The Cottage had various family-friendly flourishes Parenting mode to pampering mode: the tranquil spa at Calcot Manor With its Ofsted-registered creche and tranquil spa this country house hotel is big on relaxation but I for one wasn't sure that 'luxury spa' and 'family-friendly fun' could peacefully coexist I happened upon Calcot & Spa – a blissful hybrid space nestled in the reliably gorgeous Cotswolds countryside When the opportunity to visit the hotel presented itself my partner and I were firmly in the grip of first-time parenthood Eight weeks into the whirlwind of life with our baby girl we set out for Calcot Manor – our car boot crammed with infinite baby supplies and ourselves sorely in need of some R&R The first impression of Calcot & Spa is quintessential Cotswolds – crunchy gravel paths manicured gardens and honey-coloured limestone dwellings including the Grain Store (a gym and fitness sanctuary) the Playbarn (an Ofsted-registered creche) and From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox I began hauling the aforementioned mountain of baby supplies out of the boot only to be swiftly rescued by the friendly hotel staff who took my keys and parked the car in the guest parking spot just around the corner The whole thing felt delightfully like a US-style valet service and set the tone for the next couple of days We were then introduced to our home for the following two nights: The Cottage two-bathroom family suite was filled with luxurious grown-up features – a sprawling king-size bed a private garden terrace for soaking up the unseasonably warm spring rays a cosy lounge with its very own log burner – and complimentary sourdough loaf and Tony's Chocolonely snacks The Cottage was also furnished with various family-friendly flourishes including a storage box filled with all sorts of essential odds and sods such as toys Upstairs there was similarly useful kit: a deep cot in the master bedroom a mini bathtub set up in the bathroom and a separate nappy bin Sticking with the theme of kiddy comforts and the most extraordinary feature of Calcot & Spa: the on-site Ofsted-registered creche that's run by a team of experienced nannies Guests are offered up to four hours of free childcare in the Playbarn per day and you can choose between a morning or afternoon slot Having never once left our baby's side since the day she was born my partner and I were apprehensive about taking up the service But after umming and ahhing for the appropriate amount of time we bit the bullet and guiltily dropped off our little bundle of noisy joy along with a bottle of milk and a few spare nappies 'So near and yet so far' is a phrase usually steeped in disappointment – but in this case the creche is just a two-minute walk from the hotel spa which allowed us to slip seamlessly from parenting mode to pampering mode we lapped up the spa facilities from the sauna and steam room to the outdoor hot tub There's a specific window of time during the day when kids are allowed to join the grown-ups in the pool but outside of that the spa is a sumptuous the lovely nannies gave us a full update on her activities over the past few hours our little family – topped up on some much-needed marvellous relaxation was free to enjoy the evening Calcot & Spa boasts two eateries: The Hive both in terms of the food – I loved the Severn & Wye smoked kipper with parsley butter and lemon according to my partner – and the staff When our baby decided that a restful start to the day was not on the menu our lovely waitress offered to hold her while we finished our food That's what you'd call going above and beyond Following the topsy-turvy early weeks of parenthood (think poonamis I only wish my bank balance would allow for regular visits and the offer of much-needed respite from the frantic juggling act and unprecedented exhaustion of new motherhood Caroline was a guest of Calcot & Spa A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com A trio of pedestrian mowers from Baroness are coming to the rescue at Calcot Park Golf Club in Berkshire as the 95-year-old venue seeks to maintain course standards through the ever-more challenging winter months struggled to get ride-on equipment out last winter due to increased rainfall and softer ground conditions this problem will be a thing of the past with three LM66 cylinder mowers now ready to take up the task of retaining presentation on the tees and approaches course manager at Calcot Park for the last six years says: “We’re always striving for that next level of definition and the rain has really been hampering what we can deliver on areas that aren’t hand cut That’s why we decided to invest in a fleet of pedestrian mowers specifically for the tees and factored the time to deliver this attention to detail into our programme.”  and advice and service from both Lister Wilder and Luke Collins from Baroness he decided on three LM66 mowers from the Baroness pedestrian range which were delivered in June the cut quality with these LM66’s is the best on the market and they stay on cut for much longer,” says Tom “We’ve done some topdressing over the summer and are now starting to see worm casts emerging yet the Baroness mowers remain sharp giving us outstanding consistency and a clean The tees and approaches have never presented better.”  Along with the slightly smaller LM56 model the Baroness pedestrian mower design incorporates traditional all-gear drive – delivering 100% transmission rate with no slippage or lag between the drive to reel rotation ratio the durability of this system compared to belt or chain drive is extremely high providing additional peace of mind that a balanced cut will be achieved with every operation The renowned cylinder is manufactured from Nickel-Chrome-Molybdenum alloy steel which retains the sharpest cutting edge helping to promote healthy growth and contributing to surfaces that are less vulnerable to disease Both the Baroness LM56/66 models also include a five-year warranty as standard Tom concludes: “The good thing is that we’ve all had chance to get used to them and get a real feeling for what can be achieved with these machines We now feel confident going into the wetter months that we can deliver the tees and approaches to the same standard we’re delivering in other areas of the course – if not better!” Following the news of the theft of over £2 million of stock from its Manchester warehouse last weekend Worldwide Golf Brands reports that the business is 'back up and running' with minimal disruption to the vast majority of its customers the business growth agency for UK and Irish golf clubs has launched a new marketing system that has delivered rapid advances in the service they deliver Brocket Hall has announced that world-renowned putting coach Phil Kenyon is to open a new state-of-the-art putting studio at the Hertfordshire-based venue GolfBusinessNews.com (GBN) is for the many thousands of people who work in the golf business all around the world We cover the full range of topics both on and off the course We aim to supply essential information both quickly and accurately in a format which is easy to use We are independent of all special interest groups Click here to sign up for our free twice weekly golf industry news summary View the latest newsletter here 5/7 High StreetDorchester-on-ThamesOxfordshire OX10 7HHUnited Kingdom publisher@golfbusinessnews.com © 1999-2025 e.GolfBusiness.com Limited | All Rights Reserved. | GBN Privacy Policy Home   News   Article Dozens of farmers – and four tractors – flocked to the Sainsbury’s store in Calcot this morning (Saturday) to protest about the announcement in October’s Budget that farms worth more than £1m will be liable to pay 20 per cent inheritance tax from April 2026 Their demo was part of a Farming Day of Unity and they handed out leaflets to shoppers The NFU has said that this is “a fight we will not abandon” Back British Farming said the national events would “show MPs and ministers clearly that agriculture across the whole of the UK is united in rejecting this awful policy – a policy we were promised would never happen” It said: “It is not too late for the Government to review its plans for the family farm tax and pause and consult with farmers and growers.” Emmer Green returned to action after a four-week break with a hard-fought 3-2 Premier Division victory over Tilehurst YM at Sol Joel Park on a beautiful sunny spring morning The visitors showed early signs of rustiness but took control of the game.. Delivering the news from Henley on Thames and South Oxfordshire for over 100 years Emmer Green returned to action after a four-week break with a hard-fought 3-2 Premier Division victory over Tilehurst YM at Sol Joel Park on a beautiful sunny spring morning The visitors showed early signs of rustiness but took control of the game in the first half before a tense