FIREFIGHTERS were called to an incident at Newbury Business Park this morning (Friday).

According to the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service, one pump from Newbury and another from Hungerford, were called at around 12pm to an overheating air conditioning unit at Newbury Business Park, in London Road.

No action was required, according to the fire service.

FIREFIGHTERS were called to Woolhampton to tackle a tumble drier fire yesterday (Thursday) evening – the second such incident in two weeks.

According to Ellie Gray, a spokeswoman for the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service, one pump from Newbury and another from Mortimer were called at 4.27pm to a tumble drier on fire in a garage, in Orchard Close.

The fire was discovered to be out on arrival and the incident was closed.

The incident was the second fire caused by an electrical fault in a tumble drier in the local area in two weeks.

Last Monday (May 13) morning, Newbury firefighters were called to a detached house in Cold Ash Hill, where a tumble drier was on fire in a conservatory, due to an electrical fault.

No-one was hurt in either incident.

Green Watch manager at Newbury Fire Station, Richard Young, issued a safety message last week not to leave appliances such as washing machines, or tumble driers unattended while they were switched on.

POLICE are investigating footage of a motorist apparently careering along the Newbury to Wantage road at a reckless 140mph.

The film, uploaded to social networking site Facebook, appears to show a driver recording life-threatening exploits on the B4449 on a hand-held video recorder, cutting away to show the speedometer as it peaks and the engine screams.

It was posted on May 19, at 2.20pm on a Facebook page with the misspelt caption: “Newbury to wantage road love itt.”

There is no suggestion that the person on whose Facebook page the film appears was the driver behind the wheel in the footage.

The road has previously been the focus of controversy, after the Newbury Weekly News revealed in 2006 that motorcyclists were using the stretch as a racetrack.

In an extract from the Yamaha XJR Owners’ Club website forum, a user nicknamed Wahoo enthused: “It has everything: twisties, straights, ups and downs – a real roller coaster and the best thing… no cameras or law!”

Other forum users concur, with one stating: “It’s a famously fast road so I gave the motor a damn good thrashing… a good death is dying doing what floats your boat.” There are similar posts on other motoring forums.

A road safety campaign was subsequently launched by Alison McGregor, who was also concerned about the number of fatalities on the road, five since 2000.

West Berkshire Council has since installed vehicle-activated speed signs at the most dangerous spots.

Mrs McGregor said yesterday: “I’m horrified by this film. We ran a successful campaign and, to my knowledge, there have been no fatalities since.

“We actually saved lives but if people are being encouraged to go at insane speeds along there, it’s only a matter of time before someone is killed.

“It might not be the person who was driving in the film – it could be a young mother with children.”

Mrs McGregor has moved to Devon but said that she was proud of what she helped to achieve.

The post has been reported tothe police by a member of the public.

Thames Valley Police are investigating but had not responded to requests for a comment as the Newbury Weekly News went to press on Wednesday.

A PUBLIC meeting to discuss how best to spend £2m to improve travel links from one of the district’s largest housing developments is being held next week.

The money, a condition of the planning permission for the 1,500-home development at The Racecourse Newbury to help mitigate the scheme’s impact on the area, is to be spent to improve pedestrian and cycle routes between the racecourse and the town centre and other parts of Newbury, with around one third of the grant dedicated to improving links to and from the canal towpath.

The meeting is being held by the Local Access Forum on Wednesday and will begin with a walking tour to highlight areas of concern.

The walk will start from the racecourse car park at 10am and will take in Hambridge Lane, the town centre, Victoria Park, Kings Road and the canal towpath.

Members of the Canal and River Trust and the Environment Agency as well as councillors from West Berkshire Council, Greenham Parish Council and Newbury Town Council will also be present for the walk, which is expected to take around two- and-a-half hours.

There will be a break for lunch before the meeting begins at 2pm in the Fred Winter Suite in the Berkshire stand at the racecourse.

IT’S CHEERS to the Hungerford Club for retaining its title of Club of the Year, awarded by the West Berkshire Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA).

The popular and friendly sports and social club in The Croft has championed the cause of real ale in clubs for many years.

It is frequently listed in the Good Beer Guide and is a former CAMRA Southern Region Champion.

August 2012 saw the club manage its first real ale festival on site and a second is planned for August 2013, showcasing 14 beers.

Club steward Jim Lawton said: “To receive the award again this year in recognition of our efforts is wonderful. Our club is only as strong as our membership, and we encourage prospective members to come along and sample our wares and enjoy what the social side has to offer.”

West Berkshire CAMRA branch secretary, Michael Avery, said: “The Hungerford Club demonstrates how successfully a club can develop the social aspects alongside its core sports facilities.

“The consistent cellarmanship and varied beer selection, including LocAle, make this an important port of call when in Hungerford. Well done Jim.”

Locale is a CAMRA accreditation scheme promoting outlets that sell locally-brewed real ale, thus reducing the number of ‘beer miles,’ and supporting local breweries.

The club is believed to have originated in late 1901 in the Church House – now known as Croft Hall.

An application to install a licensed bar was refused by the landlord of the day, who was also the vicar, and so the club moved to the present clubhouse on the other side of The Croft.

