Community Yearbook 17012019

FEBRUARY Waterside ’s golden years Newbury Weekly News

Thursday, 17 January, 2019

Hampshire laureate a familiar face FOLLOWING a countywide competition launched on National Poetry Day 2017, the hunt for Hampshire’s Poet Laureate 2018 was over. Many recognised the talented poet Robyn Bolam (formerly published as Marion Lomax) from the time she lived at Bradfield. She was a great supporter of and frequent visitor to events at the Arts Workshop in Northcroft Lane, giving several readings there. A sensitive poet of emotional candour, northern landscapes and literary reference, her beautiful words were enhanced by her soft Northumberland tone. Robyn, now living in the New Forest, was chosen as Hampshire Poet 2018 from a strong field of writers who applied for the sought- after post from all over the county. The competition, led by Hampshire Cultural Trust, runs every other year and aims to foster local writing talent. Robyn has been commissioned to write poetry highlighting the trust’s wide and varied exhibition and project work during 2018. On hearing the news, she said: “Being chosen as Hampshire Poet 2018 is the best New Year present ever. I’ve been passionate about reading and writing poetry since primary school, so being able to pass on my enthusiasm to people of all ages, across the county, is a wonderful privilege. “Whatever your interest in poetry, I’m look- ing forward to meeting you – and if you aren’t interested yet, I’ll do my best to change that!”

NEWBURY Canoe Club cele- brated “a great legacy” as it marked 50 years of the Waterside Series races. More than 500 paddlers hit the Kennet and Avon Canal to mark the historic occasion. The races attract international canoeists, with Dutch competitors joined other paddlers from across the country in 50th anniversary event. Newbury Canoe Club member David Seward said the event had been a special day, adding that he was absolutely delighted that the series was still going strong. “We had one paddler who said ‘it’s lovely that a series has been going on for 50 years’. Only one race has been cancelled in the 50 years, because of foot-and-mouth disease. “Even when there’s ice and snow, we still run it. That’s the beauty of it. The whole point of doing it in winter is the challenge.” Mr Seward said that the transfor- mation of the canal from a place of dereliction had created an interest-

Royal approval for Kingwood PRINCESS Anne unveiled a plaque to officially open the pioneering Kurtsys- tems racehorse technology. The Princess Royal visited Kingwood Stud, Lambourn, and was greeted by the Lord Lieutenant of Berkshire, James Puxley. She was introduced to the inventor behind the monorail system – Mehmet Kurt and his son Kaan. Mr Kurt senior is one of Turkey’s leading industrialists and race- horse owners who owned the winners of the 1993 and 1999 Turkish Derby. He bought Kingwood Stud in 2011. Among the guests were jockeys, owners and trainers, such as Nicky Henderson, and West Berkshire Council chairman Quentin Webb. Bronze age bonanza WEST Berkshire Museum displayed hoards dating from the Bronze Age – 2500-800 BCE – to the late-18th century. This was the first time they had ever been shown in one place. The exhibition displayed the 13 hoards, all discovered in the district, in a special case which gave the impression of looking under the ground. West Berkshire Museum curator Ruth Howard said: “It was very exciting developing this exhi- bition; thinking about the people who lived in this area hundreds of years ago and imagining why they buried what we think of today as ‘trea- sure’ is what makes these objects so compelling. The Curridge Hoard, discovered in 1998, comprised a pot of 425 Roman coins, all of low value. However, the coins date over a 300- year period, from the first to the third centuries BCE, bearing the names of some of the most well- known Roman emperors of the time.

From left, original member Colin V are, membership secretar y D ve Seward and original members from 1968 Godfrey Pass and Cliff Gow at the Waterside Series 50th anniversar y presentations

ing challenge for canoeists. Among the hundreds of people in the 13.5-mile race were four paddlers who took part in the origi- nal race in 1968. And three original canoe club members turned up to present

prizes, joined by Brian Greenaway from Fowey Canoe Club, who handed out trophies. The Kennet Valley Canoe Club was formed in 1958 by the amalgama- tion of members of the Kennet and Avon Association and the regular Newbury paddlers.

Pancakes off the menu NEWBURY’S popular annual pancake race had to be called off after torrential rain meant it was too dangerous for teams to take part. However, the bad weather failed to dampen spirits on Shrove Tuesday and people gath- ered at St Nicolas’ Church Hall, where Soroptimists served up a pancake lunch to raise funds for The Rosemary Appeal. Guests had the option of choosing a meat or ricotta savoury pancake, followed by the traditional lemon and sugar filling for dessert, with tea or coffee. The lunch raised £260 for the appeal. Katy Hawthorne, who helped organise the event, thanked race sponsors Accounting and Taxation Centre, Newbury Business Improvement District (BID), Briars Dental Centre and Nick Herne Building Services. Team entries raised £560 for the appeal.

Robyn Bolam

BUILDING NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR PRIMARY EDUCATION Highwood Copse Primary School is the brand new, purpose built primary school, opening in 2019 at Monks Lane in Newbury. In partnership, Newbury College and Theale Primary School are working to ensure that this new School provides outstanding teaching and learning. The vision for the new school is for individual children to achieve their potential and to be ready and confident for their next steps in education. Our pupils will be at the heart of all we do and will benefit from education which encourages and supports them to be the best they can be. We are accepting applications directly for Reception class (ages 4-5) until 24 January 2019. We are also accepting applications for Nursery class (ages 3-4) throughout the year. Visit our website or Facebook page for regular updates and news of information events.

www.highwoodcopse.co.uk