TO HELP relief efforts in Turkey following the earthquake, a local fundraising group has sent a donation.
The Rotary Club of Pangbourne wired £1,000 in US dollars to its sister club, Rotary District 2430.
It follows the disaster of February 6, which affected both Turkey and neighbouring Syria.
The death toll is thought to be over 36,000, with tens of thousands injured. The quake measured 7.8 on the Richter scale.
The Rotary Club of Turkey sent over an despatch of its efforts. It is now slightly out of date as rescue operations are still ongoing in the hope that some people will be found alive.
Dr Emre Öztürk, its district governor, wrote: “The current situation is very tragic.
“The two successive and big earthquakes along with the aftershocks have been effective in 10 cities where more than 13 million people live.
“This is one of the biggest disasters of the geography we are living in, leaving a huge destruction and debris.”
He added: “Many people were saved but the hopes for the way too many under the rubbles are diminishing every minute. The freezing cold makes it hard to survive and the lack of electricity, natural gas and accommodation is a major problem for the survivors.
“The government has declared state of emergency. The army has been given a role to help the rescue teams.”
The Rotary clubs are sending generators, tents, winter cloths,
diapers, hygienic peds, food, water and fuel. “Also,” Dr Öztürk said, “We have sent several excavators and similar construction vehicles.
“We have four Rotary centres in the region in Adana, Osmaniye, Gaziantep and Malatya where we provide either accommodation, food or both. We are in touch with Shelterbox.
“SOS has already came with generators and tents and on their way to Elbistan, epicenter of the earthquake. We are accepting donations for future rehabilitations.”
He added: “We, as the three districts in Turkey, are now applying commonly to the disaster response grant. “We have also opened accounts for other donations. Should any Rotarian or club would like to donate they are more than welcome.”
n Donations can be made via: rotary2430.org.tr/deprem-bagisi
STUDENTS at the University of Reading have raised funds for those affected by the earthquake in Turkey and Syria.
More than £2,000 was donated in three days by the university’s Turkish Society, who set up a stall outside the students’ union building on Wednesday selling cakes, sweets and Turkish treats.
Two major earthquakes, which measured at 7.8 and 7.5 on the magnitude scale, took place on Monday, February 6, leaving more than 30,000 people dead.
Diyar Ulgur, a second year quantity surveying student, has given his support to the society in recent days.
His parents grew up in Pazarcik, Kahramanmaras, near the site of the earthquake in Turkey.
He visits the city with his parents most summers where they had a house that is now uninhabitable. Diyar and his family know several people, including relatives, who have
been impacted by the disaster.
Diyar said: “All I feel is heartache, there isn’t any other way to describe it.
“It’s not just random people who have been impacted, for me it’s people I’ve had conversations with, people I’ve had tea with.
“In Turkey, one person’s struggle is everyone’s struggle.”
Arda Basara, a second year psychology student, said: “It’s terrible knowing that people are underneath the rubble, trapped and cold and waiting to be rescued when you can go back to your warm house and live normally.
“We’re all living in the same world, we’re all human. I think we should be at each other’s sides when we need help in any kind of situation. Even though it’s far away, even a small donation will definitely help organisations to provide support.”
The University of Reading has more than 100 students from Turkey and between 20-30 from Syria. A number of academic and professional staff also have personal links with the affected areas.
Students who have been affected by the disaster are being directed to a range of practical, emotional and financial support, which can be accessed via the Me@Reading portal.
Prof Parveen Yaqoob, the university’s deputy vice-chancellor, said: “On behalf of the University of Reading community, I express my deepest condolences to all those affected by the devastating earthquake in Turkey and Syria.
“I know that the university community stands in solidarity with the Turkish and Syrian people and all those who have been impacted by this tragedy.
“The resilience and determination displayed by Reading students and colleagues in recent days, working to encourage people to make much-needed donations and showing their solidarity is to be applauded.
“I am sure every pound raised will help to make a difference to the lives of those people who are currently urgently in need of our help.”
THAMES Valley Police is appealing for witnesses to an incident of assault which left a man with serious injuries. The victim, a man in his forties, was walking along Wokingham Road, Earley, at around 12.45am on Sunday, January 29.
The victim suffered serious injuries including a fractured back, a fractured pelvis, a broken arm, and torn ligaments. He was taken to hospital for treatment, where he remains.
The exact nature of the incident is still unclear.
PC Benjamin Taylor, based at Loddon Valley police station, said: “We are carrying out a thorough investigation in order to establish the exact circumstances of this incident and would appeal for anyone with information about what happened to please come forward.
“Anyone with CCTV cameras in the area or anyone with a dash-cam who was driving in the area at the time of the incident should check their recordings in case they have captured anything which could help our investigation.
“Anyone with information should call 101 or make a report on our website, quoting reference number 43230057599.
“Alternatively, speak anonymously to independent charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111.”
A CAR was stolen from a Tilehurst driveway last week and police are appealing for witnesses.
The vehicle, a grey BMW series 5 car, was taken from a home in Sage Road.
The incident took place between 11.30pm on Thursday, February 9, and 6.30am on Friday, February 10.
Thames Valley Police is appealing for witnesses to come forward, especially if they have doorbell, dashcam or CCTV footage.
Anyone with information can call 101, quoting reference 43230062288.
READING Buses is opening up its Park and Ride to and from the Royal Berkshire Hospital.
From Monday, the company will be offering the Hospital Park and Ride 300 from Thames Valley to the Royal Berkshire Hospital, and then Christchurch Green and Mereoak Park and Ride.
This will connect the hospital with the park and ride locations and the University.
The service replaces the closed-door H3 service for hospital and university staff and students, with a new name to reflect that it is also available to members of the public.
It will run up to every 20 minutes in peak hours, and every 30 minutes during the day, with the first buses of the day timed to arrive at the hospital at 6.45am and leaving at 7.15pm.
Fares on the service will be a part of the simplyReading zone which allows travel on all Reading Buses services.
Reading Buses Chief Executive Officer Robert Williams said: “I am very pleased that we have been able to continue developing services in the area to support the Royal Berkshire Hospital, and to help encourage a switch to more sustainable transport options.
“Free travel will continue to be available for Royal Berkshire Hospital and University employees, and now the public can also use the service so that they don’t have to worry about finding a parking space at the hospital.”
By PHIL CREIGHTON news@rdg.todayLOVE was on the shopping lists on Saturday, as Cupid turned up at a Reading shopping centre, complete with his bow and arrow.
There was music, and love and romance –but no moonlight – as Broad St. Mall turned its spotlight on an early celebration of Valentine’s Day.
A floral bench was installed in Central Square, so customers could take a selfie with their loved one or best friend.
And there was a hedged heart set up full with red roses.
Visitors could pick a flower and take home with them. For those with a sweeter tooth and younger in years, chocolate heart lollipops on offer.
And to cap it off, there was a performance from Reading Male Voice Choir.
Ahead of the day, Steven Connolly, general manager of Broad St. 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.”
Judging from our pictures, they certainly did. n To find out more about events at the shopping centre, log on to: broadstreetmall.com
Janet Lippett, acting chief executive officer for Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust, said; “We know the experience patients and visitors have travelling to hospital can make a huge difference to their health and wellbeing.
“We are really excited to be opening this park and ride service to the public – providing them with an easy and sustainable way to get to Royal Berkshire Hospital without having to drive.”
A GROUP of students from Reading had a taste of the world of employment as part of a work experience week.
Nine youngsters from King’s Academy Prospect and John Madejski Academy paid a visit to Reading Borough Council.
The students were given a general introduction to the council and its services before getting a taste of working for local government. They spent time with a number of different departments including transport, communications, planning, public protection, project management, and health and wellbeing.
The scheme also provides experience with interviews and CVs, as well as career coaching.
The council says that the scheme will be part of an “ongoing commitment to working with local schools.”
It is currently piloting a scheme which will see work experience sessions for three weeks of the year in collaboration with secondary schools.
Gary, 15 and from JMA, said: “It’s been wonderful and inspirational shadowing
Council staff and seeing what they get up to in their day-today life.
“I have learned all kinds of things ranging from health and safety to how the council communicates with the public. This has opened my eyes to a lot of career options.”
Cllr Liz Terry, Reading’s lead councillor for corporate services and resources, said: “It is fitting we have our students in during National Apprenticeships Week – which is an opportunity for the education and skills sector to celebrate the achievements of apprentices around the country.
She continued: “I’m delighted that as a Council we can provide
such valuable work experience opportunities to young people.
“To give them a taster of the work environment, and hopefully, inspire them to consider apprenticeships with the Council as a future career path option.”
“I hope our current group has enjoyed their time with us and leave us with a greater understanding of how local government works to serve the people of Reading and an appreciation of the wide range of job opportunities within this sector.”
n More information about work experience with Reading Borough Council is available via: reading. gov.uk/work-for-the-council
A SCHOOL in Caversham was visited by a famous face to lend a hand with its drama competition.
Ben Shephard, star of Tipping Point, Good Morning Britain, and Ninja Warrior, spent an afternoon at Queen Anne’s School, Caversham.
Mr Shephard joined staff and students at the school to host a talk and Q&A session with A-level drama students and acted as guest adjudicator in the intercharter drama competition.
Students from different charters, or houses, formed teams of 10, spread across year groups, and were given three hours to devise a dramatic performance from scratch.
Teams used Greek or Roman mythology as a stimulus to devise and perform the pieces, some of which included music and physical theatre.
After all of the teams performed, each was given feedback from Mr Shephard and then ranked to decide the winner.
Curie Charter was eventually named as the winning team and is the first to have won the title two years in a row.
After the event, Mr Shephard said: “It was so difficult to come to a decision about who should be the winners because the standard was high.”
He himself was taught drama
by Rhodri Punter, who leads the drama department at Queen Anne’s.
Mr Punter said: “The competition was a lot of fun and the students had just a couple of hours to devise, rehearse and polish their work before it was performed to an audience of about 300.
“They all did brilliantly well.”
n Those seeking more information about education at Queen Anne’s School are invited to find out more about its facilities, curriculum, clubs, and activities at the Open Morning event taking place at the school on Friday, March 3. Sign up is available via: qas.org.uk/visit
THAMES Valley Police is appealing for a specific witness to an assault which took place in Reading.
bruising and swelling.
DAILY TELEGRAPH
Aida: Fri 17 February 7.30pm
La Bohème: Thu 13 April 7.30pm 0118 960 6060 whatsonreading.com
At around 4.10am on Sunday, January 29, a man began to harass a group of people at the junction of Garrard Street and Station Road.
This led to an altercation, during which a woman in her twenties was hit on the side of the head while attempting to separate two people.
She was knocked to the floor, causing a lump on her head.
Another woman who was also trying to help was punched in the face, leading to
A 40-year-old man from Wokingham was arrested on suspicion of assault after officers arrived, and has been released on bail until Saturday, April 29.
Police are appealing for a witness who was wearing a grey top and reflective, hi-vis trousers to come forward as a key witness.
Investigating officer PC Matthew Lucas, based at Reading police station, said: “Witnesses have described a workman who was a good Samaritan and tried to diffuse the fight. We would be really
keen to speak to him as a key witness.
“The workman was wearing a grey top and reflective hi-vis trousers and appeared to be working in Garrard Street at the time of the incident.
“We are appealing to this witness, or anyone else with information, to call 101 or make a report on our website, quoting reference number 43230048266.
“Alternatively, you can provide information anonymously to the independent charity, Crimestoppers, by calling 0800 555 111 or via its website.”
THAT WAS THE WEEK THAT WAS: Nine youngsters from King’s Academy Prospect and John Madejski Academy took part in a week of work experience at Reading Borough Council. Picture: Reading Borough Council DRAMA QUEEN’S: Ben Shephard, centre, joined staff and students at Queen Anne’s School, and was taught drama by the school’s current head of Drama, Rhodri Punter, left. Picture: Courtesy of Queen Anne’s School“Visually and vocally gripping” THE INDEPENDENT
Sungin Italian with English surtitles.
La Bohème, one of the most romantic operas ever written, includes a local 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
By PHIL CREIGHTON news@rdg.today
A CHARITY that aims to help young people with their mental health is appealing for funds to create a new drop-in safe space and advice shop.
No 5 Young People wants the hub to offer free mental health support, counselling, mentoring and life skills training, as well as presenting opportunities within the community.
Among the supporters are Stuart and Amanda Stephens, the parents of Olly who died following a stabbing in January 2021. They raised £2,200 for No5 Young People for its development through an angling event held last summer.
A match-funding grant has been given by the John Sykes Foundation, following a covid grant last year.
Mr Stephens said: “Southlake Angling Society came to me with a question of how they could help. That inspired them and the local community to hold the Olly Stephens Charity Match and Memorial Fishing Event which was held around Southlake in Woodley, at the end of last summer.
“Alongside raising money for charity, the event was an introduction to angling for over 50 children and their
parents with the mental health benefits of being in the outdoor environment, learning about the natural world around them.”
He said many participants had never tried fishing before, but the success of the event meant another is planned for this summer.
“The generosity of the companies we approached, and from the general public was overwhelming, we thank them wholeheartedly,” he added.
“With match-funding, each of our charities received nearly £4,500.”
The couple are firmly behind No5’s plans: “Over the last two years, we have met and been
introduced to many dedicated youth and child services providers.
“Reading needs the hope that the No5 Hub will bring.”
This was a view shared by John Sykes, founder and chair of trustees of the John Sykes Foundation, who said there had been no hesitation in supporting the appeal with match funding.
“We’re dedicated in supporting the young people in Reading and recognise the valuable work that No5 are doing within our town. The number of those requiring cmental health support is everincreasing,” he said.
“Open-access, drop-in hubs for mental health act as a net that catches the young people who fall through the gaps, as well as giving opportunities to meet others, share ideas, and engage in activities and build relationships with safe, trusted adults.
“Access to these hubs reduces the burdensome task of managing mental health alone, and we know Reading Young People’s Hub will provide a safe space to receive early support.”
Carly Newman, operations and relationships manager at No5 Young People, said they were honoured to be one of three charities that received
funding from the fishing day, and were grateful to the Foundation for their support.
“It really demonstrates the power of local people, communities and organisations coming together in support of this vital Hub project,” she said.
The Stephens also donated £2,020 from a GoFundMe account set up in the wake of Olly’s death.
“We have told those that donated and continue to donate that every penny will be carefully spent with children’s needs at the heart of every donation,” they said.
“The work and services that No5 provide to our young people is remarkable and very undervalued by society as a whole. Children are literally our future, and with the pressures they now face growing up, people like No5 are in desperate need.”
This has meant a total of £6,420 has been raised by partners across the community towards Reading Young People’s Hub.
No5 are hoping to raise even more money towards the development of the Hub with a upcoming fundraising Gala at the Hilton Hotel, Reading on Saturday, April 22.
n For more, or to support the hub, email: projects@no5.orguk Join
A READING charity that helps young people navigate modern life has received a donation to help fund its work.
No5 Young People provides free and confidential mental health support, counselling and outreach for people aged 11-25 across the RG postcode area.
Every year, it supports more than 1,700 young people and their families.
In 2022, that included offering counselling to 722 young people, running 11 mental health workshops, and supporting 24 young people who were at risk of permanent exclusion from school.
In all, it offered 8.549 counselling sessions last year.
And thanks to a £500 donation from members of Pangbourne Rotary Club, it will be able to offer up to 20 weeks of counselling to another young person, with sessions running inperson, online or over the phone.
Carly Newman, operations and relationships manager thanked the Rotary Club Of Pangbourne for their generosity.
n For more details on No5's work, or to make a donation, log on to: no5.org.uk
Tuesday 14th March 2023
2pm -
As we age, we all get a little more forgetful, whether it’s forgetting a name, or walking into a room and having no idea what we went there for. In this session our Care UK dementia specialists will give an overview of typical ageing and how symptoms differ from dementia. They will explore the signs of dementia, and the differences between the three most common types of dementia
Trusted
To
SUPPORT: From left: Sian McCoubrey (Volunteer – John Sykes Foundation), John Sykes (Founder and Chair of Trustees – John Sykes Foundation), Carly Newman (Operations and Relationships Manager), Alyson Wylding (Director – No5 Young People), Stuart Stephens, Amanda StephensMOTORISTS are facing long delays to get in and out of Reading due to a three-month project to repaint a railway bridge.
Network Rail started work on Monday – the first day of half-term –and drivers faced queues of traffic.
Just one lane is open on the A4 London Road underneath the railway bridge at the Suttons Seeds roundabout, but it needs to feed traffic coming off the A3290, as well as vehicles heading from the Shepherds Hill roundabout, and local traffic.
Queues were snaking along Kings Road towards Reading College, up St Bartholomew’s Avenue, along London Road, and The Drive as people attempted to undertake their regular commute.
Emergency vehicles and buses also struggled to get through the queues.
It is feared the situation will worsen next week when schools resume lessons.
Green councillor and leader of the main opposition party on Reading Council, Rob White, said: “London Road is busy at the best times, yesterday with the lane closure for repainting works it was gridlocked.
“It is a shame that the works couldn’t be done overnight to minimise the impact on residents stuck in traffic and from air pollution from all the idling vehicles.”
Network Rail says the work is necessary on the 106-year-old bridge, as the paint has faded and needs completely replacing to stop the
structure from rusting. Works take place between 7am and 6pm each day. Off-peak working is not possible due to scaffolding requiring supports on the carriageway itself, so traffic lanes cannot be reopened at peak times.
Spokesperson Chris Denham said: “We’re going to shotblast the steel back to bare metal, treat any corrosion and then give it a coat of green paint.”
Reading Today understand that the firm was asked to explore all options, such as off-peak only or weekend only works, but it was not possible due to scaffolding needed to ensure safety and to protect the bridge’s structure.
However, the company says that they worked closely with road specialists and local authorities to choose the best way forward.
Mr Denham said overnight work
would be noisy and would prevent people from sleeping, closing the road altogether would cause worse disruption, but not save much time.
“The other option is weekends, but we couldn’t get this job done over weekends – the bridge is too big and we would have to work overnights as well to get it done,” he added. While describing the project as painting the bridge might sound like an easy task, Mr Denham said it was more complex.
“The work involves shot-blasting the structure back to bare metal, and as a result we have to encapsulate the work in a sealed chamber built from scaffolding and shrink wrapped in plastic, with dust filtration equipment fitted before the air inside the encapsulation is circulated,” he
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explained.
“This stops paint dust and metal flakes escaping. The paint we’re stripping dates back decades and needs careful treatment and the dust taken away as it’s not environmentally friendly.
“The scale of the scaffolding is huge, and not suitable for wheeling anywhere, even if there was a location nearby where it could be wheeled.”
If the work was undertaken by utilising a cherry picker instead of scaffolding, the paint would only have a 15-year lifespan, rather than 25. This means Network Rail would return in 2038 to restore the bridge, rather than 2048.
“It’s just a big job,” he continued. “The structure gets blasted back to bare metal and then we work through it treating any corrosion or repairing
sections that need it.
CAUSE OF DELAYS: The railway bridge at the Suttons Seeds roundabout is to be repainted over a three-month period. The works started on Monday and are causing long delays for motorists Pictures: Phil and Judith Creighton
“Once that’s done we can get on with painting it – four coats of paint, which all need to dry fully before being painted over.
“Then we have to take the whole work site apart and move it over the other side of the road, which takes a week each time.”
Mr Denham said the timescale includes a contingency, in case the bridge throws up some surprises.
As to why the work cannot be done off-site, he said: “There are no panels that can be removed, it’s a solid steel structure.”
But he also promised that the end result will be worth it.
“We’ll also renew the pigeon proofing etc, so Reading gets a much better looking bridge back.”
RESIDENTS already affected by the works to repair a railway bridge are being warned to watch out for road closures on another key route between Reading and Wokingham.
On Monday, Network Rail started a three-month project to repaint and restore the bridge over the A4 London Road.
To accommodate the works, just a single lane of traffic is open.
Four-way traffic lights have been set up, taking into account a bus lane off the A3290, as well as traffic going to and from Reading.
This has caused major delays for many motorists, and next week it will be worse as the work has started during half-term.
Motorists are also being warned of a second set of works which will close the Wokingham Road at its junction with Wilderness Road –the Three Tuns crossroads.
This is to allow Openreach to carry out the installation of new cables as part of the ongoing work to boost broadband speeds in the region.
The work runs from Monday, February 20, through to Thursday,
February 23.
The only glimmer of light for motorists is the closures are overnight, although that won’t be much comfort for people living in the surrounding houses as the work takes place.
The roads will be shut from 10pm to 5am on each of the days of the work.
A spokesperson for Wokingham Borough Council said: “Our Streetworks team think it is unlikely to cause too much congestion, even though the Network Rail works are also happening.”
n For more details, log on to: https://one.network/?GB132671330
By PHIL CREIGHTON news@rdg.today
DRIVERS who stop in yellow box junctions will be fined from next week, as Reading Borough Council begins enforcement powers.
Last year, the government gave permission for the council to prosecute drivers for moving traffic offences, gaining powers from the police.
Fifteen yellow box junctions across the town have been identified for the scheme, and drivers caught breaking the rules will incur a fine.
A roll-out process of the scheme will begin on Monday, with the yellow box junctions on Kings Road: one at its junction with Eldon Road, and the other at its junction with Orts Road.
For six months, drivers will get one written warning informing them of a rule breach. If the driver breaks the rule again, they will incur a £70 penalty charge notice (PCN).
The PCN can be reduced to £35 if paid within 21 days.
All 15 locations will be ‘live’ by the autumn.
The enforcement plan was opposed by the AA following a consultation, which argued that drivers are often issued PCNs unnecessarily and without just cause.
The measure was welcomed by councillors from all parties on its strategic environment, planning and transport committee on November 16.
Advocating yellow box enforcement, Cllr Tony Page (Labour, Abbey), lead councillor for transport, said: “The illegal blocking of yellow box junctions has a major impact in Reading.
“Aside from the obvious delays for all road users, it endangers pedestrians and contributes to poor air quality for local residents living in the vicinity of these junctions.
