Hungerford Area Weekly News Archives (July to December 2024)

Please note that this section is presented as an archive of past columns and is not updated. Some web links may no longer be active (usually indicated by a score-through), for instance when a consultation has closed. For reasons of space, the Events, Community Notices and News from Your Local Councils sections have been deleted from the archive posts.

To see the current Hungerford Area Weekly News section, please click here.

Other archives

Thursday 19 December 2024

Our usual round-up of local news includes the extravaganza, the food bank, a championship, a camera, books and hedges – plus an opportunity for would-be firefighters, parking in the High Street and a look back at the main stories we’ve covered in 2024. See also below for community notices and news from your local council.

Upcoming Hungerford events include Quiz Night and Christmas Eve Dog Walk. See below for details, plus regular events and group activities.

• FireFit in 2025

FireFit is a free health and fitness training programme run by the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service for anyone aged 17 or above who is interested in becoming an On-call Firefighter with Lambourn, Hungerford, Crowthorne, Maidenhead or Mortimer fire stations. To be eligible you must live or work within six to eight minutes of these stations. There are a total of six weekly FireFit sessions that will run at Hungerford Community Fire Station starting at 7pm on Wednesday 8 January. For more details and to register click here.

The Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service is also looking for on-call firefighters at the above-mentioned stations. New pay scales will be introduced on 1 January 2025. For more information, click here.

• Parking in the High Street

Some information has recently come my way which you might have known about but I certainly didn’t.

Although, thanks to lobbying by residents, retailers, the Town Council and others, it doesn’t cost you anything to park in Hungerford High Street, it seems this is not the same as saying you don’t need to display a ticket. During an email exchange with a resident which we’ve seen, local councillor and Executive member Denise Gaines explained the situation as follows:

“Parking in the high street is free in the evenings. However, vehicles must get issued with a ticket even if it is for zero value. This helps the council to monitor numbers of vehicles using the facilities and helps us manage our resources more effectively. Requiring zero value tickets is something that we and other councils do in this regard.

“If the vehicle is not displaying a ticket and an enforcement officer checks the vehicle, and they don’t display a parking ticket, they will be issued with a parking charge notice.”

So, you’ll need to find a machine and get a ticket and pout it in your windscreen. I’m not sure if this will is clear from the signs and I worry that people staying in the town may not be aware of this. Please pass this information on to anyone you know who’s parking overnight.

• A look back at 2024

We’ve covered a lot of stories in this area over the last year. The archives of this column (scroll down for the last few weeks and, for earlier pages, follow the links) will provide what we said at the time. In this section, we’ll take a quick look at some of the main issues we’ve dealt with, some more than once.

• Hungerford Town Council (HTC). The Council’s varied work has continued and we’ve given in-depth coverage to this throughout the year, including providing monthly summaries of its activities which are featured in our Penny Post Hungerford e-newsletter. One of the challenges for 2025 will be how it deals with the consequences of WBC’s funding cuts, which are likely to lead to some services needing to be taken over by HTC if they’re to continue. Amongst its many successes, HTC managed to get WBC finally to install EV chargers in the Church Road car park.

• The town-centre strategy. This WBC initiative to look at possible improvements in the town is being run by Hungerford. In the last few months, a number of problems and tensions have become apparent, and it remains to be seen whether this will survive in its present form.

• Parking changes. This has been another important issue, though this was one which produced a pretty united reaction from the town. Overnight on-street charging had been proposed by WBC; following a concerted push-back spearheaded by HTC and the town’s retailers, this was dropped.

• The Kennet Valley Wetlands Reserve. This is a Town & Manor project and will see about 40 acres alongside the river transformed over the next few years. The scheme has recently attracted CIL funding from WBC (as has the Croft Hall).

• Chestnut Walk. Despite numerous promptings and questions from Penny Post and others as to when, if ever, the wretched joint venture between Sovereign and WBC will see homes built on the site of the former care home, there has been absolutely no progress on this in 2024. None.

• Lancaster Park. The 100-home development has been completed and occupied, but this summer saw a number of disagreements involving the developers, the residents and HTC about alleged unfinished work on the common parts which need to be resolved before they can be handed over to a management company.

• Hungerford’s neighbourhood plan. After six years of work, this is now entering its final stages, and the referendum of residents is expected to take place by the middle of next year. It will then become part of WBC’s own updated local plan and will be used to guide planning decisions in the town until 2041.

• Town events. As usual, Hungerford hosted a number of events throughout the year, organised by various groups. Aside from the continued excellent Wednesday markets, the main ones in 2024 were Hocktide, D-Day, the Christmas lights switch-on and the Extravaganza.

• Boots the Chemist. For some time, it seemed possible that this might close (as the Post Office nearly did several years ago). Fortunately, enquiries by Penny Post and others revealed that this is not likely to happen.

• Housing at Station Road. A new proposal for homes here was presented to HTC this year by the developers, Archel. This is much more to the Council’s liking than was the previous scheme by a different developer for retirement flats. Progress on this is expected to take place in 2025.

• Local schools. 2024 saw the retirements of David Mayer from the Primary School and Suzanne Taylor from the Nursery School. We have paid regular tributes to their work over the last few years and wish them the best for the future. We have also posted articles welcoming their successors, Lucy Smith and Chloe Summerville. Richard Hawthorne continues in post at John O’Gaunt, and he continues to write a monthly diary describing his life there. The town also has Oaklands, a specialist SEND school, which opened in late 2023.

Away from Hungerford, we’ve also covered events in the surrounding villages. These have included Froxfield’s attempts to get the A4 speed limits rationalised; Kintbury PC’s struggles with a developer and Network Rail over land near the station; footpaths and pub plans in Chilton Foliat; and the progress at the Community Garden in Shalbourne.

We also have continued to provide the most comprehensive round-up of news from all the parish town councils in the area (including links to minutes) and provide in each weekly column a listing of community notices, local newsletters, consultations and events. All this will continue into 2025. Please email brian@pennypost.org.uk if there’s anything you’d like to contribute to any aspect of this section.

• Other news

• West Berks Foodbank is currently in urgent need of three things: money, donations and volunteers. The first will be used to buy the food and other items that the donations may not cover; while volunteers are required to help collect, stock and distribute what is received. The charity is also keen to develop partnerships with local businesses. This page on the WBF website has more information on all of these aspects of the Foodbank’s work.

• Hungerford Chamber of Commerce thanks everyone who supported the Extravaganza last Friday. See the Facebook page for photos. “It’s a real community event,” says Chamber Chair Karen Salmon. “From the Hungerford Sew & Sew Group who made Victorian bonnets and Hungerford Theatre Company who loaned their costumes, to the families who made lanterns for the parade and local groups that had stalls on the High Street.

“Not forgetting Hungerford Rotary who ran Santa’s Grotto, the local farmyard animals who created the nativity scene and Dancer and Prancer who dressed up to offer festive carriage rides. And of course the beautiful steam engines and vintage vehicles which create the perfect atmosphere for the night.

“We are a small committee who run the event so more volunteers welcome for next year – Friday 12 December!” Charlie Barr from Hungerford Youth & Community Centre “thanks the Extravaganza committee for this great opportunity for local community groups and charities to raise funds and awareness. We had a great time.”

• For a lasting memory of the Extravaganza have a peek in The Tutti Pole‘s window to see the charming lego display that has taken Martin Goodall hours and hours to construct. And by the way, The Tutti Pole’s last special evening meal before Christmas can be booked for this Saturday 21 December.

• Berkshire Athletics is grateful to Hungerford for hosting its 2024 Cross Country Championships last Saturday 14 December, with permission from Hungerford Town & Manor to site the route around Hungerford Common and from Hungerford Rugby Club to use its facilities. Hungerford dignitaries including the Mayor Helen Simpson, the Constable Julie Lloyd and Bellman Julian Tubb were in attendance, adding to the atmosphere of the event. Hungerford U15 runner Emerald Hill-Sawyer was pleased to complete the course after taking a break from running due to a hip injury.

• West Berkshire Council (WBC)’s public consultation on the main modifications to the district’s Local Plan 2022- 2039 runs until Friday 31 January 2025. “The Local Plan sets out planned development for West Berkshire,” a statement from the Council explains, “and guides decisions on future development proposals in line with the needs of the district.” Residents are encouraged to have their say by clicking here. For more on this, including sources of help and advice and help in responding to the consultation, see the 12 December This Week with Brian column.

• Currently the Hungerford Hub & Library has a sale of secondhand books including both adult and children’s fiction and non-fiction as well as DVDs in good condition. It could be the chance to pick up a last-minute bargain for Christmas.

• Quick reminder about free bus travel in West Berkshire on Saturday 21 December, extending to some neighbouring areas including Reading, Didcot, Basingstoke and Swindon. More information can be found here.

• Last chance to have your say on WBC’s Budget Proposals 2025/26. The council is having to propose service cuts in order to balance its budget and it wants local residents’ input by 23 December 2024.

• Quick reminder about the Thermal Heat Camera you can borrow for free from Hungerford Environmental Action Team to help you keep warm this winter. It’s a simply operated device to determine where you are losing heat this winter, so that you know where to insulate and plug draughts. To book the camera free of charge email heat_hungerford@yahoo.com.

• We are excited to bring you our 12 local treats for Christmas which include Amore Hungerford’s Italian Feasts, Inkling’s Gift Emporium and Hungerford & Wantage Bookshop’s Bespoke Gift Subscription, Cobbs Christmas food, and Gift Vouchers for Crown & Anchor, Ham. See our Christmas Guide here.

• Have you spotted any of the mischievous elves in Hungerford in the past few weeks? Send your best mischievous elf portrait to us at Penny Post by 31 December and the top 12 will get printed in our January Hungerford newsletter. The winner will receive an elfish treat. Here’s a cheeky chap that was spotted at the Christmas Lights Switch-On. Just email your snaps over to penny@pennypost.org.uk.

• Quick reminder that Little Hidden Farm in Hungerford Newtown requests volunteers to help plant the rest of its new hedge. If you have time to join the team of St Lawrence’s volunteers on Thursday 2 January please contact Vicar Mike on Vicar@StLawrencesHungerford.org.uk. Bacon butties will be supplied to help keep up energy levels.

• What areas would you like the policing element of council tax to focus on in the 2025/26 budget? The deadline to have your say is 12noon on 3 January. Click here to read more about the proposal and the Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner’s statement.

• Have your say

Have your say on current consultations being run by West Berkshire Council:

Budget Proposals 2025/26 – all deadlines 23 December 2024:

Consultation on the Proposed Main Modifications to the West Berkshire Local Plan Review 2022-2039 – deadline 31 Jan 2025.

Proposed Admission Arrangements for Community and Voluntary Controlled Schools 2026/27 – deadline 31 Jan 2025.

Short Breaks Carers services feedback survey – deadline 31 Jan 2025.

Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment 2025 – deadline 16 Feb 2025.

Parish and town councils also run consultations from time to time: see the appropriate website/s below under Council contacts.

• Latest local newsletters

• Penny Post Hungerford.
• Inkpen and Combe Bulletin.
• Froxfield News.

News from other areas

Penny Post area: see the following separate sections: Lambourn Valley ; Newbury area; Thatcham area; Compton and Downlands ; Burghfield area; Wantage area; Marlborough area.
News and views from across the area and beyond: see the most recent Weekly News with Brian column.

Thursday 12 December 2024

Our usual round-up of local news includes a refreshment, festive fun, bus travel, Santa, boxes and bags – plus the extravaganza is here, a temporary closure at the Leisure Centre, three ways you can help West Berks Foodbank and your chance to have your say on the WBC local plan. See also below for community notices and news from your local council.

Upcoming Hungerford events include Victorian Extravaganza and Hungerford Town Band Concert. See below for details, plus regular events and group activities.

• Extravaganza time

• Just one more sleep until the Hungerford Victorian Extravaganza this Friday 13 December, which will feature steam engines, fun fair, stilt-walker, Victorian carol singers, Rock Choir, farm animal nativity scene, carriage rides with Dancer & Prancer, Santa’s Grotto and more. The parade will kick off at 7.30pm lead as usual by the Scottish pipe band. Donations of any size to help cover the Extravaganza running costs are requested by Hungerford Chamber of Commerce here and will be match-funded by Greenham Trust.

• A closure at the Leisure Centre

As reported previously, work on the long-awaited extension to the Hungerford Leisure Centre is now under way. The main part of the building has been pre-fabricated elsewhere and will arrive in three parts by lorry. The installation has now been confirmed (unexpected weather conditions aside) for this Saturday 14 December.

As a result, the Leisure Centre and car park will be closed all day. We understand that access to the Youth and Community Centre and the Handybus parking bay will still be possible. Members of staff will be on hand to help and the apps, website and social-media channels should have been updated with information and to prevent bookings for sessions being made.

Normal service should be resumed the following day. The actual completion date of the whole project, which promises improved facilities at the centre, had been planned for pre-Christmas but following a couple of delays for technical problems and last week’s storms, early January now seems more realistic. All worth waiting for, we’re sure…

• Three things for the Foodbank

West Berks Foodbank is currently in urgent need of three things: money, donations and volunteers. The first will be used to buy the food and other items that the donations may not cover; while the volunteers are required to help collect, stock and distribute what is received. Donations can be made by members of the public at a range of sites across the district. The charity is also keen to develop partnerships with local businesses. This page on the WBF website has more information on all of these aspects of the Foodbank’s work.

Why the need for this? The main one is that donations have failed to keep pace with the increase in demand. Clearly the cost-of-living crisis is with us yet. The cold weather, and the withdrawal of winter fuel payments for some, wouldn’t have helped as people are now forced to choose between heating and food. Volunteers are always required, at this season more than ever, as the logistics of dealing with all the generous donations is time-consuming.

It’s a shame that such organisations are needed at all: but, as they are, we are at least lucky that we have several, including WBF, in the district that are doing such great jobs. In any of the ways suggested above, any help you can offer will be greatly appreciated.

• Do you agree with the plan?

West Berkshire Council’s public consultation on the main modifications to the district’s Local Plan 2022- 2039 is now live. “The Local Plan sets out planned development for West Berkshire,” a statement from the Council explains, “and guides decisions on future development proposals in line with the needs of the district.

“The Public Examination stage began earlier this year with a number of public hearings, the last of which took place on 3 October 2024. During this process, the Planning Inspector required additional sites to be identified to address a shortfall in the number of houses to be delivered within the next five years.”

WBC has made the point that it had little or no choice on this. “We were ready to vote to withdraw the plan [which it had inherited from the previous administration],”Executive Member for Planning Denise Gaines said, “but we were directed to proceed to examination by the government. The sites identified in the main modifications are extremely contentious with many residents in West Berkshire, but we are in the invidious position of having to proceed to consultation.”

Consequently the Council has put forward amendments and additions to the plan which will particularly affect Thatcham, Cold Ash, Calcot, Tilehurst and Pangbourne and the surrounding parishes.

The consultation runs until Friday 31 January 2025. Residents are encouraged to have their say by clicking here.

For more on this, including sources of help and advice and help in responding to the consultation, see the 12 December 2024 This Week with Brian column.

• Other news

• Work is currently underway by The Town & Manor of Hungerford to refresh the Town Hall. Nothing too drastic but listed building consent has been obtained and so 2025 will see an enhanced venue for all to enjoy. Do let them know what you think of the changes.

• Drop in to Hungerford Library this Saturday 14 December from 1 1 to 11.30am, and enjoy a bit of traditional festive fun with the Garston Gallopers Morris Dancing team.

• Quick reminder about free bus travel in West Berkshire on Saturday 14 December and Saturday 21 December, extending to some neighbouring areas including Reading, Didcot, Basingstoke and Swindon. More information can be found here.

• Don’t forget there is an opportunity to meet Santa on Sunday 15 December at Terrace View Cafe upstairs at Herongate from 1pm to 3pm. Each £4 entry fee will be donated to charity and all children will receive a small gift.

• There is still time to make donations for Berkshire Women’s Aid festive gift bags for those in need. They are looking for toiletries, snacks, make-up, socks and stationery. Please drop donations in to Newbury Building Society (Hungerford), Snippets, or Hungerford Printing by Tuesday 17 December.

• There is still time to have your say on West Berkshire Council’s Budget Proposals 2025/26. The council is having to propose service cuts in order to balance its budget and they want local residents’ input by 23 December 2024.

• Hungerford Town Council are keen to remind folk of the new parking fees that now apply across the town. Click here for full details.

• There is still time to order your delish Christmas at Home Box from The Five Bells in Wickham and let their chefs take the hassle out of your Christmas feast. You just need to chose what you want in your box here and email your order to hello@fivebellswickham.co.uk by this Sunday 15 December.

• Have you spotted any of the mischevious elves in Hungerford in the past few weeks? Send your best mischevious elf portrait to us at Penny Post by 31 December and the top 12 will get printed in our January Hungerford newsletter and the winner will receive a elfish treat. Here’s a cheeky chap that was spotted at the Christmas Lights Switch-On. Just email your snaps over to penny@pennypost.org.uk.

• Quick reminder that Little Hidden Farm in Hungerford Newtown requests volunteers to help plant the rest of their new hedge. If you have time to join the team of St Lawrence’s volunteers on Thursday 2 January please contact Vicar Mike on Vicar@StLawrencesHungerford.org.uk. Bacon butties will be supplied to help keep up energy levels.

• Have your say

Have your say on current consultations being run by West Berkshire Council:

Proposed Fees for Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicles and Private Hire Operator’s Licences 2025/26 – deadline 19 December 2024.

Budget Proposals 2025/26 – all deadlines 23 December 2024:

Consultation on the Proposed Main Modifications to the West Berkshire Local Plan Review 2022-2039 – deadline 31 Jan 2025.

Proposed Admission Arrangements for Community and Voluntary Controlled Schools 2026/27 – deadline 31 Jan 2025.

Short Breaks Carers services feedback survey – deadline 31 Jan 2025.

Parish and town councils also run consultations from time to time: see the appropriate website/s below under Council contacts.

• Latest local newsletters

• Penny Post Hungerford.
• Inkpen and Combe Bulletin.
• Froxfield News.

News from other areas

Penny Post area: see the following separate sections: Lambourn Valley ; Newbury area; Thatcham area; Compton and Downlands ; Burghfield area; Wantage area; Marlborough area.
News and views from across the area and beyond: see the most recent Weekly News with Brian column.

Thursday 5 December 2024

Our usual round-up of local news includes a mural, a mill, a possible closure, keeping warm, festive bags and local treats – plus a look at our most recent Hungerford newsletter, the latest news on the town-centre strategy and vocational courses. See also below for community notices and news from your local council.

Upcoming Hungerford events include Christmas Craft Fairs & Victorian Extravaganza. See below for details, plus regular events and group activities.

• Hungerford’s newsletter

This week saw the publication of the December 2024 Penny Post Hungerford, providing the best round-up of life in the town. You can click here to read it if you didn’t get it. Items covered included:

An update on the work of the Town Council, including a report of its meeting on 2 December (see also separate section below).
News and offers from many of the town’s independent businesses.
News from the BTPG, our local rail pressure group.
The monthly diary for the Head Teacher of John O’Gaunt School.
News from the town’s charities and voluntary groups.
Information on forthcoming events, including the many Christmas ones.
Our usual range of general articles and guest blogs.
A reminder about a Penny Post book that would make an ideal stocking-filler.
Eco and wildlife news.
A list of some of the activities and experiences available in the town.
Jobs, special offers and property.
Some wise words from GK Chesterton.

If you have anything you’d like to see included in the January 2025 edition, please email penny@pennypost.org.uk by the end of December.

• The town-centre strategy

One of the most important matters, and certainly the most eye-catching one, covered at the Hungerford Town Council (HTC) meeting on 2 December concerned the town-centre strategy. You can read our summary of the discussion about this in the public forum before the meeting officially started by clicking here.

It’s worth stressing that the whole town-centre strategy project (for Hungerford and also for Thatcham) was conceived by West Berkshire Council (WBC), not the town councils, in late 2022. The inference that the timing was connected with the local elections in May 2023 would seem impossible to refute.

This had two unfortunate consequences. The first was not enough time or officer support was allocated before the electoral mist descended to get the project properly started and established: a consultation was done but the role the community would play in looking at the results was left uncomfortably vague.

The second was that there was a long pause after the election while the new administration grappled with other issues. It was not until late 2023 that the steering group in Hungerford was fully established, and early 2024 before it started having regular meetings. Any momentum the projects had gathered was therefore lost.

It was immediately clear after this long pause that the main issue which the Hungerford consultation response suggested should be looked at, that of a square or similar near the Town Hall, was divisive. The three main parties involved (HTC, the Town and Manor and the retailers) could not agree on what the scale of this should be, how much if any loss of car-parking spaces was acceptable, what it would cost and, indeed, whether the project was even desirable or necessary.

The Steering Group itself existed in a strange half-world – a WBC creature operated by HTC and comprising a range of people, some of whom were more experienced in the mysterious ways of municipal processes than others. Each party was often forced to choose between the interests of their own organisation and the more subjective matter of the overall needs of the town. With all these forces at work, and a first item on the table on which the parties could not reach an accord, the meetings became almost un-chairable.

I don’t particularly blame anyone in Hungerford for the lack of progress. This was, perhaps, almost inevitable given these challenges. What is clear is that the process as currently structured has lost the confidence of its participants. It was also in danger of doing active harm to the relationships on which Hungerford’s success has always been built.

What happens next remains to be seen. The project is, as mentioned, a WBC one, so WBC will need to decide this. However, without the support of the main stakeholders in Hungerford nothing is going to get accomplished. HTC is yet to confirm what its future role in the steering group will be. I suspect that all the participants will be wary of starting again if there’s any risk that divisiveness might once more break out.

Perhaps one approach would be to take a couple of months off to let the dust settle, and then look at some of the less contentious proposals in the consultation, perhaps under an existing structure such as HTC.

In the meantime, as I’ve mentioned before, the town may have other and more immediate challenges. WBC is considering withdrawing some of its services (such as bins, gully and ditch-clearing, verge-cutting and sign-cleaning) to save money. If these are to be retained in the town, the local community will need to pull together to combat these proposals and, if the cuts do go ahead, to take over running them.

There’s also a limit to how much volunteer time (which includes time spent by councillors) any community can provide. In the last year, too much of this was being expended in increasingly fractious debates about a largely hypothetical project. The town seems to have stepped back from the brink on this. It may need to concentrate its efforts on keeping existing services and projects going.

Hungerford has always had an excellent record in getting things done: there are things needing to be done now and which, moreover, might require fairly immediate action.

• Vocational courses

Looking for personal enrichment or to develop your career? Study Online vocational part-time Level 2 courses are free for over-19 year-olds and can be started at any time, with usually six months to complete the coursework. They include several Childcare & Education, Health, Social & Public Services courses as well as a range of courses in Business, Accountancy and Management.

These are provided by Newbury College and funded by the Education and Skills Funding Agency. They’re available free to UK nationals aged 19 and over, who agree to take their qualification as part of a Study Online Programme. You must have lived in the UK for the past three years and currently live in an eligible area of England (this includes West Berkshire, Hampshire, Oxfordshire and Wiltshire), must not be undertaking another funded course or apprenticeship, and be able to meet the course’s entry requirements.

Students who fail to complete their programme within the agreed timeframe may have to pay fees. There may be an additional charge for work-based assessment visits and other costs. You will be advised of any additional charges before enrolment. Only one Study Online course may be taken at a time. However, you are encouraged to progress to the next level or a different subject of study after finishing your programme. See here for more details.

• Other news

• Hungerford Town Council reminds residents that the Big Give Christmas Challenge 2024 has started, and if you donate before Tuesday 10 December, you can double your donation to the amazing Time to Talk service that promotes the psychological and emotional wellbeing of young people (11 to 25 years) in West Berkshire, providing face to face counselling and online digital support to young people and parents/carers, free of charge.

• Hungerford Hub is pleased to report that the mural of the “Poem for Hungerford,” created as part of the Hungerford Poetry Festival, is almost finished. The words are by local poet Nicola Chester and the images painted by talented artist Simon Jardine. Look forward to an official opening for the mural in the new year.

• Hungerford Memory Singers are very excited to invite you to their Christmas Concert with soloist Graeme Broadbent in the new bigger venue of St Lawrence’s Church, Hungerford at 3pm on Thursday 12 December. Admission is free and donations welcomed for Dementia UK. For enquiries please contact Olivia Simmonds on dementia.choir@gmail.com.

• Well done to the volunteers who helped plant almost 150m of new hedge this morning at Little Hidden Farm in Hungerford Newtown – about 900 bare rooted native hedge plants. The soil was very wet and muddy after last night’s downpour. Luckily it didn’t rain while they were planting. Farm manager Jamie Acworth thanks all of the St Lawrence’s Church, Hungerford volunteers and especially Vicar Mike for organising the day and his wife and others for bringing the refreshments. If anyone else would like to help the next session will be on Thursday 2 January – with bacon butties to keep up energy levels.

• After the recent heavy rainfall, Town & Manor of Hungerford urges residents to continue to be careful if you’re heading near Denford Mill over the next few days due to continued run-off from the fields. Given that it is already flooded, they expect that the current situation could worsen even without further rainfall.

• As reported previously, work on the long-awaited extension to the Hungerford Leisure Centre is now under way. The main part of the building has been pre-fabricated elsewhere and will arrive in three parts by lorry. The installation will require the Centre, probably including the car park, to be closed for a whole day (possibly Saturday 7 December). Further information will be available here and elsewhere when more details are known. Regular users should find details on the Centre’s website or booking app.

• We’re in the countdown now for the Hungerford Victorian Extravaganza on Friday 13 December, which will feature steam engines, fun fair, stilt-walker, Victorian carol singers, Rock Choir, farm animal nativity scene, carriage rides with Dancer & Prancer, Santa’s Grotto and more. Donations of any size to help cover the Extravaganza running costs are requested by Hungerford Chamber of Commerce here and will be match-funded by Greenham Trust.

• Hungerford Environmental Action Team is there to help you keep warm this winter with its Thermal Heat Camera, a simply operated device to determine where you are losing heat this winter, so that you know where to insulate and plug draughts. To book the camera free of charge email heat_hungerford@yahoo.com.

• Lou Evans from Hungerford Ladies Facebook group is organising another collection of donations for Berkshire Women’s Aid festive gift bags for those in need. It is looking for donations of toiletries, snacks, make-up, socks and stationery. Please drop donations in to Newbury Building Society (Hungerford), Snippets, or Hungerford Printing by Tuesday 17 December.

• We are excited to bring you our 12 local businesses and treats for Christmas which include Amore Hungerford’s Italian Feasts, Inkling’s Gift Emporium and Hungerford & Wantage Bookshop’s Bespoke Gift Subscription, Cobbs Christmas food and Gift Vouchers for Crown & Anchor, Ham. See all details here.

• Have your say

Have your say on current consultations being run by West Berkshire Council:

Proposed Fees for Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicles and Private Hire Operator’s Licences 2025/26 – deadline 19 December 2024.

Budget Proposals 2025/26 – all deadlines 23 December 2024:

Parish and town councils also run consultations from time to time: see the appropriate website/s below under Council contacts.

• Latest local newsletters

• Penny Post Hungerford.
• Inkpen and Combe Bulletin.
• Froxfield News.

News from other areas

Penny Post area: see the following separate sections: Lambourn Valley ; Newbury area; Thatcham area; Compton and Downlands ; Burghfield area; Wantage area; Marlborough area.
News and views from across the area and beyond: see the most recent Weekly News with Brian column.

Thursday 28 November 2024

Our usual round-up of local news includes rain, an extravaganza, keeping warm, donations, disruptions and repairs – plus the Hungerford’s lights switch-on, a delivery at the Leisure Centre, Penny Post Hungerford and purple socks. See also below for community notices and news from your local council.

Upcoming Hungerford events include Christmas Lights Switch-on and Santa Workshop in Kintbury. See below for details, plus regular events and group activities.

• Switching the lights on

Few would argue (though some in other towns might) that in the Christmas-lights stakes there’s little to match the elegance and charm of Hungerford’s seasonal display along the length of the High Street. These will be switched on in a ceremony from 6pm on Sunday 1 December which is, as ever, expected to attract large crowds. There will be live music and plenty going on in many of the shops and hospitality venues. Click here for more details.

As in past years, the Town Council is also fund-raising to help with the cost of these festive adornments. Click here for more details.

