Reading Today, March 16, 2023

WE COVER READING BOROUGH

‘Predatory sex offender’: Paedophile jailed for six years

A PAEDOPHILE from Reading described by police as a predatory sex offender has been jailed for six years and placed in the Sex Offenders’ Register for the foreseeable future.

Bradley Holloway, 31 and from Rupert Square, was found guilty by a unanimous jury of two counts of rape of a child who was aged under 13.

A hearing at Reading Crown Court on Tuesday, March 7, handed out the sentence, which comes after a Thames Valley Police investigation.

Detective Constable Dominique Roe, the investigating officer who is based at Reading police station, said: “I want to thank the victim for the bravery she has shown in reporting this and giving evidence in court which has led to a successful conviction of Bradley Holloway, who is a predatory sex offender.

“Following this conviction and custodial sentence of six years,

In print

I hope this case demonstrates to other victims of crime that Thames Valley Police will listen and support you at every stage.

“If you are a victim of crime and want to make a report, you can visit

Waitrose stores safe despite John Lewis pre-tax loss

WAITROSE stores across Reading and Wokingham boroughs and the John Lewis department store in Reading are safe, despite the group making a loss in the last financial year.

Earlier this month, The Guardian revealed the company, which is owned by its workers, made an estimated pre-tax loss of around £50 million last year, compared to £181 million.

The company was reported as having difficulties with the Waitrose part of the business, including head office restructuring and having to write down the value of some of its sites.

our website or call us on 101.

“Alternatively, you can provide information anonymously to the independent charity, Crimestoppers, by calling 0800 555 111 or via its website.”

New homes sales are above average in Berks

By PHIL CREIGHTON news@rdg.today

AN ABOVE-average number of new build homes were sold in Berkshire last year according to new data from the Land Registry.

The Alliance Fund says it analysed transactions and the level of property transactions to have completed across each county of England over the last year and what proportion of these came via the new homes sector.

In all, across England there were 11,608 new homes sold, accounting for 2.1% of the total market transactions.

In Berkshire, there were 9,065 homes sold in total during 2022, of which 214 were new builds.

This represents 2.4% of all transactions reported by the Land Registry.

London was home to by far the highest number of new-build

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transactions 2022, with the 1,335 new homes sold accounting for 11.5% of all new-build sales last year. Greater Manchester (634) and West Yorkshire (565) came close to the might of the London new-build sector, accounting for 5.5% and 4.9% of all new homes sold across England in 2022.

While Greater London may have seen the most new-build sales complete in the last year, it ranks just 24th in the nation when it comes to the level of new-build market activity as a proportion of total homes sold: it was just 2.1% of total market activity.

Warwickshire was where the newbuild market has made the biggest mark over the last year. While just 256 new homes were sold across the county in 2022, this equated to 3.9% of total market activity.

Shropshire follows closely behind, where new-build transactions accounted for 3.8% of all homes sold, with Wiltshire (3.7%) and

Buckinghamshire (3.4%) also ranking within the top five.

Iain Crawford, CEO of Alliance Fund, an end-to-end real estate fund, said: “London certainly remains the dominant force within the new-build sector when it comes to the sheer volume of new homes sold in the last year and with such high-demand, it’s understandable why developers devote so much of their attention to the region.

“However, there are a high number of locations where new-build sales have driven market activity to a far greater extent when it comes to these transactions as a proportion of all homes sold.

“This appetite for new-build properties presents developers with an abundance of opportunity when it comes to where they choose to build, and while London will no doubt remain a consideration, it’s certainly not the only area of focus.”

Wokingham Borough Council bought the Twyford and Woodley Waitrose stores four years ago, making them landlords to the chain.

John Lewis has additional Waitrose stores in Wokingham, Caversham and Tilehurst. Its department store in Reading is also known as Heelas.

Despite the losses, the company said it’s business as normal for all these stores.

A spokesperson said: “Like any retailer we regularly review our estate, but no current plans to close these shops.”

Rape charge

A READING man has been charged with rape and sexual assault.

Shakil Ahmed, 42, of Ripley Road was arrested on Thursday, February 9, by Thames Valley Police officers.

He was then charged with one count of rape and one count of sexual assault, relating to offences that took place in the town last year.

He appeared at Reading Magistrates’ Court on Friday, March 10, and has been remanded in custody to appear at Reading Crown Court on Monday, April 3.

JAILED: Bradley Holloway has been put behind bars for six years for raping child under 13

Pickle whizz Liz knows her onions to take top spot

Revamped Reading West weeks away from being finished

THE revamped Reading West upgrade is now weeks away from being finished, writes James Aldridge, local democracy reporter

The railway station has, until now, been accessed from stairs and ramps from entry and exits at Oxford Road and a single point at Tilehurst Road.

Under the revamp, there will be a new station building on Oxford Road, which will house ticket purchasing facilities and retail outlet.

Towards the end of last year, work was completed on establishing ticket gating on the Tilehurst Road side of the station.

The entrance was closed in September, and was meant to reopen in November, but wet weather delayed this to December.

The station upgrade, being undertaken by the Great Western Railway (GWR), will not lead to an increase in train capacity at the station.

“The improvements are designed to create a much safer and more welcoming environment,” said a spokesperson.

“Ticket gates on both sides of the station will allow ticket holders access to the platforms. Other improvements include enhanced CCTV coverage and lighting.”

Accessibility groups have criticised the lack of disabled access despite the upgrade. GWR say that when a station is not accessible, its standard policy is to arrange for a taxi to take people to the nearest accessible station and provide them with alternative transport back.

EXCLUSIVE

By JAKE CLOTHIER jclothier@rdg.today

A Reading pub has crowned the latest winner of its annual Pickled Onion Contest.

The Retreat in St Johns Street held the contest on Sunday, March 12, with contestants bringing their own onions or shallots and creating unique recipes, and with the best taste, texture, and colour taking home a grand trophy.

One of the venue’s directors, Diane Whittaker, said: “It’s something we do every year, and we had such a great response.

“Our three judges went through them all and narrowed it down to the last three entries, until Liz Rebbeck was presented with the trophy.”

She explained: “Liz is one of our regulars and has been coming here for years, known well by the community in here.

“She’s entered before but only ever come second, so everyone went bananas when she won.

“She used her own onions– she’s a fantastic gardener and grows her own vegetables, which she’s generous with and often hands out her extra at the pub.”

She said that The Retreat was now looking ahead to its events later in the year.

“We’ve got the bloody Mary competition, our Easter festival taking place over Easter weekend–there’ll be about 17 bands put on between ourselves and The Lyndhurst.”

The Retreat takes part in The Village Easter Festival on Saturday, April 8, with Rufus Ruffcut among the acts confirmed to be performing. n Full details of upcoming events at The Retreat are available via: www.theretreat.pub

The entries were lined up and judged on appearance, colour, taste, and crunch

“We also have a mobile assistance team for customers who require help, who can come and meet them at the station and assist them with their journey,” the spokesperson said.

Tom Pierpoint, GWR Business Development Portfolio Director, was pleased with the progress.

“It has been exciting to see the new building on the Oxford Road side of the station taking shape at such a rapid pace,” he said. “We continue to work closely with Reading Borough Council and Network Rail to deliver this transformation and we hope customers will be pleased with the results when the new-look station is completed.”

Reading West Station serves GWR trains running on the Reading to Taunton and Reading to Basingstoke lines.

Liz Rebbeck celebrates winning The Retreat Pub’s pickled onion trophy Pictures; Dijana Capan/DVision Images

Personal best: Liz took the top spot and the coveted trophy after having competed a number of times in the contest

Pickle whizz Liz the moment she was named as the winner of the contest

Judges scored each entry, which were submitted anonymously

Competitors Kevin Harrington, Sasha Woods, Phil Rubin, Liz Rebbeck and Adrienne Giles lined up to await their fate

Tuesday lunches

A READING church is welcoming members of its community for lunch.

Every Tuesday, Tyndale Baptist Church provides residents with a filling two course meal.

Visitors can enjoy biscuits, coffee or tea in the foyer, before moving into the hall for freshly cooked food.

The weekly meet-ups provide a warm and friendly environment for attendees to catch up with friends and family while also meeting new people.

Lunch costs just £3.50 per person and takes place from 12.30pm-2pm.

The church is located at 2-4 Cressingham Road, RG2 7JE.

Rhymetime fun

WHITLEY Library is holding interactive language classes for babies and children.

Rhymetime introduces youngsters to the spoken word and rhyme in a fun and engaging way, using music, props and storytelling.

Sessions are free but booking is essential due to limited numbers. Places can be secured up to three weeks in advance.

Classes take place between 11am-11.30am on Thursdays at the South Reading Community Centre on Northumberland Avenue.

n To make a booking, visit: www. reading.gov.uk

Bin collections going on the straight and narrow with new van

By JAMES ALDRIDGE Local democracy reporter

NARROW roads in Reading will soon benefit from a new bin lorry, bringing to an end weeks of missed collections.

Residents of roads including Blenheim Gardens, Cardigan Road, and Hatherley Road in Redlands, Hill Street in Katesgrove and Foxglove Gardens closer to the town centre have had problems due to their widths, making it hard for lorries to access them.

Foxglove Gardens had eight weeks of missed general waste collections, while Hill Street has seen two missed collections.

Reading Borough Council said its existing fleets struggle when cars are parked in such a way they cannot manoeuvre around them.

The solution is a narrow bin lorry that can get through the streets easier.

Originally expected to arrive in September, it will start collecting waste from Tuesday, April 4.

Cllr Karen Rowlands said:

“We’ve been able to secure one lorry, the order had been put in, someone else had ordered one but they cancelled theirs for whatever reason and we’ve been able to move up the

waiting list, so our vehicles will be ready earlier than expected.

“We in the Labour Party have been working on this for quite a number of years, including a number of my predecessors and we were able to find the right vehicle at the right price so we’ve finally been able to land it.

“Me and my predecessors have worked our backsides

off to finally get the right combination for it to work.

“I’m pleased for everyone of the residents who will be able to get their rubbish picked up on the day it’s promised.”

The issue was raised by councillor Will Cross (Labour, Redlands) at a full council meeting on Tuesday, February 28.

Cllr Cross said: “Residents

regularly raise bin issues with me, and since being elected I have been pushing for solutions.

“I invited Cllr Rowland to Redlands to see these issues first-hand, and following my campaign I am delighted that the Council has agreed to introduce a narrow bin vehicle, as well as trialling a new approach to bins left on

pavements in certain streets in the student area.”

The council is also looking at the possibility of bin crews returning bins into the boundary of homes on narrow streets to improve accessibility for wheelchair-bound and elderly neighbours.

However, Cllr Rowland stated that returning bins to home boundaries are primarily the responsibility of occupants, and having bin crews return the bins in more streets could lead to collection delays.

Cllr David McElroy (Green, Redlands) has raised the issue of uncollected bins as well, with the Greens submitted a petition calling for a narrow bin lorry receiving 47 signatures.

At the time, the petition stated: “Many times the lorry which collects waste from the grey and red bins has not been able to access some of the narrower roads in Redlands.

“This has meant bins haven’t been emptied and caused all sorts of waste related problems.

“The food waste collection uses a smaller vehicle and is able to access narrower roads with greater ease.

“Please sign the petition for a smaller bin lorry to make sure grey and red bins are collected.”

Groups

receive King’s Award

ORGANISATIONS from across Berkshire were presented with King’s Awards for Voluntary Service at a special ceremony held in Bracknell last week.

The Lord Lieutenant of Berkshire, James Puxley, held a reception at South Hill Park to present certificates to 12 voluntary organisations to recognise the outstanding achievements by groups of volunteers.

They were formally known as Queen’s Awards.

Mr Puxley thanked all of the Groups for providing support

and help in many different ways, across the County of Berkshire.

He also presented two British Empire Medal recipients, from Newbury and High Wycombe, with their honours.

“All those who have received the British Empire Medal today and all those nominated for a KAVS have given great service to the community,” he said. “You all cover a number of needs and provide support and help in many ways to those who need it most.

“I am sure that all those whom you help are deeply grateful. We as a community

should be most grateful too.”

Mayors and Chairmen of Unitary Authorities in Berkshire, Deputy Lieutenants and nominators joined the Lord Lieutenant to congratulate the voluntary organisations.

The groups are currently being considered for the National Awards, and the results will be announced on November 14, the King’s birthday.

Among those nominated for the 2023 awards are The Mustard Tree Foundation (Reading) and Tilehurst Junior Youth Club.

HITTING THE STREETS: The Narrow Refuse Collection Vehicle set to be used on Reading streets in April. Picture: Go Plant Ltd

HONOURED: Representatives from The Mustard Tree Foundation (Reading)with the Lord Lieutenant, James Puxley at a reception at South Hill Park, Bracknell Picture: Stewart Turkington / www.stphotos.co.uk

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‘Our fuel bills are five times what they were last year – we need help’

By PHIL CREIGHTON news@rdgm.today

ONE of Reading’s MPs has vowed to do what he can to help a popular business cope with the cost-of-living crisis.

Last week, Tutu Melaku shared an open letter to Matt Rodda about her Palmer Parkbased Ethopian cafe.

She said that the enterprise would be unlikely to survive unless a cap on fuel costs for businesses is introduced very soon.

Unlike home owners, industry has not been given protection from sharp increases in energy bills.

Ms Melaku said her gas and electric bills were nearly five times higher than this time last year.

“This is not due to any increase in use, but solely due to fuel price rises. My other regular business costs of food and essentials have also increased dramatically, but the fuel cost increase is particularly shocking and seems completely wrong,” she said.

And she felt she could not increase prices too much as her customers are struggling financially.

The cafe, which serves snacks and drinks to families

playing in the park, as well as hosting music and poetry events, employs local people, and Ms Melaku said: “I refuse to impact them with wage cuts or redundancies.”

She added: “We provide a safe and welcoming community space, used by individuals, families and local groups. We are the ‘go to’ venue for many local people, including the

elderly, vulnerable and lonely. A wide range of community groups use my cafe as a base for their meetings and social events.”

She wasn’t asking for special treatment, acknowledging that her situation was not unique.

“There are numerous small, independent providers in the hospitality industry who have already shut down due

to unmanageable costs. And many more, like me, who are struggling to survive,” she said.

“If a fuel price cap doesn’t happen very soon then within months the UK will be depleted of it’s backbone of small, independent businesses: especially cafes, pubs and restaurants.

“There will be devastating loss of local jobs and income.

“But more frightening than that: as these businesses disappear, then so too does the heartbeat of our nation.

“Without our venues and service there will be far fewer places where people can meet to laugh, cry, talk and dream, where people find company, warmth and a place to belong.

“That doesn’t happen in the same way in a McDonalds or a Costa.”

Mr Rodda, the MP for Reading East, agreed with the thrust of Ms Melaku’s letter, and promised to do what he could to help.

“Businesses like Tutu’s Ethiopian Table are vitally important to Reading’s economy, but they face huge energy costs at the moment.

“They need financial help in the short term – waiting for energy bills to drop in the summer is just not good enough,” he told Reading Today.

“I will take this case up with the Department of Business and Trade, but we need policies to help small businesses in the short term.

“The Government could offer support to small businesses by offering further business rate relief, paid for by a stronger windfall tax on the profits of energy companies.”

PALMER PARK is to be the venue for what is described as ‘the world’s most exciting circus’.

The event says it is Europe’s largest touring big top, and boasts an extreme motorbike team, as well as clowns, acrobats, and other traditional circus acts.

Organisers promise hair-raising stunts to wow audiences.

The group will be performing in Reading from Friday, April 21, through to May Day holiday Monday, May 1. n For more details, log on to: www.circusextreme.co.uk

Circus coming to Reading park Drinks deliveries

A DRINKS business wants to conduct deliveries from a self-storage facility in West Reading, and has applied for permission to do so.

Rougevin is asking Reading Borough Council to permit alcohol sales 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

It would be operating from the Pink Hippo Self Storage facility in Bridgewater Close, West Reading.

The company was formed in August last year.

The deadline for representations is Wednesday, March 29.

Comments can be emailed to: licensing@reading.gov.uk

UNDER PRESSURE: Energy bills are five times higher for Tutu’s Ethopian Table in east Reading Picture: Phil Creighton

£4m makeover of station to make it accessible to all

By PHIL CREIGHTON news@rdg.today

ONE of the town’s four railway stations is to be given a £4 million makeover to make it more accessible.

More than 500,000 people use Tilehurst station every year, and the work starting later this spring will see lifts and walkways installed to ensure all its platforms are accessible. It should be completed by the autumn.

The scheme is the latest investment by Network Rail in the Reading area and provides further improvement to Tilehurst station, following the installation of a new footbridge.

Alan Gough, Network

Rail project sponsor, said: “This project continues our improvements to Tilehurst station and will ensure even more people can use our railway.

“It’s the latest scheme in the Reading area to deliver sustainable travel, reduce congestion on the roads and provide cleaner air in the Thames Valley.

“We will work closely with our partners at Great Western Railway and with the local community to ensure disruption to passengers and local residents and businesses is kept to a minimum during the work.”

The news has been welcomed by Reading West MP

Sir Alok Sharma, who said he had campaigned for the funding for many years.

“I am absolutely delighted that final funding for construction at Tilehurst station has been approved,” he said.

“Working with Network Rail and Great Western Railway, I have lobbied the Department for Transport extensively to ensure that funding is provided for the installation of lifts.

“This is vitally important for many local commuters, particularly wheelchair users and parents with pushchairs and buggies, so I am delighted that we are one step closer to finally improvising accessibility at Tilehurst station.”

Back to school for Afiya ... and it’s straight into a cookery lesson

A READING school has been visited by an esteemed alumna for the opening of new facilities.

Queen Anne’s in Caversham has unveiled its new culinary space following a significant refurbishment.

The new facility, refurbished in collaboration with Thomas Franks Catering, features updated utilities and appliances as well as a bird’s eye camera system to show pupils how food is being prepared by teaching staff.

Students and staff, as well as governors and parents, were

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invited to the unveiling ceremony and were joined by Afiya Titus, alumna of the school and the entrepreneur who founded Lime Hut.

Ms Titus was invited to cut the ribbon at the opening ceremony and also led students in a culinary class.

Pupils set to begin their GCSE Food and Nutrition courses in September took part in a session preparing dishes inspired by Lime Hut.

Ms Titus went on to study at University College London after her time at Queen Anne’s, following which she qualified as a chartered accountant.

She then chased her passion of cooking nutritious food from a market stall in Soho before growing the business to collaborate with major international brands such as Nike, Puma, and SBTV.

Ms Titus has focused on bringing contemporary Caribbean dishes to London, focusing on health and well-being.

Following her experiences, she also set up Coco Financial, which provides financial services tailored to women to help support businesses and people who are typically underrepresented.

Speaking of the event, Ms Titus said: “What a fantastic space Queen Anne’s pupils have with the new cookery room.

“We had so much fun cooking with the Year 9 students– some of whom had never cooked before, but everyone got stuck in and made yummy Caribbean sweetcorn and plantain fritters.

“It felt pretty cool to share some of my own culture through cooking during what happened to be the school’s own celebratory and cultural awareness week.” n qas.org.uk

The new facility features a topdown camera and display to help pupils see what how the class leader is preparing food

OPEN TIME: Former pupil Afiya Titus returned to Queen Anne’s School to cut the ribbon and officially unveil the new culinary facility – and she helped Year 9 students get wise in the kitchen Picture: Courtesy of Queen Anne’s

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Grant to Southcote church will help with cooker for its warm hub

By PHIL CREIGHTON news@rdg.today

A CHURCH in Southcote that runs a warm hub to help people struggling with the cost of living crisis has been given some help itself.

The John Sykes Foundation has presented St Matthew’s with a grant to help it open its doors to people who need a safe space, with facilities including charging points and simple meals.

The money will go towards a new cooker to allow hot food to be provided, and ensure the warm hub will be sustainable.

The Church established a Warm Hub, firstly at lunchtime to provide hot drinks, a hot meal, as well as a place for people to feel welcome to help combat loneliness and the cost of living crisis, however after reading many posts on social media they quickly realised the effect the crisis was having not just on the elderly who tended to use the lunchtime hub, but also the wider community who struggle to turn on their heating and to feed their children.

The after-school hub was created to help tackle this, and also for families to be able to interact, make new friends, and for somewhere to go on a

weekly basis, free of charge.

Earlier this month, John Sykes, founder and chair of trustees of the foundation, visited the Warm Hub to present a cheque to St Matthew’s vicar, Pads Dolphin, Lynn Everett, volunteers, and the families who attend.

Mr Dolphin said: “We read about families struggling to pay for heating and put food on the table, we wanted to do something to help.

“We were already running a lunchtime and early afternoon warm hub offering soup and bread, but this misses a large part of our community.

“The after-school warm hub meets the needs of all people in the community, young and old, who are finding it hard to keep warm, pay their bills, and may be feeling isolated due to the cost of living crisis.”

He said the scheme has been welcomed by the community, with many saying it was fantastic, and much-needed.

The warm hub is run every Friday by volunteers, with up to 20 people attending during lunchtime and up to 85 people attending after school.

Arts and crafts and games are supplied at the beginning

of the session and a hot cooked meal is served, which includes a pudding, as well as toast and spreads for children who may not eat the main meal.

Mr Dolphin said they don’t ask for any money.

“We don’t charge anyone who comes so they have one day a week where they don’t have to feed themselves and their children or put their heating on,” he explained.

“It’s bringing families together and children have somewhere to go where they can play and have fun after school. This means the parents are happy and relaxed.”

Talk about cost of mineral mining

ENVIRONMENTAL justice will be under the microscope in a talk later this month.

Unique views of Reading on offer with trips along Kennet & Avon

WHO NEEDS a life on the ocean wave when you can enjoy Reading’s canal instead?

Boat trips on the Kennet and Avon are returning, starting from Saturday, April 1.

Good Friday and Easter Monday – April 7 and 10.

Places cost £10, £6 for children and free for under threes.

If room, it’s possible to pay on boarding, but spaces can be booked in advance by logging on to: matilda.katrust.org.uk

And Mr Sykes was pleased that the foundation could support the church’s community work.

“We are profoundly aware of the challenges residents in Reading are facing as a result of the Cost of Living Crisis and we want to do our bit to help,” he said.

“Pads, Lynn, and the wonderful team of volunteers have created a welcoming, warm space for Southcote residents to come together; not just as a warm space this winter, but to provide support and advice on a range of matters, including advice on their health and wellbeing, in such a friendly community atmosphere.

“I was so pleased to visit this very special place and, together with our Board of Trustees, hope to see this project go from strength to strength during these challenging times.”

n The John Sykes Foundation welcomes applications for charities and groups for its Cost Of Living Crisis Grant fund. For details, log on to: https://www. johnsykesfoundation.org/cost-ofliving-crisis-fund.php

n To find out more about St. Matthews and the services they provide, visit: https://www.stmatts.org.uk/

The Global Justice Reading group is hosting a talk at RISC in London Street.

Kerima Mohldeen and Saul Jones from the London Mining Network will talk about their work with communities who are impacted by mining works.

They will use film and interactive activities to unpack their thesis.

A Just Transition and Environmental Justice is free, and the event starts at 7.30pm on Wednesday, March 29.

n For more details, log on to: www.globaljustice.org.uk/reading

Licence for store

A WHITLEY Street store wants permission from Reading Borough Council to sell alcohol. The licence is for G Mart, and would see customers able to purchase the drinks from 7am to 11pm, seven days a week.

The company runs the Whitley Stores, and is near the junction of Whitley Street with Mount Pleasant.

The shopping parade already has a number of restaurants, takeaways and off licences.

The deadline for representations is Sunday, March 26.

Comments can be emailed to: licensing@reading.gov.uk

DONATION: The John Sykes Foundation has given a grant to St Matthew’s Church in Southcote to help it run its warm space Picture: John Sykes Foundation

BOAT’S EYE VIEW: The Reading Branch of The Kennet and Avon Canal Trust will be resuming boat trips along the canal, offering a unique perspective of the town Picture: Dijana Capan/DVision Images

See the future and have a sneak preview of Reading’s tallest building,

A CHANCE to see the future is on offer this week, as a new Reading town centre development is offering preview tours.

Station Hill is taking part in this year’s Open Doors Construction event, and will be letting people have a look around One Station Hill on Thursday, and Friday.

Visitors can go behind the hoardings to see what will be the tallest building in Reading when completed.

It is a 2.5 million sq ft mixeduse development and due to open next year.

As well as seeing the building in progress, visitors can learn more about the scheme from representatives of Sir Robert McAlpine, and find out more about careers in construction.

Helen Denham, sustainability manager, at Sir Robert McAlpine, said: “We are delighted to be involved in

Open Doors once again. “We are particularly excited to showcase the hard work that goes into buildings and share the many facets of construction with the local community in Reading.”

And Suzannah Nichol, Build UK Chief Executive, is looking forward to showing the development to students who are considering their future career.

Paint that the truth:

ONE STATION HILL WILL BE READING’S TALLEST BUILDING WHEN IT IS FINISHED

“Many young people don’t know what they want to do when they leave school,” she said. “We have a fantastic opportunity to capture their imagination and show them just what they can achieve whether they are considering college, a traineeship, an apprenticeship, or university.” n Places are limited, and should be booked in advance at: www.opendoors.construction

Henry preview talk with RABBLE

THIS weekend, people can enjoy a sneak preview of what audiences can expect from a special open-air play coming to Reading this summer.

RABBLE theatre company’s co-artistic director Toby Davies is giving a talk at Reading Museum in Blagrave Street.

He is part of the cast, performing the role of the king in Henry I, a play written by Beth Flintoff and staged in the Abbey ruins.

In his hour-long session, Mr Davies will look at the story of the play, the costumes, the casting, and the set design which is being created by Sarah Jane Booth.

Building Henry will take place from 3pm on Saturday, March 18.

n Tickets cost £5, and can be booked in advance from Reading Museum’s website, www.readingmuseum. org.uk

EXCLUSIVE

By JI-MIN LEE jlee@rdg.today

THOUSANDS of Hindus in Berkshire came together at The Atrium Health Club to celebrate one of the religion’s most important annual festivals.

Put on by the Reading Indian Community, Saturday’s Holi Milan proved to be a hit once again, with organisers successfully negotiating a last-minute venue change.

The afternoon culminated in the traditional throwing of colours, a celebration of the beginning of spring and the spreading of love and happiness.

Volunteer Sanjay Singh said: “It was a wonderful, wonderful event. More than 2,000 people attended and it was good to see so many of the local and Indian community come together.

“The objective was to bring everyone together and expose people to the culture – we were delighted to see so many secondary school students and teenagers.

