Newbury and Thatcham Advertiser

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Friday, November 26, 2021

Newbury & Thatcham Advertiser

NEWS

Real ale festival gets the go-ahead But strict conditions will control excessive noise and bad behaviour

Pupils’ Pelican boost Pupils in Speenhamland Primary School’s new outdoor area

By NIKI HINMAN niki.hinman@newburynews.co.uk @newburytoday

“I am not convinced that the additional conditions im- posed will make much differ- ence and I am also surprised that it did not seem to unduly concern the council that their own enforcement was woe- fully inadequate on this occa- sion. “I do note though that or- ganisers have gone to a lot of effort in rebutting the issues raised and I believe that they will likely now be more fo- cussed on reducing noise lev- els in the the future. “I accept that there was in- sufficient evidence before the committee to demonstrate any risk to children, although I be- lieve that the potential is there nonetheless based on the be- haviour I witnessed. “Should anything untoward occur in future, I believe the council’s judgement may be called into question, given this is an event dedicated to the consumption of alcohol. “Nevertheless, I accept the council’s decisions on all points.” West Berkshire’s licensing

The Newbury Real Ale Fes- tival will run again – after win- ning a battle to get its licence renewed. But it has stricter condi- tions and will get a ticking off from West Berkshire Council for being too loud. The conditions are that the licence holder has to commu- nicate better with those living within a one-mile radius of the Northcroft Park event. And it must provide a manned phone line while the event is in progress and take action to resolve reported mat- ters. Sara Dutfield from the festi- val said: “The Newbury Real Ale Festival would like to thank the licensing committee for a thorough, objective and evidence-based review. “We look forward to wel- coming everyone to event on Saturday, September 10, 2022.” Newbury Business Improve- ment District chief executive

THE first phase of a new building project at Speen- hamland School in New- bury is now complete. The Pelican Building has been transformed into an “inspiring learning environ- ment” for Early Years chil- dren. The £250k project was fund- ed by West Berkshire Council and has provided two new classrooms, an outdoor learn- ing zone, plus accessible toi- lets and hoists for children with physical disabilities. Now the council will expand the Keevill Unit, an existing teaching space for children with physical difficulties. The council’s executive member for children, young people and education Domi- nic Boeck (Con, Aldermaston) said: “We are delighted with the transformation at the school.

“Now the Pelican Building is up and running, the chil- dren can have their lessons there while we refurbish the Keevill Unit. Once that work is completed, there will be ample room for all children to learn and access whatever equipment they need.” Speenhamland School headteacher Julie Lewry said: “The Pelican Building is a fab- ulous learning environment for our Early Years children.” The news also prompted a celebratory video message from CBeebies Mr Tumble. He said: “Hello there! It’s me, Mr Tumble. I hear that you have a brand new build- ing at the school – woo hoo! I hope you have many happy times in it, and I’m sending you all my very best wishes. Bye bye everyone!” Watch the video at https:// youtu.be/fDgvJ0_L-eI

Newbury Real Ale Festival

Melissa Hughes said: “We are excited that a sensible and ap- propriate decision has been made. “Events like the real ale festival support the town cen- tre and help develop a strong sense of place and community. “It is a great outcome for the town and we are looking forward to the event in 2022.” But the decision was met with a muted response from those objecting to the licence

being renewed for the one-day event. Local resident Andrew Wyper had lodged the objec- tion to the festival licence, claiming excessive noise and bad behaviour. “I am happy that the com- mittee has taken seriously the concerns raised in respect of public nuisance caused by ex- cess noise levels,” he said. n Continued on page 2 n Continued from front page

£120k lifeline for Corn Exchange NEWBURY’S Corn Ex- change has been awarded a grant of £120,000 in the lat- est round of awards from the Culture Recovery Fund. More than £100m has been given to 925 cultural organisa- tions across the country in the latest round of support from the government fund, admin- istered by Arts Council Eng- land, the Culture Secretary announced last week.

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The third round of funding will support organisations from all corners of the sector as they deal with ongoing re- opening challenges, ensuring they can thrive in the future. The grant will support the arts centre with its overhead costs while it recovers from the impact of the pandemic and the reduction in earned income while audiences are slower to return to attending indoor events. It will also enable the Corn Exchange to present a digital version of its pantomime, Cin- derella , to allow those who are unable to come to the theatre to watch it from the comfort of their home. Corn Exchange director Katy Griffiths said the fund- ing will make a significant im- pact this winter. “We are immensely grate- ful for the funding we have received via the Culture Recovery Fund,” she said. “Alongside the support we’ve received directly from our lo- cal community, it has made a huge difference and means we’ve been able to continue working with artists and prac- titioners in order to provide inspiring creative opportuni- ties for all ages in spite of the

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The Corn Exchange enormous challenges of the last 18 months. “With our annual panto- mime Cinderella in rehears- als and preparations for the lantern procession well un- der way too, it feels a timely moment to celebrate the joy that cultural engagement can bring to us all.” Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries said: “Culture is for everyone and should there- fore be accessible to everyone, no matter who they are and where they’re from. “The Culture Recovery Fund is supporting arts and cultural organisations so they can continue to bring culture to communities the length and breadth of the country, supporting jobs, boosting lo- cal economies and inspiring people.” More than £1.2bn has al- ready been awarded from the Culture Recovery Fund, sup- porting around 5,000 individ-

ual organisations and sites across the country, ranging from local museums to West End theatres, grassroots mu- sic venues to festivals and organisations in the cultural and heritage supply-chains. Arts Council England chief executive Darren Henley said the investment from the Gov- ernment on an unprecedented scale means that theatres, gal- leries, music venues, muse- ums and arts centres can car- ry on bringing visitors back to the high streets, helping to drive economic growth, boost- ing community pride and pro- moting good health. Other local cultural organ- isations to receive funding are: Black & White Music Ltd £35,585, Cirque Berserk Lim- ited £124,680, Henley Festival £220,346, Reading Rep £59,000 and Hampshire Cultural Trust £240,000 (which manag- es 23 arts and museums attrac- tions across Hampshire).

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