second period saw Tilehurst YM threaten a comeback Emmer Green struck first in the 20th minute when Mark Froude latched on to Luke Maze’s header and finished well to give his side the lead The visitors doubled their advantage in the 35th minute when Daniel Donegan fired a screamer into the top right hand corner giving the keeper no chance and putting Green in a commanding position heading into half-time The second half started in similar fashion and Emmer Green looked to have put the game beyond doubt when Donegan stepped up to convert a penalty individual errors allowed Tilehurst YM back into the game as they capitalised on defensive lapses to score twice and set up a nervy finish Emmer Green held on to secure all three points The win was an important one after a long lay-off and the team will look to build on this momentum in the coming weeks In Division 1 mid-table Goring United suffered a 4-0 away defeat to Barton Rovers A Division 2 derby saw Caversham AFC beat local rivals Caversham United 5-2 at home Henley Town hosted Calcot FC in a Division 4 clash It was a slow start but after about 15 minutes Henley got into their stride when Ben Stodolnic passed to Savio Patel and his cross turned shot flew into the top corner Will Aldridge then put in a fabulous corner for Hugh Barklem to score the second Hugh then turned provider when he laid it back to Stodolnic who hit it low away from the keeper’s reach to score his first goal for the club Captain Aaron Bishop tucked away a penalty to score his first goal for the club to make the score 4-0 Just before the half-time whistle Tyree Street slipped Stodolnic in to score his second -— 5-0 at the break In the second half not a lot was happening but Joe Cuckow played a nice pass to Stodolnic to complete his hat-trick dribbled down the right hand side and whipped in a tremendous cross for Joe Cuckow to tap in at the far post Craig Keys delivered a great corner for centre back Charlie Saul to get on the end of and score his first goal It seemed to be a game for firsts when Aldridge grabbed his goal from another great pass from Tyree Street Cuckow rounded up the scoring for Henley when he got himself on the end of another brilliant Keys corner The score was 10-0 at the final whistle and an excellent team performance HIGGS GROUP Tel: 01491 419400 www.higgsgroup.co.uk HENLEY PAGES Tel: 01491 419419 www.henleypages.com HIGGS PRINTING & DESIGN Tel: 01491 419429 www.higgsprinting.co.uk HIGGS OFFICE SUPPLIES Tel: 01491 419499 www.higgsofficesupplies.co.uk HENLEY LIFE MAGAZINE Tel: 01491 419449 www.henleylife.co.uk © Higgs & Co (Printers) Limited 2016 | Registered in England number 1418717 Powered by Miles 33 sustenance: this cosily renovated 14th-century country hotel near Tetbury — originally a tithe barn owned by Kingswood Abbey — has an ethos of “stay and play” There’s a laid-back luxe ambience devoted to every dimension of relaxation whether you spa to improve your wellness or choose to fully indulge each of your senses including with hearty gourmet meals and fine wines the spa’s focus on families has not sacrificed attention to stylish service and sophisticated detail making it a simultaneously grown-up retreat for groups of friends or couples with enough space to allow children to remain remarkably inconspicuous to other guests The Grain Store is a state-of-the-art fitness spaceScore 9/10Calcot’s indoor and outdoor spa facilities are extensive and excellent sauna and relaxation room) and a 16m heated indoor pool are set around a courtyard with an outdoor fireside hot tub (atmospheric wafts of woodsmoke included) and loungers under gas heaters for nippy days (during busy times these can get quickly occupied) relaxation areas with floor-to ceiling views overlooking the neighbouring meadows and woodland give a sense of being cocooned in nature A heated outdoor pool is surrounded by pillow-soft loungers and an outdoor bar and has thoughtfully scheduled family splash times but suggestions are made for both with the wide range of massages ranging from Pause and Reset (the 85-minute treatment includes an Aromatherapy Associates experiential facial) to a Himalayan Salt Ritual (£120) Facials are by Caci and Comfort Zone (from £115) and the therapists tested were uniformly accomplished The recently restored Grain Store is now a state-of-the-art fitness space spin shed and holistic studio — private personal training and yoga or Pilates sessions can be booked here (from £35) as well as group classes such as kettlebells and full-body workout Weekend Warrior (from £10) The spa is busiest at weekends — avoid this with the hotel’s midweek spa breaks when you can benefit from “kids stay free” deals • Other spa breaks around the UK• Discover more stays in the Cotswolds Score 9/10Rooms are sumptuous “cottage core” framed wildlife pictures and freestanding baths in cavernous bathrooms to adjoining kids’ rooms with cutesy bunk beds to mews suites with courtyard gardens and premium stays at Barnsley Cottage Sleep comes amid an Egyptian cotton cloud and if you get the midnight munchies indulgent complimentary snacks are provided (particular mention to Joe and Seph’s chocolate popcorn) Room service breakfasts are included across the board • 100 of the UK’s best hotels• What to see and do in the Cotswolds Score 10/10 If healthy dining is your thing then Calcot’s spa lounge offers a great menu (seasonal soups is open from 9am for brunch and all-day grazing (think sharing platters and hearty bowls of steaming homemade soup It becomes a cocktail bar by night with an (all too) moreish selection and patient bar staff (Cotswold Bramble or mocktails a lovely light-filled space with open kitchen and those countryside views features a crowd-pleasing menu of greatest hits (from £24): world-class melt-in-your-mouth steaks (from £35) and a cauliflower cheese taste sensation (£5) served by accommodating staff who combine all the warmth of a country manor with the polish and expertise of Mayfair fine dining An extensive wine list caters for every taste and budget Breakfast combines a buffet of tempting artisanal picky bits with a wide array of à la carte options and thoughtful touches such as easy-on-the-eye high chairs and Tommee Tippee mugs for little ones Score 10/10Befitting the hotel’s family focus the Playbarn is an Ofsted-registered crèche open every day from 9am to 1pm and 1.30pm to 5.30pm and the Mez is a space for kids over eight years old You get four hours included with your stay Summer holiday activities are available (costs according to programme) Manicured gardens offer sheltered spots to sit and take in the blousy borders and proudly mature woodland borders An array of mown pathways take guests around the 220 acres of rewilded Cotswold countryside book one of the guided walks or talks covering wildlife including barn owls beehives and “Belties” (Belted Garroway) cows Guests can also enjoy free use of tennis courts half-day spa-pass from £175Restaurant Mains from £24Family-friendly YDog-friendly YAccessible Y Claire Irvin was a guest of Calcot & Spa (calcot.co) Become a subscriber and along with unlimited digital access to The Times and The Sunday Times you can enjoy a collection of travel offers and competitions curated by our trusted travel partners Sign up for our Times Travel newsletter and follow us on Instagram and X A HEROIN dealer has been sent to the crown court for sentencing Daniel Lovelock appeared in the dock at Reading Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday admitted being concerned in the Class A-controlled drug with intent to supply it He further admitted being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine Lovelock pleaded guilty to possessing the Class B-controlled drug cannabis resin All the above offences were committed in the Reading postal area on September 13 and September 15 last year who was legally represented by Max Riley-Gould was told the matters were so serious they would have to be dealt with by a judge sitting at Reading Crown Court on a date to be fixed He was meanwhile released on unconditional bail A VIOLENT thug battered a woman who had been trying to care for him Benjamin Blair already had a history of violence when he attacked her said to be of no fixed address but who has links to Burghfield had asked Sherry Fowler to keep his bank cards safe to prevent him going on a binge said Ms Fowler had been at work on the day in question when Blair began bombarding her with calls He added: “She finished her shift and was going home when the defendant came up to her “There was a punch to her jaw and he stamped on her foot… she fell to the floor.” Mr Baig went on: “He then went back to his car; she noticed several occupants in the car were laughing.” Blair was arrested but declined to answer police questions He admitted assault by beating and theft of a iPhone Blair also has more than 