Young female cricketers could compete at Lord’s

A GROUP of budding female cricketers from Reading will begin their quest to play at Lord’s next month.

The charitable arm of Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) has launched a project aimed at giving students at state schools the opportunity to play the sport.

The MCC Foundation Hubs programme gives more than 3,200 state school children in 77 locations across the country access to free weekly cricket sessions, mental health training, nutrition awareness and strength and conditioning.

The Reading Girls’ Hub was set up three years ago with 16 girls selected for this year’s programme.

Sessions are held at The Forest School in Winnersh, run by a team of coaches, including former England international Beth Morgan, and aim to give girls

Games console stolen from home

BURGLARS stole a games console when they broke into a Calcot home earlier this month.

been aiming for since I took the pub over, it’s great to have finally got the accolade.

“The fact it’s something people voted for is absolutely marvellous. It’s a vindication of the way we’re running the place and the way my staff are working.”

He was particularly taken by an online review he had read just before he was presented with the award.

“Somebody just said, ‘It’s a great little place with staff who know what they’re talking about and care about what they’re selling’.

“That’s it at the end of the day – we’re looking to sell good beer, and we make the effort to ensure we know what we’re doing.”

And Mr Mellors is not resting on his laurels – the visit from the regional judges will be anonymous.

“They will turn up out of the blue and assess the place,” he said. “So, we’ll keep going, but keep trying to improve and there are things I want to tweak to improve.

“We’ll keep moving forward.”

He added: “I’m a happy man, a very happy man.”

The Bell has won Cider Pub of the Year and will be presented with its award this weekend.

The theft took place between 9pm on Saturday, April 1, and 1am on Sunday, April 2.

They entered via a window of the house in Oliver Drive.

Once inside, they took an Xbox.

Anyone with any CCTV, dashcam or doorbell footage is asked to call the force on 101, or make a report via its website, quoting reference 43230144300.

Unpack Woodley’s aviation heritage

A WALK around Woodley will unpack its aviation heritage.

Taking place on Tuesday, April 18, historian Ann Smith will lead the circular route around the town, stopping off at listed buildings, the forge and a pub.

This is an opportunity to discover Woodley’s history, and the role it played in the Second World War.

Lasting around two hours, it will start at 2pm, and is organised by Berkshire Family History Society.

Pre-booking is essential and places cost £5 or £4 for members.

n For more details, log on to: berksfhs.org the chance to develop their skills, love of the game and increase the numbers playing cricket.

Nearly a third of those who take part in the programme across the UK are girls, up from 16% in 2019.

MCC Foundation Hubs Lead for Reading and Slough, Adam Davidson, said: “The programme is vital to helping girls get into the game given there are limited opportunities for them to play in school.

“We’ve seen the interest in the girls’ programme grow over the last couple of years and those who have been with us in that time have really improved.

“The programme is now a pathway for those girls who are good enough and have the ability to play at a higher level.”

The team are now preparing to take part in a national competition against other hubs across the UK.

If they make it, the final will take place at Lord’s on Saturday, July 29.

Raabia Akhter, one of the coaches on the programme, said: “It’s really important these girls get the opportunity to play cricket, and the MCC Foundation Hubs programme does that.

“It’s not just about the cricket though. The programme helps the girls improve their confidence, they get to meet new people and you can also see the benefits that being part of a team gives them.

“I’ve really seen the bonds that have built between the girls over the last 10 weeks and for them to get to Lord’s would be a dream come true.” n For more information on the MCC Foundation Hubs programme, log on to: www.lords. org/mcc/mcc-foundation

Motorbike stolen from home

A MOTORBIKE was stolen from a home in Rectory Road, Streatley.

The thieves struck in a 10-minute window between 9.55pm and 10.05pm on Monday, April 3.

The bike is a black and blue Honda motorbike.

Thames Valley Police is appealing for witnesses.

Anyone with any CCTV, dashcam or doorbell footage is asked to call the force on 101, or make a report via its website, quoting reference 43230147617.

Discover the story of Sir Charles Rose

A TALK will unpack the story of a Victorian merchant banker and politician.

Michael Radley will lead the session looking at Sir Charles Rose, who went on to develop the Hardwick estate, which is organising the event on Thursday, April 20.

The talk will also feature Miriam Rose, discussing the history of the estate’s former owners.

The event will take place at the Packing Shed, the Tolhurst Organic Market Garden, near Whitchurch. It starts at 7.30pm, and there is a suggested donation of £3 per person. n For more details, search for Hardwick’s Modern History on Facebook.