contents

local news updates

COVID-19 SHOULD YOU WEAR A MASK ?

Covid-19 information

West Berkshire Council InfO

police update and scams

Building restrictions

library

climate change

school news

playing field news

INKPEN village hall

Other inkpen News

useful links






Local news updates

For your latest local and regional news, as provided by the BBC, click here. Hungerford and area news can be found here.

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CoVID-19. sHOULD YOU WEAR A MASK?

Wearing a mask is for the protection of those around you. Others that wear a mask in your presence protect you. Please use your judgement when in the presence of others and help keep us all safe from Covid-19.

In England, face coverings are no longer required by law. However, the government suggests that you continue to wear a face covering in crowded and enclosed spaces where you may come into contact with other people you do not normally meet.

If you are exempt from wearing a mask due to a medical condition, please carry on as you have been.

Design plans for DIY face masks  can be found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VgHrnS6n4iA

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COVID-19 information

The latest government guidance is given here.

Government Covid-19 restrictions
Meeting friends and family
From 27 January face coverings will no longer be compulsory in many indoor public spaces - although they will be recommended in some places, and remain mandatory on London transport.
1m-plus social distancing remains in places such as hospitals and passport control.
Going to work
The government is no longer asking people to work from home.
Schools and nurseries
All school staff and pupils at secondary schools advised take two lateral flow tests (LFTs) a week.
Secondary school pupils no longer have to wear face coverings in classrooms.
Leisure time
People currently need to prove their Covid status - with an NHS Covid Pass or proof of a negative lateral flow test - to gain entry to nightclubs, indoor unseated venues with more than 500 people, unseated outdoor venues with more than 4,000 people, or any venue with more than 10,000 people.
This requirement will end on Thursday 27 January.
Shopping
All shops and retail outlets are open.
You must wear a face covering in any retail setting.
Other
Residents in care homes are currently allowed three named visitors. These restrictions are expected to be eased shortly.
All restrictions on events such as weddings, funerals, bar/bat mitzvahs and baptisms removed - no requirement for table service, or restrictions on singing or dancing.
Places of worship open for communal services.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has published a range of additional information covering all aspects of Covid-19 including what to do if you or a member of your family becomes infected. The link is here.

Covid-19 Symptoms ?
All people with flu-like symptoms - a fever above 37.8C or a persistent cough - should self-isolate (stay at home, away from other people) for seven days and call 111. Don't spread it around !

Mental Health Support for those of 11-18 years
West Berkshire Council has set up a dedicated telephone helpline for young people experiencing issues and concerns relating to the pandemic - 01635 503587.

The helpline, which is linked to its Emotional Health Academy (EHA), will offer the district’s young people self-help support, advice and guidance from trained EHA workers. It came into operation on 6 April, and will be open between 09:00 and 17:00 Monday to Friday, providing an opportunity for children and young people (aged 11 to 18) to express their concerns and talk about issues directly affecting them during the current Coronavirus crisis. EHA workers will use active listening skills to support young people in dealing with difficult feelings around Covid-19 and provide signposting and self-help support for their general wellbeing.

This local helpline is a short-term service and will be available only during the pandemic, to provide ‘in the moment’ support to children and young people. It will provide access to trained EHA workers who can offer advice and self-help tools and provide support to manage ‘low level’ problems. It is not a crisis line and does not replace other services such as the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS).

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The latest West Berkshire Council weeknote is available here.

RiM, Recovery in Mind is a community organisation, where adults living in West Berkshire get the opportunity to learn life long skills and tools to improve and manage their mental health and wellbeing. Details can be found here.

West Berkshire Council are asking residents across the district/borough to think of others and not light bonfires during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic lockdown because many people at home are vulnerable and may have respiratory issues, or even be fighting the Covid-19 itself. During this difficult time we are asking that their needs are put first. Bonfires can also get out of control or cause accidents, creating extra pressure on the already busy emergency services. Anyone having a domestic bonfire that causes a nuisance  may be prosecuted under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. To report an incident of a bonfire please use our on-line reporting form here.

Fly tipping is the illegal dumping of any waste or rubbish on public land or sites which are unauthorised to accept waste. If the rubbish is dumped on private land, the landowner is responsible for removing it. If you find or receive notification of fly tipped material on private land you will need to inform the landowner. Landowners unfortunately will have to pay for the cost of disposal of fly-tipped materials. To report an incident of fly tipping please see links on PPP website here.

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Police report

A message from the Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner is available here.

Online Fraud. New scams are coming to light all the time. Police guidance is given here.

