Reading Today, November 30, 2022

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GREAT Western Railway is marked White Ribbon Day on Friday, with a new train livery.

The new livery was unveiled at Paddington Station to commemorate the company’s White Ribbon UK accreditation.

It is the leading charity combating male violence against women and girls, and has begun a three-year partnership with rail operators GWR.

Representatives from White Ribbon UK, local government, and the rail industry came together to celebrate the partnership with the unveiling of the new-look train.

GWR members who act as White Ribbon ambassadors, male staff who commit to sharing the charity’s message, also attended.

The Intercity Express Train 800016 was selected to bear the White Ribbon emblem as it travels across the GWR network, spreading the message of their commitment to supporting the education of men and boys against gender-based violence.

GWR Head of On Board, David Crome, who is leading the ceremony, said: “As a business that is male dominated we are in a strong position to showcase the hard work that White Ribbon do among our colleagues who identify as male.

“As a transport company, we are committed to safeguarding the women and girls who both travel and work with us.

“Our White Ribbon Ambassadors and Champions are examples of how dedicated our colleagues are to preventing violence against women.”

White Ribbon UK Chief Executive, Anthea Sully, said: “We are thrilled that GWR are showing the importance of raising awareness of ending men’s violence against women with their White Ribbon train.”

Newtown man arrested at Dutch border

By STAFF REPORTER news@wokingham.today

A NEWTOWN man has been arrested at the Dutch border and is one of two men charged over an alleged double kidnapping in Lower Earley last year.

Erlind Demiraj, 31, and of Orts Road, was charged in his absence on September 28, with one count each of conspiring to kidnap and conspiring to blackmail.

Thames Valley Police said that, following an international manhunt led by the South East Regional Organised Crime Unit in conjunction with National Crime Agency and international law enforcement partners, Demiraj was arrested by Dutch authorities attempting to cross from Belgium into the Netherlands on Tuesday, November 8.

Demiraj was further arrested when he arrived in the UK on Thursday, November 17, after his extradition, and was then remanded in custody at Reading Magistrates’ Court on Friday, November 18.

Gentjan Kica, 33, of Glenrosa Road, Reading, was charged by postal requisition on Thursday, October 6, with one count each of conspiring to kidnap and conspiring to blackmail.

Kica was released on conditional bail at Reading Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, November 16.

The pair are both due to appear at Reading Crown Court on Tuesday, December 6.

The charges are in connection with an incident in Maiden Place, Lower Earley, at around 6.30pm on Wednesday, December 8, last year, where two men were kidnapped, and later located in Northampton five days later.

Three others – Gevin Pasha, aged 21, of Gray Street, Northampton; Klej Doci, aged 19, of St Margaret’s Road, St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex; and Garcon Lala, aged 27, of Eastern Road, Haringey, London – all remain remanded in custody having been charged in December last year.

They are due to appear at Reading Crown Court on Monday, February 6.

Five other men have been arrested and released under investigation:

A 29-year-old man from South Woodford, London, was arrested on suspicion of blackmail, conspiracy to kidnap, conspiracy to cause GBH with intent and possession with intent to supply cocaine on December 15 last year.

A 23-year-old man from Enfield, London, was arrested on suspicion of kidnapping on December 28 last year.

A 23-year-old man from Haringey, London, was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to blackmail and conspiracy to kidnap on March 3 this year.

A 25-year-old man from Northampton was arrested on suspicion of blackmail, false imprisonment and conspiracy to kidnap on March 21 this year.

A 30-year-old man from Northampton was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to blackmail and conspiracy to kidnap on March 30 this year.

Reading a key city

READING is one of two new entrants in the Key Cities network, which represents the country’s urban areas.

There are 25 members , including the other newcomer, Colchester.

The network works with cities, towns and organisations across local government and beyond in a bid to deliver prosperity, protect the environment and raise standards of living. It advocates for the future of the UK’s urban centres by producing research, responding to consultations and engaging with politicians and policy makers.

The network says Reading’s entry will help strengthen its capacity to influence national policy, share and scale new ideas, and drive economic and social growth.

Cllr John Merry, Key Cities chair and deputy mayor for Salford, said: “Our collective voice is powerful in demonstrating the opportunities and challenges our cities face via the range, expertise and agility.

“The decision for Colchester and Reading to join Key Cities is a testament to the value of our network in making a positive difference, and we very much look forward to working with them.”

And the leader of Reading Borough Council, Cllr Jason Brock, said that joining Key Cities offered the town the opportunity to build on its success by working alongside other local authority partners more closely.

“Reading is a town of contrasts,” he said.

“Our powerful economy and areas of affluence, sit alongside some of the most deprived communities in the country, and tackling these stark inequalities is at the heart of everything we do as a Council.

“I hope that by coming together as a collective we can present a compelling case to central Government about the real need to level up our communities, and learn from each other as we strive to deliver our aspirations.”

Your wording

NEW BRANDING: GWR has badged an Intercity train with a White Ribbon to show its commitment to ending gender-based violence

CHRISTMAS IN READING

Waterloo is top of the stops

LONDON Waterloo is top of the stops again, but passengers numbers are still down on prepandemic levels, according to new research.

The figures, released by the Office of Rail and Road, puts the busy passenger terminus back in top spot, but the total number of passenger entries and exits has less than half the number from April 2019 to March 2020 – the last set of non-covid influenced figures.

After a 16-year reign, London Waterloo was knocked off the top by Stratford (London) last year (April 2020 to March 2021), but it finds itself back in pole position following 41.4 million passenger entries and exits in the latest year (April 2021 and March 2022).

But it was 86.9 million from two years ago.

The figures include commuters using South Western Railway services from Reading and Wokingham stations.

London Victoria was the second most used station with 36.8 million entries and exits, while London Bridge stayed in third with 33.3 million.

Stratford (London) dropped down to fifth with 28.2 million, although that is more than double last year’s estimate.

In the latest year, there were 24 stations in Great Britain with more than 10 million entries and exits. This is compared to just five stations the previous year and 43 stations two years ago.

Elton and Orston in Nottinghamshire was the least used open station in the latest year, with 40 recorded entries and exits.

Feras Alshaker, director of planning and performance at the Office of Rail and Road said: “It is heartening to see passengers return to travelling by rail following what was a difficult period for the industry during the pandemic. There’s still some way to go in order for station usage figures to return to pre-pandemic levels.

Santa Claus has come to town!

By PHIL CREIGHTON news@rdg.today

YOU’D better watch out, you’d better not cry, you better not pout, and I’m telling you why – Santa Claus has come to town.

That list has been made, he’s checked it twice, and children are now able to find out if they’ve been naughty or nice, thanks to a Reading town centre shopping centre.

On Santaday – sorry, Saturday – the jolly redsuited big-bearded man made his first appearance of the 2022 festive season at Broad St. Mall, much to the delight of the kids in girl and boyland.

They had a jubilee plotting a toyland round the Christmas tree with the most famous resident of the North Pole.

With the help of his Elves, Santa will be in residence right up until Christmas Eve.

There is no need to book, and good boys and girls can receive a present, and purchase souvenir photos and festive merchandise.

Places cost £5.

This weekend, Santa will be welcoming visitors from 11am-1pm and 1.30pm-5pm on Friday, 10am1pm and 2pm-6pm on Saturday, and 11am-1pm and 2pm-5pm on Sunday.

Between Wednesday, December 7 and Friday, December 9, will be in situ from 11am-1pm and 1.30pm-5pm. The same hours will be kept Wednesday, December 14 and Friday, December 16

Saturdays, December 10 and 17, and Sunday, December 11 and 18, follow the same hours as the previous weekend.

Between Monday, December 19 and Friday, December 23, he will have words in his ear between 11am-1pm and 2pm-6pm.

Finally, on Christmas Eve, he will see excited children from 10am to 3pm, before loading up his sleigh for some festive deliveries.

n For more details, log on to www.broadstreetmall.

“Once again it is important to thank all those in the rail industry, who continue to work hard to help people travel safely and with confidence.”

Santa is in residence until Christmas Eve

A WORD IN YOUR EAR: Santa paid his first visit to Broad St. Mall on Saturday, and among the first visitors were Brody (11) and Kayla (5) Picture: Dijana Capan/DVision Images

Santa at Broad Street Mall with his elves

Bikers preparing for annual toy run

By JI-MIN LEE jlee@wokingham.today

THOUSANDS of motorcyclists are preparing to give Santa a helping hand this weekend.

The Reading Christian Motorcyclists’ Toy Run will see hundreds of bikers come together in aid of Barnardo’s and other children’s charities.

They ride in pillion from the older Foster Wheelers building in Shinfield, along Reading Road, and then into Wokingham’s High Close School.

Many will be in fancy dress, and the event, from 2pm on Sunday, December 4, draws hundreds of spectators.

The Revd Sean Stillman, co-founder of the event, said: “It’s always an important time for connection, with people giving gifts and taking part in this hugely communal event. The Toy Run never fails to surprise with how well supported it is.

“We are so grateful to the community for their support over the years.

“I know it’s the bikers who take part, but the people who come out to watch and the council make a huge difference, they really pull the event together and

allow it to continue year-onyear.”

The event has run since 1985, when members of the founding committee decided to combine their faith and love of motorbikes to help those in need celebrate

Sean, who was 18 at the time, said the motivation behind setting up the run was to help children in the local area, not knowing it would ‘snowball’ into the event it is today.

The bikers finish at High Close School, where they present their gifts.

The school, which is run by Barnardo’s, caters for children with complex social, emotional and mental health needs. It offers both day and residential provision. Spectators will have the opportunity to donate via the groups Just Giving Page.

Mr Stillman said: “There’s always a huge turnout from Loddon Bridge roundabout

RARING

TO GO:

Some of the bikers gathered at last year’s Toy Run start

Picture: Steve Smyth

to Wokingham. It’s quite an occasion. When the event didn’t run because of Covid-19 ,and when it was iced off, it was desperately missed.”

Members of the public can also play their part by donating gifts.

A recommended list of suitable presents can be found on the group’s website, with various drop-off sites available at motorcycle shops around the borough.

Donated items should be left unwrapped so they can be checked by organisers.

Parts of Whitley Wood Lane, Lower Earley Way, Reading Road and Wiltshire Road closed during the run, meaning that delays may be experienced on adjacent roads.

Participants will meet at the Foster Wheeler building at 1pm. n For more information, contact: readingtoyrun@outlook.com or visit: www.readingtoyrun.org

Town gets ready to celebrate the Pride of Reading awards

THE goody bags are being stuffed, the entertainers are tapping through their routines and presenters are gargling to be in good voice – the Pride of Reading Awards annual ceremony is ready for blast off on Friday.

Chris Tarrant will once more host the awards lunch event in his home town which honours those who go above and beyond to make Reading a unique place to live and work.

It is the 18th anniversary of the event and this year the theme is Let’s Celebrate to commemorate the late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

As well as saluting the shortlisted nominees and winners, the awards will salute the many anniversaries being celebrated in the town this year, including Huntley & Palmers biscuit factory’s 200th.

Pride of Reading organiser Marc Allridge, of Cherubs Floral Design, said: “We’d like to say good luck to the nominees and thank them for their wonderful efforts for our community.

“Every year tears are shed, hands are clapped raw, and we enjoy a lot of laughs too as nominees contributions are shared in video and on the stage.

“It’s a roller coaster ride of emotions and this year will be no different I am sure.”

Sally Swift said, on behalf of the organising committee: “This would not be possible without our good-hearted sponsors whose generosity

knows no bounds. We’d like to thank them again for what they make possible – the celebration of our wonderful townspeople.”

Familiar TV faces will be back on stage at the awards this week, held for the tenth year at Reading FC Conference & Events.

Reading girl Mel Bloor of ITV, who has presented the awards for many years, will be joined again this year by Reading lad BBC’s Matt Allwright.

The duo will introduce the awards and announce the winners who will be presented with their trophies by Chris Tarrant.

Festive craft market Sunday Indie market in town centre

INDEPENDENT crafts people will be selling festive goodies at a market taking place in a Tilehurst brewery.

Double Barelled is opening its tap room on Sunday, December 4, for an afternoon of Christmas fun.

The space will become an indoor selling arena, with a seasonal theme.

There will be a range of craftspeople offering great present ideas, as well as tasty treats from Fink Street Food, coffee and cake from Anonymouse Coffee Co, and plenty of beer brewed on site.

The event runs from 1pm to 6pm and entry is free.

n

For more details, log on to: doublebarrelled.co.uk

SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY takes place across Reading over the weekend of Saturday, December 3 and Sunday, December 4.

The event aims to celebrate the best local independent traders.

Stalls include beer, board games, candles, comics, jewellery, soaps, ceramics and hats.

To make the weekend extra special, there will be stalls set out in Market Place and include live music and activities for children.

Stalls are open from 10am to 6pm, and there will be different traders each day.

n For more details, log on to: www.visit-reading. com/whats-on/christmas/small-business-christmas

FINAL PREPARATIONS: Pride of Reading Awards organisers Sally Swift and Marc Allridge get ready for the big day

Covid grant will help Reading Family Aid deliver festive cheer

By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokingham.today

A CHARITY that helps spread some festive cheer is the latest group to receive a covid grant from the John Sykes Foundation.

Earlier this month, Reading Family Aid were visited by John Sykes, founder and chair of trustees of the foundation.

He presented trustee Ruth Perkins and project manager Laura Windisch, with a cheque of £1,000 to provide Christmas presents for children aged up to 16.

Also in attendance was deputy mayor of Reading Cllr Debs Edwards and Karl Nixon from Big Yellow Storage.

This year, the charity has received almost 3,000 referrals for gifts, as parents struggle to keep houses warm and feed their children.

This is an increase of nearly 500 children on last year, and requests are still being received by social workers, health visitors, and other charities.

Ms Perkins said: “We at Reading Family Aid were overwhelmed to receive a phone call last week from the John Sykes Foundation with the amazing news that we had been awarded £1,000 to buy toys.

“There is evidently increasing levels of poverty in Reading which already has some of the most deprived areas in the country.”

“One of the organisations Reading Family Aid supports said that they are having increasing numbers of children coming to their youth clubs hungry – toys at Christmas are going to be way down their parents’ priority lists.”

She said that last year Reading Family Aid provided toys to more than 2,500 Reading children who otherwise would have received no presents.

“Supporting our appeal is more important than ever,” she continued.

“Receiving this funding will allow us to put smiles on many more children’s faces and give them a wonderful Christmas to remember.”

Cllr Edwards echoed the call.

“Parents are really struggling, Reading is supposed to be quite a wealthy place but it has got such big pockets of deprivation and we have got many parents who are really worried – trying to keep their jobs and keep their house warm, feed their children – and sometimes Christmas is just a cracker and a sandwich,” she said.

“I am just so proud that John Sykes has concentrated on Reading, we really need this.”

And Mr Sykes said the Foundation was delighted to donate £1,000 from its Covid-19 Relief Fund towards Reading Family Aid’s appeal.

“Every child should feel the excitement of waking up to gifts under the tree, however we know for some families that after a tough couple of years, they are struggling to even get by day-to-day, and for some it’s a question of putting food on the table or affording presents,” he said.

“It was a pleasure to meet with Ruth, Laura, and other members of the charity, and I was touched to learn that all of the wonderful team are volunteers who make it their mission that in Reading, every child, without exception, wakes up to a present from Father Christmas.”

n For more information on Reading Family Aid, or for drop off points and the GoFundMe page, log on to: www. readingfamilyaid.org

n If you work or belong to a local charity or organisation and would like to know more or apply for one of the John Sykes Foundation’s grants, visit: www. johnsykesfoundation.org

Police appeal for witnesses to fatal Wokingham Road collision

THAMES Valley Police is appealing for witnesses following a fatal road traffic collision in Earley.

At around 9.50pm on Wednesday, November 23, a blue Toyota Yaris and a grey Mercedes CLA 180 were involved in a collision on Wokingham Road, at the junction of Mill Lane, in Earley.

The driver of the Yaris, a woman in her eighties, was taken to hospital where she later died.

Her next of kin have been informed and are being supported by officers.

Investigating officer, PC Greg Jones, of the Joint Operations Roads Policing Unit, said: “We are appealing to anyone who witnessed this incident to please come forward.

“We’d also ask that any drivers with dash-cams who were in the area around the time of the collision please check any footage in case it has captured something that may help the investigation.

“You can report any information by calling 101 or making a report online, quoting reference 43220528799.”

DONATION: John Sykes, Founder & Chair of Trustees, Ruth Perkins, Trustee and Laura Windisch, Project Manager, both from Reading Family Aid. Also in attendance was Deputy Mayor of Reading Debs Edwards and Karl Nixon from Big Yellow Storage

Try Chinese brush painting at library

A TASTER session in Chinese brush painting will be held in Reading Central Library on Saturday.

The event will see an artist showcase their work, before giving people a chance to have a go themselves.

The event is part of an exhibition, Chinese and British, organised by The British Library.

This is on show in the ground floor of the Abbey Square venue.

The event runs from 11am to 1pm. Entry is free, and participants can drop-in, no booking is necessary.

n For details, call the library on: 0118 937 5950.

Make a wreath

THE FRIENDS of Westwood Farm Schools are holding a wreath-making workshop.

The event will see instruction on how to create a Christmas Wreath by a professional florist.

It will be raising funds for Westwood Farm Schools, with tickets costing £35 per person.

It will take place at the Infants School Hall on Wednesday, December 7.

A parent and child session takes place between 10am and noon, with a regular workshop from 5pm-7pm.

n Tickets are available via: www.pta-events.co.uk

Shinfield community ready to switch on their festive display

EXCLUSIVE

By JAKE CLOTHIER jclothier@rdg.today

A COMMUNITY in Shinfield is set to continue its annual tradition of lighting up its street in aid of charity.

Residents in Maybank have joined together to light up the street with Christmas decorations for the last six years.

The big switch-on is on Saturday from 4pm.

They collaborate to decorate the street and provide those coming to view the lights with methods of donating to charities over the festive period.

This year’s event is raising funds for Macmillan Cancer Research and the NSPCC.

Liam Murray, one of the organisers, said: “Each household contributes a bit of money to support the hiring of the cherry picker.

“And then the money we’ve got leftover we put into the charity pot or split between the charities.

“Then the Christmas committee spends the best part of three days in the cherry picker, no matter what the weather outside, installing lights on all the houses.”

This year, around 30 houses are set to take part, decorated over three days.

“Last year, we had this switch on the Sunday and we were still installing houses’ lights on Sunday morning, which we did over two-and-a-half days.

“So it’s an amazing thing to see the evolution of the Christmas lights, just brilliant.”

The big switch-on event is important.

“I think it’s probably become more important over the last couple of years because obviously there were challenges

with covid,” say Mr Murray.

“A lot of people felt isolated and alone, and it was something that none of us had really experienced before.”

This year’s event also saw uncertainty with regards to the cost of goods and energy rising.

“Even this year,” Mr Murray said, “we sent out a poll to all of the community and said look, we’re very much aware that the cost of living crisis, especially energy bills, is hitting.

“But it was pretty much unanimous that everyone said ‘yeah, we want to,’ because the spirit and the feeling that it creates and the money that we raised for charities is more than worth it.

“It gives you a really clear overview of what a great community spirit that we have within Maybank.”

This year’s event has been sponsored by a number of local businesses to help the community raise funds for its chosen charities.

One of them is Dan & Neil Estate Agents, Avocado Property partners, who said: “Neil and I have grown up in Shinfield and it is where we started our own business.

“The community we serve has supported us so much over the years and we always look for opportunities to give back.

“Whether that be using our social media platform to provide exposure to local independent businesses, include local businesses in our overall service package, or sponsor a community who spread Chrismas cheer and raise lots of money with their awesome Christmas lights display.

“The lights and magic of the Maybank Christmas lights caught our eye over two years ago and we have been involved in helping promote and sponsor the lights ever since.”

They have offered free services to a seller in exchange for a donation to one of the charities.

“Neil and I want to match the passion and love of this small community in Shinfield and therefore, we would like to offer our services to a family looking to move next year, for free.

“In return, the chosen seller can pay what they feel we are worth and we will donate the full amount to one of Maybank’s chosen charities.”

Fullbrooks Window Cleaning is also among them, having said: ““We at Fullbrooks Window Cleaning have chosen to sponsor the Maybank Christmas light display 2022 as we have a lot of customers in Maybank.

“We love the fact they put so much effort into creating a spectacular display and fundraising for charities each year.

“We feel it’s important to recognise this effort and give something back and support good causes.”

It has also been sponsored by Dobbies Garden Centres, Sunbelt Rentals & Vinci Plant, and 2Drones Photography.

Mr Murray said: “We do it for the kids, we do it for the community, and for the feeling of community.”

Uni professor receives award for her nutrition work

A MEMBER of staff from the University of Reading was recognised at an industry-leading awards ceremony in London last week.

British Nutrition Foundation (BNF) honoured Prof Julie Lovegrove, director of the Hugh Sinclair unit of human nutrition, with the BNF prize – an award which celebrates an individual for their significant contribution to the field.

Prof Lovegrove has investigated the role nutrition plays on cardiovascular diseases, focusing on the impact of dietary fats, nutrient-gene interactions and personalised nutrition across her 30-year career.

She said: “It is an honour to be awarded the prestigious BNF Prize to mark outstanding achievement in an area of nutrition. The importance of nutrition in improving public health has been a lifelong ambition and focus of my career.

“I’d like to acknowledge the support and inspiration I’ve received from so many exceptional scientists, colleagues,

and an outstanding research team. This BNF Prize reflects achievements made possible by collaborative work effort, shared success, and friendship of them all”.

The award was presented to Prof Lovegrove at the BNF’s annual awards ceremony.

Prof Lovegrove’s work, which has led to more than 260 scientific publications, has played a significant role in combating diseases such cardiovascular disease, type 2

diabetes and high blood pressure.

She also serves on a number of external committees, including her position as deputy chair of the government’s scientific advisory committee for nutrition (SACN) and president of the Nutrition Society.

Sara Stanner, BNF science director, said: “We would like to congratulate Julie for her outstanding contribution to the field of nutrition over the past 30 years, studying the role of nutrition on cardiovascular diseases, with a focus on the metabolic impact of dietary fats, plant phytochemicals, nutrient-gene interactions and personalised nutrition.

“While the BNF Prize is always a challenge for the reviewing committee as it leads to many worthy nominations, Julie’s exemplary scientific research and application of this science to public health made her a worthy recipient of this award for us.

“We hope this inspires others in the field to go on and achieve great heights and advance our understanding on the subject.”

LET THERE BE LIGHTS: Maybank Christmas Lights as pictured in 2021. Picture: 2Drones Photography, courtesy of the Maybank community

HONOUR: Prof Julie Lovegrove was recognised by the BNF for her work in human nutrition. Picture: British Nutrition Foundation

Three sentenced in connection with murder of Reece Heffernan

By STAFF WRITER news@rdg.today

THREE people have been sentenced in connection with the murder of Reece Heffernan in Tilehurst last year.

Following a five-weeklong trial which concluded at Reading Crown Court on August 24, two men and a woman were sentenced on Monday, November 28.

Madison Henderson, aged 20, of Kings Road, Reading, was convicted by unanimous jury verdict of conspiring to pervert the course of justice and conspiracy to supply a class B controlled drug.

Damian Wozniak, aged 19, also of Kings Road, Reading had pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to conspiring to pervert the course of justice and conspiracy to supply a class B controlled drug.

Hamzah Ahmed, aged 19, of Jubilee Road, Reading, was found not guilty by unanimous jury verdict of one count of murder and one count of conspiring to pervert the course of justice.

Ahmed pleaded guilty, however, to one count of conspiracy to supply a class B controlled drug earlier in the trial.

At the sentencing hearing on Monday, November 28, Henderson and Wozniak were both sentenced to two years and six months’ imprisonment, while Ahmed was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment.

At around 10.40pm on Sunday, October 31, last year, officers were called to Romany Lane, Tilehurst, following reports of a stabbing.

Mr Heffernan, aged 22, was located at the scene, where he died.

Carlos Daniel Capitao Mor da Fonseca, aged 24, Tuviah Thompson-Hordle, aged 18; and Charles Lynch, aged 18; were all found guilty by unanimous jury

verdict of murder on Monday, September 12, this year.

Lynch was sentenced to be detained with a minimum term of 20 years.

Fonseca was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 27 years, while Thompson-Hordle was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 24 years.

At the time of the sentencing of those charged with Heffernan’s murder, Detective Superintendent Andy Howard of Thames Valley Police’s major crime unit, said: “This was a tragic incident in which a young man lost his life.

Gospel choir to help refugees First World War hospitals talk

GOSPEL Choir carol concert to help Reading’s Refugee Support Group

A GOSPEL choir will help celebrate the gospel message of the first Christmas with a special fundraising event in Reading town centre.

The Refugee Support Group, which works with refugees coming to the Thames Valley, is hosting its annual carol service at Reading Minster Church on Friday, December 9.

There will be performances from the Reading Community Gospel Choir and opportunities for the audience to join in.

It will be compered by BBC Radio Berkshire’s Bridgitte Tetteh, and starts at 7pm.

Tickets cost £10, £5 for concessions and free for under 11s and refugees. They need to be booked in advance.

n For more details, log on to: refugeesupportgroup. org.uk

DURING the First World War, Reading’s largest buildings were repurposed to help with efforts on the front.

It included seeing some of them converted into nursing facilities for injured soldiers.

Their past will be explored in a new talk organised by the Berkshire Family History Society.

Taking place on Thursday, December 8, in Reading Central Library, Lionel Williams will explore everything from Battle Hospital’s role as War Hospital Number One to how schools and larger houses accommodated the wounded.

It takes place from 2pm, and places cost £5, or £4 for members.

n For more details, call: 0118 950 9553, or log on to: https://berksfhs.org/

Appeal for witnesses following robbery in Caversham

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

The incident occurred at around 10pm on Christchurch Meadows, on Thursday, November 17.

The victim, a man in his seventies, was knocked to the floor by a group of unknown men, and an iPhone was stolen.

The victim sustained a fractured rib and head injuries

and was taken to Royal Berkshire Hospital, he has since been discharged.

