H O L Y B R O O K

SEPTEMBER 2008 A message from AUTUMN EDITION the Chairman I would like to start by saying a INSIDE THIS ISSUE: very big thank you to everyone who helped to make the second Festival such a huge success. We were again blessed The Beansheaf with fine weather and hundreds of Project people of all ages flocked to Linear Friends of Linear Park for a wonderful afternoon’s Park entertainment. All the feedback Holybrook Festival 2008 has been very positive and if you News Bites came and enjoyed it why not join If anyone is interested in getting in and help us next year. involved in organising next West Berkshire year’s event you are very Neighbourhood We are delighted that the welcome to attend the Parish Wardens government dealt a huge a blow to Plan Steering Group Annual Beginners’ Yoga the Prudential’s plans for the General Meeting on Monday Class and Pilates Kennet Valley Park development. 15th September in the Classes However although this has Beansheaf Centre at 7.30pm. or been won, we do not think the war contact Councillor Claire Tull is yet over! on Over 60s — A great I hope you have enjoyed a good way to save summer. 0118 941 8203 . PLUSBUS Bernard Gilbert District Council Matters

October to object to the proposed Holybrook Parish Office, KENNET VALLEY development because of the Beansheaf Centre, PARK severe flood risks, devastating Charrington Road, effects on wildlife, adverse impact Calcot, Reading PROPOSALS on already saturated roads, and RG31 7AW. destruction of the quality of life, especially in the Bean- Clerk to the Council: You will no doubt be aware that sheaf/Chantry Green areas, by Mr David Baldock, the government has decided not the proposed new road designed Assistant Clerk: to include the Prudential’s to carry lorry loads of ballast Mrs Rachel Buckingham proposed development of 7,500 every five minutes during the houses to the south-west of twenty year building period. Open to the public Monday to Friday Reading, adjacent to the M4, PLEASE WRITE to thank the in the draft South East Plan 10am—1pm. government for leaving out the Viewing of planning which will steer the future of the proposals and ask them not to applications by region for the next twenty years. change their mind, quoting the appointment only. It is understood that the reasons above. Prudential will be lodging an Tel: 0118 945 4339 objection during the 12 week Write to Regional Spatial Team, —24 hour answerphone. consultation period which ends Government Office for the South on 24 October and may well East, Bridge House, 1 Walnut email: holybrook re-submit plans. It is therefore Tree Close, Guildford, GU1 4GA, [email protected] or vital that all who oppose the www.holybrookparish development write before 24 email: [email protected] council.co.uk The Beansheaf Project

The Beansheaf Community Department who are applying Centre was built in 1993 for Green Flag status for with spare capacity, as yet Linear Park, the Friends of unused above the changing Linear Park, and a firm of rooms. Responses from the architects. We shall be Parish Plan questionnaire setting up focus groups and reinforced the feeling that consulting with the the spare space should be community to see what parishioners feel the needs utilised for the benefit of the are and in the light of those community. we shall be preparing an The Parish Council is a c t i o n pl a n f o r t h e Drumming Workshops therefore undertaking a redevelopment of the Centre. feasibility study to see how This will be the start of a the premises may be best project which will take used. several years but will ultimately enhance the We are liaising with the West facilities of both the park and Berkshire Youth Service, the the Beansheaf Centre. West Berkshire Countryside Friends of Linear Park 8th of September will be the ditch to the community date of the FOLP AGM in the centre. They also painted the Keep at the Beansheaf play area in Albury Gardens. Centre. Talks will include a Additionally we had two discussion with a community youth offenders working the warden, an update on the park during the summer. Green Flag status of the park Work continues on the the and a discussion on local Sensory garden and we will birds. Meeting to start at continue to gradually plant 7.30pm. The Holybrook shrubs in the garden. Festival was a success and Hedging will be planted in our booth went well. We sold September. September 13th plants, cards and had a is Activity day—we will paint treasure hunt and made just the railings around the car over £60 for the Linear Park. park. October 18th — Reading Volunteers worked in Activity day—we will work on Father John Hudson who donated and the park on 1st and 2nd July. the balancing ponds. Do presented the Holybrook Pot to Simon Cleaver, winner of the gentleman’s cake They are people between ages come for the day or an hour. of 16 and 25 who do It is good fun. Remember, volunteer work locally. They if you come and help, we built a bridge from the path don’t expect a longer-term in the woodlands across the commitment. Mobile Police van News Bites

Have you seen anything?

During recent weeks five mature trees in Linear Park have been felled and three wooden benches have been sawn through. If anyone has any idea who is responsible for this moronic vandalism please get in touch with the police and the parish office. We will keep your identity secret.

Page 2 H O L Y B R O O K West Berkshire Neighbourhood Wardens The West Berkshire volunteers to take over the Neighbourhood Wardens running of this. The theory is carry out many activities as that the more volunteers there part of their daily rota. As well are, the less commitment to as environmental issues such running it you would have to as graffiti removal or litter make. The proposed day picks, we also work with the would be every Thursday community to develop a strong between 12-2pm. Please sense of community spirit. email the wardens on westberks.wardens@ a c t i o n pl a n f o r t h e In light of this, we are hoping to set up a coffee afternoon in sovereign.org.uk or telephone the Beansheaf Centre. This 0118 945 5286 (this would be a free drop in coffee number can also receive afternoon open to anyone of SMS) if you are interested in any age. However, if this is being part of this community successful in the trial period, orientated activity. we would be looking for

