Newbury Weekly News - May 11th 2017

Thursday, May 11, 2017

Newbury Weekly News

David is new primary head HUNGERFORD Primary School has announced that it has appointed a new headteacher. He is David

HUNGERFORD & LAMBOURN VALLEY Keeping in touch

Have you got a story? Contact our Hungerford & Lambourn valley reporter JOHN GARVEY, on (01635) 564528, or email: john.garvey@

Mayer, who will be taking up the posi- tion on September 1. Mr Mayer, pictured, will replace Gerry Heaton, who has occupied the role

newburynews.co.uk Twitter @johng_nwn

NewsupdatesfromHungerfordand Lambournare nowavailableonlinethroughouttheweek.Go to newburytoday.co.ukand selectthe districtpages

since January 2014 and who announced his intention to retire earlier this year. Mr Mayer is an experienced head- teacher who was recently principal of a large primary school in Wilt- shire. Before that, he was headteacher at a medium-sized primary school in Oxfordshire. Mr Mayer has strong connections with Hungerford Primary School as both his daughters have been educated there. He said: “I’m very excited to be coming back to the town and working with the local community. “I am very much looking forward to meeting children and parents during my visits to the school in the summer term.” Chairman of the school governors, Andy Bell, said: “We had several strong candidates who went through a rigorous selection process and we’re delighted that David has accepted the position of head- teacher.” He added: “He demonstrated great empathy with the governors’ vision of putting children at the heart of everything we do in the school, espe- cially nurturing and developing a lifelong love of learning.”

   

HundredsofguestsattendedtheBarrsYardopeningeveningonFriday

Ref:19-1017B

Opening party is the best Barrs none HUNDREDS of people, including civic leaders, attended the launch of Hungerford’s new Artisans’ Collective on Friday evening.



The collective, founded by husband and wife team Travers and Katie Nettleton, brings together a number of independent businesses including a deli, wine shop, fashion boutique, gardening clothing brand and art gallery, which reside alongside Garden Art Plus’s own shop to create a “unique shopping and lifestyle destination”. The Nettletons founded Garden Art Plus in 2004 and since then its ever-changing display of antique garden statuary has become one of the town’s most striking features.

From left,Travers andKatieNettleton, Romilla Arber andNewburyConservative parliamentary candidateRichardBenyonattheBarrsYardopeningparty

Ref:19-1017A

‘Be on guard over council tax banding review claims’

Trading standards i sueswarning tohomeowners overcompany’s letter about

‘savings’

It added: “A neighbour in your close was successful in their banding review by ourselves… saving them almost £200 per year.” We contacted the company and asked why it believed the occupant was on the wrong banding and whether it could back up its claim that it had saved a Westbrook Close resident £200 a year. A spokesman for the firm, Paul Buck, claimed his company had been “defamed” by West Berkshire Council trading standards officers. He insisted our questions be put in writing, before replying: “Thank you for your email, which has been forwarded on to our lawyers. As soon as they have any answers... either

rebate. “We have provided some advice and arranged to visit the resident in the next few days. “The trading standards team has written to local residents to share advice from the VOA on council tax banding. “Anyone can check their council tax band is correct for free by contact- ing the Valuation Office Agency. “In doing so residents need to understand that re-evaluation could result in a property being assessed at a higher band.” The advice can be found at www.gov.uk/government/news/ warning-bogus-council-tax-refund- scams

they will contact you or I will and will be happy to answer your questions.” However, there had been no further reply as this newspaper went to press. Council tax banding is determined by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), part of HM Revenue and Customs. Having it reviewed costs nothing – the VOA has no fees or charges and will guide homeowners through the process. A spokesman for West Berkshire Council’s trading standards, Martin Dunscombe, said: “A Hungerford resi- dent has been in touch with our trad- ing standards team to discuss a letter received which offered a council tax

TRADING standards chiefs have warned Hungerford homeowners to be on their guard after letters were sent offering council tax band reviews. Westbrook Close, in particular, was targeted by the firm, which tells resi- dents they are paying too much coun- cil tax and offering to have it reduced. But anyone can have the council tax band of their property reviewed for free. One letter, addressed to “the home- owner” and sent to a property in Westbrook Close from ‘Council Tax Review Services’, states that the company believed the occupant is on the wrong council tax banding.

Phoebe Digweed onthepodium

Phoebe is British schools judo ace A HUNGERFORD pupil has been crowned British schools judo champion. Phoebe Digweed, a Year 7 pupil at John O’Gaunt School, was one of more than 650 contestants from schools across the nation competing in the champi- onships at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield. Phoebe won every single one of her fights en route to the final. Around 400 schools were represented in the competition. John O’Gaunt School headteacher, Alan Hender- son, said: “A massive well done to Phoebe. This is an incredible achievement and we are extremely proud of her.”

‘Outstanding’ Ofsted for under-fives pre-school STAFF, parents and children at Great Shefford Under Fives Pre- school are celebrating following a recent Ofsted visit. alongside the children, observing their indoor activities, and said: “They are totally engrossed, using original ideas and rich language to describe what they are doing.” “Teaching is of a very high stan- dard. Staff use accurate assessments and children’s interests to provide a wonderful variety of rich and excit- ing learning experiences. to the children and parents about healthy eating. Children are tremen- dously active and become strong and agile.

Inspectors awarded the school the highest accolade – a rating of ‘outstanding’. That’s a boost from the previous rating of ‘good’. The small community group, which is based at Great Shefford Village Hall, won praise for the effectiveness of leadership and management, the quality of teaching, learning and assessment, for personal develop- ment and behaviour and for welfare. The inspector spent the morning

“They thoroughly enjoy running, climbing and balancing as they gain confidence in their own abilities.” Pre-school supervisor, Denise Herrington, said she was delighted with the report. She added that it reflected the “hard work and commitment of the staff team together with the support of the parents and community”. The group has places available – for more details visit www.greatsheffor- dunderfives.co.uk

“Staff skilfully encourage children to think creatively and find their own solutions. Children are inquisitive and very eager to learn. They make rapid progress.” It added: “Children settle very quickly, they feel happy and secure and are ready to learn. Behaviour is exemplary. “Children gain an excellent under- standing of how to lead healthy lives. “Staff arrange for a dietician to talk

After lunch, she joined the children as they walked across the fields and afterwards reported that they were tremendously active, “helping them to become strong and agile”. The report went on: “The highly experienced and inspirational manager uses her in-depth knowl- edge and her skills effectively. “She leads by example to ensure her staff continue to develop their practice to maintain the highest standards.