Home   News   Article The reason a successful businessman killed himself by jumping in front of a train will likely remain a mystery heard 44-year-old Michael Fricker had shown no signs of wanting to self-harm or to take his own life He enjoyed foreign holidays with his partner He appeared to be a happy person on the whole he jumped in front of a train at a West Berkshire station had moved quickly forwards and he was struck by the train A post mortem examination recorded the cause of death as multiple injuries The incident was captured by CCTV and was witnessed by the train driver The hearing was told that Mr Fricker had visited another railway station earlier that day and walked around two platforms Earlier he had asked his neighbours to look after the family dog while he dealt with some “family issues” Mr Fricker’s partner said that the pair had met 15 years ago and had moved to Newbury in 2019 Mr Fricker was described as a private and shy man and had appeared to be his usual self before the tragedy Assistant Berkshire Coroner Justine Spencer concluded that Mr Fricker conducted a “timed jump” She added there was no indication of him exhibiting any thoughts of self-harm or suicidal ideation Ms Spencer went on: “He was clearly an accomplished gentleman who ran a successful business “He had suffered with anxiety and received support from the crisis team in 2023 and talking therapies in 2015.” She concluded: “I am satisfied he intended to end his own life.” n Anyone seeking support can contact the Mental Health Crisis Team – call if you need urgent help but it’s not an emergency 0300 365 0300 or 0300 365 9999 or the Samaritans: www.samaritans.org – call 116 123 – email jo@samaritans.org An online tool that shows which roads are most likely to cause river pollution is being expanded to incorporate methods to assess pollution from agricultural areas BGS’s first-of-its-kind online tool, Road Pollution Solutions predicts which roads create the most run-off pollutants and how road pollution can be tackled with nature-based solutions The tool helps local authorities to prioritise water-quality improvement interventions at roads where major road run-off pollution is occurring and in the greenspaces that lie between the roads and the rivers It is now being extended to estimate the number of pollutants that are transported into rivers in rural areas The first online map was launched in 2023 in London and was partly funded by the Mayor of London Transport for London (TfL) and the Environment Agency It now highlights more than 280 miles (450km) of the capital’s roads that have a higher risk of road run-off pollution the tool now covers roughly 3862.3 km (2400 miles or 10 per cent) of London’s major roads pesticides and animal waste in rural areas can run off into rivers introducing chemicals and excess nutrients that can cause algal blooms heavy metals and other toxic substances into waterways contaminating the water and affecting ecosystems These pollutants not only harm wildlife but also threaten the quality of drinking water for communities The tool combines pollutant emission factors surface area and the make-up of traffic on particular routes using official data to predict where pollution hotspots are likely to occur The tool then suggests potential nature-based solutions alongside roads to manage pollution before the water discharges into streams or rivers The expanded tool will be tested across the catchment of the upper River Thames This area is predominantly covered by arable crops and grassland but it has varied geology and soils that affect the movement of water and pollutants through the landscape It also includes urban areas and sections of the M4 and M40 motorways which is funded by the Government Office for Technology Transfer Geology doesn’t stop at international borders so BGS is working with neighbouring geological surveys and research institutes to solve common problems with the geology they share A new tool is now available that has been designed to help coastal engineers and practitioners better manage the compound risk of coastal erosion and flooding BGS Visualisation Systems lead Bruce Napier reflects on our cutting-edge virtual reality suite and looks forward to new possibilities Research has revealed the urgent need for improved water quality in Bengaluru and other Indian cities A new public application programming interface for the BGS World Mineral Statistics Database will revolutionise how users interact with critical data a UK/Kenya research team shared research findings from a collaborative four-year field and experimental programme within Kenya A recently retired BGS employee has been honoured for her contribution to the hydrogeological community New ‘hydrological hub’ to foster research and provide essential national water management datasets and tools The geological secrets lying under the surface of Liverpool and Warrington have been unveiled for the first time in BGS’s 3D interactive tool The initiative aims to increase knowledge exchange on subsurface issues between interested parties involved in subsurface policy and planning Scientists have uncovered clear signs of the impact environmental pollution is having across the country’s soil Prof Paul Monks CB will step into the role later this .. More than 70 mineral commodities have been captured in .. BGS will be attending the European Geosciences Union’s .. The Isle of Arran has officially been named as the .. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We’ll assume you’re okay with this, but you can opt out if you wish. More information Keep up to date with all the latest research A district councillor has asked “will it take a death before the authorities take action?” after an A34 closure caused several hours of traffic chaos in a West Berkshire village On Friday evening (February 7) a coach fire and two car crashes closed the A34 both ways between Chieveley and Chilton for several hours diverting traffic through West Ilsley and gridlocking the small village Ridgeway) has called for West Berkshire Council to introduce a restriction on HGVs travelling through West Ilsley whenever there is an A34 closure as she believes the village roads are not large enough to accommodate them It is something Ms Culver has raised with traffic officers before but she fears her request will again fall on deaf ears She said that the incident on Friday evening damaged West Ilsley’s roads and pavements posed potential danger to pedestrians and made the rural village “look like Junction 13 during rush hour” She added: “HGVs should stop using West Ilsley as a rat-run following accidents on the A34 “The latest incident on Friday evening resulted in lorries driving through the village for several hours with a resident standing in the road trying to direct a Royal Mail HGV to negotiate the junction in the centre of the village “A parish councillor was nearly run over by a lorry mounting a kerb “West Berkshire Council won’t impose a weight limit unless the police commit to enforce but the police say the council needs to agree a plan and then pass it to the police to review “Will it take a death before the authorities take action?” In response to her previous calls for change West Berkshire traffic officers have told Ms Culver that Bury Lane a road that connects West Ilsley to the A34 has “a generous and continuous width that allows two large vehicles to pass with ease” The officers also stated that the current risk to road users is “considered minimal” and that there would be “no justification” to introduce an HGV restriction Ms Culver has suggested that instead of using Bury Lane and West Ilsley as a diversion route National Highways should shut the A34 from Junction 13 and divert lorries along the M4 instead Equestrian paradise doesn't get much better than Hodcott House and West Ilsley Stables near Newbury in the West Berkshire Downlands The legendary trainer Major Dick Hern established West Ilsley Stables in the pretty village of West Ilsley following the yard’s purchase by his patron he sent out no fewer than 25 Classic winners from West Ilsley He also trained The Queen’s multiple Group winner which she later sold to Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum; it’s understood that she bought West Ilsley with the proceeds in 1982 The Queen sold West Ilsley Stables to its present owner former Southampton and England footballer Mick Channon who has maintained the yard’s fine track record by sending out the winners of more than 2,000 races Mr Channon has greatly improved the accommodation and facilities of one of England’s most famous training yards set in some 63 acres in the heart of the West Berkshire Downs The main house on the immaculate small country estate is the beautifully-renovated Hodcott House a large kitchen/breakfast room and six bedroom suites The equestrian facilities comprise 105 loose boxes trotting and lunging rings and a covered horse-walker Staff accommodation is available on site in three flats above the stables eight semi-detached bungalows and a former hostel The owners have also converted a former barn into a 5,231sq ft West Ilsley is currently on the market via Knight Frank at a guide price of £6.975 million — see more pictures or enquire with the agent for further details.  