It is pleasing that members of handbags, CDs and anything Councillor and Mrs Keith Chopping, the public have contacted us of value. Keep them Safe! Chairman of West Berkshire Council with information about issues Secondly inconsiderate that affect them and where parking, we receive a lot of they live. Please keep the calls calls with reference to this coming in as we want to know subject. All I would ask is, what is going on and what when parking think— ‘am I issues you want us to look at. causing an obstruction or a Please stop us when you see problem if I park here!!’ us out on patrol, we would Community spirit. love to meet and speak with as We have a full Team now who many people as possible in the are very dedicated to the job area, and the occasional and have proved to be an cuppa is very welcome. There asset to your community. are two issues that we would like to bring to your attention: Please contact us as above. We look forward to Firstly we would like to raise speaking to you. peoples awareness to a project called Virtually Stolen, Allan McIntyre, this is a scheme designed to Calcot Infants School raise peoples awareness to Senior Neighbourhood leaving valuables in cars while Warden unattended. For example

B e g i n n e r s ’ Y o g a C l a s s Thursday mornings 10-11.30am in the Beansheaf Room. Yoga improves strength, flexibility and balance, encourages relaxation and concentration, enhancing health and well-being. Small, friendly class taught by qualified instructor. Pilates Classes Tuesday evenings in the Beansheaf Room 7-7.45pm and 7.45-8.45pm. Pilates is a relaxing and enjoyable form of exercise that improves posture, strength and flexibility and suitable for all. Small friendly classes, taught by a fully qualified instructor. For both the above classes please telephone 07754 802444 email: [email protected]

Autumn 2008 Page 3 YOUR HOLYBROOK FOR OVER 60s A GREAT WAY TO SAVE COUNCILLORS ON HOME ITEMS AND DIY

FOCUS, OXFORD ROAD RETAIL PARK, READING BERNARD GILBERT The privilege card is FREE to everyone over the age of 60. Apply in-store (CHAIRMAN) and take along valid proof that you are over 60. A copy of any of the following documents is acceptable: Driving licence, passport, birth 0118 941 8051 certificate or a state pension book. The FOCUS Privilege over 60s discount card entitles the authorised CLAIRE TULL signatory to a discount of 10% on purchases every day. (VICE CHAIRMAN) PLUS BUS 0118 941 8203 Add Unlimited Bus Travel around Reading to your train ticket from £2 a day. Simply ask at any train station ticket office for a ticket to Reading

station with PLUSBUS or telephone 08457 000 125 (open 07:00— MARY BEDWELL 22:00 daily). Please allow 3 working days for delivery of your ticket. For 0118 942 0196 details of PLUSBUS tickets for other towns and cities, including Basingstoke, Maidenhead, Newbury, Oxford, Slough, Swindon, Windsor VAL BETTERIDGE and Wokingham ask at the ticket office or visit www.plusbus.info 0118 941 1265 For bus times visit: www.traveline.org.uk or tel: 0871 200 22 33. ROY BRUMPTON For train times visit: www.nationalrail.co.uk or tel: 08457 48 49 50. 0118 941 1858 For First Great Western Customer Services Team visit: TONY WARD www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk or tel: 08457 000 125. 0118 941 4203 GLENN DENNIS WEST BERKSHIRE COUNCIL MATTERS 0118 941 8720 RECYCLING IAIN PATE Although the majority of our residents in Holybrook Parish received their 2 green boxes and a green bag in good time for collection on 24 June, 0118 941 4226 some were unfortunately overlooked—this has now been corrected. CAROL HEDGES Indeed, because many residents—like me—saved up plastic bottles etc until the first collection instead of taking it all to Sainsbury’s bins, the 0118 942 7193 collection vehicle became full earlier than expected. As a consequence CHARLIE CROAL some collections were not made on time but were collected the following 07855 749876 day. There was an unprecedented amount of recycled waste, 90% more than previously, which must be seen as a success. If you are still experiencing problems, please contact Streetcare 01635 519080, but DISTRICT COUNCILLORS: please be patient as due to higher demand, there may be a delay, despite extra staff being employed. If you are having difficulties taking PETER ARGYLE your waste to the front of your property, again please contact 0118 943 1148 Streetcare who will try to arrange for some assistance. Every household should have received their green wheelie bin by now and a leaflet BRIAN BEDWELL explaining what may be put inside. This collection started in Holybrook 0118 942 0196 on Tuesday, 5 August. By the time you read this, we shall know if any fresh problems have arisen—hopefully not. One thing is for certain, West MANOHAR LAL GOPAL Berkshire Council will soon be in the top part of the league for recycling Mob: 07900 372323 rates in England if our residents keep up progress made so far—thank you everyone.

HOUSEBUILDING ALLOCATION 2006—2026 THE MEMBER OF The Government’s announcement that West Berkshire Council’s PARLIAMENT allocation would be 10,500 homes until 2026 was good news since this is FOR READING WEST: the current rate of building. Calcot Ward Councillors continue to oppose MARTIN SALTER MP the extra 7,500 houses proposed at Kennet Meadows by Prudential, since these would have increased the possibility of flooding and put an 0118 954 6782 unacceptable increase of traffic on the already crowded road system in the Parish. Councillor Brian Bedwell [email protected] WEST BERKSHIRE COUNCIL VALLEY POLICE MAIN SWITCHBOARD 0 1 6 3 5 4 2 4 0 0 email: westberks.gov.uk 0845 8 505 505 OUT OF HOURS EMERGENCIES : Social Services: 01344 876543 All Other Services: 01635 42161 STREETCARE: 01635 519080 [email protected]