“Having successfully applied to Government to use the powers which, it should be noted, have been utilised by London local authorities for many years, the council is now giving notice of the first two junctions which will be enforced in Reading, which are a few yards apart on the busy Kings Road.”
The six-month warning period ensures drivers have “as much notice as possible” before fines are issued, and that all revenues raised can only be reinvested in transport or highways improvements in Reading.
The council will also punish other moving traffic offences such as driving through ‘no entry’ signs, making banned turns or driving in unauthorised places.
A similar scheme has been operating in London for a number of years, and there have been incidents were motorists have been fined and then appealed because traffic was flowing when they entered the box junction only for it to come to a halt suddenly, trapping them in the box.
A spokesperson for Reading Borough Council urged motorists to be aware of the rules of the road, as well as reading the road ahead.
“Traffic conditions and movements can change all the time at junctions for a whole host of reasons, but we would strongly advise any motorist who is unsure about the law on yellow boxes to familiarise themselves with the Highway Code, which states ‘You must not enter a box until your exit road of lane is clear,” they told Reading Today.
“However, you may enter the box and wait when you want to run right, and are only stopped
The box junction enforcements in Reading
n Junction of London Street with Queens Road
n Junction of Oxford Road with Bedford Road
n Junction of Oxford Road with Grovelands Road
n Junction of Church Street with Church Road Northbound / Junction of Church Street with Church Road Southbound
n Junction Southampton Street with Oracle Gyratory / A329 slip road junction with the Oracle Gyratory
/ Junction of Bridge Street with Oracle Gyratory
n Junction of London Road with Eldon Road and Craven Road
n Junction of Queens Road and Sidmouth Street
n Junction of Kings Road with Orts Road / Junction of Kings Road with Eldon Road
from doing so by oncoming traffic, or by other vehicles waiting to turn right.”
Any driver that feels a penalty charge has been incorrectly issued will be able to appeal, but the council spokesperson said that they are checked before being sent out.
“All PCN’s are routinely reviewed at on a case-by-case basis before being issued,” they said. “If it is clear that an occurrence caused a change in circumstances after the driver committed to the action of crossing the yellow box, this will be taken into consideration.
“As with all enforcement activities undertaken, we will continuously review and improve our processes as and when required.
“Where a driver wishes to appeal the PCN, details on how to do this can be found in the PCN letter.
“We would also remind all motorists, that for a period of six months one initial warning
n Junction of Wokingham Road with London Road
n Junction of London Road with Chomeley Road (South West bound) / Junction of London Road with Chomeley Road (North East bound)
n Junction of London Road with Kendrick Road
n Junction of A33 and Rose Kiln Lane (North bound) / Junction of A33 and Rose Kiln Lane (South bound)
n Junction of Bath Road and Berkeley Avenue (West bound) / Junction of Bath Road and Berkeley Avenue (East bound)
n Junction Bath Road and Burghfield Road (Westbound) / Junction Bath Rod and Burghfield Road (Eastbound)
n Junction of A329 and the A33 (East bound) / Junction of A329 and the A33 (North East bound)
KEEP OUT: The box junction on Kings Road will have a camera on it from Monday, sending fines to motorists who do not follow the Highway Code Picture: Reading Borough Council
FIRE CREWS were called to a blaze at a commercial property in Tilehurst earlier this month.
The incident took place at 9.38pm on Saturday, February 4, at Deacon Way.
notice per vehicle, per junction, will be sent rather than a PCN.
“We hope will serve to remind road users of this new enforcement in the town.”
The scheme is being implemented as part of a wider project to try and make driving around the town better for all, and it has more benefits than smarter traffic.
“The Council is introducing moving traffic enforcement
in Reading as part of its drive to increase safety and reduce the queues which are a major contributor to poor air quality in Reading,” the council spokesperson said. “Both of the initial two box junctions are on the route of Reading’s busiest bus service, the Purple 17, and along with other important bus routes will therefore bring benefits to passengers by reducing delays and increasing reliability of services, as well as reducing delays for all road users.
“Yellow box junction lines and signage are being refreshed where necessary at each of the 15 locations before the CCTV enforcement begins.
“This includes the first phase where lines have been repainted at both the Kings Road junction with Orts Road, and the Kings Road junction with Eldon Road.”
n More information on moving traffic enforcement in Reading can be found at https://www. reading.gov.uk/vehicles-roadsand-transport/moving-trafficenforcement/
Additional reporting: James Aldridge, Local democracy reporter
Crews from six Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue stations were sent to the scene: Caversham Road, Theale, Wokingham, Bracknell, Ascot, and Whitley Wood, as well as the aerial ladder platform hosues at Whitley Wood Fire Station, and the Incident Command Unit from Maidenhead.
The fire was at the front of the building and a garage area. Wearing breathing apparatus, four firefighters used a hose reel and two main jet to put the fire out.
Although on the scene for three hours and 15 minutes, they returned to check for hotspots and ensure it has been fully extinguished.
THAMES Valley Police is seeking artists for an upcoming project.
TVP posted to social media saying that the Tilehurst Neighbourhood Teams is seeking artists to volunteer for a project that they are working on.
n More information is available by contacting william.manuel@ thamesvalley.police.uk.
A FIRE on a first-floor bedroom of a home was put out by two firefighters wearing breathing apparatus.
Crews from Mortimer, Whitley Wood and Theale fire stations were called to the blaze at an address in Burghfield Common.
The incident took place at 10.31pm on Sunday, February 12, and it took around 27 minutes to deal with.
They used a hose reel and a co2 extinguisher to bring the fire under control.
BUDDING athletes looking for support only have a few days remaining to apply for a prestigious sports award.
Applications for the GLL Sports Foundation Awards are open until Monday.
Successful candidates will be given access to the 250 sports and leisure facilities operated by GLL and BETTER Leisure across the UK.
Athletes living in an area where GLL operate, including Reading, Basingstoke and Newbury, are invited to apply.
It is the country’s largest independent athlete support programme and awards range from financial help and access to sport and leisure facilities. n For more information or to apply, visit: www. gllsportsfoundation.org
EXCLUSIVE
By JAKE CLOTHIER jclothier@rdg.today
By JAKE CLOTHIER jclothier@rdg.today
READING Borough Council has updated its online services to better suit residents with disabilities.
After taking feedback, the council has added a page to its website dedicated to providing information about services for disabled people.
It has also seen a revamp of the layout and user experience to make it easier to use for people with specific physical needs.
Information for services such as wheelchair-accessible taxis, disabled parking, and assisted bin collections have now been collated onto a single page.
The improvements were tested by representatives of the Access and Disabilities Working Group before they went live in January.
It followed the roll-out of navigation updates which were put into effect last summer that made the website easier to use without a mouse and on mobile devices.
The council’s website recently scored 92% for website accessibility by SiteImprove, an industrystandard measuring tool.
Around one-in-five people in the UK have some form of disability.
Cllr Liz Terry, lead councillor for corporate services and resources,
GREAT Western Railway has taken an accolade for its work investing in its apprentices.
said: “My thanks go to the Access and Disabilities Working Group for their tireless work.
“The section, which is easily accessed from the homepage, follows direct feedback from residents from our disabled community, telling us about their frustrations navigating through all the different sections of the Council website to find the information relevant to them.”
“Website accessibility constantly needs to be reviewed and adapted to ensure all residents can digitally access the information they need.”
Cllr Jan Gavin, chair of the access and disabilities working group, said: “I am so pleased we now have a dedicated Services for Disabled People section.
“The update brings together important information to meet the needs of our disabled residents.
“It’s been a long-wished for facility from our disabled community and my thanks go to the Access and Disabilities Working Group and Council’s Digital and Information Communications Technology team.”
“We’ll continue to work closely and in consultation with our disabled community reviewing and adding additional and supplementary information to meet their needs.”
The apprentice team at GWR supervises 240 apprentices across its network, and has now been given Gold accreditation from Investors in People’s apprentice programme.
One of its apprentices, coach and mentor Ekaterina Cherkasenko, was also named Higher Apprentice of the Year at Exeter College.
GWR began its partnership with Exeter College when it launched a vocational apprenticeship programme in 2012.
The company has also introduced Quest apprenticeship schemes to help colleagues to gain formal qualifications alongside their day-to-day roles.
Investors in People said: “The overall conclusion of this assessment is that Great Western Railway meet the ‘We invest in apprentices’ at Gold level.
“Congratulations – this is an excellent achievement for any organisation, but given the challenges facing the sector through Covid, industrial action and political uncertainty, this is exceptional.”
Ms Cherkasenko achieved a distinction in her Level 4 Coach and Assessor Quest apprenticeship, leading to her accolade at Exeter College.
GWR’s learning and development manager Andrew Perry, said: “To receive gold accreditation from Investors in People really is something to be celebrated.
“From my perspective it’s probably the highlight of my career – it’s
recognition of so much hard work by the whole team.”
He explained: “We deliver our apprenticeships across 2,000 miles of the network and are pushing the boundaries to ensure our provision is up to date, challenging and future proof.”
Customer service apprentice Sami Ahmed, 19, from Reading, started at GWR in August last year.
He said: “In the apprenticeship you’re interacting with customers and therefore you’re improving your skills.
“You meet new people, apprentices, the mentors, line managers – they are all fun to work with and meet.
“The best thing I’ve done so far is most definitely the residential course–it improved my confidence with
interacting with new people, facing my fears, like heights, for example.
He explained: “Before, I was saying I don’t want to go, but now that I’ve done it I’m very proud of myself
“What I would say to someone who wants to do an apprenticeship with GWR is don’t be nervous. It’s not as hard as you think, it’s not that nerve-racking because there’s lots of people to help you – the mentors, the other apprentices.”
Investors in People is a standard for people management, offering accreditation to organisations that meet the standards criteria.
n More information about apprenticeships at Great Western Railway can be found via: gwr.com/about-gwr/careers/ apprenticeships
ON THE RIGHT TRACKS: Sami Ahmed started working for GWR in August last year, learning on the job as part of his apprenticeship
REMEMBERED: A vigil for Brianna Ghey will be held in Forbury Gardens on Saturday, February 18, from 7pm.
Picture: Cheshire Police, by kind courtesy of the family of Brianna Ghey.
READING will be holding a candlelight vigil to mourn the loss of Brianna Ghey, a 16-year-old girl who was stabbed in Cheshire.
Brianna was found fatally wounded in Linear Park, Cheshire, on Saturday, February 11, and two teenagers have been arrested and charged in connection with her murder.
Despite her status as a transgender girl, Cheshire Police originally said that there is “no evidence” to suggest that the incident was a hate crime, but subsequently announced that it would be considered a possibility.
A candlelight vigil will be held in Forbury Gardens, Reading, on Saturday, February 18, where the community can mourn Brianna and other trans lives lost, and share stories, poems, and tributes.
Reading Pride said: “We are shocked to hear of the murder of Brianna Ghey. We would like to extend our deepest sympathies to her family and friends.
“We know this incident will
READING Borough Council has announced its latest budget proposals in the midst of “inflationary pressure.”
have impacted members of the trans, non-binary and gender nonconforming communities.
“We stand in solidarity with all those affected, and renew our commitment to working for a society where everybody is respected for who they are, and where nobody is targeted by this kind of violence.”
Lizzy Rimmington from Wokingham Pride said: “The death of this young woman has deeply shocked many of us, and especially members of the trans community. If you have trans friends, colleagues or relatives, please look out for them– our thoughts are with Brianna’s family and friends.”
LGBTQ+ rights charity Stonewall tweeted: “We urge anyone who may have information which will help the police with their enquiries to come forward.”
The candlelight vigil will be held in Forbury Gardens from 7pm
The council has said that it is “protecting frontline services and delivering on major investments” as it sets out its plans to absorb rising costs, where many councils are considering cuts to public services.
Budget plans include an extra £4.4 million to fund the care of the elderly and vulnerable residents in Reading, many of whom rely on essential services.
An overall increase in Council Tax of 4.99% is proposed as a combination of a flat tax increase of 2.99% and an extra 2% for adult social care.
Those living in Band A-C properties make up 70% of council taxpayers, with only 15% of households in Band D.
The council notes that when comparing average council tax per dwelling, Reading’s households paid the third lowest amount in Berkshire in 2022-23.
BUDGET: The council has said that is is “protecting frontline services and delivering on major investments” Picture: Reading Borough Council
With the impact of the cost of living crisis hitting lowincome families the most, the budget aims to maintain the subsidy for the Council Tax Support Scheme.
This year it is set to add a £75 hardship for those who are eligible.
In the budget, the council looks set to bring a brand new leisure centre to Rivermead, the first new train station in the town in 117, and the muchneeded updating of Reading West Station.
All three are due to open in 2023, forming part of the council’s medium term financial strategy, which will see them through to 2026.
It also includes a number of major civil projects including a council house-building programme, the continued regeneration of the roads, new cycle lanes and routes, and improvements to public transport.
It is seeking additional investment in new playgrounds and carbon-cutting initiatives.
The budget is up for consideration at a Policy Committee meeting set for Monday, ahead of a full council debate on Tuesday, February 28.
Council leader Cllr Jason Brock said: “Years of prudent financial planning means we remain in a strong position to deliver major improvements for residents and to protect the frontline in the face of major challenges.
“Not least inflation – running at its highest rate for decades – and this Government’s continued failure to properly address and resource local councils for essential social care services.”
“You don’t need to look far from home to see councils having to consider painful cuts to local services, while a
handful are on their knees and have agreed to 10%, or even 15%, Council Tax increases.
“In contrast,” he explained, “2023 promises to be a landmark year for Reading with major infrastructure projects coming to fruition.
“We are now looking forward, and our three-year plan shows a continued trend of investment in Reading and its residents.”
Cllr Brock cited “a flagship Central Library” and the modernisation of the Hexagon Theatre among the council’s upcoming investment projects, as well as 400 new Council homes built by 2026.
There are also plans for “Custom-built adult social care facilities at Battle Street, and another £8 million on new road surfaces, new cycle lanes.
“£4.4 million on energy saving measures in buildings alongside renewable energy provision, building on our proud record of having the fourth largest carbon footprint cut in the UK.”
He continued: “Just as important are the investments in our communities, whether that’s a continuation of the refresh of playgrounds ... or a major retrofitting of council homes to make them more energy efficient and cheaper to heat.”
“I believe our new budget reflects our ethos of working for a Reading that realises its full potential while ensuring everyone who lives and works in our amazing town can share in the benefits of its success.”
SPOT THE BUS: Reading Buses will be raising funds for The Royal Berks Charity during the year and has also unveiled a bus with brand new livery to celebrate the occasion Picture: Courtesy of Reading Buses
having raised more than £6,000 to last year’s charity, Reading Buses has announced its charity of the year for 2023.
It will be raising funds for The Royal Berks Charity and has also unveiled a bus with brand new livery to celebrate the occasion.
A silver bus will carry the Royal Berks Charity designs on both sides and on the back and will serve a broad range of routes around Reading.
Robert Williams, Reading Buses’ chief executive officer, said: “This is a very local charity which helps out a great institution that many of our customers and employees use.
“The Royal Berks Charity was voted for by our workforce, and came out comfortably on top.”
He continued: “We are looking forward to this new year and we are setting ourselves the challenge to raise over £10,000
“The main fundraiser, our
family Open Day, has just been confirmed as being on Sunday June 25.
“We hope that all our employees and customers get behind the charity and make this a hugely successful year.”
Jo Warrior, Royal Berks Charity’s director, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have been chosen as Reading Buses Charity of the Year 2023, and are really excited to work with such an iconic part of Reading life, especially during the 75th year of the NHS.
“The partnership is a fantastic opportunity for us to raise awareness of the Royal Berks Charity and the work we do to support the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust and the services it provides across Berkshire and South Oxfordshire.
“We pride ourselves on being able to enhance the care and experience of patients and
RESEARCH conducted by Utility Bidder has shown the top 10 towns and cities in the UK for annual salary pay.
The survey has revealed the places offering highest and lowest salaries, and used this as part of a larger survey into the best places to work in the country.
The median value of annual salaries in each place was ranked, with Reading taking the third highest median salary.
It came just behind London, in second place with just under £34,000, and Guildford which took first place with just over £38,000.
Reading’s median annual pay gross was £30,925, just £350 above Oxford, which came fourth.
Reading was also named the 24th best place in the UK to working in, which combined the median salary with average working hours and cost of living.
Nottingham was named the worst city in the UK to work in, as it had the lowest annual salary at £22,243, and Edinburgh the best.
n The full research conducted by utility bidder is available to view via: utilitybidder.co.uk
By JAKE CLOTHIER jclothier@rdg.today
AN ITALIAN-to-go outlet has launched in Reading, bringing specialty coffee and fresh food to the town centre
Coco di Mama in Broad Street is its first branch outside of London.
The brand aims to combine high-quality ingredients, sustainability, and ease of access to provide a one-stop shop for coffee, snacks, and fresh meals.
On Friday, last week, the branch opened its doors to customers, and is gave shoppers the chance to try out some of their products for free at a celebratory event.
Coco di Mama collaborates with Allpress to serve their specialty coffee, which is made from high-quality beans sourced directly from point of origin.
It also continues to focus on open and ethical sourcing of its coffee and the support of its farmers through fair pay, and eco-friendly production practises.
Allpress provides CoCo di Mama with one of its signature blends which combines beans sourced from Brazil, Colombia, Guatemala, and Sumatra,
WHITLEY residents are invited to join a weekly needles and natter group.
FRESH BREW:
Coco di Mama offers pasta pots, baguettes, and salads as well as desserts, breakfast options, and snacks.
Pictures: Jake Clothier
Sessions take place on Wednesdays at the Whitley Community Cafe, Northumberland Avenue, with members looking to develop their sewing and knitting skills. Individuals of all skill levels and ages are welcome to attend. Beginners will be assisted by the more experienced members of the group.
The meet-ups also serve as an ideal opportunity to catch up with friends or meet new people over a cup of tea. Sessions run from 10am. n For more information, search: Whitley CDA on www.facebook. com
It is donating unsold products to Readifood and working with them to help distribute them to those who need support in the town.
It will also hold summer fundraisers in aid of LGBTQ+ charities, including its most recent, Not a Phase.
The branch features art by Reading artist Ray McGrother on the walls and has been built according to Gold Start Sustainable Fit Out criteria as
part of its aim to be completely Net Zero in its carbon footprint by 2040.
More than 50% of its recipes are also low or very low carbon, and more than 50% are plantbased or vegetarian.
Coco di Mama celebrates its Free Pasta day event on Saturday, February 25.
n More information about the brand, and sign-up for its free pasta pots or loyalty programmes, is available via: cocodimama. co.uk/reading-club-coco
A BUSINESS in Whitley had cause to call the fire brigade earlier this month, after a forklift truck started burning. Crews from Whitley Wood, Wokingham and Theale fire stations were sent to the Imperial Way business at 12.38am on Monday, February 6. The truck was an electric vehicle, and was in the firm’s commercial property warehouse.
It took three hours and 42 minutes for the fire to be extinguished and fire crews wore breathing apparatus.
IN this week’s Healthy Tip, we show our affection for fibre and discuss why it is such an important part of a healthy diet.
We also give you some ideas on how you can increase the fibre content of your food intake.
Most of us know that fibre prevents constipation, but did you know that eating a high-fibre diet can lower your risk of heart disease and stroke?
Fibre is found in the plants we eat, such as fruits, vegetables, wholegrains, beans and nuts. We dig a little deeper into fibre below.
A high-fibre diet
Adults should aim to consume 30g of fibre per day, yet the average fibre intake for adults in the UK is 18g – only 60% of the recommended daily intake.
Diets that contain 30g or more of fibre per day are considered ‘high fibre diets’.
Try tracking your consumption for a few days to understand how much you’re eating and come up with a plan to eat more if needed.
When reading food labels, a food is considered high fibre if it contains at least 6g of fibre per 100g. Opt for these foods where possible.
Fibre for a healthy gut
We tend to think about bacteria as harmful, however, there are many bacteria that are good for our health, and lots of these live in our digestive systems.
Did you know the number of bacteria living in your gut is almost 10 times more than the number of cells you have in your body?
The good news is, many of these bacteria use fibre as food and it keeps them healthy, which in turn keeps you healthy.
Make sure you eat a variety of different fibre-rich foods to feed the good bacteria and keep your gut happy.
Aim to slowly increase your intake of fibre to at least 30g per day to help protect against cardiovascular disease and stroke. It’s a good idea to do this gradually to avoid any unpleasant symptoms such as bloating.
Make sure you are drinking plenty of fluids (six to eight glasses per day) when adding more fibre to your diet to keep everything moving nicely through your digestive system.
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/
A 10-YEAR-OLD Guide from Earley has launched a campaign to educate other children about neurodiversity.
Abbie Shakespeare is autistic and is raising awareness because she feels many don’t understand what it is or how it affects people.
Neurodiversity is a term used to describe a range of neurological differences including autism, dyslexia, dyspraxia, ADHD and Tourette’s.
She says she was inspired to make a difference and get her voice heard in a bid to earn her Campaigning badge at Guides.
“I wanted to earn my Campaigning badge at Guides because it’s really important to me to teach people about neurodiversity,” said Abbie, who is a member of 1st Shinfield Guides. “It’s something that people don’t really talk about.
“A lot of people who have these conditions struggle, and it’s not easy for them. Some people think I’m weird, but I know it’s ok to be different. It would be really boring if everyone was the same.”
Diagnosed with autism when she was six, Abbie is classed as high functioning.
“Autism means your brain is wired differently,” she said. “Some children with the condition can’t even talk, so I want to use my voice on their behalf to explain more about it.”
The Campaigning badge encourages Guides – the section of Girlguiding for girls aged 10 to 14to try and get their voices heard by people in power, and make change happen.
While Abbie is planning to deliver a presentation to her fellow pupils at Hawkedon Primary in Lower Earley to earn her badge, she doesn’t feel confident enough to stand up in assembly.
So instead she has recorded a video presentation for them to watch which will be shown during Neurodiversity Celebration Week, which runs from March 13-19.
