Home   News   Article A MAN has been convicted of assault causing grievous bodily harm Michael Endersby appeared in the dock at Reading Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday admitted assaulting Liam Hullett in Thatcham on July 4 last year thereby unlawfully and maliciously inflicting grievous bodily harm on him Magistrates adjourned for pre-sentence reports They stipulated these should be prepared on an ‘all options’ basis who was legally represented by Max Riley-Gould was meanwhile released on conditional bail A motorist was caught behind the wheel after drinking more than three times the legal limit Kevin Massey appeared in the dock at Reading Magistrates’ Court on Monday whose address was given as The Wheatsheaf in Chapel Street had pleaded not guilty to driving a motor vehicle on Artillery Road on March 5 last year after drinking more than the legal limit But he did not turn up for his trial and the case was found proved in his absence Tests showed 106mcg of alcohol per 100ml of breath in his system Massey was meanwhile made subject to an interim driving ban A SUSPECTED arsonist has been remanded in custody Patricia Pickett appeared in the dock at Reading Magistrates’ Court on Saturday is charged with damaging a communal area of the housing complex by committing arson there with the intention of endangering life on Thursday who was legally represented by Gianpaolo Damiani is further charged with failing to comply with a Community Protection Notice (CPN) by starting the fire Magistrates sent the case to be dealt with by a judge and by a jury sitting at Reading Crown Court on a date to be fixed Pickett was meanwhile refused bail and was remanded in custody Home   Business   Article The new CEO at West Berkshire Council has his first official day in the job today (Friday) Joseph Holmes’ appointment was ratified at last night’s (Thursday) council executive meeting Mr Holmes was the interim chief executive following the departure of the previous chief executive Nigel Lynn who stepped down from the role in November 2024 He was the council’s finance boss under Mr Lynn He first joined West Berkshire Council in 2008 as chief accountant before moving on to senior roles at Slough Borough Council and Winchester City Council He later returned to West Berkshire Council in 2019 to the executive director role which has included overseeing the council's financial performance The council has recently asked for a £16m bailout owing to budget pressures it says are caused largely by overspend in adult and child social care and special needs costs said: "I am extremely pleased to welcome Joseph as chief executive “I have known Joseph since he joined the council in 2008 and after returning in 2019 and have worked closely with him over the last few months “He has excelled in every role he has undertaken at West Berkshire and I have witnessed his passion for the local area; I know he will continue to deliver for all our residents “Joseph's vision and leadership will be crucial in driving our strategic initiatives and our transformation as a council that is customer-focussed and has integrity and fairness at the front and centre of everything we do." Mr Holmes said: "I am honoured to be appointed chief executive of West Berkshire Council and I am thrilled to be working to help the area I call home “We have some challenging and exciting times ahead of us with significant Government reform devolution and local government reorganisation and ensuring our services can be as strong as possible and I am thrilled the be at the helm of it." Officers have renewed an appeal to help find a man Police said they are growing “more and more concerned” for Stephen whose car was found abandoned near Aldworth said: “We are growing more and more concerned for Stephen’s welfare “We have been working hard to find him since he was reported missing on Sunday 20 April where his car was abandoned with support from Berkshire Lowland Search and Rescue “We are appealing for the public’s help to locate him so if you see Stephen “Anyone with information on Stephen’s whereabouts please contact us and let us know where you are if you see this appeal.” Stephen, who is from Oxford and is aged 53, was reported missing on Sunday, April 20, having not been heard from since March 30. His blue Mazda 3 was found abandoned by a field on the Ridgeway near Aldworth; it is thought to have been there since March 31 People cheer statue’s return in Berkshire town while two RAF engineers have been sentenced for offence Never has the label around Paddington’s neck reading “please look after this bear” been so pertinent On Wednesday morning, a repaired statue of the Peruvian ursine was unveiled in Newbury, Berkshire after it was damaged by two Royal Air Force engineers out on a bender Daniel Heath and William Lawrence, both 22 and engineers at RAF Odiham in Hampshire, were sentenced for the offence at Reading magistrates court in March with the judge telling the men they were “the antithesis of everything Paddington stands for” View image in fullscreen‘I grew up with Paddington,’ said Anthony George, 64. Photograph: Mathilde Grandjean/PAMichael Bond was born in Newbury and the court heard this added to the cultural significance of the statue People cheered on the high street in Newbury as the chair of the Newbury improvement district removed the veil that covered the repaired statue Among those who came to see the unveiling of the statue was Anthony George who had been so devastated by the act of vandalism he has had the marmalade-loving cub tattooed on his leg said: “I wouldn’t miss [the unveiling] for the world.” Free weekly newsletterGet our weekly pop culture email View image in fullscreenAnthony George’s Paddington tattoo Photograph: Mathilde Grandjean/PAOf his tattoo George said: “I just want to symbolise what a wonderful fictional character Paddington is “It clearly says on his name tag ‘look after me’ and hopefully people will adhere to that: be kind the other two that vandalised it weren’t very kind.” Heath and Lawrence were told to pay £2,725 each towards the costs of repairing the statue They were also sentenced to a 12-month community order and required to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work Bond’s creation has enjoyed a resurgence in popularity over the last decade since the release of a trilogy of live-action films which have reportedly grossed nearly $800m (£625m) worldwide A Newbury primary school has taken part in a new initiative with a Brazilian charity to bring pupils and care home residents together The day included fun activities to support the environment held the event at Winchcombe School to take part in Generations of Change an “intergenerational initiative to unite older and younger generations in a mission of environmental health and stewardship” said: “Spending time with the children has been absolutely delightful – their enthusiasm is contagious and they ask the most thoughtful questions “It’s so important to protect the environment because we’ve seen how much it’s changed over the years.” The new programme aims to spread the wisdom of older members of society and the fresh perspectives of the children in hands-on activities linked to climate change The team at Winchcombe Place spearheaded the initiative with more than 1,000 people working to make the event happen including pupils and help from a community-based organisation in Paranagua Grupo Very Good also announced the next project it will be working on which will involve planting at least 1,000 native trees to grow an orchard of lemon residents will be growing pollinator-friendly plants like lavender senior customer relations manager at Winchcombe Place said: “We were thrilled to see our hard work pay off and witness the pupils and residents working together and learning more about sustainability at this fantastic event.” this will be the first of many initiatives that take place in Winchcombe Place not only aiming to teach biodiversity and sustainable living but also to combat loneliness in older people by fostering meaningful connections West Berkshire Council is pleased to announce that the Department for Transport (DfT) has approved our application to trial extended pedestrianisation hours in Newbury Town Centre. This milestone follows a successful pre-trial consultation between September and November 2024 and visitors shared their views on the proposal Starting on 19 May 2025, Newbury's pedestrianisation hours along Northbrook Street, Bridge Street, Bartholomew Street (north), Mansion House Street, Wharf Street, and Market Place will be extended until later in the evening from 10am to 11pm (currently 10am - 5pm) as a trial under an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO) we believe that this now presents a valuable opportunity for the public to engage and share their views whilst a trial is carried out we will run a formal consultation gathering feedback to assess the impact The trial will then remain in place until a decision is made as to whether it is made permanent Pedestrianising the town centre will aim to: Cllr Stuart Gourley Executive Member for the Environment and Highways "We are pleased to have secured Department for Transport approval to trial this important initiative for Newbury Extending pedestrianisation has the potential to create a safer more vibrant town centre while supporting local businesses and promoting sustainability and shape the future of our town centre together." Results from the pedestrianisation pre-trial survey can be found here: https://www.westberks.gov.uk/pedestrianisation-pre-trial Further details on the upcoming formal public consultation will be found on our consultation and engagement hub from 19 May 2025 here: https://www.westberks.gov.uk/consultations Stay informed and have your say by following updates on our website and social media channels This month marks 80 years since the Second World War ended The world celebrated when the Allies accepted Nazi Germany’s unconditional surrender on May 8 And now communities across the country are preparing again to celebrate the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe The breathtaking display of thousands of ceramic poppies is returning to the Tower of London last used to mark the centenary of British involvement in the First World War But what’s happening in West Berkshire and North Hampshire See the list of commemorative events planned in our towns and villages below Have we missed your events and street parties Share the details with us at newsdesk@newburynews.co.uk Traditional games and military vehicles on The Green at Chapel Row from 7pm-10pm on Thursday Live music from Kennet School and Beenham Wind Orchestra and Simon Peters piping Beverages will be supplied by The Bladebone Food is also available to pre-order from The Blackbird Café and a fish and chips van will be onsite from 7.45pm Feel free to bring your own picnics as well 1940s VE-Day Swing Dance at Hungerford Town Hall from 7pm-11pm on Friday Victory in Kingsclere event to show how Kingsclere marked the end of the war jointly hosted by the Kingsclere Village Club and Kingsclere