contents

local news updates

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.

Updates from West Berkshire Council
As you will know, the government requires the abolition of district councils and their re-organisation into larger councils. The proposal for West Berkshire Council is laid out here. Also, the new Local Plan Review Adoption Statement is viewable here and the Sustainability Appraisal / Strategic Environmental Assessment relating to the Local Plan is here.

North Wessex Downs
For the latest news about the North Wessex Downs, go to:  https://mailchi.mp/northwessexdowns/newsletter-from-the-north-wessex-downs-9196973?e=9e5b9f421a


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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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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. 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 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.
Have you heard about THAMES VALLEY TEXT ALERT? Sign up today www.thamesvalleyalert.co.uk/ to receive free texts or emails about crime in your local area and relevant safety advice.

You can now follow us on twitter @TVP_westberks.
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?

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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THE Library - Brought to you

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Climate change

Local Climate Group.
We have a newly formed climate group. The website is http://climate.inkpenvillage.co.uk. If you have a look, you’ll see that we have collected data on moths, trees, bird sightings and beetles, as well as data on the weather. This data enables us to see what changes are taking place locally and the pace of those changes. If you have any data, new or historic, on local climate related events or know of someone with an interest in this, then please get in touch with us. We want to bring all local data together in one place and make sure that it doesn’t get lost. Email us at inkpen-climate@outlook.com.

In September, we’ll hold a meeting so that all of you that are concerned about climate change can meet and help us to get properly organised. Keep an eye on the website. Thank you.

Switching off your Outside Lights
The North Wessex Downs NL ask people to switch off their outside lights when they’re not absolutely necessary. Wildlife groups ask the same. Neighbours living next to someone that keep their outside lights on at night want the lights to go off and the police tactfully suggest that leaving outside lights on simply helps burglars. Switching off your outside lights helps the environment and saves money.

Any suggestions about how to incentivise people to switch off unnecessary outside lights would be gratefully received. Email inkpen-climate@outlook.com.

Did you know?
It will cost around £160 to capture 1 metric tonne of carbon from the atmosphere. Forty mature oak trees (or Beech, Ash, Willow etc.) do that if you just leave them alone. Each tree is doing a payback of £4 a year. They pay for their keep.

Silent forests devoid of life are a possibility within a generation in our already deforested nation, according to a panel of British experts.

"Ecosystem collapse", where trees suddenly fade and die, could happen within 50 years, they warn. But the 42 experts said if we act now we can avert the catastrophe. The large-scale loss of forests hit by "wind, fire, pests and disease" has already happened in continental Europe and North America. "A collapsed forest would be heart-breaking, devoid of its essential life and all the joy and benefits it gives to humanity," said Dr Eleanor Tew of Forestry England and Cambridge University.

But she said we have time to make a difference and we know what to do to make our forests more resilient "so they can continue to thrive for future generations".

39 Ways to Save the Planet
Radio 4 BBC Radio Four, in partnership with the Royal Geographical Society, presents 39 ideas to relieve the stress that climate change is exerting on the planet. To tune in, click here.

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.

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 And InkSpots News

Many villagers may remember that a few years ago Inkspots, our village preschool based at Inkpen Primary School, was under threat of closure due to falling numbers. What a difference a few years and a lot of community support can make.


We have gone from being open just three days a week with only one child, to now five days a week and at full capacity with 12 children every day, plus a long waiting list. Our inspiring leader, Sarah, along with her staff and hard-working volunteer committee members, deserve huge congratulations for this amazing success story.

We would also like to say a big thank you to our wonderful local community. The encouragement, fundraising support and kindness from villagers have played a huge part in helping Inkspots thrive again. Alongside the support of Inkpen Primary School and increased government funding, this has helped put the preschool in a very healthy position.

Being part of this lovely local preschool creates a fantastic sense of community, not just for the children but for their families too. It is a place where children can learn, grow and play together, while parents build friendships and connections that often last for many years.

Inkspots is run by a volunteer committee made up of current and former parents and other residents. As some of our long-serving committee members are now ready to step down, we are looking for a couple more local people to join us. It is a very rewarding committee to be part of, meeting around five times a year.

We are a friendly group of people who simply want to give something back to our community. If you feel you could spare a little time to help, we would love to hear from you. Being involved not only supports our wonderful preschool but also brings a real sense of wellbeing and community connection.