• Leisure Centre closure

As reported previously, work on the long-awaited extension to the Hungerford Leisure Centre is now under way. When complete, this will fill in a gap between the reception area, the pool and the school with a new area that can be used for fitness and exercise classes.

The main part of the building has been pre-fabricated elsewhere and will be arriving in three parts by lorry. Town-centre retailers and residents will be relieved that this is not expected to come up the High Street, but will instead arrive in Hungerford from the south.

This will require the whole Centre, probably including the car park, to be closed for a whole day. When this happens will depend on the progress of the work and – given that lifting will be required – the weather, so it’s not certain when this will be. The hope is that this will be on a Saturday in December. If this happens soon then the project should still be on track for completion before Christmas.

Further information will be available here and elsewhere when more details are known. Regular users should find information on the Centre’s website or booking app.

• Penny Post Hungerford

The December edition will be published on Tuesday 3 December and will, as ever, have a report of the matters discussed at the meeting of Hungerford Town Council the evening before (the agenda for which you can see here). Anyone is free to attend the main meeting, though not the Part 2 at the end which deals with any confidential matters.

If anyone has anything they’d like to contribute to the December edition, please email penny@pennypost.org.uk as soon as possible.

• Purple socks appeal

As you may have noticed, Hungerford’s campaign to turn the town purple on Tuesday 3 December is now in full swing. Purple Sock Day, celebrating the UN’s International Day of the Disabled Person, is one effortless single act of solidarity. All you have to do is buy a pair of socks in various striking designs and wear them on the day.

Socks cost £7 and can now be purchased from a range of locations, including Hungerford Arcade, Below Stairs, Hungerford Printers at 109 High Street, Herongate Leisure Centre, The Hub/Library and White Coco (look for them by the changing rooms) and Shalbourne Post Office.

• Other news

• Christmas arrives in Hungerford this Sunday 1 December with the Christingle Service for families at 10am at St Lawrence’s, High Street. Entertainment from 4pm and Christmas lights switch-on at 5pm, followed by Advent Songs of Hope at St Lawrences or Christmas Bingo, at the British Legion.

• Hungerford Chamber of Commerce would like to remind everyone about its lantern-making workshop this Saturday 30 November in preparation for the Hungerford Victorian Extravaganza parade on Friday 13 December. Drop into the Croft Field Centre between 1 and 4pm dressed for mess. Accompanied children very welcome. £3 donation requested to cover material costs.

Donations of any size to help cover the Extravaganza running costs are requested here and will be match-funded by Greenham Trust.

• Over the six Hungerford Repair Cafés in 2024, 256 items were repaired or advised on, reducing waste by more than 500kg. We are lucky to have this incredible service offered by talented volunteer fixers and friendly meeters and greeters. The Repair Café will return 10am to 12.30pm Saturday 18 January and continue on the third Saturday of every other month, at the Croft Hall.

• Quick reminder about the traffic expected to disrupt Hungerford High Street from 10pm to 6am starting next Monday 2 December. Network Rail has advised that five low-loaders, with trailers and attachments around 44ft long, will be delivering two Road Rail Vehicles. These are 20ft shorter than the previous delivery so should be able to navigate corners better.

If you live or work in the area, it might be a good idea to plan accordingly to avoid any disruptions. If there is anything specific you’d like to know or discuss about this, please contact Network Rail directly on networkrail.co.uk or telephone Network Rail on 03457 11 41 41.

• What areas would you like the policing element of council tax to focus on in the 2025/26 budget? The deadline to have your say is 12pm on 3 January. Click here to read more about the proposal and the Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner’s statement.

• The rescheduled Community Forum on cost of living, flood prevention and winter preparedness will be online from 6.30pm on Tuesday 3 December. Email communityforumquestions@westberks.gov.uk to register your attendance and click here to find out more.

• Have your say

Have your say on current consultations being run by West Berkshire Council:

Proposed Fees for Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicles and Private Hire Operator’s Licences 2025/26 – deadline 19 December 2024.

Budget Proposals 2025/26 – all deadlines 23 December 2024:

Parish and town councils also run consultations from time to time: see the appropriate website/s below under Council contacts.

• Latest local newsletters

• Penny Post Hungerford.
• Inkpen and Combe Bulletin.
• Froxfield News.

News from other areas

Penny Post area: see the following separate sections: Lambourn Valley ; Newbury area; Thatcham area; Compton and Downlands ; Burghfield area; Wantage area; Marlborough area.
News and views from across the area and beyond: see the most recent Weekly News with Brian column.

Thursday 21 November 2024

Our usual round-up of local news includes bags, toys, lorries, donations, floods and apples – plus another successful repair café, decisions and choices to be made by Hungerford Town Council, purple socks, a path in Chilton Foliat and cold-weather support from WBC. See also below for community notices and news from your local council.

Upcoming Hungerford events include Toy Sale & Christmas Fair. See below for details, plus regular events and group activities.

• Fixing Success

Hungerford Repair Café hosted its final event of 2024 at the Croft Hall last Saturday. Mike Gilbert was pleased to report it was a successful morning, welcoming 43 visitors seeking help with their broken items. “It is inevitable with this many visitors that some may have to wait a little to have their item seen by a volunteer. But our café was busy all morning serving tea, coffee and cakes as waiting visitors chatted, sipped and watched repairs taking place around the hall.

“Of the 50 items brought in, 43 were successfully repaired, saving 67 kg of waste from recycling centres. Our new leather expert Natalie recovered the mallet of one gentleman’s dinner gong so he can now resume calling his guests to dinner with the gong. Fixers repaired a hand blender and butter churn for Hungerford Food Community to use in their cooking demonstrations.

“Another lady brought in a transistor alarm-radio that, until recently, had given her a reliable wake-up call with her favourite radio station for the last 45 years until something went wrong and she could only tune in to a station that was not to her liking. Electronics expert Chris found the fault so this treasured radio alarm can continue its service for many more years.” Over the six Hungerford Repair Cafés in 2024, 256 items were repaired or advised on, reducing waste by more than 500 kg.

The Repair Café will return from 10am to 12.30pm, Saturday 18 January, and continue on the third Saturday of every other month at the Croft Hall.

• Decisions

The minutes for the 24 October meeting of the Hungerford Town Centre Strategy Group (HTCSG) have now been approved and they’ll be added to this section of Hungerford Town Council’s website in due course.

The fact that the minutes are published on HTC’s website when it is not an HTC animal but a West Berkshire Council one is among the many anomalies that the project is grappling with. Another, as I mentioned before (see last week’s and the week before’s columns below) is that it has no money, nor the legal competence to decide the many matters which it’s been asked to consider.

There’s also the fact that the various members of the steering group are subject to different protocols as to how they operate: a town council, a charity, a chamber of commerce and individual retailers (perhaps also speaking on behalf of others) need to dance to different tunes. The overarching good of Hungerford is the object of these discussions. However, if they feel that this is not to the benefit of the people they represent, this places them in an intolerable position.

As I suggest below, the real problem Hungerford has (and many other parish and town councils) is how to deal with the withdrawal of services by WBC. They must prepare for this in the brief time that’s available to them, but also not signal too clearly to WBC that they’re prepared to take some of these on lest that be seen as an acceptance of what’s proposed. It’s another difficult balancing act and one that will need to be pulled off before the budgets have to be finalised in January.

Some of these decisions will have immediate consequences. If, for example, WBC decides not to pay for some of the bins and HTC doesn’t step in, they’ll probably need to be removed. Putting them back again later will cost money and so might not happen.

Fortunately, all the organisations in Hungerford, including the ones mentioned above, have an enviable track record in getting things done, whether putting on events, cleaning up the town, launching campaigns or keeping tabs on WBC. Inevitably, this involves giving up their time voluntarily and persuading others to do the same. This is going to be needed more than ever, I suspect.

Hopefully the HTCSG won’t be using up too much of their time in pursuit of goals which may be beyond its powers to achieve.

• Purple socks appeal

Hungerford’s campaign to turn the town purple on Tuesday 3 December is now in full swing. Purple Sock Day, celebrating the UN’s International Day of the Disabled Person, is one effortless single act of solidarity. All you have to do is buy a pair of socks in various striking designs and wear them on the day.

And this coming Sunday 24 November, Swings & Smiles will be attending the 10 o’clock service at St Lawrence’s with even more socks to buy. All the proceeds go to SEND charities, with half the proceeds going locally to Swings & Smiles.

• Chilton Foliat’s path

The 12 November meeting of Chilton Foliat Parish Council (CFPC) included a 30-minute discussion on “the presentation of plans to reroute the current footpath through Fairyland by Mr Evy Hambro Eastridge Estate.” The points were made by Mr Hambro that “the current pathway requires a high fence to surround the adjacent property, blocking the view. The pathway is deemed a security risk. It remains wet over the summer. The proposed new route would address these issues and enhance the footpath.” More information and a map can be found here on CFPC’s website.

CFPC said that it “has had feedback from parishioners not supportive of the loss of the walk along the river”. A number of issues were then discussed, including the possibility of an alternative proposal.

In conclusion, CFPC said that “it will report back to Wiltshire Council. Parishioners can send in individual representations (details on the village website) and many have already done so. The Parish Council is willing to explore more acceptable alternatives with the landowner and will post any updates via the village website. If new plans are put forward, they will be brought to the Parish Council. If any work to the path is undertaken it will require approval from Wiltshire Council and the Environment Agency.”

Changing, or extinguishing, a footpath is not a quick or simple matter. This article provides some extra information on how the processes work and contact details for the expert on the matter at WBC. As CFPC pointed out at the meeting, it’s also pretty much an irrevocable step: “If access is lost, however small, it is gone forever.” The possibility of deciding in haste may be prevented by the process, but there may well be reason later to repent at leisure.

• Cold-weather support for rough sleepers

Due to this recent cold snap, West Berkshire Council has activated its Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) to provide rough sleepers with warm, safe accommodation during the severe weather. If you see someone sleeping rough, you can report this to StreetLink which connects local services to support rough sleepers. If you or anyone you know is at risk of sleeping rough, you can visit WBC’s offices at Market Street, Newbury (Monday to Thursday 8.30am to 5pm, or Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm), or call Housing Services at 01635 519530 (use option 2).

For emergencies outside these hours, phone the Duty Team at 01344 351999. In these circumstances be aware that there is an Outreach worker available to engage with those who are reported to be sleeping rough and to assist them with their options for accommodation and other support.

• Other news

• Lou Evans from Hungerford Ladies Facebook group is organising another collection of donations for Berkshire Women’s Aid festive gift bags for those in need. They are looking for donations of toiletries, snacks, make-up, socks and stationery. Please drop donations in to Newbury Building Society (Hungerford), Snippets, or Hungerford Printing by Tuesday 17 December.

• Hungerford Methodist Church is holding a Toy Sale this Saturday 23 November from 10am-1pm to raise funds to repair its roof and support the Christians Against Poverty Lifeskills group.

• Hungerford Town Council would like to give you the heads up about some traffic expected to disrupt Hungerford High Street. Network Rail has advised that five low-loaders, with trailers and attachments around 44ft long, will be delivering two Road Rail Vehicles. Deliveries have been booked between 10pm and 6am in the week commencing Monday 2 December and will be delivered over multiple nights.

These are 20ft shorter than the previous delivery so should be able to navigate corners better. If you live or work in the area, it might be a good idea to plan accordingly to avoid any disruptions. If there is anything specific you’d like to know or discuss about this, please contact Network Rail directly on www.networkrail.co.uk or telephone Network Rail on 03457 11 41 41.

• Don’t forget to rock up at The Downgate Pub on Friday 29 November for a fun-filled evening, raising money in aid of Richard’s Army and Prospect Hospice.

• The last Ukraine Donation collection day for 2024 organised by HUGS (Help Ukraine Group Support) is on Tuesday 26 November from 9am to 2pm at Burbage Village Hall. If you can’t make the date, HUGS will make other arrangements to ensure you can donate before winter sets in in Ukraine. If you are unable to contribute in kind, please consider a financial donation instead to help them buy more specialist items to send out. See here for more details.

• Due to adverse weather conditions WBC postponed the Community Forum about cost of living and flood prevention that was due to take place in Hungerford on Tuesday 19 November. The forum will be rescheduled in the very near future online.

• Plans are well underway for this year’s Hungerford Victorian Extravaganza on Friday 13 December, organised by the Hungerford Chamber of Commerce committee. Donations of any size to help cover the running costs are requested here and will be match-funded by Greenham Trust. In preparation for the parade, everyone is invited to the lantern-making workshop on Saturday 30 November 1 – 4pm in the Croft Field Centre.

• Hungerford Town Council invites you to pop Sunday 1 December in your diary and turn up at Hungerford Town Hall steps at 4pm to enjoy the live entertainment before the town’s Christmas Lights Switch-On at 5pm.

• You can still take your surplus garden apples to My Apple Juice at Hungerford Park to be pressed into your own delicious apple juice with a bespoke label. See here for all the details. A shocking 90% of garden apples go to waste every year while 60% of the apples we eat and drink in the UK are imported.

• Have your say

Have your say on current consultations being run by West Berkshire Council:

Proposed Fees for Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicles and Private Hire Operator’s Licences 2025/26 – deadline 19 December 2024.

Budget Proposals 2025/26 – all deadlines 23 December 2024:

Parish and town councils also run consultations from time to time: see the appropriate website/s below under Council contacts.

• Latest local newsletters

• Penny Post Hungerford.
• Inkpen and Combe Bulletin.
• Froxfield News.

News from other areas

Penny Post area: see the following separate sections: Lambourn Valley ; Newbury area; Thatcham area; Compton and Downlands ; Burghfield area; Wantage area; Marlborough area.
News and views from across the area and beyond: see the most recent Weekly News with Brian column.

Thursday 14 November 2024

Our usual round-up of local news includes lest we forget, fundraising, the Extravaganza, shopping, caring and giving – plus a look at some quick thinking the Town Council will need to do, the community forum comes to Hungerford with flooding on the agenda and WBC’s budget consultation. See also below for community notices and news from your local council.

Upcoming Hungerford events include Repair Café and Christmas Shopping Afternoon at Hungerford Bookshop. See below for details, plus regular events and group activities.

• Hungerford’s choice

I refer to this as “Hungerford’s choice” but it’s one that is being faced by every parish in West Berkshire (and, for that matter, in other districts). This is caused by the financial squeeze which is prompting many councils to cut back on the services they provide. West Berkshire Council (WBC) is conducting a consultation into proposed cuts at present.

Much of what a council does is statutory. It can’t, for instance, decide it’s going to drop adult social care or road repairs. Others things, however, are discretionary. Many readers will remember the battle to save WBC’s libraries in the mid-2010s.

Some of these, like sign-cleaning, ditch-clearing and dog bins, are matters which could – and in some cases already are – be handled by town and parish councils. There has been a steady drip of this downward devolution over the last 10 or 15 years. In each case, parishes have been faced with a stark choice: do the service yourself or lose it. Another round of these is on the way.

The term “additionality” has been used by WBC to describe the way these services might be continued. This is one of those new breeds of words that can mean different things in different contexts. In this one, it seems to mean “this is how much you’ll need to pay us to keep these going”.

All this will create a postcode lottery depending on the will or the finances of any particular parish council to take the services on. If they do, this will either require extra volunteer help, or a reduction in the other things (like grants for good causes) that the parish can spend money on, or an increase in the precept. Unlike council tax, parish precepts are not subject to any maximum increase. Many parishes will be contemplating putting theirs up next year.

In Hungerford, the services which may be discontinued by WBC include the mobile library, the Hungerford Resource Centre, several WBC-owned litter and dog bins, some gritting services and some street lights at certain times. Other parishes will be looking at a similar list.

The timing of this could not be worse. Parishes need to get their budgets finalised by early next year. The results of WBC’s current consultation won’t be known by then. Matters need to be discussed and agreed by the full council, which meet only once month (if that often). There’s also Christmas.

Despite this, parishes need to take some hard decisions in the next couple of months. These will be based (as, in fairness, most decisions are) on incomplete information. Some of the things they’ll need to consider include:

Are the service cuts proposed by WBC in all cases legally correct and do they bring the service below a statutory minimum?
Should the parish agree to continue the services with no interruption, or should it wait and see if they really are cut and, if they are, what people feel about this? They will also need to consider that some services are easier to re-start after a break than are others.
If they decide to continue the services, should they use WBC’s current contractors or source their own? How can they be sure which will offer the best value? For how long should they agree to continue any services for?
Should the precept be increased or can any extra costs be funded from reserves or by cutting back on other things?
Is there some horse-trading to be done, such as: “If we take over this playground which WBC currently owns, will you continue to empty the same number of bins”?

Until all these decisions have been taken, WBC will not know what services it will need to continue (paid for by itself or by the parishes through “additionality”), which will be done by someone else, or will lapse altogether. It therefore won’t be able to finalise its own agreements with contractors.

The parishes will need to make these decisions quite quickly, so don’t expect too much in the way of consultation. There probably won’t be time. They know their areas and the constraints they operate under, and are elected to take decisions.

One thing you should expect is for their decisions to be explained once they’ve been taken. If you really want to get involved in the process, the best way is to join your local town or parish council. Many are not up to their maximum quota; Hungerford, for instance, currently has two vacancies. If you want to make a positive difference, there’s no better time to join.

All towns and parishes have other projects on the go as well. Some may need to be paused or reduced in scope as a result of this. The easiest ones to cut back on involve possible future initiatives. To spend time on considering, for example, whether a certain area of a town should be pedestrianised may at present seem like an indulgence, the more so as the final decision will be outside the competence or finances of the parish or town council in any case. The immediate problem is the services that exist now but are in danger of being cut. Dealing with this is probably where parish councils’ time and energy can be better spent.

• Cost of living and flood prevention on the menu of the next Community Forum

The next West Berkshire Community Forum will explain the resources available to help with cost of living, flood prevention and winter preparedness. The Forum is, a statement from WBC explains, “for all residents, community members, and stakeholders and starts at 6:30pm on Tuesday 19 November in Hungerford Town Hall. This is a great opportunity to discuss the local challenges and opportunities that can shape the future of our neighbourhoods.”

To ensure that your concerns are addressed, please submit your questions in advance to CommunityForumQuestions@westberks.gov.uk by noon on Friday 15 November and they will be answered during the event.

You can attend the forum in person at Hungerford Town Hall or via Zoom. Please email CommunityForumQuestions@westberks.gov.uk to register your attendance stating whether you will be there in person or online. You will receive the zoom link nearer the time.

Community forums were re-introduced by the new administration following the 2023 local elections. They provide an interesting and different way for particular issues to be discussed within the community and seem well worth continuing. One thing that does need to be addressed, however, is ensuring that on-line participants can clearly hear all that’s said. This wasn’t the case with the last one (which covered planning) on 8 September.

• Balancing the books

A consultation has started on proposals which will affect some of the services West Berkshire Council provides next year. Residents are invited to read more about these plans and comment on them. “With limited funding,” the Council’s statement explains, “there are difficult decisions to consider with balancing the council’s budget for 2025/26. No decisions will be taken until after the consultation has closed on Monday 23 December so click here to have your say on the mobile library service, road gritting, dog poo bins, adult social care, streetlights and Downlands Sports Centre.”

Some of the decisions taken will have an impact on town and parish councils which will need to decide if they wish to continue any of these services themselves. We take a closer look at this above with particular reference to Hungerford: however, all communities in West Berkshire will be needing to make similar decisions. Other councils in the area such as Wiltshire, Swindon and Vale of White Horse are also taking anxious looks at their budgets.

• Other news

• Between October 2024 and April 2025, the Department for Work and Pensions has allocated funds to councils to support those in need in their local area. West Berkshire Council has been allocated funding to assist with costs such as energy bills, food, clothing and housing in exceptional circumstances. This Household Support Fund is there to support those most in need. Priority will be given to households who are ineligible for other government support and vulnerable groups regarding the cost of living crisis. To apply click here.

• If you were unable to take part in last Sunday’s Remembrance Parade in Hungerford, click here for a video of the occasion. Lest we forget.

• Events this weekend include the last Repair Café of 2024 (and a good opportunity to get Christmas decs and lights fixed) in The Croft Hall on Saturday 10am to 12.30pm, Wishes For Walter Charity Evening at The Terrace Cafe at Herongate Club also on Saturday, and on Sunday Green woodworking with Berkshire Bodgers at Little Hidden Farm in Hungerford Newtown and a lovely Christmas shopping afternoon at Hungerford Bookshop.

• Memory Worship at Hungerford Methodist Church, especially suitable for those living with dementia and their carers, has become a wonderful resource for Hungerford residents and was the focus of an interview with Katie Tyler on BBC Berkshire last week. Listen to this radio excerpt with Karen Frost, Older People’s Church Champion and Pastoral Development Worker for Hungerford, Thatcham and Newbury.

• Don’t forget to rock up at The Downgate Pub on Friday 29 November for a fun filled evening, raising money in aid of Richard’s Army and Prospect Hospice.

• West Berkshire Council is once again partnering with local bus companies to provide free bus travel in West Berkshire during the run-up to the festive season, thanks to government funding received after submission of the Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP). On Saturday 16 November, Saturday 14 December and Saturday 21 December, all journeys that begin and end in the district will be completely free. This extends to some neighbouring areas including Reading, Didcot, Basingstoke and Swindon. More information can be found here.

• No sooner has the last firework exploded and the last pumpkin sacrificed its innards to a pumpkin soup, than attention turns to the festive conundrum that is Christmas. So, on that note, Hungerford Town Council invites you to pop Sunday 1 December in your diary and turn up at Hungerford Town Hall steps at 4pm to enjoy the live entertainment before the town’s Christmas Lights Switch-On at 5pm.

• Codie Tracey is organising a charity event in memory of Hungerford born and bred, Richard Tracey. All funds raised will be donated to Prospect Hospice in Wroughton to support its extraordinary work, given that only a quarter of its funding comes from the NHS. Codie is looking for any local businesses that might be willing to donate a raffle prize for this upcoming event on Friday 29 November, so that families like hers can continue to be supported by this wonderful charity. Please message her on Facebook here.

• Calling all female bicycle riders, Jim The Bike Guy is running a Ladies Maintenance Morning at Jim’s Workshop in Hungerford on Saturday 16 November. Text 07881 688097 to get your space booked and leave feeling more confident about your bike.

• If you fancy a day out for Christmas shopping, the popular Spirit of the Vale Christmas Fair in Sparsholt is worth the trip on Thursday 21 November. Set in the lovely historic barn at Eastmanton House, it has its biggest line-up of stalls yet with wonderful gifts that you won’t find on the high street. Open from 10am to 7pm, Childrey Stores will be serving delicious refreshments all day or you can pop into The Sparsholt pub for lunch. All proceeds will go to the Root & Branch charity that uses the power of nature, gardening and rural crafts to help adults with enduring mental health difficulties. Also to The Rood Project to restore the beautiful and historic Sparsholt Church known for its amazing wooden effigies.

• Carers Rights Day is on Thursday 21 November and this year’s theme is “Recognising your rights”. Every day, 12,000 people become unpaid carers for a partner, often unaware of their legal rights and what they’re entitled to in terms of support and benefits. WBC has teamed up with organisations to hold a special event on 21 November at Frank Hutchins Community Hall in Thatcham, to get carers together to talk about the issues they’re facing and where to get help. No need to book, find out more here.

• WBC has teamed up with local domestic abuse services for the Giving Tree initiative, to bring Christmas 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 3-4” or “Female Adult”. The Giving Tree will be running until Friday 6 December, click here to find out more.

• Hungerford Methodist Church is holding a Toy Sale on Saturday 23 November from 10am-1pm to raise funds to repair its roof and support the Christians Against Poverty Lifeskills group. Any donations of toys, children’s puzzles and games for all ages would be very gratefully received at Sunday’s CommuniTea from 12.30pm to 3.30pm on Saturday 9 or 16 November.

• On Saturday 16 November from 8pm till late, The Herongate Club in Hungerford will be hosting an Open Mic night to raise money for five-year-old Walter, who is battling brain cancer. Poets, comedians, lyricists, musicians and singers are all invited to come and share their talent. Please contact Wishes4Walter@hotmail.com or call 07794256321 for further information.

• Calling all football fans, Hungerford Town Football Club is hosting its annual sporting supper on Thursday 21 November with guest speaker this year ex-Man City, Arsenal, Leicester, Blackburn, and Scotland striker Paul Dickov. Email crisandgemma30@gmail.com for further information.

• West Berkshire Warriors U14s and U12s girls are playing Windsor this weekend at Hungerford Rugby Club. Go along and support them at Hungerford RFC especially if you have any budding players who fancy getting into women’s rugby.

• Have your say

Have your say on current consultations being run by West Berkshire Council:

Draft Carers Strategy 2024 – 27 – deadline 17 November 2024.

Budget Proposals 2025/26 – all deadlines 23 December 2024:

Parish and town councils also run consultations from time to time: see the appropriate website/s below under Council contacts.

• Latest local newsletters

• Penny Post Hungerford.
• Inkpen and Combe Bulletin.
• Froxfield News.

News from other areas

• Penny Post area: see the following separate sections: Lambourn Valley ; Newbury area; Thatcham area; Compton and Downlands ; Burghfield area; Wantage area; Marlborough area.
• News and views from across the area and beyond: see the most recent Weekly News with Brian column.

Thursday 7 November 2024

Our usual round-up of local news includes a parade, an appeal, a switch-on, toys, neighbours and apples – plus the highlights of the recent Penny Post Hungerford newsletter, a look at the issues facing the town-centre strategy groups, thumbs ups for the bollards and free seasonal bus travel. See also below for community notices and news from your local council.

Upcoming Hungerford events include Remembrance Parade, Bridge Afternoon & Repair Café. See below for details, plus regular events and group activities.

• A town-centre strategy

One of the matters discussed at the recent Hungerford Town Council meeting, as a result of questions asked by a local retailer, concerned the possible loss of parking spaces in the High Street. This issue has arisen from the work of the Town-centre Steering Group (TCSG), which is looking at suggestions for enhancing the town as part of a town-centre strategy (TCS).

The idea of the TCS was announced, for Hungerford and Thatcham, two years ago by West Berkshire Council (WBC). The proposals caught the two communities slightly on the hop and initial work by WBC had more than a whiff of being made up as they went along. The local election in May 2023 certainly provided a motive for this being done at all: when the administration changed hands as a result, it also resulted in the projects being paused.

Work was re-activated in late 2023 after a further delay while the terms of reference of the steering groups were agreed. Under these, the towns would be responsible for running these groups (in Hungerford, for instance, the Chair is also the Deputy Mayor). Despite this, the whole scheme is a WBC one.

One way of looking at it is to say that Hungerford has been empowered by WBC to look into possible improvements in the town. Another is to suggest that WBC is getting the local community to do its work for it. Either way, the steering group has so far not been able to make as much progress as many would have hoped.

It’s also important to remember that the steering group won’t itself make any decisions but will report to HTC. As most of the suggestions will involve areas like highways or waterways that HTC doesn’t have the power to control, they will need to be passed to WBC, the Canals and Rivers Trust or whoever to take forward. None of these organisations has much spare cash, so funds will have to be sourced from elsewhere.

One pre-requisite of getting grants is being able to demonstrate broad support for any scheme proposed. Establishing this is one of the things the steering groups hope to do.

In Hungerford, however, the discussions so far have had exactly the opposite effect. The item which the consultation organised by WBC in 2022-23 identified as the one of most interest to residents was creating a pedestrianised area outside the Town Hall. So far, there is little unanimity about this – in fact ,the meetings have demonstrated that there is a considerable divergence of views.

The fact that each interest group is fighting its corner is understandable. Any change produces the possibility of unwelcome consequences which responsible representatives will want to mitigate. Anything to do with pedestrianisation or changes to parking arrangements will always, as has been demonstrated in Hungerford and elsewhere, produce a range of reactions which can easily become divisive. These fears have not been caused by the TCSG, but have been exposed by it.

In all such cases, the trick is to see if an overwhelming advantage can be demonstrated which compensates for any loss or inconvenience any group might feel. The idea of a pedestrianised area in Hungerford remains an interesting one, but the current fear is that the problems and divisions that might result are too high a price to pay for whatever might be provided there.

The Mayor summed this up at the recent HTC meeting when she said that the task of finding common ground and representing the interests of the whole town may prove insuperable under the TCSG as there were so many points of view being expressed.