Local History Association from 10am-4pm at the Kingsclere Village Club A selection of photographs and scrapbooks from the village archives will be available for viewing There will be displays including the local Home Guard The nearest available parking is at the public car park outside the Bowling Club in Ashford Hill Road Teas and coffees served throughout the day A pre-booked Victory Tea Party will take place immediately afterwards from 4-6pm Call 01635 297390 or email events@kingsclerevillageclub.co.uk to book your place A Celebration Lunch will be held for the over 65s at the Fair Close Centre featuring fish and chips and entertainment by singer Kitty Mazinsky Booking is essential on 01635 40488 or hello@fairclosecentre.org Community Beacon Lighting Event at Victoria Park from 7pm-10pm Music and speeches will accompany the ceremony Community Day at Victoria Park for all ages from 11am-3pm stalls and games and activities from Kennet District Scouts and local charities military vehicles and displays will also be held from noon at the Newbury Branch of the Royal British Legion followed by refreshments at Thatcham Memorial Hall New Era Players are performing two shows at West Berkshire Museum on May 7/8 poems and anecdotes about this historic day Visit www.westberkshireheritage.org/ west-berkshire-museum to book your place for either show Tickets for these performances are available by visiting the West Berkshire Heritage website Those unable to attend the museum shows can watch the whole performance at New Era Theatre in Wash Common on Friday Visit ticketsource.co.uk/new-era-players to buy your tickets Contact boxoffice@neweraplayers.org or call 07919 916009 for all enquiries for these shows The church and lychgate will be decorated with flags and bunting How has this resulted in closure of the A4 With regards to the closure of the A4 at Speen for several weeks – this is a major arterial transport route and a link that runs from London to Bath Locally it also acts as a high-volume link from the west of West Berks into the hinterland The A4 from the A34 up to Reading is designated as part of England’s MRN – Major Road Network albeit operated and maintained by West Berks Highways is being caused by a New David Wilson Development in Speen on a site that has been allocated in the present Local Plan going back to 2012 and the new Local Plan 2023-2041 As Site Allocation HSA2 and now RSA2 the Site Allocation Policy fails to mention any of the important infrastructure requirements in respect of energy supplies The policy is more concerned with how it fits in the landscape and visual aspect The road access and water supply do get a mention however how it has gone through two Local Plan examinations in public by an experienced Planning Inspector and various subsequent planning application approvals without most of the locals being aware of the impacts on the A4 seems rather odd I hope someone more expert than me from the local planning authority (LPA) will be able to explain how all this rigorous planning scrutiny over many years has resulted in the public and residents being given such a short notice period of such a major disruption when the site has been under discussion for many years last week the new West Berks Highways Local Transport Plan (LTP4) 2025-2040 has been issued A word search for the A4 shows new bus routes and preference for buses at traffic lights However there is no volumetrics or mention of it coping with the additional traffic movements created by the 15,000+ dwellings that the Government has asked West Berks LPA to provide during the duration of this LTP4 Another quick word search for anther ill-fated road to the west – the B4000 Ermin Street – also reveals no specific actions in the action plan despite the many complaints and queries raised at western area planning committees I think it would be advisable for anyone who is interested in our roads networks and longer-term capacity to complete the consultation on the LTP 2025-2040 https://westberks.gov.uk/draft-local-transport-plan I was surprised when I read in this paper the TRO about the upcoming lengthy closure of the A4 But I am even more surprised that this is for a gas main supplying Lapwing Green Why is a new development of homes being built using gas for heating Surely with the economies of scale of a development this size solar electric for heat pumps and/or night storage systems becomes affordable Kim Leadbeater MP will take her Assisted Dying Bill to Parliament for the crucial Report Stage followed by the all-important Third Reading on Friday These are pivotal moments in the journey toward a more compassionate assisted dying law – one that could bring relief and dignity to thousands of terminally-ill and ultimately decide whether the bill progresses Seventy-nine per cent of West Berkshire constituents support the right to choose an assisted death – according to an opinium poll from February 2024 Yet our MPs need to know this directly from you – their constituents call or arrange a meeting with your MP to tell them why this matters to you and your loved ones Remind them that behind every statistic is a person – someone who deserves compassion Newbury Library opened in the Wharf in July 2000 and to celebrate the 25th anniversary this July a special reunion is being organised Everyone who worked at Newbury Library – librarians past and present – during those 25 years is invited to an afternoon tea at the library on Wednesday As a contribution to the tea please bring with you a small offering of cakes/biscuits/scones etc and if you have any photographs of the library since 2000 then do bring along for all to share on the day Please also spread the word to any past members of staff you know who don’t live locally Please confirm if you are able to attend to sjridley.sr48@gmail.com Looking forward to seeing as many of you as possible Put CCTV into car park to prevent fly-tipping Today I carried out some recycling for items that can’t be recycled in the weekly collections I was appalled to see the mess that littered the area in the car park by Waitrose in Thatcham but people seem unable to understand what can be recycled at this site This is fly-tipping and not the first time that this has happened I have heard mention that camera monitoring would help to keep the area clear and clean I would urge the council to install CCTV as a matter of priority More pedestrianisation in town is not needed the annual competition for the most blindingly stupid idea is hotting up in the Liberal Democrats’ intellectually challenged think tank is doing party political broadcasts saying Lib Dem councillors listen to the people our lot go and organise a trial run to extend pedestrianisation Their own consultation said unequivocally that it was not wanted is there any economic benefit to making it harder and more expensive for traders to get deliveries If deliveries are only allowed from 11pm to 10 am chances are the drivers are going to be on night shift rates and the shops will have to employ someone overnight to open up and let the delivery come in The pedestrianisation we have currently is bad enough in that you either have to pay quite a lot to get near the shops or walk a long distance with your goods and people are not going to walk that far with heavy shopping I think it is going to push people away from the town centre and even more people will shop with Amazon If they are hell bent on a pedestrianised centre why not just make it in the Market Place and return Bartholomew Street and Northbrook Street to two-way traffic with say 30 minutes free parking along the sides Just like it was when the shops flourished before pedestrianisation where people sit out in the evening warmth and sun Northbrook and Bartholomew Streets are already in the shade The part of the Market Place that may get evening warmth already has outside dining and seating it’s just wasting more money and killing off the town A chill down my spine over pedestrian plan Reference ‘Hair-brained scheme being forced upon us’ (Newbury Weekly News I agree wholeheartedly with every word in Dave Shield’s letter… all so true I am especially concerned about the views of the majority being disregarded just one word comes into my mind… totalitarianism Egg production factory should be turned down The hamlet of Marsh Benham are battling the construction of an industrial-sized egg production unit which is likely to bring them health issues horrendous smells and a plague of flies of biblical proportions Sir Richard Sutton Ltd claim that the proposed egg production unit will initially house 32,000 chickens in state-of-the-art facilities and will be answering the need for securing UK food production this mammoth egg production unit does not need to be placed next to a hamlet who have been good neighbours to the estate The estate own thousands of acres of land and this facility does not need to be placed in an area of natural beauty Sir Richard Sutton Ltd portrays itself to be a ‘welcoming’ family firm – it is not They own major hotels in London and the chief executive comes from the retail There is intrinsically nothing wrong with this Why have we not learned what the effects of micro particles into the atmosphere do all these have been scientifically proven to produce major health issues in animals and humans and yet West Berkshire Council (WBC) is still considering this industrial egg production unit There are no employee benefits for West Berkshire from this proposed factory the A4 is used as a relief road when the M4 and A34 has problems and so will add to the traffic congestion and potentially a major compensation claim will be coming down the lane for WBC from environmental and health damage When will people care enough to stand up and support this community I spoke to a neighbour about this and was told: “Not my problem that was what the Post Office workers faced when trying to battle against their employer and Fujitsu Hopefully sense will prevail and this proposed egg production unit will be moved to a spot where harm will not be done Please help us to shape the future of Baughurst I am writing to draw your readers’ attention to the ongoing Neighbourhood Planning process in the parish of Baughurst and the future of this community is being shaped right now so it’s crucial that everyone living and working here should play a part in how that future unfolds Drawing on the views of the whole community the Neighbourhood Plan will set the direction for land use – from housing and development to the protection of our countryside and green spaces It’s an opportunity for us to ensure that Baughurst’s needs and character are respected while planning for a sustainable growth that benefits everyone If you have a vested interest in Baughurst either by living in the parish or working here please get involved by visiting our website at https://www.baughurstnp.uk clicking on ‘Have Your Say’ and filling out the survey This is our chance to have a direct influence on decisions that will affect the quality of life here for generations to come Your thoughts and opinions are essential in creating a plan that works