Dear
Editor,
I was dismayed to read about the cutting of grass and hedges that are done
by the Thames Water Authority at the wrong time of year, in and around Hungerford.
Don’t small birds and mammals get a tough enough time finding safe
places to nest in as it is? O.k. so the land belongs to the Thames Water
Authority, but please let our wildlife thrive and common sense prevail from
now onwards.
P.K.
Dear Editor
Help! Is there anyone within shouting distance of Hungerford Area who would
be prepared to help me with the Greening Hungerford Campaign?
So far I have been working largely alone but if this exciting project is
to really take off; then I now need your help!
This year has been set as an iconic year by climate change scientists and
the media alike with so many targets due to be met by 2010' It didn't get
off with a good start after failure of the Copenhagen talks in Dec 2009 on
which so much in terms of Climate Change and Resource Depletion depended.
However it has given a clear signal that governments are not capable of resolving
these issues and therefore if there is to be progress it is down to ordinary
people to make the changes.
The Greening Campaign shows how little changes by us really can make a big
difference!
Funding is in place and local councils are behind the scheme. However for
it to work the local community must climb on board too. This is why I need
you!
I need you now; especially if you are already involved with a local organisation
be it a Community Group, Church, Youth group, School, local business etc;
in fact just about anyone. (but you do not have to be in one these, even
individuals will be welcome).
Please see my web-site http://www.actionforall.org.uk/LVSF/thegreencampaign
for more information or contact The Energy Meister though the Contact us
http://www.actionforall.org.uk/LVSF/ contact facility on the site for more
local information.
The Energy Meister
Dear Editor,
I hope this reaches you in time, and is not too long? As a relative newcomer
to Hungerford I really only know of ‘’happenings in Hungerford’’ through
your ‘What’s On’ and the same on Hungerford's website page.
A friend had read on Thursday in the NWN, (the day it was going to take place)
that a 2010+ meeting was taking place that very night. Oh why oh why don't
these people and others get it in What’s On or Town Diary? Any way
I went to the meeting to learn more about my new town.
Well Chris Scorey, Jack Williams (doesn’t he talk some lovely old fashioned
sense). Henry Oliver of ANOB , Adrian Scrope, our Mayor and the two WBC councillors
could all be heard well, and some of the audience at the end. Now I reckon
that if you STAND UP you should SPEAK UP, I could see that there was a loop
system for deaf aids, but so many of the ‘’speakers’’ didn’t
talk into the mike, or thought that they could ‘project’ their
voice to one and all (and failed), the inductive loop doesn't work if you
don’t use the mike!
So:- for the Town & Manor man who was just audible ( like all the rest
that follow this) I just about heard his objection about surface water polluting
Harvey's Meadow etc, surely Thames Water should be rapped over the knuckles
and clean up their act!
The lady who faded away trying (and failing) to explain a very very complicated
LDF (being revised though). Regarding the complicated question of allotting
house build numbers, If you take the six Rural Service Centres population,
make a percentage of these, then their percentage could be the percentage
(approx) of the 2100 houses, this might then be the possible number to be
built for that ‘’Centre’’!
The representative from Cottrell Close claimed the most fantastic number
of (condensed in time) vehicle journeys trying to exit the ‘Close’,
come off it, 80 houses does not mean an extra 160 vehicles between 8.30 & 9am.
Yes I do agree about the speed between Eddington Hill and the Eastern 30mph
(something must be done about this) but how he could claim that the twin
fatal accident (it happened 200yds the Newbury side of the limit last November,
in the early hours of the morning) was anything to do with ’speed’ past
Cottrell Close, it is beyond comprehension. How wonderful that many years
ago the then HTC allowed his & other houses in Cottrell Close to be built
(NIMBY springs to mind).
The Upper Eddington chap was audible & brief. Again your argument appears
to involve Thames Water (HTC if you are reading this ‘’we seem
to have a problem’’, or do we?).
The man on the river just the other side of the canal is really so lucky
with his wildlife and it would seem to prove that those claiming river pollution
are wrong? What is it about walking to school, my two walked each day from
one side of Newbury to St. Bart’s, and back again, Newbury's roads
are far busier than ours.
ANOB’s argument seemed to be ‘’if you can see it, you can’t
build it’’ and anyway, turn it down because the plan (LDF) is
being modified. Goodness me, Chilton Estates proposed (but withdrawn) number
of houses is not going to damage Hungerford's infrastructure, and they are
good ‘stewards’. How many other developers put back as much to
us? Chilton might probably build more work units for local employment, and
spending to our local businesses. Name me another developer who has not just
taken the ‘profit’.
Homes do not Hungerford make, it takes all the mix to make the best cake,
I’ve lived in
a few places, and I don’t want to leave Hungerford.
It simply is really a jewel.
My thanks for printing my ramblings. Yours most sincerely T.O.C
Ed’s comment…..You're welcome, some food for thought?
Dear Old
Codger,
CM.s Letter (last edition) was interesting because it enabled us to see how
we appear to strangers (visitors)! I came to Hungerford in 1970 – it
was the best move I have ever made. It is good to know that C.M. is pleased
to be a resident of Hungerford. One specific point raised is the state of
the bus timetables. As Public Transport Representative for Hungerford Town
Council, please may I respond?
These days very few country bus services are provided by and financed by
bus companies. In fact all bus routes that serve Hungerford are operated
by the bus companies under contract to either West Berks or Wiltshire Councils.
The reason for this is that rural services need financial support without
which they could not operate. Timetable displays are sometimes provided by
the bus companies (Wilts & Dorset, Thamesdown & Newbury Buses are
examples), but in other cases by one of the above mentioned councils.
A case in point is at the Town Hall bus stop (outside Rayner), where the
one facing down the High Street has been provided by Wiltshire Council. This
uses a modern presentation which is not liked by everybody. The one facing
up the High Street is maintained by Hungerford Town Council (I do this on
their behalf). This contains details of times of buses to Newbury, Lambourn
and Hungerford Town. I agree it looks amateurish, but I don’t have
access to professional resources; at least it is up-to-date. Once again this
is a result of the local authorities not having all the funding they would
ideally like.
Incidentally, I am always available to provide local public transport information
by telephone (685238).
Yours faithfully, Paul Frances