News

Slow down this summer: Thames Valley Police urges people to take care after nine fatal traffic collisions in May

Published: 1 Jun 23

Thames Valley Police is investigating nine fatal road traffic collisions this month. In just 19 days between the 9 and 28 May, Joint Operations Roads Policing Unit officers from the Thames Valley have attended and dealt with nine fatal road traffic collisions across Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire. The majority of them are suspected to have involved one or more of excessive speed, not wearing a seatbelt, using a mobile phone and drink/drug driving. Read More...

Litter Pick

Litter Pick

Published: 22 May 23

Please join us for a Community Litter Pick on Saturday 3rd June, meeting at the Beansheaf Centre at 10am. All equipment will be provided, as well as refreshments for all participants from midday. Do your bit to help keep Holybrook looking beautiful and litter free. Read More...

Neighbourhood Alert: Keyless Car Thefts

Published: 27 Apr 23

There has been an increase in reports of ‘Theft of Vehicles’ across the West Berkshire area, with recent thefts taking place in the Holybrook Parish. We would like to remind members of the public that if you see a crime in progress to please call 999. Also, if you have a Ring doorbell or CCTV and have footage of recent suspicious activity relating to car theft please call 101 or report on-line www.thamesvalley.police.uk/report-a-crime Can we please remind you to – • Always lock your vehicle • Remove any valuables • Use a steering wheel lock • Store your key in a Signal Blocking Pouch • Install a Vehicle Tracker • Fit a foldable bollard to your driveway • Have an immobiliser installed • Install CCTV and a motion sensor light at your property. Read More...

West Berkshire Library Services

West Berkshire Library Services

Published: 24 Apr 23

Exam season is upon us again and West Berkshire Libraries want to get the message out to students across West Berkshire about all the ways that the library service can help, whether it is by providing study space or by providing free access to a wide range of free online resources. Read More...

Used Office Chairs Available for Free!

Published: 13 Feb 23

Do you need any office chairs for meetings? We've 37 used, and no longer wanted, office chairs up for grabs to whoever wants to collect them from our Parish Council office in the Beansheaf Community Centre. Some of them are in need of some TLC and minor renovation. First come, first served, please call us on 0118 945 4339 if you're interested. Read More...

Berkshire DIG Digital Inclusion Survey

Published: 6 Feb 23

As more and more services move online Berkshire Digital Infrastructure Group (DIG) need to understand why some residents aren't accessing them this way, whether that's because it's a struggle to afford internet access, data or a device, such as a laptop or phone, they aren't confident or they don't feel safe online. They also want to understand what people can do online, whether that's ordering food and gifts, online learning and job searching, or contacting friends and family or a healthcare professional. Sharing your views and experiences with them, or helping someone who may not usually go online to do so, will help them understand where and how they need to focus resources to improve services and provide solutions. They'd also like to know if your habits have changed since the pandemic e.g., has the amount of time you spend on the internet or streaming TV shows increased, or you have become more confident using online services such as banking or booking travel or holidays? If you'd like to share your experiences with them, please complete online their survey, which should only take about 5-10 minutes. Read More...

Sparkling Afternoon Tea in Support of the Berkshire MS Therapy Centre

Published: 2 Feb 23

Tickets for a Sparkling Afternoon Tea at Sindlesham Court on Saturday 20 May are on sale now. Everybody is welcome for this very special event so please invite your friends and family to come along and support the Berkshire MS Therapy Centre. There will be a sparkling drinks reception on arrival and later everyone can enjoy a delicious afternoon tea of sandwiches, cakes, scones with cream and jam, washed down with tea and coffee. There will be live music courtesy of 5T's Brass Quintet, a fantastic local band, and there will be a raffle. Tickets are £25 each. Read More...

New mini recycling centre opens in Tilehurst

Published: 12 Jan 23

West Berkshire Council, in partnership with their waste contractor Veolia, have opened another new mini recycling centre in the district. The new site is located in Tilehurst at Cotswold Sports Centre, Downs Way, RG31 6SL. The mini recycling centre will have banks for: • plastic pots, tubs, trays and cans • small electricals • paper and cardboard • food and drink cartons (including paper tubes with metal ends) • textiles Read More...

Boosting Young People’s Mental & Emotional Health Through Sport

Published: 27 Oct 22

Sport in Mind are offering weekly after-school sessions for young people in Reading and West Berkshire. Young people are invited, or can be referred, to join these after school sessions to get active, and have fun with others in a relaxed, supportive, friendly environment. During the sessions young people will play multi-skills games and enjoy a range of confidence-building activities based on Sport in Mind’s central themes of heartrate, communication, breathing and focus. While improving their sporting ability, young people will also learn lots of ways to take care of themselves physically and mentally, and will be building emotional resilience. Read More...

Have Your Say by Joining West Berkshire Council's Community Panel

Published: 24 Oct 22

It is vital for the Council to receive information from a wide range of residents from every part of West Berkshire and by joining the panel residents can state if they have any particular area of concern/interest they would like to ensure they “have their say” on eg Environment or Cost of Living issues. Read More...

Age UK Berkshire Maintenance Cognitive Stimulation in Calcot

Published: 29 Sep 22

Age UK Berkshire Maintenance Cognitive Stimulation will be starting a new group in The Calcot Centre from 19th October 2022. The group will run weekly on Wednesdays from 10:30–11:30. Participants will be able to take part in a range of activities designed to help maintain memory. Read More...

Fire Service Safe and Well Visits

Published: 26 Sep 22

Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service provides a 'Safe and Well Visit' to all Berkshire residents. This free service provides vulnerable residents with tailored fire safety advice, smoke detection, hearing impaired alarms (if needed) and well-being advice with signposting to additional agencies. Read More...

Emergency Cost of Living Crisis Fund Launched

Published: 26 Sep 22

Greenham Trust and West Berkshire Council have launched a £100,000 Emergency Cost of Living Crisis Fund to help charities support those affected by unaffordable hikes in energy prices and double-digit inflation. Read More...

Calcot Singing for the Brain

Published: 1 Sep 22

Singing for the Brain is a social activity for people with dementia and their carers taking place on the first Tuesday of the month at Kennet Valley Free Church. Read More...

Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme

Published: 30 Aug 22

Did you know that patients and carers on low incomes can reclaim their travel costs for attending hospital appointments? If you’re a patient or carer who receives benefits or is on a low income, you may be eligible to claim back the cost of travelling to specialist healthcare appointments by public transport or car. Read More...

PLEASE REGISTER YOUR BIKES

Published: 24 Jan 20

Thames Valley Police no longer accept bikes that have been found by a member of the public or take reports of lost bikes. Please read for more information. Read More...