for everyone in the community to assist with events and to contribute to discussions So please make contact – every bit of help makes a difference This plan is about more than just development; it’s about making sure our community remains a place where we all feel connected we can create a Baughurst that works for all of us Anne AyresChairman of the Baughurst Neighbourhood Plan steering group A new café has opened in Newbury today (Friday) Hillen’s Kitchen opened its doors at 8am today in the Faraday Road unit recently vacated by Mrs B’s Sammy Hillen is the man behind the new venture The 29-year-old grew up in Newbury and now lives with his wife and three sons in Thatcham He said the new eatery would have ‘brunchy vibes’ this is a bit of a switch from his previous roles where he worked in fine dining restaurants For the past four years Mr Hillen has been a private chef but now he wants to create a bistro of his own He said: “I love what I do and now I just want to create my own business here “I want to do restaurant nights going forward too “But one step at a time; I just want to build a local clientele now.” Mayor of Newbury Andy Moore shared his thoughts at the opening saying: “It's part of the Mayor's job to celebrate people opening businesses and I wish them all the very best on behalf of the people of Newbury “We've got somebody whose Newbury born and bred and works in local places Mr Moore added this is the 207th event he has attended during his civic year as mayor Mr Hillen added he will be offering English breakfasts He said there will be ‘grab and go’ options And anyone working on Faraday Road will get 10% off if they visit Hillen’s Kitchen “It’s going to be a lot of hard work and some stressful times Hillen’s Kitchen will be open from 8am-4pm A man has been sent to the crown court charged with raping a woman Lee Abery appeared in the dock at Reading magistrates’ Court on Wednesday is accused of committing the offence in Newbury between specific dates last year who was legally represented by Paul Gilmartin He was told the charge was indictable only – meaning it can only be heard by a higher court Magistrates therefore sent the case to be dealt with by a judge and Mr Abery was meanwhile released on conditional bail A new bar is coming to Newbury town centre And the man behind the new venture is Mark Goldsmith Mr Goldsmith previously worked at Vodafone and before that, ran town centre watering hole The Clock Tower Inn in the early 2000s He told newburytoday: “I’ve always said to myself And giving customers an idea of what to expect It’s just basically a place for good ale and wine a freehouse is how I’ve been referencing it in my own mind “I can buy my beer and my alcohol from anywhere I want.” The venue promises a selection of real ales Mr Goldsmith said he considered taking on other local pubs like The Catherine Wheel and King Charles Tavern before settling on the vacant unit I just had to work out a way of making it work,” he added Customer opening hours will be from noon to 10pm Sunday to Thursday Home   Lifestyle   Article The excitement is building… it’s just five more days before the Newbury Spring Festival Parade brings music The 46th Newbury Spring Festival will open in joyful community-driven fashion on Saturday with the inaugural Festival Parade bringing music and dance to the heart of the town Created in partnership with Corn Exchange Newbury and 101 Outdoor Arts this new event sets the stage for an exciting two weeks of music and celebration the Festival Parade reflects the collaborative spirit and community focus at the heart of this year’s programme This year’s Parade will be led by the striking Giant Bandmaster puppet The event will begin at 4.30pm at the Methodist Church with a lively dance performance by Reuben Spencer Dance Company to awaken the Giant and launch the procession with artists stationed along the route contributing to a celebratory soundtrack of strings The programme includes performances by local cellists Audiences will also encounter saxophonist Joe Pollard and the East Woodhay Silver Band bringing brass and wind music to multiple locations along the street Adding to the rhythm and energy of the event ukulele groups and Good Vibes Music Academy students will energise audiences and bring further variety to the afternoon before culminating in a performance in the Market Square with members of the Metronomes Steel Orchestra and Sonia Brown Dance Company greeting the giant bandmaster puppet in the Market Place which will take place in Newbury town centre during Saturday afternoon The opening night will continue with performances across venues in Newbury from the English Chamber Orchestra and The Nat King Cole Story launching the full 2025 Festival programme in style Further details about the Parade and the full Newbury Spring Festival 2025 programme are available at www.newburyspringfestival.org.uk · 12 May: Good Vibes Music Academy Showcase · 13 May: Sense & Musicality: Jane Austen and Music · 13 May: Evening of Indian Classical Music A live entertainment venue has been broken into in Newbury is temporarily closed after suffering a break-in the early hours of yesterday morning (Sunday) A post on the club’s Facebook page shortly after the incident said it had closed “until further notice” due to “unforeseen circumstances.” But it confirmed online today (Monday) it is hoping to reopen to customers this Wednesday (April 9) A Thames Valley Police said: “We received a report of a business burglary at a bar on Cheap Street “The force is conducting a thorough investigation including obtaining and reviewing CCTV footage.” Police confirmed the incident is not linked to the Section 34 dispersal order in place in the town centre yesterday Police are urging anyone with information or footage to call 101 The club was contacted by newburytoday about the incident but did not wish to comment at this stage Please contact the club for any queries about upcoming events Course record for Matt Rossiter in the Newbury Road Club 25 mile time trial on April 21st; Fastest female was Jasmine Holmes  A new course record was set and some great times posted as the rain held off for Newbury Road Club’s 25m TT on the H25/1A course along the A4 on Monday Twenty one riders came home in less than an hour whilst Matt Rossiter (AS Test Team) delivered a phenomenal time of 48:11 in the ambient conditions also produced an excellent time to come in 2nd behind Matt in 52:08 Third place went to Tom Quinlan (FTP Racing) also with a fast time of 52:35 Newbury Road Club’s fastest rider was Tim Cartwright Following Tim was Asher Gray (Welwyn Wheelers) with a brilliant time of 53:38 at the age of 14 Ian Greenstreet and Gwen Kinsey rode their tandem home in an excellent time of 55:53 Fastest female across the line was Jasmine Holmes (Total Tri Training) in 59:29 and fastest on a Road Bike was Peter Sibley (Watford Velo Sport) in 57:54 Thanks to the support team Ian Chitty, Bob Lyle and Alan Alewood | https://www.newburyroadclub.co.uk/tt-results Send your results as well as club, team & event news here Powered by WordPress. Designed by Police are appealing for witnesses to an alleged assault in Newbury town centre at the junction with Albert Road in Newbury The offender then left the scene in a vehicle being driven by someone else The incident occurred at around 9.50am last Wednesday Investigating officer PC Stuart Davis said: “I am appealing to anyone who was in the area and may have seen this assault to please come forward to talk to us “I would ask anybody who may have dash-cam footage to please check and contact us if it has captured anything that may assist the investigation.” anonymously call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 Newbury hosts year-round racing – utilise the dropdown list below to select a raceday Enjoy admission to two of Newbury’s Saturday music racedays in 2025 Newbury hosts year-round racing – utilise the dropdown list to select a raceday and book hospitality explore our signature suites in this window The Hennessy Restaurant recently undergone a £1,500,000 refurbishment Lounge 303 a 36-room hotel nestled at the heart of the Racecourse estate Access the best price for your stay by booking direct If you’d like to get in touch with a member of Conference & Events team simply complete the short form below and we’ll be in touch If you’d like to get in contact with us simply complete the short form below and a member of our team will be in touch shortly Home Racing News Newbury Racecourse Offer Free Tickets To Those Living Locally Newbury Racecourse has announced a series of exclusive offers for those living close to the Berkshire track; the latest in a series of initiatives introduced by the Racecourse to make its racing experiences as accessible as possible The new offers are geared around super-discounted £10 tickets for a number of standout racedays in 2025 To celebrate the introduction of these new discounts those living locally are also able to claim a pair of complimentary tickets to the Dubai Duty Free Spring Trials on Friday 11th April Designed for those living immediately in and around the Racecourse the offers can be enjoyed by those residing in the areas covered by the postcodes listed below: The Dubai Duty Free Spring Trials – for which those living locally can claim a pair of complimentary tickets – also sees a craft beer festival hosted at the Racecourse with the complimentary tickets on offer entitling access to both the racing and the beer festival In addition to the free ticket offer for Friday 11th April those living locally can make the most of super-discounted £10 tickets for the following racedays: o Summer Evening Series with The 70s Disco – Thursday 3rd July o Summer Evening Series with The Wild Wild West – Thursday 10th July o Summer Evening Series with The Ibiza Beach Club – Thursday 24th July o BetVictor Flat Finale with Oktoberfest – Friday 24th October o BetVictor Christmas Raceday – Wednesday 17th December Those residing in the listed postcodes can purchase up to four £10 tickets for each raceday while Under 18s go free to Dubai Duty Free Spring Trials on Friday 11th April all of the racedays listed above and 27 racedays in total in 2025 These new offers add to Newbury’s ongoing commitment to making its racing experiences more accessible and follow all tickets for Newbury’s 2025 racedays being available for less than they were in 2024 and the Racecourse joining the popular Rewards4Racing loyalty programme enabling fans the opportunity to save on tickets Chief Executive at Newbury Racecourse commented on the new offers: “At Newbury we are committed to making our racedays as affordable and accessible as possible to everyone and it makes great sense to offer the best value to our neighbours as they are literally best placed to make the most of these offers “The racedays included within this offer have been specially selected as they boast lots happening off the track to complement the thrilling racing action on it We’re working hard to build closer ties with the local community and this package of offers hopefully demonstrates our commitment to this and what better way to kick things off than by inviting our neighbours to come racing as our guest on Friday 11th April.” 