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Council Strategy Consultation now live
Residents are invited to give their views on a new four-year strategy for West Berkshire Council. A short survey has been launched today, 11 February 2019, and takes only a few minutes to complete. The Council Strategy explains what we plan to prioritise and improve over a four year period. It also sets out how we aim to achieve these improvements, while continuing to deliver the services that our residents expect us to provide such as emptying the bins, fixing potholes, safeguarding vulnerable children, and providing care for older people. The Strategy is produced every four years to align with the electoral cycle, and refreshed every other year. The current Strategy was adopted in 2015, so a new one is needed to cover the period 2019-2023. Graham Jones, Leader of West Berkshire Council said: “It is only by listening to our residents and taking their views on board that we are able to develop an effective Strategy which is focussed on the correct priorities. There is a short survey that we need local people to complete so that we can finalise the Strategy.” Take part in the survey at www.westberks.gov.uk/draftcouncilstrategy by midnight on 24 March 2019.
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 West Berkshire Heritage have just published their Spring / Summer What's On Guide.
It includes lots of family events, workshops, exhibitions, theatre and concerts. To download a copy click here: What's On  Brother and sister team Dan Whidborne (local farmer) and Claire Pill (owner of Saddleback Farm Shop) brought Saddleback Farm Shop to local residents in Brightwalton, Chaddleworth and Leckhampstead who have been cut off from civilisation (unless you have a 4×4 and even some of them have had to be towed out). It is this community spirit that makes this such a special place to live.
Villagers queued up for bread, milk, meat and other essentials. The village hall AGM will be on Tuesday 5th February at 7.30 - all welcome, the agenda can be downloaded below 
We have been advised that West Berkshire libraries is having a fines amnesty on the 22nd and 23rd Feb. There will be no late fees to pay on any items returned to any West Berkshire library on these dates.
The annual Walk for Parkinson’s at Welford Park is taking place on Sunday 28th April. The walk helps Parkinson's UK to raise vital funds and awareness for Parkinson’s which is essential in helping them to find better treatments and a cure, whilst supporting everyone affected by Parkinson’s.
If you would like more information on the walk - visit Parkinson's UK The January edition of the Brickleton News can be downloaded here.
BRIGHWALTON VILLAGE FETE - Sunday 5th May.
We are looking for stallholders! If you would be interested in having a stall at this year's fete, please contact the Parish Clerk in the first instance and we will pass on your details to the organisers. Press Release from West Berkshire Council
Newbury Library has re-opened today (Wednesday 2 January) following a two-week closure for refurbishment. Almost 5 million people have visited the library since it opened in July 2000. Like any much loved and well used building, it needed some maintenance. A £30,000 refurbishment project has seen public areas across two floors re-carpeted and re-decorated. Staff, volunteers and contractors have been busy with the refurbishment over the Christmas break and making sure it was ready to open again in the New Year. Speaking about the refurbishment, Councillor Rick Jones, Executive Member for Culture, said: “We’ve had a staggering number of people visit the library since it opened almost 20 years ago. This refurbishment will ensure that Newbury continues to have a library residents can enjoy and be proud of in the years to come. “The library has seen a number of changes over the years and it is no longer simply a place where people borrow books. There has been a significant expansion of digital services including self-service kiosks, an increasing number of online resources and apps for borrowing e-books and e-magazines. Together with free computer use, wifi, family history research and other local information there is a lot on offer for local people.” To find out more about West Berkshire’s libraries – including how to borrow e-books – visit www.wesberks.gov.uk/libraries  Received from the Police and Crime Commissioner for the Thames Valley - Anthony Stansfeld "I have continuously lobbied the Government for a much-needed increase in police funding and so I am pleased that the Government has announced that an additional £813m will be available nationally to Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) to fund local police forces. However, it must be recognised that more than half of this funding (£509m) is expected to come from local taxpayers by increasing the police portion of the Council Tax. Demand on police forces nationally has risen significantly in the last year as a result of higher crime numbers, the increasing complexity of