One possibility is that the TCSG park this issue and look at other proposals where there may be more agreement. Whatever is identified will, however, eventually run into the above-mentioned issues of competence and funding. The risk is therefore that a WBC scheme, which didn’t start out that well, turns into a largely hypothetical exercise, creating little more than unrealisable aspirations and divisions of opinion rather than the positive outcomes which the project originally promised.

• Penny Post Hungerford

Earlier this week we published the November 2024 Penny Post Hungerford e-newsletter with, as ever, the best round-up of life in the town. Click here to read it if you didn’t get it. Highlights include:

Our regular update on the work of Hungerford Town Council (HTC).
Presentations to HTC by the Fire and Rescue Service.
Two local funding successes in West Berkshire Council (WBC)’s latest round of CIL bids.
News and offers from many of the town’s retailers including Barrs yard.
Weekly coached pickleball sessions now available at the Leisure Centre.
A forthcoming Repair Café.
The remembrance symbolism of poppies and a guide to the colours.
Newsroom, a range of local community groups.
Our regular monthly diary for John O’Gaunt’s head Teacher.
Events, eco news, good causes, offers and activities.
Properties and jobs.
Some wise words from Quincy Jones.

If there’s anything you’d like to contribute to the December issue, please email penny@pennypost.org.uk by the end of this month.

• Bollard approval

Following the ram-raid attack on New Year’s Eve last year on the Coin and Stamp Centre in Hungerford, the owners applied to have some bollards installed outside the shop. Despite objections from HTC, WBC recently decided to grant permission. The decision notice explained that, although there would be “some limited harm to the appearance of the conservation area”, on balance the benefits to the local business community outweighed this.

The owners of The Plume at the junction of High Street and Park Street, the side of whose building is regularly used as a punch-bag by passing lorries, might be encouraged by this view. They tried to get a bollard installed to protect the building but WBC refused the idea. The difference is that the Coin and Stamp Centre is installing and paying for its ones itself.

“I am delighted the matter has finally been approved by West Berkshire Council,” the Coin and Stamp Centre’s owner Nigel Montgomery told Penny Post this week. “The application for bollards was made as a result of the devastating ram raid on our original premises in Hungerford High Street where the shop suffered irreparable damage and the theft of the safe.”

The damage he refers to has certainly proved irreparable so far, as for the last 10 months the shopfront has been boarded up pending an inspection by WBC’s elusive conservation officer. Work cannot start on the listed building until they’ve approved it. This has probably caused more “harm to the appearance of the conservation area” than the bollards ever will. At the time of writing it’s uncertain when the green light will be given for the work to begin.

• On the buses

WBC is once again partnering with local bus companies to provide free bus travel in West Berkshire during the run-up to the festive season, thanks to government funding received after submission of the Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP). On Saturday 16 November, Saturday 14 December and Saturday 21 December, all journeys that begin and end in West Berkshire will be completely free. This extends to some neighbouring areas including Reading, Didcot, Basingstoke and Swindon. More information can be found here.

This is welcome, especially given the government’s announcement that the £2 bus-fare cap, introduced in 2023, will increase to £3 from 1 January 2025. Figures recently provided to Penny Post by WBC show that passenger journeys between 2009-10 and the start of the pandemic were generally between 2.1m and 2.5m a year. In 2020-21 they unsurprisingly fell sharply to about 828,000. Since then they have recovered well and are now almost back to pre-pandemic levels.

These provide an interesting contrast with bus-passenger numbers for the whole of England produced by the government. These show the same largely flat figures for the decade before the pandemic and the same sharp fall when Covid struck. Nationally, however, bus usage has yet to return to its pre-Covid levels, whereas in West Berkshire it more or less has. The £2 fare cap can’t explain this difference as it applied across the country.

WBC has suggested that “we have seen increases in passenger trip numbers due to our successful free fares initiatives (which was copied by other councils).” Some more evidence for this has been requested. In particular, it would be worth knowing if the free-travel days were followed by an increase in people using the paid service thereafter.

Whatever the reason, West Berkshire seems to have done well in this respect. Hopefully the three free bus-travel days mentioned above will continue this upward trend.

• Other news

• Hungerford Town Council invites all veterans and current members of the armed forces to participate in this year’s Hungerford Remembrance Parade on Sunday 10 November, meeting outside The Town Hall at 10.30am. A time to reflect and honour the bravery and contribution of all military and civilian servicemen and women.

• The Town and Manor of Hungerford has recently received a £100,000 grant for the Kennet Valley Wetland Reserve through WBC’s latest round of CIL fund bids. This will be used for the “initial infrastructure element of a project to create 40-acre wetland nature reserve”. More information on this project can be found here. More information on all the other successful bids from this funding round can be found here.

• The Croft Hall Charitable Trust is “delighted to have received a major contribution of £67,477 from WBC towards Phase 1 of its Renovation and Improvement Programme,” Trustee Tony Drewer-Trump told Penny Post. More details about the project can be found here. Donations via the Good Exchange website would be very much appreciated.

• Quick reminder that Open School Sessions at Hungerford Primary School run until Tuesday 12 November. If you can’t make any of the dates, contact the office on 01488 682230 to make alternative arrangements. It’s a good opportunity to meet the new headteacher, Lucy Smith.

• Kintbury Parish Council, acting as Trustee of the Gladstone Memorial Recreation Ground, is undertaking a refurbishment and improvement to the children’s playground in the village.”We have been incredibly lucky to secure a grant of £65,000 from the West Berkshire Council CIL fund,” a spokesperson for the Parish Council told Penny Post.

“The Parish Council is very grateful to those who have already donated to the project. We have opened a fundraising page on the Good Exchange (link below). If you would like to make a donation towards this exciting project for the local community, please click here.” More information on this and all the other successful bids from this funding round can be found here.

• Quick reminder how to stay safe this Halloween and bonfire season with important reminders from the Royal Berkshire Fire Service and the Environment Agency about fireworks and bonfire safety for people and animals, including the fines you can receive if you burn polluting household waste (you should only burn dry, untreated wood).

• Hungerford residents enjoyed a wonderful display of Vintage Military Vehicles along the High Street at the Hungerford Arcade last weekend to raise money for this year’s Poppy Appeal and honour our veterans.

All proceeds will go to the Root & Branch charity that uses the power of nature, gardening and rural crafts to help adults with enduring mental health difficulties. Also to The Rood Project to restore the beautiful and historic Sparsholt Church known for its amazing wooden effigies.

• Kintbury St.Mary’s CE Primary School is excited to have entered the Social Impact Schools Award 2024/25 which seeks to highlight making a difference to the world around us and aligns with their school mantra of Love thy Neighbour. Good luck everyone.

• There is still time to make your nominations for WBC’s Community Champion Awards which close on Monday 11 November. The awards aim to celebrate the amazing work that residents, groups and volunteers do across the area. Click here to fill out the online nomination form.

• The burgeoning Hungerford Community Shed group is on the verge of ratifying an agreement with Hungerford Town Council regarding the use of a permanent space at the Croft Field Centre. Members will subsequently convert the space themselves into a state of the art community workshop. They will be staging a publicity event on the steps of Hungerford Town Hall on Saturday 7 December from 9 am until 1 pm.

View a display of items from other Men’s Sheds and perhaps take the opportunity to become part of their growth. For further information contact Nick Wedgwood or Bruce Mayhew.

• Reminder about Kennel Club advice for dog owners about the fatal disease Alabama Rot. Little is known about the disease, as yet, although its effects are being felt countrywide. Its advice is to take preventative measures such as avoiding extra muddy walking routes and to wash and dry your dogs’ paws thoroughly after countryside rambles. Lethargy, vomiting, lack of appetite and sores and ulcers on the skin are the signs to be aware of, necessitating a speedy trip to the vet.

• Quick reminder of what you can do with your post-Halloween pumpkin (which does not include leaving it in the woods for wildlife…)

• West Berkshire Health & Wellbeing encourages and reminds everyone that as winter approaches it is time to check your eligibility for flu and COVID-19 vaccines. Book now here.

• If you are looking for that perfect wedding venue, Town & Manor of Hungerford suggests you take a look at the historic Hungerford Town Hall as a potential choice with plenty of character. With three separate rooms you can use, there’s a full kitchen, toilets and the use of staging, speakers and sound equipment. Call 01488 686555 to discuss your requirements.

• Have your say

Have your say on current consultations being run by West Berkshire Council:

Draft Carers Strategy 2024 – 27 – deadline 17 November 2024.

Parish and town councils also run consultations from time to time: see the appropriate website/s below under Council contacts.

• Latest local newsletters

• Penny Post Hungerford.
• Inkpen and Combe Bulletin.
• Froxfield News.

News from other areas

Thursday 31 October 2024

Our usual round-up of local news includes a fair, a parade, bonfires, cattle, Lego, a competition and Alabama Rot – plus great funding news for the Wetlands project, the Croft Hall and Kintbury’s playground, next week’s Hungerford newsletter and path disagreements. See also below for community notices and news from your local council.

Upcoming Hungerford events include Christmas Fair & Firework Night. See below for details, plus regular events and group activities.

• Hungerford’s wetlands

The Town and Manor of Hungerford has recently received a £100,000 grant for the Kennet Valley Wetland Reserve through West Berkshire Council’s latest round of CIL fund bids. This will be used for the “initial infrastructure element of a project to create 40-acre wetland nature reserve”.

The Town and Manor of Hungerford said that it was “delighted” at the grant. “This is a fantastic start to our fundraising for this wonderful project. It is a major contribution to the cost of the infrastructure needed to provide public access to the wetland – a new road access from Charnham Park road, a bridge and a small car park.

“This is an ambitious project to establish a 40-acre wetland reserve on the floodplain of the River Kennet to the north of the town. Formerly water meadows and then Grade 4 agricultural land, the site will be restored to a wonderful mosaic of wetland habitats benefiting wildlife, climate change and helping to mitigate flood risk in the Kennet Valley.

“Most excitingly, the wetland reserve will be open to the public all year round and with no entry fee. The Town and Manor plans to work with ARK (Action for the River Kennet) to provide educational activities on the reserve. Thank you, West Berkshire, for allocating this substantial grant, providing us with 45% of the cost for the initial wetland access infrastructure. This is such a positive start to our fundraising campaign.”

More information on this project can be found here. More information on all the other successful bids from this funding round can be found here.

• The Croft Hall

There’s a very similar story here, also from Hungerford.

“The Croft Hall Charitable Trust is delighted to have received a major contribution of £67,477 from West Berkshire Council (WBC) towards Phase 1 of its Renovation and Improvement Programme,” Trustee Tony Drewer-Trump told Penny Post. “The works are needed to renew aged floors and the dated kitchen, without which the continued use of the building by the numerous and wide variety of groups and residents would be at risk. Together with the £30,000 matched funding already kindly pledged by the Greenham Trust, WBC’s grant moves us closer to the required Phase 1 total of £138,000.

“The recognition by WBC of the value of the hall to Hungerford and its surrounding area, and the diverse range of activities it supports, will also be important in assisting us with our future fundraising activities. We still urgently need to raise the remaining £38,000 to be able to complete Phase 1, and we are currently seeking further individual and larger donors to achieve this.”

More details about the project can be found here. Donations via the Good Exchange website would be very much appreciated.

• Kintbury’s playground

And yet another award from the CIL fund for the area: this time for Kintbury, where the Parish Council has been awarded £65,000 of the £100,000 that’s needed for a refurbishment of the playground.

Kintbury Parish Council, acting as Trustee of the Gladstone Memorial Recreation Ground, is undertaking a refurbishment and improvement to the children’s playground in the village, and reported: “As well as replacing some old equipment we are excited to be installing some accessible equipment and improvements to the ground surfaces.”

“We have been incredibly lucky to secure a grant of £65,000 from the West Berkshire Council CIL fund,” a spokesperson for the Parish Council told Penny Post. “The Parish Council is very grateful to those who have already donated to the project. We have opened a fundraising page on the Good Exchange (link below). If you would like to make a donation towards this exciting project for the local community, please click here.”

More information on this and all the other successful bids from this funding round can be found here.

• Penny Post Hungerford

The October edition of Penny Post Hungerford will be published on Tuesday 5 November and will as ever provide the best round-up of what’s going on in the town. If there’s anything you want to contribute to this, please email penny@pennypost.org.uk as soon as possible.

The timing of this newsletter is determined by the meetings of Hungerford Town Council, which normally take place on the first working Monday of the month. Coverage of the meeting, and the other matters with which the Town Council is concerned, are always the main stories in Penny Post Hungerford. Members of the public are welcome to attend the meetings (except for any Part 2 at the end of which confidential or commercially sensitive matters are discussed). Details of the meeting on Monday 7 October including the agenda can be found here.

• Different paths

This article in the Daily Express reports how Pippa Middleton and her husband are “embroiled in a bitter dispute with local villagers [in Kintbury] after the couple erected ‘No Trespassing’ signs over a footpath used by the public. The pair’s West Berkshire estate has a footpath leading up to their driveway that residents have been able to use for years.” This was, it seems, with the tacit (though perhaps not written, which might make a difference) permission of the previous owner, Terence Conran.

Such disputes can be highly emotive. Many will remember the antics of Nicholas van Hoogstraten in Sussex, who waged a long and bitter battle with the Ramblers’ Association over a right of way issue. Legal actions, razor wire and military-style concrete bollards were all features of his campaign against opponents whom he described in terms so opprobrious that it seems better not to quote them in case you’re reading this before the 9pm watershed: and perhaps not even then.

Not, we must stress, that things have got anywhere close to that point in Kintbury and it’s very much hoped that they won’t. Eugene Futcher of the West Berkshire Ramblers told Penny Post on 31 October: “Mill Lane has been used by walkers for a very long time and far longer than the 20 years required by law to support a claim to have the access declared a public right of way, a claim I submitted on the 20 January 2023.”

West Berkshire Council then made an order that Mill Lane should be added to the definitive map as a public right of way, a decision “based on the large volume of witness statements supplied”. It seems, however, that the landowner has not accepted the order and has raised objections, as they’re entitled to do. West Berkshire Council must now submit the order to the Planning Inspectorate in order to reach a decision.

Eugene Futcher added: “I’m informed that the Planning Inspectorate is likely to commence work by mid-2025 and might be expected to reach a decision by the end of next year.” Nothing happens very quickly with planning process, and matters concerning rights of way take longer than most.

In the meantime, WBC’s decision would appear to stand, but it remains to be seen what the reaction of the landowners will be. Hopefully both sides can show restraint until the matter is finally resolved.

• Other news

• The popular Hungerford Christmas Fair returns to the Town Hall on Friday 1 and Saturday 2 November. Entrance costs £3 in aid of Motor Neurone Disease Association (Reading and West Berkshire Branch) who also will receive the raffle proceeds. There will be many new stallholders and 10% of all sales will be given to Amref Health Africa, the charity supported by Kathini Graham, who started and ran this fair for over 25 years. See here for more details.

• John O’Gaunt School PSA invites everyone to its Firework Night at John O’Gaunt School on Friday 1 November with bonfire, bar and refreshments. See here for all details and where to get tickets.

.• This week saw the cattle on the common leaving until next year. This year has not been the easiest for the herd, with two animals sadly dying as a result of injuries. Philip Porter rounded the herd up safely and we look forward to their return in 2025. In the meantime Town & Manor of Hungerford is asking folk to drive particularly carefully as the nights draw in, to avoid hitting deer, badgers, foxes and other wild animals.

• Congratulations to Hungerford’s mixed Walking Football team which entered its first competition in Bracknell last week. Two draws and two narrow defeats was a fair outcome for its first competitive outing, but it is always keen for new players to join. If you’d like to give it a try, men’s sessions are on Monday evenings from 7pm to 8pm and women on Wednesdays at the same time, both on the 3G pitch at John O’Gaunt School. For more information contact Martin.brailli@btinternet.com.

• Mindful of the autumnal leaf fall, combined with an excess of rainfall and mild temperatures, The Kennel Club UK is advising dog owners about the fatal disease Alabama Rot. Little is known about the disease, as yet, although its effects are being felt countrywide. Its advice is to take preventative measures such as avoiding extra muddy walking routes and to wash and dry your dogs’ paws thoroughly after countryside rambles. Lethargy, vomiting, lack of appetite and sores and ulcers on the skin are the signs to be aware of, necessitating a speedy trip to the vet.

• Check out Lego Club at Hungerford Library for children over 5 years this Saturday 2 November from 10.30am to 12pm. Drop in to have fun with Lego. This is a free event, with all materials provided, but the Lego is not to take away. Parents/carers need to stay with children under 8. For more information, phone the library on 01488 682660.

• See here for our guide to October half term fun, including Hungerford Tesco’s Halloween Colouring Competition for age groups 3-5 years, 6-8 years and 9-11 years. Pick up a colouring sheet in store, hand it back by Monday 4 November to be in with a chance of winning a prize.

• The first Tuesday of each month, St Lawrence’s Church serves soup and a buffet in the new west wing of the church, and welcomes anyone – young, old or in the middle – who would otherwise be having lunch on their own. Their Guy Fawkes lunch on Tuesday 5 November at 12.15 pm will nod to the day, with some indoor sparklers and other bits of fun. See here for more details.

• West Berkshire Health & Wellbeing encourages and reminds everyone that as winter approaches it is time to check your eligibility for flu and COVID-19 vaccines. Book now here.

• Reminder to heed Forestry England‘s request not to leave spent pumpkins in forests or woodlands regardless of well-meaning social media posts encouraging people to leave them for wildlife to eat. Pumpkins are not natural to woodlands and can make some animals, including hedgehogs, very poorly. Decomposing food waste can also attract pests and spread disease.

• West Berkshire Council is inviting residents to nominate individuals and groups for The Community Champion Awards 2024. All nominations will be judged by an independent panel and the winners will be presented with their award at a ceremony to be held in February 2025. Say a big thank you to those who have contributed to your community by nominating online here. The closing date is 11 November. Paper nomination forms can be obtained by calling 01635 503973.

• Have your say

Have your say on current consultations being run by West Berkshire Council:

Extension to Newbury Town Centre pedestrianisation hours – deadline 5 November 2024.
Draft Waste Management Strategy 2025-2032 – deadline 6 November 2024.
Draft Carers Strategy 2024 – 27 – deadline 17 November 2024.

Parish and town councils also run consultations from time to time: see the appropriate website/s below under Council contacts.

• Latest local newsletters

• Penny Post Hungerford.
• Inkpen and Combe Bulletin.
• Froxfield News.

News from other areas

Thursday 24 October 2024

Our usual round-up of local news includes volunteers, freedom, fun, fireworks, tests and vines – plus a look at a long-awaited extension to Hungerford Leisure Centre and a warning about a nasty scam doing the rounds. See also below for community notices and news from your local council.

Upcoming Hungerford events include Kintbury Players’ The Haunting of Dr Beeching & Halloween Parties. See below for details, plus regular events and group activities.

• Hungerford’s extension

I use the pool at the excellent Hungerford Leisure Centre several times a week and have long been struck by a totally unused outside area at the back. This can be described as a bite-shaped gap between the swimming pool and the buildings of John O’Gaunt School next door. The aim has long been to fill this in and so extend the area that can be used for indoor exercise classes. It came tantalisingly close to fruition a year or so ago and then was paused at the last minute. Finally, this week, an announcement was made with an imminent start date.

“West Berkshire Council’s investment will see the design and construction of a modular building to create space for a state-of-the-art studio that will benefit the local community for years to come,” a joint statement from the council and its leisure partner, Everyone Active, confirmed on 21 October.

“The new studio will allow the leisure centre, which is run by Everyone Active in partnership with West Berkshire Council, to expand its fitness offering and increase the number of group exercise classes. It will boast a top-of-the-range sound system and LED lighting. Residents of all ages and abilities will be able to enjoy the variety of classes that will be available in the brand-new studio, such as HIIT, yoga and pilates, as well as the popular Les Mills fitness series.”

Spokespersons for both Everyone Active and WBC expressed their “delight and excitement” at the announcement.

Building work is set to start in early November and shoud be complete by mid December. The “modular” construction method referred to above means that the structure will come partly pre-fabricated in three or four large chunks and be lifted in place by cranes. That should provide an interesting photo opportunity, assuming one can get close enough.

I understand that the works will proceed with “minimal disruption throughout the construction process” but it seems certain that the Centre will be closed for at least one day for the above-mentioned crane to do its stuff. As to when this day will be, that is not yet known but the Leisure Centre’s website (and Penny Post) will be sharing this information when available.

• Scourge of our time

A few years ago, Penny fell for a scam resulting from a friend’s facebook messenger account being hacked. A dear friend has just done the same. They both were scam-aware but, at that very moment, were also distracted. Try to remember that if someone you know contacts you digitally, however plausible their request, first ask them a question only they would know the answer to. Or just give them a call. These days, banks are good at reminding you about scams before you make a BACS transfer: now scammers are asking for gift vouchers to be bought on platforms like Amazon because they don’t have such warnings.

This year’s Scams Awareness Week campaign run by the Public Protection Partnership and Citizens Advice focuses on investment and financial planning scams. At a time when many people are in debt or concerned about the cost of living, investment opportunities that offer large profits can seem irrestistable and fraudsters are using high-pressure sales techniques to get vulnerable consumers to invest in their schemes.

If the deal seems too good to be true it usually is. If someone you don’t know contacts you unexpectedly, encourages you to pay quickly or share personal information, they are a scammer. Likewise if someone calls saying they are from your bank and are asking for any kind of information, even if they know a lot about your account, just hang up. They have probably hacked into your account but just need your code to withdraw funds from it. Call the bank back on a number you trust.

On top of the financial loss, victims often feel shame and embarrassment. But that’s what the fraudsters rely on so you don’t report the crime. Remember they are the guilty party, not you.

• Other news

• Kintbury Players present The Haunting of Dr Beeching at the Coronation Hall from Friday 24 to Sunday 26 October. It’s 1952 and Dr Beeching is a young, rising star at ICI when he finds himself stranded at a lonely railway station with an interesting set of fellow travellers… including a medium! Will she predict the role he will go on to play in the railway system, and what will she foresee for the other characters? Book your tickets here.

• Hungerford Youth and Community Centre is looking for volunteers to keep their popular Monday sessions for Years 7 & 8 going. If you are able to give up some time, even once every half term, it will ensure they can keep this fabulous resource going.

• Quick reminder about free safety testing of electric blankets and portable heaters at Hungerford Fire Station on Monday 28 October 2024, dates are also available in Newbury and Thatcham. Full details here.

• Hungerford Town Council currently has a vacancy for a Town Councillor, a role which can be filled by co-option (ie no election needed). More information on the procedure for doing this and the likely commitment in terms of meetings and other matters can be found by clicking here.

• A local wine-grower has recently published a book describing the trials and triumphs involved in starting up and then running a vineyard. All is revealed in Christopher Cooke’s Ancient Land, Pastures New, more information on which you can find here.

• The popular Hungerford Christmas Fair returns to the Town Hall on Friday 1 and Saturday 2 November. Entrance costs £3 in aid of Motor Neurone Disease Association (Reading and West Berkshire Branch) who also will receive the raffle proceeds. There will be many new stallholders and 10% off all sales will be given to Amref Health Africa, the charity supported by Kathini Graham who started and ran this fair for over 25 years. See here for more details.

• John O’Gaunt School PSA invites everyone to their Firework Night on Friday 1 November with bonfire, bar and refreshments. See here for all details and where to get tickets.

• Congratulations again to this year’s well-deserved Freedom of the Town awardees namely Barbara Barr, Tim and Sandie Crouter, and Susan Mayes. You can read their citations here, presented by Deputy Lieutenant for Berkshire, Willie Hartley Russell and The Mayor of Hungerford, Helen Simpson on Sunday 6 October 2024 in Hungerford Town Hall.

• West Berkshire Health & Wellbeing encourage and remind everyone, that as winter approaches it is time to check your eligibility for flu and COVID-19 vaccines. Book now here.

• As millions of pumpkins hit supermarket shelves and make their way to homes across the country, Forestry England is reminding us not to leave spent pumpkins in forests or woodlands regardless of well-meaning social media posts encouraging people to leave them for wildlife to eat. Pumpkins are not natural to woodlands and can make some animals, including hedgehogs, very poorly. Decomposing food waste can also attract pests and spread disease.

• The Complaints & Standards Committee conducts regular, thorough reviews of the complaint-handing and review processes within Thames Valley Police, helping to ensure that the force achieves the highest levels of integrity and trust within the community. Volunteer Connect are currently looking for motivated individuals who are passionate about community, perhaps retired professionals or young adults wanting to pursue a career in public service. Full training will be given, including observation of frontline officers at work, and out of pocket expenses paid. If you are interested or would like further information, please email info@volunteerconnect.org.uk

• The Five Bells at Wickham is looking for fantastic stallholders for its Christmas Market on Saturday 23 November. Contact them via email at hello@fivebellswickham.co.uk if you are interested.

• Have your say

Have your say on current consultations being run by West Berkshire Council:

Parish and town councils also run consultations from time to time: see the appropriate website/s below under Council contacts.

• Latest local newsletters

• Penny Post Hungerford.
• Inkpen and Combe Bulletin.
• Froxfield News.

News from other areas

Thursday 17 October 2024

Our usual round-up of local news includes cattle, community champions, compost, Christmas, Dr Beeching and apples – plus a look at the minutes of the latest Town-centre Strategy meeting, farewell to General Jackson, a local vineyard, a councillor vacancy and the recent Freedom of the Town awardees. See also below for community notices and news from your local council.

Upcoming Hungerford events include Morris Dancing & Quiz Night. See below for details, plus regular events and group activities.

• Hungerford’s town-centre strategy

More information on Hungerford’s Town-centre Strategy Steering Group (TCSSG) can be seen here on Hungerford Town Council’s website. You can also click here for our post which covers related matters back to the point when the idea was first developed by West Berkshire Council in 2022.

Although the TCSSG meets in Hungerford to discuss Hungerford and although most of its members are from Hungerford, it is actually a West Berkshire Council body which exists in order to explore ways to ensure the long-term viability of the town. It doesn’t have any particular decision-making powers but can recommend ideas, once these have been considered, to the relevant authority.

In many cases, grants will need to be applied for which generally require detailed evidence of local need and support for the scheme. This is what the TCSSG can help provide.

The most recent meeting of the TCSSG took place on 12 September and you can read the draft minutes here. Items covered included: the terms of reference; the casting vote; a presentation by the Canal and Rivers Trust; the proposed town square; highway rights; market rights; parking; and redundant buildings.

• Freedom of the Town Recipients 2024

Congratulations to this year’s well-deserved awardees namely Barbara Barr, Tim and Sandie Crouter, and Susan Mayes. You can read their citations here, presented by Deputy Lieutenant for Berkshire, Willie Hartley Russell and The Mayor of Hungerford, Helen Simpson on Sunday 6 October 2024 in Hungerford Town Hall.

• A councillor vacancy

Hungerford Town Council currently has a vacancy for a Town Councillor, a role which can be filled by co-option (ie no election needed).

More information on the procedure for doing this and the likely commitment in terms of meetings and other matters can be found by clicking here.

• Pastures new

I’m exceedingly fond of wine but have never been tempted by the idea of making it myself. For most of my life this was, in any case, something that was the province of the sunny south of the continent. Regular trips to France, where one would drive past untold acres of vines, cemented the idea in my mind that folks down there did it better; we should stick to making beer.

All that’s now changed. New weather patterns, different grape varieties and improved techniques and technologies have now made wine cultivation in the south of England far more commonplace. English wines are now regarded seriously, whereas a couple of decades ago they weren’t.

One such vineyard is at Winding Wood just south of Wickham, on chalky south-east-facing slopes that are ideal for this kind of cultivation. The owner, Christopher Cooke, has been nurturing a vineyard here for the last 10 years. Now, he’s written a book on the subject – Ancient Land, Pastures New, more information on which you can find here.

The idea took root in Christopher Cooke’s mind in 2012 during a casual evening chat with a friend overlooking his paddock, which was then filled with happily nibbling sheep. He remarked that they were quite a lot of trouble for the return they provided. Why not plant vines there instead, the friend said, and you can drink the results?

I can’t believe that the grapes have proved to be easier to manage. I’m only a couple of chapters in but it’s already clear that the relationship between vigneron and vine is a powerful and complex one, involving horticulture, science, economics and no small amount of emotion.