Two 17-year-old boys and a 16-year-old boy, all from Wokingham, have been arrested on suspicion of

robbery and have been bailed until 15 February.

Police investigator Colette O’Neill, based at Reading police station said: “I am appealing for any witnesses to this incident to please get in touch.

“You can contact us by either making a report online or by calling 101 quoting reference number 43220519375.

“Alternatively, for 100% anonymity, you can also call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

“Although not all of the defendants physically attacked Reece, three of them were proven to have played a part in his death.

“This was a chilling incident, both in terms of the speed of the attack on Reece, but also because I do not believe that Reece was the intended target for this group.”

Heffernan’s family paid tribute to him following the sentencing, also in September, with his father, Nicholas Walker, saying: “Reece is in a better place now and in peace.

“Reece was taken from us at such a young age of 22 and had

JAILED:

Dance Reading’s big finale

THE BIG finale for this year’s Dance Reading Festival will be a showcase featuring members of the town’s dance schools and groups.

The event will see a mixture of styles, including hip hop, kathak, ballet, contemporary, belly dancing, lindyhop, and tap.

The event runs from 7pm on Saturday, December 3.

It will be held at READ College in St Barts Theatre, St Bartholomews Road.

Tickets cost £6, and can be purchased by searching for Dance Reading Jump! on eventbrite.co.uk

Watch stolen

so many years ahead of him, he mentioned to me that one day he will want to start a clothing line because he had passion for fashion.

“Reece also had the skills of an IT engineer; he knew how to calculate complex computer mathematics as well as setting up computer networks.

“He also loved sports and became a very talented amateur boxer.”

Concluding, Mr Walker said: “Reece was a very loving, energetic, intelligent, and righteous young man who loved hugs, spoke the truth, and was very loyal.”

THAMES Valley Police is appealing for information following a burglary in Calcot lasy week.

At around 12.15am on Tuesday, November 22, offenders entered a property in Clarence Way, where a watch, and iPad, and bank cards were stolen.

Police are appealing for any information which might assist them in their investigations, including CCTV, doorbell or dashcam footage which can be shared by contacting the Police Enquiry Centre on 101, using case reference 43220525649.

Damian Wozniak, aged 19, Madison Henderson, aged 20, and Hamzah Ahmed, aged 19, were all sentenced at a hearing on Monday, November 28.

Perfume and cash stolen from home

POLICE are appealing for information following burglary in Mill Green in Lower Caversham.

An offender gained access to the home, possibly through an insecure back door, and stole perfume and a quantity of cash.

The incident occurred at some point between 2.30pm and 10.20pm on Sunday, November 20.

Thames Valley Police is appealing for anybody with information, CCTV, doorbell or dashcam footage to report any suspicious incidents or sightings to the Police Enquiry Centre on 101, quoting reference 43220523859.

Arts market event

ARTISTS and makers are coming together for a day of Christmas shopping ideas.

The Rising Sun Arts Centre is hosting is annual festive event on Sunday, December 4.

The stalls will offer a range of unique presents, while there be mulled wine and festive treats to enjoy.

Entry is free, and it takes place from 11am to 4.30pm.

n For more details, log on to: risingsunartscentre.org

Family left ‘overwhelmed’ as community stands firm on eviction day

EXCLUSIVE

By JI-MIN LEE jlee@rdg.today

HUNDREDS of campaigners gathered together for an event to support a family of seven on the day of their eviction from their home of 26 years.

Esme Boggart, a new arts collective who are campaigning against Section 21 no-fault evictions, threw a ‘resistance fete’ on Saturday at the Mapledurham property rented by Nick Garnett, Emma Bowen and their five children.

The family have paid more than £200,000 during their tenancy and have never missed a payment.

Speaking at the event, Mr Garnett said: “This afternoon has been amazing.

“I’m leaving my house today, apparently, my tenancy ends today.

“I suppose I should probably be packing my suitcase and I’m not.

“The support from people I know and people I don’t know is phenomenal, I’m slightly overwhelmed.

“It’s been absolutely phenomenal.”

He continued: “We’re in limbo at the moment. We have no idea where we’re going to live, so I don’t know what’s next to be honest.

“I’m really not prepared to leave this part of the world.

“I know what it feels like now to feel that you have to leave or feel that noose tightening that means you’re not going to be able to stay in the place where you belong, with your family and community. People don’t do that lightly, so I’d like to stop

vilifying those who are forced to seek refuge here.”

Visitors young and old were treated to an afternoon of entertainment which included a Punch and Judy show, art workshops, ceilidh dancing and book readings.

At the end of the event, a six metre wooden statue depicting the fictional Esme Boggart and the concept of no-fault evictions was set on fire.

Many residents bought items of artwork to support the Garnett-Bowens.

Nick Hayes, a member of Esme Boggart, said: “There’s something about this story which has resonated not just with people personally, but also the feeling of the times.

“People are sick of the inequality of it all, the fact that one person, who doesn’t even live here, should have the right to uproot people who mean so much to us.

“It’s the notion that because someone owns the land on which the property is built, they can just deconstruct communities in whatever way they fancy is not right. We want to show people that it’s not shameful to stick your head up and say ‘not today’.

“The Mapledurham Estate, what have they actually contributed to this community?

“They’re rent takers.

“They were born with the inheritance of a lot of land.

“It’s not humane, it’s not ethical.”

Some guests spend the days before Saturday’s event parading placards around various Reading landmarks.

William Sleeman, agent for the Mapledurham Estate,

commented on the family’s eviction prior to the event.

He said: “Both numbers 1 and 2 Pithouse Cottages are in a poor state of repair and last summer the Estate commissioned architects to refurbish the cottages.

“Their advice was that the houses needed so much work, that it would not be possible to do the work with the tenants remaining in the property and it would be necessary to demolish and rebuild the houses.

“Therefore we served notice

on the tenants of both houses to gain vacant possession to carry out the repairs.

“We gave a four-month notice period rather than the minimum two to give more time for the tenants to find suitable alternative accommodation, as we appreciate that it is not easy to find properties to rent.

“The resident in No 1 Pithouse Cottages has found another property and has vacated her house and we need possession of No 2 Pithouse, so that work can commence.”

The event gave members of the community the chance to come together to discuss Section 21 no-fault evictions. Pictures: Ji-Min Lee

STOP EVICTION: Esme Boggart sold various items to raise funds for the Garnett-Bowens. Picture: Ji-Min Lee

Readings formed part of the activities at the fayre

Members of the collective recorded various messages of support throughout the afternoon

The afternoon was capped off with the lighting of Esme Boggart. Picture: Ji-Min Lee

Are You Listening? returns to venues across Reading town centre for its 10th anniversary on Saturday, May 6.

First acts revealed for next year’s Are You Listening?

POPULAR music festive Are You Listening? has made its first line-up announcement for its anniversary festival next year.

In May, the festival will celebrate its 10th birthday, raising funds for Reading MenCap.

The first round of acts set to take the stage at the event have now been released, as well as details of a warm-up party.

Black Honey, Deadletter, Deijuvhs, Eat Daddy Eat and Ghost in the Photographs are among the first wave of bands.

They’ll be joined by Mr Fogg, Panic Shack, Prima Queen, Shelf Lives, Sophie Jameson, The Bobo, and The Dianas.

The Nextmen, TVAM, and Thomas Headon will round out the roster, with more acts set to be announced.

Dream Wife were also announced as one of the acts performing at the warm-up party ahead of the festival.

Are You Listening? is set to take place at venues across Reading, including Face Bar, Milk, Oakford Social Club, Purple Turtle, The Rising Sun Arts Centre, and Sub89, on Saturday, May 6.

The warm-up party will take place at St Laurence Church on Friday, May 5, from 6.30pm, with further acts yet to be announced.

A portion of the proceeds will go to supporting Reading Mencap, which supports people with learning disabilities and their families.

n For more details about the festival, or to book tickets, visit: www. areyoulistening.org.uk

Assault and kidnap appeal

THAMES Valley Police is appealing for contact from the victim following an assault and kidnap.

It is also appealing for witnesses to the incident, which occurred around 11.40pm on Friday, November 25, in Mayfair, Tilehurst.

Two men assaulted the victim, another man, dragged him into a Black Vauxhall Astra and drove off with him inside.

Investigating officer PC Nathan Tingley said: “Since this incident we have been unable to make contact with the victim, therefore we are appealing for him to get in touch so we can ensure his safety and speak to him about what happened.

“We are also appealing to anyone who may have witnessed this

incident or who was in the area at the time and may have dash-cam footage that might help us to please come forward. To make a report, call 101 or visit our website, quoting reference number 43220532419.”

An 18-year-old man from Tilehurst has been arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of class B drug cannabis.

He was also under suspicion of driving a motor vehicle dangerously, driving while unfit through drink, failing to stop, driving a vehicle while unfit through drugs, assault of a person causing them actual bodily harm, and kidnap.

He has been released on police bail until February.

Creative Christmas Haunted Reading

FESTIVE spirit will be in the air on Sunday, December 11, as South Reading residents come together for an afternoon of arts and crafts.

Whitley Community Development Association (WCDA) is hosting a Christmas Fayre at the community cafe on Northumberland Avenue.

With 10 spaces available, prospective stall holders are being asked to get in touch to book their place at the event.

The event will take place from 2pm-5.30pm.

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

READING’S old haunts can be explored at a new walking tour taking place next month.

Terry’s Reading Walkabouts is hosting Ghosts and Strange Goings On on Thursday, December 8.

Starting at 5.15pm, it will be a chance to discover the macabre, the mysterious, and the bizarre.

Places are limited and need to be booked in advance. They cost £5, or £1 per child aged five upwards. Proceeds go to PACT (Parents and Children Together) and the Royal Berks Charity.

n For more details, or to book, log on to: www.facebook.com/ terrysreadingwalkabouts/reviews

Gathering to mark Trans

By JAKE CLOTHIER Queer Correspondent

READING came together earlier this month to mark Transgender Day of Remembrance.

Reading Pride project MyUmbrella LGBT+ organises the annual event, this year inviting the general public to take part in observing the date.

The vigil saw recorded contributions from a number of organisers and trustees of Reading’s LGBTQ+ charities and support groups, as well as from organisations outside of Reading.

Christina Dearlove, MyUmbrella LGBT+ cofounder and team leader, hosted, beginning the event by explaining that TDoR is: “a day for us to remember and mourn the lives lost to transphobic violence”.

“But also to come together as a community to support each other and fight for a future where trans, intersex, non-binary, gender nonconforming people can be safe and accepted worldwide.”

She was followed by an address given by the mayor of Reading, Cllr Rachel Eden, who said that her message to the trans community was: “that you are welcome here.

“This is your town, too, and you are part of what makes Reading Reading, a place in which no time or effort is put into culture wars.

“We celebrate culture, we celebrate diversity, and we stand together against hatred.”

Cllr Eden was followed by addresses from the vice-chair of trustees at Reading Pride, Kirsten Bayes, R-Trans group leader at Support U, Angela Sydney Moore, and the Trans Historian at Newbury Museum, Jo Brydon.

Trans Radio UK’s Rory Sizer and MyUmbrella LGBT+’s cofounder, Kerry Kleis, both gave addresses, as did Cat Burton from the Gender Identity Research and Education Society, Kizzy Lavender LeeWimbridge, operations lead and volunteers co-ordinator at Newbury Pride, and Trans In The City’s Emily Hamilton.

Pride in Gloucestershire trustee Kate Glanfield, The

Beaumont Society’s Andrea Christine Brooks, Trans Radio UK community news reporter Jason Potts, and Youtuber and activist Hannah Phillips also spoke in pre-recorded videos.

Kerry Kleis explored the government’s response to trans issues in the last year, highlighting a number of legislative decisions against trans people.

These included the appointment of the gender critical lawyer Akua Reindorf to commissioner of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, as well as then culture secretary Nadine Dories’ meetings with UK sporting bodies.

In the meetings, Dories said that elite and competitive women’s sports should be reserved for people “born” of female sex.

Blanket bans on trans women competing shortly followed from the British Triathlon, the Rugby Football League, and the Rugby Football Union.

In August, then attorney general Suella Braverman commented that it was “lawful” for schools to misgender or dead-name trans students, as well as ban them from some sports, reject their enrolment entirely, and refuse any and all other forms of gender affirmation to trans children.

She said also that to

recognise their identity as trans would qualify as “indoctrinating” children.

Finally, the Rock Choir of Ascot, Bracknell, Henley and Reading performed as the details of those lost to transphobia were shown on screen.

Names and photographs of those lost were shown as well as their country of origin and how they died.

Transgender filmmaker and activist Ms Phillips said that events like the Transgender Day of Remembrance were “absolutely quintessential”.

She continued: “Because there’s such a vital message for many young people who are not necessarily part of the trans community or aren’t aware of people in the trans community.”

“So sharing small events and events like this taking place in Reading is vital for education for young people.”

She said it was also especially important that people come together to observe the event.

“It’s eye-opening for those who have no experience with it– there’s an element that of emotion that you don’t get from reading a newspaper.

“You have to show up and feel the room – it’s heavy heavy stuff and everyone leaving this event today left with a whole new perspective on it.

“Many of us are trans and still have that new point of view, it hurts the heart but it also really makes you think about it.”

Kizzy Lavender LeeWimbridge, operations lead and volunteers co-ordinator at Newbury Pride, was also invited to speak about her experiences.

After the event she said: “People seem to see it more as just statistics, a number or percentage – but hearing it from actual people helps to realise that these are humans, brothers, sisters, and loved ones.

“I think every person that the message gets out too can realise that they might’ve been doing stuff that is potentially killing someone.

“Then if one less person could have died, one person is saved.

“Even if only one person takes the message and thinks ‘Oh, I need to change this, and what I’ve been doing, they could save even more.”

Ms Philips agreed, saying: “It’s the element of it where one small action can impact a whole community.

“One tweet, one wrong headline, could mean a whole chain of an effect where individuals are losing their lives or getting a little bit more scared to outside and be themselves.”

“It’s more authentic to come to a vigil, hearing the stories first-hand, instead of just reading a headline on Twitter or Facebook.”

Andrea Christine Brookes, South of England regional organiser at the Beaumont Society, said: “It’s so difficult to get through to the media, and the cultural impact is absolutely critical.

“There’s always a member of the LGB Alliance and someone from a trans hate group on a panel with one trans woman defending her rights, but it isn’t a debate.”

TOGETHER TO REMEMBER: From left, Reading Pride’s Tom Price and Mikey Russell, Bracknell Forest Mayor Ankur Shiv Bhandari, Reading Pride vice-chair of trustees Kirsten Bayes, Wokingham Borough Council mayor Caroline Smith, and MyUmbrella LGBT+’s Christina Dearlove, Kerry Kleis, and Charlotte Logan Picture: Dijana Capan/DVision Images

Reading Borough Council leader Jason Brock with fellow attendeesImages

Reading Pride’s Kerry Kleis and Mikey Russell

gender Day of Remembrance

Attendees joined to observe the day of remembranceImages

Christina Dearlove and Kerry Kleis, the cofounders and team leaders of MyUmbrella LGBT+, said after the event: “It is vital that we hold this vigil every year.

“Not just to remember those that we have lost due

Attendees with Newbury Museum’s trans historian

to transphobia, whether directly or indirectly, but also to show our solidarity and our support to our Trans community on whatever stage of their journey.”

Mikey Russell, Reading Pride trustee, produced the contributor’s films,

said: “I would like to thank everybody who joined us both in-person and online and our speakers.”

He also thanked Reading Biscuit Factory “for being a great host, and Rising Sun Arts Centre for letting us use their space to record most of

the speeches.”

He also gave his thanks to Reading Minster for allowing the use of their venue to record the choir’s performance.

“Thanks to Nicely Done Productions and Reading Rock Academy for their assistance in recording the Rock Choir, who were absolutely amazing.”

“Newbury Pride for their last minute support with speakers and providing the beautiful wreath.

“It’s another example of what can be accomplished when the community comes together.

“Reading stands,

Together as One Community. Love will always Unite us here. We are all More Than LGBT.”

Tom Price, chief engagement officer at Reading Pride, added: “This event is vital not just to remember those in the trans community taken too soon, but to highlight the ongoing fight against discrimination and abuse faced by our trans family.

“There is no LGB without the T+.” n Any one looking for help, advice and information can log on to: www.supportu.org. uk, or call them on: 0118 321 9111.

Women invited to Reclaim the Night

WOMEN from across Reading are invited to join in a march and rally this Friday, as part of the Reclaim The Night initiative.

Organised by Reading Labour, the event starts at Queens Walk at 6.15pm. Women will then walk to the Old Town Hall Square for some speeches.

Among the speakers will be the mayor of Reading, Cllr Rachel Eden, and Natasha Irons from Merton Council.

The rally is part of the Reclaim The Night initiative, which dates back to the 1970s, partly as a response to police warning women not to go out at night due to violence, assaults and murders.

The original organisers said women should be able to walk anywhere and should not be blamed or restricted because of male violence.

Reading’s event, on December 2, is expected to last an hour.

n For more details, log on to: www.facebook.com/ events/5597414017001641

Forbury wonderland

A SILENT disco, fire pits and three bands – it’s Forbury Gardens as you’ve never seen it before.

The Reading town centre venue is being turned into a winter wonderland on Friday, December 9.

Audiences can enter from 5pm, grab some grub courtesy of Blue Collar, before enjoying music from The Tim Kay Band, Kill Committee and the Magical Mystery Four. Then, there will be a silent disco, before the event closes at 11pm.

To add to the ambiance, there will be festive lighting and a bar selling both alcoholic and soft drinks.

Gig In the Gardens costs £12 per person, which includes a £2 donation to Reading Refugee Support Group.

n For more details, log on to: whatsonreading.com

Andrea Christine Brookes and Kizzy Lavander Lee-Wimbridge

Ankur Shiv Bhandari, mayor of Bracknell Forest, Reading Pride’s Tom Price, and Wokingham Borough Council mayor Caroline Smith

Another view

Neil Coupe Sport unites

IGOT a text from a friend last weekend asking whether I was boycotting the World Cup.

In this context ‘boycotting’ actually meant not watching it on TV, listening to it on the radio and being excluded from various WhatsApp groups, including a prediction one where at the time of writing I am languishing in 34th out of 36 participants. The answer was no. Football, in spite of everything, is just too addictive.

Prior to the Tournament, the bad treatment of construction workers and the poor level of human rights in Qatar were both highlighted, raising the spectre of people refusing to support the event in any way.

Nobody is attempting to defend the human rights abuses, but it is reasonable to recall that the previous World Cup was held in Russia, and in 1978 it was held in Argentina where 30,000 of its citizens were ‘disappeared’ by the State and remain unaccounted for.

People who say they love the game but hate the industry have a point.

For an old-fashioned football fan, the World Cup is supposed to take place in the Summer.

There was always the thrill of seeing mysterious South American players for the first time. Then we would learn a little about their countries (who knew, for example, that Fray Bentos was a town in Uruguay?).

Then as the drama unfolded, we would suddenly find an affinity with some of the more charismatic performers, be they an ageing Cameroonian such as Roger Milla or a Peruvian superstar such as Tefilio Cubillas.

In the modern era, the vast majority of players participating are well-known to the viewers through their day jobs playing in the main European Leagues, so the surprise element is not as great as it was, although I did feel a frisson of excitement reading that a player named Nicholas Williams played for Spain.

Playing the Tournament part way through the football season is unusual, but there is something other-worldly seeing the blue skies and the blazing sun as we approach Christmas.

At the start of the Tournament, one of the lead stories in the UK was that, except for corporate attendees it would not actually be possible to buy a beer in the stadiums on match days.

This was seen almost as a flagrant abuse of a Westerner’s right to consume alcohol at a football match. This, of course, ignores the fact that in the six highest tiers of English football, it is illegal to drink alcohol within sight of the pitch anyway.

It cannot come as that much of a surprise that there would be restrictions of alcohol in a Muslim country. People can always have a drink on the way home. And it is almost Christmas, where beer is likely to be plentiful.

The fact that the Tournament is being held in the Middle East has had an interesting effect on the composition of fans.

At most World Cups, the travelling support is predominantly made up of Europeans, Mexicans, and South Americans. Qatar has enticed vast numbers of people to travel from other places, especially Middle Eastern countries such as Saudi Arabia and Iran.

From our knowledge of the respective Governments, we have very clear preconceptions

Saudis and Iranians.

Seeing happy, often young, people of both genders fully engaged in the matches and enjoying themselves is a very real indication that whether or not we are sharing a warm lager, sport is one element of life that unites us so much more than it divides us.

Maybe against the odds, this World Cup may give us hope for the future.

Find the perfect present – even for

The hard to buy for one

We all know someone who is difficult to buy. But scrap the socks this year – here are some great gifts for those tricky people!

Prezzybox - Smartphone 36 LED Ring Light - £10

Get selfie ready with this LED ring light that attaches to your phone. If you’re well versed in the art of taking a good selfie then you’ll know all about how important good light can be for that perfect, insta ready photo. The LED Ring Light is a clip-on accessory that’s compatible with most modern phones.

The food and drink one

Resident Pheasant – Build Your Own Chocolate Box - £10

Hello Day – Original 2023 planner - £46

This Spiral Daily Planner is the ideal gift for getting sorted for 2023. It’s not only for staying organised, but keeping track of your wellbeing, mental health, goals, water consumed, exercise, and inspiration quotes and more. Each stunning planner can even be personalised, for that extra special gift.

SelectTech – Bowflex SelectTech dumbbell from £229

This innovative dumbbells are completely adjustable with a dial which alters the weight, providing a compact way to store a wide variety of weights. The SelectTech range of dumbbells both combine a full weight rack in one weight, saving you storage space. The Bowflex SelectTech 1090i combines 17 weights in one, going from 4 -41kg easily.

STM - STM Goods MagLoop - £29.50

This is a 3-in-1 grabber, propper and bottle popper for your MagSafe iPhone, the MagLoop from STM Goods uses the power of magnets to securely snap to the back of your phone. Ingeniously designed to give a finger loop, kickstand and even bottle snapper in one smart product. The MagLoop is a great gift for those techies who want something a little different.

One Of A Kind Club – Earrings - £15

Wave goodbye to the unwanted stocking fillers. It’s time to colour their Christmas with a Build Your Own box of Christmas goodies available in two sizes. Containing exceptional, ethical chocolate that’s encased in fun and eco-friendly packaging.

Corney and Barrow - Staff Selection Mixed Wine Case£188

This mixed case is an insight into some of the C&B team’s top picks and wines to enjoy this Christmas. Quincy offers a fantastic alternative to Sancerre and the Château Lafon is a perfect reminder of the brilliant drinking wines from Bordeaux. Bubbles are a must over Christmas, and their new Crémant du Jura is the perfect fit!

Laylo – Merlot wine box – from £33.99 for a 2.25L box

One of a Kind Club is a contemporary jewellery brand aiming to inspire and celebrating individuality through fun statement pieces that make an impact. Each piece is handcrafted so they are special and one of a kind, bringing colour to people’s lives with contemporary gorgeous earrings.

The fashion one

New Look Red Fair Isle Reindeer Christmas Jumper – £29.99

this Christmas. From the comfiest headbands you’ll ever wear, to amazing twist knot necklaces in an array of colours and stud earrings. All this loveliness without much of a dent in your wallet.

Kind Bags London – 3 Gingham Pouches - £24

Berkshire-based Laylo who create delicious, quality boxed wine has launched a Merlot. It’s wrapped in a genuine snippet of Matisse art. Laylo boxes stay fresh for 6 weeks from opening. They also generate 90% less carbon than glass bottles and are 100% recyclable. Ideal for a wine lover this Christmas.

Soho Street Cocktails - £28.99

These at-home cocktails make the perfect gift, all you have to do is shake, pour and serve! These cocktails have been handcrafted with a ‘taste-first’ approach, made with high-quality ingredients and no artificial flavours or colourings. The range includes Pornstar Martini, Espresso Martini, Strawberry Daiquiri, and a Piña Colada all served in a 1.5 litre pouch.

The ideal gift for Christmas lovers – a super warm Christmas jumper that Rudolph would be proud of. Wrap up this festive season in this red reindeer jumper, available in a range of sizes.

Form Norfolk - Knot necklaces, headbands and earrings – from £10

It’s not often you find a range where you love all the products. Form Norfolk have it covered

Each and every product is produced sustainably and ethically, recycling bottles destined for landfill or the ocean.

The three zip pouches are ideal or organising at home.

The three different sizes make it to neatly pack a bag or organise ‘bits and bobs’.

on

It’s not long now until the big day. Mariah Carey is defrosting out of hibernation and Michael Buble is warming up. This year, we have put together the ultimate Christmas gift guide – we’ve done the hard work so that you don’t have to.

Compiled by HESTER GRANGER

The Teen One

headbands knot and stunning without making

Gingham produced plastic ocean. for on-the-go it easy

Jacobs and Dalton – Sheepskin Slippers - £33

Sleek, stylish and super comfy, these dark grey mules are perfect for keeping feet warm. Style meets comfortable design, these slippers really do have it all!

Lined with luxurious ethically sourced sheepskin and covered in a suede exterior, these slippers are designed to stand the test of time.

New Look - Christmas Tinsel Scrunchies - £5.99

Get into the Christmas spirit with these tinsel scrunchies. Each come in a two pack of green and red and also purple and silver. Perfect for up-dos for a Christmas party or to wear on Christmas day!

JOBY GorillaPod Mobile Vlogging Kit£197.95

excursions to Aldeburgh and the Norfolk Broads – yee-ha!

Your break includes

Return coach travel from Reading

4 nights at the Warner Corton Coastal Village, near Lowestoft with dinner & breakfast

Live country music entertainment every evening

Daytime activities in resort

Excursions to Aldeburgh & the Norfolk Broads by coach

excursion to Norwich (£13pp)

If you know a budding Youtuber why not treat them to the JOBY Vlogging Kit. It’s the perfect gift for the teen who loves recreating the latest viral TikToks.

It includes everything they need to create awesome content.