Atmosphere: The quintessential English village has a cricket pitch and local pub at its core and is surrounded by beautiful rolling countryside Neighbouring Newbury provides comprehensive amenities Things to do: Within the village is a cricket and tennis club plus plenty of picturesque walking routes to explore Oxford for a dose of history and culture and Reading for its festival Schools: The area is well served by both state and private schools including the Ilsleys Primary School See more property for sale in the area. An irresistible West Country cottage and a magnificent Cumbrian country house make our pick of the finest country houses for An annual village fete is returning in July West Ilsley’s Summer Fete is back at the John Verney Cricket Pavilion on Sunday The committee has been working hard over the past few months to organise entertainment And – for the first time ever – a children’s disco and circus acts will be providing entertainment along with a fairground ride and bouncy castle real ale and cocktail bars while a live singer performs to them for the duration of the afternoon a raffle is being organised boasting a fine selection of prizes kindly donated by local businesses Jack Channon had big boots to fill when he took over the trainer’s licence from his father Mick at the historic West Ilsley stables Having made a most encouraging start this season he chats to Graham Dench for The Finish Line the former Southampton and England striker who scored over 250 goals during his first career had triple Arc runner-up Youmzain among his 2,500 plus winners after switching sports but the days when the yard regularly sent out more than 100 winners a year has been an integral part of the operation for years and is the man charged with restoring the stable’s fortunes having made a most encouraging start this season I’ve been very pleased with how all the horses have run We’ve also managed to place those of lesser ability well and I think we’ve succeeded in maximising their abilities and I’ve been  pleased with the way they have held their form I’d have loved to have had a stakes winner and a couple of big Saturday winners I know there’s lots of improvement to come when we get our hands on some better stock Caernarfon has been a terrific flagbearer for us this year – we were all very proud when she finished in the frame in the two Classics The aim through the winter was always the 1,000 Guineas For her to turn up on the day and show that she was that level and then to roll on to Epsom and go so close in the Oaks She’s being freshened up for something in the middle of October We didn’t put her in the Fillies & Mares on Champions Day simply because I think that trip on soft ground would stretch her stamina Johan was another highlight when he won the big mile handicap at Glorious Goodwood The quality races on QIPCO British Champions Day are very much the level we want to be aiming for We didn’t make any entries at the initial stage this time but there’s a chance we’ll supplement Gather Ye Rosebuds The Musidora was a step too far after her winning debut at Newbury but she then put on 35 kilos before she ran at Hamilton where she beat a very good horse of William Haggas’s She’s a very talented filly with a great cruising speed and plenty of stamina and if Hamilton had come before Ascot’s entry stage She’s owned by Mrs Pat Shanahan and Mrs MV Magnier and if she went and won the Princess Royal or something like that many of whom have been with us a very long time and I’m delighted with the stock they send us but we are always looking to expand and we want to be dealing with genuine Classic prospects again West Ilsley Stables has always been a Classic yard and I’d love to be training for some of those owner-breeders whose bloodlines stretch back generations We’ve never had a Frankel or a Sea The Stars here There are no shortcuts to getting our hands on those bluebloods All we can do is prove to people that we can maximise the potential of their prized possessions as well as anyone eventually they’ll have to pick you for the first team Our currency is winners – and the better the winners the stronger the currency He’s got an unbelievable eye for bloodstock and he’s an integral part of the team He’s my sounding board and when I run ideas past him he’s there to tell me if I’m completely stupid or just a little bit stupid We are both similar in that respect and neither of us holds back We don’t pussyfoot around each other and if one of us feels that something is wrong I suppose the main difference is how we got here Dad had to fight and claw his way to the top in two very different sports and in his early days in racing he was never afforded the luxury of patience If he didn’t get results straight off the bat and in lots of circles he never quite felt part of the club I’m lucky in that his success here has allowed me to be more patient especially with those more stoutly-bred types We’ve got a five-year plan and the good news is that we are staying here at West Ilsley but the only reason we were thinking about selling is that we weren’t sure we could run the business successfully After the season we are having we have had a good look at everything and with some of the new support that’s been coming in we’ve come up with a plan that we can make work We’ll probably stick to 70 or 80 horses for the next two or three years but in five years’ time I’d like to have expanded the string up to 120 or more Among them we want to see some better quality so we can compete regularly at the level dad was at when he was sending out all those    Group 1 winners I’ve never wanted to do anything other than train racehorses but I had two left feet as a footballer – I remember dad coming to watch me when I was seven or eight and telling me I was useless and so had better stick to the horses I enjoyed playing but there was no point beating around the bush but it was good advice and I’m very glad of it now Keep in touch with The Owner Breeder for exclusive stories Essential cookies enable basic functions and are necessary for the proper function of the website Statistics cookies collect information anonymously This information helps us to understand how our visitors use our website Content from video platforms and social media platforms is blocked by default access to those contents no longer requires manual consent Mick Channon is hoping to receive a boost from a big-race victory at York on Saturday after being forced to put his historic yard up for sale Ingra Tor is a best-priced 5-1 favourite for the £100,000 Pavers Foundation Catherine Memorial Sprint Handicap for Channon who has been based at West Ilsley near Newbury since buying it from the Queen in 1999 from which Dick Hern sent out no fewer than 25 Classic winners including Brigadier Gerard and Nashwan financed through the sale of part of the estate But his plans have been thwarted and West Ilsley was advertised for sale in the Racing Post last weekend with a guide price of £6.975 million The advert described a "famous horse racing yard at the centre of which is a charming country house with extensive stabling cottages and office space in 62.72 acres" Equine facilities listed included 105 loose boxes we've tried for planning and been turned down," Channon said on Tuesday "This is a lovely place but we need to improve it We're looking to develop part of it so we can make it an up-to-date That's what our plans were but we've walked into a brick wall "We wanted to build some American-style barns We're spread out over two or three acres we have yards all over the place and we need to sell to build you can't pluck money out of the air." Channon is not keen to move but is looking to secure the future "We've been pushed into a corner," he said "We've been forced down the road of selling the whole place We'd be looking for somewhere for Jack really "It's sad for West Ilsley and for everybody The gallops are very special – of all those I've seen only Henry Candy's can compare with them." Channon has won the valuable three-year-old