community yearbook 2018

DECEMBER

Farewell to. . . W:286.501mm H:0.353mm ISSUEDATE_ID 2_23 Newbury Weekly News

Thursday, 25 January, 2018

Appeal reaches a major milestone

Aldermaston’s proud tradition WATCHING the Nativity play from the York Mystery Cycle designed by E Martin-Browne in the dark, atmospheric antiquity of St Mary’s Church, Aldermaston, it is possible to be transported back in time, so real are the costumes, the words and the lighting. The late Pat Eastop (who was appointed the MBE for services to the Aldermaston Nativity Play) designed and directed these annual performances from 1957 until 2013, shortly before her death and her influence is still evident in the staging, presentation and light- ing, in fact everything about the play as it is seen today. That is to take nothing away from the present director Chris Boott, who has continued in the tradition, keeping the essential movement and tableau and adding his own stage effects and offering new music, with a choir directed by Tiffany Ebrey. All this means that the annual event has continued and grown, changing in small, subtle, significant ways that can only enhance and ensure the continuation of these plays in future. It is, surely, exactly what Pat Eastop would have wanted. Many villagers in one way or another bring these annual performances to fruition and once again – for the 61st time – they can be proud of their achievement. Top award for Luke NEWBURY Weekly News racing corre- spondent Luke Harvey was

KEITH CHEGWIN

TRIBUTES were paid to former Ashmanworth resident and TV star Keith Cheg - win, following his death.

The Rosemary Appeal will finance the £4.5m Greenham Wing, which will provide state-of-the-art cancer treatment and renal dialysis at West Berkshire Community Hospital. Rosemary Appeal trustee and former Thatcham GP Dr Rob Tayton said: “After six years of planning, the building shell for community cancer care and renal dialysis at West Berk- shire Community Hospital is now complete. “The shell has been handed over to the NHS, and fitting out with state-of- the-art equipment starts this month. “The project will be completed by May next year.”

A MAJOR milestone has been reached in The Rosemary Appeal’s GreenhamWing project. The building – now complete– has been officially handed over to NHS chiefs. Appeal trustee David Ball said:“This was such an important milestone for the Rosemary project and there were times when we seriously doubted that we would ever get this far. “Community support has made all the difference and donations large and small total a staggering £3.1m after a little over a year. “We still have £1.4m to go, but this week’s handover has really reinvigo- rated the appeal.”

Extravaganza! THE world and his wife, it seemed, packed the streets of Hungerford for the town ’s celebrated, annual festive extravaganza. After a successful 25-year history, organisers from the town Chamber of Commerce rang the changes by drop- ping the Victorian theme. But old favourites like the big wheel, fairground rides, free entertainment, mulled wine, mince pies and chest- nuts drew crowds of many thousands from far and wide. Street entertainers joined the grand

‘Cheggers’ moved to the area in the mid- 1980s and was regu - larly seen in Newbury, West Berks and North Hants. He became one of Britain’s youngest TV presenters, finding fame with Cheg gers Plays Pop and Multi-Coloured Swap Shop, in a career spanning 50 years.

PETER WALWYN

THE horseracing community was in mourning follow- ing the death of legendary trainer Peter Walwyn at the age of 84.

Homeless haven “IT will be lovely – somewhere warm and safe to stay.” They were the thoughts campaign from charity West Berkshire Home- less, which raised

In 1965, he moved to the stables at Seven Barrows, where he spent the majority of his career, before moving to Windsor House stables. Mr Walwyn won the Derby with Grundy in 1975. In the mid-1970s he was British flat racing Champion Trainer twice and in 2012 he was appointed an MBE. Sgt SHANE COOK

£18,000, along with the help of local charities, businesses and volun- teers. The founder of West Berkshire Homeless, Cathy Knight, said:“ The atmosphere of commu- nity, cards and snoring is a delight to experience. “We are so grateful to the community of now over 80 volunteers– we just need a few extra night helpers through the winter.” For the next three months, rough sleepers will be able to spend the night in a bed in the main hall on a first- come-first- served basis.

of one of Newbury’ s rough sleepers as the new homeless night shel- ter opened in the town. Volunteers and support - ers gathered outside the Salvation Army Hall, in Northcroft Lane, to mark the opening. A number of those look- ing to make use of the shelter also gathered as temperatures plum- meted on one of the cold- est nights of the year. The service will provide 13 beds for the homeless from December to the end of February. The shelter was made possible through a successful fundraising

named as racing’s Broadcaster of the Year at the 51st annual Horserace Writers and Photographers Association Derby

FRIENDS and family mourned the passing of a well-known and long-serving former Newbury police officer. Sgt Shane Cooke

Magic lantern parade NEWBURY’S community lit up the cold winter night as the eighth lantern parade returned to town. Trust and Arts Council England. The Corn Exchange , however, estimates that the total atten- dance was closer to 2,000.

Awards lunch, held in London. The former jockey has been the NWN’s racing expert for two decades and received the Peter O’Sullevan Trophy for Broadcaster of the Year, founded in 2004, for his work for ITV Racing and At The Races . He polled the highest number of votes among the nominees, who included ITV Racing colleagues Ed Chamberlin and Oli Bell, plus Racing UK’s Lydia Hislop.

died aged 59 after a 30-year career with Thames Valley Police, where he estab- lished Newbury Pub Watch. National newspapers picked up on his colourful reputation, and dubbed him “The Sheriff of Newbury”

More than 300 lanterns and about 900 people took part in the Festival of Light proces- sion, which is organised by Newbury’s Corn Exchange and funded by the Greenham

Sukey Russell-Hayward said: “Fantastic community spirit and beautiful lanterns and, as usual, a brilliant turnout by the whole town. ”

A big thank you

to all our sponsors!

Hungerford Christmas Extravaganza

CDK Global The Good Exchange Greenham Common Trust The Town and Manor of Hungerford Hungerford Town Council Kerridge Commercial Systems Hypertec Chilton Estates Dickins Hopgood & Chidley Tomorrows Guides Walker Logistics Aqua Financial Ltd

Cobbs Farm Shop David Small Solicitor Derek Loft Fare Wise Travel

Sarah Bloggs John and Sylvia Downe Outside and In Three Marketeers A Handful of Colour Newbury Weekly News Hungerford Advisor Chain Fiona Hobson

Hungerford Arcade Hungerford Jewellers The Tutti Pole Inklings Lloyd Evans Montagues Hair Design Newbury Building Society PBA Accountants Roger King Antiques The Three Swans Fizzthinks360

Below Stairs Clockmaker