50 previous convictions for offences including robbery affray and assault causing actual bodily harm “They were really close for a number of years and she was clearly trying to help him by keeping his bank cards safe from him for when he got drunk and would be impulsive Blair was “clearly intoxicated and intent on getting his bank card back for his own use “It’s most regrettable; Mr Blair is very sad he has caused her to be so upset.” She conceded her client has been “in and out of prison” and had been in custody awaiting sentence for these latest offences since last November noted that Blair had been drunk at the time but said: “Alcohol isn’t an excuse – it’s actually an aggravating factor.” He said he took into account that Blair had spent months in prison awaiting sentence He jailed Blair for two months – meaning he has already served that time and would be freed Recorder McGregor made him subject to a five-year restraining order to protect Ms Fowler No order was made for costs but Blair was required to pay a statutory victim services surcharge New outdoor gym equipment has been installed at Calcot Recreation Ground Tilehurst Parish Council installed the new cardio combo and resistance shoulder press near the current Calcot Playground at Highview And this is now open for all ages and abilities to use the parish council conducted a survey which revealed a growing demand amongst young people for new outdoor gym equipment at its recreation grounds A Big Rig was installed at Turnhams Farm Recreation Ground in June 2023 the parish council decided this equipment might also be enjoyed at Calcot Its latest project was part-funded by West Berkshire Council’s Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Bid Fund Police are appealing for witnesses after a man attempted to steal from B&M and elbowed a member of staff in face after being challenged a man attempted to steal products from B&M Bargains in Calcot A member of staff challenged the offender in the car park who then proceeded to elbow the victim in the face sustained injuries to her face and fingers which required hospital treatment A 60-year-old man from Reading has been arrested in relation to this incident Investigating Officer PC William Herrington said: “We are appealing for information following this assault “We are asking anyone who may have assisted the victim after the incident "Anyone with information can make a report online or call 101 quoting reference 43250025220 “If you do not wish to speak to police you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.” POLICE have successfully applied for the continued retention of cash seized from a woman Reading magistrates granted the retention order in respect of £2,000 seized from Cindy Jayne Bull of Highview They made the order in accordance with section 295 of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 “the applicant having reasonable grounds for suspecting that it is recoverable property; that is property obtained through unlawful conduct intended for use in unlawful conduct” The retention order will last for six months It's the best way to test a new bed … IKEA is inviting people to wear their pyjamas when they visit this weekend The Calcot store is organising what it says will be the ultimate pyjama party Shoppers who turn up in their nightwear on Saturday Children will also appreciate a visit from BJÖRN bear in the restaurant the PJ-wearing guests Publishwill be able to enjoy a £15 discount when they spend £50 or more The unconventional lie-in marks the store's special sleep month commercial activities Leader for IKEA UK and Ireland said: "We know that many of our IKEA Family members love a good lie-in but who can say no to a free meal and some fantastic savings "Why not combine the two and make it even more rewarding "We hope this dreamy offer gives everyone an excuse to get out of bed bright and early and enjoy a fun-filled day at IKEA.” Full details are on its website IKEA.co.uk Surfers should search for the Reading page The pyjama party is free to attend and activities will run from 9.30am while the offers will be available all day A new food retailer is set to take over the Boots store at the Sainsbury’s shopping area in Calcot, writes Local Democracy Reporter James Aldridge. Situated on the A4 Bath Road, the retail park has a variety of stores including Sports Direct, B&M, McDonald’s and a Boots. But Boots could soon go and be replaced with a retailer. A plan has been submitted to allow food and drink sales at Unit 1 of the retail park, currently occupied by Boots and situated next to Sports Direct. Boots remains open from 8am to 8pm each day, but information from planning agent Quod states the store is close to ‘reaching its lease expiry’. Plan sketches by Boyle + Summers lack detail, with the proposed floor plan only stating the 10,023 sq m floorspace for the unit. Furthermore, the description of the plan states that the application is to allow the ‘unrestricted use’ of the unit ‘including the sale of both non-food and food and drink products’. You can view the application by typing reference 24/00863/FUL into West Berkshire Council’s planning portal. The plans were shared by councillor Jane Stewart (Con, Tilehurst Birch Copse) to inform neighbours. The Independent's journalism is supported by our readers When you purchase through links on our site From soaking in outdoor heated pools to relaxing state-of-the-art treatments find your much-needed getaway at these spa hotels in the Cotswolds countryside I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice You’ll be in good company having a soak here (and we don’t just mean the celebs you spot in the hot tub). To the south of the Cotswolds is the city of Bath, where people have been luxuriating in natural thermal waters since the Romans built the temple complex here around a hot spring in AD70 there are more modern spas dotted across the Cotswolds from smart city hotels to country piles where you can warm up in a sauna in winter and dip in a heated outdoor pool come summer Cowley aims to stand out from the crowd – this eye-catching country manor is hotel group Experimental’s first foray out of London and has been given an irreverent, modern refit thanks to designer Dorothee Meilichzon, who was inspired by Alice in Wonderland. The bar and restaurant attract a buzzier crowd than some more stuffy hotels and bedrooms are lovely too Across the courtyard is the modern C-side spa which has a sunny outdoor pool in a courtyard Read more: Best cheap hotels in the Cotswolds A golden-hued manor house set in 220 rolling acres Calcot is great for families and for exploring the best of the Cotswolds Tetbury and Westonbirt Arboretum on the doorstep if you’re feeling like being outward bound Or you could just spend your whole stay cocooned in a bathrobe in Calcot’s lovely spa The outdoor hot tub next to a crackling open fire is a highlight – order a glass of bubbles and soak in the steam Calcot say there’s just one rule here: relax Book now Read more: How to have a Rivals-style stay in the Cotswolds Leave a busy road behind and head down a long treelined avenue straight out of a period drama to find The Greenway this Elizabethan manor house has been given a fresh new look this year with 21 refurbished bedrooms decked out in soothing pastels The restful Elan Spa and a heated pool make a stay here feel more like a wellness retreat than most – there’s an experiential thermal suite heated stone recliners and salt scrub showers to keep you very busy bathing (although guests do need to book 90-minute slots) Read more: The Gainsborough Bath Spa hotel review The ethos at the luxe Dormy House’s spa is great stating “while there’s a time and a place for oneness and wellbeing House Spa is all about making you feel absolutely fabulous” The spa ticks all our boxes for a bougie treat from the infinity pool to the float tank and Himalayan salt sauna forest experience shower and a “snow” shower for the brave with faultless service and airy bedrooms in the eaves that make a stay here feel more like an escape to a country house than to an impersonal hotel Read more: The best spa hotels in the UK A lot of the spa hotels on our list don’t come cheap – if you’re after a more affordable retreat This sprawling Victorian mansion boasts a beautiful Atrium bar with a soaring glass ceiling ideal for a cocktail or two plus a small but pleasant spa complete with sauna While the spa is a bit on the small and simple side it’s far more affordable than most corners of the Cotswolds Read more: Best boutique hotels in the Cotswolds If you conjured up the quintessential Cotswolds stay it might look rather like Whatley Manor a Michelin-starred dining room downstairs and the delightful Aquarias spa overlooking lush green gardens to zen out in The spa holds a gold certification in sustainable wellness and proves that