2025 is set to be Newbury’s biggest ever year of music with the Racecourse hosting four music racedays this summer Pop icons Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Ella Henderson will perform live after racing on Saturday 19th July (Weatherbys Super Sprint Day) before Bjorn Again visit on Friday 15th August and Clean Bandit take to the stage on Saturday 16th August (Hungerford Day) BRIT-award winner James Bay rounds off the huge summer of music performing live after racing on Saturday 20th September (Dubai Duty Free International Weekend) The lowest priced tickets and passes for this summer’s music & racing action are available until Friday 28th March and can be explored via the button below Details on everything happening at Newbury Racecourse this year can be found via the button below Subscribe to be the first to hear of news and the latest offers Racing Don’t forget that part of a busy road between Newbury and Hungerford will be closed for six weeks from today (Monday The A4 between Station Road and the A34 roundabout in Speen will be shut until Sunday As previously reported by the Newbury Weekly News critics of the project have predicted there would be accidents and warned: “Newbury will be one big glorious traffic jam.” A convoluted diversion route of around 8.5 miles (14km) is in place throughout the works which is to allow infrastructure works for a new David Wilson Homes development in Speen Motorists will apparently be unable to access The Hare and Hounds pub restaurant from the Hungerford direction Meanwhile the district council provided the Newbury Weekly News with the following statement: “For anyone wishing to travel west along the A4 Bath Road the diversion route will be via the A339 northbound “For anyone wishing to travel east along the A4 Bath Road the diversion route will be via the A34 northbound “Over the dates of May 16 to May 19 the diversion routes will be: for anyone wishing to travel west along the A4 Bath Road “For anyone wishing to travel East along the A4 Bath Road “Access and egress to the A34 from the west will remain unaffected at all times “Access and egress to the A34 from the east will be obstructed by the road closure and traffic will need to follow the diversion route(s) “Access to Hungerford from Newbury via the A4 will not be possible and traffic will need to follow the diversion route(s) “Traffic joining the A4 to the west of the closure will be unaffected.” There are further roadworks taking place in the area during the same time too with lane and slip road closures planned on the A34 around Speen during May Hampshire County Council has said that there will be surface treatment works taking place on the A339 at Headley The road will be closed throughout the two weeks while the works are carried out with a 5.5 miles (9km) diversion route taking motorists through the village of Ashford Hill The ‘Mega Tower’ play area in Newbury’s Victoria Park has been vandalised – and the town council has closed it to the public and the police are investigating The Mega Tower was damaged over the recent Easter bank holiday weekend the town council’s parks and open spaces supervisor said: “This act of criminal damage has been reported to the police and we are currently working with them to investigate the matter the Mega Tower has had to be closed for the foreseeable future to ensure the safety of all park users “We understand how much the community values this play equipment and we are very disappointed that we have no choice but to close it.” But the town council has good news to report in that planning permission has officially been granted by West Berkshire Council for the new community café refurbishment at Victoria Park “The project will move to the next stage on April 29 when we open the tender process to construction companies,” said Roger Hunneman chairman of the town council’s Victoria Park sub-committee “We are particularly eager to hear from local developers as we aim to support the local economy while delivering a space built with community values in mind “We are aiming for the café build to be completed before the end of the year in time for residents and visitors to enjoy it during the festive season.” A man is waiting to be sentenced for an offence of dangerous driving Louis Dean appeared in the dock at reading Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday admitted driving a Vauxhall Vectra dangerously on the A4 Bath Road on Lower Way and on Church Gate in Thatcham on September 18 last year He further admitted doing so while uninsured Magistrates adjourned for pre-sentence reports to be prepared and warned Dean that they reserved the right to send the case to be sentenced by a judge sitting at Reading Crown Court should they consider their their own powers of punishment were insufficient Dean was meanwhile released on unconditional bail A MAN breached a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) imposed for having indecent images of children Daniel Aldridge appeared in the dock at Reading Magistrates’ Court on Thursday admitted breaching the SHPO by deleting messages from his mobile phone at Cold Ash on August 22 last year The SHPO was imposed at Reading Crown Court on September 29 Aldridge had been convicted of making an indecent video of a child in Category A – the most extreme form of such material – in Newbury on or before May 6 He was also convicted of making an indecent video of a child in Category C at Newbury Aldridge was fined £415 for breaching the SHPO plus a statutory victim services surcharge of £166 Home Racing News Craft Beer Festival Returns As Dubai Duty Free Spring Trials Weekend Ushers In The Flat Season The Dubai Duty Free Spring Trials Weekend – across Friday 11th & Saturday 12th April – kickstarts a huge summer of racing at Newbury and the Racecourse’s popular craft beer festival is back to see in the flat season in style The two-day Spring Trials meeting – which is presented by the Racecourse’s longstanding partners Dubai Duty Free for the 30th consecutive year in 2025 – guarantees top quality action on the track as well as a host of entertainment there is high class racing featuring three Group 3 races on Saturday including The Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise Stakes (The John Porter Stakes) The Dubai Duty Free Stakes (The Fred Darling Stakes) and The Watership Down Stud Too Darn Hot Greenham Stakes Many runners will be making their seasonal reappearance ahead of lofty targets later in the year in these well supported Classic trials Alongside the racing and the beer festival – one ticket grants admission to both – those in attendance will be able to try their luck in the Dubai Duty Free Marquee with the chance to claim free gifts and win entry into Dubai Duty Free’s Millenium Millionaire prize draw Both days of the Dubai Duty Free Spring Trials Weekend will welcome the return of the Racecourse’s popular craft beer festival featuring over 30 ales and ciders from eight local breweries Director and Head Brewer at Stonehenge Ales commented: “Stonehenge Ales is delighted to bring its traditionally crafted ales to Newbury Racecourse’s Beer Festival once again Perfect for celebrating a big win or simply enjoying the races Sales Executive at Loddon Brewer said: “We are absolutely thrilled to be working with Newbury Racecourse’s Beer Festival this year As a proudly independent brewery with deep roots in the local brewing community we love opportunities to share our passion for craft beer with like-minded enthusiasts Newbury Racecourse’s Beer Festival has a fantastic reputation for bringing people together to celebrate great beer and we’re honoured to be part of such a well-loved event We can’t wait to showcase some of our favourite brews and raise a glass to everything that makes local beer festivals so special.” Senior Category & Insight Manager at Thatchers said: “We are looking forward to bringing our award-winning ciders to the Craft Beer Festival at Newbury Racecourse for the first time this year Our cider truck will be at the racecourse with racegoers able to try our Blood Orange Apple and Blackcurrant and low alcohol Thatchers Zero smooth cider is the perfect accompaniment to a day at the races and to watch the live action unfold.” Trade Sales Manager for Loose Cannon Brewery said: “Loose Cannon Brewery are once again proud to be involved with Newbury Racecourse and its outstanding beer festival Beers from the heart of Oxfordshire once again at home in the home of horse racing in Berkshire.” Alan Wright from Arkells Brewery said: “Arkells are delighted to be once again represented at Newbury Racecourse’s Beer Festival with two of our outstanding ales We hope you enjoy drinking them as much as we did making them.” Owner and Brewer at Bond Brews said: “It’s great to see Newbury Racecourse once again supporting local breweries and the beer festival is always a great day out.” course expert and former jockey David Crosse will be on hand to provide racegoers exclusive insight through parade ring tours trips to the start and jockey talks – all complimentary Newbury Racecourse are delighted to be a charity partner of Greatwood Charity who use former racehorses to educate disadvantaged children and young adults with Special Educational Needs (SEN) All racegoers on Saturday 12th April will be able to get up close with a retired racehorse from Greatwood Music will be playing in the Craft Beer Tent throughout the two-day meeting with a DJ on Friday and following the conclusion of racing on Saturday the Shadow Monkeys will be on hand to continue the celebrations and round off a memorable flat season opener at Newbury Tickets for the racing action – which grant free admission to the on-site beer festival are available via the button below tickets are available at the discounted Early Bird rate until Friday 14th March with a range of hospitality and premium experience packages also available Home Racing News Newbury’s Hong Kong Garden Returns For Lockinge Day As World Pool Partnership Grows Newbury Racecourse’s premier Flat fixture – the Group 1 BoyleSports Lockinge Stakes on Saturday 17th May – will welcome the return of the Racecourse’s Hong Kong Garden Last year’s corresponding fixture saw five of the day’s races feature in the World Pool with this set to increase to all eight races in 2025 as the Racecourse aligns more closely with the largest globally commingled horse racing pools created and powered by the Hong Kong Jockey Club As in 2024 – and to mark World Pool’s increased presence at Newbury and its origins – the Racecourse will be celebrating the very best of Hong Kong with the Hong Kong Garden playing host to a range of entertainment live performances and themed food and drink Chief Executive Officer at Newbury Racecourse said: ‘’We are delighted to have extended our partnership with World Pool to cover all eight races Following the successful and popular introduction of the Hong Kong Garden in 2024 we are pleased it is returning this year.” World Pool – created and powered