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Thursday, April 16, 2020 17

NEWBURY NEWS

Newbury Weekly News

Swan shot with airgun A SWAN was shot by an airgun in West Mills, Newbury, leaving it unable to eat and requiring surgery.

The bird was found on the River Kennet by Emma Bateman on Saturday evening and was taken to Swan Support in Datchet where it underwent an operation to remove the pellet. It will now remain at the centre for a few weeks to recover before being returned to the river. Mrs Bateman, who regularly feeds the swans on the river, said she hoped by speaking out that any witnesses would come forward. She said: “It’s a terrible thing – who would shoot a swan? “I regularly feed the swans, and these ones in particular I feed twice a day. “It came to me for its regular feed and I noticed dried blood on its neck. “I was throwing it food and it couldn’t eat – it was struggling to pick the food up. “Then I noticed on one side of its face it was really swollen, and when I looked closer there was a black pellet. “People are quite alert and vigilant about what other people are doing at the moment, so I wanted to see if anyone noticed anyone, basically, with a gun.” Mrs Bateman, who believes the cruel act took place between A VILLAGE is mourning the death of Timothy Gwyn- Jones, owner of historic Hamstead Park. He died peacefully at Worces- ter Royal Hospital in the West Midlands on Wednesday, April 8, aged 81. Mr Gwyn-Jones had been active in Hamstead Marshall village life and a “pillar of the community”, said churchwar- den at St Mary’s Church, John Stevenson. He was active in the campaign to save the White Hart Inn and a great supporter of the church, joining the parochial church council.

EnbornePrimayr School

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Enborne in line for top school award Report by JOHN HERRING email john.herring@newburynews.co.uk twitter johnh_nwn Small primyaron silver shortlist with chance to go for gold

The injured swan with the gun pellet hole clearly visible

able to eat very well. “We think it was done within the last week – it’s not an old injury. “It was in a lot of shock when it was picked up, but we’re hoping it will make a full recov- ery and can probably be returned to the wild by the end of the month.” Mrs Hermon added: “It’s disgusting isn’t it, on lockdown, that someone is going out and doing this sort of thing? “It’s unbelievable really – and it’s good that the public alerted us to this sort of thing that’s going on.” Bail for man, 22, on pub assault charge A MAN has been charged with assault following an incident at a pub. A preliminary hearing in the case of Nicholas Canes was held at Reading Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, March 26. The 22-year-old, of Clerewater Place, Thatcham, is accused of assaulting Huno Fulpesi by beating him at The Rowbarge in Station Road, Woolhampton, on Thursday, March 5. Mr Canes was not required to attend the hearing and the case was adjourned until May. He was meanwhile released on conditional bail.

11am and 7pm on Saturday, between the bird’s feeds, called Swan Support, which came to collect the swan. The swan then underwent an x-ray to assess the damage, before surgery to remove the pellet. Swan Support operations director Wendy Hermon said that Thames Valley Police had been notified and that the swan would make a full recovery. She said: “It’s OK at the moment and recovering as well as expected. “It wasn’t too good when it was picked up because it wasn’t Mr Stevenson said: “He bought the house and park decades ago and became part of the fabric of village life. “He was absolutely charming to know and was keen to support the village life and maintain its traditions and local good causes. “He was truly a pillar of the community and, sadly, it’s the end of an era.” Mr Gwyn-Jones is survived by his wife Tzaraine and sons Henry, Dominic and Rollo. A private family funeral will be held at Kyre in Worcester- shire, followed by a memorial service at St Mary’s later in the year.

ENBORNE Primary School is in the running to being named primary school of the year. It is aiming to win an educa- tion ‘Oscar’ at this year’s Pearson National Teaching Awards. Selected from thousands of nominations, the small West Berkshire school is one of six on the shortlist for a Silver Award for Primary School of the Year – and if successful will go on to compete for one of 14 national Gold Awards. The Gold Awards, known as the ‘Oscars’ of the educational world, are announced at a ceremony later in the year broadcast on the BBC. Enborne Primary School, which has 70 pupils on its roll, was nominated for the transfor- mation it has been through in recent years. It was rated as requiring improvement by Ofsted in 2016, but is now judged as outstanding and prioritises pastoral care and the emotional wellbeing of its pupils. Chairwoman of governors Claire Smith said: “We’re abso- lutely thrilled that our wonderful school has been recognised in this way. “We have fantastic school lead- ers, great teachers and the chil-

ulations to all of the amazing schools in the running to win a Silver Award. “Now more than ever is the time to appreciate our teachers and the fantastic work they do.” The nomination follows Enborne CE Primary School being ranked as one of the top primary state schools in England, according to Depart- ment for Education’s 2019 tables. The tables are based on how 11- year-olds performed in national curriculum tests, taken during their final year of primary school and show achievements and progress. At Enborne, 100 per cent of pupils met the expected stan- dards – something achieved by only around 80 state primary schools in England. Nationally, 65 per cent of chil- dren met the expected standard. The progress made by children in mathematics put Enborne among the top 10 schools in England. Pupils’ average test scores in the subject put Enborne in the top 50 schools out of more than 20,000 schools nationally. For progress in reading and writing, Enborne was in the top one per cent of schools in England.

dren at Enborne have such a rich experience of school life. “Even during these recent school closures, there’s been a real sense of community and support among Enborne pupils. “We look forward to highlight- ing all this for the Pearson Award judges after Easter.” Executive headteacher Cather- ine Morley said: “I am delighted that Enborne has been shortlisted for such a prestigious award. “I’m so proud of the whole team; all our staff and governors, and our wonderful children. “I’m grateful for the help and guidance we received during the challenges we faced. “It’s a joy to be able to recog- nise and celebrate exceptional commitment and achievement at this time.” The Pearson National Teach- ing Awards is an annual celebra- tion of exceptional teachers, founded in 1998 by Lord David Puttnam to recognise the life- changing impact an inspirational teacher can have on the lives of the young people. Teaching Awards Trust chair- man Steve Munby said: “Congrat-

Death announced of historic Hamstead Park owner, 81

High Sheriff sworn in by video link

National Award Winning Bodyshop Established over 29 years

working to meet the needs of everyone in Berkshire and espe- cially our most vulnerable.” “I look forward to carrying out the role of High Sheriff by support- ing all those involved in adminis- tering justice, law and order in our county, as well as the emergency services. “In addition, my personal focus will be on those working to improve the lives of our most vulnerable young people.” The office of High Sheriff is independent and non-political. In Saxon times, sheriffs – or Shire Reeves as they were origi- nally known – of each county went to the Kings or Queens Court, known in Latin as the Curia Regis , to give account for the money they collected on behalf of the monarch. The modern-day High Sheriff ’s role includes attending Royal visits in the county, supporting the judiciary, promoting voluntary work within the community and encouraging and participating in projects designed to reduce crime.

THE new High Sheriff of Berk- shire has been sworn in – from her kitchen. Mary Riall’s inaugural cere- mony had to be conducted via video link to her home due to current coronavirus distancing measures. She was sworn in by magistrate Chris Juden, the chairman of the West Berkshire Bench. The mother of three taught at schools in Ufton Nervet, Burgh- field Common and Mortimer before she founded the Ufton Court Educational Trust in 2006, which she now chairs. Her brother, former Newbury MP Richard Benyon, said on social media platform Twitter: “So proud of my sister Mary Riall sworn in by video link from home as High Sheriff for Berkshire.” Mrs Riall said: “I’m delighted and honoured to be given the opportunity to serve my home county of Berkshire. “I will work as best I can in this time of national crisis to support and honour all those heroically

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Mary Riall in her High Sheriff ’s regalia