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PETS IN LOCKDOWN

How your animals are coping in the coronavirus crisis, pages 24-27

Opening of new primary school delayed for year THE opening of a new school in Newbury has been delayed again, this time because of the coronavirus outbreak. Highwood Copse Primary School is now set to open in 2021. The school, being built on land owned by Newbury College, was meant to welcome its initial intake of up to 30 reception pupils in September. The plan was then to grow the intake numbers each year, achieving full capac- ity of 210 pupils in 2026. The contractor, Newbury-based Feltham Construction, had been making progress with the new school. However, its work has been increas- ingly affected by Government restric- tions to limit the spread of coronavirus. The council said that despite Feltham’s efforts to keep construction on track and ensuring the safety of workers, work was suspended on Friday, April 3. Academy Trust Board chairman Iain Wolloff said: “We have already written to parents and I know that this will be more very unwelcome news at this difficult time. “It is hugely disappointing for all those who have been working so hard to ensure the opening of a fantastic new school in September and for all those children and their parents who were looking forward to starting in the first reception class.” Highwood was intended to open in September 2018 but has been hit by a series of setbacks. West Berkshire Council appointed Kier to build the school, but retendered the contract following “high increases” in build costs. “Potential legal delays” were also cited. Negotiations over a new access road and the freehold for the land also threatened to stall the work. Dawnus Construction was then appointed to build Highwood and work began in August 2018. But it stopped in March last year when Dawnus went into administration. The delay caused by Dawnus entering administration and the subsequent tender for a new contractor meant that rectification work was needed to restart the build due to weather damage and some “defective work issues”. n Continued on page 18

Family’s cardboard cutouts of themselves are being copied across the area in a message of hope ‘We’ll fight this together’ A FAMILY’S display of support and small message of positivity started during the coronavirus lockdown has spread from one road to other communities. work and asked if they could add to it. The idea has taken off on social media, with cutouts springing up across Newbury and Thatcham. “Children can get involved because the poor children are climbing the walls and getting bored. “You don’t have to go out of your way to make them.” Report by JOHN HERRING email john.herring@newburynews.co.uk twitter johnh_nwn From left, Karen de Monte, 10-year-old daughter Lindsay and husband Philip in front of the fence decorated with cardboard char cters n Loweary,WThactham (Ref: 16-0520X)

More than 70 cutouts and messages now adorn the fence since the inspiring artwork was created last week. Mrs de Monte said: “At the time I didn’t think about anyone adding on to it. “It looked nice, it was nice and cheery and we need more positive messages at the moment. “This is actually a nice thing to focus on. “Although it’s very simple – often simple things are the best.

“We had some old boxes in the garage that she had been playing with. “We looked to replace [the banner] because it seemed to brighten people’s day.” The family made cutouts of them- selves and tied them to the fence along the edge of the Nature Discovery Centre. “With the cutouts was the message ‘we will fight this together’.” A friend saw the family’s “beautiful”

A Facebook page called Joining Together has been set up to promote the idea. More than 1,000 people joined the group within three days, with lots asking to set up their own cutout instal- lation. Mrs de Monte said that the group was to help “get the message out there that we are all in this together and to try and stay positive”. n Continued on page 2

Joining Together began as a way to entertain Karen and Philip de Monte’s daughter Lindsay during the lock- down. The family had placed a banner at their home in Lower Way, Thatcham, but Mrs de Monte said that the weather had got the better of it. Wanting to replace their banner of support, Mrs de Monte said: “We love doing arts and crafts and obviously this is the ideal opportunity.

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Family’s message to all: ‘We will fight this together’ n Continued from front page

But to those who can contribute Mrs de Monte said: “Come along and please feel free, it’s going to brighten up that fence if anything. “We have so many people walking along Lower Way for exercise as it’s a nice route. If it just makes one person smile, fantastic. “We’ve had lots of people taking pictures, which is really nice.” Ambulance crews and police offi- cers have stopped to take pictures of the display, which have been shared on social media. Mrs de Monte said other displays were springing up along the A4 in

and come together. “It’s special, really special.” Speaking of Lindsay’s response to the display and its huge reaction online, Mrs de Monte said: “She loves it. She’s very proud of it. “We look out the window each day and she’s like ‘wow we started that’.” When asked whether there was a goal for the display, she said: “As far as we can get really. “It would be amazing if it went all the way down the fence, but it’s a long fence – whatever people can do.” Find out more at the Joining Together Facebook page.

