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Funding for new pitch in Hungerford

A new playing pitch could be coming soon to Hungerford - and we're delighted to be supporting the project and contributing towards it's funding. 

This week we've announced a £75,000 contribution to help build the new pitch at John O'Gaunt School. The existing artificial grass pitch is at the end of its life. If the bid is successful, the playing area will be increased to a full size football pitch, and changed to a 3G surface, enabling matchplay to take place on it.

The new pitch will help deliver the Council's Playing Pitch Strategy as well as the Local Football Facility Plan which has been produced by the Football Foundation and Berks and Bucks Football Association.

The total cost of the project is expected to be around £600,000. Greenham Trust is being match-funding our contribution and Hungerford Town Football Club is fundraising. It is hoped that a strong bid to the Football Foundation will secure the remainder of the funding. 

The joint bid is being made by the Council, John O'Gaunt School, Hungerford Town Council, Hungerford Town Football Club, Football Foundation and Greenham Trust.

You can read more about plans for the new pitch on our website.

If you would like to support the project you can contribute towards Hungerford Town Football Club's fundraising appeal on The Good Exchange.

Parks among the UK's best

Two local parks have been awarded Green Flag Awards - an international accolade recognising well-managed parks and green spaces.

Northcroft and Goldwell Parks in Newbury received a Green Flag alongside Linear Park in Calcot. Both parks are managed by West Berkshire Council with the support of local volunteer groups.

After two years that have seen our parks and green spaces play a vital role for people through lockdowns as a place to relax, exercise and meet friends and family safely, the news of the two Green Flag Awards is testament to the hard work and dedication of the team and the volunteers that make these green spaces great places that everyone can enjoy.

You can find out more about the Green Flag awards online.

Goldwell Park, Newbury

Council Tax Rebate Update

We’re pleased to say that letters about the £150 council tax rebate have started going out to customers who don't pay their council tax by direct debit. They’re being issued in batches over the next two weeks to make the payment process as smooth as possible. 

The letter will explain how to claim your rebate, which you can do on a smartphone or computer. A QR code and web address is provided which will send you to a web page where you be able to add your bank details. Once completed, if successful, your payment will go into your bank account within 5 to 7 working days. More information can be found here.

With over 1,500 members of staff corporately, plus additional members of staff working across our local schools and education settings, we're one of the largest employers in the area. There are lots of reasons to consider a career with us - from the wide range of services we provide to the training and benefits we offer.

Current vacancies include:

• Business Support Officer
• Occupational Therapist
• Information Analyst

School runners-up in conservation award

Representatives from Year 6 collecting their certificate and £500 prize.

Children at Curridge Primary School are delighted to have been awarded second place in the Dorothy Morley Conservation Award and scooped a £500 prize!

Across the school, children have been busy throughout the year with their ‘Grow’ project. They’ve planted wildlife friendly gardens, planted, cared for and harvested vegetables, flowers and herbs for cooking, and written letters to 10 Downing Street about climate change offering their ideas to improve the environment for everyone. 

Open to all Berkshire Schools, the Dorothy Morley Conservation Award offers prizes of £1000 and £500 for the two best school projects that promote environmental conservation in its widest sense.

Congratulations to everyone who took part.

New audio guides for Shaw House

Enjoy a free audio guide tour during your visit to Shaw House this summer! With over 400 years of history, Shaw House has many tales to tell. With their new audio guides you can listen to stories of the people that lived there, the royal visitors, the requisitioning of the House during the Second World War and the hustle and bustle of the school years.  You may even spot some intriguing features of the House that you could otherwise have missed! The audio guide handsets and headphones are available from reception during public opening hours, subject to availability. You can also purchase a full colour printed guide to the House to take home as a souvenir. Entry to the House is free but donations are welcomed. Check opening times and plan your visit on the West Berkshire Heritage website.

Post arrives from Buckingham Palace!

