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TESCO SUPER SPECIALS IN ADVISER
Don't miss the TESCO super specials on the front page of this week's Hungerford and Marlborough Weekly Adviser! Hundreds of district people are now visiting the Hungerford TESCO super store and many are coming from Marlborough and its district thanks largely to Adviser advertising.

Yes; you're in ADVISER Territory!

NEW ON OUR WEB theweeklyadviser.com THIS WEEK

The Adviser is primarily a leading advertising promotional publication servicing the Hungerford and Marlborough areas. It publishes some news items in addition to advertising and many of these and more are available on its web.

This week's news Items include

*Political debate on March 11
*Hungerford fights ahead of recession
*Hungerford trade surge
*New hotel and supermarket for Hungerford?
*Police warn of rogue traders
*Marlborough residents seek new TESCO

Scroll DOWN for Universal Press News Service items and others

Nick Hewer to Judge St John’s Apprentices
Sir Alan Sugar’s right-hand man on the BBC programme The Apprentice is visiting St John’s School in Marlborough next week to judge a group of students taking part in an Apprentice-style competition.
Nick Hewer, who was born in Swindon, will be at St John’s on 2 February. He was invited to St John’s by student Belle Farman who won the school’s competition in 2009. Mr Hewer will be given a tour of the new school by Headteacher Dr Hazlewood and will then address 300 St John’s students including Sixth Form students and Business Studies and Diploma students before joining the panel of senior staff who will judge the presentations and select the winning Apprentice.
The school’s Apprentice competition runs over two days and during that time sixteen Year 10 students will work on a series of challenges before being whittled down to a final two.

ROTARY DONATION TOWARD SPECIAL EQUIPMENT
Annabel King, Chairman of Hungerford Rotary’s Youth service Committee presented a cheque for £250 to Dee Anderson, Deputy Head of Hungerford Primary School towards the cost of special equipment and aids, such as the puppets and coloured numeracy pieces.
The President expressed, “A wish to stay in very close contact with the school especially during this year, their Centenary in September.”

Tesco Hungerford - Health Clinic and Sponsored ‘Bike’ Ride
On Saturday 30th Jan and Sunday 31st Jan, the Tesco store in Hungerford will be holding a ‘Health Clinic and Sponsored ‘Bike’ Ride in the foyer of the store.
The aim is to promote healthy eating, exercise and general good health. The store is also aiming to raise money for the Tesco Charity of the Year 2009, Muscular Dystrophy.
To combine these two things into one event, Hungerford Leisure Centre will be attending and providing literature and advice on the many classes and fitness programs they can offer.
There will also be a display of the many healthy foods available in store and some samples for customers to try.
The Leisure Centre will be providing an exercise bike on which staff members intend to have a sponsored ‘bike ride’ to raise money for Muscular Dystrophy.
Staff will ‘set off’ from the store and ride as many miles heading north as possible. Progress and distance travelled will be shown on a map.
If you would like to sponsor a member of staff in this worthwhile event please contact Community Champion Julia Lewis on 07885 287339 or ask in store at the Customer Service desk.

FIRST FORMAL EVENT A GREAT SUCCESS
The first formal event in the new St John’s was held on Thursday evening and was a huge success, attended by 400 guests who all had an opportunity to look around the new school, and who helped to raise over £7,000 towards the fundraising campaign for the new school.
The idea for the event was proposed by Moran’s Catering, and proprietors Steve & Della Moran provided all the canapés for the reception at no cost to St John’s. Drinks were sponsored by local businesses Earthline, Carter Jonas, Scarlett & Edwards and Covered Occasions, and invitations were sponsored by Town Printers. Their support has meant that 100% of the money raised from ticket sales has directly benefited the school and this, combined with donations from people who were unable to attend, resulted in the event.
The guests enjoyed drinks and canapés with music from St John’s students. All the waiters and waitresses were also St John’s students who all gave their time to help make the evening a success.
Headteacher Dr Hazlewood addressed the guests, thanking Moran’s and the other sponsors for their support and welcoming all the visitors, in making the evening a success. He also thanked all the students who had given their time to support the evening as waiters, musicians, or as guides around the school. Dr Hazlewood then talked about the new school, and thanked architect Neil Armitage, who came up with the original design for the building and who has followed the project over ten years through to completion.
Steve Moran also spoke briefly, thanking the other sponsors for their support and speaking highly of St John’s school and its students. Parent Gary Rawlinson also stood up to give spontaneous thanks to Dr Hazlewood and the staff at St John’s for their dedication to the school.
Dr Hazlewood then invited guests to explore the new building. Guests were given a plan of the school and St John’s staff and sixth form students were on hand to answer questions.
St John’s will be acknowledging Moran’s support by adding a plaque to one of the three food technology rooms.
A number of other events are scheduled at the school, including an invitation to everyone who has made a donation to support the new school to meet Dr Hazlewood on 28th January, and an Open Day is being held on Saturday 30th January from 10am to 2pm to give the whole community the opportunity to look around the school.

THAW REVEALS DAMAGED ROAD SURFACES
Despite the impressive speed of the thaw, many of the district's roads have been left looking rather beaten and bruised. A stretch in Marlborough, along London Road was particularly bad, with large strips reduced to loose gravel.
Sunday saw some emergency work carried out to the carriageway in preparation for the Monday morning rush hour.

FREEZING BLAST ENSHROUDS COUNTRY
Residents in Marlborough, Hungerford and the surrounding area have been battling against the arctic weather, which has held the country in its grip for the past week.
The snowfall has been some of the worst in over 20 years.
Schools in both Hungerford and Marlborough were closed, plus businesses were short-staffed, leading many to close early.
As is often the case in such extremes of weather, the more rural areas soon found themselves cut off, surprisingly though, this current onslaught meant many communities which would not consider themselves isolated found they too were stranded.
Many of the districts shops were reportedly finding it hard to keep up with demand, as panic buying, reminiscent of Christmas shopping levels, combined with some deliveries not making it through, created a problem that might otherwise not have occurred.
On Wednesday of last week Sky News, had a live news feed from Marlborough High Street, from where they introduced many pieces to camera before cutting to other problem areas around the country.
Accident and emergency departments have reported major increases in the incidents of broken bones from falls in the icy conditions.
Current weather reports are suggesting that we are not out of the woods yet, with more snow forecast.
Whilst some councils around the UK are reportedly starting to stockpile sand bags in preparation for the thaw.

LORD KINNOCK TO GIVE LENT LECTURE
Lord Kinnock will be giving the annual Lent Lecture this year on March 9.
The years event will be held in the theatre at the new St Johns school.
Previous speakers have included Jon Snow, The Archbishop of Canterbury and HRH The Princess Royal.

SNOW AND ICE BRINGS TRAVEL CHAOS
Despite the undoubted beauty that accompanies the snowy weather, many have been experiencing prolonged travel delays, having to cancel plans, and some even forced to stay at work rather than risk the lethal road conditions, they would have faced in their commute home.

CONGREGATION BRAVES WEATHER FOR CAROL SERVICE
Many braved the weather on Sunday 20 December to attend the Mayor’s Carol Service. It was extremely well supported and a collection for leukaemia Research raised almost £300.
I would like to take this opportunity of congratulating Hungerford on the community spirit it has shown over the festive season and wish everyone a very happy Christmas and healthy 2010. - Elizabeth Cardwell

SKATE PARK RE-OPENS
The official opening of the new Hungerford Skate park took place on Saturday5th Decemeber. Thanks were given to the resposible way the SOS (Save Our Skate Park) Group have conducted themselves over the past two years encouraging correct usage of the skate park. The new ramps are wider and longer than previously available with the added benefit of a half pipe. This has all been made possible by a £50,000 playbuilder grant which has been supported by West Berkshire Council.