Mr Avery said: “That decision of 83 years ago seems most fortuitous for lovers of real ale.”

The award will be presented on the evening of Tuesday, June 11, prior to the West Berkshire CAMRA Branch annual general meeting.

TWO charities will be given a cash boost thanks to some brave women and men, who will face the waxers and clippers.

Two women will be having their heads shaved and five men will have body hair removed tomorrow night (Sat) – and all in front of an audience of pub-goers.

Anna Holmes and her friend Valerie Kingston have organised the event at the White Hart pub, High Street, on Saturday, to raise money for the Multiple Sclerosis Society, as both women suffer from the disease, and the Dingley Family and Specialist Early Years Centre. Ms Holmes said: “We wanted to do something that would last for more than a day, and it will get people more aware of both charities.”

Ms Kingston will be donating her hair to Little Princess Trust, which provides real-hair wigs to children who have lost their own hair through cancer treatment or other illnesses.

During the evening, there will also be a performance from an Elvis tribute act and a raffle.

The waxing will be done by staff from Beauty at Tiffany’s, and the Thatcham salon will also donate 10 per cent of its takings from the day to the charities.

Everyone is welcome to go along on the evening to support the fundraisers, and anyone with prizes to donate to the raffle should call Ms Holmes on 07887 865 221.

THREE Newbury children have been left heartbroken after thieves stole two of their pet hens.

On Friday, May 10, the Lindsay children of Blenheim Road, had two of their three hens stolen in an overnight raid.

Jimi-Joe Lindsay, aged 11, Romany Lindsay, aged 10 and Alfie Lindsay, aged eight, have owned the hens for about two years.

The children take care of the hens, collecting the daily eggs from them.

Their father, Jim Lindsay, said that even though the hens were free range and often went on a walk about around town during the day they would always return and be locked up over night.

He said: “It is usual that they go through the back alleyway.

“They are free range and they live in town.”

On the night they were stolen, they had been locked up as usual.

Mr Lindsay said: “They were put away at night time and the back gate was locked up.

“In the morning I came down and the back gate was open and the hens run was undone.

“There’s just one left.”

Mr Lindsay said he thought he would give it a day before reporting it to the police in case they returned – but they never did.

Each of the Lindsay children owned their own hen and the hens belonging to the two youngest, Romany and Alfie, were stolen meaning just Jimi-Joe’s remains

Mr Lindsay said: “They were pretty sad, one we have had pretty much since it was a chick.”

As part of his appeal he added: “Anyone in Blenheim Road area who may know something or know of anyone obtaining two very tame hens this weekend please let us know as kids very upset.”

Anyone with information should contact the police on the non-emergency number on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org

No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.

A THATCHAM bellydance teacher is looking forward to some well earned time off this summer, as she prepares to temporarily hand over the reins.

Helen Santa Maria instructs bellydancers throughout the local area, including at the Allenova School of Dance in Thatcham and also in Reading and has been busy teaching students in preparation for local performances throughout the summer – including in Headley, near Kingsclere and also at Newbury Racecourse.

“It’s been a successful year so far with lots of students passing a bellydance exam and many others undertaking public performances for the first time,” said Mrs Santa Maria.

She was looking forward, she continued, to a break in the summer, as she prepares for the birth of her first child:

“I’m looking forward to some time off this summer as I’m expecting a baby! Luckily I have a fabulous team of bellydance coaches so the students will be left in good hands,” she said.

Taking over the reins temporarily, during her maternity leave, will be assistant coach, Louise Brooks, of Reading.

Meanwhile pupils are gearing up for several local performances including at Headley Village Fete on Saturday June 8 and the Culture Festival, at Newbury Racecourse, on Saturday June 29.

A FORMER Thatcham team vicar has been arrested on suspicion of sexual offences against West Berkshire school children.

The Rev Peter Jarvis, aged 49 and formerly of St Barnabas Church, was arrested on suspicion of grooming and inciting sexual activity with children.

The Bishop of Reading Andrew Proud’s office said in a statement: “We can confirm that the Revd Pete Jarvis has been arrested on suspicion of sexual offences.

“The Church of England expects the highest standards of personal conduct in its clergy, and the Diocese of Oxford takes allegations such as this extremely seriously.

“Mr Jarvis will not be undertaking any duties in relation to the church’s ministry while the police investigation continues.

“The Bishop of Reading is aware of the situation and has made arrangements for the continued pastoral care of the parish during this time of uncertainty.

“He is holding in his prayers all those affected by this case.”

A police statement said: “Police received a complaint in April and launched an investigation.

“The allegations currently involve several children, aged between 12 and 16, and date from 2009 to 2011.

“The alleged offences are connected with a school in the West Berkshire area.”

Investigating officer, Dc Sarah Manning, said: “This is a dynamic and ongoing inquiry which is being handled by specially trained officers.

“We are working closely with various agencies and organisations and would urge anyone with information which could assist our inquiry to come forward and speak to me or Ds Richard Jarvis via the 101 number.”

Mr Jarvis has been released on police bail until 15 June.

Mr Jarvis has been the vicar at St Michael’s Church in Spencers Wood since February