It also seems to be all-consuming, with the depth of winter the only completely fallow time. And then, at any season, you’re constantly worrying about the weather, with hail and frost (neither of which are unknown in West Berkshire) being two of the main enemies.

I wouldn’t do it myself, though I’m more than happy to drink the results of the labour of others, the more so as I know that – coming as it does only a few miles down the valley from us – it’s also a local product.

• General Sir Mike Jackson

One of the most high-profile British Army generals since WWII, Hungerford resident General Sir Mike Jackson GCB, CBE, DSO has sadly died this week. The Town & Manor of Hungerford is flying the Town Hall’s Union Jack at half-mast as a sign of respect, in recognition for all he has done, not only for the town, but for our country.

Hungerford Town Council also pays its respects, saying: “It has been our absolute pleasure and privilege to welcome him to many of the town’s events, in particular our Remembrance services and parades. On many an occasion he has taken the salute as REME soldiers march past the town hall, initially for the Homecoming Parade of 6 (Close Support) Bn REME in 2014 up until just this summer for the 80th Anniversary of D-Day.

“He has generously supported fundraising for the RBL and other charity events. General Sir Mike Jackson was a firebrand of the British Army with a career spanning 40 years. He was much loved by all who had the honour to serve under his command and will be greatly missed by many and long remembered.”

• Other news

• The Town & Manor of Hungerford is sad to report that this is the worst year for cattle being hit on the common, after another collision at the Kintbury end in the direction of the cattle grid. Currently the animal (number 40, blue tag) is very lame and being carefully observed. After some routine tests this week, the herd will soon be moved away from the Common. Reflective collars are being looked into ahead of next year, but unfortunately the research isn’t as promising as it had been hoped.

• Berkshire Bodgers invite all to join them for their monthly green woodworking session at Little Hidden Farm in Hungerford Newtown this Sunday 20 October from 10.30am till mid-afternoon.

• Hungerford Apple Day on Sunday 13 October was a great success. Residents had a go at pressing their own apple juice, Tony Hammond the apple identifier was kept busy and Tobias Lane from Heritage Fruit Trees gave out grafting advice. Nick Lumley won the largest apple competition with Ginette Gibson coming a close second. Monthly markets re-start on the second Sunday of April 2025.

• You can still take your surplus garden apples to My Apple Juice at Hungerford Park to be pressed into your own delicious apple juice with a bespoke label. See here for all the details. A shocking 90% of garden apples go to waste every year while 60% of the apples we eat and drink in the UK are imported.

• Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service are offering free safety testing of electric blankets and portable heaters at Hungerford Fire Station on Monday 28 October 2024, dates are also available in Newbury and Thatcham. Full details here.

• Don’t forget to take advantage of the West Berks Council soil conditioner giveaway this Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 October between 10am and 4pm at its Padworth Waste Management Facility. No appointment is needed but take ID or a recent utility bill to prove you’re a West Berkshire resident. Take your own container so you can easily carry and load the soil conditioner into your car as these will not be provided. Expect some queues during peak times.

• Hungerford Youth and Community Centre are looking for your help, either to donate or to volunteer. Please contact them now to keep this great resource going.

• The Five Bells at Wickham is looking for fantastic stallholders for its Christmas Market on Saturday 23 November. Contact them via email at hello@fivebellswickham.co.uk if you are interested.

• Ridgeway Press is looking for your best photos of your beautiful home town to feature in its 2025 Hungerford Calendar. Prizes will be donated by local businesses for the winning photos, which will be announced at the end of October. Click here for full details.

• Have your say

Have your say on current consultations being run by West Berkshire Council:

Parish and town councils also run consultations from time to time: see the appropriate website/s below under Council contacts.

• Latest local newsletters

• Penny Post Hungerford.
• Inkpen and Combe Bulletin.
• Froxfield News.

News from other areas

Thursday 10 October 2024

Our usual round-up of local news includes football, rugby, open days, apples, waste and help – plus the highlights from Hungerford’s latest newsletter, the latest on parking in the town and fire prevention. See also below for community notices and news from your local council.

Upcoming Hungerford events include charity gig, Apple Day & monthly Antique Fair See below for details, plus regular events and group activities.

• Penny Post Hungerford

Earlier this week we published the October 2024 Penny Post Hungerford e-newsletter with, as ever, the best round-up of life in the town. Click here to read it if you didn’t get it. Highlights include:

Our regular update on the work of Hungerford Town Council (HTC).
Presentations to HTC by the Head of the Primary School and a trustee of the Croft Hall.
The latest on the Hungerford Community Shed.
News and offers from many of the town’s retailers including Barrs yard.
Pickleball, the UK’s fastest growing sport, which can be played at the Leisure Centre.
Two local sporting success stories.
A wonderful travel experience arranged by our local travel agent, Fare Wise.
News of a partnership between Hungerford Bookshop and the Watermill Theatre.
Our regular monthly diary for John O’Gaunt’s head Teacher.
Events, eco news, good causes, offers and activities.
Properties and jobs.
Some wise words by Tom Stoppard.

If there’s anything you’d like to contribute to the November issue, please email penny@pennypost.org.uk by the end of this month.

• Hungerford’s parking

The question of changing parking regulations in the town has caused a good deal of local concern recently, not least as a result of the publicity that we and others gave to West Berks Council’s consultation on the matter. Over 150 people clicked through from our articles to WBC’s consultation page which resulted in a decision being taken to reverse the overnight on-street parking charges. Congratulations to portfolio holder Stuart Gourley and others at WBC responsible for making this call. Responding to consultations is worth it.

However, as the overnight charges still apply for the off-street car parks, there’s an obvious local anomoly. People will be more likely likely to park on the street overnight to the detriment of residents and perhaps traders (particularly on the evenings before the Wednesday markets), and in the process reducing overnight revenue from the car parks to almost zero. Hungerford Town Council has promised to continue its opposition to this and will closely monitor any unwelcome issues that emerge. However, it seems likely that we’ll be struck with this odd situation for at least six months.

Further confusion was also caused by possible changes to the car parking arrangements in the Tesco store, not helped by rather confusing notices that appeared there in August. Enquiries by Hungerford TC and Penny Post have established that the car park’s cameras are now operational and are designed to ensure that Tesco customers will be able to park there for two hours. The car park is, we were told, “for in-store customers only and not to be used for anyone not shopping at Tesco.” There is, however, no need for customers to input their car details into a ticket machine or at the checkouts. When the store is closed, parking is limited to 15 minutes.

So far as we’re aware, these changes are in force now. The daytime arrangements are little more than a tighter monitoring of what officially prevailed anyway.

• Reduce the risk of a house fire

The Public Protection Partnership and Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service are offering electric blanket and portable heater safety testing at Hungerford Fire Station on Monday 28 October 9.30am – 3.30pm drop-in. Also an important reminder to test your smoke alarms.

Around 43 fires a year are caused by faulty electric blankets usually when the heating element overheating. They should be stored flat, rolled up, or loosely folded to prevent damaging the internal wiring. Heaters cause around three fires a day in England. They should be kept away from furniture and curtains and should not be used for drying clothes.

Residents will be given advice and literature on how to keep themselves safe when using an electric blanket or portable heater at home and how to check for themselves if the item has any faults which could make it unsafe to use. Residents will also be provided with information from the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service about how they can receive a free ‘Safe and Well’ visit at their homes. For more information see here.

• Other news

• Walking football is a great way to get fit and have some fun and the Hungerford women’s team are moving their sessions to Wednesday evenings from 7-8pm on the artificial pitch behind John O’Gaunt School, and are looking too boost numbers. You need to have Astro boots or football boots, trainers or running shoes are not allowed. The first session is free. See more here.

• Hungerford Rugby Club set a record at the weekend when it staged Berkshire’s biggest girls’ Pitch Up and Play event so far. Fifteen teams from 11 Berkshire, Wiltshire and Oxfordshire clubs contested the under-12s and under-14s rugby fest, with 150 girls making use of the Triangle Field’s pitches. For more about Hungerford Rugby Juniors contact secretary Lou Evans on louise@ukrecruiter.co.uk – or follow their facebook page at facebook.com/HungerfordRugbyFootballClub

• Hungerford Youth and Community Centre are looking for your help, either to donate or to volunteer. Please contact them now to keep this great resource going.

• Enjoy a great evening of live music with HoneyTrap and other bands this Saturday 12 October at Terrace Cafe upstairs at Herongate in aid of Eight Bells for Mental Health. Free entry with a donation bucket. See more details here.

• Kintbury Players present The Haunting of Dr Beeching at the Coronation Hall from Friday 24 to Sunday 26 October. It’s 1952 and Dr Beeching is a young, rising star at ICI when he finds himself stranded at a lonely railway station with an interesting set of fellow travellers….including a medium! Will she predict the role he will go on to play in the railway system, and what will she foresee for the other characters? Book your tickets here.

• The Five Bells at Wickham is looking for fantastic stallholders for their Christmas Market on Saturday 23 November. Contact them via email at hello@fivebellswickham.co.uk if you are interested.

• Open School Sessions at Hungerford Primary School run until Tuesday 12 November. If you can’t make any of the dates, contact the office on 01488 682230 to make alternative arrangements. It’s a good opportunity to meet the new headteacher, Lucy Smith.

• John O’Gaunt School invites prospective families to book an Open Morning Tour on Friday 11 October or Monday 14 October. For more details ring 01488 682400, email jogoffice@excalibur.org.uk or visit the website www.johnogauntschool.co.uk

• Please have your say on West Berkshire Council‘s draft Waste Management Strategy which includes changing how often black bins are collected, reviewing household waste containers, expanding the range of items recycled, improving street cleanliness, and tackling fly-tipping. It is holding drop-in sessions at local libraries – see dates and times here. For our thoughts on these issues, see the Waste Management section of This Week with Brian.

• If you have ever thought about performing on stage, The Community of Hungerford Theatre Company is looking for more adults to join the cast of Shrek the Musical. No previous experience is necessary, just an interest in singing, dancing or acting. Email: tchtc.membership@googlemail.com

• Quick reminder about Hungerford Apple Day on Sunday 13 October at The Croft Field, where Hungerford Food Community invites you to bring your apples and pears to be pressed into delicious juice and to be identified by fruit experts, buy fruit trees and learn about grafting. Sample tasty apple recipes and enjoy all the usual stalls, street food and live music at what will be the last monthly market of the year. See more here.

• Hungerford Care Home is looking for participants for a Christmas Craft Fair. If you would be interested please call 01488 682002. There will be a charge of £10 per stall.

• If you need a small office space in central Hungerford for only £350pcm (plus VAT), inclusive of all services on an 18-month lease, contact William on 07785 771690, as he could have just what you’re looking for.

• Hungerford Primary School invites prospective families to several Open Days to meet their happy children and tour its beautiful grounds between Wednesday 9 October and Tuesday 11 November. To book in please contact the school office on 01488 682230 or email office@hungerford.w-berks.sch.uk. If you are unable to attend any of the given dates please contact the office to arrange a different date.

• Stephanie Robbins has created two Hungerford Hand Me On facebook groups to help connect local people in need of items with those happy to pass items on to a new family. If you have items you no longer need or are looking for items to support your family’s needs, you can join these communities for Maternity, Baby and Toddler 0 to 4 years and Children’s 5 to 11 years.

• Have your say

Have your say on current consultations being run by West Berkshire Council:

Parish and town councils also run consultations from time to time: see the appropriate website/s below under Council contacts.

• Latest local newsletters

• Penny Post Hungerford.
• Inkpen and Combe Bulletin.
• Froxfield News.

News from other areas

Thursday 3 October 2024

Our usual round-up of local news includes pickleball, sewing, spying, apples, photos and dancing – plus trying to discover Tesco’s new parking regs, a forthcoming meeting and newsletter, EV charge points, a letter on the land grab and an interview with West Berkshire Council’s Chair of Scrutiny. See also below for community notices and news from your local council.

Upcoming Hungerford events include Piano Recital & Spy Author Talk. See below for details, plus regular events and group activities.

• Hungerford’s parking

Much has been written about this of late, including by me. As reported recently (see below), responses to the consultation have produced a welcome change of heart by WBC with regard to 24/7 charges on the street, though these still apply in the car parks. Sunday charges will apply in both.

We also reported on proposed changes to the parking arrangements in Tesco few weeks ago. The signs that were put up then made little sense and the message received a less than effusive confirmation from Tesco HQ. It now seems that new number-plate-recognition cameras are being installed there: so from some uncertain date shoppers will, presumably, need to register their car details at the checkout to avoid being fined.

I must stress that these are currently only rumours. We’ve been trying to find out exactly what the new arrangements will be and when they’ll come into force, and will pass these on as soon as we know more. Hopefully, any signs in the car park itself will make more sense than the last ones did.

I’m also interested to know how restricting parking when the store is closed will help anything. Possibly this was proposed when it was thought that overnight parking charges would be imposed on the street. However, as mentioned above, this won’t now be happening. Will there therefore be any need to restrict overnight parking at Tesco?

If they are, one thing that would be a handsome gesture to the town would be for Tesco to allow guests at The Three Swans to park overnight on Tuesday/Wednesday. At present, some use bays in the High Street, despite the signs, which prevent the market setting up. Any chance of a quick summit meeting on that matter?

• Penny Post Hungerford

The October edition of Penny Post Hungerford will be published on Tuesday 8 October and will as ever provide the best round-up of what’s going on in the town. If there’s anything you want to contribute to this, please email penny@pennypost.org.uk as soon as possible.

The timing of this newsletter is determined by the meetings of Hungerford Town Council, which normally take place on the first working Monday of the month. Coverage of the meeting, and the other matters with which the Town Council is concerned, are always the main stories in Penny Post Hungerford. Members of the public are welcome to attend the meetings (except for any Part 2 at the end at which confidential or commercially sensitive matters are discussed). Details of the meeting on Monday 7 October including the agenda can be found here.

• EV chargers

A statement from West Berkshire Council refers to EV charge points which have been installed in Hungerford Church Street Car Park, adding that “we are now waiting on the grid connection and energy supply contract before going live.” As we mentioned before, this can be the longest part of any EV-charger installation so it would be best not to speculate on when the juice will actually be turned on.

The statement adds that “you can keep up-to-date on our on-street and car park electric vehicle charging points by clicking here. If you need more information that you can’t find on our website, please contact our team via email on ev@westberks.gov.uk.”

• Kintbury’s land grab

On several occasions over the last few months (in particular on 27 June, 8 August, 15 August and 12 September – see below and/or the archive sections), we’ve written about the strange tale of unauthorised development that’s taken place near Kintbury station.

Last week, I issued an appeal for Network Rail, the landowners, to respond to some questions posed by Kintbury PC some weeks before. It appears that the plea was answered and a reply was sent. However, having read it, I can’t make head nor tail of it and nor, it seems, can Kintbury PC. Matters therefore effectively rest where they were this time last week.

As soon as Network Rail sends something to Kintbury PC which answers its questions, and which it can understand, we’ll let you know more. Until then, we can’t.

• The chief scrutineer

Carolyne Culver of the Green Party was elected as the member for Ridgeway ward on West Berkshire Council in 2019, a seat she retained in 2023. Following this election, she was appointed Chair of WBC’s Scrutiny Commission, an increasingly demanding role which she discharges in addition to all her normal ward work.

But what exactly is the Scrutiny Commission and what does it do? Who better to ask than its Chair: so, we caught up with Carolyne between meetings, casework and Zoom calls to ask her a few questions about the body and why its work is so important. You can read the interview here.

• Other news

The Hungerford Neighbourhood Policing Team is holding “Have Your Say” drop-ins this Saturday 5 October at Church Street, Kintbury from 2.45pm to 3.15pm, and Hungerford High Street from 3.30pm to 4pm. Please go along to discuss any crime-related issues you may have in the community that are causing you concern. The team will also be offering crime prevention advice.

• Hungerford Leisure Centre invites over 60s to join its Silver Sunday event this Sunday 6 October from 10am to noon for a fun-filled morning of free activities to keep active, social, and engaged. See here for more details.

• To celebate World Pickleball Day on Thursday 10 October, Hungerford Leisure Centre will also be offering free sessions between 7.30pm and 8.30pm. Pickleball is a fun sport that combines elements of badminton, tennis, and table tennis. Played both indoors or outdoors on a badminton-sized court and a slightly modified tennis net. Two or four players use solid paddles made of wood or composite materials to hit a perforated polymer ball over a net. See here for more details.

• For any aspiring dressmakers or crafters, Fiona Cox is starting a new Hungerford Sew & Sews group on Mondays at The Croft Hall from 7 October. Other crafts welcome. Find out more here.

• Hungerford Bookshop is hosting a special author talk in Hungerford Town Hall at 7pm next Wednesday 9 October, with Lieutenant Colonel Tim Spicer OBE, who has written the first ever biography of the spymaster Wilfred “Biffy” Dunderdale, revealing the intriguing story of an extraordinary man. See here for details and to book your tickets.

• Open School Sessions at Hungerford Primary School start next Wednesday 9 October and run until Tuesday 12 November. If you can’t make any of the dates, contact the office on 01488 682230 to make alternative arrangements. It’s a good opportunity to meet the new headteacher, Lucy Smith.

• John O’Gaunt School welcomes prospective families to its Open Evening on Thursday 10 October from 4.30pm to 7pm with the Principal’s Address at 4.45pm and 5.45pm. You can also book an Open Morning Tour on Friday 11 October or Monday 14 October. For more details ring 01488 682400, email jogoffice@excalibur.org.uk or visit the website www.johnogauntschool.co.uk

• Hungerford Care Home is looking for participants for a Christmas Craft Fair. If you would be interested please call 01488 682002. There will be a charge of £10 per stall.

• Have your say

Have your say on current consultations being run by West Berkshire Council:

Extension to Newbury Town Centre pedestrianisation hours – deadline 5 November 2024.
Draft Waste Management Strategy 2025-2032 – deadline 6 November 2024.

Parish and town councils also run consultations from time to time: see the appropriate website/s below under Council contacts.

• Latest local newsletters

• Penny Post Hungerford.
• Inkpen and Combe Bulletin.
• Froxfield News.

News from other areas

Thursday 26 September 2024

Our usual round-up of local news includes fundraising, French, repairs, poetry, buses and apples – plus the latest on Hungerford’s parking, an appeal for a playground, a late train in Kintbury and keeping the pressure on Thames Water in Chilton Foliat. See also below for community notices and news from your local council.

Upcoming Hungerford events include Colour Mile and Audley Inglewood Open Day. See below for details, plus regular events and group activities.

• Hungerford’s parking

As mentioned last week, a partial resolution seems to have been found to the rather tangled parking issues in Hungerford which were the subject of consultations that many in the town seemed to have missed until almost the last minute. The final decisions on the new regulations are expected to be ratified soon and the new signs and meters put up. Hopefully the latter will work and will also permit payment by coins. As I’ve argued before, not to do so is verging on discrimination.

There’s a particular anomaly that survives in Hungerford: overnight on-street parking will not now be charged for (something most people support), but off-street parking in the car parks will be. This is likely to mean that the car parks (which are not that full at night) will be empty with vehicles instead using the streets, particularly the High Street.

This will mean virtually no extra revenue for WBC, more inconvenience for residents and a greater chance of cars parking in the wrong places on Tuesday and Wednesday, so threatening the market which can’t set up unless the bays with “no parking” signs are kept empty.

This doesn’t seem to accomplish anything much. It doesn’t even satisfy the goal of having a consistent charging regime across the district. There’s not even a consistent one across the town.

If raising money were the main objective, it’s hard to see further than slapping an extra 10p or so on the daytime charges and leaving everything else as it was. Still, the die on this seems to have been cast (the problem is that the consultations were done, and the results enacted, at separate times. The off-street changes have already come into force).

None the less, WBC is always keeping matters under review. If you feel unhappy with the new arrangements, please contact one of the three ward members or Hungerford Town Council who can pass the information on – they won’t know what your views are unless you tell them.

• Kintbury’s playground

Kintbury Parish Council, acting as Trustee of the Gladstone Memorial Recreation Ground, is undertaking a refurbishment and improvement to the children’s playground in the village. As well as replacing some old equipment, it plans to install a new accessible roundabout and swing and new all-weather surfaces.

The Parish Council has opened a fundraising page on the Good Exchange. If any individual, business or organisation would like to consider contributing to this project the Trustees would be very grateful.

For more information on the project, contact Angela Boyce at clerk@kintburyparishcouncil.org.

• Guerrilla development

There’s nothing to report on this for the simple reason that some questions sent to Network Rail (which owns the land) by Kintbury Parish Council (KPC) in early September have not yet been answered, despite chasing (see the 12 September column below). So my message is simply this: if anyone from Network Rail is reading this, could you please make sure that KPC’s questions are answered. They’re all perfectly reasonable ones. KPC has been waiting for this particular train to arrive for about three weeks now…

• Thames Water in Chilton Foliat

The following is taken from the minutes of the 10 September meeting of Chilton Foliat Parish Council:

“Issues raised in the public forum included requests for Parish Council assistance with Thames Water to resolve issues. Parishioners are anxious not to let momentum drop.

“Discussions included the formation of a forum, contact with MP, provision of the Village Hall for meetings and use of press and petitions. The Parish Council would always encourage parishioners to individually report issues to Thames Water but a petition would not hurt. The Parish Council can feed information through to Mr Danny Kruger MP as there is a process by which MPs can present petitions to Parliament. Contact information for Thames Water should be posted on the village website to help.

“These issues have been experienced for more than 20 years. The effect of long-term overnight tankering on parishioners and through traffic on B4192, particularly when combined with M4 closures, was highlighted.”

• Other news

• Still time to register for the fun-filled, family-friendly Colour Mile this Saturday 28 September in aid of Friends of Hungerford Primary School and John O’ Gaunt PSA at 10am at John O’Gaunt School. A white T-shirt, sunglasses and medal are included in the ticket price. So book here and bring your family, friends, and your best energy for a day filled with colour, laughter and community spirit.

• Would you like to practise your French conversation? All welcome to join Hungerford Twinning Association this Saturday 28 September in Hungerford Library Hub 10.30am-12noon. Rumour has it there might be a croissant or two…

• Audley Club at Inglewood just outside Kintbury invites local residents to its Open Day this Saturday 28 September. On arrival you’ll be greeted by a welcome drink, and taken on a guided tour of its beautiful facilities. Find out about the exclusive special membership offer and pick up your goody bag while stocks last.

• Quick reminder about Hungerford Hub & Library‘s Poetry Open Mic Night on Thursday 3 October. Join an informal, friendly and fun evening filled with creativity and expression. No experience necessary and you don’t have to perform. An opportunity to share original poetry on any topic or just enjoy hearing others read theirs. Tickets are £5 available here.

• Last chance to have your say on West Berks bus services. The deadline is Sunday 29 September to complete the survey here. The more feedback we give, the better the services will become.

• Hungerford Repair Café reports another successful event last Saturday plus its representation at the 15th anniversary of the international Repair Café movement in The Hague next month. See more details here and put the date of the last 2024 Repair Café in your diary for Saturday 16 November.

• Penny Brookman from Garston Gallopers is running a Morris Dancing workshop in memory of Hungerford Primary School teacher Miss Howlett on Saturday 19 October at Hungerford Hub, from 2pm to 4.30pm. There will be no charge, just a chance to have some fun and celebrate past lessons and perhaps see how much former pupils still remember.

• Don’t forget to put Sunday 13 October in your diary when Hungerford Food Community invite you to bring your apples and pears to be pressed into delicious juice and to be identified by fruit experts at Hungerford Apple Day and monthly market. Sample tasty apple recipes and enjoy all the usual stalls, street food and live music at what will be the last market of the year. See more here.

• Reminder about the local organisations that received grant funding from Hungerford Town Council this year for the services it provides to community. For more information on HTC’s grants, please see this section of HTC’s website or contact the Town Clerk, Claire Barnes, on claire.barnes@hungerford-tc.gov.uk.

• Hungerford Hub & Library is keen to remind residents that its website is under maintenance and ask you to use its social media to keep updated on what is happening at the Hub. Email for any further information at hungerfordhub@gmail.com.

• Hungerford Town Juniors Football Club is looking for players, so take the opportunity now to go along.

• For any aspiring dressmakers or crafters Fiona Cox is starting a new Hungerford Sew & Sews group on Mondays at The Croft Hall from 7 October. Other crafts welcome. Find out more here.

• Would you like to volunteer your business expertise to help Education Business Partnership prepare our local young people for work? EBP need volunteers for in-school sessions across Newbury, Thatcham, Hungerford and Kintbury. It is also looking for work experience placements this autumn, and invites local businesses and organisations to join its Destinations Expo 2024 on Thursday 10 October at Newbury College. See here for more details and how to apply.

• Hungerford Food Community is offering party box hire to encourage sustainability at a cost of £10. Please email hungerfordfoodcommunity@gmail.com to book yours for this summer’s children’s parties.

• Have your say

Have your say on current consultations being run by West Berkshire Council:

West Berkshire Bus Service Survey 2024 – deadline extended to 29 September 2024.
Argyle Rd, Hampton Rd and Derby Rd, Newbury: Proposed 20mph speed limit by Traffic Regulation Order (Ref: 9529) – deadline 3 October 2024.
Extension to Newbury Town Centre pedestrianisation hours – deadline 5 November 2024.
Draft Waste Management Strategy 2025-2032 – deadline 6 November 2024.

Parish and town councils also run consultations from time to time: see the appropriate website/s below under Council contacts.

• Latest local newsletters

• Penny Post Hungerford.
• Inkpen and Combe Bulletin.
• Froxfield News.

News from other areas

Thursday 19 September 2024

Our usual round-up of local news includes photos, repairs, buses, notices, sewing and litter – plus a change of heart about the town’s parking regulations, the Town Council’s annual awards ceremony, the planned homes near the station, an appeal about Kintbury’s playground and this weekend’s Newbury Show. See also below for community notices and news from your local council.

Upcoming Hungerford events include Hungerford Camera Club Exhibition & Repair Café. See below for details, plus regular events and group activities.

• Parking news

Regular readers will be aware that we’ve been covering the concerns raised by many Hungerford residents and retailers about the changes to parking arrangements proposed by West Berkshire Council. See the sections below for more on this, and also here for our report on the 2 September meeting of Hungerford Town Council which discussed this in some detail.

These articles generated even more views than usual, which shows how seriously the matter was taken. As a result, many readers also clicked through to the consultation on WBC’s site. People are, however, sometimes cynical about these exercises – would this pressure actually make any difference?

I’m delighted to report that the answer in this case is “yes”. The portfolio holder Stuart Gourley called me on 19 September to explain that there’d been a change of heart. “We’ve been having a careful look at the large number of responses we received,” he told me. “As a result, I’m now proposing that the evening and overnight charges will not be proceeded with.” All the other proposed changes are, he added, still being considered. The final decision will be ratified on 27 September.

Although this might not give local businesses and residents everything they were hoping for, I imagine that the removal of the overnight restrictions will remove a major area of uncertainty for those holding evening events, opening late and for hospitality venues with overnight visitors.

Without press coverage, a clear line from Hungerford Town Council and representatives of the retailers, and a lot of individual consultation responses, this wouldn’t have happened. As with the Notrees care home in Kintbury a few years ago, a responsible portfolio-holder can change their mind when confronted with powerful evidence which suggests a better course of action. Responding to consultations is, therefore, worth the effort.

“We’re committed to being a listening council,” Stuart Gourley added. “We want to know people’s views – indeed, that’s why we asked the question.”

• Hungerford’s awards

Hungerford Town Council (HTC) operates an annual scheme whereby grants are awarded to local organisations offering services to Hungerford residents.

Please see this separate post for a list of the organisations which have benefited from this round of funding and a brief summary of what the grant will be used for. For more information on HTC’s grants, please see this section of HTC’s website or contact the Town Clerk, Claire Barnes, on claire.barnes@hungerford-tc.gov.uk.

The presentation ceremony took place on Saturday 7 September in the Croft Field Centre. “The Annual Grants Awards remains a firm favourite of mine,” Hungerford’s Mayor Helen Simpson said. “The number of deserving organisations and charities offering advice, encouragement and support to our community is humbling especially during recent economic times. On behalf of all the Councillors, we thank you wholeheartedly.”

