This issue: Friday, April 15 to 22, 2011 VOL 18: 893 UK NO.1. Advertising closes for next issue on Friday, April 15 at 5pm. ALL CARS WANTED FOR CASH With or without MoT Best prices paid for sports or collectible cars. on 01488 648055 mob: 07831 275653 New floors fitted Existing floors restored Personalised service Experienced in period and character properties Tel: 08450 552 488 - Mobile: 07803 712 689 Email: fl[email protected] - Web: www.whittlewoods.co.uk Bespoke Wooden Floors YOU DON’T HAVE TO MOVE TO IMPROVE YOUR HOME... We can also make Bedroom and Home study cabinetry too! KITCHENS Ltd A ORN WORKSHOP AND SHOWROOM Newbury 01635 49448 3 THE PADDOCK, HAMBRIDGE RD, NEWBURY www.akornkitchens.co.uk A stowaway is the subject is Chapman Pincher’s piece this week. Or perhaps more accuratley a case of kidnap! This was a unique case in which the subject brought their home with them? See Page 3. CHAPMAN PINCHER TELEPHONE 01488 682328 FACSIMILE 01488 681899 EMAIL: [email protected]ADVISER THE HUNGERFORD & MARLBOROUGH WEEKLY Your most up-to-date FREE guide to sales and services FULFIL YOUR HOME’ S POTENTIAL interior design consultant 07770 230686 [email protected]Roberta of Hungerford Tel: 01488 68 28 88 - Car Park at rear Mon, Tues, Weds & Fri: 9am-6pm / Thurs Open until 7pm / Sat until 1pm Happy Easter Happy Easter Best For Hair Be an Easter Chic! For the latest styles and colours. All at Roberta wish our clients a Happy Easter IN THIS ADVISER AND IN OUR WORLD WEB MAGAZINE WITH NEWS PAGES SEE: theweeklyadviser.com New news items include: *Butchery and cooking classes from Bastable Bros. *Kitchenmonger in larger premises. *Substantial progress reported to Marlborough parish meeting. *Progressive Marlborough Town Hall plans for public consultation. *Successful Kennet and Avon Canal project completed at Hungerford. Advertise in The Adviser T: 01488 682328 W: theweeklyadviser.com E:[email protected]
Transcript
This issue: Friday, April 15 to 22, 2011 VOL 18: 893 UK NO.1. Advertising closes for next issue on Friday, April 15 at 5pm.
ALL CARS WANTED FOR CASH
With or without MoT
Best prices paid for sports or
collectible cars.
on 01488 648055mob: 07831 275653
New floors fittedExisting floors restoredPersonalised serviceExperienced in period and character properties
Roberta of Hungerford Tel: 01488 68 28 88 - Car Park at rearMon, Tues, Weds & Fri: 9am-6pm / Thurs Open until 7pm / Sat until 1pm
Happy
Easter
Happy Easter
Best For Hair Be an Easter Chic!
For the latest styles and colours. All at Roberta wish our clients a Happy Easter
IN THIS ADVISER AND IN OUR WORLD WEB MAGAZINE WITH NEWS PAGES
SEE: theweeklyadviser.com New news items include:*Butchery and cooking classes from Bastable Bros.*Kitchenmonger in larger premises.*Substantial progress reported to Marlborough parish meeting.*Progressive Marlborough Town Hall plans for public consultation.*Successful Kennet and Avon Canal project completed at Hungerford.
Advertise in The Adviser T: 01488 682328 W: theweeklyadviser.com E:[email protected]
Adviser Page 1.indd 1 13/4/11 15:19:57
DEVIZES & TROWBRIDGE based double glazing and conservatory installer Roman Windows Ltd has become the fi rst fi rm in the region to achieve the high
standards required to gain accreditation into The Double Glazing & Conservatory Ombudsman Scheme (DGCOS), joining a select group of fi rms to make the grade into the prestigious scheme.
DGCOS has now received over 400 applications for membership, including many of the country’s most esteemed fi rms, and is rapidly becoming the standard bearer for the double glazing and conservatory industry. Showing that Roman Windows Ltd have passed a stringent accreditation process of which 40 per cent of companies who apply fail to get past the fi rst hurdle.
DGCOS has been launched with the backing of the people’s consumer champion, Nick Ross, to protect consumers against cowboy operators. The former BBC Crimewatch and Watchdog presenter is the ambassador of the Ombudsman scheme, which provides comprehensive protection for homeowners installing windows, doors, conservatories, orangeries and associated products by its members.
Ken Walker, Managing Director of Roman Windows Ltd, said: “We are proud to be accepted as a part of the DGCOS. We have worked long and hard to maintain our standards here at Roman Windows and the recognition this accreditation gives us proves that we our totally committed to our customers satisfaction. Ensuring they are completely secure in the knowledge that buying their windows, doors and conservatories from us, they not only have our own comprehensive guarantees but also the backing of the DGCOS.”
Homeowners buying from a DGCOS member will receive a free quote and ‘Peace of Mind’ pack explaining that they will have the full protection of the Ombudsman Scheme behind them as well as a comprehensive guarantee, a Deposit Protection Certifi cate and an Insurance Backed Guarantee to underwrite the installer’s guarantee should they cease to trade.
Continues next week. For more information see advert on page 9.
ROMAN WINDOWS LTD REGIONAL LEADER TO GAIN OMBUDSMAN MEMBERSHIP
Citroen Specialist ..................01672 521053Elm Tree Motor Company .....01672 511777EVS...................................... 01672 540533Great Shefford Auto Centre 01488 648055
TOOL HIREA4 Hire ..................................01488 684584
TREE WORKJ. Hawkins .............................01672 870487Kellehers ...............................01672 539163Lasts Tree Care ....................01672 861770
TREE WORKClean Cut Tree Fellers ......... 01488 682273Hungerford Tree Surgery ..... 01488 682174Lasts Tree Care ....................01672 861770
WATER TREATMENTSoft Options ..........................01672 521123
WINDOWS & CONSERVATORIESSalisbury Glass .....................01722 328985
Adviser Index Advertisers with weekly advertisements for a year are welcome to an entry in the index.
Adviser Page 2.indd 6 13/4/11 15:18:16
3
The adviser, Friday, April 15 to 22, 2011
Some of my happiest memories are of visits to Kenya, with my wife, Billee, as guests of Bruce Mackenzie, the only white politician in the Government there. For intervals totalling
about half the year, Bruce, a larger-than-life, moustachioed fi gure, was a neighbour in Surrey where he had an estate near Cranleigh. For the other half, he was based in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, with regular visits to his sea-side house on Diani Beach, near Mombasa.
His closest friend in Nairbobi, Jack Block, owned two large hotels there and, also, several of the lodges on the Kenyan game reserves including Treetops, which was historic as it was there, in 1952, that Princess Elizabeth had heard that she was Queen, following the sudden death of her father, King George VI. Bruce was a fi ne air-pilot and would ferry us round Jack’s game reserves where, as the owner’s guests, we received special treatment, especially on the tours to see the game. We saw everything at close quarters, my favourites always being the elephants, but the memory my wife and I hold dearest was of a very small creature which, through our interference in its life, had what must have been a unique experience – a world fi rst, never to be repeated.
On one of our visits to Diani Beach, Billee collected a few small shells as souvenirs and took them back to our Surrey farmhouse where she put them on her bedroom dressing-table. One of them fell on the fl oor so persistently that she examined it and could just see the pink claws of a tiny hermit crab. As a one-time professional zoologist, I was astonished that it had managed to live so long out of water. So, I quickly prepared some artifi cial brine and tried feeding it with small bits of fi sh which it appeared to consume. We called the tough little survivor ‘Claws’ – a skit on ‘Jaws’, the title of a fi lm about a rather
large shark. My wife sometimes took Claws with her
to lunch with friends, whom he entertained with his scurrying on the table. One evening we took him to dinner in London at the famed Ecu de France restaurant, where Billee fazed the waiters as our tiny friend moved round the table dragging his home with him. So much so that they brought him a cooked shrimp.
