community yearbook 2018

AUGUST A trio of temples A ROMAN temple was

Newbury Weekly News

Thursday, 25 January, 2018

NYT members selling the show along the Royal Mile

uncovered in Silchester as the University of Reading’s archaeologists returned for the 2017 summer season. The 50 archaeologists and finds specialists were spread over two sites – the Little London Tile Kiln site and the Silchester Temple site. The temple site is situated to the east of the Roman town of Calleva Atrebatum, near St Mary the Virgin Church. Previous geophysical surveys have shown the outline, beneath the ground, of three temples – two situated under the churchyard and the other half under a farmyard and half under a paddock. This third temple was the focus of the archaeologists and site director, Prof Mike Fulford, said: “It could be a memorial to a local dignitary, but there are Algae kills 131 fish REDUCED oxygen levels caused by algae had devas- tating consequences for fish in Bellwood Lake, Newbury, as 131 large fish died. Bellwood Lake, owned by the Newbury Angling Association (NAA), is a popular destination for carp, bream and pike fish- ermen, but it closed until at least the end of the year to recover from the disaster. A couple of weeks before the incident,a blue-green algae was observed on the lake. Despite using four pumps, for 24 hours a day, to increase the amount of oxygenation in the water, 97 large carp, 18 bream, 16 pike and numerous smaller fish had died.

Our four-star youth theatre “They’re bound to wow the Fringe,” wrote Lin Wilkinson. Newbury is justly proud of its youth theatre, resident at the Corn Exchange, and their latest production The Glorious Invention of Emmanuel Stork , en route for the Edinburgh Fringe, showed the company at its very best. Without exception, this young team, confident and at ease on stage, combined dramatic ability and spot-on timing. A minimally- staged production, place and objects were evoked through magically inventive ensemble work and choreography. The text, along with original songs and rhyming verse, was uniformly well spoken and intelligently delivered. As important, the underlying message could not have been more pertinent. Invention, energy, fun and commitment were evident from the imaginative opening sequence. Devised by the company, written by Tony Trigwell-Jones, directed by Amy and Tony Trigwell-Jones, and produced by Robin Strapp, with members of the company also undertaking all production roles, this is one of the best productions NYT has staged, with one of its best casts. On the Fringe, 730 Review , a new online arts magazine said: “Features a breadth of talents, from extraordinarily catchy original songs to malleable ensemble-driven movement sequences. It is very clear that this company have worked together tirelessly to become a tight-knit ensemble and the results spoke for themselves. It was clear that the young actors were entirely invested in their own material and this proved to be utterly infectious. A brilliant blend of fantasy and reality, this is one of the finest family show you could wish for at this year’s Fringe. 4 Stars.”

Mosaic unearthed

Boxford Heritage Project open day were treated to a brief glimpse of the mosaic and its villa complex before the discovery was covered with earth to protect it from the elements. Cotswold Archaeology ’s chief executive Mr Holbrook said: “This is one of the best 4th-century clas - sically-inspired Roman mosaics ever found in the country.”

ONE of the UK’s most stunning Roman mosaics was unearthed at an archaeological dig near Boxford and the experts say it will go into the record books for its historical significance. A ‘eureka’ moment occurred as a digger revealed the edge of an obviously high-quality late Roman period mosaic. Hundreds of visitors to the

Archaeologists work on the Silchester T emple site

lots of things we don ’t know about at the moment.” No associated artefacts were discovered to indicate which god the temple was dedicated

to, although in the centre of the shrine a large pit filled with packed flint was found, which may originally have held a divine statue

Pomp up the volume MORE than 7,500 braved the weather to enjoy another successful Battle Proms at Highclere Castle. Revellers picnicked in the grounds of the home of Lord and Lady Carnarvon, the setting of the ITV series Down- ton Abbey, despite the showers. The evening’s entertainment included a Napoleonic cavalry display, jazz and a gun salute to mark the cente- nary of the Battle of Passchendaele. The salvo marked the commemoration of the First World War, while heralding the arrival of a Second World War Spitfire.

CAMRA award for Cottage

provide a meeting place for the community. Mr Bush said:“ This is a special year for me as I celebrated my 60th birthday. We’re proud of everything we do to support the community and to receive this award again is a sign that all our hard work is appreciated.

THE Cottage Inn, Buckle- bury, won the West Berk- shire Campaign for Real Ale Community Pub of the Year Award for the fourth time in the past six years. Landlords Gary and Mandy Bush serve real ale, which is enjoyed by the locals, and also

LONG LANE GARAGE LTD LONG LANE, HERMITAGE, BERKSHIRE, RG18 9LU 01635 202005

Air conditioning servicing and repairs Collection and delivery service available Courtesy vehicles available

Fully equipped workshop with diagnostic equipment Class 4, Class 5 Light and Class 7 MOT’s by appointment Servicing and repairs to all makes of vehicles to manufacturer’s specifications

(Manual & Automatic) Customer waiting area www.longlanegarage.co.uk