The Wash Commoner
Community MagazineJuly / August 2019 NOW FREE see pg 38 to subscribe CHIMNEY SWEEP A PROFESSIONAL CHIMNEY SWEEP SERVICE CLEAN RELIABLE BRUSH AND VACUUM FULLY INSURED MANY YEARS EXPERIENCE
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2 The Wash Commoner July/August 2019 Contents Welcome! Welcome to a rejuvenated Wash Commoner magazine! If you’ve Welcome! 3 not seen it before, The Wash Commoner is a local, community St George’s Church – magazine that provides a mix of community features, church here for you 5 news and advertising for local companies and events. The Wash Commoner has been published by St George’s Church St George’s Social Events 5 for 12 years and the church has recently made the decision to Holiday Club 2019 6 widen the readership of the magazine by removing the cover Falkland Cricket Club 8 price and finding new distribution channels. Craft Afternoon for adults 9 The magazine is now available to pick up free of charge at a greater number of local sites in shops, cafés, schools, the Wash Common Show 10 library, churches and other locations. You can also have the West Berkshire magazine delivered free to your home each month by emailing Mobile Library 11 your name and address to [email protected]. uk or completing the slip on page 38. It is also available to Sustainable Living 12 read on-line via St George’s website www.st-george-newbury. St George’s Retirement org.uk. Fellowship 16 There is so much that takes place in our local area, and we try Falkland Primary School 15 to cover as much as possible, but The Wash Commoner is YOUR Gardeners Delight 18 magazine and we’re very keen to hear from you with your thoughts on what you would like to see included. Whether Recipe Exchange 22 you’re an organisation that has something to share or have an Volunteer Centre 24 idea for what you’d like to see, we’d love to hear from you. Wash Common A small team of volunteers creates the magazine each month Library news 27 - Alex Brown works as a Teaching Assistant at Falkland School West Berkshire Foodbank 27 and is responsible for gathering articles and editing them, whilst Morgan O’Kennedy works in the motor industry and is Events Diary 31 responsible for the design and production of the magazine St George’s Centre 35 each month. We’re supported by many people at St George’s St George’s Church 36 Church and in the wider Wash Common community who distribute the magazine each month and make our job easy by Useful numbers 37 providing us with interesting articles. Wash Commoner We look forward to hearing from you if you’d like the magazine subscriptions 38 delivered to your home in Wash Common, and do also be in touch with ideas for future articles or with news of upcoming local events. Many thanks, Alex Brown Editor Published by: Parish Church of St George the Martyr, Wash Common, Newbury, www.st-george-newbury.org.uk
Copy deadline for the September issue is Friday, 9 August 2019.
Editors: Alex Brown & Morgan O’Kennedy, [email protected] or 01635 569 775
Advertising: E-mail all enquiries to [email protected]
Cover: ‘Blue Cricket Helmet and Red Ball’ by rawpixel.com
All views expressed in The Wash Commoner are the views of the author of the relevant article and not of St George’s Church. The placement of any advert should not imply a recommendation by St George’s Church.
The Wash Commoner July/August 2019 3 A parish church like St George’s exists for the whole community, not just for church-goers, and seeks to serve local people and to be open to all. If you have recently moved into the area or have walked past St George’s for years and never been in, I hope this will encourage you to pop in or be in touch. A sanctuary in a busy world The church is unlocked until about 4pm every day so that anyone can come and enjoy a breathing space; many come to light a candle and write a prayer request. If you haven’t been inside St George’s it’s worth a visit – you’ll discover that it is light and peaceful, a sacred space beautiful in its simplicity. A special place for life’s big occasions We are delighted to conduct christenings and weddings for local people, and of course to support families through funerals at the crematorium as well as in the church. The memorial garden is open to new burials of ashes. If you are planning on getting married why not explore whether St George’s could be the right place for you? Or if you are thinking about having your child christened, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. An inclusive worshipping community Over the years the church has grown, with new people joining all the time, so even on a ‘usual’ Sunday the church is often packed for the 9.30am service. Children’s groups take place on Sunday mornings for primary school age children. During the week, among other things, we offer a Toddler Group on Mondays and on Wednesday mornings we meet for coffee, chat and play ahead of an informal service for all ages. We also run a popular Retirement Fellowship group once a month. A gathering place for community celebrations At Christmas and Easter, as well as Mothering Sunday, Harvest and Remembrance Sunday we enjoy welcoming large numbers of people of all ages to St George’s. Concerts are also held throughout the year from visiting choirs and music groups, as well as by the St George’s choir.
4 The Wash Commoner July/August 2019 A meeting place for groups Over 20 different community and social groups routinely meet in the Hall and Church Annex, and there is a Food Bank Collection point in the lobby. See page 27 of this magazine for more details. Serving a changing parish In many ways the development of St George’s church over the years reflects the changes in Wash Common generally as new housing has been built. When you think that the New Era Theatre building was the original church, and that the current church was built in the 1930s for the expanding population of South Newbury, and was extended again in the 1960s, it’s easy to see how much things have changed in a relatively short period of time.
Extending St George’s Church in the 1960s to meet the needs of the expanding population of Wash Common Open to all A constant theme over the years is the strong desire to be open and engaged, connected to the life we all share in this part of Newbury. So, don’t hesitate to be in touch, or pop in and enjoy some peace and quiet, or come to any of the events and services. The Church Office is staffed weekday mornings apart from Tuesdays (01635 41249) and more detailed information can be found at www.st-george.newbury.org.uk We look forward to seeing you soon. With every blessing, Revd Becky Bevan, Vicar
Listed below are our planned social events at St George’s Church 19 October - Murder Mystery Play
10 December - Christmas Concert
The Wash Commoner July/August 2019 5 ST GEORGE’S HOLIDAY CLUB 2019
29 July to 2 August 10am – 12noon for ages 5-11 To request a pre-registration form, call in or phone the church office on 01635 41249 (mornings, except Tuesday) or email: [email protected] Join the fun on 29 July at 10am!
