Community Yearbook

15 Thursday, 21 January, 2021

JULY

Newbury Weekly News

Huge rise in foodbank use

There were 2,574 people on the ‘books’, with some receiving a parcel every week, some as a one-off and others using the foodbank until their first Universal Credit payment came through. Since the start of lockdown, the foodbank served more than 100 people every day – from single mothers with newborn babies and elderly people living alone, to working parents who have been laid off or furloughed.

THERE was a 400-per-cent rise in the number of people using the West Berkshire Foodbank over the past three months. Since March 23, a staggering 35 tonnes of food was sent out to individuals and families struggling due to the coronavirus crisis. Perhaps surprisingly, the demand for food parcels has been ‘huge’ in rural areas such as Lambourn, Hungerford, Hermitage and Mortimer.

Whole new ball game LEAGUE cricket returned, but it was not quite the same game this year. The coronavirus outbreak delayed the start of the Thames Valley League season by nine weeks, but play resumed again, albeit with restrictions in place. It was a strange day all round at Falkland’s Enborne Street ground for their first game back against North Maidenhead. The players had to arrive already changed into their kit, they had to take their own packed teas and there was no pint in the bar after the game. In addition, players had to keep at least one metre apart on the pitch and use and sanitise their own equipment. £1.5bn support THE Government announced a £1.5bn support package of support for the arts sector in the form of loans and grants announced and while welcomed, this lifeline came too late for some organisations that have already been forced to close their doors for good or made valued employees redundant. The priority was now to get these much-needed funds to the organisations most at risk – and fast. Museums and libraries are already begin- ning phased openings and galleries welcoming socially-distanced viewings, but live perfor- mance – the lifeblood of venues like the Corn Exchange and The Watermill – is still off the agenda and there was no sign of that changing any time soon. As lockdown eased, the Corn Exchange was permitted to open to the public again, but without ‘live’ events. In reply to the Government annoucement, director Katy Griffiths said: “Ultimately, we want and need to get back to creating and presenting performances and we look forward to hearing more from the Government on the next steps that will enable us to safely present our live events, both indoors and outdoors.’

Pc’s widow’s anger

Pubs are back in business

they were dragging him to his death. It took the 11 jurors more than 12 hours to reach manslaughter verdicts for all three defendants. One juror was dismissed last Monday after she was ruled to be“ overly friendly” towards the defendants. Speaking after the verdict, Pc Harper’s widow Lissie said:“Stand- ing here before all of you I honestly thought I would be addressing you following a very different verdict. “I had planned to talk of the beautiful future Andrew and I had before us, and in all honesty I am for the second time in the space of one year utterly shocked and appalled.”

The running man But the prosecution said that as Pc Harper was more than 6ft tall, the defendants must have been aware A THATCHAMman marked his 70th birthday with a fundraising half-marathon in memory of his wife. Malcolm Hannington set of from his home dressed in a 118 118 costume for the 13.11-mile run, completing the half- marathon in two hours and 26 minutes. Mr Hannington took up the challenge in memory of his wife Josephine, who died in the Rainbow Rooms at the West Berkshire Community Hospital. His route took in one of Mrs Hannington’s favourite places, Thatcham lakes and Nature Discovery Centre, where a bench had been installed in her memory. THE widow of Pc Andrew Harper said she felt“immensely disap- pointed” with the manslaughter verdict given to three teenagers who killed her husband. Lissie Harper said she would have her “own life sentence to bear”, one that would “be much more painful” than the prison term handed to the guilty. Killers Henry Long, Albert Bowers and Jessie Cole claimed the incident was a “freak event” that none of them could have planned or foreseen.

PUBS across the district opened their doors to thirsty punters for the first time since the coronavirus lockdown. There were queues outside The Hatchet Inn in Newbury town centre, but in general the huge crowds some anticipated did not materialise. Many venues asked people for details, including name, car registration and telephone number, to enable them to contact customers should anyone subsequently test positive for the virus. Most provided hand sanitiser and operated a one-way system. Thames Valley Police declined to provide information on whether

Bartholomew Street, licensee Pete Lumber had been busy installing screens to keep customers safe and offering hand sanitiser at the door and on the bar. He said:“I must admit I was a bit nervous this morning. It’s the first time we’ve opened in 14 weeks.”

any arrests were made during the first 24 hours of reopening. However, the head of local policing Chief Supt Christian Bunt said:“Overall, the weekend passed without significant incident, with the vast majority enjoying themselves responsibly.” At The Newbury in

Headteacher bows out after 17 years

School after more than 17 years. He said:“It has been a joy and a privi- lege to serve this community. The amazing young people, and adults, that I have met has been brilliant. “The whole time, from start to finish, has been a truly special experience.”

A NEWBURY headteacher bid a fond farewell to his school this summer, saying his time there has been a“joy and a privilege”. Derek Peaple, one of the longest-serv- ing headteachers in West Berkshire, handed over the reins of Park House

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