by the Hong Kong Jockey Club in partnership with the UK Tote and global totes – enables bettors from all over the globe to bet into a single pool a multi-million-pound betting experience and new revenue for the sport Bets can be placed on World Pool events at the Racecourse online at tote.co.uk – or tote.ie for Irish customers – as well as at the Tote App or via bookmakers the majority of whom accept Tote bets online and in shops The seven World Pool bet types available are: · Win (Single Leg bet) – Pick the winner of the race · Place (Single Leg bet) – Pick a horse to be placed · Exacta (Single Leg bet) – Pick the first two horses in the correct order · Trifecta (Single Leg bet) – Also known as the Tierce · Quinella (Single Leg bet) – Select the first two finishers in either order · Swinger (Single Leg bet) – Also known as the Quinella Place · Treble (Multi Leg bet) – Pick the first horse in the last three races Head of Commingling at the Hong Kong Jockey Club said: “Great Britian was the start of the journey for World Pool back in 2019 at Royal Ascot but we are still expanding in the UK as well While the Lockinge Stakes has been on the roster for the past two years it’s elevation to full meeting status in 2025 is an acknowledgement of the Club’s commitment and hard work.” “When you take a look at the honour roll of the Lockinge Stakes it not only contains some wonderful champions but very often serves as a precursor to what’s to come over the summer I really look forward to seeing who will carry that banner forward in 2025.” said: “It is fantastic to see Newbury celebrating the culture of Hong Kong again on what is set to be a top-class day of racing It is important to recognise that international cooperation is at the heart of World Pool and essential to the further growth and success of this important revenue stream for British racing ‘’The Tote is proud to be the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s most significant commingling partner and we look forward to continuing to work with Newbury and all racecourses hosting World Pool racedays in the UK and Ireland in 2025.” The return of the Hong Kong Garden adds to a plethora of entertainment already in store for attendees on Saturday 17th May a day which doubles as Newbury Racecourse’s Ladies Day as well as featuring an afterparty with Lovely Laura & DJ Ben Santiago who are jetting in from Ibiza to perform live after racing For more information on this year’s BoyleSports Lockinge with Ladies Day the growth of Newbury Racecourse’s partnership with World Pool and discounted tickets Home Racing News James Bay To Perform At Dubai Duty Free International Weekend Newbury Racecourse is delighted to reveal James Bay as the final headliner of their Party in the Paddock series for 2025 Celebrating the 10th anniversary of his multi-million selling debut album James Bay will headline live after racing at Dubai Duty Free International Weekend on Saturday 20th September James Bay is a BRIT award-winning and three-time GRAMMY® award-nominated multi-platinum singer Currently on a huge UK tour – which culminates at London’s OVO Wembley Arena this week – James is one of the UK’s biggest success stories of recent years His definitive breakthrough smash ‘Let It Go’ first landed a decade ago reaching top 10 in the UK charts and has tallied over three billion streams and achieved six time-platinum status his total career streams are just shy of nine billion with tracks including ‘Hold Back The River’ ‘Us,’ and ‘Peer Pressure’ with Julia Michaels Recent album ‘Changes All The Time’ came out in October last year and became his fourth consecutive top 5 charting record and features collaborations with Noah Kahan and The Lumineers plus writing credits with The Killers’ Brandon Flowers and Holly Humberstone James Bay joins the Party in the Paddock line-up for the Racecourse’s biggest ever summer of music racedays with three other huge shows – Sophie Ellis-Bextor & Ella Henderson (Saturday 19th July) Björn Again (Friday 15th August) and Clean Bandit (Saturday 16th August) – already announced James Bay said: “I’m currently having the best time ever on my UK tour and am thrilled to have Newbury to look forward to in September It’ll be my first time playing at the Racecourse and can’t wait to see you all there.” Marketing Director for Newbury Racecourse said: “We’re excited to confirm our biggest ever summer of music with the announcement of James Bay as 2025’s final headliner With four bumper shows to look forward to from July to September we’re confident there’s going to be something for every racing and music fan to enjoy at Newbury this summer Big discounts are available for those securing tickets by Friday 28th March and we encourage those wishing to join us to move quickly to secure the best possible price.’’ Tickets for James Bay live after racing at Newbury Racecourse go on general sale at 10am on Friday 14th February but fans can access an exclusive pre-sale from 10am on Thursday 13th February by registering for free by clicking below Tickets – which entitle admission to both the day’s racing and the James Bay show – start from just £29 for Adults and £14 for U18s Newbury Racecourse plays host to year-round racing and offers free parking at all racedays while an on-site train station means getting to and from the Racecourse couldn’t be easier A MAN has been caught with hundreds of child sex images Derek Davidson appeared in the dock at Reading Magistrates’ Court on Thursday admitted having 17 indecent images of children in category A – the most serious kind involving penetration he admitted having 14 indecent images of children in Category B Davidson admitted having 403 indecent images of children in Category C All the offences were committed in Newbury between January 31 District judge Samuel Goozee adjourned sentencing until a later date Davidson was meanwhile ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register and was released on conditional bail Home Racing Party in The Paddock Music Racedays Experience Unforgettable Summer Music at Newbury Racecourse Get ready for the ultimate music and racing experience at Newbury Racecourse this summer we’re bringing you four spectacular racedays featuring five incredible music acts promising a summer packed with high-energy entertainment There are a range of tickets and hospitality packages available and the earlier you book the more you’ll save The Music Moments Pass offers exclusive access to two of Newbury’s three iconic Saturday music racedays featuring top artists alongside thrilling live racing action These racedays promise a perfect blend of live entertainment and thrilling race action with each artist performing after an afternoon of exciting races this is the perfect way to make the most of summer 2025 Choose from the Weatherbys Super Sprint with Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Ella Henderson or Dubai Duty Free International Weekend with James Bay If you have a query or question about a raceday at Newbury please don’t hesitate to reach out to us via info@newburyracecourse.co.uk or alternatively you can check out some frequently asked questions below A MAN who groomed a child for sex has been jailed The 32-year-old gave the “young and impressionable” girl gifts before taking her to his bed When her suspicious parents examined her phone they were shocked to find Daniel Griffin’s number listed under ‘husband’ said the victim was confronted about her interaction with Griffin but she initially insisted nothing untoward had happened He added: “They then found she had been at the defendant’s home address by herself on several occasions.” Eventually the child admitted she had stayed overnight and they had had consensual sexual intercourse a former pupil at Trinity School in Newbury Mr Parvin went on: “He gave a prepared statement denying any sexual relationship.” the child was found in possession of an iPhone which didn’t belong to her Mr Parvin said: “It appears it belonged to the defendant; the call log showed she had been speaking to Mr Griffin following his arrest.” Detectives managed to retrieve deleted images including one of Griffin Griffin was arrested again and gave a “no comment” interview Mr Parvin said the child now realised she had been groomed that she consequently has difficulty trusting people and that she acknowledges the relationship had been damaging to her Griffin admitted engaging in sexual activity with a child and sexual communication with a child on specific dates He has previous convictions but they are for unrelated matters said her client now accepted responsibility for his actions and had shown genuine remorse She added that Griffin wished to apologise to the child and to her family and had “taken steps to address his behaviour and attitude” while in custody on remand Ms MacDermott went on: “This was out of character for him and he doesn’t want to go back to prison after this.” she told the court Griffin had been affected by domestic abuse he had witnessed in his childhood home Judge Amjad Nawwaz stressed the grooming aspect of Griffin’s behaviour pointing out that he had bought the child gifts had responsibility for stopping and showing where the boundaries are” Judge Nawwaz added: “But you crossed those boundaries.” he said: “She now realises the mistake she made and the impact it could have on the rest of her life – and it has affected her “She was young and impressionable – you took advantage.” Griffin was sentenced to four-and-a-half years imprisonment – minus the time spent on remand – half of which will be spent in custody and the remainder in the community on licence he was made subject to a 10-year restraining order to protect the child from him in future Griffin was made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) he was ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register for life is charged with engaging in sex with the girl when he did not reasonably believe she was aged 16 or over in Newbury on a specific date last year Home Racing News 2025 – Newbury’s Biggest Summer Of Music Yet 2025 is set to be Newbury Racecourse’s biggest year of music yet you can enjoy it for less with the brand-new Music Moments pass Those purchasing a Music Moments pass can enjoy two of Newbury’s three Saturday music racedays this summer for less The pass is priced from just £49 for Adult and £22 for Under 18s during the Super Early Bird window which runs until Friday 28th March Take your pick from Weatherbys Super Sprint with Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Ella Henderson Hungerford Day with Clean Bandit and Dubai Duty Free International Weekend with James Bay for an unforgettable summer in 2025 Follow the buttons below to secure your Music Moments pass Sophie Ellis-Bextor & Ella Henderson – Weatherbys Super Sprint West Berkshire Council is investing £2.6m to create the much-needed classroom provision for children aged 2-19 with severe learning difficulties many who also have physical disabilities and sensory needs The new building will replace the former caretaker's house and will deliver much needed resources for young people with