Thatcham and Newbury. She added that family and friends in Fareham and Bath were also look- ing to start up their own. Parsons Down Partnership of schools, where 10-year-old daughter Lindsay attends, has also set up its own display for children of key work- ers still at school. Mrs de Monte said: “The support has been huge. “People have just taken the idea and just run with it, which has been fantastic. “We’re very proud of our commu- nity who have made such an effort

She said: “Let’s focus on something nice rather than all the doom and gloom. Let’s come together as a community. “The response has been over- whelming”. She encouraged people to add to the display on Lower Way, provided it was within walking distance and for people to not drive especially to add their art. “If not in walking distance start up your own, share photos and the get the message out,” she said. “It’s entirely up to the individual, it’s just about sending out positive messages.”

EDITOR Andy Murrill andy.murrill@newburynews.co.uk @andymurrill (01635) 564525

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‘I’ve seen best of West Berks in action’ NewbuyrMP Laura Farris hails the great many ‘people in this community pulling together ’ By LAURAAFRRIS NEWBURY MP

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As of April 8, two weeks into the lockdown, 1,084 such fines had been issued nationally, which suggested to us that the overall police response was proportionate. We have also interviewed domestic abuse charities including the NSPCC about the increase in domestic violence at this time, and the work that Parliament can do to protect (usually) women and children unable to leave their homes. Next week Parliament will formally return and although most of our sessions will be conducted remotely, I want you to know that I will be relentless in raising your concerns on the floor of the House. This is a time when the role of your Member of Parliament in holding the Government to account is more important than ever, and I will ensure that the residents of West Berkshire have their voices heard.

work. Parliament is operating at a virtual level and the Home Affairs Select Committee (of which I am a member) has been working throughout the Easter break on issues such as the quality of the police response, domestic violence and border control. We conducted a lengthy evidence session with chief constables from across the UK who described how they are adapting to their new powers under the coronavirus legislation which was passed in record-breaking time. All MPs are keenly aware that people have seen their freedom seriously curtailed and are alive to criticisms that some forces have been overzealous. However, it was notable that when we spoke to the chief constables, their primary view was that there was high overall compliance with the lockdown and the imposition of spot-fines had been relatively rare.

In the course of the last week I have seen some of the best of West Berkshire in action. I visited Newbury Racecourse (which can no longer hold race meetings), which has thrown open its kitchens to the wonderful Fair Close Centre, enabling them to triple their meals-on- wheels delivery service and engage an army of local volunteers to help. I also went to see Garry Paulson at the Newbury Volunteer Centre, who are playing a leading role in assisting vulnerable people through the Community Support Hub. Again and again, I have seen examples of people in this community pulling together – pooling their resources, giving up their time, connecting with neighbours who they may not have even known before this crisis began. I have also continued my national

FOLLOWING a glorious Easter weekend when I know many of you were cooped up indoors and separated from your loved ones, I want to say how incredibly grateful to you I am for the selflessness and commitment you have shown towards our community and to protecting lives. I do not attempt to downplay how challenging this is for all of you and it is my sincere hope that these measures can be lifted as soon as possible. Although these are still early days the data does suggest that the lockdown is working. General hospitals in the area are reporting gradual reductions in hospital admission, and nationally the figures are showing improvements.

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News, enetrtainment, aedrvtising News............................................................1-21 Coronavirus Lokcdown in Pictures..1..2..-.1.3 Letters....................................................... 14-16 Astronomy...................................................... 1 6 OpenoFr Business...................................22-23 Pets in Lokcdown...............................4..-.2.7..2 Announcements......................................28-29 Education.......................................................30 Countyr Matetrs......................................1.......3 Local Hiosrty..................................................32 N2arts &entertainmensttarts..................33 Puzzles......................................................... 37 Film rveiew.............................................8........3 Propert.y....................................................... 39 Classified statrs......................................1.......4 Motors.......................................................... 46 Jobs..................................................................46 Spotr statrs..................................................... 47

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Community hub providing vital help for vulnerable Coronavirus support network receives nearly 90 calls a day asking for advic e Report by JOHN HERRING email john.herring@newburynews.co.uk twitter johnh_nwn

“That’s a really nice story about how people are making a difference.” Susan Powell, also based at the hub, said that it had been working with Spotlight to supply families in f ood need with parcels. She said around 78 parcels are to be delivered this week. The parcels are provided by Spotlight in colla boration with the foodbank. Mrs Powell said that the hub was now using a digital filter on calls that would help record and track information better. “It’s quite stable at the moment and there’s nothing dramatic coming in at the moment,” she said. Council leader Lynne Doherty (Con, Speen) said that the council had been working on distributing the business relief grant to more than 600 businesses last week.

Mrs Doher ty said that busi- nesses had told her how much the grants, ranging between £10,000 and £25,000, would help them. But she urged patience with the scheme as the council wanted to “get it right first time”. Mrs Doher ty said a process had to be followed to reduce fraud. “We are working through responses and it will tak e a couple of days to get through to everybody,” she said. For more information, visit https://info.westberks.gov.uk/ coronavirus, call (01635) 503579 or email westberksbct@west- berks.gov.uk n The number of confirmed Covid-19 cases confir med in West Berkshire was 148 when the Newbury Weekly News went to press yesterday (Wednes- day).

