20052021

32

Thursday, May 20, 2021

Newbury Weekly News

VILLAGE NEWS

Pub rings in the changes Owners of The Six Bells, Beenham, aim to make it a destination gastropub

VILLAGES Keeping in touch Have you got a story? Contact our villages reporter CHARLIE MASTERS, on (01635) 886639, or email: charlie.masters@ newburynews.co.uk Twitter @charliem_nwn

“

THE Six Bells in Beenham is among the pubs reopening this week and its management is taking an innovative approach as it welcomes the public through its doors. Last year, the ownership of the business was taken over by Luke and Rebecca Woods. They are managing the pub jointly with Mrs Woods’ parents, Nigel and Moira Hope, and have enlisted a number of local people to staff it. The new owners are renovating the pub, hoping to turn the Six Bells into a destination gastropub. The function room has been con- verted into a restaurant and Mr Woods is working as head chef. Pub manager Olivia Pierro said of the makeover: “We were going to turn the bar area into a shop over the pandemic. “However, when the garden an- nouncement was published, we focused our energy on the outdoor space. “We’re very food-led now, we’re very modern. “There’s one thing running a pub and another thing setting up a business. “There are so many things we have to do. “This place is a very old build- ing – nothing straight or right-an- gled, it’s all very complicated. “We’ve had a full face-lift all round. We’ve now got a restaurant on-site, and a bar, full B&B letting rooms upstairs, which are all new-

in.” Mr Woods emphasised that he is taking a practical, back-to-basics approach with the pub. He said: “We’ve fully renovated the site, totally modernised it – got it totally up-to-scratch. “It’s all about good, home-made food, in a nutshell. “I’ve been a Central London head chef for the last four, five years. “I’m used to busy, heavy sites. “I’m trying to come out and bring a bit of that to the country- side, really. “It’s a village asset, at the end of the day. “For me, with a countryside pub, you must allow adults in, and you must be accommodating to children. “That’s been a really good sell- ing point for the village – fami- ly-friendly.” I’m used to busy, heavy sites. I’m trying to come out and bring a bit of that to the countryside, really It’s all about good, home-made food, in a nutshell. I’ve been a Central London head chef for the last four, five years.

News updates from the villages are now available online throughout the week. Go to newburytoday.co.uk and select the district pages

Catalytic converter thefts in Burghfield Common CATALYTIC converters were recently stolen from two vehicles in Burghfield Common within a day of one another. There is no indication at this stage that the two offences were linked. Between 10am on May 9 and 8am on May 10, a converter was stolen from a Honda Jeep parked in Pine Ridge Road. Any information you may have about this incident should be directed to the Police Enquiry Centre on 101, quoting crime reference number 43210199987. At an unspecified time on May 10, a second converter was stolen from a Honda CR-V parked in Normoor Road. The 101 reference number for this offence is 43210199939.

The Six Bells team, owner Rebecca Woods, manager Olivia Pierro, owner Moira Hopes, owner and head chef Luke Woods and owner Nigel Hopes Ref: 20-1221B

ly-renovated. “There’s lots and lots of things we have to do.” In addition, a planning applica- tion has been submitted to open a village shop on the Six Bells’ prem- ises, to operate alongside the pub itself. This has not yet been formal-

ly approved by West Berkshire Council, although Beenham Par- ish Council has registered no ob- jection to the proposal. Ms Pierro added: “We’re going to have a double-fronted Beenham village shop, which will be lovely. “That will have local produce

Prior’s Court gifts for Father’s Day

A

I

R

L

M

D

A

A

E

Y

£119 from

T

T R

S

YOUNG people at Prior’s Court in Hermitage have produced a variety of hand- made goods for sale to the public ahead of Father’s Day. Prior’s Court offers special- ist training and education to young people with autism. In recent months, the centre has had the support of Arti- sans Handmade UK, a retailer of novelty items with a shop at The Oracle shopping centre in Reading. Members of the Prior’s Court community have creat- ed a range of cards, clocks, mo- saic-topped and resin tables, coasters, chalkboards, plant- ers, wrapping paper and other goods for sale at the shop. In these craft sessions – which take place at Prior’s Court’s own workshop – the young people are taught life and work skills. These include both man- ufacturing techniques and more practical business skills, such as stock-taking and ful- filling deliveries. All money raised from Arti- sans Handmade UK’s sales of

I P

K

U

Bob Green

Departs Newbury. A scenic steam day out to Cornwall. Step on board our special train to enjoy a scenic journey along the Kennet & Avon Canal to Taunton where our train will be joined by our historic steam locomotive for an exhilarating run beside the Exe Estuary and along the famous Dawlish sea wall. The Royal Duchy will stop at Plymouth, where you can explore the Hoe, ancient Barbican, seafront or National Marine Aquarium or stay on board for Cornwall to Par, where coaches will take you to pretty seaside Fowey or Charlestown, home to the Shipwreck, Rescue & Heritage Centre and location for the BBC’s Poldark. Price: • Standard Class £119pp/£367 family – includes a reserved seat usually at a table for four The Royal Duchy Sunday 11th July, 1st, 29th August and 12th September 2021

Crafts from Prior’s Court are on sale in Reading’s Oracle centre

tive run by Amazon. During lockdown, the com- pany has partnered with a number of good causes nation- wide, including Magic Break- fast, which serves nutritious meals to disadvantaged chil- dren nationwide. West Berkshire Homeless spokesperson Erica Gassor said: “Like all charities, our Prior’s Court-produced items go towards the purchase of new materials for the work- shop. Vocational teacher Char- lie Harris said: “Our young people have contributed at all stages to the items which are now on sale. “We have sold a range of items on-site to staff and par-

ents in the past and it is huge- ly exciting to be able to show the wider world what young people at Prior’s Court are ca- pable of. “Each item is as unique as our young people. “We are hugely grateful to Artisans Handmade UK for their continued support of our young people’s work.”

• First Class £169pp/£521 family – includes morning tea or coffee with a bacon/ breakfast roll, a Danish pastry and an afternoon service of tea or coffee with a savoury of the day followed by a scone with butter and jam • Premier Dining £269pp/£816 family – includes a full English breakfast and a four course dinner served at your seat Have a great day – The Safe Way – your welfare is our priority and our Covid-19 travel procedures are available on our website. Refreshment trolley service available. Organised by The Railway Touring Company. The Railway Touring Company’s standard conditions of booking and travel apply – Please see website for details. For a Newbury News £10pp discount book using code DEQ

Amazon team’s donation to homeless charity AN Amazon corporate office team in Theale has made a donation of £5,000 to West Berkshire Homeless. services have never been needed more than now.

The Railway Touring Company 14a Tuesday Market Place, King’s Lynn, Norfolk PE30 1JN Phone 01553 661 500

“I speak on behalf of all our trustees when I say that Am- azon’s support is hugely ap- preciated and will enable us to continue to reach and help people in our community. “Thank you to Angela Wig- more and the team in Theale for this donation.”

The charity offers emergen- cy accommodation to those in need in the district. The award was made after the Theale team referred West Berkshire Homeless to a spe- cial pandemic support initia-

EST.1997 24

For more information and approximate timings please visit railwaytouring.net