going green can look – and feel – simply gorgeous heated stone recliners and salt scrub showers plus treatments such as energising yoga facials and dreamlike floatation pod sessions to choose from Read more: Best affordable hotels in the Cotswolds Wind down a mile-long avenue of lime and beech trees to reach Lucknam Park then choose to stay in one of 42 rather regal rooms or your own private cottage in the grounds complete with an indoor/outdoor hydrotherapy pool Massages use local Natural Spa Factory products while treatments include non-surgical face lifts gua sha soothing facials and energising sea salt body scrubs Read more: Castles in the UK where you can enjoy a Traitors-style getaway A historic country estate brought bang-up-to-date Thyme is a cluster of honeyed stone properties in the postcard-pretty village of Southrop with a deliciously decadent spa at its heart The Meadow Spa feels inspired by the bucolic countryside that surrounds it and is a true tonic from city life Do a slow lap of a heated spring water swimming pool that looks like a slice of the South of France transported to the Cotswolds then hole up in the Botanical Bothy to try Thyme’s signature treatment based around breathing Read more: Want a foodie holiday in the UK? Our guide to butchery courses, pasta making, whisky tasting and more Think “Cotswolds” and you may not picture wide expanses of wild water but the National Landscape has a wonderful secret for keen wild swimmers - 180 freshwater lakes perfect for dips a hotel and clutch of cottages nicknamed the “Hamptons of the Cotswolds” with treatments aiming to reduce inflammation and boost your immune system There are also tempting half-day retreats based around Kate Moss’ delectable COSMOSS products Read more: Best spa hotels in Dorset If you think chilling out in a lovely garden is almost as relaxing as a slap-up spa day make a beeline for the latest offering from The Pig hotels The Pig in the Cotswolds is a Grade II house looking out over charming ornamental and potager gardens – and there’s an emphasis on the homegrown inside as well with a restaurant championing local ingredients and bedrooms with a fairytale feel Hidden away in the garden is the small but perfectly formed Fieldhouse Spa with a sauna and steam room and an outdoor hydrotherapy pool It offers treatments based on aromatic products from brightening facials to hot stone massages Book now There are over 3,000 miles of footpaths and bridleways to explore across the rolling hills and meandering valleys in the Cotswolds as you stumble across charming English towns built with honey-coloured stone and historic English landmarks For the most well-known ramble across the Cotswolds countryside the region’s defining 102-mile-long route that begins in the picturesque town of Chipping Campden in Gloucestershire we recommend the sections between Cleeve Hill and Dowdeswell and Cold Ashton to Bath The landscape has plenty of other sights to behold and paths to tread Aldwyns to Bibury which highlights some of the area’s prettiest villages and Winchcombe to Cleeve Hill which covers the Cotswolds’ most ancient landmark Read more: The best walks in the Cotswolds Trips to villages such as Broadway and Bourton-on-the-Water market towns like Chipping Campden and the ever-photographed parish of Castle Combe with its Cotswold stone cottages will allow you to immerse yourself in some of the prettiest destinations in the UK Aside from its honeypot villages attracting tourists all year round the Cotswolds also boasts historic houses like Sudeley Castle and Blenheim Palace the Westonbirt Arboretum sits as one of the most beautiful plant collections on the planet There are a whole range of museums too to delve into the Cotswolds’ past while Belas Knap is one of many Neolithic remains scattered among the lands Read more: This is what to do when you visit the ‘knockout’ market town voted UK’s best place to live Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies {"adUnitPath":"71347885/_main_independent/gallery","autoGallery":true,"disableAds":false,"gallery":[{"data":{"title":"Thyme - Meadow Spa - Pool1","description":"Thyme, Costwolds, UK","caption":"Discover spa experiences at The Pig in the Cotswolds Discover spa experiences at The Pig in the Cotswolds A MAN is awaiting sentence for drug dealing Ricky Knight appeared in the dock at Reading Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday admitted possessing the Class B-controlled drug cannabis with intent to supply it in Reading on May 22 last year who was legally represented by Adonis Daniel They ordered these on an ‘all options’ basis and reserved the right to send the case to the crown court for sentencing should they deem their own powers of punishment insufficient Mr Knight was meanwhile released on unconditional bail The leader of West Berkshire Council has hit back at the leader of Reading Borough Council and the Reading West and Mid Berkshire MP about the future composition of local councils They want a ‘Greater Reading’ authority – as they say it suits areas like Tilehurst and Calcot better MP Olivia Bailey has even written to the minister of state for local government saying residents in those areas “look to Reading for shopping and leisure” which were made following West Berkshire Council’s submission of a proposal to create a new Ridgeway Council with South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Council suggest that Reading and West Berkshire’s boundaries could be re-drawn if the proposal is accepted “The Ridgeway proposal is truly a proposal for the whole of West Berkshire and its two Oxfordshire neighbours and has the potential to improve services for everyone who lives in the area,” said West Berkshire Council leader Jeff Brooks (Lib Dem “It is very disappointing that those who do not represent our area have decided to comment on our proposal without fully understanding the benefits it could have “Calcot and Tilehurst became part of Newbury District Council in 1974 they formed part of Bradfield Rural District Council “They have never been part of Reading Borough and there is no reason why this should change “Residents from Tilehurst may travel to Reading to do their shopping just as residents from Hungerford may go to Swindon to do theirs “These are not services provided by the council and are not relevant to the important conversation about local government reorganisation “Those that we are responsible for – schools and it is across these that residents living in West Berkshire benefit from demonstrably higher quality services and lower levels of council tax “And we’ve invested in our eastern communities we have opened the new award-winning facilities for social emotional and mental health facility at Kennet Valley Primary School and the Badgers Hill i-college in Calcot; and will be opening a new pitch at Cotswold Leisure Centre in a few weeks “To suggest that West Berkshire residents would be better served in Reading is unwelcome and we are confident that the Ridgeway proposal would deliver for everyone in West Berkshire.” The Government’s Devolution White Paper was published in late 2024 and will see the creation of new larger unitary authorities of around 500,000 people These new unitaries are intended to be created by merging existing local authority areas with neighbouring districts which share clear geographical economic and social links; there is no suggestion that splitting existing local authority unitary areas is being considered which was approved by West Berkshire’s executive last week has been submitted in response to a Government invitation following its announcement in December to end two-tier authorities People are being urged to be careful when crossing paths and bridges in the event of further chilly spells Newburytoday was contacted by residents about the icy conditions of the footbridge over the M4 between Calcot and Theale — where people claim to have fallen over — following the recent cold snap earlier this month “It is the worst I’ve seen it in years,” said John Seto regarding the patches of sheet ice that were present along different parts of the bridge “I did see a boy lose balance and fall over on his bike (on January 9),” he added The route is frequently used by Calcot children to attend school in Theale, especially now with emergency roadworks affecting access to the village. But while the ice on this footbridge has since thawed, what happens if we get more cold weather? West Berkshire Council confirmed the footbridge is not routinely treated under its Winter Service Plan, as is the case for most footbridges across the district. “We are looking to include this on our footbridge treatment list when carrying out the consultation for next year’s winter service plan,” a spokesperson told us. “This footway suffered, as did many others, during the recent very cold snap, but