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The community steps up to feed hungry children BUSINESSES and charities in West Berkshire have stepped forward to help families with food this half-term. The acts of kindness follows Conserva- tive MPs voting down a Labour motion to extend the free school meals (FSM) scheme over school holidays until next Easter. Donations to the West Berkshire Food Bank have soared in the last week, with more than one-and-a-half tonnes of food delivered on Monday alone. At The Bunk Inn, Curridge, one of the businesses to have offered children’s lunches, landlord Chris Young said: “It is very, very sad that the hospitality indus- try, that is on its knees itself, is having to do this; it’s a sad sign of the times.” West Berkshire Council has said that arrangements are in place to make sure that no child goes hungry, but a political row has broken out over how the meals should be provided. The Liberal Democrats have urged the council to use its finances to extend FSM, saying it was the simplest way to help families in need and that businesses and charities already hit by the coronavirus pandemic should not be called on to feed children. The ruling Conservatives have said that a mechanism is already in place through the council’s Community Support Hub and that it is continuing to help families with more than food. Newbury MP Laura Farris voted against the Labour motion last week, saying that more support was available to people other than FSM and that the situa- tion was different to that in the summer.  See pages 2 and 3 for more.

Mal’lsownerunveilps lansfor400homess,hopsc, inemandHQofficeinnew ‘EagleQuarte’r Future vision for Kennet Shopping centre revealed Artis’t s impressionosfhowthenewEagleQuartecrouldlookinplaceoftheoutdateadndrundowin doosrhoppinmg allinthecentreofNewbuyr

eration initiatives in the county. Lochailort said it had taken inspira- tion from the town’s heritage, and the mixed-use project will combine around 30 new flexible shops, restaurants and co-working spaces, with a focus on inde- pendent, local and artisan businesses. The plans also include enhancements to the existing cinema and food area, plus improvements to the current multi- storey car park, including additional parking spaces and electric vehicle charging points. Accompanying the shops, around 400 multi-family homes, including a signifi- cant proportion purposely-designed for rent, are included in the scheme. A new headquarters office building or a retirement living community are also being proposed.  Continued on page 7

Reporbt y JOHNHERRING email john.herring@newbuyrnews.co.uk twitter johnh_nwn

THE future of the Kennet Shopping centre, which could result in 400 homes, 30 shops and a new headquar- ters office on the site, have been revealed. Lochailort Newbury Ltd has launched a public consultation today (Thursday) on its regeneration plans that it says will transform the outdated shopping centre into a vibrant, mixed- use, high-quality development. The new-look centre will be known as Eagle Quarter, after Plenty’s Eagle Iron Works, founded on what is now the south side of the Kennet Shopping centre, in a project to be one of the first ‘shopping centre to town centre’ regen-

Thursday, October 29, 2020 2

NEWBURYNEWS

Newbury Weekly News

‘No child should go hungry’ A POLITICAL row has broken out over whether West Berkshire Council or businesses and charities should step in to ‘fill a free school meals (FSM) gap’. a result of the coronavirus are supported. “I have regularly met with these groups and I would publicly thank them for their work to date.” CouncilloresmbroileidnrowoverwhoshouldfundfreemealsoverChristmas holidays Reporbt y JOHNHERRING email john.herring@newbuyrnews.co.uk twitter johnh_nwn

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independenet wspapearttheheartofWest BerkshiraendNorthHampshirWe.ealways welcomyeourfeedbacoknhowwecanimprove ourservicetothecommun.ity

opposition leader Lee Dillon (Thatcham North East) who said that council support would make a huge differ- ence. He said: “Many of these children will be from families who are facing additional struggles in light of coron- avirus. “I believe we collectively breathed a sigh of relief when the Government announced they would cover the summer holidays and I am amazed that the Government can’t see the need to continue this scheme during the next extended school break. “The Government’s (and the three MPs that cover West Berkshire) failure to support the recent motion in Parlia- ment now means that we are required to stand up and protect those that the Govern- ment will not.” Mrs Doherty said it would cost the council £93,000, along with additional administra- tive arrangements, to provide support to children identified within the free school meals arrangements this Christ- mas. The council said that people needing help should contact the Community Support Hub on (01635) 503579 or email westberksbct@west- berks.gov.uk The hub is open during office hours; call between 8.30am and 5pm Monday to Thursday, or between 8.30am and 4.30pm on Friday. It also offers advice about other sources of help at www.west- berks.gov.uk/SupportHub

EDITOR Andy Murrill andy.murrill@newbuyrnews.co.uk @andymurrill (01635)886625

Mr Dillon said: “The whole purpose of the Government or the council providing the support for free school vouch- ers means that residents are able to access an already established programme and that while it’s been amazing to see the goodwill of local businesses and charities, feeding children shouldn’t come down to them. “The council’s response to this is not good enough. “Rather than signposting those in need elsewhere, the council should show some leadership and take responsi- bility with a fully-funded response of their own. “The work of local chari- ties, community groups, busi- nesses and individuals in response to this pandemic has been fantastic, and yet again they are stepping up to the mark to offer their support, but at a time when many of these groups them- selves are struggling, it should really be government, both local and national, that steps up. “Laura Farris [Newbury MP] has said that money has been allocated to local coun- cils, so why isn’t our local council using this funding to ensure that local children are entitled to vouchers rather than having to rely on the support of businesses and charities?” Mr Dillon said the Liberal Democrats would continue to push for an extraordinary meeting.

