Community Yearbook

22 Thursday, 21 January, 2021

DECEMBER

Newbury Weekly News

A row developing

Pandemic panto fun

Amazing appeal AN appeal launched to help a Thatcham mother and son who lost everything but the clothes on their back in a house fire was flooded with donations. Pamela Mccutcheon returned home from work to find she had lost everything in the blaze. Her five-year-old son Sebastian was staying at her sister’s when the fire broke out. developers, including Donnington New Homes, The Wasing Estate, A2Dominion and Ptarmigan Land. Half of the homes are expected to be built by 2037, and the council expects any planning applications to provide two new primary schools, a new The fire was so intense that a neighbour’s carbon monoxide detector went off through the wall. An appeal to help Miss Mccutcheon and Sebastian, launched by her friend Aimee Sharpe, raised £2,600 and was flooded with item donations in the first week. Miss Sharpe said her friend was meant to be on a day off, but was called into work at Starbucks at Tot Hill Services after a staf member phoned in sick. She added:“I don ’t think someone has been so glad that someone phoned in sick.” PROPOSALS for Thatcham to grow by 25 per cent were put forward in what would be the single largest development in West Berkshire in living memory. West Berkshire Council recommended north east Thatcham to take up to 2,500 homes in its Local Plan Review 2020-2037, which assesses future housing needs. Around 170 hectares of land stretch- ing from the top of Floral Way to Colthrop and into Midgham parish were identified for the development. The land was being put forward by a consortium of land owners and

Jubilee elf care STAFF and children at Jubilee Day Nursery and Jubilee Gems in Padworth went to school dressed as festive elves as part of a charity drive for the Alzheimer’ s Society. They were treated to a range of seasonal activities, including decorating Christmas trees and baking themed cookies. Jubilee has a strong culture of charity fundraising. Its two facilities, between them, donated more than £2,000 to various good causes in 2020.

Prince pops in to the market NEWBURY was paid a royal visit as the Queen’s youngest son Prince Edward visited the Corn Exchange and Newbury Market. The Earl of Wessex visited the arts venue on the eve of their pantomime opening, before heading into the rain to tour the stalls in the market. He was accompanied by market manager Debbie Smith and Newbury mayor Elizabeth O’Keeffe and he chatted to the owners of each stall. One trader was Malcolm Smith of A and S Meats, who said: “What can I say, it’s a shame he couldn’t have picked another day. “He was a very nice man. He had a lot of time for people and was interested in what’s going on in the market.” Jab is just the job THERE was a light at the end of the tunnel as the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine rollout started in West Berkshire. The vaccine, which was approved by the UK medicine regulator in November, was given to those over-80 or in the vulnerable group first. Patients from the Boathouse Surgery in Pangbourne queued up to be given their first doses. Doctors Rupert Wool- ley, Carole Burton, Kirsty Thompson and Tom Morgan administered the vaccinations, while volunteers helped direct people where they needed to go. In the afternoon, patients from Chapel Row Surgery also received their jabs.

Charlie’s challenge references and groan-making jokes. So much to enjoy in this spectacular show – an absolute Christmas tonic.” CHIEVELEY’s Charlie Ager is relishing the chance to compete against the best cyclists in the country when he represents his new racing team. The 24-year-old has signed with Vredestein Basso, a team who are based in Church Crookham, having previously been with Jam Cycling RT (sponsored by BPC). Ager recently lifted the Richard Kell Trophy after coming out on top in the seven-week series and now he’s looking ahead to the next challenge with his new team. He said:“I got contacted by the team after the results I got in the Richard Kell [trophy] really because there hasn ’t been a lot of races this year. “They called me up and asked if I was interested and I now I will be competing in the premier races, as well as some races in Belgium and France.” “I want to see how I can fare against some of the country’s top riders and see if I can progress to the next level so I can keep pushing.” DEFT, daft and defiant, Plested and Brown ’s Aladdin at The Corn Exchange was the most unlikely of events, which hit home towards the end of the show when Flight-Crew-cum- Fairy-Godmother-cum-Digital-Assistant Celia Siri triumphantly exclaimed:“We did a panto in a pandemic!” Against all odds The Corn Exchange’s first socially distanced pantomime went ahead in the theatre, transformed with new seating and Covid-19 secure. “Adam Brown ’s spirited direction is playful, fun and bang up to date, with loads of local

secondary school, sports pitches, community centres and shops, and improved active travel routes. The council say that 2,500 homes will provide Thatcham with the infras- tructure it needs, while opponents argue that a development of this scale will set the town further back.

Lighting up the town

more than 3,400 visitors enjoyed the magical Winter Lantern Trail. Created at the 101 Outdoor Arts Creation Space in Greenham by artists from Thingumajig Theatre, Rag and Bone, and Handmade Parade, lanterns included wonder- fully sculpted giant bears, a jellyfish, octopus, seahorse and dragon.

NEWBURY town centre was illu- minated by a series of intricately designed lanterns in a spectacular trail along the canal path. As social distancing rules meant it was unable to run its traditional Festival of Light lantern procession, the Corn Exchange reimagined its festive community celebration and

Give your child a truly unique experience...

Rectory Road, Padworth, RG7 4JD | 0118 970 1600 |info@jubileedaynursery.co.uk For more information visit: www.jubileedaynursery.co.uk Virtual Tours now available • For babies & children from 3 months to 5 years • Set in 60 acres of woodlands & gardens, with a working farm • Experts in Forest School learning • Freshly prepapred food • Funding available Visits welcome!