Reading Today, February 9, 2023

Four jailed following van thefts

FOUR people have been jailed, including three from Reading, following a series of thefts.

Frenny Green, aged 53, Jady Green aged 49, and Simon Lopez, aged 40, all of Royal Avenue, Calcot, were among four jailed following a sentencing hearing at Reading Crown Court on Friday, January 27. Dale Northcote, aged 32 and of Westfield Road, Witney, was also put behind bars.

The sentences are in relation to offences that took place between March 2018 and November 2019.

These included multiple thefts of Transit vans, their contents or parts across the south of England and Wales.

Frenny Green pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit theft offences, attempted theft and burglary.

He was sentenced to four years and 10 months in prison, and will be subject to a five-year serious crime prevention order once he is released.

Jady Green pleaded guilty to two

counts of handling stolen goods, and was handed a four-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months.

Simon Lopez pleaded guilty to burglary, attempted theft, and seven counts of theft of a motor vehicle. He was sentenced to two years and 10 months.

Dale Northcote pleaded guilty to nine counts of theft of a motor vehicle and was sentenced to two years and

Two die in collision

TWO men have died after a car collided with a tree in an incident that took place near Henley-on-Thames on Friday.

Thames Valley Police are appealing for witnesses.

The incident happened around 10.45pm on the A4130 between Bix and Nettlebed.

A red BMW left the road and collided with the tree.

eight months in prison.

Investigating officer, Detective Inspector Alice Broad, said: “Our investigation has led to three of these men being taken off the streets, and though a lot of our work is not visible, this is an example of the end result of such investigations.

“Thames Valley Police does not tolerate such offending and will work tirelessly to pursue offenders.”

Consultation on subway cycling proposals

By JAKE CLOTHIER jclothier@rdg.today

READING Borough Council has begun a consultation on its proposals for the subway which passes under Reading train station.

It wants to remove the cycling ban currently in place for the underpass as part of a wider effort to encourage and facilitate cycling.

Opened in 2013, the underpass provides a link between the north and south sides of the station.

The space’s suspended low ceiling means that a cycling prohibition was enacted as it did not pass height or width clearances.

The council is planning redevelopment works now that it has inherited maintenance duties from Network Rail. It will invest more than £200,000 of planning agreement funding to refurbish the space.

Plans include the removal of low sections of ceiling, protection of service ducts and pipes, and the improvement of headroom clearance.

The consultation runs until Thursday, February 23, and comments will then be considered at the March meeting of the Council’s Traffic Management Sub Committee, before a final decision is made by Councillors.

If proposals go ahead, work on the refurbishment will start in the spring.

Separate proposals will also include improved signage and lighting.

Cllr Tony Page, Reading Borough Council’s lead councillor for climate strategy and transport, said: “This has been a long time coming.

“Regular pedestrians will know that the underpass is already frequently used by cyclists – albeit technically illegal under the current traffic order.

“This is a key link between the Caversham side of the station and the town centre and it has always been an anomaly that cycling was banned at this location, due to the low ceilings the Council inherited from Network Rail when the station was redeveloped a decade ago.

“The Council is delivering key new strategic cycle routes across the town,

with the Shinfield Road segregated cycle lanes currently under construction, and then Bath Road/ Castle Hill later this year.”

Cllr Rob White, Green councillor and leader of the main opposition party on Reading Borough Council said: “Greens campaigned previously with the cycle campaign when the station underpass was first opened that cyclists should be able to use it.

“It would have been cheaper to have done this in the first place rather than spending money for it to be pedestrian only and then spending more to allow cyclists to use it.

“As usual, Labour didn’t listen and are now spending money to undo what was done previously.

“Greens support the underpass being for use by cyclists and pedestrians and will keep lobbying for the council to join up Reading’s cycle network. I urge people to respond to the consultation.”

n Full details of proposals and participation are available via: consult. reading.gov.uk.

Both driver and passenger died at the scene – one was a 22-year-old from Reading, the other a 19-year-old from Henley. PC Matthew Stansfield, of Thames Valley Police’s Joint Operations Roads Policing Unit, said: “Sadly two men have died following this collision. Our thoughts are with their families who have been informed and are being supported by officers.

“We are appealing for further information in connection with this incident, and would ask anyone with further information to get in touch.

“We are particularly keen to speak to anyone who may have seen the red BMW travelling prior to the incident or has seen the collision.

“Additionally, if anyone has dash-cam footage we would ask them to please check it to see if it shows anything that could assist. Please upload any footage to our online portal page.

“Or if you have information please call 101 quoting reference 43230052260.”

Electrical blaze

FIRE CREWS went sent to a Stanford Dingley business last month to put out a blaze.

A fuse board of the property had ignited.

Firefighters wearing protective breathing gear used a CO2 extinguisher to put the fire out, and then crews isolated the electrical supply.

A large fan was used to clear the remaining smoke.

Two teams from Newbury Fire Station and another from Theale attended.

The incident took place at 8.48pm on Friday, January 27, and the crews were on site for around an hour and 19 minutes.

BEHIND BARS: Simon Lopez, centre, and Frenny Green, right, were among four jailed following a sentencing hearing at Reading Crown Court on Friday, January 27, which also included Dale Northcote of Witney, left. Pictures: Thames Valley Police

New vet celebrates opening by inviting children to have a go

Free chicken for a year

THE LATEST international food outlet set to land in Reading has announced its launch date, complete with a Mardi Gras-style party and a mouth-watering competition.

American Fried Chicken restaurant Popeyes is set to open on Broad Street on Thursday, February 23, the second of 20 stores set to launch in the UK this year.

Reading’s diners have the chance of winning free chicken – the first 25 customers set to receive free chicken sandwiches and Popeye’s merchandise for its first three days.

The first two customers in the queue in the first three days will be awarded the grand prize of a year’s supply of chicken sandwiches.

The new 96-seat restaurant will also celebrate the launch with a Mardi Gras-style band, The Brass Funkeys, to bring the sound of New Orleans.

By PHIL CREIGHTON news@rdg.today

HUNDREDS of children went to school on Saturday, but you won’t hear a peep of complaint out of them.

To celebrate the launch of its new branch, Vet’s Klinic Reading invited children to visit its Headley Road East branch and bring with them a favourite cuddly toy pet so they could enrol in vet school.

The opportunity included guided tours of the new practice and the opportunity to meet the vets and nurses and ask them questions about their jobs.

And they also learnt about how to care for their toy pet, including how to bandage minor cuts and scrapes. Each participant was given a Vet’s Klinic certificate as a souvenir of their day.

The state-of-the-art veterinary practice offered the event after learning that, according to the British Veterinary Association, 46% of vets decided they wanted to pursue this career at primary school and 65% knew before they were 13.

The team at Vet’s Klinic say they are keen to engage with these enthusiastic young vets of the future.

Stephanie Catt, Head Veterinary Nurse at Vet’s Klinic, believes nobody is too young to start learning about a career with animals.

She said: “I knew I wanted to be a veterinary nurse from a very young age and that desire never changed. Working at a veterinary practice is challenging but also very rewarding so this is a great opportunity to show the younger generation what it’s really like day-to-day and their newfound skills may come in handy one day.”

The event wasn’t just for children. Adults and their pets also visited, enjoying tours and talks, as well as being able to sign up for treatment.

The clinic is the second one to be opened by the company. It has a glass-fronted prep room where owners can watch the veterinary staff caring for their pets, as well as having an interactive website so owners can view their pet’s medical records online and book and pay for appointments.

Laura Shears, its managing director, said: “Vet’s Klinic’s philosophy is driven by a passion to deliver gold standard care not only for pets but also for pet owners by offering state-of-theart care at affordable prices – all with the goal of helping more pets enjoy long-term health and happiness.”

n For more, log on to: vetsklinic.co.uk/reading

Hanna (5) is shown how to bandage a leg on a soft toy dog

Tom Crowley, CEO at Popeyes UK, commented: “When we landed in the UK in November 2021, we asked people all over the country to ‘believe the hype’ attached to the huge cult following Popeyes has in the US.

“It’s safe to say they’ve done that, with overnight queues for every one of our openings last year. There’s no doubt that Popeyes has been enthusiastically received on UK shores.

“Reading is a thriving town, with roots embedded in good food, culture, and music –it’s great to be expanding our footprint once more and throwing our doors open to another vibrant UK community.”

Popeyes was founded in New Orleans in 1972, and has since expanded to serve Louisianastyle chicken in more than 3,800 restaurants worldwide.

n More information can be found via Popeyes’ website: popeyesuk.com/restaurants/Reading, or via their TikTok and Instagram pages

Chalk Restaurant offers residents and locals the perfect place to come together and catch up while enjoying a range of quality drinks or some food from our mouthwatering menu that focuses on simple fresh ingredients done well

Vet’s Klinic in Woodley features a state-of-the-art medical area Pictures: Steve Smyth

The Vets Klinic open day in Woodley on Saturday received a thumbs up from Hanna with nurse Alice Buddin

Clinical director Adrian Caunter, head vet Courtney Weaver-Ennis and managing director Laura Shears

by Nurse, Alice Buddin

Veterinary Surgeon, Asia Tkaczyk checks Ollie’s teeth as Yvonne Alder looks on in the Dental Suite

WARM IDEA: Winter coat donations being sorted at a recent Winter Warmer event in Petersfield. The scheme is at Reading Station this weekend

Winter coat donations will help vulnerable

A POP-UP store offering free winter wear to help keep vulnerable people warm is running at Reading Station today.

One of the spare units in the Brunel Arcade at the station is open for the scheme.

Members of the public can donate spare winter coats, fleeces, hats, gloves, and scarves so that they can be re-used.

Donations will be taken at the Free Shop unit next to Costa Coffee, by the main ticket office.

Then on Friday and Saturday, the donated items will be available at the store to be collected for free.

A spokesperson said: “We know there is a demand for winter clothing from many people this year we want to recycle unused items to those who really need them or are finding it difficult to buy them with the current cost of living problems.

“We are looking forward to trying this innovative project at

Outstanding: foster agency celebrates Oftsed’s top marks

By PHIL CREIGHTON news@rdg.today

THE Thames Valley team from an independent fostering agency are celebrating after an Outstanding Ofsted inspection.

Reading and thank our partners who have helped make this possible.”

The initiative is a partnership between Reading Basingstoke Community Rail Partnership, Reading Borough Council’s Safer Streets Council, Network Rail, and Great Western Railway.

The Reading Basingstoke Community Rail Partnership is a not-for-profit organisation which aims to promote the rail services and stations covering Reading, Reading West, Green Park, Mortimer, Bramley and Basingstoke and link communities with their local railway. It works to support rail travel by litter picking at stations, completing art and gardening projects, and undertaking community development projects, timetable liaisons, and transport policy development. n For more information, contact: lucy@hampshirecommunityrail. co.uk or call 0755 1781 711.

Foster Care Associates (FCA) received top marks in every area for the care it provides to the 61 children in its care.

It says the Ofsted inspector was particularly impressed with the agency’s commitment to understanding children’s cultural and ethnic needs and its respect for culture and diversity throughout the whole organisation.

The FCAs’ report read: “Children make excellent progress as a direct result of their foster care placements arranged by the agency. Foster carers have all the qualities needed to make a real difference to a child’s life through their commitment, resilience, empathy and understanding.”

Kate Knight, the registered manager at FCA Thames Valley, was thrilled with the verdict.

She said: “This inspection highlights the ambition and passion that our staff and foster

parents have for our children and young people.

“We place our children at the centre of what we do and they are actively involved in shaping the services we offer with opportunities to give feedback at every stage.

“Our children are progressing with us and achieving fantastic outcomes.”

Among those giving children a home are Claudia Myrie, 38,

DELIGHTED: Claudia and Denzel Myrie have been fostering with FCA for many years, they’re thrilled with the Ofsted inspection

can be difficult to get through but the whole team works hard to provide the best possible care for our children.

“To be outstanding you need to be genuine and make the people in your care your priority. There isn’t one rule for all. If you can treat people with kindness and love, everything else can be taught.”

At the time of the report the Thames Valley agency was supporting a total of 61 children across 55 fostering households, but there are currently more than 80,000 children in care throughout the year, and that number is growing.

Claudia wants others to consider fostering.

“I think it’s important for people to realise that foster care could impact a family at any time,” she said.

“Children need care for all sorts of reasons. Their parents might be really unwell, or sadly have passed away or unable to look after them for a whole host of reasons.

and husband Denzel, 40, who have been foster parents with FCA Thames Valley since 2013.

They have one birth daughter, who is seven, and, for the last nine years, two foster sons who are now 15 and 19.

They also support a parent and child placement.

Claudia said: “It brings me so much pride to belong to an outstanding fostering agency like FCA. An Ofsted inspection

“If you think you could become a foster parent, then look into it, start having the conversations and remember that there are so many children out there who need you. You can really change someone’s life.”

It is estimated an additional 3,000 foster carers will need to be recruited year-on-year, for the next three years to accommodate the influx of children coming into care. n For more details, log on to: www.thefca.co.uk

Sewage protests take to the water – and gives MPs ‘blue plaques’

By JAMES ALDRIDGE

Local democracy reporter

ACTIVISTS recently took part in a protest against raw sewage being disposed of via the nation’s rivers and seas.

Members of Extinction Rebellion have been visiting waterside locations, including the Thames Towpath near the Wokingham Waterside Centre in East Reading and Sonning Bridge.

The protest involved wild water swimming, sewagerelated props and the installation of mock blue plaques criticising Berkshire MPs for their voting record on water regulations.

Real blue plaques are used to commemorate places and people of note across the UK. But activists have subverted that, with the message “Our Government voted to block a law requiring water companies to dump less raw sewage in our waterways and seas”.

Among their targets were Sir John Redwood, the Conservative MP for Wokingham and Laura Farris, the Conservative MP for Newbury, during a day of action held on Saturday, January 28.

The activity involved installing the blue plaques in Newbury and at the Conservative Association office

in Wokingham’s Rose Street.

The protest was organised by Extinction Rebellion’s Reading and West Berkshire branches.

An activist called Bianca, a spokesperson for Extinction Rebellion Reading, said: “We need to make our voices heard and this is just the start.

“Write to your MP, go and see them – and keep doing it. There are lots of us here today so let’s keep working together to make our message one that cannot be dismissed or ignored.”

Meanwhile teacher, wild swimmer and dirty water campaigner Dani Esposito said:

“I am horrified and disgusted by the lack of urgency and blatant disregard our Government has shown in tackling the state of our waters. In December the Environment Agency pushed back its targets to clear up England’s rivers and coasts from 2027 to 2063, that’s 30 more years of sewage dumping.

“We refuse to stand by and let that happen.”

The target of 2063 specifically relates to chemicals known as uPBTs, which includes mercury.

Conservative MPs have come in for criticism as many voted against tightening regulations

back in October 2021.

Person trapped after car collision

EMERGENCY crews were called to a road traffic collision in Tilehurst last week.

DIRTY WATER: Protesters at the Kennet Mouth near the Wokingham Waterside Centre at the Reading and Wokingham borough boundary.

Picture: Extinction Rebellion

At that time, there was a proposal from the House of Lords that would have placed legal duties on water companies to reduce sewage discharges into rivers and the sea, which was defeated by 265 votes to 202.

MPs also recently voted on draft water cleanliness targets, officially called the Draft Environmental Targets (Water) (England) Regulations 2022.

The draft regulations were passed by 300 votes to 170, with 292 Conservative MPs being joined by six Democratic

Unionist Party and two Alliance Party MPs.

The Liberal Democrats claim the vote allows sewage dumping by water companies in rivers and coasts for at least 15 more years.

Mrs Farris disagreed with the protesters’ arguments.

She said: “I do not accept this. The Government passed the Environment Act 2021 which set out the framework for the elimination of sewage. The law requires that Sites of Special Scientific Interest including chalk streams must have an 80% reduction in all discharges by the year 2030.

“Water companies have an obligation collectively to invest £56 billion towards this. Thames Water has now published its plan for an 80% reduction by 2030. It was published last autumn, and I have been working with them closely on it.

“In some parts of my constituency the work has begun, but 2030 remains the final target.

“The reason why it requires several years is that they essentially have to modernise the entire sewerage system which dates back to the Victorian era.”

Sir John was unavailable for comment.

Two teams from Caversham Road and Wokingham Road fire stations attended the incident which took place in Cranbourne Gardens at 9.26pm on Wednesday, February 1.

A person was trapped inside one of the vehicles, but managed to get themselves out.

They were then placed into the care of a team from South Central Ambulance Service.

Fire crews were on scene for around 29 minutes.

Home burgled

A HOME was burgled in east Reading last week, and police are appealing for witnesses to come forward.

The incident took place around 7.15pm on Thursday, February 2, at a home in The Mews, off Hamilton Road.

It is not known what was taken or how they entered the property.

Thames Valley Police are appealing for anyone with information or dashcam, CCTV or doorbell footage to come forward.

They can call 101, quoting reference 43230050654 or report online.

Geek Night with quiz and lecture

A MONTHLY event celebrating geekery, networking, and quizzing is taking place at town centre venue Zero Degrees.

Reading Geek Night brings together science and technology enthusiasts for an even of socialising and talks.

Guest speaker Lee Hale will talk on the science behind bipolar disorder, including the neuroscience of manic episodes and bipolar medicines, as well as her experiences in a psychiatric ward.

This will be followed by networking, and then a quiz.

It takes place upstairs at Zero Degrees, Bridge Street, from 7pm on Tuesday, February 14, and every second Tuesday of the month.

n More information about the event and contact information is available online via: rdggeeknight.wordpress.com

FGM awareness conference

A COMMUNITY GROUP is inviting women to attend an upcoming information session taking place today.

Utulivu Women’s Group will hold a remote female genital mutilation awareness event.

The group is supported by Reading Borough Council, ROSA and the National Lottery Fund.

All are welcome to attend the free event via Zoom.

The session takes place from 11.30am-1pm.

The meeting can be accessed using Zoom ID: 767 479 2806 and password: 689916.

Council seeks views on active travel proposals for Bath Road

By JAKE CLOTHIER jclothier@rdg.today

READING Borough Council has opened up consultation on proposed improvements to cycling and walking links on a busy main route.

Traffic restrictions are proposed for Bath Road, between Berkeley Avenue and Castle Hill, and over the IDR to Castle Street.

The council is seeking views from residents on how cycling, walking, and public transport can be improved.

Current plans include the provision of dedicated cycle lanes and new pedestrian crossing facilities.

The council is looking for feedback on the traffic restriction measures these would involve.

One of the proposals is the removal of one of the road lanes on Castle Hill and Bath Road to accommodate a cycle lane.

It is also seeking to reduce an existing bus lane on the same route, as well as implementing double yellow lines along Castle Hill between Russell Street and Jesse Terrace.

Proposals would also see changes to capacity in areas of bay parking in Permit Holders Only zones to provide extra protection to cyclists in the new segregated lane.

Cllr Tony Page, Reading Borough Council’s lead councillor for climate strategy and transport, said: “I’d like to thank everyone who contributed to last year’s consultation on this scheme

and the valuable feedback has helped us shape our current plans.

“We are now keen to gather feedback from local residents, businesses and commuters on the scheme’s traffic restriction measures.

“Please take the time to share your comments online before Thursday, February 23.”

He explained: “It has never been more important to promote realistic alternatives to the private car, so as to tackle congestion and improve air quality for the residents and local communities who live on these key routes.

“As part of our wider Climate Emergency Strategy, these proposals underline the Council’s full commitment to tackling the poor air quality which we know exists in parts of Reading.

“By making these improvements we want to encourage more people towards active travel – leaving their car at home and travelling in by cycling, walking or catching the bus.

“Not only is this better for our environment, but it will also be better for people’s pockets –reducing their travel expenses.”

Speaking about the specific

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BEACON: WE BUILD BRANDS

proposals, Cllr Page said: “The Bath Road Castle Hill scheme very much delivers a key ‘missing link’ which would allow cyclists to travel more safely to and from the Town Centre and across the busy IDR.”

Following this consultation, the council will seek to refine and update the designs further and plans to begin work in the summer.

Cllr Page added: “Our investment in the Bath Road/ Castle Hill area of Reading is just one part of the wider picture of increasing active travel in Reading.

“Our work to implement

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cycling and walking improvements along the Shinfield Road, from Christchurch Green to Whitley Wood Road, is well underway.

“We have also achieved significant improvements in other areas, including the routes on Redlands Road and Christchurch Road, and Sidmouth Street delivered as part of Tranche 1 funding.”

He continued: “We are also working towards the creation of a bike hub in the centre of the town and we also continue to invest in free cycle courses for residents, and in supporting the creation of School Streets.”

Charity’s call for HIV testing

A THAMES Valley charity is encouraging members of the public to get tested as part of National HIV Testing Week.

Thames Valley Positive Support, which helps people affected by HIV, have called for more people wants to reach a target of zero new HIV infections by 2030, supported by the UK Government.

The charity is offering free community testing sessions in Reading and Wokingham, as well as across West Berkshire.

It’s also making testing even easier by offering free postal HIV testing kits which can be mailed or picked up directly from the charity.

Kits are delivered in discreet packaging with results sent either by text or via a phone call.

Testing is important for HIV because it can be present for a long time without any symptoms.

Testing is the only way to be certain of your HIV status, and means that those affected can begin treatment, stay healthy, and avoid passing it to others.

National HIV Testing Week runs from Monday-Sunday, February

Sarah Macadam, CEO of Thames

Valley Positive Support, said “It’s fantastic to have the support of Public Health who are just as committed as we are to driving rates of HIV transmission to zero.

“We’re offering a choice of tests to make it as easy as possible for people to know their HIV status, either in the comfort of their own home or at one of our testing venues.”

She continued: “There have been a couple of years where HIV testing hasn’t been top of everyone’s agenda and that’s understandable with other health concerns such as covid.

“But now is the time to get back into the habit of testing for HIV and making it an essential part of your healthcare routine”

TVPS has been giving support to those affected by HIV in the Thames Valley area since 1985. Community tests or postal orders can be booked by emailing test@tvps.org.uk.

They are also available by calling 0162 860 3400 or sending a Whatsapp message to 0772 728 9712.

n More information about Thames Valley Positive Support and its work

VISION OF THE FUTURE: Traffic restrictions are currently proposed for Bath Road, between Berkeley Avenue and Castle Hill, and over the IDR to Castle Street. Picture: Artist’s impression, courtesy of Reading Borough Council

Rotary club invites charities to celebrate their ‘outstanding’ work

Horse’s leg freed from trailer

REPRESENTATIVES from charities and community groups came together to celebrate their work in a unique event.

The Rotary Club of Reading Maiden Erlegh’s meeting saw 16 of the charities it supports deliver five-minute-long introductions into their activities across Reading and Wokingham.

Held at the Salvation Army corps in Lower Earley, the event was attended by almost 70 people, including club members, guest speakers and the district governor elect, Kate Hodges.

The concept for the event arose from the club’s recent involvement in a project which will see 2,500 frozen meals

provided to foodbanks and food surplus projects across Berkshire.

Scott Trathen, RME’s community service team leader, organised the event and said: “It’s so exciting, it’s brilliant. It’s the first time we’ve done anything like this.

“It all came about because I felt, like my Rotary members who do so much good work, I didn’t really realise where it’s going.

“Some of the charities, who receive the money and the help we give them, don’t know all of our Rotarians, so I thought why not bring them altogether and just meet and mingle.”

The charities in attendance were: Link

Food Share, Whitley Community Development Association, SHARE Wokingham and Woodley, Alexander Devine, YEldall Manor, Soulscape, Camp Mohwak, Dingley’s Promise, Reading Association for the Blind and Berkshire

The Rotary Club’s support is not just financial, members have done gardening, volunteered at vaccination centres and helped with talking news for the blind.

“All the volunteers which run these charities are outstanding,” Mr Trathen added. “Most of them are church-based organisations and I fully respect that they feel it’s their duty to help, which is lovely. If we can help that, then that’s perfect.”

Reading Beer Festival cancelled yet again

By JAKE CLOTHIER jclothier@rdg.today

ONE OF Reading’s biggest festivals has announced that it won’t be going ahead this year.

Reading CAMRA posted to social media to make the announcement that its Beer and Cider Festival is on hold again –it has not run since 2019.

The post said that despite organisers’ best efforts, as well as those of their team of volunteers, that it was unable to finalise plans for the event.

While this year’s event, which had previously been set for this summer, won’t be going ahead, CAMRA said that it would continue to work towards an event in 2024.

It is the second year in a row that the event has had to be cancelled, as 2022’s festival was cancelled due to difficulty finding suppliers for critical infrastructure.

The festival was also put on hiatus in the two years previous due to lockdowns.

In a post on social media, organisers said: “Despite the best efforts from our team of volunteers, who have been

working extremely hard since summer 2022 to put together a 2023 event, Reading CAMRA Beer and Cider Festival will not be taking place this year.

“A huge amount of time has gone into considering different options, but we have been unable to make all the pieces fit together.

“Infrastructure and the health of key team members have been critical factors.”

It continues: “It is with a heavy heart that we have sadly taken the difficult decision to cancel RBF for 2023.

“We understand that this will come as a disappointment to many of you, and we share in that disappointment. We are striving to bring RBF back in 2024, but we will need your support to make this happen. Later this year we’ll be recruiting for additional volunteers to join the core organising team who help to bring the festival to life.”

It said that volunteers would be “crucial” to have the best chance of bringing the festival

back next year.

