A hundred students from eight West Berkshire secondary schools were presented with certificates at Vodafone HQ, Newbury, for their involvement in the ‘Take a Chance’ programme, which was supported by Vodafone volunteers. Participating schools were The Downs School, John O’Gaunt Community Technology College, Kennet School, Little Heath School, Park House School, St Bartholomew’s School, Theale Green Community School and Trinity School and Performing Arts College.

Now in its fifth year, the programme has provided opportunities for 250 students, aged between 14-16 years, to develop their life skills and self confidence. The Education Business Partnership West Berkshire organised the programme and has received support from over 200 Vodafone volunteers since it began.

‘Take a Chance’ Programme Manager Helen Roy commented “It’s wonderful that Vodafone’s ongoing commitment has so far enabled us to invite 700 young people to benefit from the annual Enterprise Skills Day with the chance to be involved in the full programme.”

The Vodafone Foundation has now confirmed future funding for the ‘Take a Chance’ programme, enabling a further 250 students to participate in the annual Enterprise Skills Day over the next two years.

Helen added “We are delighted that the Vodafone Foundation’s continuing generous support which will enable us to offer the unique ‘Take a Chance’ experience to more students.”

The campaign will aim to tackle road litter and ensure that England’s roads provide safe and pleasant journeys during the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The Agency will continue to clear up roads in the run up to the torch relay but asks road users and local residents to take pride in their roads and dispose of their litter responsibly.

Roads Minister Mike Penning says “As the torch relay travels across our road network, it will showcase the best of our towns and countryside. Nobody wants that to be spoilt by litter.”

He adds “If all drivers keep a bag in their vehicle to store rubbish and then dispose of it safely, it will be a real step forward in reducing roadside litter. It’s time for us all to step up to the mark and start taking responsibility for our litter.”

The roadside message campaign will run during the Olympic Torch Relay to remind motorists to dispose of their litter responsibly. It’s estimated that nearly a quarter of million sacks of rubbish are removed from England’s motorways every year proving expensive, time consuming and putting road workers’ lives at risk.

Roadside litter can also block drains causing flooding and has a detrimental effect on the environment. Throwing litter from moving vehicles can also prove hazardous to other road users.

 A West Berkshire nature reserve marks its 100th birthday this week. Greenham Common was first formerly identified as a nature reserve a century ago by Wildlife Trust founder Charles Rothschild.

By 1949, the heathland, which was one of Rothschild’s first reserves, was turned into a military airbase and it became impossible to protect the site. However, the reserve has now been listed as one of the most important habitats to protect and parts of the former airbase are now Sites of Special Scientific Interest.

Philippa Lyons, Chief Executive of the Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust (BBOWT), says “Even 100 years ago people recognised that this special place of lowland heath was important and should be protected for wildlife.”

The BBOWT work with West Berkshire Council on the management of Greenham Common as part of the West Berkshire Living Landscape project. The project includes reconnecting heathland from the Commons with remnants of heath in Bowdown Woods and the Bomb Site to give wildlife such as woodlarks, adders and grayling butterflies the best possible chance to spread out and increase their numbers.

Greenham Common will be hosting guided walks led by BBOWT seasonal wardens each Saturday morning from 10am to 12 noon until 28 July for members of the public to about the wildlife and birds that live there.

Around 284 places in Britain have been identified by expert naturalists as ‘sites worthy of preservation’. Other places in West Berkshire identified as Rothschild Reserves were The Crocus Field at Inkpen near Kintbury and Brimpton Common near Wasing. Inkpen Crocus Field is now a Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust nature reserve.

The exhibition will celebrate some of the world’s most captivating wildlife and will run between 30^th June and 14^th July. An Open Evening will be held on Friday 29^th June from 5:30pm.

Well known for his oil paintings of big cats and African game animals, Pip’s collection will be a delight for animal lovers and wildlife artists and photographers alike.

Pip is also the founder of the Marwell International Wildlife Art Society and has been Chairman for almost thirteen years. He is currently an official judge for the ‘BBC Wildlife Artist of the Year’ competition.

