Community Yearbook

MARCH

7 Thursday, 21 January, 2021

Newbury Weekly News

Charities’ aid for rough sleepers

Crusaders cash crisis HUNGERFORD Town chairman Patrick Chambers had to reduce the playing budget significantly, due to ongoing constraints at the club. The Crusaders were nine points from safety at the bottom of the National League South with 11 games remaining. Home games against Hemel Hempstead and Concord Rangers were postponed and Chambers said:“ In recent weeks we have struggled to cover player wages and now we have lost both the Hemel and Concord games, we have reached a tipping point. “It’s time we met reality head on and reduce our budget significantly. Sadly I have had to ask Ian [Herring] to try and move some players on ASAP to stop us getting deeper into financial difficulties.”

ROUGH sleepers were given extra support during the coronavirus pandemic thanks to a new task force set up by West Berkshire Council and partner agencies. The group was set up to ensure that homeless people continued to be given help, especially when services are impacted. Among the support were the distribution of health packs to rough sleepers and food provision by charities, including the Newbury Soup Kitchen and Loose Ends. These charities enhanced their service to protect vulnerable residents. The council said:“We know that some people will be anxious about the current situation and we want to ensure those rough sleepers who need it can access help.” Working alongside the council were groups including Two Saints, Eight Bells for Mental Health, Newbury Soup Kitchen, Loose Ends, the Community Furniture Project, West Berkshire Homeless and Healthwatch West THE Hare & Hounds at Speen was sold to new owners. The previous incumbents, Jonathan and Jean Nelsey, have called ‘time’ after 13 years. Mr Nelsey, aged 57, said:“ Sometimes you just know when the time is right and you’ve done all you can. “When we bought it, it was falling to bits and we’ve built it up into a thriving business.” The business was been sold to the coach- ing inns chain Grosvenor Pubs Limited. The 267-year-old Hare & Hounds was crowned Restaurant & Bar of the Year at the 2018 Newbury Weekly News Best in

Corn Exchange shuts its doors

audience members and staf members is paramount to us as we navigate these unprecedented times. We are closely following government advice and will reopen as soon as possible. “We understand you may be disappointed if you have booked to see a show or film or have signed up to a workshop or class during this period.”

Dragon rescue STAFF at a Newbury vets attempted to reunite a bearded dragon with its owner. The exotic lizard was handed into Falkland Veterinary Clinic by a woman who discovered it in her garden shed. Bearded dragons need to be kept in a warm environment and this one was lucky to have been discovered before succumbing to the cold. However, Falkland staff gave him a warm home in an incubator and, with the exception of a broken leg he was in good physical condition. The clinic’s senior nurse, Gary Lewis, said: “We’ll keep him for a week before we try and rehome him, but a couple of staff have expressed an interest, so that could be a route we can go down.” NEWBURY’S Corn Exchange theatre closed until further notice due to the Covid outbreak. The arts venue said: “Advice from the UK Government has changed very significantly and we regret to announce that the Corn Exchange and the Learning Centre will close until further notice. “The safety of our participants, volunteers, performers, artists,

Berkshire. Councillor Hilary Cole, West Berkshire Council’s executive member for housing, said:“Together with our partners we are determined to support rough sleepers and ensure that they are protected and cared for during these challenging times.” Newbury Soup Kitchen provided food for rough sleepers Business Awards. Mr Nelsey previously said: “I first saw this pub as a 21-year-old and I said then, one day I would love to own it and extend it. “It was just a pipe dream at the time, but now I feel incredibly lucky and proud to have been able to actually achieve it.” The jewel in its crown is The Barn, which opened in January 2015. It provides the pub with an expansive restaurant and wedding venue leading out on to a well-kept terrace and garden. The 2015 renovations also included a new lounge area, the Pantry dining area and The Library bar dining area.

Best Barr none again DAVE Barr won the men ’s singles title for the first time since 1984 at the Newbury & District Closed Table Tennis tournament, held at Newbury College. Barr, pictured, beat second seed Sam Rick in straight sets after a thrilling final. Ricks, however, had a tremendous tournament as he won four out of his five finals. Around 50 Newbury & District League players contested 12 events during a long day of highly- competitive table tennis. The Division 1 singles event was won by Mike Jones, who beat Jamie Cole in four sets. Ray Beeks beat Richard Hudson in four sets to win the Division 2 singles, while in the Division 3 singles Dave Martin beat Dan O’Neill.

New owners for Hare & Hounds

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