Show pays for Green’s benches

HURST Show and Country Fayre has given its highest ever total, over £20,000, to charities and other good causes this year.

The event’s chair, Sue Payne, said: “Huge thanks goes to the many people who helped stage the show in June, to our visitors and our hardworking committee.

“We’re delighted to help 24 different charities and good causes. We’re also investing in new equipment including more marquees.”

As we reported last week, St Nicholas Primary School at Hurst was given £10,000 to help pay for special needs teaching assistants.

Like many primary schools, St Nicholas is facing funding challenges.

Others helped include the Just Around the Corner charity, Hurst, helping Wokingham young people, Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice, St Nicholas Pre-School, Hurst Scouting and Guiding groups and Bracknell and Wokingham Red Diamond disabled sports.

The show, founded in 1979, has also given two new benches for Martineau Green, Hurst.

Strangely, they’re the green’s first benches in its 30-year history.

The benches were officially unveiled at a bunting (and rain) bedecked event last Saturday.

Parish council chair – and Wokingham borough councillor for Hurst – Wayne Smith said: “It’s good to have these lovely benches here for everyone. We’re very grateful to the show.”

The benches are not the only changes to be made to the village: Wokingham Borough Council has just transferred three parcels of Hurst land, Martineau green, the Tape Lane allotments and land at Church Hill to Hurst Parish Council.

The Church Hill land is to be a community orchard opening next year. There will be benches, beautiful views, apple picking and an Apple Day.

“Unveiling the new benches coincides with the transfer of the green to the parish council. The transfer means the parish council will have control over maintenance and will preserve it as a green for the village,” added Cllr Smith.

“Care of all three areas of land will be within the village and we can keep a really good eye on them.”