The Old Codger’s Column…….

Well the ‘poo’ is back, pigeon poo that is, under the Railway Bridge, not as bad as before, but I’ve got my friend David firing off e-mails not to STREETCARE but to the re-named customerservices@westberks.gov.uk. As always, he tells me that their response is excellent in forwarding my requests to the correct department. So back to the ‘poo’, West Berks say that they can’t do anything else to keep it clean, I think that we should ask our hardworking Town Council to help us before somebody falls and breaks a hip or whatever, don’t you?

I also asked him to report that the SLOW painted on the road on Canal Bridge had virtually disappeared, and please fill in all the pot holes and indentations at the same time. The third and final request was, couldn’t they please paint some ‘Wheelchair Symbols’ on the cobbles in the 2 Bay Disabled spot down near Sugar Mouse. They were asked over a year ago so within 3 weeks this time, it’s worked! Able bodied motorists will have no excuse if they are booked when parking illegally in these well signed places. So complete success to my requests, and as a bonus they have repainted ‘Disabled’ by the Railway Bridge disabled bays. If you bother to contact them it does work!

Well, have we been done proud with the final choice of
Canal Footbridge designs?

I came away from the third and final Public meeting still wondering as to what we are really going to get, with no real showing of different railings, certainly no colouring other than black. I know blue & brown have also been proposed and we definitely don’t want white, do we.? There were one or two very good suggestions but it was not evident at the meeting as to whether they would be adopted. No plans for the widened footpath, only that they might gain 350mm, no mention about better access off of the cobbles, and what about a new pedestrian crossing down in Bridge Street? I am told that if the pedestrian crossing does get installed that it will be by the Memorial. I do hope it will be set to one side, and not completely opposite it!

Something new………..
I have been asked to choose some ‘home aid gadgets’ for the less able of us with stiff & weak limbs etc., so please see page 37 for my first choices, and more next issue!


Please contact me through David’s e-mail,    davidhpiper111@btinternet.com
or to CHAIN Office…..address on outside back page and title your words/thoughts as …….Old Codger column please ……. Bye Bye & keep safe.

The Old Codger’s Choice………….issue by issue I am going to select a few gadgets for an easier life. All will be available from Right Price and you will save the postage by not having to Mail Order ! There are hundreds of other helpful things in the shop too.

6-in-1 Multi Opener 09116869 £9.95
Opening a tin of beans, bottle of
cooking oil, jar lids, bottle tops etc
has never been easier!

Jar opener & closer, it grips the lid and fits to the palm of your hand Blue & in Yellow £4.80 AA5004 Blue 091184100Yellow

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