6 The Wash Commoner July/August 2019 Esseborne Manor hotel & restaurant
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To book call 01264 736 444
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The Wash Commoner July/August 2019 7 Falkland Cricket Club It’s an exciting time at our local cricket club Those of you who have been following the developments at Falkland Cricket Club (FCC) over the last two years, will have noticed significant progress since the beginning of 2019. The new pavilion, community rooms and the (new) Bowlers Arms are now well on the way to being built. This photograph was taken in the first week of June and shows the view from the first floor of the new building. Completion of the building is scheduled for 19 December 2019, with an opening of the new Bowlers Arms in early February. Planning consent requires FCC to demolish the existing pavilion and The Bowlers Arms, as soon as the new building is completed. The old building will then be demolished, and the Club car park extended to where the current building is sited. On the field, these are exciting time for the Club. There are four adult teams on a Saturday, one on a Sunday, and two on a Wednesday evening. Women and girls cricket have seven sides, junior boys five teams, and All Stars (5 to 8) on a Saturday morning. This year we are running a side for the 22 players with disabilities who have joined the Club, and on 2nd June they played a Help for Heroes team. This was the fourth year this game had been played. There is walking football/cricket for the over 55s on a Wednesday morning at 10am, and all newcomers are very welcome. Those familiar with the ‘sports pages’ of the Church Times, will have noticed reports of games played by Oxford, Bristol, Winchester and Exeter Dioceses at Falkland that have started to appear, which is due to FCC’s south-central location. These games are played on Mondays on top of the many school games now played at Falkland. During the Summer there are rarely any days when a game is not being played and a fixture card can be picked up at The Bowlers Arms or on the website at www.falklandcc.co.uk. Falkland is a charitable trust, run by around 60 volunteers, trustees, coaches, parents and children for the benefit of the Wash Common community. The Club grounds are overseen by Historic England due to its 1643 battlefield site location, and information on a battlefield walk is displayed at the Club. The new buildings will cost over £1m and FCC is supported by many sponsors and providers of grant aid, such as Greenham Common Trust. We are very grateful to them all, and if you think you can help in any way, or just want to get involved, please contact the Chair, John Bolan, [email protected] or on 07770 847 446.
8 The Wash Commoner July/August 2019 Family First Ranger HOME CARE
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The Wash Commoner July/August 2019 9 Do you think you could win a prize at the Wash Common Show? Peter Wright thinks it could be your year to win … The Wash Common Garden and Craft Show, to give it its full title, is a show open to anyone to exhibit their efforts in making or growing something. There are classes for garden produce, flower arranging, cookery, photography, crafts and art. It takes place every September and this year will be on Saturday 14th September between 2.00 pm and 3.30pm in the Wash Common Community Centre. Last year there were around 300 entries, with most people who entered picking up a first, second or third prize in at least one class. The schedules of classes that you can enter are available at various locations - Wash Common shops, pubs, Rugby Club, churches, etc or you can go online to the website www. washcommonshow.wordpress.com. The cookery section includes decorated cupcakes, lemon drizzle cake, a Victoria Sandwich, rock cakes and gingerbread cake - none of these are particularly difficult to make and you can always bake it in advance and put it in the freezer. There are two classes for fruit cake in this year’s Wash Common Garden & Crafts Show. There is the traditional class for fruit cake e.g. Dundee cake or Christmas cake, and there is a separate class for a cake containing fruit of a non-dried variety. The photography classes include a single photograph of ‘joy and celebration’, a single photograph of ‘unseen Newbury’, three colour photographs of ‘Food’, three colour photographs of ‘Bridges and Crossings’ and three black and white photos of an industrial subject. If you have any suitable photos, why not consider entering the Show? There is a separate section just for children – these include a model space rocket and a Lego model made to your own design and a picture of a rocket generated from ‘clip art’. Perhaps something for the long summer holidays? The committee is looking for new members - if anyone is interested in helping with the show, please contact Peter Wright on 07770 968182. It doesn’t require much time and it is good fun helping to run a community event.
10 The Wash Commoner July/August 2019 Mobile Library
West Berks’ mobile library visits the Wash Common Community Centre car park on the following dates and times: Tuesdays 9 July, 30 July, 20 August, 10 September Jane’s House Montessori Pre- school 9.45am to 10.15am Wash Common Community Centre 10.15am to 10.45am Friday 2.00pm to 4.30pm 19 July, 9 August, 30 August, 20 September
T R E E T O P S WELLBEING & CREATIVITY YOGA & MEDITATION - ART CLASSES COOKERY CLASSES - CRAFTS www.treetops-newbury.co.uk Contact Emily on 01635 44850 [email protected] Facebook - Treetops Newbury
The Wash Commoner July/August 2019 11 Refuse, reduce, reuse, recycle … it is impossible to ignore the impact of plastic and rubbish on our world. Whether that’s from watching David Attenborough showing the devastating effects of plastic on our seas and oceans, or seeing news reports of enormous fatbergs in our sewers. It can seem frustrating when our local authority is only able to recycle limited amounts of materials, but did you know there is a growing community in the Newbury and Thatcham area that is providing many opportunities for extra recycling, packaging-free shopping and eco-friendly products? This community comes together on Facebook at ‘Thatcham & Newbury plastic free, recycling & zero waste uk’ but if Facebook is not your thing, we’ve detailed some of the organisations that are involved here. There is also a Sustainable Living Market which takes place most months, the next happens at Thatcham Baptist Church on Saturday, 20 July from 1pm – 4.30pm. St George’s Church is also planning to host regular sustainable living events from September onwards – look out for more details in our next issue!
