Don't miss this week's NWN

Lucky escapes from storm damage, review of the year, New Year pictures and petrol giveaway

THE New Year began with a bang, or rather, a crash, when gale force winds wrought havoc across the district.

Pick up a copy of the Newbury Weekly News to see some eye-opening pictures from the aftermath of the storm which included a lucky escape for some members of Donnington Valley golf club after a felled tree narrowly missed them on the first tee.

Trains and traffic were halted, power cuts hit, and water was cut off to over 300 homes.

Also not to be missed in this week's edition is a five-page review of the 2011 taking in the biggest best and most colourful stories that have affected all of us over the last year.

A packed opening news week of 2012 includes the New Year Honours list, Thames Valley Police potentially gaining 3D laser equipment to reduce motorway queues, a Cold Ash woman setting off on a South Pole trek, and the sad loss of three community stalwarts.

A thriving pub has suddenly closed it's doors, pick up a copy to find out which one, and we have more on budget cuts which have hit charities supporting the young and old.

We have plenty of New Year's Eve pictures, as well as reviews, listings and features and all the sports from over the busy New Year period.

Oh, and our free petrol giveaway competition continues into 2012.

The Newbury Weekly News is on sale every Thursday.