The post also explained how the beer and cider community, especially venues and the events industry more

being hit by the cost of living crisis and some of the knock-on effects of the pandemic.

“We need only look at the number of pubs and breweries across the UK closing each week.”

The post concludes: “We encourage you to show your support by visiting your neighbourhood pubs, getting involved with your CAMRA branch and participating in the Reading Ale Trail.”

n Information about the festival and how to volunteer can be found on the Reading Beer and Cider Festival website: readingbeerfestival.org.uk, or via its Facebook page

A HORSE trapped its leg in a trailer and fire crews had to be called out to release it. The incident took place on Sunday, January 29, at 4.12pm,

Visiting, Woodley Food Bank, Wycliffe

Vision, JAC, Me2 Club and Launchpad.

SPEAKER: SHARE Wokingham’s Claire Revie detailed the extent of the borough-wide project’s work at a presentation evening organised by the Rotary Club of Reading Maiden Erlegh. Picture: Scott Trathens

Libraries’ halfterm activities

READING libraries will host a series of fun arts and crafts sessions during the February half-term.

Children will showcase their creative skills thanks to a wide range of events taking place at seven venues across the borough.

Youngsters will try their hand at biscuit decorating at Reading Central Library from 10.30am-11.30am on Monday, February 13.

On Tuesday, February 14, sessions will take place at Whitley Library, 9.30am-noon, Tilehurst Library, 10.30am11.30am, and Southcote Library, 2pm-3pm.

Caversham and Battle Libraries will help youngsters make their own birds and butterflies from 2pm3.30pm and 2.30pm-3.30pm respectively.

There will be plenty of opportunities for children to get involved at Palmer Park, with activities taking place during opening hours on February 14, 15, 16 and 18. Participants will be given a lucky dip bag containing materials to construct their creations with.

All events operate on a drop-in basis unless specified. There is a £1 charge per participating child, who must be accompanied by an adult. n For more information, visit: reading.gov.uk/leisure/libraries

Town’s celebration of Ukraine will help support community centre

By JAMES ALDRIDGE Local democracy reporter

A BENEFIT concert in support of Ukraine will be held in Reading later this month, nearly one year on from Russia’s decision to illegally invade the European country.

It will be held at Reading Town Hall, with all proceeds going to the Ukrainian community, including the Reading Ukrainian Community Centre, which has been supporting refugees for much of the past year.

Reading Borough Council is staging the event, which will “showcase the beautiful richness of Ukrainian culture”.

It will be hosted by Matt Allwright, who grew up in Reading and is the presenter on The One Show and Watchdog, and Mel Bloor of ITV Meridian.

Among the acts will be the dance ensemble Prolisok, who recently appeared on the BBC’s One Show. They will be premiering a special written dance for the event.

Other acts include Mirage, who perform a modern take on traditional Ukrainian songs.

The national instrument of Ukraine, the bandura, will be London ensemble Band Era

who took part in BBC Radio Berkshire’s carol concert last year.

These and other special guests performing both in English and Ukrainian will be among those taking to the stage.

The evening has been organised by the Reading

Ukrainian Community Centre, and the mayor of Reading, Cllr Rachel Eden (Labour, Whitley), and Reading Borough Council.

Mick Pollek, from the Reading Ukrainian Community Centre, said: “This is an opportunity for us to thank all the people who have so generously helped and continue to support us and our

newly arrived visitors.

“With the war still raging and our friends and family under daily pressure, this is an opportunity for us to showcase who and what Ukrainians are.

“For people to see that our diverse culture and traditions are worth protecting. Slava Ukraini.”

Cllr Eden said: “Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine almost one year ago, the Ukrainian people have endured horrific atrocities and shown great courage.

“People in Reading have been determined to show solidarity a wide range of ways once again proving that we are a City of Sanctuary, not only in name, but in our actions.

“This concert will raise vital funds but also be a celebration of Ukrainian culture which we know is under threat from Putin’s ideology – making it even more important that we celebrate it.

“For those of us lucky enough never to have to flee our homes while war is still raging can’t imagine what Reading’s Ukrainian community have gone through but we can show support.

“I’d urge everyone who can to come along and enjoy Ukrainian music and dance, while also showing our continued support to Ukraine.”

Both Cllr Eden and Mr Polleck spoke passionately at an event to mark Holocaust Memorial Day.

n The concert begins at 7.30pm on Friday, February 17. Tickets cost £27 and can be booked via the What’s On Reading website.

Salon has the cutting edge

A WOODLEY salon is a cut above after securing an accolade at the annual Marc Antoni awards.

Following a champagne reception and formal dinner, staff, partners, and guests from the Marc Antoni group of salons attended the annual awards ceremony celebrating colleague dedication and contributions.

Company director Aaron Giamattei presented awards to teams for their recognition of

excellence, stylists, apprentices, and customer care achievements.

The Woodley salon was among those presented with an award, taking home the Customer Care Salon of the Year in recognition of their levels of customer care and retailer service.

The team at the Woodley branch, led by manager Charlotte Gardener, attended to collect the award at the ceremony, which took place at Crowne Plaza, Caversham.

Lucy Semour, who works at the branch, was also given one of the Outstanding Stylist of the Year awards, along with Georgia Angel, who was awarded one of the Outstanding Apprentice of the Year accolades.

Outstanding Salon of the Year was awarded to the Henley salon, which also took the Recognising Excellence Google Review 2022 award.

CULTURE CELEBRATION: We are Ukraine! is a fundraising concert in Reading on Friday, February 17

CELEBRATIONS: Team members at the Woodley branch of Marc Antoni, led by Charlotte Gardener Picture: Courtesy of the Marc Antoni Awards

Canine combats counterfeit cigarettes in Operation CeCe

By JAKE CLOTHIER jclothier@rdg.Today

ONE OF Reading’s hard-working pooches has helped to keep more than 20,000 illegal cigarettes off of the street following a raid.

YoYo the detection dog has worked as part of Reading Council Trading Standards to sniff out counterfeit cigarettes, with more than 20,000 seized in a raid in Reading.

Stock with a street value of £5,000 was seized from the European Mini Mart on Oxford Road on Monday, January 31, as part of Operation CeCe.

The operation was a National Trading Standards initiative in partnership with HMRC to tackle illegal and counterfeit tobacco products.

YoYo, a Cocker Spaniel, sniffed out the illicit goods which were hidden in fast delivery cool bags behind the shop’s counter.

More than 20,000 cigarettes will now be destroyed following the efforts of YoYo and her handler, Stuart Phillips of B.W.Y Canine.

Cllr Karen Rowland, lead member for environmental services and community safety at Reading Borough Council, said: “This is a very positive

GOOD DOG: YoYo helped trading standards seize counterfeit cigarettes worth £5,000 from a store on Reading’s Oxford Road

result. With thanks to the council, partner agencies and Yoyo have tackled organised criminal activity in Reading and kept our residents safe.

“Detection dogs are highly skilled and can find tobacco and cigarettes hidden in the most unlikely of places.”

She continued: “Offenders need to know that they can very likely face some quite significant consequences if

they choose to deal in these illegal products.

“Results such as this send a strong message to traders to simply not choose to stock such illegal products.

“Far from being a victimless crime, those involved in the illegal tobacco trade are compliant in making it more attractive for children to start smoking, and taking advantage of cash-strapped

Royals star Tom shares footie tips

families, all of which often feeds in to the funding of organised crime.”

Cigarettes in the UK are subject to duties and require a range of safety information on the packaging.

Counterfeit cigarettes often imitate genuine brands but are manufactured illegally and against copyright, undermining taxation and efforts to reduce smoking in the UK population.

Friends to hold online talk

AN ONLINE talk next week will will look at how a museum’s archive can unpack the past.

The History of Reading Society will welcome Kaye Gough and Jenny Knight for the event.

The pair are volunteer archivists at the Museum of English Rural Life, and tour guides of East Thorpe House and the museum.

They also performed in a play about the Swing Riots.

They will tell the stories of six women, using the MERL archives.

The meeting is for the society’s members and will be held on Zoom from 7.30pm on Wednesday, February 15.

n For more details, or to join, log on to: www. historyofreadingsociety.org.uk

Fuse box fire

Tobacco products which are manufactured abroad for international smuggling also reduce prices, further undermining efforts to tax, discourage, and collect data on smokers.

Sources of illegal tobacco can be reported by contacting the Illegal Tobacco Hotline on 0300 999 6 999, where information can be left anonymously.

A FUSE box caused a house fire in a Whitley home.

The incident took place around 7.33am on Tuesday, January 31, at a home in Windermere Road.

Crews from Caversham Road and Wokingham Road fire stations were sent to the scene, and used a CO2 extinguisher to put the fire out.

They were on the scene for an hour and 22 minutes.

A BERKSHIRE charity was joined by one of the Royals for its first football session of the year.

Reading FC’s Tom Holmes took part in a session with Berkshire Youth, one of the first of its football-focused after school events of 2023.

The charity holds Kicks, a weekly after-school club which sees kids in schools years 7-9 playing football and team games.

Tom Holmes, defender and vice-captain of RFC’s first team squad, came to one of the sessions and fielded questions, talked tactics, and took photos with the attendees.

Youngsters at the club played an hour of football and wished Tom and the team well ahead of their upcoming fixtures.

The session closed with a penalty shoot-out to decide the winner of the session’s match.

Berkshire Youth said: “We were really lucky to have Tom come to one of our sessions.

“He stayed for the whole session and young people loved speaking to and having photos taken with him.

“They talked through some tactics and wished Tom and Reading Football Club good luck in upcoming games.”

Berkshire Youth organises the Kicks sessions for the Reading Football Club Community Trust, which take place every Thursday during term-time, between 4pm5pm.

Sessions take place at the Cotswold Sports Centre in Tilehurst, with spaces still available.

Those attending do not require kit, but PE-style clothing is recommended, as well as a required water bottle.

n To apply for a place, or for a full run-down of all of the services that Berkshire Youth offers, visit: berkshireyouth.co.uk

WELCOME: Team members and attendees at Berkshire Youth’s Kicks session were joined by Reading FC defender Tom Holmes (centred) for a training session Picture: Courtesy of Berkshire Youth

RAYMOND GUBBAY presents

Win tickets to Reading Festival with Wrigley’s Gum

MARS WRIGLEY has partnered with Reading Festival to offer tickets to the popular event.

To take part, shoppers scan a QR code on the pack and enter the last four digits of the barcode.

The competition runs on packs of Strawberry, Apple, Blueberry, Cool Breeze, Peppermint and Spearmint Extra.

Hannah Lee, senior brand manager at Wrigley’s Extra, said: “We have partnered with Reading Festival to offer shoppers the chance to win festival tickets and experiences.

“Our research shows that when out-ofhome and chewing gum, 42% of consumers are working, studying or emailing, followed by listening to a podcast or music (22%).

“Up to 98% of Gen Z and students say music plays a great role in their overall happiness, and 70% say going to live music events is part of their mental wellness plan.”

She continued: “Extra gum is there for when consumers want to work hard and when they want to play hard – it’s all about balance.

“Reading Festival attracts an array of fans including those looking to relax post-exams, and what better way to follow all the months of revision, but with three days of the very best music? All for just the price of a packet of gum.”

Sam Fender will headline the main stage east on Friday, The Killers on Saturday, and Billie Eilish on Sunday. The West stage will see Foals headline on Friday, Lewis Capaldi on Saturday, and Imagine Dragons on Sunday.

Loyle Carner, Wet Leg, You Me At Six, Declan McKenna, Becky Hill, and Yung Lean will also be performing.

The competition runs until Sunday, March 26.

Birmingham’s Poet Laureate shares verse at Ding meet

By Jake Clothier jclothier@rdg.today

A READING poetry group was joined by the Birmingham Poet Laureate for its first meeting of 2023.

The Poets’ Cafe, which meets regularly at South Street Arts Centre, features a mix of guest performers and open-mic poetry from attendees.

For its January session, Dr Casey Bailey joined the group, bringing with him copies of his published works, Please Do Not Touch.

As well as holding the title of Birmingham’s Poet Laureate from 2020-2022, Mr Bailey brings a deeply personal angle to his poetry as it examines a number of social issues.

Following open-mic sets from members of the audience, Mr Bailey started the first half of his set with a rapid, rapped piece.

He gave a elegy to a lost friend in the form of We Drink For Them from his collection Adjusted, followed by Spirit, which was also dedicated to a friend.

He then gave readings of Rise And Fall, Step Step, and Soup, before a performing a pair of poems which

examined violence in deprived areas, Every Boy Who Kills in the Ghetto is Me and Every Boy Who Dies in the Ghetto is Me.

The second half of his readings included another rap as well as the piece after which his collection of works, Please Do Not Touch, is named, inspired by the prevalence of Do Not Touch signs in National Trust sites.

He also gave readings of The Rain, Round There, and Blue, as well as unpublished Shampoo Tears and Attention Deficit, which examines life with ADHD.

Speaking at the event, Mr Bailey said: “We all have an idea of what we really like about poetry.

“We know what’s good in

RHYME TIME: Dr Casey Bailey was Birmingham’s Poet Laureate between 2020 and 2022 and visited Reading’s Poets’ Cafe.

Picture: Paul Stringer

poetry or what we want to do, but ultimately once you have words you can create poetry.

“Whether that resonates with other people or not, it’s just something for you.”

This doesn’t mean that a poem cannot have an aim, he explains:

“There are some poems that are definitely written with the intention to highlight something or to bring it to people’s attention, but then there are some things that are written to process.

“I think what I first realised when reading or listening to poets like Caleb Femi is that it’s sometimes about understanding.

“And then other people see it and recognise that perhaps they’ve

always understood it, but haven’t been able to express it themselves.”

He said also that groups like the Poets’ Cafe contribute to that process: “Any gathering of poets Is great, at any time.

“When we work on the craft of poetry, our understanding develops with our poetry.

“In my experience, the better you get at writing, the better you get at understanding, and the more clearly you see the world.”

The Poets’ Cafe is organised by the Reading Stanza of The Poetry Society, which hosts a number of regular poetry events across Reading and online.

The next Poet’s cafe will take place at South Street Arts Centre on Friday, and again on the second Friday of every month.

Next month’s session will see a guest performance by Jonathan Davidson and the usual open-mic performances, hosted by Claire Dyer.

Tickets are £5 for non-reading audience members, and £4 for those reading.

n Full information about the group and its events can be found via: www.poetscafereading.co.uk

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Subhaan Nazir, was found guilty by unanimous jury verdict of a count each of possession with intent to supply crack cocaine and possession with intent to supply heroin

Man among two jailed for drugs supply offences

A READING man has been jailed following after being convicted for drug supply offences.

Subhaan Nazir, aged 21, of Greenham Avenue, Reading, was found guilty by unanimous jury verdict at a trial at Reading Crown Court which concluded on Thursday, January 26.

Nazir was found guilty of one count of possession with intent to supply crack cocaine and one count of possession with intent to supply heroin.

He was sentenced to three years in jail and ordered to forfeit the drugs, mobile phones, and a quantity of cash.

Saifullah Iqbal, aged 21, of Thorpe Park Road, Peterborough, also pleaded guilty to the same offences.

Iqbal was sentenced to two years in prison, though the sentence was suspended for two years.

On Thursday, August 18, last year, police officers observed a black Audi A3 in a car park on Gillette Way, at the junction of Little Johns Lane and Oxford Road.

After two people walked away from the vehicle, Nazir was stopped in the vehicle and searched, though he appeared to swallow multiple objects.

Nazir was detained for a search and, due to concerns that he had ingested drugs, he was taken to hospital.

50 years a snapper: Reading his milestone and looks back

By STEVE SMYTH news@wokingham.today

LAST Sunday was exactly 50 years since I started work as a photographer, I feel so lucky to have done so.

I could never have realised that doing a newspaper round in my early teens would play such an important part in my life.

He would be found with two wraps, one each of heroin and crack as well as a roll of white plastic gloves which were in the boot of the car.

Officers also found 50 wraps of heroin and cocaine stowed beneath the vehicle’s chassis, and £300 of cash was recovered from his address in Greenham Avenue.

Iqbal was a passenger in the same vehicle, and was charged with the same offences.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Aimee Usher of the Reading Stronghold team said: “Through our Stronghold activity, we will proactively and robustly target and prosecute drug dealers.

“Our activity will be both visible and covert, aimed at disrupting offenders involved in the supply of drugs, which cause untold harm in our communities.

“No matter who you are, we are watching you, and will take every step necessary to bring you to justice if you choose to deal drugs.

“The public plays an important part in us tackling these offences, developing intelligence into a proactive investigation.

“If you have any information, we would urge you to report it to us, either via our website, or by calling 101.

“For anonymity, you can also call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

High pressure can lead to a hotter cuppa

RECORD high pressure around the UK could lead to cups of tea being a little hotter than usual.

Measurements taken at the University of Reading’s Atmospheric Observatory are showing that atmospheric pressure is unusually high; this slightly raises water’s boiling point.

Prof Giles Harrison from the Department of Meteorology said: “Water boils when the pressure from the liquid equals the external pressure, so if that external pressure is increased, the boiling point increases too.

“During a similar period of high pressure in January 2020 the boiling point was increased by about 1ºC.

“The opposite effect occurs at high altitudes where the atmospheric pressure is lower, so the boiling point of water is also lower. For example, pure water boils at 68ºC at the top of Mount Everest.

“In the UK this week, the extra national energy consumption seems likely to be very small, especially when compared with the energy demand from the associated cold weather.

“But, and this depends on where people are, it may mean our tea is just slightly hotter than usual.”

Areas of high and low pressure are caused by ascending and descending air.

Warm air rises and leads to lower pressure at the surface, while cool air falls and results in high pressure at the surface.

On Sunday, February 5, the second highest February pressure reading was recorded by Dr Stephen Burt at 1047.3 hectopascals (hPa).

The highest was recorded at 1049 hPa on February 15, 1934.

Sunday’s reading was also the fourth highest reading in the university’s entire record, which dates back to 1908.

I loved newspapers and, like almost all kids doing a paper round, I used to read some of them before delivering them through letterboxes.

My hobby was film making and taking photographs and decided that if it were possible, I wanted to be a newspaper photographer.

I always thought my dream assignment would be to photograph a Moon launch from Cape Kennedy.

By the time I entered the sixth form at school, I decide that I would travel to Florida to photograph the Apollo 17 launch, the last flight to the moon.

I wrote to NASA in Washington DC saying that I was attending the launch to write a story and do pictures for a college magazine (a slight light lie, it was actually the school magazine) and they responded by giving me press accreditation for the launch.

This only increased my desire to work as a photographer and when I returned from the States, I was given the opportunity by the local newspaper to take a job as a trainee photographer.

The only problem was that they wanted to me start straight away which meant I had to leave school a couple of days later.

The day I started work, I should have been sitting my mock A-levels, so I ended up never taking them. It turned out to be the best decision I ever made.

In the 70s and 80s, in addition to normal news jobs, I covered many more events at the Kennedy Space Centre, including the Skylab, ApolloSoyuz and Space Shuttle launches.

The pictures I took were published in 43 different countries.

Since then, having gone freelance in 1995, I have had a fantastic working life, covering so many events, meeting so many wonderful people and in some very small way, recording moments in history.

In recent years, I’ve enjoyed working for the Wokingham Today and more recently, the Reading Today newspapers and I hope to be able to continue to do that for some time to come.

This year, I hope to give a series of talks to groups that maybe interested in seeing my photographs that I took at the Kennedy Space Centre.

Throughout my career, I have photographed sporting events, from grassroots action to the Royals, not just at their home grounds but also at Wembley, among other stadiums

STS3 - the third Shuttle launch, photographed by my remote camera

Forbury Gardens Memorial Event last year. The lion was lit up in memory of the three victims of a terrorist attack

STS26 – the first Shuttle launch after the Challenger accident, photographed by my remote camera.

Me at a Space Shuttle launch

The Apollo 17 Press Badge that started my career

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

YoYo is certainly a top dog

WE ALL love good crime fighters.

For every Morse and Van der Valk, there are alternatives like Batman.

And there is a specialist category for canine friends. After all, hit movies like Turner and Hooch are popular for a reason.

This week, the spotlight is turned on Reading’s very own good dog: Yo Yo.

This impressive pooch has been trained to sniff out fake cigarettes.

No, we’re not sure how she does it, but she has been in action, finding an incredible 20,000 illegal or counterfit ciggies on Reading’s Oxford Road, worth £5,000.

For many of us, smoking is a relic of the 20th century. No more the smelly cinemas, horrible aircraft cabins, and smoky pubs.

But others still have ciggies on a regular basis. They should be buying goods they know are legitimate –reducing the risk of inhaling dangerous substances and ensuring appropriate taxes are paid.

Yo Yo has done us all a service, well done. Give that dog a bone.

CHURCH NOTES

The Cure

OUR family is a supporter of the campaigns driven by Doddie Weir and Rob Burrow, raising awareness of motor neurone disease (MND) and money for research to find a cure.

It was very sad when Doddie passed away in November.

The clock is ticking and do what we may, we can’t stop it.

Science has given us so much hope as we treat disease and find cures to prevent things like polio, smallpox, diphtheria and controlling the spread of cancer, but the bottom line is, we can’t stop the clock.

Science has become to us the god of the universe; with scientific knowledge there is nothing we cannot do.

But science continually disproves itself: the combustion engine – the environmentally friendly solution to the pollution caused by horses in our towns and cities; the dash for gas in the ‘70s – the clean energy solution to coal; and look where we are now.

What started as discovery and understanding has become our god that we look to, to control our future.

But we have a hope. Because Jesus rose from the dead we can put our trust in His promises that despite what life throws at us, we can know peace and joy and eternal life in Him.

In 1971, Bill and Gloria Gaither wrote a popular hymn which says ‘Because He lives, I can face tomorrow. Because He lives all fear is gone. Because I know He holds the future. And life is worth the living because He lives.’

Ian Stewart is a member of Christ Church Wokingham, writing on behalf of Churches Together Wokingham

Please think of others

It appears I may need a pill that shuts off memories of long ago. That may seem a strange opening remark to a letter, but world and for that matter, our country’s situation worries me.

My concern would be much worse if I had children, especially young ones.

I am not quite old enough to remember much before 1935, but I cannot close the” book” my memory seems to want to use daily, as Europe began to see the growth of terrible enemies to our society.

Whatever we hear or are concerned about we must never ignore the young and any ramifications on their lives, standard of living, their security, health and so on.

For years, I have worried that the monied people, e.g. business owners, in this country have been only too pleased to sell to countries like China – in so many cases selling or giving away the knowledge of our excellent engineers, designers, etc. There has been an enormous amount of take-over and investment of wealth in us. Personally I would not have allowed that to happen!

As the today’s press, especially American, is revealing their concerns for our future, in a world that has the KGB element in Russia, even in the early days indicating it likes to kill/act as a Hitler, to simply grab territory; being great friends with China, who still consider their poor millions, as fodder for battles.( I

From the Chamber

Matt Rodda

missed being sent to fight in the Korean War by months.)

Surely, we must watch the world about us, and see how we can protect our peoples, which leads me to Europe. I still believe the European countries we were close to before Brexit, should even more so, be working closely together and limiting trade with those that would do us harm.

We pay fortunes to China to help their weapons businesses, as we did with Russia.

Rather than going on and on, I do attach great importance to Australia, New Zealand and Canada – we must keep them very close. Let Scotland have its independence, but do not forget they are formidable allies when fighting with us.

Studying Second World War history, against Japan, Germany and Italy, may have caused my loss of sleep – but we must never forget.

Reg Clifton, Wokingham Take time to listen

It is sad to hear of this latest case of the schizophrenic ladyfinally found in her flat – having been lying there, dead, for years. It is not uncommon for a mentally ill, or elderly, person to be found dead – but usually, they are found within a few days.

I can remember the Community Psychiatric Nursing Service being introduced in 1968. The THEORY was that chronic schizophrenics would be nursed in their own homes – rather than on long-stay hospital wards, and

Reform our energy and water markets to protect consumers

WE all rely on our utilities. Our water, our gas and electricity, broadband and internet and our mobile phone coverage.

Each of them is necessities without which are lives become more difficult.

Yet, something is desperately wrong with the provision of these basic serves.

Last week, Shell, reported an eye-watering £38 billion in annual profits.

It’s the largest profit reported by an oil and gas company ever. Shell is a UK headquartered company but paid just £111 million through the Government’s windfall tax.

We also heard last week that

the CPN’s, would function as the perfect amalgam of nurse and social worker.

Did it work out? It did not.

I have long held the view, that the most important of the Crisis House’s services, is to provide a place for lonely, and isolated, schizophrenics.

With chronic schizophrenics, I encourage them to get out of bed, get washed and dressed, and down the road to the Crisis House Drop-In Centre.

Regular checks need to be made – in order to avoid more instances like this latest tragedy.

There is no need for any mentally ill person to be lonely and isolated. Our Drop-In Centre is open 10.30am to 4.30pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays.

Nowhere could be easier to find. We are the little old cream-washed house – just across Station Approach from the Railway Station, and next door to The Station Tap Pub – whose car park is a lot cheaper than is the station car park. Buses, also, are only one minute away. You don’t need an appointment, nor a referral, to come to us.

Just walk in, and you will be welcome. I can guarantee that there will be a comfortable armchair, and a cup of tea – and sympathetic people to talk to.

