Our usual round-up of  local news includes: lights, wildflowers, trees, football in the park and discounted lunches –  plus a look at a letter about football returning to Faraday Road and a reminder that proposed WBC budget cuts may impact on community transport services. See also below for community notices and news from your local council.

Upcoming Newbury events include: Festival of Light, Newbury’s Living Advent Calendar. See below for details, plus regular events and group activities.

This week’s news

• Newbury’s Festival of Light is this Sunday 10 December, with a procession of lanterns parading down Northbrook street to the Market Square at 4pm. There will also be live music and an overall festival atmosphere throughout the town. Click here for more information.

• Newbury Town Council latest newsletter for December celebrates the completion of the Victoria Park Bandstand, bulb planting and the upcoming wildflower meadow seeding.

• Can you help seed a new wildflower meadow at Greenham House Gardens (opposite the ‘Burger King roundabout’) this Sunday 10 December between 10am and 1pm? Newbury Town Council’s Green Spaces Working Group, in partnership with Newbury in Bloom, is seeking volunteers for this project, following other successful community planting and pruning days in the town earlier in the year. Click here to learn more.

• St John & St Nicholas Primary School Choir performed a lovely rendition of Rudolph the Reindeer for the Wednesday 6 December’s living advent calendar window at Newbury Library with a lovely window decorated by visitors to EducafeUK’s Community Cafe, with many Christmas messages in different languages.  See more details here.

• Newbury’s Living Advent Calendar upcoming windows will be revealed at West Berkshire Museum, The Kennet Centre, City Arts and Parkway. See calendar here of all the venues and dates during December.

• Newbury Town Council’s Green Spaces Working Group, together with HSS Sewa (Hindu Swayamesvak Sangh), successfully planted 20 fruit trees and 10 deciduous trees last weekend at Hutton Close with the Mayor of Newbury, Councillor Nigel Foot lending a helping hand. Sewa Day undertakes projects in collaboration with local authorities like Councils and other charities and earlier this year, the group raised funds for this event by holding a charity coffee morning at the Town Hall. More tree planting is planned for the New Year. See more details here.

• There is still time to nominate local residents or volunteers who have gone above and beyond to help the community for West Berkshire’s Community Champion Awards. Fill in the online nomination form by Monday 11 December.

• A reminder that the SustainHUBle Market at Wash Common will be happening a week earlier than usual this month, on Thursday 14 December. Stock up on your pre-Christmas refills from jams and chutneys, pies and baked goods, as well as skincare, cards and gift. Click here to find out more.

• As reported previously, football has returned to Victoria Park which was commemorated last week with a game visited by the Deputy Mayor and some Town Councillors. The football pitch has had significant investment and improvements made over time and is now taking bookings for both casual and block bookings up to the end of April 2024, as well as youth training sessions. To learn more click here.

• Quick reminder about free bus travel on Saturdays 16 and 23 December. The free travel even extends to our neighbouring areas such as Reading, Basingstoke, and Swindon. If you start your journey in West Berkshire, your return journey is also free. To learn more click here.

• Christians Together in the Newbury Area (CTNA) invites anyone aged 65 or over to a free Community Christmas event at St George’s Church Hall in Andover Road, Newbury RG14 6NU from 10am to 3.30pm on Christmas Day. For more information, please email [email protected] or call 07828 244 119.

• The Base is currently holding a Photography Competition, on the theme of ‘My Wild Life’ inspired by nature. Budding photographers of all ages and expertise can enter, and finalists will be chosen by a panel of expert judges and the winning entries will be chosen by the general public in an online vote. The deadline to enter is Sunday 7 January 2024. Click here to find out how to enter.

• Quick reminder that local seniors can now get a £2 discount on delicious two-course lunches at The Fair Close Centre or via Meals on Wheels thanks to a new initiative between The Fair Close Centre and West Berkshire Council. See here for more details and how to apply.

• Newbury & Thatcham Repair Café  aims to run monthly alternating between Newbury and Thatcham from February 2024 and needs a pool of clever volunteers who can help. If this sounds like something you could help with, register your interest via this form.

