Welcome to Brightwalton News

Councillor Clive Hooker has sent out the July WBC update, please download here:

Councillor Clive Hooker has sent out the March WBC update, please download here:

Extravagant Hospitality,
As I have settled into life in the West Downland Benefice I have been asked the same question
a number of times in a variety of different ways - essentially: “Are you happy here?” I can
honestly say that I absolutely am! The kindness and generosity shown by those I have met so
far has been quite incredible. This really is a wonderful community to be a part of. Thank you
to everyone who has made me feel so welcome.
There is much we need to improve on as the church, but our extravagant hospitality is the
hallmark of everything we do. Starting with the simplest cup of coffee and every bite of food we
serve through to every smile of welcome and prayer shared, we want our extravagant hospitality
to be the first thing that everyone experiences whenever they connect with all that happens in
church. There are good biblical principles for this - from the many meals and celebrations that
Jesus enjoyed to alabasta jar of perfume that anointed his feet towards the end of his earthly
life, we are encouraged to be generous. I hope that is your experience. If it is not, please let
me know!
As I write this, I am deep into the planning for Holy Week and Easter. The details about the
various services around the benefice are in the picture below but I wanted to highlight a couple
of opportunities to join in with something that might be a little different this year. On Maundy
Thursday, We will gather in All Saints Brightwalton at 7pm for a Bring and Share Supper.
Maundy Thursday is a very moving service as we move from the celebration of a meal with
friends to the silence of the Garden of Gethesemene. On Good Friday, there is an Easter “Café
Church” in St Mary’s, Great Shefford at 10:30 with activities for children and refreshments for all.
(The quiet service of “The Last Hour” is at 2pm in St Swithun’s Wickham). Then on Easter Eve,
perhaps a new experience for this benefice, our Easter Celebrations begin when the sun sets
and we have a contemporary service to bring in the Easter Light. For this we will be gathering
around a fire at St Mary’s, Fawley around 7pm for a bowl of chilli as we wait for the church to get
dark. We will then light the new Easter Candles for all of our parishes and the will be carried
back to the churches for the Easter services that follow in the coming weeks. Do keep up to
date with all that is happening via our socials (@westdownland) or the website
(westdownland.co.uk) and I look forward to welcoming you into church soon!
With my love and prayers,
Rev Mike 

Brightwalton Parish Council is supporting the Keep Britain Tidy - Great British Spring Clean Campaign - which marks its 70th Anniversary this year.
West Berkshire Council is calling for residents across West Berkshire to show their pride in their community by taking part in the mass action litter pick.
Could your household adopt an lane to regularly litter pick? Could you support us by borrowing equipment and going out one day in April?
Please get in touch at [email protected] with your offers of help
​Thanks to West Berkshire Council we have a number of litter pickers, bags, gloves and hi-vis vests available to borrow.

The village hall AGM will be held on Monday 26th February at 7.30m in the new (West) hall. Any enquiries or nominations for the committee to [email protected].

The Village Hall committee is pleased to announce the arrival of the new online hall booking please visit:

https://hallbookingonline.com/brightwalton

We are delighted to confirm that our traditional Christmas Carol Service will be held around the Christmas Tree on Saturday 9th December at 4.30pm. This will be followed by mulled wine, mince pies and a wonderful festive acoustic set by the Peasemore Ukulele Group in the church. 
​

Parish Plan
How time has flown – the Parish Plan is due for update again!
The Parish Plan is designed to represent the views of Brightwalton parishioners on how the village and surrounding area develops. There are 3 reasons why we should invest the time to keep our Parish Plan current:
Œ Having a Parish Plan gives us access to grants for projects that are designed to improve various aspects of the village. Last time when the plan was updated in 2010, it gave us access to over £25K of grant money.
 The Parish Plan is a useful reference point when responding to West Berkshire Planners on various planning applications.
Ž The Parish Plan provides a mandate from the Parishioners for the Parish Council on where the Parish Council should focus their time and attentions.
The Parish Council is looking for volunteers to run the next Parish Plan update. This will involve setting up the questionnaires, delivering these and encouraging responses, collating the information and writing the plan, reviewing actions against the last plan. We would really like to see volunteers from each area of the village, this really helps with ensuring the questions cover all aspects and helps with the delivery and collection of questionnaires. IF you would be interested please email [email protected]
​

Village Working Party – Sunday 15th October
We need your help! Please spare a couple of hours on Sunday 15th morning to take part in the annual village clear up. We need help with:

• Hedge cutting around the playground and war memorial
• Weeding and sweep around the war memorial
• Strimming and cutting back the path in the Old Churchyard and Dunmore Pond
• Weeding in the playground
• Manage the bonfire
• Help with providing refreshments, cake and lunch (please email me)

We would love to see some new faces helping too,  even if you only have an hour please join us from 10am, meeting at the village hall. 
Many thanks – Brightwalton Parish Council – [email protected]
​

​We have a few dates coming up in September which are going to be lots of fun!
 
Saturday 2nd Sept - Music Concert, village hall 4pm organised by Bella Tryon
Monday 4th Sept - Youth Club Summer BBQ, village field & hall 5 - 7pm
Monday 25th Sept - Church Mouse Kitchen Soup Lunch, Church 12 - 2pm special guest talk from Barrie Hedges, Reliance Motor Services
Saturday 30th Sept - September Social, village hall, doors open at 7.15pm, live music from the PUGS from 7.30pm, Bar & Snacks available
Monday 30th Oct - Kids Halloween Party, village hall 4 - 6pm more details to follow.
 
I'm looking for a few people to help me run the bar on 30th Sept, if you'd like to help let me know! 

Katherine Moore 
Brightwalton Community Coordinator

Councillor Clive Hooker has sent out the August WBC update,. Please download here:

The July West Berkshire Council update from Councilor Clive Hooker can be downloaded here:

July WBC Update

The July Brickleton News can be downloaded here. 

Join us on the playing field on the 4th August for a family brunch, bring what you are eating, activities and games will be out for the kids. All welcome 9.30 till 11.30

Youth Club Summer Party BBQ
On the playing field Monday 4th September at 5pm. 

For more information please contact Katherine - 
​[email protected] 

Katherine, our Community Coordinator has booked the PUGS (Peasemore Ukelele Group) for the September Social in the village hall. Bar and snacks will be available. 

30th September 7pm ​

​Please be aware a property in Butts Furlong will be advertised through the West Berkshire Choice Based Lettings Scheme, Homechoice, on Thursday 25th May 2023. This is a social rent property being advertised in accordance with a section 106 agreement.
 
The details are as follows: Butts Furlong, Brightwalton, Berkshire,
 
The property is a 2 bed house and is suitable for a maximum of 4
people.
 
Only households who are registered on the Common Housing Register will be eligible to bid on this property.
 
If you are not already on the Common Housing Register and you are interested in the above property, you will need to be registered with us by Wednesday 8th February 2023. To register before this date, please complete an application form online at www.homechoicewestberks.org.uk and then call the Housing Allocations Team on 01635 519530 option 1 to discuss your application. We will then assess your eligibility and application, allocating a banding according to your housing circumstances.
 
In allocating this particular property West Berkshire Council have to adhere to a strict criteria. This criteria gives households ordinarily resident in Brightwalton, or an adjoining parish, highest priority.
 
Please feel free to contact the Housing Allocations Team on 01635 519530 option 1 if you require further information on any of the above.
 
Further information on Home Choice West Berks can be found at www.homechoicewestberks.org.uk