The Royal Borough has made it clear that the council will fight to retain high quality services and accommodation at Ascot’s Heatherwood Hospital and is making a strong objection to any change in the protected status of the site.

The hospital looks set to reduce in size as part of NHS Berkshire East’s plans to make savings of more than £50 million but the council says it is ‘gravely concerned’ about proposals to change the use of part of the site. This would mean services would be moved to a smaller part of the site and, the council believes, would be reduced in size.

 The site is protected for the provision of some of the hospital’s services and the trust has served notice that it wants to remove that status. However, the Royal Borough has lodged an objection and asked for further information.

Ascot Ales  has taken a Silver Award in the National Beer Competition held by the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA). The winners were announced last week in Stratford-on-Avon.
The brewery’s Anastasia's Imperial Stout 8%, described as dangerously smooth with lush chocolate & coffee notes, won the Award in the Champion Porters, Strong Milds, Old Ales & Stouts category. It was one of just 27 beers to win a national title, from the 1,400 that entered the initial stages of the competition. To succeed, Ascot Ales Anastasia's Imperial Stout had to come through one of seven regional heats, followed by a final judging in Nottingham last month for the short-listed 63 beers.  

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IT’S BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND! The Thc Sunrise Walk is back, places are limited so book now to avoid disappointment! Join 1,000 ladies in this fantastic challenge, and walk into the Sunrise whilst raising vital funds for your local Hospice.
5th September 2010 , registration from 4.30 am , 10 miles starting from Eton Athletics Centre through Eton & Windsor Town Centre and the Great Park. £15 registration fee to cover our costs for the event - Sponsored Event – with a prize for the highest Fundraiser and a Trophy or the highest team.

Thames Hospicecare exists to support local families at a time they need it most, when they are dealing with a life limiting illness such as Cancer.

Our services are provided free of charge, however we are only funded by the Government for 25% of our costs to offer the gentle specialist care needed by local families, and have to fundraise for the rest.

If you want to help us help a local family, why not sign up today to join our fantastic THc Sunrise Walk 2010!

Don’t want to walk?  If you’d like to help but don’t want to walk – we are looking for Volunteers on the day to Marshal the event.  Please E-mail me if you would like to help.

Want to Register? Register online at www.thc-sunrisewalk.org.uk  Or call 01753 848927  Let’s get 1250 women walking to support their local Hospice…..!

Many thanks for your support.

The Royal Borough has welcomed the latest defeat of the Personal Care at Home Bill in the House of Lords  on Wednesday 17 March.

The Lords blocked the bill over concerns about the potential costs, impact on council budgets and accusations of electioneering on the part of the government. They supported amendments which will delay implementation until April 2011 and will commission an independent review of the costs.

The bill – aimed at providing free home care for vulnerable and elderly people with critical care needs – has received sustained opposition since it was announced in autumn last year.

Think positive – recycle used batteries! In a bid to boost the recycling rate of spent batteries, the Royal Borough is providing a number of convenient sites for residents to drop off their old household batteries.

New legislation, introduced by the European Parliament on 1 February, means responsibility for the collection of batteries has shifted from local authorities to producers, while retailers who sell more than one pack of batteries a day have to provide collection bins for battery recycling.

From Friday 19 March battery collection sites can be found at, Ascot Durning Library and elsewhere.

In addition, the bins will be found at various department stores and hardware shops. Residents can find their nearest collection point by visiting http://www.batteryback.org/battery-collection.html and entering their postcode.

Several new 'Tesco'  planning applications are pending, with the Royal Borough, concerning 51A Ascot High Street, the former Bathroom World Showroom. For more information visit  http://www.rbwm.gov.uk/pam/property_search_results.jsp

Tempted to advertise on www.ascotmatters.co.uk but not sure how to go about it? Rather speak to a friendly face than plough through online instructions? Then why not drop in for coffee and a chat at the new Jagz Coffee Bar next to Ascot Station ( great coffee & pastries, comfortable, easy parking) . from 10am on Friday March 12.  AscotMatters staff will be happy to demonstrate how easy it is to set up a presence on this popular , up - to -the-minute website and to discuss what it could do for you in attracting LOCAL customers. No need to book; just drop in though you are welcome to e-mail questions in advance to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it