The opposition Liberal Democrats urged the council to fund an extension of the FSM scheme this Christmas following a Labour motion being defeated in Parliament last week. The council said that there was no reason for any chil- dren in the district to go hungry this half-term and it has not committed to extend- ing FSM vouchers at this stage, saying that measures are in place to help families in need. Council figures show that there are 2,829 children in the district who qualify for free school meals. Council leader Lynne Doherty (Con, Speen) said: “We have currently got a system in place that’s work- ing. “If there are others that we want to put in place specifi- cally for Christmas, then we will be looking at doing that over the coming weeks. “I don't think anybody wants to see children go hungry, we just have a differ- ent view around the mecha- nisms on how we do that. “I only want the best thing that works in West Berkshire and that’s all I’m interested in. “What I want to do is have no children go hungry and I’m open to how we do that. “I just wonder if other people are open to how to do that.” Mrs Doherty was respond- ing to an open letter from

NEWSDESK (01635) 886632

Dan Cooper dan.cooper@newbyunr ews.co.uk @danc_nwn

CouncileaderLynneDoherty OppositionleaderLeeDillon

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additional measures to cover the Christmas holidays at a meeting scheduled for December 3. She said: “We’re here to help anyone who is worried about being able to feed their children or access food this half-term. “It’s a difficult time for families, but we want them to know they are not alone and that support is available if they need it. “We remain committed to ensuring that residents are supported during what is a very difficult time for many people. “I want to reassure every- one that we have arrange- ments in place which means that no child needs to go hungry in West Berkshire. “Throughout the pandemic we have worked proactively with local community groups, charities, West Berk- shire Volunteer Centre and Greenham Trust to ensure that those facing hardship as

Businesses, pubs, shops and restaurants stepped forward to offer free lunches to children in need during the half-term. Mrs Doherty said: “It’s been fantastic to see local businesses coming out and offering food to families in need. “It’s a further demonstra- tion of the passionate commu- nity spirit we’ve seen in recent months and something which is to be admired. “To all those who have been willing to help I express my heartfelt gratitude, I know this can also help to make a difference.” West Berkshire Liberal Democrats have launched a petition calling on the coun- cil to fund the meals. The party has also called for an emergency meeting on November 10 to discuss options and put measures in place in time for Christmas. Mrs Doherty said that the council could discuss any

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Thursday, October 29, 2020 3

NEWBURYNEWS

Newbury Weekly News

Communitiesrally to help out THIS week has seen an outpouring of support for families who may be strug- gling to feed their children during half-term. groups able to best distribute them to those in need. Localpeopleg, roupasndbusinessesstepuptosupporftamiliestrugglintgofeedchildren Reporbt y SARAHBOSLEY email sarah.bosley@newbuyrnews.co.uk

She said it was important that people realised how diffi- cult coming forward to ask for help would be for some people this week, but the local busi- nesses were all keen to stress that there would be no ques- tions and no judgement from any of them. Ryan Stacey, landlord at The Pheasant, Highclere, has created 30 meat and veg boxes for families in need this week and said 20 families had already come forward to request one. “I just think it has been a rubbish year and if this means some children don’t go hungry this half term that’s great,” he said. “I have four daughters and the thought that there are kids out there not getting a meal is pretty rubbish.” The food boxes have been created in partnership with his suppliers, Thatcham Butchers and Chef ’s Delight, and will provide three meals for a family of four. Hungerford Town Football Club is also offering free jacket potatoes from its Bulpit Lane ground today, from noon. Any child who receives free school meals from John O’Gaunt School or Hunger- ford, Lambourn, Inkpen, Chad- dleworth St Andrew’s and Kintbury primary schools can register by emailing hunger- fordtown@gmail.com or phon- ing (01488) 760088. Free deliv- ery is also available. A website has been set up to help parents find out, locally, where they can get support this half-term – allofusto- gether.uk – and includes the following locations:

and wanted to do now. “It is very, very sad that the hospitality industry, that is on its knees itself, is having to do this; it’s a sad sign of the times.” The decision by shops, pubs, charities and other businesses to step in and help comes after Conservative MPs last week voted against a motion calling to extend free school meals over the holidays until next Easter. Footballer Marcus Rashford, who headed up the campaign to get the Government to extend free school meal provi- sion to include school holi- days, said the businesses had “wrapped your arms around your community to catch chil- dren as they fell”. Kayleigh Powell, from West Berkshire Community Baby Bank, said it was working hard to match offers of help to the