handicap 6f at York with Aradanza in 1993 and Cotton House seven years later whose owner-breeders Jon and Julia Aisbitt won the Lincoln in March with Johan since the colt scored at Newmarket on 2,000 Guineas day Runner-up Harry Three went one place better on the same course a fortnight later and Channon said: "Ingra Tor worked this morning and we're very pleased with him His form has been pretty solid and we think he's a nice horse so we're very hopeful." Stablemate Legend Of Xanadu will step up to seven furlongs in the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot a week on Saturday rather than run in the 6f Coventry earlier in the week "The Chesham looks the obvious race for him," Channon said "It gives us a little bit longer and the trip shouldn't be a problem." Pavers Foundation Catherine Memorial Sprint Handicap racecard Pavers Foundation Catherine Memorial Sprint Handicap Derby winner Adayar to miss Eclipse with Appleby eyeing King George return Sprint ace Go Bears Go set to lead strong Dave Loughnane team at Royal Ascot 'She's maturing all the time and 12-1 is much too big' - Royal Ascot eyecatchers Use the code ASCOTJUBILEE to get £2 off for a limited period only Published on 7 June 2022inNews Copyright © 2025 Spotlight Sports Group Limited or its licensors The decades-long saga of the “most dangerous stretch of road in the country” continues has secured a meeting and site visit with National Highways after speaking in Parliament yesterday (Thursday) about the dangerous A34 slip roads at East Ilsley and Beedon Roads minister Lilian Greenwood responded saying: “National Highways has undertaken several safety studies on sections of the A34 “I’m aware that improvement works took on the East Ilsley slip in 2019 including work to widen resurface and add new road markings.” Ms Bailey told newburytoday: “It’s clear that something needs to be done and I am looking forward to meeting with National Highways to discuss the results of my survey [completed by 400 people].” MPs and campaigners have argued for improved safety along this controversial route The A34 was originally built in 1922 to connect Winchester to Oxford it stretches 151 miles from Winchester to Greater Manchester It’s a lifeline for British freight travelling from the South Coast docks to the industrial Midlands But accident ‘black spots’ have cost hundreds of drivers time And one of the worst spots is at East Ilsley with two-way traffic passing through the High Street But a series of crashes sparked calls for a bypass to divert increased traffic away from the village Apparently this had been promised well before the Second World War the Newbury Weekly News reported in April 1964 Some villagers moved into their back rooms fearing a similar outcome called for a 20mph speed limit as an interim measure Lord George Lindgren later announced that work on a two-mile two-way bypass would start the following year more than 6,000 people were killed and more than 75,000 were seriously injured on Britain's roads Abingdon MP Tom Benyon said the East Ilsley to Chilton trunk road had “a history of accidents” he found “difficult to parallel anywhere else” The East Ilsley section of the A34 had been opened as a dual carriageway two years earlier But the stretch linking the dual carriageways at East Ilsley and Chilton was still single carriageway – the last between Oxford and Newbury Mr Benyon described this stretch as “a twisting narrow and awkward piece of road which involves steep gradients and some wicked side turnings” He said: “I cannot understand why this road .. is so dangerous and pathetically inadequate and why the Department of Transport continues to postpone work upon it the road is no more than an up-market cattle track.” He claimed the accident rate on this stretch was much higher than the national average Under secretary of state for transport Kenneth Clarke agreed where the road narrows to a sharp bend at the top ‘Coroner calls for re-route of death trap Gore Hill’ ran one headline in the NWN in 1983 Reports detailed vehicles crashing into nearby farmland – sometimes with the occupants dead inside “Extend the dual carriageway or put a bomb on top of Gore Hill,” remarked one copper at the inquest of an 83-year-old woman killed in a two-car crash on the hill The East Ilsley-Chilton scheme entered the trunk road preparation pool in 1971 But works to convert the two-mile stretch into dual carriageway didn’t begin until 1984 which included an underpass where the Ridgeway crosses the A34 Four miles of crash barriers were added on the central reservation between Ashridge Hill and Gore Hill in 1990 This later caused backlash from pedestrians and horse riders who demanded an underpass at East Ilsley after it was discovered the barriers had been illegally blocking an ancient right of way between East Ilsley and Beedon Projects like the M40 motorway extension from Oxford to Birmingham Newbury MP Sir Michael McNair-Wilson backed a campaign to erect screens to protect the village from noise and fumes pollution An A34 Action Group formed in 2016 after a mother and three children were killed in an eight-car pile-up near the village while a separate petition called to lower the speed limit The A34 had seen more than 50 accidents resulting in death or serious injury in the last five years and the closure of the entire carriageway 56 times The issue triggered a Parliamentary debate Newbury MP Richard Benyon and North West Hampshire MP Kit Malthouse pressed for increased investment to improve safety Speeding, heavy traffic, potholed road surfaces failing to look and sudden braking still continue to cause crashes The slip roads at East Ilsley and Beedon are still too short Drivers are forced to join from a standing start or accelerate dangerously, risking a collision from behind And where accidents cause delays on the busy trunk road, drivers pelt it along country lanes instead Various suggestions to improve safety have been heard reducing speed limits and making the slip roads longer Ms Bailey added: “I am grateful to everyone who shared their experiences with these dangerous slip roads from car crashes and near-misses to residents fearing for the lives of their children “I will continue to engage with the Government and National Highways to ensure our local roads are safe for families.” who recently met with the Minister for Roads along with Didcot and Wantage MP Olly Glover and North West Hampshire MP Kit Malthouse to press for better signage improved junction design and enhanced safety measures on the A34 The group is also engaging with local councils road safety groups and transport authorities to push for meaningful action The A34 is currently closed through part of West Berkshire after a combine harvester fell off the back of a lorry It is currently completely blocking the northbound carriageway at East Ilsley The road is shut between the East Ilsley and West Ilsley turn offs There is heavy congestion going northbound from the M4 at junction 13 for Chieveley and slow traffic coming south past the incident Delays of around 30 minutes are being experienced National Highways said its traffic officers were on the scene and recovery of the combine harvester was being arranged It added that it expected the road to be reopened around 11.30am but it could take a further hour for traffic to get back to normal One person has posted on Facebook to say that the vehicle has got stuck under a sign and its blades are across the whole carriageway National Highways posted on X (formerly Titter): “The #A34 in #Berkshire remains closed northbound between the #M4 (#Chieveley) & the #A4185 (#Chilton) due to a header which has fallen from the back of a tractor and is blocking the road “A recovery operation is ongoing at scene and we'll be arranging repairs to the sign.” A weather warning for snow - in place today - has been extended north and now covers the whole of West Berkshire and North Hampshire The news comes as the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) extends its amber cold health alert The district has seen a sprinkling of snow over the past few days and more is now forecast this evening The Met Office said that outbreaks of sleet and snow are expected through this afternoon and evening although they do not expect it to settle in many places it also warned that ice is likely to form on untreated surfaces It warns people to allow more time for journeys in the icy conditions and advises pedestrians and cyclists to stick to main roads that are more likely to have been gritted make sure you have some essentials in your car in the event of any delays (e.g. high visibility vest and an in-car phone