“We had a last minute hiccup, and at one point in time we were thinking we might have to postpone it, but we were able to pull it off.”

Organisers were informed on Thursday that the original venue at Reading Cricket Club was out of action following inclement weather.

“Thankfully, they were able to

find a new venue at short notice. Visitors enjoyed live cultural performances, such as live Bhangra dancing, Bollywood and Punjabi music and dhol drumming.

Among the attendees was Mayor of Wokingham, Cllr Caroline Smith, who was on-hand to witness the festivities.

BIG DAY OUT: There was something for all the family. Pictures: Dijana Capan/DVision Images

FAMILY FUN: All ages came together at The Atrium on Saturday for a celebration of Holi. Activities including the traditional throwing of the colours

Berkshire celebrates Holi

Afternoon tea at St Agnes

RESIDENTS will be able to enjoy a spot of afternoon tea on Sunday, April 2, the day of the Reading Half Marathon.

Road closures will see St Agnes Church, Northumberland Avenue, push its morning service back to 4pm, after which visitors can enjoy sandwiches, scones and cream.

The church has asked those attending to bring homemade cakes that can be shared out.

Both the service and the afternoon tea are for all the family, and will be an ideal way to catch up with loved ones while also meeting new people.

The event is free to attend, but visitors must sign up through the church’s website.

Those who are interested in helping out as part of the hospitality team should also sign up.

n For more information or to book a place, visit: www.readinggateway.church

New wall with railings proposed

ONE of Reading’s oldest churches could see a new wall installed, writes James Aldridge.

Reading Minster Church of St Mary the Virgin in Chain Street has applied to Reading Borough Council to install the railings along the church’s service yard, which runs between St Mary’s Butts and Chain Street. It will take in an existing section which is broken.

The plan has been submitted by Reading Central and Abbey Quarter Business Improvement District (BID).

The church is Grade I listed, and dates back to Norman times. It received extensive repairs in the 1550s using stones and wood from Reading Abbey.

To view the application, log on to Reading Borough Council’s planning website, and search for 230228.

The event saw hundreds of people attend

CLEAN-UP: A busy day for the town’s laundrettes

CELEBRATION: Holi brought the community together for a big day

Don’t worry, it will wash out

A moment of joy

SHOWTIME: There were plenty of live performances for visitors to enjoy

Tenants move in to council’s £110m housing development plan

READING Borough Council has seen a number of new tenants move into affordable housing as it continues with its homebuilding strategy.

It is aiming to deliver 400 new homes.

Seven affordable homes in Southcote, Whitley, and Church wards have seen new residents, with a further site in Caversham nearing completion.

The homes form part of the council’s plans to build on disused land and derelict areas, with “infill” sites seeing imaginative use of small pockets of land, including an old Scout hut.

The plans will see more than £110 million of investment aimed at reducing the housing waiting list and provide accommodation for key workers.

More than 100 of the 400 planned are due to be completed by the end of 2023.

They also include a further 62 homes which were approved to be built on the former cite of Central Pool in Battle Street.

Homes vary from two-bed houses, four-bed properties with garden space, and accessible bungalows.

All new homes are being built to Passivhaus principles to reduce carbon footprint and keep bills down, including triple glazing, air source heat pumps, and solar panels.

Reading Borough Council’s lead member for housing Cllr Ellie Emberson said: “I’m really proud of our Housing team for their diligence in finding pockets of disused land and turning them into homes of such high quality that mean everything to those who move in.

“We have ambitious plans to build more council homes on our bigger remaining sites, but each pocket of land that we can turn from a negative to a positive improves the look of its local area and means so much to yet another Reading household.”

Charity makes HIV testing easier than ever with community outreach

EXCLUSIVE

By JAKE CLOTHIER jclothier@rdg.today

A BERKSHIRE charity is encouraging residents to know their HIV status and is making testing easier than ever.

Thames Valley Positive Support will continue to offer free community testing where members of the public can find out their status following its testing programme during HIV Testing Week last month.

HIV testing is simpler and faster than ever, especially for those who visit the community testing programmes in person.

Those testing will be given a short questionnaire about their recent sexual history and some personal circumstances relevant to the testing procedure.

TVPS is not part of the NHS, and as such does not share any of these details with any other health professionals.

A small pinprick is made on the side of one finger, which is almost entirely painless and lasts for less than half a second.

Results are ready within just a few minutes, delivered privately and in person.

TVPS has made attending in person as easy and discreet as possible, and strive to make sure that those getting tested can leave discreetly, without needing to walk back through waiting rooms.

It also provides postal testing and a full at-home testing kit which can be completed however suits the patient.

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

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

Jessica Harding, deputy CEO of TVPS, said: “It’s incredibly important, both to know your status, and then to be able to be able to get on medication

and come down to being undetectable.

“You’re not just looking after yourself and your own health, but you’re looking after everyone else’s health as well, because you can’t pass HIV on [when undetectable].

“It’s vital that everyone tests, and it’s responsible; the responsibility shouldn’t just be on positive people, It should

be on everybody at looking at what their HIV status is.”

She explained that covid led to people becoming more comfortable with general testing procedures: “People find that’s part of normality now, and this is just another part of our health which needs to be taken care of.”

“We see lots of people across the board, but we have had

unfortunate comments online of some people asking ‘why would I test, I’m not gay and I don’t use needles.’

“We’re seeing wide demographics testing – and literally anyone can be affected by HIV.”

She continued: “We’ve just introduced a new element of testing, so people can either come into the community, as some like to be able to ask questions and speak to somebody when they do.

“For some, that’s their worst nightmare, they want to do it at home – so we’re still offering postal testing.”

Postal testing sees patients collecting samples at home which are sent off for testing elsewhere, and then they are sent their results.

“But we’re offering full home testing now – it’s the same test,

but you can do it and get the results in your own home, with a fact sheet explaining simply what to do.

“It’s so easy that there isn’t an excuse any more.”

She also thanked the public health teams in Reading, Wokingham, and across Berkshire: “They have spearheaded this and it was sorely needed.

“It’s been a smashing success.”

Thames Valley Positive Support is carrying out more community testing for around six weeks.

For about where to get access to free testing available by contacting TVPS via email at office@tvps.org.uk, by calling 01628 603400, or by Whatsapp message to 07853 951836.

n For more information, visit: www.tvps.org.uk

Sue Amer, client support at TVPS, and Jessica Harding, deputy CEO of TVPS, at a community testing session and, below, a guide to what the kit results mean Picture: Jake Clothier

MP challenges PM on ‘legal but harmful’ online content

By JAKE CLOTHIER jclothier@rdg.today

READING East MP Matt Rodda accused the Prime Minister of “letting tech companies off the hook” following changes to the Online Safety Bill.

The bill aims to make provisions for regulation of internet services such as social media sites and communications services, and is currently in the committee stage in the House of Lords.

Recent amendments to the bill have seen specific parts designed to tackle online content which is deemed harmful but not unlawful dropped from the proposals.

The clauses were replaced with a “triple shield” proposal which will require online platforms to give users themselves options to “reduce the likelihood” of certain types of content appearing on the platforms.

Current iterations of the proposals do not require these “triple shield” measures to be activated automatically.

It follows campaigns by Olly Stephens’s father, Stuart Stephens, in which he was joined by Mr Rodda in calling for the government to hold social media companies responsible for harmful content shared.

Mr Rodda raised the issue during Prime Minister’s Questions in Parliament on Wednesday, March 8, citing cases such as the murder of Olly Stephens as examples of the harm that “legal but harmful” content can cause.

Mr Rodda said: “My constituent, Olly Stephens, was just 13-years-old when he was stabbed and brutally murdered in a local park, just yards from his home.

“The two boys who attacked him had shared dozens of pictures of knives online before the attack.

“So can the Prime Minister explain to me why the government’s removed the measures to tackle this sort of dreadful content from the Online Safety Bill?”

Mr Sunak responded by saying: “I’m very sorry to hear about the case that the

honourable gentleman raises and my thoughts are with Olly’s family.

“He’s absolutely right that we should do everything we can to tackle the scourge of knife crime, and that’s why, for instance, this government brought forward new powers to improve police’s use of stop and search.”

Mr Sunak said that these powers had seen a “major difference” and that “violent crime is down considerably over the last few years.”

The PM said that the safety bill went “further than any other country has gone to make

Pizza restaurant go-ahead

TILEHURST will get a new pizza takeaway restaurant after planning permission was granted, despite concerns from neighbours.

Vesuvio Pizzeria is to open in the former Coral Betting Shop on Norcot Road.

Its owners had submitted a licensing application to Reading Borough Council to sell food and drink indoors and outdoors until 2am, and sell alcohol from 11am to 11.30pm, seven days a week.

Residents raised potential noise disturbance, anti-social behaviour and an intensification of traffic in the area.

Fiona Conroy said: “The risk of possible damage, violence, anti-social behaviour is increased by introducing a considerable number of people, late at night and having been in an environment where alcohol is involved, is not an acceptable risk for existing residents.

“Generally, any activity involving increased numbers of people, vehicles, and alcohol after 11.30pm is not appropriate for a residential area.”

Fellow neighbours Jenny Trist and Claire Foxon argued the

pizzeria should close at 11pm, in line with the closure of nearby pub The Victoria, which calls time at 11pm Sunday to Thursday and midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.

An objection was also lodged by a council planning officer, who asked whether Vesuvio had permission to convert the shop.

The council gave consent under application reference 200766, although the planning status of the building is not entirely certain.

The licensing applications committee meeting on Thursday, March 2, approved the food and drink request with no alterations, with the decision being made by councillors Paul Woodward (Labour, Church), Glenn Dennis (Labour, Kentwood) and Liam Challenger (Labour, Katesgrove).

Cllr Dennis stated the firm would use the rear of the building.

“There will be no impact on residents at the front, as all deliveries will be conducted from the back,” he said. “We saw no reason why they couldn’t open.”

He added that the business was in touch with the council’s planning department to resolve any lingering issues.

sure we are protecting children online.”

He also said that the bill had been “praised” by the children’s commissioner.

Following the exchange, Mr Rodda said: “In PMQs I asked the Prime Minister why the Government has removed ‘legal but harmful’ content from the Online Safety Bill.

“The Government’s removal of ‘legal but harmful’ content ultimately fails our children and lets tech companies off the hook for hosting harmful content.”

He explained: “The boys who murdered my 13 year old constituent, Olly Stephens, shared dozens of pictures of knives before attacking him.

“Images which glamorise knives and knife crime are examples of ‘legal but harmful content’, which we should be protecting children from.”

Despite Sunak’s assurance that he would be “happy to look at the specific issue [Rodda] mentions,” Mr Rodda said that the Prime Minister “could not explain to me why ‘legal but harmful’ provisions were removed, or reassure me that they will be returned.”

The Online Safety Bill is now undergoing the committee stage in the House of Lords, which will see it subjected to ‘line-by-line’ scrutiny.

The findings will be laid out in the report stage before it sees a third and final reading in the Lords.

n Full details about the bill can be found online via: bills.parliament. uk/bills/3137

HELP: Those who have fed red kites are being invited to offer their thoughts in a University of Reading study. Picture: Jack

BIRD LOVERS are being called upon for a study conducted by researchers at the University of Reading.

A Wellcome Trust-funded project, in collaboration with the University of Roehampton, is seeing experts investigate the feeding of red kite feeding trends in the town to better understand the impacts on them, humans and the environment.

Reading has long been known as a town of red kite lovers, and the research team wants to see if that is still the case. They will be conducting interviews with residents, asking about the birds’ health and feeding habits.

Juliette Waterman, a University of Reading research student, said: “Red kites were extinct in England before they were reintroduced in 1989.

Since then, research tells us that Reading loves red kites. A 2015 study estimated that up to one in twenty households said they had fed red kites, meaning more than 140 red kites were fed each day.

“It’s been eight years since that study and we want to know what’s changed since then – are residents still feeding red kites on the same scale?

“Are people more or less favourable towards red kites now than they were in 2015?

“You can help us answer these questions and find out more about our relationships with red kits by taking part in our survey.”

n Those who feed red kites, or have done so in the past, and are interested in being interviewed, can take part in this survey: s.surveyplanet.com/5b6sdp7o

Are you missing out on a benefit worth £370/month?

The cost-of-living crisis means that it’s more important than ever to make sure you are receiving all the government benefits that you are entitled to. Let me show you how you might be able to get regular financial assistance to help you remain independent in your own home for as long as you wish.

Attendance Allowance is paid to people who have reached state pension age if they have a disability or health condition. Exactly how much someone receives depends on how their condition affects them, and there are two weekly rates. A lower rate of £61.85/week is paid if you need help during the day, and you may receive up to £92.40/week if you have health issues that disrupt your sleep. That’s up to £370/month tax-free. It’s not means-tested, and it doesn’t matter where you live, or if you have savings.

Attendance Allowance - Who can claim it?

I offer an initial free 30-minute confidential consultation to allow us to assess whether we can help and for you to decide if you’d like help. If we both agree that claiming Attendance Allowance is right for you, then we will look after you every step of the way.

Attendance Allowance is also known as a ‘gateway benefit’ as other benefits and opportunities are opened once you start to receive it.

We complete all the necessary forms and explain the process of claiming in straightforward, plain English so that you understand everything and are in complete control.

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POINT: Matt Rodda, MP for Reading East, speaking at Prime Minister’s Questions in Parliament on Wednesday, March 8, as he questions the removal of ‘legal but harmful’ clauses in the Online Safety Bill

Lucas Smith via Unsplash

READING’S roads have been named the fourth worst in the country, according to a recent study.

Experts at Bill Plant Driving School have assessed the condition of major roads in local authorities across the UK, and found that almost one in 10 are in poor condition in Reading.

Using road conditions in England data, factors such as highway and transport expenditure and roads requiring maintenance were taken into account.

Road Condition Indicator (RCI) scores above 100 suggests roads are likely to be in poor condition and may require maintenance in the next year. Nine per cent of Reading’s A-reds fall into this ‘red’ category.

Only Nottingham (10%), Southend-onSea (11%) and Derbyshire (20%) had a higher percentage of red roads.

A Reading Borough Council spokesperson said: “The council is fully committed to improving road surfaces across the borough, highlighted by the recent completion of a £9 million residential roads and pavements programme that saw over a third of residential roads resurfaced.

“An additional £8 million council investment in surfacing improvements, alongside Department for Transport grant funding, will begin shortly.

“A focus on Reading’s A roads is already in progress, with over 80 sections of main roads completed in the last two years, another 40 set to be resurfaced in spring and up to another 40 to be addressed in late summer.

“The investment has seen a dramatic improvement in overall road conditions with a huge improvement in residential roads from 35% green (good condition) to 77% green, and we are expecting major roads to improve as a result of the upcoming programme.

“Pothole repairs have decreased dramatically from 3,644 in 2021 to 899 in 2022, and the annual National Highways & Transport MORI Residents Satisfaction Surveys for 2022 showed 141 national indicators in Reading being above average and 90 indicators improving.

“The Council is responding to residents’ desire for improved road surfaces, and Reading’s roads are constantly being improved and upgraded for them.”

RCI scoring below 40 are declared to be in good, or ‘green’ condition. The study showed that 95% of A-roads in Redcar and Cleveland were classed as green, the most in the UK, followed by Halton, Sheffield and Enfield (89%).

Across the 117 councils, it was found that highway expenditure came out to an average of £90 per head.

Data confirmed that the majority of areas with roads in poor condition are spending more than the average - only Derbyshire, Bradford, Telford and Wrekin and Surrey are spending less than the £90 mark.

n Findings from Bill Plant Driving School’s research can be found here: www.billplant.co.uk/blog/ englands-best-roads/

Brewery tackles head-on with

By JAKE CLOTHIER jclothier@rdg.today

A BERKSHIRE brewery is tackling sexism and discrimination in the industry head-on with its brand new brew.

Brave Noise pale ale is the latest beer produced by Elusive Brewing as part of a global collaborative project seeking to provide inclusive and safe environments for women, LGBTQ+ people, and BIPOC members of the brewing community.

Brave Noise is also the name of an initiative which seeks to ensure equality in the brewing industry, sparked by a social media post asking members of the brewing community about their experiences with sexism.

It aims to create a safe industry free from discrimination, and has led to the creation of a range of beers under the Brave Noise banner and recipe.

Elusive’s own offering will also go to fund the training of wellness officers at The Coven, an organisation which sees safeguarding officers attending beer festivals.

PATIENTS, staff and visitors to the Royal Berkshire Hospital can enjoy pacing up and down the corridors, not out of boredom, but a love of art.

Members of the Reading Guild of Artists is holding its annual charity art exhibition, with the Craven Road healthcare centre turned into a gallery.

Among those who have work on show include Kerry Webb, a recent ‘wild card’ contestant on Sky Arts Landscape Artist of the Year.

Sukhu Sidhu, voluntary services manager at the RBH, says she looks forward to exhibitions as the art is of the highest standard.

And The RGA’s Exhibition Secretary, Trish Roberts, knows that

eye-catching art works displayed well cannot fail to lift the spirits of NHS staff, as well as visitors who find themselves at the Royal Berkshire Hospital.

The show opened last week, and runs all the way through to Saturday, April 29.

All the pieces on show, on the second floor link corridor and in the maternity block, have been created by the art group, and are also fore sale.

For each one sold, 25% of the price will go to the Royal Berks Charity, which helps the hospital.

n Further information on the Reading Guild of Artists, can be found by visiting http://www.rga-artists.org.uk/

A taste of sunshine

THE wet and wintry start to March means many of us are dreaming of blue skies, warm weather and sunny days. While we can’t guarantee that, there is a little bit of sunshine being served in a Reading restaurant this month.

Honest Burgers’ March special is The California Burger.

Inspired by the sun and surf of the Golden State, it comprises not one but two smashed patties, with a brown butter blended into the burger sauce, which the company says gives a juicier bite.

And alongside the beef, there are helpings of American cheese, bacon, tomato, lettuce, grilled onions, pickles and an American mustard.

Adam Layton, Honest Burgers, Head of Food, said: “When you think of burgers in LA, you think of this one. It’s an icon. We’ve made a few nip/tucks (so California) including a decadent brown butter burger sauce, adding bacon, and smashing the beef with American mustard for an extra delicious sear.

“As specials go, it’s my Out-N-Out favourite.”

It is the first special in its Smashed by Honest menu, and is served with its rosemary salted chips for dine-ins and collection, and costs £14.50, or £15.50 with a side when ordered via Uber Eats. But be warned, much like the British summer, it’s only around for a short time.

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

The brewery is also bringing back its annual Women’s Day Home Brew Project, which encourages women and supporters of women’s equality to brew their own beers and to compare them at a bottle share event in Bristol.

The project is a collaboration between the brewery, Good Chemistry Brewing, Lallemand Brewing, and BarthHaas X, and sees a new oatmeal stout name No True Measure also brought to shelves.

Elusive’s managing director, Ruth Mitchell, said: “There has been much talk about the issues faced by women and minorities in the beer industry over the past few years but very little action, especially in the UK.

“All too often people are outraged by the stories shared but then don’t do anything to improve things, and when they are no longer the hot topic, people move on.

“I am incredibly proud that by taking part in Brave Noise we are making a stand as a company, and doing something to help to make a real positive difference to our industry.”

She also explained: “The beer industry is on the whole a wonderful, inclusive, encouraging and supportive one, but the overwhelming reaction to Brianne’s question shows that we still have a way to go.

“So far, 15 of the 2,000-plus breweries in the UK have brewed or

READING FC might not be great at away games, but home is definitely where the heart is this season. And a new survey has found it’s pretty safe for fans too.

Website scams.info anaylased more than 70 million crime and antisocial reports within 1km of football stadiums across the country.

It found that there were, on average, just 0.10 incidents per 100 matchday fans at the Select Car Leasing Stadium, making it the fourth safest stadium in the country.

The safest, with 0.04 incident per 100 attendees, is the Amex – home to Brighton and Hove Albion.

The Amex Stadium has an average of 445,037 annual attendants and 180 yearly incidents, making its crime rate extremely rare.

There are 95% fewer crimes than in the vicinity of Selhurst Park (0.95 per 100), home to one of Brighton’s biggest rivals, Crystal Palace.

In second place is Manchester United’s Old Trafford with just 0.06 incidents per 100 attendants, on average. Old Trafford has an average of 1,418,806 yearly attendants making it the largest stadium in the UK.

This is 60% fewer crimes than within 1km of the Etihad Stadium (0.15 per 100), home to United’s derby rivals Manchester City.

In joint third place is Bolton Wanderers’ Bolton Stadium and Wycombe Wanderers’ Adams Park with 0.09 incidents per 100 attendants, on average.

This is 76% fewer than Liverpool’s Anfield Stadium with 0.39 incidents per 100, on average.

At the other end of the scale, Mourneview Park Stadium home to Glenavon in Northern Ireland has 13.44 anti-social incidents per 100 attendants, the highest of all stadiums analysed.

ON SHOW: Kerry Webb with her oil painting Archirondel Tower, Jersey

Why the corridors of the RBH are a hotspot for art

CHALLENEG: Elusive Brewery is tackling sexism initiative. Picture: Louis Hansel, via Unsplash

TASTE OF SUNSHINE: The California Burger at Honest Burgers this March Picture: Steve Ryan

Watching Reading is a safe experience for fans

Reading’s roads are ... well ...

tackles inequality with Brave Noise

pledged to brew a Brave Noise beer – there is still time to sign up and we really hope that more breweries join us to help make a great, big, brave noise.”

She said that progress was moving “slowly,” but explained in a blog post: “If you think beer should be safe and discrimination free – and I really, really hope you do – what can you do to make things better?

“Buy this beer, or any Brave Noise beer, follow Brave Noise and The Coven, who we’re donating to,

The average attendance at Mourneview Park is just 9,360, which makes the average of 1,258 yearly incidents seem very high.

In comparison, Coleraine Showgrounds Stadium, home to Glenavon’s rivals, Coleraine FC, have just 3.54 incidents per 100 people.

This is 73% fewer crimes than at Glenavon.

Aiden Howe from Scams.info said: “Away games involve going to the other teams’ home turf which means heightened risk of being the target of football

WHITLEY WAY BACK WHEN Whitley

Wood’s RAF site remembered

and support the other breweries who have brewed for the project.”

Elusive’s Brave Noise is being stocked in a number of Reading outlets, including The Grumpy Goat, The Alehouse, The Greyfriar, The Castle Tap, and The Fox and Hounds in Caversham, subject to availability.

n Information about Elusive Brewing is available via: elusivebrewing.com

n More information about the Brave Noise initiative is available via: bravenoisebeer.com

WHITLEY WOOD residents may be living in homes once occupied by the RAF’s elite.

This seemingly innocuous photograph of Whitley Wood Road from the 1970s shows Wentworth Avenue on the right and RAF houses on the left, which still remain today.

The site also featured a NAFFI services shop and Deadmans Lake, where residents recalled seeing newts and other pond life.

Whitley Community Museum’s curator David Turner suggested it might be hard for some to believe that the ward was home to high office RAF personnel, including the flight sergeant.

The museum’s curator, David Turner, said: “I personally have always had a keen interest in the RAF site in Whitley as I worked at The Museum of English Rural Life at Whiteknights Park in 1967.

“The museum was housed in Whiteknights House but for storage of the farm wagons were in abandoned buildings. These buildings in Whiteknights Park were actually the original RAF site before moving to Whitley.

“Little is written about this fact

SAFE SPACE: Select Car Leasing Stadium is home to Reading FC and, according to new research, one of the best places to watch the beautiful game without fear of crime

but, for me, it is important local history.”

The site stretched over a large area between Whitley Wood Road, Whitley Wood Lane and the boundary with the M4.

The main camp, described as an “imposing building” adorned with cream coloured corrugated iron and a large RAF crest, can be seen from Shinfield Road.

With more than 4,800 followers on Facebook, the Whitley Community Museum is an accessible 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

POETRY CORNER

When I Was A Child

When I was a child

Life was cosiness, rosiness and warm I wasn’t planning far ahead –But I was doing no harm –The days drifted slowly by And each was daffodil fresh and new Every day I was greeted by a wonderland

Where the sun always shone And the sky was always blue

related violence.

“Be careful when walking around wearing your team’s kit in areas where rowdy home fans are likely to accumulate.

“Large crowds also attracts petty theft as it allows anonymity for pickpockets, so make sure your bags are zipped and not left unattended, avoid flashing cash or expensive items in public making you a target for criminals.”

n The full data can be accessed at: www. scams.info/blog/player-protection/ukfootball-stadiums-highest-rates-crime/

My mind was never cluttered with numbers

That I would rarely use I always knew where I was going to And I never felt confused Used or abused

And then … and then … at 10 Abused. Used. Confused.

A child no more,

But thanks to God’s good grace and prayers

Although damaged, I was able to work through the strife,

Leave the pain and the past behind, Allow the travail of change

To lead to a fresh new life

And I not only survived and thrived I forgave and accepted.

I hope this might help some fellow strugglers.

PAUL FARMER

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

TORQUAY, SOUTH DEVON & Dartmoor National Park

Departing Mon 29 May ‘23

With its palm trees and golden beaches, Torquay is the perfect location to enjoy a seaside getaway in the heart of the English Riviera.

Your break includes

 Return coach travel from Reading

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

 Entertainment some evenings

 Scenic drive through Dartmoor National Park

 Cruise on the River Dart

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

Optional excursion to Brixham & Teignmouth (£13pp)

5 Days by Coach ly £299

HOLY ISLAND, DURHAM

& Alnwick Castle

Departing Thu 15 Jun ‘23

Northumberland is home to rugged scenery, iconic landmarks and unspoilt seascapes. From our base in Newcastle, we explore Alnwick Castle, one of Britain’s most impressive castles, the Holy Island of Lindisfarne, and visit the famous Angel of the North.

Your break includes

 Return coach travel from Reading

 2 nights at the Leonardo Hotel, Newcastle Gateshead Quays with dinner & breakfast

 Excursions to the Holy Island of Lindisfarne & Alnwick Castle

 En-route visits to the Angel of the North & Durham

Single To advertise, call 0118 327 2662 Thursday, March 16, 2023 READINGTODAY.ONLINE 29

3 Days by Coach

ly £199

Single WPR_2023-03-13_ReadingToday_33x2 (1)_Just Go or visit justgoholidays.com/WPR 03332 342 527 Quote WPR

FALL IN: This photograph from the 1970s was taken from Whitley Wood Road, with Wentworth Avenue on the right and RAF houses on the left. Picture courtesy of the Whitley Community Museum

sexism and discrimination in the industry head-on with its new brew as part of the Brave Noise

IF YOU haven’t tried the food from Tutu’s Ethiopian Table yet you are missing out.

