Planning for the next power cut

The next parish council meeting on Thursday 16 January will be preceded at 6pm by a public meeting with representatives of SSEN and WBC emergency planning. Details of the meeting can be found here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Christmas 2024 parish cafe included a presentation to Sue Watts marking her co-founding of the community market 18 years ago, and her hard work in keeping it going ever since. She has now taken well-earned retirement.

The cafe was also visited by Chris, Jo and Luke from Thames Valley police neighbourhood team. They stayed for tea and cake and met villagers. The team is based jointly at Hungerford Fire Station and Newbury Police Station, and they serve an arc of rural villages spreading from Hungerford, north of (but not including) Newbury, to Calcot.

 

This year's village carol singing in December raised £130 for Newbury Cancer Care. Sarah and Mick Ward send thanks to everyone who contributed.

Elm Farm and White Hart planning applications approved

The White Hart change-of-use application (#24/00582/FUL) to turn the former pub into four housing units has been approved.

The parish council raised no objection to the application, but 27 letters of objection and four of support were submitted.

Also approved was application #23/02550/FULMAJ in which the owners of Elm Farm plan to demolish redundant farmstead buildings and build a new house. The proposal had 23 letters of support as well as commendation from the parish council.

This approval, together with work that has started on the adjoining former White Hart skittle alley site, will bring the total number of potential households on the site to four.

 

 

the original Elm Farmhouse

What's on in the village

January
Sat 11      10-1      community market in village hall
Thu 16    6-7.30  vill hall meeting with SSEN and WBC followed by

7.30-9  parish council meeting
Thu 30    2-4        parish café in village hall
February
Thu 6       7-9      Circle of Friends in village hall
Sat 8      10-1       community market in village hall
Thu 27   2-4        parish café in village hall
March
Thu 6   7-9         Circle of Friends in village hall
Sat 18  10-1        community market in village hall
Thu 20 7.30       parish council meeting in village hall
Thu 27 2-4         parish café in village hall

 

More info:
Community market/Lanie Allen 07775 804143.
Circle of Friends/Sue Watts 07884 004418.
Mobile library/Sandra Edwards 01635 519827.
Parish café/Anne Budd 01488 657022.

Hamstead Hornet
The December 2024 issue of the Hamstead Hornet can be seen here. Next issue due out early December.

Mobile library threatened

WBC is proposing to abolish the mobile library service from next April, which will affect those who make use of its regular visits to Ash Tree Grove.

Arguments in favour of abolition include reduced demand for the service, and cost. The current vehicle needs to be replaced at an estimated cost of £200,000.

Results of the user survey have yet to be declared. Whether or not the mobile service continues, borrowers who are unable to go to the library can join the At Home service, through which books can be delivered to their home every three weeks. Ring Sandra Edwards on 01635 519827 (mornings) for more details.