• Homes near the station

Plans were submitted earlier this year for “erection of 44 residential dwellings, alongside associated access works (including formation of new access from Station Road), parking, landscaping, open space, drainage and other associated works.” You can see the details of the application (24/00823/FULMAJ) by clicking here. There have been a handful of objections and on 11 June, Hungerford Town Council recorded a “no objection” to the plans. I understand that the members of the planning committee were impressed by the courtesy and communication which had been extended to them by the developers and their representatives.

Since then, however, matters have gone rather quiet and the matter is yet to be decided. West Berkshire Council has had its hands full with matters arising from the local plan (the examination of which will conclude on 3 October) and a well-publicised backlog of applications which is now being addressed; while the developers have, perhaps, been pre-occupied with the larger application at Pound Street in Newbury which was passed by the Western Area Planning Committee on 18 September. These matters now out of the way, we might see a bit more action on this scheme. It appears to be a good proposal; and certainly a great improvement on the previous one at the site for high-end retirement flats.

• Kintbury’s playground

Kintbury Parish Council, acting as Trustee of the Gladstone Memorial Recreation Ground, is undertaking a refurbishment and improvement to the children’s playground in the village. As well as replacing some old equipment, it plans to install a new accessible roundabout and swing and new all-weather surfaces.

For more information on the project, contact Angela Boyce at clerk@kintburyparishcouncil.org.

• The Newbury Show

The 2024 Newbury Show takes place on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 September – this very weekend. More information can be found by clicking here.

Recently updated news include arable farming in action, a driving experience, tweaks to the layout, parking advice and the 2024 Showground map.

• Other news

• Quick reminder that Hungerford Camera Club will be having its first exhibition since lockdown this Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 September in the Hungerford Town Hall with over 300 images on display with home made cakes, teas and coffees. It really is worth a visit.

• Also this Saturday 21 September will be the next Repair Café in the Croft Hall from 10am to 12.30pm. So do bring anything you have that needs fixing and their lovely volunteer fixers will do their magic. They will help fix your broken electrical goods, repair toys and furniture, sharpen tools and help mend clothing. Delicious tea and cake while you wait as well. See more details here.

• To support World Car Free Day this Sunday 22 September, West Berkshire Council is again partnering with local bus operators to offer free bus travel across the district for the day on Reading Buses JetBlack, 15, 16, 26 and 33, Stagecoach 32, Thames Travel X34. In addition to the usual Sunday bus services, there will be a special one-off service on the X34 between Newbury and Didcot. (Newbury Show Buses are not included in this event.) See more details here. Free Bus Travel is also being planned on Saturday 16 November, Saturday 14 December and Saturday 21 December in the run-up to Christmas.

• Have your say here on West Berkshire bus services by 29 September, specifically on the £2 single fare cap and West Berkshire Community Connect. The more feedback we give, the better the services will become.

• Audley Club at Inglewood invites local residents to visit their Open Days on Thursday 26 and Saturday 28 September. On arrival you’ll be greeted by a welcome drink, and taken on a guided tour of their beautiful facilities. Find out about their exclusive special membership offer and pick up your goody bag while stocks last.

• On Friday 27 September don’t miss the annual MacMillan Cancer Support Coffee Morning at The United Reformed Church. There will be coffee, tea, cakes and a raffle. Donations for the raffle can be dropped at The Tutti Pole between 10am and 4pm Wednesday to Sunday. If you can’t make the event in person you can donate on the justgiving page here.

• Still time to register for the fun-filled, family-friendly Colour Mile on Saturday 28 September in aid of Friends of Hungerford Primary School and John O’ Gaunt PSA at 10am at John O’ Gaunt School. A white T-shirt, sunglasses and medal are included in the ticket price. So book here and bring your family, friends, and your best energy for a day filled with colour, laughter, and community spirit.

• The Tutti Pole is pleased to be hosting their first monthly West Berks SEND support drop-in for SEND (Special Educational Needs) parents and carers to come and meet other SEND parents and carers on Thursday 26 September from 10.30am to noon. They look forward to welcoming you. Drinks and cakes will be available to purchase. The next drop-in will be on Thursday 24 October.

• Town & Manor of Hungerford invite you to take a look at its new notice board, which you can see when you’re walking along the High Street, just under the railway bridge. Read the latest Town & Manor news and use the QR code to take you through to the website.

• For any aspiring dressmakers or crafters Fiona Cox is starting a new Hungerford Sew & Sews group on Mondays at The Croft Hall from 7 October. Other crafts welcome. Find out more here.

• Quick reminder from Town & Manor of Hungerford not to leave litter on the common. It is dangerous not only to the cows, but also to dogs and other wildlife.

• Can you help The Community Theatre of Hungerford? It is looking for new premises for storage and workshop use to rent within five or six miles of Hungerford. Preferably about 100sqm with a power supply, running water and toilet. If you can help please contact Paul Sanday on 07884 321795.

• Did you know that West Berkshire Library Wellbeing Bags include a great mix of books, activities and ideas to help you maintain your health and wellbeing? As shorter days approach this is a great resource which you can borrow for free with your West Berkshire Libraries card or reserve via its online catalogue here and then collect it from any library or the Mobile Library. Book groups can also borrow sets of 10 copies of your chosen title and have over 200 sets for you to choose from. Please email library@westberks.gov.uk for details.

• Calling local authors – showcase your work at Newbury Library’s Local Author Book Fair on Saturday 23 November. It’s a perfect opportunity for members of the public to chat to local authors about what they have published and to network. A table costs £10. If you would like to learn more, get in touch at library@westberks.gov.uk.

• Would you like to volunteer your business expertise to help Education Business Partnership prepare our local young people for work? EBP need volunteers for in-school sessions across Newbury, Thatcham, Hungerford and Kintbury. It is also looking for work experience placements this autum, and invites local businesses and organisations to join its Destinations Expo 2024 on Thursday 10 October at Newbury College. See here for more details and how to apply.

• West Berkshire Council needs your views on the bus services it offers, specifically on ticketing improvements over the past year, known as £2 National Single Fare Cap Scheme, as well as other schemes like the West Berkshire Community Connect. The deadline has been extended to 29 September to have your say here.

• Hungerford Town Council reminds residents that the refurbished Croft Field Activity Centre is now open for bookings, be it for a dance, a party or a wedding. Click here for details.

• After the success of the last Poetry Open Mic Night, Hungerford Hub & Library is holding another one on Thursday 3 October. Join an informal, friendly and fun evening filled with creativity and expression. No experience necessary and you don’t have to perform. An opportunity to share original poetry on any topic or just enjoy hearing others read theirs. Tickets are £5 available here.

• Have your say

Have your say on current consultations being run by West Berkshire Council:

Parish and town councils also run consultations from time to time: see the appropriate website/s below under Council contacts.

• Latest local newsletters

• Penny Post Hungerford.
• Inkpen and Combe Bulletin.
• Froxfield News.

News from other areas

Thursday 12 September 2024

Our usual round-up of local news includes a special offer, an open mic, ladybugs, litter, new premises and batteries – plus a reminder about a very important local parking consultation, reports on the Hungerford twinning trip and the Heritage Festival, more guerrilla development in Kintbury, padel concerns in Elcot and the countdown to Newbury Show. See also below for community notices and news from your local council.

Upcoming Hungerford events include Alexander Armstrong book signing & Inglewood Late Summer Carnival. See below for details, plus regular events and group activities.

• Heritage Festival success

The odd shower last Sunday didn’t stop everyone having a great time at the Hungerford Heritage Festival on the Croft Field.

“It was lovely to see so many people having a go, whether it was green woodworking with Berkshire Bodgers, Morris Dancing, making corn dollies, churning butter, milling flour, spinning wool or making dumplings,” says one of the Hungerford Food Community organisers Penny Locke. “There was also lots of interest in the talks from natural Elizabethan medicinal ingredients and autumn foraging to cooking with venison, the history of trout farming in Hungerford, the origins of British folk songs and composting techniques and wormeries.”

“We are very grateful to all the local and talented people who are keeping our rural traditions alive and came to showcase them for us. We had a visit from a member of staff at the Museum of English Rural Life in Reading who was impressed by all the activities on offer. ”

The last monthly event at the Croft Field for 2024 will be Hungerford Apple Day on Sunday 13 October. Bring along your surplus apples to press into delicious juice, taste apple recipes, make apple slinkies and talk to apple ID experts. There will be a prize for the biggest apple and pear.

• A twinning trip

We’re delighted to be involved in the Hungerford Twinning Association which pairs Hungerford with Ligueil in the Indre-et-Loire. The latest exchange trip – after a long interruption occasioned by Covid – was enjoyed last weekend. Pétanque, a wetland walk, a sculpture, speeches, food, wine and conversation were all involved, as were a smattering of inclement weather (though not as bad as predicted) and the traditional rendition of Auld Lang Syne at the end of the visit.

To read more about the trip, and for information about how to join the Twinning Association, please click here.

• Hungerford’s parking

Note: this consultation has now closed.

Last week (see below) I covered the parking consultations which are likely to affect Hungerford (and other towns). I have nothing much to add to this apart from urging anyone who has not done so to respond to the consultation, which closes at 11.59pm this Friday 13 September. You can take part in it here. Again as mentioned last week, given the previous uncertainties about the process, it would be worth anyone expressing any concerns they have about any aspect of the proposed regulations and hope that that these will be accorded some weight. (We suggest that you answer Q2 with “I do not agree”: Q3 and Q4 will have free-text sections for you to express your views, for example if you’re concerned about Sunday and overnight regulations.)

On this theme, a story on the BBC website caught my eye this morning: “High Street hit as 38 shops close every day” is the headline: although the article goes on to point out that “if you take into account new store openings, there’s only a net closure of 12 stores a day, which is slightly higher than the same period last year.” I’m not suggesting that parking uncertainties are the only reasons shops close but they don’t help. In Hungerford, an official but fairly wide-ranging poll of retailers suggest that this is by far their biggest concern.

As a regular visitor to and shopper in the town, the current arrangements seem to me to work pretty well. Even on Wednesdays (market days) I can almost always park on the High Street. At other times it’s usually easier. However, I wouldn’t want it to be too much easier as that would mean less business and thus more vulnerability for the businesses. However, if it became too difficult or too complex I would consider not going there at all. Amazon and Ocado and the like exist and would welcome new business.

If the new regulations are designed to nudge behaviour then they may end up nudging it away from the High Street. If they are designed to help the town’s retailers then that doesn’t seem to be what they’re accomplishing. If they’re designed to create a consistent charging regime across the district (a stated aim) then they’re not doing that either as, to pick one example, Hungerford has no free off-street parking period whereas Lambourn does. If they’re designed to raise money, the jury’s still out on that.

They may do: however, I wonder if the extra revenue would be greater than the loss of business rates from any shops that were, as a result of these changes, forced to close. From talking to several retailers, this is a real fear. After all, it’s happening 38 times a day across the country. From this threat Hungerford is not immune and these proposals are only likely to increase it.

• Guerrilla development again

On several occasions over the last few months (in particular on 27 June, 8 August and 15 August – see below and/or the archive sections) we’ve written about some unauthorised development that’s taken place near Kintbury station.

I described it as a land grab because that’s in many ways what it has turned out to be. The site is owned by Network Rail which had rejected proposals from Kintbury Parish Council (KPC) to sell it so the station car park could be extended. Fast forward to 2024 and someone moved in and started work without permission. Network Rail, perhaps deciding that evicting them will be too much hassle, indicated that it’s happy to consider selling it. For a number of reasons, KPC is not very happy about all this.

The problem continues. Although there’s no confirmation that the land has been sold (something KPC would like to have an option for) or permission granted, it seems that work is continuing. KPC recently sent the following email to Network Rail and awaits a response.

“KPC is disturbed to note that work seems to be still going on at this site. Over the last couple of weeks a stack of pallets has been located there and works vehicles, belonging to the individual who tried to claim the land, are regularly being parked there. We also believe more trees and shrubs have been cut adjacent to the river bank.

“We, as a PC, are concerned that this is being allowed to continue. We’d be obliged if you would answer these questions below so we can update parishioners on this matter please:

Can Network Rail advise us if they have given permission for the individual to carry out further work, store pallets and park a works van on the site?
Why is the individual being given free rein of the land when they have told enforcement at West Berkshire Council by email that, if they were told it was owned by Network Rail, then they would leave the land?
We understand that Network Rail has told the individual it is not part of their operational network and therefore allowing them to occupy it, and yet claiming they have Permitted Development rights which allow the new access point/gate/cutting down trees. We understand PD rights exist only on your operational infrastructure so why are you allowing this?
We understand that Network Rail is liable for compensating for the impact of this work in terms of Biodiversity Net Gain given the removal of trees and habitats. Are you aware of this cost to you?
Given KPC and GWR approached Network Rail back in 2019 about purchasing the land for car park expansion, why is our interest on behalf of the community being ignored by Network Rail?
We would like to request that Network Rail install a lock on the gate, after the individual has removed all of their belongings, to bring the site back into their own control until the matter is resolved fairly. This would mitigate against any further environmentally damaging work, unauthorised parking and the use of the site to store unwanted items.”

If – or rather, when – there are further developments, we’ll let you know.

• Elcot’s padel

Until yesterday, I didn’t know what a padel court was and I’m still not sure how to pronounce it – does it rhyme with “addle” or “bell”? Further research reveals it to be kind of tennis. Here’s what Wikipedia has to say about it.

However you say it and whatever it is, Elcot Park is thinking of installing two padel courts and a “sports canopy”. You can see the details of the application and comment on them by clicking here and entering the reference 24/01147/FUL.

At its meeting on 5 September, Kintbury Parish Council (KPC) objected unanimously to the proposal for the following reasons:

The short distance to the adjacent residential properties.
The building will be situated in a Georgian walled garden
Trees would need to be destroyed to accommodate it.
The effect it will have on the wildlife could be damaging.
The building is approximately 22.5 metres by 25 metres and the canopy is 8 metres high. The walled garden is approximately 50 metres, the structure would cover over half the width of the existing garden.
The light pollution and the noise disturbance to the local residents – this would be running for a number of hours a day, seven days a week.
There would be an increase in traffic.
It is totally unfair to the neighbours.

Bear in mind that KPC is only a consultee in the process and it’s the planning authority (WBC) that will make the decision. This will either be by officers; or (if the officers are minded to approve it but there are two or more objections or if the ward member decided to call it in) by planning committee. Comments can be made on the above web portal until the matter has been determined even if (as often happens at present) the determination deadline is passed with no decision. However, if you have a view for or against the proposal, it would be as well to get this made as soon as possible. Like the parish council, residents are (if they wish to be) consultees in the planning system as well.

• The Newbury Show

Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 September are the dates for the diary for the 2024 Newbury Show. More information can be found by clicking here.

Recently updated news include arable farming in action, a driving experience, tweaks to the layout, early-bird parking advice and the 2024 Showground map.

• Other news

• Quick reminder that you can meet broadcaster, actor, comedian and writer Alexander Armstrong who will sign your copy of his new award-winning adventure for kids 9 to 13 years, Evenfall: The Golden Linnet in Hungerford Bookshop from 4pm to 5.30pm on Friday 13 September. Tickets for one adult and two children cost £14.99 and include a copy of the book.Use the code PPReader here for £2 discount.

• Quick reminder from Town & Manor of Hungerford not to leave litter on the common. It is dangerous to, not only the cows, but dogs and other wildlife.

• If you fancy having a go at green woodworking with the Berkshire Bodgers they will be at Little Hidden Farm in Hungerford Newtown this Sunday 15 September and welcome newcomers.

• Can you help The Community Theatre of Hungerford? They are looking for new premises for storage and workshop use to rent within five or six miles of Hungerford. Preferably about 100sqm with a power supply, running water and toilet. If you can help please contact Paul Sanday on 07884 321795.

• Click here for the latest newsletter from Hungerford Bookshop which includes a plea about proposed parking charges.

• After a five year absence, Hungerford Camera Club will be having its first exhibition since lockdown on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 September in the Hungerford Town Hall with over 300 images on display with home made cakes, teas and coffees. It really is worth a visit.

• Don’t miss the fun-filled, family-friendly colour mile on Saturday 28 September in aid of Friends of Hungerford Primary School and John O’ Gaunt PSA at 10am at John O’ Gaunt School. A white t-shirt, sunglasses and medal are included in the ticket price. So book here and bring your family, friends, and your best energy for a day filled with colour, laughter, and community spirit.

• Last chance to have your say on proposed changes to parking charges in West Berkshire. For an outline of the new the charges being proposed, including the introduction of evening and weekend charges, we suggest visiting this West Berks Council webpage. Then complete this brief survey by midnight on Friday 13 September 2024.

• Hungerford Town Council reminds residents that the refurbished Croft Field Activity Centre is now open for bookings, be it for a dance, a party or a wedding. Click here for details.

• Kintbury Parish Council, acting as Trustee of the Gladstone Memorial Recreation Ground, is undertaking a refurbishment and improvement to the children’s playground in the village. As well as replacing some old equipment it will be installing a new accessible roundabout and swing and new all weather surfaces. A fundraising page has been created on the Good Exchange website. If any individual, business or organisation would like to consider contributing to this project the Trustee would be very grateful.

• After the success of the last Poetry Open Mic Night Hungerford Hub & Library are holding another one on Thursday 3 October. Join an informal, friendly and fun evening filled with creativity and expression. No experience necessary and you don’t have to perform. An opportunity to share original poetry on any topic or just enjoy hearing others read theirs. Tickets are £5 available here .

• The long-standing Ladybugs Playgroup is looking for more volunteers to help keep the group going for local families. They are losing some key volunteers, which means it will be harder to run. If you can help in any way please let them know via the above facebook page.

• Recycling your household batteries just got a whole lot easier. From this week, they will be collected right from your kerbside by the council. To learn how to bag and where to place them click here for more information.

• Last chance to nominate a Charity, Volunteer, Trustee, Fundraiser or Community Event of the Year. The official deadline for the Greenham Trust Charity Awards 2024 is Friday 13 September – however Greenham Trust has advised us they will in fact accept entries submitted over the weekend by Monday 16 September. See how to apply here. The Charity Awards Ceremony is on Thursday 7 November at Newbury Corn Exchange with the After Party at The Waterside Centre.

• Inkpen Village Market returns on Sunday 15 September, 10am to 12.30pm. Due to personal circumstances, this will be the current organisers’ last market, so, for this to continue, some other volunteers are needed. Whether you can help with admin behind the scenes or front-of-house please contact the organisers via their FB page here.

• Would you like to volunteer your business expertise to help Education Business Partnership prepare our local young people? Please see here for more details.

• Click here for the latest newsletter form the Hungerford Bookshop.

• Have your say

Have your say on current consultations being run by West Berkshire Council:

Draft Parking Review On Street Order Amendment (REF0034IM) – deadline 13 September 2024.
West Berkshire Bus Service Survey 2024 – deadline extended to 29 September 2024.
Argyle Rd, Hampton Rd and Derby Rd, Newbury: Proposed 20mph speed limit by Traffic Regulation Order (Ref: 9529) – deadline 3 October 2024.

Parish and town councils also run consultations from time to time: see the appropriate website/s below under Council contacts.

• Latest local newsletters

• Penny Post Hungerford.
• Inkpen and Combe Bulletin.
• Froxfield News.

News from other areas

Thursday 5 September 2024

Our usual round-up of local news includes cattle, colour, cameras, storage space, a special offer and rivers – plus a look at the latest Penny Post Hungerford newsletter, increasing concerns in the town over proposed parking changes, this Sunday’s heritage market at the Croft Field, Newbury Show on the horizon and a reminder about vehicle parking on Tuesday nights. See also below for community notices and news from your local council.

Upcoming Hungerford events include Heritage Festival, Antique & Collectors Fair and Alexander Armstrong book signing. See below for details, plus regular events and group activities.

• Parking issues

A good chunk of the meeting of Hungerford Town Council (HTC) on 2 September was concerned with proposed changes to the parking arrangements in the town. You can click here to read our report on this, and the other matters that were discussed there.

We live in East Garston, not Hungerford, although (apart from press days on Thursdays) it’s rare than one or both of us aren’t in Hungerford to swim, shop, socialise or – particularly in Penny’s case – prepare for or preside over the large number of activities in the town she organises. There’s no longer a bus service so public transport isn’t an option. In general, the parking seems to work pretty well. Even on Wednesday when there’s the street market, I can usually find a space. For most of the week, the spaces are full but not bursting. There are also off-street car parks near the High Street at which one can normally find spaces for longer stays or train journeys. If the intention is to ensure that the town remains accessible, matters could be organised in a much worse way.

All that, however, is set to change. In pursuit partly of the understandable desire for income (though it’s not clear if this will be realised by the new measures) and partly of the less desirable, or achievable, goal of having consistency of regulations across the district, West Berkshire Council (WBC) has announced dramatic changes. The increase in the actual charges is one most people can live with; less acceptable is the idea that most parking charges will now apply 24/7.

Time and space doesn’t permit me to describe, in so far as I’ve been able to understand them, the various consultations on this. See the above HTC report for how these have been received locally. Whether we’re dealing with poor communication, an inevitably complicated system, inappropriate ambitions or errors of judgment makes no difference – the reality is that there’s plenty of evidence that visitors to the town are becoming confused and alarmed. Bizarre notices in the Tesco car park haven’t helped.

Local businesses, most of which depend on people being able to pop in and out without too much in the way of downloading apps or fears of weekend fines, are seriously alarmed by this. High-street economies are fragile and small changes can destroy confidence and push people towards home deliveries. WBC can make its own choice about whether this is important. However, the last time I checked, it gets no business rates from Amazon, but does from the Hungerford Bookshop.

The example isn’t chosen at random. Emma and Alex Milne-White run the multi-award-winning Hungerford Bookshop, a jewel in the High Street. It’s open seven days a week and often has evening and weekend events. They are not greedy or entitled people and don’t expect regulations to be always adjusted to their liking. They’ve been here a long time and have made their home in Hungerford. If people like them – and they are not the only ones – are worried about the impact of a particular change, WBC should pay very serious attention to their concerns.

Emma recently completed her response to WBC’s consultation (see the foot of this section for more information on this), and has said she’s happy for us to reproduce it in full in case anyone wants to use it as inspiration for their own.

“As a retail business owner, open seven days a week, and also organising regular events for up to 200 residents and visitors in the evening, I’m absolutely appalled that WBC would like to start charging for Sunday and evening parking. Adequate and affordable parking is fundamental to the health of the High Street. These charges – which seem to be proposed out of the blue – will make it more of a struggle for us to trade. Many visitors love to come to our small town on a Sunday to browse and will be deterred by these. They will also be deterred from attending meetings, events and hospitality in the town: all things that keep our community vibrant.

“I believe this is incredibly short-sighted of WBC, especially at a time when many businesses are struggling. WBC should be supporting the High Street, not introducing policies that will harm it.

“My concerns about parking come within the wider context of pressure already being put upon the town with our only supermarket having reduced its parking time, an app-only way to pay at the station which has led to people struggling to park there, and the real worry that the proposal of a new town square might require the removal of spaces on the High Street.

“For years we have hoped for – but given up on – the idea of 30 minutes free parking that other towns benefit from. This really is a kick in the teeth. As a longstanding business owner and resident I urge you to reconsider this. I will also be writing to my MP on the matter.”

The consultation remains open until 11.59pm on Friday 13 September and you can take part in it here. Given the previous uncertainties about the process, it would be worth anyone expressing any concerns they have about any aspect of the proposed regulations and hope that that these will be accorded some weight. (We suggest that you answer Q2 with “I do not agree”: Q3 and Q4 will have free-text sections for you to express your views, for example if you’re concerned about Sunday and overnight regulations.)

• The Wednesday market

A reminder that this can’t happen is motorists don’t follow the “no parking” signs which are put up along the west part of the High Street on Tuesday evening. Some of the stall-holders arrive very early in the morning and parked vehicles make the set-up difficult or even impossible. Parking further up the High Street or on the east side is fine.

Assuming the stalls can set up, plants, bird food, honey, sweets, fait, vegetables, meat, bread, cheese and olives are all generally available, as are from time to time other products and services like scones and blade-sharpening.

• Penny Post Hungerford

The September issue of this newsletter, which provides the best round-up of what’s going on in the town, was published earlier this week. If you didn’t get it, click here to read it.

As well as our regular coverage of the most recent meeting of Hungerford Town Council (see above for more on the parking discussions), this edition provides news from the town’s retailers, green woodworking, next week’s heritage market at the Croft Field, charge points, the latest from Hungerford’s many community groups, special offers, jobs, property, a short story and forthcoming events.

• Celebrate our rural heritage

Hungerford Food & Artisan Market’s annual Heritage Festival on Sunday 8 September at The Croft Field will celebrate traditional rural life as part of this year’s Heritage Open Days. Pop along to enjoy demonstrations and ferret-racing, have a go at Morris Dancing, butter-making, flour-milling and traditional crafts including corn dollies and green wood-working. Meet the experts who are keeping rural traditions alive including thatching and bee-keeping.

Demonstrations will include wool-spinning and natural dyeing, thatching, foraging, venison cooking, traditional Chinese dumpling recipe and folk-singing.

Plus there will be the usual local stalls from the monthly food and artisan market, street food and live music. Entry is free between 10am and 3pm; please bring your own reusable cup for 50p off hot drinks and any foil, aluminium or IT tech for recycling, plus spare kitchen equipment, plants or produce for sharing or donating.

Dogs on leads are welcome. If you would like to book Blue Badge parking or one of the few remaining pitches, please call Penny on 07768 981658. The event is kindly sponsored by Greenham Trust and Doves Farm Foods.

• Countdown to showtime

The weekend edges closer and the countdown is underway for the Newbury Show on 21 and 22 September 2024. Click here for more information, including on stalls, tickets and sponsorship opportunities.

• Other news

• Hungerford Primary School is delighted to welcome new headteacher Lucy Smith. Click here to read an introduction from Head of Governors Jay Armstrong.

• Town & Manor of Hungerford are keen to remind residents of the damage that can be incurred by rubbish dropped on the common to the herd grazing there. Recently one cow had a wet wipe stuck in its mouth, and had this been swallowed an operation could have been required to prevent a serious blockage. Please, please, please make sure you take all of your waste home with you from the common. It is dangerous to, not only the cows, but dogs and other wildlife.

• The Community Theatre of Hungerford is looking for new premises for storage and workshop use to rent within five or six miles of Hungerford. Preferably about 100sqm with a power supply, running water and toilet. If you can help please contact Paul Sanday on 07884 321795.

• Click here for the latest newsletter from Hungerford Bookshop.

• Broadcaster, actor, comedian and writer Alexander Armstrong will be signing copies of his new adventure for kids 9 to 13years, Evenfall: The Golden Linnet in Hungerford Bookshop from 4pm to 5.30pm on Friday 13 September. Tickets for one adult and two children cost £14.99 and include a copy of the book. Use the code PPReader here for £2 discount.

• The Friends of Hungerford Primary School are excited to announce their joint fundraiser with John O’ Gaunt PSA: a fun-filled, family-friendly colour mile on Saturday 28 September where everyone is welcome to participate and enjoy the festivities. The event kicks off at 10am at John O’ Gaunt School. A white t-shirt, sunglasses and medal are included in the ticket price. So book here and bring your family, friends, and your best energy for a day filled with colour, laughter, and community spirit.

• There is still time to have your say on proposed changes to parking charges in West Berkshire. For an outline of the new parking charges being proposed, including the introduction of evening and weekend charges, we suggest visiting this West Berks Council webpage, clicking on the ‘statement of reasons, notice of proposal, draft order’ link under the ‘What we are proposing’ paragraph. Scroll through the pdf you will find the proposed charges for Newbury, Thatcham and Hungerford. Then complete this brief survey which asks if you support or object to the proposal, by midnight on Friday 13 September 2024. The consultation provides free-text space for your to make any comments about the proposals. See also the section above (“parking issues”).

• Our local river charity Action for the River Kennet requests your help between 6 and 12 September to participate in the The Rivers Trust Big River Watch. The process involves downloading the free Big River Watch app, visiting a local river and spending 15 minutes observing and recording what you see in the simple in-app survey. For more info and for links to the app visit: theriverstrust.org/take-action/the-big-river-watch.

• Last chance to have your say on West Berkshire Council‘s bus services, specifically on ticketing improvements over the past year, known as £2 National Single Fare Cap Scheme, as well as other schemes like the West Berkshire Community Connect. You have until 8 September to make your views known here.

• Hungerford Town Council reminds residents that the refurbished Croft Field Activity Centre is now open for bookings, be it for a dance, a party or a wedding. Click here for details.