Inevitably, when Bruce Mackenzie paid one of his quick visits from Kenya to his Surrey home, we took Claws there to do his act. Looking very serious, Bruce pointed out that it was a crime in Kenya to take any living creature out of the country without a licence. So, to preserve international relations, Bruce insisted that Claws, complete with his beloved shell, should be returned to his place of origin. We agreed and handed him over for passage to Nairobi with Bruce.
A few days later we received a cable from Mombasa stating ‘Operation Hermit Crab completed successfully - as witnessed by Bruce Mackenzie and Charles N’jonjo, the Kenyan Attorney General’. As I had, recently, caused an intelligence furore by publishing the fact that the security authorities were in the regular habit of reading private international cables which might be of interest to them, we all wondered what MI5 had made of ‘Operation Hermit Crab’. It seemed like a typical ‘cloak and dagger’ code-name, especially as Bruce was well-known to be deeply involved in Kenyan intelligence affairs.
RECOLLECTIONS OF AN EXCITING LIFE
CLAWS
CHAPMAN PINCHERBY
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The Hungerford Historical Association were recently given a fascinating talk by local man, George Styles, entitled ‘Antique to Contemporary Silverware’. George runs
Styles Silver on Bridge Street in Hungerford, having learned the trade from his parents.
Decorative silver has been used since Greek and Roman times, but probably not until about 8/900 AD in Britain, silverware from before 1478 is rare and diffi cult to date because Hallmarks had not yet been introduced and the intrinsic value of silver meant that objects were often melted down for money. Silver is quite a soft metal so it is always combined with another metal for hardness, but since hallmarking was introduced , in 1478, any item classed as silver has to have at least 925 parts silver out of 1000 and this is known as the Sterling Standard.
Hallmarks tell us that objects meets the Sterling Standard, where it was made, in which year and who made it. It is actually illegal to sell silverware without a hallmark in this country.
George used candlesticks as an example to show how manufacturing methods have changed with time, with some excellent examples from Styles Silver. The talk fi nished with a spoon identifi cation quiz and questions from the audience.
The next talk is entitled “A history of the Berkshire Yeomanry & the Regiment’s connections with Hungerford” by Brigadier Anthony Verey QVRM TD DL & Captain Andrew French, and is on the 27th April at 7.30pm at The Corn Exchange, Hungerford.
FASCINATING TALK ON SILVER BY LOCAL EXPERT
Adviser Page 3.indd 1 13/4/11 15:15:30
The adviser, Friday, April 15 to 22, 2011
4
ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS HERE.
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Home Based Professional Accountantfor Limited Companies
Self Employed Businessesand Self-Assessment
ACCOUNTANCY
Friendly and Reliable Service,
Tel: Virginia Parkes 01488 649908
Camp HopsonIncorporating Arthur Chivers
Independent Funeral DirectorsOffer a personal and complete 24 hour service
Including Horsedrawn Funerals, Pre-Paid Funeral Plans, National & International Funerals
For advice please call:HUNGERFORD(01488) 686511
90 West Street Newbury Berkshire RG14 1HANEWBURY 01635-522210
FUNERAL DIRECTORS
ACCOUNTANCY SERVICES
ACCOUNTANCY SERVICES
All types of domestic plumbing Installation & maintenance,
All prices are agreed in writing. Cars stored in secure premises & covered by insurance.
GWe will advertise your car on our comprehensive website and Ge will advertise your car on our comprehensive website and GWhy Not Let Great Shefford Auto Sell It For You?GSGSGIf you have a car that you would like us to sell for you, please ring:SIf you have a car that you would like us to sell for you, please ring:SWE ARE OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK
VISITING practice Jane Darby WMSCh MPS Pract . Tel. 01672 512211.
CHIROPODIST
Sports injuries, postural and tension aches, RSI’s etc treated. Sarah Gomer, Hungerford (01488) 681331/07879 040621
DEEP TISSUE MASSAGE
Need a service in a hurry? Don’t have your copy of The Adviser
to hand? Then cut out and keep this handy website reminder in your wallet, next to the
computer or on the fridge.
www.theweeklyadviser.comFind the service you need with a
click of the mouse!
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5
HEALTH & BEAUTY
RobertaBest for
Hair & BeautyRoberta of Hungerford Tel: 01488 68 28 88
www.roberta-of-hungerford.co.uk
THE OLD FIRE STATION, 3 CHARNHAM STREET, HUNGERFORD, RG17 0EP
TEL: 01488 681944
HAIR DESIGNWE KNOW ABOUT HAIR
• Est. 1995
HAIR
“My advert in the Adviser garnered responses at a 5:2 rate compared to my other adverts”.
- The Adviser works for you!
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HEALTH & BEAUTYHEALTH BOUTIQUE
Experienced CounsellorsE f f e c t i v e C o u n s e l l i n g a n d Psychotherapywww.thepsychotherapyroomtwo.netphone: 07711039705
COUNSELLOR / PSYCHOTHERAPIST
1 Bridge Street, Hungerford
0845 388 1782
www.tonichealthboutique.com
Spring has sprung and so has the pollen count!
Natural remedies should ideally be taken several
weeks before your symptoms usually begin.
We have a range of products to help put an end to the sneezing and itching!
Oh dear. The weather’s warmer now and my body is just not ready to be revealed to the summer sun after a winter in hiding!
It’s time for a good stylist to take a look at my hair and colour in readiness for the sunnier weather.
As for my skin, only a beautician with super-human powers is going to be able to turn that around after a winter of pheasant feeding and fi eld-sport out in freezing winds and not a little snow. As for the unseen fl esh, lets draw a veil over that, just know that there’s a lot of catching up to do there!
The onset of spring is also a good time to change our habits and iron out our health. All the smokers, eaters and drinkers out there who sincerely committed to New Year’s resolutions, know that most didn’t last very long in the cold, dark winter days. Now that the sun is coming back and the days are longer it’s the best time to address the changes we want to make and the problems we really need to solve.
I’m not going to own up to just how much work is required, just know that I’ll be looking through The Adviser adverts to fi nd just the right treatments to make me feel fresh and new for the better weather. - Gillie
IT’S SPRING... BODY AND SOUL
Marlborough Town Councillors reported substantial progress to the town’s annual parish meeting on Monday.
Cr Nick Fogg said emphasis was on road repairs in times of limited fi nancial resources.
Pewsey Road Bridge was re-opening and attention was being given to parking matters.
Val Compton had proposed special residents’ parking and Waitrose was seeking free parking.
The Area Board had successfully brought people from the parishes together.
Cr Margaret Rose said there were 170 planning applications in the year compared to 145 the previous year.
She said developments included a new supermarket sought by the people and recycling depot. A new petrol station was planned.
Cr Edwina Fogg said staff had performed exceptionally well despite adverse economic conditions.
Cr A Kirk Wilson said the skate park was proving successful and equipment was planned for disabled children. The town now had a gardener and this was evident with fl oral displays at the war memorial, priory and in the streets. There was development of a meadow in Stonebridge area and allotments. An allotment area of about an acre had been leased beside the river at Stonebridge Lane and this would be organic because of the proximity to the river.
The Common User group would be meeting soon. Work was to go ahead in conjunction with ARK on the tinpit medieval fi sh pond that had been long neglected.
The town cemetery was being extended to the north and there were plans for a small copse on the common for memorial trees.