One of Reading’s treasures, it originally started from RISC’s kitchens, before moving to Palmer Park.

It is a real jewel in our crown, and Tutu’s sauces can be bought for a home cooked treat.

But the business is, like many, under threat due to the rising costs of inflation, raw materials and the energy prices. Businesses are not protected like consumers are and bills are rising sharply. We can do our bit. Even just popping in to Tutu’s to have a coffee, buy a slice of cake, will keep people in work and her cafe alive. Shop local - or we’ll lose a Reading institution.

CHURCH NOTES

Jaw jaw is always better than war war

It is now a year since the start of Russian President Putin’s “special military operation” in Ukraine.

Alongside the hideous hike in gas prices, maybe we have also been gas-lighted by the relentless demonisation of Russia.

The Ukrainian war can be seen as the result of US/Western policies, namely the aim of turning Ukraine into a client state.

The war did not begin when the Russian military rolled in on February 24, 2022. It was a USbacked coup in 2014 that tipped Ukraine into civil war.

Ukraine’s 2019 constitution had pledges to both NATO and EU membership.

US and NATO forces carried out joint exercises with the Ukrainian military. Russia’s incursion can be, not justified, but at least understood, as a defensive pushback against the prospect of a territory that had been part of Russia for centuries being absorbed into hostile alliances.

SHARING food is about so much more than just giving someone something to eat. It’s a way of spending time with people and as we spend that time eating together we share our hopes and fears.

It is also a way of showing love. Parents demonstrate their love by making family meals day after day, month after month and year after year.

Mother’s Day may have started as an opportunity for people working away to return to their Mother church on the fourth Sunday of Lent but it became a day where children could show their appreciation for their mothers by making the meals all day to give their mothers a day off cooking.

When one of my sisters was going through a difficult time our Uncle Ahmed would show his love and support by sending her containers of his homemade curries so she always had a healthy meal in her freezer.

We also demonstrate our respect for the people we are sharing meals with by respecting their customs.

Although CCA is better known for its furniture and charity shops and the support services we provide to reduce furniture poverty in Reading, closing our Wednesday lunchtime drop-in centre at Caversham Baptist Church was probably the hardest part of the lockdown restrictions. That drop-in service put us in touch with people needing support in Reading in a very immediate way.

Re-opening in the refurbished church centre was welcomed by CCA as well as our lunch guests.

The cost of living crisis has increased the demand on both food banks and drop-in food services in Reading as it has across the UK.

Although there are a number of drop-ins already operating in Reading the need continues to grow so CCA are working with Park United Reform Church and will soon be opening a new drop-in at their church hall on the edge of Palmer Park.

To allow us to reach more widely we made a decision that all food served at the CCA Park drop-in will be halal and that there will always be vegetarian options.

Patricia Vella Interim CEO of CCA (CCAM.org.uk), writing on behalf of Churches Together in Reading

US President Biden let the cat out of the bag when he said that Mr Putin “cannot remain in power”.

Clearly, President Putin is not going to leave office as part of a peace deal.

So Washington and NATO are not even going through the motions of actually trying to end the war.

President Putin may have many faults, but perhaps he isn’t quite the Prince of Darkness that we have been led to believe.

David Akroyd, via email

Coronation oils

KING CHARLES is to be anointed with a special blend of olive oil from Jerusalem during the coronation. Will the king speak more sense after the anointing and who else needs the oil?

What about a good rub of the oil for Prince Andrew, if a suitable masseuse can be found, or even a dollop for the wayward Prince Harry? Might Boris Johnson or MP’s benefit from a rub, too?

Give ‘em porridge

People never get five years prison for cruelty to wildlife because the Magistrates are to lazy to send the guilty person or persons to crown court.

I say send the criminals to crown court to get five years of porridge.

Victor Rones, Bracknell

End veterans’ homelessness

Local councils work hard to prevent people from facing homelessness, so it’s worrying to see the latest figures which show a 26% rise in rough sleeping in England. Over 3,000 people are rough sleeping, and some will be former Armed Forces personnel.

Most people leaving the Forces make a smooth transition to civilian life, but sadly some fall through the net.

Every local authority in England has signed the Armed Forces Covenant that they’ll never be disadvantaged when accessing public services.

From the leader

Jason Brock

On the buses

BUSES have always been a source of pride in Reading, and rightly so. Pre-pandemic, national bus usage had been falling for some years, but an opposite story was true in Reading.

We were third highest in the country for bus trips per head of population (outside of London, beaten by only Brighton and Nottingham).

The pandemic lowered passenger numbers, with people changing their working patterns. It’s difficult to know how permanent this is, but I do know we are well-positioned in Reading to lead a local resurgence in bus travel.

Our town’s vast range of routes and priority corridors already serve existing bus passengers fantastically well, and at competitive prices too, well before the recent £2 flat fare national scheme was introduced.

I know I’m a bit of a broken record on this, but the Council’s incredible track record in bidding for external funding to the benefit local residents came true once more with a successful £26m bid for funding as part of our Bus Service Improvement Plan (or BSIP, as it’s known).

Ukraine was the culmination of decades of relentless NATO and EU expansion right up to Russia’s borders.

If a balloon was enough to cause a panic in the US, how was Russia supposed to react to hostile forces pitching up on its doorstep?

Jaw jaw is better than war war, as Winston Churchill once said.

In other words, if NATO Governments really cared about the Ukrainians, they would be seeking to end the carnage with a ceasefire and peace talks.

Instead, the policy seems to be to prolong the war to cause maximum harm to Russia.

VOLUNTEER CORNER

n Versus Arthritis was formed in 2018 following a merger of Arthritis Care and Arthritis Research UK. Whether you’re looking for information about arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions or you want to support family and friends, they can help.

They are seeking volunteers to help them deliver Chi Me courses to members of the public, Chi Me is a series of simple movements, linked together to create a gentle, flowing and easy to follow Tai Chi style class. You’ll be guiding people safely through a series of Chi Me movements and encouraging full participation.

Volunteers will participate in IT training to deliver sessions virtually as needed, you would be delivering Chi Me sessions on a rota basis either virtually or face to face as required.

n Berkshire Vision provides vital practical and friendly support, sport and activities to visually impaired children and adults, and their families in Berkshire.

The Church of England is blighted by multiple evangelical abuse scandal cover ups.

In a reversal of the 1,000 year old coronation ritual, King Charles could rub oil onto Anglican Archbishops and Bishops.

The abuse of ministry trainees, plus a variety of other adults, has defiled Anglicanism.

No amount of ritual (with expensive oil or incense) can cover up the urgent need for effective adult safeguarding, fully independent of dioceses.

Conflicted bishops have disastrously self-policed for far too long and empty cathedrals tell a sad story.

James Hardy by email

Berkshire Vision wants more volunteers to help as a Telephone Befriender.

You will be calling members of Berkshire Vision who have signed up to the Telephone Befriending Scheme.

As a telephone befriender, you will be calling one or more members. The normal frequency is once per week, but some Members will ask to be called twice a week. Others prefer less frequent calls. The aim of your phone call is to provide a friendly chat. You will ask the Member about their week, and prompt conversation topics when necessary.

n Sue Ryder supports people through the most difficult times of their lives. Whether that’s a terminal illness, the loss of a loved one or a neurological condition, they’re there when it matters. They are looking for volunteers that have a fully insured vehicle with a valid MOT certificate and have a current, clean driving licence to

It can be challenging to identify and support veterans. That’s why the No Homeless Veterans campaign was set up. It provides councils and housing associations with toolkits and training, packed with practical advice and best practice examples (www. NoHomelessVeterans.org.uk).

Our Armed Forces offer a dedicated service to us and our country. It’s our duty to support them.

Cllr David Fothergill, Chair of the Local Government Association’s Community Wellbeing Board

Air Vice-Marshal Ray Lock CBE, Chair of Stoll Housing, which runs the No Homeless Veterans campaign

be a Volunteer Driver for their members in the Duchess of Kent Hospice area.

As a Volunteer Driver with Sue Ryder you’ll be helping provide incredible care to people with lifelimiting illness and their families and carers. You will be providing reliable, safe transportation to and from the Sue Ryder care centre and/or enable people to access services in the community.

Over the coming years, we plan to put this money to good use – pumping further investment into Reading’s bus services through a range of local initiatives to benefit Reading’s residents and passengers.

When you think of buses in Reading, you would naturally think of Reading Buses.

The company remains in Council ownership, much to the envy of other towns and cities across the UK that have seen their bus services sold off to private operators and with a raft of service cuts.

Although Reading Buses is the dominant operator in our town by a long distance, there are other services too and a key feature of our improvement plan is that the benefits will span bus services delivered by companies from right across the Greater Reading catchment area.

The first big advantage of this collective approach is that we are able to launch our BSIP scheme with a new ‘multi-operator’ day ticket.

You can now buy a ‘Reading All-Bus’ ticket for an initially reduced rate of £3.50 on bus (or £3.40 from any of the bus companies’ apps). The adult day ticket will allow travel on all bus services in the Greater Reading Area for the rest of the day.

This will be a particular benefit in places like Caversham – served by three companies – where the new multi-operator ticket will mean anyone catching the bus can hop on the first one to arrive. Cheaper fares for residents during a cost of living crisis is just one of a range of benefits.

Others include developing the Park & Ride service to the Royal Berkshire Hospital and University (as well as enhancing Mereoak Park & Ride itself); better bus shelters and real-time passenger information displays; extensions to the Buzz 42 service and South Reading services; new bus priority corridors across the borough to further speed up journey times and improve reliability; and giving passengers more of a say through the creation of a ‘Passenger Charter’.

Reading remains a major economic player in the south east, and the opportunities on offer means our population will no doubt continue to increase. This growth comes with more pressure on the town’s limited road network.

It means we have to use existing road space in the most effective and sustainable way possible, which will also help the town work towards its ambitious net zero carbon targets by 2030.

By investing heavily in further improvements for passengers, we hope even more people in our town will come to realise there’s never been a better time to be on the buses.

Cllr Jason Brock is the leader of Reading Borough Council

n Take a look at our new Reading Volunteer Connect platform for details of these and many more opportunities to volunteer via our website, www.rgneeds.me. Want to get in touch? Drop us an email at volunteering@rva.org.uk or call 0118 937 2273.

Sharing food is more than just feeding someone

Shop local – they need your money

Cllr

Cancel the birthday cake – traffic lights are about to be repaired

EXCLUSIVE

By PHIL CREIGHTON news@rdg.today

CANCEL the cake – a set of traffic lights on a busy Reading road that have been out of action for nearly a year won’t be marking its first birthday after all. But it could add to traffic misery on the A4 London Road.

Last July, a collision at the junction of London Road with Cholmeley Road in Newtown saw the system get knocked down. And because they are old technology, getting replacements arranged has been difficult.

Instead, temporary lights have been used, and residents say they constantly fail, especially at weekends, meaning the junction becomes a give way section.

The problem has been compounded by the ongoing works to repaint the railway bridge by Suttons Seeds roundabout, causing long delays for residents trying to get out of Newtown.

But the green light is at the end of the tunnel, according to Cllr Tony Page, the lead councillor for climate strategy and transport at Reading

Borough Council, who said work will start on Monday.

As the lights are on the A4 London Road, the work could mean additional delays for motorists already stuck in queues lasting up to an hour as they try and navigate the repainting works on the railway bridge.

But the council is confident any impact will be minimal.

A spokesperson told Reading Today: “The ducting works were all completed over the last two weekends so disruption was

greatly reduced.

“The majority of installing the signals and pulling the cables will not affect the running lanes but, if they do, then short traffic controls will be used to reduce any impact.”

At a council meeting held late last month, Park ward councillor and leader of the opposition, Cllr Rob White, raised the issue, telling the chamber that he had been told the lights would be replaced before Christmas.

He asked: “Residents

Man convicted of sexual assault and intentional strangulation

A MAN has been convicted of sexual assault and intentional strangulation following an incident in Reading.

Adam Gerezgher, 28 and of no fixed abode, was found guilty by unanimous verdict of one count of sexual assault, one count of intentional strangulation, and one count of committing an offence with intent to commit a sexual offence.

He is due to appear at Reading Crown Court for sentencing on Wednesday, May 10.

At around 1am on Saturday, October 8, last year, a woman

Spring style event at John Lewis

DEPARTMENT store John Lewis is offering a relaxing spring experience for mothers this weekend.

ON THEIR WAY OUT:

The temporary lights at the junction of London Road with Cholmeley Road will be fixed from Monday

Picture: Phil Creighton

frequently raise problems with the temporary traffic lights not working and causing hazards.

“Would the lead councillor like to apologise and what is his updated view on when new traffic lights will be installed?”

Cllr Page said the equipment used “had started to become obsolete” and the council was therefore investing in ‘proactive’ junction upgrades.

“This is very costly and will be prioritised at those locations that are developing a greater number of faults,” he warned.

“The road traffic incident that led to much of the equipment at this site being destroyed, including the complex control unit, was clearly unforeseen, and has necessitated the redesign and complete technical refresh in an unscheduled way.”

He said while work had been undertaken, the council had faced supply chain issues caused in part by covid and the illegal invasion of Ukraine, as well as engineering difficulties.

“An example of this is that, since initial investigation works were undertaken, there have been ducting collapses which will necessitate excavation of London Road – a traffic sensitive undertaking at the best of times,” he said.

“These duct repair works will commence imminently, which will allow installation of the new traffic signal equipment. It is expected that the signal replacement works will commence in the week commencing March 20, following completion of the duct repair works.

“While the delay in reinstatement is regretful, temporary traffic signals have been in place to assist local residents and the wider travelling public.”

Just in time for Mothering Sunday, mums can be treated to tea, scones, and a glass of bubbly, as well as a style talk from the store’s personal stylists.

Beauty brands Lancome and Clarins will also be putting on demonstrations and sharing tips and tricks with their ranges, Tickets are £10 per person, which includes a gift bag, available by visiting customer support in-store or contacting: marketing.reading@johnlewis. co.uk

Abbey licence

READING’S historic Abbey Quarter could host more outdoor events if a new licence is granted by the council.

T&M Leisure Reading Limited has submitted the application, and is to host outdoor entertainment and sell alcohol there from 9am to 10.30pm over the weekend from Friday to Sunday.

It covers the area around the Abbey ruins, and includes Chestnut Walk and the Kennetside towpath.

The deadline for comments is Monday, March 27. They can be emailed to: licensing@ reading.gov.uk

in her late teens was walking along London Road when she was grabbed from behind by Gerezgher.

He put his arm around the victim’s neck and touched her chest inappropriately over her clothing.

The victim shouted for help from nearby members of the public and was able to run away from Gerezgher, sustaining minor injuries to her neck and face.

Gerezgher was arrested on Tuesday, October 18, and charged two days later.

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Rachel

Belsher, based at Reading police station, said: “I am pleased that Gerezgher has been convicted of these offences.

“I’d like to thank the victim for her bravery in coming forward and for her support throughout the investigation.

“I’d also like to thank the two members of the public who helped the victim, they may well have prevented this from being a more serious incident.

“Thames Valley Police take such reports seriously and will work tirelessly to bring offenders to justice.”

Getting to the bottom of beans

SCIENTISTS at the University of Reading have featured in the magazine Nature after identifying the 13 billion base genome of the faba bean – four times that of humans.

Researchers from Europe and Australia, led by Reading, Aarhus University and the University of Helsinki saw their large scale sequencing project included on March 8.

The achievement has been described as “extraordinary” by the university, and their efforts will be crucial to breeding beans with optimum nutritional content and

sustainability production.

The project to fully decode the genome went on to test out its usefulness by searching for genes involved in seed size.

Prof Donal O’Sullivan, who led the team, said: “Having shown that we can quickly pinpoint genes controlling these visible seed traits, work is already underway to locate and identify precise genetic differences that control hidden seed characteristics that determine its nutritional value.”

“We want to produce beans that are higher in essential amino acids as well as lower in

antinutrients, such as phytate, which binds micronutrients and reduces absorption. Having the genome sequence will accelerate this process considerably.”

The university has been working on nutritional improvements, largely through a project to increase UK-grown pulse consumption. It hopes to incorporate faba bean flour into the white loaf.

Faba beans are naturally high in protein, fibre and iron. They grow well in this country but are mostly fed to animals to produce meat and milk.

In association with Blandy & Blandy Victory in Knotweed case ‘could lead to more claims’

A DECISION to allow a homeowner compensation from a local authority when Japanese Knotweed spread from a cycle track to his garden could lead to more claims, according to a legal expert.

Reading-based solicitor Jonathan Dinsdale (pictured), who works for Blandy & Blandy in its dispute resolution team, warns the judge’s view could see the floodgates open on similar cases.

Japanese Knotweed is a serious problem due to the fact that land which is contaminated by the plant and its rhizomes requires significant remedial measures, including disposing of top soil as a hazardous waste.

On February 3, Judge Beard ruled that despite Bridgend Council providing an effective treatment programme to remove knotweed from the site owned by Marc Davies, it had led to additional

problems for the homeowner.

This included a reduction in the value of his property, as he was unable to carry out landscaping works, or erect a shed or building in his garden.

Mr Dinsdale said:

“Although the damages successfully claimed are nominal, this judgment potentially allows the floodgates to open against local councils which have allowed Japanese Knotweed to escape from their land.

“Counsel for Mr Davies confirmed the importance of the Court of Appeal decision saying that, iIt confirms that a homeowner who suffers a loss in the value of their home from the stigma left from Japanese Knotweed even after it has been treated, can recover damages for that loss’.”

It is reported that legal fees for Bridgend Council were in the region of £300,000.

n For further information, log on to: www.blandy.co.uk

Age-friendly employer extends income protection benefit to up to 70 years

A READING-based law firm is extending its income protection scheme to all its colleagues, up to the age of 70.

Osborne Clarke says it was one of the first legal businesses to sign the Centre for Ageing Better’s Age-friendly Employer Pledge, and is introducing the benefit from April 1. At the moment the policy stops at 65.

It is a core benefit that the firm provides at no cost to all its employees. Colleagues qualify for membership provided that they are at least 16.

And this fits in with its commitment to being an agefriendly employer, committing to take at least one specific action each year to improve the recruitment, retention and development of workers over 50.

One of its Age Network champions, Danielle Kingdon (pictured), was instrumental in bringing about the policy change.

“Unfortunately covid has made us all very aware that the

Equity deals in the south east drop by nearly a fifth

By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokingham.today

THE UK might have avoided a recession, but research shows that equity deals across the south east have decreased by nearly a fifth last year.

The British Business Bank survey shows that smaller businesses in the south east dropped 8%, to a total investment of £1.1 billion in the first three quarters of 2022.

And year-on-year, the number of deals in the region decreased by 19%

However, the also report shows there has been a demand for external finance, with 36% of South East smaller businesses in the last three years sought or applied for external finance as businesses look to grow.

This figure could be influenced by the bounce

back loans the government introduced in the wake of the lockdown phase of the covid pandemic.

Since then the picture changes. The British Business Bank says there has been a drop in demand for finance: nationally, in the third quarter of 2022, just a third of smaller businesses were using external finance, compared to 44% the previous year.

In the south east, that was just 24% of small businesses,

CHANGE:

THE UK might have avoided a recession, but research shows that equity deals across the south east have decreased by nearly a fifth last year.

compared to 41% in 2021.

Gross lending grew despite fewer smaller businesses using finance, as they sought larger loans to support their business due to inflationary pressures.

And success rates for those seeking loans fell from 80% to 64% year-on-year.

For overall bank lending, £35.5bn came from challenger and specialist banks in 2022, with a total 55% share of the market. Across the UK gross bank lending increased by

12.8% in 2022, however net lending fell by £8.5bn in large part reflecting repayment of Covid loans.

Steve Conibear, UK Network Director, South and West of England at the British Business Bank, said:

“This report highlights the South East of England’s entrepreneurial spirit, with businesses continuing to show strong appetite for external finance, however they are clearly adapting to a challenging economic climate meaning many are reducing their use.

“At the British Business Bank, we are committed to supporting these businesses as they seek to achieve sustainable growth, and in turn boost economic productivity, by improving their access to external finance.”

Increase in people looking for new mortgages

IT SHOULDN’T really be a surprise after Trussonomics saw the Bank of England forced to raise interest rates from next to nothing to 4%, but across Berkshire people have been looking to remortgage.

New data from Better. co.uk shows that trying to find new mortgage rates is a priority, especially if people are coming to the end of their fixed rate deals, some of which will have been at historic low levels of under 2%.

unexpected can happen at any ti me to anyone. Having a plan in place to ensure you’re covered gives some peace of mind if you’re faced with a difficult health situation,” said Ms Kingdon.

She worked on the project with its head of reward, Sarah Underhill, who said: “Income protection is often considered an important part of good financial planning, ensuring people’s future well-being is protected if illness or injury prevents them from working for an extended period.”

The website said that comparing Google search data between November 2021 and November 2022, Reading has seen an +494% increase in searches for mortgage rates, with Bracknell, Slough and Luton seeing +556%, +529%, +700% respectively.

This tracks with the rest of the UK where overall searches surrounding mortgage rates have increased by +508%, up to 110,000 average

monthly searches.

And Better.co.uk says that nearly two thirds – 60% – of all mortgage rate searches have a negative sentiment.

Sam Amidi, head of mortgage sales at better. co.uk, said: “Mortgage rates could keep increasing in 2023 as the Bank of England attempts to manage inflation by raising its base rate.

“It’s been speculated that the base rate, could rise as high as 4.8% in Q3 of 2023.

“Mortgage rates may finally begin to decrease again in 2024.

“With mortgage rates on the rise and repayments becoming more costly, buyers should ensure they shop around for the right mortgage deal. Potential buyers should also consider that they put down as big a deposit as possible, as this will increase their access to better mortgage deals with lower interest rates.”

Sam said that those most affected would be first-time buyers hit by the cost of housing, expensive monthly payments and the cost-ofliving crisis, as well as those coming to the end of a low fixed term rate.

“Anyone fortunate enough to have locked into a low mortgage rate in the last few years will face the stark difference in interest rates when they go to remortgage,” they said.

“Rising interest rates will make it more expensive to borrow and difficult to secure an affordable mortgage deal. This may deter many homebuyers from looking to buy in the current market.

“It is also expected that house prices will drop, meaning that sellers may not get what they think their home is worth.”

n Better.co.uk says it has produced some advice, which can be found at: https://better. co.uk/press/uks-biggestmortgage-concerns

People are searching for new mortgage rates

Picture: Alexander Stein from Pixabay

Even the Maiwand Lion – the biggest of cats – needs a clean

By PHIL CREIGHTON news@rdg.today

ANY cat owner knows they like being clean – even Reading’s biggest cat of all, the Maiwand Lion.

The Forbury Gardens legend is currently being given a helping hand, thanks to specialist contractors Cliveden Conservation.

The team started work last week, and have been given a large to-do list to ensure the lion stays as the town’s mane attraction.

It includes removing the bronze plaques for cleaning, and stone repairs, as well as giving the plinth some attention. This includes wedding, cleaning and repointing.

And, they’ll be giving the statue itself a very thorough clean – even washing behind his ears.

So much so, even famous moggies like Garfield will approve of their handiwork, which is expected to take eight weeks.

To protect the public, and to give the lion some privacy while they attend to his delicate bits, special fencing and banners have been installed.

This conservation work follows

on from the series of High Street Heritage Action Zone (HSHAZ) funded monument cleaning and conservation that has been taking place since February around the town centre, with work being carried out on The Queen Victoria Jubilee Statue by Reading Town Hall, the Jubilee Cross and the Zinzan Tomb in St Mary’s churchyard, and the Simeon Monument in Market Place.

Cllr Adele Barnett-Ward, Reading’s Lead Councillor for Leisure and Culture, said she was pleased to see the work start, as she knew how much the lion means to people.

“The Maiwand Lion stands proudly in our much-loved Forbury Gardens and over the years the lion has come to mean so much more to the people of Reading beyond

Ten fascinating facts about the Maiwand Lion

n At the time of its unveiling, the Maiwand Lion was the biggest statue of a standing lion in the world

just its noble commemoration of those that died at the Battle of Maiwand.

“We all look forward to seeing the restored statue at the heart of this summer’s Forbury Garden’s festivities.

“This work also complements the great work we’ve been carrying out to conserve several of our most treasured monuments in the town centre.”

It’s not the only piece of restoration that’s being undertaken by the borough council in the park.

“Visitors to the Forbury Gardens will also notice the much-loved Forbury Bandstand is currently undergoing some conservation work to ensure it can be enjoyed by visitors to the gardens for generations to come,” Cllr BarnettWard said.

“It is temporarily closed and, over the coming months ,specialist conservation experts will be working to improve the stability of its structure.

“Once all the work is completed the final touch will be a fresh coat of paint in its original colours of white and green.”

n The statue commemorates the dead of the 66th (Berkshire) Regiment in the Afghan War (1879-81)

n The cast iron lion is 31ft from nose to tail and weighs approximately 16 tonnes

n It is an urban myth that the legs are incorrect

n The sculptor, George Blackall Simonds, based the lion on those in London Zoo.

n Simonds was a member of the family of local brewers, synonymous with Reading and also created the jubilee statue to Queen Victoria that stands in the Town Hall square today

n The lion statue was cast into nine separate pieces, then assembled on-site and lifted by a crane on to its plinth

n In the 1970s, there was a proposition to relocate the sculpture to Reading’s IDR, but it was rejected

n In 1992, the lion inspired the Reading Evening Post – our predecessor – to print an April Fool’s article stating that the Forbury Gardens were to become a zoological park

n Since 2003 it has also been possible to raise a glass to the Forbury Lion with his very own Loddon Brewery beer

n Reading Borough Council has produced a booklet detailing the history of the lion. Written by historians Mike Cooper, Katie Amos and Andrew Scott, it is available from Reading libraries, for £3 per copy, or for £2 the library can email a pdf version. For more details, visit a library, or email info@readinglibraries.org.uk

MANE ATTRACTION: The Maiwand Lion is currently being given a wash and brush-up Picture: Reading Borough Council

Woodley to welcome fun fair

A FUN FAIR is setting up in Woodley and will open its doors on Friday.

Beach’s will be in Woodford Park until Sunday, March 26, and organisers are promising it will be bigger and better than ever.

It is open from 5pm to 9pm on Fridays, 1pm to 9pm on Saturdays and 1pm to 8pm on Sundays. It is closed Monday to Thursday.

Rides are operated on a token basis, at £1.20 each, or 10 tokens for £10.

Entry is free.