acute needs and help meet demand for special educational needs and disability (SEND) school places which has increased significantly in the past five years West Berkshire's Executive Member for Children and Family Services said "This is a really important project which will help us to reduce the number of local children with SEND who are currently placed in private or cross border facilities This will not only make the lives of children and families much easier but will reduce costs and enable us to continue to invest in SEND." which was given planning approval in July 2024 will provide four new classrooms with break-out and small group rooms and associated welfare facilities It will be sustainably heated via Air Source Heat Pumps and has been designed to meet BREEAM 'Excellent' in line with the Council's Zero Carbon 2030 targets EW Beard Construction has begun preparing the site for the build which is due for completion by early December 2025 Specialist equipment will be fitted ready for the first students in early January 2026 Exciting plans are underway to rejuvenate Newbury town centre with planning permission being granted to revitalise the Peace Garden at the Wharf The Wharf is a major focus of West Berkshire Council's Newbury Town Centre Masterplan transforming the town centre into a vibrant space for social interaction Renowned architectural and urban landscape consultancy have been working with West Berkshire Council to bring the vision for the Wharf to life for two areas extracted from the overall masterplan the Peace Garden (phase one) and later down the line the Waterfront The first phase of works at Newbury Wharf will focus on the Peace Garden area with the contractor mobilising on site from 11 November Works include improvements to the existing Peace Garden that extends to the south and improved connections to the River Kennet This will create a distinctive landscape with a formal garden improving views to the canalised River Kennet and the overall connection to the town centre Councillor Louise Sturgess Executive Member for Economic Development and Regeneration at West Berkshire Council "This is an exciting time for Newbury as we take significant steps to bring the Wharf area to life and create a vibrant With planning permission granted for phase one of the project the upcoming works will enhance the Peace Garden providing a renewed area where residents and visitors can relax and connect with the beauty of Newbury's town centre "Our partnership with Adams & Sutherland has brought creative vision and expertise to this project and we look forward to seeing the positive impact this project will have on our community." This project is backed by external grants of £375,000 from the Thames Valley Local Enterprise Partnership and £420,000 from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund Home Racing News Sophie Ellis-Bextor & Ella Henderson To Perform At Weatherbys Super Sprint Day Newbury Racecourse will welcome Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Ella Henderson to their renowned Party in the Paddock concert series this summer The BRIT award-nominated artists will co-headline Weatherbys Super Sprint Day on Saturday 19th July performing full sets after an afternoon of racing With an impressive musical career that spans over 25 years Sophie Ellis-Bextor has amassed five top 10 albums and eight top 10 singles with hits including ‘Murder on the Dancefloor’ ‘Get Over You’ and ‘Heartbreak (Make Me a Dancer)’ and after featuring in the epic final scene of Emerald Fennell’s film ‘Saltburn’ Sophie’s beloved 2001 hit ‘Murder on the Dancefloor’ saw a huge resurgence charting at #2 in the UK Singles Chart and #58 In the Billboard Top 100 with the song registering more than 11 billion streams across all social and streaming platforms it was revealed that the track was officially the biggest British female single of 2024 Marking her arrival on the UK charts with a #1 debut single (‘Ghost’) and album (‘Chapter One’) 11 years ago she has collaborated with musical luminaries including Ryan Tedder and Babyface she has achieved six UK Top 10s as a lead artist the most recent being ‘React’ with Switch Disco which received a ‘Song of the Year’ nomination at the 2024 BRIT awards In addition to Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Ella Henderson’s co-headline Björn Again and Clean Bandit will play a weekend of raceday concerts on Friday 15th and Saturday 16th August Sophie Ellis-Bextor said: “I’m so delighted to be performing at Newbury Racecourse this summer Ella Henderson said: “I’ve heard such good things about Newbury’s Party in the Paddock racedays and am so excited to be on the same bill as Sophie this summer!’’ Marketing Director for Newbury Racecourse said: “2025 is shaping up to be Newbury’s biggest year of music racedays yet with Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Ella Henderson’s co-headline on Saturday 19th July joining Björn Again and Clean Bandit’s shows live after racing in August Weatherbys Super Sprint Day is set to kickstart our summer of music in style with an afternoon’s racing and not one but two headline sets to look forward to courtesy of Sophie and Ella Big discounts are available for fans securing their tickets early so we encourage those wishing to join us to move as fast as they can to guarantee the lowest possible price.’’ Tickets for Sophie Ellis-Bextor & Ella Henderson live after racing at Newbury Racecourse go on general sale at 10am on Friday 31st January but fans can access an exclusive pre-sale from 10am on Thursday 30th January by registering for free below Tickets – which entitle admission to both the day’s racing and the Sophie Ellis-Bextor & Ella Henderson shows – start from just £34 for Adults and £16 for U18s Hospitality packages – priced from £130 per person – are on sale now For more details and tickets call 01635 40015 or follow the button below a religious holiday that commemorates the death of Saint Patrick it has become a day to celebrate Irish culture and heritage and it is a public holiday in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland For many of us Brits who jump on the bandwagon St Patrick’s Day is an excuse to go to the pub and drink one of Ireland’s most beloved and popular cultural exports – Guinness It is the highest-selling beer in both Ireland and the United Kingdom and it is enjoyed by all types of drinkers from elderly folk who have been drinking it before it was extra cold to youths who are obsessed with the playful trend of ‘splitting the G’ Guinness is my favourite beer and probably my favourite alcoholic beverage as well I thought I would put my love of the black stuff to the test and embark on a journey to find Newbury’s best pint of the world’s favourite stout I limited myself to town centre pubs (sorry to those further afield!) and drank 14 pints of Guinness over two days in 14 different places I began my journey at the Bacon Arms where I was gladly joined by a cardboard cut-out of Luke Humphries – the world’s number one ranked darts player and former world champion who hails from Newbury – as a drinking companion My first pint cost £5.60 and it was a good start It was poured well and had that signature Guinness taste and creaminess It also happened to be my first visit to the Bacon and I did enjoy myself classic bar and fireplace it had a very cosy feel The second pub on my list was The Monument which also offered one of the cheapest pints of Guinness in the town centre at £4.20 I thought this was pretty great value all things considered and the Guinness tasted lovely The Monument carries some historical weight within its walls I enjoyed soaking up the atmosphere alongside my fellow afternoon drinkers while sitting in a comfortable pew by the window The third stop on my pub tour was The Lion which charged me £6.20 As I sat at the bar and admired the ale pumps adorned with paintings depicting fox hunting I started to realise the mammoth task I was undertaking Picking one pint above the other 13 wasn’t going to be easy and doing it all within two days wasn’t going to be either I finished with the pubs at the top of the town strolled down Northbrook Street and entered the The Lock Stock & Barrel which charges an eye-watering £7.10 for a pint of Guinness but it was possibly the best tasting pint I had enjoyed thus far I managed to soak up a bit of sunshine by the canal too which certainly added to the experience I moved on to The Globe which charged me £5.85 It was another good tasting drink that I relished while inside the funky As soul and rock music passed through the pub’s airwaves I started to ponder what has made Guinness such a popular beer Its uniqueness as a stout among the usual lagers and ales of pub pumps The brand’s iconic marketing covering toucans memorable slogans and the global game of rugby The prim and proper gastropub charged me £6 and it was another pleasant pint it didn’t quite have the creaminess of the others My final destination for the first stint of my Guinness tasting journey was The Coopers Arms a proper pub that has a true atmosphere without all the fancy trimmings A pint set me back £5 which was good value but it did taste slightly cider or lager-like That was the end of my first day of tasting several glasses of water and a good night’s sleep I was ready and raring to continue the following day I began at lunchtime at The Dolphin which charged me £6.20 another higher price point pint of Guinness I was slightly daunted at the realisation that I had to consume another seven pints but once I walked into the bar and was welcomed by the sight of three toucans carrying two pints each on the wall above the bar and I was served an extra cold pint with condensation on the side of the glass I knew my quest was a necessary and noble one I walked north up Bartholomew Street and entered the newest pub on my hit list – The Coat and Bear A pint of Guinness here costs £6.45 and although it was expensive Smooth enough to match the plush wooden panel interiors of the pub fuelled myself with some pasta and got straight back to it The final stretch of five pubs were all in close proximity to Market Place certainly impressed with its pint of Guinness that cost £5.70 It was nice and smooth and had didn’t have that metallic tang that you sometimes encounter There was a buzzing atmosphere when I entered The Catherine Wheel and it provided me with another top tasting pint at £5.80 The Wheel is one of my more regular haunts when it comes to Newbury’s drinking establishments so I might be a tad biased but I have always loved its maze-like interior At this point during my important research my stomach was beginning to feel the weight of the 11 pints I had consumed in the past 24 hours I found the strength to soldier on and complete my mission Another tasty pint of Guinness passed through my gullet at The Elephant at the Market and with every extra pint I tasted I knew my final decision was getting harder and harder and I enjoyed it in the dark-walled interior of The Elephant It conjures a certain romantic and mysterious vibe that is great to pair with an evening drink The penultimate