered bikes.
• The mini re-cycling centre at the end of Theale High Street has banks for plastic pots, tubs, trays cans, small electricals, cardboard and paper.
• More local hosts are needed for people escaping the war in Ukraine. If you could consider hosting a Ukrainian refugee or family, please get in contact with the local support group or visit westberks.gov.uk/homesforukraine.
• For how to avoid scams and what to do if you unluckily get caught, please see important advice here from Citizen’s Advice.
Local events and activities
For more information on events and activities across the Penny Post area, see the website calendar.
• Dates for the diary
• Fri 16 Dec Burghfield Toddler Group Christmas Party, Burghfield Village Hall.
• Sun 18 Dec Festive Tea Dance Party, Burghfield CSA Club, James Ln, Burghfield.
• Sat 24 Dec Christingles Service, St Mary’s Church.
• Sat 31 Dec New Years Eve Celebration, Silchester Farm.
• Regular events
• Burghfield WI (The Woman’s Institute) meets at 7.30pm on the second Tuesday of the month at Burghfield Village Hall. See their facebook page for details.
• Theale Library hosts in-person events for people of all ages. To find out more information on future clubs and events click here to visit the West Berkshire Library Facebook page or email Theale Library at thealelibrary@westberks.gov.uk.
• Mortimer Library also host regular events, such as their Rhymetime group who meet every Tuesday (during school term time) at 2.30pm.
• Walking for Health meet every Tuesday at the community centre car park opposite the Horse & Groom, Mortimer, between April and October. There are three walk lengths to chose from as mentioned on mortimervillage.org.uk,
• All cyclists are welcome to join the On Your Bike Burghfield facebook group“which doesn’t take itself too seriously.”
• Beenham Art Group every Tuesday from 10am to noon at Victory Hall, Beenham. More details in The Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton Magazine (September edition, p 17).
• Aldermaston Coffee Club meet at the café at Rosebourne, Aldermaston between 10am to 11.30am on the first and third Tuesday of each month. Further details in The Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton Magazine (September edition, p 11).
• Holy Trinity Church, Theale free choir group rehearses on Thursdays between 7pm to 8pm and performs at Sunday services from 10.30am. All are welcome to join. Send enquiries to office@holytrinitytheale.org.uk.
News from your local council
Note: “the most recent meeting” refers to the most recent one for which minutes (in some cases draft) or some other summary is available. Other meetings may have taken place since. Some councils publish minutes more promptly than do others.
Many councils do not hold meetings in August and many postponed their September meeting following the Queen’s death.
• The most recent meeting of Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 10 November and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: Foudry Brook at the Station Road Bridge; a report from the Clerk; a proposed Friends of Mortimer Library; the coronation; CCTV and the Fairground; committee and working party reports; the Mortimer to Burghfield Cycleway and Footpath; the NDP; financial matters; and planning matters.
To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the minutes, please click here. See this page on Stratfield Mortimer PC’s website for more information on the refresh of its neighbourhood development plan.
• The most recent meeting of Aldermaston Parish Council for was on 13 December and the minutes will be available here in due course. Items covered included: a presentation by Jon Winstanley of WBC “who attended to respond to the petition organised by Shelley Fraser to express the views of Villagers concerned about a repeat of the 2007 floods”; a presentation by Mitro Homes (“although they described, at considerable length, the green credentials of the new builds, we explained that the new homes were unlikely to gain Planning Approval from WBC as they were within the AWE DEPZ. We were also concerned that they would be outside the settlement boundary, were on agricultural land, and could set a dangerous precedent”); a comment from a resident about the large heaps of soil that had appeared alongside The Woodyard, Paices Hill. The Chair said the she was “in regular contact with the developer, Easy Concrete, and WBC Planning Enforcement Team. APC had major concerns about developments on the site, and were keeping a close watch on it”; other planning matters; The Loose; the budget; and bin emptying.
To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here. To see the minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Theale Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 7 November and you can read the minutes here.
To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas and minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Padworth Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 7 November and you can read the minutes here.
To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Bradfield Parish Council for which minutes are available was on I November and you can read the minutes here.
To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here for 2021 and here for 2022. To see the minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Burghfield Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 6 October and you can read the minutes here.
To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Englefield Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 3 October and you can read the minutes here.
To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas and minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Beenham Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 3 October and you can read the minutes here.
To see the dates, agendas and minutes for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. Click here for details of Beenham’s Community Plan.
• Burghfield area council contacts
Parishes: Theale Parish Council, Aldermaston Parish Council, Padworth Parish Council, Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council, Englefield Parish Council, Beenham Parish Council, Bradfield Parish Council and Burghfield Parish Council.
West Berkshire Council: click here to visit the website.
News from other areas
Penny Post area – please see the following separate sections: Hungerford area; Lambourn Valley; Newbury area; Thatcham area; Compton & Downlands; Wantage area; Marlborougharea; Swindon area.
News and views from across the area and beyond: please see the most recent Weekly News with Brian column.
Thursday 8 December 2022
This week we cover a Christmas trail, CIL ideas, local caterers, a wider pavement, 100m streams and a toy library – plus our usual round-up of other local news, local events and activities and local councils’ information.
This week’s news
• Keep your eyes peeled for Father Christmas this Friday 9 December as he will be paying a visit to Mortimer on the evening of the 9 December. Organised by the Loddon Valley Lions Club, Santa will be starting at St John’s Church before taking a tour of the village. Click here for more details.
• Over at Spencers Wood there’s a Charity Christmas Trail taking place. Check out some lovely light display and be in for a chance to win some fabulous prizes. Trail maps can be picked up at the Spencer’s Wood OneStop or Dobbies.
• Thanks to Mortimer Life for covering this fairly unusual story of pavements being widened to make it safer for local children to walk to school. It also records that “in December 2014, Knutsford council approved plans to widen the pavements, 220 years after Lady Jane Stanley had paid for narrow pavements to be laid to prevent lovers strolling arm in arm.” The Iranian and Indonesian Presidents probably both have a picture of her as a screensaver.
• Congrats to Mortimer’s James Carter and Italy’s Meduza whose song Bad Memories (in collaboration with FAST BOY, Elly Duhe, Burghfield’s Mearsy and others) has just reached 100 million (Spotify) global streams.
• Quick reminder that Burghfield Parish Council has exciting new opportunity for a new café facility and is inviting expression of interest from local caterers, both experienced and those just starting out. For more information or to request a copy of the Information Package and Expression of Interest Form, please call 0118 983 1748 or email clerk@burghfieldparishcouncil.gov.uk. Expressions of interest forms must be submitted by Tuesday 3 January 2023.
• The new cost of living support hub on West Berkshire Council website explains the different types of support available if you are struggling with rising living costs and are concerned about paying your household bills. You can also click here to read this article we’ve recently published about the Hub and what help and support you can expect from it.
• Newbury Samaritans are looking for more volunteers to join their team based at West Street in central Newbury. For more information about what is involved (and a link to Penny’s recent interview with Director of Newbury Samaritans, Andrew Melsom) please see here.
• Latest news from Healthwatch West Berkshire includes what to do if you are worried your child has scarlet fever or Strep A and new Urgent Treatment Centre at Great Western Hospital. Click here for full details.
• The West Berkshire Toy Appeal 2022, needs your help! The appeal organised by the Swift Group involves donating a new unwrap gift to a local underprivileged child, as which there are several possible drop off point around Newbury and other places in West Berkshire. The Swift Group are suggesting local offices consider donating to the appeal in place of a Secret Santa this year. Click here to see a full list of drop-off points and click here for more details about how you can get involved.
• Aldermaston Parish Council is considering the options for spending the £53,000 CIL contribution from the Lidl development. Ideally this will be on facilities accessible to the south of the parish. All suggestions from parishioners are welcome: please contact the Parish Council office.
• Click here for information about the range of activities organised by the Burghfield Community Sports Association.
• The latest edition of the Englefield Parish Magazine is available to read here.
• Ditto here with the latest Padworth Village Newsletter.
• Holy Trinity Church has posted an updated list of necessities for the Foodbank which you can view here.
• For the latest news from the Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton which covers updates and events across Theale area please visit its website and click on Letters, Notices & Magazine.
Christmas
• With the cost-of-living crisis affecting so many, Cafe B – Together in Mission (Burghfield Common’s first community cafe) would like to help to make Christmas a little better for the children of Burghfield by providing a gift for a child who may not receive one on Christmas Day. The Burghfield schools estimate that 130 children aged between four and 16 years old in Burghfield are unlikely to receive a gift this Christmas. Please help put a smile on these children’s faces by donating what you can.
- Saturday 10 December
Christmas Decorations Craft Club – Burghfield Library – 10.30am-12pm
Christmas Tree Festival – Burghfield St Mary Church- all day
Christmas Jumper Disco – The Six Bells – Burghfield Village – 7pm -11pm
The Bulging Sack Pop Up Pub – Burghfield Village Hall, Burghfield Common 5pm-11pm - Sunday 11 December
Christmas Carols Sing Along – Sulhamstead Village Hall – 2pm-3.30pm - Wednesday 14 December
Christmas Carols – Café B – Burghfield Methodist Church 10am-12pm - Thursday 15 December
Christmas Party at The Hatch Gate Pub Live Music – 7pm-11pm - Friday 16 December
Baby & Toddler Group Christmas Party – Burghfield Common Village Hall – 10am-12pm ( Ticketed Event!) - Saturday 17 December
Christmas Carols Sing Along – Burghfield Village Hall 6pm – 8pm
Silent Disco – The Six Bells – Burghfield Village – 8pm - Friday 23 December
Rock & Roll Bingo – The Six Bells - Saturday 24 December
Christingle Services – Burghfield St Mary’s Church – 2pm & 4pm
Community notices
• West Berkshire Library Service is appealing for local volunteers at Mortimer and Burghfield Common libraries. Please see this post on Facebook, call 01635 519533 or email volunteerinyourlibrary@westberks.gov.uk for further information.
• The Mortimer and Burghfield toy library is a service run by volunteers providing toys to local families. It runs on the fourth Saturday of the month at Mortimer Methodist church 9.30am to 11am. Toys can be hired through a yearly membership or individually for a months hire and toys can be renewed on payment of another months hire. For more information, visit their Facebook page.
• Theale Parish Council is often looking for volunteers to help run fun community events. Please check out their website to find out more and register your interest.
• Theale Parish Council has urged residents to take part in the Patient Participation Group which aims to support and improve the way services are delivered by your GP Practice. See more here on the goals and how to join.
• Holy Trinity Church is seeking donations for the Foodbank that is open on Sundays and Wednesdays from 9am to 6pm. With another rise in people’s need for foodbank support, you can find out what has been requested each week by clicking here.
• If you own a bike Neighbourhood Watch strongly recommends registering it on the bikeregister.com database as every police force in the country uses it to search for stolen and recovered bikes.
• The mini re-cycling centre at the end of Theale High Street has banks for plastic pots, tubs, trays cans, small electricals, cardboard and paper.
• More local hosts are needed for people escaping the war in Ukraine. If you could consider hosting a Ukrainian refugee or family, please get in contact with the local support group or visit westberks.gov.uk/homesforukraine.
• For how to avoid scams and what to do if you unluckily get caught, please see important advice here from Citizen’s Advice.
Local events and activities
For more information on events and activities across the Penny Post area, see the website calendar.
• Dates for the diary
• Sat 10 Dec Aladdin Pantomime, St Johns Hall, Mortimer.
• Sat 10 Dec Children’s Craft Club, Burghfield Library.
• Sun 18 Dec Festive Tea Dance Party, Burghfield CSA Club, James Ln, Burghfield.
• Regular events
• Burghfield WI (The Woman’s Institute) meets at 7.30pm on the second Tuesday of the month at Burghfield Village Hall. See their facebook page for details.
• Theale Library hosts in-person events for people of all ages. To find out more information on future clubs and events click here to visit the West Berkshire Library Facebook page or email Theale Library at thealelibrary@westberks.gov.uk.
• Mortimer Library also host regular events, such as their Rhymetime group who meet every Tuesday (during school term time) at 2.30pm.
• Walking for Health meet every Tuesday at the community centre car park opposite the Horse & Groom, Mortimer, between April and October. There are three walk lengths to chose from as mentioned on mortimervillage.org.uk,
• All cyclists are welcome to join the On Your Bike Burghfield facebook group“which doesn’t take itself too seriously.”
• Beenham Art Group every Tuesday from 10am to noon at Victory Hall, Beenham. More details in The Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton Magazine (September edition, p 17).
• Aldermaston Coffee Club meet at the café at Rosebourne, Aldermaston between 10am to 11.30am on the first and third Tuesday of each month. Further details in The Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton Magazine (September edition, p 11).
• Holy Trinity Church, Theale free choir group rehearses on Thursdays between 7pm to 8pm and performs at Sunday services from 10.30am. All are welcome to join. Send enquiries to office@holytrinitytheale.org.uk.
News from your local council
Note: “the most recent meeting” refers to the most recent one for which minutes (in some cases draft) or some other summary is available. Other meetings may have taken place since. Some councils publish minutes more promptly than do others.
Many councils do not hold meetings in August and many postponed their September meeting following the Queen’s death.
• The most recent meeting of Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 10 November and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: Foudry Brook at the Station Road Bridge; a report from the Clerk; a proposed Friends of Mortimer Library; the coronation; CCTV and the Fairground; committee and working party reports; the Mortimer to Burghfield Cycleway and Footpath; the NDP; financial matters; and planning matters.
To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the minutes, please click here. See this page on Stratfield Mortimer PC’s website for more information on the refresh of its neighbourhood development plan.
• The most recent meeting of Aldermaston Parish Council for was on 8 November and the minutes will be available here in due course. Items covered included: four new planning applications; planning correspondence; light pollution at Rosebourne; two potential enhancements at The Loosey (the renovation of the Fountain Memorial and the provision of a replacement bench; bin collections; grass cutting; CIL funds; and planning and building-control issues at Woodyard in Paice’s Hill (see separate section above for part 2 of this).
To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here. To see the minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Theale Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 7 November and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: the proposed new school at Hayward’s Farm; a report from ward member Alan Macro; planning matters; reports from the committees and working groups; cycle racks; Theale Green School; the official opening event for the new play area; tree works; street trading; the Pavilion; the draft Community Engagement Strategy; financial matters; and correspondence.
To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas and minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Padworth Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 7 November and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: the 2023 Village Show; a report from ward member Dominic Boeck; financial matters; planning matters; the Village Hall; repairs and maintenance work; and the Village Hall.
To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Bradfield Parish Council for which minutes are available was on I November and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: a proposed phone mast; the continuing saga of the Village Hall; the Almshouses; dog bins; repairs and maintenance work; trees; planning matters; affordable housing; highways and drainage; defibrillators; correspondence; and financial matters.
To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here for 2021 and here for 2022. To see the minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Burghfield Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 6 October and you can read the minutes here.
To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Englefield Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 3 October and you can read the minutes here.
To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas and minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Beenham Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 3 October and you can read the minutes here.
To see the dates, agendas and minutes for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. Click here for details of Beenham’s Community Plan.
• Burghfield area council contacts
Parishes: Theale Parish Council, Aldermaston Parish Council, Padworth Parish Council, Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council, Englefield Parish Council, Beenham Parish Council, Bradfield Parish Council and Burghfield Parish Council.
West Berkshire Council: click here to visit the website.
News from other areas
Penny Post area – please see the following separate sections: Hungerford area; Lambourn Valley; Newbury area; Thatcham area; Compton & Downlands; Wantage area; Marlborougharea; Swindon area.
News and views from across the area and beyond: please see the most recent Weekly News with Brian column.
Thursday 1 December 2022
This week we cover a market, ice, toys, volunteers and a medieval play – plus our usual round-up of other local news, local events and activities and local councils’ information.
This week’s news
• Theale Parish Council’s annual Christmas Market kicks off this weekend on Saturday 3 December. There will be a variety of market stalls, a Santa’s grotto, children’s ride and carol singing. For more details click here.
• Also this Saturday 3 December Burghfield on Ice is going to be kicking off from 11am at Burghfield Village Hall, with a synthetic ice rink, street food, Christmas markets, live music, card making and much more.
• On Sunday 4 December there will be more festivities at the Six Bells in Burghfield, with a Christmas Craft Fair from 10:30am to 1pm. Check out their Facebook page for more details.
• Quick reminder that Burghfield Parish Council has exciting new opportunity for a new café facility and is inviting expression of interest from local caterers, both experienced and those just starting out. For more information or to request a copy of the Information Package and Expression of Interest Form, please call 0118 983 1748 or email clerk@burghfieldparishcouncil.gov.uk. Expressions of interest forms must be submitted by Tuesday 3 January 2023.
• The new cost of living support hub on West Berkshire Council website explains the different types of support available if you are struggling with rising living costs and are concerned about paying your household bills.
• The West Berkshire Toy Appeal 2022, needs your help! The appeal organised by the Swift Group involves donating a new unwrap gift to a local underprivileged child, as which there are several possible drop off point around Newbury and other places in West Berkshire. The Swift Group are suggesting local offices consider donating to the appeal in place of a Secret Santa this year. Click here to see a full list of drop-off points and click here for more details about how you can get involved.
• Aldermaston Parish Council is considering the options for spending the £53,000 CIL contribution from the Lidl development. Ideally this will be on facilities accessible to the south of the parish. All suggestions from parishioners are welcome: please contact the Parish Council office.
• Click here for information about the range of activities organised by the Burghfield Community Sports Association.
• Click here for the latest newsletter from Burghfield and Mortimer District Councillor Graham Bridgman.
• The latest edition of the Englefield Parish Magazine is available to read here.
• Ditto here with the latest Padworth Village Newsletter.
• Holy Trinity Church has posted an updated list of necessities for the Foodbank which you can view here.
• For the latest news from the Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton which covers updates and events across Theale area please visit its website and click on Letters, Notices & Magazine.
Christmas
• If you want to keep up to date with all the news and info about Theale’s Christmas Lights Event on Saturday 3 December, Theale Parish Council requests you follow their official facebook event page.
• The Burnham Copse Primary School in Tadley have their Christmas Fayre on Friday 2 December, from 3pm to 5pm.
• With the cost-of-living crisis affecting so many, Cafe B – Together in Mission (Burghfield Common’s first community cafe) would like to help to make Christmas a little better for the children of Burghfield by providing a gift for a child who may not receive one on Christmas Day. The Burghfield schools estimate that 130 children aged between four and 16 years old in Burghfield are unlikely to receive a gift this Christmas. Please help put a smile on these children’s faces by donating what you can.
- Saturday 3 December
Burghfield’s Christmas on ICE – The Village Hall Burghfield Common – 11am-5pm
Burghfield & Mortimer Christmas Concert with South Berks Band – Burghfield St Mary Church – 7pm - Sunday 4 December
Christmas Carols by the Tree, The Hatch – Burghfield Village – 5pm - Wednesday 7 December
Elvis at The Hatch Gate – Burghfield Village – 7pm-11pm - Saturday 10 December
Christmas Decorations Craft Club – Burghfield Library – 10.30am-12pm
Christmas Tree Festival – Burghfield St Mary Church- all day
Christmas Jumper Disco – The Six Bells – Burghfield Village – 7pm -11pm
The Bulging Sack Pop Up Pub – Burghfield Village Hall, Burghfield Common 5pm-11pm - Sunday 11 December
Christmas Carols Sing Along – Sulhamstead Village Hall – 2pm-3.30pm - Wednesday 14 December
Christmas Carols – Café B – Burghfield Methodist Church 10am-12pm - Thursday 15 December
Christmas Party at The Hatch Gate Pub Live Music – 7pm-11pm - Friday 16 December
Baby & Toddler Group Christmas Party – Burghfield Common Village Hall – 10am-12pm ( Ticketed Event!) - Saturday 17 December
Christmas Carols Sing Along – Burghfield Village Hall 6pm – 8pm
Silent Disco – The Six Bells – Burghfield Village – 8pm - Friday 23 December
Rock & Roll Bingo – The Six Bells - Saturday 24 December
Christingle Services – Burghfield St Mary’s Church – 2pm & 4pm
Community notices
• West Berkshire Library Service is appealing for local volunteers at Mortimer and Burghfield Common libraries. Please see this post on Facebook, call 01635 519533 or email volunteerinyourlibrary@westberks.gov.uk for further information.
• The Mortimer and Burghfield toy library is a service run by volunteers providing toys to local families. It runs on the fourth Saturday of the month at Mortimer Methodist church 9.30am to 11am. Toys can be hired through a yearly membership or individually for a months hire and toys can be renewed on payment of another months hire. For more information, visit their Facebook page.
• Theale Parish Council is often looking for volunteers to help run fun community events. Please check out their website to find out more and register your interest.
• Theale Parish Council has urged residents to take part in the Patient Participation Group which aims to support and improve the way services are delivered by your GP Practice. See more here on the goals and how to join.
• Holy Trinity Church is seeking donations for the Foodbank that is open on Sundays and Wednesdays from 9am to 6pm. With another rise in people’s need for foodbank support, you can find out what has been requested each week by clicking here.
• If you own a bike Neighbourhood Watch strongly recommends registering it on the bikeregister.com database as every police force in the country uses it to search for stolen and recovered bikes.
• The mini re-cycling centre at the end of Theale High Street has banks for plastic pots, tubs, trays cans, small electricals, cardboard and paper.
• More local hosts are needed for people escaping the war in Ukraine. If you could consider hosting a Ukrainian refugee or family, please get in contact with the local support group or visit westberks.gov.uk/homesforukraine.
• For how to avoid scams and what to do if you unluckily get caught, please see important advice here from Citizen’s Advice.
Local events and activities
For more information on events and activities across the Penny Post area, see the website calendar.
• Dates for the diary
• Thu 1 to Sun 4 Dec York Nativity Play, Aldermaston.
• Sat 10 Dec Aladdin Pantomime, St Johns Hall, Mortimer.
• Sun 18 Dec Festive Tea Dance Party, Burghfield CSA Club, James Ln, Burghfield.
• Regular events
• Burghfield WI (The Woman’s Institute) meets at 7.30pm on the second Tuesday of the month at Burghfield Village Hall. See their facebook page for details.
• Theale Library hosts in-person events for people of all ages. To find out more information on future clubs and events click here to visit the West Berkshire Library Facebook page or email Theale Library at thealelibrary@westberks.gov.uk.
• Mortimer Library also host regular events, such as their Rhymetime group who meet every Tuesday (during school term time) at 2.30pm.
• Walking for Health meet every Tuesday at the community centre car park opposite the Horse & Groom, Mortimer, between April and October. There are three walk lengths to chose from as mentioned on mortimervillage.org.uk,
• All cyclists are welcome to join the On Your Bike Burghfield facebook group“which doesn’t take itself too seriously.”
• Beenham Art Group every Tuesday from 10am to noon at Victory Hall, Beenham. More details in The Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton Magazine (September edition, p 17).
• Aldermaston Coffee Club meet at the café at Rosebourne, Aldermaston between 10am to 11.30am on the first and third Tuesday of each month. Further details in The Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton Magazine (September edition, p 11).
• Holy Trinity Church, Theale free choir group rehearses on Thursdays between 7pm to 8pm and performs at Sunday services from 10.30am. All are welcome to join. Send enquiries to office@holytrinitytheale.org.uk.
News from your local council
Note: “the most recent meeting” refers to the most recent one for which minutes (in some cases draft) or some other summary is available. Other meetings may have taken place since. Some councils publish minutes more promptly than do others.
Many councils do not hold meetings in August and many postponed their September meeting following the Queen’s death.
• The most recent meeting of Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 10 November and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: Foudry Brook at the Station Road Bridge; a report from the Clerk; a proposed Friends of Mortimer Library; the coronation; CCTV and the Fairground; committee and working party reports; the Mortimer to Burghfield Cycleway and Footpath; the NDP; financial matters; and planning matters.
To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the minutes, please click here. See this page on Stratfield Mortimer PC’s website for more information on the refresh of its neighbourhood development plan.
• The most recent meeting of Aldermaston Parish Council for was on 8 November and the minutes will be available here in due course. Items covered included: four new planning applications; planning correspondence; light pollution at Rosebourne; two potential enhancements at The Loosey (the renovation of the Fountain Memorial and the provision of a replacement bench; bin collections; grass cutting; CIL funds; and planning and building-control issues at Woodyard in Paice’s Hill (see separate section above for part 2 of this).
To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here. To see the minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Theale Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 7 November and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: the proposed new school at Hayward’s Farm; a report from ward member Alan Macro; planning matters; reports from the committees and working groups; cycle racks; Theale Green School; the official opening event for the new play area; tree works; street trading; the Pavilion; the draft Community Engagement Strategy; financial matters; and correspondence.
To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas and minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Padworth Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 7 November and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: the 2023 Village Show; a report from ward member Dominic Boeck; financial matters; planning matters; the Village Hall; repairs and maintenance work; and the Village Hall.
To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Bradfield Parish Council for which minutes are available was on I November and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: a proposed phone mast; the continuing saga of the Village Hall; the Almshouses; dog bins; repairs and maintenance work; trees; planning matters; affordable housing; highways and drainage; defibrillators; correspondence; and financial matters.
To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here for 2021 and here for 2022. To see the minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Burghfield Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 6 October and you can read the minutes here.
To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Englefield Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 3 October and you can read the minutes here.
To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas and minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Beenham Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 3 October and you can read the minutes here.
To see the dates, agendas and minutes for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. Click here for details of Beenham’s Community Plan.
• Burghfield area council contacts
Parishes: Theale Parish Council, Aldermaston Parish Council, Padworth Parish Council, Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council, Englefield Parish Council, Beenham Parish Council, Bradfield Parish Council and Burghfield Parish Council.
West Berkshire Council: click here to visit the website.
News from other areas
Penny Post area – please see the following separate sections: Hungerford area; Lambourn Valley; Newbury area; Thatcham area; Compton & Downlands; Wantage area; Marlborougharea; Swindon area.
News and views from across the area and beyond: please see the most recent Weekly News with Brian column.
Thursday 24 November 2022
This week we cover a wonderland, a catering opportunity, Christmas lights, a nativity play, a tea dance an a toy library – plus our usual round-up of other local news, local events and activities and local councils’ information.
This week’s news
• This weekend is the Burghfield St Mary’s Primary School Christmas Fair, at which there will be a Santa’s Grotto, a raffle with some fabulous prizes, lots of stalls, as well as BBQ and refreshments. The fair will ben taking place of Saturday 26 November from 11am, click here for more details.
• Also this Saturday, the Falcon Pub in Theale is holding a Winter Wonderland with entertainment, a Santa’s Grotto, and festive refreshments including mulled wine, mince pies, hot toasted chestnuts and much more. All proceeds will go towards charities Breast Cancer Now and the Air Ambulance.
• The next Toy Library, over at the Mortimer Methodist Church is being held on Saturday 26 November. Due to Christmas, hire will effectively be for two months, rather than the usual one – ideal for entertaining any little holiday visitors. More information can be found on the events Facebook page.
• Burghfield Parish Council has exciting new opportunity for a new café facility and is inviting expression of interest from local caterers – both experienced and those just starting out. For more information or to request a copy of the Information Package and Expression of Interest Form, please call 0118 983 1748 or email clerk@burghfieldparishcouncil.gov.uk. Expressions of interest forms must be submitted by Tuesday 3 January 2023.
• Mortimer NDP team is hosting drop-in sections on 26 and 27 November. This is your chance to find out more about and have your say on the planned topics for the new Mortimer Neighbourhood Plan (climate/environment, energy, services, housing, facilities, employment and transport). For more information, please click here. For more information about neighbourhood development plans generally, please click here.
• West Berkshire Council is asking residents to take part in a survey regarding equality and diversity in the district. They want to make sure that the people of have an equal entitlement to high quality services, employment and opportunities for personal development, and that the council has a fair and inclusive organisational culture. Please complete this online survey by midnight on Sunday 27 November, if you would like to have your views heard.
• Do you know anyone who goes that extra mile? Please nominate them for the West Berks Community Champion Awards. The categories are Community Group of the Year, Lifetime Achievement Award, The Pat Eastop Junior Citizen of the Year Award and Volunteer of the Year. The deadline is Monday 2 January 2022.
• The new cost of living support hub on West Berkshire Council website explains the different types of support available if you are struggling with rising living costs and are concerned about paying your household bills.
• The West Berkshire Toy Appeal 2022, needs your help! The appeal organised by the Swift Group involves donating a new unwrap gift to a local underprivileged child, as which there are several possible drop off point around Newbury and other places in West Berkshire. The Swift Group are suggesting local offices consider donating to the appeal in place of a Secret Santa this year. Click here to see a full list of drop-off points and click here for more details abo9ut how you can get involved.
• There is a lot of hype these days around Black Friday (25 November) and Cyber Monday (28 November). When it comes to shopping online, it’s tempting to grab a ‘good deal’ but it is also a great opportunity for scammers to take advantage of customers looking for a bargain. Please see these reminders from Citizen’s Advice on how to shop savvy and stay safe online. Remember, if an offer is too good to be true, it’s probably not true…
• Quick reminder that the Artists at Mortimer Hill will be opening their doors again this November. Sadie Brockbank is showing her sculpture, collage and prints, plus the occasional painting, alongside painters Sue Bartlett, Julie Pearson and Jonathan Newey (workshops available with Jonathan); contemporary textile art from Tracy Micklethwaite (our latest new and very welcome addition to the community); and Jason Leggett’s glass creations and workshop opportunities. The exhibition is open from 11am to 5pm daily on Friday 25, Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 November at Mortimer Hill Studios, The Street (entrance off Strawberry Fields), Mortimer, RG7 3PW.
• Theale Parish Council needs volunteers to help man the road closures for their annual Christmas Market on Saturday 3 December. If you are able to help, please sign up to the mailing list on the volunteering page at thealeparishcouncil.gov.uk. Or sign up here to give the council permission to contact you in the future to see if you would be willing to help out at community events or be notified about any volunteer activities.
• Aldermaston Parish Council is considering the options for spending the £53,000 CIL contribution from the Lidl development. Ideally this will be on facilities accessible to the south of the parish. All suggestions from parishioners are welcome: please contact the Parish Council office.
• Click here for information about the range of activities organised by the Burghfield Community Sports Association.
• Click here for the latest newsletter from Burghfield and Mortimer District Councillor Graham Bridgman.
• The latest edition of the Englefield Parish Magazine is available to read here.
• Ditto here with the latest Padworth Village Newsletter.
• Holy Trinity Church has posted an updated list of necessities for the Foodbank which you can view here.
• For the latest news from the Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton which covers updates and events across Theale area please visit its website and click on Letters, Notices & Magazine.
Christmas
• If you want to keep up to date with all the news and info about Theale’s Christmas Lights Event on Saturday 3 December, Theale Parish Council requests you follow their official facebook event page.
• The Burnham Copse Primary School in Tadley is currently looking for craft stall holders for their Christmas Fayre. The fayre will be taking place on Friday 2 December, from 3pm to 5pm. If you would like to book a space there get in contact with meljrussell71@gmail.com.
• With the cost-of-living crisis affecting so many, Cafe B – Together in Mission (Burghfield Common’s first community cafe) would like to help to make Christmas a little better for the children of Burghfield by providing a gift for a child who may not receive one on Christmas Day. The Burghfield schools estimate that 130 children aged between four and 16 years old in Burghfield are unlikely to receive a gift this Christmas. Please help put a smile on these children’s faces by donating what you can.
- Saturday 26 November
Christmas Fayre – Burghfield St Mary School – 11am – 2pm
The Knight’s Tale Children’s Workshop – Burghfield Library- 11am-12pm - Saturday 3 December
Burghfield’s Christmas on ICE – The Village Hall Burghfield Common – 11am-5pm
Burghfield & Mortimer Christmas Concert with South Berks Band – Burghfield St Mary Church – 7pm - Sunday 4 December
Christmas Carols by the Tree, The Hatch – Burghfield Village – 5pm - Wednesday 7 December
Elvis at The Hatch Gate – Burghfield Village – 7pm-11pm - Saturday 10 December
Christmas Decorations Craft Club – Burghfield Library – 10.30am-12pm
Christmas Tree Festival – Burghfield St Mary Church- all day
Christmas Jumper Disco – The Six Bells – Burghfield Village – 7pm -11pm
The Bulging Sack Pop Up Pub – Burghfield Village Hall, Burghfield Common 5pm-11pm - Sunday 11 December
Christmas Carols Sing Along – Sulhamstead Village Hall – 2pm-3.30pm - Wednesday 14 December
Christmas Carols – Café B – Burghfield Methodist Church 10am-12pm - Thursday 15 December
Christmas Party at The Hatch Gate Pub Live Music – 7pm-11pm - Friday 16 December
Baby & Toddler Group Christmas Party – Burghfield Common Village Hall – 10am-12pm ( Ticketed Event!) - Saturday 17 December
Christmas Carols Sing Along – Burghfield Village Hall 6pm – 8pm
Silent Disco – The Six Bells – Burghfield Village – 8pm - Friday 23 December
Rock & Roll Bingo – The Six Bells - Saturday 24 December
Christingle Services – Burghfield St Mary’s Church – 2pm & 4pm
Community notices
• West Berkshire Library Service is appealing for local volunteers at Mortimer and Burghfield Common libraries. Please see this post on Facebook, call 01635 519533 or email volunteerinyourlibrary@westberks.gov.uk for further information.
• The Mortimer and Burghfield toy library is a service run by volunteers providing toys to local families. It runs on the fourth Saturday of the month at Mortimer Methodist church 9.30am to 11am. Toys can be hired through a yearly membership or individually for a months hire and toys can be renewed on payment of another months hire. The next one will be Saturday 24 September. For more information, visit their Facebook page.
• Theale Parish Council is often looking for volunteers to help run fun community events. Please check out their website to find out more and register your interest.
• Theale Parish Council has urged residents to take part in the Patient Participation Group which aims to support and improve the way services are delivered by your GP Practice. See more here on the goals and how to join.
• Holy Trinity Church is seeking donations for the Foodbank that is open on Sundays and Wednesdays from 9am to 6pm. With another rise in people’s need for foodbank support, you can find out what has been requested each week by clicking here.
• If you own a bike Neighbourhood Watch strongly recommends registering it on the bikeregister.com database as every police force in the country uses it to search for stolen and recovered bikes.
• The mini re-cycling centre at the end of Theale High Street has banks for plastic pots, tubs, trays cans, small electricals, cardboard and paper.
• More local hosts are needed for people escaping the war in Ukraine. If you could consider hosting a Ukrainian refugee or family, please get in contact with the local support group or visit westberks.gov.uk/homesforukraine.
• For how to avoid scams and what to do if you unluckily get caught, please see important advice here from Citizen’s Advice.
Local events and activities
For more information on events and activities across the Penny Post area, see the website calendar.
• Dates for the diary
• Sat 26 Nov Christmas Fair & Santa’s Grotto, St Mary’s Primary School.
• Thu 1 to Sun 4 Dec York Nativity Play, Aldermaston.
• Sat 10 Dec Aladdin Pantomime, St Johns Hall, Mortimer.
• Sun 18 Dec Festive Tea Dance Party, Burghfield CSA Club, James Ln, Burghfield.
• Regular events
• Burghfield WI (The Woman’s Institute) meets at 7.30pm on the second Tuesday of the month at Burghfield Village Hall. See their facebook page for details.
• Theale Library hosts in-person events for people of all ages. To find out more information on future clubs and events click here to visit the West Berkshire Library Facebook page or email Theale Library at thealelibrary@westberks.gov.uk.
• Mortimer Library also host regular events, such as their Rhymetime group who meet every Tuesday (during school term time) at 2.30pm.
• Walking for Health meet every Tuesday at the community centre car park opposite the Horse & Groom, Mortimer, between April and October. There are three walk lengths to chose from as mentioned on mortimervillage.org.uk,
• All cyclists are welcome to join the On Your Bike Burghfield facebook group“which doesn’t take itself too seriously.”
• Beenham Art Group every Tuesday from 10am to noon at Victory Hall, Beenham. More details in The Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton Magazine (September edition, p 17).
• Aldermaston Coffee Club meet at the café at Rosebourne, Aldermaston between 10am to 11.30am on the first and third Tuesday of each month. Further details in The Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton Magazine (September edition, p 11).
• Holy Trinity Church, Theale free choir group rehearses on Thursdays between 7pm to 8pm and performs at Sunday services from 10.30am. All are welcome to join. Send enquiries to office@holytrinitytheale.org.uk.
News from your local council
Note: “the most recent meeting” refers to the most recent one for which minutes (in some cases draft) or some other summary is available. Other meetings may have taken place since. Some councils publish minutes more promptly than do others.
Many councils do not hold meetings in August and many postponed their September meeting following the Queen’s death.
• The most recent meeting of Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 10 November and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: Foudry Brook at the Station Road Bridge; a report from the Clerk; a proposed Friends of Mortimer Library; the coronation; CCTV and the Fairground; committee and working party reports; the Mortimer to Burghfield Cycleway and Footpath; the NDP; financial matters; and planning matters.
To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the minutes, please click here. See this page on Stratfield Mortimer PC’s website for more information on the refresh of its neighbourhood development plan.
• The most recent meeting of Aldermaston Parish Council for was on 8 November and the minutes will be available here in due course. Items covered included: four new planning applications; planning correspondence; light pollution at Rosebourne; two potential enhancements at The Loosey (the renovation of the Fountain Memorial and the provision of a replacement bench; bin collections; grass cutting; CIL funds; and planning and building-control issues at Woodyard in Paice’s Hill (see separate section above for part 2 of this).
To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here. To see the minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Theale Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 7 November and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: the proposed new school at Hayward’s Farm; a report from ward member Alan Macro; planning matters; reports from the committees and working groups; cycle racks; Theale Green School; the official opening event for the new play area; tree works; street trading; the Pavilion; the draft Community Engagement Strategy; financial matters; and correspondence.
To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas and minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Padworth Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 7 November and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: the 2023 Village Show; a report from ward member Dominic Boeck; financial matters; planning matters; the Village Hall; repairs and maintenance work; and the Village Hall.
To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Burghfield Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 6 October and you can read the minutes here.
To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Bradfield Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 4 October and you can read the minutes here.
To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here for 2021 and here for 2022. To see the minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Englefield Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 3 October and you can read the minutes here.
To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas and minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Beenham Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 3 October and you can read the minutes here.
To see the dates, agendas and minutes for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. Click here for details of Beenham’s Community Plan.
• Burghfield area council contacts
Parishes: Theale Parish Council, Aldermaston Parish Council, Padworth Parish Council, Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council, Englefield Parish Council, Beenham Parish Council, Bradfield Parish Council and Burghfield Parish Council.
West Berkshire Council: click here to visit the website.
News from other areas
Penny Post area – please see the following separate sections: Hungerford area; Lambourn Valley; Newbury area; Thatcham area; Compton & Downlands; Wantage area; Marlborougharea; Swindon area.
News and views from across the area and beyond: please see the most recent Weekly News with Brian column.
Thursday 17 November 2022
This week we cover spices, candles and pins, art, CIL funds and Christmas lights. We also take another look the wall that fell down in Aldermaston and reflect again on what this tells us about planning enforcement in the district – plus our usual round-up of other local news, local events and activities and local councils’ information.
This week’s news
• A massive well done to The Hatch Gate and Burghfield Spices, who together have raised an amazing £1,100 to donate to St Mary’s primary school. The donations comprise of all profits made last Monday fund for improving school facilities and they had a brilliant day serving you all. Click here for a message from the pub.
• This Friday 18 November sees the return of the historic candle and pin auction, over at Aldermaston’s The Hind’s Head pub. Reportedly, this traditional practice dates back at least to the 18th century and is held every three years in either November or December. You can read more about the event in the Newbury Today, and all are welcome to come along and watch the bidding.
• After the restrictions of the past few years, the members of Burghfield Branch of the Royal British Legion were glad to be able to celebrate Remembrance Sunday, on the 40th Anniversary of the Falklands War, with the traditional parade. Over 1,000 people attended on a dry, bright Remembrance Sunday this year at Burghfield St Mary’s Church. See here for full story and a gallery of photographs.
• The Burghfield Coop are currently looking for a new part-time team member. If you think you might be suitable click here for more details abo9ut the job and how to apply.
• The annual West Berkshire Giving Tree is back for Christmas 2022. The Giving Tree provides you with an opportunity to share your Christmas spirit by donating a gift to a child or adult who has been affected by Domestic Abuse. You can get involved in the gift of giving online or in person and all labels will contain anonymised information on the person you will be buying for, for example ‘Girl aged 3’ or ‘Man aged 34’. The gifts can be a mixture of donations, toys and experiences. Gifts should be new, unused and unwrapped. The Giving Tree will be open to donations from now until 6 December. For more information about how to get involved, click here or for questions contact Jade.Wilder@westberks.gov.uk.
• A reminder that there will be a road closure on the Bath Road Westbound exit and entry slip road and unnamed road from Bath Road to Station Road in Theale, between 9.30am and 3.30pm on Monday 21 November. The closure will be between its junction with Bath Road Westbound carriageway and its junction with Station Road/A4 Link Road roundabout. Click here for more information and detail on alternative routes.
• Burghfield Parish Council is still calling for stall holders, for the Burghfield On Ice. The event will take place Saturday 3 December from 11am to 5pm inside Burghfield Village Hall. There are only a few places left, so if you’re interested please get in touch ASAP by emailing enquiries@burghfieldparishcouncil.gov.uk or calling on 0118 9831748. There is also a booking form you can download from the website here.
• Quick reminder there will be free bus travel starting in West Berkshire (and the return journey if going beyond the West Berkshire border) all day on several allocated days in November and December. As well as being able to get around West Berkshire, free bus travel is available to Reading, Basingstoke and Swindon. For more information click here. As part of this scheme West Berks Council is offering a Free Christmas Shopper Bus Service for villages, including Hungerford Newtown, that don’t have a public bus service on Saturdays in the run up to Christmas, starting Saturday 19 November. To book your seat and request a shopping destination of your choice, please contact 01635 551111 or email transport@westberks.gov.uk. See here for more details.
• There is a lot of hype these days around Black Friday (25 November) and Cyber Monday (28 November). When it comes to shopping online, it’s tempting to grab a ‘good deal’ but it is also a great opportunity for scammers to take advantage of customers looking for a bargain. Please see these reminders from Citizen’s Advice on how to shop savvy and stay safe online. Remember, if an offer is too good to be true, it’s probably not true…
• Quick reminder that the Artists at Mortimer Hill will be opening their doors again this November. Sadie Brockbank is showing her sculpture, collage and prints, plus the occasional painting, alongside painters Sue Bartlett, Julie Pearson and Jonathan Newey (workshops available with Jonathan); contemporary textile art from Tracy Micklethwaite (our latest new and very welcome addition to the community); and Jason Leggett’s glass creations and workshop opportunities. The exhibition is open from 11am to 5pm daily on Friday 25, Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 November at Mortimer Hill Studios, The Street (entrance off Strawberry Fields), Mortimer, RG7 3PW.
• Theale Parish Council needs volunteers to help man the road closures for the forthcoming Remembrance Sunday procession and their annual Christmas Market. If you are able to help, please sign up to the mailing list on the volunteering page at thealeparishcouncil.gov.uk. Or sign up here to give the council permission to contact you in the future to see if you would be willing to help out at community events or be notified about any volunteer activities.
• Aldermaston Parish Council is considering the options for spending the £53,000 CIL contribution from the Lidl development. Ideally this will be on facilities accessible to the south of the parish. All suggestions from parishioners are welcome: please contact the Parish Council office.
• Click here for information about the range of activities organised by the Burghfield Community Sports Association.
• Click here for the latest newsletter from Burghfield and Mortimer District Councillor Graham Bridgman.
• Click here for the latest newsletter from Theale District Councillor Alan Macro.
• The latest edition of the Englefield Parish Magazine is available to read here.
• Ditto here with the latest Padworth Village Newsletter.
• Holy Trinity Church has posted an updated list of necessities for the Foodbank which you can view here.
• For the latest news from the Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton which covers updates and events across Theale area please visit its website and click on Letters, Notices & Magazine.
Christmas
• The Christmas Craft Fair on Sunday 20 November at the Willink Leisure Centre is in aid of Flint House police Rehabilitation Centre at Goring Reading and Burghfield Football Club. They are grateful for the kind sponsorship of Davis Tate Estate Agents from Burghfield Common. If you would like to enquire about a pitch please call 07990 667 503. See more here.
• If you want to keep up to date with all the news and info about Theale’s Christmas Lights Event on Saturday 3 December, Theale Parish Council requests you follow their official facebook event page.
• The Burnham Copse Primary School in Tadley is currently looking for craft stall holders for their Christmas Fayre. The fayre will be taking place on Friday 2 December, from 3pm to 5pm. If you would like to book a space there get in contact with meljrussell71@gmail.com.
• With the cost-of-living crisis affecting so many, Cafe B – Together in Mission (Burghfield Common’s first community cafe) would like to help to make Christmas a little better for the children of Burghfield by providing a gift for a child who may not receive one on Christmas Day. The Burghfield schools estimate that 130 children aged between four and 16 years old in Burghfield are unlikely to receive a gift this Christmas. Please help put a smile on these children’s faces by donating what you can.
Another brick in the wall
We mentioned last week (see below) about the slightly strange tale of a concrete firm in Aldermaston that seemed unable to build a concrete wall but which was, on the other hand, able to get exactly what it wanted from the situation despite what appear to be slightly half-heated attempts by WBC’s planning department to prevent this.
In last week’s column, we said that a site visit from WBC had taken place and that it was requested that the contentious work stop in that part of the site, pending the submission of a retrospective planning application. They key word here is “requested”: neither “demanded” nor “insisted” were used. One local resident told me that work was continuing on the site in general in much the same way as before, though they weren’t sure if this had stopped in the problem area WBC had identified. The difference now is the owners effectively have WBC’s blessing.
I’m also unaware if any time limit has been set by which time the retrospective application should be filed. I don’t think it has. In any case, that only creates another problem for WBC if the date is missed. Then what does it do? Pay another visit and say “this time you really have to do it, or else”: to which the owners may reply “or else what?”
Don’t get me wrong here – I’m not saying that councils should have the power to boss us around or stop companies making money or generally mess with our heads, such as happened quite often in the more heavy-handed municipal days of the 60s and 70s. However, there is a planning system and although it sometimes gets things wrong, the solution is not just to ignore it. However, if its decisions aren’t enforced there’s little point in having a system at all.
There’s also a separate question with this issue: why the condition that the site only be used as a timber yard was seen as vital 15 years ago but now doesn’t seem to be regarded as being of the slightest importance. It’s easy to see why many of Aldermaston’s inhabitants are a bit miffed by this – particularly, I would imagine, the ones who have building projects of their own and are prepared to follow the rules. Why, they might be asking, should we bother if it’s easy as this to ignore the system and do what you want?
Mortimer’s neighbourhood development plan
Thanks to Mortimer Life for pointing out that the Mortimer NDP team is hosting drop-in sections on 26 and 27 November. This is your chance to find out more about and have your say on the planned topics for the new Neighbourhood Plan (climate/environment, energy, services, housing, facilities, employment and transport).
For more information, please click here.
For more information about neighbourhood development plans generally, please click here.
Community notices
• West Berkshire Library Service is appealing for local volunteers at Mortimer and Burghfield Common libraries. Please see this post on Facebook, call 01635 519533 or email volunteerinyourlibrary@westberks.gov.uk for further information.
• The Mortimer and Burghfield toy library is a service run by volunteers providing toys to local families. It runs on the fourth Saturday of the month at Mortimer Methodist church 9.30am to 11am. Toys can be hired through a yearly membership or individually for a months hire and toys can be renewed on payment of another months hire. The next one will be Saturday 24 September. For more information, visit their Facebook page.
• Theale Parish Council is often looking for volunteers to help run fun community events. Please check out their website to find out more and register your interest.
• Theale Parish Council has urged residents to take part in the Patient Participation Group which aims to support and improve the way services are delivered by your GP Practice. See more here on the goals and how to join.
• Holy Trinity Church is seeking donations for the Foodbank that is open on Sundays and Wednesdays from 9am to 6pm. With another rise in people’s need for foodbank support, you can find out what has been requested each week by clicking here.
• If you own a bike Neighbourhood Watch strongly recommends registering it on the bikeregister.com database as every police force in the country uses it to search for stolen and recovered bikes.
• The mini re-cycling centre at the end of Theale High Street has banks for plastic pots, tubs, trays cans, small electricals, cardboard and paper.
• More local hosts are needed for people escaping the war in Ukraine. If you could consider hosting a Ukrainian refugee or family, please get in contact with the local support group or visit westberks.gov.uk/homesforukraine.
• For how to avoid scams and what to do if you unluckily get caught, please see important advice here from Citizen’s Advice.
Local events and activities
For more information on events and activities across the Penny Post area, see the website calendar.
• Dates for the diary
• Fri 18 Nov Historic Candle Auction, The Hind’s Head, Aldermaston.
• Sat 19 Nov Live Music by Stoney Lane, Burghfield Community Sports Association.
• Sun 20 Nov Christmas Craft Fair, Willink Leisure Centre, Burghfield.
• Sat 26 Nov Christmas Fair & Santa’s Grotto, St Mary’s Primary School.
• Thu 1 to Sun 4 Dec York Nativity Play, Aldermaston.
• Sat 10 Dec Aladdin Pantomime, St Johns Hall, Mortimer.
• Sun 18 Dec Festive Tea Dance Party, Burghfield CSA Club, James Ln, Burghfield.
• Regular events
• Burghfield WI (The Woman’s Institute) meets at 7.30pm on the second Tuesday of the month at Burghfield Village Hall. See their facebook page for details.
• Theale Library hosts in-person events for people of all ages. To find out more information on future clubs and events click here to visit the West Berkshire Library Facebook page or email Theale Library at thealelibrary@westberks.gov.uk.
• Mortimer Library also host regular events, such as their Rhymetime group who meet every Tuesday (during school term time) at 2.30pm.
• Walking for Health meet every Tuesday at the community centre car park opposite the Horse & Groom, Mortimer, between April and October. There are three walk lengths to chose from as mentioned on mortimervillage.org.uk,
• All cyclists are welcome to join the On Your Bike Burghfield facebook group“which doesn’t take itself too seriously.”
• Beenham Art Group every Tuesday from 10am to noon at Victory Hall, Beenham. More details in The Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton Magazine (September edition, p 17).
• Aldermaston Coffee Club meet at the café at Rosebourne, Aldermaston between 10am to 11.30am on the first and third Tuesday of each month. Further details in The Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton Magazine (September edition, p 11).
• Holy Trinity Church, Theale free choir group rehearses on Thursdays between 7pm to 8pm and performs at Sunday services from 10.30am. All are welcome to join. Send enquiries to office@holytrinitytheale.org.uk.
News from your local council
Note: “the most recent meeting” refers to the most recent one for which minutes (in some cases draft) or some other summary is available. Other meetings may have taken place since. Some councils publish minutes more promptly than do others.
Many councils do not hold meetings in August and many postponed their September meeting following the Queen’s death.
• The most recent meeting of Aldermaston Parish Council for was on 8 November and the minutes will be available here in due course. Items covered included: four new planning applications; planning correspondence; light pollution at Rosebourne; two potential enhancements at The Loosey (the renovation of the Fountain Memorial and the provision of a replacement bench; bin collections; grass cutting; CIL funds; and planning and building-control issues at Woodyard in Paice’s Hill (see separate section above for part 2 of this).
To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here. To see the minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Theale Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 7 November and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: the proposed new school at Hayward’s Farm; a report from ward member Alan Macro; planning matters; reports from the committees and working groups; cycle racks; Theale Green School; the official opening event for the new play area; tree works; street trading; the Pavilion; the draft Community Engagement Strategy; financial matters; and correspondence.
To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas and minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Padworth Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 7 November and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: the 2023 Village Show; a report from ward member Dominic Boeck; financial matters; planning matters; the Village Hall; repairs and maintenance work; and the Village Hall.
To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 13 October and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: a review of Operation London Bridge; resurfacing at there swing dome; the Youth Club; the neighbourhood development plan; reports from committees and working parties; the village newsletter; the Fairground Utility Square; the Fairground footpath; financial matters; planning matters; the neighbourhood action group; speeding; and a wasps’ nest.
To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the minutes, please click here. See this page on Stratfield Mortimer PC’s website for more information on the refresh of its neighbourhood development plan.
• The most recent meeting of Burghfield Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 6 October and you can read the minutes here.
To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Bradfield Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 4 October and you can read the minutes here.
To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here for 2021 and here for 2022. To see the minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Englefield Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 3 October and you can read the minutes here.
To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas and minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Beenham Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 3 October and you can read the minutes here.
To see the dates, agendas and minutes for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. Click here for details of Beenham’s Community Plan.
• Burghfield area council contacts
Parishes: Theale Parish Council, Aldermaston Parish Council, Padworth Parish Council, Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council, Englefield Parish Council, Beenham Parish Council, Bradfield Parish Council and Burghfield Parish Council.
West Berkshire Council: click here to visit the website.
News from other areas
Penny Post area – please see the following separate sections: Hungerford area; Lambourn Valley; Newbury area; Thatcham area; Compton & Downlands; Wantage area; Marlborougharea; Swindon area.
News and views from across the area and beyond: please see the most recent Weekly News with Brian column.
Thursday 10 November 2022
This week we cover Burghfield on Ice, suggestions needed on spending £53,000, artists’ open days and Christmas lights. We also take a look at a not very good wall that fell down in Aldermaston and reflect on what this tells us about planning enforcement in the district – plus our usual round-up of other local news, local events and activities and local councils’ information.
This week’s news
• Burghfield Parish Council is still calling for stall holders, for the Burghfield On Ice. The event will take place Saturday 3 December from 11am to 5pm inside Burghfield Village Hall. There are only a few places left, so if you’re interested please get in touch ASAP by emailing enquiries@burghfieldparishcouncil.gov.uk or calling on 0118 9831748. There is also a booking form you can download from the website here.
• Great news for bus users. Following on from successful free bus travel last Christmas, this Easter and for the Platinum Jubilee celebrations, bus journeys starting in West Berkshire, and the return journey if going beyond the West Berkshire border, will be free all day on several allocated days in November and December. As well as being able to get around West Berkshire, free bus travel is available to Reading, Basingstoke and Swindon. For more information click here. As part of this scheme West Berks Council is offering a Free Christmas Shopper Bus Service for villages, including Stratfield Mortimer, that don’t have a public bus service on Saturdays in the run up to Christmas, starting Saturday 19 November. To book your seat and request a shopping destination of your choice, please contact 01635 551111 or email transport@westberks.gov.uk. See here for more details.
• The Artists at Mortimer Hill will be opening their doors again this November. Sadie Brockbank is showing her sculpture, collage and prints, plus the occasional painting, alongside painters Sue Bartlett, Julie Pearson and Jonathan Newey (workshops available with Jonathan); contemporary textile art from Tracy Micklethwaite (our latest new and very welcome addition to the community); and Jason Leggett’s glass creations and workshop opportunities. The exhibition is open from 11am to 5pm daily on Friday 25, Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 November at Mortimer Hill Studios, The Street (entrance off Strawberry Fields), Mortimer, RG7 3PW.
• So week two into the new food waste collection scheme and we forgot that the food caddy was collected weekly so we didn’t put it out…hope you did better than us. Luckily we have a home compost as well so a lot can go into that. Quick reminder that you don’t have to put your food waste in the green bags (it can go straight in the caddy which is easy to rinse out) and the lovefoodhatewaste.com website has great ideas about how you can reduce food waste.
• Theale Parish Council needs volunteers to help man the road closures for the forthcoming Remembrance Sunday procession and their annual Christmas Market. If you are able to help, please sign up to the mailing list on the volunteering page at thealeparishcouncil.gov.uk. Or sign up here to give the council permission to contact you in the future to see if you would be willing to help out at community events or be notified about any volunteer activities.
• Please note that there will be a road closure on the Bath Road Westbound exit and entry slip road and unnamed road from Bath Road to Station Road in Theale, between 9.30am and 3.30pm on Monday 21 November. The closure will be between its junction with Bath Road Westbound carriageway and its junction with Station Road/A4 Link Road roundabout. Click here for more information and detail on alternative routes.
• Aldermaston Parish Council is considering the options for spending the £53,000 CIL contribution from the Lidl development. Ideally this will be on facilities accessible to the south of the parish. All suggestions from parishioners are welcome: please contact the Parish Council office.
• Click here for information about the range of activities organised by the Burghfield Community Sports Association.
• Click here for the latest newsletter from Burghfield and Mortimer District Councillor Graham Bridgman.
• Click here for the latest newsletter from Theale District Councillor Alan Macro.
• The latest edition of the Englefield Parish Magazine is available to read here.
• Ditto here with the latest Padworth Village Newsletter.
• Holy Trinity Church has posted an updated list of necessities for the Foodbank which you can view here.
• For the latest news from the Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton which covers updates and events across Theale area please visit its website and click on Letters, Notices & Magazine.
Christmas
• The Christmas Craft Fair on Sunday 20 November at the Willink Leisure Centre is in aid of Flint House police Rehabillitation Centre at Goring Reading and Burghfield Football Club. They are grateful for the kind sponsorship of Davis Tate Estate Agents from Burghfield Common. If you would like to enquire about a pitch please call 07990 667 503. See more here.
• If you want to keep up to date with all the news and info about Theale’s Christmas Lights Event on Saturday 3 December, Theale Parish Council requests you follow their official facebook event page.
• The Burnham Copse Primary School in Tadley is currently looking for craft stall holders for their Christmas Fayre. The fayre will be taking place on Friday 2 December, from 3pm to 5pm. If you would like to book a space there get in contact with meljrussell71@gmail.com.
• With the cost-of-living crisis affecting so many, Cafe B – Together in Mission (Burghfield Common’s first community cafe) would like to help to make Christmas a little better for the children of Burghfield by providing a gift for a child who may not receive one on Christmas Day. The Burghfield schools estimate that 130 children aged between four and 16 years old in Burghfield are unlikely to receive a gift this Christmas. Please help put a smile on these children’s faces by donating what you can.
Wall-building in Aldermaston
It’s been mentioned before in Penny Post that WBC doesn’t have enough planning enforcement officers. Every application that’s approved comes with conditions, often quite a lot of them. Many govern matters like tree planting and construction times and so only apply for a finite period. Others, like hours of operation and the maintenance of drainage works, are never-ending. With hundreds of new applications granted each month, the amount of work enforcement officers have to do is therefore only ever going to increase. The actual number of them, however, is less than it should be and less than it is in the Vale of White Horse, a planning authority of roughly similar size.
However, one incident in Aldermaston recently did result in the appearance of one of these shy and rare beasts, although this was more for planning-control reasons. This concerned the Easy Concrete site at Woodyard, Paice’s Hill.
The new owners acquired this earlier this year and over the summer went to work with a bulldozer. Aldermaston Parish Council (APC) raised the matter with WBC but it appears the Planning Department was happy that the B8 industrial use was still being adhered to and so took no action. As part of these works, the site was bounded by a wall that might politely be called rudimentary. As this was backed up with extra soil as a result of the cut-and-fill groundworks, it was clearly dangerous. APC sent photos to WBC and again received no immediate response. It was only when, last week, part of the wall collapsed very close to the A340,– a busy road that’s also a key access route to and from AWE in the event of a nuclear emergency – that it became clear that something had to be done. Following a site visit, WBC requested that all work in that area stop pending a retrospective planning application. AT the time of writing, it’s unclear if it has.
I’ve seen the photos of the “wall” as it was.nI’m no expert but it looks pretty poor to me, simply a line of concrete blocks without foundations or mortar, in places leaning alarmingly into a fence. I’ve also seen photos of the wall after it collapsed. It’s not easy to tell the difference between the two. Given what Easy Concrete does (the clue’s in the name), the shoddiness seems even more remarkable.
APC feels that the site shouldn’t be able to operate on this new business model at all. The original planning approval for the site in the 2000s specified it should be used for forestry-related businesses only, which satisfied a then, and perhaps current, policy about promoting rural industries. This conferred a B8 rating, one that it appears also works for the very different businesses proposed by the new owners. These might include concrete, toilet hire and construction and demolition equipment.
Once a site has a particular grade it would seem that this trumps any qualifications or conditions that might be appended. If that’s the case, what’s the point of making the qualifications and conditions at all? There are enough such things in decision notices anyway without adding ones that the planning authority doesn’t subsequently regard as being relevant.
When the retrospective application is filed, I wonder if APC may ask its ward member to call it in to planning committee so that the matter can be looked at thoroughly (10 letters of objection will have the same result).
There would also be another advantage: if any of the planning committee members have any experience at building walls, this would also be a good opportunity for them to pass on some tips to the applicant. These seem to be sorely needed.
Community notices
• West Berkshire Library Service is appealing for local volunteers at Mortimer and Burghfield Common libraries. Please see this post on Facebook, call 01635 519533 or email volunteerinyourlibrary@westberks.gov.uk for further information.
• The Mortimer and Burghfield toy library is a service run by volunteers providing toys to local families. It runs on the fourth Saturday of the month at Mortimer Methodist church 9.30am to 11am. Toys can be hired through a yearly membership or individually for a months hire and toys can be renewed on payment of another months hire. The next one will be Saturday 24 September. For more information, visit their Facebook page.
• Theale Parish Council is often looking for volunteers to help run fun community events. Please check out their website to find out more and register your interest.
• Theale Parish Council has urged residents to take part in the Patient Participation Group which aims to support and improve the way services are delivered by your GP Practice. See more here on the goals and how to join.
• Holy Trinity Church is seeking donations for the Foodbank that is open on Sundays and Wednesdays from 9am to 6pm. With another rise in people’s need for foodbank support, you can find out what has been requested each week by clicking here.
• If you own a bike Neighbourhood Watch strongly recommends registering it on the bikeregister.com database as every police force in the country uses it to search for stolen and recovered bikes.
• The mini re-cycling centre at the end of Theale High Street has banks for plastic pots, tubs, trays cans, small electricals, cardboard and paper.
• More local hosts are needed for people escaping the war in Ukraine. If you could consider hosting a Ukrainian refugee or family, please get in contact with the local support group or visit westberks.gov.uk/homesforukraine.
• For how to avoid scams and what to do if you unluckily get caught, please see important advice here from Citizen’s Advice.
Local events and activities
For more information on events and activities across the Penny Post area, see the website calendar.
• Dates for the diary
• Sun 13 Nov Remembrance Parade and Service, St Mary’s Church.
• Sat 19 Nov Live Music by Stoney Lane, Burghfield Community Sports Association.
• Sun 20 Nov Christmas Craft Fair, Willink Leisure Centre, Burghfield.
• Sat 26 Nov Christmas Fair & Santa’s Grotto, St Mary’s Primary School.
• Thu 1 to Sun 4 Dec York Nativity Play, Aldermaston.
• Sun 18 Dec Festive Tea Dance Party, Burghfield CSA Club, James Ln, Burghfield.
• Regular events
• Burghfield WI (The Woman’s Institute) meets at 7.30pm on the second Tuesday of the month at Burghfield Village Hall. See their facebook page for details.
• Theale Library hosts in-person events for people of all ages. To find out more information on future clubs and events click here to visit the West Berkshire Library Facebook page or email Theale Library at thealelibrary@westberks.gov.uk.
• Mortimer Library also host regular events, such as their Rhymetime group who meet every Tuesday (during school term time) at 2.30pm.
• Walking for Health meet every Tuesday at the community centre car park opposite the Horse & Groom, Mortimer, between April and October. There are three walk lengths to chose from as mentioned on mortimervillage.org.uk,
• All cyclists are welcome to join the On Your Bike Burghfield facebook group“which doesn’t take itself too seriously.”
• Beenham Art Group every Tuesday from 10am to noon at Victory Hall, Beenham. More details in The Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton Magazine (September edition, p 17).
• Aldermaston Coffee Club meet at the café at Rosebourne, Aldermaston between 10am to 11.30am on the first and third Tuesday of each month. Further details in The Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton Magazine (September edition, p 11).
• Holy Trinity Church, Theale free choir group rehearses on Thursdays between 7pm to 8pm and performs at Sunday services from 10.30am. All are welcome to join. Send enquiries to office@holytrinitytheale.org.uk.
News from your local council
Note: “the most recent meeting” refers to the most recent one for which minutes (in some cases draft) or some other summary is available. Other meetings may have taken place since. Some councils publish minutes more promptly than do others.
Many councils do not hold meetings in August and many postponed their September meeting following the Queen’s death.
• The most recent meeting of Aldermaston Parish Council for was on 8 November and the minutes will be available here in due course. Items covered included: four new planning applications; planning correspondence; light pollution at Rosebourne; two potential enhancements at The Loosey (the renovation of the Fountain Memorial and the provision of a replacement bench; bin collections; grass cutting; CIL funds; and planning and building-control issues at Woodyard in Paice’s Hill (see separate section above).
To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here. To see the minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 13 October and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: a review of Operation London Bridge; resurfacing at there swing dome; the Youth Club; the neighbourhood development plan; reports from committees and working parties; the village newsletter; the Fairground Utility Square; the Fairground footpath; financial matters; planning matters; the neighbourhood action group; speeding; and a wasps’ nest.
To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the minutes, please click here. See this page on Stratfield Mortimer PC’s website for more information on the refresh of its neighbourhood development plan.
• The most recent meeting of Bradfield Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 4 October and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: the Village Hall; tree planting; the dog bin; village repairs and maintenance; planning matters; a proposed radio mast; enforcement issues; Admoor Lane; highways; Remembrance Sunday; defibrillators; trees and hedges; financial matters; bore holes near the Pang; and warm hubs.
To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here for 2021 and here for 2022. To see the minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Englefield Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 3 October and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: Englefield Estate; financial matters; dog bins; a councillor vacancy; and planning matters.
To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas and minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Beenham Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 3 October and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: speeding; a councillor vacancy; planning matters; village repairs and maintenance; the Community Room; and financial matters.
To see the dates, agendas and minutes for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. Click here for details of Beenham’s Community Plan.
• The most recent meeting of Theale Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 3 October and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: the circus’s lorries; a report from ward member Alan Macro; planning matters; reports from the committees and working groups; the play project; the John Cumber Hall; TPC’s social-media policy; and financial matters.
To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas and minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Padworth Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 18 July and you can read the minutes here.
To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Burghfield Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 7 July and you can read the minutes here.
To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the minutes, please click here.
• Burghfield area council contacts
Parishes: Theale Parish Council, Aldermaston Parish Council, Padworth Parish Council, Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council, Englefield Parish Council, Beenham Parish Council, Bradfield Parish Council and Burghfield Parish Council.
West Berkshire Council: click here to visit the website.
News from other areas
Penny Post area – please see the following separate sections: Hungerford area; Lambourn Valley; Newbury area; Thatcham area; Compton & Downlands; Wantage area; Marlborougharea; Swindon area.
News and views from across the area and beyond: please see the most recent Weekly News with Brian column.
Thursday 3 November 2022
This week we cover a repair café, volunteers in Theale, a shoebox, fireworks and a proposed radio mast – plus our usual round-up of other local news, local events and activities and local councils’ information.
This week’s news
• St Mary’s church are holding a Shoebox Packing ‘Party’, on Saturday 5 November. The initiative apart of Christian outreach programme, Operation Christmas Child which offers gift filled shoeboxes to children in need worldwide. For more information click here.
• This weekend, Aldermaston Primary School are organising a firework display on Sunday 6 November on the field by Padworth Village Hall with plenty of parking. See here for details.
• We were surprised when we put out our new food caddy out this week by how full it was. By putting all food waste in a separate container, it becomes easier to see what foods you tend to throw away and to adjust shopping, cooking or consumption accordingly. The lovefoodhatewaste.com website has great ideas about how you can reduce food waste. See here for a reminder of how the new collection works and why it is being introduced. You can put your caddy out every week and you don’t have to put your food waste in the green bags (it can go straight in the caddy which is easy to rinse out).
• Also happening this weekend, the Repair Cafe, will be on at Spencer Wood Village Hall, on Sunday 6 November. Bring along your broken household items such as bikes, electrical items, sewing machines, phones, laptops, garden tools, mechanical items, small furniture and broken zips, bags and clothes, etc, to hopefully get fixed by the Cafe’s wonderful volunteers. There is also a book exchange and Cafe. Click here for more info.
• Theale Parish Council needs volunteers to help man the road closures for the forthcoming Remembrance Sunday procession and their annual Christmas Market. If you are able to help, please sign up to the mailing list on the volunteering page at thealeparishcouncil.gov.uk. Or sign up here to give the council permission to contact you in the future to see if you would be willing to help out at community events or be notified about any volunteer activities.
• Click here for information about the range of activities organised by the Burghfield Community Sports Association.
• Click here for the latest newsletter from Burghfield and Mortimer District Councillor Graham Bridgman.
• Click here for the latest newsletter from Theale District Councillor Alan Macro.
• The latest edition of the Englefield Parish Magazine is available to read here.
• Ditto here with the latest Padworth Village Newsletter.
• Holy Trinity Church has posted an updated list of necessities for the Foodbank which you can view here.
• For the latest news from the Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton which covers updates and events across Theale area please visit its website and click on Letters, Notices & Magazine.
Christmas
Community notices
• West Berkshire Library Service is appealing for local volunteers at Mortimer and Burghfield Common libraries. Please see this post on Facebook, call 01635 519533 or email volunteerinyourlibrary@westberks.gov.uk for further information.
• The Mortimer and Burghfield toy library is a service run by volunteers providing toys to local families. It runs on the fourth Saturday of the month at Mortimer Methodist church 9.30am to 11am. Toys can be hired through a yearly membership or individually for a months hire and toys can be renewed on payment of another months hire. The next one will be Saturday 24 September. For more information, visit their Facebook page.
• Theale Parish Council is often looking for volunteers to help run fun community events. Please check out their website to find out more and register your interest.
• Theale Parish Council has urged residents to take part in the Patient Participation Group which aims to support and improve the way services are delivered by your GP Practice. See more here on the goals and how to join.
• Holy Trinity Church is seeking donations for the Foodbank that is open on Sundays and Wednesdays from 9am to 6pm. With another rise in people’s need for foodbank support, you can find out what has been requested each week by clicking here.
• If you own a bike Neighbourhood Watch strongly recommends registering it on the bikeregister.com database as every police force in the country uses it to search for stolen and recovered bikes.
• The mini re-cycling centre at the end of Theale High Street has banks for plastic pots, tubs, trays cans, small electricals, cardboard and paper.
• More local hosts are needed for people escaping the war in Ukraine. If you could consider hosting a Ukrainian refugee or family, please get in contact with the local support group or visit westberks.gov.uk/homesforukraine.
• For how to avoid scams and what to do if you unluckily get caught, please see important advice here from Citizen’s Advice.
Local events and activities
For more information on events and activities across the Penny Post area, see the website calendar.
• Dates for the diary
• Fri 5 Nov Shoebox Packing ‘Party’, St Mary’s Church, Burghfield.
• Sun 6 Nov Fireworks Display, Aldermaston C of E Primary School.
• Sun 6 Nov Repair Cafe, Spencer Wood Village Hall.
• Sat 19 Nov Live Music by Stoney Lane, Burghfield Community Sports Association.
• Sun 18 Dec Festive Tea Dance Party, Burghfield CSA Club, James Ln, Burghfield.
• Regular events
• Burghfield WI (The Woman’s Institute) meets at 7.30pm on the second Tuesday of the month at Burghfield Village Hall. See their facebook page for details.
• Theale Library hosts in-person events for people of all ages. To find out more information on future clubs and events click here to visit the West Berkshire Library Facebook page or email Theale Library at thealelibrary@westberks.gov.uk.
• Mortimer Library also host regular events, such as their Rhymetime group who meet every Tuesday (during school term time) at 2.30pm.
• Walking for Health meet every Tuesday at the community centre car park opposite the Horse & Groom, Mortimer, between April and October. There are three walk lengths to chose from as mentioned on mortimervillage.org.uk,
• All cyclists are welcome to join the On Your Bike Burghfield facebook group“which doesn’t take itself too seriously.”
• Beenham Art Group every Tuesday from 10am to noon at Victory Hall, Beenham. More details in The Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton Magazine (September edition, p 17).
• Aldermaston Coffee Club meet at the café at Rosebourne, Aldermaston between 10am to 11.30am on the first and third Tuesday of each month. Further details in The Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton Magazine (September edition, p 11).
• Holy Trinity Church, Theale free choir group rehearses on Thursdays between 7pm to 8pm and performs at Sunday services from 10.30am. All are welcome to join. Send enquiries to office@holytrinitytheale.org.uk.
News from your local council
Note: “the most recent meeting” refers to the most recent one for which minutes (in some cases draft) or some other summary is available. Other meetings may have taken place since. Some councils publish minutes more promptly than do others.
Many councils do not hold meetings in August and many postponed their September meeting following the Queen’s death.
• The most recent meeting of Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 13 October and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: a review of Operation London Bridge; resurfacing at there swing dome; the Youth Club; the neighbourhood development plan; reports from committees and working parties; the village newsletter; the Fairground Utility Square; the Fairground footpath; financial matters; planning matters; the neighbourhood action group; speeding; and a wasps’ nest.
To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the minutes, please click here. See this page on Stratfield Mortimer PC’s website for more information on the refresh of its neighbourhood development plan.
• The most recent meeting of Bradfield Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 4 October and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: the Village Hall; tree planting; the dog bin; village repairs and maintenance; planning matters; a proposed radio mast; enforcement issues; Admoor Lane; highways; Remembrance Sunday; defibrillators; trees and hedges; financial matters; bore holes near the Pang; and warm hubs.
To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here for 2021 and here for 2022. To see the minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Englefield Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 3 October and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: Englefield Estate; financial matters; dog bins; a councillor vacancy; and planning matters.
To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas and minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Aldermaston Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 13 September will be available here in due course. Items covered included: the announcement that “Out of respect during the period of mourning we opted to go ahead with a significantly reduced schedule covering urgent planning and finance decisions only”; and two commercial and four residential planning applications.