Our telephone is 0118 979 2620. Visit: www.wokingham mentalhealth.org.uk and my e-mail address is pamjenkinson@ wokinghammentalhealth.org.uk

Pam Jenkinson, The Wokingham Crisis House

been named as one of the worst offenders for the discharge of raw sewage into our rivers. Real-time reporting has shown that raw sewage was pumped into Rivers in the South East for thousands of hours – including in and around Reading.

In September 2022, Thames Water published a profit of £400 million.

From the Chamber

Cllr Jason Brock

Come and support Ukraine with Reading’samazing benefit concert

ALMOST one year on from the invasion of Ukraine, one cannot begin to imagine the pain and suffering its people continue to endure.

The longer the war goes on, we can become numbed to the horrific images and regular news reports. We are determined for that not to happen in Reading.

As a town, Reading has always gone above and beyond in providing support for people who are seeking refuge from conflict. Since the start of the invasion, we have welcomed 258 Ukrainian nationals through the Homes for Ukraine scheme.

Soon after the conflict began, Reading’s Mayor launched an appeal for financial donations to the Reading Ukrainian Community Centre.

The appeal came after the Centre’s premises on Sidmouth Street were overwhelmed with generous donations of food, clothes, medical items, and other gifts-in-kind by local people in Reading. The idea was for the money to help with the costs of sending aid to Ukraine and to prepare the Community Centre for the arrival of Ukrainian refugees in Reading.

To date, an incredible £12,235 has been raised for this purpose and, once again, Reading has proved that it is a City of Sanctuary not only in name, but in our actions.

There is another important opportunity to support our Ukrainian friends later this month, which I’d like to draw your attention to.

Next Friday, February 17, Reading will host a special benefit concert.

It begins at 7.30pm and will be hosted at Reading Town Hall by the Mayor of Reading and our friends at the Reading Ukrainian Community Centre, whose efforts to support their fellow nationals have been incredible over the past year.

British Gas has been using private firms to force entry into the homes of British Gas customers and install expensive-pre pay meters. These meters cost more per unit of gas and electricity than a regular meter and as soon as any credit on the meter runs out, the gas and electricity is essentially cut off.

The reports shared last week were off families in financial stress with young children and vulnerable elderly people suddenly left with a stark choice of sitting on the cold and dark or having money left for food.

British Gas reported a operating profits of £1.3 billon for the first half of 2022.

But it is not just energy companies. Thames Water has

And across Reading and Woodley, we are seeing the huge expansion of mobile phone masts being dropped into communities with little consultation with local residents and City Fibre is digging up great swathes of the Town, causing considerable delays and disruption.

Without Gas, Electricity, Water, Broadband or phone coverage, our day-to-day lives would be very different and much more difficult but I believe that this need that we have for their services does not give them the right to treat consumers the way they do.

The next Labour Government has been clear that we’ll reform these markets, giving a greater role for consumers and tackling the worst excesses from companies who are all to often quick t bank a profit and slow to consider the people they are here to serve.

Matt

It promises to be an evening full of entertainment, showcasing Ukrainian culture in all its glory. Performances will include Prolisok – who I’m told recently appeared on the BBC’s One Show and will be premiering a specially written dance for the event – and Mirage, who will perform a modern take on Ukrainian songs.

Playing the bandura, the national instrument of Ukraine, is London group Band Era and other special guests will take to the stage for performances in both English and Ukrainian.

All money raised at the tribute concert will go directly to aid Ukrainian people.

You can book a ticket online at: whatsonreading.com/venues/concert-hall/ whats-on/good-evening-were-ukraine-benefitconcert-ukraine

Please tell your friends and family and, if you can spare the time and a bit of money for a very worthwhile cause, we would love to see you there.

I can’t think of a better way to spend a Friday night.

Rodda is the MP for Reading East

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

Carters site to be demolished and replaced with 60 homes

By JAMES ALDRIDGE Local democracy reporter

AN EMPTY shop on Reading’s Caversham Road will be demolished and turned into housing.

The former home of outdoor specialist store Carters will become 60 homes under the plans from Bellway Homes.

Carters was launched in Thatcham in 1820, then traded from Castle Street before moving to Caversham Road in 1962.

The store closed in December 2019, and last year Reading Borough Council’s planning committee granted permission to demolish the existing building and replace it with 21 one-bedroom flats, 18 twobedroom flats, 11 three-bedroom flats and 10 four-bedroom houses.

These will be built within three apartment buildings and two terraces of houses, with 30 car parking spaces on site and a Car Club space provided off site.

Councillors across the political spectrum praised the proposal for bringing a dormant site into use.

“I’m especially pleased to see a brownfield site come into use, especially now the Carters shop is closed, and I’m really pleased to see it meet 30% affordable

VOLUNTEER CORNER

n THE Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service has a wide range of services to help keep communities safe, including safety and protection advice to residents and businesses, as well as enforcing fire safety legislation and reducing fire risk in the built environment.

As a Community Fire Safety Volunteer you will: Present road and water safety information to young people in a school setting, share safety information and advice at Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service events and attend local community events to help promote safety messages

This role would suit those who are confident speakers. The Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service will provide you with training, out of pocket expenses and a volunteer uniform.

n Reading Blind Aid Society was formed in 1883 and then changed to Reading Association for the Blind in 1926 and has supported the sight impaired people of Reading ever since.

They currently need helpers at their Social Club. They have arts and crafts activities where volunteers help members participate. This would be a perfect

VISION OF THE FUTURE: What the Caversham Road frontage would look like at the Carters site in Reading. Credit: RM_A

housing off the bat, haven’t got to moan about that, that’s great,” said Cllr James Moore (Liberal Democrats, Tilehurst).

Cllr Simon Robinson (Conservative, Emmer Green) said: “I welcome this, I think it’s a good design, a good mix of development, I’m certainly happy with what I’ve seen.”

And Cllr Tony Page (Labour, Abbey) said: “The Carters site is an interesting one, it’s been well used, it’s been very much

an established feature but of course run down over a number of years.

“At its heyday, it did also cause complaints from residents of Swansea Road, so we shouldn’t think that the former activities on that site were all a land of milk and honey.

“The transition over the last few years to a fairly rundown site has not been one that’s been welcomed, so this application is

a good one.”

Cllr Micky Leng (Labour, Whitley) praised the developer for providing policy compliant affordable housing, with a focus on two- and four-bedroom homes.

Of the 60 homes, 18 will be affordable: seven one-bedroom flats, four two-bedroom flats, five three-bedroom flats and two four-bedroom houses.

Cllr Matt Yeo (Labour, Caversham) raised concerns

Half term sustainability

A MUSEUM is helping children and their families learn about environmental issues through fun-filled half term sessions.

Visitors can enjoy workshops, trails, activities and crafts at The Museum of English Rural Life (MERL), all based on the theme ‘reduce, reuse and recycle’.

Children aged five and over can be booked on to a free ‘repurposing’ object exploration session or drop into a sunflower amulet-making workshop for £3. The latter will see youngsters manufacture creations from old fabrics and clothing.

The MERL’s Museums, My Way session is for neurodivergent visitors of all ages and will introduce the concept of recycling. Booking is free, but essential.

about future drivers trying to leave the site onto Caversham Road having to turn right to do so.

A planning officer said the highways team have worked with Bellway Homes to ensure the access road allows for twoway access to avoid vehicles queuing to get into the site.

The scheme was unanimously approved by the council’s planning committee on Wednesday, February 1.

These events have been inspired by the museum’s Our Green Stories project, which explores environmental issues through its collections.

Families can take part in a wide range of activities at the museum and garden throughout half term, such as negotiating the woodland brass rubbing trails, hopping on the wooden tractor and wagon, and meeting the garden’s chicken.

A winter family activity pack can be purchased from the gift shop for £4.

n For information on timings and prices, visit: merl.reading.ac.uk

opportunity for caring volunteers that happen to be creative.

These Social Clubs are held at Walford Hall and provide a safe, much needed social environment for their members.

n Enrych Berkshire is an organisation that provides people with disabilities extra support to help them to enjoy hobbies, interests and activities of their choosing.

They currently want to recruit a friendly volunteer to help a gentleman in their 40s get out and about more.

The Enrych Member has survived a Stroke. Having somebody to go out walking with them would be incredibly helpful as that exercise is an important part of their rehabilitation.

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 volunteering@rva.org.uk or call 0118 937 2273.

In association with Blandy & Blandy

Buy-to-let landlords see return on investment in 18 months

By PHIL CREIGHTON news@rdg.today

BUY-TO-LET landlords looking to buy a property will see a return on their investment within three years according to a new study.

Bonusetu.com analysed current market data from Zoopla, Rightmove, and Propertypal to reveal the best place to buy a onebedroom property.

This was done by comparing the average price of a one-bedroom property in all 76 UK cities (as listed on the gov.uk website) and the Isle of Man to the average monthly rental income.

If you bought a property in Reading, the average return on investment (ROI) period is 1.43 years – the fourth best in the country, while in Wokingham, it would be closer to 2.65 years.

And bought places would see a rental yield higher than the Bank of England’s interest rate of 4%.

In Reading, the average rental for a one-bed flat is £1,845, and average property price is £211,875. A 15% deposit would be £31,781.25.

The rental yield is 10.45%, and it

Business community helps Wargrave-based charity with raffle

A WARGRAVE-based charity that helps families who have children with additional needs has received a donation from a business networking group.

At its new year meeting, members of Wokingham Positive Difference took part in a raffle, with donations going to the work of Camp Mohawk.

In all, £395 was raised at the event, held in Wokingham’s town hall on Friday, January 27.

The money will go towards the running costs of its multi-functional day centre.

Wokingham Positive Difference brings together business, local government, and community for the collective benefit of all. Organisers said they wanted to thank everyone who contributed to the raffle.

n For more details, or to book for the next meeting, log on to: www. wokinghampositivedifference.co.uk

The study also found that London and Chester took the longest to see a 15% return, with London having a return period of 201.2 months and Chester having a return period of 88.6 months.

Bonusetu.com also compared these figures to those of a threebedroom property and discovered that a one-bed property will return a deposit 32.7% faster than a threebedroom property.

The average three-bedroom property in the UK has a rent of £1,648, takes 55 months to earn back a 15% deposit, and a rent yield of 3.86%.

The average one-bedroom property has a rent of £957.13, takes 37.6 months to earn back a 15% deposit, and a rent yield of 5.75%.

would take just over 17 months to earn back the deposit.

Wokingham’s average one-bed rental is £1,300, and the average price is higher at £275,000. A 15% deposit is £41,325, and the rental yield is 5.66%, so it would take nearly 32 months to earn the deposit back.

The study showed that Coventry is the best city to invest in property

Osborne Clarke advises Vodafone

TELECOMMUNICATIONS firm Vodafone has sold its Newbury campus - but it’s not going anywhere.

It has arranged long-term leases on four of the seven buildings at the site, in a deal arranged by law firm Osborne Clarke.

The seven properties have a net internal area of 486,810 sqft (45,226 sqm) and are set on 38 acres of landscaped grounds. It has been home to the company since the early 21st century.

The campus has purchased by clients of IQON Capital and Oval Real Estate with the intention of upgrading it into a world-class business and innovation campus.

The Osborne Clarke team that advised Vodafone included corporate real estate partner Alison Riddle and associate Svetlana Kisyova; legal director Catherine Gunz and associate Hayley Batki in real estate; partner Tracey Wright and associate director Alex Makinson in Tax; partner Mark Taylor, and associate director Georgina Graham in commercial; and partner Paul Killen and associate director Leanne Coates in employment.

Vodafone was advised on the transaction by Colliers, with Chris Lewis, head of office investment and Rob Campkin, head of corporate capital solutions.

because it will return your deposit faster than any other UK city. It would take you as little as 14.8 months to earn back the average deposit of £19.875 with its rental yield of 12.2%.

The second-best place is Birmingham. It takes approximately 15.6 months for the 12.5% rent yield to return your initial deposit. Reading came in fourth.

A spokesperson from Bonusetu. com said: “This research highlights the importance of evaluating current market conditions when considering investing in the housing market.

“By analysing the live market data, we can provide valuable insights for motivated property investors who are looking to maximise their return on investment in 2023.”

UNDER THE HAMMER: Continuity House in Bracknell will be auctioned on Thursday, February 16

Empty office building with planning

AN EMPTY office building on a busy Bracknell road is coming up for auction next week.

Continuity House on London Road comprises office accommodation arranged over ground, first, and second floors on a site of 0.22 acres.

And it has planning permission to create a fivestorey residential scheme comprising 20 apartments

together with parking for 22 vehicles.

It will be auctioned by Acutius with a guide price of £1.2m.

The firm’s investment director Jon Skerry was convinced it would be a popular property.

“A development opportunity in the heart of Bracknell will be attractive to various investors

– especially as it benefits planning consent to develop the site into a residential scheme,” he said.

The sale takes place from 2pm on Thursday, February 16, and will be broadcast on Acuitus’ website. Bidding can be made online, by phone or proxy.

n For more details, log on to: www.acuitus.co.uk

WAITING GAME: Buy-to-let landlords purchasing a one-bed flat will see a return on their investment within 18 months in Reading Picture: Shahid Abdullah from Pixabay

DONATION: Samantha Rosier from Camp Mohawk with Graeme Hobbs Chairman of Wokingham Positive Difference

True love on campus: Cupid is alive and well at University of Reading

By JI-MIN LEE jlee@rdg.today

UNIVERSITY relationships can be fleeting, but students at Reading are proving that true love still outs – for a year at least.

With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, a survey has revealed that 81.3% of those who met a romantic partner at Reading enjoyed a relationship of over one year, the highest rate of the UK’s top 30 universities.

The Knowledge Academy asked 3,500 current and former students about the nature of their university romances, documenting the lengths of relationships and whether they led to marriage or children.

Despite enjoying admirable longevity once in a relationship, only 13.2% of Reading students met a romantic partner during their time at university, well below the 35.6% national average.

Only in Glasgow and Aberdeen did love prove harder to come by.

York proved to be the UK’s city of love, with 63.3% of students saying they had met a romantic partner there. Manchester, Bristol, Leeds and Southampton completed the top five.

Two Reading alumni who didn’t struggle to find their special someone on campus

were Hazel and Andrew Coleman, whose relationship has prevailed since meeting at the freshers’ disco on their very first night on campus in 1973.

Hazel said: “Andrew was in Mansfield Hall studying Psychology and I was in Bridges studying English. We didn’t go out with each other for ages, but it felt inevitable, somehow.

“We moved in together in our second year, quite shocking to our parents at that time, and married in 1977. I had polio as a child, and am quite severely disabled now. Andrew has been the most wonderful partner,

caring for me and making me laugh for most of my life.”

According to the study, the likelihood of marrying a university partner is relatively low, with 12.2% revealing they tied the knot with their university love.

Only 11.6% of those who met someone at Reading went on to marry that person, with 8.3% having children together.

Queen’s University Belfast proved the most successful in converting university romances into marriages, with just over one fifth of participants marrying someone they’d met

Unsent Letters exhibition Ponder the parallel universe

AN EXHIBITION will explore the written word and the relationships that are represented in written correspondence.

Unsent Letters will explore letters dedicated to loved ones, strangers, acquaintances, friends, and family, and how they lay bare the intricacies of personal relationships.

It is also seeking anonymous submissions of letters for the exhibition, with exhibits displayed alongside dozens of others on the theme of love.

It runs at The Rising Sun Arts Centre from Friday, February 10 through to to Sunday, February 12, and is open from 1pm-5pm.

n No tickets are necessary, though more information about submissions and attendance can be found via: whatsonreading.com

Broad Street Mall spreads the love for Valentine’s Day

that Andree, my now wife, was an international student from Canada on a student visa. Trying to be funny, I asked, “Do you know Justin Beiber?”. Without hesitation she clapped back “Do you know Prince Harry?” giving the other students within earshot a giggle at my expense.

“She was quick, fiery and intimidatingly beautiful.”

The pair began dating in January 2014, working on their thesis research project together over the summer.

With the end of the academic year looming and Andree’s temporary student visa expiring, it was decided she could not stay in the UK.

CUSTOMERS at one of Reading’s shopping centres will be treated to something extra in honour of Valentine’s Day.

Broad Street Mall will greet visitors with a new floral bench installed in the site’s central square, filled with red roses.

Roses will be free for customer to pick, with space to take selfies with friends or loved ones.

It will also be offering free chocolate heart lollipops for youngsters.

Reading Male Voice Choir will be in attendance between 11am-noon for a special Valentine’s performance.

on campus.

Ed and Andree Church, former Masters students are also now married having met in a wildlife management and conservation lecture in 2013.

Of their first meeting, Ed said: “I went to sit in my own row in the middle of the Harborne Lecture Theatre, behind some other students. Having nervously introduced myself to my new peers, I couldn’t help but notice that one had an interesting accent.

“Further chatting found out

Ed said: “A long distance relationship was an option, but what was the end game? Standing just before security at Heathrow departures, Andrée assured me that she would do all that she could to return to the UK.

Love prevailed and Andree returned to the UK on a new visa. Ed described the embrace at Heathrow as one that will stay with him.

They married in 2021. They welcomed their daughter Elodie last November.

n To find out more, visit the University of Reading’s alumni page: sites.reading.ac.uk/ connected

Steven Connolly, general manager Broad Street Mall, said: ‘It’s great we have so much on offer this Valentine’s Day at Broad Street Mall.

“Whether with a friend or a loved one, we hope customers enjoy celebrating at the mall with us.”

Broad Street Mall is holding its Valentine’s Day celebrations on Saturday, February 11, from 11am-4pm.

n For more information about Broad Street Mall, including its range of outlets for Valentine’s Gifts such as F Hinds and Warren James, visit: broadstreetmall.com

THE UNIVERSITY of Reading is hosting a talk pondering the parallel universes, provided by Seed Talks.

The Science of The Multiverse: Do Parallel Universes Exist? will see Dr Harry Cliff, a particle physicist at the University of Cambridge, explore the concept of the multiverse.

Dr Cliff will lead attendees through the reasons why a scientist might take the concept of a multiverse seriously and how it fits in with our best understanding of existence.

The Science of The Multiverse: Do Parallel Universes Exist? takes place at Palmer Lecture Theatre, University of Reading, on Tuesday, March 14, from 6.45pm.

n Earlybird tickets con £12.25, available via: www.eventbrite.co.uk

Store applies for alcohol licence to run 24 hours a day, across the week

THE company that runs Home Bargains has applied to sell alcohol at a store it is preparing to open in Whitley.

T. J. Morris Ltd wants to open branch of the discount store chain homeware items in Brunel Retail Park, Rose Kiln Lane.

When it is opened, 100 jobs are expected to be created.

It has applied Reading Borough Council for permission to sell alcohol 24 hours a day,

seven days a week. However, its usual trading hours are 8am to 8pm every day except Sundays, when it opens 11am to 5pm.

In July last year, MCTGF, the owners of Brunel Retail Park, won approval to fuse Units 4 and 5 together to clear the way for Home Bargains, under planning application reference 220145. These were the former homes of Go Outdoors and SCS Sofas.

Home Bargains has been contacted for clarity on opening hours and an opening date for the store but was unavailable for comment.

The chain has an existing store not far away at the Reading Link Retail Park off the A33, and there is a branch of B&M in Brunel Retail Park.

n Comments on the application can by made by emailing licensing@reading.gov.uk

Sung in Italian with English surtitles.

THE INDEPENDENT

This stunning, traditional production includes the classic “Triumphal March” with a temple dance, cascades of glittering gold and amazing fire performers.

includes a local

IT MUST BE LOVE: The Knowledge Academy’s survey found that the University of Reading holds the highest rate of long-term relationship out of the UK’s top 30 universities.

“Visually and vocally gripping”

La Bohème, one of the most romantic operas ever written,

brass band and snow effects.

“Authentic, tender and passionate”

Cast subject to change.

Sung in Italian with English surtitles.

Senbla presents Opera International’s award-winning Ellen Kent Productions featuring the Ukrainian Opera & Ballet Theatre Kyiv, with international soloists, highly-praised chorus and full orchestra

Honest motherhood Angela Garwood

3pm eternal: no cause for alarm

WELL there’s a first for everything isn’t there.This week something happened that has never happened before. Something bad.

This week, Tuesday to be precise, I slept through my alarm.

Not my morning alarm, which would have been fine, Joel or Maia would have woken me.

My other alarm.

I don’t usually nap anymore. It was a necessity when Leo was a baby, but now, I get by without. Normally he only wakes once in the night. Twice at most. (Occasionally he’ll sleep through ...) Not Monday night. Or the night before. He had an ear infection, so as well as being very hot, there was lots of coughing and snuffling and generally wanting me.

After nights like this, if I’m on my knees, (like Tuesday) I’ll close my eyes for half an hour between lunch and school pick up.

(PICK UP. Where I collect my daughter from school. That thing.)

That thing I did not do on Tuesday because I slept through my afternoon alarm. Both of them.

I woke at 3.37 (my alarm was set for 2.25 with a follow up at 2.30?!).

Pick-up is at 3.25.

Obviously, this was the one day I decided to let Joel have the car. (He did the morning school run and it was raining so..) I was looking forward to collecting Maia on foot that afternoon, a brisk 20-minute walk. But collecting her would involve being conscious at 3pm, which of course I was not.

3.38: What to do. What to do. Legging it over there would be fine if I was alone, but the rigmarole of hastily waking Leo and hoping he’d be compliant in sitting in his pushchair (he wouldn’t) seemed a less favourable option.

The thought of Maia stood there, alone, wondering where on earth her mother was, exacerbated my panic.

This is the part where, in hindsight, I absolutely should have woken Leo, got him into his pushchair and sprinted to school. I did not do this.

Instead, I called my Mum, failed to get through, so tried the home number. Which my Dad answered.

“Would you like me to collect her?” he said softly.

Of course I said “Yes please” when I should have said “no, thank you”.

Misjudging the timings and utterly delusional, I believed in that moment that my Dad (whose mobility is far from great and has a disabled parking badge) would be there in a flash. Good decisions are rarely made from a place of hysteria.

Maia was, eventually, collected from school. My poor Dad, who should never have been dragged out in Tuesday’s grim weather with his Zimmer frame, saved the day.

Happy to see her Grandad, but understandably not so thrilled with me, I was justifiably reprimanded that evening for my negligence.

I am still requesting her forgiveness.

I’ve learnt several lessons from this painstaking ordeal.

Firstly, never ever have a nap if you have somewhere to be at a certain time, it’s far too risky.

Second, running to the school will always be faster and less torturous than the minutes/years I spent worrying and waiting for Grandad to call and tell me they were home safe.

Lastly, to contradict my first lesson, if you are to take a nap (don’t), avoid wearing earplugs so effective you fail to hear your own alarm.

Angela blogs at The Colourful Kind

Commissioner pounds the pavement on patrol with pastors

THE STARS are coming out this month … and you’re invited to keep your eyes for them.

No, not local legends such as Ricky Gervais and Kate Winslet (although keep your eyes out as you never know…) but the heavenlies.

Countryside charity CPRE is organising is annual Star Count event, a citizen science project that calls on people to look up and take count.

It says that nothing beats looking upwards to see velvety blackness, with twinkling constellations as far as the eye can see, but the view can be marred by light pollution.

This, it adds, disrupts wildlife, affects sleep cycles, and contributes to carbon emissions.

So between Fridays, February 17 and February 24, the Berkshire branch of CPRE is asking people to count all the stars you can see in the Orion constellation. CPRE says no special equipment is needed as the count is carried out with the eye.

Greg Wilkinson, chairman of CPRE Berkshire, says: “We want to make sure that we can all enjoy starlit nights, and we need your help in measuring what effect light is having on our views of the galaxy. And the best way to see

how many stars we can all see in the sky is to count them.

“So every year, around February, CPRE asks people from all across the country to become ‘citizen scientists’ and look heavenwards for one night. We hope lots of people in Berkshire will sign up to take part in this year’s exciting project which really is something the whole family can get involved in.”

The results are compared to previous years and create a map of the best and worst places to go stargazing in the county.

“This will enable us to work with local councils and others to decide what to do about it,” says Mr Wilkinson.

“Together, we can work towards rewilding our skies for the benefit of people and wildlife.”

He added: “Star Count is a great activity, whether on your own, with friends or with family, and you don’t need to go out of your way.

“You can take part at your local green space, your garden, or even just by looking out of your window – but be sure to switch all your lights off first.”

n For more details, log on to: www. cpre.org.uk and click on the link for Star Count.

A rugby special in a bun

RUGBY is on the mind of many of us this month, as the annual Six Nations tournament returns.

To celebrate, a burger has had a Guinness-inspired makeover.

Honest Burgers, which has a branch in Reading’s town centre, has brought back its rugby special.

It comprises crispy onions, Honest beef and pickles, rocket, candied bacon, and Guinness fondue cheese. It is then topped with Guinness bacon and chive gravy, and crowned with a toasted bun.

It’s more successful than England were against Scotland in the opening round of fixtures, and costs £14, with a side.

Adam Layton, Honest Burgers’ head of food, said: “Our Guinness Fondue burger is a fan favourite and packed with pints and pints of the ‘black stuff’.

“We make beer fondue cheese with cheddar and mozzarella for the

essential cheese pull shot and keep plenty of Guinness aside for our homemade stout and bacon gravy, which is of course applied liberally.”

It is only available until Tuesday, February 28.

n For more details, log on to: www.honestburgers.co.uk

By JAKE CLOTHIER jclothier@rdg.today

THE POLICE and Crime Commissioner for Thames Valley, Matthew Barber, gets a first-hand glimpse of how funding is helping community projects.