Please get in touch with Rachael, our current Chair, email inkspots@inkpen.w-berks.sch.uk

Daisy Chains - INKPEN PAVILION TOYS TOYS TOYS for the Daisy Chains Playgroup
We have plenty of toys for the younger pre-school play group at Inkpen pavilion. We have a delightful venue to restart the former Daisy Chains playgroup with lots of small tables and chairs for the little ones and baby changing facilities available if required.

Mums, Dads and Grandparents are welcome to come and let the little ones play safely. There is plenty of play space as well for siblings outside the pavilion in the children’s play and woodland area. If you are interested, we have a few names already, please let us know your contact details by email: gloriakeene@hotmail.com.

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playing field trust (impft) news

The IMPFT (Inkpen Memorial Playing Field Trust) is pleased to host several regular clubs and societies as well as being available to hire for events (parties, work functions, luncheons etc). Please check for an up-to-date list of events / bookings under impft.inkpenvillage.co.uk

Opening: We are looking for a booking clerk to help with the smooth running of the pavilion & its facilities. The role is varied & expected to occupy up to 10hrs pw. If you are interested, please contact brian.cox@inkpenparishcouncil.org.uk & james.fisher@inkpenparishcouncil.org.uk for further details.


IMPFT Activities and regular bookings:

NEW Art Classes	Every 2nd Tuesday of the month @ 10am (Sept – Feb initially)	gilly.burrough@gmail.com
Climate Group	Sessions throughout the year	climate.inkpenvillage.co.uk
Cricket	Sundays during the season See calendar for fixtures	Inkpencricketclub.org Impft.inkpenvillage.co.uk
Daisy Chains	Every Friday 09:45-11:45 From 6th June	clerk@inkpenparishcouncil.org.uk
Football 5-a-side	Sunday Evenings	Chris Stapleton Mob: 07909 851968
Football (Juniors to U16)	Sunday morning from 10:30am during the season	HTJFCSecretary@outlook.com
History Society	Sessions throughout the year	history.inkpenvillage.co.uk
Netball	Monday evenings Juniors 6pm / Adults 7pm (excl. bank holidays)	Sally Mob: 07444 593 560
Pop in Café	Every 1st & 3rd Thursday of the month @ 10am	All welcome, just “pop-in”
Stargazers	Sessions throughout the year	stargazers.inkpenvillage.co.uk
Tennis	Pay as you play / subscription (tbc)	clerk@inkpenparishcounsil.org.uk
Yoga	Saturday 09:45 -10:45 pay as you go	Oliviaboydall@gmail.com Mob: 07554 446 502

Children’s parties, Group and Birthday parties
The Inkpen pavilion is an ideal venue for a wide range of events. The Bi-fold doors open wide so that people can sit outside or wonder around on those balmy summer evenings.

The facilities provided include:
• A fully fitted kitchen with a hatchway that allows views over the main room, ideal for keeping an eye on energetic children.
• Adjoining children’s play area for those special children’s parties.
• Plenty of car parking.
• Wi-Fi is provided with Gigabit speeds.
• Air-conditioned main room for those hot days as well as cold ones.
• Standard toilets and a disabled toilet.
• Caters for up to 60 adults.

If you are looking to host an event locally, the Inkpen pavilion might well be the ideal place for you. For enquiries or bookings go to impft.inkpenvillage.co.uk. The Inkpen Memorial Playing Field Trust (IMPFT) is a registered charity.

COMING SOON to INKPEN - TENNIS AND FOOTBALL COACHING
It’s all happening at Inkpen Playing Field - starting during the summer holidays from 21st July there will be tennis and football coaching at Inkpen Playing Field, for anyone who wishes to improve their game. There is:

Tennis Coaching with Mike Gordon on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday during the summer for those wishing to book a session. Residents will remember Mike from previous sessions. Mike is a LTA level 4 coach, accredited DBS, Safeguarding, First Aid certified. Anyone interested should book with Mike directly: mike@premiumtennis.co.uk

Football Coaching with Chris, who has coached at Inkpen previously, is yet to arrange times and dates for his summer sessions in time for this publication - but sessions will be available to all who wish to attend - we may have a budding Wayne Rooney (or Mary Earps) in Inkpen! Please watch Facebook for further details of dates and times.