Gallery owner Jan Baker says “It’s an honour to have the great Pip McGarry once again exhibiting at The Frame.”

She adds “His paintings are beautiful and captivating and will transport our visitors to the wilds of Africa, where they can experience an intimate look into the lives of these fascinating creatures.”

An open evening on Friday 1st June will launch the exhibition which will be open to the public from 5.30pm.

Hampshire-based Jean has travelled all over the world and been influenced by masters from China, India and Pakistan. Her book “Atmospheric Watercolours” launched this month and features a collection of watercolours. Single paintings from this publication will be included in this exhibition as well as new pieces. Signed copies of the book will also be available to purchase along with her DVD “Jean Haines’ Watercolour Passion”, a film aimed at inspiring a new generation of artists.

Gallery owner Jan Baker says “We are thrilled to be exhibiting works by the very talented Jean Haines. Her atmospheric watercolours are awash with expression and style and will be a real treat for visitors to the gallery.”

For more information go to www.theframe-gallery.co.uk

This will be the fourth year the opera company has performed at the Newbury Racecourse and they will be returning on Saturday 30 June to perform Rossini’s The Barber of Seville. Now in their 25^th year, the production will be performed by professional national and international opera singers who have worked with major companies such as the English National Opera and Covent Garden.

Greenham Common Trust has been subsidising outdoor opera since 2005, making it accessible and more affordable for local families.

Greenham Common Trust spokesman Julian May says “We are delighted to welcome back Opera Brava who always deliver a very special evening to remember.”

The Trust is also funding the popular junior opera for the third year in partnership with Opera Brava, which will be performed at Newbury Racecourse on Thursday 28 June.

Felix Rayner, headteacher of the Winchcome School, says “The Winchcombe School is delighted to be working with Opera Brava this summer on their production of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. We hope this will unleash the many talents of our children and give them a new and exciting experience they can build on in the future. We thank The Greenham Common Trust in their support of this project – the whole school community are looking forward to it immensely.”

Opera Brava Director Bronek Pomorski adds “It will be a fantastic opportunity for the school children to experience performing in an outdoor Opera and hopefully a memory they will cherish for years to come.”

Tickets for The Barber of Seville cost £10 and are available from the Corn Exchange,  www.cornexchangenew.com or by calling the theatre’s box office on 01635 522733. Doors open at 6pm for a 7.30pm start. A licensed bar is available and visitors are welcome to bring a picnic and their own chairs.

The Lion, the Witch and The Wardrobe performance starts at 7pm and admission is free. Refreshments will be served before and during the performance. All donations will go towards school funds.

Prep time: 15 min

Cooking time: 30 min

Serves 4-6

Ingredients

For the Keema

350g / 12oz lean minced lamb

1 tsp ground cumin

1 tsp ground coriander

1 large onion, chopped

1 red pepper, deseeded and chopped

115g / 4oz fine green beans, chopped into 2cm pieces

175g / 6oz mushrooms, sliced

400g / 14oz can of chickpeas, drained

400g / 14oz can chopped tomatoes

90ml lamb stock  (a stock cube works fine)

2 level tbsp garlic pickle (optional)

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

2-3tbsp fresh coriander, chopped

For the salad

¼ cucumber, chopped finely

3 tomatoes, deseeded and chopped finely

½  red onion, finely chopped

2-3 tbsp fresh coriander, chopped

Method

Dry fry handfuls of minced lamb for about 4-5 minutes until browned. Drain off any fat.

Add the ground spices and fry for another minute.

Add the chopped onion, red pepper and green beans. Stir-fry for a few moments then add the mushrooms, chickpeas, tomatoes, stock and garlic pickle, if using.

Bring to the boil, then cover and cook gently for about 25 minutes, stirring from time to time. Remove the lid for the final ten minutes of cooking to reduce the liquid. The keema should not be allowed to boil dry though.