To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here. To see the minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Beenham Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 3 October and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: speeding; a councillor vacancy; planning matters; village repairs and maintenance; the Community Room; and financial matters.
To see the dates, agendas and minutes for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. Click here for details of Beenham’s Community Plan.
• The most recent meeting of Theale Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 3 October and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: the circus’s lorries; a report from ward member Alan Macro; planning matters; reports from the committees and working groups; the play project; the John Cumber Hall; TPC’s social-media policy; and financial matters.
To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas and minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Padworth Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 18 July and you can read the minutes here.
To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Burghfield Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 7 July and you can read the minutes here.
To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the minutes, please click here.
• Burghfield area council contacts
Parishes: Theale Parish Council, Aldermaston Parish Council, Padworth Parish Council, Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council, Englefield Parish Council, Beenham Parish Council, Bradfield Parish Council and Burghfield Parish Council.
West Berkshire Council: click here to visit the website.
News from other areas
Penny Post area – please see the following separate sections: Hungerford area; Lambourn Valley; Newbury area; Thatcham area; Compton & Downlands; Wantage area; Marlborougharea; Swindon area.
News and views from across the area and beyond: please see the most recent Weekly News with Brian column.
Thursday 27 October 2022
This week we cover a governor, spooky cocktails, soul, volunteers and a clean-up – plus our usual round-up of other local news, local events and activities and local councils’ information.
This week’s news
• St Mary’s School in Burghfield is currently looking for a new co-opted governor, to join the schools governing body. The role is voluntary and would involve attending around six governing meetings a year, as well as several committee meetings and two days per term in school. The role of the governing body is to set long-term goals for the school, see where improvements can be made and identify how to achieve them. There will be training available and attending regular training sessions is enco9uraged. For further details click here and an application form email scherry@burghfield.w-berks.sch.uk.
• Quick reminder about the new kerbside food waste collection starting next week (see here for a reminder of how it works and why it is being introduced). Over 100 local primary school children submitted name suggestions for the new food waste collection vehicles and the winners to look out for are: The Hungry Recycler, Composter Clemmie, Sir Andy Curry, Betty Banana, Food Feaster 2.0, Garbage Gobbler, Pikachew and Eva Egg Shell.
• Have you heard of the ‘Hallowclean’? It’s a week long initiative set by Tidy Up Britain to help keep or communities clean and tidy. The idea of the HallowClean is that you dress up in your scariest costume and go litter picking with your friends. Kind of like trick or treating but the real treat is a cleaner environment! You can even post #HallowClean with pictures in your costumes to let people know what you’re doing and maybe even more of your friends will want to get involved. Happy HallowClean!
• Looking for some fun and Halloween-y things to do this weekend? Well over at Mortimer there’s a Scarecrow Trail which is on now until Sunday 30 October. You can collect a map of the trail from Mortimer Library, Dad’s Shop, the Co-Op or online. Those that complete the trail quiz are in for a chance of winning a cash prize.
If that’s not spooky enough for you, then over at Spencer’s Wood and Mile Cross there’s a Halloween Trail, on now until Monday 31 October with family fun trail of scarecrows, decorated houses with prizes for those that reach the end.
• Slightly older ghouls and ghosts might prefer the spooky cocktails and DJ set at the Booze & Bones Party at the Victoria Arms (Mortimer), or the Thriller Dance Party with music from the 50s through to 90s, over at the Theale Community Hall. Both events take place on Saturday 29 October.
• Theale Parish Council needs volunteers to help man the road closures for the forthcoming Remembrance Sunday procession and their annual Christmas Market. If you are able to help, please sign up to the mailing list on the volunteering page at thealeparishcouncil.gov.uk. Or sign up here to give the council permission to contact you in the future to see if you would be willing to help out at community events or be notified about any volunteer activities.
• Click here for information about the range of activities organised by the Burghfield Community Sports Association.
• Click here for the latest newsletter from Burghfield and Mortimer District Councillor Graham Bridgman.
• Click here for the latest newsletter from Theale District Councillor Alan Macro.
• The latest edition of the Englefield Parish Magazine is available to read here.
• Ditto here with the latest Padworth Village Newsletter.
• Holy Trinity Church has posted an updated list of necessities for the Foodbank which you can view here.
• For the latest news from the Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton which covers updates and events across Theale area please visit its website and click on Letters, Notices & Magazine.
CHRISTMAS
Community notices
• West Berkshire Library Service is appealing for local volunteers at Mortimer and Burghfield Common libraries. Please see this post on Facebook, call 01635 519533 or email volunteerinyourlibrary@westberks.gov.uk for further information.
• The Mortimer and Burghfield toy library is a service run by volunteers providing toys to local families. It runs on the fourth Saturday of the month at Mortimer Methodist church 9.30am to 11am. Toys can be hired through a yearly membership or individually for a months hire and toys can be renewed on payment of another months hire. The next one will be Saturday 24 September. For more information, visit their Facebook page.
• Theale Parish Council is often looking for volunteers to help run fun community events. Please check out their website to find out more and register your interest.
• Theale Parish Council has urged residents to take part in the Patient Participation Group which aims to support and improve the way services are delivered by your GP Practice. See more here on the goals and how to join.
• Holy Trinity Church is seeking donations for the Foodbank that is open on Sundays and Wednesdays from 9am to 6pm. With another rise in people’s need for foodbank support, you can find out what has been requested each week by clicking here.
• If you own a bike Neighbourhood Watch strongly recommends registering it on the bikeregister.com database as every police force in the country uses it to search for stolen and recovered bikes.
• A new mini re-cycling centre has opened up at the end of Theale High Street. Replacing the previous smaller re-cycling point, the facility currently has banks for plastic pots, tubs, trays cans, small electricals, cardboard and paper.
• More local hosts are needed for people escaping the war in Ukraine. If you could consider hosting a Ukrainian refugee or family, please get in contact with the local support group or visit westberks.gov.uk/homesforukraine.
• For how to avoid scams and what to do if you unluckily get caught, please see important advice here from Citizen’s Advice.
Local events and activities
For more information on events and activities across the Penny Post area, see the website calendar.
• Dates for the diary
• On now until Mon 31 Oct Halloween Family Trail, Spencer’s Wood and Mile Cross.
• Fri 28 Oct Freestyle Dance Party, Burghfield CSA Club, James Ln, Burghfield.
• Sat 29 Oct Booze & Bones Halloween Party, Victoria Arms, Mortimer.
• Sat 29 Oct Halloween Thriller Dance, Theale Community Hall.
• Sun 4 Nov Repair Cafe, Spencer Wood Village Hall.
• Sat 19 Nov Live Music by Stoney Lane, Burghfield Community Sports Association.
• Sat 3 Dec Theale’s Christmas Lights Event
• Sun 18 Dec Festive Tea Dance Party, Burghfield CSA Club, James Ln, Burghfield.
• Regular events
• Burghfield WI (The Woman’s Institute) meets at 7.30pm on the second Tuesday of the month at Burghfield Village Hall. See their facebook page for details.
• Theale Library hosts in-person events for people of all ages. To find out more information on future clubs and events click here to visit the West Berkshire Library Facebook page or email Theale Library at thealelibrary@westberks.gov.uk.
• Mortimer Library also host regular events, such as their Rhymetime group who meet every Tuesday (during school term time) at 2.30pm.
• Walking for Health meet every Tuesday at the community centre car park opposite the Horse & Groom, Mortimer, between April and October. There are three walk lengths to chose from as mentioned on mortimervillage.org.uk,
• All cyclists are welcome to join the On Your Bike Burghfield facebook group“which doesn’t take itself too seriously.”
• Beenham Art Group every Tuesday from 10am to noon at Victory Hall, Beenham. More details in The Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton Magazine (September edition, p 17).
• Aldermaston Coffee Club meet at the café at Rosebourne, Aldermaston between 10am to 11.30am on the first and third Tuesday of each month. Further details in The Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton Magazine (September edition, p 11).
• Holy Trinity Church, Theale free choir group rehearses on Thursdays between 7pm to 8pm and performs at Sunday services from 10.30am. All are welcome to join. Send enquiries to office@holytrinitytheale.org.uk.
News from your local council
Note: “the most recent meeting” refers to the most recent one for which minutes (in some cases draft) or some other summary is available. Other meetings may have taken place since. Some councils publish minutes more promptly than do others.
Many councils do not hold meetings in August and many postponed their September meeting following the Queen’s death.
• The most recent meeting of Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 13 October and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: a review of Operation London Bridge; resurfacing at there swing dome; the Youth Club; the neighbourhood development plan; reports from committees and working parties; the village newsletter; the Fairground Utility Square; the Fairground footpath; financial matters; planning matters; the neighbourhood action group; speeding; and a wasps’ nest.
To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the minutes, please click here. See this page on Stratfield Mortimer PC’s website for more information on the refresh of its neighbourhood development plan.
• The most recent meeting of Englefield Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 3 October and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: Englefield Estate; financial matters; dog bins; a councillor vacancy; and planning matters.
To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas and minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Aldermaston Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 13 September will be available here in due course. Items covered included: the announcement that “Out of respect during the period of mourning we opted to go ahead with a significantly reduced schedule covering urgent planning and finance decisions only”; and two commercial and four residential planning applications.
To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here. To see the minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Bradfield Parish Council for which minutes are available, was on 6 September and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: the Village Hall; advertising boards; dog bins; the Almshouses; cherry trees; grass curling; planning matters; highways; trees and hedges; picnic benches; defibrillators; financial matters; and the scarecrow trail.
To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here for 2021 and here for 2022. To see the minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Beenham Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 3 October and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: speeding; a councillor vacancy; planning matters; village repairs and maintenance; the Community Room; and financial matters.
To see the dates, agendas and minutes for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. Click here for details of Beenham’s Community Plan.
• The most recent meeting of Theale Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 3 October and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: the circus’s lorries; a report from ward member Alan Macro; planning matters; reports from the committees and working groups; the play project; the John Cumber Hall; TPC’s social-media policy; and financial matters.
To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas and minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Padworth Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 18 July and you can read the minutes here.
To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Burghfield Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 7 July and you can read the minutes here.
To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the minutes, please click here.
• Burghfield area council contacts
Parishes: Theale Parish Council, Aldermaston Parish Council, Padworth Parish Council, Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council, Englefield Parish Council, Beenham Parish Council, Bradfield Parish Council and Burghfield Parish Council.
West Berkshire Council: click here to visit the website.
News from other areas
Penny Post area – please see the following separate sections: Hungerford area; Lambourn Valley; Newbury area; Thatcham area; Compton & Downlands; Wantage area; Marlborougharea; Swindon area.
News and views from across the area and beyond: please see the most recent Weekly News with Brian column.
Thursday 20 October 2022
This week we cover a pick-your-own, Halloween, Christmas and a choir – plus our usual round-up of other local news, local events and activities and local councils’ information.
This week’s news
• Click here (and scroll down to Across the area) for news of West Berkshire Council’s Library Service, new food recycling arrangements, a service of thanksgiving, political invective, a paint-recycling initiative and the cost of living hub.
• Looking for something fun and Halloween-y to do this half-term? Well the Wasing Estate near Aldermaston have a Pick your own Pumpkin and Woodland Trail between Friday 21 and Saturday 29 October. Visitors are invited to follow the enchanting woodland trail through Wasing’s stunning autumnal woodland and along the way, encounter some creatures inspired by those living on the Estate. Collect a wheelbarrow and head for the pumpkin patch to choose your perfect pumpkin to take home and carve. There’s plenty of entertainment for children along the way & as well as tasty seasonal snacks. Click here for more information. Weekend slots have sold out but there is still weekday availability and pre-booking tickets is recommended at wasing.digitickets.co.uk
• If that’s not spooky enough for you, then over at Spencer’s Wood and Mile Cross there’s a Halloween Trail, from Sunday 23 to Monday 31 October with family fun trail of scarecrows, decorated houses with prizes for those that reach the end. Check out their Facebook page for more updates.
• Slightly older ghouls and ghosts might prefer the spooky cocktails and DJ set at the Booze & Bones Party at the Victoria Arms (Mortimer), or the Thriller Dance Party with music from the 50s through to 90s, over at the Theale Community Hall. Both events take place on Saturday 29 October.
• With the cost-of-living crisis affecting so many, Cafe B – Together in Mission (Burghfield Common’s first community cafe) would like to help to make Christmas a little better for the children of Burghfield by providing a gift for a child who may not receive one on Christmas Day. The Burghfield schools estimate that 130 children aged between four and 16 years old in Burghfield are unlikely to receive a gift this Christmas. Please help put a smile on these children’s faces by donating what you can.
• Theale Parish Council needs volunteers to help man the road closures for the forthcoming Remembrance Sunday procession and their annual Christmas Market. If you are able to help, please sign up to the mailing list on the volunteering page at thealeparishcouncil.gov.uk. Or sign up here to give the council permission to contact you in the future to see if you would be willing to help out at community events or be notified about any volunteer activities.
• If you want to keep up to date with all the news and info about Theale’s Christmas Lights Event on Saturday 3 December, Theale Parish Council requests you follow their official facebook event page.
• Click here for information about the range of activities organised by the Burghfield Community Sports Association.
• Click here for the latest newsletter from Burghfield and Mortimer District Councillor Graham Bridgman.
• Click here for the latest newsletter from Theale District Councillor Alan Macro.
• The latest edition of the Englefield Parish Magazine is available to read here.
• Ditto here with the latest Padworth Village Newsletter.
• Holy Trinity Church has posted an updated list of necessities for the Foodbank which you can view here.
• For the latest news from the Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton which covers updates and events across Theale area please visit its website and click on Letters, Notices & Magazine.
Community notices
• West Berkshire Library Service is appealing for local volunteers at Mortimer and Burghfield Common libraries. Please see this post on Facebook, call 01635 519533 or email volunteerinyourlibrary@westberks.gov.uk for further information.
• The Mortimer and Burghfield toy library is a service run by volunteers providing toys to local families. It runs on the fourth Saturday of the month at Mortimer Methodist church 9.30am to 11am. Toys can be hired through a yearly membership or individually for a months hire and toys can be renewed on payment of another months hire. The next one will be Saturday 24 September. For more information, visit their Facebook page.
• Theale Parish Council is often looking for volunteers to help run fun community events. Please check out their website to find out more and register your interest.
• Theale Parish Council has urged residents to take part in the Patient Participation Group which aims to support and improve the way services are delivered by your GP Practice. See more here on the goals and how to join.
• Holy Trinity Church is seeking donations for the Foodbank that is open on Sundays and Wednesdays from 9am to 6pm. With another rise in people’s need for foodbank support, you can find out what has been requested each week by clicking here.
• If you own a bike Neighbourhood Watch strongly recommends registering it on the bikeregister.com database as every police force in the country uses it to search for stolen and recovered bikes.
• A new mini re-cycling centre has opened up at the end of Theale High Street. Replacing the previous smaller re-cycling point, the facility currently has banks for plastic pots, tubs, trays cans, small electricals, cardboard and paper.
• More local hosts are needed for people escaping the war in Ukraine. If you could consider hosting a Ukrainian refugee or family, please get in contact with the local support group or visit westberks.gov.uk/homesforukraine.
• For how to avoid scams and what to do if you unluckily get caught, please see important advice here from Citizen’s Advice.
Local events and activities
For more information on events and activities across the Penny Post area, see the website calendar.
• Dates for the diary
• Sun 23 to Mon 31 Oct Halloween Family Trail, Spencer’s Wood and Mile Cross.
• Fri 28 Oct Freestyle Dance Party, Burghfield CSA Club, James Ln, Burghfield.
• Sat 29 Oct Booze & Bones Halloween Party, Victoria Arms, Mortimer.
• Sat 29 Oct Halloween Thriller Dance, Theale Community Hall.
• Sun 4 Nov Repair Cafe, Spencer Wood Village Hall.
• Sat 3 Dec Theale’s Christmas Lights Event
• Sun 18 Dec Festive Tea Dance Party, Burghfield CSA Club, James Ln, Burghfield.
• Regular events
• Burghfield WI (The Woman’s Institute) meets at 7.30pm on the second Tuesday of the month at Burghfield Village Hall. See their facebook page for details.
• Theale Library hosts in-person events for people of all ages. To find out more information on future clubs and events click here to visit the West Berkshire Library Facebook page or email Theale Library at thealelibrary@westberks.gov.uk.
• Mortimer Library also host regular events, such as their Rhymetime group who meet every Tuesday (during school term time) at 2.30pm.
• Walking for Health meet every Tuesday at the community centre car park opposite the Horse & Groom, Mortimer, between April and October. There are three walk lengths to chose from as mentioned on mortimervillage.org.uk,
• All cyclists are welcome to join the On Your Bike Burghfield facebook group“which doesn’t take itself too seriously.”
• Beenham Art Group every Tuesday from 10am to noon at Victory Hall, Beenham. More details in The Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton Magazine (September edition, p 17).
• Aldermaston Coffee Club meet at the café at Rosebourne, Aldermaston between 10am to 11.30am on the first and third Tuesday of each month. Further details in The Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton Magazine (September edition, p 11).
• Holy Trinity Church, Theale free choir group rehearses on Thursdays between 7pm to 8pm and performs at Sunday services from 10.30am. All are welcome to join. Send enquiries to office@holytrinitytheale.org.uk.
News from your local council
Note: “the most recent meeting” refers to the most recent one for which minutes (in some cases draft) or some other summary is available. Other meetings may have taken place since. Some councils publish minutes more promptly than do others.
Many councils do not hold meetings in August and many postponed their September meeting following the Queen’s death.
• The most recent meeting of Englefield Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 3 October and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: Englefield Estate; financial matters; dog bins; a councillor vacancy; and planning matters.
To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas and minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Aldermaston Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 13 September will be available here in due course. Items covered included: the announcement that “Out of respect during the period of mourning we opted to go ahead with a significantly reduced schedule covering urgent planning and finance decisions only”; and two commercial and four residential planning applications.
To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here. To see the minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 8 September and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: public questions; the Clerk’s report; repairs and maintenance; youth funding; committee and working -party reports; the co-option of a new member; the NDP; the Windmill Common boundary; financial matters; a report from ward member Graham Bridgman; planning matters; and the fitness equipment.
To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the minutes, please click here. See this page on Stratfield Mortimer PC’s website for more information on the refresh of its neighbourhood development plan.
• The most recent meeting of Bradfield Parish Council for which minutes are available, was on 6 September and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: the Village Hall; advertising boards; dog bins; the Almshouses; cherry trees; grass curling; planning matters; highways; trees and hedges; picnic benches; defibrillators; financial matters; and the scarecrow trail.
To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here for 2021 and here for 2022. To see the minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Beenham Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 3 October and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: speeding; a councillor vacancy; planning matters; village repairs and maintenance; the Community Room; and financial matters.
To see the dates, agendas and minutes for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. Click here for details of Beenham’s Community Plan.
• The most recent meeting of Theale Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 3 October and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: the circus’s lorries; a report from ward member Alan Macro; planning matters; reports from the committees and working groups; the play project; the John Cumber Hall; TPC’s social-media policy; and financial matters.
To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas and minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Padworth Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 18 July and you can read the minutes here.
To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Burghfield Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 7 July and you can read the minutes here.
To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the minutes, please click here.
• Burghfield area council contacts
Parishes: Theale Parish Council, Aldermaston Parish Council, Padworth Parish Council, Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council, Englefield Parish Council, Beenham Parish Council, Bradfield Parish Council and Burghfield Parish Council.
West Berkshire Council: click here to visit the website.
News from other areas
Penny Post area – please see the following separate sections: Hungerford area; Lambourn Valley; Newbury area; Thatcham area; Compton & Downlands; Wantage area; Marlborougharea; Swindon area.
News and views from across the area and beyond: please see the most recent Weekly News with Brian column.
Thursday 13 October 2022
This week we cover an award at the Willink, an appeal for volunteers, fireworks and cycling. We also re-visit the recent planning approval for the solar farm near Mortimer and look for any sighs of systemic corruption – plus our usual round-up of other local news, local events and activities and local councils’ information.
This week’s news
• Congratulations to the Willink School in Burghfield for being awarded the British Council’s prestigious International School Award in recognition of its work to bring the world into the classroom. On their facebook page, Headteacher Mr Fry says: “The Willink school is delighted to have received this accolade by the British Council. At The Willink, our ‘Village School, Global Outlook’ ethos is truly embedded in the DNA of our school. We are extremely proud of all our students, who always seize every possible opportunity to take part in international and global activities. Our school collectively looks forward to continuing to be part of many more exciting and meaningful international projects over the coming years.”
• Theale Parish Council needs volunteers to help help man the road closures for the forthcoming Remembrance Sunday procession and their annual Christmas Market. If you are able to help, please sign up to the mailing list on the volunteering page at thealeparishcouncil.gov.uk. Or sign up here to give the council permission to contact you in the future to see if you would be willing to help out at community events or be notified about any volunteer activities.
• If you want to keep up to date with all the news and info about Theale’s Christmas Lights Event on Saturday 3 December, Theale Parish Council requests you follow their official facebook event page.
• Aldermaston Primary School are organising a firework display on Sunday 6 November on the field by Padworth Village Hall with plenty of parking. See here for details.
• With the cost-of-living crisis affecting so many, Cafe B – Together in Mission (Burghfield Common’s first community cafe) would like to help to make Christmas a little better for the children of Burghfield by providing a gift for a child who may not receive one on Christmas Day. The Burghfield schools estimate that 130 children aged between four and 16 years old in Burghfield are unlikely to receive a gift this Christmas. Please help put a smile on these children’s faces by donating what you can.
• Burghfield Library is closed this week inclusive for preparatory work (moving all the books), followed by redecoration, and that during this period no books borrowed from the library will be due for return.
• Click here for information about the range of activities organised by the Burghfield Community Sports Association.
• Click here for the latest newsletter from Burghfield and Mortimer District Councillor Graham Bridgman.
• Click here for the latest newsletter from Theale District Councillor Alan Macro.
• The latest edition of the Englefield Parish Magazine is available to read here.
• Ditto here with the latest Padworth Village Newsletter.
• Holy Trinity Church has posted an updated list of necessities for the Foodbank which you can view here.
• For the latest news from the Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton which covers updates and events across Theale area please visit its website and click on Letters, Notices & Magazine.
• Latest news from Aldermaston Parish Council can also be found on the website aldermaston.co.uk and this month includes the celebration of a new florist and children’s nursery in the village.
Buying the sunshine
An article in this week’s Newbury Weekly News suggests that secret payments were made by West Berkshire Council to the tenant farmer who will lose part of the land he has farmed for some time to make way for a solar farm that WBC plans to build at Bloomfield Hatch near Mortimer. The resident who spoke to paper said that this had come to light as the result of an “embarrassing disclosure” at the committee meeting which determined the matter. The payment demonstrated, he continued, “systemic corruption” which falls foul of the council’s bribery and corruption policy and which makes the decision unlawful.
I watched the 24 August Eastern Area Planning Committee meeting at which the matter was decided and reported on it the following day (visit the archive post of this column and scroll down to Out of Sight, Out of Mind on 25 August) and didn’t get any sense of an “embarrassing disclosure.” What was mentioned was the fact that “there has been conversation with the farmer about what the future might look like.” If this is going to involve a payment as compensation, goodwill or whatever then I don’t see this as falling foul of anything in particular: indeed, were WBC not to have done so this would have provoked a far more justifiable outcry.
The accusation certainly struck a nerve with WBC which produced a statement refuting the claims:
“West Berkshire Council expressed its intention to seek planning permission to build a Solar Farm near Grazeley earlier this year as part of its Environment Strategy. This followed an extensive feasibility study which found that a solar farm of the proposed scale could offset around 30% of the Council’s carbon footprint. The freehold of the proposed site, at Bloomfield Hatch, is owned by West Berkshire Council and is currently let under an Agricultural Tenancy. If the Project were to go ahead, it would be necessary for the tenancy to be varied. Details of the negotiations are confidential but the Council confirms that officers have had conversations with the tenant to reach a possible agreement. This is a lawful, commonplace approach within the powers of the Council as landowner and does not raise any issues relating to bribery, corruption or fraud.
“The Council takes allegations made against it very seriously and will thoroughly and consistently investigate any reports it receives. In the case of this particular matter, the circumstances have been reviewed and there is no evidence to substantiate allegations of bribery. West Berkshire Council looks forward to proceeding with this project which, if completed, would be an integral part of its carbon neutral aspirations for the district.”
As regards the solar farm itself, I agree with the committee’s decision to approve it. It’s also worth pointing out that the fact that the EAPC didn’t go into the details of any financial settlement (even assuming that these had been agreed) was partly because of normal commercial confidentiality;, but mainly because this is not a planning matter; and it is only planning matters which planning committees can take into account.
Community notices
• West Berkshire Library Service is appealing for local volunteers at Mortimer and Burghfield Common libraries. Please see this post on Facebook, call 01635 519533 or email volunteerinyourlibrary@westberks.gov.uk for further information.
• The Mortimer and Burghfield toy library is a service run by volunteers providing toys to local families. It runs on the fourth Saturday of the month at Mortimer Methodist church 9.30am to 11am. Toys can be hired through a yearly membership or individually for a months hire and toys can be renewed on payment of another months hire. The next one will be Saturday 24 September. For more information, visit their Facebook page.
• Theale Parish Council is often looking for volunteers to help run fun community events. Please check out their website to find out more and register your interest.
• Theale Parish Council has urged residents to take part in the Patient Participation Group which aims to support and improve the way services are delivered by your GP Practice. See more here on the goals and how to join.
• Holy Trinity Church is seeking donations for the Foodbank that is open on Sundays and Wednesdays from 9am to 6pm. With another rise in people’s need for foodbank support, you can find out what has been requested each week by clicking here.
• If you own a bike Neighbourhood Watch strongly recommends registering it on the bikeregister.com database as every police force in the country uses it to search for stolen and recovered bikes.
• A new mini re-cycling centre has opened up at the end of Theale High Street. Replacing the previous smaller re-cycling point, the facility currently has banks for plastic pots, tubs, trays cans, small electricals, cardboard and paper.
• More local hosts are needed for people escaping the war in Ukraine. If you could consider hosting a Ukrainian refugee or family, please get in contact with the local support group or visit westberks.gov.uk/homesforukraine.
• For how to avoid scams and what to do if you unluckily get caught, please see important advice here from Citizen’s Advice.
Local events and activities
For more information on events and activities across the Penny Post area, see the website calendar.
• Dates for the diary
• Sat 3 Dec Theale’s Christmas Lights Event
• Regular events
• Burghfield WI (The Woman’s Institute) meets at 7.30pm on the second Tuesday of the month at Burghfield Village Hall. See their facebook page for details.
• Theale Library hosts in-person events for people of all ages. To find out more information on future clubs and events click here to visit the West Berkshire Library Facebook page or email Theale Library at thealelibrary@westberks.gov.uk.
• Mortimer Library also host regular events, such as their Rhymetime group who meet every Tuesday (during school term time) at 2.30pm.
• Walking for Health meet every Tuesday at the community centre car park opposite the Horse & Groom, Mortimer, between April and October. There are three walk lengths to chose from as mentioned on mortimervillage.org.uk,
• All cyclists are welcome to join the On Your Bike Burghfield facebook group“which doesn’t take itself too seriously.”
• Beenham Art Group every Tuesday from 10am to noon at Victory Hall, Beenham. More details in The Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton Magazine (September edition, p 17).
• Aldermaston Coffee Club meet at the café at Rosebourne, Aldermaston between 10am to 11.30am on the first and third Tuesday of each month. Further details in The Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton Magazine (September edition, p 11).
• Holy Trinity Church, Theale free choir group rehearses on Thursdays between 7pm to 8pm and performs at Sunday services from 10.30am. All are welcome to join. Send enquiries to office@holytrinitytheale.org.uk.
News from your local council
Note: “the most recent meeting” refers to the most recent one for which minutes (in some cases draft) or some other summary is available. Other meetings may have taken place since. Some councils publish minutes more promptly than do others.
Many councils do not hold meetings in August and many postponed their September meeting following the Queen’s death.
• The most recent meeting of Englefield Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 3 October and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: Englefield Estate; financial matters; dog bins; a councillor vacancy; and planning matters.
To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas and minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Aldermaston Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 13 September will be available here in due course. Items covered included: the announcement that “Out of respect during the period of mourning we opted to go ahead with a significantly reduced schedule covering urgent planning and finance decisions only”; and two commercial and four residential planning applications.
To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here. To see the minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 8 September and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: public questions; the Clerk’s report; repairs and maintenance; youth funding; committee and working -party reports; the co-option of a new member; the NDP; the Windmill Common boundary; financial matters; a report from ward member Graham Bridgman; planning matters; and the fitness equipment.
To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the minutes, please click here. See this page on Stratfield Mortimer PC’s website for more information on the refresh of its neighbourhood development plan.
• The most recent meeting of Bradfield Parish Council for which minutes are available, was on 6 September and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: the Village Hall; advertising boards; dog bins; the Almshouses; cherry trees; grass curling; planning matters; highways; trees and hedges; picnic benches; defibrillators; financial matters; and the scarecrow trail.
To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here for 2021 and here for 2022. To see the minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Beenham Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 5 September and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: the co-option of a new member; planning matters; parking issues. highways; repairs and maintenance work; mobile coverage; speeding; and financial matters.
To see the dates, agendas and minutes for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. Click here for details of Beenham’s Community Plan.
• The most recent meeting of Theale Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 8 August and you can read the minutes here.
To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas and minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Padworth Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 18 July and you can read the minutes here.
To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Burghfield Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 7 July and you can read the minutes here.
To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the minutes, please click here.
• Burghfield area council contacts
Parishes: Theale Parish Council, Aldermaston Parish Council, Padworth Parish Council, Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council, Englefield Parish Council, Beenham Parish Council, Bradfield Parish Council and Burghfield Parish Council.
West Berkshire Council: click here to visit the website.
News from other areas
Penny Post area – please see the following separate sections: Hungerford area; Lambourn Valley; Newbury area; Thatcham area; Compton & Downlands; Wantage area; Marlborougharea; Swindon area.
News and views from across the area and beyond: please see the most recent Weekly News with Brian column.
Thursday 6 October 2022
This week we look at dancing, a relay, further progress at Windmill Court and a temporary closure at Burghfield Library – plus our usual round-up of other local news, local events and activities and local councils’ information.
This week’s news
• Quick reminder that the world’s longest, non-stop relay ever attempted will be passing from Woolhampton through Theale to Reading on Friday 7 October. The Running Out of Time relay started in Glasgow, home of COP26 last year, and will finish in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, on 6 November for the start of COP27, the next UN summit of world leaders discussing the climate crisis. Runners, cyclists and sailors will carry a baton containing a climate message that’ll be delivered to world leaders urging more support to help people tackle the climate crisis where they live. Sarah-Jane Lock will take the baton on Stage 142 leaving Woolhampton at 12.25, passing through Theale around 1.30pm to arrive at Lidl, Soutcote at 2.10pm.
• With the cost-of-living crisis affecting so many, Cafe B – Together in Mission (Burghfield Common’s first community cafe) would like to help to make Christmas a little better for the children of Burghfield by providing a gift for a child who may not receive one on Christmas Day. The Burghfield schools estimate that 130 children aged between 4 years old and 16 years old in Burghfield are unlikely to receive a gift this Christmas. Please help put a smile on these children’s faces by donating what you can.
• You have probably received your new food waste caddies by now. We have spoken to the team behind the scheme and lay to rest some of the concerns about the planned new weekly collection of food waste by West Berkshire Council. See more details here.
• Burghfield Library will be closed from Monday 10 to Friday 14 October inclusive for preparatory work (moving all the books), followed by redecoration, and that during this period no books borrowed from the library will be due for return.
• Click here for information about the range of activities organised by the Burghfield Community Sports Association.
• Click here for the latest newsletter from Burghfield and Mortimer District Councillor Graham Bridgman.
• Click here for the latest newsletter from Theale District Councillor Alan Macro.
• The latest edition of the Englefield Parish Magazine is available to read here.
• Ditto here with the latest Padworth Village Newsletter.
• Holy Trinity Church has posted an updated list of necessities for the Foodbank which you can view here.
• For the latest news from the Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton which covers updates and events across Theale area please visit its website and click on Letters, Notices & Magazine.
• Latest news from Aldermaston Parish Council can also be found on the website aldermaston.co.uk and this month includes the celebration of a new florist and children’s nursery in the village.
Wheels turning at the Windmill
As we’ve mentioned several times before (see the archive section, the link to which can be found at the foot of this post), discussions continue to provide a solution to the confusions at Windmill Court which earlier this year seemed likely to be closed by Sovereign Housing. Amongst other representations, a petition was set up on the subject which was considered at the WBC Full Council meeting on 22 September.
In his latest e-newsletter, ward member Graham Bridgman says that he is “hoping that the conversations we are having with Sovereign mean that many of the issues raised will be resolved before the Executive comes to consider the petition.”
The discussions seem to be producing positive results in other ways, as Councillor Bridgman explains. “The conversations we’ve been having with Sovereign about Windmill Court have meant that when I was approached recently by the neighbour of a Sovereign property with concerns about that property, I was able to pass those concerns on to my contacts, such that action took place later the same day – much to the delight if the neighbour.”
Community notices
• West Berkshire Library Service is appealing for local volunteers at Mortimer and Burghfield Common libraries. Please see this post on Facebook, call 01635 519533 or email volunteerinyourlibrary@westberks.gov.uk for further information.
• The Mortimer and Burghfield toy library is a service run by volunteers providing toys to local families. It runs on the fourth Saturday of the month at Mortimer Methodist church 9.30am to 11am. Toys can be hired through a yearly membership or individually for a months hire and toys can be renewed on payment of another months hire. The next one will be Saturday 24 September. For more information, visit their Facebook page.
• Theale Parish Council is often looking for volunteers to help run fun community events. Please check out their website to find out more and register your interest.
• Theale Parish Council has urged residents to take part in the Patient Participation Group which aims to support and improve the way services are delivered by your GP Practice. See more here on the goals and how to join.
• Holy Trinity Church is seeking donations for the Foodbank that is open on Sundays and Wednesdays from 9am to 6pm. With another rise in people’s need for foodbank support, you can find out what has been requested each week by clicking here.
• If you own a bike Neighbourhood Watch strongly recommends registering it on the bikeregister.com database as every police force in the country uses it to search for stolen and recovered bikes.
• A new mini re-cycling centre has opened up at the end of Theale High Street. Replacing the previous smaller re-cycling point, the facility currently has banks for plastic pots, tubs, trays cans, small electricals, cardboard and paper.
• More local hosts are needed for people escaping the war in Ukraine. If you could consider hosting a Ukrainian refugee or family, please get in contact with the local support group or visit westberks.gov.uk/homesforukraine.
• For how to avoid scams and what to do if you unluckily get caught, please see important advice here from Citizen’s Advice.
Local events and activities
For more information on events and activities across the Penny Post area, see the website calendar.
• Dates for the diary
• Sat 8 Oct Judy’s Barn Dance, Burghfield Community Sports Association
• Regular events
• Burghfield WI (The Woman’s Institute) meets at 7.30pm on the second Tuesday of the month at Burghfield Village Hall. See their facebook page for details.
• Theale Library hosts in-person events for people of all ages. To find out more information on future clubs and events click here to visit the West Berkshire Library Facebook page or email Theale Library at thealelibrary@westberks.gov.uk.
• Mortimer Library also host regular events, such as their Rhymetime group who meet every Tuesday (during school term time) at 2.30pm.
• Walking for Health meet every Tuesday at the community centre car park opposite the Horse & Groom, Mortimer, between April and October. There are three walk lengths to chose from as mentioned on mortimervillage.org.uk,
• All cyclists are welcome to join the On Your Bike Burghfield facebook group“which doesn’t take itself too seriously.”
• Beenham Art Group every Tuesday from 10am to noon at Victory Hall, Beenham. More details in The Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton Magazine (September edition, p 17).
• Aldermaston Coffee Club meet at the café at Rosebourne, Aldermaston between 10am to 11.30am on the first and third Tuesday of each month. Further details in The Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton Magazine (September edition, p 11).
• Holy Trinity Church, Theale free choir group rehearses on Thursdays between 7pm to 8pm and performs at Sunday services from 10.30am. All are welcome to join. Send enquiries to office@holytrinitytheale.org.uk.
News from your local council
Note: “the most recent meeting” refers to the most recent one for which minutes (in some cases draft) or some other summary is available. Other meetings may have taken place since. Some councils publish minutes more promptly than do others.
Many councils do not hold meetings in August and many postponed their September meeting following the Queen’s death.
• The most recent meeting of Englefield Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 3 October and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: Englefield Estate; financial matters; dog bins; a councillor vacancy; and planning matters.
To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas and minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Aldermaston Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 11 ocytober, the minutes for which will be available here in due course. Items covered included: a presentation by EasyConcrete (the new owners of the site at The Woodyard, Paices Hill); one planning application; the parish resilience plan; a forthcoming meeting with WBC’s CEO; the ditch along Fisherman’s Lane; the new skateboard ramp; the Recreation Ground; and the Queen Victoria Jubilee fountain on the Loosey.
To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here. To see the minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 8 September and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: public questions; the Clerk’s report; repairs and maintenance; youth funding; committee and working -party reports; the co-option of a new member; the NDP; the Windmill Common boundary; financial matters; a report from ward member Graham Bridgman; planning matters; and the fitness equipment.
To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the minutes, please click here. See this page on Stratfield Mortimer PC’s website for more information on the refresh of its neighbourhood development plan.
• The most recent meeting of Bradfield Parish Council for which minutes are available, was on 6 September and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: the Village Hall; advertising boards; dog bins; the Almshouses; cherry trees; grass curling; planning matters; highways; trees and hedges; picnic benches; defibrillators; financial matters; and the scarecrow trail.
To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here for 2021 and here for 2022. To see the minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Beenham Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 5 September and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: the co-option of a new member; planning matters; parking issues. highways; repairs and maintenance work; mobile coverage; speeding; and financial matters.
To see the dates, agendas and minutes for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. Click here for details of Beenham’s Community Plan.
• The most recent meeting of Theale Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 8 August and you can read the minutes here.
To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas and minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Padworth Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 18 July and you can read the minutes here.
To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Burghfield Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 7 July and you can read the minutes here.
To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the minutes, please click here.
• Burghfield area council contacts
Parishes: Theale Parish Council, Aldermaston Parish Council, Padworth Parish Council, Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council, Englefield Parish Council, Beenham Parish Council, Bradfield Parish Council and Burghfield Parish Council.
West Berkshire Council: click here to visit the website.
News from other areas
Penny Post area – please see the following separate sections: Hungerford area; Lambourn Valley; Newbury area; Thatcham area; Compton & Downlands; Wantage area; Marlborougharea; Swindon area.
News and views from across the area and beyond: please see the most recent Weekly News with Brian column.
Thursday 29 September 2022
This week we look at volunteers, spices, bikes and a pantry. We also have a reassurance about the plans for the 70-acre solar farm near Mortimer – plus our usual round-up of other local news, local events and activities and local councils’ information.
This week’s news
• As highlighted on the Burghfield Community Page, Burghfield Methodist Church has set up a Little Free Pantry with the idea being ‘Give what you can, share what you need’ and nourish our community by sharing with our neighbours. Maybe if there’s something you’re in need of, or if you have an excess supply of something that could be shared with someone else, maybe swing by. The Little Free Pantry initiative started in America and is not connected to FoodBank.
• Burghfield Spices at The Hatch Gate are truly delighted to be recognised as a finalist for the south central award at the Asian Restaurant and Takeaway Awards (ARTA). They thank the community for their continued support and we wish them luck at the ceremony on Sunday 2 October.
• The world’s longest, non-stop relay ever attempted will be passing from Woolhampton through Theale to Reading on Friday 7 October. The Running Out of Time relay in the name of climate action will start in Glasgow, home of COP26 last year, on 30 September and finish in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, on 6 November for the start of COP27, the next UN summit of world leaders discussing the climate crisis. Runners, cyclists and sailors will carry a baton containing a climate message that’ll be delivered to world leaders urging more support to help people tackle the climate crisis where they live. Sarah-Jane Lock will take the baton on Stage 142 leaving Woolhampton at 12.25, passing through Theale around 1.30pm to arrive at Lidl, Soutcote at 2.10pm.
• There are a lot of bikes being stolen at the moment by theives who have bolt cutters so it doesn’t seem to matter how good your lock is. Neighbourhood Watch strongly recommend registering your bike on the bikeregister.com database as every police force in the country uses it to search for stolen and recovered bikes.
• West Berkshire Library Service are looking for local library volunteers in Mortimer and Burghfield, to help keep the libraries running smoothly. If you think that could be you, get in touch at volunteeringinyourlibrary@westberks.gov.uk or call 01635 519533 for further details.
• Theale Parish Council aisre often looking for volunteers to help run fun community events, as well as activities to keep the local environment in good order. Whether it’s staffing stalls and summer or Christmas fete’s, planting trees or picking up litter, the council rely on member of the community to help make these things possible. If you would like to find out more about local volunteer opportunities, check out their website to find out more and register your interest.
• Theale Parish Council has urged residents to take part in the Patient Participation Group which aims to support and improve the way services are delivered by your GP Practice. See more here on the goals and how to join.
• Theale Parish Council has released a list of projects currently being funded by the Greenham Trust. Click here to see the work being done.
• Click here for information about the range of activities organised by the Burghfield Community Sports Association.
• Click here for the latest newsletter from Burghfield and Mortimer District Councillor Graham Bridgman.
• Click here for the latest newsletter from Theale District Councillor Alan Macro.
• The latest edition of the Englefield Parish Magazine is available to read here.
• Ditto here with the latest Padworth Village Newsletter.
• Holy Trinity Church has posted an updated list of necessities for the Foodbank which you can view here.
• For the latest news from the Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton which covers updates and events across Theale area please visit its website and click on Letters, Notices & Magazine.
• Latest news from Aldermaston Parish Council can also be found on the website aldermaston.co.uk and this month includes the celebration of a new florist and children’s nursery in the village.
Sun still shines on solar scheme
Contrary to what you may have read elsewhere, there is no threat having over the solar farm at Bloomfield Hatch which was approved at the Eastern Area Planning Committee in August. (See the archive of this column for 25 August). It is true that there are regulations in place to prevent local councils from using the Public Works Loan Board (PWLB) as a means of raising cheap long-term loans to fund speculative investments which are designed only to produce profits. However, not only were these regulations introduced some time ago but they also do not prevent councils from raising funds for projects such as this.
The PWLB rate has recently increased as a result of the financial confusions. Therefore the scheme will be a bit more expensive, as will everything else, but still viable. The central reason for doing it at all – to produce sustainable electricity in a way that isn’t at the whim of any outs power – remains as valid as ever: indeed, probably more so.
Community notices
• West Berkshire Library Service is appealing for local volunteers at Mortimer and Burghfield Common libraries. Please see this post on Facebook, call 01635 519533 or email volunteerinyourlibrary@westberks.gov.uk for further information.
• The Mortimer and Burghfield toy library is a service run by volunteers providing toys to local families. It runs on the fourth Saturday of the month at Mortimer Methodist church 9.30am to 11am. Toys can be hired through a yearly membership or individually for a months hire and toys can be renewed on payment of another months hire. The next one will be Saturday 24 September. For more information, visit their Facebook page.
• Holy Trinity Church is seeking donations for the Foodbank that is open on Sundays and Wednesdays from 9am to 6pm. With another rise in people’s need for foodbank support, you can find out what has been requested each week by clicking here.
• A new mini re-cycling centre has opened up at the end of Theale High Street. Replacing the previous smaller re-cycling point, the facility currently has banks for plastic pots, tubs, trays cans, small electricals, cardboard and paper.
• More local hosts are needed for people escaping the war in Ukraine. If you could consider hosting a Ukrainian refugee or family, please get in contact with the local support group or visit westberks.gov.uk/homesforukraine.
• For how to avoid scams and what to do if you unluckily get caught, please see important advice here from Citizen’s Advice.
Local events and activities
For more information on events and activities across the Penny Post area, see the website calendar.
• Dates for the diary
• Sat 1 Oct Guide Dog Family Fun Day, Burghfield Common.
• Regular events
• Burghfield WI (The Woman’s Institute) meets at 7.30pm on the second Tuesday of the month at Burghfield Village Hall. See their facebook page for details.
• Theale Library hosts in-person events for people of all ages. To find out more information on future clubs and events click here to visit the West Berkshire Library Facebook page or email Theale Library at thealelibrary@westberks.gov.uk.
• Mortimer Library also host regular events, such as their Rhymetime group who meet every Tuesday (during school term time) at 2.30pm.
• Walking for Health meet every Tuesday at the community centre car park opposite the Horse & Groom, Mortimer, between April and October. There are three walk lengths to chose from as mentioned on mortimervillage.org.uk,
• All cyclists are welcome to join the On Your Bike Burghfield facebook group“which doesn’t take itself too seriously.”
• Beenham Art Group every Tuesday from 10am to noon at Victory Hall, Beenham. More details in The Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton Magazine (September edition, p 17).
• Aldermaston Coffee Club meet at the café at Rosebourne, Aldermaston between 10am to 11.30am on the first and third Tuesday of each month. Further details in The Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton Magazine (September edition, p 11).
• Holy Trinity Church, Theale free choir group rehearses on Thursdays between 7pm to 8pm and performs at Sunday services from 10.30am. All are welcome to join. Send enquiries to office@holytrinitytheale.org.uk.
News from your local council
Note that many parish and town councils do not hold meetings in August. In addition, meetings which were scheduled to have taken place during the period of mourning following the death of the Queen (8 to 19 September) would have been cancelled or postponed.
• The most recent meeting of Aldermaston Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 13 September will be available here in due course. Items covered included: the announcement that “Out of respect during the period of mourning we opted to go ahead with a significantly reduced schedule covering urgent planning and finance decisions only”; and two commercial and four residential planning applications.
To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here. To see the minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 8 September and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: public questions; the Clerk’s report; repairs and maintenance; youth funding; committee and working -party reports; the co-option of a new member; the NDP; the Windmill Common boundary; financial matters; a report from ward member Graham Bridgman; planning matters; and the fitness equipment.
To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the minutes, please click here. See this page on Stratfield Mortimer PC’s website for more information on the refresh of its neighbourhood development plan.
• The most recent meeting of Beenham Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 5 September and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: the co-option of a new member; planning matters; parking issues. highways; repairs and maintenance work; mobile coverage; speeding; and financial matters.
To see the dates, agendas and minutes for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. Click here for details of Beenham’s Community Plan.
• The most recent meeting of Theale Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 8 August and you can read the minutes here.
To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas and minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Bradfield Parish Council for which minutes are available, was on 2 August and you can read the minutes here.
To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here for 2021 and here for 2022. To see the minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Padworth Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 18 July and you can read the minutes here.
To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Burghfield Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 7 July and you can read the minutes here.
To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Englefield Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 21 June and you can read the minutes here.
To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas and minutes, please click here.
• Burghfield area council contacts
Parishes: Theale Parish Council, Aldermaston Parish Council, Padworth Parish Council, Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council, Englefield Parish Council, Beenham Parish Council, Bradfield Parish Council and Burghfield Parish Council.
West Berkshire Council: click here to visit the website.
News from other areas
Penny Post area – please see the following separate sections: Hungerford area; Lambourn Valley; Newbury area; Thatcham area; Compton & Downlands; Wantage area; Marlborougharea; Swindon area.
News and views from across the area and beyond: please see the most recent Weekly News with Brian column.
Thursday 22 September 2022
This week we look at slow progress at Windmill Court, a sponsored beer barrel, the pride of Reading and a free pantry – plus our usual round-up of other local news, local events and activities and local councils’ information.
This week’s news
• Burghfield Parish Council is organising a MacMillan Coffee Morning on Friday 23 September at the Burghfield Village Hall, between 10am and 12:30pm. Proceeds will go towards supporting those with cancer. More information can be found here.
• Ticket sales have gone so well for Burghfest 2022 this Friday and Saturday that the organisers are busy counting glasses to see how many more tickets they can release…Please see their facebook page for latest updates.
• As highlighted on the Burghfield Community Page, Burghfield Methodist Church has set up a Little Free Pantry with the idea being ‘Give what you can, share what you need’ and nourish our community by sharing with our neighbours. Maybe if there’s something you’re in need of, or if you have an excess supply of something that could be shared with someone else, maybe swing by. The Little Free Pantry initiative started in America and is not connected to FoodBank.
• This weekend is also Mary’s Churches Festival of Creation, with a range of different activities for the whole community to enjoy. There will be a pre-loved book sale on both 24 and 25 September, as well as a display of entries from the young photographers competition. On Saturday there will also be a talk on Wildlife Conservation Through the Lens by Bridget Fry, a wildlife photographer with charity Big Paws 4 Thought. Check out their Facebook page for more information.
• Congratulations to all those who were nominated for Pride of Reading Awards 2022. According to the Burghfield Community Facebook page, we can celebrate Mashiur Rahman, nominated as Community Champion, for his work donating meals to hospitals and school as well as being involved in numerous fundraising events. Also, a massive well done to Stephanie Awbery, nominated for the Chris Tarrant Award, for her work fundraising for various charities and organising the West Berkshire Motor Show. Excellent work.
• Local charity The Cowshed have just launched a new appeal, the Warm Winter Campaign, which aims to raise £10,000 towards coats, blankets, pillows and duvets for families trying to keep warm this winter. The Cowshed is a crisis charity that provides clothing and support for individuals and families in Berkshire experiencing hardship. They have reported seeing a huge increase in demand for their services, as the cost of living starts to impact on vulnerable members of our community and they are worried the level of demand will exceed their current donations. If you would like to contribute to the Warm Winter Campaign click here or you can make a general donation to the charity here.
• West Berkshire Library Service are looking for local library volunteers in Mortimer and Burghfield, to help keep the libraries running smoothly. If you think that could be you, get in touch at volunteeringinyourlibrary@westberks.gov.uk or call 01635 519533 for further details.
• Did you know Theale Parish Council are often looking for volunteers to help run fun community events, as well as activities to keep our local environment nice? Whether it’s manning stalls and summer or Christmas fete’s, planting trees or picking up litter, the council rely on member of the community to help make these things possible. If you would like to find out more about local volunteer opportunities, check out their website to find out more and register your interest.
• Theale Parish Council has urged residents to take part in the Patient Participation Group which aims to support and improve the way services are delivered by your GP Practice. See more here on the goals and how to join.
• Theale Parish Council has released a list of projects currently being funded by the Greenham Trust. Click here to see the work being done.
• Click here for information about the range of activities organised by the Burghfield Community Sports Association.
• Click here for the latest newsletter from Burghfield and Mortimer District Councillor Graham Bridgman.
• Click here for the latest newsletter from Theale District Councillor Alan Macro.
• The latest edition of the Englefield Parish Magazine is available to read here.
• Ditto here with the latest Padworth Village Newsletter.
• Holy Trinity Church has posted an updated list of necessities for the Foodbank which you can view here.
• For the latest news from the Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton which covers updates and events across Theale area please visit its website and click on Letters, Notices & Magazine.
• Latest news from Aldermaston Parish Council can also be found on the website aldermaston.co.uk and this month includes the celebration of a new florist and children’s nursery in the village.
Mortimer’s Windmill
We’ve written several times (see the archive of this column via the link at the foot) about Sovereign Housing’s plans to re-develop its facility at Windmill Court in Mortimer, which provided about as good an example of poor communication as one can hope to find. One of the results of this was a petition, which you can see here, which called upon WBC “to ensure its Executive reject any request(s) they receive from Sovereign Housing Association to lift restrictive covenant(s) or any other restrictions in respect of Windmill Court, the lifting of which would allow the eviction of residents from Windmill Court.”
Mortimer Life reports that, including paper copies, this has attracted over 1,100 signatures and that “as a result, the item is on the agenda of the next meeting of the West Berkshire Council Executive on 22 September. There’s been no request yet from Sovereign Housing Association to lift restrictions preventing eviction, so the Executive may defer a decision until any request comes.”
I spoke to WBC Executive member, and Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council (SMPC), Graham Bridgman about the background to this. “In late 2004,” he explained, “the then Executive agreed a plan in conjunction with Sovereign to, amongst other things, “increase the provision of sheltered housing for older people with high support needs”. Planning permission was granted in 2005 and various agreements were entered into in early 2006 – these are the agreements that the petition refers to.” (He went on to stress that he had no hand in the writing of the petition, has not signed it and has abstained in any vote on Windmill Court at the SMPC so as not to prejudice his position on the Executive.)
“Recently,” he continued, “Sovereign has approached this Council seeking to remove those restrictions so as to allow it to redevelop the site. Early on, I had conversations with Democratic Services and there was agreement that, because the Executive had agreed to the restrictions, the Executive should decide on whether to remove them.”
The problem was that Sovereign revealed its plans to empty the site before establishing if WBC would set aside or amend these restrictions, and without telling SMPC. Graham Bridgman described the residents’ reaction as one of “consternation”: I have heard stronger terms used.
Work has since taken place to try to solve this problem. “Since all this blew up,” graham Bridgman went on, “I have been in discussions with fellow parish councillors and with Sovereign, as well as with Councillor Woollaston as portfolio holder. Most recently, and following a meeting involving SMPC Councillors Danusia Morsley, Steve Hill, me and representatives of Sovereign, a message has been delivered to Windmill Court residents that includes “We are exploring how and whether we can amend the proposals to provide a better mix of homes to serve a range of different customers, including older people.” We are now waiting to see what Sovereign propose and how it differs – if it does – from what everyone has been told to date.”
To its credit, West Berkshire Council appears to have acted fairly quickly once it realised what Sovereign was proposing. It shows that bad decisions can be reversed providing something is done quickly, there’s some acceptance of and ideally apology for this, a new course of action is identified and the whole thing is communicated effectively as soon as possible. So far the first three seem to have been happening, albeit largely out of public view. The real test comes when the fourth happens: after then, the proverbial line can be drawn and everyone can move on in a spirit of co-operation, rather than stand around snarling at each other.
WBC here is the facilitator rather than the instigator. The recent change of policy about the Notrees Care Home in Kintbury has shown that it can also itself admit that it’s not on the right path and change direction. Let’s hope that this can be extended to other cases where the Council has taken a wrong turning. It’s never too late to admit that this happened: but the longer you leave it, the more difficult this becomes.
Burghfield’s fest
If you like cask-conditioned ales, craft beers, gin, cider, a range of food, a children’s funfair and live music (or any combination of these) then Burghfest on Friday 23 and Saturday 24 September would be a pretty good place to be. You can click here for more information.
Sadly, it doesn’t look like we’ll be able to make it as this clashes with the Home Energy event in Hungerford which Penny is much involved in (and we only have one car). Penny Post will be represented, however, as we’ve sponsored one of the beers, a 4.8% IPA called Can’t Kick up the Roots. It’s not a brew I’ve heard of before but then again I suspect that there are more different kinds of beer in the world – and probably just in England – than there are days in average lifetime in which to sample them. I hope it goes well (the forecast looks pretty good) and well done to the Santas for organising it.
Community notices
• West Berkshire Library Service is appealing for local volunteers at Mortimer and Burghfield Common libraries. Please see this post on Facebook, call 01635 519533 or email volunteerinyourlibrary@westberks.gov.uk for further information.
• The Mortimer and Burghfield toy library is a service run by volunteers providing toys to local families. It runs on the fourth Saturday of the month at Mortimer Methodist church 9.30am to 11am. Toys can be hired through a yearly membership or individually for a months hire and toys can be renewed on payment of another months hire. The next one will be Saturday 24 September. For more information, visit their Facebook page.
• Holy Trinity Church is seeking donations for the Foodbank that is open on Sundays and Wednesdays from 9am to 6pm. With another rise in people’s need for foodbank support, you can find out what has been requested each week by clicking here.
• A new mini re-cycling centre has opened up at the end of Theale High Street. Replacing the previous smaller re-cycling point, the facility currently has banks for plastic pots, tubs, trays cans, small electricals, cardboard and paper.
• More local hosts are needed for people escaping the war in Ukraine. If you could consider hosting a Ukrainian refugee or family, please get in contact with the local support group or visit westberks.gov.uk/homesforukraine.
• For how to avoid scams and what to do if you unluckily get caught, please see important advice here from Citizen’s Advice.
Local events and activities
Note: following the death of Queen Elizabeth II on 8 September, some events over the following few days may be cancelled or postponed. Please check with the organisers.
For more information on events and activities across the Penny Post area, see the website calendar.
• Dates for the diary
• Fri 23 Sept Macmillan Coffee Morning, Burghfield Village Hall.
• Fri 23 to Sat 24 Sep BurghFest 2022, Burghfield Common Recreation Ground.
• Sat 24 to Sun 25 Sep Festival of Creation, St Mary’s Church, Burghfield.
• Sat 1 Oct Guide Dog Family Fun Day, Burghfield Common.
• Regular events
• Burghfield WI (The Woman’s Institute) meets at 7.30pm on the second Tuesday of the month at Burghfield Village Hall. See their facebook page for details.
• Theale Library hosts in-person events for people of all ages. To find out more information on future clubs and events click here to visit the West Berkshire Library Facebook page or email Theale Library at thealelibrary@westberks.gov.uk.
• Mortimer Library also host regular events, such as their Rhymetime group who meet every Tuesday (during school term time) at 2.30pm.
• Walking for Health meet every Tuesday at the community centre car park opposite the Horse & Groom, Mortimer, between April and October. There are three walk lengths to chose from as mentioned on mortimervillage.org.uk,
• All cyclists are welcome to join the On Your Bike Burghfield facebook group“which doesn’t take itself too seriously.”
• Beenham Art Group every Tuesday from 10am to noon at Victory Hall, Beenham. More details in The Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton Magazine (September edition, p 17).
• Aldermaston Coffee Club meet at the café at Rosebourne, Aldermaston between 10am to 11.30am on the first and third Tuesday of each month. Further details in The Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton Magazine (September edition, p 11).
• Holy Trinity Church, Theale free choir group rehearses on Thursdays between 7pm to 8pm and performs at Sunday services from 10.30am. All are welcome to join. Send enquiries to office@holytrinitytheale.org.uk.
News from your local council
Note that many parish and town councils do not hold meetings in August. In addition, meetings which were scheduled to have taken place during the period of mourning following the death of the Queen (8 to 19 September) would have been cancelled or postponed.
• The most recent meeting of Aldermaston Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 13 September will be available here in due course. Items covered included: the announcement that “Out of respect during the period of mourning we opted to go ahead with a significantly reduced schedule covering urgent planning and finance decisions only”; and two commercial and four residential planning applications.
To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here. To see the minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Theale Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 8 August and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: litter; bonfires; a barrier at the Village Hall; a report from ward member Alan Macro; the new mini-recycling centre; reports from the committees and working groups; licensing matters; planning matters; and a plan to creat a business engagement forum (see separate sections above).
To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas and minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Bradfield Parish Council for which minutes are available, was on 2 August and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: the continuing saga of the Village Hall, which seems to have been going on for years; hedges and trees; planning matters; repairs and maintenance around the parish; picnic benches; the PC’s asset register; the Almshouses; highways; the Jubilee Shield; correspondence; financial matters; dog bins; the May Fair; and a “very unprofessional” communication from Sovereign regarding a property in Admoor Lane.
To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here for 2021 and here for 2022. To see the minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Beenham Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 1 August and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included :two councillor vacancies; planning matters; speed limits; road closures; parking at Mallard Way; mobile phone coverage; repairs and maintenance work; financial matters; and the Community Room and School Hall.
To see the dates, agendas and minutes for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here for 2021 and here for 2022. Click here for details of Beenham’s Community Plan.
• The most recent meeting of Padworth Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 18 July and you can read the minutes here.
To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 14 July and you can read the minutes here.
To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the minutes, please click here. See this page on Stratfield Mortimer PC’s website for more information on the refresh of its neighbourhood development plan.
• The most recent meeting of Burghfield Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 7 July and you can read the minutes here.
To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Englefield Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 21 June and you can read the minutes here.
To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas and minutes, please click here.
• Burghfield area council contacts
Parishes: Theale Parish Council, Aldermaston Parish Council, Padworth Parish Council, Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council, Englefield Parish Council, Beenham Parish Council, Bradfield Parish Council and Burghfield Parish Council.
West Berkshire Council: click here to visit the website.
News from other areas
Penny Post area – please see the following separate sections: Hungerford area; Lambourn Valley; Newbury area; Thatcham area; Compton & Downlands; Wantage area; Marlborougharea; Swindon area.
News and views from across the area and beyond: please see the most recent Weekly News with Brian column.
Thursday 29 September 2022
This week we look at volunteers, spices, bikes and a pantry. We also have a reassurance about the plans for the 70-acre solar farm near Mortimer – plus our usual round-up of other local news, local events and activities and local councils’ information.
This week’s news
• As highlighted on the Burghfield Community Page, Burghfield Methodist Church has set up a Little Free Pantry with the idea being ‘Give what you can, share what you need’ and nourish our community by sharing with our neighbours. Maybe if there’s something you’re in need of, or if you have an excess supply of something that could be shared with someone else, maybe swing by. The Little Free Pantry initiative started in America and is not connected to FoodBank.
• Burghfield Spices at The Hatch Gate are truly delighted to be recognised as a finalist for the south central award at the Asian Restaurant and Takeaway Awards (ARTA). They thank the community for their continued support and we wish them luck at the ceremony on Sunday 2 October.
• The world’s longest, non-stop relay ever attempted will be passing from Woolhampton through Theale to Reading on Friday 7 October. The Running Out of Time relay in the name of climate action will start in Glasgow, home of COP26 last year, on 30 September and finish in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, on 6 November for the start of COP27, the next UN summit of world leaders discussing the climate crisis. Runners, cyclists and sailors will carry a baton containing a climate message that’ll be delivered to world leaders urging more support to help people tackle the climate crisis where they live. Sarah-Jane Lock will take the baton on Stage 142 leaving Woolhampton at 12.25, passing through Theale around 1.30pm to arrive at Lidl, Soutcote at 2.10pm.
• There are a lot of bikes being stolen at the moment by theives who have bolt cutters so it doesn’t seem to matter how good your lock is. Neighbourhood Watch strongly recommend registering your bike on the bikeregister.com database as every police force in the country uses it to search for stolen and recovered bikes.
• West Berkshire Library Service are looking for local library volunteers in Mortimer and Burghfield, to help keep the libraries running smoothly. If you think that could be you, get in touch at volunteeringinyourlibrary@westberks.gov.uk or call 01635 519533 for further details.
• Theale Parish Council aisre often looking for volunteers to help run fun community events, as well as activities to keep the local environment in good order. Whether it’s staffing stalls and summer or Christmas fete’s, planting trees or picking up litter, the council rely on member of the community to help make these things possible. If you would like to find out more about local volunteer opportunities, check out their website to find out more and register your interest.
• Theale Parish Council has urged residents to take part in the Patient Participation Group which aims to support and improve the way services are delivered by your GP Practice. See more here on the goals and how to join.
• Theale Parish Council has released a list of projects currently being funded by the Greenham Trust. Click here to see the work being done.
• Click here for information about the range of activities organised by the Burghfield Community Sports Association.
• Click here for the latest newsletter from Burghfield and Mortimer District Councillor Graham Bridgman.
• Click here for the latest newsletter from Theale District Councillor Alan Macro.
• The latest edition of the Englefield Parish Magazine is available to read here.
• Ditto here with the latest Padworth Village Newsletter.
• Holy Trinity Church has posted an updated list of necessities for the Foodbank which you can view here.
• For the latest news from the Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton which covers updates and events across Theale area please visit its website and click on Letters, Notices & Magazine.
• Latest news from Aldermaston Parish Council can also be found on the website aldermaston.co.uk and this month includes the celebration of a new florist and children’s nursery in the village.
Sun still shines on solar scheme
Contrary to what you may have read elsewhere, there is no threat having over the solar farm at Bloomfield Hatch which was approved at the Eastern Area Planning Committee in August. (See the archive of this column for 25 August). It is true that there are regulations in place to prevent local councils from using the Public Works Loan Board (PWLB) as a means of raising cheap long-term loans to fund speculative investments which are designed only to produce profits. However, not only were these regulations introduced some time ago but they also do not prevent councils from raising funds for projects such as this.
The PWLB rate has recently increased as a result of the financial confusions. Therefore the scheme will be a bit more expensive, as will everything else, but still viable. The central reason for doing it at all – to produce sustainable electricity in a way that isn’t at the whim of any outs power – remains as valid as ever: indeed, probably more so.
Community notices
• West Berkshire Library Service is appealing for local volunteers at Mortimer and Burghfield Common libraries. Please see this post on Facebook, call 01635 519533 or email volunteerinyourlibrary@westberks.gov.uk for further information.
• The Mortimer and Burghfield toy library is a service run by volunteers providing toys to local families. It runs on the fourth Saturday of the month at Mortimer Methodist church 9.30am to 11am. Toys can be hired through a yearly membership or individually for a months hire and toys can be renewed on payment of another months hire. The next one will be Saturday 24 September. For more information, visit their Facebook page.
• Holy Trinity Church is seeking donations for the Foodbank that is open on Sundays and Wednesdays from 9am to 6pm. With another rise in people’s need for foodbank support, you can find out what has been requested each week by clicking here.
• A new mini re-cycling centre has opened up at the end of Theale High Street. Replacing the previous smaller re-cycling point, the facility currently has banks for plastic pots, tubs, trays cans, small electricals, cardboard and paper.
• More local hosts are needed for people escaping the war in Ukraine. If you could consider hosting a Ukrainian refugee or family, please get in contact with the local support group or visit westberks.gov.uk/homesforukraine.
• For how to avoid scams and what to do if you unluckily get caught, please see important advice here from Citizen’s Advice.
Local events and activities
For more information on events and activities across the Penny Post area, see the website calendar.
• Dates for the diary
• Sat 1 Oct Guide Dog Family Fun Day, Burghfield Common.
• Regular events
• Burghfield WI (The Woman’s Institute) meets at 7.30pm on the second Tuesday of the month at Burghfield Village Hall. See their facebook page for details.
• Theale Library hosts in-person events for people of all ages. To find out more information on future clubs and events click here to visit the West Berkshire Library Facebook page or email Theale Library at thealelibrary@westberks.gov.uk.
• Mortimer Library also host regular events, such as their Rhymetime group who meet every Tuesday (during school term time) at 2.30pm.
• Walking for Health meet every Tuesday at the community centre car park opposite the Horse & Groom, Mortimer, between April and October. There are three walk lengths to chose from as mentioned on mortimervillage.org.uk,
• All cyclists are welcome to join the On Your Bike Burghfield facebook group“which doesn’t take itself too seriously.”
• Beenham Art Group every Tuesday from 10am to noon at Victory Hall, Beenham. More details in The Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton Magazine (September edition, p 17).
• Aldermaston Coffee Club meet at the café at Rosebourne, Aldermaston between 10am to 11.30am on the first and third Tuesday of each month. Further details in The Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton Magazine (September edition, p 11).
• Holy Trinity Church, Theale free choir group rehearses on Thursdays between 7pm to 8pm and performs at Sunday services from 10.30am. All are welcome to join. Send enquiries to office@holytrinitytheale.org.uk.
News from your local council
Note that many parish and town councils do not hold meetings in August. In addition, meetings which were scheduled to have taken place during the period of mourning following the death of the Queen (8 to 19 September) would have been cancelled or postponed.
• The most recent meeting of Aldermaston Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 13 September will be available here in due course. Items covered included: the announcement that “Out of respect during the period of mourning we opted to go ahead with a significantly reduced schedule covering urgent planning and finance decisions only”; and two commercial and four residential planning applications.
To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here. To see the minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 8 September and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: public questions; the Clerk’s report; repairs and maintenance; youth funding; committee and working -party reports; the co-option of a new member; the NDP; the Windmill Common boundary; financial matters; a report from ward member Graham Bridgman; planning matters; and the fitness equipment.
To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the minutes, please click here. See this page on Stratfield Mortimer PC’s website for more information on the refresh of its neighbourhood development plan.
• The most recent meeting of Beenham Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 5 September and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: the co-option of a new member; planning matters; parking issues. highways; repairs and maintenance work; mobile coverage; speeding; and financial matters.
To see the dates, agendas and minutes for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. Click here for details of Beenham’s Community Plan.
• The most recent meeting of Theale Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 8 August and you can read the minutes here.
To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas and minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Bradfield Parish Council for which minutes are available, was on 2 August and you can read the minutes here.
To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here for 2021 and here for 2022. To see the minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Padworth Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 18 July and you can read the minutes here.
To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Burghfield Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 7 July and you can read the minutes here.
To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Englefield Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 21 June and you can read the minutes here.
To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas and minutes, please click here.
• Burghfield area council contacts
Parishes: Theale Parish Council, Aldermaston Parish Council, Padworth Parish Council, Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council, Englefield Parish Council, Beenham Parish Council, Bradfield Parish Council and Burghfield Parish Council.
West Berkshire Council: click here to visit the website.
News from other areas
Penny Post area – please see the following separate sections: Hungerford area; Lambourn Valley; Newbury area; Thatcham area; Compton & Downlands; Wantage area; Marlborougharea; Swindon area.
News and views from across the area and beyond: please see the most recent Weekly News with Brian column.
Thursday 22 September 2022
This week we look at slow progress at Windmill Court, a sponsored beer barrel, the pride of Reading and a free pantry – plus our usual round-up of other local news, local events and activities and local councils’ information.
This week’s news
• Burghfield Parish Council is organising a MacMillan Coffee Morning on Friday 23 September at the Burghfield Village Hall, between 10am and 12:30pm. Proceeds will go towards supporting those with cancer. More information can be found here.
• Ticket sales have gone so well for Burghfest 2022 this Friday and Saturday that the organisers are busy counting glasses to see how many more tickets they can release…Please see their facebook page for latest updates.
• As highlighted on the Burghfield Community Page, Burghfield Methodist Church has set up a Little Free Pantry with the idea being ‘Give what you can, share what you need’ and nourish our community by sharing with our neighbours. Maybe if there’s something you’re in need of, or if you have an excess supply of something that could be shared with someone else, maybe swing by. The Little Free Pantry initiative started in America and is not connected to FoodBank.
• This weekend is also Mary’s Churches Festival of Creation, with a range of different activities for the whole community to enjoy. There will be a pre-loved book sale on both 24 and 25 September, as well as a display of entries from the young photographers competition. On Saturday there will also be a talk on Wildlife Conservation Through the Lens by Bridget Fry, a wildlife photographer with charity Big Paws 4 Thought. Check out their Facebook page for more information.
• Congratulations to all those who were nominated for Pride of Reading Awards 2022. According to the Burghfield Community Facebook page, we can celebrate Mashiur Rahman, nominated as Community Champion, for his work donating meals to hospitals and school as well as being involved in numerous fundraising events. Also, a massive well done to Stephanie Awbery, nominated for the Chris Tarrant Award, for her work fundraising for various charities and organising the West Berkshire Motor Show. Excellent work.
• Local charity The Cowshed have just launched a new appeal, the Warm Winter Campaign, which aims to raise £10,000 towards coats, blankets, pillows and duvets for families trying to keep warm this winter. The Cowshed is a crisis charity that provides clothing and support for individuals and families in Berkshire experiencing hardship. They have reported seeing a huge increase in demand for their services, as the cost of living starts to impact on vulnerable members of our community and they are worried the level of demand will exceed their current donations. If you would like to contribute to the Warm Winter Campaign click here or you can make a general donation to the charity here.
• West Berkshire Library Service are looking for local library volunteers in Mortimer and Burghfield, to help keep the libraries running smoothly. If you think that could be you, get in touch at volunteeringinyourlibrary@westberks.gov.uk or call 01635 519533 for further details.
• Did you know Theale Parish Council are often looking for volunteers to help run fun community events, as well as activities to keep our local environment nice? Whether it’s manning stalls and summer or Christmas fete’s, planting trees or picking up litter, the council rely on member of the community to help make these things possible. If you would like to find out more about local volunteer opportunities, check out their website to find out more and register your interest.
• Theale Parish Council has urged residents to take part in the Patient Participation Group which aims to support and improve the way services are delivered by your GP Practice. See more here on the goals and how to join.
• Theale Parish Council has released a list of projects currently being funded by the Greenham Trust. Click here to see the work being done.
• Click here for information about the range of activities organised by the Burghfield Community Sports Association.
• Click here for the latest newsletter from Burghfield and Mortimer District Councillor Graham Bridgman.
• Click here for the latest newsletter from Theale District Councillor Alan Macro.
• The latest edition of the Englefield Parish Magazine is available to read here.
• Ditto here with the latest Padworth Village Newsletter.
• Holy Trinity Church has posted an updated list of necessities for the Foodbank which you can view here.
• For the latest news from the Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton which covers updates and events across Theale area please visit its website and click on Letters, Notices & Magazine.
• Latest news from Aldermaston Parish Council can also be found on the website aldermaston.co.uk and this month includes the celebration of a new florist and children’s nursery in the village.
Mortimer’s Windmill
We’ve written several times (see the archive of this column via the link at the foot) about Sovereign Housing’s plans to re-develop its facility at Windmill Court in Mortimer, which provided about as good an example of poor communication as one can hope to find. One of the results of this was a petition, which you can see here, which called upon WBC “to ensure its Executive reject any request(s) they receive from Sovereign Housing Association to lift restrictive covenant(s) or any other restrictions in respect of Windmill Court, the lifting of which would allow the eviction of residents from Windmill Court.”
Mortimer Life reports that, including paper copies, this has attracted over 1,100 signatures and that “as a result, the item is on the agenda of the next meeting of the West Berkshire Council Executive on 22 September. There’s been no request yet from Sovereign Housing Association to lift restrictions preventing eviction, so the Executive may defer a decision until any request comes.”
I spoke to WBC Executive member, and Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council (SMPC), Graham Bridgman about the background to this. “In late 2004,” he explained, “the then Executive agreed a plan in conjunction with Sovereign to, amongst other things, “increase the provision of sheltered housing for older people with high support needs”. Planning permission was granted in 2005 and various agreements were entered into in early 2006 – these are the agreements that the petition refers to.” (He went on to stress that he had no hand in the writing of the petition, has not signed it and has abstained in any vote on Windmill Court at the SMPC so as not to prejudice his position on the Executive.)