crime, and the increasing reach of criminals both physically and via technology. This includes an increase in the reporting of high harm and previously hidden crimes such as child sexual abuse and modern slavery. The challenge from serious and organised crime networks is also growing both in economic value and the geographical spread, whilst nationally there has been a spike in serious violence and knife crime alongside the increase in a gang culture. A significant amount of the more serious crime is now being committed by foreign national offenders. In addition the police are dealing with a large amount of non-crime business, especially in relation to mental health. My focus will continue to be on delivering strong neighbourhood policing for all of the communities across the Thames Valley whilst addressing the serious threats and hardship posed by criminals. An increase to the council tax will enable me to protect many of the vital functions that may otherwise have been reduced, and ensure that Thames Valley Police has more resources to tackle crime and keep the public safe. I am therefore proposing to increase council tax by £24 (equivalent for a Band D household) and will ensure that all the extra cash generated from council taxpayers will be spent on operational policing. I will be running a public consultation exercise over the Christmas period to gather local council taxpayer views on the proposed increase. You can find more information about my public survey on the council tax increase below. I encourage you to complete the survey and to share it widely with your local communities. Finally, I wish you all a Happy Christmas and New Year Anthony Stansfeld " In response to the exceptional operational demands on the police, particularly in areas such as Thames Valley, the Government has encouraged all PCCs to raise the policing element of the council tax by £24 a year in 2019/20 or £2 a month for a Band D property. (The increase in other property bands are detailed within the survey) The PCC supports the increase in council tax by £24 for a Band D property. The draft budget for 2019/20 includes additional funding to increase local frontline policing, recruit more investigators and improve contact management with the aim to reduce call waiting times on 101 calls. Further information about the budget can be found here. The PCC is holding a public consultation exercise over the Christmas period to gather local council taxpayer views on the proposed increase in the police portion of the council tax. To have your say on the propose increase, please complete the survey. Please share this widely with your communities. The survey is open until Wednesday 9th January at 5pm Services in the West Downland Benefice will be: 23rd December 2018 – Fourth Sunday of Advent. 8.00am Holy Communion (BCP) at Leckhampstead. 6.00pm UB Combined Carol Service, Leckhampstead. Christmas Eve 3.00pm Carols at Catmore 3.00pm Crib Service at Wickham 10.00pm Holy Communion at Chaddleworth 10.00pm Holy Communion at Wickham 11.30pm Holy Communion at Great Shefford Christmas Day 8.00am BCP Holy Communion at Fawley 9.30am Family Holy Communion at Great Shefford 10.00am Family Holy Communion at Brightwalton 11.00am Family Holy Communion at Welford Sunday 30th December 30th December 2018 – First Sunday of Christmas 10.00am United Benefice Holy Communion at Great Shefford
Recycling Collection for real Christmas Trees
To help West Berkshire residents to have a green Christmas and recycle even more, West Berkshire Council will collect real Christmas Trees from residents even if they do not subscribe to the garden waste collection service. Real trees should simply be left with your recycling on your scheduled collection day up until Friday 18 January. Any decorations, lights and pots must be removed before recycling. Revised collection day Christmas and New Year collection dates 2018/19 Mon 24 Dec as normal Mon 24 Dec Tues 25 Dec will be collected on Thurs 27 Dec Wed 26 Dec will be collected on Fri 28 Dec Thurs 27 Dec will be collected on Sat 29 Dec Fri 28 Dec will be collected on Mon 31 Dec Mon 31 Dec will be collected on Wed 2 Jan Tues 1 Jan will be collected on Thurs 3 Jan Wed 2 Jan will be collected on Fri 4 Jan Thurs 3 Jan will be collected on Sat 5 Jan Fri 4 Jan will be collected on Mon 7 Jan Mon 7 Jan will be collected on Tues 8 Jan Tues 8 Jan will be collected on Wed 9 Jan Wed 9 Jan will be collected on Thurs 1 0 Jan Thurs 1 0 Jan will be collected on Fri 11 J an Fri 11 Jan will be collected on Sat 12 Jan Collections will return to normal on Monday 14 January 2019 To check your collection week or for updates to waste services during severe weather visit www.westberks.gov.uk/waste The Pew Sheet for the 9th December can be downloaded below. The services in the West Downland Benefice this Sunday will be: 8.00am Holy Communion (BCP) at Brightwalton 9.30am Holy Communion at Great Shefford 10.00am Nativity Play Service at Leckhampstead. 11.00am Holy Communion (BCP) at Wickham. 4.00pm Village Carols and Readings at Brightwalton.