has since thawed.” Alan Macro (Lib Dem, Theale) confirmed he has also called on the council to include the bridge in next year’s plan. But will any action be taken to treat the footbridge in case of any more cold snaps before next year? Still no, as the bridge doesn’t feature in the current season’s winter service plan, the council confirmed. The council added it only treats footbridges listed in Appendix S of its Winter Service Plan and where the criteria for treatment has been met. These include Monkey Bridge (Newbury), Northcroft River (Newbury), St Mary’s (Shaw-cum-Donnington) and Diamond Jubilee (Hungerford). Overall, it cares for approximately 232 footbridges, based on its Highway Asset Management Plan 2016/17 to 2020/21. And what exactly is the criteria for treatment? According to the same document, only footbridges identified in the footbridge treatment network (appendix J) will receive precautionary treatment when hoar frost and/or ice have been experienced for an unbroken period of 72 hours or more. It also notes that treatment/clearance of snow from footbridges will be prioritised when resources become available. Have you been affected by ice on footpaths or footbridges in Theale or anywhere else in the district? Tell us your experiences at newsdesk@newburynews.co.uk Multiple factors can influence our weather during the winter months, according to the Met Office. One is North Atlantic Oscillation, the year-to-year change in the direction of the winds over the North Atlantic region. Strong westerly winds from the Atlantic bring milder maritime air to the UK, and with them increased rainfall and windstorms. For the UK, this means more of our weather will come from the north or east – which in winter means colder, drier and potentially snowy conditions. The NAO can be affected by external factors, including the polar vortex, the circulation of winds high up in the stratosphere. During winter, the polar vortex can strengthen and weaken, influencing our change of weather. Arctic sea ice can also reflect sunlight back into the atmosphere. If the temperature between the equator and the North Pole reduces due to declining sea ice, it could potentially reduce the strength of the westerly winds, leading to a greater risk of cold winters. But warming could also cause air to rise over the Arctic, leading to a reduced risk of cold winters. First published: November 28, 2024 06:32 PM The 'calçot' season officially kicked off in Catalonia this week, with a harvest of over 18 million predicted. Calçots, a unique variety of onion that can be described as a cross between a leek and a spring onion, are a staple of Catalan culture. Originating from Valls in Tarragona, western Catalonia, calçots will be the highlight of barbecue-style gatherings across the country in the coming weeks. The season for calçots begins in November and ends in April, but its peak time symbolically is in January, with a great feast in Valls.  This year, farmers are anticipating a bumper season in both quality and quantity. Thanks to recent rains, the calçots are expected to be "fantastic," with more than 18 million set to be harvested. Restaurants in Alt Camp hope to host over half a million 'calçotades' -traditional gatherings to eat calçots- slightly surpassing last year’s figures. The season was officially launched by 94-year-old Instagrammer Iaia Angeleta, who honored the legacy of the older generation who dedicated their lives to farming. "The name 'calçots' comes from the word 'calçar,' and 'calçar' means when we plant the leaf and it starts to grow, we cover it to make it grow in a long form," Ricote explains. In English, this technique is known as hilling. The word also means 'to wear on one's foot' or 'to shoe' and it comes from the Latin term 'calceus' for a type of boot worn in ancient Rome. Calçots can get messy. They are eaten in a specific way, by holding the green leaves in the center and peeling off the sooty outermost layer. Dip them in the orange 'salvitxada' sauce, and lower them into your mouth from above. Bibs, called 'pitets', are usually provided in restaurants and sometimes gloves are too, but you should still expect to get dirty. One of the most important aspects of calçots is the ritual of eating them. These barbecued onions served on terracotta tiles are not commonly eaten at home, but more so as the centerpiece of events known as calçotades, popular social gatherings with friends and family that usually take place from January to March. Each year, Valls hosts the 'Gran Festa de la Calçotada', a huge calçot festival, complete with competitions for calçot growers, sauce makers, and of course an eating contest. Listen to this episode of our podcast Filling the Sink to learn more about calçots. Get the day's biggest stories right to your phone The MP for Reading West and Mid Berkshire met with constituents to discuss the future of the NHS last week Last Thursday, residents of Reading West and Mid Berkshire shared their experiences of using the NHS – and their ideas on how to improve it – at a workshop attended by Olivia Bailey MP in Calcot. “We all know the challenges facing the NHS after 14 years of mismanagement and decline under the Conservatives,” she told newburytoday “I am very grateful to the residents who shared their experiences and their ideas Health and social care secretary Wes Streeting has previously said: “The NHS is going through the worst crisis in its history “Our 10 Year Health Plan will transform the NHS to make it fit for the future and it will have patients’ and staff’s fingerprints all over it.” Residents can visit the consultation platform at https://change.nhs.uk/en-GB/projects/start-here Or visit via the NHS app to share your views The National Health Service was founded in 1948 to provide free healthcare services for all But complaints of difficulties getting GP appointments, long waits in A&E, a lack of integrated care and poor working conditions for frontline workers have dominated the discourse surrounding this institution in recent years The Labour Government announced its Change NHS consultation in October to shape its new 10 Year Health Plan for England The plan will focus on three big shifts in healthcare from hospital to community analogue to digital and sickness to prevention Boutique Hotelier Calcot & Spa in the Cotswolds was announced as the winner of the Best Boutique Spa category at the Boutique Hotelier Awards 2024 last night This award gives credit to a hotel’s spa facility that has raised the bar for luxury wellness and enriched the guest journey The Best Boutique Spa award was sponsored by Journey and was presented by Laura Meeson Calcot & Spa is a hotel that has responded to consumer trends by undertaking a huge expansion project in order to create The Grain Store and make a spa that is not just about relaxing treatments Finalists in the Best Boutique Spa category included: The Boutique Hotelier Awards 2024 took place on October 15 the evening of the first night of The Independent Hotel Show The glittering ceremony saw close to 300 hoteliers from across the UK gather to hear the much-anticipated results representing properties from London to the Lake District Guests were treated to a sparkling wine reception and a three-course meal before settling down for the awards presentation There were 15 award categories on the night including a special Lifetime Achievement Award To see the full list of winners from the night A CONVICTED child rapist has been told he will likely die in prison During his trial at Reading Crown Court in July predatory paedophile Anthony Shackell had appeared to smirk as his victims bravely gave evidence without screens At a sentencing hearing at the same court on Friday But he appeared to wipe away a tear as his defence counsel said his advanced age meant “Bullingdon (prison) may be his last home.” Following his trial the jury convicted the married of historic sexual misconduct towards children plus two charges involving one girl aged just eight Shackell violently raped one of the complainants after threatening her family if she did not comply He also raped another female and sexually assaulted an eight-year-old had eventually contacted one another and went to the police although an initial investigation resulted in no further action at the time But then Shackell sexually assaulted the eight-year-old The father reported the matter to police - who then reopened the case finally resulting in the current convictions In a victim impact statement read to the court one of the complainants said Shackell’s crimes had resulted in “severe consequences” for her education and mental health She added: “I have to battle the demons I live with every day “I feel he is still winning because he has lived his life while I’m still living in the shadow of his crimes.” At Friday’s sentencing hearing Simon Molyneux