A busy July across West Berkshire

There's been a developing theme this second month of my year as Chairman, which wasn't quite how I thought my Theme "Have Faith in Our Future" would go. Its War and Peace and how to be resilient because we trust one another. Faith in our future depends on that.

On 19 June, along with Vice Chairman (and Armed Forces Champion) Cllr Stephanie Steevenson and our Emergency Planning Manager Caroline Richardson in her volunteer role as a Reserve Major, I attended annual Armed Forces Briefing at the Royal Military College Sandhurst. We were given a glimpse into the most uncertain geopolitical future since 1911 - before World War One! Expect more detail of how the Government expects us to respond when a Defence Resilience Bill is published soon. The term "whole society resilience" was used and gives us a clue. Positive for West Berks: a slide showing we have nearly twice as many veterans living here than any other council area of Berkshire. Veterans can form the core of any emergency planning for armed conflict and are obliged to maintain a level of training and preparedness for years.

That week was Armed Forces Week, and I also officiated at a brief flag raising ceremony outside Market Street offices. I've never seen so many council staff and councillors attend. I thanked them and passed on a little of what we heard at Sandhurst.

On 25 June I spent all afternoon at Shaw House meeting over 70 local charity stall holders at the West Berks Volunteer Centre's annual "Knowledge" Event. They'd had briefings on aspects of their work affected by recent legislation all morning. I learned a lot myself about the great work they do in our communities.

That evening I attended a play "Are we there yet?" by refugees from war in Syria, Afghanistan and elsewhere in Newbury Corn Exchange. Not just performed but written by them, helped by a professional director. They belong to amateur repertory theatre group Rank & File Theatre touring Thames Valley. I'm proud of Berkshire - in this case, Reading Refugee Support Group - for helping fund this event.

Next evening was the High Sheriff of Berkshire's Reception - in Hampshire, at West Green Place. As well as civic dignitaries like Mayors (and me!) there were many charity trustees and senior staff to receive thanks from Sean Taylor the High Sheriff. He gave us a detailed history of the historic post he holds: not much like the Wild West sheriff!

Saturday 28 June was a big day for Royal Engineers (RE) "Geo", which I served as an Army Officer for 20 years. Three RE Svy Squadrons, including the 13 which I commanded 1985-7 at Denison Barracks Hermitage, were celebrating 200 years each. The RE was given Freedom of Newbury by the town council when my wife Martha was mayor in 1997. That meant the Town Mayor took precedence of me as District Council Chairman and took the salute from a dais at a march-past, with me at ground level with other dignitaries. Normally Chairman of West Berks takes precedence even in Newbury. Not many people (including me until now) realise that.

On 11 July I had an event in my own ward, which I'd really been looking forward to: formal "opening" of the latest stage of Hungerford Hub energy saving project. They now have solar panels as well as heat pumps and when their smart meter arrives they expect it will confirm that they are contributing more energy to the national grid that they use, as well as starting to repay the investment they (and this Council) have made over the few years they've been leasing the building off West Berks. The enthusiasm and efficiency of their largely volunteer run Trust is amazing. They provide so many much needed services to the Hungerford area which the District Council couldn't do as from a distance of just 8 miles. "Local is best"!

The next day I attended a similar event in Kintbury - the second biggest community in my ward. This time it was outdoors and baking hot. We were celebrating the centenary of the granting of land by a Mr Gladstone (distant relation of the Liberal Prime Minister) to the village for "recreation". This Trust is managed by the parish council as sole trustee. While its chairman Richard Smalley led the centenary celebrations, I was there to lead celebration of the opening a new children's playground - complete with disabled facilities - in front the Jubilee Indoor Sports Centre. This was one of several projects steered through by the Gladstone Trust, helped by Greenham Trust and many other donors.

I met and was briefed by the three sports club chairmen: Football, Bowls and Tennis and with Martha we then toured the many stalls serving food and selling local crafts or providing fun for the families of Kintbury and surrounding area. A very impressive show of community & volunteer led action.

Next on 16 July to the "far east" of our District, where instead of Tilehurst parish council leasing land from the District Council, we lease Cotswold Sports Centre from them! The celebrations this time were for the opening of a new multi-use games area (MUGA) where local girls football was played as soon as I cut the ribbon.

These last three events bode well for our future. They show what collaboration between sectors and levels of local government can achieve for all kinds of community over time, with good will and much volunteer effort.