Beech Hill News

 

 

Free Swimming for 8 – 16 year olds 

During the School Holidays Willink Leisure Centre were providing free swimming for all 8 to 16 year olds on two days each week. This had been made possible by a grant from the Greenham Common Trust. This offer has now finished.

 

Mobile Library – Use it or lose it!

Cutbacks in council spending could result in the loss of the West Berkshire Mobile Library service if more people don’t use it!

The Mobile Library van visits Beech Hill every three weeks and carries a constantly changing selection of fiction, non-fiction and audio books for adults, children and teenagers. Mortimer Library tickets can be used, or you can get a ticket from the van. Disabled access is provided, and they will also come to your home if you are housebound.

The librarian said recently “We are desperate to get some new customers!”

The Library Van will be in the lay-by at Park View between 10:10 and 10:30 on the following dates: 27^th August, 17^th September, 8^th & 29^th October, 19^th November and 10^th December.

 

The West Berkshire Libraries eLibrary launch has been a great success

The eLibrary is made up of a selection of best-selling and classic title audiobooks and eBooks for both adults and children, which library members can now download from the library's website.

This new service is FREE - all you need is an internet connection and a library card. Follow this link for more details

 

Beware of door-to-door salesmen

A group of males from the Middlesborough area are currently in West Berkshire going round knocking on doors selling household items such as tea towels and dusters. If they knock on your door please can you let the police know immediately by calling the police enquiry centre on 0845 8 505 505 and quoting the URN 338 of the 2.06.10. 

 

Thrive wins best urban garden at RHS Chelsea Flower Show

Our congratulations to Thrive for winning a gold and also the “best urban garden” for their garden at Chelsea.

Follow this link for the full story.

  

 Community Speed Watch in Beech Hill

Thames Valley Police and West Berkshire Council have accepted that reducing speeding through Beech Hill is a high priority issue. Starting in the last week of April automatic devices will be recording the registration numbers of speeding vehicles. If a vehicle is recorded multiple times the police will issue warning letters to the owner which escalate up to prosecution.

Details of the scheme are shown in the attached leaflet. Speedwatch_flyer.pdf

 

Don’t invite burglars by leaving your doors and windows open!

From our Neighbourhood Watch Team

Police would like to update you with information about recent burglaries reported across West Berkshire:-

In Tilehurst, overnight between the 24th/25th May. Offender(s) gained entry via unlocked rear conservatory doors. Two cameras and a mobile phone were stolen (URN 370 of 25.05.10)

In Theale, over the weekend of 21st - 23rd May a handbag was stolen from the lounge. Doors and windows had been left unlocked whilst the occupier was in the garden (URN 772 of 25.05.10)

In Thatcham, between 6.15pm and 10pm on the 25th May, jewellery was stolen from the living room of a property. Doors and windows had been left open due to the hot weather (URN 1660 OF 25.05.10)

Can I please remind everyone to be vigilant and not let your security levels slip this summer. Many burglaries are opportunistic so do not give burglars an open invitation to enter your home by leaving windows and doors open when you are not in the room or at home. If you do have any information about any of these incidents or see anyone acting in a suspicious manner please call the police on 0845 8 505 505

 

Cold Callers - Update

From our Neighbourhood Watch Team

There have been two unrelated reports recently which show how important it is to identify any unexpected callers you may have. The first is perfectly innocent, the second is not!

 

The first report involves a couple of calls to the police about charity workers claiming to be from the Red Cross in the area. The collectors are not allowed to ask for money or cheques and ask people to sign up to a monthly donation, so will ask for credit or debit card information. They should not enter the house or ask to come in and should be wearing red tabards. If you do have concerns about the behaviour of any of the collectors they should be referred to the Red Cross on the following number 0844 87110087.

 

Back in the beginning of June a burglary occurred in the Hampstead Norryes area. There have since been a couple of  similar burglaries outside the West Berkshire area so Thames Valley Police would like to warn residents to remain vigilant. The male, claiming to be from the electricity company, knocks on the door and tells the victim he is there because they have overpaid their bill and offers the victim a fake £50 note. Once he has gained entry to the property he steals the victim's wallet or purse. He is described as white, in his 50's - 60's, smartly dressed in a shirt, trousers and tie. He is possibly using a pedal cycle and/or a van. Please remind vulnerable or elderly neighbours to always check and see who is calling before opening the door. Use a door chain or lock to speak to them and always ask to see their identity card. Check their identity carefully using the phone book or a statement if they claim to be from a utility company. If still in doubt do not let them in. If you think the person calling may be intent on burglary or become threatening call the Police on 999.

 

Please can I ask watch members to continue to report any incidents of people knocking on doors in the West Berkshire area selling household items? If you have any information please can you call the Police Enquiry Centre on 0845 8 505 505

 

 

Refuse Collection – Is it recycling ?

If you are you unsure if this is your recycling week? You can look at your Recycle for West Berkshire Newsletter or go online to www.westberks.gov.uk and enter your postcode into the 'Your Local Information' search engine. [You can also get this information from our own village website – see the ‘Our Refuse Collection’ page]

For more information, contact Streetcare Telephone 01635 519080 Email streetcare@westberks.gov.uk or visit www.westberks.gov.uk/waste

 

Newbury Bus now running 3 days a week

And no need to book in advance

The shopper bus to Newbury which was introduced last October is now running on three days each week – Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Every bus will start from Beech Hill without the need to book it in advance. The bus will leave The Elm tree at 09:25 and goes via Mortimer, Burghfield Common, Ufton Nervett, Aldermaston, Ashford Hill and Headley arriving in Newbury at 10:30. The return journey will leave Newbury (Bartholemew Street) at 13:00. Senior Citizens’ bus tokens will be accepted. 

 

Village Plan

 

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