Lydia and Amelia founded Lonely Lentil to provide a zero-waste food business. Customers bring along any empty containers to fill with a wide variety of nutritious staples from their market pantry. Buy only the quantities you need to save money and reduce waste. Nothing they sell is pre-packaged - rice, pasta, pulses, nuts, dried fruits, dried herbs and spices are just a few of their offerings and products are mostly organic. They pop-up regularly all over the area, including at NuMee every other Tuesday morning. Lonely Lentil: www.lonelylentil.co.uk Email: [email protected]
Run by Jenny from her home, Thatcham Refillable provides vegan, sustainable and ethical household products, made in the UK and sourced as locally as possible. Their products are designed to be refillable; they obtain the products in containers which they use to refill your used bottles/ containers, then their containers go back to the factory and are refilled and sent back. This ensures no wastage and no plastic pollution. They can refill almost any size container from 30ml to 20L. Just bring along your empties! Thatcham Refillable: 60 Northfield Road, Thatcham, RG18 3ES For opening times contact 07876 350 137 or visit www.thatchamrefillable.co.uk
12 The Wash Commoner July/August 2019 TerraCycle is an organisation that recycles the ‘non- recyclable’. Whether it’s coffee capsules from your home, pens from a school, or plastic gloves from a manufacturing facility, TerraCycle can collect and recycle almost any form of waste. Locally, different items are collected from crisp packets, beauty product packaging, pet food pouches and baby food packaging. People can drop off (cleaned) packaging, which is boxed up and sent to Terracycle, who then make a donation to local charities. Details of what can be recycled locally can be found on a leaflet at Jana’s drop-off point and through the group Facebook page listed above. Local TerraCycle collector: Jana Little - 3 Cowslip Crescent, Thatcham, RG18 4DE (drop off in green bin beside house)
PosyLondon Newbury-based, Dale Campbell creates Little B Beeswax Wraps natural deodorants in her kitchen, made with coconut oil, shea nut butter, sodium Beeswax wraps, handmade by Claire Black of bicarbonate and essential oils, which have Thatcham-based ‘Little B’, are an ingenious been tested and certified by a chemist. alternative to cling film in the kitchen for The deodorant is supplied in a cardboard wrapping and storing food. Claire makes her tube, and so has minimal impact on the wraps out of organic cotton in various eye- environment. The products are available catching designs, along with beeswax and for sale at Hampstead Norrys Community jojoba. The wraps, if properly cared for, Shop and No 96 Home and Gifts. will last a year. Little B pops-up regularly around Newbury and Thatcham and are PosyLondon: available at Pineapple Palace café. Telephone: 07799 266536 Little B Email: dale@posy.london www.thislittleb.com Email: [email protected]
The Wash Commoner July/August 2019 13 St George’s Retirement Fellowship
Maria Pratico has her eyes down for a fun afternoon Every third Tuesday in the month our Retirement Fellowship meets in the Large Meeting Room at St George’s Church. It’s a great way to meet new people and to spend an afternoon with a group of people of similar age and stage in life. As we get older, we have to acknowledge the changes that occur within us – changes that are both physical and emotional. Emotionally, we struggle with the loss of loved ones, our careers, and our independence. Physically, our bodies are not as vibrant as when we were younger. So, reaching out to other people who may be going through similar issues as yourself, as in our Retirement Fellowship group, will help you focus less on your own hardships and help to socialise with people; we are social beings and we need to interact with others face to face. Come along and join us! If you can’t manage to get there, we can organise transport to the meeting. Lately our Retirement Fellowship has dealt with some serious issues, so for the May gathering, we went for some fun together playing bingo! We have Dave Hill to thank for his masterly calls and for making it so entertaining for us all.
The old bingo call sign for number nine - doctor’s orders - is true of the game itself, as bingo makes you think faster than non-players and keeps you more alert into old age, and socialising with friends whilst playing helps keep your brain active. The skill needed in bingo is quite high as you have to be a good listener and search for numbers quickly. We all enjoyed a few rounds of Bingo then our monthly raffle followed by lovely tea and cakes made by Marion Fenn. Anyone is welcome to come along to any of our meetings, please see details of the next event and how to get in touch below. Next meeting - Tuesday 16 July Annual tea party in the vicarage garden St George’s Retirement Fellowship is an informal group that meets in St George’s Hall from 2.30pm – 3.45pm on the third Tuesday of the month (except August). A varied programme of activities, talks and entertainment aimed at the 60+ age group is coordinated by Maria Pratico (Tel 01635 44827). Please contact her for more details
14 The Wash Commoner July/August 2019 Falkland Primary School Our school correspondent, Abi, says farewell with a round-up of summer activities
Hello, I hope you’re all having a nice summer at the moment! Things at Falkland School have been really busy, lots going on like the Summer Fete, Sports Day and many more fun events. As this is my last article, I am going to be telling you what has happened these past few weeks. This year has personally been my favourite year in school, as well as being my last. We have had productions, school trips, our school turning 50 years old (can you believe it!) and lots more. This month and last month have been particularly interesting, due to fun and exciting events at the school. Our school has had many fabulous events, but the most important ones are probably near the end of the year. The school’s Summer Fete is the highlight of the year with lots of stalls: refreshments, glam tent (nail polish, temporary glitter tattoos, face paint and temporary hair colours), games, sweet stall, a BBQ and many more exciting activities. Year 6 and 5 also get to run our own stalls where we team up with fellow classmates, decide on what we’re doing for a stall - it could range from selling sweets, bits and bobs to action-packed games. To prepare, we make a folder, organise it in class and outside of school, and then run it on the day. Last year, we made a decent amount of money so we hope that this year we can raise even more! Another one of our brilliant events of the year is sports day. Now that we have a new PE teacher, Mr Haynes, our sports day will still stay the same, but will be his first one. In our houses – Rupert (red), Skippon (yellow), Byron (blue) and Essex (green) we compete against other classmates, who are roughly the same ability and speed as you (otherwise it wouldn’t be fair), to try and win as many points as you can by coming in a good position in your race. These points are then totalled and at the end of the day, Mrs Wood (our head teacher) will announce which house has won. Since this is my last article, I will say one last, big farewell to you and my role in the leadership team will be taken over by another young reporter in Year 5, moving up to Year 6. I hope they keep you up to date with events at Falkland Primary School every month like I have. I also wish all Year 6 out there good luck for moving up to secondary school, just as I am, whatever school you’re going to. Goodbye – and have a great summer!