INKPEN HISTORY SOCIETY
We are planning to meet on the 24th April, 7:30pm, at the Inkpen Pavilion. You’re welcome to join us. Make a note on your calendar. The entrance fee is £2 and includes a cuppa. We’re planning to discuss Inkpen’s role during the crusades and we’ll discuss the way in which our dig at the cross-roads above St. Michael’s church will proceed.

The dig is expected to last over the spring and summer months. It’s not too late to join the group, just email us at enquiries@inkpenhistory.uk. It’ll be fun!!!

If you would like to help us with our work on the Crusades, and specifically, Inkpen’s role, do get in touch at enquiries@inkpenhistory.uk.

It’s worth remembering that every area of Inkpen that was scanned by archaeologists back in 2022/2023 showed buried archaeology.

So far, we have had responses from 8 people who are interested in helping. We need at least five more. If we don’t do this excavation now, the opportunity to do it in the future may be lost for ever.

POP-IN CAFE

Our April café dates are the 2nd and 16th. May dates are the 7th and 21st. That’s the first and third Thursdays of each month, between 10 and 12:30 at the Inkpen playing field pavilion. Put that in your diary or highlight it on your calendar. There’s plenty of car parking space, and a disabled toilet along with all of the usual facilities. You don’t have to pay for anything although donations are a big help.

Inkpen Rights of Way - Calling all walkers and riders
Do you walk the footpaths or ride the bridleways in Inkpen? If so, could you help to keep them accessible and in good repair by reporting any issues to a committed group of local volunteers?

The Inkpen Rights of Way Committee was formed over 30 years ago. Our prime objective is to maintain the Rights of Way that criss-cross the village, making sure they are usable throughout the year and ensuring access to the less able.

Volunteer walkers and committee members monitor the network of paths and bridleways and report issues back to the Chair. These can then be resolved locally or elevated to the district council to action. The IRWC formally meets twice a year.

We need volunteers to either join the Committee and/or take on a couple of paths to monitor. They could well be paths you might already walk or ride on a regular basis already.

To find out more the IRWC are holding an open evening between 6.30pm and 7.30pm on Thursday 23rd October in the Sports Pavillion to explain what is involved and to answer any questions. Alternatively, if you can’t make the meeting but are interested in helping you can get in touch by contacting Steve Connors on 07831 206061 or Gloria Keene on 07704 718475

The paths and bridleways around our village are a real treasure and an important part of our heritage. With a little help we can keep them in great shape for everyone to enjoy. We hope to see you on 23rd October.

YOGA IN INKPEN
Inkpen Village Hall - Tuesday mornings 9:30-10:30am
Inkpen Pavilion - Thursday evenings 7.00-8.00pm

Yoga which is suitable for beginners and experienced. Classes are £10 pay as you go. Contact oliviaboydall@gmail.com 07554446502 for additional info and requests to book on to a class.

Yoga classes not only bring strength, and a sense of freedom and mobility to our physical bodies, they also leave us feeling calm, aligned, with a settled mind. Through movement, postures, breathwork and meditation you will leave the mat with a new sense of energy and a permeating feeling of deep rest physically and mentally.


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evENTS AT INKPEN village hall

INKPEN STITCH AND KNIT
The Stitch and Knit group will meet in Inkpen Village Hall at 7.30 p.m. on Wednesday 1st April and then on 6 May. If you haven't been before, and you enjoy handicrafts, come and join us, and bring along something you'd like to work on. There is usually someone there who can help if you want to try something new. There's a small charge £2 to cover hall costs and tea/coffee. Or, if you want any further information, ring Stephanie (07713 097609), our communications contact.

Carpet Bowls
Research is showing that conversation and laughter is good for your mental health and being active is good for your overall wellbeing plus learning a new skill is great for your brain. So why not come along to the Short Mat Bowling Club which meets every Thursday afternoon from 1:30 to 4:30 in the Inkpen Village Hall. There is a small charge of two pounds which covers a cuppa and a biscuit or two.

Everyone is welcome, it's an easy game to pick up and there is plenty of friendly advice to guide you. So come along for a friendly chatty afternoon.

