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Newbury Weekly News

Thursday, May 20, 2021

NEWBURY NEWS

Kathleen is waving farewell after tirade ‘Rude’ driver accuses smiling 82-year-old of nearly causing an accident

Lord Benyon back in politics FORMER Newbury MP Lord Richard Benyon is back in politics having been named a Defra minister.

Lord Benyon was appoint- ed parliamentary under sec- retary of state (minister for rural affairs and biosecuri- ty) last week, following Lord Gardiner of Kimble’s appoint- ment to senior deputy speaker of the House of Lords. Lord Benyon said he was delighted to be returning to Defra, “a department filled with inspiring and dedicat- ed people and joining a great ministerial team”. His responsibilities include ministerial lead for Covid-19 Defra issues, biosecurity strategy, and the management of endemic and exotic animal diseases, including bovine TB. Food labelling, as well as food supply, security and re- silience are included in the brief, along with National Parks and Areas of Outstand- ing Natural Beauty, rights of way and coastal paths. Lord Benyon was the Con- servative MP for Newbury from 2005 to 2019, when he de- cided to stand down. He served as minister for

By JOHN GARVEY john.garvey@newburynews.co.uk @johng_nwn

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Richard Benyon the natural environment, wa- ter and rural affairs in David Cameron’s Government until 2013. He was one of 21 MPs to re- bel against the Government over Brexit in 2019, and had the party whip removed for backing efforts to pass legisla- tion to block a no-deal Brexit. He was made a lord in Jan- uary and held trustee, board member and advisory roles at various environmental groups, including River Ac- tion and the Game and Wild- life Conservation Trust.

Perhaps it’s time to stop if I’m upsetting people

A PENSIONER who made national headlines with her novel way of beating the coronavirus blues is quit- ting – following a motorist’s “hurtful” tirade. It was last June when the Newbury Weekly News broke the story of how 82-year-old Kathleen Watson had taken to sitting by the roadside giv- ing free smiles and a friendly wave to all passers-by. It all began by chance. Mrs Watson, who lives in Crookham Common Road, Brimpton, said she was de- lighted when two cyclists waved to her as she took her daily exercise. So next time a car passed, she passed the gesture on. Then, through rain, hail and shine, the grandmother-of-two became a local legend and na- tional television beamed her image into living rooms as

retary at Spurcroft Primary School in Thatcham, added: “I’ve been on my own with no one to talk to at times and this doesn’t cost anything. “I’ve come to look on this as my ‘job’ – I really do love all the people who smile and wave. I’ve laughed so much. But now perhaps it’s time to stop if I’m upsetting people. “I want your readers to know how much joy they’ve given me and I do still care. I’ll be here, if the weather isn’t too bad, until the end of the month. “Then I’ll hang up my sign. “Hopefully, we’re over the worst by now. I hope things get better. Thank you to everyone who smiled back and waved – I love you all.”

Kathleen Watson waving at the junction of Crookham Common Road and Thornford Road Ref: 35-1420J

they followed up on our good news story. Not even a heart attack could stop her. Unable to drive for months, she would walk the three-mile round trip from her home to her spot at the junction of Crookham Common Road and Thornford Road. But now Mrs Watson is pre- paring to hang up her ‘Keep Smiling’ sign following an

unpleasant altercation with a passing motorist. She said: “I heard a screech of tyres round the corner and this man came over to me and said I’d nearly caused an acci- dent. He was taking pictures of me and was really rude. “The police know I’m here and they always smile and wave. It really upset me.” Mrs Watson, whose daugh- ter Suzanne Rogers is sec-

Man admits assaulting officer A MAN has admitted as- saulting a woman police officer. saulting the officer by beat- ing her during the exercise of her functions in Thatcham on September 26 last year. Magistrates ordered

In the dock at Reading Mag- istrates’ Court on Tuesday, May 4, was Jordan Hayman. The 26-year-old, of Sutton Road, Speen, admitted as-

pre-sentence reports and Mr Hayman was meanwhile re- leased on unconditional bail.

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