charger),” it added The yellow weather warning runs until midnight which was due to expire at midday today (Wednesday) It has now been extended until midday on Sunday (January 12) The alerts are issued when the forecast weather is “likely to cause significant impacts across health and social care services” The low temperatures experienced this week were expected to lead to pressure on health services particularly by vulnerable and elderly people with a number of hospitals declaring critical incidents Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital and Royal Hampshire County Hospital in Winchester declared a critical incident yesterday for second time in space of a month head of extreme events and health protection at UKHSA said: “The forecasted temperatures can have a serious impact on the health of some people including those aged 65 and over and those with pre-existing health conditions and it is therefore vital to check in on friends family and neighbours that are most vulnerable “These people could be more at risk of heart attacks stroke and chest infections as a result of cold temperatures.” A number of flood alerts also remain in place across the district A number of flood alerts are currently also in place in West Berkshire They are warning of groundwater flooding in the Great Shefford area; the Lambourn Valley catchment and in West Ilsley There are also warnings in place on the River Kennet and its tributaries from Berwick Bassett down to Newbury; on the River Kennet from Thatcham down to Reading; on the River Pang from East Ilsley to Pangbourne and Sulham Brook; on the River Thames and its tributaries from Days Lock to above Pangbourne; on the River Thames from Mapledurham to Sonning; and on the River Thames from Pangbourne to Purley The new MP for Reading West and Mid Berkshire has pledged to stand up for small businesses and the self-employed Olivia Bailey made the promise as she gave her maiden speech in Parliament on Thursday this allows MPs an opportunity to talk about their constituency their predecessors and their personal political journey the Labour politician shared with her fellow MPs some highlights of the constituency including from Tilehurst which she said “has always been a place of skilled labour” She reminded Parliament of the role the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) has “My constituency also has a proud history of defending our great country,” she said adding: “I am really proud of the work that my constituents do there and I will always support our nuclear deterrent.” The speech also highlighted the villages including Pangbourne She joked: “Eyebrows were raised when I asked one of my activists to take a trip to the hamlet called World’s End they were met with beauty rather than eternal doom.” There was praise for her predecessor in the old Reading West seat wishing Sir Alok Sharma well “in the other place” – how the House of Commons refers to the House of Lords held in high regard by many locally,” she said “He was also a tireless campaigner in the battle against climate change Ms Bailey also thanked another former Reading West MP who she said was a “passionate campaigner for the protection of our waterways” Ms Bailey also thanked former Newbury MP Laura Farris and ex-Wokingham MP Sir John Redwood for their work in other parts of the constituency There was also praise for her parents: “I have spent my career trying to honour their contributions,” she said highlighting her father’s work with the police while mentioning the health of her mother burns most fiercely as I hold the hand of my mum being taken from me by Alzheimer’s while being let down by the state,” she told Parliament she would be a servant: “In the years I have in this place I hope to continue the hard work and dedication of the many men and women who said: “It is daunting to undertake a maiden speech but she did so with panache and passion.” West Berkshire Council is considering a new application in West Ilsley Rowles Farm Partnership has applied for permission to install four fertiliser tanks and containment bund at land west Of Cold Harbour Cottages at Rowles Farm in West Ilsley The GRP fertiliser tanks have been designed to be positioned in a location that is central to the farm optimising machinery and labour resources to be more economically viable for the farm The applicant says the use of liquid fertiliser will have a positive environmental effect as it requires less machinery removing the need for bag disposal and plastic waste The council is due to announce its decision by October 21 West Berkshire Council has approved the addition of an on-floor grain store and four gas tanks at Folly Farm in West Ilsley Place Farm Partnership submitted an application in October seeking permission to construct a purpose-built store on the farm capable of meeting current consumer demands The proposed structure – capable of storing 2,000 tonnes of crops – has been welcomed by local residents and Newbury MP Laura Farris thousands of tonnes of crops are moved from the site to a neighbouring farm and later exported resulting in a total of 130 tractor and trailer and 50 HGV lorry journeys passing through West Ilsley A central grain store would eliminate further travel disruptions in the village and on nearby roads by enabling vehicles direct access to the A34 from Folly Farm All parties are satisfied to proceed with the proposal on the condition that the noise mitigation and sustainable drainage measures outlined in the acoustic assessment report and drainage strategy are maintained the applicant is required to commission an archaeological survey while excavating the foundations to ensure any significant findings are properly recorded Local residents have praised the benefits the development will bring to the village "Reducing the number of vehicles passing through the village will have a positive impact by reducing noise and other inconvenience," said Richard Gore "The scheme is sympathetically proposed within its setting," added Newbury MP Laura Farris "It seems to engage no unacceptable planning harms whilst also providing a number of wider benefits." The farm's current holdings comprise a cattle building Place Farm Partnership submitted an application in October to construct a purpose-built on-floor grain store at Folly Farm West Ilsley – capable of storing 2,000 tonnes of crops The proposed structure had the backing of local residents and Newbury MP Laura Farris after promising to eliminate further travel disruptions in and around the village by enabling direct HGV access to the A34 after the local planning authority confirmed the applicant met the requirements detailed under condition 5 (written scheme of investigation) to commission an archaeological survey during foundation excavations to ensure ensure any significant findings are properly recorded Senior archaeologist Sarah Orr said: "I can confirm that the applicants' archaeological contractors have been in discussion with me regarding this matter and that I saw the Written Scheme of Investigation (WSI) provided prior to some metal detecting and monitoring being carried out "The WSI and submitted report are satisfactory and no further requests for investigation are needed." The development may progress but must be carried out in accordance with the full terms of the conditions outlined in the decision notice A group of concerned residents are urging West Berkshire Council to step in to protect a historic former Baptist chapel in West Ilsley This follows a number of serious traffic incidents within the proximity of The Old Chapel The chapel was erected in the 19th century and served the Baptist population of the village Mr Fuller was highly-regarded in West Berkshire having spearheaded Baptist missions in Ashampstead The property is now a dwelling and has been owned by artist Simon Tarrant since last year A 60mph speed limit is in force on the road that forks either side of the house where a number of collisions have occurred over the years In February last year – soon after Mr Tarrant moved in – a car crashed directly into the chapel's entrance the homeowner took matters into his own hands setting planters around the property in a bid to protect it It is understood that there is some dispute over rights to the land surrounding the chapel This prompted a negative reaction from the council towards Mr Tarrant's action The homeowner said: "The council has not only refused to address the situation but has now ordered me to remove the planters I installed on my land to protect myself and my property "The council has also refused me permission to restore the original brick wall and railings that