• Local charity Home-Start need help collecting Christmas donations and presents for families going through a tough time. Many local local businesses have signed up as collection points to accept donations, including Dunelm, Tesco and Vodafone in Newbury. If you would like to get involved and organise a collection within your organisation, please get in touch at [email protected] or call 01635 760 310.

• Quick reminder about the silent peace vigils calling for a ceasefire in the Middle East in Newbury on Thursday evenings starting at 7.30pm. All welcome. See details in NWN here.

• For the low down on the local live music scene follow Sound Newbury’s facebook page.

• Football again

There’s a letter in this week’s NWN (“Football has not come home to Faraday Road”) which contains a number of observations that I find, at best, confusing.

The writer regards the congratulations given to WBC for having returned football to Faraday Road as “nauseating”, though it’s not clear why. The party’s election manifesto said that it would “immediately return the grass to bookable football space.” One could quibble with the “immediately”: but it has happened. The second part of the pledge spoke of “agreeing outline plans with the Newbury Community Football Group for a new pitch with an enhanced stadium and facilities.” Rather more slowly than was hoped, this is happening. the NGFG has re-defined itself as a CIC representing the wider interests of the football community and is now committed to working with WBC rather than, as previously, protesting against it.

The writer adds that “at least” the Tories proposed Monks Lane which “would be up to National League pyramid standards.” Indeed: but level of the pyramid? There is doubt on this point and the writer offers no step number for what he believes Monks Lane could achieve. I concede, and always have done, that the then portfolio holder Howard Woollaston did at least try to address this problem although, as matters showed, not in a way that made it clear whether the facility was a replacement or not.

He goes on to say that both schemes could be needed. He may be right. Nothing has been decided on this. As I mentioned last week, the planning permission for Monks Lane hasn’t been withdrawn and there’s still a budget line for it.

He then suggests that the Lib Dems are just “playing politics” with the issue. What does this ghastly phrase even mean?

His next observation is how foolish the Council is for not installing a 4G pitch. This may happen but is a much bigger decision. Aside from the cost, there’s the possibility that a flood attenuation measure may need to be put under the pitch. There are also wider questions of there stand, the clubhouse and a possible commercial development such as a conference centre. Any artificial pitch would need to form a part of that. Would the writer prefer that it be installed now and then, perhaps, need to be torn up?

He then swerves on to the completely unrelated issue of the café in Victoria Park. This is on a different site, is (possibly) being paused or amended for a different reason and is being managed by a different council (Newbury rather than WBC). I’m not sure what this is doing in this letter at all.

The Lib Dem administration may not be perfect (which one could be?) but it has so far done, or is doing, what it said it would on this tangled and divisive matter. As I’ve mentioned before, this has only reverted to the situation back to where it was in June 2018, less the aspects of the Faraday Road ground which have been burned, sold or stolen during the disastrous interregnum. In the context of this strange and unedifying saga, that has to be regarded as progress of a kind. It’s also keeping an election pledge, so far.

• Community transport consultation

Today I got a call from some one who, having read something I’d written, wanted to tell me how excellent they found the Readibus service. I agreed that this was something I’d heard several times before and was able to point out that the community transport charity has recently won another award.

I also explained to her that although its long-running dispute with WBC, resulting from the Council’s peculiar insistence on what amounts to a gagging clause, is in the process of being healed, it now faces a new problem. As many will be aware, WBC is like many councils short of money has has recently launched several consultations concerning possible cuts or extra charges (or “restructuring” as it euphemistically describes the latter).

One of these specifically looks at the possibility of reducing its contributions to community transport services. I explained to the caller that this might reduce the possibility of Readibus’ funding returning to its pre-dispute and levels and could even diminish the amount of funding it currently receives. This would lead inevitably to a reduction in the service that she and many others value so highly.

I suggested to my caller that the best thing she could do was to respond to the consultation by the closing date on 11 January 2024 and encourage others to do so too. When she said she wasn’t online, I looked up WBC’s switchboard number to give her so she could request a paper copy. I dialled it – 01635 55 11 11 –while she waited on the other line just to check that was the one to use.