West Berkshire Council Press Release - 7th December
Newbury Library is closing for refurbishment on Monday 17 December Newbury Library is closing for refurbishment on Monday 17 December and will reopen on Wednesday 2 January 2019. There are no items due for return to the library during this time. If customers have an item which was due back before 17 December and return it late, it won’t accrue additional fines during the closed period. Libraries Manager Felicity Harrison said: “We’re sorry if our longer than usual closure at Newbury Library over the holiday period causes any inconvenience, but we hope that library visitors will be pleased with the results of this refurbishment when the library reopens on Wednesday 2 January.” Opening times over the festive period for all West Berkshire Libraries can be found at www.westberks.gov.uk/libraries Many library services are available 24/7, even when the library is closed. For instance, customers can search for, reserve and renew books, download e-books, e-audiobooks and e-magazines, and make use of our extensive online reference resources on our website. Newbury Library also has a number of Winter Competitions for children running over the holiday period. See details of these on the library website. The closing dates: Monday 7 January. The winter edition of Upstream from the West Berkshire Countryside Society can be downloaded here.
Welcome to your November Brickleton News
Shaw House Christmas Fair
Sunday 2 December | Shaw House | 11am – 4pm If you are looking for unique and creative Christmas gifts then the Christmas Fair is not to be missed! We have over 60 amazing local crafters, bakers, artists and photographers all brimming with bespoke wares that can’t be found on the high street. With mulled wine, hot food and Living Nativity with Miller’s Ark Animals. £1 adults, children free. Childrens Christmas Parties Sunday 3 December | Shaw House | 11.30am, 12.45pm, 2pm, 3.15pm It’s party time at Shaw House! Featuring Mr Muddles the charming, if muddlesome magician, who captivates and amazes children with his comical slapstick magic. There will also be a special visit from Father Christmas and all children will receive a present. Parties £5 per child. Tickets available from Shaw House 01635 279279. Brief History of Christmas Monday 17 December | Shaw House | 7.30pm Acclaimed musicians GreenMatthews (with special guest Jude Rees of Pilgrims’ Way) present a festive romp through 600 years of Christmas music, songs and carols. Beginning in the Middle Ages and ending in the 20th century, ‘A Brief History of Christmas’ is a whistle-stop tour of the origins of our midwinter festivities. Adult £12, Child £5 (Discount with West Berks Card) Old Christmas Return'd Thursday 20 December | Shaw House | 7.30pm We welcome Piva back to Shaw House where they will be performing seasonal music and songs from Tudor times. Playing a wide range of authentic period instruments such as shawms, cornett and recorders, this year they are delighted to be joined by their special guest, singer An Croenen Brutsaert. The evening will be a perfect way to drive away the cold, dark nights of winter and prepare you for the Christmas festivities. Adult £14, Child £5 (Discount with West Berks Card) Workshops Hand Painted Christmas Decorations Museum Wreath Making Shaw House Decopatch for Christmas Shaw House Christmas Table Flowers Shaw House  Farnborough, Unnamed Road from B4494 to A338. 0900 to 1500 Thursday 22nd and Friday 23rd November.
The closure is on behalf of British Telecom and is so emergency repairs can be done to overhead cables. They have customers who are disconnected. Diversion will be via Brightwalton and Common Lane. There are already traffic lights on the diversion but the closure has been allowed due to the urgency of the works. Enquires should be addressed to BT’s contractors, A plant, on 03700 500792 for the attention of Leo Pulvinenti. The closure can be viewed on roadworks.org under the following link Farnborough closure Regards Bob Bosley Project Engineer Transport and Countryside Grace Ryder, Scheme Manager of Home-Start West Berkshire has asked us to share the following request:
"Home-Start are currently recruiting volunteers and we are looking for parents or people with parenting experience who have a bit of time to give a family in need. Volunteering for Home-Start is a great way for parents to use their own parenting skills to help others and improve their sense of well-being. We really need volunteers to support families in the Boxford area. Home-Start West Berkshire, a local family support charity is currently recruiting in this area. They need volunteers who can encourage, listen and offer practical support to parents with young children. Volunteers become a trusted friend and mentor to the family, to help them move forward. Their next training course will start on the 21st January 2019. It will run for 7 consecutive Mondays from 9.30-14.30pm, breaking for Half Term (Monday 18thFebruary). If you are interested or would like to discuss this further please contact us now on 01635 760310 or email office@home-startwb.org.uk More information can be found on our website www.home-startwestberks.org.uk" Today West Berkshire Council begins a public consultation on budget proposals which affect some frontline services. They are keen that as many residents, groups and organisations as possible have the opportunity to review the proposals and respond if they want to.
