PRESS RELEASE - 30 July 2018
CHARITY URGES CANAL VISITORS TO FEED DUCKS HEALTHY SNACKS
The Canal & River Trust, the
charity that cares for the Kennet & Avon Canal, is urging visitors to
Hungerford Wharf to ditch the bread and feed healthy snacks to the ducks.
Working with Hungerford Town Council
the Canal & River Trust is asking local people to help improve the diets of
ducks and swans by feeding them natural treats such as leafy greens, sweetcorn,
oats and vegetables.
Hungerford Wharf is a great spot for
families to enjoy but feeding bread to ducks is bad for their diets. Any
leftover bread attracts vermin and having too many birds in one place creates
an excess of bird droppings. Bread is often left floating in the water encouraging
algae which can be harmful to birds and fish.
Caroline Robson, from the Canal &
River Trust, said: “Getting up close to the wildlife on our waterways is one of
the simple joys of being on the canal and feeding the ducks is a great family
activity. We would like visitors to think about what they are feeding the ducks
and to ask them to make a small change to improve their diets. Ducks need a
varied diet and feeding them bread is a bit like giving them a pizza everyday which
isn’t good for their health.”
Helen Simpson, Mayor of Hungerford
Town Council, said: “Hungerford Wharf is a really popular spot to feed the
ducks. However, we have noticed that
left over bread has been attracting vermin, such as rats and feral pigeons, which
isn’t nice for the visitors. By changing what we feed the ducks our wildlife gets
to enjoy a healthier diet, and we also reduce the problem of having left over
bits of bread and food at the wharf area.”
For more information on the Canal
& River Trust, including finding out how you can support our work by
donating money or volunteering with us visit www.canalrivertrust.org.uk
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Councillors and staff gathered in the Three Swans on Friday 8th February to say a fond farewell to Philippa Adams who has worked for HTC as Deputy Town Clerk for three years. The Mayor thanked Philippa for her hard work, commitment and vast knowledge on all matters Health & Safety! She was presented with vouchers from Belle Chic, the Kitchen Monger and a spring bouquet from Martin & The Magpie. We wish Philippa all the best with her future plans. 
Cllr Helen Simpson hosted the Mayor's annual carol service at St Lawrence's Church on Sunday 16th December. The Church was full and the congregation sang along to the usual carols with enthusiasm, with the music expertly provided by Hungerford Town Band. The lessons were read by the head boy and head girl of John O'Gaunt School, the Mayor, Nicholas Lumley and Catherine Wooliston. 
This year's competition to draw a design for the order of service leaflet was won by Emilia Moore, age 8. She was presented with a prize during the service. 
A large crowd of residents and visitors braved the wet and windy weather on Sunday 2nd December to attend the annual Christmas Lights switch on. BBC South Today presenter, Sally Taylor, MBE, together with the Mayor counted down the seconds until the lights came on at 5.00pm. 
The team came through Hungerford very quickly at lunchtime on Monday 12th November. The Mayor just managed to pass over a certificate from HTC saying we have made a donation to their worthy cause. 
On the morning of Sunday 11th November hundreds of people joined the parade through the town to the War Memorial for the annual Remembrance Sunday service. 
Wreaths were also laid at the War Memorial Avenue at Bulpit Lane. 
In the evening HTC and the Royal British Legion took part in a Beacon Lighting event which was a national event organised to commemorate 100 years since the end of the First World War. Again, hundreds of people gathered at the Triangle Field to participate in this event. 
The crowd were invited to plant their wooden poppy crosses in the poppy field. 
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The Hungerford in Bloom judges had a difficult job deciding which lovely gardens and allotments should receive the prizes this year. Certificates and prizes were awarded on Saturday 21st July at the Croft Field Hall. A list of the results is attached below. 
Armed Forces Day on Saturday 30th June was marked by various events, starting in the morning with the dedication of a memorial tree on the Common with an army chaplain officiating. At 12.00, 6 Armoured Close Support Battalion, REME started the main parade from the football ground before marching down the High Street. The salute was taken by the High Sheriff of Berkshire, Graham Barker, the Constable of the Town and Manor, Ellie Dickins, the President of the RBL Hungerford Branch, Jack Williams, and Deputy Mayor, Cllr Keith Knight. The parade was led by the band of the Royal Logistic Corps. Events were brought to a close with a BBQ event hosted by the army at the RBL club, during which a small wreath-laying ceremony was performed. 
