Newbury Weekly News - May 11th 2017

Thursday, May 11, 2017

Newbury Weekly News

Greenham to keep control tower grant

Funding provider laysdown conditions forparish council

GREENHAM Parish Council has received a clean bill of health over funding for its flagship control tower project, following positive talks with grant provider Social Invest- ment Business (SIB) last week. The news draws a close to questions over how £421,000 funding from SIB was spent, after an investigation revealed the initial terms of the funding agreement had been broken. As a result of the investiga- tion, the council was given a June deadline to abide by a strict set of conditions set out by SIB, which included providing a full breakdown of work still to be done and a realistic plan detail- ing how the remainder of the project will be financed. Following the meeting with council representatives on May 2, SIB said it was satisfied with the progress made and that the conditions had been met. In the letter to Greenham Parish Council clerk David Fowler, SIB’s head of programmes Deborah Smart said the meeting had been “hugely helpful” and thanked the council for providing the information. Responding to the letter, Greenham Parish Council chair- man Julian Swift-Hook said: “I’m really pleased that our

Report by CHRISORD email chris.ord@newbur ynews.co.uk twitter @chriso_nwn

concerns were raised over how the funds had been spent. However, despite finding the initial agreement had not been adhered to, the grant provider determined that the council would not need to pay the money back if it provided a full break- down of what work was required, with costings and timescales; a realistic plan detailing how the remainder of the project will be financed; an update which details which partners remain involved in the project; and re-confirma- tion that once the project was complete, a lease would be given to a new body, to ensure that the building stays in community ownership and management for at least 25 years. An SIB spokesman said: “After meeting with Greenham Parish Council earlier this month, we are satisfied with the progress being made towards opening the control tower. “The council has agreed to provide us with further progress updates and we are hopeful that this important community asset will open for public use in the near future.” It is hoped the control tower will be opened up to the public by the end of the year. However, it is believed the council is still in the process of applying for a further £100,000 loan in order to complete the development.

CAMRA’s top award for Rowbarge Rowbarge deputymanager AndyPyneispresented withthePuboftheYearcertificate byWestBerksCAMRA chairmanRichardScullion Ref:19-0617A

few minutes’ walk of Midgham railway station and the main bus route between Reading and Newbury. West Berkshire CAMRA chair- man Richard Scullion said: “Over the last year The Rowbarge has gone from strength to strength, which is a credit to the entire team. “Many people will be aware of their reputation for good food, but you can also be assured of a great selection of quality real ales. “The beer festival they held in August 2016, their first attempt at an event of its magnitude, was a huge success and we wish them all the best of luck with their festival this August.”

CAMRA Pub of the Year. “It really does show that all the hard work that the team put in here is worth it. “We hope to be an example of how successful a team can be if you all pull in the same direc- tion” “Finally getting the recogni- tion we all deserve is massively rewarding and will spur each member of the team on to emulate the success for 2018. “A massive thank you to all at CAMRA for your continued support of our regular Meet The Brewer evenings, and also for electing us for this award. It truly is an honour.” A pub since the 18th century, The Rowbarge is located within a

WOOLHAMPTON’S Rowbarge has gone from strength to strength to be named Pub of the Year by the West Berkshire Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA). The riverside pub won the district accolade for its selection of six real ales, bistro-style food and amount of outside seating overlooking the River Kennet. Of the six real ales available, the pub serves one regular and five changing guest beers, often including one from Vale Brewery and West Berkshire Brewery. The pub’s assistant manager, Tom Girling, said: “It is an honour to receive this distin- guished award of West Berkshire

meeting with SIB last week went so well and that we were able to provide them with all the infor- mation they needed, as its letter this week makes clear. “Now that SIB’s project over- sight issues have been resolved, I think the focus has to be firmly on getting on with what remains to be done so that this iconic building can be opened to the public, hopefully later this year.” More than £700,000 has so far been spent on the control tower project, whichwill see the Grade II- listed Cold War building converted into a café and visitor centre. Initially there had been fears that SIB could claw back all or some of the £421,555 grant after

Man cleared of raping sleeping woman

BUTLERS . . . the tree people

A JURY has cleared a man of raping a woman while she slept. Earlier, the alleged victim had told Reading Crown Court of the moment she awoke to find Christopher Ball trying to have sex with her. Twenty-four-year-old Mr Ball, of Fairfield Park, West

The woman added that she had gone to sleep, but awoke suddenly at 2.15 to find Mr Ball on top of her. Mr Ball told the jury he had indeed had sex with the woman, but that it had been entirely consensual. It took jurors just one hour to unanimously clear him of both charges.

upstairs – something he occa- sionally did, the court heard. The woman, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, said that earlier Mr Ball and his friend had arrived at the same house in Mortimer. She said she had been taking cocaine and drinking alcohol during the evening.

End Road, Mortimer Common, denied one count of rape and another of attempted rape. On the first day of the trial, on Tuesday, May 2, the woman said she had enjoyed an evening with friends when she decided to go to bed. A male friend told her she could sleep in his double bed

Call us for anything to do with trees

Barbecue follows community clean up in Clay Hill RESIDENTS are invited to join a community clean up in Clay Hill on Saturday, May 20. Organised by the volunteers at the Riverside Community Centre, the two-hour clean-up will take place around the Clay Hill neighbourhood and all residents are invited to join in. Newbury town councillor Jeff Beck (Con, Clay Hill) said: “The Riverside Community Centre is run by volunteers on behalf of the community, who make great use of the facilities provided. “The maintenance of the local stretch of the River Lambourn, together with its banks and foot- paths, are also in the main dependent on the work carried out by volunteers. “Do come along on May 20 and help us in our clean-up around the River Lambourn and surrounding areas. “You will find us a friendly group of people and we will do our utmost to ensure you enjoy your day.” The event has been funded by the One-Stop Carriers for Causes Grants and will be supported by the Renewal Project and local volunteers. All equipment will be provided and a barbecue lunch will be held afterwards to say thank you to all who helped. The group will meet at Riverside Community Centre, Rosemoor Gardens, RG14 2FG, at 10.30am.

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