Mr Barber joined First Stop and Reading Street Pastors, which both saw £5,000 of investment from the PCC Community Fund.

First Stop provides first aid and pastoral care, set-up by Reading Borough Council with Transform Reading, and operates in the town centre during the late evening on Fridays and Saturdays.

Reading Street Pastors are trained volunteers from churches around Reading who also lend their support to members of the public while on patrol in town from 10.30pm-3am on Fridays and Saturdays.

On Friday, January 27, Mr Barber paid a visit to First Stop before joining Reading Street Pastors for a patrol in Reading’s town centre.

The visit is part of an ongoing programme of engagement work by the PCC’s office which will see a number of regular visits with partners and funded organisations through the year.

Mr Barber said: “It was a pleasure

Reading is the UK’s safest city

READING is the UK’s safest city, with just 59 recorded crimes per 1,000 people.

The town came top of a new survey that looked at the city centre safety level for crime, pickpocketing, theft, violent crime and vandalism. Compiled by Get Licensed, the statistics show that the Ding came out well against other areas on the various matrixes.

The report states: “Crime rates in Reading are particularly low, despite its large population of over 318,000. Reading had among the lowest sexual offence cases out of all cities (2.09 reported per 1,000 people). The city also scored low for its offences related to possession of weapons (0.40 per 1,000), as well as drug offences (1.84 per 1,000).”

Next lowest was Swansea, its total recorded crimes at 60 per 1,000 people. It had low crime rates across all factors, with the lowest cases of robberies out of any other cities (0.26 per 1,000), and for possession

of weapon offences (0.33 per 1,000). Swansea also had low levels of miscellaneous crimes against society (1.14 per 1,000).

London was the least safe city, with 773 recorded crimes per 1,000 people – more than 10 times higher than Reading, and nearly double the second-worst city in the list, Salford, which has 450 crimes per 1,000 people.

In a survey of the lowest level of high street related crimes, including shoplifting, Wokingham came up as the safest, with a score of 9.69 out of 10.

Reading came in fifth, with 8.02 out of 10.

Its population was recorded as 318,014 people, so includes greater Reading area, has a shoplifting score of 3.71 reported crimes per 1,000 people.

Theft score of 1.23 per 1,000 people, criminal damage and arson score of 5.19 per 1,000 people, and a non-residential burglary score of

STAR CHART: The Orion nebula Picture: WikiImages from Pixabay

Be a star and give them a count...

ON THE STREETS: Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Barber joined members of First Stop and Reading Street Pastors on patrol as part of a wider push for partner engagement for 2023. Picture: Office of Thames Valley Police & Crime Commissioner

SCRUM ON DOWN: Guinness Fondue Cheese features in Honest Burgers’ latest special

to join the Street Pastors on a regular Friday night patrol of Reading Town Centre, to see first-hand how £5,000 of funding will provide essential support to those in the town centre on Friday or Saturday nights.

“It was also great to visit First Stop and find out how £5,000 of funding will ensure continued support to the vulnerable, injured, intoxicated and, importantly, those in need of a listening ear.”

He continued: “I wish First Stop and Reading Street Pastors all the best with their future work, and I look forward to continuing to visit more organisations in 2023 whose

work supports my Police and Criminal Justice Plan for Thames Valley.”

Sara Luker, Co-ordinator for First Stop, said: “It was really good to meet Matthew Barber, and for him to see how First Stop operates first hand working with other partners in the night time economy.”

Sally Leonard, co-ordinator for Reading Street Pastors, said: “It was a pleasure to welcome Matthew Barber to join the street pastor team.

“It was a busy night and Matthew was able to see how the street pastors work with the partners in the night.”

STAT ATTACK: Reading is the UK’s safest city according to new research

WHITLEY WAY BACK WHEN

South Reading Community Centre through the years

TRIBUTE GOLD

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YOUNG PEOPLE have benefited from a multipurpose Whitley facility ever since the 1950s.

The South Reading Community Centre is now home to the Whitley Library, Sure Start, a food surplus and cafe, but continues to offer plenty for young people.

In this week’s Whitley Way Back When, members of the centre’s youth group are pictured gathered outside the front porch.

Whitley Community Museum’s curator David Turner said the photograph garnered plenty of interest on its Facebook page.

He said: “This photograph was recently posted on the Community Museum’s page and it was heartwarming to read so many stories from residents who remembered the period.

“Many remembered visiting the centre either for its youth club or with Geoffrey Field School that used the centre as an annex.

“Once again a photograph has provoked many memories with residents reliving times way back when and rekindled friendships once again.

The school used the centre for two overflow classes during the late

POETRY CORNER

Travelling

(This is about an encounter with a child on the number 17 bus)

Her mother glanced concern from the front of the bus. Reassured, acknowledged me; did not make a fuss.

She jumped up beside me onto the back seat; talking of Christmas and swinging her feet. Recognising another who understands the value of play.

0.72 per 1,000 people.

The report states: “To find the safest towns and cities, we looked at crime rates from the Office for National Statistics in England & Wales.

“The recorded crimes were taken from the year ending June 2022 and included categorically different

offences including public order offences, violence against the person, criminal damage and arson and more.

“The total recorded crimes is a total of every crime recorded excluding fraud.”

n The full survey can be seen at: www.get-licensed.co.uk/get-daily/ the-city-safety-index/

Chiming melody her voice. She had plenty to say.

Bright beads on her braids; pink, yellow and green. The only genuine smile this horrid day had seen.

1950s and early 1960s.

Residents past and present left comments reminiscing about their memories of classes, youth group meetings and discos at the community hub.

Samantha Williams said: “Great youth club brilliant memories,” while Anne Mackie remembered taking her own chart hit records to play in the early 1950s.

With over 4,600 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.

The museum held a Whitley Way Back When event at the Community Cafe on Northumberland Avenue earlier this year to showcase its photographs and exhibits inperson.

n For more information, search: Whitley Community Museum on www.facebook.com

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Took my heart aglow with her as she turned to me and waved. I wonder, will she ever know; by her sweet companionship my pitiful life was saved.

Kathryn McCone Usher

We love receiving your poetry and print a selection every week. Email yours to news@rdg.today and we’ll do the rest

Departing Mon 29 May ‘23

With its palm trees and golden beaches, Torquay is the perfect location to enjoy a seaside getaway in the heart of the English Riviera. We explore this lovely landscape with a cruise on the picturesque River Dart and a scenic drive through Dartmoor National Park.

Your break includes

 Return coach travel from Reading

 4 nights at the Tor Park Hotel, Torquay with dinner & breakfast

 Entertainment some evenings

 Scenic drive through Dartmoor National Park

 Cruise on the River Dart

 Excursions to Buckfast Abbey, Princetown, Tavistock, Dartmouth & Totnes

Optional excursion to Brixham & Teignmouth (£13pp)

5 Days by Coach only £349

THOSE WERE THE DAYS: Residents remembered the good old days at the South Reading Community Centre’s youth club. Picture: Whitley Community Museum

Translator need sees alcohol licence hearing adjourned

By JAMES ALDRIDGE

Local democracy reporter

A SHOP owner has been given a week’s grace period to arrange legal representation after police raised concerns over business practices at his Reading town centre store.

Quais Aziz owns the Today’s Express store in Duke Street, which can sell alcohol between 8am and 11pm Monday to Saturday, and 10am to 10.30pm on Sundays.

But this license could be removed over concerns that conditions relating to the prevention of public nuisance and crime and disorder are not being adhered to.

In comments made to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Mr Aziz said problems attached to running the store are ‘ruining his life’, and he intends to work as a licensed taxi driver if a proposed sale of the business goes ahead.

At a licensing applications sub-committee meeting held on Thursday, February 2, he made an appeal for a decision to be adjourned so he could be represented by a solicitor and a translator.

When asked why he was unable to arrange such representation for the current meeting, Mr Aziz said that he works each day from 8am-11pm at the shop.

Cllr Paul Woodward (Labour, Church) said: “Normally we’re sympathetic to people who want adjournments, but you have had a long time to sort this out, you may not agree but that’s what I think.”

There were also questions over whether his employee Mohammed Naseri would be able to attend a new hearing.

Mr Aziz said: “Next week is too close. My colleague cannot work at the shop, and he’s got an appointment at hospital today.”

Cllr Woodward said: “I’m sympathetic to your employee, but really that’s something for you to sort it out. I think your priority absolutely is to get yourself sorted out as soon as possible.

“We may grant an adjournment but it will be up to this committee how long that will be. It’s not something where you can say ‘oh, I want three weeks’.”

Mr Aziz had asked for a three-week adjournment, and mentioned the business is in the process of being purchased for £25,000.

However, this is on hold due to the licensing review.

The committee decided to reschedule the review hearing for 9.30am on Friday, February 10 – a decision made by councillors Woodward, Sue Kitchingham (Labour, Caversham Heights) and Doug Creswell (Green, Katesgrove).

There were lingering concerns Mr Aziz’s chosen solicitor would not be able to make it to the hearing. Cllr Woodward made it clear that the next hearing will go ahead with or without their attendance.

Addressing Mr Aziz, police licensing officer Declan Smyth said: “My advice would be to get legal representation.

“It’s very easy to do, you can do so in 24 hours, so it’s not a big ask.”

Meanwhile, council licensing officer Mark Rogers said he could provide Mr Aziz with suggested legal representation and translators if he wished.

Work starts on new care home

WORK has started on a new 64-bedroom care home that will open in Tilehurst next year.

Barchester Healthcare, which already runs a care home in Lower Earley, is creating a centre that will offer care to people with dementia, as well as respite care.

Being built by Acheson Construction, Stonehams Farm in Long Lane will include a café, spa bathrooms, en-suite bedrooms with smart TVs, a choice of lounges, a dedicated activities room, a cinema, and in-house hair and beauty salon.

Barchester says its staff take pride in providing tailored care and support to residents, ensuring dignity and choice in every aspect of daily life.

This includes a Life Enrichment programme with daily activities so that residents can continue to do the things they love, and try something new.

The in-house chefs will prepare nutritious meals from seasonal menus, created with residents’ preferences in mind.

Barchester’s senior property development manager, Grant Jensen, said: “We are really

excited to get this project under way. Our Tilehurst home will be a fantastic addition to the local community.”

And Shane Mason, construction director for Acheson, said: “This is a fantastic looking building sited in a great location. Together with our management team and carefully chosen contractors, we will deliver this project as planned in Autumn 2024.”

The care home will have an onsite marketing suite that will open its doors to the local community and visitors in next year.

‘Unattractive’

frontage to be revamped

THE ‘unattractive’ front of a Reading town centre building will be revamped as part of a plan to convert it into apartments.

Soane Point in Market Place will see its upper floors turned into 144 studios.

Reading Borough Council approved the plan by developers Tene Living, which adds 38 apartments to the initial proposals over two storeys.

Planning agents TP Bennett acknowledged that the existing front looked ‘unattractive’, and it will be replaced with a mix of red, grey and beige brick.

The plan was initially discussed at Reading Borough Council’s planning committee meeting on Wednesday, January 11, but a decision was deferred so that more details about the materials that would be used.

Members of the committee were shown four options for how the façade could look.

Councillors preferred the multi-coloured option three.

Cllr Micky Leng joked: “I prefer option three, speaking as someone who is colour blind.”

This option was earlier endorsed by cllrs Josh Williams (Green, Park) and Tony Page (Labour, Abbey).

The decision in January was also deferred for more details about waste management, solar panels and electric vehicle charging on the site.

On the issue of waste management, planning officer Matt Burns said those living on upper floors would throw their waste in ‘chutes’ on their floors, which transfers this rubbish to the bin store at basement level.

Genral waste, recycling and food waste would be collected

on a weekly basis by a private contractor.

Tene Living will add 61 solar panels to the roof, which is estimated will generate 25% of the energy use for the additional 38 apartments.

Cllr Andrew HornsbySmith (Labour, Church) said: “That’s useful, I don’t think it’s fantastic, but it is certainly a contribution, and that’s welcome.”

Twenty car parking spaces provided at basement level, two will be electric vehicle charging points, with the remaining spaces equipped with necessary wiring for future expansion, which Cllr Hornsby-Smith called “very welcome.”

The planning committee unanimously approved the façade changes and additional 38 apartments application on Wednesday, February 1. The application can be seen by typing reference 221446 into the council’s planning portal.

GROUND BREAKING AT TILEHURST: From left: Shane Mason, Construction Director for Acheson and Grant Jensen, Senior Property Development Manager for Barchester Healthcare

Churches and charities offer support and help for town during cost-of-living crisis

By PHIL CREIGHTON news@rdg.today

IN A bid to help people struggling with the cost-ofliving crisis and energy bills, churches across Reading have teamed up to publish a list of help available.

The charities and community groups can offer help with urgent needs, take referrals and offer support and advice, free of charge.

In many instances, the groups work with Reading Borough Council to ensure people who need additional support can receive it.

CHRISTIANS AGAINST POVERTY is a national charity that has local branches based out of churches.

They run non-judgmental and confidential courses that aim to help people with budgeting, money management and debt. All sessions are free.

The charity says that it estimates more than £6 million in potential support is currently being left unclaimed because people don’t know the funds are available for tapping into. This is despite seeing a 20% rise in calls to its free debt helpline, and a 60% rise in emergency food shops.

CAP’s Director of External Affairs, Gareth McNab, sad: “Millions of people are starting 2023 facing rapidly rising costs, with huge energy bills during the cold of winter, and static incomes falling in value against record levels of inflation.

“Right now, it’s absolutely vital for anyone living on a low income to make sure they are receiving all the support they are entitled to and are aware of the free help available if they are in debt.

“Billions of pounds of benefits are still going unclaimed every year, and that’s why we’ve launched this new benefits calculator on our website, in partnership with our friends at Turn2us.”

He continued: “According to CAP’s latest client survey, half (50%) of CAP’s clients have waited at least a year before seeking help with their debt issues. A quarter (25%) took more than three years.

“If you are in debt, making the first call for help can feel tough but people often tell us they feel a real sense of relief after doing so. The sooner you get professional free debt advice from an organisation like Christians Against Poverty, the sooner we can put a plan in place and help you move forward.”

More information can be found by calling 0800 328 0006, emailing info@capuk.org, or logging on to capuk.org.

CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY ACTION provides furniture, bedding, kitchen items, white goods and support via its network of charity shops in Southcote, Whitley, Sonning Common and on Oxford Road. Its furniture shop is on Northumberland Avenue and includes beds, sofas, sideboards and dressers.

It also operates a drop-in from Caversham Baptist Church on Wednesdays from noon to 2pm.

For more details, call 0118 951 2337, email support@ccam.org.

uk, or log on to: ccam.org.uk

CIRDIC in Berkeley Avenue is the Churches In Reading Dropin Centre, offering help, hot meals, cleaning clothing and bedding to guests.

Among those who can use its facilities are homeless people, substance abusers, those living in poor housing, unemployed people, people with mental health issues, and people in serious financial difficulty.

As well as food, it offers bath and shower facilities, telephones, a postal address, and a listening space.

For more details, email: enquiries@cirdic.org.uk, call: 078717 373773, or log on to: www.cirdic.org.uk

In east Reading, behind Wycliffe Baptist Church off Kings Road is COMMUNICARE

People can drop-in Mondays to Thursdays from 10am, and receive advice, or get help with form filling, on benefit claims, and related issues including housing, employment, debt, and carers support. Other services include pro-bono legal advice

Seventy-seven deadly sins

READING’S drag monarch is set to turn Bar 77 into a little slice of Hell with their latest drag show.

Big Jay, who recently celebrated their first anniversary as a drag artist, has announced that their Big Drag Show will be creating Seven Deadly Sins.

Having performed at Reading Pride and the inaugural Trans Pride event last year, Big Jay will return to

their hosting duties as Bar 77’s resident drag artist and play the part of The Devil for the evening.

They’ll be joined by Amelia Dreams as the Sin of Lust, Dorian Gay as the Sin of Envy, Duac as the Sin of Sloth, Meatgirl as the Sin of Gluttony, Mx Mel Anin as the Sin of Wrath, Pump King as the Sin of Pride, and Tony Baloney as the Sin of Greed.

It is the first of a regular

by referral, and community information.

It is hugely popular and people can start queueing an hour before it opens.

For more details, call: 0118 926 3941, email: office@ communicare.org.uk, or log on to www.communicare.org.uk

ENGAGE BEFRIENDING is a charity that aims to reduce isolation and loneliness, to older residents, through a volunteer befriending scheme. It also runs Engage Wellbeing, which aims to help adults make positive choices to maintain or improve their emotional and mental wellbeing.

In 2022, it helped more than 500 people, trained 249 people and ran 113 activities.

For more details, or to make a referral, log on to: engage-uk. org or call: 0118 995 2102.

The food bank is Reading is called READIFOOD, and provides emergency food parcels to help people in need. As well as provisions, they can include toiletries, nappies and other essentials.

It is a referral service –people cannot request a parcel for themselves. Instead, they should approach Reading Borough Council, social services, a doctor, a school or a professional body or agency

that can vouch for the need.

For those in desperate need, the charity encourages people to call its office for an assessment. Parcels can be delivered to the home address or to the referring agency.

For more details, call the charity on: 0118 987 2672, or log on to https://readifood.org.uk/

Those who live in Woodley, Earley and Lower Earley should call WOODLEY FOOD BANK on 0118 969 9956.

And people who live in Theale, Thatcham, Mortimer and Burghfield can contact NEWBURY FOOD BANK on 01635 760560.

STARTING POINT is a charity that provides mentoring for young people aged between 11 and 25, and works in partnership with Saint Laurence Church in Reading’s town centre.

For more details, log on to: https://startingpoint.org.uk/ or call: 0118 995 2160.

And TORCH HUB is a network of help hubs run by churches across the town with the aim of providing help to those who would otherwise struggle to get support, or fall through the gaps of existing support of provision.

This includes free practical help, signposting to schemes that can provide support, and a community action scheme

that aims to benefit the wider community.

Examples of urgent help it can offer include being able to collect shopping or prescriptions for people who are housebound, or linking up to another charity or organisation that can provide longer-term support.

It also offers help with confidence building, for those who get anxious about social interactions, or attending appointments.

It runs drop-in cafes across the week: on Wednesdays from 10.30am to noon at Abbey Baptist Church in Reading town centre, from 7.30pm to 9pm on the same day at Grace Church in Caversham.

On Thursdays, it runs from 2pm to 4pm at Trinity Church in Lower Earley, while on Fridays from 10am to noon at St Nicolas Church, also in Lower Earley. For more details, call: 0118 380 0260, email help@torchhub. org.uk, or log on to: torchhub. org.uk

The organisations are all linked to TRANSFORM READING, an umbrella network for most churches running across Reading.

n Help is also available via Reading Borough Council: reading.gov.uk/money-matters

series of casted shows to be hosted by Big Jay, and replacing the Reading’s Got Drag residency competitions at the venue, which took place throughout last year.

Big Jay’s Big Drag Show: Seven Deadly Sins takes place on Saturday, February 18th, from 8pm at Bar 77, downstairs at The Outlook on Kings Road. n Early bird tickets are £9, available online via www. outsavvy.com,

The flyer produced by Churches in Reading

READING BOROUGH COUNCIL

The Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure)

Order 2015 Notice of applications for planning permission under Article 15 of the Order

APPLICATION FOR MAJOR DEVELOPMENT

All comments must be received within 21 days and will go on public view.

221506: 1015 Oxford Road, Tilehurst, Reading, RG31 6TL - Proposed erection of a new block of 12 number flats, following demolition of existing dwelling.

APPLICATIONS AFFECTING LISTED BUILDINGS AND/OR

CONSERVATION AREAS

All comments must be received within 7 days and will go on public view.

221880: 23-24 Market Place, Reading, RG1 2DE - Change of use of first and second floors from Class E to 6 no 1 bed flats use C3

221881: 23-24 Market Place, Reading, RG1 2DE - Internal and external alterations including new ventilation outlets to rear elevation associated with proposed change of use of first and second floors from Class E to 6 no 1 bed flats use C3 under planning application ref. 221880

These applications can be viewed online http://planning.reading.gov.uk/fastweb_PL/welcome.asp

Anyone wishing to make representations can submit comments online or write, quoting the application number, to Planning, Reading Borough Council, Civic Centre, Bridge Street, Reading RG1 2LU.

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LEISURETODAY

Your guide to what’s on across Reading and Wokingham

Ballet from Bulgaria Swan Lake and The Nutcracker to enchant Reading audiences

LATER this month, the Varna International Ballet and Orchestra makes its firstever visit to The Hexagon.

The prestigious Bulgarian company, which celebrated its 75th anniversary last year, is performing two hugely popular classical ballets: the romantic Swan Lake, set to Tchaikovsky’s ravishing score; and The Nutcracker, featuring an enchanted journey on Christmas Eve.

Varna’s artistic director Daniela Ivanova-Dimova, and soloists Claire Gillard and Vittorio Scolè, are looking forward to the show.

Daniela says the company are delighted to be visiting.

“We’re celebrating 75 years of Varna State Opera: our company was founded back in 1947. We are so happy that in this special year, we’re visiting the UK for the first time with these four wonderful productions. It’s a great honour.”

Claire was born in London, and has family here, while it will be Vittorio’s first visit.

“I’m curious to see new cities I’ve never been to; when I have any free time, I’ll definitely be a tourist,” he says.

Daniela says Varna is second town in Bulgaria, and is “a beautiful pearl on the Black Sea Coast … Many famous ballet stars from around the world have come to compete – like Mikhail Baryshnikov and Sylvie Guillem.

“Now, our troupe is really revered in Bulgaria, and many young international ballet artists are eager to come and work here.”

Claire says the shows are traditional ballets that people love.

“They have great music, great stories and beautiful dancing,” she says. “I’m performing [the lead roles of] Odette/Odile in Swan Lake, and Marie in The Nutcracker.

“I really love Swan Lake, because you get to be elegant and soft in the first

act, and then you play the dark swan in the second act, which is a big change of personality.

“It’s really fun to do.”

Vittorio, on the other hand, plays the princes in both shows.

“I would say the Prince in Swan Lake is the most difficult, but you keep practising and every time you do something different with your movement or your face so it’s always getting better, better, better,” he explains.

There are around 40 dancers, plus 30 musicians performing.

“It makes such a difference having the orchestra with us. I feel it in my heart: the music and dancing are together, they are one,” Vittoria explains.

“You might be scared before you go on stage, but when the orchestra plays you get this feeling that’s impossible to explain: it’s like a dream.

“We are carried away, and I hope

people watching are too.”

Daniela says that the staging has a role to play as well.

“We have all new sets, decoration and costumes from the past year or two. It’s a very important part of these prestigious new productions that we’re bringing to the UK,” she says.

Some may feel that ballet is elitist, or not accessible for younger audiences, but Daniela disagrees.

“There is nothing better than The Nutcracker – that’s the perfect show for families,” she says, something echoed by Claire, who feels “all of these ballets are really accessible. There’s nothing better than seeing children in the audience with smiles on their faces.

“When I was a little kid, my mum always took me to Swan Lake, and I’d say, ‘Oh, Mum, when I grow up I want to be a swan’. Now I am.

“I’m so thankful to be on stage, hopefully with other little kids looking up at me and having that dream.”

What can audiences expect from a Varna ballet?

Claire says: “They’re going to really like our company because we’re just full of energy, and we have a great connection on stage between all the dancers. I think they’ll feel our passion and our joy.”

Vittoria adds: “You don’t need to understand all the ballet technique or the history. We’re bringing stories with princes and princesses that little kids will love, as well as beautiful dancing, costumes, music: everything you need to have a magical time.”

Varna International Ballet will perform The Nutcracker at The Hexagon on Friday, February 23 at 7.30pm. Swan Lake is on Saturday, February 25, at 2.30pm and 7.30pm. Ticket prices vary.

n For more details, or to book, log on to: whatsonreading.com, or call the box office on 0118 960 6060.

MARIANKA SWAIN

An afternoon of improv for all ages

COMEDY group The Noise Next Door (Edinburgh Fringe, The One Show and Britain’s got talent), present their afternoon show of improvisation and comedy.

The Mysterious Mansion Of Mystery is a show suitable for the whole family, aged six to 106.

The audience decides what goes into the hour of anarchic entertainment, with fun promised for everyone.

Described as ‘a little bit spooky, a little bit stupid and a whole lot of funny’, it’s on at Norden Farm Arts Centre, Maidenhead on Thursday, February 16.

Doors open at 2pm, with tickets costing £12, or £10 for under 16s.

n For tickets and information log on to: norden.farm, or call the box office on: 01628 788977

Family come together for string concertini

USING electric string instruments to create a unique sound, Stringfever’s concert is suitable for all ages.

The quartet, all from the same family, combine musical skill with comedy for a show that promises to have everyone’s feet tapping.

The event is part of the Concertini group that performs child-friendly, bitesized concerts of quality music.

It takes place at Norden Farm Arts Centre’s studio, on Saturday, February 18, at 11.30am and 2pm.

Tickets cost £12, or £10 under 16s Family and Friends tickets (4 people) cost £40, with free entry for babies under 18 months on laps.

n For tickets and information log on to: norden.farm, or call the box office on: 01628 788977

Heather, Heather, Heather

WESTERBERG High is ruled by a beautiful and cruel trio of girls, all called Heather.

Veronica Sawyer is invited to join them.

She hopes for popularity, but being in the top team can be murder.

The musical contains haze, loud noises, flashing lights and strobe.

