Welcome to Brightwalton News

West Berkshire Council Press Release - Date: 06 April 2021:

Have your say on public rights of way
Work as started on an improvement plan for public rights of way across West Berkshire - and we want your views.
West Berkshire Council is responsible for around 740 miles of public footpaths, bridleways, restricted byways and byways. There are public rights of way across the whole of West Berkshire, in both urban and rural areas. These form an important network for enjoying and exploring the countryside and travelling to work or school, as well as supporting tourism and good health. They provide hundreds of miles of free routes on which people can walk, cycle, ride horses or use other means of travel.
Our rights of way improvement plan helps us to make sure the public rights of way network meets the needs of the public, now and in the future. Our current Rights of Way Improvement Plan (ROWIP) was adopted on the 27 May 2010 and it now needs updating.
Speaking about the work Councillor Richard Somner, Executive Member for Transport and Countryside, said:
"Many people have used public rights of way more during the pandemic, or have discovered them for the first time. Accessing the countryside and West Berkshire's network of paths has been very important to people for their health and mental wellbeing. We want to better understand the value of the public rights of way network to those who currently use them as well as how we might other residents to discover and make use of them."
The rights of way service is also using the process of reviewing its ROWIP to understand the needs of residents of West Berkshire more fully. It will use the opportunity to make sure the ROWIP addresses the priorities of the area in terms of health and wellbeing, supporting people living with disabilities and mental health issues, regeneration, growth, transport, climate change, tourism and other priorities.
To make sure the new ROWIP reflects the needs of West Berkshire's residents, we'd like to know about your experience of using our public rights of way, and how important the network is to your health and wellbeing. We also want to know if you've encountered any problems using the PROW's, and whether your concerns were addressed.
An online survey has been set to gather people's views - take part before 30 May 2021.
A public right of way is a path that anyone has the legal right to walk on. Some public rights of way can also be used by cyclists, horse riders or motorists. You can use:

• Footpaths for walking, running, mobility scooters or powered wheelchairs
• Bridleways for walking, horse riding, bicycles, mobility scooters or powered wheelchairs
• Restricted byways for any transport without a motor, except mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs
• Byways open to all traffic for any kind of transport, including cars (but they're mainly used by walkers, cyclists and horse riders)

You can explore public rights of way on the West Berkshire Online Map.

Please find below the March update from Downland Ward Councillor, Clive Hooker. 

As published in the Brickleton News, there will be a 2.30pm service on Good Friday in the churchyard. It will be a short reflective service with poetry and music. 
A copy of the pew sheet can be downloaded here.

Press Release Dated 25th March 2021
​West Berkshire Council, in partnership with its waste contractor Veolia, are trialling four new recycling banks to increase collection of plastic waste. The banks will be for the collection of plastic pots, tubs and trays and will be available to use from Monday 29 March 2021.
Residents will be able to recycle a wider range of plastics in the new recycling banks including: yoghurt pots, margarine/butter tubs, biscuit trays, chocolate/sweet tubs, ice cream tubs, fruit punnets, meat trays and cosmetic pots.
Cllr Steve Ardagh-Walter, Executive Member for Environment at West Berkshire Council said: "It is important we reduce our plastic waste and choose alternative products where possible. I am delighted we are able to improve our recycling facilities in West Berkshire and provide new recycling banks for plastic pots, tubs and trays. There's an increasingly strong desire from the public to recycle more plastic waste types and I hope the new banks will help residents to reduce the amount of plastics they put into their black bin.”
Sara Perry, General Manager at Veolia, added: “Veolia are pleased to work with the Council to expand plastic recycling options within West Berkshire. The new banks will be rolled out on a trial basis to allow monitoring of plastics collected and we are testing the markets to find out how much we are able to place within it.”
The new plastic recycling banks will be tested at the following locations:

• Padworth and Newbury Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs). Residents will need to book an appointment online as usual before visiting the sites and carry their HWRC permit.
• Station Road car park in Hungerford
• Kingsland Centre car park in Thatcham.