Within her presentation, Abbie
shares advice on how to help children with autism. Her tips include being patient, inviting them to join in games, and offering a friendly smile.
Abbie’s mum Andrea Pollard said: “1st Shinfield Guides have been very welcoming and treated Abbie just like anyone else. She loves trying the activities and has made new friends there.
“Working towards her Campaigning badge has really empowered Abbie to say it’s OK to be different. It’s given her the ability to speak more openly instead of her masking ‘normal’ behaviour which can be incredibly exhausting.
“I am super proud of her as she is making a huge impact on our local community. Earning badges at Guides gives Abbie an enormous sense of achievement.”
Campaigning is one of nearly 100 badges that girls can work towards at Guides, with other examples including Photography, Geocaching and Human Rights.
Leader of 1st Shinfield Guides Christine Batchelor said: “We have been very impressed by all the hard work Abbie has put into earning her Campaigning badge.
“She will educate so many people as a result and I’m sure she will inspire lasting change. Abbie has settled into the unit brilliantly and it’s great to hear how much she enjoys being part of the unit.”
READING has just missed out from the top spot in a survey of accessible “city break” destinations.
New research for Passenger Assistance, which provides assistances for travel plans tailored around physical needs, has shown that Reading was second only to York.
Data from the app was combined with rankings from disability and accessibility organisations to determine the most accessible destination for city breaks.
Reading beat Birmingham, in third place, Leicester, Newcastle, and Bath Spa, for combining accessibility and shopping, leisure, and events.
Great Western Railway was also named as the best train operator for requested assistance for passengers.
One in five people in the UK have a disability or specific physical requirements, including around 1.2 million wheelchair users, and more than 7,000 people who use
assistance dogs.
Passenger Assistance is a freeto-use app, created by Transreport, and was nominated in the Scope Disability Equality Awards last year.
Transreport’s CEO and founder, Jay Shen, said: “Everyone deserves a stress-free break all year round, but particularly around celebrations such as Valentine’s Day when there is even greater emphasis on spending time with those special to you.
“Passenger Assistance is designed to make it simpler for disabled and older people to arrange assistance for the journeys they make on public transport.
“Last year, there were 746,724 requests for assistance from disabled, neurodivergent and older passengers made from our app. He continued: “It’s incredible to see so many users able to enjoy greater freedom.”
n More information can be found online via: passengerassistance.com
JOSH WILLIAMS, a member of Reading Writers – the Ding’s longest-running writing group – looks at an award-winning collection of tales, all based around what makes us famous
READING’S longest-running writing group had cause to celebrate earlier this month after releasing their latest collection.
Reading Writers came together at Tutu’s Ethiopian Cafe in Palmer Park to mark the occasion.
The new anthology of stories, The Three Bs, takes beer, bulbs and biscuits as the theme. These are the industries which made Reading famous in the 19th and 20th centuries.
Yes, you could argue there’s a fourth B - bricks. Some of the stories sneak those into the mix as well.
Reading Writers has always welcomed a wide and diverse mix of people. The only requirement for membership is a love of the written word.
The Three Bs reflects that mix, with stories ranging from fantasy to thriller to slice-of-life.There really is something for every reader in the book.
Secretary Meg Woodward said: “Everyone involved is enormously proud of The Three Bs, which was a true group effort.
“A lovely cover painting by our chairperson, Ilaria Warren, is complemented with illustrations from the super-talented Eloise Curtis.
“A small committee of editors and designers took the time to make sure the book looks as good as it reads.”
Both Eloise and Ilaria read from the book during the party, with further contributions from Meg
BUDDING entrepreneurs have showcased their talents to claim a series of prestigious national prizes.
Two teams of researchers and technicians from the University of Reading took part in the Young Entrepreneurs Scheme (YES) and swept up the overall competition, best finance, best intellectual property and the People’s Choice awards.
The winning team’s hypothetical product AlgaeMino is a sustainable seaweed-based protein powder which requires minimal processing, is nutritious, palatable and suitable for vegetarians and vegans.
AlgaeMino team leader, Pradeep Vijaya Kumar said: “YES turned out to be a remarkable adventure and winning the finals was the happiest moment for all of us.
“We brainstormed ideas to find one that excited us, and then implemented advice received from our brilliant mentors, in a short time.
“This has given us confidence in handling the presentation of ideas to any audience.”
Reading’s other winners, MindX Lab, presented their idea for an alternative treatment delivery method for mental health conditions and won the People’s Choice award.
The group established the concept of delivering medications via a film patch absorbed in the mouth.
Team leader, Saumya Sood said: “YES has been an exceptional experience. We stepped out of our comfort zones. It was a great learning opportunity on how we might translate research into marketable products.”
YES has been running for 27 years, training more than 6,000 researchers to prepare scientists and engineers for future business endeavours. Participants are encouraged to take novel science and engineering ideas to address key issues.
BADGEWORK: Abbie is campaigning to raise awareness of neurodiversityand communications overseer Rob Wickings.
A packed room of writers and family enjoyed the storytelling, sustained by a never-ending stream of cakes and sandwiches from the ever-generous Tutu and her team.
OK, it was a grey old January day outside, but there was light, warmth and laughter in the room.
Although Reading Writers only launched the book officially this month, it’s a project which has been ticking over for quite some time - since the first lockdown in 2020, in fact.
It’s a testament to the group’s determination that the book came together and finally can be shared with everyone.
Reading Writers has also been recognised by their peers.
The National Association of Writers’ Groups awarded The Three Bs Best Group Anthology at their annual
For the first time in its history, the competition was opened to technicians, as well as PhD students.
Dr Simon Cutler, from the university’s knowledge transfer centre, which provided assistance to the teams, said: “Technicians are often in a great position to spot opportunities for commercialisation.
“It makes sense to include this group to YES and we were glad to field a winning team, from Reading, that included a technician.”
Vice-chancellor, Prof Robert van de Noort said: “Congratulations to both winning teams. This is a tremendous
NEW BOOK: The Three Bs is the latest book from Reading Writers
WHITLEY WAY BACK WHEN
general meeting.
Rob says: “It’s a real honour, and the silver salver given to us as a prize was proudly on display at the event.
“We also get to judge the 2023 anthologies in contention for this year’s award - a responsibility we plan to take very seriously.
“It’s been six years since our last anthology, Tales From Our Town was released, so the time was ripe for a new collection.
“The Three Bs reflects the love we have for Reading, and the endless inspiration it gives us in our writing.’
n The Three Bs is available to buy through Amazon as an ebook or paperback. Look out for QR code flyers in Tutu’s Ethiopian Table and around town, or use the download URL: www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09TZ6F3F5
n For more information on Reading Writers, what they do and how they do it, you can visit their website:
OH YES: YES award winners celebrate their achievements.
SOUTH Reading footballers laced up for a cause on a sweltering May afternoon 34 years ago.
South Reading Community Centre took on Windsor in a match for youngster Paul Makepeace as players took to a rock-hard pitch.
The picture, which was posted on Whitley Community Museum’s Facebook page, garnered a strong response from its members, with many reminiscing about the event and recognising loved ones.
Curator David Turner explained: “I found this photograph in our archive collection without any information. But with 95 responses, I soon had a history of this particular team and the event of that particular day.
“It was a charity football match between SRCC and Windsor for Mr and Mrs Makepeace’s son, Paul. What I didn’t know when I posted this photograph was that it was in fact Paul’s 37th birthday.
“I have said before that local football teams created a camaraderie not seen in today’s era of PlayStations keeping people indoors.”
Collectively, commenters were able to identify the vast majority of the team.
Trevor Absolom said: “They were great days. Dave Stannett had the best left peg outside of pro football,” while Steve Priest described the event as a “great day out”.
With over 4,800 followers on Facebook, the Whitley Community Museum is an accessible online and in-person resource.
The group serves as a platform for residents past and present to share memories through photographs and comments.
It also allows group members to reconnect, with members reacquainting themselves with friends and schoolmates from decades ago.
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
achievement that gives me a great sense of pride.
“The University of Reading has strong links with industry.
“We are always thinking about how our world class research can be translated for positive impacts in society.
“The YES competition is a great way for bright minds to gain entrepreneurial skills and an understanding that they do not have to be permanently chained to the lab bench. We expect that they will use these skills to bring real life products to market, in the future.”
Bound. wrapped in cellophane. Such a paltry price for slaughter. Marked down, overlooked again. Fading, in a bucket of stagnant water.
I could weep; a compassionless waste. Never gift me cut flowers. In growth, in life out in rain and sun; they hold their beauty and their power.
I would not call you thoughtless nor say you are not trying. In truth; it saddens me to see them condemned to be admired while they are slowly dying.
Kathryn McCone UsherISLE OF WIGHT Weekend
We love receiving your poetry and print a selection every week. Email yours to news@rdg.today and we’ll do the rest
Departing Fri 28 Apr ‘23
Return coach travel and ferry crossings from Reading
3 nights at the Holliers Hotel, Shanklin with dinner & breakfast
Entertainment some evenings
Excursion to Newport
Optional Island Highlights Tour (£14pp)
4 Days by Coach only £159.99
ISLE OF WIGHT ‘Royals & Rails’
Departing Mon 29 May ‘23
On this fantastic break we enjoy the Isle of Wight’s peace, tranquillity and natural beauty as well as a nostalgic journey on the Isle of Wight Steam Railway and a visit to fascinating Osborne House, Queen Victoria’s former holiday home - a relaxing few days away.
Your break includes
Return coach travel and ferry crossings from Reading
4 nights at the Royal Pier Hotel, Sandown with dinner & breakfast
Entertainment some evenings
Heritage train journey on the Isle of Wight Steam Railway
Excursions to Osborne House, Cowes & Ryde
Optional Island Highlights Tour (£13pp)
Reader travel Operated by Just Go Holidays Ltd. Coach package holidays and short breaks are subject to Just Go! Holidays terms and conditions. Your booking is protected by Bonded Coach Holidays (BCH) and the Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Limited (ABTOT); this is a government approved consumer protection scheme. Tours offered subject to availability and government guidelines. Errors and omissions excepted. Prices per person, based on two people sharing a double/twin room. Calls to 033 numbers are free within inclusive minutes packages otherwise standard rates apply.
Bouquet For more information, or to book, please call
IsleofWightWeekend_D.pdf © English Heritage IsleofWightRoyals&Rails_D.pdf Single Supplement £60 Single Supplement £60 or visit justgoholidays.com/WPR 03332 342 527 Quote WPR To advertise, call 0118 327 2662 Thursday, February 16, 2023 READINGTODAY.ONLINE 29
5 Days by Coach only £329
READY FOR KICK OFF: Windsor took on SRCC in a charity football match in May 1989. Picture courtesy of Whitley Community MuseumANYONE trying to get out of Reading this week has had to face an obstacle course of epic proportions.
Roadworks to right of them, roadworks to left of them, and roadworks behind them, volleying and thundering; these roadworks have brought us to a halt.
Caversham, Whitley Wood, Junction 11, Tilehurst, Oxford Road, Wokingham Road ... you name it, the roads have been dug up.
And then there’s the London Road railway bridge project, which will see three months of lane closures.
We appreciate the work has to be done, but there must be a better way of making it happen. Network Rail and Wokingham Borough Council, which granted permission for the epic project, say no.
Surely weekend closures, working round the clock (sorry neighbours) would be preferable to causing epic queues that will be talked about for the 25-year lifespan of this new bridge. A rethink is needed.
SINCE 1974, citizens from Reading and Düsseldorf have enjoyed many international exchange visits with their European neighbours and established long-life friendships under the umbrella of the Reading-Düsseldorf Churches Interchanges (RDCI) group.
Christians of both towns come together and share their homes with their guests, integrate them in their daily life and take part in well-organised activities such as cultural and sightseeing excursions, visits of ecumenical services and social gatherings.
A reception visit following the mayor’s invitation guarantees official recognition and the twinning will be reaffirmed.
A farewell party concludes the week’s visit; new friendships are made and ideas for future exchanges created.
Many Individual friendships have developed over the years and private visits followed.
In August 2022, members from Düsseldorf churches visited Reading and a week-long return visit will take place in late June; new participants are most welcome.
Reading has established the oldest twinning link with a German city, Düsseldorf, and celebrated its 75th twinning anniversary last year.
While many town twinnings link places of similar sizes or histories, this link was established through humanity and kindness by the then Reading Mayor, Phoebe Cusden. After she was made aware of unspeakable suffering in the destroyed cities of the Rhineland, Düssedorf was ‘adopted’ and children were invited to stay with families in Reading.
Through her initiative, Phoebe Cusden helped to bring reconciliation and friendship between nations, a motion, which, considering the postBrexit environment and the current world turmoil, seems to be more important than ever.
RDCI wants to widen their membership to encourage international friendships, help to create tolerance through understanding and build bridges for a new togetherness.
Interested citizens from Reading and surrounding areas can contact RDCI Chairman Henry Pares, email: henry.pares@gmail.com or RDCI Secretary Alan Tonkyn, email: Alan.Tonkyn@ btinternet.com
On behalf of Reading Düsseldorf Churches Interchanges
IT’S the time of year when councils up and down the country announce their budgets.
It’s the culmination of many hours of discussions behind closed doors about where limited funds are best directed in the year ahead.
With inflation still running at a 30year high, councils everywhere are now facing additional pressures, just as residents are with their household budgets.
In Reading, inflation will cost the Council an estimated £8.7 million extra this year. We have also budgeted for an extra £4.3 million to pay for vital the care elderly and vulnerable residents rely on.
It is against this backdrop, then, that next week we will debate Labour’s new Council budget.
It’s a budget that continues to deliver for residents, despite the enormous challenges.
While other councils – including one or two very close to home –struggle with unpalatable cuts, years of sound financial planning come to fruition in Reading this year with the opening of major modern new facilities, and we are also protecting frontline services.
Hot on the heels of the opening
of the modern new Palmer Park Leisure Centre and pool, a second new flagship pool and leisure centre for Reading, this time at Rivermead, is due to open this year. Both Reading’s first new railway station for 117 years at Green Park and the modernisation of Reading West Station are now only weeks away from completion.
Other major investments which make up our proposed new threeyear budget include a continuation of Reading’s largest ever road repair programme and the expansion of the town’s biggest Council house building programme for a generation.
New segregated cycle lanes, improvements for local bus services, new playgrounds and major investments in carbon-cutting technologies are all included.
Maybe smaller in size, but just as important, are the proposed investments in our local communities. And this Labour Council is delivering on residents’ priorities, whether that’s our ongoing refresh of playgrounds across town, further funding for our new pilot projects to tackle economic inequalities in the town, or the extension of our successful graffiticleaning project.
It also means specific local investments, like improvement works
at the ever-popular Christchurch Paddling Pool to improve reliability and extend its lifespan, or a major retrofitting of Council homes to make them more energy efficient and cheaper to heat for existing tenants, with major improvements to homes coming at Wensley Road, Hexham Road and Granville Road.
We also maintain our financial support for Reading’s incredible voluntary sector, whose role in helping us to reach and support those living on low incomes, as well as tackling widening inequality, becomes all the more essential in these difficult times.
This time of year is also when councils announce their local Council Tax increases, and that naturally grabs attention too.
The Government last week announced it would give special dispensation for 10% Council Tax increases in nearby Slough and in Thurrock, and a 15% increase in Croydon. These are three councils struggling with massive debts, and it has understandably made the headlines.
Maybe the bigger story, though, should be the percentage of local authorities who will almost inevitably have to increase rates up to the referendum limit, which is a 2.99% Council Tax rise and an additional £2% rise in the Adult Social Care precept.
It is what we are proposing in Reading, alongside the vast majority of councils.
Cast your mind back a few months and you will remember the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement (even if four Chancellors in four months mean you don’t necessarily remember which one of them read it out).
When the Government talked
does not come from Ukraine then they currently lose their single person’s council tax discount.
Green councillors believe we should support refugees wherever they come from.
FINALLY, Labour-run Reading Council is consulting on opening Reading station underpass to cyclists.
This is one of the many missing-links in Reading’s cycle network.
This should have done the first time round when the station underpass was opened but better late than never.
Support cycling and respond to the consultation on the council’s consultation website https://consult.reading.gov.uk/
Spotlight on Katesgrove Green councillor Doug Cresswell
The local Green Party has selected hard-working Councillor Doug Cresswell to stand again for Katesgrove Ward in the local elections in on Thursday, May 4.
It’s been fantastic working hard alongside Doug.
We’ve made a difference in a short space of time, and having Doug elected for four more years would retain the active, year-round representation for Katesgrove residents.
Katesgrove Green Party councillor Doug Cresswell says: “It’s been an honour to represent the people of Katesgrove and stand up for them on the council.
“We have worked hard on rubbish problems, road safety and supported residents.
“It will be a privilege to stand again for election on Thursday 4 May.”
If a single person offers a room in their house to a refugee who
about increases in ‘spending power’ for local councils, Council Tax increases are what they were referring to. Fast forward four months, and I expect they hope you’ve forgotten about it.
I wrote at the time that by refusing to acknowledge the importance of public services and by refusing to provide local councils with a realistic funding solution, particularly for essential social care services, the burden for protecting local services would fall on people struggling with their own household budgets.
Being conscious of this – and we know that it is always those on the lowest incomes who are hardest hit by inflation – this year we are proposing to add a £75 hardship payment for those eligible for an already enhanced Council Tax Support Scheme in Reading.
This is three times the Government’s guidance and means eligible residents will have their Council Tax bills reduced by £75 this year (to check for eligibility go to www.reading.gov.uk/council-tax).
Budget presentations can be dry old affairs, full of spreadsheets and numbers. But what sits behind them are the things that make a difference to people’s lives.
Whether through access to modern new transport, leisure, cultural, educational or care facilities, or by supporting those under the biggest strain during the cost of living crisis, I believe our new budget underpins our ethos of ensuring that Reading realises its full potential and that everyone who lives and works in our amazing town can share in the benefits of its success.
n Could you spare a few hours of your time to help a family with a seriously ill child access safe and comfortable transport?
We will be attempting to change this at Reading Council’s budget meeting so that no one is dissuaded from offering a room to a refugee because of fear that they will lose their single person’s discount.
Other local authorities have done this and we think Reading should do so as well.
We want to see a fairer town for all.
Fortunately, there’s now real, constructive opposition to Labour on Reading council. Following the local elections last May there are now more Green councillors than Conservatives.
There is a growing team of hard-working Green councillors standing up for residents across the town.
If you’re keen on being part of the change in Reading, get involved and help us make Reading fairer, greener and cleaner: reading.greenparty.org.
uk/get-involved
By Green Party councillor Rob White, leader of the main opposition group on Reading Borough CouncilRainbow Trust Children’s Charity is looking for volunteers to join our new Reading Care Team, providing essential transport for families.
Volunteer Drivers help to provide additional support to the families they work with by providing safe, comfortable and reliable transport, enabling them to travel safely to healthcare appointments, school and to other activities.
They are looking for volunteers based in Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Reading and the surrounding areas to assist with travel across the area.
n The Salvation Army is seeking volunteers to help support their older persons groups on Wednesday 11-1pm.
Approximately 20 people both male and female, play games, chat and have a hot meal together. The role would be to join in board games and show friendship. They are a very friendly group with a cross-section of people - faith/no faith. Everyone is valued and appreciated.
n Berkshire Vision provides vital practical and friendly support, sport and activities to visually impaired children and adults, and their families in Berkshire.
Every three years they conduct a full survey of all their members asking their opinions on multiple subjects. We need to contact more than 1,000 members and we can only do this with a team of volunteers to help
If you would like to be involved by volunteering to make some of these phone calls they would love to hear from you. We are looking for volunteers to help between March and the end of May
n For details of opportunities to volunteer visit: rgneeds.me. Want to get in touch? Drop us an email at volunteering@rva.org.uk or call 0118 937 2273.
ONE OF Reading’s music festivals has just seen a slew of new acts added to its line-up for its 10th anniversary.
Are You Listening?, which takes place in multiple venues, has added 20 acts to the bill. The festival has announced that Coach Party will appear ahead of their slot at South by Southwest in Texas next moth.
Reading’s own Tayo Sound will also be among those performing, bringing his earnest sensibilities to the stage.
He’ll be joined by Sandhurst’s rising star of bedroom pop,
Henjila, and Reading-based haters of homogeneity Kill Committee.
Further acts announced include Acid Claw, Cameron Hayes, Costanza, Ever Hazel, Girli, and Holy SMS.
Jeffrey Lewis and The Voltage, along with Lilac, Public Body, Opus Kink, Page of Swords, and Spielmann have also been unveiled.
Strabe, Tiece and the Pieces, Ziyad Al-Samman, and Sun Skeletons Kinky Hands Support Group will round out the bill, totalling 35 acts– with yet more
to announced.
The newest additions will join Black Honey, Eat Daddy Eat, Panic Shack, Sophie Jamieson, The Dianas, and Thomas Headon at the festival.
Dream Wife will also head up a warm-up party in St Laurence’s Church on Friday, May 5. n Are You Listening? Festival’s10th anniversary takes place on Saturday, May 6, with tickets and information available via: areyoulistening.org.uk/ n You can also find Are You Listening’s official playlist on Spotify.
Local democracy reporter
SAFETY concerns have prompted a call to clamp down on the illegal use of e-scooters and off-road bikes in Reading.
Riding an e-scooter is not permitted on public roads and footpaths, unless part of a hire scheme or ridden on private property.
That hasn’t stopped the spike in e-scooters whizzing round the town, often in pedestrian areas and roads, which has led to safety concerns.
There have been longrunning complaints about dirt bikes being used in parks, including Prospect Park and the Mapledurham playing fields.
The issues were discussed by Reading councillors as part of a motion calling on the council to work more closely with Thames Valley Police to tackle speeding, reckless and dangerous driving, and the unnecessary risk to road users and pedestrians alike – including the illegal use of off-road bikes and e-scooters.
The motion involved the request for the council’s
READING will see a demonstration and march on Saturday.
Reading Trades Union Council and Reading Resists have organised the rally and named six key demands they’re supporting.