*** Update ***
Headteacher, Mrs Wood, has selected the school correspondent for the next school year. Max A, who will be moving from Year 5 to Year 6, has been chosen for the quality of his writing and because he loves to write - his teacher’s only problem is sometimes getting him to stop! We look forward to reading about his thoughts on moving into his final year at Falkland School in September.
The Wash Commoner July/August 2019 15 Ian Mobey Maintenance Services Carpentry/Joinery Tiling 01635 523 819 Plastering 07776 180 907 Bricklaying Plumbing
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16 The Wash Commoner July/August 2019 Welcome to an extraordinary place 01635 33626 with extraordinary people...
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The Wash Commoner July/August 2019 17 gArdeners delight Marion Fenn wrote her article before the recent wet weather, but the ground is still very dry, so her advice is still timely Long, dry, hot spells seem to be the course of things now, so we need to think about drought tolerant plants and drought management. The word drought makes us think of deserts and sun-baked countries suffering from months of baking sun and no rainfall but unfortunately times seem to be changing and hosepipe bans are becoming more frequent in the UK. Water is a precious resource. Where possible every gardener should have water butts to harvest any rain that does fall. If you do decide to water your allotment, the best time of day is during the cool of the morning or evening. Water the roots of the plant and concentrate the watering to once or twice a week, as opposed to giving your plants frequent light showers, otherwise you’ll encourage the roots of the plant to seek water near the surface of the soil, as opposed to deep down in the earth. Watering in the early morning will also make the water available to the plants throughout the day so that the plants will be able to deal better with the heat of the sun. It is not true that watering in the morning will make the plants susceptible to scorch – few areas in the world get sun that is intense enough for water droplets to scorch the plants; the water droplets would be evaporated in the heat long before they could focus the sunlight. The second-best time to water a vegetable garden is in the late afternoon or early evening. This cuts down on evaporation and allows the plants several hours without sun to take up water into their system. Be careful to make sure that the leaves have a little time to dry before night comes. This is because damp leaves at night encourage fungus problems, such as powdery mildew or sooty mold, which can harm your vegetable plants. Fertile soil with plenty of organic material will help it to retain moisture which means you won’t need to water your plants so frequently (and in some cases not at all). Ensuring that your soil is always covered with a layer of mulch will help to retain moisture and suppress weeds; the mulch could be garden compost, composted manure, leaf- mould, a geo-textile or stones (the larger the better). Keep the top layer of soil hoed to reduce evaporation. Invest in a moisture meter - you will be surprised how much less you will water when you discover the plants can put their roots down to find moisture. Using a hose unnecessarily causes weeds to germinate and grow everywhere, helps fungal diseases such as blight and rust to spread, and encourages slugs and snails to mobilise and eat the crops. All plants need is a soaking to their roots - sinking a flowerpot, drainpipe or cut off bottle near the plant means water can go accurately to where it is needed. Runner beans are dependent on adequate moisture. It is also good to put water out for the birds and bees. Did you know that blueberries, azaleas and other acid-loving plants do not tolerate tap water well? If they really do need a drink a drop of vinegar in the water helps. When planting out your young plants it is always recommended that you water the hole or trench very well, before putting in your seedlings. We call it mudding in. This means the root system of your young plant will have instant access to water, also encouraging them to grow
18 The Wash Commoner July/August 2019 downwards to seek new water supplies, as opposed to waiting for you to come along with a watering can. Once the plant is well established, reduce or cease watering all together depending on the plant. When choosing plants for your allotment it is a good idea to go for those that originate in a hot climate and so have evolved needing little water, or ones where the edible part of the plant grows below the soil – meaning its roots (and the crops) all benefit from deep water. There are some things that definitely need a drop of water regularly - plants in pots, hanging basket, in greenhouses and polytunnels. Tomatoes spring to mind. Tomatoes are so susceptible to pests and diseases but love hot Mediterranean conditions, so may do better outside than in the greenhouse like they did last year. Pinch them at 5ft tall and cut off two levels of leaves from the bottom puts them into fruiting mode and reduces their demand for water. This is in addition to regularly removing the side-shoots. This is shortened version of Marion’s article. To read the full version, please visit: the.wash.commoner Web: st-george-newbury.org.uk
“It will never rain roses. If we want more roses, we must plant more bushes.” George Eliot
Wash Common LIBRARY
Now Open:
Saturdays 10 – 12pm Mondays 2.30 – 6.30pm Wednesdays 2.30 – 6.30pm
Go to www.washcommonlibrary.org.uk for more information
THE FRIENDS OF Wash Common A community library funded and run by LIBRARY
The Wash Commoner July/August 2019 19 C&H Flooring
We can supply and fit: • Carpets • Vinyls • Wood • Ceramics
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20 The Wash Commoner July/August 2019 Thank you Thank you to everyone who supported Christian Aid Week again this year, both residents of Wash Common who donated and volunteers who went house to house. Although we covered even less roads this year due to a smaller number of volunteers, we collected a staggering £2,009.24. That’s not including Gift Aid. So, a massive thank you to everyone involved. Louise Funnell
Miracle Workers is an independent, family-owned and run business established over 20 years ago. Carers work directly with the client and their families to provide a very personal service ensuring a reliable support system delivering the best of care. Live-in carers help clients with varying needs from post-operative care, companionship, Dementia (including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s) to palliative and end-of-life care. Miracle Workers train and support the carers so they can fulfil their roles in this very worthwhile vocation. The cost of a live-in carer represents good value for money. Carers can buy and prepare food, manage medication, help with personal care, organise social/medical appointments, carry out household chores as well as look after pets. Live-in care has become the preferred choice for those wishing to retain their independence. Apart from providing a bedroom for the carer and internet access, nothing else needs to change which ensures minimal disruption and peace of mind for the client and family.