Booze licence bid for new store

AN APPLICATION has been made to open a grocery store in Caversham, complete with an alcohol licence, writes James Aldridge, local democracy reporter

The former offices of Jennings in Prospect Street, at its junction with Chester Street, could house SS Groceries. The butchers closed in October 2020.

It has asked Reading Borough Council for permission to sell booze for consumption on and off the premises from 8am to 11pm daily.

The deadline for representations is Tuesday. Comments can be emailed to: licensing@reading.gov.uk

Council gives green light to Rowe Court replacement

By JAMES ALDRIDGE Local Democracy Reporter

THE SITE of an arson attack is set to be redeveloped following the demolition of the damaged buildings.

After 63 Rowe Court, Norcot, was burnt down in the incident which claimed the lives of two men, the building was left destroyed.

Following the demolition of what remained, Reading Borough Council has now green-lit proposals to rebuild on the site. The vote was at a planning committee meeting on Wednesday, March 1.

A replacement block of homes will be developed, containing 24 one-bedroom flats and studio apartments complete with balconies as part of a four-storey complex.

Jon Murch, a planning consultant and agent on behalf of the site’s developers, Davies Murch, said: “The owners of the properties have lost their homes through no fault of their own, the leases give them a right to ongoing ownership.”

He made assurances that: “Nothing could happen on the

site other than in accordance with those leases.”

The development is being funded through an insurance company after the previous building was deemed unsafe to remain following comprehensive fire damage.

Some residents have raised concerns about the new development, with Robert Macock, whose home is nearby, arguing that the new building would overlook into other private residences.

Councillors also raised concerns about the removal of a maple tree, but were assured that plans would include the planting of three more maple trees at the site.

Despite concerns about the building overlooking nearby residences, the council stated that the site was “considered a suitable distance for the development not to result in overbearing impacts or loss of light.”

Proposals include two options for balconies, with the option for one each at the front and rear of each flat, or just the front.

Councillors submitted plans with either option possible, as

they noted that they shared “concern with neighbours regarding the proposed introduction of rear balconies ... and the potential loss of privacy to the rear amenity spaces ... of Osbourne Road in particular.”

The committee report states: “Rear balconies at first and second floor level would result in direct and uninterrupted views into these neighbouring gardens when the balconies are in use, contrary to policy CC8.”

“As such, ‘option 2’ drawings, which see only balconies to serve the front flats proposed is recommended for approval by Officers as the omission of rear balconies would retain privacy for the occupiers of Osbourne Road.

“However, both sets of plans/ options have been put forward for member consideration.”

The notice of the council’s decision has been served to development agents, who will now move forward with planning approval.

n Full details about the proposals for the development are available via the council’s planning portal under the reference number 221693

Brookfields thanks Pangbourne Rotary Club for donation

A SPECIALIST school in Tilehurst has been brought to book thanks to a donation from Pangbourne Rotary Club.

The group has presented Brookfields School with £500.

The SEND school, which has nearly 250 pupils from age four to 18, said it will use the donation to buy books and some sensory teaching aids.

Pangbourne Rotary members Mal Sandham and Brian Davies

Wild activities planned for Dinton holiday club

YOUNGSTERS looking for an active Easter holiday can participate in Wild Days Holiday Club sessions at Dinton Pastures Country Park.

Children can enjoy two activities during each half day session, chosen from a wide range of land and water sports such as indoor climbing, archery, raft building, kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding.

Youngsters can also try out survival skills, crate stacking, and a Jacob’s ladder challenge.

And newly added this year is fencing.

Sessions are designed for all children aged eight to 13, and

Fresh plan for new homes on garden in Tilehurst

A FRESH plan has been submitted for to build two homes on the garden of Stoneham Close in Tilehurst. They would be semidetached and have two bedrooms, a bathroom on the first floor and an open plan kitchen and living room on the ground floor. The project would involve

take place every morning and afternoon during the school holidays.

Children attending morning and afternoon sessions need to bring a packed lunch.

The club takes place on weekdays from Monday, April 3 to Friday, April 14.

Sessions are from 9.30am to 12.30pm, and from 1.30pm to 4.30pm.

Each half day costs £30 until Saturday, April 1, when the cost rises to £32.

n For information and booking, visit: www. wokinghamcountryside.co.uk/ activities/holiday-clubs/wilddays

the demolition of a garage and outbuilding to create the plot.

The homes would have one car parking space, and one disabled space for a future occupant.

Previously, the owner had applied to construct one new building (planning reference 220943), with a two-bedroom flat at the ground floor and one bedroom flat on the first floor, however, that application was withdrawn.

To view the application, log on to Reading Borough Council’s planning website, and search for 230120.

said they were delighted to visit the school during World Book Day Week to see how the pupils were enjoying and benefiting from the books in the library.

Mr Davies said: “Pupils and staff thanked us for the donation, and Mal was pleased to inform them that the School will be a beneficiary charity of its annual Dragon Boat races in Pangbourne. “These take place on Saturday, June 10th, please save the date.”

Seminar offers top tips on public speaking

A MASTERCLASS in public speaking is coming to Reading town centre next week, with the session given by an expert with 50 years’ experience.

Rob Parsons from charity Care For The Family is leading the event on Thursday, March 23, at LifeSpring Church on Oxford Road.

The aim of the event is explore what connects with audiences, and how to make points in a way that works for them, be it an emotive, relational or practical message.

Mr Parsons says over the years, he has spoken to more than a million people, including multinational organisations, governments and church congregations, and in every setting, he knows how to create an authentic connection with those listening.

The session, at LifeSpring’s Pavilion base, will see him unpack methods that will help anyone grasp how to capture hearts, as well as minds.

The event starts at 7.30pm, and tickets cost from £8.

n For more details, log on to: www.careforthefamily.org.uk/ events/tourevents/heart-ofcommunication

SUPORT: Pangbourne Rotary Club presented a cheque for £500 to Brookfields SEND school in Tilehurst

Tough Mudders, walking and cakes helps suicide prevention charity

By PHIL CREIGHTON news@rdg.today

STAFF at a Reading-based housebuilder took on a Tough Mudder course and survived. The group walked and cycled 62 miles as they raised thousands of pounds for charity.

The employees from the Thames Valley section of Vistry – which builds homes under the Linden Homes and Bovis Homes brands – raised £7,000 in a series of events over 12 months to raise money for Papyrus, the company’s national chosen charity for 2022.

Papyrus is dedicated to the prevention of suicide, which is the biggest killer of people aged 35 and under in the UK.

It provides confidential support and advice to young people struggling with thoughts of suicide and anyone worried about a young person through its helpline, HOPELINEUK.

A team of 14 were sponsored to complete a Tough Mudder event last summer where they tackled a series of muddy obstacles over a course at the Badminton estate in South Gloucestershire.

And that wasn’t the only event they undertook to raise money for the charity.

The Vistry Voyage saw

employees from across the country carry a commemorative book of awareness 1,163 miles from the North East of England to Cornwall while travelling using various forms of humanpowered transport.

Vistry Thames Valley’s managing director Trevor Wicks cycled the first part of the division’s section of the route from Marlborough to Kintbury, with operations director Lance Else riding the next stage to Aldermaston.

Land manager James Davis

then cycled to the region’s head office in Reading, from where employees then walked two miles to Sonning Golf Club.

Senior land manager Fiona Harrison completed the final – and longest – section of the journey by bike to Windsor Castle where she passed the book of awareness to colleagues from Vistry Partnerships London.

Money was also raised by sales of home-made cakes in head office and on sites across the division, inspired by the

Great British Bake Off.

Alix Laflin, marketing manager at Vistry Thames Valley, said: “Our staff really did rise to the challenge to put themselves out of their comfort zones and help raise money for Papyrus. There were some sterling efforts by employees taking on the imposing Tough Mudder course at Badminton and those walking and cycling to help complete the Vistry Voyage challenge.

“The work that Papyrus does is especially poignant for us

BAME maternity focus meeting

in this industry, as according to figures from the Office for National Statistics, more than 1,400 construction workers took their own lives between 2011 and 2015 and the suicide rate for the industry is estimated at more than three times the national average for men. So it means a lot to help this charity in our small way.”

The money raised by Vistry Thames Valley went towards the £257,862 total amassed by all Vistry Group divisions for Papyrus. Earl Sibley, Vistry’s Chief Operating Officer, gave a cheque for the total amount raised to Papyrus representatives.

A spokesperson for Papyrus said the amount raised by Vistry, which was £100,000 more than the target set, made it the most successful corporate partnership to date for the charity.

Amanda Scott Barbera, corporate fundraising manager at Papyrus, said: “The whole of Vistry Group and all their business units have been a delight to work with. Because the staff voted the charity in, everyone has been keen to get involved and the Group have been extremely generous.”

n To find out more about Papyrus, visit: www.papyrus-uk.org

THE PARENT and Family Network is holding an event focusing on the maternity experience for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) groups.

The University of Reading network will run the online meeting, in partnership with the Royal Berkshire Hospital, which will take place via Microsoft Teams on March 23. The discussion will shine a light on the inequalities faced in maternity healthcare by BAME individuals and has been organised in response to issues raised by families of these communities and findings published in national reports. The event takes place from 12.30pm-2pm.

n To join the meeting, visit: www.tinyurl.com/59dur8j9

Tree planting

SOUTH READING residents will plant trees as part of the new Whitley Community Orchard project.

A special event will take place at South Whitley Recreation Ground, off Lexington Grove, on Tuesday. Visitors will plant saplings, and will be treated to refreshments while doing so. Booking is not required for this drop-in event.

The event takes place from 2.30pm-4.30pm.

n For more information, visit: www.reading.gov.uk

Extinction Rebellion stages protest outside Thames Water HQ

ACTIVISTS staged a protest against sewage outletting when they visited Thames Water’s Reading headquarters on Monday.

Campaigners poured fake sewage on to the front steps of the building while wearing hazmat suits and respirators.

They also delivered a letter to the water company demanding that they stop the disputed

practise of letting untreated sewage into waterways.

It is also demanding that the company ceases the payment of bonuses and “excessive” wages until problems with waterways are fixed.

It is the second protest against Thames Water in as many months, after blue plaques were placed around

sites in Reading in February.

A joint statement from Ofwat and the Environment Agency has said that: “The principal public health responsibility for ensuring human faeces and viable human faecal bacteria do not get into waterways people might use recreationally, rest squarely with the water companies and their directors.”

WE DID IT: Staff members from Vistry Thames Valley after completing the Tough Mudder challenge, just one part of their fundraising efforts for suicide prevention charity Papyrus

MAKING A POINT: Protesters gathered outside Thames Water’s HQ in Reading on Monday, in protest over sewage discharges in rivers and seas Picture: Extinction Rebellion

Respite home for SEND children given outstanding Ofsted

By PHIL CREIGHTON news@rdg.today

A RESIDENTIAL home in Reading for children with additional needs, offering three-nights’ respite care, has been given an outstanding rating in an Ofsted inspection.

Pinecroft, in south Reading, was given top marks for the overall experience and progress of children and young people at the home, as well as praise for how they are helped and protected, and for the effectiveness of staff.

This is the second children’s home in the borough that is run by the council’s company, Brighter Futures for Children (BFfC), to be given an ‘Outstanding’ Ofsted rating this year.

Pinecroft offers shared care support, something praised by inspectors, who noted there has been unanimous positive feedback about the impact this service has had on families.

The inspector, who visited on January 10 and 11, wrote: “Staff offer highly-personalised and well-planned care that meets children’s individual needs exceptionally well.”

The inspection comes after a makeover to the centre last year. This has, the report notes, resulted in an “exceptional outdoor space for children” and a new sensory room containing modern and innovative technology which encourages children to play.

The management team were praised for being “strong and highly effective” and supported by a committed staff team who work together extremely well.

Di Smith, Board Chair of Brighter Futures for Children, said: “I’m thrilled the wonderful team at Pinecroft have received the acknowledgement they deserve.

“Pinecroft is a very special place and I am so proud that we have such a brilliant resource

to offer the children of Reading and their families.”

The report was welcomed by Cllr Graeme Hoskin, lead councillor for children’s services at Reading Borough Council, who said: “When visiting Pinecroft I was immediately struck by the passion and commitment of staff to make a huge difference to the lives of the children who stay there.

“I’m delighted by the rightful recognition of their fantastic commitment and hard work that shines out of this report.

“Alongside our fantastic staff, the recently upgraded facilities are providing truly exceptional space for children with SEND and their families. Congratulations to everyone involved.”

FUNDRAISING

SUCCESS: Jenn

Patient, Senior Community Fundraiser at Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice, with Jordon Baker and Tony Laithwaite from Laithwaites. The Theale firm is backing the charity

Laithwaites’ support for Sue Ryder

A COMPANY that specialises in delivering wine to the door has raised more than £70,000 for a charity that helps people with lifelimiting conditions.

Laithwaites, based in Theale, selected the Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice for a three-year charity partnership back in July 2020.

The campaign launched with a £35,000 gift to support work during the first covid lockdown phase.

Since then, the company’s team organised a number of fundraising activities and challenges to double this –funding the equivalent of over 3,300 hours of expert care for patients supported by the hospice’s Sue Ryder nurses, healthcare assistants, doctors, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, complementary therapists and family support team.

It is now aiming to raise £100,000 by the end of the year.

Tom Laithwaite, chairman of Laithwaites and son of founder Tony Laithwaite, said: “Our employees voted for Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice as the company’s charity partner after a much-loved colleague was cared for at the hospice before they died in 2019.

“We are thrilled to have raised this amount for a cause close to our hearts and it was an easy decision to extend our partnership.”

Jordon Baker, who works as a Marketing Campaign Executive at Laithwaites, is taking on a solo challenge of running the London Marathon on Sunday, April 23, with the company match-funding his fundraising up to £1,000.

The 23-year-old said: “To support the amazing work of Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice,

Home working popular choice for Reading

IF THERE’S one thing that is a takeaway from the lockdown stages of the covid pandemic, it’s people want to work from home – especially in Reading. A new survey sought out where in the country people have been looking to swap the smart suits for PJs and slippers.

And the hi-tech Thames Valley town is in the top 10.

It turns out that Walsall is the top area in the UK where Brits are on the lookout for remote work, with 2,160 monthly searches per 100,000 of the population.

Blackburn comes in second place, with 1,000 people searching for remote work every month, per 100,000 people.

Norwich is third most interested in working from home.

Reading comes in ninth, with 785 online searches about home working per 100,000 of the population.

The research was conducted by the team at Financial-World, who analysed Google keyword search volume data for interest in remote work for each major town and city in the UK.

Search terms relating to remote work such as ‘work from home jobs’ and ‘remote jobs’ were summed, divided by the population of the area, and

I’ve decided to push myself outside my comfort zone.

“I want to raise as much money as possible to support those who haven’t been as fortunate to see their loved ones get the support that they need.”

The support is appreciated by Jenn Patient, senior community fundraiser for Sue Ryder.

She said: “We’re so grateful to Laithwaites for their dedicated support since 2020 and we look forward to continuing our partnership into this year.

“The funds raised will make a huge difference in helping us to be there when it matters for people going through the most difficult times of their lives.”

n For more information about Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent, visit: sueryder.org/duchessofkent

n To donate to Mr Baker’s London Marathon fundraising page, visit: justgiving.com/fundraising/ jordonbaker

Robbery appeal

multiplied by 100,000 to give the search results per 100,000 of the population.

These results were then ranked to discover the top 10.

Helping drive the trend is, no doubt, ongoing industrial action over trains, where staff are pushing for improved working conditions and pay.

Financial-World says with newly announced rail strike action coming up this Easter – including today, Saturday, March 18, and Thursday, March 30 - there is a renewed interest in remote working.

A spokesperson from Financial-World said: “There is a clear demand for remote roles in the UK. The costs of commuting and the time spent doing so is proving to be a strain on many people’s finances and a stressful situation to navigate among train strike actions and the cost-of-living crisis.

“This is evident by the fact that every city or town featured in the top ten of this study is due to be affected by train strikes.

“It will be interesting to see if more employers consider welcoming more flexible work-from-home schemes or hybrid workers to keep up with the demand and avoid losing employees in the future.”

THAMES Valley Police is appealing for witnesses following a robbery in Reading.

The incident took place at around 3pm on Sunday, March 12, in Kenavon Drive, at the junction with Gas Works Road.

Three victims were assaulted by a group of offenders and one of the victims had items stolen from them.

One of the offenders was described as a black woman wearing a pink dressing gown, and another was described as a white man wearing a black jacket with a large symbol on the back.

Investigating officer Detective Sergeant Sam Toulson, based at Reading police station, said: “We are appealing for any witnesses to this incident to please come forward.

“We’d also ask anyone who may have dash-cams in the area to please check the footage in case it may have captured something that could assist our investigation.

“Anyone with information can make a report online or by calling 101, quoting reference 43230111073.

“Alternatively, if you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via its website.”

D o n ' t w o r r y y o u c a n r e s e r v e y o u r c o p y w i t h y o u r l o c a l n e w s a g e n t .

A new paper is out every Thursday of each week to bring you local news from across Reading Borough

Junior doctors enter third day of strikes over conditions and pay

By JAKE CLOTHIER jclothier@rdg.today

JUNIOR doctors in Reading joined those around the country for three days of strikes this week.

And yesterday, they wren’t the only ones to down tools: teachers, rail staff, civil servants, and BBC local radio teams all stood down, making it one of the biggest days of industrial action seen in the UK.

Junior doctors say they have seen a real-terms pay cut of 26% since 2008 and the British Medical Association are seeking a 35% increase.

They constitute around 40% of the medical workforce, as the term includes recent graduates as well as many who have been practicing for a number of years.

Health Secretary Steve Barclay has said that the pay increase would be “completely unaffordable” despite assurances that he would see a fair settlement.

Matt Bilton, Chair of the Thames Valley arm of the British Medical Association, was among those protesting outside the Royal Berkshire Hospital.

He said: “Doctor’s pay has been eroded – by failing to keep

up with inflation over the past 15 years to the tune of 26%.

“We don’t think that doctors are worth a quarter less than 15 years ago.

“What it would take from the government is to invest properly in the in the NHS and the NHS is its staff.”

He says that the BMA has estimated the cost would be

“approximately £1 billion” to bring doctors to parity with 2008.

He explained: “That would mean doctors who are in their first year of work, currently earning £14 an hour, being paid an extra £5, and we think that is worth it to retain staff in the NHS.

“We are short of doctors

Hospital praised for high standards

AN INDEPENDENT regulatory body has given a clean bill of health to a Reading hospital’s endoscopy service.

The Circle Hospital on Kennet Island was given the once over by the Joint Advisory Group (JAG). They assess endoscopy suites to ensure sure they can be trusted, focused, sustainable, and offer patients the best clinical outcomes.

And the Circle’s unit is purpose built, with specialist equipment designed to help the diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal conditions.

Computer literacy session in Whitley

“disappointed” in the decision to take strike action, and laid out estimates that the pay rise would cost around £2 billion.

Mr Barclay invited members of the BMA to talks late on Friday, March 10 – an invitation which was declined, with the BMA citing the lateness of the talks and “completely unacceptable” preconditions to negotiations.

Mr Barclay said it was “incredibly disappointing that unions declined my offer,” and he urged them to “come to the negotiating table.”

Mr Bilton said that conditions in the medical sector are: “really difficult, and have been for a while.

“From day one, it’s an extraordinary amount of responsibility in an incredibly under-resourced setting, and you feel unable to give the level of care that you wish to.

SOUTH READING residents interested in becoming more tech-savvy will have the chance to hone their skills at bimonthly sessions.

Get Online Whitley & Whitley Wood and South Reading Over 50s Social Club have teamed up to offer users computer tuition and support.

All are welcome to attend the free sessions at Whitley Wood Community Centre, Swallowfield Drive, with no pre-booking required.

The next session takes place between 10am11.30am on Wednesday, March 19.

n For more information, visit: www.whitley.go-reading.org

Knit and natter

WHITLEY residents are invited to join a weekly needles and natter group.

across the UK – we currently have approximately 8,500 vacancies.

“Meanwhile, every day I see adverts asking me to come to Australia and New Zealand to work, and I have a number of colleagues who have already made that decision.”

Health Secretary Steve Barclay said that he was

“Inadequate staffing leads to a feeling of constantly being behind and always at risk of making a potentially catastrophic error.”

He continued: “It’s an incredibly stressful environment to work in with huge amounts of responsibility, and the pay just isn’t commensurate with that.”

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. Sessions run from 10am11.30am.

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

The team are delighted with the JAG verdict.

Sharon Mills, The Circle Reading’s director of clinical services, said: “We are delighted to have been awarded full JAG reaccreditation following a formal assessment of our services, standards of care and facilities.

“This was achieved after months of preparation, of the regulatory evidence to demonstrate our compliance with the JAG standards.

“This included collating clinical outcome data, quality audits and

patient satisfaction surveys.

“This submission was undertaken by our dedicated Endoscopy team led by Paulina Kanak.”

And Jayne Cassidy, the executive director of the independent hospital, said the accreditation was a great achievement.

“The team at The Circle Reading Hospital are fully committed to ensure they meet the requirements to obtain this award, they are all passionate about the patients and the community they serve.”

PICKET LINE: Junior doctors and supporters taking part in industrial action outside the Royal Berkshire Hospital on Wednesday, March 15 Picture: Jake Clothier

SUCCESS: Staff from the endoscopy service at The Circle Hospital in Reading’s Kennet Island are celebrating after receiving a great inspection result

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A day out by special train to Plymouth

The South Devon Explorer

Saturday 27th May 2023

From Reading. Join our special train at Reading for a day out to remember. We will be met by an historic steam locomotive at Bristol to steam along the Kennet and Avon Canal, through Somerset countryside and the Culm Valley to Exeter. A run along the famous Dawlish sea wall, one of Britain’s most scenic stretches of railway, will be a highlight of the journey. A break at maritime Plymouth provides chance to explore the Hoe and the old Barbican area with the Mayflower Steps or the city’s shops On the return our vintage train will leave our steam loco behind at Taunton to complete our journey diesel hauled.

• Premier Dining £295 per person – price includes a full English breakfast and a four course dinner freshly prepared on board and silver served at your seat.

• First Class £195 per person – price includes morning tea or coffee with a bacon/breakfast roll and a muffin and an afternoon service of tea or coffee with a savoury of the day followed by a scone with butter and jam.

• Standard Class £130 per person – price includes a reserved seat usually at a table for four.

£10 per person discount quote: DHS

Steam to seaside Minehead

West Somerset Steam Express

Saturday 22nd July, 12th Aug, 16th Sept 2023

From Slough and Reading. Enjoy a day out departing from Slough or Reading to the Bristol Channel coast by train featuring two historic steam locomotives. This seaside special will be hauled by a magnificent steam loco along the scenic Kennet and Avon Canal and through the pretty Vale of Pewsey. Our train will join the West Somerset Railway and a WSR steam loco will take over for the stretch past Dunster Castle and into the resort of Minehead, where you can enjoy the sea and sand before we steam for home.

• Premier Dining £285 per person – price includes a full English breakfast and a four course dinner freshly prepared on board and silver served at your seat.

• First Class £185 per person – price includes morning tea or coffee with a bacon/breakfast roll and a muffin and an afternoon service of tea or coffee with a savoury of the day followed by a scone with butter and jam.

• Standard Class £115 per person – price includes a reserved seat usually at a table for four.

£10 per person discount quote: DHU

A day out to Cornwall The Royal Duchy

Sunday 30th July 2023

From Slough and Reading. Step on board our special train at Slough or Reading to enjoy a day out to Cornwall. We shall be joined by a magnificent steam locomotive at Bristol ready for an exhilarating run beside the Exe Estuary and along the famous Dawlish sea wall. The Royal Duchy will stop at Plymouth, where you can explore the Hoe, ancient Barbican, seafront or National Marine Aquarium. Alternatively, stay on board for Cornwall to Par, where we shall have coaches ready to take you to the pretty seaside village of Fowey or Charlestown, home to the Shipwreck, Rescue and Heritage Centre and location for the BBC’s Poldark.

• Premier Dining £309 per person – price includes a full English breakfast and a four course dinner freshly prepared on board and silver served at your seat.

• First Class £209 per person – price includes morning tea or coffee with a bacon/breakfast roll and a muffin and an afternoon service of tea or coffee with a savoury of the day followed by a scone with butter and jam.

• Standard Class £134 per person – price includes a reserved seat usually at a table for four.

£10 per person discount quote: DHV

Bob Green

Bob Green

Bob Green

LEISURETODAY

Your guide to what’s on across Reading and Wokingham

JUSTIN Moorhouse has been performing comedy for more than 20 years, with television credits including Phoenix Nights, Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow, and even Coronation Street.

He has also appeared on Celebrity Mastermind, as well as hosting and appearing on a number of radio shows.

His latest live show, Think and Stretch, is now touring across the UK, including South Hill Park.

With his considerable experience in stand-up, he professes that it may be easier than it seems.

“I think people think it must be harder than it is; you have to get up on stage, and if you die you die, but there’s no replacement for stage time.

“There’s an element of advantage to being a touring comic, as people have bought tickets to see you, you’re on the poster, people are invested.

“In a comedy club, you have to get good by being best on the bill.”

He says it’s also the kind of career which can keep a performer’s feet on the ground: “When you have a tough gig, it’s a really chastening experience, you feel like you’re on gossamer wings of appreciation when it goes well.

“But you only learn something when it goes wrong, and there’s always a way you could have done better.”

“I’m not one for blaming an audience, you have to get used to dealing with different audiences and you have to grow and develop.

“If you’re a stand up, it’s very healthy to have a kind of reality check every now and then – it’s good for the soul.”

Justin says that his daughter, now approaching adulthood, is showing interest in performing, too.

On whether he would give her the inside tips gleaned from years of experience, he said: “absolutely no chance – she can work it out for herself.”

Especially, he says, as he came to comedy “late in life; I already had years of experience working around people and having to ‘present.’”

“I was coming from a large family who didn’t have a lot, and, in the way people didn’t in those days, you made your own entertainment.”

Justin is currently touring with Stretch and Think, which he says explores shifts in his life

following a certain milestone.

“I’m 52, and I’m downsizing a little bit in life, my kids are getting on a bit, off to university, and we’re selling off the house so they can’t come back.

“The show is making some inroads into my final decisions on stuff– things like the menopause and libido, to Labradoodles, and recycling.”

When it comes to politics, he says the show won’t shy away from topics of which other comedians might be wary. Political issues are difficult, though not impossible, he says, to exclude in their entirety from stand-up.

“I think politics is life, and has always informed comedy – but party politics at the moment is a duck-shoot, whatever your sensibilities are.