Including a GorillaPod tripod to fix the smartphone anywhere, the Beamo LED light to make sure the footage is properly lit, and a Wavo Mobile microphone to ensure they capture the best sound.

Young Driver – Driving lessons from £39

Departing Sun 26 Mar ‘23, Sun 3 Dec ‘23 When we think of ABBA, the first thing that springs to mind is ‘feel-good music’, and that’s exactly what this two-day break is all about! Round up your friends and dance the night away to the top hits provided by the sensational tribute band, ABBA Fever.

Your break includes

Return coach travel from Reading

Overnight stay at the 2-star Adelphi Hotel, Liverpool with dinner

breakfast (all meals buffet style)

ABBA tribute act plus a live DJ at the hotel

2 for 1 bar (7pm-10pm) on selected drinks

COEUR

DE LION – pearls necklace and bracelet – from £55

Timelessly beautiful and lovingly handcrafted. The necklace and bracelet in sparkling pale blue and silver is absolutely perfect for any occasion.

Every piece of jewellery ordered will be delivered to you beautifully arranged on a piece of satin in a premium designer case and with a certificate of authenticity.

Tricky to buy for teens can get behind the wheel of a real dual controlled car with a fully qualified instructor at any of Young Driver’s 70+ UK venues. Youngsters can learn to brake, steer, change gear, tackle roundabouts and even parallel park! Gift vouchers are valid for nine months.

Original Tamagotchi - £15.99

The Tamagotchi is back. It’s got the same programming as 1997 but a variety of new stylish shells! You feed it, clean up after it, take care of it and even discipline it if it’s bothering you when it doesn’t need you! Now you just need to make sure it is kept alive.

Take time to enjoy the Toy Run

ON SUNDAY, one of the biggest events in the calendar will return – the bikers’s toy run.

A staple festive event, it is a bright and jolly affair, showing the true meaning of Christmas: giving with love.

The fancy dress is one thing. The decorated bikes another, but at its heart is a simple idea: ensuring that children who would otherwise do without have a fantastic present to unwrap on Christmas Day.

It is an epic feat of work, from the bikers who travel from all over the country to take part, to the team at High Close School in Wokingham who collate and sort all the donations.

It is a wonderful thing to watch, and it is well worth lining the streets around Winnersh to see the spectacle.

Who knows, it might even inspire you to get a tag from The Giving Tree.

CHURCH NOTES He’s not the Messiah

AT Christmas, Christians celebrate the birth of the Messiah, the Special One sent from God to restore us to God’s favour and inspire us to a positive purpose in life.

A survey has suggested that a significant number of people in the UK today believe that Simon Cowell is the promised Messiah … a thought which conjures up that immortal line from the Monty Python film, The Life of Brian … ‘He’s not the Messiah … he’s a very naughty boy!’

But did Jesus think of himself as the Messiah?

In conversation with a Samaritan woman, Jesus responded to her comment ‘I know that Messiah (called Christ) is coming’ by declaring ‘I am he!’

And, when being interrogated after his arrest, Jesus responded to the High Priest’s blunt question, ‘Are you the Messiah?’ by stating, equally bluntly, ‘I am!’

But who do we think Jesus is? And how does our answer to that question affect our lives?

A young man entered a crowded café and found himself sitting opposite a clergyman who was reading a book. The clergyman wore a badge in the shape of a question mark in his lapel.

The young man was agnostic, and not a great lover of the church or the clergy, but he was intrigued by the lapel badge … and suddenly found himself asking the clergyman what it signified? ‘Why,’ said the clergyman with a knowing smile, ‘it stands for the most important question in the world!’ and annoyingly went back to reading his book.

The young man couldn’t help himself and blurted out, ‘What is the most important question in the world?’

The clergyman looked up smiling, and turned the pages of the little book he was reading … which happened to be a New Testament … and read the words of Pontius Pilate to the crowds at the trial of Jesus, ‘What shall I do with Jesus who is called the Messiah?’

‘That is the most important question in the world!’ said the clergyman, suddenly looking serious, to the young man.

‘May I ask you’ he continued, ‘what are you doing with Jesus?’

The Revd Jim Binney is a pastor of Abbey Baptist Church in Reading, writing on behalf of Churches Together in Reading

Your letters

Send your thoughts to letters@rdg.today

Cost of living crisis is Putin’s fault

I have a very misleading glossy expensive Lib Dem leaflet just fallen through my letter box.

It says unequivocally that the cost-of-living crisis is the fault of the British government with no mention anywhere of Vladimir Putin, the Russian blockade of the Black Sea or his stoppage of gas and oil to mainland Europe having jacked up the world prices of energy and food.

No mention of bird flu.

No mention of resultant starvation in North Africa, or Lebanon.

Their solution to the housing crisis that is bringing about a crisis in the cost of childcare – grandchildren cannot live close enough to grandparents – is to campaign against new house building and infrastructure development. With more households the council gets more council taxpayers, yet another Lib Dem example of the political tactic of “point gun at foot pull trigger”.

They say progress on the local Twyford library is good, showing a photograph of nothing happening at the chosen site that has planning permission. (Perish the thought that succeeding in having a new library and hub up and working might leave them with nothing to campaign for.)

I dropped it in the recycling but must transfer it into general waste – the website tells us glossy paper cannot be recycled.

Looking parochial is one thing, but not knowing the effect of the war in Ukraine or talking about refugees in need is blinkered.

Sue Doughty, Twyford

Unpaid care is worth £110.9 million

The need for the Government to prioritise dementia care has never been more pressing.

And while last Thursday’s autumn statement brought some welcome news, there is still a long way to go.

Thursday last week was Carers Rights Day when the focus will be on the cost of caring.

Right now, the families and friends of people living with dementia in the UK are providing care for their loved ones valued at £13.9 billion a year, a figure that’s projected to rise to £35.7bn by 2040. In Berkshire alone, this army of unpaid carers are estimated to provide care worth £110.9m saving the UK economy millions.

As the cost of living crisis bites, it’s little wonder so many of these devoted carers feel uncertain about the future.

We were disappointed the Government has delayed the proposed £86,000 care cap for two years as this was a first step towards tackling crippling care costs.

We recognise the political upheaval of recent months has caused delays, not least in the delivery of the new 10-year plan for dementia in England, but further delays must be avoided.

There was some encouraging news announced by Chancellor Jeremy Hunt. Social Care will receive £1bn in additional funding next year, and £1.7bn the year after. The Government claims this will lead to an estimated 200,000 additional care packages over next two years.

This is a step in the right direction, but with pressures on all carers being intensified by the record 165,000 vacancies in social care across the UK – including 26,000 in the South East –the system is in urgent need of reform.

It’s also a huge concern that diagnosis rates are at a five-year low, meaning tens of thousands are living without crucial treatment and vital support.

I would urge your readers across Berkshire to sign Alzheimer’s

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

We reserve the right to edit letters

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

Society’s open letter to the Prime Minister asking the Government to prioritise dementia by visiting alzheimers.org.uk/openletter

Figures for this report are made up of West Berkshire £33.9m, Slough £17.8m, Reading £24.7m and Windsor & Maidenhead £34.5m

Sir Tony Robinson, Actor, Writer, TV Presenter and Alzheimer’s Society Ambassador

A Childline lifeline

On average, two children a minute contact Childline. For these children, Christmas can be the worst time of the year.

Every day, our Childline counsellors hear stories of abuse, neglect, selfharm, and anxiety, things no child should have to deal with. These contacts don’t stop on Christmas Day. Children still need help and support on what should be the most magical day of the year.

Whatever a child is facing at Christmas, Childline is here for them. But we can’t do it alone. The NSPCC relies on public donations for the majority of its income, which is why this Christmas we’re calling on people in Berkshire to support the NSPCC and Childline to ensure we can be there for children whenever they need us.

There are so many ways people can get involved and support the NSPCC this festive season.

Our Walk for Children fundraiser is taking place on Wednesday, December 21.

Whether people walk alone or in a group, everybody’s invited to join the 5K walk during the longest night of the year. We’re asking local buildings to light up green that night, so people can plan their walks around a landmark in their area and to share any photos using #WalkforChildren.

Readers can sign up for Walk for Children and see a list of local

Hunt would like us to believe that they are clearing up the mess they inherited, the reality is that the Government’s plans are the result of the long-term failure of the Conservative party since 2010.

During the last 12 years the economy has grown much more slowly than in other similar western countries and also much more slowly than it did in the period from 1997 to 2008.

The UK is now in recession and our economic growth is currently the lowest of all the G7 countries.

participating landmarks by searching ‘Walk for Children’ on the NSPCC website.

People can also order an NSPCC Letter from Santa to bring some Christmas magic to the little ones in your life. Every donation for an NSPCC Letter from Santa will go towards Childline. Readers can find out more by visiting letterfromsanta. nspcc.org.uk.

For more information about Walk for Children or local Christmas fundraising opportunities in Berkshire, or indeed local landmarks wanting to ‘go green’, email freya. hollingsworth@nspcc.org.uk

Freya Hollingsworth, Community Fundraising Manager for Berkshire

Children in hospital

The festive period is fast approaching, and as we start to decorate our Christmas trees, wrap up gifts and make mince pies, it’s important to remember the many people who will be spending Christmas away from home and loved ones.

This year, children’s charity Starlight estimates that in December there will be over 1.3 million admissions to hospital for under 18s in England, who are not only poorly but feel anxious and scared.

No child should feel lonely at Christmas, especially when they’re unwell. Early experiences of hospital can be incredibly traumatising and the psychological damage for a child can be life-long.

Children in hospital need to have fun and play creates a much-needed chance to have a sense of normality and control too. Play can help prepare a child for frightening treatments, distract them from painful procedures and help make loneliness fade away during lengthy hospital stays.

Creating more positive hospital experiences can be life-changing for

him by Jon Ashworth and Labour MPs like me to protect the pension triple lock and to uprate support for the most vulnerable in line with inflation, but the Government should never have considered cutting pensions and benefits in the first place.

WE’RE on our fourth chancellor of the exchequer and third prime minister of the year.

Last Thursday, we had the second financial statement in three months which we saw the biggest set of tax rises for a generation and a return to the 2010-era austerity style politics of the Conservative Party.

The difference is that after the last 12 years, families and pensioners are struggling with the enormous challenge of the cost of living crisis and our

public services are on their knees.

The plans announced by the Chancellor means energy bills will rise to an average of £3,000 a year in April 2023, social rents will go up by 7% and councils are will forced to raise council tax by 5% to make up for the shortfall they will have when their support from central government is cut.

This round of tax rises and service cuts follows the Conservatives disastrous mini budget under the last prime minister and chancellor.

While Rishi Sunak and Jeremy

Ordinary hard working people who have already seen their rents and mortgages go up will now see their energy bills increase while their salaries are stretched further and further.

The only winners from this budget are the bankers whose huge bonuses have not been touched, the oil and gas giants who have made record profits and are escaping tax through loopholes, and the nondoms who live in the UK, but whom the Government refuses to ask to pay a fair level of tax.

I am glad that the Chancellor has bowed to the pressure put on

The Government should have followed Labour’s lead and expanded the windfall tax on excess profits of energy companies to cut bill by £1,000 a year, they should be reclaiming the billions lost in dodgy PPE contracts and they should be focussing on growing our economy through investment in education, in green energy and through scrapping business rates to help the high street and asking internet giants to pay a fairer rate of tax.

What we saw last week was a Conservative Government which is out of ideas and out of touch with local residents who are struggling because of the political choices made in Downing Street.

Sadly, each of us is now paying more as a result.

Matt Rodda is the MP for Reading East

Westminster diary

Matt Rodda

After 12 years, we’re struggling

a child and their family. Yet, so many UK hospitals don’t have the money to make play happen. Starlight research found that 83 per cent of children’s healthcare settings that apply for our services have no money themselves for play. We’re urging your readers to support Starlight’s Play Loneliness Away campaign.

Visit www.starlight.org.uk/ christmas and whatever you give will help Starlight bring play where there is pain, fun where there is fear, and laughter where there is loneliness.

Cathy Gilman, CEO, Starlight

One Night can change a life

Last week, the ONS published figures which estimated 741 deaths of homeless people in England and Wales registered in 2021. Of these, 31 of them were between 16 and 24 years old. This is a 63% increase compared to 2020 - but one death is too many.

We know that homelessness can have a devastating effect on a person’s mental and physical health. One night on the streets can change a young person’s life. They are at risk of violence, abuse, theft, the influence of drinks and drugs, and experiences that can leave long-term trauma and lead to poor mental health.

With such strong links between financial difficulties and conflict in the home - the impact of increased debt, spiraling bills and low incomes is seeing family relationships breaking down. As a result, more young people are on the verge of homelessness and this winter risks pushing many of them over the edge. The sooner we get young people off the streets, the better.

We know times are tough for everyone, but no young person should have to sleep in an unsafe place. Our Nightstop service has local volunteers providing rooms for the night. It is a lifeline for so many. I would like to invite readers to consider becoming a volunteer and looking for ways they can help so that we can end homelessness altogether.

Mike Thiedke, Depaul UK

the

AS we approach the end of another year, it is good to celebrate our successes with each other.

Looking back over the past 12 months at the University, 2022 has been a good year by many measures.

More final year students have told us they are happy with their experiences on campus in the National Student Survey.

We’ve seen more of our research being judged as world-leading or internationally excellent, and after the uncertainties of recent years we have welcomed a good number of first-year undergraduate students this September.

And Reading reached the final of

First impressions

BACK in May I sat with over a dozen newly elected councillors at briefings on the structure of Reading Borough Council, the challenges facing Reading, the system for raising residents’ concerns and so on.

It was a deluge of valuable information, for which I’m very grateful, and I’ve continued to learn ‘on the job’ ever since.

The most memorable piece of information from those briefings – that Reading resembles a London borough in terms of its complexities far more than it resembles its neighbouring towns.

Areas of considerable deprivation sit alongside areas of affluence.

This means it’s especially important for councillors to scrutinise policies and their implementation. This work is done at meetings of the Council and its committees.

For a newbie opposition councillor, that’s a lot of reading Council papers and getting advice and info from colleagues and Council officers.

What have I found most surprising about Council and

committee meetings? The frequent lack of discussion. I think this is partly a result of the set procedures for meetings.

For example, matters cannot be raised that are not already on the agenda.

When we found out via a newspaper article on October 29 that RBC had dropped holiday food vouchers for the lowest income families, I could not raise it at the Policy Committee two days later as it was too late even for an emergency agenda item.

Another reason for the lack of discussion is that Labour has a comfortable majority in Reading.

They don’t need to develop policies with opposition councillors, as they can vote everything through themselves.

But broader input would surely lead to better policies.

That’s a challenge to us Lib Dems (and the other opposition parties) to get more councillors elected.

The Council also hosts a number of forums, attended by residents as well as councillors.

In contrast to the formal committees, I’ve found meetings of the Access and Disability Forum, for example, a good place to explore ideas and discuss policy changes.

What I enjoy most, though, about being a councillor is working with the residents of Tilehurst. People come to us when

group of more than 20,000 students and staff. I am proud and grateful to all of them, and hope they take time to celebrate these collective achievements as we go into the festive period.

Of course, our mission to make a difference in the world continues 365 days a year.

That means working to support each other through good times and bad, and the challenges the world faces – as well as the challenges we can all face as individuals – can seem daunting.

they’ve exhausted other avenues to get things done.

It may be something simple like asking the Council to install a litter bin outside the shops or something that appears simple but turns out not to be – why is there no halo lighting at the crossing near the petrol station on School Road?

Because the poles are the wrong kind (and it’s too expensive to replace them). But at least the crossing now has bright new Belisha beacons.

Other issues are more complex – planning and construction for one.

I urge residents to read planning consultation notices when they pop up in their neighbourhoods.

Have a look at the plans in detail online (or at the Council offices) and if you’re not happy about them, file an objection.

If you’re in Tilehurst, contact me or one of your other local councillors for advice on how to do this.

Once planning permission has been granted, it’s too late to make changes, as residents whose homes and gardens are dwarfed by a new church know to their cost.

Dealing with anti-social behaviour has turned out to be a slow burn, and is often frustrating.

I’m impressed by the determination of residents to tackle motorbike nuisance on the Meadway Rec and have done what I can to support them.

The police are desperately short-staffed after years of cuts, but if they can identify the culprits, they will step in and confiscate the bikes.

Cllr Anne Thompson is a Lib Dem councillor for Tilehurst ward

opportunity to donate to local and international charities.

n The following Sunday, 11 December, we are hosting this year’s Reading Rotary Santa Run, a great event which will raise some much-needed funds for two local charities.

n Excitingly, on Tuesday 20 December, our Children’s Christmas Lecture is back.

This year, Professor Adrian Bell, an expert in the history of money and finance, will be explaining everything there is to know about money.

From the leader

Cllr Jason Brock

Why it’s important to invest in play areas I

N the current context, I know that it’s more important than ever for parents, grandparents and families to find cheap or free ways to entertain the young ones.

Playgrounds have always been an important part of that offer, which is why the Council’s investment of over £1 million in new and refurbished playgrounds across Reading has come at exactly the right time.

Over the past few years, we have embarked on the significant modernisation and refurbishment of play areas right across the town.

They have included brand new playgrounds and equipment at Oxford Road Recreation Ground, Blagrave Recreation Ground, Kenavon Drive, Dover Street, Longbarn Lane Recreation Ground, Palmer Park, Arthur Newbery Park and Portman Road to name but a few.

As a Southcote Councillor, as well as the Council Leader, I was particularly delighted last week to see work get underway on Reading’s new flagship play area at Prospect Park.

Prospect is, of course, one of Reading’s destination parks and open spaces. We are therefore investing £530,000 on a brand-new flagship playground in the park, which will be located next to the recently opened Ranger Station, complete with low ropes and a quirky Reading themed mini-golf course, bringing the total spending at Prospect Park alone to just over £1 million.

Those of you who know the park well may know the challenges that the current play area has presented.

Trees in the area become unstable due to an underground spring running nearby and the current surface was not suitable for anyone with mobility issues.

There was also a need to refresh the play equipment.

With that in mind, we took the big decision to relocate the playground to the area opposite the pavilion – and to grasp the perfect opportunity to create something new and exciting for Reading’s children.

University Challenge, coming within touching distance of victory.

We’ve announced exciting collaborations with Reading FC and Reading Buses using our climate stripes, to raise awareness of the fight against climate change, and we are working with STEM Learning to improve climate education in schools and colleges across the country.

The Natural History Museum announced that it will open a major new research facility at the University’s Thames Valley Science Park, next to the British Museum’s Archaeological Research Collection, creating opportunities for our students and researchers.

These are achievements of the whole University community, a

But that’s why I love our community at the University, and the wider community in Reading and Wokingham.

We show each other that we care, and that we are acting not for ourselves, but for the common good.

That community comes to the fore at Christmas. We have some fantastic events on campus in the run up to Christmas that are open to everyone.

n The Winter Festival takes place on our Whiteknights campus from 5.30pm tomorrow evening (Thursday 1 December). Come along for carols, festive treats, an arts and crafts market and our famous food market.

n On Monday 5 December a carol service will be held in the students’ union with traditional carols, readings and musical performances.

The service will also include an

I apologise if it leads to your children and grandchildren requesting an inflation-busting increase in pocket money.

All events, apart from the charity Santa Run, are free of charge, although booking for some events is required.

Head to the Events page on our University website for more information, as well as to find out about other University events that might be of interest.

I for one am looking forward to the opportunity to come together with staff, students and local residents to celebrate past achievements, enjoy being together again and looking ahead to the promise of the coming year.

Professor Robert Van de Noort is the vice-chancellor of the University of Reading

Because Prospect Park is a major visitor attraction for Reading, it is vital that the facilities are accessible to all children. When complete, the new play area will offer a fantastic range of great play equipment with something for children of all ages and abilities.

We worked alongside the Council’s Accessible Play Task and Finish Group to ensure the new site has been particularly designed to allow much better access to and around the area and will be as inclusive as possible – aiming to challenge, excite and inspire, as well as encourage, children of all abilities to play together.

Prospect Park now offers families great value activities at the Ranger Station, with a new café due to open in the new year. Come the summer holidays next year, once the fantastic new play area is open, the park will truly be a great destination for a family day out.

Alongside our £40 million investment in new leisure centres, sports facilities, and swimming pools, we hope the modern new facilities at Prospect Park provide Reading families with a healthy and active past time that doesn’t cost the earth to enjoy.

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

From

chamber Cllr Anne Thompson

Insurance firm’s new ownership

A SPECIALIST insurance firm in Wokingham town centre is under new ownership.

BJP, based in Alexandra Court, is now part of the JMG Group.

It is the 14th such acquisition since the company’s CEO, Nick Houghton, completed a management buyout in 2020, backed by growth investor Synova.

Sixty people are joining in the takeover, which brings the parent company’s headcount to 420, and helps it grow its southern business.

BJP works on building, construction, security, and agricultural machinery sectors and has its own specialist underwriting division – Focus.

BJP managing director Andrew Brown will remain in his role, and said that JMG Group will facilitate a smooth retirement for founding directors Barry McGoun and John Finch, whilst giving the team access to resources and capital to help support their growth plans.

“When we met the JMG team, they just felt like the right partner for us,” he said.

“The JMG support, scale and approach will undoubtedly be good for our team, our customers, and our retail and underwriting divisions.

“One chapter closes, another one opens – and we can’t wait to get cracking.”

And the news was welcomed by Mr Houghton, who said BJP was a great business.

“The added dimension of an underwriting division is exciting as this is something we’ve been thinking about for some time now,” he explained.

“On behalf of everyone at JMG Group, I’d like to extend a warm welcome to Andrew and his team: we look forward to supporting them to achieve their growth plans.”

Climate Fayre brings together business leaders who want to tackle the climate emergency

By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokingham.today

BUSINESS leaders from across the Thames Valley came together to explore ways they can tackle the climate emergency.

The Reading Environmental Sustainability Quorum (RESQ), in partnership with NatWest, organised the first Reading Climate Fayre, offering advice and inspiration from industry specialists on how to take meaningful action regarding their impact on the environment.

Key questions explored included practical tips on how to develop a sustainability plan and how to build the business case for investment.

Speakers included Dr Maria Carvalho, Head of Climate Economics & Data, NatWest; Stuart Clark, Head of Climate Transition, Lombard ; Professor Richard Allan, Professor in Climate Science, University of Reading; Peter Moore, Head of Climate Strategy, Reading Borough Council; and Tracey Rawling-Church, Co-Chair, Reading Climate Action Network

Dr Carvahlo was the keynote speaker, and discussed the findings of NatWest’s recently published report A Springboard to Sustainable Recovery. This identified that UK SMEs have a huge opportunity to benefit from a £175bn revenue opportunity between now and 2030 based on the government’s climate ambitions for the end of the decade.

The report also found that 40,000 new SMEs

will have to be set up to capture the opportunity and for the UK to meet its 35% emission decrease target by 2030, with these businesses potentially contributing up to 50% towards the UK’s total emissions reduction process.

“It was an honour to speak at the Reading Climate Fayre and I hope the business leaders in attendance leave with a new sense of understanding of the impact each one of them can play in the transition to net zero as well as the confidence to address climate change through their own business,” she said.

“Climate change is something we can all play a part in addressing and so it is only by supporting businesses across the country that we will achieve meaningful change.

“The integral role businesses in the UK will play in allowing the nation to reach net zero is clear and is further emphasised in NatWest’s 2022 Springboard to Sustainable Recovery report. The results of which highlighted how SMEs are pivotal to climate action as they could contribute up to 50% of UK 2030 emission targets through pursuing decarbonisation.”

She added: “Further, rising energy costs mean that the business case for investment in

sustainability has never been higher. As a whole, if SMEs are properly supported to deliver their full potential when it comes to sustainability, the UK economy could benefit from a potential £175billion revenue opportunity by 2030, with over 260,000 new jobs created in the process, as it aims to meet world-leading decarbonisation and emissions targets.”

Andrew Jackson, Enterprise Acceleration Manager for the NatWest South-West Accelerator Hub said: “Taking meaningful action on sustainability is one of the most pressing challenges facing business owners and entrepreneurs at this time.

“Through our work supporting entrepreneurs in the South West of the UK, we know that the the business case for investment in sustainability is also in part being driven by shifting consumer demand. People are expecting environmentally responsible action from the businesses that they choose to spend their money with.

“We’re committed to continuing to supporting exciting, future-focused businesses, helping them to thrive, creating sustainable growth and employment opportunities in Reading.”

Reading woman shortlisted for UK Hair and Beauty awards

A READING woman has been shortlisted for the UK Hair and Beauty awards for her work on hair extensions.

The awards celebrate the hair and beauty industry in an aim to support businesses both large and small.

And among this year’s crop is Vaida Dumbravaite, who also works for Broad St. Mall as a brand ambassador and security officer.

She said that since she was six, she has wanted to be a hairdresser, and is following her dream.

“Hairdressing has always been my biggest dream, I always wanted to share the power of confidence and make sure you leave my chair feeling like a Queen,” she said.

“I have been in the UK for 12 years now, all by myself, so I’ve needed to do other jobs too.”

But this hasn’t stopped her from carrying out the job she loves, and she is now looking forward to attending the grand final, which is a red carpet event.

Ms Dumbravaite is in the Hair Extensions Specialist of the Year category, but has to wait until April next year to find out if she is successful.

EXTENDED WAIT: Vaida Dumbravaite is shortlisted for the UK Hair and Beauty Awards 2023 for her hair extensions, but will find out in April if she is a winner

LEFT: Dr Maria Carvalho, Head of Climate Economics & Data, NatWest speaking at the NatWest sponsored Reading Climate Fayre.

ABOVE: Mairead Taylor, Director Green & Sustainable Finance, NatWest with a delegate at the Fayre Picture: Professional Images/@ProfImages

A steam day out to Bath or Gloucester

The Bath & Gloucester Steam Express

Saturday 4th February 2023

From Reading. Enjoy a nostalgic steam journey reliving the Golden Age of rail travel with a choice of destinations – Bath or Gloucester. We shall steam along the Kennet & Avon canal, climb up to Savernake summit and steam on through the attractive Vale of Pewsey and pass the famous White Horse at Westbury. You can choose to visit the Georgian city of Bath, renowned for its fine architecture, magnificent Abbey, Roman Baths, Pump House and small independent shops.