Local Police News.
In recent weeks across the Hungerford and Lambourn areas we have had reports of sheds being broken into and gardening tools being taken from within. Fortunately, none of these reports are from Inkpen itself however please check the security you currently have in place, and make sure the shed is kept locked at night with a good quality padlock. If the shed is located near to your property, consider an alarmed padlock.

On the 2nd July along with Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service, we will be at Inkpen school fete. We are very much looking forward to the event as due to the pandemic these events were unable to take place. We are also looking forward to Hungerford Carnival weekend on the 16th/17th July. We enjoy this event, and they are a great opportunity for us to engage with our communities.

I mentioned it in last month’s update, but it continues to be brought to my attention that drivers are speeding through the village and using it like a racetrack. The roads in Inkpen are very narrow and windy. In addition, there are no footpaths, so pedestrians are forced to walk in the roads. Please keep you speed down. During the summer months and the dry weather, we see an increase in theft from vehicles parked at beauty spots such as Combe Gibbet and Hungerford Common. This crime is carried out by opportunists, and you can reduce the risk of having your vehicle broken into by considering the following:

Don’t leave anything in your car.
Do not leave items of value in your boot.
Open the parcel shelf and leave the glove box open to show would be thieves there is nothing of value left in the vehicle.
Don’t return to your car to leave purchases in the boot before continuing with your shopping as thieves may watch car parks.

If you would like any further information or advice please contact me on 07814852137 or email Joanna.king@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk

SCAMS

Be aware of scams. Download "The Little Book of Big Scams".  For home security, download "Secure your home".

Message shared on behalf of Thames Valley Police -  We have been informed by Thames Water that a number of “Contractor” Identification Cards have been lost in transit. The cards have been deactivated so they cannot be used to gain access to any Thames Water sites but there are concerns that they could be used for criminal activity known as “Distraction Burglaries.” Please be very cautious and verify with Thames Water any Thames Water person’s details before letting anyone into their property?

Message sent on behalf of South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SECAMB)
We are aware of a voice message being shared currently on social media regarding the ambulance response to coronavirus. The alarmist information being shared in the message is not correct. We would urge people to disregard the message and not share it further.  In line with our ongoing plans during this challenging time, we are continuing to follow national guidelines regarding the ambulance response and thank the public for their ongoing support in following the government’s advice.

NHS test and trace system
The Government announced the launch of the NHS test and trace system in England and Scotland on 27 May.  Earlier in the month Trading Standards warned about a phishing scam around use of the trial contact tracing app being piloted in the Isle of Wight.  It has not been rolled out across the rest of the country but that hasn’t stopped the scammers trying to take advantage.  The public should look out for texts with links in them.  The link goes to a bogus website which asks for personal details. Scammers may use the information to gain access to bank accounts and commit other forms of identity fraud.

Also, you might receive a call, text or email offering the COVID-19 vaccine. If you’re asked to provide payment or bank details, please don’t respond – it’s a scam.

The real NHS will not ask you to:    1) provide bank details or payments, 2) give details of any other accounts, such as social media, 3) set up a password or PIN number over the phone, or 4) call a premium rate number, such as those starting 09 or 087

People who shop at Tesco have been warned not to fall for a scam email claiming to give them free shopping and vouchers. In emails addressed to customers of the supermarket, scammers have attempted to take advantage of the coronavirus crisis by offering them the chance to shop for free online or in store and to click on a link to register their details.

Similar scams too purporting to be from Morrison offering free vouchers and other scams such as free Dettol or Gillette samples or competitions. They are all trying to get you to like or share which gives them details on your contacts etc. Never click on any links from uninvited emails. If in doubt on any scams, please contact your Bank or other organisations to check whether they have been sent by them.

Other recent scams are a text from O2 saying that a payment had failed and to avoid fees, visit the website using the link in the text and to then sign on using another screen asking for all the security details that the person used followed by credit card and bank account details. The fake website looked exactly like the O2 official site so some people could easily fall for this scam.

Royal Mail scams via email advising that your parcel has arrived but the Courier was unable to deliver the parcel to you. The email then asks you to pay £3.95 for this to be re-delivered and to click on a link to give your bank and other details.

Also Emails saying that the recent payment for your vehicle tax failed because there is not enough money on your debit card and that your vehicle is no longer taxed. They suggest you use a credit card instead to avoid any other consequences and again this is a way of trying to obtain your Bank details.

There are various ways of reporting scams.

A new initiative called Cyberawaregov has launched SERS – the suspicious email reporting service. They say that if you have received an email which you are not sure about, to forward it to report@phishing.gov.uk There is further information on the website: www.ncsc.gov.uk/information/report-suspicious-emails

Scams can also be notified to Action Fraud on 03001232040 or via their website or to the National Trading Standards Scams Team on 03454 040506.