“Recently,” he continued, “Sovereign has approached this Council seeking to remove those restrictions so as to allow it to redevelop the site. Early on, I had conversations with Democratic Services and there was agreement that, because the Executive had agreed to the restrictions, the Executive should decide on whether to remove them.”
The problem was that Sovereign revealed its plans to empty the site before establishing if WBC would set aside or amend these restrictions, and without telling SMPC. Graham Bridgman described the residents’ reaction as one of “consternation”: I have heard stronger terms used.
Work has since taken place to try to solve this problem. “Since all this blew up,” graham Bridgman went on, “I have been in discussions with fellow parish councillors and with Sovereign, as well as with Councillor Woollaston as portfolio holder. Most recently, and following a meeting involving SMPC Councillors Danusia Morsley, Steve Hill, me and representatives of Sovereign, a message has been delivered to Windmill Court residents that includes “We are exploring how and whether we can amend the proposals to provide a better mix of homes to serve a range of different customers, including older people.” We are now waiting to see what Sovereign propose and how it differs – if it does – from what everyone has been told to date.”
To its credit, West Berkshire Council appears to have acted fairly quickly once it realised what Sovereign was proposing. It shows that bad decisions can be reversed providing something is done quickly, there’s some acceptance of and ideally apology for this, a new course of action is identified and the whole thing is communicated effectively as soon as possible. So far the first three seem to have been happening, albeit largely out of public view. The real test comes when the fourth happens: after then, the proverbial line can be drawn and everyone can move on in a spirit of co-operation, rather than stand around snarling at each other.
WBC here is the facilitator rather than the instigator. The recent change of policy about the Notrees Care Home in Kintbury has shown that it can also itself admit that it’s not on the right path and change direction. Let’s hope that this can be extended to other cases where the Council has taken a wrong turning. It’s never too late to admit that this happened: but the longer you leave it, the more difficult this becomes.
Burghfield’s fest
If you like cask-conditioned ales, craft beers, gin, cider, a range of food, a children’s funfair and live music (or any combination of these) then Burghfest on Friday 23 and Saturday 24 September would be a pretty good place to be. You can click here for more information.
Sadly, it doesn’t look like we’ll be able to make it as this clashes with the Home Energy event in Hungerford which Penny is much involved in (and we only have one car). Penny Post will be represented, however, as we’ve sponsored one of the beers, a 4.8% IPA called Can’t Kick up the Roots. It’s not a brew I’ve heard of before but then again I suspect that there are more different kinds of beer in the world – and probably just in England – than there are days in average lifetime in which to sample them. I hope it goes well (the forecast looks pretty good) and well done to the Santas for organising it.
Community notices
• West Berkshire Library Service is appealing for local volunteers at Mortimer and Burghfield Common libraries. Please see this post on Facebook, call 01635 519533 or email volunteerinyourlibrary@westberks.gov.uk for further information.
• The Mortimer and Burghfield toy library is a service run by volunteers providing toys to local families. It runs on the fourth Saturday of the month at Mortimer Methodist church 9.30am to 11am. Toys can be hired through a yearly membership or individually for a months hire and toys can be renewed on payment of another months hire. The next one will be Saturday 24 September. For more information, visit their Facebook page.
• Holy Trinity Church is seeking donations for the Foodbank that is open on Sundays and Wednesdays from 9am to 6pm. With another rise in people’s need for foodbank support, you can find out what has been requested each week by clicking here.
• A new mini re-cycling centre has opened up at the end of Theale High Street. Replacing the previous smaller re-cycling point, the facility currently has banks for plastic pots, tubs, trays cans, small electricals, cardboard and paper.
• More local hosts are needed for people escaping the war in Ukraine. If you could consider hosting a Ukrainian refugee or family, please get in contact with the local support group or visit westberks.gov.uk/homesforukraine.
• For how to avoid scams and what to do if you unluckily get caught, please see important advice here from Citizen’s Advice.
Local events and activities
Note: following the death of Queen Elizabeth II on 8 September, some events over the following few days may be cancelled or postponed. Please check with the organisers.
For more information on events and activities across the Penny Post area, see the website calendar.
• Dates for the diary
• Fri 23 Sept Macmillan Coffee Morning, Burghfield Village Hall.
• Fri 23 to Sat 24 Sep BurghFest 2022, Burghfield Common Recreation Ground.
• Sat 24 to Sun 25 Sep Festival of Creation, St Mary’s Church, Burghfield.
• Sat 1 Oct Guide Dog Family Fun Day, Burghfield Common.
• Regular events
• Burghfield WI (The Woman’s Institute) meets at 7.30pm on the second Tuesday of the month at Burghfield Village Hall. See their facebook page for details.
• Theale Library hosts in-person events for people of all ages. To find out more information on future clubs and events click here to visit the West Berkshire Library Facebook page or email Theale Library at thealelibrary@westberks.gov.uk.
• Mortimer Library also host regular events, such as their Rhymetime group who meet every Tuesday (during school term time) at 2.30pm.
• Walking for Health meet every Tuesday at the community centre car park opposite the Horse & Groom, Mortimer, between April and October. There are three walk lengths to chose from as mentioned on mortimervillage.org.uk,
• All cyclists are welcome to join the On Your Bike Burghfield facebook group“which doesn’t take itself too seriously.”
• Beenham Art Group every Tuesday from 10am to noon at Victory Hall, Beenham. More details in The Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton Magazine (September edition, p 17).
• Aldermaston Coffee Club meet at the café at Rosebourne, Aldermaston between 10am to 11.30am on the first and third Tuesday of each month. Further details in The Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton Magazine (September edition, p 11).
• Holy Trinity Church, Theale free choir group rehearses on Thursdays between 7pm to 8pm and performs at Sunday services from 10.30am. All are welcome to join. Send enquiries to office@holytrinitytheale.org.uk.
News from your local council
Note that many parish and town councils do not hold meetings in August. In addition, meetings which were scheduled to have taken place during the period of mourning following the death of the Queen (8 to 19 September) would have been cancelled or postponed.
• The most recent meeting of Aldermaston Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 13 September will be available here in due course. Items covered included: the announcement that “Out of respect during the period of mourning we opted to go ahead with a significantly reduced schedule covering urgent planning and finance decisions only”; and two commercial and four residential planning applications.
To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here. To see the minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Theale Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 8 August and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: litter; bonfires; a barrier at the Village Hall; a report from ward member Alan Macro; the new mini-recycling centre; reports from the committees and working groups; licensing matters; planning matters; and a plan to creat a business engagement forum (see separate sections above).
To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas and minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Bradfield Parish Council for which minutes are available, was on 2 August and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: the continuing saga of the Village Hall, which seems to have been going on for years; hedges and trees; planning matters; repairs and maintenance around the parish; picnic benches; the PC’s asset register; the Almshouses; highways; the Jubilee Shield; correspondence; financial matters; dog bins; the May Fair; and a “very unprofessional” communication from Sovereign regarding a property in Admoor Lane.
To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here for 2021 and here for 2022. To see the minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Beenham Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 1 August and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included :two councillor vacancies; planning matters; speed limits; road closures; parking at Mallard Way; mobile phone coverage; repairs and maintenance work; financial matters; and the Community Room and School Hall.
To see the dates, agendas and minutes for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here for 2021 and here for 2022. Click here for details of Beenham’s Community Plan.
• The most recent meeting of Padworth Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 18 July and you can read the minutes here.
To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 14 July and you can read the minutes here.
To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the minutes, please click here. See this page on Stratfield Mortimer PC’s website for more information on the refresh of its neighbourhood development plan.
• The most recent meeting of Burghfield Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 7 July and you can read the minutes here.
To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Englefield Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 21 June and you can read the minutes here.
To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas and minutes, please click here.
• Burghfield area council contacts
Parishes: Theale Parish Council, Aldermaston Parish Council, Padworth Parish Council, Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council, Englefield Parish Council, Beenham Parish Council, Bradfield Parish Council and Burghfield Parish Council.
West Berkshire Council: click here to visit the website.
News from other areas
Penny Post area – please see the following separate sections: Hungerford area; Lambourn Valley; Newbury area; Thatcham area; Compton & Downlands; Wantage area; Marlborougharea; Swindon area.
News and views from across the area and beyond: please see the most recent Weekly News with Brian column.
Thursday 22 September 2022
This week we look at slow progress at Windmill Court, a sponsored beer barrel, the pride of Reading and a free pantry – plus our usual round-up of other local news, local events and activities and local councils’ information.
This week’s news
• Burghfield Parish Council is organising a MacMillan Coffee Morning on Friday 23 September at the Burghfield Village Hall, between 10am and 12:30pm. Proceeds will go towards supporting those with cancer. More information can be found here.
• Ticket sales have gone so well for Burghfest 2022 this Friday and Saturday that the organisers are busy counting glasses to see how many more tickets they can release…Please see their facebook page for latest updates.
• As highlighted on the Burghfield Community Page, Burghfield Methodist Church has set up a Little Free Pantry with the idea being ‘Give what you can, share what you need’ and nourish our community by sharing with our neighbours. Maybe if there’s something you’re in need of, or if you have an excess supply of something that could be shared with someone else, maybe swing by. The Little Free Pantry initiative started in America and is not connected to FoodBank.
• This weekend is also Mary’s Churches Festival of Creation, with a range of different activities for the whole community to enjoy. There will be a pre-loved book sale on both 24 and 25 September, as well as a display of entries from the young photographers competition. On Saturday there will also be a talk on Wildlife Conservation Through the Lens by Bridget Fry, a wildlife photographer with charity Big Paws 4 Thought. Check out their Facebook page for more information.
• Congratulations to all those who were nominated for Pride of Reading Awards 2022. According to the Burghfield Community Facebook page, we can celebrate Mashiur Rahman, nominated as Community Champion, for his work donating meals to hospitals and school as well as being involved in numerous fundraising events. Also, a massive well done to Stephanie Awbery, nominated for the Chris Tarrant Award, for her work fundraising for various charities and organising the West Berkshire Motor Show. Excellent work.
• Local charity The Cowshed have just launched a new appeal, the Warm Winter Campaign, which aims to raise £10,000 towards coats, blankets, pillows and duvets for families trying to keep warm this winter. The Cowshed is a crisis charity that provides clothing and support for individuals and families in Berkshire experiencing hardship. They have reported seeing a huge increase in demand for their services, as the cost of living starts to impact on vulnerable members of our community and they are worried the level of demand will exceed their current donations. If you would like to contribute to the Warm Winter Campaign click here or you can make a general donation to the charity here.
• West Berkshire Library Service are looking for local library volunteers in Mortimer and Burghfield, to help keep the libraries running smoothly. If you think that could be you, get in touch at volunteeringinyourlibrary@westberks.gov.uk or call 01635 519533 for further details.
• Did you know Theale Parish Council are often looking for volunteers to help run fun community events, as well as activities to keep our local environment nice? Whether it’s manning stalls and summer or Christmas fete’s, planting trees or picking up litter, the council rely on member of the community to help make these things possible. If you would like to find out more about local volunteer opportunities, check out their website to find out more and register your interest.
• Theale Parish Council has urged residents to take part in the Patient Participation Group which aims to support and improve the way services are delivered by your GP Practice. See more here on the goals and how to join.
• Theale Parish Council has released a list of projects currently being funded by the Greenham Trust. Click here to see the work being done.
• Click here for information about the range of activities organised by the Burghfield Community Sports Association.
• Click here for the latest newsletter from Burghfield and Mortimer District Councillor Graham Bridgman.
• Click here for the latest newsletter from Theale District Councillor Alan Macro.
• The latest edition of the Englefield Parish Magazine is available to read here.
• Ditto here with the latest Padworth Village Newsletter.
• Holy Trinity Church has posted an updated list of necessities for the Foodbank which you can view here.
• For the latest news from the Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton which covers updates and events across Theale area please visit its website and click on Letters, Notices & Magazine.
• Latest news from Aldermaston Parish Council can also be found on the website aldermaston.co.uk and this month includes the celebration of a new florist and children’s nursery in the village.
Mortimer’s Windmill
We’ve written several times (see the archive of this column via the link at the foot) about Sovereign Housing’s plans to re-develop its facility at Windmill Court in Mortimer, which provided about as good an example of poor communication as one can hope to find. One of the results of this was a petition, which you can see here, which called upon WBC “to ensure its Executive reject any request(s) they receive from Sovereign Housing Association to lift restrictive covenant(s) or any other restrictions in respect of Windmill Court, the lifting of which would allow the eviction of residents from Windmill Court.”
Mortimer Life reports that, including paper copies, this has attracted over 1,100 signatures and that “as a result, the item is on the agenda of the next meeting of the West Berkshire Council Executive on 22 September. There’s been no request yet from Sovereign Housing Association to lift restrictions preventing eviction, so the Executive may defer a decision until any request comes.”
I spoke to WBC Executive member, and Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council (SMPC), Graham Bridgman about the background to this. “In late 2004,” he explained, “the then Executive agreed a plan in conjunction with Sovereign to, amongst other things, “increase the provision of sheltered housing for older people with high support needs”. Planning permission was granted in 2005 and various agreements were entered into in early 2006 – these are the agreements that the petition refers to.” (He went on to stress that he had no hand in the writing of the petition, has not signed it and has abstained in any vote on Windmill Court at the SMPC so as not to prejudice his position on the Executive.)
“Recently,” he continued, “Sovereign has approached this Council seeking to remove those restrictions so as to allow it to redevelop the site. Early on, I had conversations with Democratic Services and there was agreement that, because the Executive had agreed to the restrictions, the Executive should decide on whether to remove them.”
The problem was that Sovereign revealed its plans to empty the site before establishing if WBC would set aside or amend these restrictions, and without telling SMPC. Graham Bridgman described the residents’ reaction as one of “consternation”: I have heard stronger terms used.
Work has since taken place to try to solve this problem. “Since all this blew up,” graham Bridgman went on, “I have been in discussions with fellow parish councillors and with Sovereign, as well as with Councillor Woollaston as portfolio holder. Most recently, and following a meeting involving SMPC Councillors Danusia Morsley, Steve Hill, me and representatives of Sovereign, a message has been delivered to Windmill Court residents that includes “We are exploring how and whether we can amend the proposals to provide a better mix of homes to serve a range of different customers, including older people.” We are now waiting to see what Sovereign propose and how it differs – if it does – from what everyone has been told to date.”
To its credit, West Berkshire Council appears to have acted fairly quickly once it realised what Sovereign was proposing. It shows that bad decisions can be reversed providing something is done quickly, there’s some acceptance of and ideally apology for this, a new course of action is identified and the whole thing is communicated effectively as soon as possible. So far the first three seem to have been happening, albeit largely out of public view. The real test comes when the fourth happens: after then, the proverbial line can be drawn and everyone can move on in a spirit of co-operation, rather than stand around snarling at each other.
WBC here is the facilitator rather than the instigator. The recent change of policy about the Notrees Care Home in Kintbury has shown that it can also itself admit that it’s not on the right path and change direction. Let’s hope that this can be extended to other cases where the Council has taken a wrong turning. It’s never too late to admit that this happened: but the longer you leave it, the more difficult this becomes.
Burghfield’s fest
If you like cask-conditioned ales, craft beers, gin, cider, a range of food, a children’s funfair and live music (or any combination of these) then Burghfest on Friday 23 and Saturday 24 September would be a pretty good place to be. You can click here for more information.
Sadly, it doesn’t look like we’ll be able to make it as this clashes with the Home Energy event in Hungerford which Penny is much involved in (and we only have one car). Penny Post will be represented, however, as we’ve sponsored one of the beers, a 4.8% IPA called Can’t Kick up the Roots. It’s not a brew I’ve heard of before but then again I suspect that there are more different kinds of beer in the world – and probably just in England – than there are days in average lifetime in which to sample them. I hope it goes well (the forecast looks pretty good) and well done to the Santas for organising it.
Community notices
• West Berkshire Library Service is appealing for local volunteers at Mortimer and Burghfield Common libraries. Please see this post on Facebook, call 01635 519533 or email volunteerinyourlibrary@westberks.gov.uk for further information.
• The Mortimer and Burghfield toy library is a service run by volunteers providing toys to local families. It runs on the fourth Saturday of the month at Mortimer Methodist church 9.30am to 11am. Toys can be hired through a yearly membership or individually for a months hire and toys can be renewed on payment of another months hire. The next one will be Saturday 24 September. For more information, visit their Facebook page.
• Holy Trinity Church is seeking donations for the Foodbank that is open on Sundays and Wednesdays from 9am to 6pm. With another rise in people’s need for foodbank support, you can find out what has been requested each week by clicking here.
• A new mini re-cycling centre has opened up at the end of Theale High Street. Replacing the previous smaller re-cycling point, the facility currently has banks for plastic pots, tubs, trays cans, small electricals, cardboard and paper.
• More local hosts are needed for people escaping the war in Ukraine. If you could consider hosting a Ukrainian refugee or family, please get in contact with the local support group or visit westberks.gov.uk/homesforukraine.
• For how to avoid scams and what to do if you unluckily get caught, please see important advice here from Citizen’s Advice.
Local events and activities
Note: following the death of Queen Elizabeth II on 8 September, some events over the following few days may be cancelled or postponed. Please check with the organisers.
For more information on events and activities across the Penny Post area, see the website calendar.
• Dates for the diary
• Fri 23 Sept Macmillan Coffee Morning, Burghfield Village Hall.
• Fri 23 to Sat 24 Sep BurghFest 2022, Burghfield Common Recreation Ground.
• Sat 24 to Sun 25 Sep Festival of Creation, St Mary’s Church, Burghfield.
• Sat 1 Oct Guide Dog Family Fun Day, Burghfield Common.
• Regular events
• Burghfield WI (The Woman’s Institute) meets at 7.30pm on the second Tuesday of the month at Burghfield Village Hall. See their facebook page for details.
• Theale Library hosts in-person events for people of all ages. To find out more information on future clubs and events click here to visit the West Berkshire Library Facebook page or email Theale Library at thealelibrary@westberks.gov.uk.
• Mortimer Library also host regular events, such as their Rhymetime group who meet every Tuesday (during school term time) at 2.30pm.
• Walking for Health meet every Tuesday at the community centre car park opposite the Horse & Groom, Mortimer, between April and October. There are three walk lengths to chose from as mentioned on mortimervillage.org.uk,
• All cyclists are welcome to join the On Your Bike Burghfield facebook group“which doesn’t take itself too seriously.”
• Beenham Art Group every Tuesday from 10am to noon at Victory Hall, Beenham. More details in The Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton Magazine (September edition, p 17).
• Aldermaston Coffee Club meet at the café at Rosebourne, Aldermaston between 10am to 11.30am on the first and third Tuesday of each month. Further details in The Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton Magazine (September edition, p 11).
• Holy Trinity Church, Theale free choir group rehearses on Thursdays between 7pm to 8pm and performs at Sunday services from 10.30am. All are welcome to join. Send enquiries to office@holytrinitytheale.org.uk.
News from your local council
Note that many parish and town councils do not hold meetings in August. In addition, meetings which were scheduled to have taken place during the period of mourning following the death of the Queen (8 to 19 September) would have been cancelled or postponed.
• The most recent meeting of Aldermaston Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 13 September will be available here in due course. Items covered included: the announcement that “Out of respect during the period of mourning we opted to go ahead with a significantly reduced schedule covering urgent planning and finance decisions only”; and two commercial and four residential planning applications.
To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here. To see the minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Theale Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 8 August and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: litter; bonfires; a barrier at the Village Hall; a report from ward member Alan Macro; the new mini-recycling centre; reports from the committees and working groups; licensing matters; planning matters; and a plan to creat a business engagement forum (see separate sections above).
To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas and minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Bradfield Parish Council for which minutes are available, was on 2 August and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: the continuing saga of the Village Hall, which seems to have been going on for years; hedges and trees; planning matters; repairs and maintenance around the parish; picnic benches; the PC’s asset register; the Almshouses; highways; the Jubilee Shield; correspondence; financial matters; dog bins; the May Fair; and a “very unprofessional” communication from Sovereign regarding a property in Admoor Lane.
To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here for 2021 and here for 2022. To see the minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Beenham Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 1 August and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included :two councillor vacancies; planning matters; speed limits; road closures; parking at Mallard Way; mobile phone coverage; repairs and maintenance work; financial matters; and the Community Room and School Hall.
To see the dates, agendas and minutes for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here for 2021 and here for 2022. Click here for details of Beenham’s Community Plan.
• The most recent meeting of Padworth Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 18 July and you can read the minutes here.
To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 14 July and you can read the minutes here.
To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the minutes, please click here. See this page on Stratfield Mortimer PC’s website for more information on the refresh of its neighbourhood development plan.
• The most recent meeting of Burghfield Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 7 July and you can read the minutes here.
To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Englefield Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 21 June and you can read the minutes here.
To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas and minutes, please click here.
• Burghfield area council contacts
Parishes: Theale Parish Council, Aldermaston Parish Council, Padworth Parish Council, Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council, Englefield Parish Council, Beenham Parish Council, Bradfield Parish Council and Burghfield Parish Council.
West Berkshire Council: click here to visit the website.
News from other areas
Penny Post area – please see the following separate sections: Hungerford area; Lambourn Valley; Newbury area; Thatcham area; Compton & Downlands; Wantage area; Marlborougharea; Swindon area.
News and views from across the area and beyond: please see the most recent Weekly News with Brian column.
Thursday 15 September 2022
This week we look at local respect for the Queen, photographers, books, volunteers, food and coffee. We also preview the forthcoming Burghfest event and provide some reassuring news about its zero impact on local arrest statistics – plus our usual round-up of other local news, local events and activities and local councils’ information.
Note: due to the period of mourning which will end after the Queen’s funeral on Monday 19 September, a number of events and activities may be postponed or cancelled, perhaps at short notice. We have highlighted those that we are aware of but you are advised to check in advance with the organisers.
This week’s news
• As the nation continues to mourn the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, in our local communities residents, businesses and officials have been paying their respects to her memory. As you are probably now aware, Monday 19 September will be the day of the Queen’s funeral and has been declared a national bank holiday. All schools will be closed, as well as many business, including most supermarkets, as a mark of respect and in order to allow employees to observe the event.
• Chairman of Burghfield Parish Council, Cllr T Ansell reported that the council “offers its condolences to the Royal Family on the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Her duty, service and devotion to the people of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth was unparalleled….’ For further announcements regarding any local arrangements please visit the council’s facebook page.
• The Six Bells in Burghfield are inviting locals to the pub to view the Queen’s funeral on Monday 19 September, to ‘raise a glass’ in her memory. The pub will be open from 9am, with the service due to start around 11am. For any updates, keep an eye on their Facebook page.
• Burghfield Santas are busy preparing for Burghfest 2022 at the Recreation Ground on Friday 23 and Saturday 24 September. They are expecting 2,000 visitors to come and enjoy the drink, food, live music and family entertainment. There are still a few sponsorship opportunities available and more volunteers are always welcome. Please see their burghfest.org.uk website for all details.
• Calling young photographers: St Mary’s Church, Burghfield invites you to enter their Festival of Creation photography competition with the theme All Creatures Great and Small. Entry deadline is this Thursday 22 September.
• Also at St Mary’s Church will be a pre-loved book sale on 24 and 25 September. They are welcoming any donations of second hand, unwanted books for the sale, and these can be left in the church porch, or you can contact alison.eves@stmarysburghfield.org. More information here.
• Calling all litter pickers and community action groups to partake in the ‘Plasticblitz’ campaign to help keep the areas around rivers in West Berkshire free of plastic. The campaign was started by the Thames River Trust and West Berkshire Council along with Action for the River Kennet are organising clean-up efforts locally, taking place between the 17 and 25 September. Click here to find out more about the initiative and how to register.
• Next Wednesday 21 September there will be a Community Response to the Cost of Living Crisis meeting in Newbury. The aim of the meeting at St John’s Churcho is to coordinate the community response to the looming crisis and develop a network of support hubs across the district. These hubs will provide a warm and comfortable space for residents who are unable to heat their homes as the price of domestic energy spirals, and signpost people to where they can get more support. The meeting will be chaired by a member of the local church community. All welcome. Please book your free place here.
• Burghfield Parish Council is organising a MacMillan Coffee Morning on Friday 23 September at the Burghfield Village Hall, between 10am and 12:30pm. Proceeds will go towards supporting those with cancer. If you would like to donate a cake, you can drop it off at the hall between 6:30pm and 8:30pm on Thursday 22 September or at 9am on the day itself. More information can be found here.
• West Berkshire Library Service are looking for local library volunteers in Mortimer and Burghfield, to help keep the libraries running smoothly. If you think that could be you, get in touch at volunteeringinyourlibrary@westberks.gov.uk or call 01635 519533 for further details.
• Did you know Theale Parish Council are often looking for volunteers to help run fun community events, as well as activities to keep our local environment nice? Whether it’s manning stalls and summer or Christmas fete’s, planting trees or picking up litter, the council rely on member of the community to help make these things possible. If you would like to find out more about local volunteer opportunities, check out their website to find out more and register your interest.
• Theale Parish Council has urged residents to take part in the Patient Participation Group which aims to support and improve the way services are delivered by your GP Practice. See more here on the goals and how to join.
• Theale Parish Council has released a list of projects currently being funded by the Greenham Trust. Click here to see the work being done.
• Click here for information about the range of activities organised by the Burghfield Community Sports Association.
• Click here for the latest newsletter from Burghfield and Mortimer District Councillor Graham Bridgman.
• Click here for the latest newsletter from Theale District Councillor Alan Macro.
• The latest edition of the Englefield Parish Magazine is available to read here.
• Ditto here with the latest Padworth Village Newsletter.
• Holy Trinity Church has posted an updated list of necessities for the Foodbank which you can view here.
• For the latest news from the Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton which covers updates and events across Theale area please visit its website and click on Letters, Notices & Magazine.
• Latest news from Aldermaston Parish Council can also be found on the website aldermaston.co.uk and this month includes the celebration of a new florist and children’s nursery in the village.
No arrest at Burghfest
If you like cask-conditioned ales, craft beers, gin, cider, a range of food, a children’s funfair and live music (or any combination of these) then Burghfest on Friday 23 and Saturday 24 September would be a pretty good place to be. You can click here for more information.
Over the past six months it’s been suggested to me more than once that open-air events such as the ones run by the Santas cause or can cause problems of anti-social behaviour. We went to one of the Friday pop-up pubs in the summer and saw no sign whatsoever of anything remotely resembling this but merely about 200 people enjoying themselves.
Anecdotal evidence is one thing and, of course, subjective: so, what about the police stats? One would expect any systemic disorder to have translated into arrest figures. I spoke to one of the organisers of Burghfest (which has been running every year since 2016 with the exception of a Covid-enforced gap in 2020) and can provide the re-assuring news that across all these events, the total number of people arrested stands at zero. No reason to suppose this clear pattern won’t continue in 2022 and beyond. There may be a few hangovers, of course, but I don’t believe these are included in police statistics.
Community notices
• West Berkshire Library Service is appealing for local volunteers at Mortimer and Burghfield Common libraries. Please see this post on Facebook, call 01635 519533 or email volunteerinyourlibrary@westberks.gov.uk for further information.
• The Mortimer and Burghfield toy library is a service run by volunteers providing toys to local families. It runs on the fourth Saturday of the month at Mortimer Methodist church 9.30am to 11am. Toys can be hired through a yearly membership or individually for a months hire and toys can be renewed on payment of another months hire. The next one will be Saturday 24 September. For more information, visit their Facebook page.
• Holy Trinity Church is seeking donations for the Foodbank that is open on Sundays and Wednesdays from 9am to 6pm. With another rise in people’s need for foodbank support, you can find out what has been requested each week by clicking here.
• A new mini re-cycling centre has opened up at the end of Theale High Street. Replacing the previous smaller re-cycling point, the facility currently has banks for plastic pots, tubs, trays cans, small electricals, cardboard and paper.
• More local hosts are needed for people escaping the war in Ukraine. If you could consider hosting a Ukrainian refugee or family, please get in contact with the local support group or visit westberks.gov.uk/homesforukraine.
• For how to avoid scams and what to do if you unluckily get caught, please see important advice here from Citizen’s Advice.
Local events and activities
Note: following the death of Queen Elizabeth II on 8 September, some events over the following few days may be cancelled or postponed. Please check with the organisers.
For more information on events and activities across the Penny Post area, see the website calendar.
• Dates for the diary
• Fri 16 Sep Flushed Away Film Night, St Mary’s Church Burghfield.
• Fri 23 to Sat 24 Sep BurghFest 2022, Burghfield Common Recreation Ground.
• Sat 24 Sep Festival of Creation Event, St Mary’s Church.
• Sat 1 Oct Guide Dog Family Fun Day, Burghfield Common.
• Regular events
• Burghfield WI (The Woman’s Institute) meets at 7.30pm on the second Tuesday of the month at Burghfield Village Hall. See their facebook page for details.
• Theale Library hosts in-person events for people of all ages. To find out more information on future clubs and events click here to visit the West Berkshire Library Facebook page or email Theale Library at thealelibrary@westberks.gov.uk.
• Mortimer Library also host regular events, such as their Rhymetime group who meet every Tuesday (during school term time) at 2.30pm.
• Walking for Health meet every Tuesday at the community centre car park opposite the Horse & Groom, Mortimer, between April and October. There are three walk lengths to chose from As mentioned on mortimervillage.org.uk,
• Beenham Art Group every Tuesday from 10am to noon at Victory Hall, Beenham. More details in The Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton Magazine (September edition, p 17).
• Aldermaston Coffee Club meet at the café at Rosebourne, Aldermaston between 10am to 11.30am on the first and third Tuesday of each month. Further details in The Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton Magazine (September edition, p 11).
• Holy Trinity Church, Theale free choir group rehearses on Thursdays between 7pm to 8pm and performs at Sunday services from 10.30am. All are welcome to join. Send enquiries to office@holytrinitytheale.org.uk.
News from your local council
• The most recent meeting of Aldermaston Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 13 September will be available here in due course. Items covered included: the announcement that “Out of respect during the period of mourning we opted to go ahead with a significantly reduced schedule covering urgent planning and finance decisions only”; and two commercial and four residential planning applications.
To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here. To see the minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Theale Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 8 August and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: litter; bonfires; a barrier at the Village Hall; a report from ward member Alan Macro; the new mini-recycling centre; reports from the committees and working groups; licensing matters; planning matters; and a plan to creat a business engagement forum (see separate sections above).
To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas and minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Bradfield Parish Council for which minutes are available, was on 2 August and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: the continuing saga of the Village Hall, which seems to have been going on for years; hedges and trees; planning matters; repairs and maintenance around the parish; picnic benches; the PC’s asset register; the Almshouses; highways; the Jubilee Shield; correspondence; financial matters; dog bins; the May Fair; and a “very unprofessional” communication from Sovereign regarding a property in Admoor Lane.
To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here for 2021 and here for 2022. To see the minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Beenham Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 1 August and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included :two councillor vacancies; planning matters; speed limits; road closures; parking at Mallard Way; mobile phone coverage; repairs and maintenance work; financial matters; and the Community Room and School Hall.
To see the dates, agendas and minutes for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here for 2021 and here for 2022. Click here for details of Beenham’s Community Plan.
• The most recent meeting of Padworth Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 18 July and you can read the minutes here.
To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 14 July and you can read the minutes here.
To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the minutes, please click here. See this page on Stratfield Mortimer PC’s website for more information on the refresh of its neighbourhood development plan.
• The most recent meeting of Burghfield Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 7 July and you can read the minutes here.
To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Englefield Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 21 June and you can read the minutes here.
To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas and minutes, please click here.
• Burghfield area council contacts
Parishes: Theale Parish Council, Aldermaston Parish Council, Padworth Parish Council, Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council, Englefield Parish Council, Beenham Parish Council, Bradfield Parish Council and Burghfield Parish Council.
West Berkshire Council: click here to visit the website.
News from other areas
Penny Post area – please see the following separate sections: Hungerford area; Lambourn Valley; Newbury area; Thatcham area; Compton & Downlands; Wantage area; Marlborougharea; Swindon area.
News and views from across the area and beyond: please see the most recent Weekly News with Brian column.
Friday 9 September 2022
This week we look at local respect for the Queen, a charity football match, cycling, coffee in the morning and tea in the afternoon. We also have another look at the proposed costs of the solar farm near Mortimer and the aspects of the scheme that the planning committee was and was not able to consider – plus our usual round-up of other local news, local events and activities and local councils’ information
This week’s news
• Chairman of Burghfield Parish Council, Cllr T Ansell reports that the council “offers its condolences to the Royal Family on the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Her duty, service and devotion to the people of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth was unparalleled. We have lived in a truly golden Elizabethan age, the likes of which we will never see again. Burghfield Parish Council join with the people around the world in mourning her loss.” For further announcements regarding any local arrangements please visit the council’s facebook page.
• Calling young photographers: St Mary’s Church, Burghfield invites you to enter their Festival of Creation photography competition with the theme All Creatures Great and Small. Entry deadline is 22 September.
• Burghfield Parish Council is organising a MacMillan Coffee Morning on Friday 23 September at the Burghfield Village Hall, between 10am and 12:30pm. Proceeds will go towards supporting those with cancer. If you would like to donate a cake, you can drop it off at the hall between 6:30pm and 8:30pm on Thursday 22 September or at 9am on the day itself. More information can be found here.
• Last month saw a charity football match in Burghfield raise an impressive £2,000 for the Sue Ryder Hospice charity. The James Cup was created in honour of James Sturgess, who sadly died of cancer in 2017. The 11-a-side competition was created by his brother, Mark Sturgess, and many of James’s friends take part at the Burghfield Community Sports Association (BCSA) every August. You can read more on this story in the Newbury Today‘s article.
• This Saturday 10 September the Berkshire MS Therapy Centre in Reading is holding a Jubilee Afternoon Tea to Support MS, with live music, a sparkling reception and delicious food and a raffle. Then on Sunday 11 September there’s the Hampshire and IOW Air Ambulance Horse Show, a short drive away at Farley Hill. All proceeds go towards supporting the Air Ambulance rescue team.
• West Berkshire Library Service are looking for local library volunteers in Mortimer and Burghfield, to help keep the libraries running smoothly. If you think that could be you, get in touch at volunteeringinyourlibrary@westberks.gov.uk or call 01635 519533 for further details.
• The Mortimer and Burghfield toy library is a service run by volunteers providing toys to local families. It runs on the fourth Saturday of the month at Mortimer Methodist church 9.30am to 11am. Toys can be hired through a yearly membership or individually for a months hire and toys can be renewed on payment of another months hire. The next one will be Saturday 24 September. For more information, visit their Facebook page.
• Did you know Theale Parish Council are often looking for volunteers to help run fun community events, as well as activities to keep our local environment nice? Whether it’s manning stalls and summer or Christmas fete’s, planting trees or picking up litter, the council rely on member of the community to help make these things possible. If you would like to find out more about local volunteer opportunities, check out their website to find out more and register your interest.
• Theale Parish Council has urged residents to take part in the Patient Participation Group which aims to support and improve the way services are delivered by your GP Practice. See more here on the goals and how to join.
• Theale Parish Council has released a list of projects currently being funded by the Greenham Trust. Click here to see the work being done.
• Click here for information about the range of activities organised by the Burghfield Community Sports Association.
• Click here for the latest newsletter from Burghfield and Mortimer District Councillor Graham Bridgman.
• Click here for the latest newsletter from Theale District Councillor Alan Macro.
• The latest edition of the Englefield Parish Magazine is available to read here.
• Ditto here with the latest Padworth Village Newsletter.
• Holy Trinity Church has posted an updated list of necessities for the Foodbank which you can view here.
• For the latest news from the Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton which covers updates and events across Theale area please visit its website and click on Letters, Notices & Magazine.
• Latest news from Aldermaston Parish Council can also be found on the website aldermaston.co.uk and this month includes the celebration of a new florist and children’s nursery in the village.
Paying for the panels
As mentioned before (see below) on 24 August the Eastern Area Planning Committee (EAPC) considered an approved the application for a 70-acre solar farm at Bloomfield hatch near Mortimer. There still seems to be some concern as to how much this is likely to cost and whether as a consequence the thing should be being built at all. Two points strike me about this.
The first is that, having watched the entire debate on this, I think the financials were dealt with at EAPC with about as much certainty as any figures can be at present which involve construction costs and energy prices. I round numbers, the farm will cost about £20m to build which will be funded by a low-interest lan from the Public Works Load Board. The revenue will, if energy prices go up to anything like the predicted rate, is likely to be at least £4m a year.
The second point is that the question of whether the solar farm should be built was a matter of WBC policy long before the matter came to EAPC, having already been decided at the Executive. (The plan also seems to have cross-party support and indeed was, as the Shadow Environment Portfolio-holder Adrian Abbs told Penny Post on 4 September, originally proposed by the Lib Dems in March 2020.) The EAPC was merely looking at the application as part of the planning authority. The political (and environmental) decision had already been taken by the Executive of the district council.
Admittedly, one of the matters a planning committee will look at is the economic viability: but only at a high level. It would be reluctant to grant permission for something with such obvious commercial deficiencies that there was a real risk it would need to be pulled down in six months’ time. However, it would not go into all the details of the business case or the cash-flow projections. This is not the committee’s concern: also, if matters got this granular the members would be there all night (rather than just half the night as is often the case). In any case, recent events have made the likely returns all the more attractive. The environmental and energy-security justifications are now even more compelling. All in all, it still seems like the right call.
Community notices
• West Berkshire Library Service is appealing for local volunteers at Mortimer and Burghfield Common libraries. Please see this post on Facebook, call 01635 519533 or email volunteerinyourlibrary@westberks.gov.uk for further information.
• Holy Trinity Church is seeking donations for the Foodbank that is open on Sundays and Wednesdays from 9am to 6pm. With another rise in people’s need for foodbank support, you can find out what has been requested each week by clicking here.
• A new mini re-cycling centre has opened up at the end of Theale High Street. Replacing the previous smaller re-cycling point, the facility currently has banks for plastic pots, tubs, trays cans, small electricals, cardboard and paper.
• More local hosts are needed for people escaping the war in Ukraine. If you could consider hosting a Ukrainian refugee or family, please get in contact with the local support group or visit westberks.gov.uk/homesforukraine.
• For how to avoid scams and what to do if you unluckily get caught, please see important advice here from Citizen’s Advice.
Local events and activities
Note: following the death of Queen Elizabeth II on 8 September, some events over the following few days may be cancelled or postponed. Please check with the organisers.
For more information on events and activities across the Penny Post area, see the website calendar.
• Dates for the diary
• Sat 10 Sep Jubilee Afternoon Tea To Support MS, Sindlesham Court.
• Sun 11 Sep Hampshire and IOW Air Ambulance Horse Show, Farley Hill.
• Fri 16 Sep Flushed Away Film Night, St Mary’s Church Burghfield.
• Fri 23 to Sat 24 Sep BurghFest 2022, Burghfield Common Recreation Ground.
• Sat 24 Sep Festival of Creation Event, St Mary’s Church.
• Sat 1 Oct Guide Dog Family Fun Day, Burghfield Common.
• Regular events
• Burghfield WI (The Woman’s Institute) meets at 7.30pm on the second Tuesday of the month at Burghfield Village Hall. See their facebook page for details.
• Theale Library hosts in-person events for people of all ages. To find out more information on future clubs and events click here to visit the West Berkshire Library Facebook page or email Theale Library at thealelibrary@westberks.gov.uk.
• Mortimer Library also host regular events, such as their Rhymetime group who meet every Tuesday (during school term time) at 2.30pm.
• Walking for Health meet every Tuesday at the community centre car park opposite the Horse & Groom, Mortimer, between April and October. There are three walk lengths to chose from As mentioned on mortimervillage.org.uk,
• Beenham Art Group every Tuesday from 10am to noon at Victory Hall, Beenham. More details in The Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton Magazine (September edition, p 17).
• Aldermaston Coffee Club meet at the café at Rosebourne, Aldermaston between 10am to 11.30am on the first and third Tuesday of each month. Further details in The Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton Magazine (September edition, p 11).
• Holy Trinity Church, Theale free choir group rehearses on Thursdays between 7pm to 8pm and performs at Sunday services from 10.30am. All are welcome to join. Send enquiries to office@holytrinitytheale.org.uk.
News from your local council
• The most recent meeting of Aldermaston Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 9 August and the minutes will be available here in due course. Items covered included: AWE’s response to the Parish Council’s comments on AWE’s Planning Application for its Hub development; planning matters; clay-pigeon shooting; a report from ward member Dominic Boeck; bat surveys; and three potential planning enforcement matters.
To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here. To see the minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Theale Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 8 August and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: litter; bonfires; a barrier at the Village Hall; a report from ward member Alan Macro; the new mini-recycling centre; reports from the committees and working groups; licensing matters; planning matters; and a plan to creat a business engagement forum (see separate sections above).
To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas and minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Bradfield Parish Council for which minutes are available, was on 2 August and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: the continuing saga of the Village Hall, which seems to have been going on for years; hedges and trees; planning matters; repairs and maintenance around the parish; picnic benches; the PC’s asset register; the Almshouses; highways; the Jubilee Shield; correspondence; financial matters; dog bins; the May Fair; and a “very unprofessional” communication from Sovereign regarding a property in Admoor Lane.
To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here for 2021 and here for 2022. To see the minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Beenham Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 1 August and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included :two councillor vacancies; planning matters; speed limits; road closures; parking at Mallard Way; mobile phone coverage; repairs and maintenance work; financial matters; and the Community Room and School Hall.
To see the dates, agendas and minutes for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here for 2021 and here for 2022. Click here for details of Beenham’s Community Plan.
• The most recent meeting of Padworth Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 18 July and you can read the minutes here.
To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 14 July and you can read the minutes here.
To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the minutes, please click here. See this page on Stratfield Mortimer PC’s website for more information on the refresh of its neighbourhood development plan.
• The most recent meeting of Burghfield Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 7 July and you can read the minutes here.
To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Englefield Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 21 June and you can read the minutes here.
To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas and minutes, please click here.
• Burghfield area council contacts
Parishes: Theale Parish Council, Aldermaston Parish Council, Padworth Parish Council, Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council, Englefield Parish Council, Beenham Parish Council, Bradfield Parish Council and Burghfield Parish Council.
West Berkshire Council: click here to visit the website.
News from other areas
Penny Post area – please see the following separate sections: Hungerford area; Lambourn Valley; Newbury area; Thatcham area; Compton & Downlands; Wantage area; Marlborougharea; Swindon area.
News and views from across the area and beyond: please see the most recent Weekly News with Brian column.
Thursday 1 September 2022
We didn’t do a news update for 1 September 2022 as were having a week off. However, the 25 August section below will include much information that’s still relevant, including regarding community organisations and recurring events (please email penny@pennypost.org.uk if you would like information about your organisation to be included here).
Many of the news items that we covered last week also remain relevant as they relate to issues that are still active or to events that are yet to take place. The normal service of updating these will resume on 8 September.
We’ve covered a number of issues in the Burghfield area over the last four or five months. Some of these, including the controversy surrounding the costs of re-furbishing the Village Hall and the plans to build a temporary café in the Recreation Ground, have now been dealt with (the café has not been built but planning approval has been granted). Others, such as the rather inelegant way Sovereign Housing elected to handle the proposed closure of Windmill Court in Mortimer, have yet to be finally resolved.
One issue which we recently covered in some detail was the approval for the 70-acre solar farm at Bloomfield Hatch near Mortimer (see Out of sight, out of mind in the 25 August column). The debate here was not the straight fight between financial gain and farming land suggested by an article in this week’s Newbury Weekly News. The point made by the applicant (WBC itself) – which is supported by experts and was accepted by the planning committee – is that climate change poses a far greater threat to agricultural productivity than do solar farms. This article from Regen argues that even if all the solar farms that were required for the country to become zero-carbon were built, these would only occupy 0.5% of our agricultural land. In any event, the land at Bloomfield Hatch is only a mid-table grade 3. Nor is it a permanent change, as the panels are only planned to be in place for 30 years (by then, perhaps, there will be another solution to energy creation: a solar array is one of the solutions that is available now). It’s certainly true that that the scheme seems set to make a profit but that would seem to be a benefit, assuming these are ploughed back into the district. Even if it only washed its face for WBC there would still be a case to be made for it.
The planning committee would thus seem to have made the right decision, rather than the cynical one which the NWN article implied. It was certainly not arrived at lightly, involving as it did studying a particularly large pile of documents, doing a site visit and having a debate lasting nearly two hours. There are rumours that the approval may be the subject of a judicial review . If so, I understand this can only be on grounds of wrong process rather than disagreement with the decision. On the basis of the scrutiny that was applied by there committee it’s hard to see what process problems there might be. We’ll be keeping our eye on this: also on other solar-farm applications in the district (we’ve been covering two in detail, in Beenham and Enborne), the proposers of which may take heart from this outcome.
Thursday 25 August 2022
This week we look forward to an annual show, check out a couple of councillors’ newsletters and have a look at a local toy library. It’s also been a busy seven days on the planning front, with Burghfield’s café finally geeing the nuclear green light and two applications, for a solar far and a waste centre, approved by committee on 24 August – plus our usual round-up of other local news, local events and activities and local councils’ information
This week’s news
• As we’ve mentioned previously, the Burghfield Santas have been running Bulging Sack pop-up pub events on Fridays throughout the summer. However, with summer now drawing to a close, this Friday 26 August will be their last pop-up event of the season: ‘Last of the summer sacks’. The Santas have their own craft beer called Reinbeer of the Mohicans which they’ve been serving, as well as other local real ale, craft beers and lagers. So far these events have managed to raise over £6,000, most of which will go to the Thames Air Ambulance. More on this story here on newburytoday.
• Also coming up this weekend is the Mortimer West End and District Annual Show on Saturday 27 August. Come along to enjoy a variety of stalls from local businesses, as well as there will be lots of different craft activities for children to try. Follow their Facebook page for more info.
• West Berkshire Library Service are currently looking for local library volunteers in Mortimer and Burghfield, to help keep the libraries running smoothly. If you think that could be you, get in touch at volunteeringinyourlibrary@westberks.gov.uk or call 01635 519533 for further details.
• Quick reminder about the hosepipe ban that was introduced this week, as whatever rain we now have still isn’t enough to replenish the low water levels in reservoirs and rivers. You can still use mains water to fill watering cans and buckets, and gardeners say this is a more efficient way to the water the garden so please make every drop count. There are exemptions for Blue Badge holders, or those on Thames Water’s Priority Register with restricted mobility, who find carrying a bucket or watering can difficult. And while the temporary ban does not cover businesses, Thames Water is asking businesses across its area to be mindful of the drought and to use water wisely, for example, by not washing commercial vehicles or turning off water features on their properties. See more details here.
• Click here for the latest newsletter from Burghfield and Mortimer District Councillor Graham Bridgman.
• Click here for the latest newsletter from Theale District Councillor Alan Macro.
• The Mortimer and Burghfield toy library is a service run by volunteers providing toys to local families. It runs on the fourth Saturday of the month at Mortimer Methodist church 9.30am to 11am. Toys can be hired through a yearly membership or individually for a months hire and toys can be renewed on payment of another months hire. The next one will be Saturday 24 September. For more information, visit their Facebook page.
• Did you know Theale Parish Council are often looking for volunteers to help run fun community events, as well as activities to keep our local environment nice? Whether it’s manning stalls and summer or Christmas fete’s, planting trees or picking up litter, the council rely on member of the community to help make these things possible. If you would like to find out more about local volunteer opportunities, check out their website to find out more and register your interest.
• Theale Parish Council has urged residents to take part in the Patient Participation Group which aims to support and improve the way services are delivered by your GP Practice. See more here on the goals and how to join.
• Theale Parish Council has released a list of projects currently being funded by the Greenham Trust. Click here to see the work being done.
• Click here for information about the range of activities organised by the Burghfield Community Sports Association.
• The latest edition of the Englefield Parish Magazine is available to read here.
• Ditto here with the latest Padworth Village Newsletter.
• Holy Trinity Church has posted an updated list of necessities for the Foodbank which you can view here.
• For the latest news from the Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton which covers updates and events across Theale area please visit its website and click on Letters, Notices & Magazine.
• Latest news from Aldermaston Parish Council can also be found on the website aldermaston.co.uk and this month includes the celebration of a new florist and children’s nursery in the village.
Out of sight, out of mind
The Eastern Area Planning Committee (EAPC) met on 24 August to look at three applications (you can see a recording of the meeting here). These included “Construction and operation of a solar farm and battery storage system together with cable route and all associated works, equipment and necessary infrastructure on land north of Bloomfield Hatch Farm Bloomfield Hatch, Mortimer” (22/0133o/RE5) and “Development of an energy recovery centre and adjacent data centre and associated infrastructure at Reading Quarry, Berrys Lane, Burghfield” (20/02029/COMIND). After lengthy and at times technical debates, both were passed, the former by seven votes to zero with one abstention, the latter by seven votes to one.
The main opposition to the solar-farm application was on the grounds of the loss of agricultural land. The proposer countered this by claiming that 70% of the UK’s most valuable agricultural land could be lost due to climate change and that the best way of supporting farmers in the log term was dealing with carbon emissions. The proposer also pointed out that the country imports nearly twice as much energy now as it did in 2020 (38% v 20%): renewables were, in conclusion, “the solution, not the problem.”
There was also discussion about the economic viability of the scheme. Even at the the lowest likely rate the project would, the proposer claimed, “wash its face”, but costs seem likely to rise substantially and certainly by far more than any increases from the PWLB (which would be funding the scheme). On being questioned by Councillor Geoff Mayes (who clearly knew more about electrical engineering than did anyone else at the meeting), it was established that a connection to the mains grid could be made. There were also discussions about other matters ranging from bird nesting to sheep farming and from drainage to vehicle movements. Some of these were quite technical and each ate up more time: but considering these was what the committee was there to do. That it has considered them is now a matter of record. In any event, the one hour and fifty minutes spent discussing it would have been dwarfed by the amount of time the members needed to spend reading all the paperwork: Councillor Ross MacKinnon told me afterwards that the document pack was the biggest he’d ever seen for a planning committee meeting.
I’ve mentioned several time about “the proposer” and so the time has come to put a name to it. The proposer in this case is none other than West Berkshire Council itself. It may seem odd that a council is sitting in judgment on its own application but there’s no real alternative. In any event, they are technically two separate bodies: WBC as a district council (which wants to build the solar farm) and WBC as a planning authority (which has to decide if it can). For anyone who feels that such dualities of approach always produce incompatible conflicts of interest, I must declare that I wouldn’t have known I wasn’t watching an application by a third-party organisation. As mentioned above, there were plenty of the questions. The whole EAPC show was, as ever, very well managed by the Chair, Graham Pask, who adopted a tone of friendly urgency throughout which gave everyone a chance to speak but kept matters moving along.
Ultimately, the EAPC felt that the demands of the climate emergency, which WBC declared three years ago, trumped the competing claims of the agricultural land use, while the economic case (which cannot be ignored) appeared to stack up. There are losers in every change and here it seemed to be the farmer as it’s unclear if the farm will at its reduced size remain viable. Our sympathies to him. One officer mentioned at the meeting, “there has been a conversation with the farmer about what the future might look like,” which might be a coded reference to compensation. Few if any projects create a perfect outcome; and the perfect can be the enemy of the good.
Much the same could be said for the next item on the agenda, concerning the energy recovery centre (a waste incinerator to you and me) on the eastern edge of the district. Two interesting facts that came from the debate were, first, that a large facility in Oxfordshire to which WBC currently sends a large amount of waste will be closing by 2030; and second that burning waste in this kind of controlled way produces less greenhouse gas than does landfilling it which eventually allows the very harmful methane it produces to leak out into the atmosphere.
The facility thus seems to be needed – unless we’re suddenly going to start producing a lot less waste, and there seems little chance of that. As with the solar farm decision, there will be winners and losers. However, it seems unlikely than any other location for either of these schemes would have been completely loser-free.
What they both have in common, aside from the timing of their decisions, is that both are a reminder than neither the energy we use nor the waste we create can come from, or be shoved into, a hole in the ground conveniently distant from us. Energy needs to be created not only sustainably but also locally. Inevitably, this also means visibly. The solar farm, however, is not a permanent project and is scheduled to be in place only for 30 years. By that time there might be better solutions such as fusion. And when, having served its purpose, it is closed down and the materials need to be disposed of, there is at least an energy recovery centre a few miles down the road. All in all, future generations may see the EAPC meeting on 24 August 2022 as having done a pretty good (and long) evening’s work.
Café society
Burghfield’s café passed its final, nuclear, hurdle last week. The application had been approved at the Eastern Area Planning Committee on 13 July but, because of Burghfield’s location in the emergency zone caused by the AWE establishments, the Office for Nuclear Regulation had the final say in deciding whether the facility would pose a risk in the event of an atomic incident. On 15 August, the ONR finally announced that it would not be taking the matter any further. Perhaps the month-long wait was just to draw attention to the fact that it did have the power to intervene. If so, it has made its point but common sense has prevailed.
Some local residents disagree. As we’ve previously reported many times, some of these objections have their origins in a leaflet which was distributed around the village in April and about which I wrote in detail on 21 April (see the archive section and scroll down). I also referred to some of these issues since, so frequently they seem to reappear.
I have nothing much to add to the points I made in April. The leaflet confused and conflated several unrelated points and was not in my view a fair reflection of what had happened, how the Parish Council had arrived at its decision and, indeed, how parish councils generally are expected to operate. I accepted that Burghfield PC could perhaps have communicated slightly better but that all the matters were discussed in public sessions for those who had wanted to attend or were available from the office for anyone who wanted to ask; and that I could see no evidence of the combination of corruption and incompetence which the various opposing statements claimed. Burghfield PC is actually doing things, which is what it was elected to accomplish, and these have achieved positive results. One of the things it cannot do is turn the clock back to some halcyon age in the past which probably in any case never existed.
The decision notice (which along with the other documents you can see here) comes with 14 conditions and six informative, which is pretty standard. I spoke to Burghfield PC on 25 August and was told that the conditions would be considered at the next appropriate committee meeting. The overwhelming reaction in the community to the decision appears to be positive. Penny and I were at the pop-up pub on the Recreation Ground last Friday and saw nothing more sinister than a lot of people of all ages drinking and eating and chatting and enjoying themselves. It’s very hard to believe that the café is going to produce any other result. I wish it well.
Community notices
• West Berkshire Library Service is appealing for local volunteers at Mortimer and Burghfield Common libraries. Please see this post on Facebook, call 01635 519533 or email volunteerinyourlibrary@westberks.gov.uk for further information.
• Holy Trinity Church is seeking donations for the Foodbank that is open on Sundays and Wednesdays from 9am to 6pm. With another rise in people’s need for foodbank support, you can find out what has been requested each week by clicking here.
• A new mini re-cycling centre has opened up at the end of Theale High Street. Replacing the previous smaller re-cycling point, the facility currently has banks for plastic pots, tubs, trays cans, small electricals, cardboard and paper.
• More local hosts are needed for people escaping the war in Ukraine. If you could consider hosting a Ukrainian refugee or family, please get in contact with the local support group or visit westberks.gov.uk/homesforukraine.
• For how to avoid scams and what to do if you unluckily get caught, please see important advice here from Citizen’s Advice.
Local events and activities
For more information on events and activities across the Penny Post area, see the website calendar.
• Dates for the diary
• Fri 26 Aug ‘Last of the Summer Sacks’ Pop-Up Bar, Burghfield Recreation Ground.
• Sat 27 Aug Mortimer West End & District Annual Show, Mortimer.
• Sun 4 Sep Aldermaston & Wasing Show, Aldermaston.
• Sat 10 Sep Jubilee Afternoon Tea To Support MS, Sindlesham Court.
• Sun 11 Sep Hampshire and IOW Air Ambulance Horse Show, Farley Hill.
• Fri 16 Sep Flushed Away Film Night, St Mary’s Church Burghfield.
• Fri 23 to Sat 24 Sep BurghFest 2022, Burghfield Common Recreation Ground.
• Sat 24 Sep Festival of Creation Event, St Mary’s Church.
• Regular events
• Burghfield WI (The Woman’s Institute) meets at 7.30pm on the second Tuesday of the month at Burghfield Village Hall. See their facebook page for details.
• Theale Library hosts in-person events for people of all ages. To find out more information on future clubs and events click here to visit the West Berkshire Library Facebook page or email Theale Library at thealelibrary@westberks.gov.uk.
• Mortimer Library also host regular events, such as their Rhymetime group who meet every Tuesday (during school term time) at 2.30pm.
• Walking for Health meet every Tuesday at the community centre car park opposite the Horse & Groom, Mortimer. There are three walk lengths to chose from As mentioned on mortimervillage.org.uk,
• Beenham Art Group every Tuesday from 10am to noon at Victory Hall, Beenham. More details in The Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton Magazine (February edition, p 16).
• Aldermaston Coffee Club meet at the café at Rosebourne, Aldermaston between 10am to 11.30am on the first and third Tuesday of each month. Further details in The Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton Magazine (February edition, p 8)
• Aldermaston & Wasing Ladies Group meets on the second Thursday of each month from 2pm at Aldermaston Parish Hall, please see Padworth Parish Council Newsletter (p 3, February 2022 ) for further information.
• Padworth and Aldermaston WI meets at Padworth Village Hall on the third Tuesday of every month at 7.30pm. Further information on the group can be found in Padworth Parish Council Newsletter (No 155 February 2022 Edition p 3).
• Holy Trinity Church, Theale free choir group rehearses on Thursdays between 7pm to 8pm and performs at Sunday services from 10.30am. All are welcome to join. Send enquiries to office@holytrinitytheale.org.uk.
News from your local council
• The most recent meeting of Aldermaston Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 9 August and the minutes will be available here in due course. Items covered included: AWE’s response to the Parish Council’s comments on AWE’s Planning Application for its Hub development; planning matters; clay-pigeon shooting; a report from ward member Dominic Boeck; bat surveys; and three potential planning enforcement matters. To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Theale Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 8 August and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: litter; bonfires; a barrier at the Village Hall; a report from ward member Alan Macro; the new mini-recycling centre; reports from the committees and working groups; licensing matters; planning matters; and a plan to creat a business engagement forum (see separate sections above). To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Bradfield Parish Council for which minutes are available,was on 2 August and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: the continuing saga of the Village Hall, which seems to have been going on for years; hedges and trees; planning matters; repairs and maintenance around the parish; picnic benches; the PC’s asset register; the Almshouses; highways; the Jubilee Shield; correspondence; financial matters; dog bins; the May Fair; and a “very unprofessional” communication from Sovereign regarding a property in Admoor Lane. To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here for 2021 and here for 2022.
• The most recent meeting of Beenham Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 1 August and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included:two councillor vacancies; planning matters; speed limits; road closures; parking at Mallard Way; mobile phone coverage; repairs and maintenance work; financial matters; and the Community Room and School Hall. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here for 2021 and here for 2022. Click here for details of Beenham’s Community Plan.
• The most recent meeting of Padworth Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 18 July and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: a report on the Village Show; the co-option of a new councillor; another councillor vacancy; a grant to Swings and Smiles; financial matters; the Village Hall; planning matters; and a possible future development at the Padworth Sawmills site. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 14 July and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: Windmill Court (see separate section above); reports from committees and working parties; the NDP; jubilee VAT issues; formal matters; financial matters; correspondence; and village repairs and maintenance. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. See this page on Stratfield Mortimer PC’s website for more information on the refresh of its neighbourhood development plan.
• The most recent meeting of Burghfield Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 7 July and you can read the minutes here. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Englefield Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 21 June and you can read the minutes here. I To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here.
• Burghfield area council contacts
Parishes: Theale Parish Council, Aldermaston Parish Council, Padworth Parish Council, Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council, Englefield Parish Council, Beenham Parish Council, Bradfield Parish Council and Burghfield Parish Council.
West Berkshire Council: click here to visit the website.
News from other areas
Penny Post area – please see the following separate sections: Hungerford area; Lambourn Valley; Newbury area; Thatcham area; Compton & Downlands; Wantage area; Marlborougharea; Swindon area.
News and views from across the area and beyond: please see the most recent Weekly News with Brian column.
Thursday 18 August 2022
This week we look at a mini re-cycling centre, craft sessions, a couple of newsletters from ward members and a forthcoming show. We also remind you about a petition concerning Windmill Court and check out the plans for a 70-acre solar farm in Bloomfield Hatch, which raises some questions about matters ranging from the remit of planning committees to the performance of our government on meeting its carbon targets – plus our usual round-up of other local news, local events and activities and local councils’ information
This week’s news
• A brand new mini re-cycling centre has opened up at the end of Theale High Street. Due to replace the current, smaller re-cycling point, the facility currently has banks for plastic pots, tubs, trays cans, small electricals, cardboard and paper. Reportedly, food can and carton, as well as textile recycling banks will be coming soon. Click here to read the report by the Newbury Today.
• West Berkshire Library Service are currently looking for local library volunteers in Mortimer and Burghfield, to help keep the libraries running smoothly. If you think that could be you, get in touch at volunteeringinyourlibrary@westberks.gov.uk or call 01635 519533 for further details.
• You may be aware that the Burghfield Santas have been running ‘Bulging Sack’ pop-up pub events on Fridays throughout the summer. The Santas have their own craft beer called Reinbeer of the Mohicans which they’ve been serving at the events, as well as other local real ale, craft beers and lagers. These events have so far managed to raise over £6,000, most of which will go to the Thames Air Ambulance. The next event will be this Friday 12 August on Burghfield Recreation Ground and then continue from 5.30pm til sunset on every Friday in August, so the current fundraising total should have been comfortable exceed come September. More on this story here on newburytoday.
• This week’s long-awaited downpour was substantial but not substantial enough to raise our extremely low river and reservoir levels caused by the driest July since 1885. As a result, Thames Water will be implementing a hosepipe ban from Wednesday 24 August. You can still use mains water to fill watering cans and buckets, and gardeners say this is a more efficient way to the water the garden so please make every drop count. There are exemptions for Blue Badge holders, or those on Thames Water’s Priority Register with restricted mobility, who find carrying a bucket or watering can difficult. And while the temporary ban does not cover businesses, Thames Water is asking businesses across its area to be mindful of the drought and to use water wisely, for example, by not washing commercial vehicles or turning off water features on their properties. See more details here.
• Burghfield Library is holding regular free craft sessions, every Thursday throughout the summer holidays, for children aged 3 to 10 years old. The next session is on Thursday 25 August, just drop in between 10.30am and noon. For more information please contact the library at burghfieldlibrary@westberks.gov.uk, or visit their Facebook page. For more holiday activities, please see our Guide to Summer Fun.
• Click here for the latest newsletter from Burghfield and Mortimer District Councillor Graham Bridgman.
• Click here for the latest newsletter from Theale District Councillor Alan Macro.
• The Mortimer West End and District Annual Show will be taking place on Saturday 27 August. Come along to enjoy a variety of stalls from local businesses, as well as there will be lots of different craft activities for children to try. There are also various competitions with you can enter to show off your talents and for a chance of winning first place. There will be categories for fruit, vegetables and flower, as well as artistic crafts such as flower arranging, photography, art work or handicrafts. To find out how to enter and keep up-to-date with the details, follow their Facebook page for more info.
• Did you know Theale Parish Council are often looking for volunteers to help run fun community events, as well as activities to keep our local environment nice? Whether it’s manning stalls and summer or Christmas fete’s, planting trees or picking up litter, the council rely on member of the community to help make these things possible. If you would like to find out more about local volunteer opportunities, check out their website to find out more and register your interest.
• Theale Parish Council has urged residents to take part in the Patient Participation Group which aims to support and improve the way services are delivered by your GP Practice. See more here on the goals and how to join.
• Theale Parish Council has released a list of projects currently being funded by the Greenham Trust. Click here to see the work being done.
• Click here for information about the range of activities organised by the Burghfield Community Sports Association.
• The latest edition of the Englefield Parish Magazine is available to read here.
• Ditto here with the latest Padworth Village Newsletter.
• Holy Trinity Church has posted an updated list of necessities for the Foodbank which you can view here.
• For the latest news from the Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton which covers updates and events across Theale area please visit its website and click on Letters, Notices & Magazine.
• Latest news from Aldermaston Parish Council can also be found on the website aldermaston.co.uk and this month includes the celebration of a new florist and children’s nursery in the village.
Bloomfield Hatch’s panels
The Eastern Area Planning Committee will next week be considering WBC’s application for the “construction and operation of a solar farm and battery storage system together with cable route and all associated works, equipment and necessary infrastructure on land north Of Bloomfield Hatch Farm ,Bloomfield Hatch, Mortimer.” You can see the agenda for the EAPC here and the application on WBC’s planning portal here. The site is a large one (about the size of 35 football pitches) and would, if approved go some way to meeting WBC’s climate-change targets. Indeed, some councillors believe it should be larger still.
When a matter is due to come before a planning committee, a site visit will take place, usually a week before. This happened on 17 August. Perhaps in an attempt to make the situation appear more dramatic and divisive than it really is, an article in this week’s Newbury Weekly News suggested that residents and farmers “would attempt to block” the committee members from visiting the site. It even helpfully printed the time they were due, perhaps in case anyone wanted to join in. I spoke to three members of the EAPC on 18 August and was told that noting remotely like that took place. There were protestors there but no attempt was made to prevent access. This would probably have been illegal and certainly wouldn’t have helped their cause.
There are currently 16 letters of objection to the proposal which cover a wide range of issues including traffic, access, flooding, loss of bio-diversity, loss of farmland, a fall in the value of the nearby properties and the possible presence of other more suitable sites elsewhere. Not all the issues raised my be planning matters which the committee can consider. One such is the fact that there is a covenant on the land, dating back to when it was gifted to the then Berkshire CC, which states that it be used for agricultural purposes. This will be for the applicant, WBC, to sort out. It’s unclear if the covenant can be changed: one assumes that WBC believes it can be but the question could be asked whether this should not have been sorted out first.
Another issue which remains unclear, but which is also not a planning matter, is what if any benefit the local residents will receive from this. The applicant is not obliged to provide any payment but it would certainly help dilute local opposition were it to do so. CIL isn’t payable on such schemes so there’ll be no 15% share going to the Parish Council. Perhaps WBC can be persuaded to perform some improvements to the pre-existing drainage problems with some neighbouring properties which some objectors claim, correctly or otherwise, will be exacerbated by the solar farm.
The problem with these kind of local benefits is that there’s not much in the way of policy, protocol or precedent to say what an applicant might be expected to contribute by way of mitigation or gesture of goodwill (the Local Electricity Bill, when passed, may provide some clarity). Indeed, solar panels are such a new thing that many councils as yet have no clear policy about any aspect of their permission. It’s therefore hard for a committee to know how much weight should be given to the fact that local energy will be generated when making decisions. With gambling licences, the law specifies that there should be a pre-disposition in favour of approval: the objectors, in other words, have to prove their case. Many feel that this should apply to renewable energy projects such as this: others disagree. What is needed to assist planning authorities in making these decisions swiftly and correctly is some guidance from Whitehall.
Sadly, this has not happened. Indeed, only last month the government lost a court case brought by the Good Law Project, Friends of the Earth and others claiming that its net-zero policy is unlawful. The applicants argued, and the judge agreed, that “the proposals for achieving Net Zero approved by the Secretary of State were too vague to enable him to be satisfied that the statutory targets would be met; and that the report placed before Parliament lacked the specificity necessary to meet the Secretary of State’s duty to inform Parliament and the public of his plans.” The government has been told to provide, by April 2023, more detail as to how this target can be met. As the summary on the Good Law Project’s website observes, “The dangerous heatwave this week is a stark reminder of the very real threat we face. Our infrastructure and homes were designed for a climate that no longer exists. This cannot wait. The Net Zero target must be a road map to a sustainable future – not a lie we tell our children.”
It could be claimed that a policy which is high on soundbites but low on detail and which ends up with legal action is a fair reflection of our outgoing government, or certainly of its leader. His replacement – and there are still nearly three weeks of mud-slinging and mud-wrestling to go before we know who it is – will have a very full in-tray, dominated by the cost of living crisis (which will probably result in an increase in the use of fossil fuels). Seriously addressing climate change seems only to be possible in the rare periods when there’s not something more immediate to worry about. If the government can’t get a grip on this itself, it needs to give local planning authorities the tools, starting with some clear guidelines about the target for solar farms (just as it already does for housing numbers). This needs to happen soon. Councils are naturally cautious and understandably reluctant to make decisions which may result in expensive appeals. Following government strategy is a pretty good defence. The problem, as the High Court last month established, is that there is currently no strategy to follow.
Windmill Court
A reminder that there’s a petition concerning the rather muddled way in which the proposed closure of Sovereign’s Windmill Court has been handled:
“Sovereign Housing Association’s proposal to evict the residents of Windmill Court from their homes, without suitable alternative accommodation being available within the village that would allow them to retain family and/or personal ties, is not reasonable. All current restrictive covenant(s) or other restrictions, the existence of which currently prevent the Association’s plans that may lead to eviction from Windmill Court, should remain in place.” Click here for more and for a link to the petition (you can also sign it on paper at the Baobab). You have until 5 September 2022 to have your say.
I understand that meetings have been taking place between Sovereign, WBC and Stratfield Mortimer PC at various levels to try to agree, and then communicate, a common position on this (which should have happened before all this kicked off). As soon as we have it, we’ll publish it.
Community notices
• West Berkshire Library Service is appealing for local volunteers at Mortimer and Burghfield Common libraries. Please see this post on Facebook, call 01635 519533 or email volunteerinyourlibrary@westberks.gov.uk for further information.
• More local hosts are needed for people escaping the war in Ukraine. If you could consider hosting a Ukrainian refugee or family, please get in contact with the local support group or visit westberks.gov.uk/homesforukraine.
• For how to avoid scams and what to do if you unluckily get caught, please see important advice here from Citizen’s Advice.
Local events and activities
For more information on events and activities across the Penny Post area, see the website calendar.
• Dates for the diary
• Thurs 25 Aug Crafty Make and Take for Children, Burghfield Common Library.
• Sat 27 Aug Mortimer West End & District Annual Show, Mortimer.
• Sat 10 Sep Jubilee Afternoon Tea To Support MS, Sindlesham Court.
• Sun 11 Sep Hampshire and IOW Air Ambulance Horse Show, Farley Hill.
• Fri 16 Sep Flushed Away Film Night, St Mary’s Church Burghfield.
• Fri 23 to Sat 24 Sep BurghFest 2022, Burghfield Common Recreation Ground.
• Regular events
• Burghfield WI meets at 7.30pm on the second Tuesday of the month at Burghfield Village Hall. See their facebook page for details.
• Holy Trinity Church is seeking donations for the Foodbank that is open on Sundays and Wednesdays from 9am to 6pm. With another rise in people’s need for foodbank support, you can find out what has been requested each week by clicking here.
• Theale Library hosts in-person events for people of all ages. To find out more information on future clubs and events click here to visit the West Berkshire Library Facebook page or email Theale Library at thealelibrary@westberks.gov.uk.
• Mortimer Library also host regular events, such as their Rhymetime group who meet every Tuesday (during school term time) at 2.30pm.
• Walking for Health meet every Tuesday at the community centre car park opposite the Horse & Groom, Mortimer. There are three walk lengths to chose from As mentioned on mortimervillage.org.uk,
• Holy Trinity Church, Theale is open for West Berks Food Bank donations on Sundays and Wednesdays from 10.30am to 6pm. Please see the church’s website for regularly updated lists of what is most needed at the food bank.
• Beenham Art Group every Tuesday from 10am to noon at Victory Hall, Beenham. More details in The Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton Magazine (February edition, p 16).
• Aldermaston Coffee Club meet at the café at Rosebourne, Aldermaston between 10am to 11.30am on the first and third Tuesday of each month. Further details in The Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton Magazine (February edition, p 8)
• Aldermaston & Wasing Ladies Group meets on the second Thursday of each month from 2pm at Aldermaston Parish Hall, please see Padworth Parish Council Newsletter (p 3, February 2022 ) for further information.
• Padworth and Aldermaston WI meets at Padworth Village Hall on the third Tuesday of every month at 7.30pm. Further information on the group can be found in Padworth Parish Council Newsletter (No 155 February 2022 Edition p 3).
• Holy Trinity Church, Theale free choir group rehearses on Thursdays between 7pm to 8pm and performs at Sunday services from 10.30am. All are welcome to join. Send enquiries to office@holytrinitytheale.org.uk.
News from your local council
• The most recent meeting of Aldermaston Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 9 August and the minutes will be available here in due course. Items covered included: AWE’s response to the Parish Council’s comments on AWE’s Planning Application for its Hub development; planning matters; clay-pigeon shooting; a report from ward member Dominic Boeck; bat surveys; and three potential planning enforcement matters. To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Theale Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 8 August and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: litter; bonfires; a barrier at the Village Hall; a report from ward member Alan Macro; the new mini-recycling centre; reports from the committees and working groups; licensing matters; planning matters; and a plan to creat a business engagement forum (see separate sections above). To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Bradfield Parish Council for which minutes are available,was on 2 August and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: the continuing saga of the Village Hall, which seems to have been going on for years; hedges and trees; planning matters; repairs and maintenance around the parish; picnic benches; the PC’s asset register; the Almshouses; highways; the Jubilee Shield; correspondence; financial matters; dog bins; the May Fair; and a “very unprofessional” communication from Sovereign regarding a property in Admoor Lane. To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here for 2021 and here for 2022.
• The most recent meeting of Beenham Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 1 August and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included:two councillor vacancies; planning matters; speed limits; road closures; parking at Mallard Way; mobile phone coverage; repairs and maintenance work; financial matters; and the Community Room and School Hall. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here for 2021 and here for 2022. Click here for details of Beenham’s Community Plan.
