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Thursday, October 29, 2020 20 NEWBURYNEWS HUNGERFORD&LAMBOURNVALLEY MP favours local council support for free meals

Newbury Weekly News

Orchardplans for village A LAMBOURN resident is hoping to create a community orchard in the village. passionate about trying to do something to alleviate climate change and I think that we’ve all got to try and do our bit if we can.

Penny Brewer is on a mission to plant more trees in the area – and is encouraging local people to get involved and do their bit to help combat climate change. She is asking people what their thoughts are on creating the new community orchard and says that so far she has been over- whelmed by the largely positive reaction. She has already been given 20 fruit trees by West Berkshire Council, which are available to plant this autumn, and is keen to get the project up and running soon to plant as many trees as possible before winter. One potential site which has been identified for the orchard is the North Farm Close open space, which is located on the perimeter of Lambourn heading out on the road towards Wantage. Mrs Brewer said: “Me and a friend of mine, Ruth, are both

“Nothing has been decided at all yet and it’s very much just about having an initial discus- sion at the moment to see what people think A Lambourn Community Orchard Facebook page has been set up and so far 90 people have joined the group. Initially help would be needed to plant the trees and then to keep them watered in the dry spells. Villagers of all ages are being encouraged to get involved and anyone with ideas which would help the project are being invited to contribute. Mrs Brewer said that residents’ input is “essential” if the vision of a community orchard is to become a reality. Visit the website www.face- book.com/groups/82797775801063/5 if you would like to join the Face- book group and get involved.

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campaign of Manchester United footballer Marcus Rashford, who has been pushing for the supermarket voucher scheme to be extended through the forth- coming school holidays. He said: “He’s done an abso- lutely outstanding campaign and he’s highlighted the enor- mous challenges faced by fami- lies at risk during this crisis and I’m very grateful to him. “I led a debate in Parliament this week on exactly that subject. “Marcus Rashford’s campaign has put this topic in the head- lights where it deserves to be. “The question is whether we do it right and I’m afraid I don’t agree that the supermarket voucher scheme is the right way forward. “It might be popular in princi- ple – everybody believes we should be supporting families on low incomes – but actually anybody who’s been involved with the voucher scheme will tell you it’s very bureaucrat, very clunky and very expensive. “We now have better systems in place. “More money’s been made available for Universal Credit, a lot more money has been going into local councils, and at some point it’s right to say we’ve now got a better system.”

MrKruger being quizzedby pupilsat Chilton Foliat Primayr Schoolast month

CONSERVATIVE MP Danny Kruger has defended the Government’s position of not offering free meals for chil- dren during school holidays. Mr Kruger, MP for the Devizes constituency – which includes Ramsbury, Chilton Foliat, Bayden and Aldbourne – said that targeted welfare should be deliv- ered by local government and local communities, rather than by central Government. Speaking to BBC News , Mr Kruger said that the Government had already put “an enormous amount” of money directly into people’s pockets through welfare and that blanket supermarket vouchers weren’t the right way forward. He said: “My objection to vouchers is less about the money – we definitely need to get more money into the pockets of fami- lies on low incomes – the ques- tion is how. “The best way to do it is through welfare. “We’ve put an extra £1,000 into Universal Credit and that contin- ues all through the winter. “The other thing we’ve done is put money into councils and my belief is the best mechanism for providing support for families in need is a combination of local government working with schools and local communities.

“That’s our approach, rather than a blanket entitlement super- market vouchers. “We’ve got to get a sufficiently generous system of support for those families as the pandemic unfolds and need grows. “I’m just not sure a voucher system is the right one.” Responding to concerns that all money allocated to councils in the summer to help low-income families get through the holidays had been spent, Mr Kruger said more money would be made available. He said: “Wiltshire Council, where I’m an MP, we got £500,000 which was spent over the summer, and we got another £3m last week – unringfenced money which the

council can spend as it wishes. “Wiltshire Council is using the money that’s been given to them by the Government to put in place a system. “If you are in need or struggling to make ends meet, you ring up Wiltshire Council. “They have a wellbeing hub that’s been brilliant all through the lockdown and they will discuss your circumstances with you and either put cash directly into your bank account or sign- post you to a local charity or busi- ness providing free food. “Most crucially, if your circum- stances are really complex and challenging, they’ll ensure you get the support you need.” Mr Kruger then praised the

Vodafone’s 5G boost for Great Shefford villagers

load a web page in the blink of an eye and stream a movie without buffering. Vodafone says that 5G will also help support the local community and economy in the future as it opens up possibili - ties for innovations such as connected machinery and remote healthcare services. For more information on Vodafone 5G, visit www.voda- fone.co.uk/5G

VODAFONE has recently switched on 5G in Great Shef- ford, giving customers in the village even faster mobile data and extremely reliable coverage. 5G offers higher download and upload speeds, as well as super- fast connection and buffer-free viewing for customers with a compatible handset and price plan. It also enables customers to

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