persons charity is for a new base DELIGHTFUL DEVON

base, which can house the extensive hardware required to carry out its work

“There are quite a few ex-army, ex-police, coupled with ex-ambulance.

“Outside of our day-to-day operations, we have two goals: to bring our profile to the fore because right now, we do just about enough to stay afloat, and to find a new base.”

Every team member is trained to national standards before qualifying as a search technician. This involves mastering search techniques, first responder medical care and the use of specialist equipment. n For more details, or to offer help, log on to: www.berkshirerescue.org.uk

Team members train once a week in a variety of scenarios and locations in and around the Berkshire area.

Some individuals are also trained in bank search (i.e. in rivers, canals, lakes) and water search, while others have medical expertise or are part of the drone or bike teams.

THE VAST majority of houses on the 1930s Whitley estate were built to two or three designs, but a few stood out.

The house featured this week was one such property. Located on Long Barn Lane, it was owned by the council until 1975 when it was sold to bricklayer Ron Woodroof.

Described by Whitley Community Museum curator David Turner as a “perfectionist”, Mr Woodroof made it his business to transform the building into a spectacular home which would be referred to as the Place of Whitley.

The owner subsequently gained the nickname of the king.

Mr Turner said: “Over the years, the house became somewhat of a tourist attraction. What you see on the outside is only part of the story in its transformation.

“The inside included features that were firsts in housebuilding and appeared on nationwide TV and the Reading Evening Post. The improvements included a walk-in wardrobe, spiral staircase and a kitchen to die for.

Poetry Corner

One Paul O’Grady

Our little hearts are broken

The Mutt world’s shed a tear

As a dog’s best friend your life now ends

To our National Treasure three cheers

We are eternally grateful at Battersea

For all that you did for us

Your endless cuddles walking through puddles

York, Oxford and Birmingham.

A Getac spokesperson said: “Broken devices can be frustrating and disruptive for many – particularly those who are reliant on their phones or laptops to work and communicate with others, and those who can’t afford to pay for unexpected repairs.

“Although some issues can’t be avoided, it’s good for people to be particularly conscious as to when their devices are most likely to break, as it’ll keep safety and security at the forefront of their minds as they’re out and about - or when planning an Easter weekend break.

“There’s a reason that the first two weeks in April see the most demand for repairs year on year, and ultimately, prevention is cheaper than the cure. For those who are particularly prone to device issues, make sure to be extra vigilant to avoid costly repairs.”

Re-homing was a plus

You came to our rescue

Then took us to the park n For more information, search: Whitley Community Museum on www.facebook.com

You gave us hope when we had nope With a tail wag and a bark.

“On the outside the features included a flagpole, a Dickens Cameo, a lion and eye-catching brickwork, such as a garden entrance arch. It certainly was a house that taste forgot.

“There was a rumour at the time that Mr Woodroof had won on the lottery but that was untrue. It was down to sheer hard work. The house was sold in recent years and is now under multi occupancy of university students.

With more than 4,800 followers on Facebook, the Whitley Community Museum is an accessible online and in-person resource.

The group serves as a platform for residents past and present to share memories through photographs and comments.

It also allows group members to reconnect, with members reacquainting themselves with friends and schoolmates from decades ago.

Brown 2023

We love receiving your poetry, and print a selection every week. Verse can be sent to poems@wokingham.today

Beloved for its mild climate and miles of golden sands, Torquay provides us with the perfect base for our relaxing short break away. From here we explore this picturesque corner of the West Country, including a visit to Exeter, the capital of Devon.

Your break includes

 Return coach travel from Reading

 3 nights at the Trecarn Hotel, Torquay with dinner & breakfast

 Excursion to Exeter

Optional excursion to Sidmouth (£10pp)

4 Days by Coach only £189

DelightfulDevonWeekend_D.pdf TorquayWeekend_D.pdf

Single

Departing Fri 23 Jun ‘23

Take in a weekend of south-west scenery in Torquay, where the gorgeous sea views and sandy beaches make it the perfect place to escape for a few days of rest and relaxation, with excursions to some of the most inspiring destinations along the south coast.

