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It would seem that  West Berks are doing something well and reaping just reward.
http://www.newburytoday.co.uk/2015/council-to-receive-3m-as-a-reward-for-approving-479-homes
Also noted that overlarge plant containers have been replaced with something of a much more suitable size at our new eatery (any early reviews from anyone ?).
:)

Lack of consideration for the needs of others (pedestrians in this case) seems to be endemic,although in my experience most people try not to block pavements and only an inconsiderate few cause problems. A certain brand new eatery - mentioning no names - in Newbury seems to have been allowed to block off a very large slice of pavement with some huge plant configurations so that pedestrians are forced to veer into the path of traffic. This is the second time a land grab has happened in Northbrook Street without any reference to the risks and inconvenience to pedestrians. The fact that traffic coming over the bridge will only see the hazard at the last minute makes it doubly risky. What is our council thinking in allowing this ? Shameful.  :o

In the depths of my rapidly fading memory I seem to remember a study illustrated that if you took away on street parking the number of cars would have to fall dramatically as there would be nowhere to keep them when not in use. All kinds of unseen and unwanted consequences could also ensue such as people parking in the nearest roads to them that are wide enough to not require pavement parking thus clogging them up, higher road tax costs as the number of cars fall , road rage parking riots - the list of unintended consequences could be endless. The fact is it has taken us decades to get to where we are and we look for quick fix solutions at our peril. With government  needing to cut £100 billion to balance the books they will look for any excuse to tax us more instead. Be careful what you wish for. ;)

As the New Year approaches I would like to send my best wishes to all who have contributed recently, along with myself, to encourage Brian to keep the forum going.  Whilst wishing for a better 2015 I have an underlying sense that things will be turbulent and tricky in the next year and having this place where sensible commentary and exchange of thoughts and ideas can take place is a valuable resource. If ,like me, your Christmas has been dominated by the nasty flu bug doing the rounds which has laid most of my extended family low over the festive period then lets hope that all recover quickly. 

Be seeing you .

I see that the Government has announced a further cut in the grant to our local council. It will be interesting to see how this translates into cuts in services. I just hope that the old and children are not hit too hard.

It used to be easy to change a headlamp bulb yourself but unfortunately now it seems to be a garage job which costs a fortune. Some cars require the bumper to be removed along with the complete headlamp assembly or the wheel arch liner. A single bulb can cost as much as £200 to replace (are you listening Renault) which is quite shameful and maybe explains why so many cars have just one headlight functioning ! Fortunately my old jalopy is straightforward so a quick trip to Halfords is all that's required. I must be careful when it eventually needs replacing to not buy a Renault. :)

Sad to see 34 views and only one reply. Given that the cuts are coming and the effects will be dramatic I would have thought more would have been interested to comment on the possible negative impacts on West Berkshire and what can be done to lessen the dangers. Perhaps we are doomed to only recognise what we have at present once we have lost it and only then will people regret missing the opportunity to have had an input.  From a close reading of the numbers of government finance big change is inevitable and will impact for decades. It does not matter who is in power the process is inevitable. Time we the electorate took a much more engaging role in shaping the outcomes so that whatever the financial risks West Berkshire will continue to be a good place to live. Surely this is worth debating rather than just lurking on the sidelines ?

Be seeing you.

In the interests of stimulating some debate that might kick start this forum back to life ......
The Chancellors autumn statement has led to some commentators forecasting that public spending is on a trajectory that will see it reduced to levels not seen since the 1930's .- (but will our taxes reduce accordingly ?). Locally we are continuing to see cutbacks in front line services that affect vulnerable people young and old so at what point does enough become enough and what do we do about it if anything ? Clearly the deficit needs reducing but are we willing to see the quality of life in West Berkshire reduce as well ? As I have got older I have increasingly valued the relative safety and quality of community  here compared to many other places I have visited  and lived in, both home and abroad. Are we as a community willing to see this go and if not what other solutions are there to taxpayer funded services? It seems like these are questions we will soon have to put our collective minds to if the pundits are right and the really painful cuts are still to come - but definitely on their way . What say you?
http://www.newburytoday.co.uk/2014/young-people-face-168000-cuts-to-vital-services

Went to the above on Sunday and spent a very enjoyable day at what turned out to be a fantastic event. Highlights included a demonstration of wartime dancing styles, masses of motorbikes and classic vehicles of all descriptions, static helicopter displays, parachute display, fly past  by bi planes, tri planes, Spitfire and Mustang and best of all a Flying Fortress which was absolutely awesome. Plenty of music as well - what an amazing voice Alexandra Burke has ! It was good to watch the football as well although the sun shone so brightly it will take me ages to loose the pink tinge. All in all a splendid day with the added bonus of the truly outstanding surroundings of the castle and grounds. I know this was to celebrate the centenary of the 1st World War but it would make a fantastic annual event.  We can but hope that Lord and Lady Carnarvon think so too.

As no one else has replied yet I will say welcome to the forum and hope you enjoy posting here. David Grieg is definitely a name from my youth so no chance that I remember anything but the name of the store, but my mother used to shop there so I will ask if she knew a June or Rosemary who worked there back in the day. I hope life has been good to you down under and look forward to any pictures of old Newbury you can post. :)

After yesterdays downpours I finally plucked up courage today to stroll around the food festival and really enjoyed the great atmosphere. Sadly advancing age and a need to control the waistline stopped me from sampling the delights on offer at the many stalls but I did enjoy the mouth watering aromas and sights at least. Talking to a couple of visitors from Windsor they remarked on how improved Newbury is and how vibrant it seemed compared to a few years ago. I hope all the traders did good business and found better customers than me! Congratulations to whoever organized the event -  Newbury is definitely trying hard this year to be exciting and different as a shopping destination and when the weather co-operates it is certainly succeeding. I must dig the exercise bike out of the garage so that I can be a little more self indulgent if they hold this again ! ;D

The proliferation of obstacles and hazards in Northbrook Street seems to continue apace with more and more outlets using A Frame advertising boards, placing them on the pavements so that pedestrians are forced to walk around them. Is there no oversight and regulation of these activities or are shop owners free to place them where they want ?  We will reach a state soon where there will be no room for shoppers and pedestrians as all available pavement space will have been taken up with street furniture. Next step will be that they all will want to copy the lurid sign-age of the new CO-OP in Pound Street which seems completely out of place and OTT. Maybe I am just turning into a Victor Meldrew alike. sigh ::)

I notice Enbourne Road is still closed due to the sinkhole. Anyone have any idea why it is taking so long - is there a vast pit waiting to swallow unwary travelers  from Hamstead Marshall and beyond ? Perhaps it's just a design study for a new form of bank ! Seriously I would appreciate any information on what is clearly a geological phenomenon of some interest .

I know a sink hole had closed part of Enborne  Road but now it seems to be closed as far down as Buckingham Road as well. Is anyone aware what is the cause ? Seems very strange although I noticed several drivers ignore the diversion and road closed signs and weave their way around them.  Me - I just did as the signs recommended and changed my route. Just the way I was brought up I guess. :)

Is it just me or has the phasing of traffic lights at roundabouts now been set to cause stops at several instances as you try to make progress around them ? On a journey around Newbury today I seem to have caught red stop lights on numerous occasions.  The roundabout where the old hospital used to be seems to have a new set of lights right on the junction as well mirroring a set directly opposite which seems designed to block the roundabout completely when on red as traffic can't exit. I may just have been unlucky today ( I don't drive around locally much) but what do others think? With fuel costs so high it seems wasteful to keep the old jalopy stopped for no good reason.
:-\