Please make sure your plastics pots, tubs and trays are clean and all lids/films are removed before recycling. Unfortunately, we cannot accept black plastic trays, plastic film, wrapping or plastic bags. To check what you can recycle and for more information on recycling plastics visit: https://info.westberks.gov.uk/waste.
Currently West Berkshire residents are able to recycle plastic bottles in their green bags at the kerbside, as the materials used in making plastic bottles are easily recycled in UK markets. The plastic recycling banks will initially be installed on a trial basis to help the Council assess how well the public engage with this scheme and to look into the continued availability of markets for these materials going forward.
New HWRC Live Webcams
Alongside this positive development, the Council is also pleased to announce that residents can view the recycling centres through our new live site webcams. These webcams will give residents the opportunity to have a look at real-time site conditions before they set off on their visits. View them online: https://info.westberks.gov.uk/recyclingcentres.

Your March edition of the Brickleton News can be downloaded here. 

The Spring edition of the Countryside Society Upstream! is available to download here and contains lots of local updates 

The Parish Council is please to confirm that a Memorial Bench in memory of John Hall-Craggs and all the work he did for the village will be installed outside the Church. 

A full article will be published in the May Brickleton News on all John was part of in the village, including his work to save the school and the creation of the Dunmore Pond Millennium Green. 

The family have chosen a beautifully engraved timber bench and the purchase is going ahead this month with the assistance of private donations, donations from the Parish Council and the Village Hall. If anyone would like to add to the donations, please get in touch with the Parish Council.

​We will share a picture once installed. 

The Ministry of Defence Police now operates a small armed policing team every day and night at RAF Welford. You might see us patrolling across the Lambourn Valley and the Vale of the White Horse. If you’ve seen anything suspicious please speak to our officers when you see them, or email us at matthew.callinicos100@mod.gov.uk or ian.colin100@mod.gov.uk .

​Your information, no matter how small, could make a big difference to keeping our communities safe or preventing crime. Your information is always in the strictest confidence and will only be shared with our policing partners at Thames Valley Police. In an emergency please always dial 999. It is an emergency when a crime is being committed, someone is at risk of being injured, or there is a risk of serious damage to property.

Spring Services in the West Downland Benefice
 
7th March        10.45am          Zoom Church
 
14th March      Mothering Sunday    
10.45am          Zoom Church
All Day             Posies & Prayers in the churchyards
15th March      11am               Seated Holy Communion at Chaddleworth
 
21st March      10.45am          Zoom Church
22nd March      11am               Seated Holy Communion at Chaddleworth
 
 
Passiontide & Easter Services
 
28th March      Palm Sunday             
9.00am            Open Air Matins at Fawley
10.45am          Zoom Church
29th April         11am               Seated Holy Communion at Chaddleworth
 
1st April           Maundy Thursday    
8pm                 ‘Remembering Gethsemane’ in Chaddleworth Churchyard
 
2nd April          Good Friday               
9.30am            The Passion Reading & Prayers in Welford Churchyard
10.30am          Café Church Open Air Storytime at Great Shefford
2.30pm            ‘Standing at the foot of the cross’ in Brightwalton Churchyard
 
4th April           Easter Day                 
6.30am            ‘Christ is Risen’ Open Air Holy Communion in Leckhampstead churchyard
10.00am          Zoom Church Special please note the earlier time
5th April           Bank Holiday Monday
No seated Holy Communion this week

Zoom Links
We want everyone who attends our Zoom services to feel safe and welcome.  Please use these links to invite family, friends and neighbours to join you for these services, but do not share them on social media or other generally circulated media. 
 
Mothering Sunday     10.45am
 
Join on your computer, laptop or device
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85991215455
Dial in on your landline
0131 460 1196 United Kingdom
0203 051 2874 United Kingdom
0203 481 5237 United Kingdom
0203 481 5240 United Kingdom
0203 901 7895 United Kingdom
Meeting ID: 859 9121 5455
 
Easter Day      10am  
Please note the earlier start time
 
Join on your computer, laptop or device
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86178722900
Dial in on your landline
0131 460 1196 United Kingdom
0203 051 2874 United Kingdom
0203 481 5237 United Kingdom
0203 481 5240 United Kingdom
0203 901 7895 United Kingdom
Meeting ID: 861 7872 2900
​

Have your say on our ‘Active Travel’ schemes in West Berkshire

West Berkshire Council is committed to encouraging active travel by introducing more walking and cycling opportunities throughout the district.
The council is taking action to help the public safely make walking or cycling trips part of their daily travel choices. Below is the link to take part and find out more on the schemes already identified:  https://westberksatschemes.commonplace.is/
If you have suggestions on other schemes you can help WBC identify suitable locations in your neighbourhood to create more accessible streets for active travel, including better public spaces, secure cycle parking and provide high quality environments suitable for cycling and walking.
Your feedback will help the Council plan effectively, when budgets become available, and make improvements that are most important to you.
https://westberksactivestreets.commonplace.is/proposals/have-your-say-on-the-west-berkshire-active-travel-heat-map ​

Your January edition of the Brickleton News will soon be delivered through your door, if can't wait that long, a copy can be downloaded here.