MADT ANNUAL MEETING
24.11.09: Marlborough Area Development Trust (MADT) will hold its annual meeting in the town hall at 7pm tomorrow.

ALCOHOL BAN FOR MARLBOROUGH STREETS?
24.11.09: Marlborough Town Council on Monday night discussed a request for an alcolhol ban for all Marlborough streets and public places. The Mayor, Cr Nick Fog said the matter would be placed on a future agenda.

HUNGERFORD IN FESTIVE MOOD
24.11.09: Christmas trees and lights are being put in place in Hungerford ready for the official light switch on by Bear Grills at 5pm on Saturday. Final plans are being made for the Extravaganza on Friday, December 11.

Dear Chamber shopkeepers
24.11.09: Message to Hungerford Chamber of Commerce to shopkeepers from chamber president Ben Blake: You have probably heard about the break in, and slow police response, at Emma Johnson's on Friday. Please see below for the response from our local PC, Claire Drewitt, who unfortunately wasn't on duty at the time. And I'm not sure what we can do to protect ourselves from a brick (or sim') through a window!
Thanks to Claire for her efforts so far, and ongoing enquiries. If anyone has info' that might help please contact Claire directly, thank you. claire.drewitt@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk
Clair's response: My apologies for the late attendance of the burglary yesterday. Hungerford NHPT did not start their tour of duty until 14:00. I have been out to see Emma and taken all the details. This is quite possibly a planned burglary and items have been taken which may have been stolen to order as the items are rare, however there is still a chance it is opportunists. At the moment I am looking at CCTV and other burglaries in the area to see if we have any leads. I wondered if you could send out an email to the Chamber just making them aware of this burglary and to remind them to secure their premises. Unfortunately in this case, the offenders have just smashed the door so even though the shop was secure they have managed to get in.
If any owners are concerned about the security of their properties then they can email me direct and we can offer some crime reduction surveys to see if there is anything else we can suggest.

Caviste comes to Hungerford on 28th November
Award-winning independent wine merchant, Caviste, will open the doors to its fourth shop next week in the town of Hungerford - its first Berkshire location.
The new Hungerford shop will complement its three Hampshire shops already established in Overton, Stockbridge and at Newlyns Farm Shop, near Odiham.
Winner of the International Wine Challenge ‘Regional Merchant for South East England’ award last year, Caviste has gone from strength to strength since it was first established by winemaker David Thomas in 2003.
“ We’ve built our reputation on our unique range of wines and our expert, friendly customer service,” explains David Thomas. “Our focus is on the small wine producers from around the world, whose wines will never reach the supermarkets and high street chains as they’re produced in such small quantities. If you know where to find them, you’ll discover that they offer so much more in terms of depth of flavour, complexity and character – and value for money.”
Caviste Hungerford will be opening at 108 Hungerford High Street at 10am on Saturday 28th November, when customers are invited to join the Caviste team for a complimentary glass of Champagne to celebrate the new shop.

GRAND PRIX NIGHT
19.11.09: Parents of Preshute School are organising a GRAND PRIX NIGHT on Saturday 5th December at the Town Hall.A great event for the local community featuring competitive SCALEXTRIX racing, GRAND PRIX style along with headline band THE RED STRIPES (Marlborough Jazz Festival 12 years running), great raffle prizes and FREE canapés. A great night to dress up and soak up the grand prix atmosphere!
Tickets are still available at £25 each so why not get a group together and get involved?

FINAL EXTRAVAGANZA COUNTDOWN
19.11.09: An update on the Extravaganza from Hungerford Chamber of Commerce president Ben Blake. - The Hungerford Quest is still ongoing with the £4,000 prize remaining unclaimed www.hungerfordquest.com . Thanks to the Quest, and all of those who are taking part, we have raised enough additional funds towards this year's Extravaganza to be in a position not to charge local charities for their stalls, which was one of our goals for the Quest. The few stalls that have already paid their fees will receive a full refund on the night. We are also in negotiations for the return of the Extravaganza Fireworks this year, thanks to a substantial donation from Sovereign Housing, and we have also been able to finance the return of the Reindeer which were a big hit with the children last year. There has been considerable support for this year's event with two major sponsors, ADP & Tesco, but also a further 50 small independent businesses sponsoring approximately 70% of the cost, additionally the Hungerford Town and Manor have helped with a significant donation. It's great how our town pulls together for this event, particularly in these recessionary times.
20.11.09: Hi Geoff, just a bit to add to the earlier email. I think it's also worth mentioning that in addition to the money raised from businesses for the extravaganza, the majority of the shops and businesses contribute to the fantastic Christmas lights. Again Hungerford businesses pulling together and working with the town council for the good of the town.

STUDENTS TO MOVE INTO NEW ST JOHN'S
19.11.09: On Monday 7th December, after ten years of planning and eighteen months of building work, students will spend their first day in the new £26.5 Million St John’s School in Marlborough, Wiltshire. A ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the first day of operation will take place at 11:00. Headteacher Dr Patrick Hazlewood and Chair of Governors Mrs Diana Trickey will be joined by students in celebrating the first day in the school. -Kate Hunter.

EMMA'S SKY DIVE FOR CHARITY
19.11.09: I am doing a skydive on Sunday 29th November for Great Western Air Ambulance. I am trying to raise as much money as possible through sponsorship to go to this charity.
It is a registered charity which is funded entirely though donations
and needs to raise in excess of £1 million a year to maintain the
service. The Air Ambulance operates 7 days a week and attends around
60 incidents a month just in this one particular area.
The jump is a tandem jump and I will jump from 10,000 feet
free-falling at over 120mph!! They don't ask for a great deal of
sponsorship and I have already raised the minimum requirement to do
the jump. Obviously though, my intention is to raise as much as
possible.
I have my own just giving page so donations can be made online and it
is www.justgiving.com/emma-johnson1. I would value your support in
any way you can. I know some of you have already donated and I would
like to thank you.
I truly believe it is a wonderful charity, I also know that if I don't
take the plunge (pardon the pun) now, I probably never will!! I did
wonder if I could do it in heels, but apparently there is an issue
with health and safety...I can't imagine why!!
There will be a photographer on the day so I will be able to publish
photos as evidence when I have completed the jump!!
Many thanks for your support. Kind regards, Emma Johnson

Top opera singer performs in Marlborough
19.11.09: A world-renowned opera singer, who has appeared alongside Jose Carreras, Placido Domingo and Dame Kiri Te Kanewa, will be performing as part of the Christmas lights celebrations in Marlborough on Thursday, November 26. Maria Jagusz, who has worked as a soloist with the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden, Glyndebourne and the English National Opera, will perform before 100 lucky ticket-holders at St Peter’s Church in Marlborough as part of the We Love Christmas event.
Maria has played many of the leading mezzo soprano roles including Carmen, Cherubino, Nicklaus, Rosina, Hansel and Dorabella, with many international artists including Carreras, Domingo, Dame Kiri Te Kanewa, Mirella Freni and Dame Felicity Lott.
Maria’s programme will include Habanera, from Carmen, by Bizet; Homeward Bound by Marta Keene; On My Lips Every Kiss is Like Wine, from Giuditta, by Lehar; Unusual Way by Maury Yeston; You Raise Me Up by Lovland & Graham; Ave Maria by Gounod; Virgin Slumber Song by Reger and O Holy Night by Adam.
Concertgoers will also be entertained by Marlborough-based male voice choir The Songmen and the Kennet Accordion Orchestra.

