community yearbook 2018

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Newbury Weekly News

Thursday, 25 January, 2018

Gang raids arcade A GANG staged a dramatic raid on Hungerford Arcade. “The damage and loss of stock was bad, but our internal

Splashing around! THERE was glorious sunshine for Newbury’s first- ever puddle jumping event. The Market Place was a hub of activity, with firemen making regular appearances in their engine to replenish the puddles – and they even joined in with the children for a splash. The event was organised by Newbury Business Improve- ment District and sponsored by the Kennet Shopping centre. There was also face painting, bungee trampolining and chil - dren’s rides.

security measures prevented much more from being taken. “The incredibly fast response time of the police was also a factor in limiting the time the criminals were inside the building.” He added:“Hungerford Arcade has a massive range of the most wonderful antiques and it is because of this that we are such an attractive target for break-ins. “However, we won ’t be deterred and we will redouble our efforts in ensuring the security of our building. ”

Before smashing their way into the heavily fortified antiques centre, the burglars drove spikes into the tyres of police cars parked nearby, to witnesses, one raider had to leap into the boot of a getaway car and almost fell out. Arcade manager, Alex Rogers, said: “This was a small group of well-organised criminals. “They used heavy-duty hand tools to smash a window at the front of the shop to gain entry. try to prevent pursuit. Even so, according to

Choreographer back to his roots ACCLAIMED choreographer James Cousins returned to Newbury, his home town, to present his latest work, devised and created with dancers in Korea as part of the British Council’s Shakespeare Lives project, co-funded by Arts Council England and the Arts Council of Korea, writes Penelope Brookman. Shakespeare’s character Rosalind presents a progressive heroine, who confidently refuses to let her gender inhibit her, and in this work Cousins questions whether a modern day Rosalind still needs to adopt masculine traits in order to achieve equality. The choreogra- phy made full use of the strength and flexi- bility of each of the four dancers, with a range of transitions from fluid moves to robotic gestures, changing pace constantly and crossing the usual concepts with regard to weightbearing, lifts and falls. James Cousins developed his love of dance as a pupil at Park House School, exploring a range of dance styles and groups before going on to study at the London School of Contemporary Dance, and then joining Mathew Bourne’s company as a dancer. In a pre-show talk he discussed his passion for choreography and how fortunate he had been to have so much support in developing his career, and his own company, and stressed that his intention is always to stimulate and involve his audience in his work. This is a young man who values the past and is confidently building a bright future. The Newbury audience welcomed him warmly and thanked his dancers with loud applause.

A little girl enjoys the puddle splash in Newbur y’s Market Place

Flats or offices? PLANS to convert offices on Newbury Business Park into 129 flats met with stern opposition from town councillors. is hoping to convert three existing office buildings into three blocks of 43 one-bed

Berkshire Council about this. Lynne Doherty (Con, Northcroft), pointed out, however, that more affordable accommodation must be developed in the town. “We need affordable homes,” she said. “The type of development is something that we need, but I

apartments under Permitted Development Rights (PDR). But town councillors objected to the proposals and revealed their mounting frustrations at the loss of protected busi- ness space in Newbury. Chairman of the committee, Anthony Pick (Con, St John ’s) said: “I’m seriously disturbed by these developments. We should make a very strong recommendation to West A TEACHER who abused his position of trust to rape a vulnerable pupil in his care was jailed. English teacher Francis Julian Beaumont had evaded justice for 10 years and continued to teach at Brock- hurst and Marlston House Preparatory Schools in Hermitage.

If given the go-ahead, the move would have a “disas- trous” effect on Newbury’s premier business park in London Road, as well as on the ongoing protection of business space in the town, according to members of the council’s planning and high- ways committee. Developer Stonegate Homes

Have a great Hocktide Hocktide in Hunger ford THE town of Hungerford celebrated the ancient tradition of Hocktide – the only place in the UK to have maintained it. Girls from John O’Gaunt School. This year, a former Tutti Man, Jim Scarlett, stepped in to fill the void left by his

agree that it’s not ideal.” Dave Goff (Con, Clay Hill) said: “We could see the end of Newbury Business Park if this goes ahead.” Teacher jailed for raping pupil

predecessor Paul Lewington, who died in February, aged 52. The Tutti Men were Town and Manor stalwart Bruce Mayhew – who first fulfilled the role decades ago – and hairdresser Lesley Bradley. Originally the Tutti Men collected rent to ensure fish- ing and grazing rights, but today they collect kisses instead of pennies.

The second Tuesday after Easter marks the end of the town council’s financial and administrative year. Bellman Julian Tubb summoned the commoners of the town to the Hocktide Court at the Town Hall, while two Tutti Men and the Orangeman visited every house with commoners’ rights accompanied by four Tutti

But a court heard how he developed a relationship with a boy, only to repeatedly abuse him between March 2005 and April 2007. Sentencing Beaumont at Reading Crown Court, Judge Stephen John said that he “took advantage of his youth and vulnerability” to perform sex acts.

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