The rally will be seeking: an end to food poverty, a “real” pay rise for workers, a cut in energy bills, “an end to climate chaos,” higher taxes for the rich, and decent housing for all.
Nikki Dancey, President of RTUC, said: “All over the country trade union members, civic campaign groups and ordinary citizens are saying –enough is enough, we’ve been pushed too far.
“We’re getting poorer and poorer, while the rich are getting richer – we need major government action now to stop the 99% falling further and further behind.”
Those protesting are invited to assemble in Forbury Gardens at 2.30pm on Saturday, from which the march will go to The Butler on Chatham Street.
A rally will take place at The Butler from 4pm, featuring union speakers and Public and Commercial Services Union’s National President, Fran Heathcote.
A free party will also follow at the venue, featuring live performances from Hard Times, The Highwasters, and Attila The Stockbroker.
chief executive to write to Thames Valley Police chief superintendent for Berkshire, Sarah Grahame, to undertake a borough-wide initiative to reduce the illegal use of e-scooters and off-road bikes.
The motion was led by Cllr Raj Singh (Conservative, Kentwood) but substantially adjusted by the Labour Party.
Conservative councillors accused Labour members of politicising the issue.
During the debate, Cllr Isobel Ballsdon (Conservative, Caversham Heights) said she had recently heard of two concerning incidents.
In one, an e-scooter “shot out of nowhere” at the pedestrian crossing in Caversham Road, forcing a driver to do an emergency stop.
In the other, a cyclist “whizzed past” an elderly resident in Broad Street, nearly hitting her.
Cllr Ballsdon said: “The council needs to do better. This original motion would have helped move things forward, it would have improved the lives of our residents. The political
posturing does [nothing].
“I’d like to be able to go back to my residents and say, ‘I’ve been to a council meeting, we’ve made a difference’.”
Meanwhile, Cllr Jason Brock (Labour, Southcote) the leader of the council, called the accusation that Labour members politicised the issue ‘inappropriate’.
An amended motion introduced by Cllr Tony Page (Labour, Abbey) the lead councillor for transport, was passed.
This instructs the council’s chief executive to write to the Department for Transport asking for clear legislation on e-scooter use. No mention was made of off-road bikes in parks.
In a vote, all Labour, Liberal Democrat and most Green councillors voted for Cllr Page’s motion, with Conservatives voting against it and Cllr Kathryn McCann (Green, Redlands) abstaining.
It is understood the Liberal Democrats and Greens would have supported Cllr Singh’s unamended motion as well if it came to a vote.
Panic Shack are joining the lineup to celebrate Are You Listening? Festival’s 10th anniversary this summer. Picture: Heavy Pop Tayo Sound and Thomas Headon will be among the acts taking to the stage at Are You Listening? Festival Pictures: Are You Listening? Festival Sophie Jamieson Girli
A NEW warehouse has been created in a Wokingham-based business park, and it will be helping to make movies.
Frasers Property UK has completed the development of the 57,000 sq ft warehouse, known as Building 820, at Winnersh Triangle. It has been let to film and TV studio operator Stage Fifty and will provide workshop space and offices.
And Stage Fifty has exchanged contracts to pre-lease two new sound stages totalling 50,000 sq ft as part of a larger overall scheme, reflecting the demand for premium film and studio space.
Rupert Batho, commercial director of Frasers Property UK, said: “Our long-term collaboration with Stage Fifty demonstrates the flexibility and appeal of our portfolio and overall approach to the project, and the great facilities we have at Winnersh Triangle support the premium studio space offer.
“The planned, phased expansion of Stage Fifty’s Winnersh Film studios significantly supports the UK’s international reputation as a destination for television and film production.”
Frasers Property UK was represented by CBRE & Hollis Hockley, and Stage Fifty by Haslams.
COMPANIES dealing with technology have helped the south east see a growth in real estate leasing, with the highest number of deals completed since 2018.
Global property consultancy Knight Frank says that a flurry in demand during the final quarter of 2022 saw leasing activity in the south east increase 37% compared to the previous quarter.
And in all, there were 809,121 sq ft-worth of transactions during the quarter. Across the year, there was 2.75million sq ft rented – an increase of 6% on the previous year, with technology, media and telecom companies accounting for 26% of leasing deals and 23% of space taken.
Knight Frank’s figures said that grade A office spaces accounted for 87% of all space taken, with 36 out of 55 South East office markets recording an increase in prime rents.
Overall vacancy for the South East finished the year just above the long-term average at 7.6%, while availability for new or recently refurbished offices remained unchanged over 2022.
The representation of grade B, or secondary, office stock to overall vacancy is at its highest level since 2014.
The investment market saw transactions worth £748 million in Q4 2022, taking turnover for 2022 to £2.8 billion. The figure is down 31% compared to the previous year, albeit 2021 was a record year for South East office investment. When compared to the 10-year annual average, investment volumes in 2022 were just 5% behind.
The year saw 93 investment deals complete, with UK buyers accounting for two-thirds of the transactions. However, overseas buyers were responsible for four of the six deals to complete with a price tag of £100m or more.
Roddy Abram, head of national offices at Knight Frank, said: “South
East office take-up remained resilient over 2022, despite macroeconomic shockwaves and hybrid working patterns.
“While the average size of transactions has reduced, the number of occupiers looking for the best-in-class space has increased, evidenced by deal count and how most new leases were for new or comprehensibly refurbished modern offices. With the need to justify the rising costs of refurbishment and development, we continue to see rental growth across the prime South East locations and 2023 looks likely to be more of the same with the best quality buildings that are
ESG compliant and amenityrich continuing to experience competitive tension.”
This view was echoed by his colleague Simon Rickards, the head of soith east capital markets, who added: “Many factors impacted investor sentiment throughout 2022. Geopolitical instability, inflationary pressure and supply chain constraints, the Mini Budget and the increasing cost of debt all provided various headwinds.
“Despite this, investment volumes for 2022 totalled £2.8bn, just short of the 10-year annual average.
“After a period of pricing discovery in Q4, brought about by these headwinds, transactions have begun to take place at a rebased level with relative increased stability.
“On the whole, 2022 saw a continuation of what was witnessed in 2021, including a focus on prime buildings and locations, the softening pricing of secondary assets, significant interest in life sciences opportunities and repositioning of tertiary assets that risk obsolescence without capital expenditure.
“In 2023, we anticipate that these themes will continue, with the investment market mirroring the flight to quality displayed by occupiers being a key consideration.”
A GOVERNMENT minister has welcomed Thames Water’s commitment to creating jobs through apprenticeships and supporting T Levels on a visit to Basingstoke sewage treatment works.
Robert Halfom, minister for skills, apprenticeships and higher education and MP for Harlow, met Thames Water apprentices on Thursday, February 9, during National Apprenticeship Week.
The week highlights the positive contributions that apprenticeships make to individuals, businesses and the wider economy.
Mr Halfon said: “Thames Water is a skills and apprenticeships powerhouse, and the company’s ongoing
commitment to investing in future talent was on display when I visited during National Apprenticeship Week.
“The company has not only taken on 230 apprentices in the last year, they are also supporting our roll-out of ground-breaking new T Levels qualifications, helping to achieve parity of esteem between academic and vocational education and extend the ladder of opportunity to people from all backgrounds.”
T Levels are new courses that are equivalent to three A Levels and follow on from GCSEs.
These two-year courses have been developed in collaboration with employers
and businesses, so the content meets the needs of industry and prepares students for work.
Thames Water is hoping to increase the diversity of its workforce by building a pipeline of skills from local communities and the education sector and by creating lifelong employment and learning opportunities for its employees.
As part of its skills strategy, the company has started supporting the new T Level qualification and has increased the number of apprenticeship pathways it offers from three to 32.
These range from college level to degree level apprenticeships in a variety of roles from electrical and mechanical engineering to
quantity surveying and project management.
Lynne Graham, Thames Water people director, said: “As we continue to turnaround our business and improve our performance, we must
ensure our people receive the right investment in skills development to have successful and sustainable careers. We’re excited to be offering further access to career opportunities to drive
social mobility and provide good work for all.”
Applications for its 2023 apprenticeships, starting in September, are now open.
n For more information, visit: thameswater.co.uk
A HOME plagued by mould has prompted a dad of six from Caversham to plead for help to find a new place to live.
The man, who asked to remain anonymous, lives with his wife and six children in a two-bedroom home in Brackstone Close, Caversham.
While the home was suitable when the couple moved in with their first-born daughter in May 2006, the family has since grown.
The couple share their bedroom with their one year-old boy and 12-week-old daughter. Meanwhile, his daughters aged 17, 14 and seven, share a bedroom with their nine-yearold son.
The dad said: “We are bursting at the seams as the family has got bigger and bigger.”
The family say their living conditions have declined when the home became afflicted with black mould.
He said: “It’s going to get worse the longer winter goes on. It’s a nightmare because it’s dangerous for the children.
“My baby has been ill since birth. You feel unwell in the house, something needs to be done.”
The dad has sent evidence of the mould to Reading Borough Council’s environmental health team and has appealed for help in finding a larger home, but says he has struggled using the house-bidding system.
The dad said: “I can only bid on four bedrooms, but none arrive. We don’t get a look in, we have no priority. The council said they’ve moved us up to moderate priority.
“They keep saying to me, ‘If you had medical reasons you might get higher priority’.
“I’ve asked for a doctor’s
letter and schools to write, but it doesn’t seem to help the cause – we’re still in a two-bed house which is full of mould.
“We’re stuck.”
A Reading Borough Council spokesperson confirmed that its Environmental Health team had investigated the property, and said that issues of disrepair should be dealt with by the landlord in the first instance.
The family home is social housing provided by their landlord, One Housing Group.
A spokesperson for the firm confirmed it has been aware
READING’S venues have been recognised with a prestigious award denoting vibrant and diverse cultural and culinary offerings.
The Business Improvement District has been awarded Purple Flag status for 2023, which recognises safety and quality of a range of different venues and businesses.
Reading BID works closely with licensed premises, Reading Borough Council, Thames Valley Police, ambulance and community safety crews, and notable institutions such as Reading Buses and the University of Reading to create a cohesive partnership.
This sees venues and organisations around Reading to collaborate on planning, keep customers safe, and maintain a high quality of services from premises.
The award seeks to raise the standards of venues and businesses in town and city centres during the night-time, between 5pm and 5am.
The BID has supported a number of venues in the night-time economy including providing 11 defibrillators in various businesses, thousands of drink testing kits, hi-viz clothing for staff, and recycling initiatives.
mould and condensation and information has been circulated in our resident newsletters and on our website.
“The family recently reported issues of mould to us, and our contractors attended and carried out work to remove it, and offered the family advice on reducing the likelihood of mould in the future.
“They will return in a month to check if the property is still clear of mould. Unfortunately, mould can occur in bathrooms where humidity is higher and also in properties that are overcrowded.
“We hope that a larger property becomes available for the family soon.”
CHILDREN in South Reading will be treated to a fun-filled sports event at Whitley Children’s Centre.
Organised by Sport 4 Kids, the half-term session is open to children aged 18 months and older.
Youngsters will have the opportunity to learn and practise new physical skills and activities in the high-energy meet-up.
It runs from 1pm-1.45pm on Friday. Parents or guardians are required to book places in advance.
n For more information, contact: 0118 937 3894 or reading.childrencentres@ brighterfuturesforchildren.org
of the family’s situation since 2021.
They said: “We registered them on our internal transfer property site, Home Connections, in hopes that they would find a four-bedroom home to accommodate their family.
“It has been several years since a four-bedroom home has become available in Reading due to scarcity of social housing, particularly larger properties.
“In early 2022, we widely publicised to our tenants the importance of reporting damp,
The council spokesperson confirmed that the family entered its housing needs registry last year.
They said: “The family have been given priority based on their circumstances.
“However social housing is in short supply and the shortage is very acute when it comes to larger sized properties – therefore it could take a considerable amount of time before they can be rehoused through this route.”
The spokesperson added that the family can seek alternative accommodation using the website Homeswapper.
A COMMUNITY group is inviting residents to its event to mark Shrove Tuesday. iCare 2018 Social Club will welcome guests to Whitley Wood Community Centre for an afternoon of food, drink, bingo and live entertainment.
Visitors will have the opportunity to share the day with friends and family while also meeting new people.
The event takes place from noon-4pm on Thursday, February 23.
n For more information, visit: www.i-care2018.co.uk
It also works with schemes such as Best Bar None to audit venues and has supported the Ask For Angela initiative to promote quality and safety in Reading’s nightlife.
Alexa Volker, Reading BID’s manager, said “We are proud of the partnerships we have developed in support of Reading’s night-time economy and all they have achieved.
“Venues demonstrated the importance they place on the safety and security of all visitors and staff across the broad range of offerings of a night out in Reading.”
Chief inspector at Thames Valley Police Emma Tompkins said: “I am delighted to see that the hard work and passion of our Reading Partnerships have been recognised in this prestigious Purple Flag Award.
“We were very proud to show the assessors the efforts that TVP, working with our partners, will go to in continuing to keep Reading a safe place for everyone to enjoy an evening out. #OneReading”
Purple Flag assessors noted strong partnership between parties, “clear buy-in” from both members of the public and from businesses, and responsible attitudes to care and hospitality among venues and organisations.
Reading was also given the accreditation for three years running between 2017-2019.
Cllr Karen Rowland, lead member for environmental services and community safety at RBC, said: “This welldeserved Purple Flag award is not just about the fact that we are working hard to ensure our night-time offerings are safe for everyone.
“It also celebrates the vibrancy and diversity of our evening and night-time offer.”
She continued: “Having won the award before, this is proof that Reading’s team never rests on its laurels.”
“I’m pleased that the good work continues with a focus on ensuring that women and young people feel secure in taking advantage of the everincreasing options available in Reading.
“Reading can be justifiably proud to have earned this award, achieved by many working closely together, and I congratulate everyone involved for their hard work to gain this accreditation.”
Purple Flag accreditation is awarded by the Association of Town & City Management to town centres that meet the standards of excellence in managing the evening and night-time economy.
CRAMPED: Black mould at thetwo-bed home in Brackstone Close, Caversham – six people live there Picture: Local democracy reporting serviceREADING’S taxi drivers have voiced their concerns over private hire regulations and say they have long delays in licence renewals, writes James Aldridge, local democracy reporter
Last year, a group of drivers formed the Reading Private Hire Association to advocate for the trade. They have a booking from a customer to transport them, as opposed to cab taxis which can hailed on the spot.
The association is negotiating with Reading Borough Council’s licensing team to bring issues to their attention.
Among their concerns is a backlog of licence renewals, an issue raised at a meeting between association executives and council officers at the Claim & Hire Specialist Office in Whitley’s Boulton Road.
Private hire licenses last for three years after which they must be renewed.
There had been a situation where drivers were left in limbo waiting for their applications to renew their licenses to be approved, with some expiring. The association was able to negotiate an ‘Entitlement to Drive’ so that licence holders could continue working following a meeting on December 19, 2022.
Kamran Saddiq, chairman of the association, said: “We’d like to thank licensing for reinstating the entitlement to drive, that’s been a massive help to all of our drivers, their really appreciative of what you’ve done.”
Clyde Mason, a licensing officer for Reading Borough Council said
the entitlement to drive applies to those who have submitted their re-applications six weeks prior to licence termination.
Licensing officer Anthony Chawama said it was being exploited by some drivers who were leaving their re-applications to the last minute.
A series of other issues were raised at the meeting as well.
Drivers must attend in person safeguarding courses each time they obtain a licence. The association asked for this course to be done online after the first one.
Officer Mason said the sessions are a statutory requirement, but online courses could be looked into.
He added that drivers will be notified to attend a safeguarding course on the third year of their licence, giving them 11 months to attend ready for their renewal.
Drivers also require a DBS check to trade.
Mr Saddiq questioned the need for roof signs and side panels, which is to distinguish them from hackney carriages.
Officer Mason said the council’s licensing team was willing to hear proposals.
Mr Saddiq also asked for more clarity on penalties. A driver’s licence will be suspended for 14 days if they acquire 12 points on their licence.
Officer Mason explained that penalties are kept on record for four years, but no longer apply if there are no infractions after 12 months.
The meeting of the Reading Private Hire Association occurred on Tuesday, February 7.
THE POLICE and Crime
Commissioner in Thames Valley, Matthew Barber, has launched a new service to improve support for victims of stalking.
The Thames Valley Stalking Service will provide specialist support to the victims of stalking in Berkshire, Oxfordshire, and Buckinghamshire.
The service will be handled by Aurora New Dawn, a charity which gives support to those affected by domestic abuse, stalking, and sexual violence.
The office of the PCC will award the charity £120,000 annually for the next three years to deliver the service.
Victims First will also work with the service to manage referrals, assess victims, and determine how best to administer support.
Matthew Barber said: “I am pleased we are able to offer specialist provision to help those affected by stalking in the Thames Valley and to be working with Aurora New Dawn who have proven expertise in this area.
“The service forms a key part of my strategy launched last year to improve the safety of women and girls in the Thames Valley.
“Stalking can affect every area of a victim’s life with stalking behaviours potentially experienced
By ANDY PRESTON sport@wokingham.todaySEVENTY FOUR competitors stepped up to the oche to fight it out in Burghfield Darts’ first event of the year.
Two competitions took place across the day at Burghfield Community Sports Association with 58 competitors taking part in the men’s event, while 16 women participated in the ladies event.
With the men’s event being split into nine groups for a round robin before progressing to either the knockout stages or the plate competition.
The men’s final, contested between Jason Heaver and Steve Wells, was won by Steve who managed to complete a fantastic turnaround from 4-1 down to come out with a 5-4 victory to take the title.
The women’s event saw Kelly Ellis come out on top against Kacey-Jade Ella Witcher to take the crown.
The men’s plate contest saw Andrew McNeilaitken defeat John Smith in the final.
Patricia Lewington succeeded in the women’s plate after beating Tiffany Cross in the final.
Burghfield Darts Events organises a range of events across the year, including knockout tournaments, and occasionally welcoming big names. Last August, Luke Humphries attended.
n For more details, search Facebook for Burghfield Darts Events
over long periods of time, leading to emotional and psychological distress and fear.”
He continued: “It is important that victims get the support they need to cope with the impact on their lives and move forward.
“This may include helping them cope emotionally, practical safeguarding advice as well as advocacy and guidance to empower them and help them feel safe as they navigate the criminal justice process.”
Aurora New Dawn’s Chief Executive, Dr Shonagh Dillon, said: “Victims of stalking need long term support outside of the criminal justice system.
“Far too often, responsibility falls primarily to police officers who have to navigate stalking scenarios without professional support from trained experts.
“This is why we are incredibly pleased to work with Thames Valley to deliver Independent Stalking Advocacy Caseworker support to victims of stalking offences in the area.
“This partnership enables us to work with victims and professionals to ensure that everyone gets the best support possible, in a way that has not previously been available to stalking victims in the area.”
A READING band will take its audience on a journey through the absorbing story of flight at St Joseph’s College.
Trinity Concert Band will showcase a repertoire of classical favourites and film scores in The Music of Flight, which will illustrate the trials and tribulations generations have endured which have led to modern-day aviation and space travel.
Pieces such as Fly me to the Moon, 633 Squadron, Mars: The Planets, Superman and Skyfall will tell the story.
A portion of the concert’s proceeds will go to the band’s chosen charity for 2023, Thrive, which uses gardening to change lives.
Tickets can be purchased from the band’s website and cost £13 per adult, £7 students and free for under 16s, newcomers and Ukrainian refugees.
The concert takes place from 7pm-9pm on Saturday, March 4.
n For more information and to book tickets, visit: www.trinityband.co.uk
VISITORS of a Reading museum will have the unique opportunity to take part in conversational trips led by specialists.
As part of the Museum of English Rural Life (MERL)’s Our Green Stories Tours series, curator Dr Ollie Douglous will be joined by academics Jenny Chamarette and Mike Goodman.
Dr Chamarette will explore sexuality, organics, queer identities, gardening, the environment, and the many links between the spheres on March 7. Each tour will last about 45 minutes and culminates in a pop-up display or an opportunity to peek behind the scenes.
There will be a chance to ask Ollie or either guest questions at the end of each session.
Sessions run from 11.30am-12.30pm at the MERL, Redlands Road.
n For more information, visit: merl.reading.ac.uk
NOT HERE: Reading
East MP Matt Rodda at Clayfield Copse, where Three hopes to build a 5G mast Picture: Matt Rodda’s office
READING EAST MP Matt Rodda has joined the calls for a mobile phone company to rethink the position of a proposed 5G phone mast.
He has written to Reading Borough Council to object to the plan for a 20-metre tall structure to be installed on land near Clayfield Copse on Caversham Park Road.
CK Hutchinson, the owner of Three UK Ltd, made the application on January 20, but residents are hoping to get the work put on hold.
Mr Rodda said there are concerns the mast would have significant visual impact in a residential area where the nearest building is only six metres tall.
Regarding the mast’s location, he said: “Clayfield Copse was Reading’s first designated Nature Reserve and comprises of areas of ancient woodland, hazel coppice, wildflower meadows.
“I believe that a 20 metre
high mast on the edge of Clayfield Copse would have an extremely negative visual impact on the views to and from the Nature Reserve’.
The MP has raised concerns over previous applications for other sites in his constituency, saying that some would be inappropriately sited and often involve the siting of masts 15 metres tall or higher in low rise areas, where they tower over nearby buildings and beauty spots.
In these locations, masts are often twice as high as the tallest buildings in these areas. For reference, the average two storey house is approximately six metres tall, and the smallest suburban lamp posts are five metres tall.
The Clayfield Copse application is still open for consultation and residents are able to leave their comments on the council’s planning portal, by searching for application no: 230071.
INSPECTION REPORT:
Redlands
Primary School in Lydford Road and Blenheim Gardens, East Reading, was visited by Ofsted inspectors.
Credit: Google Maps
highlights the areas that require improvement and the next steps needed to take the school forward.”
She added that work had begun on a development plan, prior to the inspection, and is being implemented.