• The most recent meeting of Padworth Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 18 July and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: a report on the Village Show; the co-option of a new councillor; another councillor vacancy; a grant to Swings and Smiles; financial matters; the Village Hall; planning matters; and a possible future development at the Padworth Sawmills site. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 14 July and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: Windmill Court (see separate section above); reports from committees and working parties; the NDP; jubilee VAT issues; formal matters; financial matters; correspondence; and village repairs and maintenance. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. See this page on Stratfield Mortimer PC’s website for more information on the refresh of its neighbourhood development plan.
• The most recent meeting of Burghfield Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 7 July and you can read the minutes here. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Englefield Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 21 June and you can read the minutes here. I To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here.
• Burghfield area council contacts
Parishes: Theale Parish Council, Aldermaston Parish Council, Padworth Parish Council, Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council, Englefield Parish Council, Beenham Parish Council, Bradfield Parish Council and Burghfield Parish Council.
West Berkshire Council: click here to visit the website.
News from other areas
Penny Post area – please see the following separate sections: Hungerford area; Lambourn Valley; Newbury area; Thatcham area; Compton & Downlands; Wantage area; Marlborougharea; Swindon area.
News and views from across the area and beyond: please see the most recent Weekly News with Brian column.
Thursday 11 August 2022
This week we congratulate the pop-up Santas, look forward to the Mortimer show, reflect on another PR muddle and provide news of Theale’s planned business engagement forum. We also take a close look at plans for a large solar farm in Beenham and reflect on what this tells us about local engagement, land allocation and the role of the AONB – plus our usual round-up of other local news, local events and activities and local councils’ information
This week’s news
• You may be aware that the Burghfield Santas have been running ‘Bulging Sack’ pop-up pub events on Fridays throughout the summer. The Santas have their own craft beer called Reinbeer of the Mohicans which they’ve been serving at the events, as well as other local real ale, craft beers and lagers. These events have so far managed to raise over £6,000, most of which will go to the Thames Air Ambulance. The next event will be this Friday 12 August on Burghfield Recreation Ground and then continue from 5.30pm til sunset on every Friday in August, so the current fundraising total should have been comfortable exceed come September. More on this story here on newburytoday.
• Well done to Tigers Day Nurseries group, who have raised an impressive £645 for local children’s charity Swings & Smiles. The group, which has nurseries in Theale, Thatcham and Swindon, raised the money through their annual awards ceremony, in which they recognise the achievements of their staff. We are sure that Swings and Smiles will put that money to very good use.
• Congratulations again to self taught DJ and producer James Carter – Mortimer born and bred – has amassed more than 150 million streams and over 4m Spotify followers. He continues to release original material and unique remixes, including for the likes of Rihanna, James Arthur, Ava Max and David Guetta. His 2018 single Hands In The Fire went viral on TikTok, with more than 150 million views on the short-video platform. His latest collaboration Bad Memories with Italian Grammy-nominated Meduza and featuring US singer Elly Duhé and Berlin duo Fastboy is described as “a mesmerising, addictive and atmospheric creation.” It featured highly in Spotify’s New Music Friday in 45 countries at launch on July 22 and was given BBC Radio 1’s prestigious Hottest Record accolade that weekend.
• Attention all stargazers: the peak of the Perseids meteor shower over the UK will be this Friday night, into the small hours of Saturday morning. With the warm weather we’ve been having, there’s a good chance of great viewing conditions, unobstructed by clouds or rain. However it will be competing with the light of a full moon, which may affect visibility. According to Steve from Newbury Astronomical Society, the meteors will appear to radiate from a point in the sky in the north. They will radiate across the whole sky from this point. So look anywhere except towards the full moon.
• Burghfield Library is holding regular free craft sessions, every Thursday throughout the summer holidays, for children aged 3 to 10 years old. The next session is on Thursday 18 August, just drop in between 10.30am and noon. For more information please contact the library at burghfieldlibrary@westberks.gov.uk, or visit their Facebook page. For more holiday activities, please see our Guide to Summer Fun.
• Click here for the latest newsletter from Burghfield and Mortimer District Councillor Graham Bridgman.
• Click here for the latest newsletter from Theale District Councillor Alan Macro.
• The Mortimer West End and District Annual Show will be taking place on Saturday 27 August. Come along to enjoy a variety of stalls from local businesses, as well as there will be lots of different craft activities for children to try. There are also various competitions with you can enter to show off your talents and for a chance of winning first place. There will be categories for fruit, vegetables and flower, as well as artistic crafts such as flower arranging, photography, art work or handicrafts. To find out how to enter and keep up-to-date with the details, follow their Facebook page for more info.
• Did you know Theale Parish Council are often looking for volunteers to help run fun community events, as well as activities to keep our local environment nice? Whether it’s manning stalls and summer or Christmas fete’s, planting trees or picking up litter, the council rely on member of the community to help make these things possible. If you would like to find out more about local volunteer opportunities, check out their website to find out more and register your interest.
• Theale Parish Council has urged residents to take part in the Patient Participation Group which aims to support and improve the way services are delivered by your GP Practice. See more here on the goals and how to join.
• Theale Parish Council has released a list of projects currently being funded by the Greenham Trust. Click here to see the work being done.
• Click here for information about the range of activities organised by the Burghfield Community Sports Association.
• The latest edition of the Englefield Parish Magazine is available to read here.
• Ditto here with the latest Padworth Village Newsletter.
• Holy Trinity Church has posted an updated list of necessities for the Foodbank which you can view here.
• For the latest news from the Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton which covers updates and events across Theale area please visit its website and click on Letters, Notices & Magazine.
• Latest news from Aldermaston Parish Council can also be found on the website aldermaston.co.uk and this month includes the celebration of a new florist and children’s nursery in the village.
Poor at Admoor
I’ve mentioned a few times that Sovereign Housing hasn’t covered itself in glory in its handling of the fiasco of Windmill Court. Matters do not seem to have improved if this item from the 2 August meeting of Bradfield Parish Council is anything to go by. I know no more of the issue than is reported in the minutes, but the story seems to have a depressingly familiar ring to it. I reproduce item 78.2 from the Council’s official record here verbatim.
“A property in Admoor Lane has recently been advertised by Sovereign Housing. There was a very short window for applications, but it is understood that there were 69 applicants for the property. Sovereign Housing is understood to have offered the property to an applicant but withdrew the offer pending nomination of an applicant from BPC in line with the S106 agreement on the Admoor Lane properties. To make a nomination, BPC needs to have a list of applicants. Two separate applicants have contacted BPC directly, who both fulfil at least some of the criteria in the S106 agreement.
“The whole situation is very unprofessional and stressful for the parties concerned.”
Theale’s engagement
The meeting of Theale Parish Council on 8 August included the following motion:
“To create a business engagement forum to enable communication and build relationships between the parish council and local businesses. This is an essential measure in securing and sustaining a business voice to help inform local policies and place-based decisions and to guide action to enable businesses and the local economy to thrive, following the impact of the pandemic and the decline of UK high streets, especially in more rural areas. To form a business engagement working group to manage this forum and report any matters back for the council’s attention and consideration.”
The motion was submitted by Councillor Fenwick and was passed with one objection and one abstention.
Beenham’s panels
A preliminary application has been lodged by Grundon Waste Management (which you can see here) for “a temporary [25 years] 10MW ground- mounted solar photovoltaic system and battery storage at land northeast of Beenham Industrial Area.” (The application has the suffix /SCREEN which means that the applicant is requesting of WBC whether an environmental impact assessment (EIA) is required for the project: I suspect it will be.) The site is about 30 hectares, about the size of 45 football pitches. The supporting statement claims that the panels will be “able to power c.2,400 residential homes with clean, decentralised, renewable energy. Battery storage will enable excess energy generated from the array to be stored during periods of ample generation which can later be released during peak demand.” That would be enough to keep the lights on across the whole of Benham and eleven other villages of the same size.
One objection to the plan may, however, be that as the facility will be privately run there it’s unlikely there will be any community benefit. This is in contrast to the proposed development in Enborne where Calleva Community Energy will plough some of the proceeds back into the trust which owns the land for local distribution as the trust sees fit. CIL developer contributions may be payable, in which case the parish will get 15%, but that’s it. If this were for housing or commercial there would be some local benefit in terms of homes or jobs. No such benefit applies here. Producing renewable energy is self-evidently a good thing for the world as a whole but it’s easier to put up with a large solar farm in your community if there’s some local upside.
The supporting statement also looks at the planning history of the site. This dates back nearly 80 years to when gravel extraction was first permitted in the late 1940s. Since then other uses, including landfill and green-waste composting and the extraction of landfill gas. However, the statement (or this par of it) is silent on what I understand to be the case, that when these functions cease (as I believe they have or are about to) then the land returns to agricultural use. Whether this is good and productive agricultural land I’m not qualified to judge (though I imagine the authors of an EIA would be). One immediate problem is that it must be re-established as the same grade of land as it was when the change of use happened. I doubt any land-grading system (see below) existed in 1948 or that, if it did, there would be a record of it now. However, agricultural land of one kind or another is what it must revert to. By granting permission, a precedent would be set for every farmer who felt that sunshine was a more profitable crop than barley. We need power but we need food too.
There’s also the status of the North Wessex Downs AONB. in which the site is situated. Recent decisions, such as at Lancaster Park in Hungerford, have shown that this doesn’t afford automatic protection. However, were permission to be granted here, many might ask whether there was any point in having an AONB at all.
All of these opens up a number of other questions. Farming land is graded by DeFRA from one to five, with one being the best. The better the land, the more reluctant most planning authorities will be to give permission for a change away from agricultural use. However, a site that’s ideal for solar generation (for example, with an optimum aspect and an easy connection to the grid) might be better used this way for the national good even if was on good-quality land. As mentioned above, it might prove to be hard to determine what grade the land should be. The applicants would want this to be as low as possible as this would increase the chances of permission.
Regarding the AONBs – which were established between 1956 and 1995, so well before the climate emergency – are solar panels on this scale, or any scale, automatically seen as undesirable? Is the new requirement for renewable and local power generation now more important than the preservation of the landscape in every case?
Regarding the community benefits, would solar-farm applicants reduce local opposition (which can be very divisive and time-consuming) by ensuring some regular local benefit (in addition to a one-off CIL payment), even if the applicants were not compelled to do this? Would the PR benefits outright the extra costs and delays? Should this be a legal requirement of such an application, or would the element of compulsion make the issue even more divisive?
I don’t know the answers to any of these questions but this application seems to raise all of them and I suggest that all are pertinent to this and other similar applications. If you have any comments, please let me know on brian@pennypost.org.uk. Suspect this won’t be the last time I’ll be writing about it.
We contacted Grundon Waste Management on 11 August for its comments on the application but no response had been received by the time this column was published. We’ll let you know what the company has to stay when we’ve had a chance to talk to them.
Community notices
• West Berkshire Library Service is appealing for local volunteers at Mortimer and Burghfield Common libraries. Please see this post on Facebook, call 01635 519533 or email volunteerinyourlibrary@westberks.gov.uk for further information.
• More local hosts are needed for people escaping the war in Ukraine. If you could consider hosting a Ukrainian refugee or family, please get in contact with the local support group or visit westberks.gov.uk/homesforukraine.
• For how to avoid scams and what to do if you unluckily get caught, please see important advice here from Citizen’s Advice.
Local events and activities
For more information on events and activities across the Penny Post area, see the website calendar.
• Dates for the diary
• Sat 27 Aug Mortimer West End & District Annual Show, Mortimer.
• Sat 10 Sep Jubilee Afternoon Tea To Support MS, Sindlesham Court.
• Sun 11 Sep Hampshire and IOW Air Ambulance Horse Show, Farley Hill.
• Fri 16 Sep Flushed Away Film Night, St Mary’s Church Burghfield.
• Fri 23 to Sat 24 Sep BurghFest 2022, Burghfield Common Recreation Ground.
• Regular events
• Burghfield WI meets at 7.30pm on the second Tuesday of the month at Burghfield Village Hall. See their facebook page for details.
• Holy Trinity Church is seeking donations for the Foodbank that is open on Sundays and Wednesdays from 9am to 6pm. With another rise in people’s need for foodbank support, you can find out what has been requested each week by clicking here.
• Theale Library hosts in-person events for people of all ages. To find out more information on future clubs and events click here to visit the West Berkshire Library Facebook page or email Theale Library at thealelibrary@westberks.gov.uk.
• Mortimer Library also host regular events, such as their Rhymetime group who meet every Tuesday (during school term time) at 2.30pm.
• Walking for Health meet every Tuesday at the community centre car park opposite the Horse & Groom, Mortimer. There are three walk lengths to chose from As mentioned on mortimervillage.org.uk,
• Holy Trinity Church, Theale is open for West Berks Food Bank donations on Sundays and Wednesdays from 10.30am to 6pm. Please see the church’s website for regularly updated lists of what is most needed at the food bank.
• Beenham Art Group every Tuesday from 10am to noon at Victory Hall, Beenham. More details in The Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton Magazine (February edition, p 16).
• Aldermaston Coffee Club meet at the café at Rosebourne, Aldermaston between 10am to 11.30am on the first and third Tuesday of each month. Further details in The Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton Magazine (February edition, p 8)
• Aldermaston & Wasing Ladies Group meets on the second Thursday of each month from 2pm at Aldermaston Parish Hall, please see Padworth Parish Council Newsletter (p 3, February 2022 ) for further information.
• Padworth and Aldermaston WI meets at Padworth Village Hall on the third Tuesday of every month at 7.30pm. Further information on the group can be found in Padworth Parish Council Newsletter (No 155 February 2022 Edition p 3).
• Holy Trinity Church, Theale free choir group rehearses on Thursdays between 7pm to 8pm and performs at Sunday services from 10.30am. All are welcome to join. Send enquiries to office@holytrinitytheale.org.uk.
News from your local council
• The most recent meeting of Aldermaston Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 9 August and the minutes will be available here in due course. Items covered included: AWE’s response to the Parish Council’s comments on AWE’s Planning Application for its Hub development; planning matters; clay-pigeon shooting; a report from ward member Dominic Boeck; bat surveys; and three potential planning enforcement matters. To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Theale Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 8 August and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: litter; bonfires; a barrier at the Village Hall; a report from ward member Alan Macro; the new mini-recycling centre; reports from the committees and working groups; licensing matters; planning matters; and a plan to creat a business engagement forum (see separate sections above). To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Bradfield Parish Council for which minutes are available,was on 2 August and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: the continuing saga of the Village Hall, which seems to have been going on for years; hedges and trees; planning matters; repairs and maintenance around the parish; picnic benches; the PC’s asset register; the Almshouses; highways; the Jubilee Shield; correspondence; financial matters; dog bins; the May Fair; and a “very unprofessional” communication from Sovereign regarding a property in Admoor Lane. To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here for 2021 and here for 2022.
• The most recent meeting of Beenham Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 1 August and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included:two councillor vacancies; planning matters; speed limits; road closures; parking at Mallard Way; mobile phone coverage; repairs and maintenance work; financial matters; and the Community Room and School Hall. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here for 2021 and here for 2022. Click here for details of Beenham’s Community Plan.
• The most recent meeting of Padworth Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 18 July and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: a report on the Village Show; the co-option of a new councillor; another councillor vacancy; a grant to Swings and Smiles; financial matters; the Village Hall; planning matters; and a possible future development at the Padworth Sawmills site. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 14 July and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: Windmill Court (see separate section above); reports from committees and working parties; the NDP; jubilee VAT issues; formal matters; financial matters; correspondence; and village repairs and maintenance. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. See this page on Stratfield Mortimer PC’s website for more information on the refresh of its neighbourhood development plan.
• The most recent meeting of Englefield Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 21 June and you can read the minutes here. I To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Burghfield Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 9 June and you can read the minutes here. You can also click here to see a report on the annual parish meeting on 12 May. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• Burghfield area council contacts
Parishes: Theale Parish Council, Aldermaston Parish Council, Padworth Parish Council, Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council, Englefield Parish Council, Beenham Parish Council, Bradfield Parish Council and Burghfield Parish Council.
West Berkshire Council: click here to visit the website.
News from other areas
Penny Post area – please see the following separate sections: Hungerford area; Lambourn Valley; Newbury area; Thatcham area; Compton & Downlands; Wantage area; Marlborougharea; Swindon area.
News and views from across the area and beyond: please see the most recent Weekly News with Brian column.
Thursday 4 August 2022
This week we listen to a mix from a local music producer, provide a heads-up on a local show and highlight some local newsletters. We also look at the latest on the recurring issues of Burghfield’s café application and the next steps at Windmill Court in Mortimer – plus our usual round-up of other local news, local events and activities and local councils’ information
This week’s news
• Click here for the latest newsletter from Burghfield and Mortimer District Councillor Graham Bridgman.
• Click here for the latest newsletter from Theale District Councillor Alan Macro.
• The Mortimer West End and District Annual Show will be taking place on Saturday 27 August. Come along to enjoy a variety of stalls from local businesses, as well as there will be lots of different craft activities for children to try. There are also various competitions with you can enter to show off your talents and for a chance of winning first place. There will be categories for fruit, vegetables and flower, as well as artistic crafts such as flower arranging, photography, art work or handicrafts. To find out how to enter and keep up-to-date with the details, follow their Facebook page for more info.
• Burghfield Library is holding regular free craft sessions, every Thursday throughout the summer holidays, for children aged 3 to 10 years old. The next session is on Thursday 11 August, just drop in between 10.30am and noon. For more information please contact the library at burghfieldlibrary@westberks.gov.uk, or visit their Facebook page. For more holiday activities, please see our Guide to Summer Fun.
• Burghfield Football Club are looking for three Welfare Officer Assistants to work alongside their Child Welfare Officer. For a more details and how to apply please see here. Alongside these roles they are always keen to hear from anybody who is interested in helping make a difference to the local community, and would like to help them continue to grow as a club.
• Congratulations to self taught DJ and producer James Carter – Mortimer born and bred – has amassed more than 150 million streams and over 4m Spotify followers. He continues to release original material and unique remixes, including for the likes of Rihanna, James Arthur, Ava Max and David Guetta. His 2018 single Hands In The Fire went viral on TikTok, with more than 150 million views on the short-video platform. His latest collaboration Bad Memories with Italian Grammy-nominated Meduza and featuring US singer Elly Duhé and Berlin duo Fastboy is described as “a mesmerising, addictive and atmospheric creation.” It featured highly in Spotify’s New Music Friday in 45 countries at launch on July 22 and was given BBC Radio 1’s prestigious Hottest Record accolade that weekend. It marks Meduza’s first single release since the viral Tell It To My Heart featuring Hozier, a track currently sitting at 112 million Spotify streams.
• Did you know Theale Parish Council are often looking for volunteers to help run fun community events, as well as activities to keep our local environment nice? Whether it’s manning stalls and summer or Christmas fete’s, planting trees or picking up litter, the council rely on member of the community to help make these things possible. If you would like to find out more about local volunteer opportunities, check out their website to find out more and register your interest.
• Theale Parish Council has urged residents to take part in the Patient Participation Group which aims to support and improve the way services are delivered by your GP Practice. See more here on the goals and how to join.
• Theale Parish Council has released a list of projects currently being funded by the Greenham Trust. Click here to see the work being done.
• Click here for information about the range of activities organised by the Burghfield Community Sports Association.
• The latest edition of the Englefield Parish Magazine is available to read here.
• Ditto here with the latest Padworth Village Newsletter.
• Holy Trinity Church has posted an updated list of necessities for the Foodbank which you can view here.
• For the latest news from the Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton which covers updates and events across Theale area please visit its website and click on Letters, Notices & Magazine.
• Latest news from Aldermaston Parish Council can also be found on the website aldermaston.co.uk and this month includes the celebration of a new florist and children’s nursery in the village.
The atomic café
As mentioned in this column on 14 July (click here and scroll down a bit) the matter of Burghfield’s café was discussed, and approved, by the Eastern Area Planning Committee the previous day. This wasn’t, however, the absolutely final word on the matter. As Burghfield is in the DEPZ (the emergency area that surrounds the AWE sites there and at Aldermaston), the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) has a say in this as well. The DEPZ was extended a few years ago as a result of which it then included the site of the café and most of the rest of Burghfield. Whether this extension was due to an excess of caution or in response to a genuine fear that one of the AWE sites was about to go wrong I have no idea. It certainly put paid to the proposed massive housing project at Grazeley, which also came under the new DEPZ. The fall-out from this is being felt as far away as Thatcham where the plan for 2,500 homes as a partial replacement for this scheme was announced in 2020. But I digress.
For Burghfield, the DEPZ has created another level of planning uncertainty, as if there weren’t enough already. Not only does every application need to be looked at through the prism of regulations that refer to a possible catastrophic event which most people in West Berkshire cannot imagine and – unless they come from Chernobyl – have never experienced: but also, the Secretary of State can call in any planning consent to be scrutinised by the ONR’s atomic boffins. As my report on the meeting explain, this was the only planning issue on the application which concerned the officers; and it concerned them so much that they recommend refusal. The EAPC took a different – some might say a more common-sense – view and unanimously voted to approve it. The ONR had 21 days to decide what it wanted to do, a deadline which has now been extended slightly to 21 August.
As I mentioned, if the café is refused on these grounds it seems reasonable to ask if people should be allowed to live in Burghfield at all. Perhaps the whole place should be rebuilt brick by brick just outside the DEPZ. Now that would be a planning application worth seeing…
An eviction notice
Particularly in these digital days, many people are apt to blame anything which goes wrong or don’t work out in exactly the way they’d like on a conspiracy of some kind, often at quite a deep level. In extreme cases, finding no evidence of it almost amounts to positive proof – it just shows how good the conspirators have been at covering their tracks and how devilishly dangerous they therefore are. In my view, however, most things that go wrong or have seemed to have gone wrong have done so because of one of two things: incompetence or poor communication.
The second of these would seem to describe the way that the proposed closure of Windmill Court in Mortimer was first handled by Sovereign. There has been quite a lot of discussion involving Sovereign, WBC, the residents and Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council since then, not least because the plan of finding appropriate new homes for all the current tenants has not preceded as quickly as Sovereign might have hoped. One result of the discussions has been the creation of a petition by residents. This says that:
“Sovereign Housing Association’s proposal to evict the residents of Windmill Court from their homes, without suitable alternative accommodation being available within the village that would allow them to retain family and/or personal ties, is not reasonable All current restrictive covenant(s) or other restrictions, the existence of which currently prevent the Association’s plans that may lead to eviction from Windmill Court, should remain in place.” Click here for more and for a link to the petition (you can also sign it on paper at the Baobab). You have until 5 September 2022 to have your say.
Another result of these conversations may be the issuing of a statement in the next week or so which will confirm how the issue will be resolved. In the meantime, please do sign the petition if you support its aims as the more people who do so the more likely it is that action will be taken that helps bring these about.
Community notices
• West Berkshire Library Service is appealing for local volunteers at Mortimer and Burghfield Common libraries. Please see this post on Facebook, call 01635 519533 or email volunteerinyourlibrary@westberks.gov.uk for further information.
• More local hosts are needed for people escaping the war in Ukraine. If you could consider hosting a Ukrainian refugee or family, please get in contact with the local support group or visit westberks.gov.uk/homesforukraine.
• For how to avoid scams and what to do if you unluckily get caught, please see important advice here from Citizen’s Advice.
Local events and activities
For more information on events and activities across the Penny Post area, see the website calendar.
• Dates for the diary
• Sat 27 Art Mortimer West End & District Annual Show, Mortimer.
• Sat 10 Sep Jubilee Afternoon Tea To Support MS, Sindlesham Court.
• Sun 11 Sep Hampshire and IOW Air Ambulance Horse Show, Farley Hill.
• Fri 16 Sep Flushed Away Film Night, St Mary’s Church Burghfield.
• Fri 23 to Sat 24 Sep BurghFest 2022, Burghfield Common Recreation Ground.
• Regular events
• Burghfield WI meets at 7.30pm on the second Tuesday of the month at Burghfield Village Hall. See their facebook page for details.
• Holy Trinity Church is seeking donations for the Foodbank that is open on Sundays and Wednesdays from 9am to 6pm. With another rise in people’s need for foodbank support, you can find out what has been requested each week by clicking here.
• Theale Library hosts in-person events for people of all ages. To find out more information on future clubs and events click here to visit the West Berkshire Library Facebook page or email Theale Library at thealelibrary@westberks.gov.uk.
• Mortimer Library also host regular events, such as their Rhymetime group who meet every Tuesday (during school term time) at 2.30pm.
• Walking for Health meet every Tuesday at the community centre car park opposite the Horse & Groom, Mortimer. There are three walk lengths to chose from As mentioned on mortimervillage.org.uk,
• Holy Trinity Church, Theale is open for West Berks Food Bank donations on Sundays and Wednesdays from 10.30am to 6pm. Please see the church’s website for regularly updated lists of what is most needed at the food bank.
• Beenham Art Group every Tuesday from 10am to noon at Victory Hall, Beenham. More details in The Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton Magazine (February edition, p 16).
• Aldermaston Coffee Club meet at the café at Rosebourne, Aldermaston between 10am to 11.30am on the first and third Tuesday of each month. Further details in The Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton Magazine (February edition, p 8)
• Aldermaston & Wasing Ladies Group meets on the second Thursday of each month from 2pm at Aldermaston Parish Hall, please see Padworth Parish Council Newsletter (p 3, February 2022 ) for further information.
• Padworth and Aldermaston WI meets at Padworth Village Hall on the third Tuesday of every month at 7.30pm. Further information on the group can be found in Padworth Parish Council Newsletter (No 155 February 2022 Edition p 3).
• Holy Trinity Church, Theale free choir group rehearses on Thursdays between 7pm to 8pm and performs at Sunday services from 10.30am. All are welcome to join. Send enquiries to office@holytrinitytheale.org.uk.
News from your local council
• The most recent meeting of Padworth Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 18 July and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: a report on the Village Show; the co-option of a new councillor; another councillor vacancy; a grant to Swings and Smiles; financial matters; the Village Hall; planning matters; and a possible future development at the Padworth Sawmills site. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 14 July and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: Windmill Court (see separate section above); reports from committees and working parties; the NDP; jubilee VAT issues; formal matters; financial matters; correspondence; and village repairs and maintenance. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. See this page on Stratfield Mortimer PC’s website for more information on the refresh of its neighbourhood development plan.
• The most recent meeting of Aldermaston Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 12 July and the minutes will be available here in due course. Items covered included: the Wasing Medicine Festival (18 to 21 August); Padworth Sawmills; HGV movements; no planning applications (unusually); speeding; repair works at The Loosey; and a £300 grant for Citizens Advice in Tadley. To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Bradfield Parish Council for which minutes are available,was on 5 July and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: the continuing saga of the Village Hall; hedges and trees; planning matters; a report from ward member Ross Mackinnon; speeding; dog fouling; highways; speeding; the Jubilee Shield; correspondence; financial matters; and potholes. To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here for 2021 and here for 2022.
• The most recent meeting of Theale Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 4 July and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: the lack of street traders (see this Week’s news above); a report from ward member Alan Macro; reports from committees and working parties; planning and licensing matters; GreenFest; and a possible fête in 2023. To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Beenham Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 4 July and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: mobile-phone coverage; a councillor vacancy; planning matters; Beenham Primary’s security assessment; speeding; rights of way; financial matters; and repairs and maintenance issues. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here for 2021 and here for 2022. Click here for details of Beenham’s Community Plan.
• The most recent meeting of Englefield Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 21 June and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: financial matters; donations to Citizens Advice West Berkshire and the Standby Volunteer Group; a councillor vacancy; and planning matters. To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Burghfield Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 9 June and you can read the minutes here. You can also click here to see a report on the annual parish meeting on 12 May. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• Burghfield area council contacts
Parishes: Theale Parish Council, Aldermaston Parish Council, Padworth Parish Council, Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council, Englefield Parish Council, Beenham Parish Council, Bradfield Parish Council and Burghfield Parish Council.
West Berkshire Council: click here to visit the website.
News from other areas
Penny Post area – please see the following separate sections: Hungerford area; Lambourn Valley; Newbury area; Thatcham area; Compton & Downlands; Wantage area; Marlborougharea; Swindon area.
News and views from across the area and beyond: please see the most recent Weekly News with Brian column.
Thursday 28 July 2022
This week we consider a toy library, a sewing project and the strange dearth of street traders in Theale. There’s also a protest in Burghfield and a letter to be written in Mortimer – plus our usual round-up of other local news, local events and activities and local councils’ information
This week’s news
• Burghfield Football Club are looking for three Welfare Officer Assistants to work alongside their Child Welfare Officer. For a more details and how to apply please see here. Alongside these roles they are always keen to hear from anybody who is interested in helping make a difference to the local community, and would like to help them continue to grow as a club.
• The 4 July meeting of Theale Parish Council revealed a strange fact about the parish. It appears that “unlike the rest of West Berkshire, street trading was prohibited in Theale because of a decision dating back to the 1990s.” My curiosity as been stirred but too late in the day to be satisfied by making further enquiries. One hears of such strange legal survivals, like taxis technically being forbidden from picking up passengers in Bloomsbury Square and it being illegal to be drunk in charge of a cow (that one’s actually quite sensible) but goodness knows how Theale was allowed to fall off the kebab-van map. I’ll try to find out more and report back.
• This is your last chance to have your say on West Berkshire Council’s Bus Improvement Plan, as the survey deadline ends this weekend. It is vital they hear from passengers and potential passengers to ensure they are meeting needs. If you would like your views heard regarding Berkshires bus services, then take the survey before midnight on Sunday 31 July.
• Burghfield Library is holding regular free craft sessions, every Thursday throughout the summer holidays, for children aged 3 to 10 years old. The next session is on Thursday 4 August, just drop in between 10.30am and noon. For more information please contact the library at burghfieldlibrary@westberks.gov.uk, or visit their Facebook page.
• Are you handy with a sewing machine? Ufton Court Educational Trust are looking for volunteers to help with a Tudor costume sewing project. All sewing materials – except the sewing machine – will be provided, there will be free refreshments and also a guided tour of the Manor House. The volunteer event will take place on Tuesday 8 August, anytime between 9:30am and 3pm. For more information and to register your interest, please call 01189 832099 or email enquiries@uftoncourt.org.uk.
• Did you know Theale Parish Council are often looking for volunteers to help run fun community events, as well as activities to keep our local environment nice? Whether it’s manning stalls and summer or Christmas fete’s, planting trees or picking up litter, the council rely on member of the community to help make these things possible. If you would like to find out more about local volunteer opportunities, check out their website to find out more and register your interest.
• Theale Parish Council has urged residents to take part in the Patient Participation Group which aims to support and improve the way services are delivered by your GP Practice. See more here on the goals and how to join.
• Theale Parish Council has released a list of projects currently being funded by the Greenham Trust. Click here to see the work being done.
• The Mortimer West End and District Annual Show has been announced, taking place on 27 August 2022. The full schedule and details are available here, boasting vegetables, flowers, handicrafts, artwork and more.
• Click here for information about the range of activities organised by the Burghfield Community Sports Association.
• The latest edition of the Englefield Parish Magazine is available to read here.
• Ditto here with the latest Padworth Village Newsletter.
• Holy Trinity Church has posted an updated list of necessities for the Foodbank which you can view here.
• For the latest news from the Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton which covers updates and events across Theale area please visit its website and click on Letters, Notices & Magazine.
• Latest news from Aldermaston Parish Council can also be found on the website aldermaston.co.uk and this month includes the celebration of a new florist and children’s nursery in the village.
Digging in
There’s a letter in this week’s Newbury Weekly News from the man who staged a protest with a digger at the play area on Burghfield Rec earlier this month. The starts with his saying that he has “been asked to justify” why he did this. No such justification follows, however. Instead there’s a series of accusations about various local matters, some dating back several years, which have been conflated in a way that makes it very hard to see what connects them; and which in any event seem to have nothing to do with the playground.
The immediate reality is that Burghfield PC has said that the incident resulted in a cost over-run of £2,500. As matters stand, that’s therefore the amount that the PC and so the residents are out of pocket (that’s about £1 for every household in the parish). It remains to be seen how BPC plans to deal with this.
A particularly odd aspect of the business is why the contractors left when the protestor arrived. As the Parish Council was employing them, presumably only it could have told them to knock off ; but clearly the Parish Council wouldn’t have given this sort of instruction. Distinctly rum, as Bertie Wooster might have said.
Windmill Court
The matter of the imminent closure of this Sovereign-owned site was discussed at the meeting of Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council on 14 July 2022 and the following is taken from the minutes:
“To receive an update on Windmill court and resolve that the Council write to West Berkshire Council’s portfolio holder for Windmill Court to seek further clarification and information.
“Councillor Morsley confirmed that since his attendance at the June Full Council meeting, Nigel Lynn, CEO of West Berkshire Council (WBC), has not responded with regards to the questions put to him regarding Windmill Court. The Clerk will contact Mr Lynn requesting an update. Councillor Morsley summarised the points to be raised with the WBC portfolio holder:
- To highlight the need for retaining suitable accommodation for the elderly in Mortimer with regards to the social benefits enabling downsizing from larger Sovereign properties, and the Neighbourhood Development Plan policies.
- To question the need for even more family homes given the housing mix being provided by the Tower House Farm development.
- To establish why there has been a lack of maintenance of the Windmill Court site and properties, and a lack of letting of the units.
- To seek an understanding of WBC’s housing requirements, and confirmation as to what Sovereign are being asked to provide.
- To seek clarification of the decision-making process with regards to Windmill Court.
“The proposal was agreed with one abstention.”
Community notices
• West Berkshire Library Service is appealing for local volunteers at Mortimer and Burghfield Common libraries. Please see this post on Facebook, call 01635 519533 or email volunteerinyourlibrary@westberks.gov.uk for further information.
• More local hosts are needed for people escaping the war in Ukraine. If you could consider hosting a Ukrainian refugee or family, please get in contact with the local support group or visit westberks.gov.uk/homesforukraine.
• For how to avoid scams and what to do if you unluckily get caught, please see important advice here from Citizen’s Advice.
Local events and activities
For more information on events and activities across the Penny Post area, see the website calendar.
• Dates for the diary
• Sun 31 Jul Classic Car Show Fundraiser, Swings & Smiles, Theale.
• Sat 27 Art Mortimer West End & District Annual Show, Mortimer.
• Sat 10 Sep Jubilee Afternoon Tea To Support MS, Sindlesham Court.
• Sun 11 Sep Hampshire and IOW Air Ambulance Horse Show, Farley Hill.
• Fri 16 Sep Flushed Away Film Night, St Mary’s Church Burghfield.
• Fri 23 to Sat 24 Sep BurghFest 2022, Burghfield Common Recreation Ground.
• Regular events
• Burghfield WI meets at 7.30pm on the second Tuesday of the month at Burghfield Village Hall. See their facebook page for details.
• Holy Trinity Church is seeking donations for the Foodbank that is open on Sundays and Wednesdays from 9am to 6pm. With another rise in people’s need for foodbank support, you can find out what has been requested each week by clicking here.
• Theale Library hosts in-person events for people of all ages. To find out more information on future clubs and events click here to visit the West Berkshire Library Facebook page or email Theale Library at thealelibrary@westberks.gov.uk.
• Mortimer Library also host regular events, such as their Rhymetime group who meet every Tuesday (during school term time) at 2.30pm.
• Walking for Health meet every Tuesday at the community centre car park opposite the Horse & Groom, Mortimer. There are three walk lengths to chose from As mentioned on mortimervillage.org.uk,
• Holy Trinity Church, Theale is open for West Berks Food Bank donations on Sundays and Wednesdays from 10.30am to 6pm. Please see the church’s website for regularly updated lists of what is most needed at the food bank.
• Beenham Art Group every Tuesday from 10am to noon at Victory Hall, Beenham. More details in The Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton Magazine (February edition, p 16).
• Aldermaston Coffee Club meet at the cafe at Rosebourne, Aldermaston between 10am to 11.30am on the first and third Tuesday of each month. Further details in The Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton Magazine (February edition, p 8)
• Aldermaston & Wasing Ladies Group meets on the second Thursday of each month from 2pm at Aldermaston Parish Hall, please see Padworth Parish Council Newsletter (p 3, February 2022 ) for further information.
• Padworth and Aldermaston WI meets at Padworth Village Hall on the third Tuesday of every month at 7.30pm. Further information on the group can be found in Padworth Parish Council Newsletter (No 155 February 2022 Edition p 3).
• Holy Trinity Church, Theale free choir group rehearses on Thursdays between 7pm to 8pm and performs at Sunday services from 10.30am. All are welcome to join. Send enquiries to office@holytrinitytheale.org.uk.
News from your local council
• The most recent meeting of Padworth Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 18 July and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: a report on the Village Show; the co-option of a new councillor; another councillor vacancy; a grant to Swings and Smiles; financial matters; the Village Hall; planning matters; and a possible future development at the Padworth Sawmills site. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 14 July and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: Windmill Court (see separate section above); reports from committees and working parties; the NDP; jubilee VAT issues; formal matters; financial matters; correspondence; and village repairs and maintenance. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. See this page on Stratfield Mortimer PC’s website for more information on the refresh of its neighbourhood development plan.
• The most recent meeting of Aldermaston Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 12 July and the minutes will be available here in due course. Items covered included: the Wasing Medicine Festival (18 to 21 August); Padworth Sawmills; HGV movements; no planning applications (unusually); speeding; repair works at The Loosey; and a £300 grant for Citizens Advice in Tadley. To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Bradfield Parish Council for which minutes are available,was on 5 July and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: the continuing saga of the Village Hall; hedges and trees; planning matters; a report from ward member Ross Mackinnon; speeding; dog fouling; highways; speeding; the Jubilee Shield; correspondence; financial matters; and potholes. To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here for 2021 and here for 2022.
• The most recent meeting of Theale Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 4 July and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: the lack of street traders (see this Week’s news above); a report from ward member Alan Macro; reports from committees and working parties; planning and licensing matters; GreenFest; and a possible fête in 2023. To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Beenham Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 4 July and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: mobile-phone coverage; a councillor vacancy; planning matters; Beenham Primary’s security assessment; speeding; rights of way; financial matters; and repairs and maintenance issues. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here for 2021 and here for 2022. Click here for details of Beenham’s Community Plan.
• The most recent meeting of Englefield Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 21 June and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: financial matters; donations to Citizens Advice West Berkshire and the Standby Volunteer Group; a councillor vacancy; and planning matters. To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Burghfield Parish Council for which minutes are available was on 9 June and you can read the minutes here. You can also click here to see a report on the annual parish meeting on 12 May. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• Burghfield area council contacts
Parishes: Theale Parish Council, Aldermaston Parish Council, Padworth Parish Council, Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council, Englefield Parish Council, Beenham Parish Council, Bradfield Parish Council and Burghfield Parish Council.
West Berkshire Council: click here to visit the website.
News from other areas
Penny Post area – please see the following separate sections: Hungerford area; Lambourn Valley; Newbury area; Thatcham area; Compton & Downlands; Wantage area; Marlborougharea; Swindon area.
News and views from across the area and beyond: please see the most recent Weekly News with Brian column.
Thursday 21 July 2022
This week we look at Mortimer’s equivalent of painting the Forth Bridge, the latest on the issues at Windmill Court, cost increases at Burghfield’s playground and Theale’s request for volunteers – plus our usual round-up of other local news, local events and activities and local councils information
This week’s news
• Burghfield Library is holding regular free Craft Sessions, every Thursday throughout the summer holidays, for children aged 3 to 10 years old. The next session is on Thursday 28 July, just drop in between 10.30am and noon. For more information please contact the library at burghfieldlibrary@westberks.gov.uk, or visit their Facebook page.
• Are you handy with a sewing machine? Ufton Court Educational Trust are looking for volunteers to help with a Tudor costume sewing project. All sewing materials – except the sewing machine – will be provided, there will be free refreshments and also a guided tour of the Manor House. The volunteer event will take place on Tuesday 8 August, anytime between 9:30am and 3pm. For more information and to register your interest, please call 01189 832099 or email enquiries@uftoncourt.org.uk.
• The last free Craft and Care class at Theale Library before the summer break is next Tuesday 26 July as part of the Corn Exchange’s Link to Thrive programme for mental health. See details here for how to self-refer or be referred to the classes by your GP or Social Prescriber.
• The last free Creating Journalling class at Mortimer Library before the summer break is next Thursday 28 July as part of the same programme. See details here for how to self-refer or be referred to the classes by your GP or Social Prescriber.
• The Holy Trinity Church of Theale is offering a two-morning summer club for children in Years 1 to 6 at Theale Primary School on 27 and 28 of July. To book a slot, you can visit here and also here to find out more information. For more ideas for what to do this summer see our Summer Holiday Guide here.
• Theale Primary PTA were sad to have to cancel their end of year disco due to the heatwave. See their facebook page here for more ways to support their fundraising.
• Have your say on West Berkshire’s bus service (by 31 July) and possible rise in black cab farese you say (by 28 July).
• Theale Parish Council has urged residents to take part in the Patient Participation Group which aims to support and improve the way services are delivered by your GP Practice. See more here on the goals and how to join.
• Theale Parish Council has released a list of projects currently being funded by the Greenham Trust. Click here to see the work being done.
• The Mortimer West End and District Annual Show has been announced, taking place on 27 August 2022. The full schedule and details are available here, boasting vegetables, flowers, handicrafts, artwork and more.
• Click here for information about the range of activities organised by the Burghfield Community Sports Association.
• The latest edition of the Englefield Parish Magazine is available to read here.
• Ditto here with the latest Padworth Village Newsletter.
• Holy Trinity Church has posted an updated list of necessities for the Foodbank which you can view here.
• For the latest news from the Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton which covers updates and events across Theale area please visit its website and click on Letters, Notices & Magazine.
• Latest news from Aldermaston Parish Council can also be found on the website aldermaston.co.uk and this month includes the celebration of a new florist and children’s nursery in the village.
Refreshing the plan
Mortimer was the first parish in West Berkshire to create a neighbourhood development plan: this was adopted in 2017, covers the period to 2026. In a nutshell, NDPs give local communities the opportunity to work with the planning authority – WBC in this case – to write the part of the local plan which affects them. It cannot prevent development but it can influence where and of what kind it is and also specify a number of matters which need to be borne in mind when considering any planning application in the parish. The main focus of Mortumer’s NDP was managing the 110 new houses, many of which are now being or have been built.
Like the proverbial painting of the Forth Bridge – or, in an image more relevant to me, the production of a weekly newsletter – you no sooner finish the job than you have to start thinking about updating it. Five years is long enough for several of the priorities to have changed. The climate emergency, for example, had not been declared when the original plan was adopted. A parish council-led group is therefore shaping a an update to the NDP, aimed at reflecting emerging national and local planning policies (including the refresh of WBC’s own local plan) and adding new policies that the community wants.
Please click here to visit the page on Mortimer Life’s website with more information and a link to the consultation that’s currently open (and will be until 30 July) so you can have your say about what you think needs to be changed.
Windmill Court
Last week (see below for the link to the archive post for this column) I asked a few questions about how well the current triptych of planning authority, housing associations and private developers was doing in terms of providing the housing that the area needs (the verdict was “could do better”). I stress again that I was not seeking do a hatchet job on any of these but pointed out how all were prisoners wither of past decisions or of present arrangements and circumstances which meant that their interests were not always aligned. There are solutions to this: whether thy can be grasped is another matter.
The proposed closure of Windmill Court in Mortimer by Sovereign Housing seemed to provide a good example of some of these issues. I mentioned that Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council had a number of questions about the relationship between WBC and Sovereign and also about exactly where matters stand with regard to Windmill Court which it discussed at its meeting on 14 July. On 21 July, a spokesperson for SMPC told Penny Post that “it was agreed to write to WBC about Windmill Court,” and that this email is currently being finalised. If SMPC feels able to share the details of this with me I’ll let you know. In addition, it was agreed “to assist the residents with a petition with the aim of getting enough signatures for it to be reported to a Full Council meeting for debate by the elected Members of West Berkshire Council.” This requires 1,500 signatures or, I understand, 500 if the matter relates to more than two WBC wards. As soon as the petition is finalised I’ll publish the link.
Burghfield’s costs
We’ve done several articles in the last few months on this subject (see below for the link to the archive post for this column) normally referring either to the proposed (and recently approved, subject to a possible appeal) café or to the Village Hall. This latest one comes from Burghfield PC itself, commenting on the delays to and extra costs of the repairs to the playground. You can see the full exchange, dating back to 14 July, on BPC’s FB page. The 14 July entry says that “Following a disturbance [a protest involving a digger] to the works at the Common Recreation play area on Monday for the preparation of new safety surfacing, please be advised that completion has been delayed by a week.”
On 19 July, BPC added that “The play area safer surfacing is planned to be finished tomorrow, just in time for the school holidays! We are very thankful to the contractors, who took some serious convincing to swap their work around to finish up, especially after the delays last week. The disruption, caused by a local resident with concerns over root damage to nearby trees, has sadly meant additional costs to the council as both the contractors and machinery were needed for an extra day to recover the time. The costs are estimated at £2,500, not a small number. We hope you all enjoy the play area again – once the heat has eased off, of course! As always, if you do have any questions or concerns about on-going projects in the Parish, please feel free to reach out to the parish council.” Click here to visit the BPC website.
I’ve written to BPC to ask if the extra cost was solely due to the delay or whether it involved any extra or different work not envisaged at the outset (perhaps inspired by the protestor) and will let you know when I hear back.
Theale’s volunteers
In common with other parish councils, Theale PC relies on the generosity of local residents to help run events such as the Christmas Market, summer fetes or activities such as community litter picks and tree planting and watering. TPC has recently set up a form for people to join its volunteering mailing list. This will enable it to keep a list of potential volunteers for parish council events and activities whom it can contact.
If you would like to add your details to its volunteering database, please register your interest by completing the form. TPC will contact you before events to see if you would like to get involved. The parish council is grateful for whatever time you can offer, be it 30 minutes a week or occasional assistance at an annual event. TPC reassures people that by completing the form you are not obliged to volunteer and that all details will be retained in line with the parish council’s privacy policy, available here. I believe that you can register even if you are not a parish resident.
Community notices
• West Berkshire Library Service is appealing for local volunteers at Mortimer and Burghfield Common libraries. Please see this post on Facebook, call 01635 519533 or email volunteerinyourlibrary@westberks.gov.uk for further information.
• More local hosts are needed for people escaping the war in Ukraine. If you could consider hosting a Ukrainian refugee or family, please get in contact with the local support group or visit westberks.gov.uk/homesforukraine.
• For how to avoid scams and what to do if you unluckily get caught, please see important advice here from Citizen’s Advice.
Local events and activities
For more information on events and activities across the Penny Post area, see the website calendar.
• Dates for the diary
• Fri 22 Jul Pop-Up Pup Beer Festival, Burghfield Common.
• Sat 23 Jul Pop and Rock Cover Gig, The Six Bells, Burghfield.
• Sat 28 Jul Live Music from The Blagabond, The Hatch Gate Pub, Burghfield.
• Sun 31 Jul Classic Car Show Fundraiser, Swings & Smiles, Theale.
• Sat 10 Sep Jubilee Afternoon Tea To Support MS, Sindlesham Court.
• Sun 11 Sep Hampshire and IOW Air Ambulance Horse Show, Farley Hill.
• Fri 16 Sep Flushed Away Film Night, St Mary’s Church Burghfield.
• Fri 23 to Sat 24 Sep BurghFest 2022, Burghfield Common Recreation Ground.
• Regular events
• Burghfield WI meets at 7.30pm on the second Tuesday of the month at Burghfield Village Hall. See their facebook page for details.
Burghfield Community Sports Association
• Holy Trinity Church is seeking donations for the Foodbank that is open on Sundays and Wednesdays from 9am to 6pm. With another rise in people’s need for foodbank support, you can find out what has been requested each week by clicking here.
• Theale Library hosts in-person events for people of all ages. To find out more information on future clubs and events click here to visit the West Berkshire Library Facebook page or email Theale Library at thealelibrary@westberks.gov.uk.
• Mortimer Library also host regular events, such as their Rhymetime group who meet every Tuesday (during school term time) at 2.30pm.
• Walking for Health meet every Tuesday at the community centre car park opposite the Horse & Groom, Mortimer. There are three walk lengths to chose from As mentioned on mortimervillage.org.uk,
• Holy Trinity Church, Theale is open for West Berks Food Bank donations on Sundays and Wednesdays from 10.30am to 6pm. Please see the church’s website for regularly updated lists of what is most needed at the food bank.
• Beenham Art Group every Tuesday from 10am to noon at Victory Hall, Beenham. More details in The Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton Magazine (February edition, p 16).
• Aldermaston Coffee Club meet at the cafe at Rosebourne, Aldermaston between 10am to 11.30am on the first and third Tuesday of each month. Further details in The Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton Magazine (February edition, p 8)
• Aldermaston & Wasing Ladies Group meets on the second Thursday of each month from 2pm at Aldermaston Parish Hall, please see Padworth Parish Council Newsletter (p 3, February 2022 ) for further information.
• Padworth and Aldermaston WI meets at Padworth Village Hall on the third Tuesday of every month at 7.30pm. Further information on the group can be found in Padworth Parish Council Newsletter (No 155 February 2022 Edition p 3).
• Holy Trinity Church, Theale free choir group rehearses on Thursdays between 7pm to 8pm and performs at Sunday services from 10.30am. All are welcome to join. Send enquiries to office@holytrinitytheale.org.uk.
News from your local council
Note: “the most recent meeting” refers to the most recent one for which minutes (in some cases draft) or some other summary is available. Other meetings may have taken place since. Some councils publish minutes more promptly than do others.
• The most recent meeting of Aldermaston Parish Council took place on 12 July and the minutes will be available here in due course. Items covered included: the Wasing Medicine Festival (18 to 21 August); Padworth Sawmills; HGV movements; no planning applications (unusually); speeding; repair works at The Loosey; and a £300 grant for Citizens Advice in Tadley. To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Englefield Parish Council took place on 21 June and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: financial matters; donations to Citizens Advice West Berkshire and the Standby Volunteer Group; a councillor vacancy; and planning matters. To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Burghfield Parish Council took place on 9 June and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: the co-option of two new councillors; the May Fair; a possible youth group in the village; committee reports; financial matters; and first-aid training. You can also click here to see a report on the annual parish meeting on 12 May. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council took place on 9 June and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: an address by WBC’s CEO Nigel Lynn; the co-option of two new councillors; reports from committees and working parties; the neighbourhood development plan; the jubilee; financial matters; tree works; Windmill Common; planning matters; and repair and maintenance work around the parish. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. See this page on Stratfield Mortimer PC’s website for more information on the refresh of its neighbourhood development plan.
• The most recent meeting of Bradfield Parish Council took place on 7 June and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: the jubilee; the Village Hall (the minutes report a number of questions and concerns regarding the revised business plan as a result of which BPC maintained its “position of no support for the current project. Everyone wants a new hall, but it has to be supported by the community and sustainable for the future.”); planning matters; a report from ward member Ross Mackinnon; picnic benches; Ukrainian refugees; highway issues; tree preservation orders; and financial matters. To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here for 2021 and here for 2022.
• The most recent meeting of Theale Parish Council took place on 6 June and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: a presentation from green ham trust; a report from ward member Alan Macro; the public toilets (see also above); village infrastructure (see alas above); planning matters; and financial matters. To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Beenham Parish Council took place on 6 June and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: a review of the jubilee; a typo corrected; two councillor vacancies; planning matters; the agreement that BPC “should closely monitor the proposed development to the north east of Thatcham”; rights of way; the Recreation Ground; speeding; various repairs and maintenance issues; a grant to Citizens Advice West Berkshire; financial matters; and vandalism at the school. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here for 2021 and here for 2022. Click here for details of Beenham’s Community Plan.
• The most recent meeting of Padworth Parish Council took place on 14 March and you can read the minutes here. The annual parish assembly took place on 16 May and you can read the minutes here. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• Theale area council contacts
Parishes: Theale Parish Council, Aldermaston Parish Council, Padworth Parish Council, Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council, Englefield Parish Council, Beenham Parish Council, Bradfield Parish Council and Burghfield Parish Council.
West Berkshire Council: click here to visit the website.
News from other areas
Penny Post area – please see the following separate sections: Hungerford area; Lambourn Valley; Newbury area; Thatcham area; Compton & Downlands; Wantage area; Marlborougharea; Swindon area.
News and views from across the area and beyond: please see the most recent Weekly News with Brian column.
Thursday 14 July 2022
This week we explain this section’s name change. We then take consider this week’s decision on Burghfield’s café and explain why there’ll be a three-week pause before the decision can be confirmed. We also take a look at Sovereign’s plans to re-develop Windmill Court in Mortimer and question whether the current arrangements are providing the housing the local people need – plus our usual round-up of local news, local events and activities and local councils information
This week’s news
• Congratulations to Theale Primary PTA for their successful fete last Saturday. See their facebook page here for more ways to support their fundraising.
• Burghfield’s film and food night for 8 to 13 year olds in St Mary’s Church is being rescheduled from Friday 15 July to Friday 16 September. They are showing Flushed Away (which we highly recommend!). Parents can stay or drop off. The evening is free but please pre-register here.
• And due to the heat, the proposed Guide Dogs Fun Day has been postponed until September due to the potential danger to animals. See more here on the Burghfield Community Facebook page.
• An important note here as Burghfield Mobility Stores is closed this weekend until Monday 18 July. In the meantime, it is important to call either the British Red Cross on 0118 935 8236 or WBC Adult Social Care on 01635 503050.
• The Hampshire and IOW Air Ambulance Horse Show has been postponed from September 4 to September 11. Definitely worth noting in your calendars if you’re interested.
• The Holy Trinity Church of Theale is offering a two-morning summer club for children in Years 1 to 6 at Theale Primary School on 27 and 28 of July. To book a slot, you can visit here and also here to find out more information. For more ideas for what to do this summer see our Summer Holiday Guide here.
•West Berkshire Council‘s latest Residents Bulletin from Thursday 14 July includes big investment in Calcot school facility, how to beat the heat and how to have your say on West Berkshire’s bus service (by 31 July).
• Please also have you say about a possible rise in black cab fares (by 28 July).
• Theale Parish Council has urged residents to take part in the Patient Participation Group which aims to support and improve the way services are delivered by your GP Practice. See more here on the goals and how to join.
• Theale Parish Council has released a list of projects currently being funded by the Greenham Trust. Click here to see the work being done.
• The Mortimer West End and District Annual Show has been announced, taking place on 27 August 2022. The full schedule and details are available here, boasting vegetables, flowers, handicrafts, artwork and more.
• The latest edition of the Englefield Parish Magazine is available to read here.
• Ditto here with the latest Padworth Village Newsletter.
• Holy Trinity Church has posted an updated list of necessities for the Foodbank which you can view here.
• For the latest news from theBenefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton which covers updates and events across Theale area please visit its website and click on Letters, Notices & Magazine.
• Latest news from Aldermaston Parish Council can also be found on the website aldermaston.co.uk and this month includes the celebration of a new florist and children’s nursery in the village.
Changing the name
Attentive readers may have noticed that we’ve changed the name of this column from “Theale & area” to “Burghfield & area”. Let me re-assure Thealites (if that’s a word) that no slight is intended. It seemed like the obvious name when we divided the news sections up a few years ago because of its motorway junction and railway station.
However, in recent months, we’ve found ourselves covering Burghfield far more closely. The fact also can’t be ignored that the parish of Burghfield has about twice as many people as does that of Theale. We shall, however, continue to do our best to provide information about the whole of this area. If there’s anything you’d like to see included in this section, please email brian@pennypost.org.uk (by Wednesday evening for inclusion in the following day’s column). We’re a broad church so anything from divisive planning applications to fundraising appeals and from parish-council initiatives or consultations to cats stuck up trees in interesting ways are all good.
Not quite the last word
I said last week (see below) that the Eastern Area Planning Committee (EAPC) would have the last word on deciding the application for the café, barring appeals. I went on to say that I thought an appeal was unlikely. I was wrong.
The EAPC did meet to discuss and you can see the livestream here (it was the first item). In a debate that lasted for over two hours (which could easily have been longer but for the excellent chairing of Graham Pask) it was eventually decided to approve the application for the temporary café in Burghfield. There was a very big “if”, however, as a planning officer said that the Secretary of State had already decided to call it in if it were approved. For a café in a village in West Berkshire? Really?
The issue, as I mentioned last week, is that the café is in the emergency planning zone (DEPZ) for AWE Burghfield and this led to objections from the emergency planning team (which needs to take into account the views of 27 separate agencies) and which resulted in WBC’s officers recommending refusal. Indeed, this was the only reason the officers offered. There were many number of common-sense objections to this opinion, most of which were eloquently expressed by the resident who spoke in favour of the application (from 34′). These weighed more heavily with the committee members than either the less specific views of the objectors or the more process-driven ones of the officers.
The project’s architect also assured the EAPC that the construction of the building (described as little more than “pre-fabricated” in the application) was in fact of a standard similar to that of new-build houses and thus as well able to withstand the effects of a nuclear incident. As some of the emergency planning team’s objections assumed the building would be more flimsy than was planned, I can’t help wondering if these objections would have been different were the officers to have asked for, or the applicant to have provided, more information about the construction method.
All the members who spoke during the debate were of one mind, best summed up by Councillor Ross MacKinnon’s observation that “what we have here is an undoubtedly well-meaning regulation being applied in such a blanket way that it might seem to be failing the communities affected by it.” Whether the Office for Nuclear Regulation and all the others would be happy with the damning-with-faint-praise description of its rules as “well-meaning” is a separate issue: but Councillor MacKinnon’s point was a good one and caught the mood of the meeting. Neither the objectors nor the officers spoke with any particular fluency and the anti case was not helped by the fact that their respective reasons for opposing the scheme were predicated on completely different issues. Those supporting it, however, did so on the related matters of common sense and community benefit.
A number of questions were asked about details, some of them quite technical planning and legal ones, as well as others regarding matters such as the aesthetics of the design (Councillor Alan Law was particularly keen that some form of cladding be used to soften the lines of the building). It was confirmed that licensing issues and, if required, any foundations would need to be the subject of separate applications. A number of possible conditions were discussed, covering matters such as construction times, delivery and operational hours, the return of the site to its previous condition if the café failed, CCTV and permitted uses.
At the vote, it was unanimously agreed that the the plans should be approved, so going against officers’ recommendations. The whole business took a bit of time but seemed to me to be a good example of a planning committee doing what it was meant to do (ie asking questions, listening to the answers and making a decision).
There will now be a pause of 21 days during which the Office for Nuclear Regulation will decide if it wishes to object. As I understand matters, if this doesn’t happen a decision notice can be issued. The ONR may view this attempt to over-ride its recommendations as an affront to its dignity; or it may feel that its amour-propre has been satisfied by having its right to object recognised and that the matter can be allowed to be regarded as as an exception. (It’s worth pointing out that the DEPZ, which extended a couple of years ago, is not something that WBC decided even though it has to play its part in enforcing regulations relating to it.) Hopefully common sense will again prevail, as it did on 13 July. If the matter is refused on these grounds then it does rather make one wonder whether it’s safe for anyone to be living in Burghfield at all…
Windmill uncertainty
In May, Sovereign Housing announced that it was going to close this 35-place sheltered housing development, find alternative homes for the tenants and re-develop the site. This led to some alarm and confusion among residents who contacted Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council, clearly not feeling that the communications they’d had from Sovereign addressed their concerns. SMPC had not been told about this which must have been a bit galling and also left them ill-placed to offer any help. After a few weeks the immediate problems arising from this comms error seem to have been resolved. (See the archive section (link at the foot of the post) and search for “windmill” for more.)
Since then, however, matters seem to have slowed. I understand that Sovereign continues to look for suitable alternative accommodation for its tenants but this is difficult as there doesn’t seem to be any available in the immediate area: which undermines the claim that the current facility isn’t needed. No further certainty can be provided by a planning application as it makes no sense for Sovereign to submit this until it is clear that it can legally develop the site in the way it wishes to. This in turn can’t happen until WBC has examined the various 20-year-old covenants on the land (I understand that there are about half a dozen) and decided whether some or all of these can be set aside. This needs to be decided by the Executive and won’t happen before September. It will therefore the autumn before things become any clearer. It seems odd that the legal issues were not looked into before the decision was announced to close the site.
I suspect the WBC would probably like to see the issue deferred until it, or it and Sovereign, has been able to acquire or build some suitable homes. Sovereign is, perhaps, regretting making an announcement about doing something that required a re-location exercise that is proving impossible. WBC’s officers, grappling with the much-delayed local plan, probably don’t welcome the extra pressure on analysing the documents. There’s the suspicion that, as well as not discussing the matter with Stratfirld Mortimer PC, Sovereign’s announcement rather caught WBC on the hop too. Meanwhile, the tenants are living in a state of deep uncertainty. All in all, not a great look so far.
Although WBC (as the planning authority) is responsible for approvals and (as a council) is responsible for the welfare of its elderly and vulnerable residents, it is Sovereign which in most cases owns the land. This is very similar to the situation WBC finds itself in with regard to the private housing market vis-à-vis the developers. I’m not saying anything against Sovereign or private developers as such but it’s undeniable that their interests and those of WBC may not always be aligned. At the very least, the relations between them are complex and often governed by decades-old legal documents: look at the Windmill Court covenants, for instance, or the even more tangled paper trail regarding who did or did not do what on the flood maintenance work at the Spring Gardens development in Enborne. It’s also unclear to me which of WBC or Sovereign calls the shots when it comes to deciding if a site is going to be closed and re-developed or whether a new one needs to be created elsewhere.
In these and many other cases, if anything goes wrong then WBC has to clean up the problem. Outsourcing all the councils housing stock must have seemed like a good idea 20 years ago but it doesn’t appear to address current needs, any more than the private sector has proved able to provide the requisite number of “affordable” and social-rent homes. WBC may have obligations and ambitions but is always going to be in a weak position (ie relying on others) if it doesn’t have the land. (This is much the same challenge it faces in the London Road impasse in Newbury.)
The time seems to have come for the council to go on the offensive on this – set up a Housing Board or similar and become a homebuilder like its predecessors were. It then needs to buy or swap land all across the district to provide each community with the sheltered, social-rent or whatever housing that the areas need. It also has the power to use compulsory purchase orders. To repeat myself, I’m not knocking Sovereign or private developers but, the last time I checked, I can’t vote for who runs them and I can’t do much to change how they operate. WBC may have its faults but at least it’s directly tasked with providing for its residents and meeting housing targets. It’s also answerable and an administration will be judged every four years by how well it’s done this. The current system doesn’t seem to be either productive or responsive.
I understand that one organisation that will be going on the offensive is Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council at its meeting on 14 July. I believe it has a number of questions about the relationship between WBC and Sovereign and also about exactly where matters stand with regard to Windmill Court. Asking these kind of questions seems to me exactly what a responsible parish council should be doing. More on this when there’s more to say.
Community notices
• Free, weekly Craft and Care classes at Theale Library continue until Tuesday 26 July as part of the Corn Exchange’s Link to Thrive programme for mental health. You can drop in on a weekly basis to learn a variety of craft techniques offering new skills and an opportunity to share progress with others in a supportive and relaxed environment… See details here for how to self-refer or be referred to the classes by your GP or Social Prescriber.
• Free, weekly Creating Journalling classes at Mortimer Library also continue until Thursday 28 July as part of the same programme offering a chance to reflect and explore using mixed media, mindfulness and lots of creative fun techniques to produce a private journal just for you. See details here for how to self-refer or be referred to the classes by your GP or Social Prescriber.
• West Berkshire Library Service is appealing for local volunteers at Mortimer and Burghfield Common libraries. Please see this post on Facebook, call 01635 519533 or email volunteerinyourlibrary@westberks.gov.uk for further information.
• More local hosts are needed for people escaping the war in Ukraine. If you could consider hosting a Ukrainian refugee or family, please get in contact with the local support group or visit westberks.gov.uk/homesforukraine.
• For how to avoid scams and what to do if you unluckily get caught, please see important advice here from Citizen’s Advice.
Local events and activities
For more information on events and activities across the Penny Post area, see the website calendar.
• Dates for the diary
• Fri 22 Jul Heritage Live at Englefield House.
• Sun 11 Sep Hampshire and IOW Air Ambulance Horse Show.
• Fri 16 Sep Flushed Away Film Night at St Mary’s Church Burghfield (rescheduled from Fri 15 July).
• Regular events
• Holy Trinity Church is seeking donations for the Foodbank that is open on Sundays and Wednesdays from 9am to 6pm. With another rise in people’s need for foodbank support, you can find out what has been requested each week by clicking here.
• Theale Library hosts in-person events for people of all ages. To find out more information on future clubs and events click here to visit the West Berkshire Library Facebook page or email Theale Library at thealelibrary@westberks.gov.uk.
• Mortimer Library also host regular events, such as their Rhymetime group who meet every Tuesday (during school term time) at 2.30pm.
• Walking for Health meet every Tuesday at the community centre car park opposite the Horse & Groom, Mortimer. There are three walk lengths to chose from As mentioned on mortimervillage.org.uk,
• Holy Trinity Church, Theale is open for West Berks Food Bank donations on Sundays and Wednesdays from 10.30am to 6pm. Please see the church’s website for regularly updated lists of what is most needed at the food bank.
• Beenham Art Group every Tuesday from 10am to noon at Victory Hall, Beenham. More details in The Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton Magazine (February edition, p 16).
• Aldermaston Coffee Club meet at the cafe at Rosebourne, Aldermaston between 10am to 11.30am on the first and third Tuesday of each month. Further details in The Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton Magazine (February edition, p 8)
• Aldermaston & Wasing Ladies Group meets on the second Thursday of each month from 2pm at Aldermaston Parish Hall, please see Padworth Parish Council Newsletter (p 3, February 2022 ) for further information.
• Padworth and Aldermaston WI meets at Padworth Village Hall on the third Tuesday of every month at 7.30pm. Further information on the group can be found in Padworth Parish Council Newsletter (No 155 February 2022 Edition p 3).
• Holy Trinity Church, Theale free choir group rehearses on Thursdays between 7pm to 8pm and performs at Sunday services from 10.30am. All are welcome to join. Send enquiries to office@holytrinitytheale.org.uk.
News from your local council
Note: “the most recent meeting” refers to the most recent one for which minutes (in some cases draft) or some other summary is available. Other meetings may have taken place since. Some councils publish minutes more promptly than do others.
• The most recent meeting of Aldermaston Parish Council took place on 12 July and the minutes will be available here in due course. Items covered included: the Wasing Medicine Festival (18 to 21 August); Padworth Sawmills; HGV movements; no planning applications (unusually); speeding; repair works at The Loosey; and a £300 grant for Citizens Advice in Tadley. To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Englefield Parish Council took place on 21 June and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: financial matters; donations to Citizens Advice West Berkshire and the Standby Volunteer Group; a councillor vacancy; and planning matters. To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Burghfield Parish Council took place on 9 June and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: the co-option of two new councillors; the May Fair; a possible youth group in the village; committee reports; financial matters; and first-aid training. You can also click here to see a report on the annual parish meeting on 12 May. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council took place on 9 June and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: an address by WBC’s CEO Nigel Lynn; the co-option of two new councillors; reports from committees and working parties; the neighbourhood development plan; the jubilee; financial matters; tree works; Windmill Common; planning matters; and repair and maintenance work around the parish. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. See this page on Stratfield Mortimer PC’s website for more information on the refresh of its neighbourhood development plan.
• The most recent meeting of Bradfield Parish Council took place on 7 June and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: the jubilee; the Village Hall (the minutes report a number of questions and concerns regarding the revised business plan as a result of which BPC maintained its “position of no support for the current project. Everyone wants a new hall, but it has to be supported by the community and sustainable for the future.”); planning matters; a report from ward member Ross Mackinnon; picnic benches; Ukrainian refugees; highway issues; tree preservation orders; and financial matters. To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here for 2021 and here for 2022.
• The most recent meeting of Theale Parish Council took place on 6 June and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: a presentation from green ham trust; a report from ward member Alan Macro; the public toilets (see also above); village infrastructure (see alas above); planning matters; and financial matters. To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Beenham Parish Council took place on 6 June and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: a review of the jubilee; a typo corrected; two councillor vacancies; planning matters; the agreement that BPC “should closely monitor the proposed development to the north east of Thatcham”; rights of way; the Recreation Ground; speeding; various repairs and maintenance issues; a grant to Citizens Advice West Berkshire; financial matters; and vandalism at the school. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here for 2021 and here for 2022. Click here for details of Beenham’s Community Plan.
• The most recent meeting of Padworth Parish Council took place on 14 March and you can read the minutes here. The annual parish assembly took place on 16 May and you can read the minutes here. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• Theale area council contacts
Parishes: Theale Parish Council, Aldermaston Parish Council, Padworth Parish Council, Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council, Englefield Parish Council, Beenham Parish Council, Bradfield Parish Council and Burghfield Parish Council.
West Berkshire Council: click here to visit the website.
News from other areas
Penny Post area – please see the following separate sections: Hungerford area; Lambourn Valley; Newbury area; Thatcham area; Compton & Downlands; Wantage area; Marlborough area.
News and views from across the area and beyond: please see the most recent Weekly News with Brian column.
Thursday 7 July 2022
This week we look at what should be the last planning hurdle to crossed for Burghfield’s proposed café (despite some rather strange objections to it) and have the latest on the new Castle@Theale school. We also have our usual round-up of local news, local events and activities and local councils information
This week’s news
• Theale C of E Primary School Summer Fete will be this Saturday 9 July from 11am to 2pm. Covid disrupted children’s education across the county, but it also stopped celebrations like the annual Fete from taking place as well. This Saturday will see the return of this community celebration for the first time since 2019 and offers a variety of attractions to entertain old and young alike. There will be a bouncy castle, a variety of stalls, sporting competitions and excitingly, a Bake Off competition to enjoy with all the family. A day to celebrate community again, and it looks like the weather is going to be kind as well. There will also be guided tours around the school, should you be looking for a suitable school for your little one. Click here for more details.
• There will be an open sports day on Burghfield Common on Sunday 10 July between noon and 3pm for those that may want to get fitter this summer. With a whole host of different activities, it’s definitely worth having a look. See here for those interested.
• Free, weekly Craft and Care classes at Theale Library continue until Tuesday 26 July as part of the Corn Exchange’s Link to Thrive programme for mental health. You can drop in on a weekly basis to learn a variety of craft techniques offering new skills and an opportunity to share progress with others in a supportive and relaxed environment.. See details here for how to self-refer or be referred to the classes by your GP or Social Prescriber.
• Free, weekly Creating Journalling classes at Mortimer Library also continue until Thursday 28 July as part of the same programme offering a chance to reflect and explore using mixed media, mindfulness and lots of creative fun techniques to produce a private journal just for you. See details here for how to self-refer or be referred to the classes by your GP or Social Prescriber.
• Newly opened eco-friendly St Birinus House in Theale is an example of sustainability in action and the proud home of staff from the Diocese of Reading. Featuring a green roof, an air source heat pump, fabric first insulation and water saving appliances, the electric car charging points in the grounds signal that the church is leading by example in the war over climate change. Ecology and biodiversity is at the heart of the project, offering a safe haven for local wildlife from bugs to bats to birds, and thought has even been taken about recycling or repurposing the building in the future.
• The Holy Trinity Church of Theale is offering a two-morning summer club for children in years one to six at Theale Primary School on 27 and 28 of July. To book a slot, you can visit here and also here to find out more information.
• We reported a few weeks ago about the closing of a footpath between Graham Court and Station Road due to a dangerous fence panel; after a review, this footpath has been reported as fixed and the footpath is now reopened.
• West Berkshire Council have extended their Bus Improvement Plan survey deadline. It is vital they hear from passengers and potential passengers to ensure they are meeting needs. If you would like your views heard regarding Berkshires bus services, then take the survey before midnight on Sunday 31 July.
• Theale Parish Council has urged residents to take part in your Patient Participation Group, which aims to support and improve the way services are delivered by your GP Practice. See more here on the goals and how to join.
• Theale Parish Council has released a list of projects currently being funded by the Greenham Trust. Click here to see the work being done.
• The Mortimer West End and District Annual Show has been announced, taking place on 27 August 2022. The full schedule and details are available here, boasting vegetables, flowers, handicrafts, artwork and more.
• The latest edition of the Englefield Parish Magazine is available to read here.
• Ditto here with the latest Padworth Village Newsletter.
• Holy Trinity Church has posted an updated list of necessities for the Foodbank which you can view here.
• For the latest news from theBenefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton which covers updates and events across Theale area please visit its website and click on Letters, Notices & Magazine.
• Latest news from Aldermaston Parish Council can also be found on the website aldermaston.co.uk and this month includes the celebration of a new florist and children’s nursery in the village.
Café D-day
As mentioned last week, the application for the temporary café in Burghfield has now all but completed its journey through the protracted obstacle course that is the English planning system. The final hurdle that needs to be crossed will take place on 13 July when it will be considered by the Eastern Area Planning Committee. I have previously looked at both these issues in detail – see the archive section below (link at the foot of the post) and search for “café” or “EAPC”.
The agenda for the meeting can be seen here. The event will be live-streamed and will also be available for viewing afterwards. The café is currently the first item on the agenda so the discussion will start soon after the 6.30 kick off.
The letter sent to interested parties by WBC confirms that “Any comments that have been made will be summarised in the Officer’s Report, will be taken into account in the determination of the application, and therefore do not need to be restated. However, this Council does allow applicants, agents, parish/town council representatives, objectors and supporters to speak on applications being considered by the planning committees; details of the procedure which explains the scheme and provides some advice may be found overleaf. It is not obligatory for you to attend or speak and, if you choose not to do so your previously submitted observations will be available for inspection by the committee, and will be summarised in the report to the Planning Committee. If you do wish to speak at the meeting, please let us know by 4pm on the working day before the meeting by sending an email to planningcommittee@westberks.gov.uk (please do not email individual officers). It is not possible to agree to requests to speak after this time.”