ran around the front of The Old Chapel and has instead instructed me to install industrial bollards at a cost of £20,000 to myself "I have also been instructed to take out an insurance policy for the bollards to avoid the council being liable in the event of future accidents the bollards would be ineffective as the council has stipulated they should be 1.3 metres apart and would be highly unaesthetic in such a rural setting." Mr Tarrant and his husband Nick Ellis are launching a campaign to force the council to take action and alter the traffic regime on the road they wish for the measures to respect the historical and aesthetic value of the site Mr Tarrant said: "I have used all the means at my disposal to negotiate with the council to agree a more acceptable solution including employing a traffic consultant and commissioning a speed survey "In particular I want to honour the architectural heritage of the building located in such a prominent position in a Conservation Area and Area of Natural Outstanding Beauty." The campaign has been endorsed by local racing trainers Mick Channon and Denis Coakley West Berkshire Council spokeswoman Peta Stoddart-Crompton said: "In principle the council would not object to installation of traffic protection measures on the land in front of the chapel and a proposal for a vehicle activated sign outside The Old Chapel has been supported by both West Ilsley Parish Council and the ward member the measures could only be approved provided if there is still a route for pedestrians so that they are not made to walk in the road Since Mr Tarrant objects to pedestrians walking on his land we are yet to reach an agreement with him." Mr Tarrant has now launched a petition to keep the planters in place This can be viewed and signed on West Berkshire Council's website West Ilsley Cricket Club celebrated the opening of a new net facility on its Catmore Road premises in an event staged alongside an intergenerational charity match The under-17s (U17s) took on a team of West Ilsley old boys in a fixture that raised £720 for Dementia UK The new nets were opened by Hampshire cricketer Tom Scriven who trained with the West Ilsley club as a youth player Club chairman Andy Brown said: "Our U17s are Berkshire champions but we want everyone to enjoy the facilities at the club "The new nets are just a part of a plan to modernise in the coming year "We have a great community in the village and the cricket club plays a major role in that both in a sporting and social sense." This year’s finalists all show a passion for sustainable farming practices seeking the perfect balance of arable and livestock farming and complementary diversifications The judges visited each finalist for a three-hour visit and a tour of their setup Running a mixed arable and livestock farm in the Berkshire village of West Ilsley the Carlisle family pride themselves on their close-knit family business where a new vineyard was recently added to their mix of enterprises together with their identical twin sons Will and Tom and daughter Georgie manage more than 600ha of arable and grassland on Rowles Farm sharing their farming ways with the public On the livestock side they have a breeding flock of 700 North Country Mule ewes and buy in 600 hoggs all of which are run in conjunction with Peter’s brother David and his daughter The separate enterprises complement each other well helping balance the workload throughout the year with livestock making efficient use of the farm’s permanent grassland rotation and straw as well as grazing-off stubble turnips and cover crops winter oilseed rape and stubble turnips for the sheep while winter linseed made an appearance for the first time this year while a four-spray fungicide approach tackles the major disease threats of septoria and yellow rust Winter and spring barley average about 8.5t/ha and 7.5t/ha acting as a soil conditioner and additional sheep fodder The family use a Horsch Avatar direct drill to sow all of their crops In a bid to shield the OSR from cabbage stem flea beetle barley stubble is left taller and crops are sown with buckwheat as a companion crop “Another plus of using the Horsch drill is that we can apply fertiliser down the spout placing it right next to the seed to kick-start emergence and eliminate additional tractor passes,” says Tom Lambing takes place indoors during February and March “Lambing is certainly a labour-intensive period for us but it brings all the family together After monitoring the farm’s climate over the past four years it was decided to plant a 3.5ha vineyard (16,000 vines) of Bacchus and Pinot Noir on the light loam over chalk soils “We aim to harvest our first crop of grapes in three years and sell to UK winemakers as part of a co-operative with the possibility to produce our own bottled wine and add tourism-based elements in the future,” says Georgie With the farm located at the very heart of a rural village tapping into the tourism market certainly offers potential but the family also play an active role in community life and are affectionately known as West Ilsley’s fourth emergency service Promoting British agriculture and reaching out to a wider audience is something Tom which is why they embarked on their social media journey Two years on from making their Instagram account (@rowles_farm) they have nearly reached 10,000 followers and demonstrate farming in a positive light Rowles Farm is a fantastic example of a mixed farming family business All the family are involved in various aspects of the business The energy they have for each enterprise is infectious Simple and sustainable is the motto for Huw and Meinir Jones who farm beef and arable alongside a diversified pet bedding business and holiday lets in Ceredigion Operating a dry coastal farm on the edge of Cardigan Bay the pair maximise their ability to outwinter their 80 Salers-cross spring calving suckler cows on kale turnip or forage rape in order to save on housing costs Growing a further 25ha of spring and winter barley optimising the use of home-grown cereals in return for nutrient-rich manure to help create a sustainable rotation using either Salers or Hereford bulls to produce a docile easy-calving cow to be crossed with a top 1% Charolais bull for prime fat cattle production “Scanning results are 91% and cows calve in a strict 10-week period,” says Huw Cattle run on a rotational grazing platform in three groups allowing the couple to control intakes and quickly identify any shortfalls or excess growth The best grass fields now grow more than 11t DM/ha with measurements taken every two weeks during the growing season there is no requirement for cattle wormer as pasture burdens are kept significantly low Herbal leys were also planted for the first time last year to help fatten cattle off forage and improve soil health through the plants’ deep rooting systems Fat cattle are sold direct to the abattoir reducing stress before slaughter and enabling this year’s bulls to kill out at 55% to 58% Huw identified that organic matter levels often limited arable yields prompting him to ditch the plough and move to direct drilling in 2010 including grass are now drilled using the 3m Simtek with organic matter levels now measuring over 10% But even with the adoption of direct drilling Huw and Meinir took the decision to up cattle numbers to 80 by rearing their own replacements and halve the arable area to 25ha as a means of promoting the farm’s long-term sustainability pet bedding enterprise and holiday cottages the drive to improve soil health has paid off Huw’s vested interest in value-added enterprises inspired him to diversify into a pet bedding enterprise back in 2004 What started as cold calling at local pet shops has now developed into a thriving business where Huw and Meinir grow The business fits exceptionally well within their farming enterprises as any hay or straw which does not meet the desired standard is used back on the farm Huw also has an impressive ability to manage and monitor farm performance He has a great awareness of costs and uses the resources he has to their optimum He also takes great pride in training up the next generation with a number of university placement students having worked on the farm over the years Too often we think big is best and this business is an excellent example of the opposite generating healthy profits by focusing on the detail and developing a point of difference with their diversified pet bedding enterprise Paul Temple describes himself as not only a mixed beef and arable farmer but also a soil scientist in the making as he focuses on improving soil biology across his East Yorkshire medium clay