WEST Berkshire’s Coron- avirus Community Suppor t Hub dealt with nearly 90 calls a day last week. The hub of fers advice and information and works with charities and volunteers to ensure that the district ’s elderly and most vulnera ble residents have access to food, medication and suppor t. Katharine Makant, based a t the hub, said that just under 90 calls a day were received Monday to Thursday last week. Over the Easter weekend this dropped to around 28 calls and emails a day. The calls asked for advice about community and volun- teer groups, food shopping and medicine. The council has been in touc h with more than 580 people registered as shielded, and around 65 voluntary and community suppor t groups

have registered with the hub. Mrs Makant said: “The team answering the calls ar e only one part of the network across West Berkshire. “They are all doing f antastic work and we couldn’t do this without them. ” She said that over the week- end the hub took a call from “a lovely lady aged 89”. “She couldn’t go out for her shopping and ask ed her 70-year- old son, but she didn’t trust him to get things that she needed to do her hair. “Staff went out and got the pins and curlers and gave an Easter egg to this lady. “She was overwhelmed and said ‘it’s really brightened up my day’.

Ewart Eatwell carries on baking for neighbours Ewart Eatwell, 88, with some of his bakes he shares with neighbours

enjoys baking at home. He said: “I still like baking and seeing the children’s faces when they get their bread. “Being in four walls makes you depressed, so making the bread keeps me active.” Over the years, Mr Eatwell has baked for churches, women’s groups and a range of voluntary organisations, but recently he has just baked for friends and neighbours. He said: “I went into the bakery when I was 13 and I’ve done nothing else but that. “I was still at school at the time. “I do about six or so types of bread. I give it to what we call the ‘inmates’ round here – because we’re all penned in right now.”

A RETIRED baker has been making novelty breads and savouries for his community. The appropriately-named Ewart Eatwell – of Harvest Green, Newbury – has carried on with his baking, after decades at bakeries in Newbury and Aldbourne. He enjoys creating novelty breads and made a recent batch in the shape of mice. And for Good Friday, he made hot cross buns. Mr Eatwell began baking more than 75 years ago and, after leav- ing school, he went to work at Wilkins in Aldbourne, Wiltshire. After a spell in the army, he moved to Newbury and worked for Smith bakery in London Road for 34 years. Now aged 88, Mr Eatwell still

Residents asked to play by the rules over rubbish WEST Berkshire residents have been asked to abide by new waste disposal r ules during the coronavirus pandemic. bin/box/bag handles or lids to minimise the spr ead of infection and wash their hands thor- oughly. the council has ask ed residents to store items safely until they reopen. emailing customerservices@ westberks.gov.uk or call-

ing (01635) 519080. Bonfires have also been discouraged as people staying at home may be vulnerable and have respiratory issues or even have coronavirus. The council has ask ed people to sign up to its garden waste service, costing £50 a year. n Reduction in waste collection in Basingstoke and Deane, page 10

The council said: “Leaving items outside on the street or in parks, forests and fields is f ly- tipping. “This is a crime and w e have a range of powers to tackle it. “Even if you mean well and leave items outside charity shops, or next to full recycling bins, this is still f ly-tipping.” Fy-tipping can reported by

Recycling and rubbish bins should be put out by 6am, or the evening before if possible. The service for bulky waste has been temporaril y suspended. A warning not to fly-tip has also been issued. The district ’s recycling centres have all been closed and

West Berkshire Council has asked households with a possi - ble Covid-19 infection to double- bag and tie their r ubbish in plas - tic bags and store it securely for 72 hours before putting it out f or collection. Where possible, residents are asked to wipe or sanitise the

Your villages, your voice DURING these unprecedented times, the true Blitz spirit has truly been reignited. Volunteers in their hundreds have set up support groups across the district and everyone is doing their part to ensure family, friends, neighbours and strangers are looked after throughout this pandemic. And, standing by your side, as we always have, is the Newbury Weekly News , remaining your trusted source of news and information in West Berkshire and North Hampshire. Now, more than ever, we all need to work together. All of our journalists are working from home, so we are asking you to let us know the news and events from your village – coronavirus-related or otherwise – and as much good news as possible. We will publish these stories (after editing, to ensure word count, style and legal process is all followed) on to a new section, Your Villages, Your Voice, on our website newburytoday.co.uk , which staggeringly had more than 1.3 million page views in March, and on our social media platforms. Our goal is to make sure everyone can find up- to-date, factual information quickly and easily, through your chosen platform. We are living through an important time in history and we believe it is our duty to document it. So please send us your stories, your news, your support networks and don’t forget to also send us your photos and pictures of how you are all getting through. We need the important details, but we also all need a smile. We understand that every business is strug- gling at the moment and we are no exception. We are a small, local business that has been hit hard by this pandemic and we too have been forced to furlough a number of staff while we navigate this uncertain time. We will always be there to inform the public, but we ask, at this time, that you only send us stories to Your Villages Your Voice without a commercial element please. Please send all news and information to your.villages@newburynews.co.uk