Last week was our week for correspondence from the Queen, with two separate letters bearing Buckingham Palace’s Royal Crest arriving to West Berkshire Council addresses.

The first was in response to a letter written by staff and a client at the Phoenix Resource Centre in Newbury to congratulate her on her Platinum Jubilee. They were delighted to receive a personal response from the Queen’s Lady in Waiting.

The second came to send birthday wishes to Babs, a resident at Notrees Care Home, who was celebrating her 100^th birthday! She spent some of her special day celebrating with her family at Snelsmore Common.

We value your views on the decisions we take. There are several areas we are currently holding consultations on, including:

• Draft Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy 2022-2027
• West Berkshire Bus Survey 2022 - closes Sunday

Private Fostering Arrangements

Did you know that you need to tell us if you're involved in a private fostering arrangement?

Private fostering occurs when a child under 16 (or 18 if disabled) is cared for and provided with accommodation by an adult who is not a close relative (a grandparent, sibling, step parent or a parent's sibling) for 28 days or more, by private arrangement between the parent and carer.

In these circumstances we have a role to play in ensuring the fostered child or young people stays safe and well. The Children Act makes it an offence not to notify the local council of private fostering arrangements.

Private fostering arrangements could include:

• children sent to this country for education or health care by birth parents living overseas
• children living with a friend's family as a result of parental separation, divorce or arguments at home
• teenagers living with the family of a boyfriend or girlfriend
• children whose parents study or work involves unsociable hours, which makes it difficult for them to use ordinary day or after school care

To find out more please visit our website at  https://www.westberks.gov.uk/privatefostering

Business Support for Personal Assistants and Careworkers

If you are a self-employed carer/personal assistant (PA), or thinking about becoming one, West Berkshire Council has a scheme to help you set up and promote your business. You can access free training and business support and get your service endorsed by a nationally recognised scheme. The scheme is open to anyone providing personal care or home help, and is primarily aimed at those who are not eligible to register with the Care Quality Commission. People looking for support for themselves or a loved one are able to find and check PAs on the West Berkshire Council Directory so they can be confident the PA they choose has the appropriate background checks and training. You can find out more on our website. Alternatively, you can contact us by phone on 07824334644 or email Supportwithconfidence@westberks.gov.uk.

Theatre and sculpture at Shaw House

Let your hair down at Shaw House this summer with Immersion Theatre and their brand-new musical adaptation of the classic fairy tale Rapunzel.

Get tangled in this fast-paced, larger-than-life production which guarantees heaps of audience interaction, a host of catchy songs, unforgettable characters, and maybe even the odd water gun or two! Age suitability: 4+

Wednesday 17 August | Gates 5pm | Performance 6pm | Adults £13, Child £9

Book online at www.westberkshireheritage.org/whats-on

The popular Open Air Sculpture Exhibition 'Altered States' returns to Shaw House on Saturday 30 July until the end of September.

The Orangery Lawn will be transformed into a sculpture trail where you can discover artworks by acclaimed sculptors in the grounds of this lovely historic setting. All works on display will be available for purchase.

Open every day from Saturday 30 July – Sunday 25 September | 11am – 4pm | Free

(The exhibition will be closed on Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st August due to a private event.)

The House, indoor exhibitions, gift shop and café will also be open at weekends and during the school holiday.

For more information about the exhibiting artists please visit www.alteredstatessculptures.co.uk

The most borrowed book is...

Did you know that the most-borrowed library book last year was The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman?

Copies are available to borrow in print (hardback and paperback), audio (CD) and e-book formats.

Discover this book and many others at your local library today. For more information about our libraries, mobile library and e-loans visit our libraries webpages or give them a follow on Facebook.

And finally...

• We’re showcasing our environmental groups by partnering ADoddle
  Community Mapping - helping green groups improve their online presence so residents can find local groups. You can learn more here.

• With the school holidays starting, please talk to any young people you know about how to stay safe in and around water. You can find water safety advice from the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service online.