Students send Christmas Gifts to Liberia
19.11.09: St John’s students arrived at school on Tuesday morning with a variety of colourfully wrapped shoe boxes packed with Christmas gifts for less-fortunate young people. A total of 226 boxes have been collected, some from students packing their own box of gifts at home and some from the members of the St John’s Earlybirds Club, which meets every schoolday morning from 7:30am.
Year 7 students Tom Ellis, 12 Joe Coleman, 11, Harry Lamb, 11 and Fergus McShane, 11 explained how the boxes were collected:
“ St John’s School students have been working on Christmas shoe boxes during the year, bringing in suitable items and covering the boxes with Christmas paper. Some students sewed felt finger puppets and others kitted scarves in Earlybirds; which is open to anyone before school. 150 boxes were put together during the year in this way. All of them had washing kit as well as toys, paper, writing equipment, balls, a soft toy and knitted mittens, scarves or hats.
Seventy six more boxes came into school this week, making a grand total of 226! They will make a big difference to the children who receive them; for some of those children this will be the only present they ever have in their life. We were surprised to hear that our boxes were not going to Eastern Europe as they usually do but were going to Liberia. The woolly hats would still be welcome there because it does get cold at night.
We would like to thank all the students and their families for their support with this appeal”. The box collection scheme is run by registered charity Samaritan’s Purse. - K Hunter

PROJECT GRIFFIN - from Claire Drewett - Neighbourhood Specialist Officer 17.11.09: As you know over the last few months we have been in the process of developing Project Griffin which will develop Counter Terrorism awareness to the business community in Thames Valley. This development work is now complete and yesterday we launched the first session in Milton Keynes. The feedback has been very good, and there is no doubt that we have taken the lessons learnt from the pilot we ran in July and the product is now one of which we can be justly proud.
Griffin is due to be delivered across the force ten times each year, twice in each BCU over a 12 month period and will always be the first Thursday of the month (excluding August and December). Dates have now been set for the other BCUs as below:
Berkshire East – 1st October at Windsor Race Course
Oxfordshire – 5th November at Eynsham Hall
Berkshire West – 7th January at Newbury Race Course
Buckinghamshire – 4th Feb at Lane End Conference Centre
Once people have received the Griffin awareness session they will become our eyes and ears in the community, helping to identify and report suspicious behaviour which maybe a result of terrorist or other criminal activity. They will also have a better understanding of how they may assist us in the aftermath of an incident – be it CT related, criminal or a major incident (i.e. building collapse, train crash etc)
We have a number of subject matter experts to deliver the package and staff in HQ Operations will co-ordinate the application process and facilitate the day itself but I am looking to you and your staff to actively promote the package with local businesses to ensure its success. Project Griffin is very much aimed at encouraging businesses to share information and intelligence with their local police.

MARLBOROUGH WEB FIRST
17.11.09: Marlborough will be the first town in the UK to offer visitors an interactive virtual tour via their computers.
Web users will not only be able to see pictures of the town, but with a click of their mouse they will be able to enter public buildings and business premises and even pick items from shop shelves....-Pete Davison.

MAGNIFICENT HUNGERFORD POPPY APPEAL RESULT
13.11.09: A big thank you to everybody for the wonderful support that you gave to Hungerford Royal British Legion Appeal this year. Last year our Town of 5,500 people raised in excess of £15,000 which is an amazing amount. All credit must go to Stella and John North for this achievement. By 14th November this year we have banked just over £15,800 and hope that this will eventually reach £16,000. This considerable achievement would not have been possible without the support of a dedicated group of poppy sellers and the 100% co-operation of organisations, shops and offices in the town. Thank you for all your support. But, most of all, once again to the people of the Town for their support. -Shelagh Parry

GALA CINEMA OPENING
13.11.09: I was lucky enough to be invited to the Gala Cinema opening in Newbury this evening. We were treated to a showing of A Christmas Carol in digital 3D. The cinema environment is very welcoming and the seats extremely comfortable with plenty of leg room. I would like to wish the Vue team every success in Newbury and thank them for their hospitality. -Elizabeth Cardwell, Mayor of Hungerford.

REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY 2009 HUNGERFORD
-from a special correspondent
12.11.09: The average age of our fighting soldiers is 19. He is a short-haired, fit kid who, under normal circumstances, would be considered by society as half man, half boy. Not yet dry behind the ears, just old enough to buy a beer, but old enough to die for his country. He never really cared much for work, would rather clean his own car than his father's, but he has never collected unemployment benefit.
He's a recent comprehensive school graduate, was probably an average student, pursued some form of sport, drives a ten year old car and has a steady girlfriend, who either broke up with him when he left or swears to be waiting when he returns home from half a world away. He listens to rock and roll, hip-hop or rap and the sound of a 155 mm howitzer.
He is 10 or 15 pounds lighter now than when he was at home because he is working or fighting from before dawn to well after dusk. He has trouble spelling, so letter writing is a pain, but he can strip a rifle in 30 seconds and reassemble it in less time in the dark. He can recite the nomenclature of a machine gun or grenade launcher and use either effectively if he must.
He digs foxholes and latrines and can apply first aid like a professional.
He can march until he is told to stop or stop until he is told to march. He obeys orders instantly and without hesitation, but he is not without spirit or individual dignity. He is self-sufficient.
He has two sets of combats; he washes one and wears the other. He keeps his water bottle full and his feet dry.
He sometimes forgets to brush his teeth, but never to clean his rifle. He can cook his own meals, mend his own clothes and fix his own hurts.
If you're thirsty, he'll share his water with you, if you’re hungry, his food. He'll even split his ammunition with you in the midst of battle when yours runs low.
He has learned to use his hands like weapons and weapons like they were hands.
He can save a life or take one, because that is his job.
He will often do twice the work of a civilian, draw half the pay and still find ironic humor in it all.
He has seen more suffering and death than he should have in his short lifetime.
He has wept in public and in private for friends who have fallen in combat and is unashamed.
He feels every note of the National Anthem vibrate through his body at rigid attention, while tempering the burning desire to 'square-away' those around him who haven't bothered to stand, remove their hat or even stop talking.
In an odd twist, day in and day out, far from home, he defends their right to be disrespectful.
Just as did his father, grandfather and great-grandfather, he is paying the price for our freedom. Beardless or not, he is not a boy. He is the British soldier that has kept this country free for over 200 years.
He has asked nothing in return, except our friendship and understanding.
Remember him, always, for he has earned our respect and admiration with his blood.

Community Champion – Julia Lewis - New role in Tesco Hungerford.
10.11.09: TESCO in Hungerford are setting the pace in community awareness and support with the appintment of Julia Lewis as Community Champion.
Julia's job role is:
• Benefiting local people by assisting community groups and key organisations such as schools, charities, sports teams, local meeting groups, services and authorities.
• Using Tesco skills and resources to develop ideas and events that encourage better relationships between the store and the residents of the surrounding area.
• Plan and co-ordinate a programme of events in store that will benefit the local community.
• Understanding the needs of our customers who live in the area and offering practical support and assistance as required.
• Contact Julia Lewis by asking at the Customer Service Desk in the Hungerford Store or by phoning 07885 287339.

SANTA'S COMING!
10.11.09: On Saturday 14th December Santa will be pulled in a horse drawn carriage from the John O’ Gaunt School to his grotto in the Wyevale Garden Centre.
Collectors will be along side raising money for West Berkshire Rapid Response Team. The journey is planned to take approx 1 hour with a stop of around 15 minutes outside the Corn Exchange Complex.
As usual this event has been organised by Neal Marney MBE. - Elizabeth Cardwell, Mator of Hungerford.