For anyone who’s worried about the time they might to spend doing this, I can offer the reassuring news that the call was answered promptly by a very helpful woman who suggested I pass on the address to which the form should be sent. It should even now be winging its way towards its destination with such speed as Royal Mail can currently master.

Councils are obliged to provide hard copies of documents for those who aren’t online. Royal Mail is also obliged to deliver them, although (as reported here in the past) this doesn’t always happen as swiftly as it might, so do allow plenty of time. Libraries (which were saved for a similar funding axe about eight years ago) provide internet access and there may well be friends or neighbours who can help off-liners complete response or can print if off for them to fill in by hand and post back to WBC. O

bviously, anyone not on-line won’t be reading this article: so, if you know of anyone who might want to have their say on this or any other consultation but is not part of the digital universe, please pass this information on to them.

• Have your say

Community notices

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

• The Corn Exchange café bar on Thursday mornings between 10.30am and 12.30pm hosts Coffee Companions to meet new people and have a chat.

• Loose Ends drop-in centre at Newbury Cricket Ground welcome volunteers to join its friendly team. They offer hot meals and a safe and friendly environment for vulnerable people. More details and how to apply can be found here.

• Roadworks seem to be ongoing across the town…For up to date news and discussion it’s worth joining the Newbury.Happening now facebook group and its Newbury Traffic Live Updates chat group (on facebook messenger).

• Printer ink cartridges can be recycled at the Waterside Youth Centre, which will help them raise money to fund local youth activities. You can find the donation box next to the blue reception desk. – 01635 018500

• Donations of second-hand bikes are always welcome at the Community Furniture Project in Newbury where they refurbish the bikes and sell them at affordable prices to people in need. – 01635 43933

• Newbury Market welcomes small business interested in having a pitch in the Market Place get in contact with them at [email protected] or call 07399 122964 to find out more.

• Newbury Town Council Saturday Surgery between 10 am and noon any week at the steps of the Town Hall.

• Newbury’s two friendly community cafés on Wednesdays: Educafe Community Café in Newbury Library 11am to 2pm and Speen Community Café at The Starting Gate Pub 2pm to 5pm.

• Fair Close Centre on Newtown Road in Newbury provides a vital social hub and meals on wheels for over 65s, many of whom live on their own. Please support them here. Goodness knows we might all need their services in years to come.

• The Community Larder at the Waterside Centre is open every Tuesday afternoon, 2pm to 4pm to provide members with surplus food, discounts for local businesses, access to other services and support, as well as a friendly community environment.

•  Newbury Library offers free IT support sessions including filling out online forms, how to Zoom, downloading e-magazines or sorting out pictures. Bookable 30- or 60-minute sessions. To find out more or book a slot, email [email protected].

Local events and activities

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

• Dates for the diary

• Until Sun 21 Jan: No Sudden Moves exhibition inspired by Newbury wharf, West Berkshire Museum.

• Until 24 Dec Newbury’s Living Advent Calendar (different venues each day).

• Sun 10 Dec Festival of Light, Newbury Town Centre.

• Sun 10 Dec Community Meadow Seeding, Greenham House Gardens (near ‘Burger King’ roundabout).

• Tue 12 Dec Memorial Service for US Servicemen, Greenham Control Town Memorial.

• Thu 14 Dec Mayor’s Festive Afternoon Tea, Newbury Baptist Church.

• Thu 14 Dec SustainHUBle Market, Wash Common.

• Sat 16 Dec Newbury Choral Society Christmas Concert, St Nicholas Church, Newbury.

• Mon 18 Dec Christmas Quiz, The Spotted Dog Pub.

• Sun 31 Dec New Years Eve Fireworks, The Spotted Dog Pub.

• Sat 13 Jan Volunteer Recruitment Event, The Corn Exchange, Newbury.

• Regular events

• A wide range of activities for over 55 year olds is offered by The Corn Exchange in its Ageing Creatively programme.