Nearly 3,000 children across West Berkshire are registered for free school meals and the community has rallied in villages and towns to help ensure none of them go hungry. Chris and Mig Young, who took over as landlords at The Bunk Inn, Curridge, 18 months ago, said they wanted to help the community that had rallied around them when they had most needed it. “We have had quite a lot of demand already,” Mr Young told the Newbury Weekly News just before the paper went to press yesterday (Wednesday). “It is sad that we have had that many people in need, but everyone is very appreciative. “The local community rallied round us to get the busi- ness out of hibernation and this is something we could do

SupplieastWestBerkshirFeoodbank Foodbank’ s thanks for local generosity WESTBerkshireFoodbankdistributed 107 food parcelsonMonday and took in a massive 1,800kg(more than 1.5 tonnes)of food. “We have taken in a huge amount of food over the last 24 hours and want to thank the people of West Berkshire for their amazinggenerosity,” said one of the helpers, Ros Barker. The foodbankvolunteershave particular praise for local schools who have really got behind the harvest boxes campaign, with hundreds of brilliantly-decorated food boxes being delivered daily. “So many schools have been involved this year and we want to thank themall,” said Mrs Barker. The charity, based at GreenhamBusiness Park, is burstingwith donations, which all have to be separated and itemised, as well as date checked. Mrs Barker added: “We are always looking for more volunteersto help sort all the food, pack it up and to drive it out. “We would welcome anyone who can give some of their time to help out. “And of course any food you can donate is always needed – a healthy balanceof meat, fish, fruit and vegetables, plus tinned goods and a few treats thrown in will all go to families in need.” One of the volunteers, Andrew, summed up the situation simply: “The Government says no, West Berkshire people say yes.”

 West Berkshire Foodbank  Newbury  Thai Golden Horse, North- brook Street, Newbury  Riverside Community Centre, Newbury  The Bunk Inn, Curridge  The Crown & Horns, East Ilsley  Hampstead Norreys Community Shop  The Village Chocolate Café, Goring  The Village Shop, Wool- hampton  The Pheasant, Highclere  Fionavon, Village Shop, Compton  Boswell’s Café, Kennet Centre, Newbury More help and support can also be found from the follow- ing: ChrisandMigYoungattheBunkInn,Curridge Numee, Essex Street,

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 West Berkshire Health Visi- tors – West Berkshire: 0300 303 3944 or email: HVWBRDG- Duty@berkshire.nhs.uk  West Berkshire Foodbank Crisis line – (01635) 760560 or www.westberks.food- bank.org.uk  West Berkshire Family Hubs – East, Central, West https://info.westberks.gov.uk/ familyhubs  Hungerford and Area Family Centre – https://bit.ly/2TtDi5H  The West Berkshire Commu- nity Support Hub – westberks- bct@westberks.gov.uk Call: (01635) 503579 www.west- berks.gov.uk/coronavirus- communityhub  Homestart West Berkshire – (01635) 760310 https://home- startwestberks.org.uk/contact-us/

RosWright,ownerofTheWoolhamptoSnhopi,ssupportintghedrive tosupporsttruglingfamilies

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Farris: Why I voted against free school meals motion NEWBURY MP Laura Farris voted against a motion to extend free school meals to low income families last week. The Labour Party motion calling for free meals to be extended over school holidays until next Easter was rejected by 322 votes to 261, a majority of 61. Five Conservative MPs voted against the Government. Manchester United and England forward Marcus Rashford has been leading the campaign to extend free school meals, and was a made an MBE for his work on the issue. Mrs Farris said she had supported Rashford's campaign in the summer, but voted with the Government last week for three reasons. She said: “The situation in October is different as all children in West Berkshire are now back in school and receiving normal lessons and – for those who are eligible – free school meals during term time. “Second, I have also been in close contact with council leaders about the issue. “They are in receipt of a substantial ‘Emer- gency Grant for Food and Essential Supplies’ as well as a Hardship Fund, both of which have been provided by central Government to meet the unique challenges arising from the pandemic.” Mrs Farris said that the funding had been allo- cated to support struggling families and would include more than food. She said that there were emergency funds avail- able for council tax relief, to help with utilities, and the provision of white goods, which came to more than the amount that would have been avail- able through free school meal vouchers. Mrs Farris said that the uplift to Universal Credit of £20 per week (£1,040 per year) had also influenced her decision. She said: “I accept that this is a small sum but it does at least help all struggling families with extra for their weekly food budget. “Child poverty is a really important issue to me.”