There is also strong language, and mature themes, including murder, suicide

AT THE THEATRE

Bracknell –South Hill Park

www.southhillpark.org.uk

01344 484123

Conservatoire: Renata Konyiccka.

Fri 10. The Comedy Cellar. Fri

10. South Hill Park tours. Sun

12. Wilde Sundays: Across The Sea, Marshpoem, Veronica

Drosbowski. Sun 12. Gang

Show 50th Show. Tues 14-Sat

18. Bridges. Thurs 16-Sat 18.

Bracknell Jazz: Martin Shaw.

Fri 17. The Comedy Cellar. Fri

17. Hans Christian Anderson: The Ugly Duckling and Other Stories. Sun 19.

FILMS: A Bunch of Amateurs. Wed

8-Thurs 9. Guillermo Del Toro’s

Pinocchio. Fri 10-Sun 12. She

Said. Fri 10-Sun 12, Tues 14,

Thurs 16. Dementia Friendly

Screening: Guys and Dolls. Mon

13. A Love Song. Mon 13-Tues

14. Strange World. Wed 15-Sun

19. The Barber of Seville live screening. Wed 15. I Wanna Dance With Somebody. Fri 17-Mon 20.

AUDIENCES can see a new interpretation of Verdi’s Aida, performed by The Ukrainian Opera & Ballet Theatre Kyiv.

It boasts a highly-praised chorus and full orchestra, with soloists Korean soprano Elena Dee, French soprano Olga Perrier and Ukrainian mezzosoprano Natalia Matveeva.

Aida sees the splendour of Egypt set against the grandeur of the Coliseum of Rome.

and sexual violence.

Audience discretion is advised, suitable for 14 years and above.

The event is at Windsor Theatre Royal, from Tuesday, February 14 through to Saturday, February 25, with the exception of Sunday.

Evening performances start at 7.30pm, with matinées on Thursdays and Saturdays at 2.30pm.

Tickets cost from £27 to £41 depending on seat location.

n For tickets and information log on to: www.theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk, or call the box office on: 01753 853888

Shakespeare at sea

YOUNG people will perform The Tempest during half-term.

The show, suitable for families, is filled with romance, sprites, tomfoolery, magic and drama.

Wrongs are righted, love is sparked, freedom is granted, and even the monster learns some wisdom, in this

Camberley – Theatre

www.camberleytheatre.biz

01276 707600

The Scummy Mummies. Thurs 9. A Tribute to The Carpenters. Fri

10. Ben Thompson as Elvis. Sun

12. The Jungle Book. Thurs 16. Psychic Sally. Fri 17. Bon Giovi. Sat 18.

Guildford –Yvonne Arnaud

www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk

01483 440000

Steel Magnolias. Until Sat 11.

Intro to Physical Theatre for 12-16-year-olds. Mon 13. Workshop for ages

5-7: Shipwrecked. Wed 15.

Workshop for ages 7-11: Theatre Explorers. Wed 15.

Workshop for ages 7-11:

Let’s Create Poetry. Thurs 16. Starchitects. Fri 17-Sat 18.

High Wycombe –Wycombe Swan

www.wycombeswan.co.uk

01494 512000

The story of war, jealousy and revenge follows the fates of beautiful Ethiopian slave girl, Aida, and Egyptian hero, Radames.

Audiences will hear Verdi’s arias, Celeste Aida, Ritorna Vincitor, and see the Triumphal March featuring a temple dance, cascades of glittering gold and fire performers.

Aida is sung in Italian with English subtitles.

shortened, but authentic, version of Shakespeare’s play.

The event is at Wokingham Theatre on Thursday, February 16, through to Saturday, February 18.

Shows are at 7.45pm with a Saturday matinée at 2pm.

Tickets cost £10 for adults and £6 for children.

n For tickets and information visit: wokinghamtheatre.org.uk, or call the box office on: 0118 978 5363.

Prue reveals all

NOTHING is off the menu in this frank, revealing, and funny event.

Restaurateur, novelist, businesswoman and Great British Bake Off judge Prue Leith tells all, and invites questions people have always wanted answers to.

Hear how Prue feeds the rich and famous, cooks for royalty and even poisons her clients.

The event takes place at Reading’s

The event is at The Hexagon Theatre, Reading, on Friday, February 17.

Doors open at 7.30pm, with tickets available for £36, £33, and £31, depending on seat location.

Concessions for students and over 60s are £34, £31, and £29. n For tickets and information visit: whatsonreading.com or call the box office: 0118 960 6060

Hexagon Theatre, on Wednesday, February 15.

Doors open at 7.30pm.

Tickets cost £27 and £33, depending on seat location, with a recommended age of 12 and over.

n For tickets and information visit: whatsonreading.com, or call the box office on: 0118 960 6060

A letter of love

WE’LL Always Have Paris sees three women of a certain age let loose in Paris. Each has her own reason to escape from work, caring responsibilities, or singleness.

In this feel-good play about the advantages of growing old, the ladies meet a young handyman actor who fixes more than just their leaky shower.

A play about friendship and loyalty that promises to leave audiences charmed, amused, thoughtful, and smiling, We’ll Always Have Paris is performed at The Mill At Sonning.

It runs until Saturday, March 11, with performances each week on Wednesday through to Saturday.

Performances start at 8.15pm, with matinées at 2.15pm on Saturdays and Sundays.

The restaurant opens two hours before showtime.

Tickets cost £76 and include a two course meal at the theatre restaurant before the show.

n For tickets and information log on to: www.millatsonnng.com or call the box office on: 0118 969 8000

Forever blowing bubbles

BUBBLE-OLOGIST Louis Pearl explores the dynamics of bubbles, with comedy, artistry and audience participation.

His tricks should keep everyone mesmerised.

Expect bubbles inside bubbles, square, fog-filled, giant and volcano bubbles, tornadoes, trampolines, and people inside bubbles.

The Amazing Bubble Man promises to conjure shrieks of laughter and gasps of amazement from all ages.

The event is at The Corn Exchange, Newbury on Tuesday, February 14.

Doors open at 11.30am and 2pm

Tickets cost £16.75, or £13.75 for under 18s.

n For tickets and information log on to: www.cornexchangenew.com or call the box office on: 08455 218218

Clutter from the years ahead

MY FUTURE My Clutter, sees apologetic Eton and Oxford alumnus Ivo Graham discussing three years of pranking, parenting and procrastinating.

Fresh from Mock The Week, Live At The Apollo, Have I Got News For You, and British As Folk, Graham’s jokes may well include his Joke of the Fringe winner, ‘I’ve got an Eton College advent calendar, where all the doors are opened by my father’s contacts’.

Described as a hugely enjoyable hour of stand-up comedy, the event takes place at The Kenton Theatre, Windsor.

The event is on Thursday 16th February at 7.30pm, with all tickets costing £16.

n For tickets and information log on to: www.kentontheatre.co.uk, or call the box office on: 01491 525050

Hellfire Comedy Club. Thurs 9.

The Mirror Crack’d. Tues 7-11.

Rob Auton: The Crowd Show.

Fri 10. Zog. Tues 14-Thurs 16.

Menopause The Musical. Fri

17. Alan Carr: Regional Trinket.

Sat 18. Baby Broadway. Sun 19. Sing-a-long-a Encanto. Sun 19.

Henley – Kenton

www.kentontheatre.co.uk

01491 525050

The Jungle Book. Wed 15. Ivo

Graham: My Future My Clutter. Thurs 16. The Elton John Show. Fri 17. Tweedy’s Musical Mayhem. Sat 18. Russell Brand warm-up. Sun 19.

Maidenhead –Norden Farm

www.nordenfarm.org

01628 788997

Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. Fri 9.

Both Sides Now: A Homage to the Songs of Joni Mitchell.

Fri 9. Moscow Drug Club.

Sat 10. Moonrakers. Sun 11. Just Radiohead. Sun 11.

Royal Opera House Live: The

Barber of Seville. Wed 15. The Noise Next Door: Mysterious Mansions of Mystery. Thurs

16. The Noise Next Door: hometown Heroes. Thurs

16. Nick Sharratt’s All-New Picture Book Draw Along. Fri 17. Zoe Lyons: Bald Ambition.

Fri 17. Nic Meier. Fri 17. Half Term Concertini with String Fever. Sat 18. The Vinyl Frontier: New Vinyl (2010 to present). Sat 18.

Newbury –

The Corn Exchange

www.cornexchangenew.com

0845 5218 218

Teechers Leavers ‘22. Tues 7-Thurs

9. Theatre Quiz night. Fri 10. Babatunde Aleshe: Babahood.

Sat 11. Shark In The Park.

Sat 11-Sun 12. The Amazing Bubble Man. Tues 14. Queenz.

Sat 18. ROH Encore: The Barber of Seville. Sun 19.

Newbury – Watermill

www.watermill.org.uk 01635 46044

Notes From A Small Island. Until Sat Mar 18.

Reading – South St

www.whatsonreading.com 0118 960 6060

Lucy Porter: Wake-up Call.

Thurs 9. Rhys James: Spilt

Milk. Sat 11. The Bubble Show.

Wed 15. Limehouse Lizzy. Fri

17. Ray Bradshaw: Dead Com

1. Sat 18.

Reading – Hexagon

www.whatsonreading.com 0118 960 6060

Rare Productions presents Bugsy

Malone. Fri 10-Sat 11. The Circus of Horrors presents Haunted Fairground. Tues

14. Prue Leith: Nothing in Moderation. Wed 15. Aida. Fri

17. Giovanni Pernice: Made In Italy. Sat 18.

Reading – Concert Hall

www.whatsonreading.com 0118 960 6060

Arturo Castro Nogueras, guitar.

Thurs 16.

Reading –Progress Theatre

www.progresstheatre.co.uk

0118 384 2195

NEXT SHOW: The Lonesome West. Mar 3-11.

Reading – Reading Rep Theatre

www.readingrep.com

0118 370 2620

Hedda Gabler. Feb 22-Mar 11.

Shinfield –Shinfield Players

www.shinfieldplayers.org.uk

0118 975 8880

NEXT SHOW: Last Tango In Whitby. Wed Mar 1-Sat Mar 4.

Sonning – The Mill

www.millatsonning.com

0118 969 8000

We’ll Always Have Paris. Until Mar

11. West End Meets Broadway. Sun 12. The Neil Diamond and Barbra Streisand Show. Tues

14. Whitney: Queen of the Night. Sun 19.

Windsor –Theatre Royal www.theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk

01753 853888

Wodehouse in Wonderland. Thu 9-Sat 11. Heathers. Tues 14-Sat 25.

Wokingham – Theatre

www.wokinghamtheatre.org.uk

0118 978 5363

The Tempest. Thurs 16-Sat 18.

Wokingham – The Whitty Theatre

www.thewhittytheatre.org

0118 974 3247

Wokingham Film Society: Before Sunrise (15).

Thurs 9. Wokingham Music Club: Chris Difford live in concert. Fri 10. u3A Shjowtime: Here We Are Again. Thurs 16-Fri 17.

Woodley – Theatre www.woodleytheatre.org

07488337838

2023 programme to be announced.

Only The Poets celebrate EMI signing

By JAKE CLOTHIER

A WOODLEY band performed two sold-out shows at a venue close to their hearts ahead of a busy summer.

Only The Poets made our front page last week with the news that they’d signed to EMI Records ahead of a tour supporting Lewis Capaldi.

On Saturday, the band played two gigs at The Purple Turtle to celebrate the news for their homecoming.

Speaking to Reading Today in our exclusive interview, lead vocalist Tommy Longhurst said that the venue: “Means a lot to me, and that bar is ingrained in the DNA of Only The Poets.”

While on stage, he asked how many of the audience had flown to see the band’s show and around thirty hands went up, showing the dedication and geographical range of their fanbase.

The band recently sold out shows across Europe, including at venues in Prague, Vienna, Antwerp, and Berlin.

Now the band will go on to perform their tour in Europe next week, which will see them supporting Lewis Capaldi in Poland, Austira, Czech Republic, and Belgium, before a final show at the Shepherds Bush Empire in London in May.

You’ll

go right with this play that goes wrong

The Play the Goes Wrong Duchess Theatre, London 0330 333 4810 www.mischiefcomedy.com

THOSE of us who have ever been involved in amateur dramatics will be familiar with having to work within the limitations of budget, cast, scenery, props, costumes, special effects and many other aspects that create as professional a production as possible.

The Play That Goes Wrong reveals the hilarious consequences of weaknesses in every one of these areas.

A play within a play from start to finish, the audience is first treated to a behind-the-scenes view of preparations for the opening night of Cornley Polytechnic’s production of Murder at Havisham Manor.

The apparently minor issues of a missing dog and a wobbly mantlepiece rapidly escalate to the point where everything that could go wrong does.

The cast do a sterling job of covering up for

Pictures:

courtesy of Chuff Media Fans joined the band ahead of the show for a photo opportunity with the billboard announcing the band’s signing to EMI Records

missing props, forgotten lines, hiccups with the scenery and much, much more.

As farce gives way to disaster the play limps towards its conclusion where, among the remnants of the staging, the murderer is revealed.

The on-stage characters are brilliant from start to finish.

All the characters are present: The dapper young heir to a fortune, the attractive socialite, the methodical inspector, the wry butler.

Each one with a motive to commit the murder and each one battling to stay afloat as the play slowly sinks.

However it is the sound and lighting technician Trevor Watson (Tomisin Ajani) who steals the show, from eating crisps during a moment of silence on stage to ‘accidentally’ playing his favourite Duran Duran CD through the sound system. Doesn’t sound too funny? You had to be there. So go there.

An evening of jaw-aching, side-splitting laughter is guaranteed.

JUDITH CREIGHTON

jclothier@rdg.today

Lead vocalist Tommy Longhurst said that for the band, The Purple Turtle was “part of our world”

Jordan Daniel Logan,

Scores of fans of Only The Poets had even flown to the gig at the Purple Turtle from abroad. Picture: Jordan Daniel Logan, by courtesy of Chuff Media

Oh baby! A concert for young ones

A PARENT and baby event will bring a taste of classical music to Reading Minster.

Bach to Baby will see a clarinet and accordion duet will perform concerti including pieces by Handel, as well as shanties and traditional Japanese music.

The event is family-friendly and designed for young children.

Tickets are £15 per adult and up to two children per person go free.

Bach to Baby takes place at Reading Minster on Friday, February 17, from 11am11.45am. n Tickets and details available via: whatsonreading.com

Reading A440 Choir spring show

THE READING A440 Choir is to hold a spring concert later this month.

The group will be at Christ Church Woodley in Crockhamwell Road from 7pm on Saturday, February 25.

The theme is A Journey Through Song, and tickets cost £10, with under 16s enjoying the show for free.

Proceeds will go towards the church’s defibrillator project.

n For more details, or to book tickets log on to: a440choir. org.uk

Enjoy Barrioke with plenty of cheese

ONE OF Reading’s hotspots is set for a visit from soap star and chanteur as part of a three-day cheese festival.

Blue Collar will welcome Shaun Williamson to its roster of live acts for Cheese Feast in Forbury Gardens.

Best known for his years of appearances as Barry Evans in Eastenders, Mr Williamson now hosts Barrioke, which sees him take the lead for an evening of karaoke.

Attendees will get the chance to join him on stage and perform alongside him in a show which has toured venues and festivals around the country.

He will also be joined by the ABBA Tribute Band who will bring the band’s greatest hits to the stage when they top the bill on the Friday.

Final headline act The EuroVisionaries will close the festival on the Sunday night with a one-off performance of the greatest hits of Eurovision.

Children from dance schools around Reading will also perform special routines in a lunchtime showcase as part of the festival.

As well as the live performances, Blue Collar is teaming up with The Grumpy Goat to provide a curated cheese and produce selection.

Stalls at the event will offer cheese-based street food, kitchens, and vendors selected from The Grumpy Goat’s specially selected ranges.

Blue Collar will also bring attendees their broad selections of local craft beers as well as prosecco, Pimms, and cocktails.

Blue Collar Corner’s Glen Dinning says: “We can’t wait to bring Cheese Feast back to Forbury Gardens.

“Our first two Cheese Feast events were a huge success and brought thousands of people to

Reader travel

Tom Jones set to headline at Newbury

AN INTERNATIONAL music icon is set to appear at Newbury’s celebrated after-party.

stakes, followed by Tom Jones performing on the Party in the Paddock stage.

Reading  4 nights at the Ibis Hotel, Stevenage with dinner & breakfast  Heritage train journey on the Nene Valley Railway  Excursions to Ely, Cambridge & Stamford  Optional excursion to Cambridgeshire

Forbury Gardens.

“Now we’re going bigger and better with even more cheesebased street food stalls, a full lineup of fun live entertainment and a cheese produce area run by our good friends The Grumpy Goat.”

The Cheese Feast festival takes place in Forbury Gardens from Friday-Sunday, April 28-30. n Full information about the festival, as well as updates about tickets and performers, is available via Cheese Feast’s Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter pages.

After a day at the races, Weatherbys Super Sprint day will see Tom Jones headlining the event at Newbury Racecourse.

Weatherbys Super Sprint day will see the Bet365 EBF Novice stakes race, as well as its regular stakes event and Hackwood Stakes event, as well as the Highclere Castle Gin Cup, and the Weatherbys Super Sprint.

The racing will close with the Life Time in Racing Winner EBF sole premier fillies handicap

CEO of Newbury Racecourse, Julian Thick, said: “Tom Jones is an absolute stalwart of the music industry and for good reason.

“His voice is unrivalled, and his live shows always captivate – we can’t wait to welcome him back to the racecourse on Saturday, July 22.”

Tickets start from £36 general sale, with a range of hospitality and dining packages.

n Tickets for Party in the Paddock at Newbury Racecourse will be on sale via: newburyracecourse. co.uk

Set sail to The Hexagon

A NEW sequel to a popular musical is coming to The Hexagon later this month, with an all-star cast.

Mary Byrne (X Factor), Jessica Martin (Copycats), Rebecca Wheatley (Casualty) and Susie Fenwick (West End Star) are all on-board for Menopause The Musical 2.

The show is set five years after the first and follows the same four characters with tales of their lives, loves and losses, all set on the high seas.

Audiences are promised plenty of comedy with the songs, as well as hot flushes, mood swings, memory lapses and weight gain.

When your life is a bumpy ride

full of twists and turns, it’s hard to find and keep true friends. But those who step on board and are promised a trip of self-discovery, love and friendship all backed by a soundtrack of hysterical hits.

It is an affectionate, heartfelt and reassuring look at the ‘joys’ of

menopause.

The show, suitable for ages 16 upwards, will be performed on Thursday, February 23, from 7.30pm. Tickets cost £32. n For more details, or to book, log on to whatsonreading.com, or call the box office on: 0118 960 6060.

Billie Marten set to headline festival

A TWO-DAY festival in central Reading has announced its second headliner ahead of the event in March.

Billie Marten will be joining Porridge Radio in topping the line-up at Beat Connection, presented by Heavy Pop and Dork.

Billie Marten is due to release Drop Cherries, her fourth album, on Friday, April 7, and said of the album that aims to “capture the vibrancy, unpredictability, and occasional chaos one experiences within a relationship.”

It will be the first album both written and co-produced by the

Waterslide, Diving Board, Ladder to the Sky, last year.

More acts are due to be announced.

Beat Connection will take place at St Laurence’s Church, central Reading, on Friday and Saturday, March 24-25.

Early bird tickets are now available, with weekend passes priced at £30, Friday passes at £16.50, and Saturday passes at £22.

Concessions are available for teens between 14-17, though under18s must be accompanied by an adult.

n Tickets available via: gigantic. com/beat-connection-tickets

SING-A-LONG-A-BARRY: Shaun Williamson is set to bring his festival hit show, Barrioke, to Forbury Gardens as part of Blue Collar and The Grumpy Goats Cheese Feast festival in April. Picture: Francisco Augusto

SING UP: After a day at the races, Weatherbys Super Sprint day will see Tom Jones headlining the event at Newbury Racecourse on Saturday, July 22. Picture: Chuff Media

LIVEMUSIC

RaW Sounds Today Chris Hillman bit.ly/raw soundstoday

FORGET Casablanca, it’s Bracknell for us. And forget As Time Goes By, it’s As Time Stands Still.

This week, we are wafting under your ears a new single from One Last Day, and we got to hear them live last week at The Acoustic Couch. It was fantastic.

It’s one of three new entries in the playlist, and we think you’ll love it.

As ever, we’re on a mission to champion and showcase great music from acts that have a connection to Reading and Wokingham (that’s the RaW in our Sounds Today name).

It’s a mixture that will help you discover something new. All you have to do is find it on Spotify.

To hear this week’s selection, simply head to https://bit.ly/rawsoundstoday and enjoy the music.

There is also a Facebook page and group chat that bands and music fans can tap into. You can search for RaW Sounds Today and it will come up.

One Last Day – As Time Stands Still

If you like good rock music with power and emotion this is for you.

One Last Day recently released this new single and like their last single, Out of the Black, that we

GIG GUIDE

Thursday, February 9

READING – The Blagrave Arms, Blagrave Street RG1 1PW.

Karaoke. Details: 0118 958

6775.

READING - Lola Lo, Friar Street. Skint Thursdays: Skint Rock, pop punk and classic rock, plus house and techo. Details: Twitter @skintmondays

WOKINGHAM – Hope and Anchor, Station Road RG40 2AD. Acoustic night with Harley Hutchinson. Details: 0118 977 0918.

WOKINGHAM – The Victoria Arms, Easthampstead Road RG40 2EH. Open mic night.

Details: 0118 979 9437.

Friday, February 10

BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. London Beat Club, The Julia Set, Elephant Hawk. Details: www. theacousticcouch.co.uk

BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. All About You.

Details: 01344 303333.

GORING - Goring Community Centre, The Old School, Station Road RG8 9HB. Goring Community Jazz Club presents Mingus Mingus Mingus. Details www.ticketsource.co.uk/goringcommunity-jazz-club

READING – The Butler, Chatham Street RG1 7DS. Open mic night. Details: 0118 959 5500.

READING – The Face bar, Ambrose Place RG1 7JE. Valentine’s Masquerade ball. Details: 0118 959 5500.

READING – Fisherman’s Cottage, Kennet Side RG1 3DW. The Ghost Notes. Details: 07866 251216.

READING – The Jazz Cafe, Select Car leasing Stadium RG2 0FL. Valentine’s weekender. Details: 0118 968 1442.

WOKINGHAM – Broad Street

featured last year, it shows that this band from the local area have quality in their musicianship, vocals and song writing.

They are also a great live band as we saw when popped along to see their exciting headlining performance in a packed Acoustic Couch in Bracknell last Friday.

They were excellent - https://linktr.ee/onelastday Marisa and the Moths

– If You Knew

We included their Pedestal single in the playlist last month but as the band performed such a good show at Reading’s Purple Turtle a couple of weeks ago and have just released their new EP, Damned If I Do which features this great song, originally released as a single last year, we had to include them again.

They are certainly getting noticed including being been played on BBC Radio 1 and with indie rock as good as this, it’s not hard to see whyhttps://www.marisaandthemoths.com/

Tavern, Broad Street RG40

1AU. Peach and the Prairie Dogs. Details: 0118 977 3706.

WOKINGHAM – The Station Tap, Station Road RG40 2AD. Karaoke with Waynie. Details: 0118 977 4548.

WOKINGHAM – The Whitty Theatre, Luckley House School, Luckley Road RG40

3EU. Wokingham Music Club presents Chris Difford. 7.30pm. Details:www. wokinghammusicclub.co.uk

Saturday, February 11

BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. British Bluescasting Corporation. Details: www.theacousticcouch. co.uk

BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. Bottlekids. Details: 01344 303333.

CAVERSHAM – Caversham Park Village Social Club, Northbrook Road, Caversham Park Village RG4 6PF. Neon Daze. Details: 0118 334 1040.

CHARVIL – The Wee Waif, Old Bath Road RG10 9RJ. Moon Hill presents karaoke and disco.

CROWTHORNE – Royal British Legion, Wellington Road RG45

7LJ. Gary Roman as Elvis.

Details: 01344 772161.

PLAYHATCH – The Flowing Spring, Henley Road RG4 9RB. Singalong-a-Nick Valentine’s Special. Details: 0118 969 98978.

READING – The Blagrave Arms, Blagrave Street RG1 1PW. DJ F’Unkle. Details: 0118 958 6775.

READING – The Butler, Chatham Street RG1 7DS. Syn City Rockers. Details: 0118 959 5500.

READING – The Jazz Cafe, Select Car leasing Stadium RG2 0FL. Valentine’s weekender. Details: 0118 968 1442.

READING – The Palmer Tavern, Wokingham Road RG6 1JL. The Meterologists. Details: 0118 935 1009.

READING – Phantom Brewing, Meadow Road RG1 8LB. Brewery tour and tasting. Noon. Booking essential. Dark Days, Dark Beers with Darklands.

Details: www.phantombrew. com

READING – Salisbury Conservative Club, Kings Road RG1 4HX. The Gas Trick Band. Details: 0118 926 5804.

READING – Sub89, Friar Street RG1 1EP. Fat Lip. Details: 0118 959 5395

READING – The Turks, London Road RG1 5BJ. Judas Rising.

Details: 0118 957 6930

TILEHURST – The Royal British Legion Club, Downing Road RG31 5BB. Full Flavour. Details: 0118 942 9606.

TILEHURST – The Victoria, Norcot Road RG30 6BP. Live music.

Details: 0118 941 5064.

