Celebrating Lifelong Learning: Nominations Open for the 2025 Learner Achievement Awards

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West Berkshire Council is proud to announce that nominations are now open for the 2025 Learner Achievement Awards, an annual celebration of adult learning across the district.

These awards recognise the outstanding achievements of individuals who have embraced learning at all stages of life — whether through apprenticeships, professional development, academic or vocational courses, or informal programmes that support families, communities, and personal wellbeing.

With eight award categories, the event highlights the diverse ways in which education transforms lives. Each winner will receive a cash prize of at least £100, with group entries eligible for £500. Among the most anticipated honours is the Terry Stares Award, which carries a £500 prize and celebrates the profound impact learning can have on an individual’s journey.

All winners will be invited to a special presentation ceremony at the historic Shaw House in Newbury on Friday, 7th November 2025 at 5.30pm, where they can celebrate their achievements with a guest.

Nomination deadline: Friday, 24th October 2025 at 5pm
Submit your nomination here: https://www.westberks.gov.uk/laa

The Learner Achievement Awards are organised by West Berkshire Council on behalf of the West Berkshire Community Learning Partnership, and are generously sponsored by Newbury College, West Berkshire Training Consortium, and the Newbury Community Resource Centre.

Whether you’re a tutor, employer, friend, or fellow learner — if you know someone whose learning journey deserves recognition, now is the time to nominate!

Affordable Rural Housing Project

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 by Maria Kelly, Rural Housing Enabler

We are delighted to be able to begin using a brand-new data tool to help us identify and understand affordable rural housing need in Berkshire parishes.  The Rural Affordable Housing Needs Model tool (RAHNM for short) was created for us by Arc4 Housing Consultancy . The tool draws on 2021 census data and live housing register data – completely anonymised –  to model supply and demand, and type of homes and information about those groups most likely to be in need in a given parish.  This data can be used alongside a Housing Need Survey and beforehand, to identify where we need to focus our work.

The RAHNM tool has been used to report to the Government on rural affordable housing need across England. It is being used successfully in Durham where Rural Housing Enablers there are able to create simple reports to show parish councils what the housing need is likely to be in their parish.   Rural Housing services in Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire are currently working on RAHNMs for their respective areas.

We are still gathering housing data from five Local Authorities in Berkshire, but we can already use the census data to build a picture of need in Berkshire Parishes. We recently shared some of this data with Compton Parish Council, and it was clear that it supported what their recent housing need survey found as well as providing additional information.

Later this Autumn, once we have received the relevant housing data from our Local Authority Partners, we will hold a launch and information event for parish councils, local authority officers and councillors, and anyone else with a stake and an interest in affordable Rural Housing. Watch this space!

Want to know more? Contact Maria.Kelly@ccberks.org.uk

Environmental Spotlight: Solar Panels in Village Halls

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 by Kate Meads, Community Buildings Advisor

In 2025 solar panels are becoming a more common feature of many Village Halls.

We estimate that by the end of 2026 more than 20% of our member halls will have installed them.

Members cite multiple reasons for installing Solar Photovoltaic Panels. The most common ones are:

1. Reduce Energy Costs – Solar energy is free!

2. Environmental Sustainability – Solar energy is clean and renewable, helping reduce the hall’s carbon footprint. Supports local climate action goals and demonstrates environmental leadership.

3. Access to Grants and Funding – There are a number of grant makers who prioritise funding for environmental efficiencies

4. Energy Independence – Solar panels with battery storage allow halls to generate and store their own electricity. Reduce reliance on the national grid, and protect
against energy price volatility.

5. Community Engagement and Education – Installing solar panels can raise community awareness about renewable energy. It encourages other local buildings and residents to consider sustainable options. Both Chieveley and Beech Hill Village Halls see this as important.

6. Long-Term Investment Solar panels typically last 25–30 years, offering long- term savings. They increase the value and appeal of the hall for future generations.
As energy costs increase, the return on investment can be shorter and attractive.

7. Monitoring and Transparency- Many systems come with apps or dashboards that show real-time energy generation and usage. Which help committees manage energy more efficiently.

The staff at CCB would like to applaud all our forward thinking Management Committees!

Among the early adopters of solar panels were Sulhampsead and Ufton Nervett Village Hall, Padworth Village Hall, The Cornerstone (Wokingham), Basildon Village Hall, Burghfield Scouts Hut and East Garston Village Hall.

Halls who have installed Solar Panels since the start of CCB’s 21st Century Community Halls Project are: California Ratepayers Hall, Finchampstead Memorial Hall, and Beech Hill Village Hall.

This summer sees Chieveley Village Hall, Arborfield Village Hall (pictured above), Bradfield Village Hall and West Ilsley Village Halls making their installations.

More Halls have plans to install solar soon, among these are St John’s Crowthorne, Hampstead Norreys Village Hall and Bucklebury Village Hall.

Any questions?Email: kate.meads@ccberks.org.uk

Introducing the Rural Energy Club – Inspiring Households for a Greener Future

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The Rural Energy Club is a new initiative from CCB designed to support rural households in understanding, managing, and reducing their energy use. It’s currently a welcoming space where you can access simple, independent information about:

• How to cut energy use and lower bills

• Low carbon heating systems and home renewable energy options

• Why energy choices matter for the environment and how you can help the UK move towards net zero

• Trusted links to other organisations offering practical advice and resources

We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to take control of their energy future – and that rural communities deserve tailored support to do just that.

Why is CCB involved?

At CCB, our vision is for all communities in Berkshire to be strong, resilient, and sustainable. We work to reduce rural disadvantage, improve wellbeing, and increase digital and social inclusion. Helping households to use energy more efficiently and explore low carbon alternatives is a vital part of that mission.

What’s our ambition?

We’re working on a project that will offer trusted, independent support to rural households who want to reduce energy use, manage it more efficiently, and – where possible – generate and store their own clean energy. We’re not there yet, but we’re working on it!

Want to be part of it?

If you’d like to stay informed and help shape the Rural Energy Club, we’d love to hear from you. Email us at admin@ccberks.org.uk

Twenty First Century Community Halls – Supported by The National Lottery Community Fund 

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by David Jennings, Project Development Officer

This month (September 25) we are making excellent progress with the Community Halls project and are very pleased to have now completed initial consultations with 75% of our target for the 21st Century Community Halls initiative. With over 60 halls consulted, there are only 20 spots left available…

Over the summer, we’ve had the pleasure of meeting with Tidmarsh with Sulham Village Hall, Braywood Memorial Hall, and St John the Baptist Parish Church—each bringing fresh ideas and energy to the project.

What else have we been up to?

  • Our Learning Partner, NICRE, is helping us shape a robust evaluation and continuous development framework. Your feedback has already been incredibly valuable – and there’s more to come!
  • We hosted Earley Town Council at Hampstead Norreys Village Hall to see a modern, comprehensive infrared heating solution in action.
  • We supported Shaw-cum-Donnington Village Hall as they build their new website to engage the community in their next project.
  • We welcomed Chaddleworth Parish Council as a new member and are assisting them with their community consultation survey.
  • Most recently, it was wonderful to attend Acland Memorial Hall’s 100th birthday celebration in Cold Ash. What a fantastic event at such a historic and cherished community venue – a pic shared above.

Don’t Miss Out!

If your Village Hall or Community Building hasn’t taken part yet, now is the time to book in. The 21st Century Community Hall consultations are a fantastic opportunity to future-proof your hall and connect with others doing the same.

Book your consultation today – drop Kate an email at kate.meads@ccberks.org.uk to arrange an appointment