HUNGERFORD CHRISTMAS LIGHTS
10.11.09: Hungerford's Christmas lights will be switched on by Bear Grylls on Saturday, November 28 at 5pm Hungerford's mayor Elizabeth Cardwell reports.

Village Tribute
9.11.09: On Saturday 31st October, representatives of the Chilton Foliat Parish Council; PCC and village hall committees gathered with family members in Chilton Foliat village hall to unveil a portrait and plaque to honour the memory of Gerald Ward.
PC chairman Nic Coome gave the address and a warm tribute to the friendship and guidance that Gerald gave to him personally and to many members of the community as well as his generosity and support to the village as a whole. Following this address Mrs Amanda Ward carried out the unveiling and a toast was given.
This small ceremony was concluded with a blessing given by the Rev. Ann Massey who hoped that as people viewed this picture they would be reminded of Gerald’s devotion to the village and others would be guided by his lead in caring and supporting each other. -Liz Outridge

Pioneering Management Plan for west Berkshire in the North Wessex Downs
9.11.09: The North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) has published its new Management Plan 2009 – 2014 which aims to accommodate the needs of local communities while protecting and enhancing this cultural and species-rich landscape.
The North Wessex Downs AONB spreads across parts of west Berkshire, Hampshire, Oxfordshire and Wiltshire. It includes the Ridgeway National Trail, Watership Down, Uffington White Horse and Avebury World Heritage Site.
Henry Oliver, acting Director of the North Wessex Downs AONB explains: “This Management Plan will encourage pioneering ways in which we can reconcile enduring beauty with prosperity without trading one off against the other.”
Everyone living and working in the west Berkshire part of the North Wessex Downs AONB including: Hungerford, Lambourn, Compton, Hermitage, Streatley, Bradfield and Pangbourne can do their bit for protected landscapes.
Tell people that you live in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty to raise awareness of the special aspects such as the ancient woodland around Bucklebury and Ashampstead, rare heathland at Snelsmore Common, the Ridgeway long-distance trail and the Kennet & Avon Canal.
Take part in parish planning and have your say on planning applications – campaign for better buildings designed to fit in with the landscape.
Invite family and friends to explore the beautiful countryside on walks and cycle rides.
Shop locally to support local farmers, food producers and other businesses, and enjoy local food and drink in pubs and restaurants.
Get active by volunteering with local wildlife, heritage or community groups and helping to protect important habitats and landscapes.
“ Climate change brings challenges and opportunities for conservation, agriculture, forestry and communities,” says Henry. “This is a thrilling landscape with great potential for local tourism and quiet enjoyment of the countryside.
“ We’re stewards of some large and precious – but intensely vulnerable - oases of rural tranquillity. We also have tracts of very rare species-rich chalk grassland that we must protect, restore and reconnect to support wildlife.”
West Berkshire Council and Hampshire County Council are among the nine local authorities with responsibility for managing the North Wessex Downs AONB.
All of them have approved the Management Plan and are now working with organisations such as Wildlife Trusts, community and parish groups, farmers and landowners to drive forward key priorities. - Wendy Tobitt

PBA CHARITY THINK PINK DAY RAISES £443
6.11.09: PBA Accountants, based in Hungerford, held a charity Think Pink day on 30th October 2009, raising a total of £443 for Breast Cancer Research.
On the day PBA staff all wore pink and there was a ‘pink themed’ raffle, amongst other games, with the main prizes being donated by local businesses.
Raffle tickets were sold to staff, friends, family, local businesses and to members of BNI, a referral organisation of which PBA staff are members.
PBA Accountants would like to say a special thank you to the following businesses for donating prizes and helping make the day such a success:
The Three Swans Hotel, The John O’ Gaunt Inn, Hungerford Bookshop, Angela Knight Lingerie, Phil Hunt, Blue Bee the Florist, Roberta Hair & Beauty, Sugar Mouse, Creative Toy Den, The Bear Hotel, Framemakers, Gaia Wellbeing, Peter Stirlands, Herongate Leisure, Hello Flower, Kaleidoscope Gift Shop, The Spotted Dog at Cold Ash, Hungerford Butchers and Crocus Cakes. -From Clive Adolph and Sharon Pryor

HUNGERFORD POLICE STATION OPEN
6.11.09: Hungerford police have expressed concern that people do not know the police station is open. At the last Hungerford Town Council meeting it was suggested that opening times be placed on a noticeboard outside the station.

HUNGERFORD RAILWAY STATION CAR PARK CHARGES?
6.11.09: Last night's Hungerford Chamber of Commerce meeting was told of the likelihood of Hungerford Railway Station parking charges by next April.
The free carpark has been used by commuters and townspeople for longer term day parking.

HERONGATE STAFF RAISE MONEY FOR SAVE THE CHILDREN
5.11.09: Ihe staff and members of Herongate Leisure are participating in a 36 hour Spin (Indoor cycling) on 6th and 7th November to raise money for Save The Children.
To put you in the picture; As you know Richard Curtis published his first book - Four Potatoes and a Recipe, and every penny went to Save the Children – Didn’t you do the photography??
Having sold 5,000 copies he is now looking to reprint. The cost is just under £1 a copy so about £4,500 is needed.
Various events, raffles and sales are planned and the target is to raise £2250 – this will be doubled to get to the total. Any money on top of the money required will go to towards his next book – ‘Broccoli Actually’.
Our main event is the sponsored 36 hour Spin on 6th and 7th November where Herongate staff and members will be cycling a total of 36 hours in reception.
Save The Children will distribute the second edition of Richard’s book to their branches and shops throughout the country and the total raised will be £25,000.
Therefore every £1 will generate over £10. Club owner Richard Curtis will be starting the ride at 7am on Friday 6th November and finishing it at 7pm on Saturday 7th November before an evening of Live Jazz with Pete Allen kicks off in the Herongate Bar, again all proceeds will go to Save The Children. -Katie Jeffries

Lions support the new St John’s
5.11.09: Members of the Marlborough & District Lions Club are celebrating awarding their biggest-ever grant to support students with special needs at St John’s School in Marlborough.
The donation was given following a meeting with St John’s Development Officer Kate Hunter at which the club agreed to donate £5,300 to the school to enable it to equip a classroom in the new school with new furniture and IT equipment. The classroom is set up for the sole use of students with special educational needs and their teachers, enabling small group lessons and one-to-one tuition.
St John’s has 260 students who receive additional learning support and the majority of these students will benefit from the Lions Club grant.
St John’s Director of Additional Educational Needs Mrs Carole Awbery explained the importance of this new room to the school.
“ It is essential that we can provide dedicated spaces in the new school that can be used by our more vulnerable students, both for lessons but also as a quiet place to meet during the lunch break, for example. The Lions room is a small classroom set up for up to ten students and will be central to our support of students with special educational needs. I am extremely grateful for the support of the Lions Club which means that we can equip this room to a high standard and create a space that our students will be proud of”.
The members of the Marlborough & District Lions Club meet every two weeks to plan fundraising events and to award grants to deserving causes and to individuals in need.
Lions Club President Karen Hilditch said: -from Kate Hunter

PUBLIC AUCTION IN HUNGERFORD TO RAISE MONEY FOR NEW RC CHURCH
5.11.09: The Roman Catholic church in Priory Road, Hungerford is to be replaced. The existing church was built 70 years ago as a temporary building. Planning permission has recently been granted by West Berkshire Council to demolish the existing building which stands on the south-west corner of the site, and to build a new church in the north-east corner with a crescent of ten 3-bedroom houses behind and 4 1-bedroom houses beyond the crescent.
The scheme may be self-funding, but in this present recession land prices have fallen and therefore fund-raising is necessary. A target of £200,000 has been advised. So far, funds have topped £40,000.
To raise further funds a Non-reserve Auction has been arranged and will take place at the Hungerford Corn Exchange on Saturday 21st November. Viewing starts at 9.00 am and the auction begins at 12 noon. Light refreshments will be available. The Auction will be of objets d’art, pictures, miscellanea and promises. There are some valuable pictures including the artist Edward Train (1866), and signed racing cartoons by Loon. Also there are a number of interesting promises such as 2 days of golf in Brittany which includes ferry crossing to St Malo with cabin and dinner on board, and a holiday cottage in France for one or two weeks.
Entry to the Auction is free. Free catalogues will be available from Tuesday 17th November from Russell Marshall Estate Agents, Kennet House, 19 High Street, Hungerford.

