Community Yearbook 2020

JULY

Newbury Weekly News

Thursday, 16 January, 2020

Villagers’ anger at crime spree MORTIMER villagers voiced their anger over a lack of police presence after a spate of crimes in the community. Three local businesses were raided, but property offences were only part of the problem.

Nikki Blissett was out with her husband Craig Blissett and friend Terry Foster. They said they were set upon by a gang in Windmill Road, who followed them home from a pub. During the unprovoked attack, Mr Blissett was punched in the face, while Mr Foster was knocked unconscious after being thrown head-first against the wheel of a van.

The uproar came after Thames Valley Police apologised for their handling of an assault in the village, in which a man was nearly blinded. Outbreaks of violence – including knife brawls – were reported around Mortimer and residents now see crime and antisocial behaviour as a major concern.

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From left, Rosemary Appeal trustees Dr Paul Millard, Dr Keith Endersby , Dr R

Louise takes the chair professionals, despite the heat. There was much to enjoy in this lively performance and Hoffi Robinson and all the company should be very proud of their achievement – as was acknowledged by the enthusiastic applause from the audience.” NEWBURY Rugby Club welcomed its first female chair, with businesswoman Louise Goodall taking over the role from Hywel Price Richards. Goodall, who has been playing rugby since the age of 11, runs the Shabby Barn furniture retail business with her mother, Jane Livesey. She is married to former Blues head coach Lee, with three children, and said:“I fell in love with rugby and have made many lifelong friends from it. “I have for many years championed rugby as a sport for women and am delighted that it is now getting the attention it deserves.” AS part of the annual Hungerford Summer Festival, the Community of Hungerford Theatre Company’s Youth Theatre production of Chicago High School Edition by Kander and Ebb was a challenging musical for this 13-strong young company, but they certainly Razzle Dazzle -d us. “The showstopping spectacular number was Razzle Dazzle with special effects and sparkling costumes, wrote Robin Strapp. “This was an ambitious production, with slick choreography by Hoffi Robinson and Roushka Westall and on such a brutally hot evening under all the lights the cast performed as true Razzle dazzle CHTC Youth Theatre in Chicago High School Edition

Tim Barton and David Ball

Appeal hits target

Digging into Roman history

THE University of Reading archaeology team returned for another season of exca- vating at the Roman site at Silchester. Seventy archaeologists worked on the site of the Roman bathhouse and uncovered a caldarium, a colonnaded exercise area and an Iron Age ditch running outside the walls of the bathhouse. The exercise area is particularly unusual as the tiles which covered the drain within this area were completely intact and in position. The excavation was led by Professor Mike Fulford, who said: “It has more than met my expectations this season. “We are learning so

themed event to persuade foreign donors to give generously, pensioners donated what they could, children emptied their piggy banks and of ice collections were held – all match- funded by The Greenham Trust via The Good Exchange platform. By last August, the first dialysis patients were being treated and the cancer unit soon followed suit. Trustee Dr Paul Millard said: “ We’re now able to do chemotherapy, blood transfusions and much more. We believe we now have the best community hospital in the country.”

Ice rink opens A NEW Ice Sports Centre opened in Thatcham. The centre will provide skating, figure skating and ice hockey training and coaching to people in the area who may not have the opportunity to do so otherwise. Owner David Rawlings said:“I want to push this out to kids who don’t have that opportunity. “We could have that hidden talent out there. You will never find if they’re not given the opportunity.” Mr Rawlings said that the centre would work with schools and youth groups to encourage children to take up ice sports. THE Rosemary Appeal exceeded its £5.4m funding target to build the Greenham Trust Wing at the West Berkshire Community Hospital. The incredible news was greeted with a mixture of “pride and relief ” by trustees. The donation which broke the barrier was made by the Kennet Interact club. The appeal, launched in 2016, caught the imagination of the public. Lord and Lady Carnarvon of High - clere Castle hosted a Downton Abbey -

time of Emperor Nero in 30/40AD and extending through to the fourth century. Mr Fulford said: “We have found lots of items associated with personal adornment. Lots of pins, brooches, coins, and bone hair pins.”

much more about build- ing construction than when the site was first excavated at the start of the 20th century.” There are a number of different building phases visible within the archaeology, with the earliest bathhouse structure dating to the

Newbury switches on to 5G technology THE latest mobile technology came to Newbury as Vodafone switched on 5G coverage in the town centre. to make the UK’s first 3D holographic call to Vodafone’ s HQ in Newbury. Vodafone spokesman Simon Gordon said: “It’s just the start, but it will be expanded.” 5G, the fifth generation of mobile networks, offers faster connectivity and response times than 4G networks. The technology had already been used Vodafone was the first company to offer unlimited data on 5G and 4G.