SUBSTANTIAL PROGRESS REPORTED TO MARLBOROUGH
ANNUAL MEETING
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Adviser Page 5.indd 6 13/4/11 15:18:43
What’s On in Hungerford, Marlborough & district with The Adviser
Experienced curtain maker 01672 871496
CURTAIN MAKER
The adviser, Friday, April 15 to 22, 2011
6
APRIL 201115: Hung’d Film Club Crft Hall16: Reading FC v Leicester City (H)16: Marlb Choral Soc Cncrt 7.30pm17: Marlb Indoor Mkt Town Hall 10am18: Clothes Shop open day Essebourne Manor 10.30 to 6pm.21: Queen’s Birthday21-25: Badminton horse trials22: Good Friday bank holiday22: Lambourn stables open day23: Reading FC v Leeds Utd (A)23: Croft Bowling 2.15pm24: Easter Sunday St Georges Day24: Hung’d Farmers Mkt25: Easter Monday bank holiday25: Lockinge point-to-point25: Reading FC v Sheffi eld Utd (H)27: Over 50 club Hungerford28: Probus Lunch Brit Legion Hung29: Royal Wedding bank holiday30: Reading FC v Coventry City (A)
MAY 2011May - Aug: Glyndebourne Opera1: HEAT Walk 10am Hung TH2. Bank holiday3. Hungerford Tutti Day Hocktide4: Hungerford WI Croft Hall 7.30pm4: Marlb WI Wesley Hall 7.30pm4: Oak Tree Lunch6: Hung’d Film Club Crft Hall4: Hung’d WI Crft Hll 7.30pm7-21: Newbury Spring Festival7: Rotary Concert Corn Exchange7: Marlb. Rotary snr cits bluebell tr.8: Reading FC v Derby County (H)8: Croft Bowling 3pm9: Marlb Emb Gld - 01793 52551710: Croft Bowling 6pm10: Tuesday Club Hungerford12: Croft Bowling 2pm14: FA cup fi nal14: Community Café Methodist Ch Hung’15: Marlb Community Walk15: Croft Bowling 3pm16: KVNTA KENNET VALLEY HALL 7.30PM16: Croft Bowling 6.15pm19: Croft Bowling 2pm21: cup fi nal21: Rotary Plant Sale, 16 The Croft 10am21: HTC Songs & Supper Cft Hall 7.30pm22: Hungerford Farmers Market24-28: Chelsea fl ower show24: Croft Bowling 6.15pm26: Over 50 club Hungerford26: 1st test Eng v Sri Lanka Cardiff26 - June 5: Hay festival Hay on Wye26: Croft Bowling 2pm28: Rugby fi nal Twickenham
29: Croft Bowling 3pm 30: Marlb Car boot.
JUNE 20111: Marlb WI Wesley Hall 7.30pm1: Oak Tree Lunch1: Hung’d WI Crft Hll 7.30pm3: 2nd Test Eng v Sri Lanka Lord’s4-5 West Woodhay garden show6-12: Queens Club tennis5: HEAT Walk 10am Hung TH6: Marlb Emb Gld - 01793 5255177: Tuesday Club Hungerford11: Trooping the Colour11: Community Café Methodist Ch Hung’12: Bowood Summer Fair & Dog Show14-18: Royal Ascott16:3rd /test Eng v Sri Lanka Rose B17-21 Gold cup Cowdray Park19: Fathers’ Day20: Start Wimbledon tennis20: KVNTA KENNET VALLEY HALL 7.30PM26: Hungerford Farmers Market29: Over 50 club Hungerford29: Start Henley regatta30: Start festival of speed Goodwood
JULY 20112: Wimbledon ladies’ fi nal3: Wimbledon men’s fi nal4: Marlb Emb Gld - 01793 5255176: Marlb WI Wesley Hall 7.30pm6: Hung’d WI Crft Hll 7.30pm7-10: Barbury horse trials8-10 British grand prix Silverstone10-17: British Open Golf Sandwich10-30: Marlborough Summer School15-17: Marlb intenational jazz festival17: Great Shefford Country Fayre18: KVNTA KENNET VALLEY HALL 7.30PM21: 1st test Eng v India Lord’s22-24: CLA game fair Blenheim Palace24: Hung’ Town Band HADCAF 7pm TH24: Hungerford Farmers Market24: International polo Windsot Gt Park27: Over 50 club Hungerford29: 2nd Test Eng v India Trent Bridge
AUGUST 20113: Marlb WI Wesley Hall 7.30pm3: Hung’d WI Crft Hll 7.30pm6-13: Cowes Week7: HEAT Walk 10am Hung TH9: Marlb Emb Gld - 01793 5255179: Community Café Methodist Ch Hung’10: Tuesday Club Hungerford10: 3rd test Eng v India Edgbaston12: Glorious 12th15: KVNTA KENNET VALLEY HALL 7.30PM18:4th test Eng v India The Oval
6
Handmade cakesPIANO AND SAXOPHONE LESSONS All levels welcome. Flexible lesson times.Based in Ramsbury. Simon Coles 01672 520554
The Clothes ShopThe Clothes ShopNewbury’s destination boutique for all your hats and fascinators.
Telephone 01635 47832
9.15am - 5pm Tuesday to Saturday - Free Street Parking - 12 Pound St Newbury RG14 6AA
1st
Direct Cars
01488 68 11 82
of Hungerford
The 1st & only number you’ll ever need.
www.hungerford-cabs.co.uk
AMJAUTO SERVICES
Unit 6, Swan Gate, Charnham Ind Est, Hungerford RG17 0Y X
Call: 01488 686611www.amjautoservices.co.uk
Car window tinting & Latest Gadgets for your car - including, installation
of all electrical accessories
inklings.
‘GREETINGS CARDS and GIFTS forEASTER’
122 High StreetHungerfordBerkshireRG17 0DLTelephone (01488) 681800
This Sunday 17th will see the Marlborough Indoor Market return to the Town Hall. On offer will be a host of Antiques, Crafts and Collectors stalls, with exhibitors from as far a
fi eld as Northern Ireland and France. Doors open at 10am and entry is free.
POPULAR INDOOR MARKET RETURNS THIS SUNDAY
FREE Glass of Wine with every meal this Friday and Saturday
T: 01488 668896/668874Ham, nr Shalbourne. www.indigopalace.co.uk
“The Adviser brings us by far the best results of all the publications I have tried. I ask my customers where they hear of us and most say The Adviser. I recommend The Adviser to everyone”. -The Adviser works for you!
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Adviser Pages 6+7.indd 3 13/4/11 15:16:43
Home & Gardenwith the Adviser
The adviser, Friday, April 15 to 22, 2011
FOR YOUR ENQUIRIESRing 01488-683807
07768 400578
All types of fencing supplied & erected. Tree lopping & pruning etc. Hedgecutting
Licensed for removal of rubbish.FREE estimates. FULLY insured
R.J. CRIPPSFENCING & SERVICES
8
HungerfordTree Surgery & Garden Services
All aspects of Tree care, Hedge cutting & garden maintenance
One off or regular visits completed with care & expertise
T: 01488 682174 M: 07770 688780
Green Tree Garden ServicesMowing • Hedge Cutting • Strimming • Fencing
• Pruning • Tree Work • Clearing overgrown areas - Bramble etcPlease call to discuss your needs
We carry out the service maintenance and installation
CookersGas FiresWater HeatersGas Boilers and systemsGas Warm Air HeatersAll controls and ancillary equipmentLandlord Gas SafetyInspection and Certifi catesSystem fl ushing and DescalingNatural Gas & I.P. GasWe are highly experienced with
over 30 years’ history, offer avery competitive service
Phone 01488 680800Mobile 07776 242967
GAS INSTALLERS/ENGINEERS
PAINTING & DECORATING
PREMIER ELECTRICS SALES & REPAIRS
• Guaranteed repairs to all makes of domestic appliances
• Same day service• 24 hour service • OAP discounts
CITROEN, PEUGEOT, RENAULT25 years’ French car experience.