The Wash Commoner July/August 2019 21 Herby mung bean hummus Lydia Benetó-Turner from Lonely Lentil has provided a super healthy, tasty dip this month. Hummus has become a much-loved staple in many households in recent years. Traditionally being made with chickpeas, this recipe shakes things up by using mung beans instead! Personally, I find the thought of soaking chickpeas for 24 hours off-putting. Mung beans only need a 4-6 hour soak … much friendlier! I love the addition of some lovely dried herbs in this version of hummus. I have also included one of my personal favourite spices, sumac. This gorgeous spice is widely used in Iranian cuisine. It has a gorgeous bright plummy colour, being made from a dried berry. The flavour has a citrusy tang, instantly enhancing any dish it’s added to. Sumac is a real Lonely Lentil favourite… definitely worth experimenting with!
Ingredients Method • ⅓ cup raw mung beans, 1. Soaking and precooking mung beans: PRECOOKED – see 2. The mung beans will need to be pre-cooked before instructions below making the hummus. • (equating to 1 cup once 3. First, thoroughly rinse the mung beans in cold cooked) running water. I always soak the beans in cold water • 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice for at least 6 hours (I usually add a splash of cider • ½ cup tahini vinegar, as this aids the soak). Soaking is thought • 1 heaped tsp garlic to aid digestion and also reduces cooking time powder significantly. Once the beans have finished their • 1 heaped tsp dried mint soak, drain and place in a pan of water. Bring to • 1 heaped tsp dried dill the boil and simmer for around 20 minutes, or until • 1 tbsp dried chives tender and beginning to break down. • 1 tsp sumac 4. Using a food processor, blitz all the ingredients • ½ tsp rock salt together until a nice smooth hummus forms. You • ⅓ cup water can add a little more water, depending on how thick you like your hummus. I like to finish my hummus off with an extra sprinkle of sumac and chives on top … also some chilli flakes, if you like the heat! You can also drizzle with a little extra virgin olive oil, if you fancy!
Small quantities of all the ingredients are available from Lonely Lentil who have a pop-up stall at NuMee every other Tuesday morning. Check the Lonely Lentil (www.lonelylentil.co.uk) or NuMee (www.numeecoffee.co.uk) websites for further details
If anyone has any recipes that are sure fire winners for your friends or family, please share them by emailing them to [email protected].
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COMPOSITE & UPVC DOORS Call: 07901 860352
Email: [email protected] Personal professional service www.theupvcexpert.com
The Wash Commoner July/August 2019 23 Did you know how many volunteering opportunities there are in Newbury? Nestled down a little alley way called Bolton Place off Northbrook Street is a 45-year-old Newbury charity called Volunteer Centre West Berkshire. This busy organisation has a number of functions. Firstly, it matches local people to local organisations. It does this by providing free impartial information and guidance about volunteering in Newbury and West Berkshire. The charity has a clever database of around 430 different volunteering opportunities and anyone can go online at www.volunteerwestberks.org.uk or call to make an appointment to see us in the office on 01635 49004. The charity also operates the Newbury Community Car Scheme. Volunteer drivers assist people who are unable to use public transport to attend appointments of all kinds. Potential users of the scheme or anyone interested to become a volunteer driver can contact the office on 01635 49004. Wash Commoners will have doubtless seen red Handybuses in and around Newbury and again these are operated by the Volunteer Centre. The charity helps with around 14,000 passenger trips per year and the buses are driven by willing volunteers. A former teacher at Park House and St George’s Church member, Dennis Brown, was a regular Handybus driver for many years and eventually became a trustee of the charity and volunteer car driver until his move to be with his daughter. Information about the Handybus scheme can be found on the website or by calling 01635 37111. In addition to the above services, the charity also operates Newbury Shopmobility, A Befriending Scheme, the Village Agent- community Connectors Project and the West Berkshire Suicide Prevention Action Group. To find out more about any of these services the office would be pleased to hear from you. Pictured. Left to right Garry Poulson Director, Sue Cox and Liz Fenton office Volunteers and Dennis Brown on a surprise visit to the office last year.
24 The Wash Commoner July/August 2019 Dressmaker & Soft furnisher
35 years’ experience Bespoke sewing service for you and your home. Curtains, blinds, cushions and soft furnishings. Made to measure and designed to individual requirements. Dressmaker and seamstress for children and ladies. Formal and informal clothing – with or without a commercial pattern. Everything made to individual requirements and designs. 01635 600 268 | 0118 971 4288 07759798022 www.morrisentreesurgery.co.uk [email protected]
Barking Boutique Professional Dog Grooming Patient & Caring Service for all Breeds
Clipping, Hand Stripping, Scissoring, De-matting, Bathing, Nail and Ear Care
Alison Sutton 07706695773 [email protected]
Windfield House, Byeways, Highclere, Nr Newbury, Berkshire RG20 9PA
The Wash Commoner July/August 2019 25 Bring out your inner artist • Absolute Beginners to Beginners to Intermediates Improvers - Just Like You • 14 week course • Three hours once a week, mornings or afternoons • Step-by-step guidance new • Suitable for beginners , refresher and advanced Art Class • Meet New Friends, Learn New Skills • Develop your skills and STARTS SOON! create your own original art to enjoy forever Beginners to Intermediates
St Marys Church Hall, GönnenSTARTS Sie SOON sich das! LIMITED – Beginn SPACES in Kürze Newbury CALL – Begrenzte NOW FOR DETAILSPlätze 01256 810 933
26 The Wash Commoner July/August 2019 THE FRIENDS OF Wash Common LIBRARY
The library has been open for over six months; with the majority of books catalogued, we are now able to look at developing the service we offer.