“You used to be able to ask people who the Prime Minister was to see if they were okay, but not any more.

“It’s difficult to avoid, it’s so omnipresent, because that’s what life is.”

Despite this, he says that comedians–and audiences as a result – have more options and avenues than ever.

“In comedy now there’s an alternative to the alternative, and I think it’s great, there’s plenty of space for everybody.

“It’s the one art form where you can’t blag it and we’re in a really healthy place with it – until ChatGPT starts doing comedy, of course.

“But what I don’t like is someone who will play to the gallery and espouse some views on stage which they don’t believe

“That’s the thing about being a comedian; once you get caught out being a hypocrite, there’s no going back.”

He says that comedy is not something he is giving up any time soon, however.

“If I couldn’t perform stand-up, I don’t know what I’d do. It’s an absolute essential for my soul, for my mental wellbeing.

“The sound of laughter in a room, in a cellar or in an arena, what a wonderful response to elicit, and it’s instant.

“It’s not about the adulation, but that shared experience– that idea of community, congregation, it’s absolutely magic.”

n Justin Moorhouse is currently touring Think and Stretch in venues around the UK, including South Hill Park in Bracknell on Thursday, April 20. Tickets and more information are available via: ents24.com/uk/tour-dates/justinmoorhouse.

At a stretch

Justin Moorhouse talks to JAKE CLOTHIER about Labradoodles, late libido, and his latest tour Stretch and Think

Shattering truths and changing seasons

BOB and Fran have worked hard to give their four children the opportunities they never had.

Now, with the kids ready to make lives of their own, it’s time to sit back and smell the roses.

But the changing seasons reveal shattering truths.

Things I Know To Be True combines theatre, movement, and music.

It conveys family life, and a marriage, through the eyes of four siblings struggling to define themselves beyond their parents’ love and expectations.

The play asks, is it possible to love too much?

The production contains very strong language and adult themes.

It can be seen at Wokingham Theatre, from Thursday, March 16 through to Saturday, March 26, excluding Sunday.

Doors open at 7.45pm, and tickets can be purchased for £15.

n For more details, or to book, call the box office on: 0118 978 5363 or visit: wokinghamtheatre.org.uk

Rock on with these 60s heroes

LEGENDS of rock and pop promise to deliver a night of songs to show the younger generation what their parents have been raving about.

The Sensational 60s Experience celebrates six decades of music.

Bands Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Tich; The Trems (Formerly The Tremulos); Mike d’Abo, front man for Manfred Man; The Fortunes; The Swinging Blue Jeans; and Vanity Fair will perform.

To be transported back to the magical decade, audiences should make their way to Reading’s Hexagon Theatre, on Wednesday, March 22.

Doors open at 7.30pm, with tickets available for £29.50

n For more details, or to book, call the box office on: 0118 960 6060 or visit: whatsonreading.com

Secrets of wildlife filmmaker revealed

ONE OF the most prominent wildlife presenters and film makers working today, Gordon Buchanan, tells his remarkable story.

AT THE THEATRE

Bracknell – South Hill Park

www.southhillpark.org.uk

01344 484123

Chris McCausland: Speaky Blinder.

Thurs 16. Conservatoire:

Students from the Purcell School. Fri 17. The Comedy Cellar. Fri 17. Raymond Burley:

Music From Spain and Beyond.

Sat 18. And Finally… Phil Collins. Sat 18. Romeo & Juliet. Sun 19. Eagle House School presents Seussical

The Musical. Wed 22-Thurs 23.

Conservatoire: Olga Paliy and Kamila Bydlowska. Fri 24.

The Comedy Cellar.

Fri 24. The Bon Jovi Experience. Sat 25. South Hill Park Tours. Sun 26. Wilde

Sundays: Dragonfly Sky and Greg Mayston’s Americana, JK Jerome. Sun 26.

FILMS: Anything Goes. Sun 19. Moonage Daydream (15).

Thurs 16. Tar (15). Fri 17-Thurs 23. Eo (15). Mon 20-Tues 21.

Royal Opera House Live:

You’ll believe he’s the real deal

FANS of the 80s rock front man John Bon Jovi should make their way to Bracknell.

The Bon Jovi Experience, a band endorsed by the man himself, promises its lead singer is so familiar, audiences won’t believe he’s not the real deal.

The only tribute act in the world to perform live on-stage with Jon Bon Jovi, the group will stage a night of 80s rock celebration.

The event takes place at South Hill Park Art, on Saturday, March 25. Doors open at 7.45pm with tickets available for £24.

n For more details, or to book, call the box office on: 01344 484123 or log on to: www.southhillpark.org.uk

Entertaining music promised

deaf

Bradshaw’s new show, Deaf Com 1,

He has produced some of the most popular wildlife programmes on the BBC, bringing hidden animal worlds to UK television screens.

In, 30 Years In The Wild, he shares his work both behind and in front of the camera.

With three decades worth of expeditions to uncover, and favourite wildlife encounters, this is a night for anyone wanting to know what it takes to be a successful wildlife film maker.

The event takes place at Reading’s Hexagon Theatre,on Monday March 20.

Doors open at 7.30pm with tickets available for £24.50 and £27 depending on seat locations, with student tickets costing £12.

n For more details, or to book, call the box office on: 0118 960 6060 or visit: whatsonreading.com

An evening all the way from Dublin

PAT Abernethy and Dave Marsden

Turnadot. Wed 22. The Fabelmans (12a). Fri 24-Wed 29.

Camberley – Theatre

www.camberleytheatre.biz

01276 707600

Forbidden Nights. Thurs 23.

Vincent Simone Tango

Passions. Fri 24. An Evening of Burlesque. Sat 25.

Guildford –Yvonne Arnaud

www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk

01483 440000

Mrs Warren’s Profession. Tues

14-Sat 18. Luke Wright: The Remains of Logan Dankworth.

Thurs 16. Nothing On Earth.

Sat 18. Carmen. Fri 24. Queenz. Sat 25.

High Wycombe –Wycombe Swan

www.wycombeswan.co.uk

01494 512000

Keith James: The Songs of Leonard Cohen. Thurs 16. Babatunde

has been described as captivating and raucously funny.

It covers his recent fatherhood, teaching his young son sign language and a disastrous trip to Bahrain. He says: “One-in-six of us will lose our hearing, but that doesn’t mean you have to lose your sense of humour.”

return to their Irish roots for an intimate, musical evening.

Pat from Belfast and Dave from Dublin will sing songs that reflect the Irish spirit in its many forms.

Audiences can expect a night of nostalgia, romance, emigration, politics, sentimentality, loss, regret, and humour.

Stories about living and working in Ireland will be interspersed with the music of Tommy Makem, Mary Black, The Fureys , Bagatelle, Shane McGowan, and Phil Coulter.

The audience can also enjoy songs by Christie Hennessy, Christy Moore, Dolores Keane, Van Morrison, and Val Doonican.

The event takes place at Norden Farm Arts Centre, Maidenhead, on Friday, March 17.

Doors open at 8pm with tickets available for £15.

n For more details, or to book, call the box office on: 01628 788977 or log on to: norden.farm

Aleshe: Babahood. Fri 17. The King and I. Until Sat 18. Pull Uppp Presents Baby D and Sweet Female Attitude. Sat 18.

Fanny’s Mother’s Day Buns and Bubbles. Sun 19. Dance Live 2023 Senior Heat. Mon 20-Tues 21.

Henley – Kenton

www.kentontheatre.co.uk

01491 525050

The Parent Trap. Fri 17-Sat 18. The Philadelphia Story. Wed 22-Sat 25. Yippee Ki Yay. Sun 26.

Maidenhead –Norden Farm

www.nordenfarm.org

01628 788997

Anything Goes - The Musical. Thurs 16. Songs From Ireland. Fri 17. SOLD. Fri 17. Broker

(12a). Sat 18. Michelle de Swarte: Moved. Sat 18. An Evening of Song with Annie Dressner, Lucy Grubb, Dan Wilde and Luke James Williams. Tues 21. Royal Opera

House: Turnadot. Wed 22, Fri 24. Pianists at Norden Farm: Henry Cash. Thurs 23. Ray

Bradshaw: Deaf Com 1. Thurs

23. Hattie Whitehead with special guest Tim Whitehead.

Fri 24. Kingdom of Madness: Classic Magnum. Sat 25. The Vinyl Frontier: Sad/Happy. Sat 25.

Newbury –The Corn Exchange

www.cornexchangenew.com

0845 5218 218

Talk: The Wildlife of West Berkshire. Thurs 16. Around The World in 80 Days. Thurs 16-18. ROH Live: Turnadot. Wed 22. Sing-A-Long-A Encanto. Sat 25.

Newbury –The Watermill

www.watermill.org.uk

01635 46044

Notes From A Small Island.

Until Sat 18. Through The Looking Glass. Thurs 23-Sat 25.

The event is at Norden Farm Arts Centre, Maidenhead, on Tuesday March 23.

Doors open at 8pm, and tickets are £15.

n For more details, or to book, call the box office on: 01628 788977 or log on to: norden.farm

Tackling the issues caused by slavery

SOLD tells of a woman’s extraordinary journey to overcome the brutality of slavery.

Born into slavery in the British colony of Bermuda, Mary Prince went on to become a beacon for the British antislavery movement.

She wrote a book that galvanised the abolitionist movement, helping to free many Africans in bondage.

Through theatre, song, music, drumming and dance, Kuumba Nia Arts’ performance is inspired by the storytelling traditions of the West African Griot.

The event is at Norden Farm Arts Centre, Maidenhead, on Friday, March 17. Doors open at 8pm, with tickets costing £16.

n For more details, or to book, call the box office on: 01628 788977 or log on to: norden.farm

Reading –South Street

www.whatsonreading.com

0118 960 6060

Poets Cafe Online. Fri 17. Rhys James: Spilt Milk. Sat 18. Mike Wozniak: Zusa. Fri 24. Heidi Talbot. Sat 25.

Reading –The Hexagon

www.whatsonreading.com 0118 960 6060

Russell Howard. Thurs 16. Calling Planet Earth. Fri 17. I’m Sorry I Haven’t A Clue official stage tour. Sat 18. Gordon Buchanan: 30 Years In The Wild. Mon 20. The Sensational 60s

Experience. Wed 22.

Let’s Sing Reading. Fri 24. Royal Philharmonic Noisy Kids. Sat 25. Henley Symphony Orchestra. Sun 26.

Reading –Concert Hall

www.whatsonreading.com 0118 960 6060

UKRAINE pianist Olga Paliy, and violinist Kamila Bydlowska, perform a mix of traditional and entertaining music.

Sonatas by Brahms and Saint-Saens are followed by a Tango by the famed Piazzolla, and a Fantasy by Frolov on Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess.

The event is at Bracknell’s South Hill Park Arts Centre, on Friday, March 24.

Doors open at 7.30pm.

Tickets are available for £16.50, with concessions costing £12.50, and under 18s costing £5.50.

n For more details, or to book, call the box office on: 01344 484123 or log on to: www.southhillpark.org.uk

An evening of guitar music in Bracknell

GUITARIST Raymond Burley returns to Bracknell with works from Spain, South America, Finland and England. His programme includes work by composers Rodrigo, Moreno Torroba, Duarte, Nieminen and Brouwer. Burley’s programme offers a wide variety of styles, moods and colours.

The event takes place at South Hill Park Arts Centre, on Saturday, March 18.

Doors open at 7.30pm.

Tickets are available for £13, with all concessions costing £9.

n For more details, or to book, call the box office on: 01344 484123 or log on to: www.southhillpark.org.uk

NEXT SHOW: Reading Symphony Orchestra. Apr 1.

Reading –Progress Theatre

www.progresstheatre.co.uk

0118 384 2195

NEXT SHOW: Dinner. Apr 14-22.

Reading –Reading Rep Theatre

www.readingrep.com

0118 370 2620

NEXT SHOW: Peter Pan. Apr 6-29.

Shinfield –Shinfield Players

www.shinfieldplayers.org.uk

0118 975 8880

NEXT SHOW: Ravenscroft. Wed Apr 26-Fri Apr 29.

Sonning –The Mill www.millatsonning.com 0118 969 8000 Noel Coward’s Hay Fever. Until May 13.

Windsor –Theatre Royal www.theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk

01753 853888

The Grass Is Greener. Until Sat 18. Marty Wilde and the Wildecats. Sun 19. A Murder Has Been Arranged. Wed 22Sat 1. Eric and the Claptones. Sun 26.

Wokingham – Theatre

www.wokinghamtheatre.org.uk

0118 978 5363

Things I Know To be True. Thurs 16-Sat 25.

Wokingham – The Whitty Theatre www.thewhittytheatre.org

0118 974 3247

Film Society: Happening (15). Thurs 23. A Night at the Musicals. Sat 25, Sun 26.

Woodley – Theatre www.woodleytheatre.org

07488337838

Educating Rita. June 20-24.

RAY Bradshaw grew up with deaf parents, and all his shows are performed in both BSL and English. His previous tour, Deaf Comedy Fam, became the

first ever live comedy

experience for more than 800

audience members.

Golden chance to support arts centre on its birthday

BRACKNELL’S South Hill Park Arts Centre is 50 years old.

When it opened in 1973, its slogan was, Do It At The Park.

The aim was to offer a wide range of programmes, including theatre, cinema, classical music and jazz.

Since then South Hill Park has worked to connect and enrich people’s lives through creativity.

Its wide ranging participation programme gives audiences access to drama, dance, music and film.

And it has inspired a love of the arts and culture, with its free visual arts exhibitions, festivals and fairs.

It celebrates its golden anniversary this year with a fundraising drive, Gift for Gold Campaign, that will help the centre to continue to support, inspire and entertain the community of Bracknell and the surrounding areas.

As a registered charity, the arts centre relies on the support of the community to help support its diverse programme and cultural opportunities.

Keeping the centre open costs £20,000 a week.

Craig Titley, Chief Executive of South Hill Park Arts Centre says: “The arts centre is one of Bracknell Forest’s best-loved charities.

“It supports, entertains and inspires tens of thousands of people of all ages and backgrounds every year.

“In 2023, we celebrate our 50th anniversary as Berkshire’s centre for the arts, business and community and would

Songs and poems in a creative afternoon

TWO friends are teaming up for an afternoon of music and poetry at a Reading-based arts centre next month.

Songwriter Non Canon and poet Suzannah Evans will be visiting The Rising Sun, where there will be a selection of songs about feelings and politics, and verse on a range of themes including future anxiety, climate grief and human expansion into other galaxies.

Dubbed by the artists as “an evening of sad songs and poems delivered with good humour”, both artists grapple with some of the more melancholy aspects of life, touching on mental health, climate anxiety and political turmoil, but with an optimistic resolve and fun-filled approach to performance.

Non Canon, aka Bristol songwriter Barry Dolan, and Sheffield-based poet Suzannah have been friends since they met on their first day of university in 2001, and bonded over a shared love of Idlewild, Ben Folds Five and Less Than Jake.

After countless evenings spent chatting in the pub about the similarities and differences between poetry and independent music, Barry and Suzannah hatched a plan for a tour where the two art forms could overlap, with local poets and musicians completing each bill. n They will be visiting The Rising Sun on Saturday, April 22, with the show starting at 2pm. Tickets cost £7.70, and can be bought by logging on to: https://linktr.ee/dolanthology

like to thank every individual, organisation, society, business and council who for half a century have helped us make a difference to the lives of so many in our community.

“As an arts charity we are able to generate income through ticket sales and other activities but we cannot do this on our own and rely on the generosity of others.

“Gift for Gold is a fantastic way to get behind your local arts centre and help us enrich lives for the next 50 years.

“Our aim is to raise at least £50,000 this year and so I invite you to join me today by making a donation or £50 or whatever you can afford.

“The visual and performing arts can change lives and with your help we can make it happen. Thank you.”

The centre’s Gift For Gold campaign

Hey Mr Spaceman – Tim Peake shares secrets of the galaxy

IF you were stuck in the cramped International Space Station you’d want to share it with UK astronaut Tim Peake who brought his show to The Hexagon, Reading.

Tim, a boyish and charming 50-year-old, described with passion and humour the story of his journey to space, as he bounded round the Hexagon stage in his bright blue overalls last Thursday (March 9).

Standing out on his left arm was the Union Flag badge, a rare sight in the world of space.

In 2016, Tim was the first British astronaut to visit the space station (ISS) to do a space walk while orbiting the earth.

Amid tales of doing somersaults in no gravity aboard the ISS and eating his ‘treat dish’ bacon sandwiches, he also described the dangers of space work.

Tim’s spacewalk tasks included repairs to a solar array power source with a colleague astronaut. The colleague had to be whisked back inside the ISS when his space helmet started filling with water. ‘Walking’ outside your craft is the most dangerous part of living and working in space.

We knew, of course, that he survived the three attempts at docking on arrival at the ISS, but he told the story clearly and with contained drama. His words were enhanced by the video pictures on

the screen behind him. The third attempt was indeed successful.

The need for calm, self-control and well-trained action was clear.

And yes, he did tell us how you go to the loo in space, with a video showing the equipment needed.

He told us that most of the urine created on board was cleaned to become astronauts’ drinking water.

Working days on the ISS have

enables people to support a wide range of experiences:

n £25 will give a wheelchair user access to a theatre performance.

n £50 can make a difference to the life of a young carer, through South Hill Park’s Wilde About Arts programme.

n £100 enables the centre to deliver an inspirational arts-based workshop in a school, care home or local charity.

n £150 enables the programming of a special cinema screening for residents living with dementia, and their families.

n £200 will support a bursary place in the centre’s Summer School.

Development Officer Simon Ludlow says: “Over 185,000 people participate in our arts programme annually.”

n For more details, log on to: www.southhillpark.org.uk

packed schedules with tasks to perform including regular vacuuming ‘housework’. But they are allowed a lighter workload at the weekends. For science buffs at the shows there are some good facts and figures about fuel load, speeds and experiments in space.

Tim also described the emotional and wonder side of space travel well, including the 16 sunsets and 16 sunrises they saw each day.

“Each one is spectacular,” he said. He saw the Himalayas and oceans, the aurora borealis at huge and amazing scale and billions of stars.

Tim, grew up near Chichester, and says he left school with three “unexceptional A-levels”.

He went on to become an Apache helicopter test pilot in the Army.

He was later selected with five classmates from 8,000 applicants to become a European Space Agency astronaut.

He is doing 25 shows on his UK tour, the final ones at The Rose Theatre, Kingston on April 2, at 2pm and 4.30pm. It would be a great outing for older children and teens.

The adults at The Hexagon had plenty to enjoy.

Details of future shows are at: https://www.timpeake.com/

Celebrate the arrival of spring

A WOKINGHAM choir’s performance will mark the end of winter.

Wokingham Choral Society’s programme includes: Vivaldi’s Gloria, Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater and Monteverdi’s Beatus Vir.

Choir chair Alison Sears says that it will be a wonderful evening of music.

“Many people will know these beautiful pieces of music.

“They are a joy to sing.”

The choir is pleased to welcome new musical director, Cathal Garvey, and Hampstead Chamber Orchestra who will accompany the singers.

George de Voil will play continuo - bass score typically written for harpsichord or cello, especially within baroque ensemble music.

“It’s going to be a wonderful experience, in an impressive venue,” says Ms Sears.

The concert takes place at Reading University Great Hall, London Road on Saturday, March 18.

Doors open at 7.30pm.

Tickets cost £17.50, or £5 for students and under 18s.

n They are available from Wokingham Town Hall Information Centre, Newbury Building Society, and Jay Design & Print, both in Wokingham, via email from: tickets@ wokingham-choral-society.org.uk or online from: www.wokingham-choralsociety.org.uk

VENUE: South Hill Park Arts Centre in Bracknell is 50 this year, and to mark the occasion has launched a fundraising appeal to support its future programmes

Shakespearean

TO MARK the 425th anniversary of William Shakespeare conjuring up the magic lines from Much Ado About Nothing, Tamesis Chamber Choir will be performing a concert featuring “a gallimaufry” of songs with lyrics based on the Bard’s tales.

The choir’s musical director is Louise Rapple, and they will be welcoming accompanist Trevor Defferd.

If Music Be The Food of Love takes place from 7pm on Saturday, March 25, at St Mary’s Church, in Hart Street, Henley.

Tickets cost £12, £5 for those in education, and can be bought on the door or in advance.

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

Yateley Choral

MEMBERS of Yateley Choral Society are preparing for their spring concert, Oh Sing Joyfully.

This takes place on Saturday, March 25 at its usual performance venue, St Swithun’s Catholic Church in Firgrove Road, Yateley.

Starting at 7.45pm, the programme includes Rutter’s Gloria, Goodall’s The Lord is My Shepherd, Stanford’s Beati quorum via, and Britten’s Jubilate Deo.

Tickets cost £15, £5 for students and free for under 16s. n For more details, call the box office on: 01276 31850, or log on to: www.yateley-choral.org.uk

Angela has some good intentions

ACOMIC who says she has good intentions, but doesn’t quite make it, is coming to Bracknell next month.

Tickets for Angela Barnes’ new show Hot Mess are now on sale.

The regular on shows such as Mock The Week, Live at the Apollo, and 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown and former chair of BBC Radio 4’s The News Quiz says that trying to live your best life, as it turns out, is really quite hard.

Her new show features stand-up, stories and jokes, taking in marriage, ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) and the pandemic.

“It was originally about ADHD, but, ironically, I got distracted,” she says.

“The title of the show was conceived before the diagnosis. I’ve always been ditzy and forgetful, someone that people roll their eyes at all the time.

“So the show started off being about trying to get things right and often failing, but then so much happened it ended up being about something quite different, about friendship and loss.”

Other comics, including Aisling Bea, Shaparak Khorsandi, Simon Brodkin, have ADHD.

Angela says: “I think there’s a reason we get drawn into this life.

We’re constantly looking for that dopamine hit. What better way than stand in front of a room of strangers?

“It’s not normal to drive to Cardiff for no money to do 10 minutes then drive back. Also, I think we’re quite socially awkward.

“I’ve never been good in social situations with people I don’t know. I’m more comfortable

The Comet is Coming

A FESTIVAL which takes place in the heart of one of Reading’s oldest hotspots is returning after a short hiatus.

Down at the Abbey will see live music and festivities back in the shadows of the Abbey Ruins when it returns for its third outing this September.

They have been nominated for a Mercury Prize and received critical acclaim for their three recorded albums, and will take to the stage at the Abbey following performances at Coachella and Primavera festivals this summer. The rest of the festival’s lineup is still to be announced.

onstage in front of a crowd in the dark.

“I’m more surprised by stand ups that don’t have ADHD. Why are they doing it?”

Her visit to South Hill Park is on Thursday, April 27. Tickets cost £18.50.

n For more details, log on to: www.southhillpark.org.uk , or call the box office on: 01344 484123.

PHIL CREIGHTON

While last year’s festival was cancelled due to organisational difficulties, tickets for the event in 2022 will be valid for this year.

Musicians will perform on two stages across two days, including the Friday headliner, The Comet is Coming.

The London-based trio is fronted by saxophonist Shabaka Hutchings, incorporating funk, jazz, electronica, and psychedelic rock into their sci-fi and B-movie inspired stylings.

Taking place in the Abbey Ruins, the festival also offers a range of beer and cider from Siren Craft Brew as well as street food and cocktails in the auspicious surroundings of the remains one of Reading’s oldest buildings.

Down at the Abbey takes place in the Abbey Ruins from FridaySaturday, September 8-9.

n Information about the festival and how to volunteer, as well as access to ticket, is available via: downattheabbey.co.uk

Noisy children can join orchestra for the thrill of the ride

AN ORCHESTRAL concert promises to take its audience on an exhilarating musical journey filled with rollercoasters, train rides and thrilling adventures.

The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) Noisy Kids 2023 concert is called Thrill of the Ride.

The orchestra will be conducted by Benjamin Pope, with Tim Steiner presenting.

The programme features Rossini’s William Tell Overture,

Grieg’s In the Hall of the Mountain King, excerpts from Elgar’s Enigma Variations, and other orchestral music that the orchestra says will take its young audience on the ride of their lives.

Noisy Kids concerts are interactive, performances, suitable for families of children aged five to 12.

They contain all the noise, commotion and excitement of a

live symphony orchestra.

The event takes place at Reading’s Hexagon Theatre, on Saturday, March 25.

Doors open at 11.30am, with tickets available at £11.50 for adults, £9.50 for children, £34 for a family of four, and £9 for groups of 10 or more.

The 75-minute long show has no interval.

n For tickets and information, visit: www.whatsonreading.com

Farley Singers and residents set to delight in upcoming concert

A CHOIR is inviting music lovers to take part in an upcoming performance at All Saints Church, Swallowfield.

Alongside members of the community, the Farley Singers will be performing Stainer’s Crucifixion on Sunday, April 2.

An afternoon rehearsal will precede the evening concert. Participants will also have the chance to attend optional practice sessions on March 22, 27 and 31.

Singers who have their own music can take part for free, while hiring and purchasing scores will cost £2 and £7 respectively.

Entry is free for members of the audience. There will be a retiring collection in aid of Share Shinfield and All Saints Church.

The rehearsal takes place from 4.30pm-6pm ahead of the performance at 7pm.

n To sign up, complete this Google form: https://bit.ly/3lo4kg0

MESSY NIGHT: Angela Barnes is coming to South Hill Park with her new show, Hot Mess

BACK: Down at the Abbey is returning to the auspicious Abbey Ruins in september with headliners The Comet is Coming. Picture: Jon Mo

LIVEMUSIC

RaW Sounds

Today Chris Hillman bit.ly/raw sounds today

PASSPORTS ready – we’re taking you out of Reading and Wokingham this week, to deepest, darkest Bracknell.

Well, not quite, but we’ve got two amazing bands from our neighbouring town heading up this week’s playlist.

They are among 10 top tunes for your aural pleasure.

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.

Spriggan Mist – Resurrection

They may be Bracknell-based but Spriggan Mist are in demand throughout the country.

Already this year they have performed locally at a brilliant Wassail Wokingham Music Club event plus further afield at a festival and a venue in the Midlands and, in April, they will be in Lincoln and Hampton with loads more to come.

The band have just released this new single, Resurrection and, if you liked their latest album,

GIG GUIDE

Thursday, March 16

BURGHFIELD – The Hatch Gate, Reading Road RG30 3TH. Clem Johnson.

Details: 0118 983 2059.

READING – The Blagrave Arms, Blagrave Street RG1 1PW. Karaoke. Details: 0118 958 6775.

READING – The Face Bar, Ambrose Place RG1 7JE. Club Velocity/New Mind presents Funke And The Two Tone Baby. Details: 0118 959 5500.