The headteacher judged that the pace of implementation, and the school’s ability to demonstrate the impact of recent changes, are key to raising standards swiftly.
Mrs Buttery said: “While we know it will be disappointing, we believe the overall judgment of ‘Requires Improvement’ is right at this time.
By JAMES ALDRIDGE Local democracy reporter
THE HEADTEACHER of an east Reading primary school says steps are being taken following an Ofsted verdict of ‘requires improvement’.
Redlands Primary School in Lydford Road, was found the school to be inclusive, but pupils are not getting ‘the education they deserve’.
According to the report, pupils do not learn as well as they should because parts of
the curriculum are not well established.
While teachers are praised for learning on pronunciation and fostering an appetite for reading, other areas of the curriculum requires focus.
Ofsted inspectors rated the school ‘Requires Improvement’ and laid out what is needed for it to reinstate the ‘Good’ rating it achieved at its last full inspection in 2012.
Headteacher Theresa Buttery noted positive points and said she was pleased that inspectors recognised the part
that children play in the daily life of the school.
“There is an atmosphere of acceptance and respect and that pupils genuinely appreciate each other as individuals and learn to view their differences as strengths,” the report states, adding that staff in school clearly care about the children and ‘pupils benefit from opportunities to develop personally’.
Mrs Buttery said: “The report details the many positive areas at Redlands Primary School and Nursery. However, it correctly
“The feedback we received during the inspection reflected our assessment and highlighted that we are focusing on the right areas of improvement for Redlands to rapidly become the unquestionably ‘Good’ school we all want it to be. This work was recognised by Ofsted in that ‘new leaders have got a firm grasp on what needs to improve’.”
Thanking parents for their support, Mrs Buttery added: “A school is built by a community working together for the benefit of its pupils, in partnership.
“We will continue to work hard to ensure that all children are receiving the education they deserve and to support the rapid improvements that are under way at Redlands.”
The Ofsted report was published on Thursday, February 2, after the inspection took place on December 6 and 7 2022.
Officers believe the individuals may have vital information regarding a number of incidents in the Tilehurst area, where males are driving offroad bikes anti-socially on roads and in park
Investigating officer PC Michael Hanson, based at Reading police station, said: “I am
A gift company founded by the brother of the Princess of Wales, has applied to sell alcohol from its Reading base.
Boomf was launched by James Middleton and Andy Bell in 2013, and also operates from London. It has since
anti-
appealing for anyone who recognises the individuals pictured in this image to please get in touch.
“To contact us, call 101 or make a report on our website, quoting reference number 43230041137.
“Alternatively, you can provide information anonymously to independent charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111 or via its website.”
been bought by investment company Galaev Grierson.
It sells personalised marshmallows, confectionery and gifts for events such as birthdays, weddings, Valentine’s Day and Christmas. It also creates cards which ‘explode’ with confetti.
It has a warehouse at Unit 1 Meadow Road, in an industrial zone of the Bell
Tower area close to Caversham Bridge.
The company has applied to sell alcohol on and off the premises from 9am to 5pm Monday to Saturday, and 9am to noon on Sundays.
This licensing application has been submitted to Reading Borough Council, and responses closed on Wednesday, February 8.
APPEAL: Thames Valley Police is looking to speak with the individuals pictured in connection with a number of social incidents in Tilehurst. THAMES Valley Police as released a CCTV image of two people it would like to speak to in connection with incidents of anti-social behaviour.
A GREEN party councillor is calling for action over what he says is a forest of nuisance estate agency signs across Reading.
While estate agents are able to use boards outside homes that are for sale or to let, it is felt that in some areas, with high resident turnover, these can turn into excessive numbers.
At a recent council meeting, Cllr David McElroy highlighted parts of his ward, Redlands in East Reading. The area is popular with students on short tenancies due to the University of Reading being close by, with a high number of signs in Erleigh Road, Addington Road, Blenheim Road and Cardigan Road.
Responding, Cllr Micky Leng (Labour, Whitley), lead councillor for planning, said a voluntary agreement between the council and estate agents could be reached, similar to one made back in 2014.
Cllr McElroy pointed out that the situation has declined since then, with Cllr Leng replying that estate agent permission to advertise ‘to let’ signs could be revoked by applying to the government for a ‘Regulation 7 Direction’ which would remove
discretionary consent for such advertising.
The issue of the ‘forest’ of estate agent signs has also
been raised by Cllr Will Cross (Labour, Redlands) who called the signage ‘a nuisance’. He said he had conducted an
A READING town centre store is considering appealing a ban on selling alcohol, enacted after police complaints, writes James Aldridge, Local democracy reporter
The Today’s Express in Duke Street has been accused of alleged handling of stolen goods, anti-social behaviour, and mismanagement, leading to Thames Valley Police and the council’s licensing team to ask councillors to revoke the shop’s licence, arguing it would help prevent crime and disorder and better protect the public.
At a review hearing held on Friday, February 10, attended by the current owner Quais Aziz, police officers accused him of mismanagement by selling alcohol to street drinkers, causing a public nuisance.
Police licensing officer PC
Simon Wheeler said: “We have people openly begging at that property, we have evidence of sales to drinks to those individuals, and them consuming the drinks nearby.”
Officers also accused the shop of handling stolen goods, particularly drinks and Red Bull cans.
This was denied by Mr Aziz’s legal representative, Bill Donne of Silver Fox Consultants, who got the police to concede they do not have specific evidence of handling stolen goods.
An investigation into this accusation is ongoing.
Cllr Leng praised Cllr Cross for his “Columbo style detective work”.
Letting and for sale adverts do not require permission, but need to comply with rules. Estate agency boards can only be erected at the property they relate to, and only one board is allowed per property (one each for flats and HMOs).
Boards must be removed within 14 days of a sale or let agreement.
Firms that do not comply with rules - including ‘managed by’ advertising - are unauthorised, and a criminal offence and must be removed.
Cllr Leng said that, following Cllr Cross’ investigation, officers will send letters reminding estate agencies of their duties in the original agreement made in 2014.
The area covered in the agreement runs from Alexandra Road to Lennox Road in Park ward.
If the council is unsatisfied that estate agents are not complying with the agreement, it can apply for the Regulation 7 Direction from the government.
audit, identifying 70 signs, and listed the agents involved and the addresses where they were located.
The exchanges between Cllr McElroy and Cllr Leng took place at the full council meeting held on Tuesday, January 31.
A CAR was stolen from a Tilehurst driveway last week and police are appealing for witnesses.
The thieves struck around 6.30am on Friday, February 10.
They took a silver Vauxhall Corsa from a home in Gwynne Close.
Thames Valley Police is appealing for witnesses to come forward, especially if they have doorbell, dashcam or CCTV footage.
Anyone with information can call 101, quoting reference 43230062284.
THIEVES attempted to break in to a Tilehurst home last week and police are appealing for witnesses to come forward.
The incident took place around 7.30pm on Monday, February 6, at a home in Corwen Road.
It is not known how they attempted to gain entry, or if anything was damaged or taken in the process.
Thames Valley Police ask people to check doorbell, dashcam or CCTV footage. Anyone with information can call 101, quoting reference 43230056588.
HEARING: Todays Express, 17 Duke Street, Reading, will no longer be able to sell alcohol.
Picture: Google Maps/Local democracy reporting service
Evidence was compiled for the hearing during four visits by council and police officers, however the police complained that poor CCTV management meant collecting it had been difficult.
Mr Donne conceded that management of CCTV was “a mess” and said its timings were inaccurate.
On the sale of alcohol to street drinkers, he pointed out that drinking is not a licensable activity, and Mr Aziz could not be held responsible for the behaviour of his customers.
While police had argued that Mr Aziz should not be selling single cans of alcohol, Mr Donne stated there is no legal requirement restricting such sales.
Mr Donne said: “In summary, is my client holder the best operator? I would say no. Is he as non-compliant as the council and police say? I would say no.
“He is on the way to being neat and tidy.”
The licensing committee chose to revoke the licence to sell alcohol.
Mr Aziz previously said the store is in the process of being sold for £25,000, with the prospective new owner apparently being present at the review hearing.
Speaking on behalf of Mr Aziz and the prospective new owner after the meeting, Mr Donne said the result was disappointing and an appeal is being considered, which must be lodged within 21 days.
Once an appeal is triggered, the business can carry on under its current licence conditions until a final decision is made at Magistrates Court.
The licensing committee comprised councillors Paul Woodward (Labour, Church) Sue Kitchingham (Labour, Caversham Heights) and Doug Creswell (Green, Katesgrove).
CONCERNS: Councillors in east Reading have raised the issue of estate agents signs taking over streets around Redlands Picture: Cllr Will CrossREADING 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.
221936: Bennet Court, Bennet Road, Reading, RG2 0QX - Demolition of existing buildings and erection of one industrial building for flexible industrial processes (Use Class E (g)(iii)), general industrial (Class B2) or storage or distribution (Class B8) uses with ancillary offices, and all other ancillary and enabling works including altered access, on-site parking, landscaping, drainage, engineering and boundary treatment works.
APPLICATIONS AFFECTING LISTED BUILDINGS AND/OR CONSERVATION AREAS
All comments must be received within 7 days and will go on public view.
221563: 1 Epping Close, Reading, RG1 7YD - Proposed demolition of 8 garages and construction of 2 x 3 bedroom residential units.
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.
JACK Whitehall has announced a string of new live stand-up dates ahead of his upcoming tour, including one in Reading.
The star of Bad Education, Travels
With My Father, and BAFTA-winning A League of Their Own will try out his new material at seven warm-up shows. He has performed three sell-out tours in the last decade, and has recently starred in Disney’s The Nutcracker And The Four Realms, Clifford the Big Red Dog, and Jungle Cruise.
He’s also hosted numerous awards events including four BRIT Awards ceremonies, and was the youngest ever host of the Royal Variety Performance. Jack Whitehall is performing in Southend, Colchester, Wimbledon, Oxford, Eastbourne, and Plymouth, before concluding his warm-up shows at The Hexagon on Wednesday, March 29.
n Tickets to the show are available from www.whatsonreading.com, or by calling the box office on: 0118 960 6060.
n For more on the tour, log on to: www.jackwhitehall.com/
A jazz trumpeter will play with Bracknell Jazz house band.
Martin Shaw is a regular with BBC Radio Big Band, he has worked with jazz greats including Cleo Laine, and John Dankworth.
The band will also be joined by Jonny Ford on tenor sax.
Bracknell Jazz: Martin Shaw can be heard at South Hill Park Arts Centre on Friday, February 17.
Doors open at 7.30pm, with tickets at £16.50, or £8 for under 18s.
Members may be eligible for discounts.
n For tickets and information log on to: www.southhillpark.org.uk, or call the box office on: 01344 484123
GIDDY Theatre presents a true story of catastrophe, survival and love from Britain’s home front.
A Long Night In London takes the audience on an adventure with those underground in the shelter, where it’s safe.
Stories intertwine with music and mayhem below ground.
The play is performed at Bracknell’s South Hill Park Arts Centre, from Thursday, February 23 through to Saturday, February 25.
Doors open at 7.30pm each evening, with additional matinées on Thursday at 1pm (schools only performance), and Saturday at 2pm.
Tickets cost £12, with concessions available at £10. The play is suitable for ages 10 and above.
n For tickets and information log on to: www.southhillpark.org.uk, or call the box office on: 01344 484123
THREE instrumentalists present their programme of music in Maidenhead.
On flute, harp and viola, their performance is described as magnificent. It includes work by Vivaldi, Debussy and Takemitsu.
The Maidenhead Music Society: Trilogy Ensemble can be heard at Norden Farm Arts Centre.
The event is on Thursday, February 23, at 8pm. Tickets cost £20, or £5 for under 16s.
Bracknell –South Hill Park
www.southhillpark.org.uk
01344 484123
Gang Show 50th Show. Until 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. A Long Night in London.
Thurs 23-Sat 25.
Conservatoire: Yoon-Seok
Shin. Fri 24. The Comedy Cellar. Fri 24. The Wizard of Oz. Sat 25-Sun 26.
FILMS: Strange World. Until Sun 19. The Barber of Seville live screening. Wed 15. I Wanna
Dance With Somebody. Fri 17Mon 20. Aftersun. Mon 20-Tues 21. Othello. Thurs 23. Empire of Light. Fri 24-Sun 26.
www.camberleytheatre.biz
01276 707600
The Jungle Book. Thurs 16. Psychic
VARNA International Ballet presents a duet of ballet classics: The Nutcracker, and Swan Lake.
Renowned for its award-winning soloists and corps de ballet, the company is celebrating their 75th anniversary, and comes to the UK for the first time.
In The Nutcracker, the audience is swept away on Christmas Eve
n For tickets and information log on to: norden.farm, or call the box office on: 01628 788977
A SOUND and look alike group presents The Marley Experience, and promise to bring the passion of the late reggae star to the stage.
Lead vocalist Lionart has performed at music festivals, including Glastonbury.
His vocal resemblance to Marley has seen him perform on stage alongside reggae stars Dawn Penn, Erroll Dunkley and David Rodigan.
The event takes place at Norden Farm Arts Centre’s Courtyard Theatre on Friday, February 24.
Doors open at 8pm, with tickets available at £20.
This is a standing event with some
Sally. Fri 17. Bon Giovi. Sat 18. Bring Your Own Baby Comedy. Thurs 23. Coldplace. Thurs 23. Tenors Unlimited. Sat 26.
Guildford –Yvonne Arnaud
www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk
01483 440000
Workshop for ages 7-11: Let’s Create Poetry. Thurs 16.
Starchitects. Fri 17-Sat 18. Alan Ayckbourn’s Relatively Speaking. Tues 21-Sat 25. Badass. Fri 23-Sat 24.
High Wycombe –Wycombe Swan
www.wycombeswan.co.uk
01494 512000
Zog. Thurs 16. Menopause The Musical. Fri 17. Alan Carr: Regional Trinket. Sat 18. Baby Broadway. Sun 19. Sing-along-a Encanto. Sun 19. Aida.
Wed 22. The Rocket Man.
Thurs 23. Hellfire Comedy Club. Thurs 23. Stewart Lee: Basic Lee. Fri 24.
to a fairy-tale world where magic begins and toys come alive.
Swan Lake, a favourite with many ballet fans, is a tragic romance set on a moonlit lake where swans glide in perfect formation.
Both ballets are performed at Reading’s Hexagon Theatre. Audiences can see The Nutcracker
unallocated seating.
n For tickets and information log on to: norden.farm, or call the box office on: 01628 788977
MENOPAUSE the Musical 2 moves forward five years to catch up with the original four characters as they set off on the high seas.
Cruising Through The Menopause sees the women dancing and singing their way through hot flushes, mood swings, memory lapses and weight gain.
Described as funny, heartfelt and reassuring, the show invites its audience to embark on a trip of self-discovery, love and friendship, to a soundtrack of parodied hits.
The event can be seen at Reading’s Hexagon Theatre, on Thursday, February
Elvis. Sat 25. John Kearns. Sat
25. Varna International Ballet: Nutcracker. Sun 26.
Henley – Kenton
www.kentontheatre.co.uk
01491 525050
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. Quentin Crisp Naked Hope.
Thurs 23. The History of Rock.
Fri 24. Country Superstars.
Sat 25. Magic of the Musicals.
Sun 26.
Maidenhead –Norden Farm
www.nordenfarm.org
01628 788997
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
on Friday, February 24, at 7.30pm.
Swan Lake is performed on Saturday, February 25, at 2.30pm and 7.30pm.
Tickets cost £40, £38, and £33 depending on seats, with concessions at £37, £35 and £30.
n For tickets and information visit: whatsonreading.com, or call the box office: 0118 960 6060.
23. Doors open at 7.30pm, and all tickets cost £32. The show is recommended for age 16 and above.
n For tickets and information visit: whatsonreading.com, or call the box office: 0118 960 6060
STARCHITECTS is a cosmic adventure that revisits the magic of our childhood imagination, where anything is possible. With its mix of gravity-defying choreography and digital projections, it creates a spectacle of dance-circus fusion.
Full of surprises, the show promises a fun and entertaining trip for the whole family.
The event is at Guildford’s Yvonne Arnaud Theatre.
Performances are on Friday, February 17, at 2pm and 6pm, and on Saturday, February 18, at 11am and 4.30pm.
After both Friday performances, and the Saturday morning performance, audiences can meet the actors in the foyer and take photos.
Tickets cost £18, with concessions at £15.50.
n For tickets and information visit: yvonne-arnaud.co.uk, or call the box office on: 01483 440000.
THE PLAYWRIGHT’S first West End hit in 1967 comes to Guildford.
Relatively Speaking is directed by Robin Herford, and stars Liza Goddard, Steven Pacey and Antony Eden.
Greg wants to marry Ginny.
When she tells him she’s visiting her parents, he decides to ask her father for her hand in marriage.
Discovering a scribbled address, he follows her to Buckinghamshire, where Philip and Sheila are enjoying Sunday morning breakfast in the garden.
The only thing is, they’re not Ginny’s parents.
The play runs at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, from Tuesday, February 21, through to Saturday, February 25.
Performances are at 7.30pm, with matinées on Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday at 2.30pm.
Tickets cost £35, £38, and £42 depending on seat location, with concessions at £12.
n For tickets and information visit: yvonne-arnaud.co.uk, or call the box office on: 01483 440000.
A DOUBLE bill of dance rooted in African and contemporary culture is coming to Newbury.
ACE Dance and Music collaborates with choreographers Serge Aimé Coulibaly and Vincent Mantsoe to present Unknown Realms.
Two contrasting works examine the past and present, as six dancers rise from the ashes to perform a piece that uncovers memories and human struggle.
Unknown Realms takes place at The Corn Exchange on Thursday, February 23. Doors open at 7.45pm, with tickets available at £16.25, or concessions at £13.25.
n For tickets and information log on to: www.cornexchangenew.com, or call the box office on: 08455 218218.
of
Nic Meier. Fri 17. Half Term Concertini with String Fever.
Sat 18. The Vinyl Frontier: New Vinyl (2010 to present).
Sat 18. Maidenhead Music Society: Trilogy Ensemble.
Thurs 23. The Marley Experience. Fri 24.
Haven’t Stoped Dancing Yet.
Sat 25.
Newbury –The Corn Exchange
www.cornexchangenew.com
0845 5218 218
Queenz. Sat 18. ROH Encore: The Barber of Seville.
Sun 19. Unknownrealms Double Bill. Thurs 23. 90s
Live. Fri 24. Rave On: The Ultimate 50s and 60s Experience. Sat 25. NT Encore: Othello. Sun 26.
Newbury –The Watermill
www.watermill.org.uk 01635 46044
Notes From A Small Island. Until Sat Mar 18.
Lyons: Bald Ambition. Fri 17.
Reading –South Street
www.whatsonreading.com 0118 960 6060
Limehouse Lizzy. Fri 17. Ray
Bradshaw: Dead Com 1. Sat 18. Speaking Out and Fitting In by Alice d’Lumiere.
Wed 22. Chloe Petts: Transience. Fri 24. Simon & Garfunkel Through The Years.
Sat 25.
Reading –The Hexagon
www.whatsonreading.com 0118 960 6060
Aida. Fri 17. Giovanni Pernice: Made In Italy. Sat 18.
Come What May. Tues 21.
Menopause The Musical 2.
Thurs 23. Varna International
Ballet: The Nutcracker.
Fri 24. Varna International
Ballet: Swan Lake. Sat 25.
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. Wed 22-Mar 11.
Shinfield –Shinfield Players
www.shinfieldplayers.org.uk 0118 975 8880
NEXT SHOW: Last Tango In Whitby. Wed Mar 1Sat Mar 4.
Sonning –The Mill www.millatsonning.com 0118 969 8000
We’ll Always Have Paris. Until
Mar 11. Whitney: Queen of the Night. Sun 19. Rocket Man. Sun 26.
Windsor –Theatre Royal www.theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk 01753 853888
Heathers. Until Sat 25.
Wokingham –Theatre
www.wokinghamtheatre.org.uk 0118 978
ON THE GO!: The Go!
be performing at Sub 89 in Reading on Thursday, March 9. Picture: Courtesy of The
THE Go! Team is a phenomenon in that its style is not only hard to confine to even a handful of specific genres, but also constantly playing with fresh ideas.
Despite its unrelenting modernity, the movement that is The Go! Team has been changing the rules of the game for more than two decades.
When the band returns to Reading for a show at Sub89 on Thursday, March 9, it will be the first gig of theirs in the town for 15 years.
The band’s founding member and songwriter, Wokingham-born Ian Parton, said: “I begin it in around 2000, but we didn’t really start properly until 2004.”
This is when the band’s first full studio album, Thunder, Lightning, Strike, was released.
“I was frustrated, with the indie scene and with the NME, and all that– how people would stay in all their own lanes, and peopled weren’t mashing music together much.
“It felt like a boys’ club, that skinnyjean brigade– so I was really just pleasing myself, like a pick and mix where I would grab all my favourite things.”
He doesn’t feel like much has changed,
FINAL preparations are being made for a new take on an old favourite.
Next week, a world premiere will be performed for the first time at Reading Rep Theatre in Kings Road.
Harriet Madeley has adapted Hedda Gabler for the 21st century, and explores how one woman is trapped within a life that has been chosen for her.
Reading Rep says this adaptation, starring Anna Popplewell, is steeped in queer rage and suburban monotony.
in the upcoming horror sequel The Nun 2.
Joining her in the cast are Mark Desebrock as George, Ryan Gerald as Brack, Natalie Perera as Thea and Jessica Temple as Isla.
Hedda Gabler is the third production of Reading Rep’s tenth anniversary season. The five-play season sees the company honour its roots in collaborations with ongoing creative partners, and champion a new frontier of creatives.
either: “I’ve got this theory, that it’s a ‘like’ generation– the like button is the symbol of our times, where people like lots of things, but they don’t love much.”
This level of love and detail as an influence has endured, as the band’s latest studio release, The Get Up Sequences Pt II, continues to weave together strings of distinct cultural inspirations and genres.
On marrying often disparate elements, Ian says: “Songwriting is hard generally, so for me it’s trial and error.