• West Berkshire Council’s next Community Forum will focus on The Planning Process in West Berkshire on Tuesday 10 September, 6pm, at the Henwick Rugby Club (or via Zoom). Topics include updates on planning changes, digital services, and environmental considerations. Residents can discuss planning proposals and issues impacting local neighbourhoods. Click here for more information. Those wishing to attend must register in advance.

• Would you like to volunteer your business expertise to help Education Business Partnership prepare our local young people? Please see here for more details.

• Click here for the latest newsletter form the Hungerford Bookshop.

• Have your say

Have your say on current consultations being run by West Berkshire Council:

West Berkshire Bus Service Survey 2024 – deadline 8 September 2024.
Draft West Berkshire Statement of Gambling Principles 2025-2028 – deadline 12 September 2024.
Draft Parking Review On Street Order Amendment (REF0034IM) – deadline 13 September 2024.

Parish and town councils also run consultations from time to time: see the appropriate website/s below under Council contacts.

• Latest local newsletters

• Penny Post Hungerford.
• Inkpen and Combe Bulletin.
• Froxfield News.

News from other areas

Thursday 29 August 2024

Our usual round-up of local news includes rivers, trees, markets, party boxes and rock’n’roll – plus a look at parking confusions and uncertainty, a look ahead to next week’s heritage market, a hint of some news about Chestnut Walk and Newbury Show draws closer. See also below for community notices and news from your local council.

Upcoming Hungerford events include Quiz Night and Heritage Festival. See below for details, plus regular events and group activities.

• Parking problems

West Berkshire Council is currently conducting a consultation into off-street car-parking charges which closes on 13 September. You can find more details here. Maybe it’s me but I find this consultation, and how it relates to previous ones, slightly hard to follow: indeed, I can feel my brain turning to a kind of mush when reading it.

This experience is echoed by some of the people who’ve recently been trying to park in Hungerford. Parking regulations are often complex and try to express too much information with too little space or good syntax. Knowing that the regulations are about to change (or possibly have changed) makes it worse. If the machines don’t display accurate information or work at all then mental meltdown can ensue.

All of the above accurately describes what many experience when trying to park in Hungerford. The Town Council and many local business owners have profound reservations about the changes being proposed. The matter will be being discussed at the Full Council meeting on Monday 2 September (7pm in the Library) which members of the public are welcome to attend. It’s likely that the Council will debate and hopefully agree the wording of its response to WBC on the matter.

To make matters worse, several of the ticket machines in the car parks and on the street are not working or not able to accept coins. One of the new ones in the Library (Church Road) car park isn’t designed to take coins at all, but there’s no notice directing non-digital motorists to the one that does (when it’s working). The car park at Station Road, which has barriers, also has a broken machine which resulted in one visitor to the town being trapped in the car park. Another person downloaded the app as directed but ended up on some bogus site and was scammed out of the best part of thirty quid.

That’s not all. Parking in the Tesco supermarket used to be quite simple: but a couple of weeks ago notices which bordered on gibberish appeared in the car park there announcing bizarre new regulations to be introduced on an unspecified date.

There’s also the much more long-term and uncertain matter of possible changes to parking arrangements being considered by the town-centre strategy working group. This is, as previously reported, looking at issues which residents have already (in WBC-run consultations in late 2022 and early 2023) expressed an interest in. Not all agree with these proposals, including one to change the area in front of the Town Hall into more of a public space, so removing the parking spaces there. Nothing has been decided on this, however, and nothing will be without a lot more discussion and consultation. None the less, local retailers are justified in feeling threatened.

The general drift toward card- or app-only payment is an insidious one and, like the “digital by default” communication method, risks marginalising people who do not choose for whatever reason to operate their lives through smartphones. One problem is that councils are currently so cash-strapped that they will be looking at every possible means of raising money and dismissing any which are likely to cost anything. Emptying coins from parking meters is clearly a cost. It’s also something that’s necessary if councils are to do the right thing by their residents. It could be argued that limiting payment methods in this way verges on discrimination. WBC is not the only council doing this, by the way.

No system is perfect. At present, though, visitors to Hungerford and many other towns risk being confused, frustrated, fined, scammed, locked in or compelled to use a payment method they don’t like I. order to visit the place. Some of the retailers feel that their interests are not being reflected in the regulations. One of the aims of any parking policy these days is to nudge behaviour towards less car use. This certainly doesn’t work for me: if anyone can tell me a practical way of getting from East Garston to Hungerford by public transport I’d be delighted to consider using it.

Behaviour may be nudged in other ways, of course. If the regulations become too onerous, the equipment too badly maintained or the signs too confusing, people will stop coming to the town at all and all the shops will close. That will certainly fix the parking problem…

• Chestnut Walk

The Planning Inspector’s report and the government’s announcement of new housing targets have had the same effect at West Berkshire Council as the introduction of a couple of foxes into a hen coop. Once this furore dies down, one matter that will remain to be solved – and which will actually help WBC achieve its higher target – concerns the wretched joint venture between the Council and Sovereign Housing to convert two derelict sites (Chestnut Walk in Hungerford and Phoenix Court in Newbury) into social-rent homes.

The complete lack of any positive results from this are, or certainly should be, an embarrassment to both parties. Questions about how matters were allowed to drift so badly for so long will doubtless come: what really matters now is trying to salvage something from the wreckage.

As I suggested before, there appear to be three choices. Doing nothing and hoping that the JV will fix itself seems pointless. Winding it up and selling off the sites to the highest commercial bidder would be easy and would eventually help WBC’s housing figures (though not for affordable homes) but would highlight what a colossal waste of time and effort the partnership has been. Given that the district badly needs social-rent homes, it would also be a massive missed opportunity.

It appears that a third option, that of finding another partner and trying again, is actively being considered. This really should have happened at least a year ago but nothing about this project has proceeded either quickly or smoothly. Let’s hope there’ll be something positive to report before too long.

• Celebrate our rural heritage

Hungerford Food & Artisan Market’s annual Heritage Festival on Sunday 8 September at The Croft Field will celebrate traditional rural life as part of this year’s Heritage Open Days. Pop along to enjoy thatching demonstrations and ferret-racing, have a go at Morris Dancing, butter-making, flour-milling and traditional crafts including corn dollies and green wood-working. Meet the experts who are keeping rural traditions alive including thatching and bee-keeping.

Demonstrations will include wool-spinning and natural dyeing, thatching, foraging, venison cooking, traditional Chinese dumpling recipe and folk-singing.

• Countdown to showtime

The weekend edges closer and the countdown is underway for the Newbury Show on 21 and 22 September 2024. Click here for more information, including on stalls, tickets and sponsorship opportunities.

The above post looks at some of the attractions in the main arena over the two days of the event including hunts, hounds, heavy horses, machinery old and new, livestock, scurry driving, mounted games and a hot-air balloon display.

• Other news

• Due to increased availability, Greenham Trust is delighted to extend its application deadline for free trees and hedging plants to Monday 9 September. Local schools, councils or charitable organisations can go to greenhamtrust.com/trees and complete an application form. The trees and hedging plants will be indigenous to the UK and supplied bare rooted in the late Autumn, with spirals and canes.

• Town & Manor of Hungerford is pleased to report that Hungerford Nursery School won the Hocktide tree decorating competition. Constable Julie Lloyd met some fabulous little ones to present the cheque of their winnings. Well done to all.

• West Berkshire Council needs your views on the bus services it offers, specifically on ticketing improvements over the past year, known as £2 National Single Fare Cap Scheme, as well as other schemes like the West Berkshire Community Connect. You have until 8 September to make your views known here.

• Hungerford Town Council reminds residents that the refurbished Croft Field Activity Centre is now open for bookings, be it for a dance, a party or a wedding. Click here for details.

• Kath M K Little reports that PCs Dollery and Jenkins completed extensive patrols of West Berkshire and South Oxfordshire recently due to a rise in reports of arson to hay bales. If you see anyone acting suspiciously on farmland please report them on 999/101 as appropriate and please note that using What 3 Words really helps them find the location quickly.

• Don’t miss the Rock’n’Roll Night at Blandy’s at Inglewood on Saturday 31 August. Join for drinks from 6pm and food and music from 7pm. Tickets £29.95 must be pre-booked with reception on 01488 687010.

• Howard’s Pet Care is pleased to let customers know that it sells Natural Biscuits for your doggy friends plus everything you could possibly need for your pets. If you need any advice call Suzi and the team on 01488 685314 or pop into the shop on Park Street.

• For inspiration for family and children’s activities this summer holiday see our Local Summer Holiday Guide for days out, family activities, summer camps, fun for free and some great seasonal recipes to enjoy.

• Would you like to volunteer your business expertise to help Education Business Partnership prepare our local young people? Please see here for more details.

• Click here for the latest newsletter form the Hungerford Bookshop.

• Have your say

Have your say on current consultations being run by West Berkshire Council:

Replacement of Racecourse Road (Stroud Green) poplar trees – deadline 1 September 2024.
Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Local Offer User Voice Survey – deadline 1 September 2024.
West Berkshire Bus Service Survey 2024 – deadline 8 September 2024.
Draft West Berkshire Statement of Gambling Principles 2025-2028 – deadline 12 September 2024.
Draft Parking Review On Street Order Amendment (REF0034IM) – deadline 13 September 2024.

Parish and town councils also run consultations from time to time: see the appropriate website/s below under Council contacts.

• Latest local newsletters

• Penny Post Hungerford.
• Inkpen and Combe Bulletin.
• Froxfield News.

Community notices

• Have your say on current consultations by West Berkshire Council and Wiltshire Council. Parish and town councils also run consultations from time to time: see the appropriate website/s below under Council contacts.

• Latest news on the train service between Bedwyn and Newbury from Bedwyn Train Passenger Group which constantly campaigns for improvements.

• Hungerford Nursery School is regularly fundraising. Please click here for how to support them.

• Hungerford Scout group needs at least four new volunteers with 1st Hungerford Scouts. No previous experience is necessary and free training is provided. If you would like to find out more please contact becky.eytle@berkshirescouts.org.uk.

• Swift Town Hungerford is encouraging residents to provide nesting places for swifts. For advice please contact Swift Town Hungerford or HEAT (Hungerford Environmental Action Team).

• Hungerford Library welcomes volunteers. Contact cultureandlibrariesvolunteers@westberks.gov.uk or call 01635 519 533.

• Hungerford Hub & Library asks if you shop online, please sign up to its Give As You Live page. It doesn’t cost you a penny but raises money for them.

• Kintbury Jubilee Centre is home to a wide range of clubs and activities. Follow its facebook page for latest news.

• Neighbourhood Watch in Shalbourne: for more information, please email Kelly Elliott on kellys2678@sky.com.

• Lunch for seniors and vulnerable adults can be booked at Redwood House at ldavies@fairclosecentre.org or 01635 40488.

• Home-Start West Berkshire needs volunteers to help families in need. Full training provided. For more information visit home-startwestberks.org.uk, call 01635 760 310 or email office@home-startwb.org.uk.

• West Berks Foodbank’s collection point is open every Wednesday 1pm to 3pm in the Methodist Church Hall, or call 0808 208 2138 (Mon to Fri 9am to 5pm except bank holidays).

• Hungerford Youth Club is looking for volunteers. Please contact youth@hungerfordyc.org.uk.

• Dog-walking services for elderly or seriously ill residents are provided by the Cinnamon Trust charity on 01736 757 900.

• Hungerford Fire Station welcomes new on-call firefighters (a paid position).

• Inkpen Village Hall offers a wide range of activities. See details here.

Local events and activities

For more information on events and activities across the Penny Post area, see the website calendar.

• Dates for the diary

• Click here for details of events coming up in the next month or so at the Hungerford Bookshop.

• Sat 31 Aug Quiz British Legion Hungerford.

• Sun 31 Aug Rock’n’Roll Night, Inglewood, near Kintbury.

• Sun 8 Sep Hungerford Heritage Festival, Croft Field.

• Sun 8 Sep Hungerford Antiques & Collectors Fair, Town Hall.

• Fri Sep 13 Alexander Armstrong Book-signing, Hungerford Bookshop.

• Sat 14 Sep Inglewood Late Summer Carnival, near Kintbury.

• Sun 15 Sep Inkpen Village Market, Inkpen.

• Sat 21 Sep Repair Café, The Croft Hungerford.

• Fri 27 Sep Alan Francis & Njambi McGrath Hungerford Comedy Club, The Croft Hall.

• Sun 29 Sep 100 yrs of Inkpen Village Hall Inkpen.

• Regular Events

• Craft & Chat mornings at Hungerford Library, every Friday from 10am to noon.

• Wellbeing Sessions at Hungerford Library every Wed 1 to 1.30pm. Book with kate.wiggins@getberkshireactive.org or ring 07706 357801.

• Hungerford Historical Association hosts fascinating monthly talks and non-members are welcome.

• Hungerford Jazz Forum welcomes new musicians on the last Friday of the month at the British Legion. It now showcases local bands and performers by offering a 30 minute set around 9pm. Please see more details on its facebook page here.

• Mixed ability non-contact rugby for 10 to 17 year olds at Hungerford Rugby Club. Those with (or without) learning disabilities are encouraged to come along, as the coaches are experienced working with those with special needs. Monthly, all year round, on Sunday mornings from 10.30am to 11.30am. For more details please contact hungerfordtigers@gmail.com, or call 07850 517332.

• Walking Football with Hungerford Town Walking Football for over-50s. New members always welcome to train most Mondays from 7-8pm at John O’Gaunt School’s artificial pitch.

• Women’s Walking Football Club on Thursday evenings from 7pm to 8pm. No restrictions on age, fitness or ability. Further info from Martin.brailli@btinternet.com.

• Wednesday coffee mornings at the United Reformed Church 10am to 12pm in the Memorial Room (through the blue gates). Free entry. All welcome.

• Hungerford Memory Singers dementia choir offers monthly singing for those living with dementia and their carers at the Hungerford British Legion.

• 20 minute dementia-friendly service at Hungerford Methodist Church every 2nd Thur/month. Accessible to all. Call Karen on 07444 851606 for further enquiries.

• Chronic Pain Recovery Support Group 5pm to 6.30pm second Tue/month at Hungerford Surgery. Contact Maria on maplecoachingltd@gmail.com or 07761 987015.

• Writing Club at Froxfield Village Hall. Whether you want a quiet place to write, would like a chat with other writers, or are looking for ideas please email dunwriters@gmail.com for details. All welcome.

• Sunday CommuniTEA, family films, coffee mornings at the Methodist Church Hall on Bridge Street, plus Church @ Costa. See details here.

• Weekly club runs with Hungerford Hares.

• Hungerford Youth Club runs sessions during the week for different age groups, young carers and home education children. More information here. Volunteers always welcome.

• Hungerford weekly market every Wednesday on the High Street from 8am to about 2pm plus indoor market in the Town Hall from 9am to 3pm with lots of antique, bric-a-brac and craft stalls. Free entry. See more here.

• The Crafty Girls every first Wednesday of the month from 7pm to 9pm in the Hungerford Hub. This sociable group supplements their chat with a bit of craft.

• Hungerford Library runs regular events for people of all ages. See here for details or contact the library on 01488 682660 or hungerfordlibrary@westberks.gov.uk.

• Kintbury Bridge Club meets Thursday afternoons in the Coronation Hall for relaxed, social bridge for all abilities. £2 per week. Contact Chris Doyle on 07738 756181 or kintburybridgeclub@gmail.com.

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. If the link is scored through this may be because draft minutes have been replaced by approved ones and the drafts file deleted. If so, please follow the links provided to the council’s website.

• Information on Hungerford Town Council can be found here. Penny Post’s most recent summary of Hungerford Town Council’s work (including notes from the meeting of 5 August 2024) can be seen here.

• The most recent meeting of Shalbourne Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 25 July and you can download the minutes here. Items covered included: the ward member’s report (including news of an underspend at Wiltshire Council); The Plough; power transmission lines; repairs and maintenance; a new Clerk needed; planning matters; highways; and financial matters.
To see the dates, agenda and minutes for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.

• The most recent meeting of Froxfield Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 15 July 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. To see the minutes, please click here.

• The most recent meeting of Kintbury Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 11 July 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. To see the minutes, please click here.

• The most recent meeting of Chilton Foliat Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 9 July and you can read the minutes here.
To see the dates, agenda and minutes for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.

• The most recent meeting of Inkpen Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 13 May 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.

• Hungerford area council contacts

• Parishes: Hungerford Town Council, Kintbury Parish Council, Shalbourne Parish Council, Ham Parish Council, Chilton Foliat Parish Council, Froxfield Parish Council and Inkpen Parish Council.
• West Berkshire Council: click here to visit the website.
• Wiltshire Council: click here to visit the website.

News from other areas

Thursday 22 August 2024

Our usual round-up of local news includes produce, a sad anniversary, dog treats, a new teacher, a countdown and extra plants – plus parking questions to be answered, rail news, cooking up with the Food Community, nuisance complaints and a police survey. See also below for community notices and news from your local council.

Upcoming Hungerford events include Hungerford’s annual Produce, Flower & Handicraft Show, Anton du Beke in the bookshop and Rock’n’Roll Night at Inglewood. See below for details, plus regular events and group activities.

• Parking questions

Click here for details of a consultation about parking regulations. The document’s full title is, impressively, “Draft Parking Review On Street Order Amendment (REF0034IM), Statutory advertisement of On-street Parking Places amendment and tariff changes.” Documents with such imposing names are often hard to understand and therefore summarise. This one is no exception.

It appears – and I may have got this wrong as it’s all quite complex – that this is a statutory consultation to change the parking restrictions but not a consultation on the details of the changes themselves (which were consulted on at the turn of last year). Any sense of déjà vu when looking at it can be explained by the fact that you might have seen it a few months back. There was a procedural problem with this so it’s had to be re-done.

Despite this limitation on what the consultation can cover, I understand that comments or objections from anyone can be provided on any aspect. However, WBC reserves the right not to consider objections based purely on the charges on the grounds that it has already consulted on them. So I guess the message is include what you want to say and hope that it will make a difference.

One matter in particular may raise its head, as I know there’s a certain amount of concern in Hungerford that the town doesn’t currently have any free parking for 30 minutes in the High Street or the off-street car parks, whereas these are proposed elsewhere. Questions have been asked about whether this provides “a consistent approach across all areas in terms of charging days and hours”. The Town Council will almost certainly have more to say on this at its next meeting.

• On the trains

Click here for the latest news from our excellent local rail campaign organisation, the Bedwyn Train Passenger Group. Although its main focus of activity is the Bedwyn to Hungerford section, much of its news will be relevant to passengers all the way down to Theale. If you use these stations, we recommend subscribing to BTPG newsletters by emailing info@bedwyntrains.org.uk.

The latest update includes forthcoming bus replacement service, a new service from Paignton, changes to advanced fare tickets, changing trains, Elizabeth Line ticket validity, cancellations and missed connections, delays and overcrowding, a report of a visit to the signalling centre at Didcot and the latest instalment of the long-running campaign to restore the direct services from Bedwyn, Hungerford and Kintbury.

• Cooking up a storm

The latest Hungerford Food Community Cook-In took place in the lovely new community kitchen facility at St Lawrence’s Church last Saturday where volunteers whipped up a feast from perfectly fresh and in-date ingredients that would otherwise have gone to waste due to over-ordering in the supermarket system or produce gluts from local growers and farm shops.

“It all comes together thanks to the creativity and sense of humour of the volunteers,” explains organiser Penny Locke. “We have some very experienced cooks and others who prefer to follow instructions, and the balance works well. We start with an outline recipe plan, but we never know exactly what ingredients we will have on the day so we have to busk it. It’s actually a great exercise in reducing food waste in the home by using what you’ve got, not worrying about sticking to an exact recipe or buying ingredients that you’ll never use again.

“Our volunteers ranged from three to 83 years old and the teamwork was amazing. The final menu included Thai curry, marrow rings stuffed with mushroom and lentil bolognese with a crunchy topping, mushroom tart, sesame and honey parsnip chips, summer squash and mangetout salad, cherry tomato salad, creamy orzo butter beans, spicy courgette and chickpea fritters, roast kale and sweet potato salad, flatbreads and bulgar wheat. A lot of people are put off by the thought of a completely vegetarian meal, but honestly everyone was so impressed by how delicious it all was and meat wasn’t missed at all. For desert we had coconut rice pudding and gooseberry tray bake.”

“The weather was kind, so lunch was enjoyed in the dappled shade of the churchyard. Intrigued passers-by stopped to chat and many left with a portion of food to take away.

“We would like to thank St Lawrence’s for making us so welcome, Roger Ballard for PAT-testing our equipment, Down to Earth café in Wantage for sharing surplus supermarket ingredients from the Food Hub, Shalbourne Community Growers for inviting us to pick their surplus courgettes, kale and cucumbers, and Cobbs Farmshop for donating produce they had to spare.”

The cook-in’s guest chef was Sarah Culpepper from Glass Sponge Coaching in Hungerford. With over 20 years experience as a professional chef, Sarah celebrates local, seasonal produce and believes that a whole food diet, free from ultra-processed ingredients, is key to enhancing physical and mental well-being and reduces the risk of age-related diseases. In her coaching business Sarah empowers clients to make informed food choices by understanding food labels and the nutritional value of ingredients. Her goal is to make whole food cooking accessible and enjoyable, offering quick, simple, and affordable recipes that the whole family will love.

To find out when the next community cooking event will be, please email hungerfordfoodcommunity@gmail.com You can book to cook and eat or just come for the meal and help with the washing up. Tickets are free to book but donations are welcome on the day to help cover overheads. Cook-ins can be held at any venue that has a basic kitchen with a sink and an oven. Tables and all the other cooking equipment required, including air fryers and electric tabletop hobs, can be brought in.

• Countdown to showtime

The countdown is now well underway for the Newbury Show on 21 and 22 September 2024. Click here for more information, including on stalls, tickets and sponsorship opportunities.

Attractions at the vent which have recently been confirmed include: an Army village showcasing aspects of the service’s many and varied roles and interactive activities; Berkshire Youth’s inflatable obstacle course; AFC Newbury Football Club’s training session; Girl Guides soft archery; and a vintage fun fair.

• Policing in town

Quick reminder that there have recently been a number of concerns raised about crimes in Hungerford, and the local Police team has responded by asking you to complete a neighbourhood priorities survey for the Hungerford Downlands area. This survey will help shape local policing and their priorities for the coming months.

It will only take about three minutes, so please fill out their survey, before 28 August, by clicking here. This is your opportunity to raise your concerns about issues including drug-related crime, speeding and anti-social behaviour in the area.

• How do you think nuisance complaints should be handled?

Dealing with nuisance is a core function of the Public Protection Partnership (PPP). This is a shared service regulating environmental health, licensing and trading standards across West Berkshire Council and Bracknell Forest Council. The kind of complaints they most often deal with include noise from neighbours or commercial businesses, bonfire smoke, lighting from neighbouring properties and emissions from commercial premises.

A new policy has been drafted to “to ensure a consistent approach to both reactive and proactive work on nuisance issues. The policy completes the body of rules the PPP uses to undertake the range of functions it covers. It also sets out clear expectations for residents, businesses, elected members, partner organisations and officers.”

The deadline to express your views on the draft policy has been extended to 26 August. It’s by hearing from local people that changes can be made “to ensure the policy is fit for purpose and reflective of the needs in our local area”. Please see here for more details and to have your say.

• Other news

• Town & Manor of Hungerford is keen to remind everyone about Hungerford’s Produce, Flower & Handicraft Show this Saturday 24 August at The Town Hall from 2.30pm. A great way to celebrate the Bank Holiday. Check out this link for details of all the categories you can expect to see.

• We respectfully remember those who were tragically taken from us 27 years ago this week on 19 August 1987. Many years have passed, but the names of these people will forever remain in our hearts and minds.

• Congratulations to The Hungerford Club for the first time winning 1st place as Club of the Year in the Central Southern CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) Competition 2024. It’s an amazing achievement, and Debbie and Gary do so much for the Club. Pop down this Bank Holiday Weekend to enjoy their annual Beer (& Cider) Festival with a BBQ and lots of live music.

• Exciting plans are underway for the monthly Hungerford Food & Artisan Market’s Heritage Festival on Sunday 8 September, 10am to 3pm at the Croft Field. Come along to meet the experts, enjoy ferret racing and Morris Dancing, watch a thatching demonstration and have a go at traditional crafts and cooking skills (the organisers are collecting onion skins for a wool dyeing activity so please keep yours and contact Penny on 07768 981658 to arrange collection). Entry is free to the event and there will be live music, street food and all the usual lovely stalls. For more about Hungerford Food Community’s cooking in the community see their latest newsletter here.

• Hungerford Primary School’s Head of Governors Jay Armstrong is delighted to welcome new Head Teacher Lucy Smith. See here for more about Lucy, why she was first choice of the Headteacher Appointment Panel and what her aspirations are for the school.

• Hungerford Town Council wants you to have your say on local bus services. West Berkshire Council is seeking your feedback on enhanced routes and new ticketing schemes. Buses are a vital part of public transport in the UK, enabling young people to go to school, pensioners to see family and friends, and connecting people to work opportunities. Buses sustain town centres, strengthen communities, and help protect the environment. To take part, please complete the online survey here by midnight on 8 September. Paper copies of the survey are also available if you call 01635 519394 or email transport@westberks.gov.uk to request a copy.

• Reminder that Kintbury High Street is closed until 1 September 2024 “between its junction with Inkpen Road and its junction with Hungerford Road” for Gigaclear to install fibre-optic cables. See one.network but it’s worth noting that, following discussions between Gigaclear and Kintbury Parish Council, the closures may not always be quite as severe or disruptive as the one.network information suggests.

• Inkpen Village Market returns on Sunday 15 September, 10am to 12.30pm. Due to personal circumstances, this will be the current organisers’ last market, so, for this to continue, some other volunteers are needed. Whether you can help with admin behind the scenes or front of house please contact the organisers via their FB page here.

• Hungerford Food Community is offering Party Box Hire to encourage sustainability at a cost of £10. Please email hungerfordfoodcommunity@gmail.com to book yours for this summer’s children’s parties.

• Would you like to volunteer your business expertise to help Education Business Partnership prepare our local young people? Please see here for more details.

• Click here for the latest newsletter form the Hungerford Bookshop.

• Have your say

Have your say on current consultations being run by West Berkshire Council:

Draft Nuisance Policy 2024-2027 – extended deadline 26 August 2024.
Replacement of Racecourse Road (Stroud Green) poplar trees – deadline 1 September 2024.
Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Local Offer User Voice Survey – deadline 1 September 2024.
West Berkshire Bus Service Survey 2024 – deadline 8 September 2024.
Draft West Berkshire Statement of Gambling Principles 2025-2028 – deadline 12 September 2024.
Draft Parking Review On Street Order Amendment (REF0034IM) – deadline 13 September 2024.

Parish and town councils also run consultations from time to time: see the appropriate website/s below under Council contacts.

• Latest local newsletters

• Penny Post Hungerford.
• Inkpen and Combe Bulletin.
• Froxfield News.

News from other areas

Thursday 15 August 2024

Our usual round-up of local news includes a donation, a cook-in, a bus survey, a closure, a market and a refurb – plus the latest instalment of the strange story of some guerrilla development in Kintbury, a slightly confusing notice for users of the car park at Tesco in Hungerford and a police survey that awaits your comments. See also below for community notices and news from your local council.

Upcoming Hungerford events include Community Cook-In and Lunch and Flamenco Night. See below for details, plus regular events and group activities.

• Land ahoy

Last week, we returned to the odd story of a plot of land near Kintbury station. This was recently developed by someone without permission, so attracting the attention of Kintbury Parish Council (KPC), West Berkshire Council’s planning enforcement team and eventually the owners, Network Rail (NR). A few weeks later it then seemed that rather than asserting its rights, as some might expect, NR is proposing to sell the land to the developer.

I contacted NR about this. A spokesperson from its press office got back to me immediately and courteously (not always the case when dealing with large organisations). A day or so later, I received the following statement:

“The sale of railway land is treated on a case-by-case basis, looking at whether it represents the best value for the taxpayer and how it would impact the safe running of the railway.

“While NR has not definitively reached a decision on whether to sell the parcel of land in question, we are currently looking at the best options to resolve the issue, including whether a sale is appropriate. The approval process for a sale involves multiple teams within NR and the wider rail industry, who will make an assessment on whether or not to sell the land. This process is the same for every disposal of land. We are in contact with KPC on this matter and will continue to keep them updated.