• Shaw House Community Garden drop-in gardening sessions Wednesday morning 9.30am to 12.30pm.. If you would like to join a session, please call Amy Bosley, 07553 810133 or email her.

• Ukulele group workshops for all levels with the UTeam in Wash Common. Call 07963 647087 to enquire.

• Thatcham & Newbury Town Ladies and Girls FC Wildcats programme for girls aged 5 to 11 to get involved in football, promoting skill development, health, confidence and friendship. 6 to 7pm every Wednesday at Lower Way playing fields in Thatcham. Email [email protected] to get involved.

• Waterside Centre’s Youth Café every Tuesday evening, during term time, between 4:30pm and 6pm for Years 7 to 13. For more details click here or contact [email protected].

• Living Well Singing Café runs on Wednesdays from 2.15pm to 3pm at the Waterside Centre. All ages welcome. Contact [email protected].

• Newbury Park Run at Greenham Common at 9am every Saturday morning. Folks of all ages welcome to run/walk/jog the 5km. They also have volunteering opportunities. See details here.

• Newbury Women Football Club always welcomes new players. For more details click here or contact [email protected].

• ACE Space on St Nicholas Road hosts live acoustic performances. Join their Facebook group or follow them on Twitter.

• Newbury Community Larder every Tuesday 2pm to 4pm at the Waterside Centre (down the canal from Costa Coffee on Northbrook Street). For more details please contact [email protected] or call 01635 018500.

• Speen Community Café at The Starting Gate in Speen on Wednesdays between 2pm to 5pm. Drop in for a chat or a cuppa, knitting and craft activities. You don’t have to live in Speen to join in. Follow them on facebook here.

• Educafe’s Community Cafe at Newbury Library every Wednesday between 11am and 2pm. If you would like to pop along for a friendly chat or to volunteer in the cafe please see their website for more details.

• Berkshire Youth‘s Waterside Centre in Newbury hosts various clubs and activities for local children and can provide volunteering opportunities for adults too.

• The Base, Greenham organise many art-focused events for people of all ages to let their creative sides go wild.

News from your local council

Note: “the most recent meeting” refers to the most recent one for which minutes (in some cases draft) or some other summary is available. Other meetings may have taken place since. Some councils publish minutes more promptly than do others.

• The most recent meeting of Newbury Town Council for which minutes are available took place on 23 October and you can read the minutes here. Note that many matters are delegated to committees. Items covered included: Rod Thomason, RIP; Berkshire Youth; Loose ends and Newbury CC; reports from the Mayor, the Leader and the CEO; committee reports;  working group reports; and financial coal matters.
To see the dates of future Town Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas and minutes please click here.

• The most recent meeting of Speen Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 22 November and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: the co-option of a new councillor; the Recreation Ground; financial matters; committee reports; the defibrillator; and repairs and maintenance.
To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.

• The most recent meeting of Shaw-cum-Donnington Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 15 November and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: matters arising; the co-option of a new councillor; correspondence; financial matters; speeding; planning matters; repairs and maintenance; the Christmas newsletter; and a possible new bus route.
To see the dates, agendas and minutes for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.

• The most recent meeting of Greenham Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 11 October and you can read the minutes here.
To see the dates, agendas and minutes for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.

• The most recent meeting of Chieveley Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 10 October and you can read the minutes here.
To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here to download the meeting schedule. To see the agendas and minutes please click here.

• The most recent meeting of Enborne Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 25 September 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.

• The most recent meeting of Boxford Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 18 September 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.

• The most recent meeting of Hamstead Marshall Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 21 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 minutes, please click here.

• Newbury area council contacts

Parishes: Newbury Town Council, Greenham Parish Council, Chieveley Parish Council, Enborne Parish Council, Boxford Parish Council, Speen Parish Council,  Shaw-cum-Donnington Parish Council, and Hamstead Marshall Parish Council.

West Berkshire Council: click here to visit the website.

News from other areas

Penny Post area – please see the following separate sections: Hungerford area; Lambourn Valley; Thatcham area; Compton and Downlands; Burghfield area; Wantage area; Marlborough area.