19 years’ on Citroen.All makes of car serviced. Excellent rates.
FULLY INSURED
01672 521053 Mobile 07974379226Tel: Mark Dunn @ Ramsbury
CITROEN SPECIALIST
ownstairsUDpstairs
SKIP HIRE
SKIP HIREMINI SKIPS
6 TO 14 YD BUILDERS SKIPS
Tel 01488-657123
RIDE LOCALLYin beautiful countryside with
Sue Acworth. Supervised rides & lessons for children & adults
Long Rides & Pony DaysTel: 01488 683253
Little Hidden Farm, Hungerford Newtownwww.littlehiddenfarm.co.uk
THE ADVISERhas your business got anything to sayto 16,000 people? why not let us tell them for you.
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THE ADVISER
PRINTED T-SHIRTS
Bastable Brothers of Kintbury are featuring a series
of exceptional evening courses.
These are being run by their Master Chef and include Dinner Party Success, Pork Butchery and Sausage Making, Lamb, Sunday Lunch Success including carving, Basic Butchery, Barbecue Heaven. To book a course and for details phone 01488 658537. “You saw it in The Adviser!”.
BUTCHERY & COOKING CLASSES FEATURED BY BASTABLE BROTHERS
An immaculately presented detached house finished to a very high specification and located within comfortable walking distance of the town centre. The accommodation including a sitting room, a dining
room, a wonderful double aspect kitchen/breakfast room, a useful utility room and a cloakroom/WC. Upstairs, four generous sized bedrooms.
The master bedroom has a luxurious en-suite shower room and there is a separate main bathroom. Outside, five bar gates open onto the brick paved driveway which in turn leads to the integral garage. To the side and rear of the house there are pretty gardens which include a neatly
tended lawn and well stocked flower and shrub borders.
HUNGERFORD£465,000
An immaculately presented detached bungalow quietly situated in a cul-de-sac and surrounded by lovely gardens. The accommodation includes a sitting room, a separate dining room and a superb re-fitted kitchen and
a lovely conservatory overlooking the rear garden. The property has three well proportioned bedrooms. The master bedroom has a luxurious en-suite shower room and a dressing room. The remaining bedrooms are served by the family bathroom. Outside, the well tended mature gardens
offer a good degree of seclusion. A driveway at the side leads to the single garage.
EAST GRAFTON£335,000
A charming semi-detached cottage standing in a lovely secluded garden on the edge of the village. This immaculately presented property is of Victorian origin with later additions and retains great character. On the ground floor the accommodation includes a light and airy ‘John Lewis of Hungerford’ kitchen/breakfast room, a sitting room with a
fireplace housing a wood burning stove and a study. Upstairs, there are three generous sized bedrooms served by a luxurious shower room and
separate bathroom. Outside, the mature garden is a particular feature and there is a detached garage providing off street parking.
KINTBURY£399,950
An attractive period house in an idyllic location with wonderful views over the surrounding countryside. On the ground floor the
accommodation includes a sitting room with French doors leading out to the garden, a well appointed kitchen and an adjoining dining room. There
is also a useful utility/boot room. The bathroom completes the ground floor accommodation. Upstairs, there are four bedrooms arranged over two floors and a separate WC. Outside, there is a lovely garden which backs directly onto farmland. There is a garage situated in a nearby
block.
HAM£375,000
An attractive semi-detached house located in a highly sought after cul-de-sac within this popular village. This comfortable family home includes a lounge/dining room with a generous sized kitchen with a
door to the large adjoining garage and a cloakroom/WC completes the ground floor accommodation. Upstairs, there are three well proportioned
bedrooms served by a re-fitted family bathroom. Outside, the house stands on a good sized plot with ample off street parking to the front
and a lovely garden to the rear. This property offers great potential for further extension to the side subject to obtaining the relevant planning
permission.
KINTBURY£247,500
Adviser Page 12.indd 1 13/4/11 15:20:30
World Web News with the Adviser
www.theweeklyadviser.com
11.2.2011 to 18.2.2011
ADVISER ON WORLD WEB AS FULL PUBLICATION
The Hungerford and Marlborough Weekly Adviser has gone on to the world web as a full
publication.Readers can bring The Adviser up on their computer
screen simply by clicking theweeklyadviser.comThe added readership service is free to advertisers
whose advertisements are featured weekly.Adviser technology continues to be at the cutting edge
of publishing and our advertisers and readers are part of this revolution.
PEWSEY RD. BRIDGE OPENS ON FEBRUARY 13
Pewsey Road bridge at Marlborough was expected to re-open on April 13, town clerk Mr Liam Costello
told the last Marlborough Town Council meeting. He said the bridge would fi rstly be closed in late February to complete the work.
NEW VICAR FOR WHITTON BENEFICE
The Reverend Candice Marcus has been appointed Part-Time Team Vicar in Whitton Benefi ce. This
was announced by Team Vicar The Reverend Simon Weedon in St Mary’s Chilton Foliat recntly. The Rev. Marcus will be licensed on June 16 at Aldbourne. She is an Assistant Curate.
CONCERNS OVER PUBLIC HOUSES
Concerns are being expressed over the future of some four public houses in Hungerford district.
The recession and demands by breweries are being blamed.
CANAL FOOTBRIDGE ON SCHEDULE
Work is expected to begin on Hungerford canal footbridge on schedule in April. Funds have
been assured for the project despite major fi nancial cut-backs in the West Berkshire budget.
CR GWYNNETH BULLOCK ILL
Hungerford’s hard-working Councillor Gwynneth Bullock is reported to be in hospital. Prayers
were said for her recovery at Hungerford’s last Town Council meeting.
JUBILEE OR PENNY FARTHING?
The newly developed housing area of North Standen Road at Hungerford is expected to be
named either Jubilee Close or Penny Farthing Close. A third suggestion was Tutti close.
Doubts are being expressed over proposals for a referendum on May 13 concerning the United Kingdom’s voting system and electoral
boundaries.Proposals for a preferential voting system and to
change electoral boundaries are not being met with enthusiasm in some quarters.
There is doubt as to whether the suggested preferential system would be better than the existing fi rst-past-the post system.
The £90m cost of a referendum and the future cost of a more complicated system are also being questioned.Suggestions to change the systems are reported to have been made during the Labour Party’s tenure supported by the Liberal Democrats.
The proposed changes were explained without bias prior to the annual meeting of Ramsbury and Chilton Foliat branch of the Conservative Party on Thursday night.
ADVISER WORLD NEWS
The Adviser today projects news items not published in The Hungerford and Marlborough Weekly Adviser on its world web service.
To see these news items go to theweeklyadviser.com and turn our pages to ADVISER WORLD WEB NEWS.
DOUBTS OVER CHANGINGELECTORAL SYSTEM
MARLBOROUGH PARKING AND TRANSPORT TO BE DISCUSSED
Cr Guy Loosmore told the last Marlborough Town council meeting the whole complex problem of transport in Marlborough needed attention with a
view to a bigger scheme.A decision was also needed as to whether the council would
support a residents’ parking scheme.Committee consideration and a future public meeting were
mentioned.
MARLBOROUGH WEST WOODS SALE CONCERNMarlborough Town Councillors at their last meeting
expressed concern at the proposed sale of West Woods.
Cr Nick Fogg said the woods were a resource for the people of the town and surrounds and with the inclusion of the Wansdyke section could constitute an historic heritage site.