At our AGM in May we had a discussion on what activities people would like to see taking place in the library. Ideas put forward included a Book Club, a poetry group, Spanish lessons, talks on a whole variety of subjects, and a coding club for youngsters.
In June we held our first Rhyme time, which was a great success. Jane, who runs the Montessori pre-school next door at the Community Centre, will be running Rhyme Time on the first Wednesday of the month. The next session will be on Wednesday 3rd July. Bring your little ones to the library in Glendale Avenue at 1.30pm. We look forward to seeing you then.
For more information or if you have any ideas for community activities, please contact us through our web site www.washcommonlibrary.org.uk.
The West Berkshire Foodbank is a project founded by local churches and community groups, with substantial support from Greenham Common Trust, working together towards relieving hunger in our local area. “We don’t think anyone in our community should “The foodbank was have to face going hungry. That’s why we provide three days’ nutritionally balanced emergency food there when we really and support to local people who are referred to us needed it, it was an in crisis. We are part of a nationwide network of foodbanks, supported by The Trussell Trust, working absolute lifeline.” to combat poverty and hunger across the UK.” There is plenty of information on their website www.westberks.foodbank.org.uk, including how to claim for help (call 01635 760560) or to volunteer (call 07955 626621 or email info@ westberks.foodbank.org.uk).
The Foodbank relies on donations of food and there are collection Coffee points at most of the local supermarkets, as well as in the lobby of St Sugar George’s Church. The most urgent items at the moment are: Shaving foam Deodorant Washing up liquid
The Wash Commoner July/August 2019 27 The Montessori School House Kintbury
Fun and outdoor learning since 2009. Why not discover and explore it for yourselves! Contact [email protected] or 01488 208652 ARBOCARE Yoga Classes TREE SURGERY LTD ** Seated Chair/Standing Practice** Suitable For All Abilites Qualified and Experienced Arborists DAY & TIME • Established over 25 years Every Monday • Contractors to the National 11.45am-12.45pm, 6:45pm - 7:45pm Trust VENUE • Crown reductions Large Meeting Room, • Thinning St George’s, RG14 6NU Please contact Jenny White • Felling Mobile: 07732 830884 • Hedge Trimming [email protected] http://jennywhitewellbeing.org • Stump Grinding My classes are a gentle mix of Hatha and Kundalini Yoga • Decay Detection & Tree Reports and whilst connecting movement, posture and breath, we focus on stretching, strengthening and improved Free phone: 0808 1555815 mobility. Encouraging quietness of mind and Mobile: 07778811136 self-awareness with meditation, all bene cial for our health and wellbeing. www.arbocare.co.uk
28 The Wash Commoner July/August 2019 swimming classes for bumps, babies and beyond
Find a class near you...
Caroline Bairstow E: [email protected] T: 0750 005 6623 www.facebook.com/SwimkidzBerksHantsWilts
FREE TASTER sessions available www.swimkidz.co.uk
Classes for all ages from 7yrs upwards, study Acting, Speech and Drama, Improvisation, Mime etc. working towards exams and shows for friends and family.
I will also be starting daytime classes for adults, as well as coaching students for Drama School and National Youth Theatre Auditions
For further Information please contact Lisa on
Mobile 07774 643254
The Wash Commoner July/August 2019 29 Acupuncture you Alexander Technique Art Psychotherapy healthy life Beauty Therapy keeping Bowen Technique Clinical Massage
for … Cranial Osteopathy Deep Tissue Massage Homeopathy Manual Lymphatic Drainage McTimoney Chiropractic Naturopathy 8 Falkland Road, Newbury, Osteopathy Berkshire, RG14 6NY Physiotherapy 01635 580200 Reflexology Sports Therapy
www.nhcnewbury.co.uk
30 The Wash Commoner July/August 2019 Events Diary This is a free page to publicise your local events and information. Copy deadline is 9 August for the September edition. Please e-mail: [email protected] Falkland Cricket Club 1st XI Newbury Pub Walks Saturday, 6 July Wargrave Home For self-guided walks of 3 - 5 miles from pubs near Saturday, 13 July Cove Home Newbury, go to: Saturday, 20 July North Maidenhead Away Saturday, 27 July Hayes (Middlesex) Away http://newburypubwalks.org.uk/ Saturday, 3 August Gerrards Cross Home Saturday, 10 August Stoke Green Away West Berkshire Heritage Saturday, 31 August Boyne Hill Home Details of all the forthcoming events at Shaw House, West Berkshire Museum and other local heritage events can be found at the new website: Restorative Meditation with Rest Relax Recharge Restorative Meditation from 6.45pm followed by www.westberkshireheritage.org refreshments until 8.30pm: Sunday 7 July, 4 August, 8 September, New Era Theatre, Wash Common. Advanced booking essential Gillian Ward 07840 620731 gillian@ mindful-medicine.co.uk or www.mindful-medicine.co.uk/ book-online
Sandham Memorial Chapel Wednesday 3 July from 10.20am - 10.50am, Chapel Service. Short monthly services led by Rev. David Bartholomew and linking to themes of Stanley Spencer, the chapel and its paintings. Free entry.
Saturday, 6 July from 10am - 1pm, Sandham Observed. Discover more about working in watercolour and other media; using the chapel and its garden as inspiration, make preliminary sketches and develop these into a unique painting or drawing. £40, booking essential on 0344 249 1895.