The Great Inkpen Quiz
…. …..is almost upon us and it looks like it's going to be a full house with 60 Inkpen peeps already securing their seats. However, we've space for a few more contestants if you fancy the challenge! Friday 6th March, 7.30pm, Inkpen Village Hall, £3/head, Licensed Bar, Message 07871 107327 or email inkpenvillagehall@gmail.com to grab those few last places now. It's always such a fun evening.

Guitar Ukulele and Bass Tuition
…. ….here in Inkpen. Every Tuesday afternoon and evening, we're lucky to have visiting tutor, Russ of www.progressionguitar.co.uk teaching children and adults. There is currently an afternoon slot free so if you'd like the convenience of local lessons from a fab tutor, do visit the website to enquire. Prices start £22.50/half hour.

INKPEN MARKET

Would you like the Inkpen Food & Craft Market to return?

A small team of new volunteers is considering re-introducing the market in the near future but before that, a bit of 'market' research is required to see if enough of our community would welcome and support this.

So, the first stage is they would love to hear your thoughts. Please email: inkpenvh@gmail.com or message 07963 647087 if you'd like to see it again and if so what specific stalls, local produce, or crafts you would love to see at the market. Are you a potential Stall holder? Do you have any other ideas?

Your feedback is really important and will be forwarded to new volunteers to help determine whether this goes ahead or not.

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Other inkpen news

MUSICIANS WANTED
NEW COMMUNITY BIG BAND TO BE LAUNCHED IN 2026 An exciting new community project is set to be launched early in 2026 for amateur musicians in the Kintbury / Newbury / Hungerford area. The iconic sound and format of a big band will provide a unique opportunity and experience for local musicians.

After establishing similar amateur big bands in Hertfordshire and Bristol, drummer Richard Fairs is looking to start a new community big band as he relocates to the area. “Playing in any ensemble is not only a richly rewarding musical experience but also a sociable and challenging opportunity. My most recent community big band project was in Bristol, started some 20 years ago and is still thriving. I take huge pleasure seeing an initial group of individuals, with varying musical experience and skills come together with the collective aim to not only improve their individual musicianship but create a dynamic ensemble and to work towards it becoming the best it can be. The friendships and the memories that follow can make such ensembles a highlight of anyone’s week.”

If you are between 16 and 106, play any type of saxophone, trumpet, trombone, keyboard, guitar, bass or drums and fancy being part of this project from the outset get in touch to register your interest.

Previous experience of playing in a big band, or being able to improvise is not required, although an ability to read music and play to a reasonable standard is necessary to gain maximum benefit.

If you would like to find out more, please contact Richard on 07710 626704 or email at richardone12@hotmail.com.

LIGUEIL VISITORS TO EXPERIENCE HOCKTIDE IN HUNGERFORD
The Hungerford Twinning Association (HTA) which is a collaboration of over 45 years with our twin town in Ligueil, France, has completed long-term plans to host our visitors at a time when they could witness our 600 year-old celebration of Hocktide.

After many bilateral exchanges comparing responsibilities, diaries and transport facilities, HTA has received confirmation from our opposite numbers in Ligueil, that they will arrive here on Saturday 11 April for a four day visit.

With hosting arrangements in place, a programme of shared activities and discussion with the Town and Manor, their programme is now complete. Furthermore, the adult members of their party will be attending the Annual Hocktide Lunch on Tutti Day as special guests.

The younger members will be hosted at the same time, at the John O’Gaunt school where under the guidance of their French teacher, they will have the opportunity to make new friends and who knows might establish a new generation of “Twinners”?

NORTH WESSEX DOWNS
To see the latest news and events, click here.  Gill Haggarty, Chair of our Council of Partners, took Ben Prater from BBC Radio Wiltshire on a tour to help raise awareness of the North Wessex Downs National Landscape, and encourage more people to visit. This week features a light hearted introduction to Wilton Windmill with volunteer John Herbert - listen in at around 8.50, or catch previous episodes talking to farmer Josef Bowles near Chiseldon from March 9th at around 8.20.

Over the Christmas break, the Inkpen History Society put together a set of descriptions of the historic environment for each, and hopefully every, parish within the North Wessex Downs National Landscape. These are temporarily held at nwd.inkpenvillage.co.uk. Please have a look and if you find any errors, notify us at climate.inkpenvillage.co.uk. Your help in getting these historic environment descriptions right in every detail, is important and much appreciated.

