NWN 160420

NEWBURY NEWS LETTERS

Thursday, April 16, 2020 14

Newbury Weekly News

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

THIS My Newbury photograph looking toward Thatcham from Bowdown Woods, Greenham, was taken by our award-winning photographer Phil Cannings. 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 even 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 dan.cooper@ 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 , the Newbury and Thatcham Advertiser and our Facebook page. IT was heartening to read Graeme Wood’s letter ( Newbury Weekly News , April 9) with its clinical assessment of the Health Protection (Coronavirus) Regulations 2020 and, in particular, Regulation 6(2). Very objectively, it put into perspective the misconceptions and misinterpretations that abound over the Government’s measures to control the greatest menace to this country since Adolf Hitler. The attempts of various barrack-room lawyers and self-appointed commissars – not entirely unknown in Why are the dissenters looking for loopholes? individuals, not just well-trained, blindly obedient animals (although even animals need to trust and respect their trainer). MAUREEN AITKEN Goodwin Walk Newbury Owners and keepers of other species, including horses, chickens and pet sheep, are worried. Mr Wood’s dismissal of the sensible interpretation of the regulations as cited by previous correspondents can only alienate all of us who are trying to ‘stay safe and keep others safe’. We shall willingly obey the spirit of the law, but not the letter of the law. It is safe to walk in a deserted field, wood or beach. It is not safe, or certainly much less safe, to attempt to walk for exercise and ‘socially distance’ in the street in town where one might have the misfortune (at this time) to live. We are not ‘all in this together’ when some have large estates and others have no gardens. To deprive the latter of access to public footpaths is cruel and could have a variety of very undesirable consequences. It is essential that the public unite to obey sensible regulations and take evidence-based advice. We are intelligent, thinking

Please support animal welfare trust at this time I AM the centre manager of the National Animal Welfare Trust Berkshire. Some may know it as Trindledown Farm. The whole country is in difficult times, but I would urge people not to forget to support local charities like us that now have no income and are struggling. We still have animals in our care that were once much-loved pets. Now even more so as calls to us are increasing, asking for help as families cannot afford their pets or there is a bereavement in the family, leaving pets behind or just circumstances have changed. We still have running costs, vet bills, food bills to meet. These don’t go away and with very limited options to fundraise now this is crippling us. We do not qualify for any of the share of the £750m just announced for charities and we need help. We have had offers of possible foster homes, but with social distancing this would be impossible to put in place safely. All rehoming is also on hold. The only way people can really help us is by donating. To make it simple we have set up text giving, so just text NAWTBERKSHIRE These codes are set to make a standard donation of £5 unless the person puts a specific number at the end. For example, NAWTBERKSHIRE10 will make a £10 donation. You can do this up to the value of £20. If someone super generous wanted to give more, you can online via our website https://www.nawt.org.uk/ centres/berkshire Or by supporting some of our online activities we have set up, again can be found at https://www.nawt.org.uk/ centres/berkshire Thank you to everyone who donates and reads this.

CHRISTIANieVwpoint Anxiety or peace?

Let’s look for the positives while in isolation THERE is so much worry and stress over Covid-19, so here is something to cheer us up. The Joys of Isolation The curse of Covid-19 is very hard to bear. We’ll try to think some pleasant thoughts, To show how much we care. The weather has been pleasant, We all enjoy the sun, Our gardens get attention, when other work is done. The NHS can save us. We’ll clap and shout Hurray, To show appreciation on this and every day. We’re lucky to have friendships relations, neighbours too. So many acts of kindness to help each other through. Our phones keep us in contact, computers play their part.