“I hoard thousands of ideas on my phone, and spend months trying things one on top of the other without getting much out.
“They’re almost sellotaped together; in a song like Get It Together, where I literally had a flute part and a recorder part, the songs grow and grow.
“If the melody is hot, everything else should fall into place, and that’s when I bring in these international voices.”
He says that bringing in external, authentic aspects allows each album to be “a patch-work quilt, always changing, and keeping you on your toes.
The latest album is no different: “There’s no conceptual link, particularly” he says, referring to the second part of the Get Up Sequences series of albums.
“But there is a feel of an international, multi-colour, trippy happenings, things like steel drums and flutes.
“One minute it’s Bollywood, the next it’s African funk; all the best things in the world, in life, but zeroed in on the good stuff,
“Not happiness or escapism, just filtering out the bad stuff and deciding where you want your attentions to lie.”
The Go! Team garnered much attention of their own when one of the tracks from their first album, get It Together, featured heavily in the video game LittleBigPlanet and its subsequent marketing.
“I’m not much of a gamer,” Ian says, “but so many people found us through that, so I can’t knock such an amazing thing.
“It’s funny that when they hear that melody, they’re in Sackboy’s world, but I don’t know that world, which is what’s so interesting about music; the imposition of your won feelings and memories.”
Hailing originally from Wokingham, Ian says he’s been to many of Reading’s likely haunts: “We’d hang out there all the time; The Purple Turtle, of course.
“We were there when the Shoegaze thing was still kicking around, so it was an interesting time.
“There were a couple of us getting up to all sorts of monkey business, but I won’t say any more.”
As for the band’s future: “I don’t know; I’ve got more albums in me and there’s never-ending possibilities.
“But I think maybe I want to push harder– I’ve had this obsession with channel-hopping, but I’ve never felt like I’ve nailed that.
“Life is quite humdrum, so for me that hour on stage, where we’ve got two drum kits going off, guitars and jumping around, it’s life at its rawest.
“It’s life at its most exciting.”
The Go! Team have just released their seventh studio album, Get Up Sequences Part Two, available to buy and stream now. n They are performing at Sub89 in Reading on Thursday, March 9, with tickets available from Heavy Pop via: heavypop. gigantic.com
Playwright Harriet saw her debut creation, The Listening Room, adapted for BBC Radio 4, while her most recent, The Other Tchaikovsky, was shortlisted for a BBC Audio Drama Award in 2021.
The show is directed by Annie Kershaw, the artistic director and cofounder of A Girl Called Stephen, and current associate director on the West End production of Best of Enemies.
She was previously assistant director on Reading Rep’s 2021 production, Dorian, and last year’s Jekyll and Hyde, which starred Audrey Brisson.
Anna Popplewell played Susan Pevensie in Disney’s big screen version of The Chronicles of Narnia and is making her theatrical debut starring in the title role.
She has also recently a leading role
Running alongside Hedda Gabler will be HEAR OUR VOICE, focused on making autobiographical and empowering work to ensure that all voices are heard.
This project was prompted by a post-show discussion on DORIAN, which highlighted the need for space for the LGBTQIA+ community of Reading.
And, as part of Reading Rep’s tenth anniversary season, 10% of all tickets to Hedda Gabler will be free for those who can’t afford them alongside all general tickets being priced under £20, while 30 tickets for each performance during the show’s first week being priced at £5 for people aged 30 and under.
The play runs from Wednesday, February 22, through to Saturday, March 11.
n For more details, log on to: www.readingrep.com
A CHURCH will become a theatre for the day as it welcomes a touring company for a day of drama.
St Joseph’s Catholic Church in Tilehurst is to host RISE Theatre, who will be performing their original play Faithful Companions in its church hall.
The faith-based play explores the story of Marie Madeleine d’Houët, who founded an international Society of Catholic sisters called the Faithful Companions of Jesus.
Set in 19th century France, it focuses on her desire to address what she saw as a great need in the
world around her in and beyond, as well as exploring her Christian faith and what it meant to her.
RISE say that this is a story of faith, love, loss, discernment, vocation, social justice and missionary zeal.
The show lasts around 75 minutes and is suitable for ages 11 upwards.
It is performed at the church in Berkshire Drive at 2.30pm and 7.30pm on Saturday, March 18.
n For more details, or to book, log on to: www.risetheatre.co.uk/ faithfulcompanions
THE DATE of this year’s East Reading Festival has been set.
The annual event is a celebration of the communities around Palmer Park, and sees the outdoor space used for a day of fun.
There are demonstrations from community groups, performances from musicians and dance groups, a fun fair and a host of activities.
Stalls offering information about the various activities that take place in the Reading area will also be available.
And there will be refreshments including food stalls and ice cream vans.
Organisers from the volunteer-led festival are looking for people to help out, both with advance preparations and on the day, which is Sunday, June 25.
n For more details, log on to facebook.com/ EastReadingFestival
ONE OF Are You Listening? Festival’s line-up has released a new single ahead of their show.
London-based trio Dream Wife released a brand new single in anticipation of their newlyannounced album.
The band announced that their third record, Social Lubrication, is set for release on Friday, June 9, and would be entirely self-written and self-produced, aside from mixing by Alan Moulder and Caeser Edmunds.
The act brings a punk-rock, political sensibility to their music and cite influences such as Madonna, David Bowie, Debbie Harry, and Grimes.
Dream Wife are also set to headline the Are You Listening? warm-up party, which takes place in Saint Laurence Church ahead of the festival.
The new album will see “rock and roll with a political punch”, according to Dream Wife, “exploring the alchemy of attraction, the lust for life, embracing community and calling out the patriarchy.”
As part of the announcement, the band also dropped the second single from the album, Hot (Don’t Date a Musician).
Bella Podpadec, who plays bass, said: “The album is speaking
LISTEN UP: Dream Wife are also set to headline the Are You Listening? warm-up party, which takes place in Saint Laurence Church ahead of the festival, on Friday, May 5. Picture: Sophie Webster, courtesy of Sonic PR
to systemic problems that cannot be glossed over by lube.”
They continued: “The things named in the songs are symptoms of effed-up structures, and you can’t fix that– you need to pull it apart.”
The band has toured internationally, playing some of the biggest festivals, such as Lollapalooza and Summersonic.
They’ve also supported worldrenowned artists such as The Rolling Stones and Garbage.
Guitarist Alice Go said: “Music is one of the only forms of people experiencing an emotion together in a visceral, physical, real way.
“It’s cathartic to the systemic issues that are being called out across the board in the record–
music isn’t the cure, but it’s the remedy.
“Calling the record Social Lubrication harks to that– it’s the positive glue that can create solidarity and community.”
Dream Wife are performing at Saint Laurence Church, Reading, from 6.30pm on Friday, May 5 for the Are You Listening? warm-up party.
Social Lubrication is released on Friday, June 9.
Are You Listening? Festival takes place in venues across Reading with Black Honey, Thomas Headon, and Coach Party set to appear, on Saturday, May 6. n Tickets are available online via: areyoulistening.org.uk
JAKE CLOTHIER
A TWELFTH birthday party is to take place in Reading later this month, and it will be a right old knees-up.
Every year since 2011, Club Velocity has put on an evening of live music to celebrate Malcolm Unwin.
Called In Malcolm We Trust, the event is returning to the Rising Sun Arts Centre in Silver Street on Friday, February 24.
Starting at 8pm, there are three bands performing.
Headlining are The Go Go Cult, a Reading-based, four-piece garage rock’n’roll band, who very well respected all over the world.
Organisers say: “They create some of the best, in-your-face, no-nonsense rock ‘n’ roll this side of New York City.”
Performing their first gig for more than five years will be On Trial UK.
“These chaps deal in great new wave rock for the masses,” the Club Velocity team promise. And the birthday boy will be performing with new wave band the New Puritans: Malcolm is their lead singer.
Tickets cost £5, and can be bought from www.wegottickets. com. Don’t forget to bring a birthday card for Malcolm.
MIDSUMMER might seem like a long way away, but a Readingbased theatre company wants people to start getting the dates in their diaries now.
Rabble’s outdoor production this year will be Henry I, a play written by Beth Flintoff.
It will be held in the Abbey Ruins in Reading’s The Forbury, and runs from Thursday, June 15, through to Saturday, July 1, with previews two days before it opens.
The show looks at what happens when William the Conqueror dies.
Henry, the spare royal son, gets nothing.
Only his beloved sister remains faithful as his brothers scramble for power and England suffers.
But Henry’s position changes. Power surges into his hands, love beckons and the world falls at his feet. What must he do to hold the crown?
Audiences will have to wait five months to find out.
The company received a £100,000 grant from Arts Council England to help with the staging of the show.
Peter Heslip, South East Director, Arts Council England, says: “It’s wonderful to see that so many people will have the
opportunity to participate in this exciting new educational project by RABBLE Theatre.
“Arts, culture and creativity have a vital role in empowering people – giving us the opportunity to discover our history and explore challenging themes, as well as helping us to feel a sense of pride in the places where we live and work.
“We’re pleased to be able to support this exciting project thanks to National Lottery players.”
Tickets cost from £16 to £29. n For more details, or to book, log on to: https://rabbletheatre.com/ henry-i-of-england
THIS weekend, there’s an opportunity to enjoy a gig that promises some Gallic charm.
Alan Clayson is heading to The Ship Inn arts centre in Thatcham for his show Clayson Sings Chanson.
He explains: “As well as works by Jacques Brel, Charles Aznavour, Scott Walker and other chansonniers, Gallic and English, we - me and keyboard player Andy Lavery - venture into curious but connected realms, ranging from an arrangement of French symbolist poet Paul Verlaine’s Un Grand Sommeil Noir to Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Tich’s Last Night In Soho.
“This is sung absolutely straight and, by contrast, Sweeney Todd The Barber - which I used to do with my group Clayson and the Argonauts, but hadn’t unveiled in public for a quarter of a century.
“Prefaced by an explanatory talk that is as entertaining as it is educational this show will appeal to both chanson devotees, those interested generally in Gallic culture and folk merely seeking fun.”
Alan is an author, as well as a singer, and has written a biography of Jacques Brel, La Vie Bohème.
And he’s performed at the Rising Sun Arts Centre in Reading recently, which led to some unexpected avenues. “Consequences of that performance were a short-notice double-header with John Cooper Clarke, and a booking the following weekend for Berkshire’s French Society,” Alan says.
n For more details, or to book tickets, costing £12, for Saturday’s show at The Ship Inn, log on to: shipinnarts.org and alanclayson.com/gigs
ON THE GO: The Go Go Cult will return to The Rising Sun next weekTALENTED musicians are always creating something new, so we’re delighted to feature another three top songs in this week’s playlist.
Heading it is Dakorra, who featured in our top tracks of 2022. We think Kate Herridge is going from strength to strength and it’s a pleasure to highlight her latest creation, along with that from nine other terrific artists.
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.
Dakorra – All Eyes to the Floor
Here’s a new single from an artist, who made our Top 10 of 2022.
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.
BURGHFIELD – Community and Sports Association, James Lane RG30 3RS. Reading Rock ‘n’ Roll presents Memphis Lee and the
Based in the Reading area, Dakorra (aka Kate Herridge), has established herself as a talented and dynamic performer and this features a catchy melody, driving rhythm, and emotive lyrics.
It is a strong and confident piece of work that showcases her talent and versatility. Dakorra is also a strong live performer so keep an eye out for any gig announcements – https://www.facebook.com/ dakorraband
A classic blues voice and a brilliant guitarist come
Creepers. £12 Details: rock3rs. co.uk
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
together on a new album, Testify, which is the long awaited follow up to their critically acclaimed, Half & Half album.
It’s Dennis Siggery and Neil Sadler and it’s certainly been worth the wait, with every song on the album being strong with quality production from Neil at his Wokingham based, No Machine Studios.
Have a listen to some of the best new blues around – https://www.ericstreetband.com/
Eloise Kate & Matthew Little – Just One Night
We seem to have a lot of rock, blues and electro indie this week so here’s a break from that with a beautiful mellow song which features emotive lyrics, a captivating melody and a soulful vocal performance from this duo.
Eloise Kate played in Katie Ellwood’s band at Wokingham Festival last year and, on this single, Katie returns the favour as she contributes some beautiful cello playing to this single – https://www. instagram.com/eloisekatemusic/
Here’s a great live rock band with their latest single.
We popped along to see their exciting headlining performance in a packed Acoustic Couch in Bracknell last Friday and we certainly weren’t disappointed – https://linktr.ee/onelastday
Marisa and the Moths – If You Knew
This band have just released their new EP Damned If I Do, which features this great song,
originally released as a single last year. They are certainly getting noticed with plays on BBC Radio 1 – https://www.marisaandthemoths.com/
Kristeen Young – Absence Makes the Heart Grow Father
An innovative and intriguing artist from the US who is coming to Reading for a Club Velocity/New Mind show at Reading Facebar on February 22 –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) this Friday 17 to see Catfish. This song is from their 2019 album, Burning Bridges – https://www.catfishband. com/
Quantum Pig – Keep the Nation Warm
This London-based duo on our White Star Records label supported Lonely Robot last week at Islington Assembly Hall show and certainly captivated the audience – https:// quantumpig.live/
Gemma Rogers – The Great Escape London-based Gemma came to Reading in November. This is from her EP The Great Escape –https://www.gemmarogersmusic.com/
Lonely Robot – Lonely Robot
What an incredible London show last week from Reading producer John Mitchell’s Lonely Robot band – https://www.facebook.com/LonelyRobotband/
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 Road 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 Street 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.
Monday, February 20
WOKINGHAM – Hope and Anchor, Station Road RG40 2AD. Acoustic Cafe. 7.30pm. Details: 0118 977 0918.
Tuesday, February 21
BAGSHOT – The Foresters Arms, London Road. Bracknell Folk Club. Details: www. bracknellfolk.org.uk
READING – The Hexagon, Queens Walk. Come What May: A tribute to Moulin Rouge. Details: 0118 960 6060.
READING - Lola Lo, Friar Street. FOMO: Shrove Tuesday event. Details: Twitter @skintmondays
READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. WOBZ Drum and Bass night Details: 0118 959 7196.
WOKINGHAM – The Grasshopper, Rose Street RG40 1XU. Live at the Grasshopper: Mark Warner’s Full Swing. From 6.30pm. Details: 0118 901 2678.
Wednesday, February 22
READING – The Face bar, Ambrose Place RG1 7JE. Club Velocity/ New MInd presents Kristeen Young plus Strange Cities. Details: 0118 959 5500. STOKE ROW – Crooked Billet RG9 5PU. Feast of Fiddles. Details: 01491 681048.
Thursday, February 23
READING – The Blagrave Arms, Blagrave Street RG1 1PW. Karaoke. Details: 0118 958 6775.
READING – The Butler, Chatham Street RG1 7DS. Fleur Stevenson’s Jazz Singers Night. 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
READING – The Outlook, Kings Road. Singer Soup Kitchen: three performers, one band, one night only. 8pm.
READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Ding Dong Daddios: Payday Swingday. Details: 0118 959 7196.
READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. BBC
Introducing: Maddie Asham, Wynona, Cat Marina. Details: 0118 959 7196.
READING – The Roseate, The Forbury. Heavy Pop presents The Roseate Sessions with One Eyed Man and Ever Hazel. Details: whatsonreading.com
READING – South Street arts centre. Speaking Out and Fitting In by Alice d’Lumiere. Details: 0118 960 6060.
WOKINGHAM – The Victoria Arms, Easthampstead Road RG40 2EH. Open mic night. Details: 0118 979 9437.
Friday, February 24
BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. Tim Shez Band with Fox Palmer and Carter Daze. Details: www. theacousticcouch.co.uk
BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. Martin Kemp Throwback 80s. Details: 01344 303333.
BURGHFIELD – The Six Bells, Reading Road RG30 3TH. Rock n Roll Bingo. Details: 0118 983 2220.
CAVERSHAM – Angel Bar, Prospect Street RG4 8JG. The Bottleneck Brothers. Details: 07977 929282.
CHARVIL – Heron on the Ford, Landsend Lane RG10 0UE. Piston Broke. Details: 0118 934 0700.
MAIDENSGROVE – The Five Horseshoes RG9 6EX. Lizzie Newberry jazz night. Diners
only, booking essential. Details: 01491 641282.
READING – The Butler, Chatham Street RG1 7DS. Storm in a Teacup presents Darko, Sunliner, Missing The Scene, Tape It Shut, The Bourbon Massive. Details: 0118 959 5500.
READING – Grosvenor Casino Reading, Rose Kiln Lane RG2 0SN. Michael Jackson tribute.
Details: 0118 402 7800.
READING – The Rising Sun, Silver Street RG1 2ST. In Malcolm We Trust 12: The Go Go Cult, On Trial UK, and New Puritans. Details: 0118 986 6788.
RISELEY – The Bull at Riseley, Basingstoke Road RG7 1QL. Fargo Railroad Co. Details: 0118 343 0565.
WOKINGHAM – Broad Street Tavern, Broad Street RG40 1AU. Side Hustle. Details: 0118 977 3706.
WOKINGHAM – The Station Tap, Station Road RG40 2AD. Karaoke with Waynie. Details: 0118 977 4548.
Saturday, February 25
BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. Nursery Crime: The Music of Genesis.
Details: www.theacousticcouch. co.uk
BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. Wow 80s tribute.
Details: 01344 303333.
BRACKNELL – The Royal Oak, London Road RG12 2NN. RedRocket. Details: 01344
422622
CROWTHORNE – The Crowthorne Inn, High Street RG45 7AD. Soul at the Crow. Details: 01344 530615.
EMMER GREEN – The White Horse, Kidmore End Road RG4 8SD. Anna Nightingale. Details: 0118 947 3741.
READING – The Face bar, Ambrose Place RG1 7JE. A Band Called Malice plus support from The
Skavengers. Details: 0118 959 5500.
READING – Phantom Brewing, Meadow Road RG1 8LB. Hop Punk Festival: a celebration of craft beer and pop punk. Details: www.phantombrew.com
READING – South Street arts centre. Simon & Garfunkel through the years. Details: 0118 960 6060.
TILEHURST – The Royal British Legion Club, Downing Road RG31 5BB. Mystery Machine.
Details: 0118 942 9606.
WHITLEY – Whitley Social Club, Northumberland Avenue RG2 7QA. The Junction. Details: 0118 374 0052.
WINNERSH – The Pheasant Bar, Reading Road RG41 5LR. EDM night: house and trance. Details: 0118 978 4529.
WOKINGHAM – Hope and Anchor, Station Road RG40 2AD. Sweet Frequency. 7.30pm. Details: 0118 977 0918.
WOKINGHAM – The Station Tap, Station Road RG40 2AD. DJ Bounce. Details: 0118 977 4548.
Sunday, February 26
READING – Blue Collar Dining, Hosier Street RG1 7JL. Record Fayre with Paul Smiler Anderson. Details: www.linktr. ee/blue.collar
READING – Community Hall, Watlington House, Watlington Street RG1 4RJ. Readifolk presents: North Sea Gas Details: www.readifolk.org.uk
READING – Phantom Brewing, Meadow Road RG1 8LB. Hop Punk Festival: a celebration of craft beer and pop punk. Details: www.phantombrew.com
READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Reggae Sundays. Details: 0118 959 7196.
SONNING – The Mill at Sonning, Sonning Eye RG4 6TY. Rocket Man. Details: 0118 969 8000.
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. Mmaximum 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.
WOKINGHAM – Wokingham Theatre, Twyford Road, RG40 5TU. Wokingham Youth Theatre presents The Tempest. 7.45pm. Details: WokinghamTheatre.org.uk
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.
WOKINGHAM – Wokingham Theatre, Twyford Road, RG40 5TU. Wokingham Youth Theatre presents The
Tempest. 7.45pm. Details: WokinghamTheatre.org.uk
WOOSEHILL – Acorn Community Centre, Fernlea Drive RG41 3DR. Acorn Cafe with Friendship table. 10.30am-noon.
Details: linkvisiting.org
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. 8.15amnoon. Details: www. 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 afterparty 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 Centre. Poets Cafe online. 1pm. Details: 0118 960 6060.
READING – Tutu’s Ethiopian Table, Palmer Park, Wokingham Road 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 – Wokingham Theatre, Twyford Road, RG40 5TU. Wokingham Youth Theatre presents The Tempest. 7.45pm. Details: WokinghamTheatre.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. Woodley Town Centre presents Saturday 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 – The Biscuit Factory, Broad St Mall, Queen’s Walk RG1 7QE. Reading Film Theatre presents My Own Private Idaho. Details: readingfilmtheatre.co.uk.
READING – RISC, London Road. Reading Repair Cafe: “if it’s broken, bring it along and we are sure to have a go or at least provide some advice about what your best course of action might be”. 12.30pm4pm. 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
Monday, February 20
ARBORFIELD – Royal British Legion, Eversley Road RG2 9PR. Friendship table. 9.30am-11.30am. Details: linkvisiting.org
BINFIELD – King’s Academy, Wood Lane RG42 4EX. Arts Society Wokingham meeting: Learn about Edwin Landseer the artist and sculptor who created the lions in Trafalgar Square. 7.45pm. Details: www.TheArtsSociety Wokingham.org.uk
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 – St Mary’s Church, Castle Street RG1 7RD. Berkshire Industrial Archaeology Group talk: Managing East Berkshire’s Heritage with Teresa Hocking of Berkshire Archaeology.
7.30pm .£2.50 for refreshments. Details: http://biag.org.uk
SHINFIELD – Library, School Green. BookTrust Storytime session. 10am10.30am. Free, booking essential. Details: 0118
978 1368.
WOKINGHAM – Caudwell Hall Theatre, Holme Grange School, Heathlands Road, RG40
3AL.Wokingham Rock Choir free taster session.
7.30pm. Booking essential. Details: https://www. rockchoir.com/join/ Wokingham_Late_Session
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
EARLEY – Earley St Peter’s Church Hall,Church Road RG6 1EY. East Reading Horticultural Society AGM.
