Burghfield Newsletter Your Parish Your Council

A free publication offering a roundup of news, views and information. June 2017

Burghfield WI CELEBRATES 100 YEARS followed. We received many beautiful cards from well-wishers, several being All in all it was a wonderful evening with hand-crafted as in the WI custom. many of the guests commenting on the Burghfield WI reached 100 years old this Our celebration cake, which was hand- wonderful friendliness of the members. week, the first in to do so; and made by Beki Streeter, was cut by Betty Earlier in the day a few members joined we celebrated in style! Berry, as our oldest and longest standing Anne Diamond on her show at BBC member, carrying on a long standing Radio Berkshire for a live chat about the Bunting and Banners; and especially the tradition in the WI. centenary and the WI. Yarn Bombing that adorned the car park, made a spectacular sight, something Tea, sandwiches, cake, raffle and In May Burghfield WI unveiled a plaque which will be remembered for a long time. mingling took place in the intermission, on the Old School House, where our local (When we have finished our celebrations with everyone chatting about this year’s WI began so long ago: we also unveiled the knitting will be made into shawls for events, past, present and future. a bench in the recreation ground that we the hospital.) presented to the community in Our guest speaker was Julie Summers, recognition of our centenary. We welcomed members, and guests from the author of Jambusters, a book that County and other local WI’s, with a glass was adapted for the TV series Home On September 24th Burghfield WI will of bubbly which we raised to toast the Fires (a story about the escapades of hold a free entry exhibition that tells of unveiling of the centenary plaque fictional women in the WI during the Burghfield WI over the past 100 years mounted on the wall in the Village Hall. Second World War, but based on true and our contribution to the community, in The County Chair, Marlene Voke, recollections). Julie wore a charming Burghfield Village Hall. unveiled the plaque and gave a short 1940’s outfit which added to the flavour congratulatory speech. Group photos of the talk. We look forward to the next 100 years!

Willink Year 10 Girls

Win Berkshire League improvement in their physical fitness and skills. They are an amazing team who After playing all the secondary schools in are a credit to the Willink; this is a great the County Netball achievement for the girls and the school. League, the Willink Year 10 Netball Team finished in 1st place, undefeated!! The Year 10 girls also competed in the area tournament. They came top of their Congratulations go to: Ella Cook, Olivia group, beating Park House in the Bray, Skye Hunt, Lucy Guindani, Verity Wilson, Nina Harrison, Beth Tanner and semi-final and then narrowly lost to St Rhianna Warre. Gabriel’s in the final. The girls have been totally committed to training and matches and over the season Well Done Girls!!! they have developed as a team showing Page 2 COMMUNITY

Burghfield Residents Association

This year’s May Fayre was This year the weekend started with During the weekend, there are numerous Saturday evening of music and partying. another fantastic success. people whom jump in and assist with the Burghfield’s fabulous band Deaf Dogs numerous tasks. The programme started the proceedings with a fantastic After the BRA’s donation day last year set. brilliantly produced by Aileen Crawford where over £7000.00 was given across appeared through your doors days before numerous local charities and This was followed by the Madness Tribute the event. This didn’t just appear from organisations, the Burghfield Residents Band Los Palmas 6 who played Madness nowhere, sponsors gave their adverts and Association did it again. With preparations songs throughout the evening and had we would like to thank the villagers who starting in September last year with the the dance floor solid. spent their time helping Aileen with the initial organisations, and the first week after Christmas full on with preparation. The Marquee was a totally sold out for deliveries. this evening with both bands playing The day itself wouldn’t run as smoothly as The May Fayre is organised by only a within the Marquee on the Hatch. small handful of local people, therefore it does without the help of the Army, Air there is a lot of work to be done by so few A very special thanks to Trish Hipwell Cadets and the Brownies of 2nd to make the weekend a success. This who organised this event from scratch Burghfield and the teams f rom the year we are pleased to say we have a few with band bookings and ticket sells. Church and Café B who also gave their new members and all are welcome who time. want to join us to organise the events.

