The Newbury Society searches for the Beauty and the Beast of the town’s buildings, as it celebrates 50th anniversary

To celebrate its 50th anniversary the Newbury Society, in conjunction with the Newbury Weekly News, is looking for the town’s Beauty and the Beast.

A competition inviting people to nominate their best and worst buildings in and around Newbury was launched at Shaw House on Saturday, June 10, as part of its anniversary celebrations.

Newbury Society chair David Peacock said: “This is an opportunity to focus on the rich range of buildings in and around Newbury, with the launch today of an appeal we call ‘Beauty and the Beast’.

“Do you have a favourite Newbury building? One you cherish?

“Is there a building you really dislike? One perhaps, which if it were demolished, would leave Newbury a better place?”

This invitation to nominate your beauty and your beast is open to anyone with an interest in the appearance of local buildings in Newbury, Enborne, Speen, Shaw-cum-Donnington and Greenham.

Nominations will close on July 22 – so you have just one month to make sure the building you love the most is crowned Newbury’s Beauty.

The Newbury Society will then draw up a shortlist of the town’s best and worst buildings from all those sent in.

These will then feature on the Newbury Weekly News website, Newburytoday, where you will be able to vote on the final winner – and loser.

You can send your nominations to ‘Beauty and the Beast’ at The Newbury Society.

The email is secretary@newbury-society.org.uk or you can get in touch via The Newbury Society’s website, on Facebook or by post.

Newbury Library has copies of the society’s regular Bulletin, which gives contact details.

Please include your name and contact details on each nomination.

The Newbury Society wants everyone to nominate two good buildings, and two bad buildings, with the reasons why they are good and bad.

If possible, photographs should be sent with each nomination.

Mr Peacock added: “Please, do take part in this, and encourage other people to get involved as well.

“Newbury has a rich architectural heritage. Which buildings do you cherish, and which buildings do you dislike?”