“If,” the letter goes on, “If you wish to speak at the meeting via Zoom (strongly recommended), please advise so when you submit your request to speak, and include an email address and telephone number. Zoom invites will be sent to your email address in advance of the meeting. If you wish to speak at the meeting in person, please advise so when you submit your request to speak, and include an email address and telephone number.”
Barring an appeal, the decision of the EAPC on the matter will be the final word. Of course, assuming the application is passed, one more thing then remains to be done – building the café. Projects like this often take less time to construct than they do secure the permission. This was was validated in early March, so has gone through the system at lightening speed by the standards of the planning system. If successful, the applicants (Burghfield Parish Council) may also want to get cracking as soon as possible as material costs are rising pretty much by the day.
You can click here to see the view of the planning officer, which is to refuse the application. Why is this? On the grounds of character and appearance, highways, amenity, noise, public rights of way, green infrastructure, the rural economy, ecology and flooding and drainage the application is in accordance with WBC’s policies. On grounds of sustainable construction it is accepted that the BREEAM regulations do not apply. All of these, however, are trumped by the fact that it fails to accord with the DEPZ and emergency planning requirements due to the site’s proximity to AWE Burghfield. The officer’s reason for refusal (the only one) is worth quoting in full:
“The site is located within the AWE Burghfield Detailed Emergency Planning Zone (DEPZ). The temporary prefabricated structure would not afford sufficient protection to the public in the case on an emergency event. Additionally, there is also concerned with regard to the building ability to provide sufficient level of welfare for customers and staff for a period of 48 hours. Thus, it has been identified that the proposal would compromise local public health in the event of an emergency evacuation in the locality. Furthermore, the submission fails to provide adequate assurance that the proposed development can be accommodated within off-site emergency planning arrangements. This is contrary to policy CS8 of West Berkshire Core Strategy (2006-2026).”
Given this verdict, it seems amazing that the entire parish of Burghfield has not been permanently evacuated: it’s clearly a very dangerous place. The park, being in the open air, should certainly by this logic be closed. I wonder how many other public buildings, including at the local schools, would afford a suitable level of protection. At least the café would have some food and drink, and a toilet.
This document summarises the 100-odd objections under 17 headings. The DEPZ issue is one of these but all the others seem either to have been dealt with by the officer’s summary or else are not planning matters at all. None of the comments I’ve seen about this on social media refer to the existential DEPZ threat but instead to vaguer concerns and preoccupations that perhaps have more to do with past disputes than with this application.
The applicant is Burghfield Parish Council: perhaps that may have something to do with it. My enquiries into local issues over the last few months suggest that in some matters it could have communicated better. However, communication works both ways: any resident can also ask BPC, and not rush onto social media until there’s been a reply or a decent interval allowed for one. I know of at least one case where accusations were made without BPC having been contacted at all.
Hungerford, on the west of the district, is a town of about the same size as Burghfield and one I know far better. It has six pubs, about ten cafés and about six restaurants. Several of these are quite new. Yes, the town has problems of littering and anti-social behaviour but nothing that has caused any of these applications to have been refused or subsequently regretted. True, it isn’t in a DEPZ zone: but that doesn’t seem to be the real issue in the minds of some of Burghfield’s objectors. I’m an outsider, so forgive my ignorance – but what social cataclysm is this café expected to unleash on the community? I genuinely don’t get it. Please email brian@pennypost.org.uk if you have any thoughts on this (I’ve received several already, anonymously or otherwise).
In conclusion, the reasons suggested by the planning officer seem to me, if carried to their logical conclusion, to forbid more or less any public building from operating and are therefore perverse. Planning committees exist to review and re-consider the views decisions of officers – which must be based on the policy implications of the application – and also to apply some common sense. It will be interesting to see how things go on 13 July.
Building the Castle
Construction of a new provision for secondary aged children with Social Emotional and Mental Health needs at the site of the old Theale Primary School is “well underway,” according to West Berkshire Council and it will be known as The Castle@Theale.
“The setting will take its first cohort of 12 children in September 2022 and will eventually accommodate 42 children. The multi-million pound project is a significant investment which will provide a boost in facilities for pupils with special educational needs Demolition and site clearance has already taken place on site and work is now underway to establish a new multi-use games area and car park. In addition, planned refurbishment of a modular building has nearly been completed. Further work is planned to refurbish the main school site, old school house and to build a new horticulture and design technology block for pupils.”
Community notices
• West Berkshire Library Service is appealing for local volunteers at Mortimer and Burghfield Common libraries. Please see this post on Facebook, call 01635 519533 or email volunteerinyourlibrary@westberks.gov.uk for further information.
• More local hosts are needed for people escaping the war in Ukraine. If you could consider hosting a Ukrainian refugee or family, please get in contact with the local support group or visit westberks.gov.uk/homesforukraine.
• For how to avoid scams and what to do if you unluckily get caught, please see important advice here from Citizen’s Advice.
Local events and activities
For more information on events and activities across the Penny Post area, see the website calendar.
• Dates for the diary
• Sun 10 Jul Open Sports Day at Burghfield Common.
• Fri 22 Jul Heritage Live at Englefield House
• Regular events
• Holy Trinity Church is seeking donations for the Foodbank that is open on Sundays and Wednesdays from 9am to 6pm. With another rise in people’s need for foodbank support, you can find out what has been requested each week by clicking here.
• Theale Library hosts in-person events for people of all ages. To find out more information on future clubs and events click here to visit the West Berkshire Library Facebook page or email Theale Library at thealelibrary@westberks.gov.uk.
• Mortimer Library also host regular events, such as their Rhymetime group who meet every Tuesday (during school term time) at 2.30pm.
• Walking for Health meet every Tuesday at the community centre car park opposite the Horse & Groom, Mortimer. There are three walk lengths to chose from As mentioned on mortimervillage.org.uk,
• Holy Trinity Church, Theale is open for West Berks Food Bank donations on Sundays and Wednesdays from 10.30am to 6pm. Please see the church’s website for regularly updated lists of what is most needed at the food bank.
• Beenham Art Group every Tuesday from 10am to noon at Victory Hall, Beenham. More details in The Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton Magazine (February edition, p 16).
• Aldermaston Coffee Club meet at the cafe at Rosebourne, Aldermaston between 10am to 11.30am on the first and third Tuesday of each month. Further details in The Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton Magazine (February edition, p 8)
• Aldermaston & Wasing Ladies Group meets on the second Thursday of each month from 2pm at Aldermaston Parish Hall, please see Padworth Parish Council Newsletter (p 3, February 2022 ) for further information.
• Padworth and Aldermaston WI meets at Padworth Village Hall on the third Tuesday of every month at 7.30pm. Further information on the group can be found in Padworth Parish Council Newsletter (No 155 February 2022 Edition p 3).
• Holy Trinity Church, Theale free choir group rehearses on Thursdays between 7pm to 8pm and performs at Sunday services from 10.30am. All are welcome to join. Send enquiries to office@holytrinitytheale.org.uk.
News from your local council
Note: “the most recent meeting” refers to the most recent one for which minutes (in some cases draft) or some other summary is available. Other meetings may have taken place since. Some councils publish minutes more promptly than do others.
• The most recent meeting of Englefield Parish Council took place on 21 June and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: financial matters; donations to Citizens Advice West Berkshire and the Standby Volunteer Group; a councillor vacancy; and planning matters. To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Aldermaston Parish Council took place on 14 June and the minutes will be available here in due course. Items covered included: a planning application from AWE Aldermaston for its major “hub” development (to which APC did not object but concerning which it requested “several conditions to minimise our concerns, including restrictions on working hours and funding of parish projects”); an objection to the Lidl site on the Tadley border; the problem of large lorries going to and from Padworth Sawmills; speeding; news of a meeting with the preferred supplier for the skateboard ramp; an update on APC’s refurbishment projects; and questions about whether WBC is committing sufficient resources to its Conservation Area appraisal. To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Burghfield Parish Council took place on 9 June and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: the co-option of two new councillors; the May Fair; a possible youth group in the village; committee reports; financial matters; and first-aid training. You can also click here to see a report on the annual parish meeting on 12 May. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council took place on 9 June and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: an address by WBC’s CEO Nigel Lynn; the co-option of two new councillors; reports from committees and working parties; the neighbourhood development plan; the jubilee; financial matters; tree works; Windmill Common; planning matters; and repair and maintenance work around the parish. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. See this page on Stratfield Mortimer PC’s website for more information on the refresh of its neighbourhood development plan.
• The most recent meeting of Bradfield Parish Council took place on 7 June and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: the jubilee; the Village Hall (the minutes report a number of questions and concerns regarding the revised business plan as a result of which BPC maintained its “position of no support for the current project. Everyone wants a new hall, but it has to be supported by the community and sustainable for the future.”); planning matters; a report from ward member Ross Mackinnon; picnic benches; Ukrainian refugees; highway issues; tree preservation orders; and financial matters. To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here for 2021 and here for 2022.
• The most recent meeting of Theale Parish Council took place on 6 June and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: a presentation from green ham trust; a report from ward member Alan Macro; the public toilets (see also above); village infrastructure (see alas above); planning matters; and financial matters. To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Beenham Parish Council took place on 6 June and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: a review of the jubilee; a typo corrected; two councillor vacancies; planning matters; the agreement that BPC “should closely monitor the proposed development to the north east of Thatcham”; rights of way; the Recreation Ground; speeding; various repairs and maintenance issues; a grant to Citizens Advice West Berkshire; financial matters; and vandalism at the school. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here for 2021 and here for 2022. Click here for details of Beenham’s Community Plan.
• The most recent meeting of Padworth Parish Council took place on 14 March and you can read the minutes here. The annual parish assembly took place on 16 May and you can read the minutes here. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• Theale area council contacts
Parishes: Theale Parish Council, Aldermaston Parish Council, Padworth Parish Council, Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council, Englefield Parish Council, Beenham Parish Council, Bradfield Parish Council and Burghfield Parish Council.
West Berkshire Council: click here to visit the website.
News from other areas
Penny Post area – please see the following separate sections: Hungerford area; Lambourn Valley; Newbury area; Thatcham area; Compton & Downlands; Wantage area; Marlborougharea; Swindon area.
News and views from across the area and beyond: please see the most recent Weekly News with Brian column.
Thursday 30 June 2022
This week we highlight an important diary date for Burghfield’s proposed café and look back to an article explaining the work of the Eastern Area Planning Committee (which will decide this). We also have our usual round-up of local news, local events and activities and news from your local councils.
This week’s news
• The Holy Trinity Church of Theale is offering a two-morning summer club for children in years one to six at Theale Primary School on 27 and 28 of July. To book a slot, you can visit here and also here to find out more information.
• We reported a few weeks ago about the closing of a footpath between Graham Court and Station Road due to a dangerous fence panel; after a review, this footpath has been reported as fixed and the footpath is now reopened.
• There will be an open sports day on Burghfield Common on Sunday 10 July between noon and 3pm for those that may want to get fitter this summer. With a whole host of different activities, it’s definitely worth having a look. See here for those interested.
• Theale Parish Council has urged residents to take part in your Patient Participation Group, which aims to support and improve the way services are delivered by your GP Practice. See more here on the goals and how to join.
• Theale Parish Council has released a list of projects currently being funded by the Greenham Trust. Click here to see the work being done.
• Another a reason to celebrate this Saturday will be West Berkshire’s first Pride march starting at Victoria Park in Newbury at 1pm. Visit the Newbury Pride website or FaceBook page for more information about the event or read more in our article here. A new exhibit ‘Hope and Pride’ is also launching at West Berkshire Museum on Saturday and running for the rest of 2022, looking at the history of Pride in the UK, as well as contributions from our local LGBTQIA+ community. See here for museum opening times.
• West Berkshire Council has received funding from the Government to help improve bus services for the next three years. Your views are being sought on how the service can be improved. The survey is running until Sunday 3 July and you can find more about it here and the survey can be found here.
• West Berkshire Council’s June Business news includes recruitment support for employers, low carbon workspace grants to save on energy bills, online networking and an appeal to eco-conscious independent cafes, restaurants and pubs to be part of a sustainable eateries campaign. Click here to read more.
• The Mortimer West End and District Annual Show has been announced, taking place on 27 August 2022. The full schedule and details are available here, boasting vegetables, flowers, handicrafts, artwork and more.
• The latest edition of the Englefield Parish Magazine is available to read here.
• Ditto here with the latest Padworth Village Newsletter.
• Holy Trinity Church has posted an updated list of necessities for the Foodbank which you can view here.
• Click here for a report on Burghfield’s annual parish meeting on 12 May (many thanks to David Gregory of Burghfield Community FB Group and Cally Morris of Burghfield Parish Council for providing the main part of this.)
• For the latest news from theBenefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton which covers updates and events across Theale area please visit its website and click on Letters, Notices & Magazine.
• Latest news from Aldermaston Parish Council can also be found on the website aldermaston.co.uk and this month includes the celebration of a new florist and children’s nursery in the village.
A date for the café
As mentioned in this column several times before, there is an application pending by Burghfield Parish Council for “the rection of a temporary cafe (prefabricated unit) at the Recreation Ground, Recreation Road, Burghfield Common. I have previous looked at the several aspects of this – see the archive section below (link at the foot of the post) and search for “café”.
This mention isn’t to add to any of these observations but simply to confirm somer information recently received: the matter will be decided by the Eastern Area Planning Committee (whose activities I have also described: again, see below, 28 April) on 13 July, as the usual prelude to which there will be a site meeting at 6.30pm on 6 July. The official communication from WBC has this to say on the subject of the site visit:
“The purpose of the visit, which you may wish to attend, is for the Committee to inspect the site. The site visit is not a forum to discuss the merits of the application. Furthermore, members of the public need to be aware that access to the site is at the discretion of the land owner or their representative, who may refuse permission for third parties to enter a site. Members of the public do have the right to speak, for or against an application, at the relevant Planning Committee.
“If you choose to be at the site visit with the intention of pointing out any features you think the Committee Members should observe, you should wait in a public area close to the site access and make yourself known when the group arrives. No special arrangements can be made in advance. Interested parties may request that the Committee view a site from adjoining land or buildings but it is entirely up to the discretion of the Chairman to decide whether it is necessary. Please note that if such a visit is agreed to by the Chairman, before entering the adjoining site/property, the Chairman and Planning Officer will first establish with the owner/occupier of the property/site being entered that there are no issues of Covid-19 present. Particular access to that adjoining site is also at the discretion of that landowner.”
Except in exceptional circumstances, which seem unlikely in this case, and unless there is an appeal, the EAPC’s decision on the night will be the final word on the matter (though there’s nothing to stop a separate application being lodged if this one is refused). More information on the EAPC and this meeting can be found here. The agenda when published should include the link to the live-stream of the event which will also be able to be viewed later. I shall be watching it in this way, at the time or shortly after, and will write about this in this column as soon as possible thereafter.
Community notices
• West Berkshire Library Service is appealing for local volunteers at Mortimer and Burghfield Common libraries. Please see this post on Facebook, call 01635 519533 or email volunteerinyourlibrary@westberks.gov.uk for further information.
• Free Craft and Care classes at Theale Library on Tuesdays as part of the Corn Exchange’s Link to Thrive programme for mental health. You can drop in on a weekly basis to learn a variety of craft techniques offering new skills and an opportunity to share progress with others in a supportive and relaxed environment.. See details here for how to self-refer or be referred to the classes by your GP or Social Prescriber.
• Free Creating Journalling classes at Mortimer Library on Thursdays as part of the Corn Exchange’s Link to Thrive programme for mental health. You can drop in on a weekly basis for a chance to reflect and explore using mixed media, mindfulness and lots of creative fun techniques to produce a private journal just for you. See details here for how to self-refer or be referred to the classes by your GP or Social Prescriber.
• More local hosts are needed for people escaping the war in Ukraine. If you could consider hosting a Ukrainian refugee or family, please get in contact with the local support group or visit westberks.gov.uk/homesforukraine.
• For how to avoid scams and what to do if you unluckily get caught, please see important advice here from Citizen’s Advice.
Local events and activities
For more information on events and activities across the Penny Post area, see the website calendar.
• Dates for the diary
• Sun 10 Jul Open Sports Day at Burghfield Common.
• Fri 22 Jul Heritage Live at Englefield House
• Regular events
• Holy Trinity Church is seeking donations for the Foodbank that is open on Sundays and Wednesdays from 9am to 6pm. With another rise in people’s need for foodbank support, you can find out what has been requested each week by clicking here.
• Theale Library hosts in-person events for people of all ages. To find out more information on future clubs and events click here to visit the West Berkshire Library Facebook page or email Theale Library at thealelibrary@westberks.gov.uk.
• Mortimer Library also host regular events, such as their Rhymetime group who meet every Tuesday (during school term time) at 2.30pm.
• Walking for Health meet every Tuesday at the community centre car park opposite the Horse & Groom, Mortimer. There are three walk lengths to chose from As mentioned on mortimervillage.org.uk,
• Holy Trinity Church, Theale is open for West Berks Food Bank donations on Sundays and Wednesdays from 10.30am to 6pm. Please see the church’s website for regularly updated lists of what is most needed at the food bank.
• Beenham Art Group every Tuesday from 10am to noon at Victory Hall, Beenham. More details in The Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton Magazine (February edition, p 16).
• Aldermaston Coffee Club meet at the cafe at Rosebourne, Aldermaston between 10am to 11.30am on the first and third Tuesday of each month. Further details in The Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton Magazine (February edition, p 8)
• Aldermaston & Wasing Ladies Group meets on the second Thursday of each month from 2pm at Aldermaston Parish Hall, please see Padworth Parish Council Newsletter (p 3, February 2022 ) for further information.
• Padworth and Aldermaston WI meets at Padworth Village Hall on the third Tuesday of every month at 7.30pm. Further information on the group can be found in Padworth Parish Council Newsletter (No 155 February 2022 Edition p 3).
• Holy Trinity Church, Theale free choir group rehearses on Thursdays between 7pm to 8pm and performs at Sunday services from 10.30am. All are welcome to join. Send enquiries to office@holytrinitytheale.org.uk.
News from your local council
Note: “the most recent meeting” refers to the most recent one for which minutes (in some cases draft) or some other summary is available. Other meetings may have taken place since. Some councils publish minutes more promptly than do others.
• The most recent meeting of Aldermaston Parish Council took place on 14 June and the minutes will be available here in due course. Items covered included: a planning application from AWE Aldermaston for its major “hub” development (to which APC did not object but concerning which it requested “several conditions to minimise our concerns, including restrictions on working hours and funding of parish projects”); an objection to the Lidl site on the Tadley border; the problem of large lorries going to and from Padworth Sawmills; speeding; news of a meeting with the preferred supplier for the skateboard ramp; an update on APC’s refurbishment projects; and questions about whether WBC is committing sufficient resources to its Conservation Area appraisal. To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Theale Parish Council took place on 6 June and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: a presentation from green ham trust; a report from ward member Alan Macro; the public toilets (see also above); village infrastructure (see alas above); planning matters; and financial matters. To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Burghfield Parish Council took place on 9 June and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: the co-option of two new councillors; the May Fair; a possible youth group in the village; committee reports; financial matters; and first-aid training. You can also click here to see a report on the annual parish meeting on 12 May. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council took place on 9 June and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: an address by WBC’s CEO Nigel Lynn; the co-option of two new councillors; reports from committees and working parties; the neighbourhood development plan; the jubilee; financial matters; tree works; Windmill Common; planning matters; and repair and maintenance work around the parish. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. See this page on Stratfield Mortimer PC’s website for more information on the refresh of its neighbourhood development plan.
• The most recent meeting of Bradfield Parish Council took place on 7 June and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: the jubilee; the Village Hall (the minutes report a number of questions and concerns regarding the revised business plan as a result of which BPC maintained its “position of no support for the current project. Everyone wants a new hall, but it has to be supported by the community and sustainable for the future.”); planning matters; a report from ward member Ross Mackinnon; picnic benches; Ukrainian refugees; highway issues; tree preservation orders; and financial matters. To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here for 2021 and here for 2022.
• The most recent meeting of Englefield Parish Council took place on 19 May and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: the election of the Chair; a councillor vacancy; financial matters; and formal matters. To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Beenham Parish Council took place on 9 May and you can read the minutes here. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here for 2021 and here for 2022. Click here for details of Beenham’s Community Plan.
• The most recent meeting of Padworth Parish Council took place on 14 March and you can read the minutes here. The annual parish assembly took place on 16 May and you can read the minutes here. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• Theale area council contacts
Parishes: Theale Parish Council, Aldermaston Parish Council, Padworth Parish Council, Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council, Englefield Parish Council, Beenham Parish Council, Bradfield Parish Council and Burghfield Parish Council.
West Berkshire Council: click here to visit the website.
News from other areas
Penny Post area – please see the following separate sections: Hungerford area; Lambourn Valley; Newbury area; Thatcham area; Compton & Downlands; Wantage area; Marlborougharea; Swindon area.
News and views from across the area and beyond: please see the most recent Weekly News with Brian column.
Thursday 23 June 2022
This week we look at two proposed improvements to Theale’s infrastructure (complete with artist’s impressions, thanks to the local councillor) and take another brief look at the costs of Burghfield’s Hall. We also have our usual round-up of local news, local events and activities and news from your local councils.
This week’s news
• Quite literally a good update from Theale Green Secondary School as they have just received a ‘Good’ Ofsted Rating after their Requires Improvement rating in 2017. Great work from everyone involved, see here for the full report on the Reading Chronicle.
• Action for River Kennet is seeking volunteers to help get rid of threatening non-native species in the river at Balsam Bashing, Burghfield this Friday 24 June. Equipment and refreshments are provided and more information can be found here.
• The Midsummer Music event this Sunday 26 June at the Little Manor in Burghfield village is hosted by the Kennet Branch of Save The Children. More information and ticket details are available here.
• Spencers Wood Repair Cafe is running on Sunday 26 June in the village hall for those with broken household items that are a nightmare to fix. Open from 9.30am to 12.30pm you can find more information here.
• You may be aware already of the railway strikes that are taking place this weekend, which will impact a lot of travel routes across Berkshire. A full list of details and affected routes can be found here. Berkshire Live also have a survey on how the strikes will be affecting you, which can be completed via the same link. It is also worth noting that any fares affected will be refunded in full. A full timetable of the strikes is also available here on the GWR site.
• The wonderful North Wessex Downs Walking Festival finishes this Sunday 26 June so click here if you want to book place on one of the last remaining walks.
• Theale Parish Council has urged residents to take part in your Patient Participation Group, which aims to support and improve the way services are delivered by your GP Practice. See more here on the goals and how to join.
• Theale Parish Council has released a list of projects currently being funded by the Greenham Trust. Click here to see the great work being done.
• More local hosts are needed for people escaping the war in Ukraine. According to the Newbury Today, there currently around 170 hosts in West Berkshire, but a total of 390 Ukrainians have applied for visas to stay in the area – with 228 refugees having already arrived. With more still to arrive, there is a real struggle to find enough hosts to meet the demand. If you could consider hosting a Ukrainian refugee or family, please get in contact with the local support group or visit westberks.gov.uk/homesforukraine.
• A fantastic new reason to celebrate this summer, as this July will see West Berkshire’s first Pride march. Originally planned for 2020 but postponed due to the pandemic, Newbury Pride will be West Berkshire’s very first Pride celebration of its kind. It will take place on Saturday 2 July, starting at Victoria Park at 1pm. The march will be a celebration of LGBTQIA+ identify, individuality and community and everyone from all identities are welcome to join in and support our friends and neighbours. Visit the Newbury Pride website or FaceBook page for more information about the event or read more in our article here.
• On the day of the Pride march, a new exhibit ‘Hope and Pride’ will open at West Berkshire Museum. Running for the rest of 2022, the exhibition will take a look at the history of Pride in the UK, as well as contributions from our local LGBTQIA+ community. Come along to learn something new about the incredible people in our diverse community. See here for museum opening times.
• West Berkshire Council has received funding from the Government to help improve bus services for the next 3 years. Your views are being sought on how the service can be improved. The survey is running until Sunday 3 July and you can find more about it here and the survey can be found here.
• Quick reminder that scammers are taking advantage of the cost-of-living crisis to defraud people who are under financial pressure. Our local Citizens Advice West Berkshire office has seen recent cases where clients have lost thousands of pounds to investment scams and fake energy rebate scams from energy companies or local authorities. See here for how to avoid scams and what to do if you unluckily get caught. Above all don’t feel ashamed, this is what the scammers rely on so you don’t warn others. Penny got caught once. You need to tell family, friends and report it to protect others.
• West Berkshire Council’s June Business news includes recruitment support for employers, low carbon workspace grants to save on energy bills, online networking and an appeal to eco-conscious independent cafes, restaurants and pubs to be part of a sustainable eateries campaign. Click here to read more.
• The Mortimer West End and District Annual Show has been announced, taking place on 27 August 2022. The full schedule and details are available here, boasting vegetables, flowers, handicrafts, artwork and more.
• The latest edition of the Englefield Parish Magazine is available to read here.
• Ditto here with the latest Padworth Village Newsletter.
• Holy Trinity Church has posted an updated list of necessities for the Foodbank which you can view here.
• Click here for a report on Burghfield’s annual parish meeting on 12 May (many thanks to David Gregory of Burghfield Community FB Group and Cally Morris of Burghfield Parish Council for providing the main part of this.)
• For the latest news from theBenefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton which covers updates and events across Theale area please visit its website and click on Letters, Notices & Magazine.
• Latest news from Aldermaston Parish Council can also be found on the website aldermaston.co.uk and this month includes the celebration of a new florist and children’s nursery in the village.
Lifts, plans and play equipment
Theale District Councillor Alan Macro has recently published his latest e-newsletter which you can read here. This covers three areas (the first two of which are illustrated with artists’ impressions):
The lifts at Theale station. Network Rail has let the contract to build the new footbridge and lifts at Theale Station and work is expected to start on site in the autumn and be completed by next summer. There have, he points out, been “many false dawns on this much-needed project, but it really looks like it’s going ahead at last. Let’s hope that the strikes by the rail unions don’t delay things…”
Play equipment at Theale Rec. Theale Parish Council has applied for planning permission to install a multi-use sports area (MUSA) and new playground on Theale Recreation Ground with the facilities including a five-station outdoor gym, a multi-use games are and monkey bars. The play equipment will replace the existing playground on the same site. The MUSA will be sited alongside the path running along the boundary of the old primary school.
Planning applications in Theale. As usual, there are quite a few of these ranging from sizeable developments to minor amendments to existing buildings.
The Village Hall costs, again
A few weeks ago, I referred to the costs of the re-furbishment of Burghfield’s Village Hall, the costs of which had risen from an estimated £200,000 to £261,000. I recently received a communication from a resident drawing attention to this increase and pointing out that this is an increase of over 30%. Costs can increase for a number of reasons but what the reasons were in this case I wasn’t sure. Last week I therefore asked Burghfield Parish Council this exact question. The Clerk is currently away but I’ve been promised a response once she’s back.
Given the amount of coverage in local social-media groups and elsewhere that this has received I was assuming that someone had contacted BPC for its version of where the extra money had gone and had, perhaps, found the response unsatisfactory. It seems, however, that no one has done this. Until I’ve heard from BPC with its comments on why the costs increased it seems pointless to speculate on whether or not these were justified. I suggested a couple of reasons why they might have done, mainly the well-documented increase in material costs over the last couple of years. About a year ago I was talking to someone in Hungerford who was re-building a house who told me that his costs had gone up by about a third for this reason. If so, these seem in line with Burghfield’s increase. However, this is just a guess on my part. Let’s wait until BPC has offered its opinions and decide then.
If anyone wants to know any information about how this or any other parish council spends its money or conducts its business, my suggestion is to ask them. BPC’s contact details can be found here. In addition, most parish councils meet once a month and any member of the public can attend and ask questions in the public forum which generally takes place at the start of the meeting. For more information on this, contact the Clerk.
Community notices
• West Berkshire Library Service is appealing for local volunteers at Mortimer and Burghfield Common libraries. Please see this post on Facebook, call 01635 519533 or email volunteerinyourlibrary@westberks.gov.uk for further information.
• Free Craft and Care classes at Theale Library on Tuesdays as part of the Corn Exchange’s Link to Thrive programme for mental health. You can drop in on a weekly basis to learn a variety of craft techniques offering new skills and an opportunity to share progress with others in a supportive and relaxed environment.. See details here for how to self-refer or be referred to the classes by your GP or Social Prescriber.
• Free Creating Journalling classes at Mortimer Library on Thursdays as part of the Corn Exchange’s Link to Thrive programme for mental health. You can drop in on a weekly basis for a chance to reflect and explore using mixed media, mindfulness and lots of creative fun techniques to produce a private journal just for you. See details here for how to self-refer or be referred to the classes by your GP or Social Prescriber.
Local events and activities
For more information on events and activities across the Penny Post area, see the website calendar.
• Dates for the diary
• Fri 24 June Volunteering for ARK at Balsam Bashing, Burghfield.
• Fri 22 Jul Heritage Live at Englefield House
• Regular events
• Holy Trinity Church is seeking donations for the Foodbank that is open on Sundays and Wednesdays from 9am to 6pm. With another rise in people’s need for foodbank support, you can find out what has been requested each week by clicking here.
• Theale Library hosts in-person events for people of all ages. To find out more information on future clubs and events click here to visit the West Berkshire Library Facebook page or email Theale Library at thealelibrary@westberks.gov.uk.
• Mortimer Library also host regular events, such as their Rhymetime group who meet every Tuesday (during school term time) at 2.30pm.
• Walking for Health meet every Tuesday at the community centre car park opposite the Horse & Groom, Mortimer. There are three walk lengths to chose from As mentioned on mortimervillage.org.uk,
• Holy Trinity Church, Theale is open for West Berks Food Bank donations on Sundays and Wednesdays from 10.30am to 6pm. Please see the church’s website for regularly updated lists of what is most needed at the food bank.
• Beenham Art Group every Tuesday from 10am to noon at Victory Hall, Beenham. More details in The Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton Magazine (February edition, p 16).
• Aldermaston Coffee Club meet at the cafe at Rosebourne, Aldermaston between 10am to 11.30am on the first and third Tuesday of each month. Further details in The Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton Magazine (February edition, p 8)
• Aldermaston & Wasing Ladies Group meets on the second Thursday of each month from 2pm at Aldermaston Parish Hall, please see Padworth Parish Council Newsletter (p 3, February 2022 ) for further information.
• Padworth and Aldermaston WI meets at Padworth Village Hall on the third Tuesday of every month at 7.30pm. Further information on the group can be found in Padworth Parish Council Newsletter (No 155 February 2022 Edition p 3).
• Holy Trinity Church, Theale free choir group rehearses on Thursdays between 7pm to 8pm and performs at Sunday services from 10.30am. All are welcome to join. Send enquiries to office@holytrinitytheale.org.uk.
News from your local council
Note: “the most recent meeting” refers to the most recent one for which minutes (in some cases draft) or some other summary is available. Other meetings may have taken place since. Some councils publish minutes more promptly than do others.
• The most recent meeting of Aldermaston Parish Council took place on 14 June and the minutes will be available here in due course. Items covered included: a planning application from AWE Aldermaston for its major “hub” development (to which APC did not object but concerning which it requested “several conditions to minimise our concerns, including restrictions on working hours and funding of parish projects”); an objection to the Lidl site on the Tadley border; the problem of large lorries going to and from Padworth Sawmills; speeding; news of a meeting with the preferred supplier for the skateboard ramp; an update on APC’s refurbishment projects; and questions about whether WBC is committing sufficient resources to its Conservation Area appraisal. To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Theale Parish Council took place on 6 June and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: a presentation from green ham trust; a report from ward member Alan Macro; the public toilets (see also above); village infrastructure (see alas above); planning matters; and financial matters. To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Burghfield Parish Council took place on 9 June and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: the co-option of two new councillors; the May Fair; a possible youth group in the village; committee reports; financial matters; and first-aid training. You can also click here to see a report on the annual parish meeting on 12 May. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council took place on 9 June and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: an address by WBC’s CEO Nigel Lynn; the co-option of two new councillors; reports from committees and working parties; the neighbourhood development plan; the jubilee; financial matters; tree works; Windmill Common; planning matters; and repair and maintenance work around the parish. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. See this page on Stratfield Mortimer PC’s website for more information on the refresh of its neighbourhood development plan.
• The most recent meeting of Bradfield Parish Council took place on 7 June and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: the jubilee; the Village Hall (the minutes report a number of questions and concerns regarding the revised business plan as a result of which BPC maintained its “position of no support for the current project. Everyone wants a new hall, but it has to be supported by the community and sustainable for the future.”); planning matters; a report from ward member Ross Mackinnon; picnic benches; Ukrainian refugees; highway issues; tree preservation orders; and financial matters. To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here for 2021 and here for 2022.
• The most recent meeting of Englefield Parish Council took place on 19 May and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: the election of the Chair; a councillor vacancy; financial matters; and formal matters. To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Beenham Parish Council took place on 9 May and you can read the minutes here. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here for 2021 and here for 2022. Click here for details of Beenham’s Community Plan.
• The most recent meeting of Padworth Parish Council took place on 14 March and you can read the minutes here. The annual parish assembly took place on 16 May and you can read the minutes here. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• Theale area council contacts
Parishes: Theale Parish Council, Aldermaston Parish Council, Padworth Parish Council, Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council, Englefield Parish Council, Beenham Parish Council, Bradfield Parish Council and Burghfield Parish Council.
West Berkshire Council: click here to visit the website.
News from other areas
Penny Post area – please see the following separate sections: Hungerford area; Lambourn Valley; Newbury area; Thatcham area; Compton & Downlands; Wantage area; Marlborougharea; Swindon area.
News and views from across the area and beyond: please see the most recent Weekly News with Brian column.
Thursday 16 June 2022
This week we look at two resolutions from Theale PC following a discussion at its annual parish assembly, point to new information added to the energy recovery centre’s application and consider where parts of Burghfield and parts of Mortimer actually are. We also have our usual round-up of local news, local events and activities and news from your local councils.
This week’s news
• The play area on Theale recreation ground is getting a revamp, with new equipment and CCTV in planning, this is a great development for the community. Find details of the planning application here.
• Fancy something a little different? What better way to enjoy the sun than near the water; ASC Reading is hosting an open day for those wanting to try out sailing, windsurfing and more. If you’re interested, have a look here for more information and here to reserve your spot.
• Spencers Wood Repair Cafe is running on Sunday 26 June in the village hall for those with broken household items that are a nightmare to fix. Open from 9.30am to 12.30pm you can find more information here.
• Theale Parish Council has released a list of projects currently being funded by the Greenham Trust. Click here to see the great work being done.
• The North Wessex Downs Walking Festival is going really well with something for everyone, from family friendly and wheelchair accessible guided walks to 9 mile hikes. See here for how to book your walks.
• West Berkshire Council has received funding from the Government to help improve bus services for the next 3 years. Your views are being sought on how the service can be improved. The survey is running until Sunday 3 July and you can find more about it here and the survey can be found here.
• Unfortunately scammers are taking advantage of the cost-of-living crisis to defraud people who are under financial pressure. Our local Citizens Advice West Berkshire office has seen recent cases where clients have lost thousands of pounds to investment scams and fake energy rebate scams from energy companies or local authorities. See here for how to avoid scams and what to do if you unluckily get caught. Above all don’t feel ashamed, this is what the scammers rely on so you don’t warn others. Penny got caught once. You need to tell family, friends and report it to protect others.
• The Midsummer Music event is returning on Sunday 26 June, hosted by the Kennet Branch of Save The Children at the Little Manor in Burghfield village. More information and ticket details are available here.
• The next Padworth Jumble sale will take place on Sunday 18 June as noted on p3 of the Padworth newsletter :however, it’s worth noting that there won’t be a sale on 2 July.
• The Mortimer West End and District Annual Show has been announced, taking place on 27 August 2022. The full schedule and details are available here, boasting vegetables, flowers, handicrafts, artwork and more.
• Action for River Kennet is seeking volunteers to help get rid of threatening non-native species in the river at Balsam Bashing, Burghfield on Friday 24 June. Equipment and refreshments are provided and more information can be found here.
• The latest edition of the Englefield Parish Magazine is available to read here.
• Ditto here with the latest Padworth Village Newsletter.
• Holy Trinity Church has posted an updated list of necessities for the Foodbank which you can view here.
• Click here for a report on Burghfield’s annual parish meeting on 12 May (many thanks to David Gregory of Burghfield Community FB Group and Cally Morris of Burghfield Parish Council for providing the main part of this.)
• For the latest news from theBenefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton which covers updates and events across Theale area please visit its website and click on Letters, Notices & Magazine.
• Latest news from Aldermaston Parish Council can also be found on the website aldermaston.co.uk and this month includes the celebration of a new florist and children’s nursery in the village.
Theale’s resolutions
At its meeting on 6 June, Theale PC discussed two items that had been raised at the annual parish meeting on 23 May. The discussions on these are reproduced below verbatim from the minutes.
Public toilets. Cllr Clifford explained that the parish council had surveyed Theale residents in 2021 to ascertain their thoughts on the recreation ground and what facilities they wanted: public toilets did not feature as notably desirable. Cllr Gallop said that public toilets was a popular request on the councillor High Street walkabouts, and that Theale Tigers FC might benefit from available toilets. It was recognised that the latter was a separate issue which could be discussed between Theale Tigers and the parish council.
After a discussion of the merits and drawbacks of providing public toilets it was resolved to conduct a feasibility study on whether the parish council could provide public toilets on the recreation ground, and then ask the parishioners whether they would be prepared to fund the building and running of toilets by a specified increase in their precept. (Clerk to conduct a feasibility study, having first found out whether the land’s lessor – Englefield Estate – would allow the building of public toilet in principle. Feasibility study to include estimated cost to the parish council estimated increase to parishioners’precepts.)
Proposer: Cllr Cox. Seconder: Cllr Gallop. Vote in favour, 2 against.
Village infrastructure. Concerns were raised over the inadequacy of the village’s infrastructure (eg doctors’ surgery, schools, sewerage) after completion of: the Lakeside housing development, The Green housing development, and allocated developments on the site of the old sewage works and Whitehart Meadow.
It was resolved to petition the appropriate authorities involved in any decisions to improve the village’s infrastructure, including the local MP and neighbouring parish councils, stating the parish council’s concerns over the infrastructure’s inadequacy in light of the expected significant population increase. Further resolved to ask local schools and doctors’ surgery what plans they have for the expected increase in demand, prior to sending the above petition.
Proposer: Cllr Hopcroft. Seconder: Cllr Church. Vote in favour.
Whose pavements?
One of the odd things about Burghfield (though it probably doesn’t often come up in day-to-day life) is that it’s split between two WBC wards. This is quite rare for a settlement of this size and probably should be adjusted. All of Burghfield and almost all of Burghfield Common is in the ward called, logically enough, Burghfield and Mortimer (with three councillors, one Conservative and two Lib Dem). However, the extreme south-western part including the area of Normoor Road is in the Bradfield ward (with one councillor, a Conservative). This only really matters if you need to get your councillor (also known as a ward member) to intervene on your behalf. As with an MP, they can only get involved with issues that are in the area they represent. You can click here for an online map of West Berkshire which will, by use of the filters, show you a vast range of information, including ward boundaries: and click here for a list of all the councillors/ward members and their contact details.
This issue came up recently when some residents in the Normoor Road area were complaining about the state of the pavements and the matter was looked into by the Bradfield ward member, Ross Mackinnon. “Thanks to all the residents in Normoor Road who I spoke to today,” he commented on the Burghfield Community FB page. “The pavements are in a terrible condition in places and I’ll be pushing for this to be addressed as soon as possible.” I wondered if this was a similar pavement issue to the one reported recently in Hungerford where repairs had been done to a shockingly low standards by one of WBC’s sub-sub-contractors. No, Councillor Mackinnon told me: they had just been allowed to deteriorate to a point that in parts they’re next to unusable by wheelchairs, mobility scooters or buggies: or perhaps even people travelling on two legs who don’t watch their step. I don’t know how often such things are inspected, or if they are inspected at all. Assume this doesn’t happen – so, if you see a problem, report it online here. If you want to take the matter further, get in touch with your ward member (see link above). It’s what they’re there for.
On the subject of local administrative geography, you might think that if a ward called “Burghfield and Mortimer” didn’t contain all of Burghfield then it might not contain all of Mortimer either. If so, you’d be right. Mortimer West End isn’t in the B&M ward; indeed, isn’t in West Berkshire at all but in the Basingstoke and Deane district of Hampshire; in fact, is the northernmost point in the county. If you continue west for a couple of miles you’re back in West Berkshire again. Why this bite was taken out of Berkshire back in the 19th century is a mystery, to me at least. Doubtless it seemed like a good idea to someone at the time.
Burghfield’s energy recovery centre
Thanks to the Burghfield Community FB group for pointing out that some new documents appear to have been uploaded to the application for the proposed energy recovery centre in Berrys Lane. Click here to see the relevant section on the WBC planning portal.
A covering letter from WBC explains that it’s not necessary to repeat any comments already made on this application but that further comments can be made until 18 July 2022.
Community notices
• West Berkshire Library Service is appealing for local volunteers at Mortimer and Burghfield Common libraries. Please see this post on Facebook, call 01635 519533 or email volunteerinyourlibrary@westberks.gov.uk for further information.
• Free Craft and Care classes at Theale Library on Tuesdays as part of the Corn Exchange’s Link to Thrive programme for mental health. You can drop in on a weekly basis to learn a variety of craft techniques offering new skills and an opportunity to share progress with others in a supportive and relaxed environment.. See details here for how to self-refer or be referred to the classes by your GP or Social Prescriber.
• Free Creating Journalling classes at Mortimer Library on Thursdays as part of the Corn Exchange’s Link to Thrive programme for mental health. You can drop in on a weekly basis for a chance to reflect and explore using mixed media, mindfulness and lots of creative fun techniques to produce a private journal just for you. See details here for how to self-refer or be referred to the classes by your GP or Social Prescriber.
Local events and activities
For more information on events and activities across the Penny Post area, see the website calendar.
• Dates for the diary
• Fri 24 June Volunteering for ARK at Balsam Bashing, Burghfield.
• Fri 22 Jul Heritage Live at Englefield House
• Regular events
• Holy Trinity Church is seeking donations for the Foodbank that is open on Sundays and Wednesdays from 9am to 6pm. With another rise in people’s need for foodbank support, you can find out what has been requested each week by clicking here.
• Theale Library hosts in-person events for people of all ages. To find out more information on future clubs and events click here to visit the West Berkshire Library Facebook page or email Theale Library at thealelibrary@westberks.gov.uk.
• Mortimer Library also host regular events, such as their Rhymetime group who meet every Tuesday (during school term time) at 2.30pm.
• Walking for Health meet every Tuesday at the community centre car park opposite the Horse & Groom, Mortimer. There are three walk lengths to chose from As mentioned on mortimervillage.org.uk,
• Holy Trinity Church, Theale is open for West Berks Food Bank donations on Sundays and Wednesdays from 10.30am to 6pm. Please see the church’s website for regularly updated lists of what is most needed at the food bank.
• Beenham Art Group every Tuesday from 10am to noon at Victory Hall, Beenham. More details in The Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton Magazine (February edition, p 16).
• Aldermaston Coffee Club meet at the cafe at Rosebourne, Aldermaston between 10am to 11.30am on the first and third Tuesday of each month. Further details in The Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton Magazine (February edition, p 8)
• Aldermaston & Wasing Ladies Group meets on the second Thursday of each month from 2pm at Aldermaston Parish Hall, please see Padworth Parish Council Newsletter (p 3, February 2022 ) for further information.
• Padworth and Aldermaston WI meets at Padworth Village Hall on the third Tuesday of every month at 7.30pm. Further information on the group can be found in Padworth Parish Council Newsletter (No 155 February 2022 Edition p 3).
• Holy Trinity Church, Theale free choir group rehearses on Thursdays between 7pm to 8pm and performs at Sunday services from 10.30am. All are welcome to join. Send enquiries to office@holytrinitytheale.org.uk.
News from your local council
Note: “the most recent meeting” refers to the most recent one for which minutes (in some cases draft) or some other summary is available. Other meetings may have taken place since. Some councils publish minutes more promptly than do others.
• The most recent meeting of Aldermaston Parish Council took place on 14 June and the minutes will be available here in due course. Items covered included: a planning application from AWE Aldermaston for its major “hub” development (to which APC did not object but concerning which it requested “several conditions to minimise our concerns, including restrictions on working hours and funding of parish projects”); an objection to the Lidl site on the Tadley border; the problem of large lorries going to and from Padworth Sawmills; speeding; news of a meeting with the preferred supplier for the skateboard ramp; an update on APC’s refurbishment projects; and questions about whether WBC is committing sufficient resources to its Conservation Area appraisal. To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Theale Parish Council took place on 6 June and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: a presentation from green ham trust; a report from ward member Alan Macro; the public toilets (see also above); village infrastructure (see alas above); planning matters; and financial matters. To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Englefield Parish Council took place on 19 May and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: the election of the Chair; a councillor vacancy; financial matters; and formal matters. To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council took place on 12 May and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: the election of a Chair and Deputy; a possible boxing club; formal matters; the Clerk’s report; a councillor vacancy; the jubilee; reports from committees and working groups; the neighbourhood development plan; financial matters; a report from ward member Graham Bridgman; correspondence; planning matters; play equipment inspections; the annual parish meeting (26 April – click here to read the minutes of that); and Windmill Court (see also last week’s section below via the archives link at the foot of this post). To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. See this page on Stratfield Mortimer PC’s website for more information on the refresh of its neighbourhood development plan.,
• The most recent meeting of Beenham Parish Council took place on 9 May and you can read the minutes here. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here for 2021 and here for 2022. Click here for details of Beenham’s Community Plan.
• The most recent meeting of Burghfield Parish Council took place on 5 May and you can read the minutes here. You can also click here to see a report on the annual parish meeting on 12 May. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Bradfield Parish Council took place on 3 May and the minutes should be available here, though nothing loads. The meeting before that took place on 5 April and you can read the minutes here. (The website also displays an icon for the minutes of 3 May but this doesn’t appear to work.) To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here for 2021 and here for 2022.
• The most recent meeting of Padworth Parish Council took place on 14 March and you can read the minutes here. The annual parish assembly took place on 16 May and you can read the minutes here. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• Theale area council contacts
Parishes: Theale Parish Council, Aldermaston Parish Council, Padworth Parish Council, Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council, Englefield Parish Council, Beenham Parish Council, Bradfield Parish Council and Burghfield Parish Council.
West Berkshire Council: click here to visit the website.
News from other areas
Penny Post area – please see the following separate sections: Hungerford area; Lambourn Valley; Newbury area; Thatcham area; Compton & Downlands; Wantage area; Marlborougharea; Swindon area.
News and views from across the area and beyond: please see the most recent Weekly News with Brian column.
Thursday 9 June 2022
This week we look once again at the cost of Burghfield’s village Hall, consider an unexpected objection to the proposed café and doff our cap to a local Platinum Champion. We also have a look back at local jubilee celebrations, our usual round-up of local news, local events and activities and news from your local councils.
This week’s news
• Theale Parish Council ran the Theale Village Jubilee Fete last weekend and would like to thank everyone for the support that was shown throughout.Photos are to follow on the Jubilee Fete Facebook page here.
• Indeed, many congratulations to everyone involved in organising the numerous jubilee events all across the district. All the ones that we attended or have heard about were hugely successful. A particular vote of thanks goes to whoever was in charge of the weather: the forecast for much of the weekend was depressingly dire but generally seems to have relented at the last moment. You can click here to see our look back at some of the celebrations across the area. If there are any you would like to see included, please email penny@pennypost.org.uk and include a link to the relevant website or FB page.
• There were some pretty spectacular beacons being lit last Thursday but the prize foe the biggest must surely go to Aldermaston. Congratulations to Karen Dignan and her organising committee and Clive Vare and his team who built this one which included over 1000 pallets.
• Theale Parish Council has released a list of projects currently being funded by the Greenham Trust. Click here to see the great work being done.
• The North Wessex Downs Walking Festival kicks off this Saturday 11 June offering 28 walks across the length and breadth of the stunning North Wessex Downs. There is something for everyone, from family friendly and wheelchair accessible guided walks to 9 mile hikes. See here for how to book your walks.
• The Midsummer Music event is returning on Sunday 26 June, hosted by the Kennet Branch of Save The Children at the Little Manor in Burghfield village. More information and ticket details are available here.
• The next Padworth Jumble sale will take place on Sunday 18 June as noted on p3 of the Padworth newsletter however, it’s worth noting that there won’t be a sale on 2 July.
• The Mortimer West End and District Annual Show has been announced, taking place on 27 August 2022. The full schedule and details are available here, boasting vegetables, flowers, handicrafts, artwork and more.
• Regarding the issues at Windmill Court (see previous columns and also A look back… below), District Councillor Graham Bridgman has recently advised in his latest newsletter that “a decision regarding the WBC position on the land will be going to the WBC Executive (but not to the meeting on 9 June).”
• Action for River Kennet is seeking volunteers to help get rid of threatening non-native species in the river at Balsam Bashing, Burghfield on Friday 24 June. Equipment and refreshments are provided and more information can be found here.
• The latest edition of the Englefield Parish Magazine is available to read here.
• Ditto here with the latest Padworth Village Newsletter.
• Holy Trinity Church has posted an updated list of necessities for the Foodbank which you can view here.
• Click here for details of the jubilee festivities which will be taking place in Mortimer.
• Click here for a report on Burghfield’s annual parish meeting on 12 May (many thanks to David Gregory of Burghfield Community FB Group and Cally Morris of Burghfield Parish Council for providing the main part of this.)
• For the latest news from theBenefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton which covers updates and events across Theale area please visit its website and click on Letters, Notices & Magazine.
• Latest news from Aldermaston Parish Council can also be found on the website aldermaston.co.uk and this month includes the celebration of a new florist and children’s nursery in the village.
Burghfield’s bill
I received an anonymous letter this morning which contained some documents relating to the costs of the renovation of Burghfield’s Village Hall (which I’ve referred to before). The letter concluded with the suggestion that “I doubt you will publish anything derogatory about Burghfield Parish Council as you have been taken in by their spin,” which is not quite the way I would go about trying to persuade someone to my point of view. It’s clear that there are differing opinions about how well Burghfield Parish Council (BPC) has performed in this and other matters. However, after doing a certain amount of research (most recently today) I’m unable to find any evidence of wrongdoing on the scale that is implied. There were some points I would have liked to have asked my informant but for obvious reasons I couldn’t. At least I could contact BPC.
The main concern was that the £47,000 VAT bill on the refurbishment could not be reclaimed due to the council’s VAT status and the documents suggested one way this could be remedied. However, two phone calls to two councillors assured me that, for this very reason, BPC has arranged matters so that the VAT can be reclaimed. This seems to dispose of this point in its entirety. If any local resident feels differently I suggest they contact BPC for clarification. If I need to retract or amend this statement in the light of any fresh (an attributable) information then I’ll happily do so.
The other issue was the cost, which jumped from c £200,000 (as estimated by Newbury Today in November 2020: presumably this was based on figures supplied by BPC but I haven’t been able to find this) to £261,000 as reported by BPC in April 2022. This is certainly a significant increase. Perhaps the original estimate was unrealistic or other works were added on; certainly the well-documented increase in the cost of building materials couldn’t have helped. The councillors I spoke to weren’t able to say without checking what the cause of these increases was but I shall be following this up.
The allegation is also made that the parishioners were never updated on this increase. It does seem that BPC could in some cases communicate better (as could all parish councils, something most would probably like to do if they had enough money and time) but I can’t comment on who was told what when, nor why the costs rose and when this became clear, until I’ve asked some more more questions. However, I understand that one of the conditions of a loan from the Public Works Loan Board is that all parishioners need to be apprised of the amount being borrowed and the consequences of non-repayment, so I imagine the costs would have emerged then. Again, any concerned resident should check this with BPC. Please let me know if any facts come to light which contradict what I’ve said here.
In any event, most of the extra money was raised from grants, with £11,000 more than was originally intended coming from BPC’s own reserves. It’s true that these grants probably could been applied for even if the cost had remained at £200,000. I don’t know if my informant has looked into this but I shall ask BPC when I get a moment. However, as suggested above, the original cost may have been unrealistic.
All in all, an actual cash expenditure of £111,000 (plus £6,000pa of loan repayments for 20 years) for a new facility that is producing about £30,000-worth of revenue doesn’t seem too bad. It could possibly have been done for less: considering how fast material costs are rising, it could also have cost a good deal more. Until any further information comes to light there’s not much I can add to this.
Burghfield’s café
This project, which has also attracted a certain amount of local controversy and about which I’ve also written (see below), continues its stately progress towards a final resolution by the Eastern Area Planning Committee. You can see the full details of the application here. A number of consultees have made their views know. In addition, as ward member Graham Bridgman pointed out in his recent newsletter, recently an ‘unsolicited amended plan’ was received by the WBC Planning team from the agent that needed to be considered and a further consultation period may be required.”
Because of the sites’s location within the AWE Burghfield Detailed Emergency Planning Zone (DEPZ), WBC’s Emergency Planning Team is one of these consultees. Its response of 6 June recommends refusal on the grounds that the nature of the building doesn’t provide sufficient public protection, particularly if the expected number of customers and staff needed to shelter there for 48 hours in the event of some nuclear issue up the road. The welfare of the individuals is the concern here: but if I were going to be holed up for two days, my welfare would be improved if it were in a place with coffee, food, water and toilets.
If these are the tests for buildings in the DEPZ, there are several others that would fail: logically, these should on these grounds immediately be closed. Several of the classrooms at St Mary’s School would therefore be off-limits, as would sports pavilions, many shops and offices and any mobile homes on any current or planned sites. In fact, the safest thing would be to evacuate Burghfield altogether. Let’s see what the members of EAPC think when the matter eventually comes before them.
A Platinum Champion
As part of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations, David Gregory from the Burghfield Community FB Group has been awarded a Platinum Champion Award by The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall.
David was one of 70 Platinum Champions selected and judged from thousands of nominations across the UK and who were all given VIP seats for the Saturday Evening Party at the Palace as well as the opportunity to meet the Royal Couple for a special luncheon on Sunday 5 June 5.
David has been recognised for his long term volunteering work including: 17 years service to NHS Ambulance frontline, St John Ambulance Covid Vaccination Programme “Million Hours”, RVS Community Responders Programme and especially for his work in Burghfield Community where he offers a free Mobility Service, Emergency Drivers Scheme, Donates & installs AED Defibrillators to community sites, helps train residents on First Aid and assists other voluntary organisations in the area.
During the recent pandemic, he also helped organise medicine deliveries for shielding residents across two rural villages and provided a local helpline, liaising with other voluntary groups including surgeries, pharmacies and the West Berkshire Council Adult Social Care Team. He is a community link between his local parish and district council and runs a Facebook support group.
Congratulations from us at Penny Post, David– richly deserved.
Community notices
• West Berkshire Library Service is appealing for local volunteers at Mortimer and Burghfield Common libraries. Please see this post on Facebook, call 01635 519533 or email volunteerinyourlibrary@westberks.gov.uk for further information.
• Free Craft and Care classes at Theale Library on Tuesdays as part of the Corn Exchange’s Link to Thrive programme for mental health. You can drop in on a weekly basis to learn a variety of craft techniques offering new skills and an opportunity to share progress with others in a supportive and relaxed environment.. See details here for how to self-refer or be referred to the classes by your GP or Social Prescriber.
• Free Creating Journalling classes at Mortimer Library on Thursdays as part of the Corn Exchange’s Link to Thrive programme for mental health. You can drop in on a weekly basis for a chance to reflect and explore using mixed media, mindfulness and lots of creative fun techniques to produce a private journal just for you. See details here for how to self-refer or be referred to the classes by your GP or Social Prescriber.
Local events and activities
For more information on events and activities across the Penny Post area, see the website calendar.
• Dates for the diary
• Fri 24 June Volunteering for ARK at Balsam Bashing, Burghfield.
• Fri 22 Jul Heritage Live at Englefield House
• Regular events
• Holy Trinity Church is seeking donations for the Foodbank that is open on Sundays and Wednesdays from 9am to 6pm. With another rise in people’s need for foodbank support, you can find out what has been requested each week by clicking here.
• Theale Library hosts in-person events for people of all ages. To find out more information on future clubs and events click here to visit the West Berkshire Library Facebook page or email Theale Library at thealelibrary@westberks.gov.uk.
• Mortimer Library also host regular events, such as their Rhymetime group who meet every Tuesday (during school term time) at 2.30pm.
• Walking for Health meet every Tuesday at the community centre car park opposite the Horse & Groom, Mortimer. There are three walk lengths to chose from As mentioned on mortimervillage.org.uk,
• Holy Trinity Church, Theale is open for West Berks Food Bank donations on Sundays and Wednesdays from 10.30am to 6pm. Please see the church’s website for regularly updated lists of what is most needed at the food bank.
• Beenham Art Group every Tuesday from 10am to noon at Victory Hall, Beenham. More details in The Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton Magazine (February edition, p 16).
• Aldermaston Coffee Club meet at the cafe at Rosebourne, Aldermaston between 10am to 11.30am on the first and third Tuesday of each month. Further details in The Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton Magazine (February edition, p 8)
• Aldermaston & Wasing Ladies Group meets on the second Thursday of each month from 2pm at Aldermaston Parish Hall, please see Padworth Parish Council Newsletter (p 3, February 2022 ) for further information.
• Padworth and Aldermaston WI meets at Padworth Village Hall on the third Tuesday of every month at 7.30pm. Further information on the group can be found in Padworth Parish Council Newsletter (No 155 February 2022 Edition p 3).
• Holy Trinity Church, Theale free choir group rehearses on Thursdays between 7pm to 8pm and performs at Sunday services from 10.30am. All are welcome to join. Send enquiries to office@holytrinitytheale.org.uk.
News from your local council
Note: “the most recent meeting” refers to the most recent one for which minutes (in some cases draft) or some other summary is available. Other meetings may have taken place since. Some councils publish minutes more promptly than do others.
• The most recent meeting of Englefield Parish Council took place on 19 May and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: the election of the Chair; a councillor vacancy; financial matters; and formal matters. To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council took place on 12 May and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: the election of a Chair and Deputy; a possible boxing club; formal matters; the Clerk’s report; a councillor vacancy; the jubilee; reports from committees and working groups; the neighbourhood development plan; financial matters; a report from ward member Graham Bridgman; correspondence; planning matters; play equipment inspections; the annual parish meeting (26 April – click here to read the minutes of that); and Windmill Court (see also last week’s section below via the archives link at the foot of this post). To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. See this page on Stratfield Mortimer PC’s website for more information on the refresh of its neighbourhood development plan.,
• The most recent meeting of Aldermaston Parish Council took place on 10 May and the minutes will be available here in due course. Items covered included: formal business including the election of a Chair and Deputy; planning matters; a report from the skateboard ramp working group (four tenders have been received and one successful bidder has been chosen: the PC “will now enter contract negotiations with them, followed by a planning application and grant requests.”); a “positive” RoSPA inspection on the play equipment; insurance quotes; the sales of Strawberry Farm and of Padworth Sawmills; and the jubilee. To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Beenham Parish Council took place on 9 May and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: the election of a Chair and Deputy; formal matters; two councillor vacancies; financial matters; planning matters; repairs and maintenance around the parish; and the jubilee. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here for 2021 and here for 2022. Click here for details of Beenham’s Community Plan.
• The most recent meeting of Theale Parish Council took place on 9 May and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: formal business including the election of a Chair and Deputy; dog bins; a report from District Councillor Alan Macro; planning matters; Councillor Macro’s draft members’ bid application (for a grant towards 50% of the cost of the path between the churchyard and tarmac path, as part of the play-area build); and financial matters. To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Burghfield Parish Council took place on 5 May and you can read the minutes here.Items covered included: the election of a Chair and Deputy; formal matters; two questions about the café application (see also earlier sections below, via the archives link at the foot of this post); CCTV; a report from ward member Royce Longton; reports from the committees; the neighbourhood development plan; and financial matters. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Bradfield Parish Council took place on 3 May and the minutes should be available here, though nothing loads. The meeting before that took place on 5 April and you can read the minutes here. (The website also displays an icon for the minutes of 3 May but this doesn’t appear to work.) To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here for 2021 and here for 2022.
• The most recent meeting of Padworth Parish Council took place on 14 March and you can read the minutes here. The annual parish assembly took place on 16 May and you can read the minutes here. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• Theale area council contacts
Parishes: Theale Parish Council, Aldermaston Parish Council, Padworth Parish Council, Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council, Englefield Parish Council, Beenham Parish Council, Bradfield Parish Council and Burghfield Parish Council.
West Berkshire Council: click here to visit the website.
News from other areas
Penny Post area – please see the following separate sections: Hungerford area; Lambourn Valley; Newbury area; Thatcham area; Compton & Downlands; Wantage area; Marlborougharea; Swindon area.
News and views from across the area and beyond: please see the most recent Weekly News with Brian column.
Thursday 2 June 2022
This week we take a look back at some of the main stories in this area that we’ve covered in the last six months or so, many of which are still live and will be returned to in due course. We also have our usual round-up of local news, local events and activities (including jubilee-related ones) and news from your local councils.
This week’s news
• Click here for our guide to jubilee events across the area including Mortimer and Burghfield’s celebrations and Theale village fete on the Recreation Ground from noon on Sunday 5 June. More information can be found here on the Theale Parish Council website.
• On that note, Holy Trinity Church is hosting a celebration service this Sunday 5 June at 10.30am. More information can be found here.
• All of the road closures surrounding the Jubilee are now live and can be viewed here to keep you prepared.
• Regarding the issues at Windmill Court (see previous columns and also A look back… below), District Councillor Graham Bridgman has recently advised in his latest newsletter that “a decision regarding the WBC position on the land will be going to the WBC Executive (but not to the meeting on 9 June).”
• Councillor Bridgman also ” says that “having thought that the application for the Burghfield café would reach the Eastern Area Planning Committee on 1 June, it didn’t because of further consultation responses. In addition, an ‘unsolicited amended plan’ was received by the WBC Planning team from the agent that needed to be considered and a further consultation period may be required.”
• He also said that he has “given up trying to predict” when the Reading Quarry Energy Recovery Centre will come to EAPC. “Having anticipated this as an agenda item for 1 June, I am told that WBC are waiting for further information for this application. This will, in turn, trigger a further round of consultation, and the latest I have is that there is an extension for a decision to 31 August.”
• As we mentionned last week, faulty street light on the M4 footbridge that has been bothering locals for a while is finally getting fixed and an update here confirms the repair which should be completed by early June. Duncan Smith, The Executive Director of Operations at National Highways acknowledges that a longer-term solution is required to the constantly faulty lighting on the footbridge and new lighting system is being considered.
• Free Craft and Care classes start at Theale Library on Tuesday 7 June as part of the Corn Exchange’s Link to Thrive programme for mental health. You can drop in on a weekly basis to learn a variety of craft techniques offering new skills and an opportunity to share progress with others in a supportive and relaxed environment.. See details here for how to self-refer or be referred to the classes by your GP or Social Prescriber.
• Free Creating Journalling classes start at Mortimer Library on Thursday 9 June as part of the Corn Exchange’s Link to Thrive programme for mental health. You can drop in on a weekly basis for a chance to reflect and explore using mixed media, mindfulness and lots of creative fun techniques to produce a private journal just for you. See details here for how to self-refer or be referred to the classes by your GP or Social Prescriber.
• Café B in Burghfield Methodist Church has announced new opening times: Mondays to Wednesdays between 9.30am and 1pm excluding bank holidays. More can be found here.
• On 5 June, a fundraising raffle for Ukraine is taking place to win a one-of-a-kind handmade patchwork quilt. Information on where you can find the tickets can be found here. The draw will be held at Burghfield’s St Mary’s Church at 11.30am.
• Action for River Kennet is seeking volunteers to help get rid of threatening non-native species in the river at Balsam Bashing, Burghfield on Friday 24 June. Equipment and refreshments are provided and more information can be found here.
• The lastest edition of the Englefield Parish Magazine is available to read here.
• Ditto here with the latest Padworth Village Newsletter.
• Holy Trinity Church has posted an updated list of necessities for the Foodbank which you can view here.
• Click here for details of the jubilee festivities which will be taking place in Mortimer.
• Click here for a report on Burghfield’s annual parish meeting on 12 May (many thanks to David Gregory of Burghfield Community FB Group and Cally Morris of Burghfield Parish Council for providing the main part of this.)
• For the latest news from theBenefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton which covers updates and events across Theale area please visit its website and click on Letters, Notices & Magazine.
• Latest news from Aldermaston Parish Council can also be found on the website aldermaston.co.uk and this month includes the celebration of a new florist and children’s nursery in the village.
A look back…
See below for a brief summary of some of the recurring issues we’ve covered, often more than once, in the last six months or so. Many of these are still live and so will be returned to in the future. In all cases, you can see more by clicking on link to the archive section at the foot of this post (there’s also a further link at the foot of that to earlier columns) and then then searching for the relevant key word/s.
If there are any other matters that you think should be covered, or if you have any views or comments and the ones we’ve covered to date, please email brian@pennypost.org.uk.
Burghfield’s café and village hall. About six weeks ago, we became aware of a number of allegations about these that were circulating on social media and as leaflets. Opposition to any project and criticism of the body responsible (the Parish Council, in this case) is all part of the the normal rough and tumble in a free society. However, it seemed to me that a number of planning, commercial and licensing issues were being conflated; as, indeed, were the renovation of the Village Hall and the proposed creation of the café, which seemed to be quite separate matters. I hope that I have at least provided useful and dispassionate summaries of these issues – the visitor numbers to this post and the comments I’ve received – suggest as much. As any developments emerge regarding the café, I’ll be aiming to cover these in the same way.
The Eastern Area Planning Committee. This organisation will decide the café application. Like its identical twin sibling covering the west of the district, it can considers applications only in certain circumstances and operates under a set of procedures which can appear completely opaque to outsiders. I therefore talked to the Chairs of both organisations and wrote a piece describing how the EAPC works (these comments apply to the WAPC as well).
The Burghfield Santas. This local fundraising organisation appears to receive a bit of a mixed press in and around the village and in a recent piece in this column I tried to look at why this might be and to explain what plans it had for the future.
Windmill Court in Mortimer. Sovereign Housing, which owns this facility, announced earlier this year that it wanted to close it, pull it down and replace it with new properties. Some of these would be sold to raise money for the housing association while the rest would be sheltered or social-rent housing of a kind that, Sovereign felt, better suited the area’s needs than what was there at present. A bit of investigation (and, it must be said, some very prompt and detailed replies to my questions for Sovereign) revealed that there was nothing sinister or unusual about these ambitions. What seemed to have gone less well, however, was the communication of this to the residents which resulted in some of them contacting the parish council, which was then unaware of the plans. A rather confused few weeks then followed. All of this might have been avoided by better communication at the outset. It seems that matters have no calmed somewhat, although the problem of finding suitable alternative accommodation for the existing residents continues. Given the shortage of such places, this may prove to be a long job.
Community notices
• West Berkshire Library Service is appealing for local volunteers at Mortimer and Burghfield Common libraries. Please see this post on Facebook, call 01635 519533 or email volunteerinyourlibrary@westberks.gov.uk for further information.
Local events and activities
For more information on events and activities across the Penny Post area, see the website calendar.
• Dates for the diary
• Sun 5 June Theale Village Fete. Stall-holders who are interested should contact the Parish Council for further information.
• Fri 24 June Volunteering for ARK at Balsam Bashing, Burghfield.
• Fri 22 Jul Heritage Live at Englefield House
• Regular events
• Holy Trinity Church is seeking donations for the Foodbank that is open on Sundays and Wednesdays from 9am to 6pm. With another rise in people’s need for foodbank support, you can find out what has been requested each week by clicking here.
• Theale Library hosts in-person events for people of all ages. To find out more information on future clubs and events click here to visit the West Berkshire Library Facebook page or email Theale Library at thealelibrary@westberks.gov.uk.
• Mortimer Library also host regular events, such as their Rhymetime group who meet every Tuesday (during school term time) at 2.30pm.
• Walking for Health meet every Tuesday at the community centre car park opposite the Horse & Groom, Mortimer. There are three walk lengths to chose from As mentioned on mortimervillage.org.uk,
• Holy Trinity Church, Theale is open for West Berks Food Bank donations on Sundays and Wednesdays from 10.30am to 6pm. Please see the church’s website for regularly updated lists of what is most needed at the food bank.
• Beenham Art Group every Tuesday from 10am to noon at Victory Hall, Beenham. More details in The Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton Magazine (February edition, p 16).
• Aldermaston Coffee Club meet at the cafe at Rosebourne, Aldermaston between 10am to 11.30am on the first and third Tuesday of each month. Further details in The Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton Magazine (February edition, p 8)
• Aldermaston & Wasing Ladies Group meets on the second Thursday of each month from 2pm at Aldermaston Parish Hall, please see Padworth Parish Council Newsletter (p 3, February 2022 ) for further information.
• Padworth and Aldermaston WI meets at Padworth Village Hall on the third Tuesday of every month at 7.30pm. Further information on the group can be found in Padworth Parish Council Newsletter (No 155 February 2022 Edition p 3).
• Holy Trinity Church, Theale free choir group rehearses on Thursdays between 7pm to 8pm and performs at Sunday services from 10.30am. All are welcome to join. Send enquiries to office@holytrinitytheale.org.uk.
News from your local council
Note: “the most recent meeting” refers to the most recent one for which minutes (in some cases draft) or some other summary is available. Other meetings may have taken place since. Some councils publish minutes more promptly than do others.
• The most recent meeting of Englefield Parish Council took place on 19 May and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: the election of the Chair; a councillor vacancy; financial matters; and formal matters. To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council took place on 12 May and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: the election of a Chair and Deputy; a possible boxing club; formal matters; the Clerk’s report; a councillor vacancy; the jubilee; reports from committees and working groups; the neighbourhood development plan; financial matters; a report from ward member Graham Bridgman; correspondence; planning matters; play equipment inspections; the annual parish meeting (26 April – click here to read the minutes of that); and Windmill Court (see also last week’s section below via the archives link at the foot of this post). To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. See this page on Stratfield Mortimer PC’s website for more information on the refresh of its neighbourhood development plan.,
• The most recent meeting of Aldermaston Parish Council took place on 10 May and the minutes will be available here in due course. Items covered included: formal business including the election of a Chair and Deputy; planning matters; a report from the skateboard ramp working group (four tenders have been received and one successful bidder has been chosen: the PC “will now enter contract negotiations with them, followed by a planning application and grant requests.”); a “positive” RoSPA inspection on the play equipment; insurance quotes; the sales of Strawberry Farm and of Padworth Sawmills; and the jubilee. To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Beenham Parish Council took place on 9 May and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: the election of a Chair and Deputy; formal matters; two councillor vacancies; financial matters; planning matters; repairs and maintenance around the parish; and the jubilee. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here for 2021 and here for 2022. Click here for details of Beenham’s Community Plan.
• The most recent meeting of Theale Parish Council took place on 9 May and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: formal business including the election of a Chair and Deputy; dog bins; a report from District Councillor Alan Macro; planning matters; Councillor Macro’s draft members’ bid application (for a grant towards 50% of the cost of the path between the churchyard and tarmac path, as part of the play-area build); and financial matters. To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Burghfield Parish Council took place on 5 May and you can read the minutes here.Items covered included: the election of a Chair and Deputy; formal matters; two questions about the café application (see also earlier sections below, via the archives link at the foot of this post); CCTV; a report from ward member Royce Longton; reports from the committees; the neighbourhood development plan; and financial matters. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Bradfield Parish Council took place on 3 May and the minutes should be available here, though nothing loads. The meeting before that took place on 5 April and you can read the minutes here. (The website also displays an icon for the minutes of 3 May but this doesn’t appear to work.) To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here for 2021 and here for 2022.
• The most recent meeting of Padworth Parish Council took place on 14 March and you can read the minutes here. The annual parish assembly took place on 16 May and you can read the minutes here. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• Theale area council contacts
Parishes: Theale Parish Council, Aldermaston Parish Council, Padworth Parish Council, Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council, Englefield Parish Council, Beenham Parish Council, Bradfield Parish Council and Burghfield Parish Council.
West Berkshire Council: click here to visit the website.
News from other areas
Penny Post area – please see the following separate sections: Hungerford area; Lambourn Valley; Newbury area; Thatcham area; Compton & Downlands; Wantage area; Marlborougharea; Swindon area.
News and views from across the area and beyond: please see the most recent Weekly News with Brian column.
Thursday 26 May 2022
This week we take a look at the Burghfield Santas, which started out 15 years ago as a charity-collecting dodge from Christmas shopping and has morphed into a successful local fundraising and event-organising group which still retains a male-only membership. We also have news of a local volunteering event organised by Action for the River Kennet, a local football award shortlist, a possible boxing club in Mortimer and some open studios.
Scroll down for these and other local stories, local events and activities and news from your local councils.
This week’s news
• You may be aware that there will be some celebrations taking place between 2 and 5 June. Click here for our guide to jubilee events across the area.
• Theale Parish Council is hosting a village fete to bring the community together to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. The fete is going to be held on the Recreation Ground from noon on Sunday 5 June. More information can be found here on the Theale Parish Council website.
• A short article here from BerkshireLive on the life of Kate Bush who lived in Theale which is perfect for those who love her music and perhaps didn’t know about her time in Theale.
• Congratulations to Burghfield FC which has been shortlisted in several categories for the 2022 Berkshire Football Awards.
• A faulty street light on the M4 footbridge that has been bothering locals for a while is finally getting fixed and an update here confirms the repair which should be completed by early June. Duncan Smith, The Executive Director of Operations at National Highways acknowledges that a longer-term solution is required to the constantly faulty lighting on the footbridge and new lighting system is being considered.