WOKINGHAM – WADE, Reading Road RG41 1EH. Dance night with Abi Powell. 7.30pm. £11, includes snakcs. Free parking at Masonic Hall opposite. Bring your own drinks and glasses.

Details: wadecentre.org.uk/ events

WOKINGHAM – The Station Tap, Station Road RG40 2AD. DJ Bounce. Details: 0118 977 4548.

WOKINGHAM – Hope and Anchor, Station Road RG40 2AD. Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Rage Against The Machine tribute.

7.30pm. Details: 0118 977 0918.

WOKINGHAM – The Victoria Arms, Easthampstead Road RG40 2EH. Revolver. Details: 0118 979 9437.

Sunday, February 12

BRACKNELL – South Hill Park,

ON TIME: One Last Day at The Acoustic Couch in Bracknell

Picture: Andrew Merritt

Kristeen Young –Absence Makes the Heart Grow Father

They don’t just come from around the UK to play at venues in our area, they come from around the world. Club Velocity/New Mind have a show at Reading Facebar on February 22 with this unique artist from the US.

Kristeen has just released a new video of this song from her The Beauty Shop album and if you like innovative, powerful, emotive music with a Bjork/ Kate Bush feel, check this out.

Support on the night is Strange Cities, also from US - https://kristeenyoung.com/ Catfish

– Soulbreaker

If you like your blues played by excellent musicians with powerful vocals, it’s well worth getting along to Wokingham Music Club (WMC) on Friday, February 17 to see Catfish. This song is from their 2019 album, Burning Bridges - https://www. catfishband.com/

Ringmead RG12 7PA. Wilde

Sundays: Marc Woosnam, Marshpoem, Jack Frank. Details: 01344 484123.

READING – The Blagrave Arms, Blagrave Street RG1 1PW. Boadcia presents: Mr & Mrs.

Details: 0118 958 6775.

READING – Community Hall, Watlington House, Watlington Street RG1 4RJ. Readifolk presents: Skinner and T’Witch

Details: www.readifolk.org.uk

READING – The Jazz Cafe, Select Car leasing Stadium RG2 0FL. Valentine’s weekender. Details: 0118 968 1442.

READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun St RG1 2JR. Reggae Sundays. Details: 0118 959 7196.

SONNING – The Mill at Sonning, Sonning Eye RG4 6TY. West End Meets Broadway. Details: 0118 969 8000.

Monday, February 13

WOKINGHAM – Hope and Anchor, Station Road RG40 2AD. Acoustic Cafe. 7.30pm. Details: 0118 977 0918.

Tuesday, February 14

BAGSHOT – The Foresters Arms, London Road. Bracknell Folk Club. Details: www. bracknellfolk.org.uk

READING – Fisherman’s Cottage, Kennet Side RG1 3DW. Live jazz, blues and more. Free entry, donations welcome. Details: 07866 251216.

READING - Lola Lo, Friar Street.

FOMO: Valentine’s Day Singles Night. Details: Twitter @ skintmondays

SONNING – The Mill at Sonning, Sonning Eye RG4 6TY. The Neil Diamond and Barbara Streisand Show. Details: 0118 969 8000.

Wednesday, February 15

WHISTLEY GREEN - The Elephant and Castle, Lodge Road RG10

Quantum Pig – Keep the Nation Warm

This London-based duo supported Lonely Robot this week at Islington Assembly Hall show this week. Lonely Robot’s Reading-based creator John Mitchell performs a brilliant guitar solo on this song - https:// quantumpig.live/

Squeeze – Pulling Mussels (From the Shell)

Chris Difford who co-wrote and performed so many great songs with Squeeze will be performing his solo show for WMC at the Whitty Theatre this coming Friday 10. Here’s a Squeeze classic - https:// chrisdifford.com/

Gemma Rogers – The Great Escape

London-based Gemma came to Reading in November and performed a great show at the Facebar. This song is from her new four-track EP The Great Escape – https://www.gemmarogersmusic. com/

Lonely Robot – Lonely Robot

Reading producer John Mitchell’s Lonely Robot headlined London’s Islington Assembly Hall this week - https://www.facebook.com/ LonelyRobotband/

Tom Webber – I’m Yours

Tom was live in Reading on Saturday to headline Rising Sun Arts Centre, a Club Velocity Independent Venue Week show - https://www.tomwebbermusic. com/

Flutatious – Spacechick (Mitchell Mix)

What a great show at Wokingham Music Club recently. This, from their Fluctuations EP, was mixed by John Mitchell - https://www.flutatious.co.uk/

0EH. Open mic night. Details: 0118 934 0886.

Thursday, February 16

READING – The Blagrave Arms, Blagrave Street RG1 1PW. Karaoke. Details: 0118 958 6775.

READING – The Butler, Chatham Street RG1 7DS. Storm In a Teacup: Hell’s Ditch, Missing The Scene, As Loud As A Mouse, Landlord Lynch. Details: 0118 959 5500.

READING - Lola Lo, Friar Street. Skint Thursdays: Skint Rock, pop punk and classic rock, plus house and techo. Details: Twitter @skintmondays

WOKINGHAM – The Grasshopper, Rose Street RG40 1XU. Live at the Grasshopper: Mark Warner’s Full Swing. From 6.30pm. Details: 0118 901 2678.

WOKINGHAM – Hope and Anchor, Station Road RG40 2AD. Acoustic Cafe with Alfie Griffin. 7.30pm. Details: 0118 977 0918.

WOKINGHAM – The Leafy Elephant, Peach Place. Sugar and Sax.

WOKINGHAM – The Victoria Arms, Easthampstead Road RG40 2EH. Open mic night. Details: 0118 979 9437.

Friday, February 17

BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. Signature Vision and Nothing Dreams. Details: www.theacousticcouch. co.uk

BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. I Got Soul: Barry White and Motown tribute. Details: 01344 303333.

BRACKNELL – South Hill Park, Ringmead RG12 7PA. Bracknell Jazz: Martin Shaw. Details: 01344 484123.

EMMBROOK – Emmbrook Sports & Social, Lowther Road RG41 1JB. Wokingham Music Club presents Catfish. Details: www. wokinghammusicclub.co.uk

EVERSLEY – The Golden Pot, Reading Road RG27 0NB. Paul Tino. Details: 0118 973 2104.

READING – The Butler, Chatham Street RG1 7DS. Open mic night. Details: 0118 959 5500.

READING – The Rising Sun, Silver Street RG1 2ST. An Evening with Secluded Bronte. Details: 0118 986 6788.

READING – South Street arts centre. Limehouse Lizzy. Details: 0118 960 6060.

READING – Sub89, Friar Street RG1 1EP. The Music of Prince: New Purple Celebration.

Details: 0118 959 5395. WOKINGHAM – Broad Street Tavern, Broad Street RG40 1AU. 4G. Details: 0118 977 3706.

WOKINGHAM – The Station Tap, Station Road RG40 2AD. Karaoke with Waynie. Details: 0118 977 4548.

YATTENDON – Village Hall, Yattendon Lane RG18 0UE. Brewhouse Music - Chris Garrick & John Etheridge. £16. 7pm. Details: 01635 200185.

Saturday, February 18

BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. Special Kinda Madness. Details: www. theacousticcouch.co.uk

BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. The New Ambassadors. Details: 01344 303333.

EMMBROOK – The Dog and Duck, Matthewsgreen Road RG41 1JT. The Parallels. Details: 0118 978 0544.

PLAYHATCH – The Flowing Spring, Henley Road RG4 9RB.

Hazel’s Birthday Party featuring

Moonage. Details: 0118 969 98978.

READING – The Butler, Chatham Street RG1 7DS. The Highwasters. Details: 0118 959 5500.

READING – The Jazz Cafe, Select Car leasing Stadium RG2 0FL. Glow party. Details: 0118 968 1442.

READING – The Rising Sun, Silver Street RG1 2ST. 4Fingaz Live.

Details: 0118 986 6788.

READING – Salisbury Conservative Club, Kings Road RG1 4HX. The Flashback Band. Details: 0118 926 5804.

READING – Sub89, Friar Street RG1 1EP. Craig Charles. Drum Fest: Unglued and Jam Thieves.

Details: 0118 959 5395

TILEHURST – The Royal British Legion Club, Downing Road RG31 5BB. Wardour Street.

Details: 0118 942 9606.

WOKINGHAM – The Station Tap, Station Rd RG40 2AD. DJ Bounce. Details: 0118 977 4548.

WOKINGHAM – Hope and Anchor, Station Road RG40 2AD. Full Flavour!. 7.30pm. Details: 0118 977 0918.

Sunday, February 19

READING – Blue Collar Dining, Hosier Street RG1 7JL.

Songwriter Showcase: Songwriting Trio, Shawn Twomey, Nicole Allan, Nikki Pearson. Noon-5pm. Details: www.linktr.ee/blue.collar

READING – Community Hall, Watlington House, Watlington Street RG1 4RJ. Readifolk presents: theme night It’s A

Date. Details: www.readifolk. org.uk

READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun St RG1 2JR. Reggae Sundays.

Details: 0118 959 7196.

SONNING – The Mill at Sonning, Sonning Eye RG4 6TY. Whitney: Queen of the Night. Details: 0118 969 8000.

WHAT’SON

Thursday, February 9

EARLEY – Trinity Church, Chalfont Close RG6 5HZ. Re:Fresh with Friendship Table. 2pm-4pm. Details: linkvisiting.org

FINCHAMPSTEAD –Memorial Hall. RSPB

Wokingham and Bracknell Local Group meeting: Birds of Upper Teesdale, a talk by Andy Sands. 7.45pm9.30pm. £4, members £3. Details: group.rspb.org.uk/ wokinghamandbracknell

FINCHAMPSTEAD – Siren Tap Yard, Alberto House, Marino Way RG40 4RF. Siren Beer Discovery: An Introduction to Siren through the exploration of the various beer styles of the core range. Tickets from £11.37. 7pm-8pm. Details: https://www. sirencraftbrew.com/

READING – The Centre for Heritage and Family History, 2nd Floor, Reading Central Library, Abbey Square RG1 3BQ. The hidden history of Reading’s War Graves and Memorials Talk, a talk by Liz Tait, organised by the Berkshire Family History Society. 2pm-3.30pm. £5, £4 members. Details: 0118 950 9553.

SPENCERS WOOD – Spencers Wood Pavilion, Clares Green Road RG7 1DY. Social Seniors Tea and Coffee with Friendship Table. 10am-noon. Details: linkvisiting.org

WOKINGHAM – Bradbury Centre, Wokingham Methodist Church, Rose Street RG40 1XS. Cafe Mosaic lunch club with Friendship table. Noon-1.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org

WOKINGHAM – The Whitty Theatre, Luckley House School, Luckley Road RG40 3EU. Wokingham Film Society presents: Before Sunrise (15). £6.50, £4 members. 7.30pm. Details: wokinghamfilmsociety.com

WOKINGHAM – The Cornerstone, All Saints Church, Norreys Avenue, Wokingham RG40 1UE. Wokingham and East Berkshire Camera Club meeting Folio Evening 2.

7.30pm. Details: www. webcc.org.uk.

Friday, February 10

EARLEY – St Nicolas Church, Sutcliffe Avenue RG6 7JN. Re:Fresh cafe with Friendship Table. 10am. Details: linkvisiting.org

GORING – The Catholic Parish of Our Lady & St John Catholic Church, Ferry Lane RG8 9DX. Heinrich Schutz: A German in Venice. Music for a solo tenor and baroque ensemble. 7pm. Details: ourladyandstjohngoring. org.uk

READING – The Museum of English Rural Life, Redlands Road RG1 5EX. Reduce, Reuse Recycle: make your own Sunflower Amulet using fabric scraps and unwanted clothing. 10am-noon, 2pm-4pm.

£3. Children must be

accompanied. Booking essential. Details: merl. reading.ac.uk

READING – The Rising Sun, Silver Street RG1 2ST. Friday Fledglings, a weekly outdoor session for toddlers. Booking essential. 10am-11.30am. Details: 0118 986 6788.

READING – South Street Arts. Poets Cafe. 8.30pm. Details: 0118 960 6060.

WOKINGHAM WITHOUT – Pinewood Theatre, Pinewood Leisure Centre, Old Wokingham Road RG30 3AQ. EBOS quiz night with fish and chip supper. Teams of up to six. £13. 8pm. Details: https:// www.facebook.com/ ebostheatre

WOKINGHAM – Salvation Army, Sturges Road RG40 2HD. Cafe Refresh Friendship table. 10am-1.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org

WOKINGHAM – Norreys Church, Norreys Avenue RG40 1UU. T&C at SHARE Wokingham Friendship table. 12.30pm-2.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org

WOKINGHAM – St Paul’s Church Parish Rooms, Reading Road RG41 1EH. Coffee and Chat: a warm welcome, a listening ear and refreshments. 2pm4pm. Details: 0118 979 2122 or church.office@ spauls.co.uk.

WOOSEHILL – Acorn Community Centre, Fernlea Drive RG41 3DR. Acorn Cafe with Friendship table. 10.30am-noon. Details: linkvisiting.org

Saturday, February 11

BURGHFIELD – The Cunning Man, Burghfield Road RG30 3RB. Valentine’s

Themed Pooch Party: assault course, fun photography, free toy, free bag of mixed treats, ball pit, bubble machine with bacon flavour bubbles. £11 per dog. 11am-1pm. Details: pooch.party@outlook.com

FINCHAMPSTEAD – Siren Tap Yard, Alberto House, Marino Way RG40 4RF. Street Food Saturday: Well Nice Food Co. From noon. Details: www. sirencraftbrew.com

READING – Phantom Brewing, Meadow Road RG1 8LB. Brewery tour and tasting. Noon. Booking essential. Dark Days, Dark Beers with Darklands. Details: www. phantombrew.com

GORING – St Thomas of Canterbury CofE Church, Off Manor Road RG8 9DS. Inaugural Organ Concert with Thomas Trotter. 7pm. £12. Details: www. st-marys-streatley.org.uk

HURST – Hurst Village Hall, School Road, RG10 0DR. Hurst Bowling Club quiz night. 7pm. £16.50 per person. Includes light buffet supper. Bring own drinks and cups. Details: www.facebook.com/ hurstbowlingclub

READING – All Saints Church, Downshire Square RG1 6NN. Reading Bach Choir:

featuring works by Haydn, Beethoven, Mendelssohn and more. 7.30pm. £15, under 18s £5. Details: www.readingbachchoir. org.uk/

READING – Broad St Mall, Broad Street. Share The Love for Valentine’s Day: take a seat on the love bench, take home a rose, and hear Reading Male Voice Choir. 11am-4pm.

READING – Great Hall, university of Reading London Road RG1 5AQ. Aldworth Philharmonic Orchestra winter concert: Liszt Prometheus, Ross Echo, and Tchaikosky Symphony No. 4.

7.30pm Details: www. aldworthphilharmonic. org.uk

READING – Reading Central Library, Abbey Square RG1 3BQ. Story and Craft Session: Reading Libraries Telling Stories programme continues with a Winter and Light themed story and craft session based on The Moomins In Midwinter. 11am. Free. Drop-in.

Details: 0118 901 5950.

READING – The Rising Sun, Silver Street RG1 2ST. Unsent Letters: An Exhibition exploring letters that are dedicated to loved ones - strangers, acquaintances, friends, family or partners, curated by volunteer and artist Emeline Nevers-White.

1pm-5pm. Drop-in. Details: 0118 986 6788.

WOKINGHAM – Mulgari Cars, Fishponds Road. Mulgari MINI coffee meet: coffee, doughnuts, cars. 9.30am-1.30pm.

WOKINGHAM – WADE, Reading Road RG41 1EH. Dance night with Abi Powell. 7.30pm. £11, includes snakcs. Free parking at Masonic Hall opposite. Bring your own drinks and glasses. Details: wadecentre.org.uk/events

WOKINGHAM WITHOUT –Pinewood Bar and Cafe, Pinewood Leisure Centre, Old Wokingham Road RG40 3AQ. Friendship table available. 9am-4pm.

Details: linkvisiting.org

WOODLEY – Crockhamwell Road precinct. Woodley Town Centre presents Saturday market. 9am3pm. Details: www. woodleytowncentre.co.uk

WOODLEY – Oakwood Centre, Headley Road. Thames Valley Ancient Egypt Society presents: Equipped for Eternity: The Ancient Egyptian Books of the Afterlife, a lecture by Dr Ken Griffin. 2pm.

Details: https://www.tvaes. org.uk/Talks.php

WOOSEHILL – Woosehill Church, Chestnut Avenue RG41 3RS. Sip and Share with friendship table. 11am-noon, every second Saturday. Details: linkvisiting.org

Sunday, February 12

READING – All Nations Christian Centre, Berkeley Avenue RG1 6JE. The Way warm bank: Free hot meal, free fresh and frozen food from our community fridge. 4.30pm-6pm. Details: 0118 950 5661.

READING – The Rising Sun, Silver Street RG1 2ST. Unsent Letters:

An Exhibition exploring letters that are dedicated to loved ones - strangers, acquaintances, friends, family or partners, curated by volunteer and artist Emeline Nevers-White. 1pm-5pm. Drop-in. Details: 0118 986 6788.

READING – Rivermead Leisure Centre, Richfield Avenue. Reading Vinyl Record Fair. 9am-3pm. £4.

WOKINGHAM –Easthampstead Park, Peacock Lane RG40 3DF. Wedding fair. 11am-3pm. Free. Details: www. berkshireweddingfairs. co.uk

WOKINGHAM – Market

Place RG40 1AS. Sparkle Vegan Events presents vegan market. 11am3pm. Details: www. sparkleveganevents.com

WOODLEY – Crockhamwell Road precinct. Woodley Town Centre presents car boot sale. 8am-1pm. Cars £10, tables £8. Details: 07943 510108 or www. woodleytowncentre.co.uk

Monday, February 13

ARBORFIELD – Royal British Legion, Eversley Road RG2 9PR. Friendship table. 9.30am-11.30am. Details: linkvisiting.org

CROWTHORNE – Baptist Church, High Street RG45 7AT. Coffee Stop for Ukrainian refugees and their hosts: socialise and take part in English lessons. 12.30pm-2.30pm. Details: 01344 761725.

READING – Museum, Blagrave Street RG1 1QH. Super Seeds: create a seed growing starter set, for ages five upwards. 10am, 11.15am, 1pm, 2.15pm, £4. Booking essential. Details: www.readingmuseum. org.uk

READING – Reading Central Library, Abbey Square RG1 3BQ. Biscuit decorating. £1. 10.30am-11.30am. Drop-in. Details: 0118 901 5950.

WOKINGHAM – Salvation Army, Sturges Road RG40 2HD. Cafe Refresh Friendship table. 10am-1.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org

WOKINGHAM – Norreys Church, Norreys Avenue RG40 1UU. T&C at SHARE Wokingham Friendship table. 12.30pm-2.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org

WOODLEY – Woodley Baptist Church, Hurricane Way RG5 4UX. Four Seasons cafe Friendship Table. 1.30pm-3.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org

Tuesday, February 14

EARLEY – Earley CResCent Resource Centre, Warbler Drive RG6 4HB. Friendship table. 2pm-3pm. Details: linkvisiting.org.

FINCHAMPSTEAD – FBC Centre Cafe, Gorse Ride North RG40 4ES. Friendship table. 10am. Details: linkvisiting.org

READING – Palmer Park Library, St Bartholomews Road RG1 3QB. Lucky drip craft bag. £1. Details: 0118 901 5106.

READING – Museum, Blagrave Street RG1 1QH. Nature Printing. 10am-noon or 1pm-3pm. £1. Drop-in. Details: www. readingmuseum.org.uk

READING – Zerodegrees, Bridge Street RG1 2LR. Reading Geek Night: The Mad Scientist Presents: The Science Behind Bipolar Madness (Lee Hale). 7pm-9pm. Free. Details: rdggeeknight.wordpress. com

SOUTHCOTE - Community Hub, Coronation Square RG3 3QP. Drop-in craft session: make a snail with a heart shell. For ages four10 10.30am-11.30am. £1.

Details: 0118 937 5109.

TILEHURST – Library, School Road RG31 5AS. Drop-in craft: make a bird. 10.30am-11.30am. Details: 0118 937 5112.

WHITLEY – South Reading Community Hub, 252 Northumberland Avenue RG2 7QA. Craft session. Drop-in. £1. 9.30am-noon. Details: 0118 901 5115.

WOKINGHAM – Bradbury Centre, Wokingham Methodist Church, Rose Street RG40 1XS. CLASP Wokingham cafe with Friendship table. 10amnoon. linkvisiting.org

WOKINGHAM WITHOUT –Pinewood Bar and Cafe, Pinewood Leisure Centre, Old Wokingham Road RG40 3AQ. Friendship table available. 9am-4pm. Details: linkvisiting.org

WOODLEY – Coronation Hall, Headley Road RG5 4JB. WISE Over-50s Forum: a talk by Joy Pibworthy – Eleven hundred years of Reading’s history. £3. Raffle: 50p or five tickets for £2. 2pm-4pm. Details: Woodleywise@gmail.com or: 0118 969 6206.

Wednesday, February 15

DUNSDEN GREEN – Village Hall RG4 9QG. English Country dancing evening: beginners welcome. £4, first session free. 8pm. Details: 07714 226723.

EARLEY – Brookside Church, Brookside Close RG6 7HG. Open Door cafe with Friendship Table. 2pm4pm. Details: linkvisiting. org

READING – All Nations Christian Centre, Berkeley Avenue RG1 6JE. The Half-term hangout: games, crafts, singing and more for primary school aged children. Lunch available, booking essential. Details: 0118 950 5661.

READING – Museum, Blagrave Street RG1 1QH. Victorian Schoolroom Experience in the Gateway. 10.30am, 2pm. £1. Booking essential. Details: www. readingmuseum.org.uk

READING – Palmer Park Library, St Bartholomews Road RG1 3QB. Lucky drip craft bag. £1. During opening hours. Details: 0118 901 5106.

WOKINGHAM – Bradbury Centre, Wokingham Methodist Church, Rose Street RG40 1XS. Cafe Mosiac with Friendship table. 11am-noon. Details: linkvisiting.org

WOKINGHAM – Salvation Army, Sturges Road RG40 2HD. Cafe Refresh Friendship table. 10am-1.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org

WOODLEY – Crockhamwell Road precinct. Woodley Town Centre presents

Artisan market. 9am2pm. Details: www. woodleytowncentre.co.uk

WOODLEY – Library, Headley Road RG5 4JA. BookTrust Storytime session. 10am10.30am. Free, booking essential. Details: 0118 969 0304.

Thursday, February 16

CAVERSHAM – Library, Church Street RG4 8AU. Happy Bird Day! Primary school craft session: make a bird of paradise or bird of prey. 2pm-3.30pm. £1.

Details: 0118 937 5103.

EARLEY – Trinity Church, Chalfont Close RG6 5HZ. Re:Fresh with Friendship Table. 2pm-4pm. Details: linkvisiting.org

FINCHAMPSTEAD – Siren Tap Yard, Alberto House, Marino Way RG40 4RF. Siren Beer Discovery: An Introduction to Siren through the exploration of the various beer styles of the core range. Includes third-pints of each of the five core range beers. Tickets from £11.37. 7pm8pm. Details: https://www. sirencraftbrew.com/

READING – Venue to be confirmed on booking. Terry’s Walkabout: Crime & Punishment Walkabout, find out about an evil serial killer. Maximum 16 people. £5, child over 10 £1. In aid of PACT and Royal Berks Charity. 5.45pm. Booking essential. Details: www.facebook.com/ terrysreadingwalkabouts

READING – All Nations Christian Centre, Berkeley Avenue RG1 6JE. The Half-term hangout: games, crafts, singing and more for primary school aged children. Lunch available, booking essential. Details: 0118 950 5661.

READING – Battle Library, Oxford Road RG30

1EE. Craft session for children: paint and print on a butterfly. £1. 2.30pm3.30pm. Details: 0118 937 5100.

READING – Museum, Blagrave Street RG1 1QH. Bee in a Bonnet craft session for ages five upwards. 10am, 11.15am, 1pm and 2.15pm. £4. Booking essential. Details: www.readingmuseum. org.uk

READING – The Museum of English Rural Life, Redlands Road RG1 5EX. Reduce, Recuse Recycle: make your own Sunflower Amulet using fabric scraps and unwanted clothing. 10am-noon, 2pm-4pm. £3. Children must be accompanied. Booking essential. Details: merl. reading.ac.uk

READING – Palmer Park Library, St Bartholomews Road RG1 3QB. Lucky drip craft bag. £1. During opening hours. Details: 0118 901 5106.

SPENCERS WOOD –Spencers Wood Pavilion, Clares Green Road RG7 1DY. Social Seniors Tea and Coffee with Friendship Table. 10am-noon. Details: linkvisiting.org

WOKINGHAM – Bradbury Centre, Wokingham Methodist Church, Rose Street RG40 1XS. Cafe Mosiac lunch club

with Friendship table. Noon-1.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org

WOKINGHAM – The Cornerstone, All Saints Church, Norreys Avenue, Wokingham RG40 1UE. Wokingham and East Berkshire Camera Club meeting Round 3 PDI.

7.30pm. Details: www. webcc.org.uk.

WOKINGHAM – Library, Denmark Street RG40

2BB. BookTrust Storytime session. 10am-10.30am. Free, booking essential.

Details: 0118 978 1368.