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Thursday, October 29, 2020 4

NEWBURYNEWS

Newbury Weekly News

BBCdoctorto answer yourCovidqueries

Mayor walks with 104-year-old Ruth NEWBURY mayor Elizabeth O’Keeffe joined 104-year-old Ruth Saunders on her latest walk yesterday (Wednesday). Mrs Saunders, from Shaw, originally set herself a target of walking 104 laps of the streets around her home – one for every year she has been alive – to raise money for the Thames Valley Air Ambulance charity. She has so far raised nearly £30,000.

EastIlsleyGPhasbeendispensinagdviceonBreakfasthow

Reporbt y SARAHBOSLEY email sarah.bosley@newbuyrnews.co.uk

Each walk has covered a fifth of a mile, meaning she has walked a total of nearly 21 miles. But she’s now determined to complete an extra 26 walks to make up the official marathon distance of 26.2 miles. Mrs Saunders has been inspired by Captain Sir Tom Moore, who raised £32m for the NHS by walking 100 laps of his patio in the days leading up to his 100th birthday – an achievement which also earned him a knight- hood. Her story was first published in the Newbury Weekly News three weeks ago and has since been picked up by a number of national newspapers. The centenarian has also made numerous television and radio appearances in the last fort- night. Just as it did with Captain Tom, her story has captured the hearts of the nation and, as a

IF you’re up early enough in the morning, you may recog- nise Rachel Ward. The East Ilsley doctor has been dispensing medical advice to the nation on BBC Breakfast throughout the coronavirus crisis. The GP, who will turn 40 years old this week, is one of the BBC flagship show’s team of eight doctors who regularly appear to help explain and de-myth the latest developments in the pandemic. And now she is preparing to answer your questions too, in a Covid Q&A in the Newbury Weekly News . “My time on BBC Breakfast started when we were having the daily Downing Street briefings and we would reflect on what was said the following day,” she explained. “Things can change pretty last minute, which to start with was a bit daunting. “You get to know the presen- ters and they are all very, very nice and make it very easy.” Outside of her BBC appear- ances, Dr Ward has been work- ing tirelessly at her practice in Didcot and admits that things were “really stressful” back in March. “We weren’t seeing loads of cases, but we had to change our whole service offering,” she said. “The PPE shortage was incredibly stressful because we have a responsibility to protect our staff. “I spent one weekend phoning around any local vets, dentists, trying to get any masks I could. “It shouldn’t have been happening. “I also found it really sad that we weren’t able to see many patients face-to-face and I

MayorofNewbuyrElizabetOh’KeeffejoinsRuthSaunders

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result, donations have been flooding in. Mrs Saunders, who was born in Shaw in 1916 and has lived in the Newbury and Reading areas all her life, said: “You could say that Captain Tom is my role model. “I saw what he did in the paper and just thought that if he could do it, so could I, even though I am four years older.” Mrs O’Keeffe, who also

attended Mrs Saunders 100th birthday in 2016, said: “What Ruth is doing at 104 years of age is absolutely extraordinary.” Mrs Saunders was also joined on the walk by her grandchil- dren, great-grandchildren and the deputy mayor of Newbury, Billy Drummond. Donations for any amount can be made online at www.justgiv- ing.com/fundraising/ruthsaun- ders104

Greens call for 1,000 new homes for social rent WEST Berkshire Green Party is calling for an additional 1,000 new homes for social rent to be provided in the district over the next five years. councils to build new social housing and have reduced fund- ing costs for this. homes they need at prices they can afford.” The party also wants all new homes to meet much higher envi- ronmental standards, with low carbon construction and energy efficiency built in.

DrRacheWl ardwillbeanswerinygourquestionasboutCovid

that if you have a health concern don’t delay it; you must get medical advice.” Dr Ward, who lives with her husband and two young chil- dren, added that her family are ensuring her television appear- ances don’t go to her head. “The children had a tough time of it at first as my husband and I were both incredibly busy,” she said. “They were very into the clap- ping, but they are completely over the whole BBC Breakfast thing now.” If you have a question you would like us to put to Dr Rachel Ward, please email sarah.bosley@newburynews.co. uk The questions and answers will be printed in the NWN next month.

missed that. “The whole impact of Covid on mental health is something we will be seeing more of. “I do a lot of training and teaching too, but we couldn’t have any students or juniors in the practice.” But, thankfully, she said that everyone is more prepared now, with the logistics already in place to better deal with what- ever the winter may bring. She is concerned still, however, that people are ignor- ing potentially serious symp- toms. “There is still quite a lot of concern that people are more reluctant to go and ask for healthcare advice,” she said. “There’s certainly a fear that people are presenting later with cancer symptoms and my plea is

“Many councils are construct- ing imaginative new social hous- ing developments and we want West Berkshire to step up and grasp that opportunity.’ The Green Party says: “Aver- age house prices in West Berk- shire are nearly 10 times average income, which makes buying a property unaffordable for many people. “However, the district has less social housing than average, and private rents have risen by more than 20 per cent in the last five years. “The Green Party believes that providing high-quality homes for social rent is crucial to ensure families can find the

