Vote for any party other than the Conservatives
Stunning pictures of dawn and sunsets across the district
ON May 6 it is likely elections will take place across the UK.
This day will herald the start of the greatest movement in British politics. It is the day the people of the UK can start the process of removing Conservative and Unionists from every position of power across the land.
And even though our only local vote is for a police and crime commissioner, you can play a much bigger role in this national imperative.
Fellow readers of the NWN will have friends and family the length and breadth of this once free and liberal land, and it is your duty to encourage them to vote ABC – Anything But Conservative.
Please make a difference, phone, email or write to all everybody you know urging them to organise locally and ensure their friends and family tick the box on their ballot paper for any other party than a Conservative candidate.
If they dither or feel any loyalty to Tories remind them of a few simple facts.
£280bn of debt incurred supporting a flawed and chaotic response to a health emergency. The largest debt in peace time ever in British history.
Tens of thousands of care home residents mercilessly killed through Tory incompetence.
Millions of children’s lives ruined and their educational chances destroyed by Tory ministers.
Billions siphoned off to Tory friends and donors while hundreds of thousands of businesses went bust. Laws enacted that trampled over the freedom of British people: Tories criminalising the hugging of your loved ones and leaving people to die afraid and alone in hospitals or alone at home. The calculated destruction of the hospitality and pub industry by Tory policy.
And finally, when they stand in the polling booth on May 6 just remind them this isn’t over.
The unlock plan is not guaranteed to end in June.
Their freedoms are not guaranteed to be returned now or next winter or the winter after.
The only way this will end is if we show political parties that they do not have a licence to rule over us, but that they work for us.
By routing the repugnant Tories from every part of our political the system we shout that message so they will all hear our voice.
A zero Conservative future is possible – get on the phone, on email and on
Zoom, and let’s make it happen.
CHRIS GABRIEL
Bartlemy Road
Newbury
THANK you to everyone who sent us in a photograph of the spectacular sunrises and sunsets seen across the district last week. The recent rise in temperature meant that an area of low pressure ‘feeding’ winds from the Canaries brought Saharan dust to the UK, which led to beautiful, brightlycoloured sunrises and sunsets. According to the Met Office, the Saharan dust reaches our shores because strong winds whip the sand high into the sky and, if the winds in the upper part of the atmosphere are blowing north, the dust can be carried as far as the UK.
Here are a selection of readers’ photographs from across West Berkshire.
THE funeral cortege of the late Jack Williams will pass through the streets of Hungerford on Wednesday, March 10, for the townsfolk to pay him their last respects.
Mr Williams – affectionately known as ‘Mr Hungerford’ – died, aged 92, on Thursday, February 25.
His was a life devoted to public service and on Monday, an online, full meeting of Hungerford Town Council observed a minute’s silence to remember a true civic stalwart and former town mayor.
The current town mayor, Helen Simpson, told the meeting: “I’ve been asked to read the eulogy at the funeral, which is slightly daunting, but a huge honour and privilege.”
She said she had sought input from residents and conceded it would be a challenge to distill “a whole lifetime of experience” into a few minutes.
Meanwhile, the neighbourhood police team said in a statement to the town council meeting: “It is with great sadness that we heard of the passing of Jack Williams.
“Jack was known to the longerserving members of the Hungerford team who have great memories of times spent with him listening to stories of days gone by and his knowledge of Hungerford was second to none. Rest in peace Jack.”
Coronavirus restrictions will mean the crowds that would otherwise have been expected to attend the funeral will be unable to do so.
Instead, the hearse will drive past the town hall at noon and then turn into Church Street on the way to St Lawrence Church.
Mrs Simpson said: “We would encourage people to pay their respects in Church Street, where possible.”
Mr Williams’ links with the local fire service go back decades and firefighters will turn out to pay their respects.
Last Post will be sounded outside the church in recognition of Mr Williams’ service to the Royal British Legion.
Funeral director Neale Marney will accompany the cortege on foot, representing the people of the town.
Mrs Simpson said: “There were lots of people who expressed a wish to walk alongside the cortege.
“The family was concerned that this could put people at risk of breaking coronavirus restrictions so Neale will do it on their behalf.
“We’d respectfully ask people not to huddle in groups. The police will be there to ensure safe distancing.”
The church service is expected to take place between 12.30pm and 1pm and then the cortege will proceed at walking pace past The Bear Hotel.
Mr Williams is survived by his two children and four grandchildren.