Your break includes

 Return coach travel from Reading

 3 nights at the Trecarn Hotel, Torquay with dinner & breakfast

 Entertainment every evening

 Excursions to Dawlish & Teignmouth

Optional excursion to Dartmouth (£8pp)

033 numbers are free within inclusive minutes packages otherwise standard rates apply. For more information, or to book, please call Operated by Just Go Holidays Ltd. Coach package holidays and short breaks are subject to Just Go! Holidays terms and conditions. Your booking is protected by Bonded Coach Holidays (BCH) and the Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Limited (ABTOT); this is a government approved consumer protection scheme. Tours offered subject to availability and government guidelines. Errors and omissions excepted. Prices per person, based on two people sharing a double/twin room. Calls to 033 numbers are free within inclusive minutes packages otherwise standard rates apply.

We love to hear from you! Send us your views on issues relating to the borough (in 250 words or less) to Reading Today, Crown House, 231 Kings Road, Reading RG1 4LS or email: news@rdg.today

We reserve the right to edit letters

Views expressed in this section are not necessarily those of the paper Send your

Paul, you are a Reading legend

ON THE opposite page you can see a smiling face.

It belongs to 67-year-old Paul Farmer.

The Reading resident has spent years quietly serving the community and raising an impressive £67,000 for charity in that time.

From running the half marathon, to dying his hair, holding coffee mornings and jumble sales, you name it, he’s done it.

And he’s not done it for any personal gain, or even publicity.

It’s simply because he wants to make the world a better place.

Paul exemplifies the very best of Reading. Someone who is selfless and determined to make a difference.

We know he’ll be embarrassed at this, but someone has to give him a pat on the back and say well done.

Paul, you are an example to us all. We know you’re not the only one, but thank you for all you do to help others.

Church Notes

What does Easter mean for you?

SPRING bursts into life, new life all around, bird song, longer evenings and the promise of warmer days ahead. It’s a good time to be alive.

After 23 years in ministry at Anderson Baptist Church I am packing my bags and moving away. It is time to retire and I begin to wonder what that will mean for Anderson and what is will mean for me.

This is Easter time and it fills me with hope. Hope for our world, hope for ourselves.

The story of Easter is one of death and new life and hope-filled futures. So many small deaths and new beginnings all around us. What is on your mind at present?

Many of us celebrated Easter with friends and families. We shared good food, chocolate eggs and speak of hopeful days ahead.

Easter is the very centre of our faith as Christians – it is the hope of Easter that undergirds our way of life.

Good Friday marks the most dreadful day of Jesus crucifixion when all turned against him, when all hope was lost and all his disciples were left despairing. Then three days later the news of Jesus resurrection turned everything on its head.

The despairing, hopeless disciples became fearless, outspoken and faith-filled. There was a supernatural energy that enthused them. They began to live lives which brought hope and joy and meaning. This is the amazing hope of Easter. This is a story we can be part of.

We all need hope. Hope for the future, hope for our families, hope for our society, hope for ourselves. The message of Easter is hope.

I move away filled with hope – and pray that you too may find the hope that excites and surprises. Easter hope.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Rom 15:13)

Revd Judith Wheatley is the minister of Anderson Baptist Church, writing on behalf of Churches Together.

Ban air rifles these problems as you may find the TV news and some newspaper are so anti-GREAT BRITAIN.

Air rifles must be banned or licensed now. We have seen two more cases in Oxfordshire, where people have been shooting at cats and taking out their eyes.

The other cat almost lost its leg, and the vet put a steel bar to hold it in place.. This was news on ITV Meridian.

It is time that parliament made this law of banning these guns or licence them.

Also give the RSPCA more powers. I will send this copy to my MP.

Alan, via email

Support Pink Ribbon walk

Breast Cancer Now’s Pink Ribbon Walk events are back this summer and I want to encourage your readers to step forward and sign up for the 10 or 20-mile walks.

From the leader

Cllr Jason Brock

to provide support for today and hope for the future.

Jane Atkinson, Breast Cancer Now Pink Ribbon Walk fundraiser

Staying connected

We know it can be difficult to stay socially connected, but keeping in touch and chatting with others can have a huge impact.