Shackell had lost a substantial amount of weight He added: “Prison is obviously taking a grave toll on him…I don’t want to make too much of this but Bullingdon may be his last home; he’s a very frail elderly gentleman and hopefully the prison staff will look after him as best they can.” Judge Alan Blake told Shackell: “You might have got away with what you’d done had your propensity for sexually abusing children not re-emerged Mirroring the wording in the victim impact statement Judge Blake added: “You’ve had your whole life to live while (your victims) are still living in the shadow of your crimes “You preyed upon them for your sexual gratification; I must apply the guidelines imposed by the Sentencing Council.” Shackell was sentenced to 18 years imprisonment At least two-thirds of that must be served behind bars; the remainder would be served on licence in the community Given Shackell’s frailty and advanced age should he ever be released Judge Blake considered a Sexual Harm Prevention Order to be unnecessary However he was placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life Judge Blake said that he hoped the conclusion of the proceedings would help the victims on their healing journey A MOTORIST caught driving without due care and attention had been taking drugs On another occasion Kashif Chowdhary was caught drug-driving while uninsured Reading magistrates heard last December 23 admitted driving a bronze BMW 320D on the A4 Bath Road in Theale last March 28 when the amount of the Class B-controlled drug cannabis in his system exceeded the specified limit Chowdhary also admitted driving without due care and attention on the same occasion he pleaded guilty to driving a black BMW on Hogarth Avenue when the amount of cannabis in his system exceeded the specified limit Chowdhary admitted driving without due care and attention on that occasion District judge Samuel Goozee sentenced him to 18 weeks imprisonment was necessary because Chowdhary had demonstrated a “flagrant disregard for people and their property” Chowdhary was ordered to complete 100 hours of unpaid community work and required to pay £85 costs plus a statutory victim services surcharge Residents have reacted to West Berkshire Council’s proposal to outsource three of its adult social care centres to an external provider. It expects the decision to generate £469,000 in annual budget savings. But some residents are concerned about their relatives who rely on these services, many elderly or those with learning difficulties. Shirley Andrews, 88, from Purley, suffers from mixed dementia and has visited Greenfield House in Calcot for the past two years. Her family said she has hugely benefitted from the activities and support she receives. But last week they found out this could all change. “It's been a really upsetting to find this out,” her daughter-in-law, who lives opposite Mrs Andrews, told newburytoday. “We help with all her care needs. We want to fight and get as many people on board with this.” The family said they currently pay £62.56 a week for Mrs Andrews to attend the day centre, plus £32.50 a week for her meals and £37.50 to transport her to and from the venue — totalling £530.24 a month. Her family added that without the centre’s support, Mrs Andrews may have to move into a care home. Her daughter-in-law, who wished to remain anonymous, added: “It's a massive thing. It's her routine. “When it comes to the weekends, her mood will go down because all she'll be focusing on is the day care centre. “She can't wait to get back to the day care centre and Sunday will be where she perks up a little bit. It keeps her safe and it's good for her mental health. “It's also a respite for us as a family that she's there Monday to Friday because we have children ourselves with special needs. “If she didn't go there, we would possibly be looking at a care home, which is not what she or we would want as a family.” A letter from the council told the family it was withdrawing its day services “due to significant financial pressures” and it would be shortly convening a project team to engage with external providers on how to continue this provision. West Berkshire’s executive member for adult social care and public health Patrick Clark (Lib Dems, Newbury Wash Common) explained: “This has been a difficult decision for the council, but we find ourselves in exceptional circumstances. “Our priority remains ensuring that service users receive the care and support they need. “On that basis, this will be a phased process to allow time for us to speak to all of our services users and their families and carers to get a clear picture of their needs and how these will be met in the future. “We will engage with providers of day services to explore future delivery models. These conversations will shape the offer from providers. “Throughout this process we are committed to ensuring continuity of support for all individuals, and we will also provide the necessary support to our staff during this transition.” Newburytoday understands Greenfield House currently remains open. The other two centres are Hungerford Resource Centre and the Phoenix Resource Centre in Newbury. 2024Photo: Courtesy of Calcot & SpaSave this storySaveSave this storySaveAll products featured on Vogue are independently selected by our editors we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links Welcome to Vogue’s first-ever spa guide—a compendium of the 100 best spas worldwide pulling from the expertise of our global editors There is a lot out there in the world of wellness and we are here to sort the cryo from the cold plunge the infrared light treatment from the IV infusion Or if your path is a more holistic one—there’s something for you here While the lobby and café area are bustling spots where you can imagine the great and the good of the local set gathering after the school run there are plenty of hidden spots to chill out when the chatter has died down Special mention should also go to the spa’s hot tub which is worthy of an Instagram account all of its own but one which takes center stage in a lavender-filled courtyard next to an artfully placed (and usually roaring) outdoor fire Photo: Courtesy of Calcot & SpaWhat’s the vibe?If you arrive at the spa before 9 a.m chances are you might find yourself alone with just a green juice and your thoughts for company Fast-forward two hours when the Cotswolds’ kids are safely ensconced in school and their parents can chill the winding two-story layout means that it never really feels full and there are plenty of relaxation rooms to park yourself in Photo: Courtesy of Calcot & SpaWhat should you try?Facials and pedis all take place in one of the seven treatment rooms and though the treatments are all excellent it’s the whole spa experience that I think is worth going for I made the most of the early morning spring sunshine and arrived at 7 a.m Blissful birdsong and the scent of woodsmoke soundtracked my solo dip in the hot tub before I retreated upstairs for a sauna and steam overlooking the main pool What Calcot does really well is bring the outside in which means there is plenty of pretty indoor flora and fauna dotted around as well as perfectly placed loungers next to huge windows to take in the views it felt only right to take a moment and relax which I did in the (extreme) comfort of one of the newly refurbished spa lounges Photo: Courtesy of Calcot & SpaHow environmentally friendly is it?Sustainability comes as standard here in terms of minimal plastic usage and signposted reminders about mindful use of robes and towels but the real standout feature is the hotel’s rewilding scheme the program has really taken off with an abundance of wildflower planting and organic farming the estate planted over 21,000 native trees to help offset its carbon contribution and a new initiative has seen the employment of a herd of Belted Galloway cows which act like natural lawnmowers and aid with sustainable grazing Not just content with providing spa facilities and a huge childcare crèche in The Playbarn (with four hours of free childcare offered to each overnight child guest) the latest addition to the estate is the Grain Store a gym and fitness sanctuary that opened in February 2024 it looks like a state-of-the-art members club and a fully equipped exercise studio for classes There’s also a six-piece outdoor gym and a dedicated postworkout stretch space courtesy of Proverb’s Assisted Stretch Pod Day guests visiting the spa are welcome alongside hotel guests but like many of its counterparts in this part of the country you’ll be allowed various privileges like full spa and Grain Store access as well as guest passes you’ll have to sit tight; while Bronze- and Silver-tier memberships are still available the books are currently closed for Gold and Platinum memberships Read more from Vogue’s Global Spa