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Tech volunteers can really hack it Hackspace has so far provided masks to 10 NHS trusts

visors on EasterSunday, saying: “We’ve made deliveries because the virus doesn’t take holidays. ” Mr Lindsay said one group member is a paramedic (see feature right), while others had family working in the NHS. NadHack workers are using a design that has come from NottinghamHackspace andtheir local hospital. “They have refined the design and have been able to cut it quite quickly,” Mr Lindsay said. The visors are made from sheets of polypropylene and NadHack has up to two people at once using the gear in the small workshop. Mr Lindsay said: “Looking at our capacitywe couldpotentially cut 250 a day… it costs less than 50p per visor. “It’s really easy to clean. They can be wiped down with sanitiser solution and then reused. ” NadHack has also acquired a large quantity of hand sanitiser from Compton-based gin distillers Hawkridge Distillers, to reduce the rate of infection.

A GROUP of local engineering and technology volunteers has been making and delivering personal protective equipment (PPE) to local hospitals and care homes. Newbury and District Hackspace (NadHack), which specialises in engineering and computing solutions, also wants to work with volunteers in Thatcham to protect as many people as possible. NadHack is based at the Moors Pavilion, Lower Way, where a small team has been 3D printing and laser-cutting visors to be worn in the fight against Covid-

19. NadHack co-founder Andrew Lindsay said the low-cost, easy-to- make masks could potentialyl save lives. The 270 visors made so far have been distributed to 10 NHS trusts, including as far as Wales. Forty visors have also been sent to a care home in Newbury and another load has beendelivered to the West Berkshire Community Hospital. NadHack even delivered 80 Report by JOHN HERRING email john.herring@newburynews.co.uk twitter johnh_nwn

Criticalcareparamediwc ithWiltshireAirAmbulancPeaulRock

Picture: chriswatkinsmedia.co.uk

‘Great to see community behind us’ says critical care paramedic

Alan Lindsay in one of the visors. NadHack has set up an appeal to raise £500 to help cover the cost of making the visors – £240 has been raised since it launched on Tuesda.yMake a donation at https://www.

A WEST Berkshire paramedic has praised the community response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Critical care paramedic with Wiltshire Air Ambulance Paul Rock is a member of Newbury and District Hackspace, which has been making personal protective gear for local hospi- tals and care homes. Mr Rock said: “I think this is such an amazing thing what we are doing and what we can provide, especially to carers. “It’s amazing to help these care staff and people who are vulnerable at the moment.” Mr Rock lives in Thatcham with his wife Victoria and four daughters. He has been a member of Hackspace, a community group specialising in engineering and computing solutions, for two years. He said: “It’s a great bunch of guys. I use it to make a few things for my work and a few keyrings for the girls.” Mr Rock said that shifts with the air ambulance were long and sometimes stressful, but he did as many hours as he could at Hackspace to help out.

“Just a simple thing like this can make a massive difference,” he said. “If there’s anyone out there who can supply products please give it.” Mr Rock has been with the NHS for 19 years, having worked for South Central Ambulance Service, where his wife works, and now South Western Ambu- lance Service. From South Africa, Mr Rock worked for the fire department in a township and said of coron- avirus: “I have never known anything like this. “This makes working in a township look like a walk in the park.” He said: “It’s stressful, but we have adapted as a team. “We have come together, we work very hard together, we look after each other. “It’s not just the job, it’s the mental health side as well. “We have had to adapt to fight in this new environment.” On top of his critical care work Mr Rock has been transferring intensive care unit (ICU) patients from hospitals to major trauma hospitals to free up ICU beds.

“It’s a big demand on us and our families,” he said. “We have got four girls. My wife is a paramedic too. “We have a job and we love what we do and I couldn’t be prouder to work for the NHS and it’s good to give back.” When asked about levels of PPE, Mr Rock said: “From my point of view, we have adequate PPE and it’s a good level. “I obviously work for NHS air ambulance. I know there’s enough kit for us at the moment. “This pandemic has taken a big amount of resources and people.” Mr Rock praised communities across the country and super- markets for their support of key workers. He said: “It’s great to see that the community are behind us, not just the NHS. “It’s lovely that you appreciate – one thing we sometimes forget is fuel and supermarket deliver- ies of stuff that we need.” He said early shopping hours for key workers and vulnerable people had made a huge differ- ence, freeing up time between shifts and being able to spend valuable time with his family.

