community yearbook 2018

AUGUST

Tragedy tributes W:286.501mm H:0.353mm ISSUEDATE_ID 2_17 Newbury Weekly News

Thursday, 25 January, 2018

Vodafone is staying VODAFONE said it remained committed to Newbury following people at Vodafone, said the company had become

unambitious and had even considered closing down its Newbury HQ. But a Vodafone spokesper- son said:“Our Newbury HQ remains a vital part of the UK business. “Our roots are in the town and it is home to the UK management team and functions critical to the success of the company, including our network operations centre.”

reports that it consid- ered closing down its headquarters in Shaw- cum-Donnington. The Financial Times reported that the company was looking to devolve power away from Newbury to deal with a “cultural problem” that it faced in the UK. The report, based on comments made by senior

HUNGERFORD marked the 30th anniversary of the town ’s shooting tragedy with a poignant memorial service and wreath-laying ceremony. Lawrence Church, the present incumbent, the Rev Mike Saun- ders, welcomed a congregation that included civic dignitaries and some of the relatives of the 16 killed and 15 seriously wounded by Michael Ryan on August 19, 1987. He then introduced a familiar face to many – the Rev David Salt, whose job it had been to comfort a stunned and grieving community in the dreadful aftermath. He said:“When the tragedy struck, I was overwhelmed by the help the congregation offered. “Believe it or not, we suddenly became alive as a church.” As late summer sunshine streamed into a packed St

Bobby ’s off! BOBBY WILKINSON stunned Hungerford Town when he quit to join Vanarama Nation South rivals Wealdstone.. Within hours of the news, other clubs were lining up to snap up the man who steered Hungerford from the lower reaches of the Southern League into the National League. Wealdstone won the race to lure Wilkinson with a two-year contract and the target of taking his new club into the Football League. Wilkinson took with him a couple of the Crusaders’ top players and his backroom staff – coaches Jamie Leacock and Mike Percival, goalkeeping coach Ian Hobbs and physio Stacey Wood. Wilkinson said:“I want everyone to know I love Hungerford Town and I would not be going where I am without Hungerford and Nigel Warrick. “This club will always mean everything to me– I’ve bought two seats for life and I’m a Hunger- ford Town fan.” Two medals for James NEWBURY swimmer James McFadzen had a storming end to his season when he produced a medal-winning display for Great Britain. McFadzen, who trains with Wycombe District Swim Club, was selected to represent GB at the European Junior Championship at Netanya, Israel. He progressed through heats and semi-finals to secure the bronze medal in the 200m individual medley with a lifetime best of 2mins 02.36secs. He also swam the breaststroke leg in the 4 x 100m mixed medley relay to earn a second bronze.

West Berkshire Council chairman Quentin W ebb lays a wreath at the Hungerford Tragedy memorial 30th anniversar y service

Among those looking on as the names of the victims were read out was Ron Tarry, who was mayor at the time and who

After the service, civic leaders, police and some of those whose loved ones were killed or injured in the shootings gathered at the town’s tragedy memorial to lay wreaths.

shouldered the task, in the days, months and years that followed. Good old days brought back to life

Soapbox spectacular MORE than £8,000 was collected for the Royal Berks Charity at a fast and furious fundraiser held at Englefield Park. Almost 2,000 spectators turned out for the inaugu- ral Royal Berks Charity Soapbox Challenge, as 16 competitors hurtled down a makeshift track in their home-made dream machines. The event was declared a Energy, Mattel and 360Medical, as well as individual senior and junior drivers, were tasked with designing their own soapbox. From classic racers, ice cream vans and even sharks, teams took the opportunity to get creative, although speed was ultimately the name of the game.

MORE than 35,000 people attended the largest Retro Festival in the UK at Newbury Showground. Many people dressed up in 1940s and 1950s clothing and there was plenty of opportunity to further accessorise with reproductions from 292 trade stands. Live music from 15 bands kept the crowds entertained at the three-day festival There was something for all ages, with live music, including Geno Washington, a vintage fun fair, steam engines and a display of 1,000 classic vehicles. Visitors were entertained by rockabilly and jive dance classes, and a bike stunt show from Flyin Ryan, who performed daring jumps over an array of vehicles.

Competitors were given two timed runs down the specially-designed course on the West Berkshire estate owned by the family of Newbury MP Richard Benyon.

success by organisers, with plans to expand it next year. Teams from companies such as Reading Metal Recycling, Porsche, Xpert

Claire and Charlotte Twomey with Sylvia Spilsbur y and Laura Twomey-Hunt at Retro Festival

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