Ross Kemp tells West Berkshire Council staff: 'Keep up the good work' in Newbury visit

john.garvey@newburynews.co.uk

Published: 15:17, 18 April 2020

Former EastEnders actor was making documentary in the area

DOCUMENTARY maker Ross Kemp has given West Berkshire Council staff a boost in a video message.

The former EastEnders star posted the short clip on social media.

He said: "I just wanted to say, to all the officers and staff at West Berkshire Council, 'keep up the good work'."

The council responded, on its Twitter feed: "After a long week of working to support our communities, it was great to receive this thank you from Ross Kemp himself! Thanks to all West Berkshire Council staff for all of your hard work!"

Ross Kemp was visiting the area researching for a new documentary on how people are coping with the current coronavirus crisis.

The West Berkshire branch of the Unison union reposted it with the exclamation: "He's talking about us!"

After a long week of working to support our communities, it was great to receive this thank you from Ross Kemp himself! Thanks to all West Berkshire Council staff for all of your hard work! #WBCommunityLove #CouncilsCan pic.twitter.com/EITKcT0v0K
A spokeswoman for the council, Peta Stoddart-Crompton, said: "Ross had visited The Newbury pub to find out about how it's using its gin distillery to make hand sanitiser and was told about our hard-working staff by Steve Masters (Green Party, Newbury Speen), so he decided to do a shout out to them. Some of our female staff asked if they could get a cuddle with him – but social distancing rules prevented that, unfortunately!"
— West Berkshire (@WestBerkshire) April 17, 2020

Newbury John Garvey