The group is talking with Thatcham Town Council and its volunteer network to draw up a list of people who will benefit from the equipment. Downe House puts 3D printers to work justgiving.com/ crowdfunding/ nadhack

ment, which is food-safe, less likely to harbour the Covid-19 virus and means that they can easily be cleaned – they can even go in the dishwasher. “Our first batch of 20 face shields, complete with visors made from laminating pouches, were ready on Tuesday. “It can take up to four hours to print just one of the much-needed visor sets, so our 3D printer will be certainly be kept busy over the coming weeks.”

outsourcing the project to private owners of 3D printing facilities and has drawn in 3,400 volun- teers. Its website provides the schematics for the shields and an initial batch of 80,000 are already on their way to hospitals, includ - ing those from Downe House. The school’s marketing and communications manager Sue Lister said: “Based on indepen- dent medical advice, the visors are being printed using PETG fila-

DOWNE House school is doing its bit to stem the coronavirus outbreak, printing face shields for embattled NHS staff. The independent Cold Ash school is using 3D printers normally reserved for lessons and specialist projects. The design and technology department has signed up to 3DCrowd.UK, which is attempting to procure in excess of 186,000 face shields for frontline care workers. To achieve this, the initiative is

Eastbury’s video tribute to NHS EASTBURY villagers have made a movie in support of NHS and frontline care staff. The two-minute video features a drone flight over the community, set to Sir Hubert Parry’s Jerusalem . Images of residents unfurling pro-NHS banners in their gardens and on the streets were captured. Organiser Nina Howe-Davies has worked with villages on a variety of lockdown-related activities to keep people – especially children – entertained through the period of restrictions. Among these was an all-village I-spy tournament, which included the dumping of a six-foot inflatable flamingo in the River Lambourn. “Then Tobi Corney got in touch about doing family drone images, and I thought ‘why not do a full village film?’,” said Mrs Howe-Davies. “Tobi, a licensed drone pilot, agreed and so a village email was sent out that we would launch at 6.30pm on the dot on Good Friday and everyone needed to be outside with banners for the NHS. “It went like a dream – perfect weather condi- tions, the whole village was excited.” The footage was edited by Nathan Horrocks, of Equine Productions. To view the full video, visit https://youtu.be/fZV8D24LqI8

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Families’ tributes to NHS Coloufrul messages of thanks and support are springing up across the distri ct

Report by JOHN GAVREY email john.garvey@newburynews.co.uk twitter @johng_nwn

SOME of you have been getting pretty inventive in your tributes to our NHS workers during the coron- avirus crisis. Chris Chiswell and Sue Pero have had “lots of people taking photos” of their painted lawn tribute outside their home in Agricola Way, Thatcham. Ms Pero said: “During the World Cup we had an England flag, so it seemed an appropriate way for us to show our appreciation.” Meanwhile, Andy and Melissa Lauder-Clarke enlisted the help of their boys – nine-year-old Noah and Sebby, aged five – to paint a mural. Mrs Lauder-Clarke said: “We just wanted to put a smile on people’s faces as they walked past and wanted to pay tribute to the NHS.” The family art project can be seen at Dunstan Park in Thatcham. And in Greenham, delivery driver Mark Knott said: “Three weeks ago I was at work delivering fresh fruit and veg to customers, listening to plans to clap for the NHS – so I thought ‘I know, I’ll put some lights up saying NHS’. “So I did that afternoon after being at work from 4am and here is the end result. “Then at the weekend we had lovely weather so my kids thought of adding something to it of their own bats and coloured our path.” n The national Clap for Carers campaign continues at 8pm tonight (Thursday) with a round of applause for our frontline NHS and care workers.

Chris Chiswell and Sue Pero’s tribute in Thatcham

KathleenWatsonwavestopassingcars

Ref: 16-0120D

Kathleen spreads the joy PENSIONER Kathleen Watson has found a novel way of beat- ing the blues during the coron- avirus crisis – a daily wave. Mrs Watson, who lives in Crookham Common Road, “I sat on the chair on my walk- ing frame and tried it. “Every single vehicle responded with a beep or a wave. “It was fantastic to see people smiling when I waved.”

From front to back, are six-year-old Layla, Logan-ja,yaged ninea,nd 12-year-old CJ with their coloured path in Thatcham.

Brimpton, said she was delighted when two cyclists waved to her as she took her daily exercise. So next time a car passed, she passed the gesture on. The 81-year-old grandmother of two said: “The cyclists smiled, waved and shouted ‘good after- noon’ to me. “It cheered me up so much I thought I’d try to spread the feel- ing.