loam land With a six-year rotation in place at the tenanted farm crops benefit from organic manure applications from the 550-head beef herd Mr Temple decided something had to change which is why he doubled cattle numbers and went down the no-till establishment route reducing cultivation passes to get his soils working for him The shift to conservation agriculture has had many positive impacts with both machinery and labour costs cut by a third and overall N applications on track to be reduced by 25% winter wheat crops receive just 160kg N/ha and still yield an impressive 10t/ha Insecticides are being phased out and fungicides are used sparingly as Mr Temple looks to make the most out of soil biology “We have not used a T0 spray for four years and just apply two main fungicides at late T1 and T2.5,” he says crops are never established purely on speculation barley for home consumption and vining peas are grown for Swaythorpe Peas All crops are established with a Weaving direct drill which replaced the plough power harrow and Vaderstad drill five years ago “One challenge we face is making vining peas work consistently under no-till establishment,” he says beef cattle are produced to a specific store market “For our livestock marketing we have used a variety of direct marketing platforms with repeat buyers for our store stock.” Stabilisers have been the breed of choice at Wold Farm for many years due to their low cost Improving cattle infrastructure to optimise efficiency safety and animal health was a priority when the suckler herd was doubled to 240 The farm now sets its sights on 300 sucklers managed with the same level of labour with the ultimate aim of fattening on farm and working with the local abattoir Cows with calves at foot then graze rented permanent pasture grassland a maximum of 10 miles from home where Mr Temple has designed easy-to-use handling facilities on off-ground Calves are weaned at 300-340kg and fed a total mixed ration The 40 best-performing heifers are kept as replacements to ensure good herd performance Mr Temple believes the mixed-farm approach offers a great working experience and work-life balance The farm is currently in Higher Level Stewardship with educational access for schools and colleges and Mr Temple is particularly proud to offer many young people their first opportunity of work and responsibility Mr Temple is also actively involved with the NFU Oilseeds & Proteins Group and Global Farmer Network soil health and market understanding is exceptional The wheat yields on his farm are quite incredible considering the level of nitrogen he is applying Cawood is delighted to be sponsoring the Farmers Weekly 2021 Mixed Farmer of the Year award As a key supplier to both arable and livestock farmers across the UK recognising the very best of British agriculture in complementary operations that form one sustainable farming business is very important to us We would like to wish the very best of luck to all finalists and we look forward to celebrating alongside our customers and colleagues on the night Visit our Know How centre for practical farming advice Phone: +44 (0) 1858 438800 Email: [email protected] Find new and used Farm Machinery,Farm Equipment, Livestock and Property for sale With a new generation wanting to put their mark on the farm Jack Watkins visits the Carlisle family to hear all about their new venture into wine The recent decision by the Carlisle family to plant.. Login Register for 1 free article per week or become a member for unlimited access to essential farming news and insights Making improvements to soil drainage for direct drilling 4.5m tonnes of grain stuck in Ukrainian ports BNG National Habitat Bank Creation & Unit All material is copyright Farmers Guardian Limited. Farmers Guardian and Farmersguardian.com are registered trademarks of Farmers Guardian Limited, Unit 4 Fulwood Park, Caxton Road, Fulwood, Preston, England, PR2 9NZ. Farmers Guardian Limited is registered in England and Wales with company registration number 07931451. Part of Arc network, www.arc-network.com Newbury MP Laura Farris has launched a bid to keep a chunk of her current seat safe from a re-drawing of the political map Parliamentary seats are to be carved up with the soon-to-be-announced Boundary Commission review It means people in West Berkshire could find themselves voting in a new constituency if proposals are approved – either Newbury or the new constituency of Mid Berkshire Mrs Farris wants to amend the tabled proposals which she says could see the Lambourn racing industry spliced in two In her submission to the Boundary Commission Mrs Farris says: “We are proposing a new split of the Ridgeway ward which will occur just to the east of the A34 “The principal section of the Berkshire Downs that runs to its west is home to the West Berkshire racing industry – which is primarily located in Lambourn with a number of stables dotted across the Berkshire Downs up to East and West Ilsley “The split that we are proposing maintains the overall integrity of the racing industry across the Berkshire Downs including all the areas of Gallops from Lambourn to West Ilsley Racing is one of West Berkshire’s largest employers (more than 1,000 people) and generates £23m annually for the local economy “The racehorses all train on various stretches of ‘Gallops’ between Lambourn and East Ilsley because of the altitude and undulations of the Downs,” said Mrs Farris “The racing industry is integrally connected to Newbury Racecourse and has always been part of the Newbury constituency “On the split the Boundary Commission is currently proposing a small number of racehorse trainers (approximately 15 per cent) would become separated and form part of Mid Berkshire whilst around 85 per cent of the others would remain within the Newbury CC [county constituency] “We respectfully think it is artificial to put a segment of the industry into the Mid Berkshire seat where the vast majority of constituents will live in Reading.” The Boundary Commission for England has proposed the changes to ensure that the number of electors in each constituency is more equal The Newbury seat is to be carved up and villages east of Thatcham will have a new MP under the proposals The new Newbury constituency will extend from Upper Lambourn to Thatcham and from Fawley and Farnborough to Coombe Woolhampton and Yattendon could find themselves voting for the MP for Mid Berkshire if the proposals go ahead Tidmarsh and Tilehurst – currently in Reading West – will also fall under Mid Berkshire which are currently in Wokingham constituency The number of constituencies in England will increase from 533 to 543 under the proposals and constituencies must have no less than 69,724 Parliamentary electors and no more than 77,062 There were 83,414 registered voters in Newbury Constituency for the 2019 General Election Under the new proposals Newbury will have 71,631 electors and Mid Berkshire 69,999 who won the seat in 2019 with 34,431 votes and a majority of 16,047 “I couldn’t argue with the logic of equalising them in the manner that was proposed,” she said “I definitely think the principle of fair representation is a really vital one it’s democratic and I think it’s as fair as it can be.” the Boundary Commission changes will come into effect in 2023 – ahead of any scheduled general election Here’s our guide to Remembrance Services in your area this year If you’d like your service to be included in our roundup afterwards please send a brief report and images as soon as possible to newsdesk@newburynews.co.uk NEWBURY: 10.30am: The parade will leave Pelican Lane and march along Northbrook Street The mayor will take the salute in Mansion House Street before a Remembrance Service will take place in Market Place Wreaths will then be laid at the War Memorial on the way into St Nicolas Church Service sheets will be available on the day and also available to download from the Newbury Town Council website THATCHAM: 10.30am: The Remembrance parade will start at 10.30am at the Kingsland Centre car park loop around Thatcham Broadway and up the High Street to the War Memorial A smaller service for Armistice Day will be led by the Royal British Legion on Monday November 11 from 10.45am at the War Memorial Thatcham United Reform Church will hold a Remembrance Service at 9.30am in its church before joining in the town Remembrance at the War Memorial HUNGERFORD: Services will take place from 9.30am at St Lawrence's Church arriving at the War Memorial in Bridge Street for the Service of Remembrance November 11 from 10.50am at the War Memorial A parade will begin from near The Hatch Gate Inn to St Mary's Church A