7.45pm for 8pm. Details: www.erhs.org.uk
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. 10amnoon. Details: linkvisiting. org
READING - IKEA, Pincents Kiln Industrial Park, Pincent Lane RG31 7SD. IKEA Srhove Tuesday celebration: balloon artist,face painter, DJ and sweet surprises. From 4pm. Booking essential. Details: www.ikea.com
READING - Milk, Merchants Place RG1 1DT. Comedy Club. £8. 7pm. Details: milkreading.com
WOKINGHAM – Bradbury Centre, Wokingham Methodist Church, Rose Street RG40 1XS. CLASP Wokingham cafe with Friendship table. 10amnoon. Every third and fourth Tuesday of the month. Details: linkvisiting.org
WOKINGHAM WITHOUT –Pinewood Bar and Cafe, Pinewood Leisure Centre, Old Wokingham Road RG40 3AQ. Friendship table available. 9am-4pm. Details: linkvisiting.org
Wednesday, February 22
EARLEY – Brookside Church, Brookside Close RG6 7HG. Open Door cafe with Friendship Table. 2pm4pm. Details: linkvisiting. org
READING – The Biscuit Factory, Broad St Mall, Queen’s Walk RG1 7QE. Reading Film Theatre presents My Own Private Idaho. Details: readingfilmtheatre.co.uk.
WOKINGHAM – St Paul’s Parish Rooms, Reading Road RG41 1EH. Wokingham Rock Choir free taster session. 12.15pm. Details: https:// www.rockchoir.com/join/
Wokingham_Morning_ Session
WOKINGHAM – Bradbury Centre, Wokingham Methodist Church, Rose Street RG40 1XS. Cafe Mosaic 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
Thursday, February 23
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/
PANGBOURNE – Village Hall RG8 7AN. PAWS (Pangbourne & Whitchurch Sustainability) presents Creating Sustainable Communities: Developments in early farming and settlement in Iraq and Iran, 10,000-years ago., a talk by professors Wendy and Roger Matthews. 8pm. Details: https://pawsg.com/
READING – The Butler, Chatham Street RG1 7DS. Comedy night: Stand Up For The Working Class in aid of the RMT hardship fund. Details: 0118 959 5500.
READING – The Centre for Heritage and Family History, 2nd Floor, Reading Central Library, Abbey Square RG1 3BQ. Titanic Effort! RMS Carpathia’s dash to save a stricken liner, an online talk by Paul Barnett organised by the Berkshire Family History Society. 2pm3.30pm. £5, £4 members.
Details: 0118 950 9553.
SPENCERS WOOD – Library, Basingstoke Road RG7
1AJ. BookTrust Storytime session. 10.30am-11am. Free, booking essential.
Details: 0118 988 4771
SPENCERS WOOD –Spencers Wood Pavilion, Clares Green Road RG7
1DY. Social Seniors Tea and Coffee with Friendship Table. 10am-noon. Details: linkvisiting.org
WHITLEY – Whitley Wood Community Centre, Swallowfield Drive. iCare Social Club pancake day celebration. Food, drink, bingo, entertainment. Noon-4pm.
WOKINGHAM – The Three Frogs, London Road. ASD Family Help presents adult
social group, for people with autism, learning disabilities, their partners, family, friends and carers. Free, registration for first timers required. Food and drink available to purchase.
7pm. Details: www. asdfamilyhelp.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: The Quiet Girl (12). £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: Dave Tollow Creative Challenge. 7.30pm. Details: www. webcc.org.uk.
EARLEY – St Nicolas Church, Sutcliffe Avenue RG6 7JN. Re:Fresh cafe with Friendship Table. 10amnoon. Details: linkvisiting. org
READING – Great Hall, university of Reading London Road RG1 5AQ. The Best of Hans Zimmer and John Williams by Candlelight: A Chamber Orchestra Tribute in Reading with the London Film Music Orchestra. 5.30pm or 8.45pm. Details: https://www. londonfilmmusicorchestra. com/
READING – Queens Head, Christchurch Road RG2 7AZ. Progress Theatre quiz night to raise funds for Silence of the Sea. Suggested donation of £5 per person.
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.
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
CAVERSHAM – St Andrew’s Church, Albert Road RG4 7PL. Concerts in Caversham The Late Romantics with Mary Hofmann and Richard Ormrod. Dvorak: Four Romantic pieces, Enescu: Impressions d’enfance, Kodaly: Three Hungarian Dances, Brahms: Sonata in D minor. Doors open 6.45pm. Tickets £22, over 60s £20, and £16 for 16-25s. Under 16s free.
Details: 0118 948 3220 or concertsincaversham.co.uk
EVERSLEY – The Chequers, Reading Road RG27 0NS. RSPCA Hants and Surrey Border Branch charity dog walk. Bacon butties from 9.30am, walk 10am.
Details: 0118 402 7065.
FINCHAMPSTEAD – Siren Tap Yard, Alberto House, Marino Way RG40 4RF. Street Food Saturday: Street Fed.
From noon. Details: www. sirencraftbrew.com
READING – From west end of Broad Street. Reading Peace Group presents We stand with Ukraine! Reading March and Rally. From noon. Speeches to be held in Forbury Gardens.
READING – Phantom Brewing, Meadow Road RG1 8LB. Hop Punk Festival: a celebration of craft beer and pop punk. Details: www. phantombrew.com
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
WOOSEHILL – Woosehill Church, Chestnut Avenue RG41 3RS. Sip and Share with friendship table. 11am-noon, every second Saturday. Details: linkvisiting.org
Sunday, February 26
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.
TILEHURST – Double Barelled Brewery, Stadium Way RG30 6BX. Comedy at the Taproom with Ria Lina. 6.30pm. Details: doublebarrelled.co.uk
READING – Phantom Brewing, Meadow Road RG1 8LB. Hop Punk Festival: a celebration beer and pop punk. Details: www.phantombrew.com
WOKINGHAM – Cantley Park, Milton Road. Half Marathon 2023. 10am.
WOODLEY – Crockhamwell Road precinct. Woodley car boot sale. 8am-1pm. Cars £10, tables £8. Details: 07943 510108 or woodleytowncentre.co.uk
1. What is the meaning of the proofreading term ‘stet’?
2. Which country mansion favoured by Queen Victoria is situated on the Isle of Wight?
3. What obvious symptom denotes a person suffering from jaundice?
4. Which singer will play their final UK show as the Sunday night headliner at Glastonbury 2023?
5. Which author created the fictional town of Middlemarch?
6. Oloroso is a type of which alcoholic beverage?
7. Who sued the Marquess of Queensberry for libel in 1895 but lost the action at great cost to himself?
8. Fremantle is a port in which Australian state?
9. The Red Queen appears in which 19th century children’s book?
10. In the 2022 FIFA World Cup, which team did Germany lose to in their group matches?
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. Criterion for being a literary jester (10)
7. Strained to have made heavy demands (5)
8. Sailor with copper to return money (7)
10. Summarise what isn’t there (8)
11. Doesn’t sound like a cool stream in Scotland? (4)
13. Could make him rue breaking bones (6)
15. Wine shop where a chap will recall his time (6)
17. Weathercock which may show off its plumage, say? (4)
18. British friend who, say, will make a fuss? (8)
21. Note it is uncultivated (7)
22. Contemptuously reject east coast head (5)
23. Inferior – but the time is not surpassed (6,4)
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. State that ten drinks have been brought round (5)
2. It is definitely not above a serviceman to bowl thus (8)
3. Call John’s attention and steal his vehicle perhaps (6)
4. Gather at the school shop (4)
5. Main god between Uranus and Pluto (7)
6. Another start made on harbour near Glasgow (10)
9. Brown thanks horse that is just as good (10)
12. Come together to have drinks in company establishment (8)
14. Fellow taken in by elephant initially – or a sea cow (7)
16. Announced that one had come round (6)
19. Frequent a resort (5)
20. Not many involved in street rioting (4)
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.
9 7 85 26 9 1 63
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:
3 8 1 5812 97 6 7 2 3 1 2 4 8 65 49 3 5
MANY of us are struggling to find savings as the cost of living crisis impacts household budgets.
With fuel, energy bills, food bills and mortgages all soaring, searching for ways to save money are hot topics.
GetAgent analysed the Google search trends for a number of cost saving household options to reveal how homeowners are attempting to tackle the higher cost of living this winter.
Co-founder and CEO of GetAgent.co.uk, Colby Short, said: “We’re a resilient bunch and in times of hardship the UK public tends to march on as best we can to overcome the obstacles that face us.
“In the current landscape, that means looking at increasingly inventive ways to save money at home, whether it be through cost-saving measures when heating our properties, growing our own food, or recycling and upcycling household items to give them a new lease of life.
“Unfortunately, things look
set to get worse before they get any better and so it’s likely that these cost-saving trends are set to remain a part of our daily lives for some time to come.”
As the price of gas and electricity soars, central heating has become a rationed luxury in many homes. Little wonder then that ‘electric heater’ has, since the start of 2023, been one of the hottest search trends for homeowners.
Since the start of the year, searches for ‘electric heater’ have increased by 76.2%.
But, on an hourly basis, electric heaters are far more expensive to operate than the central heating. A heater costs around £1.02 per hour while central heating via a gas boiler costs just 12p per hour.
The popularity of electric heaters is down to the fact that they enable targeted heating of, for example, one room rather than the whole home.
Used this way, their efficiency and affordability improves greatly.
Since the start of the year, ‘log burner’ has been another popular search term, with its search frequency among UK homeowners increasing by 34.8%.
Log burners are estimated to be 71.4% cheaper to run than electric heating, and 12.5% cheaper than gas. A log burner can reduce heating bills by around 10%, or £250 per year.
One must, of course, account for the cost of installing a log burner in the home and then be absolutely sure to use only dry logs as fuel for the fire.
Wet logs release far more harmful emissions to the atmosphere, and are far less efficient, thus increasing the overall operating cost.
‘Radiator thermostat’
Since the start of 2023, the number of homeowner searches for ‘radiator thermostat’ have increased by 18.4%.
A thermostat helps save money by providing much greater control over a home’s radiators. You are able to choose which radiators to use and which remain
off, as well as exactly how long they stay on for.
By reducing wasted energy in this way, it is estimated that a radiator thermostat can reduce heating bills by up to 30%.
‘Solar panels’
The frequency of ‘solar panels’ searches has increased by 15.6% since the start 2023, despite the fact that the winter months
provide much less sunlight than the summer.
This might suggest that homeowners are looking for longterm cost-cutting solutions rather than immediate short-term help, which says a lot about peoples’ opinions on how long this cost of living crisis is going to last.
Solar panels generate clean and affordable energy for the home, while additional value also
comes from being able to sell any unused energy back to the grid.
It’s estimated that solar panels can reduce heating bills by 15%25%.
This works out at approximately £300-£500 per year.
‘Smart thermostat’
Homeowner searches for ‘smart thermostat’ have risen by 13% in 2023.
Their main benefit is the way they encourage homeowners to be more energy efficient and better manage the temperature in the home. By reducing temperature by just 1°C, you can save £100 on heating bills.
‘Air fryer’
Air fryers have become incredibly popular due to their money-saving and health benefits. Since the start of 2023, Google searches from homeowners have fallen by -25.8%, likely due to a pre-Christmas boost, but in the past 12 months searches have increased by 331.3%.
Air fryers save money because, compared to a conventional oven, they use very little energy and reduce cooking times. For example, to cook two portions of chips in an air fryer costs around 10p. In a conventional; oven, it costs 29p. All-in-all, the estimated saving is £280.
READING FC manager Paul Ince praised his team’s ‘togetherness’ after they found a 90th minute winner against Rotherham from Tyrese Fornah.
After going a goal behind, Andy Carroll levelled before Fornah popped up with a winner just before full-time.
“It was one of those games.
“The first-half we started well and then came off it and played into their hands,” said Ince.
“It was scrappy. We gave a stupid foul away, a needless foul. We didn’t pick up their man and then we’re 1-0 down.”
However, the Royals came fighting back after substitutes Femi Azeez, Nesta Guinness-Walker and Fornah all made a positive impact.
By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today
TYRESE FORNAH gave Reading fans a Valentine’s Day gift with his 90th minute match winner to beat Rotherham United.
Andy Carroll’s bullet header provided the equaliser and the forward set up Fornah’s match winning goal to end Reading’s run of six Championship games without victory.
“It was an emotional moment, I think I shed a tear,” said Fornah, speaking after his winning goal.
“To be out there scoring goals, that’s
what I dreamt of as a kid. Hopefully there are many more to come.
“I believe in myself and am always positive whether I start or not.
“I know that my ability will shine on the pitch and hopefully now I can be trusted more to start games.
“Hopefully, this will kickstart our campaign until the end of the season.”
“The gaffer always goes on about midfielders having instincts to be in and around the box.
“And me in particular, he’s always on about that because he can see I’ve got ability.”
He continued: “The shape made a difference. I felt that we needed to get up the park more.
“When you’ve got wingers, they can take you up the park.
“Once we got the first goal the crowd came alive and we started to believe again.
“It was a wonderful set piece from Femi (Azeez). It was a fantastic header.
“If you keep chopping and changing you never get continuity. You never get consistency if you keep chopping and changing.
“But now we have people knocking on the door. That’s what competition is all about. It’s great they came on and made an impact.
“There’s no better way than winning a game in the 90th minute.
“We have to get through this season. There will be bad times and good times. And tonight was a good time.”
MAN-OF-THE-MATCH James
Baker put in a stand-out performance as Rams ran in eight tries to overcome visitors Chinnor 50-31.
Under the Friday night lights it was the away side who silenced most of the bumper 1,023 crowd as Willie Ryan crossed early.
Nick Smith added the extras, but Rams hit back with a rapid-fire double.
Firstly, Ollie Cole’s grubber kick was pounced on by Ellis Jones, the Welshman dotting down for Will Partington to level, and the centre then intercepted in midfield to free Axel Kalling-Smith to run in from distance.
Partington was again on target before Cole grabbed the third with a close-range dart, and the bonus-point was wrapped up when debutant Zach Clow
brilliantly dived on a crossfield kick.
Chinnor hit back with a Charley Robinson effort, Smith converting, but the hosts claimed two more tries before the break.
Baker got the first and after Partington landed the conversion, Clow doubled his tally with a magnificent finish.
Chinnor started the second period stronger, though, Ryan smashing over from close range.
Rams got the next as Baker hurtled 45 metres before a wonderful off-load gave Cole the simplest of tries and the hosts reached their half century when some slick handling ended with Clow’s lovely pass allowing Max Hayman to cross.
With a 29-point deficit heading into the final quarter, things looked bleak for the away side, but Chinnor picked up a bonus-
point of their own when Josh Hodson went over, Robinson later doubling his tally.
Reflecting on a memorable evening, Rams’ Director of Rugby, Reynolds, said: “There was a real buzz around the game and from when we arrived there was a crowd here – some people had come straight from work, there was an Under 11s game on and our guys arrived into the changing room and you could see their eyes light up.
“They deserve it because they graft week in, week out, all the stuff they do in the dark, on the middle pitch in midweek, in the mud, these evenings are deserved and the crowd were fantastic.”
Two stars of the show were man-of-the-match Baker and debutant Clow, and the DoR continued: “Zach is mad as a box of frogs, but I like him and his fundamentals are superb.
“He loves rugby, having a ball in his hand, being on the training field, his footwork is superb and he showed his handling skills to put Max Hayman in, and he’s also good in defence.
“It was a fantastic debut. He said he got here around 4pm because he was so excited, so he then just watched rugby videos on YouTube and he went out and performed, so credit to him.”
Rams tries: Jones 7, Kalling-Smith 9, Cole 16, 50, Clow 23, 37, Baker 33, Hayman 60
RAMS: (15-9, 1-8) Bird, Kalling-Smith, Jones, Hayhow, Clow, Partington, Cole; Kidd, Hayman, Baker, Taylor, Swain, Collis (vc), Everitt, R Stapley
Substitutes: Moffitt, Englezos, C Stapley, Allan, Grundy Chinnor: (15-9, 1-8) Smith, Goss, Hughes, Blakemore, Hammond, Feeney, Carter; Lines, Marshall, Millar-Mills, Down, Eames, Manning, Heathman, Ryan
Substitutes: Robinson, McNulty, North, Hodson, Goodfellow
By RICHARD ASHTON sport@wokingham.todayJAMES Baker admitted Rams’ 50-31 National One derby victory against Chinnor was up there with his career highlights.
The tight-head prop – who has played more than 350 first-team games for the club – grabbed a first-half try before producing an astonishing 40-metre burst which set-up Ollie Cole for his second.
Club legend Baker said: “It’s one of the best games I’ve ever played in – the atmosphere, the fact it was on YouTube, getting a try and the massive break, you can’t ask for anything more.
“With the break, I saw a gap and an opportunity.
“When you’re going forwards you’re just thinking ‘keep going’, and then with the full-back I didn’t want to go into him so I just did the step, a little short-arm and kept on.
“I’ve got bad knees, but when you’ve got the momentum, you seem to keep going faster and with the pass to Ollie, I’ve been playing rugby for a long time and fortunately my hands have always been quite good.
“I could be a back really, but my strength perhaps forced me to be a front row.”
“It took a while to get going, the guy I was up against was weird to scrum against, but once I figured it out we managed to get some momentum and some penalties, so that was good.”
‘IT’S ONE OF THE BEST GAMES I’VE PLAYED IN’
READING lost for the first time this year, thanks to a last minute try from a Swindon team who avenged a similar result at their ground earlier in the season.
Swindon outscored
Reading by four tries to two in a scrappy encounter in which Reading had appeared to do enough to win especially after Swindon had four players yellow carded in the second half.
After 15 minutes, Swindon scored an unconverted try with their first venture into the Reading 22 when a driven line out almost reached the line and they scored from the next phase.
Five minutes later they repeated the exercise from their next entry into the Reading 22 this time taking the drive all the way to the line.
Reading came back strongly at the end of the half but were unable to
convert their opportunities until on the point of half time
Matt Daw ran onto a cross kick from Tom Sharp to go over for a try which Sharp converted from the touch line to make put Swindon 10-7 in front.
Soon after the break Swindon again scored an unconverted try from a driving line out to give
themselves an eight point lead.
After a number of penalties the Swindon number eight was yellow carded.
Reading launched a series of attacks with the extra man advantage but were unable to cross the line.
Swindon added to their problems when as soon as
the number eight returned their scrum half was yellow carded. Reading continued to press and eventually Proctor-Searle scored a fine opportunist try to give Reading an 18-15 lead.
Swindon were then reduced to thirteen men after one of their players dissented from the referee’s decision to award the try and their coach was red carded.
Despite their numerical disadvantage Swindon attacked from the kick off and just failed to score from a driving line out after which another of their players received a yellow card for dissent.
Gomez of Reading quickly followed for a high tackle and for the last play Swindon had 13 players and Reading 14.
Despite this Swindon won a line out in the Reading 22 and having initially driven, moved the ball out wide for their wing to score in the corner. The try was converted for Swindon to run out winners 22-18.
WOKINGHAM half marathon race organiser Chris Sumner is hoping for a full capacity race in this year’s event.
The course will see 3,000 participants take on the 13.1 mile course on Sunday, February 26.
With the race just a couple of weeks away, the organisers are encouraging any last-minute participants to sign up as quickly as possible.
“We’re at around 2,700 entries at the moment so we expect those to fill out quickly to be at capacity,” said Chris.
“So anyone still thinking of signing up, do it quickly because we’re getting close, but there is still time.
“With London being back on at its usual time, Wokingham has always been a great warm-up for that. It always attracts a really good crowd of athletes.”
As well as the half marathon, there will also be the children’s Mini Mile.
Chris said: “The mini mile is something we created just to trial it (in 2020) and we had a few runners take part so we’ve extended it
and are expecting more than 100 children to take part.
“It’s a fun run and parents can join in with their children.
“We have prizes for boys and girls in each age group.
“It’s something that we want to keep on expanding in future years and make more of it.”
n For more information, visit: wokinghamhalfmarathon.com
By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today
Division One
WOODLEY UNITED battled back from two goals down to claim a point against FC Deportivo Galicia.
The Kestrels were a goal behind at the break and conceded quickly after the restart.
However, they came fighting back and rapidly responded
when Connor Suckling got on the shore sheet before Connor Richardson rounded off a flurry of goals to level the game.
Woodley manager Jordan Blake said: “Good point against a side that I’m sure will be right up at the top of the table at the end of the season.
“We showed real heart to come back from two down to get back in the game.
“Only disappointment for me is I felt we had enough chances to win it.”
BERKS COUNTY maintained
their title push with a convincing home win over Hillingdon Borough.
Strikes from Luke Hayden and Ellis Day gave the Swords a 2-0 advantage at half-time.
Day made it an afternoon to remember and scored twice more in the second-half to seal his hat-trick, helping Berks seal a comfortable 4-1 success.
Berks are in fourth on 46 points, just five points off league leaders Langley with a game in hand.
EVERSLEY & CALIFORNIA
collected three points after Ben Anderson scored a stoppage time winner from the spot.
With the game headed for a goalless draw, Joe Pantony was fouled in the box in the dying moments to win a penalty.
Anderson held his nerve and struck into the top corner from 12 yards to earn the Boars three precious points.
Eversley manager Matty Angell said: “A fantastic three points for us against a side in
fantastic form, wasn’t pretty and have to say it was a very soft penalty given but so happy for Ben, he has worked hard and got the winner from the bench.”
ASCOT UNITED secured their place in the final eight of the competition as they knocked out Bridgewater United.
With the tense cup tie being locked at 0-0 going into the
final 15 minutes, it was the Yellas who found the crucial breakthrough in the 77th minute.
Alfie Grant played the ball across to Harry Grant from Jay Welch’s free-kick and he headed in to score the decisive goal.
Ascot manager Jamie Tompkins said: “Great battle against a tough side.
“Love a 1-0 away win, clean sheet and a top performance.
“The journey continues.”
ONE thing that intrigues me about each New Year’s Honour List, is that you learn for instance, that a singer has received an award for service to music, but without mention of what that service has been.
