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New pump track coming to Goldwell Park

Layout of the new pump track

A brand new pump track will soon be installed to replace the existing dirt track at the top of Goldwell Park in Newbury. It will replace the current track, which has been in situ for around 20 years. Due to the tarmac surfacing, pump tracks are suitable for use whatever the weather and will provide a valuable facility to the local community.

A pump track is a continuous circuit for wheeled sports equipment, such as scooters and BMX bikes, and is becoming more popular in public spaces. It does not require pedalling or pushing, but a “pumping” action to maintain momentum. The track is a looped sequence of rollers and berms (swoopy, banked turns) for bike riders of all ages.

The contractor will be setting up the site in the week beginning Monday 31^st July, with work starting on 7^th August. The work is expected to last around eight weeks. For more information, please get in touch.

Summer fun at the Waterside Centre

The summer programme of activities at the Waterside Centre in Newbury is now open for bookings!

The Summer Kids Club for primary school age children will run from 1-25 August, offering sports, games and arts and crafts between 8:30 and 12:30. Find out more or book places here. If your child is eligible for free school meals you can book here as part of our Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme here.

The Summer School Club for secondary school children runs on the same dates from 4-8pm and offers sports, games, arts and crafts and paddling! Book here, or if your child is eligible for free school meals book as part of HAF here.

Football at Faraday Road update

Although the rain is causing havoc with summer plans, the grass at Faraday Road is loving it! We went down to the pitch last week to catch up with Paul Hendry, Countryside Manager and Ashley Palmer, Transport and Countryside Technician. In our latest video update, they told us about plans for the changing room unit and fencing, and an update on what is happening with the grass. You can also read our latest blog about the site.

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:

• Senior Technician
• Social Emotional Mental Health Practitioner
• Libraries Manager

The Castle @ Theale wants you!

The Castle @ Theale, a new specialist education centre for children with social, emotional and mental health difficulties, opened in September 2022 and is making a huge difference to the lives of disadvantaged children in West Berkshire. Leaders at The Castle School are excited to announce that this setting will be expanding in September 2023 to support more children. There are now a range of exciting opportunities to work at this innovative new centre.

Caroline Whitlock, Deputy Head of The Castle School, said: “We’re searching for caring, dynamic and ambitious teaching assistants and a specialist DT/Horticulture Teacher to help us shape the Castle @ Theale. If any of these opportunities excites you as much as they do us, we’d love for you to visit our brand new site and to ask any questions you may have about our vision”.

To find out more about the available roles, interested applicants should visit The Castle’s website. To arrange a visit or to ask further questions, applicants can contact Cassy Clark on 01635 42976 or via email. Applications can be made via the school’s portal on TES.

Road Closure – Kings Road, Newbury

Kings Road in Newbury will be closed from 1 August to 5 December 2023 for urgent gas mains replacement. The closure will be between its junction with Boundary Road and its junction with Hectors Way.

The diversion will be signed on site and residential access will be maintained throughout - vehicular access we be permitted as works progress. Please note blue light access is via the diversion route.

All enquiries should be directed to SGN on 08009 121 700 or via email. A plan of the closure can be found here, or download this letter from SGN for full details.

New bus service launches between Newbury and Harwell

A new bus service has been launched linking Newbury to Harwell Campus and Didcot Railway station. 

The new X34 Thames Travel service will operate every hour on Mondays to Saturdays and provide a new fast connection to Newbury. Within Newbury, buses will call at the Vodafone Roundabout bus stop, then those along London Road and Park Way and Stand D in Newbury Wharf Bus Station. In further good news for passengers, single adult fares on the new service will be covered by the government’s current £2 fare cap on single adult journeys.

The new route launches on 23 July 2023, and follows a roadshow on Thursday 6 July at Harwell Campus to celebrate the launch of the service which was attended by local MPs and county councillors alongside senior representatives from Harwell Campus, Oxfordshire County Council, West Berkshire District Council and Thames Travel.

The new buses have free on-board Wi-Fi, next stop announcements and USB charging points. The new timetable can be found here.

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

• Draft Statement of Licensing Policy 2023-2028
• Memorial Fields, Thatcham Flood Alleviation Scheme
• West Berkshire Bus Survey 2023

Students enjoy work experience day

On Monday, we welcomed a group of young people from across the district for a day of work experience. In a world of hybrid working, we recognise how difficult it is for pupils to find work experience when they are in school five days a week. Despite this, we organised an engaging and interactive day for the students, which included talks from our officers and a social media activity. We are looking to offer more of these experiences in the future so watch this space!

Shaw House Summer Fair

The Shaw House Summer Fair was a resounding success this past weekend. The shopping stalls were popular with the adults, whilst the bouncy castles, Mr Muddle the Magician and activity stalls were a favourite with the children. Alongside ripples of laughter, the afternoon was sound-tracked by the talented Izzy Adams and her keyboard. A big shout out must also go to all the furry friends who came to spread the joy. We hope you had as great a time as we did!

Angels of Ukraine exhibition

This poignant exhibition was unveiled at Newbury Town Hall last Wednesday and stayed in place for six days. From Newbury, the ‘Angels of Ukraine’ are now on their way to Portugal, and then on to other countries around the world. The exhibit is made up of 494 angels, each handmade by Ukrainian women, to represent every Ukrainian child killed in Ukraine since Russia invaded in February 2022.

Twelfth Night at Shaw House's outdoor theatre

The Immersion Theatre will be bringing their laugh-a-minute adaptation of Shakespeare’s ‘Twelfth Night’ to Shaw House this Saturday. Please bring your own seating/rug, warm clothes and picnic. The café will be open selling snack, drinks and ice cream. For more information and booking click here.

And finally...

• As part of Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service’s (RBFRS) #WaterWise safety campaign, a water safety event took place last week at Pangbourne Meadows.
• Neil Whiteman, Community Safety Advisor, RBFRS, said: “If you do see someone in difficulty remember ‘Call, Tell and Throw – Call 999, tell the person to float on their back and throw something to them to help them float.”
• Click here for more water safety advice.