As you might have seen in your Brickleton News, the Terepin family have kindly put together a walking route with map around Brightwalton and Leckhampstead incorporating Oak Ash and Spray Wood. We have uploaded the full route with map and photos on the walking page which can be found here.

West Berkshire Council Press Release 13/01/2021
Garden and Food Waste Collections Temporarily Suspended
Like many other local authorities across the country, we are facing a difficult January with significantly increased volumes of waste after the Christmas holiday period and a number of collection crews self-isolating. This has impacted parts of our waste collection services meaning we have made the difficult decision to temporarily suspend garden and food waste collections to prioritise rubbish and recycling.
The garden waste collection service will be suspended from Monday 18 to Friday 29 January 2021. We are asking residents whose garden waste is due for collection on or after 18 January 2021 to not put their green garden waste bin out until service can be resumed again from 1 February 2021. This change will also affect food waste collections because they are collected at the same time as garden waste.
Councillor Steve Ardagh-Walter, Executive Member for the Environment at West Berkshire Council, said:
“We have received tremendous support from West Berkshire residents over the past few weeks and I want to thank everyone for their understanding during this challenging time.
“We have not taken this decision lightly to put garden and food waste collections on hold and understand that some residents may be disappointed by this service disruption.
“Our aim is that all waste collection services will be able to continue as normal once the service is reinstated by the end of January. Our contractor’s collection crews have continued to work hard throughout, keeping our waste services running and we would like to thank them for doing a great job.”
At the close of play on Tuesday 12 January, about 5,300 recycling collections (equivalent to just under 8% of households) remained outstanding. The collection of other waste types including general refuse is being completed without any significant disruptions at this time.
If your rubbish (black bin) or recycling (boxes and bags) is not collected as expected, please continue to leave it out and we will collect it as soon as possible.
We are grateful to residents for their continued patience. We are asking residents to kindly avoid calling our Customer Services colleagues, unless necessary, because they are very busy helping various residents with other urgent queries at this time.
You can find out more information on the garden waste service from Council’s website. Our household waste recycling centres are still open for essential visits but you need to book an appointment.

Have your say...
West Berkshire Council has appointed a multi-disciplinary team to undertake a major new study into the future uses of Newbury Town Centre. Led by HemingwayDesign, the team includes New Masterplanning, GL Hearn and Urban Movement.
The study will include extensive engagement with the local community, a detailed analysis of the town's needs, and a masterplan. It will be developed over the next nine months and will outline how the town centre can evolve in the future. It forms a key part of the Council's robust response to the pandemic and will have a unique role to play for businesses, residents and other stakeholders.
The study begins with an online survey which is open until midnight on Sunday, 31 January 2021.

Currently more town centre residents have taken part, it is just as important that the surrounding villages have their say too. If you can spare the time to take part please follow the link below:
Take part in this consultation

The Downland Practice have provided the following update today regarding vaccinations:

COVID-19 Vaccination UpdateDear Patients,
The GP Partners have agreed to sign up to the COVID-19 Vaccination, this decision was taken on the 21 December 2021.  This vaccination programme is likely to be rolled out in January 2021, the location of the vaccination centre is still to be confirmed but it is looking like this will be a central Newbury facility that is able to handle large numbers of patients for vaccination.  The practice staff will all be involved in this process and on the days when there are vaccination clinics for practice patient’s, the surgery will have a reduced capacity for routine appointments.  Depending on the timescales and notice that the surgery is given for vaccination clinic, this may impact some routine clinics being cancelled and rebooked.  These dates will be made available on the website.
The practice staff are now getting prepared to deliver the COVID-19 Vaccination, this includes ensuring the people eligible for vaccination are notified and know where to go and at what time.  There are still a lot of unknowns so all patients are advised to keep watch on the practice website for any news and updates.  We will keep the website updated with any developments on this issue.
The practice will be requesting for volunteers in the next few days/weeks by means of texting patients of working age.  We have had some interest from patients who wish to volunteer, the roles required will be clinically or administrative assistance.  We do not know exactly what is involved, this will be come much clearer once the Newbury location is confirmed and the COVID-19 Vaccination facility have an established management structure.
Please follow NHS advice and do not contact the surgery to book a COVID-19 Vaccination, the surgery will contact those people who are eligible for COVID-19 vaccination.
Practice Manager
Downland Practice
.