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WITCHCRAFT IN BERKSHIRE
The Hungerford Historical Association were this month treated to a talk by their youngest ever speaker, Douglas Clapp, entitled ‘Witchcraft in Berkshire during the 16th
& 17th Centuries’. Douglas, 21, is studying history at Reading University and his thesis provided the basis of the talk.
The English idea of a witch at that time was generally an old, poor woman, probably a widow, who had gained a reputation with her neighbours as a witch. English witches knew other witches, but acted alone, and they inherited their ‘powers’ from a familiar spirit (e.g. a cat) who they paid with their own blood! In 1542 the fi rst law against witchcraft was introduced, making it a capitol offence. This law was revised in 1563 under Elizabeth I to make execution less likely, but the law was made harsher again under James I, who was very suspicious of witches. The last execution for witchcraft was in 1684 and the law was eventually repealed in 1951.
Some examples of Berkshire witches were then given, including the unusual case of ‘The Windsor Witches’, which eventually fi nished with the hanging of 4 witches after wax effi gies were found that possibly resembled The Queen. Another case involved a man from Hungerford who made his daughter fake enchantment, so that he could accuse his neighbour, in order to settle a grudge stemming from a football match! The last case mentioned was the ‘Newbury Surfi ng Witch’, a royalist woman spotted by parliamentarian soldiers using a piece of wood to traverse the Kennet and automatically assumed to be a witch! This claim was apparently confi rmed when they opened fi re on her and she failed to die, so they waded in and fi nished the job with their swords, just to be on the safe side.
The next talk is entitled ‘Tree-rings – a Time and a place’ by Dr Andy Moir and is on the 23rd February at 7.30pm at The Corn Exchange, Hungerford.
New Musical Director for Aldbourne Band - David Johnson LLCM LRSM – watch him conduct at Immanuel Church, Swindon.
Aldbourne Band have great expectations that their new Musical Director will lead them back into the Championship Section this year. The work has already started with the West of England test piece – an overture called ‘Le Carnival Romain’ written by Berlioz. This will be played in Torquay on 12th March competing against other First Section bands. The Band need to be placed 1st or 2nd in order to qualify for the National First Section Finals held in Harrogate in September. A win at Harrogate guarantees a promotion back to the Championship Section. The New Year has seen two new players from Jaguar Band join Aldbourne in its quest to regain championship status.
At the Band’s 48th annual concert in Immanuel Church, Swindon on 29th January the audience will have the opportunity to hear Le Carnival Romain for its fi rst public airing this year. Tickets are £7 on the door for a 7pm start. Special guests are the Ramsbury based Bella Voce Choir.
David was born and raised in Sennen Cove near LandsEnd in Cornwall.
At the age of 10 David began playing the baritone in Penzance Silver Band under the baton of Claude Nicholas and then he moved
to his much loved Euphonium.At 14 he accepted the position of Solo Euphonium at Lanner and
District Silver Band where he remained until he joined the Royal Marines Band Service in September 1990 at the age of 16 as a Euphonium & Cello player.
Whilst under training David studied the Euphonium under the tutelage of Steve Shimwell.
In 1993, David completed his training and was drafted to the Staff Band Royal Marines Deal. His career has taken him too many countries including the USA, Canada, Russia, Ethiopia, Japan, and Australia.
As well as a euphonium player, David is also an arranger of music for both the brass band and wind band and has been featured as a Soloist and arranger at the Royal Albert Hall at the Mountbatten Festival of Music on many occasions.
David is currently the Chief Librarian of the Royal Marines Band Service in Portsmouth.
His Brass Band career has been successful as a player and a conductor.
He has taken his previous band Verwood Concert Brass from the Forth to the First Section in four years and looks forward to great success with Aldbourne Band this year. -Deborah Sheppard
NEW MUSICAL DIRECTOR FOR ALDBOURNE BAND
7/3/11HUNGERFORD ROTARY PAYSFOR OUTDOOR ADVENTUREDo you know of any young person aged between 18 and 25 who would like to participate in an outdoor adven-ture week in July 2011 in North Wales? The week is organised by and paid for by Hungerford Rotary Club and is a great way to improve leadership skills while having fun abseiling, canoeing,orienteering and socialising with other young people. If you, or anyone you know, are interested in fi nding out more, please contact Rotarian James Brown on email [email protected]
21.3.11KINTBURY TO CELEBRATE MAY DAY
May Day celebrations will open in Kintbury at 11am outside St. Mary’s Church with the crowning of the May Queen and Morris Dancing.At 11.30 there will be a procession of the May Queen and attendants via Miss Lawrence Field and Bradley close to Cornoation Hall where at noon there will be maypole dancing by children of St Mary’s School and Brownies. A barbecue, refreshments and stalls will pro-vide fun for all the family.
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An Art and Architecture day at St John’s on 14 December was a big success. Students, artists and adults from the community spent a day
working together to come up with designs for a 3D installation to go into the School’s atrium. Ideas ranged from glass shards hung to throw coloured refl ections onto walls and fl oor, to paper darts fl ying around the atrium and symbolising the journey of young people at school. There were eight designs in total all presented to a panel of judges.
After several days of deliberation the judges who included St John’s Headteacher Dr Patrick Hazlewood, Architect Neil Armitage and Artist Fenella Elms selected an installation made up of fl ocks of birds soaring around the space. The birds are in fact cut-outs of hands and St John’s hopes to be able to include the hands of thousands of people from the Marlborough area. Primary schools are being invited to participate, but St John’s would also like to involve the whole community.
Speaking on behalf of the judges, local artist and project coordinator Fenella Elms, said, ‘We were impressed with all eight of the design ideas. But we had also to take into account the technical complexity of the making. A fl ock of birds created from hands soaring around the atrium is a wonderful idea that will look great. Now all that we need are lots of people making the Hand Birds!’
Now students and volunteers from the wider community are working together under the guidance of St John’s Head of Art Leesa Spokes and artist Fenella Elms, the project co-ordinator to create the sculpture, and want to involve as many people as possible in creating “Hand Birds”. Thousands of birds will need to be made, by reusing plastic milk bottles to create pairs of hands that will be fi xed in the atrium to look like a soaring fl ock of birds.
The School’s Headteacher Dr Patrick Hazlewood is very keen to involve the wider community to ensure that the installation is made up of the hands of people of all ages and from all parts of the area. Messages of sharing, individuality, freedom and fl ight will all be enhanced by having hundreds of these ‘birds’ of all shapes and sizes grouped and fi xed onto clear plastic piping.
Each bird is made from a cut out recycled plastic milk bottle, preferably the two litre size. Simple to make,
ST. JOHN’S NEEDS HANDS-
ON HELP
ST JOHN’S SHOWS THAT SCIENCE IS FUN FOR ALL
THE FAMILY
St John’s in Marlborough has an action-packed community day planned on Saturday 19 March. Free for all the family, the Marlborough Science Fair follows in the footsteps
of last year’s hugely successful Transport Day, which saw over 1,500 people visiting the school and resulted in St John’s winning a national award from the British Science Association for the best event organised by a Secondary School.
The Science Fair will be open from 11:00am to 3:00pm and visitors will have the opportunity to take part in a huge range of activities appealing to adults and children alike. Refreshments will be available all day and lunches will be served in the restaurant from 12:00 to 2:00pm.
The Science Laboratories will be open and will give visitors the opportunity to make ice-cream using dry ice and take part in a range of experiments involving taste and smell. A treasure hunt will have clues hidden around the school with a maths theme, and prizes for everyone solving the puzzles, and there will be a more relaxing opportunity for wine-tasting for adults.
