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 The holiday season can be a particularly lonely time for many, especially for those who find themselves away from friends, family, or even their beloved pets. This was the case for Kelly, a resident in a local Residential Home, who dearly missed the companionship of a furry friend. Her face would light up whenever she saw animals, a clear sign of the joy they had brought her.
Recognising this, one of the team members suggested introducing a Companion Cat to Kelly. These lifelike robotic pets mimic the behaviour of real cats, responding with purrs and movements when stroked. They offer the comfort and companionship of a real pet without the demands of daily care. For residents like Kelly, these Companion Cats provide a soothing presence, helping to alleviate feelings of isolation and loneliness.
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Win-win when you play the West Berkshire Lottery |
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 Sign up to play the West Berkshire Lottery and support a good cause. Not only will you be in with the chance of winning weekly cash prizes of up to £25,000, but if you enter before Saturday 25 January, you could win a £1,000 Aldi Gift Card too, all for just £1 a week!
Imagine walking into your local Aldi with £1,000 to spend! Stock up on groceries, or splash out on those unexpected treasures in the middle aisle - who knows what you'll come home with!?
West Berkshire Lottery is a fun way to help good causes in West Berkshire without giving up precious time.
Tickets are just £1 in the weekly draw, and you can choose exactly which good cause you'd like your money to go to.
Since its launch in 2019, the West Berkshire Lottery has raised more than £250,000 for small charities - so why not join in? Visit the West Berkshire Lottery website to see which good causes you can support, and buy a ticket today.
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 Credit: Ivy Hill Garden Designs
We are very excited to share our plan to create a new Tudor Garden on the front lawns at Shaw House, with thanks to funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
The garden will be created using a mix of low maintenance hedging, flowers and herbs to create a symmetrical design in the style of a Tudor knot garden (more detailed images available soon!). The fully accessible garden will also feature raised beds and seating to enjoys the views of Shaw House.
Landscape work is due to start on Monday 20 January and our wonderful team of volunteers will then begin planting ready for public opening in Spring 2025.
Please note, access for visitors with disabilities, wedding cars and pedestrians will still be available during this period. We apologise for any inconvenience caused during the groundworks stage.
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Keep up to date on road closures in your area by using the map of roadworks, including those of utility companies, on our website to plan your journeys. Click the link below for more information.
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 ‘Risking It All’ is a thought-provoking drama being performed at all West Berkshire mainstream secondary schools next month. There’s also a free evening performance for parents and professionals on Wednesday 5 February at the Arlington Arts Centre, Newbury.
The drama presents a realistic portrayal of the tough decisions young people face, highlighting the options they may have when confronted with challenging circumstances. It not only shows the potential outcomes of risky choices, but provides scripted responses or strategies to help guide their actions.
This free event offers a unique opportunity for parents of secondary school students and those working with young people to gain insight into the consequences of risky behaviour and how to navigate difficult situations.
Parents often feel overwhelmed by the risks and concerns their children may face. ‘Risking It All’ provides a clear, open space for learning about the realities young people encounter, identifying warning signs, and understanding how to offer the right support. Professionals will be on hand to answer questions and offer valuable advice and support.
A money lender must be authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to lend money legally. Loan sharks who aren't authorised by the FCA are breaking the law.
They are expert manipulators who persuade people to borrow from them and later keep people trapped in a cycle of debt. They will pretend to be a borrower's friend with a promise of cash just at the point when the borrower needs it most. They then tend to use fear of exposure, violence, or threats of violence to intimidate borrowers who have done nothing wrong.
The signs of an illegal lender include being:
- given no paperwork or details about a loan
- told to make repayments that add up to much more than you initially borrowed
- intimidated or threatened if you struggle to pay
- told to hand over items like bank cards or a passport until you can pay.
If you think you have been targeted by a loan shark, contact Stop Loan Sharks by calling the 24/7 confidential hotline 0300 555 2222. There is also more information available here.
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Anyone can watch our Council and Committee meetings in person at our Market Street offices in Newbury and live on our YouTube channel to view the important decisions made by councillors on issues such as planning, waste services and schools.
Upcoming public meetings include:
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 West Berkshire Museum has lots of exciting exhibitions, including an interactive exhibition to mark 75 years of Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) by exploring their work and fascinating Education Collection of artefacts.
For 75 years, AWE has protected the United Kingdom through nuclear science and technology. They are also one of the largest employers in West Berkshire, operating out of Aldermaston and Burghfield. At these sites, warheads are designed and manufactured for the Continuous at Sea Deterrent, alongside services to prevent nuclear threats.
 Did you know that we have some fantastic e-resources for homework and studying, which are available for library members to use free of charge?
For instance, the online Encyclopaedia Britannica has three age-related editions. Take a look at our YouTube videos to find out more about the Junior edition for 5-11 year olds and the Student edition for 11-16 years.
Secondary school students can also enjoy an engaging, interactive way of learning with Brillder, which aims to add some fun to studying in more than a dozen subjects, including English, Maths, Science and History.
Visit our website to find the full list of e-resources available from West Berkshire Libraries.
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Gilbert and Sullivan’s ‘Iolanthe’ at Shaw House |
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Kennet Opera presents one of Gilbert and Sullivan’s most popular comic operas, Iolanthe. A fun-filled show, where fairyland and humans collide, performed in the Great Hall at Shaw House.
The café will be open selling light refreshments and drinks. The performance length is two hours and includes one interval.
There are two showings available to book: Saturday 8 February at 7pm and Sunday 9 February at 2.30pm. Adult tickets cost £15, child tickets cost £10. Book here.
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And finally...
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If your New Year’s resolutions include volunteering, we may have an opportunity for you. We really appreciate the contribution made by the volunteers who give their time and energy to support customers and staff across our libraries, museum and Shaw House. There is a wide range of interesting and valuable volunteer roles across Culture and Libraries and our friendly team is always looking for new members. To find information about our library volunteering opportunities and how to apply, visit our website.
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