The party made its comments as part of West Berkshire Coun- cil’s new housing strategy, which is currently out for consultation. The strategy identified that in August 2019 there were 2,300 West Berkshire households in need of social housing. The Green Party believes only a substantial investment by the council will help many of the district’s families find suitable accommodation. Carolyne Culver, Green group leader on West Berkshire Coun- cil, said: ‘The Government has opened up the opportunity for

It adds that any new develop- ment should be properly inte- grated to the public transport network and support walking and cycling as alternatives to car-use. Residents who wish to partici- pate in the council’s draft hous- ing strategy consultation, which can be found at https://info.west- berks.gov.uk/consultations, have just a fewmore days to have their say. Comments must be submitted before the consultation closes on Sunday.

Rememberat home WEST Berkshire residents are being encour- aged to ‘Remember From Home’ for the 2020 Armisticeand Remembrance days. The message is being issued from Thatcham, Newbury and Hungerford town councils as the district prepares to honour its war dead. Covid-19 restrictions means residents will not be able to attend remembranceparadesand services. ThatchamTownCouncilwill live-streama service for people to watch while they Remember From Home on RemembranceSunday, November 8. Thatcham mayor Mike Cole said: “We recognise that this occasion is a very important one for Thatcham residents who wish to honour those who gave their lives during past and current conflicts, but we are faced with the reality of a new threat and Government restrictions. “To adhere to Government guidelines, we have had to take the decision to ask that, this year, resi- dents RememberFromHome.” Members of the public wishing to pay their respects at ThatchamWar Memorial are welcome to do so only after 11.30am on Remembrance Sunday, but must observe social distancingguidelines. The town councils are asking people to pay their respectsthis year by printingoff a Poppy to colourin and place in their windows at home. The Newbury Weekly News is joining the initiative and a poppy to colour in is available on page 23. A template will also be available in the Thatcham Town Council Newsletter which will be delivered to residentsbefore November 8. Tune in to Thatcham Town Council’ s YouTube channel (http://bit.ly/ThatchamTC) fr om 10.45am on Sunday, November 8, to watch the service live.

Thursday, October 29, 2020 5

NEWBURYNEWS

Newbury Weekly News

Jaynepottingupin thegreenhouse

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A place to restore calm A NEWBURY woman has cred- ited her new allotment – and the family she’s found there – for helping her through the darker days of lockdown. then rushed into hospital, her anxiety only increased. “I find a trip to the allotments, where I can go to my plot and immerse myself in nature, signif- icantly enhances my wellbeing and reduces tension. Allotmenbtringslight hroughthedarkdaysoflockdownasndredundancy Reporbt y SARAHBOSLEY email sarah.bosley@newbuyrnews.co.uk

Jayneonherallotmenwt ithDavidandMarionFenn

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“The space, peace, relaxing atmosphere allows you to listen to the birds, watch the butterflies flutter by, a frog croaking in the nearby pond – even when it is not spring – and to be in contact with the glorious earth; all giving a wanted break from the tragedies of the world and inspiring gentle thoughts of what the soil will provide for the years ahead. “Not much has changed on allotments. “People do the same as they have over generations, digging, growing the same favourites but also experimenting with new things like okra or sweet potato.”

The welcome Mrs French-Dray- ton received so quickly, particu- larly from the stewards – Marion and David Fenn who she cannot speak highly enough about – is something she says she will always cherish. While at a low point, unable to visit her husband in hospital due to the coronavirus pandemic, she found solace in this group of strangers, who all mucked in to help her clear the jungle of an allotment that she had inherited. Mr French-Drayton was discharged from hospital after a four-day stay and has already found another job at Banjo

Cycles; the perfect career for a man who has raised thousands of pounds for Cancer Research UK by cycling all over the world, including some of the Tour de France’s toughest climbs. Now Mrs French-Drayton either cycles or walks her dog Benjy to the allotments from her Andover Road home whenever she can and she said she will always be grateful for her “first real feeling of a lovely inclusive community spirit”. “In these short few months I have learnt so much and been made so welcome,” she said. “It is a heavenly place to be.”

But she found solace in an allotment in Wash Common and is now hoping to encourage more people to get involved, get fitter and give themselves a break. Mrs French-Drayton, who lives in Newbury with her husband and has one son and two step- daughters, said: “As Covid has changed our lives I have found myself getting anxious from time to time – what does the future hold for our children, my husband’s redundancy, the spread of the virus and those not heeding the simple precaution- ary guidelines?