Mrs Watson, whose daughter Suzanne Rogers is secretary at Spurcroft Primary School in Thatcham, added: “I’ve been on my own with no one to talk to at times and this doesn’t cost anything. “I’d recommend it to anyone who is feeling low – just smile and wave at someone and you might be surprised what a differ- ence it makes to your day.”

The Lauder-Clarke family worked together to complete this mural

Mark Knott’s light tribute to the NHS

Thursday, April 16, 2020 6 NEWBURY NEWS CORONAVI US NEWS Help and advice is there for local minority groups Report by JOHN HERRING email john.herring@newburynews.co.uk twitter johnh_nwn These communities are struggling – et in touch says Community Connections

Newbury Weekly News

coming up. “They’re not supposed to do that now, but the supplies they need are not available locally for them. “It’s finding ways that they can access the supplies and requirements that they have.” The group asked any local organisations that could bring supplies, such as halal food, to a local centre or for the guidance to be take account of the need to travel to shop. Berkshire School of English administrator Monika Lasko said the group was working on a podcast to engage and encour- age people to overcome their everyday challenges during the coronavirus crisis. Miss Lasko said: “We don’t have any money and don’t know when we will get funding, but we are trying to engage with our community and trying to differ- ent ways to communicate with them in the current situation.” Mrs Kunjappy-Clifton urged minorities to contact the group at info.cc.cic@gmail.com

nity gatherings. “They are not able to meet and support each other and are find- ing that very isolating and frightening and they are strug- gling”. Mrs Kunjappy-Clifton said that groups were receiving conflicting information. Mrs Middleton added: “They’re getting a lot of infor- mation from social media and what their friends and relatives are doing overseas.” Government guidance is for people to not travel unless neces- sary, including not to travel distances for exercise. Community Connections has said that this would cause prob- lems as certain foods could not be obtained locally. Mrs Kunjappy-Clifton said: “We take for granted that we can go to the local shops and go to lots of shops. “They have got ethnic and religious requirements involv- ing food so they have to travel a bit further to get their food.” Mrs Middleton added: “This could be difficult with Ramadan “We’re going to see all kinds of counselling required in terms of domestic violence, suicide preven- tion, even bereavements as well. “This is a long-term thing and of course what’s great now is that we have the £750m package announced by the Government to come to local charities, so we hope some of that will come alongside our funding locally.” As of April 8, £59,000 has already been distributed to organisations in need around West Berkshire and North Hamp- shire. These include £25,000 to Spot-

A NEW group promoting diversity has urged minority communities in West Berk- shire to get in touch about coronavirus. Community Connections is a community interest company (CIC) set up to offer advice and signposting to the black, Asian, minority, ethnic, refugee (BAMER) community and other marginalised, vulnerable and socially-isolated people in the district. The group was formed by directors Clare Middleton and Alice Kunjappy-Clifton to bring education and health and well- being needs together for minor- ity groups in the district. It launched last month, but coronovirus hit before it could get fully up-and-running. Now the group is urging minorities to seek advice during the crisis. Mrs Kunjappy-Clifton said: “The community has been very much isolated. “They wanted information about coronavirus. “We have shared information and are telling them what they

need to know.” Community Connections has been involved with the coro- novirus Community Support Hub, established to provide information and help vulnera- ble people in the district, repre- senting the ethnic community. West Berkshire Council has been delivering guidance leaflets to households in the district. Mrs Kunjappy-Clifton said the council had been asked to trans- late the leaflet, primarily into Urdu, Hindi, Portuguese and Arabic. “We are happy to send these out. If the community requests a different language we will look for funds for that,” she said. With Ramadan coming up later this month, the group said that minority groups might come under increased pressure. Mrs Middleton said: “Most of their events are around commu-

Furniture project pitches in with community deliveries Distributing food cpealrs in conjunctiownith the Community Support Hub and West Berkshire Council

to supply electrical goods such as fridges and cookers to older people and vulnerable families who are self-isolating and has furnished a number of homes for people previously living in hostels and refuges. Young carers, who look after dependent family members with physical and mental health issues, are also being provided with food parcels, as well as craft kits and Easter eggs. Project chief executive Kelvin Hughes said: “We’re very pleased to be able to assist the local community during these extremely challenging times. “It’s extremely heartening to see communities coming together to support their most vulnerable members.”