Friday, March 17

BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. Atom Heart Floyd. Details: www.theacousticcouch.co.uk

BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. These Certain People. Details: 01344 303333.

READING – The Butler, Chatham Street RG1 7DS. Open mic night. Details: 0118 959 5500.

READING – The Hexagon, Queens Walk RG1 7QF. Calling Planet Earth. Details: 0118 960 6060.

READING – Pitcher & Piano, Friar Street RG1 1DB. Stars in the their Minds karaoke. Details: 0118 958 8964.

READING – Playlist, Friar Street RG1 1EP. Marky Dawson. Details: 0118 212 0720.

READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Propa Ammo, DJ Rap, Dope Ammo, Sublow HZ, Scopes, Magnum, Chris Turner and more.. Details: 0118 959 7196.

READING – Progress Theatre, The Mount RG1 5HL. Jazz at Progress presents Zoe Gilby Quartet. Details: www. jazzinreading.com

READING – Sub89, Friar Street RG1 1EP. Elvana: Elvis Fronted Nirvana. Details: 0118 959 5395

STOKE ROW – Crooked Billet RG9 5PU. St Patrick’s Night. Details: 01491 681048.

WOKINGHAM – Broad Street Tavern, Broad Street RG40 1AU. Full Flavour. Details: 0118 977 3706.

Isambard the Mechanical Dragon, you’ll like this one – https://www.sprigganmist.com/

Red Tape Resistance – Get Me Out

Another band from Bracknell but a bit heavier. It’s the new single from Alt Rock band, Red Tape Resistance and it’s another of their powerful anthems which shows why the three-piece are picking up a growing live following.

If they continue releasing music like this, they will grow that following further.

Their recent Acoustic Couch show certainly had the venue rocking – https://linktr.ee/ redtaperesistance

Beans on Toast – Against the War

A bit more of a mellow sound now but a very powerful message as this UK singer/songwriter

WOKINGHAM – The Station Tap, Station Road RG40 2AD. Karaoke with Waynie. Details: 0118 977 4548.

WOKINGHAM – The Two Poplars, Finchampstead Road RG41 2NU. Beatles and Buddy Holly tribute.

Details: 0118 978 0590.

YATELEY – The Cricketers, Cricket Hill Lane GU46 6BA. Soultrax with Anna Nightingale. Details: 01252 872105.

Saturday, March 18

BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. Skaema, Sebastian and Me. Details: www.theacousticcouch. co.uk

BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. The Boy George Experience. Details: 01344 303333.

BRACKNELL – South Hill Park, Ringmead RG12 7PA. Raymond Burley: Music from Spain and Beyond. Details: 01344 484123.

BRACKNELL – South Hill Park, Ringmead RG12 7PA. And Finally … Phil Collins.

Details: 01344 484123.

CROWTHORNE – Royal British Legion, Wellington Road RG45 7LJ. Freddy B.

Details: 01344 772161.

EARLEY – The Seven Red Roses, Maiden Place RG6 3HA. Gary Roman as Elvis.

Details: 0118 935 4103.

READING – The Butler, Chatham Street RG1 7DS. Hard Times. Details: 0118 959 5500.

READING – The Castle Tap, Castle Street RG1 7RJ. Panic Button, Hoof, Personal Issue, Eric Tildiss Function Band, and Non Drama. Details: 0118 958 0473.

READING – The Face Bar, Ambrose Place RG1 7JE. Church of Madness v Karkasaurus. Details: 0118 959 5500.

READING – Grosvenor Casino Reading, Rose Kiln Lane RG2 0SN. This Is Queen tribute. Details: 0118 402 7800.

READING – The Oakford Centre, Blagrave Street. Burning House, K*ll Comittee, Television Gods.

READING – Playlist, Friar Street RG1 1EP. Live request supper club. Details: 0118

212 0720.

READING – The Rising Sun, Silver Street RG1 2ST. Tribute night: Beyonce and Destiny’s Child. Details: 0118 986 6788.

READING – Salisbury Conservative Club, Kings Road RG1 4HX. Stoney Lane.

Details: 0118 926 5804.

READING – Sub89, Friar Street RG1 1EP. Resist: Underground House and Tech House. Details: 0118 959 5395

SHINFIELD – The Sportsman, Shinfield Road RG2 7DS. Beatles and Buddy Holly tribute. Details: 0118 975 2089.

WINNERSH – Royal British Legion RG41 5LP. Wokingham Music Club presents The AC/DC Experience. 8pm. £19. Details: www.ticketsource.co.uk/ wokinghammusicclub

WOKINGHAM – Hope and Anchor, Station Road RG40 2AD. Groove X. 7.30pm. Details: 0118 977 0918.

WOKINGHAM – The Station Tap, Station Road RG40 2AD. DJ Bounce. Details: 0118 977 4548.

WINKFIELD ROW – Carnation Hall. The Supertonics big band with Sarah Jane Eveleigh. £12. Details: thesupertonics. co.uk

Sunday, March 19

READING – Community Hall, Watlington House, Watlington Street RG1 4RJ. Readifolk presents: theme night Law and Order. Details: www.readifolk. org.uk

READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Reggae Sundays. Details: 0118 959 7196.

Monday, March 20

READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. The Old Purple Whistle Test.. Details: 0118 959 7196.

WOKINGHAM – Hope and Anchor, Station Road RG40 2AD. Acoustic Cafe. 7.30pm. Details: 0118 977 0918.

Tuesday, March 21

READING – Pitcher & Piano, Friar Street RG1 1DB. Open mic night with Kristian

ON SONG: Spriggan Mist during their recent Wassail Picture: Andrew Merritt

wonderfully chilled instrumental backing to an incredible vocal performance by Pete Rawcliffe –https://abetterlifemusic.com/

Third Lung – Dance Me Lover

Third Lung were Number One in our Top 20 of 2022 due to their brilliant singles and stunning debut album, Gameplay, and the band has just released this as the fourth single from the album – http://www. thirdlungband.com/

OSP – Tun Up

One of our faves from Wokingham Festival last year has just released this new single for 2023. It’s another good one with a brilliantly uplifting energetic track featuring excellent vocal performances – https://www.facebook.com/ ospmusicuk

Daviid B – Midnight Wine

releases a new single as a protest against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

He was featured in this paper recently ahead of his tour which includes a return visit to Reading’s Facebar on Friday, March 24 – https:// beansontoastmusic.com/

Selina and the Howlin Dogs – Woman

This new single was released last week to coincide with International Women’s Day. Another good single from this band following their appearance in our Top Three of 2022 – https://www. selinaandthehowlindogs.com/

A Better Life (ft. Pete Rawcliffe) –I’m on Fire

A unique, atmospheric and beautiful interpretation of a Bruce Springsteen classic with

Wilkins and Friends. Details: 0118 958 8964.

STOKE ROW – Crooked Billet RG9 5PU. Glenn Tilbrook. Details: 01491 681048.

Wednesday, March 22

READING – The Hexagon, Queens Walk RG1 7QF. The Sensational 60s experience 2023: Dozy Beaky Mick and Tich, The Trems, The Fortunes, Mike D’Abo, The Swinging Blue Jeans and Vanity Fare. Details: 0118 960 6060.

Thursday, March 23

READING – The Blagrave Arms, Blagrave Street RG1 1PW. Karaoke. Details: 0118 958 6775.

READING – The Butler, Chatham Street RG1 7DS. Jazz singers night. Details: 0118 959 5500.

WARFIELD – Spice Lounge, Three Legged Cross, Forest Road RG42 6AE. Gary Roman as Elvis. Details: 01344 421673.

Friday, March 24

BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. Faux Fighetrs: a tribute to the Foo Fighters. Details: www.theacousticcouch.co.uk

BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. I Got Soul: Junior Giscombe with band. Details: 01344 303333.

PLAYHATCH – The Flowing Spring, Henley Road RG4 9RB. Slightly Plugged Night. Details: 0118 969 98978.

READING – The Butler, Chatham Street RG1 7DS. Open mic night. Details: 0118 959 5500.

READING – The Face Bar, Ambrose Place RG1 7JE. Beans on Toast Details: 0118 959 5500.

READING – Hope and Bear, London Road RG1 5DE. Sugar and Sax. Details: 0118 935 4095.

READING – Pitcher & Piano, Friar Street RG1 1DB. Stars in the their Minds

If you enjoy jazzy/bluesy originals with guitar sax and flute, here’s a single which features a wonderful sax intro into a song which has a very cool blues club feel. Watch out for live shows from Daviid B & Dinos – https://www.instagram.com/daviidbmusic

BDD – Dream for the Future

This is from Songs for an Angel Vol 1 – Music for Eric Bouillette, a tribute album to the late guitarist. BDD is the alter ego of The Room bassist Andy Rowe – https://www.ftf-music.com/de/ tributetoericbouillette/tributetoericbouillette.htm

Small

Town Heroes – Only 18

Here’s a new single from this young Berkshirebased band and it’s a very good piece of melodic uplifting indie pop, recorded at Dean Nelson’s Generation Studio – https://bio.site/ smalltownheroes

karaoke. Details: 0118 958 8964.

READING – Playlist, Friar Street RG1 1EP. Live request supper club. Details: 0118 212 0720.

READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. OCD&B and Healdiners.

Details: 0118 959 7196.

READING – Saint Laurance Church RG1

3EJ. Heavy Pop and Dork presents Beat Connection 2023. Porridge Radio, Lime Garden, Baba Ali, Adam & Elvis, Tracks and Grooves DJ. Details: heavypop.co.uk

READING – Sub89, Friar Street RG1

1EP. Ron Lamberti presents Perfectly George. Details: 0118 959 5395

READING – The Turks, London Road RG1

5BJ. Dead Machines. Details: 0118

957 6930

WOKINGHAM – Broad Street Tavern, Broad Street RG40 1AU. ND Live.

Details: 0118 977 3706.

WOKINGHAM – The Station Tap, Station Road RG40 2AD. Karaoke with Waynie. Details: 0118 977 4548.

Saturday, March 25

BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. Red Hoax Chilli Peppers.Details: www. theacousticcouch.co.uk

BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF.

!DAFT! Details: 01344 303333.

BRACKNELL – The Royal Oak, London Road RG12 2NN. Asylum Affair.

Details: 01344 422622

BRACKNELL – South Hill Park, Ringmead RG12 7PA. The Bon Jovi Experience.

Details: 01344 484123.

READING – The Face Bar, Ambrose Place

RG1 7JE. Veridian, Kite Chief and Our

Fate. Details: 0118 959 5500.

READING – Oakford Social Club, Blagrave Street. Puma Theory.

READING – The Palmer Tavern, Wokingham Road RG6 1JL. Paddington. Details: 0118 935 1009.

READING – Playlist, Friar Street RG1 1EP. Live request supper club. Details: 0118 212 0720.

READING – The Pond House, Oxford Road. Brick Top.

READING – Salisbury Conservative Club, Kings Road RG1 4HX. Silver Searchers.

Details: 0118 926 5804.

READING – Saint Laurance Church RG1 3EJ. Heavy Pop and Dork presents Beat Connection 2023. Billie Marten, AK/DK, Keg, Cowboys, Liam O’Brien, Priestgate, The Mirror Pictures, Tracks and Grooves DJ. Details: heavypop. co.uk

READING – South Street arts centre. Heidi Talbot. Details: 0118 960 6060.

TILEHURST – The Royal British Legion Club, Downing Road RG31 5BB. 4G.

Details: 0118 942 9606.

WHITLEY – Whitley Social Club, RG2 7QA. ReVibe. Details: 0118 374 0052.

WOKINGHAM – Hope and Anchor, Station Road RG40 2AD. Stoney Lane. 7.30pm. Details: 0118 977 0918.

WOKINGHAM – The Station Tap, Station Road RG40 2AD. DJ Bounce. Details: 0118 977 4548.

WOKINGHAM – The White Horse, Easthampstead Road RG40 3AF. Makeshifts. Details: 0118 979 7402.

WOODLEY – Bull and Chequers, Woodley Green RG5 4QP. Wardour Street. Details: 0118 969 9756.

YATELEY – The Dog and Partridge, Reading Road GU46 7LR. Tequila Chase. Details: 01252 870648.

Sunday, March 26

BRACKNELL – South Hill Park, Ringmead RG12 7PA. Wilde Sundays: Dragonfly Sky, Greg Mayston’s Folk, Blues and Americana, JK Jerome. Details: 01344 484123.

READING – Community Hall, Watlington House, Watlington Street RG1 4RJ. Readifolk presents: Bob and Gill Berry. Details: www.readifolk. org.uk

READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Reggae Sundays. Details: 0118 959 7196.

WHAT’SON

Friday, March 17

CAVERSHAM – Library, Church Street RG4 8AU. Games club. 10.30am. Free.

Details: 0118 937 5103.

CROWTHORNE – Wellington College, Dukes Ride RG45

7PU. Wellington College presents George Orwell’s 1984. 7.30pm. Details: wellingtoncollege.org.uk

CROWTHORNE – Wellington College, Dukes Ride RG45 7PU. Wellington College Guitar Concert.

7.30pm. £5. In aid of art fund. Details: www. wellingtoncollege.org.uk

EARLEY – St Nicolas Church, Sutcliffe Avenue RG6

7JN. Re:Fresh cafe with Friendship Table. 10am. Details: linkvisiting.org

READING – Battle Library, Oxford Road RG30

1EE. Rhymetime. 10am and 11.15am. Booking essential. Details: 0118 937 5100.

READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1

2JR. Mates Rates Comedy presents Robert White, Carl Richard and more.

Details: 0118 959 7196.

READING – South Street Arts Centre. Poets Cafe online.

1pm. Details: 0118 960 6060.

WOKINGHAM – Wokingham Theatre, Twyford Road, RG40 5TU. Things

I Know To be True.

7.45pm. £15. Details: WokinghamTheatre.org.uk

WOKINGHAM – Salvation Army, Sturges Road RG40 2HD. Cafe Refresh Friendship table. 10am-1.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org

WOKINGHAM – Norreys Church, Norreys Avenue RG40 1UU. T&C at SHARE Wokingham Friendship table. 12.30pm-2.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org

WOKINGHAM – St Paul’s Church Parish Rooms, Reading Road RG41 1EH. Coffee and Chat: a warm welcome, a listening ear and refreshments. 2pm4pm. Details: 0118 979 2122 or church.office@ spauls.co.uk.

WOOSEHILL – Acorn Community Centre, Fernlea Drive RG41 3DR. Acorn Cafe with Friendship table. 10.30am-noon.

Details: linkvisiting.org

Saturday, March 18

BRADFIELD – Social Club, Union Road RG7 6AE. Bradfield Darts Open 2023. Minimum prize pot £500, subject to 32 entrants. Register 12.30pm. Details: www. facebook.com/BradfieldSC or 0118 974 4760.

CROWTHORNE – Wellington College Chapel, Dukes Ride RG45 7PU.

Crowthorne Choral Society presents Howard Goodall’s Eternal Light : A Requiem. 7.30pm. £15. Details: www. crowthornechoral.org.uk

FINCHAMPSTEAD – Siren

Tap Yard, Alberto House, Marino Way RG40 4RF. Street Food Saturday: Siren’s 10th anniversary. From noon. Details: www. sirencraftbrew.com

PURLEY – St Mary’s Church,

St Mary’s Avenue RG8 8BJ.

Danni Nicholls in concert. 7pm. £15.Details: www. stmaryspurley.org.uk

READING – Cattle Market, Great Knollys Street RG1 7HU. Reading Farmers Market. 8.15amnoon. Details: www. thamesvalleyfarmers market.co.uk

READING – The Great Hall, University of Reading, London Road RG1 5AG.

Wokingham Choral Soceity spring concert: Monteverdi: Beatus Vir, Pergolesi: Stabat Mater, and Vivaldi: Gloria. 7.30pm. £17.50, £5 under 18s and students. Tickets from Wokingham Town Hall, Newburu Building Society, Jay Design and Print.

Details: www.wokinghamchoral-society.org.uk

READING – St James Roman Catholic Church, Forbury Road RG1 3FD. Friends of Reading Abbey presents the Professor Brian Kemp Memorial Lecture. The Medieval Pilgrimage Experience: Arrival, Destination and Engagement, a talk by Dr Jamie Ingram. 2.30pm. Free, retiring collection. readingabbey.org.uk

READING – Tutu’s Ethiopian Table, Palmer Park, Wokingham Road RG6

1LF. Dreading Slam presents Poetry in the Park. 11am. Details: 0118 966 3938.

SINDLESHAM – The Gate Church, Bearwood Road RG41 5BB. Art and Craft Fair. 11am-2pm. Details: admin@thegate.uk.com

SOUTHCOTE – Grange United Reformed Church, Ciruit Lane. Easter Market rafts, Homemade Cakes & Preserves, Raffle, Easter Tombola, Books, Jigsaw Puzzles, Bric-a-Brac, plus charity stalls including Thames Valley Animal Welfare and Duchess of Kent Hospice. 11.30am - 1.30pm. Entry 50p, children free. Details: 0118

956 0380.

WINNERSH – Royal British Legion RG41

5LP. Wokingham Music Club presents The AC/ DC Experience. 8pm. £19. Details: www. ticketsource.co.uk/ wokinghammusicclub

WOKINGHAM – Wokingham Theatre, Twyford Road, RG40 5TU. Things I Know To be True. 7.45pm. £15. 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

Sunday, March 19

CAVERSHAM - Waitrose Car Park, off Gosbrook Road. Artisan & Farmers Market. 10am-3pm.

HURST – Dinton Pastures, Davis Street RG10 0TH. WOKINGHAM 5KM & 10KM. 9.30am. www. barnesfitness.co.uk/ MAPLEDURHAM –Mapledurham Estate, RG4

7TR. Reading 20. From 9.30am. 10 mile or 20 mile routes, entries from £26. Closing date for entries March 16. Details: www. riderhq.com

READING – Lush, The Oracle RG1 2AG. Mothering Sunday pamper party. £25.

11.30am-1pm. Details:

0118 957 6766.

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”.

12.30pm-4pm. Free, donations welcome.

SILCHESTER - Village Hall, Little London Road RG7 2ND. Village market. 10am-12.30pm. Details: silchestervillagemarket. org.uk.

SINDLESHAM – Sindlesham Court, Mole Road. Royal Berkshire Militaria Fair. 9am-1pm.

TILEHURST – Double Barelled Brewery, Stadium Way RG30 6BX. Run Ding: a new running club. Fourmile route that starts and ends at the brwewery. Free. 11.30am-1pm. Details: doublebarrelled. co.uk

TWYFORD – Twyford and Ruscombe Horticultural Association Store, Loddon Hall Road. Children’s great Potato Planting event. For children and grandchildren of association members.

9.30am. Details:trha.org.uk

Monday, March 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 4FS.

Arts Society Wokingham presents: Sorolla:Painter of Light, a beautifully illustrated talk by Jacqueline Cockburn, an expert in Spanish art. 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.

EARLEY – Earley CResCent Resource Centre, Warbler Drive RG6 4HB. Interview

Skills - Free Employability Workshop. 9.30am. Booking essential. Booking: 0118 921 0555.

READING - Milk, Merchants Place RG1 1DT. Jelly’s The Creative book club meeting. 7pm-8.30pm. £2. Places limited, pre-booking essential. jelly.org.uk

TILEHURST – Library, School Road RG31 5AS. Rhymetime. 9.45am and 10.45am Booking essential.

Details: 0118 937 5112.

WOKINGHAM – Salvation Army, Sturges Road RG40 2HD. Friendship table. 10am-1.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org

WOKINGHAM – Norreys Church, Norreys Avenue RG40 1UU. T&C at SHARE Wokingham Friendship table. 12.30pm-2.30pm.

Details: linkvisiting.org

WOODLEY – Woodley Baptist Church, Hurricane

Way RG5 4UX. Four Seasons cafe Friendship Table. 1.30pm-3.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org

Tuesday, March 21

CAVERSHAM – Library, Church Street RG4 8AU. Rhymetime. 10.15am10.45am and 11.15am11.45am. Booking essential. Free. Details: 0118 937 5103.

CROWTHORNE – Wellington College, Dukes Ride RG45 7PU. Wellington College Jazz and Concert Band. 8pm. £10. In aid of Crowthorne Community Minibus. Details: www. wellingtoncollege.org.uk

EARLEY – Earley St Peter’s Church Hall,Church Road RG6 1EY. East Reading Horticultural Society: Gardening for Wellbeing with Christina HughesNind. 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. 10am. Details: linkvisiting.org

FINCHAMPSTEAD – FBC Centre, Gorse Ride North RG40 4ES. Art group. 1pm-3pm. £3 per session. Details: 0118 973 2484.

READING – Reading Central Library, Abbey Square RG1 3BQ. Rhymetime. Booking essential. 10.30am. Details: 0118 937 5950.

READING - Milk, Merchants Place RG1 1DT. Comedy Club. £8. 7pm. Details: milkreading.com

SOUTHCOTE – Library, Southcote Community Hub, Coronation Square RG30 3QP. Coffee morning. 10.30am11.30am. Details: 0118

937 5109.

WHITLEY – Library, South Reading Community Hub, 252 Northumberland Avenue, RG2 7QA. Berkshire mini maestros.

2.30pm-3pm. Details: 0118

937 5115.

WOKINGHAM – Bradbury Centre, Wokingham Methodist Church, Rose Street RG40 1XS. CLASP cafe with Friendship table. 10am-noon. Every third and fourth Tuesday of the month. linkvisiting.org

WOKINGHAM – Town Hall, Market Place RG40 1AS. Involve Comunity presented charity networking event. 10amnoon. Details: philip.bell@ involve.community

WOKINGHAM – Wokingham Theatre, Twyford Road, RG40 5TU. Things I Know To be True.

7.45pm. £15. 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

Wednesday, March 22

EARLEY – Brookside Church, Brookside Close RG6 7HG. Open Door cafe with Friendship Table. 2pm4pm. Details: linkvisiting. org

TWYFORD – URC Hall, Church Street, RG10 9DR. Twyford Arts Group Life Drawing Sessions. 7pm. Details: www. twyfordartgroup.co.uk

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

WOKINGHAM – Wokingham Theatre, Twyford Road, RG40 5TU. Things I Know To be True. 7.45pm. £15. Details: WokinghamTheatre.org.uk

Thursday, March 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/

READING – LifeSpring Church, The Pavilion, Oxford Road RG1 7UY. The Heart of Communication, a masterclass in public speaking with Rob Parsons. 7.30pm. £11. Details: www.eventbrite. co.uk/e/the-heart-ofcommunication-readingtickets-479875108367

READING – The Centre for Heritage and Family History, 2nd Floor, Reading Central Library, Abbey Square RG1 3BQ. The Thames Before Time, an online talk organised by the Berkshire Family History Society. 2pm3.30pm. £5, £4 members. Details: 0118 950 9553.

READING – Battle Library, Oxford Road RG30 1EE. Coffee morning. 10amnoon. Details: 0118 937 5100.

READING – Cattle Market, Great Knollys Street RG1 7HU. Reading Farmers Market. 8.15amnoon. Details: www. thamesvalleyfarmers market.co.uk

READING – Palmer Park Library, St Bartholomew’s Road RG1 3QB. Rhymetime. Booking essential. 10.30am.

Details: 0118 937 5106.

READING – Reading Central Library, Abbey Square RG1 3BQ. Rhymetime. Booking essential. 10.15am and 11.15. Details: 0118 937 5950.

SPENCERS WOOD –Spencers Wood Pavilion, Clares Green Road RG7 1DY. Social Seniors Tea and Coffee with Friendship Table. 10am-noon. Details: linkvisiting.org

SOUTHCOTE – Library, Southcote Community Hub, Coronation Square RG30 3QP. Rhymetime. 9.45am. Booking essential.

Details: 0118 937 5109. TILEHURST – Library, School Road RG31 5AS. Rhymetime. 2.15pm Booking essential. Details: 0118 937 5112.

WHITLEY – Library, S Reading Community Hub, 252 Northumberland Avenue, RG2 7QA. Rhymetime. 11am. Booking essential.

Details: 0118 937 5115.

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 Three Frogs, London Road. ASD Family Help presents adult social group, for people with autism, learning disabilities, their partners, family, friends and carers. Registration for first timers required. 7pm. Details: www.asdfamilyhelp.org

WOKINGHAM – Wokingham Theatre, Twyford Road, RG40 5TU. Things I Know To be True. 7.45pm. £15. Details: WokinghamTheatre.org.uk

WOKINGHAM – The Whitty Theatre, Luckley House School, Luckley Road RG40 3EU. Wokingham Film Society presents: Happening (15). £6.50, £4 members. 7.30pm. Details: wokinghamfilmsociety.com

WOKINGHAM – The Cornerstone, All Saints Church, Norreys Avenue, Wokingham RG40 1UE. Wokingham and East Berkshire Camera Club meeting. 7.30pm. Details: www.webcc.org.uk.

WOODLEY – The Oakwood Centre, Headley Road RG5 4JZ. Starmaker Theatre Company presents 13 The Musical. 7.30pm. Details: www.starmarker.org.uk

Friday, March 24

CAVERSHAM – Library, Church Street RG4 8AU. Games club. 10.30am. Free. Details: 0118 937 5103.

EARLEY – St Nicolas Church, Sutcliffe Avenue RG6 7JN. Re:Fresh cafe with Friendship Table. 10amnoon. linkvisiting.org

EARLEY – Earley St Peter’s Church Hall, Church Road RG6 1EY. Reading Guild of Artists presents: The figure and pattern with Jenny Halstead. 7pm. £8. Details: www.rga-artists.org.uk

READING – The Hexagon, Queens Walk RG1 7QF. Let’s Sing Reading!. From 6.30pm. £14, concessions £8.50. Details: 0118 960 6060.

READING – Redlands Parish Church (St Luke’s) Church Hall, Erleigh Road RG1 5LH. Gas Tower Community Art presents Wholeness, a community art exhibition. 10am-4pm. Free entry.

READING – Battle Library, Oxford Road RG30 1EE. Rhymetime. 10am and 11.15am. Booking essential. Details: 0118 937 5100.

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. Things I Know To be True. 7.45pm. £15. Details: WokinghamTheatre.org.uk

WOODLEY – The Oakwood Centre, Headley Road RG5 4JZ. Starmaker Theatre Company presents 13 The Musical. 7.30pm. Details: www.starmarker.org.uk

WOOSEHILL – Acorn Community Centre, Fernlea Drive RG41 3DR. Acorn Cafe with Friendship table. 10.30am-noon. Details: linkvisiting.org

Saturday, March 25

BARKHAM – Village Hall, Church Road RG40 4PL. Barkham Village Residents Association Family Skittles Evening. £12, £5 primary school children, includes supper. Bar available. 7pm. Details: 0118 978 3373.