Press Release - WBC 20/12
West Berkshire moves into Tier 4 from Sunday 20th December.
New restrictions have been introduced in response to a rapidly rising level of coronavirus infections. 
You can read the statement by Prime Minister made earlier today.
Information about the restrictions under Tier 4 is below (a larger image is available here). You can also find more detailed information on Tier 4: Stay At Home restrictions online.

There is lots of information available on financial support, help for residents and help for businesses on the West Berkshire Council website 

Sunday 20th December 2020  
6.30pm in Brightwalton All Saints Churchyard
 
Let’s keep everyone safe!
We are delighted that we shall be able to sing carols together as long as households and bubbles are socially distanced from one another.  Please come wrapped up warm and bring a torch!  If you have Covid-19 symptoms, or are self-isolating, please do not attend. 
 
Please download your service sheet in advance and bring with you on your phone or printed - thank you. Open Air Carol Service Sheet

Major study into future uses of Newbury Town Centre
 
West Berkshire Council has appointed a multi-disciplinary team to undertake a major new study into the future uses of Newbury Town Centre. Led by HemingwayDesign, the team includes New Masterplanning, GL Hearn and Urban Movement.

The study, which will start with an online survey (details below), will include extensive engagement with the local community, a detailed analysis of the town’s needs, and a masterplan. It will be developed over the next nine months and will outline how the town centre can evolve in the future. It forms a key part of the Council’s robust response to the pandemic and will have a unique role to play for businesses, residents and other stakeholders.
The pandemic has demonstrated the importance of strong community links and the council is inviting all with an interest in the town to have their say and be part of the conversation about its future.  The study will take into account the significant changes in the retail and hospitality industries and the impact of Covid-19 in accelerating the review of alternative uses for town centres and public spaces. The Council and the team would like to further understand and provide solutions for some of the most important issues that affect local communities, including: a stronger economy; improved public health; protection of the most vulnerable; equality of opportunity; better stewardship of the natural environment; and a stronger sense of community.

Speaking about the upcoming and future work, Councillor Lynne Doherty, Leader of West Berkshire Council, said:
“We’re really excited to be partnering with the HemingwayDesign led- team on this key strategic project.
“When we first decided to bring a partner on board to plan for Newbury’s future, we couldn’t have imagined that we’d be doing so in the midst of a pandemic. It’s clear that Covid has accelerated some of the changes we were already seeing on high streets across the country and we feel that now is precisely the right time to consider how we can sustain the vibrancy of our largest town.
“Newbury has a lot to offer already with its mix of green spaces, independent shops and strong cultural heritage. We want to build on this even further, ensuring that the town continues to be a great place to live and work and developing a plan of which the whole community can be proud.”
 Wayne Hemingway of HemingwayDesign, said: 
 
“There is a societal shift in terms of shopping, work patterns and what people want from their town centres and Newbury has all the ingredients to embrace this shift, move with the times and become an even more inspirational and welcoming place for residents, businesses and their employees and visitors to the town. We believe that positive change is necessary, desirable and within reach. The best way that any design team can start is by listening to the people who know best and that is the residents, businesses and their employees and the wider Newbury community. So we urge you all to complete the survey, which takes 10 minutes, and provide us your feedback. Please share the survey with your family, and everyone you know - spread the word far and wide. We look forward to hearing from you.”
 
The Newbury town centre survey: https://newburytowncentremasterplan.co.uk   will be open until 23:59 on 17th January. The team will then review the feedback and report back and outline next steps in this process.

The winter edition of the West Berkshire Countryside Update - Upstream! is available to download here. It contains lots of information on their work locally and the local wildlife. 