Jayne French-Drayton took early retirement in February after nearly 30 years as a senior executive at Vodafone and decided that an allotment would be a great way to keep busy – and keep fit. Then Covid hit and the world suddenly stopped with her. As a direct consequence of the national shutdown, her husband Chris was made redundant and she admits that there were many sleepless nights, worrying that she’d done the wrong thing by retiring early. When Mr French-Drayton was

JaynewithBenjy

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Thursday, October 29, 2020 6

NEWBURYNEWS

Newbury Weekly News

Childcare sector hit hard by Covid impact

Nurserieasndchildmindecrlsoseasdemandplummets Reportby NATHANHYDE Local Democracy Reporter email newsdesk@newbuyrnews.co.uk

demand for places was down 70 per cent compared with pre- Covid levels. The study also found the furlough scheme and Govern- ment grants have been “a signifi- cant help, but provided far from full protection”. But in West Berkshire, the council says it must also cut the amount of financial support it gives to childcare providers over the next five years, despite the impact of the pandemic. Nurseries receive a certain amount of funding per child from the Government and the council then tops that funding up, using money in its Early Needs Budget. However, it is exploring plans to cut that support, because the budget is running a £999,952 deficit. The council has agreed to begin drawing up a five-year plan to reduce the deficit in April 2022, but says there is “a need for caution” as many providers are already struggling.

NURSERIES and childmin- ders in West Berkshire are closing down because their income has dried up during the Covid-19 pandemic. West Berkshire Council says childcare providers are facing financial difficulties as demand has plummeted during the pandemic and the “ongoing impact of Covid-19 is far more detrimental than imagined”. Three West Berkshire nurs- eries and 10 childminders are closing down, while another 13 nurseries are struggling finan- cially, a meeting of the council’s Schools Forum heard on Monday, October 19. Parents have been paying for fewer hours of childcare since lockdown and the council says some are still “anxious” about sending their children back, due to concerns about job insecurity and Covid-19. Private providers lost a consid- erable amount of income during the summer months, when demand is usually at its highest.

Maria Morgan, from Victoria Park Nursery School, told the meeting the summer income usually provides an important “buffer” for nurseries when demand drops in the autumn and winter months. The money they receive from the Government scheme which pays for 30 hours of childcare a week for three- and four-year- olds with working parents has also dropped, as job losses mean fewer families are now eligible. The council is also concerned that more childcare providers will close or be forced to make redun- dancies when the furlough scheme ends at the end of this week. Nurseries across the country are facing similar issues. The Institute of Fiscal Studies found that 25 per cent of private nurseries ran a “significant deficit” during lockdown and when they reopened in June,

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NEWBURYNEWS

Newbury Weekly News

Future vision for Kennet Shopping centre revealed  Continued from front page

fossil fuels and use a range of renewable energy solutions, which will save at least 240 tonnes of CO2 emissions a year. Rivington Hark is the Kennet Shopping centre’s asset manager running the centre on behalf of the investors. It said that demand existed from independent and local occu- piers who want space in an attractive environment. The company said it would continue to engage with them as part of the project, and Eagle Quarter sought to retain the best elements, such as the cinema. The public consultation launches today (Thursday) at www.eaglequarter.com along with an exhibition opening the same day in the Kennet Shopping centre.

Lochailort managing director Hugo Haig said: “Newbury has been my local town for 26 years. “My children grew up here and I have seen first-hand what has happened to the Kennet Centre. “We have worked hard with the retailers and others through this tricky period and we are very grateful for their efforts to try and make the centre work. “However the redevelopment of the site, retaining the Vue cinema and multi-storey car park, offers the town a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to create something very special that will enhance and rejuvenate this town centre site.” New pedestrianised streets will provide links between the town’s railway and bus stations and the shops in Northbrook Street, and encompass new public spaces to open up the town centre. The company said the regener- ation scheme would minimise THE Edinburgh Woollen Mill branch in Northbrook Street, Newbury, has permanently closed. It follows the announcement of the forthcoming closure of Peacocks in the Kennet Shopping centre, owned by the same company. The Edinburgh Woollen Mill Group – which operates around 1,100 stores nationwide – announced on October 9 that it had lodged a notice of intention to appoint administrators to look for potential buyers to shore up

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Pop in to D’s Den pop-up to support Sue Ryder hospice

Lochailort will consider the public feedback and intends to submit a planning application to West Berkshire Council before the end of the year. Another high street closure

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TWO friends from Wash Common have opened a new pop-up charity shop in Newbury’s Kennet Shopping D’s Den, run by Denise Ship- pen and Diane Jones, sells a range of high-quality and nearly-new baby and toddler items to raise funds for Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice in Reading and community support group Crimson Heat. Mrs Shippen received care and support from Sue Ryder after she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2017 and her husband currently attends the lymphoedema clinic at Sue

Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice after developing the condition as a result of treatment for throat cancer. Over the past three years, she has raised thousands of pounds to support the hospice’s vital work across Berkshire. She said: “Because of the friendship and treatment both me and my husband have received from Sue Ryder I wanted to give something back to say thank you. Reporbt y DANCOOPER email dan.cooper@newbuyrnews.co.uk twitter @danc_nwn

“The funds raised will make a real difference in helping us continue to be there for local people and their families when it matters.” The cash-only shop is open daily from 10am to 4pm, exclud- ing Tuesdays and Sundays, and welcomes donations from members of the public. All customers must adhere to Covid-19 guidelines. Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice provides expert care and support for people across Berk- shire who are living with life- limiting conditions, as well as supporting their families.