May Fayre Day 6th May operation providing a service around Burghfield, plus the bike ride and park in operation for the second year. After the event on the Saturday night, This was the first year of Burghfield’s work again started on the Hatch at Cake Bake Off, another fantastic event 4.30AM with the Sunday set up. With with numerous entries from children to help from further villagers the BRA was adults. set to go again by 7 AM. The May Fayre would not be the same without the now famous tug of war Events within the arena were performing contest and egg throwing contest. This throughout the day. Numerous acts, was the closest Tug of War contest for dancers, a steel band as well as the now many years with the Hatch Gate only just famous Burghfield Dog show were We would like to take this opportunity to edging the win. providing constant entertainment. thank all our sponsors who kindly donate As usual, the stalls at the May Fayre fill these prizes. This year will see a few changes within every area of the Hatch and offer all the BRA Committee. We as a team manner of goodies from homemade jams The FREE bus again this year was in would like to show our gratitude and and cakes, locally grown produce and many thanks to Aileen Crawford. After fun activities such as Ferrets, Coconut many many years of working hard on the Shy etc. field events, programme, raffle and too much more to mention she has decided A plentiful variety of food was again to step down and take a break. Many always available as well as the bar and thanks Aileen for your constant support. tea facilities etc. Chairman: [email protected] This year saw a bumper number of Secretary: [email protected] winners who had winning raffle tickets. www.burghfieldresidents.org Prizes ranged from TV’s, days out,

bottles of wine and hampers of Follow us on facebook: delicacies, and much, much more. Burghfield May Fayre @ more - BRA COMMUNITY Page 3 Help for Library

Can you help support Burghfield Common • helping customers to use self-service To find information about all our library Library by volunteering for two hours each kiosks where these are in place volunteering opportunities and how to week? • helping customers to use the public apply, visit our online page at computers www.westberks.gov.uk/volunteer Burghfield Common Library is looking for Just two hours a week can make all the volunteers to play an important role in difference, whatever time you can spare Felicity Harrison Team Leader - Libraries helping to deliver the community library could help to keep the library running. service from July 2017. Your volunteering sessions will be timetabled by the library organiser to fit in Public Protection and Culture, West with the time you can offer. Berkshire Council, Market Street, Library volunteers will support the day-to- Newbury RG14 5LD day operation by: There are many reasons to volunteer - to support a cause you believe in, to gain (01635) 503087 | • keeping the library stock tidy and new skills and experiences, to meet new [email protected] attractively displayed friends, to help people and give • helping customers to find and choose something to the community. www.westberks.gov.uk/libraries books Burghfield War Memorial This article looks at two more men who of the war and served with the Berkshire Burghfield and was the eldest son of died in the First World War and who are Yeomanry. He was deployed to Gallipoli in George and Fanny. His father was a tailor remembered on St Mary’s memorial. August 1915 where he was injured, who later ran the 6 Bells as a beer retailer, subsequently being invalided to Egypt with his mother died when he was only 12 E E Bunce Died 19 Nov 1917 Aged 25 diarrhoea the following month. He was years old. Thomas worked as a gardener Ernest Edward was born and raised in later promoted to Lance Corporal and died and house painter and enlisted in Burghfield. One of eight children, and a of wounds sustained whilst fighting in Leicester, serving as a Sapper with the twin, he was the 2nd son of William and Palestine. He is buried at the Deir El 87th Field Company, Royal Engineers. He Ellen Bunce of "The Laurels," Burghfield Belah cemetery. was killed in action in France and is Common, who farmed and ran a local commemorated on the Cambrai Memorial. T A Pendrey Died 23 Nov 1917 Aged 39 grocer’s shop. Prior to enlisting he worked Sarah Moss on his father’s farm. He enlisted at the start Thomas Ameer was born and raised in

Page 4 COMMUNITY Burghfield Community Hub Thank you to everyone who has taken the We are looking for any members within the time to complete the Community Hub local community who would be willing to

questionnaire. To date we have had over offer their assistance in the progression of 700 responses with an astounding 92% the project, in particular professionals such expressing their support for a Community as architects, structural engineers and