Work continues to relate each parish to all the others, in terms of terrain and historic highlights etc. so that we can clearly see how the landscape influenced the different historic eras. This work will also be added to this website.

THE LIBRARY BROUGHT TO YOU
Library services provide an amazing array of things that you can easily access at home. You can read the daily papers, journals and magazines, listen to audio books and even read trending books online. If you haven’t tried it, do give it a go. You’ll need a library number and password I think but these are easy to get from the library and it’s completely free.

On your laptop or tablet, go to westberkshire.borrowbox.com/eaudiobooks/featured. If you’re not on the internet but would like to give it a try, or you don’t know how to set it up, come along to the Pop-In Cafe, and we’ll help you get started. Or, you can ring West Berkshire Library on 01635 519900, email library@westberks.gov.uk. They’ll be more than happy to help you get started.

INKPEN COMMON PHONE BOX BOOK EXCHANGE
The book exchange in Inkpen Common is back in action as a community mini-library and book swap. We have given it a spruce up, and will continue to make improvements in the coming months, including more shelving, a richer range of books and books of the month.

We would welcome some select, good quality donations, if you have a book or two you would like to share with other villagers! Please place these in the labelled box just inside the door. You can find the book exchange just outside the Crown and Garter.

Please do pop in if you’re passing — have a browse, borrow a book, swap a book - and enjoy.

CHAIN
Not heard about CHAIN? I’m sure a lot of us haven’t.

Well CHAIN helps those of us that can’t easily get around because of a lack of transport. They provide transport to Doctors, Dentists, Chiropodists, Hospital appointments, and more. Their volunteer drivers collect residents from their home and take them to the appropriate appointment, stay with them and take them back home afterwards. They can also take you to do your weekly shop or whatever.

People often complain that the normal bus is too large especially for country lanes and not sufficiently frequent. They ask ‘why isn’t there a minibus or something’ – well there is and this is it. It is privately funded and relies on volunteers.

The CHAIN Office is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 9 to 11am and the volunteers who ‘man’ the office are there to help you with any bookings or other queries. Call them on 01488 683727.

If you think you can help them, give them a call. As with all such ventures, they rely on support, your support, financial and otherwise. But at the end of the day, they are here to help you.

TIME TO TALK – WEST BERKSHIRE
Time to Talk West Berkshire (https://t2twb.org/) is looking for volunteers to join their events team. It is a wonderful charity providing free mental health counselling for young people in West Berkshire a vital service for our community given the waiting times for public support.

We are looking for volunteers who can give any amount of time either to help out with existing events, come up with fundraising event ideas or run events. It is very rewarding being part of this charity and this team and if you have any spare time and would like to find out more, please do get in touch with either;

Tracey Leeson (Tracey.Leeson@t2t.org.uk) or Claire Jones (Claire.Jones@t2t.org.uk).

The Spirit of Giving


NATIONAL SCHOOLREADERS
National children’s literacy charity, Schoolreaders, is looking for volunteers to listen to children read in primary schools in the West Berkshire area. 1 in 4 children are leaving primary school unable to read well so our service is in great demand. No qualifications are required to join Schoolreaders, just a love of reading, a few hours each week in term time and a willingness to go where children need you most. Apply now and you could be ready to start in September. To find out more go to www.Schoolreaders.org

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.

Kennet Valley Wetland Reserve
Thank you to Roger Hunt who organised the Carol Singing on the Lower Green Triangle and all those who came along and donated the total of £274 to the Kennet Valley Wetland Reserve project.

If you would like to find out more about this wonderful project for Hungerford and the Kennet Valley do visit our website (https://townandmanor.co.uk/wetland-reserve/) or follow us on social media. The Town & Manor of Hungerford hope to bring this project to Hungerford within the next two years depending on the funding raised.

If you are interested in visiting the site or having a presentation on the project, please contact claire.jones@townandmanor.co.uk

If you are interested in donating, please also contact Claire or visit our funding page on The Good Exchange https://app.thegoodexchange.com/project/20620/town-manor-of-hungerford/kennet-valley-wetland-reserve

Thank you again to the Carol Singers.


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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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