parade will begin from The Swan at Compton pub to the Church before the service at 10.30am November 9 at the war memorial; 10.45am remembrance service There will be a parade from The White Hart pub to the Church before the service at 10.30am Holy Communion with Remembrance service from 10.30-11.15am so called owing to the location of their studios rather than subject matter will be exhibiting for one day at West Ilsley Village Hall RG20 7AJ tomorrow (Sunday) between 1pm and 5pm Geoff Wond and Katy Morris plus a few others exhibiting an eclectic range of talent that the surrounding villages has to offer Katy Morris’ beautiful pottery is inspired by mermaids and the natural world around us Jill Hobbs is mainly a portrait artist working in oils and acrylic and soon to be aired on BBC1’s Make It at Market A COUPLE have applied to West Berkshire Council for listed building consent and permission to partly demolish extend and convert a redundant Grade II-listed threshing barn to residential use The proposal from Mr and Mrs Hartwright – focused on the 19th-century Hodcott Barn at Manor Farm West Ilsley – would also involve re-building non-listed derelict labourers' cottages neighbouring the site to provide ancillary accommodation A full structural survey of the buildings will be required The application is currently being considered by the council The winter 2013/14 flood event significantly impacted nineteen parishes in West Berkshire with twenty-three individual towns and villages within these parishes experiencing internal and/or external property flooding In total 366 properties were flooded – 182 of those internally During that winter much of the country was battered with heavy rain and winds Areas in the south-east of the country received almost 2.5 times the volume of rainfall than expected over an average winter period from the beginning of December until the end of February was the wettest recorded in the UK since records began in 1766 The worst affected areas were those along the line of each of the three river valleys that span West Berkshire; the River Pang The prolonged rainfall also resulted in groundwater levels in parts of West Berkshire rising drastically Groundwater flooding caused more concern than flooding from the rivers across the majority of West Berkshire during this winter with the worst affected areas being East Ilsley where approximately 1,200 homes were flooded West Berkshire Council was working in partnership with several agencies to ensure that Thatcham was better protected from possible future flooding large flood alleviation schemes have been built at Cold Ash Hill protecting 913 properties from the impact of surface water flooding Construction of three flood attenuation ponds at Bowling Green Road Heath Lane and East Thatcham are currently underway The aim of the Memorial Fields Scheme is to protect the remaining Thatcham properties which do not currently benefit from the other schemes in the area a minimum of 73 properties would be at a lower risk of flooding both now and in the future Flood defence projects planned for Lambourn Thatcham and Newbury have been boosted by a £6.3 million contribution from the Environment Agency which is a combination of Defra grant and a contribution from Thames Valley Flood and Coastal Committee will see the completion of the north and east Thatcham flood alleviation projects It will also enable the design of a flood alleviation scheme for the Memorial Fields in Thatcham which will be delivered in 2024/25 to protect a further 180 Thatcham homes the funding will help protect specific at-risk homes in Lambourn and will fund a surface water flooding investigation in the Clay Hill area of Newbury to help inform future funding bids These projects are building on an extensive flood defence programme that in recent years has helped protect over 900 properties in Thatcham alone These five projects have a total cost of £6 million which is a significant investment by the council The council has worked on these projects in close partnership with the Environment Agency who play a crucial role nationally in helping to make local communities more resilient to the impacts of flooding and coastal change Korros Ensemble: Christmas Concert in aid of Barnardo’s MUSICIANS now have to find any way they can to keep their morale up and their fingers from wasting away Nick Ellis (clarinets) and Camilla Pay (harp) – have uploaded a Christmas Concert with half the £10 ticket price going to Barnardo’s Filmed in a Victorian chapel in West Berkshire complete with candles Christmas tree and a few cameos from Nick Ellis’ miniature schnauzer Percy the recording opens with celebrity endorsements from Davina De Campo (famous from RuPaul's Drag Race UK) and Catrin Finch harp professor at the Royal Academy of Music The players are out-and-out virtuosi with an immediate and infectious rapport The principal work on the programme is Nick Ellis’ skilful arrangement of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite which lends itself perfectly to a transcription of this type with the great soaring tunes on flute and clarinet and the harp providing sumptuous harmonic support All our favourites are there: the Little Overture the Mirlitons (pastries shaped like a reed-pipe Between these are a number of delightful intermezzi: Debussy’s piano Arabesque is lustrously seductive (another felicitous transfer) but somehow uplifting Waltz no.2 for Variety Orchestra oozes the sardonic gallows-humour of the Soviets Camilla Pay gives a bewitching account of the harp Interlude from Britten’s Ceremony of Carols luscious but with celestially twinkling harmonics Her contribution to the arrangements is a suitably gooey version of Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane’s Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas And yet another inspired choice is Prokofiev’s Troïka from Lieutenant Kijé with its shivering sleigh bells surfing through the winter snow Spread throughout the concert are short engaging clips showing each musician’s talents as communicator Eliza Marshall speaks eloquently about musicians coming together in this arid time Nick Ellis about his arrangements and future plans Camilla Pay about the different disciplines of chamber music and orchestral playing And over-the-top Davina returns to introduce a short promotional video about Barnardo’s valuable work with some touching stories from young people they have helped JOINT organiser and host Simon Tarrant said: “We enjoyed a wonderful day filming the Korros Ensemble perform Tchaikovksy’s Nutcracker Suite at the Old Chapel in West Ilsley This was the first time we have hosted a concert at the chapel having spent the last two years renovating it How inspiring to hear the music soar into the rafters of this historic building We felt incredibly lucky that the Korros Ensemble was able to perform this concert after a long period of lockdown with all of the associated restrictions for musicians – how amazing to be able to broadcast much-needed online live music into people’s homes Also how wonderful that so many people have bought tickets meaning that we have been able to support such a worthwhile cause as Barnardo’s charity.” Nick Ellis added : “It has been an incredible experience just being able to do what we have dedicated our lives and careers to it has been a positive and delightful project to finish 2020 who also has the flute chair at Disney’s Lion King in London’s West End said: “We are not the type to sit and watch the world go by so we jumped at the opportunity to play in such an acoustically resonant and atmospheric venue when live music events are so few and far between.” 