CROWTHORNE – Baptist Church, High Street RG45 7AT. Repair cafe organsied by CROW Plastic Free Crowthorne. From 10.30am. Details: 01344 761725.

HENLEY – St Mary’s Church, Hart Street, RG9 2AU. Tamesis Chamber Choir: If music be the food of love… 7pm. £12, £5 students. Details: tamesis chamberchoir.co.uk.

PURLEY – St Mary’s Church, RG8 8BJ. Reading Male Voice Choir spring concert, featuring special guests brass band quintet. £10. 7.30pm. Details: rmvc.net

READING – The Abbey School, Kendrick Road RG1 5DZ. Parenthesis Choir presents 30th anniversary concert. Mozart - Requiem and Haydn - Nelson Mass. 7pm, £15, under 18s free. Details: parenthesis.org.uk

READING – The Great Hall, University of Reading, London Road RG1 5AG. Bracknell Choral Society and Reading Festival Chorus present Haydn’s The Creation. 7.30pm. £20. Details: www. bracknellchoral.org.uk.

READING – The Hexagon, Queens Walk RG1 7QF. March to the Gaol. Bring banners, signs, costumes and noise. Route will go to Reading Gaol. From noon.

READING – The Hexagon, Queens Walk RG1 7QF. Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Noisy Kids concert: The Thrill of the Ride, featuring Rossini’s William Tell Overture, Grieg’s In the Hall of the Mountain King, excerpts from Elgar’s Enigma Variations. £11.50, £9.50 children. 11.30am. Details: 0118 960 6060.

READING – The Hexagon, Queens Walk RG1 7QF. Royal Philharmonic Orchestra & Adam Hickox. Mendelsohn | Overture, Nocturne & Scherzo - A

Midsummer Night’s Dream; Tchaikovsky | Rococo Variations; Elgar | Enigma Variations. £28.50, £24.50, £17.50. Under 18s £6, students £10. Schools £6. Pre-concert talk 6.30pm. Concert 7.30pm.

Details: 0118 960 6060.

READING – Reading Minster Of St Mary The Virgin C Of E Church, Chain Street RG1 2HX. Walk Watch

Share art docs presents Camino to Cop26: Film screening and walk of witness for Earth hour. 6pm at Forbury Gardens, 7pm at Reading Minster.

Details: readingminster. org.uk

READING – Redlands Parish Church (St Luke’s) Church Hall, Erleigh Road RG1 5LH. Gas Tower Community Art presents Wholeness, a community art exhibition. 10am-4pm. Free entry.

READING – St John and St Stephen’s Church, Orts Road RG1 3JN. Chorate Chamber Choir spring concert: choral music for Lent and Easter. 6pm. Free entry, retiring collection in aid of Autism Berkshire.

Details: www.chorate. org.uk

TILEHURST – Methodist Church, School Road RG31 5AN. Thames Vale Singers presents Faure’s Requiem and other choral gems. 7.30pm. In aid of ReadiFood. £10, under 16s £5. Details: 0118 9424372.

TWYFORD – Loddon Hall, Loddon Hall Road. Twyford and Ruscombe Horticultural Association spring show. 2pm. Details: trha.org.uk

TWYFORD – St Mary’s Church, Station Road. Project Singers present And Wherever you Go, a spring concert. 7.30pm. £8.

Details: 0118 934 0589 or suzanneynewman@ btinternet.com

WOKINGHAM – St Paul’s Church, Reading Road RG41 1EH. Wokingham Horticultural Association Show. 2pm-4.30pm.

Details: www.w-h-a.org.uk.

WOKINGHAM – Wokingham Theatre, Twyford Road, RG40 5TU. Things I Know To be True. 7.45pm. £15. 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 – The Oakwood Centre, Headley Road RG5 4JZ. Starmaker Theatre Company presents 13 The Musical. 3pm, 7.30pm.

Details: www.starmarker. org.uk

WOODLEY – The Bulmershe School, Woodlands Avenue RG5 3EU. Woodley Concert Band spring concert: a Feast of Music. £14, £12 concessions, £5 under 16s. 7.30pm. Details: www.woodleyconcertband. org.uk

YATELEY – St Swithun’s Catholic Church, Firgrove Road GU46 6NH. Yateley Choral Society Concert7.45pm. £15, students £5, under 16s free. Details: www.yateleychoral.org.uk.

TO ADVERTISE ON THIS PAGE, CALL CLAIRE ON: 0118 327 2662

Quiz Challenge

1. The Bristol Bloodhound was a type of what?

2. A town called Pointe-à-Pitre is on which Caribbean island?

3. Dafne Keen plays Lyra Belacqua in the 2022 season of which British TV drama based on the novels of Philip Pullman?

4. What S is a malt-flavoured dark porter and a stocky body type?

5. Which sport can be GrecoRoman or freestyle?

6. Which electrical device in a car is located between the ignition coil and the spark plugs?

7. Which scientist discovered vaccination and used cowpox injections to cure smallpox?

8. Man! I Feel Like a Woman! was a hit song for which Canadian female singer?

9. The Atacama Desert is in which country?

10. The muted green colour used in Scottish tweed garments is called what?

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. Penny putting in ingredients for stuffing (7)

8. Leave in the lurch when lower (3,4)

9. The rest of the leftovers (7)

10. Greek character amended clues for core (7)

11. Mean person pulling back endlessly (7)

12. He helps a speculator (7)

14. Be more successful at crawling perhaps? (7)

18. Work for reporters who torment (7)

20. Notice drunken padre outside who showed off (7)

21. Building on a site in the country (7)

22. Not an employer who runs one over (7)

23. She’s repeatedly refused to give a show (7)

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. Dad’s concern? (6,7)

2. Signed different plan (6)

3. Endlessly aiding redevelopment of the country (5)

4. She’s badly entangled with net (6)

5. Point to watch on adhesive label (7)

6. Stir up trouble over info men tried to hide (6)

7. Sorts tiny area out that is wretched (2,1,5,5)

13. European press chief in smart environment (7)

15. Despotic ruler destroyed arty books (6)

16. New way the navy followed (6)

17. Place each name inside ground kernel (6)

19. Quietly remove a net from the plate (5)

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.

1. Choral composition (8)

6. Thin fog (4)

8. Insect (3)

9. Disturb (8)

10. Novice (4)

12. Dairy product (5)

(5)

2. Skating area (4)

3. Abstract explanation (6)

4. Ceremonial (6)

5. Comply (4)

6. Chemical substance (6)

7. Sea channel (6) 11. Worth (5) 12. Salad ingredient (5) 13. Berths

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:

276 8 3 32 84 7 6 1 9 3 6 7 34 67 784 21 5 7 8 71 84 48 2

apery; bare; barer; barre; baser; bear; berry; brae; bray; brrr; byre; eyra; pare; parer; parr; parry; parse; parser; payer; pear; perry; prase; pray; prayer; prey; pyre; rape; raper; rare; rarer; rase; rasp; RASPBERRY; rasper; raspy; reap; rear; repay; respray; sabre; sear; spar; spare; sparry; spear; spray; sprayer; spry; spryer; yare; year; yerba.

EQUALISER:

Cream; 14 Lyric; 17 Awry; 18 Locality;

Across – 1 Oratorio; 6 Mist; 8 Bee; 9 Unsettle; 10 Tyro; 12

QUICK CROSSWORD:

CRYPTIC CROSSWORD:

6 Distributor; 7 Edward Jenner; 8 Shania Twain; 9 Chile; 10 Lovat.

ACROSS DOWN

Tips for reducing food waste

PLANNING meals, working with leftovers and boosting your food storage containers can all help reduce food waste.

Although remains of meals can now be collected from the doorstep, Reading Borough Council has been working with WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme), to try and reduce the amount that this thrown away, saying that 4.5 million tonnes of edible food is thrown away each year by UK households.

Food waste recycling came in three years ago and has helped increase recycling rates from 34% to 50%.

But the council is keen to do more, and has produced some advice that might make a difference.

n Planning meals and writing a shopping list can ensure people buy only what is needed and will be used. The council says that 25% of food wasted in households is due to cooking,

preparing or serving too much – this costs UK households £3.5billion each year

n Donate any unwanted, unopened food items to food banks such as Readifood (www.readifood.org.

uk). Alternatively, use food swapping apps or websites.

n Use a slow cooker which is energy efficient and good for batch cooking which means you’ll waste less and have future meals already prepped

n Small reusable containers means leftovers can be lunches the next day.

n Storing your food in the right place will help it to stay fresher for longer. Make sure to freeze any food that you won’t need until later in the week and keep your fruit and veg in the fridge

n Try the SuperCook website (www. supercook.com) to use what you’ve got left.

Enter your leftover items on the website and receive a meal suggestion and recipe for what you can make

with your excess food items. Big Oven (www. bigoven.com) also has lots of recipe ideas to use up your leftovers.

n Make sure to put your rubbish in the correct bin. Recycling food waste can help stop it going to landfill where it rots and releases methane, a harmful greenhouse gas. It is also cheaper to recycle food waste, with every lorry load of food composted instead of being sent to landfill saving £100. Recycled food waste can then be turned into fertiliser for farming, and electricity to power homes.

If you’ve abandoned recycling food you can always hop back on – and the Council is encouraging everyone to do so. Anyone needing a new food waste kitchen caddy or outdoor food waste bin can contact the Council (www.reading.gov.uk/ waste-and-recycling/ order-a-bin-or-bag) to receive replacements for free. Liners can be collected for free from our libraries and leisure centres.

Residents can put all forms of cooked and uncooked food in their food waste bin including fruit and veg, meat and fish, rice, pasta, bread, dairy, egg shells, plate scrapings and tea bags and coffee grounds. Used cooking oil - in a sealed plastic bottlecan also be placed inside food waste bins for recycling.

Cllr Karen Rowland, Reading Borough Council’s lead member for environmental services and community

Healthy Heart tip

Hydration for a healthy heart N

UTRITION and Hydration week (March 13-19) is an annual event that aims to educate and celebrate improvements in the provision of nutrition and hydration.

safety, said: “Joining in with food waste recycling is a great way to do your bit for the environment, and Reading residents are really excited about participating.

“We want to reach out to those of you, however, who have fallen off the recycling habit, or are having issues, to join back in the recycling routine with your neighbours.

“If this is you, please contact the Council on

0118 937 3787, or via the website to make arrangements to get back in the groove on food recycling.

“For those of you well into recycling, take advantage of our tips to improve your own food recycling, save yourself money and be smarter about what you buy and find ways to make your food last longer.”

n More information about food waste recycling can be found at: www.reading.gov.uk

Five ways to stay fit with a hectic work schedule

AHECTIC work schedule can often mean that other parts of our lives our pushed to the side. Many people find it challenging to have a positive work-life balance, often not being able to find the time to stay fit and eat well.

Sports nutrition experts Bulk have highlighted five ways to stay fit and healthy during a busy work week.

Change your commute

While it may seem like taking just a few steps to your car and driving to work will save you more time in the day than walking, it’s not as practical as it may sound.

When working an office job where you remain sedentary for a large portion of the day, doing so means that you’ve incorporated no physical activity into your daily routine, therefore you’ll have to add more time onto your day by exercising before or after work.

If you spend 15 minutes walking to work and another 15 minutes walking back based on a five-day work week, you will meet the recommended target of 150 minutes of moderate exercise each week.

You can also adapt your morning route even if you take public transport by perhaps choosing a bus stop or train station which is slightly further from your home to get some more steps in.

Consider home workouts

To save time waiting around in the gym at peak times for machines to be free, as well as travelling there and back if your gym isn’t close by, you can

dedicate a specific area in your home for workouts.

Whether you do so in your garage or even if utilise some space in your living room, make sure that the area you choose has enough space for an exercise mat.

If weight training is your go-to workout, invest in dumbbells or kettlebells to replace the machines you may use in the gym – this is much more beneficial for your physical health too, as free weights help develop strength by incorporating more muscles.

Create a workout schedule

When it comes to your job, you can familiarise yourself with your routine and therefore can prepare yourself for the day ahead – and this is possible with exercising.

Evaluate which days’ work best for you and stick to this so that, like work,

you become comfortable with the routine and prevent making excuses to skip the workout.

By choosing one of the days over the weekend to exercise, you require less time during your working week to fit a workout in.

While it’s suggested to do 150 minutes of moderate exercises each week, it’s recommended to exercise for around 75 minutes a week if you partake in vigorous activities like running or cycling –so you can opt for a workout on a Saturday morning to feel energised for the weekend.

Cook your meals

ahead

Staying fit and healthy isn’t only about physical activity – it’s also down to what you eat, too. It can feel overwhelming sticking to diets and finding the time to cook when you have a busy schedule over the week,

so meal prepping will keep you from spending too much time in the kitchen every night.

Cook several portions of food for the week at once instead of just making one meal every night – you can usually leave meals in the fridge up to four days, so you can use the opportunity to have your work lunches prepared as well as being able to eat straight after a workout on an evening to ensure you have time to relax.

Keep your gym clothing handy

If you head home after work to get changed into your gym gear ready for a workout, you take the risk of becoming too comfortable and making excuses to not go back out again – so keeping your exercise clothing on you will not only save that trip home, but it will also give you some motivation.

Keep a bag with you that contains clothes, shoes, a water bottle as well as any equipment you may need. Whether you finish work earlier than expected or even if you have half an hour free over lunch, doing so will make you more available to workouts whenever you find yourself free as you cut out the time it takes to get yourself ready at home.

A spokesperson from Bulk said: “Working out can be a hobby for many, but for some it can often spark feelings of dread when it feels as though there’s not enough time in the day.

“As keeping fit isn’t only about exercise, but also about what you eat – it can seem a challenge to balance all aspects when the majority of the week is spent at work.”

When thinking about heart health, we often think about nutrition and the impact this can have, but we can forget to consider how inadequate hydration levels can negatively impact our cardiac health.

This week’s Healthy Tip is all about hydration, and how it’s an essential component to our health and optimal functioning of our cardiovascular system.

Why is hydration important?

Water accounts for about 60% of our body weight, and every single cell in our body needs to be properly hydrated to work well. Water performs many roles in the body, such as regulating body temperature through sweating, lubricating joints, and removing waste products via bowel movements and urination. If we don’t drink enough fluids the amount of blood circulating in our body decreases. When this happens the heart must beat faster and our blood pressure may be affected, which can increase our risk of a cardiac event.

Signs of dehydration

Dehydration occurs when we lose more fluids (through urination and sweating) than we replace with the fluids from the food and drinks we consume. Symptoms of moderate dehydration include not urinating much throughout the day, dark yellow urine, muscle cramps, thirst and a dry mouth.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms often, it’s a good idea to increase your fluid intake.

Ways to drink more

Drinking water is the easiest and cheapest way to ensure you stay properly hydrated, but there are other drinks that count towards your liquid intake such as herbal teas, sugar-free juice and low-fat milk. The NHS recommends drinking six to eight cups or glasses of fluids every day, which is about one-and-a-half to two litres.

Fruits and vegetables also contain water, so increasing the amount you consume can improve your hydration levels. Some great options include cucumber, tomatoes, apples, watermelon and peaches.

n For more tips on how to stay healthy, sign up for a weekly healthy tips at: www.heartresearch.org. uk/healthy-tips

Buying home fitness equipment can make it easier to build a fitness routine Picture: Pixabay

WOMEN’S FA CUP QUARTER FINAL

ROYALS OUT TO SHOCK CUP HOLDERS

EYES ON THE PRIZE

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today

READING FC WOMEN face a substantial test to try and continue their journey in the FA Women’s Cup when they face Chelsea on Sunday.

The Royals will have to overcome

the current cup holders to make it through to the semi-finals.

The Blues won the competition for the fourth time in their history last May when they defeated Manchester City 3-2 in an enthralling final at Wembley Stadium.

Reading have had a run strong run in this year’s FA Cup having beaten

Tottenham Hotspur away from home in the last round in a penalty shootout after a goalless draw after 120 minutes.

Reading’s main focus this campaign will be on retaining their WSL status where they face a grapple against four other sides to try and avoid the drop.

The Royals are currently in ninth place on 10 points from 15 games with all three sides below them with games in hand to play.

But before they resume their campaign for survival, they will be hoping to cause a cup upset to move a step closer to Wembley.

ONE WIN FROM WEMBLEY: YELLAS SEMI

DATE

ASCOT UNITED made it through to the final four of the FA Vase after their penalty shootout success over West Didsbury & Chorlton to put them one game away from Wembley.

The Yellas got off to a poor start on their away trip and fell behind after four minutes.

With just 10 minutes left on the clock, Ascot ensured they put themselves back in the cup tie when Brendan Matthew latched on to Harry Grant’s pass and slotted past the keeper to equalise.

The game went straight to penalties and it was goalkeeper Rhys Forster who proved to be the match winner when he saved a spot kick after the hosts had already struck the crossbar.

That gave Usman Lalustani the chance to send Ascot through and he held his nerve to seal the Yellas’ place in the final four where they are now just 90 minutes away from winning a place in the final to play at Wembley Stadium.

Ascot will play Corsham Town in the semi-finals on the weekend of Saturday, April 1.

Ascot manager Jamie Tompkins said: “Character and a winners mentality. So proud of our brilliant group and onto the semi-finals we go. Unbelievable support from our fans and can’t thank you enough for making the trip. The journey continues.”

Speaking to BBC Radio Berkshire, Ascot vice captain Dan Bailey said: “It’s been unbelievable.

“We’ve played six of our eight games away from home so we’ve had to go the long way round.

“The coach journeys have been great and we’ve come through as a group.

“To be one game away from Wembley is unbelievable.”

NOONECHRONICLESTHEACTIONBETTERTHANUS

‘I CAN’T FAULT THE EFFORT’ WINNING RUN ENDS AS RAMS BEATEN AT PLYMOUTH

By RICHARD ASHTON sport@wokingham.today

Plymouth Albion 27

Rams 24

DIRECTOR of Rugby Seb Reynolds admitted Plymouth Albion were worthy winners after Rams’ second-half fightback fell just short in a 27-24 reverse at Brickfields.

The visitors had gone in front with skipper Robbie Stapley claiming his 97th try for the club at the back of a maul, but a disastrous 20-minute period saw Plymouth wrest the initiative and a 24-5 lead.

Hooker Harry Wilkinson led the way with two tries on the back of the hosts’ own destructive maul, while wings Kyle Speare and Jon Dawe both then crossed with Connor Eastgate – taking over kicking duties with Tom Putt in the sin-bin – landing two fine touchline conversions.

Rams gave themselves hope before the break as Henry Bird’s sizzling break gave them the field position for Max Hayman to crash over, Rowan Grundy with the extras to reduce the deficit to 12 at the interval.

A 54th-minute Eastgate penalty pushed Albion three scores clear, but a brilliant team move finished by Jak Rossiter and a close-range Niall Kidd effort cut the gap to three with five minutes remaining.

However, despite camping inside the Plymouth 22, some outstanding defence gave the Ocean City’s Finest a win which underlined their capabilities in what has been a much-improved campaign in which their home record is one of the best in the division.

Reynolds said: “It was a really good game and Plymouth played very well. They were highly

READING PRODUCE SPIRITED COMEBACK

By PETER CHIDGEY sport@wokingham.today

The grim weather meant the anticipated 3,000-plus crowd did not fully materialise, but there was still an impressive Albion following bolstered by those taking part in the Men’s Day Out for the St Luke’s Hospice.

Reynolds continued: “It was a really good crowd which probably helped get them across the line, and it was fantastic for the players to perform in front of that.”

The defeat snapped Rams’ eight-match winning run but there were still some outstanding performances, especially in the forwards, with Kidd, Hayman and former Plymouth man Dan Swain excellent.

Reynolds added: “Niall has been superb to comeback into the side after a long time out and to do 80 minutes back-to-back and look fresh towards the end was great.

“I thought Max came into the game well and there were some other good performances –Swainer coming back in and Robbie leading from the front.

“I can’t fault the effort from the lads, but it wasn’t our day and it’s just one of those things.

“We’ve had a lot of rugby and a break will be nice, and then on to a very challenging game.”

A SUPERB comeback by Reading gave them a hard-fought victory over a Salisbury side which scored four early tries to rack up a 21-point lead halfway through the first half. Reading managed to fight back with four tries of their own to clinch a bonus point win.

Salisbury opened the scoring after six minutes when their scrum half broke through and set up a converted try near the posts.

Reading struck back and after good interplay between forwards and backs and Wheeler finished the move off in the corner for an unconverted try. But Salisbury then scored three tries in 10 minutes taking advantage of some poor tackling and defensive disorganisation.

Firstly, a good miss move put their winger clear to score a converted try, then the scrum half made another break which this time he finished off himself for another converted try and finally a good break from the centre gave their winger another try, this time unconverted, to give Salisbury a 5-26 lead.

Two of the Salisbury players were yellow carded in quick succession for offences whilst trying to stem the Reading attacks.

Reading took advantage and pushed the Salisbury scrum over their line for Cunningham to score. Jonny Sharp on his debut converted. Reading continued to press and good interplay between Dorliac, Borthwick and Sharp put Murray-Smith over in the corner.

The ball was moved to Smith on the Salisbury 22 to score near the posts. Sharp converted to level the scores.

motivated, and their challenge is probably to do that for the remaining games to show they can do that consistently.

“Our guys came back well and we perhaps didn’t deserve to have a shot to win it, but we did and we got two bonus-points from the game which is probably fair.”

He continued: “Rugby goes in waves and it tends to focus around discipline. We started well with good discipline and structure,

building pressure and we got a score.

“Then (at the start of the second half) there was a stage where both sides were feeling each other out, either they were going to kick on or we were going to comeback, and it went into a bit of a stalemate.

“I thought when they took the three points it maybe gave us a chance to comeback, and we started to do that, but crucial errors at crucial times cost us.”

Despite being beaten for just the third time this season in 22 matches, Rams still have a six point lead at the top over closest challengers Sale.

Third place Cambridge are currently nine points behind Rams with a game in hand.

With four games remaining in what has been a compelling National One season, Rams have a week off before welcoming resurgent Taunton Titans to Old Bath Road on Saturday, March 25.

The Reading forwards then attempted to batter their way over and eventually Cunningham scored near the posts. Sharp converted to give Reading a seven point lead.

Salisbury were now a beaten side and Reading held on without incident for a 33-26 win.

Lee Goodall, Reading’s head coach was pleased with his team’s spirit, energy and refusal to let their heads go down when faced with a big deficit. He had particular praise for Brandon Taplin who made himself a real nuisance to Salisbury with his tackling.

This game marked Stuart Borthwick’s 100th game for Reading, a player who will never admit defeat and whose versatility has served Reading well in a number of positions.

This weekend sees Reading’s last league game of the season at home against Devizes.

RUGBY UNION

Max Hayman produced a monumental performance including his 17th try of the season

Pictures: Tim Pitfield

Reading defeated Salisbury Picture: John Newport

Connor Stapley rises high to collect a line-out towards the end

Henry Bird was superb at full-back James McRae put in another strong performance

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FOOTBALL FOOTBALL

DOUBLE DELIGHT FOR KESTRELS FINCH AND YATELEY MOVE THROUGH TO FINAL FOUR

By STAFF WRITER sport@wokingham.today

WOODLEY UNITED collected conseucitve wins to extend their unbeaten run in Combined Counties Division

One to five matches.

The Kestrels scored a late flurry of goals to defeat Molesey at home on Saturday before they added three more points with an away success at Berks County on Tuesday night.

The opening half hour on Saturday was an even affair and it was not until 30 minutes had been played that either team created worthwhile scoring opportunities.

Gbla slipped 10 yards from goal and his weak shot was easily gathered by Selleck in the 84th minute but the same player was rewarded a minute later when he headed Carmichael’s free kick, from the right hand side of the pitch past Selleck.

Having worked hard for the lead, United was in no

mood to surrender it as they defended Molesey’s response well and harried the opposition for every loose ball.

Gbla challenged a defender midway in the visitor’s half and then ran at goal unchallenged to shoot across Selleck to double the lead.

Two minutes later Connor Suckling completed the

scoring with a fine individual goal.

Carmichael cleared a Molesey free kick, deep in the Woodley half, up to the half way line where Suckling received the ball and out ran the high defending line.

Despite being forced wide towards the right wing, Suckling on entering the penalty area coolly shot low

to score off the bottom inside far left post beyond the diving Selleck. Woodley safely negotiated the remaining two minutes of stoppage time to take the match points.

Jordan Blake’s team then took an impressive win against the Swords on Tuesday.

Berks opened the scoring after half an hour through Ellis Day, but the game turned when the hosts went down to 10 men after conceding a penalty which saw Matt Laverty dismissed and Gbla levelled from the penalty spot.

Gbla had a chance to find his second but blazed a penalty over the top with just over 20 minutes left.

But the Kestrels ensured they took all three points when Suckling scored the winner in the 71st minute.

The match ended 2-1 to lift Woodley up to 10th in the table, while Berks are in fifth.

BTC Senior Cup

FINCHAMPSTEAD moved through to the semi-finals after a comfortable win over Westwood Wanderers.

Goals from Joel Day, Alex Woodhead and Alex Lacy ensured that Finch progressed to the next round with a 3-0 success.

YATELEY UNITED got through to the final four after they defeated BURGHFIELD in a penalty shootout.

Charlie Westell scored twice for Yateley as the game ended in a 2-2 draw.

But Yateley kept their cool from the spot to take a 4-2 win.

Thames Valley Premier League

READING YMCA collected three points with a convincing win over Slough Heating Laurencians.

Andrej Homola scored a double for YMCA and goals from Hendrick Reyes Parades and Michael Anderson added to the score to seal a 4-1 success.

YMCA are in third position

on 26 points from 14 games, three points behind second place Finchampstead with a game in hand.

WARGRAVE’S winning run came to an end with a home defeat to Maidenhead Town.

The 3-1 loss leaves Wargrave in eighth position on 16 points from 15 matches.

Yateley United enjoyed success against Burghfield Stock picture: Andrew Batt

Woodley United extended their unbeaten run Picture: Steve Smyth

NOONECHRONICLESTHEACTIONBETTERTHANUS

FOOTBALL

SUMAS DEALT CRUEL, LATE DEFEAT IN NINE-GOAL GAME

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today

Combined Counties

Premier North WOKINGHAM & EMMBROOK were edged out in a nine-goal thriller away at Flackwell Heath.

The hosts flew into an instant lead when they broke past the Sumas defence to score inside the opening minute.