THESE extraordinary times require extraordinary measures and the Community Furni- ture Project in Newbury has adapted to them. While the project’s shop in Bone Lane has been forced to close its doors to the public during the cornonavirus crisis, staff continue to help vulnerable people in the district by joining forces with the Community Support Hub and West Berk- shire Council to distribute food parcels to those who need them. In the past week, fresh fruit and vegetables, dairy items, frozen and dried foods have been delivered to 120 people in West Berkshire. The project is also continuing The National and Specialist Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services team a t the Maudsley Hospital in London has written to the council, stating: “Given the change in circumstances, the family will now require further suppor t with shopping and delivery of groceries to allow them to continue safely self-isolating. “In addition to this, we kindly request a review of [the daughter’s] current care package. Council spokeswoman Peta Stoddart-Crompton dec lined to comment on indi vidual cases, but said: “The funding that clients receive with regards to respite and social inclusion is f lexible, but does not extend to items such as paying care agencies to purchase groceries, as there are alternative ways in which families can receive suppor t with shopping if they need it. “These are unprecedented and dif ficult times, and we are working closely with our clients to maintain the best possible support for them during this crisis .

Emergency appeal tops £260k but please keep giving A STAGGERING £260,000 has now been raised by the Green- ham Trust’s Coronavirus Emergency Appeal, with the funds going towards helping local organisations and vulnerable people. public donations. Alongside public donations, local organisations including Sovereign Housing association, the Peter Baker Foundation, Thatcham Parochial Charities and Englefield Charitable Trust have also committed thousands of pounds. light UK for food parcel distribu- tion, emergency phone support and online support, £7,700 to Dingley’s Promise for laptops and staff to provide remote support and learning tools for families, £4,500 to Young People and Chil- dren First for the costs of an overnight supervisor, and £3,500 to No 5 Young People for urgent telephone support for vulnerable young people.

The trust launched the appeal on its charitable funding plat- form The Good Exchange on March 20 and pledged to match up to £100,000 of public donations received via the platform. Of the £260,000 now raised, £82,420 is from donations made by the public – meaning the trust will match a further £17,580 of

Greenham Trust chief execu- tive Chris Boulton said: “If people can donate then please do because we’re in this for the long run. “There’s obviously immediate needs, but there’s going to be long-term needs as well.

To donate, visit https://app. thegoodexchange.com/project/ 17994/greenham-trust/greenham- trust-coronavirus-emergency- appeal

Mother blasts ‘crazy’ council red tape A DISABLED mother with a severely autistic daughter claims red tape is causing torment during the coron- avirus crisis. ping. “This was declined as the budget is to offer respite and social inclusion opportunities only... paying an agency to purchase groceries does not fulfil these needs . “To help us do this , there are support networks within the community f or delivery of shopping, ear ly opening hours for vulnerable groups and key workers to do shop- ping and additional slots f or online delivery.

The woman, who lives in Newbury, said she has been unable to shop online for the particular foods her daughter – who also suf fers from severe obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) – needs. Instead, she asked her regu- lar respite agency to help do the shopping. But the mother – who the Newbury Weekly News is not naming to protect her daugh- ter’s privacy – said West Berk- shire Council, which controls her personal budget allowance, refused to divert the funds to pay for this. A personal budget is the amount of money the district council will pay towards a qualifying person’s social care and suppor t. West Berkshire Council told her in an email: “You asked if the personal budget could be used for you to pay for her respite worker via the agency to buy and deliver your shop-

“Given the pandemic and multiple f amilies being in crisis, we have no ability to commit to you that we will be doing food shopping or pr ovid- ing specific items on a weekly basis which is what you are demanding. ” The mother said: “It’s crazy – the agency said it had a guy available to help. “I have the [personal budget] funds available, but the council r efused and offered me an outr each service instead – but they can’t guarantee this e very week. “My daughter will only eat certain foods and I can’t believe the council is quoting its guidelines at this time of national emergency. “It’s absolutely shocking that I’m not allowed to use the personal budget so we can get food.”

“If, for any reason, clients cannot get their shopping through these measures, we will look for alternative ways to suppor t them which might include assistance from coun- cil staf f where necessary. “We do understand tha t a change in routine and a lac k of availability of preferred food products can be frustrat- ing for clients. “However, we are also asking them to work with us and with a level of acceptance that we may only be able to provide basic food shopping and may be unable to provide specific brands of f ood as availability in supermarkets nationally is currently unpre- dictable, though we will of course make every effort to allow for allergies and specific dietary needs where possi- ble.”

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NEWBURY NEWS CORONAVI US NEWS Distillery’s first sanitiser deliveries to frontline The Newbyu’sr 137 Gin producer responds to plea from local voluntar y gr ps Newbury Weekly News

