Old soldiers, sailors and airmen from World War Two will be parading through Newbury on Sunday to mark both VE and VJ Days. The ‘Freedom Day’ march has meant a road closure in Northbrook Street and Bartholomew Street, before the parade congregate in the Market Place to hear speeches. The organisers had feared that plans to rip up the Market Place would ruin their day, until political control changed hands at West Berkshire Council, and the scheme was scrapped.

Big top rumpus

Plans for a permanent circus venue in Enborne are causing a rift in the village community. Zippos Circus has used fields off Skinners Green Road to store equipment and animals for several years, but recently announced plans to develop the site with Birmingham-based World of Circus.

But an anonymous village newsletter has been produced to galvanise local opposition ahead of a planning committee decision later in the year.

Flats battle goes on

A Newbury property developer has stepped up plans to turn disused offices into executive flats. Pangbourne-based Thomas & Co want to turn Bankside House in Town Mills, formerly the home of Maxx Design, into 13 flats with a new shop on the ground floor. But objectors say the lack of parking spaces is too much, and West Berkshire Council rejected a second application last month. That is awaiting determination by John Prescott, but Thomas & Co has also put in another application.

Café on the mend

Newbury bakery Hetherington’s should soon be trading from its Broadway café after fire gutted the 17th century building three months ago. A full renovation is on the cards from the owner of the Kings Coffee House before the popular cakeshop opens again.