Don’t forget to register to vote

Victor

Rones, via email Don’t be down on GB

All over the world, countries are having wars, food shortages, cost of living crisis, and yet the Labour and Lib Dems have yet to come up with any good practical ideas as to how to solve all these problems.

They also have no good comments on how to solve the boat people coming over from France, and it is costing us millions of pounds to house and feed them.

How they get into France and then travel across the country?

They should be stopped and housed there.

This country is a small one and we have already welcomed refugees from Ukraine and true refugees but not ones for a free (money-wise) good life.

We do need these people to keep the country stable but not to be overwhelmed with them.

When you go to the polling stations next month, think of all

Action

AS part of Reading’s Coronation celebrations, Reading Children’s Festival will return on Saturday, May 6, with its launch event Forbury Fiesta in the Forbury Gardens.

It will feature an exciting mix of arts, culture and heritage, through live and digital performances, activities and workshops all aimed at children and families.

The Reading Borough Council are looking for a team of volunteer stewards to support their Events Team. To help welcome visitors and manage the visitor flow. You may be assigned to a particular activity such as a workshop, or to a specific zone.

This accessible one-day event will take place on Saturday, May 6, and is open to the public between noon and 5pm within the Forbury Gardens.

I know just how vital research and support is for those affected. In 2019 my mum died from breast cancer. Then, three years later, I was given the devastating news- I had breast cancer in both breasts. Now, after gruelling treatment, I’m glad to say, it’s been 10 years since I was told I had no evidence of disease. I’m so happy to be well and enjoying life.

But I still worry for my daughter and future generations of women and men, which is why I’m taking on a 20 mile Pink Ribbon Walk this summer. This year will be my fifth Pink Ribbon Walk and every time I cross that finish line it feels incredible.

By supporting Breast Cancer Now and taking part in Pink Ribbon Walk, I feel like I’m doing my bit to help those undergoing treatment and those who’ll need it in the future.

Pink Ribbon Walk events make this possible by raising money for world-class research and life-changing support services, helping thousands living with breast cancer across the UK.

Join me at a Pink Ribbon Walk this summer, to create hope with every step. Sign up today at breastcancernow.org/ribbonwalk

Conversations can create connections, offer new perspectives, teach you new things, boost happiness, and increase mental wellbeing.

Which is why the NHS Volunteer Responders programme has reintroduced the Check in and Chat service, where local readers who would like a friendly chat or simply a listening ear can request a phone call with a volunteer, whether it be a oneoff call or a series of calls.

Receiving a Check in and Chat call is easy and completely free. Readers can organise it by calling 0808 196 3382 (8am to 8pm, seven days a week).

You can also visit nhsvolunteerresponders.org. uk where you will find further information.

If your readers would like a call, we are encouraging them to please reach out on the number above, or, to share this information with a loved one, friend, neighbour, or anyone who may need a little extra support and would benefit from a Check in and Chat call.

Thank you,

Sam Ward OBE, Deputy CEO at Royal Voluntary Service

assist with travel across those areas.

n Enrych Berkshire is a Registered Charity that provides support to people with a disability, helping them get access to leisure, social and learning activities.

Right now, they are seeking a Female volunteer that’s fluent in Urdu to assist a female member get out and about.

AREMINDER, for those who haven’t already, that you have until Monday, April 17, to register to vote in this year’s local Council elections. You can do it online, in just five minutes, at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote.

The elections give you the chance to have your say on how the town is run, and on the competing visions different parties have for the future of Reading.

Naturally, I hope you’ll vote in support of Labour’s ambitious plans for our home town – and you’ll be seeing plenty of material coming through your letterbox in the coming weeks I’m sure.

The election itself is on Thursday, May 4, and the big change in the process this year is that, for the first time ever, residents who vote at their polling station will need to show photo ID.

If you head to the Government’s website, you will list of what is deemed to be acceptable ID: www.gov.uk/how-to-vote/photo-id-youll-need.

Putting to one side the standard forms of photo ID which most, although far from all, of us will have (like your passport or a photocard driving licence), a cursory glance through the rest of the list shows a number of alternative options for older people.

These include an older person’s bus pass or an Oyster 60-plus card. There are not quite so many options for younger voters – it strikes me as a particularly absurd that Railcards are not permitted, for example, nor any student ID lacking the PASS hologram.