I was therefore pleased to see that when Jawahir Roble was made an MBE for service to the game of football, some details of her service was given.
She has become the first hijab-wearing referee to receive such an award and it’s worth looking at the reason she was felt worthy.
What is remarkable perhaps, is that Jawahir was born in war-torn Mogadishu in Somalia, where as a football mad young girl, she grew up playing football in the streets.
When her family moved to Wembley, she was 10, and carried on playing with her eight siblings, in the house, outside in the garden, or where ever they could find a space to kick a ball.
Later, Jawahir became a volunteer for Football Beyond Borders.
FA Trophy fifth round
BRACKNELL TOWN’S journey in the FA Trophy came to an end with a home defeat to Altrincham.
Having gone two goals down in the first-half, the Robins salvaged some hope when Guy Hollis found the net to make it 2-1.
But the away side would progress when they hit Bracknell on the counter in the final few minutes of the cup tie.
Bracknell co-manager Carl Withers said: “Immensely proud of everyone of our players who deserved so much more but key moments sadly went against them.
“Now we must regroup and take
everything positive from this cup run into our league campaign.”
Co-manager Jamie McClurg added: “We got the performance but not the result.
“Nothing but praise for the group in so many watts, so easy to get distracted when moments go against you but we stayed focused and gave it all.”
Isthmian South Central
BINFIELD slipped to a loss on the road against Guernsey after a disappointing first-half display.
The Moles found themselves going into the break three goals
down after a quickfire treble from the hosts.
Binfield responded in the second0half with a goal from Conor Lynch, but weren’t able to prevent defeat.
The Moles are in fifth position on 41 points from 23 games.
Combined Counties Premier North
READING CITY clawed back a late goal to rescue an away point against Wembley.
Finding themselves a goal down, the Cityzens managed to take a point after Alex Donville scored a late leveller.
The draw means Reading drop
Thames Valley Women’s Division One
TILEHURST PANTHERS’ pursuit of the title continued with a thumping away win at Banbury United.
A hat-trick from Thea Wright and goals from Leah Why, Charlotte Wheeler and Deanna Cane helped them to a stunning 6-0 away win.
Tilehurst are in second, eight points behind league leaders New Bradwell with two games in hand.
Southern Region Women’s
PremierASCOT UNITED were dealt just their second league defeat of the season against table toppers Abingdon United.
In a match between the top two sides in the table, it was the leaders who came out on top with a 2-0 victory.
Ascot are in second position on 26 points from 12 games.
Southern Region Women’s Division One North
CAVERSHAM UNITED fought back from two goals down to claim a point away to EVERSLEY & CALIFORNIA
After goals from Natasha Elcox and Rae Roberts had put the Boars 2-0 ahead before Stephanie Nelson netted a brace for the Goats to see the points shared.
Thames Valley Premier League
BURGHFIELD had to settle for a point in their contest against Westwood Wanderers.
down to fourth place, but have games in hand on the two sides above them in the table.
Reading City manager Simon Johnson said: “Got out with a point today (Saturday).
“Well below par performance but every team has a bad spell. We’ll come back stronger.”
Charles Twelftree Trophy
FINCHAMPSTEAD moved through to the next round after overcoming Hale Leys in a six goal game.
A brace from Callum Vallance and goals from Stephen Hunt and Joel Day saw Finch take a 4-2 triumph.
This is a charity working with young people from areas of social economic disadvantage at school, and who are football fanatics, helping them to finish their schooling and obtain skills that will enable them to make a successful transition into adult life.
And all done with the power of football. Jawahir set up the charity’s first woman’s football team as well as qualifying to become a referee.
Jawahir said: “Who would ever think that a small, black immigrant girl wearing a hijab would ever referee a man’s game in England?”
As male players know however, Jawahir takes no nonsense on the pitch.
Her dream is to encourage more Muslim girls to play football, which she says is a sport for everyone.
No doubt she would be pleased to learn that woman’s football is growing throughout eastern Islamic countries.
In Jawahir’s country of birth, football is now said to be women’s favourite sport although they still face restrictions and lack of funding.
Lewis Butcher and Ollie Brown were on the scoresheet for the Fielders to help them to a 2-2 stalemate. READING YMCA climbed into third position after securing an away win at READING CITY U23s
Pele Hagger’s goal proved to be the only one of the game as YMCA picked up all three points to put them on 20 points from 12 games, six points behind second placed Finch with a game in hand.
In Pakistan they are about to start a women’s national League for the first time.
In Bangladesh their woman’s team won the SAFF woman’s championship in 2022 and were Olympic qualifiers.
In Afghanistan the woman’s team were doing well until the invasion by the Taliban.
Their flight when they used footballing terms in their escape, could be made into a breathtaking film.
Alongside this, the stories of women in Africa and eastern countries who have defied opposition to become referees, could fill a book.
Joe Lumley
A far cry from the Reading stopper’s performance in the reverse fixture. Not overly troubled in what was a typically composed showing.
Junior Hoilett
Was a bright spark in the opening exchanges. Had to drop deeper as the first half progressed and was removed at half-time.
Andy Yiadom
Not the skipper’s best night. Got caught out with balls in behind too often and struggled with his individual duels.
Naby Sarr
A decent showing –he stepped up with the ball well at times. His lack of pace was almost costly as Washington broke through.
Amadou Mbengue
Another decent showing. Still had a couple of rash moments but was mainly measured in his approach.
Baba Rahman
Was ineffective before being replaced in the 41st minute through injury.
Tom McIntyre
Deployed as the screen in front of the defence and put in an improved performance from last Saturday. Was often left chasing shadows.
Jeff Hendrick
Found himself in some useful positions in the attacking third but was not able to apply the finishing touch.
Tom Ince
Wasn’t as effective as usual, but still offered energy in midfield. Spurned a great opportunity to give his side the lead after a free kick.
Andy Carroll
Rose highest to head home the equaliser and set up the winner. Did well to hold up the ball as the game progressed.
Shane Long
Took a hefty knock in the opening stages which probably led to him being replaced at half time.
Subs:
6 6 5
5 5 7
5 6 5
6 6
READING FC’S wait for a Championship win came to an end after a dramatic 90th minute winner from Tyrese Fornah.
The midfielder popped up with the all important goal late in the day to see the Royals snatch a vital win over Rotherham United.
Lee Peltier had put the visitors in front before Andy’s Carroll’s thumping header levelled the game quickly after the restart.
With the game headed for a draw, Fornah found a crucial winner when he headed in from close range.
The win lifts Reading up to 13th position, 12 points clear of the relegation zone.
After Reading’s late defeat at Sunderland, Paul Ince rather surprisingly didn’t opt to make any changes to the starting 11.
There was a place in the Rotherham starting line-up for former Royals Academy graduate Tarique Fosu, who is on loan from Brentford.
Up against a side in the midst of a relegation dogfight, Reading needed to take the initiative and be on the frontfoot. They did so in a promising opening 10 minutes.
The Millers looked to disrupt Reading’s rhythm and gave away several free-kicks that almost led to chances for the hosts.
After Andy Carroll headed a corner into the path of Jeff Hendrick, the Irishman looked to continue his recent goal scoring streak, but saw his half volley blocked.
SUNDERLAND 1-0 READING
READING FC were denied a valuable point on their travels after they conceded a late goal to Sunderland.
Patrick Roberts scored the only goal of the game which means The Royals have now gone six Championship games without picking up a win.
Tom Ince tried his luck to try and get Reading off to the perfect start with the game less than a minute old, but wasn’t able to give Anthony Patterson anything to worry about after dragging his shot off target.
Much to the dismay of the home crowd inside the Stadium of Light, it was the visitors who did the early pressing when Shane Long’s cross fell into the path of Junior Hoilett who scuffed his shot wide.
READING: Lumley, Yiadom (c), Mbengue, Sarr, Hoilett, Rahman, McIntyre, Hendrick, Hendrick, Ince, Long, Carroll
SUBS: Bouzanis, Dann, Meite, Azeez, Guinness-Walker, Fornah, Casadei
ROTHERHAM: Johansson, Bramall, Coventry, Fosu, Hugill, Washington, Rathbone (c), Peltier, Odoffin, Humphreys, Wright
SUBS: Vickers, Harding, Eaves, Ogbene, Ferguson, Hall, Quina
GOALS: Peltier 38’, Carroll 52’, Fornah 90’ PLAYER OF THE MATCH: Femi Azeez
Andy Yiadom picked up the first booking of the game, his ninth caution of the season, There wasn’t much to separate the team’s throughout the whole of the first-half with neither able to create any clear cut openings as Ince hit a wild shot over the bar after Andy Carroll had flicked on from Amadou Mbengue’s long throw.
The Black Cats’ only real chance of the half came for Leeds United loanee Joe Gelhardt who only managed a tame header that landed straight in the arms of Joe Lumley as the team’s went in goalless at the break.
Aji Alese did brilliantly to bring a long pass under control but couldn’t apply the finish that
The ball fell kindly for Royals skipper Andy Yiadom from a free-kick, but a Rotherham body managed to themselves in the way to deflect his effort behind for a corner.
But the Royals’ attacking momentum began to fade as the visitors settled down into the contest to make it a more even affair.
Conor Washington had the Millers’ first sight of goal and won his team a corner when his shot
was diverted away for a corner. Reading were given a scare in the 32nd minute when the away team came inches away from snatching the lead after Lee Peltier’s shot smacked the top of the crossbar.
The warning signs were there but were not heeded as Rotherham clinched the opener with their next chance. It was Peltier who got on the end of a free-kick not long after striking the woodwork with his previous opportunity.
he knocked over the top. With 30 minutes left it was still all to play for without the sides locked at 0-0.
Needing everyone to help out defensively, Ince made a superb recovery tackle to put off Trai Hume before Lumley put it behind for a corner.
Lumley was required to be at full focus in the thick of the action to keep out Sunderland with a tremendous double save
With 15 minutes to go, Ince made a double switch to bring Yakou
Meite and Scott Dann on for Long and Hoilett.
The deadlock was broken with seven minutes to go when Baba Rahman was caught dawdling on the ball and was punished by Roberts who put his side in the lead.
Reading’s determined work was undone when Rahman took far too long on the ball in his own box, was pickpocketed by Robert who stole possession before firing past Lumley.
It proved to be costly as the Royals couldn’t recover to find an equaliser and lost out.
MIDFIELDER Tyrese Fornah has admitted that he would ‘love’ to sign for the Royals if given the chance this summer.
The 23-year-old is currently on loan from Premier League side Nottingham Forest. Forest have been on a spending spree since winning promotion last season and have signed 30 players throughout the summer and January transfer windows.
Meanwhile, Fornah has played 23 Championship games so far this season during his loan stint.
When speaking about Reading being a potential permanent home, Fornah said: “I would love to (sign permanently) if it was down to me, I would literally sign today.
“There’s a bigger picture between the two clubs but I do hope my future is here long term.
“I’m not thinking about it now and I’ll wait until the summer, but now for me is just about performing, getting back into the team and playing well.
“That’s my main focus. I don’t care about anything else, I just care about playing and I’m trying to get as many minutes as I can, play well and hopefully get a few goals as well.”
Rotherham had a golden chance to double their money just before half-time when Fosu flashed a cross into the box that was met first time by Hakeem Odoffin who blazed over the target.
As the half-time whistle sounded, the home crowd voiced their frustrations with the Royals needing a much improved display to turn the game around.
The poor first-half prompted Ince to make a double switch before the restart.
Tyrese Fornah and Femi Azeez replaced Hoilett and Long.
Early in the half, substitutes
Azeez and Guinness-Walker
combined down the left to win a free-kick.
It proved to be the catalyst for the leveller as Azeez floated a freekick in the direction of Carroll who rose high and sent a bullet header into the corner.
Azeez continued to cause problems for the Rotherham defence and after he skipped past a defender his blasted shot at the near post had to be parried away.
Rotherham reminded that they still posed a threat on the break and they went route one to find Washington’s run, but Naby Sarr did just enough to get back and make
Fornah directs his header past the keeper to become the match winner
a vital block before the forward scuffed the rebound wide.
Tyrese Fornah looked to hit what would have been a stunning volley had it slammed into the top corner, but he sliced a tricky chance off target.
With the game about to head into stoppage time, Fornah came up with his best moment yet in a Reading shirt to head in from close range to put his side in front.
The Royals held on to add three points to take them further away from the relegation zone. Reading climb up to 13th place, 12 points above the relegation zone.
READING will be hoping to correct their dismal away form against relegation battling Cardiff City on Friday night.
In front of the Sky Sports cameras, the Royals will be looking to build some momentum having notched a late winner at home to Rotherham in midweek courtesy of Tyrese Fornah’s 90th minute goal.
However, Paul Ince’s men have struggled on their travels this season.
They have picked up just 11 points from 16 away games which gives them the second worst away record in the Championship.
That is in contrast to their outstanding home form which has kept them from getting dragged into a relegation battle thus far with 30 points from 15 matches giving them the third best home form in the division.
The Bluebirds will also be seeking to go on a winning run having collected their first league victory in 12 matches with a win at Birmingham City on Tuesday.
Cardiff’s dreadful form means they are in the midst of a relegation dogfight, but they did their chances of escaping the world of good by halting their long winless streak with late strikes from Perry Ng and Callum Robinson.
That result means Cardiff are one place above the drop zone on 32 points, nine points behind Reading.
Sabri Lamouuchi, who was appointed as Cardiff boss in January, has the task of lifiting the team clear of the relegation places.
He will have to improve their home form if he is to do so. Cardiff
have won just four of their 16 matches at the Cardiff City Stadium this campaign
In the reverse fixture in August, Reading completed a turnaround to take three points.
Callum O’Dowda gave the Bluebirds an early breakthrough, but a Shane Long penalty put the hosts level before a Tom Ince stunner earned the home team victory.
Reading were also victorious on their last visit to the Welsh capital in October 2021 where former Cardiff player Junior Hoilett scored the only goal of the contest.
Fornah spent six years at the Reading academy having joined the club in 2012 before he left to join Brighton & Hove Albion and then Nottingham Forest.
The midfielder has had loan spells with Casa Pia, Plymouth Argyle and Shrewsbury Town before making the step up to play Championship football back with Reading this season under Paul Ince.
He continued: “It’s been tough for numerous reasons. I’ve been injured and then come back and not played as much as I would have liked, but as a young player I’m developing and there will be ups and downs.
“It’s about being level headed, keep believing in myself and working hard and prove myself to the gaffer and the club that I’m capable of playing in the league.
“This year was my first real injury, even as a youth team player I never got injured so it shows how hard the Championship is.
“It’s all a learning curve for me. I want to show fans what I can do.
“The ability is there, I know what I can do with the ball, but I need more belief in myself.
“The way I am as a character I’m a bit timid and shy so I need to come out of my shell more and that’s showing in games.”
WOODLEY UNITED LADIES were confirmed as league champions in the Southern Region Women’s Division One North with their win over title challengers
Milton United.
Facing a trip to the side second in the table and the only threat to securing their status as league champions, the Kestrels ensured that they wrapped up the league with a game to go.
Bonnie Messitt put Woodley ahead after 32 minutes with a long distance strike to beat the keeper.
With just over 20 minutes remaining in the contest, Woodley put themselves in a commanding position and on the brink of the title when Gemma Simms slotted the ball through to Sarah Lawrence who finished calmly into the bottom corner.
The full-time whistle was met with jubilant scenes from the team after they knew they had confirmed their status as champions.
Woodley now have an unassailable lead at the top of the table, seven points above Milton United.
The Kestrels have won 11 of their 13 league matches, losing just once all season.
They have one more league game to go, which is away at Kidlington Youth on Sunday, March 5.
Next up for Woodley is a cup tie against Abbey Rangers on Sunday.
Woodley United: Cheadle, Evans, Wilkins, Quinn (Measham), Simms, Surtees (Hudson), M Haines, Sawyer (Slann), Hamblin (Routledge), Messitt, Lawrence (Steadman)
Goals: Messitt 32’, Lawrence 68’
KINGFISHER A all but confirmed the division one title with a 10-0 whitewash of their B side.
Two of the leading local players, Graham Mendick and Ed Lush, met in the KINGFISHER D v SONNING COMMON & PEPPARD B clash.
It was Graham who emerged victorious in straight sets as the sides shared a 5-5 draw.
SONNING COMMON & PEPPARD A and TILEHURST
RBL A also shared the points despite a triple from Sonning Common’s Jamie Barlow who did not lose a single end.
SONNING SPORTS A scored a useful 8-2 win over TIDMARSH A, who could only field two players. Dave Croucher was unbeaten on the night.
The two bottom sides met as KINGFISHER C hosted READING FC. A promising double from
Mike Douglas couldn’t stop an 8-2 victory for the Royals with Mike Childs remaining unbeaten.
Both sides are still favourites to end in the relegation zone and are still to face
KINGFISHER A but with five games left there is still an opportunity to climb up the table if they can field their strongest squads.
SONNING COMMON & PEPPARD D gave their title hopes a boost in division 2 with a 9-1 victory over TIDMARSH B in a match that was much closer than the score suggests with all but one set going to four or five.
SC&P’s star player Danny Dockree avenged an early season loss to Dale Ballard winning 11-8 in the fifth in a marathon set.
OUR LADY OF PEACE B moved up to second following an 8-2 win over relegation threatened KINGFISHER F despite Kingfisher’s Hamid Mohseni’s highly impressive
three straight win against OLOP’s Chris West.
SONNING COMMON & PEPPARD C slipped down to third in the table following a 5-5 draw against KINGFISHER E with Nigel Maltby getting a maximum for SC&P that included a tense last set win over Kingfisher’s Luca Bianchi to clinch the draw 11-9 11-3 8-11 8-11 12-10.
In Division 3 TIDMARSH C emerged victorious against TILEHURST METHODISTS B with a 9-1 score line.
Ian Wu and Richard Hudson were the stars of the show for TIDMARSH C, each scoring a maximum of three wins, while Michael Williams put in a valiant effort for TILEHURST METHODISTS B, managing to grab a single win against Simon Craig. OLOP E continued their impressive run of form, securing a 7-3 victory over TIDMARSH D
Dave Edwards came up just short and unlucky, losing two close matches in the fifth set.
Woodley United Ladies celebrate after winning the league Pictures: Andrew Batt
Friday, February 10
RUGBY UNION
National League One
Rams 50-31 Chinnor
Saturday, February 11
FOOTBALL
Championship
Sunderland 1-0 Reading
FA Trophy fifth round
Bracknell Town 1-3
Altrincham
Isthmian South Central
Guernsey 3-1 Binfield
FA Vase fifth round
Bridgewater United 0-1 Ascot United
Combined Counties Premier North
Wembley 1-0 Reading City
Combined Counties Division One
Berks County 4-1 Hillingdon
Borough
Eversley & California 1-0
Westside
Woodley United 2-2 FC
Deportivo Galicia
Thames Valley Premier League
Burghfield 2-2 Westwood
Wanderers
Reading City U23s 0-1
Reading YMCA
RUGBY UNION
London & SE Regional 1
Bracknell 17-17 Oxford
Harlequins
READING Athletics Ladies competed last weekend in the Hampshire League Race at Popham.
Due to a mixture of injuries and illness, it was a small turnout for the club.
However, the athletes that did compete put on a strong display,
It was a very mild day compared to the same race last year so underfoot was good and the athletes didn’t have the wind to battle against this time which helped with fast conditions.
Big improvements shown with every race was our first athlete home, Shirley-Ann Dix.
She has shown that commitment is finally paying off and finished 39th in a strong field.
The first vet home and coming back strong after having covid at Christmas was Sue Francis with a placing of 48th and then running well was vet Lucy Daniells in 56th who finished strongly.
The next three runners, also vets, were Julie Rayfield, Millie Dainton and Claire Mills who battled hard changing positions throughout the race and finished 68th, 74th and 78th.
Friday, February 17 FOOTBALL Championship
Cardiff City v Reading
Saturday, Febraury 18
FOOTBALL
Southern League Premier South
Dorchester Town v Bracknell Town
Isthmian South Central
Tooting & Mitcham v Binfield
Combined Counties Premier North
Flackwell Heath v Ascot United
Reading City v Broadfields United
Sumas v North Greenford United
Combined Counties Division One
Berks County v Brook House Cove v Eversley & California
Rayners Lane v Woodley United
Sandhurst Town v Langley
Thames Valley Premier League
SB Phoenix v Finchampstead
Slough Heating Laurencians v Burghfield
Wraysbury Village v Wargrave
RUGBY UNION
National League One Rams v Rosslyn Park
South West Regional 2 Newbury Blues v Reading
South West Regional 2 Reading 18-22 Swindon
HOCKEY
Men’s National Premier Hampstead & Westminster v Reading
Women’s National Premier Reading v Holcombe
Sunday,
February 12
FOOTBALL
Southern Region Women’s Premier
Abingdon United 2-0 Ascot United
Southern Region Women’s Division One North
Eversley & California 2-2
Caversham United
Milton United 0-2 Woodley United
Thames Valley Women’s Division One
Banbury United 0-6 Tilehurst Panthers
Wargrave 2-4 New Bradwell
Thames Valley Women’s Division Two
S4K Berks County 6-3 East Oxford
Tuesday.
February 14
FOOTBALL Championship Reading 2-1 Rotherham
HOCKEY
Men’s National Premier League Reading v Old Georgians
Women’s National Premier League
Loughborough v Reading
South Central Men’s North Division 1 Yateley v Sonning
South Central Men’s Premier 2 Witney v South Berkshire
South Central Women’s North Division 1 South Berkshire v Buckingham 2s
Sunday, February 19
FOOTBALL Cup
Ascot United v Eversley & California
Woodley United v Abbey Rangers
Southern Region Women’s Division One North Penn & Tylers Green v Caversham United
Thames Valley Women’s Division One
Ascot United Reserves v Banbury United
Mortimer v Harwell and Hendred
Slough Town v Wargrave
INJURY DEPLETEDMollie Haines and Holly Wilkins in a celebratory mood A joyous day Sarah Lawrence puts in a tackle