Outside there will be displays of a range of fascinating vehicles including vintage military vehicles and modern police vehicles, and the police are also planning to bring some of their trained dogs.
Inside the school a huge infl atable planetarium will be running six thirty-minute shows throughout the day with a cost of £2 per person. The shows “The Zula Patrol” and “Astronomyths” are an ideal way to introduce children to astronomy.
40 places are available on the Intel driving simulator, the Bloodhound Driving Experience, which gives people the change to fi nd out what it is like to drive at 1,000mph in the jet and rocket-propelled Bloodhound, which is bidding to become the world’s fastest car.
Also on the 19th, Tim Harrison from the University of Bristol will give a lecture-demonstration from 12:30-2:00pm. The lecture “A Pollutant’s Tale” looks at the composition of the Earth’s atmosphere and is accompanied by demonstrations involving liquid nitrogen, oxygen foam, dry ice and a few explosions! Tickets are £1 and need to be pre-booked by emailing [email protected]
St John’s is easily accessible on foot from the Town Centre, and limited parking is available at the school. Additionally a shuttle bus will run every 15 minutes to and from the Children’s Centre in the George Lane car park.
The day will be the culmination of a whole week celebrating science at St John’s as part of National Science and Engineering Week, 11-20 March. Throughout the week groups of students will be able to take part in a range of fun “Experiments in the Atrium” during their lunch break, hear talks from the Wiltshire Police Ballistics and Forensics team, meet the Director of the Bloodhound Racing Project, and fi nd out more about Darwin and Evolution from Dr David J Robinson from the Open University. -K Hunter
after cutting off the bottom and top fi ddly bits of the bottle, fl atten, fold in half and draw around your hand to create your own Hand Bird. Cut it out while folded and then open out to see your fi nished bird.
of 30th March. The workshops take place on selected Mondays from 3.15 - 4.30 with the installation talking place in late March. For further details call Fenella on 01672 541076. -kate Hunter.
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8/3/11VOLUNTARY ACTION ENCOURAGEDFOR COMMUNITY CENTRESWest Berkshire Council was encouraging voluntary action to keep Hungerford’s John O’Gaunt and Croft Field community centres operational, District Council-lor David Holtby told the last Hungerford Town Council Meeting. He said £100,000 were being made available for the transition in West Berkshire.
21.3.11 ROYAL BRITISH LEGIONBRANCH AND POPPY AWARDS-from Jack Williams
A large number of volunteer helper including town mayor Anthony Buckwell and Conmstable of the town and Manor Greg Furr attended the Hungerford Royal British Legion Branch and Poppy Awards on Wednes-day, March 16.President Jack williams gave the 17 branch wards and the two ladies who were poppy organisers Stella North and Shelagh Parry gave the awards for collectors.These ranged from 5-year awards up to 30 years to Richard Grant and very especially 55 years for Mrs Betty Grant.There were special awards to Hungerford Town Band and the branch padre the Rev. Andrew Sawyer.It was a very convivial evening conducted in the true spirit of Hungerfpord royal British Legion.
23.3.11HUNGERFORD ROTARY ACTSIN JAPANESE EMERGENCYHungerford Rotarians spent last weekend collecting donations amounting to a record £1519.66p to supply Shelterboxes for victims of the Japanese Earthquake/Tsunami. Rotary President Graeme Sleeman commented that, “Having collected for dozens of organisations in the past he had never seen such enthusiasm expressed as was this time around”.
8/3/11DEPUTY MAYOR APPOINTEDCr Martin Draper has been appointed Deputy Mayor of Hungerford.
COMMON PARKING ACTIONAction was being taken to rectify parking problems on Hungerford Common, District Councillor David Holtby told the last town council meeting.
21.3.11HUNGERFORD TOWN BAND DOESWELL IN REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPSOn Saturday 19th March Hungerford Town Band went to Stevenage to compete in the 2nd section London & Southern Counties Regional Championships. Having been promoted last year to the second section Hunger-ford Town Band took on the challenge of playing the 2nd section area test piece of ‘Resurgam’ by Eric Ball a famous piece in the brass banding world.After months of hard work and dedication by the 26 players and conductor Tim Crouter the band placed 6th out of 18, achieving the highest placement in the band’s history. With the excitement of the day over the band now concentrate on their annual concert taking place at 7.30pm on the 9th April in the Hungerford Town Hall. More details are on the Bands website www.Hunger-fordTownBand.co.uk -Melanie Healey
21.3.11CONCERT TO CELEBRATERBL 90TH ANNIVERSARYThe celebrated blind pianist Derek Paravicini will give a concert on behalf of Kintbury Royal British Legion in St Nicholas Church, Newbury at 7.30pm on Saturday, April 16.The concert will mark the 90th anniversary of the foun-dation of the Royal British Legion. For tickets please tel. 01488 608601.
.EXCITING ROTARY CONCERTThe Hungerford Rotary Club is pleased to have secured the Swindon Gilbert & Sullivan Singers society for an exciting concert to be held in Hungerford Corn Ex-change on Saturday, May 7th. Tickets will be available from Crown Needlework, High street, Hungerford from April 1st at £12.50 each. A Wine Bar will be provided by Caviste.
13.3.11DO YOU HAVE BOOKS FORSCHOOL LIBRARIES?Do any of you have any books that might be suitable for either the Primary School or the John O Gaunt?I have received the following message from the Primary School:Hungerford Primary School is looking to add to its library facili-ties and has asked its parents to send in any unwanted good qual-ity/condition books. In order to widen the circle, we are making the same appeal to our parents and friends in the community. If you have any books that would be suitable for children aged 5 - 11, please either send them directly to Hungerford Primary School or send them into the JOG school offi ce. JOG’s library/resource centre would also be interested in any good quality fi ction or non-fi ction books. If you are unsure about which age group a book is for, please send it in and our library staff will decide. -Annabel King
MORE THAN 70 ATPARISH MEETINGHungerford’s annual parish meeting attracted more than 70 rate-payers who were given an opportunity to hear of council achieve-ments and goals.The mayor, Cr Anthony Buckwell introduced the council’s new town clerk Claire Barnes and sent he meting’s good wishes to Cr Gwynneth Bullock who was unabler to attend through illness..Cr Buckwell emphasised the need for more poeple to take inter-est in council and he said nominations for the election for May 9 would soon be advertised.Speaking on the upcoming census he warned people to be on the lookout for bogus collectors.
23.3.11GET YOUR GREEN FINGERS GOINGFOR BLOOMING HUNGERFORDHungerford’s Cr Margaret Wilson has appealed to Hungerford people to get their green fi ngers going for Hungerford In Bloom to be judged on July 16.She told the annual parish meeting that all gardens and allotments would be in the contest.
23.3.11POLICE TO CRACK DOWN ONHUNGERFORD SPEEDSTERSPolice would be cracking down on speedsters in Hungerford area, PC Claire Drewitt told the annual Hungerford parish meeting.While all crime was down 12% the domestic and harassment crime rate was high and rising she said.The Hungerford police team of seven was headed by Inspector Dave Milsom and Sergeant Ian Ward.The mayor, Cr Anthony Buckwell said increased police presence and falling crime rates in Hungerford were encouraging.
