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Thursday, November 18, 2021

Newbury Weekly News

Your views talk to us POST: Newspaper House, Faraday Road, Newbury, RG14 2AD EMAIL: editor@newburynews.co.uk Laura should vote CHRISTIAN Viewpoint Email letters to editor@newburynews.co.uk with your full name, a terrestrial address and daytime phone number. DEADLINE: MONDAY NOON

you are open and accountable and scandals like Patterson in Westminster and the LRIE in West Berkshire do not occur. More experienced MPs like Theresa May felt support for Mr Paterson was not good governance and abstained. I think Mrs Farris could learn from older and wiser members . Good governance in Westminster and good governance in West Berkshire are one and the same, both require openness and accountability. Last week another attempt to find the true cost of the so-called replacement sports ground was met with a refusal. When the true figure gets out, I would expect many local people to be angry at the profligate expense, as they are at the Paterson debacle. If the council object to my comments, they can always give the precise figure – it is after all our money. The refusal by the executive Other than the rugby club being embarrassed about how much and what the terms are, so what?It’s taxpayers’ money. If this was an opposition council, the Conservatives would be full of righteous indignation and our MP would be using her column to demand answers money or public officials, all must be accountable, open and transparent – and as I said earlier, these principles are equally applicable in Westminster as they are in West Berkshire. IAN HALL Ashampstead Why won’t council be open about the costs? THERE are two-and-a-half million reasons to accuse West Berkshire In terms of honesty and transparency with public of WBC cited “grounds of commercial sensitivity”. THIS My Newbury photograph of a robin with two remembrance poppies was taken by Brian Sopp in his Kingsclere garden. Why not take some inspiration from this and send the Newbury Weekly News and Newburytoday some of your photographs? They can be of anything – the weather, events you are attending or what’s happening in and around West Berkshire. If you have a picture that you would like to submit for consideration, please send it to editor@newburynews.co.uk Alternatively, send it to our twitter account @newburytoday using #MyNewbury, but please remember to let us know where the picture was taken and, crucially, by whom. It may then be published online on www.newburytoday.co.uk , or in the Newbury Weekly News and our Instagram and Facebook pages.

Be an Oxfam volunteer this Christmas AS a recent volunteer in Oxfam Newbury, I’ve been impressed at the commitment and friendliness of volunteers, and at the number of people bringing donations, buying, browsing, and complimenting us on the colourful interesting shop – not

with her conscience IN explaining why she voted in support of disgraced MP Owen Patterson, MP Laura Farris says she voted only because of the whip ( Newbury Weekly News , November 11). In her 347 votes since taking office she has only voted against the Government twice – on two very minor motions. Whilst Mrs Farris may be one of Boris Johnson’s most prominent supporters, is it too much to expect her to vote with her conscience, or for her constituents, just one in a while? GRAHAM STOREY Garden Close Lane Newbury MP replies promptly and courteously OF the 15 letters in your issue last Thursday, eight were devoted to Laura Farris’ involvement in the Owen Paterson vote, for which she gave an explanation on page 4. None of those eight letters had anything positive to say for her, and some were coarsely expressed. My own experience of the MP’s work has been entirely positive. She has replied promptly to every letter from me, and has dealt with any issues that I raised fully, satisfactorily, and courteously. None of the eight letters dealt with the four difficult and essential national tasks which the Government is currently tackling with great energy and verve – implementing Brexit, raising the economic and educational opportunities in parts of the North, Covid, and, above all, the climate change threat which faces us. The Government has widespread support on all these four endeavours, on which Mrs Farris has expressed her views through the courtesy of your columns. My Newbury