HUNGERFORD ALLOTMENTS ON TWO FRONTS
3.11.09: Hungerford's Fairfield Road allotments will be opened by the Mayor, Cr Elizabeth Cardwell at 10am this Saturday and the council is seeking swift action to establish the Standen Road allotments.
These were debated at length at Monday night's council meeting and it is likely they will be eventually handed over to the holders as an autonomous venture.
The meeting was told legal fees were £3000, fencing £4000 and there was no water.
Council will investigate whether a bank charge exists on the land and if it does, what it implies.
The proposed land would be leased for £1000 per year.
Cr David Liddiard commented that either the council got on with it or it didn't. He said there was no point in pussyfooting around.
A total of 80 people are understood to be interested in allotments in Hungerford.

DISTRICT TO REMEMBER WAR SERVICE
3.11.09: The district will join all of Great Britian and the Commonwealth this Sunday in war service remembrance services.
At Hungerford, the band will lead the march to the War Memorial with participants gathering at 10.30am.
The normal remembrance ceremony will be held at the lych gate of St Mary's Church, Chilton Foliat at 10.40am.
Other services will be held throughout the district

81st BIRTHDAY WISHES
Former Hungerford mayor and Adviser Citizen of the last Century, Jack Williams celebrated his 81st birthday on Sunday.Jack, who contributes a regular column of memoirs to The Adviser, is still active on many fronts including The Royal British Legion.

100 ATTEND BATH ART OPENING
3.11.09: About 100 people attended the opening of the exhibition of original paintings from Social Stereotypes and other new works by the acclaimed artist Sue Macartney-Snape in Bath on Thursday, October 29.
The exhibition is in The royal Crescent Hotel, telephone 01225 823333.

GREAT HUNGERFORD CITIZEN CELEBRATES 80 YEARS
3.11.09: Adventurer, author, famer, councillor, former mayor, balloonist and on it goes...
Sunday saw a luncheon to beat most luncheons in Hungerford town Hall for 133 friends of David Liddiard to celebrate his 80th birthday.
The Roast Beef of Old England was superb, as was the prawn cocktail, sherry trifle, cheese, coffee and mints. Delicious wine was Hacienda Shiraz, Casa delle Valle 2006 and Castilla la Mancha, Spain.
The party was given by family and friends and was a most memorable occasion.
The mayor, Elizabeth Cardwell and her young helpers collected £50 selling poppies at the door and guests voluntarily raised more than £500 for Parkinson's disease research.

Date set for political debate
3.11.09: The date for the pre-election debate with Richard Benyon, David Rendel and Hannah Cooper has been confirmed for 7pm on the 11th March and the venue will be the Corn Exchange in Hungerford. There will be 100 seats available to the general public, which will be available in January, in addition to the reserved seats for Chamber of Commerce members and various organisations in the town.

Fertiliser giant relocates to Marlborough
2.11.09: MULTINATIONAL company Koch Fertiliser Ltd has relocated to Marlborough Business Park, in a move assisted by the North Wilts Economic Partnership, bringing new jobs to the town, with the potential for more local employment in the future.
“ The move gives us improved access to transportation near the M4 corridor,” said John Ridd of Koch Fertiliser Ltd, “and our close proximity to Swindon will serve as a good base for recruiting future employees, service contractors and consultants.”
“ We appreciate the welcome and guidance we’ve received from the North Wilts Economic Partnership,” he added.
The company established temporary offices in Tidworth last year when a subsidiary of Koch Fertilizer LLC acquired certain assets of the fertiliser importing, blending and marketing firm Usborne Fertiliser Ltd.
“ Establishing our new offices in Marlborough positions Koch Fertiliser to better serve customers and add value in the markets we serve in the UK and Ireland,” said Jim Sorlie, senior vice president, supply and trading, for Koch Fertilizer LLC.
Koch Fertilizer and its affiliates produce, distribute and globally market more than nine million metric tons nitrogen fertilisers annually.
Colette Mallon, manager of the North Wilts Economic Partnership, said: “The partnership spent time with senior managers from Koch, introducing them to and familiarising them with business parks around the area.
“ Koch’s relocation to Marlborough is great news for the local business community, in terms of job creation now and in the future, and in terms of raising the profile of the business park with the arrival of a company whose name is known across the globe.”
The North Wiltshire Economic Partnership is a collaboration between Wiltshire Council and the business community in the north of the county, tasked with encouraging and facilitating economic growth.
Colette is on hand to offer practical help and advice to anyone who is considering setting up a business in North Wiltshire, relocating to the area, or already has a business in the county. She can be contacted at colette.mallon@wiltshire.gov.uk or on 07734 679600.

Where there’s a will . . . .
2.11.09: There’s a relative !!! and it may not be the one you want to leave your belongings to !!
Are you one of the 68% of the adult UK population do not have a valid will?
Quite apart from the emotional turmoil the family will be experiencing if you die intestate (without a will), everything you have to leave will be divided up according to a set hierarchy. This starts with your spouse (even if you are separated!) and then to your children or other family members.
If you live with someone but aren't married, or in a Civil Partnership, they also stand to receive nothing if you die without a will, with your estate going instead to your children, your parents, brothers, sisters and so on down the family blood line.
If you have young children, you should make a will in which you name their guardian(s) and clearly state what provisions you have made for their future.
So how easy is it to make a will? As with all things you get what you pay for.
Always check key points before commissioning someone to undertake your will:
• Check if they are a member of a recognised professional body
• Get a clear quote, preferably in writing, in advance of any work being undertaken
• Check to see if they carry Professional Indemnity Insurance (PII).
And if you have any doubt and need more information about making a will, contact Tuffrey Rose on 01488 465758 to talk to your local adviser.

HHA Meeting Wednesday 28th October
29.10.09: The intended speaker for this talk had to pull out due to illness, luckily the chairman only had to look as far as her husband, Dr Hugh Pihlens, who also happens to be the HHA archivist and a highly respected local historian, to find a late replacement.
Hugh gave an excellent talk on Victorian Hungerford, revised from an earlier version used in 2004. He led us through the changes that affected Hungerford in the Victorian era, from a time when it had over 20 coaching inns due to its position on the London to Bath, and Oxford to Salisbury roads, to the arrival of the railway in 1847 and its extension in 1862. Five churches were built during this time, plus a new town hall, when the old one was damaged by the new clock tower.
This era also saw the arrival of the police in 1864 and not long after the famous double murder in 1876, a bad time for Hungerford, but a good one for the Newbury Weekly News, whose circulation increased by a third while covering the story.
Finally Hugh talked of Queen Victoria’s diamond Jubilee in 1887, which saw mass celebrations in Hungerford, including a seated meal for 3000 people in the croft area!