News and views from across the area and beyond: please see the most recent Weekly News with Brian column.

Our usual round-up of  local news includes: Monopoly, markets, champions, photography and donations – plus an appeal from the Foodbank, an award for Readibus and a look at the what, how and when at the Eagle Quarter (aka the Kennet Centre). See also below for community notices and news from your local council.

Upcoming Newbury events include: festive markets, jazz afternoon and tea with the Mayor. See below for details, plus regular events and group activities.

This week’s news

• Festive markets this weekend include Boxford Christmas Market in Boxford Village Hall on Saturday 2 December with lovely stalls, mulled wine and a visit from you-know-who and Shaw House Christmas Fair on Sunday 3 December.

• Newbury’s Living Advent Calendar launches this Friday 1 December at 6pm at the lovely Willow & Blooms florist on Bartholomew Street. See calendar here of all the venues to admire during December.

• Have you got a Newbury Monopoly board yet? If not a quick reminder that we are offering PP readers a chance to win a free Newbury Monopoly game here. Deadline to enter is Monday 4 December.

• Do you know any local residents or volunteers who have gone above and beyond to help the community? Quick reminder that there is still time to nominate them for West Berkshire’s Community Champion Awards. Fill in the online nomination form by 11 December.

• Quick reminder about free bus travel on Saturdays 16 and 23 December. The free travel even extends to our neighbouring areas such as Reading, Basingstoke, and Swindon. If you start your journey in West Berkshire, your return journey is also free. To learn more click here.

• Christians Together in the Newbury Area (CTNA) invites anyone aged 65 or over to a free Community Christmas event at St George’s Church Hall in Andover Road, Newbury RG14 6NU from 10am to 3.30pm on Christmas Day. For more information, please email [email protected] or call 07828 244 119.

• Can you help seed a new wildflower meadow at Greenham House Gardens (opposite the ‘Burger King roundabout’) on Sunday 10 December between 10am and 1pm? Newbury Town Council’s Green Spaces Working Group, in partnership with Newbury in Bloom, is seeking volunteers for this project, following other successful community planting and pruning days in the town earlier in the year. Click here to learn more.

• The Base is currently holding a Photography Competition, on the theme of ‘My Wild Life’ inspired by nature. Budding photographers of all ages and expertise can enter, and finalists will be chosen by a panel of expert judges and the winning entries will be chosen by the general public in an online vote. The deadline to enter is Sunday 7 January 2024. Click here to find out how to enter.

• Quick reminder that local seniors can now get a £2 discount on delicious two-course lunches at The Fair Close Centre or via Meals on Wheels thanks to a new initiative between The Fair Close Centre and West Berkshire Council. See here for more details and how to apply.

• Newbury & Thatcham Repair Café  aims to run monthly alternating between Newbury and Thatcham from February 2024 and needs a pool of clever volunteers who can help. If this sounds like something you could help with, register your interest via this form.

• Local charity Home-Start need help collecting Christmas donations and presents for families going through a tough time. Many local local businesses have signed up as collection points to accept donations, including Dunelm, Tesco and Vodafone in Newbury. If you would like to get involved and organise a collection within your organisation, please get in touch at [email protected] or call 01635 760 310.

• Quick reminder about the silent peace vigils calling for a ceasefire in the Middle East in Newbury on Thursday evenings starting at 7.30pm. All welcome. See details in NWN here.

• For the low down on the local live music scene follow Sound Newbury’s facebook page.

• Another award for Readibus

The community transport company ReadiBus has been named as runner-up (that is, equal-second across the whole UK) in the Making a Difference category at the National CT Awards which took place at the NEC in Birmingham on Thursday 23 November 2023.

According to the award organisers, the Making a Difference CT Award ‘recognises an organisation that has gone above and beyond to create new ways to make sure its passengers feel included and supported’ in the aftermath of the pandemic and that ‘has put in place new, innovative, and effective ways to keep passengers’ spirits up and keep them connected to their communities’, following the loneliness and isolation of the lockdowns during the pandemic.

ReadiBus was also recognised at the 2021 CT Awards as being one of three best community transport companies in the UK during the pandemic.