Guide. Francesca’s lifelong ambition was to build a career in the wellness and hospitality industry and in the enviable position of spa director at Calcot & Spa she’s certainly well on her way to fulfilling this dream working with brands including Decleor and Clarins Francesca’s first taste of the hospitality industry was when she joined Calcot in 2004 She says she ‘knew instantly’ this was where she wanted to carve her future in the industry Over the last 20 years Francesca has worked her way up through the ranks from head honcho of treatments to spa business development manager Last year, the hotel opened its exclusive new fitness facility, The Grain Store after a £5m investment and with Francesca leading the charge the new addition has all the ingredients to be a huge success She tells Boutique Hotelier: “When you love what you do it is never a chore and the daily challenges and adventures make this an exciting industry to be part of.” joined The Coniston in September 1998 as a 17-year-old in the role of Trainee Receptionist. The then 20-bedroom hotel opened in December of that year. She spent 15 years working her way up the ladder and was made director in 2013. She has seen lots of development at the hotel Louise says: “I consider myself extremely lucky to have been involved in this incredible journey. Despite our growth with the cornerstones of the Bannister family values remaining The family led influence really does support and enhance the overall growth and innovation of the business.” Louise’s advice for anyone coming into hospitality is: “It’s really easy to get sucked into all the administrative reporting paperwork and day-to-day details of running the hotel. So I schedule some ‘guest time’ and ‘staff care’ into my day It makes me happy and reminds me why I got into this role in the first place.” her career began a decade ago as a receptionist her path led her through the intricacies of the back office specialising in reservations and revenue management and she became heavily immersed in operations signalling a significant milestone for her growth in hospitality It was then that Joanna took the helm of Henrietta Hotel as hotel manager In Joanna’s words: “One of the most rewarding facets of my journey is the opportunity to engage with people from all walks of life This dynamic interaction fuels my fervour for curating unforgettable guest experiences.” Helen and Laurence met at the Savoy Group and in 2003 the couple have constantly reinvested their energy and profits into the evolution of their bold Hand-in-hand with this physical investment is their deep dedication to the building has driven The Queensberry to its four-AA-star status winning countless plaudits and accolades whilst drawing glowing reviews from the media they received their first Michelin star – Bath’s only one – for The Olive Tree Restaurant Christie’s passion for great food and service meant she was destined to work in the hospitality industry She joined Penmaenuchaf in November 2023 from her previous role as restaurant manager at Seren’s Michelin-starred Beach House restaurant in Oxwich She has over 10 years’ experience in the industry including with The Boat House in Henley and in various senior F&B and events supervisory roles at Adare Manor in Limerick including the management of the Michelin-starred Oak Room Restaurant Penny Weston is the director of Moddershall Oaks events venue and restaurant employing over 125 people in the hospitality and wellness sectors She is also the director of Welcome to MADE a wellness centre based at the spa retreat offering memberships The last few years has seen significant investment ploughed into Moddershall Oaks with refurbishment rolled across its restaurants MICE space and private dining as business continues to build at the resort Olivia Byrne opened Eccleston Square Hotel in London with her brothers in 2011 when only 23 years old The property was an early adopter of technology in the hospitality space and became known colloquially as the capital’s first ‘smart hotel’ in 2023 the hotel unveiled a light refurbishment ditching its on-site restaurant in favour of a multi-functional lounge and refreshing all the bedrooms which is the only privately-owned building in York with direct access to the city walls and a painstaking renovation process ensued before the hotel business opened four years later Since then Heraty has worked tirelessly to build up the reputation and service levels at Grays Court In 2021 the hotel was given a Michelin Plate and 3 AA Rosettes for its Bow Room restaurant Helen’s single-minded determination to make the hotel a success is borne out not only by the accolades received but also by the devotion and loyalty of her team Her leadership style fosters and encourages her staff to strive and deliver exceptional customer service reflected in the outstanding feedback received by guests Poppy is a rising star within the hospitality industry her rapid career progression a testament to her exceptional drive and leadership potential showcasing her organisation and attention to detail becoming front of house manager within two years combined with her academic excellence and leadership qualities positions her as a leading woman in the industry are two icons of the hospitality industry and the opening of The Star reconfirmed just how relevant they both still are Wish you all the best and success for coming years Thank you for being a curator of gratitude displaying the art of appreciation with each post on your blog A MOTORIST was caught behind the wheel after drinking more than three-and-a-half times the legal limit Zhala Jordan appeared in the dock at Reading Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday admitted driving a Ford Focus on the A4 Bath Road in Thatcham on Wednesday Tests showed 125mcg of alcohol per 100ml of breath in her system Jordan was fined £500 and made subject to an 18-month community order with an alcohol treatment requirement plus a statutory victim services surcharge of £114 Jordan was banned from driving for 30 months offering customers a weekend of celebrations It is the first major facelift for the Calcot store The new space opened today (Thursday) with a party in the restaurant Tomorrow (Friday) the store holds its regular Swe-DISH Fridays event This sees special offers on meals including meatballs There will be children’s activities across the weekend giving youngsters a chance to get their faces painted or have a glitter tattoo Customers who are IKEA Family members will be able to take advantage of special offers including a £5 discount when spending £50 or £10 when spending £100 The Pincents Kiln Industrial Park store will hold special events across the summer holidays A contest to see who can make a bed the fastest will take place on Wednesdays July 31 and August 7 pillows and throw on to a bed and create an enticing display with the winner receiving a hamper packed with bed textiles and IKEA says the game will be suitable for adults and children with a building session taking place in the restaurant when customers can visit between 11am and 5pm Visit https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/stores/reading/ for more details Boots has shut down closure fears about a planning application for its store at a shopping area in Calcot writes Local Democracy Reporter James Aldridge There are rumours that the store at the Sainsbury’s retail park off Bath Road could close That’s because a plan has emerged to allow for food sales at the unit it occupies A planning agent for the landowners states that Boots is due to close as it is ‘reaching its lease expiry’ The news has led to concern from neighbours about the store’s future a spokesperson has replied that the Boots will remain in place for a number of years to come The Boots spokesperson said: “Boots is aware of this planning application but we would like to assure our customers that we have no plans to close our store in Calcot “Our lease of the building is secure for several more years.” The description of the plan states that the application is to allow the ‘unrestricted use’ of the unit ‘including the sale of both non-food and food and drink products’ You can view the application by typing reference 24/00863/FUL into West Berkshire Council’s planning portal A West Berkshire councillor has warned people to avoid a man who is reportedly ‘chasing girls with a knife’ in neighbourhoods in West Reading A report on social media states that a man had been ‘chasing girls’ and was seen in possession of a knife Other reports state a man has been seen chasing girls in the Calcot the suspect was accosted by a neighbour and his partner in the Oxford Road area The post also states that the suspect was arrested by Thames Valley Police in Belmont Place The police arrested him and then let him go on Thursday then he was chasing girls in