Alternatively, stay on board for Gloucester where you will find the 11th Century cathedral. Gloucester’s historic maritime connections are centred around Gloucester Docks home to the National Waterways Museum.

• Premier Dining £285pp/£870 family – price includes a full English breakfast and a four course dinner freshly prepared on board and silver served at your seat.

• First Class £185pp/£565 family – 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 £115pp/£358 family – price includes a reserved seat usually at a table for four.

£10 per person discount quote: WEI

Steam to Cheltenham or Worcester The Cotswold Venturer

Saturday 18th February 2023

From Reading. Join us for a scenic rail tour by steam train through the beautiful Cotswold Hills with a choice of destinations – Cheltenham or Worcester. With our magnificent steam locomotive at the head, our train will travel through the Vale of the White Horse and along the Golden Valley line. You can choose to spend the afternoon at spa town Cheltenham enjoying the fine Regency architecture with its Pittville Pump Room. Alternatively, stay on board for the fine city of Worcester. Set on the River Severn, Worcester’s 12th Century cathedral is the resting place of King John. The final battle of the Civil War between Oliver Cromwell and King Charles II took place here and you can also find the Museum of Royal Worcester.

• Premier Dining £285pp/£870 family – price includes a full English breakfast and a four course dinner freshly prepared on board and silver served at your seat.

• First Class £185pp/£565 family – 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 £115pp/£358 family – price includes a reserved seat usually at a table for four.

£10 per person discount quote: WEK

How a cup of tea and a slice of cake has helped Sue Ryder

By PHIL CREIGHTON news@rdg.today

VOLUNTEERS helping at a charity refreshment kiosk are raising their tea cups, with little pinky extended, to celebrate an impressive fundraising milestone.

This year, the hut, based in Caversham Court Gardens, has raised £2,614.34 for the Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice.

The helpers bake cakes, brew tea, and chat with customers one weekend a month between March and October, with the final month raising £640 over the weekend.

They have been led by Sue Jones, who is stepping down from her role after 10 years. A search is now on to find a successor.

Ms Jones said she was first drawn to raise funds for Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice when her husband received end-of-life care at the hospice, and she wanted to do something in his memory.

“The hospice staff looked after my husband so well during his stay, and I wanted to find a way to show my thanks for their care and support,” she said.

“I joined the kiosk after he died and took over its running 10 years ago now.

“It has been a wonderful role to take on, and so fulfilling.

“The gardens are so peaceful, and when the weather is good it’s nice to watch whatever goes past on the river.”

She added: “A huge number of friends, family and volunteers give up their time to bake each month, with some even providing two or three cakes for the day.

“Most of the volunteers who give up their time to bake and sell the cakes have lost a family member or close friend in the hospice, so there is a real sense of care and love for Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice.”

As for the most popular cakes sold at the kiosk, Ms Jones said: “I made a lemon cake for the first time which seemed to go really quickly, while apple cakes always go down well.

“Other favourites remain coffee and walnut, chocolate,

and the ever-loved Victoria sponge cake.”

The team are keen to find someone who can manage the kiosk, organise the bakers and ensure there are volunteers to sell the cakes and drinks.

Hannah Richards, community fundraising manager for Sue Ryder in the Thames Valley, said: “We are so grateful to Sue and her team for their unwavering dedication over the years, and the huge donations that they have brought to Sue Ryder.

“In the past eight years they have raised almost £22,000, allowing our care teams to carry out their vital work and support those at the end of their lives.

“We are so reliant on donations, and continuous fundraisers like these mean so much to the hospice.”

n For more details, or to help, log on to: www.sueryder.org/ volunteer or email: dokh. fundraising@sueryder.org

Catherine’s life-changing moment

IT’S NOT often that getting stuck behind a bus can be a source of joy, but for one Reading woman, it was life-changing.

Catherine Jenkins had been made redundant from an office job and was driving home when she saw an advert that gave her a change of career.

Reading Buses was seeking new drivers, and the idea so tickled her that she threw her hat into the ring. And she’s just marked her 20th anniversary behind the double decker wheels.

“I thought I would do something about that,” said Catherine who had always worked in offices. “I felt it would be outside my comfort zone, but that I would definitely give it a

try.”

And she has an additional reason to be grateful to the Great Knollys Street firm: she met her partner of four years, Clare, through work.

The 55-year-old added: “It must have been written in the stars.

“I had no previous family history in the bus industry – I’m the first in the family to drive a bus. I never imagined in a million years that I would be doing so and if I hadn’t been made redundant from my office job it wouldn’t have happened to me.

“I am so pleased it did.”

She has been nominated for multiple Reading Buses Star of the Month awards during her

career, and is looking forward to one day winning one, as well as continuing to enjoy life as a driver on the operator’s town routes.

“I enjoy the variety – no two days are the same which is nice. I have also made lifelong friendships at Reading Buses which I cherish,” she said.

Caroline Anscombe, Reading Buses’ HR director, said: “Catherine made a huge leap of faith by becoming a bus driver after seeing one of our adverts and it has certainly paid off. She truly demonstrates that it is a job that is suitable for anyone, regardless of your background.

“Catherine has had a very successful 20 years, and I hope to see her driving for many more.”

Surge in plasma donors thanks to new female-friendly machines

NEW ‘female friendly’ plasma donation machines have seen a surge in donors according to a Kings Road-based medical centre.

The new technology was installed in July, and there are now 623 donors, up from 100 before they were put into use.

The experts behind them say they are female friendly because they take out a smaller amount of blood at a time and filter out the plasma faster. This makes it safe for smaller and slighter people to donate.

The increase is boosting donations of plasma, which is made into a medicine called immunoglobulin, which saves lives by strengthening or stabilising the immune system.

Around 750 people from the Thames Valley receive immunoglobulin each year.

NHS Blood and Transplant has been

Consultation for Hexham Road

WHITLEY residents gave their opinions on a proposed development at public consultation events organised by Reading Borough Council, writes Ji-Min lee.

The plans are set to deliver housing for over 55s, a day care service for adults with learning disabilities and council flats for seniors.

The prospective site for the four-storey facility on Hexham Road was formerly occupied by the Willows care home.

Cllr Ellie Emberson, lead member for housing, said: “It is vital that we put plans in place to look after all of Reading’s residents, and particularly those who are most vulnerable including older residents.

“Our plans for Hexham Road will not only provide sheltered housing for over 55s but also a day care service for adults with

directed to take donations to bolster long term immunoglobulin supplies to NHS hospitals in the face of international supply pressures.

England relied on imported immunoglobulin for more than 20 years as a precaution against vCJD but the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) said last year that plasma from UK donors can again be used for immunoglobulin.

Paula Ussher, manager of the Reading plasma donor centre, said: “These new machines have transformed how many females can donate.

“They are faster and take less blood at a time, so many more people meet the new rules on height and weight.

“Please register to donate plasma – you have a medicine in you which will save lives.”

n For more details, log on to: www.blood.co.uk/ plasma or search ‘donate plasma’.

disabilities and council homes for older people, all while helping to bring disused land back into space.

“This is part of wider plans for hundreds of council homes to help residents from across Reading stay and thrive in our great town.”

Representatives from Reading Borough Council, Hampshire County Council property services and social care were on hand to answer questions posed by visitors.

The profound and multiple learning difficulties day centre will be on the ground floor, as well as general needs flats for easy access. Floors two to four will feature sheltered flats.

The development will provide access to either private gardens, shared roof terraces or shared courtyard spaces to ensure the physical and mental wellbeing of tenants are catered for.

Sustainability has also played a key role in the

architects’ plans who have designed the building to run as a ‘net zero’ facility.

Roofs will be fitted with solar panels, while tripleglazed windows will reduce the energy required to heat rooms. The homes are designed to last for 100 years.

There will also be a net gain in biodiversity, with removed trees replanted in addition to new foliage.

The council also hopes the position of the building can reduce incidents of anti-social behaviour in the roads it will overlook, particularly Bede Walk.

The council expects to submit a planning application in early 2023, with a view to start development in early 2024.

A similar plan is already underway at the former Central Swimming Pool site on Battle Street. Comments from residents were received until June 3.

ANNIVERSARY:

Catherine Jenkins (centre) has been with Reading Buses for 20 years

Vistry employees’ voyage to support suicide prevention

By JAKE CLOTHIER jclothier@rdg.today

STAFF from a Reading housebuilding firm have completed the latest leg of a journey to support suicide prevention.

Employees from the Thames Valley region of the Vistry Group have finished their part of the Vistry Voyage, which sees staff working together to carry a commemorative book more than 1,100 miles.

The challenge is raising awareness of the issue of suicide and support the charity Papyrus, bringing the book 1,163 miles from the north east of England to Cornwall using human-powered transport.

The Thames Valley leg of the challenge consisted of a 62mile journey from Marlborough to Windsor, with participants completing five different sections on foot or by cycling.

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

Land manager James Davis cycled to the regional head office in Reading, from where a group of employees walked to

Sonning Golf Club.

Senior land manager Fiona Harrison completed the last and longest section of the journey by cycling to Windsor Castle.

From there, the commemorative book was passed on to the London team.

Mr Wicks, said: “I’m immensely proud of my team for tackling this leg of the Vistry Voyage and for carrying the commemorative book on its journey across our region.

“I was especially pleased that we managed to complete the

challenge ahead of schedule, with some excellent times posted by our cyclists.

“It was extremely heartwarming to see so many of our people keen to support the event. I’d like to thank everyone who took part, as well as those who volunteered to pick up and collect the cyclists.

“A special mention must also go to our design and planning manager Caroline Belmont who joined the walk despite being eight months pregnant.

“We’ve been supporting Papyrus in a number of ways

Queer cabaret at Rising Sun Actors wanted for Joseph show

A THEATRE company is preparing to return to Reading with the second instalment of their Howling at the Moon event.

The event, organised by Dogmouth Theatre, is a safe space for upcoming queer artists to showcase their talent and road test new acts and material in front of an audience.

It sees exciting, fresh LGBTQ+ talent perform a variety of acts, with the first event being hosted by Alice Flynn and Alice Robb.

Dogmouth Theatre says it is an emerging theatre company which seeks to amplify female and queer voices through its “strange and contrary” work.

Howling at the Moon will take place at The Rising Sun Arts Centre from 7pm on Saturday, December 10.

n Tickets are £5 in advance and £7 on the door, available via: www.wegottickets.com

AN AM DRAM company invites people to take part in their forthcoming production.

Reading Operatic Society is to hold auditions for its new production of Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

The show, with lyrics by Tim Rice and music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, will take place next year.

Auditions will be held at St Peter’s Church Hall, Earley on Sunday, December 4, between 2pm and 5pm.

ROS has been entertaining with opera, operettas and musical comedies for a number

The production will be performed at the Kenton Theatre, Henley, from Wednesday, April 5 to Saturday, April 8.

n For more information, contact the group at: www. readingops.co.uk, or search Facebook for Reading Operatic Society.

Rose & Thistle returns following £500,000 renovation

A READING pub has reopened following a half-a-million pound transformation.

The Rose & Thistle has been closed for two years following the start of the pandemic, but is finally welcoming customers once again.

On Thursday last week, the venue opened its doors to show punters the results of the £500,000 investment made by owners the Greene King Pub Partners.

A complete renovation of the venue’s interior has brought it up to date with a modern look, and the beer garden has been fitted with beach huts and

outdoor seating. As well as an overhaul of the venue, it has created 12 new job positions.

Greene King promises to see a regular calendar of events, including live music and karaoke.

Paul Antony Billington, franchisee of The Rose & Thistle said: “After two years of closure, I am delighted to have brought this much-loved local back to the community–creating 12 new jobs in the process is the icing on the cake.

“£500,000 has been spent transforming the pub giving it a new lease of life – it looks absolutely incredible.

“The Rose & Thistle has always been a community pub and I want to keep it that way.

“Everyone from the community is welcome be it for great pub grub, drinks or watching the sport with a pint.”

Alex De Araujo, business development manager at Greene King Pub Partners, said: “I am so happy to see the Rose & Thistle open once more.

“There is a real excitement and buzz about the pub again.

“We knew how important the pub was to the local community which is why we have invested £500,000 to reopen it again.”

this year, but this is the biggest event Vistry has organised in aid of the charity.”

He continued, explaining that: “The housebuilding industry has one of the highest suicide rates of all the professions, so this is a cause that is extremely close to our hearts.”

According to figures from the Office for National Statistics, more than 1,400 construction workers took their own lives between 2011 and 2015.

The suicide rate for the industry is estimated to be more

than three times the national average for men.

Members of staff taking part signed the book personally, and have been raising money for Papyrus throughout the challenge.

Papyrus is dedicated to the prevention of suicide, providing confidential support and advice to young people dealing with suicidal ideation and those concerned about them.

It provides advice and support through its helpline, HOPELINEUK.

Birthday DJ takes to the decks

THE PURPLE Turtle is celebrating DJ RAP’s birthday with a night of music.

Also spinning the decks will be DJ Kleu, Dope Ammo, Sublow HZ, DJ Magnum, and MC Zen Lewis.

DJ RAP has been an active proponent of jungle for decades, but has also seen success with her more traditional electronic and drum and bass work.

DJ RAP’S Birthday Party takes place at Purple Turtle on Friday, December 9.

It runs from 9.30pm until 3.30am, with last entry at 11.30pm.

n Tickets cost £12.50, available via: fatso.ma/WNGp.

Fearless jam

BAR 77 is set to host a junior jam, presented by Music Made Fearless.

Junior Jam sees young talents who work with MMF honing their live performance skills.

It offers a safe space for people to take part in tailored music lessons and activities.

It aims to develop skills through building confidence in an enjoyable way, with access to accredited music exams.

It takes place at Bar 77, in The Outlook, Kings Road, from 3-6pm on Sunday, December 11.

n More informatio via: www. musicmadefearless.com.

SUCCESS: James Davis, right, presents the book to colleagues at Vistry Thames Valley’s head office in Reading before their walk to Sunning Golf Club. Picture: Courtesy of the Vistry Group

Keep Caversham Tidy litter pick

A LITTER pick is taking place in Caversham.

Jacopo Lanzoni will lead the Keep Caversham Tidy event which seeks to keep Caversham free from litter.

The pick will cover Alston Walk, Charles Evans Way, Rothwell Walk and Dingley Dell.

The event organisers ask that those wishing to take part confirm their attendance via the event Facebook page.

Attendees are asked to register before 4pm on Friday and reminded to wear appropriate walking footwear and clothing.

The Caversham litter pick will meet at The Weller Centre on Saturday, December 17, at 10am, with the pick lasting until noon.

Winter festival

ST BARTS Theatre is set to hold a winter festival.

The event will see live entertainment, stalls selling gifts, crafts, and refreshments, as well as games, and a raffle.

It will be raising funds for Access to the Arts, which supports under-represented and disadvantaged young people get into the theatre industry.

Access to the Arts’ Winter Festival takes place at St Bart’s Theatre from noon until 3pm on Saturday, December 10. The event is free to attend.

Council begins consultation on its plans for public rights of way

By JAKE CLOTHIER jclothier@rdg.today

READING Borough Council is asking residents for their views on its plans to maintain and improve the network of rights of way in the borough.

It has launched a threemonth consultation regarding its plans, inviting people to take part and make their views known via an online portal.

The action plan proposes the identification of new paths, reviewing suggestions for historic routes, removing barriers for cyclists, such as gates and narrow paths, and long-term addition of streetlights on existing dark paths.

Cllr Tony Page, Reading Borough Council’s lead councillor for climate strategy and transport said: “Reading has 21 miles of Public Rights of Way across the borough.

“You may not have even heard of this network, but you may be using it every day.

“Many of the footpaths are key routes connecting people to destinations such as the town centre, Reading Station, Green Park and Thames Valley Business Park.

“They are used by people travelling to work and school, as well as many rural-type

routes that are used for leisure.”

“We’d like to better integrate these routes into Reading’s overall transport network - to provide a better experience, and to encourage more people to choose to walk or cycle for local journeys.

“It is also part of our wider, long-term transport vision to encourage more people to use healthier active travel options, by enhancing walking and cycling routes across our town.”

The plans have seven key focuses, seeking to update and improve the information, improve the condition of the network, encourage use of the network, make the network

better connected, ensure the network is inclusive for all, improve the network’s safety, and ensure efficient delivery of the plan.

“As part of our wider Climate Emergency Strategy, our work on improving walking and cycling routes underlines the Council’s wholehearted commitment to tackling poor air quality which we know exists in parts of Reading. W

“Walking or cycling instead of using the car has many benefits for our physical and mental wellbeing, the health of our local environment and our wallets.

“Bikes are the most energy-

VIEWS WANTED: What should the future of Reading’s rights of way be? Residents can have their say Picture: Courtesy of Reading Borough Council

to this beautiful parkland.

“This is now something we want to take forward with the developers of this site and we have included within our action plan.”

Speaking of the consultation more generally, he explained: “It is vital we look after the network and improve it –and our latest Rights of Way Improvement Plan seeks to achieve that very goal.

“I’d like to encourage everyone to have a say on our Public Rights of Way consultation, which runs for 12 weeks.”

efficient form of transport and can be faster and more predictable than cars for short journeys.

“Cycling or walking regularly can keep you fit, save you money – no tax, no fuel, no fares – and it’s one of the most environmentally-friendly ways to travel.”

Cllr Page continued: “We are also looking at historic Rights of Way that are not included in the current network list.

“A topical example of this is the land on the Caversham Park Estate in Emmer Green – we know there is a great deal of local support for providing public access

Public Rights of Way are rights across land accessible by the public, which allow people to pass along them at any time they choose, even if the land is privately owned.

This includes footpaths, bridleways, which are also open to horse riders and cyclists, restricted byways, for any transport without a motor –except for powered wheelchairs or mobility scooters, and byways open to all traffic.

The Council manages the Public Rights of Way Network in Reading, which covers 41 footpaths, three bridleways and one restricted byway.

n To take part in the consultation, visit: www.reading.gov.uk

Tickets available for family rave Park Lane Primary plans bazaar

FORBURY Gardens will be host to a festive family-friendly rave in December.

The event will see a silent disco taking place in the gardens, raising funds for Parenting Special Children.

Food and drinks will be available from Blue Collar corner.

PSC provides specialist support to families in Berkshire with children and young people with special educational and physical needs.

Each attendee will require a headset to listen to the music, which will be provided.

Three family-friendly festive rave sessions will take place on Saturday, December 10, from 10am to 11.30am, noon to 1.30pm, and from 2pm to 3.30pm.

n Tickets cost £5, which includes a donation to Parenting Special Children, available via: av-events.co.uk.

THE FRIENDS of Park Lane Primary School has announced the return of its Christmas bazaar.

The bazaar will offer hot food and drinks, including mulled wine and hot chocolate, along with a silent auction, raffle, and tombola.

There will also be a chance to meet Santa in the grotto as well as the usual stalls and vendors.

The event raises funds for the school through the Friends of Park Lane School Association, which supports children at the school with equipment, workshops, and subsidised school trips.

This year will mark the first Christmas bazaar held by the group since 2019.

Entry costs £1 per person, excluding children.

The Friends of Park Lane Primary School

Christmas Bazaar will take place at the school on Friday, December 2, from 3.45pm-6pm.

Reading Biscuit Factory plans Queer East film festival

READING Biscuit Factory is celebrating LGBTQ+ cinema from east and southeast Asia next week.

The venue will be screening three features over three consecutive nights, celebrating the voices of contemporary, queer, Asian voices.

On Monday, December 3, it screens Metamorphosis, which follows a 15-year-old Adam, who has both male and female genitalia, as he grapples with his identity.

It is the debut feature from Filipino filmmaker J.E. Tiglao, who also gives a pre-recorded introduction to the film.

On Tuesday, the venue will screen a series of short films called Days of Reverie.

The short films explore the role of fantasy in the shaping of queer identities, looking at the vivid imaginations of unconventional characters.

Finally on Wednesday, December 5, will see a screening of Beautiful Boxer, which tells the story of Thailand’s famed transgender kickboxer Parinya Charoenphol.

It will be introduced with a short film from 1954, It’s

All Because of a Katoey, a silent comedy which features a woman’s exploits at a gentleman’s club.

Queer East Film Festival is screening from MondayWednesday, at Reading Biscuit Factory, with all three features showing from 7.30pm.

Tickets cost £7.50 per adult, with concessional prices for over 60s and children, available via: www.readingbiscuitfactory. co.uk

n For more information about Queer East Film Festival, visit: queereast.org.uk

Trinity wins platinum award

EXCLUSIVE

By EMMA MERCHANT emerchant@rdg.today

FOR an exceptional performance at a national festival, a music group has won the highest achievable honour.

Lower Earley-based Trinity Concert Band has received a platinum award at the National Concert Band Festival. It recognises excellence and dedication to community music making.

The musicians travelled to Warwick earlier this month for the event that brings together some of the best wind ensembles from all over South and central Britain.

Music makers are judged in various categories such as technical ability, interpretation and sound quality, with an adjudication panel drawn from eminent musicians.

Bands enter the festival, not to compete against each other, but to receive feedback and a considered critique from the judges.

Certificates signify their success, and are received as either platinum, gold, silver, or bronze.

are then invited to the annual NCBF National Festival, which takes place next year.

Trinity Concert Band are excited to have received automatic entry to the event at The Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester, which will be held in April.

Paul Speed, the group’s musical director, says: “It’s fantastic.

“Trinity Concert Band has always performed well, but to be so successful after covid lockdowns, when we weren’t able to make music together, is such a great achievement.

so much harder to regain its standard after that long time apart.”

The group was judged on 18 categories.

They gained platinum standard for 17 of these, with only one being awarded a gold.

“I chose three different pieces for the band to show off their abilities,” says Paul.

“The first was fast, furious and very technical.

“The second, by Eric Whitacre, demonstrates the balance and the sound of the band.

“Tuning and intonation has

“And the last piece was one we had performed at a previous concert.”

“There was a great buzz in the coach on the way home, and we’re all now looking forward to next year’s festival.”

Trinity Concert Band will give a family-friendly Christmas concert in Reading next month.

Directed by Paul, the event promises a popular mix of seasonal nostalgia and festive cheer.

Christmases past and present will be represented, along with music from different periods, places and festive movies.

Children of all ages are welcomed, and people will be encouraged to sing well-loved carols as well as hear the band play.

The concert will take place at Reading Minster on Saturday, December 10 at 4pm.

Tickets cost £13, students cost £7, and under 16s are free to enter.

People are advised to purchase a ticket for the event before they sell out.

Newcomers and Ukrainian refugees can claim a free ticket from the box office. n For information and tickets log

Uni’s ‘milk mix-up’ experiments

STUDENTS at Reading College got stuck into some in-person science experiments.

Two ambassadors from the University of Reading led a food science workshop for students in the college’s GCSE science pathway and health and social care programmes.

Both instructors were fourth year students at the National Centre for Biotechnology Education (NCBE) at the Whiteknights campus.

Pupils took part in The Milk Mix-Up, where they undertook a series of enzyme-based practical tests to distinguish samples of almond, whole and semi-skimmed milk.

Taarika Minhas is studying a GCSE Science pathway at Reading College.

“The workshop was really cool,” she said. “I liked the way they explained everything and that they allowed us to do the

them explaining it.”

After the practical had finished, the two ambassadors gave a presentation on what their course is like.

Shanthi Pandit, faculty manager at Activate Learning, said: “Our students really enjoyed the Food Science workshop.”

Dr Fiona Lane, from the University, said: “The National Centre for Biotechnology Education (NCBE) is a small not-for-profit science centre that provides scientific kits and resources to schools and colleges, all with the aim of making science fun and engaging.

“This was the first time that we ran a workshop at Reading College. It was great to get to use the new lab. The ambassadors who went out for this workshop, study food science and spoke to the students about their previous industrial placements and their career paths after they graduate

IN TUNE: Trinity Concert Band celebrates platinum success. Concert manager and E flat clarinettist Stuart Freebody proudly holds the award. Picture: Trinity Concert Band

Nastya, Sin Yan and Polina do the milk mix-up tests.

Picture: Active Learning

‘We just go out to enjoy ourselves’

THE WURZELS have been brewing up country music–or West Country music– for decades.

Since the 60s, in fact– and Tommy Banner has been there for almost all of it.

He says that in his time he’s shared the bill with countless other acts, and the secret to their longevity... an enjoyment of their craft.

“When we go to festivals, we see some of the other bands from the 70s still going, and we can’t understand why everyone looks so miserable when they’re on stage.

“If you’re not enjoying it get out of it and let some of the younger bands get a chance, we really believe that.

“We just go out to enjoy ourselves

performing especially was something sorely missed over the last two years for the band.

“There was that time, about 18 months solid with covid, and that was probably the longest 18 months ever.

“It was so good to get back, and importantly even better when we were back inside– our first gig back was outside,

“I mean we’re used to seeing the whites of peoples eyes, but we were outside the rugby club on tables surrounded by perspex scenes, and people seemed even happier just to be out.”

The band was a few short hours away from their annual Sub89 Christmas gig – which had become a tradition lasting well over a decade–when drummer John Morgan fell ill.

A few weeks later, he died at the age

of 80 after contracting covid.

At the time, Tommy said that the band “can’t believe we shan’t ever see you behind those drums again.”

Speaking of the events, he said: “Unfortunately, we lost a brother before last Christmas as his health had been bad – he phoned me one morning ahead of the Sub89 gig and he said he couldn’t breathe.

“We were fortunate that our nowpermanent drummer Dom could play, and he’d watched John religiously because he was our monitor engineer.

“He ran one song on a soundcheck, and then played the whole hourplus show with just that tiny bit of rehearsal.”

With the anniversary of the event coming up, Tommy said: “I don’t know how he’ll be feeling, for sure, but he’ll be feeling fairly sentimental,

“We’ve been doing this gig for years, and we’ve seen our fans for so many years, so we’re close to them.

“In fact,” he went on, “there’s probably about three generations of fans, I know there’s some families who all come to the show.