JOHN O’ GAUNT ARTS EVENTOn Tuesday 29th of March 60 students from Year 6 and 7 will be taking part in an Arts Event with local group Kaya Drumming. They will be completing workshops in Music, Drama and Art from 4pm with a fi nal performance/presentation in the Main Hall from 5pm. If you are around please feel free to come along and check out what they are doing, the workshops are based on the theme of the Native African Arts and it promises to be a fantastic couple of hours. Students will be working in the Main Hall, the Drama Stu-dio and the Art Rooms. A good time to attend would be between 5:00 and 5:30 pm. - Rita Colclough
ROTARY DONATES £250 TO TUESDAY CLUBLocal Farmer, David Wallis, Vice President Hungerford Rotary Club and colleague member Ron Rowland took time out recently to help pour tea at the weekly gathering of the Tuesday Club of Hungerford.The Tuesday Club Hungerford, formed in 1996 for the benefi t of the “less mobile” of the Town and immediate area, were delighted to also receive a cheque for £250 for their fund.David Wallis commented “how he thoroughly enjoyed being a part of a very happy group for afternoon tea”.Regular Pub Lunches, Afternoon Teas, Short Break Holidays and a host of other activities currently please Tuesday Club’s membership of around 80 persons..with room for more. Those interested should telephone John Hollistair on 01488 682037 - James Brown
Hungerford Bookshop to judge top literary prize and is regionally shortlisted for Independent Bookshop of the Year!
The Hungerford Bookshop co-owner, Emma Milne-White, has been selected to be one of the judges for the Costa Book Awards - one of the most prestigious and popular literary prizes in the UK. “I am very excited at the prospect of being a judge for the novel category, though with over 30 books to read in a few months I think I shall be staying in quite a bit!” said Emma.
The Hungerford Bookshop won ‘Independent Bookshop of the Year’ in 2009 and has been regionally shortlisted for the same prize this year. The shop, which stocks new and old books, has built up a reputation for holding regular author events - this month sees Katherine Swift talking about her garden in ‘The Morville Year’ on April 12th, and on April 19th Stephanie Williams gives an illustrated talk about the eventful lives of British Governors during Empire (contact the shop for more details).
HUNGERFORD BOOKSHOP TO JUDGE TOP LITERARY PRIZE
Member of Hungerford John O’Gaunt Community Technology College staff, Ms Claire Williams, is getting married later this year. Having always been
impressed by the work created by our students, she approached textiles teacher, Mrs Walker, and explained that she wanted a different style of dress.
A plan was then hatched to launch a competition, with the winning design being made up for Claire’s big day. Ex student Lili Tuttle, who recently graduated from the Arts University College in Bournemouth, agreed to make up the chosen design. The students were given a brief of the type of dress, which had to contain a little of the family tartan!!!
There were so many designs to go through, some rather unique. A design was fi nally chosen and the winner is Bethany Burkitt in Year 11. The dress design is just what Claire wanted and, with Lili’s input, is sure to be an original. Runner up was Martine Matthews in Year 7 who not only designed a dress, she actually made it!
Ms Williams would like to thank all the students for their entries they will defi nitely be kept in her wedding keepsake box. - Rita Colclough
DESIGNING A WEDDING DRESSFOR A MEMBER OF STAFF
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24.3.11CLAIRE PERRY WELCOMES A BUDGET FOR GROWTH, JOBS AND FAMILIES Today Claire Perry, MP for the Devizes Constituency, welcomed the Government’s Budget which will reform the economy to support jobs and growth and help families with the cost of living – including an immediate cut in fuel duty. Key measures in the Budget to boost growth include:Tax cuts for businesses and entrepreneursScrapping burdensome regulations and red tapeRadical reform of the planning systemNew investment in science and innovationLots more real support for young people with additional apprenticeships and work experienceTo help families facing the rising cost of living, the Budget also will:Immediately cut fuel duty by 1 pence per litre and delay April’s infl ation rise in duty to next January. This means fuel duty will be 6 pence less by the end of next week than it would have been under Labour.Introduce a Fair Fuel Stabiliser that taxes oil companies more to stop rises in fuel dutyIncrease the Personal Allowance from by a further £630 from April 2012. That’s another real increase of £48 extra per year, or £126 in cash terms. Together with this year’s rise, that means a total of £326 extra each year for those working hard to support their families. And it means, just ten months into offi ce, this Coalition Government has taken 1.1 million low paid people out of tax altogether.Welcoming the Budget, Claire Perry MP said:“Last year’s Emergency Budget brought Britain back from the brink of bankruptcy. The Government is right to stick to the plan to get Britain living within her means and this year’s Budget sets out plans to back enterprise and get Britain making things again. By cutting fuel duty immediately and cutting income tax for millions, the Chancellor has done what he can to help families now. This Budget has put fuel into the tank of our economy.”
STUDENTS REACH ENGLAND FINAL OF DEBATE COMPETITIONAfter a successful day in Taunton at the West of England Finals of the Schools Mace competition, the oldest national debating com-petition in the UK, two St John’s students are now looking forward to competing in the England Finals on Friday evening.The two St John’s Sixth Formers, James Pitts, 16, and Emmie Price-Goodfellow, 17, reached the fi nal having beaten 17 other schools in the West of England competition on 19th March. The pair will now compete in debates against fi ve other English schools at the National Finals this Friday 1st April in London.The competition is run by the ESU, the English Speaking Union, and is open to students from secondary schools across the coun-try. The debating competition enables participants to gain valuable skills and knowledge, and former winners have gone on to become MPs, senior lawyers, prominent scientists and captains of industry. Debating and Court Competition clubs at St John’s are run by Law & English teacher Dr Leslie Spencer and offer a chance for stu-dents to develop their confi dence and public speaking skills.At the regional fi nal the judges said that it was the team’s clear structure, strong defi nition, superb oratory skills and good knowl-edge that enabled them to triumph over the other schools. The win-ning debate which the St John’s team argued in favour of was “This house would abandon Britain’s nuclear weapons programme”. As Emmie explained “This is a subject on which James knows rather a lot, and one of the judges later referred to him as a ‘nuclear geek’, so we were confi dent that we knew what we talking about. The op-position, unfortunately for them but fortunately for us, didn’t seem to have such deep subject knowledge, and so our arguments about nuclear war being unethical and unnecessary in a modern age stood up well, whilst their arguments about the nuclear programme being a deterrent and aiding the economy did not”.The winner of the National Final will go on to compete in the ESU’s International Final, this year to be held in Dublin.
ROTARY NIGHT WALK ALONG RIDGEWAYThe Rotary Club of Swindon Thamesdown are organising their 22nd Annual through the night sponsored walk along the Ridgeway on June 11. The walk will be starting at The Red Lion Public House, Avebury (SN8 1RF) taking in Hackpen Hill, Barbury Castle, Ogbourne Downs, Liddington Castle and fi nishing at the Bishopstone Village Hall (SN6 8PH). The Rotary Club of Swindon Thamesdown organise the event completely free of charge to the participants. The walkers can raise money for the charity of their choice. Those taking part are asked to gather at the, Bishopstone Village Hall, from 8.00 p.m. onwards, where parking has been arranged. At 9.30pm transport will be provided to the Red Lion at Avebury from which the walk will commence at 11.00pm. The club provides marshals points, refreshment stops, First Aiders and support vehicles for those who are unable to complete the event. At the fi nishing point at the Bishopstone Village Hall will be open to welcome the walkers with a hearty breakfast and hot drinks at a reasonable cost. A presentation night will take place at 7.30pm on Tuesday 19th July 2011 at the Holiday Inn, Swindon (SN3 6AQ) where all cheque’s will be presented to the various charities. The Rotary Club of Swindon Thamesdown will be pleased to welcome all walkers, their families and their chosen Charity representatives at this event.-Bob Barrett.
KITCHENMONGER IN LARGER PREMISESKitchenmonger has relocated in Hungerford to new premises at 25 High Street with better parking facilities and larger premises.Kitchenmonger are now offering a knife sharpening service and cake tin and stand hire. Tel. 01488 682158 for details. “You saw it in The Adviser!”
