NWN 160420

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

ELECTRIC GARAGE DOORS

29% OFF SPRING OFFER

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.”

EXCEPTIONAL ECO GARAGE DOORS

EXCEPTIONAL AND AFFORDABLE GARAGE DOORS AUTOMATIC INSULATED ROLLER AND SECTIONAL DOORS REQUEST A FREE SURVEY TODAY

Managing director Philip Howarth said that AWE has been “incredibly helpful” in provid- ing guidance to ensure that the Hawkridge’s sanitiser ready to go

All doors shown in this advert and our website are locally manufactured by Skandoor in ourWinchester factory. • Fully automatic with easy key fob operation • Fully insulated, low maintenance, with excellent eco credentials • Locally manufactured and made to measure, with full colour range available • No deposit required and extensive warranty included

Covering all parts of Berkshire, Hampshire andWiltshire www.skandoor.co.uk 01962 600777

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

Open 7 days a week info@skandoor.co.uk

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.

Proud members of

• Free disposal of old door • Trading standards approved

9.9/10 workmanship

The Area’s Number 1 Premium Electr i c Door Suppl ier