It didn’t take long for Wokingham to make amends to get level when Duval put them back on terms.

The Sumas took the lead in the 30th minute through Sam Mead, but Flackwell quickly levelled as the teams went in at half-time level at 2-2.

The goals kept coming when Flackwell restored their advantage to go in front in the 48th minute despite Sean Woodward’s best efforts in the Sumas goal to keep

them out.

The home team had a two goal lead for the first time in the contest in the 58th minute, but the Sumas came fighting back.

Jake Woods got the game back to 4-3 before Mead fired in from the penalty spot to make it 4-4.

But it was to be heartbreak for the Sumas who conceded in stoppage time in a cruel 5-4 defeat.

READING CITY kept their momentum alive with a clinical first-half display.

The Cityzens struck four times in the opening 45 minutes to put their game with Chalfont St Peter beyond the hosts.

Eddie Lee scored the opening goal of the game before Ellis Cowd got on the end of Baines’ corner to double the lead.

A third goal was scored by Tyler D’Cruz and the points were all but sealed before

the break when Cowd set up Lee to add his second of the match.

Despite a goalless secondhalf, City returned with all three points after a convincing 4-0 win.

Combined Counties Division One

EVERSLEY & CALIFORNIA lost out on their away visit to Penn & Tylers Green.

After falling behind to a 12th minute opener from Penn, the Boars got back level when Jamie Griggs headed in from Luke Cox’s corner.

But a frustrating secondhalf ensued for Eversley and Penn took the points with a 2-1 victory,

Southern Region Women’s League Cup

ASCOT UNITED booked their place in the cup final

WOKINGHAM SCHOOLS COMPETE IN HOCKEY FINALS

By STAFF WRITER sport@wokingham.today

after their home success over Wycombe Wanderers. The Yellas flew out the traps and got off to the perfect start by scoring with the first play of the game.

A slick team move was finished off by Dom Carrington who connected with Tiffany Skinner’s cross to score the opening goal of the tie.

Ascot’s lead was extended in the 15th minute when Carrington and Skinner’s roles were reversed as the scorer turned provider.

Wycombe responded quickly to get on the scoresheet in the 23rd minute, but the goals kept coming and Ascot restored their two goal lead in the 35th minute when Carrington found the net from 25 yards out.

The Yellas managed to maintain their lead throughout second-half to see them through.

SHINFIELD St Mary’s CE Junior and Willow Bank Junior will both represent Wokingham in the Berkshire School Games in Maidenhead on Wednesday, March 22.

The two schools shared first place in last week’s Wokingham School Games Hockey tournament which was contested at Sonning Hockey Club.

Twelve teams from years five and six battled it out on Thursday, March 9, competing in mixed six-aside matches which were umpired by Sonning Hockey players.

Gwenda Lappin, Wokingham Schools Games organiser, said:

“The umpires used their knowledge and experience to help the children

understand the rules, making the whole tournament a very positive learning experience.

“The importance of using a vibrant and friendly club to host is vital to promote the game, and this should never be underestimated.”

Chris Manning from Sonning Hockey Club, who helped organise the tournament, added: “This has become an annual event for the club and we’re delighted to be able to support and encourage junior hockey in the area by hosting the tournament.”

Miss Dodson, from Willow Bank Junior School, said: “Our children had an amazing time.

“The coaches were welcoming and friendly and the umpires continued to coach to allow the children to progress further.”

Sumas skipper Callum Wright slides in to a tackle

Willow Bank School

Shinfield St Mary’s School Pictures: Chris Manning

Sam Mead netted twice for the Sumas

Eversley & California’s Ross Mckernan heads clear Picture: Richard Milam

Berks County FC U18 Cobras won 6-1 Pictures: Martin Aves

Wokingham & Emmbrook lost to a stoppage time winner from Flackwell Pictures: Andrew Batt

HOCKEY

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ARSENAL 4-0 READING

ROYALS SHOT DOWN BY GALLANT GUNNERS

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today

READING FC WOMEN’s miserable record away at Arsenal continued as the Royals’ fight for Women’s Super League survival took another twist.

Reading were unfortunate to go behind to an early penalty after a soft penalty call in the favour of the hosts.

After Little scored the opener, Arsenal extended their lead just before the break and added to it just after the break after Emma Mukandi deflected into her own net.

The hosts added a fourth through Lionesses captain Leah Williamson to

seal the points.

The loss keeps Reading in ninth place in the Women’s Super League on 10 points from 15 games, three points above bottom place Leicester City who have a game in hand. Both teams went into the contest high on confidence after the Royals earned a vital win last weekend against West Ham to increase their chances of survival.

Meanwhile, the Gunners earned silverware last weekend with an impressive 3-1 victory over defending WSL champions Chelsea in the Conti Cup Reading made a disastrous start and were in for a long evening ahead as they gave away a penalty

after just four minutes.

A Katie McCabe burst into the box saw her go down under a challenge from Easther Mayi Kith, with the replay showing that the hosts were fortunate to be awarded a spot kick with minimal contact in the tackle.

Kim Little stepped up to the spot and squeezed the ball past Grace Moloney who got close to keeping it out.

After going behind so early to a controversial call, Reading managed to stay resolute and organised at the back to keep the score down.

McCabe posed a constant threat down the left wing and almost got on the scoresheet after some smart hold up work from Frida Maanum, but her

shot was held by Moloney.

Caitlin Foord then expressed some neat footwork to skip past two Reading players before she fired a shot over the top of the bar.

Reading managed to escape from their half and deliver a couple of crosses into the box, one of which being excellently delivered by Faye Bryson, but with no Reading body in the middle to meet it.

Kelly Chambers’ team were dealt a blow on the stroke of half-time when the Gunners added to their lead.

A swift team move saw the hosts move the ball out to the right after a pinpoint ball from Lia Walti allowed Foord to slide the ball to Maanum to convert

from a few yards out.

The second-half began as poorly for Reading as the firsthalf did as they conceded a few minutes in.

Williamson was allowed to drift forward from midfield and slipped the ball for Maanum who squared the ball looking for Foord, but Royals defender Emma Mukandi diverted the ball into her own net.

Lionesses skipper Leah Williamson got on the scoresheet to further consolidate the win. Moloney made a superb initial save as she stuck out a leg to deny Blackstenius, but Williamson was well placed to apply the finish on the rebound.

Reading’s brightest moment

in attack came from Rachel Rowe, who was making her 150th Royals appearance on the night.

After trading passes with Woodham, Rowe got into the box, turned past Little and almost rounded what would have been a spectacular solo effort that clipped the top of the crossbar.

Another big chance came the way of Rowe who connected with Bryson’s cross with her volley falling just wide.

Moloney stayed alert to dive at the feet of Victoria Pelova and then kept out Lotte Wubben Moy’s header to prevent Arsenal from adding a fifth.

Reading were on the end of a 4-0 defeat at Arsenal Pictures: Neil Graham

How they rated

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CHAMPIONSHIP

ROYALS PAY PENALTY FOR

Joe Lumley

Gave away the penalty, but would be harsh to blame him given the build-up. Was hardly troubled otherwise.

Andy Yiadom

Lively in the opening exchanges, looking to bomb down the right, but looked increasingly less confident as the half went on.

Tom Holmes

Bit shaky at times. Adopted decent positions higher up the pitch, but couldn’t put in any deliveries of quality.

Scott Dann

A quiet display from the defender who, like Yiadom, was taken off at half-time.

Naby Sarr

Played a big part in Millwall’s opener and had a couple of really rash moments, Grew into the game somewhat.

Nesta Guinness-Walker

Better defensively. Was unable to get forward as much as he would have liked.

Tom McIntyre

Just didn’t affect the game. Millwall played the ball around him and he struggled to link up the play.

Didn’t do an awful lot of note, but a relatively tidy performance. Made himself available as much as he could and played with one or two touches.

Tom Ince

Not his best showing. Got a few shots away from range, but his set piece deliveries were not at his usually high standard.

Andy Carroll

On the receiving end of a barrage of strong challenges. Struggled to get into the game and service into him was limited.

Shane Long

Worked hard but just couldn’t get the ball to stick. Was replaced by Casadei, and didn’t look awfully impressed when he came off.

Jeff Hendrick SUBS

5.5 4 5

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today

READING FC were on the end of back to back home defeats as they edged closer to the Championship relegation zone with a narrow loss to Millwall.

5 5 5

5 4 5

In a frustrating affair, the Royals conceded the only goal of the match 11 minutes in when Andreas Voglsammer emphatically scored from the penalty spot following Naby Sarr’s mistake and Joe Lumley’s subsequent foul.

But Reading were unable to work their way back into the match and didn’t manage a single shot on target.

5 5

The defeat leaves Reading in 16th on 44 points from 36 before an expected points deduction in the coming days.

Paul Ince named an unchanged team from Reading’s narrow defeat to Sheffield United in midweek as Tom McIntyre made his 100th appearance in the blue and white hoops.

The Millwall line-up also saw a Reading academy graduate in the starting eleven as Jake Cooper, who played more than 50 games for the Royals, took the armband for the Lions.

Ince’s men went into the contest in 16th but with the threat of an impending points deduction looming, while Gary Rowett’s side have their sights set on the playoffs and were one place outside the top six before kick-off.

Naby Sarr netted the only goal of the game when the team’s met in August which is just one of three Reading wins on

REACTION

Match stats

READING: Lumley, McIntyre, Sarr, Dann, GuinnessWalker, Holmes, Yiadom, Hendrick, Ince, Carroll, Long

SUBS: Bouzanis, Joao, Azeez, Fornah, Casadei, Moore, Mbengue

MILLWALL: Long, McNamara, Wallace, Cooper (c), Bradshaw, Flemming, Cresswell, Leonard, Saville, Voglsammer, Honeyman

SUBS: Bialkowski, Hutchinson, Burke, Malone, Shackleton, Watmore, Esse

GOALS: Voglsammer 11’ (pen)

PLAYER OF THE MATCH: Amadou Mbengue

the road this campaign.

The home team started in bright fashion and won some early freekicks, the second of which coming after a storming run down the right from skipper Andy Yiadom.

But it was Millwall who almost profited from the resulting set-piece as they launched a counter attack that was smartly extinguished by Nesta Guinness-Walker.

It was a lapse in concentration from defender Sarr that allowed Millwall in as his wayward pass fell

into the path of Zian Flemming. He sprinted in on goal and after Joe Lumley rushed off his line trying to make amends for his defenders mistake, he brought the midfielder down leaving the referee no choice but to award a penalty.

Andreas Voglsammer stepped up and confidently smacked the ball into the top left hand corner to give Lumley no choice of getting anywhere near it to put the visitors in front after 11 minutes.

After going behind, it turned into

INCE: ‘IT WAS A HORRIBLE GAME, ONE MISTAKE COST US’

With

“One mistake, that was it,” said Ince.

“It was always going to be a scruffy game.

“The last thing you want to do is give a team like Millwall a goal because they defend for their lives.

“It was a horrible game. They make it that way and the ref doesn’t help.

“It was never going to be a classic – it’s not like they have

cut us open at will. But they won their headers, they were brave, aggressive and we matched them in all of those areas today.

“But it was a mistake that cost us.

“The disappointing thing is that we didn’t have a shot on target which isn’t like us at home.”

Ince was frustrated with the referee’s performance, but did admit that he believed the decision to give Millwall a penalty was the correct call.

He continued: “I think it was (a penalty).

“I’ve looked at it.

“I don’t know whether it’s a red card. Has he come out too far, too quickly, I don’t know.

“I thought the ref was poor. Even

with three minutes of injury time. With so many subs and injuries, that’s baffling.

“The standard of referees has not been great. Today we had another one who was not great. It’s got to be better for every team in the Championship.”

Ince also confirmed some injury concerns after Andy Yiadom had to be withdrawn with an ankle injury and Scott Dann with a hamstring issue.

The Royals boss also confirmed

that Mamadou Loum is on the sidelines with a pelvic injury having missed out on the matchday squad for the last few weeks.

Ince continued: “The quality of crossing was poor at times and maybe we’re not gambling enough in the box.

“We’ve got to be more ruthless and create more.

“But I can’t say the players didn’t give their all. Tuesday took a lot out of them but they still showed a lot of endeavour this afternoon.

“Now, we’ve got 10 games to go. That’s it. We’re in the final run.”

Jeff Hendrick moves past his marker

Cesare Casadei looks to create

Andy Carroll battles with Millwall’s back line

Millwall score from the spot

The Royals suffered a home loss

READING FC manager Paul Ince labelled the Royals’ home defeat to Millwall as a ‘horrible’ game.

just one shot on target in the entire match from either side, Millwall claimed the points when Andreas Voglsammer scored from the penalty spot.

Liam Moore 6, Amadou Mbengue 5, Cesare Casadei 5, Lucas Joao 5

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EARLY ERROR

From the middle

Shin guards and other equipment

LIKE all the Laws of the Game, Law four – players equipment, has changed and expanded over the years.

Law four applies to all equipment including clothing worn by players, substitutes, substituted players and even refers to their underwear.

Five things are listed as compulsory. First a shirt with sleeves. But any undervest sleeves must be the same colour as the shirt sleeves if longer than the shirt sleeves. Goalkeepers can wear track suits, but all other players must wear shorts.

This I feel may be changed, I have mentioned before when I allowed some Muslim girls, who, mindful of their religion, turned up to play in a ESFA cup tie wearing long trousers the same colour as their teammates.

I also referred recently to the fact that more Muslim nations are allowing women to play football so this rule may become an issue.

Any under-shorts/tights must be the same colour of the shorts. This was introduced when there was a fashion for knee-length ‘Bicycle’ lycra shorts, but these are seldom seen today and yet fourth officials still ask substitutes to lift their shorts to check the colour of their pants.

an infuriating half for the Royals with multiple stoppages throughout the opening 45 minutes which suited the away team.

Carroll tried to impose himself, but found himself on the deck on a few occasions for some robust aerial challenges from Cooper and Murray Wallace.

Reading ended the half without posing a clear threat and went into the break having had zero shots on target.

Clearly unsatisfied with his team’s work, Ince made a double change at the break as Liam Moore and Amadou Mbengue replaced Scott Dann and Yiadom.

PREVIEW

After a lacklustre opening to the second-half, Ince made another double switch with half an hour left to play to try and ignite a fightback as Cesare Casadei and Lucas Joao took the place of Shane Long and Guinness-Walker.

Ince and Casadei tried to spark Reading into life on the front foot before Joao’s cross was dealt with by the resolute Millwall back line who looked determined to

preserve their clean sheet. The final Reading change of the day with little over 10 minutes remaining saw Femi Azeez replace McIntyre as the hosts looked to rescue a result.

Paul Ince’s frustrations got the better of him and he was shown a yellow card on the touchline by the referee. Reading were unable to force any considerable pressure on Millwall and were left with their second home defeat on the bounce.

TIGERS TEST AWAITS AGAINST FORMER ROYAL

READING FC are hoping to get their home form back on track when they host Hull City on Saturday at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.

The Royals had boasted a formidable home record in stark contrast to their dismal away form which had prevented them from getting dragged into a relegation scrap.

However, two home defeats in the matter of a few days, against Sheffield United and Millwall, and with a six-point deduction looming looks likely to pull Paul Ince’s men into a battle for survival.

Before Reading’s Wednesday night trip to Blackburn (match report online at rdg.today), the team are in 16th position on 44 points from 36 games.

A six point deduction would see them slide down the standings for the remaining chapter of the campaign.

Saturday’s opponents are one place and two points above Reading prior to their Wednesday night match at home to table toppers Burnley.

Former Reading player Liam Rosenior is in charge of the Tigers having been appointed in

November to take over from Shota Arveladze who was sacked with the team in 21st position.

Rosenior has managed to transform Hull’s hopes and has pulled them away from the drop zone with improved form over the last few months.

Rosenior, who played 69 times for the Royals between 2007-2010, took charge of his first game as Hull boss up against his former team.

It was Ince’s side who came out on top that day in the final match before the World Cup break.

With the game headed for a 1-1

draw after Yakou Meite had levelled to cancel out Jacob Greaves’ early goal, Reading snatched all three points in stoppage time when Andy Carroll’s influence led to Ryan Longman scoring a 94th minute own goal.

The Tigers ensured they moved further away from the drop zone in their last two matches.

They picked up three points at home to in-form West Brom with a goal from Benjamin Tetteh and a Dara O’Shea own goal before an away draw with Coventry City.

Hull’s last two visits to Berkshire have ended in 1-1 draws.

Socks are also compulsory with the stipulation that tape or any material applied or worn over the socks must be the colour as that part of the sock it covers.

The idea is that when two opposing players are in close contention the referee is able to tell which leg is which, but you will see Premier League players defy this ruling by wearing ankle socks of a different colour over their main socks without any comment.

Another compulsory item is footwear.

No type mentioned but players must not use equipment or wear anything that is dangerous.

At the moment, the biggest bone of contention for referees is the shin bone. The remaining compulsory piece of equipment is shinguards, which the law says must be made of a suitable material to provide reasonable protection and covered by the socks.

However, some Premier League players have taken to wearing socks that cover only their ankles. One local referee challenged a player with socks around his ankles who produced a slim piece of material from his sock. But is this a shin guard, and how can a referee now judge what is ‘reasonable protection’? Clarification needed I feel.

Picture: Alexander Fox / pixabay

as Millwall scored an early penalty Pictures: Steve Smyth and Luke Adams

Hendrick is fouled in the air

Ince on the run Naby Sarr challenges for the ball

Holmes picks a pass

Mbengue takes control

Royals defend a corner

Nesta GuinnessWalker displays his pace on the left wing

Dick Sawdon-Smith

LAST NIGHT’S MATCH REPORT IS ON OUR WEBSITE

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FOOTBALL

Robins rise to third to boost play-off push

By ARTHUR STRAND sport@wokingham.today

BRACKNELL TOWN rose up into third position with a home triumph against Dorchester Town in the Southern League Premier South.

Robins player Kamaron English propelled into the space in front of him and he began as he meant by winning and passing the ball to Joe Grant whose shot went over the bar.

The next effort started with a long throw in reaching Harris who was available but English whacked the ball very high over Ryan Hall’s crossbar.

Another free kick to the Robins was taken by Eacott but when Sanders had the ball at his feet, his shot was blocked.

Harris played the ball forwards for English to chase but Hall beat him to the ball. The first quarter of an hour was about to tick over when Joe Grant put the Robins ahead.

Magpies were challenged and took a free kick and Eacott punched the ball away then he claimed the return.

Sanders was unable to find the target and the ball went harmlessly over the crossbar. Robins set about the task of a second goal as Grant supplied Harris who passed on to Sanders who fed the ball to English whose effort missed the target.

Herbert found himself in a position to shoot and score but

TABLE TENNIS

Robins gained a corner from which Harris managed to head the ball over the crossbar.

A good ball reached English again and the ball disappeared over the top. The half-time whistle blew with Robins clinging to a slender lead.

Bracknell made a substitution at half-time replacing George Knight with Elliot Legg.

The Robins restarted positively and Herbert came very close to extending the lead but

CHAMPIONS TAKE SPOILS IN TOP-OF-THE-TABLE CLASH

By NIGEL MALTBY sport@wokingham.today

IN THE top-of-the-table clash, already crowned division one champions KINGFISHER A scored an 9-1 away victory over second place OUR LADY OF PEACE A.

Mo Cook claimed a wellearned victory for the hosts over Kingfisher’s Ross Saxby 8-11 11-7 4-11 15-13 13-11.

The points were shared 5-5 as struggling KINGFISHER C, thanks to an excellent maximum from young Prayrit Ahluwalia, managed to hold KINGFISHER D who are just holding on to third place.

Another exciting 5-5 resulted when the two SONNING COMMON & PEPPARD teams came together. Ed Lush helped the B team in dropping just a single end on the night while Matt Isherwood impressively edged Jamie Barlow 11-8 11-7 8-11 9-11 11-9 as he and Ed teamed up to take the doubles.

SONNING SPORTS A assured

their place in Division 1 next season with a 7-3 victory over bottom side READING FC with another unbeaten performance by Dave Croucher.

TIDMARSH A took an important step towards survival with a narrow 6-4 win over KINGFISHER B with no individual unbeaten on the night and several encounters requiring fifth-end deciders including an impressive final flourish from Lee Calcutt who overcame Alan Cummings 11-8 9-11 14-12 9-11 11-0.

Division two leaders SONNING COMMON & PEPPARD D were only able to field two players at OUR LADY OF PEACE B but were still able to draw the match 5-5 which keeps their title bid on track.

Their star player Danny Dockree was in great form recording a three straight maximum.

TIDMARSH B stayed in second place following a 6-4 win over relegation threatened TILEHURST METHODISTS A

RESULTS

Saturday, March 11

FOOTBALL Championship

Reading 0-1 Millwall

Southern League Premier South

Bracknell Town 2-0 Dorchester Town

Combined Counties Premier North

Flackwell Heath 5-4 Sumas

Chalfont St Peter 0-4 Reading City

FA Vase sixth round

West Didsbury & Chorlton 1-1 (3-4 pens) Ascot United

Combined Counties Division One

London Samurai Rovers 4-2

Sandhurst Town

Penn & Tylers Green 2-1

Eversley & California

Woodley United 3-0 Molesey

Thames Valley Premier League

Reading YMCA 4-1 Slough

Heating Laurencians

missed narrowly.

English forced a corner for Bracknell and the ball came out to the edge of the penalty area for Frazer to thump at goal but the ball flew over the crossbar.

Moving to the Bracknell end, Moyes’ effort went direct to Eacott.

Dorchester returned and Eacott collected the ball and hoofed it back but it was just right for Hall to pick up.

Dan Bayliss defended well in a sticky situation sending the ball

Eric Van Looy got his customary maximum for the Tilehurst team with Dale Ballard and Mike Alstrop winning twice for Tidmarsh.

SONNING COMMON & PEPPARD C stayed in the promotion hunt with a 6-4 victory over KINGFISHER G with Malcolm Gregory getting a maximum including wins in five against Savva Christodoulou and Satej Jaywant. Savva won a close contest with Sonning’s Nigel Maltby 11-7 11-2 8-11 7-11 11-9.

KINGFISHER F and TILEHURST RBL B fought out a 5-5 draw, a result which keeps the Kingfisher team’s hopes of avoiding relegation alive.

Kate Maksimenko got yet another maximum for Tilehurst but was forced to dig deep to recover from two games down to beat Ajai Kamath in five.

In division three, SPRINGFIELD A and TIDMARSH C saw both teams needing a win to boost their promotion chances, but the match ended in a draw.

FIXTURES

Wednesday, March 15 FOOTBALL Championship

Blackburn Rovers v Reading

Saturday, March 18 FOOTBALL Championship

Reading v Hull City

Southern League Premier South

Bracknell Town v Truro City

Isthmian South Central

Walton & Hersham v Binfield

Combined Counties Premier North

Edgware & Kingsbury v Reading City

Spelthorne Sports v Ascot

Sumas v Broadfields United

Combined Counties Division One

British Airways v Berks County

Eversley & California v Rising Ballers Kensington

Woodley United v Brook House

away eventually. Max Herbert received the ball in a creative move by the Robins. Bracknell took a corner kick which Herbert converted into a second goal, the cushion that Robins had needed for an almost an hour.

Dorchester made a break and their attackers were encamped in the Bracknell area temporarily before the defenders could escape.

The Robins are now in contention for the play-offs for promotion at the end of the season.

WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL

KINGS BEATEN BY BALLERS IN TENSE BATTLE

THAMES Valley Kings II fell to defeat against Brixton Ballers in an intense match-up.

On Saturday, the Kings second team faced off against the Brixton Ballers in a highly anticipated basketball game.

The Ballers started the game strong, quickly establishing their dominance and forcing the Kings to play catch-up for the entire game.

Despite the Kings’ best efforts, they were unable to catch up to the Ballers, who maintained a small yet consistent lead throughout the match.

The game was an intense, end-to-end battle, with both teams putting up a valiant fight.

In the end, however, the Brixton Ballers emerged victorious, defeating the Kings second team with a final score of 52-40.

The loss was a tough one for the Kings, who had hoped to secure a win against their formidable opponents.

Despite the outcome, the Kings team showed impressive skill and determination on the court, and they can be proud of their efforts.

The Kings second team will regroup and look ahead to their next game, determined to bounce back and secure a win against London Titans third team set f or Easter Saturday, April 8.

BTC Senior Cup

Finchampstead 3-0 Westwood

Wanderers

Yateley United 2-2 (4-2 pens) Burghfield

RUGBY UNION

National Division One Plymouth Albion 27-24 Rams

South Central Regional 2 Reading 33-26 Salisbury

South Central Men’s Premier 2 Staines 2s 4-10 South Berkshire

South Central Women’s North Division 1 South Berkshire 3-0

Amersham & Chalfont

Sunday, March 12

FOOTBALL

Women’s Super League Arsenal 4-0 Reading

Southern Region Women’s League Cup

Ascot United 3-1 Wycombe

Wanderers

Thames Valley Women’s Division One

Ascot United Reserves 1-0 New Bradwell

Banbury United 0-2 Mortimer

Procision Oxford 1-3 Tilehurst

Panthers

Thames Valley Women’s Division Two

S4K Berks County 2-5

Kingsclere

Thames Valley Women’s Division 3S

Eversley & California Reserves 2-1 Taplow United

Larkspur Rovers 5-1 Wargrave Development

Thames Valley Premier League

Burghfield v Reading YMCA

Finchampstead v Slough

Heating Laurencians

Reading City U23s v Yateley

RUGBY UNION

South West Regional 2

Reading v Devizes

HOCKEY

Men’s Premier Division

Reading v Surbiton

Women’s Premier Division

Reading v Buckingham

South Central Men’s Premier 2 South Berkshire v Oxford University 2s

South Central Women’s North Division One

Oxford University 2s v South Berkshire

Sunday, March 19

FOOTBALL

FA Women’s Cup quarter-final

Reading v Chelsea

Thames Valley Women’s Division One

Harwell and Hendred v Ascot United Reserves

Procision Oxford v Wargrave

Tilehurst Panthers v Mortimer

Southern Region Women’s Division One North

Eversley v Penn & Tylers

Thames Valley Women’s Division Two

Denham United v S4K Berks County

Thames Valley Women’s Division 3S

Eversley & California Reserves v Thatcham & Newbury Caversham AFC v Wargrave Development

Taplow v Shinfield Rangers

Yateley United v Burghfield

RUGBY UNION

Richmond v Abbey

The Robins celebrate after taking a two goal lead Pictures: John Leakey

The Robins enjoyed success

Max Herbert netted Bracknell’s second goal

Bracknell goalie Michael Eacott