Monday, 8 July from 11am - 1pm. Chapel talk - learn more about Sir Stanley Spencer and how his dream of a ‘Holy Box’ came to fruition. Discover how Stanley’s service in the army medical corps influenced the nineteen incredible paintings which line the chapel walls. £8, booking essential on 0344 249 1895.
Wednesday, 31 July – Saturday, 4 August. Shared themes – inspired by Spencer. Artist Robert Senior presents an exhibition of work with themes linking to those of Stanley Spencer; in particular spirituality expressed through the everyday, rooted in autobiographical events and relationships, and a keen interest in humanity. Further details available on 01635 278394 or Sandham@ nationaltrust.org.uk
Woolton Hill and District Gardeners’ Club All indoor meetings are held in St Thomas’s Church Hall in Woolton Hill RG20 9XQ on the 4th Thursday of the month. For further information contact Jane Skyrme 01635 254151
The Wash Commoner July/August 2019 31 ...... Hatha Yoga for living well St John’s Church, Bartholomew Street, RG14 7PY 7-8.15 pm Fun & friendly classes to help care for body & mind Accessible moves to support mobility, stamina & balance
Contact Joanna Edge 07970 166675 [email protected] www.RealMeYoga.co.uk
Bright Sparks N ur ser y School
East Woodhay Village Hall, Heath End, Newbury (only 4 miles)
We have an excellent OFSTED report
We have fully qualified teachers including specialists for French, Music, Dance and Football
� Language, French, Book Corner, Stories & Poetry, Drawing Table, Games � Number Skills, Puzzles, Construction, Sensorial Material, Nature & Science � Practical Life, Art & Craft, Sand & Water, Painting, Cooking, Home Corner � Music & Movement, Singing, Music Making, P.E., Assault Course, Drama
Places are offered to children aged 2 - 5 years
Head Teacher: Mrs Cherida Daniel B.A. Hons, Mont. Dip. EYPS
www.brightsparksnursery.co.uk Telephone: 0776801722 123139 716 144 01747 870432
32 The Wash Commoner July/August 2019 Newbury Lock & PAUL T ILLEN Security Services
Proprietors: Gerald & Pat Lilleystone
Reliable and helpful local service for all your security needs C ARPENTER All aspects of Carpentry and H ome Maintenance
Undertak en Tel/Fax: (01635) 34830
www.newburylocks.com T elephone: 0 16 35 528426 email: [email protected] 07974 645607
Lorraine Bowden Tutor
Successful retired teacher offers tuition:
For Ages 7 to 11:
Maths and English
GCSE: Maths including higher tier
Contact: Tel: 01635 47590 or 07802 583116 E-mail: [email protected]
The Wash Commoner July/August 2019 33 Clarendon House 44 London Road Newbury Berkshire RG14 1LA Your local independent Funeral Directors & Monumental Masons We are proud to provide a quality service with an exceptionally high standard of care. We are totally dedicated to providing families with personal attention and freedom of choice. Peter Cox has nearly 40 years’ experience caring for families and looking after their needs during the difficult time of arranging a funeral, choosing a prepaid funeral plan and designing memorials for a lasting tribute
Available 24 hours a day 7 days a week for free & impartial advice, without obligation… Tel: 01635 43355 Email: [email protected] Web: www.wbfd.co.uk We remember the little things…
34 The Wash Commoner July/August 2019 St George’s Centre
The St George’s Centre is on the Andover Road, next to St George’s Church and provides facilities for many organisations serving Wash Common. Below is a list of groups and organisations using the Centre on a regular basis. Organisation Contact name Contact number Meeting times Alcoholics Anonymous 0800 9177 650 Wed: 6.30 – 7.30pm Fri: 7.00 - 8.15pm Ballroom Dancing Sally Ann Poole 01635 41798 Wed: 7.30 – 8.30pm Brownies Lynne Patel 07870 755185 Thurs: 6.15 – 7.45pm Busy Kids Amy Willis 07795 633443 Daily: 3.00 – 6.00pm Breakfast: 8.00 – 9.00pm also, Holiday Clubs Church Choir Clive Grant 01635 41249 Friday: 6.45 – 8.30pm Falkland WI Mrs D Haines 01635 42953 2nd Tuesday: 8 – 9.30pm Fitness League Susan King 01264 772872 Wed: 10.15 – 11.45am Guides Lynne Patel 07870 755185 Mon: 6.15 – 7.45pm Healing 2nd Tues: 8.00 – 10.00pm Kumon Maths Steve Taylor 07793 663038 Mon: 3.15 – 5.15pm Thurs: 3.15 – 5.15pm Lace Group Kay Coventry 01635 580629 Wed: 12.30 – 2.30pm Jenny White Wellbeing Jenny White 07732 830884 Mon: 11.45 - 12.45pm Mon: 6.45 - 7.45pm Market Square Quilters Geraldine Priest 01635 253271 5 Saturdays per year Lotte Berk Method Jenifer Klepfer 07881 296623 Sat: 9.00 - 10.00am Mothers’ Union Val Bolan 01635 582362 1st Tues: 12.15 -3.30pm 2nd Wed: 10.00-10.45am Newbury National Trust Keith Spires 01635 30457 5 Tuesdays per year Lecture Meetings in Church 2nd Monday Jan to May then Sept to Dec Newbury U3A Bridge Mrs Angela Spellman 01635 253874 Tues: 2.00 - 4.30pm Fri: 2.30 - 4.30pm Pilates Class Angela Duff 07769 580709 Mon: 9.30 - 10.30 10.30 - 11.30 Tues: 9.30 - 10.30 10.30 - 11.30 Perform Gemma Payne 07825 916496 Sat: 9.00am - 1.00pm Complete Yoga Alison Strawford 07801 988086 Wed: 8.00 – 9.30pm complete-yoga- newbury@outlook. com Retirement Fellowship Maria Pratico 01635 44827 3rd Tues: 2.30 – 4.00pm
St George’s Treasurer 07887 900348 Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri: Pre-School 9.00 –2.45pm Soroptimists Janet Wycherley 01635 580115 1st/3rd Thurs 7.30 – 10.00pm Tiddlers and Toddlers Caroline Clugston 01635 253442 Mon: 12.45 – 3.00pm
To hire the Centre facilities on a regular or casual basis, please contact Centre Booking on 01635 41249.