Friday, February 17

EARLEY – Earley St Peter’s Church Hall, Church Road RG6 1EY. Reading Guild of Artists presents: Bee Watercolour and Mixed Media with Caroline Crawford. 7pm. £8. Details: www.rga-artists.org.uk

EARLEY – St Nicolas Church, Sutcliffe Avenue RG6

7JN. Re:Fresh cafe with Friendship Table. 10amnoon. Details: linkvisiting. org

FINCHAMPSTEAD – Library, FBC Centre RG40 4ES. BookTrust Storytime session. 10.30am-11am. Free, booking essential.

Details: 0118 908 8176.

READING – The Castle Tap, Castle Street RG1 7RJ. The Red Dwarf Quiz - seasons

1-6. 8pm. £1 per person.

Details: 0118 958 0473.

READING – Museum, Blagrave Street RG1

1QH. Kazoo-Bees craft. 10am-noon, 1pm-3pm. £1. Drop-in. Details: www. readingmuseum.org.uk

READING – Reading Minster

Of St Mary The Virgin C

Of E Church, Chain Street RG1 2HX. Bach to Baby concert: Over the Seas and Far Away, with Mary Thorneloe, flute. 11am. £15 adults and up to two children. Details: www. bachtobaby.com

READING – Town Hall, Blagrave Street RG1 1QH. Good Evening! We’re From Ukraine! A benefit concert for Ukraine. 7.30pm.

Details: 0118 960 6060.

WOKINGHAM – Salvation Army, Sturges Road RG40 2HD. Cafe Refresh Friendship table. 10am-1.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org

WOKINGHAM – Norreys Church, Norreys Avenue RG40 1UU. T&C at SHARE Wokingham Friendship table. 12.30pm-2.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org

WOKINGHAM – St Paul’s Church Parish Rooms, Reading Road RG41 1EH. Coffee and Chat: a warm welcome, a listening ear and refreshments. 2pm4pm. Details: 0118 979 2122 or church.office@ spauls.co.uk.

WOOSEHILL – Acorn Community Centre, Fernlea Drive RG41 3DR. Acorn Cafe with Friendship table. 10.30am-noon.

Details: linkvisiting.org

Saturday,

February 18

CROWTHORNE – Library, High Street. Crowthorne Horticultural Society presents community seed swap. 10am-2pm.

FINCHAMPSTEAD – Siren Tap Yard, Alberto House,

Marino Way RG40 4RF. Street Food Saturday: Fat Tabby Catering Co. From noon. Details: www. sirencraftbrew.com

READING – Cattle Market, Great Knollys Street RG1 7HU. Reading Farmers Market. 8.15am-noon. thamesvalleyfarmers market.co.uk

READING – Eclectic Games, Union Street RG1 1EU. Open board game day. 10.30am-5.30pm. Details: 0118 959 8250.

READING – Forbury Gardens. Enough Is Enough! Reading Resists demonstration. 2.30pm. March through Reading followed by party at The Butler. Hosted by Reading Trades Union Council.

READING – Palmer Park Library, St Bartholomews Road RG1 3QB. Lucky drip craft bag. £1. During opening hours. Details: 0118 901 5106.

READING – South Street Arts. Poets Cafe online. 1pm.

Details: 0118 960 6060.

READING – Tutu’s Ethiopian Table, Palmer Park, Wokingham Rd RG6 1LF. Dreading Slam presents Poetry in the Park. 11am.

Details: 0118 966 3938.

READING – The Warehouse, 1a Cumberland Road, Reading, RG1 3LB. Model Railway Exhibition in support of the Cholsey & Wallingford Railway. 10am-4.30pm. Adults £4:50, Concessions £3:50, Children £2, Families (2+2) £10

SHINFIELD – Shinfield Players Theatre, Whitley Wood Lane. Theatreoke. 7pm. Details: www. shinfieldplayers.org.uk

WOKINGHAM WITHOUT –Pinewood Bar and Cafe, Pinewood Leisure Centre, Old Wokingham Road RG40 3AQ. Friendship table available. 9am-4pm.

Details: linkvisiting.org

WOODLEY – Crockhamwell Road precinct. Market. 9am-3pm. Details: www. woodleytowncentre.co.uk

WOOSEHILL – Woosehill Church, Chestnut Avenue RG41 3RS. Sip and Share with friendship table. 11am-noon, every second Saturday. Details: linkvisiting.org

Sunday, February 19

READING – All Nations Christian Centre, Berkeley Avenue RG1 6JE. The Way ministry presents a warm bank: Free hot meal, free fresh and frozen food from our community fridge. 4.30pm-6pm. Details: 0118 950 5661.

READING – RISC, London Road. Reading Repair Cafe: “if it’s broken, bring it along and we are sure to have a go”. 12.30pm-4pm. Free, donations welcome.

WOKINGHAM – Town Hall, Market Place RG40 1AS. Wokingham Town Council and Love Wokingham presents town hall tabletop takeover. 9.30am-5pm. Details: www.ticketsource. co.uk/wokingham

WOODLEY – Crockhamwell Road precinct. Woodley Town Centre presents car boot sale. 8am-1pm. Cars £10, tables £8. Details: 07943 510108 or www. woodleytowncentre.co.uk

Quiz Challenge

1. The monkey-puzzle tree was discovered by Europeans in which country?

2. The chapel in Windsor Castle is dedicated to which saint?

3. What is the German word for the pleasure derived from someone else’s misfortune?

4. American singer Irene Cara, who died in November 2022, was best known for which hit song?

5. In the English Civil War, which Bohemian prince commanded the royalist cavalry?

6. A narrow strip of land with sea on either side which connects two larger areas is called a what?

7. Academy Award-winning director Pedro Almodóvar comes from which country?

8. What is the ‘nineteenth hole’ on a golf course?

9. Which Pacific island was colonised by the mutineers from HMS Bounty?

10. Wide Sargasso Sea is a prequel to which famous novel?

Here are two miniature five-square crosswords using the same grid –but the letters have been mixed up. You have to work out which letters belong to which crossword.

1. Cashier at dance is the energetic type (8)

5. Sword is put back in deeper (4)

8. Public figure who has not been identified (8)

9. Unable to say why it is silent (4)

11. Run sail out when away from the mainland (7)

13. A road in New York is unpleasant (5)

14. Happening at the same time to make money with detectives in French church (11)

18. University left revolutionary art to extremist (5)

19. Pendant allowed to be put on part of the bottle (7)

21. There’s nothing about a fastener (4)

22. Crack made by vicar next to fool in church (8)

24. Need to rearrange the garden (4)

25. Fail to notice finished appearance (8)

Place the four signs (add, subtract, multiply, divide) one in each circle so that the total of each across and down line is the same. Perform the first calculation in each line first and ignore the mathematical law which says you should always perform division and multiplication before addition and subtraction.

1. Cover ship in silver, perhaps, when preserved in rock (6)

2. Uncle’s a twin (5)

3. Youngster left working with Scottish lad, one from an ancient city (10)

4. Cover most of the swimmingpool (3)

6. Acid used to put boy in the picture? (7)

7. Achieve more by reorganisation in the first stage (6)

10. Secretly insured (5,5)

12. Work to rule (5)

15. Sketch of the escape route? (7)

16. Child of five with this French fruit (6)

17. Move quickly – like lightning? (6)

20. Girl has nothing at the end of a long rope (5)

23. Turn for the clergyman (3)

Each number in our Cross Code grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. You have three letters in the control grid to start you off. Enter them in the appropriate squares in the main grid, then use your knowledge of words to work out which letters should go in the missing squares.

As you get the letters, fill in other squares with the same number in the main grid and control grid. Check off the alphabetical list of letters as you identify them.

Each row and each column must contain the numbers 1 to 9, and so must each 3 x 3 box.

How many words of four letters or more can you make from this Nonagram? Each word must use the central letter, and each letter may be used only once. At least one word using all nine letters can be found.

Guidelines:

SOLUTIONS

ACROSS DOWN

A slice of the action .. delivered

Healthy Heart Tip

TODAY is National Pizza Day, and it seems that Reading’s restaurateurs are in the dough when it comes to pizza.

Deliveroo says the town is 10th in the league table when it comes to delivering the pies to the doorsteps.

Surrey town, Haslemere, ordered the most pizza direct to their doors in the last three months, with Halemere, St Andrews and Aberystwyth in

second, third and fourth places respectively.

The food-delivery company adds that it saw a 28% increase in pizza orders on National Pizza Day last year

Aisha Jefferson at Deliveroo said, “Over the years, pizza has consistently been one of our customers’ favourite dishes, but when it comes to toppings, we see great variation in popularity and trends.

“Recent Deliveroo order data reveals our customers have a growing tolerance

for the hot stuff, with orders of spicy pizzas like a Diavola and Salamino Piccante trending in recent months.

“Whatever your favourite topping, we’re giving our customers exactly what they knead this National Pizza Day - the hottest and best value offers from some of the best pizza joints across the UK, all delivered to your doorstep by Deliveroo.”

The most popular pizzas ordered by Deliveroo customers

are Margaritas, Pepperoni, Capricciosa, Hawaiian and Sloppy Giuseppe.

Data also reveals that 6.55pm is the most popular time for Brits to order pizza on Deliveroo. The most common request when

Sustainable physical activity and how it helps

ordering pizza via Deliveroo is to remove mushrooms.

Other requests include no onions, peppers, or olives.

To celebrate National Pizza Day, Deliveroo says that some firms will be offering some

Be aware and take care when visiting a re3 recycling centre

LAST year, residents of Bracknell Forest, Reading and Wokingham Boroughs made over 550,000 visits to the re3 Recycling Centres at Longshot Lane, Bracknell and Island Road, Reading.

Most of these trips are quick and easy, allowing us to recycle materials that would otherwise go to waste.

But Recycling Centres are potentially hazardous.

FCC Environment, which operates two re3 Recycling Centres on behalf of Bracknell, Reading and Wokingham Councils, is keen to help residents stay safe on site by launching a new website and providing residents with information and advice while warning of some of the risks.

Sort before you visit

Pre-sorting your items at home can help you get in and out of your Recycling Centre quickly and efficiently.

Avoid slips, trips and falls: be aware of your footwear

In summer’s warmer weather, you may be sporting flip flops or sandals and in winter you might be wearing muddy boots – but take care and make sure you are in more suitable footwear when visiting your Recycling Centre.

You just don’t know what may have fallen on the ground where you’re walking, or who might drop something heavy, so sensible shoes are a must and bare feet are definitely not allowed.

money-saving specials. They include 21% off pizza bundles at PizzaExpress. 20% off the entire Zizzi menu and free chips at ASK Italian. Offers subject to change or availability.

Follow the signs

On arrival, a member of staff will meet and greet you and guide you to the appropriate disposal bays. These are clearly laid out and signed to help you find them.

Keep kids and pets in vehicles

With cars, vans and trucks reversing and bulky items being moved around, it’s important that children of all ages (from toddlers to teens), as well as pets, stay in your vehicle for their own safety.

Children are often keen to be green and help out at the Recycling Centre – but sorting through your materials at home can help to keep them engaged with recycling, as well as safe.

FCC environment operations director Steve Longdon said: “We welcome hundreds of thousands of people to the sites that we run each year and most visits are without incident but we want to do even better and reduce accidents, slips and trips even further so I urge the public to look at the posters on-site, or just log onto https://staysafe. fccenvironment.co.uk/ for lots of hints and tips about how to have a safe visit.”

re3 is a waste management partnership which is responsible for arranging the disposal of household waste collected across Bracknell Forest, Reading and Wokingham Boroughs working together with FCC Environment.

This includes recyclable waste and general waste collected at the kerbside, at the two Recycling Centres, glass banks and street cleaning.

IT’S well-known that exercise helps keep us healthy, yet around 34% of men and 42% of women don’t do enough physical activity.

Regular physical activity reduces your risk of cardiovascular disease by up to 35% and it is something we should all be aiming to achieve.

The key word is ‘regular’, while trying new activities which increase our physical activity levels temporarily are of benefit, we need to find ways to incorporate movement and regular physical activity into our daily routines.

Here are some tips that might help.

Make a commitment

Committing to a weekly exercise class (or multiple) can help you stay active when motivation drops. If attending a paid class isn’t an option, ask a few local friends or neighbours if they want to form an exercise group with you.

Set aside the same time each week to be active together, this could be something as simple as going for a walk or jog.

The main thing is the commitment, having a set time scheduled into your week makes it easier to hit your activity goals.

Identify opportunities

Day-to-day life usually presents opportunities for us to move more, but in today’s modern world we find lifts and escalators in most places with stairs, and it has become the norm to drive rather than walk.

Look at your weekly activities and determine ways you can be more active while going about your day-to-day duties.

This could be taking the stairs in a shopping centre or parking a little further away from work and walking the rest of the way.

Know how much

Adults should aim to do 150 minutes of physical activity every week, which is 2030 minutes a day. Other activities such as cleaning and gardening can count towards our movement goals.

Don’t just think about sweating in a gym and let that put you off, reframe even the most mundane activities like hoovering and appreciate them for helping us to stay healthy.

n For more tips on how to stay healthy, sign up for our weekly healthy tips at www.heartresearch. org.uk/healthy-tips

n To help keep your heart healthy, why not try out some of our Healthy Heart recipes from our website: https://heartresearch.org.uk/heartresearch-uk-recipes-2

n Or have a look through our Healthy Heart cookbook filled with recipes from top chefs, celebrities and food bloggers: https:// heartresearch.org.uk/heart-research-ukcookbook

STAY SAFE: re3 wants people to stay safe when visiting the sites – watching out for potential hazards and also ensuring pets and children stay in vehicles

‘NOW IS THE TIME TO FIGHT’ CHAMBERS’ RALLYING CRY TO TEAM

READING FC WOMEN’S boss Kelly Chambers has challenged her team to show ‘fight’ after they lost to Liverpool on Sunday.

UNBELIEVABLE JEFF

ROYALS FIGHT BACK TO TAKE POINT

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today

JEFF HENDRICK’s unstoppable volley ensured that Reading FC completed a comeback to take a point against Watford.

The Royals found themselves staring down the barrel of a home

defeat after the Hornets had taken the lead through Ismaila Sarr and quickly added to their advantage after the break through Ryan Porteous.

However, Paul Ince’s side came fighting back to ensure that they continued their impressive

Championship home form with a Tom Ince penalty that was followed by Hendrick’s thunderous equaliser.

“I don’t score often, but they tend to be good goals,” said Hendrick after he netted his fourth league goal of the season.

“It’s nice to get on the scoresheet

and help the team get something out of the game and we could have gone on to win it.

“We’ve showed character throughout the season. We kept going, got the goals and could have got a third as well.”

n Match report page 22

The defeat means that the Royals drop down the Women’s Super League table and are just four points above bottom side Leicester City, who have two games in hand.

Chambers was disappointed after her side didn’t have anything to show from an impressive opening display.

“For the first-half, I thought we were great,” said Chambers.

“We had a great deal of control and the second-half we didn’t match that level of intensity so that’s disappointing.

“I think you can see from the girls’ reaction, as well as mine, that we’re very disappointed not to come away with anything and it makes our job a lot harder now.”

The Royals manager has demanded her team to show fight in order to improve their situation after they dropped down to 11th.

She continued: “Now is the time to fight, stand up and be counted in every second of our upcoming games as the size of them now are huge.

“It’s hard to identify what went wrong, I need to look back and analyse it in full. I said to the girls at the end that they are two simple goals we’ve conceded, we can’t lose our individual physical battles like we did.

“To concede so soon after the first, we cannot allow that. We got rolled over the pitch far too easily so for us individually, we must do better it’s as simple as that.”

READING & WOKINGHAM 09.02.23

REACTION

RUGBY UNION

By RICHARD ASHTON sport@wokingham.today

Darlington 21

Rams 43

A STUNNING first-quarter blitz put RAMS back on top of the National One table.

They enjoyed a 43-21 bonus-point victory on an entertaining afternoon at Darlington Mowden Park.

The hosts missed an early chance to take the lead as Matt Minogue’s 40-metre penalty drifted just right of the posts, and it was RAMS who then went down the other end to get their noses in front.

A line-out steal precipitated the visitors going through the phases, and some lovely handling saw the returning Tarek Haffar touch down on the

right, Alex Seers with a magnificent conversion. The lead was doubled almost immediately as livewire scrum-half Ollie Allan spotted a gap to race 60 metres for a birthday score, Seers making no mistake for 14-0.

Things got even better when more fabulous handling ended with Axel Kalling-Smith crossing on the left, Seers with another beautiful kick, and the visitors sealed the bonus with a try-of-the-season contender.

James McRae started it with a marvellous break from his own 22 to his opponents, and Seers’ majestic cross-field kick was collected by KallingSmith for a beauty.

The conversion made

it 28-0 inside the opening 20 minutes, but DMP hit back straight away after the visitors failed to regain the restart, some fine work ending with Chris McTurk on the left.

Minogue landed the extras, and he did the same again after Henry Hadfield’s excellent individual score saw him burst through a couple of would-be tackles to touch down by the posts.

RAMS rallied and Seers strolled over to give the visitors a 33-14 half-time advantage, only blighted by a Will Partington yellow card for an infringement inside his own five metres.

The lead was extended early in the second period as Connor Hayhow cut a beautiful line to take a Robbie Stapley pass and

charge over on the left, Allan’s conversion from out wide rebounding off the right-hand post.

Darlington continued to battle and claimed their third try when impressive inside centre Ben Frankland burst through before freeing Callum Pascoe for a simple run-in.

Another Minogue conversion cut the gap to 38-21, but RAMS reasserted their control as a delightful Partington grubber kick was hoovered up by Jak Rossiter to dive over for his 15th try of a productive campaign.

As the game wore on it finally lost some of its pace, the away side seeing the contest out despite Mowden Park putting them under some pressure late in the piece.

By RICHARD ASHTON sport@wokingham.today

SEB Reynolds believes RAMS played some of their best rugby of the season during their win at Darlington Mowden Park on Saturday.

Reflecting on his side’s opening assault, the Director of Rugby said:

“It was very impressive.

“It was nice coming here, a magnificent stadium, good atmosphere, a good surface to play on and both teams wanting to play rugby – the first half-hour produced a roller-coaster of a game.

“I thought we established a good platform with very good defensive sets and at the set-piece, and then we got on the attack and took the

game away from them quite early.

RAMS RETURN TO THE TOP WITH INSPIRED BONUS POINT WIN SEB REYNOLDS: ‘IT WAS A ROLLERCOASTER’

“But then we took our foot off the pedal a little, fell off a few tackles and lost our defensive shape. We made a few silly decisions, and it gave DMP the front foot and they came back well.”

He continued: “All the crowd were enjoying it and while perhaps the second half maybe didn’t live up to that, in a way I was quite pleased because we just managed to get the game won.

“Overall, it was a really good performance and we probably played some of our best go-forward rugby of the season in patches.

“We couldn’t sustain it for the full 80 minutes because we switched off in parts, but we also had a quality opposition who played some good rugby.

Man-of-the-match Ollie Allan gets a pass away at Darlington Mowden Park

Jak Rossiter tries to stop Chris McTurk from grabbing Darlington’s first try Pictures: Mike Driver

The players at the end of the game Pictures: Mike Driver

Robbie Stapley (8) and Vince Everitt (7) hold back Talie Vaioleti

Josh Collis makes a desperate dive to stop a DMP kick ahead

Birthday boy Ollie Allan makes a clearance kick, the 19-year-old scoring RAMS’ second try earlier on

Ollie Cole makes a diving tackle

RUGBY UNION

RESILIENT READING MOVE UP WITH SIGNIFICANT WIN

By PETER CHIDGEY sport@wokingham.today

READING continued their good run against the top sides by beating second placed Stow at Holme Park. They ran in three tries in the first half and followed up with a second half score to seal their win. Reading’s forward power particularly in the scrum and their ability to convert their chances gave them a deserved win against the only team to do the double over them last season.

It was from a scrum near the line that the first Reading try came, the referee awarding a penalty try and yellow carding the Stow number eight as the main offender from the Stow pack in illegally preventing a push over.

Stow came back well and launched a series of attacks in the Reading 22 but the Reading defence held out and when the ball went loose from an

SOUTH BERKS FIGHT BACK TO SALVAGE POINT

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today

South Central Men’s Premier 2

SOUTH BERKSHIRE 1s had to settle for a point in an entertaining eight goal bout with title rivals Haslemere.

Alex Sykes was on hand to give South Berks the lead after 20 minutes before Peter Swan doubled the advantage just four minutes later.

Haslemere came fighting back and scored two quickfire goals to ensure the first period ended 2-2.

The visitors scored twice more to race into a 4-2 lead, but South Berks grabbed a goal back from Jack Baveystock to make it 3-4 and Ravi Patel netted in the 68th minute to ensure the home team secured a point.

South Berks are in third place on 25 points from 14 games, three points behind second placed Haslemere.

South Central Women’s North Division One

READING 3S stay in top spot after they collected their 13th league win of the season after they defeated Oxford 4-2.

SOUTH BERKSHIRE 1s picked up three points on their away visit to Aylesbury to maintain their spot in second.

Goals from Kelly Hancock and Ella Martin meant that the visitors earned their 10th win of the campaign with a 2-0 success.

South Berks are six points behind league leaders Reading 3s after 15 matches.

South Central Men’s North Division 2

READING 4s climbed up the table after they scored six in an away win at bottom side Thame 1s.

The 6-3 victory for Reading means they move ahead of South Berks 2s into 10th position with their third league win of the season.

SONNING 2s were on the end of a narrow defeat away at Windsor 1s.

The loss means that Sonning are in seventh on 14 points from 14 games after losing four of their last five matches.

SOUTH BERKSHIRE 2s dropped down a place after they lost out at home to Abingdon 1s.

The 2-1 defeat leaves them just one place and six points above bottom team Thame.

inaccurate pass Matt Daw scooped it up and showed the Stow defence a clean pair of heels running in a try from his own 10 metre line. Sharp converted to give Reading a 14-0 lead.

Stow threatened again from the kick off but handling errors and indiscipline let them down. A penalty gave Reading a lineout in the Stow 22 from which they launched a series of attacks eventually working an overlap for Dorliac to score in the corner. Sharp converted with a good kick to make the score 21-0.

Stow came back well at the end of the half and when Reading gave away possession some slick passing found a gap in the Reading defensive line resulting in a converted try making the score at the break 21-7 in Reading’s favour.

The second half started with Stow attacking to try to reduce the deficit and the Reading defence holding out. The dominant Reading scrum

giving them an easy option to relieve pressure.

Stow did not help themselves and continued to give away penalties and from one of these Murray-Smith found a touch deep in the Stow 22.

From the resulting line out Smith forced his way over for Reading’s fourth try and a bonus point. Sharp converted with another good kick.

As in the first half Stow responded well and after a number of phases they crossed in the corner for an unconverted try.

Both sides had their chances from this point.

Dorliac for Reading was just overhauled after a long run. Stow’s handling continued to let them down but they did manage a breakaway converted try.

In the last 10 minutes, both defences were dominant and neither team could make anything off their possession with Reading holding out for a 28-19 win.

This was a significant win for Reading which showed for the second home game in a row their ability to

beat teams in the top three of the league.

As well as the scrum dominance there were good performances from Egan and Smith who were willing runners and always put their team on the front foot.

Head coach Lee Goodall was proud of the resilience the team showed and not allow Stow back in the game. He was also pleased that Reading are now moving up the league towards the top group of teams.

Reading are at home again next Saturday to Swindon.

HOCKEY

Reading secured victory against Stow Pictures: John Newport

A scramble in the box

Reading charge towards the try line

Tom King on the ball for South Berks

Neil Bennett wins the ball for South Berks

South Berks Mens 1s v Haslemere Mens 1s

South Berks Mens 1s claimed a draw after being 4-2 down Pictures: Steve Smyth

KESTRELS KEEP TOP SPOT WITH

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today

Southern Region Women’s Division One North

WOODLEY UNITED kept top spot after a dramatic winner with the final kick of the game against Penn & Tylers Green.

The Kestrels came from a goal behind to produce a late fightback which started with a superb strike from Ellen Surtees to equalise.

With the match in the

final few moments, Charley Evans popped up with the all important winner in stoppage time.

CAVERSHAM UNITED climbed up to fifth place after they scored five past Carterton without reply.

A superb attacking display from the Goats ensured they bounced back from last week’s defeat to Woodley with goals from Annabelle Baxter, Chante Byone-Gittens, Emma Hopkins and Caitlin Levy to take a 5-0 win,

EVERSLEY & CALIFORNIA were narrowly beaten at home 1-0 by Long Crendon.

Southern League

Premier South

BRACKNELL TOWN are in fourth position after they held out for an away win against Hanwell Town.

The home team went into half-time with a one-goal lead, but Bracknell turned the game on its head with quickfire goals after the hour mark from Gary

Abisogun and Daryl Sanders. The Robins then added comfort to their advantage with a third from Kamaron English, and despite the hosts getting a goal back to make it 3-2, Bracknell claimed three points.

Isthmian South Central

BINFIELD are in seventh place after they had to settle for a point in their home contest with Southall.

The Moles went in front when Conor Lynch marked

his debut with a goal, but the visitors squared the game before half-time.

Binfield had the chance to win the match in the 77th minute when they were awarded a penalty and the away team were reduced to 10 players.

But Brad Pagliaroli had his spot kick saved as the teams shared the points.

Combined Counties

Premier North

ASCOT UNITED maintain their reign at the top of the table after they smashed six past In a match that pitted first against bottom, the Yellas flexed their strength as they earned their 18th win in 20 matches.