• Mortimer Hill Art Studios is hosting open days from Friday 20 to Sunday 22 May between 11am and 5pm. More information can be found here.
• Cafe B in Burghfield Methodist Church has announced new opening times, which are Mondays to Wednesdays between 9.30am and 1pm excluding bank holidays. More can be found here.
• On the same day, a fundraising raffle for Ukraine is taking place to win a one of a kind handmade patchwork quilt. Information on where you can find the tickets can be found here. The draw will be held at St. Mary’s Church at 11.30am.
• For other Platinum Jubilee celebrations, you can click here for what’s happening in Mortimer, Burghfield, Theale and the surrounding area.
• Women from all walks of life across the county are invited to join West Berkshire Council’s Women in Politics webinar on Wednesday 1 June to find out how to get involved in local decision-making panels or becoming a Councillor. WBC also would like to invite any and all local residents interested in what happens behind the scenes at the Council or how decisions are made, to join them for this event. Details can be found on the council website.
• Action for River Kennet is seeking volunteers to help get rid of threatening non-native species in the river at Balsam Bashing, Burghfield on Wednesday 1 and Friday 24 June. Equipment and refreshments are provided and more information can be found here.
• Keep your eyes on the skies on Thursday 2 June for the spectacular military flyby in celebration of the Jubilee. Over 70 aircraft will be participating, including the Red Arrows, Spitfires and Hurricanes, taking off in the east of the country, flying over Buckingham Palace, London and then heading the South and West. If all goes according to plan, Berkshire should see the aircraft overhead roughly between 12:50pm and 1:30pm – so keep your eyes peeled. More information can be found here.
• The Englefield Parish Magazine April to May 2022 issue is available for you to read here.
• Ditto here with the Padworth Village May 2022 Newsletter.
• Holy Trinity Church has posted an updated list of necessities for the Foodbank which you can view here. Your donations are greatly appreciated.
• Click here for details of the jubilee festivities which will be taking place in Mortimer.
• Burghfield and Mortimer district councillor Graham Bridgman’s most recent (5 May) e-newsletter can be read here.
• Click here for a report on Burghfield’s annual parish meeting on 12 May (many thanks to David Gregory of Burghfield Community FB Group and Cally Morris of Burghfield Parish Council for providing the main part of this.)
• For the latest news from theBenefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton which covers updates and events across Theale area please visit their website and click on Letters, Notices & Magazine.
• Latest news from Aldermaston Parish Council can also be found on their website aldermaston.co.uk and this month includes the celebration of a new florist and children’s nursery in the village.
Santa banter
I’m not quite sure what I think, or should think about, organisations that only permit membership from one gender. I’ve never been drawn to joining any male-only ones but I can see that they have their place. Whatever one feels about sexual equality or gender stereotyping, few would deny that there have been some big shifts over the last couple of generations. Not everyone has found this easy. Some women and some men in some circumstances prefer the company of their own sex or might at times gravitate towards situations or events where this is the case. For men, the men’s sheds movement is a case in point. They provide, as the website states, “community spaces for men to connect, converse and create. The activities are often similar to those of garden sheds, but for groups of men to enjoy together. They help reduce loneliness and isolation, but most importantly, they’re fun.” There’s nothing obviously sinister in that and appeals mainly to a demographic that might feel it has been disadvantaged by these changes. It’s certainly in stark contrast to Oxford’s Bullingdon Club or the priesthood of the Catholic Church, both of which many would feel are self-interested anachronisms of epic proportions.
Somewhere between the two of these comes the line of what is, by the ever-shifting and subjective standards that such things are judged, generally seen as fine and those which are not. This is complicated by the fact that there are many female-only organisations – the Athena Network and the Soroptimists spring to mind – which are widely regarded as completely normal: announce that you’re going to start up a male-only club, though, and you’d be wise to expect accusations of sexism. Of course, up until about a hundred years ago the whole country was a male-only organisation so this is a natural and probably healthy reaction to that. These and other female organisations aren’t generally concerned with the exercise of power. Many traditional male-only organisations such as Oxbridge colleges, London clubs, legal chambers and most religions have or had this as their main aim. If the organisation represents a specific interest – model train or knitting, for instance – then it’s fine. If its aims are towards the furtherance or maintenance of domination in a particular sphere then it probably isn’t.
What, however, do you say about an organisation which started with two completely reasonable aims – collecting money for charity and getting out of doing Christmas shopping – about 15 years ago and has since become a major fundraiser and event organiser in its community? I’m talking about the Burghfield Santas, about which I’m aware there are differing feelings in the village. Let’s have a quick look at these, as I understand them.
It could be maintained that a male-run group (although women are involved in its work) which seems increasingly to dominate these aspects of local life is not ideal and perpetuates the idea that men are somehow beat placed to do things like run pop-up bars and organise festivals. There’s also the charge that beery blokeishness is fine up to a point but can get overbearing. Whatever your views, a male-run organisation in 2022 presents itself as an easy target: the more so as it’s not constituted as a charity which has – without any substance that I’m aware of – led to questions about whether the money raised is being properly accounted for. In fact, the Santas is an official fundraising body for Thames Valley Air Ambulance which scrutinises the Santa’s accounts.
On the other hand, whatever dynamic shaped the creation of the Burghfield Santas as a fundraising organisation seems to have worked. The 2021 annual report said that over £24,000 was raised for the Thames Valley Air Ambulance in that notoriously difficult fundraising year. I understand that it’s now supporting other charities: also that having acquired the skills involved in running pop-up bars and erecting stages, it is now the go-to organisation in the area. A new fundraising model has also been developed whereby representatives from, say, a local school are invited to help at events and are paid for their shifts in the form of a donation to an agreed charity, such as the school’s PTA.
There’s also the question of presentation, on both sides. An organisation which has grown to be locally important may see itself as indispensable and conduct itself accordingly. Opposition to it, however, might be based on old grievances and disputes, unrelated to gender issues. Total agreement on virtually any issue in a community being impossible, it’s easy for matters to become polarised. Social media is an excellent way of amplifying though not always resolving these, the force and frequency of opinions stressed not always being proportionate to the number of people who hold them. In most communities there is probably a decent majority which is happy as long as as the number of good things that take place outnumber the bad. I don’t know Burghfield well enough to offer these as more than general observations which may or may not be true here. They certainly are elsewhere.
In any community, there is a small group of people (often numbering less than 1% of the population) whose names crop up all the time when community events are being organised. In the places I know particularly well there’s no particular bias in favour of men or women. Burghfield seems unique in that its main organisation has its origins in a male-only body.
As regards the status of the Santas, the above-mentioned 2021 statement said that “we have also set ourselves the goal of achieving Charity Status during the year [2022] to improve our options of grant applications and improve our tax status.” The statement could perhaps have added that this would also make the organisation even more transparent and accountable, though this would be to admit that allegations that they currently aren’t have some validity.
On balance, it seems to me that the Burghfield Santas is a good thing. If people have problems with the way events have been organised, finances reported or communication conducted then that needs to raised with them. Any worthwhile organisation welcomes objective scrutiny and constructive criticism. I can’t say if the Santas provides suitable forums for such reporting and discussion (as a parish council does) but, if you feel it doesn’t, let them know. Their new charitable status will doubtless be given wide publicity when finalised and will need to include a statement of charitable aims. It will also mean that the financial arrangements will be subjected to the processes and scrutiny of the Charities Commission.
As regards gender, that is for the Santas to decide: just as it is up to everyone in the community to support them or not based on their conduct and achievements. Sorting out the official status will remove one easy target. The gender composition issue may well remain and it won’t be the only organisation for which it does. As for any group, continuing to enthuse a sufficiency of the population (enthusing all of them is impossible) about its ambitions for the future is a constant work in progress. The most important question is whether the organisation provides a benefit to the community. It seems to me that the Santas pass this test. As on almost every issue, however, some feel differently.
Community notices
• West Berkshire Library Service is appealing for local volunteers at Mortimer and Burghfield Common libraries. Please see this post on Facebook, call 01635 519533 or email volunteerinyourlibrary@westberks.gov.uk for further information.
Local events and activities
For more information on events and activities across the Penny Post area, see the website calendar.
• Dates for the diary
• Wed 1 June Volunteering for ARK at Balsam Bashing, Burghfield.
• Sun 5 June Theale Village Fete. Stall-holders who are interested should contact the Parish Council for further information.
• Fri 24 June Volunteering for ARK at Balsam Bashing, Burghfield.
• Fri 22 Jul Heritage Live at Englefield House
• Regular events
• Holy Trinity Church is seeking donations for the Foodbank that is open on Sundays and Wednesdays from 9am to 6pm. With another rise in people’s need for foodbank support, you can find out what has been requested each week by clicking here.
• Theale Library hosts in-person events for people of all ages. To find out more information on future clubs and events click here to visit the West Berkshire Library Facebook page or email Theale Library at thealelibrary@westberks.gov.uk.
• Mortimer Library also host regular events, such as their Rhymetime group who meet every Tuesday (during school term time) at 2.30pm.
• Walking for Health meet every Tuesday at the community centre car park opposite the Horse & Groom, Mortimer. There are three walk lengths to chose from As mentioned on mortimervillage.org.uk,
• Holy Trinity Church, Theale is open for West Berks Food Bank donations on Sundays and Wednesdays from 10.30am to 6pm. Please see the church’s website for regularly updated lists of what is most needed at the food bank.
• Beenham Art Group every Tuesday from 10am to noon at Victory Hall, Beenham. More details in The Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton Magazine (February edition, p 16).
• Aldermaston Coffee Club meet at the cafe at Rosebourne, Aldermaston between 10am to 11.30am on the first and third Tuesday of each month. Further details in The Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton Magazine (February edition, p 8)
• Aldermaston & Wasing Ladies Group meets on the second Thursday of each month from 2pm at Aldermaston Parish Hall, please see Padworth Parish Council Newsletter (p 3, February 2022 ) for further information.
• Padworth and Aldermaston WI meets at Padworth Village Hall on the third Tuesday of every month at 7.30pm. Further information on the group can be found in Padworth Parish Council Newsletter (No 155 February 2022 Edition p 3).
• Holy Trinity Church, Theale free choir group rehearses on Thursdays between 7pm to 8pm and performs at Sunday services from 10.30am. All are welcome to join. Send enquiries to office@holytrinitytheale.org.uk.
News from your local council
Note: “the most recent meeting” refers to the most recent one for which minutes (in some cases draft) or some other summary is available. Other meetings may have taken place since. Some councils publish minutes more promptly than do others.
• The most recent meeting of Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council took place on 12 May and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: the election of a Chair and Deputy; a possible boxing club; formal matters; the Clerk’s report; a councillor vacancy; the jubilee; reports from committees and working groups; the neighbourhood development plan; financial matters; a report from ward member Graham Bridgman; correspondence; planning matters; play equipment inspections; the annual parish meeting (26 April – click here to read the minutes of that); and Windmill Court (see also last week’s section below via the archives link at the foot of this post). To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. See this page on Stratfield Mortimer PC’s website for more information on the refresh of its neighbourhood development plan.,
• The most recent meeting of Aldermaston Parish Council took place on 10 May and the minutes will be available here in due course. Items covered included: formal business including the election of a Chair and Deputy; planning matters; a report from the skateboard ramp working group (four tenders have been received and one successful bidder has been chosen: the PC “will now enter contract negotiations with them, followed by a planning application and grant requests.”); a “positive” RoSPA inspection on the play equipment; insurance quotes; the sales of Strawberry Farm and of Padworth Sawmills; and the jubilee. To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Theale Parish Council took place on 9 May and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: formal business including the election of a Chair and Deputy; dog bins; a report from District Councillor Alan Macro; planning matters; Councillor Macro’s draft members’ bid application (for a grant towards 50% of the cost of the path between the churchyard and tarmac path, as part of the play-area build); and financial matters. To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Burghfield Parish Council took place on 5 May and you can read the minutes here.Items covered included: the election of a Chair and Deputy; formal matters; two questions about the café application (see also earlier sections below, via the archives link at the foot of this post); CCTV; a report from ward member Royce Longton; reports from the committees; the neighbourhood development plan; and financial matters. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Bradfield Parish Council took place on 5 April and you can read the minutes here. (The website also displays an icon for the minutes of 3 May but this doesn’t appear to work.) To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here for 2021 and here for 2022.
• The most recent meeting of Beenham Parish Council took place on 4 April and you can read the minutes here. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here for 2021 and here for 2022. Click here for details of Beenham’s Community Plan.
• The most recent meeting of Padworth Parish Council took place on 14 March and you can read the minutes here. The annual parish assembly took place on 16 May and you can read the minutes here. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Englefield Parish Council took place on 7 March and you can read the minutes here. To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here.
• Theale area council contacts
Parishes: Theale Parish Council, Aldermaston Parish Council, Padworth Parish Council, Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council, Englefield Parish Council, Beenham Parish Council, Bradfield Parish Council and Burghfield Parish Council.
West Berkshire Council: click here to visit the website.
News from other areas
Penny Post area – please see the following separate sections: Hungerford area; Lambourn Valley; Newbury area; Thatcham area; Compton & Downlands; Wantage area; Marlborougharea; Swindon area.
News and views from across the area and beyond: please see the most recent Weekly News with Brian column.
Thursday 19 May 2022
Scroll down for Burghfield’s democracy, Windmill Court, local events and activities and news from your local councils.
This week’s news
• Theale Parish Council is hosting a village fete to bring the community together to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. The fete is going to be held on the Recreation Ground from noon on Sunday 5 June. More information can be found here on the Theale Parish Council website.
• On the same day, a fundraising raffle for Ukraine is taking place to win a one of a kind handmade patchwork quilt. Information on where you can find the tickets can be found here. The draw will be held at St. Mary’s Church at 11.30am.
• For other Platinum Jubilee celebrations, you can click here for what’s happening in Mortimer, Burghfield, Theale and the surrounding area.
• Women from all walks of life across the county are invited to join West Berkshire Council’s Women in Politics webinar on Wednesday 1 June to find out how to get involved in local decision-making panels or becoming a Councillor. WBC also would like to invite any and all local residents interested in what happens behind the scenes at the Council or how decisions are made, to join them for this event. Details can be found on the council website.
• Action for River Kennet is seeking volunteers to help get rid of threatening non-native species in the river at Balsam Bashing, Burghfield on Wednesday 1 and Friday 24 June. Equipment and refreshments are provided and more information can be found here.
• Keep your eyes on the skies on Thursday 2 June for the spectacular military flyby in celebration of the Jubilee. Over 70 aircraft will be participating, including the Red Arrows, Spitfires and Hurricanes, taking off in the east of the country, flying over Buckingham Palace, London and then heading the South and West. If all goes according to plan, Berkshire should see the aircraft overhead roughly between 12:50pm and 1:30pm – so keep your eyes peeled. More information can be found here.
• The Englefield Parish Magazine April to May 2022 issue is available for you to read here.
• Ditto here with the Padworth Village May 2022 Newsletter.
• Theale Green School is continuing to campaign to raise £2,500 to build a well-being school garden with initial intentions for it to be used by students and staff, and now hopes to extend the use to the community. More information can be found here and pledges can be made here.
• Holy Trinity Church has posted an updated list of necessities for the Foodbank which you can view here. Your donations are greatly appreciated.
• Click here for details of the jubilee festivities which will be taking place in Mortimer.
• Burghfield and Mortimer district councillor Graham Bridgman’s most recent (5 May) e-newsletter can be read here.
• Click here for a report on Burghfield’s annual parish meeting on 12 May (many thanks to David Gregory of Burghfield Community FB Group and Cally Morris of Burghfield Parish Council for providing the main part of this.)
• For the latest news from theBenefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton which covers updates and events across Theale area please visit their website and click on Letters, Notices & Magazine.
• Latest news from Aldermaston Parish Council can also be found on their website aldermaston.co.uk and this month includes the celebration of a new florist and children’s nursery in the village.
Windmill Court
As mentioned last week (see below), there has recently been a certain amount of kerfuffle about the plans by Sovereign Housing to close this 35-flat unit in Mortimer and replace it with a smaller number of properties, some of which would be for rent and some for sale. The obvious pre-condition of this is that the existing residents would need to move out. The initial issue was about how the communication with the residents had been handled. I contacted both Sovereign and Stratfield Mortimer PC to discuss this. I’d like to point out that I had three informative emails from Sovereign in answer to several questions I posed so respect is due for that.
The two versions don’t exactly agree on every point as regards who contacted whom and when: but nor, perhaps, do any two accounts. What does seem clear, though, is that, while I have no reason to doubt Sovereign’s claim that “We’re very much committed to supporting all our residents at Windmill Court to find a move to the best comfortable new home for them”, matters could perhaps have been handled better at the outset. This is clear from the simple fact that, although the PC was contacted by Sovereign on 16 March, by then residents had already received letters from Sovereign and some had already contacted the parish council. This doesn’t suggest that any information provided had been as clear as it could have been.
It seems there was also a problem with the only telephone number initially provided going to a switchboard full of auto-options. Clearly there’s no easy way of breaking this kind of news but any communication which results in some people contacting a different organisation clearly hasn’t worked perfectly. Sovereign has assured me that “rehousing officers are supporting every resident” and that a dedicated email address and direct phone line has been set up, “at the parish council’s suggestion.”
Sovereign pointed out to me that they “spoke to the residents impacted by the closure before anyone else as it’s important that those most affected hear the news directly from us, can ask questions and understand the support we’ll provide.” On the face of it this seems fair but I repeat the point that, if this had gone according to plan, no one else would have even heard about this. It’s always worth looking at the organisations to whom people might turn if they were confused and to make sure that these bodies were aware and on-message. The two obvious candidates here are West Berkshire Council and the parish. It seems odd that WBC didn’t know about it (perhaps their housing team did) but the councillors and the parish council weren’t told until a day or so later. This slightly suggests that Sovereign felt they couldn’t be trusted.
There have been some quite high-profile local cases recently about whether councillors can be trusted with information. I think they can be. The ward members and the parish should have been told well in advance but asked to leave the initial communication to Sovereign. This would have allowed them to suggest how the letter might read to people whom they represent, to check how well the comms methods worked and generally be appraised of what was going on. If you’re a parish councillor and something is sprung on you about which you know nothing, it’s never going to go down well.
Ironically, it doesn’t seem as if the decision to re-develop is particularly sinister. Sovereign’s attitude is that felt the current Windmill Court wasn’t the best use of the location and pointed to the fact that seven out of the the 35 flats were empty. The new plans, I was told, “would have 10 homes for rent, five for shared ownership and nine for sale. We’ve assessed that this offers the best mix of homes for the needs of the area.
“Also,” the statement added, “as a not-for-profit organisation, all income from all of the homes which are sold will subsidise building affordable homes elsewhere.” I checked this assertion with WBC. “This depends on the title,” I was informed, “but ordinarily it would be recycled back into the district for new homes.”
The Sovereign statement went on to say that “because of the proposed redevelopment, residents are given priority banding with the council.” This may be so but there does seem to be a shortage of suitable properties in the district as a whole, never mind in the Mortimer area which is presumably where at least some of the residents would want to remain. WBC has told me the registered providers of social housing in the district in 2021 provided 882 “housing for older persons” and 368 “supported housing”, compared with respectively 1,102 and 234 ten years before: a net loss of 86. Overall, social-rent housing in the district has increased from 9,217 to 9,989 in the same period but most of this termed as “general needs.” With an ageing population, this might be leading to a problem of suitable accommodation. If this is the case, the residents of Windmill Court might be about to discover this for themselves. One can’t help wondering if, given what these figures suggest, that (assuming land was available) building new accommodation should have happened before existing facilities were closed down.
Burghfield’s democracy
It was recently suggested to me that an amendment of standing orders regarding the chairmanship of Burghfield Parish Council represented a threat to local democracy. The change, which was discussed and agreed at the February 2022 meeting (see item 12.0222), seems however not to have this ambition or result.
Most parish councils have no limit on how many years a Chair can serve consecutively. Burghfield didn’t but a few months ago decided to introduce one. To quote the resolution, henceforth “the Chair and Vice-Chair are elected by members of the Parish Council at the Annual Council meeting each year under Section 15 (1) of the Local Government Act 1972 with a maximum continuous term of five years. Should either wish to continue their term, the Parish Council can at this point elect to extend this term limit.” Having no limit is the default position the government and the National Association of Local Councils provides for but parishes are free to amend this if they choose. BPC has decided to do so and I see nothing sinister in this.
The reference to “five years” doesn’t mean that the Chair is elected for one five-year term. National legislation provides that the first order of business of an annual parish council meeting (which must happen in May) in that the Chair be elected for the next twelve months. All Burghfield PC is doing is limiting the term that the Chair can serve to five consecutive years. Why might BPC want to do this?
On the speaking to the office on 18 May, I was told that this is to encourage succession planning. As the number of vacancies in most parishes shows, not everyone wants to be a councillor and even fewer want to be the Chair. Once in place, if a Chair is doing an even half-decent job they’ll probably be encouraged to stay. This is fine for a while but can’t last for ever. I know of one parish where the same person has been in the top seat for over 20 years. That level of knowledge is hard to transfer. Five years is perhaps a more realistic timeframe. Change from time to time is also generally a good idea lest a sense of entitlement and ownership creep in. I’m not suggesting that anything like this is happening in Burghfield, merely that the PC has recognised the fact that it might and has taken steps to prevent it.
I’ve asked WBC if it holds information about how many of its 60-odd parishes have any such restrictions but have not yet received a reply. In a sense, the answer doesn’t matter. The point here is that Burghfield PC has decided to do this, as it’s entitled to.
If anyone feels strongly about how a parish council conducts its business, the most effective step is to join it. Many have vacancies which can be filled by co-option (an invition to join a council without an election). The first step is to contact the Clerk. As it happens, there are four vacancies on Burghfield PC at present which can be filled in this way (as well as a further one which, due to a seeming confusion about the way the system works, needs to be filled by election although no candidates have yet been nominated). I’m sure that anyone who is interested in the workings of local democracy in this parish will be well aware of how to contact Burghfield Parish Council; but, just in case, here’s the link to click on.
Community notices
• West Berkshire Library Service is appealing for local volunteers at Mortimer and Burghfield Common libraries. Please see this post on Facebook, call 01635 519533 or email volunteerinyourlibrary@westberks.gov.uk for further information.
Local events and activities
For more information on events and activities across the Penny Post area, see the website calendar.
• Dates for the diary
• Wed 1 June Volunteering for ARK at Balsam Bashing, Burghfield.
• Sun 5 June Theale Village Fete. Stall-holders who are interested should contact the Parish Council for further information.
• Fri 24 June Volunteering for ARK at Balsam Bashing, Burghfield.
• Fri 22 Jul Heritage Live at Englefield House
• Regular events
• Holy Trinity Church is seeking donations for the Foodbank that is open on Sundays and Wednesdays from 9am to 6pm. With another rise in people’s need for foodbank support, you can find out what has been requested each week by clicking here.
• Theale Library hosts in-person events for people of all ages. To find out more information on future clubs and events click here to visit the West Berkshire Library Facebook page or email Theale Library at thealelibrary@westberks.gov.uk.
• Mortimer Library also host regular events, such as their Rhymetime group who meet every Tuesday (during school term time) at 2.30pm.
• Walking for Health meet every Tuesday at the community centre car park opposite the Horse & Groom, Mortimer. There are three walk lengths to chose from As mentioned on mortimervillage.org.uk,
• Holy Trinity Church, Theale is open for West Berks Food Bank donations on Sundays and Wednesdays from 10.30am to 6pm. Please see the church’s website for regularly updated lists of what is most needed at the food bank.
• Beenham Art Group every Tuesday from 10am to noon at Victory Hall, Beenham. More details in The Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton Magazine (February edition, p 16).
• Aldermaston Coffee Club meet at the cafe at Rosebourne, Aldermaston between 10am to 11.30am on the first and third Tuesday of each month. Further details in The Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton Magazine (February edition, p 8)
• Aldermaston & Wasing Ladies Group meets on the second Thursday of each month from 2pm at Aldermaston Parish Hall, please see Padworth Parish Council Newsletter (p 3, February 2022 ) for further information.
• Padworth and Aldermaston WI meets at Padworth Village Hall on the third Tuesday of every month at 7.30pm. Further information on the group can be found in Padworth Parish Council Newsletter (No 155 February 2022 Edition p 3).
• Holy Trinity Church, Theale free choir group rehearses on Thursdays between 7pm to 8pm and performs at Sunday services from 10.30am. All are welcome to join. Send enquiries to office@holytrinitytheale.org.uk.
News from your local council
Note: “the most recent meeting” refers to the most recent one for which minutes (in some cases draft) or some other summary is available. Other meetings may have taken place since. Some councils publish minutes more promptly than do others.
• The most recent meeting of Aldermaston Parish Council took place on 10 May and the minutes will be available here in due course. Items covered included: formal business including the election of a Chair and Deputy; planning matters; a report from the skateboard ramp working group (four tenders have been received and one successful bidder has been chosen: the PC “will now enter contract negotiations with them, followed by a planning application and grant requests.”); a “positive” RoSPA inspection on the play equipment; insurance quotes; the sales of Strawberry Farm and of Padworth Sawmills; and the jubilee. To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Theale Parish Council took place on 9 May and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: formal business including the election of a Chair and Deputy; dog bins; a report from District Councillor Alan Macro; planning matters; Councillor Macro’s draft members’ bid application (for a grant towards 50% of the cost of the path between the churchyard and tarmac path, as part of the play-area build); and financial matters. To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council took place on 14 April and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included; the annual parish meeting (26 April – click here to read the minutes of that); Windmill Court; the men’s shed; a councillor vacancy; review of policies; parish maintenance; committee and working-party reports; the neighbourhood development plan; the jubilee (see also this separate post); the next round of members’ bids; Ukranian refugees; financial matters; planning matters; and parish communications. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. See this page on Stratfield Mortimer PC’s website for more information on the refresh of its neighbourhood development plan.
• The most recent meeting of Burghfield Parish Council took place on 7 April and you can read the minutes here.Items covered included: the Village Hall; a report from ward member Graham Bridgman; committee reports; the proposed café (see also separate section above); the May Fair; financial matters; and the annual parish meeting (7pm on 12 May). To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Bradfield Parish Council took place on 5 April and you can read the minutes here. To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here for 2021 and here for 2022.
• The most recent meeting of Beenham Parish Council took place on 4 April and you can read the minutes here. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here for 2021 and here for 2022. Click here for details of Beenham’s Community Plan.
• The most recent meeting of Padworth Parish Council took place on 14 March and you can read the minutes here. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Englefield Parish Council took place on 7 March and you can read the minutes here. To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here.
• Theale area council contacts
Parishes: Theale Parish Council, Aldermaston Parish Council, Padworth Parish Council, Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council, Englefield Parish Council, Beenham Parish Council, Bradfield Parish Council and Burghfield Parish Council.
West Berkshire Council: click here to visit the website.
News from other areas
Penny Post area – please see the following separate sections: Hungerford area; Lambourn Valley; Newburyarea; Thatcham area; Compton & Downlands; Wantage area; Marlborougharea; Swindon area.
News and views from across the area and beyond: please see the most recent Weekly News with Brian column.
Archives
To see earlier Theale & Surrounding Area Weekly News columns, please click here.
Thursday 12 May 2022
This week’s news
• Deadmans Lane will be closed to motor vehicles from June 2022 for 18 months. Once the restrictions are in force a six-month public consultation will begin and, once the 18-month period is ended, it will be decided whether to drop, amend or make the restriction permanent.There will be some reflective bollards in place that will allow pedestrians, cyclists and equestrians to pass easily. You can find a map of the planned restriction here, and more information on this matter here.
We asked Theale ward member Alan Macro what he knew about the scheme. “When the council called for active travel schemes during the pandemic, I put forward the idea of closing of this narrow country lane to traffic,” he told us on 12 May. “The major part of the lane serves no housing, only accesses to Theale Green School playing fields. It is single track, with no passing places. It is heavily used by walkers but carries very little vehicular traffic.”
• West Berkshire Council has closed the footpath between Graham Court and Station road due to a fence panel in a dangerous position. Updates can be found on the Theale Community Facebook page.
• The Englefield Parish Magazine April to May 2022 issue is available for you to read here.
• Ditto here with the Padworth Village May 2022 Newsletter.
• Theale Green School is campaigning to raise £2,500 to build a well-being school garden with initial intentions for it to be used by students and staff, and now hopes to extend the use to the community. More information can be found here and pledges can be made here.
• Holy Trinity Church has posted an updated list of necessities for the Foodbank which you can view here. Your donations are greatly appreciated.
• Click here for details of the jubilee festivities which will be taking place in Mortimer.
• Burghfield and Mortimer district councillor Graham Bridgman’s most recent (5 May) e-newsletter can be read here.
• Click here for a report on Burghfield’s annual parish meeting on 12 May (many thanks to David Gregory of Burghfield Community FB Group and Cally Morris of Burghfield Parish Council for providing the main part of this.)
• For the latest news from theBenefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton which covers updates and events across Theale area please visit their website and click on Letters, Notices & Magazine.
• Latest news from Aldermaston Parish Council can also be found on their website aldermaston.co.uk and this month includes the celebration of a new florist and children’s nursery in the village.
Burghfield’s costs
Last week, I wrote about the costs of the Village Hall in Burghfield and also about the estimated costs for the new café in the village which has caused so much dissent. I’m aware that there has been some comment on these costs which were prompted by posting last week’s column (see below) on various FB groups in the area.
As regards the Village Hall costs, the figures I quoted were provided by Burghfield Parish Council. If you want to see more detail on these, ask the council.
As regards the café cost, there seems to be a lot of debate about what exactly this would be. I suggested £50,000 last week, based on a conversation with a councillor. I’ve seen other figures including £40,000, £49,000, £80,000 and “anything from £1 to £100,000”. I think £50,000 might be a reasonable guess. And it is a guess. Why?
Firstly, because the planning permission hasn’t been granted yet. If it is, the Eastern Area Planning Committee (EAPC) may well impose conditions which could require that the building be cladded in antique oak or that a new access road be built or any number of other possibly expensive things. Whether the applicant (Burghfield PC) will see these as acceptable and how much they will cost – factors that are likely to be closely related – remains to be seen. I’m sure that BPC will make a suitable announcement on the cost implications of any decision and will announce this fact. You can be sure that I shall be chasing them for this information and will report the results in this column.
The second is that, although estimates for the work will have been received, costs of any building work are changing all the time. A firm spec can’t be provided until it’s known what’s to be built (see above). Perhaps it might be wise to wait until the EAPC has made its decision and BPC has come up with more precise figures – which, to repeat my earlier point, I shall be pressing them for, as I’m sure will concerned local residents – before arriving at at a judgment.
Two other points. First, even the highest café cost compares favourably with the original proposal of a £2m+ spend on a new community hub. For reasons I’ve tried to explain in previous posts (see below), the justifications for this have since evaporated and BPC has downwardly adjusted its budgeted costs accordingly. The café seems to be the only part of this project that now remains, the other ambitions the hub was intended to satisfy having been dealt with by other means. A café is what the community said it wanted and what BPC is providing. As it’s portable, it can also be sold off if it doesn’t work. As risks go, the proposed solution seems to test pretty low.
Also, I mentioned £50,000. Other figures exist. However, whatever the costs are, only part of them will be funded from BPC’s reserves. With the Village Hall, a good percentage of the funds came from grants, donations, and loans from the PWLB. I understand that the latter is not contemplated for the café and that BPC is confident it can realise a good chunk of the costs from the first two sources. I’m sure BPC would welcome suggestions from local residents as to any such funding avenues which it might have overlooked.
I don’t have anything to add to these observations at this stage, except to say that if you want to contact BPC (the applicant in this planning matter and a statutory consultee in all of them in the parish) then you can do so by emailing enquiries@burghfieldparishcouncil.gov.uk or calling 0118 983 1748. If you feel that there is some aspect of this issue that I’ve missed then please email me on brian@pennypost.org.uk.
Windmill Court
There has been a certain amount of controversy caused by Sovereign Housing’s recent decision to close this 35-place sheltered housing development, find alternative homes for the tenants and re-develop the site. The questions I have about this fall into the traditional three areas: what led to the decision to close this facility; how the re-location of the tenants has been handled; and what are the proposals for the future of the site.
I’ve had several conversations with people about this and have also asked Sovereign a number of questions a couple of days ago. As they haven’t yet had time to get back to me and as it seems fair to wait to hear what they have to say, I’ll hold this over until they’ve responded. I did receive an apologetic email from Sovereign on 12 May apologising for not having got back to me (which I was expecting as I had sprung the questions on them quite late: it was good of them to bother to reply, however) and so will aim to have more on this next week. In the meantime, if you or anyone you know has been affected by this announcement and has any comment to make, please contact me at brian@pennypost.org.uk.
Community notices
• Deadmans Lane will be closed to Motor Vehicles to encourage active travel within the community whilst works are carried out until June. There will be some reflective bollards in place that will allow pedestrians, cyclists and equestrians to pass easily. You can find a map of the planned restriction here, and more information on this matter here. Once the restrictions are in force the 6 month public consultation will begin. We will then have a further 12 months to decide whether to drop, amend or make the restriction permanent.
• Theale will be hosting a Village Fete on Sunday 5 June between noon and 4.30pm on Theale Recreational Ground to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. With promises of traditional games, an arena display and funfair rides. Stall-holders who are interested should contact the Parish Council for further information.
• West Berkshire Library Service is appealing for local volunteers at Mortimer and Burghfield Common libraries. Please see this post on Facebook, call 01635 519533 or email volunteerinyourlibrary@westberks.gov.uk for further information.
Local events and activities
For more information on events and activities across the Penny Post area, see the website calendar.
• Dates for the diary
• Sun 15 May Reading Lightweight Ride from Theale Village Hall.
• Sun 5 June Theale Village Fete. Stall-holders who are interested should contact the Parish Council for further information.
• Fri 22 Jul Heritage Live at Englefield House
• Regular events
• Holy Trinity Church is seeking donations for the Foodbank that is open on Sundays and Wednesdays from 9am to 6pm. With another rise in people’s need for foodbank support, you can find out what has been requested each week by clicking here.
• Theale Library hosts in-person events for people of all ages. To find out more information on future clubs and events click here to visit the West Berkshire Library Facebook page or email Theale Library at thealelibrary@westberks.gov.uk.
• Mortimer Library also host regular events, such as their Rhymetime group who meet every Tuesday (during school term time) at 2.30pm.
• Walking for Health meet every Tuesday at the community centre car park opposite the Horse & Groom, Mortimer. There are three walk lengths to chose from As mentioned on mortimervillage.org.uk,
• Holy Trinity Church, Theale is open for West Berks Food Bank donations on Sundays and Wednesdays from 10.30am to 6pm. Please see the church’s website for regularly updated lists of what is most needed at the food bank.
• Beenham Art Group every Tuesday from 10am to noon at Victory Hall, Beenham. More details in The Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton Magazine (February edition, p 16).
• Aldermaston Coffee Club meet at the cafe at Rosebourne, Aldermaston between 10am to 11.30am on the first and third Tuesday of each month. Further details in The Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton Magazine (February edition, p 8)
• Aldermaston & Wasing Ladies Group meets on the second Thursday of each month from 2pm at Aldermaston Parish Hall, please see Padworth Parish Council Newsletter (p 3, February 2022 ) for further information.
• Padworth and Aldermaston WI meets at Padworth Village Hall on the third Tuesday of every month at 7.30pm. Further information on the group can be found in Padworth Parish Council Newsletter (No 155 February 2022 Edition p 3).
• Holy Trinity Church, Theale free choir group rehearses on Thursdays between 7pm to 8pm and performs at Sunday services from 10.30am. All are welcome to join. Send enquiries to office@holytrinitytheale.org.uk.
News from your local council
Note: “the most recent meeting” refers to the most recent one for which minutes (in some cases draft) or some other summary is available. Other meetings may have taken place since. Some councils publish minutes more promptly than do others.
• The most recent meeting of Aldermaston Parish Council took place on 10 May and the minutes will be available here in due course. Items covered included: formal business including the election of a Chair and Deputy; planning matters; a report from the skateboard ramp working group (four tenders have been received and one successful bidder has been chosen: the PC “will now enter contract negotiations with them, followed by a planning application and grant requests.”); a “positive” RoSPA inspection on the play equipment; insurance quotes; the sales of Strawberry Farm and of Padworth Sawmills; and the jubilee. To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Theale Parish Council took place on 9 May and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: formal business including the election of a Chair and Deputy; dog bins; a report from District Councillor Alan Macro; planning matters; Councillor Macro’s draft members’ bid application (for a grant towards 50% of the cost of the path between the churchyard and tarmac path, as part of the play-area build); and financial matters. To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council took place on 14 April and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included; the annual parish meeting (26 April – click here to read the minutes of that); Windmill Court; the men’s shed; a councillor vacancy; review of policies; parish maintenance; committee and working-party reports; the neighbourhood development plan; the jubilee (see also this separate post); the next round of members’ bids; Ukranian refugees; financial matters; planning matters; and parish communications. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. See this page on Stratfield Mortimer PC’s website for more information on the refresh of its neighbourhood development plan.
• The most recent meeting of Burghfield Parish Council took place on 7 April and you can read the minutes here.Items covered included: the Village Hall; a report from ward member Graham Bridgman; committee reports; the proposed café (see also separate section above); the May Fair; financial matters; and the annual parish meeting (7pm on 12 May). To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Bradfield Parish Council took place on 5 April and you can read the minutes here. To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here for 2021 and here for 2022.
• The most recent meeting of Beenham Parish Council took place on 4 April and you can read the minutes here. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here for 2021 and here for 2022. Click here for details of Beenham’s Community Plan.
• The most recent meeting of Padworth Parish Council took place on 14 March and you can read the minutes here. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Englefield Parish Council took place on 7 March and you can read the minutes here. To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here.
• Theale area council contacts
Parishes: Theale Parish Council, Aldermaston Parish Council, Padworth Parish Council, Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council, Englefield Parish Council, Beenham Parish Council, Bradfield Parish Council and Burghfield Parish Council.
West Berkshire Council: click here to visit the website.
News from other areas
Penny Post area – please see the following separate sections: Hungerford area; Lambourn Valley; Newburyarea; Thatcham area; Compton & Downlands; Wantage area; Marlborougharea; Swindon area.
News and views from across the area and beyond: please see the most recent Weekly News with Brian column.
Thursday 5 May 2022
This week’s news
• Theale Parish Council has posted an update to the December 2020 planning permission for the development happening on the Englefield Estate. The text reads: ”
In December 2020, West Berkshire Council granted outline planning permission (planning reference 19/01172/OUTMAJ) for the construction of new homes. Over the coming weeks you may see a number of surveys taking place. This is not the start of the development, but it is part of the process of checking ground conditions, the precise location of services, etc as a precursor to the next stage in the planning process. We are currently in discussions to find the right development partner to deliver high quality new homes in keeping with the Design Code that accompanied the planning application.
“In due course, we expect the selected housebuilder to submit a further planning application to West Berkshire Council setting out the detailed design of the new homes and associated landscaping, etc. The process will be subject to a full public consultation, so there will be an opportunity for you to comment further. This will likely take place late 2022. We do not expect to see development starting until 2023.”
• The results of the election for a new Theale Parish Councillor have been posted here with Micky Church receiving the most votes. John Seto was the gracious runner-up.
• Holy Trinity Church has posted an updated list of necessities for the Foodbank which you can view here. Your donations are greatly appreciated.
• The next Padworth Village Jumble Sale is being held this Saturday 7 May, in aid of the Village Hall. After a sale on Saturday 5 March which raised £520 for UNICEF who donated where possible to the Ukrainian Emergency, and the sale on 26 March which raised a further £384 for St John the Baptist, any donations containing unwanted items are gratefully received and can be brought to the village hall between 10am and 11.30am. For more information, have a look here on the Village website.
• Theale district councillor Alan Macro’s most recent (10 April) e-newsletter can be read here.
• Burghfield and Mortimer district councillor Graham Bridgman’s most recent (5 May) e-newsletter can be read here.
• Click here to read the April 2022 edition of Padworth Newsletter which, as ever, also has information from neighbouring parishes.
• For the latest news from theBenefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton which covers updates and events across Theale area please visit their website and click on Letters, Notices & Magazine.
• Latest news from Aldermaston Parish Council can also be found on their website aldermaston.co.uk and this month includes the celebration of a new florist and children’s nursery in the village.
Costing the Village Hall
Two weeks ago (see here) I wrote something about the local debate surrounding the proposed café in Burghfield. In some documents I read, this issue had got conflated with the quite separate matter of the refurbishment of the Village Hall. It therefore seemed worth having a look at this including what it cost and where the money came from, which was the main reason for its being mentioned.
Over the last few years, various plans were considered for creating a community hub for Burghfield but, over time, these were amended and reduced in scale. This was partly because of the likely costs and partly because some of the needs that this was intended to address, such as a possible new home for the library, were solved by other means. The idea of a separate hub now seems to have been dropped: all that survives is the café proposal, which I looked at in some detail earlier. I also explained, last week, a bit about the process by which this will be decided by WBC when the time comes.
The decision to deal with the several problems with the Village Hall were to some extent forced by the pandemic. In March 2020 the government issued guidelines stipulating the conditions on which such buildings could eventually re-open when infection rates permitted. Burghfield was probably not the only community which was, as a result, forced to accept that its hall could not meet these conditions without serious work. The pandemic may well, therefore, have done them all a favour. After discussion, a number of improvements were identified. These included improved access and lobby space, increasing the energy efficiency, adding a toilet and increasing the security. These works started on 7 January 2021 and lasted for about 20 weeks. The hall re-opened on 1 September.
Where did the money come from? The reassuring news, for local residents, is that the Parish Council did not need to pay for it all from its piggy bank. The total cost was close to £261,000. Of this, £111,000 (42%) came from BPC’s reserves, £100,000 (38%) from the Public Works Loan Board (which enables councils to obtain low-interest and long-repayment loan funding) and the balance from grants. The loan repayments are about £6,000 a year. A statement from BPC has pointed out that “prudent budgeting, coupled with an increase in revenue from the hire of the village hall has resulted in no increase being applied to the precept for financial year 2022-23.”
Other buildings in the area have raised similar, indeed, larger sums. In the west of the district, Inkpen’s Pavilion was recently officially re-opened (click here for more and see the 14 April 2002 column) after a re-build which cost about £500,000 which was funded from a similar mix of sources; while on 9 May 2022 the Vale of White Horse Council approved a grant of £597,000 towards the estimated £635,000 cost of rebuilding the pavilion in Kingston Bagpuize.
The income from Burghfield’s new Village Hall has so far been £18,000 for seven months of trading: if this continues, that will equate to about £31,000pa. There are obviously overheads to come out of this in addition to the loan repayment but it seems that the building is at the very least breaking even and, moreover, is unlikely to require any significant capital expenditure for some time. Many other parishes could not say the same of their halls.
Why, some might ask, was the café not added as part of these improvements? I understand that this was considered. The hall would have needed to become larger for this to have happened. There were two directions in which this enlargement could go: out or up. Increasing the footprint was apparently not an option as it would have reduced the number of car parking spaces, which may well on its own have triggered a refusal from WBC. Adding a storey would have risked objections from neighbours and certainly increased the costs significantly (not least because of needing to remove and then re-fit all the solar panels) without any certainty that the building would as a result be more profitable. The café was thus regarded as a quite separate project and this is how it should be regarded.
As I mentioned in my previous article about this, the proposed construction also allows for it to be sold and removed if it doesn’t succeed. As for the funding (assuming this is approved and goes ahead) this is likely to be met from BPC’s reserves, grants and donation. The café project is expected to cost around £50,000 though I’ve seen other figures mentioned. This won’t be able to be confirmed until the planning approval is granted, if it is, as conditions may be imposed which will increase this.
It is of course possible that future events will prove that BPC has taken some wrong decisions on the matter. I hold no brief for the Council nor any other group in the area and am merely pointing what these decisions were, how much they cost and how they were paid for. Other parish and town councils, and local residents, may take comfort from these – the sums for restoring such buildings can be significant but they don’t all have to be paid for by the parish: or, in the case of a PLWB loan, don’t all have to be paid up-front and out of reserves.
If anyone needs any further information on either of these projects, contact Burghfield Parish Council and ask. (If you wish to be involved in any new plans it may develop from the inception, you could always put yourself forward to become a councillor.) Any such plans will also involve a number of meetings which will usually be open the public. And, of course, we’ll be doing our best to keep an eye on them here in Penny Post. Please get in touch (email brian@pennypost.org.uk) if you feel there’s anything you’d like to see us cover or look into.
Up in smoke
In September 2020, an application was lodged for “the development of an Energy Recovery Centre and adjacent Data Centre and associated infrastructure” to the north east of Burghfield (RG30 3XD), just to the north of the M4 . You can view the application details on West Berkshire’s website here. The application was called in by ward member Graham Bridgman (though the number of objections would have made it come to committee in any case) and the matter has been grinding its way through the planning system ever since. The intention is that the matter be decided at the meeting of the Eastern Area Planning Committee on 1 June 2022. See last week’s section for more on how this body (and its Western Area sibling) conducts its business.
Inevitably, such applications cause not only a good deal of local interest but also a torrent of reports and data. One of the many letters about this is from an organisation called Reading Against the Incinerator: I’ll leave it to you to guess where its sentiments in the matter lies. This cites 14 problems with the application as it stands. I won’t try to summarise these but you can find this, and other opinions, on the above-mentioned link. Clearly the waste we create has to be dealt with somehow: whether this is the best solution or the best location is a matter that EAPC will need to decide. You can comment on the matter right up to the determination date of 1 June but, given the technical nature of the application, you might want to make this sooner rather than later. Reading and digesting all the documents would be a mammoth task but you may want to glance at some of the consultation responses and letters of support or objection to help set the scene.
Community notices
• Theale Parish Council has announced that Deadmans Lane is going to have a No Motor Vehicles restriction to encourage active travel within the community whilst works are carried out until June. The council has also stated that signs alone will most likely not deter motorists therefore, there will be some reflective bollards in place that will allow pedestrians, cyclists and equestrians to pass easily. You can find a map of the planned restriction here, and more information on this matter here.
• Theale will be hosting a Village Fete on Sunday 5 June between noon and 4.30pm on Theale Recreational Ground to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. With promises of traditional games, an arena display and funfair rides. Stall-holders who are interested should contact the Parish Council for further information.
• West Berkshire Library Service is appealing for local volunteers at Mortimer and Burghfield Common libraries. Please see this post on Facebook, call 01635 519533 or email volunteerinyourlibrary@westberks.gov.uk for further information.
Local events and activities
For more information on events and activities across the Penny Post area, see the website calendar.
• Dates for the diary
• Sat 30 and Sun 1 May Bluebell Walk at Rushall Farm.
• Fri 6 to Sun 8 May Pangbourne Art Exhibition at Rotary Club of Pangbourne.
• Sun 8 May Burghfield May Fayre 2022
• Sun 5 June Theale Village Fete. Stall-holders who are interested should contact the Parish Council for further information.
• Regular events
• Holy Trinity Church is seeking donations for the Foodbank that is open on Sundays and Wednesdays from 9am to 6pm. With another rise in people’s need for foodbank support, please consider donating even one item a week so they can support those who are really struggling. You can find out what has been requested each week by clicking here.
• Theale Library hosts in-person events for people of all ages. To find out more information on future clubs and events click here to visit the West Berkshire Library Facebook page or email Theale Library at thealelibrary@westberks.gov.uk.
• Mortimer Library also host regular events, such as their Rhymetime group who meet every Tuesday (during school term time) at 2.30pm.
• Walking for Health meet every Tuesday at the community centre car park opposite the Horse & Groom, Mortimer. There are three walk lengths to chose from As mentioned on mortimervillage.org.uk,
• Holy Trinity Church, Theale is open for West Berks Food Bank donations on Sundays and Wednesdays from 10.30am to 6pm. Please see the church’s website for regularly updated lists of what is most needed at the food bank.
• Beenham Art Group every Tuesday from 10am to noon at Victory Hall, Beenham. More details in The Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton Magazine (February edition, p 16).
• Aldermaston Coffee Club meet at the cafe at Rosebourne, Aldermaston between 10am to 11.30am on the first and third Tuesday of each month. Further details in The Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton Magazine (February edition, p 8)
• Aldermaston & Wasing Ladies Group meets on the second Thursday of each month from 2pm at Aldermaston Parish Hall, please see Padworth Parish Council Newsletter (p 3, February 2022 ) for further information.
• Padworth and Aldermaston WI meets at Padworth Village Hall on the third Tuesday of every month at 7.30pm. Further information on the group can be found in Padworth Parish Council Newsletter (No 155 February 2022 Edition p 3).
• Holy Trinity Church, Theale free choir group rehearses on Thursdays between 7pm to 8pm and performs at Sunday services from 10.30am. All are welcome to join. Send enquiries to office@holytrinitytheale.org.uk.
News from your local council
Note: “the most recent meeting” refers to the most recent one for which minutes (in some cases draft) or some other summary is available. Other meetings may have taken place since. Some councils publish minutes more promptly than do others.
• The most recent meeting of Aldermaston Parish Council took place on 12 April and the minutes will be available here in due course. Items covered included: a brief report on the annual parish meeting which preceded it (which included a presentation from Greenham Trust, from District Councillor Dominic Boeck and local groups); four planning applications; the jubilee; and report on the progress of finding companies to tender for the new skate ramp (four have come forward). To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Burghfield Parish Council took place on 7 April and you can read the minutes here.Items covered included: the Village Hall; a report from ward member Graham Bridgman; committee reports; the proposed café (see also separate section above); the May Fair; financial matters; and the annual parish meeting (7pm on 12 May). To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Bradfield Parish Council took place on 5 April and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: the Village Hall (a discussion about the project plan for which has been going on for some time); planning matters; enforcement issues by WBC; the Community Day event (2 May); speeding; a sunken manhole; highway problems; the jubilee; defibrillators; tree preservation orders; the Restless Development charity event at Bradfield College (22 May); financial matters; and the reassuring news that “all four of the Spring into Blossom cherry trees are very much alive.” To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here for 2021 and here for 2022.
• The most recent meeting of Beenham Parish Council took place on 4 April and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: a councillor vacancy; planning matters; a request for a statement from WBC about its recommendation of an energy supplier which has since failed; parking at the Victory Hall; financial matters; the jubilee; speeding; the Community Room and School Hall; rodents; the Recreation Ground; and fencing at the school. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here for 2021 and here for 2022. Click here for details of Beenham’s Community Plan.
• The most recent meeting of Padworth Parish Council took place on 14 March and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: financial matters; the Village Hall; planning matters; the annual parish meeting (7pm on 16 May); and a fallen tree leaning across power lines which the landowner “had not yet dealt with” (seems like an urgent matter to me). To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council took place on 10 March and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included the annual parish meeting (26 April); planning matters, including the lack of orange site notices (this is not the only parish where this has been mentioned recently); the greening campaign; village communications; the Burghfield to Mortimer cycleway; drainage and manholes; the NDP; the jubilee; the persistent complainants policy (which suggests that there is at least persistent complainer in the parish, whether with good reason tor not I’m not competent to judge); financial matters; District Councillor Bridgman’s report; mean’s sheds; and car parking. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. See this page on Stratfield Mortimer PC’s website for more information on the refresh of its neighbourhood development plan.
• The most recent meeting of Theale Parish Council took place on 7 March and you can read the minutes here. To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Englefield Parish Council took place on 7 March and you can read the minutes here. To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here.
• Theale area council contacts
Parishes: Theale Parish Council, Aldermaston Parish Council, Padworth Parish Council, Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council, Englefield Parish Council, Beenham Parish Council, Bradfield Parish Council and Burghfield Parish Council.
West Berkshire Council: click here to visit the website.
News from other areas
Penny Post area – please see the following separate sections: Hungerford area; Lambourn Valley; Newburyarea; Thatcham area; Compton & Downlands; Wantage area; Marlborougharea; Swindon area.
News and views from across the area and beyond: please see the most recent Weekly News with Brian column.
Thursday 28 April 2022
This week’s news
• Theale Parish Council has posted a survey from West Berkshire Council about Digital Signposting in and around West Berkshire and is asking for your thoughts and experience with digital signposting by 11 May. See here for more.
• See last week’s column (below) for some thoughts about the proposed café in Burghfield. See also the two separate sections below for a closer look at how this and other matters are communicated about and decided.
• The Rotary Club of Pangbourne is hosting an art exhibition showcasing local talent between 6 and 8 May in Pangbourne Village Hall with the nominated charity being New Beginnings Reading. There are still opportunities for artists to book places. Art lovers make a note of the dates. It is a great opportunity to showcase local talent and to buy good quality artwork at reasonable prices. Please contact Clive Williams on 01491 671631 or clivewilliams@gmx.co.uk or visit the facebook page for more details.
• The theme for the Burghfield Scarecrow Trail this May Half Term is ‘Let’s Celebrate’. If you fancy making a scarecrow, pick up a form from Wellers Fruit Shop, the Post Office or email michelle@zboltons.co.uk by 30 April if you would like to take part. Entry is £10 and all money raised will support local Girl Guides. See more information here.
• Fancy a bluebell walk this Saturday 30 April and Sunday 1 May? In sponsorship of MS Society, Rushall Farm in Bradfield is hosting a Bluebell walk that will feature family fun in the barn, hot and cold food, homemade cakes and a free treasure hunt. For adults, it is £5 and for children, £3. For more information, click here or here for the Facebook post here.
• The next Padworth Village Jumble Sale is being held on Saturday 7 May, in aid of the Village Hall. After a sale on Saturday 5 March which raised £520 for UNICEF who donated where possible to the Ukrainian Emergency, and the Sale on 26 March which raised a further £384 for St John the Baptist, any donations containing unwanted items are gratefully received and can be brought to the village hall between 10am and 11.30am. For more information, have a look here on the Village website.
• Theale district councillor Alan Macro most recent (10 April) e-newsletter can be read here.
• Burghfield and Mortimer district councillor Graham Bridgman’s most recent (7 April) e-newsletter can be read here.
• This week’s NWN reports on p24 that a recently retired local teacher in Mortimer, Mike Gomm, is hoping to set up a “men’s shed“, described as “a community grouper retired and working men to socialise, learn craft and DIY skills and teach what they know to others.” These seem like the breeding ground for the experts at a repair café, organisations which are becoming more and more common, and welcome. The article doesn’t say how you can contact him but the Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council seems to be involved so you can doubtless reach him through that.
• Click here to read the April 2022 edition of Padworth Newsletter which, as ever, also has information from neighbouring parishes.
• For the latest news from theBenefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton which covers updates and events across Theale area please visit their website and click on Letters, Notices & Magazine.
• Latest news from Aldermaston Parish Council can also be found on their website aldermaston.co.uk and this month includes the celebration of a new florist and children’s nursery in the village.
Planning Committees (the East and the West)
As mentioned last week (see below), the next step on the journey for the application of proposed café in Burghfield is West Berkshire Council’s (WBC) Eastern Area Planning Committee (EAPC). This provides an opportunity to explain what this – and its twin sibling the Western Area Planning Committee(WAPC) – does.
The vast majority of planning applications are uncontentious and are decided by planning officers. Policy, process and precedent are the key factors they consider. Matters such as the commercial viability of the proposed new structure or general sentiments such as “the place won’t be the same” play no part in their decisions. Most applications pass completely under the public radar and the changes they approve may be un-noticed even by next-door neighbours.
A very small percentage, however, are for one reason or another contentious. These are decided by one of the two regional planning committees mentioned above (there is also a District Planning Committee (DPC), to which decisions of these two can be sent, either if another view is required, perhaps as insurance policy against an appeal, or if the application has district-wide implications).
There are three reasons why an application goes to committee:
- If the ward member (district councillor) decides to call it in. This they can do (a) if the officers are minded to accept it; (b) if the officers are minded to refuse it; or (c) in any event. An example of the third is the solar farm application in Enborne, where the ward members felt that the issues surrounding this fairly recent new of development should be explored in public. The Burghfield café application was also called in by the ward member in any case, as it was felt that the circumstances demanded scrutiny. (This is prudent where, as in this case, the parish council is the applicant, as it demonstrates that the matter is being properly looked at.)
- If an officer decides to call it in. This is far less common but can happen. The Pincents application in Tilehurst was called in to the DPC by officers after it had been refused by EAPC as they were worried about the possibility of an expensive appeal by the developers. (The DPC confirmed the EAPC’s view – see last week’s column below).
- If the application has received 10 or more objections and if the officers are minded to accept it. Note that objection to or support for the application must be sent to WBC in the way specified on the planning portal: a social-media post doesn’t cut it.
The composition of the EAPC and WAPC can be seen by looking at the respective links above. There are nine members, all from that part of the district. The composition is cross-party but in proportion to the seats held there. The Chair (Graham Pask for the EAPC) is from the ruling party and the Vice Chair (Alan Macro) from the major opposition party. (The Greens have no representation on the EAPC, though they do on WAPC, as all their members are in the west.) There are also substitutes from the various parties, called on if members are unavailable or (more rarely) compromised by having an interest in the application. Meetings take place every three weeks, on a Wednesday.
The agendas are published eight days before the meeting. The first order of business, on the Wednesday before the meeting, are site meetings for the application/s being considered. Both the Chairs I spoke to say that they prefer to go to these without any pre-knowledge and encourage their colleagues to do likewise. The attendees are briefed by officers and can ask questions. Members of the public may attend these but the Chair will restrict their contributions to pointing out matters of fact (such as what part of an existing property is likely to be overlooked by a new one) rather than engaging in debates about opinions. These are fact-finding exercises. They can be over quite quickly but in complex cases can last several hours.
The documents will be on the WBC and these will then be studied by the members. There can be hundreds of them, ranging from three-line letters of support or objection to 40-page technical reports from experts involving charts, tables, maps and the lord knows what else. None of these will be written in a racy, page-turning style. A long evening’s work can sometimes be required.
The meeting itself can also be a marathon. Currently these are hybrid, with the members and officers generally present in the Chamber but others dialling in from outside. (Opinions differ as to whether the pandemic-inspired remote-access working was a good or a bad thing. This is a separate argument.) Wherever and however it takes place, there’s a lot to fit in and the role of the Chair is very important. First, the officers will make their statement about the main issues and make their recommendations. There then follows an opportunity for up to six separate groups to speak for or against the application. Each will generally be given five minutes. If more than one person is speaking from the same interest group then the time will be divided between: two opponents, say, wishing to speak will thus get two and a half minutes each. The six groups are (not all may be relevant to the application and some may not choose to attend):
- Opponents
- Supporters
- The applicant
- The ward member/s
- The parish council
- Any closely neighbouring parish council/s
The committee members can ask questions of the speakers but only on matters which the speakers have raised: a new topic cannot be introduced. Then the officers are questioned by the members. After all this, there is a debate in which the members all get their chance to state their views, including recommending any conditions that be attached to the development if it’s approved. Finally, there is a vote, the Chair having the final say in the case of a dead-heat arising from abstentions. Soon afterwards the planning officers will (unless, as in Pincents Lane, they wish to call it in to the DPC), issue a Decision Notice. This can only be overturned by the Planning Inspector or the Secretary of State. Particularly complex decisions can take three hours or more, though others – where there is only one point to decide and fewer external participants – can be got through more quickly.
If you live near a proposed development which you feel will be unwelcome, or if you are the sponsor of a plan for half a dozen homes in which you’ve invested your life savings, then the decisions of the committee are, if not life-changing in the medical sense of the term, then certainly very important. The stakes being high, accusations are sometimes made about undue influence.
There may be cases of members receiving bribes to vote a particular way (and old trope) but I’m unaware of any around here. Moreover, this doesn’t form any part of any serious accusation I’ve heard about these committees’ decisions. Far more common is the charge that the voting follows party lines. There are cases where this happens but others where it doesn’t; and some, such as in the most recent Walkers Logistics application in Membury, where it did but in the opposite way to which many predicted. The main challenge for the committee members seems to a hard slog through the three Ps of policy, precedent and procedure on which the planning system rests.
The Burghfield café application will be considered by this process by EAPC, probably in the next couple of months. The decision will be taken by nine councillors, but taking into account the views of many others who will be attending the meeting in one of the above-mentioned capacities; and many more – perhaps hundreds – who have expressed their opinion. Unless there is an appeal, that will be the final word on the matter (though there’s nothing to stop a separate application being lodged if this one is refused). In some cases, the committee’s decision may not prove to be right – whatever “right” is – but it will certainly have been carefully considered. In any case, that’s the system we have and, until someone comes up with a better one, the one we’re stuck with. Burghfield’s café will get no special treatment just because it’s been proposed by the parish council: indeed, as it’s going to committee, rather the reverse. Everyone will have a chance to have their say then. Anything said before then, if not made as a formal response, might prove to be a waste of time.
Spreading the word
As has been mentioned many times before, social media is both good and bad. It’s an excellent way of communicating information or getting answers to questions quickly. It can also be a good way of opinion sharing, ranging from careful comment to merely letting off steam. Particularly in the pandemic, it provided invaluable local connectivity. It’s free and fairly easy to use. On the other hand, it’s often unmoderated and can spread inaccurate information or polarising comments. There are about 49m people in the UK who use Facebook: another way of looking at it is that there are about 21m people who do not. It’s also hopeless for any kind of nuanced discussion, mainly because posts are viewed chronologically. Unless you get in quick, the thread will vanish off the bottom of your screen to be replaced by something newer. Like any communication method, it’s not perfect. These days, there are quite a few to choose from.
This creates a problem for parish and town councils (PCs). They are legally obliged to communicate several things (like agendas and minutes) and also wish to provide information about events, consultations, initiatives and a whole host of matters ranging from fundraisers to road closures. Many will be uncontroversial: a few will be anything but. Merely publicising these in all the ways people variously expect – in print, by email, on the website and on social media – is a job in itself. For reasons of speed and cost, “digital by default” is the current municipal motto, whether officially stated or not. Whatever the media used, matters need to be carefully phrased and made consistent across all of them. That done, there are then two further hurdles to cross.
The first is whether people will pay attention. This will be linked to how many people are reached. Most PCs probably don’t email their residents but, if they did, it’s unlikely they’d have everyone’s addresses. All who are online can visit the PC’s website but the reality is that very few will regularly do so. Much the same can be said for public attendance at meetings (which tend only to swell when there’s a contentious planning decision in the air). Door-to-door leafleting is time-consuming and expensive. Communications through local media groups will be limited by their schedules, space and policy and the information may not be published as provided. Word of mouth has a role play but we’re all familiar with the distorting effects of Chinese whispers. Social media is the latest weapon in this armoury and, as mentioned above, has advantages and drawbacks (as do they all). Even if all these methods are used they still probably won’t reach everyone, or will do so in different times and in different ways.
This leads to the second issue: how people react or respond. Forty years ago, the most common method was to write, which could spread any discussion over several weeks (and keep it confidential). Subsequent methods have tended both towards a more immediate and a more public interaction, culminating in where we are now: on social media a response can (and sometimes is) made in seconds and could in theory be seen by billions of people. Managing outward communications and dealing with the unpredictable number of inward ones is time-consuming for any organisation, particularly PCs where the level of debate may be out of all proportion to the time the council has available. This requires not only a good knowledge of media communications but also a council policy which will govern how, or even if, matters will be responded to.
All PCs should have such a social-media policy. I spoke to two PCs – Burghfield and Hungerford, both about the same size – about this on 26 April. Their policies can be seen, respectively, here and here. (Burghfield’s you’ll need to download from the policy page: Hungerford’s is a pop-up.) Few people are going to study these before posting a comment of their own but they might be worth looking at if you’ve posted something and are wondering if the PC will respond. As a general rule, most will use social media to communicate factual information about, for instance, consultations or events. If comments are added which contain information the PC feels it needs to correct then it may do so. Most, however, do not get involved in replying to individual comments or expressing opinions. Aside from other limitations, they don’t have the time. The lack of any comment from the PC does not, therefore, mean it’s indifferent to, ignorant of or in agreement with the opinion expressed. The same generally applies to comments made about the PC on other local social-media groups. These will probably be monitored but the PC may not engage. Individual councillors may do so on their own accounts but that’s a separate matter and their opinions should be not be taken to represent the view of the PC unless expressly stated otherwise.
Another point to bear in mind is that most PCs will not regard a social-media post as an official response to or comment on any matter. Other organisations take the same view. You can’t report a crime in this way to the police, for instance, nor register an objection to a planning application. All in all, it’s as well to regard social-media comments as if they were verbal – that’s certainly the way many of them are written – and to recall Sam Goldwyn’s characteristically garbled but memorable observation that “a verbal contract isn’t worth the paper it’s printed on.” Most PCs will accept – indeed welcome – three ways of communication: by phone; in writing (email or letter); or by attendance at the relevant meeting. (Consultations will increasingly also offer a web-based response.) Details of all of these will be on their website.
As recent events, in Burghfield and elsewhere have shown, visiting the website is often a useful first step before venting your views on Facebook or Twitter. Social media may be the newest method of communicating but it isn’t always the best and may not even be recognised as a valid method at all. PCs are increasingly trying to diversify the way in which they interact with their residents and in the ways that the residents expect. For their part, residents need also to understand that PCs have their own preferred channels of expression. For both parties not to be aware of these risks creating dissent or misunderstanding where none need exist.
Community notices
• Theale Parish Council has announced that Deadmans Lane is going to have a No Motor Vehicles restriction to encourage active travel within the community whilst works are carried out until June. The council has also stated that signs alone will most likely not deter motorists therefore, there will be some reflective bollards in place that will allow pedestrians, cyclists and equestrians to pass easily. You can find a map of the planned restriction here, and more information on this matter here.
• Theale will be hosting a Village Fete on Sunday 5 June between noon and 4.30pm on Theale Recreational Ground to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. With promises of traditional games, an arena display and funfair rides. Stall-holders who are interested should contact the Parish Council for further information.
• West Berkshire Library Service is appealing for local volunteers at Mortimer and Burghfield Common libraries. Please see this post on Facebook, call 01635 519533 or email volunteerinyourlibrary@westberks.gov.uk for further information.
Local events and activities
For more information on events and activities across the Penny Post area, see the website calendar.
• Dates for the diary
• Sat 30 and Sun 1 May Bluebell Walk at Rushall Farm.
• Sun 8 May Burghfield May Fayre 2022
• Sun 5 June Theale Village Fete. Stall-holders who are interested should contact the Parish Council for further information.
• Regular events
• Holy Trinity Church is seeking donations for the Foodbank that is open on Sundays and Wednesdays from 9am to 6pm. With another rise in people’s need for foodbank support, please consider donating even one item a week so they can support those who are really struggling. You can find out what has been requested each week by clicking here.
• Theale Library hosts in-person events for people of all ages. To find out more information on future clubs and events click here to visit the West Berkshire Library Facebook page or email Theale Library at thealelibrary@westberks.gov.uk.
• Mortimer Library also host regular events, such as their Rhymetime group who meet every Tuesday (during school term time) at 2.30pm.
• Walking for Health meet every Tuesday at the community centre car park opposite the Horse & Groom, Mortimer. There are three walk lengths to chose from As mentioned on mortimervillage.org.uk,
• Holy Trinity Church, Theale is open for West Berks Food Bank donations on Sundays and Wednesdays from 10.30am to 6pm. Please see the church’s website for regularly updated lists of what is most needed at the food bank.
• Beenham Art Group every Tuesday from 10am to noon at Victory Hall, Beenham. More details in The Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton Magazine (February edition, p 16).
• Aldermaston Coffee Club meet at the cafe at Rosebourne, Aldermaston between 10am to 11.30am on the first and third Tuesday of each month. Further details in The Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton Magazine (February edition, p 8)
• Aldermaston & Wasing Ladies Group meets on the second Thursday of each month from 2pm at Aldermaston Parish Hall, please see Padworth Parish Council Newsletter (p 3, February 2022 ) for further information.
• Padworth and Aldermaston WI meets at Padworth Village Hall on the third Tuesday of every month at 7.30pm. Further information on the group can be found in Padworth Parish Council Newsletter (No 155 February 2022 Edition p 3).
• Holy Trinity Church, Theale free choir group rehearses on Thursdays between 7pm to 8pm and performs at Sunday services from 10.30am. All are welcome to join. Send enquiries to office@holytrinitytheale.org.uk.
News from your local council
Note: “the most recent meeting” refers to the most recent one for which minutes (in some cases draft) or some other summary is available. Other meetings may have taken place since. Some councils publish minutes more promptly than do others.
• The most recent meeting of Aldermaston Parish Council took place on 12 April and the minutes will be available here in due course. Items covered included: a brief report on the annual parish meeting which preceded it (which included a presentation from Greenham Trust, from District Councillor Dominic Boeck and local groups); four planning applications; the jubilee; and report on the progress of finding companies to tender for the new skate ramp (four have come forward). To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Burghfield Parish Council took place on 7 April and you can read the minutes here.Items covered included: the Village Hall; a report from ward member Graham Bridgman; committee reports; the proposed café (see also separate section above); the May Fair; financial matters; and the annual parish meeting (7pm on 12 May). To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Bradfield Parish Council took place on 5 April and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: the Village Hall (a discussion about the project plan for which has been going on for some time); planning matters; enforcement issues by WBC; the Community Day event (2 May); speeding; a sunken manhole; highway problems; the jubilee; defibrillators; tree preservation orders; the Restless Development charity event at Bradfield College (22 May); financial matters; and the reassuring news that “all four of the Spring into Blossom cherry trees are very much alive.” To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here for 2021 and here for 2022.
• The most recent meeting of Padworth Parish Council took place on 14 March and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: financial matters; the Village Hall; planning matters; the annual parish meeting (7pm on 16 May); and a fallen tree leaning across power lines which the landowner “had not yet dealt with” (seems like an urgent matter to me). To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council took place on 10 March and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included the annual parish meeting (26 April); planning matters, including the lack of orange site notices (this is not the only parish where this has been mentioned recently); the greening campaign; village communications; the Burghfield to Mortimer cycleway; drainage and manholes; the NDP; the jubilee; the persistent complainants policy (which suggests that there is at least persistent complainer in the parish, whether with good reason tr not I’m not competent to judge); financial matters; District Councillor Bridgman’s report; mean’s sheds; and car parking. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. See this page on Stratfield Mortimer PC’s website for more information on the refresh of its neighbourhood development plan.
• The most recent meeting of Beenham Parish Council took place on 7 March and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: a councillor vacancy; planning matters; the waiting time for a quorum; fencing at the school; the Stocks Cottages roundabout; the jubilee; various community projects; financial matters; and speeding. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here for 2021 and here for 2022. Click here for details of Beenham’s Community Plan.
• The most recent meeting of Theale Parish Council took place on 7 March and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: spoof email purporting to come from the Chairman; dog bins; the Clerk’s update; a report from District Councillor Alan Macro; planning matters; a motion about moving to bi-monthly meetings (not carried); and the distribution of the funds from the 2021 Christmas event. To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Englefield Parish Council took place on 7 March and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: financial matters (including the 2022-23 budget); planning matters; the jubilee; and a review of the risks and asset registers. To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here.
• Theale area council contacts
Parishes: Theale Parish Council, Aldermaston Parish Council, Padworth Parish Council, Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council, Englefield Parish Council, Beenham Parish Council, Bradfield Parish Council and Burghfield Parish Council.
West Berkshire Council: click here to visit the website.
News from other areas
Penny Post area – please see the following separate sections: Hungerford area; Lambourn Valley; Newbury area; Thatcham area; Compton & Downlands; Wantage area; Marlborougharea; Swindon area.
News and views from across the area and beyond: please see the most recent Weekly News with Brian column.
Thursday 21 April 2022
This week’s news
• A final reminder that the Englefield Estate’ Easter Woodland Trail run until this Sunday 24 April which allows the public to explore around Mortimer West End and Mortimer and Burghfield Common. The 15 activity boards along the way are sure to keep you interactive with the environment. For more details, click here.
• According to the Newbury Weekly News, paediatric doses of the covid vaccine for five to 11-year-olds with no underlying health conditions are currently available at Theale Village Hall. A second does will be offered at least 12 weeks apart. These vaccines aren’t being given at schools or GP surgeries. You can book on the NHS booking website or by calling 119.
• As mentioned last week, Theale Parish Council has announced that Deadmans Lane is going to have a No Motor Vehicles restriction to encourage active travel within the community whilst works are carried out until June. The council has also stated that signs alone will most likely not deter motorists therefore, there will be some reflective bollards in place that will allow pedestrians, cyclists and equestrians to pass easily. You can find a map of the planned restriction here, and more information on this matter here.
• A notice from Theale Parish council as the poll for the election of one parish councillor will be held on Thursday 28 April. This will occur between 7am and 10pm. You can view the official notice here which will help understand the details of the nominees.
• Fancy a bluebell walk this weekend? For the next two weekends, in sponsorship of MS Society, Rushall Farm in Bradfield is hosting a Bluebell walk that will feature family fun in the barn, hot and cold food, homemade cakes and a free treasure hunt. For adults it is £5 and for children, £3. For more information, click here or here for the Facebook post here.
• Another bluebell walk in Sulham Woods is taking place this Sunday at 2.15pm. Tickets are £5 with all proceeds going towards Purley’s historic 18th Century Barn. For more information, please see here.
• The next Padworth Village Jumble Sale is being held on Saturday 7 May, in aid of the Village Hall. After an incredible Sale on Saturday 5 March which raised £520 for UNICEF who donated where possible to the Ukrainian Emergency, and the Sale on 26 March which raised a further £384.37 for St John the Baptist, any donations containing unwanted items are gratefully received and can be brought to the village hall between 10am and 11.30am. For more information, have a look here on the Village website.
• Theale district councillor Alan Macro has recently (10 April) published his latest e-newsletter, which you can read here. Items covered include: local planning applications; the parish council by-election; the pedestrian crossing petition; and Theale Green School.