pub was the Old Waggon & Horses where I was instantly met with a jubilant buzz of customers enjoying their Friday evening The pint cost a very respectable £4.80 and I feel I should be slightly critical because it was served in a Timothy Taylor’s glass but it did taste good and it was great value so I’ll let it slide My rather ridiculous quest met its end at The Hatchet Inn Newbury’s own entry in the homogeneous Wetherspoon universe I have frequented several Wetherspoon pubs up and down the country in my time and I have always thought The Hatchet is one of the most charming and cheerful in the land it offered by far the cheapest pint at £3.30 and it hit the spot just like the rest of them Pondering on which pub to crown the winner in this fairly arbitrary and ludicrous contest of mine not just for the Guinness but for all the lovely pubs that served them to me I’ve gone with The Monument because it was a great tasting pint priced well and its hard not to enjoy a drink in the classic and down-to-earth atmosphere of Newbury’s oldest pub if you are on the prowl for a pint of Guinness this St Patrick’s Day any of the great pubs in this town will look after you West Berkshire Council is inviting residents and road users to share their views on a proposed trial to extend pedestrianised hours in Newbury Town Centre This pre-trial consultation aims to gauge public opinion before any decisions are made would extend this period of no vehicle access from 10:00am to 11:00pm This pre-trial consultation is a simple yes/no exercise to gauge public opinion before any decisions are made. If support is shown, an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO) could be introduced to trial the changes in spring 2025 Executive Member for Environment and Highways at West Berkshire Council "This is an exciting opportunity to shape the future of Newbury's town centre We want to hear from everyone in the community to make sure we get this right whether you're a local business in the town centre I encourage everyone to take part in the pre-trial consultation and share their views." Cllr Louise Sturgess "Extending the pedestrianised hours in Newbury has the potential to bring significant economic benefits to the town centre Creating a safer and more pleasant environment for residents and visitors will help boost local businesses by encouraging more foot traffic and attract more events and activities "This trial is an important step in supporting the local economy and we want to ensure that everyone has the chance to share their view." Our survey is now open and to tell us your view, please complete our Newbury Town Centre Pedestrianisation survey by midnight on Tuesday 5 November 2024 It's a short survey and should take just five minutes of your time If you have any questions about the survey, please email our Economic Development Team All responses will be taken into consideration and should there be local support shown, we will apply to the Secretary of State to make an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO) a six-month detailed consultation will begin during the official trial helping us decide whether to make the extended pedestrianisation hours permanent For general enquiries about roads, transport and parking in West Berkshire, please visit our webpage in partnership with Newbury Community Football Group (NCFG) and with the support of Newbury Town Council are proud to see the return of Newbury Football Club to Faraday Road for their first home game Over the last 18 months we have been committed to returning football to Faraday Road The pitch first reopened in November 2023 with games between teams from AFC Newbury Boys and Girls FC and CSA 07 FC New portable changing facilities for teams and officials alongside a portable Clubhouse and toilet facilities have been installed along with new dugouts and floodlights have been secured for evening training sessions The game will kick off at 2pm this Saturday (9 November) and Newbury FC will be playing Abingdon Abbotts FC Cllr Jeff Brooks "We are thrilled to see football return to Faraday Road and to welcome Newbury FC back to their home turf and we are proud of the tireless work that has gone into restoring and preparing the pitch We remain committed to developing the site further ensuring it becomes a place for the community to enjoy for years to come." from Newbury Community Football Group said: "Another amazing milestone at Faraday Road seeing Newbury FC play their first game here since June 2018 We would like to thank a small group of volunteers from the local community who have campaigned for over 8 years to protect this vital community asset We would also like to express our thanks to West Berkshire Council Leaders and officers who have worked tirelessly to make this possible and restore the ground We see latest milestone as another step towards restoring fully the ground to its former glory and the addition of a 3G pitch in the future" Vaughan Miller Chair of Community Services of Newbury Town Council said: "The Town Council have supported the return of Community Football to Faraday Road since 2019 and are thrilled to see the return of Newbury Football Club to its home of 60 years at Faraday Road Along with NCFG we have long campaigned for this and look forward to its first match on Saturday at Newbury FC's 'spiritual' home." These facilities have made the ground compliant with FA National League Systems (NSL): Ground Grading 7 status allowing for Newbury FC to return to their home at Faraday Road Newbury Spring Festival running from May 10 to 24 welcomes young audiences with family-friendly programme This year’s family-friendly performances are aimed at introducing children to the transformative power of music from an early age With a long-standing belief in the value of music education the Festival includes accessible and engaging opportunities for families to experience live performance together Their specially curated selection of events are designed to engage and inspire younger listeners At the heart of this year’s family-friendly programme are two stand-out events: Sound Beginnings: Pinocchio and Groove onto the Moon Sound Beginnings: Pinocchio offers musical storytelling for the young at heart Featuring music by Stravinsky specially arranged for four hands on one piano and brought to life with lively narration by opera singer Richard Morris this special informal performance is designed as an accessible way to experience classical music guests are welcome to bring their own picnics to enjoy in the beautiful gardens and grounds at Sheepdrove The venue is disability-inclusive and the environment and recital length are all tailored to be welcoming to audiences of all ages allowing young and old to enjoy high quality live music together the Corn Exchange will host Groove onto the Moon a musical sci-fi adventure created for children aged three and over This inventive performance fuses original music interactive journey that encourages children to engage directly with the music and performers With its lively energy and inclusive approach the show promises to be a highlight for young festival-goers A number of other events in the programme are also well suited to children Families can turn up in town to celebrate the opening of the 2025 Festival on Saturday May 10 to watch the Festival Parade as it moves through Newbury culminating in the Market Square Working in partnership with the Corn Exchange & 101 Outdoor Arts the Festival promises a vibrant celebration led by the Giant Bandmaster Puppet to mark the opening of the Festival The Bandmaster will start his walk-through town at the Methodist Church where he’ll be with a company of dancers and a cello player He’ll then make his way down Northbrook Street and will meet various other musicians along the way – that will include members of the East Woodhay Silver Band Good Vibes Music Academy students and Uteam Ukelele before culminating in a performance in the Market Square with members of the Metronomes Steel Orchestra the Metronomes Steel Orchestra will bring the joyful rhythms of Caribbean steel pan to the Corn Exchange offering an energetic concert that’s sure to delight younger listeners the Good Vibes Music Academy Showcase will shine a spotlight on the rich and vibrant musical life of the community This concert brings together local musicians of all ages and backgrounds highlighting the incredible talent that thrives across the region Brass band fans can enjoy a performance by Foden’s Band on Sunday May 18 at the Corn Exchange – an event that pairs musical excellence with broad appeal while the East Woodhay Silver Band performs a daytime concert on May 17 at St Martin’s Church Children interested in singing are also welcome to attend the Come and Sing Evensong at St John’s Church The Festival also includes a number of participatory events for schools and community groups running throughout the fortnight (more information available on the Festival’s website) free tickets for under 30s are available at many events throughout the Festival including the opportunity to see the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra perform on Saturday fans of all ages took a pew next to Paddington as STUDIOCANAL unveiled a statue of the marmalade loving bear in Newbury a trail of Paddington Bear statues across the UK and Ireland to celebrate the forthcoming release of PADDINGTON IN PERU Paddington took a seat on a bench on Northbrook Street and was immediately embraced by the local community Newbury is one of 23 locations taking part in Paddington Visits a trail which will see the special statues appearing in cities and beauty spots all over the UK and Ireland Everyone in Newbury buzzed with excitement as they gathered to welcome Northbrook Street's newest neighbour: a meticulously crafted and painted statue sporting the wise bear's signature red hat Families and children can embark on an adventure to find their local Paddington with locations ranging from John O'Groats to Land's End With Paddington coming to towns, cities and beauty spots, STUDIOCANAL has teamed up with Ordnance Survey to help intrepid explorers discover Paddington in various locations in the UK and Ireland, head on over to Ordnance Survey's website to learn more "Newbury BID are excited to welcome home Paddington and are delighted to be part of Paddington Visits We are looking forward to the national and international tourism offer that Paddington will bring to our town Our businesses are thrilled to hear about the installation and the economic uplift Now where are the marmalade sandwiches?!" Cllr Louise Sturgess Executive Member for Economic Development and Regeneration at West Berkshire Council (pictured with Paddington) "I'm delighted that we're partnering with the Newbury BID to welcome a Paddington Bear statue to Newbury Paddington is a much-loved character which will bring joy and excitement to visitors of all ages and provide a unique landmark for the town centre Paddington's presence will boost local tourism and create a focal point that brings people together and enhances Newbury's welcoming atmosphere." Speaking on the