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More than a dozen villagers attended a public meeting on 16 January, called by the parish council to consider action in the wake of Storm Darragh and the power cut which affected most if not all of Hamstead Marshall and lasting a day and a half.

First to speak was the customer relations manager of Scottish and Southern Electricity (SSEN) who presented statistics about the company and its emergency measures. In particular, he described the company’s Priority Services Registry, which aims to contain details of all vulnerable residents who might need help during a blackout. Names are included on request but, as with any database of personal information, GDPR decrees that inclusion must have the consent of the person concerned.

SSEN’s response during outage sometimes includes generators to heat a community centre, and a welfare van providing hot meals. The speaker took note of Hamstead’s village hall as a potential centre for such action.

The second speaker was a representative from the Joint Emergency Planning Unit, (JEPU) set up by West Berkshire Council (in partnership with Windsor and Bracknell) to coordinate all kinds of emergency response. JEPU also offers advice emergency planning advice to communities.

The upshot of the meeting was that Hamstead Parish Council is to draw up a local plan for the next major outage. A key feature of such planning would be a list of local vulnerable residents (compiled with their consent) who might need emergency heating and lighting, as well as those who have useful resources and would be willing to help.

A home emergency plan leaflet, compiled by the parish council in conjunction with WBC’s template, is to be delivered to all households in the village, detailing recommended preparations (eg, have an emergency grab bag), local and district contacts for help and information. This distribution will be followed by another public meeting.

Concern was expressed at the number of HGVs using Milkhouse Road from the A4 towards Morewood, crossing the canal and river bridges. As the next river and rail crossing west of Newbury the route is a popular rat-run. The prospect of an serious accident on the sharp corner between the church and the river is not remote. A weight limit banning HGV’s from using the road was thought desirable, but probably difficult to obtain, not least as both bridges are graded to take the full current size limit of 44 tonnes. It was pointed out that when gravel extraction from the field above Craven Keep was under consideration, WBC devised a plan for three sets of traffic lights between the church and the railway. This was not thought to be a desirable solution. Steve Masters is investigating the matter further.

The parish council still has two vacancies, but Anne Budd is currently in negotiation with two people. This should not deter anyone else from offering to join. Five councillors is the standard complement, but it is not a maximum. Anyone interested in serving the village in this way should contact the clerk.

No district councillors attended the meeting, nor did a TVP representative.

No new planning applications had been received. It was noted that the Elm View application has been approved.

Speedwatch has not been active during the winter weather, but is planned to restart soon.

Continuing vigilance and online reporting of pot-holes was urged.

The Christmas 2024 parish cafe included a presentation to Sue Watts marking her co-founding of the community market 18 years ago, and her hard work in keeping it going ever since. She has now taken well-earned retirement.

The cafe was also visited by Chris, Jo and Luke from Thames Valley police neighbourhood team. They stayed for tea and cake and met villagers. The team is based jointly at Hungerford Fire Station and Newbury Police Station, and they serve an arc of rural villages spreading from Hungerford, north of (but not including) Newbury, to Calcot.

The White Hart change-of-use application (#24/00582/FUL) to turn the former pub into four housing units has been approved.

The parish council raised no objection to the application, but 27 letters of objection and four of support were submitted.

Also approved was application #23/02550/FULMAJ in which the owners of Elm Farm plan to demolish redundant farmstead buildings and build a new house. The proposal had 23 letters of support as well as commendation from the parish council.

This approval, together with work that has started on the adjoining former White Hart skittle alley site, will bring the total number of potential households on the site to four.

January
Thu 30 2-4 parish café in village hall
February
Thu 6 7-9 Circle of Friends in village hall
Sat 8 10-1 community market in village hall
Thu 27 2-4 parish café in village hall
March
Thu 6 7-9 Circle of Friends in village hall
Sat 18 10-1 community market in village hall
Thu 20 7.30 parish council meeting in village hall
Thu 27 2-4 parish café in village hall

More info:
Community market/Lanie Allen 07775 804143.
Circle of Friends/Sue Watts 07884 004418.
Mobile library/Sandra Edwards 01635 519827.
Parish café/Anne Budd 01488 657022.

WBC is proposing to abolish the mobile library service from next April, which will affect those who make use of its regular visits to Ash Tree Grove.

Arguments in favour of abolition include reduced demand for the service, and cost. The current vehicle needs to be replaced at an estimated cost of £200,000.

Results of the user survey have yet to be declared. Whether or not the mobile service continues, borrowers who are unable to go to the library can join the At Home service, through which books can be delivered to their home every three weeks. Ring Sandra Edwards on 01635 519827 (mornings) for more details.

Noticeboard

Planning for the next power cut

Points from the parish council meeting 16 January

Elm Farm and White Hart planning applications approved

What's on in the village

Mobile library threatened