THERE is much to be anxious about currently: How long will this last? When can I go back to work? Will I still have a job? When will I next see the grandchildren? Will there be bread in the shops? What about the holiday I booked? What about my elderly parents, who I cannot see? And… what happens if I get the virus? What then? We can feel anxious about many things at this time. I had an email from a neighbour concerned that his hair was too long. One of the great things about the Bible is that it is full of people who were anxious. Full of real people who faced difficulties, disappointments and challenge. What is also interesting, is the manner in which they dealt with those challenges. How they faced them and came through. Moses was afraid of speaking to people, Abraham was very old, Hannah couldn’t have children, Elijah got depressed, David was surrounded, Job lost everything, Esther faced ethnic cleansing, Jesus Christ had to face the cross. We could go on… There is a little, but powerful, verse in the Bible that still helps us in all our worries: “Cast all your anxieties on Him for He cares for you.” Maybe we should try that? Maybe we should talk to God about our concerns? Does He really care about your parents, your children, your health, your worries, what you are Points of contact - Newbury News Ltd Address: Newspaper House, Faraday Road, Newbur y, Berks, RG14 2AD MANAGING DIRECTOR: James Gurney (01635) 564502, email: james.ngeuyr@newbuyrnews.co.uk EDITOR: Andy Murrill (01635) 564525, email: editor@newynbeuwr s.co.uk NEWS EDITOR: Dan Cooper (01635) 564527, email newsdesk@newynbeuwr s.co.uk CHIEF REPOTRER: John Garvey (01635) 564528, email: john.vgeayr@newbuyrnews.co.u ADVERTISING OFFICE MANAGER: Lisa Francis (01635) 564572, email: lisa.francis@neywnbeuwrs.co.uk RECRUITMENT ADVETRISING: email: er cruitment@newbuyrnews.co.uk CLASSIFIED ADVETRISING: (01635) 564573, email: adtv@ernewbuyrnews.co.uk NEWSPAPER HOUSE RECEPTION: (01635) 524111, emaiel:creption@newbuynr ews.co.uk NEWSPAPER CIRCULTAION: Lesley Marriott (01635) 564513, email: cuirlation@newbuynr ews.co.uk PHOTOGRAPH:YPhil Cannings (01635) 564542, email: picetduer sk@newbuyrnews.co.uk Many of the photographs in the NewybWuerekly News have been taken by NWN photographers. These images, and many mor e, are available to odrer online at newbyutroday.co.uk/pictuergallery HOW TO MAKE A COMPLAI:NT NewbyurNews and Media Limited publications ar e regulated by IPSO – the IndependenetsPs rStandsarOgranisation. If you have a complaint about a N ewbury News and Media Limited publication, you should, in the first instance, contact the publication connecde. rIf it is neosot lrved to your satisfaction, you should contact IPSO by telephone: 0300 123 2220, or visit its website: www.ipso.co.uk. bMeerms of the publiecwaer lcome to contact IPSO at any time if they ar e not seurhow to proceed, or need advice on how to frame a complaint. COPYING THIS NEWSAPER: To enqueirabout mpeisrsion to copy cuttings for inter nal management and infomr ation purposes, please contact the Newspaper Licensing Agency (NLA media access)e, lWlington Gate, 7 & 9 Chur ch Roadu,nTbridge lWls, TN1 1NL,htoenlep (01892) 525273, email: copy@nla.co.uk Inquiries conicnegr theprublication (either in print or online) of content fr (01635) 564571, (01635) 564546 om this going through right now? Does He care about you? Maybe it is time to find out…? REV MARK LANDRETH-SMITH Bridge Church, Newbury

Enjoyed without a doubt. We’re finding time for hobbies, our children, pets and home. The cooking will be up to scratch, when we’re allowed to roam. I’m sorry if I’ve bored you. This ditty is so long. THERE’LL ALWAYS BE AN ENGLAND Is the rhythm of this song. JOYCE A COOKE Newtown Road Newbury animals’ has not been stated as a valid reason for ‘leaving the place where one is living’. Can one rely on the acceptance of ‘animal welfare’, by the police, as a ‘reasonable excuse’ under Regulation 6(2)? I know that veterinary bodies and animal charities are currently in contact with Government and that animal welfare may be included should the lockdown be extended and regulations updated. At present ‘walking a dog’ is the only animal-related activity mentioned.

Some lucky ones have Skype and Zoom to help the lonely heart. The postman brings some comfort, the papers, welcome too. The radio we also have, to stop us feeling blue. And then of course the TV. What would we do without? Repeats there are aplenty. Stay safe and be kind. TRACY WALDRON Centre manager National Animal Welfare Trust Berkshire (01488) 638584 GRAEME Wood’s detailed exposition of the Coronavirus Restrictions Regulations ( Newbury Weekly News , April 9) confirmed my alarm and disappointment that ‘care of Animal welfare should be ‘reasonable exc’use

My Newbury – in pictures

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