The year is already
flying by and after a slow start, largely caused by the heavy snow, everything
is catching up again.
We have an exciting year ahead in Hungerford with the 200th Anniversary of
the Kennet and Avon Canal and we look to progress the pedestrian bridge further,
with West Berks Council, in the next few months.
It is also the 100th anniversaries of Hungerford Primary School and Girl
Guiding and we are delighted to now have two Brownie packs in the Town.
I have recently collected the new plaque which will sit along side James
Dean’s gravestone in St. Lawrence’s Churchyard and we will have
a small ceremony to officially mark its unveiling.
Cllr Gwynneth Bullock is progressing the marking of the paupers graves with
Sarsen stones and a plaque at St Saviours Cemetery and it is hoped this too
will be concluded shortly.
The Council have agreed to replace four trees within the War Memorial avenue
at Bulpit Lane as they are either missing, dead, or in need of attention.
Each tree in this avenue commemorates one lost Hungerford soldier’s
life from the Second World War and there should be 28 trees in total. We
have also accepted a very generous offer from the Berkshire Gardens Trust
to enhance the Tragedy Memorial Garden and complete improvements in the planting,
starting with the soil. New plants will replace the old woody roses to again
symbolise each life lost, as before.
Our Annual Parish Meeting is to be held on March 18th in the Corn Exchange
and it is the public’s opportunity to come and hear and question what
the council has been doing throughout the last 12 months, I welcome you to
attend.
Elizabeth Cardwell Mayor of Hungerford