You can read more and see several comments from users of the service by clicking here.

• D-day approaches at Eagle Quarter

Eagle Quarter is, as many will know, the new name for the Kennet Centre: or, rather, this is what it will be called when the old shopping centre is pulled down and something other larger and different is put up in its place.

What the new thing will be, by whom it will be decided and when this might happen are three questions that people have been asking for some time. The two main actors in the drama (aside from West Berkshire Council and Newbury Town Council) are the developers, Lochailort, and the Newbury Society. Both are, very effectively, doing what they should be doing and pushing to get their preferred version built. Some compromises have been made but there are still some important differences between them. The war of words may soon be over as it’s expected that the matter will be decided by West Berkshire Council early in the new year. Whether there will be a Christmas truce between the two sides remains to be seen.

In this separate post, we take a look at the what, the how and the when of this issue. Many points remain to be resolved but what’s certain is that it will be the biggest change to Newbury’s town centre since Parkway.

• Have your say

Community notices

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

• The Corn Exchange café bar on Thursday mornings between 10.30am and 12.30pm hosts Coffee Companions to meet new people and have a chat.

• Loose Ends drop-in centre at Newbury Cricket Ground welcome volunteers to join its friendly team. They offer hot meals and a safe and friendly environment for vulnerable people. More details and how to apply can be found here.

• Roadworks seem to be ongoing across the town…For up to date news and discussion it’s worth joining the Newbury.Happening now facebook group and its Newbury Traffic Live Updates chat group (on facebook messenger).

• Printer ink cartridges can be recycled at the Waterside Youth Centre, which will help them raise money to fund local youth activities. You can find the donation box next to the blue reception desk. – 01635 018500

• Donations of second-hand bikes are always welcome at the Community Furniture Project in Newbury where they refurbish the bikes and sell them at affordable prices to people in need. – 01635 43933

• Newbury Market welcomes small business interested in having a pitch in the Market Place get in contact with them at [email protected] or call 07399 122964 to find out more.

• Newbury Town Council Saturday Surgery between 10 am and noon any week at the steps of the Town Hall.

• Newbury’s two friendly community cafés on Wednesdays: Educafe Community Café in Newbury Library 11am to 2pm and Speen Community Café at The Starting Gate Pub 2pm to 5pm.

• Fair Close Centre on Newtown Road in Newbury provides a vital social hub and meals on wheels for over 65s, many of whom live on their own. Please support them here. Goodness knows we might all need their services in years to come.

• The Community Larder at the Waterside Centre is open every Tuesday afternoon, 2pm to 4pm to provide members with surplus food, discounts for local businesses, access to other services and support, as well as a friendly community environment.

•  Newbury Library offers free IT support sessions including filling out online forms, how to Zoom, downloading e-magazines or sorting out pictures. Bookable 30- or 60-minute sessions. To find out more or book a slot, email [email protected].

Local events and activities

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

• Dates for the diary

• Until Sun 21 Jan: No Sudden Moves exhibition inspired by Newbury wharf, West Berkshire Museum.

• Sat 2 Dec Boxford Christmas Market, Boxford Village Hall.

• Sun 3 Dec Christingle Service, St Nicholas Church, Newbury

• Sun 3 Dec Pete Allen Jazz Band, The Bacon Arms, Newbury.

• Sun 10 Dec Festival of Light, Newbury Town Centre.

• Sun 10 Dec Community Meadow Seeding, Greenham House Gardens (near ‘Burger King’ roundabout).

• Thur 14 Dec Mayor’s Festive Afternoon Tea, Newbury Baptist Church.

• Sat 16 Dec Newbury Choral Society Christmas Concert, St Nicholas Church, Newbury.

• Sat 13 Jan Volunteer Recruitment Event, The Corn Exchange, Newbury.

• Regular events

• A wide range of activities for over 55 year olds is offered by The Corn Exchange in its Ageing Creatively programme.

• Shaw House Community Garden drop-in gardening sessions Wednesday morning 9.30am to 12.30pm.. If you would like to join a session, please call Amy Bosley, 07553 810133 or email her.

