community yearbook 2018

APRIL

Newbury Weekly News W:286.501mm H:0.353mm ISSUEDATE_ID 2_9

Thursday, 25 January, 2018

Crowds flock to Open Day MEMORIES of the 2015 Grand National winner

Tributes to council leader “WE have not only lost a leader, but a friend.” flooded in and a book of condolences in the council of ices in Market Street was signed by colleagues, council staff and friends.

Thorne boots Blues to glory IT WAS a bit scary, it was tortuous, it was unnerving at times, but Newbury Blues held on to seal promotion from South West 1 East with a 25-22 play-off win over Cleve- don. Blues not only sealed their first promotion in a decade, but finally got to that light at the end of the tunnel of recovery from the darkest days in the club’s history. The next step may be big, but Blues looked forward to it with a united core of home-bred talent, bulked by imports from all over the region. Clevedon came a bit further than that, away from homely rope-surrounded confines to the comparative colosseum of what was once a Level 2 ground. They did look a little unsettled in the first period, but settled after the break and went so Crusaders’ play-off blow HUNGERFORD TOWN’S Vanarama National League South promotion hopes were thrown into turmoil after their ground was ruled as unfit to stage play-off matches. An email received from the league confirmed that Hungerford had failed to meet ground stan- dards for the play-offs – despite passing all the requirements to compete in the league. The provision of 140 more seats is the issue, although the club has those ready to go in should they reach the end-of-season knock-out. “We can have those in this week,” said chairman Nigel Warrick. “ We had no idea they had to be in now. There is so much confusion about it all. “We got promoted to this league and spent the time working to reach the ground grading by Match 1. We raised the money, we did everything we had to do to be compliant and then we find we have another mountain to climb. “What’s being asked is unrealistic. If you go up into a league and win that league, you should have a season to prepare yourself if you go up.” But tries and bonus points counted for nothing, and Blues skipper Dan Thorne booted 20 points – just what was needed in a one-off knock-out match. close to wrecking Blues’ dream by out-scoring them three tries to one.

were evoked at this year’s Many Clouds Lambourn Open Day. As usual, thousands flocked to the village for its big day. More than 25 racing yards and horse exhibitions gave an insight into the running of top yards and some ran displays, such as horses using hydrotherapy pools. A whopping £32,000 was taken at Nicky Hender- son’s Seven Barrows yard alone – an all-time high. Sprinter Sacre was still the star attraction, despite not racing for a year, but the likes of

That was the touching tribute from West Berkshire Council’s acting deputy leader Hilary Cole to her former colleague, Roger Croft. Mr Croft tragically died due to the injuries he sustained in a car crash, a collision which also claimed the life of his wife, Zelda. Mr and Mrs Croft, who celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary in 2015, were travelling in France when tragedy struck on February 13. His death sent shockwaves through- out the community– not least among fellow councillors, politi- cians and Newbury and District Swimming Club, where Mr Croft was president. Tributes and messages of support

And at an emotional meeting of West Berkshire Council’ s executive last week – the first since Mr Croft’s death – a minute’s silence was observed to remember him. The council’s chief executive, Nick Carter, said: “I will remember Roger for his energy, drive and vision. We will all miss his energy, his real passion for serving the communities here in West Berkshire and, of course, his friendship and humour.” Newbury’s Conservative MP

Altior , Might Bite and Buveur D’Air were still hugely popular. Mr Henderson said: “We’ve got an absolutely huge crowd today. It’s great to see so many people interested in these

wonderful horses.” Lambourn’s legendary former jockey, Sir AP McCoy, won the Waitrose Celebrity Show Jumping, edging out Cheltenham Gold Cup-winning jockey Nico de Boinville.

Richard Benyon last week said Mr Croft was “ utterly unyielding in his desire to get the best for the people of West Berkshire”. Holiday hero

“When she came around, she came around so quick, it was from nothing,” he recounted. “I’ll never forget how she looked when she came out of the water and I ’ll never forget that feeling when she came back.” The toddler spent two days in hospital before returning to the hotel. “She came out on our last day there and we were reunited with her and her family,” said Mr Parker. “They were obviously very emotional.” However, Mr Parker played down his actions saying his “training took over”. He said:“I remember feel- ing very calm despite all the panic around. I just did what I’ve been trained to do for the last 13 years.”

A FIREFIGHTER from Newbury was praised for his bravery to “act in the face of fear” after saving the life of a toddler who was pulled unconscious from a Dubai swimming pool. Oliver Parker was on his honeymoon with his preg- nant wife, Heidi, and two children when the two-year- old was spotted motionless in the pool of the Hilton Dubai Jumeirah Beach. Her distraught father pulled the girl out of the water and lay her on the side as by-standers looked on in horror. It was then Mr Parker’ s training as a firefighter kicked in. “We were leaving the pool area and I just heard a lot of screaming,” said the 33- year-old. “It was quite obvi-

Marchers hold a minute ’s silence for the Wstminster attack

Marching for peace A MULTI-faith event was held in the town centre to condemn the Westminster terror attack. The event, under the banner Not In My Name, was organised by Newbury Mosque and Muslim Youth Group to remember those That was followed by speeches from local Muslim leaders, Newbury MP Richard Benyon and the mayor of Newbury, Julian Swift-Hook. A spokesman for Newbury’ s mosque congregation, Lucky

Oliver Parker

ous she had drowned – it was just horrific. “She was completely blue and not breathing. I just went into complete work mode.” The heroic fireman performed the emergency life-saving procedure for three minutes in a desper- ate effort to bring the young girl from Finland back from the brink of death.

who were killed and injured. Marchers walked from the mosque in Pound Street to Newbury Town Hall, before there was a minute’s silence for the victims of the attack, a laying of flowers and prayers.

Nizami, said:“ These were not the actions of a Muslim but an act of a terrorist who does not believe in God or humanity. We are British; we are British Muslims and no one will take that away from us.”

Welcome to

Hungerford

A bright and spacious care home

Hungerford Care Home, in Berkshire, is located just two miles from the picturesque market town of Hungerford. Here you’ll find amenities, eateries and river walks. FOODAND DINING

Our 52 bedrooms are set across two floors and each wing has its own light and airy lounge and dining room with views of the gardens, meaning peace and tranquillity is never far away.We have a number of well-maintained gardens and greenhouse with wheelchair access.There is a mature orchard, sheltered seating area and secure sensory garden suitable for residents with dementia.

PERSONALAND QUALITY CARE When you arrive at Hungerford, we’ll sit down together to understand you, your life story and your needs.We’ll then create a personal care plan together with you, our carers and your relatives. Our nursing and dementia care is first- class: we provide the most up to date training for our carers, and support for our residents. All residents are treated as individuals, with their life experiences directly shaping their care plan. We also provide excellent respite care for short term stays.

At Hungerford, we love our food.We firmly believe that when you eat well, you live well too. Each day our chef prepares restaurant style, 3-course meals combining variety with a balanced diet and an emphasis on locally sourced ingredients. We can also cater to any dietary or health requirements.

To arrange a visit and see for yourself, please contact the Home Manager Hungerford Care Home Wantage Road, Hungerford Newtown Berkshire RG17 0PN Tel: 01488 682002 hungerford@brighterkind.com www.brighterkind.com/hungerford

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Hungerford care home is amazing. The staff are always polite and welcoming.