Newbury Weekly News - May 11th 2017

Thursday, May 11, 2017

Newbury Weekly News

Drink-driver caught on his own driveway

before the court”. “He’s put both his work and family into a difficult situation,” Mr Worthy’s solicitor added. “He felt fine to drive, he obvi- ously wasn’t. “It was a quiet time and there was no impaired driving. “He accepts it was wrong. “He accepts the reality of being punished.” He added: “He’s willing to do whatever it takes to show this was a one-off mistake.” The court heard how the repentant father-of-two had now sold his Transit van and had wound down his customers ahead of the inevitable disquali- fication period. Mr Worthy was disqualified from driving for a period of 12 months and fined £200 (reduced from £300 for the guilty plea). He was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £30 and £85 in court costs. Sentencing magistrates told the court: “We are aware it will have a big impact onMr Worthy’s work but a ban is inevitable.”

A THATCHAM man has been banned from driving for 12 months after pleading guilty to drink driving. Police officers saw Neil Worthy, of Medway Close, drive his van on to the driveway at his home address on April 4 this year at around 11pm. The 41-year-old had been watching a boxing match at his parents’ house before taking the Ford Transit van home. A subsequent blood test revealed a reading of 123mg of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood – the legal limit is 80mg. Prosecuting, Lesley Gilmore told Reading Magistrates Court on Thursday, April 13: “Officers observed the defendant drive a Transit van on to the driveway of his address just before 11pm. “They spoke to the defendant and requested a breath sample as they were suspicious he was over the limit. “He was taken into custody, however the reads were incon- sistent and so blood was taken.” In mitigation, the court was told how Mr Worthy, a self- employed craftsman, was the financial provider for his wife and two young children and that “he was extremely sorry to be YOUNG photographers in Thatcham are being asked to snap scenes of nature in and around the town. Thatcham Photographic Club, in collaboration with Thatcham Town Council, has launched its annual photo- graphic competition for all pupils living in or studying within 10 miles of Thatcham. The competition will form part of this year’s Thatcham Festival, which will run from October 7 to 20.

Kennet Games triumphs CHILDREN with physical disabilities enjoyed another successful Kennet Games last weekend. Youngpeople withphysical disabilities compete inrange ofsports andactivities Young athletes with their trophies andmedals attheKennet Games onSaturday Ref:19-1117H

Children from local schools joined clubs and pupils from Reading at Kennet School for the 37th Kennet Games for chil- dren and young people with physical difficulties on Saturday. Competitors came from Kennet School, The Castle School post-16 unit, Speenhamland Primary, Brookfields Reading, Lambs Lane Reading, and PALS Berkshire, a group that provides activities for children with physical disabili- ties. After rounds of games ranging from boccia, dodgeball, shotput and rolla ball, trophies were awarded by special guest and disability campaigner Toby Hewson of JustDifferent and the deputy head of the Kennet School Academies Trust, Ms Bernadette McNally. The cup winners were: Junior Electric wheelchair – Ottilie Bankes, Speenhamland; Junior wheelchair – Jake Parsons,

The magistrates added: “We take into account your previous good character and your need to drive again to support your family.” Get snapping nature pictures

The theme of the competition is The Natural World and pupils are asked to capture what the natural world means to them. There are three age groups and prizes of up to £50. Images can be sent by email to festivalcomp@thatchamphoto- club.com The competition is now open for submissions and these can be made at any time until September 22. For further infor- mation contact Mr Roberts on (01635) 866841.

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said: “It was fantastic to see so many children being included in so many events in such a competi- tive way – and with smiles on their faces. “A huge thank you to all the sponsors, particularly Team Kennet Sport whose donation allowed the purchase of new

boccia sets. “Thanks also to all the compa- nies that donated raffle prizes. “The day was thoroughly enjoyed by all. “Competitors, parents, friends, carers and school staff all helped to make the event a very success- ful day.”

Speenhamland; Junior standing – Tegan Basden, Brookfields; Senior wheelchair – Emma Clark, Kennet; Senior standing – Sophie Sanders, PALs; Fastest time in wheelchair slalom – Craig Rolfe, Lambs Lane; Exceptional sports- manship – Henry Davies, Kennet. Event organiser Jane Morland

Hi-5 Roadrunners take on Thatcham Family Fun Day Run THATCHAM’S Family Fun Day Fun Run will be under new orders this year. Hi-5 Roadrunners will be taking over the running of the event when it returns to the Henwick Worthy sports ground on Sunday, June 25. Members Chris Clacy and Matt Atkins said that the group was formed just over a year ago to create a running group for people of all abilities. They want to encourage social running and plan one social event every month. There have been successes along the way, with Mr Atkins saying that one member had run the London and Bournemouth marathons despite only taking up running 18 months ago. Another member lost his son and organised a 10km charity run in his memory. The club meets each Thursday at 7pm at Henwick fields car park, with new members, of all fitness levels, welcome to turn up on the night. “It’s the friendship groups established from it, most people didn’t know each other a year ago,” Mr Clacy said. “The future for us is to pick up the formula and drop it into other towns. “We want to move towards events like this.” The traditional family day fun run, sponsored by the Newbury Weekly News , will return on the day and Hi-5 are also looking to add a 100m toddler dash and a 1km dash for adults. Hi-5 will be taking over from the Thatcham Sports Network and Jane and Binky Wells, of the Spring Charity Fundraisers, who have been involved in the event since the 1980s. Ways to register the event and information on the group’s chosen charity will appear in future editions of the NWN .

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