Prospect Park “I have two daughters and I’m not allowing them to go out on their own because of it “Will it take a murder to actually lock him up???!!” So many girls have been terrified by him now.” The Facebook post stating that the man was arrested has been circulated on community pages Tilehurst Birch Copse) has told anyone who sees the man to not approach him and either call the police on 101 or 999 in an emergency Thames Valley Police has been contacted for a response and a spokesperson has acknowledged the report Mrs Stewart has urged people not to take the law into their own hands but to report any sighting of the man to the police She added: “I’ve tried to speak to the police I’m a member of those groups as a councillor I’ve been watching what’s been unfolding over the last few years “I felt the need to remind people they seemed to be getting in a bit of a frenzy I didn’t want people taking the law into their own hands people shouldn’t take action – they should contact the police.” Mrs Stewart has also urged calm and for the incident not to develop into ‘a witch hunt’ “People don’t want it to become a witch hunt “There is a person involved who clearly needs help and I really hope someone is giving that individual help I’ve also asked Tilehurst Parish Council to contact the police as well.” King’s Academy Prospect has informed its safeguarding team and Reading Borough Council has been contacted for a reply A CHILD rapist is awaiting sentence after jurors saw through his lies Police first investigated Anthony Shackell’s wicked crimes years ago - but they did not have enough evidence to charge him at the time The former social club treasurer’s fate was eventually sealed by the brave testimony of an eight-year-old girl who he molested more recently The girl’s father had gone to police - and detectives re-opened the original case leading to this month’s jury trial at Reading Crown Court now aged 81 and who was living at Mey Close denied 18 counts involving offences of child rape sexual assault by penetration and sexual touching involving girls He was convicted on all but two of the lesser charges following a week-long trial had told jurors Shackell gained access to one victim and initially would touch her breasts over her clothing Mr Shackell threatened to rape a member of her family if she did not comply Mr Ward-Jackson said: “He pushed her onto the bed “She was struggling and tried to push him off…she was crying - yet he claimed she enjoyed it.” She said Mr Shackell then threatened to rape a member of her family and she had made him promise not to if she co-operated told the court: “I asked him to promise me he wouldn’t do it to them; I made him promise.” The woman told jurors: “I tried to kick him; I said ‘no’ - I asked him to stop “I said ‘please don’t do this; I was crying.” she claimed Mr Shackell told her: “That was good - we’ll do that again.” Mr Shackell behaved in a similar manner to another girl the two victims contacted one another and went to the police Shackell might have gone to his grave with his crimes unpunished but for more recent offending - this time involving the eight-year-old The girl told police: “He put his hand in my pants and touched my privates and I didn’t like it.” She said she pulled his hand out and said ‘stop,’ before bursting into tears and telling her family what had allegedly happened who reopened their original investigation and During the trial he tried to convince jurors that all three victims were liars and that his erectile disfunction meant he had to be innocent gave him a headache and the prosecutor simply had “an evil mind,” he claimed Judge Alan Blake asked for pre-sentence reports He meanwhile denied Shackell bail and remanded him in custody Calcot Park Golf Club has received five new Toro machines on a five-year lease Headlining the fleet is the Reelmaster 5410 with five cutting units for tackling the challenging terrain of the course with unrelenting ease for years situated near Reading on the Berkshire border 100 percent of its machinery fleet is red and that’s as much for its longevity as it is its performance “Toro machinery is bulletproof when it comes to longevity We have fairway mowers here that are up to 13 years old which is impressive for the amount of work they do,” says Tom It’s no surprise then that when the time came to upgrade its machines with a five-year lease deal And one machine in particular that has made its mark is the Reelmaster 5410 with five cylinders.   “The topography at our course is very up and down we’ve got thicker grasses and lots of them and the sheer quantity and the coarser texture can be tough to get through but it presents no problem for Toro and in particular the five-cylinder mower.” In a fleet deal that also includes two new Greensmaster 3400 mowers and Groundsmaster 4000 – all provided by Reesink Turfcare Tom says all the mowers work hand in hand to navigate the Harry Colt designed course and also singles out the Reelmaster 3100 for commendation “We’ve got the 3100 coming in on the lease as well It’s a smaller machine which is why we chose it Our course was built in 1930 and a lot of the complexes are quite small and tight; this sidewinder is flexible enough to get around them whereas others on the market tend to be too bulky for the job.” The club benefits from Reesink’s lease deal which allows it to renew its range of machines every five years “Opting into a lease deal works well for the club,” says Tom in five years from now I’m not only going to get the machines and the brand that performs best on the course; but benefit from the latest technology and the latest machines that could also benefit the course.” And Tom and his team have their sights set on electric power next “We’ll be considering some of the electric machines next time We’re in an urban area and I think this will be helpful with our mowing routines,” he concludes Learn more about Toro’s technology and how it could benefit your course, by calling distributor Reesink at 01480 226800, emailing info@reesinkturfcare.co.uk or visiting www.reesinkturfcare.co.uk A SHOPLIFTER has been given a suspended prison sentence Levi Heholt appeared in the dock at Reading Magistrates’ Court on Monday admitted two charges involving the theft of three hoovers District judge Samuel Goozee ordered Heholt to pay £100 in compensation in lieu of an otherwise statutory victim services surcharge A teenage drug dealer has been sent to the crown court for sentence Justice Rollings appeared in the dock at Reading Magistrates’ Court on Monday admitted possessing a quantity of the Class A-controlled drug heroin with intent to supply it He further admitted possessing a quantity of the Class A-controlled drug ‘crack’ cocaine with intent to supply it Both offences were committed in Reading on October 11 last year Magistrates sent the case to be sentenced by a judge sitting at Reading Crown Court on a date to be fixed Mr Rollings was meanwhile released on unconditional bail A MAN accused of drug dealing has been remanded in custody Damon Gallon appeared in the dock at Reading Magistrates’ Court on Monday is accused of possessing the Class A-controlled drug He is further accused of possessing the Class B-controlled drug cannabis with intent to supply it Mr Gallon is charged with possessing criminal property All the offences were said to have happened in Maidenhead who was legally represented by Bawita Dhanda was told the case was being sent to Reading Crown Court to be dealt with by a judge and District judge Samuel Goozee meanwhile denied him bail and remanded him in custody A MAN violently raped a child after threatening her family if she did not comply Anthony Shackell is also accused of raping another girl and of sexually assaulting an eight-year-old opening the case for the prosecution at Reading Crown Court on Monday said the case involved historic sexual abuse meaning there were probably many more offences committed than had been charged Mr Ward-Jackson added that Mr Shackell gained access to one victim and initially would touch her breasts over her clothing Mr Ward-Jackson told jurors: “All of this was a lead up to much more serious offending “He was testing the water - one might say grooming.” Mr Shackell then threatened to rape a member of her family if she did not comply “She was struggling and tried to push him off…she was crying - he claimed she enjoyed it.” But then Mr Shackell is alleged to have sexually assaulted an eight-year-old resulting in the charges Mr Shackell now faces Mr Shackell denied any sexual contact with any of the girls He explained that Mr Shackell told police the girls had concocted a fake narrative together told the jury Mr Shackell would ply her mother with alcohol in order to gain access to her The woman told the court: “I asked him to promise me he wouldn’t do it to them; I made him promise.”