WARM ALPACA CHRISTMAS AT THE CLOTHES SHOP
27.10.09: The Clothes Shop at Newbury is assuring a warm Christmas along with its usual warm welcome.
Added to their extensive Cashmere range, they have been appointed local stockist for the Alpaca Collection which offers an attractive range of warm and long wearing apparel classified as "the ultimate luxury for a christmas present".
Ann and Debra of The Clothes Shop say they could not resist stocking the collection. "The beauty of the Alpaca yarn lies in its sheer softness and luxurious feel. Warm, yet light, it resists piling, drapes well and teams nicely with previous season's fashions.They are pleased to be supporting a "Fair Trade Company". "The Peruvian knitters have been able to build a three-storey house and workshop with a clear aim for their employees".
The Clothes Shop is open between 9.15am and 5pm Tuesday to Saturday at 12 Pound Street with easy free street parking. theweeklyadviser.com

POLITICAL DEBATE ON MARCH 11
27.10.09: From Hungerford Chamber of Commerce chairman Ben Blake::
The pre-election debate between Richard Benyon, David Rendel and Hannah Cooper has been set for the evening of Thursday 11th March. The debate will also be open to the public but first refusal will be given to Chamber, Rotary, Round Table and Town Council members. The venue is to be confirmed.

HUNGERFORD FIGHTS AHEAD OF RECESSION
26.10.09: From The Mayor of Hungerford, Elizabeth Cardwell:
I would like to congratulate the new shops that have recently opened in Hungerford defying the national trend of 15% of shops currently lying vacant.
The recent news of the continuing recession in this country has sounded very depressing with Christmas not too far away. Hungerford has recently benefited from the opening of a new lingerie shop, in the name of Angela Knight and a shoe shop courtesy of Emma Johnson and today I was delighted to offer my best wishes for a successful business to the Wedding Flower Gallery opened by Sarah Styles. These new shops have smartened the entrance to Hungerford along Bridge Street which has looked quite sad and unkempt for a number of years. With the addition of our magical Christmas lights and the late night shopping provided via the Victorian Evening, Hungerford will be well worth visiting. I would also like to congratulate all existing shops and businesses for weathering the storm and the Chamber of Commerce on their success again where this support has failed or is disappearing in so many other Towns. -Elizabeth Cardwell (Mayor)
Marlborough School opens doors to prospective sixth form students
The newly opened St John's School at Marlborough will be opening its doors to
prospective sixth form students and their parents on Thursday 10th
December, just a few days after the state-of-the-art new building
first opens on 7th December.
St John's will be open from 18:30-20:30 and guests will be able to
see the wide range of facilities available in the new school,
including the sixth form centre and library.
Anyone interested in finding out more about the sixth form at St
John's is invited to visit the school, meet staff and students, and
hear more about the courses on offer. Two introductory talks are
scheduled, at 18:30 and 19:30, followed by an Introduction to the IB
Diploma at 20:00.
St John's is one of only a few International Baccalaureate World
Schools in the area and offers the IB Diploma course, in addition to
a wide range of 38 A-Level courses. The Sixth Form is one of the
largest in Wiltshire and is ranked in the top 10% of schools based
on student progress from GCSE to A-level.
Conscious of the high level of interest in the new school, St John's
staff will be ensuring there are many more opportunities for parents
and the wider community to visit the new building, starting with a
fundraising reception on 14th January, for which all costs are being
sponsored by local businesses Moran's Catering, Earthline, Scarlett
& Edwards & Carter Jonas. Guests at the reception will be given a
tour of the new school and the musical entertainment will be
provided by St John's students. Tickets for the reception are £15
and available from St John's. Call Kate Hunter on 01672 519575 for
more information.

NATIONAL TEACHING AWARDS
The children of Easton Royal School, near Pewsey are wishing their Chair of Governors Shelley Whitehead the best of luck as she heads to the National Teaching Awards in London this weekend hoping to claim the coveted title of UK Governor of the Year.

HOTEL AND SUPERMARKET FOR CHARNHAM PARK?
Barton Willmore developers have put a preliminary draft form plan to Hungerford Town Council for an hotel and supermarket off Charnham Street in the Herongate area.
To date there appear to be mixed feelings among Hungerford traders.
The proposal is for:
• A budget supermarket of up to 1,000 sqm (approx 10,764 sq. ft.) accessed from Charnham Street
• A budget hotel of approximately 63 bedrooms with an ancillary restaurant, accessed from Herongate
• Associated car parking and landscaping enhancements
• Creation of a new vehicular access on to Charnham Street
Two planning applications are intended before Christmas; an outline application for the budget supermarket and a full application for the budget hotel.
The site has an extant planning permission for an office
headquarters building of 6,158 sqm (66,284 sq. ft.)

Marlborough firm weaves lighting magic
A MARLBOROUGH lighting company has won a major industry award after weaving its magic at a trendy London hotel.
PJR Engineering Ltd at Collingbourne Ducis designed, developed and manufactured the fluorescent light fittings for a weave-effect tiled ceiling, which adorns The Studio dining room at the hip Andaz Hotel in Liverpool Street, for lighting designer Elektra Lighting.
The Wovin Wall ceiling scooped first prize in the hotels and restaurants category of The Lighting Design Awards 2009, held at the London Hilton.
Ian Smith of PJR said: “A mix of red and white light filters through the gaps in the weave, allowing a change of mood according to the room’s function.”
The judges said: “In spite of the hotel’s policy of not having fluorescent lights in public areas, the lighting designer proved it could work exceptionally well.”
Formed in 1974 PJR is at the forefront in the design and manufacture of the new breed of fluorescent lighting, the T5, which was used at the Andaz. Its clients include household names like the John Lewis Partnership, Morrison’s and Norwich Union.
Meanwhile its subsidiary company, Advanced Lighting Systems, works at commercial, industrial and residential premises both large and small to create intelligent lighting schemes that exceed health and safety requirements and significantly reduce the amount of electricity used, slashing customers’ energy bills.
With tax breaks for energy efficiency combined with power savings, companies can expect to recoup the cost in as little as 14 months.
For more information about PJR Engineering log on to www.pjrengineering.co.uk. Advanced Lighting Systems can be found at www.advancedlight.co.uk

ADMIRAL ARTHUR PHILLIP BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION & RECOGNITION OF ROYAL AUSTRALIAN NAVY CENTENARY IN BATH
The annual celebration of the birthday of Admiral Arthur Phillip this year also marked the birth of the Royal Australian Navy 100 years ago and to mark these occasions there were special celebrations at Bathampton and Bath on Friday. (The exact birth of the RAN ie first ship to sail was in 1913).
Firstly there was a thanksgiving service at St Nicholas’s Church, Bathampton followed by a civic reception at Bath’s Guildhall and luncheon in the guild Hall’s magnificent Banqueting Room.
The celebrations were well timed on the annual commemoration of the birthday of Admiral Arthur Phillip 1738 to 1814 who spent the final 8 years of his life in Bath at 19 Bennett Street. He was founder of the colony and first governor of New South Wales and is buried at St. Nicholas Church. in Bathampton.
At the service, wreaths were laid on his grave by Australian Deputy High Commissioner Adam McCarthy and patron of the West Country Branch of The Britain-Australia Society Sir James Tidmarsh the former Lord Lieutenant of Bristol.
Many dignitaries attended the celebrations organised by The Britain-Australia Society and the church service was joined by students from Bathampton Junior School and their headteacher Mr Falkus.
Heading the guest list was the Mayor of Bath Cr Colin Barrett and Mrs Barrett, Mr McCarthy and Ms Nicky Reid (Mrs McCarthy) RAN Naval Adviser to the Australian High Commission Capt. Will Martin.
Keynote speaker was Rear Admiral Colin Cooke-Priest who is master of the Guild of Air Pilots and Navigators. His address on the Commonwealth part in the Pacific naval war with Japan coincided with the centenary of naval aviation.
Organisation of the events was conducted with naval precision by Richard Pavitt Chairman of the Britain-Australia Society West Country Branch. A firm friend of Australia, he was accompanied by his Australian wife Kay.
Many people with Anglo-Australian connections attended including Mr and Mrs Peter Benson AO from Spain.
The National Chairman The Earl of Buckinghamshire with The Countess, The Dir General Sir Geoffrey Errington and the National Director Mrs Kim Hemmingway represented the Britain-Australia Society. The Agent General for Western Australia Mrs Kerry Sanderson AO and the Head of the Menzies Centte for Australian Studies Prof. Carl Bridge attended.
For further information on and membership of the Britain-Australia Society please go to www.britozwest.org.uk

MARLBOROUGH POLICE WARN OF ROGUE TRADERS
Police have warned Marlborough Town councillors of rogue traders operating in and around the town. The traders are reported to be unusually well dressed and specialise in building repairs. Some have incomes of over £100,000 a year. Police advise people to contact the trade standards department or themselves.