Hub. services engineers. Please do get in touch if you would be able to help in any way. The parish council has established a work- ing party to start looking in further detail It is anticipated that initial drawings and the development of the hub, incorporating design ideas will be ready for presentation the various facilities requested within the to the community prior to the end of the results of the questionnaire. year. Anti-Social Behaviour— Motorbikes Nuisance within the Parish I thought it appropriate to update you re- them and other road users and pedestrians Repeat behaviour following the warnings garding the police response to the increase in danger. To date we are not aware of any can result in the seizure of the vehicle. We in anti-social behaviour involving motor cy- accidents or injuries being caused but this will also be looking to increase our pres- cles in your villages. First I will fully could only be a matter of time. ence in the villages at the more common acknowledge the frustration felt by many of times to gather first hand evidence our- Our response is now focussing on the large your parishioners regarding the behaviour selves. amount of information that has been provid- which has been going unpunished and un- ed which has enabled us to identify a num- In the meantime I would urge people to checked. When resources have been ber of the riders and vehicles involved. We continue to report occurrences. It will be available we have responded to calls but are looking at exercising powers under the very helpful if people can provide descrip- clearly there are limitations in our capability Police Reform Act 2002 which in the first in- tions of the riders and vehicles without in when a diesel Vauxhall Astra is up against stance will involve issuing warning letters to any way putting themselves at risk. This a nippy off road bike, especially when it riders and owners of bikes. This will pro- will further enable us to tackle this behav- travels off road. Another important consid- vide an opportunity to engage with parents iour effectively and, I hope, restore some eration is that given the lack of road sense where appropriate to help educate every- peace to your villages. demonstrated by many of the riders, we one regarding the risks of this behaviour. cannot engage in pursuits that could put Inspector Ward Burghfield Neighbourhood Development Plan

The main objective this year is to gather as contribute:-  Cycle lanes (from where to where?) much information as possible, collating 1.Rank farmland, wetland and woodland Better public storage facilities evidence in support of the kind of in order of importance to protect from  Burghfield the community wants to see in development. (where?) the future as we await the new housing 2. Would you rather have a single large  Family cycling events allocation figures from West Berkshire shopping area or multiple smaller shops  Cycle training Council. Local residents were invited you spread around the parish? to a workshop at the CSA in April. 3.The government will allow housing 6. If you could “protect” one feature of associations to build (affordable) homes in Burghfield from change, what would it be places where they are most needed, Approximately 30 residents attended and and what would you remove?” particularly for families who are just about put forward their views about the draft You will be seeing us at Drop-in Centres managing. Should they be integrated into Vision Statement topics, including and meetings in the area as we seek to new developments? Environment, Housing, Highways & find out views on the future development 4.The two pubs in Burghfield Common are Transport, The Local Community & of Burghfield. Meanwhile, please feel free now closed. What would make you more Economy. This proved to be a very fruitful to contact us on Tel: 1189831131 or likely to use a pub in the future? exercise. 5.What would make you more likely to At the May Fayre stall we set specific cycle in and around Burghfield? www.burghfieldndp.co.uk. topics to challenge all who passed by and Your answers to these questions would be welcome:

COMMUNITY Page 5 Together in Mission

We would like to thank Burghfield Parish One of the outings we organise is 'Silver If you would like to join our dedicated Council for its continued financial support Sunday', a national event on the first team of volunteers to bring sunshine into Sunday in October for senior members the lives of those who don't get out as which helps us provide our community of the community. often as they used to, then please give services. Bev a call. Full training given. TiM Friends will be organising lunch and Do you know someone who would entertainment once again this year on appreciate a volunteer to give them Sunday 1st October. We are taking company Bev French, TiM Friends Coordinator, bookings now so please contact Bev as Tel: 07748 686615 or and take them on outings to local detailed below. [email protected] places?

Burghfield’s Café B

Extends opening hours If you would like to get involved in any aspect of Café B then please contact the We are now open all day on Mondays, Manager, Deborah Griffiths on until 4pm with Wednesday mornings Café B operates from Burghfield continuing 9am-12 noon. Methodist Church Hall where there is 0785 725 2187 or disabled access, a safe play area for Enjoy Kingdom coffees, freshly made toddlers, outside tables and free Wi-fi. [email protected] lunches and cream teas.

