Community Yearbook 17012019

MARCH

W:286.501mm H:0.353mm ISSUEDATE_ID 2_7 Newbury Weekly News

Thursday, 17 January, 2019

Train pain for rail commuters

“SHORT-term pain for long-term gain” was the message to hundreds of West Berkshire rail passengers hit by cancelled services. Commuters had to trade trains for a bus replace - ment service between Pewsey and Theale while rail services ceased and stations closed throughout the district. The four-day ‘ blockade ’ was in place to allow Network Rail to perform vital work on electrifica- tion of the line, ahead of a new fleet of trains coming into operation in January 2019. The rail operator said that the four-day closures were its best option.

On Wembley way! THATCHAM Town beat 1874 Northwich to reach the FA Vase final at Wembley for the first time in the club’s history– where they will face Stockton Town. After a 3-2 away win at Wincham Park, the King- fishers secured a 4-2 aggregate semi-final victory thanks to a brace from Gavin James and one from Shane Cooper-Clark. After the game, an emotional Town manager Danny Robinson said:“Words can ’t describe that – they don’t come anywhere near. “Apart from getting to marry the love of my life, this is up there, I promise you that.” Around 200 Thatcham supporters and many club members made the long trip to the north-west. And they saw The Kingfishers score inside the first three minutes to ease their nerves. Greg’s Golden role BEACH volleyball referee Greg Thompson was delighted to represent Team England at of the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast, Australia. Thompson received confirmation from the governing body last September that he would be officiating during the Games. Thompson, who lives in Hermitage and who has been refereeing since 2007, was in charge of a number of games during the 2012 Olympic Games in London. He first started to officiate in matches at the local club in Newbury, but because the season only lasted between September and May, he started refereeing beach volleyball to further challenge himself.

District mauled by Beast HEAVY snow made West Berk- shire and North Hampshire look thrillseekers made the most of the snow days and shops in Newbury sold out of sledges.

Communications manager for Network Rail Simon Masters said there had been “teething problems”. “We admit that, but it’s not surprising because it’ s the first of a big period of disruption,” he said, adding that both staff and passengers had adapted to the arrangements. Scheme project manager

Caroline Saunders said: “This level of upgrade is unheard of for this area. “It’s short-term pain for long-term gain. We recog - nise we are disrupting in the intermediate [stage]. “I hope it can be under- stood we are doing this to maximise the opportunity to not cause any additional long-term problems.”

like a winter wonderland – despite it being the first two meteorological days of spring. The adverse weather – the Beast from the East– caused massive disruption, with trains cancelled and the majority of schools forced to close. But, despite the disruption, many Tributes to lawyer IAN Campbell, a popular and long- serving solicitor based in Newbury, died at the age of 67. A former pupil at St Bartholomew’s School in Newbury, he had been employed by Newbury-based law firm Charles Hoile all his working life. Mr Campbell’ s friend and colleague at Charles Hoile, senior partner Mike Davis, paid tribute and said:“Ian’s compassion, patience and ability to empathise led to a hugely-successful career. His clients were loyal and devoted to him. “He would always go out of his way to assist the vulnerable and disadvan- taged, as many of his clients were, not just providing help at the police station or representing them at court, but giving lifts, lending money and so on.”

Hills around the area, particularly at Northcroft and Goldwell Parks and Watership Down, became the focus of attention for many young- sters enjoying a second day off school. However, temperatures rose quickly and the big thaw began.

Walk to new bar NEW Australian sports bar Walka- bout opened its doors in Newbury following a £400,000 investment. Stonegate Pub Company purchased the Cheap Street venue, formerly The Diamond Tap, from JD Wetherspoon. Stonegate, which also owns the Slug and Lettuce and Yates brands, initially reopened the venue unbranded with a new menu, real ales and music. But an application to turn the former pub into a Walkabout was accepted last month. Walkabout, which boasts on its website of being the “ultimate party venue”, has a number of bars across the UK, including one in Reading. As well as the installation of 15 TV screens for sport viewing, the bar boasts an impressive food menu.

Tune in to Kennet KENNET Community Radio is now broadcasting live on 106.7FMMHz across Newbury and Thatcham. Kennet Radio’s resident astrologist Cordelia Mansall decided that 12.32pm was the best time for the station to offi- cially launch at Broadway House To celebrate the event, Thatcham mayor Ellen Crumly and deputy mayor of Newbury Margo Payne both cut a red ribbon. Chairman Julian Swift-Hook thanked all of the sponsors, donors and volun- teers who had made the dream of a community radio station for Newbury and Thatcham into a reality. The first full programme broadcast was Decades, a music show presented by Kennet Radio director Jeremy Sharp.

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