• Ukulele group workshops for all levels with the UTeam in Wash Common. Call 07963 647087 to enquire.

• Thatcham & Newbury Town Ladies and Girls FC Wildcats programme for girls aged 5 to 11 to get involved in football, promoting skill development, health, confidence and friendship. 6 to 7pm every Wednesday at Lower Way playing fields in Thatcham. Email [email protected] to get involved.

• Waterside Centre’s Youth Café every Tuesday evening, during term time, between 4:30pm and 6pm for Years 7 to 13. For more details click here or contact [email protected].

• Living Well Singing Café runs on Wednesdays from 2.15pm to 3pm at the Waterside Centre. All ages welcome. Contact [email protected].

• Newbury Park Run at Greenham Common at 9am every Saturday morning. Folks of all ages welcome to run/walk/jog the 5km. They also have volunteering opportunities. See details here.

• Newbury Women Football Club always welcomes new players. For more details click here or contact [email protected].

• ACE Space on St Nicholas Road hosts live acoustic performances. Join their Facebook group or follow them on Twitter.

• Newbury Community Larder every Tuesday 2pm to 4pm at the Waterside Centre (down the canal from Costa Coffee on Northbrook Street). For more details please contact [email protected] or call 01635 018500.

• Speen Community Café at The Starting Gate in Speen on Wednesdays between 2pm to 5pm. Drop in for a chat or a cuppa, knitting and craft activities. You don’t have to live in Speen to join in. Follow them on facebook here.

• Educafe’s Community Cafe at Newbury Library every Wednesday between 11am and 2pm. If you would like to pop along for a friendly chat or to volunteer in the cafe please see their website for more details.

• Berkshire Youth‘s Waterside Centre in Newbury hosts various clubs and activities for local children and can provide volunteering opportunities for adults too.

• The Base, Greenham organise many art-focused events for people of all ages to let their creative sides go wild.

News from your local council

Note: “the most recent meeting” refers to the most recent one for which minutes (in some cases draft) or some other summary is available. Other meetings may have taken place since. Some councils publish minutes more promptly than do others.

• The most recent meeting of Newbury Town Council for which minutes are available took place on 23 October and you can read the minutes here. Note that many matters are delegated to committees. Items covered included: Rod Thomason, RIP; Berkshire Youth; Loose ends and Newbury CC; reports from the Mayor, the Leader and the CEO; committee reports;  working group reports; and financial coal matters.
To see the dates of future Town Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas and minutes please click here.

• The most recent meeting of Speen Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 22 November and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: the co-option of a new councillor; the Recreation Ground; financial matters; committee reports; the defibrillator; and repairs and maintenance.
To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.

• The most recent meeting of Shaw-cum-Donnington Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 15 November and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: matters arising; the co-option of a new councillor; correspondence; financial matters; speeding; planning matters; repairs and maintenance; the Christmas newsletter; and a possible new bus route.
To see the dates, agendas and minutes for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.

• The most recent meeting of Greenham Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 11 October and you can read the minutes here.
To see the dates, agendas and minutes for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.

• The most recent meeting of Chieveley Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 10 October and you can read the minutes here.
To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here to download the meeting schedule. To see the agendas and minutes please click here.

• The most recent meeting of Enborne Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 25 September 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.

• The most recent meeting of Boxford Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 18 September 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.

• The most recent meeting of Hamstead Marshall Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 21 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 minutes, please click here.

• Newbury area council contacts

Parishes: Newbury Town Council, Greenham Parish Council, Chieveley Parish Council, Enborne Parish Council, Boxford Parish Council, Speen Parish Council,  Shaw-cum-Donnington Parish Council, and Hamstead Marshall Parish Council.

West Berkshire Council: click here to visit the website.

News from other areas

Penny Post area – please see the following separate sections: Hungerford area; Lambourn Valley; Thatcham area; Compton and Downlands; Burghfield area; Wantage area; Marlborough area.

News and views from across the area and beyond: please see the most recent Weekly News with Brian column.