School Pastors

We were excited to be able to share the ‘we’d love to, pending volunteer Tel: 0777 89 111 82 story of School Pastors and what we do availability and opportunities’. If you’d [email protected] at The Willink with so many of you at the like to find out about what our patrols www.facebook.com/TiMSchoolPastors Burghfield May Fayre on Sunday 7th involve and have an hour available each twitter.com/TiM_Pastors May. month please contact our Coordinator, www.togetherinmission.org.uk gives more Libby Smith. A few people asked whether we had ever information on TiM or contact considered patrolling in other schools, Libby Hawkness-Smith, Burghfield and [email protected] and the answer is always the same - Area School Pastors Coordinator

Burghfield Bike Ride Now in its 9th year, the Burghfield Annual Father’s Day to make sure everyone was into a delicious BBQ on return from the Family Bike Ride proved a huge success registered as well as being able to tuck ride. once again with over 350 people Lastly, a big thank you to Café B for registering this year. opening up and making sure everyone

The ride, which takes just over an hour, is had access to a cold drink or ice pop! 5 miles in length around the villages of A very successful event, made so by all Burghfield, Mortimer and those willing to give their time with an off road option through the forest. Englefield Estates kindly provided access and permission for the route to be extended.

The parish council would like to thank Glyn & Helen Townsend for being the main organisers of the event and ensuring everyone stays safe on route. Thanks also go out to all the parish councillors who gave up their time on Page 6 CLUBS and SOCIETIES Burghfield WI

~ inspiring women since 1917 which was dramatised into Home Fires on ITV, spoke about the role of women in In this, Burghfield WIs centenary year, WWII; very appropriate as many WI our celebrations are well underway. In members were involved in the war effort. April we presented a bench to the village, situated on the Recreation Ground near Finally a date for your diary: the car park. Majesty the Queen, a glass of wine and Sunday 24th September 10.00 till 4.00pm refreshments and of course a speaker. ~ an “Exhibition of 100 years of We are grateful to Common Julie Summers, author of Jambusters Burghfield WI” will be held in the Village Trust who part funded this and also to the Hall. Parish Council for having the bench installed. Many of our members joined us Come and see what we have been up to on a breezy morning and were grateful over the past 100 years and enjoy a for the coffee & cake served after a brief cuppa, cake and a chat . ceremony. We look forward to seeing you. At our birthday meeting in June, we invited guests from neighbouring WIs and the Berkshire Federation. The evening Jean Sheppard (President) included the unveiling of a plaque in the village hall, the reading of many goodwill 0118 983 2229 messages including one from Her www.burghfieldwi.org.uk

Burghfield WI Burghfield WI Centenary – The ribbon was cut by the President of the Burghfield WI, Jean Shepperd in front Commemorative Bench of a crowd of WI members, Officers from During the 1st World War women were WI Berkshire Federation, Parish empowered as never before, and this Councillors and members of the public, was also a time when the WI came over and declared officially available for use. from Canada; as a result of those factors Tea and cake was served from the coming together a WI was formed in pavilion after the opening. Burghfield in June 1917. Special thanks go to Greenham Common We are the first WI in Royal Berkshire to Trust whose generous donation part become 100 years old. funded the purchase of the bench, and to Burghfield Parish Council for giving their Planning for our centenary year began permission, and for installing the bench in some three years ago when the who uses this open space in the centre of the recreation ground. members decided to celebrate their the village. special year with a series of events and During the course of the year several community projects. other events and community projects are to take place culminating in a free On Thursday 20 April the first of these exhibition in Burghfield Village Hall in projects took place. This was to present September. the village with a commemorative bench in the recreation ground, putting it at the The exhibition will be of the 100 years of heart of the village where it will be used Burghfield WI and its involvement with on a daily basis by people just wanting to the community. rest awhile; also for families with children as they play in the play area; by football supporters; dog walkers and anybody www.burghfieldwi.org.uk

Friendly Firs Ladies Club

The Friendly Firs Ladies Club meet each Face of Reading. Two outings have been Boffin telling us about the life of Lord Wednesday evening in the Burghfield planned, one to Englefield for a cream tea Nuffield. We are always pleased to Village Hall, Recreation Road, Burghfield and the other to Millets Farm. welcome visitors. Common from 7.30pm to 10.00pm. Social evenings include Bingo and a talk Our programme for June and July by Betty Berry who will tell members how If you would like further information, includes talks by Sally Leonard on the and why she started the Club 58 years please telephone Reading Street Pastors, Shaun ago. McCormack on A Yeoman of the Guard, Pauline Parker on 01189 832852. The Club will be closed during August and Joy Craig “Fuchsias My Way” and Alan will reopen on 6th September with Tony Copeland with slides on the Changing CLUBS and SOCIETIES Page 7 Burghfield 2402 Squadron Air Training Corps

provide training that will be useful in the Services and civilian life; foster the spirit of adventure and develop qualities of leadership and good citizenship.