The ceremony was well attended by the families, friends and colleagues of the award winners and also by past Freedom of the Town winners. 
Mayor, Cllr Helen Simpson and Deputy Mayor, Cllr Keith Knight 
Our helpers came in all shapes and sizes! 
The Annual Town Meeting on Wednesday 21st March was well attended. The draft minutes are available at www.hungerford-tc.gov.uk/minutes then scroll down to Town Meeting. Attendees listened to reports from Thames Valley Police, Ellie Dickens (Constable of the Town and Manor) and Penny and Toby Quinn who talked about the trip they made during February half term to Upper West Ghana to deliver donations and support the work of Action Through Enterprise, the small charity based in Ramsbury. There were also reports from each of the Committee Chairs and the Mayor gave updates on the Library, the Neighbourhood Plan and the nominees for the Freedom of the Town Award. Forms were available at the meeting for people to fill in with their ideas/comments to help formulate the Neighbourhood Plan. A copy of the form is attached below - please feel free to complete and return to the Council office. 
Please follow the link to find the online guide 
HTC is pleased to announce their first committee meeting has been held in the Library building. The E&P committee met on Monday 15th January in the new venue. 
The Mayor hosted the Town's Annual Carol Service at St Lawrence's Church on Sunday 17th December. The Church was packed and the congregation sang with enthusiasm to all the familiar carols with music provided by the excellent Town Band. Readings were read by Susan Hofgartner Chairman of the Town Band, The Mayor, Ellie Dickins Constable of the Town and Manor, and Nicholas Lumley. 
The Town Council had run a competition for children to draw a design for the Order of Service leaflet and this was won by Guy Le Poole and Ittetsu Hoshi. The Mayor presented Guy with his prize during the service. 
A record number of residents and visitors gathered to witness the annual switch on of the Christmas Lights on Sunday 3rd December. Author and local resident, Robert Harris, flicked the switch following festive music entertainment from Hungerford Town Band, Hungerford Rock Choir, Hungerford Primary School Choir and JOG student Madison Pettifer. Father Christmas made an appearance and handed out sweets to the children. Thank you to all those businesses and members of the public for their generous donations which enabled the Christmas Lights to go ahead. 
The Post Office at WHSmith was officially opened on Friday 20th October 2017. Mayor, Cllr Keith Knight cut the ribbon with WHS store staff Jessica Pike, Jake Lawrence, and John
Stiles and WHS Regional Business Manager Kevin O’Halloran. 
Cllr Keith Knight, Mayor of Hungerford and Constable, Town & Manor Ellie Dickins joined Chairman of HADCAF Brian Davis to launch this years Festival. For information on all the events go to:
Armed Forces Day on 24th June 2017 was marked by 6
Armoured Close Support Battalion, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers parading through the Town with the support of their Military Band. Mayor of Hungerford Cllr Knight was joined by Deputy Mayor Cllr Simpson, Jack Williams, Constable of Town & Manor Ellie Dickins and The High Sheriff of
the Royal County of Berkshire Sarah Scrope assembled on a dias to take the salute. 
Hungerford Town Council have a new Mayor, Cllr Keith Knight who was elected in at the Full Council meeting on Tuesday 2nd May 2017. Keith is replacing Cllr Martin Crane who has held the position as Mayor over 5 years since 2011. Keith has been leading Friends of Hungerford Library to successfully negotiate terms to keep the Library running with the valuable assistance of Cllr Helen Simpson who was voted as Deputy Mayor. 
Margaret Wilson was awarded Freedom of The Town by Berkshire's High Sheriff, Sarah Scrope on Tuesday 2nd May 2017 at in the Corn Exchange. The ceremony was attended by Margaret's family, friends and colleagues she has worked with in her various charitable roles in the town and during her 20 years plus as Town Councillor. 
The Mayor and his wife Virginia and Deputy Mayor, Cllr Keith Knight attended the Annual Constables's Parade to St Lawrence Church on Sunday 30th April for the Constable's Service, which is held at the end of the Hocktide festivities. 
