Newbury Town Council is set to adopt Watership Brass as it’s official band. The brass outfit will play at civic functions like Mayor making. At a recent Council meeting, Mr Nigel Blake of Watership Brass informed members that the band is very pleased to enter into an agreement with NTC because it fits well with the motto "Music in the community".

Pension crisis could hit tax bills

Councillors and officials are in talks over how to plug the gap in West Berkshire Council’s pension fund. The fund is only 83% full, and with no sign that staff contributions are to go up, opposition politicians are fearful that the shortfall will hit next year’s council tax.

Currying favour

The former Granny Pammy’s pram shop in Bartholomew Street is being fitted out as an Indian restaurant. The Miah brothers who run the Ellora took over the unit last year, and it will open at the end of next month – with the new name Indigo Bay.

Traders in Bartholomew Street - led by Artifax’s Jean Ince - objected to the conversion, amid fears that the street was turning into "kebab alley".