“The land does not provide access to the railway and therefore any sale would not pose an operational risk to the safe running of trains.”

(Having spoken to KPC on 15 August I can confirm that the two organisations are indeed in communication on this matter.)

This statement addresses some of the issues but not all. I understand that the land has been owned by NR or its predecessors since the line was built in 1840s and so must at some time have had a purpose. The statement suggests that it doesn’t have one now though I’m told that an offer to buy it about five years ago was rebuffed for just this reason of operational necessity. What’s changed?

There’s also the question of “best value for the taxpayer”. If NR has such unwanted plots on its books then selling them makes sense. “Best value” can, however, only be obtained by having multiple bidders for an unencumbered asset. If you were buying a car, you’d not want to pay top dollar if the owner told you that it had recently been stolen and that your first job would be to recover it. Such a situation puts the thief in a strong position. If a sale does take place here, the “developer” will probably have got it for less than would have been the case on the open market and with the owner not being in a sense forced to sell. The gamble seems to have paid off.

That said, I agree that, given where we are now, selling the land probably provides the best (or, perhaps, least bad) outcome for the taxpayer. What the statement doesn’t say, though the inference seems obvious, is that the costs of an eviction need to be taken into account as well. Possession is, as the saying goes, nine-tenths of the law.

I don’t know how many times NR has had to deal with such cases and how many it’s chosen to fight, but to avoid a repeat it might want to consider offering the land it doesn’t want for open-market sale. The clear message would then be that the rest of its plots are needed and that guerrilla developers move in on them at their peril.

• Every little helps

A notice has recently appeared at the Tesco store in Hungerford. Some aspects of it have attracted local concern and confusion. When I had a look at it, it certainly posed more questions than it answered. The notice said:

“To ensure you can always find a space when visiting us, we’ll be introducing the following from August 2024:

2 hours maximimum (sic) stay during store opening hours
15 minutes maximimum (sic) stay outside store opening hours.”

This perplexing document prompted me to ask some questions of Tesco HQ on 15 August. These included when exactly in August the new regulations would come into force; what exactly has changed; what penalties would apply; and how restricting parking when the store was closed would, as the notice clearly says, improve parking access when the store was open.

I’m happy to report that a senior member of the Tesco PR team phoned me back within a couple of hours. Unfortunately, time and some transmission issues made it impossible for them to provide full clarification on these points before he needed to leave. I have been promised a full response in the next few days so we should be able to bring you an update next week.

• Policing in town

There have recently been a number of concerns raised about crimes in Hungerford, and the local Police team has responded by asking you to complete a neighbourhood priorities survey for the Hungerford Downlands area. This survey will help shape local policing and their priorities for the coming months.

It will only take about three minutes, so please fill out their survey, before the 28 August, by clicking here. This is your opportunity to raise your concerns about issues including drug-related crime, speeding and anti-social behaviour in the area.

• Other news

• West Berks Foodbank extend its heartfelt thanks to Julie Lloyd Constable of the Town & Manor of Hungerford for organising an incredible cash donation of nearly £900. This wonderful donation will help provide meal support for Hungerford children during the school holidays.

• Everyone is welcome at Community Cook-In & Lunch this Saturday 17 August in the lovely new kitchen at St Lawrence’s church. Book your free place here to cook from 10am or join for lunch and let us know if you have any dietary requirements. Everything will be provided and no previous experience is required. Children welcome with accompanying adult.

• Not long now until this year’s Hungerford Produce, Flower and Handicraft Show on Saturday 24 August so start planning your entries. Last year there were more than 50 entrants aged between 6 and 86, more than 400 entries and over 300 visitors on the day. See details here.

• The trustees of the Gladstone Memorial Recreation Ground in Kintbury is planning a refurbishment of the playground and fund-raising activities will be announced soon. If you’d like to get involved in any way or if you have any suggestions as to what kind of equipment and playing surface you’d like to see there, please contact clerk@kintburyparishcouncil.org.

• Innov8 Summer camp for 4 to 11 year-olds is running throughout August based at Hungerford Primary School, providing fun and games for all local children. It has a few places still available for busy parents to book over the summer.

• For more inspiration for family and children’s activities this summer holiday see our Local Summer Holiday Guide for days out, family activities, summer camps, fun for free and some great seasonal recipes to enjoy.

• Inkpen Village Market returns on Sunday 15 September, 10am to 12.30pm. Due to personal circumstances, this will be the current organisers’ last market, so, for this to continue, some other volunteers are needed. Whether you can help with admin behind the scenes or front of house please contact the organisers via their FB page here.

• Would you like to volunteer your business expertise to help Education Business Partnership prepare our local young people? Please see here for more details.

• Click here for the latest newsletter form the Hungerford Bookshop.

• Have your say

Have your say on current consultations being run by West Berkshire Council:
Draft Nuisance Policy 2024-2027 – deadline 19 August 2024.
Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Local Offer User Voice Survey – deadline 1 September 2024.
West Berkshire Bus Service Survey 2024 – deadline 8 September 2024.
Draft West Berkshire Statement of Gambling Principles 2025-2028 – deadline 12 September 2024.

Parish and town councils also run consultations from time to time: see the appropriate website/s below under Council contacts.

• Latest local newsletters

• Penny Post Hungerford.
• Inkpen and Combe Bulletin.
• Froxfield News.

News from other areas

Thursday 8 August 2024

Our usual round-up of local news includes a red rose, an old chestnut, a cook-in, EV chargers, fundraising, herbs and a steady hand – plus August’s Penny Post Hungerford, farewell to Mr Mayer and the continuing saga of some unexpectedly developed land near Kintbury station. See also below for community notices and news from your local council.

Upcoming Hungerford events include live music, brunch, Antiques Fair and Food & Artisan Market. See below for details, plus regular events and group activities.

• PP Hungerford

This week saw the publication of the August Penny Post Hungerford, providing the best round-up of life in the town.

As usual, we look at the work of the Town Council, bring you news from the town’s independent retailers, provide the latest monthly diary for John O’Gaunt Headteacher Richard Hawthorne, and cover the work of many of the town’s voluntary and community groups. We also have an interview with a local fashion entrepreneur, good news about EV charge points and reminders about two local markets this weekend – plus offers, jobs, events, property, eco news and good causes, all rounded off with some wise words from Winston Churchill. Click here to read more if you didn’t get the newsletter.

• Farewell to Mr Mayer

David Mayer joined Hungerford Primary School (HPS) in September 2017 after serving as Headteacher at Marden Vale Academy and Drayton Community Primary School. His nine years of experience served him well in leading HPS. David led the school through continuing a consistent “Good” Ofsted rating in January 2020; then, of course, Covid struck. During the pandemic HPS stayed open to key workers’ children while also continuing education for the children at home. It was an excellent example of leadership in an extremely trying time.

David’s goal to help every student find their passion for learning that helps them live happy, productive lives is evident throughout the school. From the one HPS rule “Be Kind”, to the echoes of laughter in the classrooms, to the smiles of the students as they arrive in the morning and leave in the afternoon, the legacy of David’s leadership is visible throughout the school.

David’s last couple of months with the school were highlighted with Sports Day, a regular favourite for the children with everyone competing in their chosen events, a Friends of HPS fundraising obstacle course which brought in funds to help the school purchase vital resources, the Year 6 play based on Roald Dahl’s Matilda, David’s final assembly at HPS, and finally a staff end-of-year lunch at a local pub. Throughout it all, one could see his love for the school, the teachers and staff, and most importantly the students who will surely have amazing memories to look back on from their days at Hungerford Primary School.

• Kintbury’s land-grab

On 27 June (see below) we reported on something that could be described as guerrilla development which had taken place on a piece of land in Kintbury, near the car park on Station Road.

As we mentioned, “this included cutting back trees and removing hedgerow and other bushes and then laying a hard surface. Kintbury Parish Council (KPC) was surprised as no application had been lodged: so too, when it got to hear about it, was Network Rail, which owns the land. The birds in the trees and hedgerows during what is legally designated as the nesting season were doubtless taken aback as well. The land in question is also adjacent to an SSSI, which potentially makes the matter of interest to the Environment Agency and Natural England.”

WBC’s enforcement officers got involved, as did Network Rail (NR), and one might have supposed that the matter would have been brought to a swift conclusion with the rights of the planning authority and the property owner being asserted.

It appears not, however. I now understand that following discussions with NR, the developer has offered to purchase the land, something which NR is considering. This seems surprising for two reasons.

Firstly, many thought that NR owned this for the express purpose of their staff being able to get access to the tracks in an emergency, something that will presumably no longer be possible were it to be sold.

Secondly, to have someone who develops land without permission and then able to buy it sets a very awkward precedent. NR must own parcels of land like this all over the country. Which one will be next? It seems an odd, not to say abject, way for a public monopoly to manage its assets.

I further understand that KPC intends to contact NR and suggest that it, and others, might also have an interest in purchasing the plot. At the very least, there should be some kind of open-market sale which would (if it really can do without it) enable NR to get the best price. We’ll let you know when we have any further news.

In the meantime, if you’re staring out of the windows of a train and see something new being built near the railway as you flash past, this could be another example of NR’s help-yourself land-management policy. I suppose it’ll stop short of selling off the actual tracks: but I guess that in these cash-strapped times, nothing can be ruled out…

• Other news

• On July 19 2024 the Town and Manor of Hungerford continued its centuries-old tradition of presenting a red rose to the monarch of the day at Buckingham Palace following a special occasion. Constable Julie Lloyd visited the palace with Bellman Julian Tubb to hand over the rose for King Charles III, in recognition of his Coronation. The rose was presented to the King’s Equerry, William Thornton, and he will hand over the rose to the King. During the meeting, the Constable was able to share a lot of the history of the Town and Manor, its traditions, rights and land and river management achievements. These include the ongoing Wetland Reserve project, whose focus on restoration, biodiversity and education is one that’s known to be of great interest to King Charles.

The tradition of presenting a rose symbolises the association of historical ownership of the Town and Manor land by the Duchy of Lancaster, a title now held by the monarch; the toast as the Town and Manor’s special occasions is to “The King, the Duke of Lancaster”.

• Still nothing concrete to report on the future of the former Chestnut Walk care home in Hungerford. Several years ago a joint venture between WBC and Sovereign Homes was established to re-develop this and Phoenix Court in Newbury. Nothing of any consequence has happened as a result, despite planning applications, many meetings and no small expenditure of money. I understand this is on WBC’s to-do list and an announcement is expected soon.

• Hungerford Food Community is pleased to be hosting a Summer Cook–In and Communal Lunch on Saturday 17 August in the new Community Space at St Lawrence’s Church. Enjoy a fun morning from 10am cooking tasty vegetarian recipes that use up surplus ingredients from supermarkets that would otherwise go to waste. No previous experience required and people who don’t usually cook for themselves are especially welcome. Or you can book just for the friendly, communal lunch from 1pm. Booking is free here with donations welcome on the day. Children of all ages are very welcome with accompanying adult. Please email hungerfordfoodcommunity@gmail.com to book.

• See this art icle for the long-awaited news that EV charge points should be installed in Hungerford’s Library car park by the autumn.

• If you have a steady hand and a good eye for fonts, Andy Bell is looking for someone to paint some new entries onto an existing wooden honours board at Hungerford Cricket Club. Contact him via FB here.

• Kintbury High Street will be closed until 1 September 2024 “between its junction with Inkpen Road and its junction with Hungerford Road” for Gigaclear to install fibre-optic cables. See one.network for further information and diversions. It’s worth noting that, following discussions between Gigaclear and Kintbury Parish Council, the closures may not always be quite as severe or disruptive as the one.network information suggests.

• The trustees of the Gladstone Memorial Recreation Ground in Kintbury are planning a refurbishment of the playground and fund-raising activities will be announced soon. If you’d like to get involved in any way or if you have any suggestions as to what kind of equipment and playing surface you’d like to see there, please contact clerk@kintburyparishcouncil.org.

• Hungerford Environmental Action Team (HEAT)’s August newsletter focuses on home energy grants, electric vehicles and swift boxes.

• Innov8 Summer camp for 4 to 11 year olds is running throughout August based at Hungerford Primary School, providing fun and games for all local children. They have a few places still available for busy parents to book over the summer.

• Hungerford Food Community is starting a small herb garden at the Methodist Church Hall for its monthly community cooking sessions with Foodbank clients and volunteers. If you have any spare herb plants or planters please contact Penny on hungerfordfoodcommunity@gmail.com or 07768 981658 or bring them along to the market this Sunday 11 August.

• Inkpen Village Market returns on Sunday 15 September, 10am to 12.30pm. Due to personal circumstances, this will be the current organisers’ last market, so, for this to continue, some other volunteers are needed. Whether you can help with admin behind the scenes or front of house please contact the organisers via their FB page here.

• Berkshire Vision sight-loss charity provides a wide range of support to anyone who is blind or visually impaired in Berkshire. Its programme of adapted sports and social activities for August includes Hungerford & Newbury Socialeyes at Hungerford British Legion on Wednesday 14 August from 2 to 4pm with entertainment and food. The event is free and transport can be provided from Hungerford and Newbury. For full information call 0118 987 2803 or click here.

• Reminder to plan your entries for this year’s Hungerford Produce, Flower and Handicraft Show. Last year there were more than 50 entrants aged between 6 and 86, more than 400 entries and over 300 visitors on the day. This year the show is on Saturday 24 August and they’re hoping for even more entries. See details here.

• Quick reminder to Tesco shoppers that West Berkshire Foodbank is still in desperate need of more donations (of food or cash) and there is still a Foodbank donation crate in-store, but it has been moved away from the exit and is closer to the first couple of tills. This has unfortunately resulted in a huge drop in donations.

• Would you like to volunteer your business expertise to help Education Business Partnership prepare our local young people? Please see here for more details.

• Click here for the latest newsletter form the Hungerford Bookshop.

• Have your say

Have your say on current consultations being run by West Berkshire Council:
Argyle Road, Hampton Road and Derby Road, Newbury: Proposed 20mph speed limit – deadline 9 August 2024.
Draft Nuisance Policy 2024-2027 – deadline 19 August 2024.
Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Local Offer User Voice Survey – deadline 1 September 2024.
West Berkshire Bus Service Survey 2024 – deadline 8 September 2024.
Draft West Berkshire Statement of Gambling Principles 2025-2028 – deadline 12 September 2024.

Parish and town councils also run consultations from time to time: see the appropriate website/s below under Council contacts.

• Latest local newsletters

• Penny Post Hungerford.
• Inkpen and Combe Bulletin.
• Froxfield News.

News from other areas

Thursday 1 August 2024

Our usual round-up of local news includes wetlands, parking, damage, butterflies, detection and quaking grass – plus the possible effect of the government’s new planning policy on Hungerford’s neighbourhood plan, a possible tiny move forward at Chestnut Walk and better news on the town’s EV charge points. See also below for community notices and news from your local council.

Upcoming Hungerford events include live music & author talk. See below for details, plus regular events and group activities.

• Hungerford’s plan

The announcement by the government on 30 July that housing targets for local councils would be tightened up and, in most cases, increased has left many authorities scratching their heads wondering where space for the extra homes will be found. This will particularly be the case in West Berkshire, which seems set to see its allocation more than double from 515 a year to 1,057. In addition, it has just finished its local plan which, amongst other things, allocates the sites. Much of this work will now need to be re-done, starting perhaps at 9am on Monday morning.

In several communities, including Hungerford, neighbourhood development plans (NDP) are also being conducted. These are produced in close co-operation with the planning authority (WBC in this case). The NDP must be in accordance with the local plan, which must itself be in accordance with national policy. When completed, the NDP is slotted into the local plan and becomes as much part of it as if the planning authority had written it itself. The process therefore gives the community a voice in determining future development in the area.

If the district’s targets are increased by Whitehall (as has just happened), the housing demands for individual communities will increase as well. As part of the NDP progress, Hungerford has already carefully examined several sites although not all of these were, following consultation, eventually selected.

For WBC, the path of least resistance would be to consider all the current NDPs and look at all the sites which were not eventually demanded by the old numbers and so were not allocated. All of these might need to be allocated now. In Hungerford’s case, this should satisfy the additional commitment which WBC is likely to demand. I must stress that this is merely what might happen.

The fact that a lot of work and consultations took place in order to eliminate some sites which might now be allocated should not be seen as a waste of time. The long NDP process has given the Town Council and the many volunteers who have contributed to it more knowledge of, and involvement in, the planning system. They are therefore better equipped to understand the decisions that WBC takes and thereafter to act as WBC’s eyes and ears on the ground, checking that all work is proceeding as specified and liaising with WBC, the developers and local residents where this is not the case.

The recent experience of the final-stage issues at Lancaster Park, which we’ve covered several times, has also given Hungerford Town Council (HTC) valuable experience. It must be stressed that HTC does not make decisions about planning applications, cannot discharge planning conditions and cannot arrange for matters such as roads adoptions, all of which are in the province of WBC. What it can do, however, is ensure that the interests of residents are represented and that any problems with planning matters on its patch are addressed.

To pick one example, the Lancaster Park experience has given HTC valuable insights into the importance of Section 38 agreements, which ensure that roads on new estates are built to an adoptable standard. If there are to be several medium-sized developments in the town over the next few years then this is likely to be put to use several times, and probably sooner rather than later.

• EV charge points in Hungerford

A long-awaited issue, this one. WBC had promised over two years ago that ones would be installed in the Station Road car park, but this got bogged down in interminable wayleave agreements so attention was switched to the car park by the Library. That also proved to be no quick matter. Finally, on 1 August, HTC received some firm news.

WBC has received the final drawings for the car park “which indicate that the chargers will be placed along the wall that is adjacent the Library and by the exit of the car park, taking up the five spaces that are currently there and having four accessible charging bays so that there is a gap for both chargers between the spaces.”

These will be one dual header 22kw charger and one dual header rapid charger. There will also be a junction box placed in the parking bay which already contains the bollard and pay machine to power these chargers and make the connection to the grid.

It’s expected that the ground works will start on 5 August with the chargers fully operational by mid-October. This may change in the light of unforeseen circumstances, of which this project has already seen more than a few.

Meanwhile, Cobbs Farm Shop on the A4 is also waiting for its own chargers to be connected. A spokesperson told me on 31 July that “we are waiting for a final electrical connection to be made from the main grid but this is out of our control.” There are still free electric chargers for customers to use, but these are not very quick.

We’ll have more news on both of these once we know more.

• Chestnut Walk

No news as such: just thought I’d put a big green heading in to show you that we hadn’t forgotten about it.

The government’s focus on affordable housing should be making this more of a priority. However, in any joint venture, problems always result if one party is sold on the project and the other is not. I understand that WBC is looking for ways to get a positive result from this, perhaps by doing something with another partner. Watch, as we’ve said many times before, this space.

• Other news

• The Kennet Valley Wetland Reserve Hungerford has been advised by the Wetland and Wildfowl Trust that August is the first month of autumn for wetland birds and that migration begins now. This will be the first long journey for the year’s youngsters born here in the UK this spring, which is why it is so important to have healthy wetland staging sites across their route, in order to feed and rest before continuing. One day Hungerford will have a 40-acre wetland staging post for these migratory birds, but it needs your support to ensure it can achieve this aim.

• Hungerford Chamber of Commerce invites all local businesses to its Summer Soiree relaxed and sociable networking and BBQ evening from 6.30pm on Wednesday 7 August at The Tally Ho in Hungerford Newtown. Please RSVP to chairman@hungerfordchamberofcommerce.co.uk. Tickets are £20 and partners are welcome.

• Last chance to have your say here about changes to parking arrangements in Newbury, Thatcham, Hungerford, Lambourn, Pangbourne and Theale, including limiting Blue Badge parking to 3 hours. The survey closes at midnight on Friday 2 August.

• It’s the last chance to get involved in The Big Butterfly Count which runs until Sunday 4 August. Given that the weather has taken a turn for the better at the moment, why not take the opportunity to assess the state of our butterfly population. Click here for more information.

• Between 8pm on Saturday 28 July and 9am on Sunday 27 July criminal damage occurred on a property in Hungerford High Street. Offender(s) threw eggs and broke a window. If you have any information, please contact the Police Enquiry Centre on 101 quoting ref 43240359786.

• The Town & Manor of Hungerford encourages residents to enjoy and photograph the quaking grass on Hungerford Common. The seeds of quaking grass are an excellent food source for all kinds of farmland birds, including yellowhammers, linnets, greenfinches and house sparrows. Town & Manor of Hungerford is keen for residents to send in their photos of this extraordinary plant.

• Josh Keen is seeking fields that he can metal detect around Chilton Foliat. Message him via Facebook if you can help.

• Shalbourne Classic Car Show is looking for stallholders on Sunday 25 August. DM Phillip Matthews for further details.

• The Hungerford Community Shed (HCS) is designed to encourage people to come together to make, repair and repurpose items. The HCS also supports local communities and promotes improving wellbeing, reducing loneliness and combatting social isolation. If you can help with a venue or want to attend, contact Nick Wedgwood at nickwedg@gmail.com or Bruce Mayhew at bruce@brucemayhew.co.uk.

• If you have a back problem or any aches and pains, why not take advantage of Hungerford Chiropractic and Physiotherapy Healthcare‘s new client offer – £49 for initial assessment and first treatment. And to celebrate Rebecca and Andy’s fourth anniversary running the business, they are also offering 20% off all massages for new and existing clients. Book on 01488 683666 or info@hungerford-chiropractichealth.co.uk.

• Would you like to volunteer your business expertise to help Education Business Partnership prepare our local young people? Please see here for more details.

• Click here for the latest newsletter form the Hungerford Bookshop.

• Have your say

Have your say on current consultations being run by West Berkshire Council:

Draft Parking Review of Off-Street Parking Places Amendment 13 (REF0013IM) – deadline 2 August 2024.
Argyle Road, Hampton Road and Derby Road, Newbury: Proposed 20mph speed limit – deadline 9 August 2024.
Draft Nuisance Policy 2024-2027 – deadline 19 August 2024.
Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Local Offer User Voice Survey – deadline 1 September 2024.
West Berkshire Bus Service Survey 2024 – deadline 8 September 2024.
Draft West Berkshire Statement of Gambling Principles 2025-2028 – deadline 12 September 2024.

Parish and town councils also run consultations from time to time: see the appropriate website/s below under Council contacts.

• Latest local newsletters

• Penny Post Hungerford.
• Inkpen and Combe Bulletin.
• Froxfield News.

News from other areas

Thursday 25 July 2024

Our usual round-up of local news includes a defibrillator, cygnets, summer activities, first prize and stallholders – plus a parking response, unfinished business at Lancaster Park, more than just a repair service, a rugby star and planning matters at the Wheatsheaf. See also below for community notices and news from your local council.

Upcoming Hungerford events include live music and author talk. See below for details, plus regular events and group activities.

• Lancaster Park

We’ve mentioned several times about the various pieces of unfinished business at the Lancaster Park development in Hungerford. These mainly involve the common parts, including things like open spaces, ponds and landscaping. There is also the question of the nature, composition and financing of the management company which will take on responsibility for these matters from the developers.

Related to this are aspects of the planning conditions which the developers need to have discharged (ie proved to the planning authority that they’ve performed). The management company clearly should not have to accept obligations for tasks uncompleted by the developers.

I’m not sure how long these issues normally take to resolve. They certainly have been bubbling along for some time here. I’m therefore pleased to report that what was described as a “productive” meeting took place on 24 July involving a local resident, two representatives of Hungerford Town Council (HTC) and Bewley. The notes of this will be being supplied to the residents soon and we hope to provide a summary in due course.

There’s also a separate matter concerning road adoption (see this article for more). The issue is in many ways of startling simplicity. If the developers cannot prove to the highway authority’s (West Berkshire Council’s) (WBC) satisfaction that the roads were built to an “adoptable” standard, WBC will not adopt them. A Section 38 notice (which would have enabled WBC to have inspected the construction at various stages) would have proved this, but this was not applied for.

If the roads are not adopted, the residents will have the responsibility to maintain them – but, currently, without knowing how well they were built and so when any repairs might be needed, and how much this might cost. Until there’s some clarity on this, the residents are faced with an open-ended liability.

It’s worth mentioning HTC’s role here. It is not a party to any of the agreements, being neither the landowner, nor the developer, nor a property owner, nor the planning or the highway authority. It has no power to decide planning applications, set planning conditions, discharge them or adopt roads. It is not offering legal advice, nor taking legal action and nor is its involvement prejudicing any legal action others may take. It has become involved for two simple reasons.

The first is that it represents the town and its residents and wants to get the best result for them, using whatever power or influence it has. The second is that, as a consultee in the planning process, it wants to ensure that all the planning conditions in the town have been correctly discharged, acting in this case as WBC’s semi-official eyes and ears.

It has performed both of these roles numerous times in the past. The only difference here is that this is, by Hungerford’s standards, a large and occasionally problematic development. HTC’s involvement in discussions should not be mistaken for an official involvement. HTC has no skin in the game and can at any time walk away and leave the other parties to sort matters out between them.

The residents, however, cannot walk away. How much skin they have in the game as regards possible future charges is currently uncertain. This is one of the things that HTC is, for the residents’ benefit, seeking to clarify.

• Repair café

What do a paper shredder, a Christmas lights reindeer and a camping chair have in common? The answer is that they were all brought in to Hungerford Repair Café at the Croft Hall last Saturday needing some attention. These are the kind of objects for which it would otherwise be impossible to find a repair service in our high-tech world. If your phone or washing-machine breaks, you will no doubt have a choice of repair centres willing to help you out for a fee. Why is it not the same for low-tech objects such as these?

One answer is that it costs more for manufacturers to make their products serviceable. We all want low-tech products to be cheap, so they are not made to be taken apart and fixed when they break. They are built to be used and then thrown away when they no longer work.

Another reason is that modern technology seems confusing, and many people don’t have the curiosity and confidence to get out a screwdriver to try and fix things themselves.

The good news is that with a little knowledge and determination many things can be fixed. That is where the Repair Café movement comes in. Repair Café is an international movement with more than 2,500 Repair Cafés worldwide. Its goal is to reduce the amount of stuff that is thrown away and, at the same time, to help and encourage everyone to get out the toolkit when something goes wrong.

Not only can the repairers help you get something working again, but they want to show you how to do it – and especially how to do it safely. That is why they encourage visitors to sit with the repairer. Sometimes they need an extra pair of hands, but mostly they want to pass on knowledge and determination. In this respect, they offer much more than a repair service.

Hungerford Repair Café next opens its doors on 21 Septemberat 10.0am to 12:30 pm in the Croft Hall.

• Hungerford’s international rugby star

Hungerford Rugby Club has been celebrating its new world champion after Ollie Allan helped England win the World Under-20 Championship in South Africa last week.

The cheers from the Triangle Field clubhouse could probably have been heard across the town as the scrum-half played a pivotal role in his side’s 21-13 victory over perpetual rivals France in the final in Cape Town. Read more from Tony Jefferies here.

• Parking consultation

You can click here for information about changes to parking arrangements in Newbury, Thatcham, Hungerford, Lambourn, Pangbourne and Theale. This closes on 2 August.

Hungerford Town Council considered the consultation at the meeting of its Highways and Transport Committee on 22 July, the minutes of which you can see here. The response was: “Against charging on evenings, Sundays and Bank holidays. Against limiting disabled parking to three hours. No objection to increased daytime charges. No objection to a further increase in daytime charges if a 30-minute free parking period could be introduced.”

The document states: “We are not seeking views on the revised parking charges. These have already been consulted on as part of the Budget Proposal for 2024/25 on the restructure of parking fees and charges consultation, and a decision was made to adopt the fees and charges at the Full Council Meeting on Thursday, 29 February 2024. This order amendment is part of the statutory process to implement these charges.”

I’ve asked WBC to confirm but I think this means that the general principle of agreeing the changes to days, times and disabled access has already been consulted on and this latest one is just to look at the details. I also understand that at least one person has questioned whether the first consultation was conducted correctly. However, this should not prevent people from responding to the current one.

One problem with this is that the Notice of Proposal spells out what the proposed arrangements will be, but not what they are now. This makes it impossible to be sure what aspect is changing. I’ve suggested to WBC that, in future, the current arrangements should in each case be printed under the planned ones.