“We’re delighted with how popular the pop-up shop has been so far and would like to thank everyone who has been so gener- ous with their donations. “We’re hoping it can become more permanent in the future and raise a lot of money to support two local causes very close to our hearts.” Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice community fundraiser Hannah Richards said: “Denise has always gone above and beyond to support us and we can’t thank her enough for the hard work she has put in to get this shop up and running.

the struggling firm. About 50 Edinburgh Woollen Mill and Peacocks stores were closed last week, resulting in 600 job losses. Up to 100 more branches are in the process of being closed or could be closed imminently, with potentially hundreds of redun- dancies. In addition to the Edinburgh Woollen Mill and Peacocks stores, there is a group-owned Jaeger concession inside the Camp Hopson store in Northbrook Street.

Thursday, October 29, 2020 8 NEWBURYNEWS RBH reporting ‘a small number of Covid cases’

Newbury Weekly News

No talk of Tier 2 move WEST Berkshire Council will be using Government Covid Marshal funding to support and enforce social distancing in the run-up to Christmas.  Policing of events in conjunc- tion with Thames Valley Police where appropriate

West Berkshire’ s executive member for public protection, Hilary Cole (Con, Chieveley and Cold Ash), said: “We are taking a highly targeted approach tomeet- ing the requirementsof the Covid Marshall scheme. “This will becomeincreasingly important as we enter the busy pre-Christmas period and will ensure that we have focused resources in place to educate, support and enforce where neces- sary in places of increased and maximum risk as shopper density increases and people move to indoor settings as the weather deteriorates.” Asked whether the use of the funding might change with Covid-19 cases and the seven-day rolling rate per 100,000 popula- tion rising, council leader Lynne Doherty said there was no justifi- cation at this stage. She said: “Other Berkshire councilsare far further ahead [in numbers of Covid cases] than us. “We have been watching this closely andwhen the justification comeswe will move to that, but at the moment there is no need. “The idea is we continue to support businessesand give them guidance and help, but if we saw the direction changing we would need to change that approach, but at the moment there’s no inten- tion that we need to do that.” Mrs Doherty said she was concerned about the impact on people’s mental health should Tier 2 restrictionsbe imposed. “It’s a careful balance of making sure that we look at both lives and livelihoods and that we follow the guidance,” she said. “We won’t hesitate to act but let’s do it in line with the alert system.”

The council has also said there have been no discussions about moving into the Tier 2 high alert level for coronavirus, as other Berkshire councilshave held. The CovidMarshalschemehas been used around the country, including the use of wardens in cities and large town centres. The council said that its versionwould be “less visible but highly targeted” to deliver effec- tive social distancing to reduce risk and infection rates in public and business settings. Members of the Public Protec- tion Partnership, public health and the council’s economicdevel- opment teamwill use the funding to provide the following support where necessary:  Working with businesses to increase and maintain compli- ance  Profile events to raise aware- ness and highlight the approach that West Berkshire is taking  Work with the Newbury Busi- ness Improvement District (BID), towns and parishes to raise awareness in local communities  Follow up concerns raised by the public, police, businessesand employees  Ensure residents are aware of their obligations in risk areas, such as shoppingand events, and withinbusiness settings  Enforcement against busi- nesses that fall short of compli- ance or who do not comply  Re-enforcement of messages regarding social distancing/rule of six and any other prevailing tier-based rule  Increase/adjust messag- ing/surveillance and enforce- ment should tier levels change

Riseinhospitarlespiratoyradmissionbs,utnowherneearsituationinNorth Reporbt y JOHNHERRING email john.herring@newbuyrnews.co.uk twitter johnh_nwn

THE Royal Berkshire Hospital is starting to report small numbers of coronavirus cases, but they are “nowhere near” levels being seen in the North of England. A West Berkshire Local Outbreak Management Board meeting also heard on Friday that although the district’s cases and rates were below average, there was no room for complacency. West Berkshire Council head of public health Matt Pearce said: “In terms of comparison to the other local authorities West Berk- shire remains lower, but clearly our cases are still increasing.” Mr Pearce said an indicator of when local authorities consider moving up a tier is the cases per 100,000 population among those aged 60 and over. West Berkshire’s figure was 32.3. The South East rate is 35.6 and England’s is 101.2. Although West Berkshire is below average, Mr Pearce said: “The other thing I want us to warn against is we can compare to the South East and the national averages, but in the context of the grand scheme of things, generally cases are going up. “We might always be lower than the South East and national average, but the cases might be going up and the rates might be going up.” Covid-19 was recorded on three deaths certificates in West Berk- shire in the last three weeks, the first since August. Mr Pearce said: “We are already starting to see, sadly, the impact in terms of the rise of the incidents is now starting to have an impact and translate into deaths, although not as high as we saw in the first wave.” The meeting heard that the number of hospital admissions in the South East was increasing, but no data for Berkshire hospi- tals was publicly available. Berkshire West deputy director public health Meradin Peachey said that the Royal Berkshire Hospital was “starting to report small numbers of Covid diag- noses coming through A&E.” She said: “They are starting to see more admissions in respira-