Peace in the storm

AS we recover from the effects of the pandemic, we’re currently experiencing much uncertainty with supply shortages, heating costs rising and a sudden increase in inflation. This is clearly impacting a lot of families, with many household budgets very stretched. Knowing friends serving in countries where the state can cut electricity for days on end, I’ve learnt massively from their faith and trust in God in the midst of these difficulties. The Bible is clear, we’re going to face challenges all through life. Jesus sets an example of how we can learn to trust during these times. He told the disciples they were going to cross the lake, knowing there would be a storm en route. While the storm terrified the disciples, Jesus slept trusting in His Heavenly Father’s protection. When the disciples woke Him up, He was able to speak peace to the wind and waves. The peace He carried on the inside impacting the chaos on the outside. (Matthew 3:23-26) Whatever we’re facing, Jesus already sees the end as well as the beginning. When we believe in Jesus, we come under the loving protection of a Heavenly Father who cares for us for us more than we could ever care for ourselves. In the midst of life’s harshest storms, He wants us to learn to truly trust Him. In the midst of external trials, He wants us to carry His peace within us. As the Psalm writer said, “Trust in Him at all times…” (Psalm 62:8) REV PHIL WHITEHEAD Kennet Christian Centre, Newbury Points of contact - Newbury News Ltd Address: Newspaper House, Faraday Road, Newbury, Bucks, RG14 2AD EDITOR: Andy Murrill (01635) 886625, email: editor@newburynews.co.uk DEPUTY EDITOR: Sarah Bosley (01635) 886655, email: sarah.bosley@newburynews.co.uk CHIEF REPORTER: John Garvey (01635) 886628, email: john.garvey@newburynews.co.uk HEAD OF COMMERCIAL: James Harris (01635) 886660, email: james.harris@newburynews.co.uk ADVERTISING OFFICE MANAGER: Lisa Francis (01635) 886643, email: lisa.francis@newburynews.co.uk RECRUITMENT ADVERTISING (01635) 886646 email: recruitment@newburynews.co.uk CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING (01635) 564573, email: advert@newburynews.co.uk NEWSPAPER HOUSE RECEPTION (01635) 524111, email: reception@newburynews.co.uk NEWSPAPER CIRCULATION: Lesley Marriott (01635) 886613, email: circulation@newburynews.co.uk PHOTOGRAPHY: Phil Cannings (01635) 886642, email: picturedesk@newburynews.co.uk Many of the photographs in the Newbury Weekly News have been taken by NWN photographers. These images, and many more, are available to order online at newburytoday.co.uk/picturegallery HOW TO MAKE A COMPLAINT Newbury News and Media Limited publications are regulated by IPSO, the Independent Press Standards Organisation. If you have a complaint about a Newbury News and Media Limited publication, you should, in the first instance, contact the publication concerned. If it is not resolved to your satisfaction, you should contact IPSAO by telephone 0300 123 2220, or visit its website: www.ipso.co.uk. Members of the public are welcome to contact IPSO at any time if they are not sure how to proceed, or need advice on how to frame a complaint. COPYING THIS NEWSPAPER To enquire about permission to copy cuttings for internal management and information purposes, please contact the Newspaper Licensing Agency (NLA media access), Wellington Gate, 7&9 Church Road, Tunbridge Wells TN1 1NL, telepohone (01892) 523273, email: copy@nla.co.uk Inquiries concerning the re-publication (either in print or online) of content from this newspaper should be addressed to: the Editor, Newbury News and Media Limited, Newspaper House, Faraday Road, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 2AD, email: editor@newburynews.co.uk

I am tempted to the conclusion that since the opposition has almost nothing constructive or original to say on any of them, it had better involve itself in politics. ANTHONY PICK Andover Road Newbury MP should apologise for judgement errors OUR elected MP has, your paper reported, stated that she voted against her inclinations in the Paterson case because of ‘emotional pressure’ caused by being made to feel sorry for Owen Paterson after his wife sadly took her own life. I have two issues with our MP over this. First, I would hope that her moral fibre would prevent her from voting for something she believed to be wrong. Secondly, Laura Farris repeatedly uses the term ‘committed suicide’ in reference to Mrs Paterson’s death. This term suggests an act of criminality was committed. Suicide has not been a criminal offence in this country since 1961 and the use of this term could only with recycled clothes, toys, homeware and books, but also with new Christmas gifts and cards. It’s a pleasure to work for our quiet, calm and efficient manager Sofia. And frequently it’s amusing, challenging and thought provoking. Perhaps with Christmas looming a plea could be published through

this letter in the NWN for some new part-time volunteers? Thank you! LAURAINE KLUGMAN Ashmore Green

cause further distress to the Paterson family.

As we have been reminded during this pandemic, mental well-being is of paramount importance and reverting to anachronistic terms like ‘committing suicide’ serves to reinforce the stigmatisation of mental health issues. I feel our MP should apologise to her constituents for both of these errors of judgement. STEVE WIND-MOZLEY Westfields Compton The need for honesty and transparency I AM sure that Mrs Farris was surprised at the hostile reaction in last week’s NWN for her support of Owen Paterson. Mrs Farris is clearly keen to follow her father in progressing within the Conservative Party, seemingly fast-tracked without doing the hard yards as a district councillor. The Paterson vote was ultimately about one thing – good governance. If you have good governance,

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