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Out of hours Building works

The law - and frequently planning permission as well - regulates the hours during which construction can be carried out, typically between 8am and 6pm weekdays, 8am and 3pm on Saturdays, and not at all on Sundays. Outside those hours you have the right to complain to the council, who will come and investigate and may take action against persistent offenders. Contact WBC at ehadvice@westberks.gov.uk (Tel. 01635 519192) or planningenforcement@westberks.gov.uk (Tel. 01635 519111).

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Library - Pass It on

The mobile library will call at Inkpen on the 19th July and 9th/30th August and will be stopping at: Craven Road from 2.20 to 2.50pm and at Inkpen School at 3.05 to 4pm. The library service is being reviewed so please use the service to show if you wish it to continue.

The Libraries Service are also offering a new online service to residents so that they can continue to enjoy new books and to share their love of reading without leaving the house. They have set up a new Facebook group called West Berks Reads, which is a useful, alternative way for people to share their thoughts and pick up ideas for what to read next.

Meanwhile, the digital resources and e-library services are continuing 24/7 and understandably being very well used at this time. Why not go to the Libraries page on our website and discover a new book or magazine?

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Climate change

Official reports suggest that our climate decline is rapidly accelerating. Although we are a small community and many feel that we are too insignificant in the grand scheme, there are things that we can do to make a positive impact.

Obviously we can plant more trees and hedging and the IMPFT  is this month planting more than 300 hedging plants along Post Office Road. But individually we can make a difference by leaving some of our gardens to become wild spaces. We can be more careful in our use of pesticides and herbicides and hopefully use insect friendly alternatives. Remember, Your Climate Needs You.

Following on from the work of Bob May and Bernard Harris, to encourage wild flowers on the Lower Green Triangle, we are hoping to transform other areas of public land in Inkpen in the coming years, with an emphasis on natural flora and their insect inhabitants. Why not set aside a small patch in your garden for beautiful, natural, wild flowers. Have a look at  this  to get a bit of encouragement.

These links might also be of some interest. Trees and Insects. Remember, insects are at the bottom of the food chain - if we lose them we lose all that depends on them!

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school news

It has been lovely to see the good weather finally arrive. We are so lucky to have school grounds which contain such beautiful mature trees which have given the children much needed shade while it has been so hot. There are not many schools I can think of, that are situated in such picturesque surroundings, and I feel privileged to have been able to work in them for so long.

It will definitely be one of the many things I will miss come September when I will no longer be coming to work in Inkpen every day. This school and the village have been such a large part of my life for so long and I would like to take this opportunity to thank the community of Inkpen for their support of so many of our school events over my time here. It has been like an extended family with so many excellent children, staff, parents, governors and friends of the school. I shall look forward to hearing all about future great achievements as the school continues to go from strength to strength.

Taking over in September will be Ms France Buck and I wish her every success and know that she will do an excellent job.

INKSPOTS

The children have all been such busy bees, working incredibly hard this term. From meeting important role models of our community, to using peas to count to ten. There have also been lots of growing discussions and waiting patiently for our strawberries to ripen.

We’re currently busy learning all about the importance of oral health care and how we can keep our teeth healthy. Discussing different foods that might impact this and creating fresh healthy plates of fruit and vegetables.

We can’t quite believe that the time is nearly here to wave goodbye to some of our older children, as they head off to school. It’s been an absolute pleasure to have you at Inkspots, and we wish you the very best in your new adventures at school. You will all be missed.

Daisy Chains
Contact Jenny on 07775883318 or Anna on 07785 184808.


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playing field trust (impft) news

Book the Pavilion
The summer weekends are likely to be popular so do think about booking now. If you know of any clubs, exercise guru’s or anyone interested in hiring the pavilion please do get in touch.

If you would like to hire the pavilion or any of the facilities email gloriakeene@hotmail.com. Hiring the pavilion and facilities enable us to maintain them as a ‘not for profit’ charity. Hire Charges are on the IMPFT website (www.impft.co.uk) and on the notice board at the pavilion or email Gloria for details.

THE QUEEN’S PLATINUM JUBILEE CELEBRATION 2ND – 4TH JUNE 2022
The organisers would like to say a big thank you to all those who volunteered to help on the day and to those who came along and supported the Inkpen Big Jubilee Saturday event. The weather was kind to us, and everyone seemed to have fun. Although we were only planning on covering our costs, we did make a profit on the day and will be donating this to local Inkpen charities.


Playing Field Courts
The Courts are now fully painted and new tennis nets up. Please bear with us as the courts are still vulnerable to hot weather so we ask that if it is hot, you don’t use them between 11am and 3pm otherwise the surface will easily damage. Please also be careful when lowering the tennis posts and don’t drop them as this will damage the court and the posts. We ask that you follow the instructions provided at the court about taking the nets down and ask that you replace them when you finish your activity.