Mind you, perhaps all these ambiguities are just a reality check. Deciphering regulations by the roadside or in a car park can be a complicated business as the phrasing is not always completely clear. Why should the consultations about them be any different?

• The Wheatsheaf

The following is taken from the minutes of the 9 July meeting of Chilton Foliat Parish Council, which you can read here.

Questions from parishioners relating to: PL/2024/03348,PL/2024/03175,PL/2024/03701

“Parishioners stressed that they wish the pub to be a success but have concerns with individual elements of the planning applications including the highway proposals contained in PL/2024/03348. Both the Parish Council and Cllr. James Sheppard confirmed that the highways elements are not part of the planning process and as such will not be considered as part of the application, however this does not negate the other parts of the application. The in-depth highways report referenced at the previous public meeting was commissioned by the owner of the Wheatsheaf, not Wiltshire Council highways.

“Parishioners raised concerns regarding communication between the Parish Council and parishioners, the decision-making process and the proposed arrangements to give permission for drainage and allow access to the proposed cellar from the lane. Questions were asked about the potential impact on the neighbouring property due to deliveries, staff use of side access, bin storage, noise and the potential for unauthorised use of the lane. Other key questions raised the issue of policing/monitoring of lease conditions and the safety of pedestrians including school children.

“The Chairman reported that there are two parts to the proposed agreement with the Wheatsheaf.

Temporary permission for drainage to be installed under the lane.
Permission for the lift shaft to be installed. The Parish Council is happy to consider this but it is subject to a legal agreement with the Parish Council, the owners of the Wheatsheaf and the owners of the neighbouring property. The lift shaft can only be installed and used if the legal agreement is in place. It was stressed that use of the facilities on the lane will be subject to legal restrictions.

“The Chairman stated that the pub is the only public village asset and the long-term interests of the village are not necessarily the same as individuals. The Parish Council will always encourage individual representation to Wiltshire Council. Parishioners stated that they wish a pub that is open, aligned to the size of the site and is neighbourly.

“The Parish Council is more than happy to take the issues raised back to the owner and will suggest that the owner has a public meeting to share information. The Parish Council will not be considering entering into a legal agreement until the planning application is approved. The Chairman promised an update will go onto the website.”

• Other news

• Hungerford Town Council is excited to announce that a new public defibrillator has been installed in Hungerford. This lifesaving equipment is placed on the wall of The Down Gate Pub (RG17 0ED). It is also planning to have a Blood Cabinet installed in the High Street at a location and at a date to be confirmed in the near future.

• Places are filling up fast for the Summer Camps at Hungerford Youth & Community Centre throughout the summer holidays. Book now by clicking here to avoid disappointment.

• For more ideas for family and children’s activities this summer holiday see our Local Summer Holiday Guide for days out, family activities, summer camps, fun for free and some great seasonal recipes to enjoy.

• Hungerford resident Lisa Lovell is raising funds to help fix the garden of a local veteran, who now has a diagnosis of dementia and is in real need of a safe garden where he can spend his twilight years. Check out the Just Giving page here if you think you can help.

• Hungerford Town and Manor have received some fabulous photos of this year’s cygnets and would love to receive more from residents.

• Hungerford Hub & Library is thrilled to have won first prize in its category for Hungerford in Bloom this year. Thanks are given to Emma, its gardener, for all her hard work in keeping the garden areas around the Hub looking so good. Remember the garden is always available for visitors to enjoy when the Library is open.

• Hungerford Rugby Club is offering a fun, non-contact mixed ability rugby sessions for 10 to 17 year olds, who perhaps are not confident or comfortable playing the full contact sport. Those with (or without) learning disabilities are encouraged to come along, as the coaches are experienced working with those with special needs. The sessions are once a month, all year round, on Sunday mornings from 10.30am to 11.30am. For more details please contact hungerfordtigers@gmail.com, or call 07850 517332.

• Hungerford Hub & Library is looking for an enthusiastic committee member to join its team and support the work and the running of the Hub. Please email manager Andrea for more information about how you could get involved at hungerfordhub@gmail.com

• Hungerford Hub & Library is also looking for a volunteer to work in the Curve Gift Shop for one shift a week. Full training will be given, so if you are interested please email hungerfordhub@gmail.com.

• West Berkshire Council wants feedback on its SEND Local Offer website which includes information about the services available for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in West Berkshire. Have your say on the website and how easily you can find the information by participating in the survey here. For more surveys to participate in, please see the have your say section below.

• Shalbourne Classic Car Show is looking for stallholders on Sunday 25 August. DM Phillip Matthews for further details.

• The Hungerford Community Shed (HCS) is a newly formed committee of Hungerford residents, affiliated with the UK Men’s Shed association, who are in the process of finding a suitable location to meet. Designed to encourage people to come together to make, repair and repurpose items, the HCS also supports local communities and promotes improving wellbeing, reducing loneliness and combatting social isolation. If you can help with a venue or want to attend, contact Nick Wedgwood at nickwedg@gmail.com or Bruce Mayhew at bruce@brucemayhew.co.uk.

• Would you like to volunteer your business expertise to help Education Business Partnership prepare our local young people? Please see here for more details.

• Click here for the latest newsletter form the Hungerford Bookshop.

• Have your say

Have your say on current consultations being run by West Berkshire Council:

Parish and town councils also run consultations from time to time: see the appropriate website/s below under Council contacts.

• Latest local newsletters

• Penny Post Hungerford.
• Inkpen and Combe Bulletin.
• Froxfield News.

News from other areas

Thursday 18 July 2024

Our usual round-up of local news includes reading, repairs, a carnival, stories, a produce show and gardens – plus the latest news from Lancaster Park, deafening silence at Chestnut Walk and Froxfield’s SIDs. See also below for community notices and news from your local council.

Upcoming Hungerford events include Summer Reading Celebration, Repair Cafe and Open Gardens. See below for details, plus regular events and group activities.

• Lancaster Park

As we’ve mentioned several times before, there are a number of unfinished aspects at the Lancaster Park development to the south of Hungerford. There doesn’t seem to be anything wrong with the houses: it’s the common parts such as the roads and landscaped areas that are causing the trouble. This article looks at these in more detail.

A spokesperson for the residents at Lancaster Park told Penny Post on 17 July that “there is improving clarity on some of the issues. A small group will be invited to meet with Bewley shortly to work through the remaining points.”

There is, she added, “quite a list of outstanding matters” at Lancaster Park, where completion of the landscaping and roads adoption are two stand-out issues to resolve. However, she conceded that “it seems that Bewley has indicated informally some serious intent to propose resolutions in compliance with the planning permission. The planned meeting mentioned above is expected to improve clarity and make firm proposals on those outstanding issues.”

• Chestnut Walk

No news of any kind whatsoever continues to flood out of West Berkshire Council and Sovereign on this long-running matter. The key point at issue is whether the wretched joint venture between the organisations to build about 55 social homes in Newbury and Hungerford is going to reformed, wound up or what. It seems inconceivable that it will be allowed to continue as it is.

It has so far accomplished nothing apart from wasting time and money. Questions already need to be asked about why this has been run so ineffectively. Every day that passes only makes these questions more serious. More information has been promised in the next weeks or so: but I’ve heard that before…

This was a matter that the new administration inherited from its predecessor in May 2023. We all understand that most things can’t be fixed overnight and, to its credit, the current council has already addressed some (but not all) of the things it said it would. However, when something remains unresolved fifteen months later, it starts to look less like an inherited problem and more like one of your own.

• Froxfield’s speeds

The following is taken from the July 2024 edition of Froxfield News.

“Froxfield Parish Council has bought a Speed Indicator Device (SID) which will shortly be set up on the side of the A4, opposite Riverview, near to the entrance to the sewage works. The SID will flash up the driver’s speed and those exceeding the 40mph speed limit at this point will get the message “slow down”.

“Although the device is owned and operated by the PC, it does collect general data on the speed of vehicles passing through the village which is forwarded to The Police to enable them to gain a fuller picture of how traffic flows along the A4 as well as the average speeds.

The Froxfield SID is solar powered and can be flipped around to measure traffic speeds in both directions. The intention is for the position to be reversed on a regular basis so that drivers travelling the A4 can be made aware if they have failed to slow down sufficiently. The new 40mph speed limit between the gates of the village came into force on 1 July and the installation of the SID is the key achievement from the PC A4 traffic calming project which has dominated the council’s activities since 2016.”

• Other news

• Hungerford Bookshop welcomes everyone to its Summer Reading Celebration this Friday 19 July from 6.30pm in the Courtyard behind the shop. Four authors have ten minutes each to tell you about their books and booksellers also share their favourite reads of the year so far. Plus lashings of Pimms, nibbles, free proofs (pre-publication copies of books) and bookish chat.

• This weekend sees Hungerford Repair Cafe on Saturday 20 July. It’s such a lovely atmosphere in the Croft Hall between 10am and 12:30pm when kind and talented volunteers help fix your broken electrical goods, repair toys and furniture, sharpen tools and help mend clothing. You can also drop off any foil or alumimium for recycling and it will be collected by Hungerford Rotary. Repairs and refreshments are free and donations from grateful members of the public to help cover the costs. For more information please click here.

• The weather was kind to last Sunday’s Hungerford Carnival – see photos from Red Water Images. We spoke to Neil Marney and on behalf of the small committee that runs the carnival, he would like to thank everyone who participated in this year’s event, including the piper, the Mayor of Hungerford and The Constable of the Town & Manor, the fire brigade, the nursery school, Hungerford Brownies and Guides, and several vintage vehicles. The committee is committed to keeping the carnival going for the town and welcomes ongoing support in future years.

• There is another chance to admine the Open Gardens at 87 and 88 The High Street on Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 July in aid of the Tuesday Burchett Club Bus and Noreen’s Kids that supports orphans in Romania. See here for details.

• Due to the dodgy weather forecast for this Saturday 20 July, Inglewood Summer Carnival near Kintbury has been postponed to Saturday 14 September.

• Thames Valley Police are calling all parents and carers to join their free online session on Wednesday 24 July at 6.30pm. Delivered by The Ben Kinsella Trust, the leading national anti-knife crime and violence education charity, learn how to keep young people safe from crime & violence. Click here to enrol.

• Hungerford Hub & Library are delighted to receive £11,500 from the Miss Lawrence Trust via the The Good Exchange towards their project to get solar panels on the roof of the Library Building. Solar panels will hugely reduce their running costs, lowering reliance on the grid by around 51% and are hoping for installation in 2025.

• Hungerford Hub & Library also invite all five to eight year olds to join them on Friday 26 July from 4-5pm, for a special Storytime based on the Italian story ‘Hai Preso Tutto?’ by Chiara Vignocchi and Silvia Borando. This will be a fun session in which you can learn some holiday-themed Italian words through story and games. It’s FREE but places are limited, so please contact the library to book: email hungerfordlibrary@westberks.gov.uk or ring 01488 682660 during opening hours.

• Mark Townsend is a responder for the ambulance service in Hungerford, one of over 900 unpaid volunteers, throughout the South Central ambulance area, all with the common goal of supporting local communities. All of the equipment, vehicles and uniforms are all paid for through the generous donations given to South Central Ambulance Charity. Mark is looking for any pubs, restaurants or retail businesses in town that would be happy to host a collection tin. If so please message him on Facebook here.

• The Hungerford & Downlands Neighbourhood team are looking for a black Audi estate seen acting suspiciously on a farm in Inkpen between 12.30pm and 1pm on Friday 12 July. Please email HungerfordandDownlandsNHPT@thamesvalley.police.uk them know if you have any information about this or if you see the vehicle in suspicious circumstances, call 999.

• If you need cheering up Graeme Coulam will be reading The Very Angry Caterpillar and doing other funny stuff at the next Hungerford Comedy Club on Friday 19 July. Click here for tickets.

• Hungerford Hub & Library are looking for an enthusiastic Committee member to join their team and support the work and the running of the Hub. Please email manager Andrea for more information about how you could get involved at hungerfordhub@gmail.com

• Hungerford Hub & Library are also looking for a volunteer to work in the Curve Gift Shop for one shift a week. Full training will be given, so if you are interested please email hungerfordhub@gmail.com.

• After last year’s inaugural Hungerford Produce, Flower & Handicraft Show, there have been many requests that Hungerford Allotment Holders Association (HAHA) repeat the show again this year as it is an excellent, inclusive community project attracting people from the surrounding villages and an enjoyable detour for tourists and visitors. Last year there were over 50 entrants aged between 6 and 86, over 400 entries and over 300 visitors on the day. This year the show is on Saturday 24 August and they’re hoping for even more entries. See details here.

• Shalbourne Classic Car Show is looking for stallholders on Sunday 25 August. DM Phillip Matthews for further details.

• Everyone Active would love to hear your thoughts, opinions and development ideas for the local leisure centres it runs, including Hungerford Leisure Centre. Please have your say by completing this brief survey and select the leisure centre you use.

• The Hungerford Community Shed (HCS) is a newly formed committee of Hungerford residents, affiliated with the UK Men’s Shed association., who are in the process of finding a suitable location to meet. Designed to encourage people to come together to make, repair and repurpose items, the HCS also supports local communities and promotes improving wellbeing and reducing loneliness and combatting social isolation. If you can help with a venue or want to attend, contact Nick Wedgwood at nickwedg@gmail.com or Bruce Mayhew at bruce@brucemayhew.co.uk.

• Hungerford Hub and Library are offering Spanish Conversation on the first Thursday of the month, this is free of charge to students of the Spanish Learning Club, and only £12 for non-students. To book contact angela.spanishclub@gmail.com or call 07557 226541.

• Latest news from Greenham Trust includes how to apply for free trees and hedging plants to be planted in November. Plus the application deadlines for the autumn Escalator and Mini-Escalator which gives a local group the opportunity to raise £30,000 and the Greenham Trust Charity Awards on Thursday 7 November.

• Quick reminder to Tesco shoppers that West Berkshire Foodbank are still in desperate need of more donations (of food or cash) and there is still a Foodbank donation crate in-store but it has been moved away from the exit and is closer to the first couple of tills. This has unfortunately resulted in a huge drop in donations.

• If you’ve got a back problem or any aches and pains, why not take advantage of Hungerford Chiropractic and Physiotherapy Healthcare‘s new client offer – £49 for initial assessment and first treatment. And to celebrate Rebecca and Andy’s fourth anniversar running the business, they are also offering 20% off all massages for new and existing clients. Book on 01488 683666 or info@hungerford-chiropractichealth.co.uk.

• Hungerford Food Community are offering Party Box Hire to encourage sustainability at a cost of £10. Please email hungerfordfoodcommunity@gmail.com to book yours for this Summer’s children’s parties.

• Quick reminder that Hungerford Rugby Club is offering free rugby training sessions for girls in Years 3 to 9 on Sunday mornings 11am to 12.30pm and Thursday evenings 6.30pm to 8pm. These sessions will run until Sunday 28 July. Click here for more details.

• Would you like to volunteer your business expertise to help Education Business Partnership prepare our local young people? Please see here for more details.

• Click here for the latest newsletter form the Hungerford Bookshop.

• Have your say

Have your say on current consultations being run by West Berkshire Council:

Draft Parking Review of Off-Street Parking Places Amendment 13 (REF0013IM) – deadline 2 August 2024.
Draft Nuisance Policy 2024-2027 – deadline 19 August 2024.
Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Local Offer User Voice Survey – deadline 1 September 2024.

Parish and town councils also run consultations from time to time: see the appropriate website/s below under Council contacts.

• Latest local newsletters

• Penny Post Hungerford.
• Inkpen and Combe Bulletin.
• Froxfield News.

News from other areas

Thursday 11 July 2024

Our usual round-up of local news includes cows, a market, a carnival, a committee and a curve – plus a look at various bollard-related matters in the town and the latest news (ie no news) at Chestnut Walk. See also below for community notices and news from your local council.

Upcoming Hungerford events include Antiques & Collectables Fair, Food & Artisan Market and Hungerford Carnival. See below for details, plus regular events and group activities.

• Hungerford’s bollards

Local residents will be aware that there was a spectacular and destructive ram-raid on the Coin and Stamp Centre in Hungerford High Street last New Year’s Eve. One of the methods that the business owner had suggested to deal with this is installing bollards on the pavement. This needed planning permission and you can click here to see the details. As with all planning matters, the local town/parish council is invited to make its comments. This Hungerford TC’s Planning Committee duly did on 8 July. The minutes will be available here in due course.

HTC eventually decided to oppose the application. Any specific comments or recommendations to provide nuance to this will be included in the minutes, and sent to WBC as part of the response. It’s important to note that WBC can ignore some or all of these recommendations, and the general conclusion, if it chooses.

I wasn’t at the meeting but the main concerns seemed to be whether the business owner had taken all available steps to use other security methods which may be less obtrusive and perhaps more effective; and – although it was noted that the applicant would pay for and maintain these – what would happen to the bollards if he moved out.

There was also discussion about the desirability or otherwise of having more bollards in the town, which sometimes solve problems but can create new ones. From what I understand the proposed “cannon-ball” design of these seems both elegant and in line with the many other ones found in Hungerford.

The question of bollards has cropped up before. Two locations – outside the Morrisons (formerly Co-op) and at the junction of the High Street and Park Street have variously been proposed to solve specific traffic problems. Certainly in the latter case, WBC was unwilling to entertain the idea, partly because it would be taking on an asset it would need to maintain and partly because it was felt this might cause damage to the cat’s-cradle of subterranean pipes and cables. The second of these objections, though not the first, would presumably apply to this application. However, if we’re not going to put anything in the ground for fear it might disturb something already there then we might as well throw all our spades and diggers away.

Nigel Montgomery, the owner of the Coin and Stamp Centre told me that he was “very disappointed” with HTC’s recommendation, “considering how serious the incident had been and how a similar one could cause injury.” Let’s see what WBC says about this one, once it decides.

• Chestnut Walk

Ah ha, you might think: at last some news about this much-needed development (and the related one in Phoenix Court in Newbury) which this wretched joint venture between West Berkshire Council and Sovereign has been promising for years to deliver.

Sadly not. I mention it just to demonstrate that there is no news, despite my having sent or made at least a dozen emails or phone calls to those who will either be deciding this or communicating the results. A meeting between the two parties was meant to have happened recently. However, what options were discussed and with what results, or whether or not it even took place, are not matters I can enlighten you on. Rest assured that those whom I’ve contacted on this will be contacted again for as long as is necessary until a decision is made.

The questions of what this fiasco has so far cost and how it was allowed to proceed for so long and accomplish so little at a time when such homes are badly needed can wait for another day but will not be forgotten about either. Watch, as I’ve said many times before, this space.

• Other news

• After an incident at the weekend, if you think you have hit one of the cows on Hungerford Common with your vehicle, the Town & Manor of Hungerford strongly urge you to report it by calling the Hayward on 07467 826499 or call 101 asap. On Saturday night, one of the cows was hit by a car and if it had been reported at the time, the vet would immediately have been able to avert a painful death from severe internal injuries for the animal, who wasn’t found until Sunday morning.

• Looking forward to the Hungerford Food & Artisan Market this Sunday 14 July. Quick reminder to bring along your foil, aluminium and IT tech for recycling, and any surplus seeds, plants and produce, and cooking equipment and kitchen appliances you don’t need any more to donate or swap. Plus your reusable coffee cup to get 50p off hot drinks. Entry is free between 10am and 1pm at The Croft Field. This month’s 11.30am Cooking Demo is healthy and tasty Middle Eastern dips with Sarah from Glass Sponge Coaching with flat breads – and also a brilliant hack for growing basil. And rumour has it that the smoothie bike will be back. See here for more details.

• Also this Sunday 14 July, it’s Hungerford Carnival! There is no entry fee, no theme and no pressure – just turn up at John O’Gaunt School at 4pm for a 5pm start. There will be prizes for best float and walking group and the Carnival King, Queen, Prince and Princess will be crowned on the Day! If you would like to join the committee and offer your services, please email hungerfordcarnival00@gmail.com.

• There is another chance to admine the Open Gardens at 87 & 88 The High Street on Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 July – in aid of the Tuesday Burchett Club Bus and Noreen’s Kids that supports orphans in Romania. See here for details

• Ray Wilton and Sunni Robyn would love to get you onto their Saturday Chatterday show on #kennetradio between 11am and 1pm each week to publicise and support what you do for the communities of Hungerford, Thatcham, Newbury and all of the surrounding villages. If you would like to get involved, email sunni.robyn@kennetradio.com

• Shalbourne Classic Car Show is looking for stallholders on Sunday 25 August. DM Phillip Matthews for further details.

• Hungerford Town Council is inviting tenders for installation of its spectacular Christmas lights. Please visit this page of Hungerford TC’s website for more information. The closing date is 10am Monday 15 July 2024.

• Hungerford Hub and Library are also looking for individuals with IT Skills to help out the Hub to create slideshows for their large screen, organise their One Drive/Electronic filing system and update their website. If you think you might be able to help please email hungerfordhub@gmail.com

• Professional mural artist Matt Tanner has just moved to the local area and is looking for work opportunities and walls to paint. He also teaches mural painting and street art workshops and has just completed a project with a school in the West Country. Contact him via his Facebook page.

• Hungerford Youth and Community Centre‘s popular Summer Camp will be running again this year and bookings are now open. Book early to avoid disappointment here. For more HYCC news see their Summer 2024 newsletter.

• Kintbury St.Mary’s CE Primary School is excited to invite you to their Summer Sports Camp which is filling up fast. Places are open to children at other local schools as well as those who attend KSM. Please use the QR code in this picture to sign up.

• If you want to help our precious swifts which have declined by 40% in the last 10 years, it’s not too late to install a swift box as the juveniles are looking for nesting places for next year. Volunteers from Swift Town Hungerford and HEAT (Hungerford Environmental Action Team) can help.

• Hungerford has launched its first Women’s Walking Football Club and invites all women who fancy giving the game a try to join them on the Hungerford Youth Centre hard courts (by Hungerford Leisure Centre) on Thursday evenings from 7pm to 8pm. Wear trainers and suitable clothing. No restrictions on age, fitness or ability. Further info from Martin.brailli@btinternet.com.

• Hungerford Hub & Library would like to remind everyone of their U3A Art Group on Thursdays from 10.30am to 12.30pm. Bring your own art materials and meet a friendly group of budding artists.

• You can also help to support the Hungerford Hub & Library by joining West Berkshire Lottery. Join for just £1 per week and have the chance of winning £25,000. 60% of your ticket cost goes towards supporting the Hub. Sign up here.

• Hungerford Antiques & Collectors’ Fair has some very rare table space available at their next market due to holiday commitments from regular stallholders. Give Gerry a call on 07747 106539 to secure your spot for Sunday 14 July.

• Quick reminder to Tesco shoppers that West Berkshire Foodbank is in desperate need of more donations (of food or cash) and there is still a Foodbank donation crate in-store but it has been moved away from the exit and is closer to the first couple of tills. This has unfortunately resulted in a huge drop in donations so please try to remember to pop something in the crate before you leave the shop.

• Hungerford Bookshop are very excited about their summer Crime & Thriller author talk series coming up in July. See the full schedule here.

• Hungerford Town Band welcome new percussion players to bring the band up to strength. This is a great chance to play with a progressive local band who appreciate the difference that a good percussion section can make to the ensemble. Help is always available with transport of kit or personnel if needed.

• West Berkshire Council is still assisting the local community through the Household Support Fund until autumn 2024. This could help if you’re struggling to afford energy and water bills, food or other essential items. They also offer food vouchers to families during the school holidays. Don’t suffer in silence, find out more by following this link.

• Would you like to volunteer your business expertise to help Education Business Partnership prepare our local young people? Please see here for more details.

• Click here for the latest newsletter form the Hungerford Bookshop.

• Have your say

Have your say on current consultations being run by West Berkshire Council:

Parish and town councils also run consultations from time to time: see the appropriate website/s below under Council contacts.

• Latest local newsletters

• Penny Post Hungerford.
• Inkpen and Combe Bulletin.
• Froxfield News.

Thursday 4 July 2024

Our usual round-up of local news includes open gardens, a carnival, sportswomen, sheds, skills and Spanish – plus a look at Hungerford’s recent newsletter, Ofsted visits Oaklands and the D-Day weekend. See also below for community notices and news from your local council.

Upcoming Hungerford events include Charity Open Gardens & summer thriller suspense. See below for details, plus regular events and group activities.

• Hungerford’s newsletter

The monthly Penny Post Hungerford was published on Tuesday 2 July and, as ever, provides the best and most varier round-up of life in the town. Items covered this month include…

Our usual update on the work of Hungerford Town Council.
News, tips and offers from our local retailers.
The latest instalment of the regular diary from John O’Gaunt Head Teacher Richard Hawthorne.
A look back at the town’s wonderful D-Day celebrations (see also section below).
A look back at the recent EV event in Hungerford.
News from a wide range of voluntary and community groups.
The launch of the Hungerford Community Shed
Adoption issues at Lancaster Park.
Jobs, property, events and some wise words about elections from Plato.

Click here to read the July Penny Post Hungerford if you didn’t get it.

• Oakland’s inspection

Congratulations to Oaklands, a recently opened SEN school in Hungerford, which last month had its first full Ousted inspection. The full report can be seen on this section of the school’s website. A statement from the school said that it “received the top grading of “outstanding” for pupil personal development and a “Good” grading across all other areas of the school that includes the quality of education, behaviour and attitudes and leadership and management.”

All of this is then used to create an overall grade. As I profoundly disagree with the fact that all the work of a school should be reduced to a one-word summary, I won’t tell you want this was but urge you to study the report for yourself. These are not long and provide a good deal of nuance. Some parents or carers may place a higher value on some aspects than they do on others and for this purpose the simple over-arching grade is not of much use.

• A Look Back at the D-Day weekend

Hungerford Town Council welcomed hundreds of visitors to join in its special D-Day 80th anniversary commemoration and celebration last weekend 28 to 30 June.

Congratulations to the D-Day planning committee who were supported by various layers of volunteers, groups and sponsors to deliver the momentous three day event which, in conjunction with Commemorative Convoys, raising significant funds for Royal British Legion.

• Other news

•This weekend sees the annual opportunity to visit one of Hungerford’s best kept secrets. The gardens at 87 & 88 The High Street will be open 6/7 & 20/21 July – in aid of the Tuesday Burchett Club Bus and Noreen’s Kids that supports orphans in Roumania. See here for details.

• Not long now before Hungerford Carnival on Sunday 14 July. There is no entry fee, no theme and no pressure! Just turn up at John O’Gaunt School at 4pm for a 5pm start. There will be prizes for best float and walking group and the Carnival King, Queen, Prince and Princess will be crowned on the Day! If you would like to join the committee and offer your services, please email hungerfordcarnival00@gmail.com.

• Congratulations to Hungerford’s international sportswomen Lauren Bell and Carys Cox for their latest successes playing cricket for England and rugby for Wales respectively. See details here.

• At a short ceremony at the Bear Hotel this week, Robert Fennell was presented with his Presidential chain of office as the new leader for Hungerford Rotary Club, by former President Llewellyn Robins. The membership has grown over the last two years and Robert promised a full year of Fellowship and fundraising events for all the club members. and hoped that more men and women in the area might consider joining and giving something back to the community. For more information click here.

• Looking forward to the next Hungerford Food & Artisan Market on Sunday 14 July. Quick reminder to bring along your foil, aluminium and IT tech for recycling, and any surplus plants and produce, and cooking equipment and kitchen appliances you don’t need any more to donate or swap. Plus your reusable coffee cup to get 50p off hot drinks. Entry is free between 10am and 1pm at The Croft Field. See here for more details.

• Hungerford Hub & Library would like to remind everyone of their U3A Art Group on Thursdays from 10.30am to 12.30pm. Bring your own art materials and meet a friendly group of budding artists.

• Hungerford Bookshop are very excited about their summer Crime & Thriller author talk series coming up in July. See the full schedule here.

• Would you like to volunteer your business expertise to help Education Business Partnership prepare our local young people? Please see here for more details.

• Click here for the latest newsletter form the Hungerford Bookshop.

• Have your say

Have your say on current consultations being run by West Berkshire Council.

Parish and town councils also run consultations from time to time: see the appropriate website/s below under Council contacts.

• Latest local newsletters

• Penny Post Hungerford.
• Inkpen and Combe Bulletin.
• Froxfield News.

News from other areas

To see the current Hungerford Area Weekly News section, please click here.