“So we’ll have a lump in our throats before we go on for this one.”

Over the years, the band has had a curious relationship with Christmas, having released Christmas albums and singles, and even appearing on the Christmas special of Never Mind the Buzzcocks.

“We put together festive album because we’d never done it before, and that’s how that came about.

“We did the special with Bad Manners, as a challenge to each other–we’ve worked loads over the last 15 years at festivals and stuff.

“But that was especially good fun.”

Nowadays, he admits that Christmas is more of a family event, saying: “we’ve all got families – the lead singer Pete is a great-grandad to about 12 kids, a real hareem of them.

“We’ve all got grandchildren, except for Dom, and that keeps us up to speed with Christmas.

“The great thing about working is that for me I don’t have time to go shopping, which is handy because I can never think what to buy.

“What do you buy a 16-year-old in this day and age? I don’t know.”

n

The Wurzels return to Sub89 when they kick off their Christmas Tour on Thursday, December 1. Doors open at 6.30pm and tickets cost £20, available via www.gigantic.com

JAKE CLOTHIER

Your guide to what’s on across Reading and Wokingham

Night of jazz coming to South Hill Park

JAZZ vocalist Esther Bennett joins pianist Terence Collie and saxophonist Duncan Lamont Junior for a concert. Their night of music celebrates the work of Duncan Lamont’s father, whose career began in the1950s.

Duncan Lamont Senior’s songs were recorded by Cleo Laine, Natalie Cole, George Shearing, and Blossom Dearie, along with TV’s Mr Benn.

The concert of his music takes place at Bracknell’s South Hill Park Arts Centre, on Friday, December 2.

Esther Bennett’s Duncan Lamont Songbook starts at 7.30pm in the Recital Room.

Tickets cost £16, and under 18s enter for £8.

n For tickets and information log on to: www.southhillpark.org.ukor call the box office on: 01344 484123

Little bit of comedy for you

BEN Elton comedy, Gasping, explores commercialisation of the air we breathe.

Presented by South Hill Park’s Studio Theatre company, the story follows the fortunes of Lockheart Industries.

The successful company makes serious money, but its team is bored and wants more.

When executive Philip comes up with the idea of designer air, oxygen, like food and energy, becomes something one has to buy.

Ben Elton’s sharp satire on the impact of big business can be seen at Bracknell’s South Hill Park Arts Centre.

It runs from Wednesday, December 7 through to Saturday, December 10.

All performances start at 7.30pm, with tickets available at £14.50, or £12.50 for members.

n For tickets and information log on to: www.southhillpark.org.ukor call the box office on: 01344 484123

International concert series returns

AS PART of the Conservatoire International Concert Series, pianist Matthew Kam will give a recital.

His programme of music includes Beethoven’s Op.109, E major Sonata, along with pieces from Debussy, Chopin and Rachmaninov.

Concert goers will also hear Australian composer Carl Vine’s less well-known piece, 1st Piano Sonata.

AT THE THEATRE

Bracknell –South Hill Park www.southhillpark.org.uk 01344 484123

Jack and the Beanstalk. Until New Year’s Eve. Bracknell Jazz: Esther Bennett’s Duncan Lamont Songbook. Fri 2. The Comedy Cellar. Fri 2. Christmas Party Nights in the Coach House. Tues 6. Gasping. Wed 7-Sat 10. Platinum: The Live Abba Tribute Show. Wed 7. The Comedy Cellar. Fri 9.

FILMS: My Neighbour Adolf. Thurs 1. Emily. Fri 2-Sun 4. Decision To Leave. Mon 5-Tues 6. Cezanne: Portraits Of A Life. Wed 7. The Nutcracker. Thurs 8. The Banshees of Inisherin. Fri 9-Sun 11. The Nutcracker. Sun 11.

Camberley – Theatre www.camberleytheatre.biz

A NEW theatre show coming to South Street next week has a special audience in mind – babies aged 18 months and younger.

Glisten is an interactive performance that will be a magical adventure just in time for the start of the festive season.

The audience will be taken on a sparkling and shimmering immersive journey exploring the world of reflective materials, all wrapped up in an ambient soundscape

The event takes place at South Hill Park Arts Centre, on Friday, December 9.

Doors open at 7.30pm.

Tickets cost £16.50, members cost £14.50, under 18s cost £5.50.

n For tickets and information log on to: www.southhillpark.org.ukor call the box office on: 01344 484123

Youth group planning to go to the ball

STAGEABILITY presents Cinderella, The Pantomime.

The group promises a festive panto treat, with traditional Christmas fun for the whole family.

The audience can expect toe tapping songs, booing, cheering and the usual pantomime chaos.

Cinderella is performed at The Whitty

of evocative yet laid-back music.

Organisers say people can watch as the empty space of the theatre fills with colour, sounds and surprises, creating a sensory landscape ready to explore after the 20-minute performance is over.

Glisten is performed to a small audience of up to 20 adults with their babies, creating an intimate and welcoming theatrical event, co-created by theatre-maker Daniel Naddafy and visual artist Phoebe Stubbs.

Theatre, Wokingham, on Saturday, December 3.

Shows are at 3pm and 6.30pm.

Tickets cost £15.

n For tickets and information visit: www. ticketsource.co.uk

Beauty and the Beast, but as a ballet

FOR something different this festive season, families can book to see a ballet.

Ballet Theatre UK performs an enchanting love story, Beauty And The Beast.

Inspired by the original tale, this production tells the story of Belle, a beautiful and intelligent young woman who feels out of place in her provincial French village.

When her father is imprisoned in a

Afterwards, there is an interactive free-play session where the babies can explore the tactile world of Glisten.

It takes place on Thursday, December 8, Friday, December 9, and Saturday, December 10, with performances at 11am, 1pm and 2.30pm. Tickets cost £15 for an adult with a baby, and £10 for an additional adult in the group.

n For more details, or to book, log on to whatsonreading.com, or call the box office on 0118 960 6060.

mysterious castle, Belle’s attempt to rescue him leads to her capture by the Beast.

Little does she know that he is a Prince cursed by a magical Enchantress, and that he must learn to love and be loved in return.

Set to a classical score this production will showcase new choreography by Artistic Director, Christopher Moore, with new sets and costumes created especially for this production.

The event takes place at Henley’s Kenton Theatre, on Sunday, December 4.

Performances are at 2pm and 6pm.

Tickets cost £20, with concessions at £18, and family tickets available at £60.

n For tickets and information log on to: www.kentontheatre.co.ukor call the box office on: 01491 525050

Zoe Lyons to head up comedy night

A TRIO of comedians: Zoe Lyons, Morgan Rees, and comic musician Andy Askins will be making people laugh.

Audiences can expect an evening of humour in Henley.

The event takes place at The Kenton Theatre, on Thursday, December 1, at 7.30pm.

All tickets cost £20.

n For tickets and information log on to: www.kentontheatre.co.ukor call the box office on: 01491 525050

Can Santa save Christmas?

JACK’S beanstalk won’t grow, Cinderella’s glass slipper is broken, and Fairy Godmother’s wand is playing up.

Jack, reindeer Dasher, and penguin Pompom journey to see if Father Christmas can save the day.

The Santa Show 2022, for children aged two to seven, is filled with festive songs and laughs.

And every child receives a wrapped present from Santa.

Santa Saves Christmas, can be seen at Henley’s Kenton Theatre, on December 3, at 10.30am and 12.45pm

Tickets cost £12, with family tickets at £44.

n For tickets and information log on to: www.kentontheatre.co.ukor call the box office on: 01491 525050

Rock around the Christmas tree

A FESTIVE 50s and 60s music show features a number of bands.

The Bluejays; The Buddy Holly Story; Million Dollar Quartet; One Man Two Guvnors; Dreamboats and Petticoats; and Rave On, will transport the audience back in time through a tour of the rock and roll decades.

Rave On At Christmas, plays the sounds of Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly, Chuck Berry,The Beatles, Neil Sedaka, The Kinks, Connie Francis, Lulu, and The Shadows.

Rock and roll fans should make their way to Henley’s Kenton Theatre on Saturday, December 3, at 7.30pm.

Tickets cost £25.

n For tickets and information log on to: www.kentontheatre.co.ukor call the box office on: 01491 525050

01276 707600

Beauty and the Beast. Sat 10-New Year’s Eve.

Guildford –Yvonne Arnaud www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk 01483 440000

Jack and the Beanstalk. Sat 3-Jan 8. The Night Before Christmas. Wed 7.

High Wycombe –Wycombe Swan www.wycombeswan.co.uk 01494 512000

Christmas Hellfire Comedy Club. Thurs 1. Christmas Cracker Party Night. Fri 2. The Christmas Extravaganza with the Estrellas. Sat 3. That’ll

Be The Day Christmas Show. Sat 3. Cinderella. Fri 9-New Year’s Eve. The Christmas

Extravaganza with Baby Go Boom. Sat 10. Joanne Shaw Taylor. Sun 11.

Henley – Kenton www.kentontheatre.co.uk 01491 525050

Santa Saves Christmas. Sat 3. Rave On: The Rise of Rock n Roll at Christmas. Sat 3. Beauty and the Beast. Sun 4. Aladdin. Sat 10-Thurs 29.

Maidenhead –Norden Farm www.nordenfarm.org 01628 788997

One Snowy Night. Until Dec 30.

Rob Newman: Live on Stage. Thurs 1. Festive Markets. Sat 2.

St John’s Chamber Orchestra. Sun 3. No Bears (12a). Wed 7. Chris McCausland: Speaky Blinder. Fri 9, Sat 10. The Vinyl Frontier. Fri 9. The Carnival of

the Animals Lantern Parade. Sat 10. Triangle of Sadness (15). Mob 13.

Newbury – The Corn Exchange www.cornexchangenew.com 0845 5218 218

Jack and the Beanstalk. Until New Year’s

Newbury

Reading –South Street

Windsor –Theatre Royal www.theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk 01753 853888

Sleeping Beauty. Until Jan 8.

Wokingham – Theatre www.wokinghamtheatre.org.uk 0118 978 5363 Rules For Living. Thurs 8Sat 17.

Wokingham – The Whitty Theatre www.thewhittytheatre.org 0118 974 3247

Wokingham Film Society: The French Dispatch (15). Thurs 1. Younger People With Dementia Christmas Concert. Tues 6.

Spin Theatre Academy: Shine. Sat 10.

Woodley – Theatre www.woodleytheatre.org 07488337838

Ladies Down Under. Until Sat 3.

CHRISTMAS IN READING

Justin Fletcher can’t wait to return to The Hexagon for Jack and the Beanstalk

JUSTIN FLETCHER – Reading’s homegrown panto star – can’t wait to return to The Hexagon this Christmas, and he hopes you’ll join him and his friends for Jack and the Beanstalk.

Despite years of experience this year is a first, as the story of a boy who sells a cow for five magic beans is new to him.

“I’m so pleased to be back again in Reading, particularly now the theatre doors are well and truly open again for our wonderful audiences,” he says.

“This is a very exciting show, as it’s the first time I’ve performed in Jack and the Beanstalk.

“As ever, we’ve put some new twists and turns into the storyline which should keep everyone entertained.”

The show, produced by Imagine Theatre for Reading Arts, opens on Saturday, and over the past fortnight the cast have been hard at work in rehearsals, bringing the script to life.

There are several familiar faces, including Reading’s favourite panto dame, Paul Morse. Also returning Rachel Delooze as the Fairy, Ryan Alexander Full who will play Fleshcreep, and Carl Tracey who plays Jack.

With Justin knowing the cast, it means he’s been able to create a script that is tailored to their talents.

“I find it joyful to write for actors that you’ve worked with for many years because you can picture them singing certain songs and performing in certain routine,” he says.

“They enjoy working with material that’s been hand-picked with them in mind and that suits their style of performing.”

On his role, Justin says: “This year I’m playing the part of Gil the brother of Jack who by the way thinks that the original nursery rhyme was Jack and Gil – a running joke throughout the show!

“We are both looked after by Nanny Hydrangea Trott and we live on a small farm with our beloved cow Buttercup.”

Nanny is Paul’s character, and this season marks another year that the pair are creating mayhem and laughter on stage.

Last year’s panto included a reprise of their hilarious and near silent comedy routine about two ballet dancers and a balloon. It was so popular, it won an award.

“I’m honoured that both Paul and I were recognised for the slapstick comedy that we deliver in this routine,” Justin says.

“The chemistry and timing that Paul has is fantastic and I’m very proud that we’re also keeping a time-honoured tradition alive in pantomime.”

There will be some that say pantomime is old hat, with plenty of vintage routines, and the whole thing should be chopped down like a beanstalk. What does Justin think?

“The Reading panto really works because audiences enjoy the whole experience from the moment they arrive, collect their tickets, and get to spend precious time with their friends and family,” he says.

“Pantomime is not just about the show on stage, it’s the collective effort of staff on stage and off, front of house staff and ushers who all pull together to create this magical experience.

“It’s a massive group effort to make the pantomime work.”

n Tickets for the show are now on sale. It opens on Saturday, December 3, and continues until Monday, January 2. For more details, log on to whatsonreading.com or call the box office on 0118 960 6060.

An intense moment in rehearsal for Jack and the Beanstalk

Rachel Delooze is the good fairy Pictures: Dijana Capan/Dvision Images

Costumes are tried on during rehearsals

Dance routines are high energy moments in the show

Who will be wearing this fine costume?

Carl Tracey and Justin Fletcher, with furry friend, in rehearsals for Jack and the Beanstalk, which opens at The Hexagon this weekend Pictures: Dijana Capan/Dvision Images

Choral society’s festive celebration

A CHRISTMAS celebration is coming to Sonning Common early next month.

Members of the South Chiltern Choral Society will be performing Alan Bullard’s O Come, Emmanuel for their festive concert. There will also be some seasonal songs that the audience can join in with. For this, they will be joined by members of the Hill Primary School Choir.

The concert starts at 7.30pm on Saturday, and takes place at Maiden Erlegh Chiltern Edge School in Sonning Common.

Advance tickets cost £12, or £6 for under 21s, with under 11s getting in free. On the door, they will cost £15, or £7.50.

n For more, log on to: www. southchilternchoralsociety.org.uk

Iszi comedy night

AN EVENING of comedy is coming to a Winnersh pub this weekend.

Chuckle muscles can be exercised at The Phesant on Reading Road on Saturday, December 3..

Headlining will be Iszi Lawrence. Joining her will be Kathryn Mathers and host Carl Richard.

The event takes place from 7.30pm, and is hosted by Mates Rates Comedy.

Tickets cost from £7.50 plus a booking fee.

n For more details, call the pub on: 0118 978 4529.

Ghostly goings on, in time for Christmas

READING Repertory Theatre has announced that three young performers are set to steal the show for its Christmas production, A Christmas Carol.

The popular production is returning following its premier last year with emerging local talent front and centre.

Alina Kharina, Frankie Maddicks, Savannah-Rose Mattingley will share the role of “Tiny Tim/Timmie” in the production.

All three are all members of Reading Rep’s Youth Theatre, which offers the development of performance skills.

The production will be codirected by Chris Cuming and Reading Rep’s founding artistic director, Paul Stacey, adapted by Beth Flintoff.

It sees the events of Dickens’ seminal Christmas story relocated to Reading, where “Christmas spirit is plentiful... except Huntley and Palmer’s Biscuit Factory, where Scrooge reigns terror amongst his employees.”

It will feature Jeremy Drakes (Finishing The Picture) as Scrooge, Charlotte Warner (A Midsummer Night’s Dream) as Bobbie Cratchit, Elijah Ferreira (Hedwig and the Angry Inch, The Stage Debut Award Winner

2022) as Fred, Rick Romero (founding cast member at Reading Rep, reprising role from 2021 production) as Hopkins and Nathalie Codsi (Nest) as Belle.

The production also sees set design from Anna Lewis, sound by Joe Dines, lighting by Simeon Miller, and costumes by Jo Lewis.

As with many of its productions, Reading Rep is providing a participation and engagement project alongside the production as part of its ENGAGE community project.

The project Dear Mr Scrooge will return, providing an opportunity for schools and attendees to examine A Christmas Carol’s text and develop their own skills in

storytelling with it as a starting point.

A Christmas Carol is at Reading Repertory Theatre until New Year’s Eve, except for Sundays and Christmas Day.

Tickets are £19.50, but Reading Rep provides discounts for students and children, as well as senior or disabled attendees.

It is also providing discounts for those under 30 in its first week of performances, and for families with relevant discount codes.

Ten percent of all tickets will be free for those who can’t afford them, as part of the theatre’s commitment to access to the arts.

n Tickets and booking information can be found via: www.readingrep.com

A truthless future in Liar’s Teeth

PROGRESS Theatre has finished its run of autumn shows ahead of its winter programme with Liar’s Teeth.

The production takes place in a non-descript cell in a nearfuture setting as a lonely prisoner is joined by a fellow inmate.

Liar’s Teeth was written by Emily Goode, who also contributed to Progress’ Write Fest earlier in November, and directed by Rik Eke.

Pies, played by Anita Sandhu, is alone, having been imprisoned for lying in a society which has criminalised misinformation.

She is swiftly joined by a character she calls Jack, played by Sam Bessant, who she learns is a storyteller, the most egregious offence against the truth.

The production explores the nature of storytelling in a world attempting to tackle misinformation with a militant response to fiction.

The characters of Pies and Jack are initially uncomfortable cell mates, which Pies’ effusive effervescence performed with due glee by Sandhu.

Gordon Giltrap in concert

ON FRIDAY, a former Wokingham resident will be returning to perform in concert.

Gordon Giltrap used to live on Gypsy Lane, and is coming back to the Wokingham Music Club.

The gig will be at the Emmbrook Sports and Social Club in Lowther Road and a few tickets are still available. They cost £21.

Organisers say it will be an evening of brilliant guitar playing intermingled with wonderful stories.

Next week, on Friday, December 9, the Music Club will be pitching up at the Winnersh Royal British Legion for a performance by Led into Zepplin, a tribute that’s got a Whole Lotta Loving.

Tickets cost £20.

n For more details, or to book, log on to: www.ticketsource.co.uk/ wokinghammusicclub

Pie’s grating effect on Jack is portrayed well in Bessant’s snippy, dismissive demeanour, especially as it inevitably begins to soften during the course of the production.

The characters form a classic foil to one another as they explore each other’s pasts and relationships with the truth, punctuated with tender moments

of light-hearted comedy.

As the story builds to its conclusion, it becomes increasingly difficult to determine what is real and what is fiction, with both actors carrying the production with due conviction.

As ever, Progress Theatre has excelled with frugal, prudent use of selected set elements which portray the setting excellently.

The bare set used stark, white benches surrounded by tall beams to invoke a cell, with a single riveted metal door at the back, through which food and blankets are pushed during the play.

The use of selective lighting and sound was particularly effective in recreating a future world as experienced from inside the prison.

Overall the production was a thoughtful, comedic consideration of the role of fiction in a society which struggles with misinformation.

The lighter moments were joyful without undermining the more serious premise of the piece, especially as it leaves you asking important questions about what is real towards the conclusion.

Progress Theatre is showing its youth production of Pedro Calderon de la Barca’s Life is a Dream from WednesdaySaturday, December 7-10.

n More information about upcoming productions and tickets can be found via: www. progresstheatre.co.uk.

JAKE CLOTHIER

Violin and melodeon team-up for folk night

ON MONDAY, December 5, Nettlebed Folk Club is welcoming Peter Knight and John Spiers for an evening of music.

Peter is the violinist and former-member of folk-rock band Steeleye Span, while John is a leading melodeon player and Bellowhead member.

Organisers say the pairing of violin and melodeon is not a new one, but in the hands of Knight and Spiers, improvisation and invention meet the listener at every turn.

Together they have created a performance that resonates with

history, but also something that should inspire future generations to engage with Britain’s folk heritage.

These uniquely gifted performers are preparing to make a sublime pairing, and create a live performance to be remembered for a long time.

The show takes place in the Village Club in Nettlebed High Street from 7.45pm.

n For more details, call the box office on: 01628 636620 between 10am and 8pm, or log on to: www. nettlebedfolkclub.co.uk

SCROOGE: Reading Rep’s revival of A Christmas Carol will show from Wednesday, November 30, to Saturday, December 31. Picture: Courtesy of Reading Repertory Theatre

CELL MATES: Jack, portrayed by Sam Bessant, and Pies, portrayed by Anita Sandhu. Picture: Richard Brown, courtesy of Progress Theatre

LIVEMUSIC

RaW Sounds Today

Chris Hillman bit.ly/raw soundstoday

CHRISTMAS is coming, the geese are looking slightly wider than they did last week, and thoughts are turning to some festive tunes.

We’ve got two such songs, just part of 10 great tracks to tune into this week.

Rocket Kings is a great precursor to two gigs taking place in the run-up to the big day, while Spizzenergi make a swift return to the playlist with their ode to ... well … read on and find out.

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 an eclectic mix of stuff 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

There is also a Facebook page and group chat that bands and music fans can tap into. You can search for RaW Sounds Today and it will come up.

Thursday, December 1

BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. Emma Wilson Blues Band. Details: www.theacousticcouch. co.uk

READING - Milk, Merchants Place RG1 1DT. Sami Switch presents Milk My Words Christmas party: live music, spoken word and more from Who We Are, Leopard Boy, Cameron Bloomfield, Cam Holmes, Effie, B2B set Osifa, Thomas Jules. £10. 7pm. Details: www.milkreading.com

READING – The Butler, Chatham Street RG1 7DS. Jazz Singers night Christmas special. Details: 0118 959 5500.

READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Found Native. Details: 0118 959 7196.

READING – Reading Biscuit Factory, Broad Street Mall RG1 7QE. Club Velocity presents An Evening with Dave Robinson, co-founder Stiff Records, tour manager for Jimi Hendrix. 7.30pm. Details: www. wegottickets.com/event/554403

READING – Sub89, Friar Street RG1 1EP. The Wurzels. Details: 0118 959 5395.

WOKINGHAM – The Rose Inn, Market Place RG40 1AS. Festive music in the Parlour Room: Jack Frank. Booking advised. Details: www. therosewokingham.co.uk/bookings

Friday, December 2

BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. Slacker, Bacchanal, Missing The Scene. Details: www. theacousticcouch.co.uk

BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. George Michael solo tribute. Details: 01344 303333.

BRACKNELL – South Hill Park, Ringmead RG12 7PA. Bracknell Jazz: Esther Bennett’s Duncan Lamong Songbook. Details: 01344 484123.

EMMBROOK – Emmbrook Sports & Social, Lowther Road RG41 1JB.

Wokingham Music Club presents Gordon Giltrap. £21. Details: www. wokinghammusicclub.co.uk

PANGBOURNE – Woking Men’s Club, Whitchurch Road, RG8 7BS. Kitty Mazinsky Quartet at Christmas evening. From 6pm.

READING – The Butler, Chatham Street RG1 7DS. Open mic night. Details: 0118 959 5500.

Rocket Kings – Christmas Without You

Rocket Kings have had a good year of live shows including a great performance at Wokingham Festival in the summer and now, here’s their new Christmas single.

The band have live appearances coming up with a short set at the YPWD (Younger People With Dementia) Charity Concert at Wokingham’s Whitty Theatre on December 6, and a full set at Fisherman’s Cottage, Reading on December 16.

Make a rendezvous with Rocket Kings for a Ukelele Christmas – facebook.com/rocketkings

Spizzenergi – Christmas in Denmark Street

We’ve featured the Spizz classic, Where’s Captain Kirk? in the last couple of weeks due to the band visiting Reading to perform a brilliant show at Club Velocity’s Facebar.

This week we’ve changed their song to their 2020 Christmas single. I bet you didn’t know

READING – The Face bar, Ambrose Place RG1 7JE. Joshfest v2. Details: 0118 959 5500.

READING – The Jazz Cafe, Select Car leasing Stadium RG2 0FL. The Funky Funks. Details: 0118 968 1442.

READING - The Jolly Anglers, Kennetside RG1 3EA. Jessie Phelps.

WOKINGHAM – Broad Street Tavern, Broad Street RG40 1AU. Chestnuts. Details: 0118 977 3706.

YATELEY - The Cricketers, Cricket Hill Lane GU46 6BA. Gary Roman as Elvis. Details: 01252 872105.

Saturday, December 3

BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. Bye Bye Baby: Jersey Boys. Details: 01344 303333.

BRACKNELL – The Royal Oak, London Road RG12 2NN. Lewis and the Sound of the Suburbs. Details: 01344 422622.

BRACKNELL – The Silver Birch, Liscombe RG12 7DE. The Lee Aaron Band. Details: 01344 457318.

CHARVIL – The Wee Waif, Old Bath Road RG10 9RJ. Christmas Carol-oke.

CROWTHORNE – The Crowthorne Inn, High Street RG45 7AD. The Cherries. Details: 01344 530615.

READING – The Face bar, Ambrose Place RG1 7JE. Long Tall Texans. Details: 0118 959 5500.

READING – The Jazz Cafe, Select Car leasing Stadium RG2 0FL. The Chain Gang. Details: 0118 968 1442.

READING – Grosvenor Casino Reading, Rose Kiln Lane RG2 0SN. Michael Jackson tribute. Details: 0118 402 7800.

READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Sound Jam. Details: 0118 959 7196.

READING – The Rising Sun, Silver Street RG1 2ST. Tribute Night Christmas Special. Details: 0118 986 6788.

READING – The Queen’s Head, Christchurch Road RG2 7AZ. P’Jam. Details: 0118 931 0232.

READING – Salisbury Conservative Club, Kings Road RG1 4HX. The Salty Dogs. Details: 0118 926 5804.

READING – St Laurence Church, The Forbury RG1 3EJ. Crazy Diamond, a tribute to the music of Pink Floyd.

READING – Sub89, Friar Street RG1 1EP. Aurie Styla. Details: 0118 959 5395

READING – The Turks, London Road RG1

5BJ. Band Substance. Details: 0118 957 6930

RISELEY – The Bull at Riseley, Basingstoke Road RG7 1QL. The Haystacks. Details: 0118 343 0565.