launch of Paddington Visits a spokesperson from STUDIOCANAL commented: "We are delighted to launch Paddington Visits a trail which will see everyone's favourite bear bringing fun kindness and warmth to communities across the UK We hope that everyone seeks out their local Paddington whether that's dropping by for a chat about your day or to enjoy a marmalade sandwich or two while enjoying the view Paddington is ready to welcome everyone!" Take a look at the video from the day here: https://youtu.be/i_N2JXF_l78 Paddington Visits launches ahead of the bear's latest cinematic outing This new adventure will see Paddington return home to the Peruvian jungle to visit his beloved Aunt Lucy now a resident at the Home for Retired Bears a thrilling adventure ensues when a mysterious disappearance plunges them into an unexpected journey from the Amazon rainforest to the mountain peaks of Peru Locations taking part in the Paddington Visits trail include: Paddington Visits launches in Newbury ahead of the beloved bear's return to the big screen in PADDINGTON IN PERU A Newbury pub has made history – for being part of the biggest synchronised pint pour. The Globe pub, in Bartholomew Street, joined 114 pubs across the country to set a unique Guinness World Record for the most people pulling a pint at exactly the same time. Organised by Heineken, ‘The Big Pour’ was to celebrate the fact that more than 1,000 pubs are now pouring Heineken 0.0% beer on tap. The record-breaking pint pour took place on Monday, April 7 and last for just 10 seconds. This modern record attempt was made possible through online video technology, as 114 publicans and pub managers from Scotland to Surrey, joined The Globe on a mass video call to pour their pints together in real time under the watchful eyes of an official Guinness World Records adjudicator. Lawson Mountstevens, managing director star pub at Heineken UK said: “Part of the ritual of going to the pub is watching your pint being freshly poured from the tap - the tilt of the glass, the smooth cascade, and mouthwatering anticipation of the first sip. “This draught experience is central to pub culture, and for non alcoholic beer to become truly mainstream, it needs to be part of that experience. “It needs to be poured from the tap like any other pint, not just another option in the fridge. “That’s why we’re committed to getting 0.0 on draught in pubs everywhere, because everyone deserves a proper pint, with or without alcohol.” A Paddington Bear statue which was destroyed by vandals has been fully repaired bringing the bear "back to the town that loves him so dearly" was damaged on March 2 when two Royal Air Force engineers broke it after a night out and made off with part of it both 22 and engineers at RAF Odiham in Hampshire appeared at Reading Magistrates’ Court in March They were ordered to pay £2,725 each towards the costs of repairing the statue and were sentenced to 12-month community orders CCTV shows the men approaching the statue before ripping the bear off its bench and walking away with it marketing manager at Newbury Business Improvement District (BID) "For something so visible to happen – it caught us all off guard "We’ve been working very hard behind the scenes for five weeks to bring Paddington back to the town that loves him so dearly and we’re delighted that we can announce he’s back on Wednesday." CCTV footage played to the court showed the men approaching the Paddington Bear statue late at night before ripping the bear off its bench and walking away with it District judge Sam Goozee condemned Heath and Lawrence’s actions calling them "the antithesis of everything Paddington stands for" children are being encouraged to write a letter welcoming Paddington back to the town The repaired and repainted statue was unveiled in a ceremony on Wednesday on Northbrook Street Want a quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories Listen to our latest podcasts to find out What You Need To Know… Home Racing News The Style And Splendor Of Ladies Day Returns To BoylesSports Lockinge Day At Newbury Racecourse Newbury Racecourse’s BoyleSports Lockinge with Ladies Day returns on Saturday 17th May and guarantees exciting racing on track and an abundance of glamour and entertainment off it Racing fans will be arriving in all their finery for Newbury’s Flat season showpiece meeting BoyleSports Lockinge Stakes – a straight mile contest Ladies Day is a spectacle all about style and elegance and for the fourth year running Sequoia Hair and Beauty will be on-site at the Racecourse offering racegoers complimentary hair and beauty treatments throughout the day while the Racecourse’s style team will be on hand to award on-the-spot style awards for those racegoers looking particularly glamorous The day’s famed afterparty will see Lovely Laura take centre stage at the Racecourse The Ibiza icon will be joined by DJ Ben Santiago as the dynamic duo – and their one-of-a-kind saxophone and DJ combination – round out the Racecourse’s standout flat raceday with racegoers able to dance the night away Away from the fashion and flair of Ladies Day there will be plenty of entertainment for racegoers to enjoy The Racecourse’s partnership with Greatwood Charity – who use former racehorses to educate disadvantaged children and young adults with Special Educational Needs (SEN) – will see all fans in attendance on BoyleSports Lockinge with Ladies Day given the opportunity to get up close with Maherlvous live music will be available to enjoy throughout the afternoon with racing’s younger fans able to make the most of free face painting and themed entertainment while complimentary behind-the-scenes tours and jockey talks will also be available along with an expert punters’ panel for tips of the day’s racing For those who will have one eye on the day’s football the Emirates FA Cup final will also be broadcast around the Racecourse Tickets for BoyleSports Lockinge with Ladies Day are proving popular as the ticketing discount deadline nears – those racegoers securing their tickets ahead of 11:59pm on Friday 9th May will be able to make generous savings while all Under 18s go free memberships and overnight stays at the on-site Lodge Hotel – please visit the button below Home Racing News The Flat Is Back At Newbury With The Dubai Duty Free Spring Trials Meeting The first Flat meeting of the year at Newbury Racecourse- The Dubai Duty Free Spring Trials Meeting-features the Group 3 Watership Down Stud Too Darn Hot Greenham Stakes as well as the Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise Stakes (The John Porter Stakes) and the Dubai Duty Free Stakes (The Fred Darling Stakes) With a three-week gap between Newbury’s opening Flat fixture and The Betfred Guineas Festival many Classic hopefuls will be having a prep run at the Berkshire track across the two-day meeting on Friday 11th and Saturday 12th April The 2025 renewal of the Watership Down Stud Too Darn Hot Greenham Stakes will this year be run for an increased total prize fund of £100,000 Of the 16 strong entries for the seven-furlong contest nine hold entries in the Betfred 2,000 Guineas in three-week’s time Featured amongst those putting their Classic credentials to the test include Solario Stakes winner The son of Kingman is one of three entered in the race for Juddmonte who also have Jonquil (A.Balding) and Cosmic Year (H.Charlton) both of whom also hold 2,000 Guineas entries Narrowly beaten in the Group 1 Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere at the end of last season could line up on Saturday before a tilt at Classic glory Godolphin have a trio of entries with Al Qudra Anno Domini and Hallasan from the Charlie Appleby yard The meeting also features a Classic trial for the fillies with the Group 3 Dubai Duty Free Stakes (The Fred Darling Stakes) The seven-furlong contest has attracted twenty-three entries Aidan O’Brien could be dually represented with Chesham Stakes winner Unbeaten in two starts in Meydan this winter including victory in the Jumeirah 1000 Guineas could be Godolphin’s sole representative in the race Also featured amongst the entries include Group 1 Moyglare Stud Stakes runner up Simmering (O.Sangster) Group 2 Duchess of Cambridge Stakes winner Crisford) and Group 2 Lowther Stakes runner up Nine hold entries in the 1m4f Duty Dubai Free Finest Surprise Stakes (The John Porter Stakes) headed by the David Menuisier trained Sunway Fresh from landing the 1-2-3 in the Aintree Grand National Willie Mullins could be represented at Newbury by Absurde last seen finishing third in the County Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival Charlie Appleby has two entered in the race including 2024 Dante runner up last seen finishing fourth in the Dubai City of Gold in Meydan Bellum Justum hasn’t run since winning the Nashville Derby Invitational Stakes at Kentucky Downs in August 2024 but could be one of two runners for trainer Andrew Balding alongside new recruit Tickets for the racing action are available via the button below The Newbury Weekly News hosted a reception this week to thank the winners and sponsors of the NWN Best in Business Awards It was held in the stunning setting of The Post Barn luxury wedding venue at Donnington Valley on Tuesday afternoon Guests enjoyed drinks and canapes as they mingled in the sunshine and chatted to other successful businesspeople NWN editor Andy Murrill said: “We couldn’t have asked for more glorious weather as we thanked our wonderful sponsors Apple Print & Creative Newbury Racecourse and West Berkshire Training Consortium for their support in making the awards such a success “And it was fantastic to be able to congratulate our worthy winners once more “Their successful efforts help to make our local economy so resilient “I was particularly pleased to see our Charity of the Year because the generosity of our guests at the awards evening ensured that we could present it with more than £2,600 raised through our silent auction heads and tails game and table collections “That is a fantastic legacy from the NWN Best in Business Awards as it will help young people in deprived parts of West Berkshire to learn to code equipping them with the digital skills we need for a prosperous future.” The NWN Best in Business Awards 2024/25 were hosted by Bargain Hunt television star Thomas Forrester at Newbury Racecourse on Friday Best Town Centre (BID) Business category (sponsored by Newbury Business Improvement District): Corn Exchange (Newbury) Trust Best Business Innovation (sponsored by Parkway Shopping): Broadmead Resthome Best Customer Experience (sponsored by Jones Robinson):The Berkshire Vet Best Independent Retailer (sponsored by Special Auction Services): Tracy James Hearing Ltd Best Professional Services (sponsored by Heritage Estate Planning): Fusion Group Best Sports Club (sponsored by Newbury Racecourse): Newbury Velo Employer of the Year (sponsored by West Berkshire Training Consortium):Broadmead Resthome The John Hampson Award: Code Ninjas Newbury NWN Best in Business Awards Business of the Year 2025 (sponsored by headline sponsor Apple Print & Creative): Newbury Soup Kitchen