We hope that these courts will last as long as the last ones and that you all enjoy the new surface. We are very grateful to all those who helped fund the new surface. Please do be considerate of all users; tennis, Five a Side Football, and netball.

For all the contact details of the clubs visit the IMPFT website www.impft.co.uk

INKPEN CRICKET
The 2022 season is underway with our first four matches already played. You can find full details on the Inkpen Cricket website – inkpencricketclub.org. We’re always looking for new players, older and younger, so if you fancy a game of social Sunday cricket for your village team please contact admin@inkpencricketclub.org.

INKPEN 92 GROUP.
The Inkpen 92 Group are taking a short break during July and August BUT will be back on Tuesday 13th September when we have an interesting talk from David Peacock, a well-known local historian, on the Norman Churches in the area.

Save the date and come and join us at the Inkpen Pavilion - members and guests are welcome. Members & guests will be requested for a donation of £2 which includes a cup of tea and biscuits. Take care and stay safe during the summer months and we look forward to seeing everyone again in September 2022 Gloria - For the 92 Group


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evENTS AT INKPEN village hall

INKPEN STITCH AND KNIT
Our meetings for July and August are on Wednesday 6th July and Wednesday 3rd August both at 7.30 pm in the Village Hall. If you would like to come along and give our small friendly group a try you will be very welcome - first visit is free. Give me a call or drop me an email for further information. jan@honeydesign.co.uk 01488 668 222

INKPEN MARKET
Inkpen Market will be back Sunday 17th July – 10.00am -12.30pm.

Thanks to all who attended the market in June, unfortunately footfall was very quiet. We have decided to see if footfall for July improves before making the final decision on how to proceed with the market’s future. The last few months have been disheartening. There will be no market in August as this tends to be quiet due to holiday season, but hopefully depending on support we get in July we will be back as normal in September.

Please come and help keep our little market running. Thanks Debbie & Georgina: Inkpenmarket@hotmail.com

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Other inkpen news

THE LOST HISTORY OF INKPEN
Inkpen History Group is teaming up with Berkshire Archaeology Society to undertake geophysical surveys in Inkpen, to unveil some of the village history that has been left buried in the ground. We currently have several landowners that have given us permission to survey their land, with the understanding that our observations will be made accessible to all via the inkpenhistory.uk website.

It is hoped that the survey work will start later this year, probably between September and October and we will endeavour to keep residents informed of our progress, our results and where possible, involve residents of all ages in this project. What you can do to help.

We are still looking for land to survey before the final selection of sites is made. If you have paddock or grassland which has remained essentially untouched in living memory, and wish to be included, please email David Thomas at historygroup@inkpenvillage.co.uk. Other related activities will be unveiled in the next month or two.

RAMBLERS’ WELLBEING WALKS
The Kintbury group of Wellbeing Walks meets every Tuesday morning at 10am. On the 1st, 3rd and 5th Tuesday of a month the walk starts from the Kintbury Coronation Hall and ends with coffee at the Bowling Club. On the 2nd and 4th Tuesday, the walk starts at 10am from the Crown & Garter Pub at Inkpen and ends with coffee at the Honesty Bakery.

If you would like to start walking, explore the local footpaths and meet new people just come along or to find out more contact John Noble on 07895 034552 or Janet Taylor on 01488 658225.

A LITTLE NOTE FROM INKPEN
Two ladies of Inkpen, Sarah Marston and Helen Hanna are aiming to run the London Marathon this October. They are organising a barn dance in the Village Hall on 2nd July to help raise money for Sarah’s marathon charity Naomi House Hospice. Tickets £15, which includes a burger. For more information or to book tickets please call Sarah on 07976 221847. Or e mail sarahcmarston@sky.com.

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Useful links

Many thanks to Tim and Ali des Forges, editors of the Inkpen and Combe bulletin, for providing bulletin copy for this website.  You can contact Tim and Ali by phone or email thus - aliedesforges@yahoo.co.uk or ring them on 01488 668496. You can also  download a copy of the Inkpen and Combe bulletin here

To report potholes, go to www.westberks.gov.uk/pothole. For other road or pavement issues including overgrown verges, go to www.westberks.gov.uk.

To join Laine's heating oil delivery club, email Lanie.

To report a water leak, go to www.thameswater.co.uk and for loss of electricity, go to www.ssen.co.uk. Both Thames Water and SSE provide priority services for those needing help to cope should there be a loss of service. This includes the elderly and those with special health needs.  Thames Water priority  service can be accessed on-line, here and for SSEN, the details are provided here.


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