Weekly round-up: Five stories you may have missed

21 July 2024

North American signal crayfish, which are like a miniature lobster, were originally brought to the UK 50 years ago to be farmed for European markets

BBC Close-up of a crayfish, brown shelled lobster-like animal — North American signal crayfish, which are like a miniature lobster, were originally brought to the UK 50 years ago to be farmed for European markets

A story about eating invasive crayfish to prevent the species from damaging rivers was among our most read articles this week in Berkshire.

A variety of local issues were featured on the BBC News website, BBC Radio Berkshire and South Today.

We have picked five of them to keep you up to date.

'Adored' D-Day veteran dies aged 98

PA Media George Winter from shoulders up wearing a suit adorned in medals and wearing a sailors hat. He is stood on a boat, with other boats in the background as well as the water and shoreline in the distance. — George Winter died on Tuesday

One of the last surviving British servicemen to take part in the D-Day landings has died at the age of 98.

George Winter, from Arborfield, Berkshire, served in the Royal Navy between 1943 and 1947 - having initially volunteered as a 17-year-old.

He was one of about 150,000 allied troops who took part in the Normandy Landings on 6 June 1944 - serving as a quartermaster on a minesweeper.

Presenter says it's 'surreal' after final show

Sarah Walker presented an emotional last show

Sarah Walker sat in front of a radio desk and a microphone, which has a BBC Radio Berkshire muff on it — Sarah Walker presented an emotional last show

A long-serving BBC radio presenter said it "feels surreal that it’s come to an end", as she quits after 18 years at the same station.

Sarah Walker presented an emotional final show on BBC Radio Berkshire.

She said she had been "blown away by the all the lovely messages" she received from listeners.

Eating invasive crayfish could prevent river damage

A man who harvests an invasive species of crayfish thinks eating them could prevent damage to rivers.

Andrew Leech catches North American signal crayfish from the River Kennet in Thatcham.

But a law change by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) means he can no longer sell live crayfish.

Leisure centre to get £4.6m major revamp

Top-of-the-range equipment will be added to the gym, the council said

West Berkshire Council An artist's interpretation of the outside of a leisure centre. There are grey tiles on the floor and the facade of the building is wood and brick. There is a row of black bollards in front of the building. People are milling around outside. — Top-of-the-range equipment will be added to the gym, the council said

A leisure centre is set to undergo a multimillion-pound refurbishment.

The revamp of Northcroft Leisure Centre in Newbury, Berkshire, is expected to cost about £4.6m.

Funded by West Berkshire Council, changes will include a larger gym, a new cycle studio and a cafe.

Force rejecting more potential police officers

Thames Valley Police employs about 5,000 police officers

Getty Images A pair of hands resting on a laptop's keyboard, with an empty notepad and pen and mobile phone on a table next to it — Thames Valley Police employs about 5,000 police officers

Thames Valley Police (TVP) said it rejected nearly a fifth more potential officers in the last financial year than it did in the year before.

It said there was “change in risk appetite” after cases involving former Metropolitan Police officers Wayne Couzens and David Carrick, both jailed for life last year.

It also said the increased rejections could be attributed to “the quality of candidates” applying to join TVP.