Our mission is to be a modern, dynamic, sustainable air-minded youth organisation of choice that offers fun and challenging opportunities.

Our number of enrolled cadets is increasing; we have 30 cadets now and consequently we would benefit from more adult volunteers.

Could you help? Please let us know!

As a well established and vibrant In June, four of our cadets enjoyed flights the squadron building is on The Willink organisation in the local community for in a Grob Tutor aircraft, thanks to staff at School site, near the public library. Most male & female young people between the RAF Benson (see photos) of the uniform is issued without cost and ages of 12 and 18, the ATC’s aims are the subscription is £8.00 per month. to:- promote and encourage among We meet on Monday and Wednesday young people a practical interest in nights, 19:30-21:30, all year round and Want to find out more? Get in touch by aviation and the RAF; emailing [email protected]

Don’t Forget! Sunday 9th July 12 - 4pm Children of all ages welcome.

Burghfield Scouts

After several years of building work to have been making the most of the long extend the HQ for the group the builders evenings and taking part in canoeing, raft have all now gone ! We have been building, Laser Combat, Cycling and enjoying the new facilities and having a much more during their weekly meetings. much smarter outside. We now have two halls, new toilets/showers, meeting rooms The Duke of Edinburgh section have and much larger equipment store. been very busy with Explorers taking part in Bronze, Silver and Gold Expeditions In September we will be having all the with one of the members completing a grass area re-seeded to give us a great climb to the top of Kilimanjaro. ! area for outdoor activities and camping. Thanks in part to a grant from Tesco and There are many camps underway over to everyone who nominated our group, parents and siblings to come and the coming months with Cubs, Scouts we will also be having a bouldering wall experience what it’s like at a Scout camp and Explorers all heading off for their installed towards the end of the year. which included cooking breakfast on fires, annual camps around the UK , we will aerial runway, climbing, crate stack and report back after the summer, the leaders During first weekend of June we held our the finale being Flintstone car race, a are currently planning our next Flintstones themed Family camp in the great time was held by all and the sun International Expedition for 2018. New Forest, this was a chance for 150 stayed out all weekend! All the sections Page 8 PARISH COUNCIL

Your Parish Councillors Paul Lawrence (Chairman) Angela Gallagher Chairman of the Parish Council, member of the Infrastructure, Member of the Community and Communications Committees and Governance & Finance Committees Duncan Godding Ian Macfarlane (Vice-Chairman) Member of the Infrastructure and Governance and Finance Chairman of the Community Committee and member of the Committees Governance and Finance Committee Paul Wilkins Christopher Greaves Member of the Community and Infrastructure Committees Chairman of the Infrastructure Committee and member of the Governance and Finance Committee David Godwin Member of the Infrastructure and Communication Matthew Paterson Borland Committees Chairman of the Governance and Finance Committee and member of the Community Committee Bill Neilson Member of the Community Committee Nick Morse Chairman of the Communications Committee and member of Tricia Hipwell the Governance and Finance Committee Member of the Communications Committee

Maureen Cresser Libby Sharp Member of the Infrastructure and Community Committees Member of the Communications Committee

Roger Hannington Tim Ansell Member of the Community and Infrastructure Committees Member of the Infrastructure and Communication Committees Royce Longton Member of the Infrastructure and Community Committees. Carol Jackson-Doerge District Councillor, member of the Community Committee

Notice of Meetings July 2017

DATE TIME COMMITTEE VENUE

6th 7.00p.m Infrastructure Village Hall Committee Committee room

6th 7.45p.m Parish Council Village Hall Committee room

20th 7.30p.m Infrastructure Village Hall Committee Committee room

27th 7.30p.m Community Village Hall Committee Committee room

The public and press are most welcome to attend the above meetings. Burghfield Parish Council cannot accept responsibility for the views, opinions, or accuracy of the information expressed by contributors. Cally Morris Burghfield Parish Council Clerk Tel: 01189 701754 Email: [email protected] P.O Box 7381 www.burghfieldparishcouncil.gov.uk Reading, RG1 9XP https://www.facebook.com/BurghfieldPC