West Berkshire
West Berkshire is a
local government district in
Berkshire,
South East England, governed by a
unitary authority (West Berkshire Council). Its administrative capital is
Newbury, located almost equidistantly between
Bristol and
London.
Apart from Newbury, the other main centres in the district include
Thatcham,
Hungerford,
Pangbourne and
Lambourn. Larger villages include
Ramsbury,
Theale,
Burghfield,
Mortimer and
Hermitage. The West Berkshire district borders
Hampshire to the south,
Wiltshire to the west,
Oxfordshire to the north and both the
Reading and
Wokingham unitary districts to the east.
The highest point in southeast/south-central England is located in West Berkshire at
Walbury Hill with a summit height of 297m (974 ft) 2 km to the south of the village of
Inkpen]. West Berkshire is also home to the UK [[Atomic Weapons Establishment, based near
Aldermaston to the east of the district and the worldwide headquarters of
Vodafone on the outskirts of Newbury. The area around Lambourn in the far west of the district is noted for its numerous horse racing stables and training grounds.
The district of Newbury was formed on
April 1,
1974, as a merger of the borough of Newbury,
Bradfield Rural District,
Hungerford Rural District and
Newbury Rural District, along with part of
Wantage Rural District.
Until
April 1,
1998, Newbury District Council and Berkshire
County council were responsible for the region at local government level. On 1 April 1998, Berkshire County Council was abolished and Newbury District Council changed its name to West Berkshire Council and took on the former County Council's responsibilities within its area.
The
coat of arms for West Berkshire were established in 1974 for Newbury District Council. Upon the creation of the unitary authority they were inherited by West Berkshire Council.
The colours of red and gold in the arms represent industry and the richness of the area, whilst the interwoven cross represents the
weaving industry which was important to Newbury in past centuries. The corn on the shield represents the agriculture industry which is important to the area, whilst the cogwheels represent manufacturing and manufacturing achievement. The mural crown represents
local government and the grassy mount symbolises the
downs of the surrounding area. Finally, the horseman represents the two
battles of Newbury in the
English civil war.
Since
May 5,
2005 the council is
Conservative-controlled because of a by-election in
Thatcham North. Before that, the
Liberal Democrats and
Conservative Party had an equal amount of seats but the Liberal Democrats had control due to the casting vote of the council chairman. The Liberal Democrats had first taken power in
1991.
The district is approximately coterminous with the parliamentary
constituency of Newbury, except for areas to the east where parts of West Berkshire are incorporated into the constituencies of
Wokingham and
Reading West.
State schools in West Berkshire are ran by the West Berkshire
Local Education Authority. There are ten comprehensive schools within the area:
*
The Willink School in
Burghfield*
The Downs School in
Compton*
John O'Gaunt Community Technology College in
Hungerford*
St Bartholomew's School in
Newbury*
Park House School in Newbury
*
Trinity School in Newbury
*
Kennet School in
Thatcham*
Denefield School in
Tilehurst*
Little Heath School in Tilehurst
*
Theale Green Community School in
ThealeThere is also
further and
higher education provided in the area, represented by
Newbury College, however there are no
universities.
independent schools in the district include
Downe House,
Bradfield College and
Cheam School.
*
West Berkshire Government*
West Berkshire Children & Young People