SONNING COMMON – Maiden Erlegh Chiltern Edge School, RG4 9LN. South Chiltern Choral Society presents A Christmas Celebration: O Come Emmanuel by Alan Bullard, plus carols. 7.30pm. £15, £12 in advance or £7.50/£6 advance for under 21s. Details: http://www. southchilternchoralsociety.org.uk/

TILEHURST – The Water Tower, Park Lane RG31 4DU. Gary Roman as Elvis. Details: 0118 907 6704

WOKINGHAM – Hope and Anchor, Station Road RG40 2AD. 4th Era. Details: 0118 977 0918.

Sunday, December 4

PANGBOURNE – Woking Men’s Club, Whitchurch Road, RG8 7BS. Andy Dickens and Al NIchols, Saxes with the Terry Hutchins Quartet. Details: 07500 333743.

READING – Community Hall, Watlington House, Watlington Street RG1 4RJ. Readifolk presents: theme night - Weather or Not. Details: www. readifolk.org.uk

READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Reggae Sundays. Details: 0118 959 7196.

READING – Queens Head, Christchurch Road RG2 7AZ. Northern Soul Social Sunday. 2pm-5pm. Details: 0118 931 0232.

SONNING – The Mill at Sonning, Sonning Eye RG4 6TY. The Rat Pack at Christmas. Details: 0118 969 8000.

TWYFORD – The Golden Cross, Waltham Road. The Bullfrogs Sunday Session. Details: 07889 226309.

WOKINGHAM – Hope and Anchor, Station Road RG40 2AD. Super Chilled Open Mic with Gemma Foster. 3pm. Details: 0118 977 0918.

Monday, December 5

NETTLEBED – Village Club, High Street RG9 5DD. Nettlebed Folk Club presents: Peter Knight and John Spiers. Details: www.nettlebedfolkclub.co.uk

STOKE ROW – Crooked Billet RG9 5PU. The Animals. Details: 01491 681048.

WOKINGHAM – Hope and Anchor, Station Road RG40 2AD. Acoustic Cafe. Details: 0118 977 0918.

this legendary London band had a soft spot for Wokingham’s Denmark Street? Just having you on.

This song is actually about London’s Denmark Street and nostalgia for how it used to be – https:// www.spizzenergi.com/

Eloise Kate – Revolve

If you saw Katie Ellwood’s excellent band at Wokingham Festival you’ll have seen Eloise Kate on keyboards. Eloise Kate also releases her own music and has achieved good streaming numbers – https:// www.instagram.com/eloisekatemusic/

Aine Deane – 19

My daughter Amy is on this single .. Well, only briefly. She and her ex-University housemates count down at the beginning of this great song about their Uni days written and performed by fellow housemate, Aine – https://www.ainedeanemusic. com/

Man The Lifeboats – Somerstown

Exciting, fun, upbeat folk from a band that visited The Castle Tap in Reading last week. This single is taken from their excellent new album Soul of Albion – https://www.manthelifeboats.com/

Voodoo Radio –

Wow Wow classic – http://www.voodooradio.co.uk/

One Last Day – Out of the Black

The new single from Wokingham rockers One Last Day is a powerful anthem with a chorus that sticks in your head and shows that they are a quality band that combines power and melody – https:// linktr.ee/onelastday

Mellor – Meet Me by the Ocean

Mellor is a four-piece Reading-based band that has been building a great reputation throughout the indie rock scene.

This is from their new album, Problematic Passions – https://linktr.ee/melloruk

Katie Ellwood – Twice

Here’s the aforementioned Katie Ellwood who previewed this new single live in her Wokingham Festival live set on the Wokingham Music Club stage and featured Eloise Kate in her band – https://www. katieellwood.com/

Glenn Miller Orchestra – Moonlight Serenade

C30 C60 C90

Go

This pop-punk duo from Cumbria were support at Club Velocity’s Spizzenergi show and this is their brilliant exciting cover of the Bow

Tuesday, December 6

BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. New Music Tuesday. Details: www.theacousticcouch.co.uk

READING – The Biscuit Factory, Queens Walk RG1 7QE. New Music night: Nicole Allan, One Eyed Man, Doops and open mic. Details: readingbiscuitfactory.co.uk

STOKE ROW – Crooked Billet RG9 5PU. The Animals. Details: 01491 681048.

Wednesday, December 7

BRACKNELL – South Hill Park, Ringmead RG12 7PA. Platinum ABBA. Details: 01344 484123.

READING – The Butler, Chatham Street RG1 7DS. Aurora Forest. Details: 0118 959 5500.

Thursday, December 8

BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. Milton Hide and support. Details: www. theacousticcouch.co.uk

BURGHFIELD – Cunning Man, Burghfield Road RG30 3RB. Carradines cockney sing along. Details: 0118 959 8067.

READING – The Butler, Chatham Street RG1 7DS. Hugh Turner Heavy Funk Combo: Virtuoso jazz and funk guitarist leads his quartet through, groove jazz soul and funk originals and covers. 8.30pm-11pm. £7 cash or card. Details: 0118 959 5500.

READING – The Castle Tap, Castle Street RG1 7RJ. Storm In A Teacup: House Party Punk. Details: 0118 958 0473.

READING – The Jazz Cafe, Select Car leasing Stadium RG2 0FL. These Certain People. Details: 0118 968 1442.

READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Found Native. Details: 0118 959 7196.

WOKINGHAM – Hope and Anchor, Station Road RG40 2AD. Acoustic night with Harley Hutchinson. Details: 0118 977 0918.

WOKINGHAM – The Rose Inn, Market Place RG40 1AS. Festive music in the Parlour Room: Tom Bakker-Martin. Booking advised. Details: www. therosewokingham.co.uk/bookings

Friday, December 9

BURGHFIELD – Cunning Man, Burghfield Road RG30 3RB. Beatles & Buddy Holly Tribute Show. Details: 0118 959 8067.

BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech

Timeless 1930s music which was performed live recently at the first-ever concert at Wokingham’s Carnival Hub.

What a brilliant performance it was by Glenn Miller Orchestra UK – https://www. glennmillerorchestra.co.uk/

Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. Pure Queen tribute. Details: 01344 303333.

READING – The Butler, Chatham Street RG1 7DS. Cool Hand Luke and The Meterologists perform A Message from the Meters. Details: 0118 959 5500.

READING – The Castle Tap, Castle Street RG1 7RJ. Jolly Roger, Boom Boom Racoon, Nasty Fishmonger. Details: 0118 958 0473.

READING – Forbury Gardens, The Forbury RG1 3BB. Gig in the Gardens in aid of Reading Refugee Support Group: The Tim Kay Band, Kill Committee, Magical Mystery Four, Silent Disco. 5pm. £12. Details: av-events.co.uk/product/gig-in-thegardens

READING – Grosvenor Casino Reading, Rose Kiln Lane RG2 0SN. ABBA Tribute. Details: 0118 402 7800.

READING – The Jazz Cafe, Select Car leasing Stadium RG2 0FL. Sir Duke Disco, Dance and Party band. Details: 0118 968 1442.

READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Propa Ammo: DJ Rap’s Birthday Party. Details: 0118 959 7196.

READING – The Rising Sun, Silver Street RG1 2ST. The Big Goodbye featuring Grant Sharkey. Details: 0118 986 6788.

WOKINGHAM – Broad Street Tavern, Broad Street RG40 1AU. Neon Daze. Details: 0118 977 3706.

Saturday, December 10

BINFIELD – The Binfield Club, Terrace Road RG42 4HP. Leech. Details: 01344 420690.

BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. Rockin Around for Christmas - The Johnny No Show, Chasing Violet. Details: www. theacousticcouch.co.uk

BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. The Take That Experience. Details: 01344 303333.

BRACKNELL – The Newtown Pippin, Ralphs Ride RG12 9LR. Tequila Chase.

BRACKNELL – The Running Horse, London Road RG12 2UJ. Full Flavour Band. Details: 01344 425215.

BRACKNELL – The Royal Oak, London Road RG12 2NN. From The Ashes. Details: 01344 422622.

CROWTHORNE – Royal British Legion,

Wellington Road RG45 7LJ. Emma Baldwin. Details: 01344 772161.

READING – Forbury Gardens, The Forbury RG1 3BB. Festive Family Rave: festive cher, food, silent disco. £5, in aid of Parenting Special Children. From 10am-3.30pm. Details: https:// av-events.co.uk/product/festivefamily-rave/

READING – The Jazz Cafe, Select Car leasing Stadium RG2 0FL. Dance Cult 10 Band. Details: 0118 968 1442.

READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. The Skavengers. Details: 0118 959 7196.

READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Scarlet Vixens Festive Floorshow. Details: 0118 959 7196.

READING – The Rising Sun, Silver Street RG1 2ST. Howling at the Moon: A Queer Cabaret. Details: 0118 986 6788.

READING – Salisbury Conservative Club, Kings Road RG1 4HX. Bad Penny. Details: 0118 926 5804.

TILEHURST – The Victoria, Norcot Road RG30 6BP. Wardour Street. Details: 0118 941 5064.

WINNERSH – Royal British Legion RG41 5LP. Spriggan Mist Yule Feast 2022 with The Krampus, Jadoo Tribal Dance, Victor and the Bully. 7.30pm. £15, £10 in advance. Details: www.sprigganmist. co.uk

WHITCHURCH – The Greyhound, High Street RG8 7EL. The Mighty Triple O Band. Details: 0118 984 1485.

WOKINGHAM – Hope and Anchor, Station Road RG40 2AD. Red Hoax Chili Peppers. Details: 0118 977 0918.

YATELEY - The Dog and Partridge, Reading Road GU46 7LR. The Turn. Details: 01252 870648.

YATELEY - The Royal Oak, Reading Road, GU46 7UG. Arachna. Details: 01252 872459.

Sunday, December 11

READING – Community Hall, Watlington House, Watlington Street RG1 4RJ. Readifolk presents: The Ryewolf Christmas Show. Details: www. readifolk.org.uk

READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Reggae Sundays. Details: 0118 959 7196.

READING – Queens Head, Christchurch Road RG2 7AZ. Northern Soul Social Sunday. 2pm-5pm. Details: 0118 931 0232.

ROCKET ON: Rocket Kings performing at Wokingham Festival Picture: Andrew Merritt

Friday, December 2

ALDERMASTON – St Mary the Virgin, Church Street. The York Nativity Play. 8pm. Free, must be ordered in advance. Details: aldermastonnativity.co.uk

CROWTHORNE – Across high street. Late night shopping evening. 5.30pm-7.30pm.

CROWTHORNE – Methodist Church, Dukes Ride RG45 6LT. Festival of Angels. Details: www. crowthornemethodistchurch. org.uk

CROWTHORNE – Parish Hall, Heath Hill Road. Crowthorne Amateur Theatrical Society presents The Sleeping Beauty. 7.30pm. £10, family tickets £35. Details: ticketsource.co.uk/ crowthornecats

EARLEY – St Nicolas Church, Sutcliffe Avenue RG6 7JN. Re:Fresh cafe with Friendship Table. 10am-noon. Details: linkvisiting.org

PANGBOURNE – Woking Men’s Club, Whitchurch Road, RG8 7BS. Christmas evening: stalls, Santa, and the Kitty Mazinsky Quartet. From 6pm.

READING – The Greyfriars, Greyfriars Road. Christmas Carol evening: mince pies, singing, beer and more. 7pm.

READING – Reading Minster Of St Mary The Virgin C Of E Church, Chain Street RG1 2HX. Bach2Baby Christmas family concert. 11am. Details: readingminster.org.uk

READING – Wycliffe Baptist Church, Kings Road RG1 4LS.

Victorian Christmas: come and hear the Christmas story with Huntley and Palmer, from the Victorian era. 7pm-9pm. Details: www.wycliffe.church or 0118 929 9911.

SANDHURST – St Michael & All Angels Church, Lower Church Road GU47 8HN. Sandhurst Silver Band Christmas Concert. 7.30pm. £10, concessions £8. Details: wegottickets.com/ event/561952

SPENCERS WOOD – Village Hall, Basingstoke Road. Christmas tree lighting ceremony. 6pm8pm. Live music, carols, seasonal refreshments and more. Free entry. Details: www.trybooking. co.uk/BYPR

TILEHURST – Park Lane Primary School, School Road RG31 5BD. Christmas Bazaar. 3.45pm-6pm. £1, children free.

TWYFORD – Across village. Street fayre. 6pm-9pm. Details: www. twyfordtogether.org

WOKINGHAM – Salvation Army, Sturges Road RG40 2HD. Cafe Refresh Friendship table. 10am1.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org

WOKINGHAM – Norreys Church, Norreys Avenue RG40 1UU. T&C at SHARE Wokingham Friendship table. 12.30pm2.30pm. 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. 2pm-4pm. 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, December 3

ALDERMASTON – St Mary the Virgin, Church Street. The York Nativity Play. 7pm. Free, but tickets must be ordered in advance. Details: aldermastonnativity.co.uk

BURGHFIELD – St Mary’s Church, Church Lane. South Berks Concert Band Christmas concert. £10, under 16s free. Details: southberksmusic.org.uk

CAVERSHAM – St Peter’s Church, The Warren RG4 7TH. Christmas market. 10am. Details: www.ctmparish.org.uk

CHARVIL – Charvil Village Hall, Park Lane. Christmas singing afternoon for female voices, including a seasonal medley. £10, includes music and refreshments. Details: 0118 934 0589 or suzanneynewman@ btinternet.com

CROWTHORNE – Crowthorne Church of England Primary School, Dukes Ride RG45 6ND. Christmas fair: food, gifts, sweets, games and more. Noon4pm. Details: 01344 772089

CROWTHORNE – Parish Hall, Heath Hill Road. Crowthorne Amateur Theatrical Society presents Sleeping Beauty. 2pm and 7.30pm. £10, family tickets £35. Details: ticketsource.co.uk/ crowthornecats

CROWTHORNE – Wildmoor Heath, Crowthorne Road RG45 7PW. Annual sale of Scots Pine Christmas trees harvested by Berkshire Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust volunteers. 11am-3pm. Details: 01635874381

HURST – Village Hall, School Road. St Nicholas Church presents its Christmas Fayre. 11.30am3pm. Stalls, bake sale, cards, decorations, children’s activities and more. Father Christmas arrives at noon.

PADWORTH - Village Hall, Padworth Lane. Jumble sale. 2pm-3pm. Donations 10am11.30am. In aid of village hall.

EARLEY – Aldryngton School, off Silverdale Road. Christmas Fair. 11am-3pm.

FINCHAMPSTEAD – Elusive Brewing, Marino Way RG40 4RF. Christmas shopping event and light switch-on. From noon. Details: elusivebrewing.com

FINCHAMPSTEAD –Finchampstead CofE Primary School, The Village RG40 4JN. Christmas fair. 3pm-6pm.

READING – Cattle Market, Great Knollys Street RG1 7HU. Farmers Market. 8.15am-noon. Details: thames valleyfarmersmarket.co.uk

READING – Emmanuel Methodist Church, Oxford Rd RG30 1EE. Christmas fayre. 10.30am1.30pm. Details: emmanuel methodistreading.org.uk

READING – Grange URC, Circuit Lane. Winter fair in aid of Alexander Devine and Duchess of Kent House hospices. Free entry. 10.30am-12.30pm. Details: 0118 958 4131.

READING – Reading Central Library, Abbey Square RG1 3BQ. Chinese Brush Painting taster session. 11am-1pm. Free, drop-in. Details: 0118 937 5950.

READING – Market Place. Small Business Saturday indie market. 10am-6pm. Details: www.visitreading.com

READING – St Bart’s Theatre, St Bartholomews Road RG1 3QA. Dance Reading Festival 22 presents JUMP! Hip Hop, Kathak, Ballet, Contemporary, Belly Dancing, Lindyhop and maybe even some Tap. 7pm. £6. Details: www.readcollege.org or 0118 966 6275.

READING – Tyndale Baptist Church, Cressingham Road RG2 7JE. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Association in

Reading presents Windrush thanks and praise service. 2pm. Luncheon and awards ceremony. Ticket only, £5. 3pm. Details: svgareading.org.uk

READING – Wycliffe Baptist Church, Kings Road RG1 4LS.

Victorian Christmas: come and hear the Christmas story with Huntley and Palmer, from the Victorian era. 7pm-9pm. Details: www.wycliffe.church or 0118 929 9911.

SILCHESTER - Village Hall, Little London Road RG7 2ND. Village market. 10am-12.30pm. Details: 0118 970 0999 or www. silchestervillagemarket.org.uk.

WINNERSH – The Pheasant, Reading Road RG41 4LR.

Comedy with headliner Iszi Lawrence, presented by Mates Rates Comedy. 7.30pm. Details: 0118 978 4529.

WOKINGHAM – Baptist Church, Milton Road RG40 1DE. Wokingham Eco-living Christmas Fair. 11am-3pm.

WOKINGHAM – St Paul’s Church, Reading Road RG41 1EH.

Eastwood Chamber Orchestra concert. 7.30pm. £10, students £5. Details: Www.eastwoodco. org/next-concert

WOKINGHAM – Town Hall, Market Place RG40 1AS.

Christmas Sing-a-long with The Barberettes and The Baptist Church Choir. 11am-12.30pm. Free, donations towards town mayor’s charity Kaleidoscopic UK. Details: 0118 975 0882.

WOKINGHAM WITHOUT –Pinewood Bar and Cafe, Pinewood Leisure Centre, Old Wokingham Road RG40 3AQ.

Friendship table available. 9am4pm. Details: linkvisiting.org

WOODLEY – Bull and Chequers, Woodley Green RG5 4QP.

Christmas Craft Fayre. 10am2pm. Details: 0118 969 9756.

WOODLEY – Crockhamwell Road precinct. Woodley Town Centre presents Saturday market. 9am-3pm. Details: www. woodleytowncentre.co.uk

WOOSEHILL – Woosehill Church, Chestnut Avenue RG41 3RS. Sip and Share with friendship table. 11am-noon, every second Saturday. linkvisiting.org

Sunday, December 4

ALDERMASTON – St Mary the Virgin, Church Street. The York Nativity Play. 7pm. Free, but tickets must be ordered in advance. Details: aldermastonnativity.co.uk

CALCOT – Kennet Valley Caterpillars Preschool, Holybrook Centre, Carters Rise, RG31 7YT. Christmas event, including Santa’s Grotto, tombola, games, crafts and more. 1pm-4pm. Booking for Santa essential. Details: www. kennetvalleycaterpillars.co.uk

CAVERSHAM – St Peter’s Church, The Warren RG4 7TH. Advent carols 6.30pm. Details: www. ctmparish.org.uk

CROWTHORNE – Parish Hall, Heath Hill Road. Crowthorne Amateur Theatrical Society presents The Sleeping Beauty. 2pm. £10, family tickets £35. Details: ticketsource.co.uk/ crowthornecats

READING – Market Place. Small Business Saturday indie market. 10am-6pm. Details: www.visitreading.com

READING – St Barnabas Church, Elm Road. Christingle Service. 4pm. Details: readinggateway. church

READING – Rising Sun Arts Centre, Silver Street RG1 2ST. Christmas Art Market. 11am4.30pm. Free entry. Details: www.risingsunartscentre.org

READING – Rising Sun Arts

Centre, Silver Street RG1 2ST. Dreading Poetry Slam. 7.30pm.

Free entry. Details: www. risingsunartscentre.org

READING – St Joseph’s College, Upper Redlands Road RG1 5JT. Tamesis Chamber Choir and the Aldworth Philharmonic Orchestra presents Handel’s Messiah. 6pm. £15, students and children £5. Details: tamesischamberchoir.com

READING – Wycliffe Baptist Church, Kings Road RG1 4LS. Carols by candlelight. 3.30pm and 6pm. Details: www.wycliffe. church or 0118 929 9911.

SHINFIELD – From Foster Wheeler building, Whitley Wood Road. Reading Toy Run 2022. 1pm. Roads towards Wokingham’s High Close School will face rolling road closures for the event.

SPENCERS WOOD – Village Hall, Basingstoke Road RG7 1AP. Repair cafe. 1.30pm/ STREATLEY – Morrell Room, Church Lane RG8 9HT. Musical Mystery Tour Family Cushion Concert with Simon Mayor and Hilary James. 3pm. £8. Details: www.childrensmusic.co.uk

SWINLEY FOREST. Thames Hospice Santa Dash. 9.45am. Details: www.thameshospice. org.uk/santa-dash

TILEHURST – Double Barelled Brewery, Stadium Way RG30 6BX. Reading’s Indie Market. From noon-5pm. Crafts, food, and more. Oh, and beer. Details: doublebarrelled.co.uk

WOKINGHAM – St Crispin’s Sports Centre, London Road RG40 1SS. Crispin Antique and Collectors Fair. £1. 10am-3pm. Details: 07723 068189.

WOKINGHAM – Corpus Christi Church, Sturges Road RG41 2HE. South Berkshire Singers Christmas Celebration, with children from St Teresa’s Primary School Choir. £5, in aid of Corpus Christi Africa Fund. southberkshiresingers.org.uk

WOKINGHAM – Market Place RG40 1AS. Antique and vintage street market. 10am-4pm. Details: acvrevents.co.uk

WOODLEY – Crockhamwell Road precinct. Woodley Town Centre presents Christmas Extravaganza. 10am-3pm. Details: 07861 654674 or www. woodleytowncentre.co.uk

Monday, December 5

ARBORFIELD – Royal British Legion, Eversley Road RG2 9PR. Friendship table. 9.30am. Details: linkvisiting.org

CROWTHORNE – Baptist Church, High Street RG45 7AT. Coffee Stop for Ukrainian refugees and their hosts: socialise and take part in English lessons. 12.30pm-2.30pm. Details: 01344 761725.

WOKINGHAM – Salvation Army, Sturges Road RG40 2HD. Cafe Refresh Friendship table. 10am1.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org

WOKINGHAM – Norreys Church, Norreys Avenue RG40 1UU. T&C at SHARE Wokingham Friendship table. 12.30pm2.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org

WOODLEY – Woodley Baptist Church, Hurricane Way RG5 4UX. Four Seasons cafe Friendship Table. 1.30pm3.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org

Tuesday, December 6

BEECH HILL - Memorial Hall, Beech Hill Road. Village teas: sandwiches, cakes and tea. 3pm-4pm.

EARLEY – Earley St Peter’s Church Hall,Church Road RG6 1EY. East Reading Horticultural Society meeting: Christmas show and social evening. 7.45pm for 8pm.

Details: www.erhs.org.uk

EARLEY – Earley CResCent Resource Centre, Warbler Drive RG6 4HB. Friendship table. 2pm-3pm. Details: linkvisiting.org.

FINCHAMPSTEAD – FBC Centre Cafe, Gorse Ride North RG40 4ES. Friendship table. 10amnoon. Details: linkvisiting.org

READING – Reading Minster Of St Mary The Virgin C Of E Church, Chain Street RG1 2HX. Craft at the Minster: a craft session for all. 11am-12.30pm. Details: readingminster.org.uk

WOKINGHAM – Bradbury Centre, Wokingham Methodist Church, Rose Street RG40 1XS. CLASP Wokingham cafe with Friendship table. 10amnoon. Every third and fourth Tuesday of the month. Details: linkvisiting.org

WOKINGHAM WITHOUT –Pinewood Bar and Cafe, Pinewood Leisure Centre, Old Wokingham Road RG40 3AQ. Friendship table available. 9am4pm.Details: linkvisiting.org

Wed, December 7

EARLEY – Brookside Church, Brookside Close RG6 7HG. Open Door cafe with Friendship Table. 2pm-4pm. Details: linkvisiting.org

READING – Progress Theatre, The Mount RG1 5HL. Progress Theatre presents TLife Is A Dream. 7.45pm. £14, concessions £11. Details: www. progresstheatre.co.uk

WOKINGHAM – Elevate Centre RG40 2AZ. Barkham Hookers Festive Crochet Workshop in aid of First Days. 7pm-9.30pm. Details: www.firstdays.net/ events

WOKINGHAM – Bradbury Centre, Wokingham Methodist Church, Rose Street RG40 1XS. Cafe Mosiac. 11am-noon. Details: linkvisiting.org

WOKINGHAM – Salvation Army, Sturges Road RG40 2HD. Cafe Refresh Friendship table. 10am1.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org

WOODLEY – Crockhamwell Road precinct. Woodley Town Centre presents Artisan market. 9am-2pm. Details: www. woodleytowncentre.co.uk

Thursday, December 8

CAVERSHAM – The Milestone Centre RG4 6PF. Caversham Park Theatre presents King Cole and the Plum Pudding Peril. 8pm. £10, £9 concessions. Details: www.cavparktheatre. org.uk

EARLEY – Trinity Church, Chalfont Close RG6 5HZ. Re:Fresh with Friendship Table. 2pm-4pm. Details: linkvisiting.org

READING – Venue confirmed on booking. Terry’s Walking Tours of Reading presents Ghosts and Strange Goings On. 5.15pm. £5, children £1. 5.15pm. Booking essential. Details: www.facebook.com/ terrysreadingwalkabouts

READING – The Centre for Heritage and Family History, 2nd Floor, Reading Central Library, Abbey Square RG1 3BQ. Reading’s First World War Hospitals, a talk organised by the Berkshire Family History Society. 2pm-3.30pm. £5, £4 members. Details: 0118 950 9553.

READING – Progress Theatre, The Mount RG1 5HL. Progress Theatre presents TLife Is A Dream. 7.45pm. £14, concessions £11. Details: www. progresstheatre.co.uk

SPENCERS WOOD – Spencers Wood Pavilion, Clares Green Road RG7 1DY. Social Seniors Tea and Coffee with Friendship

Table. 10am-noon. Details: linkvisiting.org

STRATFIELD SAYE – Wellington Farm Shop, Welsh Lane RG27 0LT. Christmas wreath workshop. 7pm-9.30pm. Details: 0118 932 6132.