Prepare the salad by mixing together the  cucumber, tomatoes, onion and fresh coriander. Season with salt and pepper then chill until ready to serve.

Check the seasoning of the keema and add salt and pepper to taste. Stir through the fresh, chopped coriander.

Serve with the salad, chapattis or rice and plain yoghurt.

So far their audio and electrical department has been particularly successful as well as the first ever Liz Earle beauty range at a John Lewis at home shop. Kitchen appliances have also done well with Bosch Fridge Freezers and Kmix Coffee Machines amongst the biggest sellers.

Shoppers also took advantage of the Johnlewis.com terminals where they could browse and purchase products not stocked at the store and collect the next day.

John Lewis at home Newbury’s branch manager Dominic Joyce says “We’ve had the best welcome from Newbury residents throughout opening weekend.”

He adds “Partners at John Lewis at home Newbury are delighted with the success and we are excited to continue this great performance as we establish ourselves further in the local community.”

The first customers Erika and Emily Walker, mother and daughter from Upper Bucklebury, received a special gift as they came through the doors and said “We’ve been waiting for John Lewis at home Newbury to open since it was announced.”

John Lewis has invested £8m in its eagerly anticipated eighth John Lewis at home which focuses on furniture, homewares, furnishing accessories, electrical and home technology, nursery, travel goods and self select beauty.

Buzz magazine, who strongly support local businesses in the West Berkshire and North Hampshire area, were there to see the ribbon being cut by store manager Dominic Joyce. The 40,000 sq ft unit will stock home-wares, electrical products and gift items and boasts an 84 seater cafe upstairs selling hot and cold food.

Before the Grand Opening, queues gathered outside of the store and were entertained with jugglers and magicians organised by Parkway. The first two customers to enter the store were welcomed with a bunch of flowers.

Dominic, who grew up in Newbury, said “It’s the first time I’ve ever opened a shop in my home town and it’s really nice to be able to do that. We want to be as involved in the community as we can possible be.”

Parkway manager Neil Carter said “It looks fantastic inside and the people of Newbury will just love the whole concept. It’s obviously an extra boost for Parkway and Newbury and brings people in from a wider area. I think John Lewis has a really good future here.”

Parkway opened five months prior to John Lewis at home’s opening but Neil says he wasn’t unhappy with the decision to open later, “We had a great launch and this is another step forward. Joules will be opening in a couple of months and we also have another seven units under offer. It keeps getting better and better.”

John Lewis are also the Official Department Store Sponsor for the Olympics and a number of Olympic and Jubilee products can be found in store already.

Opening hours

Mon-Fri 9am – 6pm (late night shopping on Thursday until 7pm)

Sat 9am – 7pm

Sun 11am – 5pm

John Lewis at home manager Dominic Joyce with Parkway manager Neil Carter

John Lewis at home, Newbury, welcomes its first customers

Having previously won the award in 2003 and 2008, the trust has been recognised once again for its continued regeneration of RAF Greenham Common airbase into a sustainable business park.

Since starting in 1997, the Trust has transformed 150-acres of the former nuclear airbase into a mixed-use business park with 150 businesses employing around 1,500 people. Greenham Business Park along with its other assets, including a counselling centre and voluntary organisations, produces an annual income of around £3 million a year that is distributed to local causes and projects.

Sir Peter Michael, Chairman and co-founder of the Greenham Common Trust, says “To be the first charity to have received The Queen’s Award for a third time is not only an incredible honour but an acknowledgment of the Trust’s innovative and radical approach to sustainable development.”

Stuart Tagg, the Trust’s Chief Executive, adds “The management of the Trust’s investment has enabled millions of pounds to be channelled into the community through its focus on economic development, social projects and ecological balance.”

Last year Greenham Common Trust launched findmeagrant, an online grant application which matches grant givers to local fundraisers and administers public donations (adding Trust matched funding and Gift Aid where applicable) free of charge.

So far http://www.findmeagrant.org/ has raised in excess of £300,000 for local organisations and nearly £100,000 in donations and Trust-Top Up (the matched funding element).