The November Brickleton News is available to download here

Press Release from West Berkshire Council 27/11/20
​
West Berkshire Council is launching a COVID Winter Grant Scheme worth £279k for food, energy and other essential items for residents in need due to the pandemic. Free School Meal vouchers for holidays will also form part of the programme. The COVID Winter Grant Scheme will run from 1 December 2020 to 31 March 2021.
Through the COVID Winter Grant scheme, the Council will provide families, individuals and vulnerable people in need with financial support for food, utility bills (heating, cooking, lighting), water bills for household purposes (including drinking, washing, cooking, central heating, sewerage and sanitary purposes), or other related essentials.
As part of the scheme, the Council will make arrangements for the provision of Free School Meal vouchers for eligible 5 to 16 year olds during the Christmas and February half term school holidays (17 days in total). Children in school not currently receiving Free School Meals but considered by the school as vulnerable will be included. Consideration will also be given to children between 16 and 18 and children in cross border education settings. Details on how the vouchers will be implemented are currently being finalised.
Councillor Lynne Doherty, Leader of West Berkshire Council, said: “We are fully aware that it’s going to be a tough winter for the large number of residents whose jobs sadly have been impacted by the pandemic. We want them to know that our new COVID Winter Grant Scheme is available to help pay for food, utility bills, and essential supplies between December and March next year.
“As we head into winter and the festive season, we do not want anyone to be concerned about being able to feed their families or keeping warm.”
The COVID Winter Grant Scheme funds of £279k were recently allocated to West Berkshire by central government. Further funding has been identified from the Council’s overall allocation of Covid-related grants to support the local delivery framework should it be required.
The application process for the COVID Winter Grant Scheme will also enable eligible applicants to benefit from other funding such as the £103k Emergency Assistance Grant for Food and Essential Supplies for ongoing support with their needs, for example, information to access longer term support such as benefits.
To identify those most in need for the COVID Winter Grant Scheme, the Council will work closely with professionals, statutory partners, Parish Councils, Citizens Advice West Berkshire, Newbury Resource Centre and other community and voluntary groups. DWP Job Centre Plus will also be playing an active role to support those newly in financial hardship, such as through a recent job loss.
Those who currently have support from professionals such as social and care workers will be encouraged to work with their provider to make an application. In addition, individuals who are in need can make an online application independently on the West Berkshire website or contact the Community Support Hub from 1 December, when the scheme formally launches.
The application form will ask for information about the financial support required and for information about any benefits they are being paid. The application will not be means tested. Non-receipt of benefits will not necessarily exclude a family or individual from receiving support, and any exceptions will be dealt with on a case by case basis. 
Any individuals who may need support with the online application process, including those without internet access, are welcome to contact the Community Support Hub from 1 December on tel: 01635 503579 or by email: westberksbct@westberks.gov.uk. The Community Support Hub is open during office hours between 8.30am and 5pm Monday to Thursday, or between 8.30am and 4.30pm on Friday.
Arrangements will be in place to identify and manage any incidences of fraudulent activity. ​

The Downland Practice have provided the November Patient Update report for sharing. This covers updates on:
Covid-19, the Flu Vaccinations and Patients Shielding. 

SSEN have asked us to share the following information with residents.

Details on how to register for priority service and support during power cuts can be downloaded here or call 0800 294 3259 

Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) has done a survey of the high voltage electricity network feeding your parish and have identified refurbishment works we need to carry out to improve the electricity network and reduce the risk of power cuts in the future. These works represent an investment of £ 192,103.00 in the local infrastructure.
 
In order for our teams to safely complete these works it may be necessary to organise some Planned Power Cuts.  If this is the case, we will notify affected customers and businesses in advance. Since the start of the pandemic, we know our customers have relied on us more than ever to ensure a safe and secure supply of electricity to our homes and we have made changes to how we work, including social distancing, additional hygiene measures and carrying out customer visits only when critical or safe to do so. All work we carry out will be reviewed and planned in line with the Government guidance and to ensure residents are without power for the shortest time necessary, in order to reduce any potential inconvenience this may cause. 
The work will involve Tree Cutting and Network Improvements, as appropriate, which will help us to improve the reliability of the electricity supply to you for the future. The safety of our customers and employees is at the heart of all we do, and we would like to apologise in advance for any inconvenience this may cause you.