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Learners at the Badgers Hill Integration facility in Calcot started this term in their brand new purpose built building. The £2.2 million project, funded by West Berkshire Council has seen Badgers Hill completely rebuilt as part of our alternative provision for young people unable to access mainstream education.
Integration @ Badgers Hill is one of six special units run by iCollege in West Berkshire supporting young people in alternative settings to achieve their highest possible education outcomes, develop a strong positive attitude, develop self-confidence and prepare them for their chosen future. Read more here.
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After an absence of three years, our local County Show is back this weekend and will shine a spotlight on our Berkshire businesses and the agricultural sector, plus be packed with authentic family countryside experiences.
We are supportive of the Newbury & District Agricultural Society’s sustainable travel initiatives for the 2023 show, which include local buses to and from Newbury Wharf and Thatcham Broadway every 30 minutes and cycle parking that is freely available and accessed via both sides of the Showground.
The Newbury Show 2023 promises a more localised feel with Ramsbury Brewery as main sponsor and others including Newbury Building Society, Bucklebury Farm Park, Rivar, Highclere and Newbury's Horsey Lightly.
The main showring will feature Curridge’s very own @Berkshirefarmgirl, 75 years of Landrover, the popular livestock parade, British National Scurry driving championships, heavy horses, regional hotel and restaurant chefs in the Cookery Theatre and the Countryside Ring will include Axemen!
The Newbury Show is this Saturday (16 September) 9am-6pm and Sunday (17 September) 9-5pm at the Newbury Showground. The show is also dog friendly
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Work on a new full size 3G football turf pitch at John O' Gaunt Secondary School is well underway!
The pitch, which is due to be completed in October, will benefit children, the Hungerford community and beyond and has been made possible thanks to a £539,000 grant from the Premier League, The FA and Government's Football Foundation, plus collaborative contributions from local partners.
Read more here and watch our video update here.
Residents are invited to participate in West Berkshire Council's Scrutiny Commission by submitting questions for upcoming meetings.
A special meeting has been arranged for 6.30pm on 11 October to review the activities of Thames Water and the Environment Agency. Residents can submit questions or raise concerns by emailing them to us by 18 September. The meeting will be streamed live on the Council's YouTube channel for residents wanting to follow the meeting as it happens or at their convenience later.
Future meetings will be held as follows and agendas will be available a week in advance:
You can read more about this in our newsroom.
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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:
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Tuesday 12 September marked a remarkable milestone – the West Berkshire Cycle Forum turned 20!
In September 2003, a group of individuals, including our current Executive Member for Planning and Community Engagement, Councillor Tony Vickers, gathered to establish what would become the driving force behind cycling progress in our district.
Over the years, it has achieved significant milestones: from being recognised as 'Most Improved Highway Authority at implementing Cycling Measures' in 2004 to introducing the transformative Bikeability cycle training program and creating traffic-free routes like the Eling Way link.
We owe our success to the tireless efforts of our members, officers, dedicated partners like SPOKES, and the support of organisations such as Newbury Road Club, Sustrans, Newbury VELO, Canal & River Trust, PAWS (Pangbourne and Whitchurch Sustainability Group) and Reading Cycle Campaign.
If you would like to know more, or get involved in the Cycle Forum, visit the West Berkshire SPOKES webpage.
Our Return to Work Careers fair was a fantastic success last week at Shaw House. Local employers, including Screwfix and Downe House, came along to support the event and share the job opportunities they currently have on offer.
The event aimed to help people who have been out of work for a little while, for whatever reason, take that next step to get back into work.
Visitor Michael Vince (24) said: "I visited the Return to Work Careers Fair at Shaw House as I've recently returned from University. I have been working various temporary jobs, but would like to now settle into a career. There were a number of stalls with friendly faces offering a variety of different opportunities. I had some great conversations with Downe House and Careers in the Arts who gave me very helpful career advice!"
Couldn't make the event, but want to find out more? Listen to what the employers had to say on our Youtube Channel.
If you're looking for rewarding work in the legal sector, come along to our local government legal career webinar this Friday! The One Berkshire Group, made up of local Berkshire Councils, have created an exciting agenda and case work discussion points including swords, lions, and The Admiralty!
A legal career in local government can be varied, interesting and challenging, but is always worthwhile.
Please register for the webinar here.
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We value your views on the decisions we take. There are several areas we are currently holding consultations on, including:
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September is bursting with happiness as we bring you not one, but TWO fantastic freebies!
Compostable Food Waste Caddy Liners: For the entire month of September, we're giving away free rolls of compostable food waste caddy liners! It's our way of helping you make eco-friendly choices. These precious liners are up for grabs during regular opening hours at ALL West Berkshire Council Libraries and at our welcoming Council Office reception on Market Street in Newbury, while stocks last.
Soil Conditioner Giveaway: You asked, and we heard you! Our legendary soil conditioner giveaway is back for the third time. On Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 September, from 10:00am until 4:00pm, we're opening the doors to our Padworth Recycling facility, just for you. This soil conditioner, created from the food and garden waste collected from your homes, is certified and cherished by local farmers and landscapers alike!
Join us in the visitor's car park at Padworth Lane, RG7 4JF, and don't forget to bring your own boxes or bags and gloves to carry your soil treasure safely to your car.
Click here for more info!
The groups below are now eligible for a flu vaccine:
- those aged 65 years and over
- those aged 6 months to under 65 years in clinical risk groups
- pregnant women
- all children aged 2 or 3 years on 31 August 2023
- primary school aged children (from Reception to Year 6)
- those in long-stay residential care homes
- carers in receipt of carer’s allowance, or those who are the main carer of an elderly or disabled person
- close contacts of immunocompromised individuals
- frontline workers in a social care setting without an employer led occupational health scheme
Book or manage a free NHS flu vaccination at your local pharmacy.
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'50 Things To Do Before You’re Five' gives 50 activities for parents and carers to try out with their children. We’ve made sure that children with special education needs are included and that each of the 50 things are accessible.
All activities are low-cost or no cost and include indoor, outdoor, seasonal, home-based and out-and-about options, that are fun and will get your little one off to a flying start with learning and language development. Each experience has been suggested by parents, carers and professionals and developed by early years experts and language specialists to create a fabulous resource for every child under five and the grown-ups in their life!
You can download the app via the Google Play or Apple Store, or you can find all the activities on our website.
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Get involved in nature recovery in Berkshire |
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Natural England is working with local authorities across Berkshire to identify priorities for nature recovery and develop a Local Nature Recovery Strategy. The main goal here is to create a local habitat map that highlights a Nature Recovery Network we'd all like to see delivered in the coming years. We want to make sure we preserve and improve habitats while also creating opportunities for nature to bounce back and thrive across West Berkshire. It's a win-win for our community and the planet.
If you want to find out more, there are free introductory webinars offering West Berkshire residents the chance to dive deeper into what's happening and how you can play a part.
To find out more, and to sign up to the session most appropriate for you, please visit the Berkshire’s Local Nature Recovery Strategy site to protect and nurture our environment together.
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And finally...
- Are you or your child back to school this week or getting ready to head off to university? If you are aged 16 or over, make sure you are registered to vote! It only takes five minutes and you can do it via the gov.uk website.
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