2ND ANNIVERSARY FOR PERFECTLY POSH
Perfectly Posh Hair Design will soon be celebrating their 2nd year Anniversary in Hungerford's High Street. The salon business has expanded greatly during this time as many clients recommend their friends to salon owner Krysia Eddery and her team of talented stylists.
Krysia says “ It has been an amazing 2 years, I couldn’t have wished for it to have gone any better. I would personally like to thank all our clients and my staff. We have a great team and without them we wouldn’t be where we are today. As a thank you to clients we will be introducing a loyalty reward scheme so they can enjoy even better value for money at the salon – for more information ask your stylist or call the salon on 01488 686465.”
To keep up with the demand Perfectly Posh are delighted to welcome Jess Teixeira to the team. She is an experienced local stylist recently back from maternity leave and is looking forward to working with clients old and new. Offering a 10% discount during the months October and November is a great incentive for any new client.
Over the past year Stella Puddy has opened her natural beauty room at the salon offering fantastic value treatments and therapies in a relaxed, professional atmosphere. Along with Freelance makeup artist Lydia Johnson we are all looking forward to celebrating our 2nd Anniversary by holding an open evening on the 30th October 6 -10pm so we can help you with all your hairdressing, beauty and make up dilemmas. Enjoy a glass of wine and have a personal consultation or watch a demonstration and don’t miss out on special event discounts offers.

FULL STEAM AHEAD FOR VICTORIAN EXTRAVAGANZA
Hungerford's 18th annual Victorian Extravaganza will be held on Friday, December 11 with major sponsors being TESCO and ADP.
Further sponsors will be sought in coming weeks by the organisers, Hungerford Chamber of Commerce.
The hugely popular extravaganza will feature steam engines and the big wheel along with new attractions.

MARLBOROUGH TRADERS FEAR SUPERMARKET
Some Hungerford traders have reported a surge in business since TESCO opened in the town and much of that business is said to be coming from Marlborough and its district.
However, business leaders in Marlborough expressed fears that a proposed TESCO supermarket at Marlborough Business Park would take trade away from the high street and open the floodgates for more out-of-town retail development when they met regional executives from Tesco on Tuesday (August 18).
The meeting of 20 businessmen and women at the Castle & Ball hotel, organised by the Chamber of Commerce, was addressed by Tesco’s corporate affairs manager Melanie Chiswell, planning consultants Mark Scoot and Simon Russell, and Tesco’s development manager Tim Robinson.
The retail giant is preparing a planning application to open a 15,000 sq ft “small supermarket” at the entrance to Marlborough Business Park, which the firm hopes will be open by Christmas 2010.
The proposed building, said the executives, would be mainly a food store, with some convenience goods and newspapers – but no petrol filling station.
It would provide free parking for 112 cars and create around 100 full-time and part-time jobs.
Opening hours are expected to be between 8am and 10pm. It was said to be “highly unlikely” that the store would be open for 24 hour trading.
“ It will be slightly smaller than our Hungerford store, and will be a convenience store with food, toiletries and perhaps newspapers,” said Ms Chiswell.
“ We think it’s the right size of store to work in Marlborough. Hundreds of people are leaving Marlborough every day to shop in Hungerford, Devizes or Swindon, and we’re hoping to work with you, not against you, to stop the daily procession of shoppers to other towns,” she said.
“ Those shoppers will be spending their time and their money in those other towns. We hope to give people the opportunity to stay in Marlborough and have more reason to go into the town centre itself.”
Mr Robinson said the company had been looking at Marlborough “for quite some time”. “The Somerfield and Waitrose mix was a good one for the town, and when Somerfield moved out that created a new opportunity for us,” he said.
He said the proposed store would be one of the company’s new sustainable buildings. “We’ve invested a lot of money in developing sustainable stores with a lower carbon footprint,” he said.
“ This store will enhance the town. It will allow people who cannot necessarily afford Waitrose prices to do a small weekly food shop.”
Ms Chiswell said that before a planning application was submitted, an impact assessment survey would be conducted, and that public consultations would take place on Friday and Saturday, September 25 and 26, with plans of the proposed store on display.
Following the presentation, questions were invited from the floor.
Sue Rumbold, owner of Cats Whiskers in Kingsbury Street, said: “A lot of traders are worried that people will go to Tesco and then go home. It would help if Tesco could provide a free bus service into the town.”
Mr Robinson said Tesco was happy to work with bus operators in providing an enhanced service between the store and the town centre. He said the company tended not to put on bus services that could be seen as competing with existing, commercial bus routes.
On the matter of whether parking at the store would be free, and for how long customers would be allowed to park, Ms Chiswell said it was Tesco policy to provide free parking whenever it could, and Mr Scoot said: “Most local authorities restrict us to three or four hours of free parking.”
Jeweller David Dudley asked whether Tesco had looked at the two empty shops in Marlborough: Woolworth and M&S Simply Food.
Mr Robinson said they were too big for a ‘basket shop’ and too small for a ‘trolly shop’. “The M&S store is between 7,000 and 8,000 square feet. It just wasn’t right for us,” he said.
Sue Rumbold asked: “Once you are in, what’s to stop other shops building out of town and pulling people away from the town centre? When the business park was planned, we were given assurances that there would be no retail allocation.”
Her views were echoed by Gary Wilkinson of the Marlborough Parade Antique Centre, who said: “People are worried that it is going to turn into a retail park and the town centre will be closed.”
And Mr Dudley said: “Our concern over this out-of-town proposal is how it will destroy the heart of the town centre. The provision of free parking outside of the town centre concerns us greatly.”
Mr Scoot said there was no space for further retail development – including any future expansion of the proposed Tesco store – at the business park.
He said Tesco had purchased a 1.7 acre site – the last large available plot of land at the business park – and that any future development would deny customers free parking spaces.
Chamber of Commerce president Peter Davison pointed out, for the record, that traders were worried about retail development on sites neighbouring the business park, including the Crown Estates land on the other side of Salisbury Road and the Wiltshire Highways base adjoining the business park, but conceded that it was not a matter that Tesco executives were able to address.
Martin Cook, chairman of the Marlborough Area Development Trust, asked how many lorry deliveries could be expected during the average working day, and from what kind of delivery vehicles.
Mr Robinson said the day would start with a delivery of fresh milk and bread, and that there would probably be another three or four deliveries by articulated lorries per day.
Ms Chiswell added that the deliveries would come from the firm’s distribution centre at Avonmouth, near Bristol.
Nigel Kerton, of the Gazette & Herald, asked whether a filling station would be part of the proposed scheme.
Mr Robinson said that the site would not be big enough. “Petrol stations tend to go with our larger stores,” he said.
Colette Mallon, of the North Wiltshire Economic Partnership, asked about the impact on already scarce designated employment land in the town.
Mr Scoot said: “The firms that are going onto the park are generating low numbers of jobs. Our store will create 100 full-time and part-time positions. Who else can do that?”
The Tesco executives promised to meet with the Chamber of Commerce again once the pubic consultation and impact survey had been completed, and before the planning application was submitted in October or November.