The Wash Commoner July/August 2019 35 St George’s Church
Services Sunday Weekdays
8.00am Holy Communion Tuesday 7.30pm Holy Communion 9.30am Parish Communion Wednesday 9.30am Holy Communion Thursday 2.00pm Holy Communion Children’s groups meet during the service: 7.20pm Contemplative Prayer Star Club 3-5 years Friday 12 noon Prayers for Peace and Sunday Club 5-11 years Reconciliation
All Age Communion is on the first Sunday of the month
Tea and coffee are served in the hall after the 9:30 service
Young Peoples’ Groups Sundays 11.00 – 11.45am Sunday Club (5-11 years) Sundays 7.00pm Justacross (13-18 years)
St George’s prayer intentions As part of our daily worship at St George’s, we pray for a particular area of the parish each week. A monthly list of prayer intentions, including the roads being prayed for, is available from the church. If you have a specific concern or a person you would like us to pray for, or if you would like a visit from someone in the Church, please call The Revd. Terry Winrow on 01635 41249.
Contact for the Emergency Prayer Chain: Elizabeth Pook (01635 47923) or Chris Hill (01635 841949).
Contact for the Prayer and Healing Team: Dave Hill (01635 841949) or email [email protected]
Sacrament of Reconciliation contact The Reverend Becky Bevan (confession and forgiveness)
Contacts St George The Martyr, Andover Road
Parish Priest - The Revd Becky Bevan Churchwardens - Simon Pook (01635 30599) Tel: 01635 524994 Rita Gardner Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]
Associate Priest - The Revd Terry Winrow Tel: 01635 45380 St George’s Centre Bookings (01635 41249) Email: [email protected] Email: centre.bookings@ st-george-newbury.org
Parish Administrator - Margaret Ford Tel: 01635 41249 (Answer machine at other times) Email: [email protected] Open: Mon, Wed, Thurs 9:30 - 13:15 Fri 9:30 - 12:15
36 The Wash Commoner July/August 2019 Useful Numbers
Local Churches: Other: St John the Evangelist Church Samaritans 116 123 St John’s Road, Newbury Cruse Bereavement Care, West Berkshire 01635 523573 Associate Priest - vacant Mothers’ Union, St George’s Branch (Val Bolan) Contact: David Oates, Churchwarden 01635 43380 01635582362 Email: [email protected] New Era Players 07919 916009 Website: www.stjohnnewbury.org.uk Citizens Advice West Berkshire: Advice line 0300 2225941 St. Francis de Sales (R.C), Warren Road 01635 40332 Appointments 01635 516605 West Berkshire District Council 01635 55 1111 Glendale (meets on Sundays at St Bartholomew’s School Emergency out of hours 01344 786 543 @ 10.30am and at the Wash Common Community Centre @ 6.30pm) 01635 524730 West Berk Foodbank Information for Donors/General: [email protected], 07955 626621 Local Councillors for Wash Common: Emergency Food for those in Crisis 01635 760560 Newbury town Council (Wash Common ward): www.westberks.foodbank.org.uk Chris Foster ([email protected]) 07779 302347 Newbury Volunteer Car Scheme 01635 49004 Roger Hunneman ([email protected]) Newbury Shopmobility scooter and 07818 422285 wheelchair loan 01635 523854 David Marsh ([email protected]) Newbury Handybus 01635 37111 07775 703582 Gary Norman ([email protected]) 07801 046115 Utilities: Sarah Slack ([email protected]) 07970 790808 Gas Leak / Smell of Gas Reporting 0800 111999 Tony Vickers ([email protected]) Electricity - Power cut reporting 08000 727282 07413 480080 Water Leak Reporting 0800 714614
West Berkshire Council (Wash Common ward): Schools: Adrian Abbs ([email protected]) Falkland Primary 01635 44949 07768 998370 John Rankin Junior 01635 42859 David Marsh ([email protected]) John Rankin Infants 01635 42376 07775 703582 Park House 01635 573911 Tony Vickers ([email protected]) St Bartholomew’s 01635 521255 07413 480080 Youth Organisations in Wash Common: Medical: St George’s Pre-School 07887 900348 NHS call: 111 or visit 111.nhs.uk Busy Kids After School Club 07795 633443 Falkland Surgery (inc. appointments) 01635 279972 Pumpkins Pre School 07766 888337 Wash Common Pharmacy 01635 35033 Girlguiding (Irene Hanbury) 01635 820765 West Berkshire Community Hospital 01635 273 300 Tiddlers and Toddlers 07887 725107 Royal Berkshire Hospital 0118 322 5111 Scouting (Rob Daniels) [email protected] Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital 01256 473202
Police: Police Crime in Progress 999 Neighbourhood Policing Team (non-emergency) 101 Crimestoppers (caller can remain anonymous) 0800 555 111 Neighbourhood Watch (Angela Money, Chair) 01635 40866
The Wash Commoner July/August 2019 37 Subscription
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The Wash Commoner can also be collected from the lobby of St George’s Church, or from many local shops and organisations, including Budgens.
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38 The Wash Commoner July/August 2019
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The Wash Commoner July/August 2019 39 WASH COMMON GARDEN & CRAFTS SHOW 2019 affiliated to The Royal Horticultural Society SATURDAY 14TH SEPTEMBER at 2pm Teas, Raffle and a display of crafts
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