I’ll leave it to others to question the motive for the change, and you’ll find plenty of commentary and column inches spent on the matter. Instead, I will just use this opportunity to remind younger residents – and, indeed, all of our residents who plan to vote at their local polling station – to remember to bring an acceptable form of photo ID on Thursday, May 4.

Residents who do not have an accepted form of ID still have until Tuesday, April 25,to apply online for a free Voter Authority Certificate, which they can use on polling day. You can do that via www.gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authoritycertificate and, again, it is a very simple process only taking five minutes.

n Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity is the leading organisation providing emotional and practical support to families who have a child with a lifethreatening or terminal illness.

Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity are looking for volunteers with UK Driving Licences to join their new Reading Care Team, providing essential transport for families. Could you spare a few hours of your time to help a family with a seriously ill child access safe and comfortable transport?

Volunteer Drivers help to provide additional support to the families they work with by providing safe, comfortable and reliable transport, enabling them to travel safely to healthcare appointments, school and to other activities.

They are looking for confident and calm drivers based in Berkshire and Oxfordshire to n Take a look at our brand new Reading Volunteer Connect platform for details of these and many more opportunities to volunteer via our website, www.rgneeds.me. Want to get in touch? Drop us an email at

The member uses a wheelchair and wants to get out of the house, with support, to visit the local park once a week. Her first language is Urdu and has some understanding of English.

If you do not have access to the internet, you can always request a paper application form by calling the Council’s Electoral Services team (0118 937 3717) who will be happy to help, but make sure you build in enough time to return it by the April 25 deadline.

There is, of course, an easy alternative that takes the stress out of all of this, and that is to apply for a postal vote, which will enable you to vote from the comfort of your own home. 5pm on Tuesday, April 18, is the deadline to apply and you can do that at www.electoralcommission.org. uk/i-am-a/voter/apply-vote-post.

If you prefer, you can also appoint someone you trust to vote in your place, which is known as a proxy vote. You can do that at www. electoralcommission.org.uk/i-am-a/voter/applyvote-proxy.

In recent years, the turnout for local elections in Reading has been around and about the 33% per cent mark – or just one in every three eligible residents. I sincerely hope we don’t see a further fall in those numbers next month as a result of these new rules.

Your right to vote is important, and a healthy democracy should be removing the barriers to participation rather than erecting new ones.

Cllr Jason Brock is the leader of Reading Borough Council and ward member for Southcote

Serious road traffic collision

THAMES Valley Police is appealing for witnesses following a serious road traffic collision in Reading.

At around 5pm on Saturday, April 8, a Lifan LF 125 motorbike and a blue Tesla collided on the A329 Purley Rise between Pangbourne and Purley on Thames.

The motorcyclist sustained severe injuries, leaving them hospitalised.

Investigating officer, PC Adam Price, of the Joint Operations Roads Policing Unit, said: “We are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed this collision, or has dashcam foottage, to please come forward.

Paul has raised £67,000 for charities

and he’s not stopping anytime soon

PAUL FARMER is a man with numbers on his mind, writes James Hastings

The 67-year-old has now raised £67,000 for numerous charities in and around Reading.

The latest coffee morning at All Saints Church in Downshire Square, notched up a further £205 for the Reading Association For The Blind - and Paul says he has no plans to stop.

“I started organising fundraising events about 12 years ago and just kept going,” he smiles.

“I love doing it and it’s good to know that local charities benefit from people’s generosity. I enjoy poking around in charity shops for raffle prizes and people are very generous in donating items.

“There is also a social benefit from something like a coffee morning especially for people living alone. We all like a good chat with a coffee and a slice of cake.”

Over the last 12 years, Paul has organised events such as Christmas fairs, summer fayres, jumble sales and tombolas. He has also run the Reading Half Marathon for the last 13 years and abseiled 86 metres down The Blade.

“That was out of my comfort zone but it was thrilling,” he adds.

“I like to think up different ways to fund raise and perhaps one day I’ll do a parachute jump.”

Paul says his favourite charities are the Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice in Maidenhead and the Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice.

“At the end of the day, fundraising events raise money for good causes of all descriptions and I am glad to play a small part in helping them.”