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Thursday, November 18, 2021

Newbury Weekly News

NEWBURY NEWS

Ultimate triathlete ‘wows’ youngsters Global adventurer’s inspiring visit to Speenhamland School

By SARAH BOSLEY sarah.bosley@newburynews.co.uk @newburytoday

A GLOBAL adventurer who has rowed, climbed and cycled his way around the world has been inspiring pupils at Speenham- land School. James Ketchell – the only per- son to have ever completed the ‘ultimate triathlon’ of rowing the Atlantic, climbing Mount Everest and then cycling around the world – shared his exciting stories of ad- venture and achievement with the pupils at the Newbury primary school. He visited last week, when he wowed them with his tales of rowing solo across the Atlantic, cycling around the world on a sec- ond-hand bicycle, as well as scal- ing to the top of Mt Everest, before sharing the next stages of his fu- ture adventures too. Headteacher Julie Lewry said: “Having James Ketchell in to talk to all of our children was an amaz- ing experience. “Through captivating stories of his adventures around the world, he encompassed our school values and taught the children about the importance of working hard to achieve their goals. “From Foundation stage to Year 6, all the pupils were enthralled by the presentation and left the hall feeling truly inspired.” The pupils were encouraged to recognise the school values – re-

West Berkshire Community Hospital

Ref: 07-1615F.

£2m development for hospital

tic hub for West Berkshire. He added: “The Hospital Building Trust and, indeed, all the patients in the area were very grateful for the dona- tions from all the trusts. “They had already contributed a considerable amount of money to The Rosemary Appeal which resulted in the building of the renal dialysis unit and the cancer unit at the hospital three years ago. “That appeal raised £5.3m from pub- lic donation and trust donation.” Dr Tayton went on to say: “We are all very proud to have one of the most mod- ern community hospitals in the UK in West Berkshire with marvellous facili- ties for all the patients.” The many facilities provided at West Berkshire Community Hospital include comprehensive outpatients facilities, in-patient facilities for rehabilitation and palliative care, X-rays, physiother- apy, renal dialysis and provision of can- cer care, including chemotherapy. It is hoped that the building will be started in the near future and will be operational by June 2022.

THE West Berkshire Community Hospital has been given a cash boost for a new building with diagnostic fa- cilities. The Newbury and Thatcham Hospital Building Trust has helped donate a total of £2m to the Royal Berkshire Hospital for the construction of the new building in Thatcham. West Berkshire Community Hospital and Thatcham Rotarian trustee Dr Rob Tayton has said that the plan is for the construction of a new building close to the hospital. It is hoped that the building will house two MRI scanners and a new PET CT scanner. The donations were made with the help of Greenham Trust, the Peter Bak- er Foundation and the Storey Charitable Trust. He said that this would mean that many people from West Berkshire will not have to travel to distant hospitals to get scans, which will improve the patient experience in the area. Dr Tayton also commented that the trust is “very supportive” of the plan to make the community hospital a diagnos-

British adventurer James Ketchell with Speenhamland pupils

Ref: 45-2721

spect, responsibility, risk-taking, resilience and resourcefulness – in Mr Ketchell and see how these values could help them to achieve any goal. Mr Ketchell told the children that “the hardest part is believing you can do it”. “Doors of opportunity will natu- rally open when you work hard,” he added. “Break things into small steps – a little bit every day makes the big things happen.” One pupil, Oscar, said: “James Ketchell has inspired me to never give up on my dreams, no matter what anyone else says.” Another, Ella, added: “James

has encouraged me to be more of a risk-taker, which is something I find tricky, but I will keep trying.” Brooke said she was inspired by his stories of kindness from around the world. “He taught me to be kind to others because they will treat you the same way.” Mr Ketchell completed his ‘ulti- mate triathlon’ on February 1, 2014 – just seven years after a serious motorcycle accident left him with broken legs and the prognosis he would be unlikely to walk again. In 2019 he flew an open cockpit gyroplane around the world – set- ting a Guinness Word Record.

Man convicted of assault in breach of order Mr Needham, who was legally repre- sented by Gianpaolo Damiani, further admitted using threatening or abusive words or behaviour on the same occa- sion. Mr Needham was made subject to a further, 12-month community order and required to complete 120 hours un- paid community work.

TRACTORS I CHAINSAWS I CHIPPERS I HEDGE TRIMMERS

A NEWBURY man has been con- victed of attacking a woman. In the dock at Reading Magis- trates’ Court on Wednesday, Novem- ber 3, was Andrew Needham. The 59-year-old, of Kimbers Close, off Kennet Road, admitted assault- ing Gemma McMahon in Newbury on Thursday, June 3.

In addition, he was ordered to pay £85 costs, plus a statutory victim services surcharge of £95. Finally, Mr Needham was ordered to pay £100 compensation to Ms McMahon.

The court heard his admissions meant he was in breach of a communi- ty order imposed for a series of previ- ous Public Order Act offences.

Get the Garden sorted this Autumn

Winter Out & About THE winter edition of Out & About magazine is out today (Thursday), packed with 100 pages of local features and lifestyle articles. You may be planning a Christmas with family and friends this year, so there are a few gift ideas, as well as some quick and easy party food tips to help you whip something up for any unexpected arrivals. We also paid a visit to Walters Turkeys in Aldworth, a family-run farm which this year celebrates 50 years in the business of rearing and selling turkeys, and found out about their busiest period in the run-up to Christmas. For petrolheads, there is a feature on the thrills and spills of a day out at Silverstone and you could win tickets to the Lap of Lights spectacle. You could also win a ride-on Sven, the reindeer from Frozen , and a luxury treatment from Andresa skincare. With all the usual motors, travel, interiors, pet talk and what’s on, as well as the latest on the farming world from Berkshire Farm Girl, you won’t want to miss it. Out & About is available free from outlets in and around Newbury. For a list see page 37.

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