WOKINGHAM – Bradbury Centre, Wokingham Methodist Church, Rose Street RG40 1XS. Cafe Mosaic lunch club with Friendship table. Noon-1.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org

WOKINGHAM – Wokingham Theatre, Twyford Road, RG40 5TU. Rules For Living. 7.45pm. Details: WokinghamTheatre. org.uk

Friday, December 9

CAVERSHAM – The Milestone Centre RG4 6PF. Caversham Park Theatre presents King Cole and the Plum Pudding Peril. 8pm. £10, £9 concessions. Details: cavparktheatre.org.uk

EARLEY – St Nicolas Church, Sutcliffe Avenue RG6 7JN. Re:Fresh cafe with Friendship Table. 10am-noon. Details: linkvisiting.org

READING – Progress Theatre, The Mount RG1 5HL. Life Is A Dream. 7.45pm. £14, concessions £11. Details: www. progresstheatre.co.uk

READING – Reading Minster Church, Chain Street RG1 2HX. Refugee Support Group presents Gospel Carols 2022 with the Reading Community Gospel Choir. £10, £5 concessions, under 11s and refugees, free but booking essential. Details: refugeesupportgroup.org.uk

READING – South Street Arts Centre. Poets Cafe. 8.30pm. Details: 0118 960 6060.

WOKINGHAM – Wokingham Theatre, Twyford Road, RG40 5TU. Rules For Living. 7.45pm. Details: WokinghamTheatre. org.uk

Sat, December 10

BEARWOOD – Bearwood Primary School, Bearwood Road. Christmas fete:. Noon-3pm.

BURGHFIELD – St Mary’s Church, Church Lane. Christmas Tree Festival 2022. 11am-4pm.

CAVERSHAM – Caversham Methodist Church Hall, Gosbrook Road RG4 8EB. Artists and Makers Fair. 10am. Details: jean@alljazzedup.com or 07808 966928.

CAVERSHAM – The Milestone Centre RG4 6PF. Caversham Park Theatre presents King Cole and the Plum Pudding Peril. 2pm, 7pm. £10, £9 concessions. Details: www.cavparktheatre. org.uk

CAVERSHAM – St Andrew’s Church, Albert Road RG4 7PL. Concerts in Caversham presents Christmas concert by Candlelight with the Caversham Ensemble Chamber Orchestra. 7.30pm. £16, £20, £22, under 16s free. Booking advised. Details: 0118 948 3220 or concertsincaversham.co.uk

CROWTHORNE – Village Hall, Heath Hill Road South RG45 7BW. Crowthorne Musical Players present Sing A Song of Christmas (A Pocket Full of Joy). 7.30pm. £10, children £5. Details: www.cmp-berks.org.uk

CROWTHORNE – St John The Baptist Church, Waterloo Road, RG45 7PB. Crowthorne Symphony Orchestra Christmas concert: seasonal music and carols for all the family. 4.30pm. £10, under 16s free. Details: www. crowthorneorchestra.com

EARLEY – St Nicolas Church, Sutcliffe Avenue RG6 7JN. A Touch of Sparkle with the

Barbettes. 7.30pm. £8, £5 under 15s. Search Ticketsource.co.uk for The Barberettes

FINCHAMPSTEAD – Elusive Brewing, Marino Way RG40 4RF. Festive sing-along with Sandhurst Silver Band. 6pm. Details: elusivebrewing.com

FINCHAMPSTEAD – Gorse Ride School, Gorse Ride North. Gorse Ride Schools Christmas Fayre: raffle, tombola, games, refreshments, barbecue, Santa’s grotto and more. 11am-2pm.

FINCHAMPSTEAD – Siren Craft Brew Tap Yard, Unit 18, Alberto House, Marino Way RG40 4RF. Santa’s Grotto. Maximum five people per booking. One gift per booking. £16.76. Details: www. sirencraftbrew.com

READING – Broad Street to Forbury Gardens. Reading Lantern Parade. Free. 5.30pm. Details: info@ beautifulcreatures.org.uk

READING – Reading Central Library, Abbey Square RG1 3BQ. Chinese New Year storytime. 1pm. Free, drop-in. Details: 0118 937 5950.

READING – Reading Minster Church, Chain Street RG1 2HX. Trinity Concert Band Christmas concert. 4pm. £13, students £7, under 16s and Ukrainian refugees free. Details: trinityband.co.uk

READING – St Bart’s Theatre, St Bartholomew’s Road RG1 3QA. Winter festival: stalls, games, raffles, refreshment and entertainment in aid of Access to the Arts. Noon-3pm.

READING – St Luke’s Church, Erlegh Road RG1 5LH. Reading Festival Chorus presents In The Stillness. 6pm. £15, under 18s free. Details: readingfestivalchorus.org.uk

READING – St Mary’s Episcopal Chapel, Castle Street RG1 7RD. Reading Phoenix Choir carol concert in aid of Refugee Support Group. £10. 5.30pm. readingphoenixchoir.com

READING – Progress Theatre, The Mount RG1 5HL. Progress Theatre presents Life Is A Dream. 7.45pm. £14, concessions £11. Details: www. progresstheatre.co.uk

SHINFIELD – St Mary’s Church, Church Lane RG2 9BY. Belle Canto Trio. 7pm. £15. Details: 0118 988 2120.

TWYFORD – St Mary’s Church, Station Road. Twyford Singers Christmas Concert: O Magnum Mysterium. 7.30pm. £15, £5 under 12s. Advance tickets £12. Details: twyford-singers.org.uk

WINNERSH – Royal British Legion RG41 5LP. Spriggan Mist Yule Feast 2022 with The Krampus, Jadoo Tribal Dance, Victor and the Bully. 7.30pm. £15, £10 in advance. Details: www. sprigganmist.co.uk

WOKINGHAM – Baptist Church, Milton Road. Sing Healthy Choirs and CLASP present Christmas Concert: Gloria. 7.30pm. Details: www. singhealthy.co.uk/tickets

WOKINGHAM – Floreat Montague Park School, William Heelas Way. Christmas Fair. 11am-3pm.

WOKINGHAM – Waitrose, Rectory Road. Wokingham Lions Can Can Appeal. 9am4pm.

WOKINGHAM – Wokingham Theatre, Twyford Road, RG40 5TU. Rules For Living. 7.45pm. Details: WokinghamTheatre. org.uk

WOKINGHAM WITHOUT –St Sebastians CE Primary School, Nine Mile Ride. Christmas fair: raffle, face painting, crafts, hot food, drinks, cakes, Santa, tombola and more. 11am-1pm.

In which craft is a ‘gob’ collected on a metal tube known as a ‘punty’?

In fiction, by

NONAGRAM

WORD PYRAMID

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.

MAGIC SQUARE

Using all 16 letters of the phrase above, form four words each of four letters which will fit in the grid to form a magic square in which the words can be read both horizontally and

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:

Any word found in the Concise Oxford Dictionary (Tenth Edition) is eligible with the following exceptions: proper nouns; plural nouns, pronouns and possessives; third person singular verbs; hyphenated words; contractions and abbreviations; vulgar slang words; variant spellings of the same word (where another variant is also eligible).

Spell out a 15-letter word or phrase by moving from one chamber to another within the pyramid. You may only enter each of the chambers once and may only proceed through openings in the walls. The first letter may appear in any chamber.

Here are two miniature fivesquare crosswords using the same grid – but the letters have been mixed up. You have to work out which letters belong to which crossword.

Headwear made of iron unknown (3)

Stanley’s reportedly taken a verse (6)

Flying high but not starting rowing (6)

Ring that works wonders? (5,6)

Lawsuit at coin exchange (6) 11. One can get snap results from this (6)

Worries old Bob with demonstration of affection (6) 16. Make react violently with drug (6) 18. Cheating while in the band (2,3,6)

Left by another way with the Queen’s solicitor (6) 20. First-born coming from Leeds with leading tyke (6)

What’s the point of lawbreaking? (3)

1. Sort of energy produced by a cat in charge (6) 2. Alf turned against the bird (6)

A dozen heavenly signs (6)

Make beloved mend earrings inside (6) 6. Not the way that caretakers behave (11)

8. Advised to praise during the rush (11)

10. Car going round the bend (3)

12. Possess no aspiration for welcome (3)

14. One’s worn out by trainspotter perhaps (6)

15. See Eire, say, from these mountains (6)

16. Greek characters with the Spanish tool (6)

17. The doctrine of belief in one God (6)

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.

Reflections on a kinder year

Time for kindness

Sarah Browning

AS another year of seeing kindness in the world around me draws to a close, I’ve been reflecting on what I’ve learned.

I’ve looked back through the kindness examples on my Time for Kindness website and picked out some of my favourites.

In no particular order, as they say on the Strictly Come Dancing results show, these are some of the stories I’ve enjoyed in 2022.

n A shop cashier helped some children pick out and wrap surprise birthday gifts for their mum – as a single mum it’s usually hard to take the kids shopping without seeing what they’ve chosen.

n A credit card was found lost on the street. The finder posted about it in her local Facebook group and successfully reunited it with its owner.

n A colleague’s friends looked after her when she needed emergency dental treatment, ferrying her to appointments, putting her up over night and comforting her when she was in pain.

n The station manager bought some stickers so that under fives (who travel for free) could be given something in lieu of a ticket and didn’t feel left out.

n During the heatwave in the summer, a friend put a sign outside his office door, encouraging passers by to come in and fill their water bottles.

n When I went to collect my husband’s prescription, the pharmacist noticed that there was a repeat prescription in my name also waiting. This avoided me making a second trip another day.

n Two colleagues

Festive foilage

DECK the halls with boughs of holly … or any greenery that you feel fits your festive creativity.

December is the time of year when the outside comes into the home in the form of foliage decoration and when gardeners can put their feet up, just for a few minutes – and perhaps do a bit of tool maintenance.

You can easily create a festive candle holder by taking a small terracotta flowerpot and covering the hole in the base with a coin.

Hold a candle upright in the middle, and then fill the pot with rice until the candle feels stable and stands straight.

Arrange moss, sprigs of greenery and berries on the top to hide the rice.

To create a natural look, stand some of your small greenery twigs upright in the rice base. Try using Rosemary, evergreen Yew, Contoneaster with its red berries and small dark green leaves and Pyracantha which has an abundance of yellow, orange and red berries … if the birds don’t get to them first.

There’s plenty of pruning to do at this time of year as well, which means keeping your secateurs in tip-top condition.

Make sure you give them a quick clean and a sharpen.

Simply rub the blade with wire wool or fine abrasive paper to remove plant resin. Then oil the blade so it’s

collected crisp packets from their office so that they could be taken to a specialist crisp packet recycling company.

n A neighbour saw some council workers outside his house fixing the paving slabs. He went out to say hello and thank you, then he took them coffee and chocolate biscuits.

n A friend helped a couple with walking sticks to make their way down some stairs.

He offered his arm and exchanged jokes with them about how much he would charge (which was nothing, of course).

n A work contact told me how she had welcomed her colleagues’ children to online meetings during the school holidays, encouraging them to draw pictures to show at the end of the meeting.

n A fellow shopper took the time to tell a mum that she was doing a great job when she was trying to comfort her teething baby in the trolley while trying to do her food shop.

Looking back over the year, it’s clear that kindness comes up in all aspects of our lives, from work to family and friends, from our health

to shopping, from the environment to our local communities.

It was hard to choose which examples to share with you. If you’d like to read more, visit www. timeforkindness.co.uk

Who’s been kind to you this year?

It is a privilege to receive these stories and share them more widely. I’m looking forward to seeing and sharing more examples during 2023.

There are undoubtedly tough times ahead, but it’s important that we

don’t lose sight of the kindness that is out there too.

Sarah Browning is a Kindness Cheerleader, Communicator and Strategist. For more, log on to: www. timeforkindness. co.uk

corner Reading Voluntary Action

ready for sharpening.

Sharpen using a circular motion on the sharpened side then turn it

A terracotta pot candle

and veg then start planning what to grow next year and order new seeds. You will get a wider choice of varieties now and can plan out sowing times for the new growing season.

But first, go through all you old seed packets and discard any that are out of date – then list any that you need to buy again.

You can also do some research into the best and tastiest varieties, as well as new crops to try, using seed catalogues, websites and magazines.

Consider which varieties worked well for you and which didn’t. If you have had disease problems look for resistant varieties to help you get healthier harvests.

Winter has definitely arrived and as the RHS says … as we approach the shortest day of the year in December you will need work to keep yourself warm outside, with jobs such as digging and tree pruning. Check your winter protection and if you have a greenhouse make sure the heater is working.

Hopefully there are not too many jobs left to do this year so you will have time for some fireside garden planning.

Right now Berkshire Vision offers a continually developing sport and activities programme for their members and they need volunteers to help.

They are looking for volunteers to assist with any of the following: tandem cycling, rock climbing, golf, running, dragon boating, swimming, tennis and more.

The time commitment varies and is very flexible as they’ll have sports and activities happening all the time.

Please note that applicants need to be aged 18 or over and that their application procedure consists of an application form and two references.

Some positions require a DBS check.

n Assisting Berkshire Children to Read (ABC to Read) is an award-winning charity that supports children who are struggling to read by finding, training and supporting volunteers to work with them in primary schools around Berkshire.

They are looking for caring volunteers to become reading helpers, boosting student’s confidence and helping them directly in one-to-one sessions outside of the classroom environment to give students the opportunity to catch up.

If you enjoy reading and want to help children gain one the most essential skills for success in life then please join ABC to Read.

Sign up now for the next volunteer training sessions.

n Colostomy UK provides a range of support to Ostomates who engage with us in several ways, often seeking support and advice from other Ostomates.

These include our Helpline, Facebook group, Tidings, Live chat and many others.

Currently they are seeking someone to fulfil the role of a Support Services Volunteer, to assist their Support Team and other departments with a variety of day to day activities.

Training and team support will be provided.

Most of the activities will be officebased administrative work, so a solid understanding and range of skills in IT will go a long way.

over and wipe the back of the blade to remove any debris.

If you are growing your own fruit

Top three jobs this month – check your winter protection structures are still securely in place, check that greenhouse heaters are working and make sure that you insulate outdoor taps and prevent ponds from freezing.

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

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

MAKE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE: A lost credit card was reunited with its owner in a simple act of kindness that took place earlier this year Picture: Pixabay

RECORD MAKERS

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today

ROYALS TO HOST HORNETS IN FA CUP

Remarkably, the Rams have won all 11 of their games with a bonus point to give them a healthy lead at the top of the table.

It was a hard fought win for Rams away at Taunton on Saturday as they came back from 19-17 down with two tries to eventually take the match 27-24.

Rams’ stupendous form has seen them amass 55 points from their opening 11 matches which gives them a seven point advantage over second placed Cambridge.

Rams are back in action on Saturday on home turf against Sale.

This weekend’s opponents are currently third in the table and will pose a tough test for Rams having won nine of their opening nine matches, taking a bonus point in 10 of them. n Full report and pictures on pages 18 & 19

READING FC have been drawn to play against Watford in the FA Cup third-round.

The Royals will host the fellow Championship side on the weekend of Friday, January 6 to Monday, January 9.

The Hornets are currently fourth in the Championship with 33 points after 21 matches after nine wins, six draws and six losses.

Watford started the season under manager Rob Edwards who joined from Forest Green Rovers, but he only lasted 10 matches before he was sacked and replaced by Slaven Bilic.

The teams have already met once in the league this season and it was Watford who collected three points at Vicarage Road after Joao Pedro’s double.

Watford’s last win away at Reading came in 2014 with a 1-0 victory in the Championship.

The Royals went out of the FA Cup in the third round last campaign when they suffered a humiliating defeat to non-league side Kidderminster Harriers.

After George Puscas had given Reading the lead, the non league side deservedly progressed after strikes from Sam Austin and Amari Morgan-Smith.

The result heaped pressure on manager Veljko Paunovic who was sacked less than a month after the FA Cup exit and replaced by current boss Paul Ince.

RAMS RUGBY CLUB set a new club record after winning their 11th consecutive match in National League One with an away triumph at Taunton Titans.

RUGBY UNION

RAMS KEEP TOP SPOT WITH 11TH CONSECUTIVE WIN

By RICHARD ASHTON sport@wokingham.today

Taunton 24 Rams 27

RAMS set a new club record with an 11th consecutive National One win to start the season as they repelled a late Taunton Titans comeback in claiming a dramatic 27-24 victory at Veritas Park.

The away side made an unbelievable start as straight from the kick-off some slick handling enabled Axel KallingSmith to run in from halfway,

Tim Townsend’s conversion attempt from out wide just drifted left.

Yet Taunton rallied strongly and aided by a strong wind, began to take control of both possession and territory before they earned a deserved leveller when Charlie Wright dived over at the back of a maul.

Things got worse for Rams shortly after as Ant Marris was sin-binned for an infringement near his own line, and Titans took advantage immediately as Isaac Dalton burrowed over from close range, Jordan Gott with the extras for 12-5.

The hosts continued to

control proceedings and arguably could have moved further in front, only for Rams to strike a brilliant counterattack with the final play of the first half, Ollie Cole’s superb break from a tap penalty and some more good hands setting Michael Dykes free to race home.

Townsend’s conversion ensured it was 12-12 at the break, and the visitors came flying out of the blocks in the second period with a wonderful second from Dykes, the interplay between James McRae and Lucas Brooke in midfield outstanding after

Townsend had initiated proceedings with a wellweighted pass.

Taunton, putting in arguably their best performance of the season to date, were undaunted and regained the lead with another close-range try from Dalton which Gott converted for 19-17.

RAMS regained their composure and with the wind at their backs, began to take control around the hour mark.

And it was a typically bold call from captain Robbie Stapley which saw him turn down three points from in front of the posts to go to the

corner, Max Hayman grabbing his ninth try of the campaign at the back of a surging rolling maul.

Things got even better for the away side as an almost identical score quickly afterwards ended with McRae the beneficiary, Townsend’s attempted conversion this time striking the post to leave it 27-19 to Rams.

Again, Taunton responded, and they cut the gap to three points as RAMS’ discipline began to wane before Sam Knott barged over from a couple of metres out for 27-24 with eight minutes remaining.

However, Rams held firm despite more pressure to make it 11 bonus-point wins from 11 and the players’ names in the record books.

Rams: Dykes, Rossiter, Jones, KallingSmith, Bird, Townsend, Cole, Marris, Hayman, Englezos, Taylor, Thomson, McRae, Brooke, Stapley (c)

Replacements: Moffitt, McDonnell, Collis, Partington, Allan

Rams Tries: Kalling-Smith, Dykes x2, Hayman, McRae

Taunton Titans: Vaughan, Spurdle, Dalton, Vakalutukali, Harvey, Knott, Wright, Petherbridge, Prior, Gott, Jones, East, Bonnick, Banks, Stewart,

Replacements: Gosling, Rodd, Wright, O-T, Fenton

Michael Dykes scored two tries for RAMS

By RICHARD ASHTON sport@wokingham.today

SEB Reynolds hailed a ‘hard-fought and wellearned win’ as Rams broke their club record start to a season with an 11th straight success with a 27-24 triumph at Taunton Titans.

Reflecting on the victory, the Director of Rugby said: “I’m very proud of the players because Taunton is such a tough place to come and win – they’re a very strong side and we’ve got a bit of history with them.

“It’s very respectful, but we’ve played them in National Two, watched

them have a great year when they came up and then they beat us last year in similar wet conditions with a last-play penalty, so I’m really pleased for our lads – it was hard-fought and well-earned.”

Victory came against a Titans side reinforced by the return from injury of talismanic back row pair Ratu Vakalutukali and Sam Prior, and one which their own supporters admitted had produced their best display in a long while as they hunted a first home win of the season.

Reynolds said: “You could sense from them they had a bit of extra energy

WITNEY 38-22 READING

with their selection and the crowd was fantastic – we love that and it was brilliant.

“They were trying to kick-start something so we had to weather that and there were periods of pressure from them – albeit self-inflicted because our discipline was poor at times – but we managed to rectify that and get away from them.”

He continued: “Our work either side of half-time probably won us the game. We were able to turn it on and nick a score at the end of the first half and when we got on the front foot, we began to look dangerous.

“They did very well to comeback and then we lost our discipline again a bit at the end, but it was just a good game.”

On an extraordinary afternoon in National One just one of the seven games was decided by more than four points, and the DoR ended by saying it is a reminder of just what a superb league it is to be involved it.

He concluded: “The weather is a leveller and makes it a very attritional

READING BEATEN DESPITE LATE FIGHTBACK AT WITNEY

By PETER CHIDGEY sport@wokingham.today

READING lost to third in the league Witney in a match in which they had plenty of territory and possession but lacked the penetrative running and speed of movement of the Witney back line which made the most of their possession.

It was Witney who took the lead with their first real attack of the day beating the Reading defence with

HOCKEY

some fast interplay after the ball had been moved quickly to the wing to score a converted try.

Matt Daw took advantage of a penalty award to reduce Witney’s lead.

Witney added two unconverted tries both coming from slick backs’ moves to put themselves into a 17-3 lead.

Reading responded to the second of these when a good catch from Max Pepper from the kick off

was quickly recycled, the ball eventually coming out to O’Regan who put in an excellently judged kick for Proctor-Searle to score in the corner to make the score 17-8.

Witney achieved their try bonus point early in the second half when their left wing won a chase to score a converted try in the corner.

They were undone on the hour mark by an excellently worked try

by their opponents who moved the ball out quickly to create an overlap on the right wing and good inside support resulted in a try under the posts.

A similar move with ten minutes to go led to the same result and gave Witney a 38-8 lead.

Reading came back in the last five minutes to score two tries of their own. First Cunningham scored under the posts after an initial strong run from Proctor

affair, testing the character of your side, and I was very impressed with the way we came through.

“The nice weather is over and now you have to focus on can you win during this period where you have to roll your sleeves up and be resilient.

“We’ve started these four games to Christmas in the right vein, but again you just know there are no easy games in National One and you must be on it every time.”

SPORTS STARS IN AWARDS NIGHT

-Searle and Daw added the points.

They opted for a scrum and moved the ball wide where a deliberate knock on from a Witney player, going for an interception resulted in a penalty try making the final score 38-22.

Head coach Lee Goodall was pleased with the spirit shown in the late comeback which he said gave the team a good launching pad for an important run of games coming up.

THE annual Reading Sports Awards saw several local clubs, individuals, coaches, volunteers and schools recognised for their work.

Held on Sunday, November 20, presentations were made by the Mayor of Reading, Cllr Rachel Eden and former Reading FC chairman Sir John Madejski, held at the Hilton Hotel in Reading. Awards were handed out among 24 different categories with winners including Reading Athletics Club, Reading Royals, Thames Valley Tae Kwon Do, Albatross Diving Club and more.

Full list of winners

Sports Personality of the Year: Rowan McKellar

International Sports Personality: Damon O’Neill

Male Junior Sports Personality: James West, Lewis Richardson

Female Junior Sports Personality: Elanor Blinkhorn, Freya Meadows-Tuson, Jess Gibbon

Male Veteran of the Year: Daniel John

Female Veteran of the Year: Jane Davies, Sarah Fitzgerald-Smith

Player Loyalty Award: James Langford

Pride of Reading Sports Award: Kick Twist Cheer

Male Clubman of the Year: Jason Harris, Commitment to Sport Award: Kayla-Newton-Williams, Max Jennings, Pat Hicks, Ron Grant

Helper/Loyalty Award: Alison Squire, Daniel Rook, Heather Lewis, Mantas Grigaliunas, Pascal Smith

By RONAN DAFFEY sport@wokingham.today

READING eventually ran out comfortable winners of this vital clash between two teams vying to avoid the nerve-jangling dogfight against relegation from the top flight of English hockey.

The scoreline fails to show that this was a close, tense, encounter until the final quarter of the match.

Reading hit their straps from the outset, opening the scoring within 30 seconds of the start, inevitably from free-scoring Tom Minall who tapped the ball into an empty net from close range after a blistering surge up the left hand side of the pitch by a highly motivated attack.

On the stroke of half time, Reading added to their slender lead with a fine,

accurate, strike from their other habitual scorer, Fred Newbold, from the edge of the circle.

Exeter were quickly awarded a penalty corner

and the Exeter attacker had got a clean shot away that screamed high over Chris Wyver’s crossbar.

To add insult to injury, the corner was duly

despatched into the Reading goal, narrowing the deficit.

Reading then spent a good few minutes on the brink of conceding when they had a player sinbinned for two minutes, only for him to be joined by a team mate who was required to sit out five minutes, leaving Reading temporarily with only nine players on the pitch to protect their lead.

Once they were restored to a full complement, Reading regained their composure and started to attack with purpose, a tactic which opened the taps and led to three more goals without reply, with a goal from Harrison Smith, who seemed to surprise himself and his team mates with his adroit finish in a tight spot, and two more

goals from the electric Tom Minall who completed his hat trick with a wide smile.

Reading finish the first half of the season next Sunday at home at 2pm with a tricky fixture against Hampstead & Westminster, who sit just above them in the league but are safe from ending up in the dreaded bottom half, unlike Reading, who whilst they are in the box seat for a top half finish, will be looking anxiously over their shoulders at Beeston and Oxted who both have easier fixtures on paper and could steal their place.

Still, either a win or draw will be good enough for Reading, so it promises to be an exciting match. The club also has its vicepresidents’ lunch before the game, so a good crowd of supporters is expected.

School of the Year: The Abbey School

Team of the Year Reading Athletics Club Senior Women’s Team, Reading Royals Redwood Trophy Winners

The Mayor’s Award: Karen Burles

Club of the Year: Reading Royals, Thames Valley Tae Kwon Do

School Personality of the Year: Florence Blinkhorn and Lili Halasi

School Teacher of the Year: Daniel Pringle

Administrator of the Year: Debbie Whiteley, Sheila Seymour

Coach of the Year: Matthew Pipe

Female Club Person of the Year: Kelly-Anne Russell

Female Improver of the Year: Libby Cox

Male Improver of the Year: Isaac Round

Junior Team of the Year: Albatross Diving Club Junior National Team, Berkshire Under 14 County Badminton Team

Katie Henderson Memorial Trophy for Commitment to Sport: The Dart Family

Reading’s three goalscorers celebrate Picture: Helen Ritchie

Commitment to Sport – Ron Grant

FAWKES LET LEAD SLIP, CITYZENS MAINTAIN

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today

Two

S4K BERKS COUNTY let a two-goal lead slip in their home loss to Wycombe Wanderers Reserves.