• Burghfield and Mortimer district councillor Graham Bridgman has recently (7 April) published his latest e-newsletter, which you can read here.
• Click here to read the April 2022 edition of Padworth Newsletter which, as ever, also has information from neighbouring parishes.
• For the latest news from theBenefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton which covers updates and events across Theale area please visit their website and click on Letters, Notices & Magazine.
• Latest news from Aldermaston Parish Council can also be found on their website aldermaston.co.uk and this month includes the celebration of a new florist and children’s nursery in the village.
Pincents Lane, bridge bidding and the Bazalgette Principle
Although slightly outside our area, this proposed 165-home development in Tilehurst has recently come to public attention and for reasons which may have district-wide significance.
The project was rejected by the Eastern Area Planning Committee. However, the officers requested that he be reviewed by the District Planning Committee. This was considered on 13 April, when the plans were rejected again. I’ve spoken to some of the committee members and also seen the article on p21 of this week’s NWN. This cited a range of traffic and access concerns, as well as the fact that it wasn’t in the local plan, as the main reasons for refusal. The officers were concerned that the developers might appeal and this request for a fresh look offered, perhaps, a double protection against an expensive risk: if the DPC approved the application then clearly no appeal would be required; if they refused them then at least it could be demonstrated that the matter had been given every possible consideration. I’m unclear why this site is particularly vulnerable to an appeal considering that the district has more than seven years of land supply and the manifest problems with the development, particularly its access.
As to why the access is so problematic, it’s because it would in effect pass through the car park of the retail area to the south which contains a supermarket, an Ikea and the HQ of the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Services. This would be less of a problem were a foot-bridge to have built, as per the original permission. This was, however, allowed to be dropped under a Section 73 agreement (by which a developer can vary specific conditions or aspects of an agreement) about ten years ago. Somehow, this was allowed to get through. No developer wants to build something that’s going to cost money if they can avoid it. This left the area less one useful piece of infrastructure which, years later, has come back to haunt it. This is far from being the only case of a condition being set aside. The planning system is a bit like a game of bridge: your initial bid is not what you want to do but what you think you can get away with. Once planning approval is obtained, the serious work starts on whittling the details down to the thing you’re actually prepared to build.
One dissenting voice at the DPC was that of Tony Vickers who voted to approve the scheme. This was not because he felt it was perfect as it stood – he admitted that his views were “finely balanced” – but because the local MP, Alok Sharma, had already said that if the application was approved he would call it in for the Secretary of State to decide. The point here is that, regardless how the decision went, WBC would not have to bear any costs. As matters stand, a successful appeal by the developers against WBC could cost the council a six-figure sum. This could also be seen as a kind of bridge bidding. Other DPC members were keener to stress to the principles of the issue: “We’re proud to be a policy-led authority,” Graham Bridgman said, “and this is against policy.”
The NWN article also refers to members of the DPC criticising the traffic data and, by implication, the fact that additional growth needs to be assumed: the exceptionally busy days of today could become the norm in a decade’s time. This calls to mind a story of which I’m particularly fond (please indulge me if you’ve heard in before) which examples what I call the Bazalgette Principle. The engineer Joseph Bazalgette was in the 1850s tasked with the problem of building a sewer system for London, the effluent problem having reached repulsive proportions. He came back with his plans: he had assumed, he told the government, the largest sized pipes that the city currently needed. He had then doubled his dimensions, shrewdly realising that London was only going to get bigger. The system is still operational today. It doesn’t seem that the Bazalgette Principle was applied to the Section 73 agreement about the footbridge and nor, perhaps, to the traffic projections for the recent application. Perhaps photos of these wonderfully whiskered Victorian engineers should by law be placed in in every council office as a reminder of the need for future-proofing any decisions in so far as one can. West Berkshire Council is currently grappling with a 30-year vision for aspects of its local plan: Bazalgette’s vision has so far lasted for around 170 years.
Burghfield’s café
My attention has recently been drawn to the controversy surrounding Burghfield Parish Council’s (BPC) application for the erection of “a temporary pre-fabricated café on Burghfield Common between the sports pavilion and the playground”. You can see the application (22/00535/FUL) by clicking here. There have so far between about 80 letters of opposition and about 50 of support, indicating the reality, or the perception, of concern. I’m also aware of a leaflet which has been dropped through letterboxes in the town (headed “Save our Village Green”) which contains a number of allegations about the shortcomings of the project. Burghfield PC has several documents relating to the matter on its website but this is, unfortunately, going through a site migration as I write so any links may not work (I’ll add these in when available or supply them next week).
I knew next to nothing about this until Wednesday, although I’ve seen similar disputes elsewhere. So, I made a few calls to try to find out what the issues were.
The nine points in the leaflet – which are echoed by several of the objection letters I’ve seen – could perhaps have been divided into four groups. Some (such as concerning traffic and parking) are planning matters. Others (such as the cost and the viability) are commercial ones. There is also a suggestion that the proposal would increase anti-social behaviour, which I assume would be more likely if alcohol were served: if so, this would be a licensing matter. Finally, there are suggestions that the consultation was inadequate, which is really an engagement matter between BPC and its residents (and vice versa).
Only the first of these, the planning matters, will be of importance when the application is decided at the Eastern Area Planning Committee (EAPC) some time after the determination deadline of 29 April. (Ward Member Graham Bridgman told me he had called it in regardless of whether officers were minded to accept it though it would have gone to committee anyway because of the number of objections.) Anyone writing a letter or email of support or objection is free to mention any aspect of the matter that comes to mind: however, only ones which bear on planning policy or procedure will be considered by the officers or, in this case, the committee. They may impose conditions about opening hours or delivery times or a hundred other things but will not concern themselves with the commercial viability of the project nor how this is funded.
So: is the project viable? Burghfield PC’s view, as expressed to me, was that it has, over the last five years, been scaled down from a £2m+ community-hub plan to one that comprises merely a café. I’m not sure of the exact proposed costs but they would appear to be in the mid-five-figure area. Moreover, you’ll have noted the use of the term “temporary pre-fabricated” to describe the project. The plan as I understand it is to give the project two years, after which it could be (i) retained as is, (ii) expanded into a different and (perhaps) larger site or (iii) sold and shipped away. Option (iii) isn’t normally open to building projects: but if this one didn’t work out, the whole thing could be loaded onto the back of a trailer and, still with espresso machine in place, moved somewhere else. (BPC has suggested to me that the description of the structure as a “shipping container” in the leaflet is a tad brutal: “a modular unit” was the phrase I was offered, which could be cladded with wood or something else. EAPC may insist on this.)
The immediate aim, if approval is granted, is to find a local person or people (not a national chain) to run it, within whatever hours of operation (i) are permitted by the approval and (ii) suit them. The 7am to 7pm seven days a week hours are, I was told, designed to give the greatest flexibility to whoever takes it on. The question of any alcohol licence – and thus, possibly, concerns about anti-social behaviour – will be the subject of a separate application to a separate committee and so don’t seem very important at this stage.
As regards how it’s funded, there are three main options: (i) from BPC’s own reserves; (ii) from a low-interest loan from the PWLB; or (iii) from external grants or donations. Burghfield’s recent Village Hall re-furb raised about two-thirdsof its costs from the last two sources and there’s no reason to suppose this will be any different. There will of course also be rental income from whoever’s running it.
Turning to the consultation, it was suggested to me that the only public engagement was at an earlier stage when a larger project was being conceived. It would indeed appear that the only two formal consultations took place, in 2017 and 2019. It’s also true that the plans changed several times (being scaled down because of a number of factors including cost, the re-furb of the Village Hall and another solution being found for the library) but BPC points out that “a number of articles were also included within the quarterly parish newsletter to update parishioners of progress alongside regular posts on the parish council website.”
Here we enter a subjective area. These days, consultations need to be on- and off-line and publicised in a variety of places including the PC’s website, local news groups (printed or digital) and social media. Some people may have missed some of these, or the PC could have failed to make some of these sufficiently clear. It could also be that fewer people keep their eye on the BPC website than BPC likes to assume. “Consultation” could be taken to include general news sharing with invitations to comment, though some might see it only as a more formal process with a deadline for responses and clear actions thereafter. These are expensive and time-consuming to do. Perhaps BPC could have done more: perhaps the residents could have logged on to the BPC website more often. Perhaps some of the objections have nothing to do with this application but hark back to some unconnected unfinished local business. I don’t know the place or the case well enough to judge, though I know all these issues have cropped in various combinations cropped up elsewhere.
The 2019 consultation recorded that 74% of people wanted a café in a proposed community hub. It could be argued that this is no longer a community hub and thus that the question is void. However, I don’t see that any secret was made of the fact that a café was being planned and I understand that there have been over 30 meetings, all of them open to the public, at which the matter was discussed. Certainly, the plans were changed several times, which must in part have been due to public feedback. Finally, the level of consultation isn’t so far as I’m aware a planning consideration anyway.
For most planning issues of any size, there’ll be several sources of often conflicting information and opinions. The applicant, the parish council (the same in this case), the ward member/s, local media groups (such as Penny Post), social media platforms and local objectors will have their views. It’s rare that anyone has a monopoly of the truth so be sure to check the sources against each other and ask if you see gaps or inconsistencies. Most Burghfield residents will have seen the leaflet and you’ve read my thoughts, for what they’re worth. For Burghfield PC’s views, as mentioned above the website currently has the scaffolding up – until that’s remedied, email enquiries@burghfieldparishcouncil.gov.uk if you have any questions.
It also may be that applications which are initiated by a parish council – and which, if passed, involve expenditure – risk being particularly contentious. There may be the perceptions (which I don’t share) that PCs have a secret short-cut through the planning system or that the main aim is the personal enrichment or advantage of the councillors concerned. Public money obviously needs to be carefully watched but there don’t seem to be any extravagances in this case. If anyone feels differently, raise it with BPC.
The next step is the meeting of EAPC to make a decision. (I’d add in passing that I think it would be a good idea if all applications for which any local council were the applicant should be called into committee automatically, if only to demonstrate that these get the maximum level of scrutiny.) All parties will be able to have their say at that. Ideally this will be sooner rather than later as there are still be several hoops to jump through before the idea reaches fruition. Hopefully it will then be a success. If it isn’t and if, a few years from now, you see a “modular unit”, perhaps cladded, leaving Burghfield on the back of a lorry exuding a faint aroma of coffee and bacon sandwiches, then it’s been sold and is en route to its new home. The only way to find out whether it works or not is to try it…
Community notices
• Theale will be hosting a Village Fete on Sunday 5 June between noon and 4.30pm on Theale Recreational Ground to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. With promises of traditional games, an arena display and funfair rides. Stall-holders who are interested should contact the Parish Council for further information.
• West Berkshire Library Service is appealing for local volunteers at Mortimer and Burghfield Common libraries. Please see this post on Facebook, call 01635 519533 or email volunteerinyourlibrary@westberks.gov.uk for further information.
Local events and activities
For more information on events and activities across the Penny Post area, see the website calendar.
• Dates for the diary
• Sun 8 May Burghfield May Fayre 2022
• Sun 5 June Theale Village Fete. Stall-holders who are interested should contact the Parish Council for further information.
• Regular events
• Holy Trinity Church is seeking donations for the Foodbank that is open on Sundays and Wednesdays from 9am to 6pm. With another rise in people’s need for foodbank support, please consider donating even one item a week so they can support those who are really struggling. You can find out what has been requested each week by clicking here.
• Theale Library hosts in-person events for people of all ages. To find out more information on future clubs and events click here to visit the West Berkshire Library Facebook page, and click “see more” to find Theale events such as Wellbeing Sessions and Play Bridge Sessions. Otherwise you can email Theale Library at thealelibrary@westberks.gov.uk.
• Mortimer Library also host regular events, such as their Rhymetime group who meet every Tuesday (during school term time) at 2.30pm.
• Walking for Health meet every Tuesday at the community centre car park opposite the Horse & Groom, Mortimer. There are three walk lengths to chose from As mentioned on mortimervillage.org.uk,
• Holy Trinity Church, Theale is open for West Berks Food Bank donations on Sundays and Wednesdays from 10.30am to 6pm. Please see the church’s website for regularly updated lists of what is most needed at the food bank.
• Beenham Art Group every Tuesday from 9.45am to 12.15pm in the Victory Hall, Beenham. All abilities are welcome. Any interested persons should contact Sunny Still on 9712255.
• Aldermaston & Wasing Ladies Group meets on the second Thursday of each month from 2pm until 5pm at Aldermaston Parish Hall, please see their calendar here for dates and here for further information.
• Padworth and Aldermaston WI meets at Padworth Village Hall, RG7 4HS, on the third Tuesday of every month at 7.30pm.
• Holy Trinity Church, Theale free choir group rehearses on Thursdays between 7pm to 8pm and performs at Sunday services from 10.30am. All are welcome to join. Send enquiries to office@holytrinitytheale.org.uk.
News from your local council
Note: “the most recent meeting” refers to the most recent one for which minutes (in some cases draft) or some other summary is available. Other meetings may have taken place since. Some councils publish minutes more promptly than do others.
• The most recent meeting of Aldermaston Parish Council took place on 12 April and the minutes will be available here in due course. Items covered included: a brief report on the annual parish meeting which preceded it (which included a presentation from Greenham Trust, from District Councillor Dominic Boeck and local groups); four planning applications; the jubilee; and report on the progress of finding companies to tender for the new skate ramp (four have come forward). To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Burghfield Parish Council took place on 7 April and you can read the minutes here.Items covered included: the Village Hall; a report from ward member Graham Bridgman; committee reports; the proposed café (see also separate section above); the May Fair; financial matters; and the annual parish meeting (7pm on 12 May). To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Padworth Parish Council took place on 14 March and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: financial matters; the Village Hall; planning matters; the annual parish meeting (7pm on 16 May); and a fallen tree leaning across power lines which the landowner “had not yet dealt with” (seems like an urgent matter to me). To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council took place on 10 March and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included the annual parish meeting (26 April); planning matters, including the lack of orange site notices (this is not the only parish where this has been mentioned recently); the greening campaign; village communications; the Burghfield to Mortimer cycleway; drainage and manholes; the NDP; the jubilee; the persistent complainants policy (which suggests that there is at least persistent complainer in the parish, whether with good reason tr not I’m not competent to judge); financial matters; District Councillor Bridgman’s report; mean’s sheds; and car parking. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. See this page on Stratfield Mortimer PC’s website for more information on the refresh of its neighbourhood development plan.
• The most recent meeting of Beenham Parish Council took place on 7 March and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: a councillor vacancy; planning matters; the waiting time for a quorum; fencing at the school; the Stocks Cottages roundabout; the jubilee; various community projects; financial matters; and speeding. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here for 2021 and here for 2022. Click here for details of Beenham’s Community Plan.
• The most recent meeting of Theale Parish Council took place on 7 March and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: spoof email purporting to come from the Chairman; dog bins; the Clerk’s update; a report from District Councillor Alan Macro; planning matters; a motion about moving to bi-monthly meetings (not carried); and the distribution of the funds from the 2021 Christmas event. To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Englefield Parish Council took place on 7 March and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: financial matters (including the 2022-23 budget); planning matters; the jubilee; and a review of the risks and asset registers. To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Bradfield Parish Council took place on 1 March and you can read the minutes here. To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here for 2021 and here for 2022.
• Theale area council contacts
Parishes: Theale Parish Council, Aldermaston Parish Council, Padworth Parish Council, Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council, Englefield Parish Council, Beenham Parish Council, Bradfield Parish Council and Burghfield Parish Council.
West Berkshire Council: click here to visit the website.
News from other areas
Penny Post area – please see the following separate sections: Hungerford area; Lambourn Valley; Newbury area; Thatcham area; Compton & Downlands; Wantage area; Marlborough area; Swindon area.
News and views from across the area and beyond: please see the most recent Weekly News with Brian column.
Thursday 14 April 2022
This week’s news
• According to this week’s Newbury Weekly News, paediatric doses of the covid vaccine for five to 11-year-olds with no underlying health conditions are currently available at Theale Village Hall. A second does will be offered at least 12 weeks apart. These vaccines aren’t being given at schools or GP surgeries. Apparently you are meant to be able to book on the NHS booking website or by calling 119.
• Theale Parish Council has announced that Deadmans Lane is going to have a No Motor Vehicles restriction to encourage active travel within the community whilst works are carried out until June. The council has also stated that signs alone will most likely not deter motorists therefore, there will be some reflective bollards in place that will allow pedestrians, cyclists and equestrians to pass easily. You can find a map of the planned restriction here, and more information on this matter here.
• The Englefield Estate is hosting an Easter Woodland Trail that is running until 24 April which will allow the public to explore around Mortimer West End and Mortimer and Burghfield Common. The 15 activity boards along the way are sure to keep you interactive with the environment. For more details, click here.
•A final reminder that, if you fancy a great day with the family and all for a good cause, The Falcon Pub in the High Street is hosting a Family Fun Day on April 15 including an evening karaoke as well as children’s competitions. All proceeds are going towards Breast Cancer Research and The Air Ambulance. For more information click here to be redirected to their Facebook page.
• The next Padworth Village Jumble Sale is being held on Saturday 7 May, in aid of the Village Hall. After an incredible Sale on Saturday 5 March which raised £520 for UNICEF who donated where possible to the Ukrainian Emergency, and the Sale on 26 March which raised a further £384.37 for St John the Baptist, any donations containing unwanted items are gratefully received and can be brought to the village hall between 10am and 11.30am. For more information, have a look here on the Village website.
• Theale district councillor Alan Macro has recently (10 April) published his latest e-newsletter, which you can read here. Items covered include: local planning applications; the parish council by election; the pedestrian crossing petition; and Theale Green School.
• Burghfield and Mortimer district councillor Graham Bridgman has recently (7 April) published his latest e-newsletter, which you can read here.
• He also refers to the problems of the new pavements in Beech Hill. The same thing happened in Hungerford for the same reason, so most of the comments in the Chasing Pavements section in the Hungerford Area Weekly News column for 7 April 2022 apply here.
• His report also covers a couple of issues in Burghfield: the Parish Council’s planning application for the pavilion and concerns about the Sovereign tenancy on Recreation Road.
• Click here to read the April 2022 edition of Padworth Newsletter which, as ever, also has information from neighbouring parishes.
• For the latest news from theBenefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton which covers updates and events across Theale area please visit their website and click on Letters, Notices & Magazine.
• Latest news from Aldermaston Parish Council can also be found on their website aldermaston.co.uk and this month includes the celebration of a new florist and children’s nursery in the village.
Community notices
• Theale will be hosting a Village Fete on Sunday 5 June between noon and 4.30pm on Theale Recreational Ground to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. With promises of traditional games, an arena display and funfair rides. Stall-holders who are interested should contact the Parish Council for further information.
• West Berkshire Library Service is appealing for local volunteers at Mortimer and Burghfield Common libraries. Please see this post on Facebook, call 01635 519533 or email volunteerinyourlibrary@westberks.gov.uk for further information.
Local events and activities
For more information on events and activities across the Penny Post area, see the website calendar.
• Dates for the diary
• Fri 15 Apr Family Fun Day at The Falcon Pub.
• Sun 8 May Burghfield May Fayre 2022
• Sun 5 June Theale Village Fete. Stall-holders who are interested should contact the Parish Council for further information.
• Regular events
• Holy Trinity Church is seeking donations for the Foodbank that is open on Sundays and Wednesdays from 9am to 6pm. With another rise in people’s need for foodbank support, please consider donating even one item a week so they can support those who are really struggling. You can find out what has been requested each week by clicking here.
• Theale Library hosts in-person events for people of all ages. To find out more information on future clubs and events click here to visit the West Berkshire Library Facebook page or email Theale Library at thealelibrary@westberks.gov.uk.
• Mortimer Library also host regular events, such as their Rhymetime group who meet every Tuesday (during school term time) at 2.30pm.
• Walking for Health meet every Tuesday at the community centre car park opposite the Horse & Groom, Mortimer. There are three walk lengths to chose from As mentioned on mortimervillage.org.uk,
• Holy Trinity Church, Theale is open for West Berks Food Bank donations on Sundays and Wednesdays from 10.30am to 6pm. Please see the church’s website for regularly updated lists of what is most needed at the food bank.
• Beenham Art Group every Tuesday from 10am to noon at Victory Hall, Beenham. More details in The Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton Magazine (February edition, p 16).
• Aldermaston Coffee Club meet at the cafe at Rosebourne, Aldermaston between 10am to 11.30am on the first and third Tuesday of each month. Further details in The Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton Magazine (February edition, p 8)
• Aldermaston & Wasing Ladies Group meets on the second Thursday of each month from 2pm at Aldermaston Parish Hall, please see Padworth Parish Council Newsletter (p 3, February 2022 ) for further information.
• Padworth and Aldermaston WI meets at Padworth Village Hall on the third Tuesday of every month at 7.30pm. Further information on the group can be found in Padworth Parish Council Newsletter (No 155 February 2022 Edition p 3).
• Holy Trinity Church, Theale free choir group rehearses on Thursdays between 7pm to 8pm and performs at Sunday services from 10.30am. All are welcome to join. Send enquiries to office@holytrinitytheale.org.uk.
News from your local council
Note: “the most recent meeting” refers to the most recent one for which minutes (in some cases draft) or some other summary is available. Other meetings may have taken place since. Some councils publish minutes more promptly than do others.
• The most recent meeting of Aldermaston Parish Council took place on 12 April and the minutes will be available here in due course. Items covered included: a brief report on the annual parish meeting which preceded it (which included a presentation from Greenham Trust, from District Councillor Dominic Boeck and local groups); four planning applications; the jubilee; and report on the progress of finding companies to tender for the new skate ramp (four have come forward). To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Padworth Parish Council took place on 14 March and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: financial matters; the Village Hall; planning matters; the annual parish meeting (7pm on 16 May); and a fallen tree leaning across power lines which the landowner “had not yet dealt with” (seems like an urgent matter to me). To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council took place on 10 March and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included the annual parish meeting (26 April); planning matters, including the lack of orange site notices (this is not the only parish where this has been mentioned recently); the greening campaign; village communications; the Burghfield to Mortimer cycleway; drainage and manholes; the NDP; the jubilee; the persistent complainants policy (which suggests that there is at least persistent complainer in the parish, whether with good reason tr not I’m not competent to judge); financial matters; District Councillor Bridgman’s report; mean’s sheds; and car parking. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. See this page on Stratfield Mortimer PC’s website for more information on the refresh of its neighbourhood development plan.
• The most recent meeting of Beenham Parish Council took place on 7 March and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: a councillor vacancy; planning matters; the waiting time for a quorum; fencing at the school; the Stocks Cottages roundabout; the jubilee; various community projects; financial matters; and speeding. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here for 2021 and here for 2022. Click here for details of Beenham’s Community Plan.
• The most recent meeting of Theale Parish Council took place on 7 March and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: spoof email purporting to come from the Chairman; dog bins; the Clerk’s update; a report from District Councillor Alan Macro; planning matters; a motion about moving to bi-monthly meetings (not carried); and the distribution of the funds from the 2021 Christmas event. To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Englefield Parish Council took place on 7 March and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: financial matters (including the 2022-23 budget); planning matters; the jubilee; and a review of the risks and asset registers. To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Burghfield Parish Council took place on 3 March and you can read the minutes here. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Bradfield Parish Council took place on 1 March and you can read the minutes here. To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here for 2021 and here for 2022.
• Theale area council contacts
Parishes: Theale Parish Council, Aldermaston Parish Council, Padworth Parish Council, Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council, Englefield Parish Council, Beenham Parish Council, Bradfield Parish Council and Burghfield Parish Council.
West Berkshire Council: click here to visit the website.
News from other areas
Penny Post area – please see the following separate sections: Hungerford area; Marlborough area; Newbury area; Thatcham area; Compton and Downlands; Theale area; Wantage area; Swindon area.
News and views from across the area and beyond: please see the most recent Weekly News with Brian column.
Thursday 7 April 2022
This week’s news
• Ever wondered what it was like teaching in the 70s? Former art teacher Raymond Gray who taught from the age of 21 at Theale Green school shares some insight into teaching and Theale Green’s History in the Reading Chronicle. Have a look here if you’re interested.
• Fancy a pub quiz next week? The Falcon Pub is hosting their first quiz on Tuesday 12 April where there will be teams of 4 and for only £1 a person, it is a great night out for a few friends or the family. For more information, have a look here.
• Speaking of which, if you fancy a great day with the family and all for a good cause, The Falcon Pub in the High Street is hosting a Family Fun Day on April 15 including an evening karaoke as well as children’s competitions. All proceeds are going towards Breast Cancer Research and The Air Ambulance. For more information click here to be redirected to their Facebook page.
• The next Padworth Village Jumble Sale is being held on Saturday 7 May, in aid of the Village Hall. After an incredible Sale on Saturday 5 March which raised £520 for UNICEF who donated where possible to the Ukrainian Emergency, and the Sale on 26 March which raised a further £384.37 for St John the Baptist, any donations containing unwanted items are gratefully received and can be brought to the village hall between 10am and 11.30am. For more information, have a look here on the Village website.
• Burghfield and Mortimer district councillor Graham Bridgman has recently (7 April) published his latest e-newsletter, which you can read here. One of the matters he looks at is covered below (Windmill Court).
• He also refers to the problems of the new pavements in Beech Hill. The same thing happened in Hungerford for the same reason, so most of the comments in the Chasing Pavements section in the Hungerford Area Weekly News column for 7 April 2022 apply here.
• His report also covers a couple of issues in Burghfield: the Parish Council’s planning application for the pavilion and concerns about the Sovereign tenancy on Recreation Road.
• Click here to read the April 2022 edition of Padworth Newsletter which, as ever, also has information from neighbouring parishes.
• For the latest news from theBenefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton which covers updates and events across Theale area please visit their website and click on Letters, Notices & Magazine.
• Latest news from Aldermaston Parish Council can also be found on their website aldermaston.co.uk and this month includes the celebration of a new florist and children’s nursery in the village.
• Theale district councillor Alan Macro has recently published his latest e-newsletter, which you can read here.
Windmill Court
Burghfield and Mortimer ward member Graham Bridgman had this to say in his latest newsletter: “Having become aware of concerns raised about Sovereign Housing’s plans for redeveloping Windmill Court, I have been (and am continuing to be) in discussions with Sovereign, WBD and Windmill Court residents. I know that residents who have contacted me were due to meet with Sovereign and I await the outcome of those meetings. I also know that, as well as attending the next Parish Council meeting, Sovereign will be undertaking some community engagement, so I await developments (and the planning application).”
Not being familiar with this story, I asked him for a bit of background. It seems that Sovereign stood accused in some quarters of leaving the residents to solve matters themselves, claims that may not be entirely fair. Sovereign is now assuring everyone that it will be doing all it can to support and help the residents in relocating. I’m sure that the Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council – and Councillor Bridgman – will ensure that this is no mere PR exercise.
Community notices
• Healthwatch Berkshire invites you to have your say on Covid testing. This survey will show how many people are still relying on and using Covid testing equipment in daily life and whether or not it is as important as it has been in the past. You can find the survey here.
• Theale will be hosting a Village Fete on Sunday 5 June between noon and 4.30pm on Theale Recreational Ground to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. With promises of traditional games, an arena display and funfair rides. Stall-holders who are interested should contact the Parish Council for further information.
• West Berkshire Library Service is appealing for local volunteers at Mortimer and Burghfield Common libraries. Please see this post on Facebook, call 01635 519533 or email volunteerinyourlibrary@westberks.gov.uk for further information.
Local events and activities
For more information on events and activities across the Penny Post area, see the website calendar.
• Dates for the diary
• Fri 15 Apr Family Fun Day at The Falcon Pub.
• Sun 8 May Burghfield May Fayre 2022
• Sun 5 June Theale Village Fete. Stall-holders who are interested should contact the Parish Council for further information.
• Regular events
• Holy Trinity Church is seeking donations for the Foodbank that is open on Sundays and Wednesdays from 9am to 6pm. With another rise in people’s need for foodbank support, please consider donating even one item a week so they can support those who are really struggling. You can find out what has been requested each week by clicking here.
• Theale Library hosts in-person events for people of all ages. To find out more information on future clubs and events click here to visit the West Berkshire Library Facebook page or email Theale Library at thealelibrary@westberks.gov.uk.
• Mortimer Library also host regular events, such as their Rhymetime group who meet every Tuesday (during school term time) at 2.30pm.
• Walking for Health meet every Tuesday at the community centre car park opposite the Horse & Groom, Mortimer. There are three walk lengths to chose from As mentioned on mortimervillage.org.uk,
• Holy Trinity Church, Theale is open for West Berks Food Bank donations on Sundays and Wednesdays from 10.30am to 6pm. Please see the church’s website for regularly updated lists of what is most needed at the food bank.
• Beenham Art Group every Tuesday from 10am to noon at Victory Hall, Beenham. More details in The Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton Magazine (February edition, p 16).
• Aldermaston Coffee Club meet at the cafe at Rosebourne, Aldermaston between 10am to 11.30am on the first and third Tuesday of each month. Further details in The Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton Magazine (February edition, p 8)
• Aldermaston & Wasing Ladies Group meets on the second Thursday of each month from 2pm at Aldermaston Parish Hall, please see Padworth Parish Council Newsletter (p 3, February 2022 ) for further information.
• Padworth and Aldermaston WI meets at Padworth Village Hall on the third Tuesday of every month at 7.30pm. Further information on the group can be found in Padworth Parish Council Newsletter (No 155 February 2022 Edition p 3).
• Holy Trinity Church, Theale free choir group rehearses on Thursdays between 7pm to 8pm and performs at Sunday services from 10.30am. All are welcome to join. Send enquiries to office@holytrinitytheale.org.uk.
News from your local council
Note: “the most recent meeting” refers to the most recent one for which minutes (in some cases draft) or some other summary is available. Other meetings may have taken place since. Some councils publish minutes more promptly than do others.
• The most recent meeting of Padworth Parish Council took place on 14 March and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: financial matters; the Village Hall; planning matters; the annual parish meeting (7pm on 16 May); and a fallen tree leaning across power lines which the landowner “had not yet dealt with” (seems like an urgent matter to me). To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council took place on 10 March and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included the annual parish meeting (26 April); planning matters, including the lack of orange site notices (this is not the only parish where this has been mentioned recently); the greening campaign; village communications; the Burghfield to Mortimer cycleway; drainage and manholes; the NDP; the jubilee; the persistent complainants policy (which suggests that there is at least persistent complainer in the parish, whether with good reason tr not I’m not competent to judge); financial matters; District Councillor Bridgman’s report; mean’s sheds; and car parking. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. See this page on Stratfield Mortimer PC’s website for more information on the refresh of its neighbourhood development plan.
• The most recent meeting of Aldermaston Parish Council took place on 8 March and the minutes will be available here in due course. Items covered included: plans for the jubilee; planning matters; speeding in the parish; the over-use of the A340; an inspection at the Manor House; and parking at the Rugby Club. To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Theale Parish Council took place on 7 March and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: spoof email purporting to come from the Chairman; dog bins; the Clerk’s update; a report from District Councillor Alan Macro; planning matters; a motion about moving to bi-monthly meetings (not carried); and the distribution of the funds from the 2021 Christmas event. To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Englefield Parish Council took place on 7 March and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: financial matters (including the 2022-23 budget); planning matters; the jubilee; and a review of the risks and asset registers. To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Burghfield Parish Council took place on 3 March and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: committee reports; the report from ward member Graham Bridgman; the Community Hub; the May Fayre; and financial matters. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Bradfield Parish Council took place on 1 March and you can read the minutes here. To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here for 2021 and here for 2022.
• The most recent meeting of Beenham Parish Council took place on 10 January and you can read the minutes here. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here for 2021 and here for 2022. Click here for details of Beenham’s Community Plan.
• Theale area council contacts
Parishes: Theale Parish Council, Aldermaston Parish Council, Padworth Parish Council, Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council, Englefield Parish Council, Beenham Parish Council, Bradfield Parish Council and Burghfield Parish Council.
West Berkshire Council: click here to visit the website.
Thursday 31 March 2022
This week’s news
• The April Chaddleworth News has just been published and you can read it here. Items covered include history, the jubilee, cricket, the Lent much fundraiser and news and event details from the village’s organisations. Please contact chaddnews@gmail.com if you want to be added to the circulation list for the digital edition. You can see the March issue here.
• Compton Preschool is hosting an Easter Eggstravaganza which will host a disco, Easter crafts and a chance to meet the Easter Bunny on 1 April between 4 and 6pm. Entry is £2 per child and includes an Easter Egg. For more information, visit the website here or call them on 01635 579 171 and email them at info@comptonpreschool.co.uk.
• Details for Hampstead Norreys local celebrations from 2 to 5 June for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee are available to view online and include community lunches, parties, choirs, parades and a barn dance. Please keep an eye on the Hampstead Norreys village website and Hampstead Norreys Community Facebook page for future event details.
• The March 2022 issue of the Brickleton Newsletter has been released and contains information about Easter celebrations, Parish Council updates and Parish Council minutes from the Meeting held on 14 March. Read the newsletter here.
• The Upstream Spring 2022 Newsletter is out now and can be viewed here. Items covered include Volunteer Dates, Local farmer updates, The Annual Green Meeting of the West Berkshire Countryside Society, The History of the Holies, and some walking routes.
• West Ilsley’s March Newsletter has been released and you can read that here. Items covered include deadhead flower collections, the Queen’s Jubilee plans, The preloved Boutique, Ilsley Evergreens, The Autumn Group and an Easter Family Bingo.
Speeding and potholes in Westridge Green
I’m not directly familiar with this issue which was raised most recently at the meeting of Aldworth Parish Council on 16 March. I am, however, aware that many other parishes across the Penny Post area are experiencing various problems with speeding and related matters and some feel that they are not getting the support or reaction the situation merits from their parent authority. The item was addressed in the above-mentioned minutes and has been used here verbatim.
“After what was thought to be a successful meeting with Chris Vidler from West Berkshire Council (Senior Highways Engineer) about improving road safety on the B4009 through Westridge Green, we were all disappointed to receive an email stating that a speed limit review would not be entertained.
“Concerns were raised that other promises had not been fulfilled, such as the speed monitoring devices and the review of signage from Aldworth to Westridge Green. It was agreed to write to Chris Vidler, Councillor. Alan Law and the Police and Crime Commissioner, Matthew Barber, with evidence of the recent accidents, the promises made and the lack of support we have received. The clerk will prepare a draft letter and circulate via email for amendments to be made before final submission.”
Aldworth PC’s displeasure with WBC’s highways team did not end there. Later in the meeting, this further observation was recorded:
“Potholes continue to be a problem, particularly along the B4009, near the Four Points (trenches at the edge of the road) and between Westridge Green and Aldworth. It was agreed that we are continuously being ignored and all potholes will be re-logged on the WBC portal.”
If anyone from WBC’s Highways Department is reading this, they might want to get in touch with Aldworth Parish council before it declares UDI.
Community notices
• See Compton Parish Council’s website for a list of current scams going around in the area that you should be aware of.
• Recovery in Mind and The Downland Practice host a free one hour introduction session for local adults wishing to further their knowledge on wellbeing and mental health. Please contact pm.downland@nhs.net to book your place.
• Yattendon Classic Vehicle Day is looking for volunteer first aiders for their 2022 event on 26 June. Please contact Lyn on 07774 257539 or email yattendonclassicvehicle@outlook.com.
• Compton Karate based at Aldworth Village Hall is a small and friendly dojo that welcomes new members.
• Aldworth Parish Council would still like to hear from any residents who may have ideas or wishes for what the parish can do to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. An online survey can be answered.
Local events and activities
For more information on events and activities across the Penny Post area, see the website calendar.
• Dates for the diary
• Sat 30 Apr, 7pm, Pre-Fete pop up party at the Brightwalton playing field.
• Sunday 1 May Brightwalton Fete at the Village Hall.
• Regular events and groups
• Brickleton Babes Baby and Toddler Group in Brightwalton Village Hall. Join their facebook group for details.
• Autumn Group regular meetings include the Hobbies Club at the Wilkins Centre, Compton. Visit their facebook page for details. Anyone from surrounding villages very welcome.
• Aldworth Art/Painting Group at the Aldworth Village Hall on first and third Tuesday of every month from 9.30am to noon. Details on the East Ilsley Communicator (issue 105, p 21) here.
• Aldworth Craft Group meet at Aldworth Village Hall on the second and fourth Monday of every month (within the school term time) from 10am to noon. More details in the East Ilsley Communicator (issue 105, p 16), which you can download here.
• Hampstead Norreys Village Hall club and event information is on Hampstead Norreys Community website.
• Ilsley Under Fives meet every Wednesday between 10am to 11.30am at various locations throughout the Ilsley villages. Please join their Facebook group or a see details here.
News from your local council
Note: “the most recent meeting” refers to the most recent one for which minutes (in some cases draft) or some other summary is available. Other meetings may have taken place since. Some councils publish minutes more promptly than do others.
• The most recent meeting of Aldworth Parish Council took place on 16 March and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: potential measures to make the B4009 through Westridge Green safer (see also separate section above); potholes (ditto); planning matters; the playground inspection; the Pangbourne Neighbourhood Action Group; the jubilee; financial matters; and the risk assessment. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• The most recent meeting of West Ilsley Parish Council took place on 14 March and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: the SID; the wildflower meadow; planning matters; financial matters; the closure of the WIPC Trust; the Village Hall; and a reminder of riparian responsibilities. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Brightwalton Parish Council took place on 14 March and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: the ASPIRE project; the Village Hall; superfast broadband; the cricket nets; wildflowers; the jubilee; the playing field; planning matters; and financial matters. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• The most recent meeting of East Ilsley Parish Council took place on 8 March and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: planning matters; the playground inspection; the Friends of the Ridgeway charity; the jubilee; the risk assessment; financial matters; the East Ilsley Communicator; the BT phone cable at Broad Street; trimming the hornbeam trees; and chipping a fallen ash tree. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• The most recent meetings of Ashampstead Parish Council took place on 7 March and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: nothing to report from the police; footpaths and byways; speeding; road maintenance; planning matters; the open spaces review; financial matters; the jubilee; and the annual parish meeting (16 May 2022). To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Compton Parish Council took place on 7 March and you can read the minutes here. (Note: this still links to the agenda, despite the weblink saying it’ll take you to the minutes the minutes, a glitch that will doubtless soon be fixed). Items covered included: reports from working parties; planning matters; financial matters; trees; CCTVs; a proposed greening campaign; a proposed 20mph speed limit; vandalism and ASB. There was also a two-minute Zoom meeting on 28 March to conduct some formal business, the minutes of which you can see here. To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here. Please click here for the latest on Compton’s neighbourhood development plan (which has now been ratified).
• The most recent meeting of Chaddleworth Parish Council took place on 1 March and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: the Baker’s Trust; planning matters; financial matters; the continuing saga of Norris Lane; verges and drainage; the jubilee; the defibrillator; the annual parish meeting (3 May); various maintenance tasks; colour in the newsletter; the jubilee beacon; and the co-option of a new member. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Hampstead Norreys Council took place on 27 January and you can read the minutes here. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Beedon Parish Council took place on 13 January and you can read the minutes here. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. Please click here for details of the planning applications currently active in the parish.
• The most recent meeting of Peasemore Parish Council (an extraordinary one) took place on 29 September and you can read the minutes here. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• Compton & Downlands area council contacts
Parishes: Hampstead Norreys Parish Council, Compton Parish Council, Ashampstead Parish Council, Beedon Parish Council, Chaddleworth Parish Council, Brightwalton Parish Council, Peasemore Parish Council, Aldworth Parish Council, West Ilsley Parish Council and East Ilsley Parish Council.
West Berkshire Council: click here to visit the website.
Archive
Thursday 24 March 2022
This week’s news
• Theale district councillor Alan Macro is currently petitioning West Berkshire Council for a pedestrian crossing at the eastern end of Theale High Street. This aims to make crossing safer for all, but will be particularly beneficial to older people who need to access facilities such as the shop and pharmacy. If you would like to sign the petition you can do so here.
• Aldermaston Parish Council has been asked by Berkshire Digital Infrastructure Group to help advertise its Digital Survey. The Berkshire Digital Infrastructure Group represents all six Berkshire Local Authorities, working to delivery its digital strategy to help better connect Berkshire. They want as many residents as possible to complete the anonymous survey, which can be found here. You have until 8 April to have your say.
• Burghfield and Mortimer district councillor Graham Bridgman has recently published his latest e-newsletter, which you can read here.
• Holy Trinity Church is seeking donations for the Foodbank that is open on Sundays and Wednesdays from 9am to 6pm. With another rise in people’s need for foodbank support, please consider donating even one item a week so they can support those who are really struggling. You can find out what has been requested each week by clicking here.
• Theale will be hosting a Village Fete on Sunday 5 June between noon and 4.30pm on Theale Recreational Ground to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. With promises of traditional games, an arena display and funfair rides. Stall-holders who are interested should contact the Parish Council for further information.
• Healthwatch Berkshire invites you to have your say on Covid testing. This survey will show how many people are still relying on and using Covid testing equipment in daily life and whether or not it is as important as it has been in the past. You can find the survey here.
• Theale Parish Council is appealing for volunteers for the charity Read Easy which help adults who cannot read to a functional level. In West Berkshire alone there are estimated to be 5,000 people in this situation. For more information please contact Mark Ingvorsen on 07748 276959 or at swbpioneer@readeasy.org.uk.
• Click here to read March 2022 edition of Padworth Newsletter which, as ever, also has information from neighbouring parishes.
• For the latest news from the Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton which covers updates and events across Theale area please visit their website and click on Letters, Notices & Magazine.
• Latest news from Aldermaston Parish Council can also be found on their website aldermaston.co.uk and this month includes the celebration of a new florist and children’s nursery in the village.
• Theale district councillor Alan Macro has recently published his latest e-newsletter, which you can read here.
Community notices
• Mortimer Village Partnership (MVP) hosts its Annual Affiliates Social meeting on Saturday 19 March between 5pm to 7pm at Mortimer Community Centre for locals to meet those who work on the village website, plus offer any feedback to MVP on how they can better represent the comings and goings within the village and surrounding areas.
• Please support Bag2School collections to raise funds for the PTAs of St John’s School, Mary’s School and The Willink School. Home collections are occurring on Monday 21 March and school collection on 22 March. All items such as clothes, shoes, accessories, bedding, curtains, towels, cuddly toys can be donated.
• West Berkshire Library Service is appealing for local volunteers at Mortimer and Burghfield Common libraries. Please see this post on Facebook, call 01635 519533 or email volunteerinyourlibrary@westberks.gov.uk for further information.
Local events and activities
For more information on events and activities across the Penny Post area, see the website calendar.
• Dates for the diary
• Fri 25 Mar to Sat 2 Apr Aldermaston Players.
• Sat 26 Mar Skip Johnson Memorial Hike.
• Sat 26 Mar Toy Library 10am to 11am Mortimer Methodist Church.
• Sat 2 Apr Jumble Sale at Padworth Village Hall.
• Sun 8 May Burghfield May Fayre 2022
• Sun 5 June Theale Village Fete. Stall-holders who are interested should contact the Parish Council for further information.
• Regular events
• Theale Library hosts in-person events for people of all ages. To find out more information on future clubs and events click here to visit the West Berkshire Library Facebook page or email Theale Library at thealelibrary@westberks.gov.uk.
• Mortimer Library also host regular events, such as their Rhymetime group who meet every Tuesday (during school term time) at 2.30pm.
• Walking for Health meet every Tuesday at the community centre car park opposite the Horse & Groom, Mortimer. There are three walk lengths to chose from As mentioned on mortimervillage.org.uk,
• Holy Trinity Church, Theale is open for West Berks Food Bank donations on Sundays and Wednesdays from 10.30am to 6pm. Please see the church’s website for regularly updated lists of what is most needed at the food bank.
• Beenham Art Group every Tuesday from 10am to noon at Victory Hall, Beenham. More details in The Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton Magazine (February edition, p 16).
• Aldermaston Coffee Club meet at the cafe at Rosebourne, Aldermaston between 10am to 11.30am on the first and third Tuesday of each month. Further details in The Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton Magazine (February edition, p 8)
• Aldermaston & Wasing Ladies Group meets on the second Thursday of each month from 2pm at Aldermaston Parish Hall, please see Padworth Parish Council Newsletter (p 3, February 2022 ) for further information.
• Padworth and Aldermaston WI meets at Padworth Village Hall on the third Tuesday of every month at 7.30pm. Further information on the group can be found in Padworth Parish Council Newsletter (No 155 February 2022 Edition p 3).
• Holy Trinity Church, Theale free choir group rehearses on Thursdays between 7pm to 8pm and performs at Sunday services from 10.30am. All are welcome to join. Send enquiries to office@holytrinitytheale.org.uk.
News from your local council
Note: “the most recent meeting” refers to the most recent one for which minutes (in some cases draft) or some other summary is available. Other meetings may have taken place since. Some councils publish minutes more promptly than do others.
• The most recent meeting of Padworth Parish Council took place on 14 March and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: financial matters; the Village Hall; planning matters; the annual parish meeting (7pm on 16 May); and a fallen tree leaning across power lines which the landowner “had not yet dealt with” (seems like an urgent matter to me). To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Aldermaston Parish Council took place on 8 March and the minutes will be available here in due course. Items covered included: plans for the jubilee; planning matters; speeding in the parish; the over-use of the A340; an inspection at the Manor House; and parking at the Rugby Club. To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Theale Parish Council took place on 7 March and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: spoof email purporting to come from the Chairman; dog bins; the Clerk’s update; a report from District Councillor Alan Macro; planning matters; a motion about moving to bi-monthly meetings (not carried); and the distribution of the funds from the 2021 Christmas event. To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Englefield Parish Council took place on 7 March and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: financial matters (including the 2022-23 budget); planning matters; the jubilee; and a review of the risks and asset registers. To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Burghfield Parish Council took place on 3 March and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: committee reports; the report from ward member Graham Bridgman; the Community Hub; the May Fayre; and financial matters. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Bradfield Parish Council took place on 1 March and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: planning matters; continued discussion about the “impasse” surrounding the management of the Village Hall; the so-called “Village Hall roof incident” involving asbestos removal; a report from the ward member; varying opinions on the quality of the mobile coverage in the parish; the auubal parish assembly (Friday 22 April); dog bins; highways; the jubilee; the emergency plan; litter picking; financial matters; and the youth shelter. To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here for 2021 and here for 2022.
• The most recent meeting of Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council took place on 10 February and you can read the minutes here. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. See this page on Stratfield Mortimer PC’s website for more information on the refresh of its neighbourhood development plan.
• The most recent meeting of Beenham Parish Council took place on 10 January and you can read the minutes here. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here for 2021 and here for 2022. Click here for details of Beenham’s Community Plan.
• Theale area council contacts
Parishes: Theale Parish Council, Aldermaston Parish Council, Padworth Parish Council, Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council, Englefield Parish Council, Beenham Parish Council, Bradfield Parish Council and Burghfield Parish Council.
West Berkshire Council: click here to visit the website.
Thursday 17 March 2022
This week’s news
• The Annual Spring Clean of Mortimer is this Saturday 19 March from 1pm till 4pm. Volunteers are requested to sign in at the Fairground opposite the Horse & Groom pub. All current Covid guidelines will be followed during the event. Please bring your own hand sanitiser and gloves if required, however, litter-pickers and bags will be provided on the day. Please visit mortimervillage.org.uk for further information.
• Theale district councillor Alan Macro is currently petitioning West Berkshire Council for a pedestrian crossing at the eastern end of Theale High Street. This aims to make crossing safer for all, but will be particularly beneficial to older people who need to access facilities such as the shop and pharmacy. If you would like to sign the petition you can do so here.
• Aldermaston Parish Council has been asked by Berkshire Digital Infrastructure Group to help advertise their Digital Survey. The Berkshire Digital Infrastructure Group represents all six Berkshire Local Authorities, working to delivery its digital strategy to help better connect Berkshire. They want as many residents as possible to complete the anonymous survey, which can be found here. You have until 8 April to have your say.
• Theale district councillor Alan Macro has recently published his latest e-newsletter, which you can read here.
• Burghfield and Mortimer district councillor Graham Bridgman has recently published his latest e-newsletter, which you can read here.
• As mentioned previously, due to complaints about rogue golf balls ending up in the neighbours’ backyards, new nets are to be fitted at Theale Golf Club‘s 10th hole. Supposedly to stand at 8 metres tall, the netting is proposed to be screened by new planting. See full story on Newbury Today.
• Theale will be hosting a Village Fete on Sunday 5 June between noon and 4.30pm on Theale Recreational Ground to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. With promises of traditional games, an arena display and funfair rides. Stall-holders who are interested should contact the Parish Council for further information.
• Theale Parish Council is appealing for volunteers for the charity Read Easy who help adults who cannot read to a functional level. In West Berkshire alone there are estimated to be 5,000 people in this situation. For more information please contact Mark Ingvorsen on 07748 276959 or at swbpioneer@readeasy.org.uk.
• Click here to read March 2022 edition of Padworth Newsletter which, as ever, also has information from neighbouring parishes.
• For the latest news from the Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton which covers updates and events across Theale area please visit their website and click on Letters, Notices & Magazine.
• Latest news from Aldermaston Parish Council can also be found on their website aldermaston.co.uk and this month includes the celebration of a new florist and children’s nursery in the village.
Arboreal rights
This week’s NWN reports on p14 of the tale of a pine tree in Mortimer which has become the centre of a local storm. Not Storm Eunice or any other recent one, which it survived: but a storm of protest by nearby residents who thought that it was ugly, lopsided, potentially dangerous and that infringed their human rights. The idea of a tree doing this was new to me although the an abuse of arboreal rights by people takes place on a daily basis in the Amazon rainforest. This tree, however, had powerful friends in the form of a Tree Preservation Order and WBC’s Tree Officer Jon Thomas. After a long period of emails to and fro, surveys and reports, the matter was recently elevated to the supreme court that is WBC’s Eastern Area Planning Committee which decided that the TPO, and the tree, should stay put.
I must declare a kind of interest in this. For about seven years we conducted delicate negotiations with our neighbours, with whom we got on very well, about some birch trees on their bank of the river. In summer these blocked out a lot of our light and, in autumn, deposited leaves all over the garden. One of them did look a bit dangerous where some pollarding years before had produced a possible weak spot about thirty feet (roughly half-way) up, which I mentioned. This fear was given extra force a year or so ago when part of the willow tree in the meadow about fifty yards away snapped off in a high wind at about midnight, causing a noise that pushed by heart rate into the low hundreds. The two birch trees have now gone, the plan being to replace them with lower vegetation that will also provide more privacy. We hadn’t thought of using the human-rights argument, though. I’ll save that for next time.
This article in Newbury Today, reporting on an earlier stage in the conflict, refers to the risk of a tree falling and injuring someone. It offers the reassuring news that “the probability of being killed by a falling tree (or part of one) is extremely low – at one in 10 million per annum.” I’m a bit unclear what this means: do you need to walk under a tree 10 million times before you’re likely to get hit, or is one in every 10 million deaths related to falling trees? About 55 people a year are admitted to A&E as a result of full or partial arboreal failure. The article goes on to say that this compares to “2.9 million “leisure-related” admissions, including 260,000 related to footballs, 10,900 involving children’s swings and 2,200 involving wheelie bins, according to the National Tree Safety Group.” Given these statistics, I’d have thought that anyone working for the Tree Safety Group would hardly be rushed off their feet.
Other comparisons also exist. This website reveals that 16 people a day are killed in the USA due to texting while driving and about 450 people a year are killed by falling out of bed. Other hazards include icicles (100 people a year in Russia), dogs (34 people a year in the USA – I would have thought it would be a lot more) and, oddest of all, vending machines, responsible for 13 deaths a year (whether in the USA, somewhere else or worldwide the article doesn’t specify). Is there, however, a Bed or a Vending Machine Safety Group? If they exist, now would be the time for them to make their activities more widely known.
Community notices
• Mortimer Village Partnership (MVP) hosts its Annual Affiliates Social meeting on Saturday 19 March between 5pm to 7pm at Mortimer Community Centre for locals to meet those who work on the village website, plus offer any feedback to MVP on how they can better represent the comings and goings within the village and surrounding areas.
• Please support Bag2School collections to raise funds for the PTAs of St John’s School, Mary’s School and The Willink School. Home collections are occurring on Monday 21 March and school collection on 22 March. All items such as clothes, shoes, accessories, bedding, curtains, towels, cuddly toys can be donated.
• West Berkshire Library Service is appealing for local volunteers at Mortimer and Burghfield Common libraries. Please see this post on Facebook, call 01635 519533 or email volunteerinyourlibrary@westberks.gov.uk for further information.
Local events and activities
For more information on events and activities across the Penny Post area, see the website calendar.
• Dates for the diary
• Sat 19 Mar Annual Village Spring Clean 1pm to 4pm Meet near The Horse & Groom, Mortimer.
• Sat 19 Mar MVP Affiliates Social 5pm to 7pm Mortimer Community Centre.
• Sun 20 Mar Mortimer Emporium Market 11am to 3pm St John’s Village Hall, Mortimer Common.
• Mon 21 Mar Mobile Library at Jubilee Day Nursery. (p11 on pdf)
• Fri 25 Mar to Sat 2 Apr Aldermaston Players.
• Sat 26 Mar Skip Johnson Memorial Hike.
• Sat 26 Mar Toy Library 10am to 11am Mortimer Methodist Church.
• Sat 2 Apr Jumble Sale at Padworth Village Hall.
• Sun 8 May Burghfield May Fayre 2022
• Sun 5 June Theale Village Fete. Stall-holders who are interested should contact the Parish Council for further information.
• Regular events
• Theale Library hosts in-person events for people of all ages. To find out more information on future clubs and events click here to visit the West Berkshire Library Facebook page or email Theale Library at thealelibrary@westberks.gov.uk.
• Mortimer Library also host regular events, such as their Rhymetime group who meet every Tuesday (during school term time) at 2.30pm.
• Walking for Health meet every Tuesday at the community centre car park opposite the Horse & Groom, Mortimer. There are three walk lengths to chose from As mentioned on mortimervillage.org.uk,
• Holy Trinity Church, Theale is open for West Berks Food Bank donations on Sundays and Wednesdays from 10.30am to 6pm. Please see the church’s website for regularly updated lists of what is most needed at the food bank.
• Beenham Art Group every Tuesday from 10am to noon at Victory Hall, Beenham. More details in The Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton Magazine (February edition, p 16).
• Aldermaston Coffee Club meet at the cafe at Rosebourne, Aldermaston between 10am to 11.30am on the first and third Tuesday of each month. Further details in The Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton Magazine (February edition, p 8)
• Aldermaston & Wasing Ladies Group meets on the second Thursday of each month from 2pm at Aldermaston Parish Hall, please see Padworth Parish Council Newsletter (p 3, February 2022 ) for further information.
• Padworth and Aldermaston WI meets at Padworth Village Hall on the third Tuesday of every month at 7.30pm. Further information on the group can be found in Padworth Parish Council Newsletter (No 155 February 2022 Edition p 3).
• Holy Trinity Church, Theale free choir group rehearses on Thursdays between 7pm to 8pm and performs at Sunday services from 10.30am. All are welcome to join. Send enquiries to office@holytrinitytheale.org.uk.
News from your local council
Note: “the most recent meeting” refers to the most recent one for which minutes (in some cases draft) or some other summary is available. Other meetings may have taken place since. Some councils publish minutes more promptly than do others.
• The most recent meeting of Padworth Parish Council took place on 14 March and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: financial matters; the Village Hall; planning matters; the annual parish meeting (7pm on 16 May); and a fallen tree leaning across power lines which the landowner “had not yet dealt with” (seems like an urgent matter to me). To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Aldermaston Parish Council took place on 8 March and the minutes will be available here in due course. Items covered included: plans for the jubilee; planning matters; speeding in the parish; the over-use of the A340; an inspection at the Manor House; and parking at the Rugby Club. To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Theale Parish Council took place on 7 March and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: spoof email purporting to come from the Chairman; dog bins; the Clerk’s update; a report from District Councillor Alan Macro; planning matters; a motion about moving to bi-monthly meetings (not carried); and the distribution of the funds from the 2021 Christmas event. To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Englefield Parish Council took place on 7 March and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: financial matters (including the 2022-23 budget); planning matters; the jubilee; and a review of the risks and asset registers. To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Bradfield Parish Council took place on 1 March and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: planning matters; continued discussion about the “impasse” surrounding the management of the Village Hall; the so-called “Village Hall roof incident” involving asbestos removal; a report from the ward member; varying opinions on the quality of the mobile coverage in the parish; the auubal parish assembly (Friday 22 April); dog bins; highways; the jubilee; the emergency plan; litter picking; financial matters; and the youth shelter. To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here for 2021 and here for 2022.
• The most recent meeting of Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council took place on 10 February and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: the Mortimer to Burghfield Cycleway and Footpath; Speedwatch; the WBC Library Review; a complaint about SMPC’s maintenance of its historical records; planning matters (including the current lack of orange planning notices); the Greening campaign; the jubilee; reports from working parties and committees; the neighbourhood development plan; the annual parish meeting (Monday 25 April); a reply from Thames Water; fitness equipment; grant awards; planning and licensing matters; financial matters; crime statistics; and health and safety issues. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. See this page on Stratfield Mortimer PC’s website for more information on the refresh of its neighbourhood development plan.
• The most recent meeting of Burghfield Parish Council took place on 3 February and you can read the minutes here. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Beenham Parish Council took place on 10 January and you can read the minutes here. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here for 2021 and here for 2022. Click here for details of Beenham’s Community Plan.
• Theale area council contacts
Parishes: Theale Parish Council, Aldermaston Parish Council, Padworth Parish Council, Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council, Englefield Parish Council, Beenham Parish Council, Bradfield Parish Council and Burghfield Parish Council.
West Berkshire Council: click here to visit the website.
Thursday 10 March 2022
This week’s news
• Theale district councillor Alan Macro has recently published his latest e-newsletter, which you can read here.
• Burghfield and Mortimer district councillor Graham Bridgman has recently published his latest e-newsletter, which you can read here.
• Due to complaints about rogue golf balls ending up in the neighbours’ backyards, new nets are to be fitted at Theale Golf Club‘s 10th hole. Supposedly to stand at 8 metres tall, the netting is proposed to be screened by new planting. See full story on Newbury Today.
• A wonky pine tree is unsettling Mortimer residents on The Bevers as they fear it might fall down at any given moment. However a council tree officer has claimed that the risk of the 100-year-old pine tree falling is extremely low and the chance of anyone coming to harm is one in 10 million. The fate of the tree will be decided at the next planning meeting.
• Theale Parish Council has set out an appeal for volunteers for the charity Read Easy as they try to help adults who cannot read to a functional level. In West Berkshire alone there are estimated to be 5,000 people in this situation. For more information please contact Mark Ingvorsen on 07748 276959 or at swbpioneer@readeasy.org.uk.
• Quick reminder the Annual Spring Clean of Mortimer is on Saturday 19 March from 1pm till 4pm. Volunteers are requested to sign in at the Fairground opposite the Horse & Groom pub. All current Covid guidelines will be followed during the event. Please bring your own hand sanitiser and gloves if required, however, litter-pickers and bags will be provided on the day. Please visit mortimervillage.org.uk for further information.
• The Burghfield May Fayre 2022 will be held on Sunday 8 May, as announced on the burghfieldresidents.org website. Applications for fayre stalls allocation can now be made via the website, with the Funfair, Dog Show, Arena Displays, Craft Stalls, Café, Food Stalls and The Bar all returning for this year’s event. Further details and updates will be released shortly.
• Theale will also be hosting a Village Fete on Sunday 5 June between noon and 4.30pm on Theale Recreational Ground to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. With promises of traditional games, an arena display and funfair rides. Stall-holders who are interested should contact the Parish Council for further information.
• Click here to read March 2022 edition of Padworth Newsletter which, as ever, also has information from neighbouring parishes.
• For the latest news from the Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton which covers updates and events across Theale area please visit their website and click on Letters, Notices & Magazine.
• Latest news from Aldermaston Parish Council can also be found on their website aldermaston.co.uk and this month includes the celebration of a new florist and children’s nursery in the village.
Theale Green’s award
Theale Green School has picked up a prestigious national award at the Youth Sport Trust’s 2022 Conference for helping its students to improve their wellbeing and achievement through focusing on physical and mental health. The School was presented with the national children’s charity’s Outstanding Secondary Practice Award during the YST Annual Conference in Coventry earlier this month and accepted by Headteacher Joanna Halliday, Tony Blinco, Director of Sport and PE and Maxine Smiles Cooke, School Games Organiser..
A West Berkshire Council statement explains that “the award recognises a school which has harnessed the power of physical activity, PE and sport to transform the lives of young people and put wellbeing at its heart. Theale Green School pledged to join the Well Schools Movement over a year ago, which is a national community of professionals and stakeholders who believe that wellbeing should be at the heart of education. It has used its Well School framework to tackle existing societal issues through their Respectful Behaviours Manifesto and complemented the Well School ethos with investment in staff to drive the work forward.
“Over the last year, Theale Green has changed the way it kept young people active, using PE to re-engage students in the summer term and running a whole school community sports day to help achieve this. It also gave students a say in shaping an extra-curricular programme that would increase participation for disadvantaged students. In addition, a group of students have been receiving mentoring from athlete mentors to develop life skills and increase their confidence, self-belief and motivation.”
Congratulations from us to all those involved in this achievement. You can read WBC’s statement in full here.
Community notices
• Volunteers requested for St Mary’s Church, Burghfield’s Community Work Party on Saturday 12 March. Please see a Facebook post from St Mary’s Church which further explains the importance of the work party.
• Please support Bag2School collections to raise funds for the PTAs of St John’s School, Mary’s School and The Willink School. Home collections are occurring on Monday 21 March and school collection on 22 March. All items such as clothes, shoes, accessories, bedding, curtains, towels, cuddly toys can be donated.
• West Berkshire Library Service is appealing for local volunteers at Mortimer and Burghfield Common libraries. Please see this post on Facebook, call 01635 519533 or email volunteerinyourlibrary@westberks.gov.uk for further information.
• Thatcham historian Nick Young is giving an online talk, hosted by West Berkshire Museum, entitled Last Orders about the history of pubs in Thatcham including long gone hostelries such as the Bell, the Bull and the Shah. Book your tickets here for this convivial event at 7pm on Wednesday 16 March.
• Mortimer Village Partnership (MVP) host their Annual Affiliates Social meeting on Saturday 19 March between 5pm to 7pm at Mortimer Community Centre for locals to meet those who work on the village website, plus offer any feedback to MVP on how they can better represent the comings and goings within the village and surrounding areas.
Local events and activities
For more information on events and activities across the Penny Post area, see the website calendar.
• Dates for the diary
• Sat 12 Mar Beenham Market.
• Sat 12 Mar Churchyard Community Work Party 10am St Mary’s Church, Burghfield.
• Wed 16 Mar Mobile Library at Wharfside Car Park. (p11 on pdf)
• Wed 16 Mar The History of Thatcham’s pubs, online talk (see section above).
• Sat 19 Mar Annual Village Spring Clean 1pm to 4pm Meet near The Horse & Groom, Mortimer.
• Sat 19 Mar MVP Affiliates Social 5pm to 7pm Mortimer Community Centre.
• Sun 20 Mar Mortimer Emporium Market 11am to 3pm St John’s Village Hall, Mortimer Common.
• Mon 21 Mar Mobile Library at Jubilee Day Nursery. (p11 on pdf)
• Fri 25 Mar to Sat 2 Apr Aldermaston Players.
• Sat 26 Mar Skip Johnson Memorial Hike.
• Sat 26 Mar Toy Library 10am to 11am Mortimer Methodist Church.
• Sat 2 Apr Jumble Sale at Padworth Village Hall.
• Sun 10 Jul Padworth & Aldermaston Wharf Craft & Produce Show.
• Regular events
• Theale Library hosts in-person events for people of all ages. To find out more information on future clubs and events click here to visit the West Berkshire Library Facebook page or email Theale Library at thealelibrary@westberks.gov.uk.
• Mortimer Library also host regular events, such as their Rhymetime group who meet every Tuesday (during school term time) at 2.30pm.
• Walking for Health meet every Tuesday at the community centre car park opposite the Horse & Groom, Mortimer. There are three walk lengths to chose from As mentioned on mortimervillage.org.uk,
• Holy Trinity Church, Theale is open for West Berks Food Bank donations on Sundays and Wednesdays from 10.30am to 6pm. Please see the church’s website for regularly updated lists of what is most needed at the food bank.
• Beenham Art Group every Tuesday from 10am to noon at Victory Hall, Beenham. More details in The Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton Magazine (February edition, p 16).
• Aldermaston Coffee Club meet at the cafe at Rosebourne, Aldermaston between 10am to 11.30am on the first and third Tuesday of each month. Further details in The Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton Magazine (February edition, p 8)
• Aldermaston & Wasing Ladies Group meets on the second Thursday of each month from 2pm at Aldermaston Parish Hall, please see Padworth Parish Council Newsletter (p 3, February 2022 ) for further information.
• Padworth Village Hall hosts Padworth and Aldermaston WI on the third Tuesday of every month at 7.30pm. Further information on the group can be found in Padworth Parish Council Newsletter (No 155 February 2022 Edition p 3).
• Holy Trinity Church, Theale free choir group rehearses on Thursdays between 7pm to 8pm and performs at Sunday services from 10.30am. All are welcome to join. Send enquiries to office@holytrinitytheale.org.uk.
News from your local council
Note: “the most recent meeting” refers to the most recent one for which minutes (in some cases draft) or some other summary is available. Other meetings may have taken place since. Some councils publish minutes more promptly than do others.
• The most recent meeting of Theale Parish Council took place on 7 March and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: spoof email purporting to come from the Chairman; dog bins; the Clerk’s update; a report from District Councillor Alan Macro; planning matters; a motion about moving to bi-monthly meetings (not carried); and the distribution of the funds from the 2021 Christmas event. To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Aldermaston Parish Council took place on 8 March and the minutes will be available here in due course. Items covered included: plans for the jubilee; planning matters; speeding in the parish; the over-use of the A340; an inspection at the Manor House; and parking at the Rugby Club. To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council took place on 10 February and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: the Mortimer to Burghfield Cycleway and Footpath; Speedwatch; the WBC Library Review; a complaint about SMPC’s maintenance of its historical records; planning matters (including the current lack of orange planning notices); the Greening campaign; the jubilee; reports from working parties and committees; the neighbourhood development plan; the annual parish meeting (Monday 25 April); a reply from Thames Water; fitness equipment; grant awards; planning and licensing matters; financial matters; crime statistics; and health and safety issues. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• See this page on Stratfield Mortimer PC’s website for more information on the refresh of its neighbourhood development plan.
• The most recent meeting of Padworth Parish Council took place on 10 January and you can read the minutes here. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Englefield Parish Council took place on 10 January and you can read the minutes here.To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Beenham Parish Council took place on 10 January and you can read the minutes here. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here for 2021 and here for 2022.
• Click here for details of Beenham’s Community Plan.
• The most recent meeting of Burghfield Parish Council took place on 6 January and you can read the minutes here. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Bradfield Parish Council took place on 4 January and you can read the minutes here. To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here for 2021 and here for 2022.
• Theale area council contacts
Parishes: Theale Parish Council, Aldermaston Parish Council, Padworth Parish Council, Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council, Englefield Parish Council, Beenham Parish Council, Bradfield Parish Council and Burghfield Parish Council.
West Berkshire Council: click here to visit the website.
Thursday 3 March 2022
This week’s news
• Theale Medical Centre recently released a notice of Dr Penny Brooke’s retirement announcement after a whopping 29 years at the Centre. We at Penny Post wish her a happy retirement and thanks for the hard work put in over the years.
• Burghfield and Mortimer ward member Graham Bridgman has recently published his latest e-newsletter, which you can read here. This includes, in the parish news section at the foot, an update on the Energy Recovery Centre in Burghfield and two sets of congratulations – to the Mortimer Lunch Club for b3eing a winner of a WBC Community Champions Award; and to Mortimer St Mary’s Junior School for achieving a “good” Ofsted rating.
• Padworth Jumble Sale will be returning to Padworth Village Hall this Saturday 5 March. Please see this month’s Padworth Newsletter (page 2) for more details. Bring a coat just in case the weather doesn’t hold out.
• There has been a considerable outpouring of support for Ukraine. Here is our summary of local and national appeals to support.
• Quick reminder the Annual Spring Clean of Mortimer is on Saturday 19 March from 1pm till 4pm. Volunteers are requested to sign in at the Fairground opposite the Horse & Groom pub. All current Covid guidelines will be followed during the event. Please bring your own hand sanitiser and gloves if required, however litter-pickers and bags will be provided on the day. Please visit mortimervillage.org.uk for further information.
• Another cleaning work party will be held for any helpful volunteers to lend a hand in keeping our local area looking spick and span. St Mary’s Church, Burghfield have organised a Churchyard Community Work Party on Saturday 12 March, who will initially meet at the church from 10am. Please see a Facebook post from St Mary’s Church which further explains the importance of the work party.
• The Burghfield May Fayre 2022 will be held on Sunday 8 May, as announced on the burghfieldresidents.org website. Applications for fayre stalls allocation can now be made via the website, with the Funfair, Dog Show, Arena Displays, Craft Stalls, Café, Food Stalls and The Bar all returning for this year’s event. Further details and updates will be released shortly.
• Theale will also be hosting a Village Fete on Sunday 5 June between noon and 4.30pm on Theale Recreational Ground to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. With promises of traditional games, an arena display and funfair rides. Stall-holders who are interested should contact the Parish Council for further information.
• Click here to read March 2022 edition of Padworth Newsletter which, as ever, also has information from neighbouring parishes.
• The Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton also published its February 2022 newsletter, which covers updates and events across Theale area.
• Another newsletter for February 2022, this time from Aldermaston Parish Council. This month’s edition includes; Cedar Lodge planning application, an update on Aldermaston’s skate ramp, the repair of the Lock-Up, plus many more updates from across Aldermaston and its neighbouring areas.
Community notices
• The Mrs Williams Pre-School at Burghfield Common is facing potential closure due to rising costs and low pupil numbers, caused largely by the pandemic. Donations can be made via their GoFundMe page.
• Bag2School collections will be taking place in March, which aims to raise funds for the PTAs of St John’s School, Mary’s School and The Willink School. Home collections are occurring on Monday 21 March and school collection on 22 March. All items such as clothes, shoes, accessories, bedding, curtains, towels, cuddly toys can be donated.
• West Berkshire Library Service is appealing for local volunteers at Mortimer and Burghfield Common libraries. Please see this post on Facebook, call 01635 519533 or email volunteerinyourlibrary@westberks.gov.uk for further information.
• Mortimer Village Partnership (MVP) host their Annual Affiliates Social meeting on Saturday 19 March between 5pm to 7pm at Mortimer Community Centre for locals to meet those who work on the village website, plus offer any feedback to MVP on how they can better represent the comings and goings within the village and surrounding areas.
Local events and activities
For more information on events and activities across the Penny Post area, see the website calendar.
• Dates for the diary
• Sat 5 Mar Jumble Sale at Padworth Village Hall.
• Tue 8 Mar Charity Pub Quiz 8pm The Six Bells, Beenham.
• Sat 12 Mar Beenham Market.
• Sat 12 Mar Churchyard Community Work Party 10am St Mary’s Church, Burghfield.
• Wed 16 Mar Mobile Library at Wharfside Car Park. (p11 on pdf)
• Sat 19 Mar Annual Village Spring Clean 1pm to 4pm Meet near The Horse & Groom, Mortimer.
• Sat 19 Mar MVP Affiliates Social 5pm to 7pm Mortimer Community Centre.
• Sun 20 Mar Mortimer Emporium Market 11am to 3pm St John’s Village Hall, Mortimer Common.
• Mon 21 Mar Mobile Library at Jubilee Day Nursery. (p11 on pdf)
• Fri 25 Mar to Sat 2 Apr Aldermaston Players.
• Sat 26 Mar Skip Johnson Memorial Hike.
• Sat 26 Mar Toy Library 10am to 11am Mortimer Methodist Church.
• Sat 2 Apr Jumble Sale at Padworth Village Hall.
• Sun 10 Jul Padworth & Aldermaston Wharf Craft & Produce Show.
• Regular events
• Theale Library hosts in-person events for people of all ages. To find out more information on future clubs and events click here to visit the West Berkshire Library Facebook page or email Theale Library at thealelibrary@westberks.gov.uk.
• Mortimer Library also host regular events, such as their Rhymetime group who meet every Tuesday (during school term time) at 2.30pm.
• Walking for Health meet every Tuesday at the community centre car park opposite the Horse & Groom, Mortimer. There are three walk lengths to chose from As mentioned on mortimervillage.org.uk,
• Holy Trinity Church, Theale is open for West Berks Food Bank donations on Sundays and Wednesdays from 10.30am to 6pm. Please see the church’s website for regularly updated lists of what is most needed at the food bank.
• Beenham Art Group every Tuesday from 10am to noon at Victory Hall, Beenham. More details in The Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton Magazine (February edition, p 16).
• Aldermaston Coffee Club meet at the cafe at Rosebourne, Aldermaston between 10am to 11.30am on the first and third Tuesday of each month. Further details in The Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton Magazine (February edition, p 8)
• Aldermaston & Wasing Ladies Group meets on the second Thursday of each month from 2pm at Aldermaston Parish Hall, please see Padworth Parish Council Newsletter (p 3, February 2022 ) for further information.
• Padworth Village Hall hosts Padworth and Aldermaston WI on the third Tuesday of every month at 7.30pm. Further information on the group can be found in Padworth Parish Council Newsletter (No 155 February 2022 Edition p 3).
• Holy Trinity Church, Theale free choir group rehearses on Thursdays between 7pm to 8pm and then performs at Sunday services from 10.30am. All are welcome to join. Send enquiries to office@holytrinitytheale.org.uk.