tory and they are starting to use the high dependency unit for Covid, but they are nowhere near capacity, so it’s very small rises at the moment. “It’s nowhere near the patterns that we are seeing in the North of England at the moment.” Data for the seven-day rolling average from October 10 to 16 showed that the number of people in West Berkshire tested per 100,000 population was 240.1. The district was the lowest in Berkshire, with the highest being the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead at 349.3. The positivity weekly rate, the proportion of people testing posi- tive for Covid-19, in West Berk- shire was 3.6 per cent. The highest in Berkshire was Slough at 6.4 per cent. The South East rate was 3.1 per cent and England’s rate was 7.2 per cent. When asked about the speed of infection and rate increase and whether the existing measures were having an impact, Mr Pearce said: “There are some indications that it might be slow- ing the speed. “Initially I think we thought that we were two to three weeks behind some of the higher areas across the country. “However, the feeling is we might be four, five or six weeks behind some of those areas up North. “It’s really hard to tell at this moment in time. “In terms of whether the exist- “ Intermsofcomparison totheotherlocal authoritiesWest Berkshireremains lowe,rbutclearlyour casesarestill increasing

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ing measures have been success- ful, that’s really hard to tell. “It’s quite a subjective view, but clearly our rates are lower and we are also a rural part of the coun- try, so that will probably play into our hands, but cases are increas- ing despite all the measures in place, so it might not necessarily be sufficient at this moment in time because they are increasing. “Clearly I think everyone is playing their part, that’s making a difference, and we encourage the public to continue to do that.” Commenting on the speed of infection, Ms Peachey said: “What we found was that a couple of weeks ago was that the South East started rising in cases at about 6.5 per cent and we modelled it for us and that meant all of us would have been well over the 100 per 100,000 within about two to three weeks, and certainly in the territory of Tier 3 by Christmas.

“But what’s happened in the last couple of weeks is it has slowed and is not as fast as origi- nally projected, which is why rates have not gone up as fast. “Even in West Berkshire we are still increasing, but at a slower rate than we expected.” The briefing was also shown information on cases in schools, care homes and work places based on exposures/incidents, clusters and outbreaks. An incident is an isolated case of Covid-19, a cluster is one or two cases with no epidemiological link and an outbreak is more than three cases. Between October 5 and 19 there had been four isolated Covid-19 incidents in schools, one cluster and two outbreaks. There had been five incidents in care homes and two incidents were recorded in workplaces, along with one cluster and one outbreak.

Third death in three weeks ONE person from West Berk - shirehas diedwith coronavirus registered on their death certificate in the last week. on the death certificate. The ONS data shows that 64 people fromWest Berkshire have died with coronavirus in care homes, 64 in hospitals, six at home, one death recorded as else- where and one in a hospice.

Office for National Statistics (ONS) data released on Tuesday said that the person died in a hospital in the week endingOcto- ber 16, with the death registered up to October 24. The death is the third in three weeks and takes the number of coronavirus deaths in the district to 136. The data records the number of deaths involving coronavirus, based on any mentionof Covid-19

In neighbouring Basingstoke and Deane, the number of people who have died with coronavirus recorded on their death certifi- cate has remained at 118. Of the 118 people who have died, 78 died in hospitals, 34 in care homes, three in hospices, two at home and one in ‘another communal establishment’.

Police step up fines for breach of restrictions MORE than 840 fines have been handed out across the Thames Valley as the police clamp down on illegal gatherings. Thirty-nine of those fines have been handed out in October, 35 of which were for breaching the rule of six on gatherings and four for failing to quaran- tine. The largest fine within Thames Valley for breaching coronavirus restrictions was £680, after the culprit breached legislation restricting move- ment multiple times. Thames Valley Police (TVP) has now urged the public to continue following restrictions to prevent the spread of coronavirus as cases rise both locally and nationally. Gold commander for TVP’s response to Covid-19 Chief Supt Rob France said: “It is clear that cases of coronavirus nationally are increasing and action needs to be taken by us all to stop this indis- criminate virus from spreading and leading to the deaths of many more people. “Our approach throughout has been to support the public in following the regulations by engag- ing, explaining and encouraging, and using discre- tion before enforcement. “We would ask people to report any breaches of coronavirus legislation online or through 101 if they do not have online access.”

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