The Fakwes went into the break with a two goal lead after strikes from Megan Cox and Kiah Owen.

However, the visitors came up with a second-half fightback

to take the points with three goals to earn a 3-2 success.

S4K are in ninth position with six points from eight matches.

Combined Counties Premier North

READING CITY maintained their faultless unbeaten run with a comfortable away win at Flackwell Heath.

The Cityzens hit three past their opponents without reply with goals from Dan Davies, Joe

Pilling and Josh Baines, while they took their sixth clean sheet of the campaign.

City are yet to lose in 14 league games and are just one point behind league leaders Ascot United.

Reading City manager Simon Johnson said: “Not sure what’s happened this season, but an unbelievable group to be a part of. Never known a togetherness like it. Same amount of wins as last season already, We’ll keep enjoying the good times.”

ASCOT UNITED kept their

place in top spot after a hard fought win against London Lions.

The Yellaman raced into a two goal lead when Harry Tucker found the opener and Alfie Grant latched onto a rebound to double the advantage.

London Lions got a goal back in the second-half, but the division leaders held on to claim their 13th win in 14 games to maintain their incredible form.

WOKINGHAM & EMMBROOK

boosted their position with a clean sheet and three points at Lowther Road.

The Sumas made a lightning fast start against Holyport when Allen Bossman put them ahead after just two minutes when Wokingham were awarded a penalty for handball and Bossman beat the keeper.

Just after the hour mark, the Sumas went two goals in front when Sam Mead got on the end of Bossman’s cross and fired it in to make it 2-0.

The victory means that the

Sumas jump up to 16th in the table on 14 points from 20 games.

Combined Counties Division One

SANDHURST TOWN are in second after they defeated CB Hounslow United.

BERKS COUNTY are in third place after they suffered just their third loss of the league season to Rayners Lane.

The Swords went behind but levelled after Graham’s goal.

BAS (green) in Reading Sunday League action against Tilehurst Teslas Pictures: Andrew Batt

Erin Simmonds (right) puts in a tackle for S4K Ladies

Left: Jatinder Liddah celebrates a stylish finish for Eversley

Top right: A nimble moment as the Boars’ Ben Anderson presses home an attack

Bottom right: Ashley Howes keeps the ball on the ground, but the defence is floating through the air

Despite their best efforts, S4K Ladies narrowly lost against Wycombe

Eversley’s Ashley Howes brings a fine save Pictures: Richard Milam

Thames Valley Women’s Division

Left: Kate Stewart tries to win possession

Right: Kiah Owen chases the ball down

Pictures: Andrew Batt

Happiness is celebrating scoring

MAINTAIN STUNNING FORM

From the middle Dick Sawdon-Smith

Referees, religion and politics

FIFA has been criticised for holding the World Cup in Qatar, due to the various restrictions of its religion and its leaders.

FIFA however, is keen to promote football throughout the world.

It wants football to remain attractive and regardless of age, gender, race, religion, culture, ethnicity, sextual orientation or disability.

This is why they sometimes take the game to new areas or nations.

Referees can get involved in such disputes because they have to check players’ equipment, meaning clothing.

I remember refereeing an English Schoolgirls Cup tie, where one team came from Slough, a town of many Muslims.

Three of their girls were wearing long trousers, whereas the Laws say it is compulsory for players to wear shorts.

As their religion bans females showing so much flesh, the school provided trousers, which were the same colours as their other players shorts.

Did I stop them playing?

Of course not.

However, Rayners took the points with two more strikes to make it 3-1.

County are on 36 points from 19 games after winning 13 of their 16 fixtures.

WOODLEY UNITED suffered a narrow defeat at home to Hillingdon Borough.

One goal was enough to win the game for the visitors which came in the 70th minute.

The Kestrels are in eighth place after picking up 25 points from 18 games.

EVERSLEY & CALIFORNIA were denied a win after they conceded late on at home to Brook House.

Jatinder Liddar got on the end of Ash Howes’ cross and converted

FOOTBALL

to put the Boars in front after 16 minutes.

With just under 10 minutes to go, Brook House found the net as the points were shared in a 1-1 stalemate.

The Boars are in 11th position with 21 points from 15 games.

Eversley manager Matty Angell said: “Overall thought we did okay against Brook House but rued not taking our chances when 1-0 up and that allowed the opposition back in. Need to start taking our chances and stop dropping points.”

Southern Region Women’s Premier Division

ASCOT UNITED hit five past

Wycombe Wanderers to claim an emphatic away triumph.

Goals from Carrington, Brown and Davern gave the Yellawoman a three-goal advantage at half-time.

Ascot then added two more goals in the second-half to seal a 5-1 victory.

Southern Region Women’s Division One North

CAVERSHAM UNITED fell to their fifth league defeat at home to league leaders Milton United.

Freya Jenkins netted for the Goats to make it 2-1 after they went two goals behind But Milton ensured victory in the

second-half with two more strikes to seal a 4-1 win.

Thames Valley Women’s Division 3S

SHINFIELD RANGERS got the better of WARGRAVE DEVELOPMENT with a 2-1 home win.

Thames Valley Women’s Development

BURGHFIELD RESERVES stormed a huge success away at Stanford-inThe-Vale.

They smacked eight past their opponents without reply to take eight points.

BURGHFIELD LOSE OUT TO FINCH, CITY U23’s MOVE UP WITH VICTORY

Thames Valley Premier League

FINCHAMPSTEAD ensured they cut the gap on league leaders Yateley United with victory over third placed BURGHFIELD.

Finch and Burghfield went head to head for the title last season in which Finch came out on top in a well contested race for top spot to take their second consecutive league victory.

It was Finch who claimed all three points in their meeting at the weekend after goals from Joel Day

and an own goal saw them secure a 2-0 success.

Finch are in second on 26 points after 11 matches, 10 points behind leaders Yateley but with a game in hand.

Burghfield are in third position on 18 points from eight games, but have three games in hand on Finch and four on Yateley.

READING YMCA are in fourth place after their entertaining 4-4 draw with Maidenhead Town.

In a game filled with goals, goals from Pele Hagger, Mo Adam and a double from Alfie Stepehens

ensured YMCA took a point on their travels.

READING CITY U23’s collected their second win of the campaign by beating Windlesham United. The win sees City in 11th position after 10 matches and now three points ahead of Windlesham.

Reading & District Sunday League

Premier: AFC Bradfield 2-4 FC Sporty, Give Back 3-2 Mortimer

County Cup: Burghfield 4-1 Crowthorne Inn, 116 Exiles 2-1 Berkshire Royals, BAS FC 1-2 TRBL,Thames Valley Raiders 4-1 Englefield

Eagles,

Iran might seem to be the last country to have a woman’s football team, but a few years ago they reached the final of the Olympic games. However, FIFA intervened and stopped them taking part.

All the players wore trousers to play, but the problem was because they also wore hijabs, the Muslim headdress, when headgear was against the Laws.

The explanation was that the hijabs were fixed to the upper garment and if someone was to pull it, the player could be strangled.

Thinking of the amount of pulling that goes on in football today, perhaps FIFA had a point.

They took two years to sort this out and in 2016, the Law was changed so that head gear can be worn, as long as it isn’t attached to the shirt, or dangerous to the player or any other player.

On a different angle, a 15-year-old referee in Canada was stopped refereeing, because she wore a hijab, which was claimed to be against FIFA rules on advertising a religion.

This is a debatable interpretation of the Laws.

The Laws allow some information on player’s shirts, player’s name and number, sponsors name etc.

Other slogans and statements on arm bands or undergarments can be permitted, but must not reveal any political, religious, personal slogans, statements, or images, or advertising.

This includes any mention of local, regional, or national government or any organisation who aims/actions are likely to offend a notable number of people.

Referees must report any breaches of these Laws, and if any statements or images are offensive, insulting, or abusive, they must issue a yellow card.

Macy Handscomb shields the ball

How they rated

LATE LEVELLER AS ROYALS

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today

Will be disappointed to have been beaten at her near post for the winner, but was otherwise solid. Was quick off her line when required.

Emma Mukandi

A steady performance from the skipper. Was not able to get forward at will and when she did, her deliveries did not trouble the Reds.

Was beaten for pace on a number of occasions and struggled to contain the dangerous Stengel.

Deanna Cooper

Marshalled the back-line with authority, also put her body on the line to deny the visitors an early goal.

Used her speed to bomb down Reading’s left, putting in plenty of dangerous crosses. Also made some crucial defensive interventions.

Went down injured in the first half but continued and was a presence in Reading’s midfield.

Justine Vanhaevermaet

Asserted herself in the aerial battle and grew into the game. The final pass into the front line could have been more incisive.

Tia Primmer

Got her side back in the game with a wonderful finish just before the break. Went about her work diligently in the middle of the park.

Eikeland

Spurned a golden opportunity to open the scoring, unable to fire home from 10 yards out. Did her best to cause problems for Liverpool.

Natasha Dowie

Showed desire to put her side in front. Deserved her goal after working tirelessly to press Liverpool’s defenders all night.

Wellings

Was presented with a flurry of chances at the start of the second half. Will be disappointed not to have got on the scoresheet.

Tia Primmer and Natasha Dowie netted to put the Royals in front, but the Reds came roaring back with headers from Katie Stengel and Rhiannon Roberts to make a comeback.

Reading pushed to find an equaliser and found their reward when substitute Troeslgaard nudged in from close range.

The draw means that Reading have a four point lead over bottom side Leicester City in the Women’s Super League.

The Royals came into the game with just one league win under their belt in seven games, as did Liverpool.

Kelly Chambers made three changes from Sunday’s defeat at Aston Villa which saw Grace Moloney return in goal after Jacquline Burns saw red in Reading’s last outing.

Deanna Cooper returned to the defence, while Charlie Wellings was selected to play up top alongside Natasha Dowie.

Liverpool had a golden chance to grab the lead after six minutes when former Royal Rachel Furness was found in space from Melissa Lawley’s cut back, but Cooper got her body in the way to make a pivotal block.

Reading’s first chance fell for

REACTION

Match Stats

READING: Moloney, Mukandi (c), Caldwell, Cooper, Woodham, Vanhaevermaet, Rowe, Primmer, Wellings, Eikeland, Dowie

SUBS: Poulter, Bryson, Evans, Wade, Harries, Jane, Troelsgaard

LIVERPOOL: Cummings, Koivisto, Fahey, Matthews, Hinds, Holland, Wardlaw, Furness, Lawley, Van de Sanden, Stengel

SUBS: Kirby, Roberts, Robe, Kearns, Humphrey, Daniels, Campbell, Silcock

GOALS: Stengel 16’, 68’, Primmer 45+3’, Dowie 63’, Roberts 73’, Troelsgaard 89’

Amalie Eikeland who got on the end of Lily Woodham’s inswinging free-kick, but missed the target on the volley at the near post.

The Reds nudged themselves in front in the 16th minute when Lawley’s cross was perfectly placed for Katie Stengel to nod the ball past Grace Moloney into the right corner.

Furness came close again with her header that drifted just inches over the top.

Seeking a leveller, Rachel Rowe tried to pick out Natasha Dowie in the middle, who was left unmarked, but her cross was a fraction too high for the forward.

Stengel almost stung Reading on the counter when she raced down the left, cut inside to breeze past Diane Caldwell and Cooper, but saw her shot blocked by Woodham.

Three minutes into added time in the first-half, Reading found their equaliser with the final play of the half.

CHAMBERS: ‘WE SHOWED OUR NEVER SAY DIE ATTITUDE’

READING FC Women’s manager Kelly Chambers praised her team’s ‘never say die attitude’ after their late leveller against Liverpool.

After surrendering a 2-1 lead to go down 3-2, the Royals pulled back an 89th minute equaliser from Sanne Troelsgaard to take their first draw of the Women’s Super League campaign.

“Although of course we are happy with the point at the end of it, there are some frustrations too,” said Chambers.

“I thought we controlled the game for the majority of it and to conceded the goals we conceded, we’ve got to be better in the box.

“We have to react quicker in picking players up and it’s the conversation we had at half-time

so to then concede the goal we did in the second half, especially after taking the lead, was disappointing.”

Despite losing their lead after going ahead in the second-half, Chambers was relieved to see her team pick up a point to move four ahead of bottom placed Leicester City.

Chambers continued: “I said to the girls at the end they once again showed their never give up attitude, we needed to keep fighting and they got their reward for it in the end. So at the end of the game, we’re happy with a point.

“We knew the extra importance of the match, we kept looking at

the clock, and the time seems to be going by so fast when you’re searching for a goal.

“But in the end we got that goal and that extra point makes a huge difference when you look at the table.

“It’s another point closer to other teams around us and more crucially one away from the bottom.

“I do believe we’ve got a group that are confident, positiver and keep believing and that’s the biggest thing you need when fighting in this league.

“This was certainly one of our better performances this season. The way we defended from the front, our attacking threat, so these things we have to keep working on and become more consistent.”

Amalie Eikeland airbourne

Tia Primmer netted for Reading

Troelsgaard heads across to find Dowie

Sanne Troelsgaard’s late goal earned Reading a draw Reading struck late to take a well

Grace Moloney

Lily Woodham

Amalie

Diane Caldwell

Charlie

Rachel Rowe

Emma Harries 6, Sanne Troelsgaard 6, Gemma Evans n/a

READING FC recovered to take a late point at home to Liverpool after a six goal thriller was levelled up by Sanne Troelsgaard’s 89th minute goal.

RECOVER TO TAKE POINT

After Woodham’s free-kick was only cleared to the edge of the box, Tia Primmer unleashed an excellent first timed effort that looped over the head of Eartha Cumings to find the corner.

A big chance passed Reading by to take the lead when a floated cross found its way to an unmarked Charlie Wellings who scuffed her effort well wide of the target.

Reading were on the front foot for the opening 15 minutes of the half and Wellings forced a decent save out of Cumings who collected her shot from just inside the box with relative ease.

The hosts were rewarded from

their positive play and took the lead in the 63rd minute.

Just seconds after Natasha Dowie’s glanced header hit the post, the striker stayed alert to poke the ball in from close range.

But it didn’t take long for Liverpool to find a response and they were level five minutes later when Stengel netted for the second time of the night to convert from Megan Campbell’s cross.

That prompted Chambers to make her first switch as Emma Harries replaced Wellings up top.

With just over 15 minutes to go, Liverpool were back in front with their third headed goal of the night as Rhiannon Roberts’ effort squeezed past Moloney at the near post.

Stengel had a chance to seal her hat-trick when she raced into the box only to skew her shot off target.

With just a minute of the 90 left to play, Reading found the sixth goal of the evening when substitute Sanne Troeslgaard was on hand to scramble the ball in from close range.

The final whistle blew which meant the points were shared in an enthralling contest.

ROYALS LOOK TO STRETCH UNBEATEN RUN IN HOME MATCH

By Andy Preston apreston@wokingham.today

READING FC WOMEN turn their attention back to Women’s Super League action this weekend when they host Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.

On the back of their Conti Cup win over Championship side Southampton, the Royals will be hoping to replicate their cup form in the league.

Kelly Chambers’ side are currently on four points from eight WSL matches which places them in 11th, above bottom side

Leicester City who are yet to pick up a point.

Reading’s only league win this season came against Leicester after a dramatic stoppage time double from Rachel Rowe which saw them come out as 2-1 victors.

In their most recent league fixture, the Royals earned their first draw of the campaign in an entertaining 3-3 contest at home to Liverpool in which Sanne Troelsgaard’s 89th minute equaliser helped them avoid defeat.

Sunday’s opponents Spurs are

currently in seventh position after picking up three wins and three losses in their six league matches.

Spurs’ three wins have come against Leicester, Liverpool and Brighton.

They picked up a stunning victory on the road at Brighton by smashing eight goals past the Seagulls without reply at the end of October.

Meanwhile, Tottenham have lost out 4-0 to Arsenal, 3-0 to Manchester City and 3-0 to title holders Chelsea in their three defeats this season.

Reading and Spurs have already met once this season in the Conti Cup.

In their group game, Spurs came away with three points after goals from Ashleigh Neville and Nikola Karczewska helped them to a 2-1 success despite Natasha Dowie’s late penalty for Reading.

When the two teams last met in the WSL, back in March, the game ended goalless at the SCL.

n For ticket details, visit: ticketing.readingfc.co.uk/en-GB/ categories/women%20home

READING SINK SAINTS IN CONTI CUP

Southampton 0

Reading 3

READING FC WOMEN climbed up to second in their Conti Cup group after they breezed past Championship side Southampton.

Having earned the Royals a late point by scoring an 89th minute equaliser in a 3-3 draw at home to Liverpool on Thursday in the Women’s Super League, Sanne Troeslgaard netted for the second consecutive game.

Her goal got Kelly Chambers’ side off to a rapid start as they broke the deadlock just four minutes in at St Mary’s after Emma Harries clipped the ball into the Danish international who applied the finish.

Royals goalkeeper Jacquie Burns, who returned to the side after being sent off against Aston Villa last weekend, made two quickfire saves to preserve the clean sheet.

Reading extended their advantage before the break when Ema Mukandi picked out Lauren Wade who broke in behind the Saints defence and placed the ball past the goalkeeper.

Reading relinquished control in the second-half and continued their commanding performance.

Justine Vanhaevermaet ensured Reading would be taking the points back after she added a third goal of the afternoon.

The Belgian midfielder fired a shot into the roof of the net to put the game beyond doubt.

Reading could have put more gloss on the scoreline but Charlie Wellings had a shot cleared off the line before she again went close but was denied by the keeper.

Reading are now in second position in Conti Cup Group E after two matches, above Coventry on goal difference and three points above the Saints.

Reading are back in league action this weekend when they host Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday at the Select Car Leasing Stadium (12.30pm kick-off).

Southampton: Morris, Rafferty, Freeland, Williams (c), Wynne, Ward, Lloyd-Smith, Griffith,s Watling, Peake, Harris

Subs: Rendell, Mott, Kendall, Parnell, Pusey, Pharoah, Wilkinson, Rutherford

Reading: Burns, Bryson, Mukandi (c), Evans, Cooper, Vanhaevermaet, Troelsgaard, Rowe, Wade, Harries, Eikeland

Subs: Moloney, Poulter, Wellings, Dowie, Caldwell, Jane, Woodham, Primmer

Goals: Troelsgaard 4’, Wade 37’, Vanhaevermaet 59’

Vanhaevermaet was on the scoresheet

-earned point in a six-goal contest with Liverpool Pictures: Neil Graham

Troeslgaard celebrates her late goal

Vanhaevermaet competes Eikeland crosses into the box

Primmer equalises

Mukandi competes with Lawley

Rachel Rowe starts a Reading attack

Royals skipper Emma Mukandi

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today

South Central Men’s North Division 2

SONNING 2s got the better of SOUTH BERKSHIRE 2s in their local derby clash.

Sonning hit three past their opponents without reply to take three points on their away trip.

The win puts Sonning up to sixth in the table on 11 points from eight matches, while South Berks are in 11th with two points, still looking for their first win of the campaign.

South Central Men’s Premier 1

READING 2s added a point to their total after a stalemate at hope to Maidenhead.

The 2-2 result was Reading’s third draw of the season which leaves them in 11th position on six points from eight matches.

South Central Men’s North Division 1

READING 3s collected their third win of the season with a victory over Marlow 2s.

One goal was enough to win the game to place Reading in seventh place on 11 points from eight games.

South Central Women’s North Division 1

READING 3s picked up three points on the road with success at Staines.

Reading lead the way at the

top after taking eight wins from their nine matches after a 1-0 win against Staines.

SOUTH BERKSHIRE 1s came away with maximum points after their win at Amersham & Chalfont 2s.

INCE URGES EFL TO INTRODUCE ANNUAL WINTER

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today

Following this year’s World Cup in Qatar, which means that Championship clubs are on hiatus until Saturday, December 10, Ince believes that this should be a regular occurrence in England.

“We’ve been crying out for a winter break,” said Ince. “I know we’re having one next year for a week, but it’s not enough.

“It gives us a lift because once we get back on December 10, it’s full on.

“If you look at the last three or four games before the World Cup we were out on our feet, as a lot of Championship teams

were, so it’s a well-earned rest.

“It’s unprecedented with the World Cup, it won’t happen again I presume. It’s a case of taking advantage to have a week away.

“All the lads are together having a bond that we have as players and staff. It builds relationships and we’re getting good work into the players.

The Royals squad, other than the three players at the World Cup (Junior Hoilett, Mamadou Loum and Baba Rahman), are at a training camp in Tenerife.

Once Reading return to Championship action, the relentless schedule begins again where they face three games in six days at the back end of December and the start of January.

It will be the third time this season that Reading have had

to help South Berks to a 3-2 win to keep them in second place on 19 points. They are five

South Central Women’s Premier 1

SONNING 1s were on the end of a heavy defeat on their away travels to Oxford.

Oxford hit six past Sonning to take a 6-1 success which leaves Sonning in 10th position in the table with six points from eight games.

South Central Women’s North Division 2

SONNING 2s lost out at home in their fixture against Witney 2s.

After the 4-1 loss, Sonning are in 10th position with six points from eight games.

RESULTS

Thursday, November 24

FOOTBALL Women’s Super League Reading 3-3 Liverpool

Saturday, November 26

Southern League Premier Hendon 3-4 Bracknell Town

Isthmian South Central Binfield 2-1 Leatherhead

Combined Counties Premier North

Ascot United 2-1 London Lions Flackwell Heath 0-3 Reading City Sumas 2-0 Holyport

Combined Counties Division One

Eversley & California 1-1 London Samurai Rovers Rayners Lane 3-1 Berks County

Woodley United 0-1 Hillingdon Borough Sandhurst Town 4-2 CB Hounslow United

Thames Valley Premier League Finchampstead 2-0 Burghfield Maidenhead Town 4-4 Reading YMCA Wargrave 1-2 Westwood Wanderers Windlesham United 0-1 Reading City U23’s

RUGBY UNION National League One Taunton Titans 24-27 Rams

Regional 1 South Central Havant 28-12 Bracknell

Regional 2 South Central Witney 38-22 Reading

South Central Men’s Division 1 Sonning v Newbury & Thatcham

South Central Women’s Premier Division Oxford 6-1 Sonning

Sunday, November 27

Shinfield Rangers 2-1 Wargrave Development

Thames Valley Womens’ Development Division Stanford in the Vale 0-8 Burghfield Reserves

FIXTURES

Friday, December 2

FOOTBALL

Southern League Premier Bracknell Town v Swindon Supermarine

Saturday, December 3

Isthmian South Central Chipstead v Binfield

Combined Counties Premier North Reading City v Chalfont St Peter

FA Vase third round

Ascot United v Little Common

Combined Counties Division One

Berks County v Woodley United Eversley & California v Rising Ballers Kensington

Berks & Bucks Charles Twelftree Trophy Windlesham United Youth v Finchampstead Woodley United Royals v Burghfield

RUGBY UNION National League One Rams v Sale

South Central Regional 2 Shipston on Stour v Reading

South Central Men’s North Division 1 Wallingford v Sonning

HOCKEY Women’s National Premier Division Reading v Loughborough Students

South Central Women’s Premier 1 Sonning v Marlow

Sunday, December 4

three games in six days which has left Ince unimpressed by the EFL’s scheduling

Ince continued: “We’re here to focus on December 10, it’s not a holiday. It’s about getting the balance right without overdoing it, making sure we are refreshed and ready to go.

“It’s the third time we have three games in six days and some championship games haven’t even done it once and I’d like to know why. It’s so unfair and bang out of order

“They’re tough games with Norwich, West Brom, away at Birmingham so it’s back to the grind again.

“I played in Italy and we had two or three weeks off. It was good to recharge the batteries and then you’re back and ready to go. It reinvigorates you to go back to work.”

By NIGEL MALTBY sport@wokingham.today

JULIAN

Meanwhile,

Ed Lush got a hat-trick at KINGFISHER C, supported through singles from Matt Stone and Denise Weller who both beat Daniel McTiernan as the two teams fought out a 5-5 draw.

The following evening, Matt Stone, Matt Isherwood and Tim Raby all managed two wins apiece as they beat SONNING SPORTS A 7-3, Matt defeated Nick Sears 8-11 11-8 11-9 9-11 11-9.

In division four, OUR LADY OF PEACE G won their re-arranged fixture against KINGFISHER J 6-4.

Fitzroy Licorish was the star for OLOP with a good maximum, Derek Brook won twice and Susan Daniels won a key opening match against Kingfisher’s Gillian Bennett 3-11 11-4 11-4

HOCKEY

Men’s National Premier Division Reading v Exeter University

FOOTBALL

FA WSL Cup Southampton 0-3 Reading

Southern Region Women’s Premier Division Wycombe Wanderers 1-5 Ascot United

Southern Region Women’s Division One North Woodley United 4-0 Penn & Tylers Green Caversham United 1-4 Milton United

Thames Valley Women’s Division Two S4K Berks County 2-3 Wycombe Wanderers Reserves

Thames Valley Women’s Division 3S

FOOTBALL

Women’s Super League Reading v Tottenham Cup

Ascot United v Woodley United AFC Stoneham v Caversham United

S4K Berks County v Slough Town

Eversley & California Reserves v Mortimer

Aylesbury United v Ascot United Reserves

Tilehurst Panthers v Newport Pagnell

Wargrave v Taplow United

Southern Region Women’s Division One North Carterton v Eversley & California

HOCKEY Men’s National Premier Division

Reading v Hampstead & Westminster

READING FC manager Paul Ince has called on the EFL to introduce a gap in the fixture list.

Telford and Ryan Chung both got trebles as KINGFISHER D won 6-4 at TIDMARSH A in division one.

SONNING COMMON & PEPPARD B played two re-arranged matches in two days to climb of the foot of the table.

Sarah Kelly, Lola Theodoulou and Alessia Osborne scored

points behind league leaders Reading, but with a game in hand.

South Berks try to take a strike at goal

South Berks 2s move forward on the attack

Sonning 2s took the points in their local derby clash with South Berks 2s

Pictures: Steve Smyth

Sonning kept a clean sheet