2020 has presented a whirlwind of emotions and it has been great to focus on a positive venture We are thrilled to present this year’s nut-cracking Christmas Concert in aid of Barnardo’s.” The event has been made possible through a partnership with streaming company TicketCo TV https://korrosensemble.ticketco.events/uk/en/e/korros_ensembles_nutcracking_christmas_concert A number of properties in Eastbury have now been flooded and the road through the village is still closed The army is being deployed into the village today to deliver around 40 sandbags to those most affected and most at risk of flooding and also to assist with pumping floodwater from affected areas The Plough pub at Eastbury is still open for business said that up to 30 properties - mostly those that are expected to flood - had been flooded "The river is higher than it was in January and still rising," said Mr Jones "They are forecasting that it will reach 2003 levels which was disastrous We are going to get some more property flooding this time We are expecting a few that just missed it a few weeks ago." The Barn Community Centre has been set up to cater for people who need to evacuate their homes while portaloos have also been set up in two points in the village due to issues with sewage when the village was flooded in January St Mary's Avenue had sewage flooding into the floodwater Properties in Theale are among those that have been flooded in the district while the Fox and Hounds pub is closed today due to the extent of road closures and flooding in the village A Facebook page called 'Help for Newbury Residents Affected by the Floods' has now been created to offer help and support to all of those who have been affected in the area fire crews performed three water rescues to people trapped in floodwater in their cars with assistance from the water rescue boat crew from Caversham Road station rescued two females and three children from a vehicle trapped in Deans Copse Road The team were called out again at around 1am to a woman who had tried to find a diversion route with Burghfield Road being closed due to flooding by the Cunning Man pub fire crews returned the people to their homes One pump from Newbury was also called out to assist with a couple who were stuck in their vehicle at Long Lane West Berkshire Council and the Environment Agency are urging people not to attempt to drive through floodwater Not only can floodwater cause substantial damage to cars but the authorities have issued the warning that 30cm of floodwater is enough to move a car Severe weather warnings are no longer in force across the district however further rain is expected from 9am to 6pm today The downpours are taking their toll on waterways locally as well as causing substantial groundwater flooding as the rain falls on already heavily saturated ground the River Kennet in both Newbury and Theale broke its record water levels the River Lambourn burst its banks in Eastbury Red flood warnings – which mean that which indicate that flooding is expected and immediate action is required – are currently in place at: The River Thames at Pangbourne and Whitchurch at Goring and Streatley and at Purley Village The River Lambourn from Upper Lambourn to Great Shefford Amber flood alerts are currently in place at: The River Enborne and Foudry Brook including the Ecchinswell Brook and the Kingsclere Brook and the Foudry Brook and its tributaries from Scotsman's Green to Green Park including Stratfield Mortimer and Tadley on the Bishopswood Stream The River Lambourn and its tributaries from Upper Lambourn to Newbury Great Shefford on the Great Shefford Stream and Winterbourne on the Winterbourne Stream The River Kennet and its tributaries from Berwick Bassett to Newbury The River Pang from East Ilsley to Pangbourne and Sulham Brook Bradfield and Tidmarsh; and the Sulham Brook from Theale to Pangbourne including Sulham The River Thames and its tributaries from Days Lock to Pangbourne The River Thames from Pangbourne to Purley Amber groundwater flooding alerts have also been issued for West Ilsley Please keep your photographs coming in to reporter Ellis Barker You can email her on ellis.barker@newburynews.co.uk Environment Agency floodline for flood warnings information and advice 0845 988 1188 SSE emergency contact for southern England 0800 0727282 SSE priority service team 0800 2943259 West Berkshire Council streetcare during office hours 01635 519080 16 AUG 2016BookmarkPicture of the scene on the A34 (Image: Geoff Woade)Safety improvements could be made on a dangerous dual carriageway after a mother and three children died in a crash West Berkshire Council will review a section of the A34 after the deaths heightened drivers' safety concerns about the road supporting West Berkshire's request for a review said: "Last week’s collision on the A34 was a tragedy and we send our condolences to the families involved "In the coming weeks our Highways team will work with our partners including Highways England who have responsibility for this trunk road to review safety on this particular section and determine what improvements are necessary." The fatal crash on the A34 on Wednesday, August 10 sparked a petition on the Government website to reduce the speed limit of the A34 to 50mph The petition reads: "The A34 between Chieveley and West Ilsley currently has a national speed limit (70mph) and carries significant volumes of traffic past slip-roads with very poor intervisibility between vehicles joining and proceeding along the A34 at East Ilsley and Beedon "This results in frequent accidents." In a letter to Highways England's chief executive Jim O'Sullivan, Mr Benyon wrote: "The recent accident on the A34 that resulted in the deaths of one adult and three children has focused many people's concerns about the safety of the A34 "On frequent occasions this road is blocked because of accidents or repair work and many local people comment to me about the dangers of joining the carriageway from slip roads close to East and West Ilsley." A spokesman for Highways England told getreading: "Our thoughts go out to all those affected by the recent tragic incident "Safety is our top priority and we consider any advice given by the police or other statutory bodies to improve safety "We also monitor all the roads on our network on an ongoing basis to identify where safety improvements may be made "We have commissioned a range of research projects to further improve road safety including research into the causes of fatalities in collisions on our roads and the factors which contribute to poor driver behaviour We are looking at a number of options to ascertain what is most suitable for any particular section of road." Another A34 petition which has been running since June after a 28-year-old man was killed in a head-on collision has seen renewed interest since the crash last week This petition on Change.org has 1,938 supporters as of Tuesday Story SavedYou can find this story in  My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right Home   Sport   Article WEST Ilsley trainer Mick Channon has admitted that Pattie will finish racing at the end of the season The five-year-old won the Unibet Handicap Stakes at Newbury on Saturday - her first victory since October 2018 Pattie held off late pressure from the David Elsworth-trained Ripp Orf to win at the local track Channon said: “We’re chuffed because we kept her training for another year “She’ll be finished by the end of the season and possibly go to the sales,” said Channon “We have been quite hard on her because we haven’t got many older horses who can fly the flag.” the West Ilsley trainer hasn’t made any concrete plans for the coming weeks but she goes on any ground and she’s very versatile.” The win for Channon was his sixth this month but he’s still waiting on a stand-out race but we’re not winning the big ones and we’re not as competitive as we used to be but every trainer in the country will be saying the same.” The day started just like Friday with Jason Watson picking up the win in the Energy Check Handicap Stakes for Roger Charlton The Newbury ambassador - who was favourite - stormed home in first ahead of Sputnik Planum in second and Caravan Of Hope in third Franny Norton guided Thunderous to victory in the Denford Stakes to maintain the good form and finish ahead of Sesame Birah - who was priced at 16-1 Sun Power - owned by the prestigious King Power Racing and trained by Richard Hannon - finished in third The Geoffrey Freer Stakes provided the crowd with a thrilling finish as Technician (10/1) picked up speed to get past Morando inside the final half-a-furlong to win Andrew Balding's Morando was in control of proceedings heading into the final two furlongs but jockey Rob Hornby maintained the pressure from Technician to take victory The Unibet Handicap Stakes didn't disappoint as Channon's Pattie held off a late burst of speed from Ripp Orf to finish in first place James Doyle guided Glorious Journey to victory for Newmarket trainer but it wasn't enough as Glorious Journey bounced back after finishing eighth at Newmarket last time out Doyle won his second successive race of the afternoon as Rhythmic Intent secured victory in the Frontier British EBF Maiden Stakes Torcello wins the Energy Check Handicap Stakes at a huge 25/1. #Newburypic.twitter.com/irShz9bKgB in the penultimate race of the afternoon Torcello scored victory - priced at 25/1 finished ahead of Ritchie Valens an Ocala in second and third respectively Gas Monkey held off a late surge from Andrew Balding's Landa Beach to win For more reaction and images - pick up a copy of the Newbury Weekly News - out on Thursday