The information can be found at: www.westberks.gov.uk/budgetproposals Or if you would prefer you can request a hard copy by calling 01635 503043. Press Release from West Berkshire Council -
Removal of unwanted Green Bins West Berkshire Council will be arranging collection of unwanted green bins over the next few months. Residents who do not wish to subscribe to the garden waste service or use their green bin to recycle food waste can request a collection online to have their green bin removed from their property We would encourage residents to use their green bin to recycle food waste or to use them for something other than garden waste. Some residents have chosen to use them for extra storage, or to convert them into a water butt, wormery or composter. Request for a green bin to be collected at www.westberks.gov.uk/unwantedgreenbin A copy of the Ridgeway winter newsletter 2018 can be downloaded here. The latest newsletter is full of stories of inspiring people and also ideas for your adventures in 2019: Pubs along the Trail are winning awards. Which is your favourite? Please get involved on social media A stroke survivor tells us how The Ridgeway got him back to fitness, one step at a time Find out what the Vikings left behind near Watlington Look forward to an easier walk along the Trail thanks to numerous new gates in the Chilterns If you love history and have time to volunteer, help us create a Ridgeway timeline from prehistory to today Find out about events to mark WW1, celebrate Christmas and learn more about stars, mosses and birds....
Sunday 11th November at 7pm
To mark the 100th anniversary of Armistice Day, there will be an Act of Remembrance and Call for Peace. Starting at the Church gates, we will follow a piper to the War Memorial for a short service, and sounding of the Last Post, after which the bells will ring out for peace.  Reverend Miri Keen has asked us to circulate the following:
Chaddleworth & Shefford Schools present: We will remember them “If men could learn from history, what lessons it might teach us! But the light which experience gives us is a lantern on the stern, which shines only on the waves behind us.” Samuel Taylor Coleridge After a century, no one is left who remembers putting on a uniform and going off to Ypres or the Somme. And yet every November the millions of dead cry out to us to remember – and to learn by what happened to them. In this centenary of the Great War’s ending, the children of Chaddleworth & Shefford Schools will be, literally, giving voices to the Dead. Speaking the words of men and women and children who were there, they will conjure up a vivid picture of life in the trenches, hospitals, at home in Britain. The hope, of course, is not just to offer their audience a moving act of remembrance but to turn history into a memorable experience that will have the children identifying with real-life soldiers, nurses and civilians. The children and staff very much hope you will want to be part of this special Armistice event. Chaddleworth St Andrew’s & Shefford Federated C of E schools present ‘We will remember them’ on Tuesday 6th November 10.15a.m. by Geraldine McCaughrean at St. Stephen’s church Shefford Woodlands We hope you will stay to have refreshments after the performance. Please let Mrs Nutley in the School Office know if you are able to come. tel: 01488 648657 The Pew Sheet for Sunday 4th November can be downloaded here You are warmly invited to give thanks for the ministry of
Revd Mary Harwood and to celebrate with her as she retires. Service of Advent Carols and Readings All Saints Church, Brightwalton Sunday 16th December 2018 at 6pm followed by Refreshments in the Village Hall RSVP Mrs Evelyn Bracey wj.bracey.and.sons@farmline.com If you would like to record your memories of Mary’s ministry, or to thank her for the part she has played in the life of your family and our community, there is a commemorative book being passed around the Benefice. Please contact your Churchwarden to find out when it will be available in your village, or come prepared to write in it at the Reception on 16th December. If you would like to contribute to a retirement gift for Mary you may make a bank transfer to: please contact Evelyn Bracey, Lindsay Hardy or Sue Ridgeway who will be able to accept donations. The closing date for contributions is 1st December 2018. Thank you. |
AuthorThis is written by the Parish Clerk with input from the village. Planning ApplicationsClick here to find out more about the planning process and to view all the current planning applications in Brightwalton. Archives
February 2019
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