News from your local council
Note: “the most recent meeting” refers to the most recent one for which minutes (in some cases draft) or some other summary is available. Other meetings may have taken place since. Some councils publish minutes more promptly than do others.
• The most recent meeting of Theale Parish Council took place on 7 February and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: a presentation by WBC’s new CEO, Nigel Lynn; a report by ward member Alan Macro; planning matters; TPC’s CCTV policy; and a grant application by the Berkshire MS Therapy Centre. To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council took place on 10 February and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: the Mortimer to Burghfield Cycleway and Footpath; Speedwatch; the WBC Library Review; a complaint about SMPC’s maintenance of its historical records; planning matters (including the current lack of orange planning notices); the Greening campaign; the jubilee; reports from working parties and committees; the neighbourhood development plan; the annual parish meeting (Monday 25 April); a reply from Thames Water; fitness equipment; grant awards; planning and licensing matters; financial matters; crime statistics; and health and safety issues. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• See this page on Stratfield Mortimer PC’s website for more information on the refresh of its neighbourhood development plan.
• The most recent meeting of Aldermaston Parish Council took place on 8 February and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: an update on the skate ramp; planning applications; traffic and speeding (including the news that the police have refused WBC’s request for a permanent speed camera on the A340 at Aldermaston Wharf); a stuck lorry; overgrown hedges; equine posters; a report from ward member Dominic Boeck; financial matters; a grant to the Parochial Church Council; the Wasing Estate; and the jubilee. To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Padworth Parish Council took place on 10 January and you can read the minutes here. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Englefield Parish Council took place on 10 January and you can read the minutes here.To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Beenham Parish Council took place on 10 January and you can read the minutes here. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here for 2021 and here for 2022.
• Click here for details of Beenham’s Community Plan.
• The most recent meeting of Burghfield Parish Council took place on 6 January and you can read the minutes here. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Bradfield Parish Council took place on 4 January and you can read the minutes here. To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here for 2021 and here for 2022.
• Theale area council contacts
Parishes: Theale Parish Council, Aldermaston Parish Council, Padworth Parish Council, Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council, Englefield Parish Council, Beenham Parish Council, Bradfield Parish Council and Burghfield Parish Council.
West Berkshire Council: click here to visit the website.
Thursday 24 February 2022
This week’s news
• Our congratulations go to The Six Bells in Burghfield, who (along with Audiotonic) raised a whopping £1,000 at their fundraising event on 18 February in aid of The Mrs Williams Pre-school, bringing total money raised (as of 22 February) to just over £7,500. As mentioned in previous weeks, the pre-school needs £10,000 to save itself from closure. Please see our ‘Community notices’ section below for further details of how to donate.
• Spring is almost in the air and with that comes the Annual Spring Clean of Mortimer. 2022 cleaning will be held on Saturday 19 March, starting at 1pm till 4pm. The event is supported by West Berkshire Council, with volunteers invited to help. On the day please sign in at the Fairground opposite the Horse & Groom pub. All current Covid guidelines will be followed during the event. Please bring your own hand sanitiser and gloves if required, however litter-pickers and bags will be provided on the day. Please visit mortimervillage.org.uk for further information.
• Another cleaning work party will be held for any helpful volunteers to lend a hand in keeping our local area looking spick and span. St Mary’s Church, Burghfield have organised a Churchyard Community Work Party on Saturday 12 March, who will initially meet at the church from 10am. Please see a Facebook post from St Mary’s Church which further explains the importance of the work party.
• As reported last week, a vacancy has opened for the role of councillor at Theale Parish Council and consequently will result in a by-election if ten or more electors of the parish give notice in writing claiming such an election to the Returning Officer at West Berkshire Council by Monday 28 February. If this wasn’t to happen, Theale Parish Council will fill the vacancy by co-option.
• Padworth Jumble Sale will hopefully be returning to Padworth Village Hall on Saturday 5 March. Please see this month’s Padworth Newsletter (page 2) for more details.
• The Burghfield May Fayre 2022 will be held on Sunday 8 May, as announced on the burghfieldresidents.org website. Applications for fayre stalls allocation can now be made via the website, with the Funfair, Dog Show, Arena Displays, Craft Stalls, Café, Food Stalls and The Bar all returning for this year’s event. Further details and updates will be released shortly.
• Theale will also be hosting a Village Fete on Sunday 5 June between noon and 4.30pm on Theale Recreational Ground to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. With promises of traditional games, an arena display and funfair rides. Stall-holders who are interested should contact the Parish Council for further information.
• Village Stores in Burghfield remain to be shut, due to health and safety issues surrounding its current on-site construction work, until Monday 28 February.
• Click here to read February 2022 edition of Padworth Newsletter which, as ever, also has information from neighbouring parishes.
• The Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton also published its February 2022 newsletter, which covers updates and events across Theale area.
• Another newsletter for February 2022, this time from Aldermaston Parish Council. This month’s edition includes; Cedar Lodge planning application, an update on Aldermaston’s skate ramp, the repair of the Lock-Up, plus many more updates from across Aldermaston and its neighbouring areas.
Community notices
• The Mrs Williams Pre-School at Burghfield Common is facing potential closure due to rising costs and low pupil numbers, caused largely by the pandemic. Donations are being asked to help keep the school afloat. They can be made via a GoFundMe page and further information regarding the school’s potential closure can be read via a Reading Chronicle article.
• Bag2School collections will be taking place in March, which aims to raise funds for the PTAs of St John’s School, Mary’s School and The Willink School. Home collections are occurring on Monday 21 March and school collection on 22 March. All items such as clothes, shoes, accessories, bedding, curtains, towels, cuddly toys can be donated.
• West Berkshire Library Service is appealing for local volunteers at Mortimer and Burghfield Common libraries. Please see this post on Facebook, call 01635 519533 or email volunteerinyourlibrary@westberks.gov.uk for further information.
• Mortimer Village Partnership (MVP) host their Annual Affiliates Social meeting on Saturday 19 March between 5pm to 7pm down at Mortimer Community Centre. The meeting will provide locals an opportunity to meet those who work on the village website, plus offer any feedback to MVP on how they can better represent the comings and goings within the village and surrounding areas.
Local events and activities
For more information on events and activities across the Penny Post area, see the website calendar.
• Dates for the diary
• Sat 26 Feb Toy Library 10am to 11am Mortimer Methodist Church.
• Sat 26 Feb Live Solo Vocalist 8.30pm The Horse & Groom, Mortimer.
• Tue 8 Mar Charity Pub Quiz 8pm The Six Bells, Beenham.
• Sat 12 Mar Churchyard Community Work Party 10am St Mary’s Church, Burghfield.
• Sat 19 Mar Annual Village Spring Clean 1pm to 4pm Meet near The Horse & Groom, Mortimer.
• Sat 19 Mar MVP Affiliates Social 5pm to 7pm Mortimer Community Centre.
• Sun 20 Mar Mortimer Emporium Market 11am to 3pm St John’s Village Hall, Mortimer Common.
• Sat 26 Mar Skip Johnson Memorial Hike.
• Sat 26 Mar Toy Library 10am to 11am Mortimer Methodist Church.
• Regular events
• Theale Library hosts in-person events for people of all ages. To find out more information on future clubs and events click here to visit the West Berkshire Library Facebook page or email Theale Library at thealelibrary@westberks.gov.uk.
• Mortimer Library also host regular events, such as their Rhymetime group who meet every Tuesday (during school term time) at 2.30pm.
• Walking for Health meet every Tuesday at the community centre car park opposite the Horse & Groom, Mortimer. There are three walk lengths to chose from As mentioned on mortimervillage.org.uk,
• Holy Trinity Church, Theale is open for food donations to be made to West Berks Food Bank and can be dropped off at the church on Sundays and Wednesdays between 10.30am to 6pm. Please see the church’s website for regularly updated lists of what is most needed at the food bank.
• Beenham Art Group meets every Tuesday between 10am till noon at Victory Hall, Beenham. Contact details and information can be found in The Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton Magazine (February edition, p 16).
• Aldermaston Coffee Club meet at the cafe at Rosebourne, Aldermaston between 10am to 11.30am on the first and third Tuesday of each month. Further details can be found in The Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton Magazine (February edition, p 8)
• Aldermaston & Wasing Ladies Group meets on the second Thursday of each month from 2pm at Aldermaston Parish Hall, please see Padworth Parish Council Newsletter (No 155 February 2022 Edition p 3) for further information on the group.
• Padworth Village Hall hosts Padworth and Aldermaston WI on the third Tuesday of every month at 7.30pm. Further information on the group can be found in Padworth Parish Council Newsletter (No 155 February 2022 Edition p 3).
• Holy Trinity Church, Theale free choir group rehearses on Thursdays between 7pm to 8pm and then performs at Sunday services from 10.30am. All are welcome to join. Send enquiries to office@holytrinitytheale.org.uk.
News from your local council
Note: “the most recent meeting” refers to the most recent one for which minutes (in some cases draft) or some other summary is available. Other meetings may have taken place since. Some councils publish minutes more promptly than do others.
• The most recent meeting of Theale Parish Council took place on 7 February and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: a presentation by WBC’s new CEO, Nigel Lynn; a report by ward member Alan Macro; planning matters; TPC’s CCTV policy; and a grant application by the Berkshire MS Therapy Centre. To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council took place on 10 February and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: the Mortimer to Burghfield Cycleway and Footpath; Speedwatch; the WBC Library Review; a complaint about SMPC’s maintenance of its historical records; planning matters (including the current lack of orange planning notices); the Greening campaign; the jubilee; reports from working parties and committees; the neighbourhood development plan; the annual parish meeting (Monday 25 April); a reply from Thames Water; fitness equipment; grant awards; planning and licensing matters; financial matters; crime statistics; and health and safety issues. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• See this page on Stratfield Mortimer PC’s website for more information on the refresh of its neighbourhood development plan.
• The most recent meeting of Aldermaston Parish Council took place on 8 February and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: an update on the skate ramp; planning applications; traffic and speeding (including the news that the police have refused WBC’s request for a permanent speed camera on the A340 at Aldermaston Wharf); a stuck lorry; overgrown hedges; equine posters; a report from ward member Dominic Boeck; financial matters; a grant to the Parochial Church Council; the Wasing Estate; and the jubilee. To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Padworth Parish Council took place on 10 January and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: the bus shelter; financial matters; planning matters; Thames Water; footpaths; and heritage sites. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Englefield Parish Council took place on 10 January and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: accident statistics; traffic calming; supporting the stores; financial matters; financial matters including the 2022-23 budget, the precept being fixed at 4,500; a donation to the West Berkshire Library Service; planning matters; and the jubilee. To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Beenham Parish Council took place on 10 January and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: a councillor vacancy; planning matters; financial matters including the 2022-23 budget, the precept remaining unchanged at £18,300; a grant received for the play area refurbishment; a grant made to the WI; the jubilee; a lost key code (which was later found); speeding; and tree maintenance. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here for 2021 and here for 2022.
• Click here for details of Beenham’s Community Plan.
• The most recent meeting of Burghfield Parish Council took place on 6 January and you can read the minutes here. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Bradfield Parish Council took place on 4 January and you can read the minutes here. To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here for 2021 and here for 2022.
• Theale area council contacts
Parishes: Theale Parish Council, Aldermaston Parish Council, Padworth Parish Council, Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council, Englefield Parish Council, Beenham Parish Council, Bradfield Parish Council and Burghfield Parish Council.
West Berkshire Council: click here to visit the website.
Thursday 17 February 2022
This week’s news
• A vacancy has opened for the role of councillor at Theale Parish Council and consequently will result in a by-election if ten or more electors of the parish give notice in writing claiming such an election to the Returning Officer at West Berkshire Council by Monday 28 February. If this wasn’t to happen, Theale Parish Council will fill the vacancy by co-option.
• A recent (3.20pm on 17 February) announcement from GWR says that the red warning concerning storm Eunice will lead to “significant changes to rail services” from 4am on Friday. This is expected to last throughout the day and will result in some cancelled services. Passengers are advised to consult Journey Check before setting out. GWR is also accepting rail tickets booked for Friday 18 February for travel over the weekend or on Monday and will issue full refunds to anyone choosing not to travel at all. GWR will also need to check for any damage before re-opening so there could therefore be further delays and changes to services over the weekend.
• Through 2021, donations to West Berks Food Bank dropped-off at Theale’s Holy Trinity Church weighed in at 3971.8 kg (which is the same weight of a typical adult White Rhino). Statistics published on Holy Trinity Church Facebook page show that local generosity provided over 8,000 meals to those that most needed food during these tough times. To continue to support your local food bank, please see the church’s website for regularly updated lists of what is most needed at West Berks Food Bank.
• The streets of Burghfield were filled with locals cheering on Olympic gold medallist Tom Daley, who cycled through the village this week as he was completing his Red Nose Day 2022 charity challenge to row, cycle, swim and run his way from Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Stratford to his hometown of Plymouth, Devon. Various videos from supporters of Tom were posted to social media including his cycle over the historic Burghfield Bridge and through the village itself. To learn more about Tom’s ‘Hell of a Homecoming’ challenge, and how to donate, please see comicrelief.com.
• Local grassroots club Theale Tigers were treated to a fun football session on 12 February at Reading FC indoor dome training facilities prior to the Royal’s 150th anniversary celebrations. The coaching sessions were led by coaches from Reading FC Community Trust, with plenty of skills on-show in a video highlighting the event. The Tigers were rewarded with the high-level training practice because they had purchased the most tickets for Saturday’s match against Coventry City using a ‘grassroots ticketing initiative’, which hoped to fill every seat within the Select Car Leasing Stadium (formerly known as The Madejski Stadium). After their training, all involved made the short journey over to the stadium to support the Royal’s 150th anniversary event included in Saturday’s league fixture. Sadly, Reading were defeated 2-3 by the Sky Blues but at least the match had plenty of ‘entertainment’ for all.
• More sports news: sadly Burghfield FC’s run in the FA Sunday Cup came to an end on 13 February. Their Last-16 away tie against Highgate Albion FC ended in a 2-0 victory for the home side. Despite the result, the club announced their delight at their Sunday Men’s team achievements to reach this stage of a national competition and will look to better the result next season.
• Another local football team who are reaching new heights in cup competitions are Mortimer U11s, who will have a cup final to look forward to on Saturday 14 May after their success in last Saturday’s semi-final. Good luck from all of us at Penny Post.
• Padworth Jumble Sale will hopefully be returning to Padworth Village Hall on Saturday 5 March. Please see this month’s Padworth Newsletter (page 2) for more details.
• The Burghfield May Fayre 2022 will be held on Sunday 8 May, as announced on the burghfieldresidents.org website. Applications for fayre stalls allocation can now be made via the website, with the Funfair, Dog Show, Arena Displays, Craft Stalls, Café, Food Stalls and The Bar all returning for this year’s event. Further details and updates will be released shortly.
• Theale will also be hosting a Village Fete on Sunday 5 June between noon and 4.30pm on Theale Recreational Ground to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. With promises of traditional games, an arena display and funfair rides. Stall-holders who are interested should contact the Parish Council for further information.
• Village Stores in Burghfield remain to be shut, due to health and safety issues surrounding its current on-site construction work, until Monday 28 February.
• Click here to read February 2022 edition of Padworth Newsletter which, as ever, also has information from neighbouring parishes.
• The Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton also published its February 2022 newsletter, which covers updates and events across Theale area.
• Another newsletter for February 2022, this time from Aldermaston Parish Council. This month’s edition includes; Cedar Lodge planning application, an update on Aldermaston’s skate ramp, the repair of the Lock-Up, plus many more updates from across Aldermaston and its neighbouring areas.
Community notices
• The Mrs Williams Pre-School at Burghfield Common is facing potential closure due to rising costs and low pupil numbers, caused largely by the pandemic. Donations are being asked to help keep the school afloat. They can be made via a GoFundMe page and further information regarding the school’s potential closure can be read via a Reading Chronicle article.
• West Berkshire Library Service is appealing for local volunteers at Mortimer and Burghfield Common libraries. Please see this post on Facebook, call 01635 519533 or email volunteerinyourlibrary@westberks.gov.uk for further information.
Local events and activities
For more information on events and activities across the Penny Post area, see the website calendar.
• Dates for the diary
• Fri 18 Feb The Mrs Williams Pre-School Fundraiser 7pm till late The Six Bells, Burghfield.
• Tue 22 Feb Historic Tours of Ufton Court 10am Ufton Court, Ufton Nervet, RG7 4HD.
• Tue 22 Feb Beenham Tea Party 2pm to 3.30pm The Victory Hall, Beenham.
• Sat 26 Feb Toy Library 10am to 11am Mortimer Methodist Church.
• Sat 26 Feb Live Solo Vocalist 8.30pm The Horse & Groom, Mortimer.
• Tue 8 Mar Charity Pub Quiz 8pm The Six Bells, Beenham.
• Sat 19 Mar Annual Village Spring Clean 1pm to 4pm Meet near The Horse & Groom, Mortimer.
• Regular events
• Theale Library hosts in-person events for people of all ages. To find out more information on future clubs and events click here to visit the West Berkshire Library Facebook page or email Theale Library at thealelibrary@westberks.gov.uk.
• Holy Trinity Church, Theale is asking for food donations to be made to West Berks Food Bank which can be dropped off at the church on Sundays and Wednesdays between 10.30am to 6pm.
• Beenham Art Group meets every Tuesday between 10am till noon at Victory Hall, Beenham. Contact details and information can be found in The Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton Magazine (February edition, p 16).
• Aldermaston Coffee Club is open for any and all attendees who wish to relax and chat with friends, old and new, over a hot beverage. The coffee club meet at Rosebourne, Aldermaston (conservatory area of the café) between 10am to 11.30am on the first and third Tuesday of each month. Further details can be found in The Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton Magazine (February edition, p 8)
• Aldermaston & Wasing Ladies Group meets on the second Thursday of each month from 2pm at Aldermaston Parish Hall, please see Padworth Parish Council Newsletter (No 155 February 2022 Edition p 3) for further information on the group.
• Padworth Village Hall hosts Padworth and Aldermaston WI on the third Tuesday of every month at 7.30pm. Further information on the group can be found in Padworth Parish Council Newsletter (No 155 February 2022 Edition p 3).
• Anyone interested in joining a singing group can join Holy Trinity Church, Theale free choir group, who meet for rehearsals on Thursdays between 7pm to 8pm and then perform at Sunday services starting from 10.30am. All are welcome to join, with further details found on Facebook or by sending an email to office@holytrinitytheale.org.uk.
News from your local council
Note: “the most recent meeting” refers to the most recent one for which minutes (in some cases draft) or some other summary is available. Other meetings may have taken place since. Some councils publish minutes more promptly than do others.
• The most recent meeting of Theale Parish Council took place on 7 February and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: a presentation by WBC’s new CEO, Nigel Lynn; a report by ward member Alan Macro; planning matters; TPC’s CCTV policy; and a grant application by the Berkshire MS Therapy Centre. To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Aldermaston Parish Council took place on 8 February and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: an update on the skate ramp; planning applications; traffic and speeding (including the news that the police have refused WBC’s request for a permanent speed camera on the A340 at Aldermaston Wharf); a stuck lorry; overgrown hedges; equine posters; a report from ward member Dominic Boeck; financial matters; a grant to the Parochial Church Council; the Wasing Estate; and the jubilee. To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council took place on 13 January and you can read the minutes here. Items covered include: lime trees on the Fairground; speeding; the station car park; financial matters (including the the 2022-23 budget, the precept being set at £149,319); committee and working party reports; the neighbourhood development plan; delegated authority and general powers of competence; the jubilee; the Burghfield to Mortimer footpath; planning matters; correspondence; and the games club at the Library. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• See this page on Stratfield Mortimer PC’s website for more information on the refresh of its neighbourhood development plan.
• The most recent meeting of Padworth Parish Council took place on 10 January and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: the bus shelter; financial matters; planning matters; Thames Water; footpaths; and heritage sites. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Englefield Parish Council took place on 10 January and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: accident statistics; traffic calming; supporting the stores; financial matters; financial matters including the 2022-23 budget, the precept being fixed at 4,500; a donation to the West Berkshire Library Service; planning matters; and the jubilee. To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Beenham Parish Council took place on 10 January and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: a councillor vacancy; planning matters; financial matters including the 2022-23 budget, the precept remaining unchanged at £18,300; a grant received for the play area refurbishment; a grant made to the WI; the jubilee; a lost key code (which was later found); speeding; and tree maintenance. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here for 2021 and here for 2022.
• Click here for details of Beenham’s Community Plan.
• The most recent meeting of Burghfield Parish Council took place on 6 January and you can read the minutes here. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Bradfield Parish Council took place on 4 January and you can read the minutes here. To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here for 2021 and here for 2022.
• Theale area council contacts
Parishes: Theale Parish Council, Aldermaston Parish Council, Padworth Parish Council, Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council, Englefield Parish Council, Beenham Parish Council, Bradfield Parish Council and Burghfield Parish Council.
West Berkshire Council: click here to visit the website.
News from other areas
Penny Post area – please see the following separate sections: Hungerford area; Marlborough area; Newbury area; Thatcham area; Compton and Downlands; Theale area; Wantage area; Swindon area.
News and views from across the area and beyond: please see the most recent Weekly News with Brian column.
Thursday 10 February 2022
This week’s news
• Click here to read the newly published February 2022 edition of Padworth Newsletter which, as ever, also has information from neighbouring parishes.
• The Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton also published its February 2022 newsletter, which covers updates and events across Theale area.
• Theale will be hosting a Village Jubilee Fete on Sunday 5 June between 12 and 4.30pm on the Theale Recreational Ground to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. With promises of traditional games, an arena display and funfair rides. Stallholders who are interested should contact the Parish Council here.
• Another newsletter for February 2022, this time from Aldermaston Parish Council. This month’s edition includes; Cedar Lodge planning application, an update on Aldermaston’s skate ramp, the repair of the Lock-Up, plus many more updates from across Aldermaston and its neighbouring areas.
• There are temporary traffic signals due to water main work on Langley Hill around the Water Tower Pub. Works are expected to finish this week.
• As we mentioned last week, Padworth Jumble Sale will hopefully be returning to Padworth Village Hall on Saturday 5 March. Please see this month’s Padworth Newsletter (page 2) for more details.
• As mentioned by BerkshireLive, Aldermaston’s century-old school The Cedars School is likely to see a slight change from a school to a nursery. The village’s new nursery has been bought by Complete Childcare who wish to “give the nursery an authentic and traditional feel that will match the quintessentially British rural village.”
• The Burghfield May Fayre 2022 will be held on Sunday 8 May, as announced on the burghfieldresidents.org website. Applications for fayre stalls allocation can now be made via the website, with the Funfair, Dog Show, Arena Displays, Craft Stalls, Café, Food Stalls and The Bar all returning for this year’s event. Further details and updates will be released shortly.
• Until Monday 28 February, the Village Stores in Burghfield will be shut due to health and safety issues surrounding its current on-site construction work.
• Aldermaston Parish Council’s updated Conservation Area Appraisal Report, is available to access online. Any thoughts and comments from locals, especially those living inside the CA, need to be sent to the Parish Clerk at parishclerk@aldermaston.co.uk by Monday 14 February.
• Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service are asking for opinions and survey responses from Berkshire residents, as they wish to learn more about how they can respond to Automatic Fire Alarms alerts to help reduce the burden of false alarms on the service. Please respond to their online survey and see an informational video regarding the consultation.
Community notices
• The Mrs Williams Pre-School at Burghfield Common is facing potential closure due to rising costs and low pupil numbers, caused largely by the pandemic. Donations are being asked to help keep the school afloat. They can be made via a GoFundMe page and further information regarding the school’s potential closure can be read via a Reading Chronicle article.
• The Six Bells in Beenham wants to say a huge thank you to Nigel Toon and Claire for hosting last month’s quiz. A total of £194 was raised for local groups including St Mary’s Church, Beenham WI, The Victory Hall and Reading Refugee Support. The next quiz is Thursday 10th February starting at 8pm.
• Burghfield FC have seats available for a team and supporter’s bus, which will transport everyone involved in Sunday 13 February’s FA Sunday Cup Last 16 tie against Highgate Albion. The match will be located at Sun Postal Sports & Social Club in Watford, with a 2pm kick-off.
• West Berkshire Library Service is appealing for local volunteers at Mortimer and Burghfield Common libraries. Please see this post on Facebook, call 01635 519533 or email volunteerinyourlibrary@westberks.gov.uk for further information.
Local events and activities
For more information on events and activities across the Penny Post area, see the website calendar.
• Dates for the diary
• Fri 11 Feb Craft and Colouring club for adults at Theale Library.
• Fri 11 Feb Encanto Film Showing and Pizza Evening for Burghfield Youth, 6.30pm St Mary’s Church, Burghfield.
• Sat 12 Feb Inflatable Fun Day 10am to 3pm Theale Green School.
• Sat 12 Feb Market Day 2pm to 3.30pm Victory Hall, Beenham RG7 5NT.
• 15, 16 & 17 Feb School Cinderella Performance 7pm School Hall, Theale Green School.
• Tue 22 Feb Historic Tours of Ufton Court 10am Ufton Court, Ufton Nervet, RG7 4HD.
• Sat 26 Feb Toy Library 10am to 11am Mortimer Methodist Church.
• Regular events
• Theale Library hosts in-person events for people of all ages. To find out more information on future clubs and events click here to visit the West Berkshire Library Facebook page or email Theale Library at thealelibrary@westberks.gov.uk.
• Holy Trinity Church, Theale is asking for food donations to be made to West Berks Food Bank which can be dropped off at the church on Sundays and Wednesdays between 10.30am to 6pm.
• Beenham Art Group meets every Tuesday between 10am till noon at Victory Hall, Beenham. Contact details and information can be found in The Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton Magazine (February edition, p 16).
• Aldermaston & Wasing Ladies Group meets on the second Thursday of each month from 2pm at Aldermaston Parish Hall, please see Padworth Parish Council Newsletter (No 154 December 2021/January 2022 Edition p 5) for further information on the group.
• Padworth Village Hall hosts Padworth and Aldermaston WI on the third Tuesday of every month at 7.30pm. Further information on the group can be found in Padworth Parish Council Newsletter (No 154 December 2021/January 2022 Edition p 6).
• Anyone interested in joining a singing group can join Holy Trinity Church, Theale free choir group, who meet for rehearsals on Thursdays between 7pm to 8pm and then perform at Sunday services starting from 10.30am. All are welcome to join, with further details found on Facebook or by sending an email to office@holytrinitytheale.org.uk.
News from your local council
Note: “the most recent meeting” refers to the most recent one for which minutes (in some cases draft) or some other summary is available. Other meetings may have taken place since. Some councils publish minutes more promptly than do others.
• The most recent meeting of Theale Parish Council took place on 7 February and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: a presentation by WBC’s new CEO, Nigel Lynn; a report by ward member Alan Macro; planning matters; TPC’s CCTV policy; and a grant application by the Berkshire MS Therapy Centre. To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Aldermaston Parish Council took place on 8 February and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: an update on the skate ramp; planning applications; traffic and speeding (including the news that the police have refused WBC’s request for a permanent speed camera on the A340 at Aldermaston Wharf); a stuck lorry; overgrown hedges; equine posters; a report from ward member Dominic Boeck; financial matters; a grant to the Parochial Church Council; the Wasing Estate; and the jubilee. To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council took place on 13 January and you can read the minutes here. Items covered include: lime trees on the Fairground; speeding; the station car park; financial matters (including the the 2022-23 budget, the precept being set at £149,319); committee and working party reports; the neighbourhood development plan; delegated authority and general powers of competence; the jubilee; the Burghfield to Mortimer footpath; planning matters; correspondence; and the games club at the Library. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• See this page on Stratfield Mortimer PC’s website for more information on the refresh of its neighbourhood development plan.
• The most recent meeting of Padworth Parish Council took place on 10 January and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: the bus shelter; financial matters; planning matters; Thames Water; footpaths; and heritage sites. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Englefield Parish Council took place on 10 January and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: accident statistics; traffic calming; supporting the stores; financial matters; financial matters including the 2022-23 budget, the precept being fixed at 4,500; a donation to the West Berkshire Library Service; planning matters; and the jubilee. To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Beenham Parish Council took place on 10 January and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: a councillor vacancy; planning matters; financial matters including the 2022-23 budget, the precept remaining unchanged at £18,300; a grant received for the play area refurbishment; a grant made to the WI; the jubilee; a lost key code (which was later found); speeding; and tree maintenance. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• Click here for details of Beenham’s Community Plan.
• The most recent meeting of Burghfield Parish Council took place on 6 January and you can read the minutes here. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Bradfield Parish Council took place on 4 January and you can read the minutes here. To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here.
• Theale area council contacts
Parishes: Theale Parish Council, Aldermaston Parish Council, Padworth Parish Council, Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council, Englefield Parish Council, Beenham Parish Council, Bradfield Parish Council and Burghfield Parish Council.
West Berkshire Council: click here to visit the website.
News from other areas
Penny Post area – please see the following separate sections: Hungerford area; Marlborough area; Newbury area; Thatcham area; Compton and Downlands; Theale area; Wantage area; Swindon area.
News and views from across the area and beyond: please see the most recent Weekly News with Brian column.
Thursday 3 February 2022
This week’s news
• This Sunday will be your last chance to contribute towards the final consultation on a proposal to develop a specialist education centre for young people with complex social, emotional and mental health needs (SEMH) in Theale. The public consultation is still live and will remain open until midnight on 6 February.
• Click here to read the newly published February 2022 edition of Padworth Newsletter which, as ever, also has information from neighbouring parishes.
• The Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton also published its February 2022 newsletter, which covers updates and events across Theale area.
• Another newsletter for February 2022, this time from Aldermaston Parish Council. This month’s edition includes; Cedar Lodge planning application, an update on Aldermaston’s skate ramp, the repair of the Lock-Up, plus many more updates from across Aldermaston and its neighbouring areas.
• Mentioned within this month’s Padworth Newsletter and Aldermaston Parish Council newsletter (both on page 3) is the sad announcement of Aldermaston & Wasing Ladies Group closure. The group started under the name ‘Young Wives Group’ in the late-1950s but both time and the Covid pandemic have taken its toll on the group. January’s AGM saw 11 attendees and the future of the group was openly discussed. Group member Daphne says that the group has “run its course and done what it set out to do”. The Ladies group will have their final meeting on 14 April, when they can look back on many fond memories with a warm cup of tea to hand.
• Padworth Jumble Sale will hopefully be returning to Padworth Village Hall on Saturday 5 March, after a two month hiatus because of (guess what…) Covid-19. Please see this month’s Padworth Newsletter (page 2) for more details.
• Those who donated toys, books, clothes, shoe and much more to Jayne Barry’s collection for children in the Gambia will be delighted to see an album of photos which shows how their donations have been put to good use. A gentle reminder that much of what we no longer want is better being in someone else’s hands, than thrown away for landfill.
• Bradfield College held its ‘Stanley House Dinner‘ which raised £1297 for Together As One, who are a charity that provide hot meals and company for people suffering from loneliness caused by isolation away from local communities. Great work for a fantastic cause, congratulations all from everyone at Penny Post.
• More updates from Bradfield College, as they have been busy planting trees in their Leaver’s Wood to show their commitment towards the school’s Sustainable Bradfield project.
• As mentioned by BerkshireLive, Aldermaston’s century-old school The Cedars School is likely to see a slight change from a school to a nursery. The village’s new nursery has been bought by Complete Childcare who wish to “give the nursery an authentic and traditional feel that will match the quintessentially British rural village.”
• As we reported last week, Burghfield Common’s The Mrs Williams Pre-School is facing potential closure due to rising costs and low pupil numbers, caused largely by the pandemic. Burghfield Spices took up fundraising efforts by donating 100% of its profits from all food orders on 26 January, which achieved £765 of funds. Buddy from the Burghfield pub then raised the sum to £2000, meaning that the school has almost hit its target of £10,000. Donations can still be made via a GoFundMe page and further information regarding the school’s potential closure can be read via a Reading Chronicle article.
• Burghfield FC have seats available for a team and supporter’s bus, which will transport everyone involved in Sunday 13 February FA Sunday Cup Last 16 tie against Highgate Albion. The match will be located at Sun Postal Sports & Social Club in Watford, with a 2pm kick-off.
• Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service are asking for opinions and survey responses from Berkshire residents, as they wish to learn more about how they can respond to Automatic Fire Alarms alerts to help reduce the burden of false alarms on the service. Please respond to their online survey and see an informational video regarding the consultation.
• As mentioned last week, bin collection days are changing next week (commencing Monday 7 February) to accommodate for the impacts of both the nationwide HGV driver shortage and Covid-19. Visit West Berkshire Council’s website here to check how your street is affected.
• Aldermaston Parish Council’s updated Conservation Area Appraisal Report, is available to access online. Any thoughts and comments from locals, especially those living inside the CA, need to be sent to the Parish Clerk at parishclerk@aldermaston.co.uk by Monday 14 February.
• The Burghfield May Fayre 2022 will be held on Sunday 8 May, as announced on the burghfieldresidents.org website. Applications for fayre stalls allocation can now be made via the website, with the Funfair, Dog Show, Arena Displays, Craft Stalls, Café, Food Stalls and The Bar all returning for this year’s event. Further details and updates will be released shortly.
• West Berkshire Library Service is appealing for local volunteers at Mortimer and Burghfield Common libraries. Please see this post on Facebook, call 01635 519533 or email volunteerinyourlibrary@westberks.gov.uk for further information.
• Until Monday 28 February, the Village Stores in Burghfield will be shut due to health and safety issues surrounding its current on-site construction work.
Local events and activities
For more information on events and activities across the Penny Post area, see the website calendar.
• Dates for the diary
• Sat 5 Feb Charity Race Night 7.30pm Beenham Club.
• Sun 6 Feb Free Wedding Fair 11am to 3pm Wokefield Mansion House, Mortimer Common, RG7 3AE.
• Sun 6 Feb Live – Rag & Moan Men 3pm Beenham Club.
• Mon 7 Feb Monday Book Group 2pm to 3pm Mortimer Library.
• Thu 10 Feb Thatcham Refillable Mobile Shop Monthly 11.30am to 1.30pm 9 Clayhill Road, Burghfield Common RG73HB.
• Thu 10 Feb Open Mic Night 8pm The Crown & Garden, Theale.
• Fri 11 Feb Encanto Film Showing and Pizza Evening 6.30pm St Mary’s Church, Burghfield.
• Sat 12 Feb Inflatable Fun Day 10am to 3pm Theale Green School.
• Sat 12 Feb Market Day 2pm to 3.30pm Victory Hall, Beenham RG7 5NT.
• 15, 16 & 17 Feb School Cinderella Performance 7pm School Hall, Theale Green School.
• Tue 22 Feb Historic Tours of Ufton Court 10am Ufton Court, Ufton Nervet, RG7 4HD.
• Sat 26 Feb Toy Library 10am to 11am Mortimer Methodist Church.
• Regular events
• Theale Library hosts in-person events for people of all ages. To find out more information on future clubs and events click here to visit the West Berkshire Library Facebook page or email Theale Library at thealelibrary@westberks.gov.uk.
• Holy Trinity Church, Theale is asking for food donations to be made to West Berks Food Bank which can be dropped off at the church on Sundays and Wednesdays between 10.30am to 6pm.
• Beenham Art Group meets every Tuesday between 10am till noon at Victory Hall, Beenham. Contact details and information can be found in The Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton Magazine (February edition, p 16).
• Aldermaston & Wasing Ladies Group meets on the second Thursday of each month from 2pm at Aldermaston Parish Hall, please see Padworth Parish Council Newsletter (No 154 December 2021/January 2022 Edition p 5) for further information on the group.
• Padworth Village Hall hosts Padworth and Aldermaston WI on the third Tuesday of every month at 7.30pm. Further information on the group can be found in Padworth Parish Council Newsletter (No 154 December 2021/January 2022 Edition p 6).
• Anyone interested in joining a singing group can join Holy Trinity Church, Theale free choir group, who meet for rehearsals on Thursdays between 7pm to 8pm and then perform at Sunday services starting from 10.30am. All are welcome to join, with further details found on Facebook or by sending an email to office@holytrinitytheale.org.uk.
News from your local council
Note: “the most recent meeting” refers to the most recent one for which minutes (in some cases draft) or some other summary is available. Other meetings may have taken place since. Some councils publish minutes more promptly than do others.
• The most recent meeting of Theale Parish Council took place on 10 January and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: a report from District Councillor Alan Macro; reports from committees and working groups; the jubilee fête on Sunday 5 June; planning and licensing matters; and financial matters, including the 2022-23 budget (the precept requested being £139,000). To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council took place on 13 January and you can read the minutes here. Items covered include: lime trees on the Fairground; speeding; the station car park; financial matters (including the the 2022-23 budget, the precept being set at £149,319); committee and working party reports; the neighbourhood development plan; delegated authority and general powers of competence; the jubilee; the Burghfield to Mortimer footpath; planning matters; correspondence; and the games club at the Library. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• See this page on Stratfield Mortimer PC’s website for more information on the refresh of its neighbourhood development plan.
• The most recent meeting of Aldermaston Parish Council took place on 11 January and you can read the minutes here in due course. Items covered included: presentations from both sides of the planning application for Cedars Lodge, Soke Road (various conditions were requested); a request from Lidl to extend delivery hours at their recently approved new store at the Tadley border (“we are not confident of success, but decided to object on the grounds of noise and disturbance, particularly to residents of older properties in the Conservation Area”); the skateboard ramp See also above); the “disappointing” WBC reaction to our proposals for horse awareness signage in the Raghill area; a clarification about potassium iodide tablets (which are, contrary to what was recently reported in the Newbury Weekly News, not available for local residents in the event of a nuclear incident at AWE; and the “final pass” at the 2022-23 budget, remaining unchanged at £13,500 – the PC “would like to remind parishioners that this is considerably lower than other parishes of similar size.” To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Padworth Parish Council took place on 10 January and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: the bus shelter; financial matters; planning matters; Thames Water; footpaths; and heritage sites. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Englefield Parish Council took place on 10 January and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: accident statistics; traffic calming; supporting the stores; financial matters; financial matters including the 2022-23 budget, the precept being fixed at 4,500; a donation to the West Berkshire Library Service; planning matters; and the jubilee. To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Beenham Parish Council took place on 10 January and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: a councillor vacancy; planning matters; financial matters including the 2022-23 budget, the precept remaining unchanged at £18,300; a grant received for the play area refurbishment; a grant made to the WI; the jubilee; a lost key code (which was later found); speeding; and tree maintenance. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• Click here for details of Beenham’s Community Plan.
• The most recent meeting of Burghfield Parish Council took place on 6 January and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: a councillor vacancy; freedom of information (see also separate section above); committee reports; financial matters (including the the 2022-23 budget, the precept being set at £281,470); and delegated authority. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Bradfield Parish Council took place on 4 January and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: the perpetual shield award; tree preservation orders; skid warnings; planning matters; the May Fare; the 2022-23 budget, the precept being set at £19,500; other financial matters; delegated powers; the jubilee; and three cherry trees. To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here.
• Theale area council contacts
Parishes: Theale Parish Council, Aldermaston Parish Council, Padworth Parish Council, Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council, Englefield Parish Council, Beenham Parish Council, Bradfield Parish Council and Burghfield Parish Council.
West Berkshire Council: click here to visit the website.
Thursday 27 January 2022
This week’s news
• Burghfield Common’s The Mrs Williams Pre-School is facing closure because of rising costs and low pupil numbers, caused largely by the pandemic. A GoFundMe page has been set up and aims to raise £10,000 to help cover cost to save the school. Other fundraising events are also happening across the district such as a Coffee Morning to be held at the pre-school on Saturday 29 January. Burghfield Spices has also taken up fundraising efforts by donating 100% of its profits from all food orders on 26 January. You can read further information regarding the school’s potential closure via a Reading Chronicle article.
• Click here for there latest e-newsletter from ward member Alan Macro which includes a list of live planning applications in the parish.
He also refers to the fact that planning application 21/03256/RESMAJ has been submitted for approval of reserved matters (appearance, landscaping, layout and scale) following outline planning permission 15/02842/OUTMAJ that was approved on appeal.
“The proposal is for 296 homes, made up of houses, flats, and a 70-unit extra-care sheltered housing block. Some of the blocks of flats in the proposal would be four stories high. The seven houses already approved for the part of the site at the end of St Ives Close needs to be added to the 296. The developers have already tried to increase that to eleven houses. The plans and other documents can be accessed by clicking here.
“Another application (21/03255/MDOPO2) was submitted at the same time to change the proportion of affordable homes. This was originally to be 12.5%, which could be increased depending on the profitability of the development. This application is a request to change this to a flat 30%.”
• A reminder from Theale Parish Council that the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch starts this weekend. The council has asked for any volunteer’s help to build four starling nest boxes, to help local bio-diversity and put a stop to the falling starling numbers in the UK (which has been evident since the 1970s). Please see the town council’s Facebook post for further information and how to get involved.
• It’s another step up the ladder for ex-Bradfield College student Lauren Bell, as she has earned her place in the upcoming England Women’s squad for the Commonwealth Bank Women’s Ashes Test match. Lauren grew up in Hungerford and was at primary school with our eldest son and we have been following her career here. We all have our fingers crossed that Lauren and the rest of our Women’s team can provide more competition to the Aussies than our Men’s team did recently…
• This week will be your final chance to provide any thoughts and opinions to Royal Berkshire Fire Authority regarding its funding from council tax for the next financial year. You can respond by completing this online survey before 5pm on Tuesday 1 February or ask for more information by emailing precepting@rbfrs.co.uk. Further details can be found via the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service website and Facebook page.
• Another chance to voice any opinions towards Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service, as they wish to learn more about how they can respond to Automatic Fire Alarms alerts to help reduce the burden of false alarms on the service. Please respond to the online survey and see an informational video regarding the consultation.
• West Berkshire Council Community Champions 2021 winners were announced last week. Please see the council’s website post for further details of the various 2021 award winners throughout our district. Mortimer’s Lunch Club sadly can’t currently meet due to the club’s postponement until 24 February, but that didn’t stop them from winning the Community Group of the Year award. Congratulations from all of us here at Penny Post.
• More news from West Berkshire Council, as they have notified local residents that (as of Monday 7 February) bin collection dates will be changing in order to accommodate for the impacts of both the nationwide HGV driver shortage and Covid-19. Again, further information and FAQs regarding the changes can be read on the council’s website including a new bin-day finder page which was added on 25 January.
• A quick reminder that the final consultation on a proposal to develop a specialist education centre for young people with complex social, emotional and mental health needs (SEMH) in Theale is now live and will remain open until midnight on 6 February.
• As previously mentioned, Aldermaston Parish Council’s updated Conservation Area Appraisal Report, is now available. Thoughts and comments from locals, especially those living inside the CA, can be sent to the Parish Clerk at parishclerk@aldermaston.co.uk by Monday 14 February.
• Anyone interested in joining a singing group can join Holy Trinity Church, Theale free choir group, who meet for rehearsals on Thursdays between 7pm to 8pm and then perform at Sunday services starting from 10.30am. All are welcome to join, with further details found on Facebook or by sending an email to office@holytrinitytheale.org.uk.
• Click here to read the January 2022 Padworth Newsletter which, as ever, also has information from neighbouring parishes.
• Also a January 2022 issue of the Aldermaston Parish Council newsletter has just been released which covers various topics such as reviews of the recent skate ramp survey and other planning permissions, as well as a response to feedback regarding electric vehicle charging points.
• The Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton published its final Parish Magazine for 2021, which also covers local events in January 2022.
• The Burghfield May Fayre 2022 will be held on Sunday 8 May, as announced on the burghfieldresidents.org website. Applications for fayre stalls allocation can now be made via the website, with the Funfair, Dog Show, Arena Displays, Craft Stalls, Café, Food Stalls and The Bar all returning for this year’s event. Further details and updates will be released shortly.
• West Berkshire Library Service is appealing for local volunteers at Mortimer and Burghfield Common libraries. Please see this post on Facebook, call 01635 519533 or email volunteerinyourlibrary@westberks.gov.uk for further information.
• Until Monday 28 February, the Village Stores in Burghfield will be shut due to health and safety issues surrounding its current on-site construction work.
Local events and activities
For more information on events and activities across the Penny Post area, see the website calendar.
• Dates for the diary
• Fri 28 Jan Board Games Group 3.45pm to 5.45pm Mortimer Library.
• Fri 28 Jan Winter Party 7pm till late The Six Bells, Beenham.
• Sat 29 Jan Fundraiser Coffee Morning 10am to 3pm Mrs Williams Pre-School, Burghfield Common, RG7 3HP.
• Sat 29 Jan Crafty Church (Winter Fun) 10.30am to noon St Mary’s Church, Burghfield.
• Sat 5 Feb Charity Race Night 7.30pm Beenham Club.
• Sun 6 Feb Live – Rag & Moan Men 3pm Beenham Club.
• Mon 7 Feb Monday Book Group 2pm to 3pm Mortimer Library.
• Thu 10 Feb Thatcham Refillable Mobile Shop Monthly 11.30am to 1.30pm 9 Clayhill Road, Burghfield Common RG73HB.
• Thu 10 Feb Open Mic Night 8pm The Crown & Garden, Theale.
• Sat 12 Feb Inflatable Fun Day 10am to 3pm Theale Green School.
• 15, 16 & 17 Feb School Cinderella Performance 7pm School Hall, Theale Green School.
• Tue 22 Feb Historic Tours of Ufton Court 10am Ufton Court, Ufton Nervet, RG7 4HD.
• Sat 26 Feb Toy Library 10am to 11am Mortimer Methodist Church.
• Regular events
• Theale Library hosts in-person events for people of all ages. To find out more information on future clubs and events click here to visit the West Berkshire Library Facebook page or email Theale Library at thealelibrary@westberks.gov.uk.
• Holy Trinity Church, Theale is asking for food donations to be made to West Berks Food Bank which can be dropped off at the church on Sundays and Wednesdays between 10.30am to 6pm.
• Other locations for collection points across the Theale area for West Berks Food Bank can be found in The Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton Magazine (21 12 edition, p 7).
• Beenham Art Group meets every Tuesday between 10am till noon at Victory Hall, Beenham. Contact details and information can be found in The Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton Magazine (21 12 edition, p 18).
• Aldermaston & Wasing Ladies Group meets on the second Thursday of each month from 2pm at Aldermaston Parish Hall, please see Padworth Parish Council Newsletter (No 154 December 2021/January 2022 Edition p 5) for further information on the group.
• Padworth Village Hall hosts Padworth and Aldermaston WI on the third Tuesday of every month at 7.30pm. Further information on the group can be found in Padworth Parish Council Newsletter (No 154 December 2021/January 2022 Edition p 6).
• Beenham WI updates and contact details can be found in The Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton Magazine (21 12 edition, p 14).
News from your local council
Note: “the most recent meeting” refers to the most recent one for which minutes (in some cases draft) or some other summary is available. Other meetings may have taken place since. Some councils publish minutes more promptly than do others.
• The most recent meeting of Theale Parish Council took place on 10 January and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: a report from District Councillor Alan Macro; reports from committees and working groups; the jubilee fête on Sunday 5 June; planning and licensing matters; and financial matters, including the 2022-23 budget (the precept requested being £139,000). To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council took place on 13 January and you can read the minutes here. Items covered include: lime trees on the Fairground; speeding; the station car park; financial matters (including the the 2022-23 budget, the precept being set at £149,319); committee and working party reports; the neighbourhood development plan; delegated authority and general powers of competence; the jubilee; the Burghfield to Mortimer footpath; planning matters; correspondence; and the games club at the Library. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• See this page on Stratfield Mortimer PC’s website for more information on the refresh of its neighbourhood development plan.
• The most recent meeting of Padworth Parish Council took place on 10 January and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: the bus shelter; financial matters; planning matters; Thames Water; footpaths; and heritage sites. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Aldermaston Parish Council took place on 11 January and you can read the minutes here in due course. Items covered included: presentations from both sides of the planning application for Cedars Lodge, Soke Road (various conditions were requested); a request from Lidl to extend delivery hours at their recently approved new store at the Tadley border (“we are not confident of success, but decided to object on the grounds of noise and disturbance, particularly to residents of older properties in the Conservation Area”); the skateboard ramp See also above); the “disappointing” WBC reaction to our proposals for horse awareness signage in the Raghill area; a clarification about potassium iodide tablets (which are, contrary to what was recently reported in the Newbury Weekly News, not available for local residents in the event of a nuclear incident at AWE; and the “final pass” at the 2022-23 budget, remaining unchanged at £13,500 – the PC “would like to remind parishioners that this is considerably lower than other parishes of similar size.” To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Burghfield Parish Council took place on 6 January and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: a councillor vacancy; freedom of information (see also separate section above); committee reports; financial matters (including the the 2022-23 budget, the precept being set at £281,470); and delegated authority. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Bradfield Parish Council took place on 7 December and you can read the minutes here. To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Beenham Parish Council took place on 6 December and you can read the minutes here. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• Click here for details of Beenham’s Community Plan.
• The most recent meeting of Englefield Parish Council took place on 29 September (even though it says 29 June at the top) and you can read the minutes here. To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here.
• Theale area council contacts
Parishes: Theale Parish Council, Aldermaston Parish Council, Padworth Parish Council, Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council, Englefield Parish Council, Beenham Parish Council, Bradfield Parish Council and Burghfield Parish Council.
West Berkshire Council: click here to visit the website.
News from other areas
Penny Post area – please see the following separate sections: Hungerford area; Marlborough area; Newbury area; Thatcham area; Compton and Downlands; Theale area; Wantage area; Swindon area.
News and views from across the area and beyond: please see the most recent Weekly News with Brian column.
Thursday 20 January 2022
This week’s news
• A final consultation on a proposal to develop a specialist education centre for young people with complex social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs in Theale is now live and will remain open until midnight on 6 February.
• Aldermaston Parish Council’s updated Conservation Area Appraisal Report, is now available. The update explains that the council believes “a long overdue appraisal of the Aldermaston Conservation Area (CA), which covers most of the central part of our Village, would be a good opportunity help preserve the special features of our Conservation Area generally, and to address the issue of heavy traffic on the A340 more specifically”. Thoughts and comments from locals, especially those living inside the CA, can be sent to the Parish Clerk at parishclerk@aldermaston.co.uk by Monday 14 February.
• Bradfield College has recently created a Sustainable Bradfield newsletter. The January 2022 edition covers how the local community can help with reducing energy use and carbon emissions, biodiversity, recycling and waste reduction, plus eco-catering.
• Anyone interested in joining a singing group can join Holy Trinity Church, Theale free choir group, who meet for rehearsals on Thursdays between 7pm to 8pm and then perform at Sunday services starting from 10.30am. All are welcome to join, with further details found on Facebook or by sending an email to office@holytrinitytheale.org.uk.
• Theale District Councillor Alan Macro has recently published his latest residents’ newsletter, which you can read here. As well as listing local planning applications (see also below) he also refers to a planned cycle and footpath link between the proposed Lakeside housing site and Station Road.
• Click here to read the January 2022 Padworth Newsletter which, as ever, also has information from neighbouring parishes.
• With Reading FC struggling for form and fighting off potential relegation, Berkshire football fans may have their heads turned by the recent success of Burghfield FC in the FA Sunday Cup. The Men’s Sunday team of Burghfield progressed through to the Last 16 of the nationwide competition, with a 4-1 win against Banstead Rovers. They are now set to face an away trip to Highgate Albion, to battle for a place in the quarter finals. You can read match reports from FootballinBerkshire and rdg.today to follow the events of Burghfield’s impressive win.
• Also a January 2022 issue of the Aldermaston Parish Council newsletter has just been released which covers various topics such as reviews of the recent skate ramp survey and other planning permissions, as well as a response to feedback regarding electric vehicle charging points.
• The Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton published its final Parish Magazine for 2021, which also covers local events in January 2022.
• The Burghfield May Fayre 2022 will be held on Sunday 8 May, as announced on the burghfieldresidents.org website. Applications for fayre stalls allocation can now be made via the website, with the Funfair, Dog Show, Arena Displays, Craft Stalls, Café, Food Stalls and The Bar all returning for this year’s event. Further details and updates will be released shortly.
• As mentioned last week, four of Burghfield FC‘s Ladies team players are fundraising for UK-wide charity Action Medical Research. As mentioned on the group’s JustGiving page, they will be competing in July’s Race The Sun: Dawn to Dusk Triple Challenge which is a triathlon-style adventure challenge set around the Brecon Beacons.
• Sulhamstead’s Thames Valley Police Museum are hosting open mornings throughout January. Please see our ‘dates for the diary’ newsletter section below for links and further details.
• Royal Berkshire Fire Authority is asking for Berkshire’s thoughts and opinions on their funding coming through council tax for the next financial year. You can respond by completing this online survey before 5pm on Tuesday 1 February or ask for more information by emailing precepting@rbfrs.co.uk. Further details can be found via the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service website and Facebook page.
• West Berkshire Library Service is appealing for local volunteers at Mortimer and Burghfield Common libraries. Please see this post on Facebook, call 01635 519533 or email volunteerinyourlibrary@westberks.gov.uk for further information.
• A mortimervillage.org.uk article has announced that the Lunch Club has been postponed until 24 February because of concerns regarding the recent spread of the Covid Omicron variant.
• Another closure in the Theale area, as until Monday 28 February the Village Stores in Burghfield will be shut due to health and safety issues surrounding its current on-site construction work.
Freedom of information
The most recent meeting of Burghfield Parish Council on 6 January discussed the fact that 11 requests for information (eight of them FoIs) had been submitted in November and December . A full list of the topics covered – which seem mainly to be concerned with grants, assets and procedural matters – can be seen in the PC minutes here. A question to the Chairman from one of the members wondered “if there’s anything that can be done to reduce this administrative burden of these requests on the Parish Council.”
I don’t know exactly what lies behind these requests, nor how many people made them, but it seems to me that a number of the matters asked about including the grant donations, the cookies policy, information about the NDP and the audit reports going hack to 2016 should probably be on the PC website anyway. Others, like details of the assets owned by the PC, should be easily available and perhaps should be on the website as well. There may be something else at work here which the minutes don’t reveal but I’m just taking the requests at their face value. Irksome as they often are to deal with, many such requests are made simply because it’s felt that the information isn’t available.
Local events and activities
For more information on events and activities across the Penny Post area, see the website calendar.
• Dates for the diary
• Sat 22 Jan Toy Library 10am Mortimer Methodist Church Hall.
• Wed 26 Jan Museum Open Morning 10am to noon Thames Valley Police Training Centre, Sulhamstead.
• Fri 28 Jan Winter Party 7pm till late The Six Bells, Beenham.
• Sat 29 Jan Crafty Church (Winter Fun) 10.30am to noon St Mary’s Church, Burghfield.
• Sat 5 Feb Charity Race Night 7.30pm Beenham Club.
• Sun 6 Feb Live – Rag & Moan Men 3pm Beenham Club.
• Thu 10 Feb Thatcham Refillable Mobile Shop Monthly 11.30am to 1.30pm 9 Clayhill Road, Burghfield Common RG73HB.
• Regular events
• Theale Library hosts in-person events for people of all ages. To find out more information on future clubs and events click here to visit the West Berkshire Library Facebook page or email Theale Library at thealelibrary@westberks.gov.uk.
• Holy Trinity Church, Theale is asking for food donations to be made to West Berks Food Bank which can be dropped off at the church on Sundays and Wednesdays between 10.30am to 6pm.
• Other locations for collection points across the Theale area for West Berks Food Bank can be found in The Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton Magazine (21 12 edition, p 7).
• Beenham Art Group meets every Tuesday between 10am till noon at Victory Hall, Beenham. Contact details and information can be found in The Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton Magazine (21 12 edition, p 18).
• Aldermaston & Wasing Ladies Group meets on the second Thursday of each month from 2pm at Aldermaston Parish Hall, please see Padworth Parish Council Newsletter (No 154 December 2021/January 2022 Edition p 5) for further information on the group.
• Padworth Village Hall hosts Padworth and Aldermaston WI on the third Tuesday of every month at 7.30pm. Further information on the group can be found in Padworth Parish Council Newsletter (No 154 December 2021/January 2022 Edition p 6).
• Beenham WI updates and contact details can be found in The Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton Magazine (21 12 edition, p 14).
News from your local council
Note: “the most recent meeting” refers to the most recent one for which minutes (in some cases draft) or some other summary is available. Other meetings may have taken place since. Some councils publish minutes more promptly than do others.
• The most recent meeting of Theale Parish Council took place on 10 January and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: a report from District Councillor Alan Macro; reports from committees and working groups; the jubilee fête on Sunday 5 June; planning and licensing matters; and financial matters, including the 2022-23 budget (the precept requested being £139,000). To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council took place on 13 January and you can read the minutes here. Items covered include: lime trees on the Fairground; speeding; the station car park; financial matters (including the the 2022-23 budget, the precept being set at £149,319); committee and working party reports; the neighbourhood development plan; delegated authority and general powers of competence; the jubilee; the Burghfield to Mortimer footpath; planning matters; correspondence; and the games club at the Library. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• See this page on Stratfield Mortimer PC’s website for more information on the refresh of its neighbourhood development plan.
• The most recent meeting of Padworth Parish Council took place on 10 January and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: the bus shelter; financial matters; planning matters; Thames Water; footpaths; and heritage sites. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Aldermaston Parish Council took place on 11 January and you can read the minutes here in due course. Items covered included: presentations from both sides of the planning application for Cedars Lodge, Soke Road (various conditions were requested); a request from Lidl to extend delivery hours at their recently approved new store at the Tadley border (“we are not confident of success, but decided to object on the grounds of noise and disturbance, particularly to residents of older properties in the Conservation Area”); the skateboard ramp See also above); the “disappointing” WBC reaction to our proposals for horse awareness signage in the Raghill area; a clarification about potassium iodide tablets (which are, contrary to what was recently reported in the Newbury Weekly News, not available for local residents in the event of a nuclear incident at AWE; and the “final pass” at the 2022-23 budget, remaining unchanged at £13,500 – the PC “would like to remind parishioners that this is considerably lower than other parishes of similar size.” To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Burghfield Parish Council took place on 6 January and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: a councillor vacancy; freedom of information (see also separate section above); committee reports; financial matters (including the the 2022-23 budget, the precept being set at £281,470); and delegated authority. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Bradfield Parish Council took place on 7 December and you can read the minutes here. To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Beenham Parish Council took place on 6 December and you can read the minutes here. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• Click here for details of Beenham’s Community Plan.
• The most recent meeting of Englefield Parish Council took place on 29 September (even though it says 29 June at the top) and you can read the minutes here. To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here.
• Theale area council contacts
Parishes: Theale Parish Council, Aldermaston Parish Council, Padworth Parish Council, Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council, Englefield Parish Council, Beenham Parish Council, Bradfield Parish Council and Burghfield Parish Council.
West Berkshire Council: click here to visit the website.
Thursday 13 January 2022
This week’s news
• A final consultation on a proposal to develop a specialist education centre for young people with complex social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs in Theale is now live and will remain open until 6 February..
• Theale District Councillor Alan Macro has recently published his latest residents’ newsletter, which you can read here. As well as listing local planning applications (see also below) he also refers to a planned cycle and footpath link between the proposed Lakeside housing site and Station Road.
• Click here to read the January 2022 Padworth Newsletter which, as ever, also has information from neighbouring parishes.
• Also a January 2022 issue of the Aldermaston Parish Council newsletter has just been released which covers various topics such as; reviews of the recent skate ramp survey and other planning permissions, as well as a response to feedback regarding electric vehicle charging points.
• The Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton published its final Parish Magazine for 2021, which also covers local events in January 2022.
• As mentioned last week, BBC News reported Bradfield College’s plans to change Church of St Andrew, Bradfield into a study centre for pupils was approved by West Berkshire Council. The plans would see the Grade II* listed 14th Century church adapted to include “a library, seminar rooms, presentation space and refreshment area” plus would see the “addition of fans which will be hung from existing rafters and beams in the main part of the church to recirculate warm air back down to the ground level to offset the leak-prone nature of the building”. However, the plans do also include “removing some grave headstones” in the church’s graveyard.
• Further religious news, West Berkshire Council has rejected the Plymouth Brethren’s application to build a new church barn and burial ground in Sulhamstead. As reported by NewburyToday, the council stated its reasoning behind the rejection as “the proposed new church hall lies on a greenfield site between Hollybush Lane and Shortheath Lane” plus that the facility would increase local traffic, visually harm the area and would be only useful for a “very small percentage of the local population for which no exceptional need was demonstrated”.
• Burghfield May Fayre 2022 will be held on Sunday 8 May, as announced on the burghfieldresidents.org website. Applications for fayre stalls allocation can now be made via the website, with the Funfair, Dog Show, Arena Displays, Craft Stalls, Café, Food Stalls and The Bar all returning for this year’s event. Further details and updates will be released shortly.
• Theale Green School was given a surprise donation from tech giant Amazon, although as the donation came via four tail-lift trucks it might’ve been hard to miss their arrival… The delivery handed the school vital equipment for its pupils, which is especially useful in the current economic climate for our local schools.
• Plenty of news coming from Burghfield FC recently, as four of their Ladies team players are fundraising for UK-wide charity Action Medical Research. As mentioned on the group JustGiving page, they will be competing in July’s Race The Sun: Dawn to Dusk Triple Challenge which is a triathlon-style adventure challenge set around the Brecon Beacons.
• Staying with the football club, Burghfield’s Sunday Men’s team is playing their Second Round fixture in the FA Sunday Cup on Sunday 16 January. They face Banstead Rovers for a 1pm kick-off at Burnham FC’s 1878 Stadium. Sunday Men’s team manager Liam Gillis and team captain Bradley Kerr both spoke to cup Twitter promoters (not associated with the FA) in two separate interviews, in which they reflect on their thrilling first round victory and what the competition means to the club.
• Sulhamstead’s Thames Valley Police Museum are hosting open mornings throughout January. Please see our ‘dates for the diary’ newsletter section below for links and further details.
• Thames Valley Police and Crimes Commissioner, Matthew Barber, is asking residents across the Thames Valley area for their opinions for the 2022/23 Police Budget. An online survey can be responded to before the deadline of 5pm on Tuesday 18 January. Matthew Barber has stated the importance of any responses by saying “giving us your feedback, you can help shape decisions about police funding and how Thames Valley Police can continue to work to keep us all safe.”
• Also, Royal Berkshire Fire Authority is asking for Berkshire’s thoughts and opinions on their funding coming through council tax for the next financial year. You can respond by completing this online survey before 5pm on Tuesday 1 February or ask for more information by emailing precepting@rbfrs.co.uk. Further details can be found via the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service website and Facebook page.
• West Berkshire Library Service is appealing for local volunteers at Mortimer and Burghfield Common libraries. Please see this post on Facebook, call 01635 519533 or email volunteerinyourlibrary@westberks.gov.uk for further information.
• A mortimervillage.org.uk article has announced that the Lunch Club has been postponed until 24 February because of concerns regarding the recent spread of the Covid Omicron variant.
• Another closure in the Theale area, as from 10 January to 28 February the Village Stores in Burghfield will be shut due to health and safety issues surrounding its current on-site construction work.
Local events and activities
For more information on events and activities across the Penny Post area, see the website calendar.
• Dates for the diary
• Sat 15 Jan Live Music – Jamie Trick 8pm The Six Bells, Burghfield.
• Mon 17 Jan Mobile Library 9.30am to 10.45am Jubilee Day Nursey, Padworth.
• Wed 19 Jan Museum Open Morning 10am to noon Thames Valley Police Training Centre, Sulhamstead.
• Wed 19 Jan History Talk on Roman Silchester 7.30pm The Hinds Head, Aldermaston.
• Thu 20 Jan Burghfield Camera Club 7.30pm to 10pm St Oswald’s Church, Burghfield Common.
• Sat 22 Jan Toy Library 10am Mortimer Methodist Church Hall.
• Wed 26 Jan Museum Open Morning 10am to noon Thames Valley Police Training Centre, Sulhamstead.
• Fri 28 Jan Winter Party 7pm till late The Six Bells, Beenham.
• Regular events
• Theale Library hosts in-person events for people of all ages. To find out more information on future clubs and events click here to visit the West Berkshire Library Facebook page or email Theale Library at thealelibrary@westberks.gov.uk.
• Holy Trinity Church, Theale is asking for food donations to be made to West Berks Food Bank which can be dropped off at the church on Sundays and Wednesdays between 10.30am to 6pm.
• Other locations for collection points across the Theale area for West Berks Food Bank can be found in The Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton Magazine (21 12 edition, p 7).
• Beenham Art Group meets every Tuesday between 10am till noon at Victory Hall, Beenham. Contact details and information can be found in The Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton Magazine (21 12 edition, p 18).
• Aldermaston & Wasing Ladies Group meets on the second Thursday of each month from 2pm at Aldermaston Parish Hall, please see Padworth Parish Council Newsletter (No 154 December 2021/January 2022 Edition p 5) for further information on the group.
• Padworth Village Hall hosts Padworth and Aldermaston WI on the third Tuesday of every month at 7.30pm. Further information on the group can be found in Padworth Parish Council Newsletter (No 154 December 2021/January 2022 Edition p 6).
• Beenham WI updates and contact details can be found in The Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton Magazine (21 12 edition, p 14).
News from your local council
Note: “the most recent meeting” refers to the most recent one for which minutes (in some cases draft) or some other summary is available. Other meetings may have taken place since. Some councils publish minutes more promptly than do others.
• The most recent meeting of Theale Parish Council took place on 10 January and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: a report from District Councillor Alan Macro; reports from committees and working groups; the jubilee fête on Sunday 5 June; planning and licensing matters; and financial matters, including the 2022-23 budget (the precept requested being £139,000). To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Aldermaston Parish Council took place on 11 January and you can read the minutes here in due course. Items covered included: presentations from both sides of the planning application for Cedars Lodge, Soke Road (various conditions were requested); a request from Lidl to extend delivery hours at their recently approved new store at the Tadley border (“we are not confident of success, but decided to object on the grounds of noise and disturbance, particularly to residents of older properties in the Conservation Area”); the skateboard ramp See also above); the “disappointing” WBC reaction to our proposals for horse awareness signage in the Raghill area; a clarification about potassium iodide tablets (which are, contrary to what was recently reported in the Newbury Weekly News, not available for local residents in the event of a nuclear incident at AWE; and the “final pass” at the 2022-23 budget, remaining unchanged at £13,500 – the PC “would like to remind parishioners that this is considerably lower than other parishes of similar size.” To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Bradfield Parish Council took place on 7 December and you can read the minutes here. To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Beenham Parish Council took place on 6 December and you can read the minutes here. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• Click here for details of Beenham’s Community Plan.
• The most recent meeting of Padworth Parish Council took place on 10 January and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: the bus shelter; financial matters; planning matters; Thames Water; footpaths; and heritage sites. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council took place on 11 November and you can read the minutes here. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• See this page on Stratfield Mortimer PC’s website for more information on the refresh of its neighbourhood development plan.
• The most recent meeting of Burghfield Parish Council took place on 7 October and you can read the draft minutes here. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Englefield Parish Council took place on 29 September (even though they say 29 June at the top) and you can read the minutes here. To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here.
• Theale area council contacts
Parishes: Theale Parish Council, Aldermaston Parish Council, Padworth Parish Council, Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council, Englefield Parish Council, Beenham Parish Council, Bradfield Parish Council and Burghfield Parish Council.
West Berkshire Council: click here to visit the website.
Thursday 6 January 2022
This week’s news
• Theale District Councillor Alan Macro has recently published his latest residents’ newsletter, which you can read here. As well as listing local planning applications (see also below) he also refers to a planned cycle and footpath link between the proposed Lakeside housing site and Station Road.
• Click here to read the January 2022 Padworth Newsletter which, as ever, also has information from neighbouring parishes.
• Also a January 2022 issue of the Aldermaston Parish Council newsletter has just been released which covers various topics such as; reviews of the recent skate ramp survey and other planning permissions, as well as a response to feedback regarding electric vehicle charging points.
• The Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton published its final Parish Magazine for 2021, which also covers local events in January 2022.
• As reported by BBC News, Bradfield College’s plans to change Church of St Andrew, Bradfield into a study centre for pupils was approved by West Berkshire Council. The plans would see the Grade II* listed 14th Century church adapted to include “a library, seminar rooms, presentation space and refreshment area” plus would see the “addition of fans which will be hung from existing rafters and beams in the main part of the church to recirculate warm air back down to ground level to offset the leak-prone nature of the building”. However, the plans do also include “removing some grave headstones” in the church’s graveyard.
• Englefield Estate became the first private landowner in England to provide funding for places on the Prince’s Countryside Fund’s Farm Resilience Programme to support 14 of the estate’s tenant farmers. Further information on the Prince’s programme, and how it can benefit UK farmers who have taken actions to “generate environmental benefits and reduce carbon emissions” can be found in a FarmingUK article.
• Green bin (garden and food waste) collection service has been “temporarily suspend” by West Berkshire Council until 8 January, with resumption of the services starting again from Monday 10 January.
• Local non-league football side Burghfield FC announced a newly-designed badge, with club chairman Luke Bishop explaining on the club’s website “we wanted a badge that represented the village, and choosing the Burghfield Bell – with it’s history going back many years -–we feel this does just that”. Further descriptions and meaning behind the change to the club’s crest have also been explained via the website post, which followed the logo reveal on Twitter at 6pm on 5 January.
• A mortimervillage.org.uk article has announced that the Lunch Club has been postponed until 24 February because of concerns regarding the recent spread of the Covid Omicron variant.
• Thames Valley Police and Crimes Commissioner, Matthew Barber, is asking residents across the Thames Valley area for their opinions for the 2022/23 Police Budget. An online survey can be responded to before the deadline of 5pm on Tuesday 18 January. Matthew Barber has stated the importance of any responses by saying “giving us your feedback, you can help shape decisions about police funding and how Thames Valley Police can continue to work to keep us all safe.”
• If any of our readers have children who wish to learn about computer programming and coding, then they can sign up for a free 12 week online course with West Berkshire Libraries. Applications to attend the course must be sent before Monday 10 January.
• Mortimer-based artist Peter Driver is using his artistic skills to fundraise for Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice and Reading Refugee Support Group, all in memory of his daughter Alice who sadly passed away aged 28 due to complications involving a brain tumour. As reported by InYourArea, “Peter’s charity prints are made in his studio in Sulhamstead using the oldest form of printmaking, woodcut, in which a design is carved into the surface of a wooden block.” Donations can be made by purchasing Peter’s artwork, with further details and updates on his website.
• Burghfield Parish Council (along with ‘Skate Park Working Party’) would like to learn the opinions of locals towards the Burghfield Skate Park Refurbishment Project. They’ve asked anyone interested in the project to respond to an online survey before Sunday 9 January.
Plans in Theale
• The above-mentioned Alan Macro’s most recent newsletter, which you can read here, includes (at the end) a list of all the live planning applications in Theale. These may be near where you live in which case you have a legitimate interest in what’s proposed. West Berkshire Council no longer sends letters to neighbours when there’s a planning application so, if you happen to miss the orange notices on the relevant site, checking online is the only reliable way to discover what is proposed before it’s too later to try to do anything about it.
Currently there are 12 live applications which include the usual wide range of issues. Some concern the proposed removal or amendment of conditions for existing applications (which can be significant), concerning for example landscaping or tree works. There are also proposed demolitions, extensions, new builds and access roads. Many of these are minor and not the kind of things you’d ever notice or care about: however, anything that happens next door or across the road can have an immediate and lasting consequence. You may not want to try to change the application, or even be able to do so, but at least a resource like this means that you can’t say you didn’t know about it.
News from your local council
Note: “the most recent meeting” refers to the most recent one for which minutes (in some cases draft) or some other summary is available. Other meetings may have taken place since. Some councils publish minutes more promptly than do others.
• The most recent meeting of Theale Parish Council took place on 8 November and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: support for the parish magazine; repairs around the parish; the environmental working party; Theale in Bloom 2022; one planning application and two decisions; financial matters; and revisions to the council’s policies. To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Aldermaston Parish Council took place on 14 December and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: a presentation from the MoD Police on its SCAN (scan, check and notify) initiative; the results of the recent consultation on replacing the skateboard ramp (“overwhelming support (over 80%) for such a feature provided: (i) it is funded by grants rather than our own revenues (ii) it is of simple design and (iii) it is located on the far side of the Recreation ground (well away from the pub) we note this strong support, but wish to investigate maintenance and end-of-life costs before giving the project our final blessing.”; three planning decisions; EV charging points opposed by residents of Ravenswing; and the 2022-23 budget (“proposed expenditure closely matches income, so it is unlikely that we will seek an increase to our current precept of £13,500, though a final decision will be made at our January meeting.”) To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Bradfield Parish Council took place on 7 December and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: the Village Hall; hedge cutting; planning matters; a possible enforcement issue near The Beacon; Travellers Rest Farm; parking in Southend Road; the 2022-23 budget; the jubilee; highways; flooding; dog bins; one new bench; two new defibrillators; three new cherry trees; the Christmas lights; and public footpaths. To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Beenham Parish Council took place on 6 December and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: the proposed development at The Clock Tower; a councillor vacancy; planning matters; rats in the pre-school play area; a proposed safeguarding policy; replacement fire doors at the school; the greening campaign; footpath repairs; speeding; maintenance and repair works around the parish; financial matters; and a late payer. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• Click here for details of Beenham’s Community Plan.
• The most recent meeting of Padworth Parish Council took place on 15 November and you can read the minutes here. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council took place on 11 November and you can read the minutes here. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• See this page on Stratfield Mortimer PC’s website for more information on the refresh of its neighbourhood development plan.
• The most recent meeting of Burghfield Parish Council took place on 7 October and you can read the draft minutes here. To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Englefield Parish Council took place on 29 September (even though they say 29 June at the top) and you can read the minutes here. To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here.