MARLBOROUGH RESIDENTS SEEK NEW TESCO
Marlborough Town Council's planning committee on Monday heard an outline of the project to seek planning permission for a new TESCO store in Marlborough, based on the highly successful operation in Hungerford.
Melanie Chiswell, Regional Corporate Affairs Manager for Tesco Stores Limited told the committee and more than 70 townspeople that the 15,000 sq ft.store was proposed for the Marlborough Business Park on Salisbury Road.
Members of the public were allowed to attend but not comment at the committee meeting at which Ms Chiswell said it was proposed everyone would be given the opportunity to voice an opinion.
It was hoped to stem the procession of people going out of town to shop for food and to keep those people in the town.
She said TESCO had determined that many Marlborough people shopped in the Hungerford store through TESCO loyalty cards.
It was intended that a new Marlborough store would compliment the town centre and not compete with it.
She said TESCO had been approached to build the store, by Marlborough people.
Local produce would be encouraged and it was aimed to obtain a planning decision in the Spring.
It was alleged from the floor that there was chamber of commerce and planning committee opposition to the proposal.

NEW BICYCLE SHOP FOR HUNGERFORD
With the summer in full swing there has never been a better time to get in the shed or garage, dust off the old bicycle and go for a ride but what if your trusty steed has not been ridden for a while and is in need of some tlc or you fancy something new? Maybe you want a Mountain Bike or a Hybrid, Maybe the kids have outgrown their old bikes and need new ones. Until now you would have had to make a trip into Newbury or further to get your bike serviced or to buy bikes accessories or clothing. Well not anymore! Supernova Cycles at 97 High Street Hungerford can offer you a great friendly service, whether you are having your bike serviced or just buying a tube.
With new Bikes and Accessories from some of the leading manufacturers and 20 years' experience in the workshop why not let Supernova Cycles take care of your cycling needs? - See advertisement in The Adviser. theweeklyadviser.com

THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN 70TH ANNIVERSARY
Sir: Next year we celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain. I am working on a book and possible television programme to mark the event in association with the Battle of Britain Fighter Asscoiation and wondered whether you would be able to print the following letter to your readers? -Henry Buckton, 7 Down's Orchard, Meare near Glastonbury, somerset BA6 9SQ; Tel 01458 860592."In 2010 the nation will celebrate one of the most iconic moments in modern history - the Batttle of Britain. In the summer of 1940 Britain stood completely alone. Had the brave aircrew of the RAF lost the battle, the world might still be a different place today. Britain would have been occupied, there would have been no D-Day, and perhaps more significantly, the Nazis would have been free to develop the first atomic bomb. they might still have been masters of Europe to this day. Seventy years on we tend to forget how important a debt we owe to the aircrew of the RAF and the foreign nationals who came to help, and who Winston Churchill called "The Few".A best-selling author and film maker is currently working on a landmark and definitive project to celebrate this very important anniversary. We would like to hear from anybody who had a personal involvement with the Battle of Britain. You may not have been a pilot, but you might have been a ground crew member of a squadron, or worked on an airfield or in a sector station. You may have been involved with RDF, the Observer Corps, searchlights, ack-ack guns, or barrage balloons. You may have worked in a factory making Spitfires or Hurricanes. You may have worked for the NAAFI or Red Cross and served the airmen tea and sandwiches. You may have diaries from the time, or written letters, taken photographs, or even film. Or you may have been related in some way to one of the pilots. Whatever your involvement, male or female, it will help to paint a larger picture to celebrate what was Britain's "finest hour". theweeklyadviser.com

GEDDES CARPETS CONSOLIDATING IN MARLBOROUGH
23.06.09: More and more people are consulting Geddes Carpets of Marlborough for all high quality makes of flooring.
Geddes opened in Marlborough two months ago and many town and district people are taking advantage of their free fitting offer for all orders over £350.
They offer free estimates for vinyls, wood and carpets and most fitting is carried out within two weeks and less where requested.
Store Manager Richard Woodbridge has 40 years' flooring experience.
Geddes Carpets are next to Marlborough Library on the college end at 92 High Street, telephone 01672 514261. theweeklyadviser.com

TOUCHING TRIBUTES TO BRAVE LADY
17.06.09: Memorial services were held at Ramsbury's Holy Cross Church and Bury St Edmunds Cathedral on Monday for Amanda, Mrs Sam Bullard who died after a long and brave fight against cancer. The Ramsbury service organised by Mrs Michael Handford and helpers and conducted by Canon Peter Ball took the form of prayers, readings and memories. Many district people travelled to Bury St Edmunds for the cathedral service. Mrs Bullard was elder daughter of Mrs Susan, and the late Mr Christopher Eliot-Cohen of Hilldrop, Ramsbury and sister of Tim and Sarah. Amanda leaves her husband Sam and children Tatty, Louise and Patrick. Amanda faced her illness bravely and never ceased to think of others and to pursue her charitable work. In his welcome and Bidding Prayer at Ramsbury, Canon Ball said "We are gathered together in the presence of God to give thanks to Him for the life and witness of His servant Amanda and to pray that all our sorrow may be replaced by the great joy of remembrance. Let us give thanks for Amanda's too short life, which though marred by many years of ill health was one of gloroius happiness. Let us give thanks for her great love and loyalty to Sam, for the joy that she received from her children Tatty, Squeeze and Patch and the enormous pride she so very rightly had in them. Let us give thanks for her family and many friends who have supported her through the last few years. For her love of life and her infectious enthusiasm for everything that is fun, especiaally her love of skiing and the mountains, the Bung and time she spent on the coast. For her sense of humour and her love of entertaining. For all that she did to help the charities which she supported with her energetic and highly efficient fund raising events. For her wisdom and understanding of others' problems and her gentle common sense approach to solving them. But above all we give thanks for her immense courage and hope that we may be able to follow her example in times of adversity in our own lives". theweeklyadviser.com

TESCO HUNGERFORD COMES TO THE ADVISER
TESCO'S advertisement on the front page brings you a selection of top specials each week on Fridays, so make sure you benefit from them. We hasten to say, there are many more ever-changing specials in the store.
Since opening, a growing number of Hungerford and Marlborough district residents have been taking advantage of TESCO's free parking and easily accessible stock shelves with wide and efficient checkouts. Don't miss the TESCO specials in next Friday's Adviser and also on our website theweeklyadviser.com

TOP VEHICLE SERVICING BY COLLECTION
To have your vehicles picked up, serviced and delivered back your residence or business at no extra cost is a luxury and a great relief. This service is being offered by Adviser advertiser ACB Automotive and is thoroughly recommended. ACB have 20 years' dealer experience and make collection and delivery a speciality. They collect from your home or work at a time to suit between 6am and 9 pm. They have a mobile chip and pin terminal to enable you to pay securely by credit/debit card when delivery is made. They guarantee to beat any other like for like quote on servicing and repairs. They invite contact for everything from servicing to a full engine rebuild. And they safeguard your warranty using original quality parts with their service under warranty for a fraction of main dealer prices. Give them a call on 01488 670382. theweeklyadviser.com

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