Cllr Martin Crane hosted his last Mayor's Reception at The British Legion on Friday 21st April 2017. He was joined fellow Town Councillors and colleagues he has worked with over his five year term as Mayor. Cllr Dennis Benneyworth spoke about Martin's achievements and the appreciation of all the work and commitment he has given to the Town and acknowledging that Martin's wife Virginia has been a great support. Clerk, Claire Barnes presented Martin and Virginia with a voucher for a show and meal at the Watermill Theatre and his and hers shiny new spades to use in their new found time at their allotment. 
Hungerford flew the Flag for the Commonwealth on Monday 13th March 2017. 
Margaret Wilson stood down as a Councillor after 20 plus years of service to the Town at the meeting of the Full Council on Monday 6th March 2017. During her time as Councillor she has been Chair of the Environment and Planning Committee and has run Hungerford In Bloom with great success over the years. 
Our Town Clerk, Claire Barnes was asked by Penny Post what an average week would be like in her part time role. Please read the article at 
We would like to thank all those businesses and members of the public for their generous donations which enabled the Christmas Lights to go ahead. The wonderful residents and visitors packed the streets to witness the hugely anticipated Switch On, the honors of which went to legendary racing jockey and local resident, Sir AP McCoy on Sunday 27th November. Festive music entertainment was provided by Hungerford Town Band, JOG School students Ceara Fowkes and Aoife Wall and the Hungerford Primary School Choir. 
On 25th June 2016, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers of 6 Armoured Close Support Battalion marched through the town accompanied by Hungerford Town Band. Salute was taken by General Sir Michael Jackson. 
Cllr Martin Crane, Mayor and Virginia, were joined by newly appointed Town and Manor Constable, Ellie Dickins and Bellman, Julian Tubb to light the beacon in celebration of the Queen's 90th Birthday. The Beacon was located at The Triangle Field so could be seen from Combe Gibert (unfortunately that one failed to light). A great crowd turned out including members of Hungerford's Brownies, Cubs and Wessex Rangers. 
Hungerford Councillors, Guides and members of the public joined the litter pick on Sunday 20th March 2016 to get Hungerford ready to celebrate the Queen's 90th Birthday next month. 
Hungerford recognised British Commonwealth Day on Monday 14h March with brief addresses and a flag raising ceremony. Making the addresses, The Mayor, Cllr Martin Crane was joined by Town & Manor Constable Susan Hofgartner, Colonel Lizzie Faithful-Davies of 6th Battalion, REME and General Sir Mike Jackson. Also in attendance were John O'Gaunt Headteacher Alan Hendersen with students from the school, members of the Town Band and Bellman, Julian Tubb. _151222_011854.jpg?nocache=80205 "Image")
The Mayor hosted the Town's Annual Carol Service on Sunday 20th December 2016. It marked the start of the Christmas celebrations for many and the congregation enjoyed the music from the Town Band and sang heartily to all the familiar carols. 
Residents and visitors of Hungerford braved the wet and windy weather on 29th November 2015 to watch Queens Park Rangers striker Charlie Austin, flicked the switch to light up Hungerford with the 'Best in the West' Christmas illuminations. Charlie used to live in Hungerford and attended John O'Gaunt School, where he ran a football holiday camp over the October half term. He stayed around after the switch on to sign autographs. Father Christmas made his annual appearance on the balcony of the Town Hall and came down amongst the crowd to give the children sweets. This all followed festive musical entertainment from local choirs and the John O'Gaunt School 2015 X-Factor winner Amelie Edwards and Hungerford Town Band. 
On Sunday 8th November 2015, Hungerford turned out in their hundreds to pay their respects for the contribution made by British and Commonwealth military and civilian servicemen and women involved in the two World Wars and later conflicts.
The Mayor, Cllr Martin Crane OBE and his wife Virginia represented Hungerford Town Council at the Armed Forces Day ceremony which took place at the Royal British Legion on Saturday 27th June 2015. It was well attended by members of the RBL and also present was is
Lt Col Lizzie Faithful-Davis from 6 (Close Support) Batallion REME. 
There was standing room only at the Town's Carol Service hosted by the Mayor at St Lawrence's Church on Sunday 18th December 2016. With the Town Band 's uplifting music, the congregation enjoyed several favorite carols. Readings were read by Ellie Dickins, Constable of the Town & Manor, Neale Marney MBE, Freedom of the Town and Diane Loft, Royal British Legion Women's Section.