Thursday, April 16, 2020 7

A NEWBURY gin distillery has been making its first deliveries of hand sanitiser to frontline workers in the town. The 137 Gin Distillery, run by Pete Lumber at The Newbury pub, on Bartholomew Street, began producing the all-important sani- tiser after seeing an online plea from Fair Close Centre. Gin blogger and Thatcham resi- dent Debbie Burgess suggested the switch from gin to sanitiser to Mr Lumber and the pair are now work - ing hard to raise money for the increasingly expensive raw ingredi- ents. Mrs Burgess set a target of £3,000, which was boosted by a £1,000 grant from Greenham Trust, and now production– to the recipe set out by the World Health Organisation (WHO) – is well under way in the town centre distillery. The duo have also been joined by councillor Steve Masters (Green, Speen), who was desperately searching for hand sanitiser for local voluntary groups. “We saw that Steve had put out a post saying he wanted hand sani- tiser for Fair Close, particularly the drivers for meals on wheels,” Mrs Burgess explained. “He then delivered our first batch to Fair Close Centre for us. “We have had people coming forward to donate any surplus hand sanitiser they have and emptyplas- tic bottles are being donated too. AMID coronavirus pandemic, a Compton-based distillery has also begun supplying its own range of hand sanitisers to medical and other frontline services. Hawkridge Distillery origi- nally produced white label gin, but the Covid-19 outbreak has completely paused production and led to it entering the new market for hand sanitisers. This has marked a drastic change of orientation for the company. Last weekend, staff put in a 24- hour shift to prepare a major delivery for the South Central Ambulance Service. Among its latest clients are the construction outlets servicing the NHS Nightingale hospitals, as well as British military facili- ties. Hawkridge’s hand sanitiser is supplied in UN-standard containers and complies fully with stringent World Health Organisation standards. the

Report by SARAH BOSLEY email sarah.bosley@newburynews.co.uk

“ We saw

that Steve had put out a post saying he wanted hand sanitiser for Fair Close, particularly the drivers for meals on wheels

“The raw materials are now hard to come by and are getting more expensive by the day.” Mr Masters added: “In these unprecedented times, it is wonder- ful to see the community coming together and supporting the most vulnerable. “I’m pleased that this scarce but vital product is now freely available to organisations such as Fair Close and the care homes across West Berkshire. “Even when faced with an uncer- tain future, local businesses are showing that they are central to the community here in West Berk- shire.” Mr Lumber, who is working on his own at the distillery to ensure safe production of the product, has now made two batches. They have already been distributed to a care home in Lambourn, West Berkshire Council adult social care department, Newbury Soup Kitchen, out-of- hours district nurses and a baby group in Newbury. “Initially our first batch was free for frontline services who are running out,” Mrs Burgess said. “We are trying to look after the small carers and frontline workers in the local area to bridge the gap for them.

Debbie Burgess with a bottle of the sanitiser

be donated to charity. Changes to the way HMRC will charge tax to some distilleriesnow making hand sanitiser to WHO guidelines has meant that the switch over is possible, without the cost being prohibitive. If anyone lives locally and they can safely offer help, then the group of volunteers would like to hear from you. Find out more at www.137gin.com/covid19 You can also see a video of Mr Lumber talking about his work on our website newburytoday.co.uk

“Once we are comfortable all our local frontline services have enough then we will make what we have available locally at cost price.” The group are all working on a voluntary basis and any money raised, when the product is offered to the community, will be used to buy more materials to ensure continued production. If any additional funds remain after the coronavirus crisis is under control then the money will

Pete Lumber in the 137 Gin Diystliallbeer lling the sanitiser

Compton company works around clock to supply ambulance service

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product was fully compliant. While many firms have moved into the sanitiser market of late, they often do not meet these standards of accreditation. Mr Howarth said of the move: “This has proven a real lifeline, and although we are supplying hand sanitiser to most local volunteer groups for free, there have been many local businesses that have bought our product. “We are not trying to profi- teer from this crisis – quite the opposite. “When we saw so many other distilleries hiking up their prices, we decided to reset the balance and offer a product that was accessible and affordable, and I think we have achieved this. “Sadly, all our core materials seem to be increasing in cost almost daily, but we will continue to do this for as long as we can and we are very grateful for the wonderful local support that we have received.”

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Cemetery car access closed except for funeral vehicles SHAW Cemetery is now closed to vehicles to stop people driv- ing there to use it as a park. Car access is only permitted for funerals. “You will be aware HMGovern- ment discourages driving, save for essential purposes. the cemetery regularly to visit his late wife’s grave, said he was unable to enter via Cromwell Road due to gates used to keep vehicles out.

“The town council have there- fore reluctantly taken the deci- sion to close the cemetery to vehi - cles, save those vehicles being used for funeral purposes. “I understand this has, however, not deterred all vehicle visitors, which is causing some annoyance in neighbouring roads.” But Colin Aspin, who goes to

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Mr Aspin said: “When I go down there every week, normally I’m the only person in the ceme- tery. I can’t attend my wife’s grave, I can’t get in.” Gate arrangements at the cemetery have now been altered by the town council to allow for greater access at weekends.

David Ingram, the community services manager at Newbury Town Council – which operates the cemetery– said: “I regret that we have had a number of issues with cars coming to the cemetery and it being used as a form of public open space, not as a conse- crated burial ground.

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