PROGRESSIVE TOWN HALL PLANSFOR PUBLIC CONSULTATIONMarlborough Town Council’s progressive plans to refurbish the Town Hall will go to public consultation in May.About 50 people at the annual parish meeting on Monday heard heated debate on the plans which are expected to cost about £1m.The meeting earlier heard an outline of the plans from Property committee chairman Cr Guy Loosmore. He outlined the plan to make the town hall a proper community centre with conference facilities and the ability to attract substantial income.He stressed that the work would be a long-term investment. Work is already well under way on various aspects, the main being the disabled persons’ access and facilities.A large theatre screen has been established in the hall and the fi rst public showing will be the royal wedding on April 29.
CANAL PROJECT COMPLETED ON TIME AND ON BUDGET
The Borough of Hungerford and British Waterways held a reception on April 7 to celebrate completion of environmental restoration work to Kennet and Avon Canal banks from Wire Lock to Highclose.
The reception was given by Constable Mr Greg Furr and trustees of the Town and Manor and Mr Mark Stephens, manager of British waterways.
Guests heard that the project was conducted on time and on budget and that all concened had performed their tasks admirably including work in icy winter conditions. Mr Robert James introduced guest speaker Mrs Adrian Scrope. Her address is on our world web news at: theweeklyadviser.com
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Speaking as a lifelong resident of Hungerford, I feel very fortunate to live here, and to be able to enjoy with my family the many attractions and features that make this
area unique: the Rivers Kennet and Dun, the Kennet and Avon Canal, Hungerford Common and of course the town itself, which has been close to the hearts of fi ve generations of my family.
As with many historic structures, myself included, we all suffer from wear and tear and are in need of maintenance from time to time, sometimes even major repairs. After decades of worry and a steady fl ow of problems, quite literally, from the Kennet and Avon canal into the River Kennet, a group of twelve people met at the Town Hall just over a year ago, in March 2010, in order to try and address the many issues of concern that have arisen during recent decades.
What is particularly impressive about Hungerford is that it is blessed with a number of tireless and enthusiastic people who are not content to let the town sit still, but are proactive in seeking to maintain and improve our surroundings for the benefi t of future generations. This meeting last year, organised by Hungerford Town and Manor, with representatives from British Waterways, the Environment Agency and Natural England, set the ball rolling and initiated the fantastic projects of which we are here to celebrate the completion this evening.
That meeting a year ago led to a massive team effort involving co-operation between a range of different groups to tackle and try to resolve a wide range of problems. All of you here tonight have been involved, and I cannot praise you enough for the results, which I have seen and admired for myself, and which will benefi t the community, and future generations as well.
How many projects do we hear of involving (at my reckoning) over 21 different bodies that are completed wisely and effectively on time, and within budget?
There are numerous people who have been instrumental in the success of this project. I would particularly like to thank Robert Fox, who I’m told was a key man, project engineer for British Waterways, for whom nothing was ever a problem. Also from BW, and contributing greatly, I thank Howard Wilcox, David Berezynskyj, Oda Dijksterhuis and Antonia Zotali.
Natural England have also been generous in their pragmatic support and signifi cant contributions, and I would especially like to thank Leanne Smith and Des Sussex. From the Environment Agency, Graham Scholey has been an important person in the whole process, and our thanks are due to him too.
How many of us would be prepared to stand up to our chests in the icy waters of the canal in midwinter? We have been fortunate indeed that Blue Boar contractors were enthusiastic enough about their work to do this. What perseverance at a time when most of us were huddled indoors beside the fi re.
Commons Overseers, Water Bailiffs and other Offi cers including the Clerk, the Fishery Committee, the Hall Keepers and Rob Starr, River Keeper have all played valuable and vital roles, as has Sue Everett, Environment consultant, and Chris D’Olley, Consultant Surveyor for Town and Manor.
Crucial help has also been given by English Heritage, Hungerford District Councillors, West Berks Council Countryside and Environment group, the Hungerford Town Council, the Hungerford Canal Angling Association, Action for the River Kennet, the Kennet Valley Fisheries Association, the Town and Manor Volunteer Group, British Waterways Volunteer Group and the Kennet and Avon Canal Trust. All have been vital parts of the jigsaw for which we are all grateful.. In addition, the publicity given by the local press, in particular the Newbury Weekly News, the Adviser Magazine and BBC South, has been very helpful, and we are grateful for your support.
I had the privilege to be involved in our County Show last year. One of my favourite places to visit at the Show has been
the stand of the Welsh Coracle maker, where I have spent ages gazing longingly at his boats. On Christmas Day last year, the most wonderful surprise was unveiled for me, in the form of a beautifully made coracle, which I fi nally summoned up my courage to take on its maiden voyage on the River Kennet a week ago.
Although I looked like a slightly worse-for-wear water vole that had not benefi ted from Oda’s tender protection after my voyage, which involved a great deal of mud and splashing, not to mention some slightly panicky squeaks, I was reminded how wonderful it is to travel gently along the water (well, gently in theory) and see just how much goes on, on and around the banks. Thanks to the careful work done by many of you here including bank restoration, the new and beautifully constructed groynes, coppicing and hedgework, fencing and narrowing, this beautiful river will continue to give pleasure to walkers, fi shermen, birdwatchers and so many people.
I am told 64 species of birds have recently been recorded at Harvey’s Meadow, including some exciting and unusual birds such as the water rail and glossy ibis. Following recent works, there are new environmental science ponds at Lower Meadow, and in 2010 there were 28 groups of educational visitors who enjoyed and learnt a great deal from their time here. Sally Wallington has been instrumental in her role as Educational Offi cer for Town and Manor, and I thank her for her work so far, which is ongoing. I know that there are many more ideas being discussed for future nature walks, talks and access, and I would make the point that we must all do everything we can to promote and encourage younger visitors, whose understanding of the delicate balance of the countryside is vital for its future.
The Kennet and Avon Canal from the east to Hungerford was completed 213 years ago, it was opened in 1798. I must just tell you that my family are continually grateful to those who in 1704 fi rst started talking about building the canal. The building of our house was completed in 1800, and on the manifest for one of the fi rst cargos to come up the canal is the stone staircase that is in the hall of our house. When I walk up and down it every day I will do so with renewed pleasure when I think that the canal around Hungerford is hopefully now in good enough repair to function effi ciently for a further 213 years at least.
Once again, I would like to thank you all on behalf of the Town and Manor and the people of Hungerford. In this room are so many people who have been involved in a project of which every one of you should be extremely proud. This work has been led brilliantly by the Constable Greg Furr, the Town and Manor Trustees, and in particular Robert James, elected Trustee of the Town and Manor since 1971, Commons Secretary for the last 13 years and past Constable. You have all had the tenacity to see the work through to fruition. Well done, and thank you on behalf of the people of Hungerford.
One last thing. In 1754, Queen Elizabeth I was petitioned by the Commoners of Hungerford when she was at Court at Wilton House to confi rm their ancient rights. This she did in a letter, written on 7th September of that year, and the key point she made was that, and I quote “the inhabitants should hereafter have use and enjoy without interruption all liberties and profi ts and benefi ts as here to fore time out of mind and remembrances of man they had used and enjoyed”. Thankfully, Robert James has kindly given me a translation of the last part, which is “you remember what your grandfather told you of what his grandfather had told him”.
This quotation I ask you to take home and consider with pride, for you have all played your parts in perpetuating Queen Elizabeth’s I’s wish, namely that the people of Hungerford should continue to enjoy and benefi t from their glorious surroundings, as they now do, as many previous generations have done, and as our descendants will continue to do. You may even see me bobbing along in my coracle, revelling in the same thought.
TOWN AND MANOR SPEECH BY MRS ADRIAN SCROPE TO RECEPTION FOR CANAL WORKS