There were five different scorers for Ascot in their 6-0 triumph as Sean McCormack, Jordan Ajanlekoko, Usman Lalustani, Dan Bailey and a brace from top scorer Brendan

Mollie Haines in action for Woodley United Pictures: Andrew Batt

Eversley celebrate Ben Catt’s goal against Sandhurst Pictures: Richard Milam

Adam Crocker shoots at goal

Sam Mead scores from the spot

Joao Jardim scores

Sumas enjoyed away success at Windsor on Saturday Pictures: Andrew Batt

The Kestrels celebrate after scoring a last-gasp winner

Gemma Simms, Sarah Lawrence, May Hamblin, Katie Hudson, Charley Evans and Sophie

Sophie Measham fights for the ball in the air

WITH LATE WINNER

AT Reading Football Club’s home match against promotion seeking Watford last weekend there was one incident, a denied goal for Watford, that puzzled the home fans as much as the visiting supporters.

It came at a significant time of the match.

Watford had seemingly scored a goal that would put them 3-1 ahead in the match.

After the usual celebrations had taken place both on the pitch and on the filled terrace of away supporters, there came a hush around the stadium as the referee walked over to talk to his assistant referee.

This is unusual these days, because the referee and his assistants are wired up so they can speak to each other at any time during the match, with no need to converse at close range.

It was obvious however that the referee wanted some detailed clarification from his assistant.

The television coverage of the match showed what had caused this unusual action.

Matthew were all on the scoresheet. READING CITY continued their unbeaten record at the Rivermoor by seeing off London Lions.

Ellis Cowd and Eddie Lee netted in the 2-0 win to keep the pressure on league leaders Ascot. Reading are in second place with 48 points from 19 matches, seven points behind Ascot with a game in hand to play.

Combined Counties

Division One

EVERSLEY & CALIFORNIA claimed an important point away at title challengers

SANDHURST TOWN despite conceding a late goal.

FOOTBALL

The Fizzers raced into an early lead, scoring with just two minutes on the clock, but Eversley struck back through Ben Catt to equalise.

The Boars then went in front just three minutes later with a Ross McKernan header.

Eversley were on the brink of taking an impressive win, but Sandhurst fired in an equaliser in the dying embers of the game to share the points.

BERKS COUNTY are in fourth after their thumping away win against London Samurai Rovers.

The Swords were in fine scoring form and took a 6-1 win thanks to braces from Matt Laverty, Les Sackey and strikes from Shaun Wyllie and Ellis Day.

WOODLEY UNITED lost out in a five-goal contest away to Hillingdon Borough.

Rafael Brando and Connor Richardson scored for the Kestrels, but they were unable to claim a result after they were beaten 3-2.

Thames Valley Premier League

FINCHAMPSTEAD picked up their eighth league win of the campaign by beating WARGRAVE Goals from Aqeel Butt, Dylan Parmar and Joel Day helped Finch to run out as 3-0 victors to keep them in second position.

BURGHFIELD are in fifth place after they earned three points

SUMAS WIN AT WINDSOR TO EASE RELEGATION FEARS

against Wraysbury Village. Goals from Harvey Beales and Joshua Howell saw the Fielders take a 2-0 win.

Southern Region Women’s Premier

ASCOT UNITED moved closer to the top of the table after their away win at Bournemouth Sports.

Dom Carrington and Hannah Bennett scored for the Yellas to see them claim all three points with a 2-1 success.

The win means they are in second position, seven points behind league leaders Abingdon United, but with two games in hand.

The Reading goalkeeper has stretched out his hand to stop the ball, which had been played by a Watford player, but only succeeded in parrying it into the goal.

But the television cameras also showed that there was a Watford player in an offside position, standing a little way in front of the Reading goalkeeper, perhaps preventing him from seeing the ball until the last minute accounting probably for his late attempt to save it.

The Laws of the Game have been clear on this for many years.

It is an offside offence if a player becomes involved in active play by clearly obstructing the opponent’s line of vision.

This can be a most difficult decision for match officials because the assistant referee can see that the player is in an offside position, but not from his viewpoint, if he is obstructing an opponent’s line of vision.

By ARTHUR STRAND

Windsor 1

sport@wokinham.today keep the ball for passes although it was lost by Windsor by intercepted passes or challenges which also happened to Sumas.

Sumas 2

WOKINGHAM & EMMBROOK climbed up a place after earning a vital victory on the road at Windsor.

The Sumas moved further away from the relegation places with just their fourth win in 23 matches.

Play was reasonably well shared into the second quarter of the first half but Wokingham tended to

A corner kick came close but the effort still missed and Windsor countered by making a move forward, but it was dealt with comfortably by goalkeeper Sean Woodward.

After Josh Millo was taken down in the box, Wokingham were awarded a penalty which was converted by Sam Mead.

Wokingham & Emmbrook restarted with a good run and had

three attempts at goal in as many seconds, but were unable to add to their advantage.

After a free kick and a few bouts of midfield play, Windsor were pinned back and just past the hour, Joao Jardim broke the mould and scored to put the Sumas 2-0 up.

The sting of the second goal did not demoralise Windsor players at all and it motivated them for the last quarter of the game.

Windsor took a free kick but Woodward was ready and waiting, claiming the ball again. Play continued in the same manner

with Windsor pushing for a goal and Sumas defending stoutly and countering whenever they could.

A final burst of energy by Windsor took the game towards full-time when with two minutes left, substitute Tajs scored a consolation goal for the hosts.

In the 89th minute Sebastian Linturn received a yellow card –the only one of the game.

Sumas hung on until the final whistle to claim three points from the efforts that they made and no dishonour to Windsor for not quite clinching a draw.

The referee can see that, but not whether the player concerned is offside, which is probably why the referee at the Reading/ Watford match wanted to be clear before making his decision.

There are some critics of this Law and comments have been made recently saying that goalkeepers often get the view blocked by their own defenders and like all other defenders, goalkeepers need to position themselves so the opponents have less chance of scoring.

If this negative ruling was removed, say its detractors, it would see many more goals being scored.

Reading players and fans are glad that it still exists.

The mystery of the disallowed goal

Sophie Measham celebrate

Dick Sawdon-Smith

How they rated

Joe Lumley

Made a great save to deny Sarr early in the second half. Could arguably have done better with Araujo’s cross for Sarr’s goal.

Andy Yiadom

Had more joy going forward in the second half. Struggled to contain the threat down Watford’s left however.

Amadou Mbengue

A little shaky. Tasked with picking up the mercurial Sarr and picked up a first-half booking for his troubles. Grew into the game.

Tom Holmes

Solid. Was caught the wrong side of Sarr for the opener, but imposed his physicality on Watford’s front line.

Tom McIntyre

Poor. Caught out for both goals and struggled to handle Martins and Araujo and offered little going forward barring the occasional foray.

Junior Hoilett

Offered an outlet down Reading’s left, but switched off to let Araujo in behind for Watford’s opener. Tired and was replaced by Azeez.

Mamadou Loum

Unable to assert his control over the Hornets’ midfield duo of Bacuna and Choudhury but improved as the game wore on.

Cesare Casadei

Never really settled into the game and was replaced by Fornah early in the second half.

Jeff Hendrick

What a hit to make it 2-2. Didn’t have the impact on the midfield he would have wanted, but more than made up for it with his goal.

Tom Ince

The driving force behind the team once again. Brought the energy and linked up with his teammates well.

Shane Long

Isolated. Used his experience to win a penalty for his side. Missed a golden opportunity to make it 2-2.

SUBS

6 5 6

5 5 7

6 5 5

7 5

HENDRICK STUNNER WIPES OUT

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today

READING FC overturned a two-goal deficit against Watford after a stunning Jeff Hendrick volley 10 minutes from time earned them a point.

Goals either side of half-time from Ismaila Sarr and Ryan Porteous put the Hornets into a commanding lead.

But after Shane Long drew a foul to win a penalty which Tom Ince tucked away, momentum was with the home side.

Hendrick connected deliciously on the volley to blast a shot past Daniel Bachmann to wipe out Watford’s two-goal lead.

There was a full league debut for Chelsea loanee Cesare Casadei who was thrown straight into the mix having just arrived last week, while Andy Carroll missed out through suspension.

In an uneventful start to proceedings, neither side were able to impose themselves to find a breakthrough.

The first big chance of the match was carved out by Tom Ince.

Shane Long was set free on the left wing and looked inside to find Ince who cut onto his left and his low drive looked to be headed for the bottom corner, but Watford keeper Daniel Bachmann got fingertips to the shot to keep it out.

The Hornets responded with their first decent opening a few minutes later when Sarr was given time to work the ball on his right and try to dig out a shot into the far corner that drifted just wide of Joe Lumley’s goal.

REACTION

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today

READING FC assistant manager Alex Rae was pleased with the team’s resolve after they overcame a two-goal deficit to draw with Watford.

Jeff Hendrick hit the equaliser with a thunderous volley to see the Royals complete the turnaround.

“The equaliser through Jeff, It was a terrific strike,” said Rae.

“We take the point and move on. It was a recognition from Thomas who saw Jeff with his hand up at the back post.

“The ball travelled 45 or 50 yards, To take it and execute it, we’re delighted with that.

Match stats

READING: Lumley, Holmes, McIntyre, Yiadom (c), Mbengue, Hoilett, Loum, Hendrick, Casadei, Ince, Long

SUBS: Bouzanis, Dann, Joao, Meite, Azeez, Guiness-Walker, Fornah

WATFORD: Bachmann, Gaspar, Choudhury, Davis, Kamara, Cathcart (c), Araujo, Porteous, Sarr, Bacunan, Martins

SUBS: Hamer, Pedro, Kone, Assombalonga, Morris, Hoedt, Adeyemo

GOALS: Sarr 30’, Porteous 48’, Ince 66’ (pen), Hendrick 80’

“Sometimes you have to think outside the box so it’s very pleasing.”

Things could have been different as Watford were denied by a very late offside Call to disallow a goal that would have put them 3-1 in front.

Speaking on the incident, Rae said: “It’s a great call from the linesman. He was a yard in front of him blocking his eyeline.

“It was an easy enough decision to make, but thankfully he did call it because we’ve seen a few that have been missed.

“The introductions of the subs helped us. Femi (Azeez) came on and had a big impact.

With his next chance, Sarr punished Reading from point blank range when he found an inch of room in the six-yard box to latch onto Henrique Araujo’s low cross and find the net.

Royals defender Amadou Mbengue picked up the first yellow card of the game when he clipped the back of Sarr’s heels when he was released down the left after Hassane Kamara picked a smart pass following his surging run from his own half.

CHAMPIONSHIP ALEX RAE: ‘WE SHOWED SPIRIT IN ABUNDANCE’

“It’s a brilliant group of boys, they’re brilliant to work with and show a lot of spirit.

“We had that in abundance today.

“There wasn’t a great deal in the first half so it was disappointing. Unfortunately we lost a goal at a set play and we have to defend that moment better.

“It was an uphill task from there, but the character the boys showed was brilliant.

“They worked their way back

Reading’s final chance in a threadbare half came with a freekick from 25 yards that Ince lined up wide on the right, but his shot flew harmlessly over the top as the visitors went into the break with an advantage.

Watford then threatened when Sarr had another shot at goal, but Lumley did well to close down his angle and save with his body.

But from the resulting corner, the Hornets doubled their lead.

into it and they easily could have folded at that stage.

“We had some words with them at half-time.

“We switched off structurally and got picked off.If you do that at this level, you get punished.”

“In the 88th minute we had an opportunity we could have capitalised with, but they will feel as though they could have nicked it as well.

“It’s another point on the board and our home form has been pretty decent.”

Royals skipper Andy Yiadom

Choudhury charges down Ince’s shot

Long celebrates with Hendrick

Hendrick’s volley finds the net

The Royals overturned a two-goal

Tyrese Fornah 5, Femi Azeez 6, Scott Dann n/a, Yakou Meite n/a

HORNETS’ TWO-GOAL LEAD

Women suffer damaging defeat against relegation rivals

READING FC WOMEN’s survival hopes were dealt a blow after they lost to fellow relegation rivals Liverpool.

The defeat leaves the Royals second bottom of the Women’s Super League on seven points, four points above bottom placed Leicester City who have two games in hand.

Things could have been different for the Royals had they taken the lead, and they went agonisingly close to doing so in the first-half.

Emma Mukandi shifted onto her left foot to put in an inswinging cross that Emma Harries stooped to meet and watched on as her header bounced off the top of the crossbar.

Reading looked confident throughout the first-half and tried to punish Liverpool when Rachel Rowe played a through ball to Sanne Troelsgaard, who seeked to continue her fine scoring form when she took aim from 30 yards with an effort that whistled just over the target.

Ryan Porteous lost his marker from the set piece and was allowed a free header which he accepted gratefully and glanced the ball into the far corner.

Ince made his first change in the 56th minute when Tyrese Fornah replaced Casadei after he failed to make a strong impression on his debut.

Lumley prevented the game from being dead and buried when he got a hand to Matheus Martins’ venomous drive at his near post.

The game took a potential turning point when the referee pointed to the spot after Shane

Long was adjudged to have been taken down by Craig Cathcart in the penalty area.

Ince stepped up to the mark and tucked the penalty into the bottom corner past Bachman to get the Royals back within a goal.

Bilic’s team thought they had restored their two-goal advantage with just over 10 minutes to go when Martins’ effort took a deflection off Britt Assombalonga to beat Lumley.

But after deliberating, the linesman raised his flag to make a late call to disallow the goal with the forward standing in an offside position in front of the goalkeeper.

Things get heated in stoppage time after Joao Pedro’s late tackle

With the atmosphere cranked up a few notches, Reading sensed an opportunity to get something from the game and they snatched it when a deep corner was met by Hendrick who smacked a volley past Bachmann to level the game.

Reading got on the front foot again to try and snatch all three points with Hendrick lurking in the box before a deflection fell the way of Yakou Meite who launched a shot over the target.

The draw leaves Reading in 16th position on 38 points from 29 games. Next up is a trip to Sunderland next Saturday.

ROYALS SEEK REVENGE TO TRY AND FIX AWAY FORM

READING FC will be looking to enact revenge on Sunderland on their trip to the Stadium of Light on Saturday.

The Royals lost out 3-0 in their earlier meeting with the Black Cats at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.

Paul Ince’s team boast a strong home record this campaign, but were heavily beaten when Sunderland travelled to Berkshire in September when a Patrick Roberts double and a goal from Jack Clarke saw them go back with all three points.

Sunderland go into the contest in

ninth place, four points ahead of Reading and just two points outside the play-off places.

After losing manager Alex Neil, who departed to join Stoke City earlier in the season, Sunderland have managed to regroup and continue a strong push under the experienced Tony Mowbray who was appointed to take over in August.

Despite their recent run of impressive results, Sunderland have fared better on the road than they have in front of their home supporters.

They have suffered as many defeats (five) as they have picked up victories at home so far after 14 matches.

Sunderland have lost just one of their last nine matches in all competitions, which included an away draw at Craven Cottage against Premier League high flyers Fulham in the FA Cup.

They picked up a point on their visit to Millwall last weekend after Dennis Cirkin netted an 81st minute equaliser to ensure they didn’t lose ground on a fellow top six rival.

Sunderland’s top scorer this season has been Ross Stewart who has bagged 10 goals and three assists in 13 Championship appearances.

Reading’s last visit to the Stadium of Light was in December 2017 where the Royals came away with maximum points.

After the hosts were reduced to 10 men, Reading took the initiative and ensured they put Sunderland to the sword with an opener from Dave Edwards and a brace from Modou Barrow to take a 3-1 victory under Jaap Stam. n Kick-off 3pm Saturday

The second-half was a different story and the Reds nudged themselves in front when Missy Bo Kearns got the better of Deanna Cooper in the six yard area and poked the ball into the corner past Jackie Burns to break the deadlock in the 62nd minute.

Liverpool quickly added to their advantage to deal a double blow to the Royals when a long throw was flicked onto the back post and Ceri Holland was left unmarked at the back post to convert from close range.

The damaging defeat means that Reading drop down a place after being overtaken by Brighton & Hove Albion who picked up a point against Aston Villa.

Meanwhile, Liverpool moved four points ahead of the Royals with two games still in hand.

Reading are back in action on Sunday, February 26 in the FA Women’s Cup with a fifth round away tie at Tottenham Hotspur.

LIVERPOOL: Laws, Koivisto, Bonner, Matthews, Campbell, Hinds, Kearns, Lawley, Nagano, Holland, Stengel

Subs: Robe, Roberts, Lundgaard, Humphrey, Daniels, Cumings, Kirby, Silcock, Taylor

READING: Burns, Mukandi (c), Cooper, Evans, Woodham, Vanhaevermaet, Moore, Eikeland, Troelsgaard, Rowe, Harries

Subs: Moloney, Bryson, Wade, Hendrix, Jane, Alexander, Poulter, Primmer

Goals: Kearns 62’, Holland 65’

Captain Emma Mukandi Stock picture: Steve Smyth

two-goal deficit to claw back a point Pictures: Steve Smyth and Luke Adams

Yiadom moves forward

McIntyre Cesare Casadei made his debut

Hoilett takes on Gaspar

Hoilett finds a teammate

McIntyre fights to win the ball

ATHLETICS

HELEN WINS CALL UP FOR WORLD TRANSPLANT GAMES

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today

WOKINGHAM resident Helen Wilson has been selected to represent Great Britain and Northern Ireland in the upcoming World Transplant Games.

The games, which will take place between Saturday, April 15- Tuesday, April 21, will see 150 athletes represent Team GB.

The World Transplant Games, which works in partnership with the charity Transplant Sport, usually take place every two years and are supported by the International Olympic Committee. Due to the pandemic, the last time the Games took place was 2019 in Newcastle. The sporting event represents the largest organ donor awareness event in the world, featuring a week of 17 sporting events.

Team GB will join over 1,000 other transplant athletes and live donors from 60 countries across the globe.

One of the largest teams in the world will be representing Great Britain and NI at the World Transplant Games April 15-21.

Helen received a kidney from her brother in February 2007 and a liver from an incredible donor family in December 2013 following diagnosis of polycystic disease.

Helen is currently British Champion in her sports of discus,

shot and javelin and is also the European Champion in discus and shot.

She is training hard with her coach Ken Spencer at Bracknell Athletics Club as well as doing regular sessions in the gym to ensure she is as fit and ready as possible to represent her donors, her hospitals and everyone who has supported her on her journey so far.

Helen said “This is an incredible opportunity to raise awareness

about organ donation and the Transplant Games as well as to encourage people to have conversations with their loved ones to share their wishes about organ donation.

“I am very proud and honoured to have been selected for Team GB.”

At the World Transplant Games in 2019 in Newcastle, Helen won bronze in shot and silver in discus and will be doing her very best to bring home a medal from Australia.

Lynne Holt, team manager,

added: “These Games certainly deserve the same recognition as the Olympic and Para Olympic Games.

“Selection on to our team is just the beginning as it is an enormous commitment of both time and money. The next months will be busy for the athletes, keeping fit, regularly training in their sport, attending regular team training meets, doing publicity, however, the opportunity to compete, celebrate life and in doing so, paying tribute to their donors, is the goal.”

TABLE TENNIS WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL

KINGFISHER A EDGE CLOSER TO LEAGUE TITLE TRIUMPH

By NIGEL MALTBY

sport@wokingham.today

KINGFISHER A edged closer to confirming the Division One title with a 10-0 win away to Tilehurst RBL A, who put up little resistance.

Second place OUR LADY OF PEACE A stuttered with only two players but still managed to edge out SONNING COMMON & PEPPARD B 6-4.

Sonning’s additional point originating from the bat of Matt Isherwood with an excellent win over Steve Murgatroyd, while for OLOP Ian Cole continued his impressive recent run without dropping an end.

At the bottom end of the table, READING FC suffered a 2-8 loss at home to KINGFISHER D

Julian Telford and young Ethan Zheng picked up two each, both losing out to Mike Childs in closely fought encounters.

Mike could not convert a 2-0 lead over Graham Mendick, who once again earned his maximum.

Despite Prayrit Ahluwalia scoring another triple, KINGFISHER C remain stuck in the relegation zone after a 4-6 loss against KINGFISHER B

Elsewhere, reserve Dale Ballard outscored his TIDMARSH A team mates which included an unexpected 3-0 victory over SONNING COMMON & PEPPARD A’S Neil Hurford. The end result was 4-6 in Sonning Common’s favour with Jamie Barlow remaining unbeaten for them.

SONNING COMMON & PEPPARD D’s title ambitions from division two took a slight knock when they could only field two players and went down to a 4-6 defeat against KINGFISHER G

The two highlight sets were SC&P’s star player Danny Dockree having a very close set against Neil Dellar before winning 11-9 in the fifth, plus

KINGS TEAMS SHOT DOWN BY AWESOME ACES

the doubles where the SC&P team recovered from two games to one down and 5-10 down to win in five.

TIDMARSH B and the improved KINGFISHER E had a close match which the Tidmarsh team just edged 6-4 with Tidmarsh’s Dale Ballard getting an impressive three straight maximum.

OUR LADY OF PEACE B beat a TILEHURST METHODISTS

A team, minus their star player Eric Van Looy, 7-3. Bill Stamatiou had two good win for Tilehurst including beating Darek Kaminski and the set of the night was Darek’s win in five against Phil Jones.

The competition in division three heated up, and a new leader emerged.

SPRINGFIELD A has taken the top spot, although with one more game played than 2nd placed PANGBOURNE WMC

OUR LADY OF PEACE E came out on top with a 9-1 victory against SONNING SPORTS B

THAMES Valley Kings suffered a tricky weekend with all three of teams going down to defeats.

In Division Three South, Aces II took the win 34-48 against KINGS III. The game that was neck and neck in the first half, but Aces II managed to edge the third quarter with some impressive defensive pressing.

In Division Two South, KINGS II faced Aces, who overpowered them in the second half to take the victory 29-62.

In Division One South, KINGS took an early lead before Jaguars settled into the game. Jaguars gained the upper hand in the second half taking the win 40-75.

This weekend Kings’ first team faces CWBA II on Saturday before Junior League on Sunday as the Bears will host the final round against Titans Juniors and Kings Juniors in Birmingham.

RESULTS

Saturday, February 4

FOOTBALL Championship

Reading 2-2 Watford

Southern League Premier South

Hanwell Town 2-3 Bracknell Town

Isthmian South Central Binfield 1-1 Southall

Combined Counties Premier North

Ascot United 6-0 Oxhey Jets

Reading City 2-0 London Lions

Windsor 1-2 Sumas

Combined Counties Division 1

Hillingdon Borough 3-2 Woodley United

London Samurai Rovers 1-6

Berks County

Sandhurst Town 2-2 Eversley & California

Thames Valley Premier League

Burghfield 2-0 Wraysbury Village

Finchampstead 3-0 Wargrave

RUGBY UNION

National League One

Darlington 21-43 Rams

London & SE Regional South Central

Bracknell 24-19 Banbury

HOCKEY South Central Men’s Premier 1 Reading 2s 1-0 Basingstoke

Women’s National Conference West

Trojans 1-2 Reading 2s

South Central Men’s Premier 2

South Berkshire 4-4

Haslemere

South Central Women’s North Division 1 Aylesbury 0-2 South Berkshire

Sunday, February 5

FOOTBALL

Women’s Super League Liverpool 2-0 Reading

Southern Region Women’s

Premier Division

Bournemouth Sports 1-2 Ascot United

Southern Region Women’s Division One North

Caversham United 5-0

Carterton

Eversley & California 0-1 Long

Crendon

Penn & Tylers 1-2 Woodley United

Cup

Ascot United Reserves 3-1

Kingsclere

Oxford City U23s 0-7 Tilehurst Panthers

Wargrave 8-0 Wallingford & Crowmarsh

Denham United Reserves 6-5

S4K Berks County

Wycombe Wanderers 2-2 (2-4 pens) Eversley Reserves

Plate Burghfield 8-1 Wycombe

Saints

Caversham AFC 3-1 Long

Crendon Development

Yateley United 4-7 Milton Keynes City

FIXTURES

Friday, February 10

RUGBY UNION

National League One Rams v Chinnor

Saturday, February 11

FOOTBALL Championship

Sunderland v Reading

FA Trophy fifth round Bracknell Town v Altrincham

Isthmian South Central Guernsey v Binfield

FA Vase fifth round Bridgewater United v Ascot United

Combined Counties Premier North Reading City v Windsor

Combined Counties Division One Berks County v Hillingdon Borough

Eversley & California v Westside

Woodley United v FC Deportivo Galicia

Thames Valley Premier Burghfield v Westwood Wanderers

Reading City U23s v Reading YMCA

RUGBY UNION London & SE Regional 1 Bracknell v Oxford Harlequins

South West Regional 2 Reading v Swindon

HOCKEY

Men’s National Premier Hampstead & Westminster v Reading

Women’s National Premier Reading v Holcombe

South Central Men’s North Division 1

Oxford Hawks 3s v Sonning

South Central Women’s Premier 1 Sonning v Fareham

Sunday, February 12

FOOTBALL

Southern Region Women’s Premier

Abingdon United v Ascot United

Southern Region Women’s Division One North

Eversley & California v Caversham United

Milton United v Woodley United

Thames Valley Women’s Division One Ascot United Reserves v Procision Oxford

Banbury United v Tilehurst Panthers

Helen competing in the shotput

Helen also competes in javelin

Helen Wilson Transplant Games

Helen representing Team GB